Frugal Fridays: $1.00 number charms, lovely layout and digital stamp sneak peek!

Howdy,
Can you believe it...we are having a snow day yet again!?!  My son is home and I think my little girl is enjoying fighting with him! LOL!  ;)  I am very happy not to have to go to the bus stop and deal with all this snow and massive wind but....come Summer I am going to wish school is over!  For those of you getting bombarded by Mother Nature once again... I hope everyone stays safe and warm! 

Okay now to tell you about my Frugal Friday special.  I just love charms!  However, I hate having to buy all the shapes I want.   Therefore I try and create cutter file charms and use several layers of metallic embossing powders to make them resemble metal (click here for a tut I did on this technique).   Today I have for you a very versatile number charm file for only $1.00.  The price will expire at midnight EST today Feb 26, 2010.  It is great for cards depicting milestone birthdays but if you scroll down you'll see in the wonderful layout by Pat below it works wonderful for scrapbook pages too.  Click on the file preview to purchase it in the store. 

 

 

Valentine's Day is over.  Have you scraped those photos yet?  If you're like me you have several years of Valentine's photos to scrap.  Well I have a solution to your back log!  I have created a layout you can cut completely on your cutter!  Yep...every single piece of this file with the exception of the fiber used on the buttons was cut on my cutter!  Talk about a great time saver!  I usually create a layout for my daughter's album and a duplicate layout for my son's album so it's great being able to use my cutter to make multiple pages.   Click on the preview below to purchase.  Oh and as you can see the layout can be used for things other than Valentine's photos....scroll down to see Sue's cutie layout about cutie Clay!  I just love that penguin hat!  This lovely layout is on sale for less than $2.00 the rest of February. 

Oh and I'm soo excited!  I just can't wait to show you!  I created my first digital stamp.  I designed it for my Mom's birthday.  I need to get the card made for her and will post that hopefully in the next few days.  This will go into my store and will include a cutter file to cut the outline out.  Here's a sneak peek!  I'd love to know what you all think!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!

Shelly

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Technique Tuesday: Circle Flowers and a freebie

Howdy,
Have you guys seen the latest issue of Scrapbooks Etc magazine?  The April 2010 issue contains some amazing flower making techniques.  I can't wait to try them all out.  I so wanted to share one of the techniques with you.  However, I don't want to infringe on any copyrights.  So I can't do any step by step photos or anything but I will tell you the basics and show you my examples.  Here is a circle flower I made using the digital cutter file I have provided you with as a freebie further down in this post.

 

Isn't it great!  As you can see it's completely made of circles!  Okay so get yourself some paper mixing various solids and patterns is fine.  This is a great time to use up your scraps...you'd be amazed what you can mix together and still get a great looking flower!  Cut out all your circles..now for the fun part!   Take out your stress on these little circles.  Crinkle them up, abuse them..they can take it!   If desired ink the edges of each circle or distress the edges with scissors or sanding block.  Layer them together on top of one another with the largest being at the bottom.  Perfectly center each circle or misalign...either is perfectly fine!  Now attach your embellishment of choice to the center.  That's it you are done!  Here are some of the examples I made..these are smaller because I used my circle punches for these.

 

These are just a few of the possibilities.   You could use crocheted flowers, glitter glue dots, letters, butterflies, charms, etc.    You could even use scallop circles to make these as well.  It's also fun to spray the whole completed flower with glimmer mist or apply glitter to the edges of each circle. You could also add some flocking to the flowers for a totally different look.

Below is a card I made for my daughter's Valentine.   The base is done digitally using Aussie Caz's layered PSD file she graciously donated for signing up for my sketch challenge on the PT forum.   The little girl is a digital stamp by Pixie Dust Studios.  Isn't it the cutest!  I did use some glitter glue on her...click on the photo to make it larger.   I also sprayed some gold glitter completely on my flower.  I used green netting for the leaves.  

 

My printer turned the middle purple square pink...UGH..hate when what I see on the screen doesn't match my printout.  I used my Copic markers to color the image.  Getting better but still don't know how to do hair!  My daughter did like it...so that is all that matters right!

Oh and I wanted to share with you all a baby card Ginger did using my Clothes Line Baby Boy Card .  I love how she used a real string for the line and carried through to the inside so she could decorate the inside with the onesie too.  Check it out below.  If you'd like to purchase this file click here.  

  

 Okay now that you made it this far..you deserve a freebie!  Here is the circle flower file.  I gave you leaves and a small flower to put in the center of your flower in case you don't have any other embellishment.  The zip contains the AI, GSD, KNK, SVG, and WPC files.  This link will expire in 24 hours.  I ask that you do not share this file with anyone.  Please send them here to download the file themselves.  Click on preview to download freebie.  Thanks!

Sorry link expired!

Gotta go....little one needs lunch!  Thanks for stopping by and if you try this technique...please show me your results at shellysart@verizon.net.

Shelly

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Frugal Friday: $1.00 Happy file makes you want to smile and dance!

Just popping in to share with you my Frugal Friday special.  I created this file when I became a designer for Paperthreads in Oct 2008.   I was soo excited to get chosen that I was doing the happy dance.  Just like the little guy below.  If you have happy dance moments you'd like to remember in a scrapbook page this file is perfect for you.  It's only $1.00 today.  The price will magically disappear at midnight EST Feb 19, 2010.   This file also works great for congratulations cards.  Click on the preview below to purchase.

Well we took my son to the ER last night.   Went around 7:00 I think and didn't come home until 12:30.  They were super busy and understaffed as usual.  He had vomiting and diarrhea..he couldn't even keep water down so our doc recommended he go to the ER for IV fluids.  Poor little guy was such a trooper...he got poked soo many times trying to get the IV in and then again because the nurse forgot to draw a blood sample before putting the IV in.  He held very still all the while....and was very patient while we were waiting.  We are sooo proud of him.   Just gave in Ginger Ale and now I'm going to see if toast will stay down.  He says he is soo hungry and was crying because he wants a Pop Tart!  Poor little guy!  Well I'd better go take care of him!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Elizabeth and her daughter are coming to see us!  Yeah!

Shelly

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Blog Candy Winner and Thanks a million!

I'd like to thank all of you who took some time out of your busy lives to spend some time on my blog and leave a wonderful comment.  My head can barely fit through the door now due to all your praises!  You guys are the best and don't you ever forget that!  I'd love to see any projects you make with my pizza box.  Creating is only half the fun...seeing the files used brings me even greater joy!  shellysart@verizon.net

Okay now I know you are dying to know who won the blog candy.  I won't keep you in suspense any longer!

Drum roll please....

 

Thanks to my truthful friend...random.org Karon Cramer won the blog candy.  Congratulations!  I will contact you by e-mail so we can work out getting that package to you soon!

That's it for now!  Think I'll bake a cake for my neglected but still loved family!  Be sure to stop by here on Friday  for my frugal friday $1.00 special!

TTFN!

Shelly

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50% off SALE in honor of Customer Appreciation Day and a freebie for blog hop!

Customer Appreciation Day is finally here!   I'd like to thank you for being loyal, wonderful customers throughout this past year by giving you 50% off all my designs today only.   The price will go back to regular price at midnight Feb 15, 2010 EST.   Even though I've been working at Paperthreads for over a year now I still get giddy when you people buy my files!  You guys sure are big confidence boosters that is for sure!  Your compliments and the fact you keep returning to my store to buy more makes me smile big and wide!  Please know words can not express how much I appreciate you.  Please stop in my store and get some of those files you've been wanting because you deserve them!  You great person you!  Visit my store here.  Laury of Just Laury has teamed up with me to give you 50% off all her files.  Check her marvelous store here.  Many of the other Paperthreads Designers are having sales too so go to the store it's a "happening" place to be!  But...don't leave yet!

As soon as I get the kids morning routine done I will post a fun challenge on the Paperthreads forum.  It's the daffodil challenge.   This challenge was played last year hosted by JennieBean as some of you may remember.  Since Bean is busy this year hosting other challenges on the PT forum I jumped at the chance to host it.  It will have you thinking of Spring.  That is all I can say you'll have to head over to the forum to see the details!  I will tell you though if you are at work or don't have much time this challenge is for you because it doesn't involve making anything!  Oh I almost forgot the best part...all participants get my Think Spring free plus a chance at more great prizes.   So...I'll meet you at the forum.... I have posted the challenge...click here to play.  

But...don't leave yet!  Really stick around just for a few more minutes.

I'm ready for Spring and warmer weather so my thoughts are on Easter......I decided to do a mini pizza box file freebie and dressed it up Easter style.

 

As you can see in the photo the box fits a CD case perfectly...see you can use it to give your favorite stamper a CD case full of stamps...what a great gift!  Hint..hint..LOL!  It comes with a window opening which allows you to see what is inside so you can use it for organization too.   I love that it has "lips" around 3 edges so you can store little items like flowers in it without worrying about them falling out.  Also, it has a locking lid so you can store these standing upright on a shelf without the box coming open.  Okay can you tell I really like this little box!  I can so see it putting a bunch of small papers and embellishments along with a sentiment stamp inside for a mini card kit.  Another great gift!  Hint...hint!  LOL!  Okay I could go on and on about this box but I'm sure you are waiting for the links to download it.  Oh and I forgot to mention as long as you size both pieces of the box at the same time you can size the box larger or smaller to fit your needs.

Before I give you the links though please promise you'll scroll down to see my blog candy as well.

Link expired sorry!  Okay click to download the file (in AI, GSD, KNK, SVG, and WPC formats) and be sure to stop at the other blogs to collect all your freebies from the other Paperthreads Designers. Next stop is Forever Memories for You.  If you get lost along the way a complete list of blog can be found here.  Please remember a little note of thanks means soo much and will continue the freebies from me.  Also, please do not share this file...link back to this site so they can download it themselves. 

But...please don't leave yet..just a few more minutes!  Pretty please! 

Just in case you are curious as to what files I used to decorate my Easter Box here they are.  Click on preview to purchase.  Then scroll on down for the blog candy.

 

  

  

Blog Candy time!   Pictured below is the blog candy I am giving away to one lucky winner.  You get numerous sheets of patterned paper, an embroidered baby rattle patch, rub ons, lots of stickers,  72 inches each of 4 different fibers, in the little container is fish brads and dew drops.  If I can fit the container in the box I will include it too.  Click on photo for a larger picture.

To win:

I am trying something a little different this time.  I want you to go to my store by clicking here and find the image below hidden in one of my file previews.   E-mail me the exact name of the file the image is hidden in at shellysart@verizon.net.  Note: The image is from my Think Spring file but that is not the answer..it is hidden in another store file too!   Please DO NOT post your answer in the comments section...or your guess will not count.  I will draw one random winner from all correct entries.  You must e-mail me by midnight tonight Feb 15, 2010.  Note:  I can not ship international.  International customers are free to play but if you win you will get 5 free files from me instead.  

Okay I've babbled enough..you have places to go and people to see...so get outta here!  LOL!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll enjoy the fun this CAD!
Shelly

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Frugal Fridays: $1.00 I love you Tag perfect for last minute Valentines and SALE continues!

This Winter season with all this snow has got me going CRAZY!  So Laury and I have decided to have a crazy mixed up sale starting now and ending on the annual customer appreciation day on the 15th.  You'll have to check out the Ad above to see which days you'll save the most....told ya we were crazy!  Stop in when you can!  You can see Laury's files here and my items here.

Don't leave just yet.  I have a Frugal Friday special for all you  last minute Valentine crafters out there.  (I must admit I still have a card to make!)    My I love you tag file is on sale today only for $1.00.  It's a great way to make a card or spruce up a gift for your sweetie.  When Valentine fun is over it also works great for Mother's Day.  Click on preview to purchase.  Hurry this price will expire at midnight EST today 02/12/10.

 

I have a few new files in the store too.  My card stencil is a great versatile file you can use with chalk, ink, paint, glimmer mist, markers etc to decorate the inside of a card.  Click on preview to purchase.

  

I designed this monthly rolodex file to keep track of important date like birthdays and anniversaries in style.   I have even included a blank tabbed rolodex card so you can write the letters A-Z to keep track of addresses instead of using the months.  Click on preview to purchase.

 

I do hope you can join in on the party going on at Paperthreads this weekend.   Customer Appreciation Day is officially Monday, Feb 15, 2010...but many have already started challenges.   Head on over to the Paperthreads forum to see what fun you're missing.   I will be hosting a daffodil challenge that will get you thinking about Spring on the 15th.   Many of the Paperthreads designers are parcipating in a blog hop on the 15th also.  Yeppers there will be many a free file and prizes to be had during our celebration.  We want to show you are very important to us! 

UGH!  The dishes are calling again so I must bid you ado!  Happy Valentine's Day and remember to come back Monday for the blog hop. 

Shelly

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Crazy Mixed up Sale going on NOW!

This Winter season with all this snow has got me going CRAZY!  So Laury and I have decided to have a crazy mixed up sale starting now and ending on the annual customer appreciation day on the 15th.  You'll have to check out the Ad above to see which days you'll save the most....told ya we were crazy!  Stop in when you can!  You can see Laury's files here and my items here.

 

I promised to deliver a heart box just in time for Valentine's Day.  So here it is.  This box is becoming a trademark with me....as I've done sooo many.  It is a great design and I love that it requires no glue.   Click on the preview to purchase.  

Oh and if you like this style of box I have another one for you.  This little airplane box is perfect for little and big boys!  Click on preview to purchase.

Do you have a Valentine for your sweetie yet?  Well I'm hear to help.  Check out this cute little card designed to look like a pack of matches.  Isn't the sentiment just the cutest! You even get an envelope file too.  Click preview to purchase.

So have you guys been bombarded with snow?  We actually got only about 10-12" last Friday into Sat.   I know others not too far from me got upwards of 20 plus inches dumped on them.  However, it's snowing now and they predict just much if not more with this snow storm.  UGH!  I am soo ready for Spring!  I actually saw the buds popping out of the ground the other day..guess they were ready too!  I long to see flowers, green grass and NO coats! 

I do have the perfect file in my store to please all you snow lovers and haters out there.  It's called No More Snow!  Click on the preview to purchase.

The sun was shining on Sunday and it wasn't too bad out so the kids did get to play in the snow.  They had a blast!  I guess the snow is good in some way after all!   LOL!  We tried to make a snowman but the snow wouldn't pack together enough.  Here is picture of the kids making snow angels.

Oh and check out this snow angel digi stamp by Karen's Doodles.  Isn't it the cutest!  I love the facial expression.  Karen is such an amazing artist!  What do you think should I buy that stamp for a layout featuring the above photo? 

I do have a few more new files in the store that were previously only available in my membership club.   I don't have time to share them all with you now....the bathroom is calling "clean me!".  You can take a peek on your own by clicking here and keep scrolling through the pages.  I hope to have a few more file in the store before customer appreciation day is here.

Oh and  I have decided I can not keep up with the weekly technique Tuesdays features so I am going to strive for every other week.  If you have any techniques you'd like to me to show just let me know!

I am hosting a daffodil challenge on the Paperthreads Forum on Customer Appreciation Day on Feb 15.  If you participated last year then you know how much fun it is. If not then please stop by the forum and join in.  It is fun and there will be freebies and prizes involved!  Many of the other designers are featuring challenges with lots of cool prizes too.  Yep..it will be a day of goodies and creating!  Oh and we are also having a blog hop so be sure to join us for that too on the 15th.

Bathroom awaits!  So wish I could afford  a maid!  LOL!

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Frugal Fridays: $1.00 Valentine Candy Bar Wrapper today only.

Goodness would you believe I completely forgot it was Friday!   I ate breakfast, exercised and such...sat down a the computer to start working on a Valentine box file and realized that UGH I need to tell you all about my frugal Friday special!  I can't believe I forgot all about Friday!  Maybe it's the pending snow storm we are getting that got in the way.  I think we are suppose to get 4 to 8 inches.  I hope it doesn't start until Tyler is home from school and Toby is home from work.  I know the kids will love it if they get to play in that much snow!  It's kinda nice when it occurs on the weekend and we don't HAVE to go anywhere!  If we get a lot of snow I'll post photos for those of you who are in wonderfully warm and sunny climates to enjoy!  LOL!

Okay now on to the Frugal Friday special.  For today only my Be Mine Candy Bar Wrapper will be $1.00.  This price will be poof...disappear at midnight CST....to find out what time it is in the store see the watch to the right of my blog.  Click on the preview to purchase.  It's a great file that will quickly get you ready for Valentine's Day. 

I am hosting a sketch challenge on the Paperthreads forum.   It's great fun!  We are using a sketch from our very own Aussie Caz.  Here let me show you! 

 

Isn't it great!  If you sign up to play along with us you get the cutter file of this card along with the layered PSD file courtesy of Caz...wasn't that sweet of her!  By participating you even have a chance to win a free file of your choice from my store.   So go to the PT forum and check out the details here.  You do have to be a registered member of Paperthreads but its' FREE and easy to register and you'll reap many benefits for doing so.  

 

 

Here is my example.  I made it quite a while ago!   Let me just say I hate coloring hair!  Any good online tuts anyone can share with me would be appreciated!   I know...I know it doesn't exactly look like Caz's sketch but...that's the beauty of a sketch.  You can use it for inspiration but if you sway from the sketch it's OKAY!  (Thanks Caz for reminding me of this!;)) 

The image is called Swiss Pixies: Gretel by C.C. Designs. You can find it in the Paperthreads store here.  The wings actually have glitter on them but it's hard to tell in the photo. Those little pearls are actually Tulip brand paint made for fabric but they work wonderfully on paper!  (Got them for $1.99 for 3 bottles at Ollies..can't beat that!)    The scallop circles came from my humming bird card.  Click the preview below to purchase!

 

 

Oh well I'd better go!  My daughter is getting containers out of the refrigerator...think that's a hint she hungry?!  I'm pretty sure it is!  I'd better feed her before she tries to cook something herself!  Thanks for stopping by!  Those of you who are getting snow...please stay safe and warm!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Shelly

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Technique Tuesdays: Rainbow flowers and a Valentine Freebie.

Yes I know it is Wednesday.  Well what can I say...hmmm...I know I'll blame it on my 2 year old.  Sounds good to me!  Let's leave it at that and get on with the tut.

Actually you get two tuts today!  Yeah!  Games from the Paperthreads forum posted an image of a Pop up box she did using Whimsie Doodles Tut.  Click here to see it.  Also click here to see a you tube video with Dawn demonstrating the same technique.  I just new when I saw this I had to try it.  It's a great way to showcase those stamped/colored images.  I love how it fold flat for mailing too!

While I was embellishing my card....it occurred to me that I didn't have any flowers to decorate it with that matched.  I hate to admit this...I am a totally  a matchy type of girl.  I don't how how to do contrast without it looking totally bizarre.  So a lightbulb went on..if I could color ribbon with markers surely I could color flowers too.  So if you are a matchy type of person like me read on....

 

As you will see later I used brown, pink and orange in my Pop-up card.  So I wanted flowes with those colors in them.  These are ultra cheap fabric flowers..they are frayed around the edges and what not.  But with some Copics or any alcohol based markers these plain ol' flowers turn into a shabby chic MATCHY treasure! 

 

Not a very good photo because these aren't as splotchy in real life but you get the idea.  I put bands of colors on the white flowers using my copics.  I tried not to get to symmetrical with my rings because in nature flowers are far from perfect.  If you don't like my "rainbows"...you can easily just color them a solid color.  Okay so now you can see what I used these flowers on...

 

Now I'm kinda thinking these rainbow flowers look like turkey feathers.  Maybe I should have just stuck with solid pink!  Oh well it's done and I'm going to leave it be!  I do have a recipient in mind for this little cutie but her birthday isn't until the 20th.  Imagine that I'm early!  I had ulterior motives for making this card now though.  See the sentiment it is a freebie digital stamp by Paper Trey Ink designer Dawn McVey.  They are hosting a birthday bash on PTI and if I make something with this great stamp I get entered to win some free stamps so wish me luck!  I hate that you can't tell in the photo very well but each of the dots in the sentiment is covered in stickles and so are the hearts. If you click on the photo to enlarge you may be able to see it.  The cutie on the cupcake image is a wonderful freebie digital stamp by Digital Doodling. Isn't she adorable!

I showed my son the pop up card and he loved it.  He has a mind like an engineer so this was right up his alley.  So I had to make him one too.  

 

The adorable image on the card is from Dustin Pike.  It's a freebie too!   I loved coloring this little guy and I couldn't resist coloring the toe nails.  The sentiment is a stamp I designed myself...more about that later.   I figured my son would get a kick out of these glittery lips.  They are available in my digital cutter file entitled wedding charms.
Click preview below to purchase.

I was going to use the hearts but at 6 he's still giggly and I can imagine him busting out laughing at those lips!  I am really enjoying coloring with my Copics.  I still have much to learn but it's FUN!  I hope to have some digital stamps available in the store soon.  Any request please e-mail me at shellysart@verizon.net.

I have put a few file previously only available through membership.  So go check them out here.  Please hit the next button to see the Valentine set.

Okay now the perks of getting to the bottom of the post.  To thank you for visiting my blog  and sharing the technique with you I am giving you the digital stamp sentiment I featured on the elephant Valentine.  You get one with a heart but also a blank one to fill in with whatever embellishment you'd like.  I ask that you please do not share this file but rather send them here to download it instead.   This will be available for 24 hours so get it NOW if you want it. Click here or on the preview to download. 

Okay it's supper time and I need to get some grub for the kiddos!  I hope you'll join me back her on Friday for a Frugal Friday $1.00 file special!
Shelly

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