Friday 31 August 2012

Some Friday Fun!

Happy Friday, my friends!

Remember my Birdhouse Layout that I posted recently? If you don't remember it you can scroll down and see it just a couple of posts below. Well, that entry won the Challenge #80 at Playing in Paradise! Not only did I receive a fabulous prize but I've also been invited to be their Guest Designer for Challenge #82 this week! How fun is that? 
This week's challenge just happens to be a sketch, and you all know how much I enjoy a good sketch, right?
You can find all the details over at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog HERE. Why not join in the fun?! :o)
Here is the sketch:

Here is my card. I opted to make a cream colored monochromatic card this time!


Papers: Recollection Cardstock;
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Beaded Circles,
Memory Box - Breezy Wreath;
Embossing Plate: Sizzix - Flowers #3;
My Stash: Seam Binding, Buttons. 

* * *



Saturday 25 August 2012

A Tribute to a Dear Friend

Can you believe I've managed to sneak a third post in this week! Maybe I've started something that won't end? Actually, I've really needed my creative therapy this week and maybe that's why I've been so productive! It's been a very reflective week for me, my friends, and I'd like to share a little bit with you about why.
There was a friend on facebook that I hadn't seen a new status from for a while, so I headed to her wall to check up on her. I was shocked and heartbroken to learn that she had passed away. Now, as you know, I don't usually share bad news on my blog. I like to be positive and encouraging. So please bear with me, and I'll get to that part as I tell you about my friend! (Who I will call Jane, although that's not her real name.)
I met Jane many years ago when she visited our Church Youth Group. Jane enjoyed it very much and continued to come for many years. Jane had a difficult life with many struggles. She was born with a disease that made her different than others. People were cruel...some people were very cruel! Jane's family sent her off to a boarding school. Jane made the best of the situation. Then Jane met the Lord, and what people thought of her just didn't matter. She lived her life to glorify God! When others were cruel, Jane was always kind in return! Jane was thankful and generous for everything! I went off to college and then got married and left the province. Jane and I lost touch. A few years ago, through the wonders of facebook, we were able to reconnect. Jane had built a wonderful life for herself! She had a great career, and a fabulous community of friends. She had become the kindest and most compassionate, giving woman I have ever known! Jane was a shining example of the love of Jesus! 
My goodness...it's really taken me FOREVER to write just that paragraph! lol Just as it took several days for me to finish this page that I made in memory of my friend. I kept having to leave it and come back to it. I took the photo without Jane's picture or name and dates on it. I've got the little envelope to include my journaling, Jane was "one of a kind", and she loved music! The picture...that you can't see lol...is one that was taken outside at Bible Camp, and is just perfect for this layout! :o)


Papers: K & Co - Julianne;
Cardstock - Recollections;
MM Slice Design Card: Grandma's Attic;
Flowers: Prima Fancies;
Ink: Stampin' Up - Soft Suede;
Sizzix Dies: Envelope w/ Ornate flap,
Sheet Music Decorative Strip,
Tim Holtz Tag & Bookplates;
Bling: Piece by Piece

* * *


I will miss my dear friend. I thank God that I knew her. 
She taught me much and I will always think of her when I read the following verse:

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to share this with you. 
It was important to me and I appreciate it!
Nancy :o)






Wednesday 22 August 2012

Second Post This Week? A 12 X 12 Layout!

Aren't you surprised that I'm back again already? :o)
I know I am! lol The week isn't even over yet...who knows what else will happen! 

I have finally made another 12 X 12 layout, after being inspired by several of my very talented friends! I don't think I've ever made one this loaded up before. I had an idea of what I wanted to do and when I went to start on it I discovered I had nothing on hand. So I just had to be a little more creative but that's always where the fun comes in, right?  

I do want to share that this birdhouse is very special to us! It was made by my Father-In-Law, who we lost almost three years ago. It's one of those special treasures that meaningful layouts are made of! The quotes read:

"While it's true that...
A house is built with boards and beams...
A home is built with love and dreams...

It's also true that...
Every bird loves his own nest best!"

I thought that both quotes worked well together for this page...and with something that came up recently in life! :o)

Here's my layout:

The complete layout.


Here's a closeup of the top right corner.
For the large flowers I used the Tattered Floral die and just played with layers. 
Those are the ones I made outside in the yard. 
I placed them on my new Spellbinder die. The tiny roses are from Recollections. 


The Hanging Sign frame, Elegant Flourishes, and the bird house stand were all cut from chipboard. 
Then they were embossed with the Tim Holtz Woodgrain Texture Fade and inked to look like wood.


The one paper I used had a bird on the bottom corner. 
I cut the same bird out of a second page and popped it up on dimensionals. 
Then I built a little nest around it with a few feathers and my new Memory Box die.
Then the bottom corner, below, mimics the top corner. 


Supplies:
Paper: DCWV - Ciao Bella;
Sizzix Dies: Elegant Flourishes, Tattered Florals, Hanging Sign;
Spellbinders Dies: Curved Rectangles, Moroccan Motifs;
Memory Box Dies: Breezy Wreath;
Punches: Martha Stewart - Rose Leaf, Branch;
Embossing Folder: Tim Holtz Texture Fade - Woodgrain;
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Walnut Stain;
Mini Roses: Recollection;
Yellow Sprigs: Art Angels Designs - Link in my Sidebar;
Wired Bead Sprigs: Unknown;
Jute, Burlap, Feathers: My Stash;
Crocheted Flowers: Nickel Nook;

I'm linking this page up to Scrapbooker's Paradise Playing In Paradise Challenge #80 - HERE.
 I haven't played with them in ages but I thought it would be fun to participate. 
There's a whole new crew of ladies over there and making new friends is always fun, right?

I'm also linking up to Artfull Crafts - August Challenge - Anything Goes - HERE


Okay, that's it for today...or is it? lol I'm off to see what else I can get accomplished this week. 
If you haven't seen my first post this week, please scroll down and take a peek! 
Sunshine and smiles to all of you, my friends! :o)



Tuesday 21 August 2012

Could It Really Be A New Post?

Hello, my dear friends!
I can't believe it's been so long since my last post! I have a fun craft project to show you today but before I get to that I'll give you a little update on what I've been up to. Remember that I mentioned I was reorganizing my craft room? Well, that went very well! I pulled some furniture from some other rooms. I took an organizer from my closet. I swapped a shelf from my sewing room upstairs. I removed everything from my room that didn't belong there. In other words...I turned my house upside down! Then I found out we were going to be getting company...UH OH!! haha At least I had a little bit of warning and enough time to get it all back in order! Whew!! I'm quite happy with the condition of my room and I have some tweeking that I'll continue to work on. As for the rest of my house...it's cleaner then it's been in quite some time! After all the hard work I did...I was tired! My husband took a couple of days off and we just had some fun together! One of our favorite things to do is enjoy our lovely yard, so I've got a few more photos to share with you!
First, though, let me tell you about my project!
My new friend, Kit, recently shared how to make these wonderful paper baskets. You can find Kit's paper basket blog post HERE. You'll find links to videos there, as well. These baskets fit in perfectly with my organization kick. It takes one sheet of 12 X 12 double sided paper. I actually adhered 2 single sided Vintage Findings papers together. During my cleaning I came across my Vintage Findings bits, and I thought this would be a lovely container to display them out in the open so I would remember to use them. This basket measures almost 6 inches square and almost 3 inches deep. It was so quick and easy to make! Lots of fun to fill with all kinds of goodies! :o)


I added a layered flower with a brad onto each flap before adhering the flap down. 
I also did a little inking around the edges. 
Here's a photo with some of the Vintage Findings goodies in it:


Now a few other photos to share:


This gorgeous Finch blends right into the Sunflowers, doesn't he? I could have totally bored you with Finch/Sunflower photos alone I took so many! lol There were about 20 of these beautiful birds having a feast the other morning. 
We could have played the "how many can you find" game because they sure do blend in! lol


I really love Hollyhocks...they conjure up some very sweet childhood memories! 
This single beauty suddenly appeared in the middle of our garden this year! What a lovely gift! :o)


We always have lots of these lilies everywhere! 
The Hummingbirds love them but they refused to pose for a photo! lol


So, my friends, with all of that beauty to enjoy outside, with my Sweetie at my side, it's been slow on the crafting side of things. I do intend to be back in a day or two with a 12 X 12 layout. I haven't shared one of those in forever. I was inspired to make one by some very talented friends. When I went to put it together I discovered I didn't have any of the elements I needed for it! I actually took a tray of punched papers outside and made some flowers. 
I hope you'll come back soon and take a look at that! 
Hope your day is filled with JOY and laughter! :o)

Sunday 5 August 2012

A Die For A Sketch - Challenge #3

Hello, my lovely friends! Welcome to our third challenge of A Die For A Sketch! A big thank you to those of you who have been playing along with us, and another big thank you to all of you for your very sweet comments on my challenge cards! They are always very appreciated! :o)

I REALLY enjoyed putting this card together! Yes, I do say that for all of my projects but this time I mean it even more than I usually do! lol Let me tell you why...this card incorporates four of my favorite crafts...all on one card! Can you believe it? It is a combination of paper-crafting, crochet, beading and embroidery!
First, here's the great sketch, you will find the link HERE.


Here's my card:


 I started by choosing my papers and cutting the layers out. Once that was all decided I pierced holes around the circle and took care of the crocheting. (I'll post a link to a fabulous YouTube video below) When that was all finished I used a pattern from a great site called Stitching Cards. I'll post all their information below. I used one pattern with beading for the center circle. I used a separate pattern for the corner squares. The pieces were pierced and then stitched by hand. I used a variegated cotton for the crocheting and corner stitching, and a rayon floss for the beading and the leaves. So then it was just a matter of adhering all the layers together with the circle layer up on dimensionals. It's such a fun sketch to play with, and I do hope you'll come join us again this month at A Die For A Sketch! :o)

Items Used:
Papers: Recollections Cardstock;
Patterned Papers - From Andrea's Giveaway;
All Threads: DMC;
Beads: From My Stash;
*** Patterns: Stitching Cards Store HERE ***
They have some super cute animal patterns and beautiful flowers. 
A wonderful variety of creative ideas for cards. 
Their blog is called Prick And Stitch Is My Craft
You can find it HERE
***Leonie from My Passion For Paper has a wonderful Crochet video on YouTube***
It can be found HERE


Wednesday 1 August 2012

Mini In A Box

Hello, my friends! Apparently I'm having attentions span issues! In my last post I mentioned all of the projects that I'm in the middle of. Then my Simon Says Stamp Card Kit shows up...and I dropped all my jobs to do some playing. The kit didn't even include any sparkly shiny things this time! lol
I came across this little wooden box during the reorganizing of my studio and was inspired to alter it using this great kit. My challenge to myself was to use ONLY the kit and a bare minimum of necessary items. I'll have them listed under the last photo. Now, an empty box must be filled so I had to create a little mini album to put in the box. The album measures 6" X 3" and there are 12 pages in it. I took just a couple of pictures of the inside pages to show you some of the stamping I've done. I'm thinking it would be a wonderful little "THANKFUL" journal...hence the title on the cover. After my fun with this project there is still SO MUCH more of my kit left to play with! You can find out all about the Simon Says Stamp Card Kit HERE.
So here's the box:

Here's the box and the mini album:

Here are a few inside pages:




Finally...here's the back of the box! 

Items Used:
Simon Says Stamp August Card Kit;
Wooden Box;
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Forest Moss;
Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Forest Moss;
Distrezz-it-All;
Bind-it-All;
1/2" O wire;
2 - 3" X 6" Mat Board for Covers.

Well, the list looks a little bit longer then I thought it would! lol I did include EVERYTHING though...which I usually don't. I think I did really good, don't you? I hope you enjoyed this interruption in my regular schedule! Now I have to get back to it! :o)

Linking Up to - Simon Says Stamp August Card Kit Creations - HERE 

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