Bridal Bouquets

Another non-paper post here.  I was called in last week for an emergency bridal bouquet order for Capital Style, a local magazine here in Columbus.  They needed a bouquet for a bridal issue they are putting together.  They requested a ranunculus bouquet, so I whipped up 2 and added another fun one for some variety, you know, just in case...

This first one is a simple one with greens.  Not my favorite, but it's nice.

This one is my favorite!  I love the yellow ranunculus and I added some very open orange parrot tulips around the bottom blooms.  I love the contrast of the textures together.

The last one I made is from some gloriosa lilies the shop had left over from an event a week ago.  The flower is so weird, I thought I'd make an extra unexpected one.

I promise to have a paper related craft int he next couple days for you.  Thanks for visiting!

Delish Fish

Just a little culinary creation to share with you bleeps today.  Click here for this week's OCC post.

As a fine artist, I enjoy stretching my creative prowess to other things other than paper. Since  I'm a big fan of Ace of Cakes and all those fun cake shows, I tend to try create fun cakes too.  Here are a few I've posted here before.

This week I had a mom from Lily's school contact me to make a cake for her sons 6th birthday.  The theme - tropical fish.  *YIKES*    He didn't want a cake in the shape of a fish, but rather he wanted it to look like an aquarium.  That request had my brain frozen on what to make.  So I did what any other brain-blocked artist would do, find inspiration on line.  After much hunting, I came up with a few techniques and inspiration photos to show the family.  My favorite was one with a real fish bowl on the cake with a new pet included - veto on the pet, but the kid liked the cake.  Here's my rendition of it:

Admittedly the fish are plastic,and the rocks are jelly beans, but the rest is all me!  I got the idea for the coral from a Cake Boss episode.  They poured Isomelt on ice to make huge coral formations.  I've never used Isomelt, but have melted hard candies when baking window pane cookies and decided to go that route.  I crushed the candies, then melted them in the microwave - it worked!  I then poured the melted candy over crushed ice and this is what it made

Cool eh?  I tried it with melted chocolate too, not as cool looking but it does look like the coral you would buy at a tourist shop in Florida.

 Then I added the scuba guy 'cause it reminded me of an aquarium. 

I wasn't at the party, but my girlfriend was and she said the kids thought it was *awesome*!  Got to love when what you make is a hit with people other than yourself.  I was really pleased with how it came out.

Mom's Cameo

Hello again ladies!....or gents if you're out there....
Here I am again with another challenge post for Our Creative Corner!  This week our challenge is hosted by the super talented Anne Marie.  She has a great one for us this time, it's a "A Recipe for Mom" Mother's Day Challenge....say that 4x fast....  Here's the deets:

Create a project for Mother's Day using the following "recipe": 

*Embossing (wet or dry)

*Ribbon

*Buttons or Brads

*Watercoloring

 

Now - don't be like me and forget an important part of the recipe.  I was so focused on the watercoloring and the brads....both of which are rare in my creations....that I forgot to add the ribbon!  ....I do that with baking too, be careful eating my cupcakes....  I had to go back and add the ribbon and now I can't decide which I like better - with or without - What do you think?

 

Here are my recipe items: White embossing powder; rainbow ribbons; brads for the ponytails; water coloring for behind the cameos.  I was inspired to do the cameos from the Paper Crafts Magazine April Gallery Challenge that ended - well, yesterday.  Check out this creation without the ribbon in the challenge gallery here.

Alright, now it's your turn to whip up something yummy following Anne Marie's recipe.  Get to it!

 

P.S.  Be sure to check out all the other DT creations this week, their delish!

 

Linda Coughlin- The Funkie Junkie

Vicki Burdick- It's a Stamp Thing

Sue Butler- Scrumplescrunch
Anita Houston- The Artful Maven Haven

Anne Marie Hile- Stampin' Anne

Wendy Janson-  It's All About Stamping
Marcy Kaminski - En Papillote Arts
Holly Kean- Kean On Paper 
Irena Kowalczyk (aka Rudlis) - Love, Life and Crafts
Meihsia Liu- Simply Paper Crafts
Tui Nathan- Stampin Time
Lori Rider- The Diva Stamper
Kristin Tierney- Lilly Beth Boutique

Sharon Wheet- Designs by Sharon

Clean...or not...

So, remember how I said that my craftin' spot was cleaned?  Well, it's not now.  Not only is it not clean, but it was the location for my daughters 8th birthday slumber party!  SO, I had to take a few things down, move tables, add chairs, decorate and such - that it is now again a bit of a disaster.  Not anything I can't recover from in a matter of a couple hours, but I'm kind of avoiding cleaning right now....well, all the time....

Here's some photos of the fun time the 13 girls had at the sleep over and how it looked for them.  I didn't have time to take the photos myself, so I asked my budding photographer....aka hubby....to take them.  He got a new fancy camera for his sports photos and he was eager to play around with it.  He has a very analytical mind so his ideas of photos are more practical than artistic and 'ambiance' inspired.  At least I got some photos and I do appreciate his efforts.  

He didn't get the adorable signage at the bottom of the stairs that Lily made, where I put a headboard and mock bed to welcome the girls down.  OR the absolutely adorable paper poufs and paper lanterns I hung all around for extra color, since these photos were taken wehn I was about 80% done.  He did however capture the lovely white poly vinyl I hung around the perimeter of the room to cover the 'man cave' and craftin spot items
....it's so inspiring....AND the not finished table set-ups. 

See - he's a practical kind of guy....gracious I love him!....
These are some cute ones of the girls enjoying the festivities...Just Dance 3.... and of the birthday girl opening her pressies.

 

 

I guess I should head down to finish putting things away....or not.....

Butterflies and birthdays

Hello Ladies!
How have you all been?  I am hoping the opposite of me....and you know me....  There was a mutiny at my old event planning job and my former employer asked me to step in and help out until she hires a new designer.  I think she's been taking her time with hiring someone new....hummm....  One good thing out of it is that I'm now working on an event featuring....wait for it.....it's a good one.....if your old like me....Harry Connick Jr!!!

 

 I am absolutely infatuated with that man, his rendition of "It Had to be You' is our song from our wedding and is engraved in our bands.  THAT's how much I adore that man....*swoon*....
And although the tickets for this event are thousands of dollars, I'm thinking I may have to come up with an excuse to go....or perhaps sneak in....  I'm hoping that while we're setting the event up, he'll have to 'test' the mics and will sing to little ole' me!

Any hoo - I did get my craftin' space cleaned up....I'll post photos of it later....so I have access to all my supplies.  Just in time for this week's Our Creative Corner challenge!  This week the challenge is to use butterflies in your creation.  Butterflies remind me of my mom.  They are her favorite and she used to have them all over the house when I was growing up.  I think she may have grown out of it, but if I find something lovely with a butterfly, I'm always sure to pick it up for her.

Now, I have to admit, my creative mojo is exhausted so this isn't spectacular.  I do love this old paper from Websters so that was my jumping off point.  I fussy cut a butterfly image from Bo Bunny's Gabriella line....which happens to match perfectly....and added some cute little pearls to it.  The stiching didn't work out as well as I had hoped, but it'll do.

Ok ladies - I want to see something more creative than this from you this week!  Make sure you post it on the OCC site so I can check it out!

Hugs!

Re-vamp under way and a challenge

Well, the de-lousing of the craftin' spot is well under way....about time....my supplies are all over the place, but I did just get a fabulous package in the mail this week from Papertrey Ink.  It was very exciting to get new craftin' supplies.  I will have some other things that I no longer use up for sale in the next weeks, so keep an eye out for them.  I'll list them here first before I put them on Ebay.

With that being said, I did not have the foresight to make my card for this week's Green Challenge at Our Creative Corner before Wednesday when I got started.   The challenge this week is hosted by Marcy Kaminski.  Her theme is "How Green is Your Spring" Inspiration Photo. I LOVE this montage - it's chock full of inspiration.  Show us Spring in its full splendor, using GREEN as your main color!

SO, my card is made with things I could find and get my little hands on.  Adhesive was an issue, as was ink, hence no use of stamps.  I did however have access to my minimal scrapbooking supplies and spray inks, so I used some of those things to whip up a simple card for the hubs.  I used the circle candies in the bottom left photo as my inspiration. 

The photo I used is a real oldie - it's from our very first trip to Disney World as a couple, over 13 years ago....whoa, look at that hair....  His dad said he could tell from this photo that Rob was in love with me because in all the years of visiting the Magic Kingdom, Rob NEVER wore Mickey ears....let alone get his photo taken wearing them....and he wore them all day for me. *awww*  He's not a silly kind of guy, so for him to let his guard down was a big sign of things to come!

Alright ladies, now go out there and get inspired by all that green poppin' up everywhere!  Be sure to stop by and visit the other OCC ladies for some inspiration...

Linda Coughlin- The Funkie Junkie

Vicki Burdick- It's a Stamp Thing

Sue Butler- Scrumplescrunch
Anita Houston- The Artful Maven Haven

Anne Marie Hile- Stampin' Anne

Wendy Janson-  It's All About Stamping
Marcy Kaminski - En Papillote Arts
Holly Kean- Kean On Paper 
Irena Kowalczyk (aka Rudlis) - Love, Life and Crafts
Meihsia Liu- Simply Paper Crafts
Tui Nathan- Stampin Time
Lori Rider- The Diva Stamper
Kristin Tierney- Lilly Beth Boutique

Sharon Wheet- Designs by Sharon

India - Here she comes!

One of my dearest friends is quite the jetsetter!  Over the last 6 weeks, she's been in Korea, the US, lives in Copenhagen and leaves tomorrow for India!  That doesn't include all the stops she makes in planes, which would get the country count up to 9.  When she was in the US at the end of  February we visited a few shops to pick up items like water purifiers, netting for beds, medications and clothing.  I was living vicariously through her as she prepared for this amazing trip....I did miss the cholera symptoms from the vaccinations, thank goodness.... 


This week's challenge at Our Creative Corner is a perfect homage to her trip, and since we're not going anywhere for Spring Break, I thought I'd let her trip inspire my creation for the challenge.  Here's the challenge:  Spring has sprung yet again! It's time to take that annual well deserved Spring Break vacation. Where would your postcard come from? Make whatever paper craft you like and show us your "spring break vacation destination". Remember to include the name of your destination somewhere on your project.

I have to admit, that I haven't been able to start the over-haul on my stampin' space yet....thus my outdoor photo....  My goal is to start this morning, but I had a 'pop' in my back yesterday so I'm not sure what I'll be doing later today....

I hope I was able to inspire you, please check out the other ladies creations and join us in our 'corner' of the blogosphere!

Linda Coughlin- The Funkie Junkie

Vicki Burdick- It's a Stamp Thing

Sue Butler- Scrumplescrunch
Anita Houston- The Artful Maven Haven

Anne Marie Hile- Stampin' Anne

Wendy Janson-  It's All About Stamping
Marcy Kaminski - En Papillote Arts
Holly Kean- Kean On Paper 
Irena Kowalczyk (aka Rudlis) - Love, Life and Crafts
Meihsia Liu- Simply Paper Crafts
Tui Nathan- Stampin Time
Lori Rider- The Diva Stamper
Kristin Tierney- Lilly Beth Boutique

Sharon Wheet- Designs by Sharon

See you there

OCC Bingo Green

Hello all!
It's so wonderful to be back with the ladies at Our Creative Corner again!  I've missed the challenges and the fun creating (see my last post on that). The new collection of ladies is so talented and I'm pleased they let me stick around.
This week the lovely Anita is hosting our challenge.  And as luck would have it today's challenge falls on St. Patrick's Day! Ah, the luck of the Irish, or so some say. The challenge is to make a card or tag with some sort of bingo card on it, and use the color green somewhere on the project. With some luck, you just might have the winning one!


Now, with my craftin' space in a shambles and my photo light box was taken apart to use for an event last month, I had to take my photos outside.

I made this to remind myself to slow down.  Enjoy life, not to take on too much....easier said than done....and to take time to play.  I may need to frame and hang this in my bedroom so I don't forget.


FYI, I downloaded this bingo card from this website.  I was able to change the color of the black and white bingo card to green in my Word program, but she also had them in pink, green and lavender. 

Alright now, get your green on and join the rest of these lovely ladies and show us your lucky bingo card creations!

Linda Coughlin- The Funkie Junkie

Vicki Burdick- It's a Stamp Thing

Sue Butler- Scrumplescrunch
Anita Houston- The Artful Maven Haven

Anne Marie Hile- Stampin' Anne

Wendy Janson-  It's All About Stamping
Marcy Kaminski - En Papillote Arts
Holly Kean- Kean On Paper 
Irena Kowalczyk (aka Rudlis) - Love, Life and Crafts
Meihsia Liu- Simply Paper Crafts
Tui Nathan- Stampin Time
Lori Rider- The Diva Stamper
Kristin Tierney- Lilly Beth Boutique  - That's me!

Sharon Wheet- Designs by Sharon

  

Websters Pages Contest

I don't know about you, but my shabby little heart just LOVES me some Websters Pages!  They are having a great contest over there at InspireMe so go and check out what they have new!  I'm loving Palm Beach myself...
Go check out the adorable new video they have - guess who the delivery driver is?
http://vimeo.com/mynoveltree/websterspagesnowshipping

*Gasp*!

Here's the conversation: (you're in blue, I'm in black)

WHAT?!?!  She's alive?  Really?  We haven't heard from her in, what...3 months?

I know, I know.

Shame on you!  

I've neglected you.
Yes you have.
I'm bad.
Yes you are.
Terrible. 
Terrible.
Busy. 
We all are.
Working.
Hummm.
Healing. 
I've heard.
Volunteering. 
That's nice.
60+ hours.
Really?
A week. 
I gathered...
Forgive me. 
Perhaps....
No excuses.
Good.
Just an explanation.
Let's hear it.

I was planning on only taking the end of December, January and part of February off.  But it lapsed into March....*sigh*....  Not only from the unexpected kidney stone and surgery and added broken foot, but I've been busy with the party planning part of my life since December.  A big....HUGE.... event for my daughter's school, a wedding, a holiday party, some birthday parties and such.  Lots of fun, LOTS of work and no time to squeak in for crafting.  Then 2 deaths and another this week.  BUT my life is almost back to normal....which is saying a lot!....our family life is re-organized and working smoothly again.

OK, we get it.  Life got in the way.  We forgive you.

Really?  Oh Thank you!  You're too kind!
Yes we are...What are you going to do now?


Well, my craftin' life is a shambles.  ALL things not family related has been dumped into my craftin' spot over the last 3 months and it's a DISASTER!!!  This is my dirty little secret....and I mean DIRTY...but as they say in therapy, you need to admit to your flaws in order to get better.  SO here it goes, I'm going to show you the HORROR that is my spot.  

***DISCLAMER***This is NOT for the faint at heart or the highly organized, it may cause nausea, it will cause shock, you will be shocked and appalled, disgusted and repulsed, and may even pass out.***

AACCKKK!!! 

Shield your eyes!  Look away!

I'm blinded!

Sorry....I hope you can't relate to this mess.

Are you ok?  I know - appalling.  This is the only place of my house that gets this way when my life is out of control.  BUT that will change!  Now that I've admitted my flaws, I will get started on re-organizing!  AND I'm back to creating!  Although, I've had to just work with what I can actually find down there.  It's kind of crazy, creating standing up, searching for scissors and the like.  I'm sure I've lost stamps, fabrics, trims and much more.  BUT it will get better and I will show off my cleaned up space VERY soon....'cause I can't go on with it like this!....  I will also have an OCC creation for you on Saturday, I'm so happy to be back to the challenges, I hope you'll join me!

Happy New Year Strangers!

Hello all!  Happy and healthy new year to you all!....healthy being the operative word there....  I'm sorry I was MIA for the month of December.  I am planning on getting into my craftin' spot now that my ordeal is over.  Here's an update...

I ended up having to have my urethra stint in for 25 days, a few days longer than planned.  The first 10 days after the surgery we very painful.  Apparently when they broke up the stone with the laser to dislodge and remove the stone, a few little pieces were left in the urethra.  I had to pass them....eeekkkkk....  Not quite as painful as the blocked kidney stone pain....on a scale of 1-10 they are 10-10.5....but more like a 8.5-9.  VERY painful, but no retching.  On day 9 I called the doctor and begged them to take the stint out, but no go on that.  The next day the extreme pain was gone and the next 15 days were less uncomfortable.  I spent the holiday feeling like I had a really bad UTI and like I had been donkey kicked in the left side.  More like a 3-4 discomfort, very little 'pain'. 

I was finally able to get the stint out this past Tuesday....not anything I recommend.....it wasn't fun and I was again laid up for about 24 hours.  I'm now almost healed, just a few pains here and there, nothing to keep me from my daily activities.  I'm grateful the experience hasn't left me needing more medical care.  I'm healing and although it was scary and ultimately inconvenient for my family, we all came through it ok. 

Thanks to all of you that sent me well wishes and could relate to my experience.  I hope you are all still out there, I promise to make something for you to see soon! 

A kidney stone and the US health care system at work

It's been a trying week.  I want to thank ALL of you that gave me your well wishes on my health issue last week - I really needed your prayers!  Since several of you asked I thought I'd explain what happened.  So, this is NOT a crafty post, but it's not gory either.  I'll have the winner and a crafty post tomorrow.

First, I woke up with a start on Monday....that's a week ago Monday....at about 5:50 a.m. with some pain.  At first, I thought it was 'womanly' pains, but I don't have those anymore....thank you Mirena....I was confused.  Then it got WORSE.  After vomiting and moaning....screaming....with pain for 45 minutes....while my dear, wonderful husband took care of the girls....I crawled back into bed covered in sweat, but the pain had lowered.  I realized what it was - a kidney stone. 

I had a kidney stone in my early 20's,  just one, and that passed in a 1 - 4 hour episode.  The memory of that pain was 'burned'....engraved, tattooed, stamped, etched, carved....into my memory.  But unlike the one 20 years ago, I had 2 more episodes that day.  Hummmm....that was different.  Next, 3:33 a.m. Tuesday, in the bathroom again, vomiting and in MAJOR pain.  By the grace of God, my in-laws are in town.  DH called them to watch the kids and we were off to the ER.  Now when I say ER, I mean the luxury 'boutique' hospital that opened a few  years back.  Bouns - quick ER times...it was 3 am after all....Little did we know, that choice would make this experience last 3 weeks longer.

....They give you excellent pain meds in the ER just so you know....   After ushering me into a private ER room with personal escort, they took blood, had me pee in a cup and ordered 'films'.  One $$$$ CAT scan later showed that I had a 7MM stone that was wedged in my urethra just below my kidney....nothing was getting by that sucker....  The ER doctor said it was a 'good size' stone and 3 hours later, we were heading back home with prescriptions and a 'referral'.  LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE.   Here's why I say that....

If we had gone to a bigger, well staffed hospital, they would have scheduled the stone removal as soon as a urologist could consult and an OR was available.  We know I didn't go that route, so allow me to continue my story....

I slept the rest of the Tuesday while my hubby worked a 12 hour shift and my in-laws took care of the kids....thank you....  I called first thing Wednesday morning for an appointment with the urologist the hospital referred us to, it was scheduled Thursday at 1:30 p.m..  I had 2 more episodes that day. 

Thursday, I felt pretty good!  On a scale of 1-10, I was a 6-7....episodes are generally 9.5-10....and pain was controlled with the pain meds the ER doc gave me.  I talked with the urologist and he took another set of 'films'.....this time just x-rays..... and it confirmed the size and the fact that it hadn't moved - at all.  Remember when I said I had a 7MM stone?  That is actually is more than DOUBLE the normal size of a kidney stone, much to large to pass on its own. .....THIS is when a real hospital would schedule an OR.... The doctor discussed my options....sonic waves vs. laser vs. retraction....and he suggested doing the Lithotripsy, aka: sonic wave treatment.  Cool....easy and painless....he shuffled me off to the scheduler, she took my number and said she'd call before 5 p.m.  with my treatment time, it was currently 3:15 p.m.  At 4:50 p.m., she called.  I was scheduled for 11:30 on TUESDAY....yes, that was 5 days away from then....  Here's how the conversation went from there:

     Me: TUESDAY?  You mean I have to go through the weekend with this pain?
     Nurse:  Yes.
     Me:  5 days....vomiting pain....
     Insensitive nurse:  Well.... he gave you a prescription for pain meds.
     Me:  Yes, but that doesn't take away the pain....
     Stupid, insensitive nurse:  You can take more than 1 pill if you're hurting or go back to the ER for a pain shot.
     Me:  IF I'm hurting?....by this time I'm in tears....


That's when I took my health care into my own hands.  My brother-in-law works as a nurse at the hospital we should have gone to and gave me the name of a urologist  with offices in the same building as the hospital.  Since it was after 5pm, I had to wait and call Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. when the office opened.  I explained my situation, how I got their number and that I was desperate for their help.  The doctor had procedures planned starting at 11:00 that day, and if I could get in right away he could see me.  I checked in at 9:50 am, while having an episode with hubby and 3 year old in tow.  After waiting 2.5 hours....he did have to squeeze me in....and 2 episodes later, I must have looked quite terrible, 'cause he admitted me immediately....without seeing any 'films'.... and put me on his surgery schedule for that day.  I finally got into the OR at 5:00 p.m.  What he discovered was that my stone, didn't want to leave me.  It had wedged itself into a curve of my urethra and was blocking  my kidney off from extracting all the loveliness that kidneys extract.  After 5 attempts with lasers and scopes, a hole in my urethra and a stint, he was finally able to get it out.....I love him, really, love....  This whole experience will be over in 3 weeks when I can get the stint removed.

What I learned from this experience:
First: Go to a real hospital ER, even if it's filled with drug addicts and crazy people and you have to wait for hours.  They will have all the things needed to help you.  Had I gone to the real hospital on Tuesday, I would have had the Lithotripsy done that day.  Since I didn't get in until late Friday, the machine was unavailable.

Second:  You are your best advocate.  If you don't like the answer  you are getting from one doctor, go to another one.

Third:  Drugs in moderation are your friend.  Especially if you're at a level 9-10.  Use them.

Finally:  Stupid, insensitive nurses should all be forced to experience long, drawn out pain without meds.  ....perhaps bamboo shoots under their nails....Only for my entertainment and satisfaction.  That's all.

Midnight - tonight!

The date for the end of the giveaway was a little mixed up, so I'm extending my blog hop giveaway of the Paper Crafts Magazine Card Creations:Get Inspired issue until midnight tonight!  Keep making those comments on my original post here so I can include you in the list.  See you all tomorrow with the winner!

Paper Crafts magazine presents Card Creations:Get Inspired Blog Hop

Happy Holidays Blog Hop Peeps!  I can't believe it's already December!....where does the time go?....  It's an exciting month isn't it?  Card Creations: Get Inspired, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years....Did I mention Card Creations: Get Inspired?  That's the news I've been waiting to tell you about!

It's an all new publication from Paper Crafts based on their very popular Get Inspired column featuring cards inspired by everyday things.  Like shoes, throw pillows, shoes, sweaters, mirrors, shoes, plates and cups, jewelry....did I mention shoes?....the list goes on.  I bet you didn't realize there's so much around you to inspire fantastic paper creations?  I had SO much fun creating for this issue....photos are my favorite things to inspire my creative side.... They gave us 40 different photos of typical things you'd find, well, anywhere, and asked for literal and interpretive creations inspired by them.  I tried to make 2 for each all the photos....80 total.....BUT..... I only got 35 done....tee hee....  It was SO much fun!  Some were really easy to create from, but others were really hard.  I found the literal creations the easiest to make on most of them, however my favorite creations were the ones I took creative licence with.

Now here we are today!  I was one of the lucky ones invited to participate in Paper Crafts, Card Creations: Get Inspired blog hop!  Our challenge today was to take a photo of something from our own home to inspire a new creation.  Since I am a decorator and have loads of homes I help out for the holidays, I decided I HAD to use my holiday mantle as my inspiration for my creation for this....its so glittery and sparkly....I love it!  There is NOTHING I love more than to over-stuff my mantle with fabulous ornaments, each sparkly and gorgeous....*yum*....

I don't use tradtional color combos for my holiday decor, and have used it to inspire other paper creations....check out my 2010 Stampin Royalty card here.....  My favorite time in this room is at night, a fire roaring, lights twinkling, spiked caramel apple cider in my mega mug....*aahhhh*....Keeping to the parameters of the original challenge they gave us, I choose to make 2 creations, one literal and one interpretive!....since I'm currently bed-ridden with a kidney stone, I had time....

This is the literal creation....can't you tell?....  I've had these fabulous holiday words for a year now and am excited to be finally using them.  I didn't have 'believe' so I used 'Christmas' instead.  Wanna know how I made the lush 'ornament' garland along the bottom?


1. Gather up your items.  Large and small glue dots (Zots), glitter (Martha Stewart), buttons, pearls or rhinestones and your card..  FYI - I used the Cuttlebug houndstooth folder for the top panel of my card.

2.  Cut your strip of large glue dots to separate each one (this makes it easier to place them where you want).

3.  Adhere 3 glue dots in a random pattern (not to close together).  Sprinkle with same color glitter.  Repeat 3 times.   If wanted - Add small glue dots and add dazzling diamonds glitter.   *TIP* when adhering the glue dots, plan on clustering 1 of each color in a loose group.

4.  Embellish with buttons, pearls and rhinestones.

Lush and lovely!  I did the happy dance when it was finished - *LOVE it*

Now, on to the interpretive one....and my favorite....a little shabby chic creation with lots of whites and I've added in the glitter and sparkle with the sentiment and the pin.  See that fan-tab-ulous shimmer paper?  Sorry, I picked it up on my recent trip to Copenhagen, but it's made by Annie P Paperie.  I think there may be a place in New York....for those of us on this side of the pond....check out her fabulous things here.

Have you been inspired?  I certainly hope so!  As a thank you for joining me today, leave a comment below and you'll name will be entered into a drawing for a copy of this fabulous issue!  THEN visit the Paper Crafts Connection blog and be entered to win an AWESOME new Martha Steward tool, the Craft Station!  The Craft Station includes a 12”x12” LED light table and glass cutting mat, a cutting shuttle and movable ruler arm, three cutting blades and cartridge, a metal stencil, a stylus, five 12”x12” tracing templates, a cutting knife and an alignment guide. Retail price is $165 - AWESOME!!

Now head off to Lorena's blog and check out all her inspiration!  If you got lost, here is the list of the ladies on the blog hop:

• Chan Vuong
• Kalyn Kepner
• Kim Hughes
• Carly Robertson
• Kristin Tierney
• Lorena Canto
• Lynn Mangan
• Sarah Moerman
• Teri Anderson

Don't forget you can find inspiration in anything around you.  Don't believe me?  Check out the Card Creations: Get Inspired and you'll see how easy it is.

Lice-a-Poolza

Howdy ladies!  I have a little reprieve from work today, not because I want to though, my oldest has Lice....*eck*!....  After 3 hours of pickin' hair like a monkey, I needed a little creative break.  I've begun working on my Etsy site, so that's what most of my time went to, however, I wanted to show you something I made a little bit ago.  Just a little something inspired by....well, I can't tell you that yet....but I promise to let you know what that's about as soon as I can!
 

I've also started posting new things on my Etsy account!  Lots of my creations from publications will be on there too...  Since you're a special friend of mine, mention BLOGPEEPS in the buyers comments and receive FREE shipping!  I'll be posting new supplies and holiday kits later this week, all are packaged and ready to go.  Just you wait until you see it all....

How are all you bleeps out there?  I know I've been MIA, but for good reason.  My decorating and event planning activities have been keeping me VERY busy.  I've been burning the candle at both ends....and a bit in the middle for good measure!....  I just returned from Florida, decorating  a home down there....with a short 3 hour visit to the beach....busy shopping for furniture and accessories.  Starting this week, I will begin working 60-70 hours a week from now until after Christmas, decorating people's homes for the holidays and several holiday and wedding events! 

So what does this mean?  Well, I am planning on taking a short hiatus from Our Creative Corner. Only until after my last big event that is the last week of February.  The last event is a bit self-serving....it's my 4-0 birthday party....but the rest are for clients.  I will be back on the DT starting March 1st.  I will continue to post my creations as I go....I have some exciting ones from publications to show you....but with balancing my work schedule, family and home demands, I've been unable to full fill my comments and creations at OCC.  This hasn't been fair to you lovely ladies that support and visit me every week, the AMAZING ladies on the design team, and to those of you that participate in our challenges....since I haven't been able to make time to visit you all and give you some love....  SO, be patient with me, I'll still be around, just not consistently on Saturday's.  I'll pop in with creations and party photos as they happen....I'm hoping at least weekly....  and of course keep you informed on any exciting news that may happen.  Make sure you continue to visit the VERY talented OCC design team every week for inspiration. 

This is my last creation until March 1st.  It's for the current Pumpkin Pie challenge.  It was to have a pumpkin image or use SU!'s Pumpkin Pie color in your creation.  I used the latter to make this flower which I LOVE!  This card was inspired by an upcoming special issue from Paper Crafts I just got in the mail on Thursday.  It's AWESOME!!  You'll have to get your hands on it.  Now, be sure to join me in our little corner!

Fancy Folds

Hi Ladies!
Who likes to fold?....no not your laundry.....  Are you into origami, or creating 3D items with paper?  Then the ladies at Our Creative Corner want to see your creations!  The ultra talented Tui is our hostess this week and she is putting us to the test.  Here is my creation for this challenge.  Tf you've checked out my tutorial, then you have seen the step-by-step for a basket like this.  After much nagging, I had to make one just like Lily's for my youngest daughter that turned 3 this month....she had to have one like her big sister.... I thought this was the perfect chance to get it done.

This basket is put together by folding 4 little boxes and putting them together.  It's easy, but time consuming and totally worth the effort!  She's been hopping around with it 'like a bunny' all day....she's so darn cute....

We are having a Halloween birthday party for her today so I'll share the photos with you later this week.  As always I've gone overboard, but hey, it's my sweet little bebe, so I couldn't resist!