lindaalbrecht

New Product releases and some imperfection

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by.  I want to mention first,  that I have sent all of the templates out for the Felt Bird that was in the previous post.  If you requested it and have not received it, email me and I will get it to you.  I think that I sent one to all that requested it, but I could have missed someone so don't hesitiate to ask again.  Thanks to all of you for the nice comments also-- you make me smile!  Have fun making your own little birds.

Next, we've been given the okay to post about some of the new product debuting at CHA for Creative Cafe.  So exciting!  Creative Cafe  partners with AccuCut Diecutting System to manufacture wonderful dies that you can use for scrapbooking and papercrafting.  The possiblities for creativity are endless. I think that I've said that before, but honestly it is so true!  I've had so much fun working with all of the diecut images that Danelle has sent to the design team.  Here are a couple of the projects that I did for the AccuCut booth at the show using the new Butterfly and Scallop dies.

Did I mention how fun these diecuts are?  ;-)

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The other day I took a couple of minutes(well hours actually) to make a layout.  Yes, I actually made a page for a scrapbook!  I haven't done that for a few months and it felt good.  I have been trying to use older photos on my layouts for my own scrapbooks for awhile now.  These are of Cort and Luke from 1999 -- before digital.  Yikes!  I say that because we have become a world who expects perfection.  Perfect photos or nothing, right?  Well, I've decided that I sort of like a little imperfection.  I think that the style of my layouts shows that anyway, with the distressing and inking that I do.  I like the same thing in my home-  things that don't show wear and tear, but look even better with a few more chipped up spots.  Mix that with some new and I'm content , happy, and comfortable.  Sort of the same way that old photos make me feel.  What great memories, even with some imperfection.

This layout features Melissa Frances papers, clear stamps, and letter rub ons-- plus a few old favorites like sequins and machine stitching.

Well, I'm off to bed now.  More images to come on new product releases.  I know that Monday, February 4 is the go ahead day to share  Melissa Frances, so if you can check back then I have some beautiful new papers and embellishments to show you :-)  Can you hardly stand the suspense??!!  Me neither!!

Love to all,  Linda 

"There's a Bluebird on my windowsill..."

Or maybe it's a pink bird!!  ;-)

Did you notice my new banner?  Ahhh, Valentine's day and all of it's sweet pink's and red's have hit my creative space.  Makes me feel so girly, plus I'm all over the bird thing.  The projects in the banner were created with Creative Cafe product that you can check out here  Just Need It.com.  I used the Polka Dot felt sheets to cut out the "Be Mine" pennants then also added some pretty floral fabric to the centers.  The little "roses" are also made from the Polka Dot felt.  I just cut 3/8" strips from the 12x12" felt piece then rolled them up tight.  When you roll them up with the white polka dots on the inside, you get a highlighted effect from the white dots at random on the "petals". 

The felt birds are machine stitched, then I added the wings and the tail with separate pieces. Such a nice little change of pace to work with the birds.  I want to make more.  I especially love the bird pincushion with it's pink feathery trim.

Oh, and that's some Martha Stewart ribbon on the "Be Mine" banner and on the pin cushion.  I am in love with her ribbons.  Love the texture and the way it ties so easily and keeps it's shape.  Awesome ribbon.  Here's a little close up of the  roses and the ribbon.

The blue bird was my first attempt so he's a little skinnier than the pink one's.  I changed my pattern a bit to make them fatter after I finished him then I added a lot of ink for a grungey look  -- who doesn't like a fat dirty little bird?!!  ;-)

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I have another project to share that I did for Scrapbooks N Stickers.  They sell product and kits at the Creating Keepsakes Croppin parties and University's.  The request was for a Mother's book made from an Accordion Album.  Remember to click on the photo for a close up!

 

Some of the photos are of my grandmother with  my mom as a baby, my mom and me as a baby, myself and my daugter, etc. 

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So have you been in the Valentine's spirit?  If you want to make the little felt bird for yourself that you can add to a box or tin, or whatever, just post here and I'll send you a pattern.  I looked into the Adobe template to add to my blog and did you know that you have to pay a monthly fee for that?  Darn.  But, I can attach the pattern to an email and it will still do the same thing.  The template link would have been easier for all of us, but we can get by doing it this way, right?

Lots of  love,   Linda

PS--Please give me at least 2-3 days before I send the bird pattern to you.  Thanks!   

I'm living in a Freezer

Well, it feels like it anyway.  I sit here with 3 layers on so that I don't shiver and shake and I'm even thinking about putting on a thin pair of gloves.  I could still type in them, right?  ;-)

I find all of our activities involve something frozen.  Like hockey...

Never mind that we have already spent 20 years of winters in hockey rinks, but Cort couldn't be talked into a warmer sport like basketball.  We tried, we really did, but no go.  I guess when you grow up in a rink watching your older brothers play,  it is in your blood.  Personally, my blood likes it just a bit warmer.  Not hot, just a nice 70 degrees suits me fine. 

Then there's the forecast for the next few days...are they serious??  It's really going to be like a -20 something windchill?  Oh I am sooooo staying inside.  Unlike my child, who will be out in it I'm sure doing this...

Oh, I know, they are as cute as can be, but they seem to always pick the coldest days to play in the snow.  I want to be done with winter.  I am ready for spring and flowers and warm breezes, but then I really don't get to choose ... too bad though because I'd promise to make the weather perfect, the grass always green, and the flowers always in bloom. :-)

Speaking of flowers and choosing things, I put all of the names in the previous post comment section into the drawing for a Creative Cafe project that I made.   I was going to draw one name, but I hate one.  What's that line from a song..."one is the loneliest number that you'll ever see"... yeah, I agree so I drew 2 names:  Laverne Boese and Sue Thomas 

I hope that you like my giveaways!  Email me dnl6echt@hickorytech.net with your mailing address so that I can get these out to you asap.

   

I made these little pillows using the Creative Cafe felt flowers, Felt words, Ric rac trim, buttons, and twill.  I made the pillow out of some soft , creamy white cotton fleece... makes me a little bit warmer just to touch them.  I like how they look so wintery and Valentine like, but if you 2 winners were hoping for something made of paper, just tell me so in the email and I'll see what I can do to satisfy your preferences.

Again, if you want to find a retail store near you that carries Creative Cafe product, check out this link to Creative Imaginations.  I'm crossing my fingers for you that there is one close to you!  You really need to see this stuff in person-- it is awesome and the possibilities are endless.

Think warm thoughts!

Love,   Linda

Peace and Plenty

So much time has passed and so many things have happened since I last posted here.  We had a really nice Christmas with all of our children and our families on both sides.  It is so wonderful to have the moments shared and the memories made.  We always feel so blessed beyond what we ever dreamed to have beauty and joy and love in our lives. 

I feel overwhelmed sometimes with how busy life can be and how quickly time passes, but in another breath can only speak of how lucky I am to have work and livelihood to enrich the parts of our life that need to be cared for in that way.  Isn't it all so complicated sometimes-- too busy, too fast--yet too important to give up.  Just one of the things that remind me to find peace in the plenty that fills up our days.

I hope that you'll forgive my absence to tend to all of those things that complicates life.  I hope to be a better blogger now and will have so much to share with another manufacturer show just around the corner.

On a sad note, we lost my husband's mother a week ago.  She died peacefully in her sleep.  My husband and son Cort,  had been at her house the day before for a couple of hours and said that there was no sign of anything wrong.  She was her same old spry and sassy self.  There are so many things to be sad for because she will be missed in so many ways-- she was a proud, caring grandma and an ever so patient, generous, and loving mother.  But unlike so many others who suffer with illness and sorrows before their passing, she lived in comfort.  What a blessing to leave your family knowing that you caused them no concern.  Another example of peace and plenty.

Her oldest grandsons (my son's Luke and Cole are the 2 on the front left of the photo)  carried her to her final earthly resting place on January 10, 2008.  For all of us who knew her there will always be unending love and because of her quick exit, the reminder to never take today for granted.

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I want to share some Creative Cafe things with you today also.  Product designer, Danelle Johnson is having a little giveaway on her Blog that you will have to check out.  Make sure to play along for a chance to win!

This is a fun little set of canister's that I designed using Creative Cafe papers, tags, felt and cardstock flowers, Velvet ribbon, twill, rub ons, polka dot felt, and brads.  I love those brads.  I can't decide which I like better--the colored glass or the velvet ones.  Remember to click on the photos to get a clse up view. Have you found a place to buy Creative Cafe products yet?  Danelle's blog has a link to the stores that carry it. 

I purchased the metal containers at Hobby Lobby for a song right before Christmas in the gift wrap section (you know I love my Hobby Lobby!! ) I painted and distressed them up and went crazy with Creative Cafe.

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These are gift tags for Valentines Day and some quick gift boxes that you can cut out with the AccuCut die machine at the Creative Cafe Artbar.  So simple and so fast, yet they add a special touch for gift giving.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings.  I will be doing a drawing for a giveaway on a Creative Cafe project that I'd like to share, so say hello and I'll put your name in the drawing.  I'll post an image of the project when I post the winner's name.

Peace and plenty to you and those you love,

Linda