take a little piece of my art

Lucky

2010-08-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

O mY GoSh!!!!!!! Has it really been over 3 months since I've posted something new?!?!?!? Yikes!!! Well, I apologize. I haven't been crafting much this summer because it's just too darn HOT in my craft room!! Also, back in May (the last time I scrapped or did anything remotely creative) I left my scrapbook room window open for a couple of weeks. You might say, "So what?" Well...I live on a dirt road and when people drive by they kick up the dirt and it gently floats and lands wherever it may...even if it's not invited. It filtered it's way....ever. so. slowly, through my window and made itself at home on EVERY SINGLE flat surface in my room!!!! UGH, what a mess!!!!!!!! Now, it's finally clean and I'm feeling the creative juices flowing again!! YAY!! So, after finally finishing the dusting from Hell...I created....THIS...

It's a shadow box that I found at T.J. Maxx and I've had forevah!!! Finally found the perfect use for it! I've always wanted to make a scrapbook page with everything in the center and clean, blank edges. My husband and I haven't taken a vacation together in years and this year we both took the same week off and went away for a week!! It was so nice to reconnect!! Just what we needed. We went to Hampton Beach in Hampton, NH. I just love the ocean and miss it so much living in the Green Mountains of VT!!

I bought a few 5$ grab bag kits from Donna Downey and used almost every single piece in the kit for this page! I definitely need to grab a few more of those kits!! They're awesome!!

A few months ago I bought a bunch of Chip Art Stamps found here:

http://www.artsyfindings.com/GCD-Studios_c18.htm

I used the heart stamp to decorate the bird chipboard and then painted it with olive green acrylic paint, stickles and then sprayed it with glimmer mist. I sprayed way too much on so I turned it over and pressed it into some scrap paper....and wasn't thinking that it would "act" like a stamp!! I love happy "mistakes"!! A new way to use my Chip Art Stamps...make my own stamps!!!!

I hope all of you have been enjoying your summer so far and are feeling LUCKY like me!!!

Unspoken Love

2010-05-23T04:03:00.000-07:00

A mother's day gift

2010-05-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

I bought a Pandora bracelet for my mother last Mother's Day and I'm so glad I did! That woman is impossible to shop for...so now I have endless gift possibilities by way of charms!! WHEW!!! Anyway...I bought her a couple of new charms for her bracelet this year. One for Mother's Day and the other for her birthday with falls on May 5th. So, I wanted to make something extra special to present them in. I searched high and low and finally found instructions on how to make this cute box...at first glance I thought it would be very difficult, but to my surprise and delight it wasn't!!!! WHEW again!!! Here is a link to the printable instructions: http://www.scor-pal.com/metric2/Metric%20Box%20with%204%20Drawers%20tutorial.pdf

Each side of the box has four drawers about the size of a matchbox! I used a brad to act as the drawer pull. The roses I made by hand and you can find the tutorial on www.fabulouslyartsy.com I just love making these roses!!! I can't wait to give this to my mom on Sunday!!! Happy Mother's Day ladies!!!! And gents...DON'T forget mother's or your baby momma's!!!!!!!!!

A second Caardvarks Challenge card

2010-04-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here's another card for the monochromatic Caardvarks challenge. The vellum is really purple, I couldn't for the life of me get my picture to take a proper picture!!!

A Caardvark's challenge card

2010-04-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

The challenge was to make a monochromatic card. I used some scraps that I had left over to make the squares for the background. I stamped the leaves for the tree on 3 different colors of cardstock, cut them out and glued them on to add dimension to the leaves. The birds were stamped on polka-dotted patterned paper as well. I heat embossed the music notes and the sentiment. The ribbon is just plain old ribbon that I overlapped and adhered with glue dots.

Thinking Of You!!!

2010-03-26T19:19:00.000-07:00

I just got my new Unity KOM in the mail the other day and just had to use this girl with the umbrella!! I used a few stamps from several other KOM's to complete the card...now I just need to find someone to send it to!!! That is always a question my husband asks...what are you going to do with it? I don't know!!!!! I don't make the cards to send them really...I love each and every one and sometimes really hate to part with them. If I really like how one comes out I sometimes make 2!!!! Anyone else do that? Anyway, I've been "thinking of you"...all of you out there in blogland and I hope you're all well and enjoying Springtime!!!

A Spring inspired card

2010-03-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

I was so inspired by the beautiful Spring-like weather we had today, so I decided to make this card. I used Bazzil paper piercing guides to make the flowers and leaves. The bird and saying is from Unity Stamp Co. WHO ELSE????? :) I hope you had nice weather where you live!!!! Bring on the sunshine, birds and flowers....I'll even welcome a few mosquito bites about now!!!!!! Blessings!!!!!

Cafe A La Friendship

2010-03-03T07:57:00.000-08:00

This is a wall hanging I made using one of the stamps that came in one of Unity's Stampin' Store kits!! I just love this stamp. I had recently visited a friend and she had such an adorable kitchen with this color blue in it and her curtains had little cafe' tables on them!!! I thought this would match her kitchen very well!!! My dad made me the plaque out of some pine and I painted the framework. I then cut a 12X12 piece of paper to size and dropped it into the frame, adhering it to the wood. I took a piece of white embossed cardstock and used that for a mat and used a decorative corner punch to hold the cream piece of cardstock in place. I used a 2X2 embossing folder and created "tiles" for the background. I cut out a scalloped circle with some Nestabilities and inked the edges and stamped the image and the saying onto it. I added some pearls to the table and chairs and some rhinestones in each corner on the flourishes. I layered some paper flowers and used a jeweled brad for the center of the flower. I stamped the butterfly ( the butterfly stamp is in the same kit as the cafe table stamp) and added stickles for the body and finished it off with some eyelet trim and a crocheted flower. I sure hope my friend likes this!!!!!!!!

8X10 Big Card for my Dad on his Big Day!!!

2010-02-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

My Dad turns 65 this Thursday!!! I wanted to make him a BIG card for the BIG day so I took 2 8X10 canvases and made this card for him!! I think he'll get a BIG laugh at the size of this!! I used the Cricut ( Don Juan cartridge) to make the letters. I work with my father doing hardwood floors so I used the Stampin' Up Woodgrain Background stamp!! LOVE this stamp!!

This is the inside when you open the card. I took a 12X12 piece of paper and cut it down to 7 3/4X12 and centered it between to two canvases. I used some heavy duty liquid glue called Fabric Tac....it may say Fabric on the bottle but there are many, many more uses for it!!! And it holds permanently once it dries. I waited for the glue to dry (it only takes about a minute) and then folded the 2 canvases over to make the center crease....that's the basics on how to make a card out of canvas. SO simple...yet you get such a BIG card!! To finish each of the edges off I cut a strip of Harlequin paper and adhered
them to finish off the inside of the card. I then took a piece of brown cardstock and made a pocket by just gluing the bottom and the left and right edges leaving the top edge dry so that I could slip some things into the pocket, which is what I did with the heart. I stamped with the Woodgrain stamp again and cut out DAD! on the Cricut, too!! Then to finish off the inside I used some Unity stamps!

I covered a chipboard heart with the green and brown polka dotted paper and tied a small piece of ribbon on the edge of it. I had some extra stamped paper and adhered it to the back of the heart to finish the "window". This card was a blast to make!! I had taken a class at a CKC last year to learn how and am really happy that I did!!!!!

This is the back of the card.....I made my own "Hallmark" !! :)

My friend and neighbor's having a giveaway!!

2010-02-18T18:27:00.000-08:00

My friend and neighbor Shannon over at www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com is giving away some blog candy!! Go check her out!! She's super talented and a total sweetheart!! Don't forget to wish her a happy birthday while you're there...maybe she'll even tell us how old she's going to be!!!! Here's the link.. http://mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-first-video-and-ive-got-some-blog.html!!

I'm having another giveaway....

2010-01-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

....but there's a catch...you have to visit my Ippity blog and leave your comment there!! Go to www.ivegotrubberforyou.blogspot.com and leave your comment and this cuteness could be on it's way to YOU!! Good luck!!!

My parents Christmas gift card

2010-01-03T10:47:00.000-08:00

I hadn't bought a Christmas gift for my parents and was just going to go the lazy route and give them $$$. Who doesn't like $$$? But, I really did want to GET them something. So yesterday when I was confined to my craft room I heard on the radio that Bryan Adams is coming to Burlington, VT to perform!! My mother adores him and my dad...well he likes his music!! So I purchased 2 balcony tickets for them to go see the show in March!! My printer doesn't have ink in it right now and I was just going to forward her the confirmation email, but that's NO way to get or give a present!! So, I sat down today and threw this little number together!! I used all Unity stamps and they NEVER fail to make me smile!!!!!!! I mean, come on, isn't this the cutest guitar???? Anyway, this card is a "gift card" in the non-traditional sense but I think it ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Have yours"elf" a Merry Little Christmas

2009-12-19T13:43:00.000-08:00

I know I have been pretty scarce around here lately! And I'm sorry about that! I've been busy with the Ippity blog and trying to get my new business venture known locally!

But, I haven't forgotten you out there in blogland and wanted to post a Christmas card for all of my followers! This card is for all of you, since I don't know all of your mailing addresses but wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy New Year!!!

I hope you're all well and will be celebrating this joyous time of year with the ones you love!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

Ippity Now Available on.......

2009-11-20T17:40:00.000-08:00

www.ivegotrubberforyou.blogspot.com

I've started another blog so I can sell these awesome stamps and stay organized....please visit my new blog and let me know what you think!!!!

Unity Stamp Co.'s Ippity Line......COMING SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-08T11:35:00.001-08:00

I'm sooooo excited!!! I'm working on getting this all set up, but I promise I won't keep you waiting too long!!!!!!!!!

Some exciting news!!!!!!

2009-11-07T17:58:00.001-08:00

YAY!!!!!!! I've FINALLY fixed the issues that I've been having with blogger!! I'm hoping it's a permanent fix, too....I've missed blogging!!!

Stay tuned for more exciting news tomorrow!!!

Sorry for not posting for awhile!

2009-10-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

For some reason I'm having technical reasons on my side of the fence. I can't see ANY words that I've typed on my blog, I can only see the pictures....I'm trying to figure out the problem. Today I saw the words for 5 seconds and they disappeared again....I have no idea what the issue is. I can view my blog from any other computer just not the one in my home...Go figure!!! Anyone else ever have this problem????

Letterboxing acrylic and chipboard album

2009-09-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Here is the cover of the album. It's a chipboard and acrylic album from Rusty Pickle. I used Scenic Route paper and stickers from the Garden Gate kit for the entire album.

I cut circles in various sizes, crumpled them and used an ink pad to distress them a bit, then stacked them into a flower and attached them with a Bazzil courdoroy brad for the center. I used Thickers for the letters and I kept the Grungeboard "B" plain.

I cut some leaves from the Cricut Storybook Cartridge (I think) or it might have been Home Decor...I can't remember now!!! I put them throughout the album so they'd pop out from the edge of the book.
I kept this page au natural!!! I borrowed a stamp from my friend Vanessa (help me out here, Van..."WHO" makes this set? I can't remember!) But need to get this set for sure...it's "twho" cute!!

2009-09-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

Cole's girlfriend Kristi....she's a spunky chick!!!

I wanted to make a window on one of the pages, so I tried using my Nestabilities dies and I really can't believe the Cuttlebug cut through this chipboard!! It was thick!! Granted, I had to run it through a few times but it did it!!!

This is a photo of a Letterbox. Inside you'd find an ink pad, a note pad and a stamp. Usually the stamp is a handmade one, but sometimes you'll find a store-bought one. When you go Letterboxing you'll want to bring the same items and when you find the box, you just trade info by stamping your stamp in the letterbox notepad and stamping their stamp in your notepad. Got it???? I sure hope so! If you want to learn more about Letterboxing visit: www.letterboxing.org !

2009-09-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

When we reached the top we found wonderful wild blueberry bushes all over the place!! I bought a bunch of these cute little flower shaped buttons at CKC last year, I just couldn't resist (a lot of things) them!!!

Isn't this mushroom so Mario Brothers?!?!?!? When I saw it I immediately heard the theme music to Super Mario Bros.!! Am I dating myself here??? I think so!!! Oh well....the 80's were the bomb!!

I really love those pictures that people take with thier kids running ahead of them (I almost wrote, running away from them!!! Geez!!) but I only have my one boy and he's always riding his dirtbike and I can never seem to get any really awesome shots....but this one, I adore!!! It's him and his girlfriend trying to get away from my and her mother!! We love to tease them and they hate it...JOB DONE!!!

I really liked working with the acrylic album. It's scary at first because I HATE to make mistakes with my photos, paper or anything for that matter!!! I don't think there's any truth to the phrase "there's no mistakes in scrapbooking" WRONG....I've made plenty!!!!!! I used some paint markers from Marvy Uchida. They have such cool colors and they work very nicely on acrylic...not so much on paper though. At least for me anyway. Anyone have any other ideas on how to use them???

2009-09-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

I punched holes all along the edge of the acrylic flower with my cropodile and threaded these funky fibers through each hole!! I really like how it looks!! Makes me think of long eyelashes!!
This was part of the view we got to see when we FINALLY reached our destination. It was amazing! I just wish it had been on a clearer day!!

NEW winner!!!!!

2009-09-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

Well....I never heard from Mimi2six. I tried to contact her through her blog but there was no contact information. SO, I've drawn another name! Congratulations, Nicole!!! I'll see if I can email you and/or contact you on your blog. Just send me your mailing address and your blog candy will be on it's way!!! Again, thank you everyone for all your birthday wishes and for playing along!!! I'll have more giveaways in the future!!! God I need a manicure, huh???? LOL

Biker Book

2009-09-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

This is an accordion album that I made for my FAVORITE cousin!! I hadn't seen her in probably 10 years and we got together over the weekend and I gave this to her!!! I wish I had taken pictures of her reaction, it was priceless!! Her and her husband are big time bikers, they own a Harley and ride like the wind all the time!!! I've never done a book like this and had such a blast making it!! Each little detail made me giggle with delight as it all came together. I was going to mail it to her, so it'd be a surprise and something but bills would greet her in the mailbox, but I'm happy I didn't because I got to see her face as she looked through it.
This book was also very inspired my Nicole Maki @ http://www.madebynicole.blogspot.com/ She's an awesome artist and paper crafter!!!! Go check her out!!!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot...the fringe you see at the bottom I found in the fabric section at Wal-Mart. It reminds me of the fringe you see on the leather jackets some bikers wear.

2009-09-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

The pin and the Anarchy symbol came in a kit I bought from Gauche Alchemy. I put a link in the post below for their webshop. The Anarchy symbol used to be an earring!!! HOW funny is that????

The chain holds the book closed and just adds the finishing touch to this book!!!! It's from Tim Holtz.

2009-09-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

This image is from Unity Stamp Co. I just love them. They have great artists that design for them!!!!!!
This book started out a plain old chipboard accordion album. I found this awesome faux leather fabric at Wal-Mart and thought it'd be perfect to cover it with. I HATE using a sewing machine, I do not get along with sewing machines!!!! LOL So, I used embroidery floss and hand- stitched it to make the cover.

This is the inside fully opened.

2009-09-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

The bracket shown in this picture is Tim Holtz' grungeboard. I stamped it with black ink and attached it with pewter brads. I adore Tim Holtz' stuff!!!! So cool and it even smells like leather, too...which added to the whole feel of this little album!!!!!

The skull is another piece of grungeboard. I distressed it with Tim Holtz distressing powder. It has a gritty texture and doesn't shine like regular embossing powders. I filled the eyes in with red stickles and added 2 diamond rhinestones.
This is a playing card that came in a Gauche Alchemy kit. You can find them at www.artfire.com
This is my beautiful cousin and her handsome husband. I used the Techinque Tuesday tattoo art set to make the heart and the wings.

2009-09-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

This picture is distressed with an edge distressing tool and I also sanded the picture itself. I added a bling embellishment.....SO happy these come pre-assembled....I'd never be able to get it to look like that!!!!
The skull clip I got in a baggie of black findings that I bought from a webshop called Gauche Alchemy. They're located in www.artfire.com
The flames are from the Technique Tuesday set, tattoo art. I stamped them gradually in 3 different colors and then outlined them with a black marker to make them pop!
Here's the entire back side, unfolded.

2009-09-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

The beer mug was stamped with a Unity wood-mounted stamp and I used liquid applique for the foam. I cut out the foam and added a pop dot underneath for more dimension!!
Another Unity stamp was used here...Whiskey Beer or Wine? Because a girl can never have too many drink choices!!!! I prefer Whiskey, though!! LOL
The stamped image shown here I borrowed from my friend Vanessa and added the skulls (from Technique Tuesdays...tattoo set)
On this picture I sanded it to make it look a bit more distressed.

...And the WINNER is......

2009-09-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

I punched out 26 circles and wrote all your names on them. I folded each circle and put them all in a paper bag and shook it up. I reached in and the lucky winner is....MIMI2SIX!!!! Thank you all for participating!!!! I wish you could have ALL won!!! You're all so talented!!!! I'll be having more give-a-ways in the future, this was a lot of fun for me!!

MIMI2SIX....please send me an email @ meljustcole@aol.com within 2 days with your mailing address or I'll draw another name. Thanks again everybody for playing along!!!!

Today is my birthday....Happy Birthday to Me...

2009-08-02T17:45:00.000-07:00

...But you get the presents!! In honor of my birthday and me turning the big 35!!! I'm having my first giveaway on my blog!! I'm looking to generate more followers and make more friends through the blogging world, so tell all your friends about it.

The rules: Well I guess it's not rules really but just the way this will work. I'm hoping for a lot of people to leave comments so once this post reaches 35 comments (or by the end of this month) whichever comes first, I'll randomly select the winner. Help me celebrate my birthday, won't you?!?!?!

Once I choose the winner I'll post who the winner was and send them an email asking for their mailing address so they can get a "birthday present" too!!!!

Let's celebrate!!!! I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you out there in blog land!!!

You are my Sunshine!! My only sunshine!!

2009-07-22T04:15:00.000-07:00

Well...the my only sunshine part is certainly true!! Gosh, it's been raining here for so long people are starting to grow gills!!!

Well...it's official, I'm addicted to Unity stamps!!! I had this card in my head ever since Angela posted a picture on her blog of the July KOM!! I knew exactly what I wanted to do with a few of the stamps. I'm really happy because a lot of the time when I make a project, the end result is nothing like I had pictured. Sometimes it's better, sometimes it's NOT!!! :)

I'm a fan of a blog called Mel Stampz....you should check her out....she's one talented Chick!! The idea for the clouds with the "rain drops" came from her blog. She does some really cool things with seed beads!! I'd link her blog here but I don't know how yet. I'm still learning!!!

Anyway, the deets. I used a gray cardstock and gatefolded the card base. I stamped some clouds on different gray patterned papers and die cut the white clouds with Spellbinders nestabilities dies. I inked the edges of the white clouds with a beautiful blue. I stamped the sun twice and cut out some of the rays and glued them so they looked like rays of the sun peeking through the clouds. I added more clouds to the inside of the card but glued them further away from the sun...it's clearing up, ya know!!! I heat embossed the saying in the center of the sun to finish off the card.

Well, I hope the weather where you live is sunny and warm, or rainy if you need it to be!!! Have a great day!!!

Caardvarks "Window" Challenge

2009-06-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

This time around the Caardvark's challenge was to use a window in your project. This card also uses some Unity stamps and I have to say that I love these stamps. My friend let me use her Unity stamps as I didn't have any (YET...I got my first kit in the mail today!!!!!) and I made this card with it. I used paper from the Cosmo Cricket, Early Bird line....the cutest paper!!! I cut the window out with a Nestabilities die.

Love Birds

2009-06-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

I really LOVE how this turned out. I started with a white card base and distressed the edges. I cut a piece of Melissa Frances paper to fit and hand-sewed along the edges. I then added the ribbon and the flower and THEN...NOTHING....I must've stared at it that way for hours trying to figure out what to do. I finally started playing around with the Home Decor cartridge for the Cricut and the rest is history...I LOVE my Cricut!!!!

Caardvark's 3-D Challenge Card

2009-06-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is the second time I enter a contest on this website and each time it's more and more exciting. I had SO much fun making this card and I have to give props to my friend Vanessa over at vanessa'screativevisions.blogspot.com because she posted a card with an elephant on it that inspired this card!!! Thanks V, you inspire me!!!!! xoxo
The front of the card is cool but when you open the card you get a BIG surprise with a 3-D pop up Jungle scene!!!!!!!! Each little jungle friend I stamped and added to the card made me smile!! It was a blast doing this challenge!!!
Here's a picture of what you see when you open the card. It tells the recipient to GO WILD!!!
A closer photo of the 3-D part...I hope the picture does it justice but it is so much more fun in person!!!!!!

Each leaf was stamped with CTMH's Nature Walk stamp set and cut out. I then placed them all along the inside of the card and on the front side of the pop-out mechanism for depth perception. The animals were all stamped as well with CTMH's Life's A Jungle set. The word WILD was stamped with a Technique Tuesday stamp. The letters were cut from doodlebug glitter paper with the Cuttlebug...but I'm sorry, I don't remember the name of the font!!!! I hope this made you smile today!!!!

The inside of the 3-D Challenge Card

2009-06-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

Just hangin' around on a ribbon vine, feelin' fine!!!
Mr. Lion hidin' in the grass...he doesn't look too ferocious but that elephant might want to watch his behind!!!
A Bird's Eye view

A Birthday Card

2009-06-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

I had some leftover patterned paper from the Father's Day Card in the post below and it screamed, "DUDE!! Make a Boy's birthday card, MAN!" So I did!!!! I love, love, love how it came out! I have a TON of rub-ons and never use them, but buy them with good intentions of using them and then don't....does anyone else do this????? :)
Anyway, I used rub-ons for the flames and the word DUDE. I used a CTMH stamp set called Star Struck and another CTMH stamp set called Good Times. I'm happy with the results. I feel like I have a hard time making masculine things even though I live with 2 boys!! But, hey PARTY ON, DUDE!!!

Another Father's Day Card

2009-06-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

This one if for my husband!! I scraplifted this idea from the CARDS magazine, but made it "my own" by using stamps and different papers and ribbons...OH MY!!!!!!!!

A couple of Father's Day Cards

2009-06-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

First off, let me say I'm sorry I haven't posted in such a long time!! I reallllllly need to start posting stuff more!!

Anywho's....Here is a Father's Day Card I made. This one if for MY dad. It's a slider card too!! These are so fun to make and if you're all about recycling and all that jazz it's great for the earth too, 'cause you need to use a plastic grocery bag in order for the slider mechanism to work. If you want directions you can go to youtube.com and search for slider cards; that's where I got the directions and they are very clear and easy to follow....trust me if I posted the directions for you I'd have you very lost! Just ask my friend Vanessa....she knows how bad I am with giving directions!!! ;)

I promise I'll try to post more!!!

2009-04-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

Please accept my apology here...I'm still trying to get the hang of this blogging stuff and did the post a little backwards!! OOPS!!! Here's Sally the Snail...she likes the way the grass tickles!!!
Here's Terry the Turtle (my wonderful friend Vanessa gave him to me!) He likes to hide in the grass because sometimes he just doesn't want to be inside his "house"!!!
Here's Wally the Worm...he's trying hard to hide from the early birds!!! Help him hide by putting the grass back where it belongs when you're done playing!!! He'll appreciate it!!!

"Tree" challenge card

2009-04-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

I found an awesome website that I'm sure I'll be addicted to...it's caardvarks.blogspot.com They have challenges that help get my creative juices going...not to mention giving my competitive spirit a boost. If you want a challenge or just want to find another way cool blog...check them out!!!

The card is 6X6 light blue bazzil cardstock. I stamped the background with a Stampin' Up background stamp called "Stitched". I colored the swirls in the image to make it look like wind.

I then hand cut the clouds from SEI Velvet paper so they're fluffy soft!!! I also hand cut the green treetop. I stamped the tree trunk with Stampin' Up's Season Of Friendship stamp set and cut it out and adhered it to the treetop. I quilled several pieces of paper to make the treetop look more interesting and give it some dimension.

The saying is from Close To My Heart's stamp set Wonderful Charms
This is my favorite part of the card and the only way I can get my son to get involved in paper crafting!!! I asked him if any of his matchbox cars had any wheels missing and if they did, could I have it!! So I used it on the card as a tire swing. It swings too!!!!! WHEEEE!!!!!
I cut a strip of green bazzil to look like blades of grass and hid different creatures underneath. Have fun looking for them!!!

A paper flower garden

2009-02-26T16:27:00.000-08:00

I finally have figured out the Slice!!!!! After much frustration (caused by my own brain farts!!) I've got it all figured out now. I must say that you need to make sure you have your little machine plugged in for it to work properly...that's all I'm saying!!!!

Now, onto bigger and better things!! I've always wanted to make a "bouquet" of flowers. And I did...although I made it for my sister for her birthday!! I sure hope she likes it because I almost kept it for myself!!! I used the basic shapes 2 card for all of the flowers. I love that no 2 are alike, just like snowflakes!!! I embellished them with buttons and brads and used different techniques to decorate them. Some of them are stamped, dry embossed (with cuttlebug folders), faux sewing and distressed with ink. I decorated the box with metallic paper that I pierced in with an ivy vine. I stamped the large flower and cut it out for a finishing touch on the box.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!!

Handcut Butterfly Card

2009-01-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

I bought these awesome things called Glimmer Screens. They come in a cute little package and there's 9 pieces in the one I bought. I chose to use the butterfly. Now these funky little stencils are intended to be used with Glimmer Spray. Well, I don't have any Glimmer Spray, so I decided to use them a different way. I traced around the stencil and cut out all the little shapes, by hand and then cut out the actual butterfly. I then stamped the front of the butterfly with a CTMH background stamp. I love those dots!! Then I placed a layered Prima flower in the center. I stamped THINK SPRING! on the inside. It made me feel a little better about this cold weather we've been having...just a little better!!

I'd love to try the Glimmer Spray sometime, but if you don't have any...you can still use these awesome stencils!!! I hope you like!!! If you're so moved you can check out my other work at www.meljustcole.etsy.com Stay warm, everyone and THINK SPRING!!!!

Girls Rock Card

2009-01-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

This is a card a friend custom ordered for her daughter's 8th b-day. I used the cricut indie solutions cartridge for the guitar. The flourish stamp is from Basic Grey and the music notes are from CTMH. I used stickles for the tuner thingy's....sorry, I don't know the real name!!! LOL I also used them for the knobs. I put a couple of silk flowers for accent with a little flower rhinestone...heidi swapp....I think! I used the Stampin' Up scallop border for the bottom edge.
The words are stickers from doodlebug design that you can add their glitter or flock to....in this case I chose the glitter. I love their stuff!!!!!
I hope you like!!!!!!

A tip for new slice owners

2009-01-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

All right, gals!! Has everyone broke out their new toys yet? I got my Slice for Christmas (2 weeks late!!!) and could NOT wait to try it. So, I let it warm up a bit...cause it came out of a freezing cold UPS truck! I used it for awhile and had a lot of fun (see previous post). After awhile I began to not have so much fun!! One of the cards I got besides the one that came with the machine (basic shapes 2) decided to quit working on me!!! It just refuses to read!! I tried and tried to re-insert and eject it...turning the power off before I did that...with no success!!! I grew tired and weary and felt like throwing the entire thing out the window. SO...I took a breather and walked away for awhile. It still did not work.
To make a long story short, I contacted Making Memories and I have to give a shout out to the customer service there!!! They're super nice and fast in getting to my issue!!! All I have to do is send the faulty card back to them and they'll send me out a brand new one!!!
I also had a hard time figuring out the blade pressure. I was having a time with that as well!! When they got back to me about the faulty card, the woman was kind enough to send me a link to watch how to adjust the blade pressure. And let me tell you....THIS WAS A LIFESAVER for me!!! and my Slice!!!! I just about all but gave up on this little guy and a making memory angel came and saved him from an awful death!!! LOL
Here is the link....I hope it comes in handy for you, too!!! Let me know if it doesn't work. I'm new at this bloggin' stuff!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=20Xdij3HPeM Good luck and happier Slicing!!!

My Christmas gift and first project

2009-01-05T17:35:00.000-08:00

First of all let me start by wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2009!!! I apologize for not having posted in such a long time, but hopefully now that the holidays are behind us I'll be able to get back into my craft room and do some schtuff!!!!
My Christmas gift came today...YES...TODAY!!! It took forever and it was torture waiting for it to come. The UPS man brought it to me tonight at 5:00ish and I couldn't wait to tear it open and get to gettin'....if ya know what I mean. My hubby got all this for me! I got the machine, a 12X12 cutting mat and 3 cards!!! I made a QUICK card with it tonight so I could post it. I used the card that comes with the machine.

I am so in love with this new gadget, that since it's so close to V-day, I figured I'd make a love card. I simply placed the machine where I wanted it to cut out the heart and pressed cut! I find this even easier than the cricut...although I still love my bug!!!! LOL Anywho, once the heart was cut out of the card base it left a negative space so I cut out another heart in red and placed it behind the space inside the card, then layered a white heart on top and added a button with some fiber. But I used the cuttlebug to emboss the hearts before I did all that, of course.
This is the inside of the card. I used the slice to cut out the scalloped edge for the heart as well as the word LOVE....know what I love???? I love that the words are connected! I did some faux stitching holes on the word LOVE too! I had to try out my new toy...and have to say "I'm In Love!"
and it was worth the wait!!!

Custom order 10X12 scrapbook page

2008-12-18T17:13:00.000-08:00

I joined Facebook a short time ago and have been blessed to get back in touch with long lost family and friends. A few of them have looked at my online store and said how much they liked my cards. But one friend has ordered several custom items. This poem is by far my favorite one. I really liked how it came out. She was adopted as a young child after being put in foster care and just before Christmas last year she found and was reunited with her birth mother...she also found out that she has 9 other brothers and sisters!!!! Can you imagine? She contacted me and sent me a poem about adoption and asked if I could make something around the poem. I printed it out on cardstock and handcut the bracket frame...what a pain that was, by the way...getting it perfect was difficult for me; but I did it. I think I need to find some patterns that I can trace next time, though!!! I cut a piece of 12X12 cream cardstock down to 8X10. I used a border punch on the purple cardstock and adhered it to the cream. Then I cut a strip of floral glitter paper and adhered that on top of the purple and cream cardstock. I distressed the edges and pierced "faux-stitching along the edge of the cream cardstock. I LOVE the way stitching looks on paper, but DESPISE sewing!!!! This technique is perfect to get that look if you don't have a sewing machine. I did the same thing around the edge of the bracket frame and adhered that to the 8X10 layered piece. I painted some Tim Holtz' grungeboard flourishes and adhered them in the upper right corner. (That's right Vanessa....I've learned my right from my left...isn't it amazing?!?!? LOL) I layered a green and purple silk flower from Heidi Swapp and folded them in half and put a big brad in the center and put that on top of the grungeboard. I put some rhinestone flourishes on there, too. I die cut some butterflies out of the glitter paper and out of SEI velvet paper and embossed the velvet paper. I glued some rhinestones ont the butterflies as well to make them blingy!! The dies and the embossing folders I used are from Cuttlebug or Provo Craft...whichever it is. I used a Technique Tuesday flourish stamp and heat embossed it with Tim Holtz' distressing embossing powder. I love this stuff...it makes the new look old and rusty! I also did the same thing with a Stampin Up set. I used a lock and key stamp and attached that to the ribbon on the left of the page with a safety pin. I then cut a 12X12 piece of tan cardstock and vine printed vellum down to 10X12 and layered them together to make a mat. For those of you interested this is the poem: Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women who never knew each other,
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives shaped to make yours,
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first gave you life and the second taught you to live in it.
The first gave you a need for love and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
One gave you up - that's all she could do.
The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you.
Now you ask through all your tears, the age-old question through the years;
Heredity or environment - which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling - neither - just two different kinds of love.
~Author Unknown

some new christmas cards

2008-12-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I've been busy doing a challenge contest over at Paper Craft Planet with the 12 days of Christmas and thought I'd post my favorite ones that I made. The first is 2 turtle doves...we were supposed to come up with something with doves or birds on it. I did this card with the cricut and then embellished it.

The second card was 5 gold rings. It was supposed to be a challenge for either a circle shaped card or design the card around 5 gold rings. I did both. I thought about how I wanted to do this card for a long time and was really happy with the end result. The "snow" inside the card really moves because this card is a shaker card. I love doing shaker cards. I love doing any kind of card that has some element that moves or pops up!!!! The boyfriend deer earned some brownie points this year for Christmas; don't you think?

On the 8th day, the challenge was anything with a girl or a cow on it. So, I came up with the cookie shaped cow card...because what goes best with milk? That's right, kahlua.....UM......I mean cookies. Yeah, that's it...cookies!!!!

In Memory of Brandon Wright

2008-11-28T15:56:00.000-08:00

Oh, how my heart hurts to do this!!! A classmate and friend of my son Cole's passed away suddenly in his sleep on Tuesday this week. It is such a shock to our community and The Walden School. He was 12 years old, loved tractors and anything that had a motor. He was such an awesome kid and will be terribly, terribly missed by everyone he knew!!!!!!!!!!! GOD SPEED, Brandon....we'll miss ya, kiddo!!!

diorama cards

2008-11-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I saw this idea on a blog that I ended up at from another blog, well you know how that goes...bloghopping!!! Anywho, the blog I saw this idea on was curtsplayhouse.blogspot.com He's supposed to be doing a tutorial, but I'm not quite sure if he has done one yet. I saw this idea for the diorama or shadow box card and HAD to try it for myself. If you don't know this about me, I love to make things that move or have a happy surprise. Anyway, I spent about 7 hours (and wasted some printer paper) trying to figure out the kinks in the awesome idea Curt had and I think I did it....or at least this is my version of it. ;)
Let me know what ya think! I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving and could move today!!!! :0

A View of Vermont

2008-11-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

I found this old window at a job site and when I saw it, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I worked on this for a couple of hours today. I love how it is already "distressed" for me.

papercraftplanet

2008-11-07T18:27:00.001-08:00

My friend invited me to this awesome website and am now completely addicted!!

Cole's 13th b-day card

2008-11-06T15:42:00.000-08:00

Well folks, wish me luck. Tomorrow I will officially be the mother of a teenage boy. I cannot believe it!!!!!
I bought this paper at CKC because I liked it, but honestly, never had any intention of using it because it is so busy. But, it works for this card. It is by Cosmo Cricket. This card took 41/2 hours to create.....2 hours less labor than it took to bring my "baby" into this world!!!!!!!!! Happy b-day Cole.....I love ya!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Card

2008-10-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is the Christmas card I'm sending this year. Thought with the economy the way it is for some people, this would be appropriate!!!

I moose summer and dreams card

2008-10-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

I bought several (and I mean several) new stamp sets from Stampin' Up. I rarely use wooden stamps because I love everything about acrylic stamps, but couldn't pass up these sets, they were so cute. The first card is I Moose Summer I used 2 different stamp sets (Season of Friendship and Moose You) for this card. The inside and the words are from Close To My Heart. I wish the picture came out a little clearer, but on the front of the card I used liquid applique on the tree and the moose. I used stickles glitter glue on the snowflakes and on the ground. If you look closely the moose has a single tear 'cause he misses summer sooooo much!!!
This set is so beautiful and girly!!! I never use vellum but decided to on this card. First I took a piece of floral background paper and attached in to a card blank. Then I took the pink piece of vellum and ran that through my cuttlebug and rounded the corners. I put a glue dot in every corner to adhere the vellum and then to cover it up I attached some "pearls". Then I used attached a small strip of scalloped velvet ribbon. I absolutely love this next paper. It's black cardstock but with a colored core so if you emboss it the color shows through. I also ran this through my cuttlebug. I stamped the butterfly and colored it in and then stamped two other butterflies, one on white paper with black embossing powder, the other just the opposite. I stamped the "dreams" stamp in pink and colored that in also. I then finished off the card by stamping the saying inside. LOVE THIS SET!!!

"IT" has officially begun!!!!

2008-10-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

OH CRAP!!!! Here we go!!! Winter has arrived on Oct. 28th @ 10:30. The weather man was right for once and predicted a winter weather advisory for us tonight all the way through tomorrow. You have no idea how disgusted this makes me. Our winters are unbearable here. We get so much snow and it's so cold and it last for so long!!!!! I'm seriously depressed. This is the first time in 8 years that it has snowed this early. The poor trick or treaters are going to have to go out in their freakin' snow suits this year!!!!! UUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I guess I better put the snow sneakers on my car now!!!!!! This winter is going to be incredibly hard, I can tell.

Autumn on the Green in Danville, VT

2008-10-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

I look forward to going to this every year. It's a festival of sorts with live music, vendors and their handmade crafts and of course, food!!! I wish I had taken pictures of the vendors and their fares. Well, there's always next year. This is my son, Cole posing in front of an old wooden wagon that gets decorated every fall. I really love this picture of him.

Isn't this just the cutest little Llama face? They have the softest wool ever!!! I wouldn't get too close or get them mad though, they spit!!!

final pages (or flaps) of the flip book

2008-10-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

These are the last pages of the flip book. I didn't write any more journaling but I used more felt, chipboard, flowers and stickers!!!!

inside of flip book continued....

2008-10-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

I layered a black prima flower with a white and pink one in the center and then used a bazzill corduroy brad for the center
another flap with journaling.....Among God's creature's are His beautiful plants...lily pads, cat tails, berries, flowers and my favorite; the tall swamp grass. I love it. When the wind blows, it dances AND sings...you can't buy that anywhere!!! When I'm out here, I can think, relax and just breathe. When Nature Calls...Yes, is my answer!!!
Flap open with more felt and some green and pink buttons. I used some clear definitions stickers and another swirl stamp from Technique Tuesday.

Inside of When Nature Calls

2008-10-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

These are photos of a female mallard as she's trying to fly.

This is a photo of a whole family of mallards just swimming around. I stamped the words Treasure Life's Little Moments (from CTMH) and also used some flourish stamps from Technique Tuesday.
Flap closed with journaling...I love kayaking down this channel. It's actually Joe's Brook and it runs into Joe's Pond and it's beautiful!! I went out on a warm, sunny day and saw so many delightful creatures. Ducks, great blue herons, turtles ( :( no pics) and countless fish. I love the peace and quiet, and usually I never meet up with another human being.
Flap open with felt pieces and doodling. This is a photo of tall swamp grass as it's swaying in the breeze...I wrote "Can you hear the wind?" on the photo

My newest project...When nature calls

2008-10-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

I was watching Jim Carrey's, Pet Detective...When Nature Calls the other day and got the inspiration for this book. It's odd where you find inspiration sometimes, isn't it? This is the cover of the book. I got the instructions for the entire book at www.ustamp4fun.com My friend Vanessa showed me this ladies website and I fell in love with her book so decided to make one for myself.

MY SPACE

2008-10-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

This is my scrapbook room. I love being in here. I love the smell of it, (I know, I'm weird) I love the layout, finally!!! After 2 years of moving things around I finally have it the way I want it...I THINK!!!! I used to have a room in our basement but I felt very confined and alone down there...not so bad sometimes, but I'd rather be where my husband and son are. Also, our furnace is 30 yrs old and it was spewing this fine black soot all over my stuff...I THINK NOT!!!! So, 2 yrs. ago during hunting season (while my hubby was out in the woods) I "stole" our guest bedroom and turned it into my "paper crafting" room. Now any overnight guests will have to sleep on our couch...it's comfy, I promise!!!
This hutch is another cherished piece of furniture in my room. My dad made this for my mom as an engagement present. I also have another one in my dining room he made for his mother. Neither of them wanted their hutches anymore, so I put them to good use. Thank you ladies!!!!
This is my NARNIA....(sorry, I'm a bit tired and if you know me at all...I get goofy and silly when I'm tired) The land of forgotten things. I never look in here....well not never, but rarely. But, I can't and won't part with anything in it.
My Close To My Heart acrylic stamp drawer....I have another one just waiting to be filled!!!!

Here's what I'm giving this Halloween

2008-10-22T17:40:00.000-07:00

I found the instructions for these adorable treat holders on www.splitcoaststampers.com and they are incredibly easy to make. I usually buy a boatload of candy every year for Halloween and then the leftovers take on some sort of enemy force in my house and I can't stop eating it!!!!! So instead, this year I made a few of these treat holders and I'm going to give them to the trick or treaters!

here's the inside:

I SEE YOU!!!!!!!

2008-10-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

This is one of my most cherished pieces of storage I have. My dad made me this a few years ago and I love it...THANK YOU DAD...love ya....muuuah!!!!!

ribbon rainbow...must sing this with the reading rainbow theme music

2008-10-22T17:11:00.000-07:00

I found this awesome towel rack (I guess that's what it is) at TJ Maxx...I flippin' love that store!!! Now my ribbon stays nice and organized and surprisingly it doesn't tangle!!! BONUS!!!!

Vanessa and Andrew

2008-10-22T16:59:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Vanessa and her new (well, not so new anymore he's 6 months old now!!) baby boy Andrew...isn't he cute and behind her is a sign that states she'll work for chocolate!!!Although I think she'd rather be paid in scrapbook supplies or even better CASH to buy her own scrapbook supplies!!!

WOO HOO...I have my own blog...and there's even a challenge at the end!!!

2008-10-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine (Vanessa) put the fire under my butt to start my own blog. I had thought about doing it for awhile now, but didn't think it'd be as easy as it was. Great!!! Another thing to drain away all my free time; which I don't have a lot of to begin with. Oh well, winter is just around the corner and since I HATE winter...this is the perfect new thing for me to dive into.
I am an avid paper crafter. I used to call myself a scrapbooker, and although I do still scrapbook, I find that I enjoy making cards a lot better. I guess maybe it's because I really don't take all that many pictures and, well, what's a scrapbook without pictures? I love to create. I know it sounds cliche but it helps me relax and it helps relieve stress and it's a way to express myself creatively....blah, blah, blah!!! All "paper crafters" have heard that before...I think it's time to come up with a new slogan. That'll be my first challenge to anyone that reads this....Come up with a new paper crafting "campaign slogan" instead of the old tried and true one. No prizes, let's just see how clever and creative we can be by coming up with something better to say about our wonderful hobby.