Worst Day on the Best Day; WOYWW 391

Yesterday was my 30th wedding anniversary.  The anniversary of one of the best days of my life.  DH and I have a great marriage full of love, respect, and lots of fun.  We weren't sure how we were going to celebrate since it's on a Tuesday, but celebrate we were!

Then this happened...5:00 in the morning I hear DHs cell phone ring.  As you can guess, a phone call at 5:00 doesn't mean good news.  I'm laying in bed thinking, please be my sister calling to sing "Happy Anniversary" but deep down I knew that wasn't it.  We got a call that his mother, my mother-in-law passed away.  She passed peacefully in her sleep at 4:00 a.m.

After the initial sock and lots of tears, we looked at each other and said "happy anniversary" and then cried some more.

We floated by the rest of the day, a coworker texted to let me know I had some flowers on my desk (I can't remember the last time DH sent me flowers on our anniversary) so she dropped them off and much later in the evening, our four children surprised us with an amazing anniversary gift.  They pitched in and purchased tickets to a four day cruise.

It was all so bitter sweet.

I didn't get a chance to take a photo of my work area, but I felt like posting anyways.

Click on over to http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com to read more about WOYWW and take a peek into some great craft spaces.  Every Wednesday, Julia hosts this linkage in order for people to share their work areas/desks to show off what they are working on.  It's pretty cool!

Water coloring, Doodling, and Coloring OH MY!

I had a lot of fun making these cards.  These first two are using a coloring page.  I colored with markers and cut them down to size.  I love the embellishment clusters I made on these.  They were made using a regular doiley, metallic doiley (SU!), three different washi tapes.

These next two were made after I watched a Youtube video on doodling.  I wasn't intentionally making these for cards, but I really liked the way they turned out so there you go.  LOL. Originally, I was going to leave it color-free, but decided last minute to add the watered down distress ink spray.

And the last two... one was a leftover piece of water coloring I did awhile ago.  I added some embellishments to complete it and the other was again some doodling but this time a mandala.  (Is that what they are called??). I punched 2 3/4" circles and then started drawing while on a road trip to visit my mother-in-law.  I made a few of these but only made the one card.

It's funny how I always feel like I don't have certain items, etc, but once I start digging through my stash, I find all these elements to make awesome embellishments.  Silly me!

I'm entering the mandala card in the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  Click HERE to get to the site.  Here's the sketch I followed:

More Stuff for the Cubicle Contest

I mentioned in my earlier post about the faux fireplace/mantel I am making.  It turned out much cuter than I thought it would!

I still needed to paint the top to emulate wood.  I had to go to Walmart to buy some dark brown.
Then I painted the back panel (more cardboard).  I think the fire could have been better, but hey, you get the idea.

The mantel will have garland around the edges/top and hopefull hide most of the mantel.  We'll need to keep it light in the middle since there's nothing really holding up the middle box lid.  I don't want it to sag.  I made a sign (which I will post later) that says "Dear Santa, We can explain."  LOL. I was debating between that and the "Define Good" saying.

I can't wait to put it all together.  I'm bringing the pieces to work tomorrow and more pictures will follow!

Cubicle Decorating Contest

So this year my work is having a cubicle decorating contest.  You'd think I'd be all over this one.  Normally I don't really decorate my work space, BUT...

My cubicle neighbor wants us to coordinate our adjoining wall.  This wall actually is a wall.  It's what people see when you walk into our side of the building.  So...what do I do?  I skim through Pinterest and get some ideas.

I am pretty stoked because after seeing so many different work spaces, home decor and everything in between, I decided to create a faux fireplace with mantel and all that entails.  I duct taped two boxes (four total) to create two columns and then taped together box lids for the mantel.  Then I painted the pillars white.  Used a combination of real red and tan acrylic paint to create a brick color.  I never tried it before, but everyone knows to use a sponge in paint to create faux bricks.  I did that on three sides of the pillars.  OMG!  It looks so great!  I plan to paint the "mantel" brown with wood grain.

Remember those cardboard deer heads I made awhile ago?  Well, I grabbed one of them and decorated his antlers with tinsel garland and jingle bells.  Used the Joys of the Season cartridge to make a wreath.  This cutie will hang above the mantel.

Used the Art Philosphy to make the stockings (11.5" each).

I'm working on the fireplace now but will post photos once everything is complete.  SO EXCITED!  No one is going to top our cubicles!!

BTW:  She gave me full artistic freedom on this one - yes I'm the crafty person at work.  LOL

Paint Nite

The newest craze...Paint Night.  I went with some coworkers and here's my painting...

I love how my trees came out!  We had a lot of fun and I learned how to paint trees!

12 Days of Christmas Tags Final Post

Today's the day!  I hope you had a chance to leave comments.  I gathered all the names of people who left comments.  I put all 13 of them in a hat - yup, I went old-school - and pulled one.

And the winner is...
Arianna Barbara

Please send me an email with your full name and mailing address.  My email address is doorknocker3@yahoo.com

Congratulations!!

All Bagged Up!

Thanks for all the comments.  I had a lot of fun doing this series.  I never know if I'll last the full 12 days so I'm proud of myself for completing the series.  I must admit, I'm glad it's over.  Many of these tags I'll use for my personal use, but I also bagged an assortment of six tags for the Holiday Boutique this weekend.

To see all the tags, click on the 12 Days of Christmas Tags label on the right.

Quick Holiday Cards Using Scraps

Remember the "coloring" page I created using the Bloom Art Stamps holly digi stamp?  Well, I used most of the sheet for the tags I made, but there was some leftover.  My friend, Debbie gave me some random papers and cards so I decided to use these postcard sized papers to border the handmade patterned paper.  I measured and adhered in the center of the card.  I snipped these black borders which were the leftover edges of the postage stamp shaped tags I made earlier.  They are perfect for this scraptastic holiday card!

The sentiment was also in my scrap pile.  I added some card candy on the other two.

This last card was made using an index card that I created while waiting on hold at work.  I grabbed some highlighters and a black sharpie to create this holly background.

I used the black border scraps again, but this time I actually cut the JOY from my cricut machine.

These were so simple to make but I just love them!  Very quick and easy holiday cards.  I love using scraps and bits and pieces laying around on my desk.  These black borders are a perfect example of this!

Poppies!

Poppies was the theme on the Mixed Media challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  I haven't really participated in awhile, but I was able to this week.  MIX198

The poppies I used are a Flower of the Month digi stamp from Bloom Arts Stamps.  Background is a gelli print.  I added some gelatos for shading and some random markings using two of the Elements Stamp Sets also from Bloom Arts Stamps.  Remember, these stamps are designed by me and I absolutely LOVE them!  I use them all the time & keep them close by.

Background marking stamps are so popular right now because they add just a little extra on your projects.  Here's a close up of the stamp sets that I've designed.  Click HERE to order your own!

12 Days of Christmas Tags: DAY TWELVE & WOYWW #389

Have you been checking out the tag series?  If you have, I hope you've been leaving comments since I'll be drawing one name to receive all twelve tags.  I'm drawing the name tomorrow after 5:00 p.m.  Good luck!

The last tags I was going to do some fancy stamping and make amazing tags, but then I didn't.  LOL  I did make some super cute tags using the Create-A-Critter II cartridge.

I made two different styles since the key cuts out two ornaments at a time, but both of them are adorable!

I added some lines here and there but basically just used the cut image.

This is also Wednesday which means it's WOYWW!  Every Wednesday, we link a photo of our work desks and share with other linkers.  Julia at Stamping Ground has been hosting this linkage for years.  I only started a few months ago, but love peeking into other people's craft areas, getting inspired & and getting to know them. 

This is my side of the Command Center

And this is Carly's side.  The mess on the floor is mine too.

I decided to share a photo of the Command Center since as usual, it's full of love and paper!
Happy WOYWW!

12 Days of Christmas Tags: DAY ELEVEN

I don't know if I'm running out of tag ideas or just getting lazy, but these tags were super duper quick and easy.  I cut these thin banners using my Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  I used Stampin' Up punches for the embellishments.

The stamps are also from SU!

One more day to enter comments on the tags.  Go back and comment on the previous comments for more chances to win all 12 tags.  After the 12th day post, I'll draw one name.

Good Luck!!

12 Days of Christmas Tags: DAY TEN

These tags were also cut using the scalloped circle cut on my Art Philosophy cricut cartridge.  I cut the scalloped circles at 2 3/4" and the inner circle at 2 1/4".  I cut a base (white) and patterned paper circles.  Obviously the patterned paper circles were cut in half.

The top is the tab punch from SU!  I don't know if they still sell it.  I know I purchased this punch a long time ago.

This is another great way to use scrap paper!  The metallic strip in the centers are two different washi tapes and then I attached punched snowflakes with dimensional adhesive.  I still need to punch a hole in the center of the tabs and add ribbon/twine.

These photos were also taken while I was on the road.  Not the greatest, but you can see the details.

I love reading the comments everyone leaves and don't forget that I'll be pulling one person to win all 12 tags.

Good luck!!

12 Days of Christmas Tags: DAY NINE

My tag ideas are getting weaker.  I do like these easy tags and boy oh boy is the Cricut coming in handy!!  I cut these "postage stamp" bases and border with the Art Philosophy cartridge exclusive to CTMH.  This was such a GREAT BUY!  I'm so glad I got it.

These cutie pie snowmen were made by using a circle punch and the rest was just hand cut squares and strips for the brim.  I used markers to draw the face details and even added some pink rosy cheeks!  

The stars are also from a punch and the green "leaves" are from the NUVO dimensional crystal drops.  (Sorry for the terrible photo...I'm sitting in the passenger seat on a road trip and worked on these)

Don't forget to comment on this post and the previous Christmas Tag posts for your chance to win all 12 tags.  At the end of this series, I'll pull one winner!

12 Days of Christmas Tags; DAY EIGHT

Loving this challenge of mine!  I hope you have been visiting and commenting every day.  At the end of the 12 day series, I'll gather all the comments and select one person to win all 12 tags!  Woo Hoo!

I did something a little different with Day Eight.  I used the Doodlecharms cricut cartridge and cut out snowglobes.  These are four inches using the "tag" key.  I love these little guys!  I trimmed some scrap white cardstock and inked the edges.  I then fussy cut the snowmen from a piece of scrap patterned paper.

There's a piece of snowy patterned paper in the background and some vellum to top it off.

I added the paper bows as an afterthought.  I love the addition!

12 Days of Christmas Tags; DAY SEVEN

Day 7:  Are you commenting on each post?  Be sure to post each day of the 12 day series for a chance to win all 12 handmade tags.

This tag is probably the most simple one that I made so far.  I purchased this tag stamp from the thrift store for $.50.  It was marked $1.00 but I happened to be there on a 1/2 off day (YAY!)

I love the vintage look of this tag and didn't want to overdo it with this one.  I used my TBBM cricut cartridge to cut the tag and a shadow base.  I used markers to color the holly, scarf and hat.  I added some glimmer with a clear Wink of Stella marker.

I wanted to use this beautiful gold mesh ribbon but when I threaded it through the hole, a lot of glitter was released.  UGH!  Glitter was everywhere.  I switched to the other gold ribbon because I just wasn't in the mood to clean up glitter!

Although they are pretty basic, I still really like them and hey, they serve their purpose!!

12 Days of Christmas Tags; DAY SIX

I cut the base using the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cricut cartridge.  I knew I wanted to use this holly watercolor digi stamp sheet that I created last week using http://bloomartstamps.com holly digi stamp.  The tag was cut with the window so I cut the "patterned paper" to fit the window.  Then I cut some transparency sheets the same size to create a small shaker box of red glitter.

On my sample tag, it was plain white and it was missing something.  So I remembered I had this large Merry Christmas background stamp, I used Certainly Celery ink and stamped the entire tag front/back.  Wow!  What a difference!

I added some baker's twine and a jingle bell to finish the tag. Oh, and I almost forgot to add the To and From.

It's so neat to see how "one more thing" can look on a project.  Of course, we also need to know when to stop.  HA HA. I really love the end results of this tag.

At the end of the 12 days series, I'll pull every comment/name and select one winner to receive all 12 tags.  Be sure to comment each day for more chances to win!

12 Days of Christmas Tags; DAY FIVE & DTC Challenge

I'm combining a couple of posts today.  It's Day Five of the Christmas tag challenge but also a new challenge has been posted on the Decorate to Celebrate challenge site.  This week we are showcasing the digi stamps from Stamp Prints. 

I used the Snowman Wishes set for these tags.  I printed them on thick white cardstock and cut them into 4x3 tags.  I used markers for the most part but also used watercolor paint for the body highlights and twigs.  I also used a white Wink of Stella glitter pen for the ball at the end of the knit cap.

I tore strips of holiday washi tape so the snowman will have something to rest on.  On some of the tags I adhered enamel dots and others I added glitter dots.  I also added the patterned paper tags to the back since the background was plain white.  And of course added the lines around the tags.  I really like how these turned out!  These snowmen are so cute!

Join us at Decorate to Celebrate challenge site to add your project.

Be sure to comment on this post (and previous tag posts) for a chance to win all 12 tags.  At the end of the series, I'm going to gather all comments and pull one name.  That person will win all 12 handmade tags!  Be sure to comment!

12 Days of Christmas Tags; DAY FOUR

I can't believe I'm still going strong!  Ok, I have a confession, I was on hold at work and decided to use green and pink highlighters to make a sheet of holly.  I used a black marker to draw the holly leaves and berry circles.  I thought it was super cute and decided to make a copy.  The copy did not turn out so highlighter bright and I instantly LOVED it so I made a couple more.  Not knowing exactly what I was going to do with them, I started going through Pinterest.

I cut strips of 1 1/2" x 8 of the holly sheets; cut fishtails on both ends; outlined the edges with a black fine point pen; folded them to make them short enough to fit a 4" tag.

Tags, labels, scallops, and circles were all cut using the cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  The black accent piece was just cut freehand using black paper scraps.  After dry embossing the green tags, I just layered the pieces together and then added ribbon & twine.

I'm also linking these on the STAMPlorations site for their Holiday TAGplorations blog hop and links party.  Click HERE to get there and check out all the tags!  Gorgeous!

Be sure to comment for a chance to win all 12 tags at the end of the series.