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welcom
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I have started this blog to help me get my craft projects out for everyone to see. My crafts are my therapy. I find peace in creating special ideas for friends and family. This is a new adventure for me and I plan on enjoying the ride

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Tags, tags and more tags




Well...the holiday season is here.  I've had a very hard time getting into the spirit.  I fought with myself to finally get the tree up and it took all I had to start my shopping.  I'm usually the first one with my tree up and shopping done throughout the whole year.  I had to have a come to Jesus meeting with myself and remind myself what this season is all about.  Knowing I had to make tags for my gifts was a form of therapy this year.  Making each one I felt alittle bit better about Christmas.  I have so much to be thankful for..things could be better but they also could be so much worse.  I have so many family and friends who have tried to keep my spirits lifted this year.  I know of one thing or one person who could make this all better but I know that this will not happen..he is getting to spend his holidays in heaven...kinda makes me jealous.  I feeling better now and I'm going to try and make the best of this season.  I think everyone will appreciate the effort that went into these tags.  I got a lot of inspiration from Tim Holtz and Lisa Pace this season.  I can honestly say I had fun making these. So....to all my family & friends...I love ya and wish you a blessed holiday season

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Goody Box


Here's the newest item!  I had a friend ask me to help her with a Xmas idea.  She has two nieces and wanted to give them a gift that she hopes would be very special to them.   She wanted them to be able to write down their accomplishments, joys and dreams, and when times get them down to be able to reflect back on the good times.  So....from this thought came the Goody Box.  I used a little cardstock and some metal.  I created a metal pocket for the top of the box holding note cards they can write their thoughts down.  Kelli was overwhelmed with what I came up with...she can't wait to give them each their box...made me happy.  This is really what this holiday season is all about...til next time more projects coming up! 

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Artistic Journey 2010




We are back from Dallas and our Artistic Journey weekend.  It was so much fun and met some great people.  The pics shown are the projects we made over the three day retreat and and a  pic of our wonderful instructors and hostesses.  We learned so much and can not wait to bring this new information back to the Panhandle.  Prissy & I both fell in love with all the Maya Road products.  We placed an order with them yesterday and can't wait to show it off to all the crafters in our area.  Everyday I seem to realize that I feel this is where God is leading me.  I can't seem to get on my hands on enough knowledge and product..LOL!  Can I at some point really make a living at this?...I hope so!  Would be a dream come true.  Prissy thank you so much for another fabulous week and half at Conrad Cottage.  You are such a wonderful friend and will always have a special place in my heart that no one else will every understand.  Your the BEST!!  Now we get to show our BFF that completes our circle, Tammy, all that we learned.  Can't wait for you to show off your skills Tammy...your talent is the ability to visualize a beautiful finished product.  Could not have started this journey without you...and we are not done yet! We are starting to work on some holiday crafts so keep watching the blog for lots of info and gift ideas!!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Learning

Hello to all!! Sorry it has been so long since my last post, but exciting things have been happening and I have been really busy!!  I am currently in Dallas with Prissy and we just finished up a weekend retreat called the Artistic Journey.  It was a blast and we met some great people and made some great projects.  Pictures to come when I get back into town.  Another exciting thing to happen is I got to show my birdhouse to Cheryl from Ten Seconds Studio..she loved it so much she included it on her blog and the response has been overwhelming...I have got a lot of positive feedback.  We are staying in Dallas the remaining of this week to attend another class.  I never get tired of learning new crafting skills.  Please keep flowing the blog to watch the great new items coming out for the holidays!

Monday, September 20, 2010

And the winner is.......

I'm so excited..I decided to enter a few of my items into the fair.  I had never done this before so I thought why not take a chance.  I was really happy to see that my birdhouse won first place.  Just made my trip to the fair even better with the help of a corndog, curly tators, and a candy apple..LOL! My two other items also placed..I took my cross and altered canvas..they each won second.   I'm very pleased.   If you head out to the fair go by and take a took at all the exhibits.  Some amazing talent in our area...til next time

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Altered Canvas

I have been wondering about this for awhile.  I tell you I can't get away from the metal.  I took a piece of canvas and using the Ten Seconds metal embossed it including a quote.  I think this would make great gifts!!  Let me know what you all think..til next time.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Birdhouse

Wow!!  What a project.  This took me five hours to complete but I did have alot of fun. Again...obessed with my metal.  I saw birdhouse at a giftshop yesterday and I thought..I bet I can make that.  Tammy and I went to Hobby Lobby and she got me a bird house.  I'm really excited about how it came out.  Its amazing what you can do with metal...my ideas are endless.  Tammy bought me another project so stay tuned...

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Metal Cross

Working with more metal from Ten Seconds..I can't seem to get enough of this stuff.  I havw been wanting to try this for awhile.  I took different color metals, embossed and distressed each piece.  I'm not one to keep scraps but for this particular project I have been keeping my metal scraps..and boy am I happy I did..I really, really like the way it came out.  This is a perfect gift for any occasion. Let's see what else I can do with this metal...I still have scraps...LOL!   

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Fun with Grunge Board

I saw this idea several months ago using grunge board to make a braclet.  Thought I would give it a try.  I realize today I need to get several more colors of paint.  I was limited on the colors.  I do think this is a great idea and the grunge board really does feel like a piece of leather.  I can't wait to make some in additional colors and variations.  Of course I had to add some bling...thats for you Prissy..LOL!  It was alot of fun to make and may make a great craft class. 

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Storage Box

I dreamed about this box...I had to make it real.  I had this box laying around in my workshop.  Just waiting to be used.  One of my new obsessions is Ten Seconds metal.  I embossed and distress the metal and used it to cover this box.  Colors used were slate and red.  I cut the embellishments in black vinyl.  I added some red, and clear bling to add the treasure chest effect.  I filled it with some embelllishment and set it beside me in my workshop.  I have so many other ideas for this metal...can't wait to try them all out.  Let me know what you think? 

Monday, August 23, 2010

Artistic Journey Tag

I'm so excited.  Prissy and I are taking some classes in Dallas the first of October.  It's called the Artistic Journey.  Hoping to learn all kinds of new stuff and bring back some new ideas for everyone.  They asked everyone taking the class to make a tag which represents yourself.  Within the past year I've been trying to find where I belong. I'm working on it and know following my heart will bring me full circle.  I love my crafts...I can't get enough.  I want to learn more everyday. I have all these ideas in my head...I see these finished projects in my head.  Working on trying to make them real.  I've prayed and asked where God wants me to go..I always end up at my craft table.  What stops me is I get scared..its new.  I guess fear of the unknown.  Can I do this? Will people really like my stuff?  Do I have what it takes?  These are just some of the questions that stop me from completing my circle.  I hope you stick with me and see where this journey goes...til next time!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Request for frames

Well here we have it..a request for frames.  My sister was going to a baby shower and we found out the parents were decorating the nursery in UT Longhorn decor.  They are a very special couple and will make great parents.  According to my sister they thought she bought it and wanted to know where she got it..made me feel good.  It is made up of Longhorn paper and a piece of embossed metal.  I found the longhorn symbols at at UT store in Dallas.  I thought they added a great touch.  The second frame was ordered by my cousin.  She has a new office and wanted to add some special touches.  I laughed..she is going to add a picture of me and her boyfriend in it.  Her frame is made with some Ten Second Studio influence.  I really liked the final outcome.  My cousin is keeping me pretty busy.  She like this frame so much she has asked me to make a door hanging for her office door so that project is to come very soon.  Alot of things in the works and you will be getting a lot of information from me soon.  Stay tuned!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Busy with invitations

I know...I know its been along time...busy summer.  One of my main projects this summer was a request for wedding invitations.  My first order...really excited but didn't know if I really could get out 200 invitations. A dear friend's daughter is getting married and asked if I would make them.  It was kinda tough..I came up with several samples and this is the one chosen by Donna & Brooke.  I started out by making 30 a day so it wasn't so hard on me.  I had my friend Tammy help with the insert card...thanks Tammy!  Next fun part was I got to personally stamp the swirl design on each of the 200 cards...yeah lots of fun...LOL!  Donna was so excited when she came to pick them up...I was happy she was happy..since then I've got another order...I think I'm onto something...will be back soon...exciting info to come!  Stay tuned!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Stationary Box

I received this idea via my email today...told it maybe alittle challenging, and I thought you know what I am up for the challenge today.  This idea is so cool.  The box unfolds and inside are pockets created to hold cards, tags, note cards and scratch pad and stamps.  I didn't find it to hard just very time consuming.  It was fun to make.  I think would make great gifts for teachers and your favorite co-worker.  I like that this idea allows you to add your own flair.  Let me know what you think of the latest idea....

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Ready for Father's Day?

I got some great news..a friend of mine has a friend in the Dallas area opening a new store and she saw my previous frame and asked if it was possible to make up a couple of samples and send them to her.  She is looking for one of kind items to place in her store and she thinks my frames would be a perfect item.  I'm very flattered.  I will keep you updated and let you know if this works out.  I created this frame pending the next holiday celebrating the dad's in our lives.  Very simple but I enjoy all the simple accents.  I found the buttons in a local yard store.  They are made from leather and I think they match perfectly.  Hopefully the ideas just keep coming for these frames.  I also just got an order for 200 wedding invitations so I guess you know what I will be working on...until next time. 

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Decorative Picture Frame

I came across this idea and thought I would put my own spin on it.  I die cutted some flowers out of soda cans and embossed and inked them and then using my faithful Cricut I cut out some varied size butterflies.  I also did alittle stamping on the background paper to give just a little more dimension.  Of course you can add a picture but also think it is great to display your favorite quote or bible verse.  I think this would make a great gift for anyone.  I plan on using it for an up coming birthday gift.  I plan on making some variations of this idea....working on one now for Father's Day.   

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Bridal Shower Gift

Bridal season is definitely here...we have had our share of showers this season.  I'm attending another one this afternoon.  It is for a very special girl.  Lauren holds a special place in my heart so I wanted to create something for her that I hope she will treasure.  I created this personalized canvas piece.  I thought she might like something for her home that she can display and share her faith and the pride she is taking in taking a new last name.  I really like this piece and very easy to create.  Love ya Lauren!  Many, many years of blessing to you! 

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Well......I'm reallllly tired today.  Prissy and I were asked if we would help decorate planter boxes for her grandson's,Tristan, boyscout troupe.  They are holding a fundraiser for a trip to Washington D.C.  When we arrived at the greenhouse we didn't realize we were the decorating committee.  They told us the sky was the limit and we could do anything we wanted on the boxes.  After taking a look at some of the great attempts the boys made at decorating I told Prissy about the idea of adding a metal front.  We ran this though the creatopia machine for embossing and added to the fronts.  We also had seen an idea of using soda cans for flowers...perfect time to try.  We cut up some cans and ran them thru the cuttlebug, embossed a few and I think they added a great accent to the boxes.  After a really long day we finished 26 boxes.  We can't wait to see them put plants in them to see what great gifts this will make for any special mom, aunt, grandmother or another special lady in your life....Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Encouraging words are always so helpful.  I attended several events on Saturday and had a total of five people come up to me and tell me they check my blog daily.  I was so surprised but also felt very blessed.  I wondered if this blog was getting my crafts out there for people to see.  Everyone has such nice things to say about everything I have posted so far.  This gave me the encouragement I needed to get creating some new things.  I did tell everyone I would love to see more comments..the comments keep me pumped.  Keep checking back everybody.  I have a lot more ideas!  Love ya all and thanks again!!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Celebrating my Glamour Tech...matching giftbag and card

I'm celebrating my friend Michelle's birthday....better known to me as my Glamour Tech(taken from the movie Steel Magnolias).  I created this bag and gift card set for her special day.  I love the color combination.  The flowers on the bag are new for me.  I received a tutorial within the last couple of days showing me how to make them out of cardstock.  I had to do the happy dance when they came out looking just like the tutorial.  I was also excited because I got to use all my tools in one way or another..from my cricut, to my cuttlebug and creatopia.  Michelle's a special friend who has always been there for me and I wanted this bag and card set to reflect that.  Happy Birthday Michelle!!  I love ya!!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Travel Album made from Gift Bag

WOW!!!....and wow!!!  We bought this kit while we were visiting the scrapbook store in Witchita Falls.  We have it for a couple of weeks because we got it out to put it together and realized we did not have the instructions.  Prissy got in touch with the instructor Debby Schuh and we got the instructions.  Tammy, Prissy and I each took a look at the instructions and realized this had to be a group project.  So we gathered at my place and starting working.  She has created a unique and fun album.  It has all sorts of pockets made from various envelopes and papers.  The last page is a expandable file which we covered to resemble a suitcase.  Debby alotted 3 hours for her class but it took us alittle longer...we had to take a dinner break...or breakfast break since we had Waffle House for dinner...LOL!  In the end my hobby brought me some great times with some great friends and one fun album..til next time! 

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

It has been a few days since the last blog...okay a few weeks.  I just got back from Dallas and spent a few days with a great friend.  We did some shopping at the scrapbooking stores so I will see what I can come up with.  I plan on working on some projects the rest of the week.  Thanks again Prissy for a great needed break....and everybody stay tuned for new projects. 

Monday, April 5, 2010

Baby Girl Brag Book

I'm so excited!!! One of my favorite projects.  I saw this idea in Dallas while visiting some of the local scrapbook store The Crafty Scraper.  It looked like alot of work...which it was, but I kept going back to it.  My partners in crime(Tammy & Prissy) convinced me I could do this...I'm so glad they have so much more faith in me than I do sometimes.  So I thought you can do this... and I can't believe it!   I think it came out really cute.  I plan on giving as a baby shower gift this weekend to a really special friend for her first grandbaby.  I put quotes on some pages and also left pages blank for photos.  I know nobody else at the party will have a gift like this.  I would have never tried this without the encouragement of my friends....thanks again ladies....you are the best!!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Money Tree

Here is the money tree I made for my stepsister's birthday party.  Hopefully the open spaces will be filled up later today once the guest start arriving.  I found these butterflies at Hobby Lobby and thought they gave the tree some life. 

Friday, April 2, 2010

Okay trying to get back on track...LOL!  Since being back from Dallas my craft room was a mess and I had a hard time getting up the energy to reorganize it.  Well...I did it this morning!  Enough to do a few things.  This is a birthday card I will be using for my stepsister's 40th birthday, she is a Vet so you can see I went with the animal theme.  The most exciting part of this project is I got to use my new creatopia machine.  I finally got in my 12x12 embossing plates so now I'm able to emboss an entire 12x12 page.  After running it through the creatopia I distressed it which I think gave it alittle more dimension.  She also likes beads so I added the small bead accents.  Should be a fun party...poor parentals they have no grandchildren so they are planning a Easter egg hunt for grown ups at this party.  Does that require me to take a basket?...I better check on that..LOL!!  I'm working on a money tree for the event so I will post those pics soon! 

Friday, March 26, 2010

This is the project we created...they titled it "Pennies from Heaven"  It is a book created with lots of pockets, did not know you could fold paper in so many ways, and journal pages.  Our instuctor told us she came up with the idea so whenever she found a penny she would journal what was on her mind at that time.  Great idea I think!  Hopefully I can recreate it for lots of other uses.  Well...I'm putting some finishing touches on some other projects I worked on at Conrad Cottage so those pics are to follow soon.  Have a great Friday everybody!!
Well.... we are home!   We had a great time.  I don't know if anyone else feels this way but its almost strange to be home.  We headed to Prissy's cottage after the workshop. Tammy & I now realize why Prissy likes this house so much.  She has filled it with peace and comfort.  I'm already missing that after realizing today the errands I need to get done now that I'm back in the real world.  I will run away with her anytime...LOL!  Well now back to business.  The next post shows our project we made...so...onto the projects!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Trying to get the creative juices going!  Still in Dallas..we dropped off Tammy at the airport so she could fly home and get back to work...feel sorry for her.  Prissy & I continued on with our adventures alone...we got stuck in 5:00 traffic and we both laughed because I told her we needed to stop drinking our cokes...first for bathroom reasons and second we may be sitting here for hours and may get thirsty so we needed to make them last.  We made it to a couple of craft shops but were alittle disappointed in our finds.  Prissy made the comment it was really odd without our friend Tammy.  We felt like we were missing something and we were...our friend.  We did have a great dinner and enjoyed some quality time.  Prissy and I always have some great talks.  Now we are back at the cottage and I'm trying to get inspired...hopefully by morning some inspiration will take over.  One more day then on our way home.  This trip has been good for me. 

Monday, March 22, 2010

The good times roll......we are still in Dallas.  Had a great time at the workshop(picture to be posted soon).  We have done some shopping and have found a lot of great new ideas.  We have started some of them here but can't wait to get home to really get busy.  Updates coming soon. 

Friday, March 19, 2010

Today is the day.....Prissy, Tammy & I take off for our crafty adventure weekend.  We are staying in Witchita Falls tonight and taking a class in the morning at the scrapbooking store.  Then we are off to Conrad cottage for crafting and memory making.  Will try to keep my blog updated of our current events...good weekend to all!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Mini notebooks.  I've been told this are perfect for your purse or I thought a grea additional to your Easter baskets.  I found these mini notebooks at Michaels and thought they would be great to dress up. 

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

I came up with this special birthday card for a special friend Suzann.  With the help of my cuttlebug and cricut I was able to make this one of a kind card. I also added a little accent by embossing a narrow strip of metal....I think it gives the card alittle bling(that's for you Prissy..LOL!).   I also embossed a liner for my envelope which I have become know for....my family and friends seem to love their cards but always question me if I haven't done something special with the envelope too.  Several of my friends have told me they have saved everything I have ever made them and I think WOW...makes me feel loved.  I'm really LUCKY!  Happy St Patrick's Day!!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Well here they are...my pushers...idea pushers that is.  LOL!  Tammy & Prissy! We are setting up for an adventure this weekend.  We are leaving on Friday for a scrapbooking workshop on Saturday then headed to Conrad Cottage(Prissy's Lakehouse) for a few days of crafting.  I can't wait!  The time I spend with these two is like free therapy.  They let me be me and accept the best and worst of me...true friends. You know you have true friends when you can sit in the living room and go from crying to laughing back to crying then laughing an then say..."okay who's hungry lets go eat."  LOL!   I can't wait to post pictures of our adventures and our creations!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

I know..I know it has been a few days.  Haven't been feeling so well the last couple of days.  Today I woke up and told myself I would make something...maybe it would make me feel better.  I actually woke up thinking about this idea.  I knew I had some spare metal pieces and wondered if I could use it through my cuttlebug and what do you know it worked.  I did not have much metal left so I used it to make this journal.  I think it came out cute and the ideas are endless.  It's amazing what our tools can do when we put them to work. 

Monday, March 8, 2010

This project was inspired by my mom.  She is wanting a small gift to pass out at work to her co-workers for the Easter season.  I saw this on a project sheet at Joann Crafts and used the basic format then decorated to my liking.  I think it came out really cute and will be great for the season.  On to find another project.  I hope to do a couple of layouts soon so you can see I actually do scrapbook too.