TTT and Shabby Chic

Well!   I knew the team over at Top Tip Tuesday was outstanding in both style, ability and personality!  However, their ability to express their individuality and share their views has astounded me again!

This week we want to know . . . 

What is Shabby Chic???

My version is a room full of rustic white crackle painted wood furnishing with cotton pillows all surrounded by paintings full of pastel blues and pink cottages with trellises.  The books on the shelves are tied together with string and the water bowl and pitcher on the corner armoir are handmade ceramic.  The drapes are lace and the rods are rot iron.  The clean whites mixed with the hint of pearls are over the edge of the floral patterned bed.

I found a few image close to this and wanted to share this with you, but please don't hesitate to make a creation that fits into YOUR view of Shabby Chic and enter into this weeks challenge.  Can't wait to see what you make and visit your blogs!

This week, we are doing something special and different.  We're doing a joint tutorial and cards of our impressions of the decorative style Shabby Chic.

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This week's awesome Sponsors...

Digital Delights by Louby Lou

Prize:

Ooh La La Creations 

is offering any 1 of their CDs!

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So.......What exactly is Shabby Chic???

This tutorial is a little different to our usual offerings - Each member of the playing team this week has written a few words and added an inspirational picture of what THEY envisage Shabby Chic to be.

The theory behind this is that unless you are familiar with the term, Shabby Chic can be a little confusing....

We want to show that there is are no definate 'rules' as there often are with other styles - we all know that Vintage is Old, Retro is not quite as Old, CAS is minimalistic - but what on earth does Shabby Chic mean...

Some excerpts found

Popularized by its founder Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic conjures up images of time-worn objects, imperfection, and comfortable living.  It mirrors the idea of the English cottage; casual, romantic, and hand-crafted.  According to Ashwell, "Shabby Chic is a style that is versatile and boundary free."   
 Borrowed from: Laura Buhrer Designs


"Shabby Chic® is a comfortable, casual decorating style with a look that uses vintage accessories, pastels, and comfortable furniture. While people have been living with old lace tablecloths, dreamy soft floral fabrics, light painted furniture, wrought iron curtain rods with filmy sheer curtains, and colorful fresh flowers for a long time, Rachel Ashwell identified this style of decorating and named it Shabby Chic®.
Think of visiting with your grandmother, snuggled in comfortable soft furniture. Fresh flowers look beautiful and the soft scent of candles fills the room. A home decorated in the Shabby Chic® style can provide the same sensation for your own home." Borrowed from: Mulberry Moon

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: 

Our views are our own. Using them in company with others' views, and then we can truly create!

 Thank you for visiting,

 

Sentimental School Days!

Hi everyone!  So, earlier this month I attended my card making class at Scrap Girl Angie's with the guest crafting teacher Mindy Baxter, as some of you already know.  I shared a few hours of premium crafting time with some lovely ladies making a real treat of a project!  I won't have a lot of information on this pretty little gift box but I can tell you some!  The tutorial was from SCS site and it was one of Beate Johns.  I had never done a box card before and was pleased to hear that it wasn't assembled with any glue!  Nope, all folds except the trim lace!  Nice huh?

I had to show you the terrific little image and the awesome style of Mindy Baxter, but I didn't want to post it as my DT work for Sentimental Sundays.  So I am going to show it to you and I am also going to tell you all that there is a fabulous new challenge this week starting today.  The theme this week is:

Back to school

Sponsored by Heart Song Designs

and what better image and project than this Little Darling  "Go Team" from Love to Stamp store (where I get the best prices on my favorite design papers) for the Sentimental Sundays theme?  So two birds and one stone I guess.  Hope you enjoy it and I want to thank Angie and Mindy again for everything!  I enjoyed coloring and assembling the projects and loved the challenge as well!

Come by Sentimental Sundays today and join us for the Back to School challenge and show us your creations!

INGREDIENTS: 

Little Darling image from the Love To Stamp Store

Raindrop Echo Design w/Whimsy sentimetn

Magnolia leaf punch

Nestie classic oval and scalloped oval

 MEDIUMS:

Copic Sketch

 EMBELLISHMENTS:

Wild Orchid Crafts flowers

 INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Be proud of  YOUR work, but also grateful for OTHERS!

Thank you for visiting,

 

Ready for the Whimsy DT call?

Hi friends and family, I love creating with digital or rubber images and creating projects of all sorts.  I have served on Design Teams that have been productive, inspiration and helpful on my crafting journey and consider myself extremely lucky to have found them all.  However, to be a member of the Whimsy DT has been one of my largest goals thus far and I feel I am organized and prepared to follow through with the responsibility!  So, here goes:
Did you know that there's a DT Call over at Whimsy Stamps?

I love to create with several different Companies that work with Whimsy such as Meljen, Kenny K and Raindrop Echo Designs.  As a member of the Sentimental Sundays DT, Raindrop Echo Design Sentiments have been an intricate part of most of my projects from the start.  Kenny K has given me some of my favorite masculine projects and Meljen has been very useful in the cute and fluffy side of my work!  I also have enjoyed creating with several of the die cutting products sold at Whimsy Stamps such as the bib, bottle cap, postage die, and film strip.  So I thought I'd give it a go.

You have to share three of your best creations - it's so difficult to choose.  They don't have to be made using Whimsy Stamps so,  if you don't have any of their products, you can still give it a go.


Here are Three of my favorites, however, I have a tab above that is a short and sweet list of my very favorites of 2011 and their significance.

The hockey puck is an ornament

the land on the globe is embossed

There is a keepsake chain for the baby book!

So to complete your application and make the attempt to be on this wonderful team check out the Call rules and info here!


You may also like:

hand made template

hand made template

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: 

Have goals, follow through with obligation and share what you love doing with the world!  This is my moto!

Thank you for visiting,

 

Packed with elegance!

I hope you all have a terrific Friday today and get out to the movies or something really fun!  I've been watching a series with my daughter lately that has really held my attention and given us something we both love to do together!  

At my last sale, I had a few requests for specific items, like the photo frames I've made recently and the ornaments and today's project is for the same reason.  They wanted small petite candle or dog treat packages for gifts, so here it is!  Super fun, very easy and elegant all at the same time!

Join me today at the Stamping with the Dragon challenge site for a DT call an terrific freebie and the Birthday/Holiday challenge/drive for the Send a smile 4 kids challenge.    The challenge has one more week so show us your birthday/holiday cards.

I wanted an elegant project so the coloring couldn't be too colorful or cutsie so I made these adorable images with simple brays and a deep rich red then accented them with gold metallic pen.  The template is Tim Holts for the box and is extremely easy to cuut and assemble.

perfectly closed with candles inside

INGREDIENTS: 

Bazzill stock

Gold filigree stock from stash

image is Jiggy's gift by Dragon Designs

Paper Studios DP

Flourettes clip by Mark Richards

yellow backdrop and hazy pics from borrowed camera

 MEDIUMS:

Copic markers:  C00,1,2,3,4,5,R39

 EMBELLISHMENTS: 

Gold texture ribbon from stash

Ultra fin glitter

American Gold pen

Recollections Mulberry paper flower

Tealights from Better Homes

 INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Make due or borrow and say Thanks!

 Thank you for visiting,

Christmas in August

It's also challenge day today at Diva's by Design Challenge Blog.

Christmas is coming soon and I know, at least for me, that this is going to be a very busy Holiday for me.  So it's time to get crackin and make as many Christmas cards as possible and today's challenge will help!

 So we have our theme of:      Christmas in August! 


Don't forget you can create anything, a card, a gift box, a decoration etc just make sure you only enter twice at most with a NEW creation and link to our challenge in your post! Of course the wonderful DT have really stepped it up again this time with some amazing creations and some showcasing of our wonderful sponsor, please drop by their blogs and leave them some love!
Vicky
Laney
Shell GDT
LISA 

Sarah
Jacqui
Rebekah

Bettina 

Anita

There are two weeks to enter, so grab you fav Holiday stamp, get a  little inky and join in on the fun and prizes!  

Thank you for visiting,

 

Pleated Ruffles for Little Darling GDT

Well today is my last chance to inspire as a part of the Little Darlings Challenge as a Guest Designer.  I've tried very hard to do my best to do these romantic and genuinely lovely stamps justice.   I want to thank them for the opportunity and wish them only the best on their journey!  I hope they know how thrilled and honored I am to have been able to share the images and designs with all of my wonderful followers and I hope to see you all join in on the Little Darling Challenge blog.  

This time I wanted to find a way of adding pleats and ruffles that was out of the ordinary so I googled "Pleats challenge" and found my inspiration to fit the challenge there.  I used one of my new "Bottle cap design" sentiments today as well as the "An Apple a Day" image from the new "Back to School" collection found only at the Love to Stamp Store where you can get the latest paper, including some brand new Holiday collections just in,  classic ribbon, flower/border dies and much, much more for very affordable prices!  

Little Darling Challenge 6

The challenge this time is "Pleats and Ruffles".

Here's some of the things you need to know about this fun and rewarding challenge:  

You don't have to use Little Darlings images, but if you do, you could win a $20 merchandise gift voucher to the Love to Stamp store. If you use any other stamp you could win a $10 merchandise gift voucher.

Great Prizes!  So I hope you all join me!  You have two weeks to enter so there is plenty of time to play!

     I made the Pleated skirt by accordion folding my striped paper then punching the cute scallop out of the bottom.  I mounted it onto the velour ribbon and stretched it onto the bottom of the cut short card. 
     Thrilled for my newest little find ~ the bottle cap and insert.  (I learned the technique from the make-n-take this weekend.   I decided to punch a whole in the cap after distressing it, jump ring and chain later and I have a keepsake card for anyone!  
     Then I found the "must have" element of the card which is the "Park bench for two" scene from Make it Crafty that added the feel I was looking for:  that this "ready for the day" image was well on her way to school in her own stylish way with an apple for the teacher and her favorite little skirt and blouse!  
     So, visit the Little Darlings Challenge blog, get inspired by the talented Design Team, join in on the contest and stop over at the Love to Stamp Store and get great deals on the best craft products!  I'll see you there!

 INGREDIENTS:

Little Darling Back to School image called "An Apple a Day"

Sentiment by Raindrop Echo Design for Whimsy New "Retro Bottle Cap"

Park Bench by Make it crafty

Paper Pizzazz DP called Burgandy Border

Color Box Sepia Script DP

Color Bok Harvest Flower by Heidi grace designs

Martha Stewart "Optic Dot" punch

Bazzill Basics stock

 MEDIUMS:

Copics include:  Grass:YG91,95,97,Stone: W1,3,5, skirt and flowers/cheeks R20,R39,R22, RV34, Skin: E0000,E00,E13, Hair:E50,44,37,42, flowers: Y21,Y26, G20 for the apple

Singo white pen

Gelly Roll "clear star"

Ranger Distress ink:  Walnut Stain,Worn Lipstick, Black Soot, Victorian Velvet, Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Crushed Olive

Ranger Distress Crackle medium : Antique Linen

EK Success embossing powder "Copper"

She is so ready to learn!

Challenges Entered:  Penny's Paper-Crafty challenge~ Back to school

Craft us Crazy ~ Anything Goes

Little Miss Muffet ~ Multiple images

Stampin'B's ~ Distressing

 EMBELLISHMENTS:

Suede Ribbon from Joanne Fabrics

WOC filigree silver corner altered with crackle

bottle cap from make n take at Archivers (no record of stamp name)

Ruffled flower from Joanne Fabric Bride section altered with Ranger Victorian Velvet distress ink

Button from Dress It Up " AU Jardin" collection

Bella Corda Premium raffia

double Sewn stitching

die cut doily altered with distress ink from stash for sentiment

It appears to be a flowing skirt full of fancy pleats on the bottom (hard to photo)

 INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

 We are not the sum of what we have but the totality of what we might have. 

                                                                         

The love sentiment is for those we send off for their growth in education!

 Thank you for visiting,

 

Wanna Play!

It's Totally Tipper Week Tuesday!  So glad to have reached this terrific day of the week yet again!   Hi everyone! I hope your week end went well,  I was so glad to not have to go back to Jury Duty!  I served last week, then got sent home as an un-needed alternate!  Yep, sat through 3 days of witnesses then got sent home!  I also learned why people don't find it a privelege!  No coffee, no donuts, no respect at all!

 I hope you too are getting ready and excited for the kids to get back to school also!  Yes, it makes everyday a little longer but it also gets less stress full for us at home moms!

Tip #1 Nesties look great horizontally or vertically together
Tip #2  if there is a pattern in clothes or drawing, try to choose DP with the same pattern to coordinate

Top Tip Tuesday is starting a challenge today that is:

"Masculine"

So make a card for a guy be it adult or a child as long as it's for a boy!

Our Sponsors are:

My card is simple, sweet and such a "All American" type boy!  This is a typical Vendor card made with Nesties and twine and button!  They sell well and are really easy to make!  I hope you get inspired to keep it simple and elegant too!  I don't have as many pictures this time as I mailed it off and forgot to take the inside picture! oops!

 INGREDIENTS:

Image by Penny Black

Nestabilities Die Label 17

 MEDIUMS: 

Copic colors: E00,E11,E35, R20,B93,95,97

YG97,Y38,E57,YG95,C4,C6,C00,C2

Entered into:

 Cards for men ~ Masculine
Karens Doodles ~ Die Cuts

 EMBELLISHMENTS:

The Paper Studios button

Forget Me Not Raffia

 INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: 

 There is no distance too far between friends, for friendship gives wings to the heart. 

                                                                   Kathy Kay Benudiz

 Thank you for visiting

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6 Month Anniversary Candy!

I can't believe it's been 6 months for me here sharing and being inspired by all of my crafting friends!

This post will remain at the top of my blog until my goals are reached or August 30th which ever is first!

My very first Candy ever!  Just to say thank you and wish you all well in my own little way.  I have met  so many truly special, giving and inspiring people on this journey and all I can say is I wouldn't change a second of my time in blog land!
Some of the great items:  Scrap booking Album, Album Kit, Entire 12x12 Paper pack and sticker and embellie collection, Inks, stickers, (Jo lee, Copic sketch markers), Disney Cuttle Bug dies and much much more!  I've been collecting for 6 months after all!

Good luck and come back for my inspirational thought for the day, anytime!

Click to Enlarge Photo

1.  Follow me,
2.  Post my candy either in the sidebar or in a post, to spread the word,(but not required),
3.  Leave your info in Mr. linky 
(some hugs would be nice,but not required either ),
and WIN WIN WIN! (3 winners minimum)
I will contact winners and update the post!
 There may even be more than three if I get over my goal!  Just love to share, inspire and meet all of you!

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I am becoming more and more myself with time!

Thank you for visiting,

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I'm at 150 followers already with 39 entries and per the Random generator the winner is entry :
#19:  Alethea from lilodesigns
Congratulations Alethea, please respond to your email notification with your choice of candy as soon as possible and I'll be sure to get it out to you!


You can still win one of the other two prizes!!  
But only if you play!!


I want to thank everyone of you that have supported me and my crafting space so far and also inform you that there are two more selections to win by 8-30!  The next will be chosen at 200 followers and I wish you all the best of luck!

ps.  I absolutely was at 150 today when chosen then blocked a very creepy follower!

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I'm at 200 followers today with 86 entries and per the Random generator the winner is entry :


#43:  Terri from Terri's tries @ Making Cards
Congratulations Terri, please respond to your email notification with your choice of candy as soon as possible and I'll be sure to get it out to you!

You can still win one more prize!!  
But only if you play!! 

I want to thank everyone of you that have supported me and my crafting space so far and also inform you that there is more of these lovelies to win by 8-30!  The next will be chosen at 250 followers and I wish you all the best of luck!

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I'm at 250 followers today with 126 entries and per the Random generator the winner is entry :

#86:  Joanne from TropicLuv, Cards in Paradise
Congratulations Joanne, please respond to your email notification with your snail mail as soon as possible and I'll be sure to get it out to you!

I want to thank everyone of you that have supported me and my crafting space so far!  Everyone of you have been more than generous with either your hugs, inspiration and your continued crafting!

  

Ginger Loft GDT Card!

This crafting year has been so thrilling!  Every single opportunity, type of stamp, style an so much more!  I continue to press the lines of new and jump right outside that "normal" box and todays project is no different!  Back, earlier this summer my tag won at Gingerloft Challenge and I was given an opportunity to be a Guest Designer with a brand new freebie stamp so I'm very excited to share this with you!  I hope you enjoy it.

There challenge starts today, after a summer break and the challenge is:

FREEBIE

I wanted to give some dimension and depth with this super natural looking stamp, I used the spot of color technique, then I thought the entire image again smaller off to the side would give some color to the bottom section of the image.  The all natural leaf just adds some floral embellishment without it being girly!  I think this would work for just anyone don't you?

INGREDIENTS:

Gingerloft image cattail pond

Raindrop Echo Designs for Whimsy "Ticket Sentiment"

Fiscars 2 " circle punch

Carolee's Creations Sunflower DP

Bazzill Stock

Spellbinders Shapeabilities "Fancy Tag"

MEDIUMS:

Copic: YG91,95,97, E50,51, E13,E25,B0000,B91,C00,C1

Ranger Distress Ink:  Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Tumbled Glass

EMBELLISHMENTS:

Buttons from stash

Natural Skeleton leaf by the Natural Paper Co

Recollections Pearl Stickers

Forget Me Not "Rafia"

 INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

 Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time.
Lyndon B Johnson

 Thank you for visiting,