A Challenge on Saving Trees!!!

Over at Sugar Creek Hollow they have a challenge to save some trees:
  RE-PURPOSE PAPER TOWELS, TOILET PAPER OR COFFEE FILTERS. 

I just had taken a paper towel and wrapped it in some tea bags as I was trying to dry out the tea bag to reuse it for another project. The paper towel had wonderful coloring from the tea bags.   

Next I took a coffee filter, distressed the edges, and cut them with the Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors, then I folded the coffee filter in half several times.

and when tightly folded I tied some string close the the fringe to make the flower, and it made a perfect leaf at the bottom, so I distressed that area with Peeled Paint distress ink.

I tied another string and tied both quite tight and glued the leaf closer to the flower.

I embossed my card base, distressed the edges and the top of the card with the Tumbled Glass ink and used my recycled layers. 

It was a fun way to use these materials. I also have some tea bags and dryer sheets in my stash to reuse sometime. The fun thing with this was the TEA made a beautiful color on the paper towels.

We are having a wonderful sunny, warm day 50 so I plan to take a quick walk. Thanks for stopping by, always nice to read your comments. Enjoy your week.

Happy WOYWW #135 and Happy New Year 2012

Welcome to #135 WOYWW and the New Year of 2012 .  Julia over at the STAMPING GROUND
has created this fun Posting Your Work Area to her blog and then visiting all the participants to peep about their areas.  Stop over and she has it all explained for you to get involved. 

 I cleaned the area and organized all the Holiday items into a couple of nice plastic boxes for later use.
Christmas Embellishments and Papers will take a break and make their new home under my big table behind all the little drawers of storage files.  
I also cleaned up most of the area, sorted out some fabric colors for Valentines Day projects and enjoyed paging thru some new crafting magazines. 
Last week you all notices the little brown bag full of unopened goodies. Projects I intended to do and ran out of time. Here's what was inside the little bag

Some  Chipboard House Forms to make a memories journal,(Halloween)  and some little house village templates. I want to make some of the Sparkling little houses so hope I can get a few done before next season rolls around.   
Well off to visit as many as I can, enjoy my cup of Java.
Hope you are enjoying the UNSEASONABLY WARM WEATHER we are having. It could be over 50 mid day..it will set new temperature records. I think I might even go for a walk.
Thank You for stopping by, Wishing you and yours a wonderful, healthy and happy NEW YEAR.

Happy 2012 To All of You

Thanks for stopping by today. I want to wish all of you a wonderful, healthy and prosperous New Year.
It's been a great past year, having you all stop by, commenting and sharing your kindness with me.
We take so many things for granted day to day. And I have so much to be thankful for.

                  This is my husband with granddaughters: Sky Lynn and Summer Rose who are from Kansas

                                 And these are the grandchildren in Cedar Rapids Cael, Camryn and Cash
They truly are what getting together was all about.  The laughter and excitement they bring to each day is priceless.

Somehow my "NEW" camera has 18 fuzzy, bad pictures of Christmas at our house. So maybe my daughter in laws will post some on FB and  I can copy them.

We had about an inch of heavy wet snow last night and some ice, but today the winds are 40 to 60 mph, and we have lots of branches down. It is suppose to get warmer mid week. I guess one is never ready for winter weather. Well we are off to be with some of his family for some Mexican Food.

Ane tomorrow is the day I lounge!!!! Watch the Roses Parade, Football and Enjoy some comfort food!
Maybe even a little card creating...Hope your day is special, and your NEW YEAR PRICELESS.

IT's WOYWW #134

Caught up from the Christmas Festivities, and ready for some free time to visit  you on  WOYWW, new here? Just check out what Ms. Julia has going on over at the STAMPING GROUND.  So many fun places to visit and new friends to meet.

This is the right side of my working area, the left is EXACTLY as it was last week. Not a thing moved. Had to prepare for my sons and their families Christmas visit. And this little mess will hopefully be cleaned up and organized by the days end.  It will be on to other things. No doubt basically red in nature, but maybe a few non traditional colors this year.


The little brown bag, has goodies I haven't even had time to unpack. Hoping to make a few of the little sparkly villages. Maybe a project when the snow starts coming!!!  Hoping it by passes Iowa this year. Just so nice not to mess with all the extras it brings.


Our holidays were fantastic, wonderful warm weather, (so unusual for our area ) and after a few days of deep cleaning again, I am ready to start creating.  I usually leave up my holiday decor till a very ambitious day in January.  I enjoy the twinkling lights and all the fun sentimental things I have collected.


Thanks for stopping by, I am hoping to post a few Christmas photos, etc later so stop by again, would love to have you peep about.  Enjoy WOYWW  and  May You and Yours have a Wonderful New Year. Enjoy the festivities.

SHARING A HUG

To all of my faithful followers, a little poem a dear friend gave to me, 


"There's something in a simple hug that always warms the heart
It welcomes us back home and makes it easier to part
A hug's a way to share the joy and sad times we go through
Or just a way for friends to say they like you "cause your're you"
Hugs are meant for anyone for whom we really care
From your grandma to your neighbor, or a cuddly teddy bear
A hug is an amazing thing, it's just the perfect way
To show the love we're feeling but can't find the words to say
It's funny how a little hug makes everyone feel good
In every place and language, it's always understood
And hugs don't need new equipment, special batteries or parts
Just open up your arms and open up your hearts"




So here's one big HUG from my house to yours.  May you have a 
Wonderful Holiday, and May you and yours enjoy a 
Blessed New Year.  Thanks for being a friend.

Holiday Color Combo

Our Creative Corner  has a cute photo image for this weeks Challenge

I've had these little ornaments decorated with sequeins, and tiny trims tucked away and forgotten about until the other day, I was looking for "Little Treasures" and the idea hit me to frame them.
I used some sparkly snowflake cardstock for the background and an old vintage frame to display these.

 I happen to notice they were the colors for the OCC challenge. I received these along with other very old ornaments from a dear elderly friend living in the same apt complex. I think of her each year at Christmas time when I display her little treasured gifts.

Countdown is on..time's running out for preparations.  May you and yours enjoy the Holiday and a Blessed New Year to You and Yours.  Thanks for stopping by.

WOYWW #133

Hello friends,  the Stamping Ground will have postings for #133 What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.  Julia has all the details of how to get involved if you are wondering about WOYWW.
 I've really enjoyed 2 days of creativity, posted several "Tags" and finished up last minute details, will have to orangize the area a bit by Friday as I really don't want to share my usual mess with my sons and daughter in laws.

Lots of ribbon to put away, hang up my new 2012 man about music calendar, vacuum a bit and hope my little grandchildren, and the Brittany dog "Harley" don't get interested past the blockcade I must put up!!!  My family room adjoins this area and there is no door to shut.  So hoping the new DVD's I bought will keep their attention.
Christmas Countdown is on, 2 more days and my house will be filled with laughter,  non stop food, and decisions by sons, husband and grandchildren who is watching TV where.

This beautiful piece of work, was sent to me by Lunch Lady Jan, what fun she has been since she started WOYWW. She had a drawing and I was the winner of her bunting.  For a good photo I made the circle so you can see all the lovely fabric patterns.  Will look great by my bar as this area is in red, white and blue decor.  Her work is perfect too.   Thanks  LL Jan.

Wishing you all a Wonderful Holiday. Ours will be wonderful weather, non-stop food, music, fun family gatherings for 4 days and of course the REASON for the SEASON, attending Christmas Mass together and loving the Christmas Carols, and giving Thanks for the New Born Babe.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

JUGS " Holiday Color Challenge"

Just Us Girls Challenge 115 has a Color Challenge from this image:

I made quite a few Holiday Tags this year for family and friends. One of my favorites is using the small Vintage Images.

I distressed some corragated card board cut to size, layered several as they say "Bits & Bobs" from my Little Treasures stash,  a snowflake, glittered stars, a bell, wired ribbon, and lots of scrap pieces of colored trims.
I usually stamp a sentiment and sparkle up the back of my tags, date and sign them.
This particular one was made for my Mother and Dad, Mom loves Vinatage Santas, and Dad he mavels at all the layers.  I usually share all my designs with them, they enjoy the seasonal variety.

Stop over to Just Us Girls and enjoy all the "Pretties" the Design Team has up for inspiration.
Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the countdown to Christmas. 

May you and yours have a delightful Holiday Season.

Mixed Patterns and Color Trends

The Embellish Blog has a Challenge to create with  Mixed Patterns and Color Trends
from this Inspiration photo:

I needed a quick "Thank You" card and this looked like some great things to work with. A little break from the "Holiday" papers.

The core card stock was embossed with a plaid design, then sanded, 3 layers of patterned papers  in the Olive, Brown, Golden Yellow, and by adding a butterfly, a tiny heart stamp, the sentiment, "Thank You",  a  patterened ribbon and bow in Navy it completes my card.

Actually quite quick and simple. Stop by Embellish and enjoy the great inspiration the Design Team has presented for this Challenge.
Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the countdown to Christmas. May you & yours enjoy the Holiday Season.

Little Christmas Tidbits

I love Graphic 45's Christmas Papers, the postage size images are great for so many things.
I have several seasonal things of Crafty Secrets that really are so fun to work with also, so while going thru the "Little Treasures" I collect throughout the year, I put a few quick things together.

I crocheted these little circles long ago and just found them in with some cross stitch  items. 

Found several of these little frames on clearance for a quarter.

and these were 2 for a quarter!! Little Vintage Images are so cute.

Then the creator I am, I saved a top from some purchase, removed the staples,  opened it up and cut out the Santa with a Spellbinders die and popped it in a cross stitch frame, will add some ribbon for a tie.

Well, thanks for stopping by, I'm enjoying my free time as I know Thursday I'll be in a panic preparing foods for our Friday, Saturday and Sunday guests. I started putting things together by receipes for each day, just so I know I have all the ingredients.  Had to organize the freezer just to make sure I have enough vegatables, cool whip, etc. 

Enjoy the count down

Hark the Hearld Angel

The Play Date Cafe PDCC111 has a Color Splash Challenge  and Inspiration comes from this beautiful photo

This Santa image has long been a heart throb for me. Just so Vintage and the Memories of Years gone by always come to mind when I see it.

I've been doing "Tags" for family and friends this year, so the Little Angel image was great to use for this challenge. I die cut the little snowflakes and the tag, glitter sprayed the white with soft aqua, and I put my Sentiment and a few embellishments and signature on the back before I finished up the front. 

Stop over to the Play Date Cafe and see the beautiful inspiration the DT has created, and there are lots of great entries to see also. 

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the week, the countdown is on.  OH I so hope you are enjoying the beatutiful Winter Weather we are...40 some and beautiful sunshine. Really unusual for Iowa.  Will make for a SHORT winter if it keeps up.

Quick & Simple

Over at Joan's Gardens the Challenge #14 is a Quick Christmas Card.  Whew!! I hardly know what that is. But I intend to do quite a few more, besides they are much easier to mail.

I used an embossing folder, highlighted with some gold chalk, added the cute little image and a simple scunchy bow at the top and  whalla its done!!   So glad this was a challenge or I wouldn't have done it.  Why I don't know, but it is a good thing. 

Thanks for stopping by and truly enjoy your week, the days are counting down quickly.

Fun with Tags

Believe!     it or not..I actually had some extra time to play around with more "Tags".  Over at
The Ribbon Reel Challenge #17 they are having a color challenge, Silver/Cream-White/Blue-Aqua and what a beautiful inspiration photo:

My Tag was so fun to create with this adorable image

I made a few die cut snowflakes, used some glitter spray on the distressed corrigated cardboard tag
base, also used a silver spray on the next layer, added some different silver ribbon, the adorable little
image, some items from my stash for embellishing the snowflakes, some beads to the silver string of beads at the top.
I usually add my sentiments, stamped images  etc, and signature to the back BEFORE I start a tag, as quite hard to do when it is finished with all the layers.
Once I started the "Tags" my list kept growing, so off to do a few more.
Thanks for stopping by, I am hoping you are enjoying some wonderful winter weather!!! in the 40's, bright sunshine, oh it makes for a much shorter winter.  Enjoy your week the countdown is on.

Fun with Tags

I love Tags and ATC cards.   I've created a variety this week, I love the layers and variety of goodies I can use at Christmas. Lots of glitter and glitz.

will enter into the following Challenges
Sugar Creek Hollow  Vintage Christmas Tag
Incy Wincy Designs   Challenge #124 Christmas +Brads  ( I have a little silver star on the gold star)
Cupcake Craft Challenge #172 Don't Look at the Light- - -use Shiny

Thanks for stopping by and my you enjoy preparing for the seasonal holidays. Always lots to do and the time just flies by.

Happy #132 WOYWW Wowers

The STAMPING GROUND  hosted by Julia Dunnit comes around quicker than my Friday night evening out.  If you are not familiar with WOYWW stop over she has it all explained and the Peepers are about half signed in as we have time differences around this world.

The little felt designs I got a few yrs back for a dime. I think they are the remains of a Christmas countdown. So trying to come up with an idea for their use.  The holly stamp and stencil I hope to finish a few more tags.  On Sunday this area was complete kaos, got a phone call from my son they plan to be here THIS  Saturday...a week earlier than expected.  I was so excited...as I have not yet seen their new baby "Summer Rose".   But I've been none stop cleaning, cooking, baking and organizing ever since.  Cooked a 20lb turkey for Christmas Day, have him cut up and in the freezer, have some grocery shopping to do for last minute meals etc.  And I can relax somewhat.! ! !

I have been working on this for a week. The little image looks so much like my granddaughter Camryn who is 6.   I wanted it to be her Christmas card.  But nothing seems to be easy with it coming together.  I made 10 other tags and still stumbling with this.  I've had gold paper doily heart layered in the background, numerous other things, tried it in an open antique frame, and time is fast disappearing and still not settled on its design.   I am open to ideas.

Well, I must get ready for the day, have to help my folks with a few things and finish addressing some cards.  I've done the Christmas Letter,  & address labels  so they are almost finished. My DH helps with signing and stuffing...  He also wrapped ALL the gifts, and labeled them. One job I really don't enjoy, so I was very grateful.

We are so thankful, it is REALLY raining here.  This is a much needed rain, almost none since August and with the warm 40 degree temps, it will not turn to snow and ice.  Enjoy your visits,  and have fun preparing for how you celebrate the Holidays.

PS:   I was so excited to have been a day 3 winner in Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas. I took time to enjoy all his posts and I learned a lot.  

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #131 or WOYWW

It's the day to share your work space:

Julia at the Stamping Ground has well over 100 participating in this event, so if you are new to this stop over and get the details. Lots of fun to meet new people, and peep about their projects.

Above I've been working on little bits and pieces. Tags, Decorations, and some Cards. I regret the little gold pods I had last week cannot be shown today. After loading the pictures here the 3rd item said my E drive needs to be formatted????  Why work for 2 and Now what is formatted for the same process...Its a photo disc not a CD or a Floppy...so will try for next week. They turned out quite cute as decorations.

The top row of trees and Santas here are ones I cut and painted. The bottom row is a set I bought at a craft fair and intend on cutting out and painting some and making little villages. It might be my winter project and be done by next year!!!  I've a lot yet to do with gift wrapping, my cards and Christmas letter, and some baking. I think all the house has been decorated, even though I've  a few more boxes untouched, I think I'm quitting.

Beautiful snowfall Saturday (4/5 inches) and now highways are cleared and a bright sunny day prevails. Very cold but bundled up you don't really notice it.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy WOYWW and remain sane..this should be a time to enjoy and have fun in the process. Seems we go to far and wear ourselves out

WOW...A WINNER in the 12 Days of Christmas

WOW..I am so excited..I am following TIM HOLTZ's 12 Days of Christmas and I was a winner on Day 3.  The man is amazing. His products are amazing. And he said Arizona has SNOW..AMAZING

He shared a beautiful photo of an old wagon, wagon wheels covered in snow to show us all.

this was the photo he took out in front of his house today - so peaceful...

Stop by  his blog to see all the great things he has been sharing  TIM HOLTZ  in the 12 Days of Christmas.  He has over 55,000 views a day and over 3000 comments left each day.   So I feel very lucky to have won.  Thanks Tim you are wonderful inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by, we also have some snow 4/5 inches maybe?   So will be a good day to stay in and do my Christmas letter,  enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and spend time on http://pinterest.com/
love the ideas there!!!!!  Enjoy your day.