CHA2010

This weekend was CKC held in Houston at the Galleria. Rachel, Anthony, Isabel and I stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Friday night. Next year we are pumped up to stay probably three nights. We had such a great time. I captioned all of the pictures to give a little details. We made a side trip to Archivers on Friday night. We were exhausted but had such fun it was worth all the throbbing feet! We met up with Melinda, Leann, Julie, Arcalee (although I didn't get to see her), and Holly (I hadn't seen her in a really long time, she looked great. I loved her new haircut) Every year we learn something more and by next year I think we will have a much better plan of attack. Maybe we may even get a chance to go to San Marcos in September....just not sure yet. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Just click on the first picture and it should take you to view the album in Picassa.

Mother's Day

This has always been tough to make a Mother's Day card for anyone other than my mom. I lost her six years ago and even though the pain does ease with time, days like this bring it to the front of my thoughts. I try to focus on all the good memories instead of thinking about her health issues that robbed her and us too of the woman we once knew. For the last 11 years of her life she had strokes, TIAs and her memory was slipping away. She was a wonderful mom and such a good person. She taught school, mostly 4Th grade and I was even blessed to be her student for my 4Th grade. It was strange figuring out what to call her. Mrs. Davenport?, no too formal, Mom or mommy, well that was too personal and embarrassing! Hey teacher?, rude! So most of the time I just held up my hand till she called on me. She worked hard as a teacher, always bringing home papers to grade, her lesson plans had to be all written out and she was getting more and more disgusted with all the red tape involved. She would really be disgusted now! I loved to hear her stories at the dinner table from her day at school. She would make us all giggle at things that happened.

One major thing my mother taught me well was how to shop! She was a bargain hunter. She loved to shop for clothes more than anything else. In high school I remember a big lesson she taught me. I would beg for the latest, coolest things that were over priced. She would always head for the clearance racks and sale items. I complained about what I wanted until she finally agreed to give me a clothes allowance. I felt victorious! I think I got $25 bucks a week, which sounded great until I realized it didn't go very far at all. I also realized too that she spent way more on me when she was the one helping to pick things out. I then decided the allowance wasn't as cool as I thought it would be. By the time I was a Sophomore I had job and most of my money went toward my clothes but I spent it carefully. This is now a tradition I taught my daughter, Kassie. She goes straight for that clearance rack. This weekend we went shopping and she found a pair of jeans at Hot Topic that fit her so perfectly, a size 3! They were reduced down several times and were just $6.00. She found a bathing suit that she looks amazing in for $20 bucks. I am proud of being able to give her skills that my mom gave me. I know mom would be proud of Kassie. Thank God Kassie had time to love her DeeDee and be able to remember the many shopping trips the three of us took. She loved to spoil Kassie with clothes. We miss you DeeDee but not for the shopping, for your wonderful love you gave us. I feel you with me especially when getting that "good deal"! You have my love always Mom. This Day was to honor you and I do, always.

scraproommay10

Check out my latest re-organization of my scrap room!

Copic Marker "Easter Blessings"

What fun I had creating this card! I used several new products. The bunnies on the front and the chick with the cute hat are both $1.00 Michael's wood mounted rubber stamps. The Easter Blessing and the grass are both from my stamp set of the month by Stephanie Barnard. The three rows of lattice borders were punched with a Martha Stewart punch. I used a Sizzix embossing folder for texture inside the card. I couldn't find my stamp that says "that means you chick!" so I picked out a font from my 10,000 plus fonts I recently downloaded on my laptop and printed it on cardstock with my Epson. I used my Marvy oval and square punches. The most fun of all was using the copic markers to color my little bunnies and chick! I do believe it is almost as fun as using crayons! Maybe that is why I keep adding to my collection? I believe I currently have 77 markers, that is more than a box of 64 but not quite as cool as a box of 96! Hope you enjoy looking and maybe it will inspire you to go color.

Obsessive Compulsive Organization Disorder!

OCD-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

This is a phrase often used by not only myself but those who know me well. Once I get an idea in my mind it is like a mind worm. I am sure there are plenty of others in this craft that enjoy organizing their stash. My scrap room is always a work in progress. I am constantly finding a better solution to stage my supplies for a more structured flow. In this situation I remember seeing markers stored in a similar fashion but could not find the magazine or a product ready to purchase. I love my copic markers but storing them in a closed container, usually out of sight, kept me from using them on a regular basis. Dual ended markers need to be stored horizontal. I eventually adapted containers I already had. I covered mat board and cut them so I could form the "X" that makes this four section division. This was my second attempt as my first flopped. My container wasn't deep enough and therefor my pens were top heavy and fell all over the table. With a deep breath and a good friend at my side (thanks Rachel for your great suggestions) I started over with a new and deeper container. When I see my mind worm turn into a butterfly I can just stand back and admire. Then it is time to grab my camera! My next blog update will show a card I just finished using my stamps and markers.

Easter Banner!

Here is a banner I have been working on this week. I used three cartridges, Easter 2010, George & Accent Essentials. I started with the "Happy Easter" using Bazzill Bling card stock. The sweet little lamb even has blushing cheeks. I used various pieces of printed card stock that I had in my vast stash. To give the animals dimension I used 1/8 inch foam adhesive squares. Using my sewing machine I stitched the pattern paper to the base card stock. I set pink eyelets to string the pink tulle through. I sometimes think my paper creations display the forever child that I am. :)

Personalizing our laptops!

I haven't cut much from Vinyl but when my daughter bought her new laptop Thursday I decided to decorate it for her. She is 21 but just like her mom, she loves fun stuff like Hello Kitty. I used the silhouette image to make the cuts simple. The font is also from Hello Kitty. "Blackrose" is her screen name (it's a Goth thing...) After how happy we were with hers I decided I needed to personalize my own. Not much thought needed to plan it because I had to have butterflies! From my Gypsy I found various butterflies in my cartridge library. Sam saw me putting the pearls and rhinestones on and suggested they might fall off since this is my travel laptop. I must have my bling so if they come off I will just put more on....As for "Fun Sized", it is a little term Sam uses to describe me being so short. I used Storybook cartridge for the font. Now that I have the settings figured out for cutting vinyl, I have quite a few projects spinning around in my head. Stay tuned!

Valentine Candy Treats

Just little Valentine Treats for some of the people I love. I got the idea from Splitcoaststampers. I am sure some of my friends think I have way to much time on my hands! It is a match book style valentine. These were silly expensive to mail but I really don't care....sometimes you just have to toss all caution in the wind right?

Card Challenge for Scrap-mart

The picture of the desk, old typewriter, hat box etc. was the inspiration given for this card contest. The prize for the best card chosen is a signed Tim Holtz, "on the edge" die just released at CHA. Then if I understood right, all other entries will be randomly drawn for a Nestabilities die (which I already own) but honestly I entered this more for the nudge to create something a bit different from my usual work. These typically are not colors I would be drawn to but I was really happy with the results. I have been downloading fonts lately and this is one I really like. It is called "outlaw". I used my copic markers to color the letters. I used a piece of patterned paper from Making Memories, "Passport". The flower was a single layer from a flower I took apart and then folded twice. I tied the bottom with a piece of black tulle (another one of my latest favorite items to use.) I found a nice little embellishment technique from the great folks at "Papertrey Inks". Use a strip of "scor-tape" or a double sided really sticky tape and adhere to your card stock. Remove the top layer of paper to expose the top side of the double sided tape. Sprinkle with your favorite glitter. I then used my finger to press the glitter into the tape. Shake off any excess glitter. This makes a really nice soft touch. I also placed a few dots of glue on the tips of the flower and sprinkled with glitter. (never can get enough glitter!) I used Tim Holtz distress ink in black soot to age the look of the card. I applied a touch of his distress stickles, although the picture doesn't pick up the bit of glimmer it added. So I hope you enjoy and if you are a card maker this inspires you also!!!

I WON SOMETHING! YEAH ME!

Just a quick little announcement to share with my pals. I entered a contest (random drawn) with www.ohmycrafts.com Facebook challenge. It had instructions to find a Valentine quote on their blog and email it to Lana at Oh My Crafts. I just got an email saying I was one of three people chosen. It is for an idea book and some embellishments (which I am sure will be nice to get) but more than anything it was just a wonderful surprise to come home to today. My husband and I took my father to a doctor's appointment. Not the most fun thing to do but we made the most of it, as we always do. Thank you OH MY CRAFTS, I love your online store. This just made my day! :)

GYPSY TOTE BAG

This is my design of a tote bag to carry my Gypsy and cords, when I create on the go. Today I drew up a pattern which is actually quite simple. There are four pattern pieces. First is the bag front and back, second is the flap, third is the lining, and fourth is for the wrist strap. If I can get some help making it into a downloadable file I will post but for now you will just have to use your imagination! My first one I made is going to my friend Rachel. I did make a couple of changes when I made the second one. Oh, it matches my cricut expression cover also! :)

Valentine Banner

Here is a Banner I made with my scrap supplies. I designed it on my Gypsy. I used Celebrations for my blue flags. I made my circles on George and the Font is Ashlyn's Alphabet. I used several different ribbons and knotted them together. The holes that cut with the flag were really bigger than I needed so I ended up using a glue dot to hold the ribbon in place. The is hung over my kitchen sink and I posted the picture of my sweet husband helping me out. He has my pin cushion/trash bag hanging on his head. How cute is that!!!

Valentine Birthday Card

Here is the birthday card I made for Rachel. Today is her birthday (I can't believe I haven't called her yet today to tell her I am thinking of her.) I had fun using the birthday and Valentine combined. This color combination that is being used in all the new papers this Valentine is so cool. You are always use to red and pink but they added this blue. Rachel and I took a class at Archiver's and that is when I first started seeing the combination. Now I see it in every one's Valentine line. I used some AC Specialty paper for the embossed red foil piece. I used a sizzix folder and then sanded it a bit. I embossed with powder the happy birthday title. I probably worked on it for about two hours just because I wanted it to be as perfect as my friendship with Rachel. I need to get busy on making my Valentine cards to mail to my friends. I have all kinds of new goodies to play with.

Valentine Curtains

So I decided that I have these great patio door windows that I could easily change out curtains on to match my decorating. I just wish I had decided this before the Christmas season. I have some great snowflake fabric that I can use. I guess I could just get started on each season ahead of time. I found the fabric at Wal-mart (which I am sad to say won't be carrying fabric much longer.) They always have these great inexpensive fabrics. I am not too much into sewing clothes for myself but I love to make things for the home. Guess I should start looking for some cute Easter fabric. It only took 2 yards of fabric. I split it down on the fold making two pieces 22 1/2" by 72". I turned under about 1/4 " on the selvage edge and stitched it down for a hem. I added some ribbon and rick rack. Curtains like this are so very easy to make, no pattern needed.

Valentine Glass Block

I have had this block in my craft closet for months. I found a light bulb in a wire stand that was in the Halloween clearance. I felt it would be perfect for the block and I was right. I had originally planned on using the mini lights but didn't like how cluttered they looked. I cut this top layer image from the new cricut cartridge "Love Struck". I just really like how the heart combines my favorite thing, Butterflies! It does have a shadow file that works with it but I didn't want to block the light coming through. I also used window cling instead of vinyl because I can easily take it off and put something else on for my next decorating season. I love the way Hobby Lobby has the metal stands that go with the blocks. They also come in a couple of other sizes and shapes.

So Far Behind!

Thanks to Custom Crops for the really easy to follow pattern, I made this dust cover for my Cricut Expression. If you go to www.customcrops.com you can find it in the projects files. It is a pattern you can download and print. You just tape it together and they even have a series of 6 YouTube videos for more detailed instructions. I did take it a step further by making two identical covers and placing right sides together then sewing 1/2 " from the bottom all around leaving a 2" opening in the back so I could turn it. Instead of sewing a edge at the bottom I am leaving it as is until I get a chance to go shopping for some spectacular trim. Even though I have a ton here I just didn't find anything that spoke to me. I will be posting a bunch of stuff hopefully getting myself back on track. Christmas projects just took over my life and let my blogging go. Being a new year, well you guys know where I am going with that!