A Simple Good-Bye to 2011

Hey People!  Did you all have a great Holiday?  I sure did, even though life has been crazy busy!  Contrary to popular belief, just because it is "vacation" time for the kiddos, the schedule does not stop!  The Oldest kiddo has had basketball tournaments, and both kids have resumed basketball practice this week.  Add to the normal chaos of the Holiday of me working full time covering for all the other therapists wanting to take time off and there has just been NO time for any blogging (or creating, for that matter!!).  But, it's all good!  Busy keeps everyone out of trouble! haha!!

I was originally going to pop in here and share some of my favorite creations from 2011.  But, I decided to nix that idea.  2011 is just that.....2011!! It's time to move on and look forward to 2012! 

So, instead, I'm going to close out the year with a couple of very simple, last minute gifts that I had to make before the Holiday. 

Sometimes, simple is the only way to go. 

First, tags made for some homemade Orange Cranberry Bread that I made to give to the oldest Kiddo's high school teachers.

I baked the bread in $1 ceramic pans that Michael's always carries this time of year.  As the oldest kiddo put it, "the ceramic container's make it look like a better gift than the tin foil pans."  hahha!!  The tags came from an old SU set Christmas Punch.  I colored directly onto the stamp with SU markers in Cranberry Crisp and Old Olive.  Huffed onto the stamp (that really sounds like something you shouldn't be doing!) and stamped onto Pure Luxury card stock and punched out with the matching scalloped punch from SU.

Next, a quick gift set I made for the Toad's step grandmother.  Six cards and envies put into a clear stationery box. 

I used a LaBlanche stamp.  These stamps are so detailed that I think you can get by without coloring (which, I did not have time to do!!). These stamps are silicon on a foam backing.  I will admit, that I had to practice a bit to figure out how to get all the detail to stamp nicely.  Memento ink worked best for me.  And once I put the stamp to the paper, I "walked" my fingers over the entire image area (these stamps have the detailed picture cling on the back of the stamp).  If I tried to put just straight pressure down on the stamp (like I do with a wood mounted stamp), I found that the image often was blurred.  Just stamping left detail out.  So, walking it was!!  The sentiment came from another old SU set All Year Cheer, and was stamped in Wild Wasabi ink. 

I do want to say that I'm so ever grateful for all of your comments and encouragement over this past year! You all make blogging fun and I appreciate the time that you take to share my exploration of creativity.  I look forward to more creative adventures in the New Year!! 

Have a Safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!   

From the Desk of......

Hey People!  Are you all ready for the holiday?  I'm a bit closer, but still have a list that is long enough that I might need an extra week to get it all done!  Oh wait...that isn't happening, is it?! 

Thought I'd pop in and share the gift that was made for the Youngest Kiddo's teacher.  She loves personalized gifts and just happened to mentioned how much she loves the vintage look.  Sooo, I put the two together and made a vintage theme box that contains 12 cards/envelopes.

Graphic 45's An ABC Primer  8x8 pad was the PERFECT paper for this project.  I made the box to fit standard 4.25" x 5.5" cards/envies.  I made the box from the cardboard that comes in 12x12 paper packs and adhered the paper with Claudine's matte multi medium.  I cut the ruler from one of the sheets and adhered it to a piece of the scrap cardboard to give it dimension.  I used another sheet of the same image to paper piece some of the books and the top portion of the little girl giving a spankin' and adhered with dimensionals for even more dimension and interest. 

For the personalization, I traced the shape of the paper's image that had ABC on it, and traced it around my personalization that was on the computer on Very Vanilla card stock.  The edges of the box and personalization note were distressed with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.  I used the same ink to also distress my gingham ribbon.  The apple was die cut with Spellbinders Nested Apples from SU's Riding hood Red paper and shaded with a mixture of Distress Brushed Corduroy and Vintage Photo.  The highlights were added with Inkssential's white opaque pen and then the whole apple was coated in Glossy Accents.

Showing more of the dimension and the sides of the box

I made three cards of 4 different styles.  All are on a base of Pure Luxury Ivory (which matches SU's Very Vanilla very nicely, but is much more sturdy, which I like for a card base) and measure 4.25" x 5.5".  All the papers are again from the ABC Primer.  The apple die cuts are a Cuttlebug die and all were shaded with Distress Vintage Photo, highlighted with the Inkssentials white opaque pen and covered in Glossy Accents. 



These cards had some scored lines made with my Scor-Buddy to add a bit more interest

SU's More Mustard was used for the solid strip

All the card were CAS (clean and simple) as I did not want Ms. White to have pay any extra postage for added embellishments! 

Geesh.  I just realized that these are not the best photos! This is what happens when one takes the photos on a rainy day and forgets to check the outcome! The bases look white versus vanilla/ivory.  The colors are a bit washed out too....I'd love to re take the photos, but. uhhh, I don't think that it would be proper to ask Ms. White for her gift back!! haha!  Oh well. 

Ok!  That's it for me today!  I'm going to go check my list again and see if there is something else I can check off before calling it a night!! 

'Till then...................

Deck the Cards with Lots of Embellies.....

Fala la la la la la la!!

'Tis the season to be decorating and adding all those extra little touches to the home, decor items  and packages!  Today and tomorrow, the E-Team is going to share some ideas on using Maya Road's Vintage Embellishments Bits Pack. 

Thursday's Blog's to Hop

Linda L

Micki

Me!

Friday's Blog's to Hop

Broni

Daisy

Latrice

Sherry is sitting this one out, but make sure you stop by and wish her some holiday cheer!!

Daisy is REALLY in the Holiday Spirit and is generously picking 6 (SIX) winners for this blog hop! A winner will be chosen from each blog. 3 winners will win a $20 eP GC & 3 winners will win a fun box stuffed with eP embellishments that will include trims, brads, buttons, decorative pins, Stickles, & more!

•You can leave comments beginning Thurs - Sun (Dec 15-Dec 18)

•Winner's will be announced on Tues Dec 20th on the eP blog. 

I don't know about you, but I'm soooo far behind in my holiday preparations, that I'm beginning to think I'm ahead of the game, haha!  So, I'm looking for quick easy ideas to use on my (ahem) last minute gifts and projects.  While looking through the Pottery Barn Teen catalog and BINGO!!  Fun, quick and CUTE inspiration!!



First, the catalog inspiration:

Aaand....My Take!!

 

The main circle is from the Embellishment Pack.  What is nice about this is, it has a different pattern on the "backside", so there is no wrong way to wear the necklace, or if it gets twisted, no worries!  I just looped the chain and using jump rings, added the Findings Baubles and the smaller circle and beads from an old necklace.  Easy Peasy!!

Then I just happened to notice the cute flower paper clips that were also in the pack.





Seriously.....how easy was this to make such CUTE earrings?!!  All I did was use jump rings to hook everything together!! I think both these projects together took me under 15 minutes to make (I spent more time trying different layouts than the actual assembling!!)

 

I think that these would make a great stocking stuffer for a teen girl (or a young at heart lady! haha).  Quick, easy and cute.  What more could one ask for from a homemade gift?!! 

 

I'll be back later this weekend with the project that I did for one of the teachers.  'Till then.....

Vintage Wishes

Hey People!  Are you all in full throttle for the holidays?  I have my large, formal tree done, but that is it.  Still need to put up the family room tree.  Not even going to mention where I am in the scheme of things as far as  holiday cleaning, baking, shopping or even making Christmas cards!!

Today work celebrated the December Birthdays (mine and one other gal) with lunch out.  The other crafty gal in the office made my card, but I was asked to make the other gal's b-day card.  Originally, I thought I would use a card I had in my stash.  But, none of them flipped my trigger for N.  So, in true Starla fashion, I decided at the last minute to make a new card!  I LITERALLY finished photographing just as I needed to be leaving for the eats!

I started with the sketch challenge on SCS for my inspiration. 

  While I stuck pretty close to the actual sketch, I could not get the large panel to work for my embellishment and sentiment.  Sooooo.  This is MY take on the sketch!

Card base is Pure Luxury Ivory (vanilla) 5.5" square.  All the decorative paper came from MME's Lost and Found Sunshine.  I sponged Distress Ink in Vintage photo on all the decorative paper edges and on the tag that was cut and embossed with Spellbinder's Label Eleven.  The b-day sentiment is from SU's It's Your Birthday and was stamped with Chocolate Chip ink.

The Flower.  sigh...........I love the flower!  hehe. I covered Clearly for Art Whiteout with Broken China Distress Stain.  Now, you have to realize that CFA has more of a slick surface.  The Distress Stain just wants to bead up on it, rather than absorb.  But, that was ok with me!  I covered both sides of the whiteout with the stain, then wiping off the excess.  I repeated 2-3 more times until the color that did absorb was to my liking.  I then die cut some with PaperArtsy's Grunge Flower and Grunge Flower #2 and #3.  I snipped between the petals to separate them so that I could heat and mold the CFA better.  Let me just say that I REALLY need to get me those thingamawhoppers that you put on your fingers to protect them when hot gluing or working with CFA film!  Trying to heat this stuff BURNS!!! Either that, or I need to get me some hemostats!!  After heating and molding my flower layers, I then sponged Distress Vintage Photo on the edges.  Again, the ink wants to wipe off the slick surface, but I just wanted a hint of the color and it seemed to stick pretty well through all my handling of the flower to assemble it!!  As I was running  a bit short on time, I used my hot glue gun (why not?!  My finger tips were already singed!) to assemble the flower and adhere it to the card.  Colored a 1/2 pearl with Copics and ran out the door!!

*******

I just wanted to let you know that blogging is going to be even more sparse than usual the next few weeks!  I'm going to be working full time, covering for the other therapists who are taking holiday vacations.  Add to that schedule are the Kiddo's ball games, Christmas concerts (multiple performances for the Oldest Kiddo) and just trying to get ready for the holiday's myself!  All in all, that  is not going to leave much time for the ol' blog!  I DO HAVE a couple of projects that I'm still hoping to complete and share and I know that there is one more eP blog hop in the works!  So, until then.............

Remember to explore some creativity!!

A Very Good Day

Found this on my cyber friend Gail's blog.  It is too wonderful not to share.  And trust me....it is worth the 10 minutes to watch it NOW.

Have a VERY GOOD DAY friends.

Merry and Bright

Hey People!  Yes, yes!  Your eyes do not deceive you!  I'm back with another project.  It is amazing how much crafting one can do when off work!

Well, I made it to the semi final round for the SCS CAS winter DT challenge!  Here is the card I came up with for this round.

Let me just say that in real life, the paper and metal match so much better!  You'd think that as much as I like to use metal in my projects, I'd figure out how to photograph the stuff better!! Haven't figured out how to avoid over exposing and glares!!

Base is Pure Luxury 4.25"x 5.5" top fold.  I started with some Barn Red metal and embossed it on TenSecond Studio's Christmas Kubka mold (Sorry, it must be currently sold out as I cannot find it in the eP store or TSS!!).  I used a small wire brush to remove the metal color to a matte finish for the background of the package and a decorative wheel for the frame.  Swiss dots embossing folder was used on the SU Real Red background.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts Joy to All, and was stamped with SU's Real Red.  Added the button and the twine and called 'er done!

Well, I'm off to go make the yearly requested cranberry salad.  I'm also thinking of making some Ooey Gooey Caramel Pumpkin Blondie's.    No one in the family is ever overly excited with Pumpkin pie.  Everyone will eat it (except my FIL), but no one is thrilled with it.  The last couple of years, I've been trying out different pumpkin recipes to take the  place of the pie. I'm thinking that you can't go wrong with caramel and chocolate added to the mix!! 

And lastly, but not the least:  I hope everyone has a safe, wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!  I know that I am very thankful for the visits, comments and friendships that I have made through this blogging adventure!!  

Joyous Holidays

Hey People!! Are you sitting down?  Yes, I am posting another card!  Two days in a row! OH MY!  I don't believe the world is ending or pigs are now flying, but, I haven't looked outside in the last little bit either!! haha!!

I recently bought a Memory Box die from my LSS that I have had some ideas floating in my noggin' on ways I might like to use it.  Yesterday, I received a comment  on SCS from Miss Boo (aka Jen), which alerted me to the winter CAS DT search going on right now.  One of my ideas for using the die fit the first DT challenge, so I decided to LEAP and give it a go!!

My card base is 5.5" square Pure Luxury, with a side fold.  I die cut the wreath from Echo Park's Season's Greetings by Lori Whitlock.  TIP:  I usually place my steel ruled dies face down on my papers or metal so that I can utilize my paper space as much as possible.  I found that with this particular die, I had to run the die in the "traditional" way of having the die face up with the paper on the top.  I also had to use a thin carboard shim for my machine to cut the image cleanly.  I then cut some small pieces of SU's Real Red cardstock and cut out the largest of the flowers from the die again, adhering with a glue pen.  I then used my VersaMarker and inked the red flowers and embossed with Ranger red embossing tinsel.  I used my Fiskers stamp press to stamp the sentiment from Hero Arts Joy to All.  I then adhered only the larger flowers and some random bits to the matting with the glue pen.  Tied the ribbon along the side and she's done!!

I'm thinking that I will just try out for a guest spot on the CAS DT.  My work schedule in December is HORRENDOUS and I really don't know if I can commit to creating for each week's challenge.  Yes, I know that the CAS challenge is on Monday's, which would give me the weekend to stamp.  But I'm thinking that since I'll be working late hours everyday, that maybe my weekends should be FAMILY focused versus stamping focused!!

Anyhoos!  I've actually made a Christmas card before December 23! 

Maybe I should go look out the window after all.



Just Another Note

Happy Saturday, People!!  It s a dreary, wet day here in California. What is up with that?!!  But, the weather makes it easy to stay inside and tackle the holiday To Do List!!

I was editing some photos for the family calendar that one of the in-law uncles puts together each year.  While scanning through the very limited photos I have of my boys in the last year, I came across a card that I haven't posted yet.  Thought I would share today!

This was actually made for an attempt at publication.  Obviously, since I'm posting it here, it wasn't accepted! haha!  It was for a sketch in one of the popular magazines.  I had just finished my Blue Note card and as everything was still out on my desk, I had this image on the brain and it seemed to me to work perfectly for the sketch (shows how much I know, huh?!).

Let's see if I remember the details on this!!  Standard 4.25"x 5.5" top folded card base from Pure Luxury White.  The image, Hero Arts Vintage Musical Clef, was found at Michael's.  Since I lacked black embossing type ink, I first stamped the image with VersaMark, then over stamped with Archival Jet Black ink and clear embossed with Ranger's Clear embossing powder.  While I had the clear ep out, I covered strips of black SU card stock in VersaMark and clear embossed to give the black card stock a nice glossy shine.  I cut my black piano keys and set aside. 

The white piano keys were cut from SU glossy card stock.  Then both sets of keys were carefully layed out onto black card stock.

The sentiment was computer generated.  Is it just me, or does anyone else lack sentiments in just the right size and font for sentiment flags?!!  I trimmed the flag by hand and scored and adhered by the flattened area, so the the sentiment is raised over the note. 

This will probably accompany a small Christmas gift to the kiddo's music teacher at school.  I'm thinking that he might appreciate it, even if the magazine wasn't wowed, haha!

So, even though this didn't make the publication, I am proud to say that I tried.  Will I submit again?  Maybe, maybe not.  To be honest, I'm trying to make a very conscious effort to use papers, embellishments and such that I have in my over flowing stash versus buying "new" stuff.  Publication requires all the "new" stuff.  I understand that people who read and get inspiration from the magazines want to be able to find the same product.  But, lately, it just seems to me that I am wasting money on "new product" that only gets used for a very short time then is cast aside since it is no longer the IT" thing. Disclaimer:  This is not to say that I won't be buying anything new, haha!!  It just means that before buying something new, I'm trying to USE what similar "old" stuff from my stash first. 

And on that NOTE (couldn't resist!), I'm off to tackle more of the To Do List.  Fun, fun!  'Till next time....remember to take time to explore some type of creativity!!

Be Merry!!

Hey People!  I hope that your week is starting off with a BANG!  I'm trying to catch up after falling to the season's first winter cold.  Ick.  But!!  I mustered enough brain cells to come up with a project for another E-Team hop!!  I didn't want to miss out on all the holiday fun!!

Be Merry Tag series #3

E-Team

Daisy

Broni

Latrice

Linda D

Linda L

Micki

Sherry

ME!!



And as you have all come enjoy and expect, it wouldn't be an E-Team blog hop without some wonderful goodies up for grabs!!  Leave a comment on all the participating Team member blog's for a chance at 3 Be Merry Goody Boxes that will be chosen randomly.  PLUS:  make sure you leave a comment on the eP blog on what your favorite Thanksgiving dessert is (or your favorite dessert period! hehe) for a chance at 2 $20 eP gift vouches to the eP store!!  Comments can be left from today, November 15 until Thursday, November 17.  Winners will be announced on the ep blog Friday, November 18. 

For this series Daisy gave us free reign as to what holiday stamps, papers, embellishments we could use from the wonderful eP store.  Our only instructions were to make a Tag and an ATC.

Have you noticed that lately I have had a very hard time following directions?!!  I'm going to grab onto the very thin life line that I have been sick and just did not have enough energy or mojo for two projects.  BUT!! In my defense, I did create a project that required a few more ideas!

My Be Merry Chunky  TAG ATC!!

Paper:  Idea-ology Paper Stash Seasonal.  Ink:  Distress Vintage Photo.  Accessories:  TenSecond Studios Barn Red and Poison Ivy Metal altered with alcohol inks in Meadow, Cranberry and Current. Dies:  Spellbinder's Layered Poinsettia.  Idea-ology Findings Curio Knobs and Numerals. 1/2 pearls colored with Copics from Want2Scrap.

Paper:  Idea-ology Paper Stash Seasonal.  Accessories:  Rock Candy Stickles (covering main image).  Glossy accents to adhere fine glitter.  Dies:  Spellbinder's Create a Flake One. TenSecond Studios Peal metal altered with alcohol inks Denim and Cloudy Blue.  1/2 pearls from stash.

Metal:  TenSecond Studios Barn Red.  Cuttlebug Dots embossing folder.  Letters are Idea-ology Grungeboard Mixed Mini Plain altered with Claudine Hellsmuth's Studio Paint Blank Canvas.  Essentials Glue pad used to adhere fine glitter (from stash)

Metal:  TenSecond Studios Barn Red embossed with Alterations Texture Fade Snow Flurries.  Letters again are Grungeboard Plain altered as above.  Snowflake is two layers of plain grungeboard cut with Spellbinder's Create a Flake One and altered with paint and glitter as above. 

Metal:  TenSecond Studios Barn Red altered with a Cuttlebug embossing folder (sorry, don't recall the name.  It is a Christmas tree).  Idea-ology Findings Curio Knob.

Other: 2x4 cut to ATC size.  Claudine Hellsmuth's Studio Paint Dash of Red.  Burnishing/sanding block from TenSecond Studios.  Tombow Mono Metal liquid glue.  TenSecond Studio's Killer Adhesive.  E6000 to layer metal embellishments and glue to project. 

I hope you enjoy!  'Till next time...................enjoy the creativity

Just a Blue Note

Hey People!  It would seem that fall has finally hit our little neck of the woods.  It's dreary out, raining and rather cold for this part of California! haha

I thought I would share a card that I made that wasn't chosen for another project. 



I spent my ENTIRE morning trying to figure out how to make a slide show video of the steps to make this card using Photoshop elements.  Got a video made, but the slides were all blurry!  I need to figure out what size settings to use for videos!  After much frustration, I resorted to using Picassa.  Much more user friendly, I must say. 

So, here is a picture video of the process.  Be kind...remember I have spent all day trying to get this to work and am beyond frustrated with technology at this point, LOL!! 



I'm off to watch the oldest Kiddo play in the season's first basketball scrimage.  The NBA may be on lockout, but the school season is soon to start!!

Till next time.............remember that trying something new may be frustrating (grrrrr on technology) but it keeps you on the path of exploring something new!

For the Love of Starbucks

Hey People!  Are you ready to join the E-Team for another eclectic challenge?!  Daisy thought it was time for some early Trick or Treating!!  Today the Team was challenged to join in For the Love of Starbucks.

Here's the challenge recipe:  Use any of the Maya Road Bottle caps.

Add some Seasonal Distress Inks

And combine in your favorite Starbucks inspiration!! 

Since so many enjoy a treat from Starbucks, we're inviting YOU, dear readers, to join along in the fun!!  Now, before you start stressing on all these creative calories, your challenge will be to use the Seasonal Distress Inks and find inspiration from Starbucks.  This can be the colors, the smells, the atmosphere, whatever.  If you happen to have some of the fun Maya Road bottle caps, by all means!! Drag them out and go for the full fledged grande! Just as a disclaimer:  IRL, I REFUSE to say grande, latte or whatever Starbucks calls their cup sizes.  Large, medium and small, works fine for me, thank you very much!  We'd love to see what your Love of Starbucks inspires you to create!  Post your creations to the ep blog to Mr. Linky, by November 15th (the E-Team's next scheduled blog hop), for your chance to win a $10 Starbucks gift card tucked into a box full of eP goodies!!  Winner of the challenge will be announced at the next blog hop.

Of course there will still be three random winners chosen from all the comments left on the E-Team member's blogs.  Those winners will receive a $20 gift voucher to the eP store!  Leave your comments until Sunday, Oct. 30.  The gift voucher winners will be announced late Monday, Oct. 31, on the ep blog.

E-Team Inspiration

Daisy

Broni

Latrice

Linda L

Micki 
And
ME!!

Linda D. is sitting out this hop.  She is taking time to welcome the newest grand baby to her family!  Make sure you drop by and give some congrats!

Sherry is also sitting out this hop, but stop by and tell her she was missed!!



My project began with the embossed gift card that Daisy so generously tucked into my challenge package.  I love the image and wanted to use it, but it had this annoying crease.  I used a ink loaded sponge to bring out the contrast between the embossed image and the kraft card stock. 

From an annoying crease came this idea: 

Bottle cap magnets!! 

I first applied a coat of Claudine's Charcoal Black semi-gloss paint to the inside of a Jumbo bottle cap and two Super Mega bottle caps.   I didn't worry about perfect coverage, as I liked some of the aluminum peeking through the black. 

 For the largest magnet, I traced the image onto some tissue paper and then traced that image onto a piece of Poison Ivy metal.  After embossing the image I filled it in on the back with some embossing paste, to prevent me from smashing all my hard work.  Tip:  light weight spackle will also work for this step.  I chose not to sand off the color on the raised elements, but instead used a brass brush to give a matte finish to the background.  I cut the image out with a Classic Circle Spellbinder's die and adhered the image to the inside of the bottle cap with dimensional tape.  I die cut two stars from the smallest of the Star Five Spellbinders dies and popped those onto the front of the image with more dimensionals.  Two oz of Ice Resin was then poured over the metal and set aside to dry over night.  The next day, I cut another small star from the metal and adhered that to the Resin with a double layer of dimensional tape.  Then another 2 oz of Ice Resin was applied.

I wish I could photograph how cool the Ice Resin looks with this!!  Go figure that I would choose to create something that has multiple mediums that all show glare!!

The middle magnet was inspired by a quote that my cousin posted onto Facebook.  I began with the Wrinkled Free technique, Version Me, with Distress Peeled Paint, Seasonal Seedless Preserves and Ripe Persimmon with a misting of Tattered Angel's Pearl and Antique Brass Glimmer Mist.  I then covered both sides of the paper with Studio Matte Medium, which, to be honest, totally negated the Glimmer mist!!  But!  if the paper was not sealed, it would become transparent when covered with the Ice Resin.  The paper was then cut out with a Spellbinder Classic Circle die and taped to the inside of the bottle cap. 



The saying itself, was printed out onto regular copy paper and then traced onto more Poison Ivy metal.  Some of the words were embossed and some debossed.  The brass brush was again used to give a matte finish to some of the panels.  I popped up some of the words with dimensionals.  Just one layer of Ice Resin (2oz) was used to cover the metal.



The last magnet was inspired by my word for the year.  At the beginning of the year, there were several blogs and conversations regarding what your word for the year was going to be.  Mine was Leap.  If you'd like to read the details of the choosing of that particular word, you can find it here. 

Notice those tiny air bubbles by the "L" and "A"?  This is the only magnet that ended up with them.  I'm thinking that the cold night temperature that this one cured in may have resulted in those. Not terribly obvious, but there. 

More Poison Ivy metal was cut with a Classic Circle die and embossed with Sizzix's Diamond embossing folder.  I sanded off the raised parts, exposing the aluminum. The metal was adhered to the bottle cap with dimensionals.  I then spelled out Leap with idea-ology Type Charms and covered the letters with the included epoxy sticker.  The charms were attached to the chain of an altered swival clasp (I just removed the clasp part) with jump rings.  I popped up the letter "E" with two dimensionals  and "P" with  one dimensional, but could not get a photo to show that.  After carefully arranging the charms how I wanted, I covered everything again in one layer (2oz) of Ice Resin. 

Self adhesive magnetic strips were applied to the back and WAH-La!!  Inspriational magnets for my refrigerator!!



Hope you join in on the Love of Starbucks Challenge!  I'll be checking the blog for your creations!  Till then.......Believe and LEAP!!

Guilt

Guilt.  I swear I am the QUEEN of quilt. 

As well as the QUEEN of procrastination.

And .....wait....we were discussing guilt. 

I'm trying to work on relinquishing my crown of Guilt.

Guilt over the fact that my house is a disaster.
Guilt that I ate a PayDay candy bar for lunch (as in it was my lunch).
Guilt that I haven't exercised for 4 days.  (did I mention that PayDay's are my favorite lunch of late?!)
Guilt that I haven't walked the dog for 4 days.
Guilt that I don't post every day.  Or every other day.  Or even weekly.

I wear a HUGE, blingy crown of Guilt. 

But, I need to realize that the Princess Crown of Guilt fits me better.  I can only be Queen of so many things, so I'm keeping the crown of the Queen of Procrastination.  And the crown of Queen of the House (disaster that it is). And possibly a couple of other Queen crowns too.  But, I'm going to try downsizing to the Princess crown of Guilt. 

So, what does all this mean?

Yep.  No actual project to share today.  But, I can PROMISE you one on Friday.  AND I think it is kinda cool.  Out of my usual mold.  Rather artsy, if I do say so myself.

Check back on Friday. 

Riding a Bike

Hey People!  I hope that your week has been a good one!  I'm not sure how it has gotten to be late Thursday already!  But hey!  The weekend is upon us!!  The Toad and the Oldest Kiddo will be attending the Kiddo's first live rock concert this weekend, while the Youngest Kiddo and I take in the action movie Real Steel.  I would vote for Footloose, but don't think that suggestion will fly until the manly man movie is seen!! LOL!!

Needed a birthday card for my father in law today.  Now, just in case you are a new visitor to this little blog o' mine, bicycling is LIFE in this family.  There was a time, before children, that it wasn't a matter IF we would ride, but WHERE we were going to ride.  So, it seemed only appropriate that I incorporate the bicycle theme into the birthday card.

I searched the web for a bicycle type quote, got brave and used PSE9 to lay it out more fancy like, and printed it out onto SU's Very Vanilla because my printer HATES Pure Luxury!!  I die cut the image with Spellbinder's Labels Twelve.  While the die was still in place, I lightly sponged around the edges with Distress Ink Antique Linen.  A very minimal sponging was done along the outer edge with Distress Gathered Twigs.  The sentiment was then adhered using dimensionals. 

The card base is (of course) Pure Luxury Ivory 5 1/2" square.  A small mat of basic black is behind the dp from the Kraft Resist Idea-ology line Paper Stash.  I lightly sponged more Gathered Twigs ink along the edges of the resist paper. 

The bicycle is from a Glimmer Glass collection, Clear Destination, from Tattered Angel's that I have had in my stash for waaaaay too long!  I snipped teeny, tiny little pieces of dimensionals and carefully placed them behind the more solid portions of the image.  I did color the edges with a black marker to hide the white tape from a side view.  Some 1/2 pearls were adhered in the corners, a little library clip to the sentiment and called it done!

Pretty CAS, but hey!  It's for a guy who thinks riding a single speed is all you need. Actually, who thinks that riding period is all you need!!  Perfect for him.

That's it for me today!  I have another idea in the works on my desk.  I'm hoping to get that finished this weekend!  Until then.................enjoy the Ride.....



Thankful

Hey People!!  It's time for another hop with the E-Team!!  We are continuing with out Seasonal theme by  show casing our Thanks with any type of project except a card!!

And what would a ride with the E-Team be without some wonderful goodies?! Leave a comment on the participating team member blogs and be entered at the chance to win one of THREE (3) $20 gift vouches to the eP store!! 

But!  That's not all!! Make sure you also leave a comment on the eP blog for Daisy, as I hear rumors that a random winner will be chosen from those comments to win a surprise box of goodies!!

The E-Team

Daisy, eP blog

Broni

Linda D

Linda L

Sherry

and

ME!

Latrice and Micki are sitting out this hop.  You can visit them and let them know how much they were missed!

When I think of things or words that are synonymous with Thanks, several thoughts come immediately to mind:   Fall, Family, The Toad, The Kiddos.  I chose to focus on the fall theme and my kiddos for this project.

It would seem that somebody, who shall remain nameless, forgot to read the fine print about using a "Tag or ATC" in the project!! oops!!



I am very thankful that while my boys are three years apart in age, they get along well (90% of the time) and are truly friends.  I decided to make a wall hanging from a photo that was taken on a family hike this past spring.  I LOVE photos of my kids from behind!  They are totally in their own world, unaware of the camera.  There is no obnoxious posing, goofy faces or rolling of the eyes when I ask for another "decent" picture attempt!!

I first altered the photo in Photoshop Elements using the sepia effect.  I then printed the photo out on Claudine Hellmuth's sticky back canvas.  Yes!  This canvas works wonderfully in your printer!  And trust me, if it goes through my finicky printer, it will work in yours!  The leaves were made with the Wrinkle Free Distress technique, version Me.  I smooshed some Distress Ink in Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick and Peeled Paint onto my craft sheet and misted heavily with a combination of Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist in Tuscan Sun and Meadow Green.  I then layed Pure Luxury Ivory card stock in the beaded ink.  Falling Leaves were stamped on the paper with more Fired Brick or Peeled Paint and sponged along the edges.  I love the fine, almost lacy detail, of these stamps!  Alpha Parts, Ransom, letters were used to frame the photo.

close up of the canvas and detail of the leaves

To complete my wall hanging, I adhered the sticky canvas to black foam illustration board that I cut to size.  I then made my dimensional frame with some braided trim that has been in the garage for years!  I  dug out The Toad's miter box and cut  the trim to make a fitted frame.  Not perfect, but not bad for my first time at a mitered cut!!  I then painted the trim with Claudine's Charcoal Black studio paint.  Note:  this paint is soooo creamy!  I did not prime the wood at all and the paint covered it beautifully!  After the paint had dried (somewhat), I lightly sanded portions of the trim and added Distress Ink Vintage Photo to the sanded areas. 

after I edited the first photo, I decided that another leaf was needed in the bottom corner!

I was very pleased that this turned out!  I just need to decide where to hang it! 

I am also very thankful for the visits here and comments that you leave.  They really do inspire me!

'Till next time......................





Metallic Rock

Hey there People!  How has your weekend been so far?  I spent the ENTIRE day yesterday in my room creating!!  Unfortunately, I can only share one project now (what a tease!) as the other projects are for publication!  Very exciting, not to mention, nerve racking, for me!!

By now, you'd think I'd have male teen cards down to a science.  NOPE.  While I have no clue as to what type of cards to make for female teens, I find I struggle with the male teen cards in a whole different way.  All these kids are into Xbox, paintball and air soft guns and music.  Great!! Except, how many different cards can one come up with, year after year, with these same themes?!!  I'm tellin' ya~~~teens are a difficult bunch, in more ways than one!! hehe



For the life of me, I could not get a decent picture of this card to save my life!  The background is a piece of Rock Star black metal embossed with the Alterations texture fade embossing folder Sheet Music.  I sanded off the raised portions, exposing the aluminum metal.  The guitar is from Inkadinkadoo's Rock Star, and was stamped with SU's Riding Hood Red.  I then used my VersaMarker to go over the main body and the top of the guitar neck (I have no idea what the proper terms for these areas are called.  Basically, the solid portions!) and clear embossed with Ranger clear embossing powder.  I think the combination of the metal and the shiny embossing is what did this photo in!  To much shine and glare no matter what angle I tried!

To finish it off, I stamped the sentiment, from Tami Mayberry's Live Life Loud, in the corner with more Riding Hood Red.  Pretty CAS, but perfect for a teenager to give to his buddy! No gush allowed!

I'm going to try and clean up this mess so that I can finish up another project that I have in the works!  I'm on a creative roll and I need to keep it going before the mojo decides it needs another break!! 

'Till then................take some time for exploring some creativity in what ever medium tickles your fancy!

Nightfall

Hey People!!  Bet you are surprised to see  me so soon, huh?!!  Well, I thought I'd pop in and share a quick CAS card that I made for one of the young ladies who manages the front desk at our second office. 

As you know, I am surrounded by testosterone in my family. Even the dog struts how much testosterone he has.  And not being a girly girl myself, I REALLY struggle with girly cards.  Especially, tween, teen or early 20's  girly cards.  Seriously.  That is a whole world I have NO CLUE about. But, with that said, I rather like how this card turned out!!

I stopped in at my local scrap book store today and the Nightfall paper collection from Memory Box jumped into my hands.  Since I'm horrible at saying "No", I decided to go ahead and bring it home with me.  I absolutely love the colors in this collection!  So, I let the paper do all the work. 

Using the small Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, I punched out 18 butterflies from the collection.  I mixed the patterns of the top and bottom butterflies and attached the two by a rolled glue dot just at the body.  Adhered the bottom butterfly to a 5 1/2" square piece of Pure Ivory luxury card stock with 1/8" Scor-tape.  Folded up the top butterfly wings to add some dimension and stamped the sentiment (retired SU) with Ripe Persimmon Distress Ink (one of the new seasonal inks).  Rounded the corners on the card base and called 'er done!!

The layout is one I've seen used quite frequently throughout blog land.  I like how it showcases the butterflies. 

Like I said, a quick, CAS card!!  Works for me!! 

'Till next time...............remember to explore some type of creativity!!

Want to Scrap?



The E-Team is excited to share in fun blog hop with the Want2Scrap Design team. If you are new to eclectic Paperie or Want2Scrap, here is a little information about these two creative companies. Each offer a unique line of products for all paper crafters.

eclectic Paperie(eP) is an online boutique for all who love paper crafts. There is an eclectic assortment of products, supplies, tools, and materials to assist you in your quest for creative expression. Stretch your basic paper crafting skills beyond simple scrapbooking and cardmaking. Take the next step into artistic expression by "feeding your creativity" at eclectic Paperie. You keep up new product offerings by following eclectic Paperie on Facebook, Twitter, or the eP Blog.

Want2Scrap™ manufacturers rhinestones lines including the Nestabling™ line that coordinates with the newly released Nestaboard™ chipboard line. A variety of Nestabling and Nestaboard shapes correspond with specific Spellbinders™ Nestabilities™ die templates. Want2Scrap also manufacturers their own line chipboard albums and accents, acrylic albums, and multi-layered laser designs and other fine scrap booking products. Want2Scrap brings ease of use and flexibility in their product lines by offering products uniquely tailored to its customers’ needs. Follow Want2Scrap on Facebook and the Want2Scrap Blog!

The E-Team and Want2Scrap Design Team were on a mission to create some fun projects using the Nestabling, Nestaboard with any coordinating Spellbinders dies, too. Come blog hop with the two teams to see what kind of creative juices resulted.

The E-Team

Daisy/eP Blog

Broni

Latrice

Linda D

Micki

Sherry

and

Me!

Linda L is actually on a cruise this week!!  Lucky gal! But stop by and let her know she was missed!

Want2Scrap™ Design Team

•Heidi Blankenship

•Dana Gustafson

•Elise Durenberger

•Karen Taylor

•Linda Duke

•Mimi Leinbach

Twice the number of blog hop participants means twice the fun that includes prizes, too!! Visit each E-Team and Want2Scrap participating member and leave them some feedback about their creations. One comment per person per blog, please. You have until today, Friday, September 30th to Sunday, October 2nd to visit each blog participant. eclectic Paperie and Want2Scrap will each be choosing 3 random winners from the blog hop participants. Three random winners will win an eP $20 gift voucher and three will win a Want2Scrap $20 gift voucher.   Winners be posted on the eclectic Paperie Blog and on the Want2Scrap blog on Tuesday, Oct 4th so make sure you check back to claim your prize.

OK!! Onto the project!

I started with this empty Brie cheese container that I had saved for altering.





I then pulled out one of my favorite Graphic45 paper lines, Curtain Call, Want2Scrap Nestaboard Stars Five, the coordinating Spellbinders dies and some Idea-ology Film Strip Ribbon.  A combination of Studio matte Multi Medium, Antique Linen Distress Ink and some left over bling that I altered with a black Copic marker and this is what I came up with:

 



But wait! There's more!!  Take off the lid and inside is a little mini album of various pictures of my kiddos, in costume at differnt stages of their young lives, ready to play the leading men in the show!!

 



I covered circles cut from thin cardboard (the 12 x 12 cardboard that comes in paper packs) with more of the Graphic45 Curtain Call and used them as my background for pictures that I edited to a sepia tone in PSE. 



 

 

The "pages" of the mini album where adhered to a piece of black ribbon and covered over on the back with SU's Riding Hood Red card stock with Scor-tape.  I'll write the details of the photos on the back for journaling.  I did add a loop to the top of the ribbon, just in case I decide that I want to hang the collage for show.





A couple of observations:

 

1) The Nestaboard is sturdy, yet light weight.  And I was very impressed that it matched PERFECTLY with the Spellbinder's coordinating dies.

 

2) The Multi Medium held up the best to adhere the Film Strip Ribbon. I tried to use Humungo Sticky Tape, as it adheres metal wonderfully, but the twisting of the ribbon caused it to pull off.  The Multi Medium is still holding strong.

 

3) It would appear that my children stopped posing for pictures at age 3.  I really have no excuse not to get caught up on my scrap booking (I'm only behind about 12 years) as I would only have a total of 6 years to scrap.  sigh.............

 

I'm thinking that this idea would be great gifts for the grandparents for the holidays! 

 

Till next time...............enjoy some creativity!!