Vintage Vacation with TLC Blog Hop

Hello, and welcome to the Vintage Vacation with TLC Blog Hop!

It's summertime, and what fun it is to take a vacation with our family or friends!

      The TLC owner, Paulette, has given us all some fun vintage digi images to create with today.

Here's what I created:

This first photo shows 5" x 7" card, ready to slide into envelope.

Here's another view, of the easel card opened, and ready to display...

One more view - a close up of the uber-fun image!

This fun image reminds me of my childhood. We all crawled into the car, totally filled it with suitcases, food, and family, and drove willy-nilly to someplace new, sometimes exciting, sometimes

not so much!  We had very few vacations, so it was always a treat to get away.

Paulette is SO generous!  I've added this image below, and it's free as a way of
saying thanks for hopping with us!

Each stop along the hop will be using and giving away a different image!
Be sure to leave some nice comments for the team - they've worked hard to bring you a fun hop,
full of free images!

SO....

Now it's time to hop...  hopefully, you arrived here from Jen's blog.

Your next stop on the hop is Shelly's blog - she's got a great project to share with you!

The entire hop order is listed below.  If you get lost along the way, you can

go to the Create with TLC blog, and see what you've missed.

Deanne  .........  http://littlebitopaper.blogspot.com/

Desire  .......... http://desiref.blogspot.com/

Hetty  ..........  http://craftchaos.blogspot.com/

Karen ..........  http://busyinspirations.blogspot.com/

Lisa D...........http://decossesdynamitedoodles.blogspot.com/

Lisa Lynn  .........  http://lisalynncard.blogspot.com/

Lynne ..........  http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Rhonda Sue  ........... http://craftymumzcreations.blogspot.com/

Edwina .........  http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/

Faith ............  http://daffodil-faitha.blogspot.com/

Jen ...............  http://jencraftsa.blogspot.com/

Patti ...........  http://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/

Shelly .........  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Create with TLC Blog.............http://createwithtlc-createwithtlc.blogspot.com/

Thanks for dropping by today!

Patti J.

Product Review....Perfect Layer Tools!

Hello!  I'm here to review a new product today! 

For years, I have struggled with one paper cutter after another, trying to find one that cuts truly straight lines.  I love to use layers of beautiful cardstock on my cards, but couldn't seem to get them just right.  Then I tried Perfect Layers Tools.  How exciting!  Each side of the tool has a small lip, or edge on it, and each of those edges is a different measurement - 1/16", 3/16", 5/16", 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 5/8", 3/4", and 1".  These fabulous tools are clear, so you can see through them.  Whenever you are ready to layer, you don't even have to measure - just put the edge up to your cardstock and cut!

I cut a rectangle from red cardstock, and adhered it to a large scrap of white.  I trimmed the white cs, using the 3/16" edge.  The red and white pieces were then adhered to a scrap of blue, which was trimmed using the 5/16" edge.  The purple, and final mat was trimmed using the 1" edge.  Voila!  As you can see, I tried cutting with both a Wal-Mart X-acto knife, and a very nice Fiskar's rotary cutter. Both worked beautifully. A nice clean cut, every time!  And SO easy to take along to crops and workshops!

Now, let me show you these tools used on real projects.  Create with TLC offered this sentiment as a free digi over the weekend.  I though it was a perfect fit for this Rubbernecker image, "Ethel Leotard".  So, I printed up and colored a few, and experimented with them!

Both cards shown above feature the 3/16" tool.

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Sunday CAS "Anything Goes" Challenge.

Green card features 1/8" and Purple card features 1/16" tool.

Phoebe, from yesterday's post is matted using the 1/4" tool.

You can check out THIS LINK to view a video, and to purchase your own Perfect Layers Tools! Be sure to use the promo code gilliam5% at checkout to save 5% on your purchase! 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section. or email me directly!  Please remember to use the code above if you purchase - it will save you some money, and I'll get an itty bitty credit too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful week - take care!

Patti J.

A friend sharpens a friend...

The challenge this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is inspired by Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. We were also asked to add metal to our projects.

As soon as I saw their challenge this morning, I thought of this totally cute digi image from Create with TLC. The sentiment is computer generated onto the page with the digi image. The image is printed on patterned papers, and the girl and her 'friend' are paper pieced. The inside is stamped with "Just really glad you're my friend".

What a fun challenge, a fun image, and a scripture that we should all be more attuned to!

Hugs and smiles, my friends!!!

Patti J.

'Paulette's Day Off' Blog Hop!

Welcome to 'Paulette's Day Off' Blog Hop!

Paulette, the owner of Create with TLC, is known for her talent and endless generosity. As a way of saying thanks, some of Paulette's faithful followers are going to repay her by giving her the day off!

Here's how it works:

Normally, you would hop over to Paulette's blog to collect all of today's awesome freebies. However...this time you will be hopping to the following blogs to collect "the goodies"!

Cheryl

Jeri

Marlene
Patricia

Candy

Patti (Me!)

All of today's freebies actually make up a set, found in Create with TLC's fabulous store!

My freebie for the day is pictured below.

Just right click on the image and save it to your files! Easy peasy!

Please visit Paulette's blog, Create with TLC, and leave her some love!!!

Have a great weekend!

Patti J.

Details for my card, shown above:

Image and sentiment, Create with TLC

Cardstock: DCWV

Colored with Chalk Inks & a Tombow Blender Pen

Pearls: Kaiser Crafts

Ribbon: Michael's

Love my coffee....I'm just sayin'

I love my morning coffee.

Really I do! So when I got back to town this week and saw the delightful freebies that Paulette had up on the Create with TLC blog, I simply had no choice but to snag them!

There are days that instant really would be too slow... I like my Bunn, you pour through the top, and almost immediately, you stick your straw into the carafe on the bottom...JUST KIDDING!

I interrupt this regularly scheduled program to wish my best stampin' friend ever, a very Happy Birthday!!! Shirley, I don't know why I was so lucky to have you come into my life, but I love and appreciate you every day!!!

If YOU would like to wish Shirley a Happy Birthday, hop over to her blog, Glittered Paws, and give her some love!!!

Anyway, my card today was just a quick, fun few minutes of relaxation. It features both an image and sentiment from Create with TLC. The DP is Stampin' Up. Coloring is Tombow markers. The chair seat, I cut from a scrap of the ribbon on the card.

And here's the inside...

Hope it makes you smile a bit. I'm sure that more than one of you can relate to the sentiment! In fact, I'm guessing that I'm keepin' pretty good company in that respect!!! You know who you are!



If you haven't been over to Create with TLC lately, hurry over and check it out! You can be a part of an upcoming blog hop! What could be more fun than hopping with ME??? lol...don't answer that, I cry easily!



Have a great evening, and a blessed day tomorrow. We are going to help DD with some household things at her place, so I may be MIA in blogland.



Hugs!

Patti J.

Butterfly

This card was made for the Flutter By Wednesday challenge. The challenge this week was an open challenge - anything goes as long as the card included a butterfly, fairy, or angel. Well, just lookie at what image Paulette at Create with TLC, decided to so generously give away this week! As soon as I saw it, I thought FLUTTER BY!!!

How did I do it? Well, I first printed and heat set the image and sentiment. Next was coloring with my colored pencils and loms. After the coloring was completely done, I scored diagonal lines only up to and around the image parts, leaving the image flat. I went back over the score lines using the large end of my scoring tool to get very deep and wide lines. Note: I didn't try to make my lines even, preferring some a bit narrower, and some a bit wider... Next, I distressed with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, using the direct to paper method until it looked shabby and old. Last, I covered the entire image with Versamark and Clear UTEE, and heat embossed.

I will enter this card here:

Flutter By Wednesday: Open challenge (use butterfly, angel, or fairy)

Mami Doodles: Anything goes

Creative Inspirations: Anything goes

Paper Play Challenges: Anything goes

Hope you like it! It looks like another dreary, threat of rain, kind of day here in Missouri! A good day to stay in and craft!

A Little Stinker...

Ain't I a Stinker? How cute is that!

This sentiment is one of Paulette's digi's over at Create with TLC.

When it popped up on her blog the other day, all I could think of was this darling skunk from The Angel Company.

The raindrops and umbrella were covered with a thin layer of Glossy Accents, and all coloring was done with Tombow Markers. The DP is from TAC.

Be sure to check out Paulette's store! It's full of treasures!

Have a great evening (or morning, depending on where you are!)...

Hugs and Smiles,

Patti J.

Flutter by Wednesday on Thursday...

Yesterday's challenge at Flutterby Wednesday was that

we could make whatever we desired, as long as it contained a butterfly, angel, or fairy, and included at least three layers.

This card features some more of Paulette's amazing work over at Create with TLC.

The lion, and the sentiment were both freebies on her site.

If you haven't checked out her website, hurry over and do so!

All coloring was done with my colored pencils and loms. Butterfly punch is Martha Stewart. CS is Bazzill.

Thanks a kajil"lion" for stopping by! Hope to see you tomorrow :)

Patti J.

Food for thought:

Why do people recite at a play, and play at a recital?

Ship by truck, and send cargo by ship?

Park in a driveway and drive on a parkway?

Have noses that run, and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the language in which your house can burn up as it burns down,

you fill in a form by filling it out,

and in which an alarm goes off by going on!

Sweetie Pie...

These are the favors I made for the little guy having a 1st birthday. His party was today! His momma filled the bags with M & M's and Animal Crackers. It was a fun day!

Now...we interrupt Show and Tell to bring you Official Business!!!!!

Good morning!

It's Monday, and time for Challenge #3 at Iris. The challenge this week was 'no patterned paper'. I used some of Paulette's fabulous free digi's at Create with TLC, and this is what I came up with.

I wanted this to have an older feel, so I cut it into small pieces, inked around them all with Old Linen Tim Holtz Distress Ink, and then inked over the entire image when colored (pencils and LOMS).

Have a great week! Hugs -Patti J.

Food for thought:

Why are boxing rings square???

Home of the Brave...

Today, I have a card made with one of Paulette's Create with TLC images.



It is a very simple, one layer card. I printed the image directly onto Kraft stock, did a little coloring with my colored pencils (sorry folks, no Copics), tied a piece of ribbon around it, and matted it onto red cardstock.



For an added touch, I have some of these little rusted stars that I adhered to the ribbon. Voila!!!


Gosh, don't you just get all warm and fuzzy when you make an easy peasy card that looks like it took all day??? lol...Paulette, you rock!

I am going to enter this here:

ABC Toys and Crafts: Red, White and Blue

Pixie Dust Challenge: Red, White and Blue

On a personal and quite serious note, I am starting on a journey, and am hoping that you will follow along with me, and encourage me along the way. Tonight, I am signing up for Weight Watchers. It's long overdue, and my DD reminded me the other night that she wants to keep me around for a while. So...after each weigh in, I will report to you. My goal is to lose 70 pounds. I would love to lose 90, but at this point in my life, it's probably not feasible. I would love it if you would help keep me motivated. If I report a loss, celebrate with me. If I gain, please encourage me to hang in there and stick with it. Most of all, pray for me to have the strength and willpower to do this. If anyone knows of a widgit I can put on my blog to keep track, please email me!!!

Okay enough blubber stuff.....


Thanks for stopping by today, and hope you like this and run over to Create with TLC and nab yourself one - it was a freebie! While you're there, check out her store - do a little shopping!!!


Hugs!!!
Patti J.

Iris' Challenge

A few weeks ago, a young lady named Iris started her own challenge on her blog. Iris invited me to be a part of her first design team shortly after I was the winner of her first challenge.

Well, here it is - Monday morning, and Iris has posted challenge #2. The challenge theme this week is "Summertime". Perfect theme, don't you think? Be sure to hop over and play in Iris' challenge!

I chose to use this darling Anya, from The Greeting Farm, with her Hollywood shades, and this perfect sentiment from Create with TLC.



I will enter this card here:

Creative Card Crew: Easel card

CCEE Stampers: Summer card (include flowers or floral ribbon)


Thanks so much for stopping by - have a great week!

Patti J.

One Sketch 5 Ways! (Sort of)

Hello, and happy Saturday!

Several weeks ago, I picked up my first copy of Papercrafts Magazine's "Go To Sketches". I haven't used sketches much, except in individual challenges, but after reading this magazine cover to cover, again and again, the "Go-To Girls" - Terri, Maren, Kim H., Kim K., Betsy, and Jessica have changed my mind!

I proceeded to draw up a few sketches, and I find that they simplify things in measures of oodles! One of the sketches that I drew seemed absolutely perfect for a set of digi stamps that Paulette has over at Create with TLC. This set is called "In Sympathy", and has 5 (FIVE!!!) separate images for $2.50. Amazing!!! What a nice gift a set of cards from these images would make! If you haven't been to Create with TLC, hurry over and check out her store and her wonderful freebies.

I will enter this card here:

OOh-la-la-Creations: Flourishes and Pearls

I will enter this card here:

Crafty Creations Challenges: Add shine, glitter, Stickles, etc. (Dots are frosted stickles)

I will enter this card here:

Cas-Tastic Challenges: Blue, Yellow & a Neutral

As all cards have patterned paper, I will enter this blog entry at: Just-add-ink (Just add patterned paper)

Thanks for stopping by! Hope that your weekend is peaceful and relaxing. We are still working on our kitchen and laundry room floors - ugh!

Blessings and hugs!

Patti J.

Ups and Downs

Hello friends!

I hope that you are all enjoying your evening. It's been a good day here. Had a workshop, and got to see some friends I had not seen in a while, Sally and Joan. We crafted, and then went to lunch, which is always fun! When we got to the LSS where the workshop was held, Sally brought me this stunning belated birthday card, and a plate of white chip cookies with Macadamia Nuts from Hawaii!!! Sally's daughter, Kim, lives in Hawaii, and I guess I reaped one of the fringe benefits - yummy!!! They are wonderful! I shared with the class, and I think it's unanimous that everyone wants Sally to know their birthdates!!! lol.... Seriously, if you have not been to Sally or Kim's blogs, you must go. These ladies are blessed with awesome talent!

This card was created for Create with TLC, using a sentiment by Paulette at Create with TLC, and the image is an Elizabeth Bell image. Coloring was done with colored pencils and Tombow markers. Background paper is from the new Basic Grey "Green at Heart" 6 x 6 paper pad. If you haven't checked out the Create with TLC blog, hurry over and do so - you will not be disappointed! Paulette's work is amazing!

I will enter this card in these challenges:

Practical Scrappers: Flowers

Going Grey with Scrap Creations: Open (Use Basic Grey Paper)

Have a great night! We've been up since before 3:30 a.m., and this girl is headed someplace to relax for a bit!

Hugs,

Patti J.

Food for thought:

Mouse Potato: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato!

Take me away....

Wow, can't believe this week is 1/2 over!

I want to apologize for not getting to your blogs the past few days.

Sunday and Monday, I had tilers here working on kitchen and laundry room floors.

Yesterday, I finally went to see about my back and hip pain, and the doc said that I need to stand as much as possible, and that sitting is the worst thing I can do.

Well, guess what I have to do in order to post or blurf?

Yep, I have to sit!

So, this will be short today!

This card is made for Create with TLC, using another of Paulette's fun images, and one of her free sentiments.

Coloring is done with colored pencils and min. spirits.

If you have not been to this blog, stop everything and go check it out!

Paulette is a very talented lady!!!

Don't you just want to be taken away to this beach???

I will also be posting this card here: (thanks Sally McD, as I have not been able to search for challenges this week!)

Just Us Girls: Use digi

Stampin' Moments: Simply sponged

The Shabby Tea Room: Summer Fun Theme

A Spoonful of Sugar: Summer Theme

Tuesday Throwdown: Celebrate Summer

Have a wonderful day!

Patti J.

A Giggle a Day...

For my first DT assignment at Create with TLC, I had the choice of any of Paulette's wonderful digi's.
I found this darling 'giggle' sentiment in one of Paulette's Word Art sets "Grins and Giggles". I thought that it would be perfect with the adorable Freebie she had put up a few days ago! What do you think?

I took the liberty of painting some 'nails', and giving this little cutie patootie some eyelashes. How cute is this image??? The flower centers have the ultra fine Flowersoft "Citrus Crush". I think they turned out looking pretty cute too!



Check out the easel card!

Coloring is done with Prismacolor Pencils and low-odor mineral spirits. Highlights are with Sakura Pink and Green Gelly Roll Pens.

So, dear peeps, if you have not had a chance to check out the awesome digi's at Create with TLC, hop over there and see what Paulette has for you! She is quite generous with free images, and has a store full of wonderful creations!!!

I am also entering this here:

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge: Card with animal, fish, bird, bug, etc.

Stamp Something: Use a digi!

Have a great evening!

Patti J.

Food for thought:

Another church bulletin blooper: Thursday at 5 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All ladies wishing to become Little Mothers will please meet the Minister in his study on Thursday.

(You know you smiled! As a past church secretary, I actually cringe before laughing!!!)

Exciting News!

I have some exciting news to share!

Paulette, from Create with TLC, has asked me to be on her design team for the next three months! Wahoo!!! I can't wait to get started!

If you haven't been to this site yet, you must check it out. Paulette has wonderful digi images and sentiments, and is so generous in offering free digi's! (You can go there directly using the badge on my sidebar!)

Thanks for sharing in my excitement!

I'm off to work in the kitchen. We got the old floor tiles up yesterday, and tonight we will scrape off all of the old grout. I counted three blisters this morning! lol...

Hugs!

Patti J.

The wind...

I made this simple little card for Design Team Call at Create with TLC. I know - it's unwise to made a card at 11:30 p.m., especially for a DT call! lol...There just weren't any more hours in this day! There is no coloring - the kite and stars are entirely paper pieced. The stars are highlighted with dots from a Sakura Glitter Pen.

Both the image and the sentiment are Create with TLC products (freebies, actually!). I am really impressed with the digi's that I have seen there. Paulette also has many free images and sentiments to choose from. If you haven't checked out her site yet, be sure to do so! You won't be disappointed! You can count on seeing more of Paulette's sentiments in the next few days - I think she's created a monster!

Have a great Wednesday! Hopefully, I'll be back later today - hugs!