Wednesday, July 22, 2015

July Linky Challenge Winner and Beautiful Summer Samples

Hello, Friends!

It's time to announce the winner from the July Linky Challenge and Blog Hop.  I did this very scientifically asking my hubby to choose a number between 1 and 8 (including those two numbers.)  He chose lucky #5 and that participant in our challenge is the lovely Coco from PartieScrap!
Coco used our free digital download for this month to create a darling travel themed suitcase.

Congrats, Coco!  Please contact Sandy at craftysecrets@telus.net to collect your $25 DIGITAL shopping spree code!  Have fun shopping!!! 

The design team has been escaping the summer heat by spending a lot of time in our craft rooms.  It's just too hot to do much of anything else.  You reap the benefits, as I have some fabulous samples to share with you today.

Sheila has made the most romantic digital layout using our Creating with Vintage Illustrations CD.  Our CD's are loaded with beautiful digital papers that you can either print out to any size, or you can use them for digital cards and layouts as Sheila did here.  If you are not familiar with digital scrapping, you'll find a clear and easy to understand tutorial in her PhotoShop Friday post.  I love the way she faded the paper in this nostalgic layout.


I have really been enjoying creating with our Sew Decorative CD this summer.  The papers, images and ephemera on this CD have really amped up my creative mojo and I can't seem to stop playing with it.  First, I altered a truly hideous shadowbox frame that I picked up at our local thrift store.  This thing was an ugly ducking in real life!  But a little paint, papers and images from the Sew Decorative CD and an afternoon holed up in my studio led to this pretty piece of home decor. You can find all the details and products used in this project HERE


 Then, because I was totally addicted to the beautiful papers and ephemera on this incredible CD, I created a sewing themed pocket card.  The beautiful button card on the front captured my imagination and then next thing I knew, paper was flying!  You can read how I made this fun card and gift in one HERE.


The inside is stuffed with little tags from the Sew Decorative CD.  I stitched on buttons, added ribbon, twine and stick pins to make the perfect gift for anyone who loves to craft or sew.  If you're not familiar with this CD, I highly recommend it!  And for only $15.95, it's an amazing bargain. 

 
Diane has been creating the cutest textured cards, and she has wonderful tutorials on her blog.  Look how adorable this mermaid tag is.  She used our Mermaids Digital Art Stamps and papers from our Radiant Digital Papers to create this beachy 3-D project.  I just love the summery colors she chose and the wonderful texture she added.  Wouldn't this be great as table decor for a summer party?

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11143158_10205008380792391_1940017866845081101_n.jpg?oh=e1ccbcc873f0fcfa76deb2cdf9048ecc&oe=56558ACF 

Diane also made the cutest baby boy card with our Baby Boy Digital Printable and Birds and Blooms Digital papers.  This card makes me chuckle because it is so true...and I love  the way she used the diaper pin on the ribbon.  You can read all about this darling card HERE

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10501804_10205053108590558_8225257433573078805_n.jpg?oh=bdb3bcabaa1dda06b730e549582e8356&oe=560F6744 

You wouldn't normally use Halloween paper in a summer project, but Ginny found the perfect paper for this stunning black & white card on our Creating with Vintage Halloween CD.  She combined that paper with an image from our Creating with Vintage Typography CD and other papers from our Retro Kitchen Kit to make this crisp, clean card.  I love the bold graphic design, and the way all these papers work together seamlessly. 

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11752139_965527376832635_4077055533184327589_n.jpg?oh=d0d2ba6c49c3b83b0bddd0210fcba761&oe=564BBA5B 

Ginny also made a shabbylicious card using our Creating with Vintage Illustrations CD.  This card is soooo dreamy!  The combination of our Wild Roses Digital Papers with the Birds and Blooms Digital Paper Kit makes for an amazing summer card.  you can read all about it and see lots more photos HERE.


https://pollyspaper.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/window-children-1.jpg


Michele decided to color up one of the fabby images in our Farm Chicks Digital Art Stamps and paired it with our Chicken Farm Digital Paper.  This card is so pretty, it really needs  a frame! The Farm Chicks Digital Art Stamp set is loaded with 40 down home hens, chicks, roosters, background and themed sentiments.  You can find all the details on how Michelle made this gorgeous card HERE.


I have lots more samples to share with you, and I'll be back next week to share them.  In the meantime, I'd love to know what you are doing to keep cool?  Crafting with a glass of iced tea at your side?  Hanging by the pool?   Having your children peel grapes and fan you with ostrich feathers?  No matter how you are spending your summer, I hope you are finding time to relax, and time to create!

Thanks for stopping by today!  On behalf of Sandy Redburn, I wish you joy and creativity!

Cheerio,
Kathy Clement
Design Team Leader/Crafty Secrets

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

We Have 2 Winners, Fun Summer Projects and Party Cat Bonus!

Hi Everyone,

We have 2 winners for our Cotton Scraps Giveaway for a 15 Pack, plus both winners get all 15 digital files as well!  Randon.org picked #5 Sue from the Blog entries and #8 Kim from the Facebook. Both ladies have been notified.  You still have a chance to WIN a $25.00 Gift Card just by entering any sample in our July Linky Party using a Crafty Secrets product and so far there are just 3 entries so your odds are really great!


I have been so busy as we are listing our house today for sale and we've been here since we built it over 20 years ago, plus the business office is in my home as well - so I've had a crazy amount of decluttering to do!   I still have to take photos I promised of some yellow stamp sets I will post this week and I have more items to add. Here's our house all ready for a buyer. Do you think the heart wreath looks too country and should I take it off?


Okay, I have a really fun project and tutorial to share by DT Member Diane Hover and you may have seen the 'Faux Leather Suitcase Tutorial' she recently did for our July Linky Party but now she used the same idea to create this gorgeous Mermaid tail and card with our Mermaid Digital Stamp Set


Also, look at this fun Bon Voyage card by DT Member Darlene Pavlick created with a couple of images from our Travel Creative Scraps. Darlene also has links to all the other supplies she used like the umbrella and beach die cuts. I like how Dar tore some blue 'water' paper and added all the layers.


These are the NEW Bonus images I've been working on in between working on the house. I've added  them to our Party Cats Digital Stamp Set as all 3 of these cats look like party animals!  If you bought this digital set in the past please contact me  ( craftysecrets@telus.net  ) and I will get them to you for free! I need to upload the new file to our www.craftyvintagegirl.com  store but the store is being wonky. Is anyone else having problems?? I'm waiting to hear from my webmaster.
Party Cats Digital Set

Don't forget to enter a sample in our July Linky Party
You could be the next Linky Party Random Winner!

Hugs from Sandy Owner  

Visit Our CraftyVintageGirl.com  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


Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Free Flower Thank You Printable, 2 Giveaways, Specials and News

Hi Everyone, I've been missing in action but I'm back with a fun 'Free Flower Girl Thank You Printable' and 2 great Giveaway Packs, each for 15 of our Homespun Cotton Scraps. Plus news about our Bellingham, WA pop-up store closing, changes to our copyright, invite to our July Linky Party and more!

I hope you like this card I made from an old Beatrice Mallet postcard I recolored and faux embossed parts of it. For personal use only please. Just left click with your mouse until it's as big as possible and right click to save.
 

 We also have a double Giveaway with 2 chances to WIN ALL15 sheets below of all our Cotton Scraps (including those sold out) as I came across a few extras. Plus the 2 Winners will also receive all of theses in a digital set as well, so they can re-print the images on any medium! The Cotton Scraps that are sold out and now digital are 08 Wedding (I missed adding it below), 09 Fairies, 13 Winter, 14 Cooking and 15 Feathered Friends. We also have a Special Cotton 6 Pack for $6.99.


Since April we've been in a little store in Bellingham, WA and Lyssa (my shipper) was managing the store and had it fixed up so cute and last week we found out we had 1 day to move everything out! Stacia from Red Barn Jewelery who had the lease is about to have her baby any day and found out she couldn't extend her lease. Lyssa was also selling Stacia's beautiful jewelry. Too bad - but I'm Canadian and can't sign a 1 year lease so had to let it go. 


          I'm so sad the store had to close. Many of the items have been moved to the Picket Fence, a consignment store on Front Street in Lynden, WA.  Lyssa will still be filling our USA online orders. 

        
 Our Etsy Store is open but I've changed my Copyright to allow people to create handmade products to sell and I need to update all the digital products with the new copyright and upload them all again. Here's the NEW Copyright information in case anyone is interested in selling handmade products using any of our Digital images. 
 
 Clipper Street is a popular scrapbook store here in Langley BC and they hold a Garage Sale each month with is a big hit with their customers buying and selling items. I've rented 2 parking stalls and will have a huge amount of craft supplies there this Sunday July 12, 10 till 2 pm. Extra items that are easy to ship will be listed in our Etsy Store.


If you want quality resealable clear bags you can hang I have a great deal on packages of 100 bags for $2.95  in our Etsy Store.


I also have other items for sale that are too large to ship but showing in case someone lives near Bellingham, WA or the Vancouver-Surrey area in BC Canada. One of the larger pieces is this antique oak buffet sideboard for $350.00.The hand carving detail is beautiful and the fancy piece over the drawers is a hidden drawer

 

Also, an Oak Draw Leaf Hand Carved Table (opens to 72") with 4 chairs for $450.00. 
Contact me for details if interested.
 

Please go by and check out our July Linky Party and Summer DT Challenge. I HOPE WE GET MORE ENTRIES! There are some free printables if you want to join in (yes- be brave) and post any sample you have created and used a Crafty Secrets product and you could win the $25.00 Gift Certificate! Our DT Ladies have also created some great samples.

I'm trying to get our house ready to list for sale so I will be listing more craft supplies and specials! After 20 years in this house with my business I have a pile of stuff!


Don't forget to leave a comment here and/or our Facebook page to enter our 2 Winner Cotton Mega Giveaway. The 2 Winners will be announced next Monday from the Blog and Facebook


Hugs from Sandy
Owner  

Visit Our CraftyVintageGirl.com  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

Monday, July 6, 2015

July Linky Challenge and Blog Hop with Free Downloads and Prizes!


Hello, Friends!


Aaah, summertime!  Time to kick back and relax!  Time to make time for summer fun: beach trips, hiking in the mountains, camping out under the stars, lounging by the pool, reading a book in a hammock with an iced cold lemonade by your side!  However you like to spend these wonderful, lazy, hazy days, we are celebrating summer  in the July Linky Challenge and Blog Hop.  Each member of our design team has prepared a special "Summer Fun" themed project to share with you along with helpful hints and tutorials to help you in your summertime crafty pursuits.  I'm sharing a sneaky peek of each project here with a link to each team member's blog.  We hope you will hop along with us and then link up your own summer fun Crafty Secrets project using the Linky tool at the end of this post.  Let's hop!


My tutorial contains tips for making a collage that works...and how to incorporate product packaging in your project. 


Dar shares a tutorial for making a super fun fancy fold card.




Diane will show you how to add fabulous texture to your projects.


Elizabeth Lincoln is unable to join us this month as she is busy sewing her niece's wedding gown.  She'll be back in August.


Ginny demonstrates how a lowly paperclip can be used to create a fabby embellishment.



Melody will share how she put together this adorable accordion album.

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10918976_2499900382481_4065742775505573268_o.jpg 


Michele will show you how she made a cutie pie wall hanging for her kitchen!



Shantaie will instruct you in the fine art of adding layers of texture.

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11217575_966082173436389_4448559092809114545_n.jpg?oh=49a6080fd9b4fb6af5a7bf6f1058d2ac&oe=562E32AB 


Sheila will show you how to create a special icon for a very famous Mouse.



Teresa has a fun travel themed journal to share with you.

Now that you've been inspired by the design team creations, it's YOUR turn to get your craft on!  Use any Crafty Secrets product in  NEW creation and then link it up below.  You don't have to follow the Summer Fun theme to play along, but it's always fun when you do.  You DO have to use Crafty Secrets products in your project to be eligible to win this month's prize package.  

One lucky winner will be chosen on Monday, July 20th and will win a $25 DIGITAL shopping spree in the Crafty Secrets online store.  You'll be able to fill your shopping cart up with an amazing array of DIGITAL papers, DIGITAL art stamps,  and DIGITAL printables...anything your heart desires up to $25 in value.  Now that's worth playing for!
To thank you for playing along, we have an image and paper that are a perfect match for our summer fun theme. You may use them in your project if you wish.  Please do not share these images with others.  They are for your personal use only, and intended for use by those who choose to enter the challenge.  To download this month's free images, simply click on the image, then save to your computer. I've sized this image to 3.5" x 2" for you, so it is ready to go!



This adorable retro camper is from our Digital Summer Printable Sheet.  You can purchase the entire download in our Crafty Secrets Store for just $1.95.  It contains a dozen vintage summer themed images and word titles.  It's one of my all time favorite digital printable sheets.

To go with this stylish little camper, you can use this beautiful yellow gingham paper from our Retro Kitchen Digital Kit.  Just left click to open the image, then right click to download to your computer.  You can size the paper to print 8" x 8" so that it will print on most standard printers.



Our Retro Kitchen Digital Kit  is packed full of fun retro style kitchen papers and all sorts of fabulous kitchy images perfect for creating recipe albums, cute greeting cards, scrapbook pages and kitchen decor. Includes 34 designer papers, 4 recipe cards, 3 tab dividers, recipe book cover, a sheet of blank labels, a sheet of color kitchen labels, our Kitchen Time Cuts sheet, plus a folder with 46 wonderful retro images saved as PNG files! You can purchase the entire set for just $11.95 in our online store.

I know by now your fingers must be itching to dig in and create, so go visit the DT blogs, leave them some bloggy love and then get your craft on and join our Summer Fun Challenge by linking up your project below.  You have until midnight PT on Sunday July 19th to link up.  The design team will be stopping by to take a peek at your lovely Crafty Secrets Creations, and the winner will be announced on this blog on Wednesday, July  22nd.   

On behalf of Sandy Redburn, I wish you joy and creativity!

Cheerio,
Kathy Clement
DT Leader, Crafty Secrets

ENTER YOUR SUMMER FUN CHALLENGE PROJECT FEATURING CRAFTY SECRETS PRODUCTS HERE: