TCP TUESDAY 254 -Valentine's Home Decor/Mailbox Trio

Hi all, iiiiit's Tuesday and that means it's time for another TCP Tuesday Challenge! I am your Hostess with the Mostess for this week, and I really hope you will join me in creating a Valentine's (or love themed) home decorating item! I made this fun mailbox trio, but the possibilities are really endless with this. You could make a banner, a wreath, a wall hanging, or maybe some kind of decoupaged something-a-rather. :) The idea for this challenge was sparked when I saw my local Target store pulling out their Valentine's home decorations that they sell. They're cute, but so many of them are pricey, and not nearly as cute/fun/unique or customized as I could make myself. Why buy when you could create, which is so much more fulfilling! :)

Here are the Details on how you can join in on the fun:

1. Each Tuesday a new challenge will be posted here on this blog as well as on our Splitcoaststampers forum and ourFacebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design using the InLinkz button below*. If you want to display your pretties on Splitcoaststampers use keyword TCPTUES254. Only the entries uploaded to the Inlinkz button will be considered for Swanky Stamper at the end of the month.
3. You must have your project posted by Monday, 12 midnight EST to be eligible to win the week’s Cat Cash.
4. Cards and projects must have at least one Cat’s Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die in the project.
5. On the following TCP Tuesday, the week’s winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10.00.
6. At the end of the month, The Swanky Stamper will be selected from all the weekly entries. The Swanky Stamper will receive some of the stamps from our next release and get to play along with us at our Pajamas Party and Blog Hop. AND… They’ll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won them the gig and a snazzy badge to display on their blog.
7. The Swanky Stamper will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and this Blog.

So, here's where I started with this. 3 metal mailboxes purchased last year at Target's Dollar Spot (1$ each). They have them again this year, I already checked for you! :) Then I purchased 3 mismatched candlesticks at the Arc Thrift Store, total cost was around 5$ for these. I was tickled to find a couple with hearts on the base-PERFECT for this project! I used some ivory spray paint I had leftover to paint the candlesticks. Whilst in between coats on that, I started working on my boxes. I decided to go with three separate themes for the boxes. The tall one is "Key to my Heart." The medium one is "Mustache You to Stay." The small one is "Love Letter." But of course you could make them all the same theme, or just in a general Valentine's theme, or even customize them based on who you are making them for-that would be really fun.

I decoupaged decorative paper onto the main box part of each box. I used a window punch (only punching half) to leave room for the flags. For the front and the back of the mailbox, I traced the outline of the lid piece on a piece of scrap card stock. Then I cut it out very carefully staying just to the inside of the line I drew (make sense? You want it slightly smaller that the outline so it doesn't overhang). Then I did a dry fit and trimmed where needed. When I was convinced my template was pretty perfect, I used it to trace onto 6 decorative papers. These also got decoupaged onto the mailboxes.

For the front of each box, I used the Heart Rosette CutUps, and a punched DP circle accented with other CutUps that added to the theme of that particular box.

I added a straw, and the heart banner from Bitty Banners CutUps to each mailbox flag for fun. On the side of each box I did stamped dies to set the theme.

The "Key to my Heart" one used Key Phrases Stamps, Framed Up CutUps and the Key to Your Heart CutUps. 

The mustache themed box used The Mustache Set,  Mustaches CutUps, and Luggage Tags CutUps. The sentiment also used Simply Said.

The stamp one was fun, and used some stamps I hadn't even had a chance to ink up yet: Love Letters.
And I also used the coordinating dies: Stamp Trio CutUps.

I kept the flip side of each box pretty plain-I didn't want to go TOO overboard (yes, I understand "too overboard could be considered a relative term, lol).

On the back of all the boxes, I used the Heart Trio CutUps.

I hope you like my project! This is the perfect centerpiece for my new/old dining room table-so fun!

Valentine's Hugs, Noelle

Some Valentines

I told my sister this morning that I have been avoiding my studio like the plague. And I have, I don't know why really except I've been feeling really blocked lately, and I am fighting a fear that I will get in there and not be able to produce anything. But today I am putting together a little Valentine's package for my goddaughter and my best friend from college. They live in CA, and I want to get it in the mail later this week or early next week. My friend is really into the steampunk look right now, so I thought I'd make her a steampunk valentine, but the end product looks way more Victorian in style, lol.

I have a package of vintage look valentines I had from a few years back. I thought this shoe was cute, since we both love to shop for shoes! ;) I stated with some rose print DP, and a heart doily, and the layered on the shoe  and some other ephemera. I added a die cut row of hearts at the top, a few gems, and a stamped banner with the sentiment that I gave some movement to.

The second card is for my goddaughter. I have this cute Feeling Cupidy set that I hadn't inked yet. I stamped Cupid Bun on a die cut that I'd cut previously and not used. The die is a Lawn Fawn Stitched Journaling Card die set. 

I colored Cupid Bun with Copics, added some flock to his wings and  some Frosted Diamond Stickles to his nose and tail. I picked up some cute things to fill up that felt bag for her that's in the background.

Behind Cupid Bun is a doily, a Heart Rosette CutUp in red, I left it flat, to look more like a doily, and some DP. 

That's all for me today. I will be back at midnight TONIGHT EST with the new TCP Tuesday Challenge, and I promise, this is one you aren't going to want to miss! :) In the meantime, I will try to stop cowering in fear about crafting, haha.

Have a fabulous day, Noelle

"3-2-1 Challenge" TCPTUES!

Hi blog friends! Hope you all are doing well. We had a bit of a vacation in beautiful Breckenridge CO over the long weekend. My in-laws rented a house and the boys had a great time snowshoeing, cross country skiing and sledding to their heart's content. :) We also went into an ice castle, very cool! I will put some pics at the bottom of the post, so you can see. This mama had a few run ins with my asthma up in the mountains. What can I say but the altitude is not my friend! I wish it was, I only snowshoed for an hour,  and down here in the Denver area, I would have been good to go for quite a bit longer than that, but up around 10,000 feet? Not so much. :( Ah well, such is life. I'm just grateful I am so much more fit than I was a few years ago. Grateful to keep up with my energetic boys and am training for a few different races. Fortunately all of them will be at my "normal" altitude of 5280! Haha! ;)

So Kimberly is our Hostess with the Mostess at The Cat's Pajamas this week. And she is challenging you to a "3-2-1 Challenge." Here's the scoop: Use 3 different patterned papers, 2 different kinds of embellishments, and 1 seam binding, ribbon, or twine. I guess I cheated a bit, since I used two different colors of Divine Twine! Ooopsies! Here's my card, I decided to use my yet-to-be-inked Ski Bunny stamp set. Particularly since we just got back from the mountains. I also used the Holiday Toppers CutUps, and my Circus Panels CutUps.

One of my patterned papers is pieced onto Ski Bun's scarf. It's teeny, but it's there! :) I used the snowflake sparkly sticker, and two glitter gems (two different KINDS of embellies, not only two embellies).

This bunny is beige in color, he looks a little more orange here than he really is.... But on the subject of orange did you hear that the Broncos are join to the Super Bowl?? :)

That's all for me today, winter fun pics are below. thanks for stopping in, and have a GREAT week! 

xo, Noelle

Sledding Fun! 

Mini cross country skiier!

Boys in the Ice Castle

my 13 year old is barely taller than me, a fact which he is gloating over! ;) 

Anything SNOWS! (Paper Smooches SPARKS)

Hi friends, It's been a crazy week and I really needed to get my craft on tonight.... I've had a great time this week-just really busy. Had some good workouts, and met a college friend at the art museum. My soul really needed that, it really helped jump my creativity again, I was feeling burned out... Plus so wonderful to catch up with a dear friend. :) Anyhow after over a week of having my desk piled up with so much stuff (I had to get out my pick axe and unearth it this afternoon....) I just felt CRAFTY finally-and that's a good thing! So many weeks of the boys having illness and the break wore me out. I'm ready to get back into the swing of things, even though my entire month is scheduled as tight as my high school prom dress! HA! ;)

Anyhow I decided to do a "want to" my-heart-needs-this kinda project instead of delving into the pile of "have-to's." I am sending this over for the Anything Goes challenge at Paper Smooches SPARKS tonight. :)

I just got some fun things from Paper Smooches! I love snowmen, in fact I collect them, and they are still hanging out all over my house for another week or so. So when I saw this snowman die set, I was a smitten kitten. I got that set, the set of snowflakes, and a few other things-SO FUN! So it seemed a natural fit to use my new snowman die to make a cute winter card. There is a great line called Timbergrove by Fancy Pants Designs. Our Archiver's is going out of business (I guess they all are-kinda sad). So, I got a few things from that line, used the color scheme was my jumping off point, and a couple of the border stickers, as well as a Darice Birch embossing folder. 

The banner, heart stamp, and sentiment are also Paper Smooches. I've had those for awhile now.

I blinged out my snowflakes with some Crystal Stickers glitter domes, love these! Such a fun alternative to a typical rhinestone. I colored his cheeks with Copics for a little added character. 

This card was  a lot of fun, I really enjoyed "building" my little snowman. Maybe my mojo is returning after a long winter's nap! ;) 

I hope you like my card! Happy weekend! :)

xo, Noelle

TCP Tuesday Challenge-Anything Goes!

Iiiiiit's TUESDAY, and that means it's time for another TCP Tuesday Challenge! We are starting out the year nice and easy for ya, with an "Anything Goes" challenge! Yep, just utilize those TCP stamps and dies any way you like! We would love to see it! :)

We are going back to a WEEKLY challenge this year, so there will be lots of inspiration every week! Also, The Cat Pack will take turns hosting challenges. I have a VERY cool one scheduled for January 28th, so stay tuned!! ;)

My card for today was actually a magazine reject. As a side note, I am NOT sad because they picked up two other projects I submitted at this time for the Fall 2014 issue of CardMaker! Woot! :) But I still thought this was a fun and cute card, and you might like to see it. :)

It's my favoritest Football Bun, plus a whole lotta CutUps. You know how I love me some CutUps! Lets see... I used Framed Up, Clouds Border, Grass, Big Ticket, and Big Scallop. Plus I also used the versatile sentiments set Simply Said.

Hope you can come play this week! 

Noelle

Changes for 2014

Dear readers, 

I hope you are enjoying 2014 so far, it is a blizzard outside here today, 8" of snow + and it's still coming! :)

I wanted to share with you some changes that will be affecting paper & ICE in the coming months.... As I mentioned earlier, I have taken a new job, it's still part time at this point, which is perfect, since I still have a kindergartener at home a full 3 days a week. Yes, he DOES have a weird schedule, I know! ;) 

The new job is particularly exciting for me, because I'll be working for a professional theater company for kids. For many years (I've been a stay home mom for over 12 years now) I have wondered when I would be able to go back to work, and when the time was right, what on earth I'd be qualified to do since my college degree is in theater directing. You know what they say about degrees like theater, and underwater basket weaving! ;)  As it turns out, all those whispers in my ear from God over these last few years saying "when the time is right" were very right on! I'm hugely grateful and excited to start a new venture in something that I love, with a professional company thats main goal is one that I share, keeping theater an accessible art form for kids. 

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It's been so great to see many of my crafty friends being added to more and more DT's.  I have decided, that for me, my current path is heading a different way.... I will **not** be looking to join any other DT's besides The Cat's Pajamas anytime soon. I'm really happy there, and the amount of projects I have for them is totally manageable, plus it's such a GREAT inspirational team! :) In addition to that, I will continue contributing for publication at CardMaker magazine. They have picked up 3 of my projects so far for 2014, and I am thrilled. It feels like a good fit to be submitting to their publication. They seem to dig my style, and I love the professionalism and kindness I've seen from the staff. Finally, you know I have cut back at Craft Storage Ideas, but I am still on the team, I will be occasionally posting (Contributor at Large?) for them this year too. Outside of that, I'm not looking to join any more DT's or add more crafting to my schedule. Of course, I'll still pop by with my decorating ideas and other things I'm working on. :) Plus, you can always find me on Pinterest and Facebook. I'll be here whenever I can be. :) 

To be honest, the last year has really found me feeling a bit more like a juggler than ever.... You have probably noticed that posts have been sporadic. I have been so busy between prepping for my next theater classes, magazine submissions, TCP, training for triathlon, church commitments, PTO, book group, and then there's that whole 3 kids/hubby/2 dogs thing, since technically I'm still a SAHM, too. For years I doubted my abilities in everything, athletics, crafting, theater, and more. Now, I'm so grateful to know that I CAN do the things I want to do! It's so freeing to realize I have the abilities, even if I don't have as much time as I'd like. 

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I guess the point to this very long post is that I'll be here when I can, but I'm going to stop apologizing for being sporadic. I'll see ya when I see ya, and I'm going to quit feeling bad about it. Overall I will have less posts this year. Also, I will be dropping some of the other things from the above list; I want to thrive in the areas I decide to commit to, and quit feeling like I'm missing the mark where I am investing my time and energy. As you know, when you spread the peanut butter on your sandwich too thin it loses is deliciousness! 

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Happy New Year, dear readers. I wish you all the best that 2014 has to offer. Whatever your goals, I hope you achieve them!  I'm looking forward to this year, as this ride we call "Life" just keeps getting better and better! :) 

xo, Noelle