A Very Merry Christmas to All!

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." --Dr. Seuss

My Favorite Things: A Day For Daisies, My Cat Lilybelle, and My circa 1900s Mantel!

Happy Friday All!  Oh my goodness, December is whizzing by and I'm still not finished with my Christmas shopping - YIKES!!  Dan and I have been working like mad around the house and it is crazy how much time goes into even the littlest project.   But it's so rewarding when a room comes together so it keeps us moving onto the next!  We are now working in dining/living room and I cannot wait to share the pictures of that room.  I am so excited about one of the improvements we are putting in there that I have to show you!!  But first, I want to share a card I made using this A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. A Day For Daisies image (from the wonderful new release today).  I couldn't resist using Tammy's "Kitty Gift" image because it reminded of my LilyBelle - see her crazy little frizzy fur!?  She is a Himalayan mix and her coat has really gone through some phases - hee hee!

Here she is the day I brought her home July 13, 2009:

 and here she is now:

She is my constant companion and is always crafting with me...you know, chasing ribbon or sleeping on my table or batting about a bead she found on the floor :)  So.darn.cute!

Ok, enough of my going on about Lil; now it's time to get on with GUSHING about my latest Craigslist find! *giggle* I am so excited about this -- an antique Victorian double mantel!!!  

She is a beauty  - see for yourself:

SWOOONNN!  Look at those columns and that mirror!!!!  and you will never guess what I paid for her!   ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE smackeroos - WHAT WAS THAT!?  yeppers $125.00 -  I couldn't believe it - I did one of those cartoon moves when I saw it:

I did not pass go, I did not collect $200, I moved directly to the phone and (1) called the owners, (2) arranged pick-up, (3)  rented a U-haul (cause she's 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide), and (4) changed out of my jammy jeans (no, I'm not kidding, my sister got them for me for Christmas last year) and was on the road less than 15 minutes later to Bowling Green to pick 'er up.   As it turned out, it had been listed previously for three times as much and it wasn't selling.  The owners were moving and it needed to go ASAP so they dropped the price.   Here's another look:

This amazing piece of history was removed from one of the historic homes in Bowling Green during renovation.   We actually passed the house it came from on Main Street on our way to get her!  I have written down these details and am placing them inside the mantel when it's installed (hopefully soon).  

Happy Crafting! <3 Lisa

Merry Little Christmas

I have been on an ornament-making kick lately!  I found these plain ceramic ones at Michael's for $1.49 each and I grabbed a couple.  I also found at AC Moore a DIY rub-on kit by Grafix --Grafix Rub-Onz-- and I knew I had the makings of a really easy-peasy project :)  I used a new image, "Little Lamb" from A Day For Daisies (released today!).  I found some clipart online of the Star of Bethlehem and layered the image and then added a shaped text box, "Baby's First Christmas" along with the date.   I printed the whole thing onto the Rub-Onz paper and then used Prismacolor pencils and Glaze pens to add color.  The adhesive gems were added after I transferred the image onto the ornament.  There is a new challenge starting today at A Day For Daisies also!  Anything Goes! More info HERE.  Come join in the fun! Happy Crafting! <3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies - New Release Today!

Hello All!  There is a lovely new release today at A Day For Daisies and you will want to check it out!  There are a number of images --all amazing! -- but I am quite partial to Tammy's mermaid images so I couldn't resist making an ornament for my Christmas tree using, "A Wish Under the Sea."  I printed the image, combined with a text box, "Magical", on heavy vellum, colored with primsacolor pencils and embellished with Stickles and Smooch Illumniate.  The ornament was $1 from Michaels and I put glue around the edge and dipped in Epsom salt.  I love the icy-looking "frost" it created!

Now I can officially say, this is my annual ADFD Christmas ornament - Here is last year's - SNOWFLAKE FAIRY.

I'm sorry for such a short post; I'm running behind this morning!

Happy Crafting! <3 Lisa

Our Fireplace Makeover!

Hello Everyone!  I have been promising photos of the house projects Dan and I have been working steadily on over the last few months but it has been so busy and the house has been in utter disarray that I have neglected my blog a bit.  This is so not intentional, I'm just not organized and I get easily overwhelmed amid the chaos!  But, I think I'm getting the hang of  it so it's time to share some Before/Afters. Woohoo!

We moved into our home in October 2005; but while it was being built, we were living in a rental (for a year and almost a half!).  The rental home didn't have many windows and those it had were obscured with lots of bushes and overhanging trees.  This made the interior always dark and dreary.  Plus, the walls were painted an unpleasant and sickly peachy-terracotta-y color--which, by the by, earned the house the moniker "the peach pit"!  The paint color didn't lend a hand in lightening up the space at all and by the time we finally moved out, I had grown more than sick of peach.  As a matter of fact, the experience has soured me on the color peach (probably forevermore) *giggle*.

 I love, wait, check that --I NEED-- light, lots and lots of it and the more of it the better.  When we moved into the new house with it's many windows and builder beige walls the space was so light and airy, it was a breath of fresh air!  It was such an improvement over the peach pit, I didn't even consider painting anything that first year.  By the time I started thinking about adding some color, the kids had just started college.  The expenses associated with that --tuition, living, housing, cars, insurance, books, etc. --were so overwhelming, I took a few shorts cuts with painting; hence the unfortunate "oops" paint for the sunroom!  As for college students - My stepson graduated 2 years ago; my daughter took a break last year (much to my disappointment - this is a whole 'nother post!); and my stepdaughter graduates in two weeks.  Yippee!  Now it's time for Dan and I do the things we want.  So without further adieu, here is the fireplace BEFORE:

And here is the AFTER:

Isn't that amazing!?  I am in love :)  The design idea came from this inspiration (I saw the pic on Pinterest and then followed the link to the website).  Dan created the grid using 1 1/2" wood trim and he glue and tacked them in place.  Then he caulked all the edges.  Once everything dried, I painted...and painted...and painted.  I am actually going to apply one more coat but this time, I am adding something called "Floetrol" in with paint so that the finish is super-smooth and there will be no brush marks. The hurricanes on either side are from Crate & Barrel (here).    I cannot wait to decorate it for Christmas!  We are finishing up this space now -it's our family room- and I'll post a pic of the entire room when it is presentable for photos!

Just for fun, I'm linking to Metamorphosis Monday presented by Between Naps on the Porch!

Happy Crafting <3 Lisa

A New Challenge at A Day For Daisies (and a picture of my table)!

Happy [belated] Thanksgiving Everyone!  I hope your holiday was wonderful and  that you're not too stuffed today *giggle*  My table arrived right on time and wow, is it GORGEOUS!  LOOK AT THOSE LEGS! :)

The dining room is not close to being finished yet; I still need window treatments, a sideboard, two armchairs, art on the walls and inverted wainscoting...but all in due time.  For now, I'm just really excited to see that table!! :) I am going to keep working on it and I'll post updates along the way.  Now, on to the Challenge...

It's a color challenge at A Day For Daisies!  I love these bright, summery colors!  Here is my inspiration using one of the Under The Sea New RELEASE today,  "Three New Friends."

I used papers from DCWV Citrus stack.  The image is colored with copics and I used "fantasy film" on the mermaid's tail.

Enjoy your weekend!  Happy Crafting, <3 Lisa

Getting Ready for T-Day!!

Good Morning Everyone!  I hope you had a great week :)  I am looking forward to the weekend - as usual! - even though it will be a busy one.  Lots of preparations underway for the Thanksgiving holiday and thanks to A Day For Daisies, my Thanksgiving table setting is going to be GORGEOUS!  I have purchased my first "formal" dining table.  I never would have believed I could be so happy about a table but she is a beauty.  It will be delivered on Wednesday --whew! that's cutting it close, isn't it!? -- and I wanted it's holiday dressing to be special.  I used Tammy's re-released image, "pretty turkey," and created napkin rings from Bazzill cardstock, nestabilities and grosgrain ribbon.  I want to make some place cards also.  I am painting the dining room to paint this weekend --all in preparation of thearrival of the guest of honor --The TABLE!  I will definitely post pictures of the dining room, table, etc. next week. Until then, happy crafting! <3 Lisa

Paper People!

Sally Grosart from Wee Paper People.blogspot.com  creates the most wonderful paper people -- Ellen, characters from Pretty in Pink, Say Anything, Wilfred, and New Girl, just to name a few --and they are available to download for free!!  I think they are AwEsOmE!  When I saw Sally's zombies I knew I had to have paper people of Dan and I AND then have paper Dan and Lisa zombiefied.  I emailed her our photos and for about $15 (a set) she created us!!  She first made our likenesses as "normal" paper people and then created us again as ZOMBIES!  So stinkin cool! :)  And, I received both sets via email to download in a pdf format so I can make as many sets of "us" as I want.  I printed them on a heavy cardstock, cut out the pieces, and assembled them.  They are easy to put together but if you get hung up, there are instructions available on Sally's website.  My paper people were a Halloween surprise for Dan so I set them up on our coffee table so he would see them before we left for work Halloween morning.  He loved them!  He took them with him and

now they reside in his office.  I made a set for myself and they hang out in my craft room :)  I am going to make another set for our TV room.  Dan and I are big zombie fans.  A few years ago (at a Horrorfind weekend convention) I met George Romero and he signed my
Night of the Living Dead movie poster.  So you see, I *have* to have our paper zombie selves along with my zombie memorabilia! LOL!

Happy Crafting <3 Lisa

Jolly Ole Saint Nick

My goodness I am late!  Typically I set up my posts the night before new release day but I am just getting to my "night before" list and it's already the night after!  UGH.

A Day For Daisies' new release "Vintage Seasonal Fun" is based off some old Christmas illustrations from the 1900s.  The image I used, "Saint Nick" is done in Margaret Evan Price style.  I love the swirls of magic around Santa as he gets ready to go down the chimney!  The image is colored with copics and I pulled out all the glittery, iridescent, sparkly stuff I could find for the swirling magic and snow :)  I used Bazzill cardstock for the card and the "Believe" and swirls are $1 stamps from Michaels (I love my $1 stamps!).  So please head over to A Day For Daisies and check out the other fabulous images in this week's release.

Happy Crafting! <3 Lisa

Trick? or TREAT!

 Hello Friends!  Wow, October is almost over and I cannot believe it!  I have a few things left to do to be ready for trick-or-treaters and I am not sure is just a weekend is enough time. :)  At least I was able to play with another adorable Halloween image from A Day For Daisies, "spider cupcake" from the new releases.  PLUS today begins a new challenge - to use metallics in your card or project!

Here, I cut a box using Cricut cartridge Tags, Bags, Boxes & More and using the Happy Hauntings cartridge, I cut out the spider web frame from silver cardstock to go around the window of the box.  The image is colored with copics and the cupcake liner was paper-pieced with purple metallic paper.  The orange sprinkles were made by crushing organge metallic beads!  The little window card came from the $1 bins at AC Moore.  I used sticker letters for the trick and treat.

The treat in the box is an extra-large marshmallow, cut in half, and dipped in Halloween-themed sprinkles.  This was a quick and simple little project but I just love how it turned out.

Hope your weekend is WoNdErFuL!
<3 Lisa

Halloween Gift/Treat Bags!

 The week's new releases from A Day For Daisies  were so inspiring to me!  There are many wonderful images and among them my favorites - children in simple masks.  I started thinking about how adorable it would be to host a "mask parade" party (kind of a play on the word "masquerade"!) and the kids could craft their own masks.  I would sooo do this but my !ittle girl is all grown! *giggle*  So I decided to make treat bags for the handful of little ones I know between friends and neighbors!

I used Tammy's "Elephant Mask" digi and incorporated the sentiment (I used Microsoft Home Publishing) and then printed onto Cryogen cardstock.  I colored her up with copics and cut out the image with an SB classic rectangle. I cut out another rectangle (but this one was scalloped) from purple cardstock and punched holes in each scallop to tie a small scraps of ribbon (grosgrain 1/4" white ribbon colored with copics to match).  I mounted the whole thing onto printed cardstock and put it on the bag using pop dots(so I could run the orange ribbon behind the image and around the bag.  The bag can double as a treat bag too!

Then I couldn't help but make a sample of the mask!  The precious elephant mask is a free printable from from artistshelpingchildren.org.  I printed it several times on several colors of cardstock and then cut out and layered with pop dots.  My favorite part is her big pink bow and sparkle eyelashes (I used fake eyelashes that  from Walmart!)  The gift bag contains several copies of the mask printed on different colors of cardstock and I threw in a few choices for ribbons, a set of eyelashes, pop dots, child-safe scissors, small bottle of glue, and of course, a few "treats"!

So there you have it! Be sure to check out the other images released today as well as the amazing inspiration from the other design team members!

Happy Crafting! <3 Lisa

Rock-A-Bye Baby

I forgot that Fridays of vacation weeks are  kinda of a bummer ;)  Oh well, if vacations lasted then they would not be sooooo enjoyable!

I have been able to steal away to the craft room to make some inspiration for the new A Day For Daisies challenge (begins today!)  The challenge is to add doodling to your card (I added pink hearts to mine).  My image, "Rock a by" comes from Tammy's wonderful new releases this week, "It's a Child's World."  Tammy's inspiration for these beautiful drawings comes from one of her favorite illustrators, Margaret Evans Price.  Ms. Price was the co-founder of Fisher-Price Toy as well as an illustrator of beloved children books.
See Tammy's complete release HERE.

Happy Crafting! <3 Lisa

Bewitching!

Hello Everyone!  I am soooo excited it's Friday because today happens to be my last work day for the next 8 days - WooHOOO :)  Oh vacation is GOOD :)

A Day For Daisies has a wonderful new release today --Vintage Halloween!  My card features "Vintage Witch" and she's colored with copics.  I used Pink Paisley polka dot paper for the background; Fancy Pants paper pack for the sentiment (embellished with orange/black rhinestones from my stash); and I cut the diecut frame using my Cricut and the Happy Hauntings cartridge.  I am not certain about the orange striped paper; it is something I've had in my stash for a long time.  Last week, ADFD announced their newest challenge - "Gimme Some Texture" - and since I had so much fun adding texture to my project last week, I got a little texture-y this week and added the feathers around the sentiment :)

Well, I'm off to work!  Happy Crafting <3 Lisa

Oh Hello Wonderful FALL!

A wonderful new challenge begins at A Day For Daisies today and with it comes some lovely new images!  The challenge, "Gimme Some Texture!" , is to create texture in your project by using embossing and/or elements like burlap, chunky glitter, raffia, etc.  Use your imagination!  I created texture on my image, "Acorn Cutie C," by using (a) Glossy Accents for a smooth and shiny acorn, (b) an embossing folder for a rumpled acorn top, (c) combed felt for her downy hair and a layered petal skirt for a fluttering skirt --even though that may not be a texture it looks really cute ;)  I also added the fiber since the colors were perfect and it looked so tactile :)   I  made this little project into a small picture complete with a (cardstock) stand so it can sit on my desk!   I just love Fall and this makes me happy to look at :)  This challenge was so much fun and I would love to see what you all would come up with.  I loved figuring out how to get the different textures...so c'mon, give it a try!

Happy Friday! <3 Lisa

Here there be Dragons!

Happy Friday Friends!  There is a wonderful new release today at A Day For Daisies...Dragons!  I made a tea bag holder using *this* tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers and although mine is in fact holding tea packets, Beate uses Ghirardelli chocolate squares in her holder and I *love* that idea (I just didn't have any on hand!).  Anyway, I colored up my sweet image, "Dragon Flight," with copics and coated the wings with eucalyptus Stickles and glossy accents.  The printed paper behind the image is from Recollections (pet pad) and the cover of the tea bag holder is Bazzill african daisy cardstock.  I used clear velcro tabs to close the holder; the brads are from Basic Grey.   Who knew I could be so into dragons!? ;)

BANANAS!

Hello Friends!  It has been B-A-N-A-N-A-S around here!  Work has been crazy, Dan and I have been painting like crazy...whew!  I even missed my post last week :(  (because it rained like crazy and caused flash flooding - scary) BUT I'm on the ball this week and when I saw Tammy's Banana Fairy (and banana bunch!) I had to play with them! :)  These darling images are new releases this week *and* there is a new A Day For Daisies challenge -- the challenge is to create a beverage-related gift.   Tammy has created some precious teacup fairy images as part of this week's release, also, so you will definitely want to check them out!

My best friend, Rhonda, and I work together so at least we have each other to lean on during this super-busy time at work.  We try to do nice little things for each other -- Rhonda will bring me pumpkin spice coffee and I'll treat for lunch and vice versa -- anything to bolster our spirit and make the best out of the stress!  So this gift was made with her in mind -- that and when work makes us BaNaNaS - we're going to make Smoothies from them - LOL!  I paper-pieced the banana and colored the fairy with copics.  I gave her wings a thick coat of Stickles and then cut out the entire image and mounted it on a felt circle.  The recipe card was computer-generated.  Since the mug is the gift (when you bring it to the smoothie place, you receive a discount on their smoothies!) I wanted to put a bow on it but dressed it up by adding a wine glass charm made from a hoop earring, plastic beads and a shrink plastic banana charm using Tammy's banana bunch image!

Have a wonderful FRIDAY!!!
 <3 Lisa

A little Christmas...

Hello Everyone!  I'm sorry it's been so quiet here in the Land of Encraftment but I have been a maniac around the house with painting!  Now that my sunroom is completely done, and the backsplash is up in the kitchen, I wanted to have it painted before posting the pics here!  Plus, it is the super busy time of the year at work so it's been crazy :)

Now, on to my A Day For Daisies project this week...Tammy has created some absolutely wonderful Christmas images!  I used "Holly Dance" and created a brooch to wear on my winter coat.  I colored the image with copics and did some paper-piecing too; then embellished with Stickles and adhesive gems.  I glued a pin bar on the back (you can buy them at the Michael's) and then dipped the image in UTEE!  Please be sure to check out the other design team's creations as they are spectacular!

Happy Halloween! I'm just practicing...

...for Fall because I am ready for it ;)  Luckily A Day For Daisies' new releases this week are all about Halloween - YaY!  I've used "Miss Star Witch" and I'm featuring her on my treat/luminary box.  I modified a 2-5-7-10 box and added 1/2" fold at the top to hold the crepe paper ruffle.  I just love the look of vintage Halloween items and so I tried to make mine look like them.  I used white crepe paper and colored it with a yellow Bic Mark It marker; I have used copics also but since I wasn't doing any blending and wanted just a bright yellow, I used the Bic markers (ink is much cheaper ;)  I used a Martha Stewart punch anywhere punch and then laying wax paper behind the punched area, I filled in the stars with Glossy Accents.  After it dried, I cover the stars with a light coating of Stickles.  They really look so cool when the box is lit up (using a floral spot light taped inside the bottom of the box)!  I am really ready for Fall; it is my all-time favorite time of year. 

Happy Crafting! <3 Lisa

Sweet Siamese...Cute Kitten Digi from Doodle Pantry

Hello Friends - WHEW! what a crazy week.  I know you have probably all heard about the east coast earthquake on Tuesday but I just can't help but mention it because it was one of the scariest experiences of my life!  It occurred at 1:51 in the afternoon and Dan and I were off of work because the backsplash was being installed in the kitchen (finally and I love it!  I'll share that in the next couple days too).  I had gone up to my craft room to work on some projects when I realized my desk was vibrating...then it began to shake... I could hear a rumbling, roaring sound but I could not figure out what was happening.  When the shelves started to rock I flew out of my room so fast, just to run into my husband who was coming to get me!  By now the whole house is shaking and we could hear things falling and then...*poof* it stopped.  We ran out to see if the tile guy was ok; he had been outside cutting the tile and he was completely unaffected.  He said a few years ago in his country, there was a 7.5 earthquake making our little 5.9 seem small to him!  That was comforting, actually.  Dan and I headed back in to see what all had been damaged.  Out of all the pictures and things that fell off their shelves, the only thing that didn't make it was the mirror above our fireplace.  Trust me, I have no problem with that - I feel lucky it wasn't worse and I hope to NEVER go through anything like that again!  

*So* on to my kitty card!  I just love the Cute Kitten digi from Doodle Pantry and have had a ball coloring it all different ways.  This little Siamese was one of the first I colored but it has taken me until now to get it on a card and add a sentiment, etc.  My sister loves Siamese cats and has owned a few over the years so I am hoping she likes this little guy :)  He is colored with copics and I used one of the darling sentiments that comes with the digi set.  My design team term with Doodle Pantry ends next week and I sure have had a wonderful time creating with Laurie's wonderful images.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday (and an earthquake-free one, at that)!  <3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies New Release and New Challenge!

Oh these little puppies are so stinkin' cute!  This image, "Puppy Sitter" is just one of the darling new releases this week at A Day For Daisies.  A new challenge - Challenge #25 - begins today as well and the theme is "It's a Twine Thing" so you must use twine in your project.  I colored the image with copics and paper-pieced the little gal's dress. The card is Bazzill cardstock.


I do hope you will play along in the challenge!  Be sure to check out the inspiration from the other DT too :)

Happy FRIDAY! <3 Lisa

Quirky Kanga & Roo Too Gift Bag

Gift Bag with Tag

*****There's still time to enter for my blog candy!  Click Here for details!!! *****

Yeah for Wednesday!  I'm am happy to be half-way through the week.  August and September are always super-busy at work and while I'm always happy for the end of the work week, it is especially welcomed during these months!  I'm also excited about Friday this week because the remake of "Fright Night" opens!  I *loved* the original Fright Night!!  It will be hard to top Chris Sarandon's peformance as the vampire.  Oh I had such a crush on him after that movie ;)  And I'm thrilled he will be featured in the re-make.  So I will let you know how it is.

Now, on to my project!  There have been lots of baby stuff for me this year --which is great and I love it!  I used Doodle Pantry's Quirky Kangaroo digi from the August 5th Release.  I created Mama Kanga and Baby Roo by resizing the image.  I printed the images on two different printed papers and then paper-pieced them.  Their eyes and nose were colored with Glaze pens and covered with Glossy Accents.

Close-up of Quirky Kangaroo

I am entering my project in two challenges:

My Time To Craft Challenge #153 - G is for..." -- gift bag for girl baby :)
and
Belli Challenge #124 Gingham -- I've used green gingham.

Hope the rest of your week is GREAT! <3 Lisa

Beach House...in a Room

***For my blog candy, click HERE***

Hello Everyone!  I hope your weekend has been wonderful :)   I have been away from my craft room for a couple of weeks but not because I haven't been creating - I have been working on our sunroom.   To be able to show you the dramatic new look, I wanted to share what the room looked like "before," but after looking and looking through pictures I have of the house, I didn't have any of the way it looked once we moved in.  All I could find were these pics I took last October of these funny Halloween decorations I made for my porch where the focus isn't even on the room!

So - I apologize for such crappy pics but honestly, the yellow paint in there was so bright, it's a good thing I don't have more detailed pics - Ha!
The yellow paint was my idea and a bad one. I didn't get the shade I envisioned and went with an "oops" paint (paint that's been returned and marked down to $5/gal because someone else picked it and decided against it).  I thought I could make it work but I couldn't!  Then, we had problems with our doors leaking so the room was gutted and the floor redone - ah the perfect opportunity for a re-do - but I had lost confidence in my paint-picking abilities *giggle*.

Sunroom AFTER

I was also intimidated by the fact that the sunroom, kitchen, and family room are all pretty much one big great room, and needed a color scheme that would work for each room individually and together.

And here is what I have come up with!  I am using shades of brown - beige, chocolate, ginger - along with the color shown here which was inspired by my BG-10, cool shadow, copic marker.  I actually took the marker to Home Depot and matched the paint (Behr with primer, "Timeless Tale").  I re-painted the trim and the ceiling too.  The ceiling hadn't been painted before other than the contractor paint the builder used so it needed a couple coats.  UGH, my neck and shoulders are still crabby about that :)

I haven't put the blinds back up yet and I still have a couple of paint touch ups (evidenced by the painters tape marking a spot on the wall in pic 1!).  But after working so hard, I really wanted to see it all together.

The love seat/chaise lounge combo came from Ikea.  It has a machine washable cover - AWESOME - and it is super comfy.  Lily was lounging on it this morning so clearly I have her seal of approval ;)  The table and rug came from Ikea as well.  The rug is insanely luxurious!  It's fun to put your bare feet into - just like sand :)  The lamp and small white table came from Pier One and the small blue table & accessories came from TJ Maxx.

So the next project is a glass tile backsplash in the kitchen!  The colors in the tile are all part of my color scheme and I can't wait until it's finished!

Have a great week!  <3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies Design Team Favorites...

**If you are looking for my blog candy, see post HERE**

Happy Friday Everyone!  This week at A Day For Daises, the design team picked favorite images to work with!  Now, I would like to go on record to state I do not have just one ADFD favorite! 

I chose to use, "Dreaming of Her Wedding Day," --an extra-special image for an extra-special occasion; my very best friend, Rhonda, got engaged!!  Rhonda and I met at work - in the trenches, you know - and when we discovered we lived only a few blocks from each other we decided to carpool.  Commuting in Northern Virginia is a bear and, let me tell you, over the last 10 years she and I have spent many a mile and many an hour (right Rhonda!?) in that carpool!  I have come to love her like my little sister and I my life would not be complete without her.  So, to see her as happy as I have since she met her soon-to-be-DH is truly wonderful.  When she came in with her ring - OMgosh, we both cried!  And may I say, I will not only be the wedding planner but also the MATRON OF HONOR - AwEsOmE! :)  It was in the terms and conditions of the carpool - ha!  So you see why I needed such a special image and card :)

There are absolutely GORGEOUS cards from our DT, so please head over and check out their inspiration and faves (links on the side of my blog).

Happy Crafting!!  <3 Lisa

F-I-N-A-L-L-Y! Blog Candy from Land of EnCRAFTment!

I cannot tell you how excited I am to have 52 Followers for my blog!  Last year wasn't the best year for me.  There were so many negative things from so many directions to deal with - whew - I needed something to help me cope and...to...well, escape a little also.   I decided to try a blog and figured at least I could talk my sister and mom into following...but a pretty cool thing happened... ALL OF YOU!!   My lemon of a year was squeezed into some pretty sweet lemonade : D  Thank you for your support, encouragement, and for adding my blog to your read list!  To celebrate, I have put together some blog candy -- themed, of course, because that's how I roll *giggle* -- with "mermaid" stuff.   Click HERE to see the candy.  I pinned it to Pinterest!  So - if you are a follower, please leave a comment and I will either have that random thing-a-majig pick from the comments Or my hubby and I will be drawing a name out of a hat :)  Either way, I'll do that on September 2 - the Friday that kicks off Labor Day weekend  - Woo Hoo!  <3  Lisa

New Releases AND a New Challenge - Feeling (and Foldin'!) Fancy

I'm back again with some inspiration for A Day For Daisies' new challenge, Feelin' (and FOLDIN') Fancy!  You are to make a card using a ADFD image and a fancy fold card.  I used one of Tammy's new release images (find them HERE!) and a Diamond Fold card that I learned to make using a  Splitcoaststampers tutorial.  It was a lot of fun to make and I sure hope you will join us in the next challenge!!

Just FYI - I will be posting some fabby blog candy soon; I'm just waiting on a mail delivery from Two Peas in A Bucket and Scrapbook.com !!! :)  <3 Lisa

August 5th Doodle Pantry New Releases!!!

Hello All!  There are some wonderful new images available at Doodle Pantry today AND there is quite a sale too!  The kitten image I used for my card, "Cute Kitten," (aptly named, right!?) is just one cuddly adorable image of four which makes the grab bag quite a deal!  Here are the specials you'll find:

• Rounded Wishes is free with any purchase. 
• Cute Kitten, Soft baby penguin, Baby cow, Fuzzy Duckling, and Bunny wabbit will all be in the digi grab bag at 50% off from Aug 5 - Aug 19.
• School Sheep and the School Time Papers will be the complimentary sets for playing DPDC15
• All products in School category will be 40% off from  Aug 5 thru Aug 28
• Special bundle (available Aug 5 - Aug 19 only), that includes kangaroo, skunk, lizard and crab for $7.50 (that is 25% off!!!)

So skedaddle on over to Doodle Pantry and scoop up these AmAzInG new images! :)

Card Info:

Cute Kitten digi from Doodle Pantry, colored with copics

Bazzill A7 card

"collar" cut using Cricut and Paper Pups cartridge

metal "Meow" tag from Making Memories

tiny silver bell (from Christmas supplies)

orange fiber

DCWV Pet Stack - kitty names printed paper

Happy Crafting! <3 Lisa

Wee Memories Scrappy Saturday Challenge #63!!

Happy Saturday All!  It is time for a new challenge over at Wee Memories.



Our sponsor this week is Unity Stamp Company.
The theme is "Dare to Do Color!"  - No less than 4 colors in your project.  The prize is a Unity Stamp Set!  

For my CoLoRfUL card, I used this gorgeous Hannah Lynn digi, "Forever Rose,"  from Crafts and Me.  She is colored with copics.  I made the flower embellie by following this tutorial from Crafter's Digital Art Center.  The sentiment is a Studio G clear stamp.  The butterfly paper is by Paper Studio, Poteeka Souffle pack.  

I hope you will come play along with us at Wee Memories!!

Have a lovely weekend! <3 Lisa

A Day For Daisies CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - okay, well, maybe not considering the 100 degree temps we're seeing here on the east coast but I can pretend, right!?  A Day for Daisies has wonderful Christmas images -- to include these adorable elves! -- so the ADFD DT decided to showcase them this week.  I've used Candy Elf A, B, and C.  They are paper-pieced and I added shading using my copics.  Their "candies" are made from shrink plastic, acrylic paint and Glossy Accents.  I cut the boxes using my Cricut and the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge and those tasty treats are mini cupcakes baked in my Baby Cakes maker :).

So, while the weather outside is sweltering, I'm sitting in my craft room happily humming  Christmas carols and dreaming of S*N*O*W ;)

Happy Friday!  <3 Lisa