Designer Craft Connection-September Post: Celebrations

Though I'm not participating in this months design ideas, I still wanted to add a short post to stay in the ring connecting one blog to another.

With so many things to celebrate, the ideas that the designer group will share here should be fun and varied.  Whether it is a holiday or a family event, I enjoy making my own invites and other co-ordinated decorations for any celebration.  Sharing some ideas that I have made in the past for baby showers, weddings and holidays to share with photos only.

Baby Shower Invite

Invite For Baptism

Wedding Invite and Extras

Wedding Shower Invite

Shower Favors

Wedding Favor

St. Patty's Day Invite

Please hop along through the blogs for fun and creative ideas from the designers connected with this group.  Move forward or back through each using the "blue button" to the right of the post.  Come celebrate good times!

...In Good Times And Bad, In Sickness And In Health...

Sorry for my lack of posting for that past couple of months.  My personal life took a quick and crazy turn this summer.  I have debated whether to post here about something so personal, but now feel it could be a little therapeutic to write about.  I realize that I have made reference to my husband's health a couple of times but never went into many details on this blog.

When I started this blog my intention was to share ideas and thoughts on a variety of topics, but mostly along the creative lines. What I will write about may seem a bit "off topic" but it may explain how everyday life can change one's priorities.  And, I'm sure that many others have faced something similar.

Those that do know me personally, are aware of the issues that have faced our family since June of 2010. It was just a few days before the Memorial Day holiday (the official beginning of summer) that we found that "the greatest guy" I know was diagnosed with lung cancer and a brain tumor.  It's been a fight against a nasty unknown, that he has faced courageously and quietly.  As he continued this fight, it was early this June that he had to face an additional difficult time. He was admitted to the hospital June 27th, for what was supposed to be a easy procedure that began with complications from diverticulitis. What followed was days and weeks of surgeries, hospitalization, rehab therapy and more hospitalization.

As I sit here near his hospital bed, the month of August will soon be coming to an end. We are hoping and praying the the month of September will begin with him being at home and enjoying his favorite chair, sleeping in his own bed (without any interruptions), and enjoying any variety of his favorite foods prepared the way he likes.

This summer was a series of "ups & downs" that at times was difficult to understand and deal with. Moments like these we ask ourselves over and over "Why? Why? Why?"  I still don't know that answer to that!  What I do know is that in these moments, no matter how difficult, you find the strength to just keep going on when you know how special someone is to you.

As others began to hear of my husband's situation, the outpouring of prayers, good thoughts, support and love, for him has been so very welcoming and helpful.  He has touched many people in the 34 years of teaching, 40 years of marriage and 63 years of life.  Co-workers, former students, high school and collage classmates, neighbors (old & new), and many others (family and friends), who have sent messages and cards or have visited during this time, we are thankful for all you. You have helped us in more ways then you could know.

The other "loves & likes" in my life have had to be put on hold for some time now, though I plan to get back to spending time on all of them soon.  I have several other things I plan to share here in the near future ... please be patient with me as I get my everyday life back in order!  This special man has needed my time, my support and my love. If things were reversed - he would be doing the same for me.

Through all these weeks, I have watched this wonderful man deal with so much, and still have the determination, and muster the strength, to do what was asked and needed from him. You have taught us so much during this time!

August Designer Craft Connection - Favorite Technique

Once again I'm late to the party!  I apologize to my fellow bloggers for the delay.  Unfortunately, my everyday life continues to be taken up with dealing with my husbands health issues first.  This months topic was one I found fun I would love to share.  It's difficult to choose just one technique though.  Tough choice to make - mixed media, felting, stamping, crocheting or collage?

A quick look through my files and I want to share one technique that I find fun and easy.  Take any type of "box" and then use papers, fabrics or other found items or pieces of "this and that" to collage onto the surface.  Turn them into a keepsake box or a purse.

Take the time to hop through the blogs by using the "Designer Craft Connection" button that is just to the right of this post.  Leave a comment on Julie McGuffee's blog to tell her which technique you enjoyed the most, to win this collection of punches. 

             The winner will be announced on August 15th.

July's Designer Connection Challenge - Beads In A Bottle

What fun it was to challenge myself with a product that I have never used.  I anxiously await "hopping" through the blogs in this group to discover amazingly creative ideas.

My projects combined some of my other favorites: Sizzix dies, felt, buttons, fabric and altered art ideas.

Never having used this product before I know that it would take some practice. After some practice runs to get the "right feel" for forming the beads I created a few very simple items.

After die cutting two shades of aqua blue felt into flower shapes, I used only one color of the Beads in a Bottle to outline the pieces.  Once the beads were dry, the flowers were created and completed with a button center and felt leaves.  The flowers were glued to a narrow strip of felt.  This is then attached to a stretchy headband. This strip had a small Velcro closure attached, to make the flower accessory changeable.

Another similar hair accessory was made again by using felt, die-cut flower shapes.  Just by using only two colors of the Beads in a Bottle, another look was created.  The flowers were then glued onto a ribbon covered headband.

To coordinate with the "red,white and blue" headband, just perfect for celebrating the 4th of July, I used a very simple design on a T-shirt for my granddaughter to wear for the holiday.  Used Sizzix star die-cuts as a template and laid down masking tape for the red lines.  Finished off the look with star buttons and "stars and stripe" ribbon bow and fabric glued letters.

Finished off with a cigar box purse, collaged with papers on three sides and a canvas square on the front.  The shape of the butterfly is made with another Sizzix die.  Free form  scrolls designs with black "beads in a bottle".  I used Tulip fabric paints for coloring the butterfly and watered down inks for a light background.  Misted the entire canvas with gold Tulip glitter spray paint.

I like the look of a single color and simple lines but I would like to attempt a more intricate design with multiple colored "beads".

I did "love to create" with this fun product!

Coming Soon - A New Challenge

Coming next week, on July 1st, the Designer Connection Group will be sharing ideas that we created using Beads in a Bottle, from the Tulip line of creative products.

Check out this video to get an idea of what we were working with.

Then go to the "i love to create blog" link here and read more about this challenge. Take some time and visit the website  and  main blog to find much more information about the many amazing products, projects and other information for all you creative souls out there.

There will be a prize given away once again this month, which is shown in the photo above.  What a great selection of products that you will receive if you win.  All you need to do is go to the "i love to create" blog and leave a comment to have the chance to win this wonderful collection of creative products.

Father's

Today is their day - well their "Special" calendar day.  So to dad's everywhere, I hope that they will enjoy the day.  Some will be golfing, some lounging, some grilling,  some even working and many sharing some time with those they love and love them back.

For my husband and I, we will be remembering.  Both of our fathers are gone, but we will have memories to think of and share.  Those photos of "family" that are many in our house,  are filled with thoughts of them and how their  "fatherhood" shaped us.

Dad with baby daughter long ago

Dad with sons (future dads)-David was only a gleam.

Then there is our oldest son (father of two sweet little girls, Tess and Zoe) and our son-in-law (father of two tweens, Joseph and Maddie), they are both spending their day working.  Both are firemen/paramedics and today is their shift day.  Both are great daddy's to their children.

A very young father

The rest of us will gather here with another special dad.  He has much to be proud of in his three children and the family additions.  We honor him for the wonderful teacher, worker, friend, neighbor, son, brother, sweetheart, husband and loving Dad he is!

A Sunday Drive

 Earlier today we took advantage of a beautiful day to get out with some of the family and enjoy the fresh country air and the sunshine.

We made a visit to an alpaca farm. Along with seeing and learning about these animals, the owner of the farm also had a display of how the fibers from the alpacas are used.  There was also a marvelous array of lovely handmade items by the owner of the farm, Susan Waldron.  Please take the time to check out the link of the website of Waldron Grove Farm for some photos and information.  I hope to have an opportunity to possibly take a class at the farm.  Though I have had some experience with the different methods of felting, I am always up to learn more.

I was able to purchase a bag of the raw alpaca wool. I am looking forward to working with the raw fibers. It will be a new experience. Here is a photo of the two pounds of "fluff".  Hopefully you can follow me through the process of cleaning, washing, dying and creating with these fibers.

Here's a link for information on alpacas that I also found interesting.

How cute is this face?

Here is another interesting blog, "the mental farmer", written by Mary Logsdon, who we had met during our visit. I found her blog interesting because of what she is sharing about the local area where she lives.  Of course, mostly it is my love of anything that shares a little of "country living" that gets my attention.

June's Designer Craft Connection - Red, White & Blue

"Every heart beats true, 'neath the Red, White and Blue"  -  George M. Cohan

The theme for this months blog post is "patriotic" and what better way to express the love of country with this color scheme. Here is a easy project to make so you can show a little patriotic pride.

Cut royal blue cardstock into 4"x 6" rectangles.  Cut a "V" pattern into one of the 4" edges.  Score and fold over the opposite edge about a 1/2".  Cut a length of a wired edge ribbon and apply to each of the the paper shapes.  Fold over about 1/2" of ribbon on each of the 6" sides to the back and glue down with glue.  Star shapes and letters are cut from white and red cardstock using Sizzix dies for stars and letters.  Simply glue letters onto the stars and then onto the ribbon covered paper shapes.

To make the banner: Cut a long length of 1/8" white ribbon, enough to span the area where it will hang.  ( I used a length approximately 100".) Each of the blue "flags" is attached to the ribbon by placing the folded 4" edge over the ribbon.  Adhere a piece of tape along the edge of the folded flap.  (NOTE: A very fine line of glue can also be carefully applied instead of taping, as long as the ribbon can move freely through the flap.)  Continue adding all the "flags" leaving a small space between words.  Tie a loop for hanging at each end. Two bows were formed using a 1/2" patriotic ribbon and wired to the end loops after hanging the banner.

An additional quick and easy patriotic decoration -
For this project I painted wooden letters in red, white and blue.  Glittered each letter with  a coordinating glitter. Each letter is glued onto length of wired ribbon. A 3/4" wooden block is glued to the back of each letter along the bottom as a stand. Apply a small wooden, gold glittered star to each letter for easy embellishment.

Julie McGuffee has another "give away" for the blog readers once again.  Please check out her blog for the prize and directions.  So get hopping -   hit the craft connection button after reading here and see what patriotic ideas you can find.  Since this is probably my favorite color combination, I will be looking for ideas too.