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Welcome! This is the place where I share my artsy and crafty projects. I am an evolving artist these days ... finding myself enjoying less of the cards and mini albums that I have made for years, and turning to art journaling and more artistic endeavors. I have always enjoyed some craft or other, and some of my earliest memories of my mother helping me make paper dolls and other crafts. I am now in my 60's and finding myself more passionately enjoying creating beautiful things and learning new skills and techniques and products.

While you are here I hope you will find inspiration and ideas for making your own projects, however any images or projects you find here are my personal property and should not be used for your own monetary gain, or for contests or challenges. Thank You!

2/22/2010

Tuesday Taggers - In The Nick of Time!

I'm really pushing it today, getting this tag in on time for the Tuesday Taggers challenge on TIME!  They wanted a project with a time theme, and with this last week being kind of busy, that was the one thingI didn't have much of, but I did manage to make something this morning.  Here's my project for the Tuesday Taggers challenge . . .









And here are all the details . . .

Product Info:
  • Blue and green cardstock are Die Cuts With a View
  • Yellow Cardstock is Bazzill
  • Flowers and gems are from Prima
  • Teacup image is from PC Crafter
  • Stickles 'platinum' and 'crystal'
  • Plain circle cut on Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circle Small
  • Scalloped circle cut on Spellbinders nestabilities Scalloped Circle Small
  • Clock stamp from Rhonna Farrer
  • Ranger 'Enchanted Gold' embossing powder
  • Charms, safety pin and ribbon are from my stash
Cricut Info - Tag cut using oval tag from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More, set at 8"

I sure hope I got this in on 'time', and I also hope you all are having a great Monday!  Blessings, Becky

2/21/2010

Just a couple of cards . . .

Hi Folks!  Last week was a busy one for me, so I didn't get many cards made, and the ones I did get made for challenges, I didn't have time to get them entered before the deadline.  Why so busy, you may ask, well . . .

One thing is, I guess, that I'm in 'spring cleaning' mode and have been working on cleaning and re-re-re-re-organizing my studio and office space.  I finally found a great cart for storing my cardstock, which will leave me more room for my patterned paper. 



I have also found these really great plastic storage boxes by Sterilite which are perfect for craft supplies, so I've been moving things around a bit.

These boxes come in several different sizes, the lids lock on solidly, and they stack very securely.  I have bought 8 at this size ($2.50 each @ Walmart) and have ribbons, buttons, envelopes, etc. stored in this size.  There is a smaller size (@ 1/2 the size of this one) that I truly love, because it's perfect for little bits of stuff like my twine, small silk and paper flowers, pens, pencils, markers, etc.  I now have 14 of these!  I love that you can see what is in each box without having to search for what you are looking for, and I even love the turquoise color of the handles!  They do come in other colors, but I like this color best.  Besides, it perfectly matches the 'inspiration fabric' for my studio should I ever get to re-decorate in here!

And another reason I have been busy is that I lost a sweet cousin this week, and yesterday was spent at his services and having a reunion of sorts!  The circumstances were sad, but his homegoing was sweet, and there were many people I hadn't seen in 30 or more years who I got to reconnect with.  It was a very special time.

So, with all that said, I do have a couple of cards to share.  First up is 'Thinking of You' . . .


 


 




And here is 'Dream Big' . . .





I don't know why that last card wouldn't center!  It'll just have to stay as it is for now!  I hope you are having a great weekend - the weather here in northern Georgia is just lovely (for a change) and I intend in getting outside and enjoying it for a bit.  Blessings folks, Becky

2/20/2010

Hello Sweet Friend! Mojo Monday Sketch 126

It's been a busy week, so I haven't had much time for making cards.  I did, however, get this one made for the Mojo Monday sketch challenge.  Here is the sketch . . .



And here is my card . . .







And here is all the info . . .

Product Info:
  • Cardstock is Die Cuts With a View Pastels cardstock stack
  • Pink polkadot paper is Daisy Bucket Designs 'Perfect Harmony - Delaney'
  • Striped paper is Fancy Pants 'Splendid - Lovey Dovey'
  • Cupcake image is from PC Crafter.  To get the 'glossy' look, I inked it with VersaMark ink and heat embossed it using Ranger clear embossing powder (2 coats).
  • Scalloped circle cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Circles Small
  • Scalloped square cut using Spellinders Nestabilities ScallopedSquares Small
  • Ribbon and Lace from my stash
Cricut Info - base of card cut on Walk in My Garden cartridge, card 2 set @ 5"

Thanks to the folks at Mojo Monday for the inspiring sketches!  Blessings, Becky

2/16/2010

Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger - MY INSPIRATION!!!

I can't believe it!  I am so happy today!  I just checked in on the Moxie Fab World blog to see today's 'Tuesday Trigger' challenge, and Cath selected MY inspiration for this week's chalenge!!! 

My inspiration was taken from one of my favorite blogs Dear Daisy Cottage hosted by dear, sweet Kim!  If you haven't read her blog and seen all the pictures of her gorgeous, colorful and somewhat kitschy cottage, you don't know what your are missing!  Here is the photo that I used as my inspiration - don't you L*O*V*E that lampshade!!!



And here is my card based on the lampshade . . .










And here is all the info for this extremely simple card . . .

Product Info:

  • Cardstock Die Cuts With a View from 'Be Mine' stack

  • Rub-on from Melissa Francis

  • Ribbon from my stash (eBay purchase)
Cricut Info:

  • Card base cut on 'Walk in My Garden' cartridge, card 2 set at 5"

  • Scallop cut on 'Plantin SchoolBook' cartridge, scallop set at 3/4".  I used a 1/8" hole punch to make the holes in the scallop
And that's it!  A very simple card that ended up on PaperCrafts Magazine's Moxie Fab World blog!  Thank you so much to Cath of Paper Crafts Magazine and Moxie Fab World and Kim of Daisy Cottage for making me one very happy girl today! Many blessings to all of you, Becky

2/15/2010

Everything But The Kitchen Sink Challenge # 9 - Sketch

Hi There!  I'm back with another card for one of my favorite new challenge blogs - Everything  But The Kitchen Sink (EBTKS)!  Their challenge this week was to make a card based on a sketch.  Here was Kelly Marie's inspiration for the sketch . . .



 . . . and here is her sketch . . .



 . . . and here is my take on the sketch . . .







 . . . and here's all the info . . .

Product Info:
  • All cardstock is Die Cuts With a View, from either Be Mine Stack (pink) or Citrus Stack (green)
  • All patterned paper is from My Minds Eye 'Ooh La La for Her' line.  Clockwise from top right is:Just Lovely, Summer Days, Beautiful Morning and Lah Dee Dah.
  • Flower and pearls are from Prima
  • Stickles 'Diamond'
  • Sentiment and background cut on Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Circles Small, and popped up using foam squares
  • Machine Stitching
Cricut Info - All cuts made using "Walk In My Garden" cartridge
  • Card base is 'card 2' cut at 5"
  • Green background squares are 'card 1' set at 2 1/4"
  • Patterned paper cut on 'card 1' set at 2"
It's a beautiful, sunshiney (but cold) day here in northern GA - I sure hope you find some sunshine somewhere in your day!  Blessings folks, Becky

Thank You My Minds Eye!!!

Just before Christmas, the blog for one of my favorite companies for scrapping products, My Minds Eye, was having a '12 Days of Christmas' giveaway contest.  They gave prizes every day for 12 straight days, and I was the fortunate one to win day six!  A set of papers from a line of my choice.  I chose Ooh La La For Her . . .





 . . . and I reasoned that since it was the holidays, it might be mid January before I got the goodies, so I sat back and waited.  And waited.  Finally, the last week of January I e-mailed them and asked about the goodies I was so anxiously awaiting.  Before long I got a very nice, and very apologetic return e-mail.  The employee (who shall remain nameless), was so sorry, she had forgotten to send my address to the people who were supposed to send out the goodies. 

I e-mailed her back and told her it was okay, I understood that she had had the holidays and then CHA and I was sure she'd had much more to do than keep up with my goodies.  I got another note from her, and she thanked me for being so understanding, and was going to send me BOTH of the Ooh La La lines to thank me!  And so I got this one as well . . .




How cool is that!!!  So, I finally got them the other day.  Apparently the brown truck had a hard time getting here with all the weather issues around the country, but that was okay!  I knew my goodies from My Minds Eye were on their way.  (Have I told you how much I love MME??? Yep, I thought so!)

So of course I had to make a card first thing,and here is what I came up with . . .








And here is all the info . . .

Product Info:
  • Base Cardstock is DCWV 'Pastels' Cardstock Stack
  • Patterned paper is My Minds Eye, Ooh La La For Him
  • Octagon print is 'Frivolous'
  • Circle under the bird is 'Simply Sweet'
  • Journaling Label is 'Playful'
  • Ticket and smal flower in bottom left corner of journaling label are from the 'Accessory Sheet'
  • Stitching done by machine
  • Bird made from felt using a template I lifted {sorry}
  • Rub-ons on journaling label and ticket from Melissa Frances
  • Gems from Prma 'e.' line Pearls and Crystals
  • Buttons, twine and lace from my stash (I love the look of offsetting the patterned paper and putting lace around 2 sides!)
  • Stickles 'crystal' used on small flower and circle under bird.
  • Circle cut on Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallopped Circles Small
  • Journaling label cut on Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One
Cricut Info:
  • Card Base cut on Walk in My Garden, card 2, set at 5"
  • Patterned (octagon) paper cut using Walk in My Garden, card 1, set at 4 1/2"

So, what did I learn from this experience???  Well first, that patience really is a virtue, and second, that if you are understanding of others situations, polite and nice, it pays off in unexpected dividends!  Oh, and if possble, I'm an even bigger fan of My Minds Eye!

Have a great week, folks!  Becky

2/13/2010

Cardvaarks Challenge - A Challenge In a Million!

So, who of you cardmakers out there wouldn't love to be published in one of the premier cardmaking magazines???  I have two dreams.  One is to be published, the other to be on a design team.  Now, I've been a guest DT member for Making Handmade Cards, and I loved it, but I want to be a full fledged DT member of a challenge blog or a product manufacturer.  I know, dream BIG, right!

And the current challenge for Cardvaarks could possibly help make one of those dreams come true!  The challenge is to make a wedding card.  The prize?  The winner's card will be published in the July, 2010 issue of CARDS Magazine!!!





Yep, THAT magazine! And of course I had to go for it - how often does such a wonderful opportunity come along?  So, here is my wedding card for this challenge . . .







I wanted a vintagey look, and my jumping off point was the lace.  That is one piece of vintage lace that was in with some fabric my mother gave me.  I would guess the age is somewhere between the late 1950's to late 1960's.  It is aged and even stained a bit, but I think that adds to the vintage charm.  The lace is a little over 2 1/4 inch from tip to tip of the hearts.  Here's all the info . . .

Product Info:
  • Base cardstock, and tan cardstock for scrolls are from my stash and they didn't have labels on the pieces.
  • Patterned paper is K & Company Blue Awning Ivory Medallion Swirls Flat Paper.  I inked the edges with some brown pigment ink.
  • Vintage lace from my stash
  • Flowers are all Prima
  • Pearls are all from Prima 'e.' line Pearls and Crystals
  • Ribbon is from Michaels 'Celebrate It' line
  • Stamps used for 'congratulations' and 'swirl' are from Inkadinkado's Brenda Walton's Chelsea Sentiments clear stamp set
  • Ink used for sentiments is Tim Holtz Distress Ink 'Frayed Burlap' from Ranger
Cricut Info:
  • Base card cut on Walk in My Garden cartridge, card 2 set at 5"
  • Patterned paper cut on Walk in My Garden cartridge, card 1 set at 4 3/4"
  • Scrolls under flowers cut on Serenade Solutions cartridge using Scroll 1 and Scroll 3
And that is my card.  I hope you like it, and I hope that whoever picks the card for this challenge likes it as well.  I can honestly say I put more thought and care in making this card than any I can remember - it means that much to me!

Thanks for visiting, and have a blessed day, Becky

2/10/2010

Carols Sketch Fun # 20

Another fun challenge today!  I recently found a cardmaker on scrapbook.com who truly inspired me!  She used deep, vibrant colors for things that most people do in lighter colors.  So I used her inspiration on the butterfly in this challenge - sketch 20 from Carol's Sketch Fun.  Here is the sketch . . .




And here is my take on the sketch . . .





And here is all the info . . .

Product Info:
  • Base Cardstock from Die Cuts With a View
  • Patterned papers are from an old My Minds Eye 'Wild Asparagus' stack
  • Butterfly paper was printed on cardstock from a clipart softwere.  It is old seed packs. 
  • Rub-ons from a very old pack I got at Walmart
  • Butterfly antennae have Stickles 'platinum'
  • Red and green gems are from Prima 'e.' line
  • Polka dotted paper was glued onto cardstock and both were cut on Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Nestabilities 'labels 1'.  The label was inked with brown ink and bumped up with foam dots.
Cricut Info:
  • Card base was cut on Walk in My Garden cartridge, card 2 set on 5".
  • Butterfly was cut on Serenade Solutions cartridge, butterfly 3, one set at 2" and one set at 2 1/4".
I know I strayed a bit from the original sketch, but that's the fun of artistic license - you take an idea and make it your own!  I hope you like it!  Blessings, Becky

Life In 3-D for Just Buggin'

The challenge for Just Buggin' this week is to make a three dimesional project using your Cricut.  You know, like a purse or box or bag.  Luckily I had just finished these cute little Valentines favor bags and knew they would be just right for this challenge!





And the best part is I decorated them using scraps and freebies from my stash!

Product Info:
  • The base cardstock is DCWV from the 'pastels' cardstock stack.
  • The red cardstock is from just a bit I had in my paper scraps box, and I have no clue who it is by or where I got it, but it has a neat 'kraft paper' look to it.
  • The patterned paper is Fancy Pants, but it was just a couple of scraps,so I don't remember the name for that design.  I measured the bag and cut this paper to fit, and inked the edges a bit with a dark pink ink pad.
  • White organza ribbon from my stash.  The bag has a small slot on one side, so I fed one end of the ribbon through the slot and tied the tag on in a small bow.
  • Pink rosebuds are freebies that were on a package I received.  I used the wire on the rosebud to wind it around the handle of the bag.
Cricut Info:
  • Bag was cut using Tags, Bags, Boxes & More using 'giftbg'
  • Tag was cut using Tag, Bags, Boxes & More using 'scltop-h' using the 'hole' option

And that was it!  They are very easy to make and decorate, and I love how cute they look!  Just right for a few small pieces of candy or even a tiny gift . . . like, jewelery for instance!

Blessings folks!  Becky

2/07/2010

Cute Card Thursday Challenge # 98

My husband has two ladies in his office who will be having babies in coming weeks, so I thought I'd take the Cute Card Thursday challenge to make a card with 'spots and dots' and make a baby card.  Here is my take on the challenge . . .







And here is all the info . . .

Product Info:
  • Card base and baby buggy are made from DCWV Pastel cardstock stack
  • Pink and spotted 'label' cut from American Crafts 'the goods' Pat-A-Cake paper (reverse sides)
  • Labels cut using Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 1
  • Ribbon from stash (I actually bought it on ebay and it came from Hong Kong - great price!)
  • Stickles 'crystal'
  • Pearls from Prima 'e.' line Pearls and Crystals
  • Purple rhinestones from K & Company
Cricut Info:
  • Base card cut on Walk in My Garden cartridge, card 2 set at 5"
  • Baby carriage (pram) cut on Mothers Day 2010 cartridge  Baby Carriage and Baby Carriage shadow set at 2 1/2 inches
It's a new week folks, so I hope you have a great one!  I'll be back in a couple of days with another challenge, but until then, be blessed!  Becky

Another Challenge Project - Tuesday Taggers and Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Hi Folks!  I've been playing a lttle bit today, and this project is for two challenges . . .

Everything But The Kitchen Sink's challenge is to make a project using a boxtop or the cardboard from a box, and

Tuesday Taggers challenge was to make a tag with a Teddy Bear theme.

Here is a collage picture of the product I used.  An old icecream cone box.  Top is both sides before, and bottom is both sides after I cut the tag out on my Cricut.



And here is my tag . . .


I apologize for the bad pics, but I got this finished after dark and took it inside.  Here are a few spotlight pictures . . .






Here is all the info . . .

Product Info:
  • Patterned paper is from a very old MME Wild Asparagus stack
  • Lace and burgundy ribbon are from my stash
  • Braided trim from Dollar Tree wedding crafts
  • Grey rhinestones are from Basic Grey bling-it
  • Burgundy pearls from Prima 'e.' line Pearls and Crystals
  • Teddy Bear sticker from K&Co. Grand Adhesions
  • Crown Rub-on from Melssa Frances
  • 'Remember' rub-on from a very old set from Walmart

Cricut Info:
  • Base of tag, and patterned paper cut on Plantin SchoolBook, 'tag1' set at 5 1/2 inches
I must say this isn't my usual 'style', but it was fun to make, and a good excuse to use the teddy bear sticker I've had for ages.  It's a new week, so I hope everyone has a great one.  Blessings, Becky