Brown and Red Christmas Cards

I actually made 2 cards this evening. I was so inspired by the brown polka dot paper that I chose to use for the Kraftin Kimmie Challenge of polka dots, that I even used it on another card seeing how it looked so great together! I used the Card Positioning Systems sketch challenge for the layout. The rest of the details are listed below .....same as my other card, only the image is from Kraftin Kimmie....Lola the painter....this card will go to an artist friend! :)

This second card is for the Totally Gorjuss challenge of using a tree. New stamp from my LLS from Great Impressions spoke to me and is the only stamp that I have that is christmas and tree, so I stamped it up in black momento ink, colored it with copics and used the Spellbinder Label 4 to cut and emboss it.

I used my fake dew drops from Michaels colored with copics, random Hobby Lobby stack patterned paper and the sentiment from Gina K and is embossed in dark brown.

Sponging done in Distress inks...Linen and on the chocolate CS from SU in Walnut. STickles for a little sparkle on the snow.

A Fairy Merry Christmas Card

Card is made for the Sugar Bowl Challenge, both their sketch and their black and white and one other color. I chose red so I could make it a Christmas card...since I am a bit behind on those. I wasn't going to make any, as I rarely send them out...but I have decided to change and to send more personal card then emails because getting mail is just more fun! :)

Image is Sugar Nellie, stamped in memento, colored in copics and stickles added for bling.

Red CS is cut and embossed with Spellbinders Label 1

Black Bling from Michaels clearance

Patterned paper from walmart...colorblok? paper stack....

black cs embossed with cuttlebug swiss dotsc

Sentiment is from Gina K and embossed in black

thanks for looking!

Also adding this card into the Crafty Catz weekly challenge for their christmas theme!

Happy Holidays Snowman

For the Pixie Cottage Challenge, I have made a "let it snow" snowman card for the holidays

The Snowman image is from my local stamping store from Great Impressions, as is the holly strand on the green that is embossed in clear holigram. Sentiment is from SU, warmest wishes? maybe? enbossed in black

Red cs is cut with spellbinders big scallop and paper pierced. DCWV patterned paper from christmas stack from years past.

Dew drops from michaels and stickles add the extra bling.

Parents Anniversery Card

My InLaws have an anniversery...well, had....I am late, but we just got their present....plus my husand, their son, is on a business trip this week, so I won't give it to them till he comes home anyways.





I created this for 2 challenges.... Flourishes challenged us to use Dollies....and the only one I had was in my 5yr old's craft box, so I stole that one and since it was a heart, it is good for the anniversery card I was making. I used the sketch from the Papertake Weekly Challenge for my design.

All sponging done in Holtz distress ink linen....I only have walnut and linen and use them all the time....need to put together a list for my husband and get some new colors....would make good stocking stuffers...hmmm....shopping and emailing will comence tonight after kids are asleep!

Ribbon from michaels

Flourishes image of the lilacs (which my mil loves), cut out in spellbinders Label 8

colored in copics....bv00,02,04,08 for flowers..YG63,67 for leaves

Patterned paper from paper studio mirabelle paper stack...this stack is great because a ton of the colors match the linen ink from tim holtz that I use so much!

Sentiment is from Gina K and is embossed in black

thanks for looking!

Krafty Kimmie in Kristmas Kraft!

I created this card for the Krafty Kimmie Challege, also entered in the Papertake Weekly Challenge for "cut it out"

Kraft Card Base

layered with Handsome Hunter SU cardstock

White CS cut in Spellbinders Scallopped Frame, sponged in Walnut Distress Ink

Patterned Paper is from a DCWV christmas stack from a while ago....

Kraft cardstock sponged in walnut again on Ovals--Spellbinder Oval and Fancy Tags-modified.

Sentiment is Gina K designs--Rinestones were colored with copics

Image is Krafty Kimmie "Lillth" colored in copics, trimed with Stickles, cut out and popped up.

Baby Card for Baby Jacob

We have a friend, Candy, that just had a baby and we will be visiting them in a few days for the first time and wanted to give her a card and a few other things....hand me downs, adorable socks that I found at target...they are my favorite for my kids, so I thought I would like to share with the new mommy!

White Cardstock embossed with Spellbinders Label 8.

Oval sponged in black, stamped in momento black ink.

Image is from The Angel Company and is colored in copics.

I used just any paper for it and wow....can I just say, using the right paper for copics is so super important and I learned that today! The paper bleeds....ugh, will have to make sure that I don't use cheap CS again when coloring with copics!

Sentiment from Gina K designs and stamped on a Spellbinder FAncy Tags Die and embossed in silver.

Ribbon is silver satin ribbon from Michaels

My husband really prefers simple cards, so I did this one for him.

This will be submitted to the Charisma Cardz Callenge

Pixie Cottage Challenge-Gorjuss Girl

I just made this card for the Pixie Cottage Challege. I was practicing shadding on the hair and skin from a tutorial since I am not the best. I like the way she turned out. My husband could even tell which way the light was shining on her, so I am improving. I didn't shade her dress, I like to keep cards a little simple.

Image is sugar nellie gorjuss girl colored with copics--stamped in momento ink on papertrey cs--cut out with spellbinders oval and scallop oval. the colored cs is SU and papered paper is unknow stack from michaels. Cuttlebug folder for embossing swiss dots.

Ribbon is satin from ribbons and bows oh my and the metal spiral is from a kit I got from the angel company.

I didn't add a sentiment because I am not sure what I will use her for, but have lots of gals in my life so she won't be wasted!

Happy Birthday Lillth for Truely Scrumptious challenge

A happy birthday card for the truely scrumptious challenge sketch.

I rather liked the way this came out. Loving he black and purple. I am thinking of adding black faux stitching on the lavendar cs, both at the top and at the scallop part also.

Image: Kraftin Kimmie Lillith stamped in memento ink, colored in copics

Dies are spellbinder label 8, edged in stickles

Sentiment is Gina K and lacey circle spellbinder tied with a sheer ribbon--crinkled by heat

Black CS clear embossed with a swirly background stampd unsure where it came from

the lavendar cs clear embossed with a crinkle background (unsure origin also), scallopped edge punch from fishars.

Kraftin Kimmie Challenge Card--Funky fibers

I really didn't have funky fibers as the Kraftin Kimmie challenge called for, so I created one by sewing my Michaels silver satin ribbon and gathering it to make it funky. Really looks quite nice!
SU cardstock, copic coloring...(abiet sad shading job, just couldn't get it to blend!) Unknown stack summer patterned paper. Will make some little gal a very great birthday card!

Also entered into the Cute Card Thursday challenge sketch

Christmas Fairy Card

I made this card from the Stampin for the weekend card sketch challenge.

Paper is dcwv from last year christmas or more back... :) using up stash!

Image is Sugar Nellie, colored with copics and sponged around using the spellbinder nestability oval that I used to cut it Sponged in Distress ink linen. Spellbinder shapeabilty for the sentiment along with Gina K stamp set that matches the "fancy tags" shape.

thanks for looking!

OH....also entering into the FLourishes tuesday challenge for christmas card.

Entering into the copic challenge for shading and paper piercing. Not as much shading done on this fairy, but I worked on shading of her hair. I need to find a beginner copic class as I really enjoy using them and have really grown my collection of them and want to be good at what I am doing!

Card Pattern Challenge 90, more thank yous

More thank yous for my mother. I stamped the image in Lovely as a Tree from SU. The ribbon is a sheer gold that came on a present that I heated with my embossing tool to make it all wrinkle/crinkley. Sentiment from Gina K, die cut is lacey circle spellbinders.

CPS Challenge 193 Thank Yous

I made these thank yous for my mother to use since she has run out. She needs alot for my sister's memorial service last week. So I had to keep them simple and not too much extra things on them so I could make several. I also used up scraps that I found around, so there are several different variations of this.

Stamp is lovely as a tree from stampin up, embossed in copper. Nestie lacey circle in a paper from a pad from walmart , ovals in white and SU kraft. Blue/Grey cs is from SU but I don't know the name anymore! The Sentiment is from Gina K stamps.

CPS sketch to try AND other card challeges to make cards for!

Tonight I am going to be working on the sketch below for some thank yous for my mother to use for those attending my older sister, Annie's memorial here in Indiana. She passed away at 40 in florida at the beginning of October. Cause of death was unknown. She was able to be an organ doner at least.

My mom has run out of TYs so I will be making these tonight after the rug rats are in bed and try to get the results posted! :)

I also Have a KRAFTIN KIMMIE challenge of funky fibers and have decided that I would just try to do something with ribbon, either ruffling it by sewing or by doing some sort of alteration to make it "funky".

I am going to be making a birthday card for the "all that scraps wed challenge" and I think I will pair the kraftin kimmie challenge with this and make one style! :)

I have a 7kids college fund challenge to "give thianks" card to make and the card patterns challege to make with this sketch.... I have my work cut out for me this evening!

Kraftin Kimmie Distressing Christmas

Lola from Kraftin Kimmie is the Image stamped in Memento ink and colored in with copics.

Torn and edges inked with Holtz linen and then in walnut.

The Sentiment is Gina K designs.

Red patterned paper from DCWV christmas pack a few years ago....trying to use up the stash!! NO New Christmas stuff!!! Edge punch from Michaels and distressed with my nail :)

The green striped paper is also DCWV and is sewn to the cs and distressed with walnut holtz distress ink.

The gold sheer ribbon is twisted and adhered to the card and the bow made with the bow easy is tied to the twisty ribbon with a gold cord.

Pretty simple, but I like the outcome! thanks for looking!

Sparkle Holiday Gal

Unknown Stamp, stamped in momento, colored in copics and red stickles, red ribbon/bow made with bow easy. Layered on Silver reflective cardstock and hunter green cs. Simple, fast and fun!

Thanks for looking.

Gorjuss Girl Christmas Challenge Sketch

I made this card for the Gorjuss Girl sketch challenge and love how it turned out! I didn't even case....which is usually my mo, but I am changing and doing my own thing always now.

Stamped in memento ink and colored with copics, except shoes which were a black gellyroll pen. Both patterned papers are DCWV holiday pack from at least 1 or 2 yrs ago. Spellbinder label 8 on black and emboseed and on patterned paper, trimmed so I would have a small black frame.

white flowers colored with copics (copics used were r43, r46, r59) for image also with pearl brads on inside from michaels several yrs ago....(i am trying to stop being a horder!)

Setiment is from Gina K on a spellbinder fancy label cut out.

I decided it was too crowded at the bottom and changed the layout a little to be the second picture, which I like much better!

I am pretty sure this card will go to my gal pal in Chicago who has a little 2 yr old with a bit of an attitude....but will do anything if she is allowed to wear her boots. So the inside will say... "I want my boots!"

Shades of Blue-- Just Because Card

I created this card for the Flourishes Challenge for their new release of winter stamps, making shaes of blue. this was actually hard for me as blue is not my go to color!

I used momento ink for the image-Kraftin Kimmie stamp on Papertrey cardstock and colored with copics( BG000, 02, 05). Image cut and framed with Spellbinders label 4. Black mat has paper piercing free handed on it. Sponged in Holtz distress ink linen.

Her pettycoat has been colored with gellyroll pen silver. Ribbon from michaels on sale!! Bow made with bow easy (purchased last night at my local stamp store (lss) at their make and take....

Background stamped in versaink and embosed with an old stampin up glitter embossing powder. Can't remember where stamp is from! Sponged again in linen.

Tempting Turquoise cs from stampin up is embossed with cuttlebug folder.

Setiment is from Gina K designs and fits the Spellbinder Fancy Tags that I just got also.

The image reminds me of my oldest daughter...5, who is headstrong and loves animals....and this summer has been obsessed with finding toads/frogs under every rock! She even sneaked one into the house, up to her room and housed him in her doll house. When I found him, i thought he was just a statue (she has lots of animal statues like that) and went to touch him and he started to jump around her room! Ahh....

Hope you enjoy! :)

Ottobre 01/08 Rose Dress

My Sweet Alex coming home from church in her Rose Dress from the Ottobre issue 01/08.

Michael Miller fabric from fabric.com

The dress is longer then the pattern calls for, but our church is old school, not a leggins kinda church. Other then the

problem with the ribbon being crooked on one side

Dress pretty simple, zipper in back is horrible if you know those things, but luckily she moves to fast for anyone to notice. Binding at neckline is a Patty young fabric by michael miller that has same colors, but not same flowers, but I think it works.

First non pink thing in a while that I have done for her.....kinda sick of pink! Right now I am ready to do different. She has orange and black day on Tuesday next week, so I am planning on doing something for that...I have some tie dyed velour that is white orange and black. If nothing else, I will make her velour pants and mate then with a orange shirt I made this summer for her.

More to come....got new serger....next post will be about my journey on that one....then the 2 shirts I made for Lilly in one night (they were already cut out...) and tonight I take a sewing break for some cleaning and then a night of scrapbooking and on to the orange and black...and the orange and blue space top that my 3 yr old Isaac has been hounding me about. Then finishing all the UFOs I have going on....and then on to halloween...or more church dresses....something like that. We only have 2 church dresses for Alex now, and some are too short....skinny and tall...errrrrr....not good ....fits a 3/4, but needs 5/6 for modesty! :) More to come..............

Ottobre 03/07 Girl Romper with changes for Lilly

A few changes....

Ottobre made it in a

woven, I did knit....from chezami.com

I left off the frills of the sides and the pocket.

I gathered pocket and did a binding on a woven twill from chezami.com also.

I have yet to add the buttons, to see what I can find. I might go with either plastic or open ring

metal snaps.

I have not finished the bottoms....because it is now finished and she is sound asleep.

Since this romper is actually made to be shorts, I lengthened it myself and don't know how close I came....

If they are a good length, I will do a rolled hem and do elastic thread shirring 2-3" deep at the bottom like in the new ottobre 04/10....I think it would look cute.

If they are too short, I will take some of that solid woven aqua twill and make cuffs. I will make them wide enough to make the pants a normal length--and gather the legs into he cuffs making a ballooning look....

Tight pants don't look good on her right now with her poofy, fluffy cloth diaper bottom, billowing pants are what looks best! Thanks for looking!

Baby Jammies--Ottobre 4/04 Winter Issue

Long Sleeve Top and footed jammies bottoms.

I am clearing out my stash in random places and found a half yard of lt blue velour and since my 13m old darling was super cold when I brought her to my bed in the middle of the night to nurse, I figured she needed footed jammies to keep her warm.

She has no warm jammies--it is hot here in Indiana in Aug, but then I crank up the air in our room and she gets cold and doesn't keep on a blanket...

So....lt blue velour it was. Had to make it the wrong way against the grain, so they are big. Since she wears disposible diapers at night, they will fit okay and do.

The small amount of the blue velour left I used to free hand a applique onto a long sleeve tee shirt for her to make them match. The neckline used a heavy matte FOE for diapers that was a miracle color match, but since it is so much heavier then the lycra blend cotton knit fabric top

Ottobre Barbara Ladies Top and knit skirt

Okay, so the skirt is unfinished, I will do i eventually. Notice the uneven hem...or bottom since it is raw...but enough room to fix still.

I like the Barbara top from the 2/10 ottobre women's issue, but with this cheap fabric that doesn't drape, it isn't the greatest. I will try to do it again with something nicer. I feel like I have a "uni boob" hehe... I am sure that I would like it more if I wasn't overweight....but I am working on that! :)

Oh...and Thanks to my 5 yr old for taking the picture! :) I was talking when she took it, so that is why my face is so wonky! :)

Getting things done....

today I finally got some things finished....hemmed a pair of pants for Lilly....now just have to see if there are any tops to match it or I will have to make something for it! :)

I did a few more steps on the "Barbara" ladies top from the Ottobre Women issue 2/2010. I am almost finished, might be able to finish it tomorrow.

A visit to Walmart helped me get boxes (file type) to fill up for each kid with their "creations" through the years. A few boxes to contain Alex's Little Pet shop stuff....

Finally, we went to Hobby Lobby and got two things...a photo box and a frame for our family picture....which we have had since mother's day...yep, I am really behind. :)

The photo box is now filled with picures that are ready and identified by year/month so I can scrapbook. I am only half done with this project, but am started and when I have it all organized, it will be much easier for me to be able to scrapbook them all. If I am organized and can only do one topic at a time, I am more likely to get it done....plus I want to make sure that I have all the pictures I need for it. I still have to find a few pictures from my husband's sd cards and possibly his computer....but them I will have them all organized on the backup harddrive and will have them all uploaded and ready to buy from snapfish. I am thinking I will buy the all at once from snapfish considering that you get free shipping over $30 and I already have 200 in the cart and it is growing!

I belive that my DH already went and put the family picture into the frame....

For tomorrow--fill the boxes with kid stuff and try to get things hung on the wall. If I get those things done, a bunch of clutter will be gone and that is the goal!

Some Sewing for Kids DONE!!

Okay, so really these are pretty old, by about a month, I just never got them off the camera and posted! :) finally getting some odd jobs done before school hits! Of course it is rather ironic though, seeing that as a stay at home mom with a first time Kindergardener and a 1st time preschooler, I will actually have more alone time to get things done (Lilly below is 1 and takes a morning nap!)

Okay, so lilly is sporting an Ottobre summer edition "toffee" top and "hennia" pants. Didn't go great, but I have had compliments on it and I guess it is decent.

Here is my crazy Kindergardener Alex(andra) sporting her mama made swimsuit...bound with FOE, material from www.chezami.com (whom is now having a super sale....but I don't know if I am going to get any...ah....I don't need any, I don't need any!!!)
Both are Ottbre patterns, a tank and undies combo--but it worked! :)

And finally, I haven't left out my little man....Isaac--going to preschool for the first time next month....he is 3 and in love with super heros--so I made his Tshirt with Joanne fabric of BUzz lightyear and his shorts too....both from ottobre--"Ahoy" shorts and "snug fit" Tshirt--some summer issues. both in 92

I actually made myself a Tank Top and it looks great, but I need to wash it and get DH to take a picture of me in it before I post it! Off to try and get my Alex to help me make Banana Bread in the BREADMAKER....because here in Indiana, it is too hot and steamy to open up that oven!!! AHHH!

Isaac's batman shirt--ottobre raglan

Stripes frm chez ami--my first applique

he loves it n doesn't believe i made it, b/c it is a present!

easter dress-portabellopixie pattern

portobella pixie pattern
made 2--one for alex, and a matching one for Lilly
wil have pics of them in it for easter later

strawberry tunic 3/08 ottobre

made from david n golith knit--"chicks rule" for her preschool easter party--perfect considering she is the only girl!

New Sewing Accomplishment: Making my own Bias Tape

So...I am currently on the kick of trying something new every week to keep me motivated and doing lots of sewing.





I made a muslim of this dress from the Ottobre sized up for Alex--made from Anglina ballerina fabric that I dislike. I plan on making th real thing for Lilly in the right size in some super cute fabrics that coordinate and do self made bias tape out of a stripes and the body of the dress out of a dots fabric and make an applique of a butterfly on butterfly corrdinating print fabric that matches the other.





Here is the dress I made for alex...she does love it....it is the fabric....for her, she loves it if it twirls, has a beloved character or is pink and princess or butterflies or the such.

This weeks new item: appliques....a batman applique on an ottobre raglan top for Isaac's birthday. Almost done....good thing, because we celebrate tomorrow for his party! The next project will be this same top for Lilly but with an applique and designer fabric!

Beyond that---I am doing Easter dresses and even making a cute outfit for a little boy too!

Car Seat Recovering--UFO is done Yea, UFO is done YEA!

Okay, so I have a baby ready to bust out of her infant seat and wanted to recover her brother's black/grey one before *trying* (with fingers crossed) to fit it with the other 2 car seats in the back of the Corolla....Tomorrow is a nice day, so I guess I will have to try....Since I finally got it recovered!

I know I know...not supposed to recover. BUT...I didn't just cover it, I took the old one apart--big seam ripper day---and then covered each piece, sewed it back together (with the old one underneath) and then used my own FOE (lt pink)to bind it instead of thick ucky black stuff that is now in a landfill. Of course, it is better a little black binding in a landfill then a whole seat b/c I went to buy a girly one since there are no replacements available from the manufactuer.

I am happy. Hope it fitsin the car!!!.

OH...and it is a UFO--UnFinished Object.

I planned on not starting new projects till all my ufos are done...but last night I fell off the wagon (that wagon that I promised on MONDAY I would stay on... :)

I did those 2 body suits last night--but did them start to finish which is a BIG accomplishment for me! Oh...and the yellow velour one did NOT fit over her head...so now it IS a UFO and needs modification to fit...thinking split the back neck, add a tab with a snap ...might work...hope so cause it looks pretty decent! The turquoise one is on her now and MATCHES some CUTE CUTE fabric I have been wanting to use for a long time...now I know my next project....since I did get a ufo done--

maybe I should do one more UFO first....the Olivia from Farbenmix that is cut and waiting...out of hello kitty knit for my dd#1. Made one for her friends birthday and never finished hers! :)

But, on to bed as it is now the next day....happy thursday!

Here is the new car seat

2 Ottobre 06/09 puolukka velour bodysuits for Lilly

Here is the stash of fabric I got from FashionFabricsClub.com

All were under 3.00 and even with some white interock being over the 3.00 mark and shipping, they evened out at under 3.50/yd...pretty good!

Here is the 2 body suits that need snaps yet... the "Puolukka" bodysuits from Ottobre 06/09 and I hope they fit over lilly's head...neck seems small..but I followed the pattern!

A few lessons learned about the coverstitch binder I used as seen below!

Here is the Velour bound binding that looks fine, but I placed the binder to far to the right and it didn't catch the raw edge with the needle on the right side of the fabric...oops, at least it isn't a woven and will ravel, and, well it will be right between her legs, not showing!

One side done right! Yea for me!

OOPS, on this one I accidently put the binding on upside down or on the wrong side...again, at least it isn't visible when wearing! :)

Few lessons learned...next time>I WILL have perfect binding!!!

Hope they fit, but it is too late to wake her up and try it on her tonight....and it doesn't match the green outfit I have slated for her to wear to morrow--but I might have to try it on her anyways! Pictures to follow! :)

Doing Soak Off Gel Nail Polish at home....my first time

Okay, so I did it. I got my nails done for free at by my hair gal with OPI gel nails that are soak off polish, not length, just for polish and loved it. After 2 weeks I went back and got it done and paid for it and love them...but just can't afford to keep paying that...

so...I went online and did some research and found places to buy opi gel polish kits (ebay and amazon), but it was expensive-- ($100 and you still need a uv light), and I wasn't thrilled with color choices at the salon (which are the same as found in the kit). So I started looking at all the other companies and found on ebay and sally beauty supply stores the IBD gel nail polish system.

FYI: I got my uv light and all ibd products on ebay--I got a bonder, clear gel, color gel, top coat

The pictures below and the lessons learned by my husband and myself... (yup, he helped me--he used to be an artist and doesn't mind doing nails--does Alexandra's (4.5yr old) all the time)

1st lesson--NEED LOTS OF LIGHT--there is a reason that salons are bright and they have the spotlight at the manicure table! If you can't see well, you paint against your cuticle and edgewall--which we/I did alot. As seen in the picures.

The chips in the pictures and at the cuticles are from me trying to remove the extra gel stuff over my cuticles and the sidewalls.

Secondly--I put on WAY WAY too much bonder. It is really runny and it will roll down to the sides of your nail as it cures and turn out too thick on the sides and attach to the skin and lift lift lift . I found this website info helpful about bonder and how to apply AND a removal system that isn't the normal "soaking" but wrapping in soaked cotton and foil. I will be trying this as a mom with hands is better then one with her hands stuck in a bowl of acetone!

Next, I finally went looking for any more "at home" tips and had forgotten about Utube! Duh. I found a bunch of videos on applying gel polish. Worth looking there.

Tonight--trying out the wrapping nail off system to take off the messed up polish and try anew on Thursday or Friday!

Olivia dress in owls and ottobre leggings in velour

Excuse the fat mama in the picture...didnt kow daddy was going to snap the picture. But Lilly looks so adorable in the picture that I had to post it!

Here you can see the leggings from the 06/08 Ottobre called "Lelle" I made them in size 74 for my 8month old....just didn't add a seam allowance. I am going to be sizing up soon. I am pretty sure that I am not going to make summer clothes till she stablizes in size or sumer is here!

The Owl interlock is from buytheyardandmore coop on yahoo. I love owls, so even though she was called a boy today, I don't care, I love them!

The dress is the Olivia from Farbermix. I traced it yesterday, cut it and sewed it all in one evening after she feel asleep at 10pm. Less then an hour for this dress!

It is size 1/2 and she will easily be wearing this all next winter with a new pair of leggings of course!

HMMM>....now what do I make next...someting to match the orange leggins before they are too small! :)