Pretty Things & Halloween

Hello, everyone!

Julie here for Sandy today...she's still in far-off France having a wonderful time and a very well-deserved vacation!

Just a few projects from some of the Design Team ladies to share with you today...

Here is a pretty vintage creation from Tammy Roberts...

A beautiful card with a stitching theme..she's wishing to pick up embroidery again, and hopefully this will inspire her to do so!  The main image is found in the "Sew Nice" Creative Scraps and she used one of the paper designs from the "Creating with Vintage Patterns" CD.

Now we'll shift a bit from pretty to spooky...sweet, VINTAGE spooky!

Pam Hooten created this adorable Halloween duo...

...she used Crafty Secrets' "Halloween Greetings" Creative Scraps...love all her sweet details & embellishments!

Lastly, I had so much fun working on this vintage muffin tin I picked up in a yard sale this summer...the perfect "frame" for some fabulous Halloween images...

I used images from "Halloween Greeting" Creative Scraps, the "Halloween" Images & Journal Notes booklet, and "Halloween Time" Vintage Cuts...(I'll have more details on my blog by tomorrow...)

...then I added some vintage buttons, gingham ribbon (tinted with Glimmer Mist to age it a bit), vintage bottle caps, Stickles for sparkle...and that's about it!

Well, that's about it for today!  Hope you're having a wonderful beginning-of-fall week...thanks so much for stopping by!

Julie for Crafty Secrets

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15430 78 A Ave.,
Surrey, BC V3S 8R4

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250 H. Street, #436
Blaine,WA 98230

Design Team Challenge "Feeling Retro"

Today is this months Design Team Challenge. Our theme for this challenge is "Retro".   Crafty Secrets has many products that fit under this category, so it will be fun to see what each of the Design Team member girls have chosen to create their projects.    Here are the links to each of the DT members blogs where they will have their projects posted.  Pop around and take a look.  

Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

Pam Hooten

Heidi Blankenship

Linda Duke
Michele Kovack
Julie Campbell
Amy Teets
Debbie Marcinkiewicz
Fauve van Maanen
Gini Cagle
Jan Hennings
Tammy Roberts
Victoria Warren Mears
Viola Mahr

I also have a few new projects to share here. The first project is from Design Team member Victoria Warren Mears.  You can read all about what you need to create this fun altered frame HERE on her blog.

 I created the next three cards with Images from the "Girlfriend" double sided Creative Scraps.

The stamped border on the card above is from the "Mini Memories" Clear Art stamp set.

The stamps used on the "I love you" card above is from the "Twinkle Stars" Clear Art stamp set.  I think they are perfect for a Retro feel background or accent. It was fun to add rhinestones to the centers for extra bling.    I used the same stamp set to create the border on the card below.  Instead of using bling on this, I used my SAKARA clear stardust pen.   ( all papers are from the "Creating with Vintage Patterns CD" )

I am in love with this darling project DT member Jan Hennings Created, using Crafty Secrets Halloween goodies.   One of my very favorite things to do, is to find something (preferably on a clearance table :) and alter it to create something new and fun.  Jan did just that.  take a look.....

here is the before.   Now that's thinking out of the box. ( I mean ..the "bus") lol

There are many different ways to create a "retro feel" to you projects.   Look at this gorgeous card created by DT member Debbie Marcinkiewicz .   It's retro/shabby! Cool!  

I hope you've enjoyed the Retro inspiration today.    Enjoy a great start to your week!

Thanks for coming by! 

Vicki

A little Halloween fun!

Hello Everyone, Vicki here.. filling in for Sandy while she's away.   I thought it would be fun to do a Halloween post, since there's a chill in the air.. and Halloween is getting closer each day.    I thought I'd start by showing you a gorgeous card  Beate created.

Beate John has a fabulous tutorial on making this Petal card HERE  at Splitcoast.  She has done a step by step with photos, and a video also.

Look at this CUTE house desing team member Gini Cagle created.

The Halloween Fun Clear Art Stamps were used on Gini Cagles house above.

Debbie Marcinkiewicz (also a CS Design Team member) created the next two cards using that same stamp set.

I created the next two cards using the Halloween Greetings Double Sided Creative Scraps and papers from the "Creating with Vintage Patterns" CD 1, for Crafty Secrets Challenges over at Splitcoast Stampers.  This first card was for last weeks challenge.."Wheres your button"  hosted by Lori Washburn.   I really enjoy the challenges these girls come up with.  I created a fun little flower with my button, and did a tutorial on my blog on how to create.  You can see that on my blog HERE, as well as some other fun ideas for using "text" on your projects.

I also used the "Happy Halloween" stamp set, on the inside of my card.  Crafty Secrets also has this fun Halloween set available  "Costume Cuties"

This weeks Challenge is hosted by Darlene, and its' another fun one..... "Using up Scraps".    Here is the card I created for this weeks challenge. 

  We'd be thrilled to have any of you come play along with us any time!  Thanks girls, for the fun challenges!

I thought I would just show a few other Halloween projects done with other Crafty Secrets "Halloween themed goodies".  (With Sandy Gone, I'm not sure on which of our Amazing DT girls created each of these projects.. so I could give them each credit .... my apologies to them for that).

Halloween Vintage Cuts

(above) Halloween Treats Cardstock Stickers  on one of the "Sweet Chips" Folding Chipboard houses.

(above) Halloween Image and Journal Books

(above)  Halloween Postcard Kits

This could be used for Halloween goodies I suppose..but it's just cool for about anything, so I wanted to share it here.  It's a  fun altered case Jan Hennings created  with papers from the "Creating with Vintage Images CD".

Well, I hope all this inspiration gets you in the mood for creating some Vintage Halloween fun!
Well, be back soon with more inspiration! And .... dont forget, next week is our Design Team Challenge post. The DT has been working on their creations to post on Monday Sept.19th.

Hope to see you then!

Vicki ( filling in for Sandy)



Fun New Samples!

Hello todays post is from Cindy as Sandra is flying off to Paris for a well deserved holiday,
Bon Voyage Sandra and Scott.

To start we have “Button, button where’s my button” the challenge at Splitcoast.

Lori Lynn Washburn is hosting the challenge at Splitcoast and this is her lovely card.  Be sure to add CSSC188 to your keyword section so you don't miss anything!
Our very talented design team has made the following incredible samples.


Michele  made this adorable card with our Queen Bee set SS22  I love the colors' she used.



This “Wish you were here” card by Tammy is so clever and the details are awesome. Tammy used the chair and expression from Take it Easy. Then she used Mini Frames sm41 to make little picture frames around our Vintage Mini Creative Scraps. I love it, you could personalize this by using family photos or do a whole family tree on a scrapbook page.




Julie used the Little Blessings CS13-ds double sided Creative Scraps for this lovely card. Again it is all the details. Julie used multiple layers of paper then inked and glittered the edges to show off this pretty image. The buttons, scallops and bow really kick this card up a notch.



Jan created these adorable labels using the stamp set Vintage Labels SL45 and assorted Creative Scrap images. With lace, ribbon and pins she recycled plain bottles into a lovely collection of vintage gems.

Watch for guest bloggers while Sandra is away.
Happy Scrapping everyone
Cindy

Shabby Style Tips, 2 New Stamp Sets, Fun Ideas and France!

Ooohh… I have so many fun things to share with you today!  DT Leader Vicki Chrisman has a really great tutorial on her blog with a bunch of tips for adding shabby charm to your projects.  So many people have said they don’t know how to create a lovely worn distressed look and she has easy tips to get you started. Vicki used papers from our CD and an image from Love Mail Scraps.

You can see how Vicki’s photo keepsake above and on the card below by DT member Tammy Roberts that combing layers of papers, textures, inking, stitching, old lace, ribbons, buttons, flowers all add to the charm. So save old broken jewelry, beads, pearls, bits of lace, old doilies, fabric from a child’s outgrown outfit, etc. You can hand dye or buy seam binding, ink or spray paper die cut doilies and if you love lace – check out our new AntiqueTrims Stamp Set  you can stamp in any color!


Here is a brand new Clear Art Stamp Set SM40 Grand Greetings and I’m thrilled with the way it turned out!  There are  27 separate stamps with a variety of ornate lettering styles and all the versatile embellishment stamps you can mix and match to dress up greeting cards & gift tags.

On this layout by Vicki Chrisman she used some of the Grand Greetings Stamps (‘It’s Your Day’ and ‘Happily Ever After’ with our Vintage Label Stamp Stamp Set. You can also ENTER VICKI'S GIVEAWAY HERE on Her Blog!  She will draw a winner Sept 5/11


I love how versatile this sentiment ‘WISHING YOU A BEAUTIFUL DAY’  is that DT Member Tammy Roberts used on this card she created using a cute little girl from our Childhood Booklet. Details HERE on Tammy’s Blog.



This set is so NEW, I don’t even have a sample to show yet but many of the frames from our NEW SM41 Mini Frames Clear Art Stamp Set fit sentiments from the Grand Greetings set and the Mini Vintage Scraps, plus - there are also 3 little bails, a long piece of chain and a V chain stamp that can be placed curved on a block to stamp necklaces and create faux photo jewelry & memory keepsakes! There are 18 separate stamps in total and you can curve the words; FAMILY, LOVED, SPECIAL and GIRLFRIEND to fit across the scroll top banners.


Look at these sweet old spoons that DT Member Julie Campbell altered using images from our Mini Vintage Scraps. You can see the other spoons HERE  on Julie’s Blog.


Talking about old spoons, I need to tell you about one of my favorite companies www.spoonman.com so you can check out the incredible products he creates from old cutlery! I linked to his crazy head gear which he welds to bendable metal headbands like a ‘through the head wrench’ for $8.00 for your fav tool man but see his jewelry and pens.


He always has a booth at the Portland Saturday Market, where I bought a bracelet nicer than the one above for $16.00 and this toothpick or bud vase for $11.00. He has online ordering if you can’t get there but this outdoor arts & crafts market is really fun and full great food and handcrafted items.



Here is this weeks Orange Challenge Cynthia is hosting over at Splitcoast and YES - you can still join in the fun and post a project. Just be sure to include the code CSSC187 so your sample shows up in the Gallery. I love the way Cynthia stitched on her card and used an image from our Childhood Booklet


I promised to tell you about my upcoming trip to France, which is like a dream come true. We leave this coming Wednesday so I’ve been working non stop but Cindy & Denisa will be here looking after the office and my daughters are doggy sitting.  I'm going to hunt for more stuff like this great lettering while I'm there!

My oldest daughter Katie & boyfriend Ryan got a great deal on a week at a villa in France for 8 at a silent auction but Scott and I will be touring for 3 weeks! If you ever want to rent a villa overseas check this place out.   PS –Katie & Ryan are busy working on a TV show for the Oprah Network I will tell you about when I get back as I’m a really proud mum!



We will be in Paris for 3 days before we drive 4 hrs south to the countryside where the villa is and Katie has organized day trips to all of the neighboring towns on their outdoor market days. Here’s a link to the Burgundy area known best for it’s wine, cheese!

After we leave the villa we are driving across the southern part of France to San Sebastian in Spain and along the way staying in little villages like Narbonne and Toulouse and visiting the medieval city of Carcassonne, France. Europe is expensive but us bargain hunters found great deals on www.TripAdvisor.com  and www.Hostelworld.com and hostelworld has several private bedroom places with great reviews. Click on Carcassonne link to see more cool photos.


Of course one of my dreams has been to go to a French Flea Market and there are a few in Paris as well as in other towns we will visit so I am super excited to to go treasure hunting and promise to take a bunch of photos & buy stuff!  If you ever go I found a great info site on French Flea Markets!


I’m sure we will visit a couple of art galleries so when I saw this fun photo you can alter on Photofunia I had to add photos of our dog Otis and his buddy George. If you’ve never played on Photofunia you have to try it out. It’s free & addictive!



I added this photo of my niece Arissa to a building in Times Square over at Photofunia. Her & brother Kason have been staying here at my mom & dad’s place downstairs and it’s been fun and hectic having small kids in our house again.

It will try and do another post before we leave but head DT member Vicki Chrisman will be posting in my absence and possibly some of our other DT ladies.
Wishing you joy & creativity
Sandy Redburn
Crafty Secrets
Check Our Store Locator
Visit Our Online Store
Join Us on Facebook!

This Blog: http://heartwarmingvintage.blogspot.com
Our Website: http://www.craftysecrets.com
Toll Free Phone or Fax 1-888 597-8898
Local Phone 604 597-8817

Crafty Secrets Head Office
15430 78 A Ave.,
Surrey, BC V3S 8R4

USA Warehouse
250 H. Street, #436
Blaine,WA 98230