After a very long absence, I have returned!
Lots of changes, new machines, new techniques - and more.
My first big change was buying a Silhouette Cameo Expression cutting machine. OMG! I sold my Cricuts, Gypsy, cartridges, etc, and never looked back. I have a Cameo 2, Cameo 3, and Curio. I love the Silhouette machines, they are absolutely amazing. Also learning sublimation and a few other things.
I WILL BE SHARING PROJECTS VERY SOON!

Th-INK-ing of You: A sketch and a rose

Th-INK-ing of You: A sketch and a rose

an awesome blog - be sure to check it out!

GIFT CARD HOLDERS

I used my Cricut Expression to make these gift card holders. They are so easy to make and fit perfectly in a standard size invitation envelope. Thanks for stopping by!

Kelly's Baby Shower Invite prototype

This is a "prototype" of the baby shower invitation I designed for my DFAM (daughter-from-another-mother :) I will post a photo of the finished invite after we have finished them and they are in the mail!

ATC SWAP

ATCs (Artist Trading Card) are so much fun to do! This is the second swap I have participated in over at Roni's Ink Stains blog! The thing I like the most about these cards is that there is only one rule: The card has to be 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" (horizontal or vertical)... that's it! No other rules!

Great Friend card

This card was inspired by the Great Friend stamp set from Stampin' Up (luv, luv, luv their stamps). The badge, sentiment and the butterfly are from that set. The badge and butterfly are heat embossed in gold; I added a piece of gold ribbon on the panel; and bling for the butterfly's body. Card supplies are from my stash.

Lovers Layout

This layout can be used for your Valentine picture, wedding picture, or any picture of love:) The base paper is from the Recollection line (Hobby Lobby), the patterned paper is also from HL but I don't remember which vendor; I cut the xoxo and Love on the Cricut; the pearl strip is from JoAnn's, and the bling from my stash. If you would like to purchase this layout, just let me know! Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day!
      Hugs, Patsy

 

RECUPERATING...

A few weeks ago I had extensive colon surgery and have been recuperating since then (the recuperating time is kind of lengthy, but not as long as some other surgeries, so I am grateful for that). This whole experience has been an emotional roller-coaster for me - and I just want to get over it...
My creative mojo is just starting to perk up again: slowly but surely:)
I designed a page that is perfect to scrap your favorite valentine picture or your favorite pic of you and your honey! I also created a card for a special friend. I will post those tomorrow.
Please keep me in your prayers as I recuperate.
A million hugs to you from me:)!
-Patsy-

Harley Layouts

For the Harley in your life:)

I have designed (so far) three 12x12 Harley layouts, which can be used individually in a frame or (even better) in a shadow box; or you can choose the two of your choice and make a two-page scrapbook layout! They will make a perfect gift for your

"Harley Honey" no matter how you use them!

If interested in purchasing, just contact me at rezinc@aol.com

ATC CARDS

Pictured are the first (and only so far) ATC cards I created for Roni's ATC Swap. I really enjoyed making them and will definitely make more! For those who aren't sure what Artists Trading Cards (ATC) are there is a lot of information and pictures on the Net - just Google it! The best thing about the cards is there is only ONE RULE - the card size has to be 2-1/2x3-1/2 - no bigger, no smaller. That's it - the only rule!!!
I created the winter scene card with stamps, ink and glitter. (The cute reindeer is from Stampin' Up.) The dancing card was a digital creation. I scanned the couple and the sheet music, and the kiss print is from a website that has free digital art. After I composed the image I printed it out on quality photo paper and hand trimmed it to size. I adhered a pink Swavorski crystal for the earring; used a red gel pen for her lipstick; and used a clear sparkle gel pen on her bracelets.
To see all of the submissions hop over to Roni's blog:
http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com
If you haven't created ATCs, give it a try! You will love it!

My First Charm:)

I am experimenting with charms and I love making them! Michael's has a package of 12 pre-cut bookmarks (size 2-1/4"x6") so I decided to make bookmarks and use the charms on them. Pictured is the very first one I made - it isn't perfect, but I like it!

Making the charms causes some discomfort in my wrist and fingers (because of carpal tunnel and old age), so it takes me a while to complete them. All you "young-uns" out there should be able to knock 'em out quick time! ;)

Thanks for stopping by, I love your visits. Also - help me reach that 101 mark - I am so wanting to give away the Cricut cartridge I bought just for the occasion!

Hugs to you all! -Patsy-

ATC SWAP OVER AT INKSTAINS BLOG

If you are an ATC maker, hop over to Roni's blog and join in the ATC Swap! I have never made an ATC but I have decided now would be a good time to start, so I signed up for the swap. ATC's are due to Roni by October 8, so go there now for complete information. (Once you are on her blog, located on the right side at the top is a link to the info - just click on the picture of the bird!)
http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com
Have an awesome day (or evening - whichever applies when you are reading this;)

Mini Pizza Box

One of my most favorite websites is:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/
It's just too awesome to describe, you'll have to go look to see what I mean!
I found directions there to make a "Mini Pizza Box'' and you can see how adorable they are. These little boxes can be decorated any way you want and can be used for small gifts or treats. You can make two boxes out of one sheet of 12x12 cardstock.
(I also wanted to make a smaller box which you can make two out of one piece of 8x10. For the smaller one, which measures 3"wide x 1" deep, cut cs at 5"x9" and score at 1 and 4 on short side, and 
1-4-5-8 on long side.)
For complete instructions go to http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/. Click on "Resources" and in the search box type in Mini Pizza Box. There is also a link there to Jen del Muro's blog (the designer). She has video instructions on her blog. These are sooooo easy to make and very fun to do!

Picture of boxes open.
To add a touch of class, line the box with a piece of cotton or felt cut to the appropriate size.

INK STAINS ALTERED CHARMS

The newest rage in the world of creativity is "Altered Charms" and the best place to see these fabulous works of arts is at one of my most favorite blogs INKSTAINS. The very talented Roni frequently sponsors Charms Swaps and the deadline for the one in progress is August 6. You can view the results from the last swap at this link:
http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/2011/03/ink-stained-altered-charm-swap-results.html

This photo is one of Roni's charm creations:

How AWESOME is that?!!! To view more of Roni's designs, visit her blog and click on "charms" on the left side of the blog. You are in for a treat!

I have made simple charms before, but nothing as gorgeous and elaborate as the ones featured on her blog! I am so inspired to give this form of artisitic creativity a try!

Masculine Frame & Trinket Box

This is the masculine version of the frame and box! The paper on the box are from my orphan stash, so I have no clue who the vendor is. Thanks for looking!

FRIENDS LAYOUT

I haven't scrapbooked in a while, so I decided to knock out a quick one with some orphans (scraps:) that were waiting to be used. This is the result! (Click on the photo for a larger version showing more detail.)

Close-up of the flowers (I made the bottom flower and the small one; the top flower was out of a package from Michaels):

And that, friends, is my deed for today!

A WORTHY CAUSE & SOME BLOG CANDY!

Hop over to TropicLuv's blog (http://bigislandlady.blogspot.com/2011/07/joannes-blog-candy.html) and check out the blog candy she has for a lucky winner! She is a designer for The Lime Light and their current project is sending cards to our guys and gals in Afghanistan. Instructions on how to help with this cause and get a chance to win the blog candy can be found by clicking on the link above. So hop on over there right now!!!! You will be glad you did :)

Another Frame with Matching Trinket Box

I am teaching our monthly technique class this month, and the project is "Frame with Matching Trinket Box". The frame is like the one in a recent previous post, just a different color scheme.
Specifics: The frame is 5x7 pressed paper (aka paper mache') with an opening for 3-1/2x5" photo. The box is also pressed paper and attendees will receive either an oval or round box in their kits. I first painted the frame with white acrylic paint. After it dried, I applied purle, lilac and mint green Cats Eye inks in a swirly pattern to the frame. (The white paint lightened the colors. If you prefer darker hues, then skip painting the frame.) Due to class time restrictions I decorated the frame simply with bling, butterfly and flourish purchased at Michaels.

I made the two larger flowers and the small one is from my stash.

The Trinket box is decorated with paper, so it doesn't need to be painted. I used two styles of the Jubilee paper line by K&Company and ribbon from Michaels to decorate the box. I matched the decor from the frame on the lid of the box, and tied a ribbon around the lip of the lid.

I also created a masculine version, which I will post later! Thanks for stopping by!



Candle Trio Centerpiece

BEFORE...

AFTER...



I LOVE candles. In my event decorating days, I used candles a lot when designing centerpieces and silk floral arrangements. Because of the heat generated by the burning flame, decorating the candles to coordinate with the event theme could be a real challenge (AND if there were children or inebriated guests at an event, burning candles created a risk of injury or fire). Along came the battery-operated candles in all shapes, colors, sizes - and even scents - candle heaven! 

   I bought this set of three LED candles at Hobby Lobby. (I used 40% off coupon, but they are often on sale there at 50% off.) I used ivory 6" tulle and cut it in appropriately sized strips to wrap around each candle, providing a suitable surface for adhering the ribbon and flowers to. Amazingly, the red tacky tape  I used to attach the tulle, ribbon and flowers on the slippery surface of the candles worked extrememly well!

   You can use patterned paper to wrap around the candles - vellum works very well. To make a gorgeous centerpiece place your finished candle(s) on a mirror and sprinkle glitter all around! Or design a beach-theme candle and scatter a little sand and small sea shells on the base! Sooooo cute....

   My candles are decorated  with some left over scraps hanging around my table, but one can really go wild jazzing up the candles!

Photo Frame

This photo frame is easy and inexpensive to make! I bought the frame at Hobby Lobby for $1.99.

The frame 's color is like a brown paper bag and you can use paint or ink (or both) to create your choice of color. For my frame, I used three different Cat's Eye ink to create a fall look. (The photo was taken in the fall.) I randomly applied red, brown and green inks to achieve an autumn color scheme. The paper is from my stash and I don't recall the vendor. It is a medium-dark green and has a subdued leaf pattern design. I cut the leaves, flower parts, and branch on my Cricut and lightly skimmed brown ink on the pieces. Note: If you want your colors to be brighter, paint the frame with a coat of white paint, then apply your inks.

FYI: The picture is of Cheryl (on the left) and her daughter Kelly. Very dear to my heart are they - Cheryl is like a sister to me, and Kelly is as a daughter. They have blessed my life more than they will ever know!!!

This is a close up of the flower. I cut five different sizes from the green paper, sprayed the pieces with water and crumpled them up to dry. When the pieces were totally dry, I uncrumpled them (very carefully), punched a hole in the center of each piece and used a gold brad to hold the flower together. I skimmed gold ink over the flower and then adhered to the frame.