Grateful for my followers

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Time Slips Away

 Hello fellow crafters how have you been?   Thought I would stop in here to post an update on what's been happening on this side of the world.   I no longer work at the big box store, that was over a month ago.   I don't miss working there.   I have missed seeing the co-workers and I have stopped in to shop from time to time to get caught up with the news.    I now work for an artisan's shop.   I sell my greeting cards with the artwork that I used to create.   I've been sewing items by hand and recently purchased a new sewing machine that I am liking very well.    When I'm not working in the store, I am working on something here at home.   My husband has been selling his paintings.   Snowy covered bridges seem to be popular right now.  To tell you the truth, this is one of those "dream" jobs and has always been something I wanted to do.    I can say that I am very thankful to God for this wonderful opportunity.   The hours of work are so much better, no late-night shifts or super early mornings.   While I do have to work at least one day during the weekend, that isn't too shabby.  The shop has been open for a year now so it's still in a growth period.  But I feel in time it should grow!   At least that is the hope, and I will continue to pray.     It's hard to believe that we are so close to the holidays.  My where has time gone?   It goes by like sand through an hourglass.   I think the last post update I did was when we were planting our garden well this time around the green beans didn't fare too well.  The lettuce did very well.  I tried my hand at planting potatoes and was very pleased by the results.  The taste was creamy better than what you find in the grocery stores.   We will have to keep that in mind for the next growing season.    Let's see what else, oh yes, my crafting desk has been moved from one room to another throughout this year my husband thought it would be great if I tried working in the laundry room.  It worked for a while until the machines were whirling on in the background unless I was wearing noise blocking headphones it really got on my nerves not to mention this room was built on in our garage.  So, we packed everything up and headed into the nook of the living room, while it seemed like just the perfect spot to have the computer and crafty stuff I now was bothered by the constant groaning of the refrigerator.   I didn't realize how often or what type of sounds came from that appliance.  Not to mention I had access to the television.  Which came in handy at times as I get older it seems to help to have a little chatter going on in the background.   After a while I told my husband that I really needed to move again, someplace that could "hide" the extra mess that I leave on my desk and sometimes the floor and it doesn't make for the rest of the living room to look good.   He agreed.   But that meant that we needed to break down the guest bed and store it in the cold closet.   My new home is where it should have been the guest bedroom.   I do have a roommate, but he is fine with me.     Well folks that's what's going on with me.   I will try not to take so long next time round.   Hope you all have a great weekend wherever you are in the world.   Thanks for taking the time to read my post, hope to see a comment.   Thank you.

Mary 

Saturday, September 7, 2024

You're Invited to another Challenge!

 Farm Quest Country Christmas Challenge is having a Challenge starting today September 7th through October 5th.  So there is plenty of time to enter your craft creations.   I would like to take this time to share my creation with you.   I call it a Christmas Tag Card.   And it features a fabric dangle & playing card, from a really neat Etsy shop: @Carolyn - http://thesweetshoppescraps.etsy.com    And it features a coffee dyed tag from @ Triple V Vintage, be sure to visit her Etsy shop as well.   I really love how this turned out.   Before you leave please consider leaving me a comment.  :)  Thank you and blessings, Mary  



Sunday, September 1, 2024

September Challenge - CCAYR

 Hello!   I can hardly believe its already September.  Wow, where did the summer go?   Technically its still summer we can judge it by the high temps outside.  Without further ado let me just tell you about Christmas Crafts All Year Round Challenge, yes, you need to go there and check it out and join in too!   Here is my project that I have made.   Below you'll find the materials used in making this holiday card.

Tag Card ~ I love how this card came together, the little fabric dangle came in the mail the day that I made the card.  :)

Basic card base - white, from my stash

Tag - Mistletoe & Holly from Blue Fern Studios

The winter scene - is a playing card from #The Sweet Shoppe Scraps @Carolyn & her daughter run the shop over on Etsy.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/thesweetshoppescraps  The pretty Christmas fabric with button is also from her shop.  :)  

The added elements are stickers.  

The green crinkled ribbon at the top is from my scrap cabin shop on Etsy.

To make this look more vintage I added brushed corduroy around the edges.  

Thank you so much for stopping in and don't forget to leave a comment before you go.   Blessings, Mary

PS.  I wasn't sure how to "tag" someone hopefully this worked.  

 

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

New Blog, more freebies....

 Hello everyone,  I just wanted to let you all know of my new Freebie Blog - Joy in the Craft   this will be home for all things "free".   So I hope you will go over there and have a look 'round and see what you might like to use in your crafty projects.   Be patient as I am just starting to "load up" some items.   These will not be for sale,  these are just things to share with you.   And consider becoming a follower too.   I will be giving the blog updates here and there... I need to see how to add the follower thing.  Anyway, hope to see you there!

Mary  

Whimsical Wednesday Freebie

                         


Hello!   I'm calling this my "Whimsical Wednesday Freebie"  I am trying my hand at graphic design something that has always interested me.  And now, I feel like I have found a way to do just that, I am so excited to share these with you. 
All I ask is if you do like these, download them to your computer and print them out to use in your crafts, example: junk journals or scrapbooking.
Do Not Share the Files with anyone.  Or claim and sell as your own.
Do not re-design the layouts.

I really fancy the little Bee Tag!  It's so cute.    I hope that you will like these as much as I did when I created them.
Be looking for more - as I share with you.

Leave a little comment love before you go.

Have a Blessed Day,  Mary




Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Hi, Crafters its time...

 For a new Challenge at Farm Quest Country Christmas Challenge - Beginning Today February 7th until March 5th.   We would love to have you join in with our challenges.  To find the rules and themes for the challenges be sure to check out the blog here: farmquestcountrychristmaschallenges.blogspot.com   without further delay here is the card & tag that I have created for this challenge:   the design is created using pretty napkins. Seam binding from My Scrap Cabin Shop you can locate her shop on Etsy.  If you would like a tutorial on how to create with napkins, please check out my YouTube Channel here: My Channel @marysmith4501    I have many crafting videos.   

Until the next time, happy crafting.  Mary 



Monday, January 1, 2024

Cheery Snowflake Card

 Hello everyone!   Welcome to a New Challenge over at CCAYR, and welcome to 2024!    I am running a bit behind in getting my card ready to go, it was already made a few days back, but just now got it uploaded.   If you had been wondering why I hadn't made a post in a while, it is due to being sick.   Tis the season for some sneezin'.    Anyway I digress.   Here is my card and our theme this month is Snowflakes.    The bear in the background just adds to the cute factor.  :)    My card is made up of lollipops, candy canes and sugar sweetness, topped off with a glittery snowflake.     Thanks for popping 'round to see my card and leave a sweet comment too!

Hugs, Mary



Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Country Christmas Vintage Style

 Hello Crafty Friends,    Today begins a New Challenge over at FarmQuest Country Christmas Challenge Blog ~ Where I am a new designer!   I am happy to be on Becca's Team.    I hope that you will come over to join in with us today - this challenge goes from November 7th - December 5th.   



I decided to create a card featuring a Country Home Setting, only with a Vintage Style.  I love it!   Here is my card ~ 


The Image is from Stamperia, 12x12 sheet.   Card stock is from my stash and gold trim is Dazzles.   I really like the setting with lots of snow, wooded areas, and florals.  Loving the colors of this image.  I went around the edges with distress oxide in vintage photo. 

Thank you for checking out my card, and we hope to see you at the Challenge!

Have a Crafty Good Holiday Season, and Merry Christmas.

Mary