All the Little Details

So, I'm in the middle of a couple of projects more to come on those hopefully Sunday or Monday, but I was thinking.
Do you ever get bogged down when working on something? I know I do. For me I sometimes think I have to be able to see the finished project in my head before I can start the darn thing. It can be quite frustrating. Especially if you end up with something like writers block. I feel like I need to have all the little details in place before I begin, or at least some sort of idea how I'm going to finish a piece.
Then, I have a thing for embellishments,  specifically making my own. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind purchasing something for a piece I'm working on but I really think I get great satisfaction making them (from paper of course!) That was the reason I bought a Cricut a few years back, I love all the little things it allows me to make. That was also the reason I purchased the CTMH, Cricut Artiste Cartridge, and then The Art Philosophy Cartridge as well. Personally I think if you do any sort of regular scrap booking it's very useful and can totally make your layouts spectacular. The same for cards, if you are a card maker. Check out the video I've posted. This is a video from the Close to My Heart training team on things you can make for great embellishments with the Cricut. It gave me even more ideas... isn't that always how it goes. LOL.

Confessions of a Total Craftaholic!

I know I said NO new projects but dang it, every time I peruse Pinterest, or look at a blog hop of some sort I find SOMETHING that I want to do. And um, I think I'm addicted to Pinterest I swear.  Why, oh why are there so many talented, creative people out there and why  do I have to be sucked in to all the cool projects.
I have no less than 4 projects (yet to be started) sitting on my table. Ok, really 3 yet to be started. The 4th is my apron but I'm having some issues with learning how to use my sewing machine. Not issues learning per se, but I keep getting material stuck while I'm working with my practice material and haven't taken the time to figure out what is going on.

So, of the 3 projects on the table,  two are sort of in progress one is still in the box. It a pair of Melissa Frances Putz House Kits for my "future" Christmas decorating.
The next is a Graphic 45 Place in Time, perpetual calendar from the magnificent mind of Kathy Orta over at Paper Phenomenon. I had purchased some of this paper, and then this project just fell into my lap. It's awesome. The paper is perfect for this calendar and I totally see how Kathy was able to come up with the idea. The great part is that it has a hinged door that holds all the monthly pieces inside.
This is a picture of Kathy's completed project and I've got the majority of my pieces and parts, I just need to get my chipboard cut and I can go on from there.

Next, I have a CTMH printer try calling my name. I stole this image from the talented Lisa Stenz over at Lisa's Creative Corner for inspiration. She is one talented CTMH consultant. In this picture she is using the CTMH Avonlea papers but I think I'm going to be using the Buzz and Bumble along with some wedding mementos, although Chantilly is totally calling my name as well. I have both coming in an order tomorrow so I'll decide then.
I have a special board all set up on Pinterest for my "this is how I did it pics for when I'm done and hopefully there will  not be any epic fails.
Well, off to work on said projects and to clean the table off. Wish me luck!
F-

Valentines Treats

Cutest Treat Tubes EVER!

I was even able to dress up the tops of the tube caps.

Did everyone have a good Valentines Day?  My day ended well. Chinese take out and DH got me the cutest little "Cat" necklace which is so appropriate as my nick name to a bunch of my online friends is Kat. I, on the other hand sat my behind down a few days ago and did a digital scrapbook of our first year of marriage for my husband at Shutterfly with the Digital Project Life Templates. 
Then I printed the book and had it sent to delivered. It turned out really great and he was thrilled and I was very pleased with the results. It was kinda like getting a school yearbook and made me realize that going digital (or hybrid) is actually easier than I thought.
Then, I made 24 of these cute little boxes with treat tubes for my mom to use at her discretion. (Being a good daughter I was.)  I thought she'd use them to give to kid in her reading room at school or something but I think she gave them out to teaches instead. They were really fun to make after I narrowed down the design elements. I started off my project thinking that I was going to do something very different and elaborate for each of the four colors. I was so wrong... I used the Close to My Heart, Whooo's Your Valentine Kit that I snagged when I had an opportunity.  They were very well received from what I understand although I believe she gave them out to the teachers. It's probably because the treat tubes are VERY generous. I think a 16 ounce bag of M&M's filled half a dozen tubes. The treat tubes are available through CTMH and although the kit came with the boxes, they are not selling those. BUT, if you have a Cricut, I do have a cut file available using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge that I will make available.  I'm thinking these would be really cute for wedding or shower favors...  I may have to make some just to see.

Well two projects down and I can now get the next one going.

Finally Some Creativity

Hope everyone has had a fabulous Valentines Day. I had to work so no crafting today, which brings me to a question. Do you ever feel like you just don't have time to do anything creative? I do. Often.

Weekends generally look something like this;  start with a trip to Home Depot for a window for our bathroom, some conduit stuff,  electrical miscellany, a single roll of insulation and for me darn near every Behr paint inspiration sheet at the paint chip wall  any sort of home improvement project the husband needs my feedback on. Then random other things, errand, groceries etc. But I'm finally getting some time or rather making it a prioity.

While DH is upstairs listening to music working on some task to get us closer to to getting our sheet rock up. I on the other hand am working on cleaning up my craft space (never happens, things just get moved around) so I can get my sewing project finished. Currently my table looks like this.

Its slightly cleaner now but not much.  I moved on to getting a card made for my MIL's birthday last week and got a couple of pictures taken.  I got myself the new Anna Griffin Cuttlebug package from HSN for my birthday. It came a little over a week ago and  I'm tickled with all the folders. I haven't figured out how to get a good photo of the  folders so I cant show you what I was working with.  I'll be working on my picture taking skills, and I'm taking suggestions too.

I am a big fan of the white on white cards. So using four of my Anna Griffin embossing folders I made small panels and adhered them with my tape runner.
I used basic white card stock, misted it all with glimmer mist and then added my final (smaller) square set on a diagonal. Bear with me while I lean some photography skills. I swear my pictures will get better. This was the best picture I got of the card but practice makes perfect.

Tomorrow I'll be posting the adorable treat boxes I made for my mother to take to her reading room kids. Also be on the look out for some changes on my blog. I'm doing a bit more with Close to My Heart and while I don't want to be a full blown non stop advertisement for it, I do want it to have a bit of a bigger presence, but more on that later.