I (heart) you always!

Thank goodness it is Friday! Yeah!! I am off to scrapbook retreat today!
I have had the longest week so I am ready to get the heck out of dodge!

Today there is a new sketch up at Sketchabilities - love the sketches Karen 
gives us to work with. Always a lot of fun!
Another layout with MME Be Merry papers. (I made this one before I made the CQC layout I posted earlier this week, so that one really WAS the last one!) I also added lots of Maya Road - the ribbon, chipboard words, and the hearts. 
I love this style of layered banner, which I saw on Pinterest here
I love the texture on this chipboard heart! WOW embossing powder and Quick Quotes Powder Puff inks are the secret. I use WOW embossing powders all the time, but it is the Powder Puff inks that make it turn into this fabulous texture when heat is applied. Love it!
These are not the best photos, but the are among my favorite. My beloved Gussie, who left us two years ago. She loved these two girls- "My babies" she called the. I am so thankful that my girls were able to have so many years with the Great-Grandmother. Christmas isn't the same without her. 

Here is the new sketch we have this week,

Be sure to stop by the blog to see the fabulous projects the DT has made.
This is my last project on the DT with Sketchabilities. I have had a great time working
with all the talented ladies! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.
Have a great weekend.
Anita

HoHoHo Banner - Frosted Designs

Happy Friday blogging friends!
It is that time of year to break out the Christmas decorations. 
Today I have another Christmas banner to share. Maybe I can
hang on to this one and keep my DD from stealing it.

Since it is Friday we have a new Fabulous Friday Challenge 
going on at Frosted Designs and this week it is: BUTTONS - 
use 5 or more buttons on your project.

Our projects this week are sponsored by
Creative Cuts and More and I picked the fabulous banner base to 
use for my project.


Not the best photo I have ever taken, I know. Having some issues with the DSLR. Just got it out of the shop, and it may have to go back :o( 
I used the always fabulous Graphic 45 for my base papers, added some lace
 doilies which were inked, then chipboard letters.  
Here are my buttons, I used them to make one of my "O"s. 

Make sure you stop by the Frosted Designs Blog and check out the 
fabulous projects the rest of the DT has made. You have until 
Thursday noon next week to link up your project - what are you 
waiting for??? Time to get started!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a 
fabulous weekend!!!
Anita

Last big Christmas - ColourQ #165

Happy Tuesday blogging friends! 
We are having our normal fall here in Texas,, 80 degrees one day
and 35 the next. I wish it would get cool so I could get in the mood to
put my Christmas decorations up!

I am so excited to announce that I was picked to be on the Guest Design Team
for Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft®  for the spring 2013 term!
If you have not ever used their products - you are missing out!
My favorite would have to be the Gelatos®, but I love them all!

Since it is Tuesday there is a new beautiful palette up at ColourQ and
I am so happy that everyone is using these fun colors for Christmas
this year. I love red and green as much as the next person,, but I love the 
blues and pinks too!

This was the last big Christmas at our house,, the kids were upper years in high school and
they were moving into the years of smaller, more expensive presents! 
So,,, this is the last layout with the MME Be Merry papers I have been hoarding all these years! I managed to get 4 layouts out of them!! I have a couple of pieces left, so maybe some cards?? 

This snowflake is a left over from a Maya Road coaster album that I used here. For this page I started with Jenni Bowling paint, then added a layer of random gesso. When that was almost dry I added WOW embossing powder here and there and heat set it. The last step was to highlight a few places with Blueberry Gelatos® and rub it in with my finger. I added Karen Foster's Scrappers Floss all around. 
The white medallion is from Melissa Francis and I have highlighted the flowers with Red Cherry Gelatos® again using my finger. Flowers are from Prima. 

Here is the fabulous palette that we have this week
 
I am linking up at the following challenges:
Use Your Stuff - patterned papers
Just Us Girls - Photo inspiration - I used red on my floral wreath
Word Art Wednesday - anything goes!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Anita

JOY Christmas Banner

How was your weekend blogging friends???
Did you get any great bargains while you were out
shopping? Or did you avoid the crowds all together and stay home?
 I went out to one store and picked up a couple of things I wanted at
a great price. My sweet hubby is giving them to me for
Christmas :o)

Today I have a great Christmas banner I made for the house,
but my DD1 stole it for her office! I used a Maya Road coaster
album as the base and added lots of other stuff,,,
Sorry this photo is a little out of focus,, my DSLR was in the shop and I had to use my point and shoot for these photos :(   The close ups are much better!
So,, I used the Snowflake Coaster album from Maya Road. For this piece I made a ruffle from vintage sheet music for behind the chipboard, and added a stack of flowers.
This one has a rosette made with a Tim Holtz die, pearls, twine and a jewelry charm.
Lots of glitter, another jewelry charm, acrylic snowflake and 
chipboard heart adorn this center snowflake.
Another rosette, pearls, twine, and lace for this one. 
The last one is a pretty close cousin of the first one. 
I added LOTS of ribbons to finish it off. 

This project was made for a DT call,,(which I am super happy to say I was picked for!!), and
 I will have a tutorial on all the details soon. 

I am linking up to the following challenges:
City Crafter Challenges Blog - I'll Be Home For Christmas
Diva's By Design - use two patterned papers 

 Thanks for stopping by - I hope you have a great Thanksgiving
and have a wonderful weekend!
Anita
 

Christmas Candle

WOW! I can't believe it is Thanksgiving in two days. It is
too early this year!! It should have been next week.
I am not ready for it to be the "Christmas Season" yet!!

But I have started making a few crafts, and I made this really cute 
candle for my front table a couple of weeks ago. It was really easy
and cheap!
This is a super cheap 3" pillar candle that I picked up at the $$ store. 
For the flowers I stared with some Prima's that were actually kinda orangish in color. I sprayed them with red ink and sprinkled then with glitter while they were still wet then set aside to dry.
Once they were dry I layered them together using XL Glue Dots®. 

I cut a paper strip and edge punched both sides. I used 1" Glue Lines® on all sides to attach to the candle. I added a wide burlap ribbon, also using 1" Glue Lines® - but this time only on the short edges. Stick short floral pins in along the edge of the burlap ribbon to decorate. 


 Using XL Glue Dots® and XXL Glue Dots® arrange your flowers to conceal the seam in the ribbon. Use short floral pins for centers of small paper flowers and attach randomly around the ribbon.
I layered LOTS of flowers together to make each larger flower - probably 8-10 in each set. I also added some greenery and some paper twine. 

I do not recommend burning a candle like this - I made mine for decoration only!

Thanks for stopping by today! 
Anita
 
I wrote this blog post while participating on the Glue Dots® Design Team.

Blog Candy Winner!!

Congratulations go out to,,,,,

Debbie Bakk!!!!

I love the embossing technique you did- beautiful and now I am a followerer of yours and I also mentioned your blog candy on my blog with the layout I did using all 12 ingredients...Wow. I had super fun doing this tonight and I would love the chance to win your wonderful RAK- so many goodies!


 Debbie you have one week to email me with your address so I can get your box out to you!! 
There is a link in my side bar. 

To everyone else who played along, thank you so much for participating in the blog hop!
Anita

No Worky

Howdy all my blogging friends!!
The weekend is here - let the party begin!

It is Friday so there is a new fabulous Friday Challenge
over at Frosted Designs it is a color challenge this week and the
colors are perfect for your fall theme projects. 
Love the colors we are using!

Here is a look at my project, once again using some vintage papers :o) 
I used a mix of patterned papers from Recollections and Creative Imaginations, Core'dinations cardstock, MS punches, Thickers, some lace and ribbons, 7 Gypsies, ink and my sewing machine and the journal tag is from Crafty Secrets.

Here is a look at the colors we are working with this week


Don't forget - we are having a fabulous month long party at Frosted Designs - the 12 Days of Christmas
there will be lots of prizes, and loads of fun. Be sure to stop by on the 1st of December to check it out. 
Thanks for stopping by today. I will be back later to announce the winner of my blog candy!!
It is a busy, busy morning!!
Anita

Noel 2004 - Sketchabilities #79

Good morning blogging friends! 
Are you ready for the weekend? I am!
I have lots of scrapping planned to do.

Today I have my take on the new Sketchabilities challenge. Karen always has the best
sketches to work with! 
Another layout from Christmas 2004 using vintage MME papers. I love these papers!!! I bought a hand full of them when they came out and have been hoarding them ever since. I also used some Bazzill, Fiskars and MS punches, Tsukineko inks, Jenni Bowlin paints, and a few others.
The snowflakes are Maya Road, I colored the backs with StazOn Opaque inks, and stamped the front with the same. Brads are from MME. Rub on in the corner is from Creative Imaginations.
This chipboard is so old I can't tell you who made it! I used WOW embossing powders to color it. The chipboard frame to the right was painted with Jenni Bowlin dabbers.
Chipboard swirl from Leaky Shed Studios, painted with JB dabbers and glittered. Pennants from Lily Bee, alphas from Basic Grey. 

Here is a look at the sketch
Be sure to check out the blog for all the great layouts the DT created. You
will get lots of inspritation!!

Have you entered to win my blog candy???
Check it out here - tomorrow is the deadline!

Thanks for coming by today! I love to read your comments - so leave one why don't ya!
Anita

Christmas Presents - ColourQ #163

Good evening bloggers! Whew,, where is the time flying?? Is it really
almost Thanksgiving?? Who is ready? Not me for sure!

Since it is Tuesday it is time for a new palette at ColourQ and 
this weeks colors were perfect for the Christmas photos I wanted to scrap.
Yes,,, I am just now scrapping my 2004 Christmas photos - yikes! I have used Bazzill cardstock for my base, MME patterned papers which are probably almost as old as the photos!, Creative Imaginations rub-ons, Prima flowers, Sizziz die, Fiskars punch, Basic Grey stamps and some random bling. 

I love these Basic Grey stamps,, I bought them so long ago and I always forget I have them. I layered bits and pieces of scrap papers along one side of my photo strip and added some lace to the other.

The snowflakes are CI rub-ons, and I added a bit of bling to the centers.

My title is another rub-on, and I covered the whole piece of paper with a glaze. The star punch is from Fiskars, and it is from some time ago, I don't think they make it anymore :o(

Here is a look at the colors for this week,,,

You have until Sunday noon to link up your project over on the blog. Be sure to stop by 
and take a look at the fabulous projects from the ladies on the DT - fabby stuff!

I used a great sketch from over at Sketches In Thyme - it has been a while since I
played along over there!

I am also linking up at the following challenges:
Paper Play Challenges - Snowflakes
Make It Monday - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week.
Anita

Upcycled Craft Storage - Using what you have!

Hi everyone! Lately I have been seeing lots of really cool storage pieces made with upcycled pieces of furniture. I am really loving this trend and have been on the lookout for a piece or two that I can incorporate into my own scrap room. I haven't found the right piece yet, but in the mean time I wanted to share a few of my favorites that I have found online.


How awesome is this? An old buffet, repainted a hip new color, with the doors removed. There were probably rails already installed in the piece for shelves behind the doors, so all this person had to do was find something else to use for new shelves.


This I love. The next dresser I find at a yard sale for a reasonable price is coming home with me. Take out the drawers, add a fresh coat of paint, add inexpensive clear shoe boxes with labels. How simple is that!

With all of the new paints they have out these days, painting furniture is so much simpler - everyone knows that they have a paint/primer combo, right??? So you can even paint laminate furniture without sanding!!!

How many times have I passed one of these up at a thrift store or yard sale???? Too many let me tell you. I never even thought to make a craft center out of one. Clever. Very, clever.

Seriously,, I know I have seen 100 of these at yard sales. Those old, icky, laminate, fake wood looking china hutches with the screen in the doors - circa 1970. For sale for $50. A gallon of paint and a little distressing and it is perfect for hiding all your craft supplies.

This has got to be my favorite. Take out the top drawer and add a few baskets,, leave the bottom drawers in for hiding your stash. Add a cheap piece of pine that has been sanded down. Paint everything to match = really cute desk. Where have you been all my life??? I think my Mom has some little dressers just like this in her house. If she looks away she is in trouble!

So,, what do you think??? Do you have something lurking in your garage or attic that you can redo with a little paint and time? If not,, be sure to think outside the drab box the next time you are out hitting the sales - that old piece of junk may be just the thing you are looking for! I found all of these ideas on Pinterest - there are plenty more there too. Happy hunting!

Frosted Designs Blog Hop

Hello and Welcome to the Frosted Designs Fall Blog Hop!!

This is a Challenge Blog Hop - Now what does that mean??  

We have an overall Theme of "Fall" and the RECIPE can be found along the way.  Each Designer is using one "ingredient" on their project.  There are 12 stops on the hop, which makes 12 Ingredients.  You choose 6 of the 12 ingredients to create your "Fall" project and link it up to the Frosted Designs BLOG.

Easy peasy!!
We have some awesome sponsors for our hop:

               
Here is a look at my project,,
 Yes,, I finally decided I could use the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Spring paper I have been hoarding. Everyone please wish it a fond farewell,,, I have also used some Prima, Maya Road, Tsukineko inks, MME, Basic Grey, Fiskars, Punch, WOW embossing powder, some lace, and my sewing machine. 



 The only photo I managed to get, and it is blurry and dark :o(  - such is life. I scrapped it anyway. I used Jenni Bowlin dabbers to paint my MR chipboard, and the letters are from Lily Bee. 


To get this embossed effect, I cut my papers to size, them used removable tape to glue them down to scrap paper staggered up and down. I stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with WOW powders. Then separated the pieces and glued on my layout. 


So much quicker than doing each one individually!! 

So are you ready for my ingredient in the recipe??

**Flowers**



Here is the complete blog line up in case you get lost along the way (or found me first).


 Are you still with me??? I will also be giving away some super blog candy this week. In order to win, you need to mention my blog candy on your blog and then come back here and leave me a comment telling me you did so. You also have to be a follower. Want an extra chance to win? Hop over to my Facebook Page and like me there too.
I will draw the winner on Friday, Nov 16th and post on my blog. You will have one week to contact me to claim your prize!

 There is so much in this pile - here goes......
Graphic 45 paper / Teresa Collins 8X8 album PLUS papers, and embellishments to complete the album! / collage sheets / Maya Road chipboard, mini album,acetate,& journal spots / Stickles / Queen & Co Bling / K&Co Christmas gist box pad (I used like 5 of them!) / Jenni Bowlin stamp/ Technique Tuesday stamp set perfect for your December Daily / Prima and other flowers / 3 rolls washi tape / 3 rolls twine / Glue Dots® / embossed chipboard pieces / Lilly Bee alpha sets - I think that is it!

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great week!
Anita
Good morning everyone! -Today is my day to blog over at Craft Storage Ideas andI wanted to share this fabulous idea I saw for storing clear stamps. I have way too many to count - you know those really cute little ones that are so inexpensive that you just can't help yourself and you always buy too many??? Well I must have hundreds. I previously used baseball card holders in a 3 ring binder to hold mine,, but some of them won't fit. Then what do I do with the rest of them??? I don't want them in two places - I want them all together.

I saw this one day while scrolling down Pinterest;

I hopped over to The Odd Girl blog and she has used a vintage Rolodex file to store her small clear stamps.

Perfect, yes?? I will have to check out Etsy to see if I can find one to suit my needs. This one has cards that are 4X6 so it will hold a little bit larger stamp than I can fit into the baseball card holders. There are so many sizes and styles of Rolodex files on the market I am sure I will be able to find something to suit me!

Be sure to check out Craft Storage Ideas for tons of organizational tips.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Anita