A Thank You Card

I work part time as a waitress at a Country Club.  One of the wonderful members gave me homemade peach blueberry jam, homemade bread, and some cash.  This is a thank you for the lovely and unexpected gift.  I figured that blueberry Tilda was appropriate.

Patterned Paper: DCWV Winter Stack

Solid Cardstock: The Paper Co

Stamp: Magnolia Tilda w/ Blueberries

Misc: Creative Memories Scallop Corner and corner rounder punches, Stampin Up Ticket Punch, Sentiment from Inkadinkado, Rhinestones, Ribbon & buttons from my stash, Martha Stewart Thanks edge punch

Challenges:

1. Just Magnolia - sketch

2. C.R.A.F.T. - Thank You

3. Winter Wonderland - Thank You for a Xmas gift

4. Incy Wincy - Inspiration Challenge (colors and circles)

5. Our Creative Corner - celebrate with food or drink

6. Charisma Cardz - Anything but Christmas

7. Crafty Creations - no rules

New Christmas Challenge and Blog Hop!

I just discovered a new Christmas challenge.  (And you all know how much I LOVE challenges!).  ABC Challenge is opening a new blog just for Christmas projects, and it is called ABC Christmas Challenge.

They have a blog hop going on right now with lots of fabulous prizes.  If you get a chance, go check it out.

A 1st Birthday Card for Abby

I'm going to a 1st birthday party on Saturday for my friend's baby.  I was glad to finally be able to use this adorable elephant image.

Patterned Paper: DCWV Nana's Nursery Stack

Solid Cardstock: The Paper Co

Stamp: Magnolia Elephant

Misc: Fiskars Scallop Edge Punch, Ribbon by American Crafts, Creative Memories Corner rounder, Studio G sentiment stamp, Nestabilities Large Circle, Prismacolor Pencils & Gamsol, Buttons from my stash

Challenges:

1. Sketch Saturday - sketch

2. Cupcake Craft - a time for celebration

3. Simon Says Stamp - party

4. Roses on Paper - use your favorite coloring medium

5. If the shoe fits... - use your favorite coloring medium

6. Lexi's Creations - pastel colors

A Tag for you...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas - I did.  It was nice to be able to spend some time relaxing with my husband.  It's hard since I work two jobs, he works and he goes to school.  We don't get to see each other much!  I am counting down until he finishes school in August!

This was a first for me - I've never made a tag before.  

Patterned Paper: Me & My Big Ideas

Solid Cardstock: The Paper Co

Stamp: Magnolia - don't know this new Tilda's name (from the new winter '09 kit)

Cricut: Christmas Solutions (Thanks Eileen!!!)

Misc: Stickles, Ribbon by American Crafts, Sharpie Markers

Challenges:

1. The Stamp Shoppe - Tag using a Magnolia image

2. Magnolia Down Under - stamp with another use (This is NOT a Christmas stamp)

3. 365 Cards - with a flourish (this tree is definitely full of flourishes!)

4. Allsorts - Anything but a card

5. Practical Scrappers - winter project

6. 2 Red Bananas - a tree

7. Creative Belli - tags

8. HFOS - red

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to make a quick post wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas! 

I am so glad to have joined the blog world - I get so much inspiration from all the blogs I visit. 

I am truly thankful for everyone who visits my blog.  Your wonderful support and comments keep me crafting!  I find it truly hard to believe that I started this blog in March and I have 45 followers and 16,000+ blog hits! 

Thank you everyone!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Lauren

Snowman Candle

I did one more candle today.  I think it is my favorite - I may need to make one for myself!  This one is for my grandmom.

The stamp is by Magnolia.  I used "snow angel" ribbon from my stash, silver and white stickles, snowflake brads, prima flowers, and sharpies.

Yesterday, I received several e-mails and comments asking how I made these candles.  There's a great tutorial HERE.

Happy Holidays!

~Lauren

A Bunch of Candles - Xmas Gifts

I was a busy little bee today.  I made a bunch of Xmas candles for gifts. 

I used images from Digital Pencil Too and Magnolia.  I used straight pins with pearls on the ends to hold the ribbon in.  I used brads to hold the poinsettia and leaves.   I used Prima flowers, snowflake brads, yellow brads, and more pins to hold the blue and tan flowers in.  I used stickles on all the candles, and they all had my "Handmade by Lauren" stamp on the back.

Challenge:
1. HFOS - red

~Lauren

A Gift for Alana's 1st Xmas

This is a picture frame for baby Alana.  She was born in July and I made this picture frame when she was born.  I made this one for her baby shower.

This was a little hard to photograph, as the paper had a pearlescent sheen. 

Patterned Paper - Heidi Grace Designs

Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co

Stamps - Magnolia Tree, Santa bending over, Snowman, and Tingla

Misc - Martha Stewart Loops Punch around the Page, Martha Stewart Snow Flurries Punch around the Page, Nestabilities circles and ovals, Creative Memories Corner rounder, Cricut Pooh Font, Sharpies, Stickles in pink, white, purple, green, red

Challenges:

1. 2 Red Bananas - xmas tree

2. Our Creative Corner - let it snow

3. Stamp Something - holiday somethings

4. Creative Card Crew - anything goes

5. Stamp with Sarah Kay - snowmen

6. Secret Crafter - last minute gifts

Snowed in!

We got 18 inches of snow yesterday!  Needless to say, we had to cancel our family Christmas party that was supposed to take place at our house yesterday.  Instead, some friends who live close by came over and we spent the day playing games, eating, and drinking.  Good times!

Here are some pictures I took.

9 am - not much snow yet, the dogs check things out. 

Daphne hates getting wet, so the snow wasn't her favorite thing!  She ran inside and wouldn't come out all day!  Rocky loves the snow!

Rocky played with the neighbor's lab.

Here are some pictures to see how much snow we got. 
Our table on the patio.

My car.  (Needless to say, I haven't been able to go anywhere, as I am plowed in!)

It's going to be a white Christmas here in PA!  YAY!

From the cat...

This is my parent's cat, Jasper.  I had to fix the red eyes in this photo, but his eyes are actually a gorgeous baby blue!  He's half siamese and half orange tabby.  I wouldn't have believed that except that the pet shop had his brother in the same cage and he was orange tabby!

Jasper wanted to make a Christmas Card for my parents.  I think he did a good job!  LOL

Patterned Paper - Unknown (scraps)
Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co
Stamp - Digital Pencil Too
Misc - Music brads from Michael's, Ribbon from stash, Rhinestones, hand written sentiment, cuttlebug music folder, Robin Brand metallic rub ons, Sharpies, white chipboard, white stickles (on fur on hats)

Challenge:
1. Sketch Saturday - sketch
2. Pile it On - chipboard (with sentiment written on it)
3. The Pink Elephant - winter/xmas
4. Practical Scrappers - Christmas
5. HFOS - red

Christmas Card from the dogs

This is a card to my mother in law from the dogs.  She is our dog walker and she comes every day while my husband and I are at work.

Patterned Paper - Me & My Big Ideas (plaid), DCWV Pet Stack (bones)

Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co

Stamp - Digital Pencil Too

Misc - Hand written sentiment, plastic ornaments from Walmart, Creative Memories Corner rounder, stickles (hat), liquid pearls (bone), chipboard, Sharpies

Challenges:

1. Friday Sketchers - sketch

2. Pile it On - chipboard (I cut it out and wrote the sentiment on it)

3. Simon Says Challenge - Christmas

4. Stamp & Scrap Hawaii - use an animal image

5. All that scraps - glitter

6. HFOS - red

First Christmas in a new home

As I said in my previous post, I have several friends who bought homes this year.  Here is a card I made for another one of them who I will be visiting soon.

I used the same sketch from Peachy Keen Challenge, but I can't enter more than once.

Solid Cardstock: The Paper Co

Stamps: Digital Pencil Too - two stamps - the door, and the birds/wreath

Misc: Sharpies, chipboard, Martha Stewart Snow Flurries Punch around the Page, Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, rhinestones, computer generated sentiment, cuttlebug 5x7 snowflake folder

Challenges:

1. If the shoe fits... - let it snow

2. Pile it on - chipboard (behind sentiment)

3. Secret Crafter - snow

4. HFOS - red

All white Xmas Card

This was my first attempt at an all white xmas card (the image was the only thing that could have color - and I placed it on red paper just for the photo).  I'm not really crazy about it...

I needed a card for my friend who is having us over soon.  I have several friends who purchased homes this year to get the $8000 tax credit.  The little sign on the wreath says "Home Tweet Home."

I won a challenge at Kaboodle Doodles, and I got a $10 gift certificate to Digital Pencil Too.  I ended up getting several of Mo's adorable images!

Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co

Stamp: Mo's Digital Pencil (it's actually two stamps - the door, and the wreath with birds)

Misc: Computer generated sentiment, Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Cuttlebug 5x7 snowflake punch, rhinestones, Walmart plastic snowflakes, Creative Memories corner punch

Challenges:

1. Peachy Keen - Sketch

2. Mo's Digital Challenge - all white except image

3. HFOS - red

A Christmas Carol

 I made this for my brother in law's girlfriend, who is a wonderful singer. 

Snowflake Patterned Paper - Me & My Big Ideas

Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co

Stamp - Magnolia Caroling Tilda

Misc - Cuttlebug Music notes folder, Gold Metallic Rub On by Robin, Sharpie Markers, Rhinestones, Adhesive Pearls, Nestabilities Large Oval, Stickles (red, green, & white), Chipboard button (under the sentiment)

Challenges:

1. Tuesday Morning Sketches - sketch

2. Pile it On - chipboard

3. The Pink Elephant - favorite xmas color combo (who doesn't love red, green, and white?)

4. Cupcake Craft Challenge - sing a Christmas carol

5. Incy Wincy - Snowflakes (background paper)

6. Cuttlebug Challenge - glitter

7. Color Chef - red, green, and white

8. Just Magnolia - it's Christmas

9. Practical Scrappers - "Anything Christmas"

10.  Everybody Art - Red and Green

11. Stamp With Sarah Kay - Red and Green

12. Simple Doodles - holidays

13. Creative Card Crew - gold or silver (cuttlebug music was done on white paper with gold rub-on)

14. 2 Red Bananas - stay warm

15. Creatalicious Challenges ~ something for christmas including sparkling and Snowflakes

16.  Crazy 4 Challenges ~ Snow

17.  Our Creative Corner ~ Christmas

18. Saturday Challenges ~ Snow

19. Fun with shapes and more ~ Snowflakes

20.  Simon says challenge ~ Let it snow

21. Stamp something ~ Winter Wonderland

22. Charisma Cardz -  red, green, and white or silver

A Christmas Present

This is something a little different for me.  I saw a picture frame like this on the Cricut Messageboard a few months ago.  Unfortunately, I don't know who made it.  If anyone can tell me, I would like to give them credit.

This is a Christmas present for my best friend.  I bought a collage picture frame at Michael's and turned over the matting to use as a white background.  I used Cricut Plantin Schoolbook and Storybook cartridges, sharpies, and stickles. 

Challenges:

1. Pile it on - glitter

2. Roses on Paper - alter something

3. Creative Belli - flourishes

Card for a new home

My friend just purchased her first house.  I am going there for a Christmas/housewarming party on the 20th, so I  thought I would make her a card.  It also gave me an excuse to use one of the ADORABLE key charms that my buddy Ruby sent to me!  Thanks Ruby!!!

Patterned Paper - Heidi Grace Designs by Fiskars

Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co

Stamp - Magnolia Tilda w/ key

Misc - Rhinestones, Key Charm by Blue Moon Beads, Silver stickles, ribbon by Sweet Petites, flowers from Michael's, Computer generated sentiment, Nestabilities Large Oval, Sharpie Markers, Gellyroll White Pen, Fiskars Scallop Edge Punch, Stampin' Up Ticket Punch

Challenges:

1. Sketch & Stash - sketch (and I finally broke out this paper I've been hoarding for my first home scrapbook!)

2. Pile it On - glitter (and I am applying for their DT - fingers crossed!)

3. Quixotic - so charming

4. Little Red Wagon - heavy metal

5. Stamp Something - glitzy somethings

6. Cute Card Thursday - swirly girly

7. Magnolia Down Under - bedazzled

8. Colour Create - purple, aqua, black, and white (I hope this counts - I just HAD to use this paper!)

9. Just Magnolia - card for someone special

10. 365 Cards - Pick 5 items from your stash (key charm, paper, ribbon, rhinestones, stickles)

11. Ildi Co - Black & bright colors

12. Allorts - purple

13. Frosted Designs - use a scallop

TMS & Pile it On

Stamps: Magnolia Tilda with present, Merry Christmas Post, Presents
Patterned Paper: Me & My Big Ideas
Solid Cardstock: The Paper Co
Misc: Ribbon by Offray, Flowers by K & Co, Sharpie Markers, Studio G flourish stamp

Tuesday Morning Sketches - sketch
Pile it on - flowers & flourishes
Peachy Keen Stamps - polka dots (in the flourish stamp), a border, stripes, stamped image

Mojo Monday & Pile it On

Stamps: Magnolia Tilda with Heart Ornament, Tilda with Winter Stockings, North Pole Post,
Patterned Paper: Me & My Big Ideas
Solid Cardstock: The Paper Co
Misc: Nestabilities Large Circles, Flowers by K & Co, Sharpie Markers, Studio G flourish stamp

Mojo Monday - sketch
Pile it on - flowers & flourishes
Creative Card Crew - xmas

Finally, a card!

I finally made a card today!  YAY!

This weekend, I received my Christmas stamps that I pre-ordered from Magnolia-licious and I couldn't wait to ink them up!

Stamps: Magnolia - Santa's Helper Edwin, Sled, Trees, and Holly Post
Patterned Paper: Me & My Big Ideas
Solid Cardstock: The Paper Co
Misc: Red & Green Stickles, Silver metallic Ribbon by Offray, EK Success Snowflake Edge Punch, Snowflake Brads, sharpie markers, and buttons from my stash.

Challenges:
1. Just Magnolia - sketch
2. HFOS - no plain Jane ribbon
3. Simple doodle - metal
4. Sophisticat - snowflakes and sparkle
5. Little Red Wagon - buttons
6. Charisma Cards - xmas
7. Crazy 4 Challenges - punch happy
8. Cute Card Thursday - card for a young boy
9. Allsorts - buttons
10. Sparkle Creations - xmas
11. Secret Crafter - xmas trees
12. Colour Create - red, green, & white
13. Rosie & Dee's - red, green, and bling
14. Magnolia Down Under - xmas card or decoration
15. 365 Cards - red & green
16. La La Land - 3 patterned papers, 2 colors of cardstock, 1 embellishment
17. Everybody Art - xmas
18. Kaboodle Doodle - snowflakes
19. Paper Cutz - anything goes
20. Cupcake Craft Challenges - red & green
21. The Pink Elephant - use your favorite coloring medium
22. Saturday Spotlight - use an image with a hat on
23. 2 Red Bananas - xmas
24. Stamp with fun - xmas
25. Cookin it up with Katie - red, brad, 3 of something
26. Treehouse - red, green, white, black
27. Stamp TV - red, green, gold (Edwin's buckles & buttons)
28. Ildi Co's - xmas song (Santa Clause is coming to town)
29. Pollycraft - xmas


WHEW!  That's a record for me!  WOO HOO!

Christmas Decorating...

My husband and I spent the weekend decorating the house for Christmas.  I would like to share some photos and ideas for you.

Our centerpiece.  My mother gave me the glass jar and I couldn't wait to fill it with Christmas balls!   I bought all the gold balls at Target, the greenery came from AC Moore, the round candles came from Pier 1 and the candleholders came from Pottery Barn.  The gold charger plates are from Macy's. 

Our chandelier.  I got this idea from a Christmas show I saw on HGTV.  We wrapped it with greenery, used some Target xmas balls and snowflakes, and I made a huge bow with ribbon from Jo-Ann's. 

We have quite a large Christmas village.  We put it on our buffet...  My husband and I LOVE antiques, my dining room set is one of my prized possessions.  It belonged to my grandparents and my grandfather gave it to me when he was moving to an assisted living community with his new wife.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey everyone!  Sorry I haven't been blogging this week.  Things were a little hectic, since Thanksgiving dinner was at my house.   Here's some photos from Thanksgiving:

My husband and I with our dogs, Rocky & Daphne

My grandparents

My parents and I

My 6 year old nephew and I

My husband and I and his 2 brothers