Saturday, January 11, 2014

Happy New Year!!!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
     Its been awhile (we won't discuss how long, lol) and its a New Year!  Time to reactivate all those resolutions that we let fall to the wayside...
     It was a busy year both personally and professionally here.  Both of hubby's and my companies flourished and we had our best year ever with our excavating company!  Needless to say it has kept me away. 
     Paper Anthology is continuing to grow as well and Elisabeth continues to have the best classes available anywhere!  She has added two new teaches this past year and I will continue to teach as well!  Such exciting things going on at the shop!  Be sure to go to the website and get on the newsletter so you don't miss anything!
     My monthly crop, Scrap Addicts Unlimited, has also continued to grow and I have met so many new scrap friends this past year!  I fear we are starting to out grow the fantastic spot we have!  If your interested in coming to play with us click the above link and request to join the group.  We really do have such a good time!
     So how about I share a couple projects from the year?  Kind of a short year in review!

This first is a 81/2x11 canvas.  It was done with lots of Art Anthology sprays.  Thank you to Kristeen Kohrs for the awesome quote!



 Another canvas.  This time 6x6 with lots of Authentique and Graphic 45 papers.


This is probably probably my favorite project that I have done! it was truly a labor of love and the clock works! And nothing could have been better than the Graphic 45, Steampunk Spells paper! 


My Frosty the Snowman Chapeau...


And to finish the year, Letters to Santa mailbox complete with a mini book.


Well friends thank you for your patience and I hope to see you here more this year than last!!

~Michelle

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Absence makes the heart grow fonder???

Or makes you want to smack me!! lol  I know, I know.  Its been awhile.  Life and business has been crazy.  Hubby and I own two companies.  One of which is a mulch supply depot.  We make and distribute bulk mulch and topsoil.  So being spring has sprung, you can imagine how crazy it has been!!
So I guess the question is... what projects do I share with you??  I have done a number since we last visited, lol.  Hmmm.... ok... its a bit late but I have to show you how Grimmy dressed for St Patty's!!!
Now, don't be to disapointed, but I had all the best intentions to make him into a bunny for Easter, but I just didn't get the time!  Maybe next year.  ;)
I also did a tribute page to my grand mother, who sadly passed away days before Christmas and just a week after her 95 birthday.  This was my kids last visit with her, and who knew in September that she would be gone.  She was a super strong lady, and we miss her dearly. 


It was created with the amazing new French Country Collection from Graphic 45 and lots of flowers from Petaloo, Prima and Kaiser Craft.  Lots of fussy cutting, which I don't usually enjoy, but there is something about this paper that just gives itself to fussy cutting and makes it enjoyable!!  The fact that my Granndma loved hens and roosters certainly helped :)

Well I hope that you enjoyed your visit today.  Look for another post soon, I have some making up to do!!

~Michelle

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Spring is Coming!!!

Ahhh.... Spring is almost here and to prove it the rains have come to New Jersey.  Constantly it seems like. lol  This time of year my back yard becomes a swamp and the dogs are just filthy.  Not terribly pleasant until the warm weather kicks in for good.  But, make lemonade from lemons... so rain means crafting time!  I spent last week recovering and cleaning the holy mess that was my house from spending so much time at the theater.  Of course this led into my purging and cleaning my craft area as well.  What a job!  I did collect a ton (4 boxes to be exact) of donations to go to a local camp for kids with cancer, so I feel pretty good about letting it go :)
Today I have a sneak peek of a class that I will be teaching at Paper Anthology during March and April.


Hmmm..... whatever could it be?!?  Well once Elisabeth posts to the store site i will share the full project!
Thanks for visiting!!  Happy Crafting!
~Michelle

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Hello and Happy Valentines Day to everyone!
I for one don't understand how crazy this day has become.  I feel that one day a year to celebrate how much we love one another is a bit silly.  A simple card or single rose is more than enough.  I would rather be shown appreciation a little through out the whole year!! Just saying... lol


Todays project is a tag featurng my favorite little guy, Grimmy...


He is a special cupid for all those V Day lovers out there, single or not, Enjoy!!

~Michelle

Friday, February 8, 2013

Snowmaggedon is coming!


 Ok, maybe not... lol  but here in New Jersey we are gearing up for quite the snow storm!  Every time I look at a report the numbers seem to go up!  We are currently looking at 12 - 18". Yeah!  Sorry to all of those who aren't snow fans, but I love it.  One problem... My daughter is in the school production of Rogers and Hammersteins, Cinderella and we are starting dress rehearsals saturday!!!  Show opens thursday and no, we are not ready!!  I have been busy making costumes and props.  Not as busy as some of the other moms... we have an amazing couple moms who have lived this play since November!!  I am more a behind the scenes kinda girl.  I am in charge of crew and backstage.  Seriously, fabric is not my thing, just to clarify in case the title of my blog doesn't explain that.   So Morgan is one of the stepsisters of Cinderella.  Below is a picture of her ball gown.  Now remember... the stepfamily is supposed to be gaudy and over the top, so judge accordingly! lol


This is Pipsqueak trying to play in the crinolin and steal the feather boas around the top.  Cute, but always in my way!!!


So now that I shared what I have been doing for the last week... on to a project!  Today I am sharing with you the class that I taught at Paper Anthology this past class cycle.  It is a Cookie Sheet Perpetual Calendar!  I have seen this done a few different ways, all very cute.  But the one thing I wanted to improve on is the ability to put notes on it.  Normally on a perpetual calendar you can't write on it for obvious reasons.  So I added that great space at the bottom for notes which can be changed out each month as well!


Thats it for today! Gotta go finish that dress! 
Thanks for stoppng by! 

~Michelle

Monday, January 28, 2013

Helloooo Monday!!

Yup its monday alright... cold, snowy and just beautiful!!!  I just love when wet snow lays on the trees.  It is quite icy, which isn't good, but it was pretty until it turned to icy rain.
Unfortunately, here in Northern Jersey we were not blessed with a snow day, only an early dismissal.
Thus the lateness of this post...
I told you I was going to introduce you to someone I am really just taken with.
I met him back in october at Paper Anthology and I just can't get enough of him!
I am pleased to introduce you to Reginald Alfonse Vladimir Reaper III!!

I just call him Grimmy, but believe me, there is nothing "grim" about him!!! 
 Ok... yes.  He is a stamp.  But isn't he just the cutest thing ever!!!!  He just makes me smile!!! 
 So it all started with this stamp and this tag...
Well, I was hooked and I thought, why does Grimmy only come out at Halloween?? He's a man of the world.  He loves a good party and is a real people person!!  He is the black sheep of the family after all, lol
So here he is for his for his new year debut to wish you all a fabulous year!!    
This was particulaery fun to make because I got to play with so many Tim Holtz products, which are my faves!!  The Brushed Pewter Distress Stain is awesome and the numbers and clock are also all Tim goodness. Grimmy's robe is sparkly, it is a party after all, but the photo doesn't show it well.

So keep an eye out for Grimmy because he will be making appearances throughout the year!  He is just to cute to leave in a box until halloween again!!!

I hope he made you smile and that you come back to visit again!! 

~Michelle

Friday, January 25, 2013

Winter Beauty

     Ok, I will admit the cold is even bothering me.  Those that know me know that it doesn't happen often that I agree its cold out baby!! I have broken out the coat, gloves and scarf!!! Really! We even finally turned on the heat in the house. lol  The wood stove can only do so much!  But honestly, I shouldn't complain.  My crew is outside working in this crazy cold laying pipe!  Poor guys. I know their bodies adjust so much differently than those of us who work indoors, but its still really hard on them.  SO next time you are thinking of complaining about how cold your office is, remember there are alot of guys who work outside in this!!
     That said, lol, I really do love winter.  I love the changes, I love snow and I even love the cold, for a short time!  SO my first project to share with you is a wreath I made in what I thought were very winter colors.


     The body of the wreath is made by folding squares of paper into cones and gluing to a round base.  Its hard to tell from the photo but I used Dries Clear glue and Glamour dust on the edges of the cones to add sparkle.  The center is a Kaiser wood fern piece, inked with Ranger Peeled Paint Distress Stain and a canvas flower, inked on the edges with Ranger Distress Ink Vintage Photo, along with some Prima and Petaloo flowers.  Super easy, but really brightens those winter blues into a winter beauty!
     As I get the hang of this blog thing (with alot of help from Elisabeth lol) the look of my blog will change alot I'm sure.  Bear with me till I get it just right!!
     Stay warm and I will be back in a couple days to introduce someone to you that I am quite enamored with!
~Michelle