Christmas 2017

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This year, I decided to use the Lawn Fawn Shut the Front Door Die Set. What a better way to celebrate our home than to recreate the front of it on a card. This is the most detailed Christmas card that I have ever made! I stamped Merry Christmas using my Misti on the door mat.  I cut a brick stencil using my Silhouette Cameo; however, if you do not have a cameo, you can get a brick stencil.  I used texture paste and Tim Holtz distressed fired brick ink to make the brick background.  The paste makes it feel like real brick.  I cut the lights and door number out with the silhouette also.  I used orange stickles for the glow of the lights and liquid glass to make the lights look like glass.

When you open up the door....

Surprise!  I created a Christmas tree using stickles and red enamel.  To create the floor, I embossed paper with a wood embossing folder, cut a strip to give the illusion of depth into the home.


The inside of the house, I used a Simon Says Stamp that says:

From Our House to Yours

Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Challenges

Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #19 Use Your Favorite Lawn Fawn Set

CHNC Challenge #365

Word Art Wednesday #314 - #315

Tuesday Morning Sketches Anything Goes #424

I See You!

 Happy Halloween Everyone!  I had the best time with the Stampin Up Jar of Haunts Stamp Set.  After stamping and coloring my image, I used liquid glass to make the jar look more authentic.  I even used liquid glass on the rims of the jar to make them stand out.  Below is close up of the jar:

Next, to add a little spooky fun element to the card, I added three shaky eyeballs.

Don't you just love these yes looking at you?

Next, I was super surprised to open up my stash of ribbon and find this ribbon to go inside.  How perfect!  Plus I made my own sentiment to go with the card!!!

 Hope you have a Haunting Halloween!  Thanks for creeping by........

Challenges:

Shopping Our Stash Weekly #327 Halloween

Ike's World Challenge 100 - Anything Goes Celebration

Aud Sentiments Challenge #191 Halloween + Sentiment

Halloween Card

I am working on designing my Halloween Cards for the year.  I thought I would fall in love with this stamp set, but I have found it hard to work with and create some wonderful.  I used one stamp to go around the circle so it looks like green slime.  I put liquid glass on the container and hopefully, it looks like eyeballs are falling out of the jar.

Challenges:

Tuesday Morning Sketches #418

Prayers

I have had many things to pray about lately.  I thought it might be nice to send a simple card to someone on my prayer request list.The white and purple backgrounds have been embossed using an embossing folder and the word prayers was die cut and then heat embossed with black embossing powered,

Challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches #303
A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #51
Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes #298-299

4th Birthday

This card was created for a child to celebrate their 4th birthday.  I used the Paper Smooches Chubby Chums.  I decided to stack the dogs and cat on each other using masking technique, plus I used the masking technique for each balloon.  Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:

Tuesday Throwdown #358
Moving Along the Times #53 Add a Number

Practically Perfect

We had such a wonderful time as Mary Poppins and Bert!  I am so particular at getting the costumes just right.  It is the "practically perfect" perfectionist in me!   We went to a party and our costumes were a big hit!  As for the sketch, I made it up myself.  I enjoyed using the frame for the word "in".  It was fun to coordinate a pop of color in the layout too. Thanks for popping by!

Here is a close up of the details:

Here is the companion page and up close details:

Challenges:

613 Avenue Create: Challenge 199 Anything Goes/Optional Twist - Monochrome
Crafts Galore Encore Challenge July 2017 Anything Goes

Chim Chim Cher-ee

I am working on my 2014 album and finally made it to October!  We dressed up for a Halloween party as Mary Poppins and Bert.  We used an old broom handle, half a circle styrofoam and the bristles from the broom.  I painted all of those elements black to make the chimney sweep. For the sketch, I flipped the sketch around and put the top element on the bottom.  I was excited because I could show off a big title on my layout with the famous song that Bert sings from the Mary Poppins movie.  Thanks for popping by!

Challenges:

Stuck?! Sketches July 1, 2017 Layout #1
613 Avenue Create #199 Anything Goes/Optional Twist MonoChrome

68th Birthday

These Sketches from Sketches in Thyme are just perfect for the birthday layout!  Especially with the banners!  I love the simple title that just tells her age and all the fun bright colors!  The papers I used are from Echo Park Party Time!  Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:
Sketches in Thyme #283

Sew Perfect Birthday

In 2014, my mother turned 68.  I decided to try for the first time ever to make her a cake that looked like a sewing machine.  Her entire party was a "sewing" theme from the spool banner, to the button cookies, and the candy filled pin cushion jars!  She was completely suprised!  Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges

Sketches in Thyme #282

Autumn

Back with another scrapbook page today!  This shot of the front and back tree was on October 24, 2015.  Some years the Autumn can be amazing and then other years the colors are just not that vibrant.  This sketch by Stuck?!Sketches was perfect using my Echo Park Fall in the Air Collection.

Challenge:

Stuck?!: June 15, 2017 Sketch Challenge

Sleeping Buddies

My cats are the closest thing I am ever going to get to having children.  I take so many pictures of them it is pathetic.  They spend so much time with me while I craft, watch tv, or even hang out on the deck.  They are the best company and are always waiting for me when I wake up and get home from work.  I captured these cute pictures when they were sleeping together on the unmade bed.  Crazy kitties!  I used Echo Park Designer paper, Stampin Up Pool Party and Island and Bazzill yellow paper to make this layout!

Challenges:

Sketches in Thyme #280

Snow Day

Working through my winter pictures, this is the same winter storm in February of 2014.  I used Echo Park and Bo Bunny for this layout.  I chose brown as the background because of the color of my deck and furniture.  I did not like the plain background of the brown paper, so I hand stamped the white snow flakes.

Challenges:

Sketches in Thyme #279

Flurries of Fun

While it is 80 degrees here, I am being reminded of a big winter storm in 2014.  It was so much fun!  We had about 20 inches of snow and I got to use my sled down my backyard hill.  Of course, I bundled up like an Eskimo because I cannot stand the cold! My dream weather is 100 degrees while being in a nice pool floating around! I used Echo Park I Love Winter to create this page.

Challenge:

Sketches in Thyme Sketch 281

Father's Day Card 2017

I enjoyed creating this Father's Day Card.  I used Lawn Fawn's Puffy Cloud Dies, and layered five die cuts per cloud.  This provided me good dimension and made the clouds look puffy!  I also sponged Close to My Heart Slate Gray on the Cloud.  For the background, I sponged Close to My Heart Glacier, then Stampin Up Soft Sky and Stampin Up Pacific Point. 

Challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge #255- Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge - For the Men

Sketches in Thyme #278

Here is my scrapbook layout for Sketches in Thyme #278!  It features my crafting kitty!  He loves to hang out with me in the craft room.  Sometimes he gets in trouble trying to snoop around!  This was a fun sketch that allowed me to break into my washi tape, add my stamping to the project, as well as some flair!  Click the Picture for a better view!  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketches in Thyme #275

I used Stacy's Sketches in Thyme #275 to create this layout!  I have had such a fun time going back and seeing my Halloween pictures from 2011.  I just did not realize all the detail that I put into this party!  The house inside and out, in every corner, wherever possible, was decorated to the max.  The food all went along with the theme from cheese fingers, to oreo cookie eyeballs, to a chocolate mouse and not pictured were brownie bats, meatball for brains and much, much more!  Anyway, thanks for a great layout and for stopping by!

Sketches in Thyme #276

I had such a sppoktacular time putting this sketch together!  I sponged the journaling card to match the beakers on the designer paper.  I cut out the beer bottles which we decorated for the party to add a little interest.  This was a great sketch by Brandy at Sketches in Thyme.  Thanks for stopping by!

Masculine Birthday Card - Simple, yet just right!

Today is a simply, yet masculine birthday card for a man.     I like all of the monotone colors and the contrasting dots and stripes.  For those over at As you Like it Challenge, I love 4.25 x 5.5 cards, they are easy to create and easy to mail with no extra postage!😁 Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:

Paper Shelter Sentimental #90
Word Art Challenge #278-279 Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown #339 Photo Inspiration
Pile It On #129 Interactive and/or Birthday
A Perfect Time to Craft #04
As you Like it Challenge Favorite Card Base Shape and Why

Good Things Come to Those Who Craft

Today's Freshly Made Sketches was a great inspiration for a fresh, clean, simple card!  I made seven of these cards to send to some crafters.  I used this adorable Sugar Rush Paper from Close to My Heart along with the Sugar Rush Dots, and the Raspberry Ink pad which highlights the paper!

Hope good things come to you!  Thanks for stopping by!


Challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches #283

Craft Room Tour

I hope you find some inspirational ideas on setting up a craft room or organizing it.  This is my little happy place!


Ink Pad Holders: https://www.organizemore.com/

Liquid Glass: http://bit.ly/2pDK0Vv

Fridge Bins for Stamps: http://amzn.to/2nPq5qh

Marker Box: http://amzn.to/2oyzbF0

Glacier Paper: http://bit.ly/2oyNFVr

Happiest Birthday

This card was made using Stampin Up Frozen Treats die set.  I cut out the dies and sponged each die with ink except the Chocolate Dipped part of the ice cream cone.  Instead, I put the die down on my VersaMark pad and added clear embossing powered for the shiny glazed look of a chocolate dipped ice cream cone.  For the Cherry on top, I used Ranger Red and Green Enamel to make it pop!  Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges
Freshly Made Sketches #280

Valetine's Day Card 2017

My Valentine Day's Cards are made using Mirror Image Stamping.  I love this technique because it takes your cards to the next level.  I fussy cut the dogs and used glossy accents to make them stand out.  I also glossy accented the hearts to go along with the dog.  I hope each one of you have a Wonderful Valentine's Day!  Thank you for stopping by!

Challenges:
Freshly Made Sketches #274
 Just Us Girls Word of Week: Dog #397 Challenge


Items Used:

Simple Peppermint Bath Salts

I made some simple homemade Christmas Gifts for my family, friends and co-workers. My first gift was Peppermint Bath Salts.  This is perfect for relaxing in the tube after a stressful day or opening up your sinus in a hot bath when you are sick.  I used Plastic Mason Jars instead of glass, since dropping it in the shower would not be a fun experience!

Items Needed:
2 Glass or Stainless Steel Bowls
Whisk
Plastic Jars
Red and White Twine
Chalkboard Stickers
3 cups of Epsom Salt
2 cups of Sea Salt Fine
1 cup of Baking Soda
10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil Candy Canes
5 drops Red Food Coloring
Peppermint Candy Canes

Recipe:

3 cups of Epsom Salt
2 cups of Sea Salt
1 cup of Baking Soda
5-10 drops of peppermint oil (or extract)
red food coloring

1. Combine the Epsom Salt, Sea Salt and Baking Soda in a bowl. Whisk until thoroughly mixed together.
2. Add the 10 drops of Peppermint Oil Extract to mixture and stir.
3: Divide the Mixture into two bowls.
4. Add 5 drops of Red Food Coloring to one of the Bowls. (Do not add more food coloring, you want it to be light so it does not stain the recipient's tub).
4. Using a 1/4 Measuring Cup layer the mixture into the plastic jar (1/4 white, 1/4 red, repeat until jar is full)

Directions:
Once jars are completed, use a chalkboard marker on the chalkboard label.  Remember even if you do not like your own writing, others treasure it!


Tie Twine around candy cane, type candy cane with Twine to Jar.

Have it on hand to give to someone as a gift to take their stresses away! Try this out, and provide me some feedback!

Gingerbread Scrub

I was able to make  all natural Gingerbread Scrub for my friends and family and decorate them with my stamped labels!  It was fun and simple!  It is perfect for exfoliating your lips, arms and legs.  However, I would not use it on your face.

Recipe:

1/2 cup of Brown sugar
1/2 a cup of White Sugar
1/2 cup of Coconut Oil
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp All Spice



Directions:
Mix the Brown Sugar and White Sugar together.
Melt the Coconut oil into liquid form for about 20 seconds in a glass dish in the microwave.
Mix the Coconut oil into the Sugar Mixture.
Add all the spices the the vanilla extra.
Mix everything all together.
Add to your plastic jar.
Decorate as you envision!


The Stamp Sets used:
Brushwork Alphabet Stampin Up




Challenges:
612 Avenue Create: Challenge Anything Goes with Optional Twist #193
A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge #35 - Anything Goes 
Little Scrap Pieces: Show it Off Saturday

Most of these items to make this scrub can be found at the grocery store.   Below are the jars used for the project.