DZ Doodles Oodles of Doodles News! Halloween Party Ideas, Mason Jar Cards, LaCrochet Wear, Stocking Garland-and Freebie Stocking, Wreath, Sparkle and Color

Hello Fellow Doodlers!

"OMG!" Lawren brought this felt fabric Ballet Slipper Book Mark idea to my attention and I just had to quickly share it with you too - for all those ballerinas out there ... I was once one too! :0) Too cute and I even love them hanging as wall decor! Pattern and materials list included. Thanks Lawren!

The book is full of insight, historical reference, brief vignettes, and starts with this quote from Pablo Picasso: "All art is theft." Nothing is original. All creative work builds on what came before. As artists we are collectors...and we are shaped and fashioned by what we love and what we surround ourselves with.

Kleon says: “Some people find this idea depressing, but it fills me with hope…If we’re free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and we can embrace influence instead of running away from it.”
And by stealing, he's not implying plagiarism where you try to pass someone else's work as your own...no, not that. But instead, borrowing ideas that speak to our souls and transforming them into our own personal creative expression. It's about Transformation not Imitation. “Copy your heroes. Examine where you fall short. What’s in there that makes you different? That’s what you should amplify and transform into your own work.” And yet we do imitate when we're learning. We take classes, we reproduce and follow patterns created by other designers, we copy their work processes...all to learn. And, as Kleon says: "It's in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are". Yes. That's it, exactly. In fact, after reading each of Kleon's 10 things, I felt like jumping up and shouting "Yes!!" to each one. I saw myself in and on every page.
Some more faves:

• Side projects and hobbies are important. Mess around. Wander. Get lost. Don't throw any of yourself away. Keep all your passions in your life.
• Don't worry about unity. What unifies your work is the fact that you made it.
• Establishing and keeping a routine can be even more important than having a lot of time. Work gets done in the time available.
• Write the book you want to read. Draw the art you want to see. Start the business you want to run. Play the music you want to hear Build the products you want to use.

And the list goes on and on. It's better if you just read it yourself. And if you do, I'd love to know what you think of it. If you're interested, here's a TED talk by the author on Steal Like an Artist here. And he has a blog here. Have a great day!

Ready for some fall~ish hues? I know I am SO ready! ColorQ Challenge #156 uses this awe-inspiring color palette based on the colors of this Mod Sunset Pillow at Gracious Style, that should inspire you to create for fall with this color-combo!

Susan Elliott of Plays with Needles wrote two articles for the Oct/Nov issue of STITCH magazine. Susan's first article is titled 'From Sketch to Stitch' which is about her Breakfast at Tiffany's design piece (and who didn't adore and love that movie?). The second was for a project she designed for the magazine as an offshoot of her original ... 'Go Lightly' covers some of the components from her original design: the beaded chandelier, a beaded stumpwork butterfly (albeit much smaller), lettering, Audrey's hair and jewels... It's message can be interpreted many ways. Tread lightly. Leave no trace. Go with the light. Don't take yourself too seriously.

Like Holly Golightly. The girl who charms and beguiles, flitting in and out of people's lives, never allowing herself to be tied down or taken too seriously.

Here's a big reason to throw a Halloween party and party-hardy this Halloween with this plethora of HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS by PaperVine that are economical and fun!

 

I find something sooo-cute about MASON JAR CARDS ... could stem from my childhood memories of canning with Grandma, or collecting buttons, bugs 'n stuff in them?! Autumn also seems like the time of year when they're popularity comes back.

 Tis' is gettin' to be the season to find reason for wearing hats, and LaCrochet by Laurie has a huge inventory of crcoheted hats to choose from. It's also time to think about gift-giving as well and what a better "gift" than a crocheted hat for winter, everyday wear, or any other time of the year! Visit her Etsy shop and browse the darling assortment! Her give-away hat will be announced Oct. 1st!

 

This time of year many crafters thoughts wander off to the world of ornaments, cards, gift tags, and the like. And so, perforated paper may come to mind ... if you like the idea of embroidering little tokens on perforated paper. But, if the thought of cutting your own shape designs leaves you a bit muddled, that's ok, because there's a company, TOKENS and TRIFLES that makes perforated paper cards, and other fantastic stuff, ready for embellishment!

 

Here are some Mill Hill Perforated Paper Designs to get your imagination going! And if your wondering where to buy perforated papers, just click here! For another brand, Wichelt Perforated Papers 14-count (holes per sq. inch) click here!

 

Hmmm, I'm digging up my perforated 9" x 12" paper sheets to do some "creative" experiments to see what happens when using my Cricut patterns, as well as some of my die cuts. I'll be back ... 

 

 

 

 

 

COUNT DOWN STOCKING GARLAND!

 

Christmas stockings make great gifts and are a fun way to decorate the house, and there are tons of free Christmas stocking patterns out there to get you started. The wonderful thing about a free Christmas stocking pattern is that you will love making them for your family and friends.

I came across this photo in one of my magazine's this week and thought it was such a clever idea! However, for me, 24 days is just too many days to celebrate and needless to say, stuff that many stockings! Then I got to thinking about the Twelve Days of Christmas,

although the advertisement suggests, "make the days leading up to Christmas even more special with this fun way to mark the days...you can string them across the mantel or around your tree." (62" L)  It would, however, be fun (and less daunting) to celebrate the 12 days before with tidbits of gifts (depending on the size of stockings you make) and I like the idea of hanging them on the tree for everyone in your household. Make one "day for each member of the household to hang. HA! Let them select the stocking of their choice, open it, and play "swap".

 

And here's a little something FREE that will help you get started on creating your own stocking garland whether it be 24 or 12 or 7 days of counting down before Christmas! Just click on the image to enlarge, right click your mouse onto the large image and "SAVE AS..." to your digi folder. You can then size it to fit each "gift" stocking to be hung or make them all the same sizes. Included are numbers that will size accordingly with your stocking pattern. Just be sure to make "templates" using a firm cardstock for your pattern print-out to trace around onto your felt fabric and/or fabric of each size you'd like the stocking to be.

 

 I would appreciate seeing any and all of the "ideas" you come up with p-l-e-a-s-e.





 

Now, "how smart is this" idea?! Deep set wall shelfs for storing and labels for T.H. Distress Inks, so everything is available at a glance! "Oh DUH!" I've been fighting the thought of what to do to display my DI's without containers getting in the way, and now that I have the answer, it's time to get busy. Check out how easily this was done at 2 Gypsie Girls, One Lucky Day. 

 

 

Wreaths are something decorative that dominates mostly the fall and wintertime months. Here's a wreath design that I am working on using felt fabric, and thought you might like to have a go at it as well - you could use fabric, or cardstock as well. Just click on the image to enlarge, right click your mouse onto the large image and in the drop down menu "SAVE AS..." to your digi folder. You can then size it to however large (or small) you'd like it to be. Just be sure to make "templates" using a firm cardstock for your pattern print-out to trace around onto your felt fabric. Thes images; base ring, holly leafs and ribbon will scale equally "to size" when you play with your sizing. I suggest making 30 to 34 leaf pieces; and for a more shapely leaf, cut 60 to 68 leaf pieces and sandwich the two with a piece of thin wire between each leaf. Embroider the top leaf line-design on each to enhance it even more. Also suggest using two or three different "green" felt/fabric/cardstock colors to mix-it-up a bit! Scatter some colorful jingle bells (6) should be enough, or berry clusters. The bow can be made as is, or create your own! Just have fun with it.

 

 

 

How do you get all that sparkle and color? Let Fran Seiford from Stampendous show you how her Encrusted Jewel Technique can create magic on your Halloween greetings.Products used are available at Michael's.

 

 

 

 

ISN'T THIS A DARLING IDEA for stair-steps for Halloween and all the way through the Christmas festivities! Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse ... well, except in our house! (tee-hee) Leave it to Martha Stewart to create something sooo clever! Makes me wish I had a stairway in my house. :0( IDEA: Maybe they would look just as good along the fireplace wall or running somewhere along the base board of a wall..."oh! by the tree"?? Find Martha Stewarts FREE Paper Mice Halloween Decorations PDF Template HERE.

Halloween decor wouldn't be complete without some spirit -- spooky spirit, that is. Even if you tend to be scared of your own shadow, you'll still smile at your reflection thanks to this friendly ghost on your mirror. The cutout is made of frosted-glass window film, which adheres easily and (like ghosts everywhere) disappears without a trace. Print the PDF template, trace onto the film, cut out with a pair of scissors, and apply.

HOW TO MAKE A PAPER MACHE BOO't - PDF Step-by-Step Decorative Witch Boot Pattern Container and Tutorial to use for Halloween or design it for any time of the year!

 

 

365 LUCKY DAYS created, with love, one piece of hand embroidered art work each day and everyday for one year! SEPT 19th, 2012 was DAY 365...check out the Gallery of Days. Read what she's learned from completing a 365 daily project, and what's happening next! Check out the embroidery patterns now available too!






Using Marianne Designs Craftable Dies learn some "extra" embossing tips using your embossing stylus and embellishing ideas with a Japanese "Screw" Punch.

Oodles of Doodles News! Pumpkin Pretzels, Who's Your DaDa, Color Box Chalk Inks and Paper Wishes Webisode, Hat Day Witch Hat, Onsie Idea!

Hello Fellow Doodlers!

It's that time of year to post fall stuff! Woohoo! Officially "The First Day of Autumn" begins on Saturday, Sept. 22nd and I'm feeling SO ready for the holidays! I can't wait to share a list of fall and Halloween fun with you guys during the next few weeks. In our house we are huge pumpkin fans, and I'm not just talking pumpkin pie here. I've been eyeing all the fall items at the stores and it almost feels like Santa's here already! Seriously I'm that crazy for the stuff and who wouldn't love chocolate and pretzels and pumpkin ... plus the look of orange "treats"? Make-Bake-Celebrate has the recipe to tempt-your-taste-buds with her Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pretzels and step-by-step how-to photos!

 

 

Polymer Clay Halloween Witch Art Doll (and an assortment of other figurines), by Lisa J. Ammerman, are handsculpted from polymer clay and one of a kinf dolls. Lisa doesn't use molds to make her figures - each is indvidually handsculpted. Her original works of art are intended for decorative purpose only, and are not toys.

Who's Your DaDa?

Inspired by the "Dada" notion of making art from materials that would not typically be combined or expected to go together, and driven by a similar sense of irony and humor, this exciting book by Linda and Opie O'Brien shares their unique approach to making mixed-media dolls. It is not only a "must have" volume for anyone interested in found object art and the human form, it is a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the power, symbolism, and cultural significance of dolls and representational figures.

The authors share detailed techniques for using surface embellishments, creating faces, heads, and limbs, using molds and molding products, and building and transforming disparate objects into whimsical, inspiring dolls. Starting with a variety of substrates—a wood block, a canvas, a tin can, a book, and a box construction—readers are guided step by step through five types of doll constructions.

Included:

Complete instructions for making a box construction doll, a wood block substrate doll, a two-sided canvas frame doll, a tin can doll, and a book doll Numerous variations on each of the core projects for further experimentation An inspiring gallery of mixed-media dolls from leading artists who discuss their methods and share their very personal answers to the question: "What is a doll?"

COLOR ME - COLOR BOX CHALK INKS by Paper Wishes! Try out your own project with this great offer after viewing the Paper Wishes Weekly Webisodes?

 

Take a little-of-this and some-of-that and make up a "hat"! A Halloween hat for HAT DAY Saturday Sept. 15th! Make a cute witches hat with pattern paper, a Styrofoam cone and stamped embellishments. Peggy McCurry has a tutorial .

My sister Marge is a Cricut Distributor, has been for quite awhile, and if you are looking for a large variety of Cricut Cartridges, check them out here ... ask her, and she'll probably be able to find those that are hard-to-get as well! Plus, she's got a whole list of other thing-a-ma-jigs and what'cha-ma-call-its regarding Cricut and other machines, and products. She believes in fast and reliable service too! P.S. You won't see a lot of OUT-OF-STOCK inventory showing either! And says, what she has, is selling fast! :0)

Shelly's Buttons and More has updated their WEEKLY SPECIALS page with new and different sale packages for this week! Over 30 packages to choose from ... why not try them all?! Their Sew Fun Collection is one of our most popular collections. Simple, round, 2 hole buttons with a variety of themed insets complete the piece! Use code: S-SEW FUN during checkout and save 10% !!
Are you a friend on Facebook? Well if not, you're missing out on special offers posted on our Facebook page weekly. Click Here to see what you've been missing! Send us a 'friend request' today and we'll send you a $5.00 off voucher toward future purchases of $15.00 or more.




FIRST CHRISTMAS ONSIE CARD

 

Well my ink cartridge order has arrived and I'm busily playing catch up on all that I had planned to create up until I realized that I was all out of ink - thank God for fast delivery!You might not hear from me for awhile, but, I promise to have some projects to show!  Chloe my cat is loved it because I speny more time playing, "I'm gonna get'cha" chasing her around the house. NO! I didn't finish mini blinds chore. 



Oodles of Doodles News! A Thought About Trends, Tim Holtz Alterations Basics 1-2-3 Sizzix Dies, Brayering With Embossing Folder, Making Gifts By Hand, Square Pattern Lantern, Liquid Pencil, Dylusions Tag, "Scraps" Project, Polymer Clay, Stitching Pizazz!

Hello Fellow Doodlers!

"Trends are part of our histories; they come and they go. I watch trends but I also have a strong anti-herd mentality as well. I try to live in balance of both."

Story by Chappell Ellison

Published on Sept 06, 2012 in Read

For creative types, the blogosphere often seems like a living, breathing organism, constantly reinventing itself to suit the new style. On sites like Pinterest, it’s possible to observe visual trends pop up in real-time: the insanity of ombre cakes, chevrons-on-everything, and outlandish photo booth props. Sometimes trends seem faddish or impractical, and it’s easy to keep them at arm’s length — but at what point is it wise to give in to a trend?
This topic is especially sticky for artists, whose creativity can blossom under the umbrella of the latest fad. However, “giving in” can prove to be a double-edged sword: while bringing mass appeal to your work can be positive (and lucrative), it can also limit your vision. George Lois, the true Mad Man of advertising, warned creatives about falling into this trap. “In any creative industry, the fact that others are moving in a certain direction is always proof positive, at least to me, that a new direction is the only direction,” he says. ”The solution to each new problem or challenge should begin with a blank canvas and an open mind, not with the nervous borrowings of other people’s mediocrities.”
So how do we as creatives allow trends into our lives while maintaining individual expression? Though he comes from the the stock market realm, Jonathan Hoenig’s ”follow the trend, not the crowd” mantra is solid advice. “We need not buy into every trend, but being aware of them provides the most meaningful insight into the markets there is,” says Hoenig. “Moreover, being a trend follower doesn’t always mean you’re part of the herd.” In other words, there’s no shame in making the ombre cake. But if you do it, make it your own.

Although I worship the marvelous cuts made with my Cricut machine, sometimes I just want to make something quickly and that's where the investment of die cuts is not at all just a trend (you'll see why in the first video below), but instead a worthwhile investment. To me, this will be an ever-present necessity to card making, scrapbooking, and many other crafts. Actually, I'm addicted to playing with them using my Sizzix Big Kick!
 

ALTERATION BASICS #1-Bigz Dies ... #2-Mover's and Shaker's, and On The Edge ... #3-Decorative Strips and Texture Fades (distressed embossing folders) SIZZIX DIES - Tim Holtz shares all about Sizzix Alterations and what makes this product line unlike anything you've used before...

 

 



 

 

Talking about embossing folders - pull them out of storage ... I came across this technique, Brayering with Embossing Folders, which shows you how to use your brayer 2 different ways on embossing folders. I always keep forgetting about this technique when I'm trying to think of some element to pizazz up my embossing and glad I came across it as a reminder to get some of this done on some holiday cards! Hmmm, wonder what "I'll come up with?" Give it a try too!

 



 

Everyone loves getting those special gifts that someone made just for you. You know that the giver spent time thinking about you during the creative process, and these gifts, while often less expensive than their store bought brethren, are cherished forever by the recipients. Given pride of place on fireplace mantels and bedroom dressers, used frequently with love, each time this gift is enjoyed the recipient stops to think of the giver. These connections can't be bought at a mall, can't be selected with a gift card, can't be duplicated at all.

The Stampendous Design Team is making gifts by hand this year, and they're forging those special ties with their loved ones this season. Each day this week they'll bring you some clever and creative ideas for making some of your own gifts this year. They hope to inspire and delight you with these ideas.

Although images are Free I incur costs too
and would appreciate your "thoughtful" occasional donation of a $1.00
to help with those expenses ... Thank You for your support.

After our recent post discussion about reasons not to craft I've included three DZ Doodles Digi Freebie images of Cardinals that you can use to re-create something similar to help your cost.

This simple Square PATTERN LANTERN is available at the Hybrid Chick along with detailed "how-to" to help you create it yourself!









Pam Carriker's Liquid Pencil Sketching Ink by Derivan Matisse Product. With Derivan Liquid Pencil you can get graphite in your art without a pencil in your hand! Pam Carriker’s signature line of Liquid Pencil Sketching Ink is nothing less than an entirely new medium—a graphite ink that’s easy to use in myriad mixed media techniques. It comes in a handy squeeze bottle with a special tip usable for direct application or to refill regular ink tools. Available in both Permanent and Re-wettable formulas for a wide range of techniques, Sketching Ink can be used to ink rubber stamps, as a dip pen ink, or as paint. The Re-wettable formula can be manipulated using traditional drawing tools like erasers, blending stumps, or even wet brushes, and the Permanent formula can even be burnished to a lovely sheen. Put those boring pencils away and discover a whole new way to get the look of graphite in your art with Pam Carriker’s Sketching Ink!
 

 

 

 

 

I don't know about you, but my interests in stamps and digital is changing to a new direction with all this "new funky" images and projects. Dylusion's are stamps that I find fun! Check out Dylusion's Glitter Girl Tag - too funky-cute!

 

 

Easy Projects with Craft Scraps - Don't toss the fabric and paper scraps lying around your crafts room. Turn them into a beautiful project.

 

 

 

Polymer Clay Bangles make great girly-girl gifts - easy peasy to make too! 1.) Polymer Clay Bracelets. 2.) Polymer Clay Bangle. 3.) Bangles Baby! 4.) Bangle Biscuits Chocolate.

Want to add some stitching pizzazz to your projects? Then you need to browse around the Fat Quarter Tutorials and images to get some quick stitch lesson-motivation! I know I am.

Knot Thread Stitch presents a modern, experimental, and creative approach to thread and embroidery projects. You'll find fun and surprising project ideas, a unique artistic approach, and uncoventional mixed-media materials such as stamps, paint, sequins, paper, and shrinky dinks. These projects are designed to be quick, fun, abstract, and creative, and many offer clever ideas for personal customization. With easy-to-follow steps and project variations, this book also includes project contributions and embroidery patterns from a long and stellar list of renowned artists and bloggers, including Lisa Congdon, Camilla Engman, Heather Smith Jones, and Amy Karol, just to name a few.

Wouldn't you know it, I ran out of ink cartridges for my Canon Pro 9000 Mark II printer because I forgot to restock what I used. So, I'm waiting for my Saturday delivery to hurry up and get here to get back to printing and finishing projects. Maybe I'll do some die cutting and play around with my brayer/inks and embossing folders ... or I could finish the chore I started of cleaning my mini-blinds? What to do? :0)

Oodles of Doodles News! Viva Inka Gold, Copic Markers, Why Don't Crafters Finish What They Start Thoughts, Easy-Peasy Card Challenge Projects, and Felt Owl Trinket Box!

Hello Fellow Doodlers!

I am still adding a variety of digi images to past posts, so don't forget to keep checking back. They could be here today and gone tomorrow!

I decided to venture into a "collage" project last week to try something I haven't done in a long while. I used a variety of elements, a lot of paper cuts and layering on an 8" x 8" The Artist Panel Canvas Texture. The panel was priced at nearly $6.79 but with my 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby it was a steal! I like using these panels for collage as they are museum quality and have a firm wood frame and wood board underneath the canvas, and this make stamping on it a breeze, unlike canvas. I first primed the whole top-side with Mod Podge and let it dry. I used Mod Pdge again to apply my base designer paper and rolled it over the edges, folding the corners as well. When dry trimming paper edges off. After letting all that dry, I began adding everything else, Mod Podging as I went along! A bit of digital printing, some stamping, chain, and silk flowers! Oh what fun!

I couldn't wait to show you, as this activity was a rewarding "break" from my norm. I took my time - a few day's when I felt good about adding an element or two ... truly enjoying the process - I wasn't in any hurry! I plan to make another one similar to this for myself, as this is a gift to my sister Denise, who just lost her husband this summer. And I'm so happy about how this turned out that I'm making another using an 8" x 10" panel to collage something different! If you browse through the Hobby Lobby Canvas and Surfaces pages you can find other sizes as well!



Viva's Inka Gold assorted colors can be used wet or dry, on non-porous items, fabrics, chipboard and wood shapes ... and even using your stamps! See and purchase all of the 19 Inka Gold colors here . But first watch the video Barbara from Joggles ... it shows the many techniques and tips she's found fun and easy to do.

 

 



Whether or not Copic Markers are used to color your projects, any of the other ink marker brands out there can be used in the same way with these Dove Art Studio tutorials of texturing, skin and hair coloring, monochromatic coloring, and much more! However, remember that your results will vary depending on the markers and paper quality, but, it doesn't hurt to give them a try!

 

Copic Color Guide Level 3 (with CD) is coming soon ... don't forget to sign up to be notified that it is available for purchase! Expected in-stock date is October 5, 2012.

 What Are You Afraid Of ?... Why don't Crafters Finish What They Start?

a guestion, a thought, by Nikki, In Stitches

 



Are you a sewer? Are you a paper lover? Are you a jewelry maker? Are you a butcher, a baker, or a candlestick maker? Most crafters like fitting into these nice, neat molds. It's their comfort zone. The problem with staying in your comfort zone is that it makes you less likely to jump into something new! Creativity is about exploring the edges of what you know and experimenting with what you find there. If you never leave your comfortable and safe place, you'll never learn new mediums, take exciting risks, or grow as a crafter.

Being creative comes with risks.

When you first started creating, you had no idea where it would take you. Would you be good at it? Would it turn into a passion for you? Would it turn into a business for you? Would other people like what you made? Would it matter to you if other people liked what you made? All of these things were uncertain. You risked all of this for the potential love of what you would make.

Where did that risk taking person go? Why don't you jump into a new medium with that same reckless abandon? If you're a fabric lover, are you brave enough to switch over to paper? Could you ever imagine putting a sheet of card stock through your sewing machine? If you're a jewelry maker, do you have the courage to explore the world of yarn? Are you courageous enough to combine the two? Could you incorporate beads into a knitting project? Could you crochet a bracelet?

What's holding you back from delving into a new medium?

• Is it cost? There's really not much more to say here. Crafting can be expensive. Some mediums more than others. Does the potential cost of supplies, equipment, notions, etc. turn you away from jumping into something new?

• Is it the already ridiculously large stash of craft supplies you already have and feel guilty about adding another whole category of products to?

• Is it a lack of knowledge, combined with a fear of starting and not being able to finish?
  
  You never know. You could find out you're not a baker....you're really a candlestick maker.

Crafting should come with a warning label. Warning: Throughout your crafting career you will hoard craft supplies that you will never use, and you will start countless projects that you will never finish. But relax. It’s just part of what crafters do.
It’s “just part of what crafters do. ”But why? Why do you start so many projects but never finish them? Why do you stock up on supplies for projects that you might never start? To be honest, I do it myself!

Here are a few reasons excuses that you might have:

Reason #1
You had every intention of starting that project, you just lost it under the piles of other “never actually started projects” and thus forgot about it.
Translation: You hoard so many notions, fabrics, papers, skeins of yarn, stamps, punches, ribbons, inks, you get the idea, that you are overwhelmed by your craft stash. Thank God you can close the door to your “craft closet.” This helps you feel a lot less guilty about your piles of unused craft supplies when you can’t see them!

Reason #2
It’s not your fault. The pattern writer clearly has never made the project they’ve attempted to provide the instructions for. Carol Duval couldn’t figure out what the heck this lady is talking about!
Translation: You tried really, really hard. You honestly did. But you can’t figure out what you’re supposed to do next. You’re disappointed because you really wanted to make it, but at this point, you’re so frustrated with it…You need to walk away for awhile. (And sometimes you never come back.)

Reason #3
Wow, this project is going to cost a ton of money and require a huge time commitment! You decide to pass.
Translation: You’ve lost interest. Plain and simple: all of your projects are expensive, whether you’ll be investing money or time…that’s part of what you love about them. The pieces you make are your own personal works of art and many become instant family heirlooms. When you leave a project in progress and give the cash or commitment excuse, in reality it’s because that project just doesn’t do it for you.

Do these sound familiar? Could you add to the list?
You buy supplies and start so many projects, but leave many unfinished. It’s kind of sad, isn’t it? You look at your pile of unused (often unopened and still in the package!) supplies like it’s “The Island of Misfit Toys.” They tug at your heart strings….calling your name. Begging you to make something, anything from them. What are your reasons for stashing away supplies? Why don’t you finish projects that you start? I’m sure you could add to this list. In fact, I’d love to hear your reasons excuses! Give them to me and maybe we can work together to stop the cycle and change the thinking that it’s “just what crafters do.”

Project Idea – Happy Fall Tree Card - "Stash ONLY Challenge"
Design a card, scrapbook page or 3D item. Your Papercrafter's Library Challenge – is to use this piece as inspiration and make it into a card, scrapbook page, or other project. You can use the layout, the colors, an element you like…it can look like this piece, or nothing at all like the piece. I want to see where YOU take this. This challenge is strictly a “work from your stash” challenge. If you need a reference you can download the PDF handout HERE.



You may want to use this DZ Doodles Digi Rake and Leaves *Freebie for this challenge.

Although images are Free
I incur costs too, and would appreciate
 your "kind" occasional $1.00 donation
to help with those expenses ...
Thank You for your support.

FREEBIES - MAY BE HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW!
 

   

 

 

Happy Anniversary - This awesome card project made by Jackie Pedro from the Monday Mojo #257 Challenge is a great "stash" papers design ... and I know I have loads of that stuff! Get creative, cut your own hand drawn flowers, make-up a circle from the base of your coffee cup or soda can, cut strips of paper and snip ends here and there ... although there's a list of devices used (and to purchase) start using your "imagination," and stop thinking you "need" your wallet! I'm sure something just as lovely as this can be created! Invest in a couple varying sized pairs of scissors and/or an Xacto knife with #11 blades (and cutting matt)!

Here's another awesome, cut-cut-snip-snip card project idea brought to you by All I Do Is Stamp from a challenge ...



 Come and Get It Challenge Rules are to have fun by following the posted challenge for the week! This week is a simple Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge. Join the fun!

You know me and my felt fabric projects ... well here's a cutie Felt Owl Trinket Box by Creative Breathing that I couldn't pass up showing to you. You see, it's just a punch of circles and pinking shear scissors, and some styro-balls for this project! And woo doesn't love an owl?! I know you've got some "containers" from somewhere or something saved that is use able for the box part!!

 

Well, these are my thoughts and I'm sticking to them!