Hi Everyone . . . back on February 3rd I posted a picture of this container that I made for a friend, but I wouldn’t tell what was wrapped in the green tissue paper . . . Well the time has come for the big reveal . . . Hmmmmmmmm, still can’t figure out what it is . . . here’s some more hints (and you should get it this time) . . . . . . TADA . . . it’s a SEAT BELT SNUGGLE and it is being modeled by the lovely birthday girl herself, Diana Higgins!!! I know you are saying to yourself “what the heck” but we short people have a terrible time with seat belts rubbing against our necks and these little cozies are an answer to our prayers . . . they also keep that side of the neck warm (hahaha). I found the free pattern for this little jewel back in 2006 on the internet (tried to link it to this post but apparently the site no longer exists). . . so now I am off the take pictures of some valentine lollies I made . . . Thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

Hi . . . in my last post I said how I had amended my New Year’s resolution from “not starting a new project until I finished the current one” to “for every new project I complete I will blindly reach into my unfinished project cabinet, pull out one of the incomplete projects and finish it before I move onto my next new project” . . . well yesterday I did just that and here is the 2-page layout I finished . . .

This was a kit I purchased back in 2008 (only know this because of the copyright date on the Teresa Collins paper) from MMK scrapbook store in Chico that is no longer a physical store (Michelle, the owner, now has an on-line store) . . . I was also lucky in that the instructions, bits & pieces and a colored picture were all there so it was easy to complete (YAY) . . . the line of paper that was used was Teresa Collins “Travelogue” and I remember at the time of purchase that I thought this would be a perfect layout for putting pictures of our Disneyland trip with our granddaughter . . . as you can see there are no pictures as we have not taken our granddaughter to Disneyland yet . . . but I am now ready with this layout when we do (hehehe). . . . . . Well, that’s all for now . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses – LindaB

The title of this post tells all!!! Look at what I found when I was cleaning up the mess I made from my last project (LOL-still have glitter everywhere) . . .

That’s right UNFINISHED SCRAPPY PROJECTS!!!! I can not believe that I have this many unfinished pages . . . most of them are 2-page layouts, some need both pages completed (which means I never started them), some need just one page completed and all of them need pictures! EGADS!!!!! Some of these kits are current (well 2012 current) and some go back at least 6 years to when I use to scrap at a scrapbook store that is no longer in business. I now feel very guilty over not finishing these beauties . . . sooooooooooo . . . I have added an addendum to my New Year’s resolution . . . my resolution was that I would not start a new project until I finished the current one . . . well it’s now going to be . . . for every new project I complete I will blindly reach into this cabinet, pull out one of the incomplete projects and finish it before I move onto my next new project . . . looks like it is going to be a very long and busy year – LOL! Well, that’s all for now . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses – LindaB

Happy Saturday Everyone . . . I wanted to share with you today a little container I made to put a handmade gift into for a sweet friend for her birthday . . . I will share with you, at a later date, the gift I made her (just in case she reads this posting) . . . I am known by my scrappy friends for these rounds boxes I decorate to look like little cakes . . .

As the majority of my friends have received one of these boxes from me I had to come up with something new to put little gifts in and this is what I made . . . .

Now I probably saw an example of this somewhere on the internet and I am sorry to say that I don’t remember exactly when or who made the original (even though I am pretty sure it was Karin of Creative Chaos – I love her blog) . . . anyhooooooo, I made this container by covering up a purchased paper cone with some scrapbook paper from my stash (wish I knew the name of the is paper as I would love to get more, that is even if they make it any longer-LOL), gathered strips of crepe paper (did this by hand while watching the SJ Sharks win another hockey game – YAY), found some silver tinsel and ribbon in my stash, cut out scalloped circles with my Cricut and went on a Martha Stewart glitter frenzy (glitter everywhere and I mean everywhere!) . . . it is any easy peasy project . . . Well, that’s all for now . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

Well, I finally did it. . . I created my first tag as part of the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013. This is something that I have wanted to do for at least 6 months, but I just plain lacked the courage. . . sooooo this morning I bit the bullet and created the above tag. It was fun and I know that in the coming 11 months I will be learning a lot more techniques and LOL- needless to say I will also be adding quite a few new products in my craft room. Here are the products used: Broken China, Faded Jeans and Weathered Wood Distress Ink; Brushed Pewter Distress Stain; Snow Cap acrylic paint dabber; Snow Flurries & Snowman Sizzix Alterations embossing folders; Idea-ology Mirrored sheets; mini mister; Boundless Flight cling stamp; Heidi Swapp snowflake ghost shapes (snowflakes); and rhinestones. That’s all for now . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

A few weeks ago I was on Pinterest (LOL – like who isn’t these days) and a photo of a suitcase caught my attention. As it was near my bedtime I posted the link to one of my Pinterest boards and off to bed I went. I never dreamed that the photo of the suitcase would haunt me for days . . . after I finished the current project I was working on (trying to keep that New Year’s resolution I made) . . . I looked at the photo again, gathered up the supplies I needed (for once I didn’t have to go out & buy anything-I had it all the supplies already – LOL) and went to work . . . here is what I made . . .

Who would have thought that an Altoids mint can could be turned into something so cute! It turned out to be a very quick and easy project. I will be giving this little suitcase to my engaged daughter with some “honeymoon” cash in it. When they return they can add the little fold out and place pictures from their honeymoon on it. The orginial little suitcase can be found here on Jocely’s site, “It’s All About Me” along with other uses she found for the suitcase . . . SUPPLIES USED:clean Altoids can; Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue paper; Staz On Ink pad – timber brown; Color Box Chalk Ink pad – Chestnut Roam; Tim Holtz mini brads – 2; glue; We R Memory Keepers 1/2″ round corner chomper; and Making Memories Great Escape metal tag. Well, that’s all for tonight . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

I am very blessed to not only have kind, caring, witty and funny family and friends but these people in my life are also extremely talented . . . tonight I want to tell you a little bit about my sweet friend, Diana Higgins. . . the very creative Diana has been PUBLISHED and not in just any magazine but in the Somerset LIFE Jan/Feb/Mar 2013 issue. . .

The 4 page article is about Diana’s love for “felted” wool and shows pictures of some of the felted hearts she created, along with suggestions on where you might use these “love tokens” (as she call them) . . . here are just a couple of pages from the article . . .

Over the years the lovely Diana has gifted me with a few of her felted creations . . .

Are they not BEAUTIFUL!!! . . . as I said I am very blessed to have this sweet lady call me friend! Well, that’s all for tonight . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hug & Kisses . . . LindaB

Back on December 31st I participated (off & on) in a craft World Wide New Year’s Eve 2012 Streamathon. The idea for this crafting streamathon was the brainchild of a few PITA Babes who get together online at the Paper Phenomenon web site . . . The co-ordinators for this event were Ozegran (Australia), Art Journey (UK-Europe), MusicScrp (Canada) and Mitzi (USA). . . it started at 11:30pm (Australian time) with Jen (Ozegram) teaching a 2013 monthly pocket planner and ended with Joycee (the Frugal Eclectic) in the US . . . during the 24 hour period various crafty people shared with us some wonderful techniques, held quizes on various crafty happenings around the world and held drawings for some wonderful prizes! The Queen even made an appearance and danced the “Gangnam” on the Art Journey (Lily’s) Ustream!!!! Well you guessed, it I was one of the lucky winners of a prize during the time that Nicky (Inky Minxy-The Altered Zone) was streaming from England . . . Nicky was teaching how to do hand printing without a press by using a product called “Gelli Plate” and giving away four pendants she had made as prizes . . . here is a picture of what I won . . .

Nicky not only sent me (at her own expense) the beautiful pendant, but she included a ATC she made from one of the printings she had demonstrated!!!!! Even if I had not won a prize the Streamathon was a blast and I look forward to seeing it next year. If you are interested in seeing what it was about here is the link to recorded programs on Jen’s blog . . . Well, that’s all for now . . . thanks for stopping by and until next time . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB

Hi everyone . . . it looks like at last my dear hubby and I are finally done with our colds/coughs – YAY!!!! . . . as promised in my last post I said that I would be posting pictures of some of the projects that I made in December . . . sooooooo get a drink and some munchies as this is going to be a long post I think – LOL . . . let’s begin with the items I made from my local scrapbook store, PSB, annual Christmas workshop. Kits were created by Karen, Deb, Kathy, Tracy and Christie . . .

A giant bottle cap ornament.

My granddaughter, Kyra, and I made these hot chocolate tubes as gifts for her teacher & the teacher aides.

A matted Santa drawing, taken from a calendar.

A JOY banner. During the month of December my LSS also hosted it’s annual Christmas crop and ornament exchange. Here is the lovely shabby chic tin ornament I received that evening . . .

I also made that evening a mini 2013 desk calendar and a paper bag purse (I made more of the purses at home as they are great for putting gift cards in or candy or any kind of treat). I plan on posting (at a later date) a little tutorial on how to make these very easy gift purses.

Okay, only a couple of more pictures to go . . . During this busy month I also managed to take a couple of classes . . . the first class was held at PSB where I made these lovely Christmas Spool Lollies that were created by the talented Char Cundy . . .

The second class was held at a new scrapbook store in town, Chico Scrapbook. I made 5 christmas tags while using some Tim Holtz products and learning a few of his techniques . . .

Oh, I almost forgot . . . I also attended a crop at PSB on the very last Saturday of the year 2012 and I did this layout (pictures will be added one of these days, years _ LOL) . . .

Well that’s it for this posting. I don’t know about you but I am exhausted! So thanks for stopping by and visiting . . . until later . . . hugs & kisses . . . LindaB

A belated HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! It’s been a while since I have posted . . . husband and I have been passing a cold/cough back & forth and it apparently my turn again. As soon as I feel better I will be posting pics of some of the items I made during December. Soooooooooo, until next time – take your vitamins, drink lots of juice and get plenty of rest . . . Hugs & Kisses . . . LindaB