I'VE BEEN PICKED!!

I am THRILLED to announce that I have been picked by PEACHY KEEN STAMPS as one of their 2011 GUEST DESIGNERS!

I am looking forward to working with this wonderful company. Their stamps are of the highest quality and stamp so crisp and clean…and the images are oh so adorable.

So be on the lookout on June 20 - 24, 2011 ~ that's my week.

THANKS TO EVERYONE AT PEACHY KEEN STAMPS!

Click here http://www.peachykeenstamps.com/ to see all of their yummy stamps!!

MY PINK STAMPER ~ 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ~ DAY #6 CHALLENGE

This challenge was to make a CHRISTMAS card or layout.

I really don't like my handwriting so here's how I compensate for my poor penmanship.

I print out my sentiment (in draft mode) in the same color as the pen I want to use  Then I go over the letters with the gel pen.  For this card I printed out the "PEACE and" then traced it with a JELLY ROLL SPARKLE pen ~ RED STAR.

I've been trying to improve my writing and I've always admired Kristina Werner's writing so I purchased her "Exploring Your Personal Handwriting Style" instructions and I've been practicing.  Here's the link:    http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/?p=3006

HERE'S HOW I STORE MY HANDBOOKS AND CARTS

This is my first video so please be kind ~ Thanks
A few things I didn't mention on the video. 

~ I don't go to crops or take my cartridges "on the road" so I have no need to keep them in a box that travels well.

~ The handbook/overlay box sets on top of the plastic cartridge box on my table.  I use my GYPSY for most projects so I don't use the actual cartridges often.

~  The box is put together with hot glue.  I actually have made a number of custom storage boxes with foamcore and hot glue.

Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge #42 ~ Emboss It

I made this ornament for the director of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the ALDEN CHRISTIAN THEATER SOCIETY. 

I printed out the text on a piece of clear craft plastic and quickly poured white embossing powder on the wet ink.  Used a heat gun as usual.  I cut the plastic into a circle with the Martha Stewart circle cutter, punched a hole in the top and hung it inside a clear ornament then added some Martha Stewart crystal coarse glitter and a little bow.

IVA'S " 'TIS THE SEASON BLOG HOP " DAY #3

OK...it's official.  I am THE WORST bow maker in the world  (vent over).

For today I thought I'd do a bit of stamping and coloring along with using SURE CUTS A LOT and a svg  from LETTERING DELIGHTS ~ the new ALPINE SNOW set http://www.letteringdelights.com/clipart:alpine_snow-9819.html   

I hope you can see from the picture that the snowflake/stamp curves out at the sides.  I glued down the center vertically and pop-dotted the sides.

To see the list of everyone who is participating this blog hop go to:

 http://ivarai.com/

And my "before me" and "after me" friends at:

Kerry Turner - http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.com/
Mary Ann Gawid Santos - www.thepapersalon.blogspot.com

IVA'S " 'TIS THE SEASON BLOG HOP " DAY #2

For today I've made a cute Santa card using DOODLECHARMS.  This cartridge has so many cute cuts on it. 

The "BELIEVE" is a stencil from a DecoArt Laurie Speltz's Instant Images template I got a Michael's after Christmas sale a couple of years ago for 99 cents and it's the first time I've used it.  How could I pass up a $.99 deal like that :)

Don't forget to visit http://ivarai.com/ to see the list of everyone who is participating in her blog hop. 

And please make sure you visit my "before me" and "after me" buddies!!

Kerry Turner - http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.com/
and
Mary Ann Gawid Santos - www.thepapersalon.blogspot.com

Peace,
Ellen

IVA'S " 'TIS THE SEASON BLOG HOP "

A BIG THANK YOU to Iva at http://ivarai.com/ for hosting this blog hop.  I'm so excited to be part of this ~ first one that I've ever participated in.  Thanks for visiting my little blog.  Please leave a comment and become a follower ~ I'd appreciate it.

Now....on to my project for today with a little background info.

This year my family has chosen OPERATION PETS/FELINE CAT FOCUS http://www.operationpets.org/ ~ http://www.feralcatfocus.org/ to donate to.

A few months back, someone dropped an adorable (but pregnant) kitty off near our home. We started feeding this poor malnourished mama cat and became very concerned when we didn’t see any kittens. We searched and searched our property but had no luck finding the babies. Then out of the blue there were 5 kittens at our back door. We’d love to make them indoor kitties but we already have a house full of animals (not to mention a barnyard of chickens and a couple of goats) and the fact that they are considered “feral”. OPERATION PETS/FERAL CAT FOCUS OF WESTERN NEW YORK has been a blessing to us and we are in the process of getting all the kittens and the mama “fixed”.

Here's the money jar I decorated.  My youngest daughter named all of them so there's PUMPKIN the mama and her 5 kittens.  The kitty head is cut from DOODLECHARMS, large Santa hat is from HOOT N HOLLER and the little hats are from PEPER DOLL DRESS UP.

Thanks again for visiting me and please visit these other wonderful paper crafters who are hopping too.

Kerry Turner - http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.com/
---> that's me    Ellen Mandris - http://lifeatwalnuthill.blogspot.com/
Mary Ann Gawid Santos - www.thepapersalon.blogspot.com

MY OLDEST STAMP

So...I challenged myself to use the oldest stamp I own ~ 26 years to be exact from INKADINKADO.  Cute puppy hanging from a wreath.  When I ordered it we had a cute puppy that looked like this :)

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR MY SISTER-IN-LAW

On the inside it says "Wishing you a warm and cozy birthday".

MY CREATIVE TIME ~ THROWBACK THURSDAY CRICUT-LESS CHALLENGE

Another "old school" challenge from Emma.

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #50

This week the CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE was to "make a card for Christmas, using the card feature from any cartridges you'd like, using any colors you'd like".

Here's what I made.  He turned out cute didn't he :)

I used SMILEY CARDS for the base and welded the Christmas tree from CREATE A CRITTER to it.

 

 

PEACHY KEEN CHALLENGE #40

MY CREATIVE TIME ~ THROWBACK THURSDAY

Emma's challenge this week is to make something with food. 

Here's what I came up with.  It's simple but I thought it turned out cute. 

This one will be going to OPERATION WRITE HOME.

MY CREATIVE TIME - THROWBACK THURSDAY - CHRISTMAS THEME

Emma's challenge for this week was to create something with a Christmas theme using the CELEBRATIONS cartridge.  Here's my what I came up with.

MY PINK STAMPER - PINK, GREEN PURPLE 30 MINUTE CHALLENGE

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR MY DAUGHTERS FRIEND

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR MY BROTHER

Good thing my borther doesn't "follow" me :)

BABY SHOWER CARD

I made this card for my cousin who is having a girl.  I like the sparkle buttons.

MY CREATIVE TIME - THROWBACK THURSDAY - SPORTS THEME

Here's my entry for Emma's latest challenge.  I made this card for Abby's tennis coach.

MY PINK STAMPER CHALLENGE ~ MAKE SOMETHING CUTE

PEACHY KEEN STAMPS ~ CHALLENGE #38

Challenge ~  fall/halloween theme that is anything but a card.  I made this cute little ghost tag.

CARDZ TV - CREATE-A-CARD

Another non-CRICUT card.



MY PINK STAMPER ~ SPOOKY CHALLENGE

CRAFTING WITH CRISTINA ~ Companion Challenge: Falling for Fall

MORE CARDS

MY PINK STAMPER ~ BIRD CHALLENGE

I just LOVE this TURKEY stamp.  Got it at Michael's in the $1.00 bin.

MY CREATIVE TIME ~ THROWBACK THRUSDAY

No CRICUT??? yikes Emma ~ talk about doing it the old school way.  Here's my simple but sweet card.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY CREATIONS