Good things come in small packages

I'm a bit late in posting both these items, but hey - better late than never, right? Look at these adorable "Petite Inspiration Boxes" I received last week from my swap with Speckled Egg. Heather does the best swaps and these were so much fun to receive from Lonnie, Jen and Tammy. Each one was so beautiful in different ways and crammed with stuff! I have already begun using some of the vintage flowers, tickets and other items in my work. Thank you so much girls! I loved them.

And here's something that really made my week - finally getting my copy of this in the mail - my first publication! I had done these "NeSt" letters for Say It With Letters a while back, and really loved doing them. How exciting for me to see them here in the new "Simply Handmade"!

Now my goal is to be published in "Cards" and my life will be complete! Ha ha! :) Thank you for all your kind comments, girls, you are all so sweet! Have a great week everyone!

Card Creating and Doorbell Ditching

So, I've got the card-bug again and can't stop making them. Every time I get new supplies I just can't seem to stop. I went into Michael's again last week with my daughter and of course had to get a few cute things.

They have new K & Company lines there that I've never even heard of! Those designers are busy, busy!


And then, my daughter and I made these cones and filled them with candy. We put them on neighbor's doorknobs, ring the doorbell and run! What fun - and we don't leave our name - we're trying to stir up a little Valentine's mystery. I wanted to do it for Halloween and never had the time, - so Valentine's Day is just as fun. Anyone else ever go doorbell ditching?

A Passion for Polka Dots

So, one of my papercrafting idols is hosting a challenge on her blog - the challenge was to create a card using polka dots, and funny thing was, I just did! I bought this paper at a new scrap store called NH Scrapbook Cabin in Amherst, - with my bestest friend and my daughter - we had a fun time shopping! I love this Imaginisce paper - it just screams "storybook" or "Hansel and Gretel" to me. So cute. My daughter loves it so much we're going to buy the whole line, including the stamps. Too cute. And here's a few other polka dot inspired cards I did for the challenge. Hope I win! :) Check it out at: Lilybeans Paperie.



Here's a picture of the newest scrap store in New Hampshire: NH Scrapbook Cabin. You should check out their web site - they have wonderful personnel and even serve coffee! Now that's what I call shopping! :)

Gettin' Crafty!

This week has been so busy! I have reconnected with many friends and it makes me feel happy and alive! Where would we be without good girlfriends?? Here are some cards I made today inspired by my friends.

Also - had my first "Crafternoon" this weekend and it was so much fun. There were just four of us, but we had a lot to talk about, a lot to share, and some interesting projects were made. One of the girls was sewing bags for Morsbags. Go check out the site and make one of your own like I did! Here's mine made out of old dinner napkins. Reuse, renew, recycle!

Another girl was making draft dodgers for the local church windows, and another was knitting on a loom. It really was a lot of fun and great therapy! I have some more projects to show you but they'll have to wait until another time. My little one needs me now. Have a great week! :)

Resolutions

So.... it's been a while since I've updated my blog - I have just felt so unproductive lately. By the time it's time to craft - I'm all worn out and have no energy and just want to go to bed. Could it be all this snow I've been shoveling lately??? Perhaps. Here's some non-traditional Valentine cards I made lately using the new K & Company "Cut and Paste" line which I just adore! There's also some Basic Grey here - two of my most recent faves.

And oh! On an exciting note, a friend of mine here is attempting to start up a group of local crafters to get together once a month. She was inspired by a book called: " Crafternoon " - has anyone ever heard of it? I haven't read it but I am dying to read it and do more crafting. One of my New Year's resolutions was to create more and have more fun. Sounds good, doesn't it??? :)

Merry Christmas

Hello everyone -
Just wanted to wish all of you out there in blog land a very happy Christmas. It's been a bit of a different one for me this year, and I'm trying with all my might to regain my Christmas spirit. Hope all of you have it or find some one thing that is just for you this holiday.
Merry Christmas.

All things Christmas

Why am I so fond of Christmas? I am not really sure why I am Christmas obsessed. Why do I feel the need every year at this time to decorate and bake as if I'm nesting? All I know is that I can't help myself! I love everything about this time of year. Here's some ornaments I have been making and a funky Christmas countdown calendar that I made with a cookie sheet and magnets. It turned out a little "busier" than I had imagined, but I still like it.



Here's a pic of my daughter helping me bake sugar cookies. I'm glad I have a partner in crime!
My studio has been a wreck all month with preparations. How are all of you celebrating/decorating for the holidays?

I'm a bad blogger...

So yes - I have been a very bad blogger. A very busy blogger. I love this time of year - but it's also my busiest - most stressed out time of year. So that explains why I haven't posted in a while. We had everyone over early this past weekend for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. I'm glad all the cooking is done but now what will I do on Thanksgiving? Ha. Isn't this picture cute? It's my two adorable kids outside of this cute new shop called "House Too Home". Full of adorable things I love. Old cupboards, signs and primitive decor. Love it.

And here's something I should have posted about ages ago - it's the beautiful, beautiful box of autumn goodies that I received from Cathy over at Cranberry Cottage. We did an autumn swap and she was my partner. She makes the most beautiful handmade soaps and other products. Go check out her blog (where you can see photos of what I sent her) and her Etsy site: Cranberry Cottage Shop for some great stocking stuffers! Thank you Cathy - still lovin' my stuff!

And these photos are a project I just recently finished - it's a spool wreath kit from Say It With Letters. Isn't it darling? I love the papers - everything's included! And I had enough stuff left over to make a few cards and this little wallhanging. Go check it out and get one for yourself.


I'll try not to be such a bad blogger from now on!

Christmas on Halloween

So, my daughter thinks I'm nuts, working on Christmas cards on the day of Halloween. But I love the holidays so much that I start working/decorating for Halloween in late August, and then I've already moved on to Christmas halfway through October. Yeah, I guess I am a bit strange. But I love it!



Here's some cards I did for a local shop, and just for the sheer joy of creating. Also mixed in here are some designs I did for Say It With Letters , my favorite holiday shop, right now! Go and check out all her cute kits, shapes and letters. I'll have more projects coming soon to show you, including a new cookie sheet advent calendar for Christmas. Happy Halloween! Ha ha...

Been Busy

I have been so busy lately with - life, I guess - that I haven't had as much time for creating. And after a while, I really start to feel bottled up and frustrated, so it's good when I can do any little thing with color and pattern, and then I feel better. :)

I've also been trying to finish up this summer book I made so that I can start working on a fall mini-book. I used my Zutter binder to create this and I love the way you can punch holes in a lot of different things and then bind it all together. Fun stuff.

I've also been trying to do more scrapbooking lately - this summer I made so many cards but not so many layouts. I'm trying to be better about journaling and documenting things in words instead of just pictures!

I tried my hand again at one of these metal cookie-sheet calendars. I did one last year after I was inspired by Teresa McFayden's version, but mine never gets as good as hers. Still, I enjoyed making all the little Halloweeny dates and trying to come up with more clever ideas. My kids love to play endlessly with all the little magnets.

Oh! And I added a few little pincushions to my Trinkets shop if you're interested! Too much fun to make! Have a great week!

This time of year

I love this time of year. Look at this photo I snapped while driving down the road in my car this morning. It is just so glorious in New England right now and I feel so lucky to live here!

Here's some new products I've been making for our show at the end of October at Talk Paper Scissors. I love these little flowers! I just love looking at them because of the mixed-up colors. They use vintage novels and felt for the backgrounds.
I have also been having fun making these little keychains that use acrylic tiles. So much fun to add to a package, to your keyring or to a backpack!

Also these little tree shapes put me in a fall mood. All you need to do is add your favorite photo.

I am starting to accumulate too much for our show now and may need to move this over to my Etsy shop which has nothing! Once I list some items, I'll edit this post! Hope all of you are well and enjoying fall! :)

Getting Ready for the Holidays

I can't believe I'm thinking about the holidays already. Wasn't it just summer? But I so love fall. I just finished altering some of these shapes from Say It With Letters. Don't they put you in a fall mood?
I've also been enjoying making these little things - tag tins for the holidays and cute little pincushions. I don't sew a lot, but these make me want to! We're having another Early Bird Open House here at Talk Paper Scissors October 24th. If you're in the NH area, you should check it out! See the site for more information.