My second attempt

Sometimes I can really drive myself crazy.  I can look something over and find every little thing wrong with it .. especially if it is something that I create.  In my last post you saw my entry for the Precious Piecings/Paper Cuts Club digi stamp challenge.  If you recall, I stated that it was not my favorite piece... and that bothered me.  Well, it bothered me so much that I decided to re-do my card.  I really don't know if I can even enter a second card, but that is not the point.  I really wanted to work on my shading.  The best way I could think of comparing my work was to simply color another bride stamp .. and why not take it to the next level and just make the card?  Well, that is exactly what I did ... and this is what you get...

This is my first card

                                

                                        This is my second card.  I really like
                                      this one much better!

This is the first card
(I hated that I grabbed that tea dye at the last minute!)

This is the second card.
Again, I like everything about this one better!

The inside of the first card

The inside of the second card

So, now I can put this challenge to bed ... and maybe myself too ... whew, I'm tired.

I'd love to know your thoughts on my cards!  Comments are great!  Thanks.

  

Precious Piecing's Digi Stamp Challenge

So, this week I decided to enter the Precious Piecings's Digital Stamp Challenge.  The challenge was to simply take the FREE bride digital stamp and use it in something useful.  My choice - another easel card.

For me, this challenge is helping me with a goal of my own.  If you remember earlier I posted about some personal challenges for me, and this ties directly to all three of mine -  Card, usage of stamps and new technique.

I think I'm getting the hang of making cards, and I really do like it!  You may just be seeing more cards in my future.  For this challenge I used the FREE stamp that Lisa provided on her site, so here is another one for my growing collection.   I've found all kinds of free digi stamps out there and need to put them to good use.  Lastly, the new technique I used with with my Prismacolor colored pencils.  I love these pencils and use them all the time, but I needed a way to blend them better.... kinda the look of copics without the huge expense.  For me, investing in copics is simply unimaginable right now, at least until I perfect this pencil blending skill *wink*  *wink*. Again, I found a tutorial that we really helpful to me here.


I did have fun making this card, although I have to admit that it's not my favorite.  But, that is usually the case when I am trying something new for the first time.   I may have another go at coloring this beautiful bride if I can find the time.   Entry's for this challenge are due by Jan 31, 2011 so if you are interested ... go grab that free stamp!


If you are interested in some of the products that I used, here they are:
1. Precious Piecings Digi Stamp
2. Patterned paper by Reminisce
3. Diamond dust for sparkle
4. Stickles - Color, Crystal
5. Prismacolor colored pencils
6. Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Tea dye


I hope that you all are enjoying your day!
~Dawn

Homemade Lemon Sugar scrub

Happy Tuesday to all!

Lately I've found myself losing so much time reading blogs.  Every time I read one it seems as if I find another interesting one out there.  I chose to say "losing time" vs. "wasting time" because I really have found some valuable items.  This sugar scrub is one example.  My son has been really sick lately, and I've found myself chained to my rocking chair with him.  What's there to do?  Watch tv or surf around on the internet on my handy dandy phone.  For me, the phone wins hands down!  

One day I stumbled across this blog where the author talks about sugar scrub and describes step by step how she made a batch.  It looked so easy, and who doesn't like smooth silky skin?  I decided that I just had to try it.

I did not measure anything, just started mixing until it felt right.   I used sugar in the raw and light brown sugar as the basis.  Probably 3-1 brown sugar to the raw sugar.  I liked the softer feel of the brown sugar.  I then started mixing in the olive oil (although I was wishing I has something more fancy ... almond oil.  Not sure if that has the scent that I imagine it does).  Lastly I started sifting through my spices, extracts and oils that I had in my pantry.... wow, there's a lot of stuff there ... and I stumbled upon Lemon Oil.  Who knew I had that???  I have no idea what I had in mind for the lemon oil, but it was there and this was the moment my lemon sugar scrub was born.   I probably added about 4 total teaspoons to the mixture... just kept mixing until it smelt delicious.  I love the smell of lemon, so clean and fresh.

And there you have it, I ended up with two Large Baby food bottle sized packages of lemon sugar scrub.  One for me, and one for a friend.   Oh, and you noticed that I obviously spent some time sprucing up that plain glass jar too, didn't you.

I hope that this will inspire you to make your own sugar scrub at home.   Spruce up the package too, it will look so much cuter.  Mine is now going to rest right by the kitchen sink.

My first Easel Card

I can not believe how much fun I had making this card!  Maybe because it was a change for me .. I'm so used to making scrapbooking pre-made's.   The excitement that I feel for this card is really going to help me with my creative challenge #1 for this year for sure!

Thanks again to the ladies at Split Coast Stampers for the wonderful tutorial on making an easel card!

This card will be entered in the Little Scraps of Heaven Designs sketch#5 challenge.

For this card I used miscellaneous papers from my stash ... sorry I do not know the names of them.

I also used a Little Scraps of Heaven Pirate Bears Paper Piecing Pattern.

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley Stamps and the Anchor charm is from Karen Foster Designs

 

My personal challenge

This year I am challenging myself with many things.  I am bound to make 2011 the best year yet!  I will be more organized, I will be more healthy, I will clear the clutter, ... and even a few more.

I also have personal challenges for my creative side.  These include, but are not limited to, the following:

-1- I am challenging myself to make all my cards this year.  If I can do them all with my scrap paper all the better!

-2- I am challenging myself to use my stamps.  I have this super cute collection that is growing but I just don't seem to use them as often as I should.  I'd like to include them in scrapbook layouts and cards (see item 1 above).

-3-I am challenging myself to try new techniques that I may not be used to or comfortable with.  I hope to post my experiences with them and perhaps share some tutorials as I learn them myself.

So ... as I think about the challenges that I've set for myself and what I have accomplished so far in 2011 I must say I am awfully proud of where I am so far, and it's only the end of January!  I have lost 10 pounds, I am eating healthy, and I have de-cluttered and organized a few areas of my home.

Now, I'm hoping to check off my next item ... making cards.   My 4 year old and I have a birthday party to go to next week.  It should be a fun time and we are both looking forward to it.   And even though I know the typical 4 year old will not necessarily appreciate a handmade card as much as some (maybe his  mother will), I'm going to do it!  I'm going to make that card!  It's my first official 'occasion' of the year..... ooops, not true, my nephew had a birthday and I did make a card (darn it me for not taking a picture!).

I plan on making my first easel card.  I am using a tutorial that I found over at Split Coast Stampers.  Have you checked them out?  They have some amazing stuff over there!   My card will also be submitted for the Little Scraps of Heaven Challenge for their sketch #5.  Another site to check out if you haven't ... great patterns.

So now here I go, committed to making this card.

Do you have any 'crafty' resolutions for yourself this year?  I'd love to hear them.

Overstock items for sale

Check out my eBay listings this evening to find some sales on some excess stock that I had in my craft room!

I will have two Martha Stewart Woodland Branch Page Edge stamps available

Brand new, never opened.

This Pull-Ez ribbon storage bag is used but shows no signs of wear.

I rarely used it and only put a handful of ribbon in it. 

 Lastly I have this spellbinders small scalloped circle set.

I love it, but somehow accumulated two of the same thing!

Another late evening

So here I am once again, into the wee hours of the evening ... well "wee" to me, but to some I know 11:30pm is not all that late.

Tonight I worked on a challenge that is being held over at http://littlescrapsofheavendesigns.com/.  This is a sketch challenge and it is sketch #4.  The only requirement is to use a LSHD paper piecing pattern.  This is easy for anyone to do as the site ALWAYS has a freebie!  Sign up for the newsletter and you get one every week!  Gotta love that!

Anyway, I'm sticking with the Valentine's Day theme for now.  I'm really loving the colors.  I used the new sei "chocolat" papers and added tons of details.

Wish me luck!

Here is a view of the layout.

This is a one page 12x12 layout.

Here you can see a close up of the paper pieced bear.

Adorable, right?

Here is the title

 A heart pull out tag.

This can be used for journaling or for an additional picture.

Dinosaurs

I spent a little bit of time today working on some dinosaurs for a preschool bulletin board.  These were very simple to do, but very cute at the same time .. whipped them out in no time.

The pictures are not the best, but they will have to do for this project.  I misjudged my time today.  My little guy (1 year old) decided NOT to nap today.  How dare he????  Didn't he know that I had a plan for myself?  Cut and shade piecings in the afternoon, then glue and take pictures after bedtime.  Oh well, Life happens right? :)

This one's nose didn't seem to show up on my camera .... hmmm... makes me think it needs more shading.

I think the preschool will be thrilled!  They haven't had anything new in years (so I'm told).   These are being donated to Pine Lake Co-Op Preschool in Sammamish, WA.   Hope that the children enjoy them!

Something new and "out of the box"

Here is an attempt of mine of creating something new and unique for sale on eBay.  This is currently available for sale and I'd love any comments you have on this ... like it, wouldn't consider buying it ... etc, etc, etc.  It is a collapsable box and matching card.  The box has ribbon holders on the inside for holding a small gift.  Think along the lines of a small hostess gift.  Tea, coffee or cocoa would be perfect canidates to be held by the ribbon.  Or, you could just leave the pretty ribbon as is and simply wrap a few yummy cookies or candies and put them in the center.

Who wouldn't love this?

Happy Together

I participated in my first challenges ever this month.
This entry was for Little Scraps of Heaven sketch challenge.  There was a sketch provided and one week to complete the entry.  The only requirement (above and beyond the sketch) was to use a Little Scraps of Heaven paper piecing item.   They have some of the cutest designs ever there ... if you haven't already, you should check them out (LittleScrapsOfHeavenDesigns.com).

I did not win the challenge, however this layout was chosen to be a featured layout in their weekly newsletter.  Hooray!   I can not explain how excited I was about this.  I can not remember the last thing that I actually won!

Hugs and Licks

A Valentines Day layout that will definitely keep you smiling.

As always, you can search my ebay listings for more specific details, and more pictures of this layout.

This layout was made using Treasure Box Designs files.

I'm officially a blogger!

Well, it's official .. I'm a blogger .. and I'm excited about it.

First and foremost, A thank you to Amanda Richardson for helping me get this set up .. she is a DOLL!  The blog is still under construction, but have no fear it will be clean, and up and running soon.

Now .. on to the good stuff ...

Dawn's Designs that Delight is a small venture that I started just about a year ago (2009).  I love all things scrapbooking and paper related and decided to share my work with anyone who was interested.

For me, crafting items that I intend to sell is very fun and exciting.  Why, you ask?  Well, strangely enough, the items that I create to sell are so very different from the items I create for my own personal use.  For instance, personally, I would rarely use a paper pieced item and my items for sale generally always use them.  I truly love them, I love making them, I love shading them, but they are just not my personal scrapping style .. funny, isn't it

You'll see my creations sold on eBay (and hopefully etsy soon too).  I love comments, critiques and requests.  I'll post my creations here as well as my facebook fan page (Dawn's Designs that Delight) and hope that you will follow me both places.

This blog will probably end up covering many areas of my life as sometimes I have a hard time separating things :)  You'll probably hear stories about my husband, two boys or two crazy dogs .. and a LOT of scrapbooking ideas, creations and stories.

I hope that you'll stick with me ... it will be a fun ride for us both.
Take care,
Dawn

:Test Post:

Thank You for allowing me to Create Your Blog <3