Happy New Year 2011!

"Happy New Year to all of my family, friends and blog followers!" 

I have really been enjoying myself these last few months.  Blogging has been very therapeutic for me.  I am feeling great and have a lot less stress in my life.  I have met some really great people out there in Blogland and have been inspired by all your creations.  Thank you for sharing all you do.  

And to my family and friends, "Thank You!" for all your love.  You truly are the "BEST".  

I am looking forward to a GREAT New Year and I hope you all are too.  

This year I hope to get at least 100 followers on my blog, I know ambitious but a girl can try.  :)  As soon as I do I am going to have a crafty give a way, maybe even something at 50 followers.  So if you know of anyone who is crafty and would like to share my blog that would be great.  Have them leave a comment on who sent them.  (Could be something in it for you if you get 5 people to sign up.)  Also, if you already follow my network blog on Facebook, actually Follow my blog on my blog page (not the networked blog section), that is where I am counting from.  :)  That way you will be included too.  This offer will expire at the end of the year (2011) or the first 100 followers is reached.   

MyNeed2Craft.blogspot.com

Again I want to say Happy New Year to everyone.

<3 to all,

Terri

Card making with Taylor...

Today was a very special day.  My niece Taylor got some very cool stamps and crafty supplies for Christmas.  :)   So we had a auntie and niece shop at the local stamp store "Stamper's Corner" and came home to clean auntie's craft room from the Christmas crafting explosion.  hehe   Then it was time to stamp some cards.  We had a blast and here is her first ever handmade card.

Outside (I love this stamp she purchased)...Auntie must borrow ;)

Here is the inside.

I am so proud of her and hope to do some more soon.  She is practicing at home.  My sister is trying to make some room for her so she will have her own little craft station.  Luckily she only lives a few blocks away so she can come hang with Auntie anytime.  :)

Here is a Valentine I made today with my The Stamps of Life Hearts2Love stamps.  This is my first to make that I am going to send to her blog to post in the gallery.  I hope she likes it.  I have some more ideas that I am going to play around with tonight.  Maybe I will send some more over.  :)

I loved the card stock I found today.  It is from Little Yellow Bicycle "Love Story".  I started my Copic marker collection yesterday and went back today for more.  (Can you say..."easily addicted") When I saw this card stock right when I walked in and they had a Copic the same color...well....I had to have it.  :)

I hope you like it.

<3 Terri

Copic Markers....

Has any of my crafty friends tried Copic Markers?  I am totally hooked on the video tutorials on this medium.  I love how you can blend and shade with them.  I just saw that my local stamping store carries them and has a refill station, yay!  How did I not notice this before?  They would have been on my Christmas list for sure (as they are costly). 

My hubby got me some great floral stamps that I would love to color in with these.  I thought to use my Sharpies, but don't think I would get the same effect. 

Well I am going to check them out tomorrow and see how much they are.  If anyone has used them before please let me know what you think about them and if they are worth the investment.  (I think they may be.  hehe)

Well I hope you are all having a fabulous day and I look forward to hearing from you. 

<3 Terri

Post Holiday...

Well, it is time to gear up for the New Year.  I think I will take today to rest up and then tackle the big Christmas clean up for tomorrow. 

It is quiet around the house this morning/early afternoon, so I think I will make a hot tea and watch some more Christmas movies that didn't get finished before the holiday.  :)  I am still in my Christmas jammies too!  haha. 

Have a great day!
<3 Terri

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas. We have our whole family together and it has been wonderful.

May you all have a Very, Merry Christmas.

<3 to all,
Terri

Wrapping and Dogsitting...

It has been a very busy week with getting ready for Christmas.  Just when I thought I was so on top of things, something else would come up unexpectedly and throw a wrench in the wheel, so to speak.  :) 

That's ok, I am very flexible and can figure out how to get it done before the BIG day. 

A client of my husbands who purchased our last 2 puppies a few years back needed a dogsitter overnight the other night as she is a traveling RN and goes all over Northern California to help elderly home bound patients with their care and wasn't able to take the dogs with her this time.  (Well all 4 of them)  She took her special needs dog and his companion and we kept the kids (as she calls them).  Which just happen to be our Ginger's pups.  It has been a grand dog fest around here.  They are wonderful and we had a GREAT time with them.  Brady couldn't have been happier, as he was really attached to Puppy #1 (as I didn't want to get attached to the puppies so I didn't name them) or Rex (as Brady named him) or Rocky which is his name.  She named him after my husband.  :)  They are quite the cuddlers, which I loved because my 2 love to cuddle Rocky and only cuddle with me when he isn't home.  Brats!  haha

They were going to be picked up last night, but she got fogged in at her location and it would have been well past midnight, so we kept them again.  :)  So, I will get a little bit later start to the day, but that's ok. 

Here is their family pic:




From Left to Right
Aunt Penny, Bella, Rocky and Ginger (bottom)


Kayla is coming home tonight and we are going to pick up her new baby Rowdy.  He is a little Welsh Corgi which is another of our favorite breeds.  She has been waiting to get her own dog for a long time now and found this great little guy.  He is soooo sweet.  He will be staying with us until New Year's.  Here he is:



Rowdy

 Well I only have a few more gifts to make cards for and then I should be good to go.  I am going to get one more blog in before taking a break for the holidays so I'll catch ya later.

Have a GREAT day! 
<3 Terri

OK, I made a few more...

Just a couple more...

I used snowflakes from SVGCuts.com file Winter Bliss snowflakes 1 and 2, and I also used a snowflake from Merriment at Lettering Delights.  I added sparkle and layered them like a flower.  Sorry I am not good a photography, something else for me to learn.  :)

Enjoy!
<3 Terri

Oh No!

I can't believe I ran out of home made cards to send.  Bummer!  I totally miscalculated.  Luckily I did have some really cute store bought cards, so some are going to get those.  I wish I had time to make more.  Well, I will have a better count for next year and I am also going to put everyone's address in to a software program so that I can print labels next time.  My hand is so sore now.  LOL.  Should have anticipated that as well.  hehe.  See you can still learn things. 

Alright, well now for the wrapping of the presents....to be continued. 

Warm hugs (because I know some of you are in the snow right now),
Terri

Some Christmas cards...

I haven't posted in a few days as I have been making Christmas cards.  :)  Some of my family and friends were giving me a hard time about how long it has been taking me, but didn't realize that I was actually "making" Christmas cards, not addressing them.  haha.  Now I will be addressing them and getting them in the mail this week.

Here are a few that I have been working on and some from last year.  I try to make 4-8 of each style (depending on how much paper I have in that specific style).

Once I get these out in the mail I will work on the gift card cards and more boxes and bags.  There are sure a lot of  "Great Ideas" out there.  What a great community of crafters that share their ideas on their blogs.  Sure inspire me to do more.  I will probably even get next years done.  LOL!

<3 Terri

Bag #2

Today between running all over town I managed to finish 4 bags that I cut out the day before.

I again, up all night with ideas, decided to embellish them with paper ribbon and bows.  I had this great idea to make a ribbon .svg cut using my inkscape.  I fidgeted around with some ideas and then I was checking out my blog reader and saw this post from one of my favorite sites SVGCuts.com, where I have downloaded for free (as well as purchased) a lot of there files.  One of their design team members, Thienly Azim, made a beautiful paper ornament out of, guess what?, Rosie's Ribbon Strips, from, SVGCuts.com.  :)  So I went to their site and purchased the files.  Lot's of ribbon patterns to choose from.  Made my life so much easier as they had the exact style cut I was looking for.  Well, except that it was only one sided.  So with my Sure Cuts A Lot 2 software, I cut and paste, flipped and learned to weld.  Perfect, just what was in my head all night last night.  :)  I really love their site.  Here is the link to Thienly Azim's blog: modpaperie.blogspot.com to check out the ornament.  And you can check out SVGCuts.com for their Rosie's Ribbon Strips file.  Oh yeah, and the bag and bow came from their Christmas Gift Bags and Boxes for the bow and Big Boutique Boxes for the bag.

Here is what it looks like:

Christmas Gift Bag

Sorry that I wasn't able to do any direct links to their sites, still learning this whole blog thing.

<3 Terri

12 Days of Christmas at SVGCuts.com

Hi all,

I have been playing 12 Days of Christmas over at SVGCuts.com and one of the requirements for today (Day 4) is to post their link on our blog.  So that is what I am going to do.  :)

http://svgcuts.com/blog/?p=7764

If you are a Cricut lover you would love this Sure Cuts A Lot 2 software.  I have been using it for about 2 months now and LOVE IT!  So many free .svg files are available online for free.  I haven't been able to purchase very many Cricut cartridges due to their expense, so this was a great alternative.  Take a look and see what they offer.  And tell them I sent you!

<3 Terri

Christmas bags

Once again, I have not worked on my Christmas cards.  What is the deal?!  Well, I'll tell ya...I have been making a Christmas bag with my SCAL2 from SVGCuts.com.  I saw this bag on a little tutorial Mary did with her .svg file from Big Boutique Boxes and a snowflake from Winter Bliss.  It took me a while just because I couldn't find any matching ribbon to go with my paper etc etc.  :)  But now that I have picked out some choices I am ready to make some more.  I will post some pics later, but her is a sample:

This is for my Secret Santa gift.

Hugs,

Terri

Plaque's for Christmas Gifts

Today I didn't get my Christmas cards done, but had an equally crafty day.  :)  I had this idea (which I am sure has been done before) and I couldn't shut off the brain.  I have a lot more ideas to do with this for other occasions.  

I had to black out the name (in case the 'someone' who isn't supposed to see them figures out how to use facebook) haha.  Which we highly doubt, as this is their Christmas present and I am not friends with the others, so don't have to worry about that. 

I really love how they turned out.  What do you think?  Sorry for the unediting, I couldn't figure out how to blur the name and edit the pic too.  :)

Finally finished...

Today I got all the days til Xmas blocks finished and ready to hand out, plus the ribbon on the homemade jellies and apple butter.  This week, I will get my Christmas cards finished and mailed out.

I am excited to use all these .svg files that I have been collecting just for the Christmas cards.

Also, on my list of to do's: get the tree decorated.  Which is going to be another blog, my tree I ordered online wasn't quite what I expected, but I will live with it.  LOL!

I have been having a blast this week with my crafting endeavors.  I am very please with how they have turned out.  Here are a few pics of some of the 15 finished sets.

From this...

and this...

To this.  :)

I even made a purple one for my SIL

More Logo Ideas...

Here are a few more ideas.  Comment me back and let me know which one you like best A, B, C or D  Thanks!

A

B

C

D

Working on a Logo

I thought I would play around with Adobe Photoshop some more as I am trying to come up with a logo.  I am pretty sure I am going with this one.  I have been drawing out for months, and I am really liking this one.  What do you think?

I still need to work on the purple.  It is showing up to blue right now.  And I want to add a border around it.  I will try again on the laptop when my son isn't hogging it for his video games. 

:) Terri

For Heather :)

Todays post is for my friend Heather who is helping me with some setting features on my blog.  Still learning.

Meanwhile, I thought I would post some fun pics of our cat, Gabby, helping Rocky install our new dishwasher last night.  For those of you who don't know about Rocky and Gabby's love hate relationship, I think she is definitely in charge of it.  LOL!

Enjoy,

She stayed on him for about 10 minutes and lorded it over the dogs.  hehe

Terri

Fun things and Purple Hats

Today was like an early Christmas.  I went to pick up some vinyl, from my friend Ann, and she had some wonderful surprises for me. She did some craft room cleaning and found some items she was no longer using and thought I would.  She was right.  So instead of decorating for Christmas like I planned, I played with the new things she gave me.  :)

I did get one thing done, and that was the Purple Hat for  "Grandma Applemun".  She is my brother in laws mom and grandmother to my nieces and nephew.  It is her birthday month in December and I guess in the Red Hat Society you are queen for that month.  She wanted to add some bling to her Purple Hat for this special occasion, so I blinged it up for her with some Red and Clear Swarovski hotfix crystals.  It doesn't show it as well in the pics, but it is quite sparkly.  She asked for it not to be gaudy, just fancy.  I hope she likes it.

Before

After

 :) Terri

Putting Thanksgiving away....

So all of the Thanksgiving decorations are put away.  Now on to Christmas.  I had to order a new Christmas tree this year, so I will have to decorate that when I get it.  For now, I am just sitting here looking at the boxes I drug in from the shed. 

Back in September I did a spring cleaning and organized all of my Christmas collection from over the last 28 years.  Purged a ton of it.  Some went to the dump, but most went to Goodwill.  I couldn't believe how many lights I had purchased from "After Christmas Sales" and had never used.  So hopefully someone out there will have a decorated Christmas for cheap.  :)

I still have loads of Christmas gift projects to work on for this week.  Countdown blocks, wrap up the Apple Butter jars and homemade cards. 

Since this is the first time in I don't know how long that I am organized, I hope it doesn't take too long to get done.  haha

I will try to do some before pics and after.  (We'll see if I remember)

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday!

<3 Terri

Countdown to...Part 2

So I tried to get 7 sets of these done Wednesday night to give out to our Thanksgiving company and only got 2 done.  I didn't have enough vinyl.  Oops.  Well I got these 2 done Thanksgiving morning while the Turkey was cooking.  One went to G-ma Applemun (My sisters MIL) and one for my oldest Kayla for her first Christmas decoration at her new apartment.  She has vintage decor so the red one is her's.  Really cute vintage papers. Only 13 more sets to go.  

Countdown to Christmas! 29 Days!

Well, it is time to put Thanksgiving away.  I have to say, this ranks up there with one of the great Thanksgiving days.  We hosted this year at our house and had a blast. 

I actually have the holiday spirit this year.  The past few years it was lacking.  With all the changes these last few months I have a new outlook on life and what I want out of it. 

OK, so now I will be moving onto Christmas projects.  I have started a few already, but really need to get my cards done.  This weeks goal. 

:) Terri

Thanksgiving Projects....check

Today I worked on my Thanksgiving projects.  Turkey Napkin Rings and Turkey Centerpiece.  Both are .svg files from www.SVGCuts.com. (There is a button to the right if you want to see what else they have.) The Turkey napkin rings are from the AUTUMN CUDDLY FRIENDS SVG COLLECTION and I just added 1" x 5" strip and formed a ring and glued them on top.  :)  The Turkey Centerpiece is from their THANKSGIVING DINNER SVG KIT.  I used my Cuttlebug and embossing folders for texture, swirly stamp with copper ink and shimmer mist.  I love how they turned out.  I can't wait to set up my Thanksgiving Dinner table.  :)  

This I adjusted to 11.3" Width on all pieces.

I adjusted the height to 2.5" on all pieces.

Just for FYI if any of you are interested and have a Cricut or similar cutting machine...SVGCuts.com is having a Black Friday sale on their site for Sure Cuts A Lot 2 (SCAL2) for $35.00 + $10.00 gift card.  This is an awesome deal.  Please support them.  Again, their link is on the right of this page.  :)  

I hope you like my little projects.  I would love to hear from you guys.  Please comment.

<3 Terri

Lady Bug Apron

Today Delene and I finished up her Lady Bug Apron in time for Thanksgiving.  Yay!  It turned out so cute.

She is making me Chicken and Dumplings for lunch.  Mmmm it was soooo good.  Maybe someday she will give us the recipe.  :)  Thanks Leenie.

New find...

Once again I have been on the computer most of the night downloading more .svg files for my SCAL2. Today I discovered a blog Penny Duncan Creations. She had loads of .svg files to choose from. And best of all, they were free. My .svg folder is getting quite full. :) I added her blinkie to the right if you want to check it out. :)

Check it out!
<3 Terri

Countdown to...

Just wanted to say Thanks again to Ann for letting Melissa and I come and join her crafty group of ladies.  We had a great time.  We made these fabulous countdown blocks that you can make for any occasion.  Today we did Christmas.  Aren't these so cute?  :)

Can't wait to make more.  

Giving up!

OK, for some weeks now I have been trying to learn Adobe Photoshop CS5 (trial version) before I purchased it.  Yikes!  Can't seem to wrap my head around it.  I did get to make a few backgrounds, but as I posted the direct link, the page always came out to small.  Aggravating! 

So I decided I am going to use some of the freebie sites out there that have the backgrounds already made and they have a few little extra gizmo's to play with as well.  :)  (I love my countdown to 'whatever day or holiday'.) 

Here are the links to the ones I have been playing with:

http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/
http://www.pyzam.com/
http://www.jellypages.com/

There are loads of them out there so look around and see what works best for you.  I decided to do a different theme each month.  This will free me up for some real crafting time. 

Enjoy!
<3 Terri

Vintage Style Aprons

My friend Delene and I have been making aprons.  The first one is finally complete.  The next will be done this week.  I will post a pic of it when we get done.  We are trying to get them done before Thanksgiving.  :)  She is on medical leave for the next few weeks, so we hope to get a few other things accomplished as well before the holidays.

I love the fabrics we have chosen.  Mine was so great on its own that I didn't add any embellishments. Sometimes less is more.  :)

Cleaning and Organizing

So, I thought today I would clean out some of the boxes of craft items that I just put in the closet after getting the new craft room together.  So much old stuff in there, garbage really, but some really cool surprises too!  :)  I am a craft supply horder.  hehe 

I have a some crochet pattern books, wrappers from skeins of yarn and crochet magazines if any of you are interested in them.  I hate to throw things like that away in case someone would like them.  They can be quite inspirational for projects.  Some were duplicates pattern books.  Some are really old and are just kind of fun to look through.  I will keep adding things to this pile as I go through the rest of the boxes and binders of other crafts.  If any of you are interested in going through it, leave me a comment and we can get them to you somehow.  :)

Tomorrow when I get my laptop back from my son, who has been hogging it all day playing his video games I will post some pics of a few things I worked on today. 

Have a good night!
Terri

First Attempt at Adobe Photoshop

Thanks to a very helpful tutorial on Youtube by www.scrappingguy.com I was able to make something resembling a field scene with a butterfly.  I can see I have a lot of practicing to do.

Tutorials

Wow are there a lot of tutorials out there for just about everything. 

I have been learning how to do so many things for Photoshop and Inkscape.  I am already half way through my free trial with photoshop and still haven't created anything yet.  I better get busy. 

If any of you have ever worked with these programs before, your advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Hugs to you!
Terri

Chalk & Stencil

I am sure this will go to Leenie someday.

Close up of the flower on Thank You card

Another technique I like is to emboss and then distress with emery cube.

Just a few practice cards I made using stencils and chalk.  I have some new ideas for flowers I will try out tomorrow.  :)

Rings

Here is the ring that I made for my friend Melissa.  The blue one is Melissa's and mine is the dark purple.  I made mine to big...oops.

Scrapbook Expo

OK, I tried really hard to be good at the Scrapbook Expo...Fail!  haha

I love embossing..that is all there is to it.  Chalks are my new thing too.  I will be hiding away in my craft room all weekend playing with this.

There were lot's of cool items and ideas, so if you have a chance to go out there they are open until 6p tonight and they are open tomorrow.  I don't think they are there on Sunday.

TTFN!
Terri

Scrapbook Expo

I am going to check out the Scrapbook Expo tomorrow.  I am going to be good and not overspend....much.  :)  I have a budget and I am going to stick to it.  ;)  OK, I will try really hard I am not gonna lie.  hehe.

Yesterday, I went to my old bead store BeadWare and had a nice visit with BJ.  I made a really cool ring for my friend Melissa.  I will post pics tomorrow hopefully. 

My husband has been off these last 2 days, and well, I never get anything accomplished when he is home.  We always enjoy our time together, so I don't get any projects (or chores) done.  Not that I am complaining (about the chores anyways).

So I will check in tomorrow and let you know if I found any great finds.  :)

Until then,
Terri

Working on my blog page

Wow, is there a bunch of fabulous blog backgrounds out there.  I am currently teaching myself how to create my own custom background.  So far, I have been looking for digital backgrounds (royalty free) and there are soooo many to choose from.  Can't believe I have spent the whole day doing this.  LOL!  OK, I guess I can.

Well, we'll see what I come up with.

If you have any advice for me, please feel free to post a comment, I would love to hear from you.

:) Terri

Halloween and Sure Cuts A Lot

So I finally got to play with my new Sure Cuts A Lot software last night and today.  Wow, I LOVE IT!

I was able to download some purchased .svg designs and some free.  And I have to say, everything worked great.  (Ann I think you are going to love it.)  There were a few things I had to do to get my Cricut prepped, but it was relatively easy.

So here are a few of the Halloween cards I made for all the kids in my family.  I am going to make some gift card holders on Monday.  :)  And yes, the phrases are done with fonts that I downloaded and imported into Sure Cuts A Lot and used my ink pens in the Cricut.

Sure Cuts A Lot

My hubby is getting me the Sure Cuts A Lot software (for a early Christmas gift).  One of many...he has no idea the list I have this year.  LOL  If you own a Cricut you should check this out on Youtube.  I have literally been on it all day (except for when we went to see Red and out to lunch)  hehe  I have been doing a lot of research and need to upgrade my Cricut version to one that is compatible with the software program.  So my crafty friends, check out this program...literally you won't have to buy anymore of the expensive cartridges (or you can) to use.  There are soooo  many fonts and artwork you can download for free, purchase or whatever strikes your fancy. 

I believe I will have to start a support group for this, as with all my other hobbies.  :)

I have a bunch of gift card holder ideas for Halloween.  I will work on them tonight and post pics tomorrow (hopefully)  :)  Since my whole card ideas weren't panning out. 

Hugs to you!
Me (Terri)

Visit with Kaitlyn

Today's visit with Kaitlyn was so much fun.  She is addicted to making flowers like I am.  While I didn't have any success with my Halloween cards...I showed her how to make paper roses and she made these cards.  She is sooo talented.
Here they are...