Frugal Fridays: Valentine Tic Tac Holder $1.00 today only

It's Friday Yipee!  That means tomorrow is SAT!  I love Saturdays.  No getting up and coaxing two unmotivated kids to get ready so we don't miss the school bus.  No freezing our butts off at the bus stop.  Hubby is very good at making breakfast on Sat....I think tomorrow we are having a french toast casserole..yummy!

Okay since it's Friday that means I have a Frugal Friday special for you.  In these tough times it's wonderful when you can get something awesome for only $1.00.  Don't you agree?  I hope you do because today I am featuring my I Love You Tic Tac Holder file for $1.00.  This price will expire midnight CST today (see watch to the right of this blog to see what time it is in my store). Click preview below to get this file at 56% off the original price.  A definite bargain and you'll be ready for Valentine's early this year!  Yeah!

  My membership club is winding to and end.  I am finishing up the last file now so hopefully I will have time to get back to my Technique Tuesdays feature in Feb.  I also have some grand plans for organizing my crafting supplies.  So if I get finished with these organizational projects I will post photos of them here too.  I checked out Jan's blog to see what she was up to at CHA and am soo amazed at the Best Craft's Ribbon spooler and organizer.  You can see a video on you tube about it here. I can't wait to get my hands on one!  I don't know that I would buy all their containers but I love that spooler.  I know my son will be eager to help me spool my massive ribbon collection!  I figured the little spooled ribbon  will fit in the divided compartment containers similar to tackle boxes I have lying around or I also have pouch type binder pages that might work.  Anyhoo I'm anxious to find a system that will let me see all the ribbon I have in plain site but NOT take up a lot of room. 

Okay gotta get to work on that last file for membership.  Oh and for those who missed out on the membership I will be putting the files into the store some time in Feb.

Oh and don't forget I am still giving away a free file to anyone who donates to a Haiti relief fund.  Jan and Ileana are giving away free files too.  Click here for complete details.  Hurry though this offer expires at the end of Jan 2010.  

Have a fabulous weekend!

Shelly

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Frugal Fridays: Loving Owl Tag for $1.00 today only

It's me again!  I know it seems I've been MIA lately.  I do apologize.  My membership club is winding down and I have been busy preparing the last few files for it.  February should bring us back into schedule...hopefully.   I need to get organized too so I hope to feature some of my methods of organization....especially dealing with paper, ribbon, and embellishments.   If you have any tips I'd love to feature them too just e-mail me the tip and/or photo(s) at shellysart@verizon.net.

First off before I get to the sale file I'd like to thank everyone for all the wonderful birthday wishes.   I hope you enjoyed my birthday sale and got a few goodies for yourself!   I am still celebrating...tee...hee!  I think hubby is taking me out Sat for my birthday!  Yeah!  Oh I know I promised you a gift....sorry I don't have one today. :(  I have really gotten into coloring outline stamps with my Copic markers.  So I wanted to draw a little birthday digi stamp for you all to use...so I promise that will come but not until Feb.   Unless you guys can tell me how to get more hours out of a day...or tell me how to create while I'm sleeping!  LOL!

Okay now onto the file!  It's Friday and that means I have one file for an incredible low price of $1.00.   The price will expire at midnight CST today....look at the watch on my blog to know what time it is in the Paperthreads store.  Click on the preview below to purchase...but before you leave check out some amazing projects done with my files below!

This file was designed for Mother's Day but it's perfect for Valentine's Day as you can see in Lisa's adorable gift set below.  She used my pinwheel file for the bow. 

This file can also be very masculine looking as Brett's creatively wonderful card shows below.

Rosalie blew me away with this amazing layout she showed on the Paperthreads forum. I just knew I had to have it to show all of you so without further ado...

I just love the colors and her pictures are adorable!  She used my notebook edge: Small journaling blocks file.  This layout is soo fun!  I just can't stop looking at it!  Click below to purchase the file.

If you want a notebooked edge journaling block that is a little fancier...check out these below.

I am still offering a free file for those who donate to the Haiti charity.  You will also get a free file from Jan and Ileana of Paperthreads too.  If you donate at least $10.00 you get a gorgeous silver lustre paper pack for Free also.  So one donating gets you 3 free cutter files and a package of high quality paper plus the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you help someone.  You can't loose!  Check out more details on how to qualify on my previous blog post here. Hurry this offer expires at the end of Jan 2010. 

Gosh it's lunch time already!  I'd better go feed my daughter!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Shelly

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Birthday Salebration! Cutting for a Cause!

It's party time!  That's right it's my birthday on Tuesday and I've decided I'd like you all to join me in a wonderful salebration!   I'm kicking starting my birthday off early by giving you all 40% off all my designs now through the 19th (my actual birthday)!  Oh and I will have a gift for you later but...shhh...inlaws are coming and our house is a wreck so I have to clean and I'll wrap up your gift sometime soon!  In the meantime if you'd like to go shopping click on the Ad above or click here.   My files are available in AI, GSD, KNK, WPC and SVG formats.  I do have a handful that I haven't gotten the SVG version in my store.  Simply purchase these in any format and I will e-mail you the SVG if you provide me with a proof of purchase.

I have put many files in the store that were previously available in my membership.  See below to see just a few and click each preview to get to them in my store.

 

  








I am so thankful to be able to celebrate birthdays and have a roof over my head, a warm bed to sleep in and an abundance of food.  Unfortunately, many people in this world do not have any of these comforts.  The people of Haiti especially come to mind.  They were in poverty prior to the earthquake and now they need even more help.  So a few of the Paperthreads Designers have joined forces to help.   If you donate to any charity where the proceeds help those in Haiti who are struggling I will give you a free file from my store and so will Jan of Sam and Hailey Designs and Ileana of I Scrap Designs.  Please click on their names to check out their blogs for further info.  E-mail your thank you message or proof of donation to shellysart@verizon.net and tell me what format you'd like your file in.  I ask that you make your donation by the end of Jan 2010 to qualify for the free file.


So by making one donation not only do you help those in Haiti but you also help yourself to 3 free files.  Hurry and donate today-what have you got to lose!

Ileana has compiled a list of charities to help you choose but you can choose whatever you want as long as it goes toward Haiti relief funds. 
The one with the lowest administration and fund-raising costs (and, therefore, the highest percentage of your donation going directly to the relief effort) is first and so on down the list.

Food for the Poor
Their ranking at Charity Navigator.
Donate to Food to the Poor in Haiti here.

Unicef
Their ranking at Charity Navigator.
Donate to Unicef here.

Mercy Corps
Their ranking at Charity Navigator.
Donate to Mercy Corps here.

Red Cross
Their ranking at Charity Navigator.
Donate to the Red Cross here.

Also, here is another list of links to reputable charities that are involved directly in Haiti and their grades according to The American Institute of Philanthropy.

Jan also added another good place to the list:

"My personal favorite, LDS Humanitarian Services was not on the Charity Navigator list.  Maybe because it's a church, I'm not sure why! But here's the article about the Hygiene kits (like the ones we made) and there's a link at the bottom to donate.  The great thing about donating to LDS Humanitarian Services is that the operating costs of the program are paid through our member's tithing donations.  100% of Humanitarian Services donations go directly to the people in need. Here's another great article about the temprary medical center they are setting up and staffing in Port-Au-Prince."

Our church makes blankets to give to those less fortunate.  These quilts are made from donated fabric.  So sometimes they aren't the best looking design wise.  But boy they are warm and they are well loved by all those who receive them.  They are like gold to those who are cold and suffering.  Fabric is getting harder and harder to find with so many store around us going out of business so I do hope they can continue to make the quilts.

Anyway, I appreciate you do this and I'm sure the Haiti will definitely appreciate everyone's generosity!

Yikes I'd better get cleaning in-laws will be here soon!  LOL!
Have a fabulous weekend and please count your blessings each and every day!
Shelly

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Frugal Fridays: $1.00 Pinwheel dressed up for Valentine's Day

Howdy,
       My CDT members have been busy getting ready for Valentine's Day.  They have made some awesome projects using my pinwheel file.  Get it today only for $1.00....this price will expire at midnight CST (check clock that is shaped like a watch to the right of my blog).  Click preview below to purchase but...before you go scroll down to see what fabulous items my CDT has made! 

First up CDT Lisa made a wonderful coordinating gift set.  She not only used my pinwheel as a bow topper but also my loving owl tag file for the card.  I just love the google eyes.  That heart paper is gorgeous!  Who wouldn't want to receive a great gift set like this!?!

 

Next up CDT member Brett made up a wonderful gift bag too. She used Sam and Hailey's Designs terrific box bottom gift bag.

My pinwheel is a great finishing touch to this lovely bag.  I just love the colors Brett used.  Look even the patterned paper has pinwheels on it.  Simply stunning!

 

As you can see this pinwheel will work for any holiday depending on the papers you used. Not only can you use them for party favors when sticks are added but remove the stick and you have a fab gift bag/box embellishment.  Why not try this file for a buck and show me what you can do with it.  E-mail creations to shellysart@verizon.net.

I'll be back tomorrow with a surprise!

Shelly

 

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Paperthreads is back up! Last chance to purchase my membership!

YIPEEE!  Paperthreads is back in action and better than ever!  I love the new look of the store.  It is soo easy to navigate and the pages load super fast now!  If you haven't been there to check it out...I highly suggest you head on over by clicking here!

I'd like to share with you the latest addition to my membership club.

Many of you have been hit very hard by old man Winter this year and that is what inspired me to design this file.  It is sure to please snow lovers and snow haters alike!  I am soo undecided about snow.  I love looking at it glistening on the trees and I love anything snowflake die cut, clipart, sticker etc but....I hate to see it's effect on the roads and am always so worried when  someone I care about goes driving in the snow.   I do know one thing for sure I DO NOT like the cold weather that comes with the snow!  Now if the sun could shine and the snow would stay contained only to the grass then I would be a happy camper!  LOL!

I finally did it!  I have been wanting to make a rolodex important date reminder forever now.  Well my membership club motivated me to just do it.  Check it out below.  I am quite pleased with it and can't wait to finalize the conversions so I can give it to my membership club.

The photo just doesn't look as good as the real thing.  Click on the preview to watch is sparkle!  I added glitter Copic markers to some of the tabs and embellishments.  The letters are cut from shimmery incandescent (color Candido) paper from the Paper Temptress.  This paper cut soo well and is simply stunning!  I highly recommend it to anyone.  Patricia will send you a sample...just head on over to her site here to request one or better yet order the Valentine packet on sale for 40% off and see more of her gorgeous papers. 

So if you'd like to make a rolodex file too hurry on over to my store and purchase my membership club here.  This is the last day as it will be pulled from the store on Thursday. 

I sold off a lot of my stamps when I got my first digital cutter.  I swore I would never ever buy stamps again.  But...some people from PT persuaded me to get a set of Copic markers and now I see stamps in a whole new light.  I love to color and when I see a terrific blog candy offering free stamps  I am definitely going to enter.   So check out the photos below!

Jodi and Inked Inspirations is offering this fabulous blog candy just in time for Valentine's Day.  If you'd like a chance to win it click here to get to her blog and see the details..hurry offer ends Jan 25. 

Don't go yet!  Jessica of Jess' Obsession is celebration a year of blogging by offering another wonderful blog candy.  Check out the picture below.  Then click here to see how you can win.  Better hurry again this one ends Jan 15th.

Thanks Jessica and Jodi for a chance to win some awesome goodies!  You guys are just too generous!

Oh and I apologize but I won't have a technique for you this week.  I have a few prior commitments to take care of but I hope to be back on schedule next week.  Please don't forget to join me Friday for a $1.00 sale good that day only.

Stay warm and be happy!

Shelly

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Paperthreads is still under repair!

Hello,
     I hope you all had a wonderful weekend without Paperthreads!  LOL!  Well you'll have to be in withdrawal a little longer as Michelle is still trying to work out the details in getting PT back up and running!  So just hang tight and hopefully our beloved store and site will be ready to go soon!
Have a fabulous week!
Shelly

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Frugal Fridays: Get your snowflakes here just $1.00..get 'em while they are cold and PT shutdown!

H..hh...hhh...ee...lll...oooo!   Brr it's teeth chattering cold here and I know many of you are experiencing the worst winter has to offer.  It's not too bad here just a little snow and very cold!  OMG!   The sun just peeked out....oh the benefits of sunshine!  I know I'll be complaining when it's Summer and that little sun won't go away!  :)

Okay since it's so cold and snowing in many areas I decided to offer up some snowflakes for $1.00.  This price is good through today only and will end at midnight EST Jan 8, 2009. These snowflakes were all hand designed by me and very unique in deed!  Look closely they resemble children and angels.  The perfect accent for playing in the snow photos! Click below to purchase the file in my store.

I have also added a few files to the store.  They were previously only offered in my membership club (which you can still purchase for a few more days).  Click on the previews to see the files in my store.

Paperthreads store (including my store) and forum will have a shutdown sometime this weekend to move the site to perform some maintenance.  So that means you will have no excuse not to do some paper crafting or dare I say it housework!  LOL!  I know I will be working on a big project for my membership club.  Want a hint it involves rolodex cards and month titles!  Be on the lookout for this project some time next week! 

Enjoy your weekend!   Stay warm!
Shelly

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Technique Tuesdays??? Adding Color to Embossing and a Freebie

Hello!  I do hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year breaks.  I also hope the work week wasn't too tough to come back too!  I know it's Wednesday and I'm just now posting my technique.  Oh well better late than never is the motto I'm following! 

Okay now on the the technique.  I just think Jennifer McGuire is one of the most talented people on this little planet we live on.  I marvel at how she has such a knack for knowing the perfect placement of embellishments and what textures and shapes to combine to create fabulous paper crafting projects.  Well I could go on and on about her but there is one video she did that captured my eye one day.  It is an older video but still a very good technique.  You can see the video on her blog here.  She used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on white core cardstock sanded the embossed part to reveal the white then used markers to color the embossed dots.  So simple yet so effective I just had to try it!  So see my examples below.

This card is based on a sketch by Di Hickman.  I am featuring it on my sketch challenge I host on the Paperthreads forum.  It's not too late to sign up.  You get a free file from me just for signing up and if you submit a card to the gallery by the end of  Jan you get a chance to win another great file.   Click here if you are interested.   Note: you do have to register but it's FREE!

I used my 3-D butterflies file but replaced the body with grey gemstones and copper wire antennae.  Click below to see the file in my store.  I used my Copic markers to color the dots in three colors randomly.  You could use just about any type of marker though.  I know you are thinking this will take forever to do.  It goes quite fast as all you need a quick dab or two of the brush tip and it's colored.  When you are done it looks almost as if your card is illuminated with tons of tiny dots of light!  I would love to try it with the Copic Glitter Makers.

I had so much fun with that I just had to try embossing, sanding and coloring some more.  So this time I decided to do a Valentine and get a head start on that holiday!

This is based on a sketch by Mojo Mondays.  I used the floral fantasy Cuttlebug embossing folder along with white core burgundy cardstock.  I used just two colors of Copic markers...and left some images uncolored.   I love how some of the burgundy cardstock still shows through the colored images.  Makes the hot pink pop without being too overbearing and almost makes the paper look like I bought it that way!  All the other embellishments were cut from the ivory cardstock I also used as my cardbase.  I simply used the markers same markers to color them to match my background.  The gold hearts were embossed using my turning paper into metal technique found here.  The picture just does not do it justice..this technique is best seen in person for sure!  I used my Valentine Set available only in my quarterly membership.  There are still a few days to purchase it so don't miss out...click on the preview below.  (Oh and if you want to see all the files I have in membership so far check out the pink camera slideshow to the right).

I almost forgot.  The cute little bow was made using Michelle's wonderful bow template.  Click here to see how to make your own. 

I had a thought that you could do so much more with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.  As you can see below instead of coloring randomly I colored in diagonal lines.   I can also see this done in diamonds, zig zags, chevrons...you could even do shapes like an arrow to point to something on a layout or card.   Yep...I'll be seeing colored dots in my sleep!  LOL!  Oh and sorry about the poor photo but I think you can still get the idea!

My CDT has been busy too.  Let me share with you a few things they did.

Check out this awesome calendar page created by Sandra.  She used my Monogram Birthday file available through my quarterly membership.  You can see the file in the pink camera slideshow  to the right.

Brett Robinson has been busy too making this adorable card using my Clothes Line Baby Boy Card file.

I'd also like to show you the newest file added to my membership.  It is a stencil designed to decorate the inside of a greeting card. 

The entire stencil will fit inside of a standard 5 x 6.5 inch card but you may be able to use just the greeting on an A2 card depending on which orientation you use.

In my example I sprayed a little temporary adhesive on the stencil. Then I used Michelle's wonderful air brushing technique done with Copic markers to color the stencil in purple and pink colors. (This looks much better, softer in person....I so want the Copic airbrush system now!) You can use glimmer mist, ink, chalks or whatever you'd like to color your stencil.

Click here if you'd like to purchase my membership so you can download this stencil file.  The membership will be removed from the store soon but I will continue to upload file and you will be able to download them until the end of  Jan. 

Okay now on to your freebie!  As a thank you for stopping by and letting me share a fabulous technique by Jennifer with you I'd like to give you a parting gift.  It is the love title with mat I used on my card.  It is small since I had to fit it into that little space but you can definitely resize it larger if need be.  The zip contains AI, WPC, GSD, KNK, and SVG formats.  My TOU still applies.  I ask that you do not share this file but send them to my blog to download it themselves.  This file will only be available for 24 hours then poof the link disappears! Click on preview to download. 

Happy 2010!
Shelly

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