Alphabet Challenge Blog ... T is for Tea Time

It's time once again for a new challenge over at Alphabet Challenge Blog.  The challenge this week is 'T is for Tea Time', and here is my card based on the challenge ...

 

Supplies:

• Base card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - The Paper Studio
• Image - The Graphics  Fairy*
• Vintage hem lace and vintage button - my stash
• Pink pearl gem - Prima
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers

*  I printed the image on my ink jet printer at 3x5" size using Picasa.  Then I fussy cut it from the background.

Tools:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife and rotary cutter

I love the way this came out, with the big teapot and fluffy lace bow.  I hope you have enjoyed it, too!  Blessings, Becky

365 Cards . . . Challenge 241

I have been wanting to take part in the 365 Cards challenges for a while now, and just never made time to make a project.  But when I saw the challenge today, something clicked and I just KNEW that I was going to make a card this time!  The challenge is to follow this card recipe:

• 4x4 card
• 2 patterned papers
• ribbon
• glitter
• Halloween or fall theme
• sentiment of your choice

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

Supplies:

• Base (kraft) card stock - The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)
• Orange glitter card stock - DCWV
• Patterned papers - Bella Blvd. 'Too Cute To Spook'
• Sentiment  -  SRM Stickers
• Button - my stash, a very cheapy black plastic button I coated with . . . 
• Stickles 'Copper'
• Ribbon - my stash

I know that it looks like I used 3 patterned papers, but the striped paper in the rosette is the reverse side of the black and orange 'jack o'lantern' paper, so technically it's only two.  At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!  :o)


Tools:

• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Martha Stewart scoring board
• Scissors, ruler, rotary cutter and craft knife

So there's my first card for the challenges over at 365 Cards!  I don't think it will be my last!  Thanks for visiting, and hope to see you back here tomorrow for my Design Team project for Alphabet Challenge Blog.  Blessings, Becky

Making Crafts for Craft Shows ...

I've been very busy lately, and having a B*L*A*S*T doing it!  Anyone who crafts knows how much fun it is to give up a day just to play with your supplies, and I've been doing a lot of that these days!  I did a craft show in a small town north of here the first two weeks of October, and I have to say my little paper things sold quite well!  As did the hand crocheted cotton dish cloths. 

Now I have another festival on Saturday - just for a few hours, and then the first weekend in November I am doing a show in a small mountain town an hour or so north of here.  And after my things sold so well a few weeks ago, I needed some new stock!  One thing that sold very well were tags and bookmarks.  Another was Christmas gift tags.  So since Christmas is just around the bend, I've made a nice supply of the gift tags.  Here are some examples ...

Aren't they cute?  I used vintage images from either Flickr or a collage set I bought from an Etsy vendor (snow people), scraps of ribbon and lace, lots of Stickles, and inexpensive Christmas papers.

One new thing that I made were some very cute 'Candle Jars' that I first saw on the cover of the November/December Paper Crafts Magazine.  The first moment I laid eyes on them I 'KNEW' that I wanted to make some for craft shows!  My mama gave me the jars, I found a dozen candle holders on Amazon (not cheap, but not too much), and I traded some of my dish cloths with my friend Sue to get the battery powered candle tea lights.  The ones with stuff inside are for display only - you don't get that as part of the jar!  Before the show I'm going to get some starlight mints to put in a couple of them, too! 

The candle fits in the top part, and you can fill the bottom with ornaments, candy, or anything you want!  The papers I used for these are from Graphics 45.



One of my favorite projects for this year is this Christmas banner ...

This is made up of parts cut using my Cricut Expression and my very favorite cartridge, Elegant Edges.  Note the red organza ribbon is shimmery and glittery and that matches the red drop baubles that drop off of the bottom of the letters.   This is two parts that go together, and you could hang them on your mantle, a mirror, your front door (if it's protected from rain) or even on your Christmas tree.

And then there are the poinsettia tags.  These are not hard to make, but I always end up with TONS of glue on my fingers when I make these.

One thing I've found about doing craft shows, and that is that how you display things can make a big difference in how they sell.  Another thing I've learned is that the more suggestions for ways to use your products, the more likely you are to sell them!

So, with that in mind, I took a plain brown paper gift bag, lined it with red tissue, and tied one tag to the handle with jute twine.  Then I stuck the packages of tags in the bag with a couple sticking up out of the bag.  This will do two things - make a cute display, and give the customers an idea of how very pretty, easy, and inexpensive gift wrapping can be!

So that's a few of the things I've been making for my upcoming craft shows.  Which do you like best?  Which do you want to learn how to do???  I'll be doing a tutorial on making the poinsettia tags on Friendship's Garden Challenge in a few weeks, so keep tuned for more info on that!

Have a wonderful fall weekend, folks!  Blessings, Becky

Friendship's Garden Bonus Challenge - Make a Tag!

First, I want to apologize for not having this post up earlier, but I was having problems with Blogger last night and this post (I had it scheduled) did not publish!

Now, on to the main event!  Y'all know how much I LOVE making tags, so it only made sense that we would have a tag challenge before long!  The challenge is to make a tag ... with a halloween theme ... using a recipe of 1 image, 2 rick-rack and 3 bling.   Here is my project ...

Supplies:

• Base tag (#5 Manila) - Walmart.com
• Patterned papers - Basic Grey, Fancy Pants Designs
• Rick-Rack - stash (mostly estate sales)
• Bling - Stickles 'platinum', Prima
• Image - Flickr
• Ink - Stampabilities
• Ribbon - yard sale

Tools:

• Computer and Ink Jet Printer
• Cricut Expression and Elegant Edges cartridge
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler, rotary cutter

I love making projects with vintage image ... of course you know that, but I really love 'fussy cutting' the images, popping them up on foam dots and making them the focal point of a project!

Now, how would you use a tag?  Well, they make great gift tags, but I love to use them as little note cards!  Write a love note to your significant other and slip it into their lunch bag, briefcase, on the dash of their car, etc.  Use them as notes for your child's teacher to let them know you appreciate them!  Have a friend who is having a hard time?  Make a bunch and send one a day to let them know you have their back!  There are so many different ways you can use tags ... even as a focus point in a card or a scrapbooking layout!

Thanks so much for joining us today ... now go create something and post it on Friendship's Garden blog for a chance to win a guest DT spot!  Blessings, Becky

Sugar Creek Hollow - The Colors of Fall

Fall is definitely in the air around here!  In fact, for the last few days we've had below normal temperatures, making the air crisp and the leaves turn even faster.  Today my hubby and I are taking our canoe to a small lake an hour or so from here and get out and paddle and enjoy the beautiful day!

That said, the challenge this week over at Sugar Creek Hollow is right on time, and so appropriate that I just had to take part in it!  The challenge is to make a project using the colors of fall, and here is my project  . . . 

Supplies:

• Base (kraft) card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - We R Memory Keepers
• Image - Little Birdie Blessings
• Lace and ribbon - My stash (very old, can't remember where I got them!)
• Ink - Stampabilities
• Button - Buttons Galore and More
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers

Tools:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• Scissors, craft knife, rotary cutter and ruler

When I found this image from Little Birdie Blessings I knew it would make a great card!  The graphic of the corn is so large and so beautiful!  I hope you have enjoyed your visit today!  Now I'm off to get dressed and head out to paddle!  Blessings, Becky

Our Creative Corner Challenge - Faces

Hello folks!  I just wanted to do a quick post to share with you this card I made for Our Creative Corner's challenge this week!  The challenge is to feature a face or faces on your project.  And here is my card . . .

I really let my 'vintage' style shine on this card, and I love it!  Here are all the details . . .

Supplies:

• Card stock (kraft) - The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers - Melissa Frances
• Red card stock - Core-dinations
• Button -  Buttons Galore and More
• Ribbon - WalMart (Maybe!)
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers
• Image - Bumble Buttons
• Ink - Stampabilities

Tools:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Ruler, scoring tool, rotary cutter, scissors and craft knife

Here is a close-up of the image I used . . .

I think this is one my very, VERY favorite images!  I cut her out from the background and popped her up on some foam pieces.  I also inked the edges to give it more of a feeling of age.  I think I see some Christmas Tags using this in my future!  :o)

Thanks so much for visiting, and come back soon to see what I've been working on!  Blessings, Becky

Do you like giveaways???

Well check out all these goodies from Websters Pages!!!  Here's one pic of MY favorite from the giveaway . . . .

Isn't that one gorgeous, colorful bunch of drool-worthy goodness???  Follow the link above and go check it  out for yourself!  Blessings, Becky

Friendship's Garden Challenge 2 - A Vintage Halloween

Hello!  Welcome to my crafty blog, and challenge number TWO  for Friendship's Garden!  I was really pleased with the response in challenge 1, but hope to see even more this week!

Our challenge this week is to make a halloween card with a vintage feel, and here is my take on the challenge . . . .

I have to tell you that I LOVE this sweet image!  I mean, what's with that finger up in the air?  It's just adorable!  Here are the details . . .

Supplies:

• Base (kraft) card stock - The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)
• Patterned papers - Black floral - Fancy Pants Designs; Numbers - House of Three
• Image - Flickr
• Ink - Stampabilities
• Fibers:  Vintage lace - estate sale find; Ribbon - Hobby Lobby; Twine - Pick Your Plum
• Button - Buttons Galore and More
• Stickles 'Gold'

Tools:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• Scissors, rotary trimmer, craft knife and ruler

I really love that funny, sweet image - but then I've already said that!  Please go to the Friendship's Garden blog and join in the fun!  One person will win a $10.00 gift certificate from Altered Angel  and a guest designer spot.  Thanks for visiting!  Becky

'Spooky Stuff' - The Kraft Journal Challenge

Y'all all know I love my kraft paper, and of course I love the challenges over at The Kraft Journal!   The Kraft Journal is the creative blog for The Kraft Outlet, a cool online shop that sells all kinds of kraft papers, envelopes, manilla tags, and a whole lot more. 

It's been several weeks since I've had a chance to participate, so I really enjoyed getting back into the swing of things the last couple of days.  This week's challenge at The Kraft Journal is 'Spooky Stuff', and as always the DT came through with some amazing projects!  Here is my take on the theme of 'Spooky Stuff' . . . .

Supplies:

• Base (kraft) card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers - Bella Blvd - Too Cute To Spook!
• Image - Flickr
• Black card stock (behind rosette) - The Paper Studio
• Glassine paper - Pick Your Plum
• Spooky and jack o'lantern stickers - SRM Stickers
• Gems - Prima
• Stickles 'Platinum'  and 'Diamond'
• Black Wire - Walmart Hardware Dept.
• Ink - Stampabilities
• Ribbon - my stash (it's OLD!)

 Tools:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Martha Stewart Paper Trimmer
• Martha Stewart Scoring Board
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife

Don't you love that cute spider?  Well, it was printed on the bottom right hand corner of the patterned paper, and I cut so that I could keep it on my card.  I added a couple of drops of Diamond Stickles on the eyes, and the black wire 'web' is stuck down into the card and covered with a small square of kraft card stock to cover it and hold it in place.

And that is my card for the 'Spooky Stuff' challenge!  I hope you like it, and I hope you come back soon!  Blessings, Becky

Feeling Fruity???

Hi Folks!  The first two weekends of October I worked my booth at a fall festival and craft show a little over an hour northwest of here.  I had a blast, and was amazed at the sales I made!  Now I have another 1 weekend show coming up the first weekend of November, so I've been working on some projects for that show.  Here's a little peek . . . .

I've made 8 sets of 6 fruit themed cards!  The fruit are cut using my Cricut Expression and the 'Preserves' cartridge.

There are six different fruits, but I put the apple on front, because I love this cute apple!  But there is also a strawberry, cherries, blackberry, watermelon and a pear.  Here is a 'sample' card I've made so customers can see what the different fruits look like  . . . .

Aren't they cute???

And now I'm making Christmas gift tags.  I sold tons of tags and bookmarks at the last sale, so I want to build my stock of those back up, too.

So, that's what I've been up to . . . what are you making these days??? 

Oh, and don't forget that this Wednesday is challenge # 2 over at Friendship's Garden, so please come join us and make a project based on the challenge.  If you do, you could win a $10.00 gift certificate from our sponsor, Altered Angel, and be a special guest designer for an upcoming challenge.

Blessings, Becky

Visiting Old Friends @ Unscripted Sketches

Most of you know that a couple of months ago I stepped down from the Design Team at Unscripted Sketches.  It was hard to do, but I'd been there for a year, and it was just time for a change.  Plus, I knew by then that I was going to start my own new challenge blog, and would need time to work on that.  And when I left, I told my friends there (and they are one very special group of ladies!) that I would try to come back from time to time and participate in a challenge.  And I finally had time to do that this weekend!  Here is the sketch for this week . . . .

Now, I have to tell you, I missed the part that this was a piggyback week, but I know the girls at  US will forgive me that slip!

Here is my project based on the sketch . . . .

Supplies:

• Base card stock (kraft) - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper and stamp elements - Graphics 45 'Christmas Emporium' collection
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers
• Stickles 'Platinum'
• Ink - Stampabilities

Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• Martha Stewart Paper Trimmer
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler

 I've really become a huge fan of Graphics 45 products, and the vintage feel of this Christmas line is right up my alley!  Thanks for visiting today, and please come back soon, because I've got a post about some things I've been making for an upcoming craft show and sale!  Blessings, Becky

A Card for a Friend, and Two Challenges!

Hi Folks!  One of my very, very best friends has had a horrible weekend, and I wanted to make a card for her, but inspiration was nowhere to be found ... until I went looking at some of the current challenges out there, and then I found plenty of inspiration!  Here are the two challenges ....

• Daring Cardmakers - make a project with a bird on it (my friend LOVES birds!), and
• Card Patterns Sketch # 137  . . . .  

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

Supplies:

• Base card - Michaels Value Pack
• Patterned paper - Lily Bee Designs
• Pink cardstock (behind image) - The Paper Studio
• Image - Little Birdie Blessings
• Flower - Prima
• Fibers - Vintage lace and yellow ribbon - estate sales; Pink lace - October Afternoon
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers

Tools:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression and Elegant Edges cartridge (scalloped circle)
• Cuttlebug and Classic Circles Small Spellbinders Nestabilities
• Martha Stewart Paper Trimmer
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife

I'm trying to do a better job of finishing the inside of my cards, so here is what I did on the inside of this card ...

Thanks for visiting today!  I'll be right back with another card for another challenge, and then a post about some of the things I've made for my upcoming craft show!  Blessings, Becky

Alphabet Challenge Blog - S for Soon to be Halloween!

Thanks for visiting today!  The challenge over at Alphabet Challenge Blog is 'S' and S is for Soon to be Halloween!  Here is my project based on the challenge ...

Supplies:

• Base (kraft) card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper (background and diamond border) - Fancy Pants Designs
• Polka dotted paper - Echo Park
• Image - clip art software
• Stickles 'Platinum'
• Ink - Stampabilities

Tools Used:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Rotary cutter, scissors, ruler and craft knife

And that's that!  A very sweet card with a very cute vintage post card image!  Thanks so much for visiting, and please come back soon!  Blessings, Becky

Finally! Time for a Challenge - or two!

Hi Folks!  Things have been kind of crazy around here lately!  Not only have I just started a new card making challenge blog, but the last two weekends I have spent long 12 - 14 hour days working my booth at a craft show in the mountains a little over an hour north of here.  It was so much fun, and I think fairly successful!  It was amazing how some people walked right by my goods, and  others stood and went through everything and drooled ... a few even bought some things!  But all this has left little time for crafting other than for design team assignments! 

But not any more!  Today I'm here to share a card I made for two challenges:

• Papercraft Star whose theme is autumn, plus you have to use a leaf on your project, and
• Crafty Creations Challenge who has a recipe this week - 3 patterned papers, 2 embellishments, and 1 image.

And here is my card based on both challenges ...

And here are the details ...

Supplies:

• Card stock - The Paper Studio (kraft)
• Base patterned paper - Pink Paislee
• Two other patterned papers - My Minds Eye
• Image - Flickr
• Ribbon - Offray (Walmart)
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers
• Leaf - Purchased on vacation at a scrapbook store - don't know name of manufacturer
• Stickles 'Platinum'

Tools Used:

• Cricut Expression and Elegant Edges cartridge
• Computer and ink jet printer
• Rotary cutter, scissors, craft knife and ruler

I think this is a cute card, and the image is just adorable!  Thanks for visiting today, and please come back soon!  Blessings, Becky

Crafty Creations Challenges

Hi there!  I wanted to share a project with you that I made for the Crafty Creations Challenge!  Their challenge is to create a crafty decoration.  And here is my project ...

It's a banner for halloween, and made with lots of bling!  Here are the details ...

Supplies:

• Card stock - Bazzill, Core'dinations, and The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - My Minds Eye
• Stickles 'Stardust'
• Ribbon and beads - my stash

Tools:

• Cricut Expression with Songbird and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler
• 1/4 inch hole punch

I love making banners, and this is one of my favorites!  Thanks so much for visiting!  Blessings, Becky

It's HERE!!! Friendship's Garden Challenge Blog Is ON!!!

Hi there!  After weeks of obsessing over decisions, searching for Design Team members and sponsors, and working out little bumps in the road, the time is HERE!!!

Friendship's Garden Challenge Blog is now officially started!!!  This challenge is pretty special to me, and I hope it will become special to you, too!  Our main focus is to create cards and other paper crafting projects in which you can not use a stamped image!  And as time goes on we will be talking about places where you can find great images!  If you are curious, you can look at the list of some of my favorite places to find images - in the column to your right, way down below the list of challenges.

Now, on to the challenge!  Today's challenge is to create a card using the theme of new beginnings - a new home, baby, job, car, wedding - you name it, just as long as you keep to the theme of new beginnings.  BUT!  There is a twist!  And that is that the front of your card must have a 'window' or cut out opening on it.  Here is my card for the challenge ...

Supplies:

• Card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - Making Memories
• Image - Flickr
• Ribbon - Bluebird Lane Etsy shop
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers

Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• Cuttlebug
• Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Labels 4'
• Computer and ink jet printer
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife and rotary tool

And that is my first project for the Friendship's Garden first ever challenge!  Now, if you are following the blog hop, you need to click above and go back to the main Friendship's Garden blog and leave a few comments for a chance to win the blog hop prize sponsored by Designs on Cloud 9.  Also, in order to be in for a chance to win the $10 prize sponsored by Altered Angel, you must enter a project based on the challenge. 

Now, off you go, back to Friendship's Garden!  Blessings, Becky