Gail's Craft Corner

It's been awhile.......

2010-05-18T10:14:00.002-04:00

since I have been able to get on and post anything. Life has been so busy and crazy these past couple of months. I have been working on my craft room. It is done in the way of construction. We just need to do the little finishing things like putting on the handles to the cabinets my husband installed and the draws, putting up the cork as my "back splash" at my one "desk" area, loading ALL the paper I have on the paper racks(and that is ALOT of paper),picking out the color to paint the walls(not that there is much wall space to paint) and deciding what to do on the cabinets. We bought the unfinished ones and have to decide if we want to paint or stain them. Then there is putting all the little personal finishing touches to do too. It feels like it is taking forever to get it done. I know it will be all worth it in the end but still!!! LOL Now that the nicer weather is here,we are spending time getting the outside of the house looking nice and then we will be working on our pool.

In one of my past posts I told you I was going on a Bus Tour with my sister in April. Well we went and had a great time. My sister said that she will go with me again next year so that was "a good thing". I was so happy that she had a good time. It was great to spend the time with just her and me too. Love ya Vickie!!! We met some more great ladies,had some good food,some good make and takes, bought alot of great finds and of course got LOTS of great FREE stuff at each store we went to. Sue, our bus tour guide from New England Scrapbook Company store was great too. She was alot of fun on the bus. Thanks Sue!!! I was planning on taking pictures of the day and posting here and scrapbooking them,but my camera would not except my brand new SD card. I was soo mad and upset. Apparently they are making the SD cards not that are SDHC and my camera is too old to except them(and it is not that old either!!!). I guess it is time for a new camera....what do you think?

Well that's about it for now......I'll be back with pictures of the room and some new creations.....SOON!!! ;-) Until then.....

Happy crafting,
Gail

Our New Addition......

2010-03-09T16:45:00.003-05:00

Is our puppy Linus. He is 10 1/2 months old and he is a Dorkie. Linus is part Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier. He only weighs about 5 pounds. We adopted him from my nieces friend. We have had him now for 2 weeks and 2 days. He is such a good dog and we all love him sooo much. How can you not when you look at that face!!!

The bed he is laying in in the picture is a bed from Build a Bear that I had my bears the boys have made me in. Linus fits perfectly in it so it is now his.

Well I am off to go take Linus for a walk.....until next time...

Happy crafting,

Gail

New Blog Design

2010-03-09T10:39:00.002-05:00

I have to say a big thank you to Leelou's blog. I love that she post blog designs that we can have for free. I don't know about you,but I get tired of seeing the same old design day after day,month after month. I think it is great that we can go some where and get a new look to our blog. If you haven't gone to her site yet,you have to go and take a look. You are bound to find one(or more!) that you like. The hardest part is trying to decide which one to pick. It is even easier now to download and change your look. So what are you waiting for....go check them out!! :-)

Happy Crafting,
Gail

BUS TOUR

2010-02-05T17:31:00.002-05:00

I am so excited!!! My sister and I are going on a scrapbook store bus tour. I went last year with my friend and we had a BLAST!!! Spent alot too. :-) We will start at the store I signed us up at. That is New England Scrapbook Company. Then we will be bused to 3 other stores to see demos. and shop. We get breakfast,lunch and snacks. We also get a gift at our host store and a little something from the other stores we go to. Oh and of course we get a discount at the stores too! It was nice being able to see how to use somethings up close and personal and to see things that you can't get at the "chain" stores.
It will be the first time for my sister, and boy is she in for a fun day. Unfortunately it sold out before my friend could get a ticket. We're hoping someone cancels so she can go....she is on the list to call if someone does drop out.
It will be fun to spend the day(actually weekend) with my sister doing this. She lives about 3-31/2 hours away so we don't get to see each other a real lot. Now we just have to wait until April!! The bus tour is on Sunday April 18th. I'll be sure to let you all know what I get and will take pictures of things to show on here.

Happy crafting,
Gail

Another Give Away!!!

2010-01-14T10:11:00.004-05:00

High Hopes is having a blog hop for there new release of stamps. They are introducing a new artist too. Hop on over to there blog http://www.highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/ and enter to win!! You'll love what you see.....I know I do!!

Good Luck and Happy Crafting,
Gail

Leelou blog giveaway!!!

2010-01-14T09:09:00.005-05:00

Have you ever wanted to have a custom Leelou blog design? I know I have and still do want one. I have one of her awesome free blog designs,but would love to have a custom designed one!! Well now is our chance to win one. If you go to http://www.leelouswag.com/ and enter the blog give away you (or I) may be the lucky winner. Go on over and check out the blog and enter to win.

Good Luck and Happy Crafting,
Gail

Room Update

2010-01-02T10:40:00.002-05:00

Things have been coming along with the room. I am planning on taking pictures of the progress and then when it is done to post on here. I can't wait. It is alot different then we had first thought it would be.....better too!! :-) I am hoping to get back to posting regularly when the kids get back to school and I am able to start creating things to share. I really miss not making things and blogging.

I am going to go get another much needed cup of coffee and then get some things done in the room to keep things moving.

Happy crafting,
Gail

Halloween Treats

2009-10-25T15:39:00.003-04:00

I finally was able to make some Halloween treats for my boys friends in there school. One goes to pre-school and one is in first grade. I love making special treats for them to give to there friends. This year it has been more difficult. My craft room that I was using is now my oldest sons bedroom and all of my stuff was moved downstairs. Some was put in boxes and containers and some was just carried down and put anywhere there was room. So you can imagine how hard it is to find anything. I was able to get to one of my stamp sets since I just got it in the mail recently and was able to get to my Big Shot and Spellbinders. The paper I had to move some things to get to and my Copics too. All in all I was happy that I was able to make them something to take in and give out. They are alittle more simple than I would have liked them to be.....but at this point I'll take it. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to having my craft room done! DH is hoping it will be done in two weeks.....I hope he is right.

I'm off now to go back downstairs and go through some boxes. I am hoping to make some things for there teachers this week.....we'll have to wait and see what I find down there...LOL!

Happy crafting,

Gail

Room Progress.....

2009-09-29T16:26:00.002-04:00

I haven't been able to make anything lately because we are not finished on my room. We are taking a room in our downstairs and making it my craft room. It is getting there.....finally!!! I spent Saturday being soccer Mom with my two youngest boys while my DH was home with our worker turned friend (yes we still have to pay him :-( ) downstairs working hard. I was down there with them both on Sunday. We got the insullation all up,the walls studded and some of the dry wall up. We added two more ceiling lights and outlets for me. I will post before and after pictures when the room is done. (They will be more like during and after pictures.) I am hoping that after this coming weekend the room will be ready for paint. There are no windows in the room so I am trying to figure out what color would be best. I really do not want to have a white room. I keep leaning to a green or blue, but nothing for sure. Any suggestions would be great!!!

Happy Crafting,
Gail

Pictures of the Goodies!!

2009-09-22T12:46:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I told you about the Stamp and Scrap Art Tour show and showed some pictures that I took. I also shared what I purchased. ell today I thought I would show you what I got. I took pictures and here they are. The second picture is the grab bag box of stamps I bought from DRS.(Sorry that it didn't come out that clear.) I am so glad that I bought it. I wasn't sure if it was going to be worth it or not.......and let me say it WAS worth it!!

The first picture is of the items I bought at the Art Gone Wild booth.

The next picture is of the items I bought from the Inky Antics booth. I absolutly love those stamp sets and I will be getting more from there!!!

This last picture is of everything all grouped together. On the bottom right of the picture you can see the Flower Soft I bought from the Starving Artists booth. I took a picture of them but I have no idea what happened to it. It was there on the camera and then when I loaded them on the computer it was gone.

Hope you have a great day and find time to stamp stamp stamp!!!

Happy Crafting,

Gail

Stamp and Scrap Art Tour Pictures

2009-09-21T10:41:00.005-04:00

My friend and I went to the Stamp and Scrap Art Tour on Saturday in Rhinebeck NY. It was alot of fun to get to see all the different companies and there demonstration all under one roof. I wish I had more time to spend there and of course ALOT more MONEY to spend!!! I will say though that I did spread the wealth around....LOL!

I bought from Inky Antics,DRS,Art Gone Wild and Starving Artistamps Inc. I saw Darcies for the first time and I have to say that I LOVE her stuff. I meant to go back and get something from her booth but we ran out of time and I forgot. I also wanted to go back to another booth that was selling stamps with your name on it that you can stamp on cards and things that you create. That one I will say that I totally forgot about until we were driving home. Oh well,there's always next time.

There were so many neat things to see. I took some pictures from some of the booths and thought I would share them with everyone. Three of the pictures are from the DRS booth and two are from Art Gone Wild.

What I got from Art Gone Wild was a thing that will help you make spinner cards easier and faster. It is called Creative Cuts. It is a template very similar to the templates that are called Coluzzle. I can't wait to play with it. I also got stamps that will work with the template too.

I bought some Flower Soft from Starving Artistamps. I have been wanting to try this stuff for sometime now. I bought the Autumn color and Christmas green. Thought they would be good to start off with being it is the first day of Fall tomorrow and holiday cards in the making.

I got a great deal at the DRS booth. They had four clear boxes of unmounted stamps that they called a grab bag. They were $7.50 each. I took a look the best I could at each box and picked one. I was so happy with the selection when I opened it up last night and checked them out. I would have to say that I will use probably about 90% of them. Not too bad for $7.50!!!!

Then there was Inky Antics. I love there stuff too, and Jackie is a real sweet heart. She was great demonstrating things.In fact I bought three sets of clear stamps from them, and new Metallic Cream Chalks(that is what she demonstrated for us),a really neat eraser pen(never seen anything like it!) and refills for it too of course. Can't buy it and not the refills right!!LOL

After loading the pictures I did notice that one of the pictures did not get rotated....sorry about that. I hope you are able to see the pictures ok.

I am really hoping that there will be more of these shows that come around me. They are so fun to go to!!!!

Well now that I have gone on and on about it I am going to go and get my son to preschool and MAYBE when I get home I can play with my new "toys"!!!

Have great day and Happy Crafting,

Gail

Halloween card.....

2009-09-14T16:29:00.004-04:00

Here is a Halloween card I made. It is actually one I made last year. I haven't been able to get to all my craft stuff and it is driving me crazy!!! We are doing a room downstairs for me and I had to move all my stuff out of the room I was using upstairs so my son Andrew could have it and the 2 other boys are moving into his old room. Let me tell you when I say I have alot,that is probably an understatement. I will have to take a picture of the way the stuff is downstairs and the room that I will be getting when it is done. It will be great when it is done,but for now I can't get to things let alone find what I am looking for...LOL!!
Of course that doens't stop me from buying new things ;-)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the card!
Happy crafting,
Gail

Supplies used are all Stampin' Up! as followed:
Card stock: Close to Cocoa,Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink pads: Close to Cocoa,Pumpkin Pie,More Mustard, Old Olive
Jumbo stamp wheel: Spooky Skyline
Large Ink Cartridge: Black
Grosgrain Ribbon: Old Olive
Linen thread and paper piercer.

I'm Back and the First Day of School!!!

2009-09-14T15:57:00.004-04:00

These are some pictures of my boys on there first day of school. (I wanted to have them put after I typed up my post but they went on first before the post.)Here is Logan who was happy to pose for me after his first day of preschool.

Ryan also smiled for the camera on his first day of school down at the bus stop and then had to have a picture showing his new "Clone Wars" backback.

Andrew on the other hand was not too happy that I wanted a picture of him on the first day of school. But then again it was only 6:20am!

Well it has been quite awhile since I've posted anything. It has been a crazy time here. I thought I would have more time once summer came and there was no more homework and all....what was I thinking...LOL!! Now that the kids are back in school,I finally was able to sit down and load pictures from my camera to the computer. It took me awhile to do that too since it has been that long...LOL All three of my boys are in school now. My oldest just started high school (where did the time go!), my middle one started first grade and my "baby" started preschool (today). Now I will have about 2 1/2 hours a day by myself......I won't know what to do.....well maybe. There is always laundry,cleaning(getting those dust bunnies that seem to keep growing or coming back LOL),cooking,etc. Nah, I think I'll find the time to be creative......I hope.

Happy crafting,

Gail

Another awesome give away!!!

2009-08-22T10:40:00.002-04:00

Ok everyone, you are going to want to go to www.keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com. She is giving away some GREAT stuff to a lucky winner on Monday August 31st. You really don't want to miss a chance to win. I know I don't. All you have to do is go to her blog, leave her a comment and share her give away on your blog if you have one,or just spread the word about. Can't get much easier!! Good luck everyone.

Happy crafting,
Gail

Blog Candy

2009-07-29T09:22:00.003-04:00

If you go to www.keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com she has some awesome blog candy up for grabs. Go check her blog out and leave her a comment and you'll be in for a chance to win. I think you will really want to check it out. Good luck!!

Happy crafting,
Gail

Christmas Mailbox

2009-07-25T19:14:00.002-04:00

Here are some pictures of a wood mail box that I altered. It was fun doing it. I painted it all white first and then I put the paper on using Modge Podge. I also sealed it with the Modge Podge. Gotta love that Modge Podge...LOL!!! I put the ribbon on with red line sticky tape. The flowers are actually flowers that I took off the stem of some flowers that I had. The white one I used a brad for the center and the red one I used a white snowflake button. I used my Sizzix to cut out the "let it snow" and the words "winter wishes"on the side. It is hard to see the "winter wishes" in the picture with the way the angle is. I used Stickles over the words to make them show up more. I also cut out a snowflake and then cut it up to fit around the knob that the flag goes down on. I thought that it just needed alittle something and that worked out real well.

I gave this one to my sister last year. I have more mailboxes waiting to be altered. I had purchased quite a few thinking I would get to them all........what was I thinking....LOL!!! I am hoping to get a few done this year. I'm thinking that I better find some time and start them soon.

Happy crafting,

Gail

Birthday card

2009-07-20T17:59:00.003-04:00

Here is a birthday card I made one weekend. I used the cuttlebug happy birthday folder to emboss the white card stock. The stamp is from the Stampin' Up! set called Crazy for Cupcakes. The decorative paper I used was from Making Memories I believe. The pink card stock is from SU! along with the white card stock. I used the oval and oval scalloped nestabilities.
I haven't made anythin new lately. I really need to get back to making somethings. I was going to work on some things this past Saturday and then ended up with a TERRIBLE migrain. I hate it when that happens...LOL!! I am hoping to get some time in this week to make some cards and/or jewelry. Until then....

Happy crafting,

Gail

Spica Markers Give Away!!

2009-07-17T21:05:00.000-04:00

If you go to www.favecrafts.com you will see that they are giving you a chance to win a set of the Copic Spica markers. It is going on until July 31st. You can enter once each day. So the more you enter the greater your chances of winning. Good luck !!

Gail

A Few Cards to Share

2009-07-15T17:41:00.002-04:00

I haven't been up to stamping lately. As much as I really want to,my mind is not there. With all that has happened in the past 2 weeks, I just don't feel the creativity or concentration that I need to make any cards. I have however taken pictures of some cards that I made in the not to distant past. They are made using Stampin' Up! stamp sets and card stock. I am hoping to get back into stamping very soon. I will post anything I do make as I go. Thanks for understanding and for visiting. Please come back again soon.

Happy crafting,

Gail

The Daisy Chain

2009-07-15T17:29:00.003-04:00

Here is a picture of a necklace I made today. It is called the "Daisy chain". The picture on top is a close up of the necklace so you can see the "daisy" look a little better. It is the first time I have made a necklace like this. I am happy with the way it turned out and I am going to make more in different colors. I want to make one in pinks in honor of my mother. I will post it when I make it. Hope you like it. I am trying to get back into the swing of things but it has not been easy yet. Making the necklace was relaxing and something I have been wanting to try.

Happy crafting,

Gail

Thank You

2009-07-12T11:16:00.000-04:00

I want to thank you for your kind words. The nice comments from everyone does help. It has been hard,but my 3 boys keep me going. I have gotten a few cards and they also help left my spirits. It always amazes me (and puts a smile on my face)how such a simple thing as a card or a few kind words from someone(even if you've never met them)can make you feel ok. I am taking one day at a time and hope to get back to crafting in the next day or so. Something like this makes you realize what is really important and not to put things off. I am going to try and not take the little things for granted. Thanks again everyone.....

Gail

Sad News

2009-07-11T11:22:00.002-04:00

I have not posted anything in awhile because I had to go down to Virginia. My Mom passed away on Thursday July 3rd. I was able to be there when she died along with my brother,sister,father and a few other relatives. I am trying to get back in the swing of things and will post more as I do.

Gail

Pictures of the boys and our gardening

2009-06-29T14:16:00.003-04:00

The boys like to have there pictures taken so after we were done planting the flowers I took a few of them. They are sitting on our front porch and sitting in front of our front door. I also took a picture of the flag with the new flowers and frog. There is Andrew,the oldest,and then there is Ryan and our youngest Logan. They all look so sweet and innocent.....which they are most of the time...but they each have there moments...LOL!!!

Hopefully I'll have some pictures of some cards and/or jewelry later today.

Happy crafting,

Gail :-)

My Boys and Our Day of Gardening

2009-06-28T21:08:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted in a couple of days because I have been busy and didn't really do anything worth posting. Today I finally was able to get some flowers planted. My husband was working all day so I took my 3 boys to the store and we got some things for the yard and flowers for the flower box on the front porch. Our first stop was to ACMoore...of course. Hey they had a 25% off coupon on your entire purchase including sale and clearance items....couldn't pass that up...LOL. They also had the flags on sale and the gardening section was 60% off. I was able to get 2 flags,a metal frog with a "welcome" sign and a few other items that will go in the garden when I have one done. I actually got out of there with out any actual craft items. I shocked myself... ;-)

Our next stop was to Home Depot for the top soil and the flowers. The boys liked helping to pick out the color of the flowers I got. They picked out red,white and pink impatients. I picked the flowers and they picked the colors. We came home and got to planting. I was happy with how they all turned out. I have some left that I have to finish planting tomorrow.
Tomorrow I am hoping to get some cards and jewelry made after I plant the rest of the flowers.

Happy crafting,

Gail :-)

More Jewelry....

2009-06-25T21:20:00.003-04:00

These are some other pieces I have made. The necklace with the blue,green and yellow that has the matching bracelet is actually the first necklace and bracelet that I made. The pink one is the next one that I made. i did make a pink one for my sister put I don't want to post a picture of it until I give it to her. I also made a black and white necklace for my neice that I will post after I give it to her. I want them to see them first before I post a picture of them. I am hoping they both like there necklaces. I know I do!!! I figure if they don't then that's two more for me and I'll start over for them....LOL

Well I am off to get my boys to bed now and then I am hoping to catch some of Gina Ks release party on SCS!! Have a great night!!

Happy crafting,

Gail :-)

I'm making Jewerly now too!!!

2009-06-25T20:47:00.003-04:00

My friend Jennifer got me into making jewelry...thanks Jen!!!! I love making it. It is so much fun to be able to go pick out exactly what you want and make it how you want too. I made this necklace first and liked it so much that I made a matching bracelet to go with it. The picture is not the greatest of them. I am still working on getting the pictures so they look good on the computer.

Teacher cards

2009-06-25T14:46:00.002-04:00

I was finally able to get the cards I made for the teachers posted!!! :-)

The first one is made with an old retired set from Stampin' Up! called Stella Stamper. It was the perfect set to use on her card since we gave her a gift certificate for Stampin' Up! She was thrilled with the card and the GC.

The second card I used the set from MFT called Girls Day In. I love that set. It too was perfect for this card. We gave the teachers helper a gift certificate for a manicure and a bag that had nail polish in it and other things to go with it. I was even able to color the image of the bottle of nail polish almost the exact color of the polish it self.....love those copics!!

The third card was for his actual kindergarten teacher. I didn't have a stamp to go for what we gave her so I chose this (retired) Stampin' Up! set. We gave her a gift certificate for a massage. Maybe MFT can make up a set for that too....... ;-)

I loved coloring in the tulips. I again used my copics. Actually all coloring on all three cards was done with my copics. I haven't had them too long nor have I had much time to play with them. I am happy how the cards did come out and I am planning on finding time over the summer to play more with them.

Hope you liked seeing them.

Happy crafting,

Gail :-)

Teachers gifts

2009-06-25T14:36:00.002-04:00

These are the gifts that I made for the teachers. The top picture shows what his main teacher was given and his other two teacher helpers were each given one of the white flower paper clothes pin clips. He also has a speech teacher and an OT. I made the clothes pin clips with the brown and pink flower paper for them. Ryan picked out who should get which ones. He was right on the colors for each one too!! They each loved the colors that they got and said it would go where they were planning on putting them. We also gave them some items from Bath & Body Works, but I really enjoy making something for them from hand to. Hope you enyoy looking at them!!

Happy crafting,

Gail :-)

End of Year Picnic is Over

2009-06-19T14:41:00.002-04:00

Well I made it through the year as the room Mom for my sons kindergarten class. We had the End of Year Picnic yesterday. Of course it ended up being in the class room since it was raining out. When I say raining I mean raining "cats and dogs" out!! The kids all had a great time anyway. I brought in ice cream with all the works as a special treat for them all. I gave the teachers there gifts from the children which went over well also. I will have pictures of the cards I made for them along with the gifts and cards I made for them from my son posted soon. I am hoping to get them up this weekend. :-)

Now I am off to organize all the stuff I took out to make everything.

Have a great rest of the day!!!!

Blog Candy

2009-06-15T09:27:00.002-04:00

If you go to daydreamsbymichelle.blogspot.com she has some candy up for grabs. Go check her blog out, leave her a comment and become a follower and you will have a chance to win. I just did and you never know who the lucky one will be!!! :-)

End of school year

2009-06-14T09:44:00.002-04:00

Well I don't know about you, but I have been so busy with the end of the school year coming. My oldest son has regents and finals coming up to get ready for and then there is my 6 year old son. Ryan is having his "End of Year Picnic" with his kindergarten class on Thursday. I am room Mom for his class so I am busy trying to get all the things set for the picnic. I am also making gifts for his teachers this weekend too. I will take pictures and post them as soon as I can. I am having trouble with getting pictures on the computer and hope to get that solved very soon!!

Well I am off to go get the day started...now that I have had my coffee fix....LOL! ;-) Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend and come back soon.

Happy Crafting,
Gail :-)

Blog Candy Give Aways

2009-06-04T10:21:00.000-04:00

All that I love and Creating from the Heart have awesome blog candy. Go check them out and leave a comment for a chance to win.