Christmas Cards and a Gift

  I started making my Christmas Cards early!  This is just one of three that I started and is Jamie's favorite.  He says that this one looks more "Christmasy".  It is the emboss resist technique and I just loved making it.  I think the next one for emboss resist that I make will have a different scene on it.  The colors I used on this card are:  Cranberry, Cocoa, New England Ivy and Garden Green by CTMH.

     This journal I made today for a friend of mine.  I thought it would be a nice thing to do for her.  She babysits all day long and I've been thinking of her a lot these past few days and thought I'd make her something that she could use.  I've not given it a title per se so she could use it for what her needs are like keeping times for the kids or whatever.  I made it out of a composition book and the CTMH "Veranda" papers and I made her a matching pen to go with it.
  I finally broke down and bought myself a Cuttlebug.  I had a Sizzix Big Kick until I gave it and the stuff that I bought to a girl at work after I bought myself a Cricut.  I didn't think I'd be needing the Big Kick and thought I'd be a blessing.  Well, some of the cards that I've been itching to do are done with some embellishing from Spellbinders.  So, off to Michael's, AC Moore and Hobby Lobby I went.  With coupons of course!  Can't beat 40% off!
  Piece,
 Carolyn

Card Using Book Paper as B&T

  Today, I made a card using the pages from a book for my background paper.  Everything I used was CTMH except for the book page.  I was recently inspired by Gina K but I've seen this technique used several places and cannot honestly remember them all.
  I've been in the mood to create since staying up last night to watch Tresa Black on ustream create a beautiful Batik card using our September SOTM.
  To age/distress page:

1. I cut my page 3 3/4 X 5
2. Distress edge with Chocolate ink.
3. Crumple page into a tight ball then lay out flat.
4. Swipe creases with Desert Sand.
5. With Rubber Brayer, layer on Bamboo ink all over.

For the card:

• 5 1/2 X 4 1/4 Card Base (Tulip CS)
• 3 7/8 X 5 1/8 Chocolate CS
• 3 3/4 X 5 Book page
• 2 1/2 X 4 Tulip CS
• 2 1/4 X 3 3/4 Chocolate CS
• 2 X 3 1/2 Colonial White CS (Flower)

Accessories:
C1247 Simple Blossoms

Chocolate Ink
Bamboo Ink
Desert Sand Ink
Tulip Ink
Sweet Leaf Ink

  I've been feeling pretty bad about my slacking in the quilting dept. of my life.  The picture above is the quilt I'd been working on for my husbands Uncle Eddie.  I've not worked on it in months and the only things left are quilting the border and then adding on the binding.  I think I've burned myself out for a while :(.  I miss my quilting activities but just haven't felt like doing anything.
  So, I tried working on other blocks.  To no avail.  So what is my problem?  My question is this:  do other artists go thru this same process?  I miss my creative streaks with my fabric that is for sure.  I am hoping something starts a fire under me and soon.  But... right now, even if I wanted too, I can't manipulate the fabric of this quilt due to my broken clavicle.  I think the other obstacle is the design of the quilting for the border....I am not happy with what I chose but it seemed to be the best choice at the time.  I got one whole side quilted so UN-stitching it would require a lot of time.  Maybe that is my problem.....I don't want to fall to the old "stipple" routine.  I wanted something besides a "Stipple" or an "all over pattern".  I wanted a WOW statement to the border and just haven't found it.  Maybe I SHOULD un-quilt the border and just stipple it or wait till a more beautiful border inspiration hits.
  The thing is.....I should have already had this quilt done a while ago and U. Eddie should already have this hanging on his wall or enjoying it's comforts and keeping him toasty on cool evenings.
  Until next time:
Piece,
Carolyn

Remembering Dad

  This layout I started last week after viewing Art and Soul.  My Dad passed on Labor Day in September 2006 and what a wonderful way to remember him by using this layout.
  Each one of my kids, Danielle, Caitlin and Gabriel got a picture with him.  These were taken in the summer of 06 so these were the last pictures taken of Dad.
  As I worked on this layout up until I put the last finishing touches that I put on today, I was "Remembering Dad".  It's been almost 4 yrs and I still miss him like it was yesterday.

Still needs something.....

  I've been working on this layout and it still needs something......I guess I'll figure it out.  I added the quilting design around my photo and added a photo mat to it.
  I need to figure out how to print on cs too.  I've tried before and it didn't want to work in the printer so I guess I need to give it a try again since I am not too fond of my writing.
  These are older pics of my kids taken at Ritter Park in Huntington..... I'm guessing 2002.  I used the Felicity Stamp Set for the flowers and flourishes.
Piece,
Carolyn
 

Triple Play and Card Box

  

  Finished the Triple Play workshop.  Had fun while doing this fun little project.  The blue one is completely finished with pictures and I just need to do the journaling and send it off to WA state to my wonderful hubby's Grandma.  I think she'd enjoy it and I had one of them in mind for her since her memory is leaving her.

 

  The next project I worked on was from a Tresa Black Blog, www.fabulouslyartsy.com on making a card box.  I thought this little project was cute and you could gift it out with completed cards or stationary.  I will make another one and make some changes because I made a boo boo or two on this one.

  The boo boo's if you can see is the corners needed to be rounded with the corner rounder.  Oops!  That is why I need to make a new one.  Maybe I'll use the "Olivia" papers since I enjoy them so much.
  Until next time,
Piece,
Carolyn

 

Something New

  Being a quilter, I couldn't pass up this website www.designsbydreamer.com.  This website has templates for quilting patterns for your papercrafts.  Just looking at the photos of layouts made me drool.   
  I've been working on cards and layouts and this is one layout using "Felicity" and after I put it together, I realized I forgot to distress my edges!  I don't know why, but it seems like I always do this :(.  I used "Grand Finale" in the Imagine book for my layout and even though I didn't distress it, it still turned out OK.
  I've been working on updating my blog and some things are not posting like they should.  Like my CTMH website with the logo.  The Studio J is working so I changed it to incorporate my website until something comes together for me.
  Well, that is all for now.
Piece,
Carolyn

 

Caitlin's Birthday

  Today we are celebrating Caitlin's Birthday.  She loves Moose so I had the bakery dept. make her a special cake.  I took a couple of Moose applique pieces I had and had them airbrush around them.  Isn't the cake cute?  "Get the Mooseage"  Can't wait til she see's it.
  I've been making cards since yesterday.

   This is the card I made for her Birthday.  She saw it last night already.  Inside the card it says "you deserve a special day".
  I enjoy making cards with the Close to my Heart papers and accessories.  I enjoy it even more when there is a crop going on!  I like the time spent with friends and being able to be creative and visit at the same time.
  Well, that is all for now.  Waiting on Caitlin to get home so she can open her gifts and they can eat cake.
Piece,
Carolyn
Waiting for the release of this 3rd book by Suzanne Collins on August 24th.

Not much to post

  Not much to post this time.  No pictures either.  Sorry.  Started a new healthy eating plan with some ladies from CTMH.  So far I am doing good.  Been working out this week too.  Elliptical, treadmill and floor exercises with "Bodies in Motion" guy Gilad.  I woke up this am with my guts killing me from the Core and More exercises yesterday.  I think I'll still do the elliptical today though and listen to Joyce Meyer while doing my task.
  Gabriel my 15 yr old son is also working out.  He wants to build muscle.  I bought him some protein stuff to drink after he works out and he said it tastes awful.  I can only imagine.  But, if you want the muscles, you have to work at it.  I want to be healthy and thin again so I'm doing something about it.
  "Mocking Jay" by Suzanne Collins comes out on the 24th.  I hope it is on my Kindle.  Sometimes it takes awhile for it.  Depends on the book and if the author OK's it.  We'll see I guess.
Piece,
Carolyn