"Rags to Riches"

I am a hoarder. There I said it! I have piles of boxes, jars and tins all over my craftroom. The other day I finished up a box of rice and looked at it and said hhhmmmm....My hubby was like "You are not going to keep that are you?" I told him I most certainly was. Well today was a milestone for me because I actually used something that I have been hoarding out of my stash. I constantly pick things up at the store and say "Oh I could do this...Oh I could do that" but you know what it just ends up in a pile in my craftroom. So I am going to try to turn over a new leaf and ACTUALLy use the things I save. Since I am in the middle of a remodel on my craftroom I figured I would make some little tool caddies to put on my desk.

I spray painted the box black to cover up the writting. The funny part of that is I didn't plan to and I just decided to try it quickly so of course I wasn't prepared the right way. I had to do 2 layers since I dropped it and caught it putting a big hand print in it (you can see the smudge above). Making a long story short it was all over my hands. I scrubbed and scrubbed and got most of it off but not all of it. Well right before my hubby left for work we were sitting down eating and I had just came back from changing the girls diapers. All of a sudden he looks at me completely horrified as I am shoveling food in my mouth and says "WHAT is all over your hands???" LOL...he thought it was poop! I couldn't get out the spray paint from all the creavices in my nails etc. so it was still stuck there...oh well!

Anyways I based this little project off of a couple of challenges. The challenge over at AllSorts was to alter or recycle something. This challenge was right up my alley!! I had all of these beautiful papers picked out and then I decided to make it completely out of scraps..it was called Rags to Riches afterall! Plus it always makes my heart flitter when I use my scraps!! The challenge over at
The Cuttlebug Spot was to celebrate their colors which are green, pink and black. I did the color scheme around that. I used my Cuttlebug to cut out the Nesties for the bottom two layers and emboss them with my Swiss dot folder. I made a pin wheel flower out of scraps. I started out using some scraps that I normally would use for a trial run but then I decided to keep it because it matched pretty well. I stamped the solid background paper with my PK-101 Medium Polka Dot Print stamp. Added some MS adhesive ribbon along the top and bottom edge, mounted the flower in the center and gave that some dimension by using pop dots.

Not bad for something I was gonna throw away!

The challenge over at The Pink Elephant was pastels so I thought this fit it nicely. I also entered it into the Everybody_Art and
papertake Weekly Spring Challenges.

Meet Pippin!

I just adore this image from Digital Delights by Louby Loo called Pippin. He was a freebie awhile back and I have wanted to use him for the longest time. When I saw the challenges this week I thought it would be perfect!

Guess he was mad at me for leaving him in my files so long because he fought me every step of the way. My printer jammed twice then I tried to cut & emboss on my Cuttlebug with my Nesties and boy was that a sight! I finally gave up and settled with the one that was off centered and embossed on the wrong side!!!! Oh well... After coloring him with my Copics & Prismacolor pencils I covered him in Crystal Effects by Stampin Up. But silly me left it standing and it started to drip. I tried to smudge it down but it didn't really work. I was going to try to heat it but I figured after all the fighting I have done with this card I should just leave him be sipping on his foam. I added some flowers, liquid applique, brads and rhinestones to complete the card.

I designed this card to fit into several challenges.

The Play Date Cafe Color combo challenge
Saturday Spotlight Coffee Inspirational challenge
Sketch Saturday Sketch challenge
My Grafico Paper Piecing challenge
Pile It on Animal-rrific
Your Next Stamp Distressing challenge
Hand Full of Stamps Something Sweet

See Cleaning can be productive!

I was tiffed at the hubby so I started frantically cleaning my craft room.. I know shocker! I came across these scraps at various places in my room and had thrown them on the table. When I went to the table I saw them all together and I said OMG! these are perfect for the challenges I wanted to do!!

The blog hop over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge was fun. I typically do not do blog hops due to time contraints and especially with this one we had just one day. But i really wanted to do it and after finding all the supplies to make this card work I felt like it was a sign...LOL! I am keeping every body part crossed that I possibly can in hopes of winning!!! I will also mail my card in for a chance at the extra prize.

I was so happy that I was also able to get this card into the challenge over at
SPCC. I love to enter into her challenges but I didn;t think I was gonna make it!

Happy Easter My Little Chickadee!!

I wanted to see if I could make a little Chickie without using an actual die cut or chickie stamp. This little guy came out pretty cute I think :) For the body of the chickie I used the center of the bunny outfit on Page 69 of the Paper Doll Dress Up Cricut Cartridge. I cut it out at 10". I then used my PK-495 Everyday Character Face Parts stamp set. I distressed or inked up the sides with Stampin Up So Saffron ink. I used my Stampin Up' heart punch and turned them upside down for feet. For the hair I used some fibers that I had laying around. On the sentiment I used my PK-263 Springtime Minis stamp set and the Fancy Tags from Spellbinders. I had to add a rhinestone to the middle of the tag to hide a boo-boo. I tried to use different colors than I normally would for the layering as well as gold. I am soooooo not a gold person but this flourish chipboard was just laying on my desk next to me so I tried to incoporate it somehow. It kinda bugs me...my eyes keep going to the gold. I layered several different flowers, then sprayed them with Craft Bond and sprinkled MS glitter for some extra sparkle. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket that I bought 1-2years ago. I added mounting squares behind the chicken and the tag for some added dimension.


I designed this card to fit the challenges below:

Rosie-D's Color challenge
Peachy Keen Stamps Sketch challenge
Cricut Cardz Easter Challenge
Simon Says Easter & Glimmer Challenge
Creative Cottage Sparkle Challenge
Charisma Cardz Spring Challenge
Cute Card Thursday dimension Challenge
Colour Create Your choice of Pastels
C.R.A.F.T. Easter challenge
Stamp Something Doodle challenge
Raise The Bar April Fool's challenge
Totally Papercrafts Pink & green challenge
One Stop Craft Feeling Fruity Challenge
Secret Crafter Pink & Green flowers

Challenge #2 over at the Sisterhood!! Come on by!

I can't believe we are already on Challenge #2 over at the Sisterhood of Crafters challenge blog!! We had a great week and thank you to all of the "sisters" who played along with our Ireland challenge. Well this week we have a Hidden Potential challenge. I chose a heart punch (well 2 actually) and turned it into a flower. I used some spring themed scraps which made me very happy!! I had to trim the blue paper a bit but I couldn't bring myself to throw it away so I used my MS border punch. I also did two layers to the flower and used mounting dots to give it dimension. I used a smaller Stampin Up' heart punch for a third inner layer. To give my plain green card stock a little "kick" I used my Peachy Keen Extra Small Dots stamp with Stampin Up' Ink.

I submitted this card to these challenges:

Crafty Catz
Frosted Designs
Verve Stamps
2Sketches4U
ABC Designs

Easter Egg Hunt Layout

I got these adorable Easter/Spring stamps from Peachy Keen about 2 weeks ago and I have not had a chance to play with them. They are just too cute!! I also bought this Easter paper ions ago and have never used it. I am trying to get ready/organized for the remodel and I am coming across all of these little goodies. I am sure if I dig far enough I will come across Hoffa or maybe even Amelia Earhart!!

This was an Easter Egg Hunt organized at my sons' school. This was his first and sadly his only field trip. I was like all giddy to take him and of course came prepared with my camera. I cringed when they told everyone they could only pick up a certain amount of eggs. I was just picturing the complete meltdown that my son would have when he realized he couldn't have all the eggs he could manage to get his little hands on. But much to my surprise he was actually okay with it! I guess never under estimate your toddler!

Supplies I used:

Peachy Keen PK-258 Easter Bunnies - for the eggs
Peachy Keen PK-265 Bunny Dolls for the Easter Bunnies
Peachy Keen PK-266 Duck Dolls for the adorable duckies, baskets of eggs and the flowers
Liquid applique
Stickles
Making Memories DP & chipboard letters
Martha Stewart grass punch
Copic Markers
unknown scraps
Karen Foster wooden sign

I entered this layout into the following challenges:

Stuck on U Sketches
Charisma Cardz
Wags n Whiskers
Stampin for the Weekend
Magical Crafts Fortnightly
Our Creative Corner
Everybody-Art
Practical Scrapper
The Cuttlebug Spot
The Corrosive Challenge

English Muffin Bread gift in a box

Here is a group shot of the plant, the card and the box!

I recently was invited to a St. Patrick's Day party by one of my neighbor's but at the last minute I was not able to attend. I wanted to drop off my dessert that I made anyway so it didn't go to waste. When I dropped off the cake they gave me an amazing plate of food to take home as well as a Shamrock plant. Well when I went to bring them back their plate I wanted to make them a little something to thank them for the food, the invite as well as the adorable plant. So I whipped up a loaf of my favorite English Muffin Bread. This bread is soooooo good toasted! I also use it to make out of this world Grilled Cheese sandwiches as well as Eggs in a Nest. The best thing about it is how easy it is!!!! No kneading & it's all done in the Stand Mixer!!

Once the bread was done I was like Oh Darn what am I going to put it in. I remembered that I purchased a whole box of these white large folding boxes at an auction. I literally had about 30 minutes to come up with something and knowing they were just going to throw it out I had to do something simple. I also made them an Irish themed card (which I posted earlier). She couldn't believe I made not only the bread but the card..she said she wanted to frame it...boy I love people who think I am actually good..LOL! I am entering this into the Stamp Something "distress" challenge, the PaperPlay "Thank You" challenges as well as the CupCake Craft Food & Drink Challenge.


I cut the loaf of bread using my Cricut From My Kitchen cartridge. I had a blank spot I had to fill so I stamped a really quick & easy "THANK YOU". I wanted to give the bread a little pizzaz so I used my Peachy Keen PK-490 stamp set for the face in the middle. To distress the bread (tried to make it look toasted) I used Stampin Up Ink.

I figured I would post the recipe also for those who would love to try something yummy. This recipe makes two loaves which is even better!!! The most I made in one day was 6 loaves... I have double ovens that come in very handy! The oven have a BREAD PROOF setting on it which makes it so easy to crank these bad boys out. I have the bread proofing in the lower oven while the others are cooking in the oven above. There is truly nothing better than fresh baked bread. Now if there was a carbohydrate diet I would be the thinnest woman in the world!! LOL I wish!!

ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAD

Ingredients

5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast- I use 4 1/2 teaspoons since I have a big jar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups warm milk (110 to 115 degrees F)
1/2 cup warm water (120 to 130 degrees F)
Cornmeal

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt and baking soda. Add warm milk and water; beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat on high for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining flour (batter will be stiff). Do not knead. Grease two 8-1/2-in. x 4-1/2-in. x 2-1/2-in. loaf pans. Sprinkle pans with cornmeal. Spoon batter into the pans and sprinkle cornmeal on top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans immediately to cool on wire racks.

Missing in action but for a good reason!!!

I haven't been on here for awhile because my darling hubby is making me a custom craftroom remodel! One of my biggest faults is that I am so NOT organized. I have a huge kitchen table as a work space but most of it gets wasted. My hubby is rebuilding a hot rod and spending money like its water so I decided to do that same..LOL! Actually I cashed in my points on my credit card and got some Gift cards to Lowe's so we can get most of the supplies.

My hubby and I have been working on the desk together and I am actually really enjoying it! The desk system is almost done. The way it will be is the desk will wrap all the way around the room so I can have separate stations for my Cricut, sewing machine, Cuttlebug, and of course room to scrapbook!! I just look at the desk and smile from ear to ear because I am so excited! Once the parts are in that we have done he will build all of the shelves and the right side of the room. He wants to wait so I can see what I need once I start piling stuff in the drawers/spaces etc.

The downside of this all is that I have not been able to craft. The other bad thing is that I have to clean my craftroom so I can get the new stuff in!! ARRGGHHH I will actually take the embarrasing before picture of my craftroom.

Here are some pics of the project so far!

The Sisterhood's Debut Challenge!

I am sooooooo excited to be part of a new challenge blog The Sisterhood of Crafters. The Sisterhood is formed with women from around the world that share the same passion for crafting & having fun. I am honored to call these women my friends. Like a good bra, these friends are there to give me a lift when I start "sagging"! LOL!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!!


Today's theme is "Around the World" which is hosted by my fellow Sister Darlene. She picked Ireland to be our focus this week. The challenge was to do anything pertaining to Ireland...colors, culture, Holidays, food etc.

I went to a St. Patty's Day party where I was given a little Shamrock plant by the host for good luck...hhhmmm he even knows I need all the luck I can get. So I made my card a Thank you card to give the family that hosted the party along with a loaf of my homemade English Muffin Bread to show my appreciation. I took the picture infront of the plant that I was given. My question is if I kill the plant does that bring me bad luck??????? It is looking kinda sluggish & I don't have the best of luck with plants. You know how they say it is impossible to kill Cactus plants? Well I killed two of them!

Please stop on by our new blog and show us some love! We would love for you to come & join our fun challenges. I look forward to seeing what you create!

Halloween layout

Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year. I just love everything about fall. My love probably all started when my first born came into this world in October. We had so much fun at Halloween time. It was a big to do at our house and my kids went bonkers. I know it is March but I choose to do a Halloween layout. It was actually really fun doing something out of the norm.

I have also challenged myself to see how many different ways I can use one stamp set. I decided to try my hand at using the Peachy Keen PK-242 Train Set for at least 5 different projects/themes. I had soooo much fun with this set. I stamped the images out and then cut them all out and popped them up with mounting squares. When I saw the windows in the caboose the first thing that popped into my mind was having little faces peering out. I used PK-530 Simple Simons Face in the 3/8 size. I then hand drew the hair on Frankenstein. As for the "conductor" on the train I used the witch stamp from PK-615 Halloween Candlestick delight. It fit perfectly into the window so I thought it would be cute. There was also a pumpkin stamp in the set & I stamped a couple of those and put them as "cargo". For the larger carts on the train I used PK-553 Monster's 'n More for the Zombie and Dracula. For the wheels on the train I used various sized buttons that I had laying around. Then I thought it would be funny to have a spiderweb train track so I used my MS punch to make it. I had some ghost die cuts that I bought about 8 years ago so I added those coming out of the stack to imitate steam. I used some DP by Imaginisce called HALLOWHIMSY/PIXIE STICKS. This was double sided paper so it was hard for me because I hated wasting the other side which was really cute! The dripping goo is a punch from Martha Stewart.

Imaginisce Sketch
The ABC challenge Paper piecing
Pixie Dust Studio 3D
Polka Doodles Things with Wings
Crafty Catz shades of green
Stamp Scrap Doodle Open challenge
One Stop Sew Simple
Crazy 4 challenges Paper piecing
Magical Crafts Things with Wings
Practical Scrappers White pen/White marker
Die Cut Dreams No flowers allowed
Kids

Under the Sea.......

I recently got these adorable Peachy Keen stamps and I have been dying to try them out. I stamped the images and then cut them out and then popped them up with mounting dots. I also cut the frames out with my Nestabilities and then shaded it with my Stampin Up Chalks. You can not see the detail here but I covered the frame in Versamarker ink and clear embossing powder to give it a glass/water look. This was also my second attempt and playing with my Copics.

Supplies used:

Copic Markers - BG01, B95, Y21 and a couple other ones for shading that I forgot to write down
Stampin Up chalks & Ink
Stickles
Life's A Beach Cricut Cartridge for the seaweed
PK-950 Under the Sea for the Blowfish& seahorse
PK-951 Sea Animals & Creatures for the Bubbles
PK-241 Happy Birthday Kids for the sentiment

I submitted this card to the following challenges:

Friday Sketchers
Get Sketchy
SPCC
Pollycraft Challenge
Creative Card
Doodle Palace
Copic Colour Challenge
Secret Crafter

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I am so far from Irish so was stumped on this one. Is the Leprachan's beard brown or orange? Is his outfit green? His hat black???? Well I just kinda winged it! And what made me happy????

I am going to a St. Patrick's Day party next weekend and I thought I would bring this easel card with some homemade Bailey's Irish creme...ooohhh it is so much better than the store bought Bailey's. I am not knocking Bailey's because I love it but everything is always better homemade!

I cut the rainbow out on my Cricut using the Hello Kitty cartridge. I popped up each layer of the rainbow with mounting squares and added some Stickles. The leprachan, Shamrocks & pot of gold I cut out using the Paper dolls cartridge. The grass was in my stash of scraps so I have no idea what cartridge I cut that out from. The DP was also from my stash of scraps so I am not sure who made it. I inked up the edges with Stampin Up ink. The adorable face on my lucky little guy was stamped with my Peachy Keen PK-490 Everyday Characterface stamp set. I used my Peachy Keen PK-101 Medium Polka dot stamp set to dress up the leprachan's suit. I know you can't see it in the photo but I flocked his beard & hair with Doodlebug's velvet flock. It adds alot when you see the card in person, plus its just a fun little detail :)

I submitted this card to the following challenges:

Peachy Keen's
Cricut Cardz
Crafty Creations
Polka Doodle
Pile it On
Lexi's Creations
The Treehouse
Your Next Stamp
Cards 4 Men
The Pink Elephant