A Before.......

Today I am posting a couple of "before's"......to keep me on track to get them finished!! 

I have a couple of painting projects that I need to get done, and I figured if I posted them here, I might actually complete them in a timely manner!

First is a quick one to complete. I use this shelf my son built in high school wood shop for towels in my bathroom. I have two fabric boxes that sit on the top and bottom shelves that I bought at Ikea, that fit perfectly. But they were getting worn and soiled, and as they have card board stabilizers sewn inside, I could not wash them. Last time I went to Ikea, I bought some new boxes, but in a new print, cream & black toile. So I decided this shelf needs a new paint job also, so I will be painting it black. 

My next project is this table. It is my old dining room table I now use in my solarium. It has been through years of wear and tear with three boys. And keeping it in the solarium, where it can get up to 160 degrees on a hot day if the windows are not opened has also been hard on the finish. I will be painting it a creamy white and distressing the edges, as it will get that way soon around my house!

Ignore the painted floor that is really showing its age, another project to tackle! 

Both have been scrubbed with TSP cleaning solution, a bit of sanding and next the paint. 

Check back, for the finished looks! 

Heart Card Art

On Saturday I held a Valentine Card party at my home. I had not had a Valentine Card making party in many years and I decided it was time to have another. I invited all my crafty friends and Kelli, Narda, Leanne, Sonja, Mallary, Karen, Megan and Mary were able to come and play.

I had put together the three cards above for the papercrafters to make at the party. I provided all the supplies for the girls to make these three. I wanted to include several
stamping techniques on the three samples. 

On the first red & white heart card I included some heat embossing. I stamped the hearts with Versamark ink on the red card stock, sprinkled on some white embossing powder and heated the powder to make the shiny white hearts. It always is fun to watch the powder transform into 

the shiny finished image. Three of the heart stamps also have a matching punch,
so cutting the images is a snap.

The second card with the pretty Apothecary Art label, I had the girls hand color the label using blender pens and ink from the stamp pads. So easy to get matching color on your images with out having to buy a pen to match your papers and inks. Plus, it makes a lovely water color images, instant art! 

The pink card edge also has a die cut and embossed edge using the new Stampin' Up edgelits die and embossing folder that match. 

The third type writer card used the new tiny heart embossing edge folder and the new Your My Type stamp. This was the quick card to make, simple hand fussy cutting of the type writer image. Quick and easy, and using dimensional foam dots make the typewriter and punched hearts pop off the card front. 

I had made the cards in these photos as samples displaying some of my favorite Stampin' Up stamps, dies and papers. The card below uses the new Framelits dies. And a collage of Valentine stamps. 

Below are my crafty ladies working on their cards. I am so glad they came to play!

I think I need to make the Valentine Card party and annual event! 

Almost all card supplies are from Stampin' Up. 

Thanks for visiting and if you have any questions about the cards or supplies, 

please leave a comment. 

Love is in the Air

Love is in the air and red hearts are appearing all over my house.
It is not yet February, but my Valentines are up on display, to spread some love around my home.

Like my last collage I posted Winter wishes, I also made one a few years ago for Valentines Day.
It goes in the same frame that changes out with the seasons and holidays.



The collage is full of Valentine motifs surrounding a big glitter heart and swirl. A heat embossed chipboard key to my heart, a rhinestone centered velvet flower and some vintage Valentine images. Easter and spring will go up next. 

I made the collage below using my Cricut and most of the images came from the Zoo Balloo cartridge. I did not realize the cart had this cute house and tree on an animal themed cartridge. The papers are mostly Basic Grey and the rub on title is from Jenni Bowlin.

Below is my Valentine banner. Five chipboard hearts covered with pattern paper, crepe paper ruffled circles and LOVE in sparkly red glitter. 

I have some vintage and reproduction Valentines I like to display in my photo holder. 

A big pile of punched hearts sewn together makes a sweet garland. 

I had a few friends come over to play with paper and stamps on Thursday and I made these little matchbox Valentine treats for them. The boxes are cut from a die from Stampin' Up and the label and bird are Stampin' Up punches. A sweet treat!

Our projects we worked on Thursday were this sweet card that can be a Valentine, wedding or just because card. All supplies are from Stampin' Up. The basket below was our other project. 

The little basket is one I made from inspiration I found on this blog, thelittleblueroom, via Pinterest. 

I changed the handle and style a bit and added the two little tags, both are crafted with 

stamps and punches also from Stampin' Up. 

A little red and white bakers' twine from Martha Stewart ties it all together. 

My Valentine tree is all decorated for the holiday. Christmas and angels have come down and red hearts and love have gone up. 

Many of the ornaments are ones I have made just for the tree. 

This paper covered chip board heart with a felt rose is a new one for this year. 

  

These four below are some I made the first year I put up a Valentine tree in Jan. 2010. In 2009 I had gone on a vacation right after Christmas and by the time I was taking down my tree in my solarium, it was mid January. So I decided I might as well leave it up a few more weeks and turn it into a Valentine tree. My family liked the tree and thought I should decorate a tree for every holiday. And now I do! 

Each year I create a few more ornaments for the tree. Vintage images, glitter and tinsel come together to make some love filled decorations. 

Most of my Valentine decor is up on display, but if I find some new inspiration, there will be more! I love to craft for the holidays and every year I bring out my decorations I am reminded of the fun I had crafting them all.

As always, if you have a question about the supplies or techniques I used, please leave a comment. I would love to hear from you!