Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas: Day 9

Hi all:

This is Day 9 for http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-9.html.  And the challenge is to create a popsicle stick sled.

I couldn't seem to get it together tonight.  I'm usually pretty good at creating things from scratch....this is something that should've taken me a 1/2 hour at the most.  But instead, it  took me more like an hour.  It could be that I was distracted.  SCANDAL was on!  Need I say more?!?!?

Anyway, here is what I came up with when I finally got it done

Products used: popsicle / craft sticks, McGill Holly punch, 

the little mittens were cut free hand, and random silver thread twine from my stash

You can't tell from the picture, but the bottom of the "sled" is actually "curved."  I put the end of the sled in about an inch of water to  soften the sticks and then took my time in bending them upwards.  You have to  be careful though, they're quite easy to break with too much force.

Just a few more days to go....

so, until next time

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas:Day 8

Hi all:

For Day 8 at http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-8.html we were to create candy sticks.  It's not something that I usually do for the Christmas Holidays...I usually just buy store made ones.....But for this project I felt that there wasn't a lot of embellishing to do. They can be used as stocking stuffers; especially if the wrapped candy or other goodies are smaller in scale. It's also a fun way to present little treats to the recipient of a gift to.  Just attach it to the gift bag or box.

I used a lightweight chipboard, a few strands of hologram pears and lace to make a quick one.

I'm trying to play catch-up on the challenges...lol

Enter into challenge: 

http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-8.html

Until next time

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas:Day 5

Yup, it's me again!! LOL

I'm still playing catch up.....

So, here's Day 5 of http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-5.html

Create a 3D gift tag:

I used Crayola air dry clay to create the leaf, kraft card stock as the base, patterned paper is K& Co Christmas Cheer, red satin ribbon, twine, and gesso to create this tag

Ok folks, that's all for now...time for beddy-bye...

G'nite!

Renee

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas:Day 4

Hi all:

I'm trying to play catch up with http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-4.html, LOL, so bare with me for multiple postings!

This is day 4 of the challenge; 12 Days of Christmas

Create a Post-it-Note cover:

Again, I'm using my scraps as much as possible, so I can't even begin to tell you what products I've used.  I'm trying to get control over the mess I've made holding onto things that I probably don't really need...sigh

So, until next time....probably before night's end....

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Mark's Finest Papers 12 Days of Christmas:Day 3

Hi all:

It's Day 3 of http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-3.html.

I didn't have any actual mason jars available for this project, but did have several of these small jars that I usually use to hold small items in like paper clips, beads, and rubber bands.

I used scraps to decorate the jar after I added some bath salts inside.

I'm behind in the challenges and hope to catch up in the next day or so!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

October Challenges

Hi all:

I don't know about you, but I'm never, ever ready for cold weather.  I always say that anything below 75degrees is way too cold for me! LOL.  This summer wasn't bad, it wasn't too hot for me....just the way I like it.  And here in Philly it's been kinda chilly.  I have to admit that I totally love fall for one reason and one reason only; the colors!  Earth, life, vibrant beauty.  So, This card will be entered into two challenges focusing on Fall/Autumn:

 http://memascrafts.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-challenge-coat-of-colors.html and 

http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/10/challenge-65-autumn.html

"Fall Fairy Queen"

Products used: Kraft card stock, DCWV Mariposa cardstock stack (orange and yellow), Party Express fall leaves table scatter, Details Accessories satin ribbon, Fairy digi image

Entered:

http://memascrafts.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-challenge-coat-of-colors.html

http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/10/challenge-65-autumn.html

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

A YouTube Christmas Card Challenge

Hi all:

Philippians 4:19

King James Version (KJV)

19 But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Candace Scarborough is having a challenge on her YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUvM2DeeaCU.  She's celebrating 1000 subbies. Yippee! Yay for her! That's such an accomplishment.  And her birthday is soon.  So she has plenty to celebrate.  She has some very nice crafty goodies up for grabs; including paper stacks, smash books and a too-die-for lace book!  I don't find the kinds of laces that these talented ladies find...I must be shopping in the wrong places...sigh. LOL

Someday, I want to start submitting videos for YT too.  It's seems to be so much fun. Not just in making them, but being able to learn from others, meet new people and help others too. One of the things that interested me in this challenge  includes donating to her mission.  She's not looking for any birthday gifts for herself.  But she's looking to give to someone else for HER birthday. How cool is that? VERY COOL!!! She's asking for ribbon, flower embellishments and sentiment stamps if you'd like to help out.

I wanted to do something different other than traditional Christmas colors of red and green.

So, I'll be entering this card into her challenge  

(inside)

Supplies used

Kraft cardstock, Buttons Galore in green, pink, white/creme, and brown, 

Details & Accessories satin ribbon, and unknown pattern paper cardstock

I've been trying not to waste supplies a lot, so now when I have the chance, and time LOL, I also make a tag for a gift bag or box too.

While you're here, please take the time to become a follower.  And leave your address so that I can visit you.  I'd love to be able to meet and play along in your craft world too!

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Simon Wednesday Challenge

Hello there!
Yes, it's me again....with another card challenge entry for Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (10/23/2013) http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/.
The theme this week is Halloween/Halloween Colors.

Although I'm not really big into celebrating the Halloween Holiday, I knew that I'd been gifted this Jolee's Boutique Spider Web that would be good for a quick card.  I couldn't find the few sheets of paper that would have been perfect for this card and so I decided to do a bit of quick stamping on white cardstock to create a background for the base, black cardstock and used some random piece of patterned cardstock, ribbons, and letters from my stash.

 This is the card that I'll be entering into this challenge

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

I'll be back soon....there are lots of challenges out there!

Until next time,

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Mark's Finest Papers Challenge

Hi all:

Just a quick post of my next entry card into the http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/ 12 Days of Christmas Challenge.

This card was made using the mosaic or stained glass technique:

Entry:

Mark's Finest Papers

http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

I wanted to do something different, instead of using the "traditional" colors of Christmas; like red, silver, green, or gold.

I'm looking forward to sticking it out and completing all 12 days of the projects planned.  It keeps me on my toes and gives me an excuse to play!

Until next time

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Christmas Challenge Entries

Hi all:

There's a challenge at  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ for Christmas/Happy Holidays projects.  And although I've already entered two cards, I'll be entering this project also.  It is an altered or covered journal.

The same project will be entered into the http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-1.html.  Well, what do you expect? Easter Cards?! LOL.  I expect that the majority of projects being shown on blogs and magazines and such will be about Christmas of course.  And it's a good thing too, as it gives me motivation to get my own cards that need to be sent out for the holidays done.

I like that at http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-1.html the challenge is centered around the 12 days of Christmas. So who knows what they have in store for us. It should be fun! Oh, and did I say that there are prizes to be won?! Yes! More scrap goodness for our stashes!

So, take a minute or two to stop by...maybe you'll get motivated too.

Mark's Finest Papers

 http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-days-of-christmas-challenge-day-1.html

Simon Says Stamp

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

Products used: Decorations by Country Silk tree and sentiment die cuts, red grosgrain ribbon

lace from my stash, and patterned paper by ColorBok Rosewood

Until next time

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Simon Wednesday Challenge #2

Hi all:
Just a quick post.
I couldn't fall asleep tonight and decided that I would make a couple of cards.  Figuring that if I sat at my desk for a while I would eventually tire out and head off to bed.  So, we - shall - see......

Well, in my previous post I said that I was entering a card into the http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge.  The card below is a second card that I'll be entering into this challenge.

Products used: Diamond Dust, random bow from stash, Making Memories white metal snowflakes, TPC Studio cling stamp Retro Christmas, DCWV Mariposa and Brights 6x6 stacks

Until next time

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Simon Wednesday Challenge

Hi crafty ladies n gents:

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at what I've been up to.

Us crafters are getting started on our holiday cards (or in my case, I'm probably late in getting started).  Like last year, time doesn't allow me to make a lot of them, what with life getting in the way of my crafting and everything. LOL.  Last year, I made about thirty cards for Christmas, and then gave up.  This year, the number will probably be less; as I hope to get into the celebrating spirit with family and friends more often.

At thttp://www.simonsaysstampblog.com the challenge for this week is Christmas/Happy Holidays.  And  I made a CAS card to enter into this challenge.  I left a lot of 'white' space; something I'm not usually comfortable with when it comes to cards.  And decided to use a totally different color to add to the card; which was a coral piece of card stock.

entered into 

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

Supplies used: paper tape, white, black and coral textured card stock, bling star from my stash, and the 'gifts' stamp has no markings on it, so who knows...but it happens to be one of my favorite stamps

 (and if you do know the maker, drop me a line!)

Until next time,

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Birdhouse Swap

Hi everyone.
So glad that you took the time out of your busy day to pop and see what I've been up to!

As you know, my friend Sharon S. and I have been having our very own monthly swaps.  We decide together what item we'd like to alter and then we create for each other.  And I just wanted to show everyone the birdhouse that Sharon S. created for me.

Isn't it the cutest darned  thing!?

There's so much detail to it.  Flowers, flowers, and more flowers! Made of fabric, paper, plastic, and ceramics.  What crafty girl do you know that doesn't like lots of flowers? The paper that she used mimics bricks for the roof.  And there's also paper that has words written on it.  Somehow she managed to put the paper so that it shows inspirational words; like talent, truth, and believe. There are tiny little butterflies and a picket fence.  A watering can.  There's even a bird bath and nest!

I love it. And so did my daughter (caught her just in time....Her words? "But ma, it would look great on that shelf in my kitchen.")

Momma loves her, but in the words of Hammer "...can't touch this!"

Until next time

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Birthday Card

Hi all:

Just a quick post. But before I get started, let me apologize in advance for this post display, for some reason it keeps changing my text colors and I haven't figured out what the problem is......it seems to show up differently on each computer at my house.

Anyway...

This card being entered into http://avenue613.blogspot.com/ challenge #41 "anything goes w/optional twist." Pile it on!  And so I piled on the lace!

I've been making cards regularly, joining in on more challenges and contests and of course, forgetting to take pictures before I send them off to their recipients!  But this time, I remembered. Yay me!! This is the card that I created for my sister's birthday. It's more of a book; as I wanted to add some notes to tell her what she means to me and I knew that I'd need more room.










Products used:
Prima Doll Stamp #DOLL9-10167, base cardstock cut at 4"x8"
scraps of lace and doilies, Stampin' Up! Early Expresso ink,
and unknown pattern paper
(yeah, I've got to stop taking apart paper pads without noting their names!)

Her birthday is on the 24th and I didn't want to rush!
I hope she likes it.

Until next time
Hugs+Kisses

Renee

No -Sew Clutch Purse

Hi crafty people.

I just wanted to share a post on one of the things that I've been up to.

When I was much much younger, (keep that snicker and laugh to yourself!) a teacher in Jr. High School taught me how to make a purse without sewing.  And yes, this was in a Home Economics class.  I loved making them for my friends and sisters.  And then charge them $5.00 for them! Who knew how long they would hold up??  They weren't really made for heavy or bulky stuff.  They were more or less for "cuteness" when we went to parties.  But they did serve their purpose.  And they must've been pretty good, since my sister always wanted them made.  Sometimes I would glue them (and back then it was mainly cement glue!), sometimes I would actually sew them on a machine, and sometimes I would hand sew them. Old jeans was the favorite fabric of choice.  Always available.  Didn't make a difference if they were women's or men's jeans.  And occasionally my mother would let me use old curtains and sheets or my father's old shirts.

I decided over the past weekend that I'd try my hand at making one again.  No sew this time.  Using stitch witchery, hot glue, and Heat n Bond.

I had several place mats on hand that I decided would be the perfect size.  I added muslin for the lining of the purse/clutch and an acrylic flower (I haven't decided whether I will use velcro or a magnetic snap as the closure).

I added a couple of rows of coordinating lace to the back

I think that it would be great for a very dressy affair.  Especially when all you want to carry is your lipstick, cell phone, money and/credit cards.  The next one that I make, I want to add a strap for my wrist.

It took about an hour to make.  Not bad.  And to top it off, I think I've come up with ideas for Christmas gifts for the women in my life this year!  

Thanks for stopping by,

As always Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Simon Says Stamp

Hi all:
Just a quick post.
Have you been making cards like crazy? Celebrating big time World Card Making Day...that seemed to spill over from Saturday into Monday? LOL.  Well, I have.  And it's a good thing too, as there are lots of birthdays and anniversaries happening all around me.

I've been doing a lot of blog hopping since last week and as I said in a previous post, I'm trying to support other bloggers and finding lots of blogs of interest in my 'surfing.'

Ok, to the point.  There is a challenge over at http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/.  The challenge was to add DOTS to your project.  It was a  good opportunity to use a new stamp set that I got last Friday from Big Lots.  It's from a company that I'd never heard of before called TPC Studio.  The stamp set is Hot Air Balloon Collage.  It's a fun little set of six cling stamps and I envision that I'll be using it a lot in the future.

Here is the card that I will be entering into the 

Simon Says Stamp challenge

You can't really tell that the balloon is paper pieced...but it is...honestly, it is!

And I wish that I could tell you  the name of the patterned paper that I used...but honestly, I have no idea who the maker is...it was an 8x8 double sided piece from a stack that I've had forever.  I've already said that I used the "Hot Air Balloon Collage" from TPC Studio, Ink it Up dye based in Navy and Glossy Accents

Wish me luck!

And in the words of my grandbaby "I tiword. I seepy."

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Birdhouse swap

Hi there happy crafty people:
"Oh what a beautiful morning!" (from one of my favorite movies Oklahoma!)
Why? Because He woke me up this morning. Woke my family up this morning. We're all healthy. Have a place to lay our heads.  And food on the table. Annnnnnd, it's my day off!!! LOL

Anyway, my friend Sharon S. and I have been doing our very own one-on-one swaps each month.  It keeps our creative juices flowing and it's been a load of fun coming up with new items to alter.

This month we actually did two.  She and I both made faux pas with the first item, which was an altoid tin. For me I ignored that little voice inside my head to "just leave well enough alone," and tried to fix something that really "wasn't broken."  Well NOW it's "broken."  Ooooops!

So we decided to move on to the next item, which was a birdhouse.  I had three that I could alter: small, medium and large.  I had already used patterned paper on the small one, which wasn't in the colors that I wanted to use for hers. And so I moved on to the medium birdhouse.  Well, I did it again...I tried to make a 'repair' to a reallllly small and minor mistake! And OOOOOPPPS again!!!! Hey, what can I say? I am very, very, very critical of my own work!  Then that deemed the other birdhouse way too big. What to do, oh what to do? (Insert lightbulb here)  I'll just make one from scratch! So, I really didn't "alter" the birdhouse. I created the birdhouse. Yay me!!! I was determined...and I worked on it well into the night to get it done .

 And this is the end result

(Products used: popsicle/craft sticks (sm/md), acrylic paint, alcohol ink, 

wood die-cut, scrap seam binding, actual piece of tree trunk, faux foliage)

This was a really fun project and I hope that Sharon likes it.

Thanks for looking!

Until next time,

Hugs+Kisses

Renee

Altered Tray

Hi faithful friends!

Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate all of your support...I really do.

Over at http://scrapsofcolor.ning.com/events/that-s-alterable-challenge-2013 we are continuing our monthly 'alter it!' challenge.  Which I am so enjoying!

This month we were to alter a tray.  And of course, I just so happen to have an old dusty and stained one available.  It's a really good size too.  I guess that's why I never tossed it out.

It took a lot of gesso and  acrylic paint  to cover up all of stains....but I finally got it covered....whew! I then added a coat of ModPodge to that.  I used patterned paper from the Color Bok Veranda stack and added a piece of lacy seam binding to cover the seam.  There is a 1inch width strand of ruffled lace around the entire outside edge of the tray. And a strand of pearl bling along the entire inside edge.  I added a final coat of ModPodge to the entire tray.  To complete the tray, I added felt pads to the bottom for stability.  By the way....Did I say how much I love, love, love this paper?! I'd like to get a stack with the same pattern in different colors if that were possible.

My daughter saw the finished product and wanted to know if it were for her house since her bedroom has these colors...wink, wink....hint, hint....After disappointing her and telling her that it was for a friend...I quickly let her off of the hook and told her "Of course it is!" To which there were no words...just a very loud "SIGH!"  It's so nice that my baby has been digging through my crafty items to find things for her house.  But she's been eyeing my paper doll collection a little too hard!!!!  I may have to make several for her.  It's hard letting go of your "first" of anything isn't?

Like I said, this monthly journey of altering every day items has been a blast....thanks Tiare....I hate to see the year end. LOL.

Until my next altered item....
Hugs+Kisses
Renee

Did You Know?

Hi all:

Did you know that this Saturday, October 5th is World Card Making Day?

Isn't that great? A day devoted to US.
WhooHooooooo!!!!

So, this is the absolute perfect day to dig into my scrap-stash and create-a-way.  And my goal is to get at least twenty cards done. I'm not sure how that's gonna happen since I'll be helping my daughter continue packing and moving things into her new house.  But that's my goal.  I guess that means that I'll have to pack a bag as if I'm going to a crop, so that when I sit still long enough to take a break from the move, I can get in some scrapping.  I'm thinking that if I keep most of the cards clean and simple, I can do it!  Whaddya think?

I was thinking that it's a perfect time for us card makers to get started on those holiday cards; Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

And if you didn't know, there's a contest being held over at http://www.worldcardmakingday.com/index.html.  I may be reading too fast to see it; but I think that there's still a chance to enter.  Some of the sponsors are Spellbinders, Close to My Heart, and BasicGrey. The plan is to get started on a card as soon as I walk through the door to my house!  I am so on it! LOL
But did you take a peek at the prize pack???  "Be still my FAST beating heart!"  That's a lotta yumminess isn't it!?  And since I've been such a good girl and haven't been buying scrap supplies, I want it...I need it...I gotta have this....sigh.

ANNNNNNNNNNNND! or should I say BUUUUUUUUTT?  Did you know that when you enter this contest http://www.worldcardmakingday.com/index.html, you have to submit your entry by mail?????? Well, I didn't. Darn. I don't know about you, but I like to use up scraps, bits and pieces and "mistake" pieces for a lot of cards that I'm just testing out.  So when I say sometimes they're put together 'shoddily' or barely glued together, I'm dead serious.  And yet the design turns out great.  But, there's no way I can mail the entry that I took the time to put together and photograph.  It wouldn't survive in the mail! LOL.

The good news is that I/We have until (Oct. 15th POSTMARKED).  So I may have time in my "there's not enough time in the day or week" life to get another card made.

Anyway, from one scrappy sistah to another (and you too my scrappy brothas if you're kind enough to grace me with your presence!) HAPPY WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!

I hope you get a chance to submit an entry and possibly win.  It would  be a wonderful thing for any of us!

Let's get our scrap on!

Until next time
Hugs+Kisses
Renee