Shabby Miss Jenn

Working on Blog redesign Hack using
Shabby Miss Jenn's
Love Birds

I was first hooked with Football Fumble. Now I am totally addicted to all her AWESOME DIGIness.

Friend her on Facebook for a FREEBIE plus discount on St. Patrick's Day Kit.

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

This and That

Be sure and check out the post below see if you are creating cards with a professional look.

There will be another chance to get your hands on some of my creations. The demand was so high on Sunday my stash was depleted. More card creations will be available Sunday March 6th During Fellowship Time. All sales support the Calvary HS Youth retreat.

Michael's 40% coupon for the week. Remember to sign up for their emails and get the coupon coming right to your inbox. They will soon be ceasing the newspaper coupon.

The new line from My Minds Eye Stella and Rose is just YUMMY! I would suggest you go out and purchase some paper treats. Poor Hattie did not make it through the weekend before being exhausted.


Circus Digital stamps from Sweet and Sassy Stamps.

Scrapbook Max has an adorable Cameo digital download. I love the rich colors and the elements in this kit. Days Gone By

Book I am reading Philip Yancey What Good is God?

Have a Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

Start with the Best Before you do the Rest

I see it all the time, the frustration it brings to me is mind boggling. Please if you make card creations these basic steps are a MUST DO! I have hosted and participated in numerous swaps. I have stopped for a few reasons however, the top reason is quality.

Here are my tips...

1) Cut your Cardstock straight using a good trimmer.




Paper trimmers are compared here.
My favorite is this one. Easy to line up and your paper does not slip around. The bar and your pressure is holding it in place.
Original Fiscars Rotary

2) Scor your card base before you fold. This will give you a crisp line for your cardstock to fold into.




3) Fold using the scor tool working from the bottom edge to the top. This gives you a perfect edge card base! No more miss matched ends or sides.



I purchased the Original scor pal years ago. Since Martha has come out with an improved version. I have not taken the bite yet. However, it is really tempting.
Martha Steward Scor Board you can see it here.

Here is the difference side by side. Now you know what I am talking about! The photo on the left has a professional look. On the other hand the right card base has wrinkles and cracks and does not have matching edges.

So if you are a seasoned pro or just starting out these two basic tools are a must.

Have a Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

PTI Blog Hop...Scallops

From Nichole:

"Sensational Scallops!

This month we decided to dedicate the Blog Hop to scallops! We want to see your best use of scallops,
of any sort, on a project! This can include scalloped borders, offset-scallops, stamped scallops,
scalloped mats, scalloped frames, layered scallops, scalloped tags or anything else you can dream up!
You can use dies, patterned scissors or even circle punches in a row to achieve your special look. We
are looking forward to seeing all of your amazing creations!"



For my creation I used SU scallop border punch along with a scallop Paper Doily from Wilton...


All Products used Papertrey Ink except for...
Wilton Doily
Nestabilites
Little Yellow Bicycle
Wire
SU Scallop Border Punch

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

Wild Lime Oasis

Since I have an abundance of scrapping and card making supplies I decided to sink some MOOLAH into DRESSING up my creative space. It is my own creative style you can't really put it into just one class of design. Our home is old and I do like the old school shabby style. However, I am also a HUGE fan of graphic patterns the use of bold color. So here I have balanced a combination of styles to make a space where I can be calm and creative at the same time. My Wild Lime Oasis. Did I just say that? Is it even possible to be calm and creative at the same time? We shall find out.

Below is the view from my desk...


Here is the rundown on these cool chairs.
Love this chair as much as I do? You can purchase it here.



The Zebra print used here is not BW actually is Black and Cream. This along with the round back and curvature of the arms tones down the normal in your face graphic style just enough to work in this situation. Also blends down to the floor rug that is light sand in color.


These lime and cream pillows are just plain cool. They remind me of East India in feel with the pattern of the fabric. They could even be classified as a mod print.

Below I bundled up three Mennonite Hymnals with PTI Chartreuse Ribbon. I topped off the stack with an old pair of my glasses. They too are animalistic in feel. They have little cutouts on the rims to resemble cat eyes and on the inside of the frame there is a graphic BW skin print. They are stacked on a tufted leather ottoman with space for storage inside.


Cant forget this beauty from the CHA trade show for Cosmo Cricket.


Here is my version of the Metal Dress Form with a butterfly flower flourish.


I moved her to the kitchen to get a contrast background color to show off her stylish beauty. The swirls, the beading and asymmetrical structure. YUMMY! GRACEFUL! BLISS!


I have also purchased a black trifold screen. AHH. Block of the washer and hamper, out of sight out of mind.

Here is a view looking in from the new kitchen. Yes, that is DH on his stinking FARM TOWN. I have earphones so I don't have to listen to his excessive clicking. UGH! GRR! I have said it before thanks to the creator of the Farm Town APP. NOT!


DH still has some "bones" work to complete in this room (the OLD kitchen). Drywall, paint and ceiling. Everything is portable so when he is ready it can be scooted out of his way.



Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

IC Holiday Card Challenge

I know just last week I put away all my Winter Holiday Goodies just to dig them back out again for this challenge. It is great to do this if you complete the year of challenges you will have 12 Christmas cards ready to go...no more last minute scurrying to finish up.

You can find the challenge here. Banu has created a wonderful sketch...come join in on the fun;)



Here is my interpretation of the sketch. A bit outside the box thinking, not that unusual for me;) The gingerbread represent the top panel layer. (Yep. You got it the bow in the hair...)



Did you notice the background of this pic? I am going to reveal our latest project on Thursday you don't want to miss this one it is WILD;)


All Products used are Papertrey ink except
SU oval punch
Bo Bunny Bling
White Jelly Roll pen
dimensional dots

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

Staycation with Inspired Crafters

Ramada Sioux Falls SD AKA...Our other HOME, the PIRATE SHIP. Jessica loves this place. Okay, we all do. Before it changed to the Ramada it was the Holiday Inn. My Sister was working with banquets and when she needed help she would call me. Banquets okay. Working the Comedy club as a waitress not okay. Seriously, I was not enough of a consumer to do the proper job and I disliked it very much. It was fun in other ways that were not work related and way more fun today as the Ramada;)

Anywho, with the front moving in for the weekend we decided not to travel and just spent a couple days in Sioux Falls at OUR OTHER HOME.

This is the scrapbook sketch challenge over on Inspired Crafters. Click on it and come play along with us.


My take on the sketch. DH can't take a good photo to save his life he always has to be goofy when the camera comes out. Now he has taught the girls to do the same thing. ACK!! They do it just to make me squirm and I know it. I will be uploading the pics to facebook you can see the crazies up close. LOL!





Sorry the pics stink today. I am in "nerd" mode so Donna says. I have been tossing around a switch to Mac for a couple of months. I think I have finally decided to make the switch. I think? I might just keep Microsoft for Online Blog and creative work and transfer media files to the ipad and save some green in the process by not repurchasing or upgrading my major software and cameras. Photoshop alone would be killer.


Product list...
My Minds Eye DP
Cricut Expression
Cricut Cindy Loo
Cricut Every Day Paper Dolls
Bling
Dimensional dots
marvy scallop punch
computer and printer for journaling
SU boho flower punch
MS border punch

Have a Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

The Picnic Blues

I have been having fun with Copics as of late. Played around with the Blue hues for this one.



Product list...
PTI Vintage Picnic stamp set, cardstock, impression plate, buttons, twine
MS Border punch
Rick Rack (unknown)
Denim Jeans Scraps
Tim Holtz Distress ink
marvy scallop oval punch
dimensional dots
Glue Dots

Have a question for you...anyone purchase PTI's new doily dies? When I looked I saw some gizmo's to aid the process I thought...OMGoodness these must be difficult to get a good cut when tools and shims are also sold. Any truth to that, what have you heard about them? You can see what I am talking about at this link...Doily dies


Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

Blooming Button Thinking about you

This is one of my favorite creations of late. During the NFL playoff games I made up A BUNCH of these babies. Kick back watch some football and create flowers. My kind of relaxing indeed.



Product list...
Papertrey Ink blooming button bits, cardstock, buttons, twine and ink
SU ribbon and scallop border punch
DP Thrift Shop October Afternoon
Rolled Fabric Flower
Marvy Circle Punch


Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

Blooming Baskets of Thanks

Oops, we forgot to take in our solar lights before winter. One of them thawed this week..funny to see one little light shining in the dark. Talk about reality shining in yo face;)

One more funny little glimpse of life this week. On the ride home from Sioux Falls yesterday we passed a single cow standing on top of a heap. Not sure if the heap was you know or hay etc. But one single cow, no others around was on top of the world. OMGoodness, God is hilarious. I could not stop laughing. Donna totally did not get why I found it to be so funny. Seriously?!

Here is a springy card creation for you it is shining on top of the world. LOL!



Product list...
PTI Vintage Picnic stamp set and ribbon
Recollections Butterfly
marvy scallop oval punch
Memento Tuxedo black ink
Copic markers
DCWV DP

Happy Stamp Day. God bless.

The Lord Has Risen with ODBD

I am playing with everything I have that is not WINTER themed. I love the set I pulled out from Our Daily Bread Designs called The Lord Has Risen.

Easter is my favorite Christian holiday how much better can it be that the Lord has Risen from the Dead so You and I will never Die. So You and I can live with him forever. "I am the resurrection and the Life" Jesus says, "He who believes in me shall live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

The last Easter my Mom spent on Earth she was heartbroken to the fact the Dr. would not release her from the Hospital to attend Easter Services. My Cousin came and sung some of her favorite songs to her instead. How nice was that? She loved it;)

Product list
Our Daily Bread Designs stamp set The Lord Is Risen
Recollections Flowers
SU ribbon and cardstock
Copic Markers and airbrush system
Prima Pearl Swirls
Nestabilities ovals and shapeabilities Cross Collection
Dimensional Dots

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

Rolled Flower Frame

This little gem will be going up in my craft studio as soon as DH finishes the drywall and painting. I also have a huge project in the making for this area of the house. So ready to have this cracker jack box finished and all the tools and junk in general out of here.

Ann has a great tutorial for these Here.
Product list...
Wood Frame
Cosmo Cricket DP Earth Love
scallop circle punches
circle punches
some extra wall paint
Glue Dots

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

Happy LOVE Day

Don't you think everyday should be a love day? I think so. Anything for more chocolate;)

No stamping on this creation today all created with DP from Cosmo Cricket Ever after



Product list...
Cosmo Cricket Ever After
SU Ribbon
PTI Cardstock

My back got the best of me again yesterday. Headed back to bed with my friend the heat pad.


Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

Graceful Monsters

I just started reading this book on Saturday. Did not make it very far and I was left going OMGoodness what have I gotten myself into now? Seriously?!

This is my belief...everyone is on the same playing field. God is God. Everything comes through him. Pastors are just people and they make HUGE mistakes. Yes, I am one of the first to point them out. My Dad laughs at me saying, "people don't like being put down a notch especially pastors". Well too bad! Pastors are far from perfect. Churches are far from perfect. Both are lacking in Grace. This I agree with Yancey on. Doctors are on the same playing field. They are skilled. However, they are not God.

Truly this year I am on a search for Grace. My friends say I have it and show it openly? Remember they are talking about me here. Seriously?!

I play Chris Tomlin All the time my favorite being Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone. DH says why do you want to listen to funeral music? I beg to differ. To me it is a life song;)

I can remember one moment of 2010 that sticks out clearly where I showed an awesome magnitude of grace...
Dr. Wheeler came out of surgery. The man looked so dejected and tearful. So what does Sara do? (Me, Go Me!) He went onto say Donna had a PE, he could not place the filter. Too many clots. He could not do the task. I said, "It is okay. You did what you could do. What is next". He looked at me and was stumbling for words like he could not believe I was not holding him accountable. Remember, I unlike most people keep everyone on an even playing field. Everything comes through God. Doctors are skilled humans not God.

My BFF Aud laughs at me for liking Shakespeare. Possibly because I towed her along to every Shakespearean production in SD. Okay, begged and pleaded for her to come with so I was not alone. Thanks Aud;) Anywho, the following comes to mind.

Shakespeare the Merchant of Venice. Act 4 Portia talking to Shylock. PORTIA a woman disguised as male. Shylock is a Jew asked to turn Christian he is looking to collect his pound of flesh. Portia is skillfully talking him out of collecting...

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show like God's
When mercy seasons justice.

Okay, this takes me on a twisted road ending in whipping up a batch of MONSTER MIX Cookies. LOL! Okay, let me get you to where this road starts then you can laugh along. Shylock (from above) was labeled as an inhuman monster. Not able to show mercy. Shylock says, "I am not bound to please thee with my answers". Remind you of someone? Our Daughters would think MOM right away. On this they would be correct. LOL!



Monster Mix Cookies Recipe

2 C. Shortening
1 C. Peanut Butter
2 1/4 C. Brown Sugar
2 1/4 C. Sugar
1/2 C. Honey
6 eggs
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 t. salt
1 TBL Baking Soda
4 C. Flour
6 C. Oatmeal
1 12oz Chocolate Chips
1 12oz Butterscotch Chips
1 lb. M and M's
1 C. Raisins

Mix all
Bake at 350
8-10 minutes

These are so YUMMY one of my all time favorite cookies.

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless you with abundant GRACE.

Butterfly Fancy

Here is a nice spring creation...



Product list...
PTI 2009 stamp set, just the ticket stamp set and ticket die. Felt and Bling.
recollections flowers
MS scallop border punch
SU cardstock, ink and ribbon
Nestabilities circle die
White wire
jewelry pliers
dimensional dots
Little Yellow Bicycle Fresh Print Clothesline Fresh Mix DP

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

More Favorite CHA Pics

Visual Displays rule my world. Here are A few more glimpses of my favorites from CHA winter 2011.

K and CO. Display...





DCWV paper Dresses...


KaiserCraft...


Little Birdie Secrets did a great job taking pics to show us. You can find her complete rundown with this link.

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless!

Inspired Crafter White on White

I have the generic challenge for the month over on Inspired Crafters. I have challenged you to make a white on white creation cupid/valentine/winged. Use the photos posted with the challenge for your inspiration.

Find the Challenge here.

Here is my creation...


Layer and texture the perfect combination to making your card stand out.

Product List..
PTI Stampers Select White Cardstock, daily designs sentiment "love you"
SU, dp, daisy die, top note die, embossing plate and oval punch
Prima pearl swirls
white embossing powder

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless!

Cosmo Cricket's Julie Comstock

Cosmo Cricket
Photo below taken by Debbie Olson at CHA Winter 2011



I so love all things visual, floral and material related. When I saw this above pic that Debbie Olson posted from CHA I was instantly Inspired.
I have a challenge for you today make a creation using this Visual as inspiration. Visual created by Julie Comstock the owner/designer of Cosmo Cricket.

I have watched many tutorials on flowers last year. You can search them out on my blog search bar. I have posted my favorite one below, it is by Julie.



These Photos below also posted by Debbie Olson. This wreath was also in the Cosmo Cricket Booth. (Using Circa 1934.)

Close up view. Photo by Debbie Olson.

Cosmo Cricket

Have a Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.

My Top Picks from CHA Winter 2011

I have not had the computer off in days trying to keep up with all the blogs, web sites and facebook post on CHA Winter 2011. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about what are you doing here? LOL, JK;) I will explain below...
Craft and Hobby Association it is THE trade show for the international craft industry. It opened on Saturday in Anaheim Ca. summer will once again be in Rosemont IL.

Below I am sharing some of my fave posts, links and pics from the show.

OMGoodness, I LOVE Stella and Rose HAZEL. My fave for sure! The prints and colors so ME!

Above photo from My Minds Eye
Other lines released of Stella and Rose are...
Mabel
Hattie
Gertie

Cosmo Cricket...
UpCycle
Social Club
Salt Air
And hang on for this one all of my fellow flower lovers. GLUBERS are coming...HAVE TO HAVE SOME OF THESE SWEET BABIES!

Pic above is from Scrapbook.com.


Maya Road...
I love the die cut doilies and tags. More colors of the Organza Roses Ribbons.

Basic Grey I so HEART Basic Grey! The new line at the winter show that stole my heart is Sweet Threads.


Sweet Threads Video


Other Basic Grey lines CHA winter 2011...
Lauderdale
Life of the Party
Hello Luscious

Let's chat Cricut. OMGoodness, PC has another Cricut called Cricut Expression 2 Anniversary edition.
It is WI FI no more cords to run Design Studio. (Not that mine has been chirping away lately.)
It is Digital
Available Midnight April 26 on the Home Shopping Network no price listed for this However the MSRP is $399.99.
Not much out there yet on this bad Girl, I am sure I will faint as I find out more.
And Cricut TOYS. Little J wants a few of them. Can you say REWARDS PROGRAM! Seriously, if you Cricut you must sign up for the rewards.

That is all for today's Yummy Crafty Treats. I will be back with more on Wednesday.

Happy Stamp Day. God Bless.