End of 2014

I can't believe it!  Another year has gone by!  2015 is just a fews days away. I look back at this past year and WOW!  So much has happened. My sister got married, I've started a new schedule at work, I created a Facebook craft page Just A Craftin' by Freddie, and most of all I got to enjoy more crafting. This crafting season is the best to date. I had several successful craft shows and met some amazing people. Here are a few of the projects I had at my last show. The feedback this year has been amazing. I'm truly grateful and blessed by all your kind words. I have the best support system. My family and friends just keep encouraging me along. I'm already in the process of getting ready for next year. I've gotten several special orders in for the new year. I can't wait to show you the new items I have rolling around in my crazy head. Lol!  I want to thank all of you too. Thank you for continuing to visit my blog. I've also told myself I need to do a better job at blogging and I'm really going to work on it. I want to wish you all the best 2015 and please come back to visit. 

Sorry, Sorry but Thank You!

Sorry I've been away for so long but it has been for a good reason. I was busy getting ready for a craft show which I have to tell you was amazing!  I can't thank everyone enough who has supported and been there for me during this great craft season. I've got one more show possibly two and I'm basically out of product. What an amazing problem to have!  I'm back in the craft studio making up some new projects. Here is just a few samples of what I had on Saturday and also a picture of my booth. Well I guess back to crafting but I had to say thank you!  I'll be back soon!  

Gearing up ATC Swap

Welcome back!  Having so much fun with Krazy Island Studios. I've decided to do another ATC swap with them. For this swap the theme was Halloween, and I've had a blast creating my cards. I sometimes love not knowing how my cards will come out and that's exactly what happened here. I just went for it. Using acrylic paints, distress inks and stamps I created these cool cards. I love them!  Getting ready to mail them out. I can't wait to see everyone else's creations. Thanks for stopping by!  I'm heading to the studio so come back soon to see some great projects. 

Halloween Projects

These are some fun projects I've been working on. The first one is the ever popular candy bar sliders. These are so much fun to make and the ideas are endless. They make great treats for those trick or treaters out there. I've sold several for teacher's gifts also. Second project is just fun!  It's a witch's hat center piece. I always have so much fun making these. The flowers on the hat are made plastic spoons and aluminum cans. I used some fun embellishments to finish this up. Well I'm headed back to the studio so more projects to come soon. Thanks for stopping by!!  

New Mixed Media Projects

Okay...okay my mixed media obsession continues. Here are two more pieces. First one is probably become one of my popular projects. Everybody wants a sugar skull!  It was awesome to use up those small scraps of card stock. My second piece is one of my favorites. Using a Prima stamp along with chipboard from my favorite line Maya Road to create this one of a kind piece. Both of these pieces were so much fun to create because once again I got my hands dirty.  Thanks again for stopping by!  Till next time!  

First Craft Show of 2014

Hello!  I've been busy. Yesterday I went to my first craft show of the season. It was at Texas Tech School of Pharmacy. It was great. Met some great vendors and awesome customers. I got some great feedback. I was told they could see my passion in my pieces. I couldn't ask for a better compliment. I even teared up a few times. People telling me how proud they were of me!  It was just awesome. I had a great day!  Well back to work!  Till next time!  

Witch's Hat

Welcome back!!  It's October!!  I'm getting ready for a craft show this weekend and this is one of the items I'm taking. It's my witch's hat centerpiece. I made these one of a kind flowers to bring the hat to life. One flower made from plastic spoons and the other made from coke cans. I also heat embossed the entire hat with clear enamel and it has the most awesome texture. I love creating these one of a kind pieces. I hope it finds a great home. Come back I have more awesome projects coming!  

Back from the Fair

Super excited!  I did well at the fair. I won a rainbow of ribbons. Lots of people think I should have done better but in the end I think I did great. Since entering items in the fair I can say all my projects have always come home with ribbons, this year was no different. This time of year just gets me geared up for lots of crafting time. Lots of new projects coming!  Thanks for stopping by!  Till next time!  

Off To The Fair

It's that time of year again!  Fair time!  I took my entries down on Wednesday and was nervous and excited all at the same time. I decided to enter four items this year. First is my decorated picture frame. I layered with a piece of aluminum foil, used H2O's to paint and a daisy stamp. It looked great. Second is my greeting card, I used my flower making magic to make the card come alive. Third is my single page scrapbook layout, I have gotten away from scrapbooking but felt my roots pulling me back. Of course I couldn't do a simple layout, I jazzed this one up with all kinds of mixed media. It came out perfect! Last is my recycled detergent bottle turned into a birdhouse. This was getting lots of attention when I left. It's a one of a kind. Love it!  I can't wait to go out and see how I did. It's always fun to go out and see everyone's amazing work. There is lots of talent out there. Thanks for stopping by!  Till next time!  

Back a To School

Welcome back everybody!! Well today's blog post is something special. It's back to school week here in Amarillo and you know what that means....back to school pics on Facebook. Lol!  I do love seeing all your precious angels but an amazing idea came to mind. What are the parents feeling? So...I created a challenge on Facebook asking the parents to turn the camera on themselves. I wanted to see how they were feeling about the kids going back to school. The replies were amazing. Everybody really started having fun with this challenge. I offered a free 12 x 12 layout to the top five vote getters. Here are a few of the winners. As I finish their layouts I will post those pics. I want to thank everybody that participated. It was a blast to host. I can't wait to figure out what my next challenge will be. Thanks for stopping by!  Come back soon!  

Krazy Island Studios ATC Swap

Welcome back!  Well this is something new for me. Along with my friend Prissy we joined in on the fun with Krazy Island Studios. I don't know why but this was both a nerve racking and exciting group to join. I still have some problems sharing my projects with people especially those I don't know. I guess I still fear the judgement of my work. I still wonder if it's good enough. I know I'm harder on me than anyone else but still scares me to wonder what a stranger thinks of my projects. One great thing about this event is it is made up of artist and crafters of all levels. I stepped outside my box and told myself just to have fun. I've got some feedback from some members and they all have been so kind. Guess I didn't have anything to worry about. They separated us into groups of five and you mail an ATC to each member of your group. These are cards I mailed out using the theme Summer Lovin'. I used a stamped image from Bombshell Stamps. Thought she was the perfect image to reflect our Texas flair. Background on cards made using my gelli plate, it was my first attempt at doing this and overall I was very pleased. I definitely want to try this again. Now I can sit make and wait for my ATC cards to start coming in. I can't wait to see what my other members have to share. Thanks for stopping by!  Please come back by and check out more of my projects. 

She Takes My Breathe Away

Hey everybody!!  This is the latest canvas piece. I absolutely love the way it came out. Mixed media is my obsession. I did go outside my box a little on this piece. First I cut this image from a magazine to use as a template for my piece. I create this pleated skirt which is a new technique for me, and I can't believe how real the dress looks. The biggest challenge was I actually drew my own hair!  I've been practicing and I think, I hope I'm improving. Lol!  This piece means a lot to mean since I did try so many new techniques. It so great when you see yourself progressing in your craft. I'm getting the title artist and that's still hard to hear sometimes, but also very heart warming. I'm getting some great feedback on this piece. Please leave a comment. I love to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by!  Till next time. 

BFF Shadow Box

Good morning!  Welcome back!  This was a special order project. Emily is a nurse that works with me at my full time job. She recently found out her husband got a promotion at his job and they are having to move. She ordered this frame for her BFF. Emily has really liked the look of my mixed media projects so I knew this would be included on this order for sure. Looking through the pics I could tell they loved to just have a good time. I wanted this to come out in this project. I included all hand made flowers, some great items from Maya Road and some tiny tidbits of mixed media with stamps, metal and modeling paste. I really never have a clear idea of how these are going to come together. These shadow boxes just seem to take on a life of their own. This is the reason they are some of my favorite projects. Emily told me her friend loved it which made my day. Here's to wishing the best of luck to Emily and her family in their next adventure!  Thanks for stopping by!  Till next time!  

Prissy comes to visit and we swap ideas

Welcome back everybody!  Here are just some things that came out of the craft studio. Prissy came into town and we decided to spend one day in the studio. We had so much fun and Prissy shared lots of creative info with me. It was blast! We decided to do an on the spot swap. We each took a 5x7 cardboard canvas and just played. I created the top canvas with my new Dyan Reaveley stamp and I absolutely love it. Prissy did some amazing work too. I love all the shading, and my favorite part is how she altered the vine stamp. She is a true artist in her own right. I proudly have her piece on display in my craft studio. It now helps to get my creative juices flowing. Definitely stay tuned because I have some fun projects coming up. 

Traveling Art Journals

I'm so excited to show this project!  My awesome friend Prissy came up with the best idea!  She was really interested into checking into doing some project swaps with different art groups but didn't know if she was disciplined enough to really do it. I told her I had been wondering the same thing about myself because I to had been checking out groups. Great minds think alike....lol!  So....she came up with the idea of us swapping traveling journals with each other just to see if we could really do it. She started us off by creating her journal then mailing hers and my empty journal for my turn. What great fun!  I created my cover and first inside page then I designed a page in her book. She came into town this past week and I was able to give them to her. We got so excited we have now signed up for our first ATC swap. Our journals have traveled back to Prissy's. I can't wait to see what she comes up with. We both know we are going to have a book full of treasures when we are done. I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else. I call her my mentor and craft goddess...lol!  She always teaches me so much and gets my creative juices flowing. Stay tuned to see book evolve!  Thanks for stopping by!  Till next time!  

HoneyHouse canvas

I created this one of a kind canvas piece for my friends who just released their fourth CD. The group is called HoneyHouse and they are a fabulous group of ladies with a true talent. If you haven't heard them please check them out. They sing from the soul and I think that's what touches me artistically. This quote can be found on the inside jacket of the new CD. I always find it crazy how I can see something and instantly the picture pops in my head. That is what happened here. I'm trying to challenge myself more by doing some sketching which I did on the background. I also drew hair for the first time and am amazed it came out ok. I gave this girl some Texas hair....big!  Lol!  I presented this to the group at their CD release party and they loved it. There was tears and lots of hugs. I'm so glad this came together like it looked in my head. I have more projects coming. Thanks for coming by!  

Family Mixed Media Canvas Piece

Welcome back!!  Here is another 12 x 12 canvas piece. I've had this idea in my head for awhile. This piece made with acrylic paints and paper. I enjoyed creating all the little details. The more I kept thinking I was done, the more I kept adding. This is a messy process but that's what makes it fun. It came out way better than I thought. I'm taking this to be sold in a local gift shop. They have been buying from me for a little over a year and have been really supportive, but the best things is they have had an easy time selling my items. Mixed media is definitely an obsession, I can't seem to get enough. I have several more pieces in the process. I can't wait to show you. Come back soon!  

Invitation Season

It's always fun this time because the order for invitations come rolling in. Orders will vary from wedding to baby showers. This current order was for wedding reception invitations. I think personalized invitations just give it that special touch. I definitely have to thank everyone who has placed orders. I appreciate everyone's support. Well onto the next order....

Father's Day Cards

As you can see it was a very busy Father's Day season. I appreciate all the orders. I was able to just play and create. I gathered a few details from my customers and created these all one of a kind cards. Everyone loved their cards, and I even had a few dads come up to me a few days later and say they thought their cards rocked. I love the fact that when I take orders for cards people will ask for everything from basic to mixed media. Gives me lots of playing ground. I'm so lucky!  The wheels are spinning for the next project. Thanks again everyone for stopping by!!  Till next time!  

Recipe Book

I pulled this project together from a class I took several years ago. Like a lot of you I've taken classes then never finish the project. I had a friend asking for a recipe book she wanted to give as a graduation present. I saw this unfinished item and knew it would be perfect, so I just revamped it a little and put some of my personal touches on it and it came out awesome. I thought it was a coincidence that I had these recipe cards and they match the paper perfectly. My friend thought it came out awesome and she couldn't wait to fill it with her yummy recipes. Very happy with this project!  Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to leave a comment. 

Mother's Day Cards

Happy Mother's Day!!  It's been a busy season as you can see!  I received quite a few orders for cards. I got to create some really fun cards. I think I can say most people know me for my flowers which is shown on these cards. I also got to play with my mixed media obsession. My favorite of course is the card I made for my mom. It's the mixed media card with all the hearts. I've titled this card "Her Love Overflows". It fits my mom perfectly. She definitely loves me and my sister through the good and bad. Her love is unconditional. I'm feel so lucky to call her mom!  Thanks for stopping by!  Come back soon more projects to come. 

Mixed Media Canvas Spring

A new canvas piece I just created. Used all my favorite materials paints, mist, metal, modeling paste and paper. I also used some cute bird chip board pieces from Maya Road. I created the tree using my Cricut then covered it using vintage sewing pattern paper. I love all the texture on this piece. It's so hard to focus on one area, it seems like different things keep catching your eye. I'm hoping to show this piece to a local gift shop in hopes that they may want to start carry my pieces. I'm on my way back to my craft studio and begin working on another piece. I'll show it soon. Thanks for stopping by!  

Newest Published Projects

I'm really excited to showcase the two items that scrapbooking.com has chosen to publish for the month of April. First is my floral bouquet which happens to be one of my favorite all time projects and is listed in my personal hall of fame. This project took a lot of time but was so worth it and came out better than I imagined. Second project is a Mother's Day Card which I made for a friend. Like I said in the article this card is mainly made up of scraps. I hate to throw anything away so I love it when I can pull them all together to create something. I'm really excited to be able to showcase these two projects and also to show the my love of crafting. Thanks again everybody for your support and thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment. I love the feedback. 

Bridal Shower Card

This is my latest project. It's a bridal shower card I made for my cousin. It's one of those projects I didn't know how it was going to come together. I found this image on one of my Cricut cartridges and knew I had to use it. I wanted to make her shine so I covered the entire image in glitter. The rest of the card just came to life. My cousin is one of my biggest supporters. I'm so excited for her and her groom David. She's waited a long time to find her one true love.  We all knew he was the one the first time we met him. Together they make the sweetest couple. We all are so excited for her and this new journey she is starting with David. Well back to her invitations. Thanks for stopping by!