New Work Space comming soon!

Well, once again, I have run out of space, so the only solution is to create more "STORAGE"!  As of this weekend, I will be adding 7 new pantry cupboards, 2 complete walls, of storage which hopefully will clear up the space I need to get around safely in my craft room.  With my newly acquired Parkinson's I seem to trip around quite a bit and I cannot afford to take a chance of falling especially with my newly acquired titanium rod and screws in my back!  I am not ready for hip replacement surgery so new storage is quite the answer.  I am also going to put a lovely daybed of sorts close by so when it is rest time, I can get out my gypsy or my laptop or tablet, take a rest and do what I need to do on my smaller electronics, watch a little TV, and I will be all set!  Cozy and pretty and I will post a photo as soon as I have her all set up just the way I want it.  I am sure it is going to take a little time to get it all in order but it will get there and it will be a delightful and happy happy work space once again! Thanks for all of your supportive emails and wonderful ideas that I have been following during my recovery.  I cannot wait to get back into my card making and scrapbooking mode! 
I acquired a Brother Scan n Cut during my hiatus and I have done just a little bit of work with it.  I have to tell you I am so impressed with this machine!  At first I had gotten the new Cricut Explore, expecting just a little bit more, but sent it back when I realized the Brother was what I really wanted!  I am not disappointed in the slightest!  It cuts out the most intricate  stamp or picture that you could imagine.  If it can see it, it will scan it, it will cut it!  No more Fussy Cutting for me, and with my Parkinson's and shaky hand it is a true blessing for me.  Don't get me wrong, I still use the daylights out of my Cricut Expression, and I love my Cartridges, but when you don't have to have a computer or pay for anything extra to use a machine that costs the same money, and you can draw or use the things you already have, why buy the same Realestate twice?  I'm just saying....
Happy Crafting ladies, and I'll see you real soon!

Flip Flop Pot Sconces

This is the cutest idea for a pair of summer sconces!  Whether you are at the beach or the ocean, or just want a cute summer theme, inexpensive and quick, for the porch or the patio, nail a pair of $100 flip flops up on the wall and stick a pair of cheap pots or large cups into the rubber parts.  plant some ivy or small flowers and your have a pair of sconces ready to go!  Yeah!

T

Just to update everyone.....I am recovering from some major back surgery I had 6 weeks ago. Rod and screws installed in my L3-4-5 into my pelvis.  So moving very slowly these days, no bending, twisting, lifting etc for the next few months.  You know what they say....As we mature..." Don't you just love it?  But I am slowly trying to work my way back into my craft room, I just hate to be away from my paper and glue! LOL
Can't wait to get my fingers all stained back up with that pretty pretty ink and fired up with my Sizzix and Cricut Machines again.  Oh and I have a new toy on it's way I can't wait to get my hand's on either.  I ordered myself the new Brother Scan n' Cut so when it arrives, watch out, there should be lots of fun things coming out of my room, at least I hope so. 
In the mean time, I am watching what every one else is producing with envy and will try to catch up soon.  Thanks for your great ideas.  Love you all. 

Hey everyone, I have a new Etsy Shop!  I haven't been on my blog in ages and ages and thought I should try to check in and tell everyone what I am doing.  Although I have opened up shop I am doing something really important and that is running a Fund Raiser for a good friend of my husband, and co worker that was badly injured in a motorcycle accident in early September.
He was hit by a deer while on his way home late one evening and taken off of his bike knocked unconscious and was in a coma for over 3 weeks.  While he has since woken up and made what Doctors are saying "Miraculous" steps in rehabilitation, he has a major road to recovery yet to go.

His brain sustained sever trauma and is still extremely swollen, while he is cognizant of his surroundings and seems to recognize familiar people, wife, family, friends etc. his short term memory is still injured badly and there is a lot of work to be done there. All of our hope and best wishes are for a full and complete recovery and we pray and watch over him daily.

My fund raiser on my Etsy shop is this....100% of my sales are to be donated to Patrick and his wife Paula from September 1 thru January 1 2014.  Please send out the word to friends, family and anyone  if they are interested in helping raise money for this wonderful couple to visit my site to help support the Patrick Byrne Fund.

Thank you and hugs to all!
Mags

Welcome to my new Studio!

Hi there bloggers...it has been a very long time since I have posted anything on my blog spot. I have been very busy trying to fill up my new Etsy shop and start a Fund Raiser for our friend that was injured in a Motorcyle accident in Michigan the first part of September.  He was hit by a deer and severely injured and nerely killed.  With incredible head trauma, unconscious for three weeks, broken eye sockets, many ribs, broken arm and numerous other injuries, he is on the mend but has an extremely long road to recovery,  He may never regain his full memory or faculties, but he is still a dear friend and we love both Pat and Paula and will do anything for them even 1400 miles away. That's why I am running this Fund Raiser to draw money to help them in their time of need. 100% of my sales go toward their expenses and there are many!!

Anyway, if you feel so inclined, please visit my site, Etsy.com/shop/thekatzmeowz and tell others about it, it is for a very good cause. From SEPTEMBER 1, TO JANUARY 1 2014.

Enough sad news, here is my new and improved work area, Thanks to my wonderful husband, he helped me so much to get this all laid out so I would be more organized and see just how much I have accumulated over the past 2 1/2 years!! OMGosh, what a stash I have. I will be making Cards from now to kingdom come!  I love it!  Have a great creative holiday ...

Mags from The Cats Meow

"THERE'S NO OTHER LIKE MY MOTHER" CTV CHALLENGE #29 This is one challenge I think my card is worthy of!

Here is my Mother's Day Card! A Mother's Day Card to beat them all! I spent hours creating this for four friends to give to their Mother.

Inside there is plenty of room to add a picture of each adult child along with a sentiment of how much Mommy means to them!  I found this beaurtiful verse and printed it via the internet...how lucky was I???

She wanted me to make a huge card and I did! an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2 " card so finding or making an envelope was a feat in inself! I cut one sheet of paper in half, embossed the top flap to match the card, then make small accordian pleats for the side panels, a piece for the bottom, decorated it to match the card, and voila, a matching envelope! Almost a card in- itself.

 Here is a closeup of the flowers and leaf detailing. The banner was made using my Gypsy and extreme font cartridge. Thanks to my sister who boasted about this cartridge, it is the most amazing thing I have used to cut or write. She loved her card and I am sure Mommy will love it also! I hope you all do as well!

I'm sorry....I've been away!

I'm

sorry, I have been away...kind of, sort of...with life stuff! First my husband has been really sick...but wait for it...he is better, much better, thankfully! Ahhhhhhhhh....I can breath so much easier now. Then i have been under the weather myself. Normal stuff, everyday sort of stuff. Things I have to deal with on an everyday sort of thing, but mostly X 100 b/c I have been worried about my husband and stress increases my pain levels and I am aware of that, but life happens, so no worries really. We are getting back to my normals and my husbands normals. Yeahhhhh!!!! Then wait for it...over the weekend we had more stress, hoodlum stress in the neighborhood sort of stuff. My next door neighbor who is so sweet and kind was broken into at 2:30 am on Sunday morning by some young thugs. She was not hurt, but scared out of her mind. They busted through her front door, she heard it break down, she sleeps with her cell phone b/c she uses it as her alarm for work, slammed her bedroom door shut, dialed "911" they heard her, ran back out the door, Police arrived, dragged her out her bedroom window, she ran to my house, and within seconds they got another call that another B&E in the sub across the street had occurred same MO, single woman, crash, 911, ran....very scary stuff. We had 13 police, helicopters in the air, 2 Dogs on the ground, but they probably got their car into a garage faster than the search team was able to mobilize on the ground. They think they know who is behind all of it, but couldn't catch the punks. My husband went to Lowe's with my neighbors brother the next morning,, got lots of security stuff for doors and went house to house on our street and secured as many homes on our block as we could. He has spoken to our HOA President, our Local Police Officers and we are on the look out for certain individuals. It has been very tense but I need to get back to my cards...La Dee Da......

CTD234 Entry Challenge

http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2013/03/color-throwdown-234.html
Here is my entry for Color Challenge 234 Green White Black Tan and Red. I think I have covered all the basis!  And hopefully  I have a great card for a good friend as well!  Hope everyone has fun and I love these color challenges the best! Thanks for letting me play along!

CBLA_SF7 - I have fallen in love many times...

http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/1/post/2013/02/-anything-goes-friday-sentiment-challenge-7.html
I love sentimental and Love Cards and this one was inspired by the fact, my husband asked me if I had any cards for men to buy for their wives and girlfriends?!! Imagine my surprise when I had to tell him "No"! So ladies, here is my first one....I hope you like it, and I hope it will inspire some romance in other places on our planet as well!

CAS - Colours and Sketches Challenge #16 - Sketch

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cas-ColoursAndSketchesBlog/~3/_KCJrMYENTs/cas-colours-and-sketches-challenge-16.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email
Now I must admit, I did not start out with such a bright card in mind, however, it is a "Get Well" card for a friend who is, get this, having "HIP" replacement surgery on Monday! I did not feel out of place in this instance with a bright card, I only hope you all have a good sense of humour as she does, and will agree in a way that my lay-out does follow protocol! Hope you enjoy, {hugs}

Create your own Background Paper Challenge PWC249

http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/paper-pretties-wednesday-challenge_13.html
I had many firsts with this card! I did make my background paper as you see with the stamps using my Inkadinkadoo stamping gear, a first for me, ColorBox Harbor and Moss Green Pigment Stamps. I then as a first took a Canvas Card, placed some Geso in the center for texture, embossed a flower, then embossed the leaves. I used water color pencils to apply shading to the leaves, then foiled one side of the canvas to balance the embossed piece at the top of the card. I attached it with a blue brad and popped up with dots for dimension. Instead of cutting out the verse piece, I tore scrap paper, applied distress ink to the edges and stamped the sentiment. I edged the bottom of the card with a shade darker blue (no matchy match for me) and folded it over so it will show on the inside when it is open. The flower piece inside I distressed but also a first for me, I painted with Acrylic paint as it added just a bit more dimension to the flowers! I truly experimented a ton on this card with so many different techniques, I hope it isn't too much, but I really had fun!

Word Art Wednesday- Anything Goes

http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/2013/03/challenge-71-anything-goes.html
Uplifting and Cheerful, Shout to the Lord! Hope everyone is having a very Blessed Day!

Challenge #173 - All Stitched Up! & GDT Call

 

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2013/03/challenge-173-all-stitched-up-gdt-call.html
This is for the All Stitched up Challenge. The only adhesive used on the front layers were to place the main layer to the front and to pop up the center piece. All layers were simply sewen together! Thus was also my first attempt at water color pencils so don't anyone point too many fingers please.  I will get better with time I am sure. Thanks for allowing me to play along with this fun challenge!

Challenge #213 -- Singing in the Rain!

http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ This cute little 4 x 4 1/4 card may be small in size but it is huge in Get Well blessing's! I have little rain drops with glossy accents, rain clouds above have been inked and layered above the umbrella and as always, it is so much sweeter in person than picture!

Challenge #52: Anything Goes Namaste!

http://tuesdayalchemy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/challenge-52-anything-goes.html
"But it's OK, they know me there!"  When I saw this verse, I knew I would find the right stamp to go with it, and I was right! I have elven rescue kitties and it is my world, they help me every day create my little works of art. And I wouldn't have it any other way! This adorable digi is hand colored and stamped to my specifications even with my little calico cat at my side! Namaste

A Fantastic St Patricks Day Card from My Sister!





 Isn't this just the prettiest Teapot you have ever seen? Now I did not make this ladies, my beautiful and talented sister did and she is just the most lovely gal on this planet! Anyone that knows her will agree with me, and she puts so much love into every one of her cards! Who wouldn't want to sit down and have a cup of green tea with her?  Stamps are courtesy of My Creative Time by Emma, Cardz TV by Mary, MS punches as I am sure you all have guessed and a passel of gorgeous paper that I am sure you are all GREEN with envy about! Happy St. Paddy's Day to all!!

http://www.catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/

Sadly I do not have a Bugaboo Image (yet) but perhaps if I win I will have lots of them to try to enter the next time?! :)  Here is what I thought of first when I thought of Going Green! I love my friends and I love sending them mail....I also hope this wins me some pretty darn cute images to share with them!

http://outlawzchallenges.com Color Challenge

When I first saw the colors I thought my goodness, Those are Fall colors, how in the world can I presnt something to help bring some springtime to all those poor souls up north when I am in Sunny Florida with my windows open already? Then again, this is a challenge, and I am from up north orriginally and missing the spring about to bloom. So I remembered the Forsythia and knew the colors would work and had to draw my ingenewity from that. MS punches gave me leaves from what I would normally throw away, flowers from what I would normally layer and I pieced it all together from there! I can't say it is my best, but it is certainly one of my most challenging to date! Thank you for letting me play along! 

Monday Challenge #90 - Sweet Baby

http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com
Thiss card was cut from, Sizzix die The Stamps of Life on my Big Shot. I used Sizzix dies wavey dies for the blue and pink trim which was first embossed with my swiss dot folder for extra detail.  I used The Stamps of Life Rattle die cut and stamp sets onsie4baby and sweet4babies for both detailing of the cutout and verses inside and out. I tied a teenie tiny "fork" bow around the rattle and added 3 tiny pearls where the snappies would go and voila' my finished card! Hope you enjoy!

Ladies (and Gentlemen) she is amazing!

http://www.marieforleo.com You have got to check out this lady!  I love listening to her and she is full of so much incentive, enthusiasm and blessings that she is an inspiration to me and I hope to you as well.  I had to share and just not keep her to myself!  I don't know how I cam upon her but am so very glad I did!  Please enjoy her video and I hope you all get as much out of her as I do!  Happy days to you all and God speed! Mags E