January's Winner

Well the end of the month is here and it is time for another challenge, so I guess I should announce January's winner...after careful review and a lot of oooh's and awwww's my girls (DT) finally with a lot of discussion decided and declared a winner.  I am so glad they made the selection because I couldn't.

Our Year 2012 Review Winner is........

Entry #23 Congratulations to Cheryl L.

This was the winning creation!

Cheryl please email Mema at lesia1707@att.net to claim your prize.  You have until Monday, February 4th to claim your prize.

Whew! that had to be a hard decision to pick just one!  I don't think I would be very successful and that is why I allow Mr. Linky do the selections via random draw.

I think its time for a giveaway and a challenge so once I reach 500 followers I am going to:

Give away $50 dollars to one lucky winner! Tell your friends!
Give a gift basket with items that could total up to an additional $50
But wait I am not finished!!!!!  If I reach my goal of 500 followers by February 14th, "Valentines Day" I will award 5 winners in my February challenge a $5 gift certificate

The prize for our February Challenge is a gift card to Oozak.

That's a total of  over $100!!!! in prizes and gift cards for the month of February! Why would I do this you ask......well it is the month of love and I love all my crafting friends out here in blog land.  

Guess I better cash in my pennies and break my piggy bank to make sure my mouth isn't bigger than my purse (lol).  

Our February Challenge theme is "Hello Doily".  To learn more about February's challenge click the challenge tab above or go ahead and click here.

The challenge will open on Friday, February 1st for your entries.

Time For A Layout

Awww... its Wednesday again, the day they call "hump day" and for me it was my first day back to work after suffering through the attack of the mighty flu.
As of today however, I think the flu has retreated and is moving on elsewhere to rain havoc on some poor soul.

Although I am not 100% I am indeed much better than last week, so after missing my craft-room for so long I decided to do something I haven't done in about a month.  There are still a few photos (60) lying on my desk just waiting to be scrapped and retired to a scrapbook home.  So here I go with two page layouts that I'd like to share.

To those of you that don't scrapbook, just think of a page layout as a giant size card, that you get to add more embellishments to.  Or you can take a card sketch and turn it into a page layout.  In my mind they are almost the same, at least the requirements tend to run hand-in-hand except on a different scale. .. hey I think that creating a page from a card sketch and vice versa would be a cool thing to do.  I might give it a go the next time I create a page using a sketch.  I'll share when I do but until then to each its own.

Check out my layouts and leave your thoughts for me.

My first layout honors the two youngest of my 8 grand-kids.  These two little ones are the light of my life and the bond they share is amazing. Ryan is always trying to protect his little sister.  He pats her when she cries, fetches her binkie and tells her in a soothing voice that its okay.  It makes my heart smile to see such innocent love in these young ones.

They say (the mom) that Alexis is my double-mint twin and since she is a cutie I love the comparison (smiles)

Okay, on to the scrapping part.  The paper is My Mind's Eye and I used a Martha Stewart punch to create the 3 border strips.  I used a Tim Holtz die to cut out two lamp post and then I adorned them with a couple of daisies (is my spelling correct and these are daisies, aren't they?) courtesy of Petaloo.  I added a couple of flourish stickers to add a little shine, and lastly were a few brads in the corner and the title "two peas in a pod" because that was so perfect for these two.

Well now moving on to my second page layout that I think turned out pretty good.  I used the photo equipment at Wal-mart to print the photo in Sepia and Black & White, but decided to use the Sepia one for this page.

This photo represents the rowdy crew..a group of over achievers that have proven their intellect by being selected to attend their first year of college at the tender age of 15.

By time they graduate from High School they will have 2.5 years of college credit toward a Bachelor's Degree.

This photo also gives you a glimpse of my DT Girls minus the 2 that are not in the photo.

For this layout I used double-sided Websters paper to create the background and the black border strips.  I used Spellbinders to cut the shape to the smaller border.

The flowers are Prima and Recollections.  Beneath the photo I added a blue border using my newest Marianne Die and weaved a ribbon through it.   Most of the leaves were cut from Marianne dies and a few were made with a Martha Stewart punch.  I used the Weathered Clock die from Tim Holtz and added a metal butterfly.

I thought about entering these layouts in a few challenges, but I once again ran out of energy and with work looming in the early hours I thought perhaps now would be a good time to say to everyone....

Thanks for stopping by.....leave me a comment and remember......

"Happiness is a Choice" or "Life is a Journey so why not enjoy it"

Hugz From Texas

Lesia

Graphic45 and Tim Holtz

Today was a better day for me.  My energy is slowly returning and I am able to stay on my feet a bit longer and my appetite is returning.  I think the flu-bug is on the prowl, looking for other unprotected individuals to attack.

This new strand of the flu is a force that is relentless and in some cases it has actually taken the lives of some.  I think New York has the highest fatality rate, but Texas has its share of the statistics as well, therefore I am truly grateful that I am not part of those statistics.

Before I trod forward with my daily blog of today I want to announce our first winner in January's Challenge - Favorites of Year 2012!

Our winner is a newcomer to our challenges...
first timers luck you might say.

Anyway the card chosen for me to case is entry.....

Number 9....Congratulations to Roz!

You have won a gift certificate to Saturated Canary

digital images online store.

Contact me before Friday, January 25th to claim your prize.

(lesia1707@att.net)

Anyway while lying in bed with my laptop I reviewed a few techniques demonstrated by Tim Holtz on you tube and then I checked out the project sheets offered by Graphic 45.  The end result was my creating a couple of tags using project sheets from Graphic 45 and a basic card using a Tim Holtz technique combined with a sketch I found on my computer.

So as not to keep you wondering, plus I think I've used up all the energy I had and now feel the need to lie down once again.  I might add to this post later but for now I have to go rest a bit more...sort of like having to feed your gas tank to keep your vehicle moving.  I need to gas up just a bit.

This particular tag was made using Graphic 45 "A Ladies Diary" paper pack and miscellaneous items I had in my stash.  This one was supposed to follow a project sheet but I had to improvise so much that I'm not sure that I can claim I followed the sheet.  

I used lots of scraps ( I hate to waste paper) and I have way to many scraps that I really should let go but I have admitted in the past that I do have hoarder tendencies although they are on a much smaller scale than the ones you see on that popular TV show.

The next tag was created using instructions found on a Graphic 45 Project Sheet.  This tag is really tall but once you get started you soon realize it had to be this tall.

I followed the instructions pretty close with this one although I had to substitute the add on image because the one they suggested I had already used.  No I wasn't using a full paper pack when I started this.

I started with a tray full of scraps and a partial paper pack, but it was still fun working with the projects and seeing how close I could get.

I got started making tags and perhaps when my energy returns I'll make a couple more.


Lastly is a card I would like to share.  On this card I used inking and staining techniques demonstrated by Tim Holtz.

There is also a bit of distressing and spritzing on the card as well.

Archival ink was used to stamp the image and the sentiment, both from Stampendous (I think those are the ones that promote Ranger products).

This medication I am on has some weird side effects such as dizziness and to be honest I feel like I am on a hangover and I promise I have had no alcohol in the last 2 weeks.  (Perhaps that is the problem...ha ha).

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Card Makin Mamas - Clean and Simple Challenge
Cards Galore Challenge - Anything Goes
Hotshot Craft - Clean and Simple

Well my lovelies, I must end now....I'm not sure but I think I just hit my head on the back of my chair and I'm sure to have a knot tomorrow.

I am planning on entering my tags in the following challenges:

Divas By Design - Make it Girlie Challenge
Besties Challenge - Anything Goes
Anything But A Card -Tie it Up

Until next time thanks for stopping by.

Flu Bug Attacks Hard

Finally, I get a chance to go in my craft-room! I have missed my room of tranquility but when that nasty flu bug strikes you, all you can do is sleep and pray that it goes away.  It has been with me for 3 days now and finally today, I was able to stand up without the feeling of faintness.

My grand-daughter said she knew I was sick when my Marianne dies arrived and I showed no joy at getting them.  Well today I opened one of the seven and decided to create a card.  This one die has five (5) shapes and I wanted to use them all...but I came up short on that goal.  I decided to layer the pieces to mimic the way they were in the package, but since I had previously cut my card base first I had to work within those diameters.  It never occurred to me to cut another card base, duh?  The flu blogs your cognitive ability I am discovering and therefore the stitching around the card had to be replaced with a less effort idea.

I just love how Marianne's dies add flair to your projects and allow for a beautiful card with little effort.  This quality came in handy today, considering that my eyes are half-closed, my nose is stuffy, and I'm not sure if I want to sit up or lay down.  Before I fall asleep right here let me share my card.  Very very easy with a simplistic type of elegance.

The die set I used to make this card is LR0242 (the top 4 layers), then I used an embossing folder for the lattice piece and a corner punch on the corners.

On the edge of the card I used some fine detailed embossing powder I picked up at the Heirloom Convention just to try it out.  I this convention is where I picked up this flu bug as well, not to mention it was raining cats and dogs.  Guess I should have kept myself home.


I didn't want to take away from the dies so the only added items were a few strategically placed pearls (actually they were the end of a pack) to finish my card.

Before I say good-bye let me remind you that you need to check back on my blog to see if you are a winner for any of my challenges.  Last month my girls (who handles the prizes) informed me that the winner of my $50 shopping spree did not claim their prize and the second drawing winner did not claim it either, so that prize was returned to the pot.

Additionally, the bonus prize winner did not claim their prize, of 2 digi images of choice.

The winner for the 5 bugaboo images and 4 Kenny K images did claim their prize and grabbed their winners badge.

When I can, I do try to email the winners or post on their blog in the comments that they are a winner, but for the most part once I post the challenge my girls handle the rest.  

Okay my lovely followers and participants remember to check back often.  This month our first drawing will be on the 18th and the last one will be on the 30th.  You still have time to play.

Note of Interest:  My top ten member counter has been reset for the new year, so don't forget to sign in each time you visit for a chance at randomly offered prizes throughout the year.

Ribbon Lacing

Hey everyone, I have a question for you? Have you visited 613 Avenue C yet? Well you should because there is a party going on over there! I tell you folks are playing and trying to win some great prizes so do miss out, just hope right on over!

Additionally, there is a $100 dollar giveaway going on over at

Craftin' Desert Diva...

so I would check that out too.  

I tell you there is a party going on all over the place and this ole gal wants a piece of the action and I want to share with my buddies as well.

Now that I've told you about the action going on let me fill you in on a little bit of gossip.  Graphic 45 has a new paper pack being released next month and its called "French Country".  I got a sneak peek and I fell in love with that paper.  It has the warm colors that would work perfectly as a masculine mini album so of course I just had to have it.  The only person I could find taking preorders is Fran of Frantic Stampers, so if you're looking to get it for yourself go give Fran a holla and she'll hook you right on up.

Now, on to my happenings.  If you'd like to learn a few new and neat techniques check out "Natasha" on "Moments of Tranquility".  She has shared several really cool techniques such as ribbon lacing which I decided to give a go.  Check out the result.

Can you see the ribbon lacing? That was not an easy task and I do recommend that if you wear glasses please make sure you wear them when marking your spacing for the holes.

The ribbon is from Michaels and I think the brand is Offray. The flowers are Recollections and the stems I got from the bridal section at Hobby Lobby (on sale for $2..what a deal for me).  The pearls are Recollections and I think the paper was from Tim Holtz "Shabby Chic" paper pack.

Here is a little closer photo of the floral arrangement and you can see the lacing a bit better as well.

The sentiment is one I got from Hobby Lobby and I can't read who it belongs to...it appears to be worn off.  Guess this stamp gets a lot of use.

Below is a better view of what it says.  Eventually I mounted this to a white mat and then adhered that to a Burgundy 6x6 card base.  Unfortunately, I didn't have room on my media card to take any more photos.

I had fun with this and as you can see I even added a little stitching to add just a bit of vintage flair.  I think I'll enter this card in a few challenges below:

2 Sisters Challenge #125 - Anything Goes (Jan 11th)
Kadoodle Doodles Challenge #153- Vintage (Jan 13th)
Papertake Weekly - Anything New (Jan 14th)
Stampin Dragon Designs - Anything Goes (Jan 17th)
Pause Dream Enjoy (PDE) - Use Ribbons (Jan 20th)

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to click the January Challenge tab above to enter this month's challenge.

Announcement Time

Hello everyone.  Remember I told you that I would introduce you to a new place to hang out, have fun and win great prizes.  Well today was the grand opening of "613 Avenue C" and I am inviting all of you to drop by and chat a while.

To launch this brand new site, we have Bugaboo Stamps as our sponsor and the challenge is our favorite..."Anything Goes" and you can enter more than once, so why not enter.  Did you forget the address??, well just click here.

As a Design Team Member I created this card for the opening of what I call "Avenue C" for short, using  one of our sponsors images.

I colored my image using copics and all the paper is by Recollections.  The shapes were cut using a Spellbinders die.

The sentiment on the front of the card is computer generated to go along with the sentiment on the inside which is from Bugaboo Stamps.

I am excited about our new challenge blog and would like to welcome each of you to our home.

Avenue C is a weekly challenge community so mark your calendars to visit s every week.  Hope to see you on the block.

For those of you that would like to try this card yourself check my previous post here for the tutorial.

REMINDER:  Mema's Crafts A Year in Review Challenge starts tomorrow so remember to select your favorite card from 2012 and show it to us!  No creating involved, just a decision to make.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to come back tomorrow when my January Challenge - Year in Review opens.

Hugz
Lesia

Marianne Dies

Well I just finished messing with Blogger and trying to restore my PC and finally gave in and installed Google Chrome which was the only way I could upload my photos.  I really don't like a lot of change but sometimes with technology it is best to just go with the flow.

Anyway this was my best birthday yet...well, that is if you're just looking at gifts.  I ended up with all types of items from my wish list and I am just tickled pink.  I got several Marianne dies that were on my list, several paper packs and was told a special machine was on its way which I have deduced that it is the Cameo Silhouette since I have the others...Can I get a "Yahoo"

But as I wait for the packages to continue to arrive I opened up a few toys I have on hand here is a card I created using a couple of these new toys.

For this card I used the following:

Cardstock: Bazzill
DP: None
Embossing Folder: Marianne DS0916
Cross Die: Marianne LR0252
Flowers:  Wild Orchid
Border: Martha Stewart Punch
Center Shape: Spellbinders Die

This card turned out really cute and it was so easy to make.  The embossing folder did most of the work by cutting and embossing at the same time.

My next step is to purchase the e-bosser unless of course that is the machine that is in-flight to me.  It will emboss up to a 5x7 and that will cover your standard A4 and A2 cards.  It will also work well with a 5x5 and I will figure out how to make it work with a 6x6 card as well.

Has anyone seen all the new paper collections coming out.  They are gorgeous and I can't wait to get them...I have them on pre-order of course.

Anyway this is all I have for tonight, but come back for my next post where I introduce you to a new challenge blog where I am part of the Design Team.  The launch of our first challenge will be on Sunday and it is "Anything Goes" so make sure you join in for lots of fun and a ton of prizes.

I am going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Marianne's Design Divas - Monthly Challenge (Jan13th)

Reflect With Tea

Hello everyone.  Let me just say that I have had it with Blogger! I tried for a whole day to upload a simple photo and could not, and still cannot upload a photo using blogger!  And to top things off, did you know that they have conveniently remove their contact form, so that now if you need help you have to use their help forum which is only 10% google employees and the rest (90%) are all regular folks like you and me, people that have suffered through the issues, struggling until we discover workable solutions, which they will announce as if they themselves fixed the problem.

For a business this approach may make sense when your focus is strictly on profit vs. liabilities, but for everday users such as you, this approach generates a lot of frustrations, setbacks and just plain anger.  Arrrrrgh is all I can say at the moment.

However, I'm back with my second tea holder card as promised.  This little card comes from "tracylovestostamp" which is a youtube channel to which I subscribe.  I thought it was rather neat, especially after creating the little two pocket tea holder I poster earlier.

I like this particular one so much that I am planning to create another one soon as a DT member over at "613 Avenue C" which I will chat more about in another post.

For now let me share my card with you and the video should you decide to take a stab at creating one for yourself.

Oh before I forget...I haven't quite finished this card..so why am I posting it you ask? well, it is just to doggone cute.  Take a lookie, and then decide what you think.



Throughout the card  I used the following supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts Cling Stamp
Cardstock: Recollections Kraft Paper and Black CS
Designer Paper: DCWV PP. 
Border: Created using a Martha Stewart punch and regular grossgrain ribbon from a place I cannot remember.

On the inside there is a place for 3 tea bags which I have filled with Oolong Tea Bags (I love this brand of tea).

On the left is a pocket where you can add a tag or memo for whatever personal message you want to write.

This card is unfinished because I plan to cover the tag with mirror paper so that you can see your reflection when you look at it.  Then right below that mirror image is going to be the words "you read my mind"

So the thought is as you reflect back you will know that you are on my mind.

Corney huh?  Well what do you really think?  Leave a comment and let me know.

I am entering this card in the following challenge:

Anything Goes Challenge #83-Just Good Friends (Jan14th)

Before you go to creating your tea bag holder visit Tonya's site at A Life Revamped and enter for her blog candy...its some really cool stuff.

Wanna give the tea card holder a try? Check out the video below.

Welcome to 2013

Happy New Year everyone! I celebrated with toasts, new and old resolutions, and of course I had to bring in the New Year with a new card to challenge me. I'll share those results in a minute.

As we leave 2012 I think it is important to look back and remember those moments that brought joy and smiles as well as the ones that caused our hearts to break and our smiles to fade. We must remember our past if we are to be successful in our future.

Anyway this is a really quick post because I am not over the celebration. I do want to remind you to check out the new challenge for January...I think you're gonna like how easy this one is going to be.

Before I share my card I want to announce that Sheila H, is the follower with the most registered visits for year 2012 with over 160 registered visits to my site!

THANK YOU
for your support.

Check your mail next week for a token of my appreciation.

 

Don't forget to sign in when you visit, each time you visit for a chance at random prizes throughout the year at random times. The "Top Ten" Counter will be reset if I can figure out how to start the count again. 

Now check out this staircase card!

It's easier than it looks, but leave it to me to make a mountain out of an ant-hill. It turned out okay although it is a tad bit crooked.....I must remember to slow down when working on new challenges and it would probably be a good idea to NOT have a cocktail in one hand the next time I venture on a new challenge (smiles).

I found this card on two different sites: The original template and design can be found on Jolanda's blog NOOR'S Design in milimeters with a tutorial or you can hop over to  Selma's Stamping Corner  if you'd rather see the measurements in inches.  She also has a brief tutorial as well as description of the products she used.  I've added the template from Selma's blog below for anyone that wants to give it a try.

 I am entering this card in:

"Bearly Mine"-Challenge #67 Something Old Something New Challenge. 
(The technique is new and the image and paper is old)(Jan7th).

Cards Galore Challenge #10 - January Anything Goes (Jan4th)

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes (Jan29th)

Well folks that's all I have for you.  Like I said a quick post.

Don't forget to check back for this month's challenge "COMING SOON" by clicking on January's Challenge Tab above.

Here is a hint for this month's challenge:

"A Year in Review-Favorites of 2012" is the theme for this month's challenge.

(challenge will open January 7th)

Lots of prizes this month to hopefully set the pace for the year. 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Hugz

Lesia

APRIL 2014 CHALLENGE WINNERS

Finally, here I am to announce our first winner of the month.  This month we wanted to see your creation and if you felt the desire we added an optional twist of Spring or Mothers Day.

So far we've had great participation! Remember to look for random ways to win from time to time throughout the year.  But for now it is time to announce our first winner and as usual we used Mr Linky and Random Number Generator to find our winner and (drum..roll).  

APRIL 15TH CHALLENGE WINNER

It has been determined that the lucky winner for 

our first drawing is entry number:

Congratulations to Jenny H  of Jenfa Cards

who submitted this gorgeous project she called "Blue Birds"

(contact Mema's Crafts (memascrafts2@gmail.com) to claim your prize before 4/24)

My girls and I would love it if you would grab the  winners badge from the sidebar and display it on your blog. 

********************************************************************************************************************

APRIL 30TH CHALLENGE WINNER
It has finally been decided that entry #183

Congratulations to Lisa M  of  My Craft Blogumentary

who submitted this delightful project

(contact Mema's Crafts (memascrafts2@gmail.com) to claim your prize before 5/7)

My girls and I would love it if you would grab the  winners badge from the sidebar and display it on your blog and please read the rules before claiming your prize.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OUR WINNERS

HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT MONTH