So good!

It's so nice to be back in the craft room again. I got it all cleaned up Friday while my son slept and my husband was out helping a friend move. I've been able to get my hands on paper and pictures again. YAY! I've got some layouts in the works and I found dates for all the layouts that I already have pictures on. I can not say they are complete because they are not. These layouts do not have titles, embellishments or journaling. I am really good at getting pictures put with paper but the details are my challenge. I've got a Cricut again so I can see things getting done in a more timely manner now. YAY! So, for those that do read, look forward to seeing some artwork real soon. Until then, have a Happy and safe New Years celebration!!

for those with holiday crafting stress..

You need to go to the site below. It's good for the soul. http://craftivism.com/nostressholidays.html

10 days until Christmas??

My morning sickness through off my plan for the Christmas presents but never fear, I am getting things done!!!! YAY! I had planned on sharing pictures but guess what...the presents are wrapped! I just realized it!! I'll have to ask the recipients to take some pictures and share. :-) How is everyone doing with their Christmas crafting??

Home made Christmas

Well it's that time...time to get the projects done for Christmas. As you can see on the right of my blog, I took a pledge to do handmade for Christmas. While I'm not able to do that for absolutely every gift that I am giving this year, I am doing my best. I love being to sit and think of each person that I am giving to then figure out what I think would be the best gift for them. It's been a challenge but it has sure been fun. I know I have not been sharing much artwork with you. The reason being is that a lot of what I am working on right now is for Christmas gifts. So I don't want to give the surprises away. :-) I am working on a few things that I will be able to share. So look for new pictures soon. Meanwhile, what are you doing to prepare for the Christmas season? I hope that you'll share in the comments. :-) I must sign off for now. I have dogs that want something..as always. :-)

Christmas cards

This was Joshua's cake that I made for his 2nd Birthday. These are cards that I am offering for my Christmas card workshop. Email me at annieh@myctmh.com if you'd like more information.

Mickey Mouse is in the house

This is what I worked on today. He's hand shaped and hand drawn. I don't know that you can tell very well but I tried to do a bit of 3d type shaping on his face with the icing. This was a fun one to do! Tomorrow is Lightening McQueen for my sons birthday. :-)

Birthday invites and more

The following is what I've been doing as of late. This does not include my crochet projects though. Reason being, those crochet projects are gifts for people. This is the party invitation for Joshua's 2nd birthday. This is the Thank you that I plan on sending after Joshua's 2nd birthday. This card is the first of many for my Christmas card workshop. The box was made with papers that I received from my sweet secret sister. I made a box for a greeting card set. I plan on making more of these in the near future. Perfect Christmas present when filled with a bunch of cards. :-) All product is Close To My Heart excluding the box.

Hello Kitty Cake

A scrapbooking friend of mine ordered this cake for her daughter. It's chocolate cake filled with Bavarian creme and topped off with buttercream icing and decorations.

My new craft room gets a face lift

It started out blue.... Then I primed it.... Two coats of paint later and it looks like the walls in the background... "cutting in" the new paint color... This was after 1 coat of paint.... This is the final results. The color is darker but got washed out due to the flash.

Recent cake

Here is a cake I did last week with the help of my friends daughter.. I am also working on knitting a baby blanket for my friends daughter. Plus I am going to tackle tatting again now that I've found an instruction book.

Sponge Bob cake

Here is the latest cake that I've done besides a baby shower cake. Enjoy!

I've been Tagged!

Well I was told that I've been tagged. After figuring out what that meant...I'm following through...

And I've been tagged!

1. Ten Years Ago- I was 21. I lived on my own in a studio apartment with my 2 dogs. I worked at a uniform shop as the materials manager.

2. Five Things on Today's To Do List- Get out of bed, watch Abby, dishes, vacuum, mark molding to be cut.

3. Snacks I Enjoy- Fritos, Washington Apples, cheese sticks and m&m's.

4. Places I've Lived- Washington (Too many to name), Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal), Tualatin Oregon, Jacksonville Arkansas.

5. Two People I'm Tagging - Sarah, Erin G. Now this was supposed to be four people but others I wanted to tag had already been tagged.

Have some fun saying goodbye...=)

I did a going away cake for someone in my husbands shop on Sunday to be delivered Monday morning. It was so fun but a lot of work.

Baby shower cakes

This is what I did today. Oh boy! What a challenge!!

Took a bit of a break

So last week was an off week for me. I just didn't get much of anything productive done, including crafting! I'm back at it already this week though. Today I started another crochet wash cloth. I also am planning to design some placemats for the dining room table. Going to sketch those out in a minute. I'm starting to venture into the world of creating crochet patterns for myself. I know I can do it, I have the knowledge. I just have to dedicate the time to it. I will though because I am not finding patterns that are what I want. So when all else fails....do it yourself. :-) I went to a crop last night and scrapbooked the night away. I got 5 layouts "done" as in pictures and paper are placed. I still need to do titles, embellish and journal. I will do that this week though and share soon. I'm also already working on Christmas gift plans. I have things in the works. I took the handmade pledge so I am either buying or making handmade this year. Thus, the reason I am starting so early. This also helps on the Christmas budget. I believe it will keep us from the large expense all at once. Well it's late and my brain is shutting down so I'm going to quit now while I'm still ahead. If you read this blog, thanks for tuning into my ramblings and sharing. Leave me a note to let me know you stopped by. Have a good week!

A challenge!

I am part of a wonderful Secret Sisters group and we have an online crop every month. With each crop there are challenges. The first challenge that I have complete is to use paint. Wow! What fun and what a mess I made. This is my Grandmother.

I'm on Etsy!!

Yep, I've got some things up and some more in the works. Go...check it out! www.madebyalh.etsy.com If there is anything in the land of crochet that you may want...just ask. I'll quote it for you and make it if you'd like.

Crochet

I just finished this project. It is a Double sided wash cloth. I'm gearing up to sell on Etsy. So, keep an eye out! Side 1 Side 2

Latest scrapbooking layouts

I've been busy crafting. I got a few layouts done so wanted to share some pics. Joshua bouncing - over a year ago! Joshua rolling - more than a year ago! Alan's Airmen Leadership Graduation - 2000 Joshua playing with his "Auntie" Reina Joshua playing with daddy's hands under the door

Productive!

Well I've had a productive crafting day today! YAY! I am working on using up some of my old kits from clubs and workshops that I've done. I've completed an old envelope album and another cool homemade album from last year. I'll share pictures just as soon as my battery is charged for my camera. Just had to share the excitement!

Cake creating!

My latest feat was a beautiful purple princess castle cake. It was a challenge but so much fun! The little princess that it was made for...loved it. That is what it is all about! Front Back

New Year, more creating!

Well I obviously haven't been updating this part of my blog. Oops! The holidays were a busy time for crafts but I didn't take the time to post. *sorry* I do plan on posting pictures of projects this week. What have I been working you ask? Well tonight I was doing up a beaded necklace with antique pearls for friend. Talk about a little stressful but lots of fun! I have a bracelet and earrings to do tomorrow night. I've been working with my new stamp sets and papers from Close To My Heart. You can check out my business website for pictures of those projects this week too! www.annieh.myctmh.com Otherwise I have just been enjoying time with my husband and son since my husband was off all last week. He's back to work tomorrow and so am I, in the house that is. :-) I look forward to sharing my art. Oh, and I wanted to let you know that if you want to share you can send me the file, your name and email address so that I can give proper credit. Send your files to annieh@myctmh.com ttfn...