Time Flies

Dang! It's already the end of November? I have to apologize to all of you. I have been a bad blogger, a really bad one. I knew that this semester was going to be tough but I didn't realize how time consuming it was going to be. Then out of the blue, my father past away on September 12. OMG!  Anyone who has lost a parent knows how the wind gets sucked out of you. It's been tough - some days a lot more than others. Thankfully I have some wonderful friends that I have been able to lean on and have met even more in the last several weeks. I finally actually have some energy and motivation and inspiration to craft again! Now it is a matter of getting the blog updated and keeping it updated!

As I was going through my camera, I discovered a bunch of pictures of things I made but never posted. I will be sharing some of these over the next several weeks. 

This was a simple 8x8 layout. I punched out 5 oval per pumpkin. I distressed each oval before putting them together. One of the pumpkins had the paper ran through the Fiskars paper crimper before I punched out the ovals The stem and leaves are just free cut. I did a triple mat for photos to go on. A ribbon and a piece of patterned paper complete the items used. And the great thing, all made with scraps!

Have a great night and thanks for hanging in there! xx

My Marker Holder

Altered Candle

OOPS! I think it was been way too long since my last post! I forget how much time gets sucked up by school work! Two more courses and I am done.

I did manage to squeeze in a little craft time today. My first altered candle. I wrapped a piece of lace around the candle to give the flowers a rough surface to adhere to. Added flowers and pearls and there you go! The candle is one that burns down the center so no fear of fire (I hope!)

My First Award!

Isn't it beautiful! :) It's the Liebster Award. Okay it's not an Oscar or a Golden Globe but it is pretty awesome that a new blogger pal, Jade (Muffin Tea House) nominated me! What the award is about  new bloggers (those with under 200 followers) getting to know each other and motivating each other.

 Here are the rules:
1. You must post 11 things about yourself.
2. Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.
4. Choose 11 new blogs & link them in your post
5. Please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster award so I can learn more about YOU!


MY 11 things!

1.  I have given up soda and gluten at the beginning of this year
2.  I haven't killed anyone because of it!
3.  I have MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
4.  I love my job - okay I've only been there 7 months!
5.  I have a nephew on the Autism spectrum
6.  Fall is my favorite season.
7.  I cut my own hair ( it grows so freaking fast!)
8.  I'm a total gamer!
9.  I hate things on my feet.
10.  I only have local stations for tv viewing  - that's right a digital converter box and rabbit ears!
11.  I can't stand my hands to be sticky.

Here are the ??? Jade asked me! How is your day so far?  Today has been great! I got a lot done in my craft room and might actually get to start crafting this week!

Why do you blog? I love writing. Blogging for me is a way to journal with pictures or videos. Plus I get the chance to me some pretty cool people along the way!

Ever drunk text someone?  If so, share!  No but Jade is there something you want to share? :)

What is your passion? This year my passion is going to be me. Taking care of me and getting myself into a healthier state physically, mentally and spiritually.

Read any good books lately? Besides my accounting text books? No - another reason I will be glad when school is over so I can start reading real books again!

What is the most daring thing you’ve ever done?  Skinny dipped - or my case chunky dunked!

Know any good jokes?  Please share. No but I like listening to good jokes!

If you could live in another city, where would you live?  NYC!

What skill or ability do you wish you had?  I wish I could orb like in "Charmed". For a get back to reality answer I would say I wish I could knit!
  Who would play you in a movie? Marisa Tomei

  What did you eat today? Greek yogurt, homemade soup, GF crackers, vegies



My 11 questions to ask my nominates!

1. What is your dream vacation?
2.  Have you outgrown your childhood fears?
3. What is your least favorite food?
4. What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now?
5.  Why did you start blogging?
6.  What is your favorite 3 movies?
7.  Name 1 major change you would like to do in your life.
8.  What would you do with one million dollars?
9.  If you could own any animal, what would it be and why
10. What is your favorite tv program?
11. Who inspires you the most?

 The 11 Blogs I Nominate Are:
The Fat Dormouse
Athanasios AKA Vabakken's Crafty Community
Buttons N Lace24 Creations
111 LaLa Lane
Cave Creek Notebook 
Crafting across Continents
dysfunctionally - functional
Marlynne Creates Daily
My Paper Daisy 
Precious Cottage  
Blue Finch

 


 

It's a Blog Party!!

              First -  thanks Vicki for hostessing this wonderful blog party!

  http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com.au       

        Make sure you stop in at her blog! There will be links to a whole bunch of blogs you can check out!                       

Welcome to my blog everyone! My name is Mary and you can read a little bit more about me over there on the left. I'm so glad you took the time to drop on by. This is my crafting blog that I started two years ago.  My first blog (Just me and my cats) is no longer open. That was a different phase in my life and is now more of an on-line journal for myself. Even so I had met some wonderful people because of blogging and still keep in contact with several of them.

Right now I am into paper crafting - but I reserve the right to switch to sewing, or beading or cross stitching or...well I think you get the idea! I love sharing what I made, what others made for me and tips and tricks that might save us a buck or two.  Besides this blog I also have a YouTube channel. 

In two weeks school starts for me again. Including this class, I have three to complete before getting my associates degree in Accounting. I have been blessed to have already found a job six months ago in that field. 

So my current task at hand is to make sure I get my craft room reorganized. It took a hit after the holidays and became a dumping ground for everything. I did take a picture when it was at the height of its disarray, but can't find it! LOL So note to self, organize all pictures on computer, flash drives and external hard drive. 

There you have it! Please be so kind and drop a note in the comments section! Don't forget to click on the "Join this Site" button on the left! Help yourself to a cup of coffee as well. Happy Blogging!

Fall Swap to Corina

 

 For the fall goodie swap we had a trio and I had to send to Corina in the Netherlands! This was one of the fronts of the bag I decorated. 

And in the bag i but this wooden box for her to alter and I stuffed with a bunch of goodies!

This is one of the tags I made. I took some of the ribbon I had received from Larelle and lined the back of the card with it. The Welkom I made out of white letter buttons that I used alcohol inks on.

The pumpkin is made out of 5 oval punches. The fall was made by alcohol inking some white puzzle pieces and  then stamping on them. I attached them with foam squares. I actually did burn the one end with a lighter (PLEASE BE CAREFUL IF YOU DO THIS!)

I am in the process right now of trying to actually organize my craft room. It took a serious beating from the holidays! It became a junk room! I don't mind my craft room being a bit disorganized but... I hope you know what I mean! Thanks for stopping by.

Fall Goodie Swap

We had a Fall Goodie Swap on the Crafty Community Site a few months back (I told you I was way behind!). So for this swap you needed to make 3 tags with a fall theme, one paper bag decorated on the front and back, 2 yard of trim or lace, a card and a treat. My partner was the fabulous Larelle and she spoiled me rotten!!!! (You can check out her fabulous talent on her YouTube channel!) She sent me so much stuff! I was simply blown away! I so wish I had remembered to film it. And she even decorated the inside of the box. And or course you know who has claimed it as her own!

Olivia's New Napping Place!

 I felt like I was grabbing out of Barney's bag - I thought I was never going to get to the bottom. She sent these 4 great smelling candles. I love how they look and yes will have a hard time lighting them :)

 This is the wonderful card she made for me!
 Below are some of the great goodies she also included!

 

So math must not be her strong point since she made 7 tags not 3!! I was blown away by each and every one! They are all gorgeous! Some tags she has put to tags together and then has tags I can pull out and journal on. Why have I never thought of that?!?

This tag has a corset lace on both sides with removable tags! I really need to do a video! These tags are just amazing! And she also included this sweet piece of burlap which I have already used a piece of it on a project.

Happy New Year!!!!!

Oh my gosh can you believe it is 2013 already??  I think the older I get the faster time goes. Well maybe not while I am at work ☺

I hope this post finds you well! I have pictures to post but I see blogger has changed the way you post pics so once I figure that out I will have a "few" pictures to put on here.

May 2013 be filled with many wonderful memories!!!

Mary

Using What You Have - #1

Good morning everyone. So I have been really inspired by Gina's (Scappinology on YouTube) series on Money saving tips and ideas for 2012. I took a new job at the end of June which resulted in taking a pretty big pay cut-but set hours; weekends off- so it was worth it. But of course that means I needed to watch my spending a lot closer! Anyways....

Her first tip - USE WHAT YOU HAVE - gee now there is a fabulous idea! I have a craft room bulging with stuff that I need to use. So I am going to challenge myself and see how much $$ I can save by using what I have.

 I have wanted the notebook edge punch ever since we did this cute card at my friend Chris' stamp camp. So I have been looking for months and months.  Every time I was in Mikes or Joanns they were out of stock or couldn't find them. Right now Joanns has it on sale for $10.99 on-line but then there is shipping ($5.95) or spend $40 and get free shipping. Then I could wait until they have free shipping with any purchase but I want it NOW!! LOL

Then it dawned on me! Hello - my bind it all!!!! So I grabbed my heavy pink machine and a piece of paper. Punched the holes...

And a few snips with a scissors.... I have my notebook edge!!!!! I'm so excited!!! So I'm going to call this a savings of $17 (even though I know I would have spent way more shopping on-line)

Christmas in July

I know! I know! I'm so bad on posting!!! I'm really going to try and change that. So on my ning site we had a Christmas in July swap and I was partnered with the ever so talented Line Cathrin from Norway (better know in YouTube land as Linexxa)! The rules of this swap were that you needed to send a minimum of $20 worth of new product, a handmade card and a hand made gift. She spoiled me with lots of goodies!!!

 The box she made its absolutely gorgeous!! I love everything about it! She covered the entire box with pages from an old book. No, I will not be trying to read bits and pieces! Okay I would have but it is in Norwegian. The lace she used is STUNNING! Did I mention that I love this box??

 Here are some of the goodies that she included for me to play with! I'm going to have a hard time using that lace! It is so pretty!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fab card she made for me!

I 'm sorry for the crazy photo layout! I hope to get better! Thanks again Line Cathrin for the wonderful present!! I think you did an amazing job!!!

Bookmark

Sorry about the picture! I guess I need to make sure I rotate before I upload!
So here is a bookmark I did for a weekly challenge over at the Crafty Community. The challenge was something old and something new. It was pretty sad that out of all the new things I have gotten for Christmas, the newest thing I used was ink by Color Box in brown, merlot, and black!

The items from my stash that I have had for several months (cough maybe years!):
Paper: Paper Pizazz
Stamp: "letter" - Inkadinkado
Bling: Zva Creative
Story Ticket: Adage Tickets by Tim Holtz
Strand on top: hemp cording used in jewelery making which is knotted and braided.

My room is still a mess but at least I used a few things!

                                            

January 2012

Welcome 2012! I will be the first to admit crafting was on the back burner last year. I have made some things just not posted them here.  I also  have gathered MORE goodies than any girl should have! I have to make the time to be crafty and keep my juices flowing. My first goal this month is to get this crap craft room organized. I did purchase a ribbon rack from Joann Fabrics so my "small" collection of ribbon will be in my face and get used. I also need to dust off my cricut and use some of the carts that I just had to have.

I have just returned from Clermont, FL and had a wonderful relaxing week! Was spoiled rotten by Sam and Vikkie! We rented a home and had a blast! I loved having a pool right out the back door! It was hard to come home to cold and snow!

Here is to a crafty 2012!

Mojo Monday Challenge #192

Hey everyone. I know its been months but I wanted to share with you my first ever creation for Mojo Monday #192 challenge. Thanks for stopping by to take a look.

Paper: cardstock
Key: K&Company
Bling: Darice
Stamp: "Letter" by Inkadinkado
: "Vintage Keys" by TPC Studio
Ink: Tim Holtz distress inks: bundled sage and vintage photo
: ColorBox: cocoa
Twine
Nestabilities to cut circles and scalloped circles

ambers altered journal.wmv

My first attempt at making flowers!









This is my first swap at Life on the {scrap}beach! Thanks Leah! I love it all!









Hmmm....I should have know this was to become a self-fulling prophecy!!