Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine

Only a few days away until Christmas! It's hard to believe that 2010 is almost over. As the new year approaches I am reminded by all the Blessings that have been bestowed upon us. The major Blessing is that my Father-in-law has finished his cancer treatments and has been declared by his Doctors to be cancer free! I can't think of a better way to end this year!

I have some exciting news to share with you all! One of my Little Golden Book banners is pictured and mentioned in the "Cravings, Stuff we Love" article in the December issue of Pregnancy & newborn Magazine! It's on the top of page 20. Of course I scanned it and here it is:


We have a lot to look forward to in 2011! We have high hopes that our journey to being parents will be an answered pray. I will keep you all posted.

As always, Thank you for visiting my blog! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year~!

Paper flower Tag

Here's a fun tag for you! You'll need to pull out your glue gun and bone folder to complete it but it is relatively simple to make!


Cut six 3x3 squares. Fold diagonal to form a triangle. Fold each bottom point to the center tip of the triangle forming a square. Unfold the two edges putting it back into the original triangle fold. Fold each edge inward so the previous fold becomes the center of the edges. Turn over & trim off the excess. Turn back over and fold in the outer edges. Squeeze the folds together & set with Hot glue. Repeat this for a total of six petals. Glue them all together to form the flower.
I saw some friends at my local craft store making six total flowers and gluing them together to form one huge ornament for the Christmas tree. I thought I would try this folding technique to make a 3-D Christmas gift tag. It came out lovely :)

Stampin Up DSP: Candy Cane Lane
Hot glue gun, jingle bell, stickles, Big Shot & SU Sizzix little tag die
SU tinsel trim & silver chord

Just a few more days until Christmas! Pretty soon I will be in the kitchen attempting culinary masterpieces, LOL- wish me luck!

I want to thank you for visiting my blog through the years! I have so much fun having a place to share my crafty creations. And, it would not be as much fun for me to do if I didn't have such wonderful friends to visit and share in the love of all things crafty with me! I hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Blessings of the Season to each and every one of you!

Treat Cup Tag

Tag #7, Treat Cup Tag

This is my favorite tag! I got to play with the treat cups that I've been hanging onto for over a year! :)) What a cool way to use them- on a gift tag!! And, it was easy as pie to make!


• Popsicle stick
• Large Scallop Circle Punch
• 1-3/4” Large Circle Punch
• Treat Cups
• Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon
• Diamond Glitter
• 2-way glue, glue dots, double sided tape
• Card Stock, Whisper White
• Card Stock, Real Red

I hope the diamond glitter shows in this picture (it's not a great picture), in person it really glistens! So pretty! Also, I found it better not to fill the cup completely and allow for the candies some moving space inside the cup.

Here's a back view. Another tip, stamp the sentiment BEFORE you put the pieces together! It'll be just a little easier to make that way!

I hope you are all having a good time making your handmade cards & Christmas tags!
Merry Christmas~!

Ornament Tag

I am all about "cute & easy" & I'm feeling the tag making joys this season. Today's tag uses last years SU DSP and four SU punches, one pop dot, two stamp sets & two inks. Sounds like a lot but it really isn't, lol I promise!!


Circle punch
Tab punch
1/16 hole punch
curly label punch
Winter post stamp set
curly label stamp set
garden green & real red classic ink

Top Note Tag

Tag #6, Top Note Tag

Any chance I get to use my SU Top Note Die, I get excited! It is so versatile! And, since it is my favorite Sizzix Die I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to make a tag out of it!

• 5/8” Red Grosgrain Ribbon
• Jingle Bell
• Silver Chord, Silver Tinsel Trim
• Felt Snow Flake
• Curly Label Large Punch
• Top Note Die, Big Shot
• Handheld 1/16” circle punch
• Card Stock, Whisper White
• DSP, Candy Cane Christmas

Penguin Tag

Tag #5 , Penguin Tag (I did not use this one in my SU Club projects, but still wanted to share it with my blog friends)
This little guy was inspired from the Frosty Tag (#2). I just adore paper piecing! This time I used the following punches and a little bit of trimming with my scissors:
Stampin' Up! Curly Lable Large Punch, Extra Large Scallop Circle Punch, Word Window Punch & Extra large Oval Punch

Santa Tag

Tag #4

This is the EASIEST tag of all to complete! The Stampin' Up! Jolly Old Saint Nick stamp set did all the work for me! All I added was white flocking, rosey cheeks & red glitter!

Stamp Sets: SU Jolly Old Saint Nick & Winter Post
Other: Red Glitter, 2 way glue, white flocking, Basic Black Classic Ink, 1/6" circle punch, silver chord, Stampin' Chalks & craft glue.

His rosey cheeks didn't show up in the picture, but he is still cute. Love it!!

Wreath, Iris Fold Tag

Tag #3, Iris Fold Wreath


• Scallop Circle Punch
• Ticket Corner Tag Punch
• Glue Dot Adhesive
• Double Sided Tape
• Light Pink, grosgrain Ribbon
• Poinsettia Embossing Folder
• Big Shot
• 3x6 Card Stock, Pretty in Pink
• 2.90 x 2.90 Card Stock, Certain Celery
• 3 colors each cut 3times 1” x 2” DSP, Candy Cane Christmas (total of 9 strips of paper)

Poinsettia Tag

Tag #2, Lovely Poinsettia


• Big Shot
• Embossing Folder, Swiss Dots
• Chantilly Lace Ribbon
• Pre-made Tag
• Five Petal Flower Punch
• Silver Brads
• Card Stock, In Color Poppy Parade
• Card Stock, In Color Pear Pizzazz
• DSP, Candy Cane Christmas
This tag is pretty in person. And, it's being washed out by the picture. But, you get the idea (I hope). The flowers are run through the swiss dot embossing folder & then layered ontop of it self. Also, the leaves are the same punch but just cut in half and glued under neath. The top petals are rolled upwards for added dimension.

Frosty Gift Tag

The December hostess for my Stampin' Up! club group requested I create projects, for the month, focused on Christmas tags. She must've read my mind! I have had so much fun putting these together. And, I went a little crazy & couldn't stop myself from making tags galore! I thought I would share them with my blog friends through-out the month of December~ Celebrating the spirit of the most Joyous Season of the year!
Tag #1, Frosty
It's Frosty The Snowman! :)) One of my favorite childhood TV Christmas Specials!

• Large Scallop Circle Punch
• Curly Label Extra Large Punch
• Five Petal Flower Punch
• Large Word Window Punch
• Black Dotta-Riffic Pen
• Red Skittles Gem
• Silver Chord

Apron Recipe Holder

I am so confused...where did the year go?!?! Even though I am shocked that my Christmas tree is already up and I have made my first set of cookies for cookie swaps I can't help but feel like time skipped forward and here I am. Decorating for Christmas, shopping for Christmas and thinking about goals for 2011. I suppose I willingly jumped feet first into the Holiday Season because otherwise I would still find myself dwelling on how much happens in a blink of an eye.

Christmas is by far my favorite Holiday. Every year I am reminded of how Blessed I am and how much there is to do this month of December! What a contrast those two realizations are.

Years ago, my family begun a Christmas Cookie Swap and every year I am asked to make my now family "famous" Fantasy Fudge. I feel like I am a pro at making them though my excitement (about making them) diminishes after the first (of 7-10) batches. I do it because I expect my Mother to make my favorite Almond Christmas Tree press cookies (as payback). LOL, gotta get my way any way possible! :))This year, to save time searching for a cookie recipe for swaps I made an executive decision to make fudge for all cookie swaps. Mainly because last year I made a cookie that took FOR-ever to make and felt like someone (who received the cookie) didn't like it. So, this year I'm making chocolate- a tried and true recipe. I suppose not everyone can be happy 100% of the time. ;)

I made the below Aprons out of Stampin' Up! card stock and SU DSP. They are pockets to hold my recipe card. Because my recipe card is an Extra Large size I had to make the apron a little larger to fit. The card stock is cut 6.5x8.5 and the pocket is cut 2.5x6.5. I will use them as LARGE tags for the swap boxes.

I made a total of 3 Apron Recipe Tag Holders

This one is my favorite Apron. It uses last years SU Christmas DSP.

This Apron uses Candy Cane Christmas DSP. And, Certainly Celery CS.

This Apron Also uses pattern paper from this years SU Christmas DSP (Candy Cane Christmas) and Pink Pirouette card stock (CS)


Each Apron is Cut
6.5 x 8.5 for the base apron
2.5 x 6.5 for the pocket

Supplies:
SU Card stock: Whisper White, Blue, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Real Red
SU DSP: Christmas DSP 2009 & Candy Cane Christmas
Embossing templates: Swiss Dots & SU Poinsettia
Stamp Sets: SU Yummy (Sal-a-Bration)
Other: Quickutz gingerbread man, hand cut mit, SU scallop edge punch, white rick rack, blue gingham ribbon, making memories ribbon & eyelets.

Christmas Lapel Bows

Ho, Ho, Ho... or, like I recently saw in one of my favorite local stores called "Sparkles" (on a handmade necklace) "HO3"

Christmas is in the air! I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to get "it all" done! I have had no shortage of inspiration for handmade Christmas gifts! I just wish I had more time to create all the awesome ideas out there. I just find myself adding them all to my 2011 inspiration "To Do" list. In fact, maybe next year my goals for the year will be to make all these crafty projects-- break out of my scrapbooking, card making and reach for my sewing machine more ofton? I think I just heard a moan come from my cricut!! My dusty cricut :) LOL.

Recently, one of my really good friends taught me how to make lapel bows. And, ever since I've been buying seasonal fabric & felt with plenty of hot glue. My finger tips are burned in multiple places but yet I can't stop making flowers! They are fun to make and wear!!

Small Christmas Lapel Bows

The back of the flowers have a pin back. The larger bows also have a clip! Wear them on a blazer lapel, shirt or blouse, hat or purse & even in your hair!
Extra Large Christmas Bows


Extra Large Christmas Bow closer view

With this type of fabric, as you wear them the edges fray adding the coolest visual texture! A-DOR-ABLE

The smaller bows look cute with a bauble in the center but I think the Larger bows look good on their own.

Check out my friend Monica's blog...she is the original creator of these bows and is selling a similar style Lapel Bow on her site. She has AMAZING BOWS!! http://mybusybusylife.blogspot.com/ And, she also makes crochet necklaces and bottle cap necklaces (the list goes on and on what this lady can do)! She is a true crafty girl & I admire her style!!

November Card Swap, Card

Our November Card Swap theme direction was to create a card shape other than square. I'm not sure that I have ever made a non-square/rectangle card so this was certainly out of the box for me. Immediately my mind went to thinking of using die cuts & my Big Shot. But, ultimately I did not have a big enough die that would create a card to fit into a medium size envelope. So, I dusted off my cricut & inserted my "Wild Card" cartridge! Gotta love my cricut!! It saved the day!

Here is a picture of the group of cards I created. Using different card stock & ribbon colors was new for me too. I couldn't pick just one color to match the flowers so I chose four!

My card was created around the pansy flower. I wanted to try a technique to make a realistic pansy & this is what I came up with:

SU Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, More Mustard, Almost Amethist, Shimmery White
SU textured impressions embossing folder
SU craft ink: Rich Razzleberry
SU organza ribbon
SU Stamp Set: Caring Thoughts
Cricut Wild Card Cartridge
Big Shot
SU Wide Oval Punch
SU Elegant Eggplant Write-Marker
SU Silver Brad

Taylor Twilight, Halloween Card

This card is for all my Twilight Fan Friends who prefer wolfs over vamps:


I had fun putting this one together for my Twilight buddy, Tricia!

Inside it reads: "You really honestly don't mind that I morph into a giant DOG!?"


This card is about as digital as I get, LOL...which as you can tell isn't much. I just grabbed the scarriest picture of Taylor online that I could find then did a search for cool sayings that I could use inside. And, of course I wrote out "Happy Halloween" inside too. I'm imagining a Vampy Team Edward "Bite Me" card for Valentine's day! That is more my speed- 'cause I love anything that sparkles!! LOL

Punched Flowers, Card

Hello! Today's card is the one I made for the October Card Swap group. The theme was to make your own handmade flowers. Immediatly my mind thought of the flower punches that I've been collecting through the years. This card is made of 2 different flower punches, cricut cut leaves (SU old olive)& SU bird punch branches (certainly celery). They are all layered in various heights.

I enjoyed the card design idea but when I started recreating 100+ layered flowers my mind went to a crazy place! LOL, but it was worth it in the end.

Thanks for visiting!

Halloween Card

Got a cute one for you today :)) This little precious girl is part of the Greeting Card Kids Vintage themed Stampin UP stamp set! I used one of the other stamps from this set earlier this month in a Christmas themed card. I'm not sure if I'm lovin' vitage style because of The Baby Gardner items that I make or if it is something I would have gravitated to on my own. Either way, it is a precious stamp set with a lot of options!



Also used to make this card is the SU spider web embossing folder! It is hard to make out because of all the layering going on. Hope you like and thanks for visiting my blog! Have a BLESSED day!

Halloween Flower, Card

This fall weather, that we are experiencing in GA, is just putting me in a crafty mood. I can't stop myself from making Halloween cards! But, I'm having FUN and that is what is all about, right?!

As you may know, I am in a monthly Card Swap group. And, our next card swap theme is "flowers". I already have my card swap card in the works (much different from this card). But, I am inspired to try my hand at making other type of flowers...build my flower repertoire! I found the inspiration for this card on split coast (of course). I added my flair to it making the papers Halloween themed. They are simple cards, but my focus was on making the flowers themselves.





The flower is made from the SU scallop circle punch. Punch two scallops & Score between each scallop. Cut one time along any score line --up to the center point but not through. Mountain, Valley fold & glue the two scallops together. Glue ontop of a circle punch & add your brad to hold it all together. I also included on my flowers black nylon tulle under the SU vintage brads (new, in the mini holiday catalog).

The first card uses SU card stock (pumpkin pie), SU stamp set (Holiday Best), SU craft ink (Very Vanilla), SU Scallop Circle Punch & SU dsp (Halloween 2009). The second card uses other 8.5x11 pp from various local stores.

That's it for now,
Thanks for visiting!

Vintage Christmas, Card

Isn't she precious?! She is part of the SU stamp set called "Greeting Card Kids". A-dor-A-ble!!
Techniques...
Clear Embossing Powder, Snowflakes
there are three clear embossed snowflakes scattered on the card. It makes the snowflakes look like ice. And, it is very subtle. Adding a little brown chalk and ink over them makes them stand out a little bit more.
Water Color Paper
I just love how the SU water color paper soaks up the water & ink! This is my first time using SU WC paper and I'm quite impressed! It is worth the $$. On this card I water colored with ink off the lid of the ink pads (Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip & Baja Breeze)
Eyelet Border Punch & Paper Crimper
Mix the two together and turn any thick cardstock into pliable accents! This technique allowed me to pleat the green cardstock!

Got to use a few other NEW items from the Holiday Mini catalog:
SU DSP "Newspaper", Chantilly Crochet trim & Vintage Brads.

SU stamp sets: Greeting Card Kids, Northern Hearts, Bright Christmas & Confetti. Four stamp sets! LOL, yes, I went a little crazy but the new cling stamps make it EASY!

Have I mentioned how much I love the NEW SU Holiday Mini Catalog? OMG! I may end up with practically everything in it!

Order Stampin' Up on my NEW SU sponsored site

Well, I have GONE & DONE IT!! I am beyond thrilled that I FINALLY signed up to participate with the Stampin UP! Demonstrator website! I have pondered about signing up for over a year now. And, as Nike says, "Just do it"! So, I gone and did it!! :))

I will continue to update my craftyjulia.blogspot.com (here) as usual. The difference between it and my Stampin' Up! site is well, quite a lot...more on that later. However, my SU site is where you can purchase from me, online, 24-7! You can purchase from the SU FULL catalog, mini catalogs and CLEARANCE RACK!! Even I, as a demonstrator, have to go through my SU website to purchase the awesome deals in the clearance rack! And, currently there is a HUGE selection at 80% off! SU updates/changes the clearance rack on a monthly basis, so check it out frequently!!

So, where can you find my NEW SU deomonstrator website address?? LOL, check me out:
http://www.juliacmiller.stampinup.net

It is still kinda under construction, there's a lot for me to figure out. But, I hope you take a look!!

Vintage Snow Man, Card

OMG, OMG!! Yes, I am in LOVE with Vintage Christmas stamp sets! this one is SU, "Jolly Old St. Nick". And, it uses the coolest technique! Today's and tomorrow's card are the ones my NEW Stampin UP Hostess Club made in last nights class.
"Relief Stamping using an Embossing Folder"
I'm not sure if the picture is clearly showing how this technique works. However, I will do my best to describe what it is you may or may not be able to see, LOL. Using a brayer, cover the top of an embossing folder with ink. Slide your card stock in as usual, being careful not to scrape the cardstock against the ink. And, emboss. Once you emboss the paper, the embossed, raised images will be lighter & will just pop off the page! The card stock and ink are the same color. In this card I used SU Crumb Cake. And, it is best shown by looking at the snowman himself...The scarf, gloves, nose, buttons are the only parts colored in (on crumb cake paper, water colored with crumb cake ink). Notice how the snowman body appears to be white, or lighter in color! How cool! :))

Stamp sets: SU Jolly Old Saint Nick & Bright Christmas
Ink: Crumb Cake, Staz-on, brown, Classic stampin pad, chocolate chip
Paper: SU crumb cake
Accessories: SU Northern Flurries embossing folder, big shot, dazzling diamond glitter, brayer, aqua brush.

Haunted House, Halloween Card

This is the most I have ever used my Cricut on a card! So much fun! Lots of different cuts, distressing and gluing, but I am very pleased with the outcome!

I had an idea to make a Haunted House Halloween Card and pulled out my Cartridges to search for a house. I found one in the "Wild Card" cartridge! And, tricked it up with Halloween colors. Also, I used the "Paper Doll Dress Up" Cart to add a ghost at the door & a fence on the back of the card. I'm lovn' the im Holtz brick embossing folder ...used it on this card to add the brick texture to the front of the house. When you open up the card you would find a black embossed chandelier hanging from the ceiling!

EEEKKKK!!! Halloween is quickly approaching! I still have a few more cards to make. Ghostly Goblins, am I glad I started making Halloween Cards back in early September!

Even the back yard is spooky cool :)


Boo Y'all!!

Magnet, Card

I've been hard at work, for several months, putting this months card swap card together. I had such a great time with the "Baby" theme! The idea was cardlifted from someone on split coast stampers. As soon as I saw it I KNEW it was THE card for this extra special card swap.

After some trial and error I found magnets that would hold up the pebble & a picture on the refrigerator. Thus, the card is a sentiment & gift all-in-one! The new Mommy can take off the magnets and use the little animals to post pictures on their refrigerators! Isn't it so cute?!


Each of the little baubles have (Basic Grey) paper thin magnets on the back. When removed the matching image remains.


Remember when cloud pattern paper was all the rage and could be found in any scrapbook store?? Not any more! At least, not in my neck of the woods! Luckily I remembered I had a SU 6x6 page (in my stash) that would work. But, it certainly wasn't big enough to make 12+ cards from. So, I used special inject color safe paper, scanned the little 6x6 paper and WAA-La! The PERFECT paper for the card! It was so easy and I couldn't help but consider the possibilities of digital scrapbooking or card making...still not convinced about going digital, but it made me think!!

I found the pebbles at Hobby Lobby in their wedding area- and, chose the medium sized rock. It is flat on the bottom, perfect for a magnet!!

Also, I would be remiss to not mention that I actually pulled out my sewing machine for this card! I stitched lines around the edges of the cloud paper. And, I did not want to make this card specific for either sex so I did my best to make it unisex! (The little ribbon on the corsage pin is pink on one side and blue on the other.)

Thanks for visiting! I can't wait to show these to my card group!! I hope the ugly bubble envelope does not distract from the cuteness of the card. Congratulations to Tracey & her husband on the (soon to be) new arrival! I can't wait to meet him!

Another Halloween Card

Have you ever used Staz-on Glue Pad? I have a few times but have not had great luck with it. I noticed it in my stash & thought I would give it another shot. I just don't think it holds glitter/flocking, etc very well. I used it on this card on the chandelier and black glitter. After it dried I noticed the glitter was rubbing off easily so I sprayed it with art fixative- which does wonders! It smells but after awhile the stench dissipates and the glitter sticks even when you rub it hard! I even loaded the stamp directly with the glue refill! Still didn't work as I think a "glue" pad should!

Once again, I tied the black mesh with the ribbon & used the MS bat punch. The bats didn't show up as well as I wanted so I colored them in with a glitter pen.

And, I used the glitter pen to doodle inside the card and ontop of the cat. Also, do you notice the eyes on the cat? LOL, I really like the movable eyes- especially for Halloween cards/images!!

BOO!, Halloween Card

Still playing around with Halloween Card designs, trying to find the one I want to recreate for my SU Club group!

My poor little cricut just sits unused on my desk. Day after day I look at it, every once in awhile I'll dust her off. But, today I actually let her get some exercise! Even though it was just to cut three little letters- atleast she got some fresh air!

The picture doesn't really show the black mesh tied into the stripe ribbon- maybe a A closer look will show it better...love the look of the mesh!

Also, last year I picked up the Martha Stewarts Bat paper edge punch and I just adore it! I'm getting a lot of use out of it this time of the year :))

Thanks for visiting!

Witch'n You, Halloween Card

Witches Feet
I've had this stamp for several years now and this is the first time that I've used it! LOL, I still think it is adorable. But, I just didn't know what to do with it. So, I just made a row of witches feet. The last one is stickled.

Not long ago I purchased floral pins at HL, for another card that I've been working on for almost a month! But, I digress- back to THIS card... I colored the peal pin top with stayz-on marker so it would match the card.

Spooky Chandlier, Halloween Card

Spooky Chandlier

Even tho it is just the beginning of September, Halloween is just around the corner. I've started making one design of a Halloween card, in search of a design I like so much that I will want to duplicate. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I've been at my craft table making Halloween cards so early! But, I fear if I don't get a head start on them I will find myself inside Hallmark purchasing store bought...and, THAT, my friends, is NOT what my goal is this year :)

I am quite proud of myself for this card because I feel I successfully designed with pattern paper and not my usual colored card stock! I really like this card, the stamp, the SU pp...but, I'm back to the drawing board for a new different design.

Celebrate Fresh Cuts, Card

Another Fresh Cuts stamp set card! It's so much fun to make so many different styles of cards from one stamp set! Parts of the image are colored with prism art color pencils. A set of pencils I've had since I was 16 years old! they still work! LOL. I can't even remember the last time I colored an image with regular color pencils and not with watercolors or chalks! I'm reaching deep into my scrap closet! Also, the image is stamped with Sahara Sands ink from SU. I love how soft it looks- the color just pops out!

Book Inpsired, Card

Last but not least, my final book club inspired card:


I punched 6 squares out of the book page and chalked red, blue, yellow. Set them down like a quilt. I made the flowers months ago when I was playing with different techniques...they seem perfect for this country inspired card! A few buttons, a couple of pearls & old fashion doodling went a long way to making this card so pretty! :))

Thanks for visiting! Have a great day!!

Book Pages, Card

Welcome Back!

I've noticed a trend in color combo's. Seems like I'm seeing a lot of purple and green. And, I am just attracted to the combo! It seems fresh and different! This card is the second of three cards where I used the left over pages from my altered book.


I cut a page into one inch strips. When gluing them down I didn't want the strips I wanted them to line up uneven so they looked like strips and not like a single blocked rectangle. Once The strips were glued down I thought they needed color! The papers were calling out to me to add CHALK! Of course! LOL, then I thought why not mask the SU punched bird! The card came alive! The birdy told me it need to sing, so I drew in glittery notes! LOL, it was a fun card to make! And, I'm inspired to try out different tones of purple and green together! This tone looks a little fall and I'm wanting a summer/springy feel next time!

Dry Embossing, Card

Hello and good morning! I've been busy trying to organize my time so that I can get back to the hobbies that I enjoy so much. Even though some cards take an hour from start to finish it leaves a happy residue on my soul that carries me through my day! Life has a way of pulling each of us in different directions. Getting my "to do" list done can be daunting and depressing. So I decided to sprinkle my different crafts through out my day(when possible). It seems to be working so far! I feel my MO-JO creeping back in! Yea!!

My first Book Club book has come to a close. I had so much fun meeting with friends to discuss and commiserate! I was the first to pick the book and I chose a self help book "Women Food and god" by Geneen Roth. I have read the book over 5 times and listened to the audio book about 3 times. And, I still feel like I need to read it again and again to get the whole message. I am excited to hear what the next book is going to be, I hope it is a bit lighter in material :)

Because of the Book Club I got inspired again to pick up my altered book and create a few pages. Those pages are still in the works so I 'll have to show the outcome later. But, I made a couple of cards from the left over pages that I tore out of my altered art book. This is the first of three posts where I share what I created from book pages!

I have been altering the book, for the last 4 years, named "Miss Julia Takes Over". I picked it because of my name being in the title! LOL, Inside of each of these cards I punched my name out of the pages and glued it inside the cards! I hope the recipients get a little surprise & giggle from it!

Above, I used a SU Sizzix embossing folder and glittered the center of each flower. Tore the edge and under the tear punched the SU bird punch. I have been using my chalks a lot lately! Here I colored the bird with the SU chalks to add that little extra something! I love how it came out! The page map/ card map was inspired by a recent class I went to. It's really interesting to use card maps because things can come out so differently- but similarly!

I hope you like it and thanks for visiting!!

Inspirational Reminder, plaque

Last night was the final meet up for the Little Book Club that I am in. I so much enjoyed participating through the adventure of reading and discussing our first book together! I selected our first book and I did my best to lead us on a two month journey through the Oprah recommended self help book "Women, Food and god" written by Geneen Roth.

Over the course of preparing to lead the discussion, I read the book five times and listened to the audio book 3 times! I could not find any discussion questions online, so I had to make my own up!! Not an easy task. At times I felt overwhelmed and unworthy to be leading the group. But, I am so glad that I did! Our little group got closer as we dug into the meat of the theme. We laughed, we drank tea, we ate great food, we had wonderful conversation & learned a lot more about ourselves and each other! I am so lucky to have such great friends willing to work through it all with me.

I wanted to give the book club members a momento to take with them to remind them of the heart of the message. I'm sure you are not surprised that I grabbed some card stock, embellishments and got crafty with it!

Here's a picture of the three together...There is a front and a back. Each side with quotes and inspirational reminders. Each one is decorated a little differently but they are very similar.


Love U
On this side I took the liberty to take a quote (from pg 168) to make it suit my needs. It says: "My Little Cream Puff, If love could speak to you about food, it would say... "Eat when you are hungry, sweetheart, because if you don't you won't enjoy the taste of food" why should you do anything you don't enjoy? "Eat what your body wants, darling, otherwise you won't feel so well" Why should you walk around feeling tired or depressed from what you put into your mouth? "Stop eating when you've had enough, otherwise you will be uncomfortable" Why spend one minute in discomfort?"


Eating Guidelines
On this side I printed the eating guidelines as described in the back of the book (on pg 211). I figured if we were going to do this we would need to remember what we were supposed to be doing! It can be easy to forget, especially in the heat of the obsession! I added a Heidi Swapp butterfly to remind them to fly and make changes. And, each one has a different motivational bottle cap in the butterfly center. This bottle cap says "precious" and the other ones say : "Love & Cherish" & "Love".


I hope the Little Book Club enjoyed our first book, or at the very least enjoyed our fellowship! Personally, I am glad to put it down and move onto the next book; I can't wait to find out what the next selection will be!!

Summer Favorites, cosmetics

Lately I've been addicted to watching YOU TUBE videos from self described "makeup gurus". Using their example I am dedicating this post to my "Summer Favorites" list. When you find a beauty product that works for you - you want to tell the world and if you are a makeup junkie like me you understand what I'm talking about!!

The products listed in this post are products that I have used almost every day through out the summer. They show up on my crafty blog site because (for anyone who knows me)-Knows makeup, cosmetics, beauty, is a hobby of mine! I love to read about them and trying them!!

QVC is a huge infomercial for me, I even TIVO cosmetic shows! It has introduced to me all kinds of lines I would never have tried! LOL, this is no secret! My husband has seen my hobby turn into an obsession! Luckily Matt sees the joy I get playing with makeup/cosmetics & he sees it as another way to spoil me!!

I've purchased these products either at QVC, Sephora, the MAC counter or at Ulta! They know me by name! LOL

On with my Summer 2010 Product Favorites!!

Philsophy Firming Body Emulsions
This comes in a variety of fragrances. Currently I'm using The Amazing Grace scent. However, it comes in "Pure" which is fragrance free- the best choice if you want plan to wear a different perfume. The emulsion truly absorbs into your skin and leaves a shiny (but non-sticky) appearance to the skin! Some moisturizers sit ontop of the skin but this one does not! Also, with other brands I feel like I can't put enough of it on my skin to finally feel moisturized but with this one- a little goes a LOOONG way!!


MAC Prep + Prime Lash
At some point in my thirty's ALL mascaras gave me racoon eyes! In the process of searching for a mascara that did not melt off my lashes I collected a stash of mascara (from all price ranges). Water-proof to long wear nothing worked!! Until I purchased a kit from MAC that had this prep & prime it in! OMG, now I can wear ANY mascara with out fear of black eyes! I'm finally working my way through my mascara stash! This stuff is great!


Bare Escentuals- Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy
Even in my late 30's I'm struggling with the occassional flair up. I'm used to applying skin drying lotions on top of break outs. So, when my sister suggested this powder I was very skeptical. BUT, OMG! OMG! The angels are singing! As long as the powder is applied before the pimple flairs it is as good as gone. If, by chance it flairs before applying the powder, it still works but slower...it certainly stops the redness!


BareMinerals Buxom Lip Gloss
Saying I'm addicted to this product is an understatement! Something about the pepperminty medicating tingly feeling makes my lips happy! The minty feeling lasts a very refreshing long time! And, the gloss does not create that stringy- I accidentally put too much on look. It comes in various colors and I'm in the process of collecting them all! The colors may look bright or dark in the tube but once applied they give a subtle color! Yummy!



Anastasia Matte "Camille" Highlighter
I apply this under my brow arch and in the nose corner of my eyes- oooh so pretty! I like it because shimmer under the brow is not always the look I'm going for- this is an opaque matte skin pink tone. Apply from stick then smooch with your fingers to blend. An eye lift in a pencil!


Ojon Volatilizing Hydrating thickening Spray
This stuff gives my limp, thin hair a voluminous bounce! It gives me the appearance of thicker hair! LOVES it!!


No list is complete with out mentioning a dud! Oh, and I have one for you! I'm somewhat of an expert with acne medications- I know the ones that work well, just okay and the don't waste your money on ones!

When I heard about this thing I dragged my husband around town looking for a place to purchase it. $40 later I ran home to try it out. Unfortunately, the technology just doesn't work on my type of acne- the directions say not to use on white head pimples- but, now I'm left wondering aren't most pimples going to create a white head??? Believe me, I know the difference- I've had years of experience!~And, why do I want to use this on black head pimples because those dry and can be removed easily with exfoliants...using this loser of a product turned my pimples into thick, hard masses on my face that didn't go away for 3+ weeks! I'd rather have the pimple and let it run it's course than have a huge bump on my face for over a month! The ONLY plus is there was NO redness! URGH, waste of money:
Zeno, Hot Spot blemish Clearing Device
Two thumbs DOWN- If I had more thumbs it would receive a lower score.