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:)

Tote- ally Haute!

I've got a really late post today.I've been working really hard the last few days  on a project for Creations by AR.  I was so thrilled to have Adela contact me over the summer to be on her design team.  You all know how much I love to create 3D items.  Well, Creations by AR is a fabulous online source for templates.  She also has several digi stamps and a few new things in the works.  I'm really excited to be a part this fabulous team of Designers. You can see the great company I'm keeping on my sidebar.  Also, make sure you head over and check out all the current templates you can purchase, as well as, a few FREE templates that you can try on Adela's fabulous blog.

The template I've used today is the Haute Tote template.  I wanted to be able to enter this into a few challenges.  I think this tote is a perfect little bag to hold items for a wedding gift.  There is a pocket included on the inside that could hold a gift card.  I always try to journal when I go on vacation about things that happened along the way.  Lightbulb!  Why not include a little journal in here for the honeymooners to jot down memories of their trip?  I think a few other items that might be fun are gum, chapstick. trial sized sunscreen.  It's like a little package of things for the flight or the road.  Just make sure you give it to them before they actually leave:)  Do you guys have any other ideas?

  I'm entering this into a few challenges.

The Playdate Cafe~ Color Splash with Green
JUGS- Wild Wedding
Allsorts_ Dressing Up  I think that I dressed that card up pretty well.  Adding the ruffled trim and crepe paper bottom gives it a look of dressed up.
CPS- Sketch
Paper Sundaes~ Stitching
Just a few details....My flower on the tote was made by layering a Sizzix die cut flower.

Off to get dinner made.  Have a great day!

An Inspiring Story about a Boy, A Man and A Family

A am so happy to share this card today that I made for a very special friend.  She was a coworker of mine and from that sprouted a very special friendship.  She introduced me to the miracle of adoption.  That the child you adopt may not be from your body, but they are meant for you. A true gift from GOD.  I had the blessing of watching her first adopted child when I lived in Michigan and I can tell you with all my heart that that little girl was like our third child.  She was an extension of our own family.   I miss her.    I recently found out that they are adopting their third child from China.  They are there getting him right now.  It's so exciting and I have been following their "Journey to Isaac" blog posts.  I made this card for them as a "Welcome" to the joys of having a boy (after a house full of pink and princesses).

Make sure you read to the end of this post for a story that may just give you goosebumps or more...

Here's the inside:

(click on the picture to enlarge)

I made this for several  challenges this week.  I love the fact that Isaac is coming from China into the USA so I could use Red, White and Blue.  This isn't your typical "Welcome Baby" card.  Isaac is almost one so I thought this image from the Pure Innocence Collection was a bit more fitting than a baby.  He doesn't really look Asian though.  I need more Copic colors:)  I wanted to point out that I colored the bottom layer of that star with Copics.  That way I was sure it matched my project.  Red card stock seemed too harsh.  Also, the layer underneath is a Labels 11 nestie and I had to cut it in half to have it span the length I needed.  One more thing.  My ribbon was folded in half and sewn because it was just toooooo wide for my liking.

I used Jen's SFYTT.  This also fits the challenge at JUGS and The Shabby Tea Room to use Red, White, Blue and optional Kraft.  Over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge you were to include a tree.  CCEE Stampers is Nursery Rhymes...this is Little Boy Blue:)  The Crazy Challenge is 'something NEW.'

So onto the story...

I always tell my kids that each person is put on this Earth for a reason.  That no one is better than anyone else.  Each person has their own gift to share on this world.  That if you take the time to look for it you can learn something from everyone.  Sometimes the lesson is that you don't ever want to BE like that person.  Still, it's something.

While reading my friend's blog posts about being in China and their travels she shared a story about the man that is assigned to their family that will eventually bring them to their new son.  His name is George and he has been taking them all around China sightseeing, translating, being their guide, etc...

HERE IS THE STORY OF GEORGE (as taken from the blog post)

Want to tell you George’s story too.  His mother had her tubes tied after 5 children (before the 1 child policy was mandatory).  Six years later she started feeling sick, doctors diagnosed her with cancer, and she had two weeks of cancer drugs. Then, the old woman sharing her hospital room told her she did not think she had cancer, but was pregnant.  Sure enough, it was true!  Doctors said the baby would not be “normal” and gave her abortion pills…two rounds.  When these were unsuccessful his mother gave up and three months later gave birth to George. Divine intervention, George called it destiny, eventually led to him helping abandoned children become part of their very own families…God knows we appreciate the irony!

 I thought this story was a perfect example of the fact that we are all important on this Earth.  What an amazing person George was to be able to see that he was a gift to this world and to make sure that other children felt that they are gifts as well.  I feel so lucky to know this family and be inspired by their unselfish acts.  I hope this story inspires you too.  The message isn't about adoption or abortion; it's about realizing that we all have something in us to give...a reason....a purpose.  In a world where everyone is trying to outdo everyone else, trying to be "The Best", thinking they are more important.....  Truth is, we all come from the same place and we all end up in the same place.  We all need each other to do the " in between."


I hope that you share this story.  I think it's full of , well, inspiration!  ( I need another word that means inspire.  I sure used it enough in this story;)
Have a great Monday!
 

Pink Winter With Friends

When I saw this new image from DigiStamp Boutique I just had to get it.  It reminds me

of the two little girls I used to babysit in Michigan.  We still keep in touch and I plan to send this to them with a bunch of stamped images for them to color for Valentine's Day.  They love art!

  This card was originally for last week's Die Cuts R Us challenge 21.  I started early in the week working on it.  I think for some reason I wasn't supposed to finish it.  A sign maybe?  I'm not sure.  I was really disappointed though.  I had to reprint and color that image 3 times.  I don't know if my paper got mixed up, but each time my Copic ink would mottle and pool on the coat of the girl on the left.  I had to TRY and cover it the third time with some Prismacolor Pencils.  Then when I came back I had apparently smeared the wet baby oil.  UGH!  I also added some sparkle to the "friends" sentiment with an Atyou Spica glitter pen only to smear that as well.  My colorless blender pen is also almost out of ink.  Yikes!  Luckily oozak.com has refills AND super speedy shipping!

   My card is definitely handmade with all the mistakes.  Still, I know the girls will  feel very special getting it. Don't sweat the small stuff, right?

 On a positive note,  I was able to add burgundy to the little girl's tights and hair ties.  Therefore, I can now enter it into the JUGS16 color challenge.  Yippee!  Well, I'm hoping they forgive me for white instead of vanilla.

On another positive note, I have an announcement  that makes me SUPER happy!  I have been asked to be a Guest Designer for Whimsy Stamps for the months of February and March.  Yippee again!  Their stamps are so fun.  I like fun!

 I'm soooo excited!  Makes me want to jump up and down!  I can't wait for you to see some of  the new releases.  Some are fun and some are beautiful.  They have a blog hop coming up at the end of January with some cute stuff.  I can't wait to see what's in line for February.  I'll keep you updated on that!

Thanks for popping in today.




Stamps: Unity KOTM december, digistamp boutique winter suzie and jasmin
Ink: Black marker, Pitch black spica marker
Paper: Sweet Blush, Golly by Golly, White, Rose Red Text.
Other: dazzling diamonds, 2 way glue pen, Sizzix snowflake die, button, dimensionals, Copics, Prisma color pencils, pink brad, Fiskars punch, Circle nestabilities, corner rounder, snowflake EF, cuttlebug