HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!

 Here's hoping my sister, Sue, doesn't look at this site before she gets her package...LOL.  It is supposed to arrive at her house today but you know how the post office works.  This handbag I made for her using a pizza box lid for a pattern.  The rest was just thinking about what I wanted it to look like and figuring out how to achieve the look.  I'm a slow seamstress and must say I did have to do a bit of ripping out on a couple places that didn't go together quite like I wanted but overall I'm pleased with how it turned out and I hope she'll like it.The large tree on the front and surrounding images were printed onto fabric using my printer.  Easiest way to do this is to design your image, adhere the image to an 8.5x11.00 sheet of card stock using spray craft adhesive then trim the fabric down to fit so you have no bulky overlapping pieces of fabric.  It was really fun to create my sis' "coat of arms" so to speak and makes the handbag more personal to her.  Definitely one of a kind.  Working on this project taught me a couple of things. Be patient.  Take your time and use a Brother 400Sewing and Embroidery machine.  I LOVE MINE!!!!!!  I can't begin to tell you how smooth this machine sews over several layers of fabric.  

Got a bit too close on this closeup of a covered button I made for the strap.

The bag is lined with Osnasburg fabric and has 2 pockets.   One of these days maybe I'll have to make myself one :)  Happy Birthday Ol' Gal!     :)

Graduation Card 2012

My latest card creation is a request from my sister for her boyfriend's daughter's high school graduation coming in May. I added a small pocket with tiny card inside the pocket for adding money, or a small gift to the front of the card. The tiny card can be seen in this photo sticking out of the pocket. Embellishments are rhinestones, silver foil initial, vintage lace, foam numerals with a small dingbat with some sparkle just above the numbers. The paper is Mariposa scrapbooking paper from Hobby Lobby. I also put a decorative edging on the card stock.  I will also be making a coordinating envelope to go along with this spring time pretty that I hope will become a dear keepsake for this young lady.  It is always a joy to make a card for someone but especially so to be asked to create one.  Enjoy your day!

Beating Cancer

I know you've seen this pic of my handsome hubby before but this time look closely and you will see a man who was diagnosed 2 yrs ago with prostate cancer.  This same man put off treatment because at the time of his diagnosis my mother was dying of ovarian cancer.  Even after mom passed he put it off out of fear of what it might cost us financially if his insurance from Canada didn't cover well.  Finally late last summer he got bronchitis and I finally yelled at him to get his butt to the dr. and pronto.  Thankfully while there seeing a PA she forced the cancer issue and scheduled him to see an oncologist.  I was soooooo grateful she put her foot down as I'd been getting nowhere trying to get him to see someone.  So he went and began a series of 43 radiation treatments that made him feel horrible.  He was wiped out, nauseated at times and up to the bathroom constantly allowing him little rest as he continued to work throughout these Monday through Friday treatments.  Finally as his treatment was winding down he took a couple weeks off as he just couldn't go anymore.  Once those 2 weeks were up he was back at it.  Fast forward to March 21, 2012.  We went to see his oncologist for his post radiation checkup assessment and got the news we'd waited so long to hear.  As of that day they consider my DH cancer free.  CANCER FREE!!!  Thank you Jesus!!!!!  Prayers have been answered and each day I think it sinks in a bit more for him as to what this means.  He must return every 6 months for the next 5 yrs. for blood work to make sure the C word hasn't sneaked back but for now we'll relish this time and thank all of our family and friends who kept us in their thoughts and prayers this past couple of years.  Have a wonderful week!

Giveaway @ Nanalulu's

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com%2F&h=WAQEpvVVU

Nanalulu is having a wonderful giveaway on Facebook of a darling tote bag done in a Spring floral pattern.  Facebook users check her out and follow the instructions for your chance to win.  Enjoy!

Pinners BEWARE

After recently seeing a pin regarding copyright infringement and trademark violations as well as some slippery terms of service on the Pinterest site I've decided to take some steps to try and help myself and others to remember that not everything on the net is ours to "Pin".  Tonight I found an image I had repinned from a fellow pinner and sure enough when I tracked it down the site was copyrighted and she didn't want images of her art/crafts being shown all over the net.  Yet here we were doing just what she didn't want.  I felt badly and immediately removed it.  I alerted another pinner to the fact that she'd done the same thing and so decided to make a reminder Pin to go on my boards about this hot issue.  So much has been brought up about this recently due to the SOPA and PIPA legislation that has been tabled for now but deals with just this issue.  Pinterest isn't the only site which has written laws in their terms of service to protect themselves against possible lawsuits placing all blame on the members.  Other sites have done this as well so it is very important as consumers of these sites that we become more knowledgeable about what that fine print in those terms of service really say.  We need to get smarter I guess folks so we don't get thrown to the wolves or the courts.  Take care and pin smart!

I've been having such fun on one of the newest sites on the internet called Pinterest.  This site has only been in existence a couple of years but already has thousands of followers.  It allows a member to create boards on which to post some of their favorite sites and images around the internet. Users can then "follow" other members with like interests and I'm happy to say I now have 100 followers and I'm sooooooo tickled about this.  These followers become friends sharing similar ideas and you just know if you ever got to meet you'd be fast friends.  So this is a thank you to all of my followers for making Pinterest a great part of my online life!

Freebie Paper Printables

Today I have some free paper printables for your personal use for stationary, cards, altered art or whatever your creative mind can imagine.  To save right click  and save. I hope if you make something  you'll send me a link or pic. I'd love to see!

New Card with Pocket Envelope Tutorial

Today I thought I'd share a card I made for my sister's birthday in April and a tutorial for the very easy pocket envelope that goes with this card.  This envelope works great for any card that is about 5 inches wide.

Obviously a different card but dimensions are the same. Lay your card in the center of a 12x12 sheet of scrapbook paper. With the card being 5 inches wide that leaves you with 3.5 inches on each side of the card. I had folded this already when I decided to grab my camera and provide a tutorial so unfolded it so I could get some more shots.

Fold each side in so they overlap slightly.

Next fold up a small cuff for the bottom of your envelope.  Then do the same at the top by folding it down.  You will have a large cuff for the top of the envelope.  At this point unfold the paper so you can see all of your folds.

Now you will trim out the corners on the top and bottom of your folded paper. See the bottom cuff corners I cut out? If you look at the 2nd picture I posted you will see the corners and how I trimmed them out in the above picture. Do this to the top cuff too.  That way you won't have several layers of paper folded over to glue down.  Your finished envelope will look much nicer.  After you've made your corner cuts you can use a corner punch to round the bottom cuff if you wish.

Next you can cut down the top flap of your envelope as you'll have a big overhang if you don't.  If you like that look you can leave it however I felt it was a bit too long so I trimmed it down and rounded the corners on the flap.  No specific measurement.  I eyeballed it to what I felt looked nice.






Refold your flaps and glue down your side flaps first, then bottom flap.  You should have nice smooth seams. Wait until the envelope is dry before inserting your card.  Once your envelope is dry you can put your card in and glue down the top flap sealing your card inside.  If you use patterned paper as I've done here and are planning on mailing your card you may need to make labels for the front of the envelope for the address and return address so they are readable by the post office.

Send your sweet greetings off to your friend or loved one and reap the rewards when they see the care and beauty of your handmade card and envelope.  Enjoy!

Freebie Printable

I have benefited greatly from all of the wonderful goodies that artists frequently offer as freebies on their sites.  So many great people in the crafting and artistic community willing to share their talents, so today I'd like to offer a free 8.5x11.0 scrapping paper freebie.  I hope you will use it in your scrap and journaling endeavors and have some fun with it.  I'd love to see what you make so send me a link in the comments tab if you post a pic on your blog or a photo site online. To save the image for your personal use right click on the image, choose open in new window or tab and then save the image.  The only thing I ask in return is that you not claim this as your creation or sell products made using it.  Have fun and a terrific Tuesday!

New Card and Angel Necklaces

Today found me in my craft room working on a belated birthday card for a friend. I absolutely love the new papers I just got as they're full of beautiful florals. The clock face I printed from a wonderful site called Friendlyscrap blog. Lots of wonderful freebie printables for your own use there.  The clock hands are by Tim Holtz.  Love his jewelry and scrapbooking items!  The envelope I also made from scrapbooking paper. Just lay your card on the diagonal in the middle of the paper and fold in all 4 sides.  Trim out corners where it shows a double layer of paper and glue the flaps together. One of these days I'll actually take pictures while I'm crafting instead of only showing the final product.  I guess most of the time I'm not sure how many mistakes I'll make and so forget about the camera.  LOL.  

The next picture to show are of some angel necklaces I made for some dear friends.  Not sure what was up with my camera tonight but had a bit of foggy glare on these pictures.  Hoping that doesn't mean my camera is about to bite the dust.

Hopefully you can see them well enough to tell they're Tim Holtz word sticks, jump ring, acrylic bead, angel made from beads threaded onto an eye pin, capped with another jump ring threaded onto copper chain with lobster clasp.  The wing elements I bought recently but all other beads are upcycled from other pieces of vintage jewelry.  Fun to make and I'm hoping my friends will enjoy wearing them as I chose words I felt to have meaning in their lives.  I hope you're finding fun crafts and art to do to give meaning to yours :)  Enjoy!