DD FREEBIE Facebook Hop - Love Story

This facebook hop is closed by you can still get your freebie by visiting the FREEBIE page on my website!

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREEBIE

FREEBIE - Valentine Digital Stamp

It's time for another FREEBIE! Today I have a digital stamp that goes with "Love is in the Air." Those who use them already know how fun and versatile they are. If you have young kids, they make great coloring pages too. So simple! If you are knowledgeable in your graphics program, you can add color and texture to the images any way you want.

When I first started selling graphics I never even thought to make black and white clipart. I thought, why? Black and white is boring! But I got a couple emails from people asking me if I'd be making certain kits in black and white. I figured, why not. Well, eight months or so later, I sure have sold a lot of them!

Here's a great way to learn how to use the black and white clipart. Download yours today and see what you can do with it!

You can pick it up HERE.

Operation Wheelbarrow Restoration

My husband loves to restore old things back to their original glory. This wheelbarrow has been in his family for over 60 years. He loves working in the yard and he uses this wheelbarrow all the time.

As you can see in the lower photo, this thing was in seriously bad condition. Instead of buying a new one, he knew that he could fix this one up. He has a friend who owned a powder coating business so he took care of the steel parts. Brian purchased new handles, nuts, and bolts, and then rebuilt it. Can you believe it's the same wheelbarrow? I saw those old handles, and quite honestly, I'm surprised they didn't fall apart they were so rotted!

Images in page from "Thoughts of Summer" Clipart kit available at my Etsy Shop.

No Snowman Toy For Bubba!

I made the little snowman decoration somewhere around twelve years ago. The kids were still in middle school. So I've had him for many years. I woke up to Brian asking me this morning if I made a snowman toy for Bubba. Since this snowman was made about five years before Bubba was born, I have to say no.

Will he ever be able to tell the difference between his toys and mine?

Share the Love - Julie & Shawnna

Today in my "Share the Love" series you are going to meet Shawnna and Julie. These are such incredibly talented graphic designers who have both been such a huge inspiration to me.

First we have Shawnna. She is the talent behind LovelyTOCU. I LOVE her art! Her girls have so much class and style. She can make them look like you or anyone you want them to look like. I kinda think the one above looks a little like me, don't you think? I have seen a couple other artists who try to do similar work, but she has that something special that sets her girls apart from all the others. I think my favorite pieces of hers are her kitchen girls and her kitchen mixers. Oh, and her cupcakes! So cute! Stop by her shop and you'll see what I mean.

Shawnna's Etsy Shop
Shawnna's Blog
Shawnna's Facebook

Next we have Julie from Clementine Digitals. She has such a variety of clipart images and she sell's a lot of them so I'm obviously not her only fan. Her owls are so cute but the images above are my favorites. My mom's side of the family is from Wales, and that's what I think of when I see this kit. She also has an awesome collection of digital papers. So bright and colorful!

Julie's Etsy Shop
Julie's Blog
Julie's Facebook

Next time you will meet my two besties from the pattern designing world. And spell check doesn't like "besties" but if they say in on the Big Bang Theory, then it is indeed a word!

Blog FREEBIE - Snowman Soup Bag Topper

 
It's time for a Holiday freebie! I've made you a Snowman Soup bag topper. It's sized to fit a ziploc sandwich sized lunch bag. Just slip a packet of cocoa, a couple Hershey's kisses, small candy cane, and some miniature marshmallows inside the bag. Cut out the topper, fold in half and staple to the top of the bag. Makes a cute treat for some special child in your life!

You can download yours Here. 

Enjoy!

Images are from various clipart kits that are available at my Etsy Shop.

Christmas Preparations

 
Shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, cleaning, crafting! Do your days get as busy as mine? Fortunately Doc is out of town so starting next week, I'll get a few extra days off to catch up. I've been busy designing new graphics and patterns. Looking forward to another magazine publication this Spring. 

My son just bought his first house and we moved him in last week. It's a nice house, in a nice area which makes me a happy mom!!! Gotta say, I a bit jealous of that great big kitchen! I think I actually have them talked into having Thanksgiving next year.

Short post today, got to get back to busy. In case you missed my original post, or you forgot, you can still download your free Christmas ornament E-book with nine awesome projects including my lollipop ornaments. You can get yours at All Free Holiday Crafts. Be sure to check out their thousands of other craft projects too. If you like to craft, you'll be putting that site in your favorites!

GET YOUR FREE EBOOK HERE.

Quick Christmas Fix

Our living room is pretty big but we have almost an entire wall taken up by floor to ceiling windows. Since we live out in the country this isn't a problem and we have lots of privacy because the living room is facing the back of the house and there is no one behind us, just woods and cornfields. This does however create a few problems for decorating. We have a large ottoman that matches the couch and loveseat. I like it best at the side of the loveseat but with the tree up, I want lots of space for the tree, decorations and LOTS of presents!

We also have a big entry way that leads to the living room. Brian suggested we put the ottoman there against the bare wall. I like the idea because it's close at hand for any additional seating that will be needed during the holidays when the kids are all here. But that said, it just looked like a big, fat ottoman stuck against the wall. I happened to remember that we had an extra king sized pillow in the hall closet. I decided to make a cover for it that closes in the back with velcro so it can be taken off and easily stored until next year.

I'm actually happy with the way it came out. The last thing I wanted was for it to look like a bed pillow with a bed looking pillowcase. What do you think? I like the way it's a perfect fit for the ottoman too.

Images in the photo are from my "Waiting for Santa" and "Holiday Magic" graphic and clipart sets which are available at my shops.

Sales - Sales - Sales!

 For those in the States, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We sure did! We had a feast! We always cook for an army no matter how many show up. We hosted the big event here. Brian cooked the turkey and it was fabulous! I even used the owl napkin rings that I made. Tutorial here.

I will not be shopping this Black Friday because I will be working. Not sure I'd be out in the crowds anyway. But I will be celebrating Black Friday through Cyber Monday at my shops with sales. Let the Holidays begin!

Turkey in image above is from my Halloween & Fall Clipart Set which can be found at my Etsy Shop, Teacher's Notebook Shop, Meylah Graphics Shop.

Digital Designers Freebie Download Hop

This facebook hop is now closed but you can still get my freebie on the FREEBIE page of my website HERE.

FREEBIE - Mini Scrapbooking Kit for Halloween

It just dawned on me that I had planned on putting a freebie mini-kit out for Halloween, and I almost forgot! So here it is. You'll get the four images you see here plus the background paper (3600 x 3600 pixels). There's enough there to make up a cute scrapbook page, or even a greeting card. You can even decorate your blog or website with the images. I just made a cute desktop wallpaper with mine.

You can pick your freebie up at 4-Shared or on the freebie page of my website.

Note: 4-Shared has a bunch of download buttons, make sure you click the right one or you'll be downloading something else. Probably best to just grab it from my website.

Enjoy!

Freebie - Witch's Brew Hot Cocoa Printable

It's time or another freebie! Here is a fun printable for you. Just print it out, and tuck in a packet of hot cocoa mix. A cute little gift for you favorite little goblins.

You can pick yours up at 4-Shared HERE, or on the freebie page of my website, HERE.

The images are from my "Trick or Treat Graphic Kits" and my "Funky Halloween" Graphic Kits which can be found at my Website, Clipart Shop, and Etsy. Links at the right.

Happy Birthday Layla!

 

It was a year ago when I announced that I had become a great aunt for the first time. Well, it's hard to believe that it's already been a year! Yesterday we celebrated Layla's first birthday with family and friends. We had a Minnie Mouse theme, lots of presents, cupcakes, cake, and a healthy luncheon menu. The weather could not have been any better. What a cute birthday girl she is!

Image in photo is from my "What a Face" graphic/clipart kit which is available at my shops.

I'm Such A Loser!

Another goal has been met. As of this past weekend, I've lost a total of 20 pounds! At first it was slow going down a very rough road. Now, I've got a good grip on things and it seems so much easier. There are many things that have helped me along the way such as a supportive family, having access to our own elliptical (more on that later), and a husband who is a pro at watching what the eats and making sure that he works out regularly. Those are just to name a few.

One of the things that has been a big help to me is my myfitnesspal.com (screenshot above). It's a website where you can log your weight, measurements, food, and exercise. They also have a community if you are interested. I don't join in on conversations or groups, but I find the smartphone app helpful to log my progress. It remembers the foods you use most often and it also stores your favorites so you never have to enter that food again, you just scroll down to it. It tells you how many calories you have at the start of your day, then adjusts as you eat and exercise. You know exactly how many calories you have left. My favorite part is at the end of the day when you choose "complete" and it says, "If you eat like this everyday, in five weeks you will weigh 135 pounds." Or whatever the case might be.

And it's all FREE!!! Free is good! This has been a big help to me. I think that logging and keeping track of my progress has added to my success. Whatever program you use, it does help to keep a log.

Images in the photo above are from my "Health and Fitness" clipart/graphic sets which are available at my website, clipart shop, and Etsy.

National Sewing Month

Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? If you've never sewn a stitch before but thought it would be fun to learn, now is the perfect time!

My friend and fellow pattern designer Heather, will be celebrating BIG all month long! She has some pretty talented guests that will be participating, as well as some incredible giveaways. She also has lots of fun projects planned. I for one will be stopping by her blog daily and you should too!

Look for the sewing machine graphic at the right side of my blog. It will be there all month long so all you have to do is click on it to take you there. 

The dress form graphic in the photo above is from my "The Sewing Room" graphic and clipart kit which can be found at my Etsy Shop, Website, or Clipart Shop. Links at the right.

Craft & Sewing Tip - Don't Rush!

It's probably one of the first things we learn but it's also the mistake we make most often. The photo above shows what can happen when we rush. I remember the moment exactly.

I thought I'd quickly finish up some bags while waiting for our homemade pizzas to bake. Yes, mine was healthy. Anyway, all I had to do was add the embellishments after they were completed. It was the final step. I grabbed my paint and didn't shake it very well, I didn't have much time, because I was in a hurry. I also didn't take the time to test the paint on some scrap fabric before applying it on my little bags. BIG MISTAKE! Had I waited until after dinner when I wasn't so rushed, I would not have ended up with the face you see on the ghost to the left. Needless to say, I had to make another bag, with another hand appliqued ghost later that evening. So my rush to finish the job quickly actually took about an extra hour and a half.

Have you ever flubbed like that because you were trying to SAVE time?

Witch grouping in the image above can be be found in my "Halloween & Fall Graphic/Clipart Set" that is available at my Website, Etsy Shop, and Teacher's Notebook Shop. Links at the right.

"Crafts 'n things" Feature - Trick or Treat Bags

The September/October issue of Crafts 'n things magazine is out. If you turn to page 16, you will find my Halloween Trick or Treat Bags. The bags are fully lined so they are nice and strong to hold lots of candy on Halloween night. After the night is over and the candy is gone, these make great little travel bags for kids! You can even make them out of plain fabric for all year round! Everyone who knows me well, knows that a it's my personal opinion that black cats are all year long! Just ask Punkie!

This magazine is also packed with so many fun Halloween and fall projects. I'll be heading out to pick up some polymer clay this weekend because I'm going to make the little "autumn owl pins" that I saw on page 31. I think I'm going to put magnets on the back of some as well.

If you want to make my trick or treat bags, super cute owl pins (looks easy too), or any other fun projects, pick up your copy at a magazine stand near you!

They also have a great website if you want to visit it:

http://www.craftsnthings.com

Well, I'm off to hit the elliptical. Gotta get my 45 minutes in!

Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Muffins - Low Fat

This is one of my favorite healthy recipes! I've been making these for years. I can probably make them blindfolded!  They are so good and guilt free. They have about 220 calories each and the only fat they contain comes from the small amount of nuts and chocolate chips. But don't leave them out, for such a small amount, they add a lot of flavor! 

They also freeze very well.  As you can see, the recipe is so easy to half, which I do a lot. And if you're going to make them, be sure to eat one fresh from the oven. Yummmmmm! They are great for breakfast, as a snack, or with soup or salad. Enough talk.....

2 small to medium bananas
2 eggs
2 Tbsp water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. choc mini chips
6 Tbsp. chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 325.  Mash bananas.  Whisk in egg, water, sugars.  In small bowl combine flour, soda & salt.  Add to banana mixture.  Fold in choc & nuts.

Bake 25 - 30 minutes.  Makes 12

Bird Watching

As I walk past the living room a few days ago I see this black tail sticking out from behind the loveseat, swaying back and forth so gently. Upon closer observation I was able to see what exactly it was that caught her attention. There must have been a "birdie" convention being held on our back deck. I know that Punkie was wishing she could go outside and play with them.

Cat in image is from my "Luv My Cat" clipart and graphic set which can be found at my Etsy Shop or my Teacher's Notebook Clipart Shop.

I Love Color!

While shopping for fabric lately I've noticed an area where I've change in my old age. Although there have been many changes in my tastes, one of my biggest changes is my use of color. I used to be a soft, muted tone kind of girl. Lately, while fabric shopping and designing, I've noticed that I've become a "Big Bold Color" kind of girl. And I like it!

Above is just a small representation of the fabrics that I've purchased recently. I went crazy at JoAnn's 99 cent fat quarter sale a couple months ago as you can see in the photo above. Yesterday I came home with the four fabrics also shown. I was so drawn to them. I bought two yards of each. I think I'm going to make some little zipper bags out of them. I love making quick little projects and I plan on making some things to put away for Christmas, as well as designing some new patterns.

My question to you is.....what kind of things would you make from fun and colorful fabrics?

Palette and floss images in the photo above are from my "Crafting Fun" and "Painting Party" Graphic and Clipart Kits which can be found at my Etsy Shop, Clipart Shop, and Website.