St. Patrick's Day Treats

Top O'the morning to you! I made some treats for friends, family and my son's classmates for St. Patrick's Day. Super simple and relatively quick and inexpensive. Chocolate covered mint oreos! 

I also found some great vintage-style green glass ball jars at Walmart and decided to decorate them and fill with rolos, oreos, Esso nail polish and Eos mint lip balm. The shamrock is a Silhouette cut on glitter paper that is adhered with glossy accents. Love these!

Have a blessed St. Paddy's Day!

Supplies for all three batches: Mint oreos (3 packages), melting chocolate/candy in green, dark mint chocolate and regular dark chocolate (1 of each bag) and Wilton's squeeze bottles (2).

January Crafting Snowstorm and Chat

January has been such crazy month in terms of weather, health, and...apparently crafting! Due to snow and polar vortex temperatures, I have been at work (and my son at school) for probably 8 days this entire month. We have rarely had a day without a 2 hour delay. In a way, it drives me absolutely crazy. My lesson plans are a wreck and I know I have tons that I need to cover and am unable to do it.

On the other hand, I have had a mystery illness (fatigue, coughing, tightness in my chest and rounded out with a sinus mess) since right after Christmas. After three rounds of antibiotics, steroids and lots of time off due to the weather, I am beginning to recover. So for that, I am thankful and that I have had a chance to craft and spend extra time with my children. 

Additionally, we recently lost a beloved teacher on our staff to cancer. She was a mentor, colleague, friend and fellow crafter. It seemed that we were all walking around in a fog this past week. I made a commitment to myself, in her memory, to not avoid what makes me happy in lieu of what I have to do, thus I have had a crafting storm of creations. All random and all very different. Sometimes I think we forget to thank God for what we have and appreciate the time that we can make to enjoy what we love. I was recently ready to give it all up because I "didn't have time" for it. How many times have you heard that from people who are non-crafters and think you have more hours in the day than they do or that you are absent in other areas of your life? 

I choose SIMPLICITY as a word to work towards this year, thus my  "shopping my stash" and "budget haul". (See the links to videos on the sidebar on my blog.) 

I have captioned each of the photos with a short description and supplies that I used. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will get back with you! :) Thanks for making it to the end. (If you haven't noticed my posts are usually fairly short. I promise to keep them that way in the future!)

Blessings!

A tray for my completed and "in-process" layouts. Made using a Studio Calico box, acrylic paint and extra wide washi from a Studio Calico kit.

Tray in action!

An inexpensive plate and candle stick holder that I put together to use as an embellishment tray.

A card that I put in my son's lunchbox. He was a little cheesed that he had to go to school. (We are in the midst of snow days galore and he was not pleased to be going back.) Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Making Frosty Friends, Bazzill kraft cardstock, all patterned paper is from Basic Grey Aspen Frost and Wink of Stella pens in clear, silver and gold on the snowflakes.

A day at the Glenbrook Mall in Ft Wayne, IN on the carousel. Collections used in this project: Pink Paislee - Color Wash, WRMK - Chalkboard, Heidi Swapp - Mint Alpha, Maggie Holmes - Frame, MME - Sequins

Large roughly 24" chalkboard tic tac toe board with bean bags. Supplies - Upcycled foam core board, chalkboard paint, felt, rice, tiny attacher, chalk and twine.

Almond sugar scrub - Supplies: Sugar, baby oil, coconut oil and almond extract (out of essential oil!).

Embroidery Hoop Art - Supplies: Spellbinders - Heart dies, Papertrey Ink - Peace, Love, Joy dies, various bamboo felt colors, various buttons, Studio Calico - wood veneer letters. (The ones with the names were decorated by my children. I stretched the felt onto the hoop for them, die cut the heart and added their names. They did all of the button work. :)

Shopping my Stash Video Series: Winter Themed Kit

As promised, here is my first shopping my stash video for the winter-themed kit in the previous post! Please join in with your own video of shopping your stash and creating a kit or great projects made from your stash! I just got home and am spying my winter kit in its wooden tray. Dying to play. Feels like it is new all over again!

Scrapbooking/Cardmaking/Crafting my Stash Video Series

After months of organizing and re-organizing my crafting supplies and feeling overwhelmed by what I have, I have decided to do two things: start a monthly budget and "shop" my stash.

Winter-themed kit (I forgot my thickers!)
The video for individual products is uploading as I create this post. It will be on the sidebar of the blog. ;)

My goal is to upload three videos a month to keep me accountable.

• Themed kit of products from my stash that I will be using for the month (winter, Valentine's Day, spring, etc.) I will definitely deviate from these items for some projects where I don't see them being used, but want to make it a goal use them as much as possible.
• Scrapbook pages, cards, projects, etc. that I have made with the themed kit.
• Haul video of what I purchased within my budget for the month. (My guess is that I will get better at it as I am more mindful of my purchases.)

My hope is that some of you play along. I would love to see video responses or photos of you shopping, creating from your stash and sharing what you purchased on a budget with your thoughts.

Links for some great stash inspiration that have been shared with me so far!
Counterfeit Kit Challenge
Stashbuster's Challenge
Scrap-a-Stash-Kit-Club 

Catching Up...

Just catching up posting some of my cards here. As you probably have noticed they are all instagrams. I have been posting all of my creation to instagram and You Tube (linked on the sidebar) and have slacked off on the blog. :( I also have some layouts to share as well as a crafty project for my kids and a craft area reorganization, which I hope to upload soon. 

My most recent creations are toward the bottom of the post using Our Daily Bread Designs chalkboard stamps. I LOVE them! Super to make a great looking card. Along with some creations using Studio Calico card and scrapbook kits as well as some Mama Elephant stamps.

Thanks for visiting after my long hiatus! Happy creating!!

Studio Calico Kit

Studio Calico Kit

Silhouette Cut Files
Easter Memory Cards

Silhouette Cut Files
Recollections corrugated cards

Silhouette Cut File
Paper Smooches Sentiment Stamp

Mama Elephant Stamps
My own ombre paper using Tim Holtz raspberry ink and glossy cardstock.
Cuttlebug embossing folder

Studio Calico Kit

Supplies
Paper: Trend Setter (Fancy Pants), White, Vellum (Studio Calico Kit)
Accessories: Flair Button (Studio Calico Kit), Alpha Stickers (Glitz Designs), Aqua Alpha (Heidi Swapp), Envelope (Amy Tan Silhouette cut file), Wood Veneer Stars (Studio Calico), Gold Lame Color Shine (Heidi Swapp)

Supplies
Vintage Bliss (Simple Stories), Cambridge Court (My Mind's Eye) , White
Stamps: Our Daily Bread various chalkboard stamps
Ink: Versafine Black
Accessories: White seam binding

Misting and Watercoloring Fun

I'm not much into making a mess with anything...even in crafting, but I thought I would play around with some Lindy's and Heidi Swapp Sprays. For a video of these projects see my You Tube channel morissasweeney with a link to the right of this post. Need to get myself to bed. Hope you are having a great week! Thanks so much for stopping!

Supplies
Stamps: Paper Smooches
Ink: Versafine
Paper: Watercolor
Accessories: Heidi Swapp Color Shine, Lindy's Stamp Gang Flat Fabios, Studio Calico Wood Veneer Birds, Stencil (Prima)

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Versamark, Versafine
Paper: Kraft, Black, Basic Grey, Bazzill Basics Orange Peel White
Accessories: Heidi Swapp Color Shine (Gold), Lindy's Stamp Gang Flat Fabios, Black Embossing Powder 

Supplies
Stamps: Mama Elephant
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Studio Calico Kit, White, Kraft
Accessories: Pebbles Corrugated Stickers, Thickers from Dear Lizzy, Freckled Fawn Wood Veneer Arrow, Studio Calico Wood Veneer Feather, Heat and Stick Embossing Powder, Gold Glitter by American Crafts, Heidi Swapp Color Shine (Gold), Washi Tape (MME), Twine (PTI), Black and Cream Alphas (Glitz), Denim embossing Powder (American Crafts)

Valentine's Day Fun!

Wow! It's February! Time flies when...your crazy busy (as most of us are). This is a share of Valentine's Day cards for my family and some delish cookies I made for DS's kindergarten class. I love how the cards turned out especially the tree. It was a free cut file from Silhouette. One of my first 8.5x5.5 cards as well. It was very time consuming to create, but was completely worth is for someone I love. I made several other cards, but they had to be shipped out before I had time to digitally preserve the moment. lol! I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Check out my uploaded You Tube videos.

Supplies
Stamps: None
Ink: Tea Dye
Paper: Studio Calico, Kraft (PTI), White Woodgrain, Aqua Mist (PTI), glitter paper (DCWV)
Accessories: Silhouette Cut Files, Charles Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

Frosted Sugar Cookie - Made 5 dozen - Tasted Awesome!

Supplies
Stamps: None
Ink: Tea Dye, Rose
Paper: White (Georgia Pacific), Patterned (Recollections), Textured  (Bazzill)
Accessories: Silhouette Cut Files. Stickers (Authentique), Action Wobble

Supplies
Stamps: None
Ink: Black
Paper: Textured (Bazzill), Red (recollections)
Accessories: Silhouette Cut File, Martha Stewart Heart Punch

Reindeer Food and Princess BD Card

I just wanted to share a couple of projects today - a birthday card for a princess party and the kids putting out reindeer food on Christmas Eve before leaving for Grandma's house. I'll also be uploading a video of these with more explanation on details as well as some items I picked up at the clearance stops on Monday.

Supplies
Paper: Aqua Mist (PTI), Glitter Paper ( DCWV)
Accessories: Silhouette Cut Files

Supplies
Stamps: None
Ink: Walnut Stain
Paper: Christmas Cottage (Theresa Collins), Kraft, Glitter (DCWV)
Accessories: Santa and Reindeer and Reindeer Food (Silhouette Cut File), Buttons (American Crafts), Corrugated Alpha (Pebbles), Sentiment Silver Alpha (Thickers)

Merry 2nd Day of Christmas!!

Remember that Christmas lasts until January 6th (Epiphany), so there is no need to be fretting over getting those decorations and lights down just yet!

 Enjoy the Christmas music a little longer if you like. If you were over it in October I can see your point!

I have a couple of cards to share with supplies. I have also been working on my December Daily layouts, which need a lot more of my attention right now. (Below is a video of what I had done to the point of the video.) I am sooo behind. I may post some as I get them finished. We're in the midst of a blizzard here, so I think I may have some time to work on them!

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a safe and Happy New Year as well! 

Supplies
Paper: Aspen Frost (Basic Grey), Kraft (American Crafts), Acetate
Stamps: Owl I Want for christmas (Lawn Fawn)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Walnut Stain (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: Alcohol Markers (Promarkers), Shaved Ice (Stampendous), Rock Candy Stickles (Ranger), Cut Files (Silhouette), circle punch

Supplies
Stamps: Technique Tuesday - Alli Edwards
Ink: Versamark, Tea Dye (Tim Holtz)
Paper: My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found Christmas, Kraft (PTI)
Accessories: Glitter (Walmart), Glitter Tape (American Crafts), Black Embossing Powder, Bling

Eclectic Collection of Cards

From the 5th and Frolic paper collection from Dear Lizzy to Simon Says Stamp to Tim Holtz...there is a little bit from everywhere! I need to focus and create more and buy less. (As you may have seen on my haul videos...luckily, I sold off tons of my stash to fund my habit. lol!) I also did a few scrapbook pages, but I am so unskilled at scrapping that I hate to post my lame attempts. Anyhow, I am also trying to decide if I want to do a December Daily or a Thankful Journal for November. Decisions, decisions. I hope everyone is well and creating more than I am! Blessings to all!

                                           

Simons Says Stamp Card Kit October

I decided to give Simon Says Stamp Card Kit a whirl this month. Below is a video of the contents as well as some photos of several samples that I made using as few items that are not in the kit as possible. I had a lot of scraps, sticker alphas and liquid pearls left over. My only dislike of this kit is the lack of color. I enjoyed the patterns and color scheme, but could have used an embellishment or paper that I could have made one of the cards "pop".

FWF Unity and New Goodies Creatio n

End of the first partial week of school! I think I am going to make it! Liam starts kindergarten tomorrow. So bittersweet. I can't believe he is old enough to begin school.

I'm beat, so this will be short and sweet. Here it is...lol! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out the Unity blog to see other creations AND help a family in need. Unity is donating 12% of their proceeds from all sales this weekend to dear friends of theirs as one of their family members has been stricken with cancer. Thinking about getting the SMAK kit to help spread some love!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity July 2012 KOM, Cocoa Daisy
Ink: Black, Rich cocoa, London Fog
Paper: Woodland Park (October Afternoon), Confetti Cream, Kraft
Accessories: Candy Dots, Banner Die (PTI), Buttons (Jenni Bowlin), Staple (Tim Holtz), Twine (?)

End of Summer...

This was my last weekend of freedom for the summer...school starts (for me) on Monday morning. The end of summer break is always bittersweet. It is so hard to go back to not having a flexible schedule, sleeping in a bit, running errands when needed and most of all being with the kiddos. However, the opportunity to start anew always re-energizes me. I see possibility where perhaps I didn't see it before, fresh idea and new alternatives. In any case, Mitch and I rounded out our summer with a mini 10th anniversary overnight outing to hear Kenny Wayne Shepherd in concert. My mom, aunt and brother stayed to watch the kids giving Mitch and I time that we really needed...ALONE. :)

With all that said, after we got home mom was still here for a couple of days and we crafted a bit. Here is the first of what I am going to post this week. I dipped into my new products and began creating! 

Have a Great Monday!!

Supplies
Stamps: The Sweetest Thing (MME), Fillable Frames #2 (PTI)
Ink: London Fog, Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa
Paper: Woodland Park (October Afternoon), Naturals (PTI)

FWF Old Bag

First of all, today is our 10th anniversary! It's amazing how blessed I have been to have such a terrific man in my life. No regrets. I pray that we are blessed for a longer, happy marriage.

Back from vacation and realized that it is Friday! How could I miss another one? Before leaving for vacation at Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake, I hosted my grandmother's 95th birthday party. It was so much fun! All of my cousins were there with their spouses and one great grand baby. I made three banners to decorate for the occasion. I also made a couple of birthday cards. She DID NOT receive this one. I was a joke I played on my dad. I told him that I would happily make the card for him so he wouldn't have to go and buy one. I made this one and an actual card to be given. It was priceless to see him choke and laugh nervously when he thought it was the card that he had to give her. too funny. I don't know that I could EVER give someone a card like this. Oh well...it was worth the funny moment! I used Unity's July KOM, PTI banner die and an Amy Tangerine adhesive banner. Check out Unity's Friends with Flair creations!