Happy Birthday Melissa Blog Hop and Happy Birthday Alexis

Hello Friends!!! I want to wish "Happy Birthday" to two very special ladies: Melissa, the wonderful and sweet owner of Pink Cat Studio and my daughter Alexis! Yay! This blog hop is to celebrate Melissa's birthday! Melissa and Alexis, I hope you both have a beautiful birthday!

It was fitting to use a Pink Cat Studio image in celebration of this special day. I chose the "Lily & Tweet in Present" image for my card because "Lily" represents Melissa and "Tweet" represents Alexis! LOL! I thought it was a perfect image for the occasion!

Be sure to stop by the other ladies' blogs and check out their special blog post for Melissa:

Mackenzie
Lysa
Emily
Patty
Vicki

Just a quick info about my card. I printed the image twice, colored them with my Copic Markers and cut one of images out and mounted it on the second image with foam tape. That's about it. The rest was basically layering designer paper and adding embellishments to my card.


Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter Alexis. She has always brought me so much joy and have always been the bright sunshine in my life. She is growing up so quickly! I cannot believe another year has passed. . . . I want to wish you the happiest of birthdays Alexis! I LOVE you with all heart. . .you are the best daughter a mom could ever have. . I am blessed to have you as my child!!


This picture was taken when Alexis was 5 years old and I still remember taking the picture of her. I still see the little girl in the grown up version of her. . .:)

Anyway, that's it for today! Again, Happy Birthday Melissa and Alexis!!

Simplicity 2676 Changeable Cover Bags

Hello Friends! I decided to sew another bag. . .this time using Simplicity 2676 bag pattern. The pattern photos are a little deceiving because the bag looks smaller in the pictures but it was larger than I expected. I decided to work on a "practice" bag using fabrics that I had a lot of in the case the bag didn't turn out nicely. . .LOL! I'd hate to use fabrics that I really liked and the bag didn't turn out too well. I'll make another one. . .using a cuter fabric next time.

What I do like about the bag is that it allows you to sew changeable covers so you can have a variety of designs without having to sew a complete bag. I love that concept. The bag makes for a great summer bag for shopping or for a casual outing.

The buttons on the bag are used to attach the bag cover on to the base of the bag. The cover has elastic loops that hooks on to the buttons.

This photo shows the mechanic of the elastic and button component.

Here is the second cover I sewn. My daughter said the fabric looks like it's for an "old person". . .what does she know, right? She liked the striped pattern better.

Okay. . .I want to discuss "interfacing". I had read online that Pellon "Craft Fuse" interfacing was a good interfacing for bags. I do agree to some degree. It's a fabulous interfacing if you use home decor or very heavy weight fabrics like the floral fabric I used for the cover. It holds the bag up real well so it isn't floppy and such. . . .but. . .for cotton or medium to lightweight fabrics. . .I don't like it as an interfacing because it causes the fabric to becomes wrinkled in some areas because of it's crispness. I may use a fleece interfacing for lighter weight fabrics and or a medium weight interfacing over the fabric then layer it with the Craft Fuse so the fabric stiffens up a bit but won't cause wrinkling to the fabric. I'll experiment a little and see what works best.

The pattern actually has a different pocket design. The pattern's pocket actually wraps around the inner part of the bag with multiple pockets. I didn't like it because it reminded me of a crafting bag and I wanted the bag to be more of a casual outing bag. I may use the pattern's pocket when I sew this bag some other time with the intention of using it as a crafting bag. The bottom of the bag is quite sturdy because it has a plastic canvas support. The pattern calls for a "Velcro" closure which I did do but I don't like it. The next time I sew this bag I'm going to use a magnetic snap closure instead.

This is the base of the bag. It's actually nice enough to use without the cover.

Here is the pattern that I used. . . .Simplicity 2676. It has 2 cover designs but I used only one of them. One has a zig zag pattern and the other is a scallop pattern. I used the scallop pattern on both covers. As you can see, the bag looks smaller in the pictures but if you look at the picture of my daughter holding the bag in the first picture, it's quite a large bag.

Anyway. . .I think I'm going to move on and try another bag pattern or maybe an apron! It's been really fun creating bags and aprons. . .eventually, I'll move on to creating clothing. . .I would love to design my own one day!

That's it! Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday

Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C80 Sketch Challenge

Hi Friends! It's me again! LOL! Another post? Yeah. . .sorry about that but like I said on my previous post, my memory card for my camera flaked out on me so all my postings are a day behind. Such is life. . .it's interesting how things can just stop all due to one life glitch. Can you imagine if my computer broke down? Geez, life would go into a major standstill. . .thank goodness it's just my memory card. . .life is good. . .:)

Okay. . .doing a bit of catch up! Today is Saturday so that means it's Crazy 4 Challenges time. This week's sponsor is Sparkle Creations! Yipee. Come play along and you'll have a chance to win 2 stamps by Sparkle Creations.



This week's Silke challenged us to a sketch challenge! It's a cool sketch. I love it! The image on my card is not a Sparkle Creations image unfortunately. . .:) It's a result of my inability to keep track of things. . .so many things going on, it's difficult sometimes to keep on top of things! Ugggh! Honestly, I don't even know the brand of the stamp I used. I actually colored this image weeks ago. . .as always, I color an image, set it aside, and do something else.

Be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and check out all the lovely cards created by the design team using the same sketch. . .or if you want, stop by the designers' individual blogs!!

* Barbara Anders

* Cindy Haffner
* Frances Byrne
* Jessie Rone
* Joanne Grzelak
* Joycelyn Pelkey
Lynda Benden
*Silke Ledlow
* Silke Kittmann
* Tammy Hershberger
Vicki Garrett

Just a quick info on my card. I stamped my image on watercolor paper then watercolored the image. I used my CB embossing folder to emboss the background and the rest of the design was following the sketch. That's basically it!!

Before I go, I want to share this wonderful song by Jamie Grace. . .a not too well known artist but she came out with this hit and wow, the song is so fun. It picks my spirit up whenever I listen to this song. Listen to it, I think it'll make you feel like snapping your fingers and sing along!

That's it. . .promise. . .last post for the day! Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!

Crafty Friday Mash Up Linky Party and Earrings

Hello Friends! I'm sorry that I'm a day behind with my Crafty Friday Mash Up Linky Party post. My memory card for my camera flaked out on me and I couldn't take a picture of the earrings I created. I found an extra card lying around this morning and now all is well.

I worked on a few earrings a few days ago. . .just a few quick ones. I haven't had much time to create jewelry lately because I've been focused on sewing lately. There just isn't enough time in a day to work on all the projects I want to create. . .it can be a bit frustrating sometimes. I'm also learning to knit as well and I think I've practiced enough to actually start knitting something. Hopefully I can work on a knitting project soon.

Be sure to play along in my linky part. . .just link any DYI project that you created, past or present and you may have a chance to win a prize. I'll announce the winner next week so you still have the chance to play along in this month's linky party. I decided to transfer last week's linky to this week. . .I figured out how to do it. Yay!

Here is the prize for my linky party for March. I'll announce the winner in next week's linky party. . .chosen randomly from all the participants that participated in my linky parties in March.


I found this great "Amy Butler Sew-it kit". I bought two of them, one for me and one for the winner at the end of the month. The kit is fabulous because it contains 15 projects with instructions, patterns, a booklet, 2 fabrics, and a spool of thread!

You don't sew? Well, it's time you try it out. The projects in this kit are super simple that anyone can do it! Who doesn't love Amy Butler projects? I plan to work on all of the projects! I can't wait!

I'd like to share a few of the projects that participants linked up last week:

Check out this muffin tin make-over by Shoregirl's Creations She created different bird nests! How fun and so original! I love each of the bird nest! Check out the details on her blog!!

This card by Burundanguitas is so darn cute! She even posted a tutorial for this card. Be sure to check it out so you can create a card like this as well.

Jenn of Live Teach Create created several cute tags. . .this cheerleader is just one of them. I love how she drew in the details!

Now it's your turn to link your craft projects. Come join my linky party and share your creativity!!

Here are the rules of my linky party:

• This is not a challenge . . .create what you want. You may link any DIY crafty project in any area of arts and craft such as card making, stamping, scrapbooking, sewing, paper crafting, altered projects, painting, jewelry making, polymer claying, photography, crocheting, knitting, needlework, vintage finds, refurbishing, home decor. . .you get the picture. . .:)
• Please do not link to your Etsy store, website store, or any store that sells your creations. It will be removed if you do.
• You may link any project past or present. It don't have to be a current project. You may add a maximum of 5 links but they all have to be a different types of craft projects. . .for example sewing, cards, scrapbooking, jewelry, etc. . . .they can't all be handmade cards with all 5 links.
• Extra entry given to projects with tutorials.
  
• You may link up any time during the month. The Friday Mash Up will end at the end of each month.
  
• I will draw up a winner at the end of the month from all the participants in that particular month and make an announcement of the winner at the start of the next month's linky party. The prize will be a crafty project I created, bought or from a sponsor.
  
• I'll feature 3 projects from partipants on the following week's linky party . By linking your project, you give me permission to post a picture of your project and a link to your blog or website if your project is chosen.

• Link back to my linky party so others can be inspired by other people's projects. You may grab the html for my banner or just link back to the party post.
  
  
  
  
  
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  Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!
  
  

Creations by AR Blog Hop Template Winner

Hello Friends!!! I just realized that I forgot to post the winner of the Creation by AR template winner yesterday! Thank you all for playing along in our blog hop. But without further adieu. . .I included comments from both my blog and emails. . .via random.org, the random winner is #69:

Melissa M. of "To Create"

Melissa please email me at cardinspired@gmail.com to claim your prize

Creations by AR Blog Hop

Hello Friends! Welcome to the Creations by AR blog hop!!! Today, Creations by AR is releasing 3 new cutting file templates! Whoohoo! Each Designer will give away one of the new templates, so you'll have plenty of chances to win! To participate, bBe sure to comment my post and hop on to the other designers' blogs and comment as well. . . you have multiple chance of winning!!

Amy Park

Andrea Budjack
Magdalena Cortez
Maria Bell (Me)
Silvia Mabie
Nikki Schmaltz
Mandy Gill
Adela Rossol

This super cute tea bag holder was created using the "Tea Cottage" cutting file. I wanted my tea bag holder to be more permanent so I constructed it with fabric! Yup, fabric!! Actually, what I did was cut the template on card stock and using liquid stitch, I adhered fabric to the each shape and sewn parts of them together so they would hold together. The front bottom actual opens up so you can remove your tea bags.

I added a bit of lace, paper roses and beads as well. I did line part of the tea holder with designer paper because I couldn't cut the window opening on fabric but the rest of the holder was lined with fabric.

For the roof, I did add batting before I sewn the fabric on. I wanted it to have a cushion look to the roof. Constructing this project was actually very easy. The instructions were easy to follow so you shouldn't have any problems putting it together.

Okay. . .this little box is super cool. You'll see what I mean in the following photos! This box was created using the "Now That's Smashing" template. The leaf on the pencil was created using the "Leaves" cutting file. To complete the look, I added a daisy flower to the pencil.

Okay here is the cool part. . .the box top actually smashes down to close the box. You would push the top down and it closes. With this picture, the box is half way down. The top picture is with the top smashed down completely at a close position.

To open the box, you pull the top part of the box up and it opens up! So cool! I tell ya' this box is super easy and super fun! I love it!!

There is one more template being released today but I didn't have time to create a sample of it. It's a tea pot pull up card (Pot O'Tea) that goes well with the "Tea Cottage" tea bag holder.

Okay, now go hop on to the other designers' blog and don't forget to comment! Good luck!

Hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

Join Us for the Creations by AR Blog Hop Tomorrow March 22

Be one of the lucky winners to receive a free template from Creations by AR Each AR Designer will give away one of the new templates, so you'll have plenty of chances to win!

Stop by my blog tomorrow starting 6:00 am PST and join in the fun!!!

Blue Brown Bag

Hi there Friends! Well, I decided to sew another bag. . .it's the same pattern as the bag I created a week ago. I initially had made my first bag for my daughter but decided to keep it for myself so I promised I would make another one for my daughter! Click here for the other one I created.

This time I decided a polka dot and floral pattern is "younger" looking and perfect for my daughter. She loves the color blue and brown. It's actually the color of her bedroom decor so I thought the fabric color and design would be perfect for her.

I used a home decor fabric for the bulk of the bag and a Calico fabric for the top band and handle. The home decor fabric resist staining better and are more sturdier than regular fabric so I prefer using them on bags.

I used a Calico fabric for the lining again like I did the last time but I used a much more heavy interfacing so that it stiffer and holds up better than the last bag I created. The pocket is large enough to fit a small wallet and it also has an interfacing.


I used a large button for her bag . . .I'm not sure if I should have used a smaller button but I wanted it to stand out more so I used a larger button compared to my other bag.

As you can see the bag has a nice weave and looks very sturdy. This time around, sewing this bag was a lot faster than the first time because I did everything assembly style. The first time I had sewn this bag, I followed the instructions step by step which took a bit longer. It took me about about 4.5 hours to sew the bag from cutting the fabric, pressing, and sewing. It took me 6 hours the last time. I'm going to move on and sew a different style bag. I bought a bunch of different patterns so I have a lot of variety of bags I can sew! Yay!

Anyway, that's it for today! Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C79 - Color Challenge

Hello Dear Friends! Happy Saturday and it's happy challenge time again at Crazy 4 Challenges! Silke came up with the most fabulous color combination challenge this week. . .:) I especially love it because I had the perfect SU designer paper for it!

Before I chit-chat a little about my card, be sure to stop by C4C and check out the beautiful cards the crazy gals created or stop by their individual blogs:

* Barbara Anders

* Cindy Haffner
* Frances Byrne
* Jessie Rone
* Joanne Grzelak
* Joycelyn Pelkey
Lynda Benden
*Silke Ledlow
* Silke Kittmann
* Tammy Hershberger
Vicki Garrett

Okay. . .I call this my lazy style card! LOL! Reason be is that everything about it was super quick. . .no technique, no coloring, no stamping, just glue and stick everything on! Yeah. . .it's fun! I love cards that require very little work. .. LOL! I decided to use my SU designer paper . . .which unfortunately, I'm almost down to only 1 sheet from the pack. Whaaaaaaaaa! It's okay, it took me over 2 years to actually use up the designer paper in this pack. I mean, that's an accomplishment. I rarely ever use up a pack!

I hand dyed the seam biding with SU ink. . .can't remember which color ink, crinkled it up and just let it dry all crinkly and all. I stuck a beaded pin through a butterfly button on to the bow. . .fun stuff!

Last but not least, I added a ribbon that already had a sentiment buckle on to the chipboard heard and topped it off by gluing buttons. . .that's all! Nice and simple. . I love it!

Hey stop by my Crafty Friday Mash Up Linky Party as well and link a project you created. . .any DYI project is accepted. Hope you'll play along. . .:)

Have a wonderful weekend folks!