Mission Accomplished!

The title to this blog post has two meanings.  The first is that I actually did it......I blogged every day this month. That is a big accomplishment seeing that the last blog post prior to October 1 was June 1.  Hopefully I can keep up with this daily blog schedule.  The holidays are coming up and it does get busy so I may miss a day or two along the way but maybe entire months won't go by without a post.

Now, the second meaning to today's blog title - I finished the cross-stitch project that I blogged about last week.  The hardest part for me was doing the blanket stitch around the felt leaf.  While a blanket stitch is an easy stitch, it is something that I have not done much of so it was slow going for me.  

I love the way it turned out.  I currently have the pillow stuffed with fiberfill until I can get to Joann's Crafts to get a 12x12 pillow form.  

Hope you likey!  Oh, one more thing.......Happy Halloween!

                              

Color My Wednesday

...........Brown

Tags & Bags!

The crafters over at Cas-ual Fridays have a two week challenge going on.  After mulling this challenge over for some time, I finally decided to enter.  The challenge ends tomorrow, so nothing like waiting until the last minute!  Here is my entry for the challenge CFC 118:  Tags & Bags

Supplies used:  

Treat bag - Pebbles, Inc. (purchased a pack of 24 bags @ Archivers)

Ribbon - Celebrate It 360 (Michaels)

Washi - stash

Tag - Graphic 45 Typography Collection (Typography)

Hmmmm.....wonder what goodies this little treat bag holds???

Two of My Favorites

I just finished making a card using two of my favorite products....1) Graphic 45 paper and 2) Lovely as a Tree stamp set from Stampin' Up.  I am entering this card in the October card challenge that Graphic 45 is having.

Supplies used:

Black cardstock - Bazzill Basics Paper

Cream cardstock - Core'dinations Premium Cardstock

Tree stamp - Stampin' Up Lovely as a Tree collection

Sentiment - Graphic 45 Typography Collection (Dream)

Serene Sunday

Autumn Leaves

I had to go thru my stamps today looking for leaf rubber stamps.  I was surprised at how many I actually had......I found 20 different leaf stamps! One of my newest leaf stamps was given to me by my bestest crafting buddy, Cheryl.  (You can see her blog here.  She has been a card-making fool lately!). Cheryl and I were at a stamping event a few months ago and this stamp was one of the door prizes.......

When it was time for this stamp to be given away, I kept saying, "I hope I win, I hope I win!" Well, I didn't win BUT Cheryl did.  Hey, I'm happy when my crafting buddies win things because crafting buddies share! ;o) 

And boy DID Cheryl share.  She knew that I really liked the stamp so she gave it to me!!!  

One reason I like the stamp so much is because it is such a simple design.  Here is a card that I made with the stamp this afternoon.  

Pretty, isn't it?  I'm entering this card in the following card challenges:  Word Art Wednesday Challenge #103 - Anything Goes and Twist of Faith Card Challenge #60 - Harvest.

Supplies used:

Cardstock - Stampin' Up (Summer Starfruit) and Bazzill Basics Paper (red)

Leaf stamp - Stampin' Up Magnificient Maple

Sentiment - Stampin' Up Day of Gratitude

Die cut label - Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four

Ink - Stampin' Up Riding Hood Red

A New Stitching Project

I started this stitching project on Monday.  I like projects like this because they are quick to stitch and require little/no "finishing".

This is a Pine Mountain Designs kit project.  The kit included the pre-sewn pillow sham, DMC floss, and a piece of wool/felt (this is needed for a wool leaf which will go in the top right square).  I almost have all of the cross-stitching done.  The only "finishing" that I have to do once cross-stitching is done is to cut out a wool leaf and blanket stitch it to the pillow sham.  

The pillow sham is 12" square.  A 12" inch pillow form, which can be found at most craft stores, is inserted in the back of the pillow form and, PRESTO, a cute fall-themed pillow is ready for display.  

I'll post another photo once I have finished this project.

Cat Naps

Ahhhh-tumn

 

The leaves are changing colors....

 

 

 

The cats are napping.....

 

 

 

Snuggling......

 

Not a creature was stirring???

Wait, that's not until December!

 

Ahhhh-tumn!

 

The purrfect time for cat naps!

Color My Wednesday

......fuschia

Halloween Greetings, Punkin!

I realize that Halloween isn't until next week, but here is a little handmade greeting a few days early.  I'm entering this card in the following card challenge - City Crafter Challenge Blog - Week 182 - Pumpkin Patch.

Supplies used:
Card stock - Stampin' Up
Rubber stamps - Stampin' Up (retired Hedgehog stamp set) - hedgehog and candy corn; 'Happy Halloween', 'boo' and 'eek' - from my unidentified stash!
Button and twine - stash

French Country Greetings

I think I have mentioned in prior blog posts how much I *love* Graphic 45 papers.  Earlier this year they came out with a paper collection called French Country.  True to its name, the colors and designs in this collection does remind me of the French countryside.   Enjoy!

Serene Sunday

A Special Card For A Baby Girl

I have a great-niece, Shiloh, who just turned one month old this week and she is absolutely adorable. I think she has more hair than I do!  Isn't she cute??

In the past two months, I think I've made 4 or 5 'welcome baby' cards. Playing off of the inchie idea (see yesterday's post about inchie cards), I came up with a similar layout for baby cards using scalloped squares. Here is the card that I made for Shiloh.

I also made a baby boy card for a friend's new little one.....

These cards would also be cute baby shower cards even if the baby's sex is not known.  All you would need to do is use gender neutral colors.  A sentiment of 'welcome baby' could also be used instead of using the baby's name.  These cards are so versatile and fun to make.....and easy too!  The hard part is picking out which papers to use!

Inchie Cards

Jacqueline is a fellow paper-crafter who writes an inspiring blog.  I have been following her blog for quite some time.  Earlier this year, Jacqueline had a contest on her blog.  The winner would win one of her "inchie" cards.  I know, I know......you are saying, "What is an inchie card?"  Well, let me link you (click here) to one of Jacqueline's blog posts which shows an inchie card that she made.  I think you will agree that her card is gorgeous!

Anyhoo, where were we?  Oh yeah - Jacqueline had a contest; the winner would receive one of her inchie cards. Hmmmm...wonder who that winner ended up being??  I'll give you one hint.  ME!!!!

Here is a photo of the card that Jacqueline sent me.  Isn't it pretty?

  

Well, needless to say, I wanted to make some inchie cards.  Inchie cards are a great way to use scrap pieces of paper.  We *all* know that I have *plenty* of scrap pieces of paper!  (Remind me to post a photo some time of my scraps.)

Here are photos of two of my inchie cards.

      

 

 

To make my inchie cards, I used a paper punch to punch out 1" squares from several different patterned papers.  On some of the inchies, I stamped a little sentiment or a small image.  On other inchies, I just let the design of the paper stand alone.

These inchies were adhered to a larger piece of card stock which was then adhered to the front of the card.  I also added a sentiment and/or stamped image to the front of the card using foam squares to add dimension.

So, got scraps?  What are you waiting for.  Get your craft on and make some inchie cards!

News From the Snail Mail World

• Birth announcement and precious newborn photos
• Update on a friend's remodeling project (reminder to self......at the first thoughts of ANY remodeling, please refer back to this letter.)
• News of a rapidly growing 7 month old sweet baby boy and his "cutest two bottom teeth"
• School picture - isn't he handsome?
• New news ;o) from old friends
• Thank you's
• Letterpress cards
• "Thinking of you" sentiments
• Johnny Cash stamps
• Hand drawn hearts and smiley faces

Color My Wednesday

.......yellow!

Give Thanks - A New Card Challenge

I *love* Fresh Squeezed Stamps and I *love* card challenges.  I think you know what I'm leading up to....

There is a card challenge going on over at City Crafter Challenge Blog.  I'm submitting this card for their Week 181-Give Thanks challenge.  The sponsor for the challenge is Fresh Squeezed Stamps.  

Supplies Used:

Card stock - Bazzill Basics Paper

Embossing folder - Cuttlebug (Swiss Dots)

Sentiment - Fresh Squeezed Stamps Subway Series Holidays

Give Thanks Ribbon - The Paper Studio

Now, how about you???  Why not get your craft on and enter this card challenge too!

Recent Cards.....or maybe not

The photos of these three "recent" cards have been in my blogger draft folder since February.  At that time, I titled the draft "Recent Cards".  But, since that was eight months ago, I have added ".....or maybe not" to the title.  

Supplies:  Bazzill card stock

Tag die cuts:  Sizzix-Tags, Scallop Combo #2

Stampin' Up Tea Shoppe stamp set (tea cups)

& Swirls and Curls Verses (sentiment)

Supplies: Bazzill Paper - red card stock

Jillibean Soup - Winter Tortellini & Spinach Soup (patterned paper)

Fresh Squeezed Stamps - Subway Series Holidays

The Paper Studio - red gemstones

Twine -  stash

Supplies:  Teresa Collins - Everyday Moments (patterned card stock)

Our Daily Bread Designs - You Will Find Refuge stamp set & coordinating die

Colored pencils - Martha Stewart

 

 

I have one more post left in my draft folder.  It is from December 2012!  Maybe I can get it finalized and published before December 2013 rolls around!!





Serene Sunday

My Gardenia is blooming again.......and a random mushroom!

Snow Zone!

A while back I blogged about some model stitching that I had done for my friend, Beth, who designs cross-stitch patterns.  (To see that post, you can click here).

Earlier this year, Beth emailed to see if I was interested in doing another model stitch project.  I really had not been stitching much (paper crafts had been occupying most of my time) but was wanting to get back into a more regular routine of stitching so I agreed to do the project.

I finished the piece a few months ago; however, I had to wait until the pattern had been published before blogging about it and showing a picture of the finished product.

Just this week Beth released the pattern which is entitled Snow Zone.  Let me refer you to Beth's blog post where you can see her photo of the finished piece that I stitched.

I enjoyed stitching it and hope you like it.  Makes me long for a wintery day!

While you are checking out Beth's blog, you may also be interested in seeing another  piece that I model stitched for her last year.....it was a reproduction of an antique needlepoint basket.  Beth's post about this French Harvest Basket can be found here.

And for all my stitching friends, if you like Beth's patterns as much as I do, you can find them in her etsy shop.  For all of my non-stitching friends - if you want to learn how to cross-stitch, I would be happy to teach you.

Oh.....wondering about the two beautiful pieces in the photo above?  Beth stitched them for me.  The piece on the left is a scissor case (she included a nice pair of scissors) that has a magnetic closure that also keeps my needle secure.  The piece on the right is a scissor fob.....again, a cute little pair of scissors was included.  Don't you just love handmade treasures!

Need Something to Read?

I have added a second page to my blog.  See above where it says "Stuff to give away"?  That is my new page and I will be adding items to it every so often.  Right now there is a list of books that I am getting rid of.  So, click on the new page and take a look.  If you see something you would like, let me know. 

New Old Stamp Sets, A Card Challenge & How To Fix A Boo-Boo!

I really like nature-themed stamps.  Recently I saw these two stamp sets up for auction on Ebay.

I was surprised when I ended up being the winner!  Both sets were mine for less then $1.50 per stamp.  The top set is called Touch of Nature and was introduced by Stampin' Up in 2005 and the bottom set, Ageless Adornment, was introduced in 2004.

So, those are my *new* old stamp sets.  On to the next topic....a card challenge.  

I used two of the stamps from the Touch of Nature set to make this card which I am entering in the Word Art Wednesday Challenge #101-Anything Goes.  

Supplies Used:

Cardstock - my stash

Patterned papers - My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two - Blush

Flower and sentiment stamp - Stampin' Up Touch of Nature

Finally, what's this about fixing a boo boo?  Well, the original design for the card was to have one flower (the one currently on the left side of card), the strip of floral paper was going to be vertical on the right hand side of the card, and the sentiment was going to be stamped diagonally in the area where the floral paper is currently located.  What went wrong??  I stamped the flower on the left side of card......"Boy, doesn't that look nice?"  (Yes, I talk to myself frequently while crafting).  Then, I stamped the sentiment.....what a blobby mess!!! "Great!  How am I going to fix that?"

That is when Plan B (what you see in the photo) was enacted.  Plan B also called for a little something in the upper right corner so I stamped another flower (just the head this time), cut it out, and popped it on with a foam square.  "Whew!"

I'm thinking that the flower stamp from the Touch of Nature set is going to get a lot of use.  I love the simple, yet pretty, look it has. 

Color My Wednesday

........orange

Pinwheels!

Just a quick post to show you a card that I made for WCMD (thats World Card Making Day) last Saturday.  It is super easy to make!

I made the "pinwheel" by punching out four 1" squares using four different patterned papers.  You could also use a larger square punch.  The important thing is that the pieces need to be square.  

After punching out the squares, I rounded opposite corners using my round corner punch and then cut the squares in half diagonally (from square corner to square corner).  To form the pinwheel, I adhered the eight pieces to another piece of patterned paper and attached a brad to the center of the pinwheel. You could also use a button.  I added a sentiment to the bottom of the card.  

I like the way that the card turned out and want to make more using up some of the scrap pieces of patterned paper that I am currently hoarding.

So, do you think you can make one?  Time to go get your craft on and be sure to let me know how your card turns out.  

A Look At What I'm Reading

How about you......what are you reading?

Serene Sunday

One of My Stitching Projects

I am working on this tiny Christmas ornament.  It is a Glory Bee pattern from the 2012 Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornament issue.

I'm stitching it on 32 count linen over one thread using one strand of over-dyed floss.  If you are not a stitcher, that last sentence means absolutely nothing to you.   To give a real simple explanation, it means that the stitches in this piece are really small.  

I'm almost finished with it.  All I have left to do is the word 'you' which will be done with a Smyrna cross stitch (for my non-stitching friends a Smyrna cross is a specialty stitch) over two threads.  My plan is to make this into a little hanging ornament.  The finished size will be approx. 1.25"x1.75".

Pen Pals

I really don't remember how I "happened" upon her blog.  And since I am a firm believer in the providence of God, I know that ultimately, He led me to her blog.  Yes, God's providence is so very present in not only the BIG things (such as our salvation) but also in the "seemingly" not-so-big things (such as finding a dear friend through her blog postings).

After reading some of her blog posts, it was evident that Amber and I not only shared favorite hobbies (papercrafting, snail mailing, reading) but we also shared a love for Jesus Christ.  

It was about this time last year when I started "visiting" Amber's blog on a regular basis, leaving my comments about her posts and having her respond to those comments that I had left.  So many times she would write a post about a subject that I had recently been thinking about or struggling with. So, coincidence?  If you think so, you may want to re-read my first paragraph.

Anyhoo, Amber ended one of her posts last fall with this statement, "If you are looking for someone to write, my mailbox is always open!"  Well, 'nuff said!  I left a blog comment that I would *love* to send her a letter and (as they say) the rest is history.

Both Amber and I put a lot into our correspondence with each other; our responses are not written in haste.  So it may be weeks/months between letters......which is perfectly fine as I know that we will write each other "at the right time" and the letter will arrive in our mailboxes just when we need to "hear" each other's encouraging words. 

Amber's letter arrived in my mailbox last Saturday.  What awaited in the sealed envelope?  Treasures! A six-page (front AND back) handwritten letter with a bevy of enclosures!  

My favorite enclosure?  A white paper heart with some "random" questions for me to answer.  Why is this my favorite?  When I turned it over, a final question was listed on the back.....

'Nuff said!  

How About One More Birthday Card

The fine folks at Fresh Squeezed Stamps are celebrating their 1st birthday this week.  They have a birthday card challenge going on.  I submitted a card for the challenge earlier this week.  Since they are allowing two cards to be submitted by each person, I have come up with another card for the challenge.

I love the way this one turned out.

Supplies used:

Hexagon "balloon" stamps - Fresh Squeezed Stamps Happy Hexagons

Yellow and teal cardstock - Bazzill Basics Paper

Printed paper - My Minds Eye, Hip Hooray (Boy) Collection

Twine - my stash

Color My Wednesday.......

........BLUE

Happy Birthday FSS

Fresh Squeezed Stamps is turning ONE this week.  And to celebrate, they are having lots of giveaways!  So, what better reasons than birthday celebrations and giveaways to get me out of blog-hibernation.....yes, it has been 4 months since my last blog post!

So, enough about my bad blogging habits and more about the FSS celebration.  They are having a birthday card challenge which I am entering.  I decided to do something along the "clean and simple" (CAS) line.  Hope you like AND hope I win!

Supplies used:

FSS - Tickle My Fancy stamp set

Stampin' Up - Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess stamp set)

Cardstock - my stash!

Ink - crumb cake (Stampin' Up)