I'm up...

It is the middle of the night and just popped out of bed for a bit for some reason.  So, for the moment, I may as well share a couple of projects celebrating Father's Day! 

These few cards were created for American Crafts.  I loved using papers and embellishments, which I would normally doll up for something girl, for something with a masculine touch.  If you haven't checked out the new Mayberry collection it is absolutely adorable! 

This second project is using Pink Paislee.  I wanted to create something fun, a little different take on the traditional card or coupon book. 

For more information on either project you can check out American Crafts and Pink Paislee blogs this past week.  Hope you are enjoying your weekend?  Making this short as I am operating on a 3:00 a.m. brain here...not so easily I may add.  Happy Sunday!

Andrea

within these walls...

 

There have been moments of down time here for which I am stopping to enjoy.  Waking up with my boys, cooking meals, playing toys, trips out and about.  I am enjoying these moments and seeing my time creating dwindling with each passing day.  There are a few times I walk into my almost bare craft space and wish I would feel the creative spark; however, there is a feeling of satisfaction I get knowing my time is being spent laughing and smiling with my family.  For this I am thankful.  Although my creative days are few as the summer begins, I still enjoy a couple of moments of paper play.  Today I am sharing with you my first project as part of Authentique's design team!

   
I love this new collection Be(You)tiful!  The colors, textures, images...it is all gorgeous.  What is a card without a little layering...ok, maybe a lot, but I couldn't help but add more. 

Off to work on some baby shower favors.  I will share them when I am finished.  Found the perfect box using my Cricut Expression, stamps from Papertrey Ink and papers from American Crafts.  Until tomorrow have a wonderful day!

Andrea

what makes a home...

As I have been working on a few assignments for American Crafts this week, and after a bit of a rough week at home as the end of school is so very near, I wanted to create a layout that makes my heart extra happy today.

Every summer my boys spend several weeks in Oregon with their much missed family including grandparents, aunts and uncles.  As we count down our days until we all spend our summer together there this year, a photo from their trip last summer taken in their grandmother's amazing backyard garden.  I love the fact that these are moments they get to share and adventures they have that are all their own.  No parents allowed and I am happy for that.  See...no matter where they are, there is always the comfort of home knowing they are together and happy.

Love my boys!

What is making your heart happy today?

Andrea

blocked...

Counting down to three more days of school for my little men and the long days of summer will be here.  Before that though...time to create and catch up a bit on some much needed crafting time.  It is time to get back to the happy project this week and share day #17!

I have been working on the baby quilt for my friend and almost finished with the front panel.  This is actually the easy part.  It is the quilting that will take a bit of time.  Even though this is similar to day #16 inspiration, there is always inspiration to be found.

 

I love paper piecing.  This is the opportunity for you to really make something unique with just a few simple tools.

Supplies: Epiphany Crafts (square punch), American Crafts (paper, stickers, foam adhesive dots, ribbon), Martha Stewart (decorative tape), Therm O Web (adhesive), staples and stick pin.

 

The easiest way to begin the blocking is to punch cardstock pieces for the base and patterned paper for the tile work.  Apply adhesive to the backside of paper. Cut paper in half diagonally.  Add to cardstock squares.   Remember to lay it out before adhering to card base. 

Do you enjoy paper piecing?  Does quilting inspire you?  Why not try this over the weekend and maybe try different dies, punches or even just your scissors.

Andrea

with her in mind...

There has been a bag of material sitting in my craft space for the past month just waiting for me to begin work on a baby quilt for one of my closest friends.  With the baby shower only a few weeks away, I was able to sneak a few minutes in last night to begin making the cuts.  Oh how I love these colors...

To get me ready to quilt, sew and embroider, I wanted to create a little project for my day #16 using some of the left over pieces of fabric.

Supplies: CARD - American Crafts (cardstock, adhesive), My Mind's Eye (paper), Prairie Bird Boutique (ribbon), Papertrey Ink (stamp, ink, buttons), Studio Calico (wood embellishment), burlap, fabric, cardstock, cotton batting, sewing machine and adhesive pearls. PINCUSHION - fabric, cotton batting, sewing machine, button maker, doily, Fiskars (rotary cutter), stick pins, glass beads, poly fill, needle and thread.

Have you ever tried to create a quilted fabric card?  Easy to do and love the look.  Simply cut your cardstock for the card and fold in half.  Cut a piece of cardstock to cover the front of the card.  Cut a layer of batting (used cotton blanket batting x 2) and fabric piece larger than cardstock front.  Stitch layers together (cardstock, batting, fabric) and trim edges when complete.  I use my Fiskars rotary cutter and rulers to get the clean edges and shapes...amazing tools!  Adhere to front of card.  Use craft glue, Zots or even adhesive runner to add embellishments to the front. Created the fabric flower for the card and pincushion using the same fabrics.

Cut, stitched and quilted the pincushion above as well using a bit of each fabric.  Topped it off with a handmade doily and fabric button, along with pom-pom and glass bead stick pins for something fun.  Now time to get started on the quilt.  Will share the process as I go along and as the planning of the baby shower continues.

Do you have a rotary cutter?  Have you ever tried quilting?  I find it best to start with something small and work my way up in size.  Still learning, but it is all about building confidence in your ability.  You can do anything!

Andrea

seeing double...

 

There is something amazing about seeing a rainbow right after a heavy rain.  There is something SO amazing about seeing a double rainbow.  Shared a moment the other day with my oldest as the dark clouds started to move on by, taking the rain with it, leaving a double rainbow stretched across the afternoon sky.  There was something about that few minutes we just both stood there silently taking in the colors and walked away with smiles on our face.  

photo

I didn't end up snapping a photo of this moment, but knew that there had to be one out there to work from for day #15 of my happy project.

What makes me happy like the double rainbow?  Strips of colorful patterned paper of course.  I wanted to create two cards, shaped, full of color and using simple embellishments to bring focus to the backgrounds.

Supplies: Pebbles (paper), Crate Paper (paper), Pink Paislee (paper), American Crafts (paper, cardstock), Prairie Bird Boutique (ribbon), Papertrey ink (stamp, in, tag die, buttons), Spellbinders (dies), Therm O Web (adhesives), glossy accents, sewing machine, needle and thread.

Supplies: American Crafts (paper, cardstock), Crate Paper (paper), Riddersholm Design (paper), Prairie Bird Boutique (ribbon), My Mind's Eye (paper), Authentique (stickers), Papertrey Ink (die, ink, button, stamp), Fiskars (punch), Spellbinder (die), Making Memories (staples, safety pin), sewing machine, pin.

Maybe you have captured a special moment to inspire you today?  Enjoy a crafting moment or two to celebrate it.

Andrea

P.S.  Since I have been going vintage with a few of the posts...how about this one.  Do you remember her?

photo

pink is where it's at...

What are you seeing out your window today?  It is Friday, sunny, hot, busy, exciting, relaxing...all mixed into one here and wouldn't expect anything else.  Out our office window I have been peering into my garden which is soaking up the sun and growing, growing, growing.  Snapped a photo the other day of one of my favorite trees.

This tree is such a mystery to me.  Several times it has bloomed these bright pink flowers.  There are other times it is a light pink or even white.  No matter what is blooming on it...beautiful all the same.  So, as you can see, it has become my happy project #14.

I have had this wood birdhouse sitting on my craft table for weeks now.  Not sure why, but it was calling out to me say "cover me!".  With a bit of paper, trim, buttons, paint and thread...this little house came to be.  Added layers of stamped butterflies to represent the pink in the inspiration photo.

Wanted to add crepe paper for the grass, but couldn't find it so I used green thread.  Think I like this a little better.  Dug down deep in the scrap bin to find a handful of paper I haven't used in quite sometime like Crate Paper and My Mind's Eye.  There is always a need to scraps that is why I keep them all.

Supplies: BIRDHOUSE - American Craft (paper), Crate Paper (paper), Pink Paislee (stamps), Papertrey Ink (stamps, ink, buttons), Therm O Web (iCraft tape, Zots, adhesive), May Arts (ribbon), Cosmo Cricket (paper), hole punch, thread, paint, wood birdhouse, safety pin, craft glue, adhesive pearl, sewing machine and pom-pom trim.

A card to match using similar elements from the colors, butterflies, ribbon and paper.  I often check the clearance aisle of my local craft store for charms and beads to use on projects and happen to see this little pink flower charm on my desk today.

Supplies: CARD - American Craft (foam dots), Therm O Web (iCraft tape, adhesive), My Mind's Eye (paper), Martha Stewart (decorative tape), Pebbles (paper), Papertrey Ink (ink, buttons, dies), Spellbinders (die), BoBunny (paper), Pink Paislee (stamps), May Arts (ribbon), hole punch, stick pin, charm, craft glue, sewing machine and staples.

Any color standing out to inspire you today while gazing out the window? 

Although I didn't capture it the other day on my camera, project #15 is being created as I type and can't wait to share.  Stay tuned...

Andrea