I loooooove chalkboard crafts.....

For this weeks project for The Cutting Cafe,  I used the FUN WITH HEARTS.....PRINTABLE SET.

Here is a Sneak Peek

                           

This FUN WITH HEARTS printable stamp set features 48 images...there are 23 different hearts...each are approx. 2.5 by 2.5 inches and 1 inch....also there are 2 wings...large and small to work with the 2 different size hearts.

I used my newest favorite toy.....my Silhouette Cameo.  The print and cut feature is so much fun. All I want to do right now is Print and Cut!......  And The Cutting Cafe has tons of sets I can't wait to try.

Three things I like are hearts, polka dots and flowers.  When I saw this set, I knew I would use it for my Valentine's Day projects.  How could I pass it up, three of my favs in the same set.  Whooo Hooooo!   I knew that I wanted to make a card and I really like all the chalkboard crafts that you see on Pinterest and craft blogs, so I put the two together and came up with this.  Hope you enjoy!!

Here is the heart with flowers.......



And here is the heart with polka dots.

 

To get the chalkboard look I used black cardstock, white stamp pad and a white watercolor pencil.  Embellished with red ribbon and a button slide from Stampin' Up!

 

 

 

 

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.........

For my project this week for The Cutting Cafe, I used the HEART BAG CUTTING FILE/template. Thought it would be perfect for the next holiday quickly approaching.   I also used the ASSORTED BANNER TEMPLATES AND CUTTING FILES.  It comes with 3 different banners to add to your cards or projects. 
I think this bag would be the perfect size for friends, coworkers or your childs Valentine's party at school.  Just enough candy that you wouldn't have to break anyones New Years Resolution.

 

For this project I used the print and cut feature on my Silhouette Cameo. (Did I ever tell you how much I LOOOOVE my Cameo?~ hehe)  I added the scalloped banner around the top of the bag.   I also added twisted rafia for the handles and made a small crochet flower. To give it a finished look I added a small button brad.  Oh, I used a free digital paper I found online.  I can't remember where though.  I have started saving them by the designer so that in the future I will be able to tell you where to get them.

I had an extra heart from this set, so I did something very simple and just added it to a box I found in my craft stash. 

 

Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe, you won't be disappointed!!!

A few of my scrapbook pages..........

 

We took my son, Chris, on a cruise for his graduation gift.  He graduated in 2010.  This "pirate" in Cozumel was amazing!

 

 

 

Just enjoying the fresh air.....

Driving by........

I have had sooooo much fun doing these projects.  Today, however, has been a day of challenges.  I've had computer trouble, blog trouble (which explains the way you are veiwing everything) printer problems and Silhouette Studio has given me fits.  To top it off, I got ink on one of my FINISHED projects and had to redo it.  

Anyway, I am happy to tell you, after ALL of that, I am ready to unveil......... 

Finished project! I used the cute car from the Feb 14 printable set at The Cutting Cafe!

This set has 82 images!  It has been so fun working with this set, Thanks Regina

 

Just a close up to show the 3d details

Card Details:
I used Silhouette Studio to import some digital paper (sorry, I can't remember where it came from) Then I printed it on my printer and cute it out with the silhouette cameo.  Oh, I designed the rest of the topper in Photoshop.

The next two projects are also from the same set. 

I used one of the circle cards from the Silhouette Store and the circle stamp from the Feb 14 set.

 

This is a little memory album I picked up at the Dollar Store.

I used one of the printable stamps and the heart stamp from the same set.  The tag is from the Silouette store.   I added cute little button brads that I got from Stampin UP.

Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe. 

Thanks for stopping by!











 

A New Venture for the New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!  Hope the New Year finds everyone in the best of health.  A new year means, a new and fresh beginning, new goals and New Life!  With the new year comes new goals.  One of my new goals this year is to get "out of the box" on different aspects of my life (I tend to like to stay inside my box).  One of my "out of box" goals is to share my love for crafting. 

So today is the day that I get to share one of my new 2013 goals.  As a design team member for The Cutting Cafe', here is my very first project.  For the first project we got to pick anything we wanted to use from the store.  So, I decided to use something that would go with the next holiday.....Valentine's Day, of course. 

Card Details:
Background printable stamps - Tiny solid dot
Assorted Heart Card Templates - Cutting Files (card nine and card nine optional heart)
fine red glitter (not sure of the brand, I took it out of it's original package and but in a cute jar)
Used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the card out.  Glittered the additional heart and assembled. 

I did a second project and made a little treat bag out of The envelope from:
Assorted Heart Card Templates and Assorted Heart Borders.
To do this project I used my Silhouette Cameo.  I opened the envelope and opened the heart borders over the top.  I filled in each heart red and printed it out.  I assembled the envelope, sealed it and then folded it into a little treat bag.  I crocheted a little heart and attached it to a tag and used a small stamp from Papertrey Ink. 

Go to The Cutting Cafe and check out the store and all the great ideas everyone has!

Blog Help and Suggestions :0)

I'm going to just put this out there.  If anyone would like to help me with my blog design or have other tips to make my blog  more successful, I would greatly appreciate it.  It can be very time consuming, but I do enjoy it. 

Hello Kitty Hats that I made for Christmas gifts

Here are some of the Hello Kitty hats that I made for Christmas gifts this year!

Thank you Crochet in Color for the free pattern.

The Before and After pictures of my new craft room!

Here are some of the before pictures of what will end up being my craft room.  It consisted of fixing holes in the wall, taking down the popcorn ceilings, ripping out the carpet (which I thought would be easy....oh no, not at all)  Once I pulled the carpet out, I had to pull all the tack strips out and then AAAALLLLL the staples they used to put down the padding.  So with that said, these are what the first set of pics are about.

 

This next set shows my son, Chance, laying down the floor.  I'm still amazed at the job he done.  It's perfect.  He hasn't had any prior experience, but just went at it and got it done.  I had helped him do his room a week before, so we were on a roll....

 

 

Okay, Finally here are the pictures I've promissed.  My new stamp room!!!

It isn't completely done, but it is very workable.  I'm still looking for a couple of things to finish and make it operate smoother. 

 

 

I'm still working on finding organizing shelves and bins.  That's a tv under my desk (in the box).  I want to put it up and I want to put a big slouchy chair in there too.  I wouldn't ever have to leave my room.  It is very small, but it is now FINALLY mine.  I'm ready to get my creative juices flowing.  I've already started working on my first design team project for The Cutting Cafe.  You'll have to go and check out all the creative projects everyone has been working on. 

 

 

I'm one of the newest team members for The Cutting Cafe'!

I have some great news.  I've been selected to be a part of  The Cutting Cafe's design team.  I have not ever done anything like this.  I am VERY excited!!  Now to get busy and learn how to blog better and get started on my first project.

 Wish me luck!

 

Thanks Regina for inviting me to be a part of your team.  Can't wait to meet everyone. 


Please Visit the the Cutting Cafe to see all of the wonderful cutting files, images and ideas and more.

(Double click the picture and it will take you to the Cutting Cafe!)

ENJOY!!!! 

Here are a couple of pictures of the center pieces I made a friend.

Here are the bags (center pieces) I made for a friend of mine (I think she found the idea online somewhere.) It was her Dad's 70th Birthday and he loves Superman! 

I bought the shapes at the Silhouette store and used my Silhouette Cameo to cut them out.  My friend and I assembled 24 bags front and back.  First I cut ALOT of stars and superman logo's out.  Next we had an assembly line going to glue the 3 parts of the logo (red, black and yellow) together.  Then we did the same with the stars and sandwiched them together with a wood skewer in the middle.  (Hot glue actually worked the best for this part) Finally to assemble we cut styrofoam and hotglued them towards the top and left enough room to put the shredded tissue in.  This way we didn't have to fill the whole bag with tissue.   The tables looked great!!!

Too many projects....not enough time!

I just recently bought a new cutting machine, the Silhouette Cameo.  I've used it a couple of times.  The main thing I did so far is for a friend of mine.  Her Dad is turning 70 and he loves Superman, so we made some pretty awesome center pieces.  (Pics to come)  Anyway, I've been watching vidoes on how to use the machine and found this one helpful for some of the Christmas gifts I will be making. 
There are alot on Pinterest as well....you can check my Silhouette board out here....LOTS OF GREAT INFO!!!  Just in time for Christmas gifts!  Have a Blessed Weekend.

Contact me at tanya.alley@yahoo.com if you are interested in how to get a FREE collection of Ink pads. 

Just joined Stampin' Up!  I was a demonstrator over 15 yrs ago.  Having no space at all, I eventually got out of it.  Well now my 21 old son is out on his own and was able to make his very small room into a very small craft room.  So I am attemping it again.  Wish me luck.

http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/22124.asp

Getting ready to make some Christmas presents.  These are for my OSU friends....  It's suppose to be cold this weekend, so it will be a perfect time to be Hookin'!  Lol!  Just finished my second cup of coffee.  One more then I will grab my hooks and yarn and get with it.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Made these this summer......I learned how to crochet flowers and now I want to put them on everything! 

Here are a couple of things I've done lately.....I do really want to get pictures of my craft room (yep, I actually got one~FINALLY ~ oldest moved out)  It's not huge, but it's something!  More than I had before.

I love this cute crochet Owl hat.  I found the free pattern here.  Thanks Life at the Daisy Cottage for the free pattern. 

 

Crochet football hat. 

Found the pattern here at FreeCrafterMe.com   I didn't do the earflaps on this one.  She has great pictures and explanations.

 

Just a few of my crochet projects I've been working on.  I have a blanket I've been working on, gotta get that done!  Will post pics of that later!

 

Tie Dye Headband

TIE DYE HEADBAND....I made this one last night...they are so fun to make.  I got the pattern here.  I hope everyone has a blessed day.  More of my projects to come.

First try at a crochet owl...wait till you see this....kinda a mess

Here is my first attempt at crocheting an owl.  The original pattern came from this supper neat blog called lovethebluebird.blogspot.com...check it out.  Thanks Laura for the free pattern.  I used some yarn I didn't really like.  but anyway here it is....

The latest crochet hat

This is what I accomplished today...Found the pattern on pinterest.  Well actually, it's a combination of this one and finished with single crochet.  The flower is a Youtube video.  She is GREAT at showing you how to make this flower....I didn't do the last row of the flower though.

Crochet

I've been surfing Pinterest and discovered so many neat crochet projects.  My grandmother taught me how to crochet many years ago, but I never learned how to read a pattern and the most I ever done was make a blanket and some scarfs.  I've been watching Youtube videos and learned how to crochet a flower and a hat.....needless to say, I'm HOOKED!!!!  Here is a picture of some of the things I've worked on today.

I found the butterfly pattern here...the flower patterns, are a combination of different ones.  Here are a few places to look.

Pinterest

I "THINK" I may have figured out how to post the follower button for pinterest.....

If you haven't checked out pinterest yet, you need to.  It's a great way to save and share ideas that you like.

First post of 2012

I know I have not been the greatest at blogging.  Well, not even close.  The ideas are all in my head and I think about it often, I just don't have much time.  (well that's my excuse anyway).  I will try to start reading and figuring out how to blog.  I only know how to do a few things, so I get frustrated very easy.  I do love to pin.  And as soon as I figure out how to link my boards here, I will do that too.

Anyway, here is a picture that I took in my living room of my son and have been playing around with in Photoshop Elements 10.  Any comments are greatly appreciated (constructive criticism please :o)

Done with PSE10....takes time, but fun!!

This is the original

I am not a professional photographer (haha, I know, that's pretty obvious).  I just love to take pictures and play around with them in photoshop elements.  (self taught on that too).

Here is another of the same picture that I "played" with.

I made these last year for Christmas gifts.  I would like to do more this year.  It didn't take very long.  Cut the letters out with my Cricut.  Used Vinyl.  Used a glue stick and then red glitter.  Soooo easy and FUN! 



Stainless Steel Cleaner

Well, I just got my computer back last night.  It got a virus and had to be taken off.....UGH!!!  I just wanted to share with everyone a GREAT product if you have stainless steel appliances.  First of all, I wish we would have gotten the "look alike" stainless appliances.  They are cheaper, look exactly the same and 100 times easier to clean.  Today I was going to get the cleaner that I normally get and thought I would try something new.  I hardly ever do that because I HATE wasting money.  However, this was sooooo worth it.  It takes off ALL prints and leaves such a pretty finish and shine.  Thought I would pass it along.  Have a great weekend.

January Customer Special Video

This is Thirty~One's January Special.  There is no minimum order or limit.  And....to top that off, it's ONLY $1.50 to personalize.  To order email me at:  tanya.alley@yahoo.com

Cricut project

Here is a project that I made last year as teacher gifts (from our Bank)  I used my Cricut Expression.  It was so much fun to make.  I  definitely need to get back to it but my biggest issue is space.  My house is only 1048 sq ft.  and 2 growing boys, just not enough room.  I thought about buying or making a building outside.  What I would love to do is add a room on to my house or build me a scrap room in my attic...  Hubby says there isn't enough room, but I think he's wrong and there is plenty room.  Anyway, here is the picture.  Hope you have a wonderful day. 

I'm going to the doctor today, so hopefully I will get some good antibiotics. 

Crazy Day

So glad this Monday is done.  Work is crazy on the 3rd at the bank.  And not feeling too hot hasn't helped...However, I was going through some old email and found this picture.  I REALLY REALLY want this.

Something I have been wanting from Pottery Barn.

  I will get it one of these days....I hope.

One thing I love to do is Digital cards, scrapbooks and photo editing...

This is one of the Senior Pics I done for my son last year.

My Christmas card this year....It ended up only on Facebook




Below is something I worked on for a friend.

Not feeling so good today.  My ears have been popping and the sore throat hasn't gone away.  I have a Dr. appt on Tuesday...we'll see what he has to say.  Maybe I will post something fun tomorrow.