Winner Day!

I apologize for the late post.  How did it get to be Friday already.  I had hoped to post a card as well, but it shall have to wait!  

Without further ado, the winner of a template from Creations by AR is....

Jaralubo said...

I love your projects and papers, thanks for sharing...

MARCH 22, 2011 4:51 PM 

cONGRATS!

Please contact me to claim your template.  Thank you!

Long Time No Crafting...Let's HOP right in!

I know, I know....It's been forever.  Lots to share with you all, but today you're here for the fabulous Creations by AR blog hop.

Adela has released a few more FABULOUS templates.

Today I am featuring

NOW THAT'S SMASHING

Let me just say that right now I don't have a lot of free time.  The great thing about this template is that it comes together in a snap.  It's so easy that I had time to make FOUR!

Here there are...

Would you like to win a template of your own?

Leave me a comment telling me which box  you like best and then hop along to check out the other templates and what the Design Team has done with them.

Make sure to leave a comment on each blog...every DT member drawing for a template of your choice. Woo hoo!  Winners will be announced on Friday, March 25.

Now head on over...ADELA is your last stop on this hop!

 Here's the hop list in case you get lost along the way.

Amy Park

Andrea Budjack

Magdalena Cortez
Mandy Gill
Maria Bell
Silvia Mabie
ME:D
Adela Rossol

You can find all the new templates HERE

I hope you have a SMASHING day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've been gone for awhile....ah life!  I don't have much to share because of lack of time.  I'll get back to show you somethings I've been busy doing later this week.

Today I had to share a post about this cool thing I saw on My Food Affair.  I so want to try this.  Check out the link here...so cool looking!

http://myfoodaffair.blogspot.com/2011/02/hot-cocoa-sticks.html

  I also wanted to share a poem by EE Cummings that is perfect for the one you love.  Love is shared by many...not just your significant other.  Of course I thought of all the people I love and especially my mom.  This poem is even more poignant to my profound love for her.

I CARRY YOUR HEART WITH ME by EE Cummings   (this is how it is written...no caps)

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
                                  i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart


i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Happy Valentine's Day

The Birdcage

The birdcage template by Creations by AR can take on so many forms.  You will find it here under templates.  It's actually called, HOME TWEET HOME.  Adela has all  FOUR new templates for purchase at 25% off.  What a deal!

I've been playing around with it over the last week and come up with a few versions on how to use this really cool template.  I always like to get the best "bang for my buck."  So I love trying to figure out how to alter a template and being able to use it for more than it's intended purpose.

I also read a blog post by my blogging friend Sally.  She has an amazing tutorial on how to make "grudge flowers" using those old paper flowers you already have laying around.  I LOVE HER for this!

I recently had all my paper flowers ruined because they got wet.  They all bled together.  I couldn't bear to throw them away.  Her tutorial allowed me to save them. 

 See how ruined they are here:(

I created these plus the one on the first birdcage photo at the top. Each flower was colored with various copics first.  LOVE COPICS TOO!

I LOVE U SALLY!(((BIG HUGS)))

Back to the birdcage...

Here is another idea to make the birdcage into a basket with a handle.  

I simply traced another tab on the opposite side.  If you get the template you will understand that there is a tab that allows the roof of the birdcage to hinge onto the base.  Just add another and then punch holes in each tab to thread your handle through.

Or you can leave the tabs off and just create the base for a simple hexagon shaped box.

This looks so much better IRL.  Why does Raspberry Pink photograph so poorly?  I need to make a bigger photo box.  Plus mine is falling apart and I think it's affected my photos.  Anyway, this one has a matching card.  I have a very special friend with an upcoming birthday.  I created the a "trim" at the top by using black circles.  I colored some chipboard flowers with Copics and added a seed bead to each center.

I'm entering my post into the JUGS challenge~ Create a 3D flower.

Believe it or not, I have a few other ideas.  It will be awhile before I post again.  I have a small trip planned and some painting, as well as, some party preparations for my Scentsy business.

We are on DAY 3 of kids being home due to the weather.  We had this little visitor yesterday.

This is my compost bucket and I'm pretty sure this little guy could find no food because of the sheet of ice that is covering the ground.  He didn't even move when we all sat right next to the window.  He didn't leave until he had had his fill.  It made me think, not only about all the creatures out there who must be cold and hungry, but also, all the homeless.  As I complain about still living in this house away from my husband and about our heat bill being so high, I am humbled by the fact that I HAVE a home to live in and that I HAVE heat to warm my cold bones.  I am thankful for my blessings and for this little visitor who reminded me of just that.  Be thankful.  I think I'll stick an apple in that bucket today...the WHOLE thing:D

Stay warm my friends and have a very BLESSED weekend.  I shall be snuggling with my hubby:)

Laugh In The Sunshine

 Just a Note

The following post contains some very personal stuff.  I placed it at the end so that you wouldn't have to read it if you are only here for craftiness:)

Good Morning!  I hope you are having a great start to your weekend.  I know that I have been a bit absent.  I apologize.  I had my first Scentsy party this week and was busy prepping for that.  I started a a template by Adela and haven't quite finished it.  Hopefully by Monday.  The weekends are very precious here.  We spend them with my dear husband.  So, there will be no crafting until the weekend is over.

I did want to share a card I made inspired by my mom.  At my LSS, I saw this stamp set by Inky Antics.  I couldn't resist getting it because the wording encompasses something that my mom loved.  Flowers and Sunshine!

.

Live 

among the flowers

Dance

with the petals

Laugh

in the sunshine

This is a card I made a few weeks ago using the scrap from an Amy Butler 5X7 pad.  I also used a a stamp from Thankful Accents by Verve to adorn the sentiment panel.  Each end is topped with a tiny green rhinestone.  The puffy flowers in each corner were a great find at a dollar store...can you believe it?  I colored them with a paintbrush and distress ink very lightly and topped each center with stickles.  You can click on the photo if you'd like a closer look....don't be too critical though.  Pretty sure the stickles aren't dry in the photo.  I love stickles, but man, they take forever to dry!

I would like to mention that I am getting rid of almost EVERY STAMPIN UP INK PAD.  It will have a reinker that goes with it.  I would love to sell them as a set, but might consider selling them as individuals.  I might even have the paper that goes with the color.  

I am also selling every Stampin Up Marker, except red.  That one is a goner:)  I do have the red journaling  marker to replace it.  I also have included a versamarker and a watercolor brush.

Here is the picture.

Cost is $75 plus the cost of shipping.

You can email me (sidebar) and I will figure out shipping to your area.

I also have all this paper....

It does not include the two smaller pads.  These pictures show the same stack of paper from different angles.  There must be at least 200 sheets.  I think that is a very LOW estimate, but I'm not going to count:)  These are 12x12 of SU colors.  Some of the edges are rippled since they have been sitting in racks.  I would suggest them to a cardmaker if that is an issue for a scrapbooker.

Cost is $25 plus shipping to your area.  

Again the SMALL PADS are NOT included.  My friend took those.

I have lots more stuff, but it's just not ready to put up.

One more thing to share on a personal note.  I debated writing anymore about my grief.  However,the one thing I have realized through blogging and reading people's blogs is that you never know how you may be helping someone else.

Something that you say, or write, may be just the thing that someone else needed to hear.  So I will share and the great thing is YOU have the option to stop reading:)

I have had two really good days.  Days of smiling and even laughing again.  It has been a LONG time.  I had such a great time at the Scentsy party and was able to get 3 more parties scheduled from that.  Out of 6 guests, that's a GREAT thing!  I was so happy!   Until yesterday morning when I realized the person I wanted to share that with was not here.  I asked her if she knew.  Did she know how great that was? Does she know that I'm donating a percentage of my earnings to her fund?  Does she know how we are honoring her by donating coats?  Does she see that my dog is shedding like crazy?

Remember this dog that you hugged and loved and commented on how she didn't really shed.

Do you know that your granddaughter is plucking her own eyebrows now?  Do you see how big she is getting?

Does she know all this stuff that I want to tell her?

All these silly things that I need to share with her.  Things that someone else wouldn't care to hear.  I know she would listen to it all...with so much interest.  I miss her voice and her laughter.

And I CRIED!  

I was putting my suitcases away in room.  I always keep them in her closet now.  I had been in and out of there several times.  I managed to just cry and do the things I needed to do.  I had to go into her room one more time.  I was going to sweep (cause there's a lot of dog hair here) and my dog had left her half eaten chew toy on the floor in my mom's room.  As I bent down to pick it up, there was one of her earrings.  Do you believe in signs?  I do.  That earring was not there.  We have been in and out of her room everyday.  We like to go in there.  That earring was not there.  You could say that it dropped out of the closet, but I don't know how.  There are only a few of her clothes left in there.  I do have her earrings, but they are in my room, in a jewelry box at the other end of the hall.

That was the first of several signs yesterday that she was answering my questions.  She is here.  I got another piece of mail addressed to her yesterday.  Her Rite Aid card was sitting out on my counter.  My mom hasn't lived her in over a year and a half.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  Last night I got on Facebook and there was a song that I will share.  I had to write a friend back who was checking on me.  Her mom died the same day as mine...eleven years earlier.  If you are on FB you know that your friends pictures will pop up on the right side.  As I was writing my friend back, I looked up and there was my mom's picture and photo album of her and my kids.  I took that as another sign.  Some may say I'm reaching.  That's ok.  Even if I am, it brings me comfort.

I just wanted to share that story because it helps me and it may help someone else. 

Here is the song that I heard yesterday....

Blog Candy Winner X 2

It is still technically Wednesday.  Sorry!  The day got away from me.

I had hoped to post another Creation by AR, but I didn't get it done.  Hopefully by this weekend.

Without further ado, my winner for the Made With Heart Blog Hop is:

Patricia
Patricia said...I really like the way you changed up the girl on the first card so she wouldn't look so much like a cheerleader! Very clever. You did a fantastic job coloring the images, too.

Patricia, please email me (left sidebar) so I can get your goodies out to you.

My winner for the Creations by AR Blog Hop is:

Patti B

Patti B said...

Love the heart box. You have done a great job. Thanks for the hop

Thanks to everyone for all the great comments and fun.
Have a great night!

Thinking Out Of The Box

..........and MAKING a Box

Today I'm going to share a very SIMPLE tutorial on making a box using The Fireplace Card that was released by Creations By AR back in November.  I apologize for the delay.  My life took an unexpected turn.  I'm getting  back into the swing of things.  Again, that you for your patience.

Here is the box and card I made back in November...

To make this box, you will need:

The FIREPLACE CARD TEMPLATE ( printed on copy paper and cut out)
1 ~ 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock
scissors
bone folder
strong adhesive (Scor tape is what I use)

(I always apologize in advance for the pictures. Fluorescent lighting and one handed photography are a bit tricky:)  You will also note that my hands are in the pictures.  That is to protect the copyright of this template.)

TIP:  CLICK ON PHOTO FOR A CLOSER LOOK

STEP 1.

Place template on the cardstock and trace top and bottom except for the area that has the GIANT "X".

Leave off that part of the template for now.
See Photo Below

 

This is a bad photo...it only shows the top part of the traced template.  Make sure you trace the bottom straight across to the marked point that is shown in the middle photo

Step 2.  Flip the template upside down and line up where you stopped tracing with the marks on the above photo.  (See how I just took the template and flipped it over so that the top is now the bottom?  I hope that makes sense.)

Step 3. Trace the right side of the template.  This is the section that had the BIG "X" on it in the first step.

Step 4.  Cut out this "new" traced template.

It should look like this when you are done .....

Does this make sense?  I hope:)

Step 5. Now lay your original template over the top of the cut out template and score where all the "tick" marks are located.  The exception is the middle marks where I have "x'd" on the picture.   Don't forget to turn it around and score the other tab that is at the bottom of the template too.

( As I was writing this out, I remembered my idea for another way to make this a box and for it you have to score ALL the tick marks on the side, but not at the top of the box....I will show you at the bottom of this post the variation. )

Step 6.  Fold on all score marks and then apply adhesive to the small flap on the left ( see X's) and adhere.

Step 7. This picture shows the bottom closure of the box.  It is optional to apply adhesive here.  However, if you are going to put anything inside with some weight, I would recommend it.  Otherwise, the contents may fall out.

Step 8.  Decorate box:)  or not...the choice is yours.

This box is just the right size to add some mini candy bars or a small bag filled with red hots, M&M's...you get the idea.

Here is the variation of scoring all 3 tick marks for the side.  Then at the top, only score the line closest to the body of the box. 

This creates more of a triangular shaped box from the side.  You could close this by tying with a ribbon or applying a temporary adhesive on the under side.  Put a giant flower in the front and have the tab tuck into it even.  This sample is just a mock up because the paper I used did not score well:)

Please let me know if you have any questions.  My email is on the left side bar.

Have a Fabulous day!

Creations by AR New Release Blog Hop

Good Morning!  Today is another fun blog hop sure to inspire you this week.

Creations by AR is a fantastic template store for all your 3D projects.  Adela is so amazing and sweet.  Today the design team will share a few ideas with  SEVERAL templates that are being released TODAY. 

Join in the fun!  One winner will be chosen from each blog and announced on Wednesday.  So make sure you leave a comment along the way.

If you are arriving here from MARIA'S Blog, then you are on the right track.

Today you will see samples from various new releases.

Among those being released are: The Heart Basket, Home Tweet Home,  Isn't She Lovely Dress Card, and Heart Box.

 I made two samples using the Heart Box.

I used some papers by Jenni Bowlin.  I loved how the flower centers were heart shaped.  I also colored some prima flowers with an R89 copic and then went over it with an R35.  That pushes the darkest color to the edges for a slight, two toned, effect.  I also used some Bazzil mini pom pom trim.  I love the mini pom poms.  My sentiment is from VERVE'S Heart's Afire

Here is the inside:

 ( I SWEAR that is  my "pointer" finger:)

These boxes are incredibly easy to make.

Here's another sample:

For this one I used two different Verve sets...Thankful Accents and a Plain Jane.  I also added some tea dyed trim to the edge of the top heart.

Here is a side shot:

Thanks so much for popping in today.  I PROMISE that I will have my tutorial for making a box out of the Fireplace Template tomorrow.... 

I will also have more creations this week using the other templates so make sure to pop back over to see those.

 Now hop on over to see what fabulous thing Silvia has made.  Don't forget to leave a comment along the way for a chance to win a template of your choice

Here is the blog hop list, in case you lose your way.

 Amy Park

Andrea Budjack

Magdalena Cortez

Mandy Gill

Maria Bell

Nikki Schmaltz   That's ME:D

Silvia Mabie

Adela Rossol

Many Blessings!

Happy 10

If you are here to see the MADE FOR HEART Blog Hop Project then please scroll through this post.  THANK YOU!

Happy Birthday!

I have lots of birthdays coming up in the new year and I'm trying to get a jump start on a few.  I find that if I don't make it way ahead of time then I'm scrambling at the last minute.  However, sometimes I FORGET that I made the card or I can't find it.  Ahhh, my life!  But at least I can say that I tried:)

This is a card I made using this week's MFT Sketch challenge.  It's not exactly the sketch, but it's close.  Even though close doesn't count in football, I think it might in Sketch Challenges.  I also made this for my LSS store.  I'm still on the design team there and I got to work with several cute PI images.  That's why you've seen so many on my blog this week.  There really are so cute.

A few details about this card.  First, it's an Easel card done using a variation in size.  The tutorial for that is on Splitcoast HERE. 

I used Basic Grey Marjolaine papers.  It makes me incredibly happy to take somewhat feminine papers and make a masculine card.  I also used scraps of I Believe Christmas paper as one of the circles.  

My background Prism paper was embossed with the Cuttlebug Star EF.  I also cut out the grass using the MFT Dienamics.  I even dug into my scrapbook supplies and pulled out some stickers to use.  I have had a goal to do more scrapbooking and so you may see a few pages pop up here on the blog.  They may not be very good, but my family will love them.  

 

Alright, now I can share the story of my really bad week.  Remember how I've felt like Charlie Brown?  Well, it's continuing.  I'm not telling you to feel sorry for me.  I'm telling you because I know that one day I will think of all this and laugh.  You have to laugh at yourself.  So, maybe it will make you chuckle.  Somehow, the world is trying to tell me something will all this bad luck.  I just haven't figured it out completely yet.

Here goes...

Last Sunday, my son had some boys spend the night.  They were sooo good.  I decided after taking them home I would clean my husband's truck.  I had been trying to wash it for several days, but was so nervous about driving it through the automatic ones.  I am short, people and his truck is BIG.  I have to sit on something to even see to drive it.  

Twice I have pulled into a line to wash it in the automatic wash and then left because I just felt it was too small and I was worried it would scrap the sides of the truck.

In my little town, everything is little.  The roads are very narrow, the alleys are tiny, the parking lots are small and to my (not so) surprised mind so is the car wash bay.  I decided to just spray wash the darn thing and be done with it.  Well, the bay was so small and one side was a SHEET of ice so I couldn't even step on the passenger's side to wash it.  There is literally enough room for you to extend the small hose out and have just enough room for your body.  As I was pulling out I noticed these big, concrete posts that made the exit seem even smaller.  I was worried that the vehicle would slide on that sheet of ice right into the concrete.  So, I decided to back out instead.  No one was in line behind me. 

I was being sooooooo careful.  Going slow.  Checking my mirrors.  Taking my time. Then I noticed that the truck was hesitating.  Kind of like when you are going too slow over a bump.  You have to give it a bit of gas to get over it.   Well, I figured I was going over a piece of ice and gave it a little gas.  

That's when I watched my side mirror go AIRBORNE and land at the front of the bay.  The hose had hooked onto my mirror as I was backing out and pulled my mirror off.  That was the hesitation.  Now you may be thinking, "Why didn't you move it out of the way.  How could that big hose not be seen or heard as it brushed up against your mirror?"  

First, there was no hook on the wall to keep it out of the way.  I looked.  I know, crazy right?  AND the hose was very thin so I didn't even notice it happening.  AND NO, the car wash would take no responsibility in helping to pay for damages.  

I have never been, nor shall I visit again, such a small, accident- waiting- to- happen, car wash.

I am pretty sure I have never felt so defeated.  They told me if it had happened in the AUTOMATIC car wash THEN they would have PAID.  Oh, the irony.  There are just so many things wrong with that story, don't you think?

 Insurance is handling it.

Then 2 days later, I was taking stuff back to the library in the truck.  As I stuck the library bag in the front seat it clipped the CD that I had been listening to and had just taken out.  It broke....oh yes, THAT was the library's.  So, now I will have to pay for that.

Does anyone see the sign?  Can you help me out?  Trying to stay positive, but it's getting tough.  Yes, I know it could be worse.  I'm hoping it doesn't get that way though.

I had to wait to share that until I told my husband.  He was away at work and I didn't want to stress him out all week.  

My van is getting fixed and I'm pretty sure I'm taking it back:)  It won't matter if it is covered in salt.  It is really old, but it fits my behind to a "T."  Besides, if I yanked off the mirror on that, I'd probably just tape my hand mirror to side and call it GOOD!  (Kidding!...maybe)

Monday is another Blog Hop...don't forget to stop by.  Hoping to have my tutorial up tomorrow.  

One last thing.... Back in December I had to step down as a DT member for DCRU.  With all that was happening to me, I couldn't give everything of myself to them.  Claudia continues to be so supportive of me.  She has changed her store's name to Claudia and Co and she is having a PHENOMENAL sale for Pre-CHA.  I still love that store and support them every chance I get.  Go check it out and land yourself a few GREAT bargains!

 

 Stamps: A Boy and His Football PI, Happiness Message HA

Ink: Memento Black, Vintage Photo

Paper: Marjolaine, I Believe, Prism, Text Black, Xpress Blending

Other: Circle Nesties, star punch, dienamics grass, foam tape, sticker, chipboard stickers, black brads, star EF,

Copics: B0000, BG0000, 18,72, C0,G82, YG11, E51,49,57,55,79, colorless blender, special black

Prismacolor Pencils