Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child

Peyton is one, and he is really enjoying the Christmas Season this year!  Last year he was a newborn, so my daughter and her husband Shawn are really enjoying watching him ooh and ahh over the Christmas Tree!  Here is a photo of Peyton as he admires the tree at the Marriott Hotel in Newport, R.I.

PEYTON IS ONE!!

It is hard to believe a whole year has gone by since the day I received a phone call telling me I had a baby grandson!  Peyton Michael Gibson is ONE YEAR OLD today!  My daughter Ashley made him this adorable little outfit to celebrate the big day!  She is so creative!

Peyton and his birthday cake

She made him a little diaper cover, and a bowtie and party hat with polka dot fabric.  She searched the entire internet to find it!  She also made him a little matching T-shirt with the number 1 on it.  Nothing but handmade for this little fella!

Wanna party with me?

I'm all smiles because I'm one!

Wanna balloon?

I am one happy baby/toddler (I'm one now)

This frosting tastes pretty good!  Yummy in fact!

Please join me in celebrating one very special little boy's first year of life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEYTON!

I LOVE YOU!

Love, NaeNae

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo!

The Most Beautiful Card of All...

Today I received a Christmas Card from my Grandmother.  Her name is Ernestine Crabtree and this blog was dedicated to her when it began last summer. Grandma is almost 102 years young.  In fact, her birthday is the day after Christmas.  My family will be celebrating with her this year both for Christmas, and for her birthday!  She is an inspiration to many people, including me.  She is positive, active and bright!

 I got to thinking about her today when I received her hand-written, hand-stamped card.  This simple card she sent to me is more beautiful to me than anything in any magazine, blog or video. Better than any card I could create...

In her shaky but deliberate hand she writes, 

 "May the reason for the season be blessed!

May your Holiday be Merry and Bright, and your Home filled with Christmas Delight!

There is a request that money for your gift to me be spent on yourselves, no gift for me please.

Your thoughts of LOVE are all I wish for!"

Blessings from above, along with my love,

Grandmother Ernestine

So with tears in my eyes, and joy in my heart, I am sharing this Christmas Card with you, my dear friends.  I hope your Christmas is a joyous and happy one!

Blessings and Happy Crafting,
ReNae

p.s. Comments?  Just click on the "Add a comment" phrase at the end of this post.
NOTE:  Grandmother Ernestine passed away December 25th, 2011-Christmas Day.  I was by her side.
She didn't want to go.  Her last words to me were "I hope I go to Heaven".
Grandma, I know you are singing with the Angels in Heaven now, but I miss you so very much.  Thank you for your guidance, love, and for your undying faith in me, your laughter, your smiles, and the way you always made me feel like I was your favorite--something you were able to do with all your grandchildren.
I will always remember the things that you taught me, and will try very hard to live my life the way you did.  You loved with all your heart, you worked hard, you respected other people, and you respected yourself.  You showed me what it was to lead an honorable life.  Thank you for everything!
I love you so much, and I think of you every day.  I'm a better person for knowing you.
love, ReNae

Christmas Card Series: A Merry Merry Christmas!

Hello Again Bloggers!
I gave a sneak peek of two of these cards on my Facebook page Monday and here are the others I made!

Jingle Bells!

Celebrate!

Embossed foil paper (didn't photograph too well)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Stamped image of tree 3 times on green paper, then used gold embossing powder.
Glued the trees together to make a 3-D tree.

All I did here was add Stickles glitter glue to existing image on the paper.

Used chipboard sentiment and glued to front of card, and viola!  A Christmas Card!

They are made from paper by One Heart...One Mind (now out of business).
I purchased them on sale at Stamper's Ink in Shawnee, KS. but Tanya Kostynuk, owner of Stamper's Ink has no more in stock.  She still carries other cute lines of paper, however!

The paper line I used is called "merry merry too" and features several double-sided coordinates along with one single-sided paper called the "cut-apart cardmaker".
I selected color-coordinating cardstock, cut and scored them and made the card bases, all ahead of time.
Cutting out various shapes of cardstock, I arranged the pieces of paper in ways that would go together.  This was easy because all the papers coordinate with each other.  Using the "cardmaker" paper I could really get some cute cards put together!
Then I found Christmas-themed chipboard shapes in my own stash, which I used for embellishments. Buttons, ribbon and glitter helped to complete the cards.

(Although the company is out of business, I did find a site that sells these papers and their other lines, which are all really cute.  Click Bargain Paper to go to this website.)  I have a surplus of this paper line and would be happy to put together a "KIT" for anyone interested in purchasing one.  It will make 8 cards.  Just leave me a comment with your information and I'll mail it to you!

Happy Crafting!
ReNae

Vintage Christmas Card Series

Hello Bloggers!
Today I wanted to post a few cards I made last Christmas before I had my blog.   I have been paper crafting only 2 years now, and back then I was just getting into the groove...Many classes and tutorial videos later I'm finally finding my niche.
If you like what you see let me know by leaving a comment!  I would be happy to share how I made them so if you're interested in a tutorial, let me know and I'll put one together and we can all make a Vintage Christmas card together!  Happy Crafting!
ReNae

This card is made with papers from Anna Griffin's 2010 collection.  I embellished it with Tim Holtz  products,  Graphic 45 papers, and vintage lace from my stash.  I used Stickles and Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to add sparkle!

This Santa card was made using papers from Graphic 45, and embellished with old lace and buttons.

This card was made with Anna Griffin 2010 paper, a frame from K and Co. and Tim Holtz tickets.  I used Glimmer Mist and Stickles to add sparkle.  Ribbon from Michael's.

Graphic 45 papers, old lace, Tim Holtz embellishments and Michael's ribbon.

Graphic 45 papers, old lace, buttons and letters, K & Co. chip board embellishments.

Graphic 45 papers, Michael's ribbon, old lace and K & Co. keys.  Stickles and Glimmer Mist for shine and sparkle.

Remember, please leave a comment below, and tell me which card you liked best and why.  Also let me know if you would like to learn this card collage technique in a future post.

Your comments mean so much to me!  

I value your input and hope to have lots of new and fun projects in the coming posts!

Happy Crafting!

ReNae

My Thanksgiving Cards

It's after Thanksgiving, but I wanted to share a couple of the cards I made for this holiday.

Hope you like them!

This little embossed card was made for Uncle Chick.  (see it says "hey chickie!)

                   

This Vintage Style card was made for my Aunt Shirley

                                         


This year, I was lucky enough to be invited to Shirley's home in Overland Park for Thanksgiving.  Uncle Chick's son Dan, and Dan's wife Melissa, cooked the meal.  Dan and Melissa live in Colorado and came "over the river and through the woods" to share the weekend with our family.  

Friends Willa, Jim and Julie Stiner and Gayza Kellerman

also joined us.  Willa made a delicious pumpkin pie, and Dan made a hazelnut-pear pie and the majority of the meal.  We ate ourselves silly, and a great time was had by all!

Willa, ReNae, Julie and Chick

Shirley, Dan, Melissa and Gayza

Thanksgiving card ideas

Hello Bloggers!
I commented yesterday that I am going to purchase a video camera, so that I can post "how-to" videos of my paper and jewelry projects.  But since I have not yet purchased it, I am posting some ideas for cards courtesy of a Google search. Thanksgiving is next week, so we only have a few days to get these cards made and mailed out!  Hope you see something that inspires you!  Just click the link below!

Google Thanksgiving Card search

Until next time,

Happy Creating!

ReNae

Announcing Thanksgiving Card Series

Starting Thursday November 17th I will be posting ideas for Thanksgiving Cards!
If you have any requests please leave a comment!

Stampers Take Note!

Hey bloggers!  I just found out that "I Brake for Stamps" one of my favorite sources for rubber stamps, is having a 40% off sale!  You can find them at this address: http://ibrakeforstamps.com/NewItems.aspx

They have a large variety of stamps and only charge $4.95 shipping no matter how much you buy!

Happy Shopping!

Going to Rhode Island to see my Sweet Pea!

Who is this little sweet heart?  My Sweet Pea!

Hi Bloggers!  I have been so busy recently I have not posted on my blog.  This week I am preparing to travel to the east coast, New England to be exact, and see my sweet grandson Peyton.  I call him my sweet pea.  He is 9 months old now, and a real charmer!  The last time I saw him he was only about 5 months old, so I know he has grown and changed a lot, as babies do.  He now has 8 teeth, and is starting to eat people food.  I can't wait to see my daughter and son in law, but to hold the baby will be divine!

My Son's surgery and other happenings...

Sorry I haven't posted in quite some time, but my son Bif has been in the hospital having surgery!

                              He's a trooper!  Managed half a smile even though he was hurting.

This was the day before yesterday...Happy to say, now he is home resting comfortably!  Yay!

Bloggers, I hope to be back in the swing of things very soon!  Don't give up on me!
love, ReNae

A blog to enjoy-Mama Cow Creations!

Hi Bloggers!
Today I was perusing the many blogs to which I subscribe, and happened upon one that I would like to share! Mama Cow Creations, at http://mamacowcreations.blogspot.com/  featuring Elise Durenberger.

Elise is a very inspirational person, and I found her blog to be a happy place to be!  She is on the design team for Want2scrap.  Right now Graphic 45 and Want2scrap are hosting a really amazing blog hop, lots of fabulous ideas, and great prizes to win. Click http://g45papers.typepad.com/ to get to the G 45 blog hop.

Hope you enjoy your visit.
See You Soon!

ReNae

In a week of Heat Warnings we finally have RAIN!

RAIN, Finally!
I'm so happy to finally get some relief from these 100+ degree days!

Sorry it has been a while since I posted on my blog.
I should have the tutorial for the mini album up this weekend.  The week simply got away from me!

Please check back, I'll have something for you real soon!

ReNae

Announcing Ink Paper Rubber!

Overland Park has a new place to shop for stamps,paper and ink!
It's called "Ink Paper Rubber" and is located in Downtown Overland Park at 7220 W. 80th Street. 
Website addy is:http://inkpaperrubber.com/


Jen Marquette, store owner says "In addition to craft and card making supplies, we also offer classes and parties for both children and adults. We carry a complete line of art rubber stamps, paints, inks and papers, along with decorative papers that can be used in craft and home decor projects."


Jen has been at the Craft and Hobby Association Show in Chicago all week and has been doing a lot of shopping so get ready!





Ink Paper Rubber FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ink-Paper-Rubber-Rubber-Stamping-and-Paper-Crafts/126492524101596?sk=info
Good Luck Jen, we can't wait to see your new store!

Jen shares a laugh with her Mom at Stamp Club!

Tutorial postponed!

I am sorry but I didn't have enough time today to get the photos posted for the mini album tutorial.  I will be posting the How-To's in a day or so.  Sorry!!
By the way, if anyone has any requests or ideas for cards or mini-albums, please leave a comment!
Thanks!

See you soon!

And the winner is...

Congratulations to SarahMW who correctly guessed that the mini album was made from toilet paper rolls!  Yes folks, you read it right!  TOILET PAPER ROLLS! We had several correct guesses, so I selected the winner using Random.org.  True Random Number Generator
SarahMW please send me an email to jewelrymkr@gmail.com with your address so that I can mail you your prize!  
I will be posting a tutorial on how I made my pretty toilet paper mini album on Tuesday.
If you want to make one start saving your rolls!  You will need at least 3 for a small album, but you can use up to 6 for one like the one I made.  You will also be using acrylic paint, (I used Adirondack paint dabbers in Pink Sherbet, Raspberry and Juniper) cardstock (I used Melissa Frances), your choice of bling, and any other embellishments that will go with the theme of your album, including ribbon, trim, small prima flowers, large Recollections flowers, glimmer mist, and Melissa Frances resin Vintage Embellishments.  In addition, I used the Martha Stewart butterfly punch, and Girls Paperie Vintage Whimsey Sticker Market for images and the word stickers.

Thanks for your comments, and if you like my blog, or have any suggestions or requests, please leave a comment!  Have a great week!

Last day to guess on Mystery Album!

Today is the last day you can submit a guess on the mystery album!
http://crabtree-creations.blogspot.com/2011/07/guess-what-this-is-and-win_14.html
Don't forget to leave a comment and you may win the prize!  Hint-it's something you use every single day! Winner will be announced on Monday July 18, 2011.

Tim Holtz Class Memories

 A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to attend three classes held at Stamper's Ink by the infamous Tim Holtz.  It was an incredible experience!  I was lucky enough to win two door prizes, which included tons of Tim's products.  On top of that, I met several great women who shared my love of creating and crafting!

                                    

  Anne Marie working on her configuration box

                                                     Configuration Class Sample

                                                      Pandemonium Fun

                                          Class sample

                                     Mario Rossi and Tim Holtz

                 ReNae and Mario

                                          Class Sample

                                          Class Sample

               Tim teaching class                                        

 

ReNae and Tim at the end of class.  What a great weekend!

Mystery Mini-Album!

Recently I made this mini-album for my friend Kenna for her birthday which is coming up.

Can you guess how I made it?

If you can tell me what I used to make this mini, leave a comment and if you are correct, you will win some cool blog candy. If there is more than one correct answer, I will select the winner using Random.org.

Leave your comment and guess from what material these album pages are made.

Good Luck!

p.s. I hope Kenna will like her album! What do you think of it?