Spring Continues - cReative Team Tuesday

Hi there, welcome back!  Today I wanted to share with you a few really simple decorations that I did using Rhonna's latest kit.  Now, I say simple but truly they are adorable so even though I know they will wow my guests they were super easy to make!

I have been busy trying to get my new shop up and running and so for me decorating the mantel needed to be quick, cute and easy!  Sometimes just a little goes a long way and so if you think that you don't have time to decorate think again!  You don't have to do it up big to make an impression.

I will tell you this, when one of my nieces was over she told me that she loved that I always made time to do a little decorating for the holidays.  That warmed my heart because I knew that it was special to her. And that maybe, just maybe her Aunt Nancy will make enough of an impact on her that she will do as I do one day.

As usual you may click on the photos to see them in a larger size.

This first photo shows the Happy Day banner that I created, I decided that I would like to leave this one up after Easter.  So, Happy Day it is and will be now that Spring has arrived!  This was quick, I simply printed out the Happy Banner printable kit on 110# card stock that I purchased at the local office supply store.  Cut out the pieces, I decided to ink up the edges with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distressing ink.  That is my fav ink that I go to most times that I want to add a touch of ink to my card stock.

I also used a couple of doily's and some butterflies that I had punched out and ran some jute string along the bottom of the mantel and used small clothes pins to hang them up.  I could have easily taken an extra step to decorate the clothes pins but remember, I wanted it to be quick.

Here is a close up of a couple of the letters, as you can see I simply stapled on a little flag from the same kit. Quick, easy and cute!

 

This next piece sure does make me happy!  I picked up this pink tray along with a blue one in the $1 bin section at my local Target.  I think it was about $2 or close to that and it was just pink till I decorated it with a chevron cut out I created with my Cameo.  I used a little bit of adhesive to tack it down and decided it would be a cute background accent to the doily and flags!  Swoon, it really did make me happy that little tray!  I used some colored sharpie pens to paint the sticks I use for the flags and doily. Quick, easy and cute!

And this last photo shows one of my favorite Longaberger baskets decorated with another quick, easy and cute pieces from the same kit!

Hope you are inspired to go off and decorate a little area of your home, it truly will inspire you and your family to have a happy day!  

Be sure to come back this week, I have an almost finished project on my desk that I will be sharing!  I'm using a frame, some jute, linen and a few other fun things I had on hand to create a fun wall piece.

Hugs from Conroe, TX

Items used are

Happy Banner Kit

Used the Silhouette Cameo

Background Double Chevron 

Tip: There are quite a few bloggers out there offering a special price on the Cameo till the 28th. One of them is Char at Crap I've Made. I like using her code because she shares lots of projects she makes with her Cameo :)  If you have the Silhouette already then you might consider using her code for the Designer Software.  That is what I'm going to get :)

cReative Team Tuesday - Easter Countdown

Welcome back for this week's cReative team Tuesday project that I created and Rhonna is sharing over at her blog HERE.  You won't want to miss out on the other projects shared so be sure to head over there once you are done visiting me. 

I thought it would be fun if the hubby and I each wrote each other a love note or message for us to read together each day from the 19th of March till Easter Sunday.  There is also some candy included too, you have to have candy when you are doing a count down right?!

If you follow the Silhouette blog you may recognize this as the advent calendar kit that they sold back in November/December of last year.  It was so much fun to make and easy too!  I simply printed out some of the Spring Circus background papers and used them to cut out the boxes on my Silhouette Cameo.

I also used some of the Easter lines, the card stock I used is all from Bazzill, love it!  I should mention that I did recolor some of the Easter Stamp Art Kit pieces to match the colors in the Spring Circus Paper Kit.

Click on photos to see them in a larger size.

I absolutely love how it turned out! I love Rhonna's designs, it speaks to my heart and always puts a smile on my face!  I will be back to share more of my Spring/Easter decor.  

Have a great Tuesday!

Kits Used

Spring Circus Paper Kit

Printable Sayings Easter Celebration

Stamp Art Kit Easter Celebration

Silhouette America Limited Edition Advent Calendar

Linking up to

You won't believe it till you see it!

Well today was the day that I learned how to ride a motorcycle!  Yes, you read that right!  My husband recently bought a new motorcycle and so I asked if he would consider keeping his old one for me to ride. He immediately replied "i'm scared", without hesitation I might add!  Well, after a few days he told me that he had given it some thought and that he would give me a lesson to see if I liked it.

Well, I like it and I'm so excited to keep learning in hopes that the hubby and I can take long rides out on the beautiful Texas country back roads!  I wasn't nervous when we left the house, he took us out on the old bike.  We found an empty un-developed neighborhood with perfect streets! He gave me a few tips and instructions and then I went on my way.  I had a few "I forgot to hold the clutch" moments and the bike died on me, LOL.  But once I got going I did pretty well and I even surprised the hubby!  So, here are a couple of videos, the first one is short and will make you laugh out loud!  

**I have to note that for some reason I look sorta heavy in these, LOL.  I know I'm silly but really I look much better than what you see here. LOL  I knew when I got dressed that I wasn't wearing anything flattering but I really just wanted to get out the door so I wouldn't chicken out!

fyi...I said a tiny curse word at the end of this video, nothing too naughty though ;)

This next video shows me riding off in the far distance then I come around the curve really slow like a "beginner rider" LOL! 

Found one more to share

Thanks for stopping by, see you in a couple of days with some fun new projects!

Fun News on Upcoming Blog Design

Hi there! Happy Monday, hope you had a fabulous weekend and for those of you whose kids are on Spring Break hope you are off to a great start!

So, today I wanted to share with you some exciting news! 
I have decided to offer Blog Design and Templates using the digital offerings from Rhonna Designs!  I'm still in the early stages and so as soon as I have my new Blog up and running I will be sure to give you a heads up!  For now, please let me know if you think you might be interested or if you have a specific kit from Rhonna Designs you would like to see offered in my initial offerings.

I know some of you are looking for just the basics, Blog Header, Blog Background and maybe some Sidebar Headers.  Then there are some of you who are interested in the above plus the install and so that will be an option as well! 

At this time I will only be offering designs for Blogger based blogs, I'm really excited and hope you are too!

Thanks for stopping in!

Quick and Easy Birthday Gift

Hi there!  I just wanted to share with you a little gift that I made for a co-worker of mine.  If you are a creative soul then your friends and family usually hope for a handmade gift (well most of them, ha). This is a little gift I created using some of Rhonna's "Follow Your Heart" line from My Mind's Eye.  My friend loved it and I was pretty pleased with it too! 

Click on photo to see it in a larger size.

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I have to say that the twine is absolutely delish! It's thicker than most that I have come across, I plan on going back to my LSS and stocking up on more!  The stamps that I used on the sentiment for the card are from Stampin' Up.  The ribbon used is from My Mind's Eye and I'm bummed that I don't have more as it was from last years line.  The key is from Tim Holtz, the frame and glass from Ranger.  It all came together very nicely and I must remember to do this again soon!

**How did I make the bookmark? Well, it was so easy! I simply fed the ribbon through the key then I folded the edge and hot glued it down all nice and tidy. Then I did the same thing with the frame, it has a eye ring so I just fed the ribbon through it and hold glued the ribbon down.  I had the sewing machine in arm's length but the glue gun was even easier :)  What you can't see is that on the backside of the frame is a cute monogram as the piece is double sided.

The book is fabulous and sadly for my friend not part of her gift, hehe.  But, you must look into buying yourself a copy or the e-book for Kindle.  You can see info for it on my post HERE as well as a free printable.

Thanks for stopping in!

cReative Team Tuesday

Hi there! Here is a step by step video on how you can create your own cover photo in Photoshop elements.   If you have any questions please feel free to drop me a line!

Here is the cover photo that I am using on my Facebook page this month. As always you can click on the photo to see it in a larger size.

And Here is how I created a similar one.


Creating your own custom cover photo for Facebook's Timeline from Nancy Wyatt on Vimeo.


Be sure to head on over to Rhonna's  HERE to see what the other ladies have been up to!  

Happy Tuesday!

A Great read... A Sweethaven Summer

Just a quick note to hopefully keep my blogging habit back up and running! Ha!  So, tonight I wanted to share the name of a book I finished reading today.

This book truly spoke to my heart!  I really loved it and I know you will too!  This book also brought back some old memories, good and bad.  I often look back at old lost friendships, there are many good memories, some not so good but that is life.  We don't all have those friendships that last a lifetime but some do.  I have many great friendships that had ended then I got back.  I have some, a few that have stood the test of time.

Sometimes life gets in the way, sometimes a break is needed so that our wings have a chance to grow on our own.  Sometimes you are brought into someone's life so that they in turn can meet a new friend or partner.  There are those friendships that you can't imagine won't last and then they don't, you just have to learn from them.

What I have found as I have grown within this blogging world is that one can have close friends near and far.  That distance is just a small part of it and doesn't prevent you from having a wonderful friendship.  I am so grateful for some of the incredible friendships I have made through my blog! 

So, I hope you get a chance to buy and read Courtney's book. What? Why am I using her first name in my post? It's not like I'm friends with her, well I am you see.  I am online friends with her, we tweet back and forth now and then.  It's totally cool that I know this author but I'm not telling you this so you think I am cool!  I'm telling you this because friendships are out there to be had!  Even if it's just a few words now and then via these wonderful social medias that are out there for us to use.  You never know when a small friendship will turn into something special or what you will learn from your friends!

She is hosting an awesome giveaway, so how about heading over to Courtney's to learn more just click HERE.  And if you are interested in buying the book or the kindle download just click HERE.  Or stop by the bookstore and grab yourself a copy.

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Because I am part of  the cReative Team for Rhonna Designs I am able every now and then to offer a free piece for my readers for PERSONAL USE ONLY.
The above 5 x 7 piece was created using pieces from Rhonna Designs newly released
Spring Circus Line found HERE and HERE.

Here is one that you can save to print, the watermarks are much lighter. The first one above is perfect to pin so that others know where to go for Rhonna's designs.

You may click on the photo then right click and save a copy for your personal use only please, yes I meant to repeat that.  Please do not alter the piece in any manner or remove the watermarks. There is an outline around the piece to assist when triming it out. Thanks!

Hope you have an amazing week!

Why you should check the clearance shelf at your office supply store!

Hello folks! Just a quick fyi, I scored and I do mean scored these tags at Office Depot!  They were marked down on clearance each $8 for the large ones and $7 for the small ones.  Well, when I got up to the counter he said that the clearance items were half off the clearance price! SCORE!!  These puppies will be great to stamp, ink, decorate with some washi tape.  The uses are endless when using with Project Life and other craft projects!

So, next time you are at your local office supply shop look around at the clearance items and you too may score some tags!  

Helping Others Meet New Sources of Inspiration

Hi there! Thanks for stopping in, this is going to be a long post and so I hope you stick around till the end.

If you are a regular visitor to my blog you know that I have been in a funk, slowly I am working my way out of it.  I'm ready to get to playing and creating! 

One of the things that I love to do as a blogger, tweeter, Pinterest pinner and Facebooker is help spread the word about the fabulous women that I learn of.  I would say that I spend a good portion of my online time spreading the word of these women so that others will meet them too.  I know that sometimes all it takes is to mention a person once or twice and someone out there will see it and stop in on that blogger or pin and learn something valuable. There is nothing greater than seeing your work or words out there for others to enjoy or learn from.

What I find a little frustrating is that often times I don't see that effort back in return.  I know, I know, we shouldn't do things simply to have the favor returned.  And that isn't why I do it, I truly want others to get to know the wonderful women I have met! BUT, it sure would be nice to see others do the same thing. I have personally seen how excited some get at seeing their work pinned, blog posts tweeted but then they often forget that they hold the key to sharing that joy with their friends or fellow bloggers.

Often times when I see it done it's usually folks promoting their close friends or the "popular girls" ha, and that is great but I think it's great to remember to help promote those that are not always in your immediate circle of friends. Or maybe you forget your own circle of friends when it comes time to helping spread the word? We all lead busy lives but it only takes a few clicks to spread a little love now and then.

So, next time you come across a great item on Pinterest consider clicking on the photo and leaving a comment to that blogger. Consider pinning something from a blog you have discovered. Consider re-tweeting someone's tweet. Consider tweeting about a great blog post you have come across. Consider returning the favor if someone spreads the word about you. As my friend Jennifer commented, pay it forward.

Sharing is truly a wonderful thing and it's free.

If you look over to the right the first thing listed on my sidebar is an area that I will add new blogging friends blog links.  They are new to the blogging world and need a little help getting the word out.  So, if you would please click on their link and stop in and say hello.  If you see something you find interesting then consider sharing the post via twitter, Facebook or your blog.

Hope to see you back soon and YAY, it's almost the weekend!!

p.s. I have some great bloggers listed on the right hand sidebar. I have those blogs listed not only for my reading pleasure but for you too.

p.p.s If you would like any of your work pinned, tweeted or shared via Facebook feel free to drop me a line and I would be happy to help out! And if you would like your blog listed on my "Blog Love" tab above let me know and I will add you.

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The above art was created with a journaling card from the Follow Your Heart Kit found HERE

and some Punk Junque art found HERE