Merry Merry Christmas

Today I pick up the pies, tomorrow we celebrate with dear friends and their family. Christmas this year it is just the two of us.

Currently I am planning January classes. Have you used the Cricut pens to draw some of the intricate design cuts? I did using the Elegant Edges cartridge and the results came out better than I thought. Some of the cuts are hard to cut if they are too detailed but by drawing them and then cutting the rest you get a better smaller frame. I tried the frames at 3" and the border at 1". Worked out!

Big Weekend!!!

This weekend is the Douglas County Fairground Christmas Fair, Fri. - Sun. We have participated for the past 6 or 7 years except for last year. We really did think the house would be sold by now, Nooooooooo.

Anyway, we are doing it again and I have been going through things and repurposing and decorating, and inventing.

I bought some pretty tea cups at an auction and I added a chocolate scented candle that looks like truffles in a chocolate cup, some Lindor Truffles, & a tea bag. I wrapped them up, added a bow and VOILA!

I actually forgot to put the tea bag inside the cup before I wrapped them. So I made a card holder from the Paisley Cricut cartridge & added a peppermint & snowflake cut out from Very Merry Tags Cricut cartridge.

I will take more photos as we finish setting out everything. Today we put up the booth. I made another banner sign using Storybook lettering. Turned out very cute!

Finally today, there is a rumor about another Blog Hop soon. Stay tuned for deets.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'll say it again...Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Today is My Birthday!

Yep, it's my day all day, in fact I usually milk it for at least a couple weeks if not a month. Whoo Hoo for me!

BTW - that's Kilo saying "Happy Birthday Mommy".

Best Time of Year

We have one craft show under our belt and another 3 day Christmas fair in 3 weeks! The photo is of our booth. I loved making our sign with the Cricut. The letters are from the Storybook cartridge. I used Doodlecharms for the border at the top for the oak leaves I cut on 3 different colors.

I am doing a Christmas banner for the next fair. Will post as soon as it is finished.

Happy Halloween

I just had a Stampin Up Workshop with Krista and not only did she do a project, but so did I. I love the candy cups from Stampin Up and incorporated it into the card. Cute huh?

The Cricut pumpkin is from Happy Hauntings. It is the pumpkin @ 4". Using a 1 3/4" Stampin Up circle punch perfectly made the hole for the cup to go through.

I have more cards from all my classes this month (October) I will post throughout the week. Next I have to design cards for all my December classes.

Blog Candy Anyone?

OK, even though I am not including any photos of projects this time around, it is not because I haven't been creative. See, I am trying to get ahead of my classes for the next two months because I have two, count 'em two, craft fairs and 9 classes in Oct. - Dec. Hopefully, yet no stress to think about there, the house sells. Whew!

I am also going through - AGAIN! - all my craft supplies to sell or give away. I am making a little box for Blog Candy if I get 150 followers. I have gone down a few in the past few month, but I only need 13 so if you are a follower and know someone get them onboard.

Happy World Card Making Day

Here's a couple for you!!!

Fall Time is Fun Time

I LOVE Fall. I love the colors, the leaves changing, the holidays, and getting ready for all the craft fairs I will be participating in soon.

Above is the October Cricut project we will be doing in class. The dates are, Sat., Oct. 15 & Tues., Oct 18 at Roseburg Book and Stationery in Roseburg 10 am - 12-ish pm. The cost is $10 and I have a few seats left in both days. After they are filled I take Waiting List names.

I am also putting together a class using the Paper Lace cartridge for my class in Eugene. I never used it before so I am also learning as I am prepping the class. Can't wait. More to come.

I'm here to tell...

Whoa - have I been a bad blogger!!! Really no excuses but I have been creating so I will be sharing a little here and a little there.

Our current project for the Lime Light DT has been Cards for Soldiers. I just sent off my cards and I want to share a few of them with you all.

Douglas County Fair

This is my first year I did not work at the Douglas County Fair as the person in charge of Crafts & Floral. Do I miss it? Yes, until I start thinking of all the problems and I am so glad I decided not to work. However, I did enter a few things. I baked a Sour Cream Cake, Peanut Butter Cookies, Beer Bread & Oatmeal Carmelitas.

I don't know if I won yet, but DH did win 4 1st place, 8 second place & 3 third place ribbons in Land Products. This is the produce he picked right before he entered it. We know we won 1 1st for his pickled beets, a 2nd and 3rd for our canned tuna. Whoo hoo. I am going to try to go to the fair and see how we faired (sorry) in the Photography and Floral entries.

Blog Candy from Blog Sister

Please check out bigislandlady.blogspot.com/2011/07/joannes-blog-candy.html for her Lime Light request and blog candy you can win.

In Lime Light, we are putting together cards for soldiers in Afghanistan. The more cards the better. As one soldier said, "There are no stores we can go to buy cards to send home." This is a great way to show them we support and love them for every thing they do.

Go USA

Finally...Summer

Yes, it is finally here...Summer and going camping and going to the river and pitching sticks for Kilo to fetch.

I have read so many books. Really you have got to check out Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper series of books. I have them all and I am waiting for the latest to go to paperback.

July's #2 card

I finally am able to post! Yeah! Hope you like this card too!

I have been trying...

I really have been trying to post more, but for some reason this Blogspot hasn't let me post. Hope this works.

Everything Old is New Again...

How many times do I say this? A lot!!! They say that trends go in 7 yr. cycles and it is about 7 yrs. since Quilling was big and now it is big again. Wouldn't you know that I sold all my quilling papers and tools in my Craft Sale last Summer. It's OK...I bought some new tools and I have paper and a kick #$^ paper cutter.

This month's Cricut class is "Christmas in July with the Cricut - Quilling". Catchy little title eh?

I did the background paper with Alcohol Ink and made the "snowflake" cut with Accent Essentials. The paper I cut at 1/8" so it wouldn't be too thick in an envelope.

The other fun technique is first stamping with Versamark different snowflakes. Sprinkle with clear embossing powder and of course, emboss. Add the AI. When it is thoroughly dry, place a piece of typing paper over the inked design and iron. The Versamark will melt into the typing paper and leave the snowflakes white against the AI background. I love the effect!

The angel quilled design came from a book, 50 Nifty Quilled Cards by Alli Bartkowski. This is a book I recently purchased and among all the quilling books I have this one has so many cute quilled shapes and cards. The angel is on p.95. Check it out.

Finally...

It has finally come!!! What? I am so glad you asked...SUMMER or at least a few days of hotter weather. Now, I normally do not like hot weather, but I am so willing to make an exception this year since we have had an overabundant amount of wet and cold weather. I know, it is OREGON, and I do love this place, BUT can anyone say TOO MUCH?!

Another finally...our laptop finally bit the dust. Bye bye old friend. We went and purchased a new laptop yesterday and promptly found quite a few of our programs are not compatible to the Windows 7. I ordered a new Design Studio from Amazon for $19 which actually isn't bad. I can not be without a Design Studio.

Every month I will purchase another program to add to the lost programs. I did do something smart however. The old laptop was making weird sounds last week so I though I better back up once more the recent photos and files. Whew!!! Dodged a bullet on that. BTW found and bought a great new Flash Drive for saving photos. It is called Picture Keeper. I bought the Flash Drive that holds 4,000 photos. It also has saved my digital papers and embellishments I have bought.

To Blog or Not to Blog...

I love to read others blogs and get bummed if they skip a day or two or three. Now I don't know if people are really reading my blog...I think there are a few...and maybe more would if I blogged more.

So my Summer resolution is to blog more and that will make me create more. I still am waiting for 150 followers. When I hit that mark I have some blog candy to give away. Want some?

Busy, Busy

This month is full of classes and I am having so much fun. I love creating and here is a peek at this month's class project using the Accent Essentials cartridge. I love this cartridge because of all the shapes it has and the many ways you can use them. How about a mini-album?

I love the Spirelli Medallion technique I learned over at: www.capadiadesign.com/search/label/P%20-%20Spirelli

She has the most amazing ideas!!! Check out her blog.

I decided to take off the bow closure and it looks a lot better. I will take another photo with it off. More later...

Is it June already?

I have a great excuse fro not being around...Scrapbook Fun Fest has pretty much taken over our life for a month. All of us have been taking care of all the little details and we did an amazing job. Whoo Hoo to Janice & Gary of Roseburg Book and Stationery, Karen, and of course my wonderful husband Rod.

I have included a few photos of the event and our booth. We had 216 croppers and I still have to figure out how many Walk and Shoppers, but all our vendors want to come back so they must have done as good as we did in our little booth. Did I mention Rod is the King of our Bargain Bin?
He was filling it up constantly throughout the day.

Seven Feathers Casino Resort has the greatest group of people you can imagine. Anything and everything we needed they were there to help and get it for us. We couldn't have done the event without them.

I am now taking online classes to be certified with SDU (Scrapbook Design University) through EK Success so I can teach Scrapbook classes at Michael's here in Roseburg. More later...

Fun, Fun, Fun

I went to wordle.net and put in my blog address and it took random words from my blog and made a word cloud. Try it. So cool!!!

It's May Already???!!!

I just realized I haven't blogged for a whole month! Where has the month gone? I taught 5 classes last month and all the prep that went with it. A lot of work, but I love it and it is fun! When it stops being fun I quit. I really don't see that happening soon.

The card on the left is the project we completed after we explored Doodlecharms. The seahorse was cut with the Cricut using Shrink Art. I cut the seahorse at 4", shrunk it in the oven at 275 degrees and then colored it with Alcohol Inks. Cool huh?

If you look at the sandcastle on the card, I actually used sand to fill in the cut.

I took a couple of pieces of Tacky Red Line Tape by Provo and covered the sandcastle opening from the back. I sprinkled sand over the tape and my sandcastle was actually made of sand. I removed the tape from the back and then glued the blue cut piece to another tan cut piece. I love how it turned out.

Classes #4 and #5

This is our 4th class and it is SOLD OUT!!! How cool is that!!!??? Kim is going to have 9 kits for sale on our website scrapbookfunfest.com

Kits are $14 and when they gone, well, they are gone.

Kim is Close To My Heart rep.

This is Class # 5 which is my class. I have a few seats left and will also make a few extra kits for sale.

We will complete one of these in class and everyone receives enough product to make a second one and with the leftovers, everyone will be able to make a few cards

Again, you can sign-up for the classes at our website or at Roseburg Book and Stationery in Roseburg, OR.

Class # 3 at Scrapbook Fun Fest

Another Super Cute class. Naomi does such amazing classes!

2:30 - 3:30 pm 6" x 6" Mini Album with Naomi White $12

This book would be great to make to remember that special day or trip, and also make a the perfect gift! This is just a sample of the design. The papers and stickers will change.

Class # 2 at Scrapbook Fun Fest

The photos above really do not do justice to how beautiful the project is and the materials she is using for the class from 1 - 2pm at Scrapbook Fun Fest.

If you are in the area Memorial Day weekend class tickets are online (scrapbookfunfest.com)

4" x 4" Acrylic Cover Chipboard Brag Book with Tammy Weir $12

With this project learn how to make flowers using a couple of paper folding techniques, along with the Martha Stewart Scoring Board, and Zutter Binding system. Each student will receive a kit that will include everything needed to complete the project.

Hello March...

If you are in Oregon and have nothing to do Memorial Day weekend, I suggest a Stay-cation at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, OR, Exit 99. Scrapbook Fun fest is shaping up to be our biggest and best.

Go to scrapbookfunfest.com and check out all the info. We just included the classes offered during the day and they are filling up fast!


I will feature different classes offered at Scrapbook Fun Fest this week.

The photo above is a sneak peek at the class Melanie is teaching from 11:30 - 12:30am.

"Repurposing Vintage Treasures" "Learn how to see ordinary items in a new way and give a fresh purpose to old treasures. Turn fabric, buttons, and paper into amazing new creations - cards, scrapbook pages, and jewelry. Class kit will include: 1 blank greeting card & envelope PLUS vintage buttons, vintage fabric, and vintage map butterfly cutouts to make a your own card & a fabulous one of a kind button ring." Cost is $12

Melanie has an Etsy store where she sells repurposed vintage clothing. Check it out at:

vixendesigner.etsy.com

Goodbye February...

OK, Just a few more days and this month will finally be gone with all its freezing cold and yes, SNOW! I just want better weather so people will get interested in buying houses...like...OURS!

March will be busy with more classes and Scrapbook Fun Fest is getting closer.

Peeks for next week's class at a fundraiser for the Oakland Playschool:

Out of Hiberation...

I have been doing some creating and working on classes. I love how the class for Scrapbook Fun Fest has come together. Everyone will receive enough product to make 2 Card Box Holders and still have enough left over to make a card or two.

Just checking in...

I have been sick for the past week and I am just starting to feel like I can do something creative. Today I started planning out my next two months of classes. I also decided to do a class at Scrapbook Fun Fest and ordered the paper for it.

Well, I lost two more followers, so now I need 12 followers and I can give away the Blog Candy that is burning a hole in its mail packaging.

I am planning another Blog Hop for the Limelighters soon. Maybe a...no, I won't tell you quite yet. Still in the planning stages.

Off to take more Nyquil and sleep. Sleep has been good.

Class peek and Our New Blog

Here are a few peeks at the Birthday Reminder Mini Album we are doing in class this week. After I finish up on Tuesday I am going to put the kits up for sale on Etsy. The gals who were at class on Saturday really liked the project.

On to other Dewey news:

Since we hope our house sells this year and we can start on our adventure of RVing across the US. I started another blog our friends and select family can follow read and follow us. It is seetheus.blogspot.com

For now I am updating once a week, but as we really get started on our travels I will update more. However, I won't really tell anyone where we are until we are on the road and then I will tell where we have been.

Still waiting for another, now, 10 followers so I can give away some Blog Candy. Won't you be my follower?

The Nattys

Yesterday we went to Seven Feathers Casino Resort and watched the Oregon Ducks play in the Nattys. It was an amazing game, right up to the last second and Auburn won, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. Even though the Ducks lost, I can't say it enough, it has to be the bestest football game I ever saw.

There was food and anything you wanted to drink (non-alcoholic) with the admission ticket and lots of give-aways. 5 huge TV screens. I screamed and cheered so much I lost my voice.

Friends gave us a free room for the night so we didn't have to drive home in the freezing fog. Thanks guys.

Now I have a ton of class prep to do for this Saturday and Tuesday next week. Here is a peek at the cover of our project. More on it later.

BTW - All my prizes for the Blog Hop were sent off - so to those of you receiving them, please let me know if they got there AOK. I hope you all like them.

Blog Hop Winners

Blog Hop winners of my mini-albums - Melissa, Shelly, Ashley, Lisa, & Nanette they will be in the mail to you all tomorrow, Friday. Thanks to everyone who participated. It was fun and I can't wait until our next one.

New Year, New Beginnings

I am really having a hard time trying to give-away Blog Candy. Who Knew?! I lost another follower so now I need (Edited) 9 new followers before I give-away a lot of goodness.

As you all know we are totally down-sizing everything so we can sell the house and buy an RV and hit the road for a couple of years. So I have lots of stuff I would rather give to my loyal followers rather than anyone else.

Yesterday I went through all my school boxes. Whew, talk about memories. I was ruthless and I am sending a lot of my books to my sister who is currently teaching pre-school and my nieces who both have degrees and teaching credentials in Special Ed. They took after their aunt. I am so proud of them!

I have been working of a couple of big projects. As soon as they are finished I will be sharing and putting kits up for sale on Etsy. Also my DH has been building some great stuff for crafting enthusiasts. They will be on sale on Etsy also by the end of the week. Can't wait to share.