Thankful Thursday: August 23rd

Hello there, friends!
 
We are a little over a week into the first 10 Minute Craft Dash and we have over 50 entries! Ginny and I are both amazed, thrilled, giddy and humbled that you are enjoying it. There are 2½ days left to play along, so feel free to link up your crafty project!
 

With today being Thankful Thursday, you know I have a brand new list for you. Can I just say that I love doing these posts? Looking back on my week and highlighting some of my highs is almost like reliving them! :)

  • All the excitement over the 10 Minute Craft Dash. Seriously love seeing you enjoying the challenge!
  • The new Chris August cd. Hands down the BEST cd of 2012!
  • Freshly painted nails- they make me so happy!
  • Pictures that remind me of my weight loss journey. Still amazed at how far I’ve come.
  • Unexpected gifts and surprises.

Last week, I enjoyed seeing the different lists that were posted about what YOU are thankful for. Let’s keep it up, okay? :) Feel free to post your list in a comment or send over a link to the post where you list your items. With the craziness that life brings at times, it’s SO important for us to continue to take time to stop and think about what we’ve been blessed with.

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Counting 1,2,3

Hello! 
As promised, I have a crafty project to share with you today. Many of you know that the word “project” terrifies me. I get so intimidated by this little word. I can handle creating cards, no problem, but anything bigger than that makes my heart skip a beat. Scrapbook pages, favors, banners…. However, seeing as I’m trying to go outside my comfort zone, I decided to just go for it. Less thinking, more doing!
I’ll be the first to admit that this took a little bit of time to create, but I just love how it turned out. One day I randomly had this idea (which appeared out of thin air) where I wanted to create a counting flip book. Granted, it’s not a gigantic project, but I’m all for taking baby steps. :)
We have so many fun little critters on the DeNami website it was easy to find stamps. After finally narrowing down which images I wanted to use,  I started with number 1 and went from there.
 
{Seeing all of them together just makes me happy. Now I want to create more!}

I had wanted to go all the way through the number 10, but I got a little tired and had to take a break. Maybe one of these days I’ll finish it up. :) That’s the great thing about the ring- I can always add more super easily!
Lil\'Luna
ADDED: I’m linking this up with the Lil’ Luna Link Party #91! SO much fun over there! 
 
I hope you enjoyed this project and it inspired you to create something outside your comfort zone. Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Giraffe + Facebook Page

Hi there!
I have a new card to share as a little more inspiration for the 10 Minute Craft Dash challenge. Seeing all your beautiful submissions made me want to go into the craft studio and create something else!
 At work yesterday, I filled an order with the Giraffe and it made me want to use him on a card. I pulled out some of my scrap papers, set my timer and went to town. Crafty craziness, yes, it totally happened.
I wanted to play with the current DeNami Addict Challenge since Monday, so I knew I had to incorporate a button somehow. I had all these grand ideas of using lots of them, but being on a timer, I had to stick with just one. Hopefully I can get a chance to make another card using lots of buttons!
  Time it took to create: 8 minutes 52 seconds
Over the past few months, I’ve been contemplating setting up a Pretty Pink Posh Facebook page. I never thought I was “big enough” to do it, but after some promptings from a few different bloggers who are quite successful, I took the plunge. My hope is that I’ll update the page when I have a new blog post, but I also want it to be a fun, interactive place for fellow crafters and bloggers alike.

That’s going to wrap up this blog post. I hope this card inspired/ nudged you to try out the challenge. Remember, it isn’t just for cards- you can create tags, favors or even whip up something on the sewing machine! Oh my, think of all the fun possibilities!

10 Minute Craft Dash #1

Hello and welcome to the very first 10 Minute Craft Dash!

I am so thrilled to have you here and I hope that you’ll be able to join us for this fun {and quick} challenge. My good friend, Ginny and I come up with a concept that we are really excited about and haven’t seen {in our blog circle} thus far. The challenge? Coming up with a crafty project within 10 minutes.

I know that I struggle with creating projects quickly {I’m a slow crafter}, so this actually IS a challenge for me. While some may find this to be easy, I know quite a few of us will struggle with this short amount of time. That’s the beauty of a CHALLENGE, right?

We will be doing this challenge twice a month (on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month) and boy, do we have some fun color palettes planned! Since it may take a little while to get used to crafting on a time restraint, our first challenge is a “free for all”, so you can use any colors your heart desires! 

Here is what I created for this challenge. One layer is the way to go for quick & easy cards!

 Time it took to create: 7 minutes 27 seconds

 And here is what Ginny came up with. How gorgeous is this?!

Time it took to create: 10 minutes

To kick start this first challenge, I am thrilled to have some very special names joining us. These are some of the sweetest, most talented ladies on blog land. Be sure to visit each of their blogs to see their stunning 10 Minute Card Dash creations.

Amy Tsuruta

Chari Moss

Dana Seymour

Daniela Dobson

Danielle Walls

Elena Roussaki 

Kelly Marie Alvarez

Laurie Willison

Suzanne Dahlberg

Since this is our first challenge, I wanted to be sure we had a prize. I have up for grabs a great sampling of twine for the winner of this challenge.

 

How to Play

1) Create a card/craft project within 10 minutes

2) Post the time it took to create

You can pull out your supplies before your timer starts!  
  • Post the challenge graphic in your post, link to the challenge
  • You may combine a total of three challenges with your entry. You may enter the challenge a maximum of two times.

  • Challenge ends August 25, 2012 at 11:59pm, PST.

Blog Team Up: Day 2

Hello! 
It’s Day #2 of the Blog Team Up I’m doing with my friend Ginny. I hope you enjoyed the girly theme we did yesterday- I had so much fun with that card! 
Today we decided to focus on colors- yummy colors to boot! Ginny found this color palette on Pinterest and we both created items inspired by these colors. 
Here is my take on these colors…
I was inspired by the garland holding back the curtains {in the picture} and created a garland at the top of my card. Since confetti is so trendy right now, I decided to incorporate that look into this card.  I really love how this looks- I need to do this again in the future!
{Notice the stitching? Yes, I pulled out my Sew Easy tools again! My tutorial on it can be found here} 

So, tomorrow Ginny and I are starting our BRAND NEW challenge. I am so excited for this new venture! I have quite a few of my fabulous crafty friends helping kick start this challenge and boy, you are all in for lots of crafty goodness! Here’s a tiny sneak peek at the challenge…. any guesses as to what it might be?
I will see you all tomorrow for the challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blog Team Up: Day 1

 
Hello and Happy Monday! 
I’m going to be honest with you, I’ve been looking forward to this post for the past week or so. It’s the first day of the Blog Team-Up I have with my real life friend, Ginny. We have some great posts planned, along with the launch of our very first challenge on Wednesday. Lots of fun this week! 
Today we are both featuring a “girly theme” on our posts and since we both have very unique styles, we hope you’ll enjoy seeing our different takes on this theme. 
 
My very first thought when I think of girly is pink. It’s my favorite color and you just can’t go wrong with having pink on your cards. I added some pearls, a doily, rosette, sparkly buttons and even used a scallop card base. Each of these things are girly by themselves, but bring them together and you have a cards that oozes girly. {Honestly, I might have a hard time parting with this card} 

Did you happen to notice the stitching on the tag? I couldn’t resist using my new Sew Easy items again! {Click here for the tutorial I created on these products} 

I hope you enjoyed Day 1 of the Blog Team-Up. Be sure to visit Ginny’s blog to see what beauty she has created using this theme.

Thanks for stopping by the blog- I’ll see you tomorrow with another card and a peek at the upcoming challenge we have for you!

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DeNami Bright, Bold & Beautiful Blog Hop

Today is the August DeNami Blog Hop and this theme is super fun. Bright, Bold & Beautiful? I’m a huge fan of vibrant colors, and I know many of you are too.  If you started from the beginning, you should have come from Barbara Murphy’s blog. Made a little detour? That’s alright, you can find the complete list of participats on the DeNami blog.
 
For my card, I wanted to try to keep it fairly simple. With these bright colors, you don’t need a lot going on to make the card look complete. I went with a white card base *gasp* and then added the magenta cardstock for a burst of color. A few stamps. polka dots, glitter butterflies and a large bow and my card was finished. Snap, crackle, pop! Errr….more like stamp, color, glitter! 

I know you still have quite a few stops left in the hop, so I’ll wrap up this now. Your next stop: Jennifer Harris’ blog!  Last month she created a beauty, and I know she’ll have another one for you today. :) 
I hope you are super inspired today. Don’t forget to leave comments on each of the blog hop stops- there are DeNami gift certificates up for grabs!

NOT LISTED: turquoise ribbon, glitter puffs, decorative die cut

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Retro Sketches #24

Hi there!

I hadn’t planned on posting a card today, but I just couldn’t resist the new Retro Sketches #24 when it came into my feed. Since it was an easy sketch and I was already crafting, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. :)

I went super simple for this card. Lately, I’ve been sending out quite a few cards to various friends around the country, so I wanted to create an everyday card- I always seem to run out of them! 
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll see you tomorrow morning for the DeNami Bright, Bold & Beautiful Blog Hop. There are some amazing card makers lined up, along with some prizes- you won’t want to miss it! 
 

A Guide to Using Sew Easy

Last month I celebrated my 25th birthday. You may remember that my bestie went all out for me (click here to view the recap). On top of a very special night, she gave me the Sew Easy roller and an additional adapter. I hadn’t told anyone that I had been eying this tool, but she just knew that I would want it. Love that my bestie knows me so well!

Recently I went to my local scrapbook store and spotted their Sew Easy display. I grabbed some basic thread, additional needles and the piercing mat, and I was good to go. SO thrilled that all of these things are reasonably priced!

After looking at all the supplies, I figured it would be the perfect time to do a photo tutorial. Granted, while it’s actually quite easy to use this product, it’s always handy to have step-by-step pictures, right? Only a few steps and you can have some amazing stitching on YOUR projects!

Items shown:
  • Sew Easy Roller
  • Sew Easy Zigzag Adapter
  • Sew Easy Piercing Mat
  • Sew Easy thread
  • Sew Easy needles
 {Gather supplies}
{Lay down cardstock; apply roller where stitching is desired}
{Thread needle and create knot; start stitching!}
{After stitching is completed in one direction, stitch other direction}
{After stitching is completed, tie knot and/or apply adhesive to secure thread}
{Here is the back of the packaging- look at all the different designs available!}
{Back of handle opens so you can store your needles}

Easy, peasy! Lately I have been utterly obsessed with using this tool on my projects. You’ll see a few of the things I’ve created next week. :)

If you enjoy the stitched look, but are intimidated by the sewing maching (like I am), this is the perfect solution!

Thanks for stopping by- I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Thankful Thursday: August 9th

Good morning!
 
I just got finished looking at my blog calendar- oh my word, I am on a blogging roll. Between the posts I have done this week and what I have planned next week, there will be approximately 10 posts in two weeks. That, my dear blog friends, is quite a feat for me. The more I’ve been blog hopping and exploring Pinterest and tutorials on how to improve my blog, the more I’ve been inspired!
 
I have my list all ready for this Thankful Thursday, so let’s get right to it.

  • I get to work with Ginny on our new challenge!
  • I’ve been struck with a spark of inspiration- both in life and crafty land
  • Blueberries. They are perfect- I can eat and type at the same time!
  • Sunshine. It puts me in such a happy mood!

That’s my list- what is yours this week? I love hearing what things you all are thankful for.

In closing I have a question:  Do you enjoy these posts? Have they inspired you to think about what you’re thankful for each week?

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