Friday, November 9, 2012

WHISTLE STOP CRAFT FAIR

Visit Britten and I at the Whistle Stop Craft Fair! Support Local Crafters!


Whistle Stop Craft Show

9:00 am until 3:00 pm

 

Sat, Nov 10, 2012 

Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, 604 N. Valrico Road, Valrico, FL 33594 Google-map-icon-small


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Next All Day Saturday Crop will be Sat. Nov. 17th.

Upcoming for CTMH: Monogram Card Workshop to be announced!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Winner!

Congratulations to Brittany L. for winning my Mystery Hostess drawing on Saturday! Brittany was able to choose $40.00 in FREE product from the CTMH Catalog! Congrats again Brittany!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

CTMH Workshop

There are only a few days left to sign up for my CTMH Mystery Hostess Workshop!
Don't miss out, see post below for all the details!
Thanks,
Darlene

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Exciting News

I can't wait any longer to tell you my exciting news.. I have rejoined my team at Close To My Heart to become an Independent Consultant again. For those of you who don't know, for 7 years I was a CTMH consultant. I joined when I lived in Spain and continued when I moved back to the states. With my youngest daughter's schedule and working full time I painfully decided that I could not continue being the CTMH consultant anymore. Fast forward a few years.. the company I worked for went under and I once again found myself doing what I love most.. crafting and papercrafting..
I was given an opportunity to resign up under my old upline and I didn't think twice! CTMH has continued to come out with fabulous products and has partnered with Provo Craft to produce Cricut Cartridges!
I love my Cricut machine and to be able to make cards, scrapbook layouts and home decor projects combined with my stamps is icing on the cake!
If you would like to view the catalog online or interested in ordering, click on the Close To My Heart link on my page and it will bring you to my website. Also, if you are interested in being a part of my team, send me a message!
I look forward to my new adventures with CTMH in my new Studio!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Exciting News Coming!

WOW.. it seems like so much has happened over the summer months it will be hard to get them all in.. but I will focus on the most important ones..We moved as you may know into a larger home. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to sell our house in 5 days.. yup.. in just 5 days we sold our home we lived in for the past 9 years. Although it was hard to say goodbye to the neighbors and the house, we quickly found a new house just up the street and like a flash, we packed up and moved in. There has been so many projects, and we are not done yet, but it is coming along and hope to be able to have our much awaited open house in Sept (when it cools down). The new house has an awesome view of the golf course with an endless supply of golf balls (hit into our yard and lost in our St. Augustine grass!) A spectacular open floor kitchen that I love and can't wait to entertain in, and of course the new STUDIO! The room is absolutely my dream room, and I have already hosted a crop here last Saturday and it worked out great! I look forward to hosting many more!
See post below for pictures!

With the house almost complete and school getting ready to resume means one thing.. More time to craft!
I am looking forward to a new business adventure that I was part of in the past, and have decided to do  again. (that will be another announcement later this week!)
My good friend has also taken on a new business adventure and together, we hope to attend some local craft fairs this fall to highlight our talents. So be on the look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by.. don't forget to stop by later this week for BIG BIG Announcements!!!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Finished Studio Pictures

View of New Studio

Right side / Cricut machines

Center

Left side

OK, I promise these are the last pictures I will post of the new Studio! But I was finally able to hang things up and it makes a difference in the room. Some people asked me about the organizational things I used, so here goes!!
In the first picture you will see an overal view of the room from about where my desk is in the room (desk area not pictured)
There are 6 chairs setted around the 4 tables. I have more area for tables if more ladies from my scrappin' group come over! Second pic shows the right side of the room after my desk.. I have small tools ie. sticker maker/ cords for all machines/ DMC floss/ tiny ribbon bobbins/ Stickles/ and large punches (for now )
The 2 chairs are in front of the Cricut stations/ tables are IKEA/ Chairs from American Signature.
Three tier ribbon holder I got at Kirklands Home for cheap / in the white plastic drawers are misc supplies ie. chipboard mini books etc.
Above that are containers purchase at Michaels with large accessories in them ie chipboard letters etc. The containers are on IKEA shelving.
Center area is full of great stuff! Ribbon, accessories, flowers more ribbon (yes, I have alot of ribbon!) idea books, catalogs etc. On the wall are scissors and bling on a roll/ some punches
etc. I may be putting curtain rods up to hold punches to keep them all in the same area at a later time.
 Left side houses alot of items as well.. I have CTMH stamps, Stampin Up! stamps, along with many purchased stamps from misc stores. I love my stamps! The entire shelf on the right has stamp sets and individual stamps in the containers on the bottom shelves of both left and right cabinets. They are all categorized according to theme.
The left white cabinet has stamps from the bottom shelf up to the white boxes. The white boxes have cards I have made and also accessories in them  (but they will soon have another home!) above that is a shelf for made items.. from misc home parties.
Above that, of course are my Cricut Carts.. that are continuously added to everytime Joanns or Michaels has a sale! ! Shhhhh
The White metal shelving unit has my many photo boxes and paper paper paper.. Stickers are in the black and turq boxes on the left and right 3rd shelf from bottom... then we have other tools and scrapbook albums.
To the left of that is a silver metal shelving unit with misc crafting supplies, ie flowers, picture frames, acrylic paints, beads etc. I will soon have a sewing station next to my tv cabinet (not pictured) and another cabinet as soon as I paint it! LOL.
I have a mini table in the corner for my Sizzix machine and paper is pretty much where ever I could put it.. I hope to one day have a shelving unit just for paper.. one day!
Well. I have rambled .. I hope you have enjoyed the tour... if there are any specific sections you would want a closer look at, please don't hesitate to ask!
If you're ever in south  Florida and want to crop.. Look me up!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

New Studio!

I have been crafting since well, let's just say a very long time. One thing I have always wanted was a room of my very own- to have space to not only work, but to spread things out so that I could see what I actually had as far as supplies. I would have stuff in the garage and in my scrap room (10x10) and in closets etc. There is nothing more frustrating than having something you know you have and you can't find it! Well, those days are over. I now have the ultimate room, that I have decided to call my STUDIO! The room is located upstairs in our new home in Riverview, FL. It is 20x22 in size with 2 windows which brings in a lot of light! I hope to paint it white soon, but I have a kermit the frog green bathroom to paint over first!
I now have a permenant work station area for my Cricut machines, my Cuttlebug and sewing machine. My stamps - ALL my stamps are in the same location which makes them easier to find. And my misc items have a home as does my ribbon and accessories. I still have to hang some shelving up along with my Michaels shelf that holds lots of glass stuff, so waiting for hubby to do that! When those things are up and on the wall, I will take close up pictures of each work area for you to see! There is no glamour here, just so you know. I decided to keep it basic. I wanted to keep it functional vs cute. I will be hosting crops here and I didn't want a bunch of fluff in the way when my croppin' ladies come over.
Check back at later dates to see the completed room. I will be posting pictures after our first crop in August as well!
 NABS ladies.. I can't wait!!!

(NABS is our Florida Croppin' Group)

Saturday, July 21, 2012

USTREAM

WOW.. what fun that was!!! If you missed it.. Megan Elizabeth and Britten Linn were live tonight in WI talking about CHA. They showed a bunch of new products and were very entertaining due to lack of sleep I think! 
If you haven't gotten your CROPPED Mystery box yet, go sign up for it now at aboverubbies.com.
And if you are interested in being at the crop and meeting Megan, Brit and surprise guests, don't delay!

Check back tomorrow for updated photos of my new STUDIO..
My new room is 20X22 in size and is totally for papercrafting and other crafts!

Thanks for visiting my site and look forward to seeing you again!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Sneak Peek!

Ikea Expedit shelving with Michael's shelf ontop.

Tables

Ikea Billy Bookcases with my Stamps and Cricut Carts


Here is a Sneak Peek at the new Studio.. Lots still to get done..but it's coming along~

Sunday, July 1, 2012

We are moved into our new home. It has been a lot of work, but I know it is all worth it!
I am currently working on getting the house set up. Once that is done, I will be able to dedicate all my time to my new STUDIO! I will post pics throughout the process. Any suggestions on what I should include, speak now!
Can't wait to have my Scrappin' ladies over for our first CROP! See you soon!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

MOVING

We are moving!!! We have sold our house and are in the process of purchasing another that has a bonus room that will be my new STUDIO|!||! I can not wait! I will post before and after pictures as soon as we sign on the house|!
I look forward to creating awesome projects for you to see!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Petite Purse

This cute petite purse diecut is from Stampin UP! It was SO much fun to play with and I look forward to playing with it again! I used it at one of our All Day Saturday Crops that our NABS group hosts. Thank you Ruby for letting me borrow it! I think you should bring it again to our next crop!!!!


Welcome to the Neighborhood

We have new neighbors and I wanted to welcome them into the neighborhood right.. So I came up with this idea. The pot was purchased from Wal-Mart for under $1.00 I had the wide width pink ribbon and just simply tied a bow around the top of the pot. I had the flower already cut out for another project and didn't use it, so I thought it would be perfect! I stamped "Hello" and "Welcome"  from different  CTMH stamp sets.The leaves are punched ovals folded in half then cut at an angle and inked. The Welcome was glued onto a tongue depresser stick. Hope they feel welcomed!


Friday, May 11, 2012

High School Graduation Card
I took the same concept from  the College Card I made and made a High School Grad card with a music twist to it. Enjoy! And Happy Graduation to all!!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Graduation Card take 2

Here is the same card, I just had to add some BLING to it!

Graduation Card

This is a simple card I made for my niece who graduates this weekend. I used the Cricut classic font, Art Phil cart and some Sandylion Essential graduation stickers

Happy Birthday

My husband just had a birthday and this was the card I made for him.. It was inspired by a card  made by Britten over at http://www.twoatatimedesign.com/ 
We decided to get him a fish tank and all the bells and whistles that go with it, so this design was perfect!

Just Married Card

Sneek Peek at the May Kit paper and accessories available thru aboverubiesstudio.com

Anniversary Frame

Hello there.. Happy Tuesday... Don't forget to go to Aboverubiesstudio.com and check out the new classes added to the site. This months feature projects are done with a Black and White theme. My project is one of the first featured! It is an Anniversary Frame. Check it out and tell me what you think!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

My Studio



Several friends have posted their crafting space on their blog, so I thought it was my turn. This is my studio for now. We have listed our house to sell, and hope to find a house with a loft or larger studio space. Yes ladies, my husband is willing to buy a larger house so that I can have a larger work space! Yeah me!
Here is the door into my studio and the closet door. The space was small inbetween, so I came up with these Wal-mart inexpensive cabinets that you put together for this space. I purchased baskets from numerous stores. They store my ribbons, small tools, sizzix diecuts and such.


This is the closet. The first shelve houses some of my paper and magazines. The second shelf  is stamps and stamp pads and it goes 2 deep with totes filled with wood stamps!
The blue boxes (23 to be exact) house photos. The bottom shelf has more wooden stamps and even more wooden stamps.. LOL



This is the actual room. The work table is in front of the window which I love the natural light that comes in. The black shelves house my CTMH acrylic stamps, my Cricut cartridges. ribbon and more. I have a total of 5 of those white cabinets on wheels that store tons of stuff!  More paper and projects in the works are to the right of the work table.. and to the left on the floor of my cute Cricut machine is 2 bins of stickers. I will take closer pictures if anyone wants to see anything up close.
I store my stickers in these sleeves from Michael's. I have them seperated by category. It makes it quick and easy when looking for something!
I have several ways I store ribbon due to size differences. In front of my acrylic stamps are little totes that hold your typical ribbon size. I have a total of 4 of them, and wish I could find them again, but Wal-mart stopped carrying them.

I love my little tins. This idea came from my good friend Britten over at "Two at a Time"
She showed me a quick and easy way to keep necessary items close at hand. I haven't painted my lazy suzy yet or glued down the tins, but I will! I also had some extra tins that I cut vinyl and decorated them that way in previous picture. Thanks for stopping by, come back often!


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

April Kit

I love the new April Kit from Club Ruby! I have made several wonderful projects. They will have classes that you can sign up for and learn how I  made them! So take a moment to check them out!
Also, they have lots of past month's kits available.. so check that out while you are there!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Club Ruby Kit Arrived!

Hello everyone! I know it seems like forever since I have posted on here, but I have been very busy. I have received my APRIL CLUB RUBY DESIGN KIT and am super excited to start working on it.. I will post after April 1st some of my creations.. I will get hot and post some of my other creations from the Feb. CRD kit!
Check back.. and tell a friend~

Sunday, January 29, 2012

NEW Megan Elizabeth Products introduced at CHA!

I just got a sneak peek at the new product line Megan Elizabeth (ME) is displaying at CHA.
They previewed  "Edgers" which are  mini ink pads and Chipboard Alphabet Stickers that MATCH the line of Paper layerz paper from ME! They also gave us a tiny peek at what looks like matching GLITTER! Who doesn't like BLING!  Stay tuned for the latest updates from CHA!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Smash Book

My new Smash Book

You can write or doodle in it.. add pictures or samples to the pages etc. I am using mine for my Megan Elizabeth Design Team Ideas and Projects for this year. You can use it as a journal or anything you want!
What will you do with yours?

CHA

I am so excited to hear about this years CHA (Craft & Hobby Assoc.) from Megan, Britten and Cindy over at Above Rubies Studios. They are working  the event in California starting tomorrow.  All your favorite designers will be there showcasing the latest trend in Papercrafting. This five day event is sure to be better than ever with vendors from all over including Glue Arts and World Win featuring the Megan Elizabeth line of glue and Paper layerz paper. Keep checking back for updates !

Thursday, January 26, 2012

SMASH BOOK

I have recently purchased a SMASH BOOK and can't wait to use it.. If you don't know what a SMASH book is, visit Above Rubies Studio and view a tutorial that Megan Elizabeth did explaning it. She has inspired me to use one this year to document all the projects that I make and ideas I come up with for her monthly KITS. I can't wait to start doodling and drawing in it! Thanks Megan for the inspiration!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Live Stream From Megan Elizabeth at Above Rubies Studio

Did you get the chance to log into the Live Stream broadcast over at aboverubiesstudio.com?
If you missed it, you can still go back and watch a taped version of it! If you didn't see it, let me give you a few hints on what you missed. She announced that besides herself,  Britten and Cindy will be attending the CHA (Craft and Hobby Assoc.) in California the end of  this month, where Megan will be featuring some of her NEW product lines. Glue arts and Paper Layerz by Megan Elizabeth will also be featured. Look in the upcoming months for new and exciting things to come out of Club Ruby/Above Rubies Studio. She also featured some other products from a variety of companies like the SMASH book and has invited everyone to join her in making one throughout the coming year. She has suggested making a goal page of 5 items that you would like to accomplish this year. Should be alot of fun!
As for me, I have received my new FEBRUARY kit and will posting pictures as soon as I am allowed to show them here on my blog. I am excited to have this opportunity and look forward to designing along side of some very talented designers. It is a dream come true and I can't wait to share it all with you!
Check back and see what else is happening soon!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

The wait is over!

I am so excited to announce some great news!
It is such an honor to be accepted to be the newest member of the Club Ruby Design Team! I have to thank my good friend and scrappin' buddy Britten, who has encouraged me, believed in me  and recommmened me to this position. I have to give a big thank you to Megan at Club Ruby for accepting me into her wonderful group of talented team members. I can only hope to be as creative and crafty as they are!
I look forward to being all that I can be in the world of Papercrafting!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Holidays are over.. but....

The holidays are over and another year has passed by so quickly I can barely remember it... So I decided to try to reflect on the past year ~
My daughter kicked off the New Year with a tournament and a banquet where she accepted KICK's Regional Championship for Sparring... This year in Jan. she will accept not only the Triple Crown Regional Championship, but a Triple Crown NATIONAL Championship.. Triple Crown in both divisions..WOW.. she has worked so hard for this accomplishment and we are so very proud of her. My oldest daughter has moved out on her own and has just celebrated a year at a new job, that she loves.
As for my husband and I, we celebrated in March 28 years of marriage. Can I say WOW again! I am truly blessed to have a husband that does not complain about my hobbies! In April for his 50th birthday, I surprised him with a trip to San Francisco, a place he has always wanted to go. We had a great time, I look forward to scrappin' those pictures!
I am still working on my garage trying to get it cleaned out so that I can create a "STUDIO" for us ladies to scrap and craft in. My vision to have it done by Oct. came and went. If I had a New Year's resolution, it would be to get that done .. but I know it will come in time.. and I will post pictures when it is complete!
Well..  Happy New Year.. I look forward to seeing friends and getting together with my scrappin' gals..
Great things are coming.... Can't wait to share them with you..