Shine On Friday Party #74 & Craft Grab Bag Giveaway!

I'm excited to be co-hosting the "Shine On Friday" Link Party today with Kara at Happy Go Lucky and Amy at One Artsy Mama!

Come along and meet new friends and link-up...we'd love to see what crafty adventure's you've been up to!

It's Party Time!!

This week's Featured Link:
 One of the two most viewed links from last week's party is:

Organize game pieces with zipper bags by The Comfy Crafter

{Visit Amy over at One Artsy Mama to see other featured links}

As the co-host I am sponsoring this cool crafty giveaway!

A big Crafty "Grab Bag" that One lucky person will win!

To enter, just use the Rafflecopter widget below...Have fun at the party!



a Rafflecopter giveaway
    Now it's your time to SHINE!

 
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Show off your fabulous creations with us and be inspired by what others have created!

• Please link up crafts, recipes, home decor, etc.
•  Be sure to follow your awesome host, Kara at Happy-Go-Lucky, co-host, Amy at One Artsy Mama and me, Stuff-n-Such By Lisa...your guest co-host!
• Grab a button and post it on your blog to help spread the word
• Have fun and visit other links. Remember we all love comments:) 

- no commercial sites

- send us Starbucks gift cards {just kidding...kind of!}

Linking up your photos gives us permission to use them in features on our blogs and Facebook pages.

Simplfy your life and business with Shoeboxed.com

I love to craft, spend time with my family (especially the Grandbabies!) and blog about it...but one thing that I DON'T like to do, but it is necessary, is keep track of business and personal finances.

Whether it's paying a bill, filing a invoice or doing my taxes...if it has to do with money or filing...I'm not a fan!

Fortunately, I've discovered a great way to cut down on the amount of time I spend doing those things and it is a great site called www.Shoeboxed.com!

I simply gather my receipts and mail them in a prepaid envelope to Shoeboxed and they scan and store them securely online for easy access anytime!

If you have the Classic Plan or higher, they will return your paper receipts to you if you'd like, but if you are into a "greener" solution they will shred and recycle them within 30 days of scanning them.

Craft Classes and My Craftsy Wish List

Do you ever wish you could take some classes to improve your crafty skills, but can't seem to find time in your busy schedule to do it?

If this describes your situation, then you'll be thrilled to find out about an awesome site called "Craftsy"!

I discovered it awhile back and was amazed at all the great classes they offer at such reasonable prices (some are even FREE!).

You take the classes online, in your spare time and on your own schedule!

For me, this is the perfect solution, as I have so many things going on during the week, I cannot commit to a standard type class where you sign-up and have to be somewhere at a certain time and can't miss a class.

The classes at Craftsy are online and are "self-paced".

You can access them anytime from anywhere (as long as you have an internet connected computer or mobile device available) and you can always pick-up where you left off, no matter how long it has been.

Access to your class never expires!

Some additional advantages of the classes are:

• Ask your instructor questions, upload photos, and get personalized responses
• Participate in discussions with your classmates
• Access supporting class materials – including patterns and helpful tips & tricks
• Bookmark your favorite moments in the video so that you can easily re-watch them and take notes that you can refer back to anytime

I recently enrolled in the class "Sewing Machine 911" with Claudia Miller and even though I had some experience sewing, found this class extremely helpful in getting me back up to speed!

I have found so many fun classes I want to take now that I have sampled one.

Here is the top three on my wish list!

My Craftsy Wish List:

1. Sewing Studio: Fashion Fitting, Home Decor and More - with Diana Rupp
2. Advanced Fondant Techniques - with Marina Sousa
3. Project Upcycle: Thrifty Sewing Projects

Check out all of the other great Craftsy Classes by clicking here.

Thanks for stopping by!

*(Note: In the interest of Disclosure and IAW FTC 16 CFR Part 255: I am an affiliate for Craftsy and therefore make a small commission on purchases made using the code and the link in this post and from the ad on my sidebar. I was paid a small fee for this post. 
The opinions expressed in this review and any further review or mention of this product are my own and have not been influenced by anyone or any compensation monetarily or otherwise.)

Like Me on Facebook Blog Hop

So excited to be co-hosting this hop!

Come along and join in the fun and meet new friends on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest!

Welcome to Like Me on Facebook

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Would you like to be the next Co-Host?

Granddaughter Digital Birthday Layout

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE my digital scrapbooking software??!!
I really, really DO!

Recently, I discovered another fun way to use it and that is to make Facebook goodies.

Not only can you make amazing timeline covers, but when it comes time to celebrate someone in your life, you can make some gorgeous tribute pages/layouts and post them on the day your are celebrating this special individual!

My sweet Granddaughter "C-Bear" (as we affectionately call her!), just celebrated her second birthday and of course Gramma (aka: Gigi Lisa) could not let the day go by without letting her entire Social Network know about it!

The best part is, I created both of these layouts in less than 20 minutes and the first one was a "Quick Page" template that took only a matter of minutes!

(The most time consuming part was finding the right photos in my overwhelming digital collection...LOL!)

I rarely get so excited about a product, but this software is just so amazing and easy to use!

If you haven't tried My Memories Suite yet and would like to, just check out the ad on my sidebar and use the code for a $10.00 discount!* 

The software comes with lots of background designs, embellishments and tools to make amazing scrapbook pages, cards, invitations or anything else you can imagine.

In addition, on their website there are a plethora of "freebies" and low cost kits that will get you excited to scrapbook and create!

Supplies/Tools List:

My Memories Suite v4 Digital Scrapbooking Software
Dell XPS 8300 Desktop Computer
"Pear-Fect" Quick Page By: A-Manda Creation
Font: Harrington
Background: "Dolly Up" Kit - By: Babycakes Design - Doll Paper 002
Journaling Tag: "Sweet Baby Girl" - By: Lindsay Jane - Mat, Cream
Embellishments: Pink Flower & Green Flower from "Dolly Up" Kit -By: Babycakes Design
Font: Kendric

So happy you could join me today...hope you liked my project and I would love it if you left me a comment!

*(Note: In the interest of Disclosure and IAW FTC 16 CFR Part 255: I am an affiliate for Making Memories and therefore make a small commission on purchases made using the code and the link in their ad on my sidebar. I was not paid for this post or any other post containing reference to their product. I was originally given one copy of their software to review.
The opinions expressed in that initial review and any further review or mention of this product are my own and have not been influenced by anyone or any compensation monetarily or otherwise.)

This Project/Post is linked-up to the following Link Parties/Sites:

Vintage Lady Birthday Card

Today I want to share with you a birthday card I made for my friend Melissa.

I was running short on time and had to make this card rather quickly which led me to think of other ways to embellish the card rather than use my Cricut machine.

Not that I don't love my Cricut machine mind you… But when I'm limited on time and space sometimes it's just easier to do without it.

(As I've mentioned before, I no longer have my dedicated craft room that I had previously set-up and therefore my Cricut machine is stored away and has to come out on the kitchen table when I need to use it.)

I found this adorable graphic of this vintage lady from Keren at "Free Pretty Things For You".

Her blog is just a delight! So many pretty, vintage goodies and many of them are free for personal use.

Check out her site if you get a chance...you won't be disappointed, I promise!

I had downloaded the graphic from her site, quite awhile ago and was just waiting for the perfect project to use it in.

I knew this would be the right time to use this sweet lady, as my friend Melissa likes vintage things and her son even plays in a band called The Vintage Vandals!
(They are GOOD...you can check them out here).

I used a medium weight white card stock (110 lb.) to make this card and stamped it with a flowered background stamp from hero arts using an olive green pigment ink stamp from Studio G.

I really felt that the pattern and color on the stamp was reminiscent of vintage 50's decor...almost like wallpaper you would have seen back then!

The pretty vintage girl from FPTFY was printed on the same cardstock using my Lexmark Printer.

I cut her out and added some Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to make her shine!

Then, I affixed her to the card using some foam adhesive dots to give her some more dimension.

I created the word sentiment myself as I could not find any on the Internet that I felt worked for the type card it was.

The journaling frames/shapes (inside and out of the card) were made using My Memories v4 Digital Scrapbooking Software.

*(For $10.00 off on this awesome software, see the link/code in the ad on my right sidebar!)

The journal frames were a part of a Birthday Kit I had purchased called "Birthdays and Many More" and the embellishment was called "Journaling Pink".

The sentiments were made using the MyMemories Software and I used the font: Bella Donna.

I printed these embellishments out on some cardstock and then I cut them out.
(This is where I'd usually use my Cricut Imagine!)

I added the polka-dot ribbon and tiny button embellishments to add an extra pop of color and dimension.

The final touch was to add my personalized blog stamp (PSA Essentials Peel and Stick), to the back of the card and it was ready to fly!

Here is a photo of the supplies and tools used to make this card:

Supplies/Tools List:

White Card Stock, GP ImagePlus, 110 lb.

Digital Download Graphic, Color, Adorable Lady (Vintage) from: Free Pretty Things For You

Polka Dot, Grosgrain Ribbon, Aqua/White, 3/8", Item #3980 (2007) Devrian Global Industries LLC

Flower Patterned Rubber Stamp, Hero Arts, #K5346 (2010) "Flower Burst Card"

Pigment Ink, Olive Green, Studio G, #VP0017

Mini Buttons, Lime Green, Aqua

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Foam Adhesive Dots, Round, Recollections

Fiskars Scissors, small pointed tip

Scotch ATG Tape Gun

Xyron Mega Runner Tape Gun

PSA Essentials "Peel and Stick" Custom Stamp

My Memories v4 Digital Scrapbooking Software

Lexmark X4975 Printer

*(Note: In the interest of Disclosure and IAW FTC 16 CFR Part 255: I am an affiliate for Making Memories and therefore make a small commission on purchases made using the code and the link in their ad on my sidebar. I was not paid for this post or any other post containing reference to their product. I was originally given one copy of their software to review.
The opinions expressed in that initial review and any further review or mention of this product are my own and have not been influenced by anyone or any compensation monetarily or otherwise.)

Thank-you for stopping by and checking out my card!

I would love it if you became a follower and let me know what you think by leaving a comment!

This post/project is linked to the following link parties/sites:

Dad Memorial Layout

My Father-in-Law, Ray, always loved the ocean and was the catalyst behind our yearly family ocean trips which more often than not included not only immediate family, but extended family and friends as well!

Before he passed away, he was so hopeful that he’d be able to make that one last ocean trip, but sadly he didn’t make it and although our hearts were broken, we all decided to make the trip anyway and use it as an opportunity to honor him and memorialize him at his favorite place!

I was particularly close with my FIL and after he passed in May of 2009, I was struck with a deep depression and found myself struggling to get through the day and find any joy in life.

My husband was struggling also, as he was very close with his Dad.

I managed to make a few scrapbook pages after he died, but then just found it too depressing to think about it and I just stopped working on the scrapbook I had started about him.

Recently, I read about a scrap challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles and it really inspired me to open that scrapbook up and work at it again!

The challenge was "Sad Moments" and when I read about the details, I KNEW I had to do this one!

The challenge was not only to scrap about a sad moment in your life, but to include a "bird" in the layout somewhere.

Well, this was key for me, as I have always felt that my father in law's soul takes the form of a bird and watches out for us all and checks in every once in awhile!

I know some might think I'm crazy, but even if it isn't REALLY him, I believe it is God's way of letting us know that Ray is okay and is "checking in" with us!

The reason I believe this is because soon after he passed, we took a trip to the ocean (mentioned above) and practically the entire way there, a beautiful bird was following us...very closely, like I had never seen before.

It had a huge wingspan and was so graceful and pretty!

I don't know a lot about birds, so I couldn't even tell you what kind it was, but it was there, gliding slowly back and forth above us.

I think he actually DID make that ocean trip that year...and he wanted us all to know he was with us and was at peace!

Whether it's true or just wishful thinking, doesn't really matter...we felt his presence and our souls were comforted...if only for awhile.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted ~ Matthew 5:4

This layout really doesn't do that trip justice as there were many people there...friends and family...and I took lots of photos, but I wanted to get something down for this challenge as it is close to my heart!

I plan on adding more to this layout/scrapbook later and I will update here on my blog when I do.

I hope you enjoyed sharing my sweet memories of my father in law and will be inspired to maybe make a page about a sad time in your life when you feel ready.

(This photo of  us was taken on Ray's last ocean trip in 2008 at the Oregon Coast)

We miss you every day Dad...Rest in peace and may you always hear the beautiful sound of the waves on the ocean and the buggy's on the dunes!


Supplies/Tools Used:

Cricut Imagine Machine
Hannah Montana Cartridge (Bird)
Imagine More Cartridge (Frame & Patterns)
Colorbok Patterned Papers (2)
Beige Cardstock
Cream/Buff Cardstock
Aqua Blue/Green Cardstock
DCWV Cardstock Matstack, The Mariposa
Michael's List Pad Bloc-Notes Paper, Lined, Brown
Ranger Stickles, Platinum
Baker's Twine, Brown/White, (Really Reasonable Ribbon)
Mini Petal Envelope Template (From: www.naturescorridor.blogspot.com)
Xyron Mega Runner Tape Gun
Super Stik, Permanent Glue Stick (Therm-o-Web)
Duck Glue Stick
Zig 2-way Glue, Squeeze & Roll Pen
Glue Dots, Mini, 3/16"
Foam Adhesive Dots (Recollections)
Mirado Black Warrior Pencil, HB2
Zig Memory System Millenium Pen, Sz. 05
Fiskars Paper Trimmer
Steel Scissors, 6"
Mini Steel Scissors, 3-3/4"
Small Ruler
Provo Craft Bone Folder
Cricut Spatula
Clear Paper Weights (Greenbrier Intl.)

This post/project has been linked-up to the following sites/link parties:

http://www.confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/2013/02/glass-painting-ideas.html