Sassy & Sweet Notes

Outdoorsy Themed Mini / Journal

Now that this fun project has been received, I can share the video and not spoil the surprise!!

If you're having trouble viewing the video here on my blog, check it out on my YouTube channel.

Here are some detail photos of the journal.

The journal measures 5.5" x 6" and is bound together with a Rubicoil Binding Machine and a 14mm coil. I used various Spellbinders leaf dies as well as a couple EK Success punches for all of the leaves.

The banners were made with the Banners #2 stamp/die set, from Sizzix. The buttons (except the one of the cover) are from The Stamps of Life. I liked the matte finish, and they were the perfect size!

The patterned papers are from the Happy Camper 6x6 pad, from Echo Park. I used various colors and brands of cardstock for the folio pages. The white paper is Fabriano Medioevalis cards and small sheets.

I loved creating the pocket pages using various printed papers and leaves.

I used lots of differnent kinds of papers in the journal to add interest and places for her to clip little notes, photos, or lists. I used this die cut shape several times as a colorful divider between sections. The die is from the Majestic #2 Labels set, from Sizzix.

I thought the pages looked fun, all fanned out.

And the edges of the papers were all so different and interesting!

The leaf cluster on the front is full of color and texture!

This was a super fun project to make! *Smooches!*

 

Supplies:
Rubicoil Binding Machine
Binding Coils (4:1 Pitch, which means 4 holes per inch)
Buttons: The Stamps of Life
Dies: Majestic #2 Labels, Banners #2, MFT Feathers
Paper: Happy Camper by Echo Park, Party Day by Crate Paper, Fabriano Medioevalis

Cutie, Sending Happy Thoughts

Hope you had a wonderful weekend! And here's Cutie, wishing you a happy Monday!

Stamp: Cutie
Sentiment: Sending Happy Thoughts

Crafty Goodies Share (Video)

You all seem to enjoy the shopping videos I've shared, so here's one from last week from when I had to spend the day up in the city for a couple doctor appointments. The appointments were hours apart, which allowed me some time to poke around town a bit! Enjoy!

If you're having trouble viewing the video here on my blog, you will find it on my YouTube channel.

Rain, Rain, Glorious Rain!

Yes, it's true .... we got RAIN!

*BABY COW!!*

We welcomed this C.U.T.E. little bull calf to the farm today! Lucy, our red Dexter cow, is his mother. Ooooh, if you could just experience how soft, and cute he is!!! He has a little mishappened ear tip, and it totally adds to his charm!

Lunchtime!!

I LOVE BABY COWS!  *grin*

High Hopes Challenge: Purple & Orange

The current High Hopes challenge topic is Purple & Orange. For my project, I chose to use this cute fall image called Laurie's Pumpkin Patch.


In honor of this week's challenge, I treated myself to some new purple and orange ribbons! *grin* I found these at the local W-mart. I was surprised to see them there -- super cute! There were lots of fall and halloween themed prints as well. I chose designs I can use any time of year.

Find all the details of this week's challenge on the High Hopes blog.

 

Supplies
Stamps: High Hopes
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Paper Accents, MAMBI, Neenah
ShinHan Touch Twin markers
Other: Purple Stitched Ribbon, Tracing Wheel

We Have a Winner!

THANK YOU to all who commented on the give-away post, and included a note about what you'd like to see MORE of on the blog! Your feedback is important to me, and thank you for your kind words! I love hearing that many of you are just pleased as punch with the way things are now. I will do my best to get to all of the suggestions you made -- they were all so great!

I've closed comments on the give-away post, and have used Random.org to select a winner. I always use this process when selecting winners for my give-aways... I just don't always include a screenshot of the Random.org number. But this time I HAD to! Lucky Number 7! That's my lucky number, and maybe yours too!?

Jan Elmore sure is lucky with this Lucky Number 7!! Jan, your comment was #7, so you win!!

Here's what Jan had to say:
Thanks for the give away. I use your images most in my card making. The images most used are the chickens. "Chicken wearing inner tube" is still hilarious after all these years! I check your post daily as I enjoy the mix you already provide: coloring therapy, photos & photo bombs, shopping shares videos and did I already mention chickens? You gift to us is sharing all your awesome talent. THANK YOU!

Jan, get in touch with me via email (there's a link under my photo, above) with your address and I'll get your package in the mail.

Thanks again, EVERYONE, for participating!!

Farm Scarecrow Card (Video)

I have a cute fall themed project to share with you, featuring my Farm Scarecrow image, the new Chicken Wire background, and a sentiment from my Harvest Blessings cling mount set. Oh, and please excuse the goofy lighting in these photos ... my other desk lamp is currently being used as a warmer for Earl Grey, my current temporary house chick. *grin*

The scarecrow is stamped in black Memento ink and colored with Touch Twin markers. I stamped the Chicken Wire background image in Stormy Sky Distress Ink, and inked the edges of the blue paper layer with the same color ink.

The sentiment is stamped in black StazOn ink, and the die cut banner is from MFT.

I think he turned out pretty darn cute! He'll be popped in the mail later this week.

And, for those of you who enjoy watching the process, I made a video for you! *grin*

If you're having trouble viewing the video here on the blog, check it out on my YouTube channel. You might also consider "subscribing" to my YouTube channel if you'd like to be notified when I upload videos. I don't share them all here on the blog.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and a spectacular week ahead!

 

Supplies
Stamps: Farm Scarecrow, Chicken Wire, Harvest Blessings (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Ink: Black Memento, Black StazOn, Stormy Sky Distress Ink
Paper: Neenah, SU
Die: MFT Sentiment Banner
ShinHan Touch Twin markers
Other: tracing wheel

Whipper Snapper Stamp Order... Yay!!

When Whipper Snapper has a release, I always like to order a few of my images on wood mount, and a few other favorites as unmounted stamps. I received my order on Thursday, and thought I'd share what I got!

To help spread the joy of new stamps, how about a give-away!? I have the adorable Halloween Toss stamp from Whipper Snapper, 12 pieces of 6x6 paper, as well as a bottle of Star Dust and Purple Stickles. Ooooh, ahhhhh, sparkles!

If you would like to be entered to win this fun and festive package of goodies, please leave me a comment on this post -- I'd like to know what you might like to see MORE of on the blog. I look forward to hearing your suggestions! I will leave comments open on this post until Monday, September 16th at 6:00pm Central. At that time I will close comments and choose at random one lucky winner!

Happy Saturday!!

A Few New Crafties! (Video)

My previous two "haul" videos seemed to be enjoyed, so here are a few goodies I picked up on a trip to town yesterday evening...

If you're having trouble viewing the video here on my blog, you can check it out on my YouTube channel.

I'm going to be hosting another Whipper Snapper give-away here on my blog soon ... stay tuned!

Happy THURSDAY!

High Hopes Challenge: Buttons & Bows

The current High Hopes challenge topic is Buttons and Bows. For my project, I chose to use Dogs Trio Block.

Find all the details of this week's challenge on the High Hopes blog.

 

Supplies
Stamps: High Hopes
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Neenah, Bo Bunny, Stampin' Up
ShinHan Touch Twin markers
Other: May Arts ribbon, tracing wheel

Easy Post-It Note Wrap (and Video)

Hi-ya! A quick and easy project to share today! It would be a perfect project for quick gift for teachers, co-workers, or even as small holiday gifts for people like your post office crew! An easy Post-It Note wrap that you can decorate and embellish with most any paper/stamp/sticker you might have in your stash.


For this wrap I used paper, chipboard, and a stamp from the Cosmo Cricket Smore Love line I picked up a couple of weeks ago. *Love it!* I was so happy to find these cute crafty goodies, since the Mr. Campy line is my very favorite Cosmo Cricket line. Smore Love is a coordinating line with Mr. Campy.

The cover is easy to make. For a 3"x3" Post-It Note stack, cut a piece of cardstock to 3 1/8" x 6 5/8", and make score lines at 3 1/8" and 3 1/2" to create the center spine. For the designer paper, I used 3"x3" squares, so there was just a thin border showing around all sides. Decorate as you'd like!

Want to watch a video of this little project being put together? Lucky for you, I made one! *grin*

If you're having trouble viewing the video here on my blog, you will find it on my YouTube channel.

Happy crafting!

Twine and Hemp Cord

A friend recently asked what kind of twine I use on my projects, so I pulled some of my favorites out of my stash to show you, and her. Sometimes it's just better to SEE, right!? I don't like "wimpy" when it comes to string and twine (or coffee! Ha!) ... and these have become some of my go-to's.

If I had to choose one absolute favorite, it would be the chocolate brown Natural Polished Brown Hemp cord (the one on the right, above). I use it on almost every holiday craft I make. It's masculine and country, and just perfect, in my opinion. The 100yd roll can be found in the beading section of Walmart (I've never seen it elsewhere), and usually priced at $4.99. I always have at least 1 spare roll in my stash.

I also really like the Elements Hemp Jewelry Cord (the one on the left, above). Not as rich of a color, but certainly country and rustic in all the right ways!

I keep the roll I'm currently using in a glass jar. I punch a hole in the canning lid and thread the cord through the hole, so I don't have to open the jar every time I want a piece for my project. The jar keeps the cord clean, tidy, and well, cute!

I also LOVE the Creative Impressions Twine Expressions. These are rolls of 500yds, so much larger than your average rolls of twine. The twine is wispy and frayed, and great for when I want a lighter embellishment. I love using this twine in several wraps around my project for a bit more "bulk". It also is available in other colors ... navy, dark green, and burgundy.

Similar to the brown hemp cords mentioned above, these rolls of Hemptique are a personal favorite as well. It comes in two different weights (10lb and 20lb). It threads easily through buttons, and maintains body -- it doesn't go all wimpy. I just recently purchased the 20lb black and grey rolls at Hobby Lobby and haven't had a chance to use them yet. But the 10lb natural white roll I've had in my stash for a good long while, and enjoy using it on my projects.

Hemptique cord also comes in other colors, too! I found these rolls at Home Goods last year for a couple of dollars.... of course, they had to be added to my stash!

I also really love using colored baker's twine on my projects. These are two of the rolls I own, in orange & white and a pretty turquoise blue & white. The brand of these are Divine Twine. I ordered these rolls from The Cat's Pajamas. I have pink & white and yellow & white that I use a lot in the spring, but most often I think I use the roll of black & white. And I use red & white to embellish orders from my Etsy shop.

So, those are a few of my favorites -- now, what are yours!? *grin*

Apple / Teacher Themed Thank You Gift (Video)

I put together a thank you gift for a friend, and filmed it for you. *grin*

If you're having trouble viewing the video here on my blog, you can check it out on my YouTube channel.

Happy Weekend!!

Happy Belated Birthday, Trini!

While Dad celebrates his birthday today, I should also mention that in August Trini celebrated her 18th birthday! She's a tiny little 8lb tortie, mostly toothless now, always looking for a warm body to hold down. Here she is with LittleMan, her favorite warm body. (She wasn't too keen on the camera's flash...)

18 years ... and many more to come!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Whoohoooo!!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!! Enjoy some birthday cake for us, too!!

Love, Anna & Alan, and all the farm critters

Pumpkin Butter

Here's a quick and easy card I made with my new Fruit/Veggie Toss background stamp, along with the Garden Fresh cling mount set.

I love that the set can be used to make so many cards, tags, and labels for fresh garden harvested goodies! And now it has a fun coordinating background stamp! Yay!

Bee in a Window Card (Video)

Good morning, and happy Labor Day! I did a little crafting last night and made a video! A simple Bee in a Window card, and it also goes with this month's Challenge Chicks theme, using Die Cuts. Watch if you'd like...

And, if you enjoyed my crafty goodies video last week, you might enjoy the follow-up video... yup, a few more goodies to share!

If you're having trouble viewing the videos here on my blog, you can check them out on my YouTube channel.

A Monday off work is the best Monday of all!

Have a great day!

 

Supplies
Stamp: Bee4Me Stamps and Dies (The Stamps of Life)
Ink: Memento Black
Dies: Lights4Christmas (The Stamps of Life), Fancy Frame (Sizzix)
Paper: The Paper Patch, The Stamps of Life, Neenah
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: Y36, Y34, PB144, R136
Other: tracing wheel, bakers twine, button (Stampin' Up!), Sprinkles! Glitter (The Stamps of Life), 2-Way Glue Pen, Tombo Mono Multi Glue

The Challenge Chicks: Die Cuts!

If you're a stamper and you like challenges, or you're new to the idea of challenges and want to give one a whirl, I invite you to participate with The Challenge Chicks! We're a small group of friends and stampers hosting monthly challenges. Won't you join us?!

Our challenge for September 2013 is being shared today!

This month's challenge is to use Die Cuts on your project! I chose to use several on this project to create a fun Christmas card with a bit of a country feel. First, I die cut a window on the front of my card using a framelit die from Sizzix. Then I created the light using the light background and light parts dies from The Stamps of Life. I "hung" the light across the window using hemp cord attached to the sides of the window with buttons. The sentiment banner is also a die cut that I added faux stitching to, and decorated with a cute brown button.

Now, get yourself a good dose of inspiration and check out the rest of The Challenge Chicks projects:

Diane Zechman
Lydia Fiedler
Jeanne Streiff
Kelli Hull
Kelly Schirmer
Anna Wight (that's me!)

And finally, you'll find this month's challenge gallery on SplitCoastStampers using keyword CHXSEP13 . We invite you to play along! Upload your project to your SplitCoastStampers gallery, add the keyword above, and your project will be automatically added to the gallery. Or join us on Facebook!

We look forward to seeing your projects!

 

Supplies
Stamp: Lights4Christmas (The Stamps of Life)
Ink: Memento Black, Stazon Black
Dies: Lights4Christmas (The Stamps of Life), Fancy Frame (Sizzix), Banners #2 (Sizzix)
Paper: Simple Stories, The Stamps of Life, Bazzil
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: CG1
Other: Tracing Wheel, Hemp Twine, Buttons