Sistine Chapel progress

3d Turkey Cricut Home for the Holidays Fall and Winter

Hi!
   This is my version of a 3D Turkey I saw in Cricut's Project Center.  I cut this out at 4"

First cut out the various pieces.  All pieces were cut at 4".  I made two turkeys one for my house and one for a college student who won't be able to come home for the holidays.  Since I was using thin card stock for the body I cut two pieces for each turkey.

I glued the two turkey bodies together, then I glued on all the decorative pieces, lastly the dark tail feather to the yellow tail feathers.  Then I used a brown fine tip marker and "stitched" around everything. 

The split in the yellow feather goes over the tabs on the back of the body.  Since I used two bodies to make a turkey I was able to attach to the tabs as shown in the photo.  If using one body, spread one tab left and one tab right.

Add the large orange tail feathers and you have a completed turkey just like the booklet that comes with the cartridge.

This is a quick project, in the foreground are the tools I used, glue, tape gun, white gel pen, scissors, bone folder, brown fine tip maker and tweezers.  These are the extra tail feather assembled and folded in half.  When glued to the turkey and each other they give a neat 3D look. 

I went back and added googly eyes and white gel pen on the dark cardstock to add a bit of detail. 

Jilliene Designing: Pick your Prize Supersized- ends 6/15 at 5pm PST

Jilliene Designing: Pick your Prize Supersized- ends 6/15 at 5pm PST

Sistine Chapel Progress

Hi!  I put the last few stitches in the scene, The Creation of Adam.  That means 2 down, 38 more to go. 

Merry Christmas

Hi!
    Just a quick note to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Best Wishes and Blessings to all.

A way to stitch the Sistine Chapel that works for me.  An inexpensive quilting frame from the craft store.  Used a coupon, of course.  Longer dowels added, and the dowels are sanded very smooth.  The bags are to hold the fabric so it doesn't rest on the floor.  I cut the handles, stitched on velcro so the bags come on and off easily and I can get the handles of the bags around the top frame without undoing all the hardware.

Frame with the fabric.  I stitch "in hand" so I only use the frame to hold the weight not to keep the fabric at a certain tension level.   I can pull up a chair and stitch, or pull the top frame off and stitch in the recliner, the frame still holds the weight of the fabric off my hands and off the floor.

Floss needed just for scene 4.  4 cards of colored floss, lots of blended threads.  3 more floss cards for the borders, skin tones and such that are repeated through most of the entire piece.  Then 5 needle holder cards that hold filled needles ready to stitch.  I took scissors and added extra cuts so the card holds twice as many needles as the manufacture provided.

Sistine Chapel. Scene 5

Hi. Finally some reportable progress on this piece. I started in the center with Scene 5. The Creation of Eve is done. Next is Scene 4 the Creation of Adam. I am working on the border. Many more scenes to go. It is a fun piece to work on. Especially since I have been to the Sistine Chapel.

Scene 5, the Creation of Eve

2nd set of 100 cards in 100 days

Hi!
   I have some cards I made to add to my collection.  I have stamped, scrapped or crafted, except for a bit of stitching since June 15th.  I did have a good reason, our oldest son got married, and since neither he nor his lovely bride had lived on their own before, we were helping them set up the apartment and stuff.  Not to mention all the pre-wedding prep.  So, I finally have time to catch up.

John & Sarah and their cake.  The words were done with my Cricut Cake.  The cake was made by a dear friend

Reminds me of when I used to go to the beach growing up

One can never have enough birthday cards to send to friends and loved ones

1st 100 cards in 100 days post

Hi!


Over on the Split Coast Stampers website, MindyKid posted a challenge, to make 100 cards in 100 days.  No specific designs or deadlines.  Just a goal to use what we have, and limit shopping trips if possible.

So I did some work, I just love this idea. I'm doing the old, haven't been used in a very long time Stampin' Up! sets, as a way to get collection of blank cards.

Disclaimer - I am a former SU demo, I started in 1995, I've amazed a huge collection of SU stamps as well as stamps from other companies. I stopped being a demo 7 years ago, and I haven't bought many stamps since then.  I like the idea of getting the old sets out, dusting them off and playing.

So, the sets I am showing are very old, probably no longer available or ridiculously high on E-Bay. I am not posting names, because the sets are just that old.

 Thanks for looking

Brayered background using Kaliedacolor Ink Pads

Misc. cards

Embossed background and a stamped background

Betsy the Beekeeper SU set.  Stamped background

Hi!
Okay, I can't resist a challenge.  A lady posted a question about how to put words in a circle.  So I came up with this.  Turns out I completely got her request wrong, but she liked what I did.  She was looking for words cut stencil style inside a solid circle.  I learned how to do that too, always fun.


I used the words Summer Day 3 times. I welded Summer by itself and then Day by itself.

I used George and Basic Shapes for the letters and the circles. The letters are cut at 1", the circle is 7.5 inches and 6.75 inches.

I picked up the dolphins and anchor from Life's a Beach, because I wanted to have something between the words, but it's not necessary. Sizes are 1 inch or less, adjusted to fit the space.

So what I did was pick the 7.5 circle. Then I put in the words Summer Days and welded them to the big circle. I fiddled with that for quite a while to get them around the circle. Once I got one set done, I copied it 2 more times and worked it around the rest of the circle.


Then I went in and copied the entire piece to another mat layer and took out the two circles. I decided I wanted the words Summer Days in different colors and to over lay them on the welded circle.

Next I added the dolphins and anchors. I adjusted them to fit the space and welded them in.

Make sure everything is grouped together so everything moves as one piece. And SAVE, SAVE, SAVE, save after every two or 3 things you do.

Then I copied the dolphins and anchors to another mat. That way they were sized to fit the adjusted size on the main welded circle and letters.

I noticed that one Summer and one Day is not on the circle, and on the top letters I noticed 2 s's weren't connected. I have eyes that are over 50 and I didn't put my glasses on. I will adjust this later.

Cut from white card stock

Finished, colored with pencils, just a quick

 test piece

A Finish, The Next Piece, and an Update

Hi!
   I finished Native Wolf  Trio kit by Dimensions, 4 or so years ago a lady was giving away some of her stash and sent this to me, I've forgotten her name, but I did thank her back then.  So it's done, our Son will keep it in his room






Now, I'm working on this popular kit, Leonardo.  Not a lot of progress, I put it aside a while ago, and since I'm still not moving around a lot, I've picked this piece up.  It's not a purse project, so it's a good sitting around project.  I also have Frederick the Literate and Maggie the Mess Maker in my stash to work on.

As for the surgery, I'm recovering.  I'm not as mobile as I'd like to be.  It will be 4 weeks this Friday, and I have permission to start standing on my foot and letting it bear my weight.  Note to self, time to seriously get on with losing weight.  I should be able to start walking a bit with the boot and crutches later today and slowly build up strength.  I'm to quit when it hurts.

Other than that, all is well, I've been out and about some, gone to our DD's track meets, church and some shopping which has been nice.  I've even successfully driven a motorized cart at Wal Mart.  That was kind of nice to go where I wanted and not where I was pushed to.  The family has been great about helping and doing, I have no complaints, only thanks.

Today's the Big Day

Hi!
   Well, a lot has happened since my last post.  My Achilles Tendon is not improving, so surgery is set for today.  I am not supposed to put any weight on my foot for several weeks, and after 6 weeks have passed I should be able to wear shoes again.  Yeah!!!  No more boot.

   Stitching progress.  I finished Noah's Sub, it looks very nice.  I am almost done on "The Pledge of Allegiance."  I only have the border to stitch which is a pattern of red, white and blue Syrian Cross or Algerian Eyelet stitches.  Since I will be home for a time recovering, the family set up a frame that works around a wheel chair so I can watch movies and stitch on the Sistine Chapel piece I'm working on. 

   Stamping, Scrap Booking and Cricut.  With some extra time off before the surgery, I was able to rearrange my craft area.  Things I use often were lowered and all the cabinets and cupboards were reorganized and labeled.  This will allow me to get to stuff easier.  My plan is to work on making lots of blank cards for future use.  Getting some layouts done and just using the time to try some new techniques or card styles.

     Since I can't walk or drive I will be housebound, and I'm planning on stitching and crafting as much as I can. 

   My family has been a big help in getting things ready, we know this will be a very interesting recover process.  I have faith and I am assured all will go well.

Be Well.

    That's the happenings so far.

Cross Stitch Update

Hi!

    Since I've been less active, due to an injury to my Achilles Tendon, I've filled my sitting around time with Cross Stitch.  I purchased the supplies for 3 smaller pieces, 1 very large piece and 1 extremely large piece at the same time 4 years ago, and I've not completed any of them.  So I committed myself to putting aside the 3 smaller pieces (Maggie the Mess Maker, Frederick the Literate and Leonardo) for a time.  I put aside the extremely large piece as well, (The Sistine Chapel) and focused solely on the large piece (Noah's Sub).  This has turned out to be a good idea, the Noah's Sub is almost finished in terms of stitching, I should have all the stitching done my Monday, then I can go back and outline.  I should have the entire piece ready for framing before Christmas.  Yeah, then I will focus on The Sistine Chapel.  The 3 smaller pieces will become traveling pieces, and pieces I work on when I need a break from the big piece.

Center Scene, Creation of Eve, 1/2 done, Joanna Lopianowski-Roberts design of The Sistine Chapel.  When finished it will be 40"x 80" if done on 14 ct Aida, I'm using Antique White Linen 28 ct.

Noah's Sub by Stoney Creek Collections,  from the original artwork of Stewart Moskowitz, 320wx220w Stitches, done on 18 ct Aida

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Hi!
   Just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

I hope you are able to spend the day with people who make you happy and are thankful that they are in your lives..

I am very Thankful that this year I am able to host Thanksgiving at our house with my husband, our 3 children, and two of our children are bringing a guest.  We're hoping to have to additional guests later in the day, they had another place to be but are hoping to come by for part of the day, I hope so.  We'll spend the day watching the parade and football games.  We will also play pool, ping pong and some board games.  I hope to get some Cross Stitch done while the games are on if possible, or maybe even some Cricut work, who knows. Of course, we'll be having tons of food to eat, which will also be part of a new tradition for our family, spending the day together.

Another tradition we're adding today is combing through the Black Friday ads, in search of a plan for tomorrow.  So far, we're going to one store (Bass Pro Shop), possibly a second store (JoAnn's).  We're not going to be there when the stores open, we're thinking around 8 or so.  Who knows, if this turns out to be fun, maybe we'll do 3 stores next year, LOL!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Haven't been crafting much

So, I've damaged my Achilles Tendon and I'm trying to adjust to life in a walking boot.  I haven't been able to do much stamping or scrapping because I'm overly tired when I get home.  I also need to be off my feet every evening, so I've been able to get a lot of Cross Stitch done so that's a good thing.  Photos this weekend of my progress on Noah's Sub.

I remember - September 11

My fix for the error on Word Collage - Cricut Cartridge

Hi!
     It has been discovered that there is an error on the Word Collage cartridge, part of a word is left off, it should be - will - but it was accidentally put on the cartridge as = wil =.

I seriously considered not purchasing this cartridge, but life is full of mistakes, and I make plenty of them myself.  The sale at JoAnn's enticed me and I purchased the cartridge because of the other cuts on the cartridge.  Since I prefer to look at mistakes as something to overcome, not something to stop me, .......



I got to looking at Word Collage and the Rock-a-bye Baby cut on my Gypsy.

I discovered a couple of things.

I could use my Gypsy and "fix" the error.

1. You can use the hide feature and remove words from the cut. So I hid the "wil" part.

2. Then I used Plantin Schoolbook and added the word "will"

3. I grouped Rock-a-bye Baby and "will" and it all moves around and cuts as one piece.

I think it came out pretty good.

I left the dot on the i from the original "wil" on this sample as a marker for where the replacement word is. I then went back and hid the dot. Next time I need this I will have a correctly spelled saying.  I just saved the file on my Gypsy, and I'm sure you could do this on Design Studio or Cricut Craft Room.

I hope this makes sense.

Cut 8" x  8" square

New Samples

Hi!
   I've been trying the stuff I purchased while on vacation. 
 Here is my trial run of the Sew Easy System by We R Memory Keepers.

Lazy Daisy Stitch

Vine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are samples from the Cricut Cartridge Flower Shoppe.  I simply cut 1 of each design from patterned paper, just to see how they'd come out.  I love that it's so many flower shapes and the matching leaf shapes.  All samples were cut at 3 inches.  The centers are spirals with varied edges, coiled and glued down.

These samples are from the Cricut Cartridge Sweet Tooth Boxes.  I didn't want to mess with fit-to-page, so I used the sizes listed in the hand books.

Ice Cream Cone and Cupcake Boxes

To Go Box and Take Out Box

Store

Cube Boxes

The Inside of the cupcake and ice cream cone, the inserts will hold a cupcake or an ornament, but do not have to be added if you don't want to.

Stitching Update

Hi!
    I was actually able to get a lot of stitching done while on vacation.  I focused on the detail part of "Native Wolf Trio" when sitting around, and did the background half stitches while DH was driving or we were on the plane for 6 hours each way.

Native Wolf Trio, this is the top of the piece, after I finish the dark blue half stitches for the sky, I'll work on the bottom of the piece.  The bottom adds two more wolves, a bit more costume and no background made up of half stitches.  This piece is for my son.

 

 

 

 

 

This is my progress on "Pledge of Allegiance".  Not all that far, it has a total of 7 flags, and the entire Pledge of Allegiance and a border.  This is being stitched on linen, and the fifth (5th) time I've done this piece, and hopefully, the last time I ever do this piece.  This piece is for my daughter.  It's my take along piece, since it's so simple to work on.

 

 

 

This is Noah's Sub, I'm down to the last 1/4 of the pattern to stitch, and then the back stitching.  I like to do the back stitching last, it's quick and I can pick up any stitches I missed.  I find this piece complicated by all the color changes but fun to stitch.  This piece is for me, because I collect Noah's Ark stuff.

This is as far as I have gotten on "The Sistine Chapel".  I'm embarrassed to post I haven't made any progress, and I've had it in my stash for 3 years now.  I seriously need to get stitching on this piece, it's actually easy to sew, no back stitching,  just really, really BIG.  LOL!!!  I'm stitching this piece for a few reasons, one, it just calls to me, I've actually been to the Sistine Chapel many years ago, and I've always wanted to challenge myself to do something really large.  This counts as "really large" and I'll never take on that challenge ever again. 

Vacation Shopping Haul

Hi!

Okay, we're back from our two week trip to Southwest Indiana and Chicago visiting family.   We had a wonderful visit.  I was able to visit a few crafty places I'd never visited before, however, suitcase space severely limited my shopping.  All in all it was fun, and I have new to me stuff.

Colorful Bling purchased from Big Lots in Terre Haute, Indiana. 

Kassie's Brocade and Grace's Frame Embossing Folders from Hobby Lobby, also in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Being in Hobby Lobby was a paper overload, so many paper packs, I've never seen such a variety before, wow.   Too bad there aren't Hobby Lobby stores in California, although it's good for the wallet that I don't live near one.

I actually found the Archiver's store, it's an amazing store, I want to live there.  DD would just laugh at me for walking around the store in a daze trying to take in all the stuff they had in the store.  I also found out they have an on-line store, so that will be nice.

I picked up this quilling/petal roller tool to work with flowers and such.  I also picked up the punch for the same reason, to make flower centers.  I have plenty of flower choices on my Cricut Cartridges, I just wanted a little something for the flower centers.

Our daughter runs Cross Country and Track so finding these stickers and embellishments is awesome.  Finally, stuff for her sport.

She likes this paper, we bought all they had, and to get the paper home in our suitcases, we bought a mailing tube, rolled the paper and stuck the tube in our suitcase.  No bends, or wrinkles.  This paper will be great for her running photos.

This Sew Easy set is for me, a complete indulgence and I can't find them locally.  I'm looking forward to using these on my layouts and pages.  I'm known for all the cross stitching I do, so having sewing on pages will just be "so me."