Valentine Sharing

I have always treasured things that my sisters and mother have given me, especially the things they made. And now that mother no longer has interest in creating, I'm so glad I've saved and treasured her little homemade gifts.  She was ahead of her time with her ideas. She could make something from nothing and had lots of her own ideas tucked away.

Over the years she made several holiday "Pot Holders" and guess what I never used them for that. They became a holiday accent piece on my table or in a basket etc.  Not to get dirty and stained from actual use.
There were strawberries, hearts, Christmas stockings, fabric bells, fabric witches, snowmen, quilted trees, patchwork squares and the list goes on.

She had no access to the internet, the huge array of crafting magazines or even the chance to go out and purchase a lot of unique crafting items.  She started from scratch.Buttons off of old clothing, old quilts and clothes cut up for small projects. Cleaning out their house, there have been so many things I came across that she tucked away. Old hand drawn patterns, scraps cut out and never used, little written down sentiments, tucked away in old books.  Boxes of this and Boxes of that, and I knew exactly why she was saving them.

She always shared her ideas and loved to inspire us with her crafty ideas. And with all our crafting if I ever needed a certain color, oh she was glad I asked and we could check the big old closet to see. And sure enough there'd be plenty for her to share with me. She is totally amazing, and I love her so much.

Most years I make  hearts from paper supplies, but this year I made a few fabric hearts for my sisters, from bits and leftovers I kept from a BIG teddy bear I made for me niece.

 I have some Lavender tucked inside.

All packaged up with a little gift card

I used a paper doily to wrap them up.

And for Mom, it should be a BIG THANK YOU HEART from the bottom of my heart.

A SHINEY RED VALENTINE

I truly don't know what to say.

I truly love my special husband.


THANKS FOR STOPPING BY & 
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO YOU AND YOURS.

A LITTLE BINGO

My mom and dad love BINGO. They play it every Wed and Sat at their Assisted Living. So I made them a "Little" Valentine.

 The Back Side. Dad likes Cartoons too!  And I didn't have a Fred Flintstone to use

This is the front side. Don't yet know what I'll take them, they get lots of sweets winning at their BINGO games. Sometimes just a visit and maybe if it is warm a ride in the country and around about the town.

WOYWW #193

Hi everyone,

Its #193  over at Julia's STAMPING GROUND  WHAT'S ON YOUR WORKDESK WEDNESDAY.
If you are new to this, head on over she's got all the details, and you'll be hooked. It's fun, entertaining and creative.

Playing with Valentine goodies, almost finished with most of them. And that's a good thing as not very far off.
Some spools of wire, tiny metal hearts, a good cup of Mocha,  and the big metal heart box is below at a much closer look.

 This was my childhood baby crib bedsprings. It hangs to my left and these are Hearts I've received for many years from my mother, and sisters. One picture is my MOM and the other is my son Josh, just as content as you can get. We usually make our gifts etc.

And here's the close up..treasures I saved, I should have bought 2 kits from the Funky Junkie last year, as I didn't want to part with the one I purchased.  I've added a few things, wooden hearts my dad made, a chipboard picture frame, some crocheted hearts I made,  I just love little groupings, makes it so much easier then trying to remember where would that be.  I have not done my labeling yet. I didn't put it on my list to do so it isn't done!
Thanks to all of you for your lovely comments last week.  I will be having a giveaway when I reach 150 followers so if you are interested join in.

Enjoy WOYWW and have a fun crafting week.

Playing Along with 14 Heart Days

Hi everyone, thanks for stopping by.

I have so much enjoyed the "14 HEART DAYS"  over at  Suger Lump Studios Nancy has provided us with some wonderful inspiration.  Today she was doing a tag  with Pink Roses Shabby Altered Chipboard and it is already day #12.

I really didn't have any chipboard, so I used some red cardboard from a package I received. (I safe a LOT of things)  I distressed the edges a bit with my distressing tool, but if you don't have one a serated knife works well too.  I cut it with my Spellbinders die, then layered it with some lacy circle paper, newsprint, a baby picture, a flower I made from some really old Vintage fabric, a little crocheted flower, a sentiment, a little butterfly, some seam binding at the top of the tag and part of an old spring from an outdated calendar.

You will have to stop over to Nancy's blog. Her designs are special and she offers all the info. Plus there is a giveaway from Paper Whimsy by participating.  Believe me, it is pretty simple. And I also have had fun visiting all the entries. It has got my MoJo working!!!!

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the week with some crafty designs.

A WHITE VALENTINE SWAP

I always get excited when Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff  hosts a swap. This month was "I'm Dreaming of a White Valentine Day Tag Swap"  and so it was. Satin, Lace, Pearls, Sparkle, Flowers, Ribbon, Hearts, Vintage Images and of course "Cupid"  !!

      From Jane and Sherry

    From Karla and Sue

    From Kim and Liz

Aren't they all just adorable?

We each made 6 and then received 6.  I believe there were 13 of us involved so if you want to see ALL of them Kim has them posted on her blog.  Thanks so much Kim for hosting . It is always a great group that plays along.   AND THANKS to all of the above for the great tags. I always enjoy "LITTLE TREASURES" to add to my display board for  "Inspiration and Motivation".


Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your crafty time and a wonderful weekend. I hope no one is hit to hard with the wicked weather they are forecasting.

Fun to Play Along

I found a very fun spot. SUGAR LUMP STUDIOS  lots of Mixed Media by  Nancy Maxwell James.  On her blog she is doing  14 days of Hearts, and you can play along. Lots of things given away by the great Paper Whimsy. 

Having some extra time and energy I decided to play along, I'm behind on the days so playing catch up. 

                                                   This is Day #7  Silver & Script Scraplings

I used a tag with script, some silver scrap hearts (sorry hard to see because of the reflection), a silver brad and beads and feathery yarn at the top. The cute little image was stored away and I am not sure where she came from. The big silver heart at the bottom was parts from an earring.

                                                        This is day #6 Victorian Treat Cone
I made my cone from some Old Vintage Wallpaper, some lace around the top edge, my fluffy yarn for the handle, a homemade wool flower, a felted leaf with the heart on top, a gold glass ball, some red shredded paper is filler down inside and a few sprigs of gold sparkle and a red feather. The little "Love Whispers" script was computer generated.

I have truly enjoyed visiting Nancy's blog these past few days. I needed some motovation and really had fun creating these.  

Thanks for visiting, I always enjoy the comments. Have a wonderful time doing what you love. 

A New Challenge

It's been a while since I've created for challenges, but I really thought this idea of doing some Holiday cards a little at a time would have me prepared for 2013 Holidays, as 2012 was a disaster for being ahead of the game.

Over at  FESTIVE FRIDAY    Meredith is having their 1st colour challenge and some great inspiration from the great design team for getting ahead of the 2013 season.

                                                                 Oh..isn't this yummy!!

I still had most of my holiday crafting items still in my crafty area so here is what I created.

                                                                 Red, Silver and White
And I have decided that these holiday crafting items will have a spot close by  instead of packed away til October and maybe I can keep creating a few at a time.  Stop by the Festive Friday's blog and I'm sure you'll be inspired to play along.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful fun filled day.

WOYWW #192

Greetings of the Day to all you What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday...and WOW it is Wednesday all too soon.  This will be short and sweet. I'm off early for a trip to the city to shop and keep a doctors appoitment.

The desk is a mess, not much different than last week. I have been busy getting Valentines finished up to mail to Germany. Got the box sealed up and remembered...I forgot to take pictures.  Well they were "PINK" little paper hearts with Mickey Mouse sending love.

Here there are little cups of beads, lace, pearls pink and red hearts, an angel food cake pan with some beads,string and paper mache hearts and BIG puzzle pieces.

Interested in more about WOYWW, pop over to Ms Julia's blog STAMPING GROUND to get the details and enjoy a tour.  Will be around to visit late tonight... I've a long list of shops to stop at!!!!
Happy WOYWW to all of you.

Happy Sunday to You All,

It will be a great day here in the states for us "Football Fans". It's SuperBowl Sunday, lots of food, parties, and watching the big game.  I prefer to be at home today...I really like football and I love to be totally engrossed in "THEE" game.  Hubby is making his great "Hot Wings"  and I plan to cuddle up in my favorite chair and enjoy!!

I am participating in another one of Kimberly's fun swaps.  "I'm Dreaming of a White Valentine's Day" tag swap. You can see more on her blog  ArtJoyStuff.

                                       Always something so romantic about hearts and flowers.

        Can't wait for the exchange to arrive in a week or so, and I will post those lovelies for you to enjoy.

                                      Have a great Sunday and Enjoy the things you love.

WOYWW #191

I forgot it was Wednesday...but it is and that means time to participate in What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.  Julia at the STAMPING GROUND hosts this get together and she has all the details on her sidebar.  It's fun, it's addivitive and it's worthy.

These are all areas that I work at and most have the start of Valentine ideas laying there.

 My main workspace

this is to the left of this bottom picture, I use this a lot for fabric cutting and sorting buttons. It is a gateleg table so I can make it bigger and smaller with the dropped edges etc

This is directly behind my main workspace, my die cut, embossing table and turn back and stack area.

Don't know if it is our weather or what but this has been a hellish post to complete, we missed most of the snow that is throughout Iowa 6-10 inches, but we are having the winds  45mph (maybe it all blew away!). Hehee. Wind chill temps can develop this evening.  So definitely staying inside.
Have any of you heard of Babylon?  I have been having it pop up as a search engine and I don't use it, just close it.  Wondering if that is slowing my system down.  Cannot load my pictures or do any speed typing for this post.  

At 1pm I had to call my provider, suggested I run a complete scan of my system as he could see no connection problems either there or from our lines. It's 5pm and I just have been able to load pictures and continue.  BABYLON is still here, but 8 other problems were reported fixed. So will see what happens.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks to all who left such nice comments last week. Glad I could make most of the visits to your creatiave area.  Best wishes for a wonderful week ahead.

It's #190 on WOYWW

Over at Ms. Julia's STAMPING GROUND  it is the 190th post for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. She has all the details if you are new to this addiction.

This Wednesday caught me off guard. I was sorting tags. Since I rearranged my crafty space, I've had times I cannot find things. I had put all my tags in a cute little lunch box and forgot about them. So today while I was searching for my sympathy cards,  I found them.  The box is now labeled and will be handy for me to find from here on out.

We've had 4 people, ages 47, 59, 60 and 70 die since last Wednesday. My supply of Sympathy cards is gone, so I've intentions of making more.  But want to work on some Valentine projects also.

We are having unusual weather, in the 40's with sunshine, then below zero with high winds. Not much precipitation since before Christmas. Just thankful I have no where to go. ! !

Thanks for stopping by, have a great time enjoying WOYWW.

WOYWW #189

Where oh Where does a week go? Hello Everyone, thanks for stopping by. Today is the STAMPING GROUND 's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday chance to post your picture, get your number and hop around the world for some fun.  Head over to Ms. Julia's blog and get all the details.

 Desk #1 has bits and pieces of some White Valentine Tags. I've a swap for February and got some great MOJO going so got them done early. One never knows what might come up. Sorry but I am only for now showing the back side. Will do a post when the swap is over.

Desk #2 has some sparkle. Finally unpacked a sack from our only area craft shop who had 80% off lots of selected items. Friday I took part of the day and headed east to have lunch at Taco John's and pick up a few sale items.  I was so hungary for their  grilled stuffed taco and nacho's, and I swear it's what brought me back to real living again. Yummy..And something about shopping just satisfies the heart.

Hope all is well your way, enjoy the visits with WOYWW and thanks so much for all your encouraging words and always stopping by.

It's WOYWW #188

#188 at Julia's STAMPING GROUND  visitation allows you to post Your Wednesday Workdesk, share it with the world and have some fun making friends and doing it. She has all the details.

A little late today, hubby took me away for 2 days, wonderful food, hotel room and  a bit more cash in my pocket from playing slots. Weather was beautiful for 2hr travel, but nice to be home. And I am feeling better!

My desk has had a little action, a baby shower card and that is the remains on my desk. Tiny feet and hands,   a stork with long legs rubber stamps, some blue and I forgot to take the photo.

Next project will be a 80th Birthday card for a dear family friend. Party on Sunday!!!!  I've been going thru the Valentine treasures, but come up missing the most important box...my supplies, have one place left to look but means a ladder has to come into the house. And I better do it today while the temps are good.

Thanks for stopping by hope you are enjoying the NEW YEAR and have started to really enjoy some creative time.

WOYWW #187

No New Years Resolutions this year SO far!! But soon I must know what day of the week it is.
 Today is Wednesday...What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. That means at Ms Julia's at the STAMPING GROUND across the pond lots of crafty people love to show off their creative desks, fresh and clean  OR not so.  Just bop on over and she has all the details, it's addictive so be prepared.

This shows the remains of corks, Christmas balls, Santa and some felt.

I am hoping to spend some time putting away Christmas throughout the house today and tomorrow. Can't lift too much yet, but DH will help carry to the basement as he don't like too much stuff sitting around.

Thanks for stopping by, I 'll be visiting as many as I can this week and I want to wish you all a 

WONDERFUL 2013, HAPPINESS & GOOD HEALTH

It's #186 at WOYWW

Oh, it's been awhile, haven't messed with my blog until the day before Christmas and I didn't realize today was What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday until it seen a posting by my friend Glenda.  WOYWW is something Ms. Julia started a few years back, hop over get the deets at her blog the STAMPING GROUND.   It's fun..

A jar of beads, a few scraps from making last minute tags. But really haven't had much time to create.

It was the first Christmas my "Spirit" was not up to par. Besides having Bronchitis, and maybe something similar to Shingles, I've spent 3 wks under the weather.   Had a birthday, had no appetitie, cut back on sending Christmas cards, decorating, and being festive. I did entertain all of my family  Sunday while my son and his family were visiting from Friday to Sunday.
Saturday we took the 3 grandkids to see Arthur Christmas, visited the German POW Nativity, took them to see their great grandparents new apartment, had our Chrisitmas supper, watched video's of Camryn's basketball games, their Christmas plays and opened gifts. Was so good to be together.
Christmas Eve was our Children's Mass and this was the only picture I was able to have enough light to snap a picture of our Nativity.

  Christmas Day we spent with my DH family at his father's apartment. Nice and Cozy and lots of goodies.

Thanks for stopping by, I've missed all of my visitors and taking time to respond, so I'm hoping some energy is receated in this old body and I can get back to normal.

The Nativity

I wanted to share some photos of a Nativity I made in ceramics in the early 70's before my sons were born. I gave it as a gift to my parents. This year when we cleared out a lot of their things in the "Big Victorian Home" I came across it packed away in the "Christmas Closet".   If you gave it to them, then it was yours to take and I knew mother had no room for this in her new apartment. I believe I used metallic paints.

                                                              There are 18 pieces total

                         Their are 3 large Camels. one sitting and 2 standing tall  (8 high and 10 wide)

                  I set it up under our big screen TV this year, it looks great at night with the lights I've added

Mother had several rocks and quartz that she had collected thru the years, tucked away with the pine cones. I added the evergreen and tinsel tree and hope to find more white cotton to cover this bigger area

We will be attending the Children's Mass tonight, seems some snow is falling once again. Our choir always has the most beautiful music 1/2 hr before. And our church is decorated in Huge Red Poinsettia's and lots of Candle lights. Maybe some pictures to follow. We have a beautiful Nativity set up at the center alter.

Then Oyster stew,  relish  and maybe the Coconut Cream pie I've been passing up.

Wishing you and yours, a Wonderful Christmas.

"Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store or under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends."
                                                                         --Dr. Seuss.      Thanks for being my friend.