Trying the Unexpected

  As we meander a Path of Positivity, we are challenging you to Embrace The Unexpected. Of course, you can share anything positive you like, the theme is always optional.

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is positive.  The theme is always optional.  

This month we are creating something unexpected...you know, make something you wouldn't normally create!  Wow, this opens quite a few doors for me since I have a list a mile long of 'things I want to try'!  

I decided to share this jewelry tree I created from lots of odds and ends.  It's perfect for hanging necklaces, bracelets and earrings and I don't have to dig through a jewelry box for them!  

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Material List:

Silver tree branch left over from a wedding

Wired Crystal Garland

Large Heavy Clear Vase (2nd hand store)

Blue Flat Glass Marbles

Decorate with jewelry!

Be sure to come over and see what the team thinks about our optional twist.  You can also find more information about entering the challenge.  

Thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring our Monthly Random Prize.

  

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.     

Trying the Unexpected!

As we meander a Path of Positivity, we are challenging you to Embrace The Unexpected. Of course, you can share anything positive you like, the theme is always optional.

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is positive.  The theme is always optional.  

This month we are creating something unexpected...you know, make something you wouldn't normally create!  

Ok, I NEVER make bookmarks and I NEVER make in bulk!  So, this is unexpected for me to make 60 bookmarks, but here they are!   

One of the teachers at school requested some notes, cards, words of encouragement for the 3rd graders taking the IRead test this month.  I thought it would be fun to give each one a bookmark. 

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Material List:

Black Cardstock

White Cardstock

Flaxen Twine from CTMH

Adhesives: ATG

Cricut Design Space: Design; Print then Cut; Offset; Shapes

Cricut Access: Tiger from KayBee SVGs; Paw Print from Erica Digital Design; Sentiment on front from Totally Posie

Font on back of bookmark:  BFC Retri Babe

 Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Maker

 Sharing with these challenges:  

Be sure to come over and see 

what the team thinks about our optional twist.  

You can also find more information about entering the challenge.  

Thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring our Monthly Random Prize.

  

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.     

Anything Goes...but no cards!

Time for a new challenge at The Outlawz Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone and the optional theme is... Anything Goes!  

I have chosen to go with a bedding ensemble for a 14 1/2 inch doll.  

I started with a foam mattress and pillow; the foam was cut from packaging.  I sewed a pillow case for the pillow.  For the mattress, I simply wrapped and fabric glued the fabric around the foam as if I were wrapping a gift.  

The sheet is white fabric with all sides machine hemmed.  

The comforter is double-sided:  white felt/heart motif cotton with lace. 

 Material List:

3-D Printed Bed Frame and Dresser ( I take no credit for this part!)

Heart Fabric from Stash

White Fabric from Stash

Lace from Stash

Thread from Stash

Foam from Packaging for pillow and mattress

Be sure to visit  Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone 

for all the details about the challenge and 

to check out all the creative 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.      

The Unexpected Valentine Part 2

As we meander a Path of Positivity, we are challenging you to create something inspired by The Unexpected. Of course, you can share anything positive you like, the theme is always optional.

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is positive.  The theme is always optional.  

This month we are sharing unexpected Valentines.  My 2nd unexpected Valentine was a digital creation left for educators to find on my FaceBook Wall. This card was also inspired by this quote:  

“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.”

― Confucius 

So, who will receive an unexpected card/gift from you?

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Material List:

Digital Elements from Creative Fabrica Coquette Teacher PNG School Pencil Bow

Programs:  Canva 

Canva Instruction from Sande Woodson

Be sure to come over and see what the team thinks about our optional twist.  

You can also find more information about entering the challenge.  

Thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring our Monthly Random Prize.

  

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.     

Off To FarmQuest General Store

I'm delighted to be a guest designer over at FarmQuest General Store this month and I'm making my delivery with this floral wagon wheel country card!

Come play along with Anything Farm and or Country!

Check out the video below for more info on this card.

Material List:

Digital Paper and Element from ScrappyPapers (created in Canva/PhotoScape)

Images from Creative Fabrica 

CTMH Cardstock

Pink Sequins

Adhesives:  Fabri-Tac; ATG; Bearly Arts Precision Glue  

Cricut Design Space:  Designed, Printed and Cut from CDS

Cuts from Design Space: Shapes

Cricut Access:  Sentiment from Stacy's Digital Designs (Altered) 

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade

Cricut Maker

This is off to the following challenges:  

 

613 Avenue Create:  AG

Place to Start:  AG

Creative Fingers:  AG

Perfect Time to Craft:  AG

Creative Crafters:  AG

Triple B:  AG with Birds, Blooms and/or Butterflies

A Cut Above:  AG with a Die Cut

Dream Valley:  Use Pink or Red

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.      

The Unexpected Valentine

 As we meander a Path of Positivity, we are challenging you to create something inspired by The Unexpected. Of course, you can share anything positive you like, the theme is always optional.

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is positive.  The theme is always optional.  

This month we are creating/sending Unexpected Valentines!  I'm sending cards to my equine veterinarians' office!  Now, I realize the sentiment is a bit hokey, but it fits!  ; ) 

So, who will receive an unexpected card/gift from you?

Check out the video below for ideas on Importing and Cleaning Digital Images to use with backgrounds!

Here's a 2nd video on this card in particular!

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Material List:

Digital Image: Hetty Clare Pony Flower https://tinyurl.com/yuxh5hmz

Sentiment: ScrappyPapers

 Copics 

White Cardstock

CTMH Cardstock

Adhesives: ATG

Cricut Design Space: Design and Cut; Offset; Shapes

Cricut Access: Heart, Square

Font: BFC Farmhouse Bride

Cricut Standard Mat Cricut Maker

 Sharing with these challenges:  

Crafty Animal:  AG Featuring an Animal

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie:  I was inspired by the pink hearts.

Pearly Sparkles:  Love is in the Air

(PIN)spirational:  I was inspired by the hearts.

CD Sunday Plus:  AG using a CD, USB, or digi

Perfect Time to Craft:  AG

Classic Design:  AG

Crafts Galore Encore:  AG

Critter Crazy:  AG featuring a Critter

Creative Crafters:  AG

Be sure to come over and see 

what the team thinks about our optional twist.  

You can also find more information about entering the challenge.  

Thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring our Monthly Random Prize.

  

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.     

Calendar Journal/Book

Time for a new challenge at The Outlawz Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone and the optional theme is... Anything Goes!  

I decided it would be fun to create my own calendar journal/book out of cereal box, paper, and a retired paper collection from CTMH.  I used the Cinch Binding System to bind this journal.  

I started by putting together all of the calendars and figuring out the book logistically.  I mapped it out in Pages.  I'll admit, that was a pain!  Note for next year, refer to the pages kept in the computer and just change the numbers!  Then, of course, I had to figure out the printing.  Oh my, that was something outside my brain's wheelhouse, also; but I got it done!

Now for the fun part!  I use 2 layers of cereal box for the front and back covers.  I decorated and put a pocket on the inside of the front cover.  I added a strip of brown cardstock to reinforce where the holes would be punched.  I added the year with some of my goals, ideas, etc. in WordArt.  

If you've never played in WordArt, you might want to check out the video below.  It's a lot of fun!

 Material List:

Calendars for reference

Copy Paper

Cereal Box

Brown Cardstock

CTMH SkyLark Designer Paper(retired)

CTMH Ink

Cinch Binding System

Zutter 1/2 inch binding wire

Adhesives: Bearly Arts; Double Score Tape; Fabric-Tac

CTMH Artistry: Arrow

Cricut Design Space: Design and Cut; Shapes-Rectangle for Months

CDS Access: Font ITC Souvenir for numbers and month names

Cricut Standard Mat Cricut Maker

 Sharing with these challenges:  

We Love 2 Create:  AG MM/Paper crafting

Creative Fingers:  AG

Everybody Art:  AG 

Love to Craft:  AG

Mix it Up:  AG

Crafty Catz:  AG opt blue and green

Be sure to visit  Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone 

for all the details about the challenge and 

to check out all the creative 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.      

The Unexpected Fence Clearing

 A journal page...

As we meander a Path of Positivity, we are challenging you to create something inspired by The Unexpected. Of course, you can share anything positive you like, the theme is always optional.

Now this theme is a bit tricky this month!  The idea is to reflect upon the past and create a project based upon an unexpected event that changed your life.  Lisa explains it very well over at PoP; so you might want to drop by for her explanation.  

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is positive.  The theme is always optional.  

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I noticed this cherry tomato plant unexpectedly in May of 2024 growing outside my riding arena.  The wind blew it in and it bloomed where it landed!  I ate tomatoes from the plant for over 4 months.    

If this plant can do it, so can I.

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Check out the video below for tips on creating your own patterns in Cricut Design Space!  

Material List:

Photo by ScrappyHorses

Colored pencils and pen

My Homemade Journal Book ~Almost full!

Digital paper design by ScrappyPapers

Christy Tomlinson She Art "coffee filter sheets doodles"

Tim Holtz idea-ology Collage Paper Entomology

Ranger Embossing Ink

Embossing Powders from Stash

Stampendous Pearlustre Carnelian Embossing Powder

CTMH Inks

Adhesives: Bearly Arts; Double Score Tape; Fabric-Tac; Liquitex Matt Gel

Cricut Design Space: Design and Cut; Offset

CDS Access: 'bloom' from Diva Watts Designs; Ivy Vine from Whizz Art & Craft

Cricut Standard Mat Cricut Maker

 Sharing with these challenges:  

Creative Fingers:  AG

My Time to Craft:  Use a Sentiment

CRAFT:  AG

613 Avenue Create: AG

Place to Start:  AG

Perfect Time to Craft:  AG

Classic Design:  AG

Crafts Galore Encore:  AG

Dream Valley:  AG

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends:  AG

Allsorts:  Close to Nature

Crafty Calendar:  Add a Die Cut

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers:  NBUS  Those cute coffee filter sheets have been sitting up there for years...never opened!!

Craft Rocket:  Something New ~ I created new designer paper for this project!

Creative Knockouts:  Use a Sentiment

Word Power:  Showcase Words

FarmQuest General Store:  AG Country/Farm

Be sure to come over and see 

what the team thinks about our optional twist.  

You can also find more information about entering the challenge.  

Thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring our Monthly Random Prize.

  

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.     

The Unexpected

As we meander a Path of Positivity, we are challenging you to create something inspired by The Unexpected. Of course, you can share anything positive you like, the theme is always optional.

Now this theme is a bit tricky this month!  The idea is to reflect upon the past and create a project based upon an unexpected event that changed your life in a positive way.  Lisa explains it very well over at PoP; so you might want to drop by for her explanation.  

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is positive.  The theme is always optional.  

*   *   *   

So, here's my "unexpected."  My daughter was very anxious to start a family but was told after several months of waiting, her chances of conceiving were very low.  

Obviously, the family was heartbroken, but we suggested she go back to grad school and finish up a masters.  Then she might be ready to consider adoption.  

In the meantime, she became very ill with asthma and a plethora of auto-immune issues.  For months her asthma was uncontrolled and she was in the ER frequently with breathing problems; doctors were having a very difficult time managing her issues.  

One of her doctors sent her in for a scope on her upper GI since she was now having digestive issues.  The nurse came in to take blood and of course asked if there was any chance she could be pregnant.  She looked up with a sad eye and said, "I can't get pregnant.  There's less than a 5% chance I can conceive."  The nurse apologized for having to take the test anyway.  Katelyn understood.  I did my best to change the subject and move on to other topics while we waited. 

Well, we waited and waited...and waited some more!  Finally, the nurse came back with a perplexed look on her face and said, "I had the lab run this twice to be sure.  I didn't want any false results on this test!"  She held out the paper for Katelyn to read; the pregnancy test was positive!

Needless to say, there were tears and phone calls.  The surgeon came by and said he couldn't explain many of her issues, but he could probably figure out the GI problems!  ;)  The nurse suggested Katelyn get with her OB/GYN before leaving the hospital to set up the earliest appointment since her health was so precarious.  

Sure enough, it was a long 9 months full of worry, emergency hospital visits, and tests.  Finally, in January 2016, a healthy baby Cass was born.  

Unexpected for sure!

Update:  Katelyn was finally diagnosed with AERD and Dermatmyositis. She has had ups and downs with her condition.  We can't say she is fully in remission; but she is able to work part time, stay out of the ER (for the most part), and take care of her family.   

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Interested in creating a Digital Layout in Canva?  Check out the video below.

Material List:

Photo Christmas 2016

Papers, Tags, and Burlap Ribbon from ScrappyPapers 

Digital Elements from Canva 

Digital Elements from Kitten Scraps (Retired), but you can find her designs here:  My Memories

Programs:  Canva and PhotoScape X

Canva Instruction from Sande Woodson

 Sharing with these challenges:  

CRAFT:  New/AG

613 Avenue Create: AG

Place to Start:  AG

Perfect Time to Craft:  AG

Classic Design:  AG

Crafts Galore Encore:  AG

My Time to Craft:  New ~ I used new papers

Peace On Earth:  AG Christmas

Everybody Art Challenge:  W for Wreathe, Christmas 

The Holly and Ivy:  AG Christmas

The Outlawz Festive Friday:  Christmas

Conjurer of Dreams:  AG

Dream Valley:  AG

Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round:  The Christmas Song

I was inspired by these words ~

"Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way"

If you are interested in learning Canva techniques, I recommend the videos by Sande Woodson!  Here's a link to her channel.

She is quite knowledgeable about this technology/crafting medium!

Be sure to come over and see 

what the team thinks about our optional twist.  

You can also find more information about entering the challenge.  

Thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring our Monthly Random Prize.

  

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.     

I Tried Something New!

 Time for a new challenge at The Outlawz Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone and the optional theme is... Try Something New!  

I created a paper collection; this is very new for me.  I'm calling this particular collection "Tidings of Joy" by ScrappyPapers and I'm giving it away to the winner over at Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone.  Come try something new and play along for a chance to win!

Catch the video below to see how I used the papers on the layout above.  

I will be showing a 2nd layout with this same paper on the evening of January 6; I invite you back to see that one, also.

Material List:

Vintage Photo circa 1970

Papers, Tags, and Burlap Ribbon from ScrappyPapers (These papers/ephemera are digitally created in Canva, Cricut Design Space, PhotoScape.  I did not use AI; however some images included may have been created in that manner prior to my obtaining them.)  

Digital Elements from Canva (Circle, Font) Free

Digital Elements from Creative Fabrica:  Christmas Wreath https://tinyurl.com/3x95p2d6

Digital Elements from RawPixel: Gold Star https://tinyurl.com/mr3jewdp

Programs:  Canva and PhotoScape X

If you are interested in learning Canva techniques, I recommend the videos by Sande Woodson!  Here's a link to her channel.

She is quite knowledgeable about this technology/crafting medium!

 Sharing with these challenges:  

CRAFT:  New/AG

Perfect Time to Craft:  AG

Classic Design:  AG

Crafts Galore Encore:  AG

My Time to Craft:  New ~ I used new papers

Everybody Art Challenge:  W for Wreathe, Christmas

The Holly and Ivy:  AG Christmas 

The Outlawz Sketch:  Circle and Cute

The Outlawz Festive Friday:  Christmas

Conjurer of Dreams:  AG

Dream Valley:  AG

Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round:  The Christmas Song

I was inspired by these words ~

"Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way"

Be sure to visit  Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone 

for all the details about the challenge and 

to check out all the creative 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.