Today's the Day!

It's the first post for my new position on the design team at Our Creative Corner!  Have you visited us there recently?  We have a whole new look, and new creative challenges - perfect for those of you wanting to expand your creative minds.  This week's challenge is to create a 3D item for Valentine's day. 

I did more of an altered 3D item.  I had a few jars of caramel sauce left over from the holiday's so I made one up to give to my sweet 'adopted' mom since I'm crashing at her house this weekend.  I used a huge variety of items on this, SU!, PTI, American Crafts...it's a smorgasboard of fun...  There's a card, a gift bag and the jar of DELICIOUS caramel saucve.  I'll have to share this recipe with you...

Jewel Inspiration

It's another card for the current Moxie Fab challenge.  This time it's the Jewel Tone challenge inspired by the Color Inspiration for Card Makers issue.  This crazy color combo was a struggle. 

I have all the colors in my paper arsenal, and even had a few new embellishments thanks to my WCMD win.  It took me a long time just to get this one card done.  Uggh...  At least its done now and I actually like how it came out!

Mono Inspiration

This is the last color challenge I'm doing for the current Moxie Fab Color Inspiration for Card Makers.  It's the monochromatic challenge that rings true to my heart...as the mom of 2 small girls...  We have all things pink here in my house and my paper crafting stash is no different. 

This card was simple to whip out, and I have a friend that just had a baby girl who will be the recipient of my current creation!

 Here is a closeup of the buggy.  I misted the card with Vintage Pink mist and really loved the effect!

Bold inspiration

Here is another card I created for the current challenges going on at Moxie Fab.  Have you been playing along too?  This card is for the Bold and Bright Color Inspiration challenge. 

I have to admit that this is a challenging combo for me.  I had so many different ideas, but nothing seemed very good.  I really don't like either one I made... This first creation is a re-make from another card I made from the original call. 

This second one I thought I'd make my own patterned paper with some pink Zing embossing powder I received from my Royalty win.  The effect on Pumpkin Pie paper is a bit eye crossing....

Neutral Inspiration

Here I am again, with another card inspired by the new Color Inspiration for Card Makers by Paper Crafts!  This one I have to say is one of my FAVORITE combinations.  Although, my Smoky sample didn't match the one Cath had up on Moxie Fab for this challenge, but I'm really ok with it.  I like her Smoky color much better.  This is for the Neutral Inspiration color group.

This card is a bit over kill...all the glitter...but I really like it.  Afterall, I am a glitter, girly-girl!

Metallic Inspiration

Have you picked up a copy of the new Paper Crafts Color Inspiration for Card Makers yet?  I have a few of my own creations gracing the pages of this special new edition!  Cath at Moxie Fab is hosting a few challenges based on some of the color combos featured in this magazine.  This is the first one I decided to tackle.

Pinkin,i Satin Wedding White and Metallic Gold.  I had a real hard time with this one when I was doing the call, but for some reason, it came pretty easy to me today.  My only problem was that my sewing maching is on the fritz...sob... and I had to add the ribbon to cover the holes left by my possesed Pfaff.  I can't give it too much grief, it is almost as old as I am!  Anyway, here's what I came up with;

I used Ranger Pearl Silver EP on the doily to give it the same shimmery look as the paper.  I love it!

Thanks for joining me today!!!  Don't forget, this Saturday is my first team post over at Our Creative Corner, come and join us!

Wow!

Thanks Cath!  She made me a winner on last weeks Trigger Tuesday with this card:

Isn't she sweet!  Thanks so much for honoring me!

Quick one

This is a quick little post.  I had started on this card over the weekend and set it aside because it wasn't working.  I just picked it up to make a quick card for Rob's Grandmother that just went back into the hospital.  I'm going to post it on the Moxie Fab Gray is the new Black challenge.

No school...

sick children and urgent care visits (3 in as many days) make Kristin a grumpy mommy.  'nuff said.

On to pretty things!  I made this first card earlier today, during the 40 minute non-existing nap my girls took.  I really like how it came out, so I think I'll submitt it to the Moxie Fab Gray is the New Black challenge that ends today.

This second card, I made over the weekend.  It's a fun card, and I used an old part of a card to whip it up in a few nimutes.  This also is for the challenge.

And now....

EEKKK!!!  I had scheduled this for 1:00 pm Friday, and here it is, 1:00 am Saturday, and it didn't post!  Sorry here it is...

The winner of my Big News & BIG Giveaway contest!  Thank you to everyone that participated, including these lovely ladies that posted my giveaway on their own blogs:

http://scrappininak.wordpress.com/
Kelly - Uniquely Me
Deb - The Crafty Wizard
Lisa - This N' That
Brenda - Mama's Making

Many of you had 3 entries!

I wrote down everyone's entry, put them in a bowl and

had Lily pick the winner, and it is....Lisa M!  Congratulations Lisa and thank you to everyone that participated in my giveaway!  Not to worry though, in cleaning out my craftin' spot, I found lots of goodies I forgot I had.  Now, I have a huge box filled with some yummy goodies to give away over the next few months so stay tuned!

It's Gray...

Not just the weather here in Ohio, but my new favorite color!  I have been busy creating for the Moxie Fab Gray is the New Black challenge.  Here is my first creation, Ivory and Gray, fun and shabby.  I finally broke down and purchased the Hodpodge Hardware through SU!, and boy am I glad I did!  You will be seeing more of these gorgeous items I'm sure in later creations.

Shabby Thanks
Cardstock: Going Grey, Basic Grey (SU!)
Stamp sets:  French Script & Houndstooth (SU!); Daffodil Delight (sentiment - PTI)
Ink:  Going Grey, Basic Grey (SU!)
Ribbon:  Offray lace
Accessories:  Dress form (Hambly rub-on); Hodpodge Hardware (SU!); ivory buttons

It's So Pretty

Have you checked out this weeks' Moxie Fab Trigger Tuesday?

Oh, it's luscious...I love brown and grey together.  It's so chic and classic at the same time.  Like this dress ...the 3rd one in the photo montage...from my secret obsession show, The Fashion Show on Bravo.  The back is even prettier, but they don't show it on the website.  Anyway, I digress...

When I saw the inspiration photo I knew I had put the kleenex aside and get craftin!  I used the color palette for my inspiration on both, but the first one is more of a direct interpretation of the photo.

This was my first...and favorite of the two...creation this afternoon.  I really like the grey on the suede, very pretty! And now the second, and least successful creation

I don't think I like the the addition of the Sahara Sand to this card.  I may have to rework it later.

Achoo...

Ahhh....Sinus infection, bronchitis, phlem.  What my days are made of, as of late.  I spend yesterday morning at urgent care and the rest of the day in bed.  A whole day lost.  At least I'm 90% done with my crafting spot re-furbishment, I just need a trip to IKEA for some shelves and storage pieces.  That will have to wait a day or two, the roads are pretty bad.

Now onto one of my exciting announcements today! ...the other one will be later today...  I have joined my first design team!!!  I am SO very excited to be a part of Our Creative Corner's team.  They have a whole new team and a whole new look.  I missed being able to create something for this weeks challenge...you know, illness...but will have something to contribute to next week's post!  If you haven't been there in a while, come check us out!

On a housekeeping note...I will be announcing the winner of my giveaway later this afternoon!  Sorry to keep you waiting...

Where does the time go?

I can't believe that January is half over...so much to do...  Finish organizing my craftin' spot...yes, I'm on day 5...  magazine calls, challenges, clean my bathroom, send out PTO stuff; at least the laundry is washed, folded and put away...for now...  I did just get some very exciting news that I'll discuss with you on Friday, my giveaway is awarded that day too!  Make sure you enter here...

Here is a cute little project I did for the last PC call, it didn't make the cut, but I thought it was cute!  The theme of that call was 'girlfriends', and this card completely represents my BF Cristy and I.  Can you tell we're fun?

The Perfect Pair
Cardstock: (Daffodil Delight, Whisper White) SU!; (Waterberry) Bazzil

Patterned paper: (DeLovely Elements) Cosmo Cricket
Stamps…rubber, foam, clear: (Hangin’ Out) Taylored Expressions
Ink…dye, pigment, solvent, watermark, chalk: (Basic Black) SU!
Sticker: (Cintronella Drinks Grand Adhesion) K& Company
Fibers: (orange grosgrain) SU!
Embossing folders: (polka-dots) PTI

Finished size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Instructions
1. Cut and fold card. Emboss Daffodil Delight and adhere to card front. Cut strip of Waterberry and adhere to card front. Cut DeLovely element and adhere.
2. Add ribbon and sticker embellishments.
3. Stamp sentiment on Whisper White cardstock and adhere with foam dots.

Thick or Thin?

If you've been following for a while, you know I have been busy trying to loose weight.  Everyday is a struggle, I mean, if I was naturally thin, I wouldn't have to change my eating habits, would I?  I joined Jenny Craig in September and am now down 40 lbs...yea, only 40 more to go... and my girlfriend joined Nutrisystem 2 weeks later.  It's been a struggle for both of us these last 5 weeks, with the holidays and trying to get back on track.  We've been each other's supprt, so I thought this could be the perfect card for her...

Now, don't forget to enter in my giveaway!  The deets are HERE.
Thick and Thin
Cardstock: (Whisper White) SU!; (Soft Sky) SU! - retired

Patterned paper: (Rock Creek Gardens – The color of Memories) American Crafts
Stamps clear: (Family) Stampology; ( ) PTI
Ink…dye: (Soft Suede) SU!
Color media…markers: (yellow, green and brown) Copic; (Rose Red) SU!
Accent: (Diamonds, Pink) Stickles
Other: (tape measure)
Finished size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Instructions
1. Cut and fold card. Cut 2’ strip of patterned paper, adhere at bottom of card. Cut and adhere tape measure to card.
2. Stamp 2 women symbols. Stamp sentiment on separate cardstock, cut out and adhere to Soft Sky frame. Color in selected words. Attach with foam dots.
3. Ink cupcake stamp with markers and stamp. Cut out and embellish with Stickles. Attach with foam dot.

Wanna hang?

Who has a quirky sense of humor?  Well I can...sometimes...so I made this card to celebrate it!  How silly and fun is this?  Wouldn't it make a great invite for a small party with your best girlfriends.  I think I may have to whip up a few more and host a party myself...

Girls Hangin' Out

Cardstock: (Soft Sky) SU! – retired; (Barely Banana, Blushing Bride, Wild Wasabi) SU!

Patterned paper: (Spring – Growing Green) American Crafts; (Olivia & Oliver) Basic Grey
Stamps…rubber, foam, clear: (Hangin’ Out) Taylored Expressions; (Places Please, Place Card frame)PTI
Ink: (Basic Black, Soft Suede) SU!
Color media…markers; (red, yellow, green) COPIC
Accent: (teal buttons); (red rhinestone and white pearl)Kaiser Craft
Fibers: (white string); (hemp twine)
Dies; (place card die) PTI
Tool: (ticket corner punch) SU!
Finished size: 5x7

Instructions
1. Cut and fold card base. Cut cloud patterned paper to 4.5x6.5. Cut coordinating cardstock frame and adhere to card base. Set aside.
2. Tread buttons with hemp twine and adhere to card to create a clothesline.
3. Stamp and cut out 5 bra images. Adhere along clothesline.
4. Die cut place card and stamp frame image. Use ticket corner punch on the corners. Stamp sentiment and flower image. Color in flower with markers.
5. Adhere place card die to card with foam dots.

Friend to Friend...

Hello, how are you?  My dear friend, I thought I would make you a little card.  It has a great little gift attached!  That cute little flower is removable, wear it in your hair, or on a cute blouse, perhaps on your purse?  The oportunities are endless.  I hope you enjoy it, I really liked making it for you!

Friend to friend
Cardstock: (Soft Sky) SU! – retired; (Whisper White) SU!

Patterned paper: (Savor – Kitchen Medley) Little Yellow Bicyle
Stamps; (Teeny Tiney Wishes) SU!
Ink; (Soft Suede) SU!
Accent: (red button)
Fibers: (white felt and green satin fabric) ; (white thread) ; (yellow polkadot ribbon)
Font: (name) website or source
Dies: (hot air ballon, leaf) PTI
Tool: (sewing machine) PFAFF; (corner rounder) SU!

Instructions
1. Cut and make card. Cut patterned paper and attach to card base. Run a stitch along pattern. Set aside.
2. Die cut 6 balloon shapes from felt. Using fabric glue, fold each in half and pinch at the bottom. Trim the basket off each petal and assemble in a flower shape. Attach a hair clip.
3. Die cut leaf from green satin and adhere to the back of the flower.
4. Adhere the ends of a strip of ribbon to the inside of the card along the patterned paper. Attach embellishment to the strip of ribbon.

Designer Tips
• Attach a hair clip to the back of your handmade embellishment and clip to a strip of ribbon on the card.

Flashback

It's been a while since I've gone back in the archives.  It was fun to see how my style has evolved!  There is a great new challenge blog out there called Flashback Friday.  Instead of creating a card for this challenge,  you go back into your archives and pick one from a previous post on your blog!  This is a fun site for the time-challenged - just re-post! 

This week's challenge is for glitterific cards.  I used to use glitter on every creation, in one way or the other.  This one has lots of glitter, the problem is that it didn't photograph well...does glittler ever photograph well?...  I made this when I was pregnant with my youngest.  Here is the original post from May 2008.

Phelm...

...that's how it's spelled, right?....I think my entire body is filled with the goopy stuff.  I've been very fuzzy for 3 days now, and now have some good pharmacuticals to make me better.  I did spend the day in bed and my dear sweet hubby brought me Chicken Noodle Soup from Bob Evans...the best for curing what ails you...  I'm just waiting for them both to kick in.

Here is a little something I submitted to Paper Crafts Magazine for their last call.  This was for their Girlfriend Gifts and creative use of a die categories.  These are the Hot Air Balloon dies from PTI.  I thought it was pretty ingenius!

Book Page Earrings

Other paper: (Antique book paper) MFR

Accent: (black pearls) Michaels
Dies: (Hot Air balloon die) PTI
Other: (earing and 2’ head Pins) Jewelry Essentials by Horizon; (rounded needle nose pliers) SU!
Finished size: 2 ½” long

Instructions
1. Die cut 24 small hot air balloons. Score and fold each one in half.
2. Assemble 12 balloons together side by side so all folds are stacked one upon the other. Adhere the ends together to form a 3D shape. Repeat resulting in 2 forms.
3. Slide a black pearl on 2’ head pin, then slide on the 3D shape, follow with pearl. Using pliers, create a loop at the top. Attach to earring form.

Where o' where...

has my Shabbiness gone?  I am missing you, my shabbolocity, you fun and fabulous little spirit of mine.  I need you back, you are a part of me.  We worked so well together.  Don't you remember?

Look at what your absence has done to me....

See?  Please come back...quickly! 

This is for the Play Date Cafe's current challenge, using grass green, gold and silver.  I was really excited about using this fantastic green draon fly I picked up, isnt it cute?  Trying a little Melissa Phillips type creation?  UGGGHH, not even close to the fabulocity of the reigning shabby gueen.   Perhaps next week.

Shabbiless thank you
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Wild Wasabi
Other Paper:  White Vellum
Ink:  Encore Silver and gold, Wild Wasabi
Ribbon:  Offray silver satin
Other:  Tattered Angels Alpha frames; white button; gold wire; dragonfly ornament (Walmart)

Oh what fun!

1/11/11 - oh what fun!  Ok on to the real stuff...

The cleaning of the craftin' spot isn't done yet.  I guess 2 days wasn't enough.  Don't they say a messy desk represents an orgainized mind? ...or so I'd like to think...  I did break through the paper and fabric sea long enough for me to get my craft on!

Continuing my New Year's goals, I am submitting some items to be a part of the Our Creative Corner Design team!  I have never been a part of a DT ...yet... and am eager to share all things paperlicious through my lil' ole blog. 

Now, I have to explain why I created what I did for their challenge.  This is the photo inspiration for their challenge.  A little white and black bird with red berries.  Adorable, right?  Well, not to me.  I am creeped out by birds...let me clarify...real birds.  I love graphic, adorable little birds that are mearly a representation of the real thing.  But real birds, the feathers, the pecking, the crazy leathery feet ....bleeeaaccckkkk....  I get the shivers just thinking about the real thing!  I'm weird, I know...  As I started pulling my black, white and red out, I couldn't get the image out of my head and again ....bleeeaaccckkkk.... I started to get creeped out!  So I scrapped doing a close representation of the photo and came up with these cards, with cute, non creepy little chickadees.  Perhaps I'll have to pull up my pantyhose and tackle it again tomorrow...

Sky Limits
Card stock: (Regal Rose, Rose Red) SU!
Patterned Paper: (City Park Royal Gardens) American Crafts
Ink: (Soft Suede, Baha Breeze) SU!
Stamp Set: (Up, Up & Away) PTI
Dies: (Clouds, Mat Stack 4) PTI
Ribbon: (olive grosgrain) SU!

Thanks Birdie

Card Stock; (Whisper White, Craft) SU!

Patterned Paper: (Linen Closes)DCMC

Ink: (Soft Suede) SU!; (Pretty in Pink Marker)SU!

Ribbon:  (teal seam binding) Me!; (pink lace ribbon) May Arts

Stickers: (Dear Lizzie) American Crafts

Other: (pink button); (doily) Wilton

My favorite colors...

Have I told you about my favorite color?  It is so fresh and wonderful.  I am lucky the paper industry has embraced my favorite color and it is now EVERYWHERE!!!  I'm talking about the most beautiful shade of blue.  Some call it Federal Blue.  SU! had Soft Sky a while back and now a darker hue of it called Baha Breeze.  PaperTrey Ink called it Aqua Mist.  I call it lovely...  This is why you see me use a lot of it.  Although, I am running out of my Soft Sky reserves...sob...and will have to use it more spareingly.  Anyway, when Our Creative Corner announced their challenge last week I was swooning to get the chance to make a lovely creation featuring this wonderful color, however, life got in the way of my crafting.  As did the pile of fabric, papers, stamps and exciting goodies that have been shipped in from my various publication wins! ...I don't mind that mess...  So here is what I would have made for their challenge last week.  They are having a DT call at the moment, did you know?  Have you gotten your creation in for them to consider?  Well, come and join me!

Lovely Thank You

Cardstock: (Baha Breeze) SU!; (white velum paper) SU!

Other paper: (Doily) Wilton

Stamps… clear: (Everyday Treats) PTI

Ink… pigment: (White craft) SU!

Embossing powder: (Winter White) SU!

Accent: (white buttons)

Fibers: (silver cord) SU!; burlap

Dies, embossing: (Mat stack 1) PTI ; (Swiss Dot) Cuttlebug


Don't foget to enter my drawing for $100 in free product!  Click on the link at the top!

Busy with paper?

What fun I have been having cleaning my craftin' spot....not really, I'm trying to be postive...  I've made it into a bigger project than it needed to be.  Moving my Mary Kay business things upstairs to the family office,  moving my sewing supplies downstairs to my craftin' spot.  It's been a very big undertaking, which has put my paper crafting on hold.  Bummer.  I am committed to having this space done right after my girlfriends leave tomrorrow morning so I can get my creativeness on!
Here's what I looking forward to doing this week down there:

• Finishing the current Paper Crafts call...did you get your creations done yet?...
• The Moxie Fab Gray is the New Black Challenge, and of course Trigger Tuesday
• A DT call at Our Creative Corner ...2 challenges, wish me luck!...
• My favorite challenges; Just us Girls, Mojo Monday, Color Throwdown , 2S4Y and Playdate Cafe, just to name a few.  It's been so long since I've been to any of these sites and I'm eager to join them for a fun time.

So, keep hangin in there until Monday, when the paper will start flyin'!

A year in review...

So I guess it's a time of reflection, the start of a new year.  It's been a good year all and all!  My family and I are happy and healthy, my husband has a good job, and I'm able to stay at home to care for him and the girls.  We are all very blessed to say the least!

I've had some great acknowledgements this year too!  I reached my publication goal - a card of mine in the Paper Crafts July/Aug issue and have had several more creations gracing the glossy pages throughout the year and more to come!  It's so exciting, it makes me so giddy every time I see them there!  I've also won a few online contests and magazine contests!  The highlights being Paper Crafts Stampin' Royalty Contest and the World Card Making Day contests.  Both have been such an honor, and gives me being locked up in my craftin' spot for so many hours validity.

I have also been much more diligent with keeping up here - occasional lapses, but on average at least I'm posting over 50% of the days each month.  I'm sprinkling a few of my favorite projects from this year, and items I won contests with. 

 

This is from the fundraiser I coordinated for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  All the ladies participated in a Craft Camp and we were able to raise $1500!

 

I have also been working on my health.  Since I was pregnant with my youngest, I have been having lots of arthritic pain in my hands, feet spine and shoulders.  Generally I would just write it off as a bad night of sleeping, but this summer I had many days when my hands and feet would swell, I wouldn't be able to walk or able to carry things (like my young daughter).  I was diagnosed with Psoratic Arthritis, a condition very similar to Rheumatoid, but a tad different.  My doctors recommended some very scary meds I didn't like, so I took matters into my own hands.  I began to actively loose weight by joining Jenny Craig on August 29th.  I am now down 40lbs - which helps with the arthritis pains, and on a new...less scary... medication that is helping with that and my psoriasis.  It's great to finally start to feel healthy and I'm looking forward to loosing the rest of my weight so I'm a hot little number!

So here are my crafty goals for this year:

• Be a part of a Design Team - I'll be working hard at this!
• Participate in more weekly challenges - I'm thinking at least 2 per week.  I'm really eager to get more time in the craftin' spot.
• Participate in more magazine calls - I missed a couple at the end of the year, so I'm really focused on getting
• Define my sense of style - I tend to go all over the place with my crafting so I want to really define my asthetic.

Well, that's it!  I hope you have all been working on your resolutions - keep focused - keep going.  I look forward to a year of crafty fun!