Hats - What I have been up to.

About a month ago I knitted a few hats as a gift for my friend. After seeing the hats both of my kids put in their requests for hats. I am still quite a beginner when it comes to knitting, but I love to work on projects when I am waiting for the kids either at school or sporting events. I pick projects that I can pick up and put down easily without too much counting. 

Here is barney modeling a hat that I made for Megan (unavailable for photo). Isn't he a natural model? This is a waffle pattern I downloaded from Ravelry, a fabulous knitting website. 

He is too cute!

Here is a Seaman's cap that Jake requested. He likes to wear a beanie during his FNL games.  I also downloaded this pattern from Ravelry. Now it's time to make a hat for ME!

Retro Sketch - Thank You

Here is another thank you card today made with my October 2011 Key Elements Kit. I can't believe it's taken me a year to use these items and I am just loving the paper. I wanted a clean card for this recipient and I found a great sketch at Retro Sketches. I have definitely bookmarked this great sketch site. Now that I have my thank you notes completed, I am gettin' out of the closet but there are more cards to make tomorrow.

Paper - SU Whisper White card stock, Sunbeam card stock, Crate Paper Farmhouse
Stamp/Ink - None - I used My Digital Studio for the sentiment and printed on Whisper White Card stock.
Accessories - Red ribbon and fabric button

Deconstructed Thank You

Ahh finally a chance to use some of my older papers. I created this Thank You card using a sketch from Deconstructed Sketches and A Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients kit from October 2011.   I just love this paper and the wonderful colors of all the accessories.

Now on to more stamping...

Paper - TE Yam, Hilary card stock, Crate Paper Farmhouse, SU Very Vanilla
Ink - Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso
Stamp - Full of Life
Accessories - Pumpkin Mum Trim, ribbon, brads

Oh Boy! A Birthday - Mojo Monday

This week I needed to make another boy's birthday card. I looked to Mojo Monday for this layout and tried my new stash of paper Simple Stories "Take a Hike". I bought this paper specifically for masculine cards

I love this layout, it's quick but has great interest with all the different lengths of paper.

Stamp - Afterthoughts
Ink - Early Espresso, Soft Suede
Paper - Early Espresso, Other Yellow and Blue (not from SU, I forgot the names), Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Accessories - Circle dies, burlap fiber, dimensionals

Bathroom Organization - 14 Weeks to an Organized Home

A few weeks ago I enrolled in the above program from A Bowl Full of Lemons . Even though I started late, I am still keeping to the schedule and plugging along. I can say that there is a great sense of satisfaction after finishing some long needed organization in my home. I joke about the direct relationship between the state of my house and my mental health but there is definitely truth to it. With 2 active kids, 2 dogs a cat and a traveling husband, many organizing and cleaning tasks have fallen to the wayside - BUT NO MORE.

Today I will share my bathroom organization with you. I start my day in the bathroom and the organized drawers and items create less stress at the beginning of the day. I don't have "before" pics but here are the "afters"

My Face Products - I keep these on the counter in a silver tray since I use them multiple times per day

 

I also organized my husbands frequently used items in a tray

My Makeup drawer is arranged using clear trays and pretty shelf liner. I have a small row of lip products that aren't shown in the picture but are directly above this tray.

I keep my hair products, nail tools, glass cases in the next drawer, followed by extra soaps and hand creme

When we remodeled our bath, we decided to put in a "coffee bar" - or small counter that can accommodate a coffee maker. We use the cabinet above the bar for a medicine cabinet with products arranged in white bins for cough and cold and travel items. The smaller drawers contain band-aids, antiseptic cream, medicine cups, thermometers and smaller items.

So here is the "organized sink" area, with drawers organized and towels stacked neatly in the cabinets under the sinks.

Later I will be posting the assignment for The Office or in my case, my craft closet. Let me know if you decide to TAKE THE CHALLENGE.

Stamp Club Projects - Quick Gift Projects

This month's stamp club, I focused on quick gift giving. These two framed projects were demonstrated using a quilling method ( click here for a demo of quilling) for the flowers and using My Digital Studio to design the interior of the Menu and To Do lists. I found these ideas on Pinterest and thought I would create  them for our club. Just add an inexpensive frame, a dry erase marker and you have a quick gift for a neighbor or teacher.

Gift cards are always a "given" around the holidays so I also included 2 gift card projects.

 

The coffee to -go cup was completely CASE'd from my stamping friend Kathy Whitten. She brought this idea to a stamp group and I modified it using my Stampin' Up! products. I was able to create the top of the cup using Print Shop since it is constructed of basic shapes. I already have this GC holder earmarked for a special teacher.

The second gift card holder is a real quickie and an example of how MDS can make your life sooooo easy during the holiday hub bub. The paper and trees are from the digital kit " Frosty Day". I just love the bright cheerful colors from this set and best of all this card holder can be created in about a minute.

Coffee Gift Card Holder

Paper - Festival of Prints paper stack, crumb cake, whisper white card stock
Stamps - Tiny Tags
Ink - basic black, crumb cake for distressing
Accessories - Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon, Always Artichoke seam bindingCherry Cobbler bakers twine, Jewelry Tag punch, small circle of velcro

Frosty Day Gift Card Holder
My Digital Studio Frosty Day ensemble
Paper - whisper white, melon mambo, pool party card stock
Accessories - Scallop border punch, scallop circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, dimensionals

Masculine Birthdays

This weekend after cleaning the garage, I finally had a moment to stamp. I was in need of two masculine cards for two very different gentlemen. After all the cleaning and organizing it was nice to make a bit of a mess in my crafting closet:)

Paper: Webster Pages DSP, Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Early Espresso card stock
Stamp: From My Heart
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso
Accessories: Vintage Trinkets

Paper: Frostwood Lodge DSP ( retired), Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, Whisper White cardstock
Stamp: Countryside
Inks: Black Stazon, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Island Indigo, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Going Grey, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Woodgrain embossing folder, Not Quite Navy Ribbon ( retired), Bronze button, burlap strands

Not all Cleaning but Paper Crafting Too - 3rd Annual OWH and RMH Treats

Treats for Ronald McDonald House Families

Cards all "tucked" and ready for the Operation Write Home shippers

Last week brought 2 deadlines on the same day - Operation Write Home Christmas cards and Halloween. I have just, finally, got a moment to post them.

OWH- Our group this year was small but we still produced a good number of cards for Operation Write Home (48). My niece, Danita, was visiting and we stamped a bit while watching football. Jen also created some of the cards and dropped them off at my door. Both lovely ladies are my downlines and such talented women. For more information about Operation Write Home visit http://operationwritehome.org

RMH - The Halloween treats were made using the wonderfully quick Ghoulish Ghouls treat pack. I just cut 4" x 12" strips of basic black card stock and used an Edgelit die to give a bit of interest to the top. This is such a quick and easy treat project made even faster with the Ghoulish Ghouls.

My Week 2 of 14 Weeks to a Perfectly Organized Home - The Garage

I have started my second week on the 14 Week Program to a perfectly Organized Home. Here are some pictures of the garage process. I just had to smile this morning as I went to get in my car and the garage was so clean! We need to park our cars in the garage so there is always room for the 2 cars, but junk seems to accumulate around the perimeter. 

A Clean Garage

Before

I unloaded everything to the sidewalk - My neighbors had to laugh at all out junk out on the street. I swept the walls of all the cobwebs, swept the floors and washed the doors.

During

A few trips to Goodwill and a full garbage can and I was done. Now off to the next project The Master Bedroom - I am getting weak in knees about the home office so I will conquer that after the bedroom.

Clean Mama - Stopping the Paper Trail

Today's post on Clean Mama is regarding busting the paper clutter. I am submitting a pic of my cabinet above my "Command Center" in the kitchen. I think the most important thing I do that cuts down on paper is going digital. I opt for paperless billing and auto payments whenever available.

I admit it I am a binder junkie. I keep almost everything in binders. The binders on the top shelf contain household information such as appliances, general home information our last big remodel, our condo information etc. My craft room also contains multiple binders. I love creating binders and organizing them.

In the middle I have a bill box that the few paper bills that we do receive go into. In this box I also have a return address stamp and ink pad. I sort my mail outside next to the recycle bin and only magazines, bills and letters come into the house - NO JUNK!.

The bottom shelf contains two education binders  -one for Megan and one for Jake that organizes all their important school information. I also have small folders for take out menus and directories to our neighborhood and schools. The small verticle filer is for envelopes, invitations and large department store coupons. The phone instruction manual is also in this section.

So what do you do to contain your paper clutter?

Nesting

Even though I have not lived in a cooler climate for 13 years, I still find myself "nesting" before the winter. It is usually a fall version of spring cleaning and I can't help but prepare for winter even though it doesn't come in Southern California. In my blogging travels looking for home making blogs, I have come across 2 great ones. Clean Mama and A Bowl Full of Lemons. Both have challenges which began earlier, but I am jumping in and doing both.

Clean Mama is featuring 31 Days To  Clean House giving a list of jobs to cover each day that should take no longer that 15 minutes. I am starting today and will begin from the beginning. Let me know if you decide to follow too. Her blog is great for cleaning tips and she has very cute printables to help you along.

A Bowl full of Lemons is featuring a 14 Week Program to a Perfectly Organized Home. I will begin with her current assignment and go back to the beginning when the challenge is finished and cover the missed projects. Even though it seems like I am always getting rid of outgrown/outdated items, it is time once again to purge and organize. I think this time I will be absolutely brutal. There are way too many clothes in my closet that I never wear. I think I am actually looking forward to some "bar space" in there. Again, let me know if you would like to follow the organizing plan. It would be fun to share results.

Off to nest.......

Fancy Favor and That's a Wrap for Lunch

On Sunday, Megan hosted a luncheon for her friend who is going to study in Ireland for 3 months. I made these party favors and cupcake toppers using my new favorite, That's a Wrap digital download. These are so quick and easy. 

Stamps - All Holidays MDS

Ink - none

Accessories - MDS digital download That's a Wrap, fancy favor die, buttons sizzlet, polka dot embossing folder, brads, sticky strip, dimensionals, small wood dowels

Speaking of Gift Giving

Here is a pop-up gift card holder I created using new items that I have been dying to use. The main sentiment is framed by Daydream Medallions, die cut with Floral Frames Framelits,  which I couldn't wait to buy. They are perfect accents to frame many sentiments or images. I paired it with the new Candelight Christmas DSP and stamped my own background paper using Day of Gratitude. A little heart, flower and basic jewels finish the card.

Paper - Candelight Christmas DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper, whisper white, so saffron card stock
Ink - real red, so saffron, Stazon black
Stamps - Daydream Medallions, Day of Gratitude, Made for You
Accessories - Floral Frames Framelits, 1 3/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, flower, button ribbon, heart punch, basic rhinestones

Stamp Club - Quickies for the Holidays

This month our stamp club met for our new session. Our theme was "Quick Ideas for the Holidays".  I introduced the ladies to the kraft boxes from the new 2012-2013 Idea Book and Catalog along with the new MDS download That's a Wrap ( My new FAVORITE, I just love this digital suite). These two products in combination with one another allow you to create quick and cute gift boxes. They are perfect for gift cards, small gifts and homemade goodies. I will be featuring these items quite a bit in the next few months.

Two other Items that we worked on took advantage of the quick and easy elements from the Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit. After creating the glassine bag featured in the Holiday catalog, we used the circle tag from the kit to create a quick goodie bag. I demonstrated how this bag can literally be completed in just over 1 minute - talk about a "quickie".

And now about That's a Wrap and Kraft Boxes. The That's a Wrap digital download allows you to quickly create paper bows either with digital papers or with any DSP - just use the images as a template.

 Download includes:
* 11-page décor designer template (11" x 8-1/2")
* 6-piece SVG stamp brush set
* 5 Designer Series Papers
* 7 embellishments
* 6 punches

Features:
* Digital-exclusive
* A cool way to make adorable, trendy bows for all your gifts

Coordinating colors:
Basic Gray, Calypso Coral, Gumball Green, Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

To get a free 30 day Trial of My Digital Studio2 - Click here



The Kraft boxes are just a fabulous deal 4, 3 1/2" boxes are just $2.95. To order the boxes and the That's a Wrap digital download Click HERE and enter the following product codes.

That's a Wrap - 132190
Kraft Boxes - 124106

Halloween Gift Bag

Paper - basic black, pumpkin pie card stock
Ink - Stazon Black
Stamps - Googly Ghouls
Accessories - Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, fancy favor die, black dotted scallop ribbon,brads, dimensionals

Gift Box

Paper - Orchard Harvest DSP
My Digital Studio - That's a Wrap
Accessories - Kraft gift boxes, wooden buttons, dimensionals, glue dots.

Halloween Decor

I had to post this picture of our little Boo insisting on being part of the Halloween decor. It is so funny how she loves to sit there. I finally grabbed the camera and took her picture in --- uhhh action?

Anniversary - The Paper Players

I was stumped today trying to make an anniversary card. I totally had a creative block - brain malfunction. I went to The Paper Player's Challenge blog for inspiration and found this great sketch by Ann. After working on a masculine card earlier today, I wanted some bright colors so I choose these from assorted DSP packs.

I tried the new coloring option in My Digital Studio for the sentiment and I absolutely LOVE IT!!! Now I need to visit more designer blogs for inspiration.

Paper - Orchard Harvest DSP, Tea Party Simply Scrappin', Glimmer Paper, pool party and whisper white card stock
Ink - None
Stamps - Sentiment from My Digital Studio-Chateau Bella
Accessories - Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Hearts punch, organza ribbon, basic rhinestone jewels

Masculine Birthday

This week I needed a masculine birthday card and looked to The Pals Paper Arts for a sketch from Margaret Moody. I love the simplicity of her sketches and thought it would be perfect for my masculine card.  I inked up my embossing folder to give the embossed paper more depth. Pop on over to the PPA  challenge and see all the brilliant creations from the design team as well as other stampers.



Paper - Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Always Artichoke, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Stamp - Gently Falling - Sentiment from My Digital Studio
Ink - More Mustard, Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Versamark
Accessories - Woodgrain embossing folder, gold embossing powder, raffia, brads, dimensionals

Oh Baby!

I have been waiting to use this PTI "Hanging Out" die for a while now and had the opportunity to use it for a long awaited little baby boy. 

I rarely make baby cards since all my friends are a bit older so it was a challenge to find some paper for this one. I reached for one of my favorites Stella Rose from My Minds Eye. I also did not have any baby sentiments, so I created this one using My Digital Studio. Now I just need to send it off with a few of our favorite children's books. 

Stamps - My Digital Studio

Paper - Stella Rose- My Minds Eye, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and unnamed blue card stock

Ink - Crumb Cake

Accessories - Hanging Out die ( PTI), Circle dies, Burlap Thread, Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon, Thread, Button, Vintage Trinkets, Scallop Trim Border Punch, dimensionals

You Stamp With Dawn and Friends - Heating Up the Holidays

My two projects have posted to USTAMPWITH DAWNANDFRIENDS so now I can share them with you.

This section features new items from the holiday catalog. I chose to create a Halloween project and Christmas Project for this session.

I just love the Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP. I don't send many cards, so I thought I would show off this paper on a wreath. I added a few large black roses and the new Googly Ghouls to set off this fantastic paper.

My next project was one that uses the new stamp set "Winter Memories". This set immediately caught my attention since I love to color in stamps.

 

I wanted to create a vintage look and used the new Woodgrain embossing folder inked up to create some texture and distressing. 

To get the tutorials for these projects and over 40 other Autumn, Halloween and Christmas projects, created by an amazing design team, click the blinkie below.



Two Cards - Two Styles

This week The Pink Elephant Challenge is to create your own embellishments. For this card, I created the beaded wire element. I like using lighter beading wire for cards in lieu of hat pins.  I also reformatted the flower by removing the center and adding a pearl.

I couldn't wait to ink up the new Affection Collection Stamp. It is such a great set offered in the new Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog. I am sure I will be using this set quite a bit this year.

Paper - Webster's Pages DSP, Lucky Limeade, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla card stock
Ink - Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake
Accessories - Basic Pearls and Jewels, Very Vanilla seam binding, dimensionals, flower, beads, light gauge beading wire

For this card I created the rolled flower and hand cut leaves. The fiber is actually salvaged from some burlap place mats that we made for our school auction. Loving natural fibers, I couldn't throw these away and now use them on my projects.

Paper - Stella Rose DSP, Whisper White, More Mustard cardstock - ( I can't remeber where I purchased the blue cardstock or it's name)
Stamp - Petite Pairs
Ink - Marina Mist
Accessories - 3" Circle die, quilling tool, burlap fibers

Fresh Sketches - Botday

Today Jake has a birthday party to go to and I decided to pull out one of my favorites for young boys - Best Bots Forever. I used the clean and simple sketch from Freshly Made Sketches for the card. I paired the new DSP Howlstooth and Scaringbone with More Mustard and Basic Black to keep the colors appropriate for a young boy.

It is so nice to stamp again after a busy spring and summer. I should be posting more cards over the next few months and look forward to it.

Stamp - Best Bots Forever
Paper - Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP, More Mustard, Basic Grey, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink - Basic Gray, Basic Black, More Mustard
Accessories - Square Lattice embossing folder, decorative brads

PPA - Margaret Moody Sketch

Ahhh, finally a moment to stamp for fun. This week Pals Paper Arts is featuring a sketch from one of my favorite designers, Margaret Moody. Pop over and see all the beautiful creations from the PPA design team.

I have been dying to ink up this Summer Afternoon stamp. It was a must have for me from the new 2012-2013 catalog. I just love the little spotted doggie and flowers. I combined this stamp with the new Orchard Harvest DSP from the Holiday Catalog ( available 8/1). The colors in this paper are so warm, cheery and perfect for fall.

I really love stamps that I can color in. I am itching to ink up Winter Memories from the new Holiday Catalog and color away but that will have to wait until after next week's vacation. I guess my love of coloring never goes away; however, I need a pair of reading glasses to get it done. Now all I need is a cookie and some tea:)

Stamps - Summer Afternoon
Ink - Stazon Black, Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze, Island indigo, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Lucky Limeade, Sahara Sand
Paper - Orchard Harvet DSP, very vanilla, more mustard and island indigo card stock
Accessories - Little Leaves Die, burlap strings, In-Color buttons, small hole punch, flowers, dimensionals, blender pens

USWDAF Spectacular Birthday

Here is my latest project for USWDAF. I used the new World Spectacular DSP to create elements for a birthday party. I am loving all the new DSP!

To get the instructions for this and over 40 other Stampin' Up! projects, just click the blinkie below.

UStampwithDawnandFriends - Keep Calm and Stamp On.

Now that my project is posted for USWDAF I can share it with you. This session of "Keep Calm and Stamp On" features fabulous projects from the new catalog. You can get the tutorial for my project along with 40+ others . To join, just click the blinkie below. I will have two projects for you.

When I first saw the stamp set From My Heart, I knew I had to have it. I have loved working with it for this group of cards and used it not only for the sentiments but the designs incorporated into the stamps. I hope you put it on your wish list if you don't already own it. 

For this group of cards, I tried to focus on staying with just a few stamp sets and creating my own background papers. See how I created them, by joining us for "Keep Clam and Stamp On".