So Comfy………

I had mentioned that we were doing a remodel of our living room and here is a peek at how it came out I love the taupe walls and how well it goes with the white woodwork. We purchased the dark brown leather couch and chair which recline (so nice for the back) and this weekend we’ll be shopping for a new coffee table It’s amazing how a simple re-do can lift your spirits!(well, not really so simple)

Only cardstock

The CM design team had a challenge this weekend to create a cardstock only LO. I used one of my favorite photos of my mother when she was younger. I also made it 6 x 12 which was different and fun for me. All products used are from Creative Memories.  Thanks for visiting!

Hello Again!

It’s been quite a while since I’ve written anything although I have been busy! I should say busy good and busy not so good ~ Between getting a lower lumbar MRI and cervical x-rays paired with physical therapy appointments and a trip to the Rheumatologist you can guess that I have some pain going on…. on the other hand I’ve been working on a crafty assignment and that is always fun AND we have been doing some home renovations (I use the word WE very liberally as with my back issues I am rendered pretty useless – I mean we are talking sheet rock here!!) We are on the last stage of this project with the hardwood floors being sanded and polyurethaned, Phew…. almost over. The kitties get to come home Friday when all the fumes should be gone and the new furniture will be delivered that day at noon. I can’t wait and will have to post photos.

For those of you who have emailed, I will be posting a tutorial on making the glass pendants. Believe me… these are a breeze and so much prettier then the photos I took of them.

Today I would like to share two projects I made a little while ago. You will notice that the little “room” book has no photos in it as my daughter would not allow me to post any of her from our trip to Disney world. It was a few years ago and she was in her “awkward” phase. I  love the way this looks like a little 4 inch mini book but opens to expose 4 individual spaces. Neat!

I used the Creative Memories Disney Vacation Palette (One of my all time favorite paper sets!)

With hope I’ll have something new for you soon

And a gallon sized pain can- I love using these to give gifts in

I loved making the ears for the top!

Feels Like Autumn..

The weather has been so beautiful lately with less rain and more sunshine. I love the transition from summer to fall as the nights get cooler and the days hover around 70 degrees- just perfect.

Well, I’ve been making glass tile pendants and I think I have a system now They are very hard to photograph nicely but this will give you an idea. So cute!

Next I have a fall card using a couple of the new Sizzix embossing folders (argyle and hounds tooth) and the new Stampin Up! Top Notes die. Stamps are from Close to My Heart and I also used the AccuCut 3D envelope die. (and how lazy of me… I haven’t decorated the envelope yet.

Thanks for visiting

Fun Pendants :)

I finally got around to ordering the supplies to make these cute glass pendants. Normally the pendant would go inside the slide top tin but to better show off the piece along with the packaging I decided to use it as an embellishment too. All you have to do is pair it with a silver chain or a simple jewelry cord and you’re done!

Thanks for visiting!

Patterned Paper and cardstock: Papertrey Ink, Slide Top Tin: Art Blanche, Tools: Accucut for the gable box, Nestabilities and Martha Stewart: Punch

M*I*C*K*E*Y M*O*U*S*E

I’ve said it before but I LOVE Mickey Mouse. One of my most favorite vacations was when my daughter and I vacationed at Disney World for a week. Unforgettable! The paper used in this is once again the Primary Disney Vacation Power Palette from Creative Memories. I loved working with these papers!!

Tin: Provocraft Top Loading, Designer Paper: Creative Memories, Ribbon: Unknown, Tools: CM TagMaker, (which has a slot for ounching the hole too- very cool!) CM Custom Cutting System, Circles and the CM Circle Maker

Summer Fun!

I love pinwheels! I especially love this version of them~ I had seen these made with designer paper all around the internet and planned on making one but never got around to it. Then one day in checkout line at the Price Chopper (not sure the prices are really chopped) and I noticed that there was one already made up with a gorgeous blue handle that I knew would match the paper I wanted to use I ended up deconstructing the darned thing and making my own pattern, BUT I also ended up with a matching handle So worth it! The patterned paper is from Primary Disney Vacation Power Palette Kit (say that 3x fast!) The best part is that it spins like a dream!

Wallpaper is not just for the walls :)

My mother wanted me to make her a recipe tin that matched her kitchen. Well, I had some very pretty patterned papers that would have worked but I worried about the possible exposure to water and messy hands…it dawned on me, Wallpaper!! So easy to wipe clean!

(here comes the sad part of the story) A few years ago a local paint and paper shop went out of business and my friend convinced me to take around 25 wallpaper books (which have been sitting in the front hallway closet ever since ) About a month ago I decided that enough was enough and that I HAD to do something about the clutter so OUT they went except for 1 book which I kept- I did go through them all and tore out a few sheets. As luck would have it I had saved one border piece that I used for this project that matches mom’s kitchen and when I showed it to her she loved it! (Thank God for that!) This is the small Provocraft top loading tin which measures 4″Hx5 1/2″Lx2 3/4″D and just the perfect size for standard and even the larger recipe cards. SCORE! I can’t wait to give this to her tomorrow! This was a super quick and easy project. Thanks for visiting

Wallpaper: Unknown- AccuCut dies: Album Lunch Box #2, Album Lunch Box #2 Dividers and Page The dividers are seen in the second photo. Cardstock on tag: Papertrey Ink and Stampin Up! Ribbon: Unknown

Planning ahead…

I have decided that I need to make a card stash keeping in mind  b-days and special occasions that will be coming up. I hate remembering someone’s big day and not have time to make a decent card. The card below is an all occasion card with no sentiment so I can personalize it just prior to giving. While the focal image is popped up and it has a ribbon knot, it will still fit snugly in it’s matching envelope for mailing. I decided to make two small gift boxes to coordinate with the card in the event I plan on giving a little gift.

Paper: Patterned Paper: Chocolate Remix, Cardstock: Dark Chocolate and Vintage Cream, all from  Papertrey Ink

Ribbon: Dark Chocolate Swiss Dot Satin ( Papertrey Ink)

Stamps: French Quarter from Inque Boutique Polka dot Background Stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms

Tools: Envelope, Envelope Liner, and Gift Boxes cut from Accucut Dies and Butterfly Die from Spellbinders
sewing machine

Ink ark Chocolate from Papertrey Ink

Home again :) (and some good news too!)

WOW! I can’t believe how long it’s been since I posted! I was away for four long days attending a Mediation Workshop and I am so happy to be home!

The best part about going way for me was that when I got back I had a pretty good mail day and could hardly wait to get playing with my new goodies especially my new AccuCut Maya Road Coffee Break Tin Die I used it in the project below with the GORGEOUS new Bella Rose patterned paper from Stampin Up! Since I am not sure who the recipient of this gift will be yet, I decided to leave the front untouched and may diecut some chipboard letters covered with coordinating patterned paper to create a sentiment. I think this would be wonderful for a gift of pretty cookies all wrapped up with some matching stamped tissue paper. (heck- you could even make the cookies coordinate too! ok, that might be overkill….)

*I used the following: Bella Rose Patterned Paper and White Grosgrain Ribbon dyed with ink pads: Stampin Up!, Maya Road Coffee Break Tin and MR Die: AccuCut, Tag Dies from Provocraft for the Cuttlebug, Stick Pin from Creating Keepsakes*

The good news I have to share is that I won the Father’s Day challenge over at the Accucut Blog – You can check it out by clicking on the link and while you’re there you can see all the great new dies they have unveiled at Summer CHA!

Thanks for visiting!

Great find!

While at Staples I found these great file folders…. part of their new designer collection series. I knew they would be great to make little treat boxes from the minute I touched them. Pretty like patterned paper but wonderfully thick, doublesided and with a nice light gloss. I was able to make 3 of these truffle boxes from one folder (plus a pillow box) – very economical. This folder is one of 3 coordinating designs which you can buy for $1.00 a piece. The others come in packages of 12 for 6.99 (or approx .60 each ) I bought a package of elegant black and white designs which I’ll be working with early this coming week. TFL!

Truffle Die- AccuCut, Stamps and ink- Stampin Up!, Ribbon (which matches so beautifully) Michaels, Safety Pin- CTMH, Punch- SU! and Marvy

Get Well Soon!

I needed to make a get well card and couldn’t resist stamping with Dress Up Lily from Pink Cat Studio. (I did forget to add the thermometer to her hand which I will do when I am done this post!!

I used to struggle with the right envelope for popped up cards until I found the Accucut 3-D envelope die and now I don’t worry about how many layers my cards have! HEAVEN! You can see from the photograph how nice and thick this envelope is.

A2 Card, A2 card mat, and 3-D Envelope Dies all from AccuCut

Base card made from Stamper’s Select white cardstock from Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper from Cosmo Cricket: Honey Pie

Cuttlebug Embossing folder

Ribbon: Martha Stewart

Ink and cardstock from SU!

Markers from SU! and Copic

For My Father

My father passed away on his birthday at the age of 80 a little over 1 1/2 years ago. 2 weeks before he died he brought over some old photos for me to add to my collection of family photographs and a couple were used in this chipboard Explosion Box Album. I love the early photographs of my dad which make me remember all the funny and adventurous stories he used to tell of his youth. I will be writing up these stories for the larger base squares of the box. I also made a pen holder and framed a photo of him from my parents wedding in it. Happy belated Father’s Day dad. I miss you so much.

I used thick black chipboard cut with the Accu-cut Explosion Box Album dies. For the Pencil Holder I used the Inner Bottom die and cut the aperture with the Accu-cut small Antique Frame die. The paper is from My Mind’s Eye and rub-ons from Heidi Swapp and 7 Gypsies. Photos were printed on Stampin Up! Whisper White. I find that I can maintain that special look of older photos by printing on cardstock. Matte photo paper would in all likeliness yield the same quality. TFL!

Packing………

I am heading out to a crop this weekend! YAY! I have been hoarding a few neat project kits and this will give me the chance to sit and work on them- here is a link to two of the projects I am most anxious to complete: Embracing Imperfection I’ve also stamped out some images so I can practice with my new Copic markers. If I can accomplish just one specialty book, one LO and some coloring I will be quite happy as I usually get NOTHING accomplished when I go away. ( and I mean NOTHING too- I still get ribbed about the one where I worked on the handle of a wooden purse I was to alter for the entire weekend! But I had a GREAT time so that has to count!)

I hope you all have a wonderfully crafty weekend!!!

Christmas In June (?)

It just doesn’t sound right does it?? But here is a piece done for Inspirations Magazine for one of their Christmas issues. I used the tall gable box from AccuCut, Very Vanilla card stock from Stampin Up! and all stamps are from Stampington & Company. The tree image is trimmed out and popped up with a pop dot. (I absolutely LOVE pop dots. )

Thanks for visiting and I should have something a bit more seasonal for you soon

Hey There, Hi There, Ho There!

Who can resist Mickey Mouse?? I know I couldn’t when I saw the new collection out from Creative Memories I absolutely LOVE it!!! Best of all it comes in a 12×12 and an 8×8 power palette! (plus we can’t forget all the other new Disney themed goodies just released either!!) I love having the smaller size available not only for scrapping but the smaller designs lend themselves so well for card making and paper crafting

Also just released it their new Romance Collection Make sure you enlarge the image so you can see all those lovely romantic patterns!Gorgeous!!!

Here is a Paper Bag Album I made with the new Mickey line- 2 paper lunch sacks, cool new paper, some card stock stickers and a little faux stitching and there you have it!! And because you can’t talk about Mickey without a nod to Donald,  the next project is a Disney Dollar card… just perfect when someone special is heading out for their vacation at Disney World (or Disney Land)

If you have a chance you can check out the newly updated Project Center at Creative Memories!

Prom Night!

Well, not really………… My sister is in town for her 40th High School Reunion this weekend (YIKES! 40 year reunion!! I’m glad I’m the baby of the family!) and so I whipped up a couple of goodies to put at their place setting at dinner tonight I am still stuck on this gorgeous My Minds Eye paper and that Spellbinders Butterfly die along with the AccuCut Box-Dress die and the Tuxedo die.

The second photo is a quick card I made for a monthly image swap- one gal sends out an image or two each month and we make a card with it and mail it off to our secret partner. It’s fun to see how everyone interprets each stamped image and what they do with it. I paired mine with some Bazzill Basics card stock and some cool new Cupcake Paper from Basic Grey. I also used the bracket and scalloped envelope die from AccuCut and a Cuttlebug question mark die. The stamp origin is unknown and colored with a combination of Copic, Prisma and SU! markers.

Mom’s Birthday Cupcake Box

We had a wonderful time and the rain held off long enough to be able to dine outside She turned 78 yesterday and I hope I am in such fine shape when I hit that age someday (ok, IF I hit that age)

I had a few free moments and decided I wanted to make her a cupcake box (even though we already had a had a b-day cake for her) as I was dying to use my cupcake AccuCut die. Isn’t it funny how we sometimes even try to invent occasions to give someone a little goody ~ ” Just thinking of you” always fits My mother was such a cutie pie when she was little so I can never resist putting one of her childhood photographs on what I make for her (I think she likes it too!) I printed her photo on SU! winter white card stock. The paper is so nice and smooth and is perfect for print jobs where the photo might get damaged or discarded (and OMG who would think of doing THAT!?!)

I used the new Accucut Cupcake Box die and small bracket frame die, My Minds Eye designer paper (so very beautiful and their paper is nice and thick and double sided and perfectly matched for all kinds of boxes and bags- to put it simply.. it can make life easy!), half back pearl from K&C and the Spellbinders embossed butterfly.

The bracket frame was adhered to a medium weight blank coaster and cut. I also used the EK Success light green corner rounder to scallop the edge on the box top. Note: I have not adhered the acetate window to avoid camera glare.

Close up:

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