Sunday Sunday

Sundays are always a good time to sit back and reflect on the week's accomplishments and go over what you want to achieve in the next week. Ahhhhh. So what did I achieve this week? Not much on the blogging front. Sorry. I have been wrapped up in the Olympics and dealing with a health issue that's had me down. I think things are starting to turn around for me though. A highlight of my week was an email I received from Tiffany Howard of Cosmo Cricket congratulating me on my publishing of "B is for Baby" card in Paper Crafts March/April magazine. Here's the cover of the magazine. Spring is near! Yeah!

I was so surprised! Not only that, she asked for my addy so she could send me some products to work with! Shut the front door on me because I was tickled beyond belief. And true to her word, a box arrived with these goodies inside:

Thank you Tiffany and Cosmo Cricket for this box of supplies! I truly appreciate it!

I dove right into the items and created a few simple cards for 2 different challenges. The first is for The Pink Elephant's sketch #55 this week:

The inside of the card: Supplies: cardstock: Recollections; pattern paper: Cosmo Cricket; stamp: Stampin' Up; ink: Brilliance; sticker: American Crafts; other punches: EK success

My next card is for Card Patterns #53 sketch. They are celebrating their 1st birthday this week and will have posts everyday with different DT cards. You can follow along for a chance to win a great prize if you comment on every designer's blog. Fun stuff!


Supplies: cardstock: Recollections; pattern paper: Cosmo Cricket; chipboard; Basic Grey; paint, Making Memories; glitter: Stickles, stickers: 7 Gypsies; rhinestones: Queen & Co.

Sometimes it's nice to make a simple card that can be mailed without extra postage. :-)
Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a sweet Sunday!

Sunny days make me happy

Yep, I woke up to a bright sunny day here in Virginia! Always a nice way to start the day. Well minus the planes taking off. I live near a small airport and because the weather conditions are so lovely it's a perfect day to fly! Happy flying. I wish I had woken up earlier though because there's a restaurant that serves brunch and you can watch the planes take off. It would have been a good day to go.
Instead of going out, I sat down to creating right after my morning cup of joe. It definitely
saved me some calories and a few bucks. One paper line I am digging currently is Artsy Urban by Melody Ross. These funky papers are gorgeous! I covered this container with the aqua flocked paper easily. I then added a scallop trim to the edge and a huge red bead for a handle.

I wrapped a piece of white eyelet lace around the container and then a strip of 7 Gypsies gaffer tape.
Then I added a few Making Memories flowers and trim to dress it up.
The next item I want to share with you is for the CARDS blog challenge this week: create a shaped card.
I used an apple shaped card from Paper Popsicles and covered it with Melody Ross papers, added a scrap piece of border, pattern paper and lace, then embellished with two tiny flowers to complete this card.

My final card is for the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger which was inspired by this photo:

This is my first time participating in this challenge and I am not sure why I have waited this long to play along. The best part is Cath takes your ideas for this challenge.

Pretty cool! Okay I must get ready for work so here's my card:

I used Get Sketchy's #26 card sketch. I could make several cards with this design. I love the large circle!

Have a wonderful day!

Two more for Wednesday

Two for today. First is a card I made using Nikki Sivil's "My Sweet Cherry Pie" paper line. Fun stuff! My card is based on Kazan's 2S4Y #45 sketch this week.

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections red and white; pattern paper and die cut: Nikki Sivils "My Sweet Cherry Pie"; digital stamp: The Cutting Cafe Trees in a Row; ribbon: Target brown; button: craft supply; twine: Martha Stewart; glitter: Stickles Frosted Lace

My next card is for a new challenge blog Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Something. I used Studio Calico papers. I love the scallops on the Dollhouse sheet.

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections white and Bazzill ; Pattern Paper: Studio Calico; digital stamp: The Cutting Cafe Trees in a Row; metal brad: Creative Imaginations; jewels: Kaiser Craft; twine: Martha Stewart

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday. We were happy to get back to school today! :-) We missed last week due to the snow storm and we are still operating on a 2 hour delay for the remainder of this week. In due time we will be back to norm. For now, it is what it is. I just keep smiling and living each day grateful I have it to live.

A little vintage goodness

I like to switch my style up because I like cute cards, yet vintage and shabby is a eye pleaser as well. Today was a vintage day for me. I guess yesterday's whimsical papers with clean crisp lines made me want to change it up for today's card that I made based on Card Patterns sketch # 51.


I used lots of Making Memories "Vintage Findings" for this card. I used 2 files from The Cutting Cafe'. A sentiment from Trees in a row and the heart template from Heart Accordion set from The Cutting Cafe.

Thanks for stopping by!
Supplies: cardstock: Recollections white; pattern paper: Making Memories Vintage; die cut ticket and metal pin: Making Memories vintage findings; flowers: K & Co; jewels Kaiser Craft; ribbon: Martha Stewart, button: craft supply; sentiment and heart shape from The Cutting Cafe; ink:Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa

Thinking Green

Now that Valentine's Day is behind us, I am ready to move on. At least for a day or two. :-) I started my St. Patrick's Day cards today because I bought the new Reminisce "Lucky Me" papers. I like the stripes, clovers, and swirl prints for this line and they go perfect with the new Happy St. Patrick's Day huge circle word and printable stamp set by The Cutting Cafe'.
I used the "Think Green" sentiment which I filled in with a green marker. I was thinking this set could be used for many other occasions besides St. Patty's day. Look at these cute phrases:
and here's my card I created based off Get Sketchy's #25:

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections white; pattern paper: Reminisce "Lucky Me"; digital stamp: The Cutting Cafe' Happy St. Patrick's Day; ribbon: Wright's orange gingham; flower: Jo-Ann's clover; button: craft supply marker: Zig green: floss: Martha Stewart

Happy Monday to you!

Amour Valentine's Day Swap

I participated in Cathy's Amour Valentine's day swap much to my delight and met a wonderful new friend, Stevie .
The details of the swap:
Cover a heart shaped box and fill it will fabulous items. I could not find a heart shaped box in the size we needed so I substituted this wooden suitcase. Stevie said she liked shades of reds and pinks along with a vintage style. I painted the suitcase with red paint and then brushed with a watered down brown to age it. Next I added a scallop heart I die cut with some vintage paper (okay it's vintage to me!) and adhered to the top. I sprayed glimmer mist on a silk rose and added a tulle ribbon with a pearl strand and the title "Amour" was placed on a piece of aged burlap that was backed with brown cardstock. Then I added gems alternatively to the scallop edges.

I also made her a mini album to place inside the box. I used the chipboard "bracket" album from Michael's which I painted with the same red paint and brushed a thinned down coat of brown to age. I added scraps of fabric, vintage labels, rhinestones, tags, and buttons to embellish.
Cover of album:

Pages inside album:

I added a few pieces of chipboard to this silver ornament to embellish it along with a rhinestone.

and here is the package what went into the package:

and finally all wrapped up and ready to be mailed to Stevie:

Stevie sent me a beautifully decorated box covered in fabric that has an sugared angel on top!

Inside was all sorts of goodies! She also made me a fabric tussie mussie, roses sprinkled with just a touch of glitter on the edges, and crepe paper embellishments in circular shapes. Oh my! But that's not all! she sent me candy and more!

This is a list of all the participants in the swap:
Sheila - Faded But Desired Treasures
Melissa - Piney Rose
Janet - Janets Creative Pillows
Debbi - The Wicker Patio
Deborah - Debs Vintage Soul
Trisha - The Brantingham Family
Vera - Olivia Paiges
Gail - The Sassy Beach
Rhea - Sweet n Shabby Roses
Sandy - Hobbnobbers
Sarah - My So Called Junky Life
Eleanor - A Bit of Pink Heaven
Jenny - Fated Follies
Linda - Country Pickins
Joyce - Scrap for Joy
Julie Ann - Kitchen Floor Creations
Stephanie - Rose Petals and Rust
Carol - Songberries
Terri - The Glittered Nest
Lisa - Lisas Craft Boutique
Chastity - One Womens Haven
Cindy - Angel Heart Designs
Tracey - Magical Kardz
Mary - Vintage Patina
Jacalyn - RME Bath Products
Mary Jo - Creative Vintage Cottage
Lisa - Pupylov
Lori - Ruffles Ribbons and Roses
Valarie - Glittery Daze and Nights
Karen - Secondhand Rose
Jayme - Flaming Biscuits On The Farm
Elyse - Tinkered Treasures
Lisa - Pale Pink and Roses
Shannon - Shabby Shans Cottage
Vivian - Vivs Whimsy
Kathy - Lil Bit Old Lil Bit New
Stephanie - Crowns and Pearls
Nancy - Coeur d'Alene Gifts
Karen - My Desert Cottage
Tammy - One Frustrated Momma
Ramona - Samuels Family Frenzy
Cathy - Treasured Heirlooms
Pam - Treasures-N-Textures
Sherry - Sherrys Rose Cottage
Laurie - Mermaid Treasures Art
Sue - Suzeeez
Andrea - Vintage Bella Studio
Hannah - Ashmore Family
Meg - Vintage Garden Home
Nancy - Its Raining Pearls
Josette - My Grammas Soul
Angela - Henny Penny and Chickies
Melissa - Abigails Pocatello
Cassandra - My Artful Adventures
Renee - Vintage Recreations
Lorena - Rose Chic Friends
Amy - Paper Trails Leaver
Stevie - My Art Canvas
Jennifer - Jennifers Petal Palace
Shirl - Shirls Rose Cottage
Lulu - Coastal Sisters News
Jill - Jill Sibbald
Crystal - The Hummingbird Cottage
Hayley - Nesting Notions
Nicole - Gibbys Girl
Bryanna -The Canarys Cupcake

A huge thank you to Cathy of Treasured Heirloom's for organizing this amazing swap! Much appreciated! She has a beautiful blog filled with crafts and vintage items that I recommend you visit. She also has a store which sells some of her romantic and elegant collections.

Sweet Scraps Challenge

It's day three in the Creatively-Green Valentine's blog hop and I have a new challenge for you. Do you save all your scraps? How about packaging from items you buy? Guilty here! I have two drawers dedicated to scraps smaller than 6 x 6: one for pattern paper and one for cardstock. It seems like I always find uses for these little pieces so I can't just toss them. Also, did I mention I am a paper hoarder? I know. Not something to be proud of but I am! I probably have paper lines dating back 10 years in those drawers. :-) Seriously. I can't part with a tiny piece because I just know they will come in handy for a project. Hence my challenge for today's Creatively-Green Valentine's blog hop. Sweet scraps.
I elected not to make a super involved craft for this challenge because sometimes we need a quick card for someone special but we don't have an hour to dedicate to making that something special.
How about a simple card for that cutie pie?

I know-incredibly simple huh? This card uses 1 inch squares and a tiny heart covered in sugar crystals on a white card base. Tiny scraps were used to make this card and I wanted to share that cards don't need all the bells and whistles (ribbon, buttons, flowers, etc.) to make it adorable. Notice no pattern paper here? Just cardstock,a stamp, and a bit of glitter. Super easy to recreate and even if you don't have a cutie pie stamp, hand write a sweet little note. I hand cut the flower and used a pop dot to raise it up. Easy peasy huh?

This next card also utilizes scraps and a piece from a Making Memories package. The design might be familiar: I used Jennifer's card sketch from yesterday. I ♥ it!

It was also Jennifer that inspired me to use the packaging on my card. The die cut ledger print on this packaging was a must use for a future card/project. One thing you might not notice about this card is it's a mini. Yep. Let me show you a photo compared to a standard card.

It's a mini card. An easy little card to make up for that one you love. I wanted to share with you that cards can be any size. You can fold those small scraps in half and make a darling little card.

Supplies for cards: cardstock: Creatively-Green; pattern paper: Piggy Tales; stamps: craft supply: ink: Brilliance Graphite black; glitter: sugar crystals from Creatively-Green store; floss: Prism; button: craft supply; other: tools: 1 inch square punch and Stampin'Up scallop punch

Are you ready to make something with your scraps? Make a card/LO?project with your scraps for a chance to win these:

Once you are done making your scrap project go to the Creatively-Green blog and leave a comment on this post for your chance to win! Good luck, I can't wait to see your creations :)

Altered scallop gift card/treat envelope for the Creatively-Green blog hop!

Are you ready for some super sweet fun!
Today is the second day in the Creatively-Green Valentine's Blog Hop!!! I get to share a fun challenge- an altered scallop gift card/treat envelope to make for those you love. I have 2 different treat envelopes for you. One that's made with cardstock and one made with a recycled postcard. Gotta have the green aspect even if Valentine's Day is primarily about the colors red and pink. ;-)
This is a quick and fun little project for you to recreate in under ten minutes.

Here's what it looks like open:

I used Creatively-Green's 100% recycled Red Devil cardstock which is deep red with a great texture. The Chambray Berry ribbon is also recycled, and you cut it, shred it, fold it, etc. It's also made in the USA.

1. Trace the template on cardstock and cut out. See below for template.

2. Fold the edges along dotted lines and use glue dots on each side of the lower scallop to attach.

3. Cut a sentiment /image with pinking shears from a piece of pattern paper and attach with pop dots to the center.

4. Add a piece of ribbon folded in half to right side with a button.

5. Use glue pen to add sugar glitter.

6. Attach a velcro closure.

and you are done!


The next example is suited for a male without the all the glitter and pink. I used a recycled postcard to make the holder and added a few vintage items from the Creatively-Green store.

Here's the postcard before:

Postcard with the template drawn on the back:

Postcard cut out:




Now all you have to do is fold the edges and decorate as you want. I used a vintage Dennison label stamped with a sentiment. I cut a heart from a bill wrapper and tore a sliver of a book page and then I added a square shaped brad . For the closure, I used 2 brads and a piece of floss. Punch your holes for the brads and wrap a piece of floss around to make closure.



I have included the template for this envelope for all to use. Please for free to create away using this template and I hope you will share with me what you make. :-)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Once you complete your altered treat project, you will need to post a link on the February 12th post over at the Creatively Green blog and let us know which challenge in order to be entered in the challenge. Deadline is February 19th. You are welcome to also post the link on my blog so that I can check it out, but this is not required. The prize for this challenge is this adorable set of Valentine goodie bags filled with yumminess!

A banner, box, and card for today

The winter Olympics are starting in just a day! Anyone else watching? I like the figure skating best. I find it incredibly beautiful and quite relaxing to view. I know that sounds rather odd but it truly is a calming sport. It takes such patience and determination to master the jumps, lifts, etc. To watching the skaters on ice is astonishing. I do not skate (ice or roller) very well anymore, but I can remember the sensation of being in the rink and skating backwards, twirling around, and jumping small items. Alas, those days are over for me. I don't even know if I could make a lap without falling these days. LOL! I guess I should try but the public embarrassment would be worse than the fall I think.
I made this "Skate" pennant for my dear friend Pam in Washington. We are sharing our favorite Olympic event with one another. I can't wait to see what hers is. She has warned me it's not what I expect. Hmmm. I keep thinking bobsledding? I guess I will have to wait and see.

I used the ice skate template from What's the Scoop?

Melissa's card example had me oohing and aahing when I saw it. She used a piece of Pink Paislee polka dot paper and the Martha Stewart loop punch for the threading closure. It's brilliant! I copied her loop border idea when I was making mine. A big thanks to Melissa for this! I love this ice skate template. You can get it too by clicking on the link above. It will take you to the examples by Melissa and the image you can save to your computer make your own ice skate.

I cut the skates out and covered with pattern papers. Then I used Stickles to make blades shiny. I punched loop borders from various paper and paper pieced them to the edges ( this was rather tedious I admit) and then I hand stitched floss through each loop to resemble a true skate laced with a bowl. I added Making Memories white stickers and outlined with dots and lines . I cut a piece of white grosgrain ribbon and strung the skates through. That's it! I shared a photo of each skate below.





I repurposed this Philosophy box to hold the banner:

I made the crepe ruffle to dress the box up a little and then added the sparkling green ribbon to really make it colorful. I don't think it is legible in the photo, but the box top reads: Memories were made. I thought she could use the box to hold little treasures and what-nots. Since we are still getting pummeled by snow, I thought the banner and box could be used throughout the winter even if it is a tad Christmas.

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections white; pattern paper: M&MBI "Noel"; crepe paper: craft supply; ribbon: Michael's green and white; floss: DMC;glitter: Stickles Frosted Lace; stickers: Making Memories white; other: tools: Martha Stewart Loopy border punch; template for skate: What's the Scoop

And finally my card for CardPatterns sketch #50:


I used two different types of fabric on this card which was the challenge for the CARDS blog this week. Also dug out some of my beloved Melissa Frances chipboard and did a little inking with my Distressed Old Paper ink pad. I had misplaced it for quite some time and I found it recently much to my delight! I don't think I took a very good photo of this because it seems to be more vivid IRL. Hmm. I will have to try again.

Supplies: cardstock: Recollections white, Creatively-Green celery, The Paper Co. kraft; pattern paper: Making Memories "Vintage Finds";fabric swatch: Amy Butler, baby blue: craft supply; ink: Ranger Distress Old Paper; buttons: Making Memories green, light pink craft supply; sticker: Making Memories tiny alphabet; ticket for "love" Creative Cafe; floss: DMC; flower: CKU light pink silk

Today the Creatively-Green Valentine's Blog Hop begins! Hop on over to see inspiring challenges, play games, and win lots of prizes!
Did you see the grand prize? Here's a peek!



Pop over to the blog and sign up to become a follower. Also, check out the forum which has numerous eco-friendly ideas for recycling, reusing, and repurposing items to make anything from cards and layouts to altered items. Creatively Green is also a manufacturer, with exclusive products including Clay embellishments, vintage kits, handmade flowers, and 100% recycled cardstock . Hope to see you there!

Swap goodness!

I joined a several swaps for Valentine's Day and wanted to share photos of the fabulous items I received. Much thanks to the Stephanie and Rose!

Shannon of The Mommy Files hosted a Valentine swap that was so much fun! I had the sweetest partner: Stephanie and she sent me a huge box packed with fun items!

Here's all the items she sent me starting at the top left and working to the right down.
- Rick Warren Purpose of Driven Life calendar - incredibly motivating
- striped tiger- how cute is this?
- striped coffee mug - perfect for hot chocolate
- Hearts card game - fun game!
- heart shaped notebook to keep track of who wins Hearts game
- princess visor - daughter ♥ this
- huge box of chocolate - yummy
- Gingerbread latter lotion and lip gloss - this smells fabulous
- glittered magnet - adorable love magnets
- huge lollipop - daughter is eyeing it seriously
- heart shaped mirror and tweezers set - perfect for my purse
- a whimsical heart pattern bag to carry all my Valentine's in
that's a huge package huh?

Thank you Stephanie for putting together this amazing Valentine's package!

A little sneak peek of an item I made for Stephanie ...

As mentioned, it's in her area and should be arriving anytime now. Yeah!

Another swap I participated in Be My Valentine hosted by Kimberly .

My partner Rose sent me these gorgeous heart shaped pillows:

Rose also makes baskets which she has received awards for! Her site has examples of her beautiful baskets. She is one super talented lady!

Thank you Rose for the Valentine pillows!

I love them! I shared one with my partner-Lucy because she loves vintage items as well. :-)