Two Challenges, and a special tree!

Hello!  I've gotten one card made today amidst the unpacking and tons and tons of laundry from our trip last week.  We spent 9 wonderful days at the gorgeous St. Joseph's Peninsula State Park near Port St. Joe, Florida.  Trust me, if you love the beach, nature, wildlife, and especially kayaking or canoeing, this is the place!

But now, I have a card that I made for two challenges, and here are the challenges ...

• Little Red Wagon - eyelets - use an eyelet or eyelets on your project
• Our Creative Corner Challenge - your project must have a Christmas tree or pine tree

And here is my project based on these challenges ...

I found out about this easy and cute Christmas tree fold from my new friend, Jamie, and you can find the tutorial HERE.  And trust me, it's really easy ... by the time you've finished two of the sections, you will have it down pat!

Supplies:

• Card base - Michaels
• Red (background) patterned paper - Die Cuts With a View
• Green patterned paper - Michaels 'Recollections'
• Seam binding - Bluebird Lane Etsy shop
• Eyelets - mostly from Buttons Galore and More
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers

Tools:

• Martha Stewart/EK Success paper trimmer
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler
• Eyelet setting tool

And that's all there is to it!  I hope you've enjoyed the card, and please check out Jamie's tutorial!  See you again soon, Becky

Friendship's Garden Challenge Five!!!

I can't believe that we are now on our fifth challenge at Friendship's Garden!  And when I started preparing for this challenge, I wanted it to be different, with sketches some times, themes or recipes some times, and other types of challenges to keep things interesting.  One thing I came up with was the Pinterest Photo Inspiration challenge.  I scoured and searched Pinterest for some great inspiration, and came up with some great photos.  The idea behind this is that you must make a project using this photo as your inspiration, and it must include the colors I've picked from the photo.  Here is the Pinterest Inspiration Photo for challenge number five ...

And here is my project base on the photo ...

 

Supplies:

• Base card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers (including vintage post card image) - Melissa Frances
• Ribbon - My stash - a great estate sale find
• Button - Buttons Galore and More
• Brown ink - Stampabilities

Tools:

• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Scissors, rotary cutter, craft knife and ruler
• Needle and  Craft and Button thread

Tips:

• To make the ribbon flower, using a needle and button or craft thread (heavier weight), baste along one edge of the ribbon.   Pull one thread to gather it together to form a circle.  Tie a knot in the ends, glue the ends together.

That's my project for this week!  Thanks for visiting, and be sure to follow the link above and participate in our challenge for this week.  Blessings, Becky!

Alphabet Challeng Blog - V is for Very Vibrant

The challenge this week over at Alphabet Challenge Blog kind of threw me for a loop, and I'm not sure why!  But I started looking for a 'vibrant' image in my clipart library, and when I found this one, I knew it was right!    Here is my card based on the challenge ...

Supplies:

• Base card stock - The Paper Studio
• Pattrned papers - Echo Park 'Happy Days'
• Image - Clipart software
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers
• Ribbon and dove - My Stash
• Stickles 'Diamond'

Tools:

• Computer and Ink Jet Printer
• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• EK Success Arch Scallop Border Punch
• Scissors, ruler, paper trimmer and craft knife

I remember learning the story of Noah's Ark as a child, and I was amazed that the dove flew out, found the olive branch, and carried it back to the Ark, so I wanted the dove to look as if it was flying out in search of dry land.

Thanks so much for coming by to visit today!  We'll be back in 2 weeks for another challenge just for you!  Blessings, Becky

Friendship's Garden Challenge Four

Welcome!  Today is Challenge 4 over at Friendship's Garden, and it's all about Thanksgiving!  And since it's Thanksgiving, and we will all be cooking a lot of special recipes, I decided we needed to have a recipe for this challenge, too.  Here is the challenge ...

Thanksgiving (or gratitude) Theme using this recipe: 1 Die Cut, 2 Patterned Papers, and 3 Trims (ribbon, lace, etc.)

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

 Supplies:

• Base (kraft) cardstock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers - We R Memory Keepers 'Autumn Splendor'
• Image - Little Birdie Blessings
• Lace, button, ribbon and twine - my stash
• Orange cardstock - The Paper Studio
• Ink - Stampabilities
• Stickles 'Platinum' - Ranger Industries

 
Tools:

• Computer and ink jet printer
• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Create A Critter cartridges
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife, paper trimmer

To make the pumpkin, I cut out two of the same sized pumpkings from the Create A Critter cartridge.  Cut the stem off of one, then cut it in half and glued each half behind the whole pumpkin.  I saw this on someone's blog, but can't remember who ... so sorry!

So, now it's time for you get busy and make a project for this week's challenge!  You know you want to, right!  Oh, and I have announced a mid-term DT call, so you might want to check that out while you are there!  Blessings, Becky

Unscripted Sketches #132

Since I left the Design Team at Unscripted Sketches I sure have missed all the other girls on the team.  But when I stepped down, I pretty much knew I was going to start Friendship's Garden, and I'm so glad I started THAT new adventure!  But I still miss doing Sarah's challenges, and whenever I can I like to make a project based on her sketch.  Here is the sketch for this week ...

At first I was like ... 'what was she thinking?', but then it hit me - this was perfect for a tag!  and here is my tag based on the sketch ...

Supplies:

• Manila tag - stash
• Patterned papers and chipboard sentiment - My Minds Eye
• Ribbon and star pin - stash
• Brown ink - Stampabilities

Tools:

• Scissors, paper trimmer, craft knife, ruler

As you can see by the list of tools, this was one easy tag to make!  Why don't you run over to Unscripted Sketches and make something from their sketch this week!  Blessings, Becky

Art Journaling . . . a beginning!

This past Friday night and Saturday, my favorite LSS - Altered Angel in Alpharetta, GA - hosted a huge event sponsored by Fiskars and their rep - Angela Daniels.  I went Friday night and had a great time!  They also had the Glue Girls from Glue Arts there, artist and color expert Brenda Pinnick, Ken Oliver from Unibind Photobook Creator, and more! 

I did a cute make and take Christmas tag with The Glue Girls, a fun little class on making a ring from punched out paper butterflies with Angela Daniels, and then did a Unibind book filled with blank pages with Ken.  The purpose of making a blank book was to take the class with Brenda Pinnick on art journaling.  Her class was running long ... the second class hadn't finished and the third still had to go before my class started, so I decided to go home and return on Saturday morning so I could get into the first class of the day.

I got there early and took the class with Brenda.  We were doing 12 x 12 pages, and I just had a hard time filling that page!  I am determined to start art journaling, though, because I love the idea of mixing art and words and recording memories and occasions that way!  Since I didn't do well with the larger pages, I decided to try with one of my favorite things ... a #5 manila tag!  Here is my first attempt ...

And here is what it says ...  "bloom.  be who you are.  no one knows you better than you, and no one knows your inner truth ... it is yours alone.  live it, be it, don't let anyone try to change who you are.  do not let anyone else make youfeel inferior, for you are more, you are you, and there is not another you.  bloom.  be.  live.  fly.  soar.  now is your time.  bloom."

I had painted a pretty flower, but I didn't like it, so I took red and white paint and played in it with just my forefinger ... I wanted my fingerprint in the mix.  Proof there is only one me, right?  So that is the texture you see in the flower.

I am terrible at printing, but it's only for me anyway, so I think it is fine for a first page!  Actually I am quite proud of this first tag in my art journal! 

So tell me, have you ever done an art journal?  I think I'm going to enjoy it now that I'm trying it in a smaller size.  And of course I love manilla tags!  Blessings, Becky!

My Latest Crafting Obsession!

Hi There!  I just wanted to share with you my latest crafting obsession ......

Aren't they just the cutest things???  They are Christmas brooches made from felt, ribbon, floral elements and mini Christmas ornaments!  And then of course there are these, made with hand made felt roses ......

I love them all, but this is my personal favorite!

 

Sugar Plum Fairies Delight!!!

They are very easy, and LOTS of fun to make!  You can find them all in my Etsy shop, too! 

Thanks for visiting, but I've got to run!  I'm going to my favorite LSS for a huge Fiskateers event tonight!  Have a great weekend!  Blessings, Becky

Alphabet Challenge Blog ... U is for Under The Sea!

Hi Folks!  Welcome back for another great challenge at Alphabet Challenge Blog!  This week's challenge was fun, and challenging for me!  The theme is U for under the sea, and I had a hard time finding an image I liked that fit my usual shabby vintage (might I say girly) style!  But when I found this image I knew I needed to step away from the ribbons and gems and frilly stuff and make a guy's card for a change!  Here is my project based on the challenge ...
 

Supplies:

• Kraft card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - Basic Grey
• Image - clipart software
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers
• Button and jute twine - stash
• Brown ink - Stampabilities

Tools:

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

Thanks so much for joining me today!  Now follow the link up above and go pay a visit to the other DT members of Alphabet Challenge Blog!  Blessings, Becky

Friendship's Garden Challenge - Bonus Challenge Two

Hi Folks!  Just wanted to share a quick post with my project for this week's Bonus Challenge over at Friendship's Garden!  Here is the challenge ...

Make a card - any theme, any occasion - whatever you choose ... but you have to make it in less than 15 minutes!!!

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

The timer shows I made my card in just 13 min. 10 seconds!

 

 Supplies:

•  Base (kraft) card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned Paper, die cut elements, gems, bird stamp - My Minds Eye 'Lost and Found Christmas' Collection
• Brown Ink - Stampabilities

 

Tools:

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

 

One 'quick' tip for making 'quick' cards:  Use a kit or collection of products all made to work together!  I recently won a whole bunch of My Mind's Eye goodies from one line.  You already know that everything matches, so all you have to do is arrange them on the card the way you want!

Okay, I've got to get busy, but please run by Friendship's Garden and show us what you can do in less than 15 minutes!!!  Blessings, Becky

 

Our Creative Corner Challenge - Fancy Folds

I didn't know if I would have a chance to get a project made for the challenge over at Our Creative Corner this week, so I went with a very simple card that would still fit their challenge of 'Fancy Folds', or a card made using a special folding technique.  I used the joy fold card, and you can find a tutorial for making it HERE.  And I promise  you it's really easy, and the instructions are simple to follow.

Here is my card based on the challenge ...

Supplies:

• Base card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper, Brad, Masking Tape Strips, Twine and Clear Stamps - Pebbles, Inc.
• Red button - Buttons Galore and More
• Ink - Anna Griffin
• Adhesive - Glue Glider Pro and Perma Tac Adhesive

 Tools:

• Martha Stewart paper trimmer
• Martha Stewart scoring board
• Ruler, scissors, craft knife
• Acrylic block for stamps
• 1/4" hole punch

Before I go I want to share one of my favorite new product lines with you!  A few weeks ago I won some goodies from Moxie Fab World, a blog that's part of Paper Crafts Magazine.   One of the things I won was all kinds of goodies from Pebbles, Inc. - a division of American Crafts.  I wasn't sure what to expect, so when I got this big box of patterned paper, clear stamps, fibers, covered button brads, masking tape strips, buttons, and more, I was kind of blown away.

But what really touched me was the sweet letter from Elizabeth Gosney, a Marketing Specialist with American Crafts.  It was such a sweet letter, and she asked me to share about their new product line with my friends. 

Let me tell you - I'm loving these products!  The line is 'Fresh Goods', and right up my alley!  The bright colors and country fresh patterns were so 'me' that they just made me smile!  The papers are great quailty, as are all the other goodies.  I love the cute clear stamps and the masking tape stickers are very unique and fun!  If you haven't heard of them, please go check out their BLOG HERE, or go like them on FACEBOOK HERE. Oops, guess I got off track a bit, but I really wanted to tell you about Pebbles!  

Thanks so much for visiting!  Blessings, Becky

Really Reasonable Ribbon and Papercrafts Star Challenges

Hi Folks!  I'm back with one project for two challenges - again!  Here are the challenges:

• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Challenge 35 - Make a Christmas project using ribbon or trim somewhere on the project, and
• Papercraft Star - Challenge 69 - Make a project with a flourish on it!  The optional inspiration picture is ...

I really didn't realize, until after I'd taken the pictures of my project, just how much the feel of the papers I used matched the picture above.  What do you think ...

Maybe you can see it better by looking at the back side of the gift bag ...

I love those papers - they look so rich and elegant, and turn that plain little paper bag into some thing beautiful and special!  Here are the details ...

Supplies:

• Base gift bag - Hobby Lobby 
• Patterned papers - My Mind's Eye 'Lost and Found Christmas'
• Elements - Gems, Noel tag, brad, green ribbon, die cut 'Be Merry' - all part of the My Mind's Eye 'Lost and Found Christmas' line
• Kraft cardstock for mini tag - The Paper Studio
• Brown ink - Stampabilities
• Felt on bottom of bag - Hobby Lobby
• Red ribbon - my stash

This is the front and back of the original box - very plain kraft gift bag - 3 for $1.00 at Hobby Lobby

Adding felt to the bottom of the bag makes it a bit heavier on bottom as well as adding a finished, more expensive look.

Adding a matching gift tag always makes a lovely embellishment!

 Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge
• Martha Stewart paper trimmer
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler

Tips:

• Cut the paper 1/8 inch smaller on all sides and ink the edges with brown ink to add an aged feel
• Wrap the twisted paper handles with a coordinating ribbon to add a special touch
• Cut your paper to use it to it's best advantage.  See how I cut this paper to show the big red glittery flourish.  

Wouldn't this be the perfect gift wrapping for a special gift such as a piece of jewelry?   I sure think so!  And I took a 34 cent bag and turned it into something very pretty and very elegant, using all things from my stash.

Thanks so much for visiting today!  Come back soon!  Blessings, Becky

Friendship's Garden Challenge Three

It's hard for me to believe that we are already on our third challenge at Friendship's Garden!  I have been so pleased with how things are going thus far!  So thank you so much for participating!

This week's challenge is simple ... Autum Colors!  You must have a leaf or leaves on your card, and use traditional fall colors.  Here is my card for this challenge ...

Supplies:

• Base (kraft) card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers - We R Memory Keepers
• Felt leaves - Purchased at an LSS in Alabama - not sure of manufacturer
• Vintage button and twine - my stash
• Purple metal filigree - Michael's jewelry dept.
• brown ink - Stampabilities
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers

Tools:

• Cricut Expression using Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Scissors, rotary cutter, craft knife and ruler

I didn't even notice it until after I'd finished the card, but the way I turned that border and set the label on top of it, kind of looks like a Faberge' egg on a stand - isn't that cool!

I also wanted to remind you that your embellishments don't have to come from the scrapbooking store or department at your 'mega' craft store!  That filigree flower is from Michael's jewelry department and is a great focal point for a card!


Okay, so that's my card!  Please go visit Friendship's Garden and see the rest of the Garden Girls, and our guest designer's inspiration projects!  Blessings, Becky

The Ribbon Reel and Daring Cardmakers ...

I recently found a new challenge, and I love it!  It's The Ribbon Reel's challenge blog, and this is my first time to participate and it's been such fun!  The inspiration photo for this challenge is below, and the color challenge is hot pink, turquoise and cream.  And you know I've been a fan of Daring Cardmakers for a long time, and I loved their challenge this week called 'Fantastic Felties'.  Here goes ...

The Ribbon Reel's Inspiration Photo - Colors hot pink, turquoise and cream

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

 

Supplies:

• Base card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers - My Mind's Eye
• Bling:  Rhinestone swirls - Recollections (Michaels); Turquoise pearl - Prima
• Felt for flowers - Hobby Lobby
• Ribbon - Blue Bird Lane
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers

 

Tools:

• Cricut Expression using Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Scissors, rotary cutter, craft knife, ruler

Tips for making felt flowers - Cut out a circle about 2 1/2 to 3 times the size of the finished flower you want.  Cut the circle into a long spiral (see pic below) ending close to the center.  Curl the end of the felt and glue as you go along.  (And yes, it really is THAT easy!) 

I love this card, and it's amazing how much fun it is to make those felt flowers!  You could cut out your circles and make the flowers while watching TV at night or waiting on the kids at practice!

Thanks so much for visiting today, and I hope to see you back tomorrow for the Frienship's Garden challenge!  Blessings, Becky