Altered Mailbox Challenge

Hey All of our Crafty Friends,

Today we have a special treat for you.  The Crafting Journal Team took on a Challenge.  I sent the team a paper mache Mail Box that I picked up at Hobby Lobby.  We were to each alter the mailbox to our liking.  No special rules.  

Here is our take on "Altering Mailbox".  Let us know what you think?  

This breath-taking mail box was created by Darlene Kearns.  

This stunning mail box was created by Elizabeth Barboza.

This beautiful mail box was created by Barbara Dykhouse.

This gorgeous mail box was created by Anna Zuniga.

Thank you for stopping by. 

I'm Dreaming of Summer

Hello everyone-Darlene here!

I am actually preparing this post as the northeast awaits a blizzard. As I am suffering from cabin fever, I thought I might as well do a 12 x 12 layout of our vacation at the beach this summer. This is one of my favorite photos of me with my kids being a little goofy. Oh and let me add-one of the few photos I am even in as I am always the one taking the photos. This was a simple layout using some beautiful papers from K & Co. along with their coordinating chipboard letters and embellishments. The word "memories" is from my stash so I am not sure who the company is. I trimmed all the papers down and matted them onto black cardstock just to give it a little pop.

Always and Forever

Darlene here this week with a home decor idea I created for the Valentine's holiday. I started with a cardboard heart that had some depth to it and traced it onto some cardstock. After adhering the cardstock to the heart, I hot glued this beautiful ribbon around the outer edge of the heart. With the Tim Holtz, "Just Sayings" stamps I stamped  "always and forever" onto a banner and distressed the edges slightly to give it a little more pop. I chose a coordinating background paper and hot glued the hear on top. I did find I needed to remove the glass from my frame.

Santa's Workshop

Hi everyone! Darlene here…

Just thought I would do a quick blog post of this adorable card I made using Raisin Boat Stamps. It is a stamp rental company with several packages to choose from including the option to purchase the stamps you have rented. If you haven't been over there be sure to check them out. You can find some very unique stamps. I was also impressed with the amount of masculine stamps they offer.   

This particular card was made using 2 of the Raisin Boat Stamp sets.

1. North Pole Toymakers

2. Elves are Watching

I cut the window with my Cricut Cameo and added some texture snow to the corner of the windows.  I thought the Christmas lights by Jolee's were the perfect touch! Images were colored using Copic markers.

Day 3: Fall, Thanksgiving and Gratitude Hooplah

Hello everyone….Darlene here!

I decided to make some place cards for Thanksgiving this year using the most adorable digital stamp from Sassy Cheryl Stamps called, "What's Up Turkey?" I like to use my Copics as a base color  on my images and then I work with a combination of Prismacolor and Faber Castell pencils to color my image. Sometimes for blending my colors I will use some odorless mineral spirits but only in moderation. Once I was done coloring, I cut my image out and matted onto several pieces of cardstock in coordinating colors. The base of the place card measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/2 ".  I printed out my guest's names onto white cardstock, trimmed and matted it. With the use of glue dots I adhered the guest name to his hands while popping the name up (see photo #3) as this helped add some dimension to the place card. Isn't he adorable?

Hello Friend Card

Hi everyone! It's Darlene here!

It's a rainy fall day here in the northeast so I had some time to be a little creative today.

I created this card using Lawn Fawn's "Joy to the Woods" stamp set and the sentiment is from Paper Smooches "Just a Note" set. Starting with a 5 1/2" x 4" card base. Using Tim Holtz Distress Inks I created my background image of the sky and grass. The colors I used to create the sky were: Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Weathered Wood, Faded Jeans and Black Soot. The grassy area was done using the following Distress Inks: Shabby Shutters and Pine Needles. With the trees, I had lightly colored them with my Copics (N0 Neutral Gray No. 0).  I also used 3D foam dots to pop up some of the trees for dimension. The bird and fox are colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with odorless mineral spirits.  Thanks for stopping by!

Wedding Card Box

Hi everyone! Darlene here ….

I wanted to share this beautiful card box I made for my daughter's wedding last week. There is a lot of inspiration on Pinterest if you are interested on creating a project like this. I created the beautiful flowers using a Martha Stewart 4 Leaf Clover punch. Each flower is made from 3 clovers with the stems cut off. I distressed the petals using Tim Holtz Distress Inks- Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade and Vintage Photo. I then layered the 3 clovers on top of one another using hot glue and embellished the center with a decorative pearl. Fold up the edges of each petal to make it look more realistic. After punching several leaves, I scored the center of each one and used some Walnut Stain along the edges. I punched a scallop edge using one of my punches to outline each pennant in kraft color cardstock. Going through my stash I found the perfect color chipboard letters to add to my pennant. I punched two holes at the top of each pennant and fed the twine through each hole.

For a little detail, I added a couple of tags to the handle one says, "I DO" and is distressed with Walnut Stain, Black Soot and Faded Jeans distress inks. The "getting hitched" tag is a stamp from Avery Elle's Home Sweet Home Stamp Set.

Monster Mash Blog Hop

WELCOME TO DAY 2 OF THE MONSTER MASH BLOG HOP!

I was working in the lab, late one night

When my eyes beheld an eerie sight

For my monster from his slab, began to rise

And suddenly to my surprise

He did the mash, he did the monster mash

It was a graveyard smash!

Connie">http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com/">Connie Can Crop and her ghoulishly wonderful friends are so glad you could join us for this Monster Mash! We have so many frightful projects you'll be screaming for more! 

This is day #2 of the blog hop and we appreciate your leaving a comment for all of these talented creatures who are here sharing their ideas and creations. We are thrilled to death that you came back!

The zombies were having fun, the party had just begun

The guests included Wolf Man, Dracula and his son!

We have three terrifying yet amazing sponsors and giveaways for this hop!

Creative Kuts is giving one lucky winner a $10 gift certificate for their online store.

You can visit her Shop here and

follow them on Facebook here.

AND

Lucy Kelleher

is giving away this Frightfully Fun Stamp set from CTMH

http://lucyk.ctmh.com

AND

Connie Wallenbrock is giving away this Mini-Medley Accents Pack from CTMH

Perfect for your Halloween creations! 

http://conniecancrop.ctmh.com

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

Then you can mash, then you can monster mash

The monster mash, and do a graveyard smash

Then you can mash, you'll catch on in a flash

Then you can mash, then you can monster mash
You will have until 12:00 am Monday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

You will have until 12:00 am Monday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday at Connie Can Crop.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave your spirited comments along the way!

Let's get this Monster Party started!

Hey Everyone,  Darlene Here!  

I love using these printer's trays for home decor! Certainly not an original idea, but if you're thinking of creating one I encourage you to visit Pinterest for tons of inspiration.  I had a printer's tray so all I needed was to decide which holiday I wanted to showcase. This tray measures approximately 10.25" x 12.25" and has a handle which makes it perfect for hanging. It was a wonderful way to use up some of my scraps and single sticker items that I have been holding on to for years. This project is the perfect home decor for any holiday, special event or gift giving. The possibilities are endless!

I started by choosing my papers along with stickers and embellishments. Determine the paper size for each slot and add your embellishments and stickers. It was really that easy!

Thanks for stopping by today and Up next is the lovely and talented 
Jessica http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

Just in case you get lost along the way here is a complete line up for DAY 2.

1.Connie

2.Alicia

3.Darlene YOU ARE HERE!!

4. Jessica

5. Pam

6. Jenny

7. Christina

8. Carolyn

9. Miranda

10. Lori

11.  Ashley

12. Robin L.

13.Haidee

14. Daphne

15. Audrey