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