A Smudgy, Inky, Bloggy type thing...

Ikea trip!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:19:00 +0000

Pardon the background mess but I had to share 2 of my 3 ikea finds!

Let's get the kinda boring one out of the way first.....This is Alex:

Its functional, not the prettiest (a bit plain for my taste) but that is something I plan on fixing down the road...So this little fella is holding a ton of stuff which is giving me more room on my desk and that makes me a happy girl. Its also holding my drawing supplies that my Hubby got me this past Christmas, see those canvases? He got me those too, talk about intimidating...I'm barely learning to draw and paint and he got me those giant things but he said he knows I have the talent in me tackle them. I love that he has such faith in my talent when even I don't.

Anyway lets keep this rolling right along. Here was the piece I just fell in love with....meet Raskog!

This thing is my favorite color, its easy to organize and keep the things I use most at my fingertips.
Top tier holds my inks, glitter mists, stamp cleaners. Second tier hold all my fun cling stamps, all of my liquid pearls are now in the little side caddy and the bottom is a bit of a catch all at the moment.

Once the rest of this loft gets squared away then I can put up my new Expedit and get started on my Thanksgiving help.

Thanks for checking in,

Workin' my way back!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 07:26:00 +0000

I hope some of you are still with me....

This year has brought some changes and a few almost changes with it. The biggest almost change was that we almost moved to Idaho so we did quite a bit of remodeling on the house but alas it is not meant to be just yet. So after we packed half the house and were on the market for a couple of months we decided to stay for a little while longer...maybe till next summer, we shall see but now I am in the middle of unpacking it all again!!!!

We painted the kitchen but the counters were still in too good of shape to scrap just yet.

I have done quite a bit of purging in the process and boy that felt good, the creativity is starting to bubble up again, oh how I've missed that feeling.

I'll do another blog post soon to show some additions I've made last week to help get my scrappy goodness under control, a little hint...I went to IKEA! I just need to do a little more organizing to make it look presentable, sadly my hubby has yet to finish the lower part of my desk, maybe next year :)

Talk soon,

I redid my cabinets!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:52:00 +0000

So I had wanted to whit wash my cabinets but that took waaaaaay too much work so after a few months we have abandoned the staining method.
So the method we completed these with was giving them a very light sanding and then painting them with a Cottage White by Behr.
After this dried we used Annie Sloan Clear Wax to seal them. After this was on I went back over them with the Dark walnut colored wax. I went over the whole cabinet lightly and then went back to darken areas and even add this lines in.

The place we purchased the wax from said to use the Chalk paint but that is just too expensive to I just did a regular primer and the paint. All seems well to me, now I just have to find the right kind of hardware to finish off the new look.

This only took me 3 years to figure out what I wanted exactly but it was well worth the wait.

2 more pages for my Mini Album

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:51:00 +0000

So today I got my eyes checked and dilated after I was able to stand light again I thought now would be the perfect time to do a little crafting!

Products Used:

*Paper:

DCWC- Ciao Bella.

*Ink: Distress Ink:

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Milled Lavender

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Antique Linen
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Walnut Stain

*Stamp:

Hero Arts Cling Set, Flying Air Ships

Other Products:
Ranger Liquid Pearls Glue .5 Oz Lavender Lace LPL-01980; 6 Items/Order

Silver Glass Glitter
Sanford Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Set, 48/Tin
Gold Champagne - Stampin' Up.

Thanks for reading!

Page 3- Good day Sir!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 May 2012 03:42:00 +0000

So page 2 will have to come later as I've had to wait to start it because the Glossy Accents had to dry so here is page 3! Don't you just love Hot Air Balloons....I know I sure do!

Products Used:

~I used the hats from the Creative Imaginations Nostalgia Shapes pack.
~Paper is DCWV Ciao Bella
Hero Art Art of the Card Paris, France Cling Stamp Set

Thanks for looking,

Back to the table

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 May 2012 03:36:00 +0000

I put new floors in upstairs and I barely unpacked the craft table a couple of days ago.... Can't say the same for my office desk but whatever lol.

I'm still feeling a bit of a block but I decided to try to push through it by making a mini album. So here is the cover of the album to come.

For Martha

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:59:00 +0000

I've created this card for my cousin Tony, he just lost his wife and I wanted to create a card that was as sweet and loving as she was.

A little late but better late then never

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:07:00 +0000

So I just picked up some die-cuts from K&Co. I just love vintage Christmas images, my absolute favorite style of art.

On this card I used:
~Stamps: Christmas Cling stamps by Recollections.
~Tinsle embossing powder by Recollections
~Liquid Pearl in Bisque by Ranger

Thanks for looking,

Modified frames

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:14:00 +0000

Boy its been a pretty busy summer so far. I've barely been able to do anything artsy or crafty so last night the crafting itch got too strong and so I just set everything aside to focus in my room.

So one sat we (Dh & I) stumbled upon a cool tiny town called Franklin, its actually still part of our city but not at the same time. Anyways, there is a guy there with a pretty awesome shop and I've managed to pick up some cool little things. Two of those things are what today's post is about.

I took a before picture with my phone but this morning all the pictures magically disappeared so I found the frame style from the makers.

The frame is a 4x6 - 3 series from the Aaron Brother's Adel line of frames. The one on the right looks pretty similar but those look smaller then 4x6 pictures...you get the look though.

These are totally cute frames but just a bit plane for my taste so I had to go and make them extra special.

Here is my pretty little creations, now I just need to find the right photos to add in.

Here is a close up of one of my new fav. stamp sets. I just love how rich the Bravo Burgundy came out.

Layering all the stamps worked really well for these frames. I think I used a total of 7 stamps for the background alone. 2 sets were used for the burgundy stamping.

What I used:
Stamps: Butterfly Garden**(*New fav. Set. PinkPaislee), Happiness Shared, French Fillagre (SU!), French Script (Le Blanche)

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Old Olive (SU! Classics), Walnut Stain & Frayed Burlap (Tim Holtz)

Frames: Adel (Aaron Brothers)

Till next time,

PSC: Bee-utiful Wish

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:02:00 +0000

A fun little card with a few of my favorite stamps. I heat embossed "Wish" in

What I used on this card:

Paper: Scraps, Kraft (generic)
Ink: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze (SU! Classics)
Stamps: Natures Walk, Script stamp (unknown), Wish (Studio G)
Stickles: Shabby Shutters

Grapevine Wreath for Spring and Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:12:00 +0000

I've finally made my first wreath ever and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. It was pretty low on the cost scale since I got the Grapevine Wreath for free from a friend who didn't think she could put it to good use. I must say this thing was a bit intimidating at first (it actually lived in my crafting chest for about 4 months before I dared to touch it)because I had no clue what to do with it. One day I was at J's and came across these cute little Lavender bundles that were $1 so I thought maybe this would be cool. I hunted down those other picks which had a 40% off sign above, score right? Wrong, it turns out that discount marker was put in the wrong spot but luckily I had coupons so I still got em on sale.

Don't you just hate it when that happens? Personally I can't stand to pay retail, even when its tiny things like these too.

Typically something so asymmetric doesn't appeal to me
but for whatever reason this does in a very nice way.

I used my Slice to cut out all the butterflies and gave them fake bodies with the help of some Stickles.

This was a fun little project to make so I think I might start making more of these for each season from now on.

I'm on a roll this week, maybe my mojo is back :D

PSC: Everything and the Kitchen Sink

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:32:00 +0000

I just went a little nuts on all the embellishments here. I made 2 tags, topped it with a metal rose that I picked up in the clearance jewelry section at M's. I also managed to sneak in real little pearls onto this too...I was also playing with my new Cuttlebug too, love that thing.

Thanks for checkin in with me,

PSC: Birthday Card

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:12:00 +0000

"The Moment may be temporary but the memory is forever."

A client of mine had a birthday last week so I made this card for her. I hope that all of the temporary moments of her birthday will be a beautiful memory that can last forever.

I managed to use my new set of Spellbinders as well as a Cuttlebug folder and I must say I'm really loving that little machine. Until we decide how we're going to change up the loft I've decided to be a space conscience as possible and the Cuttlebug fits in just right.

What I used on this Card:

Prima Flowers
Spellbinders Die
Bling (no brand)
Diamond Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
Paper: All random bits from the stash
Stickles Distress in Shabby Shutters
Snaps: Creative Memories
Clear Expression (unknown)
Stamps: Nature Walk (SU!)
Ink: Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake and Old Olive (SU! Classics)

Thanks for lookin,

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:18:00 +0000

I have busted out my new set of Spellbinders and holy moly they are soooooo COOL!!!

They are like the greatest thing since....ice cream! Now I get why everyone is into them and I must say I need to get more.

I might make this card again and do something different in place of the flower as I'm not totally loving it but my MIL loved it so I thought maybe I was being my own worst critic and decided to post this anyway. I will keep playing with this card layout since I like how the banner looks against the die cut thingie.

What I used:

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso (SU!), Metallic Purple from a Cats Eye set and Walnut Stain (TH DI)
Paper: Scraps from my drawer
Stamps: Notably Ornate and Nature Walk (SU!)

Thanks for lookin,

PSC: Since its been a touch windy...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 May 2011 06:18:00 +0000

I thought I'd make Pinwheels!....for my garden.

I recently potted a fern and placed it by my front door but it was a bit bland.

I think a few of these will do the trick to liven up that plain little fern.

Its rather late so instillation with happen some time tomorrow. I'll also need to rotate my sprinkler head as well as it completely soaked attempt #1's sassy pinwheel that I had make a week or so ago but forgot to photograph until it was too late.

In the center of my pinwheel is 2 decorative buttons glued together.
I made this from a 6x6 scrap piece of paper from my pile.

I got a few cards done so those posts will fallow along soon,

Long time no talk...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:08:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. My mojo is hanging on by a tread and I think its because I've been so busy with work. I sit down to create and I'm just not feelin' too much but the past couple of days I've been trying to do little things to bring it back. I did a little bit of drawing and I also picked up my very first Spellbinders set too so I'm pretty excited to get crafty with those.

So the cards I'll share with you today were some I made a month ago for a friend of mine who's Mother passed very unexpectedly. I didn't know how to help so I offered up my creativity for her and made her these Thank You cards. Her mom loved the ocean so they had a lot of ocean colors for her Memorial and I've carried it through to the cards.

What I used for these cads:

Ink: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake (SU! Classics)
Ribbon: Early Espresso (SU!), Blue shade is unknown
Stamps: Four Frames (clear), French Foliage(wood mount) and Friends 24-7
Punch: Frame punch (SU!)
Glue: Sticky Strip (SU!), Dimensionals (SU!)

Off to create something new, wish me luck!

Spring is Blossoming Info

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:44:00 +0000

Hiya Everyone,

Starting today if you order $20 or more you can qualify to purchase the new Decorative Labels Stamp set and Paisley Petals Designer Paper pack. These are previews to the new 2011-2012 Catalog that is going to be released....not soon enough :).

Aren't those papers gorgeous?!?! The detail on the stamp set is great too, I love labels and I'm totally in love with these!

So don't wait, get shopping now!

I'm going to go off and play with all my new toys, I'm in such a creative mood now!

Glass Glitter!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:31:00 +0000

So in the order that I received a few days ago I mentioned that I got some pretty fun stuff. I tried to use quite a bit of it on this card. I finally ordered some Glass Glitter and all I can say is holy moly this stuff ROCKS!!!!!!!!! I'm not talkin' alternative soft rock I'm talkin full on hardcore ROCK! Sadly the picture cant even fully translate how awesome this stuff is, I used sticky strip to adhere it into place, scraped at my test run with a credit card and that stuff was stuck on there pretty good, barely any came off. I also picked up some new colors of ink too, loving Perfect Plum and Baja Breeze!

Anyways, onto what I used on this card:

Stamps: Nature Walk, Decorative Labels, French Foliage (a must have set IMHO, I hope ya'll got it when you could) all from SU!
Glue: Sticky Strip (SU!)
Glass Glitter in Champaign
XL Label Punch
Ink: Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Paper: Part of Project Scrap Clean up...yup I'm still going at it :D

Hope you like the card as much as I do,

Sneek Peek for a new stamp set from SU!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:33:00 +0000

I'm pretty excited, I finally got my SU! box in the mail yesterday and inside was quite a bit of fun stuff!

Like the banner? Its a NEW stamp set that is the spring preview set for the 2011-2012 Look Book catalog. This is just one of the 4 stamp sets that come in the Four Frames Stamp Sets (W:$20.95, C: $15.95) and I also picked up the XL Decorative Label Punch...I love love love how these all fit together! I don't know how but I managed to leave off the new Decorative paper that is also premiering with that stamp set.

Starting April 1st if you order a minimum of $20 you will qualify to be able to purchase the Decorative Labels Stamp set and Paisley Petals Designer Paper.

What I used on this card:

Stamps: Nature Walk, Decorative Labels (SU!), Alphabet (Hero Arts)
XL Decorative Label Punch
Thick String
Inks: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron (SU! Classics)
Markers: Certainly Celery and a Blank Marker (SU!)

Hope you like it,

Beautiful weather has returned and so have I

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:50:00 +0000

Spring has come to Elk Grove and my family and I couldn't be happier. We spent a pretty big amount of time outside, cleaning up the Winter mess and seeing if any of the Berry bushes we planted last summer survived the winter and it looks like 3/4 of them have! Even the Virginia Crawler fence plant survived, I thought it was dying in the fall but I've got buds. I'm hoping it will start to really crawl and grow all over my back brick wall to give a rustic look to the brick.

I was avoiding being in my craft space since I shared the Loft with my Babushka and now that she isn't there its a little lonely. Our house is quiet, no hum of the oxygen concentrator so I've started to listen to music in there since I don't have her to sing to me either.

I had this weird little metal bird that I bought from Cost Plus-World Market a couple years back, I've grown to really dislike this bird and for some reason its just stuck out like a soar thumb to me lately. So decided I needed to make it pretty, this is the first project I undertook when I went back into the loft.

Say Hello to my little friend!....I couldn't help myself, so here is my little Babushka Bird. I was really surprised with how adorable it has turned out to be. It was this ugly little gun metal gray bird but now I think its found it true look.

I used Mod Podge to get the small strips of paper to adhere to the metal which I was surprised by how easily it worked. After I got all the paper on I let it dry and then applied some ink to give it a little vintage look (I could have inked the paper had I thought of it earlier), then after a 10 min. drying time I followed it with another layer to seal the ink in place. Finished it off with some flowers and ribbon and wah-la! Oh I did discover that glue dots did not want to permanently adhere the flowers to the mod podged bird so I used Glossy Accents to get that and the bling of the eye to permanently stick.

What I used on this Bird:

Metal Bird
Junky Book
Flowers: Prima and Hero Arts
Ribbon: unknown
Ink: Antique Rose, Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain (TH-Distress Pads)
Bling: unknown
Mod Podge
Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Thanks for reading,

It's been a rough year...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

Today at 11am my husbands Babushka (Grandma) passed away. A week ago we took her to the hospital and my MIL and I have spent the whole week at the hospital with her but sadly today we lost her. She was a woman who inspired and touched everyone she came in contact with.

Last summer we asked my MiL (Luba) and Babushka to move into our home. My DH and I felt that since Babushka was getting older it was time to Luba to quite her job and just focus on taking care of her mom full time so she could insure that her mother got the best care for however long God was willing to grant us with her. It was such a joy having both of them with it, one thing I loved the most about Babushka was how she would sing. Her voice was like that of a little bird, delicate, sweet and it would fill our house in the best sort of way that is hard to put into words.

I'll be focusing on taking care of Luba for a bit so I might not be posting for the next couple of weeks.

Thank you all for your understanding,
Belinda

Babushka on Christmas Eve 1020, the day before her 89th birthday.
She watched after us while here but now she'll have to watch from Heaven until we meet again.
I'll love you, always.

PSC: Perfect Mason II

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 06:50:00 +0000

This is the last one I created for the Laney set I sent out. I ended up sending a total of 20 cards to be divided into 2 sets of 10. I really love that mason jar, it was the last one I had. I hope whoever ends up with these cards, really enjoys them.

Thanks for looking at all of these,

Flower Blooms

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:24:00 +0000

Another card in the Laney Collection. I used a sheet from the Garden Party stack my mom gave me the last time she came for a visit. I used the water splatter stamp I love so much to add just a little extra something to this card.

Have a good night,

PSC:Bold Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 02:56:00 +0000

PSC/Laney double duty card. I used Ranger Glossy Accents to adhere my glitter on the cupcake.
I'm not sure how well you can see it but up on top is a little heart.

Thanks for lookin',

PSC: Many Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:24:00 +0000

This little card is pulling double duty as a PSC as well as a Laney card.
I was hoping I would be able to head down south this weekend to take the cards as well as a special cake but since I'm still trying to recover I think I'll be skipping all that and sending the cards out in the mail. My MIL knitted a very soft pink scarf to be auctioned off as well that I've paired with a matching mini card too.

Sorry if I'm slow on replies, this flu bug is kickin' my bum.
B~

OMG! I thought I posted this on Tues night. 2 days late, here you go. I am feeling much better then I was 2 days ago but the flu flared up my neck injury and now I have a cough which is making it all worse :(. I'm going to get some tea and then post a few more blogs for today. :D