Welcome to my little crafty cottage!

Edited: Now that I'm awake I've added some more pictures. The 2 am uploads didn't include some things I wanted to show, so here you go :)  Enjoy!

Welcome! Won't you come in and have a look around? So glad to have you and I hope you enjoy your visit to the Where Blogger Create blog party.

My little crafty cottage is a labor of love! We had her delivered last June and I have just finished her recently. I've been working hard trying to get it just right for me to get creative and have a place for everything.

Above you'll find my front porch- which I LOVE! These are my work tables. I have 2 put together as an L shape.
Also here is a fake cake I made. It didn't turn out quite like I'd like for it to have, but I was happy with it for my first try.

Below is a picture showing the whole room from the front door. The dimensions are 12X20. I love the room I had as I was in the spare bedroom in the house. We had this building special built to the size I thought I'd need.

This is where I read all of YOUR blogs at! I can look out my front window and enjoy the sunshine. The window that was there was just a 24X36, but we had that one taken out and this one put in- so glad we did. I have to have my sunlight!

This is Matilda. That is the name the lady from the antique store gave her. I love my pom pom, but had no where to put it- so it is her head! The collar is also a handmade antique. It had to go on Matilda and she LOVES it. The cabinet behind her holds all my crepe paper rolls, doilies, lace and such. It is perfect for storing lots of things as the drawers are only about 3 inches tall and there are 10 of them.

I'm not sure why this picture looks squished, but it is my Yudu cabinet and I have my Big Shot here and all my dies.

This is my desk I use as my "office business" but it doubles as a work space for my kids. I have all their art supplies out for them to come in and create any time they want to.

Here is my very large and ugly shelf- but hey, it sure holds a lot of stuff! I have my glitter, tulle, beads, and vintage goodies here along with my DreamCuts cutter. Also my Xyron stuff is here along with some extra stuff (better known as JUNK!)

One of my favorite things about my room is my pegboard and the lights around it. I love the glow and I can have a bit of holiday cheer all year long!

Most of my things came from yard sales or from our local antique store. This little shelf was originally an old post office item. It holds so much- that is great for a small space.

Another find at the antique store! I couldn't believe my eyes when I stumbled upon it! I grabbed it at a steal for $12.

Another hobby I have is crocheting. I started because I wanted to make my own flower embellishments for scrappin'. I didn't know anything when I started. I taught myself with the help from YouTube and experimenting. Now I've figured out some of the other basic stitches and have started a blanket for my son. It is coming along slowly, but surely.

Oh and I cannot leave out my two sweet girls! They are always out here with me- and usually asleep! That is why I refer to them as floor warmers! :)
This is Gracie... studio floor warmer number one. I got her a few months back and fell in love with her. She is so sweet, but VERY stubborn sometimes!

This little cutie pie is Bella, floor warmer number two. I first named her Angel, but SHE AIN'T NO ANGEL!!! So Bella she is, or little 'en. She came along just three weeks ago. I wondered if Gracie would leave her alone... well, miss Bella follows poor Gracie around trying to chew on every inch of her furry little body! She has gotten better, as now they will lay snuggled up together. She is such a snuggly little girl. Usually right after her bath she will go to sleep while I'm drying her off. BUT... house breaking is BREAKING ME!!! But she's cute :) That is what keeps me going!

Here is my little building on the lot where it was built, the pict. with me standing by the porch was the day it was delivered and the other two are as she looks today.

This collage shows my pegboard and my collection of things. That is what it is - definitely a collection!

Next is some of my "pretties". I love this old stuff! It has a beauty that the new things just can't compare to. I'm like a lot of others... just can't get enough. In fact, I'm supposed to be looking at more tomorrow. Hopefully the price will be good!

Random shots of my studio, it is hard to show everything in just a few pictures so I thought the collage would work better.

The last set is a couple more of my favorite things. My pink payphone that really works. You drop in a coin and you get the ding you used to with the older ones. It is push button, so it is a cheater- but I still love it!
Another love of mine is yarn. I love the feel, color and texture! I just can't get enough of it :)

I went to a yard sale today and hit the jackpot! I got these things and a ton more. I found the prettiest lace and old aprons, doilies, table runners, and fabric. You won't believe how much I spent....

LOOK AT THIS! I've never in my life found anything so pretty! I just about fell over when I found it! Oh, and when I found all the fabric and lace I grabbed it up thinking I might have to knock someone over if they reached for it. I'm sure I looked like a starved animal at his feast when I was going through it all!!

OK, I spent $20.75! I was thrilled with all I brought home!

I do hope you enjoyed coming in to my little crafty cottage. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I'd love some crafty/creative criticism... Just be nice :)

I'm off to take a looksie at all the other creative bloggers' blogs out there.
Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless!!!

Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Where Bloggers Create II

Are you about ready? I know I am!! On Saturday morning myself, along with a few hundred other women, are going to let you step into our studios/craft rooms and show off our work spaces . We are all busy as can be getting ready for the big "reveal" Sat. morning.  Be sure you check out Karen's blog first thing and go to each link on her list to see all the magic. When you get there scroll down and you will see the list of participants on the right.

I will have a TON of pictures... from when my building was on the lot before they brought it out, as they were setting it up, inside and unfinished and then the final result from the priming, painting, flooring put in, decorations up... what it looks like today.  I do hope you like what you see here. If you stop by PLEASE leave a comment to let me know you stopped by and if you have any suggestions let me know.  I 'm always looking for ideas to make it better and more productive. I move my things around so often I think my hubs thinks I'm crazy!

Off to finish up and start with my photos.... have LOTS to edit!!

Have a great day!
Happy Scrappin'

Lisa

Blogger Sorority

Hello!
I found this link on Karen's blog this morning. It really sounds like fun and I know I'm going to join in. You should too! Just click the link to check out the details.

Have a ton of pictures to post so look out.... be ready for a long post VERY soon!!
Have a great day and Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Am I a Glutton or what? Two of them??

An Angel?? I don't think so.
Well, I'm in love... with my newest addition to the Hodge family! I had Gracie, but now I have Angel. She is a 13 week old little live wire! She WILL NOT leave our Gracie alone!! Poor thing, she gets chewed on, growled at, sniffed, and jumped on CONSTANTLY!!!! I thought the trouble would be that Gracie wouldn't leave the puppy alone, but no! It is the other way around! Oh, boy- yes I'm a glutton for punishment!
I was playing around with Picassa that came on my laptop and created this collage.
AIN'T THEY JUST ADORABLE??
Angel's momma was named Angelique, so I thought I keep it close by naming her Angel. But she is more like a Demon, I think! Adorable, but sneaky. Precious, but rambunctious!

 

I really like the way the collage thing worked. I will start using this a lot. It is a great way to post a lot of pictures without having to upload each one.

I will post many more soon!! Fun fun! A new toy to play with! Funny, had this since last summer and have never made a collage - now I'm hooked!

Have a great SUMMER day!!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

That's my boy!!

My oldest son Cody graduated high school last Saturday! I knew the day would come, I just didn't realize how fast it would get here! I have a ton of pictures but they are still hibernating in my camera. I've got to get them uploaded and I'll post them, but for now I found this one to share. I used a digi brush, I can't remember where I got it, but have quite a few and was playing around.

 

Just watched the Hallmark movie of Alice in Wonderland. It was really good! I have only a few more days until I get the NEW ONE!! I can't wait to get it! I have to go to our local antique store and find some tea cups and saucers for the Mad Tea Party! Come have some tea with me, won't you??

Have a great MAD day!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Hello!!!

This is what I got today!

I can't wait to look at it!! But work first, the towels are dry and I gotta go fold them and THEN ...THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!! I love this magazine! You can go to the blog of JO PACKHAM and see WHERE WOMEN CREATE
Have a great night!!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Mad Hatter Tea Party - Alice in Wonderland Obsession

Wanna come have fun???

Check this out.....

If you click the pict. to the left in the sidebar it will take you to Vanessa Valencia's blog with all the details. Check out all the other MAD BLOGGERS on her list there!!
I think this will be so much fun! I've never done it before... if fact, I had never even watched Alice in Wonderland until I bought the DVD the other day! I hadn't read the book, didn't even know what it was about! But now, I know that I want to be Alice! I'm obsessed with trying to find all I can that is Alice related!! June 1st is the release for the new Johnny Depp Alice in Wonderland movie and I can't wait to get my grubby paws on it!

Well, gotta go I'M LATE!! I'M LATE!! ....course I'm always LATE!

Have a great night!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Where Bloggers Create 2

Karen Valentine over at her blog My Desert Cottage is having a party! A blog party to show off your scraproom/area/studio.  Here is the artwork with all the details....

Just click on the link for details and more info. She is so sweet! I think this blog party will be so much fun! I can't wait to show more pictures of my studio!! I've made a few changes and I'm starting to settle in now.

Have to go find food.... hungry and I've heard the rumbly in my tumbly.

Back with more details of a MAD TEA PARTY very soon!!

Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

New things added....

If you look at my side bars you'll find some new buttons(click them and they will take you to some great places!).... I will tell you all about these tomorrow and a sweet lady that can help your blog....Karen.  I'll fill you in tomorrow. It is really late and I'm sooo sleepy!

Good night all out in blog land!!
God Bless and Happy Scrappin'

Lisa

Good Morning!!!!!!!

The rain has ended and it is WARM again!! Didn't need my jacket to walk Gracie this morning!
Birds are singing and the grass is so green! Going to be a BEAUTIFUL day!!
Thank you Lord for giving me the gift of today!

Have a wonderful day!
God Bless and Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Drying out

Rainy day today and storms may be on the way for tonight.  Oklahoma was hit hard this evening-remember those unfortunate ones that lost so much, we need to keep them in our prayers.  Seeing those pictures of all the destruction sure makes me that much more thankful for all that I have been given from the Good Lord above. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday.  Mine was good.  I got to see my mom for a bit.  Missed my sister, but she lives too far away to come home for anything much but Christmas.  

I can't believe I'm posting again- SO SOON!! I really want to do better at blogging and actually put some creative stuff here... not much been going on in that department lately! I've just not had my creative juices flowing.  I have not got much interest in doing anything lately.  I hope this doesn't last long as I have my building finished and really need to start using it! I hope to show some pictures of it soon... I've rearranged again and put up a huge shelf on the wall, actually for now it is just a board till I paint it. 

Hope you all have a good night! 
Happy Scrappin'
God Bless,

Lisa

Happy Mother's Day!

Here are some pretty flowers just for all of you... moms to the kid kind and the furry kind too! I have both and they are all pretty sweet!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Happy Scrappin'

Lisa

Senior Prom 2010

Me and Cody before his Prom

Below is Gracie... looks like she's smokin' a cigar! Nope, just her bone... so gross, but she loves them!!  Next is Monique pinning the flower on his jacket.  Look at the look in his eyes! He really loves this little girl!!  After that is Cody with his MawMaw giving her sugar before he left for Prom.

I love this picture of them!! Can't believe this is my baby!!

This new thing on blogger is really confusing! Hard to get the picts and words together like I like to do it!!
Have a great night out in blog land!!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Studio Is Finished!!

It is finally done, well... almost. We still like trimming the doors and windows and putting up curtains (right now I'm using pieces of a plastic tablecloth for curtains. Serves the purpose :) ) If you enlarge these pictures don't look too close. I've got things laying around just trying to fit it all in there. I've still got to get my pictures up and my word art done and up. I'm going to try to cut it all with my Cricut.  I'll have to post some more pictures later as I've cleaned and moved things around even more since these pictures were taken.

This is another project for me...

Gracie. Adorable.
I got her Friday and fell in love right then and there! She is a bit to get used to, but so worth it!!
She like to wake up at 4 a.m. and play though, that is really rough since I'm a night owl! She likes to stay right by my side! Everything I do she is there watching! Doing laundry, washing dishes, vacuuming the floor- she is right there with that little head just twisting back and forth watching my every move! She is the fuzziest little thing I've ever seen! We think she looks like a giant gerbil! That is what the boys call her! To me she looks like a very hairy fox. She is fast becoming part of our family- we all love her!

Off to work on a project now that I have room to actually WORK!!
Have a great day out there in blog land!!!!!!!

Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Updates on my Scrappy Retreat!

It has been a month since I've posted! You know, I think ALWAYS start my posts out like that. Someone - just HAND ME MY SIGN!!
Been busy. Teaching, planning, designing, playing, living, cleaning, cooking, breathing, spending, waiting, hoping, dreaming.... and the list could go on and on.

This is what I'm hoping, waiting, and dreaming about...
My little building is coming right along! I now have a big picture window thanks to a sweet little man that lives up the road! He is also the owner of two of the cutest little Pomeranian dogs! I want one.. he said he'd try and find us one- sure hope he does! They are just the cutest little fur balls ever! We almost got a Yorkie, but couldn't see spending that much money!
but anyway back to the building...
Here it was last Friday!

Empty and waiting for the drywall man... well he came and went this morning in about 3 hours. It is all up and just needs to be finished out. He said he'll have it all done by Friday! Then it is time to paint- PINK!! Yes that is right- going to paint it pink on the inside! A pale/ vintage pink- not PEPTO BISMOL PINK!! I know what you were thinking!! I have so much stuff I hope it will all fit. I'm going for cube storage and shelves that are pretty tall and PEGBOARD. I think I can cram it all in and still see the floor- maybe not the wall so much!

Will have more pictures later. Right now I'm about to fall asleep in my chair....which I have been known to do on more than one occasion!!

Hope all ya'll out there in blogland have a good night and sweet dreams!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Hope your day was filled with lots of LOVE!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Crazy Daisy Contest and Inspiration links

WANT TO WIN THIS???

If you do then get on over to Crazy Daisy and leave a comment there.

You really should think about joining their kit club. It is JAM PACKED each month with some of the best scrappin stuff!! You really will be blown away when you see how much you get for a very affordable price!

I have been MIA lately, yes... bad bad blogger! But as usual I've been busy. Prepping for a class - that got snowed out, now I'm prepping for another class I'm teaching at the end of Feb. and I so hope the snow will stop for this one! We got 10 inches last week and another 5 or 6 yesterday! We are NOT used to this kind of thing here in Arkansas!

Will try to do better. I have tons of projects going on now and will post about those later. Got myself the YUDU machine and can't wait to try it out! ALSO... I now have the Silhouette. If you haven't been to Rhonna Ferrer, Heidi Swapp, or Janet Hopkins blogs lately you should really check them out. I started with Heidi's blog and now I'm hooked on all 3! They have great ideas and videos with House Of 3 things as well as the Silhouette. If you should buy yourself one of these great little items you will need to go to the Silhouette blog. It is LOADED with inspiration as well as cut files FREE once a week and a store that is to die for with ANYTHING you can imagine to cut!

Hope you are INSPIRED to create something today! I know I am!! Coffee filter flowers and paper roses are on my agenda for today. And to stay INSIDE and dream of SPRING TIME!!
Have a great day and Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!! ENLARGE IT, SIT BACK, AND ENJOY!

This gave me chills! Look at the people in the background. I think Ronald Regan is there and I know JFK is there also.  This is such wonderful work, he’s done a great thing. Now if everyone would just do something about it…. PRAY.  you might say what can I do? I’m nothing, I can’t make a difference… well YES YOU CAN!! There is power in PRAYER and our prayers WILL be heard! PRAY for our COUNTRY and our LEADERS (even if you don’t care for who it is they are still our leaders).

OK… stepping off the ole soapbox now….

Have a wonderful day everybody and GOD BLESS YOU!!

Happy Scrappin’

Lisa

Still won’t work….

Well, I uploaded my picts to blogger then copied and pasted into my blog WRITER and it worked.  But I still have to upload the picts in to blogger. ughhhh!!!

Writer works ….

Well, it works good for posting without pictures, but I can’t get it to take a post with pictures! That is frustration because it is the reason I wanted to try it! Anyone out there know how to fix an error like that? it gives me this message

The remote server returned an error: (403) Forbidden.

Anyone know what that means?

Found something new, playing with it now!

I found Windows Live Writer and installed it. (just go to the Microsoft website and search for Windows Writer and download it… pretty simple)

You can blog right from your Windows Live email .

We’ll see what it looks like when I publish….

Have a great day everybody!!!!!!!!!

Happy Scrappin’

Lisa

FAITH: My one word for 2010

I've been busy today!!
This is a 10X10 Canvas using lots from my stash as well as Tattered Angels mist. I found the swirly flowers (bottom left hand side) made on a blog (I'd give credit, but can't remember where I found it... maybe from the Spark blog) and had to try to lift the idea. They are really easy to make.

Closeup of my fabric flower....just rolled up and adhered as you go round and round to form the flower.


Made this layout yesterday using plain cardstock and Tattered Angels mist and stamps along with Pink Paislee rubons and punchouts.

Close up of my hand made embellishment... made from vintage sheet music.


Have a good night!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

Good news from Margie!

Margie has a BIG announcement over at her BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to see ALL of it!!! The sneak peek is simply AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!
Happy Scrappin'
LISA

SNOW....FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

What a surprise! This is what we woke up to today! The boys are just lovin' it! It doesn't snow much here in Arkansas, so when it does we really enjoy it!

Snowball fight!!


Today is my first day with Alli. So far I've done OK. I am hungry, but not just starving. I've been able to eat today...more than I thought I could. I think it is not going to be nearly as bad as I thought it would!

This is what I've been working on...
Material gathered to make a flower and then a small flower.. made from a strip of fabric and twisted. Not the best, but I'm still working on them.



Laundry calls.... Have a great day!!
Happy Scrappin'
Lisa

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

HAPPY 2010!!!