Tuesday 30 April 2013

Sushi Dolls #8 - All Shopped Out

Hello, my friends!
Can you believe it's the last day in April already? We had another big dumping of snow yesterday, so it still feels like winter around here!
I have a new Sushi Dolls project for you today. Did you know that Susi just had a special release of six extra  new images? Yes, she did! You can see them HERE. They're fabulous and I can't wait to color some of them up! First though, I had to make this project using an image from the regular April release called All Shopped Out. I believe this is the image that was inspired by a conversation I had with Susi. My project is created with one of my daughters in mind. She loves to go shopping for new purses and shoes...like so many of us do! :o)
I've actually created a pocket card/gift tag holder.  Here's the pocket with the tag in it:


Here's the tag that fits inside. There's a pocket on the bottom with lots of room to hold a gift card...or several gift cards...or a cheque...or lots of money! You get the idea! lol There's a large journal spot on the back of the tag to write a nice message.


Materials Used:
Papers: Recollections Cardstock, GCD Studios - Material Girl;
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Stamps: Stampin' Up - Carry On;
Ink: Stampin' Up - Tempting Turquoise, Distress Ink - Vintage Photo;
Punches: Stampin' Up - Decorative Label, Scalloped Circle,
EK Success - Scalloped Scallop Border Punch;
Fiskars - Corner Angle Squeeze Punch;
Ribbon: Celebrate It;
Bling: My Stash.

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Pop on over to Sushi's Store and pick up some of these super fun digis! Also, take a peek at what my fellow DT members have been up to. All the links are in my sidebar! Happy crafty days to you all! :o)

Thursday 25 April 2013

Earth Day Challenge - Recycle Project

Happy Thursday, my friends!
I had to take a break from some wedding stuff and just have some fun! Oh, boy!! Did I ever have fun with this project! Remember I mentioned in my last post that I need to mix it up once in a while? lol
When I originally picked this image from Digi Darla's, it was with the intention of creating projects for one of my daughters. She has become a world traveler and I thought this would be perfect! However,  it's also perfect for Digi Darla's Challenge this week, which is "Earth Day."
The challenge is to create a project using ONE recycled item. Yeah...I see that now!  I threw most of my junk drawer on this card! lol You know those little mini-drawer units that some of us have in our craft rooms, sewing rooms, workshops, garages...THAT one? In one of my drawer units I have a drawer where I put all the STUFF that I find and don't know what to do with. (Yes, throwing it out would be an option!) So when I saw the "recycle" I went to that little drawer. I used almost all of the treasures that were in there! ;o)
Let me explain what I used because some of it may not be very obvious. The background paper is a road map of Alberta that was in terrible condition. My MIL actually got us a new one when she saw what we were using! It was literally in shreds, and I was very happy to find it still in the glove compartment of the car.
In the top left corner I placed an old discolored office paperclip. To the paperclip I added a white twist tie that I inked in red. Onto the twist of the twist tie I added a tiny recycle symbol that was on the bottom of a cereal box. Hanging from the paperclip is little yellowed price tag that had been attached to an old brass ring. (It was only 50 cents...yes...very old!) On the tag I stamped "It's Time" and some tiny little clocks.
In the top right-hand corner is a flower of sorts. I first attached a Canadian penny - they are being taken out of circulation. On top of that I place a piece of an earplug. (Yes, in that drawer I found a brand new set of earplugs. Where were they when the neighbors dog was going crazy?) Into the ear plug I poked a bunch of bulletin board pins. (I got rid of my bulletin board) They kind of went wonky because there were so many. Then I made two more flowers made from punches of map and cardstock that I pulled out of the garbage. The flower centers are actually flower beads from a broken necklace I was supposed to fix for my daughter...a VERY long time ago!
Now, moving down...I used a scrap of red paper to cut the circle out. I had colored my image to coordinate with the map so it didn't stand out enough. On the square under the globe I adhered another recycle symbol. This one was cut out of the bottom of a Walmart bag.
Finally, I had two of these hangers that had been pulled off the back of something. I threaded the pretty blue elastic band through them. Then I fastened the hangers to the page with these brass studs. They had 4 long prongs on the back that I hammered down, so it's not going anywhere!
There you have it...my recycle card! Can you believe all of that was in that one little drawer? I've been very "wordy" this afternoon but I didn't want you to look at this card and think I had lost my senses...or all my scrapbooking supplies! lol Thanks for hanging in there with me! :o)


Scrapbooking Materials Used:
Recollections Cardstock;
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Die: Spellbinders Nestabilies - Standard Circles (LG);
Stamp: Prima;
Ink: Martha Stewart - Stem Green and Red Chrysanthemum.
All other items were from my little junk drawer, my recycle bin, and my glove compartment!

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Linking Up To:


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Wednesday 24 April 2013

Hymn and Scripture Challenge #6 - Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Happy Wednesday, my friends!
Today I have a new Scripture Challenge page for you! I'm afraid I've fallen a little bit behind again...but just a little bit!
When my husband saw it he commented on how plain the page was compared to my usual work. I told him that I have to mix it up so you guys don't get bored! lol
I wanted to have my Scripture verse on this beautiful tag that I got as a freebie from Ephemera's Vintage Garden. You can find it HERE. Debbie is a fellow Canadian and she does fabulous work!
As always, I started with my Scripture verse. After that, the page came together very quickly. I only put the first half of the verse on the tag. Here is the complete verse:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:17 NIV

Isn't that another beautiful Scripture verse full of encouragement? I've actually had this page finished for days but am only now finding time to post it. I've had it displayed in my kitchen all this time, and I must tell you that it has been a blessing to me this week. I've been rushing around trying to get things done, stressing over some wedding planning, just dealing with life...you know? Then I'd see this right in front of me and it just made me stop in my tracks and be thankful for all the gifts that God has given me! What a fantastic stress reliever!
You probably already know that this is one of my favorite Hymns! lol Here is the first verse:

Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.

Beautiful, right? I would encourage you all to stop in the midst of all the busyness of your day, and just take a moment to be thankful!  God is so good! I am thankful for each one of you! :o)


Materials Used:
Papers: Recollections Cardstock;
MM Slice Design Card: Basic Shapes 3;
Cricut Cartridge: Alphabet
Ink: Distress Ink - Vintage Photo;
Flowers: Prima - E Line Flowers Brown;
Brads: My Stash.

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Linking Up To:

(Patter's wonderful devotional can be found there!)


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Wednesday 17 April 2013

Flower Fun!

Hello, my friends!
Guess what I got for my birthday? I received a Cricut Expression 2! Woohoo!! So today I am posting my first Cricut project!
The challenge at Digi Darla's this week is "How does your garden grow?" and they want to see lots of flowers. It was the perfect inspiration to play with my new toy! I picked this fun shape that looks like a flower. Then I cut some rolled flowers too. I used floral paper, punched the little flowers, and used this sweet Digi Darla image called Flower Girl! I think I have the flower thing covered! lol
I also wanted to join in at Twist of Faith Card Challenge again this week. Their challenge is "Birthdays", so I added a Happy Birthday to the inside of my card. I didn't bother to take a picture of it because it's just a simple stamp with no other embellishments.
There you have it! I better warn you that you'll be seeing LOTS of Cricut projects in the future. I love my Slice, and will continue to use it, but now I can go BIGGER with my designs!
Much JOY to all of you! :o)


Materials Used:
Papers: Making Memories - English Garden;
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Cricut Cartridges: Flower Shoppe, Elegant Edges;
Punches: Martha Stewart - Rose Leaf, EK Success - flower,
Stampin' Up - Decorative Label;
Ink: Distress Ink - Vintage Photo;
Pearls - My Stash.

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Linking Up To:



Monday 15 April 2013

Pretty Purse Project - Creative Inspirations #4

Hello, my fine friends!
I have a new DT project to share with you for my favorite store...Creative Inspirations! Yes, it's another mini album! I did take lots of pictures but the first few show you everything if you don't want to look at ALL of them! ;o)
I used the 7gypsies Accordion Purse Kit in the small size. The purse is super easy to put together! I started by staining the edges of the chipboard with Distress Stain. All of the papers were distressed with a distress tool and then inked before being adhered. I ran some ribbon through some lace and added it for the handle. I also added a strip on the bottom and a little piece through a metal buckle. Then I added three punched flowers.
For the album itself I followed the same process; stained, distressed, inked and adhered. I kept the pages all very simple and flat. I made a few little pockets, and added some small tags with ribbons. I've also added several 7gypsies stickers that match perfectly. They are just big enough to add a date or a few words. These papers are so pretty that they don't need any further embellishments!
Here is the closed purse and the mini album beside it:

I didn't use the closure that came with the kit; I added some velcro tabs instead.
When closed, the purse itself measures 41/2" wide X 43/4" high X 11/2" deep.


This is the entire front of the album:


This is the entire back of the album:


These are the next pages after the front cover. All the papers were distressed and then inked.
The album pages measure 4" X 4" each, and there are 16 pages in all. 








Finally, here is the back of the box and album.


Materials Used from Creative Inspirations:

7gypsies Accordion Purse Kit - Small
Prima Pixie Glen Collection - 6 X 6 Paper Pad
Distress Stain - Forrest Moss
Distress Ink - Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo
Tim Holtz Alterations Die - Tiny Tabs & Tags
Tim Holtz - Tiny Attacher
7gypsies Label Sticker Book - CHIC
7 gypsies Assorted Buckles - SEA

Extras From My Stash:
Lace, ribbon, brads, punches.

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Sue has loads of fabulous goodies filling up her store!
Pop on over and take a look!
To find the products that I used in my project, just click on "Design Team" in the menu and it will take you to the list of my DT projects. This is the "Pretty Purse Project". Or just click HERE! :o)
Don't forget that you can pick one of the free gifts with a purchase of $60.

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Wednesday 10 April 2013

A Joyful Card!

Hello, my friends!
Can you believe it's already Wednesday? This week seems to be passing very quickly! Is it the same for you? I've been very busy with a number of different projects that I will share soon. Today I stopped to make this card for a couple of my favorite challenges!
First of all, Twist of Faith Cards Challenge is having a "shaped card" challenge. I cut my card out of red cardstock in a fishtail banner shape. Then I proceeded to cover it all up with more banners and pennants. You can still see that it's shaped though, right? lol
Secondly, I wanted to participate in Digi Darla's "Take me out to the ball game..." challenge. You're to include a banner, pennant or flag on your project. I think I've got that one covered! I've used a Digi Darla image that I won last week. Isn't he cute? He's called "Blowing Paper Windmill" and he's actually holding a little pinwheel in his hand, and blowing on it.  I took the liberty of replacing it with the little "joy" flag for this card, and decided that he is either singing or whistling!
Thirdly, Word Art Wednesday is always on my link up list! I love to join them!
I had an idea of the Scripture verse I wanted to use on this card but couldn't find anything like it in my files. So I went ahead and made one myself using Psalm 33:3. Isn't it perfect for this card?  Hope you're all having a wonderful week. Perhaps you could all find time to do some singing and/or shouting for JOY! :o)


Materials Used:
Papers: Fancy Pants - My Family, Recollections - Cardstock;
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Ink: CTMH - Cranberry, Moonstruck, Distress Ink - Vintage Photo;
Stamps: Hampton Art - Joyous Holiday, Stampin' Up - Pennant Parade;
Punch: Stampin' Up - Petite Pennants;
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels 14, 
Stampin' Up - Hearts A Flutter Framelits;
Bling: Fiskars Cloud 9 Design Rain Dots - White, Red Rose, and Bluebell.

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Linking Up To:


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Here is the Scripture verse I put together in a png file.  
I'm sharing it here in case anyone else would like to take it and use it. 
Please help yourself! Let me know if it works! lol 
 If you make something with it I would love to see it, 
and it would be sweet if you let people know where it came from! :o)




Saturday 6 April 2013

Sushi Dolls #7

Happy weekend, my friends!
Well, I did mange to knock a couple of things off my list after all. This new Sushi Dolls project is one of them. This sweet image is called Suzy Q and is part of the new April release. Isn't she adorable?
It's been quite a while since I've decorated a tag, and I've loaded this one up with special treasures that I've been hoarding. Yes, I do have a problem with saving my special treasures but I'm working on trying to use them! I finally cut into my Crate Paper Portrait Collection...love these papers! The charm, decorative pin, and lace were all gifts I received from sweet friends. I used a new Scripture stamp and cut the image into strips to apply to the heart. I've been on a flower making frenzy lately. These little blooms are the latest I've come up with. They're made using the Cuttlebug Quilled Flower die set. They're totally addicting to make! I dabbed them with my Snow Cap paint dabber to give them some added texture. You'll be seeing more of these flowers on future projects. I edged everything else with the paint dabber too.
That's it for today! You need to head over to see what else Susi has been drawing lately! I've also seen a sneak peek of some upcoming releases and they are WONDERFUL!
Hope your weekend is full of JOY and LAUGHTER!!


Materials Used:
Papers: Crate Paper - Portrait;
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Dies: Sizzix Label, Ornate #3,
Cuttlebug Quilled Flower - Daisy,
MM Slice Design Card - Je t'adore;
Punches: Scalloped Scallop,
Martha Stewart - Hydrangea;
Stamp: Unity itty bitty - "Trust with your HEART";
Pearls: Stampin' Up;
Paint; Adirondack Paint Dabber - Snow Cap;
Ink: Stampin' Up - Primrose Petals;
Pearls, Seam Binding, Ribbon Buckle, Rose Trim: My Stash;
Lace: gift from Tracy;
Heart Charm: gift from Lynn;
Decorative Heart Pin: gift from Steff.

Here's a closeup photo of the flowers:


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Linking Up To:




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Friday 5 April 2013

A Die for a Sketch - Challenge #11




A very happy Friday to you all!
I'm back today to show you the new Challenge sketch for A Die for a Sketch.
We had so may fabulous entries for Challenge #10! A big "thank you" to all of you that participated!
I hope you'll all join us again this month.
Here is Dunja's wonderful new sketch:


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Our new sponsor this month is Bizzy Becs!  



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For my project I decorated a bright yellow gift bag. I turned the sketch so I could have my image standing upright! 
 The great image was provided by Bizzy Becs and is called Birthday Boy Present.




Materials Used:
Papers: Crate Paper - Toy Box, Recollections Cardstock;
Dies: Spellbinders Shapeabilities - Creative Book Pages Two,
Spellbinders Fair Isle Borderabilities Petite,
Fiskars Oval Template and Cutter;
Punch: McGill - Multi Tag Scallop, File Tab;
Image: Bizzy Becs - Birthday Boy Present,
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Brad, Baker's Twine, Sentiment: My Stash.

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So pop on over to A Die for a Sketch and join us this month! You have until May 4th to enter.
You might win a Top 3...or maybe even a prize!
Remember to follow the fun sketch and use at least one die on your project!

Also, pop on over to Bizzy Becs and take a look at all they have to offer in their store!

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Okay, I have two more winter picture to share with you today. Hopefully these are the last of the year!
This is what happened during our last storm almost two weeks ago! 
That's my sweet husband that's being dwarfed by the huge drift!


This is another road about half a mile away from the first photo. Yes, there is a road under there!



The sun has come out and the big melt has begun...but it's going to take some time! 
Have a wonderful weekend! :o)


Wednesday 3 April 2013

A Fun Card!

Happy Wednesday, my friends!
Things are finally getting back to normal around here...YAY!! So today I just had to make something...just because! I've been having lots of fun over at Digi Darla's Challenges lately. This week they have a "Laughter is the Best Medicine" challenge! You KNOW I had to get in on this one!
I'm using a Digi Darla image called Coffee Grandma. I had so much fun with her! I almost put some lipstick on her teeth but I thought you would just think I goofed! lol I used lots of Stickles on her clothing, mug and eyelids. Then I added Glossy Accents to her lenses, nails and lips. I used a paper from the Basic Grey Lauderdale collection for the background. Doesn't she look like someone who hangs out at a retirement home in Ft. Lauderdale? I bet she's the life of the party! :o)
When it came to finding an appropriate sentiment, I headed straight to my file of freebies from Create with TLC. Paulette is so generous in gifting us with her  wonderful work. I thought this one was perfect for this sassy Grandma!
I have a long list of projects I hope to work on this week. Since it's already Wednesday I'm not very hopeful that I'll finish ALL of them. I'll be happy to knock one or two off the list! Hope you're all having happy days and enjoying some laughter! :o)



This photo shows a bit more of the sparkle and gloss:

Materials Used:
Papers: Basic Grey - Lauderdale, Recollections Cardstock;
Image: Coffee Grandma from Digi Darla's Designs:
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Sentiment Image: from Create with TLC;
Die: Sizzix/Hero Arts Stamp & die cut - Message Frames;
Brads: Recollections;
Ranger Stickles: Diamond, Scattered Straw, and Broken China;
Ranger Glossy Accents;
Seam Binding: My Stash.

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Linking Up To:


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