The Odd Whimsy

So this one has taken me awhile to do. But I loved every minute of it!!  I found this at my local thrift store for $6.00 and it just begged to be fixed up.  Thanks for stopping by!- AR

It's been a long couple of weeks!! Constant going and going, didn't think it would stop for awhile.  So today I made some giant paper roses, using Graphic 45 and my Cricut Explore.  Thanks for stopping by! -AR

Where has the time gone?!? I cannot believe that it's May already! Just thought I'd share my latest creation Mother's Day Cards!! I made these using my Cricut Explore, and the Creative Cards Cartridge.  Paper is My Mind's Eye, burlap is Die Cuts With A View. On the inside I used the Explore to write my sentiment. Thanks for stopping by!-AR

Isn't Spring wonderful?! I love seeing all the flowers blooming, and the grass starting to grow.  I have felt very inspired by all the flowers lately, and so decided to make a spring card.  The idea for this card came from Pinterest. The original designer is Susiesmith37.  I loved what she had done with her card, and so I decided to take my own spin on it.  I used Graphic 45's Botanical Tea collection for this card. I just adore all the spring themed papers! The red roses were some paper roses I already had on hand, and the butterfly's came from Graphic 45's Old Curiousity Shoppe.  The teacup I cut using my Cricut Explore and the Tags Bags Boxes and More 2 cartridge.  I patterned out and made the box and lid myself, designing it just big enough for the teacup to fit.  And here is the box closed.  Thanks for stopping by, and I hope this inspired you to make your own spring card! -AR

So this last week I made a Birthday card for a friend of mine. I used Graphic 45's "A Proper Gentleman"   I loved how it turned out!! I usually make really frilly cards, so doing a masculine one was a bit different for me.  Thanks for stopping by! -AR

So today I got to have my first lazy day in awhile!! It was so nice!! I finally opened up my Graphic 45 Botanical Tea paper. I love all the beautiful spring themed paper!   I used the smaller G45 Tags for this tag. I also made a hat pin for an embellishment and fussy cut out a butterfly for some extra detail.  Thanks for stopping by! -AR

Awhile back sketchnscrap.blopspot.com asked me to be the guest designer for April.  Head over to their website to check out my submission!! Thanks again Sketch N Scrap for having me!! -AR

Sorry for the lack of posting here lately!! Trying to get into a new routine is a bit trickier than I had originally thought.  I was moved over to full time just a few days after starting my new job, which means more money for craft supplies!! Yay!!!!!! Thanks for stopping by, I hope to have some new projects posted soon!-AR

Made it to Missouri last night. Trying to get settled in to my new home before I resume crafting. I return to work on Monday, and thus will begin my new adventure. Thanks for Stopping by!-AR

So I have spent the last week madly dashing around trying to figure out what to pack and what to stay (I'm moving into a place with very limited space).  It took three large plastic totes, and one bankers box just to get all my scrapbook paper!!! I have the majority of my crafts supplies packed up, as those are things I cannot live without. Well I could I just don't want too.   Hopefully once I get all settled in I will be able to resume my crafting. Thanks for stopping by!-AR

Hello to all!!! Sorry it's been a bit since my last posting. I have had a lot going on here.  Posting from me will be getting a little slow in the next few weeks because I am moving back to my hometown of Springfield, Missouri!!!  I am so very excited. I have a lot to do in the next week.  Here is a layout I did just before I got the big news: I love the way it turned out!! I stitched all the edges by hand, and fussy cut the sunflowers from the paper.  I used my cricut mini for the title, and the red and green flowers, putting them together using a black fleur de le brad. The corkboard is from DCWV.   Thanks for stopping by!- AR

So I made another rag quilt! This time I made a baby one for a friend at work. This one is 35x35 and I used fleece. While the fleece doesn't fray like in a normal rag quilt, it is still super cute! This one because of the size only took me a couple of hours to make, from start to finish. Thanks for stopping by!-AR

So I finally got around to finishing my memo board that I bought from the local thrift store. I turned out great!! So this is the board before: And this is my board after: Doesn't even look the same does it?! I used Graphic 45's Couture line to alter this board. I sanded, primed, painted, and replaced the cork on the board before I started decorating. I love how it doesn't even look like the same board!! Thanks for stopping by!-AR

So I didn't something this last week I haven't don't in awhile: Sewing!!  I recently bought a new sewing machine and was dying to try it out. I had a friend who was having a birthday coming up, so I took to Pinterest to decide what to make I settled on a rag quilt after my cousin posted one she made to Facebook. My best friend is a rag quilt queen so I pestered her with questions.     I decided on a purple and blue color scheme and so bought four different purple and four different blues. I got a yard of each in 100% cotton. I also got a few yards of white flannel for the middle. My quilt blocks I cut to seven inches so that when sewn they would be six inches. I used a half inch seam allowance. My blocks consisted of fabric, flannel, fabric. I pinned the blocks together and then sewed  an "x" across each one.  Once done with the help of my mom I laid them out how I wanted.  I then pinned the blocks in to rows and sewed them together.  Once all together it was time

For a quick update on my thrift store find :) I wound up using Graphic 45's Couture line.  It's not done quite yet, I still have to finish the top. I have however, set it to the side while I finish up a quilt I am making for a friends Birthday next week.  Thanks for stopping by!-AR

So I decided to stop at a new thrift store in my town today after going for a walk. I love thrift stores because you never know what kind of treasures you will find I stumbled across this beauty:    It just screamed "Alter me!!!!" So I quickly found myself walking the register with it. It was only $3.00!  With some cleaning, fresh paint, and some new cork this will be quite cute! I will also be using some of my Graphic 45 stash on this beauty. Now to decide which one :) Thanks for stopping by!-AR

So I finally had the chance to sit down and do some scrapbooking the other day. YAY!!! Sorry for the not so great photos, but I was in a rush. I used G45's A Ladies Diary for this layout. The paper was great for a simple layout, with a photo of myself and two of my best friends. I did some real stitching, as well as some faux stitching. I also made some flowers from the paper with my Cricut and the Cricut Craft room. I also fussy cut a flower and an image from the paper line. The flower is popped up for added dimension. Thanks for stopping by! -Altina R.

Hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year!! December has been a very busy month for me, with NO time for crafting :p But now that it's a New Year and things have slowed a little I plan and spending every spare moment creating! -Altina R.