Crafting with Friends ...

... what fun!!  I am so blessed!!

Hello friends and welcome back to my blog!  

I'm so glad you've stopped by today!

I promised to share a little more about my recent trip to Indiana/Michigan where I spent a few days crafting with friends, enjoying an Amish Tea at Lydia's and doing a little shopping too.

Lydia is an Amish lady that Joan introduced us to a few years ago at one of Joan's workshops.  She is one of the nicest and funniest people I know and we had the pleasure of attending a TEA at Lydia's Amish home.  Her home is as charming as Lydia herself!  Here is a peek at the menu and a couple of the dishes she prepared for us!  All were DELICIOUS!!!

Isn't this menu adorable!  Lydia made them and had one at each place setting.  Here we all are at the beautiful table she had set for us.  I'm so thrilled to have been able to take part in this interesting, delicious & fun adventure.

Now, as far as some of the projects we worked on, I'd like to share just a couple that we worked on while crafting at Joan's house [Joan's Touch].  Joan has a FABULOUS crafting area where we all have plenty of room to spread out and get crafty! (THANKS JOAN!)

.

Is this accordion card fabulous or what?

I LOVE the red and white theme and think I'll finish it off with a touch of green holly here and there.  Joan showed us how to use the Dreamweaver Stencils and paste for the images on the red panels.  I had the product but had never taken the time to play with it.  What fun and I LOVE the outcome!  She had some very helpful tips to share with us too!!

Then Judy Studer [Back Porch Crafts by Judy] taught us how to make this adorable Treat in a Box Card.  I was very interested in this project since I've seen them online but never took the time to look for a template and give it a try.  These will be awesome for my craft shows and they hold 5 Hershey nuggets almost perfectly!!

After I got home I finished the inside and front panels and hope to make more before my Nov. 1st show.  I also want to see if I can get clear boxes that you could mail them in.  Uuugh ... so much I want to do/share ... so little time!  

 A few challenges to share in:

Deep Ocean Challenge - Christmas in October

Inky Chicks Challenge #40 - Christmas

Oldie But A Goodie Challenge - Christmas  (inside snowflake stamp & sentiment stamp are both at least 5 yrs old)

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

The Crafty Bloggers Network October Challenge - Christmas
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #233 - Christmas / optional Packaging
Inspiration Destination Challenge #3 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by today.  Please come back tomorrow when I'll have a new project created for Craft Secrets to share with you.  Hope to see you then!

As always . . .

A new trend to play with . . .

Hello my friends!

I'm back from my trip to Indiana/Michigan where I linked up with my good friends from the Midwest.  So much fun getting together and learning new and exciting techniques/projects.  

 (left - right)

back row:  Diane Hover [Nellie's Nest], Judy Studer [Back Porch Crafts by Judy], Bette Henson

front row:  Gretchen Wilson, Joan Fricker [Joan's Touch], and me

I will have more to share with you in another post but today I want to share the technique that Gretchen shared with us called OMBRE.  For those of you who don't know what ombre is, it is a shaded or graduated tone of color.  

Gretchen shared how to create this technique by wetting down a piece of watercolor paper ... then using your Gelatos and a paint brush for the color.   'Paint' it back and forth keeping it darker on one end then lighter & lighter as you go down the paper.

I used two different colors but you can use a lighter & darker shade of the same color if you'd like.  The cards everyone made were so unique and just beautiful.

We then die cut the top panel (dang I forget who makes this die ... will have to ask Gretchen again) ... and we were to FLIP the two panels so the dark portion of one is on the top and the other on the bottom ... but of course by the time I added my dimensional tape I had it upside-down and ended up with both panels having the dark on top and light on the bottom.  It still turned out to be a very pretty card I think!  And, Gretchen had a whole case filled with pretty do-dads that we could pick from to embellish our card fronts.    What fun ... I'll be using this technique more in the future!

How fabulous that I found a challenge going on over at Just Us Girls using this technique and couldn't wait to share my creation.  Maybe I can find a few more to share in today:

Just Us Girls Challenge - Ombre

 Craft-room Challenge - Make Your Own Background

 Papertake Weekly Challenge - Super Fly (anything with wings)

 Paper Time Tuesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Artistic Inspirations #113 - Anything Goes / Make Your Own Background

Well that's it for me today!  I still don't have everything put away from my trip ... hubby had a long list of things he wanted to do once I got home so I'd better get busy.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Your visits/comments mean the world to me!

As always . . .

UPDATE:  I didn't hear back from Gretchen but Diane remembered the die we used and it was the Chevron Pattern by Simon Says.  Looks like an order at Simon Says is in my near future!  LOL!

Love Because You Can ...

What WONDERFUL Advice!

Hello friends and thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog today!

Today's my day to share some Dies R Us love with you!

Have you popped over to the store yet?  OMG ... so many wonderful die companies to pick from and the prices & shipping costs are awesome!  Be sure to also sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss out on some AMAZING Pop Up Sales ... they come & go quickly ... you don't want to miss out!

My card today uses a variety of fun dies and, I based the entire card around this beautiful image I found over on Pinterest recently.  The gorgeous background die is one of the Sue Wilson Designs dies from Creative Expressions ... Spanish Collection Background 'CED1201'.  Isn't it just gorgeous?  And since you can't see the center portion, here's a closeup of what the die looks like.  These dies are all so pretty you almost hate to cover them up with anything else!

Behind my bird image I had die cut the Cheery Lynn Designs 'Mandy Doily #DL276' in white card stock then die cut a blue panel using a Spellbinder Classic circle die.  Another blue panel was die cut with a Spellbinder Scallop circle die, cut in half and positioned on the bottom of my image panel.

Now that I'm looking at this background die image ... and my finished card ... I could have very easily cut the entire center part out and used it on another creation!  

Dang!!!  Oh well ... I'll remember that for next time!

OH and at the last minute I decided I needed to add this fabulous Memory Box 'Party Music' #98757 panel on the front to pull out the music background of my image.  There!  Perfect!  

I few added pearls and ribbon and my card is ready to send off in the mail!

To finish the inside, I've used a few more dies available at Dies R Us Store.

A 'portion' of Spellbinder 'Fancy Lattice' #S5-152

Cheery Lynn Designs 'Happy'  #B226 and 'Birthday'  #B231

A few challenges to share in:
Crafting From the Heart - Anything Goes
House of Cards Challenge - Dies and/or Punches
Melonheads Friends Challenge - Lots of Layers
My Craft Creations Challenge - Always Anything Goes
Not Just Cards Challenge #4 - Always Anything Goes
The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge - Guest Designer / Anything Goes

So there you  have it!  

With all these amazing dies available at the Dies R Us Store, you can make a beautiful card inside & out in no time at all!  Be sure to pop over and check out the growing list of dies available to you.  And if by chance it's out of stock ... simply click on the 'Put Me On The Waiting List' tab, add your information and you'll be notified as soon as it's once again available (which usually isn't very long at all!). 

Just a quick reminder also of 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.  Won't you come join in the fun!?!

Wishing you a FABULOUS DAY!

And, as always . . .

Fall Birthdays

Hello my friends!

It's time once again to share a DT creation for 613 Avenue Create Challenge Blog!

Today's TWIST is to create a CAS (clean and simple) card.

Our sponsor is . . .

The Stamping Boutique 

  and they are offering the fabulous prize of FOUR images from their store!

They have also provided a couple adorable images for the team to create with today and I have chosen an image called Autumn Fashion Boots.  I chose this image because it made me smile as soon as I saw it!  Reminded me of the "Go Go" boots we wore back in the 60s!  I know I'm aging myself here but that's okay ... we thought we were pretty HOT in those boots ... of course the heel wasn't quite that high!  How could you possibly dance the 'go-go' with heels that high?   LOL!

Now mind you . . . CAS is truly NOT my favorite design style (just not very good at it for some reason) ... but I did the best I could do without all the layers/embellishments that I love so much!  LOL!

My coloring was done with a combination of Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and pencils.  The leaves were colored with the pencils and the background (sky/grass) was created with markers IB1, LG2 and Blender.  A combination of scrap die cuts was used for the inside sentiment and a 'loose' fall leaf added a coordinating touch to the sentiment on the front.

Challenges I'd like to share in today are:
 Anything Goes With a Twist - Female
Crafty Catz Challenge - Autumn 
Colouring Crazy Challenge - Autumn Colors
~Jo's Scrap Shack #61 - Happy Fall
Sister Act Challenge - Anything Goes

I hope you'll come play along in our challenge!  I can't wait to be inspired by YOUR 'CAS' creation!  Hopefully I'll pick up a few pointers ... heaven knows I could use the help!!  

Have a great day!

As always . . .

Remember ... October is THINK PINK Month!

Hello friends!

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Do you have your mammogram scheduled??

I'm still away from my cave crafting with my Midwest friends.  But, I wanted to get a card created for the current THINK PINK challenge going on at Classy Cards n Such before time was up.  Here is their beautiful inspiration photo ...

What beautiful inspiration!

I didn't bring much along on my trip to do a pink card, but good friend Diane H (Nellie's Nest) was kind enough to let me 'borrow' some pink design paper from her to create with this.  The paper is from the KaiserCraft 'The Lakehouse' paper pad and the die set I've used is California Collection - Beverly Hills by Sue Wilson and the image/sentiment come from the Graphic45 'Sweet Sentiments'.  A little baker's twine and VIOLA!!

 A few challenges to share in:

The Pink Elephant - Pink
Karleigh Sue Challenge Blog - Pink Ribbon Challenge
Live & Love Crafts Challenge - Pink
The Crafting Cafe October Challenge - Think Pink 

Thanks so much for stopping by and as always ...

Autumn trees ...

Hello my friends!

I'm away from my cave, happily crafting with mid-west friends this week (Joan Fricker [Joan's Touch], Bette Henson, Gretchen Wilson, Judy Studer [Back Porch Crafts by Judy] and staying with Diane Hover [Nellie's Nest]).  Hopefully I'll have some photos to share upon my return.  But for today, I have a fun Crafty Secrets creation to share!

I just love this sentiment and with Fall in full swing it's perfect for a birthday card I want to send to a friend who has a birthday tomorrow.  (not to fear!  I put it in the mail before I left home ... lol)

This beautiful image comes from the Crafty Secrets Digital Fall Printable Sheet.

Sandy still has some AMAZING SALES going on at the STORE ... you don't want to miss out!  Crafty Secrets is going all DIGITAL which means she has to 'clear out the warehouse' and NOW'S the time to get in on the bargains.  Would make fabulous Christmas gifts to your crafting friends!

Challenges to share in:
Add a Little Dazzle - Fall is here / Anything Goes
Ruby's Rainbow #89 - Autumn Leaves

This post is going to be short & sweet!

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers - Various fall color card stock scraps

Accessories - Martha Stewart border punch, Creative Memories leaf punch

Technique - Faux Stitching

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Think PINK

Hello Bloggers!

It's time for another challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

LisaB is our hostess today and she has asked us to

THINK PINK!!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

If you know someone suffering through this dreadful disease, I urge you to create a card and put it in the mail.  I'm sure it will bring encouragement and hope!  Sometimes that is all that is needed to get through another difficult day!

The stamp set I have used on today's card is from Crafty Secrets.  This stamp set called 'Support the Girls' is still available in Acrylic stamp form (what I used today and while supplies last), as well as being available in Digital stamp form.

A few challenges to share in:
Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes
Love to Scrap Challenge - Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant - Pink
Karleigh Sue Challenge Blog - Pink Ribbon Challenge
Live & Love Crafts Challenge - Pink
The Crafting Cafe October Challenge - Think Pink

The team at The Sisterhood has created some wonderfully inspirational cards to share with you today ... please take a moment to pop over to see and then come join in the challenge.  Would love to be inspired by you!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Paper Pizazz dp background, First Edition Paper 'Love Letters' (HOPE letters)
Stamps:  Crafty Secrets 'Support the Girls'
Ink:  Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Offray Pink Satin Ribbon, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers

It's right around the corner ...

Hello my friends!

Yep you know what I'm referring to ... CHRISTMAS!

And trust me ... it IS right around the corner!  If you haven't already started your holiday cards, here's a quick & easy card for you that still packs a punch!

It's my turn to showcase an inspirational card at the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog using some of the fabulous products available at the Dies R Us Store.

Using:

Poppy Stamps - Large Flourish Tree #1088

Cheery Lynn Designs - Merry Christmas w/Tree Sentiment #B477

TIP TODAY:
I have found using the E6000 Spray adhesive on these intricate, open dies works best.  
You can find this product in most of your larger crafting stores.

My background panel was created using an older Sizzix Swirl Embossing Folder but you could use several of the newer Sizzix embossing folders now available at Dies R Us.  After embossing my background panel I 'edged' it using a Gold Pilot Marker, giving the illusion of a mat without the bulk and red Stickle ornaments gave my fancy flourish tree a more festive look.

If you haven't popped over to the Dies R Us Store yet, you really owe it to yourself to do so!  They are adding more and more companies to the list of already fabulous companies providing you a wide selection of dies as well as embossing folders and stamps now available!

And just a reminder of the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  Offering a new challenge on the 1st and 15th of each month with a Dies R Us gift voucher going out to one lucky winner each challenge.  The design teams do an AMAZING job of creating to inspire you and we'd love to have you come join in the fun!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love hearing what you have to say!

Have a fabulous week ...

As always ...

Crafty Secrets October Linky Party & DT Challenge

Hello  my friends and welcome to my blog!

It's the 1st Monday of the month and that means it's time for the Crafty Secrets Linky Party.

Remember you can join in by using ANY Crafty Secrets products ... no need to follow the theme ... that's more of a direction for the team to inspire you with.  But for you, it's ANYTHING GOES!

We are once again thrilled to have a guest designer joining us!

Please Welcome . . .

Lee Ann Barrett

GREYT PAPER CRAFTS

This months 'Design Team theme' is Thanksgiving, Cooking/Recipes.

I have had these LARGE Clothes Pins sitting on the shelf for years and decided it was high time I did something with them.  So, here's what I've come up with:

This recipe happens to be one of my family's all time favorites at Thanksgiving.  So I created a recipe card using a free (new to me) internet software called PicMonkey.  Along with the ingredients, I added this fun Crafty Secrets turkey image from the Fall Printable Sheet.  My background design paper for the clothes pin and the card is from the Crafty Secrets Digital Thanksgiving Collection.  I've also used actual burlap on the card.

 If you've not seen these clothes pins before, you can purchase them at most crafty stores (Hobby Lobby, JoAnn, Michaels, etc.).  Mine came TWO in a box and just so you could see the size ... I've shared a photo of the finished LARGE clothes pin next to the normal size clothes pin you would use to hang clothes out on the line!

These are so easy to alter and would make a wonderful gift for the hostess at your next house party!  I've simply tied a beautiful satin ribbon through the opening but you could do so much more if you desired!  Here's how simple it is ...

Cut your decorative paper the size of the flat part of the pin ... glue and apply!  

 

 

Tie a ribbon on to decorate and VIOLA!!

Since I printed this lovely Fall paper in 8 1/2 x 11 size, I had plenty left over and decided to create a thank you card.  I think this might even make a nice 'gift set' for someone (not saying who quite yet ... she reads my blog, lol).  Here are close ups of the card and the recipe card.

A few challenges to share in:
Anything But a Card Challenge - Celebrating Seasons of Change - No Cards
Jellypark Challenge - Autumn/Fall
Pile It On - Autumn
Allsorts Challenge - Autumn
Crafting for the Weekend - Anything Goes
Open Minded Crafting Fun Challenge #20 - Fall/Autumn

Well there you have it!  Now don't forget to pop over and join in the fun at the Crafty Secrets October Linky Party.  Anytime over the next 2 weeks!   Each person who enters will win a Free Retro Kitchen Kit plus 1 lucky random.org winner gets a $40.00 Gift Card!  

AND, of course if you are in need of inspiration, by all means please check out what my team mates have created.  They are a VERY CREATIVE GROUP of ladies!

• Kathy Clement Team Leader
• Michele Kovack
• Sheila Rumney
• Elizabeth Lincoln
• Gloria Stengel
• Diane Hover
• Melody Clement
• Shantaie Caudill-Fowler

and of course don't forget our Guest Designer Lee Ann Barrett!

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

Squigglefly - SFC4014 - Leave Me Be ...

Happy Monday All!

Time for another fun challenge at Squigglefly!

Today's theme is

LEAVE ME BE!

LOL ... don't get scared ... it's not me lashing out ... it's simply a 'play on words' LOL!!

Meaning:  You can either use LEAVES on your creation ... OR use the theme of LEAVING (i.e. goodbye, travel, miss you) ... well, you get the picture.

I decided to go with Fall (or should I say 'falling') leaves and created my card using a new Angela Charles image called "Umbrella Girl".  The leaves are starting to fall from the trees so quickly this poor little girl needed her umbrella to protect her head!  LOL!

A few challenges to share in:
Jellypark Challenge - Autumn/Fall
Pile It On - Autumn
Allsorts Challenge - Autumn
 Open Minded Crafting Fun Challenge #20 - Fall/Autumn
Quirky Crafts Challenge - Falling Leaves

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by my blog today.  I'll be back in a few hours with my Crafty Secrets October Linky Party creation to share ... hope you'll come back to see!

World Card Making Day!

Hello my friends!

Did you know it was World Card Making Day today?

I was very blessed to sell a number of my cards at last week's craft shows so today I'm taking advantage of it being card making day and that's exactly what I'm doing!!!  MAKING CARDS!  And, while doing so, I'm also working ahead on my design team commitments.  Multi-tasking in a sense!  So, I won't be able to share many with you today ... but you'll get a chance to see them all in the week's ahead.  One card I can share with you is the following masculine card that I actually 'tossed together' using items that were laying on my work table.  

I had the panel of design paper (will have to research back to find the mfg) cut for an earlier project but then decided to use something else so I guess you could consider this panel a 'scrap'.  I cut it to size for the background and used the extra to decorate the inside of my card.  

This lovely image came from Pinterest.  I went 'in search of' this morning looking for some images I could use for 'Guy' cards since I am TOTALLY out and have 2 more shows coming up in November.  I've triple matted my image, used the last tidbit of brown gingham ribbon and the gold ribbon bow came off a package that arrived in the mail.  (can't throw anything away ya know!)

For the finishing touch ... I've recently ordered Cheery Lynn Designs dies from Dies R Us that will help 'personalize' my cards.  i.e. Dad, Mom, Brother, Sister, Daughter ... etc.

I thought today's card required a 'DAD' on the front and there you have it!!  

Viola!

One down ... many, many more to go!!

A few challenge to share in today are:

Crafting for the Weekend - Anything Goes

Anything Goes with a Twist Challenge - Anything Goes

QKR Stampede Challenge #107 - Anything Goes

Simply Create Too Challenge - It's A Special Occasion (birthday)

Sister Act Card Challenge #77 - Anything Goes

Crafty Girls Challenge #28 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you're having a fabulous Saturday!

BACK TO CARD MAKING!!

As always . . .

Say your prayers . . .

Happy Friday All!

My Goodness but this week is FLYING!  

I've been a bit 'swamped' with life and designing this week, but wanted to quickly create and share something with you today from my Crafty Secrets stash.

Crafty Secrets offers so many wonderful designs to create with!  From paper to images to ephemra  that the possibilities are ENDLESS and NOW is the perfect time to jump over to our store because Sandy is 'clearing out the warehouse' and you can find some AMAZING DEALS!  

HERE'S THE LINK!

A few challenges to share in:

Crafting by Designs October Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafting with Dragonflies Challenge - Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination Challenge #1 - Anything Goes

Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Okay, my time is up!

Remember ... we have a new LINKY PARTY coming on Monday, October 6th.

Play along using ANY Craft Secrets products and you could be our lucky $50 winner!!!

Have a great weekend!

As always . . .

* * * * * * * * *

A few people have asked that I share some photos from the craft shows I've been participating in.  YEP ... that's what's been keeping me SO BUSY!

I'm thrilled to report that sales have been great and I've met some wonderful people.

More on this subject later ... WITH PHOTOS.  Just no time at the moment! Sorry!

* * * * * * * * *

 

Recipe:

Papers:  Ivory cs, SU Pear Pizazz cs, Crafty Secrets Pastel Chenille Quilt digital

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs Step Card Die #B348, Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps 'Little Blessings', Fiskars swivel craft knife

Technique:  Fussy cutting