DIY Christmas Gift Bags

Hello Folks!

How is the weather in your neck of the woods?  I think Old Man Winter is trying to make an appearance here, but he doesn't stay for long.  The morning are chilly but the afternoons are warm (70 degrees!).  If you have some snow in your area, I'm willing to trade a few days of sun for it. ;)

Well, I am here to share my new project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The theme is Summer or Winter.  You can create a layout, card, canvas, or off-the-page projects.

Since it's "Winter" in my hemisphere, I decided to create a project for Christmas.  And since there is a lot of gift giving during this time, I decided to create gift bags.  :)  I am always running out of wrapping supplies so what better solution than to make your own!

Let's begin, but please excuse the bad lighting.  It's dark by the time I get home from work. :/

(Supplies: gift bag punch board- We R Memory Keepers; pattern paper- Echo Park & The Paper Studio; ribbon; tissue paper; hole puncher [optional])

Ok, crafty folks, what are you planning on creating?  Please share with us your lovely creations here. 
Thank you SO much for taking some time to visit me. ;)  It is much appreciated.

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Gratefulness

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

How are you doing?  Are you ready for turkey and stuffing, U.S. peeps? ;) 
Well, it has been very quiet around this blog lately due to a loss in our family.  My mind hasn't been in a creative mood for a while.  And even when my hands desire to create, my mind is usually blank.

However, today I am sharing a layout that I managed to create for the new challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The challenge is "anything goes."  Since we are celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S. this Thursday the 27th, I decided to create a layout of the things I'm grateful for.

I'm so grateful for MANY things, but I narrowed it down to family, friends, and education/career. 

I fussy cut the leaves from pattern paper, which has these golden swirls that reflect the light.  So pretty in real life.

I cut small tags for my journaling and tucked them under the leaves.

I wanted to make all my pictures into black and white ones, but my printer was not cooperating.  The kid who's sitting like a frog is my brother and I always say "ribbet" each time I see this picture. ;)

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper; journaling tags; alphabet stickers; stamp- Heidi Swapp)

Ok, friends, take some time to have some crafty fun and share your project with us at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with all your loved ones.

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Christmas Coasters

Hello Y'all!

How are you doing?  I am having a HARD time understanding how November is right around the corner!!!  My year is flying by, but it's going to pick up even more speed.  So I might as well start thinking of Christmas. ;)

Speaking of Christmas, I am sharing my latest design team project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges and the theme is Christmas.



After spending quite a bit of time at the craft store pondering what to do, I settled on this little wooden box:

The clock and the leaves were fussy cut from pattern paper.

(Supplies: wooden box- & coasters Beverly's; pattern paper- Graphic 45; Mod Podge; ribbon; hot glue gun; Santa die-cut and banner- Kaiser;  gold pen; silver pen)

Can you believe that I used only 2 pieces of 12*12 paper for the whole project?!  :D  Yep, that was all.

Ok, ladies and gents, that does it for me today.  Don't forget to have some crafty fun and link up your projects here.  Thank you SOOOO much for stopping in to visit.  :D

Happy Crafting,

Angie



Midnight Madness

Howdy Friends!!! 

How are you doing?  I feel like I've been gone for ages.  
 
Well, I've been trying to craft more often after work, but my brain is sooooo tired that I haven't had much success.  So forgive my long pauses in between posts. 

Today I am here to share my latest project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The theme is "Anything Goes," and you can create a card, layout, canvas, mini album, etc.


My last project was a Halloween clipboard, so I figured I'd make a card to go with it.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the same pattern paper, so I used a similar theme.  Lets  begin.  :D

This spider looks a bit intimidating to me. I used glossy accents on the spider's body, which looks a bit creepy.   And I traced the web with a silver gel pen.

 

The owl is a Tim Holtz sticker and the clock was fussy cut from a Graphic 45 pattern paper.  (Light was a bit too intense when I took this pic.)

I added the sentiment inside the card.

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper- Heidi Grace Designs; ribbon; owl sticker- Tim Holtz; stamps- Inkadinkado; glossy accents; silver gel pen; clock image- Graphic 45)

Ok, friends, go have some crafty fun and link up your project(s) at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  Enjoy the rest of your week and thank you so much for your visit. :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Baffling Bats

Hello Everyone!!!

How is Fall (or if you're in the southern hemisphere- Spring) treating you?  I am so looking forward to Fall- cooler weather, crisp leaves, pumpkin pie....  Yep, Fall is my favorite season.

And speaking of Fall, I am stopping by to share my DT project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges, which happens to be a Spring/Fall challenge.  In other words, you can create a Spring or Fall project.

So what creative, sweet, kid-loving event falls in autumn?....
You guessed it-  Halloween.  Now, I must confess something.  I am not a huge Halloween fan (sorry Six).  However, I do enjoy seeing the creative costumes, eating candy, and celebrating my Mom's birthday. :)

So on that note, I created a simple and quick Halloween project for a Halloween-loving friend.  Let's begin. :D

I used a silver glitter pen and traced the spider webs, but it's hard to tell in the photos.  Don't these 2 look mischievous?

I used Mod-Podge to adhere the pattern paper onto the clipboard.

(Supplies: pattern paper- Graphic 45; clipboard; Mod-Podge; foam brush; ribbon)

We'll, that's all for today, friends.  I would love to see what you create for this Spring/Fall challenge, so join us here.  

Happy Crafting,
Angie    

Buttons, Bows & Butterfly

Hello Y'all!

How is your week going?  Raise your hand if you're already experiencing Fall in your neck of the woods.  Would you mind sending me some cooler weather? ;)  Our "cooler" weather of high 90s to low 100s is NOT cool enough for me.

Ok, enough about the weather. :D   I am stopping by to share my latest design team project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The theme is buttons and bows and I created a layout using my cousin's engagement pictures.  Check out the scrumptious inspiration picture on the blog. 

Let's begin with some detail pictures:

I traced the design on the button with a gel pen.  Love the bit of sparkle.

I love this picture.  It's so sweet and tender.

I used my Silhouette to die-cut the circles/bubble pattern.

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper- Carta Bella & scraps; circle die-cut-Silhouette Cameo; wooden buttons- Prima; bows- La Petites; stickers- from my stash & Me and My Big Ideas; butterfly punch- Martha Stewart; gel pen)

Ok, friends, go get your crafty groove on and then link up your project(s) here.  I greatly appreciate your visit today!  :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

You Are Amazing

Howdy Friends!!

How are you?  Got any big plans for the weekend?  Whatever is on your schedule, I hope you enjoy it.  My plan is to avoid this horrendous 100+ heat.  Some of you in blog land are already talking about Fall and the cooler temperatures, but apparently it hasn't arrived in our town.  :(

Anyways, I am stopping by because I was able to sneak in a tiny bit of crafting throughout the week.  :D  Plus, I still had some pretty paper left over from my previous DT project.  Let's begin!

I used a glitter pen to add some shine and pizzazz.

My precious niece back in 2009.

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper- Carta Bella; wooden buttons- Jillibean Soup; banner punch- Fiskars; butterfly punch- Martha Stewart; stickers- Me and My Big Ideas; twine; sewing machine; glitter pen)

By the way, want to know what inspired my colors?  Go check it out here. ;)  Ok, friends, time for me to skedaddle.  Please know that I completely appreciate your visit. :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Pretty Primas

Good Golly Miss Molly!!!

I can't believe I've been absent for 2 weeks!!  I shared earlier in August that I got a new job, but I didn't realize how drained I would be each night after work.  I'm still trying to find my crafting rhythm with this new job.  I'm hoping I find it soon.  :)

Anyways, how are you all doing?  Today I am sharing my project for the new challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  This is a "picture inspiration" challenge.  There's lots of great inspiration here, but I love the soft colors and that's what inspired my layout, as well as the slips/dresses hanging on the door. 
 

Let's begin with some detail pictures:

I fussy cut the flower and leaves.  The pink lettering is stamped with Versa Mark ink and then brushed with some Perfect Pearls. 

I die cut the flowers using pattern paper and vellum.

This is the very first layout I've ever done with LOTS of white space and no journaling.  It felt incomplete to me in the beginning, but I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone.  :) 
By the way, the title- Primas, means cousins in Spanish. 

(Supplies: butterfly punch- Martha Stewart; pattern paper- Carta Bella; embossing folder- Anna Griffin; banner punch- Fiskars; Distress Ink pads- Tim Holtz; stickers- Me and My Big Ideas & stash; gel pen; Perfect Pearls; Versa Mark ink; stamp- Tim Holtz)

Ok, dear friends, this does it for me today.  I am so glad that you stopped by to visit.  Hope to see you soon and don't forget to post your projects here.  :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Technique Time 2

Howdy Everyone!

How is your week going so far?  I bet many of you parents are THRILLED that the kiddos are back in school, right?  ;)  The kids?  Probably not. :) 

Well, today I am stopping by to share my project for the new challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The new challenge is to use a technique (i.e. paper piecing, stamping, distressing, etc.) on a card, layout, canvas, mini album, or "off the page" creation. 

Let's begin. :D
This is quite a powerful little quote. 

The prominent technique I used was watercoloring with distress markers.  I also did some stitching, and light distressing with an ink applicator.  I added glossy accents over her boots, but it's hard to tell.

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper- My Mind's Eye; distress markers; distress ink in Antique Linen- Tim Holtz; paint brush; water; black ink- Memento; sewing machine; sequins; glossy accents; stamps- Unity Stamp Co.)

So now I challenge you to go get crafty and then link up your creation here.  And while you're there, check out the awesome creations by my DT partners. 
Adding to current Be Inspired Challenge at Unity Stamp Co. 
Well, dear friends, thank you for stopping by.  I truly appreciate your visit!  :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Sweet Treat

Hello Friends!

I know the weekend seems loooong gone, even though it's only Tuesday.  At any rate, I hope you enjoyed it.  I know that my blog has been pretty quiet this summer due to mini vacations and many other things.  But another reason for the quietness is due to a new job!!  It has been a whirlwind lately with interviews, meetings and lots of running around to meet requirements.  I am truly blessed to have this job, but since it's a brand new arena for me, I need to devote a bit of extra time to it. 
I say all this to let you know that even though it's quiet, I will pop in from time to time.  Hopefully, once I've learned the ropes and settled in, I'll be posting more often.  Ok, enough jabbering. ;)  Let's get to the craftiness.

I recently realized that 99% of my creations are girly, so I decided to make a "boyish" birthday card.  This card is inspired by one of Mendi Yoshikawa cards.  Love her bright, fun style!

I used glossy accents on certain parts of the ice-cream, and I love how it looks like it's melting.

(Supplies: cardstock; circle punch; stamps- Papertrey Ink & Imaginisce; pattern paper- stash; glossy accents; black ink)

I wanted to add sequins, but I figured they weren't "boyish" enough.  :)  Well, dear friends, I wish you a great day and I appreciate your visit.

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Petit Purses

Hola Everyone!

Are you enjoying your week?  Mine has been busy, yet fulfilling. :D

Well, I am stopping by to share my latest project for Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The new theme is "girly."  You can create a card, layout, canvas, mini album, or "Off the Page" creation.
So after much consideration, I settled on creating gift cards in the shape of coin purses.  Let's begin. :)

I used a gel pen to add some shine around the "buckle" and I used distressing ink around the edges of the coin purses.

And since I had some extra tan-flowered paper, I made a coordinating card. I added faux stitching with the gel pen.

(Supplies for purses and card: cardstock; pattern paper- Recollections & American Crafts; die-cut purses and flower- Cameo; rhinestone; gel pen; sequins; stamp- Unity Stamp Co.; distress ink in Picked Raspberry & Antique Linen; black ink- Memento)

Adding to the following link:
Decorate to Celebrate- Back to School or Birthday

So what will you create for this "girly" theme?  I would love to see your ideas, so go link them up here. 
And thank you so very much for stopping by.  I totally appreciate your visit. :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Fluttering Elegance

Howdy Friends!!

I hope you had a great weekend. 

Well, guess what?  I actually have a craft post.  Yay!  So let's get to the fun.  :)

I've had limited crafting time, so I was glad that this card came together fairly quick. 

Notice those tiny silver dots?  I used a silver pen around the damask design to give it a bit of pizzazz, but it's hard to tell in the picture. 

(Supplies: cardstock; pattern paper- My Mind's Eye; butterfly punch- Martha Stewart; sentiment- Papertrey Ink; silver rhinestone; silver gel pen; white ink)

Well, dear friends, it's a short and sweet post today, since there's a million and one things to do.  But I greatly appreciate your visit. :D

Happy Crafting,
Angie

Summer Memories

Hello Friends!

How are you doing? My life has been a bit hectic with orientations, meetings, appointments, mini vacations, and regular life.  So I apologize for lagging in the craft posts.  I've done a little crafting here and there, but nothing seems worthy of posting. 

So instead of a craft post, I have decided to share some pictures of a recent family trip.  I know, I know...you'd rather see some crafty stuff.  I don't blame you.  But I'm hoping these pictures won't disappoint you, even though I am NOT a professional photographer.

Well, our destination was Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Ca., but we made some time to play on the beach first.  Here is a gorgeous sunset view.  There's something about the ocean that I find soooo calming.  

I took about 200 pictures of the castle, but they don't do it justice.  The castle was built by William Randolf Hearst, and it is beyond amazing.  There are so many details in every area.  For example, the brick steps have tile designs embedded, the lamp post have engraved figures, the ceilings are decorative and on and on.

This is the beginning of our tour.  (There were SO many stairs/steps.  Great exercise, though.)

This is one side of the Grand Room, which has giant tapestries all around.  Not very good lighting, though. 

Gigantic dining hall.

Dining Hall ceiling.

Aside from the castle, there are also 3 cottages.  One cottage faces the mountains, one the ocean, and the other faces the sun.

Cottage ceiling.

There were gardens all over the grounds.

There are 2 pools on the castle grounds.  One outdoor and one indoor.  This is the indoor Roman pool.  The section at the top right is the diving area.

Ocean view from the castle.  Spectacular, right?  I could sit here all day. :)

So have you visited Hearst Castle?  What do you think of it?  If you haven't, hopefully you can add it to your bucket list (if it's your type of thing). :)

Well, dear friends, I bid you good day and I hope to be back soon with a craft post.  Thank you kindly for stopping by. :D

Happy Travels,
Angie