Be Merry Banner {Lawnscaping#20/Wee Memories#72}

Good morning friends! I finally had the opportunity to craft this weekend. It’s been about a week since I’ve done anything crafty. Things around here have been so crazy with my mom’s medical situation. I just haven’t had the mental energy to craft at all.

Anyway, things kind of calmed down finally on Sunday, and I really needed some creative therapy. I was looking around the blog-o-sphere and was honestly SO inspired by both the Lawnscaping #20 {Paper piecing} and Wee Memories’ #72 {Holiday Madness} Challenges, that decided to combine the two {AGAIN}!


So, I decided to make a Paper pieced Holiday Banner for my office :). I don’t know if I mentioned that my mom and I work together and between her health issues lately, and my boss’ death back in June (his nephew who also works there took over & he’s a great boss BTW), well, we’ve been a bit gloomy at times. I think after Halloween, I’m going to decorate for Christmas. Get us all into the spirit extra early. I’m going to do it at home too. No time to waste. I need the good cheer. Anywho, here is a look at my banner:

{I'm SO sorry the picture is teensy - it’s been terribly rainy here for 3 days straight, and I just couldn't get a full picture that was good :(. Boooo. Scroll down to for a better view of each individual piece of the banner}

To make it I did some fancy recycling by taking cereal boxes and cutting them up and covering them with October Afternoon (Very Merry - from last year) patterned paper. I like to do that, it’s actually makes recycling really fun! I also used the alpha stickers from this collection to make the sentiment “Be Merry”. I knew I’d have to get the awesome Lawn Fawn Snowman on there too, so, I paper pieced “her” and added some accessories (the gloves, hat, and sweet birdie) for fun. I added a bit of Doodlebug (red) flock for the hat/gloves. I think it adds a bit of fun.

When it was all said and done, I decided I really wanted to add the Christmas lights from Lawn Fawn’s Cozy Christmas to the banner too. I love them 0- they’re just so fun! So I stamped them onto white cardstock and did some Copic coloring. To finish them off, I added Glossy Accents over each one and after they dried I paper pieced them onto my banner. Yep - each and every light is paper pieced onto the banner (I stamped it onto the actual banner too - so that the wires would show). In the end, I decided to use embroidery floss as the wires for the light. Just glued it right on. I set large eyelets to make the banner nice and sturdy, and tied each “link” together with 3 layers of Marachino Bakers Twine from the Twinery.

I know you get the idea - but just in case you’re interested, here are pictures of the individual banner pieces ;)

Thanks so much for peeking in on me today! If you can please keep my mom and our family in your prayers - I would really, really appreciate it so much! I hope you have a great one!

Fun Birthday Idea for a Friend!

Hi guys! Hope you had a great weekend! Mine was good, until Saturday evening when it turned a bit traumatic. I think I mentioned that my mom was having her new round of Chemo Therapy on Thursday last week. Turns out she fell violently ill on Saturday. I’ve never in my life seen her like that before, and it scared the absolute crap out of me!!! We still don’t know if she caught a little bug or it was the aftermath of the Chemo (which is what I think it was) but it was terrifying! I spent Saturday night and Sunday morning praying like crazy.

Then Sunday after church, I went to check in on her and bring her some soup/jello/gatorade. She looked a lot better, but not 100%. She stayed home from work today, needs rest and to regain some strength. Hopefully she’s getting there. Seeing her like that reminded me SO MUCH of my dad when he was in Hospice (he passed away almost 4 years ago - he was an alcoholic and died at 52 years old of cirrhosis of the liver - it was horrible.). Anyway, it scared me to death. I was so relieved to see her looking better Sunday. I really appreciate all of your prayers and if you could keep them coming we could definitely use them around here.

Prior to that scare I had a pretty crafty weekend. I made several more of the cute corner bookmarks (which I will hopefully share with you tomorrow). I sure am burning through my stash 6x6 pads of patterned paper ;). Today I wanted to share a fun little birthday idea I got from here.

My friend (who also is one of my co-workers) has her Birthday on Thursday and we got her a few cupcake pans (she recently moved into a new apartment and needs kitchenwares - we also got her a pressure cooker). Anyway, so, to go with the cupcake pans I got her a Funfetti cake mix & frosting and created a little “party” for her to take home with her too. Here is the before:
Using a 6x6 pad of My Minds Eye’s Lost & Found 2 - “Blush” and a fun Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, I punched a bunch of butterfly “confetti” - which I put into a small glassine bag. Then I also made her little cupcake topper flags and put them in their own glassine bag. I decorated both bags, and made the confetti/flags using My Minds Eye’s Blush 6x6 pad.
For the flags, I used a toothpick and 3/4 x 4" strips of paper (with wet glue) and then cut a little triangle out
Then I wrapped the cake mix/frosting in Kraft packaging paper and finished them off with some pink twine from The Twinery & Trendy Twine. Fun Stuff. I think it’ll be a cute little add-on to her other gifts. Then when she gets home her hubby & kiddos have all the goodies to throw her a little party ;).

Here is a look at the finished product:

Hope you have a good Monday friends!!! If you can, please keep the prayers coming for my mom - thank you so much!!!

Corner Bookmarks - Lawnscaping #19 & Wee Memories #70

Morning, happy Thursday! EEK, I’m honestly so excited to share today’s projects with you guys!!! The story goes like this:

Several months ago I was browsing Etsy (I totally love Etsy for handmade gifts - and inspiration!!) and came across a handmade corner bookmark. What a totally a cool idea and I’d never seen one before that. I decided I must make one... I Googled “corner bookmark and found several tutorials and printed them out. Then... they sat tucked away in a drawer for about 3 months. HMPH. Just working on other stuff, I guess.

Anyway so this week is “book fair” week @ my son’s school and since he’s learning to read (and doing AMAZING) he loves getting books. My hubby took him & my daughter last night & they each picked up one. So, when I got home, my son decided he needed me to make him a bookmark, which I did. After he went to sleep, I remembered the corner bookmarks and pulled out the tutorials. I gave two of them a try and failed miserably. Here is the link to the one that I had success with. It’s pretty easy and the “hardest” part is covering them with patterned paper - which really wasn’t hard AT ALL.

Before I share my bookmarks with you, I should tell you, I’m entering the whole stash into both the Lawnscaping #19 Challenge

and the Wee Memories #70 Challenge

Both are very cool challenges and I think these babies fit the bill for both. Some of my favorite techniques are stamping, paper piecing, and I love reading. Also, I think they've got some good dimention going on.

So, without further delay here are my bookmarks:

As you can see, I made 4 of them (so far). I modified the tutorial to fit my needs, I think it says to cut the paper to 3x3 - I cut mine 4x3. Basically, then you fold the corners in {so it looks like a house}. I corner punched the bottom corners - because I like how that looks, and then covered them with patterned paper. Fun!

Before I even started - I knew I was going to use Lawn Fawn's Critters as the fun focal points, paired with their punny sayings - love those. {I used Critters on the Farm, Critters in the Sea - and then also added in a few stamps from Silly Valentine, Crusing Through Life, and Hello Friend} All of the images are paper pieced. Here is a look at them all in use - and product info for each:
This is my favorite one!! For it I used My Minds Eye’s Lost & Found “Sunshine” 6x6 pad
For this I used an October Afternoon’s Seaside 8x8 pad
And on this one I used a My Minds Eye Stella & Rose “Hazel” 6x6 pad
Lastly, for this one, I used My Minds Eye Lost & Found II “Blush” 6x6 pad

For each of them, I stamped my little personalized “Handmade by Heather” stamp on the back - love this stamp ;).

They don’t hurt your book either, just fit on your marked page, nice and snug.


I think they’ll make nice little gifts for Teacher Appreciation day. Maybe Christmas gifts for my bible study group. I brought them in to show the ladies at my daughter’s preschool (which is also our church - we’re all friendly) and they LOVED THEM!!! I basically lost 3 of them right there on the spot, but told them I’d have to take pics 1st ;).

Also, have you read this book:

My grandma referred it to me and it didn’t disappoint. Good book. I want to see the movie! Soon hopefully. Of course, I had to get the copy with the movie scene on the cover - Robert Pattinson {hunk-o-rama!}. You should check the book out. It's not just a love story - it's also about the {old days} Circus and how people look at/treat older people.

Ok, that’s it for me today. Thanks you, so very much for all the prayers for my mom!!! They obviously are working, she already got her Chemo today and it went smoothly. Her doctor is adjusting the other meds that go along with the Chemo, because she’s swollen in her face. I hope they help. If you can remember, when you can, can you keep her in your prayers for a while - I'd sure appreciate that. Anyway, have an awesome day & weekend!!!

I'm here for you - LF WCMD & YCU Challenges

Hi guys! Hope your week is off to a good start. Halfway to the weekend :) YAY! I’ve been exhausted this week - plain old tired out. I took a mini break from my craftiness to recharge - gotta do that sometimes. I was not feeling totally inspired and basically knew that meant to give it a rest for a quickie. Otherwise I wouldn’t be happy with anything I created. Ever feel like that?

Anyway. I’ve been dying to submit something for Lawn Fawn’s World Cardmaking Day Challenge - to make a card AND SEND IT.

It ends today - so, I’m getting this in right in the nick of time. Also, I’ve really wanted to play along with the Young Crafters Unite #2 Challenge - to create an envelope to go with your card.

I’m entering today’s card into both challenges ;). With out delay, here is my card:

and with it’s envelope:

Lawn Fawn’s challenge wasn’t too awful hard for me. For the most part, I like to make cards & sent them right away. I usually have an idea of whom I’m making it for and sending it to before I even start the card/concept. And I always love (but have never tried) the idea of matching envelopes to the card - so personalized.

I made this card for my mom. Last week, Thursday, she got the not great news that her current Chemotherapy had stopped working. She’d been on it for 8 rounds (basically 7 months) and it was working great, 2 months ago, she had a PET scan that said her tumors (which are in her lungs) had shrunk by 50% and some were even dissolving. They kept her on it for 2 more months until another PET scan, and this one showed that they had grown a bit and now there is also a spot on her Liver and Pancreas. Sheesh.

She knows God’s in charge. He’s leading her somewhere - I know that too - but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that this news is scary to me. We just have to continue to rely on him, not our own understanding. She’ll start a new Chemo tomorrow. I’m going to sneak this card into her purse today at work so when she leaves & finds it, it’ll be a little smile in her day.

On the inside of the card I wrote “Remember that you were given this life because you’re strong enough to live it” - a quote I found online somewhere and wrote it down. I like it. To make the card, I started of with Neenah Kraft paper and stamped the cute clouds from Lawn Fawn’s Partly Cloudy Set (using Papertrey Ink’s white Ink) and when the ink dried used Glossy Accents to randomly glue Papertrey Ink buttons on them. I made rainbow stitched raindrops and added gems & pearls to the end of them. My mom is a seamstress, so the stitching really say “mom” to me ;).

For the envelope, I used the cute closed umbrella - also from Lawn Fawn’s Partly Cloudy set and stamped it in various inks (Jenni Bowlin, Colorbox, and Versafine). I also added the sentiment (to the card & envelope) “I’m here for you” from Lawn Fawn’s On the Mend set.

That’s it. Thanks for having a look. If you can remember, will you please lift my mom, Kathy, up in your prayers? I would really and truly appreciate it. Hope your day is great friends.

Taking a tip from "The Help"

Morning friends. So, I finished reading The Help a few weeks ago and went to see the movie this weekend. I liked both a lot!

I don't know, I've been feeling so very overwhelmed lately. I've never been to the movies alone before. It was a welcome experience. I needed a break. Needed some peace. I've been sick with a cold for about a week now and it hit me really hard. Also my kids have been fighting and "screachy" a lot lately. Especially my sweet little Alivia. It's like she grew a mind of her own overnight. Which I want, but it's making me kinds looney. So stressful and it makes me want to cry sometimes. I know it's normal. I'm sure all of you moms out there can relate (please, God, tell me it's NOT just me?!?). All I can do is be consistent and love them.

Anyway... The Help. So, in the book, one of the main characters, Aibileen, spoke about how she wrote down her prayers and then said them. I really like that concept. I pray every day - many times a day. Usually whatever pops into my head, along with the "thank you for my blessings, family, healthy children, that Sal & I are healthy and able to work" etc. Then at work, or through friends, blogs, or church friends I hear things that need prayer and I lift those things up too. But sometimes, I'm so "all over the place". I start praying for someone, and someone else pops into my head. Then it always ends up me praying for myself to be kind, forgiving, compassionate... I know God can deal with me. But it stresses me out sometimes. I feel like he's thinking "...this crazy lady again with the rambly prayers...". Ok, I know he probably doesn't say that, but like I said, it bothers me.

So... I decided I'm going to start writing my prayers down. That way I can gather my thoughts and if I think of something, I write it down. Prayers, thoughts, quotes. No one gets lost in the shuffle of my crazy mind. Also it will help me to reflect on them later. Follow up with the Big Guy ;). I had an extra Composition Book left over from "back to school" and decorated it using Crate Paper's Portrait Collection: I really loved playing with the stickers/chipboard accents in this collection. The back was left pretty plain
I'm going to try to make it a point to write in it every day. Carry it to/from work and be diligent about it. I'm a really bad journaler, so wish me luck.

Snowy Window Card for the Paper Smooches Spark Inspirational Challenge!

Good morning friends! Hope all is well out here in the blogasphere. I suppose I’m recovering from this cold - slowly but surely. Thank God!

Ok, onto another note. Did you know that Paper Smooches has their very own challenge blog - it’s called Paper Smooches Sparks? Hello! How did I not know about this!! Just found it yesterday! I only have 2 sets of Paper Smooches Stamps so far, but really love them. You all know how much I love Lawn Fawn - and they are of the same high quality - and their images are truly SO original and fun - their fonts are also adorable!!

Ok, I don’t know if it’s tacky adding a project made with no Paper Smooches Stamps, but I was totally inspired by their inspirational photo and wanted to join in on the fun, so I’m giving it a shot! I'm also trying out for their DT call - fingers crossed ;). Here is a look at the inspirational photo:

So cute right?!? With it in mind, I created this:

and here is an inside view:

Here's a standing up view:

and a laying down view...

Cool huh? I really adore how it came out! I was at Michaels this weekend, and found some cute ArtC glitter. I’ve been wanting it for a while - but just couldn’t justify paying $5.99 for it, no matter how cute the little bottles are!! Anywho, Michaels a variety of them on sale - 60% off - I couldn’t help but grab 3 different sets!! Some of the sets come with beads too & they’re all so cool! I thought they’d be perfect for this project.

Onto the card: So to make this, I started by making the glittery window/pocket using clear acrylic “paper” (also found at Michaels) and Martha Stewart’s clear {chunky} glitter & the ArtC glittered hearts. Used my sewing machine to stitch it all together so it’d be nice and sturdy! Then I went to work stamping my Frosty Friends (all Stamps on this card are Lawn Fawn’s Making Frosty Friends and all patterned paper is Crate Paper) and paper pieced them. Next I set them aside and stamped the same images onto what would be my (inside) card base.

Then I stamped a few snowflakes from the set with Versamark Ink and heat embossed them using AC’s Zing in White. Next, I added the paper pieced snowmen to the card base along with their pretty bows (dark pink = The Twinery & light pink = Trendy Twine).

Then I cut a square window into the front of the card base (this was done by trial and error and I now have quite a few little scraps of this paper laying around... why don’t I just use a ruler already?!?). I glued the snowy window to the inside of the card with Glossy Accents and then covered it in Crate Paper. I stamped the sentiment using my (new) fave Jenni Bowlin ink - Robin’s Egg - and used a finger inker to also ink up the edges in the same color. I finished it off with the same twine as the bows attached with Tim Holtz’s Tiny Attacher. I love it. I’m going to make some more window glitter cards tonight if I’m feeling up to it. Maybe Halloween cards this time. OOOHHH the possibilities! Well, that’s all for me today - thanks for peeking!

OH SNAP! - Lawnscaping #18

Hi there. Another Monday to contend with. HMPH. I feel indifferent today. My Grandma went back to NY today - which makes me sad. Also, I've been fighting a cold since Wednesday... and I honestly think it may be winning. Hopefully I get better soon. I was way too sick to be creating ANYTHING last week, which always puts me down in the dumps :(.

Then, on Friday night, it was so weird, I got a HUGE burst of energy. I went through and cleaned out my crafty space - went a little mad actually (cold medication, most likely). Took a bunch of goodies that I've either used once, or never used, or used a tiny bit of and made one huge pile. Sooooo I'll be having a giveaway here on the blog VERY soon in honor of my 50 followers!!! YAY! I really sppreciate you girls!! I love the support and encouragement that you give me. Blogging had been a huge spot of happy in my life. I like getting to know you guys through our creativity. It's nice to have that bond - and I really REALLY appreciate each one of you!!! It will be a whole bunch of goodies! Like I said, most of it is gently (but sparsely) used but... it's still free :D! Look for it by the end of this week hopefully.

Anyway, so, that overhaul got me finally inspired to create - yay! It was a just a little something I made for my Grandma - but a start. She reads a lot, and is heading on a 12 hour train ride home today, so I thought I'd make her a little bookmark to keep her place.
EEk, I almost forgot, I'm entering this into Lawnscapings #18 Challenge

I started off with a scrap piece of clear acrylic - left over from THIS project (which I had to add to/clean up this weekend). The size is 6" by 2 1/2". I rounded the corners with my corner chomper - that baby's made to last, I'll tell you that - and punched the hole for the twine using the Crop-A-Dile. The patterned paper is from an 8X8 pad of October Afternoon's Thrift Shop. I covered the back of the acrylic with a piece cut to size. To glue it down I used Glossy Accents and a scraper (so you wouldn't see glue). Next I decorated the fron using more of the OA paper and the Lawn Fawn Polaroid from Say Cheese. The "Oh Snap" was made using Smitty's ABCs ;). Finished it off with three pretty pieced of bakers twine form The Twinery, pulled through the whole. I likes. Made me finally smile. Rough week, last week. Thanks again - crafty girlys - for being an amazing bright spot in my day - for your love, encouragement, and friendship! I hope you have a wonderful day!!