Simply Sunday Challenge

It's time again for a fun Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky. Today the theme is "fantasy land" and in my opinion that kind of meant that anything goes.  We all have fantasies, right??  I have always wanted to be able to fly and thought it quite romantic if I were some type of fairy.  Flower fairies have always caught my fancy so that is what I have created for this challenge.  And for those of you that follow me you will see I am still a bit hung up on my "She Art".  I promise I will SOON post more paper creations but for now, this is how I spent my weekend.  My FUN sister-in-law Tonya came over and I demonstrated how to create a She Art canvas.  Many of my friends have asked me what "She Art" is...well, it is certainly not my clever idea.  It came from Christy Tomlinson and she teaches online classes for mixed media artists.  Feel free to go check her out and then show me your She Art!  Here is my project for this Simply Sunday challenge...

 I think she looks a bit like my sweet daughter.  The colors, flowers and especially the sun make me happy.

 Here is the K. Andrew Stamp that I used, it is from the "Positive Thoughts" set.  "Happiness is an inside job" is a good thing to think about.  We are more in control of our happiness than anyone else.

 I also used a couple of stamps from the "Amazing You" stamp set.  It has great single word positive statements that work really well on these canvases.

 I cut the "she statement" of a bit but it says, "She saw her dreams take flight." I like the wind blowing her hair.

Now I LOVE her skirt.  I used some prima flowers and Tonya showed me how to color them with my new alcohol inks.  It was so fun, then I just used a script stamp and black stazon ink to stamp on them.  I hope you are inspired to create today.  Anything!!!  Just make something fun and imaginative them pop over to Getting Cricky and link up your project.  There is usually a prize to a lucky winner so join in the fun!
Blessings,
Jana

She Art Angel

Today I am showing you my second She Art girl.  This one wasn't JUST for fun, although it was very fun.  There is a co-worker of mine that is quite a leader in our organization and an incredible Christian woman.  We have been having some rough times at work and she works so hard to help everyone and give us guidance to be a good team.  I think we have accomplished becoming a VERY strong team because of her efforts.  I wanted to do something to show my appreciation to her and so, was born, my next She Art girl.

"She Kept the Faith"

She tells us all the time to keep the faith, that God will get us where we are supposed to be and help the people we are supposed to help. I am mostly an emotional mess during times of conflict but she is so strong, courageous and clear-headed.  She truly lets God lead her.  

I was anxious to get this to her so I took the pictures before the glue was even dry on a lot of the parts.

More of my granny's lace and some of my favorite pink fabric :)

The wings are made of embossed metal colored with alcohol inks and glitter, what angel isn't a shiny angel?

The sentiments are from the K. Andrew stamp set Scripture Sayings.  I love knowing that God is on my side!

Even more comforting is knowing that God has his angels, like my co-worker, here on earth to watch over us and give us guidance.  All we have to do is allow Him in our hearts.

Tune in Sunday for the next Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge.  It's all about fantasy!  Sounds interesting, I can't wait to see what everyone makes and links up at Getting Cricky.  Head over there now and check out our Fabulous Featured Blogger and the beautiful card she made!

Blessings,

Jana

Something New

I am so excited today to be posting my first "She Art Girl".  I do some mixed media art but none just like this.  I am taking a workshop from Christy Tomlinson, it's called the "She Art Workshop" and it is an online class.  I first found out about it on another blog but can't remember for the life of me which one.  I follow way too many. (Naaaa...)  Anyway, this is my first finished girl and I can't wait to make another.  I plan on making many.  It is such a fun stress reliever and a great way to use a lot of "stuff" I have collected over the years.  I hope you enjoy it.  Here she is.....

She makes me smile!

Of course I used my favorite stamps from K. Andrew Designs. This one is from the Scripture Sayings set.  This verse really spoke to my heart.  I am having some issues and it reminds me to be courageous and that God is always with me.

This sweet "loved" stamp came from the K. Andrew set Amazing You.  I really like the set, it is full of positive statements perfect for this type of art.  I will be using that one a lot. I also like this shot because you can see the tiny lace I used for the dress.  It came from my stash that my Granny left me when she passed away.  She was a quilter, painter, seamstress and anything else creative you can think of.  Thus the background paper that is from an old dress pattern from her too.  She used the lace on Raggedy Ann dolls to give to children that were sick or to her sweet grandaughters.

Even with the issues I'm having, I know that I am blessed beyond what I deserve and there are MANY people way worse off than I am.  So it's ok with me to be very contented with where I am right now. What makes you content, where are you "happy just where you are?"

Blessings to you,

Jana

And the Winners ARE.......

Thanks to everyone who stopped by this week.  I had so much fun looking at everyone's projects on the Getting Cricky design team and popping over to bloggers that came here for a visit. I hope you all had the chance to stop by my design team sister's blogs. There were over 100 projects posted this week using K. Andrew Design stamps.  It was awesome!!!

As some of you know, I had a give-away going on.  Each day you had multiple chances to enter a drawing for a free set of K. Andrew stamps.  I did a good old fashion drawing.  I typed out everyone's name each day according to how many entries they earned.  I typed each day's entries in a different color, printed them and cut them apart and put them in a bucket.

I got some help from my sweet 10 year old daughter.  She gave em a little crunching, she thought that was important so they weren't all flat and stuck together.  Then she tossed them like a salad!

Then she drew them out, one by one.  And the winners are.....

Crazy4Christ - Kristan my lovely DT sister!!!

So if you are one of the 5 winners above please go to K. Andrew Designs and choose one stamp set of your choice.  It can be any one of them.  Then email me at janambailey@wtconnect.com with your choice and I will get it ordered and sent to you.  Be sure to include the name of the set and the item number in your email along with a mailing address so it will get to you :) I need to hear from you by Friday, January 27, 2012 to claim your prize.

 I appreciate each and everyone of my followers.  Thanks so much for coming to visit.
May you all be blessed,
Jana

U R So Sweet Blog Hop Continued

Hello again!
I hope you are enjoying the "U R So Sweet Valentine Blog Hop" over at Getting Cricky.  If you want to see my original project post for the hop, CLICK HERE.  If you want the recipe for the altered Cricut Cartridge box, you are in the right place.
I started altering the boxes as a way for my husband to never know just how many cartridges I really own :D  Just kidding (well kind of...)  I fell in love with the idea of reusing the boxes and this will be my 4th one to do and I have ideas for many more.
I have been through quite a bit of trial and error to get to this point and I am sure I will find more things to improve but in the mean time I hope I can save you some trouble, time and paper with this little tutorial.

First purchase some of this spray paint or a brand that is made for painting on plastic.  There used to be a kind with the word "fusion" in it but I can't find it anymore.  This brand didn't have many color choices so I decided I would buy black and this brownish taupe color.  They are pretty generic and could be used with most projects.  I tried regular spray paints and it peels, even after I sanded the entire box.  It makes it rough and icky!  I also tried painting it with a variety of paints but it took several coats and sometimes the color from the boxes still showed through.

I spray all of the edges that will show and even the flat panels if I plan on using a light colored or thin paper to cover it.  I lay a piece of paper on the inside so I don't have to mess with painting the inside.  I tried spraying the inside and I didn't care for it.

Confession--I painted this box the "old fashion" not so good way by sanding it and then using a non-plastic paint.  So it is fuzzy from sanding and has some peeled spots.  (what not to do).  I didn't have time to get another painted to show you today.
While you paint is drying you can go in and plan our your box and cut your papers.  This is the fun and easy part I think.I have found that not every box is exactly the same measurement, it varies a bit but these are the measurements I have used on all of mine and they have turned out well.  Here are the dimensions for the cuts. I like to use a contrasting paper on the sides but that is up to you.

Outside pieces:
Top panel - 7 3/8" x 3 3/4"
Bottom panel - 7 3/8" x 3 7/8 - You don't have to cover the bottom but it does look nicer with it covered.
2 long sides - (this is like the spine on the back of the box and then the flap that closes down) 7 3/8" x 1 1/4"
2 short sides - (the ends) 3 3/4" x 1 1/4"
Here are the outside pieces but and laid out the way they are to be glued on.  I do not show the bottom piece in the picture.

Inside pieces;
Long notched side - 7 1/8" x 1 1/4" - then you can use a 3/4" round punch to cut the notch with
Long flap the "magnets" down - 7 3/8" x 1 1/4"
Inside top - 7 3/8" x 3 7/8"
Here are the 3 inside pieces along with the type of glue I like to use.  I use this Tombow glue because it does not saturate the paper and cause it to wrinkle and it has a wide applicator to lay down a smooth stream of glue.

You could cover the inside box if you wanted to but there is only a need if it is dirty or paint gets in it.  Otherwise I don't paper it. As you can see if this picture, I have some over spray inside the box.  I might paper it.

For the note cards I cut cardstock 3 1/2 x 6 3/4", score in the center and fold.  Then I decorate then with scraps, cricut cut flowers or stamps.  Or all of those things :)

To make matching envelopes I use the <carrot> card on page 72 from the Just Because Cards cartridge and cut it at 3 1/2 out of paper that matches the box.

I don't have pictures of the cards and envelopes but you can look at my labels on the side bar under altered Cricut boxes and see some of the cards and envelopes that I have made for these boxes

I hope you will find this project fun and the measurements time-saving.  These make cute and inexpensive gifts for people or great boxes to put Valentine treats in. To continue the hop or start from the beginning you can click on the links below and leave some love for my design team sisters from Getting Cricky.  For a chance to win a prize leave a comment on this post then check back tomorrow night to see who wins a free set of K. Andrew Designs stamp set of their choice!
Enjoy your blessings,
Jana

Getting Cricky U R So Sweet Blog Hop

Welcome to the "U R SO SWEET" Getting Cricky Blog Hop!!

We're so happy you could join us for this month's Getting Cricky Design Team Blog Hop!!  We have an EXTRA SPECIAL hop for you this month -- All week long, the Design Team has been featuring many of Kristal's stamp sets in anticipation of the hop...  If you've missed out on any of the week, be sure to check out our previous posts for MORE THAN 100 CREATIVE IDEAS and PROJECTS using Kristal's stamps as well as giveaways, promotions, tips, and tutorials!!

If you've hopped along from Heather then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard, or reading this via email, please be sure to CLICK HERE to start at the beginning with Kristal's blog (you'll want to catch up on all the FUN!!)...

Each of Kristal's stamp sets benefit charity. At least $1 per stamp set goes to benefit the charity noted on the stamp set package. Kristal is donating to the following charities: Cancer Angels, Storefront Shelter for Homeless Children, Intrepid & Fallen Heroes, E. Glaser Pediatric AIDS  Foundation, Doorways Shelter for Women & Children (Domestic Violence), Wayside House for Women, Camp Good Days & Special Times, Adopt a Classroom, and Autism Research Institute. Kristal will donate $1 for every stamp set sold, retail or wholesale to the charity noted; and over time believes this will add up to some wonderful miracles for these special people. So you can feel good that each time you purchase a K Andrew Designs art stamp set, someone around the country is receiving some good help!

K Andrew's stamps are all made and assembled here in the USA, which is very important to Kristal. This ensures all product materials are safe and that jobs are being provided and maintained here in America.  You can learn even more about Kristal's stamps (and pick some up for yourself) by visiting her online store: K Andrew Designs:





Kristal's stamp sets are perfect for cards, layouts, and so much more...

For my project, I'm featuring the Owly Hoo sentiments and you will also notice I could not resist using the new It's Valentines set also. For more details or to make this set YOURS, please click on the preview:





It's Valentines




Soooo....Here is my project.  It is an altered Cricut Cartridge Box.  I just LOVE doing these.  It is cheap and EASY!!!  If you will tune in here on Saturday, I will give you the cutting dimensions for the paper to make it even easier!

I used the Owly Hoo Art Image set and the sentiment "A Love Note" is from the new It's Valentine sentiment set pictured above.

For those of you that are curious.  I spray painted the box with black first.  I either use black or a light brown on all of them before I cover them with paper.  Buy the kind of spray paint that is made to paint on plastic other wise it will peel off the edges and look yucky!  The flower is from the Flower Shoppe project cartridge.  Love that one!

Here is a close up of the layered pile-o-hearts.  I stamped them, colored with copics, cut them out and popped them up.  I don't normally like tedious cutting out of things, I mean duh! isn't that what the Cricut is for, but it was worth the time, these are so cute!

Here is a close up of the note cards that I made with the scraps from the paper I covered the box with and stamped with the It's Valentine sentiment.  I hope you like this and feel inspired.  Don't for get to return Sunday to see who wins the free K. Andrew stamp sets.  There will be 5 winners!!!  Comment on this post to be entered and go to my older posts from this week to see how to get entered more times.

Don't forget...if you go to K. Andrew Designs and purchase $25 or more you get this cute mini set for free.  Use the code JANAFREESHIP and you get free shipping.  What a deal! The free shipping is for any order no matter how big or small!





If you played along during preview week I have blog candy to give away.  If you didn't, that's OK, just leave a nice comment, become a follower and I will enter your name in the drawing as well.  There will be 5 winners announced Sunday evening, January 22.  Each lucky winner will get to choose a set of K. Andrew Stamps!

Now you can hop on over to your next stop: Jennie ......

........................................

Owly Preview Week Day 5 - Last Day!

Hey Everyone!
I hope you have had as much fun this week as I have.  Today is the last day of the preview then the "U R So Sweet Blog Hop" will start tomorrow night at 8pm CST.  So make sure you scroll to the bottom of this post to see the many ways you can enter to win a K. Andrew Stamp set of your choice! This is the last day to comment on this weeks posts, visit Facebook, become a follower and the rest listed below!  Now get on it people!!!!  You NEED  some K. Andrew Stamps!!!!!  (Sorry, got a little passionate there for a bit :)
On to my project...

Today's project is a layout that I made using the Cricut Imagine cartridge Blast Off.  I love everything about this cartridge.  It's bright colors, fun fonts, ability to layer the fonts, even though I chose not to on this project.

The flowers or rosettes were made by cutting two scalloped circles, scoring them, folding them and putting them together.  One of these days I will get some tutorials going and show you how I made them.  I'm not quite ready for that yet :)
I love the buttons, who doesn't like buttons but what I really like is the puff ball ribbon I came across in my stash!  Cute eh!

Of course the sentiment is from the Owly Hoo  set and was absolutely perfect for this.  My daughter is truly a hoot!  Or maybe better said, a goober!  She is so fun and the stamp was so fitting.  So, below you can see the whole set and you can click on it to head over to K. Andrew Designs to get one of your own.  If you enter JANAFREESHIP upon checkout, you will get free shipping, what a deal!

Want to win a K. Andrew stamp set of your choice? At the end of the week I will be totaling up the number of times you do one of the following and entering your name into a drawing.  You can only comment on my blog once a day but there are other ways to enter.   Here are ways that you can enter to win:

1.  Be a follower of my blog, if you are not already

2.  Leave a new comment on each new post this week (Sunday through Thursday)

3.  Add my button to your blog, then comment to say you did

4.  Visit the Getting Cricky with K. Andrew Facebook page, "like" it and say that I sent you

5.  Follow me by email (enter your email address at the top right of this blog and comment that you did so I will know!

Each time you do this I will enter your name into a good old fashion random drawing.  I will pick 5 names and each person will get to choose a K. Andrew stamp set of your choice!  Woohoo!

Winners will be on Sunday, January 22 so check back to see if you are a winner!
BTW, you can NOW see the new Valentine sets from K. Andrew...You can also pre-order them!  Go HERE to check them out.  When you purchase during preview week, just enter JANAFREESHIP and you will get free shipping!  Go to her BLOG to see the very latest release, you will love them!

And for MORE inspiration during Preview week, check out my participating design team sisters below to see their projects featuring the stamps sets listed by their names.

Thanks for stopping by and blessings to you!

Jana

Owly Hoo Preview Week - Day 4

One more day until the "U R So Sweet Blog Hop"  - Whoo hooo!  I can't wait to see what everyone has made for Valentines.  I just finished my blog hop project and I think you will like it.

Today I wanted to do a bit of an experiment with my K. Andrew stamps.  Yesterday you saw that I used the "Love" stamp to create a tone-on-tone background, well today I thought I would try embossing a background.  Now some of you experienced stampers are probably saying "big deal!" but I am just trying to show another way to use a stamp rather than just one whack! - stamp and then your done! :)

Here is the little card I made using the Owly Hoo sentiment stamps from K. Andrew Designs. I also used the Hooty Owl art image stamp for the background, which I did first.  I just stamped the image repeatedly, sprinkled one color embossing powder, tapped it off, then stamped again and then used another color.  I used 3 colors for the owls and then yellow for the stars.

Here is a close up.  I used the  Hoot N Hollar lite cartridge for the owl and then a stamp for the hat and noise maker.  I wouldn't say this is my best design but it showed that the idea worked and looks good.  I think this would make a good card for a child's birthday.

Here is the stamp set that I used.

Want to win a K. Andrew stamp set of your choice? At the end of the week I will be totaling up the number of times you do one of the following and entering your name into a drawing.  You can only comment on my Here is the stamp set that I used.

Want to win a K. Andrew stamp set of your choice? At the end of the week I will be totaling up the number of times you do one of the following and entering your name into a drawing.  You can only comment on my blog once a day but there are other ways to enter.   Here are ways that you can enter to win:

1.  Be a follower of my blog, if you are not already

2.  Leave a new comment on each new post this week (Sunday through Thursday)

3.  Add my button to your blog, then comment to say you did

4.  Visit the Getting Cricky with K. Andrew Facebook page, "like" it and say that I sent you

5.  Follow me by email (enter your email address at the top right of this blog and comment that you did so I will know!

Each time you do this I will enter your name into a good old fashion random drawing.  I will pick 5 names and each person will get to choose a K. Andrew stamp set of your choice!  Woohoo!

Winners will be on Sunday, January 22 so check back to see if you are a winner!


BTW, you can NOW see the new Valentine sets from K. Andrew...You can also pre-order them!  Go HERE to check them out.  When you purchase during preview week, just enter JANAFREESHIP and you will get free shipping!  Go to her BLOG to see the very latest release, you will love them!

And for MORE inspiration during Preview week, check out my participating design team sisters below to see their projects featuring the stamps sets listed by their names.

Thanks for stopping by and blessings to you!

Jana

Owly Hoo Preview Week - Day 3

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to preview day 3.  If you are new today I should tell you what's up!  The design team from Getting Cricky blog is working this week to show you just how awesome and fun K. Andrew stamps are.  We each have chosen a different set of stamps to feature all week long leading up to the "U R So Sweet Blog Hop" beginning this Friday!  It is going to be awesome!  I have chosen the Owly Hoo sentiments stamp set and have also been using the Hooty Owl art and accessories set.  You can find them HERE or by clicking on the stamp set below.

Today I decided to use the stamps to make a few tags to put on Valentines for my husband and kids.  They are each very different, but so are the people :)

The black and white tag was made by printing the background paper using the Vintage Damask Cricut Imagine cartridge and I got the lips from the Love Struck regular cartridge.  The tag with the sentiment printed on it was built into the Imagine.

The pink tag background paper and the heart shaped paper also came from Vintage Damask then I used the Owly Hoo stamps to stamp "love" on the background paper.  That is one of the things I like to use stamps for, is to alter paper or use for making my own patterned paper, which I will show you tomorrow.

The yellow tag was made with the Best Friends  Imagine cartridge.  This whole design is in there, I jsut cut it with layers, put it together and stamped it.  Easy peasy!!!
Here is the stamp set that I used.

Want to win a K. Andrew stamp set of your choice? At the end of the week I will be totaling up the number of times you do one of the following and entering your name into a drawing.  You can only comment on my blog once a day but there are other ways to enter.   Here are ways that you can enter to win:

1.  Be a follower of my blog, if you are not already

2.  Leave a new comment on each new post this week (Sunday through Thursday)

3.  Add my button to your blog, then comment to say you did

4.  Visit the Getting Cricky with K. Andrew Facebook page, "like" it and say that I sent you

5.  Follow me by email (enter your email address at the top right of this blog and comment that you did so I will know!

Each time you do this I will enter your name into a good old fashion random drawing.  I will pick 5 names and each person will get to choose a K. Andrew stamp set of your choice!  Woohoo!

Winners will be on Sunday, January 22 so check back to see if you are a winner!


BTW, you can NOW see the new Valentine sets from K. Andrew...You can also pre-order them!  Go HERE to check them out.  When you purchase during preview week, just enter JANAFREESHIP and you will get free shipping!  Go to her BLOG to see the very latest release, you will love them!

And for MORE inspiration during Preview week, check out my participating design team sisters below to see their projects featuring the stamps sets listed by their names.

Thanks for stopping by and blessings to you!

Jana