Plank Sign

I found these fabulous metal letters at my local Michael's store in the dollar bin. YAY!!
Took the most rustic looking cedar planks I could find and lightly spray painted them white. I attacked them with a hammer and screwdriver (on the ends) to make them more rugged.
The staple gun that I was using was going right through the metal, no matter the setting, so I decided to go the old fashioned route and use a hammer and nails.
After I got the first one in half way, I missed the top of the nail head and bent it down. LOVED it!! Needless to say, I continued in that fashion for the rest of the letters.

Home Made Smash Book

At one of our last M.O.P.S. meetings, the craft was "Smash Books".

I teach the class using the books from K & Company at my local Michael's store, but honestly I prefer this kind.
This is what I call the "Cram-What-You-Can Book"

Seriously. To save money on scrapbooks, make your own. Head to the craft store to get some rings (like $3 for 6, I think) and then just use scraps!

I decided to go for texture. I got canvas pieces, rope, twine, netting, magazine paper, cardstock, envelopes, cardboard... anything that I thought might not get used, I used. A lot of the pages are made with 12x12 paper cut into fourths (so 6x6 squares) and glued to each other. I only glued 3 sides though, make every page a pocket! Give me glue, a paper trimmer, a pile of junk mail and a Crop-o-dile, I'll give you a Smash Book!

This has been in the works for months now, I wanted to get as much in it as possible before giving to hubby for Father's Day. I got all the ticket stubs from our outings (Plays, Seahawks & Mariners games, Museum trips, etc), included family pictures of us & our parents, and found miscellaneous stuff that I know he loves. I found a great vintage koala bear postcard at a garage sale for next to nothing, also found some vintage Father's Day cards that just happened to say the perfect things :)

A gift from a lovely

This was one of my birthday gifts this year from my youngest sister. She's so freaking talented and CRAZY creative!
I had been having a hard few months, it was so difficult getting off that pity party train! My sister flew in from San Fran to surprise me. Boy did she! Hubby helped orchestrate her home-coming and a surprise party for myself and our daughter (who's birthday is around the same time as mine), once again, they did a great job. He had about 40 people hiding in our garage when I came home from church.

I think this is such a cute idea. We sat around for hours talking about the documented memories of our childhood that filled the pages. We laughed, we cried, I felt ashamed at not helping do her hair at Homecoming, and we laughed some more. I decided that this could be a great tradition for us, plus a great way to keep track of all the crazy, funny, scary, embarrassing stuff that we lived through together.

FREE photo book

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This one is for my little guy. His first year of life and all the memories we made.
Enjoy!

More Fathers Day

More altered Journals

Fathers Day Card

This is one of several cards that were made this year for the guys in my life who are great fathers.

And to my dad, Bob, you are an incredible man. You stepped up to the plate when it wasn't necessary, but I needed it, and you filled a hole (a rather large hole). I don't know who I would be without you having made such a HUGE impression on my life, and I wouldn't want to know either. You are a wonderful husband to my mother and showed me what a good guy should be. You have been, and always will be, the line in which I compare other men. I have found an awesome man of God to be my husband, and I am so lucky that he possesses similar qualities of yours.
I just want you to know, I love you.
Happy Father's Day!!

Monkey Birthday

My little monkey just turned 1!!

We had a monkey themed party at a local park. It was a great day, too! If you're from up here in the North West, you know that we haven't had the best weather. Actually, that's an understatement. There was a threat of snow a couple of weeks ago :(

In all the turmoil that we have had to endure in the last few weeks (VERY long story, we lost two family members within four days. Very hard on us), it was a welcome treat to have sunshine, happiness and cake... all on the same day.

FOR SALE

I have RETIRED rubber stamp sets, scrapbook kits, cardstock packs, and rub ons from Stampin' Up! for sale. Some new, some used. Check out my facebook page to see what's available.
Click HERE

Altered Journal #2

I love this one. I think my favorite part is that lovely inked doily. Doiley. Doilly. Without "Google"ing it, I don't know how to spell it :(

No wait, maybe my favorite part is that glorious vintage button....

Yeah, not sure. I do know that the doily (SP?) and the button MAKE this beautiful.

But wait, without the chalk ink on the doily (SP?), would it be so lovely? I for one, hope to never find out.
Why?
My motto: Ink is where it's at.

Digital Scrapbook Kits

Reserve yours HERE

Altered Journal

I think the lace on this paper is a great touch! Perfect summertime colors, too! I personally think that Michael's should have a class on altered journals. They are so much fun and can be a perfect gift on so many different occasions!!

More personal info: I just have to share! Hubby was blessed last week by a gift of manly friendship & outdoor adventure. He was able to go to mens conference over in Eastern Washington to hang out with some great Godly men. I am so blessed to have such a great guy who has a hunger to get closer to /god and be the best family man he can be! I love you Michael!

Whoooo's birthday?

I made this card for a lady in my community. I believe it's for her nieces 1st birthday :) So many layers, so much texture. i LOVE it! Some fun things I did on this card: --distressed using sandpaper and razor blades --paper pieced the owl (stamped him in pink first, cut out his eyes & belly, then glued them on top of a brown stamped image) --made a paper medalion (maybe this will be the next tutorial I do?) --threaded a (very) cool button with patterned paper instead of thread

All you need is paper...

And a stamp :) Super simple card using patterned paper and a little bit of left-over ribbon from another project. This is the style that anyone can do and are also the easiest to mass produce. I usually don't share person info here, however I recently had a self-realization that I am not proud of. I have always thought of myself as extemely compassionate. Like EXTREME! I cry when others are in pain (physical or emotional), I just can't take people or animals getting hurt. My realization is that I am N O T compassionate, but -Sensitive-. These two words are closely related in their meaning, however, sensitivity is also related to selfishness, and compassion is not. Wow. That's hard to swallow. It's also wierd that after 30-some-odd years (hush up!) I am finally figuring myself out and being honest about the findings. Now, what to do with the knowledge... God has a plan for me. He has made me who I am and equipped me for a purpose. My job is to be the best me that I can be, all the while giving glory to Him.

Banner for Mom

I have seen several "banner" style cards out there and thought that they were too cute to NOT c.a.s.e. (Copy And Share Everything). All the flags and pieces are hand-cut, I'm not gonna fuss about perfection, that's just not me. Give me inky and shredded and this girls satisfied!

Gotta have texture! Used my new SU "dots" embossing folder on the background (which is just brown butcher paper that we were using as a kind-of table cloth). You can see &/or purchase it HERE

Mother's Day Crop at Michael's

This is my wonderful friend Katie. She came to crop with me at Michael's this last weekend. She had the nerve to tell me that she wasn't crafty. Seriously. Do you see her marvelous creation?! This girl's got SKILLS!

And this is Tammy, the incredible lady that I volunteer for at the retirement center. We've been working on lots of diffrent crafty things lately to sell in a craft to benefit the residents. She got over 15 cards done in less than 7 hours! Now that's one efficient lady! Cuz I sure didn't get close to that done, and plus, you get me talking, and my productivity ratio declines :)

Painted greetings

I have really wanted to paint stuff lately. I currently have three (yes, 3) old wooden doors on my front porch that are just begging to be sanded and painted and, well, I can't give away the surprise of their future yet :) I used pages out of an old book, roughly applied a layer of white acrylic paint to them and stamped on them once dry. I couldn't be done without flourishes and ink distressing, that's just how I roll.

I've never used paint on my cards before and was kinda disappointed with how the sentiment seems to get eaten by the paint, like it just got sucked into it or something. I know it was completely dry before I stamped on it, maybe next time I'll try a diffrent kind of paint.

Pretty in pink for Mother's Day

I've been working on Mother's Day cards for the bazaar that's coming up. I actually got the inspiration for this one from a Christmas card that I made years ago. I love chocolate brown with pink!!

get more info on this stamp set or purchase it HERE This set has been used, abused, and used some more. You know how sometimes you are so thankful that you bought something? Like it's a member of the family or something? Well, that's this set. SERIOUSLY. No jokes here. Hands down-----> BEST SET EVER. This set is retiring, BTW, get it before it's gone!

get more info or purchase this frame punch HERE Stampin' Up! has these great flat punches (which I'm in love with!!) that store in my drawers so easily! This punch even has coordinating stamp sets for a perfect match. Check them out!!

lace & weave

I have TONS of tiny little paper scraps and it just kills me that the pile is growing... at a RAPID pace! After racking my brain, I came up with weaving. Not the funest thing to do, watercoloring is still my absolute fav, but it was ok. Honestly, I'm not too keen on the outcome, but after making a few of these, I can kinda see a dent in my scrap pile.

family jewelry making

I volunteer on Mondays at a local retirement home and we do all sorts of crafts with the residents. We will be having a craft sale next month to benefit the residents "field trips". Almost every craft supply we have has been graciously donated by Michael's, HUGE shout out to them!! We have tons of beads and wire, so I took some home to have my crafty daughters help me work on making bracelets and stuff. Justus (the baby) even got in on it! He had a blast trying to reach for sisters projects, when she forgot to keep them away from the edge of the table, anyways.

Stamp sets are retiring!!

Dates: April 15-May 31, 2012 (select items available while supplies last) Details: Hundreds of stamps and accessories from the 2011-2012 catalogs are retiring, and this is your and your customers' chance to get them before they're gone. Many products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your orders in early!

Handmade sundress

This is my first attempt at handmade clothing. I actually got a pattern and fabric LAST SUMMER to make both my daughters dresses. Yeah... I got home, opened up with pattern, sat there for a bit, then put the pattern back into it's little envelope. They have been hibernating in a drawer ever since!

This is like an actual dress! There's a bodice piece, a mid section, and I even learned how to "gather"!

My aunt came up from Portland to help me learn how to use patterns, boy did I need her! In one day, we completed this dandy thing! I think it's adorable! The best part is the fact that she taught me how to make it fit her now and yet keep it secretly big enough for her to grow into!
Thanks aunty!

--oh, she was so excited that she wore it to school today! It's cold here, but she put on a pair of jeans and a white tee-shirt, and that dress got to be the top layer! -------------> Proud mama right here!

Altered Journal

I head to ladies retreat this afternoon!! I was packing for it and realized that I didn't have a cute journal/notebook to take, so I decided to make one! This was just a $1 spiral bound journal that I got out of the dollar bin at my local Michael's store.

I even put a little pocket in the back to keep some of my Stampin' Up! buisness cards in. Just in case I see some crafty ladies :)

One Sheet Wonder

WOOHOO! I am headed to ladies retreat with my church this weekend, and to get ready for an amazing weekend, my friend Katie and I made some cards to take. You know, anticipating making new friends who should receive them :)
We started with an 8.5x11 peice of white cardstock and began stamping the flowers EVERYWHERE!! We cut up the cardstock (I have a template for this, but will share it later) to make 10 different cards all using the marvelous background paper that we had created from the flower stamps.

These are the stamps that we used:

Awash With Flowers - Clear-Mount Stamp Set, item #120549 Price: $27.95. Click HERE to see it in the catalog

Four Frames - Clear-Mount Stamp Set, item #123442 Price: $15.95
Click HERE to see it in the catalog

Current SU Promotions

Free ink pad with every $30 purchase now until 5/5/12. You must order through me to take advantage of this offer, get ahold of me!

Book a workshop now through June and get a free pack of Designer Series Paper! Ask me how!

Neck Warmer

I have seen similar things on pinterest-
--Have you heard of it? It's like an online corkboard for all your personal favorite things! Are you on pinterest? It's completely addicting! I LOVE it!! You can see my boards here--
ANYWHO-- I had seen something similar and I have a thing for scarves. Throw in some amazing buttons and you've got yourself a fan right here! I made this while at the retirement home to sell in the craft fair they will be having later this month (all proceeds go towards outings for the residents). It is a simple crochet with fabulous velvet yarn and three great wooden buttons. Basically it's a really short scarf that you attach at the neck, nothing to hang down and get caught in the car door :)

new inspiration!

I have a Stampin' Up! workshop tomorrow and have been doing some research on diffrent techniques and products that I'd like to showcase. In doing so, I came across Bronwyn.

WOWZERS!!

If you haven't seen/heard of her before, you need to go check her out! Her blog is A. MAZE. ING. :
addINKtive designs

altered canvas

This is a new class that I am offering at my local Michael's store. The student can start with any size or style of canvas that they would like, i used 8x8 plain white, with a bit fatter of side pieces.

These are two of my finished canvases (Is that a word? Is it spelled correctly? Is the plural of "canvas" like the plural of octopus? Is it canvi?) alongside what I started with.

I'm not really a pinky kinda girl, but I think I actually like the pinky one the best.

This one has great colors, love the vintage look that it's got going on.

Almost all of this is just patterned paper that I fussy cut a design out of.

I also used lots of diffrent punches, and of course, ink distressed EVERYTHING!! It seriously felt so good to walk away from a project with my hands just filthy. LOVE it!!

This is my new friend, Cheryl. Come to find out, after spending all afternoon together in this class, she knows my father from about 15 years ago! Such a small world!

Cheryl is new to the world of paper crafting, and you wouldn't be able to tell it from her finished products.

She brought the neatest things to incorporate into her projects. Seed packets, an old flower guide, and vintage sheet music. If you ask me, she's on her way!

birdy birthday

Happy birthday to my mother-in-law!

The patterned paper that is used is the in color '13 designer series paper, you can see and order it HERE

I paired it with certainly celery cardstock and a touch of ribbon.

What do you think of my doodles? I never do doodles. Between that and the lack of ink distressing that's been going on (or NOT going on), I think I'm turning a new leaf in this crafty life I lead.

This set is called "aviary"

You can see and order the set HERE

This was one of the first sets in the current catalog that I just had to have. So glad I got it, it's so versatile!

outta this world!

My brother in law has been giving me such a hard time about some lights that we saw one night a few weeks ago. I decided that his birthday card should be justly themed =)

I stamped the UFO in stazon black onto white cardstock, then colored it with watercolor pencils. Using my blender pen, I finished off the coloring.

It needed some texture, but for me that usually comes in the form of ribbon and/or flowers. Let's just say this guy, is not a girly guy. I had to think of something else, the texture plate with my cuttlebug did the trick.

The eyelets are the final touch. Happy birthday!!

textured smile card

Is my style changing?

This is the second card -IN A ROW- that isn't ink distressed.

Am I ok?
Is something wrong with me?

Love the texture this one has. Used embossing folder with the Cuttlebug to get it. Some expired SU patterned paper and ribbon go perfectly with it.
My new stamp set, "Four Frames" was used here. I can't wait to get the matching punch!

happy hello

Can you say "expired"?

I used this great neighborhood set that I got last year (I think) from Sale-A-Bration, FOR FREE!

I used ink that is no longer available (Soft Sky).

The gingham ribbon was from like 2006 or so, definatly NOT available!

Bottom line: No matter the date of the product, Stampin' Up! has amazing stuff! Like it never gets old! Well, it gets old, but not old enough to make it not cool enough to use.

NEW STAMPS!

This is one of my new sets from Stampin' Up!

Is it just me, or are birds, bird cages, and chandeliers all the rage right now? I personally, also love owls. There's some super cute stuff out there!

I stamped the bird first in Lavender Lace, then stamped the cage over it in basic black.

I attempted to dye the satin ribbon with ink, it didn't turn out the way I wanted it, so I just flipped it over! :)

See the stamp set HERE