Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope your holidays are filled with good food, family and friends. May God bless you all.
Below is a picture of the deer in our backyard two winters ago when we had lots of snow. We would watch them every morning  and night. Sometimes we had up to fifty deer in our yard! It was so fun to watch them peacefully eating the piles of corn we put out for them. Our yellow lab (Boo Boo) just sat and watched them and the deer were not bothered one bit by him. Now we added a husky/shepard  (Smokey) to our family and he likes to chase them away. Here's the picture.

PH                                                                 

Joan's Garden Challenge 12/13/12

This week at Joan's Garden the challenge is to decorate a box/container that you would use for a Christmas gift. I made a little box that will hold a gift certificate. It's really easy to make. And, here it is:

I used decorative Christmas cardstock to make this. I punched two holes in the inside top for the cords and then knotted them and let the ends hang outside the container. You could also just tie the ends together and clip...I added another design to the front of the little container and also made a bow using Impression Obsession's Fancy Ornament. You can find the die on Joan's site. For more challenge cards and to see the products on her site go to:
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/
PH
                                                                  

Joan's Challenge 12-6-12

Hello and happy day! This weeks challenge is to make a white and blue card, have an oval, use an embossing folder and use a bow. I missed a week or was it two? Our computor was down for over a week and well, this time of year can be busy. The shopping is finished. Amen. Some people get annoyed or troubled by our gift giving society. It's too commercial and on and on. I rather enjoy it. The act of giving a gift to someone, the right gift, the perfect gift and knowing they like it is gratifying to me. Ofcourse, I know "you can't take it with you". Enjoy it while you're here. And, here's my card and enjoy it!

Two folders were used on this card. The background "snow" comes as a two pack from Sizzix. The Tall Pine in the oval is also a two pack Tim Holtz, and  is also from Sizzix. The oval is a Spellbinders called Labels Ten (S5-022) And, finally the bow is a die from Impression Obsession, DIE026-Q and it's called Fancy Ornament. I ordered it just for the bow-you can use it on all kinds of cards.
The corners were punched out and white brads were also added.
You can find the IO die and the Spellbinders Labels Ten on Joan's site. You could also order the Sizzix folders.
For more challenge cards go to:
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/
Merry Christmas.
PH
                                                                            

Harry Potter Card

This is a just for fun card. My daughter is a BIG Harry Potter fan. She's read all the books numerous times-like over 10 times!!!! I started out reading the first three books to my daughter and son. And, then they grew up and are now college aged. When I was down after my feet surgery my daughter talked me into starting to read them again. I have only read the first three and it's been a few years. So, I have read the first book and will try and continue reading them all inbetween other books. While reading the first book I got the bright idea of making a Harry Potter card. And, here it is:

                        Inside the card it says, "Let the Magic Begin". A perfect saying for a Harry Potter card.
Have a magical day.
PH                                                  

Joan's Garden Tag Challenge

This week at Joan's Garden it's a Tag Challenge. I love making tags. I have a Christmas tag box. I go crazy when I start... Here's my tag.

          
I stamped an Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Snowflake background onto white cardstock using a blue dye ink. Then I cut the mittens out with a Spellbinders die. I added some snowflakes from another Spellbinders die with a  silver brad keeping them together. I added a Memory Box Pepita Border at the top of the Mittens. Joan carries Memory Box Dies and one is neater than the next.... I added a To and From to the second mitten and stamped it in black dye ink. I also added some navy and silver sparkly threads. To see more tags and Joan's products go to:
         http://www.atjoansgardens.com/
I am so behind with everything Christmas. I'm hoping to catch up this week so I feel more prepared in the cooking and gift department. I love doing all these preperations.
Hope to see you all next time.
PH                                               

Joan's Challenge 11-15-12

Happy Saturday. Hope everyone has wonderful plans for Thanksgiving. We're going to Grandma's house! I get out of cooking, tho I love to cook. My feet (after surgery) are not quite up to it. At my doctor appointment this week I was informed it could take months for the swelling to go down and I could wear my regular shoes. I ended up going out and buying a size bigger shoes to get me by. I may have to buy another pair...
This weeks challenge at Joan's Garden is to create a recycled card. They had a wonderful card made out of a paper bag as an example. Check it out. I ended up taking a card I had made awhile ago and revamped it. I had use a recycled Forever Stamp cover on this card, so I did use a recycled piece... In my new card I used some paper stuffing as a layer. A friend of mine gave it to me and told me I would know what to do with it. Apparently I did! Here's the card before and after.

                                                                    

The background stamps are both  Cover-A-Cards from Impression Obsession. The Pine Cone is also from Impression Obsession. The Pine Trees are a die from Sizzix. I used a Heart Corner punch at the top right corner. I also used a strip of Red cardstock and a Red ribbon underneath the Pine Trees. Hope you enjoyed the card. For more challenge cards and to see all of Joan's products go to:
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

PH                                                                         

Joan's Garden Challenge 11/8/12

Happy Saturday. It is just beautiful out today. Wish I could go for a walk in the woods... But, this is just as fun...making a card for this challenge. This week the card is to have a color theme of red, green and white. It is also to be a Christmas card. It is that time of year... to start on your Christmas cards. I know some people who make up to 100 homemade cards! I like to send a picture card. I always feel like I'm cheating, but I've done the picture card for years and I have each one in a frame. When you look at each one you can see how your family as changed over the years. Here's my card:

All of the stamps I used, the two background stamps,(Cover-A-Cards) and the Bethlehem scene are from Impression Obsession. The scene was stamped on a Spellbinders die. I also used a Pine Branch die from Impression Obsession and the Bow die at the top right, cut out in red, is from Memory Box. Hope you enjoyed the card.
PH                                                                               

Joan's Garden Challenge 11/1/12

Here's another card for Joan's Garden challenge. This week is create a Winter Card. This is my second card for the challenge. Card two:

    
This card uses Cover-A-Card background Snowflakes from Impression Obsession. I used Spellbinders snowflakes in White to make the three snowflakes. I also stamped Winter Wishes from Savvy in black at the top right. The two opposite corners are punched with a decorative corner punch. For more challenge cards and to see Joan's products go to:
          http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

PH                                                       

Joan's Garden Challenge 11/1/12

This weeks challenge over at Joan's Garden is to create a Winter Card.  I just may do a couple so check back. Here in Minnesota we are having weather in the 40's and 50's. It's a nice cool. It will seem even nicer when December, January and February rolls around. I'm still hobbling around but getting better after feet surgery. The surgical "cuts" are healing but I have a little swelling. Come Spring I will be so glad I did this!
The card:

The main image is by Penny Black. The light Blue card is stamped with an Azidi Earl's snowflake stamp multiple times with Black dye ink. Winter Wishes is by Savvy and punched out with a word punch. I used a border punch for the holey background  and also a snowflake punch. White yarn is wrapped around the bottom of the Penny Black image. Hope you enjoyed the Winter card. For more challenge cards and to see the products Joan carries go to: http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

PH
                                                                             

Joan's Garden Challenge 10-25-12

Happy Monday. Today's card is for a challenge at Joan's Garden. To see her products and other challenge cards go to: http://www.atjoansgardens.com/. This week the card is to have a Fall theme, a window or door and finally to use a border.
My feet are better after the surgery almost a week and a month ago. In two weeks I get to wear shoes! I just can't wait... My daughter who had mono has also went back to college. We were a kinda sad house here for awhile with two sick people laying around!!!
The card:

                                                              
The Maple leaves stamped around the edges of the base card in brown and also the smaller Maple leaves on the door are from Impression Obsession. The Tapestry 2 behind the top part of the door is also from Impression Obsession. The Door is from Heartfelt Creations. The Apple Basket is from Hero Arts. The Cat is from Picture Show and the Pumpkin is from Lasting Impressions.  I used a Maple punch for the door wreath and the Heart Chain is from Memory Box.  Hope you enjoyed the card.
PH

Joan's Garden Challenge 10/18/12

Good Monday and today I have a card for Joan's Garden Challenge. This week we are to create a card showing a winter pastime, use black embossing powder, use a frame and make something dimensional. Let me be clear (where have I heard that before?)  I understand a winter pastime is probably supposed to be something outdoors. So, that's why I stuck my Lab doggie in there as I do go out and walk them in the winter. Just not now, as I recently had foot surgery and I am doing much better and everything seems to be healing nicely. I go back to the doctor this week but will still have to wear my funny shoes for another month-I think...I also put some books in there as a pastime as I have been reading lots because of the surgery. Winter is a good time to read. The card:

The checked background, the winter barn scene and the greenery around the top right are all from Impression Obsession. The books are from Sunday International. The dog is from Bizzaro and Enjoy the Moment is from PSX. The frame is from Sizzex. The two bows hidden behind the top corners are from Memory Box and the Tag is from Spellbinders.
For more challenge cards and to see the products Joan carries go to:
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

PH
                                                       

Joan's Garden Challenge 10-11-12

This weeks challenge over at Joan's Garden is to create a card using three narrow strips, use a square, make the card black and white, use polka dots and finally use some flowers.

                                                          
All of the stamps except the saying are from Impression Obsession. The saying is from a Muse Stamps. The flowers and leaf dies I got from Joan's and the Tag die is also from Impression Obsession. To see the other challenge cards and also to see Joan's products go to:

http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

See you next time.

PH

Joan's Garden Challenge 10-4-12

Hello and time for another Joan's Garden Challenge. This week its a card with a winter scene, use a die, use a stamp and also use a tree. That's doable.
I am slowly recovering from foot surgery. The doctor thought I might have an infection but turns out I do not and my feet are healing nicely. I still have to stay off my feet as much as possible so dear friends and family have been shopping for me and bringing me to the doctor-I hate to be needy-not good at it. I suspect I will be like this for a couple more weeks. I'm on my 6th book! Anyway, here's the card.

                                                                     

The cabin stamp is from Impression Obsession and the Winter Wishes is from Savvy Stamps. The Tree die is from Sizzix, the Twig and Berry die from Memory Box and the Tag die also from IO. The snowflakes were punched out with a punch.
 For more challenge cards go to:
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

PH

World Card Making Day!

Today is World Cardmaking Day. I've made a card for Joan's Garden. And here's the card.
                                                         

I used several dies from Joan's Garden. They are the door and window die and also the house die. Both are from Obsession Impression. Go to Joan's and see the other cards:

             http://www.atjoansgardens.com/                                        

Joan's Garden Challenge 9-27-12

Hello and Happy Fall to all. It's another beautiful day here. They just do not seem to end this year. Kinda makes you wonder if we may pay for all this beautiful weather with lots of snow this winter.
I had foot surgery last week on Thursday. I had bunions removed from both feet. My right foot was far worse than my left and I had this great idea to get them both done at once! So far it's ok. The meds really help.... I wear these really cool sandle like shoes with velcro straps. They must be kept on your feet whenever you are up. I thought I'd cheat but I haven't yet. I surprised myself! And, I have to keep my feet up (raised) whenever I am not up. So, I am sitting here with my feet up (day 4) and eating cheetos and typing. It just can't get any better!
On to my card. This weeks challenge at Joan's Garden is to create a card using designer paper, a flower, a flourish and a sentiment. Here's what I came up with.

               The Poinsettia is from Spellbinders and the flourish is from Sizzix. I used a corner notch punch on all corners of the desinger paper. The Celebrate! is from A Muse and punched out with a word punch. I also added some stick on red jewels. Easy card to make and I managed to not get any orange cheetos on the card too!
Later...
PH                                                     

JG'S Challenge

Hello and today I'm doing a card for Joan's Garden. The challenge this week is to do a card that has a tree, a snowman, a corner embellishment and make the card blue and white. I love these challenges. I do have a tree and a snowman stamp but decided they were not the right sizes. So, this is what I came up with.

The Twiggy Tree and Madera Corner are both Memory Box dies. The snowflakes and snowman were made from punches.  I used two strips of torn white paper at the bottom and stuck the bottom of the snowman into the torn paper. The snowflakes and the snowman have tiny stick on jewels adhered to each. Stop on over to Joan's to see the other challenge cards at:

http://www.atjoansgardens.com/


  Till next time....
PH
                                                                           

Joan's Garden Fall Challenge

It doesn't feel like the end of summer, especially with this heat. The walnuts are falling as fast as the leaves. I love fall but I live for the summer months. Today's card is to be a fall theme, have a tree on the card, have some polka dots and also some grass. These challenges are really fun. And, here's my card.

The background Polka Dot is from IO. They have lots of neat Cover-A-Card backgrounds. Everything else is either punches or dies.
See you next week.
PH
                                                                    

Joan's Garden Lattice Frame Challenge

Another week and another challenge. This weeks challenge is to include a lattice frame, a bird, some flowers and a vertical greeting. I used a frame die and then added the strips of cardstock. I got a little glue or something on the frame and ended up rubbing some Blue dye ink over it. Otherwise, I may have left it white...These challenges are fun-they get you digging for all kinds of things you normally wouldn't use. So, here's the card.

See you next week.
PH
                                              

Joan's Garden White Challenge

Today's card is for another challenge at Joan's Garden. They have fun challenges. This week the card has to be a Christmas theme, all white, have something of nature in it (like a bird or a deer) and have some glitter. I'm not much of a glitter freak so I had to go buy some! I really do need some sparkle in my life! I used dies, punches and folders to make my card-no stamping! And, here it is.

Hope to see you next week!
PH
                                                                       

                                                                

                                                                        
                                                                                
                                                                     

I have not posted on my blog for soooo long! Today's card is for a challenge at Joan's Garden. Check out her site-it has lots of neat stuff, especially the Memory Box which I am so totally in love with. Ever find a product you like and can't decide what to order? That's how I feel about these products. So, her challenge is to use the colors purple and green, make it a Thank You card, have some music and finally have a bird on the card. And, here it is!

I used all IO stamps and for the ink I used Tim Holtz Distress inks and also Black dye ink. I hope to post again soon.

PH

Bon Anniversaire!

Hello and happy Saturday.  Today's card is called "Bon Anniversaire". It is of course an anniversary card. I used two stamp sets to make this card. You can find all these products and the Spectrum Noir markers that I used at Crafter"s Companion site.

Don't forget about our last week of Giveaways. Scroll down to sign up for this last chance. Be sure and check out the other designer's too.

Paula Huiras

                                                                   

Patchwork Polly's

Hi and happy Saturday. This Saturday is another free week and we can choose what we would like to create. These stamps are so fun and just adorable for a little girl. You can find these stamps and other products on Crafter's Companion site. Scroll down to view each card.

All three cards have the same color theme.

Each of the stamps were stamped in black ink.

                                                                   

They were then colored with the Spectrum Noir Markers.

Two of the cards use the same stamps and are just designed a little bit different.

Hope you enjoyed the cards and stop by next Saturday. 

Don't forget about our giveaways! Scroll down to sign up for this weeks. Check out the other designer's too.

Paula Huiras

                                                                          

Dad's Day Card and Bookmark

Hello. Happy Saturday and today I have another Dads day card and bookmark. These stamps and other products can be found on Crafter's Companion site.

All images are stamped on white card stock using black dye ink.\\

 I colored the owls and the edges of the compass with Spectrum Noir markers.

I added white feathers underneath the owls.

                                                                 The shirts/coats are also colored with the markers. Three gold brads were added to the left. I also added some black yarn to the top of the bookmark protector.
Hope you enjoyed this project and stop by next saturday. Be sure to leave a coment on my blog for the give aways and check out the other designer's blogs too!

Paula Huiras

Some Birdie Told Me

Hello and happy Saturday. Today's card is called "Some Birdie Told Me". Some birdie told me Happy Birthday or you decide... These new stamps are from SWALK and can be found on Crafter's Companion site. Bleow I'll tell you a little bit on how I put this card together.

Stamp the image onto white card stock using black dye ink and color with Spectrum Noir Markers. Mount the image on to a white die cut that has a ribbon layered across it and the ends taped to the back.  I  layered this to a light blue card that has been put through a heart die. This die is meant for a tree and I put the white die onto it sideways. I layered a smaller yellow card underneath so you see yellow hearts. Place two stick-on jewels at two opposite ends as shown.  The blue card was mounted to a patterned polka dotted paper and then layered to another patterned paper. All were then layered to another yellow card. Then, I layered all layers to a folded white card. Lots of layers and lots of fun! Check out the other designer's cards and stop by next Saturday.

Be sure to leave a comment on my blog this week (ending on May 8th, 2012) for a chance to win an Ultimate Tool from Crafter"s Companion and me. 

                                                                    
                                                              


Be sure to check out Crafter's Companion Informational Blog and the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog for more giveaways in May!

Paula Huiras









                                                                      

Swinging By

Hello and happy Saturday and today's card is called "Swinging By" and it's from the Humphrey Collection.
She was fun to color. You can find her and other neat products at Crafter's Companion site. Below I'll tell you how I made the card.

Stamp image and saying onto white card stock using black dye ink. Color with the Spectrum Noir Markers shown below.

                                                                              
                                                 I added a dye cut white oval, a decorative corner punch at two opposite corners and also two buttons in different colored blues to opposite corners.
Hope you enjoyed the card and stop by next Saturday.

Paula Huiras

Blog Hop Winner for my Blog

Hello everyone and I want to let everyone know that C. Elizabeth Ortiz from Topeka, Ks. was the winner on my blog. Congratulations and have fun with your new winnings! Go to the CC site for the grand prize winner.
Paula Huiras

Valuable Time

Hello and happy Saturday. Today I have a card for you called "Valuable Time". It's a Father's Day card.
Scroll down to see all the pictures.You can find these images and other great products  by going to Crafter's Companion site.

                                                                        

                                                                                    

                                                                      

      
All the images were stamped onto white card stock using Black dye ink. The two compass pieces were layered to a die cuts Quinn Flourish. Brads were added to the compass pieces and a clock hand with a larger brad were added to Valuable Time. The vanilla strip on the right side was put through a script folder.  A woven ribbon was added under the background wording which was stamped twice side by side.
Hope you enjoyed the pictures and stop by next Saturday. Be sure and check out the other designer cards.

Paula Huiras                                                                             

Blog Hop Card

Welcome to the Crafter's Companion Scavenger Hunt Blog Hop!  Thanks for hopping by today. Before we get started  I want to share the project I made today. It is a fun little bridge scene from Art-Kure. It's called Clapper Bridge. Below I'll tell you how I put it together.

I stamped the image onto white card stock using black dye ink.

                                                               

I then used light colored Spectrum Noir markers and the larger chisel end to draw lines across the image. After coloring with the markers I put the image through an oval die. Then it was mounted to another larger scalloped oval die in white. Set aside this image.

I prepared a light gray card by using a decorative corner punch at two opposite corners. I put a gold brad at each end. This gray card was layered to a larger deckle cut white card.  At this point you could layer the main image to the gray card along with a die cut gray pine tree.

I then put a light teal card through a distressed square folder. This card was layered to a darker gray card. You can now mount your main image to these pieces. Hope you enjoyed the card. And, now on to the Hop!

There are 12 design team members and each of us have a question that will give you clues to12

different items that you can find in the Crafter's Comapnion Store. So, your goal is to hop around to all 12 questions and then hop over to the Crafter's Companion Store to find the answers. After you have found the answers you will then put them in an e-mail to mailto:bindy@crafter%27scompanion.com . That way Bindy can find your entry. If you do that and follow the other requirements which I will tell you in a minute you will be entered into the Grand Prize which is the entire Peter the Rabbit Collection of Stamp Sets!!! This will add up to 9 (!) awesome stamp sets!

Along the way each designer will have a project to inspire you and also the possibility to win on their individual blogs too!

 Each designer is giving away a Cute Companions-Romance stamp set, two embossing powders (one white and one blush rose) and one sheet of EZ mount foam!

 This blog hop will run from Friday, April 20th at midnight pst and end at midnight pst on Sunday April 22nd. Winners will be announced on the Crafter's Companion Information blog on Tuesday April 24th.

Here are the requirements to win:

To be entered to win on my personal blog:

1. You will need to be a follower of me And Crafter's Companion Informational Blog.

2. And you must leave me a comment letting me know you stopped by to hop along.

To win the Grand Prize:

1. You must leave a comment on Each Design Team members blog.

2. You must find the answers to the scavenger hunt questions in the CC store and mail them to mailto:bindy@crafter%27scompanion.com

 with the subject line: CC Blog Hop. Ready to get started??? Here is my question

WHAT CROAKS, HAS A BUDDY AND DOES FUN THINGS?

Next, go to: 

Marge - http://www.cacklincrafter.blogspot.com/

 

If you get lost along the way, here are all the team members:

1. Stacy - http://scrapwithstacy.blogspot.com/
2. Dawn L - http://www.dawnscraft.com/
3. Jen J - http://jljdesignscraftingblog.blogspot.com/
4. Dawn B - http://dipndotscreations.blogspot.com/
5. Tracy - http://tracysstampingcorner.blogspot.com/
6. Carolyn - http://mspetuniascrafts.blogspot.com/
7. Trena - http://trenastampinhq.blogspot.com/ 
8. Kathy - http://www.kathysdouble-k-krafts.blogspot.com/
9. Lisa - http://kycrafter.blogspot.com/
10. Steph - http://blog.artycarty.com/
11. Paula - http://phcountrycreations.blogspot.com/ (you are here)
12. Marge - http://www.cacklincrafter.blogspot.com/(go here next)
13. Make sure you are following the Crafter's Companion Blog - http://crafterscompanion.blogspot.com/

Have a fun hunt!

Paula Huiras 

                                                                    

Gather the Rose of Love

Hello and happy Saturday. Today is a free week for us so I chose an older image from the Stamp It collection. You'll find this image and other great products at Crafter's Companion site. Below I'll tell you a little bit on how I made the card.

                The image was stamped in black dye ink, trimmed and then rubbed with Distress Ink Antique Linen. It gives it an aged look. I layered it to two patterned papers and inserted a brad. I also used the stitch punch at three sides of one of the patterned papers and also on the brown strip. A couple of dies were used to cut out a scalloped border and the small ribbon to the right. More brads were added to the woven ribbon also.
Hope you enjoyed this image. It would make a nice Mother's Day card or even a Birthday card.
Stop by next Saturday when we get into making Father's Day cards. Be sure to check out the other designer's cards.

Paula Huiras                                                               

Flowers Galore

Hello and happy Monday. Today I have some flower cards for you. They are a new set of stamps from Art Cure found at Crafter's companion. These cards were really fun to make and below I will tell you how I inked them.

                                                                                 

                                                                     

                                                                             
              Start by stamping each image with Black dye ink and then trimming the card. Next use a sheet of acrylic or a sheet of glass will work too. I've even used a large acrylic block. I put down the ink in rows of colors.

Press the stamped card onto the inked surface. Lift up and then lay down again in a different direction. Keep repeating until you are satisfied with the results. You may also have to reink.

Card #1 uses Distress Inks-Spiced Marlmalade, Mustard Seed and Shabby Shutters.
Card #2 uses Distress Inks- Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet and Milled Lavender.
Card #3 uses Distress Inks- Scattered Straw, Bundled Sage and Dried Marigold.

I hope you enjoyed this process. I really like to try out new ways to color. Be sure and check out the other designer's cards.
Paula Huiras