Finally, dirt being moved!

Seems like it rains every Sunday here which puts construction behind schedule. Just to catch some of you up....We are downsizing.  With Don and I having 3 back surgeries between us, we thought now was the time to enjoy and stress less about the outside house duties.  I can still garden and the community has a beautiful walking trail.  It is not at the beach which was my first wish, but that is not off the table.  I will give this a two year trial run.

This is a cottage community with craftsman style homes. It is "not" a retirement community.  I love that the community has all ages, but with certain restrictions, it really isn't too conducive for very young children.  However,  there is a public park across the street.

Here is a quick video I captured on my phone yesterday and at end of day a "still" shot.

Buil

Great SALE at Doodle Pantry and FREEBIE

SALE!!!

We have an END OF YEAR and NEW YEAR sale of 40% OFF everything in your cart!

December 25 thru January 2

40% OFF digital products in your cart (excludes gift certificates, minimum $2 purchase required)

COUPON CODE:   HAVEFUN2014

How to redeem:

1. For the easiest checkout, new customers need to get their new accounts created and registered before filling up your cart
2. Login to your account
3. Add items to your cart and click to view cart
4. Enter the code HAVEFUN2014 in the field at the bottom of the cart contents and CLICK SUBMIT to see your discount get applied
5. Continue your checkout, agree to terms of use, and be sure to click CONFIRM ORDER
6. Make payment and then your downloads are emailed to you, but you can also access your downloads after payment, by going to account maintenance/order history and then clicking on your order, use green icons to download. (NOTE: Green icon download buttons will NOT work from order history until the payment is made and completely clears)

A LIMITED TIME FREEBIE!!!!

From now through Jan 1, You can download New Years Birdie Color plus FOR FREE!!!!
I added the color images and digi papers to this older set, so it is brand new again!
To get it free: 

1. CLICK HERE to go to the product at the shop
2. Find the FREE DOWNLOAD button under the description but above the add to cart button
3. CLICK RIGHT ON the filename to save it
4. OR If you are already making a purchase anyway, you can add it to your cart of purchases

Merry Christmas To You

Christmas Birdie from Doodle Pantry is such a cutie.  Of course I had to use my monthly window scene.

Still time to join us in the Doodle Pantry December Challenge #41.  A great chance to win a gift certificate to the store and receive "Goose Me" set just for following the challenge guidelines.

A2, window die, holly die, flower punch

Holiday Reindeer

I'm going to try better this year and make two holiday cards on the 25th of each month, except for the month of March.  We'll be busy moving into our new house...well...hopefully!

I got my inspiration from Kitty Kraft.  She loves doing outdoor scenes with dies.  I made this in early December, but just now able to post.  The Holiday Reindeer svg is from Lori at Doodle Pantry.  The tree dies are from Impression Obsession. I love the simplicity of it along with the all white theme.

Don't forget to join us for the December Doodle Pantry Challenge #41.  You have a chance to win a gift certificate to the store and this month's "specially selected" set free just by following the guidelines.  Sweet!!!

A2 vertical, stitching lots of pop-ups for dimension, fern punch and ribbon

Also used  snowflake embossing

Happy Brrrrr-day!

My very good friend Angela has a January birthday so this adorable Doodle Pantry image I thought would be perfect for her card.  The set is call Winter Birthday, a December Release.  The set comes with many different pre-colored images and the outlines, along with darling sentiments and wonderful coordinating papers.

I was going to make the penguins wobble, but my wobbles were too big, so settled on adding lots of pop-ups for dimension. Along with some stitching, liquid pearls, stickles and cloud punch, I call it done and ready to mail.

Join in on our December Challenge #41.  Following the guidelines, you will receive the Goose Me Set free and a chance to win a wonderful gift certificate to the Doodle Pantry Store.

A2, use P&C feature on my Silhouette for penguin outline

slight angle to help show dimension

OWL we want for Christmas.....

Here is another Flip-It card.  This technique was a little different.  The lady Darlene on You Tube did an excellent job with "How to Make you own Flip it cards".  I love the owl punch from Stampin' Up and just don't use it enough.

It would be a lot easier to do a video of the card opening and closing but who has the time...haha  I'm just thrill I had a little time to do a card this morning.

A2 horizontal, stitching, border punch by EK, MS leaf punch, pearls

swung out...left a little room at bottom to put a little not and signature

Fa La La

"Tis the Season"  ...    I'm not able to make many holiday cards due to packing for the big move.  I found this card CAS and Q&E (quick and easy).   The adorable images are from Doodle Pantry.  I merged Winter Song Birds (doves) and Tweet Hello and hung from a Memory Box Branch die.  The Fa La La was a freebie in November from Miss Kate's Cuttables.

Join in on Doodle Pantry's December Challenge #41 for a chance to win a gift certificate to the store and receive the darling "Goose Me" set free by following the guidelines.  So much fun!

A2 vertical, stitching, pop-ups for dimensions, EK note punch, ribbon, MB branch die

another angle, made shadow using Silhouette Studio

Make A Joyful Noise

I want the "Flip-It Thinlit dies"(like the swing cards), but they cost over $30 not including tax and shipping.....sooooo....I spent the better part of the morning figuring out the measurements watching You Tube to come up with my own version.  I put so many extra layers that I had to hold the card to take the pic.

I used "Caroling Friends" by Doodle Pantry along with a sentiment that is also included in the set. Such a sweet image!

Join our December Challenge #41 for a chance to win a gift certificate to the store and receive "Goose Me" set just for following the guidelines.  Don't forget the 50% sale going on thru today - Dec 3.

A2, swing card or flip it card, stitching

MB street light and music scale die, note punch, scallop punch, circle die

Oh My Gooseness!

....(inside):  You've been such a good egg!  Thank You

I have so many thank you's to send out for all the help and generosity of friends, my awesome realtor Laura Stanbro, and a stranger (now friend), in helping with our move.  Now that the temp is quite chilly here in the South, and the geese are flying farther South, I pulled out my comfort teas.  Lightbulb went off....why not make a little basket of goodies, one being a few of my favorite teas? The Coffee svg and PDF Template came available at Doodle Pantry as one of the lovely December Releases. What better way to present the teas!

The Coffee Svg can be resized and even reshaped....so wonderful about svgs.  I shrunk it down just a tad to make it look more like a tea cup.  Join us for our December Challenge #41 for a chance to win a gift certificate to the Doodle Pantry Store and receive Goose Me set if you follow the guidelines.

I'm entering this in the Cut It Up Challenge with the theme being "Thank You".

Second Chair - Cottage/Shabby Chic

This chair went a lot quicker.  I used vaseline on areas that I wanted to show bare wood.  The paint came off with hardly any sanding...great trick. (Confession:  I couldn't find the vaseline so I used Vick"s vapor rub....same thing but helped open up my sinuses.....haha)

We decided to go with a different fabric for each chair.  This was a great little Waverly fabric my husband picked out.  We like the chairs so far and if we get tired, just rip off the fabric and repaint for "next to nothing."

chairs before starting the project

I start on the next set tomorrow!

Shabby chic or cottage?

I have an old family ornate table that is huge, but no chairs.  I've been told to keep it and perhaps go "shabby  chic" or cottage style with the chairs for it.  The house we are building is "cottage style" and definitely smaller than our house which makes me question if this huge, beautiful, ornate table will fit.
This is my first try at chalk painting.  I made my paint with a recipe instead of Annie Sloan's expensive chalk paint.  I have one more chair to do before I start on my next set.  Do I match the fabric to be a true set or go with a black/grey Waverly toile fabric for the other chair and have all the chairs different fabrics to be shabby chic.  I have four sets of chairs....all different and fun.

The fabric is more orange and gold than shown in pic.

another angle...I started sanding a few areas to have light and dark accents.

Chair is grey but looks white, but up against white, you can definitely tell it is grey.

The cushion looks smoother and better than how it shows in the pic.

Hahah....you can see my Boo in the door.

Coffee and Biscotti...Yum

...and let's add hot cocoa!  I haven't found  good store-bought biscotti biscuits so I make my own about twice a year and freeze.  They aren't the easiest things to make and are a little time consuming, but they're worth it.

I want to give a few gift certificates to some people for thank you's in helping with my house issues.  Starbucks...here I come!  The Coffee and Biscotti set is a wonderful November Release at Doodle Pantry.  Lucky me...lucky you!

It's been a while since I've done a "swing out" card. I think it is something fun and unexpected.  I added a lot of glossy accents to give the mug dimension. Some more accents and I called it finished...haha

A2, stitching, brad ribbon, punches, gingerbread man button, glossy accents

card open....left space on back to write note

You're so tweet!

We're moving! It's chaotic, tiring and expensive....and it has kept me from card creating! I met the nicest lady who had just moved and was unpacking her worldly possessions. Feeling terribly broke, I stopped my car and asked if I could have any boxes she was discarding and leaving on the street. "Sure", she said, "help yourself".  I felt like I had just won a jackpot.  Moving boxes are expensive and she saved me a lot of money with her generosity.   I made her this "thank you" card....seemed perfect since it was all about her house and my house and this adorable "birdhouse" image from the Doodle Pantry Tweet Hello set.  This was a set that was sold at Clear Dollar and will be re-introduced at the Doodle Pantry Store in December.

In the meantime, join in on the November Doodle Pantry Challenge #40 for a chance to win a wonderful gift certificate and the opportunity to receive "free" the  Snowman Pile set.

Made it an A2 shaped card, brad, bird charm and MB branch, pop-ups for dimension

I Love Peacocks

I grew up in the city limits, yet that did not deter my father from bringing home 2 peacocks one day.  Yup, we had two beautiful peacocks in our backyard. OMG...such beautiful feathers but their hollering did not go over well with the neighbors.  I was the most popular kid on the block and at school, for everyone wanted to barter to get a peacock feather...even the teachers.  Upon arriving home from school one day, the peacocks were gone.  They were gone as quick as they had arrived.  But, those were 2 really cool months.  My father was forever bringing home things like that.

Anyhooooo....I made a peacock card in their memory...haha  The Peacock Set from Doodle Pantry is a new November release....check out the other images and coordinating papers and join us for the DP#40 Challenge.

A2 vertical, peacock die cut but can't remember the company, MB flower die, stitching

You're the best....with a cherry on top!

I've been away for quite some time but lucky for me I'm able to return on such a great day.  Why? It's the NOVEMBER RELEASE DAY at Doodle Pantry!

I just love incorporating svgs and images on a project.  Today, I was thrilled to use the image by Lori called Donut Box SVG and PDF and the Doodle Pantry set called Cherry Pie.  I make homemade miniature pies throughout the year with the season's fruits.  What a great way to dress up the pie when giving a little treat to a family member or friend.

Remember to join in on the November Challenge.  You will receive the Snowman Pileup just for your participation and a chance to win a gift certificate to the store.

Check out the tiny silver cherry charm on the ribbon...I love it

It's Time!

It's time for us to sale our house.  It's time for us to start a new chapter in our lives now that the kids have grown. It's time to clean out and clean up...haha  Well...it's also TIME for.....

Doodle Pantry's awesome October releases!!!! I had the lucky opportunity to play with the Old Watch set.  I decided to color using copics. I wish you could see how nice the glossy accents gave the watch face dimension and shine like glass.  I also used gold metallic on the hinges.

The October challenge starts at 12:00 noon, so jump aboard and join in to receive the Angel Birdie set free and a chance to win a gift certificate to the store.

A2, embossing folder with distressed inking, some fussy cutting, pop ups for dimension, copics, stitching, brads,  twine, glossy accents, gold metallic and clear glitter pen, watch charm from Ebay bid...haha

Carving Pumpkin Time

Okay...maybe not "quite" time! If you know me, I use one of my window cut files at least once a month.  I wanted to do a video and put a tealight behind the window so you could see how much fun this card can be, but I ran out of steam!

So many fun sets release this month at Doodle Pantry! Carving Ants is one of many. It may not be CAS but it was quick and easy.  I used my Cameo to cut out my window, and the P&C feature for the image.  Using the brick embossing folder, some dies and punches, it was done in a flash.

There's still plenty of time to join Doodle Pantry's September Challenge.  You will receive the Jingle Ant Set just for participating (of course follow the rules...haha) and a chance to win a wonderful gift certificate to the Doodle Pantry Store.

A2, memory box die IO die , MS and EK punches, pop ups and distressing

Masculine Fall Card

I don't do many masculine cards and I'm always "in a pinch" when I need one.  I did this card awhile back and forgot to post until I pulled it out to use...gosh...sure glad I had it.  I'm thinking this was an older Hero Arts set with inverse image.

A2, stitching, jewels, ribbon, button leaf and flower punch

Apple Harvest Time

Early September is the time for picking and selling apples here in the Upstate of SC and NC border.  I tend to wait till early October when the trees are at their most beautiful peak of colors to take that special ride through the mountains to my favorite apple orchard.

This is another wonderful set released this month from Doodle Pantry called Apples.  There is a variety of red and apple images to choose from along with some lovely matching papers and some sweet sentiments. Remember to participate in this month's challenge to receive the darling Jingle Ants Set for free.

I'm entering my card in 2 Sisters Challenge #1612 Sisters Challenge #161 using the sketch below.

A2, stitching, pop-ups, MB stem and leaf, silver apple charm, and twine  I printed out 2 images and layered for dimension.

Apple Butter Time

When I get to feeling better...cough cough...sneeze sneeze.... the first thing I will be doing is heading to my favorite place in the mountains for my apples.  I make applesauce, dried apples for snacking, stewed apples, apple jam and apple butter.

I used the P&C on the pre-colored apples from the Doodle Pantry Apple set, using glossy accents and pop-ups for added dimension.  I made several of these cards to give with the jars of apple butter and/or to remind friends the jar is coming. The shaped card file is called Canning Jars - Preserves from My Scrap Chick.

Remember to join in on the Doodle Pantry September Challenge and you will receive JINGLE ANTS set and a chance to win a gift certificate to the store.

A2, raffetta, white pen, glossy accents, pop-ups

sideview

Feel a little green so headed to bed

Yup...been feeling a little green due to cough and cold...yuck!

I did several P&C of FrankenBirdie from Doodle Pantry's new September Release set.  This is the second card I made with the pre-colored image.   I tried to give the appearance of him headed upstairs.  My inspiration was Kitty Kraft.  

Once I found the paper it was easy since it was all dies and leftovers.  I think I kept it CAS.  The stitching is the only thing that takes about 2 minutes. Be sure to join in on Doodle Pantry's September Challenge and receive the Jingle Ants Set free!  Check out the new releases.

Stitching, google eyes, Peachy Keen face, my pumpkin file, spider punch, MB staircase/steps

To Be FRANK -

....I love Halloween!

I hope you caught my little humor here.  This new release set from Doodle Pantry is called "Franken Birdie".  I used the pre-colored image. I'm entering it in the Sentimental Sunday Challenge #171...something "tweet".

I haven't used this style card in over a year so I thought it was time to give it a try IF I could remember how to do it.  I cut Franken Birdie out using my P&C feature on my Silhouette Cameo as well as my "Trick or Treat" sign.  Love my Cameo!

Participate in the September Doodle Pantry Challenge and receive the Jingle Ant Set free.  Be sure to use any image (not just a sentiment) on your challenge card.

A2, EK spider border, MS goo punch

side view of card, also used pop-ups for dimension

Jingle All the Way

Yippee....it's September Release Day at Doodle Pantry.  The darling pre-colored image I used is from the set called "Jingle Ants".  There are 3 different images, sentiments and papers..how about that!!!

On the inside, I used the Inky Antics Golden Honeycomb paper.  When the card is completely opened, you can see the nice round ornament, ball or bell but I couldn't keep it fully opened and take the picture so that's why it doesn't look so round...haha

Come along and join us in our Doodle Pantry September  Challenge which starts at 12 noon today.  You will receive this darling set just by following the rules and participating in the September challenge.  You will also have the chance to win a great gift certificate to the Doodle Pantry Store.

A2 size, stitching, pop-ups for dimension, Memory Box fern leaf die, Silhouette Cameo for cutting out image, gold cardstock on back layer, glitter on hooks

Inside, honeycomb paper, MS fern leaf, gold mirror cardstock for hanger

Old milk can revitalized into something fun

My good friend from Mt. Pleasant, SC finally gave me this milk can about 2 years ago.  I had begged her for 3 years previously.  Shame on me for not fixing it up sooner after she was so sweet to give it to me.  I fixed one up like this back in 1973 for a Citadel cadet.  The milk cans are very hard to find.  This one dates back to the early 1900's.  This one is cast iron, not tin.

I made a pillow for the top to make it an extra sitting space in the apartment that my son shares with 3 other guys.  I told them I could make a table out of it, but they wanted to keep it plain and use it as a centerpiece or topic of discussion.  The apartment is close to the University of South Carolina.  It's cheaper to live off campus than on campus.  I never had anything this nice while going to college, or even after college before marriage...haha

I hand painted the while and black part of the "C" which stands for CAROLINA.  The gamecock is vinyl which I cut out using my Silhouette Cameo

I had already scraped a lot of rust off.  I was now brushed with naval jelly

close up, the pink stuff is naval jelly used to get more rust off

You can see the milk can over by the door