Precious is He...

Hi! Just wanted to pop in and share a couple of cards I made recently. I've also been working on a 5 card class for Melissa Frances and will share that information soon with you. It's going to be a "holiday card making class", 5 cards for 5 different holidays.

I'm just loving my Melissa Frances goodies. I feel so blessed to be on her team and have received all of this product! I received another box today, and she is just so generous. You are going to LOVE her new line! It's a little brighter than her usual (but still shabby), and just so stinkin cute! Oh, and did you read on the blog that Melissa just became engaged? =)

I created this card with a background die cut from the Little Guy collection, a sticker from the baby boy stickers, a rub on and lace also from MF. The little clothespins were found in the baby shower section of the craft supply. I really wanted to use that cute little rattle on the card, but alas...it was too bulky, so I decided no on that one. (Had to sneak it in the photo and put it to good use!)
This one is also with the Little Guy collection and baby boy sticker, chipboard and lace are also Melissa Frances. The button is Basic Grey-Euphoria and the twine is from the craft store. If you haven't stopped by the new card challenge site called "Card-a-licious", you should really come over and check out the weekly challenges! Our challenge this week was to create a mini card (4x4" or smaller).

I cut my card base 4x4, added lace around the edges and then added my 4x4 patterned paper on top. Really simple card to make.(Will be in Paper Crafts, Card Creations 7, 2009.)

If you are looking for Melissa Frances goodies, check out the Store Locator at the site HERE. Or ask your local scrapbooking shop to order for you. I've found a few sites on-line that sell it also. Let me know if you can't find a particular item and I'll see if I can help.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Are you ready? I have to admit, I'm not...but getting there. I have to make a mad trip to the store tomorrow...I say "mad" because I know it's going to be NUTS there! Everyone shopping last minute. And with their kids, because school is now out. Eek! I thought I'd share one of my favorite sites with you for inspiration...scrapbooking and otherwise....that is the BHG site. Today they have some yummy recipes for your leftover turkey! Check it out! We bought the biggest turkey we could find, because we love leftovers and to give everyone a to-go bag. lol Have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

All the trimmings...

I can't wait for Thanksgiving. I've been thinking about everything I'm thankful for lately and how lucky I truly am! Isn't it true that the things you struggle the most with and work the hardest for, you are truly the most appreciative for?

The other night, as I was laying down with my 3 year old to get her to go to sleep, I was rubbing her back as always...my arm got tired after some time and I stopped. A second later, I heard, "good job, mommy, good job" in a little whisper. So cute! My heart just swelled and it's moments like that that are so precious to me. Yesterday she told me I was a special momma. ha! I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with my girls and take care of them myself. And thankful for my husband for supporting that too.

Anyway, onto a project that I made recently for the Melissa Frances blog. It's a 10" pillow box that I found at AC Moore in the gift wrapping section. I covered it with Ramona and Hazel paper, added a sticker and rub on saying and some Wright's lace. The swirl is a wooden applique that I found also at the craft store, which I lightly painted with copper paint. The ends are not covered, so they still open and close to add goodies inside.
Melissa Frances is coming out with a new line for CHA this year unlike the lines they've done before! I can't wait to see it myself!

I'm currently working on another mini album for Right At Home Scrapbooking...will post a link when it's ready for purchase. Here is a pic of the cover.

Believe in the magic....

...of Christmas! Yep, the snow is a-flying here this morning! It's beautiful, really...but I just hope we don't get TOO much! =)

I created a project for the Pink Paislee blog today, it's a frame that I had in my stash. I found a large letter C and some wooden stars at the craft store that I knew I wanted to do something with, so I decided to create a "layout" on top of the glass and add some dimension.I used Pink Paislee's Tinsel Town line of papers, rub ons, stamps, postcards and ribbon. Also stamped the "do not open" stamp and used the Coconut glitter over the top by just running a tape runner over it and then sprinkled the glitter on.
Letters are Pink Paislee's Fashion Script in black, just love these things! I used the y upside down for the h in Christmas, because I was all out of h's. The photo is one I captured of my girls last Christmas Day after they opened presents. They were so excited! (And Kati had gotten into the M&M's in her stocking, thus the chocolate face..lol)

Lastly, some lace was added to the frame to give it a soft, vintage feel. Thanks so much for your sweet comments and visiting me today. Stay warm!

Cookies-n-Cream...

Mmmm! I've been baking up a storm! Before we get to the cookies, I'd like to share my next card that I made for Card*a*licious! The challenge this week is to create a card with at least 3 circles. I busted out my new Cuttlebug machine and embossed a circle card with the Swiss Dots plate, added a tree sticker and rub on by Art Warehouse, pink button is Basic Grey Euphoria and star button is Making Memories. The little felt snowflakes were in a kit that I received before, so I'm not sure how they were made. But I wish I had more!
The next one is my first project for Dream Street! We were assigned to work with 3 lines for November: Cookies-n-Cream, Mod Posy and Mairzy Doats(on the card). I found this neat box at the craft store for $1 and altered it with the papers, baked some cookies to go inside and added the recipe on the Cookies-n-Cream recipe paper. It has a flip top lid that I thought was really neat.
I added a swirl rub on to the tag- cut from the paper, a rub on saying by Melissa Frances and some lace. The flower in the middle is a silk flower from the craft store.
These papers also have a treat bag template on them, all you do is fold it up and adhere! Super easy! I tucked in a little bag of these cookies...

Added a card to go with this set:

...a special treat for someone special at Thanksgiving. You can view all of the specific directions on how to make these 3 projects at the Dream Street Blog.

These cookies are *delicious*...you should try them! Here is the recipe, which is from Nestle's Best Loved Cookies:

Recipe for Oatmeal Scotchies

1 ¼ c flour
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
3 c quick or old fashioned oats
1 c (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 c (12 oz. pkg) Nestle butterscotch flavored morsels
¾ c granulated sugar
¾ c packed brown sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon

Combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and morsels. Drop by rounded teaspoonful onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake in preheated 375* oven for 7-8 minutes for chewy cookies or 9-10 minutes for crispy cookies. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Thanks for visiting! =)

Baby, it's cold outside!

Wholey cow, it cooled off fast here and the wind is whipping! Had to run out today for a trip to the store and wow, was it ever a chilly trip! If we don't have snow on the ground by the morning, I'll be very surprised. Christmas is just around the corner! Gets me in the mood to stay home, get toasty warm by the fire and create for the holidays.

Just wanted to pop in and give you the link to the November card kit, which should be available either today or tomorrow HERE. You'll receive instructions to create these four cards, and there is also a mini book add-on available with instructions and photos by Tina Albertson. Tina did a fantastic job with the mini! Papers are from the new Art Warehouse Mistletoe and Hollyberry collections....love them so much. Here are the cards:This one is created with 2 of the large Creative Cafe tags...

Have a joyful evening!

Dear Santa...

Have you made up your Christmas wish list yet? My girls have been so excited thinking about Christmas and what Santa might be bringing! Kati is 3 this year and it's fun to see her really thinking about it and getting involved this year with everything.

I have finished up the November card kit with instructions for Create My Keepsake and am so excited about this one. Tons of gorgeous items from one of my favorite companies, Art Warehouse/Creative Cafe! Here are a few peeks:


I just love the reds, greens and tans together, very warm and cozy for the winter. There is really a TON of stuff in this kit to play with too, including cards with envelopes, new Creative Cafe double sided papers, specialty papers, ribbons, trims, buttons, chipboard, rub ons, tags, ETC! You'll love it. I'll post more info about this one soon. The kit e-mail goes out to members in the next day or two, and will be available to non-members on the 15th if there are any left. Thanks for stopping by this evening. I'm going to go get warmed up and snuggle with my little one...my hands are like frozen popsicles! I think the snow will be flying here soon! =)

some hybrid cards...

Good morning! I haven't done any hybrid work in awhile and recently was asked by Angel Hartline to create a few things with her digital kits. When I saw her website, I was so excited to try them out! You can check out her digital kits here: www.angelhartline.com.

The first one was created with her file folder piece and some banners from the Life's Treasures: Love Collection kit. This is for the next challenge over at Card*a*licious (which should be up sometime today)! The challenge is to create a file folder style card. I used the little banners, printed them out fairly small, and then popped them up with pop dots to create a little bit of dimension. Added some Melissa Frances rub ons, which I can't get enough of! The fun felt trim is by Doodlebug ( I think) and some old wooden clothespins from my stash that I roughly painted white.Another idea would be to print the banner out a little bit larger and turn it upside down for a party hat like I did on this card:

(Will be in Handmade Magazine, April/May 2009.)

Supplies used:
Plaid fabric: from my stash
Black ribbon: Offray
Pink ribbon and white felt flower: Creative Cafe
Button: Basic Grey
Butterfly: KI lace paper
Rub on saying: Melissa Frances
Felt heart: Queen and Co.
Chalk on the edges: Stampin'Up!

I've been working on a lot of things, but just can't share them yet. Most of them are for my teams for December, and it's SO hard for me to hold them back! I love to share my work.

Yesterday hubby and I were busy shampooing our rugs and going through the girls' toys. What a job that was! We had 15 bags of toys that we got rid of. I know~ they are quite spoiled. A lot of them were baby toys and things. We haven't gone through them in awhile and it's so frustrating at Christmas time when you don't have anywhere to put the new toys! It's such a freeing feeling to have some room again! We went shopping over the weekend. The girls are going to be thrilled with their new things! I love this time of year. Hope you are feeling the magic too!

Congratulations to.......

Thank you everyone for stopping by my blog this weekend! I had so much fun reading all your nice comments. Even my grandma and my cousin Josh left a comment, that was a sweet surprise! Hi guys!! I really appreciate each and every one! I chose a winner for the Zach's Life kit by Random Generator this morning:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

34

Timestamp: 2008-11-09 14:56:20 UTC

____________________________

rae said...

I just love your work Dani, these are so precious! And I'm LOVING your shaped cards... keep it up :)
Happy Friday! ~Rae (& her two boys ;)

Congratulations, Rae!! Please e-mail your mailing address to me at: dflanders71@hotmail.com!

Somebody stop me! =)

I really need help! I can't stop creating shaped things, cards for example. Don't get me wrong, I love shaped things, but I think I'm much too addicted. =)

Last week when the challenge at Card-a-licious was to create a shaped card, I made 2 and couldn't decide which one to use for the challenge. Well, I decided to go with the Halloween one, since it was right before the holiday. So here is another one I made with a crown shape and used the same process in Photoshop with the crown shape instead of the moon.
Everything here is Melissa Frances from the Little Guy kit: paper, stickers, ribbon, die cuts and rub ons are MF as well. Pearl gems and twine are from the craft supply.

The little box is actually a gift card box that you would get at Barnes and Noble. For some reason I had some of these lying around from last year and thought it would be a neat idea for a baby gift, to wrap up a baby gift card in the box with these cute little guy papers. Very easy project!

Speaking of little boys (or boys in general)...I have a kit that I would love to give away to one of my blog readers. It is a Little Yellow Bicycle Kit called "Zach's Life" that has a neat fold-out chipboard album, 12 papers, 6 fabric borders, chipboard alphabet, stickers and even an acrylic stamp set inside! I don't have any boys, so I thought I would pass it along to someone who can use it. Just leave me a comment if you are interested, and I'll choose a winner this weekend! =)

Love me some pink!

Pink must be the hot color for Christmas this year. I've been working with the Tinsel Town collection by Pink Paislee and fell in LOVE with the color combo in it! Here is a little sneak to a class that I created for Pink Paislee with this new Christmas line!

The class consists of 4 Christmas cards and a couple of ornaments/gift ideas and is going to be held in Houston, TX at By Design Scrapbook Boutique on December 5th & 6th. It will be hosted by the owner of Pink Paislee, Rebecca Cross! If you live near the area, be sure to check it out! If you'd like more information, please contact Rebecca at info@pinkpaislee.com.


Speaking of Pink Paislee, you will have to stop by and see the new look for the site at www.pinkpaislee.com! New things to see include "pink projects" that you will be able to download for free with instructions, a slide show of inspirational projects, information on the design team and more!

I'm so in the mood for Christmas already, even though Halloween just ended. I love creating Christmas projects. I found this wooden clip at the craft store and altered it with some Melissa Frances goodies: paper is Nancy and Paige, rub on saying FW019, small sticker in frame PP07, resin frame, reindeer from Christmas chipboard, white and silver glitter. Pom pom trim is Wrights, twine is Darice and bow is My Moments by Offray. I thought this would be cute in Taylor's room for the holidays. (Picture is of her from last year on Christmas eve oogling the gifts..lol)
I added glitter to the reindeer chipboard to make it sparkly and a bit of glitter inside the frame as well.

Now I can't wait to put up my Christmas decorations! ha If you have any Christmas projects you've been working on, link me up! OH, and I found a great recipe site for those holiday treats... HERE!

It's November!

My goodness, where does the time go? 2008 is almost over! Yesterday my first born turned 9! I can't believe she is 9 already. They grow up so fast. Seems like just yesterday we were in preschool. I was teaching there and taking her with me, and she loved every minute of playing, exploring and learning with the other little ones!

Yesterday we went galactic bowling for Taylor's party. They turned down the lights, had a disco ball going and dance music...very fun! Of course, they had to get tokens for the arcade too....

I didn't get very many good photos, it's so hard to take pics in the dark bowling alley!

I created a card last night for the next challenge, which will be up at Card-a-licious today! The challenge this week is to create a "give thanks" card! Here is what I came up with.
I used a Basic Grey album to trace the shape onto Mairzy Doats - Just Jazzy paper (Tracy Whitney Designs by Dream Street). The large chipboard T is some Tim Holtz Grungeboard that I painted tan and ran over the embossed swirls with a brown ink pad. Added some Fancy Pants rub on flowers, a K& Co. journaling spot, American Crafts rub on letters (give) and some Pink Paislee Fashion Script letters for "thanks" in green.
The inside paper is Wonderland - Holly Berry (Dana Miron Designs) by Dream Street.

Thanks for stopping by today!