Monday, October 31, 2011

Getting Ready for Christmas Mailings.....



Good morning everyone!  I realize that it is only Halloween, but about this time every year, I start to panic!  There are always so many projects I want to do before the Holidays arrive....so many projects....so little time!  This happens every year so I don't know why I am so surprised by it! 

This is another card for my stash!  Don't you just love the little carolers?  They are Mo Manning images and I just adore the street lamp!  I printed off  my images and used the heat gun to set the ink so it wouldn't run when I colored it with distress ink re-inkers.  This works pretty good, but sometimes I think the heat also changes the fibers in the watercolor paper and makes the painting difficult.  I don't know any other way to set the ink....do you have any suggestions?  So I colored the singers and then cut them out and placed them around the lamp.  I still can't merge images and probably never will be able to.  It just seems like too many steps and too time consuming when I can just cut them out and go from there...Now that sounds like an old lady talking!  I used some pretty Christmas papers to mat the image and a couple of Spellbinders dies to set up the sentiment.  Pretty simple really...not much fuss .... I wanted the images to be the focal point of this card.  I think it has kind of an old world feel to it and I really like that.  The card size is 5 X 7 and it can be mailed without much expense, which is a good thing at Christmas time.

Well this is about it for me this morning!  I have lots of chores to do today; but plan to play a little this afternoon!  What do you have going on today?  Whatever it is I hope you can take a little time and just "Breathe"!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Christmas Card....


Good morning everyone!  Can you believe the month of October is almost over?  Whew, where has the time gone?  This morning I would like to share another card I made for Heartfelt Creations using their HCPC 3432 Magnificent Spruce Trees PreCut Set.  This set is going to be one of my favorites as I can think of so many uses throughout the year.  My card is a clean and simple design without a lot of "fussy" to take away from the image.  If you want all the specifics on this one just go over to the Heartfelt Creations blog and check it out.  Just a few layers, a little glitter and a bow and it is ready to go!

I think that is about it for me this morning.  Kinda short and sweet.  I hope you have a good weekend planned and that you get to spend time with those you love.  As for me....well I plan to take a little time and just Breathe!

I

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Another Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!!

Good morning everyone!  Welcome to Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!  Today will be the last post for some of my fellow design team members and to those of you not going forward, just know that I will miss you so much.  I hope to keep following your blogs so don't be surprised if I stalk you just a little bit!  I have truly enjoyed becoming friends with you all and you have inspired me beyond belief!  I will be watching you!!

Congratulations go out to the 10 new design team members coming on board!  Welcome and I so look forward to getting to know each of you.  It will be a wonderful 6 months and it will pass in a flash, so sit back and enjoy! I can't wait to see all the wonderful things you create!

This morning I have this card to share with you.  I used HCPC 3429 Wisemen Ornament PreCut Set.  I really enjoyed working with the burgundy colors and pinks used on it.  If you want to find out more about it, just go over to the Heartfelt Creations blog and you can get all the products used and the instructions for this card.  While you are there look around at all the lovely creations my fellow design team members have done this week.  You can also visit their blogs by clicking on their names on the right hand side of my blog. 

Well that is all I have this morning.  Hope your day is a blessed one and that you have a moment to "Breathe"!

WOYWW 125


What a freaking mess!  I have been trying to straighten my ribbon so I can fit it all in one drawer and I have to tell you,  it is a bigger job than I expected!  This is only a small portion of my ribbon, I'm ashamed to say and I have been trying to sort through the mess and tie up loose ends.  I have worked on this for a couple of days and I'm getting close to giving up!  It is overwhelming!!  The reason I have so much is I inherited my Mom's ribbon from all her craft projects and I received a bunch from an online store I used to purchase from often.  That was back when I was working.  She would send a piece of ribbon with each purchase and they came in a little plastic bag all nice and neat.  Well those plastic bags just do not store well for me.  They slip and slide and so you never know what you have.  If anyone has any suggestions for storing ribbon, please let me know!  I'm at my wits end with this mess! 

Well that is what is on my workdesk this morning!  Please forgive the mess!  It has begun to slid off into the floor and I have had to go crawling after several little spools.  This old lady is way to old to be down on her hands and knees chasing spools of ribbon!

Have a wonderful day!  And remember to breathe!  In and Out....that's it!  It can be a very calming thing and Lord knows I need to be calm today!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

"Struttin My Stuff"

Don't be confused by my title!  All I mean, is this is my second post of the day, which is very unusual for me!  I have a very busy week this week and I really wanted to get this card finished and posted because it is for Joan's Gardens challenge of the week.  As many of you know I'm a huge fan of Joan's Gardens and Joan and Selma always come up with the best challenges.  I love playing along each week when I can get the free time to do so.  So hence my hurry to get this card posted.  I think I covered all the bases and if I missed any, please forgive this old lady.

Well ladies, I'm off to visit the big city, as I have numerous errands to run.  Seems like I'm always in a hurry to get things done.  How in the world did I ever find time to work all those years!

Paper Bag Mini Album.....


Good Morning everyone!  This morning I want to share some pictures of the paper bag mini album I made for my sister "The Enabler".  She is always doing something super  nice for me and seems like there is so little I get to do for her.  This is my first mini album and probably my last.  Although I had a great time doing it; they are very time consuming and since I am one of those people who likes doing quick projects, I can't imagine me doing more. 



Each page is covered with design paper and then some sort of embellishment and I made tags to slip down into the bags.  Some of the pictures I saw online were absolutely gorgeous.  Since I have  never confessed to being a scrapbooker, this was truly a labor of love for my dear sister! 
This picture was colored with distress inks and framed with a Spellbinders frame and then I used flowers and pearls out of my stash colored to match the papers.

Like I said, I cannot imagine me doing more, though I had wanted to do a couple for Christmas gifts.  We will see.  I'm more about quick projects like the cards that I make.  Have you made these before?  What are your thoughts on them?

Well  this is all for me today.  I hope you have a great day and have a few moments to be creative.  And as always,  remember to "Breathe"!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Thanksgiving Card......


Good morning everyone!  I hope your week is getting off to a good start!  As for me, the weeks are just flying by and before I can turn around, it will be Thanksgiving and then we will slip right into Christmas!  It seems like this time of year, everything switches into high gear and we began the mad dash right into the new year!  I always have such wonderful plans for projects that I want to get finished before the Holidays and then I just get caught up in the race and things just sort of get set aside and I think.....Maybe next year! 

This morning I want to share a Thanksgiving card I have made using Heartfelt Creations stamps.  Item # HCPC 3334 Open Falling Leaves PreCut Set.  Last year, I looked at these stamps and thought how beautiful they were and so this year I purchased a set just for me!  I have to say, I truly love this set and can see so many opportunities to use these on many projects!  I hope you enjoy my card.

Well, this is it for me this morning!  I hope you have a good Monday and that your day is filled with joy!  No matter where you are or what you are doing, find a moment and "Breathe"!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Is it just me?.....


Is it me, or does this week seem to have just flown by?  It seems like time is really getting away from me these days.  Our lives seem to be so fast paced that life is just slipping by!  Here it is Friday again and everyone is getting ready to start a weekend and I feel like it should be Wednesday!

This morning I want to share another Christmas card done for Heartfelt Creations.  This image is one of my favorites of this release and can be used in so many different ways.  For the specifics and products used on this card, please visit the Heartfelt Creations blog.  Take a little time and look around at all the wonderful creations by the design team.  They are so very talented and I just know you will find some great ideas!

Well this is it for me this morning.  I'm off for another cup of coffee and I need to think about getting started on my day.  Lots of chores to do today, so I need to get cracking!

Have a wonderful day and no matter where you are or what you are doing, take a moment and "Breathe"!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Another Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!

Good morning everyone!  It is Wednesday and time for me to share another card with you made with Heartfelt Creations Stamps!  My card today uses HCPC 3420 Holiday Dove PreCut Set and HCPC 3425 Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set. 

This stamp just cried, put me on parchment paper, and so I did.  I stamped the image onto a piece of card stock and outlined it using a embossing tool and I did a little shading too.  I added a few pearls to the image and then stamped the poinsettia onto some card stock and embossed it with gold embossing powder.  I cut it out and shaped it a little to make it look like a real flower.  I cut out some corners and adhered them, then tied a red bow and there you have it!

If you would like all the specifics and all the products I used on this card you can visit the Heartfelt Creations blog.  While you are there, take a look around at all the lovely things the design team has created this week.  As always, you can visit their blogs by clicking on their names in the right hand side of my blog.  They love hearing from you so leave them a comment so they know you are there!

Well, that is all I have this morning!  I hope you have a great day and no matter where or what life throws your way, take a moment and "Breathe"!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Step Christmas Card.....

Good morning fellow bloggers!  Yes, it is 12:04 and I'm still up.  Sometimes it just isn't in the cards to rest when you are supposed to....but then who dictates when we are supposed to anyway.  I sleep these days when I'm sleepy and that isn't much.  Of course I get grumpy...wouldn't you?

It is officially my sister, The Enabler's, birthday today!  Let me be the first to wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!   Yes, I'm still older than you, but that's OK...you can come visit me in the nursing home!

My card this morning is a center step card all decorated up for Christmas!  The image is a Hanglar image and I just love this one!  I wish we could more readily purchase these in the states!  I water colored it with my distress inks and used a Spellbinders oval to cut it out.  I added some pretty paper and some cheese cloth behind the image.  Braid down the sides and I made the poinsettia out of some pretty paper and covered it in glitter.  The branches are a punch and I took stamen purchased from the bridal section and colored them gold with a gold leaf pen.  The snowflake is a Martha Stewart punch and I added glitter to that too.  I'm just a glitter kind of girl!

Well that is about it for me this morning.  What are your plans for the day?  Me?......I'll probably be napping!
So go forward and have a good day and remember to "Breathe"!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Chimney Sweep.....


A little chimney sweep by Mo Manning; and how adorable is he?  I've always been a fan, but these Christmas images this year are just so cute.  You could almost reach out and pinch his little cheek!

I colored the image with Ranger Distress Inks and then cut out with Spellbinders Labels Ten.  The sentiment is Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions.  I used a smaller Labels Ten to cut it out.  Then these were layered onto a pretty piece of design paper.  The ribbon is seam binding colored to match the paper.
I had so much fun playing with this image and my card is one of those that just came together quickly.  I love it when that happens! 

Well I hope you have a good day planned and even if it is Monday try and have a good one!  No matter where you are going or what you will be doing, try to find a little time and "Breathe"!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Weekend is here!!!


Well I decided it was time to do a cute Christmas card and so this morning I am sharing  this one with you.  I colored the image with Ranger distress Inks on watercolor paper.  Then I added stickles to add a little sparkle and shine, after all it is Christmas.  The sentiment is stamped onto watercolor paper and ink is sponged onto it while it is still in the die.  Some pretty paper a little white bow and  some punched snowflakes from a Martha Stewart punch and this little darling is ready to go!  Quick and easy as 1-2-3!


Yesterday a blogger friend challenged me to tell you 10 things about myself, so this morning I'm going to try and do that.

1.  I am semi retired, soon to be fully retired!
2.  I am married with a daughter and grandson.
3.  I am a child of God!
4.  I am one of four children.
5.  My thing is making cards!
6.  I love Yorkies and have two!
7.  I'm a bird watcher!
8.  I'm very set in my ways!
9.  Sunshine and snow make me a happy girl!
10. Finding old friends is a wonderful thing!

So there you have it.  Nothing really special to make me different from anyone else, but true non-the-less. 

I hope you are ready for the weekend, as it is here.  Have a great one and do something fun!  And remember to breathe!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Another Heartfelt Crations Christmas Card.....

I love the way this card turned out, but my photography skills are really showing here or the fact that I have no photography skills!  I just cannot seem to do silver and white together and I think it is a very classy look.  So use your imagination and you will see this one like I do here!   This is the last of the three cards I posted on the Heartfelt Creations blog this week.  You can get all the products used and the instructions for this card on the blog.

I hope you are ready for the weekend, because it is almost here.  Plan something fun and get out and about.  We have had rain for a couple of days and I'm really ready for some sunshine.  I understand another cool down is scheduled for next week so get ready folks....Fall is here!

Well that is it for me today.  Have a great day and find a little time to be creative and remember to "Breathe".
As for me, it is the run errands day, so I will be out and about for awhile!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A Rainy Thursday Morning.....


Good morning bloggers!  I hope you are getting off to a good start this morning.  I'm running a little behind and no, it is not because I slept in.  I was up at 4AM which is my normal time; has been for many years.  I think it comes from all those years of working and even though I worked in an office, I started at 7AM for many years.  I still like the quiet at that time of day.  Nothing is moving inside or out!  Kinda nice!   But I had some other chores to get done early today and so I'm just now getting here!

This card is another of the Heartfelt Creations cards that I made using the new release set of stamps from the Classic Christmas Collection.  I just love the look of the evergreen tree and I always feel like less is more where these are concerned.  My card is pretty basic with stamping, and using distress inks to shade the watercolor paper; a little ribbon, a little glitz, and a sentiment and it is ready to go.   I hope you enjoy this one, I just love using non-traditional colors.  I really like green and red, but for years, I have loved seeing all the different colors used at Christmas.  If you want the specifics and all the supplies used, just pop over to the Heartfelt Creations blog and have a look.

Well that is it for me this morning.  I'm moving on to other things now.  I'm working on a birdhouse and will share it with you later!

Have a great day and remember to take a moment and "Breathe"!
 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Introducing Heartfelt Creations Classic Christmas Collection!


Welcome to another Heartfelt Creations Wednesday and the release of another beautiful round of stamps!  This set is called Classic Christmas Collection and you will find yourself going for these time and again!  These stamps coordinate with Spellbinders Heirloom Ornaments and Labels Seven.  Such a versitile set you will be reaching for them all year long!

Chance to Win: Leave a comment on the Heartfelt Creations blog by October 18 for a chance to win the entire release valued at $89.99. The winner will be announced on October 19

For my card today I used HCPC 3433 Book Frame 1 PreCut Set and HCPC 3415 Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set. For the other supplies I used to make this card, please visit the Heartfelt Creations blog.  While you are there feel free to have a look around and see what the other design team members did this week.  You can also visit their blogs by clicking on their names at the right hand side of this blog.  Leave them a comment, we all love hearing what you think about our creations!

Well, I'm off to visit these blogs myself; I just love seeing what everyone did!  They are such a talented group of ladies and I know I'm going to love their creations!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

OK .... One more Halloween Card.....Maybe Two....



I just love this little thistle Tilda...I totally enjoyed coloring her with Ranger Distress Ink.  I used distressed crackle paint on her dress and some stickles on the thistle and the bow in her hair.  Lots of layers and a little black bow finish her off!

This picture gives a little better view of the crackle paint and stickles.  I think she turned out so cute and I may even keep her just for me! 

Well I hope you have a wonderful day and remember, no matter where you are or what you are doing, take a little time and "Breathe".



Monday, October 10, 2011

Who's Late???


Yes, the late one...would be me!  Lots of barking dogs and no sleep...makes for a grumpy girl!  Just when I dozed off, it was time to get up...So I'm late in posting. 

I'm posting another Halloween card, made for one of  my grandsons.  I think I have all my bases covered now and can have them all ready to go out in the mail when it is time!  Now I can move on to Christmas.  I haven't made nearly enough....just have not been in the mood.  Now I'm beginning to get motivated and am excited to be playing with Christmas stamps.  So come back now and then and check out my progress!

I want to give a big wave to Sylvia in Texas...she posted she got rain.  They have been in such a terrible drought!  Who would think a little rain could bring such joy!  Thinking of you girl!

Well I'm off for my much needed second cup of coffee.  My poor husband didn't sleep either and he has to work today.  I hope he isn't as grouchy as I am!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Happy Friday, Yall!


Hello everyone!  Well I'm really getting into the Halloween Spirit and have been getting these cards ready to share with you.  I don't really decorate for Halloween anymore, but I used to really get into the holiday!  There would be bales of straw, pumpkins, squash, mums, corn plants black ribbons...the hole smear.  Then I got old and realized the straw dropped all kinds of seeds and I had to go pull up those weeds and I also had to clean up the mess.  My grandsons are too old to trick or treat so I just don't do those things anymore.  I used to sit on the front steps with my bowl of candy until every little goblin had gone home, but somewhere along the line the padding in my butt, though much thicker now, just wasn't enough to sit there for hours on end.  Ahh the joys of getting old.  Now I just make cute cards and send out.  I'm hoping this doesn't happen with Christmas!  Sometimes decorating my tree can take a whole day and it seems like a lot of work when the kids come for one evening and that is about all the company we have.  My husband still enjoys the tree so for now I will keep doing it.

How in the world did I get off onto Christmas....this is about this cute little  Halloween Card I made.  I have no idea where this little Owl stamp came from.  I paid $1 for it, but there are no markings on it so I don't remember anything about it.  Sorry about that.  Anyway, I think he makes a really cute focal point on this card....don't you?  I stamped him in black and used stickles to do  his spots and his eyes.  I then used some distress ink around the edges of the orange cardstock.  Who would think a dollar stamp could bring so much joy.  So the moral of my ramblings this morning is this.....look around and use what you have.  Pinch those pennies until they squeal! 

Well I have rambled right off the page this morning.  Go forth and have a wonderful Friday and remember to take a moment and "Breathe".


Thursday, October 6, 2011

One More Christmas Project For This Week....


I love making Christmas ornaments to go on my tree and so each year I try to make a couple for that specific purpose.  For this I made a poinsettia flower and mounted it onto a glittered snowflake.  Now how quick and simple is that?  This one is also featured on the Heartfelt Creations blog this week, so if you want to see all the details for this one, just go there and check it out.  I listed all products used and the instructions there.

Well, this is a quick post for me this morning.  I have so much to do, if I started yesterday, I would still be behind.  So have a good day and try and find a small amount of time for yourself today and "Breathe".  I will definitely have to practice what I preach today.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday....

Good morning everyone!  Since it is once again a Wednesday, I want to share another Heartfelt Creations tag I have made.  As you can tell I like doing tags!   I love the idea of being able to stick a little extra gift down inside a gift bag to go along with a small something I am giving.  These seem to go a long way toward making the person receiving them happy!

If you would like the products used on this tag as well as the instructions for making one of your very own, just go on over to the Heartfelt Creations blog .   While you are there, you can look around at all the other creations the other design team members have made this week.  You will not be disappointed!  You can also visit the design team members' blogs by clicking on their names in the right hand column of my blog.  Go check them out and leave them a happy comment; we all love hearing from you!

Also this week Heartfelt Creations is announcing the names of the people selected to go to the next round in competition for the new design team.  Good luck to each and every one!

Well, I'm off to check out the other design team members' blogs and see what they have going on this week!
Have a great day and remember to "Breathe"!!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Playing with Halloween Cards.....


Saturday was World Card Making Day and I totally missed it!  I had originally planned to play in my craft room most of the day, but as usual, life got in the way.  So yesterday, I spent some in my craft room and just got totally absorbed with the  Halloween cards that I need to make.  I have four Grandsons and they are too big for all the really cutesy cards so I'm hard pressed to come up with something that is appropriate for them.  I always tuck money inside and mail them, and feel certain it's all about the money anyway. Wahahaha.....
But I still like to make them cute cards.  One of them really appreciates the cards and is always looking to see how they stand up, or if it is a special fold or something different. 

So over the next few days, I will be sharing these with you.  I hope you like them! 

What do you have planned for today?  I have some chores to do and I'm hopeful that I will have a little time to play!  I'm still working on my paper bag album and plan to share that with you as well.  At this point, I still have a ways to go.  The album is together and I have some of the pages decorated, but I still have several that only have designer paper on them.  I wanted to do a couple for Christmas, but at the rate I'm going....it ain't going to happen!

Well have a good day, and I hope you find time to create!