Morning Meadow and Metallic Pan Pastels

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Indulge Your Desire To Play
I'm not sure what prompted me to buy them.  Actually, I'm quite sure.  I somehow happened upon a video where someone was playing with the metallic Pan Pastels and after watching the video I just had to have those darn pastels (I need to stop watching videos!).  So I treated myself to the set and when they arrived I set them aside...until a few hours later I could feel them pulling me into the craft room!  I just had to play with them!  I had no idea what I was going to do!  I just knew that I needed to open those pastels and start playing with them.  I needed to learn how they felt and what they could do.  So, I embossed a piece of card stock with the Square Lattice, took out some little sponges, and went to town!  I ended up with the background panel that you are seeing on this card.  Of course I then needed to figure out what to do with the panel! :)  The card is what happened as a result of indulging my desire to play with those Pan Pastels.
I have to say that I'm still not sure how the Pan Pastels really work or what I can really do with them.  But what I do know is that they definitely brought out my desire to play and for that I am grateful! :)  How can you indulge your desire to play today???????

Envelope Punch Board Mini Album by Peg Coombs

This Envelope Punch Board Mini Album was created by Peg Coombs and it was made with the Envelope Punch Board!  The little album would make a fabulous gift for the Holidays and you can add all of your Christmas/Holiday pictures.  Also makes for a fun class or camp project, or a fun girls crafting night in.
Want to subscribe to the November edition of Craft Project Central and get 10 wonderful tutorials (including the one for this project) for only $10?  Head on over to the Craft Project Central website HERE!

Sketch Alphabet Happy Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  What Are You Looking At?!
I think the Universe is trying to tell me something.  Last week I saw the most beautiful leaves that I would have missed had I not been paying attention to where I was.  The same thing happened to me this morning as I was eating my breakfast and looking out the window.  A bird I had never seen before - a mountain bluebird I believe - came to eat for a bit at one of our feeders.  These days it is so easy for me to be distracted - to have my attention diverted by some type of electronic device (as your attention is diverted now...reading this...and mine, typing this).  I take my smart phone on my walks with me.  I tell myself that it is just in case of an emergency and yet I find myself checking email as I'm walking or I will pause to sit in a park and within minutes the phone is out and I start surfing.  Ugh!  I am not pleased with this behavior I've been exhibiting and I am very grateful that the Universe is sending me signs that I need to pay attention to where my attention is.  How unfortunate it would have been had I missed the gorgeous leaves or that precious bird.  I've gotta finish typing this...there might be something out my window that I am not seeing because I am too busy looking at this screen!
Today's card began with a scrap piece of Very Vanilla card stock that I found on my craft table.  I had been inking up some vellum card stock earlier in the week and it takes awhile for ink to dry on vellum.  So, rather than wait, I decided to just rub this piece of card stock over the wet vellum and this is the "monoprint" that I ended up with.  I decided it would be the perfect backdrop for a simple birthday card so I just stamped the letters from the Sketch Alphabet set using Midnight Muse ink.  So simple :)

Scrappy Happy Day Smile Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Treat Your Scraps Like Leaves...Jump In!
I have some very happy memories of piling up leaves and jumping in them this time of year! :)  I love the crunch, krinkle, crunch sounds that the leaves make when you walk on them and the whooshing sound they make as they fall from the trees!  This is one of my most favorite times of the year!!!!!
I realize that my craft table is a lot like this season.  Things - mostly paper scraps - are constantly falling onto my table top and the crunch, krinkle, crunch sounds happen whenever I try to hunt for something buried on the table :)  So the other day I decided to treat my paper scraps like leaves and just jump in!  I picked and pulled scraps that caught my eye and just began piling them up!  This card began with a piece of card stock that I had bleach stamped using the Off the Grid stamp.  I then piled on punched bits and scrappy pieces and added the smile sentiment from the Happy Day stamp set.  I even added a touch of script stamping from the By the Tide stamp set.  This is a card that I would never have put together had I had a clean craft table :)  I thank the season and my messy craft table for encouraging me to jump in! :)

Winter Frost Portfolio & Cards by Regina Andari

This handy portfolio made by Regina Andari is rather quick to make, and it features two interior pockets—one to hold four to six 4-1/4” square greeting cards, and the other pocket will hold the custom envelopes from coordinating designer paper.  This project is designed as a gift of holiday cards, but it can be made as a stationery gift for any occasion.
Want to subscribe to the November edition of Craft Project Central and get 10 wonderful tutorials (including the one for this project) for only $10?  Head on over to the Craft Project Central website HERE!

Gently Falling Tea Lights & Vellum Card by Yapha Mason

This lovely boxed set of four decorated tea light candles with a matching card and envelope makes a gracious hostess gift wherever your plans may take you this fall.  The candles by themselves will add a charming touch to your fall holiday décor.  This beautiful set was created by Yapha Mason.  You can learn more about Yapha on her blog HERE.
Want to subscribe to the November edition of Craft Project Central and get 10 wonderful tutorials (including the one for this project) for only $10?  Head on over to the Craft Project Central website HERE!

Hello Friend Bleached Background Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  See It While You Can
On our walk today Buddy and I saw the most amazing leaves!  They literally stopped me in my tracks and I immediately took a few photos and started collecting a few to bring back home to press in a book.  Tonight (I'm writing this on Wednesday evening) I shared the pictures with Michael and then went to get the heavy book I had put them in - protected by wax paper.  When I opened the book to show him the leaves, the green portions had already browned, although the other colors were just as vibrant.  It reminded me to stop and appreciate things while you can - to truly see them - because in this ever-changing world moments keep passing and things keep evolving.  I am so grateful I saw those leaves in all their glory this morning.  I hope you get a sense of them from the photo.  Enjoy!

Today's card began with an inked and bleached background.  I then incorporated stamping using the Morning Meadow stamp set and a butterfly from Papillon Potpourri.  The sentiment is from Six-Sided Sampler.  Funny how I share this very spring-like card on a day that I was so inspired by the falling leaves...
And for those of you celebrating Halloween.....BOOOO!!!!! :)

Don't miss out on this week's Weekly Deals!!!!!  Click HERE to shop now!!!!

Be Merry String Art by Amanda Corbet

Get ready for the holiday season with this beautiful Be Merry sign. This art is sure to get you into the holiday spirit! It also doubles as a greeting card holder! When those holiday cards start coming in just use a regular paper clip to attach the card to the ribbon and you will have all your cards on display! There is a card included so you can make one to give as a gift!  This fun project was created by Amanda Corbet as the October Bonus Project for Craft Project Central.  Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to two or more months in a row; putting the Craft Project Central badge on your blog; or by referring a friend and when they subscribe letting Craft Project Central know!  Find out more about Amanda on her blog HERE!  And, head on over the Craft Project Central to learn more about subscribing for the month of October!

Tag It Bundles

Tag It Bundles are here and they are only available October 29-November 19, 2013!  These two Tag It bundles include the tags, the ribbon, and the boxes to make your own pretty packages.  Here are the details:

The Holiday Tag It Decorative Box Bundle (item 135811, $18.95) includes

• Stamp a Tag Kit
• Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon (10 yards)
• Decorative Window Gift Boxes (6 boxes)

The Holiday Tag It Extra-Large Box Bundle (item 135812, $19.95) includes

• Stamp a Tag Kit
• Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon (10 yards)
• Extra-Large Gift Boxes (3 boxes)

Shop HERE now! :)

Sunflower Thank You Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The minute you begin to start to judge what you're doing, you're done.  -Cher
I was watching the show The Voice the other day and Cher, one of the celebrity coaching assistants, made the above statement to one of the contestants.  To put it into context, the contestant was trying to connect with the song he was singing, but he was so focused on other people judging his singing that he wasn't connecting at all.  This is so true for me with my art making.  The minute I begin to start to judge what I'm doing it's as if I have placed a huge creative block in my way.  I create my own obstacles and for what?  Why not leave the judging to someone else and leave the creating to me? :)
For my birthday one of my friends gave me a bunch of sunflowers!  How perfect to have the Sunflower background stamp to create a thank you card :)  I stamped the flower using So Saffron ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  Next, I stamped the sentiment from From My Heart using Basic Black ink.  The panel was then layered onto a Basic Black card stock panel and a So Saffron card base.  As an added touch, I stamped the flower onto the envelope as well.  I hope you like it :)

Halloween Costumes Inspired By Nick Cave Soundsuits and A Winner!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The Images And Art We See Leaves An Impression And Can Lead To Inspiration!
A number of months ago we went to the Denver Art Museum and there was an exhibit of some of Nick Cave's art.  Part of the exhibit was a display of Soundsuits.  Mr. Cave has been making Soundsuits for over 20 years.  I had never seen (or heard) them before.  As I walked through the exhibit, the mixed-media suits intrigued me...but when I then saw and heard video of the suits in motion, everything changed!  The sounds and anonymity the suits provided was incredible.  That was a number of months ago.  (To see a video of Nick Cave and a few of his Soundsuits in motion, click HERE.  I also encourage you to Google Mr. Cave and learn more about his intriguing art!).
Fast forward to Saturday and a last minute decision to come up with an interesting costume for a Halloween party that night.  Michael and I did some talking and, since he was already at the flea market, he looked around for a bit of inspiration.  A $3 abacus was all we needed!  He brought it home and the creativity took flight!  We had the Soundsuits in mind (one of the Soundsuits by Nick Cave incorporates a large abacus as the "face"), so we broke out some cardboard boxes, skewers, wooden spools, newsprint and hot glue.  Michael took apart the beads from the abacus as I began duct taping and fringing newsprint.  It looked like a paper feather bird exploded in the house!  The result?  Total fun!!!!!  We put the Soundsuits on and had a blast moving our heads and bodies to make the abacus rattle back and forth and the paper feathers "swoosh!"  The anonymity was also an amazing experience (although the hostess of the party figured us out pretty quickly :)  I even carried an article about Nick Cave and his Soundsuits in my pocket so that when people asked what we were we were able to share with them our inspiration.
As an aside, I was also intrigued by how disorienting it was for people to see something they had not seen before.  Many people had not been to the exhibit or were unfamiliar with Nick Cave's work and we could overhear them saying things like, "I don't know what that is?!  Is it an owl?  A weird alien?"  They were puzzled.  We try so hard to define what we see - to give it a name - and when we can't name it we are a bit uncomfortable.  We try to put boundaries on it - a description - rules.  I wonder how this need to define what we see impacts our ability to fully experience what we encounter?  What if we just lived the experience?
Today I am left with both a lesson and a question:  What we encounter, leaves an impression that can lead to inspiration.  How can we allow ourselves to experience what we encounter without needing to categorize or define it?

And for those of you waiting to find out the winner of the October subscription to Craft Project Central...The winner is...

TiaraHelen!!!!!  Helen, I will be contacting you to set up your free subscription to October!  Congratulations!!!!

Christmas Countdown by Dani Dziama

Love counting down the days until Christmas?  This is the perfect addition to any holiday décor for the upcoming Christmas season!  Simply turn the calendar days one by one starting on December 1st and Christmas will be here before you know it!  This fun project was created by Dani Dziama!  You can learn more about Dani on her blog HERE!

Want to subscribe to the October edition of Craft Project Central and get 10 wonderful tutorials (including the one for this project) for only $10?  Head on over to the Craft Project Central website HERE!

Art Journal Pages

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It Can Happen In Stages
I can't remember when I first began today's art journal pages.  I know I did some painting and them some journaling on the background and then days, maybe weeks, went by.  I would pass by the craft room and at certain times the journal would call to me.  So, I would walk in and add a little more and then walk away and wait for the calling again.  This morning I woke up knowing I needed to add a touch of dazzling diamonds glitter and I would be done :)
Making cards I sometimes start to believe that art needs to begin and end in one sitting.  The idea that leaving something "unfinished," even for a short time means your just not creative enough or good enough or something enough.  That belief is hogwash!  Art is a process.  Yes, sometimes it will be a "one-sitting" serving and you will have a completed project.  Other times it will be a multi-sitting...maybe even multi-year, process - just like so many other things in life.  Our growth, our change, happens in stages.  Allow your art to follow this natural flow as well.
I hope you have a beautiful, creative, love-filled and inspiring weekend!  May this day and every day be one more stage in your process!

Holiday Decorative Plate Collection by Amy Storrie

You will love having this beautiful plate displayed in your home year round!  Each of the 8 inserts has a Velcro back so that you can easily switch out the center each month for the appropriate holiday.  Or, when you are not in a holiday month, use the generic everyday insert. This would also make a wonderful gift for a special friend or family member.  This beautiful collection was created by Amy Storrie!  You can learn more about Amy on her blog HERE!
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Want to subscribe to the October edition of Craft Project Central and get 10 wonderful tutorials (including the one for this project) for only $10?  Head on over to the Craft Project Central website HERE!  Or, if you are feeling lucky, head on over to Craft Project Central and comment on my project that was posted on October 1st to be entered to win a FREE October subscription!  I will be choosing the winner tomorrow!!!!  Good luck!!!!

Let The Party Begin! 25% Off 25 Stamp Sets!!!!!

Stampin' Up! is celebrating its 25th anniversary all year long, but during the week of the actual date (October 25th to be exact) the party is being pumped up even more!!!!!  What better way than a sale on the very products that started it all: stamps, of course!
Dates: October 22-28, 2013
Offer: Get 25 percent off 25 stamp sets!!!!  Click HERE to find out which wonderful stamp sets are a part of the sale!!!!!

Photo Keeper by Monika Davis

Summer is over, but you don’t have to forget about your vacation just yet. Make this super cool Photo Keeper, created by Monika Davis, that can also function as a mini scrap book in a box. Keep your treasured photo memories in one place.  Its size makes it perfect to take it with you in your bag to hold your pictures while you travel. This is also the perfect present with the matching greeting card and small embellishments to someone who loves to travel and take pictures. Also makes for a fun Stamp Camp project.
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Want to subscribe to the October edition of Craft Project Central and get 10 wonderful tutorials (including the one for this project) for only $10?  Head on over to the Craft Project Central website HERE!  Or, if you are feeling lucky, head on over to Craft Project Central and comment on my project that was posted on October 1st to be entered to win a FREE October subscription!  I will be choosing the winner on October 25th!!!!  Good luck!!!!

A Day Off Because....

It's my birthday!!!!!! :)  I am so grateful to have reached yet another year of life!  I am so grateful to be able to create and share that creativity with you!  I am grateful that my heart is full of love!  I am grateful for the gift of change - the ability to make choices and pursue dreams.  I am grateful it is my birthday :)

Family Banner & Leaf Jar Set by Heidi King

This is a great time of year to decorate for the season and this wonderful project by Heidi King would do the trick!  Included in this project are the “Family” banner, a beautiful “leaf” jar and a matching card.  These little décor items are perfect for a gift or to decorate your own home.  The project also makes for a fun holiday class, club, or camp project!!  You can learn more about Heidi on her blog HERE.
--> Want to subscribe to the October edition of Craft Project Central and get 10 wonderful tutorials for only $10?  Head on over to the Craft Project Central website HERE!  Or, if you are feeling lucky, head on over to Craft Project Central and comment on my project that was posted on October 1st to be entered to win a FREE October subscription!  I will be choosing the winner on October 25th!!!!  Good luck!!!!

Grid Birthday Card Redux

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It's Never Too Late To Add To Your Creative Output!
Today I was going through a box of completed cards and I saw a birthday card I had created and posted a while back.  When I saw it this time around it looked totally incomplete to me.  Just a Smoky Slate card with the Grid stamp stamped in Smoky Slate and "happy birthday" in Basic Black.  I decided it needed a makeover!  So out came the paper trimmer and I cut the front off of the card.  Next I added a few hand-cut banners from Tempting Turquoise and Basic Black card stock.  I stamped the word "celebrate" from the Express Yourself stamp set onto Whisper White card stock and cut a little banner end.  I began layering the banners onto the card front with different depths of dimensionals.  I then layered the panel onto a Tempting Turquoise panel and a Basic Black card base.  A Tempting Turquoise panel was also glued inside the card.  Finally, a few rhinestone adhesive jewels added a bit of sparkle.  I'm much happier with the card now - it feels finished...at least for now :)  It's never too late to add to your creative output.  What can you give a creative makeover to?
I hope you have a beautiful, creative and loving weekend!  There is a touch of snow in our forecast here...can't wait to see if it happens!  Buddy will be so excited!!!! :)

Two-Sided Halloween Treat Holder

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  There Is A Crack In Everything
I purchased a wonderful book that I have been reading at night before bed.  It is a book of quotes and small stories entitled Wabi Sabi The Art of Everyday Life by Diane Durston.  Last night I read this quote by Leonard Cohen, "Ring the bells that still can ring; Forget your perfect offering; There is a crack in everything; That's how the light gets in."  It is in a chapter about the beauty of imperfection.  I love the concept that there is a crack in everything and that is what allows our light to shine.  It led me to the idea that our perfection is actually that we are imperfect.  We are perfectly imperfect :)  And so too is our artwork.  Sometimes the lines aren't straight or the stamping is tilted or smudged.  Sometimes the card stock doesn't fold exactly as we would like or the impression doesn't stamp as clearly as we wish.  And it is in these "cracks" that the light of you gets in.  It is through these perfect imperfections that we show that we made it - that we put our heart and soul into it - in its perfectly imperfect state.
I decided to make a 2-Sided Halloween treat holder...'cuz it is all about the candy on Halloween (and Buddy and I wish people would just put candy on their lawns instead of all of those scary skeletons and spooky ghosts)!  I hope you have a perfectly beautiful day!  May it be filled with love, laughter...and cracks that let the light in!!!!