Heartstrings

Thank you Everyone!

2012-01-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

I just realized I made the 700 follower goal! Thank you all for your support! I am off to work but will announce the winner when I am able to sit here for more than a few minutes! I also have a few new things to share with you. Once again, thank you everyone!

omigosh...5 to go!

2012-01-23T21:31:00.001-07:00

I am sorry...the holidays swept me away and I haven't had a chance to update here at my blog! I popped in today though and discovered I am only 5 new followers away from sending out my GIVEAWAY! Now is the time to spread the word and we can get that puppy mailed out to a lucky winner!

I also want to let everyone know that Scrapalicious USA is on the hunt for a new design team. Check out all the info HERE. I have been assigned the duty of Design Team leader, so would really love your support.

Be on the watch for new digi images coming up at the Copic Marker Scrapbooking site too. We will soon be sharing those here and at the Making Our Mark blog. Be sure to check out all the cool, new copic markers too. (I want them all)

Paper Patch Crafts has a fun card challenge going on as well. Come check out the details at the facebook fan page!

A Dickens Christmas-And a Freebie too!

2011-12-20T06:00:00.003-07:00

Here is the winner of the Ornament Blog hop! Please send me your physical address so I can send your prize out!

39. Maryu said...

Both ornaments are beautiful--not sure which I love more! I'm follower 687. Thanks for sharing your talent.

December 18, 2011 9:02 AM

Wow, Christmas is almost here! Only a few more days. This little elf has been very busy in her craft room putting together lots of cards and tags. As you know I am on the design team for Copic Markers Scrapbooking and the last set of stamps we had to work with were all based on the Charles Dickens story "A Christmas Carol". These images are for sale at the store to help you keep Christmas in your heart all year. If you go peek at the link they have a free image to share with you too!
Here is what I created:

"God Bless us, Everyone"

Snow Day!

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

All the little children here in Boise have been wishing for some Christmas Snow...but alas, it looks like an endless stream of cold days with sunshiney skies. (Well, along with the inversion!) But in the spirit of all things fun and hopefully adorable, I created this card that I think exemplifies the excitement for the first snow.

The image is another adorable Mo Manning digi stamp. She reminds me of my grand daughter with that happy little face. More details and items used are available below. I am entering this card into 2 challenges.

Fabric of our Lives-Mo's Digital Pencil

Card Layout- Paper Patch Crafts

Items Used

Snow Day

Magical Season-verse

Kaiser Craft Silly Season Rub-on

Websters Lace

KinderstampO Christmas Ornament Blog Hop

2011-12-16T23:00:00.017-07:00

Hello and welcome to Heartstrings! I am happy to be a part of this wonderful blog hop showcasing all the fantastic handmade ornaments. Thanks to Jess for all her hard work organizing this event. If you have been hopping along from the beginning, you probably arrived here from My Quilling Nest. If you came upon this post all on your own, you can hop on over to the very beginning at KinderstampO.

All of the blogs in this hop have a fun and unique ornament to share with you. We also intend to give one away. In my case, I will be mailing out one of my handmade ornaments to a lucky person who visited this blog and leaves a comment. By leaving that comment you also will be eligible for the grand prize giveaway. Details about what that entails are at Jess' blog as well.

One more thing I would like to mention...as a 2nd bonus to the randomly chosen winner..I will also give away one of my very own stamps from Shelley Bean Stamps. The only extra requirement will be that you please become a follower here and tell me that you did on your comment post. (Also...as a reminder...when I reach 700 followers I have a big box of prizes ready to ship. If you want to participate in that...please read the info at this LINK.)

And now...on to the ornament!!

Here are the supplies I used to create my Vintage Christmas Ornament

I went to the dollar store and bought a tube of plastic, very plain Christmas balls. Choose ones that have a smooth surface. There were 6 in the package for $1. Really, how can you go wrong? Using the Ranger Glue N' Seal I decoupaged little pieces of the Tim Holtz tissue tape all over the ornament. Don't be afraid to be generous in the application. It dries to a nice smooth matte finish. After it was dry, I rubbed a little distress ink into the ball. Next I used a generous application of Distress Crackle Paint. After this was dry I rubbed in a little more distress ink and finished it off with some Rock Candy Stickles.

After some consideration, I liked the look of this ornament but thought it would be just as effective to use regular paper. I bought an old used paperback of Shakespeare a year or so ago just for moments like this. I tore a page into tiny little pieces and adhered them to the 2nd ball in the same fashion. Much more economical and don't tell Tim Holtz, but it was easier to work with than the tissue tape too! Following the same steps...Here is how it turned out!

Here is another look. I love the crackle effect. I hope you do too!

Thank you for visiting my blog today! If you are ready to continue on....please hop on over to Tanya's Blog.
Remember to become a follower and leave a comment if you would like to own one of my ornaments AND own one of my original design rubber stamps.

Merry Christmas!!

Day 3 Copic Marker Scrapbooking

2011-12-09T06:00:00.001-07:00

Good Morning! Here are a couple more fun new images to share with you that recently went for sale over at Copic Marker Scrapbooking! Look back through my last 2 posts if you missed the rest of the release. I hope you take a moment to come and visit the store and while you are there you can also browse through all those amazing Copic markers for sale. Also, there is a free digi image at the Design team blog as well!

We are working on getting some more images ready to share in the next few days before Christmas! Stay tuned!

Copic Marker Scrapbooking Digi Release Day 2

2011-12-08T06:00:00.001-07:00

Good Morning! There are some fun new images to share with you that recently went for sale over at Copic Marker Scrapbooking! Here is day 2 of what I created to share. I hope you take a moment to come and visit the store and while you are there you can also browse through all those amazing Copic markers for sale. Also, there is a free digi image at the Design team blog as well!

So much fun! I have a couple more to share with you tomorrow!

New Release Stamps

2011-12-07T07:27:00.001-07:00

Good Morning! The design team has some fun new images to share with you that recently went for sale over at Copic Marker Scrapbooking! Over the next few days I will share them with you. I hope you take a moment to come and visit the store and while you are there you can also browse through all those amazing Copic markers for sale. Also, there is a free digi image at the Design team blog as well!

Tune in tomorrow for another!!

Non-Traditional...and yet...

2011-12-01T21:56:00.001-07:00

Hello friends. This evening I decided to put together a non-traditional card with a very traditional image. I LOVE this image from Maurie Manning! It makes me feel nice and happy inside when I look at it so it was especially fun to color with my copic markers.

I decided to use non-traditional paper because I liked the way the Bo-Bunny "Welcome Home" patterned paper gave the image a dreamy look that seemed to fade to what could be fog, mist or even snow. It in fact reminded me of home on the Southern Oregon Coast. We would climb the mountain behind our home on what was usually a misty-moisty day to find our perfect Christmas tree.

And the song? Also non-traditional. Joni Mitchell wrote the song in 1971 and it has been covered by many artists since then. I have a couple very favorite versions, the 1st one is by the band, Heart; and the 2nd is here by the artist Sarah McLachlan. Take a listen and I hope you enjoy!

I am entering this card into the challenge going on over at Mo's Challenge blog too:

The Great Outdoors

Anniversary Card

2011-11-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday of last week I had another special request from a co-worker to create a 40th anniversary card for our Director. Of course, being the crazy woman I am I put aside all Thanksgiving plans and Design Team projects I needed to be working on to make the card. It had to be huge in order to hold 180 signatures, and so I halved a 12 x 12 piece of paper and also made a page insert for more surface. The outside is just all the handmade flowers I have been making lately. Kinda purty! (I think it may be a little over-the-top)

Unfortunately I was running late this morning to work and didn't have time to take a better picture than I did...but hopefully gist of how it turned out is evident. If you are interested in how to make the flowers on the card as well as products used...you can follow the links below:

Sunflower

Water Distressed Flowers

Roses

Bo Bunny Noteworthy Die Cuts

Bo Bunny Welcome Home Paper

Bo Bunny ETC Chipboard

Prima Say it in Pearls

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:00:00.001-07:00

It's Thanksgiving today and I decided to share with you an album I created using all the fabulous Teresa Collins supplies now available at Scrapalicious USA. Wow, these items are gorgeous. I created a video to show you page by page what I came up with too. This post will be heavy with links to take you directly to each item I highlighted on this project as well.

Supply List

Giving Thanks Chipboard Cover

Giving Thanks Library Envelopes

Giving Thanks Chipboard Frames

Teresa Collins Paper

Et Cetera 12 x 12 Chipboard

Graphic 45 Metal Buttons

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Thankful~ and a Freebie too!

2011-11-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share the new release on these adorable images available to purchase at Copic Markers Scrapbooking. This is the newest design team that I have been added to and I had such a fun time coloring these with my Copic Markers. I hope you enjoy them and agree along with me, that these are adorable digi stamps that anyone would love to work with! If you pop over to the blog there is also a free digi image for you to enjoy!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Mo Manning & Scrapalicious

2011-11-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

Hey friends. I love those Mo Manning Stamps and I love the paper craft supplies at Scrapalicious. What a combo! I decided to create this card using both!

I am entering this card into the current Mo Manning Challenge. Also, why not check out the really cool products available at Scrapalicious. This paper is so beautiful and this image is so precious.

Trimcraft UK "Joyful Peace" Paper

Maisie Caroling

Banners, Pennants & Flags-Paper Patch Crafts Challenge

2011-11-20T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hello! I apologize for being gone for the last few days. Where has the time gone? I completed a very simple card to show on the Paper Patch Crafts Challenge blog this week. The theme is Banners, Pennants & Flags. I used some of the beautiful paper available at the store too.

I used my sew-easy to make the border around the sentiment. Fun stuff. What a simple card to put together, but really one you could use for about anything. (I like those kind.) We hope you will come and join us in the challenge this week. Oh...and the prize we are giving away to one lucky winner is a rubber stamp from my very own collection at Shelley Bean Stamps! :) See you over there!

Scrapalicious Challenge-2x2x2

2011-11-16T06:00:00.002-07:00

Hello and welcome to Wednesday. This week the Scrapalicious Challenge is 2x2x2. What you may ask is that? It means, 2 papers, 2 embellishments and 2 of your choice. Make anything you want following that formula! Can't wait to see what you will create. Follow the link above and join us!
Here is mine:

Just a fun little tag. I used all kinds of fun products that can be found at the Scrapalicious USA store. Check it out!

Bo Bunny Et Cetera Chipboard

Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Assorted Stickles

Vintage Photo & Peeled Paint Distress Inks

If you want to learn how to make the Sunflower, use the tutorial I did! Here!

Please stay tuned for next Wednesday...I have a very special project I look forward to sharing with you...

Copic Cubbie Adventures

2011-11-11T11:48:00.001-07:00

Hello friends. Today I thought I would briefly share with you something I made. It's not my best effort, to be sure, but it will come in handy! About a year and a half ago when I starting playing with Copic markers and decided they were probably the best coloring marker ever created, I wanted a way to keep them handy and accessible...and above all else somewhat organized. I searched around until I ran across this very cool shelf organizer. LOVE it. The shelves are slanted downwards so the pens stay put and it only takes up about 5.5" space on my desk. The only problem is, all my pens were crowded together and mixed up because I never found money in the budget to buy a 2nd one. (How would I afford more pens if I spent money on their shelf? That's like spending your last dollar on a wallet and then having no money to put inside of it) But, one day when I went looking for the Studio 3 website where I bought mine, the site no longer existed! WHAT? But, all was not lost...

I came across a very creative lady at a blog that took the idea of the shelf and ran with it. You can read about her adventures HERE. I tried using the dimensions she listed and they were a great starting point...but I really wanted mine to match up more to the shelf I already bought. And you may wonder how I managed to build this handy dandy shelf without spending a fortune on wood, saws and sanders? That's simple....FOAM BOARD. I thought it sounded lame and cheap at first. But, really all it was...was cheap! It's much sturdier than you would imagine. I don't think it's so lame. Do you?

The one on the left is mine. Yes, it's not as pretty as the one I bought, and the dimensions are not perfect because I am math challenged, (please don't look too close at that first shelf) but the Foam Board cost me a whole $1.97 and I already had a craft knife and hot glue gun. Now...I have room to fill it up with more Copic Markers. YAY! And if I get too crazy...I can always build another shelf!

Scrapalicious Challenge-Thanksgiving

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

It's Scrapalicious Wednesday! That means another challenge awaits. This week is about Thanksgiving. If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, then how about anything you are thankful for? Here is a card I create using all kinds of items I acquired from the wonderful Scrapalicious USA store.

This roses are something I am especially proud of and wanted to share one more time how I created them!

Items Used:

Spellbinders Rose Creations

Say it in Pearls

Prima Paper "Fairy Flora"

Teresa Collins Giving Thanks Chipboard Frames

Teresa Collins Giving Thanks Tags

Stickles "Star Dust"

Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Vintage Photo"

Paper Patch Crafts Challenge-Gratitude!!

2011-11-06T15:25:00.002-07:00

This week I was selected to host the challenge blog at Paper Patch Crafts. I decided I would center the challenge around Gratitude. November is the traditional month to remember what we are thankful for, and the 1st thing that comes to my mind is always my wonderful family. Lately, it's been Grandchildren! I don't have very many photos yet of my new grandson, but hope that I will very soon. In the meantime, I decided to create another layout centered around my adorable granddaughter. This was a photo that was taken while her grandpa was holding her at the park, and I loved the way the light touched her face. Anyway, I also wanted to share with you how I made it.

The paper was acquired from the fantabulous store Paper Patch Crafts. This particular line is Kaisercraft Chanteuse Collection. I also used a touch of the beautiful Webster's Pages Lace also available to purchase at the store. The roses are ones I created myself, and will share with you a video tutorial I created to show how I constructed them. I would appreciate your feedback!

Please come and join us at the challenge going on now through Saturday, midnight. Anne, the owner of the store has generously provided a prize for the challenge entry randomly chosen. I would be so flattered and honored if you would come and participate in the challenge. All you need to do is create any project that is centered around gratitude, or what you are thankful for.

My Memories Halloween Contest

2011-11-02T21:12:00.000-06:00

As if there hasn't already been enough Halloween posts already this year...I have one more! My Memories is holding a contest at their blog for Halloween layouts. I threw this one together this evening. I was going with the free elements I already had and still have not opted to buy anything yet. (especially not Halloween ones) but am sure my days are numbered because there are so many fun options over there. Anyway, here is mine to share.

Fairly basic. I am still learning the program and what I can do with it. It's all for fun though. If you'd like your own copy of this very cool product you can get purchase it at the link to the left of my page. Oh, and use my code provided...you'll get $10 Off! Woohoo!!

Happy Autumn

2011-11-02T06:00:00.002-06:00

It's time again for another Challenge over at Scrapalicious USA. This week we are celebrating Autumn with our creations. I know in some parts of the world, they are gearing up for summer. Not here. The leaves are falling off my tree outside my window here and that wonderful smell is in the air.

This week I made a tri-fold card using a Magnolia Stamp I bought from Scrapalicious USA. She's a happy little girl rolling in the leaves that were freshly raked. I remember those days!

Items Used

Tilda in Autumn Leaves

TrimcraftUK Desert Blooms Paper Pad

"Stardust" Stickles

Copic Markers:

skin- E11, E00, E000, R20

Jeans- B37, B34, B32

Shirt- R29, R27, R24, R22, R20, W1

Leaves- YR21, Y23, E99, E97, E31, YR16, YR24

Hair- E18, E15, YR21

Boot- W1, W3, W7

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T06:00:00.009-06:00

Just a quick post to say Happy Halloween! Here is a super simple treat bag idea I made out of some Scraps, my Cricut and some clear envelopes. So easy!!

Here is also a picture of my son and I at my Uncle's Halloween party Saturday night. Have a spooky day!

Digital Software Winner Results!!

2011-10-30T09:24:00.000-06:00

Thank you all for your participation in the MyMemories Software giveaway! I used a random generator from the comments left at my post and the generator chose:

JKclark said...

I "liked" their facebook page and let them know you sent me!

OCTOBER 22, 2011 1:07 PM

Congratulations! Send me your email and I will send info to get your free copy of the software.

I will be offering more freebies in upcoming weeks and months. Also....if you'd like to purchase this software there is a link off to the left of my page along with a code you can use to get $10.00 off the purchase price!!

My Memories also creates movies!

2011-10-28T00:05:00.006-06:00

I have been spending some time playing with the My Memories Digital Software program I received a week ago. And wow! There are a lot of things you can do with this. There are so many FREE files to download along with the program that you really don't even need to purchase another thing to get the full benefits of this program.

I by no means have even scratched the surface of what I can create with this software...but did want to show off a Video I created with some pages I built of mine and my husbands combined families.

Don't forget...there are still a few days left to enter the drawing where I am GIVING AWAY a free copy of this very same digital scrapbook software from MyMemories.com. Go and sign up HERE and follow the instructions. It's really simple.

If you are interested in purchasing the software instead, just click on the link off to the left column on my blog and use the code I have provided to save $10.00!!

I hope you enjoyed my video! Please, tell me what you think!

Halloween Spooks Challenge!

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

It's time again for the Scrapalicious USA Challenge. This week it is all about Halloween Spooks. I decided to fall back on one of my very own images from Shelley Bean Stamps. I did something similar to this last fall for a wall hanging I made with my husband. You can read about that here.

This time, I decided to make a spooky looking card. I am gearing up for the next installment in the Twilight movies with "Breaking Dawn" and so decided I would think along that theme. Sort of...

This is an awesome textured product for purchase at Scrapalicious USA

Ahh...the spooky red eyes!

You can purchase these stamps at my site OR you can also find them at Scrapalicious USA! We hope you will come and join the challenge!

Woodland Girl Stamp

Walnuts Earth Textures Glitter

Paper Patch Crafts Challenge #2

2011-10-24T21:22:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Come visit us at the Paper Patch Crafts Challenge Blog! We have a layout challenge going on right now through Saturday midnight. It's a sketch challenge. I made this cute layout of my grand-daughter. My son was practicing his French lessons while I was making the layout...hence the title!

Here was the sketch:

Add a little hand or machine stitching to your layout. It takes a little effort, but it really made the page a little more special!

Come join in the fun. As always there is a wonderful prize for the winner!

Fave Mo image and sentiment Challenge

2011-10-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

I love the Mo Manning Digi Stamps. They are oh, so cute! I have a few of her rubber stamps too, but the digi images are so accessible and inexpensive. Most are just $3 each. Check it out!

I am entering this card into the challenge going on now...A favorite image and sentiment. Seriously...a favorite? They are ALL favorites! The one I am using for my card is one of the 1st images I bought. I just thought it was cute. It really is more summertime looking I think, and I know we are well into Autumn now...but it's fun to see a little happy sunshine still too. Besides, it's nearly summer somewhere! Hope you enjoy!

Dani and Friends

Fine and Dandy

2011-10-23T06:00:00.008-06:00

Don't forget to enter the challenge for the FREE digital Scrapbook Software from My Memories. Check it out HERE!

I thought I would share with you a mini album I created using the My Minds Eye Fine and Dandy True Blue line of Products from the Scrapalicious USA store. Oh how I love this album. As some of you may know...my little grandson was born October 19th and I actually finished this album the morning he came into this world. I hope his mommy and daddy enjoy filling it full of photos and memories. Lots of photos to share...and then links to the products I used and where they can be purchased. I admit I totally lifted this idea from my friend Jenni...I fell in love with hers and had to purchase the items needed to make one too!

The chipboard album is perfect to dress up anyway you want.

Using the spellbinders die I made little tags throughout the album for journaling

The chipboard accessories are so adorable!

Items Used:

Fine and Dandy True Blue Chipboard Album

Fine and Dandy True Blue Paper Pad

Fine and Dandy True Blue Brads

Fine and Dandy True Blue Chipboard Accessories

Fine and Dandy True Blue Stamps

Spellbinders Labels Four

Spellbinders Lacy Circles

My Memories Digital Software Giveaway!!!

2011-10-21T21:42:00.002-06:00

A couple weeks ago I was approached by My Memories to see if I would be interested in trying out their software for free! I was sort of hesitant at first because I am more of a hands on kind of girl and like to mess around with paper and stuff. But, I have been hearing more and more about Digital scrap-booking and thought to myself, "why not?!" I have a lot of scrap-booking to do and quite honestly, I prefer cards and mini-albums when it comes down to playing with paper so this might be a great idea. (Plus, there are so many other things you can do with this software!) Here is my very first attempt using their software...not too bad for a beginner just messing around!

My new grandson born this week. Poem by his Daddy.

The nice people at MyMemories have allowed me to giveaway a free copy of their software to one of you lucky readers! It's very simple to get a chance at the prize too. All you have to do is pop over to MyMemories and poke around there, come back here and leave me a comment about which digital paper pack or layout you liked best. Pretty easy. And it is a lot of fun looking around there! If you'd like a 2nd chance to win, head on over to their Facebook page and join the gang and leave them a comment that Shelley sent you. If you come back here and say you did that...you have 2 chances to win! I will choose a random winner in a week so be sure to come on back and see if you won!

In case you'd rather not wait after checking out this cool place and just want to purchase a copy of the software...let me save you some money!

By using this code: STMMMS69491 at MyMemories.com, you can get $10 off My Memories Suite (you get it for $29.95 instead of $39.95) AND you also get a $10 gift certificate to use in their online store!

Super Easy Challenge

2011-10-20T21:09:00.000-06:00

Hey all, want to enter a superduper easy challenge? Pop on over to the Paper Patch Crafts Design Team Blog and submit your Halloween card. The only catch is, we would like to see you take some of your scraps and create a matching treat to go along. Such as mine for example:

This was made with some Prima Papers Little Boo line I got from Paper Patch Crafts. The images and sentiment are simply a rub on. Added a little bling here and there and dropped some candy corn into a clear envelope and there you have it. Easy...and...YUMMY.

Please join the challenge. It's going now through Midnight Saturday. So far only 1 entry...your odds are super good of winning this awesome prize:

I mean...come on...this is a fun pile of loot!! (I wish I was eligible!)

On a Clear Day you can see.....CANdY cOrN

2011-10-19T06:00:00.004-06:00

Now through October 25th using Promo Code "Discount10%" You can get an extra 10% off at Scrapalicious USA!

Hello...it must be Wednesday because here I am again to show off what I made for my weekly project with the Scrapalicious USA Design Team. The theme this week is all about "Something Clear". My brain rattled around in my head for awhile on that one and then I had one of those "aha" moments when I remembered I bought some clear plastic pails last Christmas at Craft Warehouse. Yay!

I added some fiber and ribbon I had on hand and those ridiculous spider rings. They finally have a better use than being laid on the carpet to freak me out on my blurry-eyed way to the bathroom in the morning! One of the spiders I pearlized a bit with some Liquid Pearls. The paper is my favorite Halloween paper this year...it's the Blackbird Collection from My Minds Eye. I gotta say, I think this paper is a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e! I created one of those accordian fold paper rosettes to the lid of the pail and fringed the edge of it to make it look more scary...kind of like spider legs!

Let's talk a minute about the Scrapalicious USA store. All the prices are already reduced 25% from retail. All the time! This paper pack Collection I used retails for $8.99. Your price is only $6.75! The liquid pearls retail for $2.49 and they are yours for $1.89! Please go and visit the store. You will NOT be disappointed!

Black Orange and Purple

2011-10-12T05:00:00.008-06:00

Extra Extra Read All About It! Now through October 18th using Promo Code "Discount10%" You can get 10% off at Scrapalicious USA! Hurry! Don't miss out!!

It's Wednesday, and that means it's once again time for the weekly Scrapalicious USA design team to offer up another fun challenge. This week we are using the colors Black, Orange and Purple. Fun! Here is what I created using supplies from the wonderful Scrapalicious USA store. Click HERE to get a discount coupon now through the 18th for even more savings!

I also was inspired to enter this card into the Mo Manning challenge this week:
Inspired By A Song
The song that inspired me for this challenge is "Possibility" by Lykke Li
and a LINK to the song on youtube.
Here a few more challenges I have entered this card in:

Come and Get It Challenges Black,Orange Purple
Crafts and Me Challenges Orange
Shopping Our Stash Spooky or Orange/Black
My Craft Spot Black with Orange, Purple or Green

And here are the supplies I used!

Spellbinders Labels 4

My Minds Eye "Blackbird Paper and Accessories Kit"

Copic Markers

Permanent Foam Squares

Mo Manning Digital Stamp "Heartless"

A Life to Enjoy

2011-10-11T06:00:00.002-06:00

I thought I would share with you all an album I made recently (and am still working on) that I am really happy with. I got the pattern over at Follow the Paper Trail and it is called Honeycomb Accordian Album. I took a few photos but thought a mini video might be nice just to see how much you can stuff inside of these. I hope you enjoy!

It was constructed primarily out of scraps I had but the majority of that was K&Company papers. I do like the fact they are double sided and a heavy weight paper. One thing to note that is all of the photos are mounted and can be journaled on the backside. (A project I have yet to do!) I also will still be adding more embellishments to it but wanted to share now while I am still excited about it. :)

My handy dandy Copic Album

2011-10-09T15:09:00.000-06:00

I do believe you can make an album for just about any occasion or purpose. I ran across this idea recently and knew it was something I HAD TO HAVE! What more does a Copic obsessed fan need than a Copics mini album. The idea is really very clever and quite useful. You can print the file for the pages over at Copic Munkie. It was a freebie..and how can you resist free?

This is my finished album. I made the cover very simple because I wanted to keep it flat enough that it could travel in my purse on the way to the craft store (for more Copics of course) and also so that the embellishments wouldn't fall off if they were bumped around. It is important to print the pages you are going to be coloring onto the same paper you usually use to color with your copics. This way you can get the truest color and quality of your inks. I use the Neenah White paper.

I used my Bind-it-All to put these pieces together with a chipboard cover

The inside cover sports a little pocket for notes or lists of pens for my wish list. There is an acetate page that is on front of the title page.

Using the bind it all and then snipping away a little of the acetate I cut this acrylic page that can easily snap in and out of the book. The acetate has a dual purpose. I can place it behind pages that I am coloring to avoid bleed through and the acetate can also be used as a palette for color blending.

There are 3 pages that encompass the color options. The idea is to color them in with your colors so you know what your inventory is so as not to buy duplicates. I also use it to see what colors look well together.

There are 3 tabbed title pages

Earthy Naturals, Basics, Muted Pastels, Brights

I am going to use these for color combinations I like to use such as: Denim, Aqua, Red...just so I remember what I used to achieve a look I was going for.

This will be so much more than hair and skin, but was the title provided.

I will stamp or draw something here and then write the combinations of markers I used to achieve the look. I should have had one ready to show, but this is going to be a work in progress for awhile!

I hope you like this idea. I sure think it will be helpful. A nice place to keep my thoughts, trials and success jotted down for future use!

Paper Patch Crafts Blog Hop

2011-10-08T04:00:00.007-06:00

Hello and welcome to the Blog Hop for Paper Patch Crafts! We are so happy that you decided to stop by and follow along with us. The hop is not very long but we have a load of fun things to share with you along with some great prizes to be given away.

At Paper Patch Craft we are introducing the new and very adorable KaiserCraft line called "Silly Season". Here is a sampling of some of the projects I made to share with you using this collection.

And a layout featuring some of my family

There are also some beautiful Websters Pages supplies available to purchase at the store and here is a sampling of a card I made which also showcases a Mo Manning Digital Stamp.

Here is a line up of our Design Team Ladies in case you'd like to see where you will be heading next on the hop:

http://heartstring-designs.blogspot.com Shelley T (that's me)

http://usinguptheprettypaper.blogspot.com/ Joanne

http://positive-force.blogspot.com/ Lynda

http://shelley-scrapbookingforfun.blogspot.com/ Shelley P

http://paperpatchcraftsdesignteam.blogspot.com/ Anne at our new Design Team Blog

Before you hop along I wanted to let you know that by leaving a comment here and stopping along and saying hello to all the other blogs in this hop you will be eligible for the random drawing for this adorable flower set from Prima.

All the blogs will have a prize to offer you as well! So much fun! And at the last blog which is our new Design Team blog there is HUGE lot of fun creative items being given away so be sure to follow the instructions there as well. So get to hopping on to the next blog!

Joanne

Gratitude!

2011-10-06T20:08:00.001-06:00

Hello my crafty friends. Today is all about gratitude for me and so I thought I would share with you a card I made using some of my digi stamps from Shelley Bean Stamps. This is actually 2 separate digi stamps even though it sort of looks like it might be one. I am going to share a way you can get one of these stamps for free from me. It's really very simple. And if you take it one step further I will actually send you BOTH of these digis's right to your email. Here is the scoop....but first...here is the card!

Here is all you have to do!

To get the pilgrim girl stamp:

1. Visit this link, become a follower and leave a comment (this will also put you into a fantastic drawing for a whole lot of scrappin' fun. Follow the link..you will see!)

here it is to tempt you a little:

To earn the Pilgrim girl AND the Indian Maiden:

1. Enter this challenge going on now through this weekend. As of this posting no one has entered yet and so your odds are most excellent at winning the prize available there.

There is NO catch to this. I am helping out my good friend Anne get things going on her design team blog and her online craft store. We'd like to see a lot of new followers come over and visit and participate a little. She has loads of giveaways all the time and this is no exception. We just are looking for a little participation and all these goodies will be going to a good home. As for me and my little digi's...there is no random drawing, no waiting to see. As soon as you leave me a comment here that you participated, and to what extent...leave me your email and your free stamp(s) are on their way to you! Everyone is winner!

Thank you in advance to all my wonderful followers. You have no idea how thankful and full of gratitude I am that you like to stop by here and look over my blog and spread your smiles into my day! Oh, and stay tuned because I will have a little blog hop happening here Saturday morning. This is also in conjunction with the new Design Team blog mentioned above and there will be EVEN MORE fun prizes to give away.

Hangin' Around

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-06:00

Hello Wednesday! It must be time for the new project using those fantastic products available from Scrapalicious USA! This week the Challenge theme is to create something that hangs. I used the ever so adorable My Minds Eye "Blackbird" paper pack and constructed this banner. I made the Yo-yo medallions by following the tutorial here. So, so cute!

I have some more projects coming up in the coming days and weeks and I am really excited to share them with you. A few more mini albums, cards and scrapbook page layouts as well as something a little more involved. I can't wait to share once I finally get them completed! Plus, so many more things to color with my copics markers! I might even have a mini-giveaway from Shelley Bean Stamps. Does anyone want a stamp giveaway? Speaking of which...still a few more followers and comments needed to get my box of scrappin' loot. Read about it HERE!!

You're Framed

2011-09-29T07:22:00.001-06:00

Here we are with another Scrapalicious USA Wednesday...oops it's Thursday! Oh well, better late than never! This week I created a picture frame out of one of those cheapie ones you can buy for a dollar at Michael's. I simply covered it in some My Mind's Eye paper and then embellished it with another Graphic 45 flower and brad and some really special "stickers". They are considered to be stickers, but as you can see, they are a little more special than just stickers. Take a look!

Come join us at the challenge this week! The theme is Anything Goes! Love it, and you will too!

Items Used

My Minds Eye "Perfect Damask"

Graphic 45 Flower Staples

Jolee Boutique Leaf Flourish

Peaceful Thoughts

2011-09-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hello there. Welcome to Scrapalicious USA Challenge Wednesday. This week it is all about "peace". I created this card using some fantastic products from the Scrapalicious USA store. I will add linkage at the bottom.

The verse is probably familiar, from the song by John Lennon "Imagine". Beautiful song, beautiful lyrics and was what came to my mind when the theme was introduced. The metal flower was created with the very cool Graphic 45 flowers and brads...you just bend them and twist them into whatever formation you desire. Check them out!

Items Used

Graphic 45 Metal Buttons

Graphic 45 Flower Staples

My Minds Eye "Perfect Damask" paper

Spellbinders "Labels One" and "Fancy Tags"

Santa Baby

2011-09-17T11:24:00.001-06:00

I am super excited to share with you my latest card. I just finished it this morning to get it submitted for a couple challenges...but I think it is so fun. (yes, I sound so humble...don't I?)

I used supplies from 3 of my favorite online stores. There will be linkage at the bottom of my post. It's so fun to find scraps and bits and pieces of things and come up with something that makes you smile. I admit it seems a little early to be working on Christmas items...but with only 98 days until Christmas a girl has to be prepared! Or is it 97? See...time is flying! I hope you enjoy!

These are the Challenges I have entered this card in:

Paper Patch Crafts "Silly Season Challenge"

Mo's 100 Challenge "Celebrations"

Items Used

"Little Present" Mo's Digital Pencil

Jovial Paper Pad-Basic Grey

"Poinsettia Delight" My Little Yellow Bicycle
Jolee's Vintage Gems

Copic Markers:

Red: R27, R24, R22, R20

Flesh: E000, E00, E11

Black: C7, C5, C3, C1

Hey everyone...I still have the giveaway going on! I have a very small goal (although seems to be larger than I thought) to reach 700 followers. Please click on the Follow Me link top left and become a follower of my blog and leave a comment that you did! If already a follower leave a comment and say so. Or get a 2nd chance by linking to me at your blog, facebook, twitter...and come leave another comment to say you did. I will randomly draw a winner and send them all the loot. Read more details here....and leave your comments there too!

Bosses Day!

2011-09-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here I am with another work related card. I was asked to create the "Boss" card for our team. Our boss is a guy and I had a heck of a time scrounging though all my ribbons, prima flowers and bling to come up with something that was masculine enough without being boring. Okay, I used a little bit of bling anyway...but I couldn't help myself! Here is what I created:

I utilized my Spellbinders (large labels and Fleur de lis motifs) and created the verse on my computer. Pretty straightforward! The paper is a scrap from K&Company.

Pyramage-3 Dimensional Decoupage

2011-09-14T06:00:00.001-06:00

Hello and happy Wednesday! I thought I would share with you a new idea. It is called Pyramage! Also known as 3 dimensional decoupage. I think my knowledge of French is exceedingly limited because my narrow understanding of decoupage involved a jar of Mod Podge and a paint brush! Not necessarily so. Scrapalicious USA has some very cool Trimcraft UK paper pads that are all ready to be assembled into this nifty craft. Take a look:

I created this 1st birthday card for our grandson using this cool layered technique. Another way of working this is you could use graduated sizes of your favorite set of spellbinders and cut the same image over and over and then layer them together. The effect is very cool! If you'd like to purchase the ready to punch-out images like I used please refer to the linkage at the bottom of this post today.

I hope you enjoyed my card! Please take a look at the other design team ideas and our new challenge over at the Scrapalicious design team blog!

Items Used:

Fizzy Moon Pyramage Paper Pad

Fizzy Moon Brads

3D Foam Squares

EK Success Arrow Border Punch

Paper Dolls!

2011-09-10T00:54:00.000-06:00

I just love the digi images that Maurine Manning Sells at her website! They are so fun to color with my copic markers! This one I am sharing today is actually a paper doll stamp. Her little dress is colored separate and added over the image. I decided to print the dress onto some patterned paper to add a little more texture.

Peek-a-boo!

This card is fairly simplified because I had to assembly line 20+ of them to share in a card swap. Despite their simple elements they actually became more of an ordeal than I had anticipated. Lots of coloring (although I LOVE that) and then all those doilies cut out with my Big Shot. That part I didn't enjoy very much! Overall though, I am pleased enough. I hope you like it too! The photo unfortunately is rather pale and I am not real happy about that!

Please come join my give-away! I have a bunch of stuff to give away. Share the news with your friends on your blogs or facebook pages and come back and leave a second message. More chances to win!! Follow the button at the top right of my page!

Happy Fall Y'all

2011-09-07T06:00:00.002-06:00

The Scrapalicious USA team has another awesome challenge going on right now! We hope you will want to join us this week. The theme is Anything Fall. I am starting to feel the crispness in the air as we continue our Indian Summer here in Idaho. I love the change in the seasons and walking though crunchy leaves; everything smells so good and it reminds me of being a kid again. Creating this card really inspired me that I even got out my Autumn door wreath and hung it up to display my card in.

I used a variety of items from my stash as well as from the wonderful Scrapalicious USA store. Here is a listing of the items used:

Magnolia Stamp "Happy Tilda"

Shelley Bean Stamps "Sweet Sentiments"

EK Success Dotted Wave

Copic Markers:

skin: E11, E00, E000, R20

Hair: E37, E99, E53

Clothes: G99, G94, G24, G40

Pumpkins: YR18, YR16, YR12, YR00

Mo Manning Digital Stamp (pumpkin)

Sm Maple leaf punch

Before I forget...my giveaway is still going on now at my blog. I really hope you will take a moment and pop over there and join in the fun. I have a pile of crafting items to give away!!

It's a Guy thing

2011-08-30T07:40:00.000-06:00

I decided to make a book mark for my son. Everyone at my house has been on a reading kick lately. That's probably why I haven't posted anything here lately! I needed to add something for today's post over at the Scrapalicious blog though and decided...it's time to make a bookmark!

I used some of the yummy Teresa Collins paper for the marker. Doesn't it look just like an old library card in a book? The image is from Mo Manning and the stickers are BoBunny Press. Kinda cool for a guy thing.

Hope you enjoy! I also hope you come and join my giveaway! Looking for some new friends around here. Follow the links...invite your friends...we'll have a BBQ! (well, maybe not that...)

Grandma's Brag Book

2011-08-22T03:00:00.000-06:00

Hi again. I made a sweet little "Brag Book" to carry around in my purse. It's filled with cute pictures of my grand-daughter and I thought I would let you all take a peek! I found an online tutorial on how to build these awesome little things but I have lost the link so I will try and layout the steps and dimensions here and I made a short 40 second video that demonstrates what it looks like.

To build the book here is what you need:

1-Double-sided patterned paper 4.25"x 12"

3-Solid paper 4"x12" (1 piece of 12 x12 paper works perfectly)

Score patterned paper at 1", 6.5"; 7"

Score 1 solid piece at 5.5"; 9.75" (trim paper at 9.75" score line)

Score remaining pieces at 4.25"; 8.5"

Taking Patterned paper fold at all creases. At 1" crease insert large end of solid paper and fasten with brads.

Take 2nd piece of solid paper and glue to equal sized flap at end of attached solid piece.

Take 3rd solid piece and glue larger end onto shorter end (will not match up size wise)

Accordian fold pages down until they tuck into album. Refer to video to see how this should look.

If there are enough questions or interest I can film a tutorial on this if needed.

New Mini Album

2011-08-12T03:00:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share the latest mini album I made this evening. I have made this one quite a few times and if you are interested in trying your hand at it, the link to a video tutorial is above in my links. I also have a flower tutorial on how to make the ruffled flower sporting the front of this mini.

These are part of a design team showing over at Scrapalicious USA. I hope you check it out and join us in our latest challenge!!

I love the papers I used. They are from Teresa Collins and I bought mine here.

Love, love, love it! I hope you will too.

Please take a moment and check out my giveaway. Linkage at the top right hand corner of this page. You won't want to miss out! I hope you will take a moment and join!

Quilling!

2011-08-07T06:00:00.002-06:00

I have always wanted to try my hand at quilling but really had no idea if it was something I would be able to get into...or...find enough uses for. My local Archivers is having a make and take card (free) this weekend where we can try our hand at this fun little craft. Yesterday was a day off so I treated myself to a trip down there and I tried it out. The birdie card below is the one I made at the store. The other 2 are ones I tried later on back at home.

I don't know...they aren't too bad for a first try?

Hey...don't forget to put yourself in the drawing for the loot I am giving away. See the link at the top right of the page for all the details!!

Something Other than A Card for A Change!

2011-08-06T03:03:00.000-06:00

Please Be Sure To Enter My Give Away! ------->

I decided it was about time I made something that was other than a card or scrapbook layout. The Challenge at Scrapalicious USA for this month is to do exactly that. A couple years ago I was at Walmart and spied some really cheap plastic clocks. Cheap as in $3 a piece. I decided to pick up a couple because the possibilities seemed there to make them a little special if I ever got around to it. (Impulse shopping-of course!) This is what they basically looked like. I say "basically" because I just realized yesterday they were 2 very different designs.

Like I said...basic!

The other night I got to brainstorming what I could do to turn this into something really special. The 1st thing I had to do was try and take the thing apart. I thought I would actually break it but luckily it eventually came apart by prying the plastic faceplate off. Then I removed the hands from the front and the paper circle with the numbers on it. I was left with the shell of the clock and my own imagination.

I knew I wanted to use the cool new Teresa Collins Paper I received from Scrapalicious USA this month. After I inked it up with Tim Holtz distress inks in "Tea Dye", "Vintage Photo" and "Old Paper" I was very happy with old world look I wanted. To give it even more interest I added a Teresa Collins Chipboard Element to the center. Not to be outdone I knew I wasn't quite finished and added some Black Hot Rocks with my I-Rock Tool! (all items available now at Scrapalicious USA!) I am so glad I came up with the idea to add Roman Numerals instead of regular numbers. I used a very cool Cricut Cart that I think is highly underated. It is the "Stamped" cart. The font is very unique and worked perfect for what I was trying to achieve.

I also dug through some supplies I had on hand and found a brand new tube of a nifty product called "Rub 'N Buff" that I picked up at Hobby Lobby and rubbed it into the clock to give it that nice gold tone.

I simply put the clock back together and sat it on a cast iron stand I had and am very happy with how it turned out! What do you think?

Okay, now what is your creativity going to make for our challenge? Pop on over to the Scrapalicious USA Blog for more inspiration and join along!

A New Giveaway and Other Random things to Share!

2011-08-05T01:38:00.000-06:00

Please Read to the Bottom to find out about my latest GIVEAWAY!!

I thought I would share with you a card I made using my I-Rock from Imaginisce. Lately I have been finding all sorts of new uses with it. I made this card to share recently over at the Scrapalicious USA blog post yesterday and thought I would share it here as well. If you follow the link there are more details about how the card was constructed and the materials used.

If you are a fan or follower of the Scrapalicious Challenges, be sure to pop on over there this Saturday as we will present a new one. Our format over there has changed a little bit are now sharing daily blog posts by each Design Team member and 1 monthly challenge. We would love to have you join us!

Also, I will be sharing a brand new project on Saturday over there (and here of course) and would be really glad to have you pop over and check it out.

GIVE-AWAY NEWS

It seems like my blog has been a little lonely lately for new friends and followers. I have decided it is time to get things moving over here again and about the only thing that seems to motivate is to give something away! And who doesn't love a giveaway? We have had our share over here at Heartstring Designs and I think it must be about time to get cracking on another one! So...without further ado...Here are the details!!

I am shooting for 700 followers.

If I can hit that mark I will give away all the goodies you see below to one random person who:

Leaves a comment on this blog post AFTER becoming a new follower of this blog.
If you are already a follower then you can leave a comment and tell me so and you will also be eligible.

If by some chance we shoot over 700 followers I will either add more goodies to this pile OR I will make a 2nd giveaway so everyone will then have an extra chance to win a prize.

There is one more way you can increase your chances....place a link on your blog talking about this giveaway and come back over here and tell me in another comment that you did. Whew...That's about it! Now start spreading the word!! And thank you everyone for following along with me this past year and a half..it's been so much fun!

Contents:

Assorted Bazzil Card Stock and Designer Papers

Assorted Ribbon

Handcrafted flowers

Random Prima Flowers

Square Chipboard Coasters

Zutter Wire and Album Covers

Assorted Rhinestones

Prima Pearls

Kaiser Kraft Stamp Set

Oh Brother!

2011-07-29T21:53:00.000-06:00

I am scraping (that is scraping as opposed to "scrapping") in under the deadline of a challenge going on now at Paper Patch Crafts. Once again there was a sketch presented to go by to put together a layout with the theme of "Children". Here is what I created:

These are my wonderful sons. It's nearly impossible to get these 4 to settle down long enough to take a picture. It rather reminds me of how it was like when they were little boys. Some things never change. I am impossibly proud of this bunch and love them to pieces. Let me introduce you. On the far left is my 2nd oldest son, Brandon. He and his wife will be proud parents this coming October. The 2nd from the left is my oldest son Jeremy. He is the daddy of our little "Brinnsen" that there have been so many pictures of on my blog in the past year. The 2nd son from the right is my baby boy Trey. He still lives here at home with me. Thank goodness! The son on the far right is my 3rd eldest son, Jordan. He is in the Coast Guard, married and living in Washington state. I don't get to see nearly enough of him. There you have it! They are a lot of fun...noisy, often rowdy and irreverent and always full of fun and laughter.

If you would like to participate in the challenge there is still time. Follow the sketch below and then pop over to Paper Patch Crafts and submit your layout! Can't wait to see yours!

Materials Used:

Echo Park "For the Record"

Scrapalicious Challenge #13-Sketch

2011-07-27T04:00:00.000-06:00

Hello and welcome to the Scrapalicious USA blog challenge! This week we have another sketch for you to follow. Here it is:

This one was a bit hard for me but I think you will all knock it out of the park. Please create something using this sketch and link it at our blog for a chance to win a prize from Scrapalicious USA.

Here is what I created:

Items used:

Trimcraft Paper"Desert Bloom"

Spellbinders

Assorted bling and Ribbons

There are some changes coming up to our design blog in the next week. Starting August 1st, be sure to check it out!

Birthday Card and...I was a Top 3 Winner!

2011-07-26T18:26:00.001-06:00

Yay me! I was a top 3 winner at:

Thank you team for choosing me!

I have another card to share with you today. I entered a birthday card swap at Paper Patch Crafts recently and it was great because it was also the same week as my grand-daughters 1st birthday so I made all my cards and hers too. Here is what they look like:

Pretty cute, huh? How can you go wrong when you are using Mo Mannings digi images? Of course I colored them with my copic markers...really need to get busy on those tutorials again. Anyway, thought I would share.

Also..here is my beautiful grand-daughter enjoying her first birthday cake!

Tomorrow is the last July Challenge for Scrapalicious USA. Changes are a-comin' over there and I think it will be a lot of fun. The designers are going to have something fun to share with you every weekday. We hope you will pop over everyday and see what's in store.

Scrapalicious Challenge #12-Anything Summer

2011-07-20T04:00:00.004-06:00

Hello and happy Wednesday! Today the Scrapalicious USA design team will be offering you the opportunity to join our challenge of "Anything Summer". If you would like to participate for a chance to win a wonderful gift certificate to Scrapalicious USA, simply follow this link: ScrapaliciousUSA Blog.
Here is what I created to share with you today.

The image is from Mo Manning. I love her images! The Prima flowers, spellbinders, pearls and Copic Markers are all for sale at Scrapalicious USA. I will provide links below. I also wanted to mention that the silver rose flower was created by me, and I have instructions for that in the video at the end of this post.

I will also be entering this card in the following challenges:

Black and White with 1 contrasting Color-Mo's Challenge Blog

Summer -The Angel Company

Use a Digi - KB Challenges

Through the Garden gate Stamps R US

Summer Lollipop Crafts

flowers One Stitch at a Time

summer flowers Scrappy Frogs

Ribbon Deep Ocean Challenge

Items Used from Scrapalicious!

Prima Flowers

Say it With Pearls

Spellbinders

Copic Markers C1,C3,C5,C7,C9, R81,R83,R85

And here is a video tutorial on creating the silver rose I used in my design:

My Little Dog-Bronte Kisses

2011-07-13T19:45:00.000-06:00

I have a special little card to share with you today. The artist, Maurie Manning, is collecting for Petorphans.org by donating this adorable digital stamp for only $1.00. You can get this cute stamp along with 3 sentiments if you follow this link. While you are there...look around! I found so many adorable and affordable digi's there I bought a bunch more that I will be sharing here in upcoming posts. In the meantime, here is what I created to share.

I colored this digi 4 different ways. Here are the other 3 that I have not as of yet made into a card. But I thought I would share them all within this post as well. I hope you enjoy. As always, I would love and appreciate your comments!

Scrapalicious Challenge #11-Use a Bear!

2011-07-13T04:00:00.003-06:00

Happy Scrapalicious Wednesday! Today the Scrapalicious design team offers the challenge of creating something that contains a bear. There are so many adorable bears out there...this should not be too hard of a challenge. And who can resist something so cute and cuddly? Well, on paper anyway...or the inanimate stuffed variety. I have no doubt that the live version wouldn't be too overly cuddly. But I digress...

The card I created today has loads of layers. I had a lot of fun using all the cool products I received from the Scrapalicious USA store. From my Fizzy Moon stamp to the prima pearls..you can buy it all at Scrapalicious at lower prices than I have seen anywhere. And let me introduce you to Trimcraft UK papers...oh, just let me get started. These papers are heavy weight, rich textures and colors...the highest quality I have found anywhere. I happily endorse them and will be buying more!

So, come join us at the challenge blog with your bear inspired project and pop on over to the store and see what all there is. Tell Cindy that Shelley sent you!!

Items Used:

Fizzy Moon Stamp A New Addition

Trimcraft UK Spring Feast

Trimcraft UK Tea House

3D Foam Squares

EK Success Dotted Wave

Fizzy Moon Celebrations Grosgrain Ribbon

Say it With Pearls Light Pink Prima

Spellbinders Eyelet Circles

Here are some challenges this card has been entered into:
Shelly's Images celebrate
Stamp Insanity anything goes
Joyful Stamper Anything goes
Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges get punchy
Do it With Digis Include an animal
Sweet Stampin Challenges cute and cuddly
KB Challenges something cute
Hooked on Craft with love
Use it Tuesday you are an animal
Digital Tuesday Challenge spellbound
Bearly Mine anything goes

Just Another Card

2011-07-08T19:59:00.001-06:00

I made a going away card for my friend Jose that is leaving our team at work and starting a new job elsewhere. It's fun to make these special cards for the department to sign to say their farewells, happy birthday's or congratulations. It's also fun to receive a card that is crammed with so many messages and signatures...kind of makes you feel special. It sort of reminds me of getting my school yearbook and all the friendly messages that are left by friends.

For this card I used one of those adorable Magnolia Stamps and some super cute Echo Park papers. I got the supplies from TWO of my favorite online scrap stores. I will leave linkage below if you are interested.

As always I colored the image with my copic markers. Have I mentioned lately how much I love to use Copic Markers? At the top of my blog I have a link to some videos I made demonstrating how I color with copics. Please take a peek if you are interested!

Supplies Used

Stamp: http://scrapalicioususa.com/MagnoliaStamps

Spellbinders: http://scrapalicioususa.com/Spellbinders

Paper: http://stores.paper-patch-crafts.com/-strse-1/For-The-Record-Collection/Detail.bok

Assorted Copic Markers

Entered into this challenge:
Anything Goes - Craft Your Passion

Scrapalicious USA Challenge #10-Border Punch and Turquoise

2011-07-06T04:00:00.001-06:00

Hello again friends! This week the Scrapalicious Design team has issued the challenge to create something that uses a Border Punch and the color turquoise. That opens the field up pretty well! I used an EK Success Border Punch called Double Crochet. You really should check out the prices on the punches at Scrapalicious because this punch was ONLY $7.00. I know! I can't believe how great the prices are!

I was going to make a tutorial on how to create the frame I made for this card, but due to time restrictions I wasn't able to accomplish that. There is a very good description at the video here though in case you were scratching your head how to make the corners work out with a corner punch.

Please come join us on our challenge this week. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Items Used:

Border Punch: http://scrapalicioususa.com/DoubleCrochetLace

Rubber Stamp: http://scrapalicioususa.com/ShelleyBeanStampsTheWateringGirl
Spellbinders: http://scrapalicioususa.com/S4168SpellbindersLargeLabels
Copic Markers: http://scrapalicioususa.com/InksandCopicMarkers

Entered into the following challenges:

Die cuts and punches -Divas by Design
Pretty Blossoms - Creative Craft Challenges

oldie but goodie - Oldie But Goodie

Anything Goes - Sentimental Sundays

Flower Power - Tuesday Taggers

All About Flowers - Charisma Cardz

Paper Patch Crafts Layout Challenge!!

2011-07-03T11:55:00.000-06:00

It has taken me awhile to get organized enough in my craftroom to have enough room to work on a layout challenge. When I saw the sketch Anne from Paper Patch Crafts had chosen for us this time I was worried it wouldn't be a very easy one. Lots of layers and well...I just didn't think I could pull it off. Wow, was I wrong! It went together really fast and I love the colors! Alot of the ease came in using the Echo Park "Summer Days" packet I bought from Paper Patch Crafts. The colors are bright and fun and all coordinated so well together. The packet even included some heavy weight stickers that were perfect for embellishments. I look forward to using more from this packet.

As usual my photography leaves a little to be desired. The background paper is actually a light lime color. Someday I want to set up a better lighting system for my photos!!

Here was the sketch

The theme was "Summer". I dug through some older photos I had of 2 of my sons, Jordan and Trey when we went out on the paddle boats at the park in Boise. What a work out on the thighs. Lots of laughs though and the boys loved chasing the ducks around the pond.

We hope you will come and participate in the challenge going on now. The prize will be a complete packet of papers from Echo Park! Please check it out NOW!!

Scrapalicious Challenge #9-Sketch/Anything Goes!

2011-06-29T04:00:00.002-06:00

Good Morning everyone! Today the Scrapalicious USA team's challenge is to create something that uses the pagemaps sketch below. Your theme can be any topic! We would love for you to join us on this challenge by popping over to the Scrapalicious Blog to participate!

The stamped image actually included the full body of the girl leading her dog on a leash. I decided it would fit into my card better to crop out just what I wanted to show that you can artistically change out the image to fit the emotion you are trying to share. In this case, I wanted something a little more simple so I could add the bling to give it that extra touch. Here are the items I used to create this card:

Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Doily Motifs

DOODLEBUG DESIGN Jewels

Stampavie Rubber Stamp

ShelleyBeanStamps Sweet Sentiments

Prima Pearls

Copic Markers

All of these products are now available at Scrapalicious USA. Check out the store for all the wonderful prices and items available!!

Scrapalicious Challenge-Cold Treats!

2011-06-22T04:00:00.000-06:00

Howdy and welcome to another Scrapalicious USA challenge! Sorry I have not been around much but I have been lucky enough to have my home filled with company and preparations for a family reunion this weekend. Needless to say, my crafty ambitions have been thwarted. I will be back though!

This week over at the Scrapalicious USA blog our challenge is centered around, "Something cold, or sweet". Now you can take that as literally or vaguely as you desire! I decided a cold treat! Here is the card I created:

I used some of the fabulous paper available for sale at Scrapalicious! I had some older stamps available that I sort of pieced together to create the scene of the kitty getting his fair share of a cold treat. Items used will follow post.

I think it's about time I did some more copics tutorials. Any special requests? Drop me a line or leave a comment below if you have an opinion about that. But for now, I have a special tip for you. Do you want the 3 perfect Copics colors to create denim blue like the ones in the card above? I used B97, B95, B91. Give it a try!!

Please join us at the Scrapalicious blog for this fun challenge. And take a minute (you will really want an hour) to browse through the vast selection of fantastic scrapbook supplies available for sale at the Scrapalicious USA store.

Recipe

Basic Grey Paper Pad

Prima Paper Pad

Copics Markers

DJ Rubber Stamp (cat)

Stampourri Rubber Stamp (my design)

Hero Arts Rubber Stamp (verse)

Stickles

Scrapalicious Challenge-Put on a Smile

2011-06-15T04:00:00.000-06:00

Hello Wednesday. Welcome to the Scrapalicious Blog Challenge. This weeks offering is all about "smiles". To join our challenge pop on over to the blog and submit your cards or projects that have a smile or contain the word "smile" as a sentiment. Pretty simple, wouldn't you agree?

Here is what I created:

And the inside of the card:

The verse was actually written by my ever creative hubby. He is so good at putting words together that work just for what I was actually thinking. Of course, how can you go wrong for inspiration when there is such an adorable image to add on the card? I do love those Magnolia Stamps. Isn't it a little ironic though that they have no mouths for smiling? I am actually going to send this card out as a graduation card for my niece. I do not believe she is a reader of my blog, so feel fairly sure she will still be surprised when she gets the card.

Please come join us on this challenge. If you need some more inspiration, you can check out the low, low prices on scrapbook supplies now at Scrapalicious USA. Cindy has so many items to choose from and many you may have never seen before. Many of her items are harder to find and original enough they will make your projects one of kind.

Recipe

http://scrapalicioususa.com/MyMindsEyeRibbons
http://scrapalicioususa.com/PrimaMadrigalBlossomMaestroMauve
http://scrapalicioususa.com/Pwithflowerpink
http://scrapalicioususa.com/RC10HappyTilda

Copic Markers:

E11,E00,E000, Skin

R20,R22, Clothing

E99,E35,E31, Hair

C5,C3,C1 Shoes

Scrapalicious Challenge-Accordian Style

2011-06-08T04:00:00.001-06:00

Hello and welcome to the Scrapalicious Design Team Wednesdays. In honor of National Accordian Month (yes, who knew?) we are making this weeks challenge all about accordians. Well, in this case, accordian folds. I decided to bring back another example of the accordian album I made back in October and create this new one. I have not added any pictures to the album because I am going to be giving it to someone else and they can add their own. First off, if you would like to see how I originally built this little album I have a video HERE that you can look at. It was created at Halloween time...so..don't be too spooked when you open that link! :)

Here are the details of my project:

Just to keep with the theme, I also created a couple Accordian flowers!

I created a pocket to hold tags and photos

Please check out the video link I added above on instructions for building your own Accordian Album. It's super simple, and if you use a coordinating paper pad like I did in this example, it really ties together very easily. You can buy all the supplies I used to make this at the Scrapalicious USA online store. The prices are so low...you should check it out!!

Here are a few places I am sharing my project this week:

http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/

http://kbchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-16.html

http://www.youhadmeatcraft.com/

Supply list

Prima Paper "So Cute"

My Minds Eye Accessory Sheet

Jolee's Boutique Gems

Jolee's Boutique Dimensional Sticker

Layout Challenge at Paper Patch Crafts!

2011-06-07T20:17:00.000-06:00

It's not too late to get in on the challenge going on right now at Paper Patch Crafts! The winner will win a complete Set of Echo Park Papers, "For the Record". Here is the sketch layout:

And here is mine!

I used a little bit of everything to make this page:

K & Company "Citronella" Pad

My Minds Eye "Lost and Found"

Computer Font "Mountains of Christmas"

Scrapalicious Challenge #5-Create a Card for a Man

2011-06-01T04:00:00.002-06:00

Happy Wednesday everyone! Our challenge this week at the Scrapalicious USA Blog was to create a card for a man. I decided to tackle the very difficult task by making a Father's Day card for my husband. But, I do believe this card could also be an any occasion card. Really the only difference would be what the sentiment said. I wanted it to be somewhat classy and elegant, but not too ornate or frilly because my man is NOT a frilly kind of guy. In fact, this would be borderline even for him.

In order to create the embossed sentiment since I didn't have the correct stamp I wanted to use, I measured the inside portion of the tag I wanted to use and created the verse in Word on my printer using text box and creating the exact dimensions. As soon as it printed I immediately poured embossing powder over the image while the printer ink was still warm. It adhered perfectly! Then I heat embossed it and cut it out with my spellbinders Fancy Tags Two. So easy! Then I layered my sentiment on another tag from the same set and added a little bit of bling...simply because I couldn't resist.

This is a pocket card. It's really simple to do and if you are curious how it's built, you can watch this video for more specifics. In the video the card will measure 6" square. I didn't have a spellbinders die that was that wide, so I altered mine to a 4" square card instead so it can make the ornate edge of the pocket. I used the spellbinders set Labels One.

On the back of the pull-out card I also included a little poem, but you could add any verse or sentiment. The pocket part of the card also opens up so you can write a personal verse. Love this card, and I hope you do too!

Here are the links to the spellbinders dies that I used for this card now available at Scrapalicious!

Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two

Spellbinders Labels One

I am including my card in the following challenges:

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/06/simon-says-fathers-day-for-male.html
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/
http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/
http://kbchallenges.blogspot.com/
http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/
http://scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/2011/06/card-challenge-38.html
http://blingitonchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-4-shells-choice.html
http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/2011/05/cyda-challenge-21-fathers-dayspecial.html

Scrapalicious USA Challenge #4-Memorial Day

2011-05-25T04:00:00.001-06:00

Hello friends. Today for the Scrapalicious USA Challenge we are honoring Memorial Day. When growing up as a child I remember going to visit loved ones gravesides on Memorial Day with a flower rememberance and seeing all the many graves decked out with American flags to honor our soldiers who sacrified for the freedoms we enjoy and sometimes take for granted. As a young girl it would make me a bit thoughtful and solemn about what that actually means to me. This card was created with that same feeling of reverence I felt at that time.

We hope you will choose to join us on the latest challenge at the Scrapalicious USA blog. As always, Cindy is offering a wonderful gift certificate to her fabulous store where prices are always much lower than you will probably find locally. She ships really fast and has fantastic customer service. Take a moment and go check the store out for yourself! Also, if you would like to learn more about coloring with Copic Markers, please check out my tutorials.

Recipe

Spellbinders Fancy Tags

Spellbinders Large Labels

Shelley Bean Stamps "Young Girl"

Copic Markers:

E11, E000, Y23, C1, C3, C5, B91, B95, B97, R22, R29

Here are the other challenges I entered this card in:

http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/
http://forfunchallenges.blogspot.com/
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/
http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/
http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.com/
http://stampinsanity.com
http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/
http://fairyknoll.blogspot.com
http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/

Military Appreciation cards

2011-05-22T17:26:00.001-06:00

I left a blurb on my post yesterday about an ongoing Military Appreciation going on over at Paper Patch Crafts Facebook pages. It's not too late to do something special for our soldiers. Please read all about it over here. She is still taking cards and it's a good way to feel like you are helping in some small way.

Here are the 4 cards I completed!

I used the Sweet Treats Cricut Cartridge and Spellbinders Fancy tags. The paper is K & Company as well as scraps I had laying around.

This is a stamp I created for a company and now am not sure which one! It was either Alota Rubber Stamps or Biblical Impressions...and I can't find it at either store now so maybe they have discontinued it. I colored it with watercolor pencils and then blended them with Dove Colorless blender pen.

How can you resist a little pirate humor? Be sure to use your pirate voice when you read the card front and inside! I used the Create a Critter Cricut Cart (say that 3 times fast) and my silly sense of humor for the rest.

My last card was made with the Simply Sweet Cricut Cart for the stars. The lettering is a from a packet of letterings I bought at Walmart some years ago and have no clue what the brand was. The star trails were added with the I-Rock tool. Pretty fun. And there you have it!

It's a Jeans Day!

2011-05-21T01:35:00.001-06:00

Before I share with you my newest card, I wanted to let everyone know about a very important way you can help today to remember our soldiers who are far away from their loved ones. My friend Anne from Paper Patch Crafts is having a special day of card making going on now where we are challenged to create special cards that she will have delivered to our soldiers. Her husband is now in Afghanistan and there is no place this hits closer to home than for her. Please join her over on her facebook page or read about the effort at her blog. She is also giving away fantastic prizes from her store in appreciation for those that help in the effort. Please, if you ever wondered what you could do to help....here is your chance. I for one, am.

And now, back to the regularly scheduled program.:)

I work in an office environment for a Corporation that has thus far only allowed it's employees to wear business attire. On Thursday a memo went out that our Director gave approval for Casual Fridays. Oh yay! It's kind of funny how such a small concession can make all the difference. Everyone is pretty surprised and happy that we can now wear jeans on Fridays. Today I was asked if I wouldn't mind creating a special card large enough that everyone here at our office could sign it as a thank you to our Director for going to bat for us and making this happen. Oh how I love creative opportunities. Here is what I came up with:

This baby has all kinds of bling...from her dedazzled blue jeans to her pearl necklace. It was a lot of fun to make. In order to make it large enough for all those comments and signatures, I was asked to figure out a way to add extra pages to it. Here is what I came up with:

It's kind of funky and whimsical and I pretty much like it. I thought I would also share a really cool personal signature stamp I recently purchased from Just Rite Stampers. They have numerous designs to choose from. This one suited me just fine!

I hope you enjoy this card. It was one of those ones that just sort came together fairly easy. Love it when that happens!

Recipe

Spellbinders Large Labels

Spellbinders Fancy Tags

Bazzil Cardstock

Memory Stor handmade paper

Imaginisce and K & Company blings

Forever Young cricut cartridge

Family Layout Challenge for Paper Patch Crafts

2011-05-18T17:39:00.000-06:00

If you are looking for the Scrapalicious Challenge #3...please click HERE!

Hello! I am happy you decided to visit my blog today. I have a special layout to share today. It is part of a challenge happening now, and you can find the details over at the Paper Patch Craft blog. If you would like to participate she is giving away the Wrap it Up Cricut Cartridge! I know, right? Get those submissions posted over to this WALL (facebook) by May 23rd to be eligible. Oh, and if you heard it here first....let her know over there as well!

Here was the sketch I followed:

And here is what I created:

I wish I could pin down what papers and supplies I used but I really went to my scrap bin and put it all together. There is some Close to My Heart, Laura Ashley, and who knows what all. Some of these papers are well over 10 years old. The lettering for the title was in a paper pack of pre-cut alpha letters I bought many years ago too. The flower is a prima flower. My son Trey gave it the seal of approval (necessary before he would allow it posted on the internet).

Scrapalicious Challenge #3- Graduation!!

2011-05-18T04:00:00.003-06:00

Hello Wednesday! It's time once again for the Scrapalicious USA Challenge! Please join us over at the Scrapalicious Blog and submit your own graduation inspired creation for a chance to win a wonderful gift certificate at Scrapalicious USA!

Here is the card I created for the challenge. I just want to preface everything by telling you how I absolutely love the Laura Ashley paper pad I got from Scrapalicious USA. The colors are in lovely, muted tones (which I love) and half of them are glittery and half are double-sided patterns. The pad is 12x12 and there are 54 sheets for only $15.00.

Sometimes when I don't have the perfect verse in stamp form, I go ahead and make one myself on the computer, which is what I did for this card. I decided to opt away from the traditional cap, gown and diploma grad card and go with something that may hopefully inspire someone towards setting goals and going after dreams.

I hope you like this card and will join us at the Scrapalicious Challenge blog! Happy Wednesday everyone!

Made it Myself Monday!

2011-05-16T12:16:00.000-06:00

Hi there! I thought I would participate in the Made it Myself Mondays Challenge. Over the weekend I was inspired to try my hand at crocheting some dishcloths. Previously, I wasn't a big fan of the concept (not sure why) until I had to handwash some dishes at my mother's home and discovered these things are quite clever and very durable! The secret (from what I can tell) is to use cotton yarn. The acrylic yarn would be all fuzzy and icky when it gets wet, but the cotton works great and everything seems to hold together nicely. Here is the one I made. It's not perfect. I need to tweak it a little and do better stitch counting, but it only took me about 40 minutes to whip up. The instructions can be found HERE. If you are familiar with crochet there are tons of different patterns out there. Pretty much anything that would have made a cute granny square would work I would imagine.

And yep, I made it myself!

Scrapalicious USA Challenge Wednesday-Flowers!

2011-05-11T05:50:00.000-06:00

Good Morning and happy Wednesday to all the friends old and new that are following along for the Scrapalicious USA Challenge! This week we were inspired with flowers! Here is what I came up with:

Here is a close up...I think this is such an adorable stamp!

If you would like to participate in our challenge please join us over at the Scrapalicious USA Blog. And if you are looking for some handy dandy products to make your project perfect, be sure to check out Cindy's store at Scrapalicious USA. The prices will amaze you!!

Recipe

Spellbinders Labels one

Spellbinders Fancy Tags

"End of Summer" by Stampavie

"Sweet Sentiments" by Shelley Bean Stamps

Copic Markers: B97, B95, B91, E11, E00. E000, R85, R83, R81, YR23, Y23, E35

Blog Hop Blog Candy Winner

2011-05-09T18:47:00.000-06:00

Hello friends. Sorry I have been missing around here again. I went out of town for 9 days and had no real internet connection. Finally though, I am back and can announce the winner of the blog candy from the Fabulously 40 Blog Hop. And the $10 gift certificate from Paper Patch Crafts goes to:

I am definitely inspired. That is a beautiful album and it is art. Thanks for sharing this and I hope to win such wonderful candy :)

Happy Scrappin'

Sue B
Suenj99 at yahoo dot comhttp://susanascorner.blogspot.com/

Many thanks to Sue and everyone else who left a wonderful comment on my blog. There is more fun coming up! Please stay tuned for the next installment of the Scrapalicious USA challenge on Wednesday. Those who enter the challenge are in the running for fantastic prizes from Scrapalicious USA. Be sure to check it out!!

Scrapalicious Design Team Wednesday

2011-05-04T04:00:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! Welcome to the 1st official Scrapalicious Design Team Wednesday. After you check this out, you might want to hop over the the Scrapalicious USA Blog and join in the Mothers Day themed challenge. Don't miss out, there will be a fantastic prize!

For some inspiration...here is what I created:

Supplies List of Products from Scrapalicious with links:

Spellbinders Labels One

Spellbinders Fancy Tags

Stampavie "Sumpins Wrong"

Laura Ashley Designer Paper

Copic Markers

E11,E00,E000, B97, B95, B91, BG75, BG72, BG10

I hope you enjoy this sweet little card. Come back and visit me again! Oh, and when you leave a comment...it REALLY makes my day complete!

Scrapalicious Design Team!!

2011-04-27T06:00:00.002-06:00

If you were looking for the Fabulous 40 Blog Hop...click here

Happy Wednesday everyone! Welcome to the Scrapalicious Introductions blog hop. Today I have some fabulous news, I was selected to be on the AMAZING team over at Scrapalicious USA! I am in very talented company with this fantastic group of ladies.

We will be having a weekly challenge on the store blog Scrapalicous USA every Wednesday starting May 4th, 2011. Please join us on this adventure as we all make new friends and see wonderful inspiration. I recommend you pop over there and join the followers list so you can be notified first when these challenges begin. There will be awesome prizes! In fact...pop over and see the details because Cindy is giving something away this Saturday!

Here is a card I created using one of the stamps now for sale at Scrapalicious!

Now here is a little information about me. My name is Shelley and I have been creating, drawing, painting or otherwise engaged in artistic adventures as far back as my 1st memory with a crayon. The pristine white front and back pages of my mothers books were never safe as I would resort to them when I ran out of other options to do my drawings and doodles. Luckily for me, she encouraged me by supplying me with paint boxes, art books and pencils and my father later enrolled me in oil painting classes to further develop my mind and love of color and putting down the pictures in my mind. In growing up years my main ambition was to use these talents somehow to bring enjoyment not only to me but hopefully to others too.

Over the years I have created, designed and taught decorative painting woodcrafts for boutiques as well as designed rubberstamps for many companies. My latest venture has been in the launch of my own modest line of stamps at Shelley Bean Stamps such as the one used in my example above. Here at this blog I like to share all the many different creations I come up with or learn from others. I hope you come back and visit often and if you are not already a follower, I would be flattered should you decide to be one now. I enjoy making new friends and visiting other design blogs where we all share the common love of crafting.

Here is the lineup of ladies in case you get lost along the way.

Scraplicious Blog

http://scrapalicioususa.blogspot.com/ go here to join our challenges!
Abby

http://www.scrapbookaholicbyabby.com/

Gerda

http://stampfairyworld.blogspot.com/

Jenni

http://scrappincrafter.blogspot.com/

Kassidy

http://inkingitupcrazy.blogspot.com/

Raven

http://www.love4stamps.blogspot.com/

Shelley

http://heartstring-designs.blogspot.com/

Scraplicious Store

http://www.scrapalicioususa.com/ go here for great deals!

Please visit all of the ladies and show them some love! Thank you all so much for hopping along. Now, to find all the amazing deals and prices on your scrapbook and card making creations hop on over to the Scrapalicious Store!

Fabulously 40 Blog Hop

2011-04-24T22:00:00.004-06:00

Hello and Happy Birthday to Jen! Welcome to her Fabulously 40 Blog Hop. You have probably here from Jackie but if you want to start at the beginning you can pop over to Jen's.

In honor of Jen's birthday I was inspired to create something I know I would love to receive as a gift! And since I rarely make things just for myself I decided I would do just that. So, here is a gift for me but I will share the idea with all of you! Be sure to read to the bottom...there is some very exciting blog candy I will be sharing with you as well!

This fabulous Maya Road Clear ATC Stand is now available at Paper Patch Crafts. I love it! It includes the chipboard ATC (artist trading cards) and the metal rings..you supply the imagingation. The majority of the supplies I used to decorate my flip album were also purchased at Paper Patch Crafts. They have so many fun items items from companies such as: Maya Road, Echo Park, Kaiser Craft and more.

Here are the details of my album:

I used file tabs on the sides of my flip pages for a little added cute-ness. The crochet flower is demonstrated at a previous post over here. The photos are of my adorable sons from many years ago. I decided this would sit on my desk at work so I can look back on the good days when they were younger.

The paper line I used is For The Record from Echo Park. The Butterfly is Maya Road and comes in an assortment of blank chipboard. I used Hydrangea Blue Maya Mist and then covered it in stickles.

What would be a birthday without gifts and candy? Blog candy to be more specific! Anne, the owner of Paper Patch Crafts has generously donated a $10 gift certificate to her fabulous online store! In order to win the candy you simply need to click the button to become a follower at my blog and leave a comment. It is mandatory that you also leave me your email address. While I do appreciate your blog address and will enjoy checking it out as well...I still need your email address so that if you should win I can notify you. Unfortunately if you neglect to, I will have to pick someone else.

I hope this project has inspired you! I also love your comments! Now, to continue onwards in this hop...go on over to Susan's Blog.

39 & Glamorous Blog Hop!

2011-04-14T23:00:00.016-06:00

Welcome to Heartstring Designs and The 39 & Glamorous Blog Hop!. You should be arriving here from Vickie, if you just stumbled here and would like to hop from the beginning, click HERE to start over. This is a fantastic hop with many very talented people and there are so many prizes! Along with the giveaways and surprises available at many of the hops there is also a line-up of sponsors that have kindly donated their products to some lucky winners. So, sit back, take your time and browse through all these amazing blogs and what they have to offer.
Before I get started and share with you my creation and a special bonus prize for EVERYONE who is hopping today, I wanted to send a special thank you to Bonnie for all her hard work and also to our sponsors.

(Retreat stay, MUST complete hop and challenge)

And now, here is what I created to share with you today. I decided to make something that I felt was sort of grungy-elegant. Would that be "grunegant"? Anyway, I used one of my very own digi-stamps, colored it with copic markers and added a lot of texturing and layering to create the card you see here. I absolutely love my ATG gun adhesive to make all those layers stay stuck!

I also used the Sweethearts Cricut Cart to cut out the lock and key. Let's take a closer look at the digi-stamp:

Would you like to have this digi stamp absolutely free? Well, you can have this one or any other one of your choosing simply by popping over to my stamp site, Shelley Bean Stamps. I have a promotion going there now where if you share my stamp site with your friends on your blog or social networking site, leave a comment that you did over there, I will personally send you the free digi of your choice. Seriously. That's all there is to it. What could be easier than that? It is my thank you for telling everyone about what I have to offer. Please remember in order to receive the free digi, you must pop over there to leave the comment.

But, hey...this isn't all about me. There are still a whole lotta wonderful blogs to hop through. So, you better get hoppin'!!

Next along the path is Janie

I hope you choose to visit my blog again. I would be very flattered if you decided to become a follower!

Paper Blossom Tutorial-Lilies

2011-04-10T03:06:00.001-06:00

As promised in yesterday's post, I created a tutorial on how I created the Lilies in my card from yesterday. To use some more of the blossoms, I also created a very simple scrapbook page of my Grandchild. I love this photo her mother took of her. I just want to grab and cuddle her right now! (The elements on the page really aren't crooked. I did some tweaking in my photoshop and the page is slightly tilted. I am not sure why I felt the need to explain other than it was bothering me after I loaded it on this post)

Supplies

McGills Paper Blossom Punches and Tool Kit

Cloud 9 Design Chocolate Swirl Paper

Colorbok Pink Retro Flowers Paper

Making the Grade Cricut Cartridge

Stampin-Up ink and marker-Rose Red

Diamond Stickles

I also created another card with a familiar theme for a lady at work that is retiring at the end of this month. This used up the rest of the lilies I had created yesterday.

Before I share the video tutorial I want to remind all my readers that I have a very special gift for everyone that takes the time to visit my stamp site, share my site on their blog post or social networking site and leaves a comment that they did. All will be given a free digi stamp of their choice. The selection is going to grow in the next few days, but if you see one you would like to own please mention it along with your email address in your comment after linking. I will be sending them out after this promotion is over with. Please take a moment and pop over there. Look around at the stamps I have to offer. As always, I offer free shipping on my rubberstamps too. Also, if you would like to become a follower (this is not mandatory) I would be very honored. Here's the link: Shelley Bean Stamps

And now the video tutorial. I hope it helps you in making your own paper blossoms!

Trying Out A New Look

2011-04-09T17:41:00.001-06:00

I have had my design blog for over a year now and decided it was time to clean out the cobwebs and put on a new face. What do you think? I would like your feedback. I also am excited because I have something special going on over at my stamp site that I wanted to share with my readers. I am offering a free digital image to everyone who visits my stamp site, shares the link on their blogs or social networking site and goes back to leave a comment there. Please tell everyone...they can get in on the freebie too! I haven't decided yet when I will end this special give-away, but don't wait too long. I am working on some new digi's to add to the site for sale and of course, I always have my red rubber unmounted stamps available as well. Please, won't you stop by and leave some love?

Shelley Bean Stamps.

I have a video tutorial in the making that I hope to post soon on this site. I finally bought the tool kit I needed to make the Paper Lillies and can finally demonstrate. Stay tuned! :)

Crochet Mini Flower Tutorial

2011-04-06T15:57:00.000-06:00

Today I wanted to share with you a scrapbook page I created of my darling little grand-daughters birth day. I adore the way her little face is all scrunched up in the photos as she gazing up to her daddy's face in such consternation!

The page layout was inspired because of a challenge going on at Paper Patch Crafts that requires the use of the colors red, tan and olive green and a touch of lace or ribbon. Please join in on the challenge. It is going on through the 16th of this month. There are always prizes going on over there for challenges, so please join Paper Patch Craft's facebook page if you haven't already. Tell Anne that Shelley T sent you. (Another design team member is Shelley P and we are always confused who is who! :) ) I wanted to mention that I think I must be the last person in the United States that wasn't aware how handy Walgreen's Photo Center is when it comes to having your digital images made into photos. I uploaded a few photos to the store that is only 1 block from my home and had them in my hand within an hour! What a great world this is! I give up on faulty printing with my home printer and expensive ink cartridges. This was so easy..and inexpensive!

The red scalloped circle paper has a sheen to it that makes the paper look pinkish in the photo. I am always so disappointed when my lack of photography skills doesn't do credit to the way something looks. I made the scallop using my cricut and the Forever Young cart. The circle was cut with Plantin Schoolbook. I used my cool Sew Easy for the stitching I did around the circle. I lifted the idea of the alpha buttons from my friend Anne's video tutorial over at her blog. I wanted to add some green ribbon for embellishment but didn't have the right color or width for what I needed so improvised by using mulberry paper to make the pleated ribbon. I really liked the effect it gave. I finished off my project with a few of the cute little crochet flowers I made. I hot glued a little green crochet trim to resemble leaves for my flowers.
A tutorial on how to make these yourself is below. I hope you enjoy this project!

Supplies Used

Echo Park For the Record tablecloth

Echo Park For the Record Alpha Stickers

Sew Easy

Yarn/4mm crochet hook

All Occasion Card

2011-04-01T22:03:00.000-06:00

Oh how I love vintage and victorian things. I used to love to look through the pages of my fathers old turn of the century Sears and Roebuck Catalog. I loved the font faces and hand drawn renderings of items for sale. And wouldn't I love to get my hands on that catalog today...the vintage papers would make some very wonderful flowers.......(calm down Shelley!) At any rate, it inspired me many years ago to draw the image of the stamp I used for the card I am going to share today. The stamp company I designed for was named, Designs, Ink'd. I have searched the net and can't find that store any longer. If anyone knows what became of them or can locate their stamps online, you will find a goldmine because they are beautiful.

You can view the video where I demonstrated how to make the ribbon roses by looking here. I love them! Once you get the hang of it, they are a cinch! The image was colored with my copic markers. I really need to do some more copics tutorials. Anyone interested?

The recipe of my materials is below. Many thanks to Paper Patch Crafts for supplying the wonderful paper and ribbon used in the project.

Recipe

Echo Park Fancy Floral Paper

Maya Road Crochet Trim

Basics Rhinestones

Copic Markers

Maya Road ATC Shadow Box

2011-03-30T17:48:00.000-06:00

I am really excited to share with you a new altered art project I finished recently. Being on the design team for Paper Patch Crafts has really given me an opportunity to try out new products and explore new creative possibilities. This month Anne sent me this adorable Shadow Box from Maya Road. It measures 8.75x8x1 and contains 6 compartments that are ATC (Artist Trading Card) dimensions.

When I received the box I really thought I would create something of my children, but as it started to take on vintage characteristics and I poured through old photos of my childhood I knew it had to be about the year I was born.

I started by coloring the box with Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Vintage Paper and Old Paper. I then applied Crackle Accents to the exposed surfaces to give it a more distressed look.

The Vintage Keys and butterfly were also colored with the distress inks and more crackle added to them as well. The number tiles were made with the Tim Holtz Fragments and stickers included in the Echo Park For the Record packet. All of the papers, stickers and word tags used in this project are included in that same collection.

The organza roses and Tickets are also from Maya Road. The mini picture frame and tea cup are mine from my doll house furnture collection.

A technique I thought I would share that you may enjoy trying is photo tinting. I scanned a picture that I wanted to work with and then printed the photo on cardstock. Using copic markers and ink pads I lightly colored in the eyes, lips and cheeks on the photo below. It is very light. Another fun thing you can do is color in one item if interest only. Such as the eyes, an object being held, or a focal point in the photo. You can experiment with your favorite photos by changing the tones to Sepia or black and white and then experimenting. Your original photo is spared any mistakes and you can get the look you are trying to achieve.

the colorization doesn't show very well here, but the look is very subtle and vintage.

The word tag was also crackled to give it an aged look. The sweet little resin flower from Maya Road was a nice way to balance it out.

Supply List of items available for purchase at Paper Patch Crafts

Echo Park For the Record

Maya Road ATC Shadow Box

Maya Road Organza Rose Ribbon, Resin Flowers, Butterflies, Mini-Tickets

Kaiser Kraft wooden Embellishments

Birthday Challenge

2011-03-27T10:34:00.001-06:00

There is a mini-weekend challenge going on now at Paper Patch Crafts. The theme is a fun, bright and cheerful birthday card that contained either one balloon, cupcake, hat, or piece of cake. I dug through some old stamps I had and disovered the fun cupcake set I bought many years ago from Stampin'Up. I outlined the stamped images with my Copic Multiliner to make the image pop a little bit more. The kitty stamp is even older and I can't recall the company I bought it from.

The embossing folder for the background is Tiny Mosaics, I used Stampin' Up inks for the cupcake and colored my kitty with copics markers. Some random sparkle was added with stickles. The tag was stamped in ink, gone over with a gluepen and then loaded up with tiny micro beads to add some texture and extra wow to the project. In reality the micro-beaded text looks more sharp and detailed than it actually photographed. My son's birthday is this coming Wednesday so I think I will give this card to him...otherwise I may have added a ribbon or bow to make it a little sweeter...but 24 year old men don't usually appreciate that little extra touch. :)

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Special Thoughts Mini-Book

2011-03-25T19:05:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday everyone! I wanted to participate in another fun challenge going on over at Paper Patch Crafts. We would love for you to join in. Here is the sketch:

I decided to make mine into a mini-book. Using the directions I posted at this link, I created my mini book out of 1 sheet of paper. The cover I decorated with the super cool Echo Park Collection Kit, For the Record and he cute little tickets are from Maya Road. All these supplies were purchased at Paper Patch Crafts. You should check out Anne's new store...there are a lot of fun things happening there all the time!

My intention is to use this book for jotting down inspiring and uplifting things I hear, read or see in my life. I have even created a couple little pocket pages to stuff in little mementos that might strike me as worth keeping. My ultimate wish is that it will inspire me to be a more positive person and enjoy the simple things this life has to offer since there is so much emphasis on the negative lately.

So, I encourage everyone to get out their paper and whip one of these up for themselves. We could all use something uplifting in our lives.

New Flower Tutorials!

2011-03-20T19:22:00.000-06:00

A co-worker asked me to decorate an album cover for her that she needed for some birthday profiles she wanted displayed at work. She wanted to use a basic standard sized notebook for the shell. I decided after I purchased the notebook that it needed to be covered in something a little more durable than paper since I wasn't sure how much it would be handled. I bought some duck cloth at my hobby store which has a canvas like quality, and covered the outside of the notebook with that and covered the interior with a heavy weight paper. I didn't take any photos of the inside, but I did make sure all of the vinyl covering of the notebook was thoroughly covered. I used some inks to age the outside of the canvas and then created flowers for the cover.

I have demonstrated the mini paper roses previously at this link. I also bought the Maya Road chipboard butterfly at Paper Patch Crafts. You can buy a package of these here. I covered the butterfly in coordinating paper, added some gems for the body and wire to finish it off.

Below are some videos on how I made the large Ruffled Rose and also the ribbon roses. I hope you enjoy and try your hand at making these too!

Baby Boy Card

2011-03-17T20:27:00.001-06:00

A friend at work is expecting her 1st baby, and the co-workers decided to get together and surprise her with a gift. Well, guess who gets to make the card? (I actually volunteered.) I hope I do everyone proud! I used the New Arrival Cricut cartridge and made this cute little giraffe. I added some light blue rhinestone eyes and chalked in some rosy cheeks. The papers are from Close to my Heart (I think) and the card base is Bazzil cardstock. Can you guess what she is expecting?

It's fairly simple, but I think sometimes simple can be exactly the perfect message you want to convey!

Get Well Challenge

2011-02-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

Over at Paper Patch Crafts there is a challenge going on to create a Get Well card using this Sketch:

I recently learned how to make paper lilies, and so I wanted to try my hand at these for this card. Here is what I came up with:

I used the McGill Star Lily Punch and the Starburst to create the flowers and the leaves. I will likely do a tutorial on it soon. I had to improvise a little bit because I didn't have all the tools required to make it, but in the end I think it worked out. The font is one I found for free online. I can't recall the name of it, but I loved all the flourishes of it and think it turned out quite beautiful for the effect I was going for. The colors seem a little muted in the photo...I can't find my camera battery charger anywhere and so had to rely on my phone camera to take the picture. Fingers crossed I find that charger soon!!

The Challenge is going on now through March 4th. She has a really nice prize for the winning card...This Echo Park Kit! Come and join the fun! Tell her I sent you. :)

More mini albums!

2011-02-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

Awhile back I showed you a new mini-album that I made for my son Jeremy and his wife Kristiana. I also promised I would finish 2 more albums for my other 2 sons and their wives and finally I have them completed! Whew...what a time-consuming labor of love! I will show you all in a minute, but first I want to share with you all what an exciting February 13th I had! My 2nd son, Brandon called me on the 12th and said he and Elisha wanted to come over and visit me on the 13th and bring me a birthday cake. Well, my birthday happens to be the 21st, but who am I to turn down cake, let alone a visit from my kids. When they showed up....here is what the cake looked like:

Cute cake. Except...they don't have any children and....well...I had a 'duh' moment for a second or 2 before it dawned on me I get to be a Grandma AGAIN! Yay!! Love you kids!! Here is the album I made for them:

Brandon & Elisha

lots of pictures ahead. :)

This is the cover. The flowers are handmade. I cut various flower shapes with the Forever Young cartridge, coated them with spray starch and used my heat tool to dry them and manipulate them a bit to shape. I then built them up by layers with little glue dots. I also added a few mini roses from a past tutorial. The flourishes are done with my I-Rock tool. I added a lot of foo-foo fun stuff on the edge and some Tim Holtz corners to finish it off.

The paper inside this album is all from the Colorbok Neutral pack. The paper is already foiled and embossed in places so I added just a little here and there extra to make it a bit more special. I included a special tag in the front of all the albums explaining the album a little and encouraging them to add to it. The Paper-Bag mini's have lots of pockets and I made tags to go inside for them to add their own journaling or pictures.

More improvising on making each page a litte different. I used various stamps and flowers here and there to add interest. The ribbon was added as a sort of corner grabber for the photos.

I added a butterfly into the crease on the page fold so the wings would open and close. There are a lot of extra pockets as well.

I covered some of my flowers with clear embossing powder and using the heat gun, added a lot of shine and thickness to the petals. I also created the waterfall photo display at the right. If you pull the string at the bottom, all of the photos flip upwards. I will show more about this on a later post.

There can't be too many tags! I added some fun rosette flowers for my tag toppers and finished them off with a heart covered in Glossy accents.

Another pocket with a photo tag.

I tried my hand at making some flourishes with puff paint. This will take a lot more practise!

I had crocheted the back of the flower. I thought it had an heirloom appeal to it.

But, wait...that is not all! Here is my 3rd Album! While we were all enjoying the cake together on the 13th, my oldest son and his wife showed up and then my 3rd son showed up too! That was such a surprise because he and his wife live in Washington State where he is stationed in the Coast Guard. I had no idea they were even in town...they wanted to surprise me! Here is their album:

Jordan & Olivia's Album

The cover is much like the previous one.

I decided this album would be more bright and colorful. The papers are from K & Company and the paper is called Citronella.

I found this adorable daisy ribbon at Walmart. The flower I made at Archivers this morning. They are having a free make and take and the tag was one of their projects. I thought it worked out in this album perfectly!

Here is a close up. The petals are made with the McGill petal punch. Love it. Of course, I had to buy it!

Some more flowers that were heat embossed to make them more vivid in color.

Lots of variety going on here. I used the Tim Holtz fragments to cover a few photos here and there.

Isn't she lovely?

Another waterfall photo display

Tags and pockets everywhere.

Finally...the winners. And Pajama Party results!

2011-02-11T22:54:00.002-07:00

Whew..where did the week go? I finally have the 5 winners for my free digi stamp for last weekends blog hop, and they are....

Cute card, I really like the inside. I am now a follower.

Hugs,

Melissa D

Kimmarie Baker said...

Happy 21st to your son! That is a cute "hog" for sure. I like how you did the inside too.

Debbie Kissel said...

I love the idea of doing 10 reasons-- my grandkids would love it!

I am a follower-- and enjoy your postings

EllenM said..

Your top ten list cracks me up and I just love that little hedgehog cut. TFS and thanks for the chance to win your very pretty digistamp. New follower and I'd love it if you were to follow me too.

ScrappinAnn said...

Hurray for February birthdays! Love your card and your description on how and why you made it is great!

I am a new follower and I will be back!

Please visit my blog to see why I love February!

Tonight I participated in a really fun Pajama party over at Paper Patch Crafts. It was a blast! Anne had challenges and games to play and despite problems with facebook we had a lot of fun. There were 3 card challenges that I participated in and I thought I would share them with you here tonight. There is plans to continue the party again tomorrow so I encourage everyone to go and join in on the fun over at the Patch!

The first card was Easter themed. We were encouraged to use pastel colors and include a chick, egg or bunny. I opted for the bunny. I used the Easter 2010 cartridge for Cricut and cut out 4 exact copies of the bunny on heavy cardstock. I then layered them together to create a faux chipboard effect.

I might add, we were given just 30 minutes to make these cards. Now, THAT is a challenge! (although, I do believe Anne allowed some extra time for everyone if they needed it)

The 2nd card had a theme that was: Wacky, Tacky and Weird. Oh my gosh...you should have seen some of the hilarity that ensued! I was laughing so hard. I myself couldn't think of anything that clever and so decided to take a literal approach. I free-handed a thumb tack and then colored it in with my copic markers. The rest is pretty much self-explanatory!

The final card was themed Funky Birthday Card. Well, I think I was still in my tacky and weird frame of mind, but here is what I threw together:

I used the Forever Young Cartridge for the glasses. They look similar to ones my mom used to wear in the late 60's...unbelievably...hers were orange though!!

So anyway, that is what I was up to this evening. It was fun. Come join us!! The birthday card challenge is still open and there are prizes to be won. Check it out! See you there. :)

Birthday Blog Hop! Have a Hoggy Birthday!

2011-02-04T22:00:00.003-07:00

Hello and welcome here from the fun blog stop at DD's blog. If you want to start all the way at the beginning of this VERY large and exciting hop you can go all the way back to Meighan's Blog.

Have a Hoggy Birthday...well, Ground "hog" Day anyway. Yes, February 2nd has now come and gone this very week, and many would not perhaps consider it a worthy holiday for Birthday wishes. But, this day happens to my son Jordan's birthday. He was kind enough to his mom on February 2nd back in 1990 not to try to climb back in after he saw his shadow! (thank you son!) My boy is now officially a man! He turned 21 and so I decided to get creative with my cricut and whip out a cute little card to send to him.

I of course had to give my Create a Critter cartridge some use. I couldn't find an actual groundhog but decided the hedgehog was fairly close....it has "hog" in it's name. Right?

I also cut out the "21"using the Sweet Treats Cartridge because I couldn't find exactly what I wanted the outside of the card to say. I kept thinking over some good lines from the movie, "Groundhog's Day"...my top 2 picks were:

"I like to see a man of advancing years throwing caution to the wind. It's inspiring in a way."

and

"This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather."

But, in the end I decided to put the funny on the inside.

And so, there you have it. It's simple and sweet as things usually are when made with the cricut and that's the beauty of it. I hope you enjoy this and the other posts. There is still a lot more to see so please check out the next stop along this birthday hop with Melanie.

But wait...that's not all! What's a birthday hop without some birthday presents? I am going to give away one of my digi-stamps to 5 lucky (albeit random) visitors. All you have to do is leave a comment below and become a follower at my blog (if you aren't already) and I will let random generator choose 5 winners of the digi-stamp below. This is original and drawn by me, and just in time for your Valentine's crafting.

Here is the full line-up of all the blogs on this hop. Have a blast! I know I am!
1. Meighen - http://scrappin3rdeeschik.blogspot.com/
2. Jennifer - http://creativearmywife.blogspot.com/
3. Liset - http://www.hailemnat.blogspot.com/
4. Jill - http://thescrapoholic.blogspot.com/
5. Pam - http://pammejo-scrapbookflair.blogspot.com/
6. Jess - http://www.kinderstampo.com/
7. Dawn - http://www.pinkyswrspaper.blogspot.com/
8. Tracey - http://thecroppingcanuck.blogspot.com/
9. Martha - http://pattisscrapingtime.blogspot.com/
10. Janie - http://www.typicalscrapbooker.com/
11. Madison - http://www.funkycards.blogspot.com/
12. Shannon - www.purplelionpaper.com/blog
13. Jenny - http://jennyplace26.blogspot.com/
14. Christine - http://www.scrapbookingtechnique.blogspot.com/
15. Jessica - http://www.thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
16. Corri - http://www.buglvr.blogspot.com/
17. Lisa - http://bitbythecricutbug.blogspot.com/
18. Cristina -http://www.craftingwithcristina.com/
19. Chris -http://stinkydogdesigns.blogspot.com/
20. Nancy - http://fancywithnancy.blogspot.com/
21. A Scrap Above - http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com/
22. Holly - http://www.kricutkween.blogspot.com/
23. Danielle - http://fundamentalchange.blogspot.com/
24. DD - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
25. Shelley - http://heartstring-designs.blogspot.com/ THAT'S ME!
26. Mel - http://scrappymel.blogspot.com/
27. Kathy - http://kathyscozies.blogspot.com/
28. Ellen - http://lifeatwalnuthill.blogspot.com/
29. Alina - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com/
30. Liz - http://www.lizspaperloft.blogspot.com/
31. Denise - http://deesdesignsfrommyheart.blogspot.com/
32. Nicole - http://canadiannickelscrapn.blogspot.com/

Love Mini Album

2011-01-29T22:20:00.001-07:00

Hello, I am really excited to share with you the latest mini-album I made. This is the 1st in a series of 3 that I am making for my sons and their wives. So, if any of them are looking at my blog today, they are getting a sneak-peek of what I intend to give to them. This is a project I have meant to do for quite a few months and when Anne from Paper Patch Crafts sent me some of her wonderful supplies to work with for the Valentine season, I knew this would be a golden opportunity to get started.

The materials used were obtained from Paper Patch Crafts. I am fortunate to be on the design team there and so have such a blast working with the supplies that are sent. I am in love with mini-albums lately and this one was made from paper lunch sacks and Kaiser Crafts' After 5 and Love Notes Collection. I also used a few prima flowers here and there and then because I wanted to try to stay exclusive with her supplies, I created my own flowers as shown on the cover. This is the video I followed if you want to try your hand at making these flowers yourself.

I hope you enjoy browsing through the photos I took of this album, and also have a little video to go along with it if you would like to hear more details about this album. Here is a link to instructions on making the basic albums from 4 lunch sacks.

My Love Mini Album Video

Please leave me your feedback. I would love to hear what you think?

Introducing Brinnsen

2011-01-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

On this cold and foggy Saturday morning I took some time to sit down in my craft room and create this beautiful scrapbook page. I am not usually very boastful about my scrappin' abilities but today I am very proud and pleased with what I was able to create. This is a photo of my beautiful grandbaby, Brinnsen. This photo was taken when she was only a couple months old by her parents and I think it is lovely. They then turned it into thank you card/announcement cards to hand out to family and friends.

Since there is a handwritten message on the back of the card I knew I didn't want to tape the photo down so had been debating the best way to show it off in an album without ruining that treasured message. I decided to use the polka-dot corners from Kaiser Craft to mount the photo card and I think it worked perfectly!

Let me share with you the supplies I used. Anne from Paper Patch Crafts supplied the beautiful papers and prima flowers. The papers are Kaiser Craft After Five. I think they are very elegant, don't you? The pink background paper was some I already had on hand, but I think it worked beautifully with the Kaiser Craft papers.

I used my sewing machine to stitch around the outside edges of the page to help to draw the eye back into the story going on at the center of the page.

I hope you enjoy this page. Please let me know what you think!

Love and Stuff!

2011-01-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

I have missed all of you. Forgive me for being absent from my blog for so long. During the holidays I think I over did things and haven't been on track since then. After an email from a concerned and loving friend though, I am trying to repair my ways and get back in here and give my poor lonely blog some love. What better way than to create a "loving" card to get right in the mood!

I was very fortunate to receive some awesome supplies provided by Anne at Paper Patch Crafts. The products are made by Kaiser Craft from their Love Notes Collection. They are absolutely gorgeous papers too. Here is a card I made. It seriously went together so fast! There is a plastic overlay on top of the card and I added my own embellishment by cutting the heart with my Cricut using the Sweet Hearts Cart.

Please check out Anne's Store Paper Patch Crafts to buy these and other awesome cardmaking and scrapbooking supplies!

More fun things coming soon!

Lunar Eclipse and Gift Giving...

2010-12-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

What better thing to do while you are trying to stay awake while waiting for a Lunar Eclipse? Make gift boxes! Of course! First of all, check out this awesome shot I got of the eclipse by holding my camera up to a pair of binoculars:

Pretty awesome, isn't it? My hands were shaking so hard in the cold that it was difficult to hold the camera steady. But, it was very beautiful. Now, on to crafting....

Using the Martha Stewart Score Board you can make some really cute gift boxes. It's super easy too! All the dimensions and where to score is included in her handy-dandy guide located inside the score tool storage area. I used 2 sheets of 12x12 paper to make this box for a co-worker Secret Santa gift. I then added a few embellishments to deck it out. It's a great alternative to something different than a standard gift bag or christmas wrap.

Caramel Treat Bags

2010-12-18T14:07:00.001-07:00

It's the last Saturday before Christmas and here I am finally making my cards and treats. I am typically more prepared than this, but it's been a crazy month. I am fairly well pleased with the little toppers I made for my treats for co-workers this year though. I used the Doodlebugs Cricut cart to cut out the trees and embellished them with a little glam-rock and ran through my Embossing Boutique using the Swiss Dots folder. The ribbon was from Michaels and the stamp was from DOT's. The caramels are of course from ME. Recipe to follow:

I also made a few cards to send out that followed the same simple theme. Simple was the key word for me this year!

Microwave Caramels

1 Cube Butter

½ Cup Sugar

½ Cup Light Brown Sugar

½ Cup Light Corn Syrup

2/3 Cup Sweetened Condensed Milk

In a glass bowl, melt butter. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Microwave for 7 minutes (Stir after 3 minutes). Pour into buttered, 9x9 pan. Cool to room temperature. Chill, cut and wrap in wax paper or wax coated candy wrappers.

You may want to microwave 15 seconds less or 15 seconds longer to get the consistency you like. It may take a batch or two to determine which time works best in your microwave. For chewier caramels, microwave longer.

For a fun variation, add nuts before pouring into pan.

They were easy to make...the hardest part was wrapping them all! But the best part is eating them!!

Winner!

2010-12-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

I thought I would take a moment to announce the winner of the "It's a Small World Blog Hop". Using random generator it selected:

Melissa said...
What a gorgeous tag and thank you for sharing the history of St. Lucia!
Melissa
www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com
December 12, 2010 2:48 AM

Melissa, please send me an email with your physical address and I will send the prize right out to you.