Happy New Year!

Man, I cannot believe it's been two months...
A family situation has kept me away and not really crafting, but I will try to make up for it...

I tried upgrading my crochet skills these past few weeks by attempting a simple hat.  I used a pattern from Leisure Arts called Shaped Hat and the scarf is from the blog Tales of the Hook - Keyhole Scarf
I used yarn from Loops and Thread called Powdery.  This colour is labeled 'Red'.

I had enough yarn to make a second set that I donated to the Cancer Centre at the St. Catharine's hospital.

Then I made myself a set, using the same yarn but in the colour 'snow'.

I like the variegated nature of this wool.  Looks like I did a lot more work! LOL!

Until next time!

More Christmas Cards

Hello!

In the evenings I like to spend time with my husband, and as he enjoys his sports, it's in the livingroom.  So I've started cross stitching small images that can be placed on cards.  In an evening I can finish one image, so I've got a few to sell now.

Remember to come by to Vintage Coop (In Sault Ste. Marie at the bottom of Church Street behind the Floater Plane Museum) tomorrow to see a lot of beautiful items for sale (gift ideas anyone?) and then get a card from to finish off the gift! 

Christmas Card Frenzy

Hello all!

I've been frantically making cards the last few weeks.  Not our family cards of course, I've still to make THOSE.  I sent off my mom's cards to her last week and I've been finishing off cards to sell at the Church Street Coop this Saturday.  I'll be there all day from 10-4 with my cards and other items I have made.  Come by if you get a chance!  We're located at the start of Church Street behind the Floatplane Museum.

One of the projects I've been working on is helping a friend of mine here in the SOO to do some stamping.  She's quite the artist and even created a series of canvases a few years ago.  I used these images as a starting point for her to stamp on.  She's created quite a few cards and sold a few too!  I've gotten her permission to use her images as a starting point for some of my cards. 

Another person I've been working with is Sandra with Clay It Forward.  I really like the idea of making a piece of art in exchange for a completed piece.  She also uses her donations to help bring attention to other non profit groups. 

So I combined both in a series of really pretty cards if I do say so myself! 

Hope to see you at the Church Street Coop on Saturday!
Hugs!

Christmas Card Chaos

Hello all!

I'm in the middle of Christmas card assembly for my mom's cards and at the end of the days I fins myself thinking of simple cards.  Though, maybe not so simple, as they take an evening to complete....  I'm talking about Zentangle. 

When we first got into the house back in March, I had no access to my craft supplies and started to go stir crazy.  So I went and picked up some pens, tiles, adhesive and card/envelope sets.  I wanted to make some thank you cards for our realtor and others who helped during this process. 

I made a few more, but sent them off before photographing them. 
I'll post more cards this week of the cross stitch cards I've been creating...
Hugs!

Cindy :)

Common Threads

And the days go on and on and on.....
I have reminded myself to post updates for two weeks now and something gets in the way.
No more!
Besides, I'm stoked!  I was woken up early today.  (normally NOT a good thing) However, this phone call was to let me know I have a table at the Algoma Art Council's 'Common Threads' next Saturday, October 22.   I have been creating more fabric themed and ribbon accented cards in preparation and it's gonna be fun!  This is also a presentation forum, so I will be cross stitching more piecing to turn into cards at a later date. 
I use ribbon, yarn and thread on a regular basis to add dimension to my cards.  Here are a few I have been playing with lately.

I'll try to get more posted next week before the show.  Be sure to stop by if you are able!

Shimmer Time

Hello again!

I've been frantically trying to catch up on projects since we got home from our holidays.  Also been fighting my fibromyalgia symptoms.  So... a little later post than originally thought.

I have a journal/daytimer that has a pretty cover I created a few years ago.  My girlfriend's girls admired it just before we moved and so I had the idea to create them a version of it for school binders. 

The technique uses Shimmer Sheets by Elizabeth Craft Designs.  I was very lucky to be part of a group that learned first hand from her how to use these sheets in our art.  If you ever get a chance to take a class with her, grab it with both hands! (I have no affiliation to her, just LOVE her and her products!)

Anyway, I took a 3x4" piece of 12 different coloured sheets and ran them through different embossing folders.  Some I rubbed StazOn ink across the top to highlight the embossing.  Some I took sandpaper across the top to bring up the design. 

Then I started cutting the pieces and making a patchwork of squares onto an 8.5x11" sheet of paper.
Once the paper was covered, I took decorative sticker borders to create 'stitching' around each of the squares.  I made sure I had enough for two full sheets and therefore two binder covers.  If the binders wear out, they can transfer the art to another window cover binder or if they get tired of the art, they can just remove it!

I still had bits left over and enough to make a birthday card for a friend.  The same technique was used in a smaller format.

And since I like to decorate the inside, a border was made inside.

Have a great week!
Hugs!

OSA Card Exchange

Hello everyone!

After a crazy road trip with my mom visiting family in Southern Ontario and Quebec, we are back home.  I can safely say my wandering foot (that I inherited from my dad) has been satisfied... for now :)  Maybe next month I can convince my hubby to drive me somewhere else! Hee Hee!!

I have a lot of catching up to do though. Here and on my swaps...
To start with is an easier one. 
I am part of a monthly exchange that requires the use of oriental themed stamps and a colour restriction.  LOVE these!  the month of August was Black, White and Yellow. Decided to add some stitching to the card too.

Started by stamping the Lotus Blossoms (unknown) on thin white cardboard to be able to withstand the stitching.  I coloured the flowers with SU! ink colours: Yo Yo Yellow, Summer Sun and Summer Starfruit.  I used a poking instrument to make the holes and stitched the centre of the flowers with white, yellow and black thread.  I then cut out the flowers individually.

I embossed some yellow cardstock with a new embossing folder by Darice called Lotus Blossom.

I used the Spellbinders Labels 2 set to cut out a focus piece out of scrap white and black packaging then stamped the Kanji (Digital Princess Designs).  Then it was just a matter of assembling the card!

Hugs!
More later this week!