Love is a Canvas . . .

Happy Monday Dear Friends!

I'm sorry to say that this will be my last card shared as a Design Team member of Crafty Secrets.

After many years and much pleasure creating for Sandy Redburn and her Crafty Secrets team, I feel it is time for me to step down and make room for some 'new, fresher creative minds'. 

If you're not familiar with the Crafty Secrets STORE or BLOG,

you owe it to yourself to pop over and check 'em out!  

WONDERFUL products at FABULOUS prices ...

 Today's card uses digital paper from their Birds & Blooms Digital Paper (DPK-26) and the sentiment panel is from their Words from the Heart booklet 'Love and Friendship'.

 I was thrilled to see that the largest die from the Spellbinder Celebrations 'Pierced Rectangles' (SCD-012) set fit perfectly around my booklet image ... I think it added just that little extra 'vintage' flair I was looking for.

The beautiful ribbon came from Really Reasonable Ribbons Blog and the only other addition was a touch of blue chalk around the songbook in my image ... just to tie in with the beautiful digital paper.

Please be sure to stop over at Crafty Secrets and remember they have a challenge on the 1st Monday of Each Month with FABULOUS PRIZES offered to the winners.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Here's wishing you a fabulous week ahead!!

 As always . . .

Nature is the Art of God!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today I have a card with a lovely message for us all!

The sentiment image comes from the Crafty Secrets Garden Printables (T-21) and I've also used the Crafty Secrets Birds & Blooms Digital Papers (DPK-26) for today's creation.

There are so many wonderful images w/verses available at the Crafty Secrets store which makes it so easy to create a BEAUTIFUL card in just minutes!  Be sure to pop over to see what they offer!  The prices are fabulous too!  We all love that!

Challenges:
2 Creative Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes
 ARTastic Challenge - Vintage

Card and Scrap Challenge - Vintage/Shabby Chic
CCC Digi Creations Challenge #35 - Anything Goes
The Sisters of Craft October Challenge - Anything Goes

Hope you have a fabulous week ahead!
Thanks for stopping by today!
As always . . .

Trick or Treat ...

Happy Monday Friends!

I'm off an running this morning!

We've been in the process of having to replace our front porch (designer flaw) and they were to finally come pour the concrete today but now it's postponed till Wed/Thurs ... Uugh!  So instead, we are headed to PA to power wash my mother's house (not too many warmer nice days left this year ... today happens to be one of them so we need to take advantage of it!)

BUT before heading out, I wanted to share a cute project I made yesterday for Crafty Secrets.

I'm working on tissue box covers for an upcoming craft show and thought "Oh Wait ... it would be cute to have one for Halloween in my entry way" ... so here's what I came up with.

Now how cute is that!!  LOL!

I've printed out the design paper from the Crafty Secrets digital Halloween Paper Pack.  The base of the cover is made from a heavier white card stock but I simply printed my design paper onto regular printer paper.  

The cute image I used on the front is from the Crafty Secrets Digital Halloween Printable Sheet.  There are several different images on this sheet but this pumpkin girl just spoke to me!

I added 'googlie eyes' around the black scalloped cut opening on the lid and beautiful bows made from ribbon I purchased from the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog.

Now when I'm standing out in the cold on Oct 31 (hopefully on my new front porch) handing out candy to the 100+ trick or treaters we get, and my nose starts running from the cold, I can just step back inside and grab a tissue from my festive Halloween Tissue Box.  (sorry if that was TMI ... lol)

Challenges to share in:

That Craft Place Challenge - Halloween

 The Ribbon Girl October Challenge - Any Image Anything Goes with Ribbon

Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Too Cute to Spook - Halloween or Harvest related

Ooops hubby's ready to go!

Thanks for stopping by today ... hope you have a great start to your week!

As always ...

 

Crafty Secrets October Challenge & Blog Hop

Hello Everyone!

It's the 1st Monday of a new month and that means a new challenge/blog hop at Crafty Secrets.  Today we are 'Giving Thanks' and the design team has some AMAZING projects to share with you.  So, you'll want to HOP along with us and be AMAZED!  You should have come to my blog from TERESA's blog.  And, if you get lost along the way, here's the Hop Line Up:
Kathy Clement
Ginny Nemchak
Teresa Horner
Darlene Pavlick (me)
Sheila Rumney
Shantaie Fowler
Diane Hover
Michele Kovack

The design team theme this month is:  Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Today I decided to create a set of THANK YOU CARDS using digital design paper from the Crafty Secrets Birds & Blooms digi papers and a sentiment from the Crafty Secrets Sing For Joy set.

TUTORIAL on CREATING DIGI CARD FRONTS using MICROSOFT WORD

I used Microsoft Word 10 and the first thing I did after selection a NEW BLANK was change the margins all to ZERO.

Then, from this beautiful collection of designs I chose the one I wanted to use for my card set.  

Next step was to insert the picture file and edit the size to 5 1/2 x 4 1/4".  If you right click on your image, select WRAP, select SQUARE ... you can move your image anywhere on the paper you'd like. 

Now move your A2 size panel into the upper left corner.

Next step is to copy/paste your image ...  grab the 'pasted image' and slide it to the right corner.  You'll PASTE it 2 more times to slide into the other 2 corners ... filling your page as seen below.

Now it's time to print. Once printed, cut into your four A2 size panels.  I was making a set of 8 so I printed mine twice.  Of course if you really like these panels, be sure to SAVE your document file for future printing.

NOW TO ADD A SENTIMENT

Again I open a NEW BLANK file in Microsoft Word.  Modified the page layout size to the size of my decorative panels then began the process of choosing what digital sentiment I might like to use.  I have chosen the Thanks so Much from the Crafty Secrets Sing for Joy digital set.  I positioned the sentiment in an area of my decorative panel that I could see would be open.  I also added the single leaf digi under the sentiment which after printing was colored in with markers.

Lastly I inserted my decorative panels into my printer and printed out my card fronts.

With this method the possibilities are ENDLESS.

Give it a try ...

Remember, you need not follow the theme ... BUT YOU MUST use a Crafty Secrets product to qualify for the winner's prize.  If you don't have any of these fabulous images, papers, etc. from the Crafty Secrets Store yet, there are freebies offered so you can come join in the fun.

Here's my set of cards all ready to make someone smile!
Packaged in a clear box with pretty matching ribbon from the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store.

Your next stop will be SHEILA.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
As always . . .

FALL

FALL ... beautiful FALL!

Hello Friends!

I warned you last week that I'd be sharing more Fall cards using some of the beautiful images from the Crafty Secrets SUNFLOWER collection and today I have one of those creations for you.

This beautiful digi set comes in two shades ...

black/white as well as brown/white.

Be sure to check out THIS post to see how you can change your PNG files to a different color palette.

Once again I have used my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for coloring.
A sprinkling of Fall leaves and I'm happy with the outcome of this creation.
I have left it blank inside so it could be used for a variety of occasions!
Maybe a birthday card ...
or just a note to a friend that makes you smile! 

Challenges to share in:
Cards in Envy Challenge - The Colors of Fall
Dream Valley Challenge - Autumn Colors
Love to Scrap Challenge - Anything Goes
Make It Monday Challenge - Nature
Our Craft Corner Challenge #1 - Autumn Color

Please be sure to pop over to the Crafty Secrets Store to see what wonderful product is available.  I have no doubt you will love it as much as I do!
Then why not come join in our challenge fun at the Crafty Secrets Blog on the first Monday of each month.  NO theme ... only requirement to win is to use ANY Crafty Secrets product on your creation.  If by chance you are NEW to Crafty Secrets, there are several freebies offered for you to play with and join in the fun!

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great day . . . As Always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Teal cs, Old Olive cs, Rust cs, Wine cs, Red cs, Yellow cs, Brown cs

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, White Gelly Roll Pen, Pop Dots, X-Cut die 'leaves', Memento 'bamboo leaves' ink, sponge dauber, Die Versions 'elegant font' letters die, ProvoCraft 'honeycomb' embossing folder

Sunflower Time of Year!

Happy Mid September Everyone!

Such a beautiful time of the year ... Fall!

With Mother Nature's amazing work on the trees and the rich earth tones of the sunflowers & mums ... I love living in this part of the country!  I don't know what I would do if I didn't have the changing of seasons to look forward to!  Each new season holds special memories in my mind and heart!

Today I have a Fall card to share that I've created for the Crafty Secrets DT.  

This beautiful SUNFLOWER collection of images was so much fun to color and create with!!   

You will be seeing more from this set in weeks to come! 

 I have used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to color today's image.  

Then when complete, I sponged around the outside edge with Tim Holtz distress ink and a large sponge dauber.  A little corner paper piercing is all that was needed to complete the image.   

With an image as beautiful as this ... nothing more is needed!

Peek at the inside!

 Please be sure to pop over to our Crafty Secrets Blog!

We have a linky party/challenge going on and you won't want to miss it!!

There's no theme to follow (only for the DT) ...

Only requirement is you use a Crafty Secrets product on your creation.

Don't have any you say . . . well, there are freebies available you can grab to be able to join in the fun!  

Challenges to share in:

AAA Cards Challenge #48 - Autumn Colors
Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Fabulous Fall Colors

My Sheri Crafts Challenge - Thinking of Fall
Crafty Catz Challenge - Autumn Colors

So many beautiful images, paper & more available at the

Crafty Secrets Store!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a FABULOUS week ahead!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Rust cs

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir markers, SU paper piercing mat, TH 'broken china' distress ink, large sponge dauber, X-Cut Dies 'Leaves'

Crafty Secrets September Challenge

Hello Everyone!

WOW!  Can you believe we are into the month of September?

These days/months/years are going by way-y-y too fast!!

Being the first Monday of a new month indicates a new
Challenge at Crafty Secrets.  

The Design Team's theme this month is Halloween or Back to School.  

I went with Halloween although we don't do much 

to celebrate other than hand out candy to about 200 kids!  LOL!

Here's my card and tutorial ... hope you like it!

Earlier this month I shared a couple of cards I created for another DT using the Bokeh technique.  Today I've used that same technique and will share with you how I did it.  I hope you'll give it a try.

The first thing I did was to print out the images/paper I wanted to use for my project using the Crafty Secrets 'Creating with Vintage Halloween' CD.  I brought my images into a Word10 document and sized them to my specifications.  The orange musical paper is 5x7 and I've superimposed the lacy tassel image across the top. 

 Next I created my own circle template by using the packaging from a die set and running it through my die cutting machine using a variety of circle dies.

 Now comes the fun!

I've secured my paper down using washi tape then position your 'stencil' over the top of your paper and sponge with your white CRAFT ink.  Let it dry a bit then move your stencil around and do some more.

While your background dries you can have fun cutting out your 'pieces and parts' that you want to use to create your card.  I used decorative scissors to cut around my focus image and a swivel craft knife to cut the pumpkin and cat.  I've also used a few die cuts to 'bring it all together'.

Challenges to share in:
Allsorts Challenge - Lots of Layers
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Inspiration Board

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!  For some fabulous tutorials, tips & tricks, please take a minute and check out what my team mates have created for you today.  Here's the hop list ...

Kathy Clement, DT Leader :  http://www.kathybydesign.com

Diane Hover:  http://www.nelliesnest.blogspot.com

Ginny Nemchak:  https://pollyspaper. wordpress.com/

Melody Clement:  http://papermelodys.wordpress.com/

Michele Kovack:   http://chelemom.blogspot.com/

Sheila Rumney:   http://www.sheilarumney.com/

Teresa Horner:   http://victorianpaperqueen.blogspot.com/

As always ...

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, Crafty Secrets digital paper from the 'Creating with Vintage Halloween' CD
Dies:  Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Finishing Touches 'MaidenHair Fern' #CED1433, XCut Dies - Leaves - XC503194, Spellbinder Shapeabilities 'Graveyard Scenes & Shapes' #S4-279

God Sent You!

Happy Monday All!

I have a sweet card to share today that was created with another beautiful image
from the Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps called 'Little Blessings'.

There is not an image on this sheet that I don't love!!  

Each one is precious and perfect to showcase on your card front.

Recipe:

Anna Griffin background design paper

Offray satin ribbon

Heartfelt Creations 'Birds and Blooms' stamp/die

Spellbinder D-Lites Garden Weave Corner Die  S2-006

I think this card will be a nice surprise for one of those friends that you see periodically but think of often!  I have just such a person in mind and this card will be in the mail today!

Challenges to share in:
Alphabet Challenge - 'K' is for Kind Thoughts
Crafting with Friends Challenge #2 - Anything Goes
Digitally Sweet Challenge #140 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Hope your have a FABULOUS week ahead!
As always . . .

A Day at the Beach!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Yes, I think a Day at the Beach is exactly what I need right now!

Of course, with all the rain we've had here in Ohio this past month or so ... I've had my own little lake in the backyard more than once!  LOL!  Guess I'll just have to be happy with that! 

inside sentiment

 Today I have a card to share with you that was created using the fabulous images from Crafty Secrets.  This image is from 'Travel' Creative Scraps.

The background was created using a few scraps from my 'scrap mountain' (lol)

I actually had the striped paper matted and ready to use with a different thought in mind but then I saw a scrap of 'water' design paper ... gave it a torn edge to mimic waves and Viola! my background was ready to adorn with these fun summertime images.

The embellishments I've used are Impression Obsession 'Beach Umbrella'  #DIE181 and Memory Box 'Beach Toys' #99122.  I used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for the coloring on my embellishments.  My stamped sentiments are from the 'retired' Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps set 'Grand Greetings'.

If by chance you are not familiar with Crafty Secrets products, you'll want to hurry on over to their STORE!  There are so many wonderful items available for instant download and the prices are AMAZING!!!   

THEN, be sure to play along in their monthly Crafty Secrets Challenge at their blog.

In fact you still have time to join in on the current challenge!

You don't even have to follow a theme ... BUT you DO need to use a Crafty Secrets item on your creation to qualify for the awesome prize.

They even offer up freebies to help you get started!  

WHAT are you waiting for?????

Challenges:
Bloggers Challenge - At The Lake
Craft for the Craic July Challenge - Summer Time
Crafty Catz Challenge #287 - Summer Time
Creative Corner Challenge - Summer Fun

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a WONDERFUL week ahead and please come back again real soon!

As always . . .

Let's Take a Trip ...

My title indicates a comment I am always directing towards dear, sweet hubby!  LOL!

GOOD MONDAY MORNING EVERYONE!

I hope your 4th of July was filled with fun, food & fireworks!

Since today is the first Monday of a new month, that means it's also time for a new Challenge at Crafty Secrets.  The Design Team's theme this month is all about SUMMERTIME FUN!

After taking a month long cross country trip way back in 1997 ...

my thought of summertime fun is to travel around and see as much of our

beautiful country as I possibly can!  

So, today I'm traveling the world with a TRI-SHUTTER creation

using images from the Heartwarming Vintage 'Travel' Creative Scraps and Heartwarming

Vintage Cuts 'Adventures & Travel'.

I'm sure many of you have created a Tri-Shutter Fold card before

in the A2 size ... but mine is slightly larger and

accommodates my images a little better.

Here are the directions on MY TRI-SHUTTER creation!

I found this to be the EASIEST way to do these cutting lines.  Your knife will follow right down the score line without a problem so you get nice clean cut lines.  And, it doesn't hurt your scoring board in the least!

By folding on your score lines ... mountain and valley ...

Simply reverse the fold (valley and mountain) for the inside portion to achieve a card base that looks like this ----->

Now comes the FUN part ... decorating!

This card fold ALWAYS gets a WOW! when shown to people and it is

fabulous for ANY occasion!  

For my background paper, I chose to use a beautiful blue muted sheet from the Crafty Secrets

Digital Radiant Paper Collection.  I wanted a hint of color but wanted

the focus to be on my traveling images so went with this blue sheet to indicate a beautiful blue sky!

Next I simply starting cutting & laying out different images from

the two sheets (identified earlier) and deciding where/how they

should be placed.

I could have gotten even more whimsical

with all the wonderful ephemera available at Crafty Secrets

but for today I just wanted to share

the basics and let YOU be the creative one!! 

Now it’s your turn! Visit each of the design team blogs listed below and leave them a nice comment. Then create a NEW project of your choice featuring ANY Crafty Secrets product and link it up to the blog (http://heartwarmingvintage.blogspot.com/) no later than 11:59PT, Sunday, July 19th. 

• Kathy Clement Team Leader
• Michele Kovack
• Sheila Rumney
• Elizabeth Lincoln
• Diane Hover
• Melody Clement
• Shantaie Caudill-Fowler
• Ginny Nemchak
• Teresa Goblirsch Horner 

You do not need to follow this month’s theme to play along, but it’s always fun if you do. You may use the free paper and image found on the Crafty Secrets blog, or dig into your Crafty Secrets goodies and create your own challenge. 

You MUST use Crafty Secrets products to eligible to win the prize.

Be sure to link to the Crafty Secrets Blog in your post, and let us know what Crafty Secrets product you are using in your project. One lucky player will be randomly selected to win a wonderful digital prize package.
The winner will be announced on the Crafty Secrets Blog on Wednesday, July 22nd.
Now go get your craft on!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

As always . . .

Challenges to share in:
Scor-pal "More than one Score" Challenge #17 - Summer Fun
Crafty Catz Challenge #286 - Anything Goes
Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Day Friday Challenge - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft Challenge #8 - Anything Goes
Crafting When You Can Challenge - Summer Fun
Pile It On Challenge - Hot Fun in the Summertime