Up & Running

I am trying my hand at digital scrapbooking. I received a handmade gift certificate from my dh for Christmas that enabled me to buy 2 Jessica Sprague classes. Later I added a third class. Unfortunately, I really haven't had the time to work on these classes. But that ends today. Here is my first page. I will be adding more as I get them done.

Moxie Fab World - Shabby Chic challenge

Another card completed for a challenge. This one was to try our hand had Shabby Chic and/or vintage. Think this is more towards the Shabby Chic than vintage. I am really enjoying trying to do this layering and distressing. Been playing at Shabby Chic more and more often. I even added a matching envelope using PTI's envelope liner die. WooHoo! Gotta love the matchy matchy.







Supplies:

Cardstock: PTI Simply Chartreuse
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Capella
Accessories: Martha Stewart doily die cut, Webster's Pages ribbon and sparkler, tag (Walmart office section), PTI felt and Dark Chocolate baker's twine
Stamps: PTI Mega Mixed Messages
Ink: PTI Vintage Tea Dye Duo and PTI Dark Chocolate

Trying out Classy & Elegant

So it's Card Style week with Moxie Fab World. An entire magazine was filled with examples of 4 basic styles. I took the challenge to try and create something classy and elegant. Here is my attempt:





What are your thoughts?

Supplies:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink Melon Berry
Patterned Paper: Kaisercraft
Accessories: Webster's Pages sparkler & ribbon, PTI Fillable Frames die, rhinestones
Stamps: Recipe Box additions and Damask Designs
Ink: PTI Scarlet Jewel and True Black

Red, white and green but not Christmas

Another Papertrey Peeps Challenge:

Except for bling all papertrey ink supplies

Creative Time...

Papertrey Peeps Challenge #10...

Whoops just realized that I didn't add the turquoise. RATS, oh well...I do have all the other colors in there.

The challenge was to use Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, Smokey Shadow, a purple and white. I used Plum Pudding and Pale Plum as my purples.

White rectangle tag from SU! All other supplies are from Papertrey Ink. All About You, Big & Bold Wishes, and library Ledger stamp sets.

We be JAMMIN'

In our yard there are 2 apricot trees. The previous tenants told us they were fruit trees but because the landlords have the trees pruned at the beginning of summer they had never had any fruit and weren't sure what kind of trees they were. When we signed our lease contract we decided to NOT have them prune the trees.

So while I was in the US there was a windstorm that threw tons of apricots on the ground. James went out and gathered up all that was on the ground at the time. He ended up with a gallon size ziploc bag that he washed and halved, plus a very large bowl full of washed apricots. Then on Thursday, after returning from the US, Jared and I picked up another 1/2 bucket full of good apricots and almost 3 grocery bags full of broken, mushy, bird and ant-eaten apricots.

On Friday morning I searched the web to find a jam recipe and got busy. I ended up making 2 jars of apricot jam and 2 jars of apricot butter. I think I will stick with jam making. The apricot butter is tasty but takes twice as much fruit and twice as much time for the same two jars full of fruit. And pressing the fruit pulp through the sieve took so much time!








Friday night after James got home we noticed that the yard was again full of apricots. Picked them up and today, Saturday morning I made 3 more jars of jam. YUMMO!

Here are the last 3 jars freshly filled and cooling on the rack!

Oh what a thrill....

Supplies: Girls' Paperie deco paper - travel collection (I think), PTI Enjoy the Ride stamp set, & die, PTI button & rhinestones, doily (old paper one found in my German house years ago), small tag die from ??? (can't remember), PTI True Black ink and kraft cardstock



Supplies: Martha Stewart doily, Girls' Paperie Travel paper, October Afternoon Thrift Store, Cosmo Cricket Early Bird, PTI buttons, Pure Poppy bakers twine, Vintage Tea Dye Duo, True Black Ink and Round & Round Anniversary stamp set, pearls from my stash, sheet music from my online friend Carol's stash, crocheted lace from local fabric store.


Supplies: PTI Linen Impression Plate, Mat Stack dies 1 & 2, Summer Sun satin ribbon, October Afternoon Fly a Kite papers, vintage glass glitter, Martha Stewart glue pen, Prima page pebble, tag from Walmart stamped with WaltzingMouse Blessed by You stamp set, PTI Vintage Tea Dye Duo & twine, PTI Background Basics Textstyle



Supplies: October Afternoon Fly a Kite, PTI vintage cream cardstock, PTI Fillable Frames #4, PTI True Black ink and Palette Ink Cognac, PTI Summer Sun satin ribbon, pearly ribbon - local store and pearls from stash

Supplies: PTI Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Beautiful Blooms die, Vintage Tea Dye Ink, Pure Poppy bakers twine, and hawaiian shores vintage button, Cosmo Cricket Material Girl deco paper, Martha Stewart doily, Tape Measure ribbon (not sure of brand), red ric rac (local store) and October Afternoon Thrift Store

Can you believe it? I flew thousands of miles from Camisano Italy to a small town in New Mexico and I only brought 2 suitcases. ONE of them was my carry-on with clothes in. The other ONE was full of crafting supplies...deco paper, cardstock, impression dies, PTI dies, stamp sets, ink cubes, and various & sundry other items that are very important for creating.

I am trying to spend a little time creating. My goal this year is to focus more on my craft and attempt to be published. Can't do that if I am not creating. So here is what I created this week. (Probably won't get the chance tomorrow and I am only getting about 2-3 hours a day so I have to be PRODUCTIVE).

I am really enjoying channeling Betsy Veldman and a wee bit of Mel Phillips. This has been fun stepping out of my box and it is actually coming easier and easier. I think I may have found a niche for myself. I actually was able to knock out 2 cards today in about 1.5 hours. A record for me.

Be sure to leave love if you are so inclined! I know I appreciate all the kind words and comments.