Thanks for visiting!


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!

11/27/2012

Basically Bare and Bella Blvd Blog Hop!

Wow, that's a mouth full of B's isn't it!  This week our team at Basically Bare and the Design Team at Bella Blvd are having a blog hop and there will be all kinds of great projects from both teams.  Here is the project I made for this fun event ...



A really fun mini album using Basically Bare's 'Tilly's Tabs' mini and Bella Blvd's 'Christmas Wishes' collection.  For more pictures and all the details, please go check out the Basically Bare blog!  Blessings, 





11/26/2012

The Kraft Journal Challenge #98 ... Holiday Gifts

Well, now that Thanksgiving is in the past, we now move forward to Christmas and all the fun and festivities that goes along with that wonderful time of year!  This week's theme at The Kraft Journal is 'Holiday Gifts' and this one gave me a few minutes of worry, but soon I had started work on one of the easiest and most special projects I've made in a while!  A special Christmas gift for my Mother that took only about 15 minutes to make, start to finish!  Here is a picture ...




A sweet as can be picture frame with a very vintage look!  The picture is of my brother when he was three months old in 1958, but the photo can be changed out any time because it is simply clipped on with the Tim Holtz hinge clip.  Here are the details ...

Supplies:
 *  Note:  I used the X-Small tag that came with this set, but wanted you to know which one from the set that I used. 



 Tools:
  • Scissors
  • Needle Nose Pliers / Wire Cutter

A tip for adding the hinge clip to the burlap frame is to simply put the wire through the hole in the back side of the clip, then push both ends of the wire through to the back side, down below the wood that stretches the burlap.  It is very simple.  I tied the grungy tag to the front hole of the clip, and adhered it to the burlap using a 'Gluedle' adhesive from Glue Arts.  To adhere the film strip ribbon to the bottom of the burlap frame, I used Beacon's 3 in 1 Advanced Craft Glue, applying it only underneath where the photo covers it, but it is not even visible without the photo covering it.

I hope you have enjoyed this sweet project!  As I said, it is so very easy to make, and would make great gifts for teachers, Sunday School Teachers or loving grandparents!  Blessings,


11/25/2012

Altered Angel Project - Authentique 'Lovely' Mini Album

Hi there folks!  If you are here in the USA, I hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  Today I am here to share my latest Design Team project for my local scrapbooking store, Altered Angel.  When the store owner, Mary, asked me to make a mini using Authentique's new 'Lovely' collection I was extremely excited!  Lovely is just packed full of very romantic and very vintage valentine themed goodies, and you know me ... I L♥VE vintage!  This is going to be a long post, so let's get started ...


I used Basically Bare's 'Funky Findings' mini album for the base, and added lots and lots of other goodies.  The charms are Tim Holtz' 'Adornments' and the chipboard key is also from Basically Bare.


The photo on the left page is actually a page inside a page, made from red Card Shoppe card stock, and ties closed with a bow.  The corrugated cardboard that is exposed on the right hand page is very easy to do ... simply cut a line with a craft knife that goes just through the outer covering of the cardboard.  Mist it with a light misting of water and let it wait a few minutes.  Once the water has soaked in, tear away the outer covering of the cardboard and you have the exposed ripples of the corrugation.

 


The vintage valentine at the bottom of the left page is a flip frame which holds two pictures on the inside.  The right hand page is a 'policy envelope' that I covered with patterned paper and created a closure using Epiphany Crafts Round 25 Bubble Caps and Brads.  The canvas heart is from Basically Bare, and the pin at the top left is a Tim Holtz 'Trinket' Pin.



I love the 'blackboard' chipboard key from Basically Bare's 'Jailers Keys' set.  I didn't do a thing but add the ribbon and tag.  If you make this project, make sure you do NOT do a mirror image of the two large Bazzill buttons ... if you do, they will meet and make the album 'uncomfortable' to close.  Instead, put them both on the right side of the page.  On the right page, the vintage valentine is another flip mat that will hold two photos inside.  The heart at the bottom is an element of the patterned paper.  For the tab on the right hand page, I punched two 1/8" holes in the tab and then ran red ribbon through the holes from both sides and tied small bows.  That way there is a bow on each side of the tab.  (See next photo)




Do you see the red bow on the tab?  That is the back side of the one above.  Getting the ribbon through the holes just right is a bit tricky, but you can do it!  To make the pocket on the right hand page, simply cut a strip of patterned paper about 1/2 to 1" taller than you want it to be on your page.  Punch a border in the top edge, ink all the edges, then mist the paper with water.  Fold and wrinkle and pleat the paper and let it dry.  Once it is dry you can adhere it to your page.  I used Inkssentials 'red line' tape because I wanted it to hold very well on the canvas page.




I simply stamped a journaling stamp onto cream card stock, then trimmed around it for the journaling on this page.  Then I matted it and a sticker onto red card stock.  The border is one row of the Maya Road Antique Alterable Scallop Trim, and two rows of the Websters pages Market Red crocheted trim.  The charm is also from Tim Holtz' 'Adornments'.  For the two small envelopes, I embellished them with a well inked paper doily that I inked heavily with brown ink and a sticker, and for the bottom I used another sticker and an Epiphany Crafts 'Round 25' bubble cap over another sticker from the Authentique Collection.




For this side of the smaller envelopes I used another Tim Holtz charm and a couple of Epiphany Crafts 'Round 14' Bubble Caps on elements from the Authentique paper.  The white bow behind the vintage valentine is actually attached to a tag that pulls out.  On the right hand page I used another journaling stamp and then did another flip mat with space for two pics on the inside.



The last two pages!  Notice the embellishments on this side of the tab on the left hand page?  I used more of the Maya Road alterable trim and some green velvet ribbon, with a cameo button from my stash.   The right hand page is simply elements from the paper collection.


Close up of the tab.


The back cover is simply a bit of the 'love letters' paper.  One tip ... for the May Arts silk ribbon, take your length of ribbon home, loop it over a couple of clothes hangers and spray it lightly with some spray starch.  Allow it to dry, then spray again to get any sections you may have missed.  This makes this super soft ribbon so much easier to work with!

Supplies:

Patterned Paper - Authentique 'Lovely' Collection - 'Be Mine', 'Crush', 'Valentine', 'Greetings', 'Dainty', 'Fancy', and 'Amour'

Die Cuts - Authentique 'Lovely' Collection

Mini Album - Basically Bare 'Funky Findings'

Canvas Hearts and chipboard keys - Basically Bare

Card Stock - Bazzill Basics 'Card Shoppe' Card Stock

Charms - Tim Holtz 'Adornments'

Tim Holtz 'Trinket Pins'

Blingy Buttons - Bazzill Basics 'Alexandria'

Ribbon - Maya Road 'Antique Alterable Scallop Trim in Cream', May Arts 'Silk - SK01', May Arts 'Green Velvet', Creative Impressions Organdy in 'Red' and 'Pink Lemonade', and Websters Pages ' Marked Red' Crocheted Trim

Epiphany Crafts - 'Round 25' Shape Studio Tool and Bubble Caps; 'Round 14' Shape Studio Tool, Bubble Caps and Brads

Other:  Red Glitter, Rose Seam Binding, Various Buttons, Paper Doilies 'Wilton', Brown Ink - Stampabilities, hook and loop adhesive dots (WalMart)

I hope you have enjoyed this project!  I know I enjoyed making it ... working with the Authentique paper was a joy, and it only took me a couple of days to put together!  Blessings,


11/19/2012

Basically Bare ... My First Project

Hi there!  I am so excited about my first post as a designer on the Basically Bare blog, and you have no idea how thrilled I am to be able to be one of their designers!  I love their products and enjoy trying to come up with new ways to use them.  Today, since Thanksgiving is just a few days away here in the United States, I though I would use one of the frames from our Fanciful Frames II and make a vintage place card for our dinner table.


 

Supplies:
  • Basically Bare Fanciful Frames II
  • Basically Bare Blossoms and Leaves
  • Crate Paper 'Farmhouse' Patterned Papers
  • Epiphany Crafts 'Round 14' Shape Tool and Bubble Cap
  • 'Stampabilities' Brown Ink
  • Ranger / Tim Holtz 'Shabby Shutters' Distress Ink (Leaf)
  • Darice Earth Tone Hemp Cord
  • Vintage Button, Chipboard and Ivory Cardstock From My Stash
Instructions:
  • Before you start, you will want to go through photos of each of your guests when they were children or teenagers and scan and print them in a 'wallet' size.
  • Using chipboard frame, trace shape onto two coordinating pieces of patterned paper.  Trim (or 'fussy' cut) frames.  I found that a 1/8 inch hole punch fits perfectly into the deeper cuts.
  • Adhere the sheet of patterned paper you chose for the front onto the front of the chipboard frame.  Using a craft knife, cut slits from corner to corner of the inside of the frame in a large 'X'.  Fold the triangular pieces under the chipboard frame and adhere to the back side.
  • Ink all edges with brown ink, including the inside edges of the frame.
  • Crop your photo so that it is about 1/4 to 1/2" larger than the opening in the frame.  Adhere to underside of the frame.
  • Cover back of frame with a square of plain chipboard for added sturdiness.
  • Adhere second sheet of patterned paper that you previously cut to shape of the frame to the back side of the frame.  Ink all edges.
  • Cut a scrap of chipboard or heavy weight card stock for the back easel.  Measure the height of the frame, take 3/4 of that measurement and double it.  (For instance, if your frame is 4" tall,  3/4 of that is 3" x 2  = 6")  Cut a strip of chipboard that is that length by about 2" wide.  Adhere a scrap of coordinated patterned paper to one side.  Score in half and fold at the score.  Cut a scrap of chipboard or heavy duty card stock that is about 2" x 3".  Score at 1/2" and 2 1/2"  Fold in the shape of a 'Z' and glue the ends to the inside of the strip of folded chipboard.  See photo below for example.  Now adhere the 'easel' to the back of the frame with the bottom edges at the bottom of the card.
  • Decorate the front of the frame with your Basically Bare Blossoms and Leaves.  Cover one side of the chipboard 'blossom' with coordinating patterned paper.  Add a button or round 14 Epiphany Crafts Bubble Cap to center of the blossom.  Ink edges.  Heavily ink the canvas leaf with green ink.  Adhere leaf, then blossom to the frame.
  • Print or hand write the name of your guest on a scrap of coordinating card stock.  Use a decorative edger punch to punch one end.  Adhere to top corner of frame.  Add a bow of hemp cord and a button.










Isn't that just the cutest thing?  And yes, that is me when I was about two years old, wearing a dress that my great grandmother made for me.  It is my favorite picture of me as a child.  I hope that you have enjoyed your visit, and that you will now go visit the Basically Bare blog and check out even more incredible inspiration!  Blessings,


The Kraft Journal Challenge 97 'Holiday Cards'

Hi Folks!  Welcome back for another project for The Kraft Journal!  This week's theme is 'holiday cards', and I made a cheery card in bright colors to show you!




Don't you love that cardboard tree?  I'm a huge fan of corrugated cardboard!  Here are all the details ...


Supplies:


Tools:

  • Martha Stewart / EK Success Paper Trimmer
  • Epiphany Crafts Round 25 Shape Studio Tool
  • Scissors, ruler and craft knife
  • Acrylic Stamp Block

The Epiphany Bubble Cap fit perfectly into the bottle cap, so I simply punched the paper with the bubble cap and adhered it inside the bottle cap ... easy peasey!

Thanks for visiting today!  Come back soon because I have another post coming up this afternoon, and I think you will LOVE it!  Blessings,


11/14/2012

The Kraft Journal - Challenge 96 - Turkey Time!

Can you believe it?  Thanksgiving is just over a week away, and I am so not ready for Thanksgiving or the holidays that follow.  But I did have a chance to make a cute (and easy) place card / treat holder for my Thanksgiving table!  The theme over at The Kraft Journal is "Turkey Time" and it is my week for a tutorial, and of course we want to make things as easy as possible for the holidays, so here is what I came up with ...




It is a cool place card that is also a treat holder!  Wouldn't it be neat to place some of those fancy chocolate mints inside?  Or maybe you could assign clean-up chores for after the meal is finished and place a chore into each pillow.  However you decide to use it, this will make a cute addition to your Thanksgiving table!  Please check out Wednesday's post at The Kraft Journal for more details!

 
Kraft Outlet Products Used:



11/12/2012

Epiphany Crafts Guest Designer - Fall Decor

Well!  You all know how much I just L♥VE Epiphany Crafts, right?   Well then you can probably guess how excited I was when they asked me to be a guest designer on their blog for not one, but two posts!  Truly, it is a thrill for me, and then when I found out I was paired with one of my paper crafting heroes, Audrey Pettit .... I was in heaven! 

The theme I was given was 'Fall Decor', and so I came up with a cute treat bag / place card for your Thanksgiving table.  You can check out all the info HERE.  And a picture of my project is here ...




Thanks for checking in, and please pay a visit to the Epiphany Crafts blog!  Blessings, 

 

11/07/2012

The Big Announcement!

It is finally here!


Today is the day!!  


I can finally share my very exciting news!!!



I am so very proud and happy to be able to share with you today that I have been invited to be a ...








This is such an amazing opportunity, and very special for me because Basically Bare is a local company right here in the Atlanta, Georgia area!  A couple of weeks ago I had the joy and honor of meeting BB owner Angela Pruitt for lunch and sharing some of my work with her, and spending time getting to know her a bit.  And right there at lunch she invited me to join the team and I joyfully accepted!

Basically Bare designs and manufactures "alterable items for paper artisans" ... aka mini albums and embellishments for crafters that are perfect for altering, inking, painting, misting, and so much more.  I so look forward to working more with their products and  sharing projects I have made with you all right here!

My first blog post and project will be published on Sunday, November 18th, so stay tuned!!!

Blessings,

11/05/2012

The Kraft Journal #95 ... Happy Harvest

Wow, can you believe it is November already!  Just seems like it was spring and everyone was buying spring plants and sprucing up their gardens.  Last night I was in Walmart and they were already decorated for Christmas and playing piped Christmas music across the store!  But in my mind, before you can have Christmas first you must have fall, harvest and giving thanks!  This week's theme at The Kraft Journal is "Happy Harvest" and I made a sweet card to share with you.  Here it is ...


You probably know by now that I love vintage postcards and images, and this is one that I found somewhere online.  I can't remember if it was on Flickr, Pinterest or one of my other sites for vintage images.  Here are the details ...

Supplies:
  • Card base is Light Kraft Cover Weight Card Stock
  • Earthy Hemp Cord
  • Brown card stock - Bazzill Basics "Card Shoppe"
  • Patterned Paper - Authentique
  • Large Button - Jenni Bowlin
  • Stickles - Goldenrod and Platinum
  • Brown Ink - Stampabilities
  • Small buttons - vintage, from my stash





Tools:

  • Martha Stewart / EK Success Paper Trimmer
  • Martha Stewart / EK Success Scoring Board
  • Cricut Expression and 'Elegant Edges' cartridge
  • Scissors, ruler and craft knife

For the sentiment, I simply printed it on some white cardstock using my computer and printer.  Thanks so much for visiting today, and I hope you come back soon.  I will be announcing my big news on Wednesday, so be sure to come back for that!  Blessings!