Lauren Luke, Off Topic

Right before we left for our cruise I was browsing inside Sephora and came across a POP (point of purchase) stand by a girl named "Lauren Luke". Has everyone heard of her BUT me?? I am a make up junkie and this was new to me. I need to pay attention more! Especially to You Tube!

I headed home and looked her up on You Tube and I couldn't turn off my computer. I got little sleep the night before we left watching her tutorials! In fact, while we were stuck in the Miami airport (on our way home) I sat for 6 hours watching more of her tutorials and just simply searching other tutorials that people have created and put out there on You Tube. OMG!

Today, the first full day back home, I HAD to make Sephora one of my stops (Christmas shopping for myself)! I feared that Sephora would have sold out of her kits but the stars were aligned and I got the Mall of GA's last Lauren Luke "My Vintage Glams" collection. (only $37)OMG, OMG, OMG! I can't wait to try on her colors. And, for extra fun, there is a tutorial on her You Tube site (youtube.com/panacea81) explaining options for all her different collections! OMG, OMG! I want them all! And, I plan on viewing all her videos (which go back to 2007). I'm going to have to manage my time because I could easily watch it all day long! OMG

Lauren Luke has also written two makeup tutorial books. We were home for 3 hours and I HAD to place the Amazon order! One of the books is on pre-order (to arrive March 2010- I can't wait!!) but I ordered her first book. I imagine many nights / mornings pouring over it!

Sephora link: http://www.sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml?brandId=Lauren+Luke&searchString=lauren%20luke

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Lauren-Luke-Looks-Celebrity-Tutorials/dp/1439187304/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2VCR1RYPPAMP7&colid=SDV5I4MY25X7

Her Blog: http://www.bylaurenluke.com/

While searching through You Tube I've noticed that M.A.C. is the most mentioned cosmetic line people are using! OMG, I feel another obsession closing in on me- I need to find room!! I only have one M.A.C lipstick and I rarely wear it because it is red- a girl doesn't want to wear red every day! oooooohhhhh myyyy!!!! Lusting after M.A.C.

Yes, I did say we went on a cruise. Once I get my fill of my new makeup collections I will post some of our vacation pictures. :)

As Lauren says, "zoom, zoom!" :) she's so adorable!!

Twisted Flower, Card

Tried my glitter covered hands at a different type of paper crafted flower technique. This one involved twisting a patterned paper strip of paper and shaping it into a circle. A little messy to do, but cute. I realize this picture is not the best, I really need to use a different camera for close up pictures! But, too late :) here are the other two twisted flowers I made but didn't use on the card...I'll keep them around for a future, unknown project:

I've had this Scenic Route pattern paper for two years (I think) in my stash...perfect for this project! Me LOVES it!

December Hostess Club Projects

To say I'm having fun with my new Stampin Up top note die (big shot) would be an understatement! I ran across a lot of ideas on paper piecing holiday characters using the die. Halloween I made a Frankenstein & vampire. Which gave me the idea to make the snowman for my December Hostess Club members. I will fill his box with candy canes and set him on my desk! Check Mr.Snow out:
Side A

Side B

There are a variety of options for the box that is sandwhiched between the two snowmen. I chose to make my own box from the cricut cartridge "Tags, Bags, Boxes & more". SU stamp set: Four the Holidays

The technique the hostess of the month wanted to learn more about Liquid Applique. Which, is not a product SU sells. However, sprinkle with Dazzling Diamonds and Heat with the SU hot gun and it created the beautiful sparkly snow on the tree! So cute! If I had not already made my Christmas cards this year I'd be tempted to use this design.
Card

Stamp Sets: SU A Wish for Peace & SU Winter Post.

Dictionary Flowers, Card

Flowers, flowers, FLOWERS!! This winter weather has me day dreaming about spring flowers! I found a tutorial about making these cute dictionary-tissue paper flowers and I put a few together with in less than an hour. Luckily I had the right dictionary to tear up in the name of "art"! Convincing myself to tear pages out was the hardest part!!

All three flowers are just a little bit different and all are adorable...

I got to use my glimmer mist which hadn't been used since this summer's sb expo class!

Check out how fluffy I got this flower!!!! PURRTY!!

Top Note Penguin, Card

Another Top Note Die paper pieced cutie! Who can resist a Holiday Penguin? Not me!! :) Made this little guy for my card swap group. The December theme is "Christmas"

I do not normally like to make Christmas cards with sentiments of "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" because for me and my family, Christmas is all about the Jesus' Birthday! But, I rectified that with the message on the inside of the card "Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!"

Off Topic, Perfume

Okay, so I realize this post does not contain ANY crafty creations. However, it is a topic under "All things Girly" :) Those of you who know me well will not be surprised by this post. Since my teens a guilty pleasure of mine has been makeup. My makeup collection spills out of their designated drawers...

For some odd reason, I have recently become a connoisseur of perfumes. yes, perfumes. My collection is ever growing. Generally I wait until Ulta has a gift with purchase before I make a perfume purchase. However, a few weeks ago as I read through my mound of magazines, I came across several advertisements with peel and sniff pages. I became addicted to two in particular.

Generally speaking, my preferred scents are sweet and soft. Thus, I was drawn to: "Very Hollywood" by Michael Kors & "The One" by Dolce & Gabbanna! YUMMY! So, the other day, I was in Sephora, doing my usual browsing and came across bare escentuals NEW perfume- Leslie Blodgetts "Perfume Diaries". I couldn't resist! OMG! I had to make a cut because I simply could NOT afford THREE new perfumes so I put down "The One" & picked up "Perfume Diaries"!!! Which, does NOT fit into my usual suspect of scents! It lends toward the more musky, beachy scent.

A funny thing happened the first time I put them both on (different occassions). I had to put TONS on because I felt like I couldn't smell myself! I hope I'm not one of those crazies who you smell before you see!!! If so, please let me know!

spritz, spritz!!

Sassy Sweet, Card

Pretty & Delicate. Maybe a little springy, but pretty none-the-less. Used my fiskars butterfly template and hand cutter for the first time in a long time! I forgot how much fun it is!

You are on my mind, Card

I've been busy making banners (for thebabygardner.com- soon to be released "Garden Line")using SU cardstock tempting turquoise color. And, it reminds me of the Caribbean waters. Feeling a little bit of the sand between my toes, soft breeze in my hair, pinacolda in my hand, sun on my face...hmmm

Same design, two cards. One uses silver embossing powder:

The other uses holographic embossing powder:

Another Poky Banner

Look at this looong banner...made this for the baby gardner as my first for the altered Little Golden Book Banner line.

12 panels & 4 yards long. "The Poky Little Puppy" is a 12 page book. So, just made the length dependant on the number of pages in the book. Unfortunately, I am not able to get a great picture but, the colors are adorable! Baby blue gingham ribbon holds the banner together. And, the card stock deckled edges alternate baby blue then celery green. Cute, cute!!

The banner is still in the post production stage. But, hopefully it will be approved (possibly adjusted) and then I'll share the link once it gets up on the website for sale! In person it is so delicate and adorable! OMG! LOVES IT!

Blue Byou, Card

My goal is to create one card a day, atleast until I complete the card quantity my Mother has commissioned me to create. I need to count the total cards I currently have created to know how many days I will need to follow through for my goal!

Lately I have really been diggi'n simple, elegant & clean styles. Here's another attempt to reach that vision.

Again, I reached for my newest find --Martha's glitter (MS)...added the right amount of sparkle to this Blue Byou card. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't pick up on the sparkle :))

Another Tussie!

I had so many ideas after making my first tussie I kept going until I completed the Tussie for Baby Miller's room! Check it out:

When I was first approached to make these (for thebabygardner.com) I had an idea of glittering a Styrofoam ball and attaching it to the bottom of the tussie. But, I had NO idea how to get the ball to stick! With a little ingenuity and a lot of glue- - wa-La!!

And, I adore it! Also, Martha Stewart makes the best glitter! I want to roll in this rose colored chunky glitter! Come to think of it, I'm currently covered in it from head to toe (& the floor around me as well).

I'm gonna fill this with the Baby Miller do-dads we've been collecting for the last 3 years! My first handmade item for our nursery!! :))

Trick or Treat Banner, Top Note Die

OMG, OMG!! Oh how I LUV my SU! Top Note Die!! Love it so much I couldn't keep myself from making a Halloween Banner highlighting the beautiful shape of the die! Also, got to use quite a few of my cricut cartridges to add spooky embellishments.

I have noticed that I really enjoy paper piecing...from punches, the cricut, dies, doesn't matter! As long as the pieces create little figures I can't resist! Maybe that's why I love the Paper Doll Cartridges Cricut creates!



I have dreams of making a paper doll play set for Baby Miller- when she gets old enough to appreciate playing with them...if Baby Miller is a boy, I'll make paper doll trucks, roads, etc. Can't wait!!

Halloween Warning, Doorbell Wreath

Do NOT Ring This Door Bell for Any Reason!!!

Caution!! Go Away!! Don't Push!! LOL, how funny! Okay, so I've got a little meanie inside of me that wants to spook the little kids this Halloween! Thought a paper wreath warning the little kids about what they are about to do would be hilarious.

I wonder if any children will turn away when they see this sign?!?

Tussie Mussie

Have you ever heard of a Tussie Mussie? Not long ago, in the herb class I attended, I was introduced to the idea. Apparently, back in the good o'le days, of horse and buggies, women would ride around holding a cone shaped tussie filled with herbs and flowers. When the buggy passed by a nasty smelly spot, the women lifted the tussies to their nose & sniffed the scent of the tussies rather than the stench.

One of the items I will be creating for the baby Gardner website (mentioned in a previous blog post) is a Tussie Mussie! Instead of live flowers and herbs, inside I will fill the tussie with vintage baby toys, images, etc.

Since I have never made a tussie mussie, I thought it best to make a few to figure out any creative kinks before I possibly "wasted" the product I've set aside for my baby Gardner creations! :))

SO, here is the first tussie mussie of many!! It's my Scrapbook themed Tussie :))

I found this paper in Hobby Lobby in the clearance isle! OMG! What a find! The paper is handmade & has raised black felt polka dots! LOVE< LOVE!! Another item where I need to find a place to hang in my craft room! But, it is so worth the wall space!

Looking down into the Tussie you can see I stuffed it with a rubber stamp, scrapbook page map, LARGE glittered key, Large heart (with a lady bug on the corner), mini album & a wooden lady bug Connie gave me awhile ago.

So stink'n cute!! Next I am going to make one for Baby Miller's Room!

Black and White, Card

Man, I have worn myself out with all the projects I've been creating over the last week! I've got plenty more in the works that I can't wait to finish just so I can upload pictures!

I have not forgotten about my card making! My Mother has "commissioned" me to make 200+ cards that she will be giving as gifts next spring. So, I've got to focus myself on completing them! Here's two of my latest to add to her pile:

Painting on Canvas

One of my crafty pleasures is visiting the fiskarscrafts(dot)com website. I love perusing their project ideas! The moment I found the inspiration for this project I immediately thought of making one for my nieces. However, I am hesitant to do so because I'm not sure if they are getting too old to enjoy it. So, I made one for myself (because I am the age where "I'll never be too old")!

Check out the ribbon ruffles glued onto the hemline of my dress

I printed the adjectives onto cardstock from my computer. I love this font(CK Elsie)

Luckily I kept all my artists acrylic paints. Only the white tube was a little dry, but still workable! Got to pull out my new cricut "Everday Paper Dolls" cartridge for the accessories! Too cute!! Can't wait to find a place to hang it in my craft room!

Top Note Die, Halloween

MORE Crafty Goodness from my new SU "Top Note Die"! Made these little Frankenstein to put candy treats in! I was testing an idea I have for a possible project for the next Hostess Club in December! Of, course, not with the Frankenstein! LOL That wouldn't go over well for a Christmas theme! Hmm...maybe I could try a scrooge. Well, I already know what design I'm making for the club but, I might make myself a scrooge box just for giggles!

Altered Water Bottles

Inspired by my crafty friend Moinca :) I set out to alter some water bottles as little party gifts for the retirement/birthday party I helped hostess for a great friend of mine (Nancy). I've wanted to show you guys these bottles but didn't want to give away any surprises to the party guests.

Front View (since taking this picture I added flowers over the blue circle and I'm too lazy to take another picture)


Back side

Candy Cup, Halloween Card

I have GOT to share the ADORABLE make-n-take the Hostess of this months card swap group put together for us(Hey Barbie!)...

Doesn't it look yummy?! OMG! LOVE it! Now I NEED to get myself some of those Stampin UP! sweet treat cups with my next order!

Table Center Piece, Halloween

Have I been having fun?! That is meant to be more rhetorical rather than a question because, I have been having a BLAST creating Halloween Decorations!! The excellent part is that I have not had to purchase much of anything to complete these projects! Most of what I used I had in my crafting stash or in my yard! Yes, I said yard. Take a looky at this picture and you will understand what I mean.

Three sticks from my yard, two bags of craft colored shredded paper (dollar store) and a roll of festive ribbon (dollar store), Stampin Up! Halloween paper, SU silver cording and my trusty computer...that's all it took. And, I am so proud of my ingenuity.

Have you been to your local Dollar store lately? OMG! $ Stores are not what they used to be...of course, it depends on the $store!! Matt and I found one near by that is like a Walmart! Why oh Why did I ever pay full price for craft ribbons? The selection is crazy good!
I did a little search on my computer for "free Halloween images" and found the bats...I simply hand cut around the batty image, poked a hole to thread the chord and "wha-La" - a Batty Center piece!

Now, I'm sure you crafty people that have children already knew that there are TONS of FREE pumpkin carving images you can print off your computer! I on the other had, who just recently learned HOW to cave cool images on my pumpkin (thanks to Connie) have just figured all this out! Why isn't anyone sharing this info with me?? LOL.

Monochromatic, Card

October Card Swap theme: Monochromatic

Here's a look at the card I put together for the October Card Swap...

What seemed to be an easy theme proved itself to be just the opposite. But, after a little playing with card stock, and alot of help from my color wheel, I quickly chose the color purple. I can't help but think it is simply beautiful! Why, oh why, haven't I done monochromatic color schemes before?

Awesome News, The Baby Gardner

I am so excited about a creative venture that I have been asked to participate with. A good friend of mine creates paper crafts and jewelry items for sale on a vintage inspired website called "The Baby Gardner". And, the owner of the online store has asked me if I'd be interested in making items for sale on her site. And, you KNOW I jumped at the chance to be one of her crafty artists!

Check out the blog and online store with this link:


I am currently in my studio working on designs. Once I get a final product I'll share with my online friends links and pictures!

The Big Shot, Die Cutting Machine

OMG! OMG! OMG! I am so thrilled that my recent SU order arrived at my doorstep this morning! FINALLY, The BIG Shot!! I can't wait to play with it! I have a few project ideas I want to try out for my December SU Hostess Club group!

And, it includes the adorably versatile SU Top Note Die!

Altered Little Golden Book

I'm preparing some party decorations for a friends Birthday Party. Said friend :) collects Little Golden Books so I thought I would alter "Poky Little Puppy" (classic found at my local grocery store) pages for the decor!

Banner...

Upclose...I wanted to keep the integrity of the LGB pages, so I decided not to do too much altering to the banner. However, I couldn't keep myself from adding bling crown to the top of each letter.


Had some pages left so I made lollipop table center pieces. The lollipops were first covered in tissue paper and then decorated with flower punches and cricut "walk in my garden" flowers. Found the little gift bags at my local dollar store and added strips of left over book pages, bling, flowers, ribbon to doll them up:.



I have some more ideas for party favors that I hope to get to soon. Once I do I can't wait to share the pics!! I'm having so much F.U.N. putting the decorations together!

October Club Projects

I have a new group of crafty friends meeting bi-monthly for fellowship, learning (from each other) & sharing SU hostess benefits! A girl can never have enough crafty friends to be inspired with! :) Can I hear an AMEN?! Last night was our first club meeting. And, I put together the below projects for us to make together. Take a look :)

Cards

option 1

option 2


paper craft pumpkins. The smaller pumpkin is made from 8.5x11 card stock, the larger orange pumpkin is made from textured 12x12 card stock, and the pattern paper is made from the SU Halloween DSP.

close up of the DSP...

close up of card stock pumpkin...

Sublime Stitching, Embroidery

Look what arrived in my mailbox today from Sublime stitching!!


I can't wait to get busy embroidering Christmas Gifts. I am feeling extra pleased with myself that I finished my Christmas Cards months ago!! I'm patting myself on the back for being pro-active!!

I completed knitting a scarf the other night. I need to remind myself on how to cast off and add a little embellishments to make it extra pretty! Once I get myself in order I'll take a pic to share! I just LOVE fall!!