A Fall Wreath

I absolutely love fall decoraing. Now I am not a big Halloween decorator, but that's because I'm lazy and you can't leave those decorations out as long as fall ones. But I do love fall decorating. I love all the different shades of oranges, yellows, and reds. Now Joanns Fabrics do carry some beautiful decorations but their wreaths always seem to be so expensive, even with a coupon. So for the past couple of years I have been designing my own. Here is one I did for my boss's wife who recently had surgery.

This is just a little fall wreath that she can hang frm her front door. Now similar wreaths like this are currently on sale for 50% off at Joanns ranging in price from $19.99 to $29.99 for this size. I was able to do this wreath for a whopping $5.85, give or take a few pennies.

How you may ask? Well the bare wreath was regular price $2.99. I was able to use my 40% off coupon which brought the price to $1.79. The flowers and beads were on sale for 50% off and they were $1.99 each. As you can see I used 4 which came to $3.98. Now the ribbon was from my stash. It is actually 2 different ribbons. The gold ribbon had a clearance tag of $.50 and the orange ribbon had a clearance tag of $.30. I guesstimate that I probably used about $.05 of the yellow and $.03 of the orange. Have you been doing the math? Well my husband loved this kind of math. You know the kind, the cheap kind.

Well I bought plenty of supplies. So yes, you've guessed it...I will be doing a few more of these this weekend.

Have a great weekend. I have a busy one ahead of me.

Same Ingredients...AGAIN!!!

See, this is what happens when you don't finish straightening up from one project to the next. Needing a quick "get well" card last night, I took the scraps that were leftover on my table and put together this little number.

Same Ingredients...Different Layout

Back-to-back posts!!! I know right (as my kids would say).

But did you see yesterday's post of the card I did for a swap on Splitcoast? Well at the time that I was doing all the cutting for this swap I couldn't remember how many I needed and my laptop was in the family room and I was upstairs in my craft room. So being the lazy person that I am, I decided to guess. Well you guessed it---I guessed wrong. I only needed 4 cards for this swap and I cut enough for 6 cards.

So as I was putting away all my materials that I used, (I am really trying to get better at that-got a LONG way to go though) I figured I would use the items that were already cut up anyway. And I came up witht hese 2 layouts. Hence the title of this post.

Now I have 2 more cards for my stash.

A Swap...

I recently did a swap, wait I actually did TWO swaps this month. This is one of my cards I did for a swap on Splitcoaststampers. The swap was anyhting that had to do with "shoes". Now how could I pass up a swap about shoes? I purchased this stamp from a vendor at a craft show that passed through Chicago a couple of months ago. My new favorite thing lately has been embossing folders. I absolutely love them! They give so much character to cards. Now off to google-land to find some more, at a cheap price of course.

OMG

I am so pathetic! Yes I know...I have been missing in action for months.

School has really been keeping me busy (going back to complete my Bachelors) and with baseball with my oldest son this summer, that has really soaked up a lot of my time. But with fall just around the corner I can see my wheels starting to slow down just a bit. I'm starting to want to stay in on the weekends, it is getting a little chilly out there. So now I will be able to do more crafting. I'm still cleaning and re-organizing my craft room. I have done a few cards in the past couple of months and right now I am working on a diaper cake for my nephew and his fiance's baby shower.

So sit back, relax, and be patient with me. I promise I'll be back soon.

By the way...here is a blog that I have been stalking for months. This lady is absolutely CREATIVE, but in a "sweet" way. Just go there, you'll know what I mean. This is one you will definitely put in your google reader.

http://www.bakerella.com/

I'm Ready for Spring

Aren't you? Well it sure is feeling like spring here in Illinois. We had some of the most beautiful weather these past coupleof days. Yesterday and today it even reached the middle 70s. Well I just had to break out a spring-inspired card.
As you can see I used my favorite paper from the Stampin Up Sweet Pea pack and I used the new Sweet Pea felt flowers. Now check out the ribbon-can you believe it? It is STRAIGHT!!!! And I did mean for it go in that direction to. I was so proud of myself.

Another Card...

Can you believe it - I am back again. Twice in one week!!! I wanted to share a card I did for a swap over on Splitcoaststampers. I came across a card like this during my blog hopping and can not find where I originally saw this. I have searched my google reader but have had no luck.

The only requirement was to use a flower image. So I choose my Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder and some "flowery" dsp. Don't you just love the layout of the card? I really like how the folds overlap each other. It was truly easy to create this card. Darn I wish I had written down where I got the idea from-I hate not being able to credit people for the wonderful creativity. If you know-let me know, and I will definitely update this post.

I really need to stop taking pictures in my cubicle at workas well. The lighting sucks, the background is ugly, oh I can go on and on...

Where the Heck Have You Been?

I am pretty sure that is what most of you are saying-LOL. And believe me, that is what I have been saying to myself lately as well. It's been a crazy first quarter, but I have so missed creating and blogging. I have done a few cards lately; I did two swaps and a baby shower card. Now ask me did I remember to take a picture...nooooooo...and they were some really cute cards.

But here is a card I did last night. I was just in the mood to create something and I have been coming across so many nice and simple cards lately that I thought I would put together a quick one.









I used my favorite paper of the moment, Sweet Pea. The stamp set is Vintage Vogue, another one of my favorites at the moment. I am a big hoarder when it comes to buttons, brads, and ribbon, so I was pretty pleased with myself that I used a felt flower, a corduroy button, and a regular button. I even played around with the new SU punch. You really need your muscles for the new punches. They are really heavy to me, or am I just a weakling?

I promise to be back real soon.

TTFN,

An Etsy Challenge

I did my first Etsy Inspired Challenge. Have you tried one? It is a great challenge blog that chooses a shop that sells items on Etsy. You then pick any item in that store for your inspiration. The EtsyInspired #68 Challenge is a great shop called Gypsy Rose Handbags. These bags are some of the cutest I have ever seen. Now I knew I had to try this challenge because I am a bag fanatic. I actually change my work bags with the seasons. Yes I know, sounds a little crazy. But who wants to carry a black bag in June and a yellow bag with orange and green flowers on it in January? O.k. back to the fun stuff...this is the bag I used for my inspiration:

Now here is my card:

I see this being one of those cards that will be hard to give up.

Recipe: CS: Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Crushed Curry DSP: Manchester Stamps: Best Yet Ink: Rose Red Embellishments: Corduroy Buttons, Rose Red Ribbon, Linen Thread, Stickles

Green Eggs?

Just thought I would share a picture that my boys took of what was cooking in our household last weekend. My boys just had to try their hands at Green Eggs. Needless to say they put a few extra drops of food coloring in while I wasn't looking. After a few shakes of pepper and salt they were actually good-at least that's what I heard.

Teacher Gifts

Hello Everyone,

Well it's official...my children our home for the next TWO WEEKS!!! Isn't life grand-(cough-cough)?

I thought I would share a few of the notecards I did for Alex and Nicky's teachers. I orginally thought I only had to do 4 sets; one for each teacher and one for each of the two ladies who work extended day and who are so sweet at walking my boys over to the auditorium for their basketball practices and games.

I get so excited when I get to use things that have been sitting around for months. All of these packs contain 8 notecards with matching envelopes. I used the top note die to add a little decorative touch so I didn't have to wrap them. This was the perfect project to use up those 6x6 paper packs I know all of you have laying around.

A Christmas Card

I vowed to myself that I would send out Christmas cards this year. Needless to say I have been a little busy and have just gotten around to thinking about some layouts. I came across a simple but beautiful card while blog-hopping and thought it would make a great card to case. First check out my inspiration HERE from Julee Tilman. I really enjoy visiting her blog, she does such beautiful work. Now here is my take:

I hate that I waited to get to work to take this picture. Cubicle lighting is just plain horrible. I liked the fact that it didn't take long to put this card together either. So it should be pretty nice to reproduce a few of these for my favorite family and friends. Now I need to come up with about 2 or 3 more layouts.

Recipe:

CS: Real Red, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla; Stamps: Snow Swirled, Christmas Greetings; Ink: Real Red; Embellishments: Real Red 3/4 Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Real Red Button, Linen Thread

First Class of the New Year

I've been putting together a list of classes for the upcoming months and thought I would post the very first one of the new year.

Desk Set Class:

Saturday, January 9, 2010

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Cost: $15

Isn't this the cutest little desk set? As you can see we will be making a pretty little desk caddy for your pens, pencils, scissors, and such; matching scratchpad holder (which will come with your own personalized sratch paper); a matching pen; and a greeting card. Now this set can be perfect for a gift to someone special or you can definitely keep it for yourself and have an extra card to use at a later date. It's up to you.

I have also planned some new "card-technique" and scrapbooking classes. So come back and visit often, you don't want to miss out on any of the fun.


Save the Date:

Saturday, January 23, 2010
Card-Technique Class

Saturday, February 9, 2010
Valentine's Class

Christmas Wreath

The Martha Stewart Living Magazine is a dangerous thing, especially for crafters. I came across a beautiful wreath in last month's edition using an assortment of nuts. The only thing I thought was missing from her wreath was a little color. So here are my takes on it:

As you can see I used my Big Shot. The wreath base is from Michael's. The nuts are from Meijer's. And the little burns on my fingertips are from hotgun-LOL. But besides that, it was very easy to make. Glue the walnuts down first since they are your biggest. Then just fill-in the empty spaces with your other assorted nuts. Now decorate how you see fit. It is such a versatile decoration. You can customize the colors to go with any color scheme.

Paper Jewelry

Recently I came across a wonderful crafter and blogger, Amy Celona. And while I was visiting her past posts, I saw where she made the most beautiful pins using guess what? PAPER!!! Now I knew I just had to try my hands at this. So what do you think?

Amy provides a wonderful video on exactly how to put together these cute, handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts that would be perfect for the upcoming gift-giving holiday. Now this is not something you can do in just a day. From the pictures you can see that my flower is actually three layers. I wish I would have done a smaller 4th layer for the very top, like Amy did, but I was being impatient at the time.

Now each layer you see is actually 3 layers of cardstock modge podged together. And after the modge podge dried I covered each layer in SU's crystal effects. Believe me when I say that this was not hard to do. The hardest part was waiting for it to dry in between steps. I actually started this on Sunday afternoon and let the modge podge dry overnight. On Monday night I covered it in the crystal effects and let that dry overnight. Before I went to work on Tuesday I checked on it and noticed it still was not completely dry and that's when I took a little of the dazzling diamonds from SU and sprinkled it on each layer. That's the hint of sparkly you see. I put a dew drop on the very top because it just seemed like it was missing something. That's where my regret came in at not doing that 4th little layer to top it all off.

I will definitely be doing more of these. My plans are to work on another one of these this weekend but using one of SU's newest products. I think they are going to come out pretty cute. Stay tuned.

A Christmas Card

Can you believe it? I actually did a card! I can't remember the last time I was able to sit and work on a card. It was so relaxing. Plus, I really liked how the card came out. I have a Christmas class coming up and I think this will be one of the layouts we will do.

Now doing this card also made me start thinking that I have not started on any of my own personal Christmas cards that I send out. This year I do plan on sending some out since I was such a lazy bum last year and did not send out one Christmas card.

Now of course this also got me to thinking about what I needed to buy and what to purchase to make my Christmas cards and then it came to me-I AM NOT BUYING ANYTHING!!!! I have so much stuff I could use. I just refuse to keep buying more on top of more. So I was really happy when I was able to put this card together with the stuff I have on hand.

Recipe:

CS: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Simply Scrappin' Kit: Sweet Nothings, Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled & Punches Three, Ink: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Accessories: Very Vanilla & Riding Hood Red Taffeta, Rhinestones

Wanna Deal?

Stampin' Up received some great feedback when they introduced their "Deals of the Week" a couple of weeks ago. So they have decided to bring it back. Here's the first set of deals:

• Trio Flower Punch - $10.99 (regularly $15.95)
• 5-Petal Flower Punch - $10.99 (regularly $15.95)
• My Way Punch - $11.99 (regularly $15.95)

Watch for a new set of deals on Monday, October 12th.

Don't have a Stampin' Up demonstrator that you love, or loves you? Then give me a call. I would love to place an order for you and keep you updated of all that Stampin' Up has to offer.

My Digital Studio Is Here

Stampin' Up has done it again. They have made my life just a little bit easier. Well let me explain: I am a lazy scrapbooker. I have yet to actually finish a scrapbook. I have all these wonderful ideas floating through my head but I have done absolutely nothing with them. Well Stampin' Up has made it easy for me and you. This month they have introduced "My Digital Studio". Or for a better name, "Scrapbooking Made Easy".

My Digital Studio is an easy-to-use, software-based design studio featuring thousands of Stampin’ Up!’s images, colors, and accessories. My Digital Studio allows crafters of all skill levels to easily navigate the program and design their own digital project or use hundreds of templates to create professionally designed cards, photo albums, scrapbooks, and more. New artwork and templates will be available on a regular basis for download via Stampin’ Up!’s Online Store. In addition, My Digital Studio will offer professional print services where customers can purchase bound photo albums, cards, individual scrapbook pages, and calendars.

Click HERE for more info. I can't wait to get my own copy so I can start playing with it and getting some pictures out of my camera.

Have a great day and stop by again soon,

A New Look

I have decided to accept the fact that fall is here. ARGHHHH!!!! So this means a new look for my blog. Hope you like. I am also in the process of finalizing a new business venture. I'll share this as soon as it becomes final. It is really an exciting adventure that combines my love of paper and crafting.

TTFN,

Birthday Gift

Happy Friday Night everyone. I know I should be doing laundry now but I just can't get in the mood for that. So I decided to post some picts of a little project I have been working on. This is a gift I am giving my boss' daughter for her birthday. This idea came from two great bloggers:

Nancy Reilly

and

Nichole Heady

You should check them out. They do the cutest work. I visit their blogs often.

I did have to do a few adjustments because they used full size cake mix boxes and I used little cake mix boxes. My upline found these smaller versions of Duncan Hines cake mix just for cupcakes at Big Lots. Now she can make some cupcakes and add a few sprinkles. I also added four "thank you" cards so she can send out those thank yous for those great gifts she will get.

I guess I should get to folding. Hoping to hit the outlet mall tomorrow. Mommy needs a new pair of shoes, and pants, and shirts, and purse, and, and, and...you get the picture!!!