Happy Holidays to You

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Paper Christmas Tree

Surfing the web, I came across this cute and easy little Christmas tree project here .

Following the directions this little tree came together fairly quick.




Taking it one step further I created a simple box using Bazzill Card stock, Snowflake Stamp by Stamping Up, Dazzling Diamonds glitter and clear embossing powder.

Filled my Box with Styrofoam ,using a wooden stick to hold in place.

Topped off with puffy Paint and dried grass.

This would be a fun and easy Christmas project to do with the family !

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a Crafty day :)

Hometown Christmas Holiday Kickoff

I don't know about anyone else,but for me the Holiday season really begins with our annual Christmas Parade.

I love everything about a parade, School bands, floats, local fire companies and all the holiday cheer that is extended between the parade participants and crowd of onlookers.

And most importantly the arrival of Santa on a horse drawn sleigh !

Over the weekend I was able to attend this years parade with my Mother.

Her first taste of the Holiday season in her new town !!

Then off to a local restaurant for a warm beverage and lunch.

Grand day to help get in the holiday mood.

I used Photobucket3 to collage my photos as I had over 200 and to protect some of the participants identities.

Just thought I would share with you a little taste of my hometown spirit !

Canvas & Paper Christmas Wall Decoration

Over the summer I came across some 12 X 12 Canvases at Big Lots for $5.00 each and picked up a couple.
Not sure what I would do with them at the time,but thought they might come in handy when the urge struck to try something different.

Using Rangers Alcohol Ink,blender solution and applicator,I colored my canvas to suit the colors of my kitchen.
I found some free primitive art stitching patterns here .

Printed out my template on standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper and proceeded to make a paper piecing pattern for my snowman and bird.

Embossed my snowflakes onto canvas using Versa Mark and brown embossing powder from Close to My Heart added rhinestones for embellishment.

Using a Black marker for my Title and details.

Snowflake Stamps are from Stamping Up Collection.Paper was applied using Mod Podge with some Mod Podge applied randomly sponged on for some shiny dimension.

I picked this pattern to fit into the Monday Challenge this week on the "Sisterhood of Scrap".
Also I really thought he was such a cute little guy ! :)

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world, hope you have a crafty day !!

My Wish

One more down for the Crop Challenges.

Using a transparency...another one of those elements that hardly ever make it's way to my layouts.

The flower transparency came from a pack of embellishments I received from an RAK.
I like the added touch that it brings to a page.

Will have to start paying attention to this product a little more when I am out shopping for supplies.

My 2 little sweeties on the day they each entered into my world.


Side journal lyrics are from a song, "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts.
If you would like to read the lyrics and listen to the music just click on the video below.

Crop Challenge

For this Crop Challenge on the Sisterhood of Scrap we are to use an Arrow somewhere on our page.

Not an element that I use that often.. think this may just be my third page that I have used one on.
Not really sure why,but believe it is because I am just thrown off by the placement.
So, took the easy way out and used an arrow, where I was comfortable with where it would go to embellish on my page.

That is one of the reasons I like challenges so much.
It gives you that little extra push you may need to try something different on a layout.

My little Grandniece and her Daddy.
What a sweetheart she is.
And a very smart little one at that, 15 months old and is able to sign language, I'm impressed!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Count your blessings instead of your crosses; Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears; Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean; Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth; Count on God instead of yourself.
~~Author Unknown~~

Happy Thanksgiving to all !!

Football Fun

Mondays Crop Challenge on the Sisterhood of Scrap is a combined challenge.
Not only does this put you in for a chance at a Crop RAK,it also puts you in for the wonderful RAK that is posted for Novembers Monthly draw on the Sisterhood.

Better yet, your submission will also give you a go at becoming a Sister !!
Now hows that for odds !! Pretty darn good !!

I did manage to squeeze in another challenge today before heading off to Doctor appointments and baking Sweet breads for our Thanksgiving feast.

This is my take on Mondays Challenge.

My lovely granddaughter Sophia with her Papa my eldest.




Now from what I understand, this was her first taste of a professional Football game.

New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals...Whats up with the gear ???
Where is the the Giants emblems ....have you jumped ship !!!
From what I saw on the tube Giants kicked butt !!!

LOL... now I know what to get my little sweetie for Christmas... :) XO

Sisterhood of Scrap Weekend Crop

The Sisters are hosting a Crop this weekend on their Blog.

Lots of inspiration to help get some of those photos into layouts.

Stop on by and check out the challenges !!

My first completed challenge for the crop !

My Granddaughter Addison.

Look forward to cropping with you all and sharing our precious memories !

Playing with your Doodles in PSE

This ones for you, Jacqueline or anyone else who may find this helpful : )

how to convert your hand drawn doodles into working images for PSE

I will attempt to make this mini tutorial explanation as clear as I am able.
Hopefully without to much confusion...lol

By no means, do I possess the skills for writing or tutorials ...soo.. here is my best shot at it ; )

I hope you find this helpful and easy to follow.


1. Draw your doodle onto white sketch paper with black marker.

I personally like to lightly use a pencil first, then go over with black marker.
After ink dries completely, erase pencil marks.
( I like to use a Zig Ball for my black marker)


2. Scan your doodle, save in new folder as jpg .


3. Open saved doodle image in Photo shop Element .


4. Open a new Blank Canvas


5. Under options make sure your toolbar is checked.


6. with magic wand click on area you would like to select.


7. Deselect Contiguous option


8. set tolerance level to 50


9. with doodle selected by Magic Wand click Edit>copy


10. click new canvas >Edit>Paste ( there may be some clean up involved after you have pasted)


11. Save with transparent background as a png.


Color in photoshop , or you may color before you scan.



For my header


open a new canvas size > 648 by 140 pixels for (Blogger)

add colored png images until you have the look you are going for.

Flatten image and save as jpg.

Add to blog!!



That's it !! Good luck and have fun :) !!!

New Header & Card Reveal

My contribution for the November 16Th DTM Card reveal for Am I a Scrap Addicts "Just My Sketches Blog" .

Using Martha Stewart's Glue Pad and Glitter and Snowflake Stamp by SU, am happy with the results of the glue and glitter for the snowflakes.

My first attempt with a glue pad...very easy way to apply glitter!

Now if I could only find a way to scan glitter and have it look like the original !

If you would like to see all the creative cards created by the DTMs using the sketch they may be found here.

As always, thanks to Deanne ...great sketches for the month of November :)!

Has been awhile since I dabbled in a little digital fun.

I decided, since fall is almost over and the cold winds are blowing down our way from the North Country I would like to do something with a winter theme for my Craft World Header.

Looking thru my Stamps I discovered I really do not have to many that deal just with that season.

With sketch pad in hand I doodled myself some little Winter elements, scanned them into my computer.

Brought them into Photo Shop Elements and created pngs.

Using PSE I colored and created my winter scene.

That's about it in my crafty world, thanks for stopping by and hope you have a happy crafty day !!

Sketch Challenge Layout

Thought I would try my hand at this past Saturday's Sketch Challenge on the Sisterhood of Scrap Blog. Generously donated by Pamela Young.


My other half with our lovely new Granddaughter Addison just a short time after she was born.

Thanks Pamela and Sisters for this great sketch !

Card reveal & Fall Family Project Link

November 2ND DTM Cards reveal for Deanne Burton's "Just my Sketches".

My take on the sketch.

For some reason this card bothers me.
Not sure if it's the Scrawny Turkey legs or just to many dark colors.
Would have liked to have redone this card before submitting, just was not enough time.
I do like the wrapping bow and the colorful Turkey feathers though ! :)

So many creative Cards and Layouts by the DTM's stop by and check it out ! You will find plenty of inspiration and fantastic sketches to help you along in creating cards and layouts for the holiday season!!

Now onto this lovely and fun fall project!

I love this ladies work and style she is very diverse in her crafting and always willing to share her creative ideas !
Are these just not the cutest little wall hangings !!

Nicole Wozniak has generously posted the instructions for making these cute Wall Projects on her Blog "Lumpy Page Designs".
Stop on by and check out how easy and fun this little project can be.
Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us all , Nicole !!

(Fall Project photo by Nicole Wozniak)

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all a happy and creative day !!

Thanksgiving Preparation

Hope everyone had a spooktacular Halloween this year.

Hard to believe it has all ready come and gone.

Now, is the time to begin preparation for the Thanksgiving Holiday here in the states.

Found my way to this blog "Purple Trails" Social Couture via a comment left on my Thanksgiving Centerpiece post.

So many helpful ideas, to help in your party planning as we move closer into the Holiday Celebrations.

I'm game for any ideas that help this busy time to flow smoothly.

Not only will you find some tips and tricks to help with your Thanksgiving Party planning, you will also find ideas for other types of parties that may be in your future.

Hope you enjoy and find this blog as helpful as I have.

Happy Planning :)

Wicked Halloween Crop

I joined in the fun this past weekend on WeScrap.com, they hosted a Halloween crop.

I was only able to fit in 3 of the challenges and a couple of games.
Real Life has been pretty hectic here.

But,it is a good start to motivate me to get done some of my fall celebration photos and I hope to continue in this mode.

This first lo was created for the Batty Bingo Challenge.
Based on the same principle as Bingo only Scrapbook supplies to be used instead of Letters and numbers.
2 different ribbon,13 of the same embellishment and the use of something Black was my choice.

My son and his little family at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair.
We had a fun family outing last Sunday.
Lot's of spooky fun to be had there.
The three layouts I completed are from that outing.

Halloword Challenge,pick eight Halloween words from the list provided before the day of the crop,supplies announced at the beginning of the crop.

Here was my supply list
3 Patterned Papers,3 Ribbons,the word believe,six brads or eyelets,3 circles,stamp,doodles and rub ons.

(Edited to give credit to Sketches R Us for the great sketch)

This is the end result.My beautiful Granddaughter Addison.



Now this was a fun Challenge !! Simply to make a face for your layout!

There were many more challenges that I would like to have tried ,but time would not allow me,
I hope to be able to go back and use some of the other fun Challenges to help motivate me to complete the rest of the photos that I have in mind to do.

Hope all is well in your World !! Thanks for stopping by :)

Another Card Reveal

October 16 th Card Sketch Reveal on "A Scrap Addict's Sketches" yielded a crop of wonderful cards from the design team.
All so different in their styles and themes if you get a chance follow the link and check out all the fantastic creations created with the sketches.

My card was created for a Thank you to my Mother's cousin up North.
She was so generous to host us as her guests while we were visiting.

I decided to use an apple for my embellishment, in memory of her taking us around to get all our special treats to take back home with us.

Favorite being the wonderful Macintosh Apples that are grown locally.
We have them in my neck of the woods,but they just do not seem to have the same taste that the ones in the cold country produce.

A Happy Crafty Day to you all :)

Halloween Videos

Looking around Youtube.com came across some Halloween videos that I would like to share for those who celebrate in the Spirit of Halloween.

By ticking on the bottom right hand corner of video player you may choose the video you would like to watch.

"Skeleton Dance"early Disney Cartoon

Donald Ducks "Trick or Treat" 1954 version

"Vincent" by Tim Burton Narrated by Vincent Price.

"Broomstick Bunny" I just love this witch !

"Tribute to the Salem Witches" another sad page for the history books.

"Thunder Belly Hop" What a fun Halloween song !!

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

I found this Contest Challenge Link on the "Canadian Scrapper's Carnival Bog"
for a November Guest Design Team Member Spot at Scrapbooker's Clubhouse Blog.

The Challenge,to create Altered Thanksgiving Table Decorations.
I like to take on different Contests that I find with the idea in mind that I will enter.

Sometimes it works out that way,but most times I am just happy to have completed the challenge and be happy with what I have created.
This is one of those moments..I thought it would be nice though to give credit to where I found my inspiration .

The Pilgrim Hat is created from Pepperidge Farm "Pirouette" Rolled Cookie Tin.
Using adhesive backed black Felt,brown Felt and a Chipboard frame embossed using Versa Mark Ink and Copper Embossing Powder.

Using branches from my Lilac Tree sprayed with Clear Acrylic Sealer.
Dried Moss to cover the top and Styrofoam for holding the branches in place

Stamping my Card Stock with Versa Mark Ink. Using some wonderful leaf stamps from "Close to My Heart" and embossing with different colors of embossing powder.

Layering the back of my Card stock Leaves with Patterned Paper,Inking the edges with

Rangers Antique Linen Distress Ink.

adding a few extra twigs and curly Q's from my back woods.

My daughter-in-law, has graciously accepted to have the centerpiece grace her Thanksgiving Table this year as we celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time in her new home.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadian Scrappers and Crafters, hope you all have a lovely Holiday ! :)

Christmas Cards

Trying to get ahead of the Holiday season .
I have joined in the challenge on "Christmas Cards all Year Long" .

October thru December the goal is to complete 15 different cards before the holiday is upon us.
Usually,I just pick up a kit when I come across one I like and put them all together,choosing a card challenge here and there to throw something different into the mix.

Hopefully this will help me keep ahead of the game with each recipient receiving their own special greeting .
The added bonus is it will help me in my card making skills !

Symbol Challenge


Pattern and Bling Challenge
All five Card Challenges have been posted for the month of October .

World Card Making Day

World Card Making Day today!

First Card is a combination challenge from two separate blogs.
Sat Sketch Challenge hosted on the Sisterhood of Scrap
Guest Sketch Designer Susan Costanza generously donated this weeks sketch.

Second challenge inspiration comes from "Christmas Cards all year Long Blog"
The challenge is to Create a Christmas card using non traditional colors .
My color choice Coral,Grey and Green.
All images are embossed with metallic silver embossing powder.



This next card was created for Am I Scrap Addict Card DTM Oct.2ND reveal.
Always a thrill to see the different interpretations that come out of the great sketches that are provided! Awesome job ladies!

Just a Little

Finally settling in after my 5 day trip up to the Mountains of my childhood home.
Something about my trips back home always help to remind me of who I am and why I am influenced so much by my past.
A reconnection so to speak.

The Foliage is in full color and peace is on the lakes as all the campers and boaters have closed up for the season ,heading back to their winter homes.

I took many photos but alas now my camera is only shooting when it wants...I came away with about 4 usable photos and 70 blank. Sooooo disappointed :(
Not sure if it is me ...but have not had much luck in the area of electronics lately!

On the up side I came home to a lovely treat.
Some very pretty cards created by Deanne Burton along with a Card Crafting magazine!
Thanks so much,they are so nice and the magazine has been very helpful.

Came home with some more old Mason jars and am very excited to get going on the labels for them.
Here is one I created for sugar.


Have also been playing around in photo bucket.com with all the new tool options that have been added for photo enhancement.
Here are some photos I have taken that I thought would be fun to convert into cartoons.

Store front porch Scarecrows


Funny Ostrich that let me get as close as possible...what a sport!

Iron shelf that sits next to the old tin building on my property

My Scarecrow

My Flag That's about it for now,Thanks for stopping by :)

Rak Winner

Woooo Hoooo ... 100 posts !
What a way to celebrate... announcing the recipient of the Blogoversary Celebration RAK !

Thanks go out to all who shared on my Blogoversary Celebration !
What wonderful tips and treats you all shared ! Can not wait to try the tasty ones !
I hope you found some inspiration to help ease you into the celebration of Autumn.

Special thanks to those who have encouraged me to start and keep this Blog.
Even though I still have no idea why I have it...I only know I love to craft, keep memories alive, and share the fun :) .
Hopefully, I have shared back some of what I have taken from the Scrapbook and Crafting world.

Big Congratulations to COLLEEN ! Hope you enjoy the kit ! (sorry I splelled your name wrong in my slideshow)
Please email me via my blog with your snail mail addy so I may get your package out to you as soon as possible.
(Please, no worries if you do not here from me right away..Internet connection and myself are not the best of friends lately).

Thanks again... hope you all have a happy Scrappy Day :) !

Mason Jar Label

Still fighting with my Internet connection !

Here is a little project for my kitchen.
I received some wonderful old Mason Jars from my Mother, that came out of the old family homestead.
Wanting to have it fit the decor in my kitchen, I decided to keep the integrity of the old jar, my best bet was to create a removable label, also helps for an easy clean up.

Mod Podged all my papers to give it a look of leather and to soften the paper.
Added eyelets and jute for easy removal.


Front of jar.
Jar Tag

Jar Side

Jar Back

Sept.15 Card Reveal

Here is my DTM contribution to the September 15 th Sketch Challenge hosted at " Am I a Scrap Addict Sketches" Blog.

Keeping with the Fall theme of my Blogoversary Celebration ( I am almost at a 100 posts !)
I decided to create a Halloween Card with the sketch provided by Deanne Burton.

The 2ND and 15 Th of each month you will find a new Card sketch by Deanne..also on the 1st and 14Th a new Layout sketch is posted to help you with your Scrapbook pages.

Check out the different Layouts and Cards that have been created by the DTMs using Deanne's sketch.
So many different interpretations !!
Way to go ladies !! Good Job !!

Haunted Halloween House

Due to bad Internet connection, I have been unable to update my blog for the last few days.

Just wanted to shout out to all you ladies who are celebrating with me on my Blogoversary Celebration Challenge..Thanks for playing along and Good luck!

Some fantastic Fall ideas have been coming in and hope you will find something fun and inspiring to take away with you in honor of the season.

I know I have !!
I went and bought some Macintosh Apples from our local orchard and hope to try the Yummy Apple Crisp Recipe that has been shared .
( Just a little hint ; ) of what wonderful ideas have been posted ) !
Check it out in the next post down !

I wanted to share with you a Haunted House Printable I came across and a link for this fun fall project.

Here you will find printable images to construct many different Haunted Houses already embellished and ready to print.

Would make a fun project for the family on a cold rainy fall day.

A whole village of Hunting's!!

They also have a template for constructing a Gingerbread Haunted House, with template, visual and written instructions.

I wanted to decorate my own to fit into my home decor.

I used the cake template provided for the Haunted Gingerbread House adding tabs to the template to help bind it all together.

How do you like that chimney smoke, BATS !!! ooh noooo!!

Inkadinkado has this wonderful Halloween Flourish in a clear Stamp!

If you try this project please let me know,would love to stop by and see what you have created :) !

Have fun !

EDITED: to mention I left the bottom of my Haunted House open, so I could place a battery operated candle underneath.

Blog Celebration Challenge & RAK

Hello,Scrappers and Crafters!

Unable to post for the last couple of days, due to no Internet connection,the rain finally fell here and took some of the humidity out of the air and turned my connection back on! WooHoo!!

I would like to celebrate my one year blog and upcoming 100Th post with a challenge for all who would like to give it a try.

It is my way of saying thank you for all the wonderful products I have received over the past couple of years, thru various challenges on blogs and boards that I have participated in.

I have not decided yet on how I will draw a name,I would like to check into a random generator,or all who participate will have there names in a hat and be drawn.

Okay,on to the challenge.

This challenge is open to all who would like to give it a try !

For those of you who visit my blog on a regular basis,you know by now that fall is my favorite time of the year.

I love everything about this season...need I say more? :)

For your challenge I would like to have you share your favorite fall layout, project, card,tip or recipe that has to do with the season. That's it!

The prize will be this fun little Halloween kit of Martha Stewart products I have put together for you.

Don't you just love that Stamp!! I thought it was so much fun!

Good luck to all who give this a try...just post in the comment of this post,so we can all go and see what fun ideas you have to share!

I will draw the winner on the 24Th of September so your package will arrive in time for those fun Halloween projects!

Happy Anniversary to my Blog !

Anniversary Images from Funtasticprofiles.com


Keep your eyes open!

Not only is it the 1 year anniversary of my blog, but I am 5 posts shy of hitting my 100Th post.
So...for a little special treat to all you kind folks that stop by to say hello or just stop by for a visit to my world.

I will be putting together a little something fun to do and an RAK to go along with it!
I will post in the next couple of days, once I decide what it is I would like to do in honor of my being able to keep this blog going for this long!

I appreciate all the kindness that has been shown on my blog and all the inspiration that has been shared !
I hope some where in this adventure I have been able to give back the same!
Thanks again to all that have stopped by for a peek and all who have went out of there way to comment !

You folks are the best and always an inspiration to me !

Halloween Project

Coming to terms with the fact the lazy days of summer are almost behind for another year (even though it hit low 90's today ).
I have had the urge to get ready for the arrival of fall.

From changing the colors that are in my home decorations, to checking out all the new styles of fall sweaters that are showing up in the stores.
I am ready for a cool breeze and some local Harvest festivals.
Only natural that my creative thoughts are leaning in that direction also.

A little project that I worked on yesterday that took no time to make, with a limited amount of materials .

The frame used was a plain black plastic frame purchased from the "Dollar Store".
Applying a coat of Gesso so my paint would adhere to the plastic, used Acrylic paint for my colored squares and outlined with black window paint for dimension.
When the paint was set I covered with Mod Podge to protect.

Using felt and some embroidery thread and some buttons,this Halloween decoration was fun, fast, and easy to come together .

This little frame has already found a home with my Mother,her first Halloween decoration in her new place. :) She insisted on the grumpy Pumpkin !

Card Reveal

My first card created for "Am I a Scrap Addict Sketches" as part of the new design team.

Twice a month Deanne will be posting both Layout & Card Challenges on her Sketch Blog.

If you need a little push thru those brick walls that we run into from time to time,stop by and give her sketches a try.

A new Card Challenge and Layout Challenge has been posted !!

While you are there,take a look at all the wonderful creations by the Layout & Card Design Team members for this sketch!

I always love to see the different interpretations of a Sketch design.





Just a little Birthday card..I thought would be fun to make

Flowers & Light Box Links

It seems to me, here in my little world the Spring & Summer have gone by far to quickly.

June I purchased Doodlebug Chipboard Flower & Vase Project with

the idea that it would make a fun project for my Granddaughter's nursery.

Here it is the end of August and I have now just got around to completing this project!

Where has the time gone to ?

All in all though,I am happy that I finally was able to settle on the colors and it is now completed and will make its way into the baby nursery this weekend.

I have also been surfing the web reading up some tips & tutorials for creating your own light box to photograph your projects and layouts .
I have yet to create one for myself but hope that sometime thru the weekend I may have this project completed.
For now I am testing materials and ideas that will suit my taste & needs.

Here I used foam board using natural light,still to many shadows :) this is just a test for types of materials I would like for my box.

There are some links for you at the bottom of this post if you are interested in giving it ago your self.

http://www.theswitchboards.com/articles_professionalphotos.html

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

http://www.ourmedia.org/node/253481

http://photodoto.com/create-your-own-light-box/

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent/

Thanks for stopping by ..have a happy & safe Holiday :)