WOOOO HOOOOO!!! Thanks for hopping with us on the Zutter Zisters Blog Hop!!! Welcome!

Hellllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooo everybody!!! Thanks so much for joining us on our Zutter Zister's Blog Hop!!! You know the procedure by now I am sure, but just to review, if you post on each of the blogs linked in the blog hop you have lots of chances to win some of the fab-u-looo-soooo new Hang-It-Alls, a lovely pink hammer, and setting tools from Zutter! How cool is that? Pretty stinkin' awesome I think (cause I love all of those things). :) Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of this post to hop to the next stop, which is Lynne! :)



Remember, the winners will be selected Monday March 29, 2009 after 7 pm (you can post till 7 pm EST March 29, 2010 to be eligible). PLUS, if you comment on this thread, AND sign up to be a follower of my blog, your name goes in a drawing for an extra little goodie pack from me. The goodie pack from me will include some of my flowers and tags! Here are a few pics of some of the flowers and tags that I make that might be in your goodie pack from me -





Or even some of these, (please excuse the creative mess) :) -



Winners will be announced on Tuesday March 30, 2010. :)

For my Spring Blog Hop project, besides using the oh-so-wonderful pink Bind-It-All, I used some of the white OWires, Gold Rivets, My Zutter Wire Cutters, my favo Zutter Pink Hammer, Pound It All, and Setting Tools, and the AWESOME Hang-It-Alls along with some odds and ends in my scrap stash! I will post complete step by step directions on how to create this little basket next week, so stay tuned. :)

OK, without further ado, here is my spring time project created for the spring blog hop -



Here is is with some "fillings" -



a view from the top -


from another side -



and yet another side -



a close up of the front, featuring the little hanging sign (used the oh-so-fun Hang-It-Alls, ya gotta try these!)-



I love to make flowers to use on different projects, especially projects I make with my Bind-It-All. They add so much dimension, and help finish off the project. I have also started to add some of the OWires to my flowers for an even different look -



It is super easy to do, just cut 5 rings of OWires ( I used 1/2" size), gently squeeze the rings closed, then flatten and stretch them in a flower shape, and add them to your flowers (directions on making layered flowers below)-





Here are a few directions on how I make some of my layered flowers -

First, gather either some flower shaped punches or dies, or just scalloped or circle shapped dies or punches. Use various sizes so you can have lots of lovely layers. You can also just handcut circles or flower shapes in graduated sizes if you don't have dies or punches. I like to use pages torn from old books (pick them up at Goodwill or rummage sales, great way to get older books at very reasonable prices), as well as assorted weights of cardstock or patterned paper. After I have a nice big pile of petals or shapes cut, I usually Glimmer Mist them a bit to add some sparkle. Sometimes I like to wad them up first so they are a bit softer to work with, and to add more demension. Depending on the look I want, I might also wait and fold the shapes a bit after I assemble the flowers. I find it is easier for me to make sure I have a nice large assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes to work with. I also love to add fabric or ribbon to the flowers.

Here is a pic of some f my layers in process -



Here is a picture of a little mini book I did where I wadded up the paper when I created my flowers -



It is easy peasy to make fabric and paper flowers. We will talk about those first. Find some fabric that you like. I find that small prints and monochromatic colors seem to work really well. I cut a little cut on one edge of the fabric, and then about an inch down, cut another slit. Then I tear the fabric into strips. The first strip or two might be really wacky size wise, just save it for another use. Once you have a nice strip about an inch wide, and torn on both sides, fold it into three pieces, and cut it. For instance, if you tear the fabric selvedge to selvedge(usually about 42" wide), you will fold the 42" into thirds, and cut. You should now have three pieces of fabric about 14" long.



Sew a long basting stitch ( use a machine if possible, it is so much faster), and pull the threads together when you are done. Use your own judgment as to how tight to pull the thread. If you make it a bit looser, your flower will be larger, tighter will be smaller. I usually knot the thread, and hot glue them and the ends together (faster to glue than to sew, but do what you like).





Next, layer some paper or cardstock flower layers on top of the fabric. You can also use ribbon flowers. (I make ribbon flowers the same way, just cut a length of ribbon, baste it, pull the threads together, and glue.) Feel free to mix fabric, cardstock or book page shapes with the ribbon, the more texture you add the more interesting your flower will be. You can glue all your layers together when you are happy with how they look. I like to take thin strips of fabric, twist it, and then glue the fabric in a circle to create a rose type shape. This is also fun and easy to do with ribbon.





I also love to make flowers and use the Zutter Rivets to hold them together. First I cut various cardstock shapes, and stack them up. Next I punch a hole in the center, using my lovely pink hammer, setting tools, and the faboo Pound It All. I have to say, I LOVE my little pink hammer!!! I also love the fact that the Pound It All has a foam bottom to protect and cushion my work surface.

Sometimes I use several of the same size flower shape or circle or scallop folded into fourths and stacked together to really get some dimension. This technique works with cardstock, patterened or book paper, or even tissue paper. The thickness of the paper will change the look and dimension of your petals.










Sometimes I also like to crease each petal just a wee bit after the flowers are assembled, or if I use layers of crepe paper, smoosh the layers up a wee bit. Here area few pics of flowers with smooshed or creased layers -







Here are a few additional assembly pics -














Once I have my rivet set, I can glue the paper flower to a fabric flower if I wish. The flower is nice and sturdy and won't fall apart now! If I want to change the look of the rivet, I simply use some Stickles to add a little sparkle.

Once you have created your flowers, feel free to add them to all your scrapbooking projects, and your altered art. They also make nice little embellies for headbands for little girls, or for package toppers!!! There are boatloads of ways to create beautiful flowers, so let your imagination run free.


After you finish here, it will be time to hop on over to Lynne's blog to check out what she has created. Make sure you go in order, and don't miss any stops! Remember, you could win some of the SUPER Hang-It-Alls, a pink Zutter hammer and setting tools on any of the participating blogs. Thanks again for hopping with us everybody!!! Happy Spring, and don't forget to check back for the winners! :)

Here is a list of the participants for the blog hop, make sure you check them all out. :)
Camilla Isaksson - Sweden
Linda Elbourne - UK
Fleur Smith - BC, Canada
Sophie Sim - Australia
Pam Sandy - Michigan, USA (this is me, thanks for stopping in!)
Lynne Forsythe - New Hampshire, USA
Sarah De Guzman - California, USA
Shelley Haganman - Iowa, USA
Nan Paturzo USA

It's almost time for the Zutter Zister's DT Blog Hop! Are you excited? Cause I sure am............

I worked on several projects this weekend, as well as making more flowers. :) it was freezing cold here, so we couldn't work in the yard. That's OK, I was able to play in my scrap room, yippeee!!! Would you like to learn how to make some of the flowers that I am addicted to making? Some like these for instance?


Or how about some of the gazzillion other flowers I have been posting pics of lately? I will have several detailed flower making tutorials on my blog during the Zutter Zister's DT blog hop that starts Friday March 26th. Check out the blog hop deets here next Friday! You can also go to the Zutter Zisters Ning site for details.

I have a teensie little sneakie peek of the project that I will be featuring, shhhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell! Here it is .......



Would you like another little sneak peek? OK, here it is...................



Can't wait to show you the whole project! I had boatloads of fun creating it. Of course there will be fun prizes, and of course I will have a little extra prize on my blog too, I'll post deets on Friday. You know how I like to give stuff away! :) I sure hope you will join us, and post about it on your blogs and everything too. It's gonna be fun I tell ya!

OK, I can't share anything else today, everything else I have been working on is still under wraps. But I will post pics soon!

Have a fabulously happy and creative week everybody, and I will "see you" on Friday for the faboo Zutter Zisters Blog Hop!!! ~ Pam

March card sketch with blog candy, DT calls, and more!

WOOOOOOO, what a busy week! I have a few projects I can share with you all, and some news about several DT calls. First, Sketches Creatively Yours has a blog candy chance if you use the fabulous card sketch posted right now. There are deets on the blog, but here is the sketch -



Here is my card, I wanted to use colors I don't usually use -



I also used this fun sketch for a card challenge (use a shamrock on a card, I made one out of old book pages I die cut and Glimmer Misted) at Citrus Tree Studio's Going Green Crop -



Ali is also doing a DT call at Sketches Creatively Yours. Check it out, it is an awesome site!

Next, check out the DT calls at Challenge Masters. They are looking for fun new Challenge Masters, here are the deets ~
Ch{all}enge Masters is looking for new group leaders! We are filling all our groups:
Altered
Ad/Art
Blade Masters
Blog
Book of Me
Calendar
Cards
Color
Go Green
Hybrid/Digital
Journalling
Kitchen Keepsakes
Photography
Recipe
Scraplift
Sketches
Stamping
Technique

We are looking for individuals that are passionate about scrapping and paper crafts, love to have fun with fellow crafters, and want to share their passion of their hobby (obsession) with others!

So go on over and check it out!

I made a few projects during the SUPER fun crop at Citrus Tree Studio this weekend! It goes until Monday March 15 at noon EDT, so check it out. Besides the shamrock card I posted above, I also made a card with the word Love in springy colors -



Next I made a card using repurposed packaging (besides using some Prima packaging, you can see some of the other packaging in the pic, I used part of a rootbeer bottle carrier, I have been saving that for something he he) -



Next is a spring banner I made for another challenge at the oh-so-fabulous Citrus Tree Studio (sorry the pics aren't the greatest)-







I also packaged up the flowers that are going postal the first of the week for the last blog candy prize. This week I also worked on the project I will share with you in a few weeks during the Zutter Zisters blog hop. I love it, I am using lots of artsy techniques and different things on it. I will post a little tutorial during the blog post for you all too, can't tell you what it is on, it is a surprise, but I think you will like it. There will of course be additional blog candy, WOOOOO HOOOOOO! Gotta love giving away goodies. At least I do! ;) Anyway, I will post pics of the project I have been working on during the blog hop. It is a gift for a friend's lovely daughter, I hope she likes it!

Speaking of blog posts and tutorials, have you checked out the Bind It All Blog? I have a tutorial coming up on how I made this fun little repurposed toilet paper roll mini -



I'd love it if you stopped by and said hello. Last month I did several blog posts, one on creating a card with OWires, one on making a candy box with OWires. There are lots of tutorials and info posted by the other DT members too, so take a peek! There will be info on the Zutter Zisters Blog Hop coming soon too.

Of course I had to make a few more flowers this week, I couldn't help myself. :) I used fabric, boatloads of Glimmer Mist again, and other things. Here are a couple pics -



a close up pic of one of the flowers -



OK, tomorrow is a very busy day at work, so I better get a few things done tonight. Hope you all have a fabulous and happy week. Happy creating! ~ Pam

Hang-It-Alls Contest, Blog Candy Winners, and some cards

Helllllllllllllllloooooooooooo everybody!!! How the heck are you all doing??? Faboo I hope! I wanted to let you know about the wonderful contest going on at the Bind-It-All blog, check out the deets here. All you have to do is comment on the Hang-It-All thread which features the oh-so-fun new Hang-It-Alls and ~



you could win this! (Nan will be picking 10 names from all those who post on the BIA blog thread about the Hang-It-Alls March 10th, so hurry on over!)



There is a super little video posted too, make sure you check it out while you are at the Bind-It-All blog. It shows you how easy peasy it is to use the new Hang-It-Alls, and how darling the project is. Some of Donna Salazar's gorgeous papers are also included (love them, she has such cool stuff), as well as some predrilled Zutter clipboard for the winners. WOOOO, go check it out!

I used some of the fun new Hang-It-Alls on the little clean/dirty dishwasher hanger I made and posted about recently, and have some on my project that I will be sharing during the fun fun FUN Zutter Zisters DT blog hop that will be happening the end of the month. I can't wait, there is a little surprise during the hop. I can't tell you more, you will have to stay tuned for details. he he, can you see my big ole grin? Cause it is there................

Alrighty, thanks to all of you that signed up to be followers, or posted about my blog candy on your blog.
Remember, I will be sending you some an assortment of yummy flowers, tags, or stamped and embossed loveliness such as you see here -



or here -



or some stamped and embossed birds or butterflies.

Enough of the deets, I have drawn some names and here they are -

Dani
Patti West

and for the added extra third spot I actually picked two names and will split the 2 dozen flower, tag, and stamped embossed embellies candy between ~
Ashjoy and Michelle

Please send me your snail mail addies ladies!!! Thank you again to all who participated! I will do another blog candy this summer, so stay tuned!

Here are some cards I just finished for a card swap I am in at Citrus Tree Studio ~



and a few more (the theme was Spring, can you tell???) ~



I used lots of the flowers I have been making. I love those things! I am still kind of addicted to making them, hopefully with the coming warm weather I will get to play in the dirt soon. :)

Don't forget about the Going Green Crop coming up at Citrus Tree Studio, it is gonna be boatloads of fun! Save the dates of March 13- March 15 and come crop with us! If you haven't joined the mb yet, you will need to do so here so you can participate.

Hey, one more reminder. Don't forget to check out the fun at Challenge Masters. There are TONS of inspirational challenges happening. Lose your mojo? Find it at Challenge Masters!

OK, I am off to work on a few challenges for Sketches ~ Creatively Yours. There is a faboo guest artist again this month, and boatloads of fun sketches. Hope you stop in and say hello, you will find plenty of sketches to inspire you!

Hope you all have a happy crafty week! ~ Pam

Happy March!!!

I can't believe it is already March!!! Can you??? Woooo, time is certainly flying. Remember, today is the last day to sign up to be a follower if you want to be entered in the blog candy drawing. I have been making boatloads of flowers of all sizes and shapes. Here are a few more -



and here are some of the fabric roses I have been making -



I have been playing with my bind it all and some of the accesories too. I can't share the project I have for the blog hop the end of March, but I can share these two projects -

the first is a clean/dirty hanger for the dishwasher. I used the FABOO new Hang-It-Alls, they are so fun to work with -





I have been thinking "green", so one of my projects was a recycling project. I made this for my grandbabies out of toilet paper rolls -







I also did a layout of my grandson's first haircut for Sketches Creatively Yours -



I used this fab sketch by Moma -



There is a very talented guest sketch artist at Creatively Yours Sketches this month too, check it out here.

I have the challenge up at Challenge Masters too, check it out here.

Here is one of the quick and easy candles I altered for the challenge this month -



Don't forget there will be a fun, fun, fun Going Green Crop at Citrus Tree Studio in a few weeks! Hope you will join us!

Well, time to get to work, so I will close for now. Hope you all have a happy crafty day! ~ Pam

Busy times! Blog Candy reminder, and news too!

Wooo, so sorry I haven't posted in a few weeks, it has been crazy busy here! Besides working on a gazzillion things, we have been planning the garden. I want spring to get here so badly! To console myself, in my free time I have been working on flowers and tags like a mad woman. Lots finished, but I still want to finish lots more! Seriously, I am addicted. :) Don't forget about the blog candy we have going on. **EXTENDED** until March 1, since I was a slacker and did not do a weekly post. :) I will choose three winners to make up for it. DEETS - Just sign up to be a follower of my blog and you are entered in the contest. Post about it on your blog and you are entered again! Already a follower? You are in the contest too! Don't forget, I will draw THREE winners, and the winners will receive boatloads of fun flowers or tags such as these -



or these (excuse the mess, for some reason I am really a messy scrapper right now, not sure why)-



I have a few projects I am working on now too, including three projects for Zutter. I'll show you those in a few weeks. I can show you this card I made for Sketches Creatively Yours though -



Here is the faboo sketch if you would like to whip a card up yourself -



I am also excited to announce that I am the new Altered Art Group Leader at Challenge Maasters. Come check it out, we will have loads of fun. I am working on a special altered art challenge for March, so stay tuned. In the meantime, please stop in and say hello and check out the other challenges and groups. There are some AMAZING and fun challenges posted right now. It will get your mojo going for sure! Hope to see you there.

There is gonna be a fun crop at Citrus Tree Studio in March! It's the Going Green Crop March 13-15, so make sure you save the date.

The DT at Zutter is planning a fun blog hop for March too. Put these dates on your calendar - March 26-28, with the drawings held March 29. There are going to be fun prizes too, WOOO HOOOO! Hope you hop along with us.

We just got a fun little camera to replace our older than dirt little digital camera. I have been playing with the new camera a bit, and so far it is really easy and fun to use. I took a few pics of my handsome hubs, our back yard, and back, back yard where we will be enlarging our garden this summer.

This first pic is from my back patio. I am looking out towards our first back yard (a large portion is fenced in for the dogs) -



You can go through an opening area in our pine trees to get to our back back yard. This pic is looking back toward our back yard (see the fence?) before going around the trees to the back back yard -



Next is a picture of some deer tracks in front of our barn -



This shot is of my hubs as he is walking toward the garden (the sun was nice and bright, we were definitely squinting!) -



Now I have walked down the little hill toward the garden house and garden and am looking back at our barn -



This shot is of the garden area. We are going to increase it in size by about 2 times. You can see the wire fence that is there now, we will enlarge the area to go all the way to the wooden privacy fence and to both ends. Last year the garden was almost 40 x 40 (and we canned 167 quarts of dill pickles alone, woo!). Hopefully we will have lots more veggies and fruit this year, as we have promised to donate the extra produce to a local food pantry (which is why we are making the garden bigger)-



Here is a pic of our poor little swing, located under our apple trees. As you can see, it is covered in snow. Can't wait for the warm weather so we can swing in it again!



Well, that is about it for now. I am off to work on a few more tags and flowers. :) Hope you all have a safe and warm week, and happy crafting!