Workin On Holiday Ornaments Today!

Back n forth, back n forth and it is only the beginning of the season. Started playing around with some rounds today.

This one is waiting for a little more glue to connect it with. Some how, the one time I am trying to finish something, I run out of glue sticks. Arrrrrrggggghhhh. Any who, last year I had purchased the Martha Stewart tool that makes all of the folds the perfect distance apart. You just run down the lines with a bone folder and you have the perfect fold. Around the edge I used the crepe paper and glitter look. I have been looking at many antique ornaments and I can't believe how many incorporate paper or are totally made of paper.

I better be off. Need to get some sleep before I take a trip to find glue sticks Friday!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!!!!

What I Saw Out My Window Today

Have you ever looked out your window and saw nothing but then that something special is there for you to see?

Well this is the little guy I ran into. No I am not really sure if it is a guy or a gal, but I know this, it is TOTALLY AWESOME! It is amazing that a bug can look like a stick and act like a stick, but is really just a bug. Now mind you, these are not a dime a dozen. They are not like the horrific "sketers" we have had flying around. No these bugs are true head turners. I have only seen a few in my life but I do enjoy it every time I do.

I do wonder, do these stick bugs have body image issues? Do they see the reflection in the windows that they climb and wonder..."am I too fat"? Well either way I am sure that I see a lovely creature that I hope I run into again.

So what did you see out your window today? Or did you take a minute to look? If you didn't it must be at the top of your list. You never know what you will see. Today a stick bug tomorrow the man of your dreams....but don't hold your breath for either of them....lol!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!!!!

HOW ABOUT A MIRROR FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES ROOM

So I was asked by my Logan if I could put a mirror in his room that he could see into. At 5 he is to short to see his pretty little face in any of the other ones. So I grabbed this plain little mirror and made it a little more my house friendly.

I started by layering a bunch of different papers (vintage ones) with Mod Podge. Then covered the entire thing with pattern making papers for the perfect tan background.

Then as I do many days of the week, I hooped over to the Graphics Fairy and collected a bunch of Vintage Flash card images and got to work. I printed them in all different sizes. I cut them out, inked all of the edges and adhered them with more Mod Podge. I also went over the top of the images with the Mod Podge to seal it.

I finished it all off with some great Gaffer Tape from my site and there you are. A great little project that you can make your own in no time. Find you favorite graphics and have at it. Decorate a little spot in your house that you had not thought of adding anything to~!

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EASTER EGGS MADE WITH LAST YEARS NAPKINS!

So I was getting out all of my decorations a couple of weekends ago for the upcoming Easter Holiday. As I was going into the box I ran into some of last years napkins from my turn hosting the big dinner. I must have loved the pics on them and kept them for the same reason I collect scrapbooking papers. Then I had a idea...I ran out to the store and picked up some plastic eggs, large ones. And then it was magic time. You all know how much I love to create but different things like this REALLY make me happy to create.

I started by gluing the plastic egg together. I mixed a bit of water with Mod Podge to thin it out and add pieces of the napkins in it. Now, if the colors of the eggs are dark you may need to either paint them lighter or add a extra layer of white napkin. I tore apart the napkins and used just the top layer on some chipboard eggs. But you really do need to layer it on the plastic ones.

The last step after they dried was to, yes you guessed it, GLIMMER MIST!!!!! I could not help myself. And it really made a great shine to them. I hope you like all of the pictures. Please let me know if you have any questions and by all means leave me a comment. Oh, and just a thought, I used napkins with pretty pictures, what do you have lying around? It might surprise you!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

This is for sure a girl holiday. The great day of love many refer to as Valentine's Day is truly just a excuse for us to use PINK. I love pink and all of the fun that goes along with it. Here is my daily dose of pink for this time of year. And here is how I made it....

• Start with a 5 x 5 base card(5x10 before folded)
• 4 Similar papers that are 2 1/4 x 2 1/4
• Edge them each with Metallic Gold and round one corner
• Layered nesting hearts on chipboard and more Metallic on edges
• Tape runner embellishment to card and add words

As far as the letters I used for love. They are foam stickers that where black but I wanted them to blend in a little more to the color scheme. So out came my trusty paints and everything matches beautifully!

Now as far as this little toss in. It was 2:00pm eastern time and the house was VERY, VERY FREE OF SOUND. This is not normal when all four of them are home from school. So I looked around downstairs and there was no one. I made my way up stairs and still no sounds. Until I opened our bedroom door and all of my little friends, along with their pillows, where watching a movie together. WOW this is the kind of stuff pictures are made of. So I grabbed the camera to mark this moment in history. And this is what I am thankful for today!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

THE DAY OF LOVE IS ON THE WAY!

Starting with 7 Gypsies products are a full prof way to make a project come out right. Adding in some of the fun little products I make is just a bonus for me. This is one of the album/book covers that I carry at BRAMBLEBERRY LANE from 7 Gypsies. And yes they aren't just for creating a album with. Instead, I turned it into a wall hanging to decorate for Valentine's Day. This was so simple and I think came out great.

I started by wrapping the one edge with the alphabet gaffers tape. Next I punched a hole in the top 1/2" in from the edge on both sides. Then it is time to layer. I added this great girl.

I used two so I could change the shape of the arm by cutting it out of the second one and layering it back in with brads. I added Crackle and Liquid glass to give it some shine by following the pre- printed markings on the book cover. Next I layered a basket and the heart. I finished up with the wording and the glitter. And lets not forget the darn cute ribbon with the white pom poms on it to hang it with.

I think it came out with that old vintage look that I was looking for. I hope you all enjoy and this will inspire you to ....

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WHAT'S NEW FOR THE NEW YEAR?

Oh how I LOVE PAPER! I know, I know, it is not real and I am not supposed to love it. But don't hate me but I do. So I am looking to bring these papers into every corner of my life and give you all ideas on how to do the same.

I made these for some of the gals in my life for Christmas. In fact once I started, I just couldn't stop. They are made with some of the vintage papers that I carry at Brambleberry Lane. I have many that are made and ready to be ordered. There is a fabulous one made from a vintage book that my daughter picked up for me at a antique store.

Then there is the music one that my parents ran into some old music sheets down south last winter.

Then there is the big bangle that I made out of some great 7 Gypsies paper I had in my stash of fun. They are all top coated so they can be worn for any fun and funky event. I will list the pictures of the ones I made for my sister and her girls once I get pictures. The black origami paper that I used for hers is FABULOUS.

Next are my many Fleur de Li's sticker sets in many fun and bright colors. I am chomping my way from one paper to another to find something for everyone!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

HANDMAKING CHRISTMAS!

Well I was thinking, and I figured I should start showing everyone some of the handmade items that I have created for this holiday season. As many of you know, I have totally branched out from just scrapbooking with the beautiful papers that I have in my stash. No matter if it is a stack of vintage music books or some great new Cosmo paper, I am trying to use it rather then stash it. So lets start with this years Kitchen Tree. I try to make this something new and fun every year. And if it is a crazy year I resort to using a bunch of my antique cookie cutters to adorn it.



This year I have used my die cutting fun to create some great ornaments that could have been around 50 years ago. I have been sorting all of the different ideas I have seen and kept running into past holidays that paper ornaments where used. So I pulled out some of my "fine" glitter. This is so easy to do with any die cutting system that you have. Or drop me a line and I can get you some of these fun shapes. So I cut them and lined with a little glue so you could still see to the old music sheets once the glitter and glue dried. And that was it. I added a couple of Candy Canes and there you are. A Kitchen Christmas tree that makes people say..." you made all of those ornaments yourself?" I love answering yes to that question.

So tonight's homework is to create something for your holiday home this year. You will really enjoy making and decorating with your own handmade ornaments!

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THEY ARE ARRIVING TODAY!

Picture courtesy the 7 Gypsies website

I am totally on board with paper products and there incredible colors and patterns turning into home dec. And here is a great way to jump into the big pond of not only decorating but trying your hand at ATC's while you are at it. This 4 x 6 printers tray from 7 Gypsies will be dropped of at the door step of Brambleberry Lane today. The top picture is a example of what you can do with this great little printers tray. I have been working on my squares so as soon as it gets here I can drop them right in and hang them up.

I am starting with a Holiday theme. Lets face it, I can't think about anything else but the holidays upon us. So this will be perfect. Lets talk about it being a great gift. I know that you have a ton of paper out there just sitting in your stash waiting to be used. Well here you go. You will just need to create a few cute little box's and add pictures, (with embellishments of course) and you have a great gift for under $20 bucks. Now that is a great idea.

I will post my first done one once they arrive!

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(I know I will!)

WHY WON'T THE PRETTY BIRDS LET ME HUG THEM?

So the back of our land borders a very large pond. Many animals visit us at different times of the year just because of the water. Now it is the turn of the Geese to make their way south by stopping off here at Brambleberry Lane. The only problem with this is every time I go to take their picture they take off on me. And there is not just a couple. On a slow day there is a minimum of 1000 geese at any given time just floating along. In the evening they drop from the sky in droves and the sound could make you loose your hearing it is so loud out there. But we love to watch them every year.


They fly so low over our home and our Choc. Lab is not happy with that fact at all.



It may be a little hard to see here, but this is me getting to close to them this morning and the entire pond lifting off and taking flight. I am not going to hurt them but they won't let me get close enough to tell them that. Growing up I could never understand why the wild animals that lived around our house in the woods didn't want me to hug them. And yes, here in my 30's I am still wondering the same thing. They are so beautiful and all of the animals that travel our back yard are a joy. Well, that is, except for the FOX FAMILY, they can just keep moving on!

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ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY...He Asked Me to Marry Him!

As we all know, woman remember things in a different way. A more accurate way. We know the dates and times that life changing things happen to us. What we where wearing as well as the exact words that other person said are just a few of the details that never escape our minds. I have a problem with memories...I remember it all! It drives people crazy, especially my father. I hear the tone in his voice of wonder how I still can pull up a memory for such a little thing. But today I recall the day Patrick asked me to marry him. Well what he really said was...would you be my wife? It was like it was just yesterday. I can still see the vein in his neck popping and the blood draining from his face. I never saw this man so scared....no scratch that. When I walked up to him to get married he looked at me, instead of saying your beautiful, which I was. He said, "HOLD MY HAND NOW"! Yup, that was the most scared I had ever seen him. Any who, we went to dinner and he refused to sit where I wanted to sit, weird number 1. Then he kept snapping at me all night, weird number 2. Next he would light and then blow out every candle in the house, weird number 3. Then finally he kept pushing me away and walking away from me because he thought I would feel the ring in his pocket. That was weird number 4.

Well of course I said yes. How could I not. I had been dreaming of marrying this man since I was 5. But do you think he remembers what today is? I wonder. I wonder if it all ever crosses his mind like it does mine. Now I am not saying I want him to think about it when he is working on electricity. That is not the shock I would like. But what about when he is driving or having his lunch? Well I remember and I am thankful enough for the both of us!

So any who, here are a bunch of stickers that are new at Brambleberry Lane. I have this new 1 1/4" scalloped punch. It let's me add some more great papers that are out there. I hope you like them all!

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WHO STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JAR?

So these are the cookie holders I am making for the Christmas Season Cookie Swap. Any cookie will taste better in this container. What a simple project that make a big statement. And here is what you will need...

We Wish you a Merry Christmas paper set

A paint can unused or even a small box

Ribbon

Fibers

Trim w/ beads

This is so simple. Just cover the can with the paper. Take the ornament paper and cut out the shapes. Next assemble by layering them at different lengths of ribbon. After that I wrapped around the beaded ribbon and finished it off with a bit of white fibers to give it more of a dramatic look.

If you want to step it up you can add a crackle medium or some other time of Liquid glass to give it that old ornament feel. I added the Liquid glass to the dots and other areas and it turned out great.

This is another easy project that you don't have to spend a ton of money to create yet you are giving a really beautiful gift from the heart. Let me know how yours turns out!

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SNOWFLAKE BOX AND CHRISTMAS CARD

Well here I go again with one of my new favorite things to use when creating. I have a tone of clothing patterns. When you look at things for a different use it can really turn out great. Many times with backgrounds it is very hard to find just he right paper. Especially for someone that loves to use tans, ivory, and cream and they don't exist to your liking. Patterns to the rescue. It is totally thin. It wrinkles perfectly and it adds a great addition of dimension to your project. And don't get me started on the way it takes ink.

On this snowflake gift box, I used some fabulous die cut snowflakes to decorate with. And here is how simple it was...

1. Put glue on the areas that I wanted the pattern paper to stick to.
2. Scrunched up the pattern paper then partially smoothe it over the areas with the glue
3. If you did not tear enough off just add a small piece to cover the box(it all melts together and you can not see the patched areas, plus it adds a great color effect.)
4. I took a brown ink pad and and gently went over the paper to only highlight the wrinkles.
5. Glue down the snowflakes making sure to go off the edges with them (this gives a much more pleasing and natural look.)

Make a matching tag and tie it on!

You now have a great simple gift box for the holiday season. I think packaging is key to a wonderful present. Simple backed goods can be brought up to a whole new level with great packaging. Below you can see close up the great effect you get from using the clothing pattern paper.

This next card as well was so simple, but with adding the music paper as garland you get something a little extra special. I cut out all of the card stock and inked the edges. Next I die cut the tree and added some glue where I wanted the garland to stick down. Gave a little "back and forth fold" to the music paper and held it down a minute until the glue dried a bit. So simple and so pretty. Hard to see in the picture but I added some great crackle to the star to stand out more. And there you have it. Another simple and fun card made in minutes. The longest part of this one is the crackle dry time.

The cardstock for both projects can be found at BRAMBLEBERRY LANE!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!