EXCITING NEWS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE DAY my friends!

Just a quick post to share some exciting news!

Even though I stepped down from the design team at Squigglefly the end of this year, I'm so thankful to them for all their kindness and for giving me the opportunity to be 'Published' not just once but TWICE in 2014.

I ordered and finally received a copy of my latest magazine publication in the mail yesterday.  It's a UK publication so it takes awhile to get here ... how awesome is this!!!

I was thrilled to see MY card right there on Pg. 3 showing what section the Squigglefly Team article appeared . . .

Here's a peek at the layout spread and a close up of my 'input'.

I know this is probably not a big deal to a lot of people but to me I'm just as giddy as a school girl to see my photo & work in  print!

THANKS SQUIGGLEFLY!!

Thanks for sharing in my excitement!

OH and before I leave you until NEXT YEAR (lol) I have one more thing to share.

My favorite Santa (hubby) bought me some FABULOUS gifts for Christmas this year and here is one of my FAVORITES ...

YEP ... fur lined Flip Flops (to keep my toes warm while I'm in my crafting cave).

Anyone who knows me knows my motto:  No Snow ... No Shoes!

I wear flip flops most of the year and that's not easy to do in a state like Ohio!  

These are by L.L. Bean and they are FANTASTIC!

Ok now I need to get some crafting done ... I've fallen so far behind with the holidays but that's okay ... I have all year to play and family time is so precious, especially at the holidays!

HUGS and HAPPINESS to you all!

See you in the New Year!

Another Year Passes ...

Hello Friends!

WOW!  Can you believe another year is nearly over?

My mother was right ... the older you get, the faster it goes!

Even though Christmas is over, I do have ONE LAST Christmas card to share with you!  And, I've created it as my inspiration piece for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.

I'm happy to say I was able to use some of the paper scraps laying on my work table from all the holiday creations I've been working on for the past couple of months.

The dies I have used on today's card are available at the Dies R Us Store:

Spellbinder Nestabillities #S4-462 'Labels Thirty Nine'

Spellbinder Nestabilities #S4-464 'Labels Thirty Nine Decorative Elements'

Wild Rose Studio #WRS031 "Merry Christmas"

Be sure to pop over to the STORE and check out all the wonderful dies available.  Awesome sales & shipping fees too!  You don't want to miss out ... remember to sign up for our newsletter.

A few challenges to share in:
Creative Colors Challenge #26
 
Card Mania Challenge #63 - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenge #97 - Christmas
Melonheadz Challenge - Christmas/Winter

Well, that's it for me today!  I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas and are looking forward to a joyous New Year!

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

Christmas Time of Year!

Hello Dear Friends!

Did you have a wonderful Christmas?

We sure did!  Just being with our little family is all I need for Christmas!

I have one more Crafty Secrets holiday card to share with you today using another one of the fabulous images from the 'Deer Christmas Set'.  (Deer Christmas Digital Set includes 37 high quality digital stamps in PNG files for download with no shipping.)

This set would be very useful for those 'guy' cards that are always so difficult to create too.

Santa is from our Vintage Santa Set.  The background paper is from the Digital Vintage Christmas Papers and the bird ticket comes from the Vintage Christmas CD.

A few challenges to share in:
A Crafty Mess #2 Challenge - Anything Goes/Traditional Christmas Colors
Jingle Belles Challenge - Jingle Bells Rock Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Challenge - Christmas Reds and Blues
QKR Stampede Challenge #119 - Santa or Snowman
Loves Rubberstamps Challenge - Holiday Blitz Anything Goes

This year has gone by SO FAST and I'm sad to say this is (probably) my last Christmas card for this year.  I just LOVE these new images and if I'm smart, I'll start NEXT years cards NOW ... maybe then I'll have them in the mail before Christmas 2015 instead of after!  LOL!

OH WOW!  CHECK THIS OUT!  
Sandy just posted this to the blog this morning!
Check out our Happy Boxing Day and Save an Extra 35% Off Sale Prices Until 12 Midnight Jan 1st!  Valid on all items (including digital) in our craftyvintagegirl.com store except our Sale Packs.

Please remember to come join in our Linky Party Fun at the BLOG on January 5th.  You'll have 2 weeks to play along and EVERYONE'S a winner!  Hope to see you there!  Here's the link to the STORE ... please come browse around!

Till next time . . . and as always . . .

What is the view out YOUR window today?

Hello my friends!

Only a few more days before Santa's arrival ... are you ready?

Well I must admit I'm 'getting closer' to being ready but still NOT QUITE THERE YET!  LOL!

It's my turn today to share some inspiration using dies from the Dies R Us store over on our Dies R Us Inspiration Blog so I'm kind of 'multi-tasking' at this point in time by creating my inspiration piece for the design team as well as having more cards ready to send out.

I'm afraid some of my friends and family will be receiving their Christmas cards late this year but you know what they say ... "better late than never!"  With that being said, I thought the quickest way to create these last minute (yet beautiful) cards would be by using a printed image and my die cuts.  

What do you think?  

 I found this beautiful, scenic image over on Pinterest and made it the basis for my cards.

Here are the items used on this card:

Paper:  Maja Designs Vintage Frost Basics

Dies:  Cheery Lynn Designs #B324 'Poinsettia Strip'

Wild Rose Studio #WRS032w 'Snow Flurry'

Poppy Stamps #815 'Grand Madison Window'

Accessories:  Stickles 'diamond', sentiment & stamp from same paper pack

It's so difficult to capture the sparkle on our holiday creations so here's a little closer look at the sparkle on this card.  I just LOVE this poinsettia die ... so quick & easy and looks beautiful every time!  By simply 'conditioning' the back side of the petals with my stylus, the flower really POPS and will still lay flat for mailing purposes.  

Here's a second card using the same image and paper but I've created a totally different scene by utilizing a variety of holiday dies.  Which card is your favorite?

Here are the dies used on this card:

Cheery Lynn Designs #B323 'Winter Neighborhood Border'

Die Versions Sweet Wordlets #DVSW-041 'Jingle Bells'

Impression Obsession #DIE110 'Mistletoe and Bells'

Cottage Cuts #CCE-049 'Winter Wonderland Deer'  (Special Sale Offer not currently in the store.)

As you can see above, Dies R Us does offer SPECIALS from time to time throughout the year for companies that are not always carried in the store on a day to day basis.  YOU can get in on these special offers by signing up to receive our newsletter and opening an account at the Dies R Us Store.

We already handle a LONG LIST of popular die company dies and we are adding more all the time!

Did you get in on the wonderful Holiday Specials??  WOWZA!!

We not only have an amazing selection, but fabulously low shipping rates!

If you haven't already ... please come browse around the STORE ... you won't be disappointed!

A couple other points of interest are:

NEW SAMPLES DAILY from the team over on our Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.

NEW CHALLENGES on the 1st & 15th of each month at our Dies R Us Challenge Blog.

I hope you'll pop over and check out both sites ... you're sure to find inspiration and fun!!

Challenges to share in:

 Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge - Anything Goes
Just Inspirational Challenge - Christmas

Now I'd better get these cards in the mailbox before 2015 shows up!  LOL!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

And, as always . . .

Merry XMas

Hello Dear Friends!

It Won't Be Long Now!

I'm sure Santa is busy getting his sleigh packed and ready for his long trip.  Of course, I'm STILL working on getting my cards made and sent (dear me! lol) ... and have a card to share using another image from the *new* Crafty Secrets Christmas Tree Digital set.  

(This Christmas Tree Digital Set includes 68 PNG files at 300 dpi with 39 Black/White as well as 29 full color files for download with no shipping.)

This image is one of the black & white images and it took a matter of moments to add the few touches of color using my alcohol markers!  The blue striped background paper is from our Vintage Christmas CD and I simply printed it the size I needed onto regular printer paper.  The red paper panel is a scrap of paper that JUST HAPPENED to be laying on the table when I started putting this card together ... as was the torn piece of white card stock.  Throw them all together ... add a tree & a deer and VIOLA!  Another wonderful holiday card ready for the mailman!!

Challenges to share in:

Come and Get It Challenge - Merry Christmas

Craft a Scene - Winter Theme
Pile it On Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas/Holidays
The Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas

 Going to make this post short & sweet today ... still have WAY TOO MANY things to get finished up before Santa's arrival.  But before I go, here are some important links for you to check out . . .

Crafty Secrets STORE

Crafty Secrets BLOG

Crafty Secrets FB Page

 And remember we have a new Linky Party on our BLOG beginning Monday, January 5th.

(EVERYONE'S A WINNER!)

Thanks for stopping in . . .

As always . . .

 

First Day of Winter

Hello Blogging Friends!

ARE YOU READY?

Christmas is only a couple days away!

But before all that fun begins, I like to share a card I made for the fun challenge going on at

613 Avenue Create Challenge Blog!

Did you know it REALLY IS the First Day of Winter??

Well it is!  And, with that being said, our twist today is .  .  .  USE SNOWFLAKES

Today our sponsor is:

Rick St. Dennis

http://www.zibbet.com/Rick1949

And I've created a fun SNOWY card using his image called 'North Pole Sign'.

To create the background for my card I've simply sponging varies blue shades of Tim Holtz distress ink onto my card front, then attached torn strips of scrap white card stock to create my 'snow banks'.    I've used an old SU snowflake stamp, Diamond Stickles and a Martha Stewart snowflake punch to create my snowy atmosphere.

    By coloring this adorable image then fussy cutting & popping him up ... it appears it's sitting outside in the snow at the North Pole!

I can't wait to see YOUR snowflake creation when you join in the fun at 613 Avenue Create!

Remember our challenge is always ANYTHING GOES with a TWIST ... I hope you'll try the twist ... so much fun and it will get you extra attention!

A few challenges I'd like to share in today are:

Allways Something Creative - Merry Christmas

Animal Friends Challenge - Everything Goes with an Animal

Cards Galore Challenge - Anything Goes
Craft and Smash Challenge - Christmas, Winter, Ice
Lady Bug Crafts Challenge - Baby it's Cold Outside/Merry Christmas


Now I'd better get busy ... I'm sure you're caught up and all ready for Santa!

But, I on the other hand seem to be a bit behind this year!  Hmmmm might have something to do with 'age'!  LOL!  Either way ... time to go!  Catch you later and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White card stock
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Diamond Stickles, Pop Dots, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, SU snowflake stamp, Tim Holtz Distress Inks (various shades of blue)
Technique:  Torn Paper, Fussy Cutting

Time is RUNNING OUT . . .

Happy Saturday Friends!

Just wanted to share some of the holiday cards I worked on feverishly the other day in order to have enough to send to friends and family.  I've been blessed with a very good craft show year and although I'm thrilled with that fact, it left me empty handed for my own holiday cards ... so I buckled down and just GOT BUSY!!

I found this beautiful tree image over on Pinterest and thought by adding a touch of Stickles sparkle and a holiday sentiment it would make a beautiful card and I was right!  These were really quick and easy!  These next  cards were images and papers I had laying on the table that didn't get used on my original card ideas ... so now they have been turned into a card that I'm sure family & friends will appreciate!

 Okay now I'd better get them in the mailbox ... time is running out!
I actually made another 12 cards but won't bore you with them ... lol!
Have a great day and I hope you're ready for Santa's arrival!

Reindeer Time of Year!

Well the count down is on!

Hello Friends!

This is the LAST SHOPPING WEEKEND before Christmas and I'm STILL trying to get my cards made and in the mail ... yikes!  I'm so far behind!  But that's okay, Christmas will come whether I have my cards done or not!  LOL!

This year Crafty Secrets is certainly my GO TO for holiday card images.  Sandy just came out with a couple wonderful new collections.  DEER CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMAS TREE ... do check them out!  You get SO MUCH for so few $$$.

 How much fun is this image!

I'm having great fun creating with the DEER CHRISTMAS set and this is only 1 of the 37 images available on this amazing set!  I've used my alcohol markers for the coloring and created the icicles with an old Martha Stewart punch.  The beautiful garland & ornaments are from the CHRISTMAS TREE set.  Two images (the garland and the ornament) that I've put together to create one garland strand.  Colored with alcohol markers and did a little fussy cutting before adding to the bottom of my image.  The background paper is from our Vintage Christmas CD.

 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the black and white images available on this DEER CHRISTMAS set!  For my background paper I've printed out the green/white paper from our Vintage Christmas CD but switched it to black & white before printing.

My main image, post cards and 2 lower portion deer are from the set.  My only additional embellishments are the Impression Obsession Fir Trees and my Cheery Lynn Designs Poinsettia.  I'm really happy with how this card came together!

A few challenges to share in:
Crafter's Cafe Challenge - Animal Friends
Crafty Creations Challenge - To 'die' for
Hambo Hoedown Challenge - Winter
The Male Room Challenge - Christmas
The Paper Shelter Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamps - Winter Inspiration

Please be sure to visit out STORE for some GREAT DEALS then come join in our Monthly Linky Party the 1st Monday of each month on our BLOG.  Very easy to play along ... you just need to use something from Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage on your card/creation to qualify for a PRIZE!!  And, if by chance you are new to Crafty Secrets, we have FREEBIES offered at the store that you can grab, create and join in with.

I hope you'll come play along ... our next Linky Party will be Jan 5th and run for 2 weeks!  And if you're mojo is lacking (as mine is at the present time) you can find FABULOUS inspiration from our design team!  SUCH TALENTED LADIES!!!!!  WOW!

Okay ... I'd better get busy ... times running out!  

As always ...

613 Avenue Creates 2nd Annual Block Party!

Whoo hoo!  Save the date people!  I can't believe our challenge blog 613 Avenue Create will be 2 in January!  Anyone who has played in our Anything Goes Challenge knows we always have an optional twist.  And we have some creative options (if I do say so myself  LOL!)  that make us unique, like the Create Your Own Challenge chart and the Create Your Own Color Challenge!  Well, we have yet another new optional twist and for those who like a challenge I think you may just like it  :)   I can't tell you yet because it's one of the surprises we have for you!  We have many prizes to be won so make sure you mark your calendars for this fun event!   

 

Come check us out!

As always . . .

 

Neighborhood Holiday Party 2014

WOW!  Only 8 more days till Christmas and I am NOT ready!!

HELLO FRIENDS!

Well I think I've finally recovered from our Annual Neighborhood Holiday Get Together and thought I'd share just a few (too busy talking being a good hostess to take photos) peeks at the good time we had!  I'm THRILLED to say that ALL those invited came!  Some just had time to POP in and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, some stayed for a short while, some stayed even longer and so happy to say that our friends from the Toledo, Ohio area made the trip and spent the night with us!  

THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THE TIME!!!

Of course Mark went CRAZY with the menu again this year!  So we had lots of left overs and shared with whomever wanted to take some home with them.

The menu this year included:

Bar-B-Q Meatballs & Cocktail Weiners

Mark's Personal Best Mac & Cheese

Fried Chicken (purchased)

Cold Cut Sliders (purchased)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Crab Dip

Artichoke & Spinach Dip

Shrimp Coctail

Pinwheels (Ham, Turkey, Salami & Roast Beef)

Meat & Cheese Tray

Mark's Personal Best Cheese Ball

Mark's Personal Best Mushroom Salad

Christmas Deviled Eggs (colored Red & Green)

Fresh Fruit Salad

 AS WELL AS DESSERTS 
 Peanut Butter Fudge
Brownie Bites
Varies Oatmeal Cookies
Varies Chocolate Chip Cookies

and dishes brought in from a few of our friends/neighbors!

Greens, Meat & Cheese SALAD
Homemade Hummus
Pepperoni Rolls
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pumpkin Cheese Cake

LIKE I SAID ... we had a TON OF FOOD and it was all  SO GOOD!!!

 By the time EVERYONE got here we had people in every room and I LOVED IT!!!  

Everyone was thrilled to meet our newest member of the neighborhood ... little Miss Lily Shamp.  It was at our party last year that Travis & Christy announced that they were FINALLY pregnant and we are all so over joyed with their news!  Fast Forward to this years party and little Lily had everyone's attention!  She was so good ... and SO CUTE!!!

We all had our turn holding and playing with Lily!  As you can see in the photo one of the favorite spots was on our livingroom floor where Lily was with her Mom & Dad!

I was lucky enough to snap this fabulous photo of little Lily and neighbor Christine (who has 2 beautiful daughters of her own ... you've met them here on my blog ... Miss Olivia and Miss Emily).

We are certainly blessed with friends, family and a fabulous neighborhood! 

Now that I've caught my second wind, I think I'd better concentrate on Christmas shopping and getting my cards in the mail!

NOPE I don't have them done YET ... another blessing ... I've sold so many of my holiday cards this year I don't have enough for myself!  LOL! 

 I fear they may be a tad LATE being mailed this year!  Eeeks!  LOL!

Okay so there you have it!  

Our Christmas Party was a huge success and I am truly looking forward to next years.  But I do have to talk to hubby about this menu ... I think it might be just A LITTLE out of control!  LOL! 

Have a fabulous week everyone and thanks for stopping by!

As always and until next time . . .

Ooops! ALMOST FORGOT TO SHARE THIS!
I recently purchased a stamp set from 'My Craft Spot' called Christmas Friends & Neighbors and used this stamp to make a quick treat for each of my guests this year.  Yep, you guessed it!  Inside was a full size Snicker's bar!