Freebies and new stuff!

So, I have been quite busy creating but not blogging. Sorry, Froggers. I hope to be more "regular" (and I don't mean that how it sounds) in the future.

I have been making several items from my SVG designs. I'm now selling designs on www.diecutdesigner.com
(Oops- this site is no longer in existence. Sorry!)

My files are either Creations by Tami or Tami's Creations. It takes me a while to figure these things out since I'm not really creative, folks!
Here's my key file:

And here are 2 of my creations:

The key is SO dainty, and it cuts well on the Cricut. I embossed it with Tim Holtz distress embossing powder in Vintage Photo, which gives it a real rusty look. I LOVE that look.

And this tag is one of my faves! The rose is Penny Duncan's design, and I think she is SO FAB with her designing skills. The key is covered in distress embossing powder again.

OK, so Swirls R Us. I LOVE swirly designs!

Here's the swirly square on a card, although it could be easily re-sized for a 12 by 12 layout. It's stamped using a Tim Holtz (do you see a pattern here?) dabber in pearl. Then I inked over that in a stampin' up purple.

Here's a card that I made with my swirly border:
To add bling, I used distress stickles for a little punch and pizazz.

Here's the swirly border up close. The more intricate, the prettier, IMHO.

And, I think Kousa dogwoods are so pretty. Remember my wreath from a few posts ago? Well, I decided to design a blossom, inspired by Penny Duncan.

This was a really fun card because I designed a swirl in Inkscape, then I "cut" it using the rhinestone feature. Where the "dots" were on the paper, I put rhinestones. It was so easy, and took the guesswork out of the whole placement process.

And here's the dogwood on a card with the leaf.

For the dogwood center, I had a blast figuring this out. I wanted it to look realistic. I was determined not to go to the store to buy anything, so I used what I had, which was some micro-beads. However, they were silver, so I put some in a container, sprinkled some green alcohol ink, stirred them up, and let them dry. Afterwards, they were somewhat clumpy, but they broke up easily with some gentle stirring. Then, I used some glossy accents and made little mounds. I sprinkled the beads on top of the mounds on the inside part of a lid of a plastic container. That way, the sprinkles fell into the grooves and the mounds didn't stick to the plastic. I could then just pour the beads back into the container. Once hardened, I glued the centers onto the dogwood.

 Aren't they cute??? I had way too much fun with this silly little craft because I came up with it -as my 2 yr. old daughter would say- by self.

Anyway, I'm offering three dogwood blossoms with leaves for free to one lucky person. Just leave a comment on this post and I'll choose someone at random on Fri., May 13th. Thanks!
Fondly, Tami

The Old Lucketts Store Blog: Gift Card Giveaway!

So, I read Miss Mustard Seed's blog and I'm convinced that I want to go to Luckett's one day. If you want to know what that is, check out this chance to win some money! The Old Lucketts Store Blog: Gift Card Giveaway! More blogging later. I have to go craft for my new design store at www.diecutdesigner.com. Check out my SVG designs! Fondly, Tami

Sick. Blech!

Hey, Everyone! I don't have much energy to post today since I'm sick in bed with a cold, so that gives me plenty of time to check out other people's Fab blogs! So, I'm linking to these today. Check them out! And, here's just a little more cuteness, 'cause it's that kind of day. Fondly, Tami

Get Your Craft On
The Tip Junkie
Hope Studios
An Oregon Cottage

Spring has sprung

Hey, Froggers. I'm sorry I've not posted lately. I've been SO busy. We had a lovely time last weekend. You see, my youngest plays the violin. Quite well. And for a senior project, she decided to do a senior recital. I mean, she did it ALL- lining up her accompanists, securing the venue, organizing practice times, deciding on the program, writing composer biographies, setting up the program, making and sending out invitations (with a little crafting help from yours truly), and writing thank you notes and getting gifts for all who helped. It was a magical night. SO magical, that her enchanted mom didn't think to take pics. Now, she did procure the services of her good friend, who took still shots and video, which she has yet to see since he's a very busy pharmacist. The only thing Youngest did not do was to plan and cook for the reception after the recital. "How many people were you expecting, Tami?" you might ask. Well, the one thing that Youngest did not do is ask for an RSVP. I wasn't angry with her. I just didn't know how many were coming. So, I prepared food for a lot of people just in case. Lots. Six pounds-of-meat-turned-into-meatballs, artichoke dip (courtesy of my mother, who doubled the recipe), onion dip, chocolate cake (courtesy of my wonderful neighbor, Ruth), peanut butter Tandy Kake, chips, chocolate chip cookies, vegetables and dip, and punch. Whew! 60-ish people later, our house was full off laughter, compliments to the Violinist, wonderful teens and elderly people (Youngest has volunteered in the local nursing home for about 4 years), and a very unhappy dog who was relished to the upstairs, lest she pee with excitement on people's shoes (I hate it when that happens).
Here's Youngest just tonight with her prom date

And, today I had lots of fun. HubbyDoc's garden is starting to look nice. Every year, I forget to take pics, and this time I'm doing it! And, I'm also cutting (flowers, not myself) and arranging.
Here are a few things I arranged today:

And, this was my big SCORE for the week. The white "tray" is actually a cabinet door that I found at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store for...you guessed it...a buck. Can't you just see some candles on this, or painted a Christmas color with vinyl letters saying Joy or Peace or Noel? I may have to go back and get a few more for that price.
Here's the look:

And here's a bird's eye view:

 

Even I have to admit that this looks a little "MissMustardSeed-ish".

And, I just know that EVERYONE wants to see my laundry on the line. It doesn't get any more scintillating than this, Folks! However, it was a wonderful, flappy day.

OK, so I'm not so good at photography, but I hope to get better.
And, I'm leaving you with a little more cuteness.

Thanks for stopping by!
Fondly, Tami

New pillows, lamp re-do, and place card settings

Hey, Froggers. I have been extremely busy lately, and not necessarily tied up with things I really want to do. You see, I signed up to be a part of a dinner club that meets monthly. We went to the first one, and let's just say, we didn't have much in common. HubbyDoc and I felt woefully under-traveled, non-retired, and not quite wealthy enough. Don't get me wrong, he and I are quite satisfied with our little lives, but we didn't really get a word in edgewise. We didn't even get a chance to tell everyone that we traveled to Spain 3 years ago to participate in an orchestra, playing in the world premier of Mendelsohnn's Elijah, sung in Spanish, in 4 different cities.Coolness.

Anyhoo, it was our turn to host this month. Boy, did I ever notice the dirt in my house last week. So, I scrubbed the kitchen cabinets until I was too tired to finish them, and then I just spot-wiped them down. You see, I really HATE housework, so I find all kinds of excuses not to do it. A hangnail, the dog's need for attention, a Facebook post, hoards of blogs to read, a cup of coffee to make, and several errands later, the encrusted house still begs for attention. It really makes me wish that my teen daughter will misbehave, so that I could levy a fine of 30 min. of cleaning. At least, my bathroom would get scrubbed. *Sigh*

I really don't know what I'm going to do when she goes off to college. 

So, we cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and I do have to say that the house looked tres incredible. I'm liking it so much that I'm doing what I should do all along and am actually putting things away after I use them. This is so new to me, that I think I just discovered gold. Just sayin'.

Long story short, here's what the table looked like: 

I was quite smart and picked out my china before I even had any prospects of being engaged. I liked it and I bought some. End of story.

These charming little place card vases were used at our rehearsal dinner, bought by my MIL, who threw quite a swanky affair. Instead of a large centerpiece, I just put these at each place setting with a rose, bells of Ireland, and some simple greens.

I use mix and match crystal, since I don't have enough of any one type for a party of 8.

 I kinda like it.

I like my delicate china. However, after I had about 3 place settings (too late to turn back), I found out it was being discontinued. DRAT! So, if anyone has any extra Lenox Amethyst china you'd like to offload, just LMK. I only have 11 place settings and 13 cups (don't EVEN ask. I have no clue why).

Sunday, I went to the mall to promote my lia sophia jewelry business (April has a GREAT customer special, so you can check it out on my web site www.liasophia.com/tamihowse), but the mall was dead due to the gorgeous day that I was missing outside, so I got only a few bites. Bummer.

I just couldn't STAND it after working all weekend, so I just had to craft. Here's a cutie that I made. The white material matches my bedspread, because Thrifty Tami saw 2 king sized bedspreads, bought both for $12 each at my friend's. You know, Mr. T.J. Maxx. So, I use one for the actual bedspread (novel, I know), and I cut up the other one for pillows. You know the drop cloth curtains (see previous post)? Well, the buttons were covered with coordinating fabrics.

And, here's sort-of a before and after lamp. I didn't take a pic. with the original lampshade circa 1981, but you can see the "lovely" wood and brass combo. I spray painted the metal and painted the wood our accent color. I just love the lampshades. Considering the ones I saw at the lamp store were ordinary and about 70 bucks a piece, I was so happy to score these for only $14.99 each. Not bad, eh?

And. last but certainly not least, here's the pup who was caught unaware with a feather stuck to her nose. She scores gazunga points on the cuteness scale, IMHO.

Thanks for even being remotely interested in the ramblings of a middle-aged housewife.

Fondly, Tami

Links

Hey, Froggers. Yours truly has been quite busy. I'm having a dinner party aka hurry up and clean the house, wash the kitchen cabinets that haven't been washed in 5 years, landscape the yard, powerwash the front walk, scrub all of the carpet stains, flip the cushions on the furniture that are deathly dirty, re-decorate the entire house, clean, clean, clean, and oh yeah, cook. Needless to say, I'm not getting much crafting done this week. Hopefully, I'll be able to post some more pics next week when I have a little more down time. In the meantime, I'm linking to these great blogs:
No Minimalist Here
The Graphics Fairy
The Shabby Chic Cottage
Have a great weekend, Peeps!
Fondly, Tami

I'm so sorry, Froggers!

Hey, Froggers. I just wanted to let you know that if you left a comment on one of my recent blog posts, I accidentally deleted them (ditz moment). So, PLEASE know that I REALLY value your comments, suggestions, and blog love!
Fondly, Tami