IN THE CENTER

I've been so busy getting ready for Christmas that I can't believe how many days have passed since I last made a post here.  Today I am going to show off the Christmas centerpieces that I made for Hope Dining Room where I work. 

Here are my supplies (plus a few sheets of patterned paper from my scrapbooking stash!)



I took the paper and cut it into strips and applied it to the bowls.  They started out like this -

 

and after a bit of paper and Mod Podge we had this -

 





I put a bit of floral foam inside, covered it with floral moss, added my holiday flowers and we ended up with this -



 

 

I am entering this in Angela's Anniversary Challenge - PARTY6 on Sketches 4 All, Challenge #163 over at Word Art Wednesday, and December Daily over at The Memory Nest.

 

and to share a bit more holiday fun...I made this fabulous Black Forest Cake for the very first time last Sunday and it was a great hit!

 

 

Now I'm busy baking cookies.  We are going to a big Christmas Party on Christmas Eve and I want to have some yummy treats to share with everyone.  Unfortunately, my oven is not working up to par, I did a lot of cookie baking last night for Hope Dining Room and the temperature would go from 300 degrees to 575 degrees and up and down constantly.  Hopefully maintenance will come soon to get it back to normal but tonite I am going to have to work with it as is again...

 

Hopefully I'll be back with another post before Christmas!

 







TWO HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Today I am going to share two cards I made last night.

The first one was for Sketches4all Countdown to Christmas challenge #2.  It calls for using the following sketch and four different patterned papers.  I absolutely am a patterned paper nut so this was a great challenge for me.

Here is the sketch:

 

 

I modified it a bit to make it work for me by using 3 little boxes instead of four but otherwise I stayed really true to the sketch.

And here is my card!

 

 

I am also going to share this one over at Word Art Wednesday in challenge #162 Anything Goes.

 

My next card uses sketch #101 from Let's Capture Our Memories.

 

Here is the sketch:



And here is my card:



I am struggling to get good photos with this phone but without a computer at home I can't use the camera...

This card is on a shimmery ivory base, it uses decorative edge scissors for the trim of the border for Sketches4all Anniversary Challenge Party 3. I haven't used them in years and I am no better with them now then I was way back when they were 'IN'.  I struggled and cut so many times having trouble getting them to cut straight.  But...here is the result! It also includes a K&Company diecut that is from a package I just loved.  It is three dimensional which is hard to tell in the photo.

I hope that my cards have added to your holiday mood!  I'm sure we all are busy getting ready for the big day.  I know that I have to get going with my baking and decorating.  I am falling way behind my hoped-for schedule.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 



SOLITARY

Welcome back to all my creative friends! 

Today I have a layout to share with you using sketch #101 from Let's Capture Our Memories and Case File #148 from Colors...Stories...Inspiration.

First for the sketch -

 

and now for the inspiration -

The instructions call for using all five colors of the palette, at least two clues from the evidence and at least one clue as Testimony.

 

 



 For my evidence there are flowers in one photo and branches/trees in both photos.  I'm not sure if my journaling alone would count as pen work but there is that too! 

 

As testimony I went and searched Sunday Scribblings.  I chose prompt #384 which was the word SOLITARY.  I also used the word inspiring.  These are a few of the photos I took on that long solitary walk in Lum's Pond over the summer.

 

I am not happy with the clarity of the photo of the layout so I will update it tomorrow or Friday when I next get back to the library. 

 

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and for leaving a comment!

 



THE RESIDENTS OF RIVERCREST FARM

Today I am going to share with you two layouts I did of the cute little residents of Rivercrest Farm where I went for my crop in September.

My first layout uses the December 1st sketch from over at Stuck?!Sketches.  They are also having a call for Guest Designers so I think I would like to toss my hat in the ring for a spot as well as entering in the challenge.

Here is the sketch.

And here is my layout:

 

 

My next layout uses Make It Monday #30 from The Memory Nest.  The sketch also calls for some stamping on the background.

 

 

 

And here is my layout:

 

 

Here is a close up of my stamping!

 





 

I hope that you have enjoyed meeting some of my fun friends from the Farm!

 

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

 



MY MIXED MEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA!

I played with a lot of my mixed media supplies last night on an art journal page for challenge SSQ25 Under The Sea over at Soul Scrappers.  How that challenge works is they choose a theme and send you an envelope containing all sorts of odd goodies and you need to use them on a paper project.
 
The theme this month was Under The Sea.  As I go through my post you will get to see all the goodies...
 
I started with a blank art journal page that had been coated with a base coat of gesso.  I added 2 colors of acrylic paint by just squirting down blots in various spots on the page and then running over it with a brayer. (2 shades of blue)
 

 

I added an additional 2 colors of acrylic paint using the same method. (pink and purple)

 

 

and another two...(red and yellow - these were mixed to get an orange color which I put on with a sponge brush over the center.)

 

 

Next I got out my Perfect Pearls and went to work...

 

 

It's hard to tell but there is shimmer everywhere...

 

Now you will get to see all the little goodies I received...

 

 

There were two little clouds which I inked the edges...as well as a piece of bubble wrap which I coated with white gesso and stamped across the whole top of the page.

 

 

 

There were two pieces of colored twine...(I added the little fish!)

 

 

A copy of a lighthouse.

 

 

A photo of seagulls.

 

 

A piece of blue plastic netting.

 

 

A quote, a piece of sandpaper, and a few shells.

 

A 3D sea animal sticker.

 

I also added a lot of elements from my stash...some cut up vellum and lots of summer words from some patterned paper.

 

And now...what you have been waiting for...here it is all together!

 

 

 I hope you have enjoyed my journey Under The Sea!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





ALL THAT GLITTERS

Finally time to work on Christmas cards...I had a new embossing folder that I forgot all about and when I spotted it I just had to use it.  I had planned to emboss it in gold like I had embossed the edges of my card and layers but the embossing ink just wasn't working on the dry embossed angel.  I remembered this gold glitter I had and ended up being so happy with that.  After running the paper through the embossing folder I used the gold glitter and then I cut the image out and mounted it on some Christmas paper that was layered over another beige/gold colored cardstock (which is what I used for the angel too!)  I had the word 'peace' in gold rhinestones that I thought would be perfect for the sentiment and it just fit!

Here is the result -

 

It was so hard to get a good photo of it using the phone, and the photo really doesn't do it justice.

 

I am entering this card in Sketches4All Anniversary challenge PARTY4, Soul Scrappers CC35 Christmas sparkles, and Word Art Wednesday challenge #161 Anything Goes.

 

Hopefully tonite I will get to more creating.  I am also working on some non-papercrafting projects - in particular loom knitted infinity scarves.  Maybe I'll toss in a sneak peek of some of those one of these days too!

 

 Hope your holiday preparations are going well.  Thanks for stopping by.  All comments gratefully appreciated.

 



OF CHRISTMAS PAST

Today I am going to share two layouts that I did last night from Christmas' years ago.  The first page is from 1996 and is using the 2015  DT Sketch from The Memory Nest. 

Here is the fun sketch:

 

And here is my layout:

 

 

 

I had wanted to give you a few close-ups of the specialty embellishments like the transparency, the cute little Santa and the frame and epoxy but Facebook is not cooperating this morning and that is where my photos are uploaded.  I'm wondering if it is Facebook as a whole or just Internet Explorer which I truly despise.  But...at the library that is the only browser allowed.  I miss my Google Chrome!  I have also entered this in Stacy's Anything Goes Stash Challenge at Sketches4all and Soul Scrappers RW12.

 

My second layout is from 1997 and uses the Week One Team A sketch from Let's Get Sketchy.

 

The sketch:

 

 

 

And my layout:

 

 

I am also entering this layout over at Craft Hoarders Anonymous challenge #21 Celebrate the Season.

 

 

Sorry for the lack of detail but not having a computer at home is really getting to me...I am so used to being able to use my real camera rather than the phone and uploading directly rather than through Facebook.  Hopefully Santa will be bringing us a new one!

 







DECEMBER HAS ARRIVED!

Welcome to December!  I'm sure everyone is getting busy with their holiday preparations...I know I am.  I would like to share a bit of creative inspiration with you before I get back to baking my Christmas cookies!

Over at Colorful Creations Blog there is a sketch challenge which Team A is sharing some wonderful inspiration.  I am on Team B - so you will get to see mine on December 15th.

 

 

At Scrapping Everyday Miracles Blog we have a layout sketch, a card sketch and a theme challenge.  You may combine the theme or do it separately.

 

Here are the sketches and the theme information for you.

 

Layout:

 

Card:

 

and our Scripture inspiration is:

 

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

 

I chose to do a holiday layout:

 

 

 

I am also entering this in the Song challenge KKC2 over at Soul Scrappers. 

 

 

So before you get to your holiday baking and wrapping of presents take a few moments and join us in some holiday papercrafting!





 

 

 



BACK TO THE BEACH

Tonight I have another layout to share from my summer visits to Cape Henlopen.  My son and I had such a good time going there this summer.  There is a beautiful beach and lots of dunes and a lighthouse and just so much natural beauty.  I am not big on camping but they do have camping spots there and I may consider it for a night next summer as my younger son absolutely loves camping.  (I will do that if I survive camping for CreationFest Northeast in June!) Last year that was my introduction to the world of camping and at my age it is not something you start on a one inch yoga mat on rocky ground!

I used the sketch from Stuck!Sketches for their November 1st GDT call again.  I used it the other day and I rarely repeat sketches but I really liked this one and I needed a 3 photo sketch and this one was perfect...and this time I rotated it.

Here's the sketch:

 

and here is my layout:

 

 

 

Some of the fun features of this page are my favorite Martha Stewart Border punch which I edged with twill ribbon. 

 

 

I really liked the mermaid from a pack of Creative Imaginations embellishments and I pop-dotted her as well as a few shells to give the page a bit more texture. 

 

 

I took several photos on the trips we made there so you will get to see a lot more of the beach probably over the winter while I am wishing for brighter warmer days! 

 

I am also going to share this layout over at Word Art Wednesday for Anything Goes #159.

 

Thanksgiving is nearly here.  My younger son and I are going to visit my step-family in Carlisle Pennsylvania and are hoping that the weather report which calls for snow is going to turn out to be incorrect.  This is the only time we usually get to see them during the year and have been looking forward to it.

 

May you and your families and friends have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving and be able to share your gratitude to God for all that you have and to remember in prayer all those that are less fortunate and may not have a warm place to enjoy a delicious meal.

 

Thanks again for stopping by!

 



BLESSED SUNDAY!

Hope everyone is relaxing and enjoying this beautiful fall Sunday.  At least here in Delaware it is still beautiful and fall...I know many of you in the Midwest are already feeling the effects of winter.

Today I have two things to share with you.

The first is a card is for challenge PARTY1 for the 5th Anniversary party over at Sketches4All.  It uses the sketch below and calls for a fussy cut item.

 

Here is the item I fussy cut -

 

 

 

And here is the card I created:

 

 

 

My next is a layout.  I used the November 1st sketch from Stuck!Sketches.  They are having a Guest Designer Call and I am going to throw my hat into the race...

 

Here's the sketch:

 

 

 

Here is my layout:

 

 

 

For a challenge I won last year I received the Graphic 45 Nutcracker Sweet collection.  I was so excited to find these old photos from a childhood trip to see Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland dance The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center.  I included hidden journaling about the day under the large nutcracker...

 

    

 

 

I use pop dots under the gingerbread boys to give things a bit more dimension.

 

 

 

I am also entering this into the November 2014 Mini Crop challenge #6 over at Turtle Soup.  It calls for using old photos on a holiday layout.

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this bit of holiday cheer!

 

Thanks for stopping by...all comments gratefully appreciated.