My Sheri Crafts Challenge #134: Anything Masculine!

Your challenge this go-round @ My Sheri Crafts is to create anything masculine -- pretty simple, huh?!

I took this opportunity to create what I will likely use for a birthday card -- always NICE to have in advance. I discovered my Distress Inks are dried out after little crafting these last several months -- especially my go-to Antique Linen! Guess now's the time to grab those new 'Minis' I've been wanting!

Used Echo Park's 6"x6" Note to Self line today, along with DCWV textured CS and a center panel of PTI's Fine Linen CS. Three pennants were cut using Spellbinders' Lacey Pennants, as well as a 'sentiment' cut from Note to Self. I then covered a chipboard arrow from my stash in solid red EP paper and finished this very simple card by adding an 'iron' textured corner @ bottom right from WRMK, using their Main Squeeze tool. Don't worry, before I mail it, I'll add distress ink to up the masculine factor -- LOL!!!

Selfishly hoping you'll all join us @ My Sheri Crafts, as I NEED lots more masculine ideas for the men in my life!  ;~)

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#11) . . .

paper -- so here's my latest FUN project -- COLOR  your own dress!


Having seen this blog post, I just had to make a doll dress and Emily kindly gave permission to enter mine @ Harmony Club Doll Pages sewing/knitting/crochet contest on FB!


We have an Ikea nearby, but this fabric can also be ordered online. It is a very heavy 100% cotton fabric, but I'm sure any young girl will truly appreciate receiving her very own dress and/or doll dress to color using fabric markers.


The designs repeat every 36" and after grabbing a yard in a rush, I wish I'd bought more than one yard, so as to have more options in smaller-scale drawings to use for my small front bodice piece. I do love that little dog, his dish/house and the swing though!

If you're on FB, I'd really appreciate a 'LIKE' from you and perhaps you'll want to enter your own sewn, knitted or crocheted creation(s)?!  The contest runs through May. Good LUCK!  '~)

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#10) . . .

paper . . . and this is the result of one recent session.
Using Doll Tag Clothing's pattern from Freebie Friday @ Pixie Faire on FB, I cut these adorable shorts from two coordinating fat quarter fabrics from my stash. If you're a sewist of doll clothes, you do not want to miss Freebie Friday, which begins with voting for your favorite of four patterns each Wednesday and culminates on Friday AM with the winning free pattern link. You'll not only receive a fabby pattern each week, but an introduction to Pixie Faire's talented designers!
Felicity & I think this pattern is sooo cute and she popped the shorts over her hot pink swimsuit -- it's nearly 100 degrees here today, but thankfully mid-80's are forecast to return mid-week.

This pattern is so easy, well written and goes together quickly with minimal effort -- I'm giving it 5 Stars on my review and recommend it very highly! Cording run through small lime eyelets from my paper crafting stash finish off the 'faux' tie, 'sew' you see my two favorite pastimes mesh well!

JustRite Friday Challenge #119: Get Krafty!

After a longer-than-planned absence from challenges, I'm going to attempt a comeback - LOL!  Really love Kraft paper so just HAD to squeeze in a card for the JustRite Friday Challenge this go-round.

JustRite Stamps/Dies:
Merry Christmas BG, With Sympathy (Roses & sentiment)
Vintage Label & Banner Dies (sentiment), Labels Eighteen, Floral Ovals

Papertrey Ink Kraft & Vintage Cream CS, Copic Markers, hand-dyed seam binding, sequins

Thanks for stopping by after my hiatus; hope to see you back here again soon!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #131: A Moment of Laughter

I've been absent here for several 'life' reasons since December, but was invited by Sheri to be her Guest Designer -- how sweet is that?! Our theme this go-round @ My Sheri Crafts, chosen by DT member Charlotte, is 'humor'.  I had a chance back in early December before my life got too crazy to craft with two friends from our old card group. Deva shared a SU stamp set, Golden Oldies (possibly retired?). I stamped off this fun 'oldie guy', which I teamed up today with a quote found online that might get a chuckle out of one of Hubby's friends.
My Golden Oldie guy is stamped in black ink. He's  colored with various Copic markers, except for his shorts, which were stamped onto a small plaid paper and fussy cut. I simply typed up the sentiment in Word and printed out part on green paper for the card front and finished with computer paper inside.







Thanks so much for visiting my neglected little blog today and PLEASE go link up your 'Moment of Laughter' projects over @ My Sheri Crafts, because we can always use a bit of humor in our busy lives!!! Perhaps things in my personal life will soon 'return to a new normal' and I'll be paper crafting again?!

Thank You!

I recently won a gorgeous flower embroidered Mexican blouse for an 18-inch doll and since Jen lovingly handmade it, I just had to create a handmade garment-themed thank you card for her. Go check out her blog and her Etsy pattern store (link @ top of her blog) for many fabulous doll patterns in many sizes/styles, including lots of free ones and many historical patterns. You'll not be disappointed!

My card was made using Spellbinders' A-2 Fancy Ribbon Threader and Decorative Dress Forms dies and tiny Tim Holtz hanger, as was this previous one. I hand threaded embroidery floss through the frame's edges and ribbon along the bottom. The simple dress is adorned with narrow ribbon and a treasured little pearl-bedecked bow that was given to me by my SIL. It's a treasure because it belonged to my sweet MIL who passed away this month at the age of 97 1/2. I shall miss her sweet face and her plethora of sewing knowledge. As she was ever-present on my mind when I made this card, I wanted to share something from her that made me smile.  :`)

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#9) . . .

paper and I've done just that once again! Liberty Jane Clothing has had a fabulous "We Decide Wednesday' pattern poll on FB the past 2 weeks and once all votes are tabulated on Friday, Cinnamon has given away the winning pattern FREE for 1 day only!

The Maxi Dress pictured below on American Girl Kirsten was last week's winner and this is the one I made with a Cotton Lawn remnant that I paid a whopping $.43 for @ Joanne's. It's a little over a half yard, so I'll be able to make at least one more outfit from this lovely inexpensive piece. I finished it a few days ago, but just fashioned a little necklace to go with it today. Of course, you could make this same pattern into a shorter dress or even a top and it includes two bodice variations also. It's no longer free of course, but is only $3.99 and an instant PDF download, so you can begin sewing instantly -- LOVE that!!!

All you ladies who enjoy sewing for dolls as much as paper crafting need to definitely check out Pixie Faire on FB & join in the fun and if you hurry, today's pattern is still available for a few short hours!

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (No. 8) . . .

paper and that's just what I've mainly been up to lately.  I had an uncontrollable urge all the while I was making Christmas cards last Fall to be sewing doll clothes, mostly coats (for some unknown reason) and have one I hope to be able to finish up and post soon.  However, there's a new beautiful 18" lady residing here and I just had to sew her something new to wear.

Truthfully, I made this fun reversible wrap halter top previously for my vintage American Girl Dolls (larger than Mattel's) and it works okay, but I'd prefer both the neck and front ties a bit longer, so I think Kyla (a Journey Girl doll from ToysRUs) will be sporting this from now on. Besides, since she came with orange gladiator sandals and white denim pants, this top works perfectly/reverses to an orange/white print and the skirt gives her mix/match options.

A 'little birdie' (pun intended, Jen!) told me that these dolls were excellent for the price and when I actually saw them, I couldn't resist. Her eyes & lashes are gorgeous and her hair is so soft! I'm really sorry I didn't get Dana too when I was there, as she is so cute with her short hair and glasses and will have to come live here soon!

Kyla's darling skirt is a pattern that I'd LOVE to have in my DD's new svelte size and she could really use new clothes right now and is a total skirt/dress-wearing girl anyway! I'd even love this gathered pocket skirt myself -- sigh! Luckily for you the doll-size pattern is FREE @ the link below -- enjoy!!!

Gathered Pocket Skirt: http://jenwrenne.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/happy-autumn/  Take some time to look around, as Jen has many darling patterns you'll love -- quite a few free and for sale!

Unfortunately, the reversible wrap top was a free pattern, but appears to no longer be available from Even Ada Couture -- sorry!

JustRite Friday Challenge #113: In the Background

The challenge ending @ JustRite in a couple hours is to use a background stamp or any JustRite stamps to create your own custom designer paper. One of my favorites is using VersaMark ink on your stamp to create a subtle tone-on-tone background as I did today for this Happy Valentine's Day card. Thank so much for stopping by!

Stamps: Winter Words (retired);  Botanical Medallions & Banners
Dies: Lace Hearts

JustRite Friday Challenge #112: Color Inspiration

New Year, new JR Friday Challenge, new challenge rules and new 'less-is-more' me, as I cut back on crafting to spend more time with family/friends.

Stamps: JustRite Birthday Vintage Labels Four (Clear)

Dies: JustRite Custom JB04300 Vintage Labels Four; Spellbinders' Les Papillions