Saturday, November 29, 2014

Christmas Greetings!

Hello my friends and welcome back!
I've been so wrapped up in craft show creating, DT creating and Thanksgiving preparations that I just needed to take a moment for a little ME time and create a little something for some of the challenges I enjoy taking part in.  
Today's card is for the current challenge at Impression Obsession which is Christmas Greetings.  I don't have as many IO dies as I would like (working on that problem) but I went through those I had and thought a winter scene (at least in my mind) depicts the holiday time of year so this is what I created.

 
The Impression Obsession dies I have used today are:
Fence Trio - DIE034-U
Small Deer - DIE117-C
Fir Trees - DIE084-V

I have grown to love creating 'scenic' cards ... especially for the GUYS ... which can be very difficult to create a card for!  These particular die cuts are PERFECT for that situation!

My background design paper is a scrap from my stash and the snow was created by simply tearing scraps of white card stock.  I used a white gelly roll pen to create 'snow' on the trees and fencing.

Okay, play time is over ... back to business!
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!  Hope you found inspiration!
As always . . .

Friday, November 28, 2014

Vintage Merry Christmas

Hello my friends!
I hope you had a FABULOUS THANKSGIVING!!
Today is an exciting day for me ... it's my/our 20th Wedding Anniversary!  
Yep, Mark & I were married 20 years ago today!  I'm wish I had a fancy wedding photo to share but  we were married on a very cold, snowy day in Toledo, Ohio on the courthouse staircase!  No frills, no witnesses and NO PHOTOS!  Yep ... life was even busier then and Mark could only manage to get a couple of days away from work so it was a quick yet memorable day for the two of us!!
And, I can honestly say my life BEGAN when I met this man!  He is truly my soul mate and I don't know what I'd do or where I would be today without him!! 

ACT FAST!!!

Black Friday 1 Day SALE Valid Until 10 AM Sat!

Happy Black Friday!   Save 30% EXTRA off all our Sale priced items until 10 AM PST Saturday, Nov 29/14.  

It's the BEST SALE we've ever had and it includes ALL Digital items, our CD's, Clear Stamp Sets and Clearance Items - except our Sale Packs - which are already 70% Off!

okay ... onto today's card creation!

You all know how much I LOVE vintage and Crafty Secrets ... well wrap them together and you'll have today's creation!  I have printed paper & image from the Vintage Christmas CD for my card and with a little fussy cutting created a beautiful (& quick) one of a kind creation.

 
NO COLORING necessary today which really made things go quickly.  And, the only additions are the Merry Christmas die sentiment from Cheery Lynn Designs and a pretty holiday ribbon bow created using my Craft-Dee Bowz bow making tool.


If you've not been over to our STORE or participated in our CHALLENGE on our BLOG  you are missing out!!  
We have a Monthly Linky Party and EVERYONE is a WINNER!  
All you need to do is share a creation (of any type) using ANY Crafty Secrets products and you qualify for a prize!  
And, ONE LUCKY WINNER will get an even BIGGER PRIZE!  That could be YOU!!!

A few challenges to share in:
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge - Die Cuts
As You Like It Challenge - Favorite Christmas Style & Why
(Vintage - I grew up in the 60s it's what makes me warm & fuzzy!)
Aud Sentiment Challenge - Sentiment for any December Holiday
Scrapper's Delight Challenge - Anything Goes or Traditional Christmas
Craft-Dee Bowz November Challenge - Anything Goes including a Bow

Won't you come join us??
Till next time ...


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!!

To All My Friends out there in Blogland
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We will be hosting Thanksgiving this year and I'm praying the weather holds up for us since my Mom and Ken have an hour & a half drive to get here.  Going to be a small group, but so blessed to have my family close enough to share the time and meal together!

I pray you are also able to have the blessing of family & friends around your dinner table!  Stay safe, warm and happy!  We have so much to be thankful for!

Hugs to you all and once again . . .

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Shadowhunters out there (as well as a ...

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Sisterhood - Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Hello Everyone!
It's time once again for a new challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters!
Lisa is our hostess today and our theme is:

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!!

And, if you noticed my Christmas Countdown at the top of my sidebar, you'll see it's closer than you think!!  Well at least closer than I'd hoped it would be!!  LOL!


Don't you just love this vintage Santa image?  It comes from the Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas Digital Stamp Set.   I decided to just do a little coloring on this image so his beautiful, weathered face would stand out!  Can you imagine getting to ALL THOSE HOUSES in just ONE NIGHT!!!  It's no wonder he's looking a bit worn out!  LOL!

I also decided to do a little fussy cutting and faux stitching.  This time I did my faux stitching by using a paper piercer all the way around the image ... then 'connecting the dots' with a TH fine time black distress marker.  Love how it turned out!


I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!
You simply need to use SANTA somewhere on your card/project!
EASY AS THAT!!

Here's a few other challenges I'd like to share in today:

Craftin Desert Diva's Link It Up Party - Christmas
My Creative Moments Monday Morning Challenge #1 - Christmas or Winter
Oh La La Creations Challenge #170 - Christmas
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Use Die Cuts
Everybody-Art-Challenge - Snowflakes
Try It On Tuesday Challenge - Christmas is Coming

Thanks so much for stopping by today ... now I'd better get those pies baked or I'll be in trouble with the family tomorrow!!  LOL!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
As always . . .

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

A Snowman Get Well with Dies R Us!

Welcome Back Friends!
Today I have a wintertime Get Well card for you using a POSITIVE cut and a NEGATIVE cut from my dies today.  Using the negative portion of your die cuts is a great way to use up some of those scraps ... give it a try!


How adorable is this Sweet Dixie Snowman.  By simply die cutting him out of white card stock and adhering him to a piece of black card stock, I only had to 'fill in the blanks' ... which I did by using my xmas red, green and Orange Peel Stickles.  So festive and cute!

Now comes the fun part of my card!  For my sentiment, I decided not to waste the negative portion of the black card stock panel I had used to cut the words out for a different card creation so by making sure I kept the little pieces that came out of the original cut of this Elizabeth Craft Get Well Soon die (pieces from the 'e and o') I was able to create this sentiment panel.  

Of course the one I used here on my card, was done a few days back so I QUICKLY [5 minutes or so] did another one so I could do a little photo tutorial for you.  You can use this technique with so many of your die cuts!  Give it a try!  This is also a great way to use up some of those scraps you have laying around!!

STEP 1:  Die cut your words using a scrap piece of card stock.

 STEP 2:  Cut your die cut panel to the desired size.

 
 STEP 3:  Mat your original cut panel onto a contrasting color piece of card stock.

STEP 4:  Remove your words from the die CAREFULLY saving the little pieces that are in the letters (in this case) E and O.

STEP 5:  With a tiny dab of white glue, adhere the letter centers into your negative panel ... hence creating a SECOND sentiment panel from ONE die cut!!  YAY!!

I hope you've found a bit of inspiration in my card today and if you've never used this technique ... give it a try!

Be sure to pop over to our Dies R Us Store and check out all the amazing dies available 'under one roof' by so many wonderful companies!  Our shipping rates are VERY affordable ... we have a fabulous newsletter that you'll want to sign up for so you don't miss out on any of our FLASH SALES and of course you'll want to come play in our fun challenges HERE!  New challenge on the 1st and 15th of each month with one lucky winner receiving a gift voucher for the store!

OH! OH!  And, don't forget about the GIVEAWAY we have going on through the 30th.  
Just click HERE to enter and
Good luck!!

Well that's it for me today!  So much to do and so little time to do it so I'd best get busy!!
As always . . .

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Subway Art Challenge



Welcome my friends!
Today I have a fun creation to share with you that I created as my DT inspiration for the new challenge at 613 Avenue Create Challenge #99.  
Yes, we are an ANYTHING GOES challenge, but each time we have a TWIST theme.
It's to your advantage to use the twist when you can!
Today's TWIST THEME is:
SUBWAY ART
Our sponsors today are:
 
Today I have the pleasure of creating with an image from Lacy Sunshine Stamps!  They are ALL so adorable and fun to color but I chose 'Sammi Boo Caroling' to go along with the Subway Art that I found online.
I must admit, I was NOT familiar with what subway art was until this challenge and had to do a little bit of googling!!  LOL!!  (my old age showing I guess!)


Isn't little Miss Sammi Boo adorable?  
I've used Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers for my coloring today and I think the Subway Art I chose works perfectly with the image!  My background paper comes from the Paper Studio 'Old World' 12x12 paper pack and I've used holiday green metallic card stock for the mat on my art & image.

A touch of winter time snowflakes came into play by using two of my favorite Memory Box dies ... Snowflake Corner #98238 and Frostyville Border #98146.  I also used the little snowflakes that popped out of the border die and sprinkled them around Sammi Boo!

A few challenges I'd like to share in:
Crafter's Cafe Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafting by Design - Get Ready for Christmas
Divas by Design - Let it Snow

Please come join in our challenge fun at 613 Avenue Create!
And, if you need inspiration, by all means pop over and see what my team mates have created for you ... they are AMAZING!!!  Hope to see you there!

As always ...

Friday, November 21, 2014

Crafty Secrets Retro Kitchen Get Well

Hello dear friends!
Today I have a card to share using one of the new kitchen digital sets from Crafty Secrets.  This set is called RETRO KITCHEN DIGITAL KIT and it is AWESOME!!!


OMG!  I actually remember a lady from my childhood who had a kitchen that looked JUST LIKE this paper!  Who remember the old 'Congo Wall' (Congoleum Tiles) ... LOL yep I'm aging myself again!  I think it came in Cherries or Apples ... aahh the memories of days gone by!  LOL

Anyways, I just love this color combo (so bright & cheerful) and the cute image made me smile so thought it would be perfect for a get well card!  The sentiment panel comes BLANK ... I simply stamped the sentiment in manually this time around.  You could also use many of the Crafty Secrets sentiments available to fit any occasion.  

By simply adding a little red gingham ribbon/bow ... this card was FAST and EZPZ!! 

Be sure to pop on over to the Crafty Secrets Store and check out all the AMAZING SALES going on right now!  Sandy is switching to ALL DIGITAL so she has a warehouse full of goodies to sell at a VERY REASONABLE PRICE ... here's the link!

AND REMEMBER ... we have a Monthly Linky Party the 1st Monday of Every Month over on our BLOG!  All you need to do is create ANYTHING using a Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage item and you qualify for some FREE GOODIES!  That's right ... EVERYONE'S A WINNER! 

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hope you have a FABULOUS weekend!!
Till next time . . .


Thursday, November 20, 2014

Ladybugs for Londyn

Hello my friends!
WOW!  Such a busy (but fun) time of the year!
Had GREAT FUN baking cookies with my daughter & granddaughter yesterday.  
We used only two different batters ... oatmeal and chocolate chip ... but modified them to create 3 different kinds from each batter.  I will share one of those recipes with you at the end of this post ... White Chocolate, Pecan, Banana Cookies ... so be sure to check it out!

But before that I'd like to share with you a gift set that I was commissioned to do for one of the Managers at the local Bob Evans, for her little granddaughter birthday the end of the month.  The little one's name is LONDYN (isn't that adorable) and they call her LADYBUG ... hence the theme for this collection.  I created her birthday card, tissue box cover, photo frame and an altered canvas.  Have a peek ...






 

 Grandma Mariea was very happy with the collection which of course made me VERY happy!  It was fun to do and I look forward to hearing back after the birthday party on the 30th.

Now about those cookies ...

WHITE CHOCOLATE, PECAN, BANANA COOKIES

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 banana, mashed
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tespoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 to 8 ounces white chocolate bar, chopped 
(I used white chocolate chips)
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 375.
Beat butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well.  Add vanilla and vanilla.  Add flour, cornstarch, salt and soda.  Mix well.  Add chocolate and pecans,  Mix gently.  Chill dough about an hour (oops didn't do that! lol)
Using a small ice cream scoop, drop dough onto baking sheet.  
Sprinkle with coarse salt.  (oops didn't do that either, just added table salt to recipe, lol)
Bake 10 minutes or until browned on edges
Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

Even after my couple of Oooops ... they still taste really good!
Can you imagine how awesome they would really be if you follow the recipe!  LOL!
Hey!  I was on a roll and who has time for minor details!  LOL!

Anyways it was fun ... cookies are good (scale went UP this a.m. ... drat!)
But best of all ... the time spent together was PRICELESS!
LOVE MY GIRLS!!!  (and my boys too!)

Craft show tomorrow ... I'd better get my ducks in a row!
As always . . .

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Dies R Us 1000 Likes Facebook Giveaway

Hello My Friends!
Dies R Us just passed 1000 Likes over on our Facebook Page and we would like to celebrate with a Giveaway Event!  Here's the details ...


For your convenience here are the links:



Remember to leave a separate comment for each part you complete.
ONLY COMMENTS LEFT ON OUR FB EVENTS PAGE WILL QUALIFY FOR THE PRIZES.
Hope you'll come join in the fun and GOOD LUCK!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Ho! Ho! Ho! with Dies R Us

Hello my friends and welcome back!
Tuesday is my day to do my best to inspire you with a creation made using dies from the Dies R Us Store! Today's creation utilizes three dies, 1 holiday design paper, 1 stamp and a touch of Sparkle!!  EZPZ and ADORABLE!!

The background paper on this card creation is actually closer to the color in the last picture in this post (light grey with white snowflakes) ... don't ask me why my camera insists on changing the colors of my cards from time to time.  Actually the sepia tones would have been nice too!  Hmmmm!   LOL!


The dies used on this card are:

A simple touch of Stickles helped add that holiday sparkle I was looking for and of course just had to let Santa get a word in with my 'Our Lady of Rubber' HO sentiment stamp!
 

With gorgeous dies like these, you can have beautiful holiday cards ready to send in no time at all.  And this time of year with so many things to be done, that's of great benefit!!

Please be sure to stop over at our Dies R Us Store for all your holiday die cutting needs.  And if it's challenge fun you're looking for, check out our Dies R Us Challenge Blog ... a new challenge goes live on the 1st and 15th of each month with one lucky winner receiving a gift prize to the Dies R Us Store.  Hope you'll come play along!

Well, that's about it for me today!  
Are you as crazy busy as I am right now?  
Shew!  This is maddening ... but so much fun!  LOL!

Thanks for the visit and as always . . .

Monday, November 17, 2014

Being SQUARE with Squigglefly

Hello All!
It's time for a new challenge over on Squigglefly and today's theme is to 

create a SQUARE card! 

Now I must admit square cards are something I rarely do ... mainly because here in the USA postage is MORE for square cards then it is for rectangular cards!  And, since I do sell my cards at craft shows, many people don't want to be bothered with the additional postage and just don't buy them!


Anyways ... here's my card for today's challenge and I've used this adorable Christmas Bird image by artist Sal Scheibe.  I've used my Spectrum Noir pencils and markers for my coloring and then used chalk to create the background sky.  I also used Liquid Pearls to create the snow ... can't have Christmas Birds without snow! And, since they are Christmas Birds, I felt a Merry Christmas (by Cheery Lynn Designs) sentiment was in order!  VIOLA!  Ready to mail ...

I do hope you'll come share YOUR square card creations with us at Squigglefly!  And if you need more inspiration, be sure to check out what my fabulous team mates have created!!

Hope to see you there!
Thanks so much for stopping by today and have a WONDERFUL WEEK AHEAD!!
Till next time . . .

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Looking out the window ...

Hello my friends!  Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!
As usual, I'm busy preparing for my end of the year craft fairs but after talking to my friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) I decided to take a break away from craft fair items and play along in a fun challenge she steered me towards.  

The challenge is called 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown and the current challenge is
Yep, it must be Christmas and involve a window.
Diane knows I love creating this type of card so she didn't hesitate to tell be about this fun challenge.  Thanks my friend!!!  Be sure to check out HER POST HERE for the card she created ... it's beautiful!  I told her I thought it was funny that her card is "from the outside looking IN" and mine is "from the inside looking OUT"!!!  LOL ...

Here's what I came up with . . .

  My image is stamped on white vellum then colored on the 'back' side using my Spectrum Noir markers.  I know dye markers are better for this technique but without thinking I just started using my alcohol markers and I think they came together just fine!  
Now of course I couldn't just stop at ONE card!  So, here's another card using the same technique.


Since I am in need of several more holiday cards not only for my craft fairs but for my own personal friends, I decided to create a couple more 'windows' which will be turned into Christmas cards later in the week.
 

Here are a few other challenges I'd like to share in today then I really MUST be getting back to my craft fair projects ...
Alphabet Challenge -  T for Traditional Christmas
Chocolate Coffee Cards - Favorite Holiday (Christmas)
Word Art Wednesday .- Anything Goes 
C.R.A.F.T  Challenge - Christmas
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes 
Craft A Scene Challenge - Trees, trees, trees

OH and by the looks of the radar here in NE Ohio, I just might have this sort of view out my own window come tomorrow morning!  They're calling for 1-3" tonight and another 3-5" tomorrow!  Gee ... guess where you'll find me!!  LOL!
Yep ... tucked away in my cave just crafting my little fingers to the bone!  LOL!

Happy Day and as always . . .

UPDATE:
YEP!  They were right ... here's what I woke up to this morning!
The 1st photo was the view out the side lights of my front door at 6:45 a.m.

This is looking out the back sliding door around 8:00 a.m.
AND, it's still coming down (10 am)
WELCOME WINTER!!!

Friday, November 14, 2014

Crafty Secrets Kitchen Memories Booklet

Hello my friends!
Today I have a fun project to share with you that I've created using the new Crafty Secrets Kitchen Memories Digital Kit!  OMG if you haven't checked out these new Kitchen Digital Kits yet ... jump over RIGHT NOW!!!  So many fabulous papers, images, ephemera that I had to make myself STOP adding pages!  LOL!

 I am so pleased with this project!  
Aren't the covers beautiful!

And to think ... it all began with empty cereal boxes and this FABULOUS NEW KIT from Crafty Secrets!!  Not only do they have this new kit but they also have a new RETRO KITCHEN DIGITAL KIT that is equally AWESOME!!!  Even though I do recycle, I can't bring myself to toss these in the bin ... they are perfect for times like this!

Now for a peek at the inside pages ... ALL created using this one kit!!  
I could have gone on and on and on ... so much fun!!
(you can click on these image to enlarge)

 Page 1 and 2 ...

 Page 3 and 4 ...

 Page 5 and 6 ...

 Page 7 and 8 ...

Page 9 and 10 ...

 So there you have it!  Don't you just LOVE IT!!!
Yes, I did a lot of fussy cutting ... not that you have to, I just like doing that!  LOL!
And I did a little playing around with the fruits and vegetables by 'grouping' them together in WORD before printing and fussy cutting.  I also resized the recipe cards before printing ... THAT is one of the wonderful things about using digital images ... you can resize to fit any project!!

Oh and in case you're interested ... this booklet is 5.5" x 7" in size.

Here are a few challenges I'd like to share today's project in:
Try it on Tuesday Challenge - Handmade/Homemade
Craft-room Challenge - Anything 3d
Party Time Tuesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Tip Top Tuesday Challenge - Three or more papers
All Crafts Oct/Nov Challenge - Anything But A Card
The Crafting Cafe - Not a Card

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by and I do hope you'll pop over to our Crafty Secrets Blog  there is STILL TIME TO PLAY IN OUR LINKY PARTY ... 
EVERYONE'S A WINNER!!!!

AND, check out our Crafty Secrets Store ... so much you will miss if you don't!
As always  . . .