I Felt Like Coloring Again Today...

While the kids were away, mommy played...or something like that.  LOL

My friend, Barb, of The Buzz, sent me some stamped images to color (Yarn Basket, Lockhart Stamp Company, according to Barb's blog) as a thank you for a RAK I sent her. I was too nervous to color them for the longest time, it seems. I was afraid I'd mess it up. I finally got brave enough to try and here is how it came out:

Thanks, Barb! I'm glad I finally took the plunge and just colored. I had a blast. I used the Koh-i-noor pencils and odorless mineral spirits to color this in. I seem to be reaching for those pencils a lot these days. Maybe it's because they are on my table (because I neglect to put them away when I'm done) or maybe I really like the colors. I think it's a bit of both. The card is very simple and straightforward, but I like how the colors worked together. Taking Barb's lead on some of her recent card posts, I grabbed a bit of white yarn to add to the card. I thought about crocheting something, but didn't think that went well with a knitting image! LOL The papers are from my new "go to" paper....DCWV's Citrus Matstack. LOL You can see I used Fiskar's new Apron Lace edger punch, too, along with the square Nesties.

This next image is another one from DJ Inkers and I kept seeing it when I looked around my desk, so I decided to just color it and then it wouldn't distract me any more.

I love how the hat is pulled over one eye. I knew I wanted to use the Citrus paper again and chose pencils to complement the color scheme. Geez, it doesn't look like much coloring...but it sure took me awhile to get it to look like that! I tried to do some shading (like I know what I am doing there...not) and that took some time. I DO like how it came out and also that pin! It's a pin from Making Memories Chloe's Closet line and I've just been itching to use it. I added the pearls from my stash and an earring back as a stopper. Looks decent, I think. Another straightforward card, although this time I used a Martha Stewart border punch.

That's all she wrote from me for now! I'm done making cards for the day, but who knows if I'll come up with something else to share before the night is over....

Thanks for stopping by! Hope your Saturday is going great!

Jeanne

Can We Build It? Yes, We Can!

If you saw a post in your Google Reader and it didn't go anywhere, I'm sorry about that. I tried posting earlier, but Steve was using the photo disc on the printer at the same time. I found out you can't see the pictures when I try to insert them that way. So, I just deleted it all and waited til he was done.

Daddy took the girls to Lowe's for their Saturday morning kid craft. He thought there'd be a race, too, but there wasn't. He told me he didn't have to help them at all, he just let them have at it. He did remember to take the camera and took a bunch of pictures...

Don't they look thrilled in that first picture? LOL I think Steve caught them concentrating on the beginning of the project...you know that What? reaction when you get their attention?  Girls with hammers are an awesome sight aren't they?! And one of the cars, along with Jessica showing off the patch they got to be put on the aprons they received. All this was FREE, which is very cool. Steve told me I haven't lived since I wasn't there to hear all the hammers being whacked at the same time. LOL Gotta say, I'm glad I missed that adventure!

They were only gone for an hour, so I didn't get a whole lot of kid free time....

I did manage to get two cards done, which I'll show in a separate post....

Jeanne

Behold the Sock Creatures!

Happy Saturday to you! I didn't get to create anything yesterday, but my girls did!

They had a super fun day, starting at 6am, when they woke up! Yes, they didn't need to get up since they had no school, but up they were and rarin' to go. We did a little shopping, where they got a couple of dollar item treats. Then I bought them lunch on the way home. After lunch, Hattie, John and Susi came by for our playdate. They didn't get to stay as long as we'd hoped, but they still had loads of fun. After they left, the girls went outside to play with the neighbor kids. They deemed it too cold and windy and they all trooped over to our house. So, I had kids around all afternoon! I had to shoo one boy home because our dinner was on the table. LOL Then came the most exciting part of the day.

We went to their school for a class on creating sock creatures! The art teacher found this book last year and had held a class on it last school year. Hattie participated and made THE most adorable sock creature. She offered it again this year and the girls wanted to go. So after dinner we headed over with our socks, buttons and supplies. I thought about taking my camera, and sort of wished I had, but I also knew I was going to be busy helping the girls sew and might not be able to take pictures. That was the case. I'm sorry though, because it was just TOO sweet watching them sew. They were SO excited! We didn't get home til after 8pm (remember they'd been up and going since 6am). By that time, even Mommy was exhausted!

They didn't have quite enough time to actually finish their projects, so immediately upon waking up this morning (at a more respectable 7am) they got back to work!

Here are the results of their efforts...complete with bed head...

The girls did the work themselves. I cut out the ears for Jessica's creature, but she did ALL the sewing herself! I even had to take off one eye because it "wasn't perfect," and she wanted to sew it on again in the right spot (little miss perfectionist!) I found this pair of knee socks at Walmart and oh boy, do they stretch! LOL

There were lots of awesome creatures being made. It definitely was a fun time.

Today, Daddy is taking them to Lowe's for their kids' craft session. Apparently they will be making cars and having a race of some sort. Mommy is gonna pass on going and look forward to hearing about all the fun. See, Mommy invited Daddy to go last night and it wasn't his cup of tea, and making cars isn't Mommy's cup of tea either. So Daddy and his daughters can have a special memory making time, just like Mommy did last night. (plus Mommy has had a LOT of special kids time the past few days(Jessica had Daisies on Thursday...all the kids over yesterday and then last night's fun) and thinks it's Daddy's turn right about now...LOL

So hopefully Mommy will get to create some neat stuff of her own! Check back later and see if I'm successful...

Thanks for stopping by!

Jeanne

Hi There Card

Happy Thursday to you! I hope the end of your week is going well. Today is our "Friday" as the girls are off from school tomorrow. So, it really feels like a Friday to me. LOL

Anyway, I managed to complete a card that I liked well enough to share today. Yea!

This is a clip art image from one of my DJ Inkers CDs. I neglected to note which one as I was scrolling through looking for images to print off for coloring. I have several of these CDs from when I was teaching. I would use them in my newsletters that got sent home. I also used them when I wrote the newsletters for my Mothers of Preschoolers group and another women's group I used to belong to.  I used Koh-i-noor pencils, odorless mineral spirits and blending stumps to color the image. The background though is chalked with blue. Then I used my oval and scallop oval Nestabilities to cut out the image. I added the hi there (Mixed Messages from PTI) in Orange ink and edged it with Ocean ink(CTMH). Then I punched it with the SU Word Window punch. I added the little jewel (Hobby Lobby) to pull it all together. The paper is from the Citrus matstack (DCWV). In the solid color set I got, some of the papers are glittered! I found the stripes that had glitter too and thought they'd work well together. All in all, I'm pretty happy with the "feel" of the card. It was fun to make.

I have to share a funny with you. If only to illustrate how bad my memory can be. I've been seeing some awfully cute colored images on Holly's Hog Wild About Stamping blog. She noted that the images were from Darcie. The images have the same feel as the DJ Inkers images, cute and country-ish. I posted a comment about how cute I thought the cards were. Well, Holly emailed me and offered to print off some of the images for me. I replied that would be great, but noted she said "print off" and asked if they were on a CD and where could one purchase it. She gave me this link. Of course I immediately checked it out. The cover on the Blooms & Britches looked awfully familiar to me. So I did a quick search of some CDs we had stored away and lo and behold, I OWN that CD! I completely forgot I had it! LOL So, I thanked her very much but she didn't need to print anything for me. I thought it was so extremely nice of her to offer, though!

So, while this isn't an image from the CD I found this morning, it's one that I wanted to color and that's my story. Go ahead and laugh out loud at my dorkiness! I laughed big time myself.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your encouraging comments with me. Hope you have a great night!

Jeanne

Wow! Wow! It's Wubbzy!

Happy Wednesday to you! Yes, it was a shameless play on the title of the Nick, Jr. show, but it works for my latest project share. LOL

Meet Wubbzy of Wuzzleburg. He's about 13 inches tall and about 4 inches wide. He actually feels kind of like a pillow.

And see the two happy girls holding Wubbzy! They are only getting one, so hopefully they will share nicely.

I finished him up this afternoon while waiting for the girls to get out of school. Because it's Wednesday, and early release day (meaning less time for Jessica at school), I pretty much spent my kid-free time today working on finishing him up. I was working on that tail today. It was quite interesting to see and do what was involved to make the curves in that thing!

I haven't been working on this non-stop, I have been trying to create cards, but I must be in some kind of creative funk. It's taking way longer than it should to finish one up that looks decent. Attempts are being made at creating, but results of the attempts are not share-worthy. LOL Add to that the fact that my house being messy is getting to me (or I'm experiencing some early spring cleaning fever-due to the spring-like temps we've had this week). I've spent some time cleaning, straightening and the like.

So, I'm sorry that there isn't much to report, other than the completion of Wubbzy. The girls are already clamoring for Widget, the Ms. Fix-it character in the show. No problem-o girls, I'll get right on it! LOL

Hope your week is going great! Thanks for visiting and all the lovely comments that you share. I truly appreciate you!

Jeanne

Owl's Done!

I just finished the knitted owl and wanted to share! Oh my goodness...this one makes me giggle and grin. I wouldn't have chosen these colors on my own, but somehow, some way, they work!

I got this pattern from Amy Gaines' Etsy Shop. I used all Red Heart Super Saver yarn and size 4 knitting needles. I have to give a shout out to Nona, because she gave me a link to KnitPicks and a set of interchangeable knitting needles after I bemoaned the fact that I cannot afford to get all Addi needles. A neat thing about these needles is you can use the cable for circular needles or you can add a stop on each end and use the needles as regular straight needles. I used them as straight needles. It was much less cumbersome to knit with "shorter" needles, although my yarn wanted to wrap around the end of the cables. Plus the tips of these are pretty pointed. That's great because it fits into the yarn beautifully.

I finished the knitting last night and this evening stitched it all together. I'm very pleased at how it turned out.

Thanks for visiting! This will be my last post for today, I promise! LOL

Jeanne

Bo-Bunny Chunky Charms Clarification

Christi asked me a question about the Chunky Charms and I realized I must not have explained it well. So, I've taken a couple more pictures and I hope this will help you understand better. Here's a link to a pdf file at the Bobunny website. The item I am showing you is on page 4.

It's hard to get a good picture because these are clear, but I think you can see how they come apart. I used the one in the lower right corner of the second photo as a stencil for the frame on the frog card. I just cut it out with my scissors.

Does this help?

Jeanne

Two Cards & Don't Blame Me if you are Enabled...

Happy Saturday! We had a dusting of snow overnight, but the skies are clear and sunny today. We may hit the 60s tomorrow...

I went to Archiver's so I could redeem the coupon I had for a free stamp set (for being such a good customer...), but I didn't do either of the make and takes. They didn't impress me all that much. There was a $10 project I could sign up for if I wanted, but I didn't want to make that either. So I wandered around for a bit. I was able to get two free studded stickers from Imaginesce, but I didn't take a picture of them. I guess I was within the first 50 customers that showed up this morning, LOL They are clear stickers with little tiny gems on them in a shape. 

 I did find something new that I think is very neat, though. These are from Bo-Bunny and are called Chunky Charms. I bought them in clear, but you can also get different colors. I bought it for the label-y looking items on the left side, although the swirls are fun too. You are supposed to use them ON projects, but I'm going to use them as stencils as you will see in one of the cards I am posting today. They come nested together like that, but they are individual pieces.

Since I was close by, I went to Joann's again (for the yarn for Wubbzy...sigh). Wandering around there I saw a card by the Cuttlebug items and fell in love with the sample. I decided to make it, but couldn't find the focal piece, which was a butterfly. I discovered the butterfly is a two-step die that they only sell online! Grrrr. I didn't know that while I was out and I stopped by Michaels to see if they had it, but no luck. I did find a super cute die of a turtle from the Cuttlekids line on clearance, though and used that instead. You'll see it in a minute. While I was going to the register to buy the die, I passed a brand new display of EK Success punches. I mean the ones that were introduced at CHA. AND one of the punches was just like one I've only seen through Stampin' Up

This is the kind that you can lock closed and it's supposed to take up less room for storage. I think they even have storage cases for them at Michaels.

I'm tickled to have found it and yes, I used a coupon.

 

Now for the cards since you've been so patient reading through my jabber.

You can see how I used the Bo-Bunny "charms" as a stencil here. The cardstock is orange but I wanted some shimmer so I painted over it with Angel Wings Shimmerz. Then I sponged orange ink on the edges. The image is a digi one I got from Pink Petticoat. I colored it in using Koh-i-noor pencils and I didn't use any odorless mineral spirits on this one. I was inspired by this video on the Hero Arts blog so I thought I'd try it and this is the result. I added  a bit of Shimmerz to the image, too. I pop dotted the frame for dimension. Oh and the ribbon is an Archiver's Hot Spot find (ie, $1.99). It's Making Memories ribbon, probably an old set and they want to get rid of it. I think the package said MM Kids/Max on it. I'm too lazy to go check right now. The "label" for Happy Birthday is a stamp set from Joann's that is by Lah-di-dah and it was in their dollar bin! Cost me a whopping 97 cents for 8 stamps! But I really liked this one to go with the frame shape. Those images are stamped in Orange ink (CTMH). The dp is from the DCWV Citrus matstack.

And finally, here's my version of the card I saw on display at Joann's. I hope you can see the black cardstock is embossed, and the sentiment is embossed. I actually don't own the 'thinking of you' folder that was in the sample, but I like 'just because'. I added the punched frame using Fiskars' Apron Lace border punch (which is now being sold at Joann's-shoulda waited, darn!) I added a bit of a black mat to set it off. And of course, a little bling. You can see the cute little turtle die I found. I never paid attention to the Cuttlekids stuff (maybe no one did, and that's why they are on clearance?). But looking for that butterfly die made me 'see' them for the first time. I used Citrus Leaf and Clover Meadow cardstock in addition to the black. You get the solid body die and another die for all the pieces. The solid die has little cuts in it so you know where to put the edge of the pieces so it all lines up. Pretty nifty.

Okay, did you make it thru this huge post? I hope so! I'm gonna close for now without credits (I think I covered it all in the post & if I missed something, please ask) because my fingers are tired.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Don't forget, I'm just a messenger of what I find...don't go blaming me if money leaves your wallet...ha, ha!

Jeanne

                                                              

Urban Prairie Hi Card

Happy, happy Friday to you! Yea, the weekend is here! I hope it's a good one for you.

Today I have a card for you that was inspired by this one made by Jackie Pedro of The Scalloped Edge blog. I really liked how the blue looked with the pattern and all the texture. So, I cased it (big surprise, huh?).

As you can see, the design is the same, although I did add some punched fronds from a Martha Stewart punch. I don't have the neat shaped Nestabilities, so I just used good ol' squares, but I inked the edges! To color in the flowers, I did something I rarely ever do (because I am sooooo bad at it). I pulled out my water brush and swiped it on the ink pad lid to pick up the color and....gasp....colored in the petals! Then, so you can't see the streaks in the coloring, I added some Angel Wings White Shimmerz paint. LOL I cut out the flowers and popped them up with some pop dots. Another pretty straightforward card, but I just LOVE the colors!

Papers: Urban Prairie (Basic Grey), Ocean, Sweet Leaf (CTMH), white
Inks: Ocean, Sweet Leaf (CTMH)
Stamps: For Every Occasion (CTMH), Grateful Elegance (Verve Stamps)
Accessories: Cuttlebug w/Swiss Dots, jewels (Hobby Lobby), Frond punch (Martha Stewart), ribbon (my stash...probably Michaels), pop dots, sponge for inking edges

With no big plans this weekend, other than to head over to Archiver's for their Make and Take special, I hope I can create up a storm on one thing or another. Jess and I went to Joann's this morning (because she wanted to go to the Dollar Tree next door and we always go to J's first). As we meandered the yarn department, she spied a pattern book with Wubbzy on the cover. If you are not familiar, he's a character from a Nick Jr. show called Wow! Wow! Wubbzy. This pattern book has patterns to crochet a Wubbzy, Widget and Walden. Guess what came home with us? Go on...guess! And guess what the girls want me to work on right now? Sigh...they are so fickle! LOL So, maybe I'll start one of those. Or maybe I'll finish the owl I've been working on, or maybe the next dress for Barbie...or maybe all of them will get some attention. Who knows! I'll have fun no matter what, though.

Have a great night! Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanne

 

                                                               

Shortie Pajamas for Barbie

Hello again!

I was able to finish up the latest outfit request for Barbie...shortie pajamas. Jessica is quite pleased.
 

I lifted up the top so you could see the shorts that go with the pjs. Jessica chose the hot pink polka dot ribbon.

Her next request is the bathrobe and slippers, while Amy is asking for the skating dress and tam. Me, I'd like to work on my knitted owl! We'll see what ends up being made next...

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great evening.

Jeanne

                                                               

Metallic Embroidered Thanks Card

Happy Thursday to you! One more day til the weekend...yea!

I've been working on this card for a few days (when I could steal away from working on the dresses) and finally got it done today. It's not that it was so hard, just took time. I got the pattern from a book called Basics of Embroidery on Paper by Erica Fortgens. After I did the stitching, it took me a little while to figure out just what to do with it! Here's what I came up with...

I chose to use some metallic cardstock I had called, Gilded Rust, by the Paper Company. I picked it up at Archiver's with one of my 5 free sheets of cardstock coupons. The photo corners are from Joann's, they just clearanced out the line and I don't have the packaging anymore. I think it was called Memory Boutique. The center is a button from Joann's with the shank clipped off. I found some metallic DMC embroidery floss and have been itching to try it out. This took quite a bit of it! LOL There are lots of pieces of tape on the back side of this focal piece!

Overall, it's a simple straightforward card. In the book, this pattern was with the Christmas designs. I liked the "flower" that appears in the center and thought it would work for a card not Christmas-y in theme.

Believe it or not, I'm already working on another Barbie outfit! That I already have the top done lets you know that it is not nearly as intense as the Puff dress was. hee, hee. Maybe sometime today I'll finish the bottoms and will be able to share. If not...it'll happen tomorrow, I'm sure.

Cardstock: Black (CTMH), Gilded Rust (The Paper Company)
Stamps: For Every Occasion (CTMH)
Ink: Black (CTMH)
Accessories: DMC metallic floss, adhesive photo corners (Joann's), brads (my stash), button (from Joann's)

In family news, Amy lost another tooth last night. Now, in and of itself, this is not terribly exciting or out of the ordinary. However, the tooth that finally came out is one that has been loose for a good year or two. Amy is notorious for bonking herself and has hit her chin or that tooth a number of times. In fact, her dentist told me over a year ago, that the root was calcified and to have her avoid chewing with the thing for fear it would come out too soon and mess up the position of the other adult teeth. Amy got so good at chewing from the sides of her mouth that she rarely worked this one! She's lost 6 other teeth before this one, losing one just this past weekend. When I went in to wake her up this morning she grinned her usual sleepy grin at me and I noticed the gap! It apparently just fell out while she was sleeping (or so she said). She couldn't find it at first, but she had been laying on it. I told her it must have happened after the Tooth Fairy's rounds, so it's now tucked safely under her pillow for tonight. Finally I don't have to see that loose tooth anymore! LOL

Thanks for stopping by! I hope your Thursday's been a good one!
Jeanne

                                                        

Puff Shell Dress & Hat (or I must be insane...)

Happy Wednesday to you! I hope you are enjoying this mid-week day. Friday's getting closer!

I didn't post yesterday because I was trying really, really hard to finish the dress for Barbie that Amy wanted me to make. It's called the Puff Shell Dress, but I do believe it should be called, Is Mommy Insane to Attempt This Dress? LOL Not only did I innocently attempt it-thinking shells are easy, I actually finished it, as the groove in my thumb from the crochet hook can attest. There's just about an entire skein of baby weight yarn in this thing!

Jessica actually laughed when she tried it on her Barbie, oh excuse me, on Alexa, because it's so big. Gee, thanks Jessica for appreciating all the work that went into it! LOL

Okay...here you go...I can't believe I made this!

Doesn't it just scream Scarlett O'Hara to you? Especially the first shot? LOL That's what I thought of when I was making this and taking the pictures. There is no petticoat under that skirt...that's just how poofy it is! And it's pretty heavy, too. ha, ha!

I think I've made my last elaborate Barbie dress. There are other clothes the girls would like, but I don't think any of them are as much work as this one was (thank goodness).

Thanks for stopping by...I should get to work on something else, but I won't think about that right now...after all, tomorrow IS another day! hee, hee

Jeanne

Erin Told Me I Had to Post This!

Happy Monday to you! Today is President's Day and the girls are off of school, so I don't know if I will be able to sneak into my corner, but I thought I'd share this.

Remember when I posted the pictures of the Barbie house the other day? I mentioned I had a minature magazine that men like to look at? (I decided not to use the name again-so I don't get bizarre comments in the future). I didn't see it amongst the goodies I had in a baggie for the house and assumed it was lost? Well, guess what Jessica found yesterday...in the toilet no less ( which may be an appropriate place for it, yes?)!

She was so excited to find a "magazine" and happily showed her find to Amy, me and at my urging, her dad. She has no clue as to the content of this particular type of magazine and I can only hope she doesn't mention the name if she talks about it at school because I'd surely have some 'splaining to do.

I was chatting with Erin last night and told her about it. She wanted to see it and I took a picture. Now she wants me to put in on my blog. So...for you Erin, here it is! Jessica put it there, I never touched it! LOL At least it has a "clean" cover!

I hope I don't offend anyone by sharing this. It's all in good fun!

Oh and Erin made mention of this on the Fiskateers blog site and there are a bunch of super sweet comments posted in response. To those ladies, and all of you, I say a heartfelt thank you for your enthusiasm about the house!

Have a great day!

Jeanne
                  

Another Paper Pierced Card...

Happy Sunday to you! I created another card today using the third template I ordered from "across the pond." This template is Erica Fortgens template EF8032 as shown here, and I also looked up the name of the corner punch I used. It's an EK Success Corner Adorner called Victorian Lace. You can see it here.

Here's the card, which was inspired by a sample in the Handmade Paper Pierced Cards book my Patricia Wing.

There were no dimensions given in the book for this card, so I winged it! I ended up making it a 6x6 inch card so I could be sure to have enough room for the corner piercing on the card base. I really like the swirls on this one. The center "jewel" is actually a button with the shank cut off. I got it at either Joann's or Walmart, the two stores where I seem to find the neat buttons. Today I added yellow Stickles to the flower buds. I used a good old fashioned pin to do the pricking.

I started another card, but I think I've used up my allotment of patience for the time being. I was having a hard time focusing and decided to quit before I really messed up. LOL

 
Cardstock: Garden Green, Pansy Purple, Petal, Vanilla Cream (CTMH)
Inks: Olive, Pansy Purple, Parchment (CTMH)
Punch: Victorian Lace Corner Adorner (EK Success)
Piercing Template: Erica Fortgens EF8032
Accessories: Stickles, Gold Rhinestone stickers, button, pop dots. straight pin

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great start to your week!

Jeanne

                                        

Monogram Card Inkspired by Kathi...

Kathi's card was inkspired by the sample by Sharon of No Time to Stamp? blog. And I was inkspired by both their samples! Here's my take on the same card...

Aren't those papers scrumptious? They are from a brand new line called Citrus from DCWV and I picked them up for 1/2 off at Joann's. And I wasn't even at the superstore (larger store and more selection), but the one closer to my house that rarely has cool new stuff in stock! I was in there searching for something else (probably yarn related) and passed a table that had all these new papers on it. These colors are right up my alley so I couldn't resist. I got the patterned paper and the coordinating solid paper, which has textured, glittered and metallic papers! Fun, fun!

I used my Just Rite stamps for the monogram (the same one Sharon used in her sample) and stamped it with Dutch Blue (CTMH) ink...the color that seemed to coordinate the best. I added some tiny red rhinestone stickers (bought at Archiver's). The orange border was punched with a Martha Stewart edge punch (spiral lattice??~can't keep track of all the names) and I used the solid orange and red (which is the bit of scallop circle you can barely see) from the solid matstack. The white organdy is from my stash. The card is pretty straightforward, but I just love the colors!

And here are a couple of shots of the girls doing what they have been doing since yesterday afternoon...

I tried to take the photos without them knowing, but they are all too familiar with the sound of my camera. I'm not kidding when I say they have been playing with this almost non stop. It's been so fun listening to their "stories" for the dolls. And do you see Buster hanging out too? He's on Jessica's favorite blankie....shhhh don't tell her.

Thank you so much for the lovely comments you've shared about this project. I was asked how long it took me to make this. I don't quite remember specifically, but it was definitely in the "a few months category." At the time I wasn't working regularly, so it wasn't unusual for me to put in several hours on it at a time. The rooms are all modular, so I'd work on one room at a time. And I have to admit...I've NOT done another project with plastic canvas since that time. I think I got my fill with this creation. hee, hee.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have had a "love"ly day!

Jeanne

Paper Pierced Cards

Happy Valentine's Day! I have been able to do something I really love...make cards! LOL

The other day I received the templates I'd ordered from "across the pond" and have been itching to play with them. Today was the day! I bought three, but only used two of them today. I am really happy with how they came out.

The template for this first card (I made it pretty large so hopefully you can see the details better) comes as a half circle. You flip it to do the second half. It has the areas for embossing and for paper piercing and comes with the scalloped edge as well. The type or name of the template is Brodery and you can see the template here. This isn't where I bought the template, but this company sells it, too. In the book I used by Patricia Wing, her sample uses pressed flowers in the center. I don't have any of those, but I had picked up these pendants from Michaels not too long ago with the hopes of being able to incorporate them onto a card. The package comes with 4 and I just snipped the part off where you would add a chain. The metal is fairly thin so it wasn't difficult. I added gold rhinestone stickers and then decided to run the Vintage dies with the Cuttlebug for the corners. The pieces around the gold center are the punch-outs from the die. This card is 6x6 in size. Not my usual size, but it works for this card.

I used textured Barn Red cardstock as well as Vanilla Cream (both CTMH). I also sponged ink around the edges, using Barn Red and Parchment (figuring Parchment would show up more than Vanilla Cream).

All in all I am thrilled with the final result.

I used another sample in the book for this next card. I'd ordered the template she used, but apparently it's discontinued. Pat sent me a comparable template and even included a sample she made so I could see how well it coordinated. Pretty impressive, I think. I've just tried googling to find the template, but have been unsuccessful.

This card is 4 1/4 inch square. Again, not my normal size, but this one will fit in a standard envelope at least...should I decide to give it away, that is. LOL

I used an EK Success corner punch (not sure of the name, though) and I punched the same image out several times using the different colors of cardstock. I then filled in the spaces with the punched out pieces. I used my Quickie Glue Pen to do this...it's small enough to fit in the tight spaces. The colors used are from CTMH: Barn Red, Garden Green and Honey. I punched a small daisy for the center and adhered a jewel from Hobby Lobby on it. I used more of those little gold rhinestones from Michaels and then added some Stickles to give a little sparkle. I like the country vibe I get from this card.

I have one more card that I made, but because it's very different from these, I'll post it separately.

Thanks for visiting. Check for the next post soon.

Jeanne

Barbie's House...Warning...Long...Lots of Pictures!

Happy Friday to you! Ever since I mentioned to Jessica the Barbie sized dollhouse I made, she's been asking me when I was going to find it and set it up. It was out in our shed and I wasn't sure just where Steve stored all the pieces. Today I decided to bite the bullet and drag it out. WOW, did it bring back memories.

ETA: Link to pattern book

I did a Google Search and found the book I used to make this house, just in case anyone was interested.

First off, this is my first ever attempt at working with plastic canvas. How's that for undertaking a huge task? LOL I actually got the base done in 1993, and was working on it when I met Steve. I remember show him the plans for it and him saying something like...I'll bet I could wire it for lights (he's an electrical engineer). This was when we first met and started dating. My thought was...how do you know we are going to be seeing each other that long? LOL How many years later is it? And no the house was never wired for lights. Maybe now he'll think about doing it.

I didn't have a whole lot of time to work on creating the house in 1993, you know with those things called working and dating taking up my time? Anyway, flash forward to August, 1994, well...more like the Fall of '94. I had moved to Colorado...my mom had died. I'd returned from CA after helping my dad out. I didn't have a job and didn't really know anyone but Steve. I was new to subbing and not getting a lot of calls. I had a lot of time on my hands. So, creating the house became my therapy in dealing with all the huge changes going on at that time. Each room/area was done in sections. There are eight of them. When you break it down like that it doesn't seem so daunting!

So anyway, enough chatter...I set it up this morning and thought I'd share it.

Welcome to the Barbie house. I'm not going to enlarge them, since I took a lot of pictures. You can click on it to see it larger, if you want.

This is the exterior of the house. I've put a Barbie doll there to give you more perspective. I think you can see the sections/rooms. I thought the detail of adding the chimney on the outside was very cool.

Here we have the hallway...complete with a Grandfather clock and carpet on the stairs. The doll can walk from the bedroom across the hall on top to the bathroom.

This is the living room.All that you see in here with the exception of a few accessories is handmade...the doors on the hutch open! I think I need to start shopping for some more accessories to complete the interior, don't you? LOL Oops, the picture fell off the wall...need to fix that!

Barbie's kitchen comes complete with a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, trash compacter and table. All the doors open here! Sorry about the doll's hair...Amy gave her a haircut at some point...I think EVERY little girl has done that to a doll or two! That doll and outfit are mine from my childhood.

Obviously, this is the bedroom. Jessica said Barbie was going to bed while she was at school. The dress is one of mine from childhood.  I took two shots so you can see the vanity. Those drawers in the chest of drawers...they open, as does the closet. There's even a bar for hanging up clothes in there. LOL

And every house needs a bathroom, right? I had a baggie of accessories that go with the house, but some of them got lost, I think. There's a tube of toothpaste and some floss on the counter. I used to have a little "Playboy" tucked by the toilet, to humor Steve who thought that was hysterical. Maybe it's a good thing the girls won't see that. LOL The faucets are the bendy straws and beads.

There's even a small attic. I had a trunk for it, but it wasn't in with the rest of the house. I'm sure it has to be in the shed somewhere, but it'd be like looking for a needle in a haystack!

I made this way before the girls came along. I just thought it was really neat when I saw the book that had the instructions...which I still have somewhere...I didn't come up with this on my own. You all think I'm so creative...well if copying others' stuff is creative, in some way maybe I am. I don't come up with ideas on my own. I do know I can follow directions pretty well. That's about it.

I can and will say I am very proud of this house and am very glad I have girls so it can be put to some use...other than as a place for the cat to park herself (which she used to do when I had it on display years ago...she'd curl up in the living room or the kitchen area). LOL I bought a folding table to set it on and it used to be in the corner where this computer that I am typing on currently resides.

Thanks for coming along on the tour. Amy has no clue I pulled this out...she's gonna be surprised after school today! hee, hee.

Oh, the van is fine. It was done when I called. They were just really busy and hadn't called to let me know yet. Yea! No more brake light coming on.

One more thing...the girls have their Valentine's parties today. They wanted store-bought ones, so that made things a little easier on me. But get this...Amy just wanted me to drop her off. She didn't think I needed to come to the actual party this morning. Sniff, sniff...she's growing up! Actually, I'm okay with it...I know there were times when I would rather NOT have my mom around, too. It's all good. She needs to feel independent. I'm going to Jessica's though. Hers is at the end of the day. Speaking of which, I'd better sign off so I can finish up what I need to before heading out.

Hope you have a great day!

Jeanne