Cubbyhole Creations

Welcome to CardSwaps Blog Hop!

2012-02-08T04:00:00.009-05:00

There are some awesome things going on over at CardSwaps this week! Challenges and games will be posted February 8-11, 2012. You will have until February 14, 2012 to get your projects posted to the appropriate thread. If you've never participated before please don't worry. There are many members, myself included, that will be around to offer support and encouragement. You will find out all you need to know in the forum. So.... AFTER the hop... you will be taken to the crop and I do hope you join in. I know this is a long post but there is a prize on the line for the hoppers and you don't want to miss anything. Please.... read all my ramblings... don't skip ahead!!

The blog hop "theme" goes with the crop title "Winter Warm Up". All of us blog hop hostesses were given a lot of creative license. The type of project, sentiment, and style were all left open. The only requirement was that the completed item has to make you smile and bring warm, fuzzy feelings to the cold, cold Winter months.

When I think about it, I have one special way to warm up during the Winter. Maybe I've been out shoveling snow, going to the store, or running errands. Sometimes I'll be enjoying myself visiting family or friends and discover, when it's time to come home, we're having a snow storm. It's cold, cold, cold outside but I know when I get in my home I can make a creamy, yummy cup of hot cocoa, put on some music and curl up in my favorite chair. Why does this make me feel warm and fuzzy? Because it reminds me of when I was little and my mom always had a cup of hot cocoa waiting for me. And, my friends, thinking of my mom always makes me smile.

So in honor of my mom, hot cocoa and feeling warm and fuzzy... here's my card.

Most of my card is paper pieced using paper from my stash. The "wallpaper" is one piece and I used another piece to print the girl and chair image on. I printed the image a second time on white cardstock and used my Prismacolor colored pencils and gamsol to color just the girl. Then I cut her out and adhered her to the chair. I used foam tape the pop the chair out and give it dimension. The image is by ~~Sara Sherlock at~~ ~~Folded Paper & Printed Pixels~~ [I'm so sorry that I got this wrong. The girl in the chair image is from Sassy Studio Designs thank you Sara for catching my mistake.] For the "floor" I used a scrap piece of brown cardstock and the wood grain embossing folder by Sizzix. The lamp is an image by Bird at BirdsCards . I printed it on white cardstock, colored it with my Copics, cute it out and adhered it behind the chair arm. The "baseboard" is white cardstock. The mini picture is also from my stash and I've had it, and others, so long I can't remember. It came from Artful Illusions but all of their links are not working properly right now.

Now for what you've been waiting for.... the game for hoppers... You will be collecting a letter at each blog you visit. Hostesses will also be able to play along because they don't know any letters except their own. The last hostess in the blog hop will direct you to the thread in the forum where you can find all the details you need to enter the drawing. All hoppers collecting all the letters, unscrambling the word or phrase, entering the game by following the directions in the forum, and leaving feedback on EVERY blog they visit WILL be entered into a random drawing held on February 15, 2012. ONE lucky hopper will have their name drawn and will win a prize!! You will have lots of fun and find lots of inspiration... so visit every blog and collect all the letters. Your only hints are: it's a phrase and it's a way papercrafters warm up.

OK... You should have arrived here from the fabulous Laura's blog. If you're just joining in then please go to the beginning at CardMaker's blog to start the hop and collect your first letter.

My letter is: W

The next stop on your hop today is Jane's blog and I know you're in for a treat! I love Jane's projects and admire her talent! Her project is sure to make you warm and fuzzy.

The list of hoppers, in case you get lost.

CardMaker http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/blog/?p=1256
Lora http://lorabrinkman.com/2012/02/winter-warm-up-blog-hop.html
SusieQ http://lilbitofme-susan.blogspot.com/2012/02/welcome-you-are-on-cardswaps-winter.html
Laura http://ljjonescircus.blogspot.com/2012/02/winter-warm-up-with-cardmaker-magazine.html
Marlene http://marlenescubbyholecreations.blogspot.com/2012/02/welcome-to-cardswaps-blog-hop.html *you are here*
Jane http://jane-notsuchaplainjane.blogspot.com/2012/02//welcome-to-winter-warm-up-crop.html
Golda http://goldapete.wordpress.com/2012/08/winter-warm-up-blog-hop/
Angelina http://angel-artdesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/winter-warm-up-blog-hop.html
Tina http://tina-craftingkewpie.blogspot.com/2012/02/winter-warm-up-crop.html
Judy (PrairieWildflower) http://prairiewildflowerpapercrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/winter-warm-up-blog-hop.html
Ivanka http://ivankascardstudio.blogspot.com/2012/02/cardmaker-winter-warm-up-blog-hop.html
Teresa (WingsNThings) http://tickellexpressions.blogspot.com/2012/02/card-swaps-winter-warm-up-crop-and-blog.html
Ana http://anaggarciam.blogspot.com/2012/02/winter-warm-up-blog-hop.html

A non card challenge at CardSwaps:

2012-01-30T12:12:00.000-05:00

Welcome back peeps! This week's member challenge was hosted my Elaine. We were to decorate a candle with whatever we wanted. Elaine's sample candle was done by stamping on tissue paper and then, by using a heat gun, transfering the image to the candle.

I always wanted to try this technique be never got around to it. My first try was using Memento black ink and using tissue paper from Walgreens. Unfortunately the ink wanted to bleed causing a blurred image. For my second attempt I used the same in but the tissue paper was from "The Dollar Tree" and only cost $1 a package. It has a shiny and dull side and stamping on the dull side worked best. For my black dots around the bottom I used my black Pearl Pen by Viva.

Please stop over at CardSwaps here and see all the beautiful candles the ladies have made using different mediums. You can also go to Dawn Griffins' YouTube video here for the tissue paper technique I used.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed your visit!

A special card for my mom:

2012-01-30T11:46:00.000-05:00

Hi peeps... Today I have a couple of things to share with you. The first thing is a Change of Address card for my mom.

I used the new Hero Arts stamp set "Right at Home" that was designed in collaboration with Operation Write Home. I made 2 dozen of these cards using scraps of patterned paper for the houses. I also used 2 pieces of scrap of green patterned paper, per card, for the grass. The tops were torn, higher on one side and lower on the other, for some dimension and I also inked the torn edges with green. The fence and cloud were stamped on scraps of white cardstock and cut out. I printed New Address on the cloud and used dimensional tape to pop it up from the card. The blue for the sky.... you guessed it, scraps of different colors of blue cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed yourself!

OWH Sketch Challenge #104

2012-01-18T10:59:00.000-05:00

So far this year I'm doing good with my goal of participating each week in the challenges at two of my most favorite blogs, which are: Operation Write Home (or OWH for short) and CardSwaps over at CardMaker Magazine.

O.K., O.K..... we're only 3 weeks into the new year but hey... it's a start. Right? Absolutely!!

I really, really like the sketch this week at OWH! In fact I had 2 themes in mind and couldn't decide which one the do so I did the only logical thing - make cards using both themes. Hey it works for me! Here's what I made:

The top one is an 'Any Hero' card for CardSwaps. Lora Brinkman heads up the project to send the cards we make for the Troops to send home. I believe she sends them to OWH shipper Kris... but I'm not sure. The minimum requirement is 6 cards and 2 any hero mail, but you can send as many as you want. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but when my cards are added to all the others from members at CardSwaps it can add up to one really nice box. The stars are cut from a sheet of DP, made by The Paper Studio, from Hobby Lobby and adhered to the white squares. I criss-crossed my twine and made the tripple bow on my Bow-Easy. For the pennant I used the Die-Namics Mini Wavy Pennant set from My Favorite Things .

The bottom card is an extra Valentine card I will need. I used DP from a 6x6 paper pad called Love Me from My Mind's Eye. I inked the edges of my squares with Ranger Ink's Worn Lipstick Distress Ink and added hearts made from scrap cardstock to the 2 end squares. I bought the pink lace, made by May Arts, quite a while ago 'cause it was pretty but I've had trouble finding paper that it really goes with nicely. I discovered it goes perfectly with this paper pad. The stick pin is just one that I made... because I like them. Since this card will be hand delivered I don't have to worry about mailing it.

I'll be back later today to post my challenge card for CardSwaps but for now I'll say "Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed your visit."

1 Card for 2 Challenges!

2012-01-14T06:36:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends - gosh it's been a whole week since I posted anything. I knew it would be a busy week because this is the week Mom moved into her Assisted Living apartment. She's moved in, adjusting nicely, so now I can go back to playing with paper and ink! heeheehee. Without further ado... my card.

I was actually able to make one card that will qualify in two challenges over at Operation Write Home

The first challenge is their weekly sketch challenge #103. I love their sketches because there's no guesswork on measurements... they give them on the design. Here's this weeks:

The second challenge is the January ODBD Challenge. This month is a recipe challenge: Use THREE patterned papers on your card!

You have until February 3rd at midnight to get your card linked up before the February challenge is posted on the 4th. And the prize? ODBD is offering TWO generous $25 gift certificates for prizes!

Bonus prize for our heroes:

Our Daily Bread Designs will be making a shipping donation based on the number of cards in the InLinkz (only one entry per person!) - ODBD will sponsor one large box of cards for every 25 cards linked to the challenge post, with a maximum of 2 boxes per month. So be sure to pop over to OWH and see what everyone has linked. While you're at it, make a card and link is up and be sure to tell all your friends to come and enter the challenge too!

Well peeps I gotta run. Hope you enjoyed your visit and "Thanks" for stoppin by!

Having fun with Challenges -

2012-01-05T10:59:00.003-05:00

Good morning eveyone! I've been noticing a lot of bloggers are making a New Year's Resolution to use more supplies from their stash before buying anything new. The more I think about it the more I like the idea and I've decided to try and do the same thing myself. Why? I buy things because I love the color, because it's sooo pretty, and because it speaks to me. What's the problem? I have a bad habit of hoarding my supplies because if I use it then I won't have it anymore. There... I've said it!

Today I'm going to show you some challenges I've just completed over at CardSwaps. And yes... I was a good girl and used material from my stash except for one stamp. It's new but I bought it with Christmas gift money and... it was on sale at almost half off.

This card is for this week's Member Challenge over at CardSwaps. It's a Funky Fold Card Challenge using the Double Dutch Fold and you can check out the challenge for yourself here.

This is the front of my card and I used my new stamp for the top portion. I know... it looks like DP but it's not, it's really a stamp. Impression Obsession makes it and it's one of their cover-a-card stamps called Ornate Floral. The Friends stamp is from the Vintage Vogue set by SU. The bottom portion is held together by a bellyband made of cardstock. The black & white paper is from my stash as is the red, white, and black cardstock.

Here's a look at the inside of my card.

The top portion opens up and the bottom portion opens out. Pretty cool huh? The bonus is it was super easy to make. I placed another piece of my DP across the bottom so it ties in with the front. The sentiment is a digi I've had by Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs. Check it out here at Whimsy Design Studio.

My second set of cards if for CardMaker Challenge Corner at CardSwaps. This week's challenge is called 'There's A Card For That'. You can check out the challenge here The idea is to have some blank cards on hand that you can go to for a last minute card. Add a sentiment on the front... write a note inside and... voila your good to go.

I was really good because everything on these cards is from my stash. I've had the papers so long I don't remember who makes them or where I got them. The floral stamp is by Great Impressions #H184 stamped on white cardstock with Rangers 'Victorian Velvet' Distress Ink. The bicycle is Bicycle from Art Impressions is stamped on cream cardstock with Rich Cocoa by Mememto.

Well I guess I should be going. I hope you've enjoyed yourself and 'Thanks' for stopping by!

OWH - Sketch Challenge #102

2012-01-02T11:50:00.000-05:00

Hi peeps! Has everyone recovered from their New Year's festivities? I have... but then I didn't do anything festive. HeeHeeHee!

This week over at OWH - Stars & Stamps is a new sketch challenge. Boy do I love the simplicity of the design and my card only took a short time. I needed some masculine 'Thank You' cards for some of the menfolk in the family. Once I saw this sketch I knew I had my card design AND a way to use some gorgeous brown plaid paper I simply love. I hope you like it.

Recipe:
Card base - cream cardstock from Hobby Lobby
Brown Plaid DP - Glitz Design [a new company to me]
Green Dot circle - Brown stripes - scraps from my stash
Thank You stamped on cream in Rich Cocoa by Memento.
[sorry - I got the stamp at a yard sale and don't know who makes it]

Thanks for stopping by... hope you enjoyed your visit!

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T15:38:00.002-05:00

This is my New Year's card for all of my peeps who stop by or follow me. May your new year be blessed with health, happiness, and love... but most of all love!

I'm not very good at keeping Resolutions so this year I'll continue to practice my semi new mantra, 'Don't sweat the small stuff!'. I learned this 5 years ago when my hubby was diagnosed with cancer and have been practicing it ever since. I used to be a big 'worrywort' and would lose countless hours of time and sleep over every little thing. I'd worry about my kids, who are all in their 40's; if what I was doing [or not doing] was right, what will people think, what will they say, yadda yadda yadda! It wasn't easy letting go of all the baggage but I did, and I feel so much better! I hope you can let go of the small stuff too and just enjoy life and what you have today.

Now for my card... most of it is digital images and paper from Paulette here at Create with Tlc. I've become addicted to her blog and you will too when you visit! Paulette is very generous with her time and talent, and there is a freebie at least once a day. Please... remember if you snag a freebie to leave a comment and thank her.

I hope you like my card and 'Thanks' for stopping by.

Another Challenge Card

2011-12-31T14:11:00.000-05:00

Hello again! Here's another card I posted on CardMaker CardSwaps.

CardMaker Challenge Corner - Clean it Out:

Lora hosts a weekly challenge and they are awesome! For this week's challenge we were to use scraps to make our card front. I know... I know.... some of you just throw your scraps away, but there's so many ways to use them. I chose to make a Tile Card from scraps of Designer Paper and white cardstock. My tiles are 1" x 1" squares matted on white cardstock tiles that are 1 1/8" x 1 1/8" squares.

My lighting isn't that good so the red has an orange cast to it. For some reason the rows of tiles look all wonky and wopper-jawed too. In real life they are straight... honest! HeeHeeHee! Hope you like my card and thanks for stopping by!

Woo-Hoo!! I'm finally back to bloggin!

2011-12-31T13:51:00.000-05:00

Hi peeps! I finally got my new computer and I'm b-a-a-a-c-k! The insurance company took their time paying on my claim from the burglary, but they did and I love my new computer.

Member Challenge - CAS Card:
This week at CardMakers CardSwap Golda is hosting the Member Challenge. For those of you who might not know what CAS stands for... it's Clean and Simple. Now that doesn't mean you just 'throw it together' without any thought. You still put thought into your card and do your best work, but you don't go over the top with embellishments and, as I call it, foofala!

Golda's requirements were to make a Thank You card that has 30% white space on the card front. I used the design I used on my cousin's 70th Birthday Invitations. Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by!

Back to blogging real soon...

2011-12-12T22:21:00.000-05:00

Yep, I should be able to start back up again very shortly. I could continue, diary style, but c'mon... how boring would THAT be???

In the next couple of day I will be attempting to post some projects I've been working on. I say 'attempting' because I won't know for sure if it will work until I try it. It's a pain in hrmmpf having to learn a bunch of new 'stuff' that comes with a new computer. I'm a stubborn 'ole bird and determined not to let this burglary get the best of me.

See ya soon with some new projects!

Naughty?.... Or downright mean?

2011-12-04T07:11:00.000-05:00

Hello peeps! Has the whole world gone insane? After I made my happy little post on December 1st I went out for a couple of hours to get a few gifts and stuff to make candy. I was still in my happy little mood when I got home... until I opened the door!!!

Holy Guacamole! My house had been broken into and ransacked. Now, I'm not the type who gets hysterical... at least until everything is over. Of course I called 911 immediately and, no, I didn't go through my house. I did stand right inside my side door hollering "Whose in my house" several times. I don't have a clue what I would have done if I got an answer!

One of my dad's rifles was propped up against the footstool in my living room and a lock box was on the sofa. I bypassed hysteria and went straight to rage because my little fur baby wouldn't answer me. I thought the worst. My kitchen window was wide open as was the patio door. They had taken guns that were my dad's, and the ammo. That hurt 'cuz dad passed away several years ago. They were kind enough (?) to leave a couple behind. Bad move, and stupid, if they decide to come back for them! Yep, I do know how to use them!

The diamond necklace that was the last gift from my hubby before he passed was also taken, and another big hurt, AND my computer!! After 45 minutes I finally heard my dog whimper... he had been locked in the bathroom. Go figure!?! He wasn't hurt, thank God, although he's really skittish right now.

It took police 2 hours to get here and I live in the city! They didn't do anything except file a report! No fingerprints were taken even though one gun and the lock box was in the middle of the living room and 4 guns were actually stolen. Really!?! Are you serious!?! It took hours to pick up and put away all of my stuff that had been dumped out of drawers, closets, and cabinets. Hmmm... what I want for Christmas is 5 minutes alone in a room with whoever did this!

I'll be keeping up here as best I can on this super small notebook my son has brought over. My fat little fingers keep hitting the wrong keys... but hey, it's better than nothing! So peeps, stay safe and thanks for stopping by!

Goodies Galore...

2011-12-01T10:35:00.000-05:00

Hi peeps! Wow, December 1st already... where does the time go?

Did you ever make a "little something" for someone and then discovered you have to keep up the new, so called, tradition? Yepper... That happened last year. I was looking for inexpensive little treats or goodies for the little ones and found some free digital designs and some that I paid just a few dollars for. Now, Being on a very limited income free is awesome and a million blessings to the designers who offer their hard work for free.

Anyway.... on to the fun stuff! Last year I made these little "Magic Reindeer Food" packets for the kiddos and they went crazy!! Sooo... I had to make them again this year so as not to dissapoint them. Rule #1: Don't give them out early, like I did, or the moms will come and try to lynch you. (giggle) I found this free ready to print goodie from Rhonda Sue at CraftyMumz Creations
I mixed up some food (quick oats and colored sugar sprinkles) and put a small amount into small plastic bags. Yeah, I forgot to take a photo of that part but you get the idea. The quick oats and the sprinkles cost less than $2.00 at my favorite bulk food store and I had enough for 20 packets of food and plenty leftovers for breakfast and cookie decorations. Hey - ya can't beat that with a stick!

The next batch of goodies I made are the "Reindeer Poop" and "Elf Pillows". Yessss, everything is edible! The bag topper for the Reindeer Poop (pretzel balls from the bulk food store) also comes from Rhonda Sue and can be found here
Seriously... you have to go check out all she offers.

The bag topper for the elf pillows (mini mini marshmallows from the bulk food store) is from Dustin Pike Unfortunately I don't see this on his site anymore. Ooops... am I allowed to say that! Doesn't matter, he still has lots of goodies available.

Well peeps, I gotta go now and make candy for us grown-ups. I hope you've enjoyed what you've seen and I thank you for stopping by. Enjoy your day!

Not the usual Christmas colors.

2011-11-29T16:39:00.000-05:00

Judging by the weather outside it won't be long until the snow starts flying and I can make a snowman with the grandkids. Until then this card will get me in the mood to brave the cold. I made it for the sketch challenge over at CardMaker Magazine Card Swap. You can find the link here

Normally I stick to traditional colors but I couldn't resist this paper and cardstock by The Paper Studio. I got it at Hobby Lobby. The turquoise cardstock lookss a lot darker in the photo than it really is. Maybe while I'm learning this blog stuff I can learn how to take better photos! (giggle) Hope you enjoy looking at my card and Thanks for stopping by.

Problems leaving comments??

2011-11-29T13:08:00.000-05:00

Uh-Oh! I've heard from some of my friends that they had trouble leaving a comment for me. I'm so sorry about that and I've tried to fix it. You now have the option to comment as Anonymous. If you don't mind, please leave you first name so I'll know who it's from.

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-28T13:06:00.000-05:00

Saturday I visited my not so local stamp store "Toyrifix" in Smithville, Ohio. The name is from the educational toys they sell but they have a fabulous section devoted to stamps and paper and all kinds of goodies. Tammy Hershberger is the manager of the stamp section, but she wasn't working Saturday. Brenda was kind enough to let me take her pic with all their goodies. Here's the link to their website: http://www.toyrifix.com/

Here's the photo of Brenda and a section of their stamp department.

Welcome to my blog!

2011-11-28T12:41:00.000-05:00

Welcome everyone! I've finally taken the plunge and created my first blog. I must admit I don't really have a clue what I'm doing or even how to do it. However, if you bear with me, I will eventually learn.