Little Spring Birds

I adore hearing all the little birds each spring. It simply makes my heart smile, or should I have said soar?? I like to leave my windows open to listen to their calls too.

I got lucky this month and have been able to create a few projects featuring these little guys. I will share one with you now and once I've finished my other project I'll share that one too.

This card was created for a swap I am in at SCS with these two swaps in mind. It was like the perfect month that they all were the same theme!

I used cardstock from Michaels, the pattered paper is old Penny Black. I used a deckled rectangle die to cut out Copic colored digi image from Sami Stamps. The tag is a retired SU small oval whale tail punch. The sentiment is SU too. The twine and pink bling are Hobby Lobby. And I added a bit of Wink of Stella to the pink spots.

         Challenges:
               Scribbles ~ #51 Birds of a Feather
               Kitty Bee Designs ~ #90 Living Things w/ Wings

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles & Hugs!
Peggie Sue

Luv Ya' Bunches

I'm such a happy camper ~ I unpacked my Cricut today! I then spent some time downloading a few cut files I needed and a few I didn't. Then I put together a card for a swap I'm in at Splitcoast. I totally CASE'd this card from the lady I purchased the digis from (info below.)

I cut the lattice overlay with my lovie Cricut. The patterned paper underneath is retired SU. The veggie images and sentiment are digital and from MHKDesigns. I added a decorative brad and there you have it! My swap card.

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles & Hugs!
Peggie Sue

Been there, done that!

Made it across town to the new LSS. It was large for sure, and it was nice, but I must say, I'm still feeling the sadness over losing Archiver's. I think it's gonna be super hard to beat what they had. But, ooooo, I picked up a few new things while there and I'm super excited to show you what I created with them.  Aren't these little peeps just the cutest thang ev-ah?! I think I'll make a few more of these and send them out for Easter. Yeahhh  I used stamps from Impression Obsession, Wink of Stella on the peeps. I colored with Copics and added me some twine. Gotta love twine! And bling! Gotta love bling!

I'm sooo sorry for the poor pictures. Wildman really wanted to take my pics and I couldn't say no, so the sun is hitting the camera at an odd angle. IF I re-took the pic, I would've crushed his little heart. And I simply couldn't do that in the name of a prettier picture, ya know?  Anyhoo, I was able to finish the cards I'd started for a beachy themed swap at SCS.

 

Okay, I heard the buzzer go off for our pizzas. Wildman and I are hanging out tonight while Dad's in St Pete for his race. They came in 7th today - with like 3 laps to go the driver got passed and went from 4th back to 7th. Tomorrow is another day, hopefully they will place better. TFSB

 

My Challenges:

Unity Stamp Co ~ Friends with Flair

Creative Inspiration ~ Challenge 306 - Feathered Friends / Animals!

Lovely Little Mini's

I've been working on a swap again. It's a swap I'm hosting and participating in. Whhhaaat?? Me? In a swap?? It's so unbelievable, I know. But hold on to your little knickers, cuz it's true! The swap is at SCS and it's for three little items: decorative address labels, postage holders and 3x3 mini cards. We often use those to thank to hostess or participants for participating in the swap. So, I've already finished my addy labels and postage holders - but I had to finish these.

 

I love the colors in these little cards! So cheerful and bright. Sweet little easy minis. Sometimes you just need a simple little project you can kick out and feel satisfied that it's cute and complete! This was certainly one of those!

 

Since I'm cooking dinner it means I won't be able to craft a bunch more today. "My" time is almost done, now I belong to the family. It's all okay tho... family's a good thang!  TFSB

Hello Sweetie!

I was out and about this morning, so I've not gotten as much crafting completed as I wanted before school bus time. But, I created this card for a swap I'm in at SCS. It's for any theme manly man type card. I water colored the images and the heart is 3d and very sparkly! I also did some mustache-y stuff inside.

I am hoping to do a wee bit more crafting, but not sure I'll be able to. Hubby took off from work early to come home and grill steaks out for my birthday. Isn't that sweet?! Brought home a wonderful Publix b-day cake too! Super colorful! I love it!

Can't wait to dig in!! I can smell the charcoal heating up as I type. I'm in heaven!!  TFSB

Yeppie Goodwill!

Oh my - check out my awesome Goodwill find! The bears were mine already. I use to be a really active collector of Boyds. Now it's only if I can find them at Goodwill and yes, I have found a few there!!

The chairs and ottomans! They were sold as a set of two for $10.91 each. They retailed for $45.00 for the set. They are so cute. BUT, I must admit, when I saw them the 1st thing that popped into my head was....

Now I must find the matching sofa and I have to build some little tables and paint them a distressed red!!! Too adorable!! The hat pins are from two earlier swaps that I will get back over the next month I think.

I have some more goodies that I bought and have BIG plans for. I will post as the projects unfold! Smiles!

Old Victorian

Funny, it's 2011 and I am trying to recreate the Victorian age! Here's my very 1st ATC card for a SSSD swap. I like the way it turned out. We were to use red, black and cream. It's fabric and lace on card stock.

 

This was fun and more challenging than I thought it would be. It's hard to stay within the 2.5x3.5 size! I will keep swapping these - I like them!

There's a chill outside

Here's my winter card. It's for a swap....

I made 6 of them, not 12 or 8 but 6 of them.  A funny you tube joke... Maybe I will 'splain it one day later. =)

Ooo, more cards??

Here are some cards I've been able to create. Some are duplicates of a swap or two and some are not. These are not swaps.

This is a duplicate of a swap card.

This is also a duplicate of a card I made for a swap. See, I always make duplicates of any swap I create. That way I am not giving away my only creation! =)

Thanks for stopping by =)

Button, Button - Who's got the Button?

Here are some of my button charms for my SSSD swap. We have up to 10 ladies swapping and we are creating 3 charms per person. I've added these to the other two types (see below).  I really wanna do bottle cap charms.... since I have a good bit of time before these are due, I may have to do 10 and add them to the swap just cuz. =)

I will say these little guys are just adorable in person. My whole family thinks these are too cute, even the hubby!

These charms were labor intensive and really kinda hurt my wittle fingers! Opening and closing all those jump rings!! Even with my baby pliers, my hands & fingers still hurt! They are worth the pain to me. I sure do hope the other swappers feel the same as me!

Charming, aren't I?

I was able to spend time in my studio today. First I had to lay down for a bone density scan. My 1st ever. Whoot, whoot. No, but I did get to work on my charms for a swap. 

My 1st charms were the single strand charms.  My daughter tells me they really are pretty, but I wasn't really super happy once I finished. So, I moved up to double stand at the bottom attached to a single. Those were much better. I am afraid mine might be longer than most. Then, today I started working on loose button charms. It takes waaaay more time cuz I am attaching each button with a jump ring. The average # of button, you ask?? Between 20 and 24! I decided to tie little ribbons on the charms here and there cuz the buttons looked lonely! I will finish up ALL my charms tomorrow and post pics here! I know the waiting will be agonizing!

I should be stop swapping so much and work on more of the cool things I have on my sewing bucket list! LOL  It's just swaps are soooo much fun and so addictive. I've even signed up to swap ATC's now!! I've never created ATC (knowingly that is). But, I am super excited to give this a whirl and I have some great ideas.  Okay, gotta run. I have a casserole in the oven that needs me. Isn't nice to be needed?? I say "Yes!"

Flowers Obsession!

Oh my, this started with a SCS swap for hand made flowers. I couldn't stop! There are so may tutorials on line I've wanted to make forever. So, it was the perfect time. I even took 3 spots in the actual swap!

Okay, the tissue looking flowers are made from an old sewing pattern that I cannot find the directions for. They were super easy and way fun! I made yo-yo flowers by stacking different sized yo-yos. I made burnt edge flowers gathered flowers, wrapped flowers and I even hand wrapped a flower of of muslin, sewed it together using my doll needled and then mounted it on canvas! I gave those flowers a little spritz of home made glimmer mist! I still haven't even broken the surface of all the lovely hand made flower tutorials out on the great wide web. So, this flower obsession is far from over.....

So, I have more than I needed for the swap. I will use some for another swap I am in. That one you make special gifts for a fellow swapper. It's addictive and so much fun!

Happy Pumpkin Day!

It's still Halloween here at my house! Well, at least in my studio! I finished another swap for SSSD today. This one is a sketch swap for September. Yes, we've already discussed how severe my OCD / Over Achiever problem is...

Aren't the stamped images just the cutest?? Now, pardon my image quality, remember my beloved camera is in Italy right now!! "major frowny face: BUT, yeppie it comes home tomorrow!!! Oh yeah, so does my hubby.... LOL   He's been gone pretty much for the whole much of June (France from the last week of May, mid-month he moved over to Italy). Okay, now I must take my little wild man up to Burger King for the indoor play ground! He's been such a good kid the past few days. We have coupons!! :sing song voice:

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater

I finished a swap today and I colored 14 large pumpkins. Who knew I could use all the color in the Copic nib?! I have to see now if I used all the ink and need to replace it?? How?? Guess I'll find out, huh? Anyhoo, here are the cards:

I'd never made an easel card before and decided to use the Stampin Up scalloped circle die. I had never worked with mulberry paper before either and used it under the stamped image. I even sprayed it with glimmer mist, although it is a little hard to tell. Of course I used my Copics to color the image. I also used some Queen & Co. charm brads I've had forever as the place to tuck the card front into to hold it up. I think they turned out so cute! 14 cards in all, and I am tired of coloring! LOL

I also made a cute little 4th of July box for a friend. She's having me and wild man up for dinner tonight. I have to go and get chocolate squares to put inside. I used the SU scalloped envelope die for this little box and some left over patterned paper. Making hte box was fun, but I killed my embossing mat! Cut slap thru it!! Guess I don't really know how to use it! LOL

I know, I feel like I just didn't do this little box justice! I could've decorated it much better, but after coloring 14 pumpkins, I just wasn't feelin' it. Sorry, next time I'll make a little gift and it WILL rock I tell you!! Now, it's off to eat cereal. I've been up crafting since 6am this morning. For me that is ridiculously early!! I will pay a high price for being crafty this early! I'll fall asleep before dinner, I just know I will.

Happy Halloween

It's a candy corn Halloween! Yes, another swap for SSSD. I hand cut all the cards. I stamped then colored with my Copics. I enjoy learning how to work with blending - it's a blast!  The bat was embossed. It's hard to tell the white was embossed with circles, the orange was left plain, the yellow with squares and the black stripes were embossed with squares before I cut them into strips. I saw this card while looking thru the gallery at Splitcoast Stampers. Can't remember who, I'm sorry.

I adore Halloween!! I cannot wait for fall, it's just so much better than summer!!

Square punches!!

I love doing swaps when I am ahead of schedule! This is when I can get creative and try new things. I like trying to do things I've not done, but have had on my little list. Here's a card I've done for a swap where we were to use square punches:

I learned how to make a faux pinwheel! It was neat and I enjoyed learning a new trick! I used paper I'd used in a swap like 3 years ago!! Nothing like using up what cha got! But, I think it turned out nicely. Now, I am off to create some more! =)

Father's Day & Our Anniversary

Okay - I am uncomfortable now. We ate at Ted's Montana Grill. RARELY do I ever go out. So, it was like I told myself I had to eat to make up for the lost time!! WOW, really??  Now, I have to say 'I" cuz hubby goes out all the time with the team while they are on the road. Like, they just got back from France on the 14th and he leaves for Italy tomorrow. So, yeah - he eats out. Me? Not so much so!  Anyway, we (the kids and I) made Father's Day cards and then I made one for our anniversary - wanna see, here it is:

 I had wanted the little brads that look like screws, but I don't have those cuties!

Okay, the card on the left is from my wild man and the right side is my teen. She really is so much more talented than this, she even said so.... I guess we all have those kind of days! =)

I'm gonna roll down the hall and try to pull myself up onto the bed and quilt until the pain stops!! =)

I'm back in the Swap Saddle Again!

After a break in swapping - I am swapping again! It's sad the two sites I hostessed and swapped on closed while I was on hiatus due to my stroke. I have been jones'n to be active again. I found a nice small place on yahoo and I'm back to my over achieving ways! I've signed up for like 15 swaps up into November and I've finished all but 3. I am doing 2 swaps at Splitcoast Stampers. One is due in August - finished and one is due in September - finished.  I created a hold-file box that has monthly tabs. I ready the swap items in zip-lock baggies and "file" them behind the correlating monthly tab. I will pull the waiting swaps out at the 1st of each month and mail them. Well, unless I it drives me crazy at which time I'll mail them. That would be my compulsive nature to have everything "wrapped up".  I was a Financial Controller when I worked in the "real" world so, I don't handle "open" items too well!  BUT, when I finish and mail swaps out so far in advance, three things happen: 1) I am sad I no longer have swaps to work on. 2) I totally forget about the swaps and then worry they are lost in the mail! and then 3) I look at my Swap Log and find the swaps I worried were lost in the mail, aren't even due yet!! HA HA  

Okay! Enough of me yappin!! Here are pics of the cards I've been creatin'!

 Clover Mouse - Stickles Challenge

 Little Birds of Happiness - Glossy Accents

 Just playing with images and using left over goodies.

 Roar - Sketch Card

 Flutterby - Paperclip Embellishment (it's the butterfly! I made his body with a paperclip!)

 Happiness - Card Sketch

 Thank You Card Swap

 Embossing Powder - I did stained glass in a removable bookmark!

 XO - Stencil Embellishment

I have more, but should probably go and do some quilting. I have been working on Grandmother's Flower Garden. It's all English Paper Piecing - all by hand. My 1st hand quilted item and it's rather relaxing, calming and soothing. It's a good "thang", cuzzz it's gonna take me maybe around, oh, FOREVER to complete the whole quilt. Okay, gotta go!

Whoot Whoot - Corsage Pins!!

Oh my gosh! You simply cannot make just one! Well, okay, I could've stopped at one, but where would the fun have been in that?!

I am participating in swaps on the 2 boards I swap on right now. The little fabric pins in the front are called posie pins. I found these while surfing one day and I am sorry I don't remember where I found them. I can tell you BOTH pins are incredibly addictive!! 

I know that tomorrow I have plans to go back downstairs to my studio and make a few more!! I think I have like 24 corsage pins left. I bought a box of 74, I put together 50 pins (only needed 42 pins) and it's killing me that I have 24 UN-ALTERED corsage pins sitting down stairs ALONE in a SAD little box!!!  Enough said, huh?!

I fully understand that there is NO real usage for these little posie pin.... They are just plain sewing pins with the fabric sewn on to look like little flowers. SO, there's not a real need for them. I guess I could use them to un-goop my gooped crystal effects bottles. OOOO! There ya go! Since I now have a legitimate use for these cuties, I MUST go make MANY more!! Oh, I gotta go!! TFSB!