ARTFUL BAG AND TAG TUESDAY CHALLENGES

Well while we were having thunderstorms this morning, I had my trusty glue sticks out working on the Tag Tuesday and Artful Bag challenges.  Here they are:
http://bellesouth-blogchallengegarden.blogspot.com/

The theme at Tag Tuesday was

"school memories". Since I was in grammer school in the middle to late 1950's, that took more than memories.  It took some imagination too.  I have to admit I would have used some of the Dick and Jane books, but since my ink in colors was low (read nearly non existant) in my printer I couldn't print the pics.  I did find some interesting black and white line drawings when I Googled 'flash cards'. At Crayola.com, they have some nifty coloring sheets on all kinds of subjects. Worked like a charm.  I needed black and white flash cards because my mother made us a set of add, subtraction, multiply and divide flash cards from the boxes that chicken pot pies came in. Yes we did eat a lot of them. There were five of us and you could get 4 cards out of each box. The boxes were white cardboard with a paper wrapper around it. Mother would wash them off and cut them up. Good thing we loved chicken pot pies (Banquet is my favorite brand) and all of us still do 60 yrs later.Swanson was good buy Banquet had double crust!!  Wow, 60 yrs. ~ how time does fly!!!!!  Anyhoo if you need any black and white drawings, check out

http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/disney/

Now for the ART BAG CHALLENGE ~ I have only had a whole month to do this and as usual I am tail end charlie again. This was supposed to be paper bags with an autumn theme and  Anna talked about some Alice in Wonderland theme too. I just went with the Autumn theme. 

http://frostedpetunias.blogspot.com/2011/09/september-artful-bag-challenge.html

I really didn't have any 'Alice' stuff (although I LOVE the 'Alice' stuff I have seen in stamps and paper etc. Out of most colors of ink on my printer so I couldn't print anything although I have collected some pretty good clipart in vintage Alice (which is the one I am more familiar with anyway, I never saw the new movie). Anyway maybe do some Alice later on.

Once again I hit the church bulletins and cut leaves out of a pic of a pile of leaves and the rake came with it.  Used brown construction paper for the purse and chiffon ribbon for the strap.  (PS I have already bought an evening bag for the embellished bag in Nov. Just wait til you see it!!!!)

Well, that's about it for these two challenges, I am working on some more 'card' challenges, so we will see how they come out. Til later on this week, have a blessed day and take care.

Mary

SCRAPPY HAPPINESS FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY

Scrappy Happiness is haveing the largest giveaway I have ever seen.  I mean this box would just about set you up in cardmaking and scrapbook making.  I have never seen so much beautiful goodies.  If you can use any more supplies then this is the one to take a chance on.  If you are like me and trying to learn layouts and techniques then this is one of the 'essential' blogs to follow.  Beautiful layouts, examples of scrapbook pages and cards.  An interesting newsletter. Everything in one place.  Do your self a favor and check it out and don't forget to enter the giveaway.  Here is your pic of the goodies and the link.

 http://www.scrappyhappiness.com/2011/08/1000-followers-huge-giveaway.html

Have a great week.

Mary

MOJO MONDAY #207 ~ SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN !!

Well, since I don't have anything else to do, I have decided in my exploration of paper crafts, I will try making my own cards.  It has been a trial and a learning experience.  I found a site called MOJO MONDAY http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2011/09/mojo-monday-207.html  that has a weekly challenge  where they give you a sketch.

The challenge is to design a card using the sketch. You can choose any theme you want, just stick to the sketch. So here is my take on the sketch.

So this is it.  The biggest problem I had was getting everything to stick.  I used glue sticks that have worked on my tags for Tag Tuesdays and these are regular scrapbook papers. Don't know. We will see how long they stay on.
The papers came from Big Lots and are made by COLORBOK
and is a 'Page kit' called 'MY FAIR MAIDENS'. The kit had 10 papers, stickers, 40 chipboard punch outs and other punch outs, 9 layered stickers, 71 letter and number stickers. Quick a lot for the money which I think was only $3. The image I used is from 'The Digital Bakery'. http://thedigitalbakery.blogspot.com/p/three-column-designs.html This lady has some of the prettiest Blog backgrounds and headers. The image is from a header I have been working on for my blog. I fell in love with that 'angel'. Oh did I mention her background and headers are free!!
Good thing because I have no extra money. The doily is Wilton's 4 inch and I altered it to oval. The other shapes I hand cut and the sentiment I created myself with MS Word. This is strictly a handmade card.  It was fun. I study everyone else's cards trying to figure out how they made them.  I read tutorials on line and take notes. I have to use what I have and do everything on the cheap. I wish I could get one or two of the paper punches that make fancy lacy borders like the 3 and 4 inch punches.  Maybe someday. For me the challenge is learning something new. Teaching the old dog ( I will be 64 on Oct 5) new tricks.  It's not easy. The eyes are not what they used to be. Oh well, can't wait to see what the next challenges will be.
 Hope you all have a blessed week.
Mary

CLEVER CREATIONS GIVEAWAY

Just a short note for you all to boogie on over to clever creations http://myclevercreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-candy.html  to check out her beautiful cards she makes and check out her giveaway.  It ends soon 9-30 and if you do any stamping and stuff you want to enter.  She has a fairly new blog and like I said she make BEAUTIFUL cards.
Mary

TAG TUESDAY ~ RECYCLE THE TRASH!!

OK guys!!  Look at your calender ~ today is Wednesday and I am posting to Tag Tuesday !!! Will wonders never cease.
Rebecca came up with a challenge that is right up my alley.
Recycle the trash.  I save stuff. I come from a long line on both sides of my family that save stuff.  Why buy new if you already have old that works!!! My moto. My grandmother Nelson saved all her Christmas cards and cut out the designs and glued them to white tissue paper for fancy wrapping paper before my mother was born.  That was over 90 years ago.  And then she would save those she used and recycle them again. I know. I found a box of them. Some of them were almost 3D from all the old tissue and glue on the back of them. So I have a long and distingushed history to continue.
Now a bit of confession.  Last week (I missed) the theme was flower pots. I swear on a Bible that this was the tag I had planned! I just never got past collecting all the bits and pieces together. Such seems to be my life these days.  So luckily and by the grace of God, Rebecca decided it was time for a recycle tag. BINGO !!!!!!  I am ready! This morning I finished my tag (even if it SHOULD have been finished a week ago).  I got a reprieve.  Thank you Lord.

  Now I am going to give you something else to go with this..
Here is a pic of the stuff I used BEFORE I did my magic thing to all the bits and pieces.

In this picture you see: 1 old church bulletin, 1 end of a Nutty bar box (compliments of my darling Don), blue wrapping paper that I rescued from the trash at my bridal shower 2 1/2 years ago (even though I told them 100+ times to save EVERY SCRAP), a small piece of foam board (left over from cutting templates), and the selvege trimmed from a rather pretty piece of SUSAN WINGATE fabric from at least 20 yrs ago. Not bad huh!! 100 % recycled (except for the glue stick I used to hold it all together!). I haven't figured out how to recycle glue sticks yet (but I am working on it). Oh I forgot the paint I used to paint the flower pot.  It wasn't real new, it was old (several years) but not recycled.

I think some one should start an altered art challenge of 90 to 100% art from recyled supplies.  If they have already, I just haven't found it yet.  If you know of one please let me know.

Ok here is the link to Rebecca's challenge. You have lots of time to show you stuff and join us !!

Here you go ~ http://bellesouth-blogchallengegarden.blogspot.com/2011/09/recycle-trash-tag.html

I hope you join us over a Rebecca's and I hope you have a blessed week. 

Mary

KARLA'S COTTAGE GIVEAWAY

I am really slipping up in my old age. I know that several weeks ago I started a blog entry about Karla's cottage having a giveaway, I know I did ~ I think?? Today is the last day.  There is still time if you hurry on over http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2011/09/craft-day-giveaway/ . 

Only some of the goodies!!

 She has some really neat vintage goodies to give away.  She has (I think) one of the best blogs in blogland.  I love to read about her crafting (she has really great pics to study for 'how to ideas', great swaps to join (that is how I met her) and I love to read about her granddaughter Sugarwings.  All in all it is a fun place to visit.
Til later today.
Hugs from Mary

TAG TUESDAY

Well it is Monday again and I am just under the wire for Tag Tuesday. Again. Things have been quiet on the home front. The weather has been great, cool and dry.
It feels like fall. At last. Thank you Lord. Of course it will warm up some more, back into the low 90's, but I can stand that, just not anymore 100's. Til next year.

OK here is my entry in Tag Tuesday this week.
http://bellesouth-blogchallengegarden.blogspot.com/2011/09/tag-tuesday-moon-and-question-for.html

The subject was 'moon'. The background image came from a Sunday bulliten at my church a while back.  I save all of them.  They have such pretty pics on them and words I can cut out to save ink.
Like I said above I am in fall state of mind. 
Hope you go and check the other ladies art work.  They are all talented ladies. 
Mary

TROPICAL STORM LEE

Well, TS Lee has come and gone.  Unfortunately he left a calling card at my house that won't go away and is going to be expensive.  A big tree at the back corner of my house came down.

I took this picture standing on my deck looking down the ramp .  We were lucky that  the tree fell the way it did. It hit the storage building and not the van (that doesn't have insurance on it because it doesn't shift gears any more) and didn't hit the house ( root sticking out came out of the ground within 4 inches of the skirting of the house). The tree is resting on the back corner of the storage building and the trees behind it.  It is not going to be easy to get it off without doing damage and costing a small fortune.  I have insurance, but $1000 deductible.  Oh well I guess I now a new lawn ornament.  It just seems to never end. Just one disaster after another. Oh well Don and I are alive and well.  This too shall pass. Just like everything else.  I hope all of you had a great Labor Day.

God Bless all of you.
Mary

TAG TUESDAY ENTRY AND ANOTHER GIVEAWAY TO CHECK OUT

Well another Monday finds me entering a tag for Tag Tuesday  http://bellesouth-blogchallengegarden.blogspot.com/  just under the wire one more time.  I have had it on my work table for 4 days to glue together and just didn't get it done. Been getting ready for our tropical storm Lee to bring us some much MUCH needed rain. He has and I am happy.  Back to the challenge, there are more entries this time than before which is great, the more the merrier.  So check it out for some great art work from some really talented folks. 

I was in a pink sorta mood.  Still am.  I am having trouble glueing ribbons and lace to both painted and non painted card stock. I punched to holes behind the bow, run a thread thru the back of the flower and thru the holes and tied it on, and then added some more glue to make sure the knot wouldn't come undone.  What kind of glue do you all use to glue lace, fabric and ribbon on card stock (painted with acrylic paints or plain)????  Tacky glue and glue sticks don't work!!.  Thanks for any help.
Now for a new giveaway!!  This one ends Sept 9th so once again not much time!!!  http://kylieskraftroom.blogspot.com/2011/08/2nd-blogaversary-candy.html

Wow!! she has bunches of stamps and flowers etc 8 dies, bunches and bunches of great stuff.  She is celebrating her 2nd aniversary of her blog.  Lots of great art to look at on her blog too!!  Bunch of folks have entered so you KNOW the prize is huge.  Come on over, I always like company and she doesn't have a huge bunch of hoops to jump thru to enter. Here is pic of the prize and there is a detailed list on the blog. 
So here is several things to do on a quiet holiday afternoon. Hope you all have a great Labor Day and God Bless all of you.
Mary

MORE BLOG CANDY ~ AMY @PAPER TRAILS LEAVER

I just happened across a blog with a giveaway of such great candy (stamps ~ paper ~ embellishments) that I couldn't resist entering one more giveaway.  This one ends Sept 4 and the drawing is Sept 5, so you don't have much time to enter, but oh it would be worth it if you (or I ) win. Amy @ Paper Trails Leavings is have a really really great giveaway.  You just have today and tomorrow to enter so don't even think about it twice.  This is the kind of giveaway that even if you have a lot of 'stuff' already this blog candy would make a great addition. So here is the link  and the picture. Go see her.  http://papertrailsleaver.blogspot.com/2011/08/eeek-500-posts-giveaway.html

  She has beautiful art to look at and be inspired.  
While I have just about every SEWING plaything known to man (except an embroidery machine) I have very (very very ) little in the way of die cuts, stamps, ink, embossers, charms, stickers (and on and on ) that helps to make all these beautiful altered art, mixed media, scrapbook, and cards I keep seeing in blog land.  So I keep entering the candy giveaways. I have won one which has only poured gasoline to my papercrafts fire.  Not only did it have lots of goodies to MAKE papercrafts it also had tags, a journal, and lots of other already made pieces in it.  That  ready make pieces were great because I could touch and study each piece to see how it was put together.  That has helped tremendously because I don't have the money to take classes (which I would give anything to do) and to buy things, especially things I might not really need. So now you guys will understand why I enter so many give aways. Somebody is going to win each one of them and maybe I will win a couple with stamps and ink and diecuts I could really use.
Now you know the rest of my story.  I am really picky.
Wish me luck and pray it really does rain in my neck of the Alabama woods this next week. 
God's Blessings on all of you.
Mary