Claudia's Candy

There is some great "Candy" being offered at Claudia's Pretty Pressings

She wants to share a little love with those who visit her blogspot and she has picked some of her favorite products.  Looks good huh?    I would love to have some of that seam binding...
and thanks Claudia for the nice comments you give along the way.
So hop on over and give her some love. I think she has had some really bad winter weather.

Hoping  you have lots of Sunshine.

A Tag

My tag today was made with Tim Holtzs' Tattered Floral Die,  my flower cut from an old book I purchased for a dime so I could cut it up, some Distressed ink and  an old Earing for the center, the Sizzix Flourish Die, and papers from Salsa Celebration PaperZ which I won from Eclectic Paperie, Martha Stewarts corner punch and a little fiber for the top.

I will enter into the following Challenges:
Joans Gardens  "Tag " for Tuesday
Creative Belli    #110  " Jewelry"
Just Us Girls    JUGS69  "Make a 3D Flower"

Thanks for stopping by, trying to quick post this the electric is flickering..high winds and I truly don't want to lose power...Enjoy your day.

COLOR COMBO SWEETNESS

My card today was made for a friend to give to his wife. He wanted something pink and feminine. I used Tim Holtz's Paper Rosette, my Paper Rounder, Luxury Paper Stack by DCWV and items from my Little Treasure's Chest of Valentine leftovers.

I will enter this into the following Challenges:

Moxie Fab World   "Tuesday Triggers" Sweets for the Sweet"

Isn't it a Lovely Color Combo

Paper Sundaes #54 "Valentine"                                                                                                                 

Flourishes  "Timeless Tuesday"  "Valentine"
Alota Rubber Stamps  #52  "Valentine, with Red, White, Pink"
Really Reasonable Ribbons   #17  "Colors, Pink, Red, White"
Simon Says Stamp Challenge  "Love is in the Air"
Wild Orchid Challenge  #16  "Love"

Thanks for stopping by. Have a whole list of projects to get done, so I can have the weekend free.
Weather's calmed a bit...Sunshine, wind and cold -09  so need to bundle up.

The Lady's Old Valentines

As promised here are a few more of the Auction Valentines I aquired.

The last one here has the red honeycomb fold outs...Most of these are from the early 40's and 50's
Can tell by the paper and printing.  I have a few more from the late 50's and 60's, but my camera batteries are done. 

Thanks for stopping by...enjoy your time.
I notice my signature is taking a break again....sure gets a lot of time off.

WOYWW--

And now it is WOYWW..Whats On Your Work desk Wednesday...stop over to Julia's
http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ and play along or just have fun Peeping at the other entries


Here it is February..just got all my calenders changed, I am so happy January is gone.  We are having terrible winds, blizzard conditions, and warnings of NO travel, most roads are closed. So far we have no ice. East and South of here have much more serious weather problems.
Great day to spend working on Card Projects: 

The 3 little wire heart boxes contain  cut out flowers from grunge paper, and odd papers I had around.  Hope to get them distressed, crackled, and put together later.

Last week I showed you my Spellbinders storage rack. This is north of my 2 desks. A really old 8ft wooden table that actually has legs that fold.  My area is about 14 ft Long by 12 ft Wide.
It use to be the spare bedroom. I moved that to the small space I had for my 1 small table and sewing machine. Kids are only here 1 night 3x a year. So when I started Card Making and retired I decided it was time I had my own space.
 I use this table for paper cutting and all the work that a Big Shot can do. And my little tiny Pink Cuttlebug. Of course my stereo system and all my Alan Jackson music..
The 5 storage containers hold ribbon, lace, much misc.  1 has my Christmas items, and 1 has misc other holiday things.  The big spellbinders storage rack sits right in reach of this table.

This wall is left of the cutting table and displays my collection of game boards. So only have one wall to show you, and that may be awhile!!!!!!!  Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have SUNSHINE and some great weather...

UNIQUE OLD VALENTINES...

Sharing some Valentines I purchased from a Household Auction.  The 3 bottom ones are from Germany but no dates  The top middle has a date of 1924

The top Airplane in this picture has a date of 1924 Printed in Germany  It is very delicate, I plan to frame it.

The top left from the Carrington Co. Chicago, Il      top right a date of 1927
The 2 bottom ones remind me of Shirley Temple??? or if someone knows what image these are , leave a comment for me..

These are such cute cards for a gentleman...2 cute cars and the basketball player. The other 2 are again from the Carrington Co   Chicago, Il   dated 1934

Some of these have a little paper strip to fold out and make them stand.  All were the mans of this house. I will have more from the lady of this house, who was a school teacher all her life. So trying to group these by names maybe of local kids who were classmates.  My only regret....there were 2 boxes of these and I only was able to purchase one...I did not have her for a Kindergarten teacher but my sister and brother did and I don't have their class groupings in my box...it would have made a great keepsake for them.
The day of this auction, the man passed on but the special little lady still lives in assisted living and gets out and about quite often..always friendly and a hoot to visit with.

Hope you enjoyed..thanks for stopping by. Hoping to have more later in the week.  A really quiet day here. Tuesday a storm is again forcast, possible 10 inches and Wednesday wind...my husband just changed the channel...

Some Needed Prayers

I received a phone call Thursday from family of a man, I grew up with. After graduating from high school he came to live with us and help my dad farm. Spent many years as part of our family until he met his wife and left to get married.  So the news of him having Cancer of the liver, and esophagus, was a complete shock, (he never smoked and drank Very little) and having talked with him at Christmas no one would have ever known he was ill, not even himself. The doctors say 2 to 6 months..starts chemo Monday and after our conversation this AM , we are hoping for a small miracle. Many prayer chains have been started, he is very active in his church and community  so many people are very concerned.

My tag will be mailed in the morning. It went together quickly, the Sentiment has a deep meaning. 
The Tag itself was made from Tim Holtz Lost and Found paperstack. The sentiment from Heartwarming Vintage "Little Blessings" which I purchased at Crafty Secrets. The rest pretty much from my little treasure boxes of this and that.
I will enter it into the following Challenges:
Joans Gardens  Tag Challenge
Little Red Wagon #65 LACE
Totally Scrumptious #49 Colors of Brown/Pink/Green
Winter Wonderland  My Sentiments Exactly

Thanks for stopping by.   Enjoy your weekend..We will no doubt settle in, it is really snowing and roads are a mess. I can hardly see our neighbors. Can go to church in the morning and just maybe have breakfast out.

Color Challenge/ with Anything Goes

This is my third post for today. So if you are looking for something special just keep going beyond....


Just a super beautiful day here in Iowa.. My card is for the following Challenges

CR84FN Color Challenge    as above..isn't it beautiful    and
Lovely hAnglar Only Challegne #16  "Anything Goes"  
Stampavie and More  Challenge #126 "Love"

 I used the Cuttlebug Embossing folder on the Kraft, T Holtz Distressing Ink Dusty Concord and Antique Linen, my Sizzix 3-D Flower die to make the flowers, Martha Stewart's Leaf punch, added my cute little hAnglar stamp and added a heart to her dress, a bow and  LOVE senitment from Annie Schickel Collection.
Hop on over the challenges had some great inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by.

Aged to Perfection ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Sometimes it is hard to pick a title..but aged it is, to perfection questionable..but it was a fun card to make and I like how it turned out.  Layers and Shabby..

I used my Cuttlebut Embossing Folders on the heart and the card. Tim Holtz Paper and Distressing Inks, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, the Flower I made from Felted Wool which I purchased from Wool Felt Central on my sidebar, Metal Key and Heart from Karen Foster Metals, Sentiment Cherish, from Making Memories, 2 brown hearts, salvaged packaging cardboard, some fibers around the flower (green) ,scrunched seam binding and lace trim from my fibers box.
I will enter this into the following Challenges:
Creative Belli Blog  Challenge #109 the letter "P"  for using Old and Forgotten Embellishments
mine would be  the Pink Button, the Old felted wool (formed the flower) Old Paper
Welcome to Flourishes Timeless Tuesday-FTTC102  some kind of Hardware..my metal things
Paper Sundaes  Challenge #53   Distressing
Wild Orchid      Challenge #15   Lets Get Sentimental
Wee Memories  Challenge #40  Free your Creativity

Thanks for stopping by.

Soft and Sweet Touches My Heart

This little card was so fun to make. I love the colors and the little Image just touches my heart.

I used my Cuttlebug Embossing Folder on the Card and lightly sanded it for the hi-lights.
Spellbinders die for the  Soft Aqua Key and Heart, layered the 2 paper dolies, the sentiment "CHERISH" is a lone left over in my treasure box and the "Love" is a metal embellishment from Annie Schickel Collections, added the adorable hAnglar/stAnglar image.
No doubt will be a card for one of the men in my life (husband, sons, grandsons,) but not sure which one yet.  So I didn't make it tooooooooooooo frilly, bows, flowers etc..
Challenges are:
Lovely hAnglar Only  Challenge #16  "Anything Goes"
Flourishes "Bring Back Beautiful" The Beauty of Vintage
Prima Palette-January  A beautiful array of color on my sidebar
Verve Stamps "Baby Love Diva Dare"
Charisma Cardz Challenge #4  :Valentine/Love"
Stampin Sisters in Christ  "Vintage"
The Sisterhood of Crafters "Anything Goes"

Thanks for stopping by, I wish you a great day, with sunshine and warm temps..

WOYWW.....A mess indeed

It is WHATS ON YOUR WORK DESK WEDNESDAY...at  the Stamping Ground blogspot
Hop on over and see all the entries..you may be inspired and you may be thankful.
Either for what You have or by what You saw.

Looks like I 've been soooooooo busy...and yes I have been..6 or 8 cards and it 's only Wed.
Most of the things here are  favs for Valentine Projects..

The white basket has some Felted Wool Flowers I completed last night, yet to add the centers, no doubt an old button...but when I search for the proper button it takes me a long time...too much nostalgia.... beyond are a few old quilt pieces made into hearts,(shown on a previous blog post) and beyond paper cut hearts and lots of little embellishments, with Love, the purpose of them being sit aside for their future place the next few weeks.
This will remain a mess...I am planning on taking the day to spend as I wish..on the road to a few quaint little shops in Clear Lake....my hubby got called to Jury Duty...a very time consuming process,  a waste of good time, money, and next to losing sanity call to duty.  

I also mentioned I'd share how I store most of my Spellbinders, this was a find at a little business getting rid of display units...sometimes when I shop I pay more attention to the way they display their things then I do the product...I LOVE DISPLAYS and WHAT MAKES THEM GREAT..
weird??? kinda tend to agree...but it is one of "my little things"..

It is on wheels so easy to move about, the dies are hung on little sturdy xmas hooks, on the reverse side I  have hung a few rubber stamps.  I think I USE things that are in front of me rather than spending time searching and remembering what I have to use, so far it has been great. It is a good thing my big table where I use the dies is not showing!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a total mess. Maybe next week...this is the back side of the display unit

Well, time to get going..and enjoy the day...Thanks for stopping by.

A Heart, A Box, A Bingo, Being Sentimental, A Choice, Creativity....

My little project came about a few days ago. New Years "Use it or Lose it" deal to myself. When I was putting out the Valentine decor, I came across many Heart Shaped Candy Boxes I have saved over the years...so they either go out the door or I must do something with them...So this is what I did.

Recovered it...with a Sparkle Heart base, Cut a Spellbinders Scalloped Heart, Tim Holtz's Flourish die,  some Gem Sentiment Words to make LOVE, the little Martha Stewart  Butterflies punch, some old world roses and ribbon from my stash.  Maybe I can make some carmel, or chocolates and present it to someone special.

I am entering this in  Challenge #3 at Joans Gardens   a  "Box (I chose to alter a box), a flourish, a butterfly, a flower..homemade no doubt preferred, but can use a purchased one". My homemade are quite big for this project.
also Wee Memories Challenge #40  "Free Your Creativity"
also Really Reasonable Ribbons  a   "Heart and Ribbon or Lace or Trim"
also Paper Cutz Challenge 75      a   "Choice" 
also Wild Orchid Challenge         "Lets get Sentimental"
and Simon Says Stamp Challenge    "Bingo"  you'll have to hop over and see the choices you have to make bingo.  I made mine by using the  Diagonal  Win  a Punch/Diecuts--Flowers--Gems
Take a hop over to the above blogs, they have some great inspiration and fun things going on.

Thanks for stopping by.  The day is just flying by, still have our really cold temps, but the sun sure helps for a nice bright day. I heard a WARM UP is on the way.

Love is in the Air

My card today  has a background Embossed with Swiss Dot by Cuttlebug, the layer of White  Lace is part of my Winnings at Eclectic Paperie from Pop Culture, the Gold Stamps and Aqua Hearts are from DCWV 's Glitter Matstack, my Spellbinders Heart and Stamp; Key are the Timeless Heritage Die, and the Nested Hearts both Shapeabilities, and the Nestabilities Blossom has the JustRite "Romantic Sentiments Set"  YOU hold the Key to my HEART stamped in the middle.

The "OLD" Rose came from a box I purchased at a Yard Sale that contained Old Valentines dating back to 1924.. This is quite the treasure for me.  I am hoping to post groupings of these on my blog in a few weeks.  So stop back...their are some unique designs and beautiful Valentines.

I tried several styles and colors of bows but with all the activity I thought it looks better without.
And the Rose has a small aqua bow tied right to the cut out.
If anyone has a suggestion on that please feel free to comment and offer ideas where ribbon or a bow would look most appeling. 

I will enter this into the Challenge at JustRite Friday Challenge 047 "Love is in the Air"
Prima Palette-January   A goregous array of color..on my side bar
Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #73 "Vintage"
Flourishes Bring Back Beauty  "Beauty of Vintage"
Simon Says Stamps Challenge  "Bingo"  Die Cuts, Flowers, Gems (mine is diagonal)

Be sure to stop by all the sites. They truly have some awesome Designers with LOTS of inspiration.
Enjoy the beginning of a great week.  We have warm temps finally here in Iowa...Thanks for stopping by hope you enjoyed the card.

A Valentine Tag

I've made a Valentine Tag to start my cards for family. Somehow I love the "TAGS" and started with this one for this years Valentines Day.

I am entering this as a first time at CR84FN Color Challenge    

and

Really Reasonable Ribbons Challenge #16  needs a "Heart", "Ribbon, Lace or Trim"                          

          

I am also entering it into Joans Gardens Tag 3 Challenge. It's a fun blog, the tag winner is chosen by votes and you can do whatever you're little heart desires.  A great way to be prepared ahead of time.
I used my Tim Holtz "Flourish" die, my new "Crafty Secrets" Sentiment and Vintage Little Girl, (isn't she a cutie) and things I had in my Last Years Valentine Box of Goodies..".use it or lose it"..my New Years quote to myself. 
Thanks for stopping by..trying to keep warm.. danger cold here in Iowa was a minus 12 a few minutes ago.  Enjoy the weekend, it sure came quickly this week.

A Few Fabric Embellishments

Good Morning...Still really COLD but sun is shining brightly and it gives me the MOJO I need to get going.  Yesterday just couldn't put the ideas to paper but made a few fabric embellishements for later use.

On my desk Wed. was the stack of Felted Wool that I made from an old wool blazer..Part of it is now the flower you see here. 
Below the  Pink is made the same way but from some felt I ordered online Wool Felt Central (has a great selection and quick service) the 2 hearts were from some old worn quilts I bought at a garage sale a long time ago and finally decided to use them or lose them.  A New Year's Thing...

Now off to use some energy on some challenge entries...Hubby is at a chemical meeting, din, din is in the oven (PotRoast & Veggies) so pretty much have some time to myself. WAHOO...

Enjoy your day, and thanks so much for stopping by.

Does anyone know why my signature does these weird things...some days it is gone, somedays it is a mile away and I can't back it up to the top and today it is a RED X...unopenable. ??????? I can do a lot with computers but this is annoying.

A First at WOYWW

I have stopped many times at Glenda's or Hels blog to see the WOYWW  so thought today with a little time I'd drop in on the fun. The Stamping Ground has all the info and fun to peep around at all the entries. 
My work area is a large area in our lower level:  I love it, can leave the mess only to return to continue whatever my project may have been earlier...sometimes it just sits there and I start something totally new on the other table...
I made the BIG mistake Jan 2nd of cleaning and organizing...I haven't been able to quickly reach or find some things I use just by reaching out. But no doubt I will get use to it. I love the fact that by organizing "THINGS" it is easier to coordinate and see what I actually have.  (Way to Much )if my hubby comes down to visit..

In this picture the big pile of red is an old wool blazer I felted, with hopes of making some Valentine projects..best get busy it's not that far away...
Just next to this is another table

Under both tables are 6 plastic roller file drawer storage units which really keep a lot of goodies hidden!!!!!!!!!!!!  Well that's it for today...I have another project I am working on for storing ALL my Spellbinders so maybe can post that later next week.
Enjoy your day...It is bright and sunny here but terrifically COLD...

Love/Hearts/Challenges

I had fun making this card not really much for striped paper on hand so my colors completely changed. But I kinda like  how the non traditional card turned out.

Was pretty simple used my Cuttlebug Hearts Embossing folder, Martha Stewart Heart Border Punch,  Sizzix Heart Dies, a Bow, Buttons, and a little Love sentiment from my box of treasures.

I am entering it in the following Challenges:                                                                                     

Joans Gardens  Challenge #2 use Striped Paper, a Heart, Button, Bow

Really Reasonable Ribbons  Challenge #16 use Heart Theme, Ribbon

 Lexi's Creations  Challenge #31 "Say it with Love"   

Thanks for stopping by, hope the rest of the week goes well for you and where ever you are I hope your weather is great.  We were to have a storm here, but I guess it went South of us as has been pretty nice out. I am almost done reorganizing my storage room..what a mess but had lots of things just sitting around so now most is in rubbermaid with labels..hoping it can stay that way. I hope to part with quite a bit this spring...garage sale, donate, something,  just  kinda crazy to keep all of it if I will never use it.  The house here is small compared to where I came from, but at this stage of the game, I am ok with that..a BIG time saver over cleaning a BIG house and there are only the 2 of us. 

Enjoy   

                                                                                                                          

A 50th Birthday Tag

Has been a great day, just flying by too fast. I made this tag for a Guys 50th Birthday in February.

Tag was embossed with my Cuttlebug embossing folder, use of distressing ink,
hearts cut with Spellbinders dies,
Bingo Card from Papers, Metal "Celebrate" Primitives by Kathy, Heart Button, Snowflakes, and Bingo G50 from my treasure chest of goodies. I used some bakers twine and sparkled yarn at the top.
I like the Red and Hearts for February and Gee 50 !!! wow it is hard to believe my little brother and his friend are both going to be that old within days of each other.  LET THE PARTY BEGIN.

Will enter this in the following:
Joans Garden Tag Challenge #2  A Tag Challenge on Tuesdays
Try it on Tuesday  Week #2   A Tag for a Male
Creative Belli Blog  #108 Snow...something old and forgotten...my tag and these snowflakes and G50 were in my scrap box for a long time.
Paper Cutz  Challenge #73  use of Metal my "Celebrate" greeting

Well its fun being back, and enjoying be creative once again. Besides nice to be in where it is warm, only 7 degrees outside in Iowa today. All the roads are finally clear of our 8 inches of snow, but a lot of Snow Piles still remain.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fantastic day.
I see my signature sign has disappeared again..wonder where it ventures off too.

SYLVIA

well it is clear at the bottom and I cannot bring it up by backspacing...wonders of electronics and my brain.

Vintage Game Board

Just came from Vintage Street Market and they have a contest on "favorite game boards". Brought back special memories of the "Wise:  girls we had as babysitters.  There were 3 of them and we loved them all. Their mother in later years was our 4H leader and the girls and their mother still hold a special place in my heart.
They were so good to us and brought a game each time they game to watch my sisters and me.

My favorite one is a really old game called "Uncle Wiggily" 

Uncle Wiggily Game is a track board game based on a character in a series of children's books by American writer Howard Roger Garis. It is still available online.
It has lots of animals and their imaginary little homes are to be reached by advancing thru a card draw.  Kinda down memory lane today...but I need to get on with daily creating...

LilyBean's Paperie and Vintage Street Market

One of my special stops each morning is  Melissa Phillip's  LilyBean's Paperie, she has a special place in my heart.  She just makes me feel good by her tender, delicate creations and verbage on life. She referred us to a "NEW" spot to check out: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Street-Market/102192249839221
and if you refer me:  THEY  "are having a GIVEAWAY here at Vintage Street Market. Let's have a referral contest. Just send your friends, who are not currently Vintage Street Market friends, over here to our FB page. Make sure to tell them to let us know you sent them. Contest ends at Midnight on Thursday." not much time to do this but its not about the win
I just think you would enjoy the fun on the blogspot and their products are really fun Vintage.

And with the Spellbinders intro to their new products this week, I am overwehlmed by all the "NEW THINGS"...the inspiration and the products.  I almost need to get a PART time job just to enjoy my addiction.

Well worked so hard yesterday to get Christmas put away in the special little boxes ( sharing memories with myself about each one) and cleaning and organizing I thought I'd be ready to spend the day creating....but I've spent tooooooo much time with Word Search and Word Drop and blogspots 2 hrs is already gone...so got to get movin. Hope to be back with a "TAG" for the Tuesday Tag Contest at Joans Gardens. 
Enjoy, keep warm (really  a cool  7 degrees here ), thanks for stopping by.

Best Wishes for the NEW YEAR

My very best wishes to you and yours for a wonderfully happy and healthy NEW YEAR.

This little rabbit was looking in my studio window enjoy the warmth of being covered with a snow bank.  Out of the 35 MPH winds and  -20 temperatures.  Nice to be snuggled in to watch the Roses Parade and quite a few football games.



My idea:     Back to Creating

24---7   a healthier  2011
Exercise & Good Food...to keep me in a good mood
Eat less, avoid the stress..
Blessings from above, sharing my love
Time for me..but loving thee
Thankful for friends and family




Best Wishes