Imitation and Inspiration

Sunday I was able to work on a project that was, again, inspired by a project I saw on Pinterest.  When I say it I couldn't wait to cut up the Ouiji board that has been hanging in the garage for a very long time.  I thought I was going to have to really sweet talk my husband into "donating" it to the cause and then into cutting it up.  Cut up a Ouiji board!  That has to be a really bad thing!  Why do you think I asked him to do it?  Thankfully, nothing bad happened.  He also had another one he preferred over this one so I was very lucky.  I am lucky...he is the most amazing man. 
So, back on topic.  Early on in my Pinterest adiction I saw the photo and then went to the site for these little houses.  I was immediatley facinated and couldn't wait to give it a shot.  It's kind of like making cards but these are a little more decorative.  Once these are completed I will attach a way to hand them.  They will be a nice piece to hang on a wall as they are a little too big and a lot to un-Christmas like to hang as an ornament unless you have a tree that stays up year round.  Do you?  I'd be jealous if you do! 
Like I said, I found the project on www.pinterest.com and if you click through you will find it takes you to  craftster.org but I accidently came across it on another blog site but now can't find it....darn.  But I was inspired and used her pieces for inspiration but found that I'm putting my spin on them as usual.  I liked her's a lot, especially the one with the skeleton on it (note the skull bead on one of them), but right now I vow not to purchase anything new until I use, repurpose, sort/organize, give away or throw away some of the "stuff" I've collected/hoarded, over the last year or so and so far I've been able to use what I have on these houses!  Yay! 
Hear are the first few.  I have about 7 more to do and I'm really having fun coming up with something a little different for each one.  Wish me luck on the rest.  I may need it.  Remember....this is a cut up Ouiji board!

Birthday Card

Wow!  Two postings in one week!  It's a miracle! 

I was just so excited about a card I created last night because, as I've said before, cards are not my favorite thing to do because they take me forever to plan and make and I usually look for inspiration for a long time before I ever even get started.  Most of my layouts are inspired by other cards I've seen (with the exception of my Valentines) and then I put my own spin on them and this card is no exception.  I had this wonderful pack of papers by Graphic45 (I actually use a lot of their papers) and I wanted to use the vintage look for a co-workers birthday card so I went to their website http://www.g45papers.com/ and found the paper I wanted to use and there was a small gallery of examples of other peoples work.  I borrowed the layout I found there of a card made by Cheryl Nyboer and, as usual, put my spin on it.  I was very happy with the end product and thought I would share it with you!  Happy Friday all and Happy Birthday to my co-worker Bonnie!

Winter Whimsies

I had taken some pictures of Valentines I made this month and thought I'd get them uploaded here.  Little did I realize that pictures I had taken at Christmas were still on my camera!  Yikes!  I need to get back on my game.  My pictures mean a lot to me but I've just not been real interested in doing what's right with them.  So, it's time for me to get back on the ball!
December was so busy and I did make quite a few Christmas gifts, most of which I did not take pictures of.  I was making and wrapping in the same breath!  I am a huge fan of Pinterest and a lot of the ideas come from there. I'm inspired almost daily and am so very addicted.  I don't think there is a day that goes by when I'm not spending at least a few minutes on the site.   What is Pinterest you say?  It's an online bulletin board where people "Pin, Like or Comment" on postings that others have found.  The pins and likes can be saved to your own bulletin board for review later.  I currently have over a thousand "likes" and have created several of my own boards and actually have several people "following" the pins and boards I have created.  Give it a try at www.pinterest.com and if you need some direction send me an email at kharen@comcast.net and I'll help you start getting around! 
So I'm posting some pics taken between December 2011 and February this year as well as the afore mentioned Valentines which I am actually quite proud of.  The flowers on some of them came from a technique I learned at a Sassy Chic card making class.  My folded/accordian type flowers still need some work but I'll keep trying.  I may have to break down and buy Tim Holtz's die that makes the strips already scored.  Should make them so much easier.  A few pictures of family at Christmas time and from my daughter and nephews combined 25th birthday party.  They grow so fast!