Michigan Girl - Arizona World

Good Morning, All!  It's the week before Christmas, and you know what that means.  Woohoo!  Another gift completed!  Perfect for my dental hygienist who is also from Michigan, don't you think?  Unfortunately, I overheated Michigan inside Arizona!  And THAT'S why I don't sell my work.  LOL!

Enjoying some Marbling

I used some handmade paper from Heidi Finley for this card. 

Neebish Subway Art

Today's project features my first vinyl project (drum roll here).  I was inspired by the current challenge at Sizzix eClips and eCal Users Group - using Subway Art.  I made this for my sister who lives on a small island in Michigan.

Table Scraps and Neebish Island

My little sis needs cards - so here's the first - of many to come - LOL!

Huckleberry Railroad Visit Layout

Today I'm sharing a two-page layout.  My nephews melt my heart!  Aren't they sweet?!?!?!?

Layout inspired by Gillian Nelson, Scrapbook, Etc., April 2011

Last of Neebish

Today I'm sharing the last card I need to make for the women of Neebish Island, Michigan, for a while - using up scraps.

Taguled Neebish

Pretty much each morning I have my plans for what cards I need/want to make - and check out a few challenges for both ideas and to see how I can tweek my cards to meet the challenge.  I loved it when I checked out Challenge #338 at the Little Red Wagon with the theme "Text Me."  The card must include text other than the sentiment.  It's the perfect challenge for what I had already planned for today's make - Neebish Island cards.  I used Tagul to insert text to the shape of the island - with words that describe this paradise.

This is what the card looks like closed and ready to mail.

This is a cut-apart card - so when the card is standing, it looks like this.

Here is a close up of the Taguled island.

Unfortunately, life got in the way - I just finished the card - and the challenge closed today before I got to post it.  Hah!  My life story!

Color Burst U.P. card

Michigan's Upper Peninsula bodes a rustic lifestyle - with a history of copper mining in the Keweenaw Peninsula.  With its rough winters, its people are resilient.  In the summer, who wouldn't enjoy relaxing in the beauty of Lake Superior - dessert for the eyes.

Join me over the next several weeks as I make cards celebrating the rustic lifestyle of da U.P. - my first card using Color Burst and some aged copper embossing.

How to Get New Ideas

I'm often stuck in a creative paper rut - so I turn to challenges and sketches to get more creative with my work.  Today's inspiration comes from Scrapping Everyday Miracles February Sketch Challenge. The card itself is one of many I am making for residents on Neebish Island, Michigan.

Get Ready for Another Challenge

Another sketch challenge.  Thank you, Scrapbook Challenges, for always creating inspirational challenges that encourage me in my creative life.

Not all that pleased with my page - though layouts are always enhanced once pictures are added.  Unfortuantely, I don't get to share these great layouts with my grandson's pictures.  In hindsight, I needed to spritz this page - but wasn't in the mood for a mess (which is what that always means to me).

For the journaling, I used lyrics from Tiny Dancer (Tim McGraw).  These lyrics will describe my pictures perfectly, as the pictures I had to work with for this layout were of Damien driving his little Playskool car, having fun in every child's favorite toy - a cardboard box, one of him sleeping in the Playskool car, and one of him wrapped all up in a University of Michigan blanket - sleeping with the dog.  I'm not a journaler - and hate my handwriting - so often rely on song lyrics for my journaling - I smiled when I read these words and how they described Damien's day perfectly.

Home Sweet Home - Neebish Island

Attention Islanders!  Today I am featuring the first set of cards made for a fundraiser (August 13) on Neebish Island, Michigan - and I'll be back this week with encore greeting cards for Neebish Island.  Islanders can now share home sweet home with all their mainland family and friends.

Onesie Manie

Morning, All!

Oh my word! My intentions of posting every day just is not happening. I’m determined to post catch up soon! Wish me luck! :)

For today’s project, I stepped out of my comfort zone.  For my daughter's baby shower, she sent out onesies with invites - and guests are asked to decorate the onesie.  So here is what my new grandson (who will be living in Michigan) will be wearing - thinking this may be an annual birthday gift....a new shirt every year.  :D