Let's Be Honest, Shall We?

I have seen the most amazingly organized craft areas on blogger and pinterest.  My heart aches every time I see something that would work so well in my own area of creativity. 
But I don't have the (financial) support of my hubby when it comes to my hobby.  Every single organizational piece that is in my craft room has been gleaned from clearance bins, rummage sales and hand-me-downs.
I think I have done an amazing job getting my craft supplies in order, concealed and catalogued.  But...
to be honest (and you can see the honesty in my photo), I am the sloppiest crafter in the known universe.  Believe me, I have tried to "clean as I craft" but honestly, when the muse strikes, it is like an electrical shock.  I can't stop until it leaves me, and when it does, I am exhausted.
I will do a cursory clean up--the tape in its container, the markers (my precious) in their bins--but as you can see, it is like one step forward, three steps back!  And who wants to spend all their precious creative time (freedom) cleaning when they could be crafting?  Don't we as women do the brunt of the cleaning anyway?
It has taken me a few years, but I am to the point that I don't care what my craft room looks like at most times.  I can craft with the best of them.  And my harshest critic is of course myself!
But I DO envy those crafters and artists who have the money to make their crafting space look like something out of a magazine (sigh).

Do you have anything to say when it comes to Honesty?  There is a very empowering blog called The Path of Positivity that tries to "inspire, nurture and provide support for the soul by creating a positive path to follow, one project or post at a time."  They have monthly challenges and crafters and writers are invited to post about the month's theme.  Each entrant has a chance to win some lovely prizes for their efforts to "spread the love."



Happy Halloween Crafting!

My newest passion this Halloween is crafting mussie tussies.  This one features a QKD September release called "Witchy" by artist Kathy Cyr.  Isn't she too cute??  Which makes her perfect for a Halloween Treat Holder.

I colored Witchy with my Copics and then fiussy-cut her out and put her aside to "rest" while I built my tussie.  I covered a toilet paper roll with Halloween patterned paper, then adhered the bottom closed.

After attaching some fun Halloween ribbon for the handle, I adhered this gorgeous black bat ribbon from fellow DT member Holley Barnhart to make a bottom and top border.

I decided to keep the embellishments simple so my image is the thing showcased on my project.  A jack-o-lantern sticker and a haunted house "woodie" set the scene.

Before adding the image, I used Copic YR02 to draw a "path" from the house to my little witch.  I adhered her with dimensional tape and my mussie tussie is ready to fill.

So what do you think:  candy for a co-worker, or embellies for a fellow crafter??  The possibilities are endless!!

If you need inspiration with your Halloween projects, check out the QKD store for new stamp and digi releases as well as some fun ideas.

Ride, Sally, Ride

All aboard for a sleepover!  That's the theme of my card today for this week's Squigglefly challenge.  Their requirement is to use a Squigglefly image and use the color PINK plus your favorite "go with" color--is it pink and brown?  pink and teal?


I like to use pink and GREEN together, and thought these September new releases from Cheryl Alger would be perfect.  The one on the front of my Z-fold card is one of two images called Pack Your Bag Sally.  Sally is one of my favorite character images from Cheryl (difficult to pin down to just one).  The second image is one of a suitcase, which I covered with words to make a kind of collage on its front.

I covered the faces of my card with green and pink patterned papers (you can't see the pink panel).  I colored Sally with Copics after paper-piecing her with yet more pink patterned paper.  I embellished simply with Skittles and a charm.

I plan to invite my granddaughters over for a sleepover this weekend, and made two cards for each of them as invitations.  I find that it's very easy to make two of each card at one time.

Gotta pop these in the mail so that they get them before Saturday, although mom and dad have been notified already and are keeping it a secret.  When we get together, just us girls, we craft to our hearts' delight!

So now it's your turn to craft to your heart's delight using a Squigglefly digi image and the colors PINK and ???  What, you don't have a Squigglefly digi image yet?!  Click HERE for freebies.  Then go to the Challenge Blog and enter to win free digis from the store!!  Good luck, and happy crafting!


Down on the (Pumpkin) Farm

This city girl is no stranger to urban settings, airplanes flying constantly overhead and stop and go traffic.  But when Squigglefly announced this week's challenge, I was kerflummoxed!  The only farm I have ever been on or seen is the pumpkin farm I took my kids to just before Halloween.  And how could I make a card with a Down on the Farm theme if I didn't have farm papers, stickers nor an image to play with?!

THEN I checked out the design team cards on the challenge blog, and besides oohing and ahhing at the beautiful cards there, I also found some inspiration, too!

So move over, my country bumpkins, I made a card with frost upon my pumpkins.  Yes, I am quoting a country song.  I used to date a guy who always took me to a bar that played country songs and offered the biggest fattest dill pickles in a big old jar that I have ever seen--right smack on the bartop!

Anyway, I digress!  I printed this Squigglefly digi image and colored it with Copics.  It's called "Stanley Scarecrow" by artist Fawn Palmer.  I used a leftover piece of patterned paper that shows the clouds and sun.  I tore green cardstock and layered it to look like fields, and adhered my scarecrow with dimensional tape.  I added a bow of raffia to my card-it kind of looks like straw, right? LOL

Your turn to step up to the challenge.  Enter a card or project with your version of a down-on-the-farm theme for your chance to win a free digi!  Don't forget to use a Squigglefly image.  Click HERE for a freebie!

All Dressed Up with Nowhere to Go

Today I made a card with a September-released digi image from Queen Kat Designs.  It's called "Princess" by artist Sarah Waterfield.

I colored her with Copics, inked the edge of the image and popped it onto a diecut frame of cardstock.  I added it to my CAS card and added a simple bow & flower embellishment.

I try to make a couple dozen CAS cards for Operation Write Home every month.  Seeing as my son is thinking of deploying next year, I guess I better up that count.  Wouldn't he get a kick out of seeing one of my cards in a package for his unit to use to send to his wife and kids?!

For more September releases, check out the QKD Shoppe today!

Anything Goes challenge at Bugaboo

Today's card is one of a dozen I created for Operation Write Home.  It is a CAS card, clean and simple.  I printed the Bugaboo digi image "Happy Birthday to Ewe Topper" and colored it with my trusty Copics.  The image comes with the sentiment seen on my card.

I framed the image and sentiment with cardstock before popping them onto a layer of patterned paper.  I made two of these cards, as well as other cards using another Bugaboo digi image and other images.

Bugaboo has a challenge blog where this month's theme is ANYTHING GOES.  You gotta love a challenge that lets you choose just about anything your little artist's heart desires!!

For your chance in their random drawing, check out the blog.  Pretty soon you will be hooked on all the cute images Bugaboo offers in their store!

And as always, keep crafting!

Halloween Treat Holder

Have you ever heard of a mussie tussie??  Neither did I until a Facebook group I am on discussed a swap for Halloween!  So of course the first place I went to was Pinterest, and there were a lot of examples! Here is what I came up with.

The treat holder is built up from a "toilet paper roll" base. The first one I made (careful, these are very addicting!)I covered with patterned paper, then adhered the bottom flat.

I added a gorgeous flower spray handmade by my crafting friend Shannon Leffew, to the bottom.  After attaching a string of pearls to the top for a handle, I added some wired organza ribbon and tied a bow front and back.

For embellishments, I added tiny pumpkin buttons to the branches of my spooky tree, and a sticker sentiment "treats."


I started the next mussie tussie the same way, covering a toilet paper roll with patterned paper and closing the bottom flat.  You can't see it in the photo but I used a corrugating tool to emboss some lines into the bottom.

I decided to go with a Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead theme, using the skull patterned paper as well as some cool skull 3D stickers.  Purple and pink are the main colors here, so I inked the edges of my container with purple ink.

I adhered a crown to my skull, inking it first with the coordinating pink color. I also used black lace tied into a bow at the top of my cone, attaching a tag that reads "Dia de los Muertos.  A few sequins and coordinating sticker flourishes finish off my mussie tussie.  I used Tim Holtz Idea-ology tinsel ribbon for the handle here.

You might see more mussie tussies on my blog, as these are SO addicting and fun to make.  While these two are for the swap, I'll be making more for my co-workers and sisters and neighbors and...

Now I have to think of what to fill it up with!  Candy?  Crafting supplies? Hmmm, I think this might take more time than it did to make my mussie tussies!!

Squigglefly Sentiment Challenge

Time for another challenge over at Squigglefly!  This week players are asked to:
add some form of sentiment on your card. Think of those images that come with sentiments, all those great .99 Squigglefly sayings, even as embellishments with words or maybe your own clever computer-generated text.

Today I used a new September Squigglefly release called "witch in Pole" by artist Pamela Lehto.

  Isn't she cute?  I know I've seen this Halloween decoration around my neighborhood, and she makes just as cute a card, too.

My sentiment is my own brainchild, artistically created by Squigglefly's own Holly.  We came up with both "Don't Hex & Drive" as well as "Never Hex & Drive."

I again fussy-cut my image, framed it with a white cardstock circle to imitate the moon, and used 2 patterned papers, Stickles and sequins for embellishments.

The theme is Anything Goes, but I wanted to showcase one of the awesome September releases from Squigglefly, and Pammie's Witch in Pole was perfect for my mood.  What's your mood, or rather your muse, telling you to create.  Go ahead and enter it into Squigglefly's challenge this week for your chance to win!!

House Mouse Goes to School

With all the cool school supplies on sale this month, it's easy to snag some great deals on items to be altered, like this mini composition book.  It measures 4.5x3.5 inches and is perfect to showcase a House Mouse image like this one.

I belong to a crafting group on PaperCraftPlanet called House Mouse & Friends, and there is a swap going on for group members.  I finished mine and wanted to post it here.  I think the image is called "Morning Song" but I could be wrong.

I colored it with Copics and fussy-cut it so that it would fit on this small canvas.  I covered the notebook with some fun music sheet patterned paper and added some upholstery ribbon to the spine.
I distressed my page with distress ink and acrylic paint.

I added some leaves so that my tree stump would be anchored to the scene.  A couple musical acrylic stickers added to the song theme I had chosen, and then i stamped the sentiment "Just a Note."

A couple pebble stickers completes my altered mini composition notebook.  I had fun with this, and if I can get to Staples, will purchase more to alter!  This one is a little bigger than theirs, but it cost a dollar for just one, and Staples offers a pack for a dollar--nuff said! LOL

Whatever you do, whether scrapbook, make cards, sew, paint or make altered art, do it with a song in your heart!!

To Thine Own Self Be True

Today I want to share myself with you through a mixed media card I created.  After all, any artist will tell you that when you look at their work, you are seeing the artist.  When I look at what I've created, I feel like I'm looking in a mirror!
There's a wonderful and empowering blog in town called the Path of Positivity Blog.  I go there to get inspired, to lift my spirits when I feel down and to relax when I'm stressed.
How do they affect me this way?  By crafters and artists sharing their stories and projects and words! This month's theme is about Honesty.
To me, honesty is letting you see the parts of me that aren’t pretty.  Because, let’s face it, no one is perfect.  I snore at night.  I am overweight.  I am loud.  I have skeletons in my closet (and they’re not Halloween decorations).

When I create something—a card, a poem, a canvas—I am being honest.  I don’t know of a way to create without being honest, with both myself and with others.  My personality, my beliefs, my fears,my history, my strengths and weaknesses—it’s all there in living color for everyone to see. 

But mostly for ME to see, because even if I decided to discard something I made, it is still burned in my mind.  It can never be erased (just like putting something on the internet). 

So why throw it away, when it speaks honestly of ME – unique, imperfect, honest ME.
Whether you need a mood shift, inspiration or a new challenge for your art, check out the Path of Positivity Blog.

Give a Cheer, School Days are Here!

I'm upping the ante when it comes to 2013 Challenges.  I'd been feeling lazy and bored lately, so I promised myself I would try to join more challenges.

I made this card with The Outlawz Monday Greeting Card Challenge in mind.  Their new weekly challenge Monday was Back to School theme.  While the outside of my card reads: "It's Time... Again?" the inside reads: "Give a Cheer, School Days are Here!"

So, what do you think--is my card for a child or for a mom? LOL  It could be both!!

After coloring my image with Copics, I cut him and a couple frames using my CM circle-cutting system to coordinate with the patterned paper I used.  Stickers created my sentiment, as well as the school bus one.  A few jewels and sequins finish off my card, and this family is ready for school!!

Ready to Fight for His Candy

Today I'm sharing a card I made using a Queen Kat Designs stamp called "A Very Charismatic Orc" by artist Coriander Shea Detwiler from her Phantom Rose collection.

I made the background scene using several patterned papers (leftovers), adding clouds cut from leftover pieces of same.  I colored my image with Copics and fussy cut him out to pop him into place, using a cardstock sticker to frame him (as well as another sticker to embellish).

The sentiment BOO finishes off my card.

Are you getting ready for Halloween yet?  If you are, QKD has some fun images to color and create with!!

Flower Challenge at Squigglefly

Good morning crafters!  This week's challenge over at the Squigglefly Blog is to Use a flower on your card-can be a Squigglefly image or sentiment, an embellishment, whatever!

Here is what I came up with.  The Squigglefly digi image is a new September release by artist Judith Hart called "Way Up High."  Isn't the rainbow so pretty?  The image has more to it, but I fussy-cut it out for my card.

You can see that my patterned paper sports flowers, as well as the two brads I used to create growing flowers.  Even the sentiment mentions flowers.

I colored my image with Copics, and embellished with adhesive lace ribbon and a couple more brads.

If you want to see the other new September releases, you'll have to visit the shop.  there are many talented artists who design for Squigglefly, so there's a little something for everyone's tastes.

Don't forget to use a Squigglefly image and play in their challenge this week!

Inspired by my Daughter to Paint

"Find your Wings and Fly..."  That's always been my wish for my daughter, but her wings seemed to be broken until she was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.  Even if her wings had been open and strong, she was frozen from flight by anxiety and fears.

During the last few months, she has been going to therapy sessions and taking meds.  Her fears were becoming manageable, her stress levels lowered, but the final acknowledgment that things were turning the corner came yesterday when she was challenged.

Her friend needed a ride from our hometown suburb to downtown Chicago, and when we weren't available to drive them, she took the Jeep (which she doesn't like to drive) and on the way home (expressway, merging & darkening skies), she battled bouts of nerves with each flash of lightning until she drove up the driveway (just before the storm hit).

I'm so proud of her!!  She not only made the decision to "find her wings" herself, but "took to the air" and made it through unexpected obstacles.  She faced her fears, gritted her teeth (and gripped the steering wheel) and FLEW!!!

So I had to create this mixed media canvas in celebration of her flight, and in anticipation of many more to come.  She will soar to newer and higher heights in her life, and that turns my own fears and doubts into Optimism with a capital "O."

I used an altered key I had made for a challenge, as well as a heart charm and handmade flowers from fabric, to embellish my canvas.  I painted, ModPodged, stamped, Stickled, smeared, and then hand-printed and painted the sentiment.

I'm entering this project in The Positivity Blog, where Optimism is the challenge theme this month, and positive and motivating vibes are the message there.  I just discovered this blog and LOVE their mission "...a place where you can come to see projects or posts that provide help, hope, courage, love, forgiveness, peace, motivation, encouragement, etc... A place to come especially on those days when the woes of the world just seem too much to bear."