Have you FELT the magic yet? :)

Okay, so the title is a corny prelude to my latest project, but it was fun, regardless.  ;)



Just as fun was finally getting into my Craft Zone (it's not in a room, but a corner of my family room! :P) and make a Christmas card.



I've used one of Papertrey Ink's latest toys --- a poinsettia die --- with PTI's felt to make a card that, while it looks like I spent a lot of time, was really one of the fastest cards I've made!

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I know the flower looks dark, but it's a beautiful deep red (PTI's Scarlet Jewel felt). And while the ink border I created appears blue, it's black. I promise!



Here's a close-up of the flower:

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And a close-up of the sentiment (two separate words that I've layered):

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Since this is a square card and fairly thick, I plan on hand-giving it to the recipient. I may make more (with different-colored flowers). It's simple and yet looks rather elegant (if I do say so myself).  :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Holiday Spirit Sentiments (PTI)

Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine)

Paper: Simply Chartreuse, Rustic Cream, Vintage Cream (all PTI)

Other:  Scarlet Jewel and Simply Chartreuse felt, Poinsettia Die Collection (all PTI); Yellow Sunshine pearls (Queen & Co.); ATG; Felt glue



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

A Three-Hour War...

(Sung to the tune of the Gilligan's Island Theme)



Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale

A tale of a fateful dread.

That started with a man's idea

To make some war with thread.



The morning started fine enough

No fabric on the floor

He could not be that prepared

For a three-hour war.

A three-hour war.



That's right, folks... now... sit back and allow me to place some imagery in your heads.



Picture a man... civilized, calm, cool and collected. He goes into a store and purchases a nice pillow for his home. Just a little something to add some autumn decoration. He pays for his purchase and leaves smiling. Thirty  minutes tops, right?



Now...picture the same man... sweating, swearing, and swaying. Grumbling over a cutting mat why he can't cut a VERY SIMPLE rectangle of fabric when he can easily cut out a circle of paper! He's eyeing his faithful machine "Stitch" and then eyeing the window near the machine. How loud would the crash be?



Now... for a pictorial:



The noble knight:

Look at the determination!

His faithful steed:

Not even a drop of sweat!

And...the scenes from the bloody battlefield. (Disclaimer: if you're faint at heart, you may wish to scroll past these):

Yes, that's a cookie jar and calculator... for weight to hold down the blasted fabric!

Yes, there was pressing... ON MY TEMPLES from my fingers!

The casualties. Yes, that's tape... to hold down the blasted fabric!

But Stitch and I DID prevail...

Can you spot my masterpiece?  *cheesy grin*

The opening of the envelope pillow cover. :)

A close-up of the seam. :)

And another shot of the pillow itself:

I'm a man who gives credit where credit is due. I learned how to make this envelope pillow from Vanessa, AKA The Crafty Gemini. Check out her blog here.



And here's her video:

I know it's not a tremendous victory, but I'm actually rather proud of myself. :)



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps:

Ink:

Paper:

Other:  Brother SE 400 Machine



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Ted, say it isn't SEW!

Hello all!



Sorry I have been MIA these last few days... um...weeks? I have no excuse. I just haven't felt that crafty.



Well, this is a slightly different post. Instead of my paper *cough* masterpieces, this is going to take a look at a new hobby I thought I'd try.



You see, the reason I called this blog "Happily Ever Crafter" instead of "Happily Ever Paper", is because I saw down the road that I may want to attempt other crafts... such as um.... needle 'n thread.  :P



So, without further ado... I present my latest toy in my arsenal:

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He (She?) doesn't have a name yet...so if you have suggestions, I'd like to hear 'em! :) I was thinking "Sewlomon" (he appears wiser than me!), but not sure if that's catchy. Maybe Thready-Neddy? Or perhaps just "Stitch"?  :P



Anyway, this morning, I thought I would take it out of the box finally (I've been afraid for the week I've had it!) and give it a shot. The instructions were clear on how to set it up... so I tried!

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It didn't turn out TOO bad...but I have a question for you all (after the picture):

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I'm not sure if that's how my zig-zag is supposed to look. I think the bobbin thread is showing through. :( Here's the "back" of the fabric:

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That appears more zig-zaggy doesn't it?



Hmm.... it may have something to do with the tension, but I have no idea how to adjust it... I guess I have more learning to do! ;)



Any tips and advice would be great... you can use the "contact Ted" link above or post a comment below.



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps:

Ink:

Paper:

Other: Brother SE 400 Sewing Machine



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Celebrating my Aunt Joan

In many ways, my Auntie Joan is a stronger woman than which she gives herself credit. Of those many ways, one way is that she's a breast cancer survivor two times over.



So, it only seemed fitting that this month, when we celebrate the people who are battling, or have battled breast cancer, I create a card for my aunt.

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I was very pleased with how this card turned out! :) I knew I wanted to incorporate the symbol for breast cancer victims, but I really didn't know how I'd do it.

This was supposed to be a close-up! LOL!

I almost added a white pearl over the ribbon, but thought that it should stand by itself.



And a (supposedly) close-up of the buttons. :P

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And an (allegedly) close-up of the sentiment. I'm happy I added the two pearls on top...it needed something there! :)

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So, this is in honor not only of my aunt, but all women (and men!) who are waging the war on this disease. Please, PLEASE encourage the women in your life to regularly examine themselves and to get medical examinations regularly. They are too important to us NOT to!



Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Get to the Point Sentiments, Fillable Frames #5 (both PTI)

Ink: Rose Red (SU!)

Paper: Autumn Rose, Stampers' Select White, Spring Moss (all PTI); Small Wonders Girl (K & Company)

Other: Sew Mini (Janome); White buttons, Autumn Rose twill ribbon (both PTI); Lavender pearls (Queen & Co.); Embroidery thread; Zots; ATG



 Happily Ever Yours,

 

Fangs very much, Curt!

Well, it's been a while since I've added anything to my blog because, mainly, I haven't created much! With school starting and with the advent of parent-teacher conferences, my time has been pretty swamped. I hope things will slow down in the next few weeks. Keyword: HOPE.  :)



In any case, I was wondering through Google Reader and came across the blog of a buddy of mine. His name is Curt (check out his blog here!) and I saw he had found some adorable Halloween stamps in the $1 bin at Michaels. I was REALLY fond of his mummy card (shown here) and emailed him and asked him about it. He said he found it at Michaels. I went looking around my Michaels and couldn't find the mummy! Yes, I had lost my mummy! (It had to be said....did you miss my humor that much?! :P ) Anyway, I found some other adorable images, including this cute vampire dude.



Long story short (too late!), I had asked Curt that if I couldn't find it here, if he'd be willing to purchase the mummy and send it to me. Well, it came as no surprise that this wonderful friend said that would be no problem at all (he has a heart of gold!) As it turned out, however, I did find the mummy at the last Michaels I had checked!



But I wanted to thank him for his kindness anyway...and so this pun-filled card came into fruition. (He'll be receiving it shortly and I hope he doesn't read this before then! ;) )

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Here's a close-up of that cute little blood-sucker!

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And the inside of the card...in true "Ted" humor!  :P

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So, thanks again for your kind offer, Curt! :) I vant you to know I think you're vonderful!  :)





Thanks for looking and/or commenting!





Stamps: Vampire dude ($1 Michaels bin)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: Scarlet Jewel (PTI); White CS (Wal-Mart); Martha Stewart Halloween pad

Other: MS Word, Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Beads in a Bottle; Copics; ATG; Dimensionals; Edger Die #4 (PTI)



 Happily Ever Yours,