Birthday!

The new theme for the 
Cut It Up challenge is Birthday!  Create any type of birthday project, but don't forget your die cuts!!    

These adorable Birthday dies are from Spellbinders!  The sweet scene on the birthday bag is made from the Shapeabilities We Bring Happy!  There was something about this beautiful die that reminded me of old-fashioned birthday parties outside featuring games like Pin the Tail on the Donkey and Duck, Duck, Goose and then ice cream and cake set up at long tables!  That inspired my vintage look.


The card features the Shapeabilites Happy Wishes die.  This die is the perfect size for a card!  I kept a vintage sort of feel cutting it from a dark brown and going with a rosy/dusty pink sort of palette.  

Now, I'll state right up front, I use a Spellbinders Grand Calibur Die Cutting & Embossing Machine.  I bought it years ago when I was making wedding invitations since it had a larger (wider) platform to fit the invitations.  I thought I would go back to the smaller machine I had before, but I fell in love with this one and never went back.  I gave the old one away!  I also love their embossing folders and use them regularly!  So, when I found out they were sponsoring us this challenge, I was delighted to use their high quality products!  If you are not familiar with this company, I encourage you to pay them a visit and peruse their pages!  

This birthday ensemble is off to the following challenges/pages:  
Love to Craft:  AG
Worldwide Open DT:  AG
Moving Along with the Times:  Monochrome (the bag)
Seize the Birthday: Birthday 

When you visit the Cut It Up blog, have fun viewing the DT projects and check out the rules and prize info.  Then be sure to share your project with us ~ don't forget the die cut to have a chance to win a prize from our amazing sponsors. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Guys and Games

There's a new challenge over at A Gem of a Challenge!  

The team is challenged to create something for a guy to prepare for Father's Day which is June 16th in USA and the UK.  I chose Snooker Table from Pink Gem Designs over at Polkadoodles  and colored the image up with Copic markers, a wood stamp and ink, and sponged ink.  

The light fixture is finished with some Deco Foil and the embellishments are are an 8 Ball and a couple of Pool Cue Sticks from Cricut Design Space.  

Material List:

Pink Gem Designs Digi:  Snooker Table
Polkadoodles Plaid Paper from Rugby/Footbal Little Dude
Deco Foil
Zig 2 Way Glue
Copic Markers
Adhesives
Various Inks

Come and join us at the Pink Gems Challenge where it is Anything Goes!  Can't wait to see you there!  

This card is off to the following challenges:  

Colour Crazy Challenge:  AG Colored

The Male Room:  AG
C.R.A.F.T.:  Father's Day/Male
As You Like It:  His or Hers  Fav (I really enjoy making projects for guys.  Scrapping my son's adventures was always great fun! Now I have grand-girls, so I need to get girly!  hahaha)

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

ReTro Cool!

It's time for new challenge over at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday and our optional twist is Masculine! 

I started with this fun image, Beattle Bug, from LeAnn's World.  I found some fun fonts for RETRO and a cut for cool in Cricut Design Space to add.  Now, why a green VW Bug?  Well, my guy drove a green VW when we were dating in High School!  That car was so old, had holes in the floor board and you could hear it coming a mile away...literally!  What did he drive to work today?  Uh, well, a very different story - a GMC Sierra 3500HD--you can't haul horses with a VW Beatle!  hahaha

Be sure to visit

 The Outlawz Twisted Thursday for all the details about the challenge and to check out all fun inspiration from the DT and participants!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Lapbook/Journal: Dogs and Pups

Time for a new challenge over at Digi Choosday!  The DT were challenged to create a project with the following criteria!  The challenge is always Anything Goes for your projects!

1. Theme:   Just Because/Friend  (Created for my Friends at 2B Rescue)

2. Use: Any image NOT a person (Bowl and collar)

3. Make: Anything including more than one fold, ie a concertina card, gatefold etc  (Lots of fold here!!)

So, I decided to create a Lapbook/Journal and include lots of videos and pictures for you!  All materials are listed in the information boxes on the videos; so, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy the videos!

Yesterday was National Rescue Dog Day!  In celebration of that, this book is being donated to 2B Rescue where I found my dog, Luther, who is shown in one of the videos or you can see him HERE!  

Here is a Video Flip-Through of the book

Foundation Book Tutorial.

and 

here are the 2 Video Tutorials

Part 1

Part 2

My book is off to the following challenges:

A Place to Start:  Showcase your fav technique(s) (Mine are Distressing, Inking and Bookmaking)
2 Crafty Critter Crazies:  AG with critter (no actual critter, but a book for a critter!)
A Vintage Journey:  Book It  
Creative Artiste:  AG Mixed Media
Mix it Up:  Mixed Media AG
Mini Album Makers Challenge:  Finished Album/book
Stinkin' Inkers:  All Tied Up ~ Use Ribbon, Twine, Fibers
We Love to Create:  AG Mixed Media
Crafty Calendar:  Distress It
TTCRD:  AG
Crafter's Castle:  AG
Papercraft:  Ribbons
Sweet Stampers:  Animals
Crafting from the Heart:  AG
Friendship Challenge:  Animals
Classic DT:  AG
Creative Craft Cottage:  Use Ink
Festive Friday:  Creativity Day and/or Fun Fold
As You Like It:  Favourite non-card project (Journals are so fun to create!  So much opportunity to embellish, personalize, and "get creative.")
Cutie Pie:  Bingo (Buttons, Stripes, Spots or Buttons, Twine, Flowers or Stripes, Dies, Lace or Flowers, Dies, Spots)

Corrosive Challenge:  AG

*   *   *

Hey, have you ever wanted to be a Guest Designer with us over at Polkadoodles?  Check out the Digi Choosday page for the details!  

Be sure to head over to Digi Choosday and check out the amazing projects from our team!  Then come share what you are crafting; we'd love to see it!  Remember, when you visit the Digi Choosday Site to pick up your discount code to Polkadoodles; it's good all day today....Tuesday!  It's a great way to pick up those digi's you've had your eye on!  While you're there, you might want to sign up for the Newsletter so you never miss out on special events!

Thanks for dropping by today.  It's always great to have company!  Please feel free to peruse other pages/posts, visit my Pinterest,  or view some videos at my YouTube Channel.

PoP Hand

Admiration is the optional theme over at Path of Positivity!  This journal page in my faith journal highlights women in my family from my grandmother through to my grand-girl!  I'm not really sure any of us would be considered a "diadem" but we are most certainly a "force to be reckoned with"!  They come no stronger than these women who set out to push the limits and keep pushing far past what they (we) should!  Yeah, stubborn, too!  

We certainly are NOT a family of perfect women!  We are go getters who set goals and constantly move in that direction sometimes unintentionally causing storms in the peace and "sinning boldly", but we do not cease until the job is complete.  

Yes, we do fail, but it doesn't stop us from trying again.  Do we know when to "throw in the towel"?  No....usually not.  Does it cause us pain....usually does!  Do we give in when we know persistence it's futile?  Not usually!   

No, we don't make sense, but it is who we are and I have to admire this lineage of enduring women!

*   *   *   

So.... here's a little about this piece.

I printed this nostalgic image, Hand from Scribbles Designs
 and Copic colored the image.  I did add some gel pen and a pearl.  

I ripped the page, inked it, and added some lace underneath as well as some around the pictures.  Gems and a bow finish it off!  

This tribute is off to the following challenges:

Let's Craft and Create:  AG + Option: Motherly Love
Not Just Cards:  AG
Creative Fingers:  AG
Simply Create, Too:  AG
Scribbles Designs:  Showcase A Flower  (Added a pearl to the flower on the glove...not sure if this counts, but just wanted to share my make!)

Be sure to come on 

over to 

Path of Positivity 

and see 

what the team 

thinks about Love!  

You can also find 

more information 

about entering 

the challenge!  

Thanks to our 

wonderful sponsors this month:

and

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

A Calf's Picnic

The new theme for the Cut It Up challenge is Picnics!  Create any type of project, but don't forget your die cuts!!    

I thought it would be fun to use this image as a calf's picnic page in my faith journal!  ;)
  To set the scene, I started with this delightful image, My Cow, from A Day for Daisies and Copic colored this duo.  The sky and grass are filled out with CTMH sponged inks in Sky and Sweet Leaf.  

Several dies add to our picnic scene including the following:  
Tree:  Polkadoodles Winnie Fruit Punch
Lacy oval:  Cricut Design Space ~ Lacy Labels
Oval with Text:  Cricut Design Space ~ A Child's Year
Apples:  Cricut Design Space ~ Cheerful Seasons

CTMH Papers, Stamps, Inks
Inks (these colors retired):  Topiary, Sweet Leaf, Sky, Holiday Red, 
Papers all retired:  Sweet Leaf, black, Chocolate, and a stash one that I don't have the name 

I finished it off with some embellishments including:
Lace
CTMH Gems (retired)
Twine for a Bow

This is off to the following challenges/pages:  
Creative Knockouts:  Fav Embellishments~ lace and twine
Alphabet Challenge:  D is for distressed -inks/papers
Crafty Animals:  AG
Daisy Chain:  AG
TTCRD:  AG

When you visit the Cut It Up blog, have fun viewing the DT projects and check out the rules and prize info.  Then be sure to share your project with us ~ don't forget the die cut to have a chance to win a prize from our amazing sponsors. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Lapbook/Journal: The foundation

This is my foundation in a Lapbook/Journal project.  In this tutorial, we will construct a Lapbook/Journal with a cover and 10 inside panels (although you could add more if you wanted!) to decorate.  
   

Supply List:  

Cereal boxes

Double sided tape

Duct Tape

Decorative Washi Tape

Kraft Paper

Glue stick/Fabric Tac/Adhesives of choice

Paint/ink/other you have in your craft room

Ideas for this book construction are a combination of techniques from some of my favorite book makers on YouTube including:

Nik the Booksmith

Mike Deakin

Jen of Eve

The photos of the book below were taken of an earlier book.  You can view prior finished books Vintage Cowgirl, Cowgirl Journal, and Lavender Tea Journal.  You will find YouTube videos on these pages, also!  This will give you an idea of where we are going with this make!

Check out the video below for step by step instructions!

Ok, so if you watched the video, you found that my book is going to be filled with Polkadoodles paper and embellies....and the inspiration is my new GSD pup!  Here he is.....introducing....

Luther ~ 16 weeks old in these photos!

Please come back and join me on Tuesday, May 21 for Polkadoodles Lapbook Journal:  Dogs and Pups.  I will be using some very fun papers and embellishments from Polkadoodles!  You won't want to miss this!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Man's Best Friend!

Starting a new venture with Polkadoodles...Pink Gem Designs!  If you haven't seen these adorable images, you need to head over to Polkadoodles and check out the digis there!  

The team is challenged to create something for a guy to prepare for Father's Day which is June 16th in USA and the UK.  What better image than a dog since dogs are man's best friend!  I chose Millie with Heart Balloon and colored her up with Copic markers.  

The rest is explained in the video below, so grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join me!  

Material List:
Pink Gem Designs Digi:  Millie with Heart Balloon
Polkadoodles Work & Play 12
Woof You Dogs Clear Stamp Set
The Great Outdoors A5 Paper Pack
Inks
Twine
Copic Markers
Adhesives
Various embellishments

Come and join us at the Pink Gems Challenge where it is Anything Goes!  Can't wait to see you there!  

This little one will be visiting the following challenges:  
Library Challenge:  All Creatures Great and Small
Crafty Cardmakers:  3,2,1:  3 Buttons, 2 banner tags, 1 piece of twine
2 Crafty Critter Crazies:  AG with a Critter
Crafter's Castle:  Show us what you use to color:  Copics
Creative Fingers:  Anything Papercraft Goes

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Hip to B Square!

It's time for new challenge over at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday and our optional twist is Hip to B Square! To follow our twist, I thought it would be fun to put this image in 3 different polaroid type square frames!  

I started with this fun image, Benjamin, from LeAnn's World.  The papers are all retired from CTMH as well as the embellishments.  The 'hip' font is from Cricut Design Space Forever Young and the inside sentiment is from Cricut Design Space Let's Celebrate!  The "it's your day!" is Cricut Design Space typed in text using Be Free font.  

Come share with us at Twisted Thursday!

Off to the following Challenges/Pages:  
A Bit More Time to Craft:  AG
MOO-Mania:  Just One Word  (one word on front)
TTCRD:  AG

Be sure to visit

 The Outlawz Twisted Thursday for all the details about the challenge and to check out all fun inspiration from the DT and participants!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Flip Flop Time...with a surprise upcycle!

The Digi Choosday Team is sharing projects featuring the following:  

Mothers day (usa 12th May)

1. Theme:   Holidays

2. Use: Any image which includes a camera, sunglasses or anything beachy. Use something UPCYCLED/RECYCLED from the kitchen trash! 

3. Make: A card which is not square

So I chose to make this gift card for my daughter as she celebrates Mother's Day!

Of course, it's always Anything Goes for all of your entries; so come join us for a chance to win some Polkadoodles digis!  

Material List:

Polkadoodles Sentiments and Flip Flop digi from Winnie Starfish/Sandcastles Craft Printables.  

Adhesives
Glass Seed Beads
Sand Dollar
Twine
White Cardstock
Epson Printer
Cricut for cutting
Surprise Recycle/Upcycle item (see video!)

Please check out the video below for all the details on this card!  

*   *   *

Hey, have you ever wanted to be a Guest Designer with us over at Polkadoodles?  Check out the Digi Choosday page for the details!  

Be sure to head over to Digi Choosday and check out the amazing projects from our team!  Then come share what you are crafting; we'd love to see it!  Remember, when you visit the Digi Choosday Site to pick up your discount code to Polkadoodles; it's good all day today....Tuesday!  It's a great way to pick up those digi's you've had your eye on!  While you're there, you might want to sign up for the Newsletter so you never miss out on special events!

My flip flop is off to the following challenges:  
Cupcake Inspirations:  Theme ~ shaped card
Double Trouble:  Spring/summer Months (no twist)
Incy Wincy:  Shaped Cards
We Love 2 Create:  Mixed Media
Crafty Catz:  Bon Voyage/travel

Thanks for dropping by today.  It's always great to have company!  Please feel free to peruse other pages/posts, visit my Pinterest,  or view some videos at my YouTube Channel.

Teachers and Admiration

Admiration is the new optional theme over at Path of Positivity!  When I think of admiration, my first thoughts go to teachers ~ always have and probably always will since I come from a line of educators and several in my family have continued this love/passion.  We have it covered from Early Childhood Development to college ...even reform/correctional school!  It all started back in the 1920's with my grandma who was the first college educated in her family and she went on to teach at White's Institute, a reform school for boys.  This was one tough woman who used her brain and braun for the good!  

My cousin and her husband are both incredibly talented college music professors and their son is a history teacher. 

In my real life, not to be confused with my horse or craft life, (hahaha) I teach music in the private sector and my daughter has a degree and worked in Early Childhood Development before moving on to Library Science where she teaches Sign Language.  

Now, the inspiration for this piece is actually my sister.  This woman is, at times, my grandma all over again!  She is tough with a heart that goes out to the kids who really are in need.  She knows how to reach those students who no one else will/can.  I admire her tenacity and willingness to go waaaay above and beyond what many will for students who just can't find their way due to learning disabilities, home challenges, prejudice, or just plain bad luck.  

My sis actually moved in to an old one room school house built back in the early 1900's!  It is such a great house and I wanted to make something special for her.  

*   *   *   

So.... here's a little about this piece.

I printed this nostalgic image, Vintage Teacher, from A Day for Daisies on a rectangle measuring approximately 5x6 inches.  I Copic colored the image and sponged the wall.  I did add some faint texture to the teacher's blouse using a texture stamp.  The floor was done with a retired stamp from CTMH.  I distressed with Chocolate ink and adhered this to a pice of dark brown paper.  

Cricut Die Cuts 

Rulers:  CTMH Artbooking

School Handbell:  School Day Icons 

Books Label Tag:  Wrap It Up

Papers  

Script:  Retired from CTMH

Dark Brown Backgrounds: Colorbok Veranda 

Other paper from stash

Other Embellishments

Ribbon:  Retired CTMH

We R Memory Keepers Wide Eyelets

CTMH Glitz Glitter Gel  (probably retired)   

Frame:  Better Homes and Gardens Distressed White

This tribute is off to the following challenges:
Crafting with an Attitude:  AG

We Love 2 Create:  AG/Mixed Media
A Vintage Journey:  Book IT:  I was inspired by the "Little House on the Prairie" Series
Crafter's Cafe:  Use dies and/or punches
Simon Says:  Add Something Metallic  (metal eyelets)

Use Your Stuff:  Tags or Frames

Be sure to come on 

over to 

Path of Positivity 

and see 

what the team 

thinks about Admiration!  

You can also find 

more information 

about entering 

the challenge!  

Thanks to our 

wonderful sponsors this month:

and

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.