I began this blog July 5th 2006...13 years ago. I was an active writer. I kept it up. I was a prolific creator, I made it happen. About four years ago, I just lost the mojo. The writing was work. The photos were work. I had "real work" that demanded more time. Work that paid more than blogging did. I had children who were aging into their own lives that I had to manage and... Continue reading

This blog is now officially five years old! And what a five years of life it has been. We as a family have traveled the world twice for extended periods, we have had three different jobs and have finally landed the "dream job" withe FedEx. We have fully renovated our 35 year old home, only to find that it's time to move on. We are currently in the middle of packing up the entire house... Continue reading

Due to a death in the family the winner was chosen later than expected. However, I am now home from an unexpected trip to Florida and have chosen a winner via Random.org. And the winner is -- Marie0112! Congrats Marie! Send me your info and I will be sure to get your gift in the mail ASAP! K Continue reading

Thanks for popping in! Here's where you leave your name and email for your chance to win a signed copy of my Creative Coloring Techniques class on DVD as well as a copy of my book Coloring Techniques for Paper Crafts! Now all you need to do is leave a comment and make sure I can contact you! I will be drawing a winner on Sunday, August 28 at 8:00 am EST. If I do... Continue reading

WARNING: A long and possibly emotional post - scroll on if you aren't interested. (Me crossing the finish line July 12, 2015) (Grinning with my parents here to cheer me on July 12, 2015) (Crossing the line July 26, 2015) (Thrilled with my second finish of the season July 12, 2015) As MOST of you know I have been working hard to build my run. I started out slow and steady in September 2015. I... Continue reading

Congratulations Teresa!!! You've been picked! Between traveling for work and traveling for a family wedding, I was busy this month and drawing a name completely slipped my mind! I hope you will send me your address and I will send the handmade jewelry ASAP! Congratulations again!! :D Continue reading

Hello, test, test, test - 1, 2, 3...does this still work? Thanks for hopping all the way along with the Season's Givings Blog Hop! I am happy you are here! I haven't blogged in over six months! OH MY! But that's cool - the best thing about blogging for me is that I can do it as I have time or as I feel inspired. And to be honest, lately Instagram and Facebook have been... Continue reading

Working on a Family Canvas Home Decor piece has been on my "to do list". Well I finally decided who I would make it for and made the time to create it! I used the Silhouette Portrait again to cut out the crab shape as well as all of the text. I love that machine. It is so precise and excellent. I first began by mixing a bit of my own custom color of paint.... Continue reading

Creating these Quick and Easy Embellished Flip Flops was not only quick and easy it is also a very inexpensive project to create. Inspired by Angie's project over at The Country Chic Cottage I decided to give my own spin on this fun and simple idea. I simply used my Ad Tech hot glue gun to adhere first the ruffly ribbon, and then the line of buttons down the center. I was done in under... Continue reading

Happy Summer!!! I am so glad we are finally into the HOT summer weather. I love it! And so with this fun weather I thought it would be fun to share a fun "Let the Summer Fun Begin" card! First off I must point out - The flip flops are made from Oly-Fun by Fairfield. I cut the Oly-Fun on the Silhouette Portrait. It cuts BEAUTIFULLY!! I set my Silhouette cut settings to "Printable Cotton... Continue reading

Sometimes you just want to make something that is simple, pretty and dual duty! Well this quick craft really hit all those highlights for me. Make it as a great gift, or keep it for yourself if you so desire. Now this would be a great craft to use any old bottle you may have laying around; a wonderful idea for an upcycled craft....but I fell in love with this bottle at World Market and... Continue reading

Every month on the Halcraft Blog they have an inspiration collection of beads called "Pretty Palettes". The Pretty Palette is shared early in the month, and then they have a reveal of what they have created near the end of the month. They extend the invitation to play along to anyone who would like to join in. I finally managed (barely) to play along in time to share my link!! Here is the inspiration image... Continue reading

Good Morning! As with all things, technology failed me. My computer decided to dig her heels in and not want to work! But I think she's okay now and so I FINALLY have a great new Oly-Fun™ technique to share with you. I am super excited about this one! And I have a Pretty Poppy Purse Project that I applied the new technique to. It's simple, fun and you get to play with FIRE! Let's... Continue reading

Well I have had this oh so cute DIY Upcycled Burlap Covered Tabletop Garbage Can craft tutorial for you for quite some time now. I just haven't made time to get it on my blog! I meant to run the post yesterday (hence the "Fast Friday" in the title!) But here it is today, and who knows, if all goes as planned you might have another post from me today too! ;) So check back... Continue reading

Welcome to Fast Friday! I am going to show you something you can make - FAST! But first a little funny to get your Friday going.... It's totally normal to have a hydraulic car jack in your studio, right? Yeah, I mean when you have to lift a work bench that weighs three times you do - it sure is! LOL I thought it was funny, then when my ten year old son Coleton came... Continue reading

I don't know about you but I sure hate spending $4.00-$5.00 on gift wrap. A nice gift bag and tissue will EASILY run you that much. Well today, I am going to share with you how to make a handmade gift bag. We will begin with a small brown handled bag and just embellish it! I like to start by picking out the papers, ribbons and embellishments I am going to work with. Plug in... Continue reading

I guess I have needed a break from all the jewelry making as of late and have been getting crafty in other ways! Today I have card to share - I know right? A miracle! LOL This card is so simple but it still is eye catching and I am sure anyone would love to get a card in the mail, right? I love to use hot glue when applying my larger embellishments, or textiles... Continue reading

Today I decided to tackle a project I have had on my "to do list" for quite some time. I found this ugly stool on the road side a few years ago and have been using it in my studio in the garage....but I had a plan to redo it by repainting it and making a nice upholstered top to it as well. Well today I decided was THE DAY! Read on to see how... Continue reading

Thank you everyone for the prayers you have all said and good thoughts and wishes you have sent. I am sure that our friends have felt each and every one of them. I am sure that as they laid their sweet babe to rest today that it was your prayers holding them up, giving them strength and helping them put one foot in front of the next. Please continue to pray for them. As I... Continue reading

Tonight was one of the hardest nights of my life to date. Friends and neighbors of our lost their son/grandson on Saturday afternoon due to an accidental drowning. Sweet babe was not even three years old. I was heartbroken for the family and for the past three days have been just ill thinking of their loss and pain. Today I felt that The Lord was leading me to offer to "make impressions". So I offered... Continue reading

Spring has sprung and it's SOCCER SEASON!!! Well here in the South it is anyway! LOL Today I have a hairbow headband combo to share with you - HURRAY!!! For this project I will be using Slate Oly-Fun by Fairfield, my Designer Low Temp glue gun by AdTech, some gray felt by Commonwealth Felt and a plain headband. As you can see - a simple list of supplies. Let's get going. 1. Begin by cutting... Continue reading

Hey Everyone~ I don't know if you remember my Simple Couch Revitalization post or not but I am here to share yet another project where Poly-Fil has come to the rescue. Meet Hobbes. Hobbes - also lovingly known as "Hobbies" is a beloved tiger. Hobbes came to live with us shortly after my almost six year old daughter Lily Kate was born. He is her "special stuffy". Hobbes goes everywhere with LK. And when I... Continue reading