Christmas Decoration 2010

Hi Friends! Just wanted to share a bit of Christmas decor now that Christmas is right around the corner. Do you like decorating your house during the holidays? Well, we like to do it but this year, we didn't put everything up. . .but we still decorated quite a bit regardless. I'm just posting a few . . .not everything that we did. This tree is actually a very small tree. . .4 ft tall and it's located in our family room

Just the fireplace area

This is the main tree in the living room. It's decorated with "special ornaments" that we've been collecting close to 20 years. Most are for my daughter. I buy her one ornament each year since she was born and we also buy a "family" ornament. The rest of the other ornaments are from places we've traveled to such as Europe, different parts of the US, etc.

This is one of my most special ornament. . .not because it's the prettiest but I bought it at the Vatican store at the Vatican in Rome and had the Pope bless it so for that reason it's special.

Just the dining table center piece.

This is the decoration on our stair's banister. There's a huge wreathe hanging but you can't see it in the photo.

Anyway. . .that's it for today! Hope you are all having a wonderful Wednesday. Can't believe it but in 3 days it'll be Christmas!! Yay!

Puff Slouchy Crochet Hats and Visor Cap

Hi Friends! Happy Monday to all of you! I created a few crochet hats last month but didn't have a chance to post them. The first hat above is a brim hat that I wanted to try. I used this "Visor Cap" pattern on the Red Heart Yarn site. It's pretty easy to crochet but the size seem a bit small so on another cap that I made I used a larger crochet hook and it fit my head better. I did modify the pattern a little by twisting the strap a little in front and adding a bead to the button. Click Here for the pattern.

For the "Puff Stitch Slouchy Hats" in the following photos, I used this pattern on "Crafty Pants" blog: Click Here I used a soft worsted yarn for all of the hats. If you use regular 4 ply worsted yarn, they appear stiffer and not as slouchy looking. I liked the really slouchy look but either way, they looked nice. With the above hat, I actually used two colored yarns to give the yarn a mixed colored look.
With this hat, I used an already mixed colored yarn. . .again, soft yarn. I used the same yarns for both hats but inverted the colored yarns to create a different look.

With the pale plum hat to the left, I used a sports weight yarn and it made the hat less slouchy. With the one on the right, I used a fabric type of yarn. I'm sorry I don't have the brands or names of the yarn. . .whenever I create a project, I forget to keep the labels and note them. I have to remember to write them down so I can share the info with you.

Finally, with the the left hat. . .I used a sparkly white yarn. You can't really see it in the picture but it has a glittery look to it. The one to the right, I used "Bernat Satin Yarn". . .I remembered the brand because I bought a few of skins of yarn of the same type and took a mental note of it.

Anyway. . .if you like to crochet and is a beginner level crocheter. . .this slouchy hat is actually quite easy to create. Try it out.

Well, that's it for today. . hope you are all having a wonderful

My Art Journal - Me and Landscape

Hey Friends! Happy Friday!! I've been wanting to create an art journal for a while now but had put off making one. I tried the scrapbooking journal route initially but that didn't work out so I decided to start an art journal instead.

This is my first art journal and above is my first page. I thought the subject "me" was a good one for the very first page. It's interesting to do an art journal. A lot of art journals I've seen literally is only about their art work. I want mine to be somewhat to be a "real" personal journal with some of my thoughts written down somewhere although the art work is the primary focus.

If you're interested in trying it out, there are a TON of video tutorials on YouTube to help you out. I viewed a few of them and from there just did my own thing. I don't want to grab too much of other people's ideas mainly because then it'll sort of feel that it's not my own expression but it's good to find ideas if you are stumped.

With this first page, I basically used every stamping and coloring medium I had! LOL!! I used SU ink, Making Memories acrylic paint, Twinkling H2O, SU Watercolor Crayons, SU Markers, Scribbles Paint and I even used my SU stamps to stamp the flower and the butterfly. I didn't draw them.

Because the subject of my page was "Me". . I wrote a little something about me. . .LOL! Just to let you know. . .my journal is just a regular sketch book that you can find at the art store. Actually, you can find them at any store that sell art products like Walmart and Borders.

I prepared the page for painting using gesso. The paper is too thin for watercoloring and painting so the gesso provides a layer of prime to allow you to paint and water color on the paper without breaking down the integrity of the paper. I read that some people use watercolor paper for their art journal and other thicker paper. I may try it in the future but a lot of artist use regular sketchbooks.


Do you have to be a paint artist to make an art journal? From what I saw of other people's work, the answer is no. Some people collage and cut up scraps of paper, many stamp their design and color in the stamped images or just doodle their design. Do you see the "me"? Well, I used my Cricut to cut out a stencil and colored it in. I used the negative part of the cut. I didn't want to mess up my writing so I used a stencil.


I decided to add my photo to identify the book as mine. . . LOL!! I created the word art on my computer and changed the hue of the photo and just printed it on regular computer paper. I didn't want to use photo paper because I wanted to decoupage it on to the page so it lays flat. I then used Mod Podge to adhere it to the page and seal it. I then painted the edge to create a frame.


This is the second page of my journal. I actually started out with a "my favorite things" theme, and started coloring the background. I noticed that what I painted could make for a nice landscape so I went in a different direction and painted a landscape instead. The funny thing is I used "Making Memories" acrylic paint which isn't necessarily used for painting but more for scrapbooking so it wasn't the best acrylic to use. I also had a limited amount of colors so I did my best mixing the colors.


Painting this landscape was pretty easy. . .it was just mainly stippling the trees and foliage and adding tree trunks. That's about it.

Anyway. . .sorry for the long post! If you like to doodle, I say try creating an art journal. Again, if you need help starting out, there are a lot of video tutorials on YouTube showing you different art journal techniques!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Wine Bottle Tag Cards Template SVG File

Hey Friends! It's me again! Wow, I can't believe it but I've been feeling seriously creative the past few days but the fun thing is I've been doing different things. Honestly, I was getting a bit tired of creating the same thing day in and day out. Creatively, it felt like a crazy monotonous routine that I've been going through for the past year and it sort of stopped being fun. So to change things up a little, I decided to learn new things such as jewelry making, crocheting, sewing, photography techniques, etc. to add to my routine. One day, I feel like crocheting, the next day paper crafting, the next photography, etc. I now feel a sense of renewal and excitement with crafting.

Okay, enough of my blah, blah. . .yesterday I decided to create a bunch of wine bottle tag/cards. I actually created more but I'll share it on another day. I created an SVG file/template and cut the tag shape on my Cricut. I posted the file below.

I live in a town that has at least 20 wineries and it's all about wine, wine, wine! Seriously! Unfortunately I don't drink alcohol so I don't get to enjoy all the hoopla. There are a few wineries that have mini craft fairs on a weekly basis so I was thinking maybe I'll see if I can sell a few crafty stuff there this Spring and I think the wine bottle tags may be popular at the wineries. . .well, I'm hoping it will.

The design is very simple. I wanted the design to be a bit more elegant so I avoided anything cutesy. The customers at the wineries are primarily in their 30s and older and usually they have a more refined taste so I felt something vintage looking would be more appropriate for them.

I used my Stampin Up stamps to stamp the images.

This one is a masculine tag/cards. . . very simple, nothing with frills. I decided to not add a sentiment so it can be given to anybody. I was thinking that I'll stamp a bunch of different sentiments and give the customers an option to choose a sentiment and I'll stick them on for them if they want.

Anyway, I hope these tags will sell well at the wineries.

Click on the image to download the template for hand cutting

Click on the image for the SVG file

**when cutting the file, resize the width to 2.75" (keep proportions). I did create the file at that size but for some reason when I open the file on my SCAL2, it resizes the width to 3" or so. It's okay to cut it at any size actually depending on how large and how wide you want it but in my photos, the width of the tag/card is 2.75".

**I attached a folded card stock measuring 2.5 x 4.5" and attached it to the the wine bottle tag to create a tag card. It's not necessary but I wanted to add a card feature to the tag.

Anyway, try it out. It's an easy project. . .:) That's it for today. . .hope you all having a fabulous Thursday!!!

Altered Cork Boards Shabby Chic Style

Hello Friends! Two post in a week so far. . .I'm doing good! I thought I wasn't going to post anything again until the new year but funny how my crafting mojo sort of kicked in when I was thinking I would take a crafting and blogging break. I think it's the freedom to create or not to create that inspired me want to make something.

I was looking through a container I had laying in the hallway and was about to put it in the garage and I saw a package of cork boards and I decided to create something with it. I've had them for such a long time. It's one of those purchases that I made thinking I was going to make something with them but never got around to doing it.

This Spring I'm thinking of selling at the craft fairs and Farmers Market and I wanted to create something that was a little more functional. That is part of the reason why I'm learning new hobbies so I have a variety of things to sell other than just paper crafting projects/cards.

I decided something functional and useful may sell well at a craft fair. The cork board comes with detachable parts. . .the post it note is attached to an altered coaster and it is attached to the cork board with a stamped clothes pin.

I also added pretty metallic push pins that can be used to attach photos or notes to the cork board.

As you can see, the clothes pin is stamped and I just added a prima flower. The clothes pin attaches the note pad to the cork board and it can be removed if you just want to place the post it note on a desk. The clothes pin can then be used to attach messages or used for something else.

I decided to design the boards in different colors. The colors were based on the color of the metallic push pins that I had so they would match nicely. This one is a vintage one.

Just to let you know. . .I brushed on gesso to the cork board so I could stamp on it. The cork board as you know is actually brown.

Here is a pink one. After the gesso dried, create the design of the board was pretty quick. Each of the boards only took me about 15 minutes to create because they have a simple design. Sometimes simple is best and lately I've been enjoying creating simpler projects.

Anyway, that's it for today. I hope you all are having a wonderful Wednesday!!

What I've Been Up To. . .Jewelry Making

Hello Friends! Although I haven't been posting any paper crafting lately, I have been creating a few things but nothing related to paper crafting. Remember I posted something about changes with my blog for the new year (for those who actually read what I write) . . .well, this is a little sneak peek of one of the changes. There are going to be a few other changes. . .mainly the focus of my blog, just to let you know. Actually, the truth is there won't be any focus on any one thing . . .basically, things will be "unscripted" which will require that I change my blog name. . .***one of the words I used in the previous sentence will be part of my blog name ****

I'm currently learning how to make costume jewelry and working with beads. The two photos are of the very first two I created. I'm still learning and I mean I literally started learning the other night so if my earrings look really amateur looking, you'll know why. LOL! I'm watching YouTube videos to help teach me to make them and looking on the Internet for inspiration.

The first earring above is one I created for my daughter. She likes the color blue so I made a blue one for her. She doesn't like to wear earrings or any jewelry other than her cross but I think if I make them for her, she'll be forced to use them. I had to laugh about that thought.

This is the very first earring I made and this one I'll keep for my self. Not that it's particularly pretty but because it's my first. I actually wore it. I really had fun making the earrings. I worked on a few more but I'll post them on another day.

I've been busy doing other things as well and I'll show them to you on my next post.

Anyway, thought I'd post something and I hope you don't mind it's not card or paper crafting related. I guess you'll need to get accustomed to it because next year my blog will include things other than paper crafting. I will continue to make cards and post them but not daily like I've done in the past.

Hope you're all having a wonderful time this holiday season!!

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C67 - Sketch Challenge

Hello Dear Friends!! I'm sorry I haven't been posting regularly. . .life has been a bit busy with all the holiday activities and honestly, I've had no mojo to craft. This will be my last post for the year unless life slows down a little and I'm able to find time to create something. Today is also the last challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges for the year so be sure to play along. We'll be back with new and fun challenges on January 1st!! We look forward to seeing you at the start of the year!! If I don't post anything between now and Christmas, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a safe holiday.

Okay, now to this week C4C challenge!!! This week Frances came up with fun sketch challenge. I love this week's sketch. . .it's different and I had a lot of fun creating my card. Be sure to stop by C4C and check out all the fabulous cards the DT created or visit the designer's individual blogs:

* Barbara Anders

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

Just to let you know, the elf stamp is a very old Stampin Up stamp set. I'm not sure the brand of the designer paper that I used. . .I just saw it in my pile and I thought the elves were perfect for the sketch design.

I'll look forward to seeing ya' all next year!!! Merry Christmas My Friends!!

Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C66 - Sketch Challenge

Hello Friends!! Gosh it's been a week since I last posted anything on my blog! Where have I been? Well. . I've been sick with a bronchial infection! Blah! I've been lucky because I rarely got sick this year but when I do, I'm a big baby! LOL! Well, I'm about 90% well and gosh, it feels wonderful not to cough and have a sinus congestion!!!

Well, it's Crazy 4 Challenge time again and our talented Cindy came up with a real fun challenge this week!! It's a sketch challenge! Now who doesn't love a sketch challenge? Come play along with us this week. Stop by the C4C and check out the sketch and the beautiful cards the design team created or stop by the designer's individual blogs:

* Barbara Anders

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

No stamping on my card this week! I have a butt load of scrapbook stickers and embellishments and I really need to start using them. I've been better at using them the past few months but I still have a lot more sitting around waiting for me to use them. I decided to use a 3D Christmas tree for my card. . .I thought it would make a perfect card element and well, it's a quick and painless way to design a card. . .just stick'em on.

Alrighty. . .just a bit of news . . . there will be major changes to my blog next year. Some of you may like it, some may not. . .but it will be different that's for sure. I'm still trying to figure things out so I won't make any announcement but the only thing I will announce is that there will be a name change to my blog to reflect the changes to my blog. . .that's all I know for sure right now. . . :) It's a little exciting . . .change is good I think.

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!