Now I lay me down to sleep . . .

As a child did you say this prayer every night before going to bed?

I sure did and remember it fondly!

Hello My Friends!

Today I have a card to share with you showcasing product from Crafty Secrets!

Did you see all the amazing creations the team made for the current Linky Party?  

OMG such a creative team and we would LOVE to have you come join in our challenge fun ..., you can check out all the details HERE and you have until Jan. 18th to share your creation.  

Please tell your friends too ...  remember, EVERYONE can get the FREE image & paper over on the blog for their own use in playing our challenges BUT you can still use ANY CRAFTY SECRETS products to create and enter.  The FREE paper I'm referring to is the one I have used on my card today ... so pretty!

Isn't this image precious!

It's one of the many adorable images found in the Crafty Secrets 'Little Dolls' Images and Journal Notes Booklet.  I have actually cut the strip apart and used both parts on my card front.

 

I had a little bit of fun with the ribbon & pearls too ... 

Vintage just isn't vintage without satin ribbon & pearls ...

Please be sure to check out all the AMAZING prices at our STORE

and come join in our challenge!  

A few challenges to share in today are:

Gem of a Challenge - Something New (digital design paper/gold flourish stickers)

Allsorts Challenge #293 - New & Cute (digital design paper/gold flourish stickers)

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Something New (digital design paper/gold flourish stickers)
Craft-Dee BowZ January Challenge - Anything Goes using a Bow
 Design Team Showcase Challenge Jan 11-17, 2015

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you're having a FABULOUS day!

As always . . .

Turning Wednesday's 'Ooops' . . .

. . . into today's beautiful card creation!

Hello my friends!

Yep, if you stopped by on Wednesday you know what I'm referring to!

And after using the 'teal' ink over my snowflake 'die cut stencil' ... it actually was quiet pretty once dried and more of a teal color then it's original medium blue color!  

SO ... decided to use it for my second card which I'm entering into the current 'Teal Snowflakes' challenge at Classy Cards n Such.

Grrrr!  I struggle with achieving 'TRUE' color when taking photographs!  Trust me, this is more teal IRL then it looks in my photos!

How do you like my medicine bottles in the background!  I purchased them while out in Indiana in the Fall with my Midwest crafting friends and think they are SO appropriate for this time of year!  

I don't know about you, but I know I've been taking my share of 'Pertussin' (had a cold for 2 weeks) as well as using the ole 'Liniment' on these aching bones over the past few weeks!

This getting old is for the birds!  LOL!

I hope you'll come join in the 'Teal Snowflake' challenge fun ... you still have a bit of time!  

Challenge ends Saturday at Midnight (CST).

A few challenges to share in:
Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge - Blue Tones
Docerela Creations Challenge - Anything Goes
Fairy Tale Challenge - Snow
Design Team Showcase

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by!  

Your encouraging comments mean the world to me!

Have a great weekend!

As always . . .

 Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Red cs, DCWV Winter 6x6 mat stack,  XP-73017516 'Stardream Fuse Vista'

Stamps:  Heartfelt Creations HCPC3342 'Snowmen Melt Your Heart' Set 

Dies: Marianne 'Mittens', Cheery Lynn Designs 'B477' (snowflake), Impression Obsession 'Snowflake Background' 

Accessories:  Diamond Stickles, PopDots, Fiskars Swivel Craft Knife (for fussy cutting), Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Creative Memories corner rounder, White Gelly Roll Pen,

Hot Chocolate Anyone??

Cold and Snowy here ... how is it where you live?

Hello friends, thanks for stopping by today!

My friend Diane Hover (Nellie's Nest) mentioned to me the other day when we were Yahoo Messenger chatting that she was working on a card for a fun sketch challenge and shared the link with me.  Well immediately I thought "that does look like fun" and decided to join in.  

The sketch challenge blog I'm referring to is Mojo Monday Card Sketch!  I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with it ... as was I actually ... but just never took the time to play along.  Well, that is until today! LOL!  (thanks Diane!)

Their current sketch challenge is here:

See what I mean ... isn't that an awesome sketch to follow?

I had a stack of images (of all sorts) along with paper packs laying on my work table and that is where it all began.  First I picked one of the smaller images in the pile then I went with a NEW paper pack that I've had for several months and though would work well with the image and Viola!  I could not believe how quickly this card came together!

This delightful image is actually one I printed off of Pinterest and the paper pack I referred to is American Crafts ' Hot Cocoa' 6x6 pack.  I remember when I spotted it at Hobby Lobby last summer thinking "in all the papers I have (and that's a LOT) ... I don't have anything like this!"  So of course just HAD to have it.  I had actually forgotten all about it until I created a card (which I posted yesterday for The Shabby Tea Room) and knew it was PERFECT for this sketch & image too!  And, the brand new chocolate single stitched ribbon is so OOOLLLDDD and I'm not sure but believe it is from Michaels (can you tell I have a lot of ribbon too, lol). 

A few other challenges to share in today are:
NBUS Challenge #3  - (NBUS - paper & ribbon)

Clear It Out Challenge - Use your stash!  (paper & ribbon)

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafting By Design January Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Corner Challenge #1 - Anything Goes + Blog Hop
Diva's By Design - Anything Goes
Design Team Showcase

Well that's it for me today!
I hope you are having a wonderful week!
I'm STILL putting Christmas away (in fact the tree is still up, yikes)!
We celebrate the '12 Days of Christmas' which meant the outside stayed decorated & lite until Jan. 6th.  Hence the reason I am STILL trying to get back to normal!  LOL!
As always . . .

Having a "Dang!" Moment . . .

Hello Bloggers!

It's snowing to beat the band here and very cold!  So, I decided to take advantage of the situation and spend the day in my crafting cave! 

I know, I know ... some of you (who know me well) are saying "So what's so unusual about that?"  What can I say?  I LOVE my crafting cave and even though I still have Christmas decorations to put away ... I've decided to PLAY instead!  The mojo is flowing and a girl's gotta do ... what a girl's gotta do!  LOL!!!

Anyways, today I've created a card for the current challenge over at Class Cards 'n Such.  Their theme is Teal Snowflakes using this pretty image as your inspiration.  What fun (I thought!) ... outside my comfort zone to do snowflakes other than white!  And as you will see by my card ... I couldn't bring myself to make 'blue snowflakes' ...

One of the rules of their challenge is to use something carried in the Classy Cards n Such Store and even though my card doesn't have a lot of layers or embellishments (definitely outside my comfort zone) I did actually use TWO items carried at their store:

Memory Box 'Precious Mittens'

and

Impression Obsession 'Snowflake Background'

Here is what I came up with ...

CONFESSION TIME:

I did actually die cut the snowflake background to use as my CCNS item  and the basis for my card.  But, then noticed that the theme said TEAL not just blue.   DANG!   SO ... I shifted gears and used my die cut snowflake background as a 'stencil' to sponge my card front using teal ink and a large sponge.

NOW, I have this beautiful die cut for another 'wintery' card creation. Don't you just love it when a mistake works to your advantage?!  

I wish you could see this beautiful paper in person ... IT IS GORGEOUS!

Also from Classy Cards n Such ... XP-73017516 'Stardream Fuse Vista'

This beautiful, glimmer paper comes in various colors and is a heavier weight.  Perfect for die cutting and as I found out today ... great for stenciling too!

Have you checked out the challenges at Classy Cards n Such?  NO?  Well what are you waiting for ... take a peek and play along!  YOU might even be the prize winner and they are very generous with their prize offerings!

A few other challenges to share in are:

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge - Anything Goes

Paperminutes Challenge - Snowflakes (NO Christmas)

{Pin}spiration Challenge #131 - Snowflakes

Design Team Showcase

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Stay warm and safe out there!

As always ...

Other items used:
Papers:  White cs, Navy cs
Stamps:  Graphic45, Heartfelt Creations
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Versafine Onyx ink

Winter Wishes . . .

Brrrr ... It sure is Cold Outside!

Hello my friends ... thanks for stopping by!

Single digits and the teens are NOT my idea of ideal weather! SO, I decided to stay in my cave and PLAY!  No DT commitment card today ... just one for a fun challenge I don't get to play often enough.  Although I truly enjoy my design team involvement, I'd like to take a little more time to create 'just for fun' in 2015.

Today's card was created for the 

The Shabby Tea Room ..."Baby It's Cold Outside" ... 

how appropriate!  LOL!

I really had fun creating this card and actually was able to use NEW and OLD products that I had never used before.  And I even got creative and used a die for the 'steam' that isn't really meant for that!  LOVE when you find  a new purpose for your dies, etc.

I also couldn't decide what size cup I wanted to use for the front of my card so cut out two of the three smaller cups/handles from the Spellbinder 'Nested Tea Cups' #S4-350 set.  Once I decided on using the larger of the two, I figured why not adorn the inside of my card with the smaller one!  PERFECT!

AND, how about this perfect little red satin bow holding up my mittens?  I just love my Craft-Dee BowZ bow maker.  I actually was lucky enough to WIN it a few years back when they started their blog and it creates a perfect bow every time!  LOVE THAT!  Especially when you're working with these tiny little ribbons ... my fingers aren't as 'nimble' as they once were so this tool makes the job SO MUCH easier!  Another fun challenge for you to check out. 

A few additional challenges to share in today are:
Craft-Dee BowZ January Challenge - Anything Goes using a Bow
Card Mania Challenge #64 - Make It Sparkle

Crafting From the Heart #41 - Always Anything Goes

Crafty Boots Challenge - Out with the Old, In with the New (new Embossing Folder)

Eureka Stamps Challenge - Snowman or Snowflakes
Design Team Showcase

I hope you are able to stay in and play today too (love that retirement benefit! lol)!
But if you're not, please be safe out there!  I hear the roads are a mess!

Thanks again for stopping by and for your encouraging comments!
I truly appreciate you taking the time!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Paper - Red cs, White cs, American Crafts 'Hot Cocoa' design paper,
Stamp/Ink - Verve Stamp 'Winter Mittens/Versafine Onyx
Dies - Spellbinder 'Nested Tea Cups', Wild Rose Studio 'Snow Flurry' #WRS032, Marianne 'Mittens' #CR1255, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Add a Flourish' #B456
Embossing Folders - Provo Craft Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes', Crafts-too 'Frame Winter' #CTFD4025
Accessories - Tim Holtz 'Tumbled Glass' Distress Ink, Large sponge dauber, 'Diamond' Stickles, SU Dimensionals

Snowman Time of Year with Dies R Us ...

Hello my friends!

WOW can you believe we are in 2015 already!  

I guess I'm just having too much fun because TIME IS FLYING!!!

Today I have a card to share for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  Yep, not only does this store have a challenge blog but they have an Inspiration Blog with NEW CREATIONS posted every day Monday - Friday by the team.

I'm still working at using up the left over holiday pieces & parts that were laying on my work table and by simply adding a few of the fabulous die cuts from our Dies R Us Store, I've created this fun 'wintery' card.  AND ... it's SNOWING OUTSIDE so it's weather appropriate too!  LOL!

The dies I've used today are:

Sweet Dixie 'Snowman' 

Wild Rose Studio 'Snow Flurry' #WRS032

Memory Box 'Precious Mittens'

So I don't forget ... 
You'll want to jump over to the STORE right away!
We have several *NEW* die releases available for Pre-Order 
RIGHT NOW!
Memory Box, Poppy Stamps, Impression Obsession, Elizabeth Craft and more to come!

As you can see in the following close-up, I've actually cut the 'snow flurry' die into two pieces and positioned one part UNDER the mittens and the remainder on TOP of the mittens die cut.  I've also popped up the mittens for a little dimension.

It's fun to 'think outside the box' with your die cuts!  Just because it cuts in a STRIP ... that doesn't mean you have to use it in just a that long strip form.  

Try looking at your die cuts in a new way this year and see 'what else' you can do with them.  Then of course we'd love to have you come share your creations with us at one of our Dies R Us Challenges!  A new theme is posted on the 1st & 15th of each month.

The images I've used on this card are from the Graphic45 'Place In Time' paper pack - January page.

Here are a few challenges to share in today:
Cards Galore Encore Challenge - Anything Goes
Die Cut Divas Challenge - Anything Goes using dies
Kreativeinkauf-challenge - Snowflakes 
Oddball Art Stamps Challenge - Anything Winter
Sparkles Forum Challenges #63 - Anything Goes
Design Team Showcase

Thanks so much for stopping by and I wish you a FABULOUS day ahead!
As always . . .

Crafty Secrets January 2015 Linky Party

 Have I said HAPPY NEW YEAR yet?  LOL!

Well, I'm saying it again!

HAPPY 2015 MY FRIENDS!

It's a new year, a new month and time for a new Linky Party at the Crafty Secrets blog!

You will find with the new year, a few things will be changing over at Crafty Secrets!  

ALL GOOD mind you!  

For instance, if you hop over to the blog you will find a FREEBIE from the *new* Bedtime Kids Digital Set which is the set the design team is showcasing today!  EVERYONE will get this one FREE image and the lucky winner of the Linky Party will win the ENTIRE SET!  

So what are you waiting for???

Today the team is having a virtual Pajama Party showing images from this adorable set!

After much thought, I decided to create a 6-page Bedtime Booklet using a variety of images from this amazing set along with Crafty Secrets Pastel Chenille Quilt Digital Paper, Pink Chenille Quilt Digital Paper and Classic Damask Pink/Scene Digital Paper.

Let me first share my Bedtime Booklet with you then I'll share a couple (hopefully) helpful hints so you can create your very own Bedtime Booklet.  So easy and such a sweet gift idea too!

HERE WE GO!

How cute is this!!!

NOW, here are a few ideas that help me when creating a project of this type.

• SAVE YOUR CEREAL BOXES!!
• USE A GOOD ALL PURPOSE (clear drying) GLUE
• GET YOURSELF AN INEXPENSIVE WALL PAPER SEAM WHEEL
• PRINT OFF VARIOUS CRAFTY SECRETS IMAGES/PAPERS

I use Microsoft Word to bring in my images and size them to what I need for my project.  Positioning them on the page so I have room to cut around them.  In this case I knew I wanted to do a LOT of FUSSY cutting so I wasn't too concerned with positioning.

This particular Oatmeal box came from the Warehouse Club so it is a heavier cardboard but worked great!  With the size of the box panels, a 4x6 booklet worked out to be the best (most useful) size.  That worked great with my digital papers too since I could get THREE cuts from each page.

By cutting my papers to the exact same size, I simply applied my glue to the back of each sheet then rolled over it with my wallpapering seam roller to be sure it had a good, secure adherence.

I chose not to add any additional embellishments to my Bedtime Booklet but you could have great fun 'blinging it up' with stars, moons, gems, ribbons ... endless possibilities.

A few challenges to share in:
2 Creative Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes But a Card
The ABC Challenge - A is for Anything Goes
Altered Eclectic Challenge - Anything Goes But a Card

My Artistic Adventures Challenge - Anything Goes
Recycle, Re-Purpose & Re-Invent Challenge - Anything Goes But Must Recycle
Rhedd's Creative Spirit January Challenge - Altered Art/Mixed Media
Design Team Showcase

I hope you'll come join in our Linky Party Fun!

My team mates have created some AMAZING samples for you and FABULOUS hints/tutorials too! 
"Now, go visit the rest of the design team blogs below and be sure to leave them some love. Then, link up your own Crafty Secrets project on the BLOG and you could win the entire Bedtime Kids Stamp Set! We’ve loaded a free image from the set into this month’s Linky Party post as our way of thanking you for playing along. You can download the image and use it in your Linky Party project, or use one of the FREE PRINTABLES found on the blog page. The rules are simple: Just create a NEW project featuring Crafty Secrets, and link it up on the Crafty Secrets blog before midnight Pacific Time on Sunday, January 18th. "

• Kathy Clement Team Leader
• Michele Kovack - 300+ Gallery!
• Sheila Rumney
• Elizabeth Lincoln
• Diane Hover
• Melody Clement
• Shantaie Caudill-Fowler
• Vicki Chrisman - Guest

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you a WONDERFUL, CRAFTY week!

As always . . .

Seeing Spots . . .

Hello Dear Friends

and welcome to the beginning of the First Full Week of 2015!

I'm really liking how my new year is starting out and I hope you're off to a good start too!

Today I begin with a card for the new, fun challenge at 613 Avenue Creates!

Of course, our challenge is always ANYTHING GOES (with a TWIST).

You can either just play the anything goes or have more fun and use the twist!

Our twist this week is awesome ... check it out!

MATCHING ENVELOPE!

What a great idea and something I should do more often!  

We have two fabulous sponsors today ...

Lacy Sunshine Stamps

and

Scrapper's Delights

What a fun time I had making today's card using a fabulous image from Lacy Sunshine called  Rory's Bag Full of Lady Bugs.  What do you think?

How cute is this image and since 'Rory' had dots all over her attire, I felt it necessary to dive into my DCWV 'dots, stripes & plaids' paper pack for this card/envelope set.

I hope you'll come join in our fun at the 613 Avenue Create Challenge Blog and of course for more inspiration, do come check out what my team mates have created!  What fabulous inspiration!

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

Diva's By Design Challenge - Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination Challenge - Anything Goes

Moo-Mania & More Challenge - Polka Dots
Design Team Showcase

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing what YOU create for this challenge!

Trust me when I say "right now I can use all the inspiration you want to share!"  LOL!

As always and until next time . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Ocean Blue cs, DCWV dp, clear vellum
Image:  Lacy Sunshine
Sentiment Stamps:  Inkadinkado, Just for Fun
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, White Liquid Pearls, Stampendous Diamond Dots , Elizabeth Crafts 'Happy Birthday' die #783

And We Begin Again . . .

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY & HEALTHY 2015!

I'm starting out the New Year making a card 'just for fun' ... no DT commitment or anything like that ... just being 'creative' ... and it's a sentiment I'd like to extend to YOU!!

When I first started making cards (all those years ago) I needed help getting started so I turned to 'sketch challenges'.  Today I don't always have the time to take part in sketch challenges but I was introduced to a 'new to me' sketch challenge and just had to play along!

The challenge blog I'm referring to is CARDABILITIES where they supply the sketch to use as the basis of your card creation.  They also have a blog called SKETCHABILITIES which is directed more towards the scrapbookers and they supply a sketch that you can use for your layouts.  

Here is the sketch for the current challenge and the basis for my card . . .

I chose to turn my card horizontally vs vertical but that's okay!!

You can still see the 'sketch' in my design and that's what's important!

I've also been using up some holiday scraps (boy that mountain sure grows during the holidays doesn't it!!) so the circle panels are from various holiday paper packs.

I  hope you're starting out your new year in a fun way too!

Here are a few challenges to share in today:

Cheery Lynn Designs #165 - Thank You

Creative Card Crew Challenge - Anything Goes

The Crazy Challenge #187 - Everything Goes

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

Recipe:
Papers:  Ivory cs, White cs, Medium Blue cs, Royal Blue cs, DCWV dp, Maja Designs 'Vintage Frost Basics' dp
Stamp:  Hero Arts
Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs #B147 'Olive Branches' die, Cheery Lynn Designs #B118 'Pair of Ferns' die, EK Success Snowflake Punch, Fiskars Scallop Paper Edgers, White Gelly Roll Pen (faux stitching), Ranger Dylusions spray mist, Diamond Stickles, Spellbinder classic circle dies