What did I make first?

As I said in my previous note, I spent Labor Day weekend finishing my craft room and creating my first project.  What do you think I made first?  More stuff that I love:  A purse and a dress! 


I created this bag using Stampin' Up DSP Paisley Petals (#122367) and cardstock in Cajun Craze.  I used designer and silver brads as accents.



The ribbon is not from Stampin Up, but it looked better with a ribbon handle than a paper handle.



I called this a wardrobe card.  I got the inspiration from one of the many craft magazines I receive in the mail.  I used In-Colors Designer Series Paper Stack (117158) in Pear Pizazz for the background color and Blushing Bride for the dress color.

 I was so anxious to share the card that I took the picture and forgot that I had not added the message to the inside of the card.  Anyway, you get the idea.

I'm Back!

Wow!  I'm back!  I have been off the scene for many months now.  So much has been going on with me.  I have changed jobs (my day job) and moved to a new city.  My only reason (until this weekend) to touch a pair of scissors was to open a box.  I'm oh so happy to report that all of the boxes are open and I'm back in the business of creating the things I love.

The house I bought has a large game room.  Everyone assumed this would be a TV room or playroom for London - NOT!  My real friends know that I hardly ever watch TV and every room in the house is a play room for London.  So, the game room would become my new craft room.

I spent many hours online looking for just the right pieces to create a functional and fun space for me to stamp and create projects by myself, with London, or with a group of friends.  This past weekend I finished or shall I say got to the point that I will called it finished for now.

Here are some pics of my new space.

My craft room.  Most of the furniture was purchased from Ikea

I used some items from my old space too.

As you can see, I have tons of Stampin' Up merchandise as well as other craft items 

I used Stampin' Up Decor Elements to decorate the walls.  They are super easy to put on the wall.  This is the Create Definition (#114140) in Chocolate.

This is the Inspire Definition (#117834) in Chocolate.

This is the large Tree, Thoughts & Prayers (#116004) in Chocolate.  The large tree image comes in 6 images that you have to piece together.  Again, it is not that hard, but requires some patience to get it right.  I also added the medium sized Direction of Your Dreams quote (#116077) in Chocolate.

These are book shelves that I bought to display my creations and gifts I have received from my fellow stampers.

I used shoe racks to create storage for my punches.  I used to store these in shoe bags on my doors, but I decided to use the shoe bags to store ribbon.

I still need a few chairs and to organize things a little bit better, but that does not stop me from absolutely LOVING this space!  I can't wait to have my friends over for craft night! 

Top Chefs

Another thing that I love is cooking.  I am sure that love came from my mom, her sisters, and my grandmother.  All of them are wonderful cooks and eating is something that I look forward to when I travel back "home."  My mom recently helped prepare Gumbo for the Victoria Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. to sell at the Victoria Black History Expo.  To complement the extraordinary gumbo, I made these cute aprons for our members to wear as we served customers.

More Wedding Shoes

Okay I forgot to post the pics from the shoe-themed bridal shower I helped host and plan with some awesome ladies in Houston.  This was one of the best showers I have ever attended.  It was so much fun.  Here are a few pics of the table displays I created and favors.

The shower favor was a jar that each guest could use to start her.....SHOE Fund!

The Shoe Fund favors were a hit at the shower.

I added some red shredded paper and black sheer ribbon to finish each favor.

A Very Special Thank You

Believe it or not - I am not a very good scrapbook artist.  I have been getting some help and tips from a wonderful Stampin' Up friend, Paula.  To thank Paula for her kindness and generosity, I made this card for her.  After I made the card, I decided to enter it into the STBS monthly contest and I WON!  Paula really loved the card.  So here is the card and a pic of me and Paula.  I only used Stampin' Up products on this card.  Cardstock:  Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive; Stamp Set:  Fifth Avenue Floral #113737; Punches:  Scallop Trim Border #118402, Scallop Trim Corner #118870; Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175

I created the lace effect using multiple layers of whisper white paper with the scallop trim border

This is the inside of the card.  I repeated the layers of scallop trim bordered paper but used Real Real as a base layer.

This is Paula and me and the Food Bank Charity Ball

Happy Valentine's Day

Yes, it's been forever since I posted.  As usual, I have a million things going on.  I have stopped periodically to make a few cards.  Here is the Valentine's card I made for the STBS February Swap.  What is so neat about this card is the message is hidden beneath the rose.  I created a hinge using a small brad on the left side of the card.  You life the rose to read the message.

Wedding Shoes

A great friend of mine is getting married and asked me to help with her wedding plans.  So, I was delighted to be able to help with her bridal shower too.  The shower will have shoe theme (awesome idea!!!)  Everyone knows that I have a love affair with shoes so I went the extra mile on the shower invitations.  I took the idea from a greeting card I purchased. I had to meticulously apply the glitter to each shoe.  There is nothing like Stampin Up! Dazzling Diamonds.  I used it to highlight the diamond image on the shoe:  the perfect touch.  It was a painstaking task, but I think you will agree that the finished product is stunning.

My assembly line.  Handmade invitations are hard work!!!