Back at it again

I'm a little embarrassed to post here when I see it's been over a year & a half since I've posted, but now seems like a good time to get at it again. I want to post pictures of the placemats I made Katie for her birthday (so she can see them at least before her birthday). Katie asked me to make her placemats & since it's her 30th birthday I wanted to make them special. I found a pattern I really liked & decided it would be my Labor Day project. To cut a long story short, they weren't above my ability but took way longer than I thought they would. I love how they turned out though! They aren't perfect as I would like but I told myself that if they were perfect no one would know they were home made, right? It's what I'm telling myself anyway. My friend Tracey told me they're so fancy Katie will be afraid to use them, I'll take that as a compliment. So Katie - enjoy them, they're made with lots of love! You're getting them much later than I intended but you'll be off playing anyway :)

I'm really rusty at this. Anyway, these pictures are to show that each one is a little different.

February gathering project

For our CTMH project for February I thought we should make something that could be given as a Valentine's gift. I decided to make canvases. Mine is always the sample (and the one where I learn and make mistakes so you don't have to). I made this at night & now that I see it in the daylight the paint on the canvas doesn't match the paper as well as I thought, but I think it will be ok. I am planning on cutting it in a variety of papers so that each person can make theirs to fit the intended recipient. I also think it needs something 3 dimensional to the left of the photo but I haven't decided what yet.


Here is a close up of the embossing and stamping.








Let me know what you think. I hope everyone will enjoy this project.

National Papercrafting Month

Follow Close to my Heart's National Papercrafting Month blog and you could win a free Felicity kit. They are giving away kits daily. All you have to do is comment on that day's blog to be entered to win. Plus they have some great craft ideas on there. Check it out.

January CTMH gathering project

Since I am out of work for the time being I'm actually ahead of schedule preparing the project for my January Close to my Heart gathering. For January I am going to show how to make "easel cards". They mail & look like a card but the top folds up for display. Here is a sample easel card I made.













Here is a side view.













I wanted to kick it up a notch so I made it into a desk display. I added a Flip Flap on top so that a photo can be added, and changed as desired. On the bottom I added post-it notes and a calendar. I hope my group will enjoy this project.











Here is a sample with a picture. As it's Cory's 3rd Birthday today I put in an adorable picture of him (of course he only takes adorable pictures).












While I was at it I covered my store bought address book that needed decorating.














And with all of the scraps I put the puzzle pieces together to start a 2 page layout.








Let me know what you think.

January 2010 scrapbooking projects

I'm amazed that it's been so long since I posted on here. I am determined that before I go back to work (which is hopefully soon!) I will get my current list of scrapbook projects done. So here is the first of many. This is a project I saw that I've been wanting to try & today was the day. Let me know what you think.

Painting Labor Day weekend

For a couple of yrs I have been thinking about painting my kitchen, dining room & living room and carrying the paint swatches around. This weekend I took advantage of the 3 day weekend at home to do it. We were going to paint the deck but it has to dry until next weekend so I painted inside instead. I am so excited about the results.

Kitchen wall done.




Still had another 2 days off so I had time to get the diningroom/livingroom done too.


And the finished result -

Baby Blankies

I've been on a spree of making baby blankies lately. I guess the sewing bug has bit me briefly. These are just so much fun to make and I seem to have lots of friends having babies lately. They aren't all done but the fabrics are so much fun I thought I'd share all of them anyway. As you can see everyone is having girls. I have one boy blankie to make but haven't bought the satin for it yet. Have a great 4th of July everyone!


This one is Bethany's and is on its way to England.