Love for a friend

Good Morning everyone!!!!
Well I thought maybe it was just in our area but I guess from all your comments it is just the internet that is being crazy!!! Thank goodness it isn't my computer! LOL

I started making this lamp for my friend who celebrated a birthday while I was in Big Bear but it is a bit more than that. She has had 4 or 5 surgeries on her back and is now not able to be out of bed too long as the pain is to much for her. I made this to celebrate her birthday and to help cheer her a bit when she looks at it. So on to the lamp!

I made the lamp shade first the way Thienly did with the wonderland lamp with one slight exception. I stamped swirls on the card stock vellum and used ultra fine clear embossing powder to add a bit of prettiness to the shade. Not that it really needed that as the paper  I used was Graphic 45's Secret Garden and that paper is just so pretty to begin with. I just wanted it to be extra special though.

Really you can't go wrong with Graphic 45 paper it is really really pretty and if you haven't listened to Leo's interview with the designer you need to. Go to SVG cuts and Listen to the interview on Cut the Craft. The designer tells you how Graphic 45 got its name as well and I learned a bit more about paper and making it.. and why their paper is so pretty. 
The shade comes from the Maison de Madeline kit and Thienly tells you just how to make it on the blog of SVG Cuts. I have made a couple of her things and I just love them. I have yet to get around to making stuff from the others but it isn't because I like Thienly's stuff more it is because I can't get my mind to shut up and stop creating things myself. One thing I will mention Thienly says to cut off the tabs on the sides and bottom of the shade but I think she meant to say trim them down otherwise there isn't anything for the bottom piece or the side to glue or double sided sticky tape to stick to.
 I set that aside and used the tall Apothecary bottle from Toil and Trouble kit  to make the base of the lamp. I took the accents and made them skinnier then set those in the middle of the bottles as if I were gluing them on but on the shape itself before I cut. That way there are cut outs. Then when back and cut transparencies at the regular accent pieces size for the "glass". I used the double sided sticky tape for gluing in the transparencies just like Thienly did for the lamp. Before I cut the top for the bottle I took a circle from the shape menu to make a whole in the top for my center piece form a foil or plastic wrap. That was another idea of Thienly's which I liked because who doesn't like to recycle??? I covered the roll with paper and glued that down to the center of the jar. I also drilled a hole in the top of the paper roll to put a small dowel I had left over from another project.. see I can't throw stuff like that away. LOL
Then after searching the house to find the pretty stones I had had and couldn't find I went to the dollar tree and bought some over in their flower section and they were the perfect color!! Can't beat that! On a whim I decided to look  in the toy section and found three little girls necklaces for a dollar a well! COOL BEANS!!!! 

Add some of the pretty stones to the bottom of the jar for weight but not to much as the paper weight can't hold to much. I took the one strand of beads and added it to the inside and pulled it up through the whole  in the lid and hooked it over the dowel.. oh I did paint the dowel to match the paper.  I hot glued that in place and glued the lid on the jar. Then just decorate the rest with the other beads and hot glue them in place as well. I did take off the connector as I thought it didn't look so pretty with it on.
 I made the shoe from Love Always kit and the purse form the new kit Luxury Handbags. I did make the a bit smaller but not much. I used my epiphany round 14 shape tool to make the little charms and paper from the same kit add some ribbon and pearls and you have yourself a lamp.. Be sure and pick it up from the bottom!!! I did hot glue the shoe to the side of the lamp but the purse I left separate so she could decide herself how she wanted it to look. No base on this one I did think about it but decided against it as I wanted the beauty of the lamp and shoe and purse to stand out more.
Well that is it y'all! As always I will post the links to the kits at the bottom here so you know just what kits I used and can get them yourself.. If you have any questions you have only to ask I would be happy to help you any way I can. Thanks so much for stopping by and having coffee with me. Happy Craftin Y'all! Blessing Sharalyn

 Supplies Used:
Stampin Up Card Stock Vellum
Graphic 45  Secret Garden Collection
Beads and pretty rocks from the Dollar Tree
Small 1/4 in dowel about 5 inch. long left over from another project
 Recycled Paper Roll from foil or plastic wrap
Lace from Joann's
Ribbon and button from my stash
Epiphany 14 round shape tool and Metal Charms to fit them.
SVG Kits Used:
Maison de Madeline SVG Kit 
Love Always SVG Kit
Toil and Trouble SVG Kit
Luxury Handbags SVG Kit

PS. I took my sketch book with me to Big Bear and I've got more to share as soon as I get them made. Stay tuned Y'all!

Things to come!!!

Hi Everyone!!!
Wow my blog has been silent for 15 days!!!! That is a record for me to be quiet! LOl
Truthfully we were in Big Bear taking a much needed vacation. We hadn't had one in over a year and we were starting to climb the walls. Well, not really but close!!!

Any hoo, I have gotten lots of new ideas while I was relaxing and I did take my sketch book with me just in case I did get some good ideas. One of the ones I am working on is a lamp with a very girlie flair to it! It will be for my girlfriend who just celebrated her birthday while I was on vacation. Mary's new girlie purse file gave me the idea. I have gotten the shade done and I am really happy with the way it turned out and I would share a sneak peak but I really want you to be wowed so I am not going to. I will say one of the files I am using is Maison de Madeline but I am sure you guest that...  I will tell you all the details when I get in all done but for now you have to wait as the paper is on the ups truck right now driving all over town before it gets to me. Ugh why am I on the last drop off????
I will say I made the lampshade using Thienly's design she used on the cute tea cup lamp she made. I did a little something different though and I am not telling what I did you'll have to wait and see. I am super excited about this and hoping it turns out better than the way I in-vision it to be so stay tuned I should have it done in a day or so...
Before I left I was working on a few cards for my mom and I can say that the wedding card is turning out really pretty. Again I am waiting on Ups to bring the final touches for the card but I used the frame-lets dress set from Stampin up and a tux from Silhouette and the base for the High Sky's card to make this. Also a really cute stamp set called Just Married from Stampin up as well.  It has been a little bit at a time as before we left I was doing a woman's retreat at church( helping others to make cards) and Packing then making these cards and one for my daughter and her husband for their anniversary yesterday and all the birthday cards for this month... Why do I wait till the last minute???? Anyone??????
 Anyway stay tuned I should have the lamp finished in a few days and the card will be all done on Monday when the brads from Graphic 45 should come and I can get it all done and sent off to my mom.
Check out the blog  on svg cuts for Thienly''s design on the wonderland lamp and that will give you an idea of the shape of the shade. There is a tiny deference in the shade but that was the shape I made.
I will include a link to a couple of the kits that I used the others will just have to be a secret for now... hehehe.
Luxury Handbags SVG Kit
Maison de Madeline SVG Kit
For those of you who are not famialr with Thienly.. here is a link for her projects.. they are pretty awesome!!!http://svgcuts.com/blog/designers/thienlys-corner/

All the designers are awesome have a look around and be sure and visit the store.. Thanks for stopping by. Have a super blessed Day and Happy Crafting Y'all!!!!  Blessings Sharalyn

Fun invite and Party favor Idea!!!

Hi Everyone,
I have been trying to catch up on house hold chores so I haven't crafted much these last couple of days. I am sure this has made my husband very happy. LOL

A few weeks ago I got this idea to make an invitation and party favor using the Picnic in the Park for the theme.  I shared the idea with a friend at church and she told me she had some cork don't go and buy it. I had already posted a request on where to find a few things. IE a pen that would work on chalk board paper and cork that was adhesive of course Elizabeth Kowal was quick to tell me where I could find some, Bless that lady!
I used the one my friend gave me but if I were to do a lot of them I would go get it from Michael's as Elizabeth suggested. As for the white pen my old standby the uni-ball white gel pen worked just fine.
I made the invite and then the little picnic  basket and shrunk it way down. The flower on the invite is from Picnic in the Park and if you have more time or the inclination to do so you could use the ants from Pandas Picnic Party. It would look pretty cute to have the ants dancing around, maybe wearing tiny crowns if it were for a kids party or party hats you could really have a ton of fun making them.
I added some buttons from Buttons Galore and a tiny clothes pin with some twine tied around the top like a they do with fingers for don't forget. The paper is from a new stack I got from Allscrapbooksteals.com  and is made by American Craft the paper stack is called Mayberry.. Mayberry don't you just love the name they have a couple others I love but I can't get those paper packs yet.. One is called Walnut Grove there are more you really need to check out their blog.. super cute papers for sure!!!
I added the chalk board label to the top of the basket with the menu on it and you could certainly do that to match your party menu. I added some red gingham ribbon because I love that stuff and then used some brads from my stash to match the paper colors. Volia!!! a cute party favor and invitation!   Why not make your own, it is a personal touch that will really impress!  Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy Craftin' Y'all! Blessings Sharalyn
SVG Kits and Collections Used:
Picnic In the Park SVG Kit
Simple Simon Squares Cuts

Possible SVG Kits and Collections to use:
Pandas Picnic Party SVG Collection

Cheryl's Cute Bugs SVG Kit

Opps forgot to say how I did the cork shape. Sorry. I used Simon Simple Square Cuts and cut a pattern then drew the shape onto the cork and cut it with scissors. I tired to see if it would cut on my machine and it was a bit to thick.

A Anniversary card and a Father's Day Card

Afternoon all,
 I wanted to share a couple of cards I made recently. I sent this to my dad for Father's Day and he loved it. Dad reminded me of a incident that happened when we were kids camping in Sequoia. Funny I had totally forgotten.

 I used Forest Country SVG Collection and The Camping at Fox Ridge SVG Collection to make this card. The Card base is a Stampin Up retired Color. I used the Bears and trees from Forest Country Collection. I embossed the trunks of the trees with cuttlebug Forest Branches emboss folder. I used a pen to make lines on the trees and a white gel pen to write Happy Fathers Day. The Raccoon is stealing the Bears roasted marshmallows, while dad sees his scared treed cubs. A small attempt at humor on my part. 

 
Here is another card  I saw a long time ago I think I even pinned it on pinterest.I loved this card but changed it a bit as I just didn't have some of that supplies they used. I did add some texture to the bottom by scoring it as I don't own a crimp-er.  It doesn't show well in the photo but it does when your looking at it. 

My mom had asked me to make a few cards for her and I think she'll be happy with this one. I love it but knew when I saw it it would cost me in pain big time.. It did. My mom will be happy with it and that is what matters to me. I have another I am working on and will post it as soon as I am done. The stamp set I have in mind for it hasn't arrived yet. It is a Stampin up set that is just too cute and perfect for what I have in mind. Plus I REALLY needed some wedding card stamp sets. I don't own any!
Have a really super day,thanks so much for stopping by and Happy  Crafting Y'all! Blessings, Sharalyn

SVG Kits and Collections Used:
Forest Counrty SVG Collection 
Camping at Fox Ridge SVG Collection

Supplies Used:
American Craft Card Stock, Coffee,Caramel, Chocolate, Evergreen, Slate, Black, White
American Craft Chalkboard Stickers, Mayberry Collection 
Stampin Up, Vanilla, Card Stock, Linen Thread, Anniversary Stamp, White Gel Pen, Bird Punch
Cuttlebug Forest Branches Emboss folder
Recollections Ivory Pearls 
Ivory Ribbon from Stash
Star Paper from Stash

 

NOT YOUR ORDINARY GINGERBREAD CHALET VILLIAGE!

Morning all
It is only 7:46 am and it is already 90 degrees. We've had a high heat warning as those temps are not usual for us here. We are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler here in the high desert. One other reason I live up here is that it does cool off at night up here, were as in the low desert (Palm Springs area) it does not. BUT its a dry heat! or so they tell me. LOL  It still saps the strength from you so I choose to live up here in Joshua Tree.

I have been working on a number of things. Cards for my mom and a couple of ideas I had but I told you I would have the idea for a different village and I just haven't had time to finish the idea but I will show you what I have so far and keep in mind I think it needs something more. 

Start with the Gingerbread Chalet Village and try not to think of it as only for Christmas. My thought was to show the gal who asked, that all of the kits and collections can be adapted to what you want or a close idea of it. Just sort of squint your eyes when your looking at it.  Like you do with your house imagine what it might look like if you changed a few things. In this case I changed the paper and turned the front around to be the back of the house. I used papers that made me think of the cabins in Big Bear and LOTS of them are fishing cabins. So that is the theme I went with. 

The paper pack I used is by Echo Park and is what they call a mini theme, called Grandpa's Tool Shed.  A lot of times the grandpas are the ones  that have time to take off and going fishing. 
 I  incorporated the Picnic in the Park collection by using the oars for the fishing boat and shrinking them down a lot. Placing the house pieces on my virtual mat, then placing the oar pieces next to them to size them correctly.  Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. Either way the pieces get used as they go into a box for the grand kids to use.  That way I get rid of my opps that isn't right stuff and they get to be creative at grandma's house.

I added the jute to the holes of the fishing cabin to
give it a more rustic look. I put the oars at the top after wrapping linen thread from Stampin  around them.The fish is from the Picnic in the park. I used a Colorbox brown ink pad to give it that aged look as well. 

I embossed the "frosting" with my Forest Branches emboss folder from Cuttlebug.  It did tear it a tiny bit but when I glued it down you could not tell.  I also used a dark brown ink to blot on the "frosting" as well.
 I used a tiny brad for the door knob so I could hang a Gone Fishing sign over it. On the back door, I used a metallic flat brad that is like gems but is metal from Hero Arts. I will included a picture of the back as well but like I said it isn't finished. I am not sure what it needs yet but I haven't had a moment to think about it as life has gotten busy again.  Maybe a sign over the front door like the Blurps or something like that. LOL

I do apologize to the gal that asked, for not getting your name. You had asked for a village that wasn't Christmas related. I hope this helps. I also thought it would be cute to do a English cottage.
Using different papers can do a lot to change the look. I hope this helps. Thank you so much for reading my blog, and Happy Crafting Y'all!
 Blessings Sharalyn

SVG Kits Used:
Gingerbread Chalet Village SVG Kit
Picnic In the Park SVG Kit

Supplies Used:
Echo Park, Mini Theme Collection Grandpa's Tool Shed
American Craft Card Stock, Caramel, Chocolate, Mint, Slate
Cuttlebug Forest Branches Emboss folder
Jute Twine
Stampin Up, Linen Thread
Hero Art Adhesive Nail 
Small Brad
Dark Brown Ink Pad
Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive