Merry & Bright Holiday House

Hi friends! Thanks for stopping by! Today I'm sharing my latest altered project for Simple Stories using the super fun holiday collection, Merry & Bright! Grab a warm cuppa your favorite drink and come along with me as I share my festive holiday house!

This collection is brimming with delightful holiday sweetness and I wanted to capture it all! Each little "room" within my holiday house is decorated with elements from Merry & Bright, like the puffy stickers, chipboard, bits & pieces and more!

Creating a tiny scene for a few of the boxes was so enjoyable! I love the little presents tied with ribbons, the rustic floral arrangements and the charming sleigh, to name a few. Everything fits just right into each of the rooms and makes for the cutest Christmas house!

The Washi Tape was a perfect fit wrapped around the outside of the house. I love the how easy it is to add washi tape to my altered projects!

A Santa is standing in the main box as snowflakes and hearts silently fall, wishing a Merry Christmas to one and all! I adore his rosy cheeks and vintage-style attire. There's so much to love in this darling holiday collection and I do so love it all!

And that's my Merry & Bright holiday house! Thank you so much for stopping by and allowing me to share a bit of holiday inspiration today! I hope you've enjoyed it and until next time, happy holiday crafting!

Simple Stories Products Used:
Item #10307- Merry & Bright Combo Sticker
Item #10308- Holiday Memories 12x12 Paper
Item #10317- Merry & Bright 4x4 Elements
Item #10320- Merry & Bright 6x12 Chipboard
Item #10321-Merry & Bright Bits & Pieces
Item #10322- Merry & Bright 4x6 Stickers
Item #10323- Merry & Bright Washi Tape
Item #10324- Merry & Bright Tags & Frames
Item #10326- Merry & Bright Puffy Stickers
Item #10329- Merry & Bright 6x8 Pad

Other:
Doll House by Prima Marketing
Mulberry Flowers by Really Reasonable Ribbon
Adhesives from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®

Simple Stories Dream Big Ferris Wheel

Hi friends and happy Sunday! I'm up over at the Simple Stories Blog today sharing my latest altered project using the Dream Big collection! This magical collection is brimming with adorable images and sentiments that bring me back to childhood. I love the rainbows and fairies, the unicorns and roller skates--oh my! So much dreamy goodness, just imagine the possibilities! Come along and take a ride on my Dream Big Ferris Wheel!

First, all pieces were painted white around the edges and then covered with patterned papers from the Dream Big Collection Kit. After adhering all papers down and allowing to dry, all edges were sanded gently.

After putting together all pieces and building of the ferris wheel, it's now time to decorate the front! I love how the DREAM lettering from 6x12 Chipboard draws attention and makes one want to fly with fairies! A magical unicorn ticket-taker greets all guests and sprinkles a bit of fairy dust upon them before seating!

The Dream Big ferris wheel brings together all kinds of friends! Mermaids, kitty's, fairies, cupcake sweeties and unicorn-ice cream cone wannabes alike! Everyone loves to ride on the Dream Big Ferris Wheel! Make a wish while riding and it might even come true!

Thanks so much for visiting today! I hope you enjoyed my project and feel inspired to create something magical with the awesome Dream Big collection too! Until next time, dream BIG and happy crafting!

Simple Stories Products Used:
10206- Dream Big Collection Kit
10220- Dream Big 6x12 Chipboard
10221- Dream Big Bits & Pieces
10222- Dream Big 4x6 Stickers
10223- Dream Big Puffy Stickers

Summertime Bug Bungalow with RRR

Hey friends! How's you summer going? Mine is going....going by too fast!! I will savor and cherish every moment summer 2018 has to offer--in Seattle, we happily take all the sunshiny days we can get! I'm up on the RRR Blog today sharing my super fun summertime bug bungalow (hehe)--custom decorated and adorned with some of my current favorite ribbons from the Autumn themed August Ribbon Club Assortment! Come along with me and see what the buzz is all about! 😊

First, the bug catcher was covered with some fun patterned papers. Next, each side of the arch on the catcher was decorated with a double-layered bow using 5/8" Kiwi Taffeta Ribbon and Flowers on Ivory Grosgrain Ribbon from August Ribbon Assortment. I really love how these ribbons coordinate with the summery outdoor theme of my project. A pretty butterfly is attracted to the yummy ribbons too! She has fluttered her way to rest atop a pink button for a closer gaze at these lovely bows! I think she may stay awhile.

I layered the grosgrain bow on top of the wider green taffeta bow, then added a brightly colored button with Mays Arts Yellow Burlap String to the center of each bow. RRR carries Burlap String in 15 colors and I can tell you, I use it on lots of craft projects! It's just right for stringing through buttons of all kinds and so much more! The light, wispiness and natural texture of it is often the perfect final touch to add to my creations. On cards, scrapbook pages, tags, altered crafts like this one and of course lots more! I simply love it!

The inside of the catcher is filled with interesting finds from our bug hunt! Everything from  red and black ants to spiders and ladybugs--even a very hungry caterpillar who shall be getting his supper very soon. In my bug catcher-home, all are welcome, you may come and go as you please, bring new friends and everyone gets along and lives happily ever after! Hooray!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed my project! Until next time, happy summer, happy bug hunting and happy crafting

Crafty Girl Altered Paintbrushes

Hi friends and happy Friday to you! I'm up on the Simple Stories blog today sharing my latest altered project and I hope you enjoy it! The new Crafty Girl collection is amongst my most favorite to date! It covers everything from scrapbooking and stamping to knitting, crochet, sewing, sketch art and even planning! Trust me, this collection is a must have for all makers alike! Take a look and see what I created with the awesome Crafty Girl collection!

As you can see, I did something different with each of my paintbrushes. After painting them with several layers of white gesso, they are now ready to decorate! The narrow brush seemed a perfect shape for building my very own "crafty girl" upon, so that's what I did. She is so stylish with her one-of-a-kind custom outfit made from Combo Stickers and accessories to match! No crafty girl is complete without her tote and favorite beverage!

A bit of sparkle was added to crafty girls hair tie and washi belt with mini gems. She wears a pair of cute pink enamel dot earrings on her crafty ears. 

The wider brush was a great base panel to build a crafty scene upon.

I think it would make a great gift for a crafty friend! How about you?

I hope you like my altered crafty girl paintbrushes and I hope you've been inspired to make something fabulous with this dynamite Simple Stories collection too! Have a great day and until next time, happy crafting!

Simple Stories Products:
10001- Combo Sticker
10008- 6x12 Chipboard
10009- Bits & Pieces
10010- 4x6 Stickers
7719- Enamel Dots

Other:
paintbrushes
gesso
mini gems
buttons
burlap string-natural
various adhesives

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® Blog Sneak Peek!

Hey friends! It's my day over at the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® blog to share a project and I sure hope you'll swing by to see it! I can only share a sneak peek here to entice you, hehe!😀 Can you guess what I'm making here? I'll give you hint- it's a sweet summer craft that kids and adults alike will love to make! 🍉🍍🍓

Is your mouth watering for more juicy details? Then pop over to the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® blog and see my project from start to finish! I hope you'll be inspired! Thanks so much for stopping by today! Until next time, happy crafting!

MCT 12 Days of Christmas- Day 4!

Hi, I hope everyone is enjoying your weekend! If you arrived here from LeAnne's blog then you are in the right place! If not, head over to Emma's blog to start the hop and to see the project she is dazzling us all with today! Of course she will also show you what today's GIVEAWAY is and I'm talking seriously awesome stuff peeps-- so be sure to comment on every team members blog for your chance to win today!!!

Moving along to day 4 of My Creative Time's 12 days of Christmas:  

Altered Tin Pails

I found my mini white pails in the wedding section at my local dollar store, they come 3 to a pack for a buck and I am thinking I need to return and pick up like a whole bunch more of these! They are just so fast and simple to decorate and customize for so many occasions, in this case Christmas--hoorayyy for Christmas!! :)

* The tiny Christmas tree and title "Happy Holidays" are a couple of the many wonderful images and sentiments you'll find in MCT's All Around Christmas set.

* Tissue paper stamped in certainly celery (SU!) with the polka dots stamp from MCT's Build A Banner set.

* I punched a hole in either side of the oval titles and strung narrow white satin ribbon through and around the pails, then tied to the front side.  Also, I adorned each with a small green heart brad and sponged certainly celery around the oval for some depth. I added styrofoam glitter stars to the handles, but think of the possibilites for handle decor: ribbons, hollyberries, flowers, tags, chipboard shapes, more stamped images, charms etc.........

* Fill your pail with: any small treat, a small gift like a piece of jewerly, lipgloss, or for a crafty friend, a small bag of embellishments like buttons, bling, etc!  Of course you could always just put some cold hard CA$H in them too!!! However, hershey kisses are cheaper soooo mine are filled with chocolate instead of money haha!

***12 Days of Christmas Give Away Alert***

To qualify for ALL the AMAZING giveaways for the next 12 days, you must comment on every blog in this hop! You will have until Tues, Dec 13th @ midnight to have all of your comments in! VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE LEAVE A WAY FOR US TO CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE WINNER'S!

There are some AMAZING giveaways for this special 12 day event & some SURPRISES to help celebrate "My Creative Time's" One Year Anniversary! Yep, Emma released her 1st set of stamps one year ago! So make sure you are tuned in because this is ONE hop you do NOT want to miss!;)

Here is the full blog hop line up:

Emma~ http://www.creativetimeforme.com/

Cassandra ~ http://www.ctimz3.blogspot.com/

Cathryn ~ http://inthepinkcathryn.blogspot.com/

Cindy ~ http://cindylee77.blogspot.com/

Jeanne ~ http://www.thecricutcorner.com/

Katie ~ http://www.craftingwithkatie.com/

Leanne ~ http://createdbyleanne.blogspot.com/

Linsey ~ You Are Here :)

Liz ~ http://www.lizspaperloft.com/

Nancy ~ http://scrappingoutofcontrol.blogspot.com/

Nikki ~ http://scrappinnavywife.blogspot.com/

Ruthie ~ http://septemberninth.blogspot.com/

Shar ~ http://scrapendipity.blogspot.com/

Tracy ~ http://tracyscricutcorner.blogspot.com/

Trell ~ http://polkadotsandpaint.blogspot.com/

Veronica ~ http://www.vkcreate.blogspot.com/

Thanks for visiting me today! Your next stop on the MCT blog hop is Miss LIZ!

MCT 12 Days of Christmas- Day 3!

Happy Saturday everyone! Wow, it's already day 3 of our My Creative Time 12 Days of Christmas bonanza, which means we are another day closer to the big one and time is not slowly down any! If you have arrived from LeAnne's blog then you are in the right place! If NOT, start at Emma's blog HERE to see the awesomeness she has created today and to see what the GIVEAWAY is for today! Be sure to comment on the entire DT line up during the blog hop for your chance to win some early presents that I bet are right up your crafty little alley! ;)

As the holidays near, I know there will be more visitors popping into my home and there always seems to be those few people who are so thoughtful and give me a holiday gift and I have nothing for them--yikes!!! It's good to have some small holiday gifts on hand for these particular occasions and today I'm sharing a couple of projects that I hope will make for nice little gifts. 
I actually purchased nothing special to make my Beary Merry Gift Baskets. I collect bears, especially Boyd's and every year I seem to add a few more to my holiday collection. I like to give these mini Boyd's bears out at Christmas because they are always so adorable, festive and inexpensive (at least if you get them from QVC like I do hehe) but usally just throw them into a paper gift bag or something similarly boring. I scavenged my craft room for a couple small baskets, found 1 that I liked how it was but also wanted to do 1 in white, so I just altered the one below--what a difference a few coats of paint make lol! 

And who wants to buy expensive tissue paper with only a few sheets in it just 'cus it has a design on it?---NOT me! I like to make my own and the dollar store always had a huge package of it in plain white ready to hand stamp and customize to your hearts delight! For my tissue paper I used MCT's All Around Christmas, Classmates Valentines (bear w/ heart) and Everyday Crossword & Bingo (mini star). TIP- if you make your own, don't be skimpy--stamp alot all over it or it will look sparse and unfinished.

 Mixed Holiday Sentiments stamp set for "Have a Beary Merry Chrismtas" and Fancy label and die set.

Supplies used: baskets, white paint, glitter, white tissue paper, stamps and ink of choice (here My Creative Time stamps, Stampin Up ink in Real Red and Bashful Blue), for the plastic pine sprigs, glitter star and berries I just bought some holiday florals and glittery strands in the wreath isle at Joann's then deconstructed them; Ribbon/trim, mini holiday boyd's bears, peppermint puffs

That's all my stuff for today!

***12 Days of Christmas Give Away Alert***

To qualify for ALL the AMAZING giveaways for the next 12 days, you must comment on every blog in this hop! You will have until Tues, Dec 13th @ midnight to have all of your comments in! VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE LEAVE A WAY FOR US TO CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE WINNER'S!

There are some AMAZING giveaways for this special 12 day event & some SURPRISES to help celebrate "My Creative Time's" One Year Anniversary! Yep, Emma released her 1st set of stamps one year ago! So make sure you are tuned in because this is ONE hop you do NOT want to miss!;)

Here is the full blog hop line up:
Emma~ http://www.creativetimeforme.com/
Cassandra ~ http://www.ctimz3.blogspot.com/
Cathryn ~ http://inthepinkcathryn.blogspot.com/
Cindy ~ http://cindylee77.blogspot.com/
Jeanne ~ http://www.thecricutcorner.com/
Katie ~ http://www.craftingwithkatie.com/
Leanne ~ http://createdbyleanne.blogspot.com/
Linsey ~ You Are Here :)
Liz ~ http://www.lizspaperloft.com/
Nancy ~ http://scrappingoutofcontrol.blogspot.com/

Nikki ~ http://scrappinnavywife.blogspot.com/

Ruthie ~ http://septemberninth.blogspot.com/

Shar ~ http://scrapendipity.blogspot.com/

Tracy ~ http://tracyscricutcorner.blogspot.com/

Trell ~ http://polkadotsandpaint.blogspot.com/

Veronica ~ http://www.vkcreate.blogspot.com/

Thanks for visiting me today! Your next stop on the MCT blog hop is Miss LIZ!

CAS and MFT and everything nice!

that's what wonderful papercraft projects are made of! : ) Here are a couple of projects I've done in the past day or so. I made my first coaster gift box from my most favorite addition to date- The FABulous WASSAIL Christmas paper line from Basic Grey! I covered each coaster with a piece of wassail paper, which I also Cuttlebugged with the Swiss Dots folder for added texture. I followed the wondefully simple tutorial by Taylor V. This flower, which I strived to make resemble a mulberry poinsettia, is from the beautiful new set called Intrique, from Clear Artisitc Stamps. I first embossed the flower in gold, then colored it in with Copic Ciao markers #'s Copics RV13, R59, G94YG67 and the colorless blender. I added touches of metellic shimmer over the poinsettia as well. I filled my gift box with holiday cranberry and vanilla frosted animal cookies, which I will send to a super sweet friend for Christmas.

Stamps: Intrigue (big flower) and Joy Of The Season (greeting) from Clear Artistic Stamps, designed by Belinda Landtroop
Paper: white cs; Wassail dp from BG
Ink: craft white, rich cocoa, purely pomegranate, old olive
Accessories: Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots folder, Copics RV13, R59, G94YG67 and colorless blender, scallop circle punch, Cropadile, gold ep and heat gun, 1 3/8" circle punch, square scallop punch, old olive polytwill ribbon, gold thread (Gina K), 5 square coasters

I also tried out, once again, for My Favorite Things guest designer --this time for January. Michelle's challenge was to alter a store bought or recycled piece and I chose to alter this plain cork board into a fun message board for any sweet girl.

I used MFT's Here's The Scoop stamps to create push pins for the board. I stamped "here's the scoop" on each note (which is simple copy paper cut into squares). To better preserve the push pins, I added a couple layers of crystal laquer to each ice cream cone and sundae. I think this turned out ok, but I totally saw other entries for this challenge that trumped me to the max! I have my own personal favorite so far, but if you want to try out too, you still have until tomorrow, Sunday night to enter--check out the details HERE. Thanks for visiting me today! I hope you are enjoyig your weekend and now I'm off to see what everyone else is up to! Hugs and happy crafting!

Old Fashioned Sweets

Happy Sunday, my friends! As my Mommy always says on Sunday, God loves you and so do I :) I hope you are enjoying your weekend--I am, but I have a little problem....I can't stop altering treat containers!!! I haven't even made a card in 3 days! Oh well, I will have lots of treats to give away for the holidays and that makes me happy.
This is a $1 glass container normally used in pizza parlors to sprinkle parmesan or dried red pepper flakes, but I altered it and filled it with cinnamon candies.

I thought this creamy twisted twill ($1 from Joann's) looked sort of "old fashioned" so I went with it. This new designer paper from Little Yellow Bicycle is the bomb! Totally gorgeous, high quality and only .89 cents for 12x12 sheet at Ben Franklins (not too bad at all). It's from the Christmas Magic Collection and this particular sheet is Ribbon Stripe/Dark Green Herringbone. I had a ton of fun making the chipboard tag. I started gussying it all up and just could not stop! I still need to add "2008" to the mini tag dangling from the safety pin.
Ok, who loves cinnamon candies?!?! I need to get rid of this before I start eating them myself! Thanks for stopping by to see me! Hugs and happy crafting~
other supplies used: glass container from dollar store, cream twill from Joann's, red taffeta ribbon from Clear Dollar Stamps chipboard tag, cropadile and big eyelet, big BG button, green thread and needle, mini heart brad, red stickles, mini safety pin, mini hole punch, white gel pen, red double sided sticky tape, cinnamon candies.

Happy Mail Day!

Oh gosh, I'm so excited for Tuesday's release of Clear Artistic Stamps Cottage Series collection--the first in an entire line of wonderful cottages. Belinda first brings us the Little Blossoms Cottage and accessories sets. They are so full of charm and there is much versatility, as is with all of Belinda's stamps. Here, I played with the adorable mailbox intertwined with little blossoms--isn't it cute! It just makes me think of recieving "happy" mail--you know, what's left over after bills and junk mail :) So I turned an ordinary basket into my happy mail basket...a transitional spot where I will put cherished cards that are in between being displayed and getting preserved into my card scrapbook.

Please join us for the BIG release party tomorrow evening at 8pm CST! There is going to be tons of fun, games, prizes--the whole sha'bang!!! Also, be sure to visit the rest of the design team's blog for more sneak peek and surprises! You never know what you might find. :) Thank you so much for visiting me! :) xoxo

Hip Hop Thursday

Unity Stamps is not slowing down one bit! This week, we have more new releases, sneak peeks of upcoming stamps from a brand new artist, Lisa Hetrick and of course oodles of free stamp giveaways through out the all day Hip Hop party over at SCS! How does ANGELA do it?...she {HEARTS} her customers and DT so much and her generosity knows no bounds!!!

The November Kit Of The Month, Enjoy Your Story...Laugh, is brimming with wonderful images that will delight one and all! It will be available for purchase very soon, so today I'm sharing projects created using only stamps from this kit.

First, a huge Hershey's Kiss is all dressed up in a decorated clear box. I saw the hershey's kiss shaped image with "Kiss" script and immediately thought, chocolate!....that's just me. Anyway, I stamped the kiss and framed it in front of the awesome frame stamp and popped the little deer (all from this KOTM). A pretty bow and handmade delightful tag finish this yummy little treat!

Remember when I mentioned above that Lisa Hetrick is of of Unity's newest illustrators? ....well.....just look at this most fabulous sentiment stamp created by Lisa herself! "Home Is Where Your Story Begins"---isn't that precious?! I absolutely love it and I found an old tin mail holder in my garage--sanded and re-painted it and decorated the front with Lisa's comforting sentiment. I think it turned out really nice and I might even give it away as a gift.....if someone can pry it from my death-grip! hehe :)

Close-Up of Lisa's sentiment

Haven't had your fill of Unity goodness yet? That's great because Miss Wendy Chang is sure to have marvelous inspiration for you, so hop over to her blog to continue on your way to find the Unity blog candy at the end of the hip-hop-blog-hop! And as always, we will love to have you join us in the Unity Forum at SCS to party hardy the day and evening away!

Altered Birdhouse

Hello and happy Election Day to all my American friends! This is an exciting day for us!
Today I altered a boring $1 birdhouse and transformed it into a pretty holiday decoration.

It was so easy with the brand new holiday paper by Basic Grey called "Wassail"--it truly does all the work! First, I had to paint all the edges with a dark cranberry. Once that was completely dry, I decorated away with different patterns, ribbons and gold trim. I also stamped the dove and olive branch and greeting in white craft ink and heat embossed them with gold ep. They are from Rupa Shevde's newest set called The Magic Of Christmas, which you can get at Gina K. Designs. I adore this set, it's absolutely gorgeous! I embellished the birdhouse with ribbon, gold trim a BG button and come SU! chocolate satin ribbon for the hanger.

I have 3 more dollar store birdhouses that are just as ugly as this one was---I can't wait to alter them too and turn them into lovely holiday gifts! I hope you've enjoyed my project today. Thanks so very much for visiting! Smiles, Hugs and Happy Crafting!

Tag-N-Tin Gift

Hey friends! Here's a fun one--a mini tag book that fits perfectly inside an altoid tin for a cute little gift! SplitCoastStampers Ways To Use It Challenge this week is to use tags, so I went on the search for something great...I didn't have to look very far! On Scor-Pal I found this project with a simple tutorial by Valerie Stangle (she's so fabulous). When I saw that it used an altoid tin, that was it! I got to partake in today's WT challenge and use my new "What's In Your Tin" sets, Yay!!!

Each tag in my mini book is good for *1 free* something or other and they never expire, so they are redeemable forever! A fun gift for anyone special in your life, just cater it to his/her needs. Cool! Visit Valerie's tutorial and make a tag-n-tin gift too! If you do, I would love to see it, so please let me know where it can be viewed! Thanks for visiting today! ~hugs and happy altering~

Alterable Sweets

Hi friends! Today I want to share this fun gift idea with you. I created a brownie treat set by altering a Jack Daniels whiskey bottle! My DH got it as a Christmas gift and I liked the bottle right away. Normally, I wouldn't be so excited about drinking, but he polished it off just in time for this fun idea, so...yay! I used the scraps left over from my last card to alter the bottle--trying to do my part for the environment, hehe--and my new "Wing It" stamp set from Stampin Up!. I filled the bottle with swirl chocolate chips and transferred the brownie mix to a large plastic bag, then wrapped a coordinating piece of designer paper and satin ribbon around it. Added a small gift tag and, voila! I don't know who I'll give this to, but it was so much fun to just find something and alter it into a sweet little treat!
So, when the whiskey's all gone...fill the bottle with chocolate chips! There are a plethora of items just sitting around your house waiting to be altered right now! Find something and get creative! I would love to hear about and/or see your altered creations too, so let me know what you make and post it back here. Inspiration is a good thing to share! ~hugs and happy altering~