Plain and Fancy Papercrafts

Easter Love

2012-03-20T15:15:00.003-04:00

A tri-shutter card is so simple to make but gives such beautiful results. You can find a tutorial at SCS. I embossed the pink layers and then used Picket Fence crackle paint. There's a rhinestone cross and a rosette flower on the right side.

The stamped cross has been colored with Prismacolor pencils and is bordered with lace. I added a Sizzix flourish, some pearls and rhinestones.

The smaller sentiments are part of the cross stamp set. I designed the scripture with a frame from The Graphics Fairy which I altered a bit. The little girl and bunny is a digital stamp from Tiddly Inks. The cute little bunny kept multiplying! He's sporting a little rhinestone tail. Can't have too much bling!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Joans Gardens: Easter card with a bunny, Easter colors, embossed background, flourish and rhinestones
Craft Us Crazy: religious/Easter/something sweet
Prairie Fairy Fridays: distress it
One Stop Craft: handmade flower
My Sheri: Easter
It's All About Vintage: Swirls and Pearls
Clearly I Stamp: scripture
House of Gilli: spring colors
Hooked On Craft: more than one fold

All Things Are Possible

2012-03-17T21:23:00.001-04:00

This card is quite different for me. I used a free image from the House Across The Bay which I found at Papercraft Star. It is pink and green, 'nuff said, LOL! Thank you! For the first layer I used a MS punch. The pink and white cardstock is layered and then added with pop dots. The house and topper are also on pop dots.

The little sentiment is from an acrylic sticker sheet that I've had for a long time. It says Stickopotamus on it. I have no idea where I got it but I think it's time I use them!
Several years ago we built a new home and in the process everything that could go wrong, went wrong! So this scripture was quite fitting. We definitely had to remind ourselves of this very often!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges I would like to enter
Papercraft Star: green
Shelly's Images: show us what you got
C.R.A.F.T. challenge: house, new home or house warming
Allsorts challenge: 3 in a row (3 flowers)
Crazy 4 Challenges: green

Blog Candy Winners

2012-03-12T01:03:00.000-04:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave such lovely comments! You bring sunshine into my life and I appreciate all of you so much! I used random.org to pick the numbers for our winners and here they are.

$4.00 gift certificate

#3 Kit B.

$12.00 gift certificate

#6 Sue Nicholson

Congratulations! I will give Tammy your info and she will be in touch with you.
Thanks again and have a blessed day!

Blog Candy

2012-03-11T22:27:00.005-04:00

There's going to be a birthday in the house! And no, it's not mine. It will be my husband's, on March 4. Is that a good enough reason to give away some blog candy, LOL?! I wanted to give away some blog candy for my first blogaversary which was in January but somehow it slipped by so we'll do it now.

I love Tammy's images at A Day For Daisies. If you are familiar with her designs than you know what I mean; if not then you'll enjoy being introduced to her amazing art work.

There will be a first and second prize. First prize is a $12.00 gift certificate and second is $4.00.
Entering couldn't be easier. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.

Entries will end March 11, 2012 and we will do the draw on March 12. Be sure to check back. Thank you!

Repurposed Container

2012-03-10T22:38:00.003-05:00

Having some fun turning a sour cream container into a pretty little box.

For the flower centers, I gathered some ribbon and netting and then added some pearls. The box was covered with scraps of paper and then I made a base and added a crepe paper and ribbon ruffle. There's some lace around the top of the box and also some ribbon trim.

I used a soda bottle cap and some shredded vintage sheet music paper to make the nest.

And then I needed something to put in the box, so I made a little 3" round mini with some vintage Easter images and added some scripture verses.

I used 5 pages; I'll just show a few. There's lots of lace, pearls, bling, stickles and butterflies.

The sweet little rolled ribbon flower was part of gift from my DIL. She does such beautiful work!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!
Challenges
Joan's Challenges: use a recycled box, preferable round, use some lace, pearls and flowers
The Stamp Man Challenge: vintage
Totally Papercrafts: my favorite things (pink, flowers, bling)
2 Sisters Challenge: spring colors
Allsorts Challenge: say it with flowers
Crazy 4 Challenges: spring (Easter)
Mark's Finest Paper: bingo (lace, bling, circles)
PaperPlay Challenges: recycle it
PaperCrafting Journey: anything goes
It's All About The Vintage: a book (song book pages)
Little Birdie Blessings: scripture

Hello Spring

2012-03-07T17:26:00.001-05:00

Today I decided to try a box card. I made it to fit some envelopes I have which are 4 3/4 x 6 3/8. There is no top or bottom so it folds flat for mailing. The background image is from Meljen's Designs and the adorable little girl was a gift from Kim at Digi Darla Designs. Thank you, Kim! As soon as I saw her I knew she would be perfect for this card. The opening was cut with my Spellbinders die and then I added some Picket Fence Crackle Paint.

The images have been colored with Prismacolor pencils. I added some ribbon, butterflies and felt flowers with button centers.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Digi Darla: think spring
Critter Sketch Challenge: buttons
House of Gilli: green
Pollycraft Monday Challenge: spring has sprung
Victorine Stamps: green and white or black
Ooh-La-La Creations: on the move
Ribbon Carousel: felt

I Will Praise You

2012-03-06T13:00:00.001-05:00

The challenge at Joan's Gardens is to make a blue and green card, add some flowers, corners, and an oval. I used the Sizzix birds and wreath die to cut out the word art from Word Art Wednesday and then decided to make a center step card. I used the background paper to make a flower. The corners are made from the Sizzix Architectural Accents die and have some stickles added.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Joan's Gardens: use corner embellishments, blue and green, flowers, oval background
Word Art Wednesday scripture or encouraging quote
Little Birdie Blessings scripture
PaperCrafting Journey: anything goes
A Gem of A Challenge: perfect pastels
The House That Stamps Built: spring colors
Delightful Challenges: spring colors
Clearly I Stamp: anything goes
Scrapalicious: anything goes

Catch Your Dreams

2012-03-05T13:33:00.000-05:00

My card for today is a masculine birthday card. No lace, pearls, bling or flowers. Did I make this, LOL?
The image is from A Day For Daisies, which has been colored with Prismacolor pencils and then layered and added with pop dots. The only embellishment is some blue yarn.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges I would like to enter
Sentimental Sundays: words of encouragement
Pile It On: spots or stripes or both
Totally Stampalicious: spring
Catch The Bug: anything goes

Lovely Monday Morning

2012-03-05T10:07:00.004-05:00

What a lovely surprise to see that Nat had awarded me with this

Liebster Blog award.

The Liebster Award takes it's name from the German word
meaning Beloved, Dearest or Favorite.
It is given to bloggers who have a small following - under 200 followers.
As part of the tradition it is passed along to 5 bloggers that have
motivated and inspired.
To accept the award you must:
1. Link back to the person who gave it to you and thank them
2. Post the award to your blog
3. Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers
that you appreciate and value.
4. Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know that they have been offered this award.

This is the hard part choosing only 5 here is my choice.

1.Debbie at Deb's Crafty Time
2. Tine at Crafting Christine
3. Jacqueline at Jacks Arty Crafty Kreations
4. Mary at My Scrap Happy Life
5. Kit at Paperkitz
Thanks so much and have a blessed day!

Piano Recital

2012-03-01T21:15:00.005-05:00

I think I got my pink fix today, LOL! I began with a sketch from Prairie Fairy Fridays. For the background, I did an emboss resist and then spritzed with some homemade glimmer mist. Everything has been distressed and then sewn around the edges. The image is from A Day For Daisies which I colored with chalks to give it a very soft look. I fussy cut the little girl and put her on pop dots. I used some vintage sheet music to make the little fan and then made a tulle flower.

If you would like a chance to win some images from Tammy at A Day For Daisies, make sure to click on the cupcake and enter my blog candy giveaway.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges I would like to enter
Prairie Fairy Friday: sketch
The Crazy Challenge: anything goes
Stamp N Doodle: embossing
Tuesday Throwdown: paper tearing
Scrap-Creations: pop it up
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT: pink and girly
Ribbon Carousel: anything goes
Creative Inspirations: anything goes
The Pixie Cottage: anything goes
Little Darlings Challenge: pearls

Thinking of You

2012-02-27T16:50:00.004-05:00

Here is a little easel card I did with an image from Tammy at A Day For Daisies. If you notice the cupcake at the top of my sidebar, you can click on it to go to my blog candy which involves some stamps from Tammy. I used the tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers for the easel card instructions. I stamped the background paper with my Posy Patch stamp from Heartfelt Creations and then embossed in white. A MS punch made the borders for the image which is colored with Prismacolor Pencils. I also added some hearts to the image. I pierced around the edge and added some doodling and then attached the panel with pop dots. The butterfly is colored with Dusty Concord distress ink and has some pearls added.

For the bottom panel, I added another MS border and then stamped the sentiment. The flowers are given some color with some more Dusty Concord and stickles. I set them on my hand crocheted flower and added some pearls. There is a layer of lace at the top of the border. There is also a tiny rhinestone butterfly. The border sentiment panel is on pop dots.

Be sure to click on the cupcake to enter my candy giveaway!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges I would like to enter
Sparkles Forum: things with wings
Corrosive Challenge: another dimension (pop dots)
Sentimental Sundays: lace and pearls plus a sentiment
Pile It On: fun fold
Allsorts challenge: anything goes
2 Sisters Challenge: anything goes
Catch The Bug: hearts, pearls, lace
Our Creative Corner: over the edge (butterfly)
Moving Along With the Times: layers

Pink and White

2012-02-25T21:36:00.001-05:00

Pink just makes me happy so I was glad to make a pink and white card. For Joan's Gardens, the requirements were; pink and white, 1 rectangle, 1 oval, dimensional flowers, and lots of layers. The sentiment is from Word Art Wednesday. The edges have all been distressed and just a touch of Tea Dye distress ink added. Some pearls were added around the cut out.

I used the Spellbinders lacy oval to cut a half oval out of the rectangle. I then used the next size down to cut the oval which is almost hidden behind the flowers and ribbon.

Be sure to enter my blog candy. Just click on the cupcake at the top of my sidebar.
Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Joan's Gardens: pink and white, layers, dimensional flowers, 1 rectangle, 1 oval
Paper Pretties: punches or die cuts
The Paper Shelter: add a sentiment
Little Darlings Challenges: pearls
Do You Stack Up: distress
Shelly's Images: 3 of something ( 3 hot pink roses)
Crop Stop: is it blooming outside (flowers)
Stampin' Sisters in Christ: must include flowers
Word Art Wednesday scripture or inspirational quote
Little Birdie Blessings

Get Well

2012-02-21T10:13:00.001-05:00

Today I made a get well card. The background paper (that's almost hidden) is a DP I bought a long time ago. The image is colored with Prismacolor pencils. The edges of the papers have been distressed and I used Spun Sugar and Fired Brick distress ink on the flower and butterfly.

I've been playing with my Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch die and swirl stamp. I used the flower die to cut out several different size flowers and then punched them with a MS corner punch. I then layered them with some tulle and lace.

I have been making my own boxes for my larger cards but I think that's going to change. Joan has clear plastic mailing boxes that are very reasonably priced. Sure would save me a lot of time!

I stamped the outside of the box with the Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch Swirl stamp and then colored it using Pearl Ex. I bought these years ago and hardly ever use them. But they were the perfect color for what I needed today and they add some beautiful shimmer to an otherwise plain box.

Thanks so much for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges I would like to enter
Joan's Gardens: green and white, use a basket, use a basket, patterned paper
Moving Along With the Times: get well soon
Shelly's Images: anything goes
Craft Us Crazy 21: favorite color and embellishment (green, flower
Do You Stack Up: layers
Cute Card Thursday: flower power
Dutch Dare Card Challenge: distressing
Southern Girls Challenge: so distressing
Digi Doodle Shop's Best: anything goes
If The Shoe Fits...Scrap It: anything goes

Standing On The Promises

2012-02-18T23:03:00.001-05:00

Standing on the promises of God. This is the song Patter has chosen for this weeks hymn and scripture challenge.

It's interesting that in my devotions this morning, I was reading Romans 4. In verse 17 Paul says, "...in the presence of Him whom he (Abraham) believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

v.18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE."

v.19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb;

v.20 yet, WITH RESPECT TO THE PROMISE OF GOD, he DID NOT WAVER in unbelief but GREW STRONG IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD.

v.21 AND BEING FULLY ASSURED THAT WHAT GOD HAD PROMISED, HE WAS ABLE ALSO TO PERFORM.

Wow! How is that for standing on the promises! Not wavering, growing strong in faith, giving glory to God. That's the kind of testimony I want to have.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Birdhouse Mini Dimensions

2012-02-15T14:50:00.000-05:00

Abby asked me for the dimensions for the birdhouse so I thought I would post them for you. For more detailed directions and lots of creative ideas, be sure to see Kit's video tutorial. Make sure to watch both videos; as she said, her camera decided to take a siesta in the middle of taping.

So here goes. I'll clarify these measurements. They are 1", 1 and 3/4", 5", 5 and 3/4", and 9".

As you can see, the brad is on the second panel, the first panel gets folded over and covers the brad.

You make an angle cut from the center of the top to the 1" mark on the side. Ignore the markings on my ruler, it's a quilting ruler.

It takes longer to read the directions than to make the book. You can easily make one in 10 minutes. Now all that's left to do is decorate. My next ones will be made in double sided DP.

I hope this all makes sense! Make sure to watch Kit's videos, they're much easier to follow.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Birdhouse Mini

2012-02-14T19:39:00.002-05:00

Here is a cute little birdhouse mini that I made following Kit's tutorial. I love her videos, she's so much fun!

This one uses images from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings and The Graphic's Fairy. Since it's a birdhouse, I decided to use scripture verses about birds. The verse on the third page is the one from Matthew 6:26. Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow, nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value then they? How many times have I had to remind myself of this truth?!

There are 14 pages to add pictures or journaling. I decided I wanted to stamp this flower flourish from Heartfelt Creations on the inside of the front after I had already decorated the front. To solve my little problem, I stamped the image on tissue paper, colored it with Creative Inspirations Paint, (which gives such a beautiful shimmer and sparkle) and then adhered it with gel medium. The gel medium makes the tissue paper translucent, so now you can't see the tissue paper and it looks as if it was stamped on the card stock. I stamped the bird, cut it out, covered it in UTEE, and added it with pop dots.

I sewed beads around the first page. After I uploaded my pics, I realized that I misspelled 'Solomon'! Now that's going to bug me until I fix it, LOL.

Last week, Abby posted the sheet music for Joyful, Joyful we adore thee. I thought that was such an appropriate song for this mini. Birds always sound so joyful. So I added that to the reverse side of the pages.

The front of the birdhouse.

I loved making this book. I'll be making some more; I think these would be a wonderful place to keep inspirational quotes, sayings, and verses .

I'm not sure if this meets the requirements at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenges to 'make me smile, create a happy card'. If not, feel free to ignore, LOL.

Thanks so much for visiting and have a blessed day!

Spring Is In The Air

2012-02-14T18:35:00.001-05:00

Well, we can dream, can't we? Can you believe, in 2 weeks it will be March?! In the meantime, it felt like spring in my craftroom. I pulled out some pretty blue paper and a very old stamp to make a blue and white card for Joan's Gardens challenge. We were to make a spring card with some lattice and maybe a bird. This card came together quickly until it was time to add the flower. I spent a long time thinking about that flower. I really liked the way it looked without, but in the end I added it.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Candy Wrapper

2012-02-07T14:36:00.000-05:00

I wanted to slip in another candy wrapper at Joan's Gardens that is a little more feminine. I used an image from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings, added a spot for the word art from Word Art Wednesday, and then distressed the edges and used Rock Candy Crackle Paint.

I made a rolled rose but I'm not very good at those yet. I also added a stamped heart with some more crackle paint around the edges. I also layered a MS punch with a fleur de lis die. I thought the entire project looked very dull until I added that little bit of black lace. Always amazes me how a little bit of black will make everything pop.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges I would like to enter
Joan's Gardens: candy wrapper with Selma's instructions, embellish
Word Art Wednesday: use scripture verse, inspirational quote
Stampin Sisters In Christ: create a card/project that shows love (heart or word 'love')
Little Birdie Blessings: use scripture

How Great Thou Art

2012-02-04T22:01:00.000-05:00

Patter's Hymn Challenge #4 focuses on the song 'How Great Thou Art'. I used a picture from a trip we took in the fall through the mountains of West Virginia. It was one of those picture perfect days, the fall colors were beautiful, the sky was the most awesome blue and then we found this water fall to make it perfect.

It was one of those days when we were completely in awe of God's creation and truly remembered 'How Great You Are'!

A Sweet Valentine

2012-02-03T13:46:00.001-05:00

For our Christmas bazaar I made some hot chocolate pouches that were great sellers. Now Joan's Gardens has asked us to make some of these pouches for candy bars. You can find Selma's instructions here. What sweet gifts these will make! I was thinking of my husband when I made this, which is why I added the gauze material. It reminds me of a fishing net and he likes to fish.

I used the MS punch all over the page heart and it has these perforated holes that are perfect for stitching. The stamped heart was almost the exact size of the punch. I added glossy accents and placed it on pop dots.

I also added a pocket for a tag. The little card is an image from the Graphics Fairy.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges I would like to enter
Joan's Gardens: candy pouch following Selma's directions, embellish
Do You Stack Up: anything goes
Craft Us Crazy: anything goes
Shelly's Images: all tied up
Crafty Sentiments Designs: punches or dies
Moving Along With The Times: have a heart
Crafty Ribbons Challenge: one for the boys
Creative Inspirations: make a tag

A Little Bit of Spring

2012-01-27T18:56:00.001-05:00

For my card today I've used an old Stampendous stamp that I hardly ever use anymore. I stamped it twice, colored it with Prismacolor pencils, and then cut out the flowers and added them on pop dots. I cut out a window and backed it with some vellum that has a faint pink and green floral design. I also used a cuttlebug embossing folder. I stamped the sentiment, cut it out, and added it with pop dots, also.

I added the full image as an insert on the inside.

I recently bought a distressing tool and it really does a better job then the scissors I used to use.

Thank you so much for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges I would like to enter
Joan's Gardens: create a 4.25 x 5.5 birthday card, use pink, green and some purple, include some distressed edges and add some piercing
Stampin' With The Dragon: anything goes
Do You Stack Up Challenge: ribbons
Shelly's Images: text me (use sentiment on front of card)
PaperCrafting Journey: floral
Moving Along With The Times: blooming marvellous
Creative Inspirations: anything goes

Hymn Challenge #2

2012-01-24T21:21:00.003-05:00

The song chosen by Patter for this challenge is 'Turn your eyes upon Jesus', written by Helen Lemmel.

Quite a few years ago, I experienced an almost paralyzing fear.   I finally asked our pastor for some special prayer and while we were praying, I 'saw' the Lord. What an amazing experience! The fear was completely gone and I felt radiant!

There is nothing in this world that can compare to looking into the face of our Father and experiencing the incredible love He has for each one of us.

The older I get, the more I long to see Him face to face.

Now I see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

As you can see, I paraphrased the verse from Psalms. I always like to use personal pronouns to emphasize the relationship we have with our Lord.

This is done with a digital kit from a Christmas blog hop.

dbk_dst6 & 12pt_paper_traditions
ramona_bling_traditions
jencdesigns_traditions
bam_bow_lovebirds_button_traditions
adorn_leaves_traditions
aimeeh_rolled flowers_traditions

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Non-Traditional Valentine Colors

2012-01-14T23:04:00.000-05:00

The challenge at Joan's Gardens this week is to use non-traditional colors. I decided to go with blue and brown. The DP is Life's Journey from K&Co. I was intending to go to town to buy some roses but winter hit with full force and so I made a flower from some used dryer sheets. The small flowers are painted with 'Sage' Creative Inspirations paint. The die is Spellbinder's 'Contemporary Hearts'. I placed two of the little punch outs on the ribbon. The little rose and sentiment stamp is a dollar stamp from Michaels.

One of my goals this year is to keep my cards smaller. I needed to add lace to my card but found that my card was beginning to look cluttered. And then it occurred to me that I need to start decorating the inside of my card. So I added the lace and my sentiment on the inside, as well as the optional key.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Joan's Gardens challenge

Create a Valentine in "non-traditional" colors
Use some kind of lace
Use a flower - rose if possible
Use a key - optional

A Simple Valentine

2012-01-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

I love making valentine cards, especially when they're pink. For the background I used a heart embossing folder. The lovely heart image is from Tammy at A Day For Daisies. I added the word 'Amour' in Photoshop Elements (this is what I love about digital stamps) and then cut it out in a heart shape. I used some glossy accents and a supposedly red glitter pen on the heart image. I have yet to find an actually red glitter pen.

I added a Sizzix flourish, my crochet flower with a little rose bud, and my stick pin. I then finished it off with some sheer ribbon. The heart cutouts are part of the Sizzix flourish.

I love Cotton Candy Stickles!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

challenges
A Day For Daisies: pretty pastels
Joan's Gardens: make a card or tag using some kind of hearts; use any kind of embellishment; use pink/red with white; some kind of embossing

Amazing Grace

2012-01-02T21:04:00.004-05:00

A new year, a new beginning. This year, instead of focusing on just one type of craft, I'm going to be trying lots of different things.

I'm not an artist, never have been, never will be. But I love to experiment, and would you believe, I have never given myself the freedom to try something just for the fun of doing it. So this is going to be my year for self-expression. If others like it, that's an added bonus, but if not, that's O.K. also.

The one thing that I do really want to focus on is to participate in Patter's Hymn challenge which you can find here. The first hymn is Amazing Grace. I know this is a favorite of almost everyone. Patter gave a link to a video of Wintley Phipps sharing about this song. I was so blessed by this, I just have to share it.

I used to do a lot of digital scrapbooking but not so much anymore. It's something I love to do and so I have decided to use this format for these challenges. I am also working on an altered composition book where I will do my journaling, which I will share later.

When I think of the grace of God and how much He has forgiven me, it makes me ashamed when I fail to extend this same grace to the people around me. They are dealing with the same human frailties that I am. My prayer is that I will be much more gracious and forgiving than I have been.

Wishing each and everyone a very blessed and Happy New Year!
Hugs, Sarah

digital supplies
blue paper and border_4mbs_traditions_ppg5
red and brown mats_dbk_dst12pt_traditions
letter blocks_e-AlejasDesigns_traditions
bow and lovebird button_bam_traditions
frame_digilicious_traditions
rose cluster_aimee_traditions

First Apartment, First Christmas Tree=

2011-12-12T23:18:00.002-05:00

A need for some Christmas ornaments. So what does a crafty grandmother do but offer to make some. And that is just what we did today.

But first things first. Before she arrived, we received a phone call asking if we would please make some broccoli, noodle soup! Her favorite food at grandma's house. So grandpa went grocery shopping and then prepared some yummy soup. Thank you, grandpa!

After a delicious meal, (by a cozy fireplace) we went to work. I taught her how to use the Cuttlebug but she decided (after making several dozen scalloped circles) that it was too much work. She didn't know how much work went into making ornaments, LOL! It was a good experience.

She wanted to make some personalized ornaments for her friends and so we put pictures on the scalloped circles with pop dots and then added some stickles around the frames.

We also made some cones to hold treats, which she will hang on the tree.

Some rosettes with rhinestones and stickles and some baubles.

And a book page wreath. We discovered these were really time consuming but very pretty when finished.

And some TP roll stars with some more rosettes, rhinestones and lots of gold stickles!

After spending all day making ornaments, we were tired but very pleased with the results. Are they perfect? No, but we had a perfectly wonderful day together and I think that is the very best part of Christmas.

I wish for you an amazingly wonderful Christmas season! Hugs,Sarah and Mercede

Alice In Wonderland Tea Holder

2011-11-16T10:23:00.000-05:00

Our craft show is this weekend and a little bit of the craziness will be over, LOL! I do love preparing for craft shows but it's still a bit stressful getting ready for it.

I thought I would take a quick moment and share a tea bag holder and gift bag that I made. I used a tutorial from Tracy that you can find here. I made several different designs but my favorite is the Alice In Wonderland design.

The images are from Crafty Secrets.

The gift bag is made from an envelope that has been scored along 3 sides and folded to make the perfect size to hold the tea bag card.

Just a few more items to make and then I'll be ready! Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Side Step Christmas Card

2011-11-01T15:07:00.000-04:00

These images are from A Day For Daisies. As soon as I saw the child, I knew I wanted to use it for a scrapbook layout I want to do with a picture of my DGD reading the Christmas story when she was six. For today, I used it to make a side step card.

The challenge at ADFD is to use something metallic. The red dots on the snowflakes are 'Metallic Inspirations' from Creative Inspirations Paint.

I am still busy getting ready for our craft show so I will get back to work.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Tinsel Christmas Card

2011-10-21T13:32:00.001-04:00

Oh my, this little blog has really been neglected the last 2 weeks! Getting ready for a craft show is taking every spare moment of my time. Last year I said, "No more craft shows"! But since this is in support of our local hospital, I thought I would participate. It's a very small show so I think I can handle this.

So I thought I would share some of the things I'm making and maybe you can find some ideas you might like. This card is a 'just for fun' card. I didn't make very many since I have no idea if anyone would want to buy one, although everyone gets a chuckle from it.

There is a little baggie with some tinsel added, the font is highlighted with some red stickles, and I added a strip of red liner tape on the top to add some silver glitter.

On the inside I used a Spellbinders Labels 2 die to add a spot for a personal message.

And then there are 10 suggestions for how to recycle tinsel, LOL.

The idea for this card comes from a magazine I bought several years ago. Come back next week and I'll share another one. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Inspired by Buttons

2011-10-06T01:08:00.002-04:00

This week, at Creative Inspirations Paint, we are being inspired by buttons. I am starting to get together some ideas for our craft show and this is one of the projects I'm considering. It's a hot chocolate pouch. I'm not sure I care for the design. I was going for a partially melted snowman. He's been painted with CI Paint 'Blue Ice' and his nose with 'Sunshine'. And of course, he has 2 button eyes.

The back has this adorable image from Tammy at A Day For Daisies. She's been colored with Prismacolor Pencils. I've also used a Martha Stewart border punch.

The ribbon is tucked down inside and looped around the hot chocolate to hold it in place. When you pull the ribbon up it pulls the packet out.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I will enter
Crafty Cardmakers: anything goes
Craft Your Passion: anything goes/ribbon
Papertake Weekly: anything goes/punch
City Crafter: 3D (I'm not sure if this qualifies; if not, that's O.K., I won't be offended)
Ribbon Carousel: anything goes/ribbon

White Plus One Other Color

2011-09-27T17:49:00.002-04:00

The challenge at Creative Inspirations Paint for this week is to use white plus one other color. The challenge at LOTV is to use aqua, white, and glitter, so aqua became my other color. I used quite a few different techniques on this card; it took way longer than I thought it would. But it was fun trying some new things.

I started with a fun fold called a star fold card. The flower is one of my crochet flowers with a paper flower and a button in the center. The stamens and edge of flower are painted with 'Sky Blue' CI Paint. Such a beautiful color! I also added some stickles.

I made some bead gel using Elmer's glue, micro beads, and blue Pearl Ex. Totally love how that turned out! This might not have been the best use for it but I'm looking forward to using it in some other applications.

The side panels were stamped with some swirls and then colored with some more Pearl Ex. I also added some piercing around the swirls. The image was colored with Prismacolor Pencils. The papers were all distressed and sponged with Broken China distress ink. The center panel has been edged with white crackle paint. I printed the sentiment from the computer, inked the edges and then embossed with clear embossing powder.

This turned out to be a very time consuming but fun card.
I've been wanting to enter the challenge at Catered Crop but this is the first time I've been able to do it.

recipe ingredients I used: flowers, sentiment, distress inks, crackle paint, ribbon, lace, button, thread, sewing, distress, vintage

my recipe

Paper –white cardstock, doily
Colors-aqua, white, glitter
Stamps –LOTV Coffee Break
Color Mediums –distress ink, embossing ink, pearl ex, prismacolor pencils, Creative Inspirations Paint, crackle paint, stickles
Fibers –satin ribbon, lace
Tools –MS score board
Techniques- distressing, sewing, coloring embossing ink with pearl ex, paper piercing, homemade bead gel
Embellishments –handmade crochet and paper flower, button

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Incy Wincy Designs: fancy folds
Scrap Creations: It's a girl thing
Di's Digi Design Challenge: make your own flowers
Paper Sundaes: anything goes
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: have a latte day
Bows and Berries: glitter
Dream Valley: buttons
LOTV: aqua, white,glitter
Catered Crop, Follow the Recipe
Our Daily Bread: scripture, quote or song

A Charmed Birthday

2011-09-22T00:26:00.002-04:00

I will start by saying this post is picture heavy; you will find my card for the challenges at the end.

Our DIL is an extremely creative person and when it comes to presents, you can always count on a unique and surprising experience. Last Sat. I received a very large box. When I opened it I found a box within a box. They did an amazing job of packing it!

Inside the second box was a birthday cake made with paper mache boxes. There was a very detailed set of instructions on how to open it.

I'm not going to go into all the details but let it be sufficient to say that there was some very detailed and elaborate construction involved. My son drilled holes in the top layer and she rolled paper for each candle, rolled up dollar bills and inserted cording for me to pull on to extract the bills. Very clever! So this is what I discovered.

Oh, but wait! That wasn't all! Each paper mache box held some wrapped gifts, including the base the cake sat on.

So now this is what the boxes contained. I was so excited! The complete 'Uncommon" kit from Authentique Paper. How well they know me, LOL.

So now what can a mother do but make a thank you card? This week, at Creative Inspirations Paint, we are being inspired by charms. Aren't these papers beautiful?! Totally loved working with them! I made a curved template for the right side of the card and then used the scalloped circle die to cut the frame. The edges of the papers were distressed with 'Tea Dye' distress ink. The bird is a clear stamp. The frame and the edge of the crochet flower are painted with 'Rustic Red' Creative Inspirations Paint. I also added some hot fix Jeweled Inspirations. I made a crochet lace border with pearls. And then I added my charm to the tag which is part of the collection. Thanks again! I will enjoy working with these!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Incy Wincy Designs: distressing
Craft Your Passion: anything goes
The Pink Elephant: photo inspiration, pink, green, crochet
Scrap Creations: anything goes
Stamptacular Sunday: just sayin'
Di's Digi Design Challenge: anything goes

A Bit Of Holiday

2011-09-10T18:27:00.002-04:00

Today I tried a new style of card, for me, anyways. It's a tag easel card. I've been watching lots of Tim Holtz videos to try and learn how to take some plain cardstock and make it, well, not so plain. As you will see, this is quite a beginners card! Hopefully, one can only go up from here, LOL.

I used this lovely image from Tammy at A Day For Daisies. I colored the image digitally and then added some Crystal Effects on the candy cane. My first layer was Tea Dye distress ink, then I stamped some swirls and embossed, and then some more distress ink. I then stamped some snowflakes with gold Creative Inspirations Paint. That didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, need more practice! The last touch was to add some gold embossing around the edge. After that it was just a matter of adding the embellishments.

There's some swirl bling and my crocheted flower.
I'm sure we have all had a song pop into our head and not be able to get rid of it. As I was making this card, I started singing 'It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas'. And now it's stuck! I'm going to go turn on some other music. I'm not ready for Christmas!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
A Day For Daisies: a bit of holiday; a bit of red
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge: swirls
Secret Crafter: inspired by a song
Craft Your Days Away: make your own flowers
Allsorts: flowers and swirls
Digi Design Challenge: anything goes

Vintage Back To School

2011-09-07T21:31:00.002-04:00

This week our inspiration at Creative Inspirations Paint is 'Back To School'. Recently I found this oh, so cute image at The Graphics Fairy. I have to smile every time I look at it.

I used a MS border punch to make the black frame and then painted it with Onyx CI Paint. The layers were distressed and I used Tea Dye distress ink.

The double crepe paper ruffle has one layer of Tea Dye distress ink and one layer of Sage CI Paint. The flower is made from an old dress pattern. Autumn Wheat was the perfect color to edge the petals. I also used Sage along the bottom of the lace and then added one of my stick pins.

I then gave the entire card a spritz with my homemade glimmer mist made with the Sage paint. Love all the shimmer!

Thanks so much for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
The Crafty Pad: blue and brown
Stamps R Us challenge: friendship
Paper Creations Ink: vintage or distressed look
Crazy 4 Challenges: back to school
Sundays With Crissy: friendship
Creative Card Crew: anything goes
My Grafico: back to school
Come and Get It: back to school

Back To School

2011-09-05T21:40:00.001-04:00

For our inspiration at Creative Inspirations Paint, we are going back to school. I started with a sketch again, this time from Sketch Saturday. When I found this image from Bugaboo Stamps, I just knew I had to use her. Love this image! I colored her with Prismacolor pencils and then gave her clothes a wash of Creative Inspirations Paint to add some shimmer. The apples also have a coat of CI Paint. How many tickets do you think would get lost if the children had to present one to enter school, LOL?! Although I know quite a few children who are glad to be back in school.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Sketch Saturday: sketch
Come and Get It Challenge: back to school
Catch the Bug: September anything goes

Lots of Layers

2011-08-31T11:38:00.000-04:00

This week we are doing lots of layers at Creative Inspirations Paint. I started with a sketch from CPS

This sweet image is from A Day For Daisies. His outfit and the flower are paper pieced and then I used distress inks around the edge. The yellow layer is torn. There is some 'faux' baker's twine. I used some CI Paint to paint the stripes on the string.

I painted the stripes on the paper with some CI Paint, Green Olive, Pumpkin, and Buttercup. I also painted the scallop circle with 'Coal' which is an amazing silvery black. These are the perfect fall/Halloween colors and give lots of shimmery accents.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day.

Challenges I would like to enter
A Day For Daisies: It's a twine thing
CPS sketch: sketch
Catch The Bug: warm colors and paper piecing
Cupcake Inspiration: photo inspiration
Whoopsi Daisy: autumn colors
The Crafty Pad: distressing and tearing
Dream Valley Challenge: lemon, lime, orange

Happy Birthday

2011-08-24T21:55:00.000-04:00

Another try at a clean and simple card which is our inspiration for Creative Inspirations Paint this week. I like this style; I'm just not very good at it.

For this card I used a sheet of double sided DP which made it very easy. I started with a Tuesday Morning sketch. For the six dots I used some of the new Metallic Inspirations which are available at CI Paint. Love these! They are 'hot fix' but since I haven't gotten my rhinestone setter yet I just use Glossy Accents.

I also love using these paints to make my own glimmer mist. Here I used 'gold' but I also like making my own unique color combinations with different color paints.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Stamps R Us: anything goes
Paper Creations Ink: say it with flowers
Tuesday Morning Sketchs: sketch
Really Reasonable Ribbon: O.K....keep it clean
Sentimental Sundays: birthday

Clean And Simple

2011-08-23T13:20:00.001-04:00

Clean and Simple is the inspiration for Creative Inspirations Paint this week. I always have problems trying to keep it simple; seems I just want to keep adding things, LOL

For this card, I used one of my new Whoopsi Daisy stamps that I won recently. Isn't she just the cutest ever!? She is digitally paper pieced. The card is embossed with a new folder I bought at Pat Catan's (Darice brand). I added 3 K&Co flowers and a stitched ribbon.

I used the Spellbinders Parisian Accents border die and painted it with 'Rose Quartz" CI Paint and then stamped 'Thank You' with a clear stamp.

I honestly don't think I have any colors in my color box besides pink and green. I boxed up some cards for a craft fair and realized that 3/4th of them are pink and green. I'm going to challenge myself to use some of those neglected colors in my box!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter:
Shelly's Images: show us what you got
PaperCrafting Journey: anything goes
Aud Sentiments: anything goes
Ruby's Rainbow: stitching
Crazy 4 Challenges: bingo (ribbon, die cuts, embossing)
Sundays with Crissy: K.I.S.S.
Challenge Up Your Life: no DP
Designed2Delight: anything goes
Digi's With Attitude!: anything goes
AiFactory Challenge: anything goes

Inspired By Orange And Pink

2011-08-16T19:40:00.002-04:00

This week, at Creative Inspirations Paint, we are being inspired by orange and pink. Bright and sunny colors to match the weather we've been having! I decided to start with a sketch from Sketchy Colors. The delightful image is Emma, Blowing Bubbles from Fred, She Said Designs. I enlarged one of the bubbles to use for my greeting. The image is framed with some polka dot rick rack. Along the bottom there are 3 button 'flowers'. The white piece is embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.

For the background paper I used a piece of plastic wrap to dab on some 'Blush' and 'Pumpkin' CI Paint to give lots of shimmer.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Sketchy Colors: sketch
Stampin For The Weekend: spots and dots
Fussy and Fancy Friday: use a lot
Crafty Catz: emboss
The Stamp Man: anything goes with summer colors
Paper Sundaes: just say "hi"
Digi Design House: recipe: 3 buttons or brads, 2 patterned papers, 1 ribbon or floss
Whoopsi Daisy: anything goes
Just Some Lines: embossing

Vintage Domino Mini Book

2011-08-11T00:13:00.008-04:00

This week at Creative Inspirations Paint, we are being inspired by tutorials, whether it's one you find at CI Paint, one you found somewhere else, or your own. I love doing altered projects and so I wanted to try Kassi's awesome tutorial for dominos. She used hers for a beautiful piece of jewelry but I decided to make a mini book with some vintage prints.

I used CI Paint, 'Rustic Red' and 'Sea Foam' to coordinate with my paper. I have found these colors to be beautiful 'vintage' colors. Here you can see the wonderful shimmer of the paint. 'Gloria' was printed on acetate so the colors of the domino could show through.

The vintage images are from Karen at The Graphics Fairy. If you haven't visited her yet, you'll want to do so. She so generously shares the most amazing vintage images.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Crafty Purple Frog: anything but a card
Gingerloft: make it sparkle
Craft Us Crazy: anything goes
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge: it's Christmas
Pollycraft Monday: recycle (dominos)
Incy Wincy Designs: something old (dominos), something new (lace, CI Paint)
Catch The Bug Challenge: anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge: anything but square
Happileigh Scrappin' Challenge: more than 1 fold
Passionately Artistic: linking party
Made It Myself Monday: linking party
Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy

CI Paint Inspired By Your Favorite Tutorial

2011-08-07T17:14:00.002-04:00

This week, at Creative Inspirations Paint, we are being inspired by tutorials. Here, at CI Paint, you will find at least 68 creative tutorials! As Kendra says:

Our very own, Kassi, posts tutorials every Saturday to inspire us all! So I thought this would be a great challenge! Has she or another DT member inspired you by a tutorial they've shared and you've been itching to try it? Haven't gotten the time, well now is that time! (Or inspired by another tutorial you've seen somewhere...or have one to share?) We'd love to see what tutorials have inspired you.

I have always loved the faux silk technique. On this card, I painted the tissue paper with CI Paint 'Pink Highlights' and then used 'Tutu Pink' to add some swirls. Totally love the beautiful, sparkly results!

This adorable free image is from Kelley Kids Challenges . She was so fun to color with my Prismacolor pencils and then I added some 'Pink Highlights' and 'Mint Green'. The flowers also received a coat of 'Pink Highlights' and the chipboard flowers are covered in Dazzling Diamonds. The little vintage buttons are some I found recently in a thrift shop.

The color scheme came from Color Create Challenge. My favorite colors! How could I not enter,LOL?!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Kelley Kids Challenges: anything goes
Color Create Challenge: pink, green, white (optional: cooking)
Craft Us Crazy: anything goes in August
Stamp Something: just use a digi
Mark's Finest Papers: anything but a standard size card (mine is 6x6)
Ellephantastic Challenges: add some layers
Gingerloft Challenge: make it sparkle
Catch The Bug: anything goes
Raise The Bar: anything goes
Miami Doodles: flowers

Creative Inspirations Paint and a Sketch

2011-08-02T01:44:00.001-04:00

This week Creative Inspirations Paint is being inspired by a sketch.

.

For some reason, I seem to be sketch challenged, LOL. It always takes me longer to use a sketch then without. But I gave it my best shot. This is one of the LOTV stamps that I won. I was so excited! They remind me so much of my sister and I. She lives in Texas and I live in Ohio so we don't get together as much as we would like; but whenever we do, we love to go to tea/coffee shops and catch up on all the news. She's the best sis in the world!

I wanted to make my own paper but then I went and covered most of it up! I really like how the blue paper turned out. I painted white c.s. with blue acrylic paint and then when that was dry I painted over it with a 50/50 mixture of water and Turquoise CI Paint. While it was still wet I sprinkled it with 91% rubbing alcohol. The paint separated and I had light blue circles that were all sparkly from the shimmer paint. The 91% is important, it won't work with anything less.

I used some red CI Paint to make some "faux bakers twine" and added some "Metallic Inspirations" from CI Paint in the corners. The lovely stick pin is one I received from a swap. Love how she added the ribbon!

I embossed my paper with a cuttlebug embossing folder and then painted the raised portions with some more Turquoise CI Paint. I then made a glimmer mist with 'Blue Ice'. The paper is just pure shimmery loveliness!

Some parting words from Kendra at Creative Inspirations Paint:
Being as though this challenge is a little more precise, everyone that joins in this week, will be entered into this months drawing twice!!

Remember, it's the last Sunday of the month, so we'll be drawing a winner next week!!

Be sure to enter; you just may win 5 jars of wonderful shimmery paint for yourself.

Challenges I would like to enter
Our Creative Corner: aqua and red
Whoopsie Daisy: anything but a square
Sparkles Forum: one for the girls
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Friends are heaven sent
Creative Craft World: anything but birthdays
Anything Goes Challenge: Pick of the bunch (flowers)

Christmas ATC Folder

2011-07-28T02:11:00.004-04:00

It's Christmas Inspiration at Creative Inspirations Paint this week and today is my day to post a project. I've joined an ATC swap at CDAC and in anticipation of receiving 9 beautiful ATC'S, I've made a folder to put them into.

To create the cover, I used paper from K&Co., 'Life's Journey'. The vintage image is one I found at The Graphic Fairy. I distressed the edges and inked them with Vintage Photo. The beautiful stick pin is one I received in a swap.

I painted the lace with CI Paint, 'Mocha Latte'. Can't help but love paint with a name like that! The roses were a bright pink, so to tone them down I used 'Rustic Red' and Burgundy'. I then tipped the edges with 'Gold'. I love the variations of color and the shimmer!

The book was made with some paper bags I had left over from an earlier mini album project. I used my deckle scissors to trim the edges, inked them and then sewed the edges. I used some Tim Holtz stamps and then spritzed all the pages with my homemade glimmer mist made with CI Paint 'Gold'. Some more gorgeous shimmer! Otherwise, I left the pages plain so that the focus would be on the ATC's.

You can find the tutorial for the ATC folder here. My bags were smaller than hers so I just adjusted my measurements to fit my bags.
Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Crafts and Me Challenge: ribbon
Pollycraft Monday Challenge: Christmas In July
Totally Stampalicious: anything goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge: Christmas is July
Cupcake Craft Challenge: shabby sparkle
The Crazy Challenge: ribbons
Allsorts Challenge: free and easy
Paper Cutz Challenge: anything goes
Kaboodle Doodles: stitching
Simply Create: Christmas time
Paper Creations Ink: Christmas in July
Stamp Something: embellish
Christmas Inspirations: Free Christmas project

Christmas In July #2

2011-07-27T13:07:00.002-04:00

I'm having such a good time with the Christmas In July theme at Creative Inspirations Paint, that I made another card. Designed2Delight was asking for a card with no red or green; I probably took it to the extreme with non traditional colors, LOL. I used the Nestibilities 'Lacy Oval' to cut out a soda can and then used a flower embossing folder. This is the first time I tried the Cracked Glass technique; I thought it would fit the theme of the card. The little penguins are painted with CI Paint 'Winter Frost and Citrus'. Every time I use a new color it becomes my favorite! Citrus was an exact match for this paper which is the Christmas combo pack from DCWV.

My handmade flowers were painted with CI Paint 'Tanzanite and Burnt Sienna'. The bling in the center are hot fix 'Jeweled Inspirations' available at CI Paint.

Have you tried Tim Coffey's plastic bag flowers yet? You can find the directions here. These are so cute! He uses a 4" square; I used 2". They're the same as those tissue paper flowers we used to make years ago; just using your plastic shopping bags. And the color of this one was perfect for this project!

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!
Challenges I would like to enter
Christmas Inspirations: free Christmas project
Allsorts Challenge: free and easy
Designed2Delight: Christmas in July; no red or green
Totally Gorjuss: punch or diecut
Paper Cutz: anything goes
The Crafty Pad: embossing
Simply Create: Christmas Time

Christmas In July

2011-07-26T00:09:00.001-04:00

At CI Paint, we are celebrating 'Christmas in July'! Thinking about cooler temperatures is such a treat, considering the heat and humidity we've been having!

This card includes some stitching and lots of glitter. I tried something new and added some gauze material under the image. I like the softness it adds. My handmade flowers are painted with CI Paint 'Ivory and Rustic Red'. The image is from A Day For Daisies and the stick pin is from a swap.

Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Challenges I would like to enter
Paper Creations Ink: Christmas in July
Creative Inspirations Challenge: Christmas in July
Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge: glitter
Simply Create: Christmas time
Stamp Something: embellish
Craft Us Crazy: anything goes
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: All about you (your favorite color) any shade from pink to red!
Bah! Humbug!: beads
A Day For Daisies: a secret ingredient
Delightful Challenges: Christmas in July