Hello my crafty friends:

Part of my Design Team duties is to create a few cards a month as “inspiration” for all of you.  I have to say that I am completely stressed over this requirement, but so far, the team leader indicates I am on track.

With that said, here is my first inspirational card for 2018!  It is so nice NOT to be making Christmas cards!  I sent out over 100 hand-made cards this year–and then had to buy some to mail at the last minute.  This adorable image is Gelato Tilda, which can be found in the Magnolia-licious store (and on sale!). She is from the summer 2017 collection. The base paper of the card is from My Favorite Things called Ripe Raspberry Prestige…it is gorgeous!  Their paper is thick and durable and ideal for cards.  And the colors…they are to die for! Check out their web site and what they have to offer–I am slowly trying to collect the paper.

The layered patterned paper is from a water color background pad from Hobby Lobby (I used the same pad for the card on the “Splish Splash” post); the embellishments are from my stash (yeah, finally using them!); and she is colored with Copic markers. There are times that I look at an image and I know immediately what I am going to make.  Then there are times that I fret over the colors and paper (this happens more often).  When I saw this adorable Tilda, I knew she had to be pink and coordinating the paper was pretty easy.

I have been leaving my cards “blank” regarding the event.  This way, I can add a “happy birthday” tag to this card, stamp a birthday saying inside, and voile, I have a birthday card.  This is the easiest solution for me because you never know what you are going to need a card for.

As we get settled in to a new year, I hope you are motivated and enjoying your craft.  Do not get discouraged.  I have the best support system from a group of ladies who crop together in town every month.  Find a group, either in person or online, who shares your interests.  They will be your strongest supporters.

Craftiness is happiness!

Hello my crafty friends!  Happy New Year!

As you know, I am a Design Team member for Magnolia-licious and I have been crafting like crazy over the holiday break.  Our first challenge of the new year starts today!  Come on over and submit your masterpiece for a chance to win a great prize!

My Challenge card for this month is a New Year’s card with 2018 calendar.  This image is “Happy 2017 Tilda” from the Aspen Collection. You can order this image right now–and it is on sale–at Magnolia-licious! I made an easel card with black card stock and used My Mind’s Eye, Lost and Found Two, Sunshine Two of Us glitter paper. Each of the calendars are perforated so they can be ripped off each month. Tilda is colored with colored pencils and the flowers are from Wild Orchid.  The lucky recipient can set this card on their desk all year long.   

Don’t forget to stop by and submit your art work.  You need to use either a Magnolia stamp image or die cut.

Craftiness is happiness!

Hello my craft friends!

I realize I am “out of order” with my posts.  I went from what I got from Santa, to a challenge, and back to Christmas.  Not sure why I can’t stay in chronological order.

The most requested item this holiday from the store was ornaments.  I love the look and ease of floating ornaments.  The first set below was for a friend in South Carolina who just had a new grandchild–congratulations Sandra!  Her new grandson is Sawyer who joins his big sisters Chloe and Lillie.  I love creating Disney ornaments because I know the girls were thrilled receiving them!

My loyal assistant Cassie requested two ornaments for a family ornament exchange.  She was so funny because when I brought them to her, she did not want to swap them–she wanted to keep them for herself.  Turns out, they managed to “steal” one back during the swap.

Finally, I want to congratulate my cousin, Ricky, for his recent engagement to Vanessa.  His sweet sister ordered an ornament so they can remember this special time.

There are endless design options.  You can personalize them with their name and favorite hobby, sport, or occupation.  Don’t panic, you have 350 days, 3 hours, and 54 minutes until next Christmas.  There is plenty of time to create your design!

Are you making a New Year’s resolution?  If you have been following my blog, you have seen some posts about creativity and confidence.  I am preparing a post about the connection between creativity and mental health.  No…you don’t go crazy if you are creative.  I feel as if I am less stressed when I have been able to craft.  There is now research to prove it!  Stay tuned for that juicy information.

As always, I encourage you to take time for yourself.  Lost your mojo?  Go to Pinterest and just pin for a couple hours.  I assure you that you will be inspired!

Craftiness is happiness!

Hello my crafty friends!

I hope all of you have enjoyed the holidays and are looking forward to 2018–A Great New Year!  I am a member of Kit & Clowder online coloring classes.  Alyce Keegan is the young lady who teaches the classes and she is amazing.  I have had some extra time over the holiday break to practice some coloring and have been using my Prismacolors colored pencils.  I have two small sets–giving me several duplicates but not all the colors.  Soooooo…I found the full set online at a great discount and they were mine!

Here are a few images I have colored.  I am quite pleased with the results.  I never dreamed colored pencils would look sooo good.  I used to use only pencils to color but used gamsol so you could not see the pencil marks.  The techniques Alyce uses are similar to working with Copics–you build up color and they actually blend.

The penguin is on kraft paper and I love how the image pops out.  The snowman and penguins image was done on light blue paper.  At first I thought I had made a mistake because it is difficult to cover the paper with white pencil.  Once I finished, I like how it looks.  The whole scene is colored but I think only the white areas are affected by the paper color.

Another gift from Santa is an ink pad and re-inker holder.  I have wanted this for years and I finally got it!  Isn’t it amazing?  Stamp ‘n Storage is the company who makes it.  You need to check out their other items.  I want everything!The last cool thing I want to show you is a “lazy-susan” for coloring.  One of the three cropateers found it and I don’t know how I have lived without it.  I purchased it from HSN but I have seen it on Amazon and scrapbook.com.  It comes in two sizes…I have the smaller one at 9 X 12.  They have a bigger one at 12 X 12.  Wishing all of you a wonderful new year.  I have a feeling that 2018 is going to be a great year!

Craftiness is happiness!

Hello my crafty friends!

I am very excited to share with you one of my recent projects.  A dear friend asked me to make a guest book for her niece who is building a new house and doesn’t need a thing.  She wanted to have a scrapbook so visitors could learn about the family.  The family is part of the Poarch Creek Indian tribe in Alabama and I incorporated their culture and history in the book.  There is also a section with pictures of the family and information about their college football team, Alabama (that was a difficult section to write since I am a die-hard Gator!). I made the book using heavy drawing paper and cardboard covers.  After decorating, I used my cinch to bind it.

I know many of you are on vacation during the holiday and I hope you are getting some crafting in.  Take time for yourself!  Wishing all of you a wonderful new year full of happiness, love, and lots of crafting!

Craftiness is happiness!