Papyrus, Glitter and Tea...some of my most favorite things!

I love special moments when I can get-away for a bit a do some right-side brain creating!!  It's especially wonderful doing so with friends!  Elaine of Tinker Verve is always in the creative and inspiring mood and lucky for me, I was able to enjoy her warm beautiful home, her amazing party atmosphere and all the awesome ladies she gathered for a great artistic, fun afternoon.

The event was so short drive north of Chewelah...but because my "bestie", Melanie, doesn't like to be late (I always am late), we headed out a little too early for our girlfriend-day adventure...no worries..it gave us time to do a little gambling...  

I shoulda known when to walk away...lost $20 :(

Taerrah won...good thing for a college student

OK...back to the story...

Elaine is so lucky...her place is majestic!!  It's over the river and through the woods but not really too far out.  And when we got there..it was SO worth the drive...

Sweet little gift bags...filled with fun embellishments and a handmade Tinker Verve original...

Beautiful Decorations...little reminders of love...'girl-love' that is! 

Let the creation-inspiration begin...

The extremely talented and gorgeous "All That Glitter" Girls, Holly and Becky, helped put together this amazing day (sorry...only got 'talking' pics of the girls...not good)

So we created...a little glitter here...and there. Folding paper, old dictionary and sheet music...and then more glitter until finally we got this...

(Mermaid of the Lake - Debbie's creation)

and this...

(Mermaid of the Lake - Shelley's creation)

Jill's "bird"

and...this!

(Funky Junk Hollie's Creation)... picture from Tinker Verve

Then...tummy time spoilings

These are AMAZING Cake Truffles...They are SOOOOO Good...Had three and I don't even won't to know the Weight Watcher Points!  I'm in LOVE!

This was such a wonderful day of laughter, fun and love...with a beautiful picture to cherish our day at the end...Thanks Elaine (and Holly and Becky too!)

(picture from Tinker Verve)

Elaine has a amazing blog with future classes...tell her the Ballyhoo Girl sent you!

Thanks for Visiting!

Creative University Sneak Peek...shhhhhhh!

If you are attending the amazing Ms. Tresa Black's CreatU 2011, here is a little Sneak Peek...


Welcome to the Introduction to Using Fabric Scrapbooking, a mini-class!!  This “Sweet” little project is a hybrid, using both paper mixed with fabric.  It was developed with skill-set in mind (and time too), so even if you are not a sewing kind of gal, you will be comfortable in this class...it is for beginners!  Recent trends in scrapbooking have been putting in and sneaking in all kinds of fabric/sewing techniques; the creativity is endless!  Most everything will be supplied but just a couple things you will need prior to class.  On the list if it indicates a shared item, just remember in each class 14 people will be sharing.  If you do not share (or play) well with others you can bring your own J  The (*) indicates the required items!

Bring with you:

* -Embroidery needle

* -DMC Embroidery GREEN Floss #699

* -Tape Runner (what ever you use will be great!)

* -Pins (about 15 to 20, Iron-heat resistant is best)

Corner Punch (shared item)

Decorative Punch - Martha Stewart Arch Lattice (at Michaels)  (shared item)

Decorative Punch – Fiskars Apron Lace (at Joanns and Michaels) (shared item)

3-d Adhesive Foam (optional)

Optional but highly recommended…expand into your creativity...Any red, brown, green cream and white buttons, vintage items like a wooden nickel or a milk pug...be ready to embellish!

Last week we had the fasted CU contest ever and we also had 2 winners!! Congrats to Dawn Felgar and Amy White...collect your prize during class on Saturday!!  I thought it would be fun to visit the video of my inspiration (for the contest only) ...but after seeing it again, I'm SOOOO glad to be a Country Girl!!

Valentines made easy...for a 6-year old

As soon as the last christmas decoration was put away gracie-girl was all over me to get valentine’s day going.  Since I do such a big christmas in the décor department, getting the enthusism to decorate like a crazy woman is just not in the …let say “cards”?  By mid January, both kid’s teachers had sent out the “student lists” and now we were faced with the excitement (gracie) and the dread (mommy) of getting this job done.  Did you notice that it was only days after Christmas (or was it just days before?) that he stores were packed with v-day choices?  Zackie’s decision was quick and clear thanks to Toy Story 3 J, gracie, on the other hand, had a bigger vision in mind (I love that kid!!).  I’m so very happy to report, it wasn’t that bad and they turned out pretty cute! This creation began (how most of our projects do) with a trip to our beloved local Joann Fabrics. scrapbook paper (on sale for $25 each...whoo-hoo) and a simple foam monkey package that included letters and glittery hearts.  I prepped everything for her before hand so all she had to do was stick it together.  Part of the prep time was spent by us finding cute knock-knock jokes…let me tell you from experience…1^st graders love knock-knock jokes!! 

prep tray with all the pre-cut cards...thank you dusty old Cricut machine, you made the heart cutting so simple!

This was really only part I had to help with...attaching the Knock-Knock Jokes!

After my part was done, Gracie matched each knock-knock joke for each class mate and then she used the foam letters for each classmate's name...here's the finished product...

  I can't believe we are actually ready for Valentines Day with over 2-weeks to spare!

Easy, Fast, Fun and Done!  Kid Tested, Mother Approved!  

I love images from the 1940's and 1950's.  They are images that my grandma's were surrounded by when they were my age, raising their families, and enjoying their lives as young women and moms.  My favorite images are the cute little cartoon characters with long eyelashes. (yes, I'm jealous of those eyelashes!) But I adore the Victorian images and cartoon characters too, especially images like the one sent to me by Scott at Vintage Image Craft.  Aren't these the cutest ever!!  I just received them this morning over the email and I haven't had time to even print them out but I want to share the love...if you go to their website you can sign up to Scott and Martin's Newsletter of FABULOUS crafting ideas and occasionally they will send you these little beauties as a gift... How sweet is that?!

 

October Afternoon recognizes the Work-at-Home-Mom...YAY!!

For the paper crafting lovers, this week is a biggie during Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Show.  Artists and crafters alike stand side by side salivating over the hottest, newest tools and papers.  I can only wish to be there, luckily I follow my favorite manufactures, and I like what I see from October Afternoon!  If you're like me and love vintage reproduction papers, then you will love what's coming up at October Afternoon.  Look at this glimpse into homemaker paper...And check out their blog for some great ideas!!

I am so stinkin excited to get my hands on this paper and create some house cleaning checklists, or maybe some recipe cards, or maybe just some SAHM emergency kits, LOL!  Stay tune for some exciting creations!