Friday, December 30, 2011

Altered Glass Bottles....

Good morning and happy Friday to you! I am finally getting my crafting mojo back and I am such a happy camper! I have an altered glass bottle to share with you today that I picked up from Hobby Lobby awhile back. I wanted to change the color of the jar, so I pulled out my Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks. These work fantastic on glass and the dry time is super short! Just take out the colors that you prefer. I usually pick two coordinating colors to give it a bit of depth. Here I picked a green and turquoise color. I squirt my stamp pad and swiped and pounced on the glass. You can go over it endless times, until you reach the desired effect!
After the glass bottle changes to the colors you like, it is time to embellish! I used my Sizzix flower die and Papertrey Ink felt. I added pearls to the centers of the flowers, added a bit of glossy accents, and sprinkled glitter over the flowers. The leaf was cut using my Cricut Machine and the Thanksgiving Cartridge. I added these stamens that I ordered off of Etsy.

The labels on the bottle are from Crafty Secrets and is part of the Vintage Labels set. (Which by the way, Crafty Secret's is having a HUGE sale....so be sure to check it out!!) I stamped the frame on vellum with Staz On ink and cut it out by hand. The sentiment was stamped on yellow paper and hand cut into a banner shape. I adhered both to the jar. To give the jar itself a bit of sparkle, I rubbed the bottom of the jar with glossy accents and sprinkled a bit of glitter on that too!

See that cool little flower tucked underneath the yellow ones? That was cut using window screen! Yep! Totally cool huh? I love experimenting with different items to make my flowers with!

I have a couple more jars in the works that I will share with you shortly!

In case I don't get a chance to post, have a very Happy New Year!!! Hugs to you all!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Brrrrr!

I have to admit........I am in a bit of a creative slump. I think I have been so busy with holiday stuff, family obligations, keeping the kiddos entertained etc.....that my priorities have been elsewhere. I am slowly trying to get my creative juices flowing.....but I am finding it a bit of a challenge after a week's break! Hopefully, with things returning to normal, that I will get back into my regular crafting routine! : )

I have a card from last year's Cricut Circle Blog. It was created with a cartridge called Christmas Cards. It has all kinds of shaped cards to choose from and I liked this oval shape! The snowman was also from this cartridge. I added some snowy hills for him to sit on and covered them with a generous amount of glossy accents and mica flakes. I added some seam binding and my sentiment was created with rub on letters. I added a pom pom to the top of his hat too!
I added glossy accents to his eyes and nose to help them stand out just a bit more!

I have so many things that still need to be done in my house today.....cleaning, laundry......maybe I can craft in between loads? ; )


Have a great day my friends!!!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Presentation is Everything!

Did you have a good Christmas? I did. I have to say that this Christmas reminded me just how blessed I am. There were a few unexpected surprises along the way that showed me just how much people care. It was a reminder that came at a perfect time. : )

I have a little altered paper sack that I snuck gift cards in for my sister and brother in law. Gift cards in itself are not the most exciting gift, so I thought I'd make the packaging a bit more special. I used Provo Crafts Crown Rosette Quilling die using blue polka dot paper and sheet music. I cut a small snowflake using the Winter Lace cartridge. I adhered the pieces together and added a doily to the top of the sack. To keep it closed, I tied pretty vintage lace and glued the rosette to that. This way it easily slips off without ruining the package. I added a few swipes of white paint, glossy accents, and glitter to the edges of the bag as a finishing touch.


I have to admit that I haven't crafted in a few days, and it is a bit difficult trying to get back into the groove of things! I better get back on the saddle quick with CHA right around the corner! ; )

Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas!

It is official.....Christmas is here! I have a few last minute things to get done today and then in the blink of an eye we will be visiting with family, opening presents, and eating way to much! ; )

I have a card to share with you that I created for the Cricut Circle last year. It uses the Gingerbread Cartridge. I used pearls for the eyes and liquid applique for the frosting. I added a doily, seam binding, and a vintage button to finish it off.


Chances are, I probably won't post this weekend, so I want to take this time to wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas!!!! I hope you create wonderful memories with your family and loved ones! : )

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Western Christmas Tree

It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost here! I feel pretty organized this year (for a change) and the only thing I have left to do is finish wrapping my gifts! Today is my kids' last day, so last night I got their teachers' gifts ready for this morning. Cortney has her Christmas choir concert today. There is nothing better than hearing these kids sing.........they don't hold back and definitely embrace the Christmas spirit!

I have an altered project to share with you today. I used a styrofoam cone and completely covered it in lace, glitter, and twine. I found these rusty stars at Michaels and used them here. The star is on rosette that is brand new by Provo Craft. It is called, Crown Rosette. I used sheet music to create it.
I used a spray adhesive over the entire tree so that the glitter wasn't lumpy or too thick. I just wanted a light coating!




Have a wonderful, productive day today! : D Thank you for popping by during this busy time of the year!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Merriest Wishes.....

Good morning to you! Today is my first official day off! I am still in my jammies and I LOVE it! Now mind you, I have a zillion and one things to do.....laundry and cleaning my house would be a good start....but maybe later! ; )

I have a Christmas card to share with you that uses the Cricut Craft Room. I absolutely love this program by Provo Craft! And the best part is? It is free! You just have to sign up for it and start creating! I used the Christmas Cartridge and cut the holly at 1" and used the layers. This is what is decorating the top of my ornament.....along with some seam binding and jingle bells. The ornament was also cut using the Christmas cartridge at 4". I used all of the layer functions and added a piece of vellum behind the openings to soften the look of the patterned paper behind it. The oval was cut at 4 1/2" using the George and Basic Shapes cartridge. The scalloped oval was cut using the Elegant Edges cartridge at 5".
The sentiment is by Amuse Stamps.

I added a clear acrylic piece by Prima to the bottom of my ornament.

I am off to get something done today......... : )

Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by for a visit!!!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

There Are Days.....

There are days when my heart aches with knowing my daughter will not be able to do many things. Sometimes I allow myself to go into a deep dark place and I can't pull myself out. But there are also many days where my heart aches with joy. Today was one of those days. Every year Brian and I bake with the kids. Or should I say; "kid." Cortney usually lasts all of about 5 minutes and then she starts to crab and whine and has no desire to be in the kitchen with us. This year was different. She "wanted" to help. She stayed in the kitchen with us for nearly 2 hours! She helped us bake, and belted out her singing voice to sing along with the Christmas carols playing in the background. She stirred..........

.....She helped Daddy put the Hershey Kisses in the bowl while waiting for the cookies to bake.....

....She helped put the rolled up dough into the sugar.......

....So she can shake the bowl! She needed a wee bit of help to ensure the sugar didn't go flying everywhere....... ; )

Our first batch.......Cranberry, white chocolate oatmeal cookies! YUM!

The second batch were these Peanut Butter Blossoms. Which, by the way, Cortney LOVED! The chocolate all over her face was proof of that!

My son is going to be 15 soon, and I am so glad that he isn't too "cool" to bake with us. He loves to cook and such and is actually pretty good at it! Someday when he is all grown up, he will be a self-sufficient bachelor! ; )



.....Never trust a man with an orange spatula! ; )

Today is my last day of school! I am so excited to have two weeks off! I love not having a rigorous schedule to follow, and spending a bit more time as a family, instead of heading off into 25 directions, like we normally do! : D

Have a great day!!!!