TIM HOLTZ 12 TAGS OF 2013

Well, I finally did it. . . I created my first tag as part of the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013. This is something that I have wanted to do for at least 6 months, but I just plain lacked the courage. . . sooooo this morning I bit the bullet and created the above tag. It was fun and I know that in the coming 11 months I will be learning a lot more techniques and LOL- needless to say I will also be adding quite a few new products in my craft room. Here are the products used: Broken China, Faded Jeans and Weathered Wood Distress Ink; Brushed Pewter Distress Stain; Snow Cap acrylic paint dabber; Snow Flurries & Snowman Sizzix Alterations embossing folders; Idea-ology Mirrored sheets; mini mister; Boundless Flight cling stamp; Heidi Swapp snowflake ghost shapes (snowflakes); and rhinestones. That's all for now . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

ALL MY BAGS ARE PACKED

A few weeks ago I was on Pinterest (LOL - like who isn't these days) and a photo of a suitcase caught my attention. As it was near my bedtime I posted the link to one of my Pinterest boards and off to bed I went. I never dreamed that the photo of the suitcase would haunt me for days . . . after I finished the current project I was working on (trying to keep that New Year's resolution I made) . . . I looked at the photo again, gathered up the supplies I needed (for once I didn't have to go out & buy anything-I had it all the supplies already - LOL) and went to work . . . here is what I made . . .

Who would have thought that an Altoids mint can could be turned into something so cute! It turned out to be a very quick and easy project. I will be giving this little suitcase to my engaged daughter with some "honeymoon" cash in it. When they return they can add the little fold out and place pictures from their honeymoon on it. The orginial little suitcase can be found here on Jocely's site, "It's All About Me" along with other uses she found for the suitcase . . . SUPPLIES USED: clean Altoids can; Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue paper; Staz On Ink pad - timber brown; Color Box Chalk Ink pad - Chestnut Roam; Tim Holtz mini brads - 2; glue; We R Memory Keepers 1/2" round corner chomper; and Making Memories Great Escape metal tag. Well, that's all for tonight . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

TALENTED FRIEND

I am very blessed to not only have kind, caring, witty and funny family and friends but these people in my life are also extremely talented . . . tonight I want to tell you a little bit about my sweet friend, Diana Higgins. . . the very creative Diana has been PUBLISHED and not in just any magazine but in the Somerset LIFE Jan/Feb/Mar 2013 issue. . .

The 4 page article is about Diana's love for "felted" wool and shows pictures of some of the felted hearts she created, along with suggestions on where you might use these "love tokens" (as she call them) . . . here are just a couple of pages from the article . . .

Over the years the lovely Diana has gifted me with a few of her felted creations . . .

Are they not BEAUTIFUL!!! . . . as I said I am very blessed to have this sweet lady call me friend! Well, that's all for tonight . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hug & Kisses . . . LindaB

LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL

Back on December 31st I participated (off & on) in a craft World Wide New Year's Eve 2012 Streamathon. The idea for this crafting streamathon was the brainchild of a few PITA Babes who get together online at the Paper Phenomenon web site . . . The co-ordinators for this event were Ozegran (Australia), Art Journey (UK-Europe), MusicScrp (Canada) and Mitzi (USA). . . it started at 11:30pm (Australian time) with Jen (Ozegram) teaching a 2013 monthly pocket planner and ended with Joycee (the Frugal Eclectic) in the US . . . during the 24 hour period various crafty people shared with us some wonderful techniques, held quizes on various crafty happenings around the world and held drawings for some wonderful prizes! The Queen even made an appearance and danced the "Gangnam" on the Art Journey (Lily's) Ustream!!!! Well you guessed, it I was one of the lucky winners of a prize during the time that Nicky (Inky Minxy-The Altered Zone) was streaming from England . . . Nicky was teaching how to do hand printing without a press by using a product called "Gelli Plate" and giving away four pendants she had made as prizes . . . here is a picture of what I won . . .

Nicky not only sent me (at her own expense) the beautiful pendant, but she included a ATC she made from one of the printings she had demonstrated!!!!! Even if I had not won a prize the Streamathon was a blast and I look forward to seeing it next year. If you are interested in seeing what it was about here is the link to recorded programs on Jen's blog . . . Well, that's all for now . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

DECEMBER HAPPENINGS IN JANUARY

Hi everyone . . . it looks like at last my dear hubby and I are finally done with our colds/coughs - YAY!!!! . . . as promised in my last post I said that I would be posting pictures of some of the projects that I made in December . . . sooooooo get a drink and some munchies as this is going to be a long post I think - LOL . . . let's begin with the items I made from my local scrapbook store, PSB, annual Christmas workshop. Kits were created by Karen, Deb, Kathy, Tracy and Christie . . .

A giant bottle cap ornament.

My granddaughter, Kyra, and I made these hot chocolate tubes as gifts for her teacher & the teacher aides.

A matted Santa drawing, taken from a calendar.

A JOY banner. During the month of December my LSS also hosted it's annual Christmas crop and ornament exchange. Here is the lovely shabby chic tin ornament I received that evening . . .

I also made that evening a mini 2013 desk calendar and a paper bag purse (I made more of the purses at home as they are great for putting gift cards in or candy or any kind of treat). I plan on posting (at a later date) a little tutorial on how to make these very easy gift purses.

Okay, only a couple of more pictures to go . . . During this busy month I also managed to take a couple of classes . . . the first class was held at PSB where I made these lovely Christmas Spool Lollies that were created by the talented Char Cundy . . .

The second class was held at a new scrapbook store in town, Chico Scrapbook. I made 5 christmas tags while using some Tim Holtz products and learning a few of his techniques . . .

Oh, I almost forgot . . . I also attended a crop at PSB on the very last Saturday of the year 2012 and I did this layout (pictures will be added one of these days, years _ LOL) . . .

Well that's it for this posting. I don't know about you but I am exhausted! So thanks for stopping by and visiting . . . until later . . . hugs & kisses . . . LindaB

HAPPY 2013

A belated HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! It's been a while since I have posted . . . husband and I have been passing a cold/cough back & forth and it apparently my turn again. As soon as I feel better I will be posting pics of some of the items I made during December. Soooooooooo, until next time - take your vitamins, drink lots of juice and get plenty of rest . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

DECEMBER 4

Today has been a very special day because . . . my hubby and I went to visit a very dear and special friend in our lives at Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael (between Roseville & Sacramento). Steven was at his doctor's last week for a follow-up appointment regarding his back surgery (he had the first of three of these operations on his back three weeks ago at UCSF)when during a routine stress test he began to have a heart attack . . . well he ended up having a triple by-pass on Friday!!!! He is out of ICU and expects to be going home on Monday. I marvel at what modern medicine can do now and can't wait to see what the future of medicine will be like . . . We are sooooooooo happy and feel very blessed that Steven will continue to be a part of our lives . . . Here is a picture of Steven with his new toy (oh by the way-Steven is a Catholic Priest) . . .

I volunteered to drive us home (hehehe-you know I had plans) and after I took hubby to a nice restaurant in Roseville for a late lunch, we then proceeded to the Michael's Superstore and the JoAnn's Superstore in Roseville. . . I don't know if it was because I still had to drive us home in the rain or because hubby was waiting in the car for me but I ended up only spending $2.00 on one little item. This is unheard of for me - I usually end up spending more than I planned or need (LOL) . . . Well, that's all for today . . . thanks for stopping by and until later . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

DECEMBER 3

Today is special because . . . we set up our Christmas tree . . .

The hubby and I decided this year not to set up our big tree, as it means doing MAJOR furniture rearranging in the living room! . . . soooooooo this year we are doing a table top Christmas tree. We were able to use the top and middle section of our pre-lite regular artificial tree and during the next week I will be adding our favorite decorations . . . hmmmmmmmm I wonder if I will be able to control myself and NOT put up every single ornament I own (hahaha) . . . I really love that special feeling you get when you sit in a dark room that is only lite by the lights on a Christmas tree . . . Well, that's all for now . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hug & Kisses . . . LindaB