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Monday, July 25, 2011

Merry Christmas in July!!!
A Holiday Heatwave & a Special Goody

It's July 25th - Merry Christmas in July! It's certainly not feeling like the holidays in most of the country - there is a heatwave going on mostly everywhere right now in the U.S., especially here in South Florida the temps with heat index are over 100. It's sizzling out and I need to sit on a snow cone to drive my MINI Convertible. So today's creation is "Holiday Heatwave"!

This is what happened when Santa and Frosty went on vacation in the tropics...


This is a drawing I created to make a bunch of handmade Christmas cards many years ago. Living in South Florida, even at Christmas time things can be pretty hot down here...hence the Melted Frosty. Today, in celebration of Christmas in July, I am sharing a FREE DIGI of this image over at Unscripted Sketches.

Enjoy!!! Stay cool and I'd love to see what you create with my melted frosty : ) Sb

Special Christmas Wishes...
Unscripted Sketches #116

It has been a busy weekend preparing for some upcoming craft shows next weekend. Here is my latest creation using Sketch it Saturday's sketch #116 over at Unscripted Sketches. If this card looks a little familiar...it is because I have been using the same pile of Christmas Stuff for the past few cards...and there is still scraps leftover - can you believe it?

The photo is of my childhood dog, Putzel. I have pictures of him and I equally enjoying his milkbone dog treats. It's hard to tell from the scan, but the sentiment strips are curled over on the edges, bent wavy and popped up in places with 3-D dots to look like wavy banners.

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun...and post your creation on their page for all the world to see!

Wishing you all a great week - the last one in July and stay cool. Check back tomorrow for my last special post for the Christmas in July Celebration at Unscripted Sketches. I will be really busy all week preparing for three (3) - YIKES - three craft shows coming up. The next one is on July 31st... Beat Cup Folk Art & Craft Fair. I am so excited.
: ) Sb

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Celebrate Christmas in July with Secret Santa Kinetic Card

Today's Post at Unscripted Sketches feature's a HOW-TO for this Kinetic Card.

If you add an extra panel, you can create a more elaborate version...like this Kinetic Santa Secret Card.

This card is for sale in my shop SalonDArte {click here to view}. I also create custom designs of this card.


This is one of my favorite cards to make, and I really love surprising my gal pals with children by making these with their kids photos. Have a great day everyone...it's only two days until SKETCH IT SATURDAY!
: ) Sb

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Please Help save our Country...

I received this in an email today - and I am fired up by the disgraceful way Congress has been doing business. This is something I hope you read all the way through.

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.

8. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message. Maybe it is time.

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!!

If you agree with the above, pass it on. If not, please disregard. 

Forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn please ask each of those to do likewise. We need to send a CLEAR message.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Holly Jolly Altered Journal
Unscripted Sketches #115

Take a regular pocket size Composition Book and lightly sand the glossyness off the cover...decorate to your hearts content...and VOILA!
I love altering these books. They are so much fun. **TIP** watch those BACK TO SCHOOL sales coming up...that is when they sell these little books at the best price. I've got them for 3 or 4 for a $1 and they are normally $1+ for one any other time of the year. I'm still working off my stash of class supplies, but I pick them up whenever I see them on sale since they make such a quick and easy gift project - AND - great to do with the kids, too.

At Unscripted Sketches it's all about Christmas this month. This week's Sketch it Saturday's #115 has a PIGGYBACK Challenge of using wrapping paper. I admit it - I have a folder of pretty wrapping paper scraps to use for projects - don't we all?

I knew immediately I was going to alter a mini book for this week's sketch. This metallic foil wrapping paper was the first one I came across so this was "IN". I rounded up some other scraps and two matching My Minds Eye holiday embellishments and layered one on top of the other. I topped the tree with a star shaped mirror that I colored with a yellow permanent marker {the Bic ones}.

I'm going to add a fiber wrapped pipe cleaner to the edge of the spine once I get some more Red Liner Tape. The past couple weeks projects have exhausted my entire supply of it...OMG this is a serious craft EMERGENCY!!!

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun...and post your creation on their page for all the world to see!


This month we are having a Christmas in July Extravaganza with ideas and features on the Unscripted Sketches Designer, games, and more. Yesterday I was the featured designer for this festive event. Check it out and get a jumpstart on making your handmade holiday gifts -AND- I will be having two more special projects posted at Unscripted Sketches throughout the month. So stay tuned - or - you can subscribe to get Unscripted Sketches in your inbox every time there is a new post.

I'm off to the T2T warehouse for some crafty exploration - so I will have a great start to the weekend. Check back later in the week (July 21st) at Unscripted Sketches for another special holiday How-to project by me. YAY!

: ) Sb

Friday, July 15, 2011

Special Christmas in July Goodness



Happy Friday Everyone! Today I am the featured designer over at Unscripted Sketches Christmas in July Extravaganza.

For about 10 years now, each December, I make a handmade ornament or special handcrafted gift for my Grandmother to give to her students of her painting classes (about 2 dozen). She loves that her grand-daughter is making them and her students have a keepsake that they really enjoy. This little annual tradition is what got me started with making origami ornaments and opening my Etsy Shop, SalonDArte.

This adorable Rudolph is one of these creations. I wanted to share with you a cute little something I made with some crafty items you might have on hand {especially if you have crafty kids}.

This little reindeer is made from...Yep you guessed it! One of those wooden ice cream scoops! Can you believe it????

With some paint, a few other wooden shapes {or craft foam cut shapes will do, too}, a pipe cleaner, some beady trim {I used one that was little christmas bulbs}, a bow around the neck and to top Rudolph off in his holiday best a pom-pom red nose and GOOGLY EYES!!! I gave him some extra detail with a marker, and VOILA! What a cutie.

It was quick and easy to make a bunch of these, like decorating cookies - they come to life when you add those finishing touches - especially the googly eyes. I also added a strip of magnet to the back so he can charm the refrigerator all season long.

Enjoy! See you tomorrow for Sketch-it Saturday!!!

: ) Sb

Monday, July 11, 2011

Sketch it Saturday #114 Reveal...on Monday!

I apologize for the delay in post...I was on a weekend getaway with the hubby to "HOT-Lanta" (Atlanta) getting some much needed R&R and some "Soul-Food". Can I get you some swee-eee-eeet tea?

We are one week into our Christmas in July Extravaganza with ideas and features on the Unscripted Sketches Designer, games, and more. Hope you are enjoying the daily posts.

For this week's Sketch it Saturday's #114 over at Unscripted Sketches my creation might look a little familiar. That's because I still have the same papers, stickers and stuff in my hand, so it must be used....and fast - with a holiday twist.

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun...and post your creation on their page for all the world to see!

Hope you have a great week! This week will be very busy...I have the DADA Bazaar on Thursday evening, and check back Friday (July 15th) at Unscripted Sketches for another special holiday How-to project by me. See ya!

: ) Sb

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Scrapbook Page in a Box Variations

Today I am featured with a Holiday How-to Project over at Unscripted Sketches. So go over there and check it out!!!! Then come back to see these great variations of my holiday gift box.

This first version is how the instructions describe for a nine square pattern, like quilt squares.

A view of sides folded in before applying lid.

Here's a version for Thanksgiving...

I love my Quickutz!!! Isn't Mr. Gobble so adorable with his googlie eyes. I never miss an opportunity to use googlies...

This box has an embossed sentiment "From the Heart" with a bow.


And finally one for Easter or Springtime complete with Mr. Hoppitty...


This box uses a quickutz bunny holding sign die and is embellished with some springtime Mrs. Grossman's 12" border stickers.

The possibilities are endless with this project. It's quick and easy and doesn't need a lot of supplies. My sister and her girls made one last weekend as a gift to take to a birthday party of a friend at girl scouts. They put a bunch of photos from their Girl Scout activities. I know a girl who made thirty of these for party favors for her Sweet 16 birthday party and she left a couple open spaces for recipients to add their own photos and momentos from the party.

Ohhh - what if you made a GIANT one out of poster board....this would be great for a reunion, baby shower or wedding, for guests to add to and sign at the event!!! OH - this would be so fantastic!!! When I do this I will definitely post my results. : ) Sb











Monday, July 4, 2011

Christmas in July!!!
Unscripted Sketches #113 reveal...

I can't believe it's July already and it's never soon enough to start crafting for Christmas!


This month we are having a Christmas in July Extravaganza with ideas and features on the Unscripted Sketches Designer, games, and more. Check it out and get a jumpstart on making your handmade holiday gifts -AND- I will be having three - yes 3 - special projects posted at Unscripted Sketches throughout the month. So stay tuned - or - you can subscribe to get Unscripted Sketches in your inbox every time there is a new post.

For this week's Sketch it Saturday's #113 over at Unscripted Sketches it's all about Christmas this month. This project began with leftovers from the project that will be featured tomorrow and a bag of mulberry paper pieces I picked up at crafty yard sale held at my local SB store. I wasn't entirely ready to do Christmas theme when I began, but as soon as I broke out the Holiday stamps - I couldn't stop. I colored in the stamp using my water brush with markers and the ornaments are colored with gelly glaze pens.

Even though these weekly creations may look perfect, they are indeed a weekly adventure, each with their own, ups and downs and fix it surprises. I have to confess a mistake on my card. Under the sentiment is another melted mess of the sentiment.

I point this out because I want everyone to know that I am not an expert at the art of stamping, but I am a perfectionist. I usually make a couple tests prior to stamping on my final project, which leads to a LOT of extras and leftovers...so I didn't do that this time. My stamped image came out fine first time out, but then I decided to emboss it with some gelly glitter embossing powder which ended up filling in most of the letters because I couldn't get the extra out of all the holes. So what did I do???? I found a scrap of the paper that matched up to the striped pattern and restamped and plain embossed. I cut the bottom edge with a fancier scallop to mirror the bottom edge and take away from the fact that I was pasting over to cover up a mess. I like to call this a "happy accident"!

What is Sketch it Saturdays at Unscripted Sketches? Every Saturday morning a new sketch is posted for the week. Flip the sketch, rotate it… create a card, a scrapbook page, a wall hanging, digital, paper, fabric, paint, anything your imagination comes up with! There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted sketch as the inspiration for your creation! And everyone is invited to join in the fun...and post your creation on their page for all the world to see!

Have a happy and safe July 4th everyone! Check back tomorrow (July 5th) at Unscripted Sketches for a special holiday How-to project by me. YAY!

: ) Sb
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