~ 2011 Shabby Journal ~

Hello dear friends! I've been away from the blog for far too long, and I've missed you.
first of all, I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday spending time with your families and enjoying your loved ones. And most of all remembering that Jesus is Lord!

Now the year is swiftly coming to it's close, and a new one is on the horizon... I'm excited and a little scared too. But I know a new year means a new opportunity to do what I've left undone and live my life better and better. I'll take my full chance to do what I know I should for God.





And now, as we gear up for the brand, new, 2011... here I am with a fun little project to share with you. I got inspiration from Miss Melissa. paperbags and glassine sacks stitched together to create a book for the year, full of cute little pockets, hidey-holes, and fun stuff.
  
Created with the beautiful calendar download from Crafty Secrets... paperbags, glassine sacks, all sorts of stamps, ink, stitching, tea-dyed tags and trim, die-cuts, glitter, pearls, fun little tissue-button-brad flowers. And for a few peeks inside at the little pockets of tags and calendars --




And lots of space to pen notes, remember occasions, dates, places. or just to doodle, I guess.


... and, of course, holiday themed pages! This fat little album has more than 25 full pages, with many pockets large enough to hold photos and memorabilia. I hope it will be useful for remembering the year's occasions when 2011 has come to a close.


 Have a happy last few days of the year; wishing blessings to all of you.


Goodnight! See you soon!
~ Vi

~ Winter Wings and Crinkled Things ~

Happy day, friends!! The week has been so busy, and plans have been made for a family trip next week. I won't be posting then but will return to regular blogging when I'm back.

 Before I go off on my trip, I wanted to leave you with a few winter things.... no more holiday creations, but still shimmery, glittery things. This card uses Melissa Frances paper, Prima chipboard circles, vintage trim, buttons, minty-green baker's twine, kraft cardstock, and PaperTrey Ink stamps. here I sanded the glossy chipboard circles and shabbied them up with some vintage tea dye...


 ...and the crinkled, stitched patterned paper makes the card pop a little everywhere...

Another card, with more Melissa Frances paper. A glittery, home-ly heart stitched with rows of vintage, tea-dyed trim... buttons and twine, twill ribbon, and a mini tea-stained tag...


 
And before I have to run off to pack for next week's trip ........ one last winter wings.


 White ink over chipboard wings-and-heart ... then goodies piled on. Snowflake stems, pearls, vintage trim, stamps, ink, stitched leaves, a crinkled tissue flower with a button and brad...



a farewell, till next week...

See you then, friends!
~Vi

~ Love and All-Occasion Cards ~ Moxie Fab Challenges

Happy weekend friends. I'm taking the time to sit back a little and create just for the warm, happy fun of it, but since it's a Moxie Fab challenge week, I'm happy to share these little creations as part of the celebrations over there ...


For the Love challenge ...


Lush green grosgrain ribbon with a trinket pin tucked into it's folds.


 ... a folded fabric flower using PTI's beautiful blooms dies and their pretty leaf stamps, along with pinky-peach buttons and twine. Stamps and ink. Die-cuts and distressing.

..........

**let me bounce off on a rabbit trail here: I listed my tea-stained mini-tag bundles in the store ... **



.........

And here's my second little card, for the Moxie Fab All Occasion challenge ...


... a happy, chic card for anybody, anytime! :)


A little double-pearl-pin through a shabbied twill bow, with a shimmery chipboard crown ...

It started out guy-ish, but migrated to the girl-ish side ... I don't know what to do about it ... I can't seem to make many cards for men.


And my little tea-dyed tags. I love that the PaperTrey Ink sentiments fit so cozily onto the tags. It's a wonderful coincidence, and something I am so happy for.

And even if it doesn't fit, make it fit!
en
joy
:)

Back to the busyness at my crafting table.

have a wonderful-weekend-to-be ...
~ Vio

~ JOY holiday cards ~

 Rich red and warm yellows, greens - such cosy colors for the days ahead. I have a couple of cards to share tonight before bed.


I found this soft, luxurious crocheted trim in my mother's box (again!) ... little things piled together onto the palette of kraft cardstock - and a happy, warm card is created!


Crinkled paper flowers ... and velvet leaves. Makes me happy.

And I've got to say it again, that trim is so beautiful! Watch for more of it in the coming days :)

Another card for you ...
 

... grosgrain ribbon, fussy-cut flowers, more pretty trim, and a mini, mini tag.


 See the little pile of tags in the corner? That's something I will share in the store soon ... coming in bundles of tea-stained tags, 25 or 50 each, for your own crafting craves. I'd love for you to share my craze for them :)




OH! and before I forget...... the happy one who wins the set of holiday tags is..........
Number seven.

Yes, it's you, Jo! :) pop me an email at viola.mahr@gmail.com and off your tags will go!

Hugs, and good night.
~ Vi

~ Handmade Shabby Tags ~ holiday gifts

... just dropping in quickly to say that for those of you who have ordered these tag sets (inside or outside etsy) they're finished, packed, and ready to go :)


large tags covered with yummy little things stashed into a special paperbag with pretty doilies tucked in between. The whole package will be carefully enclosed in a padded envelope for it's journey to you ... Wish you joy using them for your holiday gifts!


And... before I go, I decided to give away a set of these tags ... leave a comment letting me know what type of tags or creating-sets you would like to see next time ... and I will share the winner sometime next week.

see you soon!
~ Viola

~ Embellished Candles ~

I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I so wish I could have lit the candles for the photos, but wisdom prevented me from doing it. I don't think the final recipient of these lights would have appreciated it anyway, haha. 

a little lace, fussy-cut flowers, pearls, buttons, twine, and ribbon made a simple pillar candle really shine. Can't wait to see what it'll look like when it's a-light! :)

Let me live blessed Lord in the light of Thy Word, let my life be a light on a hill
Leading souls astray to the straight narrow way, help me do some good deed while I live
Let my life be a light shining out through the night, may I help struggling ones to the fold
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and alone, let my life be a light to some soul...

Give me wisdom and power every day every hour, let me drink from the fountain above
Guide my footsteps aright through the dark stormy night, give me peace, give me joy, give me love
Let my life be a light shining out through the night, may I help struggling ones to the fold
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and alone, let my life be a light to some soul...



Give me souls for my hire let my life be on fire, shining out to the world as a guide
Help me rescue someone seeking out with no hope, that in heaven we shall ever abide
Let my life be a light shining out through the night, may I help struggling ones to the fold
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and alone, let my life be a light to some soul.

- J R Varner

 More ribbon, lace trim, buttons, twine, a mini-tag, chipboard butterfly all glittered up, and little vintage flowers. I love these warm, happy colors ... the red cherry buttons are so adorable. I had the most fun in the world doing these candles. And something makes me want to share them, so they may appear in the etsy store before long. 



Thank you ... as always, for letting me ramble about my projects.

Good night, friends!
~ Viola

~ Picnics, Holidays, and Friends ~ random

Home from the park where my family had a happy little picnic together. I spent the afternoon mixing up meatloaf, mashed potatoes, toast, and vegetable medley with my sister. Our little spot in the outdoors was so much fun. I even sat on the swings with my "little" brother! :) Crazy us.

Before I head to bed, I have some little things to share with you ...


 Paper. Scissors. Glue... twine, felt, trim, stamps, ink, flowers, crystals, and so much more!

I'm so loving a new die I got: a film-strip! check it out ...


 ... each section is individually cut, and then pieced together in a row! Love it :)
and, it's a short post tonight as it's WAY late.
but before I go, I want to share a little tag I made for a gift-bag holding some goodies for my friend.




Quick and simple ... the flowers were trimmed from some scraps of patterned paper, and a tag, pearls, ink, and a sweet little stamp finishes the job.


Good night!
~ Viola

~ Snowing in Singapore ~ some winter cards

No, wait, that's not true! But I wish wish wish it were ...... the heavy tropical rains the last few days aren't enough for me! let it snow!


If only I could make a wish, I'd wish for snow! And if only wishing wishes did come true!!


I've been messing around today with some BasicGrey and FancyPants patterned papers ... since I found some sparkly snowflakes, I've been so absorbed at my craft table. add to them some wide grosgrain ribbon, twine, a vintage mother-of-pearl button, trim, mini-tags, and PTI stamps, and you've got some really fun things going on!


More ..................


I'm not quite sure where those vintage mother-of-pearl buttons came from, but of this I'm certain: they're FABULOUS! I love them.


More PTI, more BasicGrey ... crystals, ribbon, and other yummy little things.

I made a grand discovery. With my new, baby Big Shot, I decided to run some felt (some really, really polyester-y a.k.a LOUSY felt!) through with my scallop die. It cut!!! Perfectly. Can you see it?


 Here's to some warm, cozy wishes this winter season where ever you are. Take time to sit back, enjoy your families, embrace happiness, and make a wish ... for snow :) ...

If you'd like to share my craziness for the big and beautiful snowflakes, check out the etsy store. I've got a few to share with you.

~ Viola

~ Timeless Card Set ~ colors for men

A few little note-cards to share today ....


Cozy little note-cards - three of them - that fit into a set. something about a little set of handmade cards really, really makes me happy!


The BasicGrey Marjolaine collection is so gentle and softly colored, yet simple enough for guys.



And I found these little die-cut clocks somewhere amid the rubble I cleared from my drawers.
I used the PaperTrey Ink notebook page die, a little torn at the top.

And now for a few pictures of some fun things I picked up this week.

Fun little crystal jars for colorful buttons ...



a cute tray for cards and a rusty basket for twine ...



and not forgetting the old-fashioned bamboo mat below them :)

Before I go, just thought to let you know a quick update on the etsy store ... what's coming soon.

tiny, tiny clothespins for your rustic, handmade projects.



... and lightweight parcel tags in three sizes.

Thank you for visiting today.
~ Viola