Wedding Layout for my "Marriage Book"

My husband and I were married on September 11, 1976.  I was just 18 and he, an older man of 22.  We've been together ever since.  It seems my wedding book is now falling apart, and my pictures are fading with time.  Before they all get lost and torn, I want to make a new book.  But, not just a 'wedding album'.  I want to make a 'Marriage Album'.  I'll take all those pictures (like our senior class pics) out of storage and old frames and put them in this book - along with other pictures and stories about the two of us.  Treasured cards and letters - memorabilia.  I think it will be something I will work on throughout this year.

I love this little bear, holding the lock and key.  It reminds me of a poem I wrote in which there was a line, "My love you hold the only key that unlocks the heart of me."  Which I included for the sentiment.  I got this bear and the matching little girl bear (not shown on this page) from Nikki at Paper Piecings By Nikki  She has some amazing piecings and digital stamps - that really get to the heart of our lives - perfect for cards and scrapbooks...Please take a minute to visit her site!

I would love to hear if anyone is doing something similiar with their old wedding photos, etc....I'd love any ideas you might have to make this really special.  I'm thinking of binding it in the Your Story album.

Skating Layout with Paper Piecings By Nikki

We got our 4-year old Grandest Daughter skates for Christmas.  My hubby shoveled and flooded the pond and the day after Christmas we all gave it a try.  Lexi stood right up and started running across the pond!  They are single runner skates!  What a great time we all had skating and laughing.

Nikki, from Paper Piecings By Nikki, just released this awesome penquin set called "You Crack Me Up".  It was perfect for this layout!  Nana and Papa Penguin and all the babies!  My granddaughter helped me with these paper piecings which makes this layout even more special.  Here's the file:

Thanks so much for taking a peek at my new layout.  Make sure to visit Nikki's store for all her new designs...I am loving them!!!

Christmas Baking Layout with Paper Piecings By Nikki

I made a quick layout today using some Paper Piecings By Nikki cuts.  My grand-daughter and I spent the day baking and this is what we ended up with.  Sugar cookies, Polish filled cookies and Carmel Corn.  Of course, she picked all the things she wanted on the layout and helped me put them on.  It may not be well-balanced...but it is filled with love.

Memories are the bestest!!!!  Thanks for taking a peek.  Make sure you check out all Nikki's designs.

Christmas Card with 'Bottle Cap' Piecings!

I just downloaded these adorable Bottle Cap Piecings from Paper Piecing By Nikki.  Now, I must admit that I don't have a 1" circle punch - but I have just put one on my Christmas List!!!  I cut these out by hand, and they came out pretty good for '50 something' eyes who couldn't find her reading glasses!

Mini Bottle Caps from http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

Here's my card.  First I printed off the bottle caps on some shiny photo paper.  Then I used my brand new Martha Stewart all over punch and punched out this lacy design.  The bottle caps fit PERFECTLY in the center of the design flower!!  They attach beautifully with a little glue dot and look like they are floating.  I really love how quick this came together!

Nikki is offering these caps in two sizes - a 1" and a mini for the same price!  I hope I can get her to make them one size bigger too....or maybe two!!!

Thanks for looking, I'd love to hear how you use bottle cap piecings!

Christmas 'Cookie Baking' Layout

It's been awhile since I posted a layout. The challenge this week at Paper Piecings By Nikki is to do a craft, 8 x8 layout, 12 x 12 layout, etc..using Baking Memories or Beary Christmas sets.  Last night I was cutting out all the amazing new piecings I got from Paper Piecings By Nikki.  She has some amazing new designs and this "Baking Memories Set", really sparked my creative juices.  Here is the cutting file:

Now I was also cutting from another of Nikki's files called, "Very Beary Christmas".  Which looks like this:

Well, after a long day and because I had several projects going at once.  I got the two file piecings mixed up. So if you don't see the images 'exactly' as Nikki made them...you'll know why.  Here's what I came up with for my Baking layout.

My poor bear actually came out really good for getting him confused with a gingerbread man and a Santa bear.  LOL  But it shows how you can mix several of Nikki's sets - which gives you even more 'bang for your buck' and creative license!

 I will be using pictures of my grand-daughters baking with me to put on this page.  The "Time to get Jolly" sentiment on my page is from Creative Charms.  A reminder that I need to take a breath and overlook the flour on the walls and cupboards and just have fun!  Hope you've enjoyed my crazy mixed up layout...please check out Nikki's amazing site to see what she's got for you!!!!  http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

Make sure you link up your own project using one of these cutting files (or both).  You have a week and she is giving away an amazing bunch of prizes!!!

Challenge Card - Paper Piecings By Nikki

It's Christmas Challenge Week #1 over at Paper Piecings By Nikki.  She asks that we:

Create a Christmas layout, card, tag or any other craft using one of my Christmas pattern sets or digi's of $4.00 or more.

Nikki has designed some wonderful things for Christmas, and it's so hard to just choose one thing.  I haven't done much paper piecing, but I am finding I am having so much fun!!!!   I even asked Santa for a silouette for Christmas!!!

I had so much fun making this and will be entering it into Nikki's challenge. Stop by her store and check out her designs!  Hope you all will enter too!!!

My sentiment is from K Andrews Design Stamps.  It is from the "Coffee and Tea for you and me" stamp set. 

These stamps are so versitile...I'm having so much fun stamping with them.  Remember $1 of every set is donated to charity!  Thanks so much for taking a peek...hope you will create something from Nikki's Paper Piecing and join in the fun!!!



Christmas Cards with Dazzle!

This is the new paper piecing I bought from Paper Piecings By Nikki .  I just love this little puppy and his/her little dog house.  I used my K Andrew Design Stamps for the sentiment and here they are!

My Grand-daughter Lexi, 4 years old, helped me with the second one...she got a little carried away with stickles, trying to make the dog house look like bricks.  But, hey, it really works!!!!  "Never be afraid to try things, Nana", she said to me.   Hmmmmmmm, wonder where she's heard that before...wondering if she is spending too much time with her Nana????  LOL

Here is the amazing file I got from Paper Piecing by Nikki .  As you can see, I only used part of the file!!!  I still have plenty left for more creations!

So many pieces, so little time....hmmmmm.....

The sentiment came from K. Andrews Design Stamps .  I used the "Fashionable Friends" set.  As with all her stamps, $1 for each set is donated to charity...a great way to give and get this holiday season.

Thanks so much for taking a peek at my projects today!

I'm entering these in the following challenges:

Cricut Creative Cutter Room

Wacky Wednesday

Terrific Tuesday

Whimsical Designs

Lunch Bag/Christmas Gift Bag Project

Today I'm showing off a really cute little gift bag idea. I love to fill these bags with gifts from the kitchen. A small loaf of bread, a bunch of cookies, a jar of jam/jelly...the possibilities are endless! I started with a plain lunch bag...

...I folded over the top of the bag and used a regular hole punch to punch holes through all the layers to weave the ribbon in and out.  I attached this adorable paper pieced reindeer from Paper Piecings By Nikki
to a scrap of paper and then glued it all to the front of the bag.  I added some colorful tissue paper and there it is - the perfect gift bag!!!  Inexpensive too.

If you missed my post yesterday - here is the Paper Piecing file I used - Nikki is adding more and more to her shop every day - so be sure to keep checking back with her to see her new designs.

Christmas Goodie Bag

We have so many friends and relatives in and out of the house during the holiday season, I like to make sure everyone leaves with a little something.  Here is another one of my 'goody bags' that will be in a basket for friends.

This is also my first holiday creation/submission for the first EVER Design Team for "Paper Piecings By Nikki"

Nikki has some amazing art work in her store.  Please make sure you stop by and check it out and also leave her a little love!  She has some new things coming that are just AMAZING!  Here is a picture of the paper-piecing I bought.  I am also working on something with the adorable reindeer!!!!  Make sure you come back and take a peek!

As you can see I changed the Santa image a bit - but that goes to show how very versitile her designs are!

The sentiment stamps I used are from K. Andrews Design Stamps

These are absolutely the very best stamps I have ever used.  Not only do they stamp clean and crisp, but they retain their stickiness.  I just love these!!

Please come back and see what I'm making with my little reindeer from Paper Piecings By Nikki.

Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky

The Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky is "JOYS OF THE SEASON".  We were asked to create a holiday decoration.  I am truly honored to be part of this design team and to have you here to see my projects. 

Here in the backwoods of Maine, my house is like Grand Central Station on a normal day.  During the holidays there are even more people in and out of the house.  We have a lighted pond in the front yard, that we keep clear all winter for ice skating.  Many a night friends will stop in and we will light a bonfire and skate under the lights.  Which, of course, means hot chocolate and cookies - and I like sending something home with everyone.  This year I'm focusing on 'paper'.  Perhaps it's because of the simplicity.  I have thought alot about what Christmas means and how far we have gotten away from the true meaning of Christmas.  So, this year my goal is 'simplicity'.  Simple things from the heart.  Hopefully it will make everyone smile.

If you like my projects, you can purchase your own K. Andrew Art Stamps and know that you are not only RECEIVING some great quality stamps - but you are GIVING as well.  K. Andrew donates a dollar of every stamp set to charity.  The stamp set I feature here today benefits the Wayside House for Women.

On to my projects...

This paper ornament was soooo fun to make.  I will be attaching this to gifts and also as an addition to gift boxes.  I used one sided papers with this - but I can imagine they'd be gorgeous with double sided papers .  You can embellish these many ways.  The gift tag says 'SWEET THING' which is from the Coffee & Tea Tag-a-Long stamp set by K. Andrew Art Stamps

I cut 8 3" circles and folded them in quarters.  Attaching 4 to each side of another 3" circle.  Added some shiny curling ribbon and some embellishments and you get a really cute ornament! 

Here is  the stamp set I used on all my projects.  Click here to order the Coffee & Tea Tag-a-long Set.

My next project is a gift box.  I had so much fun making this!  Of course it will be filled with chocolate gifts!

The "Everything is Better with Chocolate"  card holds a pack of hot cocoa. (or a gigantic chocolate chip cookie)  Another "Sweet Thing" tag adorns the front of the box.

Here's a side view of the gift box.  My sentiment was stamped in chocolate ink and says, "Chocolate Men ... Coffee..somethings are just better rich."   I love this!!  Have you noticed all my decorations are in blue and chocolate this year?

The next decoration is a little triangle gift box that holds a couple candy kisses.  These are fun to make and fun to give!  You can embellish them however you like! 

These are fun to hang from the tree and give to any little ones that come by.  I may have stuffed this one a bit full of kisses...it's ready to pop!

Here's another view of the hot cocoa packets and the candy kisses box.  I used some stickles that really made the stamp sentiments "POP".  I also made a few gift tags.  This stamp set is incredibly versatile.  I have more ideas to come.  I think next will be some "Snowman Soup."  Come back again and take a look!

Thanks so much for taking a peek at all my Christmas projects.  If you become a follower and leave me a comment, I will pick someone randomly to send the triangle box pattern to!

Nikki's Paper Piecing Blog Hop - Day Two

Welcome to day two of Nikki's first ever Paper Piecing Blog Hop.  If you arrived here from my oober talented sister, Linda, you are in the right spot.  If you want to start at the beginning you can start at Nikki's blog.  I have the full line up at the end of my posting.

For my project today, I have "Reindeer Poop".  My grandest daughter and I have been making these and she's had so much fun watching people laugh.  She can barely wait to shout out, "It's really chocolate covered raisens" - then collapsing in a fit of giggles.

This little reindeer is so much fun.  He almost looks like he's saying, "Oops, was that me?"  Lexi has been coloring them and cutting them out, she's having so much fun.   We layered all our pieces and attached them to a snack bag filled with chocolate covered raisens.  I think this would be a fun thing to give out to her pre-school class.  Here's what the little poem says,

I woke with such a fright when I heard Santa call...

"Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

I ran to the lawn and in the snowy white drifts,

those nasty reindeer had left "little gifts."

I got an old shovel and started to scoop

neat little piles of reindeer poop!
But to throw them away seemed such a waste,

so I saved them, thinking-you might like a taste!

As I finished my task, which took quite awhile,

Old Santa passed by and he sheepishly smiled.

And I heard him exclaim as he sped off in the sky...

"Well they're not potty trained, but at least they can fly!"

Now your next stop on this hop is the talented Mindy  If you get lost along the way, here is the line-up:

Nikki www.paperpiecingsbynikki.blogspot.com

Liz: http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com

Doris - http://mybugandmecreate.blogspot.com

Janet- http://createatdreamscrapbooks.blogspot.com/

Pam: http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com

Linda: http://www.lindascreativity.blogspot.com

Patti: http://www.pattilynncreations.blogspot.com/ (you are here)

Mindy - http://papercreationsbymindyblog.blogspot.com/ (Next)

Amy Jo - http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com

Mandy- http://lovestoscrap11.blogspot.com/

Please leave a comment - I would love to come visit you too!

PAPER PIECING BLOG HOP

Welcome to the VERY first Paper Piecing blog hop by Nikki. Nikki is a talented artist that creates cutting file and digital stamps. Along with this being her first blog hop to show off some of her awesome designs, it is also a design team call!   Now if you hopped in from my WAY talented sister, Linda, then you are in the right place. 

For my project, I made a little gift for a friend who loves mice.  I can't remember where I got this little mouse, but he is one of my favorites and I've used him on a number of projects. 

I put a package of hot chocolate in a snack size ziplock bag and two little hershey chocolates.  My sentiment is from K. Andrew Designs "Coffee and Tea For You and Me".  It says, "Our friendship is the perfect Blend"  Of course a cup of cocoa and some chocolates are a perfect blend!!

Here is the stamp set from K. Andrew Art Stamps:

If you get lost on the way, you can find your way from here:

Nikki www.paperpiecingsbynikki.blogspot.com
Liz: http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com
Doris - http://mybugandmecreate.blogspot.com
Janet- http://createatdreamscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
Pam: http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com
Linda: http://www.lindascreativity.blogspot.com
Patti: http://www.pattilynncreations.blogspot.com/ (you are here)
Mindy - http://papercreationsbymindyblog.blogspot.com/ (Next)
Amy Jo - http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com
Mandy- http://lovestoscrap11.blogspot.com/

Come back tomorrow for another project!  Would love to have you follow me and leave a comment!  Thanks for hopping by!

Snowman Soup featuring K. Andrew Design Art Stamps!

I just love the three sets of stamps I just got.   I've been using them non-stop for a week.  They have been perfect for all the chocolate Christmas gifts I plan on making.  Here is my newest creation.  It's a package of "Snowman Soup". 



"Wake up and smell the Hot Chocolate"
Sentiment from K. Andrew Art Stamps Designs



I took a package of hot chocolate and placed it in a quart size ziplock bag.  In a snack size ziplock bag, I put a handful of mini marshmallows. I then added to the quart bag, a candy cane for stirring and two chocolate kisses for enjoying.  On the back of my tag, I used the large tea cup stamp and wrote - "Just for you from me"

Here are the stamp sets I used!

COFFEE AND TEA TIME

COFFEE AND TEA FOR YOU AND ME

COFFEE & TEA TAG-A-LONGS

All of these stamp sets can be purchased at K.Andrews Art Stamp Designs.  It's a gift that you can keep for yourself but it's also a gift that gives.  $1 of every stamp set is donated to charity.  Perfect for giving this time of year. 

Please stop by this Sunday to see what other items I have made to go with my Snowman Soup project!!!