Help [ME] Ronda

Happy Halloween

Today's post over at Lily Bee is a focus on Halloween using the Harvest Market line.  What i love about that line is even if you don't celebrate Halloween, you find so many great papers for just about any occasion.  I must confess however that the black licorice (Black polka dots) paper is my favorite.  You can never go wrong with polka dots.  I saw this hat at Michaels and just had to pick it up.  It's was too cute not to spook.  Then rolled in the assignment & i knew exactly what i was going to do.  The paper mache hat needed some texture so i glued some tissue paper to the conical shape and then painted the entire hat black.  I traced the brim onto the patterned paper and cut it out.  After gluing it on, i used some Maya road trim to complete the base of the hat and then added in the Lily Bee cardstock sticker pennants for some color.  The cloth flowers are Maya Road and the paper flower was made from Lily Bee's little 6x6 pack.  I punched the happy Halloween sticker and added it to a kraft tag.  The star at the top is a Maya road trinket pin colored in with copic markers and a little stickles to bling it up (are you proud of me Lisa?).  I love this Wicked Witch hat that now adorns my table.

Ghostly Love, it lingers on

Nearly Boo to You!

I have a couple halloween projects i wanted to share as we near the 31st day of October. These decorations are adorning my house this holiday.  I had lots of fun creating them and am hoping to really do more next year. 

I had fun creating this little wooden canvas using Maya road mists & some fabulous purple onion stamps.  The background was created using some book paper, The Crafter's workshop stencil Rustic Paint, and some molding paste.  I painted the background using Maya Mists.  I stamped the bats from Purple Onion's Halloween Flight Set and cut them out.  I used some glossy accents to give them a little texture. 

These cute little votives are so easy to make.  I cut out some vellum paper to wrap around the small votive glass candle holders.  I selected a couple purple onion stamps (Halloween Flight, Skull Set) and stamped them in a permanent black ink.  I then glued the vellum to the votives and added in various ribbons. 

One more halloween project tomorrow!

Laughter Captured

More Lily Bee & Elle's Studio love.  Such a great pairing.  Of course some Maya Road sneaked in there too.  I reall love the color combo here.  It feels warm just like the photos of my kids.  These two go from tight bonds of laughter to moments of angsts.  They are true siblings through thick & thin. 

Want to pick up your own Lily Bee & Elle's Studio?  Head to each blog for details and more inspiration. 

it's beginning to look a lot like

Fall?  Oh yes this is fall in Colorado and i totally love it.  We got quite a bit of snow last night and it's still going today.  it was 80F (27C) Monday and today snow.  I love the first snowfall of the year.  It's so beautiful and there is something so comforting about it.  Others may say "not yet, i'm not ready" but that isn't me.  Bring it on.  This snow will be gone by Friday.  I wish it would last longer but i can always drive up into the mountains to get my fix.  Here are few pics from today. 

Snow Much Love

Hello, is it me your looking for?

Lily Bee Designs has teamed up with Elle's Studio this week.  They work so well together and i had lots of fun working on this card.  The Memorandum line is one of my favorite releases that fit so beautiful with Elle's turquoise pieces.  To see more inspiration and to get your hands on Lily Bee & Elle's Studio, go to their blogs!

Complementary Love

Halloween ideas

This is Halloween

Halloween is approaching quickly.  I have been steadily collecting ideas on my pinterest board.  I especially love the steam-punk pumpkin.  I will be crafting this week trying to recreate some of these ideas.  I love the candles in the glass jars with the candy corn but i think i would put the candles in a second holder.  I wouldn't wan to waste the candy corn!  I cannot wait to tackle some of these projects!

Spooky Love

Take Time

I sometimes do to much.  Going Going Going.  I drop me off the to do list and it is my biggest struggle.  Especially these days when i feel like a single parent.  This layout is a reminder of how good it felt to take a day off.  It was an extra day in Minnesota after the Scrapfest Event with Caroline & Lisa.  It was a great relaxing day that made me realize i need to take time to just be.  Even if it is only 10 minutes a day.  I have been better at it since that day and it has done wonders for me. 

Another Farmer's Market kit creation from Cocoa Daisy.  I really love the warm colors in the kit.  Lots of hand stitching around the page.  I love to punch just part of a side using a border punch.  the little hearts around the page remind me it's important to love & take care of my self.

Love Me, Love You

When nothing goes right...

go left. 

I have seen that quote popping up here & there on Pinterest and just fell in love with it.  I love the positive thoughts behind it.  I love that there is a possiblity to redirect ourselves when we think all has gone wrong.  This happens a lot in creating.  Things just aren't working out the way you want them to.  You had this vision of the way the piece should be and it's failing.  What to do?  Some say just walk away.  But what if we stop, re-evaluated, and change directions? 

Enter in a card in the works for Lily Bee last week.  I had this idea of a fall wreath using diecut leaves.  I had this doily laying around that i had used as a mask that i thought would make a great little backdrop for the wreath.  I sprayed it a deeper blue and began layering the leaves.  It was ok but not quite the vision in my head.  

I plowed forward even though i wasn't feeling the piece.  I stitched down all the leaves.  I liked the wonky black stitching but wasn't sure how it was going to translate onto the card.   I said to myself just see where this leads you.

I even punched out the square sticker using a scalloped circle.  I layed it all out on the card background.  I pushed it around & around & around.  I changed out the background strips as well as the card base.  Sorry no pictures as i was completely frustrated.  I was ready to scrap the whole card, toss it & move on. 

and then...

a DEEP BREATH to relieve my frustration

and the quote popping in my head

"When nothing goes right, go left."

Going Left....

The doily just wasn't working with the colors or the look so i trimmed it off.  Awesome.  Now i have a beautiful sunflower.  The scallop wasn't working either in the center, so i trimmed it into a circle.  The black stitching look great but i needed to bring in a little more to balance the colors.  I am thankful i stopped, took a big breath, and went a different direction.  Now the card looks complete and something i totally love.

Nov. Sneak Peek: B&B

Cocoa Daisy has done it again. Another kit that i totally love.  It ranks in my top ten list!  And just in time for the FALL CROP (Nov 11- Nov 13).  Coincidence.....maybe ;)  The kit is filled with all kinds of great manufactures and the color palette is heavenly.  Here's a look at Bed & Breakfast.

Bed & Breakfast

Wicker & Wine

Homespun Plum

Country Store

Did you notice Julie's 6x6 The Crafter's Workshop stencil?  One in every kit!  And for all you stamp subscribers, did you see the new stamps?  A Dresden plate, Wine Label, and Grungy Grid all for just $11 a month + shipping.  I am so happy i have my reservations for the B&B.  I have a feeling this kit won't be around long!

Cozy Love

long ago

While searching through old photos the other day, this picture fell out of one of many boxes (34 to be exact).  It seemed oddly perfect timing as i professed last week the pull to draw again.  I believe i was 10 in this photo.  It was around Christmas 1981.  Can you tell by the fly away bangs or my sister Sandra's jersey shirt?  We had a very meager lifestyle growing up.  When there are 9 people (sometimes 10 & 11) in a house, any item other than food is a luxury.  We were blessed with items here and there which made us appreciate the gifts so much more.  This Christmas present was exactly one of those times.  I absolutely loved this present.  It's one that still sticks with me even now.  Watercolor, crayons, markers, and poster paint???  I hit the jackpot with the Crayola Caddy.  And how sweet is it that my sister Sandra is showing me how to draw.  We were the ones who shared a love for art.  Even now we are constantly sharing our pieces with each other, wanting to have time to "play" together.  I am so happy this photo found me.  I cannot wait to scrap it. 

Polaroid Love