Candice Windham Design Studio

--> I love to make birthday cards. I don't always get them in the mail on time, but I still love the creative process of making them. This sentiment has been around for a long time in one form or another, but I can remember my Dad wishing me "Hoppy Birdie" when I was a child. I don't know where it originated, so if it came from you, please let me know and I will happily give you credit. Otherwise, all the credit goes to my funny, sweet father, who I am so thankful for and miss every day. This is an example of one of those times when a stamp just will not do. That’s why I am so thankful for the Duetica Lettering Arts Studio. I can get a very cool look, just using their fonts in basic form, but adding the ability to have a myriad of letter styles within each font family is the icing on the cake. Not only that, you can alter the colors in Photoshop or print out outlines of your sentiment and custom –color them with paint, markers or colored pencil.

Welcome to April's Designer Crafts Connection! We're creating all things spring, and the first thing that comes to mind is Easter baskets! I made this sweet little basket using Eileen Hull's Vase Scoreboard from Sizzix, and it couldn't have been easier. Be sure to click on the Designer Crafts Connection button at left to hop to all the other blogs and see some amazing projects. Here's what you'll need: Sizzix Big Shot Sizzix' Vase Die by Eileen Hull Linen finish mat board (Crescent), 12" x 6" (You may need two pieces depending on the size of your cup) Paper or plastic drink cup or tin can Golden Iridescent Gold (Fine) acrylic paint Bling, self adhesive,  from I Want 2 Scrap Plaid 1" flat brush Prima Flowers Viva Décor Pearl Pens, Cream  and Yellow Gold mesh ribbon (Offray) Chipboard scrap, 3/4" X 11" Green tissue paper, 12" x the height of your cup base +1" Aleene's Tacky Glue, Tack

It's a gloomy day in Tennessee, but the creativity is running wild! I have been in the studio since 7 this morning, with only one break to call and wish my friend Jan Stone a very happy birthday. I love days like this, when I have no urge to get out of the house, and even if I did, the rain keeps me here. I'm rapidly tuning into a serious homebody. I'd just as soon get up each day, stay in pajama pants and tees and create all day, whether it's in the studio, in the garden, redecorating, organizing something or trying a new recipe. If any of you plan to attend the Craft and Hobby convention in Los Angeles at the end of the month, be sure to drop by the Viva Decor booth, the ScraPerfect booth or the CHA Designers' Craft Studio to see all the cool demonstrations with some great products. The Viva Decor booth will have a great make & take, and the Craft Studio and ScraPerfect booths will have lots of unique projects by designers on display. The designers will be dem