~ Create Art ~

It is a beautiful last day of April here in Pennsylvania! 

As I picked up this card I made a couple of days ago, I started to think about the words on it....

Create Art

I believe that the ability to create art -no matter what kind- is a human trait in all of us. We are hard-wired for creativity. 
It is just a matter of honing it to a specific craft. Art is a lifelong challenge, there is always so much yet to be discovered. 
You can make anything you want, if it is pleasing to you, it is successful. 
There is never a wrong answer!

When engaged in your art, your mind is constantly churning with new ideas, and imagery. 
During those hours spent in your creative mojo, your thoughts and mindset is always shifted into a state that is free from stress, anxiety, and negativity. 
Getting lost in those moments while creating is liberating!

Creating art is a great enabler of opening us up to each other and guaranteed way to connect with like-minded people. 
No matter what type of art you make, it is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding things you can do.

'Art' - the definition is wide open!

I have found 'art' to be a driving force in my life...messy, unorganized craft space and all  :)

BE HAPPY and CREATE ART !

"My Family Is"

This is scrapbook page I made a few years back.

The pictures were taken at my parents 50th wedding anniversary party in 2006.

My Mother had passed away 6 months later that same year.

The top left picture is my parents with us three children and spouses, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

Since then, 1 more great grandchild has been added.

The top right picture is my sister and her husband.

The lower left is my brother and his wife.

The lower right is my son and daughter.

With Mother's day coming up, I just want to say...I miss the daily phone calls with my mom, even if we had nothing to say but "hello". 

But on a more happier note...Since we siblings do not live near each other, my sister and I talk almost daily, and we also sometimes have nothing to say but "hello" too! Although she hangs up on me nearly every time. She claims her phone is so old that it won't hold a charge! 

On the other hand, my brother dislikes talking on the phone, but that's okay with us.

I 'bug' him with texts & emails, that he usually don't respond to! 

His answer to that is "You didn't ask a question!" 

But that's okay, Glenn, I forgive your minor idiosyncrasies :) 

Don't get me wrong, we are a very loving family and humor is just one ingredient of the recipe that makes this family's love so strong!

"A Family Is"

A Family is a love like no other

They allow us mistakes and little faux pas

They embrace our differences

And all the likenesses we share

And in our times of need

They are our rock for us to stand

But most of all

A Family is a love like no other

Author: Misti Williams Houk

Happy Crafting!

TTFN!

aka The Rebel Blogger

You're the Best!

Hello!

I would like to share a card I created for my husband, whose birthday is coming up next week. 

He is an all around American kinda guy...we're talking a t-shirts, flannels, blue jeans man who rides a Harley! 

So I thought red, white and blue would be perfect! 

I am just not sold on the ribbon.

Don't get me wrong....I think it goes great with the card but Tom and ribbons don't go together!! 

I am picturing him fumbling with the ribbon, trying to figure out how to open the card! 

Changing it up a bit before I give it to him is probably what will happen. 

My creative juices just haven't sprung into action as of yet on this one  :(  

Any ideas flowing in your mind?

Happy Crafting!

TTFN!!

aka The Rebel Blogger

Cierra's Photography

I know...you're wondering what the heck these pictures have to do with paper crafting.

Well, my granddaughter has been into photography lately and I want to show some of her newly found talent! 

She has taken over my camera, experimenting with the different settings and has flooded my computer with pictures!

She has her hopes on attending a performing arts school someday.

She is my straight A student!! 

I am very proud of her!

Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

aka The Rebel Blogger

Thank You Card To A Great Russian Family!

My sister had asked me to make a thank you card for her. 

She wants to send a special handmade card to her daughter's Russian host family. 

Her daughter, my niece, Taylor, is currently a 12th grade exchange student in (I hope I get this right!) Velikiy Nov, Russia. 

And I must say, she is loving every bit of Russia!!

She has traveled all around that region and to a couple of other countries also! What an experience to have at that age!

Ingredients:

Cardstock~Recollections

Patterned paper~The Paper Studio,The Linen Door

Burlap ribbon~Recollections

Border punch~Martha Stewart

Sentiment~Fiskars

Ink~StazOn, jet black and VersaMagic, spanish olive

I was not going to post this card, but Tracy could not praise me enough when she finally received it in the mail! 

I am not pleased at all with this picture, I just could not get a good camera shot. 

I have researched online tips and techniques...but can't seem to get the hang of it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

aka The Rebel Blogger

    

First Harley Ride and Thank You Card

Happy Monday....it is a beautiful day here in PA! The sun is shining bright, the birds are singing! 

I am going to go out and enjoy this wonderful day in a bit. 

I would love to go for a ride on the Harley but that isn't going to happen quite yet. 
My husband is still healing from his neck fusion and is not supposed to ride. Let me emphasize that last part..."he is not supposed to ride" Since the weather has been warming up, he has had that 'itch' to ride real bad!! 
He could not stand it and took our granddaughter for a short cruise last weekend. Needless to say, he was hurting after their ride.

Oh, and while I am on the subject of our Harley...for the last couple of years, it so happens that my sweet granddaughter (not me) gets the first ride of the season. 
I do believe they connive every year so she can get that first ride with Papa. 
Or...is it just a coincidence I am not at home the day he gets the Harley out and ready for the riding season. 
Too funny!!!

Anyhow.... I want to share a card I made for a good friend and her husband thanking them for a great time up at their camp! (that's where I was when that first ride happened! )

Since I wanted to thank my friend and her husband for being great hosts, I tried not to create something to feminine. I just had to add a bit of clear ribbon for some texture!

Ingredients:

Patterned paper ~ Paper Studio, The Linen Door

Thank You Stamp ~ Fiskars, All Year Greetings

Ink ~ StazOn, Jet Black

Hope you enjoyed my little story :)

Have a wonderful day! 

Happy Crafting!

aka The Rebel Blogger

Sweet Baby

Can you believe it's Thursday already? 

This week is flying by too quick! 

Just when I thought 'spring has sprung', here comes another cold front.

Well, anyhow, spring has got my creative juices flowing and I wanted to create something pastel/springy! 

So this is what I came up with.

Ingredients:

Baby carriage ~ Cricut Wildcard Cartridge

Patterned paper ~ DCWV, Nana's Kids

Layered flower ~ Hampton Art, Studio G

Sweet Baby & frame stamp ~ Fiskars, All Year Greetings

Embossing ~ Sizzix, Dots and flower set

Stickles ~ Cotton Candy

I used Hampton Art pink ink on the small chipboard square and the frame...but can't find the name of the color on it.

Buttons and ribbon from my long lost stash!

Thank You so much for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

aka The Rebel Blogger

My Prima Giveaway Prize Project

I could not wait to create with my prize giveaway from PRIMA !

When it arrived in the mail...I of course immediately went into creating mode!

This picture of my beautiful granddaughter was taken a few years back.

I just love those big gorgeous eyes and her long eyelashes are to die for!

All the flowers, bling, and paper and metal frame are from the fabulous Prima prize package.

As I said in previous posts, my picture taking needs alot of work. Maybe I should think about investing in a photography class!!

A huge thank you to Prima!

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Crafting! 

aka The Rebel Blogger

My Cocoa Daisy Stamps Prize ~ Projects

I had so much of fun creating with my  Stamps that I won! 

Cocoa Daisy Stamps are high quality, made of non-yellowing photopolymer.

First up is this tag of my husband. 

This picture was taken in Montana, he was mesmerized by the beautiful scenery!

The chevron and striped patterned paper is from MME.

The rest of the paper used is scraps from my stash and do I have tons and tons of scrap paper!!

Also incorporating the Cocoa Daisy stamps is a layout of my 3 year old grandson.

The story behind this layout....He would not eat the waffles I put in front of him. 

I then decided to put some Nutella on them, hoping he would change his mind He still would not eat them! 

So, I put a little of the Nutella on his lips...

well thats all it took and

the waffles were gone in no time after that!

I faux stitched around the green paper with my Signo white pigment pen...love it!

The brown chipboard lettering is Thickers. 

Don't know the name of the patterned paper or the date stamp.

I have not gotten the 'knack' of taking pictures yet. I need more practice!

Happy Crafting!

and 

Thank You Again, Cocoa Daisy!!