Sunday, December 25, 2011

My Wishes For You!

Happy Holidays!


I wish you a wondrous and magical season with family and friends,
good food, good drink, lots of rest and fun,
 that you find the end of 2011 all that you hoped for
and that 2012 brings you all that you wish for!

Crafty Holiday Hugs,
                                      Pendra


Monday, November 21, 2011

Bags, tags and Wraps for the Holiday Season

It's that time of the year again when I start thinking of gifts for the people in my life.  I love to make handmade gifts, and in the past I have handmade quilts, knit hat, scarf and mitten sets, scrapped mini albums, baked cookies, breads and bars, designed and handmade all my Holiday cards,  just to name a few, but this year life has gotten in the way of all my aspirations... what it doesn't happen to you?   Okay, so maybe I am not the only one this happens to... so let's think handmade but on a more manageable level.  So this year I thought if I can't make all the gifts handmade, maybe I can at least present them in a handmade fashion, so I went to my favorite site Pinterest  and found all sorts of beautiful ways to bag, tag, wrap and present my gifts in an inexpensive,quick and beautiful way and...shhh, no one but us needs to know we didn't slave over these for months!  So gather your materials... a lot of these are done with manilla or kraft paper or even brown grocery bags, bakers twine, paper doilies, punches, stamps, left over scrapbooking papers and even old cards.  I think I have all that, maybe I can pull this off! 

Let's start with some really easy gift tags from brown kraft paper or grocery bags, punch some holes and tie off with bakers twine... I kind of like the addition of the eyelets to add another layer, then stamp or hand write the recipients name.  Or you can even skip the tag and wrap the gift in kraft paper and just stamp the name right on the package... is that easy or what?

Love the addition of some buttons or even some doilies and embellishments... cute!
Or how about some fancy ribbon?

How about using some of your punches... 
kind of elegant, even on kraft paper (or grocery bags), love that!

Manilla tags with the addition of some red and white paper straws and
some distress inks and now they take on a more vintage look!

How about these stamped tags made to look like vintage postcards...
rather romantic!

Talk about romantic, add some old lace, distressing ink, buttons and old
photos now were talking my kind of style!

Add some doilies to the mix... oh my!
You can even make an envelope and this can become a gift card holder.

How about old book pages (no need to worry about being photo safe)
Love using the initial in place of the recipeints name.

And these initial tags were cut from old cards... now that's green!
 Love this idea, make your own wrapping paper and tags by
using buttons as the stamps and then actually using the button!

I just love the look of primitive and these just really pulled at my heart string...
or how about these, embossed with the snowflakes... snow cute!!
Another rather primitive tag with a felt red heart and pinked and sewn
edges with some buttons and a little twine... tags after my own heart!

 These are very simple but being in Education for 20 years I have a thing for notebook paper... these have even been sewn with red thread and tied with red and white bakers twine.

 This elegant and fancy tag and package were made using old Yuletide paper,fancy for leftover wrapping paper! Even the sentiment was punched from an old card.
 

These are so cute, made on kraft or manilla paper and paper pieced with your left over scrapbook papers... this would even be cute to let the kids do the artwork!

These gorgeous tags are made from leftover scrapbook papers
and the addition of a few buttons, some lace and metal charms.

The Mother Lode of leftover scrapbook papers, some handmade flowers
paper doilies, button, lace, ribbons... any and all little leftover bits!

Of course I had to show some tags using some of your favorite scrapbook paper collections!

This was so creative... how about reusable gift tags, made with
chalkboard paint or paper... these are adorable and talk about green!

I thought this was so creative, instead of putting their names on the gift tags how about putting their picture on the tag... I just loved this one, and think this will be the one I'll do this year!


So we have looked at many ways to bag, tag and wrap your holiday gifts with a handmade touch this season.  Most of these were made with either kraft paper (grocery bags) or manilla paper and some of your everyday scrapbooking supplies, but also recycling or reusing wrapping papers, tags and cards from past seasons. These are all very inexpensive to make... but look like you spent hours and upper end boutique dollars!  
Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday, enjoy your families and friends... and don't forget your camera!

                                                                          Crafty Hugs,
                                                                                    Pendra

Friday, September 30, 2011

Please have regular mammograms and keep yourselves healthy to continue your own crafty addictions for a long time to come!


As you know I lost my Mother to breast cancer on July 31st.  She was an amazing person and responsible for all my crafty addictions!  She has only been gone for a short while now and although my healing has only just begun, I can only hope that she is healed, happy and with my Father again!  I wanted to take a moment to encourage you all to have regular mammograms and keep yourselves healthy to continue your own crafty addictions for a long time to come!

I also wanted to thank each and every one of you for your kinds words, prayers and just for being there for me... even if you don't know it, by having your blogs for me to visit, your projects for creativity and inspiration, not to mention all the Blog Hops and wonderful giveaways I enter (some I have won... Whoo Hoo!)  and to help me pass the time, but most importantly the wonderful friendships and camaraderie that I have found here in Blogland!  Keep up your much appreciated blogs, your wonderful projects and friendly outreaches to each other!  I hope to be scrapping, sharing and seeing you all soon. Thank you all!

Crafty Hugs,
Pendra


Thursday, September 29, 2011

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month... please have a mammogram!


Lois Marilyn Smiley
April 20, 1936 - July 31, 2011

My Mother lost her battle with breast cancer on July 31st.  She had cancer for at least 15 years and had developed lymphodema in her right arm a few years ago.  It left her unable to do all the things she so loved to do. She was the creative light in my life, every craft or hobby I have ever done was because she introduced (sometimes dragged) me to it.  Just to name a few of her favorites that she so loved were:  crocheting, knitting, embroidery, sewing, upholstery, painting, quilting, paper crafting, scrap booking, and card making... and these are just a few of all the wonderful and creative crafts she loved. 
She was the most kind, caring, loving and positive person I have ever known.  Even in the midst of her illness she always told us that there was so many people so much worse than her, that she had led a long, happy and wonderful life and her heart went to others especially children who suffered from illness' or tragedies in their short lives.  Thanks to Hospice and the Edema Center, Mom was able to spend the end of her time at home surrounded by her daughters, faithful dog companions, Laci and Max and her treasures.  And thanks to my Sister Annie, who shared a home with Mom and Dad, not only took loving care of Mom, but Dad as well who passed at home in 2006 also surrounded by his family.  I owe her so much. 


Mom & Dad had a lake house on Lake Elysian and we spent many happy times there all together.  Crafting, swimming, strolling the lake on the pontoon, eating, shopping at all the antique and craft shops, 4th of July celebrations and so many more memories to last my lifetime!  She loved that lake house... her crafts and most of all her family.  She had 3 daughters, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, and over the years she had many pets that were lucky enough to be part of her family.   Thank you Mom for all that you taught me, for all that you shared with me and most important for loving me and showing me how to love.

 

                         I love you Mom                
                                            Give Dad a big hug,  
                                                                     I'll see you both soon...


                                                                         

Friday, September 9, 2011

Butterfly Award

Thanks Rexann

Thanks Susan
Butterfly Award
 I have been lucky enough to have been awarded the "Butterfly Award" twice by two lovely ladies.
Please check out their blogs, you cannot ask for kinder, sweeter or more creative online friends!
(Click on the awards above to be taken to their sites)

So here are the details:

To receive this award I need to answer the following questions and then award this "Butterfly Award" to 10 other bloggers, and contact them to let them know they have been given this award.  I also need to show a link to the person(s) who gave me the "Butterfly Award" (see above).

So here goes
Q1) Name your favorite color?  This changes everyday... today I would have to say  Pink
Q2) Name your favorite song?  Well that's a hard one, so I will just say late 60's and early 70's music! (that really dates me)

Q3) Name your favorite dessert?  That is an easy one, anything with chocolate in it!

Q4) What wizzes you off at the moment?  Rude people!
Q5) Your favorite pet?  I have Two Favorites... My Cocker Spaniel, Hannah and my big fat cat, Leyla!  Love them so much!

Q6) Black or White?  White, only because you can add any color to it!

Q7) Your biggest fear?  Anything that creeps, crawls or flies!
Q8) Best Feature?  Well that would have to be my mind... because my body went on strike about 10 years ago!
Q9) Everyday attitude?  HUMOR! 
Q10) What is perfection?  Friday night with my husband, pizza ordered, a good show on t.v. and the phone off the hook!

Q11) Guilty Pleasure?  Driving home with a BIG Joann's or Michaels Bag full of goodies and anything with chocolate in it!

Q12) When you’re upset you?  Eat, blog or scrap... not necessarily in that order.

 I am now passing this "Butterfly Award" on to:

Debbie                                     craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com
Amy                                         scrapthisavethat.blogspot.com
Eva                                           evasscrapsncards.blogspot.com
Terri                                         twopinkpeas.blogspot.com
Karla                                         madebykarla10.blogspot.com
Lori                                           reflectionsfromgranny.blogspot.com
Terri                                          myneed2craft.blogspot.com
pammejo                                   pammejo-scrapbookflair.com
Stacy                                         scrapwithstacy.blogspot.com
Amy                                          lovetocrop.com 
Thanks again, Susan and Rexann and now I'm off to pass this Award around!   Please visit all 12 of these lovely ladies and their wonderful and creative sites you will love them... and tell them, Pendra sent you!

Crafty Hugs,
Pendra

Friday, September 2, 2011

Blog Candy Winners

The Blog Candy Winners  for 
from Barbara are...
(please check on her site for winner info)

Day 1 - Cuttlebug Disney NEMO Combo Embossing and Die Set is:
ScrappinT

Day 2 - Cuttlebug Disney Celebration Combo Embossing and Die Set is:
Eva

Day 3 - Sizzix Texturz Texture Plates Kit #3 is:
Linda

Grand Prize - Cricut Cartridge Luau 2011 Seasonal is:
Yours truly - Pendra
(Thanks Barbara... with my new Cricut Expression this will be GREAT!!)

My Blog Candy Winner is:
Judy
(Please email me your addy info at:  pendrah (at) comcast (dot) net

Thanks Barabara for sharing your Birthday and Hop with us... and thanks to all who joined us in the Hop! 
Congrats to all the winners!
Until next time, 

Hugs,
Pendra


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

50th Birthday Luau Blog Hop


Welcome to Day 3
Barbara's "50th Birthday Luau Blog Hop" 

 
Welcome to Day 3 and the final day of the Hop, if you are coming from Lisa's you are in the right place.  If you just happened on to my site and you want to join in the Hop, please click here to start at the beginning.  As you can see Barbara is offering a Daily Blog Candy and a final Grand Prize, please see her rules below on how to enter to win.  
Thank you so much for hopping along with us and for celebrating Barbara's 50th Birthday with us!  Barbara is offering her Daily Blog Candies and her Grand Prize on her site, following the end of the Hop.

Rules to be eligible for Barbara's Daily Blog Candy and the Grand Prize:
(1)  You MUST visit each blog and become a follower.
(2) Leave a comment on every blog in the hop each day.
(3) Leave a comment below on my blog.
(4) Become a follower at "Craftin" with Barbara”.
 ***Remember to leave me another comment today, (below Day 1) to be eligible for my Blog Candy, please leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner!   Please hop along to Ashley's site next!
 Happy 50th Birthday Barbara!
********************************************************************************
 
Welcome to Day 2  
Barbara's "50th Birthday Luau Blog Hop"


***Remember to leave me another comment today, (below Day 1) to be eligible for my Blog Candy as well!  Have a great day and hope to see you tomorrow!  Please hop along to Ashley's site next!

*******************************************************************************

Welcome to Day One
Welcome to my blog, Pendra's Place and to Barbara's "50th Birthday Luau Blog Hop".   Due to my Mother's illness and subsequent passing, and in trying to settle her affairs I am embarrassed to say that I took to much on and I have to apologize that I did not get my projects for Barbara's Birthday done on time.  Please continue to hop along and enjoy all the beautiful projects at the other sites!   If you are coming from Cards by Jacki's you are in the right place, if you have just come upon my site but want to join the Hop please start at Barbara's site listed below.  Remember to follow the rules listed below for a chance at the Grand and Daily prizes... and to wish Barbara a very "Happy 50th Birthday"! 

50th Birthday Luau Blog Hop Lineup:
1. Barbara B. http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
2. Gill M - http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com
3. Linda Simpson - http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com
4. Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
5. Pendra http://pendrasplace.blogspot.com/  You are here
6. Ashley- http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/  Your next stop
7. Tammy- http://thepurplemuse.blogspot.com/
8. Sherry-http://patternsbysher.blogspot.com
9. Jearise- http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
10. Cyndie- http://cyndiepaperboutique.wordpress.com/
11. Gina- http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/
12. April - http://curlsandgrins.blogspot.com
13. Lynne- http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Barbara's PRIZES
Day 1 Blog Candy:  Cuttlebug  Disney NEMO Combo Embossing & Die Set
Day 2 Blog Candy:  Cuttlebug Disney Celebration Combo Embossing & Die Set
Day 3 Blog Candy:  Sizzix Texturz Texture Plates-Kit #3
Grand Prize:           Cricut Cartridge Luau 2011 Seasonal

 Rules to be eligible for Barbara's Daily Blog Candy and the Grand Prize:

(1)  You MUST visit each blog and become a follower.
(2) Leave a comment on every blog in the hop each day.
(3) Leave a comment below on my blog.
(4) Become a follower at "Craftin" with Barbara”.

Leave me a comment and a way to contact you and I will also have a blog candy to send out to one winner at the end of the Hop!  Happy Birthday Barbara... and many more!!



Thursday, August 18, 2011

Hello Sisssss...ter!

It's me... is it you? 


I'll believe you were here if you leave me a comment...
click on the word comments right below this!!!
(Then type your comment... and hit the anonymous button)

Love you Sis!



Monday, July 25, 2011

My Craft Channel Winner

My Craft Channel Winner

Hi... I just have to share with you, this morning when I opened my email I had a very special message waiting for me:


I WON!  They are giving away 20 Cricuts in 20 days and I won on July 22nd!!!  Check them out at MyCraftChannelblog.blogspot.com  I have never owned a machine and have been wanting one for so long!  I am disabled, have 3 Grandchildren and have been married for 35 years and have a lot of wonderful memories to scrap about and now I don't have to cut by hand!!  I just had to share with you my GREAT gift and it will ship on August 5th... can't wait!  I was so reluctant to start a blog online, my grandkids have been after me for years to get facebook (which I did and still don't even know how to get into it without someone sending me a message... hehehe) and then I found blogging and decided maybe that was right for me... I met some wonder people and great friends and have been very, very lucky to have won some great giveaways and WOW I am just loving blogging!!   It has opened up a whole new world to me! So THANKS My Craft Channel and Cricut... and I'm counting on some of my scrap buddies to help and mentor me on getting going on the Cricut Expression... COOL!


Saturday, July 16, 2011

Pendra's Garden of Many Flowers

Flowers, Beautiful, Delicate, Flowers!

I thought today it would be fun to look at all the different materials and way to make flowers.  Once again I have gotten all these wonderful images from Pinterest... check them out!  Remember if you use unique materials that you need to check if it is archival safe and if not remember to spray it well so that you do not damage your pictures for future generations to be able to enjoy.


How about flower strips made from old books, or music books or sheets.  You could even make these wonderful strip flowers from menus of favorite restaurants or the bills from Plays you attended... just remember these are probably not archival safe and would need to be sprayed! 



Believe it or not, these beautiful flowers were made from napkins... what a great idea if you are celebrating a special dinner or occasion at a favorite restaurant!  So don't forget alot of extra napkins!



And here are various different fabric flowers... one of my favorites also being a quilter! 
 I love to add lots of beautiful buttons, especially some from my vintage button collection. 
 Or how about pearls with silk fabric for a more elegant look... I had to hem the dress for my Grandaughter for Prom and plan on making silk roses for her Prom layout.  For a more rustic
look maybe a flower made from burlap with an old jean button and twine, or even an old
 pair of favorite jeans (after you are done wearing them of course) could be made into a flower
and put on a project with a picture of you in them! There is just so many ways to add texture
 to your projects with fabric flowers!



Crepe paper flowers are also a favorite of mine, the texture is easy to work with and come
in many pretty colors!  It will hold it's shape well to curl the petals around a pencil and
 look very pretty layered or stacked as well.  Crepe paper flowers also look pretty with buttons,
pearls, brads and even smaller flowers for the centers.  Give it a try, it is a very inexpensive
 way to have lovely flowers on your projects.



And these lovely flowers are made with layers of tissue paper... it also comes in lovely colors! You can cut it on almost all machines and is very easy to cut by hand, it actually looks best if it is really uneven and crumpled up before you layer and put it together.  You can make each layer a different size, putting shorter or smaller layers inbetween layers will give you a fuller flower.  I have made some tissue paper flowers from the gifts I have received and have put them on my pages with the pictures of that event... an even nicer way to remember that occasion!  For the center again, buttons, pearls, brads, small flowers or even small beads are lovely! 


For greater texure on pages how about crocheting or even knitting your flowers... there is endless supplies of materials and colors you can use. You can do very flat flowers or
layer for fuller flowers!  Think of all the different textures you could use: thin twine for a
 very rustic flower or how about a veragated or almost rainbow color for a fun party flower.
  All crocheter's and knitter's make lovely little newborn hats, booties, etc., what about making
 a flower to go on the card or gift bag out of the leftover yarns.


And here are flowers made from strips of felt... I think these are absolutely lovely.
I can't think of an easier way to make a flower then evenly cut strips just
looped around to form the layers... you can either take a stitch under to hold
it together or use a brad, if you want a little more stability you can glue it down
to a piece of heavy cardstock and attach that to your project.  



The beautiful flowers are made from.... magazines!  I know we all have stacks of old
 magazines laying around... even colorful junk mail would work for this, but remember
 this would be another material that would not be archival safe and would need to be sprayed!



And last but not least would be our favorite scrapping and card making materials our
cardstock and patterned scrap papers.  I just love these, they are a little flater than alot
 of the other flowers.  You can alternate them with solid and pattern papers.  You can make
 them so different by adding different textures in between the layers, like burlap or toulle.



Okay we have seen lots of different flowers today... lots of different materials used and lots of different patterns used to make flowers. Think outside of the box... try fabric softner sheets, junk mail, wrappers, get on your thinking hats and get creative... make them your own! 

I would love to hear your thoughts and any new ideas... please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts and ideas and also to let me know that you visited.  Until later... Hugs,  Pendra
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