Joey, An Artist Canvas, A Quick Tutorial and A Strange Visitor

Joey popped in to say hello today... or should I say he popped up:)  He loves to get inside baskets or boxes of any kind --- usually, as here, he prefers the smaller ones.  One look at his smile and my world is filled with sunshine.  Joey chose my Fall canvas project for me to share with you today.

Yes, I cut out a lot of leaves and flower layers.  I absolutely love the text on this one.

I have 3-4 layers of petals on my flowers.  After punching them, I sponged and shaped them.  You can use your bone folder to curve the petals up or down, whichever you prefer.

A brief recap for making an artist canvas project:
- Paint on clear gesso over the entire canvas.
- Let dry.  Add second layer, if you wish.
- Cover the canvas front with gesso (Be generous.) and carefully lay down your DSP over it.
- Make sure the entire piece of DSP is attaching to the canvas.
- Reattach corners with extra gesso, if they start to lift up.
- Keep smoothing it out as it dries.
- Sponge edges and corners, as you like.
- Once dry, go over canvas with gesso again, to seal it.
- Cut out all the pieces you will need for your project.
- Take time to move around the pieces until you get the arrangement you like.
- Start attaching your pieces, using hot glue or Liquid Tombow.  Hold in place a little while.
- Stop every once in a while and stand back to see if you're liking the balance of your design.
- When you feel like you've added enough pieces, you're finished:)
- STOP.
- STAND BACK.
- ADMIRE:)

As with all my decor projects, I loved creating this one.

Joey is hanging out with Buster here.  Lilly is lurking in the background.

Buster is trying to figure out why Joey would bother playing with a cup when there's no food in it.  Buster is a food lover.

I've had another buddy hanging around a lot this Fall.  He loves to be on the outside walls of my front porch.  This strange visitor is a praying mantis.  I haven't seen one for quite a while.  I think they look so elegant and graceful -- for a bug, anyway:)

Be sure to come back for my next post.  My Scraps and Prayers group will be sharing a decor project they made in our last class.  We had so much fun!!!

The Latest Scoop:
I HAVE 2 REMAINING KITS FROM OUR CHRISTMAS RETREAT. / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! / $40.00 

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

Tentative 2018 classes and events schedule, coming soon!

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Cajun and Copper - They Make A Perfect Pair ... and My Last Two Fall Cards

I have a couple more Fall cards to share with you today.  They both make good use of Cajun Craze and Copper. 
The first card uses the 'Acrylic Block technique' and the second card uses watercoloring to create a beautiful background for the card's elements.  I love them both.

Even though the embossing folder that I used for my second card is called Seaside, I use it to imitate the movement of winds blowing the leaves.

I love, love, love doing watercoloring.  Sometimes, I just create a whole bunch of card-sized pieces when I'm watercoloring and save them for later use in cards.  You can use the entire piece as a background or, as in this card, die cut shapes from it to use as elements for a card.

I'm pretty sure that these two cards are the last of my Fall cards.  In my next post, I'll share a Fall artist canvas I created ... and then ... it's all Christmas.  Yay!

The Latest Scoop:
I HAVE 2 REMAINING KITS FROM OUR CHRISTMAS RETREAT. / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! / $40.00 

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

Tentative 2018 classes and events schedule, coming soon!

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

You Make Me Smile Card / Giving Tuesday ....... A Day to Give Back

Today is a very special day for us.  It is Giving Tuesday.  Our church, as a United Methodist Church has many, very strong mission projects and reaches out to many people - all over the world.  Today, however, is a day when our church hosts an event that speaks to our part as Christians in our own community.
I am so proud of my daughter's vision and calling to initiate this event.  We started hosting the event 3 years ago and each year we've had more organizations participate than the year before.  They've raised thousands of dollars - to help those in our own community.  If you live in the area, I hope you'll go check it out.  If not, you can always find some way to give back to others.
The first year, I was babysitting a very tiny Joey and we put him in his stroller and went down to see what it was all about.  Wow!  It was crowded with lots of people seeking ways to help others.  Last year, I waited until school was out and we took all 3 boys down to the event.  They had earned odds and ends of money helping out around here, especially during the summer when they were here all day.  I took their 'money jar' and dumped it out into 2 piles.  I gave a pile to each of the 2 older boys and explained what we were going to do.  I told them that they were to go to each table and find out what each organization did, to help people in our community.  Once they'd been to all the tables, they could decide on their own just how they wanted to give their money.  They both decided to give 'some to each group' and that really touched me.  Even more touching was when Aaron kept going back to the Cancer Society table and giving them more until finally he'd given than all he had left.  He knows that I survived my battle with cancer, but many in our family did not.
I was also touched by how, at each table, the people were all so very nice and did such an expert job of explaining to my boys all about their work.  This really helped to make an impression on our boys about how we all can help others.
Since last year, after experiencing the whole event and after really being touched by a lesson in church about giving to others, Aaron went home that very Sunday and started his own 'money jar' to use just for this event.  He has such a big, caring heart!
Having emptied our money jar, we've since gone to a record keeping book, where I add earnings and their allowances.  I give them an allowance during the summer because they're here all day and do help out a lot.  I give extra when they go 'above and beyond' with their efforts to help and I have had to subtract a couple of times if homework wasn't done as well as needed.  All in all, they've piled up a fair bit of cash in what they call their 'money books' as well as adding a few pages of beautiful art work:)  I told them I didn't expect them to give it all today.  I suggested using a tithing idea where they'd give 10% and then they could decide if they wanted to go beyond that.  I'm so proud of them for what they're learning and what they're doing.  Aaron has the most money and he fluctuates from day to day from giving different dollar amounts.  Like I said, he has a big, caring heart.
Last year, the Salvation Army director pulled me aside and commended me on what valuable lessons I was teaching the boys.  That touched my heart.  I feel very strongly about teaching my grandchildren values.  I want them to grow up to be strong and caring people.  Aaron wanted to give all his money to the 'cancer people' this year but I said I hoped he'd keep the Salvation Army people in mind, too.  There are so many fine organizations in our community.  It would be a very different place if we didn't have all these groups reaching out and helping others.
OK, so that was a long, long post, but I think it was important to say it.  As Christians, we cannot go around wearing blinders, helping only our church denomination's sponsored missions and events.  As Christians, we need to step up and help others our community.  After all, we are all children of God.
I'll climb down off my soap box now.  I just wish that I could go to the event today, but am physically unable to do so.  I will be sending Bill with the 2 older boys and look forward to hearing all about their activities.  God bless all those who reach out and help others.
And now, I'll share a card with you that is very fitting with this post.

The Latest Scoop:
I STILL HAVE 2 REMAINING KITS FROM OUR CHRISTMAS RETREAT. / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! / $40.00 

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

I'm nearly finished with next year's tentative classes and events planning, so you'll see news of all that very soon.

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Which holiday is it?

Have you started decorating for Christmas yet?  I know ... we just had Thanksgiving.  I love to celebrate both holidays.  I started decorating my studio on Sunday afternoon, the 22nd of October - the day after my October Saturday Stampers class.  Even then, that gave me just 2 weeks to clean, decorate the studio for Christmas and get ready for my Open House/Christmas party.  At first, it felt a little silly and kind of strange.  But, in no time at all, it because quite fun and I was instantly into the Holiday spirit.  The fun and crazy part of it all is that my house was half and half, with the downstairs being Christmas and the main floor being Fall/Thanksgiving.  That way, Thanksgiving is never neglected.  The day after Thanksgiving, I started turning everything into Christmas.  I love decorating for the holidays, making special gifts and decor to add to my growing Christmas collection.  I'm starting to see houses in our neighborhood showing Christmas tree lights through their windows and garlands on their porch railings.  I'm now nearly finished with the upstairs, except for the Christmas tree.  That will have to wait until they finish cleaning our carpets.  It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.  Trust me, there is a real Spiritual feeling to the entire season for me, as well.  That's what makes it the most wonderful time of the year.  Stay tuned ... they'll be lots more to come!  The fun has just begun.  And, without further ado, here is today's project I'm sharing.

If you remember when the new Annual Catalog came out, I used this frame to introduce and show off our newest In Colors.  Here, I'm displaying a sampling of DSP, some stamps, and our super fun Christmas embellishments.  I forgot to add our charms, but I think I showed pretty much all our other new embellishments.

The 'Merry Christmas' stamp is from our Merry Mistletoe stamp set in our Annual Catalog.  The other stamps are all from our Holiday Catalog.

I love the little elf holding the 'Happy Holidays' sign.  I later went back and gave him a tiny pom on top his hat.

 ... and here are some gift bags I made for our children's Christmas Shoppe at our church. 

The Latest Scoop:
I STILL HAVE 2 REMAINING KITS FROM OUR CHRISTMAS RETREAT. / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! / $40.00 

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

I'm nearly finished with next year's tentative classes and events planning, so you'll see news of all that very soon.

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Just Catching Up Around My Studio

With all the sales going on right now, in each of our areas, as well as at Stampin' Up!, I've just been hanging out in my studio and working on finishing up some ongoing projects, organizing a few more dies, painting my new Stampin' Blends holder, and odds and ends of stuff.  I've been writing up my tentative class projects for 2018.  I have lots of fun in store for you.  It's all good, all fun, and I love it!  I'm going to start bringing out the Christmas decorations that will go on our main floor next, as well as working on cleaning and decorating.  With my bad shoulder, I can only do a bit at a time, but add up enough bits and I can make good progress.  Stay well, stay happy, and go create something beautiful today. 

THE LATEST SCOOP:

I STILL HAVE 2 REMAINING KITS FROM OUR CHRISTMAS RETREAT. / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! / $40.00 

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Happy Thanksgiving 2017

I hope you have a wonderful day and don't forget to be thankful for all your blessings - today and each and every day. 

And, before I go ... a little Thanksgiving humor:

ONLY 2 REMAINING KITS FROM CHRISTMAS RETREAT.  GET YOURS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. / $40.00 / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! 

UP NEXT:
December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Our Church in Tranquility, New Jersey ... All Hearts Come Home for Christmas

First, I want to share a photo with you of our former church in Tranquility, New Jersey.  A big part of my heart is there ... at Christmas and always.  New Jersey will always own part of my heart ... because of the beautiful people we knew there and because it's just a beautiful place to be.

Sorry it came out a little dark, but when I tried to get the photo outside, all I got were reflections in the glass.  I love this country church.  It was called 'the spire among the mountains' and was often used on the front of Christmas cards.  We had the most amazing organist.  She could play anything and play it well.  When all the choirs sang in this little country church, there were a little over a hundred singers.  Wow!
Now, would you like to see one of my absolute most favorite projects that I've ever made?  I love this one, especially because of the beautiful little church.

It really is straight and even inside.  It keeps slipping some in the frame.  I'm going to have to adjust it a bit.  Aren't the little houses adorable?  There's a church with a beautiful steeple.  I intentionally let it go outside the square.  I think it adds more interest.  Look closely and you'll find a teeny tiny snowman, too.  I love the stamp:  "All hearts come home for Christmas."

Now, just so you fully appreciate how much time and effort went into this project ---

The houses, church, trees, snowman --- Each and every one involves 3 layers of WW card stock AND a layer of Sahara Sand CS.  They are all painstakingly glued together, one layer at a time.  I got so wrapped up in doing this project that I kept at it until, the next thing I knew, it was finished ... and a lot of time had slipped right by me. 
It brings me great joy to make something that my friends and family and I can enjoy for years to come, as a part of our Christmas decor.  The little church reminds me of Tranquility Methodist Church in Tranquility, New Jersey.  So, yes, at one time, I was a Jersey girl --- and proud of it.  My father was the pastor at this church.  He was one of the best, perhaps the very best preacher I've ever heard --- and I've heard a lot of them, trust me.  I strive to live by many of the lessons he taught me through his sermons, his every day living, and his love of God and family.  I miss him every day.  I'll share more throughout the coming holidays about family, friends, and special memories.  Christmas just brings those out in many of us.  All hearts come home for Christmas.

ONLY 2 REMAINING KITS FROM CHRISTMAS RETREAT.  GET YOURS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. / $40.00 / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS! 

UP NEXT:
December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

I hope you're enjoying all the busy activities at Stampin' Up!

There are so many special activities going on right now at Stampin' Up!  I hope you're keeping up with it all.  And where are we during all this?  We're hanging out together in our little hideout... under Nanna's party table.

See you later! 
     ... from Joey and Toby Joe

ONLY 2 REMAINING KITS FROM CHRISTMAS RETREAT.  GET YOURS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. /  $40.00 / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS!

UP NEXT:
December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Something exciting is coming our way!

It's that time of year when things get a bit crazy exciting in the Stampin' Up! world.  Check this out!

NOVEMBER 20 - 26
Our first incredible offering of this promotion will be the 24-hour stamp sale. Select stamp sets will be 20% off for the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza. Because of the limited time urgency of this sale, this is a great opportunity for you to stock up on awesome stamps! The Stamp Sale starts November 20 12:00 AM and ends November 20 11:59 PM (Mountain Time).
Below is a link to the list of stamp sets that will be on sale November 20 ONLY - 24 hour sale! 

You can download the flyer here:
Download Extravaganza Flyer

To close out the Online Extravaganza with a bang, we are offering a special 24-hour flash sale on November 27th, after other Online Extravaganza deals end on the 26th. Stampin' Up! will provide more information on this flash sale soon. Make sure to check back here for more details!

ONLY 2 REMAINING KITS FROM CHRISTMAS RETREAT.  GET YOURS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. /  $40.00 / EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE 18 CARDS!

UP NEXT:
December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
It's going to be a party atmosphere at our last class for 2017.  I've even been working on a hand made present for you!  The class is filling up fast, so be sure to reserve your spot right away!

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

More to Help You Make These Cards Yourself

I love the cards we were to make at my Christmas Retreat tomorrow.  However, life got in the way and it turns out that I chose a very poor date for this - a date already full of many other fun activities going on in the area, not to mention dealing with some family illness and emergencies of our own.  Thankfully, things have settled down a bit in our lives and I have the kits all made for you.  Contact me to reserve your kit --- while supplies last.  If you are making yours on your own, with your own supplies, this post will help you, too.
Here are the cards:

Here, the cards are numbered and you'll be able to recognize them, if you're using my kits, by the pieces in each little cello bag.

Your felt pieces will be in a little cello bag together, inside your gift tote bag.  I gave you some trees, too, to use as you wish.

If you don't have the stamps I used, find one of your stamps that is a similar size.

Card #4 kept me busy cutting out all these pieces!  Try moving them around to see where you like the placement before you attach them.  There are dimensionals and Liquid Tombow in your kits:)

I did not add the berries to your wreaths.  I wanted to leave them optional.  You can even add them with a fine tipped marker.  After you add your letters, you'll trim down the top two layers on your card.

You'll find supplies to make two silver and one gold card, along with a cute little tiny tin that contains your charms.  Surprise.  Another gift I gave those ordering my kits was a little too large to fit into my gift tote, so it will be in your Stampin' Up! bag.  Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.

I only have 3 kits remaining, so sign up fast to reserve yours. 

Below, are remaining items from my Christmas Boutique.  These make great teacher, co-worker, neighbor, bus driver, mail person, friend, or someone else - for when you just want to give 'a little something' to someone.  I've had so much fun sharing mine!  They make great stocking stuffers, too. 

I still have the beautiful red dishes, too.  Contact me if you're interested.  The price is a steal:)
You can see them in a  photo over on the left of my blog.

Here are the stamp sets and inks I used for my cards:
#1 - Cheers to the Year and Watercolor Christmas / Real Red ink
#2 - Ready for Christmas and Tags and Trimmings ' Real Red ink
#3 - Merry Mistletoe / Cherry Cobbler ink
#4 - Hang Your Stocking and Snowflake Sentiments / Basic Black ink
#5 - Painted Harvest and Christmas Happiness / Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler inks
#6 - Flurry of Wishes and Cheers to the Year / Basic Black ink
Take one or two of your favorite snowflake stamps and decorate the insides of your cards and your envelopes.

UP NEXT:

November 18 -- Christmas Retreat / KITS ONLY
     10:00-3:00 / NOW $40.00 / 18 Cards: 6 Designs - 3 Cards Each
     Fee includes all materials to make 18 cards.  

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.