ABAC Challenge 34-Spring Has Sprung!

Hello and Happy Easter! It is time again for me to share my DT project for Anything But a Card Challenges.  This month's challenge is to 'spring' into spring, and we would love to see your spring inspired creations!!  Be sure to check out all of the other team members wonderful interpretations too!

After what seemed like a never ending winter, it was so nice to see the crocus and daffodils beginning to bloom this month.  The robins have also decided that winter is over and have returned to eat all of the wonderful bugs who have also made their appearance known!  All of this activity inspired me to make a new page in my quotes journal.  I think the quote by Emily Dickenson is so appropriate for the change in seasons.  Spring is full of hope and promise, and I wanted my page to reflect this.  I used pastels for the background and then stamped the flowers and birds.  I also added just a hint of stickles to mimic the frosty dew that is often seen in spring.

 We have a spring tradition in my family.  On Palm Sunday, we receive green palm leaves during our church service.  For as long as I can remember, Palm Sunday meant folding and weaving these leaves into pyramids before they could dry and then placing them around the house as a reminder to celebrate Jesus.  Grandma taught Mom, Mom taught me, and now I'm attempting to teach my girls.  Here are our palms from this year...

I hope you will find time to join us and share your creation! You still have a week!!  Have a wonderful week and thanks so much for stopping by!!

**For my blogging friends- We are in full sport mode with both tennis and softball pulling us in different directions!  I hope to be back to a regular visiting and posting schedule within a month!  Until then, know that I am looking forward to seeing all of your wonderful creations as well!!

Summer Fun-Challenge 25 at ABAC

Hello! I am finally back in blogland after a super crazy two weeks!! Thank goodness for scheduled posting!!  Today I'm sharing my project for Anything But a Card's current challenge: Summer Fun!!  There are so many different ways to interpret this challenge and just about as many different creations you could make!  While I originally thought about making a scrapbook layout, necessity took over and I'm sharing a fun little summer gift I made instead.

In my family there are SEVEN birthdays in August alone, so our summers are usually filled with cookouts and gatherings to celebrate.  We don't usually do a lot of gift exchanging, but I try to make a little something to give to the birthday person.  We just celebrated my mom's birthday and I made a cute little purse to hold a gift card for her. This is also a great size for a little gift like jewelry, cosmetics, or my personal favorite-chocolate!

I was under the gun to finish this one, so it's pretty CAS, but you could really dress up the base with stamping and inks if you wanted.

I found the template for this cute little purse at Paper Crafts magazine.  But it was actually easier for me to just make it using the dimensions.  Also, I found an error in the measurements on the top flap of the purse, so if you use their dimensions be sure to change the score line from 2" to 2 1/2" or your flap will not cover the top of the purse!

I started with a piece of yellow cardstock 5"x11" and scored it at 1 1/2" running the length of the 11" side.  Then I turned the paper to the 5" side and scored at 1 1/2, 5, 6 1/2, and 10".  I cut the scored lines to the 1 1/2" score line (look at  photo below if you need a visual).

The solid lines are cutting lines.

The top was created using a piece of pattern paper measuring 3 1/2"x4".  Here is where I found the mistake on the original.  Score at 1" and 2 1/2" (not 2" if you use the template from PCm).  I also added a scallop punched edge to mine instead of the curved edge, but you can really do whatever you want on that part.

The handles were two pieces of 3/4"x5" pattern paper.  If you use solid paper, you would only need one, but I used two since I wanted my patterns to match.  Score at 3/4" from each end.

Then it's a pretty simple task of folding and assembling the base and attaching the flap to the top.  Make sure the 1" end of the flap is in back so the longer piece covers the front.  I added an antique brad to dress it up a little.  The handles were glued to the top and then I added the silver brads for a little embellishing.  Then I decorated the front with a stamped birthday sentiment, ribbon, and a cute little flower button.  Easy peasy!

I hope you will play along and link up so I can see what summer fun means to you! You still have a week left!!

Project Recipe: Paper-yellow cardstock from stash (unknown maker), Play Date dsp (ret), Ink- tempting turquoise, Stamp Set-Label Love, Accessories-artisan label punch, scallop trim border punch, antique brads, silver brads, real red 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon, turquoise button (ret), white bakers twine

On a personal note, many of you know I recently 'retired' from my career as a preschool teacher and was debating what my next venture would be.  About two weeks before my girls were due to go back to school, I received a call from a friend telling me a local school corporation was looking for aides and that I should apply.  I still wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do, but also knew that money would be super tight if I didn't do something, so I filled out an application and submitted my resume.  After interviewing and receiving a couple of different offers.  I decided to take a position as a special needs instructional assistant at the middle school level.  It was quite serendipitous that I was undecided between this position and a kindergarten position, when I found a quote by Caroline Myss- "Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that's the one that is going to require the most from you."   So I went completely out of my comfort zone and I have to say that after my first week, I really enjoy it.  It is a challenge and I'm still learning my way, but everyone has been so supportive and I feel like I've contributed at the end of the day.  It's also a blessing to not be the one responsible for creating the lesson plans and charting the progress!

Have a wonderful week and happy crafting!

A Play Date with Label Love

This past Friday was a play day for me.  I have been busy trying to catch up with my cleaning and organizing,  running the girls to softball and the library, keeping up with the lawn and gardening, and other less than exciting chores.  So I decided to give myself a day off.  Of course, I still had to stop to make meals, but other than that, I played all day with my craft stuff.

I'm a little shocked to admit that this was the first chance I had to use my new goodies from the new SU catalog.  Usually, I'm ripping into them as soon as they come out of the box!  I also needed to prepare some cards for my upcoming stamp club meeting, so this was the perfect excuse, not that I really needed one!

This card is FULL of new goodies!!  The fabulously grungy paper is Epic Day DSP from the This and That collection.  These coordinate with all of the wonderful goodies for the SU version of a Smash book and I am loving this specific line!  I also broke out the stamp set Label Love and it's coordinating punch.  I was also in need of some more masculine birthday cards and I think this one will work nicely.  It's a pretty basic card, but I think sometimes the simple designs show off the papers the best.

I had originally set this day aside to go with my parents to the VA clinic for Dad's appointment, but the Dr cancelled the visit, so now I have a day free.  Just might have to take the time to create something fun!  

If you are interested in any of these products, feel free to shop my online store found here!  

Well, I'm off to do something productive, whatever that may be... Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!

Card Recipe: Paper-crumb cake, very vanilla, Epic Day This & That, Ink-basic gray, crumb cake, Stamp Set-Label Love, Punch-Artisan Label