Blooming Trees

... and just like that, Winter is over (in my head) and the trees are starting to bloom.  I know, I'm probably a little crazy right now.  It is actually 66 here in Central Illinois right now, so it's impossible to not have a bit of Spring Fever.

For this card, I die cut the tree background from watercolor paper and then sponged it with ink.  I rather like the look.  It's different:)

I punched the 'leaves' using my mini heart punch, cut each heart in half, and then shaped them with my paper snips.

The little blooms are from a mini punch, as well.

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My Last Winter Card for This Season

I really mean it.  This is my last card for Winter.  We've been having some unusually warm weather lately, here in Central Illinois.  It's 61 here right now:)  This makes me want all the more to get into Spring.  Well... I can dream:)

This is a subtle tribute to Valentine's Day in that I used it for February birthdays.  Therefore, I added a tiny heart from glimmer paper.  Cute! 

I wanted the trees to have a nice texture, so I cut them from watercolor paper.

I promise you, I am finished with anything Winter ... cards, projects, decor ... anything.  I do like my card ... a lot ... it's just that I'm over Winter.

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Thoughtful Branches 'For You' Card

This little card was one of my favorites I made this year.  I used a lot of fun 'tools' to create this card.  Doing so enabled me to make a great card quickly.  A little light sponging around the tree and it is ready for Christmas.

Well, this is scary to think that I may be winding up my Christmas prep for this year.  I finished my shopping Friday, with my daughter and our sweet baby Joey.  He is a great little shopper.  I finished my cards a couple days ago that I will mail.  I just need to wrap up everything and then I have a couple of projects I'm working on for the kids (almost finished with those, too).  It's so much fun to have a little extra time to do some extra projects.  Like I said, it's scary.  What did I forget to do that I have this extra time?

I'm continuing to share little treats whenever I'm out somewhere.  This is super fun and I'm spreading the joy.  I've been leaving treats for the mail carrier in my mailbox each day.  They work hard and deserve some extra spoiling.

Sunday morning, I was knocked out of commission by a headache from %$#@$%#@$.  I think I was dehydrated.  I rested, drank copious amounts of water and my head feels normal again.  Well, I'm sure my head was never truly normal, but it feels better:)  In the afternoon, Jenn and I took the two older boys to a tour of two famous mansions in Decatur --- the Millikin Homestead and the Governor Oglesby Mansion.  They were all decked out for Christmas and looked just gorgeous.  I took my students to the Millikin Homestead every year when I taught third grade and we studied about early Decatur, so I know a lot about that home and ended up actually giving a tour to the boys.  My husband is a docent at the Oglesby Mansion, so he gave us a tour there.  He knows a lot about its history, too.  I think the boys learned a lot and enjoyed our outing.

Updates:

- I have 1 more of the Tin of Tags class kits available.

- I'll have class schedules coming out soon for 2017.

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

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Pine Trees Hoop Project

I am finding that I really enjoy building a little vignette  using an embroidery hoop.  You are limited only by your imagination.  Here's my latest. 

This is the first time I made one with paper and, whether I used burlap, cloth or paper, I always like to add a cardboard backing, for extra stability.

This was a very simple one and used varying shades of green for added interest.  I added Wink of Stella to the hearts and tiny rhinestones to the sequins.  I really like how it turned out.

Updates:

- My card kits are sold out. 

- I have 4 more Tin of Tags kits available, if you'd like to join   

  us at my Dec. 12 Scraps and Prayers.  I can get out some   

  extra chairs:)

- I'll have class schedules coming out soon for 2017.

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

- Look on the left for sneak peeks and registration policies. 

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- Come  back often for more creative inspiration. 

Pink and Black Froggie Card

I'm not a huge pink lover, but I love our bright, fun Melon Mambo and, if you put it with black, it just pops!  How about a pink and black froggie card?!!! 

I added a solid black layer behind the top DSP layer and I added a stirp of DSP to the inside.  

I still love my little froggie. 

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Three Days of Peach, Day Three

For our last day of peachy goodness, I have some peachy friends for you.   

I just love these little hedgehogs.  I've paired my Peekaboo Peach with gold foil.  They compliment each other very nicely.  

The hedgehogs are embossed in gold.  

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Welcome to My Flirty Flamingo Week!

I have 5 new cards to share with you in Flirty Flamingo, so let's just make this Flirty Flamingo Week and have some fun.  After a super busy week last week, I'm ready to get back to serious stamping business.  I will say that my storage room looks great ... you could take up residence in there ... the garage sale went well, and I'm glad to be back to parking in the garage.  So, let's get into our Flirty Flamingo cards. 

Here is card #1:

This card has touches of Peekaboo Peach working with the Flirty Flamingo.

It's a simple card and yet very pretty.  I love the little punched hearts that fit into the embossed hearts in the background.

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3" Cuties, Card 1

Get ready for a little journey into my 3" cuties.  These make great gift enclosures.  I'll have several posts to share with you. 

I love the way the punched hearts fit inside the embossed hearts.  I attached them with several layered glue dots to give them a little dimension.

I finished off with a little sponging and a touch of bling.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

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A Christmas Mini Album

I finished the Christmas mini album that we'll be making at our next Scraps and Prayers and can't wait to share it with you today.  It's design is a bit versatile and could be changed in several ways.

I designed a belly band to go around mine and couldn't seem to get the right fit to keep it around the album but still be able to slip it on and off easily.  So... I came up with using a magnetic closure.  I cut a magnet to size and used it to secure the belly band.

When you open the album, it has 3 sections and you can decorate it to your heart's desire.  I used a different paper for the flaps and then used scallop circles to hold the flaps shut.

I adhered each side of the lower flaps to form pockets.  You could leave them loose and add more photos on the lower flaps.  With the 3 pockets, I thought you could use them to hold 2 or 3 photos each.

Below... all the flaps are open.

Here's a closeup of the decorations I used to embellish the front of the album.  They are all attached to the belly band.

Another idea:
Leave the lower flaps open, attach a photo to the center flap and stamp/write messages and add stamped images on the outer 2 flaps.  This would make a wonderful Christmas card for special friends and family.

Before you go...

I thought you might like to learn more about our Scraps and Prayers group.  

How do we begin:

We have the best time ever!  We start with a brief chit chat time and then have a brief devotional time.  We then move on to share joys and concerns, and close with a prayer lifting up our loved ones and thanking God for our blessings.

What do we make:  

We make whatever I feel like throwing at the group.  We seem to enjoy every project I plan for our group.  We've made scrapbook layouts, decor projects, projects to make little gifts, ornaments, mini albums, and lots more.

Contact me if you have questions or would like to join our group.  Everyone is welcome! 

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.