Birthday Sale!

This month, I'm having my 20% discount on all of my items over on CUP starting on January 12, 2014.  This is a very special day for me this year as I hit the 1/2 century mark this year!  The sale will start midnight January 12 and run for 4 days.  Come fill up your carts and help me celebrate 50 years!

I have a wish for everyone this year....

 

May everyone of my friends have a better 2014 in every manner!

 

 

Totally off topic....for me

Ok, I know this is a bit strange from me, but I have found something yummy that I just HAVE to share with you!

I've been making my own Greek Yogurt now for just over a year.  I started making my own when I found out my favorite flavored yogurts contained as much sugar as a Twinky! :-O  It is SUPER easy and Oh so delish!

Ok, now on to the really yummy that I had to share!  I love pudding (instant or cooked) and recently wanted pudding but didn't have enough milk, cuz I just made yogurt the night before....SO, I used enough of the yogurt to make the amount of milk I needed to make my pudding and WOW!  Super thick, super yummy pudding!

My latest find is Jell-O Instant Pudding Candy Cane which I make with 1/2 milk & 1/2 homemade Greek Yogurt.  After made, I add 3 crushed peppermint candy canes....OH!  Bliss!  lol

I have made my pudding this way several times and haven't found a pudding yet that doesn't taste awesome this way, but the one I like best (besides the Candy Cane) is the Cheesecake pudding...it tastes SO cheesy!

If you make pudding this way, let me know how YOU like it.

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Hugs
Carol

Do You Like Tea?

Are you a Tea drinker?  Do you like different flavors of tea?  I'll bet you are wondering why I'm asking you.  Well, it is very simple really.  I'm in the process of moving and won't be able to continue to do the Farmers Market that I have been doing for the last several years. :-<  The Farmers Market in the town where I am moving to doesn't need any  more handcrafters (yet ;-P ).  So I've been asked if I can bring my jams and jellies, PLUS can I blend teas for the market?  Too cool really as I LOVE tea!  I already have a wholesale supplier for all of my teas, the flora, herbs & spices to blend with the tea.  Now, all I need are some really great ideas for flavor blends.  I have a few in mind....Vanilla/Cinnamon, Ginger/Peach, Chocolate/Raspberry, Orange/Spice, Wintergreen/Lemon...and more, but I want to hear what YOUR favorite tea flavors are.

I won't be using any Green or White teas though...I'm extremely allergic to Green and terrified to try the White.  So, all I'm making are Black teas and Herbal teas.  So, post a comment here and let me know your favorite flavor combinations!

Thanks

SALE!

For those of you who like my stuff over on CUP, I will be having a 20% sale on all of my stuff for 4 days at the end of this month. 27-Dec-13 to 31-Dec-13   Come fill your carts and make wonderful cards for all those on your card list at a discount!

Special orders are always welcome as well.  You can either send me an email here, or a post your request on the CraftsUPrint Forum and I will get the message.

I'll be having 4 day sales each month, but not always at the same time, so watch this space!

Finished!

Here is the baby set I was telling you about before. 
Have you ever almost finished something only to see a boo-boo way back towards the beginning, rip it all out and almost be back to the same point only to find out that you were right the first time?  Doh!!  That happened to me while I was designing the bib pants to this set.  The set is done in the Afghan stitch (aka Tunisian Crochet) in DK yarn and is a toasty warm set for any 9-12 month old to wear when it is cold out.  The set can be worn over "regular" clothes as a "snowsuit" or worn by itself for when it is chilly but not cold out.  This pattern will be available on CUP after validation (sometime around midnight tonight, UK time)

Warm Winter Jacket & Bib Pants Set

The snowflakes are put on using the Duplicate stitch after the whole thing is made.

My next project is finishing a very old WIP.  I started a sweater for my mother yeeeears ago (no, don't ask...it is tooo embarrassing!)  I only have about 1/2 a sleeve to go and it will be done in time to give her for Christmas this year.

Adult Slouchy Hat (with or without Earflaps)

Oh boy, am I having fun designing these new hats!  Here is another Adult hat in a Slouchy style with or without Earflaps.  This hat is made using the Afghan stitch (also known as Tunisian Crochet)

 

Pattern will be available soon on CUP

 

Next one on the burners is a set for a 9-12 month old.  The set will have a jacket, hat and bib pants.  These will also be done in the Afghan stitch.

So busy knitting!

Oh wow!  I can't believe that it has been more than a year since my last post! :-O  Life sure gets in the way of making regular posts here like I started out doing.  This year hasn't been an easy one for me.  The end result is that I will be moving (soon, I hope) to a small apartment.  The one really good thing about that is that I will have no more maintenance, snow shoveling, grass mowing, etc...lol  It will be me, alone, in my  new apartment.  I'm also looking forward to only having to clean up after myself...lol  SO, those of you who have my snail mail address may want to send me an email to give me a nudge to let you know what my new addy is...you know who you are!

On to the real reason for my post though.  I've been on a yarn kick lately.  It started out making Car Seat Blankies, went on to making hat & mitten sets for babies and has graduated to designing my own hats in knit and afghan stitch.  I'm have an absolute blast!  If any of you are knitters and are looking for gifts for babies, check out this hat pattern.


0-3 months, 3-6 months & 6-12 months, 3 styles

These hats lead to this next hat.  This hat is for adults (head circumference 21-23") and combines a scarf with the hat for a very fun hat to wear when it is cold outside.

Scarf Tail is 45" long

I'm having SO much fun designing these hats!  I'm working on another adult hat with a variation and a set for babies that has a jacket, bib pants and adorable hat.  So much yarn and so little time!

Do you like Tea Bag folding as much as I do?

If you like Tea Bag folding as much as I do, then you might really like what I've been designing lately!  Check out this slide show to see my newest designs made up or go on over to my page on CUP to buy your own copy to make as you like!

There are two copies of one card because one was for an order.  Since all of my cards are for sale, I leave off the sentiments so the buyer can put on whichever they want.  I'm really working hard to get ready for my next show, coming up on February 18.  I'll be sure to post pictures of my display and let you all know how I did at the show.

Wow! Have I been busy or what?

I have a Craft Show coming up on February 18th and my card situation was looking pretty dismal.  I decided I needed to make at least 50 new cards for the show...I did it!  I actually made 57 new cards between Sunday, January 8 and today (January 13)...talk about tired now...lol

So it doesn't take so long to load, I've made all of the cards into a Slide Show.  Hope you enjoy the show.  Dont forget to tell me what you think too.

All but the FSS cards can be found on my page on CUP.  The file name for each card is attached to the image, but if you need help finding one, just give a shout.

Ooops!

Have you forgotten a Birthday lately?  Ooops!  I forgot my mother's! :-O  SO, I designed this very special card, just for her. ;-p I have also made the sheet without the "belated" so those who don't forget can use the same design.  This has been uploaded to CUP

Floral Belated Birthday Card Front

along with this Wynter themed one with and without the "belated" as well.



Wynter Belated Birthday Card Front

As you can see, I am still around and kicking.  Been very busy tatting up a storm.  If you want to see, check out the newest posts on my Blog Store.  I'll be doing another Craft Show at the Country Club so have been working like a beaver to get things ready for it.  The Farmers Market is closed for the season....to open again in April next year.  So...hopefully this means I will have more time soon to be making more cards and posting a bit more regularly on my blogs...sigh

Wishing you all a Wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

New Graphics Program

As if I'm not busy enough with the Farmers Market and designing for CUP I had to go and buy a new graphics program (ok, an upgrade really).  I have used Photoshop Elements 5.0 since it came out but there were some things I wanted to do that can not be done in Elements (no matter which version you have) so I upgraded to Photoshop CS5.  Wow!  What a difference!  I purchased 3 books to help me learn the program.  Realllly impressed with one, not quite as impressed (so far) with the other 2.  The one that is helping me the most is 100% Photoshop by Steve Caplin.  I have started from the beginning of the book and designed a few things but this is the one I'm most proud of (so far...lol)

Detective Scene-Designer Resource

This is a Designer Resource and is available on CUP.  Click on the link under the image if you are interested in purchasing this.

I had a LOT of fun making this so watch my page...I will be making more similar...and other things too as I learn the program.

Has it been a BUSY Summer?

Has it been a BUSY Summer for you?  Boy it has been for me!  I started selling my cards, tatting and home baked cookies at the local Farmers Market in early June (or was it late May?).  The Market is open every Saturday from 10am to 2pm and I've been selling loads of my tatting...which means I don't really have much time to design new cards, let alone even make any!  I sell lots of cookies too...I mean who doesn't love home baked cookies? ;-)  So I spend 1 day each week baking like a fool...lol  I finally HAD to make cards because my card display was getting a bit thin so here are pics of what I have made recently.

These first two cards were actually made for an order for that special lady who gives all of her clients BD cards.

I have FINALLY figured out how to link my images to the sheets, so if you are interested in any of the cards ( mine or FSS) you can click the name under the card and you will be taken right to the sheets.

FSS-Emma & Rosey COL SET

FSS-Nolan & The BullFrog COL DIGI

Don't you just love Fred She Said's newest designs?  I do!


Now these next cards are some of my designs found on Craftsuprint.  

Beautiful Rose with Scalloped Accents

Blue Layered Card Front & Tea Bag Tiles

Elegant Vase of Roses Card Front

Get Well Soon Step by Step Card

Innocent Love's Torn Card Topper

Mermaid Card Front and Pyramid

Rose Bouquet Card Front ATC Gift Card

Scalloped Front Tri-Fold Glory Rose Card

Torn Elegance Card Topper

Yellow Roses Round Swivel Card

 Sorry this is so many cards, but would you beleive that I really did make all these cards in just 2 days?  I had an assembly line going!  I cut them all out one day then the next day put them all together.  I didn't get much else done those two days, let me tell you!

I'm still among the living....

Did you all think I had fallen off the Earth?  Wrong...I'm still here...lol  I've been very busy with my tatting (can be found on Custom Creations from Carolivy).  I've been working out local Farmers Market, taking my cards, tatting and bags.  I've also been baking like a fool and taking cookies, muffins and popcorn to sell there as well.  Not had much time to do much designing or card making but I have gotten some done.

The first two cards were made for a standing order.  I have a lady who gives Birthday cards to all of her clients.  She is one terrific lady.

Bouquet of Roses Oval Pyramid Card

Owl Card Front and 3D

These next cards are to replenish my stock of cards that I am taking to the Farmers Market.

Solitude 2 Thinking of You Peek-a-boo Card

Blue Layered Card Front & Tea Bag Tiles

Clematis Card Front & Accesories & Clematis Pyramid

Clematis Card Front & Tea Bag Tile Card wbookmark

Wedding Bouquet Pyramid & Tea Bag Tile Set

If you are interested in any of these cards you can find all of them available HERE.

Latest Cards

Yeup, as the posts suggests I've actually made a few cards lately...lol

The first card is FSS-Hummingbird & Columbine with Penny Wesenauer's Unfolding Flower.  I just LOVED this set when Tracey posted it in her store.  I mixed up the colors of the flower and the bird a bit as my mother has blue columbine that her hummingbirds just love.  I used my Photoshop Styles to make the glittery boarder around the hummingbird and the little panel on the side is embossed with a CB Edge Embossing Folder.

FSS-Hummingbird & Columbine with Penny Wesenauer's Unfolding Flower

The next card is one I made for a blind gentleman.  For this card I used LOTS of different CB Embossing folders and made a shaped cascade card.  I put on a tea bag medallion done with Lucy's Funky Flower #2 with a gem brad in the middle.  LOTS of texture for someone who can't see, but still pleasing to the eye for those who can see it.

The next card I have for you today is one of my new designs.  This is a Shelf Card.  Yes, I know it is Christmas...what can I say.  I work on Christmas all year long...lol  This is Christmas Elf & Gifts Shelf Card and is a very fun card to make.

Christmas Elf & Gifts Shelf Card

And the very last card I have for you today is another of my new designs.  I actually have several of these designs great for various occasions, but this is the one I have made up...yeup, another Christmas card....lol  This one is Christmas Spring Easel Card - Red.  These cards are a combination of a Spring Card and an Easel Card for a really unique style.  A tutorial for making the cards can be found here.   For those of you that keep up with my Blog Store, Custom Creations from Carolivy, you may recognise the bow as the Crinkled Bows.  This just shows how wonderful they would look in your designs or even in your scrapbooking.

Christmas Spring Easel Card - Red

Guess What....

I actually made some cards today.  My card making mojo has been on hiatus for so long, I was beginning to worry that it wasn't going to come back, but I had an order for some cards, so just sat down and got to it and am really pleased with the results.
This first card is my Blank Card Front 2-a with Rosey from Fred She Said and a Tea Bag Medallion with some tiles I made a long time ago.  The fold is Jeannie Pelletreau's Maggie's Fold

This next card is my Glory Roses on Green Card Front and Tea Bag Tiles and the fold on this card is Jeannie Pelletreau's B - Next Fold, Variation 18

Great Craft Show! Wow!

Oh wow!  I had, I think, the BEST Craft Show I've had in YEARS just this past Saturday.
Here are pictures of my display.

I sold several of the larger bags, some of the jewelry and almost HALF of my cards! :-O

This is the show that I do at the local Country Club.  They hold a Winter Fest the day of the show and the weather was perfect that day!  I heard the fishing was great and the snowmobile races were good too.  I wouldn't know anything about any of that though.  I don't get out of the Club House where the show is held...lol

Some more good news, I've been asked by the local Art Guild to be the Guest Speaker at their April meeting.  They want to know more about my cards and they want a card making demontstration.  Gonna be some fun times there!

Spreading my wings a bit...

Well, I have decided to spread my wings a bit.  I'm in the process of putting a Blog Store together that will feature my handmade cards and other handmade crafts as well as my Designer Resource Graphics.  I don't have a cart up and running yet, but the prices are listed, so if you see something you like, drop me an email (found in the Contact Me) and let me know what you are interested in.  There are NO minimum purchases and special requests are welcome as well.
http://www.customcreationsfromcarolivy.blogspot.com/  Come on over and check me out, bookmark me, follow me and keep checking back.  I have loads to put up, but have to sleep some time...lol

NEW! Tri-Fold Pyramid Cards

I told y'all that I was working on another "New From" on CUP.  Well, the sheets are uploaded and going live today.  They will be in the Feb 2 promotional flyer.
Just so you know what is up and coming, here are the preview sheets on all 10 of my newest designs.

Baby Boy Tri-Fold Pyramid Card

Baby Girl Tri-Fold Pyramid Card

Beautiful Rose Tri-Fold Pyramid Card

Blue Floral Tri-Fold Pyramid Card

Bright Birthday Tri-Fold Pyramid Card with Tea Bags

Bright Flowers Tri-Fold Pyramid Card

Folded Blue Alcohol Tri-Fold Card with Tea Bags

Goth Roses Tri-Fold Pyramid Card

Love Swans Tri-Fold Pyramid Card

Wedding Tri-Fold Pyramid Card

And here are 2 of the cards I have made using these kits.

Bright Birthday Tri-Fold Pyramid Card Sample

Wedding Tri-Fold Pyramid Card Sample

I would love it, if you make up any of these kits, if you would send me a picture of your finished card.  Let me know if I can post them and I will post your cards here too.

Have fun.

Hugs

Carol