Grateful for my followers

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Butterfly Kisses!

There is a new Challenge going on over at Once Upon A Time,  and I am on the design team!  :)



The Theme for March is: Based on the book  Harold and the Purple Crayon

For my image I am using Butterfly Kisses by BoBunny

I couldn't decide on which image to use so I thought butterflies remind me of Spring, and why not a purple butterfly!

Ingredients to create my card:

Distress Crayons by Tim Holtz in colors of Festive Berries, Chipped Sapphire, Seedless Preserves, Rusty Hinge 

I used the crayons as a base for water coloring my butterflies, it worked perfectly, using water brushes.   When it was dry, I brushed on a light coating of Stickles Glitter Gel - Moon Dust, (which is difficult to see in the photo) take my word for it, the moon dust looks so pretty! 

Then I got out my Distress Oxide Sprays in Saltwater Taffy & Salvaged Patina  and held my breath as I spritzed little dots onto my card... with a bits of washi tape to mask off my butterflies I think it came together beautifully.  

Thank you so much for dropping by my blog today, and I hope to see you at the Challenge!!

Mary




Beary Merry Christmas - March Challenge

 Hello Crafters!  Welcome to a new Challenge at CCAYR  the theme for  March is:  Three French Hens-THREE of something OR French sentiment



I decided to use the Beary Merry Christmas stamp by Penny Black


If you look closely to the words it looks smeared but its only showing up in the photo, not on the actual card.   I used Prisma pencils to do the coloring.  And just a hint of moon dust on the star which does not show up,  (frowny face).    I like the clean and simple look to this card.  

Thank you so much for coming by to visit, leave a comment if you wish.
Hugs, Mary 


Friday, February 17, 2023

"stressed out" and Update

Hello everyone,  just a quick update from my side of the world.  Last weekend I worked on making videos for my YouTube channel, and finally this evening just uploaded 3 more!   So if you haven't check those out, you are more than welcome.  I worked on a decoupage project, and a fabric flip to be used in junk journals using wedding dress appliques.   Such fun, and a little bit country too.  <------ Fabric pieces.

 :)    https://www.youtube.com/@marysmith4501 

  The weather here has turned on the cold side again, after experiencing temps in upper 50's!   Wow, that really made it feel like it was the early days of Spring. 

  I'm getting an idea of what sort of flowers I would like to keep in hanging pots, I do love vinca flowers or may be known as periwinkle, they come in shades ranging from pinks to dark red and purple.   While much of my other flowers withered from the hot dry temps we experienced last Summer, as a desperate attempt to bring a little color back into my garden, I went to my local hardware center and picked out some lovely periwinkles... they surprised me with their lovely bright green leaves and beautiful flowers, their sturdy frame stood up to the hot dry days, I kept them watered.. they outlasted the petunias, and other various plants.   And to much of my surprise little butterflies loved their nectar.  Even saw a couple of hummingbirds flit in and out of the delicate blooms.   What more could I ask of a flower, it must be able to withstand harsh hot weather, and windy days.... those will be my go to flower.  

And on another note, there was a position going to open in my job, but now with cut backs and such, that won't be happening.... and I am glad.  As I thought I wanted to go into that direction, but something else has come up and could possibly be an alternative.   So, that is now on the horizon.   

The other day, I was so stressed out as I had to wait at the hospital, while my hubby had a routine exam.  Well, all I could think of was when my mother was at the hospital when she experienced a massive stroke.  It's like all I could think of was seeing her in the final moments of life.  Back then, family was in and out of the room, walking past me, or just waiting around talking quietly.   It wasn't as if I was alone, and my hubby was there as well.   But, at my husband's appointment it was just me sitting there getting caught up in my thoughts, I brought a book to read but mainly just browsed through the first few pages - a nervous read, as I had referred to it.    The following day, every part of me ached.  I didn't feel like doing much of anything.   The last time hubby had to go through that, my mother was still around and I called her, she then listened to me go on how I felt, and how nervous I was.  She knew what I was going through, and even said, "Remember, I told you he would be fine".    Well, that's what I wanted to hear again, "All will be fine"    My thoughts got all tangled up like a big ball of yarn, straggled strings and rubber bands.   And I forgot to keep my focus on the Lord.  Even though I felt alone, I should have remembered he was right there beside me.   And after all was said and done... those words that my mother gave me, came back in mind.  

Well, I do thank you all for coming to my blog and visiting... sometimes it helps me to write things down.  Usually its in my journal but today thought you might like an update.

Have a blessed day,  hugs, Mary

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Poppies & Peonies

 Hello crafters,  There are new digitals added to the Freebie Round-Up page.   Backgrounds (8x8) to use in your scrapbooking or junk journals.  Featuring my photography & artwork.   You'll need to scroll down to where it begins Uploaded February 7th - featuring poppies & peonies!  

I have noticed that my You Tube Channel has 62 subscribers.. this is awesome.    I have decided it would not work out to maintain two separate channels, so I will be only keeping the main channel.  

Well I have some good news!  No, I didn't get a promotion, but I was able to get a bonus, my first one!   It certainly came at a good time since my hours have been down due to sales being slow.   Things should pick up about March I would say.   Today's weather makes it feel as if Spring is around the corner, but I know it's only a tease.  

I plan on working on a crafting video.   Need to decide on what to make! :)

Okay, I will go for now..  have a good day.   Hugs, Mary

  


Thursday, February 2, 2023

New YouTube Channel

Hello everyone,  Yes, just as it reads in the title I had to create another channel for YouTube.   No I wasn't hacked.   I purchased a new Pixel 7 phone, I needed to start afresh with a newer phone as my other older android phone gave up the ghost.   When I tried uploading videos with my Iphone the videos stayed in a vertical position, which (I thought) made it difficult to view especially on the TV.   It did make it difficult on my end to position crafts for everyone to see.    So that's what I am currently doing now creating material for my newer channel.   I have no subscribers so if you would like to be a new subbie I would appreciate it!  :)    You may view my newest (rather short) video here.   Skinny Mini Junk Journal    Drop a comment if you would like, let me know (on the channel) if you liked it.    As I type this out, I am anxiously waiting for my Part 1 video to upload...  yes, its a process.    But the main thing is I am having fun creating crafts and getting them on video so I can share with my audience...  who ever they are...  

I just wanted to give you all an update as to what happened to my other channel,  I would link them together, but I am not sure of the password.     Okay, dear ones...  I will go for now.

Hugs, Mary

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

CCAYR Challenge - February

 February Challenge going on now at CCAYR  (Christmas Crafts All Year Round)   The theme for this month is:  Two Turtle Doves or Two of Something, or a Dove.

I decided to use a stamped image from Little Darlings Rubber Stamps called Winter Cuppa


I distressed the edges of the paper and added in Stickles Moon Dust for a snowy effect

She looks all cozy sipping on hot cocoa! 

We would love to see you at this Month's Challenge!
Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs, Mary


Saturday, January 28, 2023

New Page!

 Hi there creative crafters,  I have a new page - Freebie Round-Up, I wanted to offer you digital background papers to use in your crafts, like junk journals, greeting cards and the list goes on.   I hope you'll swing by and check out what I have listed.  Again they are all free for the download.. all I ask is please don't share the files with friends, if they want their own direct them to my blog.   Thank you.

I have some new videos up!   Trying to keep my content fresh as a daisy.  :)  

Find videos here:  Creating Frilly Flowers  there are 2 parts to this video as my camera decided to "split" my first video without me knowing what happened.. these smart phones are just a bit too smart for me.  ;)   Origami Heart  

Okay, I hope you'll check out the videos, and the freebies.   Have a good weekend.

Mary 


Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Frog Love

Hello crafters,   Since I was in a crafty mood this evening,  I wanted to try out a new to me stamp.  It's by Rachelle Anne Miller  "Lily & Milo"  frog stamp.... these two are just too cute!   The stamp is from 2008, so I'm not sure if it would still be available or not, this was purchased at a local flea market.    I decided to write out the sentiment.   Added in 2 hearts ( die cut).     This could be used as a Valentines card or an Anniversary.   I love little frogs, and it makes me think of Spring...     Thank you for "hopping" over to visit my blog!   Hugs, Mary 


 I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Weekly Challenge #621 - Anything Goes add a die cut

Simon Says Stamp Blog - Monday Challenge

Polkadoodles - digi choos day challenge

Monday, January 23, 2023

Free Ephemera/Book Pages

 Hello,  I have Free Ephemera just for you to use in your junk journals, greeting cards, scrapbooking, etc.    We found some excellent things at the flea market today.  :)

Here are a few pages from a book Ropp's Commercial Calculator (circa 1887), quite the find.  :)





These are pages from Hymns and Songs (circa 1927)






I love to find things to use as tear pages, junk journals, or backgrounds.  I hope that you will like these.   To download just right click and save them to your computer.   I would appreciate if you didn't share the files, but refer your friends to my blog.   Thank you.

If you would like to see more pages from old books just let me know in the comment section.

Happy crafting,  Mary