Bark Bakery

Oh I can't look at this funny mustachioed dog without cracking up! It is the cutest puppy ever...in the history of ever! Well maybe with the exception of the other puppies on the little dogs digital stamp set from crafty secrets. I printed it out on thick white cardstock and colored him with Spectrum noir markers.

A sweet little SRM kraft bag is transformed into a "doggy bag" to be filled with pet safe baked bones and treats. All decked out with ribbon, lace and twine, I bet the human who receives this bag will treasure it almost as much as the pet!

I printed the image in the center of the page and colored it in and then centered it on my Silhouette mat and cut the shape around it...backwards I know but it worked great! :) I DO like to take risks y'all.  If you are a dog lover check out the two newest sets from Crafty Secrets this one from little dogs, and the companion set big dog... they are both really fun vintage style digital stamps with tons of "paw prints"

happy creating!~ Shantaie

Hey There!

 

I am buzzing around these summer days like a bee drawn to a sticky sweet blossom, bouncing in mid flight with an excited and tireless frenzy. Work, travel, fun activities, {more work} and somehow I have had the chance to make a card or two! The moments I have to create are few and usually feathered with constant interruptions....a total mojo killer! But my love of paper and pearls fuels me my friends.

I enjoyed making this "just because"card more because I need to relax than anything else. there is something soothing about the simple "stamp, ink, paper" that few people can understand....but you get it don't you?! :)

 This card is a medley of gold SRM foil doily stamped flowers, tickets, and chipboard. crisp, bold, and sweet! I know just who I'm going to send it to, and I know that summer will soon be at an end...but before it is I want to bask in its sunny hectic magic, I'm off to a concert on Saturday, a flight on Sunday and a cruise on Monday! I will be so ready to smash a stamp into ink when I get back! ;)

Heart Sing

Hi all! Welcome to my blog! I'm pretty excited to share my first official Crafty secrets design team project! I think the sentiment on my card says it all. 

 For this card, I used A gorgeous digital stamp set called Bird Notes I love birds and all things bird related {true story} so this set caught me at first sight! I printed it on Spectrum noir ultra smooth white cardstock. I also used two papers from the radiant paper collection helping to tie the vibrant blue and green color combo together. 

I embossed the back paper panel with the dots cuttlebug folder and also dotted it with wheat fields glimmer mist, I love that coppery shimmer it has, and looks delicious on top of the blue paper.  I used that same blue paper for the leaves tucked under the dyed {also with glimmer mist} silk flower. I used a cuttlebug quilling kit to cut the leaves, and brushed the edges with a bit of distress ink.

To color the bird and the sign I experimented with my brand new spectrum noir markers and a few prisma color pencils. I think I am really going to love the spectrum noir markers, but I do need more practice {don't look too close, some improvement needed}  but they are pretty easy to blend and color beautifully! 

Thank you for stopping in to say hello, I look forward to sharing tons more crafty secrets projects with you, and seeing what you make too! Leave a comment below so I can visit your site and say hi!

Drum Roll Please...Crafty Secrets Design Team

It's been a virtual whirlwind of activity in my world these past few weeks, and maybe I just like things that way! 

So I'm rather happy to announce that I have been asked to join the Crafty Secrets design team! 

If you are already a fan of crafty secrets than you know how amazing the design team is, and all about the gorgeous vintage style that is Crafty secrets! I am just so excited to expand my creative horizons and continue to pursue my love of all things vintage! This will definitely be a new adventure for me, one that I {no doubt} will dive right into and see where it takes me...someplace glittery I imagine!

I hope you will take a minute to visit the rest of the team and say hello, hey you may even find a few new blogs to haunt on those "I need a creative fix" mornings!  :)

  

Kathy Clement, Team Leader:  

Michele Kovack: 

Vicki Chrisman: 

Darlene Pavlick

Sheila Rumney:  

Melody Clement 

Gloria Stengel

Diane Hover

Elizabeth Lincoln

Check back on Friday to see my official introduction post and {more to the point} my first official Crafty secrets project!

Thanks for letting me celebrate, is it okay to have cake on such an occasion????  :)

Card carrying Cradle

This 3D cradle is a sweet bundle of ribbons and tulle that is as sweet as can be, but it is also doubles as a gift card holder! The cradle was cut with the Cricut Expression using the baby shower cartridge and could easily serve as an adorable shower favor or bitty centerpiece. I filled the cradle with shred and placed the gift card inside! Wrapped with tulle and embellished with paper pins it's more of a gift card presentation than simply a holder!

I originally created this cradle for the Cricut baby idea book last spring, and thought that I would share it for any of you planning. throwing or attending a shower!  Happy creating!
~ Shantaie

Pink Elephant Applique

Did you know that die cutting machines are for so much more than scrapbooking projects? Die cutting machines like the Cricut and the Silhouette are really one of the most versatile tools for crafty types, and DIYers of  all levels!  And ONE of the million different ways to put a die cutting machine to work for you is to cut fabric. {you don't even need to own a sewing machine to make really amazing projects!}

The basics.

1. You will need a clean or new cutting mat and the blade made for fabric if you have a silhouette or a deep cut blade for the Cricut.
2. Iron the back of your fabric with heat and bond ultra and peel off the paper backing
3. place fabric on mat and follow the guide for your machine and cut
4. iron your design onto your desired item {use recommenced ironing settings for the type of fabric you are ironing}
5. now you are ready to embellish or enjoy as is! No need to stitch, but if you choose to add a little sewing you can!
6. done!

I really believe almost every crafter, maker, DIYer, and artist can find a zillion uses for a die cutting machine in their tool arsenal, and if you already have one remember it is so much more than a paper cutter!

Gold Dot Graduation Card

You may recognize this color and design theme from the muslin gift bag I posted previously. The same basic idea was used for the card, start with  randomly placed gold dots stamped using a sponge dauber. I added a touch more by applying a rim of distress stickles around a few of the dots and placed tiny dots here and there.

In other words I was just playing with glitter!

This super cute graduation cap is from SRM stickers, as well as the sentiment on that sweet little taggie thingie ........{its part arrow, part banner & part tag} so that's what I'm calling it!
 I'm looking forward to giving my friend and new high school graduate her gift and card,

 I know she is going to love it!  {I do} I had fun putting her gifts together, and caught myself smiling at the limitless future she has in front of her! That is what we really are celebrating isn't it? what I ask you can compare with that? Happy times folks......... happy times!

You just can't be unhappy when you are creating projects for such joyous occasions!  :)

Make pretty things, its fun!~ Shantaie