Before and After Table

Here's another fun project I have been working on.  I've had this little table for YEARS.  I was thinking about getting rid of it, but it is the perfect size that fits over my heater and hold my laundry basket when it's not in use.  So one day instead of getting rid of it, I decided to give it a much needed make-over.  It turned out really nice and was really easy to do.  I love home-made chalk paint and Java Gel Stain by General Finishes.  Have I mentioned that I redid an entire kitchen with Java Gel Stain.  It turned out amazing.  Love that stuff.  Anyway....here are my before and after pictures.   Not bad for a total of about $10.  

Building Memories Layout

 

 

Scrapping Bug Designs offered this cute little bear as a while ago and I loved him so much that I had to play with him today.  He turned out so cute that I decided I needed to make a girl version of him too.  Both wouldn't fit on the layout so I made a peaking girl to go on the top.  I have the world's most amazing husband.  He is truly a Mr. Fix it kind of guy.  Everything from flower beds, to a cabin remodel, to fixing my daughter's hair.  He does it all and never complains.  I am very fortunate to have such an amazing husband and I love him very much.  So I wanted to create this page about all the work he does for our family so that I never forget what a blessing it is to have him as my husband.  I love you honey and thanks for all you do!

The sun is from the Doodlebug cartridge
The truck is from a cartridge too, but I can't remember which one as I cut it a while ago
and the ladybug is a Little Scraps of Heaven file modified by me to make him forward facing.
Hope you enjoy and have a good day!

I'm entering it into the challenge here:
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/10/pile-it-on-43-create-scene.html creat a scene
http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/2014/10/ptt-challenge-187-anything-goes-theme.html anything goes
http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.com/2014/10/ttcrd-anything-goes-oct-27th-nov3rd.html  anything goes

Haunt Letters

This was such a fun project.  Last week I found this fun local store that sells all types of these projects for the different holidays.  It's was a blast to go look around.  I bought this one and one other set on clearance and even made a wish list.  LOL.  I think it turned out fun. 

http://pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/saturday-challenge-88-harvest-or.html Halloween
http://redcarpetstudiochallenge.blogspot.com/2014/10/rcs-81-haunted-mansion.html Haunted Mansion
http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/2014/10/challenge-187purple-orange-plus-one.html
purple, orange, and black
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/10/oct-15th-texture.html texture
http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/2014/10/purple-orange-lime-green-black.html die cut and purple, orange, green and black
http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/2014/10/spooky-fun-challenge-here-at.html spooky fun
http://littlescrappieces.blogspot.com/2014/10/show-it-off-saturday-linky-party-and.html  link party
http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.com/2014/10/mid-post-halloween-or-orange-challenge.html halloween

Cheers Layout Mazatlan Mexico

I started working on my cruise picture layouts and decided that these pictures of us eating and drinking on the beach would be perfect for a couple of challenges.  My daughter and I were doing a "cheers" clink because it was our first soda since we started our cruise.  We were so missing our favorite drink and did you know they don't sell Mt. Dew in Mexico?  Not even in any of the stores?  Strange.  Our soda tasted watered down but it was better than nothing!  LOL.   So here's my layout for these challenges.

http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/2014/09/challenge-153-sweet-treats.html - sweet treats
http://useyourstuff.blogspot.com/2014/09/challange-155-food-or-drink.html - food or drink
http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/2014/09/challenge-185-anything-goes.html - anything goes
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/2014/09/tuesday-throwdown-215-opposites-attract.html - opposites attract

Chalk Paint Dresser

I bought a really pretty old antique buffet/dresser a couple of weeks ago with the intent of using chalk paint on it.  I had redone some chairs at our cabin (you can see the turqoise a little in the bottom picture background) and wanted to do this pretty dresser.  So....I decided to do a "test" antique dresser in red.  I am loving how this turned out. I am sold on chalk paint.  I did my chairs and now this dresser and can't wait to do do the other buffet that I bought.   I finished the top with General Finishes Java Gel Stain which is also amazing stuff.  I refinished an entire kitchen full of cabinets (look close at the 4th picture - cabinets) with it and they turned out amazing.  I guess that's why I haven't been scrapping....I've been refinishing furniture, remodeling a cabin, and refinishing an entire kitchen.  Yes....that ugly carpet is going....but not until I get my new backsplash tile in!  

Old dresser converted to paper storage and drawers to home decor

 I haven't blogged for a while or really crafted that much really but let me show you a project that we did do (besides redoing an entire kitchen worth of cabinets which turned out lovely.)   We had a OLD dresser at our house that was headed to the thrift store (which I might add is where it came from originally.  It was ugly, brown, and had hideous red knobs.  A white coat of paint and cute flower knobs and it was a cute dresser in my daughters room.)  Fast forward a few years and said daughter no longer wants this type of dresser.  She wants a long one that she can put a mirror on and do her makeup at.  So ..... out with the old.  So this poor lonely dresser was sitting in the shop waiting to go to the thrift store.  In the meantime, my scrapping room needed more storage.  I looked all over including online for 12x12 paper storage and just couldn't find what I wanted at a price I was willing to spend.  Then I have a brilliant idea.  "Hubby....can you make this dresser into a type of bookcase for me?"  He looks at it and says, "It shouldn't be that hard.  So yeah....why?"  And this is the end result.  From old dresser to paper storage.  I LOVE it!  It's perfect.  Bottom shelf holds 8.5x11 paper and top two shelves hold 12x12.  Sadly, it didn't fit ALL my paper....hoarder alert possibly???   Who me?  Never.... Anyway, dear hubby is loading up the drawers to put in the garbage and I say, "Hey, don't do that, I can use those."  He looks at me like I'm from mars but leaves them in a pile outside.  A few days later, I retrieve one and my home decor project is born.  Love it!  So one old dresser has new been saved twice by me.  :-)  Lovin' it!

Rexburg Rapids Layout

Here's another layout that I used my left over cuts from Treasure Box Designs....Just Chillin set.  I love these little guys.  One of my all time favorite pieces of paper is also the top and bottom border pieces.  For some reason I just love the color combo of this paper and wish I had more of it but alas, I am down to my scraps.....still looks good though!

http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/2014/04/ch55-favourite-colour-combo.html hot pink is my favorite color
http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-166-sweets.html sweets oranges yum

Hooked on U Layout

Isn't this a fun layout.  I think the little bear from the At the Lake collection from Designs on Cloud 9 is still one of my all time favorite files.  He's so cute and easy to cute and assemble.  I'm lovin' him.  The Hooked on U title is from Treasure Box Designs, the caterpillar is Lettering Delights and the grasshopper is Miss Kate's Cuttables.  

Challenges:

http://4craftychicks.blogspot.com/2014/04/4-cc-191-embossing.html rock, branch, and grass are embossed

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-129-anything-goes.html anything goes

http://pinandtack.blogspot.com/2014/03/craft-it-up-with-pin-tack-arts-crafts.html texture rock, grass, branch

http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-162-earth-day-challenge-use.html fish is recycled from an old project

Cute as a Bunny Layout

I love it when I can get lots of pictures on a two page layout.  Sure makes better use of my scrap-booking time.  These are last years Easter pictures.  I decided I had better get them done before having to do this years!  LOL.  I am entering it into these challenges:

http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2014/04/lm-187-easter-hunts-are-on.html Easter

http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2014/04/dlart-april-linky-challenge.html bunny challenge
http://littlescrappieces.blogspot.com/2014/04/happy-easter-and-show-it-off-saturday_19.html Easter
http://creativecuttingchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-32-spring.html spring

Christmas Morning Layout

 

 

I love these little mice.  They are a Little Scraps of Heaven file and are so cute.  The others are Miss Kate's Cuttables.  Love her files too.   Not quite sure why this pictures turned out so dark but.....I am entering it into this challenge.

http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2014/04/challenge-89-earn-your-stripess.html stripes

Bee Card

I had these cute little bees and decided to put them on these cute little cards.  I think it looks cute.  Inside I can put Will you bee mine, or Happbee birthday, Happbee St. Patricks Day or Just beecause.  I love versatile cards that I can grab when I need one in a hurry.  Fun fun.

http://pinandtack.blogspot.com/2014/03/craft-it-up-with-pin-tack-arts-crafts.html texture

Valentine's Drink and Fire Hydrant Card

My daughter came home and wanted to decorate a boy's truck for Valentine's Day.  She's going to put hearts all over his truck and I suggested she give him a pop too.  Since sitting a plain pop inside a truck isn't all that cute, I decided to spice it up a bit.  I liked it so much, I added them to my families gifts, made one for my son's teacher (and can I say cute little gift's for a male teacher is HARD! LOL) and then made another one for my BIL who got divorced a couple of years ago so he's alone this Valentine's Day.  Since we can't have alone on Valentine's Day, he gets one with this little hydrant card I made the other day.  Cute, simple, inexpensive and says, "We are thinking of you."

http://www.reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2014/02/rrr-challenge-89-one-for-boys-ribbon-or.html one for the boys
http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/2014/02/valentines-day-challenge-38.html  Valentine's Day

Turtley Fun Layout

Ok....I'm trying to use my leftovers again.... my theme for the year so far!  LOL.  These little turtles I believe were an  SVGCuts freebie file and I cut them over a year ago.  I used a few of them, but as you know when I cut, I try to cut as many as fit on my scrap paper.  So I often have left over cuts.  These little guys have been handing out for a while so I decided to use them on this layout.  When the cuts are made, it also makes the page come together faster!  Anyway, it's turtley awesome to get them used!

http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-153-love-your-pet-day.html pet

http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/2014/02/monday-challenge-127-fun-with-puns.html fun with puns - turtley fun title

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/02/pile-it-on-7-sentiment-as-focus.html sentiment as focus

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/2014/02/sos-138-oh-shiny.html shiny - I used glossy accents on the title (and if you look close, I had an explosion and it got all over the pictures on the right....sigh...So I have more glossy accents than I originally intended! LOL)

Wedding Presents Card

I've wanted to create one of these popup presents/cake cards for a while but never had an occasion.   Well my niece got married and so I decided to give it a try!  I love how it turned out.  It was really thick though so I was glad that I wasn't mailing it!  LOL.  I hope she enjoys it.  I can't remember who shared the bride and groom file so if it's yours, please let me know and I'll give you credit.  It cut really nice even fairly small.  A cute front to this card anyway. At HIMCR they are doing a challenge this week and the winner gets DCWV paper which I happen to love, which by the way, this card is made from so I am going to enter it into their challenge.  One can never have too much wonderful paper and DCWV cuts so nicely.  Anyway, here's my entry and I happen to find a couple more challenges to complete with it.  Love that.   I may have to make something else too.   We'll see if I have enough time.  The challenge was to use at least 3 different kinds of paper.  The inside of this card has 4 alone plus the outside has 2 more patterned sheets so a total of 6.  Lovin' it!  The other challenges have their requirements listed next to their challenge so you can see how I incorporated theirs into my design too.  It feels good to be back crafting again.  I've missed it.  :-)  It makes me smile to create fun things and hopefully those that receive them smile too.

hidinginmycraftroom.com designer paper times 3
http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/2014/02/sos-139-embellish-me.html embellish me - 1st time using washi tape on the presents - such fun!
http://www.fridaymashup.com/2014/02/fm147-averys-feeling-spritzy.html sketch challenge
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2014/02/bling-it-bling-bling.html bling it - glitter and washi tape
http://www.challenges.papercraftingmagic.com/first-challenge/ spring colors

I Love You With All My Heart Card

Each year I make my husband a Valentine's Day Card.  It is usually a little "spicier" than this but I couldn't think of a new original idea this year.  So, I dug through my files and made this one.  I don't remember who shared the original template, but this is my version of it.  Even it it isn't "spicy" it does say I love you and that's what Valentines' Day is about..... right?  LOL.  

http://morethanfavors.blogspot.com/2014/02/wacky-wednesday-84-valentines-day-theme.html?m=0 Valentine's

http://redcarpetstudiochallenge.blogspot.com/2014/02/rcs-63-love-actually.html love

http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-102-color-challenge.html red

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/02/pile-it-on-6-stripes-andor-dots-dt-call.html stripes and or dots - striped heart - embossed for dots

http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-38-anything-goes.html anything goes

http://cardz4guyz.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/truly-madly-deeplychallenge-4.html spots & stripes\

Hugs to You Box

Isn't this fun.  I made these to give to my Mom and my Grandma who are alone on Valentine's Day.  I think they turned out cute.  The little turtles are actually left over cuts from a couple of years ago.  They were too big for my layout and I never got around to using them.  They are a perfect fit for these boxes.  I then used paper left over from other projects and voila.... cute little boxes.  The box is actually a Scrapping Bug Designs file and I think the turtle is a Precious Piecing's file.  So fun.  I like the nontraditional colors of the paper for this Valentine's project too.   I hope they like them.  I bought chocolate covered pomegranates to put in them.  Yum!

http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2014/02/himcr-136-super-scraps-saturday.html scraps - turtle and paper
http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/2014/02/monday-challenge-126-sketch-challenge.html kinda interesting using a sketch challenge on a box!
http://www.stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/2014/02/die-cut-challenge-something-sweet.html something sweet - box for chocolate pomegranates
http://cardztv.blogspot.com/2014/02/cardz-tv-3-d-valentine-challenge-1.html 3d project for Valentine's Day
http://scrappymoms-stamps.blogspot.com/2014/02/terrific-tuesday-challenge-love-is-in.html love is in the air
http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-152-non-traditional.html non traditional colors

I deerly love you layout

Here is a fun love project!  I decided that these cute little deer needed to be on a deerly love you layout.   Now I just need to add pictures of those that I "dearly" love.  Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.


http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/2014/01/ch-52-show-us-your-new-stash.html new stash
http://littlescrappieces.blogspot.com/2014/02/linky-party-happy-valentines-day.html Valentine's
http://open-mindedcraftingfun.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-3-show-some-love.html show some love
http://pinandtack.blogspot.com/2014/02/craft-it-up-with-pin-tack-arts-crafts.html hearts
http://creativecuttingchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-27-love.html love
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-102-color-challenge.html red or pink
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2014/02/lm-177-color-challenge.html red or pink
http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/2014/02/what-i-like-about-you-for-my-valentine.html red, pink, & heart
http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-156-love.html love

Just Keep Swimming Layout

This is what I do while my family watches the super bowl!  LOL.  This layout was so fun.  The title and fish are from Miss Kate's Cuttables.  The little crab is a Little Scraps of Heaven Designs files and I can't remember where the flamingos came from.  All except the title are old cuts left over from past projects.  Love it when I can use my leftovers and have it turn out so cute.  I also am loving getting back into a few challenges to get me motivated to get some photos done!  I'm so behind!

http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2014/02/himcr-135-i-blue-without-you.html use blue
http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.ca/2014/01/sos-136-cabin-fever.html something outdoorsy - fish
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/2014/02/lm-176-will-you-see-your-shadow.html winter or spring so I did our spring swimming lessons cuz I hate summer swimming lessons!  LOL.
http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/2014/02/challenge-38-anything-goes.html anything goes
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.com/2014/01/4ccc-179-anything-goes-and-crazy-egg.html anything goes
http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.com/2014/01/challenge-73-die-cuts-andor-punches.html die cuts

Valentine's Gift Treat Bags

Every year I make my hubby and kids Valentine's gifts.  The other day I realized that it's fast approaching and I hadn't made anything so I decided I'd better get busy.  I found these cute little cookies and cream hearts at the dollar store and bought them along with some exploding packets that contain a balloon that puffs up when it's hit.  I've never seen anything like that before so I had to buy those just for the novelty of them.  So I came home and made these cute little gift bags for part of their Valentine's gifts. I think they are cute!  I actually used a leftover lamb on one of them from a layout I did 2 years ago and just had it left over.  I love using a left over and having it look so cute!  That's always a bonus!  LOL.

http://4craftychicks.blogspot.com/2014/01/4ccc-179-anything-goes-and-crazy-egg.html anything goes
http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/2014/01/himcr-134-for-loved-one_25.html for a loved one
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/2014/01/emboss-that.html dry embossing - lion and lamb
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2014/01/weekly-challenge-anything-but-card-love.html love
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/01/pile-it-on-4-animals.html animals

Snow Bunny and Snowman Card

Well, it's been a few months since I scrap booked and to be honest, I haven't done a whole lot in the last year.  It's been nice to actually create something again.  Here's a fun little card that I made using some of my Christmas stash!  I love the little bunny and pink as a winter color.  The little bunny is from a KaDoodle Bug Designs set that has been retired.  I think she's so cute though.  One of the reasons I haven't been scrapping lately is I haven't found a "reader" that I like since google reader shut down.  I know a lot of people switched to bloglovin, but I don't like that I can't search the listings.  I like to search for the current challenges and haven't found one that will search the title AND the content.   Has anyone found a reader that you can actually do a search like that on?  Sometimes it's nice to search by a topic in a the list and I haven't found one that will do that yet.  Very sad....  If you've found one you love, please let me know.  I've tried 3 or 4 and none of them have a search function that will search the content and the title.  Sigh....  Anyway, I've missed the motivation that the challenges give me and so I tried searching the blogs I follow the hard way to see what challenges were going on.  I found several but boy, it took a long time.  Since I went to all that work, I'm entering it into these challenges!  LOL.  Please share if you've found a good reader....I'm getting desperate around here!  :-)


http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/2014/01/challenge-150-winter-fun.html
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2014/01/challenge-100-sketch.html
http://cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com/2014/01/fccb-challenge-195.html
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2014/01/its-all-new.html
http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/2014/01/craft-tell-your-hearts-content.html
http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com/2014/01/fccb-challenge-194-use-snowman.html
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2014/01/dlart-thankful-thursday-january-linky.html
http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/2013/12/januarys-just-because-linky-party.html
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/01/pile-it-on-4-animals.html