My painting progression....

Is turning into a whole house job.  I keep wanting to do more, and of course the painter keeps telling me about these fabulous techniques that would "look good"!

You can see the awful mess I made trying to clean a few posts back. 

This is the lovely hole. 

This is the paint swatches. 

Some before pics of the stairway. 

Before of the hallway.

Here is started painting the accent walls.

This is the scraroom after it was painted but before being put together. 

And today it's all done!  Well the scrap room anyway! 

I'll post the rest of the house pics when they are finished. 

Thanks for stopping by!

.

Cookin' Up Creations Crop!

Do  you have what it takes to be top chef of the crop?


The CROP CHEF competition starts this Thursday, March 31 with the first of SIX challenges! Competitors will earn participation points, and there will be opportunities to earn extra points along the way. Forum members also will be able to vote for their favorite layouts.




The participant with the most points at the end of the competition will be named CROP CHEF. And her prize? A guest design team spot for May here at Cookin' Up Creations! The CROP CHEF will receive products from our sponsors and will create projects for the weekly design team reveals; will have the opportunity to issue Blue Plate Special challenges; and will be invited to participate in our upcoming blog hop and crop in honor of National Scrapbooking Day. The CROP CHEF also will be featured on our forum, our blog and our newsletter.





So ..... join in the fun and who knows .... you could be the next CROP CHEF!!!!

My Core'dinations Creative Frenzy Continues

So today I think I'm feeling a little Sweet and Sassy!  What do you think?

First a little sweet Niki Silvis turtle...awwwwww......

I used 2 layersof core for the base. The first layer is white and the secod layer I distressed and added some chalk ink to add a little pop. 

And a little bit Sassy with this Bombshell! This entire card is Coordinations.  This is a great way to use up those little scraps you hate to get rid of.  I bet you have some laying around you could use. 

My Core’dinations Creative Frenzy

My Core'dinations Creative Frenzy started quite some time ago, but today I want to share with you a few projects for the Core dt call. 

I started this page by choosing Webster's Pages patterned papers and the combining them with Core'dinations cardstock that was a perfect match off white on the front with a gorgeous yellow on the back.   I matted my photo with the same paper with the white side showing. 

I then used the cricut and cut flourishes from the Picturesque cartridge.  I embossed the top layer of this flourished with the swiss dots folder and sanded the top layer.  For the bottom flourish I reversed the cut and used the yellow side as the top layer.  I added some color to the edges of the swirls with a yellow copic marker. 

For these flowers I used the picturesce cricut cartridge and cut them at 2 and 3 inches.  I embossed just the top layer of the flower with swiss dots and  added some copic color to the edges and to the die cut lines. 

I added dimension to the flourishes with foam dots.  By using the  back of the coordinations paper I was able to a add beautiful contrast. 

Another close up of the gorgeous flourish. 

I finished the flourishes by added some pearl dots. 

I finished the project by addings a gorgeous May Arts Ribbon bow and vintage stick pins. 

BINGO!  I love the vintage look of bingo cards.  I simply sanded the bingo card and used it for the base of my Birthday card.  I combined it with Jenni Bowlin Studio papers and embellishments for a perfect match. 

 I used core'dinations for the base of this lay out.  I slightly distressed the edges of the larger base paper.  I then stitched around the patterned paper.  For the larger flower embellishment I sanded it then inked the edges. 

Here you can see how perfectly the core matches the MME papers.

Ok, so I realize it said 3 projects but I just love using Core'dinations so much and on everthing I have one more project to share today.  I think I'm feelin' a little JBS vintage!

Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you enjoyed my Core'dnations Creative Frenzy as much as I did creating it!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!

It's that time of  the month. All the girls come out to play with their PTI products.  For me I'm having an especially fun weekend as I'm spending my weekend at a Scrappy Retreat with 6 awesome gals.  They all just love my Clip It Up filled with all my PTI stamps and dies and I love seeing what everyone can do with the same stamps. 

On to the blog hop.  This months challenge was to use embroidery floss.   So I used dies to cut my flowers then laced them with pink floss.  Love these little flowers and they were so fun to make. 

Thanks for stopping by and happy hopping!

Moxie fab Challenge

Cityscapes Are On the Rise Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and this is what I created for the challenge!

Cardstock: PTI

Stamps: My Stamp Box 

Saturday blessings....

Listen...hear that!?  No fans or dehumidifiers!  It's so nice and peaceful.  If you don't look up, you wouldn't even know there is a huge hole in the ceiling.  We are getting back to normal for a few days anyway until they start the remodel.  I sure hope it goes quick! 

Anyway today I've been doing a little scrapping and thought I'd share a few of my projects.  First, I made this Birthday card for the JBS crop that is going on (actually they are all for the crop, even though not off of the product is JBS)  I'm seriously hitting my old stash before I have to much of an urge to order new stuff! 

 Next is a lo of Ashlyn.  The challenge was to use blue, brown and white.  The the carstock is coordinations and the birds are cut from JBS paper.  The punch is Martha stewart and I added a peom from MME.  The birds and leavs are colored with copics. 

 And fianlly a Cosmo Cricket Lo for the garland challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by, hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

JBS crop

I'll be back with the details!

My day went from....

Just being a normal day, cleaning, laundry and the like to a total disaster!  I got up and started a load of laundry, put cleaning stuff in the tub to clean the jets and went downstairs to have breakfast. When I came back up I folded a load of laundry and started the next, now I'm getting ready to clean when I notice a cloud of foam coming out of the bathroom! OMG! Dishwasher soap and clorox aren't suposed to make suds! It's how the directions say to clean the jets and I've been doing it that way for 5 years! Now let me start by saying this photo is after I walked in the bathroom with suds up to my chest and tried to get rid of some. When Ashlyn yelled water is coming through the lights downstairs I figured I might need a photo for insurance purposes! 

To top things off the electrical outlets in the entire side of the house aren't working now! 

If bad things happen in 3's, I'm in trouble!!!!!!

Bet you can't top my bad day! 

Papertrey Ink Make it Monday Challenge

This weeks challenge for PTI Make It Monday was to use scor tape for glitter lines.  I've been glittering up my scrap room ever since.  I'll be sparkley for days!    Here is what I came up with so far. 

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

Hi Everyone, thanks so much for stopping by.  Todays project is a card I made for the PTI February blog hop.  Todays blog  hop is to use scallops in a fun way.  As my new doily dies and stamps are in the house I had to play with them.  Aren't the fabulous!?

Your a dear friend

I made this quick little card with a combination of deocrative tapes for the Get Daring with Decorative Tap Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. 

Paper: PTI

Tape: Pink Paislee, Darice

Leaf: Recolections

It's all about technique!!!!

Hello everyone, 
Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you like challenges as much as I do and if you do play along and you could win some scrappy goodness from my studio! 

I'm part of a wonderful little blog group called Papertrey Princesses.  Each week one of the blog group posts a challenge for everyone to play along with.  This is my week to post a challenge and I (we) would love for you to play along. 

I love to use my art supplies in new ways.  I also love challenges.  So for todays card I combined several different challenges/techniques. 

First, let me introduce you to the technique of paper piecing as found in the Paper Piecing Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  I want you to use at least 4 layers to create your project. 

Second, I used sewing on my project to add some demension to the base layer of my project.  Sewing is so fun, you can add a touch to your project by machine or by hand. 

Third, this weeks Make it Monday challenge at Capture the Moment is to use a Vellum Sentiment strip on your project. 

And finally I stamped my image with VersaMark, used off white embossing power and heat set the image.  This provided an excellent medium to use my Glimmer Mist to paint the image.  Isn't is Beautiful! 

To win the scrappy goodness from me just link me up to your blog  or gallery (include a way to contact you if you win)  and let me know what technique or challenged you did.  Have fun!   

Hand Stamped Embellishment Swap/Moxie Fab Challenge

Today I spent some time carfting to make my little gifits for a handmade embellishment swap over at Cooking UP Scrapbooking.  To package the swap goodies I use craft bags and stamped tags for them in coordinating colors.  This was perfect to use up scraps of paper that I had laying on my table. 

For the embellishments I use Papertrey Ink Friendship Jar Die and added a copic colored flower and tag to each jar.  Then I made coordinating flowes to go along with them.  Of cours a bow and buttons finsished these adorable embellishments.  This was perfect because the Moxie Fab Challenge was to use markers on your projects. 

Hope everyone enjoys! 

PTI Button Challenge

Today's PTI challenge was to use buttons in a unique way.  I used buttons to make a tie for my PTI wish list.  These little note pads are so cute and yet so handy.  I use them all the time! 

Products:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink

Stamps: Papertrey Ink

Markers: Copic

PTI Anniversary challenges....

Hello everyone....

I've spent the past few minutes doing something I hate to do in my craft room.  (and it wasn't cleaning!)  A very dear friend of mine has been having some struggles and dealing with ageing and ill family members and on top of surgeries and nursing homes and trying to take care of everything her Grandmother passed away yesterday.  So I've spent the last hour making a very special sympath card.  This wonder friend sent me this beautiful Tim Holtz, Natures Elements stamp set on Monday for my Birthday and I wanted to use it to make her card.  Thanks you so much for the beutiful stamps and perfect card for my BIG day! 

Traci, I'm so sorry for your loss and know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. 

I started with the PTI challenge to use one of the designers favorite color combos.  I came as close as I could to Betsy Veldman's color choices and also lifted her beautiful design for the card.  Thanks Betsy for the inspiration.  You made this job a little easier. 

I used my score pal to add texture to the background, then stamped the images and cut them out.  I mounted the images on a Spellbiners Die cut and added a sentiment fromm PTI's last years Anniversary Set.

Make it Monday Cards

Let's Capture Our Memories

Is one of those places I just love to hang out at.  As a matter of fact a waste alot of time on the internet just being chatty with the LCOM fabulous girls!  I would love for you to stop by and check out LCOM you will be inspired by all the activity and not one but 2 awesome blogs. 

First, the sketch blog offers great sketches and weekly inspiration.  With a brand new team soon to be announced. 

And second, the card blog offers fun weekly card challenges. 

And lastly there is a fabulous contest going on where you could win a $25. gift certificate to the LCOM store.  Check it out HERE!

Hope to see you there!

Webster's February Guest Designer!

I am absolutely overwhelmed, nervous, exited that Webster's asked me to guest design for them this month.  I can't even tell you how fun it's been using some of their new lines as well as stamps. Spring Market is so fresh and pretty, quite a nice break from the weather we've been having.  And Trendsetter is just over the top crafty girl fabulous!  Here is a sneak peak of what you will see  in the Webster's Gallery tonight along with an apron and gift set.  

I also want to take a moment to congratulate the new Webster's design team.  I for one can't wait to see what they did this month. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you take some time and join me over at the Webster's site for some fabulous inspiration form their new design team, as well as monthly challenges that could land you some of the new fabulous Webster's goodies.  And let us not forget sneak peaks of all the new CHA winter releases. 

Stay warm and safe,
Joyce

It's a Moxie Fab Day!

And I've created this card for the Neutrals Color Challenge for Color Inspiration for Card Makers Week in the Moxie Fab World. 

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

New Year's Resolution



With the new year comes a clean slate along with many resolutions. This month's blog hop challenge

involves you challenging yourself to use a Papertrey stamp set that has yet to see ink or even one that

might be collecting a little dust! Go through your stash and see what little used treasure it might hold. If

you are in need of inspiration for your chosen set, feel free to utilize the gallery posted in the side bar of

each set's sale page on our website, or go to the Previous Countdown page on Nichole's blog where

each set is organized by month of release. 2011 is the year where what's old is new again!

I decided to use my Autumn Abundance Stamp Set to make a Think of You card for a friend who is ill.  The paper is the beautiful Webster's Pages Spring Market.

You can play along with today's blog hop challenge by posting your card on Nicole's Blog by 11pm tonight. 

Thanks so much for hopping by and see you next time! 

My newest addition....

to my scraproom. 

My daughters friend fixed it up for me and painted it.  It's actually crackled painted but it's hard to see that in the photo. The knobs are original although he had to use new screws to attach them.  I love how you can seee the dove tailing f the drawers.  Thanks Justin, I love it!

Hello and a knitting roll.

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

It feels like so long since I've posted, but everyone needs a vacation.  Actually I think I need a vacation from my vacation.  We ventured to Florida to Universal Studios and Adventure Islands to visit the new Harry Potter park.  It was the perfect time of year to go to miss all the crowds and we never had to wait longer then a few minutes at any ride.  Which made it a spectacular trip.  Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate very much and we were in winter clothes all week.  No winter tan to be found here.  But at least it wasn't snowing. 

Today I finished a project.  I've been so into teaching myself how to sew lately.  I love finding cute little projects to make for my friends.  This one is for a special friend to just randomly is very kind and generous so I thought I would surprise her with a little gift.  It's not perfect, but it is made with love and I know she will see that.  I made her a knitting needle holder.  The first picture is of it flat.  There are 3 layers of different size pockets to hold several needles.  The the top fold down and you role it up to store or carry your projects without loosing the needles.  I'll ask her for some feed back before I make the next one and see if I can perfect the pockets before the next one.  Isn't the fabric so pretty.  Most of it is Moda and made from a few fat quarters and scraps from other projects. 

I found another use for my Clip it Up Jumbo.  Here I draped it with fabric and it's the perfect higth to take photos of small projects. 

CHA sneak peaks are in full swing.  If you haven't stopped by the Webster's site and blog your missing out on some of the best new lines of the year.  Spring Market is already released and there are giveaways for their CHA releases going on now in the forum. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger and Etsy update.

This week is just flying by.  Honestly I didn't think I'd be posting much getting ready for vacation but I couldn't resist this weeks Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab World. 

This is the trigger.

Boy do I wish I could make a cake that looke dlike that!  But alas, I'll have to settle for paper projects like this..

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink

Ribbon: Offrey

Flower: Bazzil Basics

Stamp: Papertrey Ink

other: sewing

And finally todays Etsy update is my cute little trinket bag and pin cushion. 

Brave Girls Club Soul Restoration Projects

Today I started gathering supplies to make my kit for the Brave Girls Club Soul Restorations Class.  My first project is the bag.  I made 2 bags, the green one is for my friend Ellen who I also made a pin cushion to match.  And the other one is mine.  If you should need one for your class shoot me an email and I would be happy to make one for you if you pay for the materials ($5.) and shipping to you. 

One more for today, this one is for my friend Andrea. 

I'm so excited for this class.  I can't wait for it to start even though I'll be on vacation for a few days at the beginning.  I'll jump right back in as soon as I get home.

Happy New Year!

We are in just recoup mode here.  Everyone is just relaxing so I took the opportunity to play with some pretty paper and the new Unity/Webster's stamps.  I made these cards in honor of the original Webster's DT. 

and this one is a digi version with Webster's Sweet Season. 

Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!