Guess who turned 50 on March 13th???  Kathy did!  I'd seen a card on Pinterest with several candles on it and pinned it to my page with the caption "I wonder how many candles I can get on a card?".  I knew I wanted to do something very different for her card and here's how it turned out.  Yes!  There are 50 candles with 50 flames and a WHOLE bunch of pop dots to make it all work out.  The candles are all just strips cut in different widths and lengths but all the flames were cut on the Cricut in three different sizes.

Here's the inside:

After making Caydence's blanket, I started on the next one ... Kathy's.  I actually started it back in January but ended up ripping it out twice before getting it just right.  I found the yarn in the perfect variegated color combination of brown, pink and cream.  (She wears these colors a lot.)  The yarn is Michael's brand, Loops & Threads, but won't use it again as the variances of thickness or thinness can be drastic.  I didn't experience this until I was too far in and have already made the mental note not to select their yarn again.

I'd actually worked on this several times right in front of her.  Funny thing ... She thought this one was for Michelle.  She was so tickled that this was for her.  She said, "No one's ever loved me enough to make me a blanket." ... How sweet! 

Kathy's blanket is a whole lot bigger than Caydence's, that's for sure!  This is laid across the top of our king size bed and covers about 3/4's of the top.

Here's a close up of the stitching.  This interior stitch pattern is called the 'Lazy Wave'.  I leaned this stitch on You Tube as well following Mickeyssmail awesome instructions.  The outside border is double crochet.

I wish the colors were better in these photos.  I'm sure there's hope for future posts as I'm learning all over again.  There's been so many changes over the last 2 years!!!

Some card pics will be next as I've made quite a few and have even sold some over at a shop in Hernando.

Until next time,

Terry

Better Late Than Never, I Guess ...

Hello Blog Friends ~

Just like everyone else, life tends to get in the way despite our best intentions.  I can't believe it's been 2 years since I've posted here!  So much has changed over these last two years, too.  But, who hasn't experienced loads of changes over two years in this day and age ... Unless you live under a rock.

I believe the biggest change for me has been letting the hosting of the 'Mid South Scrappers' crops and weekends go.  Now, I'm "Terry Dunlap, cropper" and it's nice.  I remember the first event I went to after becoming 'just a cropper' and felt the anxiety of jumping right in and taking care of things but that little voice in my head quietly reminded me otherwise.  Wow!  What freedom!  All I need to know is where my seat is ... lol.

After hosting those events for almost 10 years, I still find myself passing places and thinking, "I bet that'd be a great place for a crop!" only to snap myself back to the reality of "No, you don't do that anymore".  I haven't been to many events over the last two years, mainly due to the 'roller coaster ride from Hell' (that's what I call our futile attempt at relocating to Mountain Home, AR) but that's beginning to change.  Kathy and I have been looking at some events around the mid-south to attend and we've gotten a few invites as well.  It's really nice that my croppin' friends haven't forgotten about me after all.

As my Blog name indicates, I do have a lot of hobbies.  I recently revisited one of them ... Crocheting.  Someone turned me on to Mikey on You Tube and off I went!  I realized that I hadn't crocheted in 15 - 20 years!  My first project was a blanket for my granddaughter, Caydence.

Here's some pictures of her blanket.  It did 'grow' from my first thoughts as I decided it needed a border around it and she said she wanted a bow on it, hence the ribbon woven in the border.

She loves her blankie!

Until the next post ... Have a great day!

Terry

This is called the 'Boxed Block Stitch'.

This is laid out on her Full-Size bed, so you can see how big it is.

She picked the ribbon from my scrappin' stash and it matched perfectly.

What's Been Going On ...

Hello Ladies ~

I apologize for not posting in soooo long but we've had a tragedy in our family then I had a weekend event to host two weeks after that.  First, the tragedy ... My nephew, Matt Johnson, was killed in a car accident on February 20th down at Starkville, MS where he was a student at Mississippi State.  Matt is my brother Larry and his wife Kathy's oldest son.  Most of you know Kathy as she's also the co-host for my events. She and Larry will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on June 21st and they dated for about two years prior to that, so Kathy's become much more my sister than my sister-in-law.  Needless to say, our entire family is hurting from the loss of such a wonderful and handsome young man.

Two weeks after that I hosted the Mid South Scrappers Pajama Crop Party Weekend.  We had 38 croppers there!  This is the fullest house yet!  We can only go to 40, so we were close to full!  Yeah ladies!  Kathy did come and spend time with us each day but went home at night to be with Larry and Spencer, their 13 year old son.  I had lots of help throughout the weekend from Fab, Linda and Tanya.  I've never seen such an outpouring of prayer and condolences from so many.  It's definitely true ... You never know how many friends you have and how many people truly love and care for you until a tragedy hits.  I can't thank y'all enough for your blessings on Kathy and her family as well as the rest of our family.  We covet your continued prayers whenever you think of us.

I know I didn't ever post pictures of the Valentine's cards that I'd made but will do that along with a few other new ones that I've been working on during this week ahead.  As you can imagine and understand, I've been spending time with Kathy and have also kept Caydence a couple of days last week.  She's precious, for sure, but really wears me out.

I've also been working on some dates for both the Mid South Scrappers and my Close to My Heart business.  I've ordered quite a bit of new inventory and have several dates coming up to hit the croppin' trail.  Needless to say, I've had way too many irons in the fire but when's it ever been different ... lol

Pictures will be posted by week's end, I promise!

Terry

Criss Cross Cards ...

Good Evening!

As I said, I've been super busy and today/tonight is no exception!  I've made several Criss Cross Cards that I use for Gift Certificates that I give as Door Prizes at the crops and weekends.  I'd made a couple of these a while back but needed to make more.  Here's the new ones ... Some are for 50% off of any 'All Day and Into the Night Crop' and some are for a Free Card Workshop of your choice.  The cropper gets to keep the card and can make a new insert and send it to some one special.

I've used various paper packs from CTMH, some retired and some new.  I don't remember the name of the top one but the second one is 'Wings', the next two are 'Boom-Di-Ada. 

The stamps I've used are CTMH's 'Ms. Scrapbook' and 'Frame of Mind' both of which are still available.  I've had too much fun with Ms. Scrapbook!


I guess that's enough for tonight!  I'm heading to bed in a few ... Stay tuned for some Valentine Cards that I'm making to send to some of my croppin' buds.

Terry

Valentine Cards Made at 1/29 Workshop ...

Hello Ladies ~

It's been a little bit since my last post but I've been super busy!  I hosted the Mid South Scrappers 'All Day and Into the Night Crop' on Saturday, January 29th and we had a full house!  The next one is Saturday, February 19th and we're half full already!  If you need a registration form, please email me at: terry@midsouthscrappers.com and I'll send you one.

At the January 29th crop, I held my first Close To My Heart workshop!  There were six ladies present and each made two different Valentine's Day Cards, two of each one, for a total of four cards.  Everyone enjoyed the workshop.  I learned a whole lot about the additional supplies I need along with other prep work that needs to be done ahead of time.  A special "Thank You" goes out to my wonderful sister-in-law, Kathy Johnson, for helping me during the workshop by counting out brads and just helping me in general!

 This is the 'Inchie Valentine's Card' that we made.  I just love making these little cards!  I know there's a lot of little parts but the outcome is so cute!  I've made this card in several other themes and you can too!  The card is a 6x6 card and there's lots of embellishments on it, too!  The printed paper used is CTMH's 'That's Amore' and several different stamp sets, all of which are CTMH.  The cardstocks are Colonial White and Cranberry.

Please note that when you make cards this size and use pearls, brads, buttons, etc. you'll need to take these to the Post Office and let them put the postage on it.  I think it's .61 to mail them which includes a small charge so that they don't run these through the sorter.  Some people just mail them out and they've arrived just fine but I'd rather be safe than sorry, especially since I've spent so much time making that card.

Here's the other card we made!  Ideally for your honey for Valentine's but can be for just about any special man in your life.  It was also suggested that this could be used for a graduation or groom's card ... Excellent ideas!

This card is also a 6x6 and CTMH cardstocks white and black were used.  I made the bow tie out of ribbon along with the handkerchief in the pocket.  Black brads were used as buttons.

I'm happy to say that I designed both of these cards myself!  I think Valentine's cards are some of my favorite ones to make and design.  My other favorites are Independence Day, Halloween and Christmas.

I hope to see you at the February 19th crop!

Terry

I Turned 50!

I

My Creation Using Close To My Heart's January 2011 Stamp of the Month ...

Here's the card I made using some of the brand new products found in Close To My Heart's 'Inspirations' mini catalog.  I began thinking about this card when I submitted information to be in a group of Close To My Heart Consultants that participate in a Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  At that time, the blog I had for my crop group did not fit their criteria, so this blog was born.  Anyway, I couldn't get the card out of my head, so I went ahead and made it.  I'm very pleased with it and believe it's probably the best card I've made to date.

My inspiration for this card was found on SplitCoastStampers and Beate Johns.  This type card is called a 'Tri-Shuttter Card' and is not as hard to make as it looks.  I absolutely love the layout and the possibilities are endless!  I can't wait to make another one.

Here's the card:

Here's what I used to make this card ~

Stamp Sets ~ Close To My Heart's 'Find Your Style' (January Stamp of the Month) and Butterfly Kiss.

Paper ~  CTMH's 'Wings' Level 2 Paper Pack, Sweet Leaf and Juniper Cardstock.

Inks ~ CTMH's 'Black' and 'Archival Black'  All edges are distressed with the Black.  All stamped images are stamped in the Archival Black as I believe that makes a darker impression.  Both butterflies are from the CTMH stamp sets and have been cut out to use as embellishments.  What a plus!  Your stamps can be used to make custom embellishments!

Embellishments ~ There are three different ribbons used on this card, satin, grosgrain and organdy.  Paper flowers. Brads.  Rhinestones.  Button.  Jewelry Charms. 

I've used items from several companies.  If you'd like to know about something specific, please email me at terry@midsouthscrappers.com and I'll be glad to share that info.

Thanks for looking!

Terry Dunlap