Christmas Blessings: Time with Friends

Last minute Christmas crafting!

Saturday, December 14, from 10 AM - 5 PM.  

In my Crafty Happy Studio

Join me for some inspiration, laughter, Christmas music, and refreshments.  I'll provide the projects, you bring the laughter.  Feel free to bring your own project.

Posted are ideas including cards, gift tags, ornaments, gift card holders, some ideas were "craft lifted" from Liza Stenz. http://lisascreativecorner.blogspot.com/  Check back later this week for more ideas.

All Win a free Workshop on the Go. valued between $36 and $40.

Play and No Work! Contest: December 2013




Check out Jeanette Lynton's website for details.  To win you need to post on her blog or the YouTube site what you would consider to be a perfect "play day".

Crafting from 10 - 5 on Saturday

               (3 photos missing)
Too many interruptions. Plus, work has kept me from having too much fun.

 So I don't have pictures of my cards. I did make the cards that are in the 

Frosted Cardmaking Workshop (click to view)

 It has all the supplies, including cutting and assembling instructions (except the ink and clear blocks) to make 15 cards for only $25.  Plus, you will have leftover papers and a lovely stamp-set.  

I especially like the  trees stamped in second generation to give the effect of a forest. 

I also have several other options for cards depending on what you like.  

So you can assemble cards of your choice. 

Or take your album and photos and complete some pages. 

 I'll be in the studio from 10AM - 5 PM.  

I hope to get pictures posted as we work.

Project Inspirations: Pocket Album

Craft Room Names

These are the suggestions I've received since posting that I'm searching for a name for my craft room..  I've decided to enter the names of everyone who participated into a drawing for a stamp set.   So far 7 people have suggested 14 names

1. Crafty Happy Haven

2. Darlys' craft closet

3. Where imagination begins..

4. The Classroom (for creative people)

5. Darlys' Retreat

6. The craft retreat

7. Inspiration room

8. Darlys' crafty kingdom

9. Imagination at work

10. Darlys' Craft Shanty

11. Crafty Happy Emporium

12.  Crafty Happy Studio

13.  Crafty Happy Dream Room

14.  Reck Room

Open House ... Making Chirstmas Cards

Making Christmas cards on Saturday, November 16, at my Studio

The Crafty Happy Studio.
Just testing a new name.  Cannot quite decide what I like.
 I called it Crafy Happy Emporium last week.  LOL

Let me know if you are interested in scrapping with me.  360-393-4179
Bring your own project(s) or I'll have kits for cards.

I'll be posting photos soon.

Veterans' Day 11-11-13

Thinking of all those who served so we can enjoy peace.

Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day and took place on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, which was when the armistice that ended World War I took effect.  Armistice Day was first celebrated in 1919 at the direction of President Wilson. The original idea was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a time of silence at 11 a.m., the hour of day the armistice took effect, according to a Department of Veterans Affairs history of the holiday.  “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service,” Wilson said at the time.  Congress in 1926 passed a concurrent resolution that set aside Nov. 11 as a commemoration of World War I’s end. At the time, lawmakers directed that the day should involve thanksgiving and prayer and “exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.”  This past Friday, Lummi Nation School had a Veterans’ Day assembly and invited the veteran's from the community to attend.  It was one of the best Veterans' Day assemblies I've observed.

November Events - Join Me for Some Holiday Fun Time

Oh, My!!  We're already a FULL week into November!  I'm so glad I have a day off Monday to have some play time in my craft room.  Whooo Hoooo!!

The Holiday Fun has started!  Last weekend I was at our church Bazaar, and this weekend I'll be selling some stamp-sets  and other items at a 50% discount at the Hopewell Grange - 3440 Hopewell Rd. Everson, WA with 20 other vendors.   If you get a chance, stop by and say "Hi".  

Friday, November 16, you're invited to join me in my craft room from 10 am - 5 pm.  I'll be adding details on this blog for the projects I've planned. So let me catch my breath and come back to check for details after the weekend.  If you would like to join me next Saturday, please give a call to save a spot 360-393-4179

I've decided to name my happy place The Crafty-Happy Emporium.  It has taken two months of reflection, suggestions and discussion to finally settle on this name.  I received 13 suggestions from friends  and family and finally with my husband's help I have a name that I really feel captures both the purpose and joy of the craft room.  I've enjoyed reading all the suggestions and thank you for your input which ultimately inspired the final choice. Since I  didn't settle on a name from your suggestions, I will a have drawing from the list of those who contributed to give away the stamp set I have available for this challenge.

Keep checking for new posts.  I'll be back soon. Darlys

Birch Bay Retreat October 25-27 Save the date!

Oh JOY!  It's October, the month of scrap and crop weekend retreats!  I'm starting this weekend with a 3 day retreat at the Firs Chalet up at Mt. Baker.  The next weekend it's a 2 day CTMH Retreat at Wallace Falls, Gold Bar, WA.  The third weekend will be spent in Salt Lake City at the CTMH Album Retreat.  To conclude the month, I have my very own Fall Crafting Getaway weekend at Birch Bay.  FUN!! FUN!! FUN!!  Come see the album I will be making in Salt Lake City.  Two days, one complete album.  Is it possible?

This retreat is again at my favorite rental home in Birch Bay, the perfect setting to relish, record, and preserve memories!  Enjoy a weekend of cropping, games, giveaways, card/ layout ideas, demonstrations and time with friends.  Optional Christmas card workshop: 5 cards for $5 (10 for $10/ etc.)

Create your own crafting weekend. 

Come when you can, leave when you must!

Option 1: 12 hour retreat: $55 

arrival at 4 pm, Firday, 10/25; departure at 4pm Saturday, 10/26. 

Includes dinner, breakfast, lunch and 1 night lodging. 

Option 2: 24 hour retreat: $80 

arrival at 4 pm  Friday, 10/25; departure at 4pm Saturday, 10/27  

Includes Option 1 plus dinner 10/26, lodging, and 10/27 brunch

Items to bring: 

Personal projects and materials to scrap; don’t forget photos, paper and lots of adhesive.  Or maybe bring your knitting, quilting, or other crafting project

Favorite pillow, comfortable clothes, personal items, music CD’s, camera and snacks to share (optional). Favorite beverage – refrig available

Amenities: Cricut machine, stamp sets, punches, cuttlebug, available to use

3 ft table space or more per person, coffee, tea, lemonade

What to leave home:  WATCHES! KIDS! STRESS! INTERRUPTIONS (husbands)!  HOUSEWORK! COOKING!

Call 360-393-4179 or email: djrecker@comcast.net, if you have any questions or would like to register.  Confirmation of your registration, with directions, will be mailed after receiving your registration.

1,2,3, Craft

I'm so happy to be invited to join Tracey's challenge. This month the challenge was to use the Originals pattern called "To the Point"found on page 34 .  I used this month's Close to My Heart special called "You are my Happy" - a stamp set trio for only $10 with a qualifying purchase.-  Click here for details  The three stamp sets includes, images, sentiments and an alphabet for a variety of occasions.

Here is a simple 3X6 card I made using the Huntington paper pack, some fussy cutting, layered Burlap Ribbon, Huntington B&T, Bronze Shimmer Trim.  I also added a touch of Stardust Glitter Gel on the butterfly.  The butterfly and sentiment are stamped in Autumn Terracotta on Cashmere Card Stock.  I used our Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut out the tag for the sentiment. That's about it, if you have any questions or comments, please post and I'll respond.  Thanks for checking out my work.  Now, for the next example of creative card-making, check out Mary's Blog.

Artbooking Made Easy Part 1

Close to My Heart "Artbooking" Cricut Cartridge: 

So easy to create mini-books and super quick layouts!  

View this video first.

Artbooking Made Easy Part 2

National Stamping Month

Get three stampsets for $10, valued at $47.90, when  you purchase $50 or more. If you think that's a sweet deal, I'll sweeten the pot and put your name into a drawing for your choice of a CTMH Cricut cartridge: Art Philosophy or Artiste. To be entered into the drawing, please  email me your order   djrecker@comcast.net
NOTE: The "You are My Happy" stampset trio, is only available through September or while supplies last.  The "Sweeten the Deal" drawings will continue through October.

You get a full alphabet set with upper/lowercase, plus numbers, a darling set of all-occasion images and a set of assorted sentiments. If you’re a cardmaker or a scrapbooker, you’ll love these exclusive sets.
Don't forget, with a $50 order, you will also qualify for the Stamp of the Month for only $5, valued at $17.95.

Drum roll please!  That's a total valued at $65.85 for only $15, plus a chance at winning one of our amazing Cricut cartridges. 

 Have fun shopping! Darlys

Birch Bay Retreat.

I'm looking at the last weekend in October for my 24 hour retreat at Birch Bay.
10/25-10/26 -maybe? 10/27 ?  I'll start at 4 PM Friday and depending on those interested we could stay more than 24 hours.  We will have the house available through Sunday.  I plan to leave for church Sunday morning and return for more crafting after lunch.  The cost will be $57 for the first 24 hours and includes 3 meals.  Additional time and meals will be pro-rated and will depend on numbers.  More details will follow as the plans develop.  Let me know if you're interested because space is limited.

Happy September!

Already!!!????  How can it be?  Back to school, lesson plans and.........aahhh..... weekend retreats.  OK that's sounding better.  October is the month of retreats but that's four weekends away, so I'll just have to EASE into the fall with an Open House to welcome my friends to visit my new play area.  The play area needs a name so I'm offering an alphabet stamp set for the winner who's name suggestion I pick.  If I come up with the winning name, I'm the loser, cuz I have a stamp set to give away!  It's a favorite of mine and I have an extra.  So share  your thoughts on what I can call this special creative space where I will treasure moments with friends and family. 

Large room

paper stack

School cabinets with corner peg boards

Corner storage.  

Note the lamp; same as on our Idea Book a year ago and I had it first! :-) 

My hubby bid for it on an NPR fundraiser.  

At the time, I really had no place for it and almost gave it away.  So happy I didn't.

Babycakes Mini-album Page

Creating album pages using the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge has become amazingly fast and easy!

I made 40 of these mini-album pages for the new Idea Book exchange using the Babycakes Paper packet and the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.   I only used two keys from pages 50 and 51; E & R. The lion and giraffe were cut at the same 7.5 inches as the  overlay. I set the page at 7.5 inches instead of 8 inches so that I could get two pages from one 12 X 12 page. Each element of the page is programmed to cut to fit the page without needing to guess the correct size!  So ingenious! I used the coordinating stamp set C1558 Wild Wonders, and used E1027 Framework for the title.  The hippo and monkey were "fussy cut". The phrase, "It's About to get Wild Around Here!" was stamped in a frame cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge( pg 45 Rectangle and layer). Embellishments include: Artisan Studs Z1816, Aqua Dots Z1853, Lagoon Washi Tape Z1850, Slate Washi Tape Z1817, Ribbon ties are made from Chantilly Textiles Z1819, Color Ready Ribbon Z1732, and Paradise Baker's Twine Z1702.  

So Fun! So Easy!

New Products Blog Hop

I LOVE the new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.

This afternoon I decided to try make it into the blog hop and started an album, still needs work but really is so easy.  I hope I can edit this blog and show the finished product..

"This blog hop is open for members of the CTMH Blog Boosters. Please do not enter if you are not a member of the group."

Laughing Lola mini-album - so easy with the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

I have finally completed the mini-album that I started at convention, just need to add some pictures.  Check it out!  So easy with the Artbooking cartridge, Laughing Lola Paper Packet, coordinating Laughing Lola Assortment and Laughing Lola Complements Dimensional Elements 

Check it out!

The new Idea Book is released today!  

click the image

For me, the most exciting release is the new Cricut Cartridge Artbooking.  Another 700 images!!  Check the previous and older posts for details.  As soon as I get the photos uploaded, I'll share the mini album we made at convention.  I'll also post the layout and 5 cards we made.  PLUS!!! the photos of my newly created craft space.  (Still need to take the photos.) ;-)  Keep checking for updates.

Check out the blog hop started by Tresa Black.  You can find it on her blog just scroll down to link to the artwork. As I post this there are 26 CTMH consultants with new product art.  I will be posting on Saturday.

Close to My Heart "Artbooking" Cricut Cartridge - - - - - - Thanks Paige Dolecki for the images! All 79 pages! Remember, this cartridge has 700 images. . . . . . . Check them out here.