Be Wild and Free

I have a fun card I want to share before I get going on the

other not-so-fun parts of my day. 

Remember this fun sailboat I created last year?  Maybe you don't.  But I just love it so much that I've created several projects using it different ways.  Here's a card I made recently with a Little Yellow Bicycle cardstock sticker that says "be wild & free". 

This message is me lately.  I've been trying to let go of things I have no control over and enjoy what's right in front of me.  Some days are harder than others but everyday it seems to get better!  And that's all we can do!  Keep trying! 

 

Here's the card and then I'm also sharing the pattern I created so you can make one too if you'd like! 

I've always LOVED the craft of paper piecing and that's all that this is!

Enjoy! And Happy Hump Day!

 

 

 

Page Maps 3 available for Pre-Order

To say I was excited to be asked to contribute designs to this new book is a HUGE understatement!! I've been using "Page Maps" as inspiration for some of my creations for as long as they've been around!  Now to be so close to having one in my hot little hands is like Christmas! 

 

Visit Scrapbook & Cards Today to pre-order your copy and also see a list of the designers whose work will adorn it's pages!  Can't wait! 

 

 

A layout and a tag!

Hey there! Holey Smokes!  It's been way too long since I posted last!  And it was depressing to say the least.  What can I say?  Sometimes life gets hard.  Really hard.  I don't think I deal with things very well but one thing I do know... somehow... someway the dark clouds roll and the sunshine starts peeking through.  I try to soak up the sun when I can.  One thing that helps me feel better is getting creative!  Creating something fun or pretty always lifts my spirits! 

This month Becky Fleck asked if I wanted to create a layout based on one of her February sketches.  I've always loved Page Maps and you can visit there to see so many more fun sketches as well as this layout I scrapped of Cassidy's birthday.  Here's a link to the February sketches specifically. 

 

 

Remember my Tag-A-Month Desk calendar I posted last month?  You can see that post here if you missed it.  Well.... I created my tag for this month and posted it on Instagram but hadn't shared it here yet.  There's mostly Bo Bunny Love Letters on this. I love tags so this is just a fun little project that gives me an excuse to make one each month! 

 



 

Hope everyone's February is off to a great start!  Be back soon! Hugs!

 





Think Happy and you'll Be Happy

 

Wow…. It’s been way too long since I updated last.  Life seriously escapes me most days.  I wish things weren’t such a blur.  I thought I would share this wall hanging I made a while back that I haven’t posted yet.  I think I’ve struggled to share it because the message leaves me conflicted some days.  Okay…. Lots of days.  I am sure I used this message on here because I’m constantly trying to convince myself of it.  Trouble is…. It’s really NOT that easy for me.  I wish it were.  I’m not going to make this a long post because the last thing I want to do is bring anyone down or sound like a depressed mess.  But the truth is….. I still deal with it.  That nasty thing that people think you use as an excuse to treat the people you love like crap.  I am counting the days when Shane’s insurance coverage kicks in and I can get back to the Doctor.  Can’t happen soon enough. 

Smiling should never be this hard.  I like smiling.  “Smiling’s my favorite” J  

Oh….. and in case you’d like to attempt something like this yourself.  Here’s the word art I created for it.  Just save it to your computer and print it out for a card or wall hanging too.  Easy peasy!

 

 

 

Tag-A-Month 2013 Desk Calendar

Hey there and Happy New Year!

 

I've got something pretty cute to share with you.  I thought it would be fun to make myself a little desk calendar to keep track of important dates as well as any upcoming submission deadlines. 

This little calendar WON'T be crowded with all the Mom's Taxi kind of appointments.  It's supposed to stay CUTE!  HA HA!  Anyway.... I don't know about you but I just LOVE making tags.  They are so fun to make but I never know what to do with them besides stick them on packages or gifts.  So in honor of my Tag Love..... I made a special spot on this to change out a new tag each month.  Check back here the beginning of each Month this year and you can see a new tag! 

The base was made by cutting a strip of 12" cardboard and just folding it into a stand.  EASY PEASY!  Then I also created a pdf file of all the months for 2013.  If this sounds like something you'd want a copy of then shoot me an email and I will gladly send you the pdf.  shannavineyard@gmail.com   

 

Okay.... here's my fun little project!  Happy New Year!  Hugs!

 

 

 

 

 

Peace, Love and Happiness

Okay... so I lied about you not hearing from me again until next week.  I have been working away on some "Have to" projects but couldn't resist a quick "want to" project when I ran across the current challenge over on the Paper Smooches blog.  It was to use a polaroid or a camera in your design.  I was checking out their FREE Digi Stamps and instantly fell in love with this adorable candy cane heart. I knew exactly what I was going to create.  I don't own a polaroid stamp and couldn't find a pattern online that I liked so I drew out my own.  I have it posted below if you want to save it and use it too for anything! Anyhoo.... I hope you can tell in the photo how I glittered in the red parts on the heart.  It's always fun to pull out the messy stuff.  The sentiment I used on this is also from Paper Smooches and it's called Pretty Phrases.  It's one of my new favorites. 

Okay...... that's all I wanted to share really quick!  I hope ya'll have a great weekend and get to put a dent in that Christmas shopping list!  I will be working on some more design projects as well as cheering for my Macey on the soccer fields all weekend.  She has 5 games!  Happy Holidays!  

 



Christmas Sweets......

Today I will share some Christmas sweets!  Some edible and some not-so edible. Hee hee!  This first insanely fun and cute stack of sugary deliciousness is something the girls and I have been working on the last few days.  And we absolutely plan on making more of them.  I saw this idea on a friend's Facebook page and knew right away I had to make some!  I have a sugar cookie recipe that's been in my family for YEARS that is by far the best one I've ever tasted.... and I have no doubt it's the Almond and Lemon extract that sets it apart from all the rest.  YUM!

Isn't it fun??? And it's so, so easy to make! All you need is a set of star-shaped cookie cutters.  I have a set of four that I found at Hobby Lobby for super cheap. All different sizes.  Made the cookies then iced them and stacked them up!  Then added the little edible sprinkles and balls. I think there were three of each size cookie. anyhooo.... I love the recipe... for the icing too!!! So here it is for you... so you can try it out yourself!

Yummy Sugar Cookies

 

Ingredients:

1 pound margarine

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. lemon extract

1 tsp. almond extract

6 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Cream together margarine and sugar. Add eggs and mix.  Add vanilla, almond and lemon extracts then mix.  Add 6 cups flour, baking soda and salt.  Mix together then chill 1-2 hours in covered bowl.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 mins.

Icing Recipe:

1 box powdered sugar, 1/3 heaping cup butter or

shortening, 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and add milk to get to desired consistency.  Color with food coloring as needed. 



 

If you end up baking some.... you'll have to share how you like them!  I've never had anyone say this wasn't the best sugar cookie recipe ever!  Seriously! LOL



 

Okay.... I'm going to be working away like crazy this coming week on some projects for Bo Bunny so you most likely won't hear from me again until next week sometime.  Unless it's some quick Facebook posts.  I'm ALWAYS posting over there! HA!  But I thought I would leave you with something else that's super sweet!  I have a couple of cards in the current issue of Create: Christmas Cards magazine by Northridge Publishing.  It always makes me squeal like a kid at Christmas to see my creations in print so I wanted to share!  I hope you're all enjoying this Holiday season!  Hugs!