WOYWW

I haven't participated in WOYWW for months, but today I am proud to show off my work desk! On my work desk is the beginning of my daughter's wedding dress. There re also some favor boxes that we have been putting together, but they are pre cut, not something we made. Now I need to get busy on the rest of the dress, because the wedding is Friday night! Have a great Wednesday! Take a peek at everyone's desk at http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/
DanielleP

Wow...it's been a long time!

I knew it had been a long time since I had posted, but not a peep since August is terrible! One of my goals for this year was to post at least once a week. Well, I didn't make that goal, but a lot has been happening in my life and I just didn't make the time.

When I got back from my wonderful vacation to Ireland and England I went back to work with a vengence. I've been working a lot of overtime in the last few months. I've also work nights for the last month. I don't know how people who work nights all the time do it. After the first of the year I am saying "No" to all those extra shifts!

I also spent a lot of my time with my parents this fall. My dear Daddy, who has been bed ridden for the last year and a half, died in November at age 92. Before his death the whole family had been helping Mother take care of him. I was so glad to be able to help with his care. Dad gave his life to Jesus a long time ago, and because of my faith, I "do not grieve as those who have no hope". I look forward to the day when all of us will be rerunited in Heaven! Here's a picture of Daddy with a few of his favorite girls, my Mother and my daughters, Amy (in cream gown) and Rachel (in purple gown).

Flying home

Trying to get home from England has been a 2 day process. I flew from London to NY yesterday, but couldn't get to DC. Spent the night on the floor of JFK airport, then went to Atlanta this morning. I am finally on a flight to DC. Just hoping I actually make it this time

Vacation!

off to ireland today. flight delayed due to thunderstorms. i hope i dont miss my connecting flight. not a very good start. also forgot a few things, but i will survive without them.  esides hubby and daughter will be joining me in a few days and they will bring them for me

I'm still here...

just haven't been able to post anything lately. Life is busy, work's been draining and when I'm home it feels like all I can do is sleep! It may have something to do with the strange schedule I have had working nights, then days, then nights again, then evenings! Now I will be working days after a single day off. Maybe I will even have nough energy to do some crafting this week. Wish me luck.
Danielle

So many crafts, so little time.

I've been working lots of long hours the past 6 weeks or so, and when I've been home I've been too tired to craft. I"ve bought a bunch of new stamps recently and several paper stacks and am itching to use some of them! I've been looking at some of the challenges that have been posted and thinking about how some of my new stamps would be perfect, but I just haven't had the time to put anything together. I think I'm going to have to forget about sleeping for a few nights, so I can get some projects completed. lol
Danielle

Wedding photo

It's been a month and I am finally getting around to post a photo of my daughter and son-in-law at the wedding! I have been way too busy at work this past month and every thing else has just been put on hold. But no more excuses and here is the beautiful bride and handsome groom! A lovely couple if ever there was one!
Danielle

Notecards for Kristen (and Kyle)

Kristen (my oldest daughter) got married on April 1st. I wanted to make some note cards for her and decided to use the couples initials. I looked over all my fonts for the Cricut and found one that I thought was perfect for these note cards. I mounted the welded initials on a double marquee cut. I used background papers from a stack by Me and My Big Ideas, all in black and white. I thought these could be used for Thank You cards, announcements, or just about anything they might want to use them for. Kristen loves the contrast of black and white and I thought these papers would appeal to her. I picked a variety of papers because I didn't want all of them to look feminine, since they are also for Kyle. The black and white card stock is from AC Moore-just there bulk packaged card stock. The marquee cuts are from Storybook and the font is from Songbird. I used the Gypsy to weld the initials and also to cut everything out. I popped the double marquee with foam tape for dimension.
I am entering the following challenges with these note cards:
1. Papertake Weekly Challenge- http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/ Anything Goes
2. A Spoonfull of Sugar Challenge- http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ White with one color

It's WOYWW and I have been MIA for weeks!

so it's time to once again dig out my camera and snap a pic of my workdesk and post away. If you haven't joined in the funn of WOYWW and are wondering what it is I'm going on about, hop ever to Julia's blog at http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ and have a look around. Just beware-it's addictive! So, on too my desk...I have a screen printing kit and a handful of clear stamps I bought last week, but haven't been able to do anything with because I've been working for the past 8 days and I have 2 more to go until I get a full day off. I'm trying to save lots of money for my trip to Ireland and England in July, but I would like a little more time off. I haven't been able to do any crafting for weeks. After Kristen's wedding I started to make some note cards for the newlyweds, but haven't gotten them finished. I have the weekend off so I'm hoping to finish them. Hope every one has a great day!
Danielle

Ah, Spring!

I don't think I have a favorite season, but there are things I love about each season. Spring has finally arrived in Western Maryland and today on my way home from work I was thinking about some of the things I really love about spring and thought I'd share.
1. I love the way the green creeps up the mountain. Right now there is the barest hint of celery green at the bottom of the mountain and day by day as I drive home from work I will see the color deeped to a vibrant green and it will slowly make it's way to the top of the ridge.
2. I love the orchards in the spring, especially if it is a newly planted orchard. All those baby trees bursting with blooms looks like babies all in a row dressed in lace.
3. I love the sound of the birds singing early in the morning as the dawn is breaking. It's almost like they are singing the sun up.

Hope you are enjoying this lovely time of year where you are!
Danielle

I've been MIA ...

I've been scheduled to work every dy since Kristen's wedding except Tuesday. I did get to be off Sunday also, because I wasn't needed, but it's been a really busy week! I didn't even get a post in for WWOYW! Of course, there wasn't anything interesting on my desk to show anyway. I do have some note cards in the planning stage for Kristen and Kyle. They can use them as Thank You notes or just as plain note cards and I hope to have them finished by early next week. I will post them as soon as I get them done.
Danielle

Wedding Week

My daughter, Kristen is getting married Friday evening, and I've got a lot to do this week so I probably won't be getting much posted. In fact, I should be cleaning right now, instead of spending time on the computer! I hope I'll be able to pop in now and again and also check out a few of the blogs I follow, but next week I'm sure I'll have lots of wedding photos to post!
Danielle

Pink altered note paper holder

Another altered note paper holder! This one is for my friend, Nancy, who is a breast cancer survivor. The pink ribbon design is actully an ampersand (&) cut with my cricut (I forget which font cartridge I used) in pink and in white (for the shadow). I then cut off the bottom to turn it into the ribbon design. It's popped off the box with foam tape. I added pink rhinestones for a bit of sparkle and also added Stickles around the outside of the shadow layer. The design on the edge of the lid is a clear stamp from Prima. I used "cotton candy" ink by Nicole, and used clear rhinestones. The papers are from my stash, so I don't know the manufacturer. I put a line of pearls between the stamped design and the patterened paper, to cover the edge and to divide the two. The flowers are made with some sheer ribbon that someone gave me. I gathered a length of ribbon into a circle and tied the ends of the thread and then added leaves cut from a silk flower I had lying around. I am entering this project into the following challenges:

1. One Stop Craft Challenge- http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ Diamonds are a girl's best friend
2. Allsorts Challenge- http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/ make a gift box
3. Saturday Challenge- http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Anything but a card
4. Cupcake Craft Challenges- http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/ monochromatic
5. Papertake Weekly Challenge- http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/  Something Girlie
6. A Spoon Full of Sugar- http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ Ribbon, Pearls/Rhinestones, flowers
7. Fresh Brewed Blog Challenge- http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/  Two or more embellies
8. Simon Says Stamp Challenge- http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/ Mother's Day/Girlie

This is a "before" pic. I took the box completely apart before covering and embellishing it!



Here are the "after pics.

WOYWW

It's that time again! What time, you ask? It's WOYWW time! Don't understand? Pop over to Julia's blog at
http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ and find out!
So, My desk is a mess as usual. There are a few scattered pieces of paper, a few stamps, glue, 2 tape runners that have broken in the middle (I hate when that happens!), some ribbon and my latest project-an altered note paper holder. It's for my friend Nancy, who is a breast cancer survivor. Of course, it has to be pink and it has the pink ribbon design on it. It also has some bling, because I like shiny things! I hope you all have a great WOYWW!
DanielleP

Work is beginning to interfer with my crafting!

I've been working more this week and I can't get any crafting done! What's a crafter to do? lol I have been trying to finish a gift for my friend Nancy and can't get enough time away from work. We've been very busy and I've stayed a bit later the past several days. I ususally have a few days off during the week, but this week I'm scheduled for 6 days in a row, and we've been really busy, so when I've been home I've been too tired for much crafting. Tomorrow I should only be there half a day, so I'll try to get Nancy's gift posted then.
Danielle

Magnolia Stamps

I want some Magnolia stamps, and I want them in a bad way! I look at other blogs and I am loving all the Tilda images, but I am really trying to be good and not spend much money on crafts right now. I did buy a couple new cricut carts, 'cause they were on sale and SUCH a bargain, but other than that slight slip up I have been very good! I just have to fight this urge to go on a binge and spend tons of money on all those adorable stamps. I have looked at several different web sites and ca't even decide on one or 2 stamps to keep my cravings in check, I want too many of them. I will have to just look at all the beautiful creations that others have made and be satisfied with enjoying them that way!
Danielle

It's WOYWW again!

It's that time again-WOYWW. Don't know what that is? Hop over to Julia's place at http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/  and see what all the fuss is about! You'll be glad you did.

Here's what's on my desk today-silk flowers. My baby is getting married! OK, she's 24, and she's the oldest of my 4 children, but she's still my baby! She's having a very small wedding and I had to cajole a little to get her to let me do anything, but she's letting me do her bouquet. The first flower her fiance ever gave her was a peach rose, so she's having peach and white roses. All I've done so far is cut the stems off a bit so I can figure out how I want them arranged in a vase first. Then I will put them in the bouquet holder. I have 2 1/2 weeks, but I am sure she will want to see something accomplished this weekend, so I will be doing them the next day or so. I hope you have a great WOYWW!
Danielle

St. Patrick's Day Wreath

I saw a Valentine's Heart wreath on someone's door at work and loved it. I decided to do one for St. Patrick's Day. Both my husband and I have Irish blood (my maiden name was Diggins, his ancestor was a Walker) and we always do something around here to celebrate. My husband always cooks breakfast at our house and sometimes he dyes our breakfast green (no one ate the oatmeal the year he did that green!), or I make an Irish meal for dinner. I send St. Patrick's Day cards to my parents and siblings, but they have been made for a while, so I made this wreath to get into the spirit last week. I cut the base with the Cricut Expression, using my Gypsy to set the cuts. I cut it in a lightweight cardboard, then again in a green patterened paper. I cut lots of shamrocks in 2 shades of green cardstock and 2 patterened papers, then one "pot of gold" and one hat in black. I used Paper Doll Dress Up for all those cuts. I added a green hat band and put lots of Stickles in several shades of golds on the pot and made a gold buckle on the hat. I added some doodling with white pen on the pot and hat. I laminated everything so I could hang it on the outside door and not worry about rain ruining it. I glued it all together and added the stamped sentiment (Have a lucky day) from Studio G, and the ST. Patrick's Day ribbon (bought on clearance from Wal-Mart after St. Patrick's day a few years ago). If I were doing it over I would have made it a little larger, but I'm pleased overall with how it turned out.  Erin Go Braugh!
I'm entering the following challenges with this project:
1. One Stitch at a Time Challenge- http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/  Glitter and Gems
2. Creative Card Crew- http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/ No Flowers
3. Allsorts Challenge Blog- http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/ Luck of the Irish
Danielle

Where does the time go?

I had a very busy week this week. I got a little crafting done, but I worked nights this week so my sleep/wake schedule got jumbled. My news is that my oldest daughter, Kristen and her fiance, Kyle decided they were getting married before he is transferred (he is a Marine), so I have been doing "wedding things" when I had extra time instead of crafting. They are having an immediate family only wedding and it will be very simple, but Kristen is letting me do her flowers for her and I am looking forward to that. My mother did the flowers for my wedding and I loved them. I hope she likes the ones I am doing for her.
Danielle

WOYWW

It's WOYWW at Julia's place- http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ and I had to play along. This week as usual my space is a mess. I am trying to use up some of my scrap paper and I'm not making much progress. That huge plastic accordian folder holds most of my scraps, and a few stickers. I picked out some green papers for St. Patricks Day and they are lying beside the folder. I've got a few stamps out, some vellum, a small roll of vinyl, ink pads, a few tools and emellies lying about, and of course my ever faithful companion-my iron. lol I think I may have to name the thing, it's always sitting there, even tho I rarely use it.  So-What on Your Workdesk this Wednesday? I'll be checking in to see!
Danielle

Etched glass votive holders

This pair of etched glass votive holders were made using my Cricut, Vinyl and etching cream. I had to cut the flowers twice. The first time they were slighty larger than the side of the holders. I recut them so the design wouldn't extend beyond the corners. After placing the vinyl where I wanted the design to appear I put on a thick coat of the etching cream. I allowed the etching cream to remain in place for 30 minutes, then I scraped off most of it with a craft stick, washed whatever remained after that and removed the vinyl. A very easy way to add some interest to plain glass votive holders!
DanielleP

Girl Friend Birthday Card

I love, love, LOVE how this card turned out! I love the patterened paper, it's from DCWV's glittered "Sweet" stack. I love the die cuts, made with my cricut using the Forever Young cart. I love the lace and ribbon, lace in some scraps someone had given me and ribbon from "Sweet Petites". I love the Stickles and Pearls, I love the sentiment stamp from a clear set by Cloud9 Designs called "Laughter". Have I mentioned that I love this card? lol  The card measures 6"x6". The cardstock is all from ACMoore. I planned all the cuts with the Gypsy. The only cut tht isn't from Forever Young is the little flourish over the sentiment-that is a leftover cut from the birdcage on the Straight From the Nest cart. I added "Cotton Candy" Stickles to the accessories and dress, and "Gunmetal" Stickles to the flourish and around the white cardstock the sentiment was stamped on. The inside of the card uses the same patterened paper and pink cardstock and the sentiment was computer generated on pink vellum.
I am entering the following challenges with this card:
1. The ABC Challenge- http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/  P is for Pink
2. Totally Papercrafts Challenge- http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/  Pearls and Lace
3. One Stop Craft Challenge- http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/  black, white and one color
4. Allsorts Challenge- http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/  Card for a teen
Danielle

 

Patriotic card

I've been keeping the cover of a book of stamps with the Liberty Bell for months, planning on putting it on a card. I finally got around to it and also got to use some paper that has been around for several years. I have so much paper and I need to use some up so I can justify (at least a little bit) all the new paper I buy. (Whenever I bring new paper home and show it off to my husband, he grins and says, "Just what you need, MORE paper!") Anyway, I made 2 cards using a sketch for a challenge. The papers were from the dollar store, the image is from the US postal service, the cardstock is from my scrap papers. I inked with walnut ink on lots of the paper. I wanted to give it the look of old parchment. I popped the image with foam tape.The ribbon is from Offray. On the inside of the first card I used a Cricut cut from Stand and Salute. For the second card the papers were all part of the same pack from the dollar store. There were several things I did differently on the second card. The ribbon is wider, I varied the color of the matting and I stitched around almost everything. This is the first time I have used my sewing machine for cards, and I really like the look. For the inside sentiment on the 2nd card I used stamps from Studio G. The sketch called for the sentiment to be down the side of the Image, but since the "Forever" was already there I didn't want to add another one. I think the first one is a little "blah", too much the same for the papers, but I like how the second one came out.
I am entering the following challenges with this:
1.   Friday Sketchers- http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/  sketch (of course!)
 
Danielle

No crafts today...

at least not this morning. I was at work before 6:30am and now I'm going to my parents to see if they need me for any errands. I may be able to do something this evening later, but I do have a couple cards designed in my head (and a few started on my Gypsy) that are just crying out to be made! I hope all of you are having a great day!
Danielle

Spring has Spung card

I'm trying to use up some papers from my scraps. All the papers except the card base are from scraps on this card. The patterened paper is from K & Co.'s Berry Sweet stack. The stamps are really old, the fence stamp is from the Dollar Store and it's one I simply love. The stamp that's under the fence is from PSX, and the sentiment is from Studio G. I cut the frame with my Cricut and the Cindy Loo cart. The framed stamp is popped and the fence is popped with 3 layers of foam tape over it. I punched the butteflys with a Martha Stewart punch. The ribbon is Sweet Petites. I did a little doodling here and there. I am entering the following challenges with this card:
1. One Stop Craft Challenge- http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/  Spring Flowers
2. Paper Cutz Challenge- http://papercutzchallenge.blogspot.com/   Spring
3. Daring Cardmakers- http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/ Pound Shop Beauties (Dollar Store)
4. Fab 'n' Funky Challenges- http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/  Spring
5. Papertake Weekly Challenge- http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/ Anything Goes (may use something old) I used paper from scraps and old stamps.
6. Cute Card Thursday- http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/  Signs of Spring

DanielleP

WOYWW

I'm really late today for WOYWW at Julia's blog-Stampin' Ground http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/
My space is a mess as usual. Every week I tell myself I'm going to clean it up and show what a tidy person I can be, but when Wednesday rolls around, it's still a disaster. Oh well, it's still my "happy place" as my hubby likes to call it! This week I have a bunch of stamps lying about. I've a few challenges I'm going to enter and I'm working on cards for those. I also got out 2 of my Xyron machines for a project I did a few days ago and still havent put them away. My Cuttlebug is out there and a set of stamp pads and assorted ribbons and papers I was trying together. I do have a decent work area free today at least! Hope all of you are having a great day today!
Danielle

Shaped Mother's Day Card

Have I mentioned that I am loving my Gypsy? It is so easy for me to set up the cuts for a card with it. I am using my Cricut even more since I got the Gypsy, and I used it often before. Last night I made this shaped card, using the Gypsy to weld 2 bird cages together for the base. I "hid" the cut outs so the base was solid, aded the first layer in black, the second layer in silver metallic, and the bird in red. I added some detail to the bird with gel pen, attached the pearls around the cage opening and at the top and bottom and used 3 ribbon roses with a few leaves that I punched with a mini punch. On the inside I used the remnant of silver from my cage cut, cut around the space left when I cut the bird and used a stamp from Studio G. The white and black cardstock was from ACMoore, the red is Bazzill and the silver metallic is DCWV. Ribbon roses by Offray.
I am entering the following challenges with this card:
1. Bitten by the Bug2- http://heather-bittenbythebug2.blogspot.com/  Birdcage from Straight from the Nest
2. Cupcake Craft Challenges- http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/ Anything but Square
3. One Stitch at a Time Challenge- http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/ card for Mom
4. Fantabulous Cricut Challenge- http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com/ Shaped card
Danielle

Note card

I made this card and couldn't decide what sentiment to use. My daughter told me to leave it as it was, with no sentiment on the front, so I took her advise and stamped a journaling space for the inside to use as a note card. I used black cardstock for the base , The patterened paper is from "me & my Big ideas". The three square "inchie" stamps are from a clear set by Inkadinkadoo. I stamped them with black ink and mounted them on black cardstock. The inside stamp is by Autumn Leaves. I stamped with black ink on white cardstock and cut out the image before adhering it inside. I am entering the following challenges with this card:
1. Card Positioning Systems- http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/  sketch
2. Charisma Cardz Challenges- http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/  black, white and one color
Danielle

A little shopping Spree

I ran into ACMoore to pick up my check (I demonstrate for them on occasion) and had to look at the stamps that were 40% off. I got three clear sets by Inkadinkadoo. Then I had to browse thru the rest of the store too. I found a paper pack by American Crafts at 50% off and grabbed that too. I really don't need any paper, and I have lots of stamps I've never used, but I just love a bargain! lol  I actually spend more than I make there, but I figure I'm at least defraying the cost of my craft purchases by working there a little!
Danielle
Here are some pics of the paper and stamps:

Motivational Poster

I walked in the door from work on Friday and my husband handed me a sheet of paper and said, "I want this on a poster in an hour". I used the gypsy to size everything and cut it with my expression. I ran the letters thru my Xyron and put it on white poster board. I got a few things a little crooked, but since it was just going on the door of the warehouse where the kids are practicing when we've got bad weather, it doesn't need to be perfect. My hubby was happy with it. It does show how easy it is to make a poster with the Cricut and a couple sheets of cardstock! Later I thought I should have put a few soccer figures on it, but I didn't have much time. Maybe I'll do another one later...
Danielle

Birthday Card from sketch

I don't usually participate in the sketch challenges. For some reason following a sketch is harder for me than just moving the elements I've chosen around to get the look I like best. That said, I decided to do a card based on a sketch yesterday and this is the result. The card blank is 5"x7". The colored papers are K & Co., the black and white (flower) are DCWV- La Creme Stack. The button and floss are from my sewing supplies. I used a Martha Stewart border punch. The celebrate stamp is from a set by Inkadinkadoo, and the inside sentiment is an old wooden stamp (no manufacturer listed any where). The flower was cut using Sizzex dies-there are three layers, the scalloped circle was cut with the Cricut using Mini Monograms, and the inside marquee shapes were cut with Nestabilities. I used foam tape to pop the scalloped circle and all the layers of the flower. I did some inking on the flower, the scalloped circle and the inside. I feel like the papers are a little too similar and wish I had used papers with more contrast, but overall I like the card.
The challenges I am entering with this card are:
1. Got Sketch?- http://gotsketch.blogspot.com/  sketch
2. A Spoon Full of Sugar- http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/  Birthday Wishes