It's Been Too Long

Well, this blog break has lasted way longer than I expected it to. I thought it would be just a few weeks while the kitchen was being remodeled, but that turned into a couple of months and I still don't have a finished kitchen, yet. Then the holidays came and went. I had the best intentions to blog again beginning on January 1st, but you know what they say about the road paved with good intentions. I started the new year with a nice week long bout with the viral bug. So, now I am finally back to myself and hoping that the crafting mojo continues to grace me with its presence, kitchen finished or not.

For Christmas, I made my godchildren glittered ornaments with their name on them, cut from vinyl on my Silhouette. They were such a hit that I decided to do some heart shaped ones for Valentine's Day. I posted them on Instagram and had a few questions about the how tos. While they may seem tedious to make, they really are quite easy and look much better in person. It is very difficult to get the glitter"ness" to come through in the photos.

Instead of me trying to explain how I did them, here is a link to the site that I used for instructions. She did a great job explaining and including photos. I didn't take pictures of my process, but I did take pics of my finished project, included below.

 

Two tips for making these: (1) After you put the ornament hooks back in, clean the glass with glass cleaner and let dry before adhering the vinyl cut out. (2) Make sure the cut out is sized appropriately for the front of the glass otherwise you will experience some buckling of the image.

On another note, I am playing along again this year with One Little Word. Last year, my word was OKAY, and well, my year was just that. OKAY. This year I wanted something a bit more challenging so I chose the word CHANGE. I am hoping that I can change a lot of things this year. My attitude, my weight, the way I create and my blogging habits, along with 100 other things on my list. The biggest one being about the way I am so hard on myself. That is a big one! Are you doing OLW this year? If so, leave a comment telling me your word and why you chose it. I am interested to know.

Thanks for visiting!
Dani

Checking In

Morning all! I have been MIA the last few weeks due to lots of things going on around here. First, my computer did some automatic updates and somehow downloaded a virus to the motherboard, so the keyboard would freeze up and start typing on its own. Really freaky, huh? Evidently, this is a problem going around according to the HP website. Then my dh and I started a major kitchen remodel a week ago, starting with the removal of tile. What a mess! YUCK!!! I feel like I even have dust in my teeth. Fortunately, the new floor is starting to go in today. Next up, cabinets, paint, backsplash, and new fixtures. Trying to get it all done before the holidays.

So as you can see, I haven't had much time for a lot of scrapping. I did manage to get a couple of pages and a card done before we started. Todays layout is from the Fourth of July, which just happens to be my birthday. My dh loves to grill and this is one day I don't mind letting him do so. I get the day off from cooking and cake too!

This layout was created using the Simple Stories Summer collection and inspiration was taken from from a Pagemaps sketch from Becky Fleck.

Well, I hope you are all having a good week! Thanks for visiting and I hope to not be away for such a long time, again.

Dani

WOYWW - College Bound

Okay, so not much crafty business going on here today, but I did just receive a nice box from Two Peas that I need to get in to. No, today is COLLEGE DAY!!! Yes, I did take pictures of here leaving. Only a few tears in my eyes as I was watching her go, but they were tears of pride, not sadness as in the past years.

And just to share a little craftiness, in compliance with WOYWW, here is the layout I completed last week of her senior pics. She is my free spirited, guitar playing, artist/painter of a child. And I love her so!

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

WOYWW 166

Not much to show you on the desk this week, so I will show you last week's teething worms in use.

She loved them and held on to a couple all day long. They certainly are a mouthful.

To see actual desks with more going on than mine, hop on over to Julia's and link up.

Have a blessed day!

Dani

Summer Lovin'

I blame it on summer. The lack of creativeness going on, on this blog. Between celebrating my birthday, the Fourth of July, the beach vacation with my family, painting my art room, the rain, the sunshine, etc... The month of July is just going to be a creative bust for me, but that's okay, because I am enjoying this time in my life. The back pain is at a minimum and getting out in between all of the rainstorms that we have been having lately is a must to keep me sane.

I did manage to get one layout done this week, but it is very simple, as you can see below. I feel like I stepped back quite a few years and created this layout. But sometimes, simple is best. The hardest part was doing the photo.

Thank you for your visit! I hope you have a "colorful" week!

Dani

Create Art

Over the weeks of being out with my back, I have had to learn to be patient when it came to my crafting. Since I couldn't sit for more than 15 minutes at once, I had the time to allow things to dry, something I didn't have the patience for before. Now, I had the perfect excuse to try some things that I have always wanted to do. The modeling paste techniques from last week were on that list.

Below, is a small canvas that I made one afternoon, during my early weeks of physical therapy. Since it was a small project, it was very manageable for me to do standing at my kitchen counter. I now have it hanging in my playroom to remind me that I need to "create art" even on my darkest days. It is the thing that helps me get through a lot in my life. And all of the "playing" has made me look at my art in a different light. Some things I have really enjoyed more than I ever thought I would. You will see more of these things reflected in my work in the future.

While I am not happy that I had to suffer back issues to make me slow down and enjoy the process, I am glad that I had the time to try. Now that my hubby has made me a standing desk, I am back to being able to craft for longer periods of time. So while I am back to finishing a card or layout in one session, I also promised myself that I will still take the time to just sit stand and play. I hope that you will grant yourself the same.

Have a blessed day!

Dani

It is good to be back

Finally, after a break longer then I intended, I am back! For those of you who have been following my blog and knew about my back issues, I just wanted to give you a quick health update. After five weeks of physical therapy, cortisone meds, and some much needed rest, I have been discharged and have learned some techniques to keep me on my feet. Since I am too young to be considered for the surgery needed (yeah, finally too young for something), I am learning to adjust and live with controlling the pain and flare-ups.

One of the things is sitting for extended periods of time. To help with this, my hubby has taken some cubbies in my room and turned them into a table for standing. You will see more of my desk on Wednesday for WOYWW. How I have missed these weekly posts.

I have been working during my break, but just for very short periods of time. Some projects have taken me two weeks to complete, which has led me to be able to try new things that before I didn't have the patience to wait for things to dry. One of those things was playing with light molding paste and Julie Fei-Fan Balzers Crafter's Workshop stencils. The first thing I tried was playing on tags, as shown below.

Once I became familiar with the way the paste reacts, I took one of the tags, cut it apart, and used it on a layout. I then dripped Distress Ink down the page using a rubber brayer. I am so in love with this technique, as you will see in pages coming up in the next week or so.

Well, if you joined me again today, thanks so much for sticking by me through all of these weeks. The prayers and well wishes were really overwhelming and humbling. If you are new here, I hope you continue to visit and see what I am up to.

Hope you have a blessed week!

Dani :)

WOYWW 153

I know, I have been missing in action lately. If you remember my back episode from a few weeks ago, well, it was worse off than we thought. Right now, I am on cortisone's and go to physical therapy three times a week. To keep with the "rule" of a short post, I will just say not much creating going on here. I am up to date on my card challenge, but I haven't taken the photos yet. The layout on my desk has been there for almost two weeks and still isn't done. I do a little when I can get out of bed. I just couldn't miss another week of playing along.

If you are wondering why the random blathering about my desk, check out Julia's blog to see what I am talking about.

Happy WOYWW!!

Dani

Baby Goodness

Morning, I mean, good afternoon fellow blog readers. I hope your weekend was great. Ours was fantastic. We had beautiful weather, surrounded by wonderful family, and babysat the new baby to boot. What could be better than that? Since her Mom would rather not have the babies photo all over the net for now, I am posting this cuteness below.

This is why I do not have any new projects or pages to show you. I didn't even finish my glass jar from last week. I was too busy playing with, holding, loving, taking photos, and generally spoiling this little princess. I forgot how little they can be. And bath time was a blast. She just loves the water. Okay, enough baby goodness, for now.

I hope to get in the studio today, in between the laundry and the cooking, and finish that jar and a few other things that are in the works.

Have a blessed week!

Dani

Random Blathering +

Yesterday, when I said it had been raining for days and the weather was only good for scrapping and baking, I meant it. Below is the layout that was on my desk that I finished. Someone asked about the sketch I was using, so here is the link to it.

Once I finished the page, I baked for the rest of the afternoon. I did 4 dozen nutter butters, 8 dozen monster cookies, and 2 dozen banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. I only kept a handful. The rest went to my neighbor and to my husband's office.

Someone also asked me about my lighting on the WOYWW post. It is a photography lamp that goes with my photo studio set up. I use it because it is off of my desk, it provides natural light, and it does double duty when I need more lighting for portraits.

Well, there you have it. Hopes this answers your questions.

Have a blessed Easter! I will be back next week.

Dani

Room Makeover

I want to thank you all so much for your very kind words on yesterday's blog post. I know leaving her to do it on her own was best. She is my only baby and sometimes it is hard to let go.

Today, I wanted to share the re-do of my room. I finished it this past weekend so here is a (very) quick tour of each space and what I use it for.

First up is yellow desk, at 4 ft. long, which I love. I do most of my scrapping and card making on this desk. The long drawer up front holds all of my hand tools, glues, and pens. It also houses my twine and washi tape collections. Next to it is my best craft organizer. It holds all of my cardstock, embellishments, and such. On top, is my ink pad holder and my pattern paper kits and collections.

This next corner is where I do all of my computer work, photo editing,printing, and cutting, and where I keep my Silhouette ready for use. I just need to get in the habit of using it more than I do. Behind the trimmer, I have two desk organizers filled with blank cards and their matching envelopes ready to go. When I run low, I sit and cut a batch in different sizes. This assures that I always have the right size envelope for the card I have made. Too many times I have finished a card only to realize that I do not have the correct size envelope to mail it. This eliminates that problem.

On the far left, is my tiny die cut and embossing center. It also holds some fabric for my sewing. In the center is my sewing closet. My dh removed the doors and installed a table height shelf for my machine. I also store punches and other mixed media things in this closet. I have two three drawer bins under the table for storing things such as extra adhesives, packing supplies, and items meant for altering. Stella, my dress form, holds my sewing scissors, tape measure, and a few other odds and ends on her. She is named after my great-grandmother who was the most creative person I knew.

To the far right, is my cubby stand. Actually, it is two stacked together. The bins hold things such as containers, tins, yarn, jars, and such. The boxes keep my inks, stamp making supplies, brayers, etc. out of sight, but because everything is labeled I can find what I need with just a quick glance.

Well, there you have it. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

I am SO not ready for this...

Okay, I know I joke about getting my daughter through college and out of this house. My husband and I whine, when is it our time? But this morning, she asked me to drop her off for orientation, something about not wanting to find a place to park. So I did, not dressed in my Sunday best, and she saw that some parents were staying. She looked at me and said, "Good going, Mom." She was just joking, but my heart sank. As I pulled away, I was holding back tears and trying to rationalized that she is 18 and needs to start doing these things on her own. It took all for me not to go home, get dressed properly, and drive back. (We only live 5 minutes from college) But I didn't. So for those of you who have gone through it, how do you do it? My heart aches every time I look at this picture.

Hope you have a blessed week!

Dani

Spring has Sprung

After four days of miserable wind and rain, our weekend turned out to be the most gorgeous spring weekend that you could wish for. It was mild and sunny with just a hint of breeze throughout. We worked in the yard all day on Saturday, cutting trees and getting flower beds ready. Then we went to Lowes to pick out some new plants. I wanted to start a new herb garden here, but decided on a couple of herb boxes instead.

Inside the studio, I worked a bit on the Tim Holtz's CC101 class. I played around with alcohol inks and gloss paper. I also printed out a few photos for a new layout that I am starting, hopefully today. My daughter asked for a new photo printer, so I think I am going to order the Picturemate Charm for use to share. She has the Canon Pixma(?), but really wants true 4x6 photos.

I leave you with a card that I made on Sunday to celebrate this beautiful weather we are having.

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

WOYWW 144

Happy Wednesday to You! I can't believe how fast time seems to be passing lately. I can't seem to keep up with all that I have going on around me. I am still fighting an illness, I have a new little niece being born on Monday, and the projects I have planned seem to be piling up one on top of the other. The supplies are all in, and the ideas are sketched out, but the hours just do not seem to be enough in a day.

If you came here from Julia's, I hope you are not disappointed. My desk still has the remains of Monday's card on it. I didn't even clean it up. So not like me, but I really do feel YUCK, and I think know that is why the mess is still there. And yes, I did turn the desk around so that I could walk around it without hitting my hip.

On a brighter note, I was so thrilled to receive this lovely award by fellow blogger, May. When I started this blog, it was a way for me to share my creative ideas with the ladies who took my craft classes every month. When I stopped teaching, I also took a break from blogging, never realizing how much I would miss it. After I came back, the support from the blogging public was overwhelming. I can't believe how fast the followers started to add up and how many comments would start rolling in. I even get e-mails from some of you when I have been missing for a few days to check up on me. It is humbling, to say the least.

There are 5 rules:
1-show thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking them back to you.
2-reveal your 5 choices
3-post the award on your blog
4-Bask in the love from the most supportive on the blog-share (other bloggers)
5-Finally and the best have fun and spread the love by joining each others blogs

So, to pass on the love to 5 other bloggers around the world, in no particular order. Please visit these wonderful ladies if you have a chance.

1. Siehled With A Kiss
2. http://www.justjingle.blogspot.com/
3. Under Scarlet Birds Wing
4. Tracy's Treasures
5. Confessions of a twenty something artist

And lastly, if you are here for the 52 card challenge, I am running a little behind on it. I should have it up in the next day or two. Sorry for the delay.

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

Hi Beautiful

I got a little late start on things this morning. My plans for having some me time didn't go, well, as planned yesterday. I ended up spending the better part of the morning at the doctor's office running tests and trying to figure out the sudden pain in my abdomen. Now, I am on medication for the discomfort and scheduled to see a specialist next week. Oh well, I did manage to work on one card sketch yesterday.

Starting with the sketches, I did have a couple of requests regarding sharing my sketches. I am not that technically savvy and even though I have some of the better quality software, I still do mine the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper. I usually do this while watching tv with my hubby. I can try to see if I can figure something out and we will see what you think. So, let's get to the card.


I used some older, I think it was Little Yellow Bicycle, paper that I had won. The butterfly is an EK Success punch that I added glitter to. Once dry, I cut and wrapped a toothpick with Divine Twine to create the butterflies body. The banner was also part of the LYB collection that I cut down to the size needed for my card. I simply printed the sentiment on the strip of yellow paper. Once I glued it down, I realized that I should have put the saying further to the left, but oh well. You can still see it in person since the butterflies wings are raised.

Can you tell I am SOOOOOO ready for Spring?

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

Overdue

I never intended for it to be a week since my last post, but I must say, it was a well needed break. My daughter and I enjoyed some shopping, pigging out, a lot of movies, and shopping some more. It was a fun week but I am ready to get back to the business of creating. The only thing I managed last week was drawing three card sketches. I hope to work on them today.

Since I was away from the computer, I forgot to post card challenge number 6. So without further ado, here it is.

Hi-ya, Sweets was created with Crate Paper's Emma collection. I used the stickers for the borders and sentiment and added a doily and pearls. Of course, some machine stitching was a must. I love having my machine out and ready to use, thanks to my hubby's handiwork.

Card #7

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I am looking froward to some me time.

Dani :)

A Quick Post

Well, we are off this week with Mardi Gras break, so that means no school. You would think that it would leave more time for crafting, but that is usually not the case when dd is not in school. She is already talking about going shopping and watching movies.

Here is a quick look at her birthday card from this weekend. She turned 18 on Saturday, and yes, I still have to keep her company when they are out of school. I guess it comes from being an only child and not knowing a lot of people in this town we moved to. Hard to have your senior year in a place where you hardly know anyone.

Anyhoo, I have been wanting to use these roses on a card and since this one didn't need to be mailed, I thought it was the perfect time to do so. I love that floral background paper and the pink rose matched perfectly. Three pearls was all of the embellishment I felt it needed. Simple and sweet.

 

Hopefully, I will have something to post later this week.

Thanks for visiting!

Dani

Valentine's Day Post

To start the day, let me wish all of my fellow bloggers, followers, commenters, and readers a Happy Valentine's Day! To celebrate with my family, I am cooking an Italian dinner. Not sure on the dessert yet.

I did make these for my daughter's day care kids. The cupcakes are a really good vanilla cake recipe to have in your recipe box. I didn't use the rose water frosting because it was for kids. I made this marshmallow fluff frosting recipe instead. It is delicious!

1 stick softened butter
1 jar marshmallow fluff
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
2 T milk

Beat butter and fluff together. Add vanilla. Add one cup of sugar at a time, beating well between each addition. Add milk and beat well on medium speed until fluffy. Spread or pipe onto cakes.

I made miniature ones. Seriously, how cute are they?

The card below was made for one of my goddaughters. I know, you are thinking that I sure have a lot of godchildren. Lol... I do. I have 3 girls, one boy, and one niece, and another one due in a couple of weeks. They all call me Nanny or Nanan and are treated all the same.

Back to the card. It was made for a 16 year old. I wanted it to be really girly with ribbons and lace. I love that MS heart doily border punch and lace heart punch. I added a few pins to the bow, along with a cupcake pick that I picked up last year. I really liked the vintage Valentine look.

Hope your day is filled with love!

Dani

Just a little Note

I just wanted to thank all of you who have left such heartfelt comments last week to my OLW post. Admitting depression was one of the hardest things I have had to do. The meds are making me really tired, but on the bright side, they are a great diet aid. ha ha... Sorry, I really need to keep my sense of humor.

I don't want to make this blog about depression, as creating is the thing that helps keep me focused, but from time to time, you may see a layout pop up related to my OLW journal. I do appreciate each and all of your comments. Your support has been so uplifting to me. I am astounded by the friendliness of the online crafting community. Again, thanks so very much for your kindness.

Tomorrow, back to business as usual.

Hugs :)

Sick, Sick, and more Sick

Right now, I am so sick of the sicknesses going on in this house. I think I am going to scream!!

We had two doctor's appointments just this morning. Dd hasn't been to school since last Thursday and there is definately no creativity going on. Colds, and viruses, and sinuses, oh my!!

Vent over....thanks.