Snowed in crop weekend

In a few more hours I will be leaving work, heading out for a girls crop weekend with my sister and a bunch of other crazy ladies.  What a way to be held up in a hotel, scrapbooking the weekend away? No men, no cooking, no cleaning, no driving to practice...just relaxation and creating!!  I can't wait!  It can snow all it wants cause I won't be going anywhere!!

I know you will miss me. LOL!  I will be checking in once in a while to see what everyone is doing.

Have a great creative weekend and be careful in all the snow!

Ciao!

Red Lead - Very Vintage and Objects of My Affection

Are you sick of me yet?  No, good.  I have lots to show you.  Only one more swap (including these two) to go and I will be all updated with my posts and pictures.  WOW!

Ok, here goes....
These are my Very Vintage ATCs created for a recent swap over at Red Lead.  We swap 8, get 7 in return and one of their choice stays at the shop on display.  This one will be put into their art zine book they are planning on putting together at the end of the year.  Last year I participated in one of these and had one of mine is in their Artist Trading Card A Holiday Celebration Zine and I also have an ATC on one of their collage sheets they sell.

 

These are the large tags that I made for the Objects of My Affection swap also with Red Lead... I made two of each kind using a Red Lead background stamp and photos from their ancestors sheets.

Tell me what you think.
One more swap post to go and in a couple weeks I see a giveaway on the horizon. I won't tell you why....hmmm, maybe you should guess!!
Until tomorrow friends....

A SHOUT-OUT to ME!!!

I wanted to make a SHOUT-OUT to ME today!  (I am not usually like this, but I'm so giddy with excitement, I couldn't contain myself!)

I made Red Lead Paperworks Yahoo Group Home Page!!!  I'm the Home Page Diva!!!  Whoot Whoot! Now, it's only temporary, so stop by here  right away and take a look!

I will be posting more about these tags and my latest swaps with them tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait till tomorrow for this one!!

Thanks everyone - my Swap Sisters- in this group - you are a big inspiration for me!  MWAH!

Until tomorrow friends.....

A Cabinet Card Swap

Only a few more swaps to show you!  I am getting all caught up.

I made this for the Altered Cabinet Card Holiday Swap over at A Swap for All Seasons. Linda comes up with the greatest themes for her swaps!  This was sent to my swap partner "Kitten" (Deb) over at Kitten Creates.  It is funny that alot of us girls in this swap, are also swap sisters over at Red Lead Paperworks.

 

I used a vintage cabinet card (of course), a doily, some paper flowers/brads and a vintage sweater clip.  It was too funny that Kitten used a dangling at the bottom of hers as well.  Here is what she made me...

It is awesome!  Deb is so creative and offers tons of inspiration.  We've been long distance friends for a good while now.  Thanks Deb!

Well, until tomorrow friends....

Vintage Finds & A Birthday Gift

While on the hunt for some vintage items for a recent swap, I went to my semi-local antique mall and found these.  The valentines I will scan and post, the crystals I used in my Very Valentine Swap with A Swap for All Seasons. 

 Before picking up that large bag of goodies for $3 I tried to check out what hidden treasures were inside.  To my surprise, this is what I found.

 

Once everything went through a  good cleaning, I found two sets of earrings for myself and a whole bunch of things to use in my crafting. A great find.

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 The pictures are getting more current, so hold onto your seats!

This is what I sent my friend Joyce over at Scrap for Joy.  Her birthday was in January.

 

I used some vintage lace ribbon, background paper from a Somerset Studio magazine, and the doll was from a collage sheet from ArtchixStudio.  If you get a chance, stop by their shop.  They have some amazing things.

I also made Joyce this Choski Pin or kilt pin using charms, a charm made of scrapbook bubbles, and pearl piece from a set of vintage earrings that I disassembled.  Click to enlarge.

(This is another one of my non-paper crafting ventures. LOL!)

Until tomorrow friends....

How sweet...

...is my cyber friend Vicki Chrisman over at This Art That Makes Me Happy?? This is what she sent to me before she went off to CHA Winter last week to promote her new AccuCut die she designed...

 

She sent me 4, yes 4, samples of this new die! She picked wonderful design paper to cut too.  She was so busy getting ready for CHAW and found time to cut and send me these. How wonderfully sweet!!!

I can't wait to make something with them.  Since our local scrapbook store closed and most others don't have an AccuCut machine or die cut sales, she offered to send me a few.  Now all I have to do is get my hands on Heartwarming Vintage's Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps Altered Fairies pages and I'll bet set.  Boy, do I have plans!  (Hmmm. maybe I should include one in my giveaway and share the love???)

Thanks Vicki - your the best!!

Until tomorrow friends....

 

Photo catch-up

I wanted to catch-up on my picture postings of things I've created for some swaps and what-nots of some time ago - you know how life gets ya-right? (Typical excuse so I use it often!LOL!)

I will start with the oldest first....

This was for a Red Lead Spring swap back in March - like you couldn't tell. I told you it was going to be some time ago! *wink*

This was my second charm swap with Red Lead.  Yes, it is a Heinz Pickle!  It was to be a "green" swap, but because I didn't read, it was to be a recycle - "green" swap.  I think it covered both...what do you think?

This was a little project I was asked to do for a cyber friend who was having a bit of a rough patch in her life.  It was a collaborative project between several cyber friends that a truly made a difference with this random act of kindness.

These were the Thank you cards I made for my son's graduation party.  This was back in June. 

This was an altered altoid tin for Altered Treasure Tin Swap at A Swap for all Seasons.  This was a different type of swap.  I tried feverishly to get this tin to patina!  I tried soaking in vinegar, etc., etc., but to no avail....all I got was RUST!  So I went with it. I also coated it so it wouldn't rust anything else.  I also made a mini book for inside.  My partner was into poems so I chose a few for the front and inside of the tin.  I hope she liked the little extras added inside too.




Well, gotta organize some more pics and I'll be back soon....Thanks for stopping by!

It's Friday and.....

....I found my camera cord so now I can download some pics for everyone. Whahoo!! I know you have been dying to see what I've been up to!  I should have everything downloaded and edited before the weekend!  Stop back and bring a friend!

Until tomorrow friends....

I've been busy....

...working feverishly on 3 swaps over the weekend.  GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!  Carved out much needed time to craft, finish my projects, AND organize while doing it.  YIPPEE!!

Unfortunately, I can't find the cord to my camera to download my pictures - UGH!!  Keep checking back.  I hope to have them posted in a jiffy!

Went to Barns & Nobles today and picked up some of the latest Somerset Studio mags....and another Nicholas Sparks book...The Choice

I've read several of his books (I'm not constant reader but like to read at lunch) and I tried to read them in order of release, but don't think I have.  I have read the following:
The Notebook
Message in a Bottle
A Walk to Remember
The Rescue
A Bend in the Road
Nights in Rodanthe
The Guardian
Three Weeks with my Brother
True Believer
and Dear John.

If you decide to read any of these, let me know. I know you won't be disappointed.  If you've watched any  of the movies - the books are just as good.  I know I have a few of these, so if you are interested, let me know and I'll see if I have the book and will send it to you - a PIF if you will.

Well, going to go and watch an interesting program...HOARDERS.  If you haven't watched it it's on A&E Mondays at 10 (at least in Pgh).  If you hate cleaning and think YOUR house is a mess...watch this....you will feel all better!

Until tomorrow friends......(if I find that darn cord!)

My Cyber Friend the Designer!

I want to put a SHOUT OUT to my cyber friend Vicki Chrisman of This art that makes me happy.  Vicki is a designer and artist in the paper crafts/altered art industry and is super talented.  She has been my cyber friend for several years now and is so generous with her talent.

I wanted to let you know the awesome news she just released....she has designed 2 AccuCut dies along with Crafty Secrets that will be featured at  2010 Winter CHA coming up next week.  She designed a Shadow box die (landscape & portrait) that looks like a vintage photo holder with foldable sides so it can stand.  This die will work great with Crafty Secrets new Creative Scraps Altered Fairies pages.  This is what her catalog page will look like in the new AccuCut catalog (click on to enlarge). 

These are the new Crafty Secrets Creative ScrapsAltered Fairies pages:

Don't you just love them?  Crafty Secrets will be selling kits with or without the Creative Scraps Altered Fairy sheets. (There are 2 sheets that come together)

If you are going to CHA, the 2 dies will be at a 25% discount when ordered there.   The info is as follows:

3D Shadow Box Portrait Die # VC101SJ $165.00 (25% off at CHA Show)


3D Shadow Box Landscape Die # VC102CD $165.00 (25% off at CHA Show)

Anyone you know have an AccuCut machine?  The dies will be available to order on-line from AccuCut in February.

Check out the wonderful creations Vicki has done with this die here on her blog.  Also go to the bottom of her post to check out the other Crafty Secrets Design team creations.  They really are to die for!

Until tomorrow friends.....

Giveaways!

Hello everyone! 

I wanted to let you know that two of my friends are having giveaways on their blogs this weekend.  These ladies are uber talented and you'd be missing out if you don't stop by to say hello and play.

First is Joyce at Scrap for Joy.  She is having a lovely giveaway here with loads of wonderful things.  She is also doing something extra special...for every comment to win the giveaway, she is donating $1 to the Lutheran World Relief for Haiti program.  What a wonderful gift.  Stop by and wish her a Happy Birthday as well! Joyce will be drawing her giveaway on Wednesday.

Secondly, is Mimi at Dandelion Wishes.  She has finished some beautiful Valentine banners to refill her spot at a SweetPeas, a local shop where she sells her creations.  She has graciously put one of those banners up for a giveaway.  Hurry on over and post a comment on her post here  - she is drawing the winner on Monday!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop by to post a comment on these blogs.  Hope you are a lucky winner!

Until tomorrow friends.....

Happy 2010!! A New Start....

Hello friends! 

Boy has it been a long time since I've posted! I gave myself an informal break of sorts from posting.  I've still been blog hopping, Facebook'ing, and Tweeting as I am sure you can see.  I really needed some time to sit back, create some things for holiday swaps and gifts and whatnots.  Then over the holidays, my dad had some health issues and I've been absorbed with helping out my parents and Basketball! After some nugging (Kitten), I thought I'd better post soon....

I wanted to change things up a bit - a fresh start if you will.  I also want to think of some new goals for 2010 - Hmmm, let's try 10!  I will list some here that way my friends can hold me to them....

1. I want to definitely post more....more of my creations and less talk about life. 

2. I want to REALLY cut out time to create - each night, or weekend - schedule a time/date. 

3. I need to get organized - big time! (I think this should be #2)

4. I want to host a swap this year....during less stressful times (if there is such a thing).

5. I'd really like to take a road trip and meet up with a blog friend or shop.

6. Do monthly/quarterly challenges on my blog for fun or some group type thing.

7. Promote my friends and their activities more.

8. Post better pictures & give my blog new looks occasionally.

9. Have some fun giveaways.

10.  Start an art journal.  Maybe with swaps and creation pictures or one of each.

There - that's 10!  Easy peasy (to write that is! LOL!)  Now, I want to make sure you hold me to them!  I might even put the list on my side bar....keep me honest! LOL!!  Then at the end of the year, I'll see where I'm at.  Hopefully more fulfilling for me.

It's raining here today...I guess it's better than snow!  Going to get some dinner, then off to organize a little enough for me to finish up some projects, so....

Until tomorrow friends....

Give Thanks....

As we gather family and friends, enjoying company, food and drink....

give Thanks for the little things.

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING FRIENDS!

(p.s. I hoped my table would look this good...ha ha!)