Wednesday, July 14, 2010

My First MPTS Challenge!

Now I can see why people say they love challenges...
and how easy it is to become addicted to them!

The July Challenge over on More Paper Than Shoes (MPTS) is
to create a tag using the following guidelines:

-vintage

-use a stamp somewhere on the tag


-make one of the images pop off from the tag


Sooooo...here's what I came up with!


Isn't she bright and cheery?

I decided to go retro with the
vintage children's illustration from Mable Lucie Attwell.

The girl pops off the page and I used my
"antique" typewriter font stamps for the words.

And the little posy is not fabric but ribbon!

There are several challenges going on at the forum, so if you love stretching your creativity, join us here.

Friday, July 9, 2010

I'm on a Design Team!!!!

I am doing the "Happy Dance" and I just had to share
the EXCITING NEWS
because you've all supported me with feedback, suggestions, love and more love!

Anna Fearer, fellow etsian and the guru behind
contacted me last week
and asked if I'd join their brand spanking new forum!

I am so thrilled because I love the look and feel of the forum and it's an opportunity not only to share what I've learned through paper crafting and scrapbooking, but to also learn from some extremely talented artisans!
Each month, I'll be sharing tips on altered art techniques.

In addition to altered art, there are scrapbooking, card-making, paper-piecing, and mixed media teams;
AND
ChAlLeNgEs, member showcases,GiVeAwAyS, blog candy, and InTeRaCtIvE FuN.
So, what are you waiting for??? Join us here and show off your latest creations!
Find us on fb here.

Monday, June 21, 2010

EtsyMom Monday Cupcake Freak

Yeah!!! It's EtsyMom Monday!


I dedicate each Monday to all the fabulous EtsyMom creations I've found during the week so I can show off their often one-of-a-kind, beautiful and eco-friendly work and give you great gift ideas.

If you didn't already know it, I am a total Cupcake FREAK!!! For special occasions, I do cupcakes, not cake. Unless of course it's for hubby. I love lemon, chocolate, strawberry...



So this week's feature is, yes, you guessed it!



This Pretty at the Party Blank Notecard from HappyDayStudios makes me want a cupcake right now!




iecreations can dress up any cupcakewith these beautiful
Butterfly Bloomers Holders.



And Kute Klipboards by Amy always has a sweet clipboard to suit any occasion and her Cupcake Vintage Inspired Clipboard is no exception!




This Cutesy Cupcake Clip by Lexi Lou Design U Love
is such a sweet and creative use of ribbon!


Which cupcake is your fave???

Saturday, June 12, 2010

For Dad with Love from the NCTriangle Team

Today is a special Father's Day feature
with great ideas if you're still looking for a one-of-a-kind handcrafted gift
for that special father in your life.

The talented Etsians residing in and around the NC Triangle area have just what you need:

What could be better for the golfer in your life than
these Golf Ball Soaps by
KarensSoaps ?
Made with a gentle natural soap base, they are so realistic-looking it's hard to believe they're soap!




For the die-hard Blue Devil fans in your life,

this set of

4 Krzyzewskiville Cards from OrangeCatArt is perfect!


Oh my goodness, FancythatCookies has

tasty treats for your sweets!

These dark chocolate brownies, are filled with creamy chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts in each bite.

I love a chunky bracelet on my hubby and this Chainmaille Bracelet in Stainless Steel for Him from NewByzantiumDesigns is no exception!

This Byzantine Weave piece is fashioned out of heavy gauge, stainless steel,
square wire jump rings.


Shopping for a antique car aficionado? Then you'll love this

Vintage Car - 8x10 Original Fine Art Metallic Print Chevy Bel Air

from HopePhotoArt.
Happy Shopping!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

EtsyMom Monday ~ For Dad with Love

Yeah!!! EtsyMom Mondays are back in full effect!
I dedicate each Monday to all the fabulous EtsyMom creations I've found during the week so I can show off their often one-of-a-kind, beautiful and eco-friendly work!

If you're still looking that Perfect Gift for that special father in your life,
the talented etsians who are also dedicated mommies have just what you need (Be sure to check ordering deadlines to ensure timely delivery):

With Father's Day right around the corner, this
Patchouli Natural Perfume by AquarianBath is perfect for your scent-wearing man! Don't the ingredients like high-quality, aged Patchouli essential oil and golden joboba oil, lightly tinted with cocoa powder sound divine?



Give a gift with a personalized touch; I love the manly look of this
Custom handstamped keychain by
sugarsalt!





This Black Amber Musk Handmade Soap from peapodcrafts is a warm blend of black amber, clove and nutmeg, it's perfect for men and women alike, so if hubby doesn't like it then you can use it!



meandmatilda will have your man styling at the next formal affair with her Black Freestyle Bowtie in black Dupioni Silk.

Friday, May 28, 2010

DIY Teacher Gift - Altered Mini Clipboard

I love to give teachers a little something at the end of the year to show them
how much I appreciate the way in which they educate and nurture my Wee Ones.


This year I opted to alter mini clipboards that I found at the dollar store, so they fit in well with our family goal of operating on a leaner budget this year *smiles*.


To make covering the board easier,
try to find ones where the "clip" screws on and off.
I did not, so I had to be creative
by cutting pieces of paper to fit around the clip.


This is an excellent way to use up those paper scraps and left-over embellies
I know you have laying around.
Or switch it up and use fabric instead.


The bad news is that my camera is kaput so I don't have many pics to share but
I did snap some of the finished clipboards with my beloved phone.


Have fun customizing the clipboard to the teacher's tastes or personalize it with an initial.

Soften up all that metal with dimensional chipboard accents

or handmade flower posies and tied ribbon.

Pull out your craft punches and add some dimensional paper accents like the smaller butterflies.


Your store might even have the covered clipboards, like the one on the left (below).
I just cut a rectangular-sized piece of coordinating paper,
adhered it to the board and finished up with layered flowers, a little bling, paper punched butterflies and a ribbon tied cardstock initial.
Or, try themes, like the recipe clipboard on the right.
And don't forget ribbon always makes a pretty accent.
Here are the quick and easy directions to cover your own board:
Supplies:
Full size or mini clipboard
Pencil
Scissors
Mod Podge, glue stick or other adhesive
Sponge brush for mod podge
Scrapbook Paper
Embellishments
1. Unscrew clip from the board. (If you can't find ones that unscrew then paint that part of the clipboard or cut coordinating paper to fit).
2. Trace outline of board onto paper twice (for front and back)
3. Cut paper.
4. Use your favorite adhesive, gluestick, mod podge (I used my Xyron) and adhere papers.
5. Trim any excess paper and then sand the edges. Ink the edges is so desired(Remember to replace the clip!)
6. If you'd like your clipboard to have a little sheen, add a sealant such as mod podge and let dry.
7. Grab your embellishments and make your clipboard pop!
Tell your teacher the boards can be used for displaying pictures, notes, holding coupons, or recipe cards or as a decorative piece!

Blog Hop and Win a Sweet Prize!

Do you love discovering NeW, cRaFtY, InSpIrInG blogs?


What about a chance to win a Free Crafty Prize?

Well, then run, I mean HOP on over to Scrapbook Royalty here for all of the details on entering the Blog Hop and the chance to win some fantastic blog candy.


Here is a sneak peek at some of the prizes:


What a Sweet Stitched Bag!


This stash of scrapbooking goodies includes Cosmo Cricket, one of my faves!



Happy blog hopping!