Ravens Ranting.......

LollyChops

2010-09-03T21:09:00.000-04:00

My daughter told me about this great video by LollyChops.com. She makes a fantastic recipe album, it's two hours but worth the time to sit and watch it. Hope you enjoy it. I did.

StampScrapArtTour

2010-08-23T21:17:00.000-04:00

Rubber Stamps, Scrapbooking & Paper Arts Show

When: September 11th and 12th in Westminster, Maryland

Time: Saturday 10am till 5pm & Sunday 10am till 3pm

Where: Carroll County Ag Center (New Exhibition Hall)
706 Agriculture Center Westminster, Md.

Price: One Ticket Price for Both Days - $5 Prepaid or $6 At The Door

Exciting Vendors, Demos, Make and Takes and more.
Hundreds of Dollars of Giveaways....at every show!
Also....a limited number of tickets available for our Friday Classes and our Friday Night Make and Take Party!

For Tickets and More Information Visit our website at www.stampscraparttour.com
or send #10 SASE w/60 cents postage to: StampScrapArtTour PO Box 1909 Tarpon Springs, FL 34688

Distressed Glue & Faux Postage

2010-08-07T08:38:00.004-04:00

Found these neat tutorials on Fresh and Fun, on of my favorite places to spend time.....these are on my must try that list.

Distressed Glue

Faux Postage

Creating Keepsakes Convention

2010-08-04T09:55:00.000-04:00

We had a fantastic time at the CK Convention in Valley Forge. Me and my daughter have been going for years now and this year we took my granddaughter. She was so excited to be going. We took 9 classes and they were all great. Won two prizes, did a ton of shopping breaking the rule that when your Market Bag is full....your done.

We didn't get all our projects completed but that gives us something to play with at home. Nine projects and I think 15 or so layouts from the Sketch Class. That class was huge....400 people in one room.

The weather was super, got to talk and meet to some great people and came home exhausted.

Will post my goodies as soon as they are done.

It's Jodi's Birthday....

2010-08-02T20:05:00.004-04:00

Blog Candy

The lucky winners have been posted. Sadly, I was not one of them.

WOW!!!! Over at Inked Inspirations she has major blog candy!! It's Jodi's birthday but you only have a few days left. Hurry on over and visit her blog and enter to win one of five fantastic prizes. Yes...I said five.! You have until July 31st to enter so you better hurry up and get over there!!!!

Hop on over and left some birthday wishes and a chance to win...you've got nothing to lose.

Go to: Jodi's Birthday

2010-07-23T08:32:00.001-04:00

Greetings all....sorry it's been a very long time since I've been here. Life this summer has been insane and leaving very little time for myself. Grr!

Finally getting a break and getting ready for the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Valley Forge, Pa. My daughter invited me years ago, before I even knew what it was about and convinced me into taking a class. I originally went just to keep her company between and after classes. On the last day she talked me into taking a class....and that is history. We have been going every year...this year my grand daughter, who is 12, is going with us the first day and part of the second. She is so excited and has been looking forward to this for a long time.

Have not been creating...but after the show.....that is it. Time to get busy and put on this stuff to use.

I did create my own scrap room, so that took some time. It's just about completed except I need some storage containers. Will post pictures of it after the show....I created it out of a double wide deep and very high closet in my bedroom. I love it. Plan is when I create something...all I have to do is close the doors and the mess is hidden instead of having to unpack and repack everything up each time I use it. Have been creating on the kitchen counter.

2010-05-18T09:03:00.002-04:00

My granddaughter just designed her first blog...for scrapbooking, of course. She is eleven and loves it. Stop by her blog and let her know you visited. I'll put taking pics of her stuff this week and she'll upload them.

She is very excited she is going to the ScrapExpo in Somerset, NJ on Friday. Taking a class and shopping. Then in July her, me and my daughter head to the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Valley Forge, Pa.

Here's the link: Scarpbookin

Metal Flowers

2010-05-06T08:14:00.003-04:00

Flowers are all the rage right now especially paper ones created for your cards and pages.

I found this video a few years ago and love the look of these especially when used with grunge board projects. You can stain them with Ranger Alcohol Inks and have flowers to match your projects.

Haven't done anything creative this week. With finishing the scrap room and having grandchildren here while Mother had surgery...it's been very busy.

So I thought I would share this with you.

They are super easy to make and a great way to put something to use that otherwise would have gone in the trash.

2010-04-28T23:29:00.000-04:00

Am I exhausted. Got a brain storm on Monday night and couldn't leave it go. Had saw somebody's scrap closet and is was amazing. I chatted with her about what containers and set up she used. Way out of my price range but I know I could make do...I am always recycling or re-purposing something.

I have a double width walk in closet in my bedroom and it was perfect. Finally...everything could be in one place.

Well...you know how a project never looks as complicated as you think it's going to be....should have thought this out more. So I measured and measure again...and dove right in. Took everything out of the closet and shoved around some furniture...but a antique bureau in the closet and all I had to do was put a work surface on top. I eyeballed the board I had to use...looked like it would work. After five minutes of cursing, a few brusies and three broken nails...no way would the board fit. So I look at my PC desk I made and knew that board would be perfect. Again..never looks as complicated as it is. I had to dismantle the computer, dismantle the desk and put that board on the bureau. Then put the large piece of wood on my filing cabinets and put the desk and pc back together again. I got trapped in the room three times...lol!

Well...it is now almost Thursday and I'm still not done. Body parts hurt...but the scrap closet looks amazing. I love it.. Painting the closets walls dove gray and the work surface garnet.

The things we do to be able to scrap. I could have left well enough alone and scrapped at the kitchen counter where I've done it for five years...but no.

Muffin Cup Flowers..yes, you read that right.

2010-04-25T10:13:00.000-04:00

Flowers seem to be all the rage right now...and they are some beautiful ones out there and video's on her to create them. This was is simple and easy to create, you can customize it and yes, you make it out of muffin tins. How sweet.

There is some cracking on the video...sorry. I didn't make it but thought I would share it with you.

Creating Keepsakes Convention

2010-04-12T19:56:00.000-04:00

Just one week until registration opens for the Valley Forge show.

Can't wait....I've narrowed it down to 13 classes but that is unrealistic. Thinking more in the range of 9 or 10.

Waiting in anticipation to see what classes my daughter and convention partner in crime comes up with. Then to juggle schedules so we are in most of the classes together which makes it much more fun.

This year, is extra special, we are taking my granddaughter/her niece for the first time..making it a true family event. She is so excited...has been waiting for three years to be able to go. Has all her own supplies and I swear she probably already packed her suitcase and bag.

Found a cool website today...you might want to go there and play. Wordle

I am such a spur of the moment kind of person

2010-04-11T14:35:00.000-04:00

Really....I am not good at making plans or todo lists. Much better at waking up and just doing..whatever.

My best laid plans usually go by the wayside...and I sit wondering where the day went.

The only plans that I ever carry out...are doctor appointments. They are a must. But come the day of the appointment I am usually moaning about having to go somewhere.

So I've been missing for months and have not done much of anything. Trying to find a new place to live which is not easy. Health issues. Real life issues...you get the story.

So I got 90% of the spring cleaning done and decided when that chore is over....it's time to create.

But...as plans go, that didn't happen. My grandsons had different ideas. Trips to Nanner's house. Now I use to bring all four at the same time but health will not allow that, so they come one at a time. Brody (age 3) was here and left, followed by Ian who was/is home on Easter/Spring break, He's been sick since before Easter and was convinced he needed to be with me. I have magical tea. Hello...I hate to tell him but it's instant ice tea mix, water and cubes but it worked for him.

Yesterday my grand daughter had her art show. She won a scholarship for summer art classes/supplies so it was a great day. While Ian was here I decided to sort, purge and organize my crafting/sewing supplies and after her art show headed home to finish it up. I got hit with a blinding headache and waves of wanting to hurl. Oh Ian...yes, he gave his Nanner's whatever he had. Spent the day of the sofa, sipping hot tea and never mover from this until about a hour ago. Not feeling up to par...yet.

So my plans to create has been set aside until this passes. Ian wants to come make me "magical tea' but he's off to Lego club. He is the Lego king....

This is my next project....me and my daughter gathered all the supplies needed and I've decided it's time to tackle it. Looks like a fun project.

2010-04-07T15:21:00.000-04:00

It's gorgeous here in Cape May today....I think it hit 80 degrees.

Tis a good day for crafters/creators like us...the UPS man came.

Decided that maybe if I sprang for a few new "toys"...that might get my creative juices going again.

So I got the Martha Stewart Score Pal. I tossed back and forth between Scor Pal and Martha's and settled on hers mainly for two reasons...the price and the sizing. Her's is only $19.99 and with a 40% off coupon from Micheals compared to Scor Pal being $39.99. And Martha's scored to an 1/8"..otherwise they are the same.

Those new Rock and Roll's...for holding you clear/or unmounted stamps on. And a can of re-positionable adhesive. Will play with this tomorrow hopefully.

And this cute little pen type thing, whose name I have forgotten and I'm far too lazy today to walk to the other end of the house and find out. Basically it looks like a pen with a fine tip...it's for holding small delicate flowers or rhinestones and placing them on your card/paper. I haven't use it yet but will let everybody know how it works.

So sorry.....

2010-03-31T15:28:00.000-04:00

Apology to all that were so faithful in following my blog.

Life has been very insane and I've really not had the time either mentally or physically to be blogging.

Lots of family illness including my own.

I've not done very little creating over the last few months.

But...that has to change soon. Time to keep the mind busy...instead of roaming elsewhere.

So, I'll post a least a few times a week.

2009-09-20T08:26:00.000-04:00

Just a quick message.

I have not been able to update or do any projects this week. I've been sick in bed most of the week and when not there, at the doctors, physical therapist, at the hospital having a Brain and a Spine MRI and having a ton of blood work done. Long story and it would take forever to explain.

Hopefully this will pass quickly and I'll be back to creating this week.

Sweet Dreamer's Challange #6 Get Your Motor Running....

2009-09-06T20:20:00.005-04:00

Sweet Dreamers Challange #6......Get Your Motor Running.

UPDATE: Took the photo over again this morning with the morning sunlight. Much better but it enhances the fact that the blade wasn't sharp enough. You can barely see the jagged littled edge in real life but photo seems to make it larger than life.

As soon as I saw the thread I knew I was going to use a image/stamp with a motor cycle. Was searching for a Harley but didn't come across one. I used to own a 1967 Harley (Hog as they were called back then)...so using a bike was perfect for me.

I almost forgot that I hadn't completed the card. Super busy week...with not much spare time. Then grandson decided he wanted to spend the holiday weekend with me. Great fun. So I spotted the incomplete card sitting on the table and grabbed paper, adhesive and cardstock and proceeded to assemble the card.

Discovered way too late that the blade wasn't sharp enough to cut the Neenah Cardstock clean. Too late to start over.

Get card assembled, grab camera only to realize the sun was now almost set and I had no good lighting...almost golden.

Uploaded card but tomorrow will rephotograph is in the sunlight.

I used Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Black Cardstock and the image which I found online and love, was stamped on pale dove gray cardstock. I stamped using Memento Tuxedo Blank and the image was colored using Copic Markers, which I am getting more comfortable using. I don't know who the card is going to be for or what occasion so I left the sentiment off.

*you can click on image to see it enlarged*

Have a great night....

2009-08-30T18:05:00.005-04:00

Takes a deep breath...have been super busy. Finally time to update and post my challenge for this week.

Raced around from doctor appointment to doctor appointment...now must have physical therapy.

Then Saturday my daughter, grand daughter and me went tot he Scrapbook/Stamp Show in Somerset, NJ...and it was a blast. Tons of great vendors and classes....and needless to say, did a ton of damage to the charge card. Got some really great new stamps and can't wait to use them.

The challenge for Sweet Dreamers at SplitCoastStampers was to use eyelets...which I didn't have any of but was able to pick up a package at the show. So this is my first attempt as using them...was easy.

I made the card using Neenah White CS, then Black CS and finally a piece of Black and White Striped Cardstock...these were all fastened together with the eyelet. It doesn't show well in the photo but I then stamped four Halloween Inches with Memento Tuxcedo Black and under them stamped using the same Memento Ink the word Halloween. The stamps are from Dimensions Crafts and are really cute. At first I was going to leave it as it is but after taking the photo decided it was too plan so I added a simple black and vanilla bow. I think this will make a perfect Halloween card for a man/boy...not too fussy.

2009-08-20T17:38:00.004-04:00

Ok...my first attempt as coloring using Copic Markers...no perfect but not that bad. Found out one thing doing this...I need new glasses, I went out of the lines a few times. Was going for a watercolor/antique feel to the image and pretty pleased with how it turned out. Practice, Practice and practice some more. Need to fix where it didn't stamp the entire R...

Sweet Dreamers’ Challenge # 4- Word Has It...

2009-08-20T16:26:00.003-04:00

Spent the being lazy...sitting around trying to stay cool despite the AC being dead again. Did spend some time cleaning out both computer's which was a huge job as I love to save images that I find online, drinking way too much coffee and have a Pearl Jam Marathon (drools at the site of Eddie Vedder)...so was not a bad day. The AC is fixed, three pots of Starbooks coffee and PJ...what more can you ask for.

As soon as the challenge was posted I knew exactly what stamp I was using and it fit the "no coloring" requirement.

Short story about the stamp. My youngest daughter, much to everyone's dismay, rarely saves cards. Her soon to be husband on the other hand thinks you save every card you receive and he does. He constantly nags her about this with every event that you would send a card for. When my oldest daughter and I saw this stamp in one of the $1 bins at Micheals we both knew I had to have it....and have been waiting for just the perfect occasion...her birthday on Saturday.

The card was basically made from scraps except for the Solar White Neenah Cardstock, a piece of scrap lavendar and scarp polka dot (not sure of what the company was). I stamped is using Blood Red Ink from Rubber Stampede, Tea Leaves Dew Drop and a tiny butterfly stamp (she loves butterflies). Layered and glued. (and yes it was hard to resist not coloring in the butterfly...lol). I'll post her "real" birthday card before Saturday.

This looks larger than it is...as it's more of insert to put into her "real" card and I can't wait to see her face...maybe she'll be forced into saving her cards from now on or we could just stop giving her cards. lol.

Oh a side note...I've never had trouble cutting card stock with my cutter. New blade was put in just a few days ago and I could not get a smooth cut. I used Neenah Cardstock for the first time and a wondering if it's the thickness of the paper or the quality of my cutter. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Now that the place is cooling off I'm going to sew a Market Bag for my grand daughter for school. She loves them much better than a backpack and picked out this great fabric with her Aunt, it's pink, white and black skulls. She loves punk and goth style clothes and looks adorable in them, so this will be perfect. Hope to start selling them soon.

Oh...and a huge thank you to all you steered me in the right directions with my limited photography abilities. I found the perfect spot is either on my dining table or on the ironing board, in front of the sliding glass door....mid afternoon seems to be the perfect time for the lighting issue.

2009-08-18T18:10:00.003-04:00

Whew! What a weekend. It just seemed to get away from me. Five days with a 11 year old and a 3 year old...and I am exhausted. By the time Mom came and picked them up last night, it was far to dark to even attempt to photograph my card for Sweet Dreams Challenge. Now we all know by now...my and the camera do not bond, so here is my futile attempt at photographing my card...of course, it looks much better in real life but I must say that after I followed a few tips (thanks to the ladies of Sweet Dreamers) this card did photograph much better than my first card. Think if life allows some free time I am going to play around with the camera and photographing stuff, this week.

Sweet Dreamers Challenge was to create something using a grid, so here's my take on the grid. Not sure why but when I read the challenge it reminded me of the woven Easter baskets we use to make in school, so the card started with that.

Challenge "The Grid".

I started by cutting 1/2 each strips in off white and light tan and woven those to the desired size. I flipped the woven page over and ran strips of carpet tape over the entire back to hold the woven portion together. This was then glued to a light cocoa cardstock, then a large swirl was heat embossed with white/gold embossing powder. The "thank you" was stamped using Memento Tuxcedo Black and a stamp from Micheals. in the corner. The lady was created using my Gocco Printing Machine in black and white and I colored her with Copic Markers (my first attempt using the markers). I love her necklace, it was made using one of the $1 punches from Micheals bin. I put a dot of black in the center of each flower then dabbed clear glitter glue in the flower center. I use the two papers from the woven section for these.

Hmm..not sure why it photographed the way it did but it makes it appear that the bottom of the card is narrower than that top...must be something that I did and never noticed until I posted it.

Now onto the next challenge....

2009-08-15T15:00:00.003-04:00

No update today. Busy spending time with my grand daugther, Jacklyn (age 11) and her brother Brody (age 3). Brody is napping so we are playing "make up" but later she'll be working on altering her composition books.

Will post challenge card late today or before deadline tomorrow.

2009-08-12T17:40:00.004-04:00

Not much new today....getting ready to work on the card for the next challenge and maybe later play with the new Copic markers.

Thinking about making another Exploding Box in a more fun pattern...maybe summer colors. They are easy and fun to create and everybody loves them.

Update: played with the Copic Markers and they are fabulous to work with. Added some coloring to a print I made using my Gocco Machine a few months ago. Turned out super.

Here's the last exploding box I made at a craft day that me and Alicia had when I came home from the hospital.
Love the way they turned out...now just have to add pictures. That's the hard part...deciding what to add.

2009-08-09T19:26:00.004-04:00

Well my card is finished for the second challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers, we were to create a card using something recycled and though it didn't turn out exactly how I envisioned, its delicate and simple.

Just wasn't my day. I went to cut out Love with my Craft Robo and it decided that it was just too hot outside to work. Then I tried bonding with the camera....and that just is never going to happen. I've just never been a photo person...but am going to do some playing around with it this week. So the image does not do the card justice. Then when no else could go wrong....it did. The batteries in the camera were dead. Ok...toss batteries into the charger and wait. No big deal...just real life. lol!

I'd be open to any suggestion about how to photo the cards we create better. After 10 shots...this was the best I came up with...which really doesn't show any detail of the card.

As for the card....it's a gorgeous piece of dusty rose floral with a golden scrolling stamping over the background. It's a 6X6 inch card. On the right hand side is a poem I stamped using Memento Tuxcedo Black and heat set. On the right, is my recycled part of the challenge. I cut the top and bottom from a soda can and cut it out into floral. I then stamps the petals with Memento Black using a tiny leaf stamp (don't know the company...I got them for $1.00 at Micheals) and heat set the leaves. To the right of the metal flowers is a piece of sheer vanilla ribbon (I had gotten it on a bottle of perfume) that I found in my ribbon bin.

2009-08-09T14:43:00.004-04:00

It's a gloomy, drizzling and very humid day on the East Coast today. Where is fall? I hope it makes its appearance early this year.

My card for Challenge Two is completed. Just need to photograph it and upload it.

Was busy making a birthday card for my daughter's Mother In Law....who is very much a part of my family. She is kind person who really does think about others and it shows.

We are off to take her out for dinner for her birthday. Then back to my house for cake. You can never have enough cake. lol!

On a side note...if anybody needs a banner/avatar or such for their blog. I can work on creating you something that you don't find on other blogs. If you need to see samples of my work go to: deweesedesigns.blogspot.com on their you'll find a small sample of my work.

2009-08-08T20:26:00.002-04:00

Busy day. Grandson came for a few days and he is just so funny. If he could figure out a way to turn himself into a Lego...I think he would.

Yeah! I finished all 13 layouts from the Thursday night crop at Creating Keepsakes Convention. Just need to decide what pics I'm going to use on what. Me and camera are not best of friends..so it's always a issue. That and deciding what to journal on the pages.

Still have 4 huge layouts left to complete from the convention.

Unpacked my good bag that I won at the crop...it is massive in size. I have idea how many layouts are in the bag...but I'd say a couple dozen. Need to shout out a thank you to Creating Keepsakes for donating it.

Finished my card for the challenge...just have to take a pic, upload and post it. I think I was brain dead as the creative juices just weren't flowing. But it turned out nice.