The Liebster Blog Award

Saturday, March 22, 2014

 An Exciting week I am a Liebster Award Winner!

What?



 This is a way to showcase new bloggers with less than 200 followers to the World!

First I would like to thank the people who nominated me.

+Deborah Sommerlot  AKA Sister and Mister From; Salvage Sister & Mister

Second I need to say a 
GREAT BIG THANK YOU,
 To my family, friends and my treasured readers. 
Without each and every one of you none of this would be possible.


The Liebster Award is simple:
 Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you and display the award. 
Answer eleven questions that the blogger gives you. Give eleven random facts about yourself. 
Nominate eleven blogs that you think are deserving of the award (but they must have less than 200 followers) 
Let the bloggers know you nominated them. 
Give them eleven questions to answer. 

-What does this Award Mean-
   This award origin began in Germany 2010. It is given to you by another blogger who recognizes your work. Perhaps they like your projects, writing style, photography, sense of humor, or subject. So this is an award is given to you by your peers. This is an honor not a chain letter but, some one thought enough of you to say check out this blog. It has changed since the start but, it's roots are still strong. Only the rules have varied by how many bloggers to you nominate, or questions to answer. This award is intended to share new blogs, ideas and open the door of opportunity to the future. 

Here are our 11 questions from Salvage Sister & Mister

1. If you could travel anyplace today, where would it be?
    Michigan! I feel at peace when I am at the lake house

2. What is your next blogging goal? 
    Thanks for helping me Deborah, I would like to develop a following of subscribers.
3. How long have you been blogging?
    Five months this week, it keeps my creativity rolling, and meet new interesting people
4. How many pets do you have?
    My little girl! She is a Golden Retriever named Cricket. She is my side kick.

5. What’s the weirdest thing in your fridge right now? 

    Home Brewed Beer! I have my son and his friend to thank for that because, they have created a Micro Brewing System, Occasionally Worms for fishing.
6. Favorite chore to do in or out of the house?
   Gardening because I love to be outside, and planting flowers, at the lake I work and play outside all day. I have one standing appointment with Prince Charming & Cricket, along with any guests. Each evening you will find us on the pier or in the boat, watching the Sunset. 
 We like to call it, Eeyore's Cloud Painting.  (Whinnie The Pooh)
7. Eat in or out? 
   Funny! Pick up food and Eat at home.
8.Favorite food?
  Lasagna, My Prince Charming makes a mean one! 
  Chef Emeril Lagasse Recipe Yummy!!!!!

9. Why did you start blogging? 
   I was lucky enough to accomplish my dream of Staying at home with my sons. Now they are making their dreams while I focus on Sharing my love for creating beauty from simple to glamour always keeping in mind the people in my life who have come before me the ones who share my days and the ones who will share the stories of our memories.

10. If you were born in a different generation which would it be? 

   My parents because, being a stay at home mom was respected then 
11. Very first blog you started reading?
    I wish I could say Salvage Sister & Mister but it was 
+Brittany Bailey of Pretty Handy Girl, on the same day
 +Donna Williams of +Funky Junk Interiors 


My Liebster Award Nominees  
Here are my nominees for blogs to watch, in no particular order. If you are more than 200 followers, I apologize in advance. I just wanted to say GREAT JOB! Just click on the names to visit their sites
11. http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/   &       http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/
. Sending some blog Love! 
To honor each of you for inspiring me to start blogging, by sharing your spirit. I know you have more then 200 followers. I wanted you both to know your work has influenced me. 
     

And here are my questions to my nominees.
1. Where is your dream place to live?
2. When and Where was your last vacation?
3. What is your favorite blog post to date? (Add Link)
4. What Blog Conference would/did you attend?
5. How do you balance your time between all of your life demands and fun?
6. What is your next blog goal?
7. How long have you been Blogging?
8. Do you want or have your own website?
9. When you create your blog are you messy or neat?
10. Are you a Free Spirit or a Planner?
11. Why did you start blogging?

I can not wait to learn about my blogging friends.

The time you have taken to read this blog does not go unnoticed, please leave a comment. I will reply and thank you properly for visiting.

Until Next time.... 
~ Let Your Creative Spirit Dance ~


Monogrammed Gifts

Monday, March 10, 2014


   I started making Monograms for gifts. I create them with my +Silhouette Cameo, scrapbook paper, glue, and my +Xyron Inc sticker machine. I Made them as gifts, which needed personal touches for each precious person. These were all given to my nieces, and nephews. Auntie Karen Marie had to add a special color, paper design, or some even have a nod to their nicknames.
All you need from the Silhouette portion of this project is right on this screen!
   Did you know that you can print paper from your Silhouette? I was searching for paper with bears and stopped by Archiver's Scrap booking Store. (Sad this Company is now Closed) I asked a clerk, she was a delightful person, who showed me how you simply type bear paper in the Silhouette Cameo search box and hit enter. A few second later there was a paper that was perfect for my bear project. When I arrived home I added it to my cart, and a few seconds later, I printed it out on my printer at home on card stock.
I think it came out very successful.
I wanted to show you here that I used a 6" x 6" frame on the top. When I was completing my gifts I ran out of those frames. Being a Creative Person, I adapted to what I had on hand, 9" x 9" frames for the remaining 3 frames. It does let me show you how you can get a different look by adding an additional background paper and foam tabs to lift the design off the page.
 Of course my plan all along? LOL

How many of you have a Big Family? Now I mean BIG!
   I love giving gifts to all my nieces and nephews but, when you have been blessed with enough to field more then two baseball or softball teams. Next mix in 3 great nieces, 6 great nephews, and an additional delivery is waiting to surprise us any day now?
Wow! I just realized we can field another team + One, I hope by now!



    Each color and style of Font has been chosen for the room colors, personality, and gender. As you look at this picture above, you will notice the Letter mans Font from the +Silhouette Stores in the middle.



1. Here you see how I set up my page. I add the 6" x 6" Square first because it gives me the area I will need to work.
2. Then I select the Monogram Letters. The Center is the last Initial which I make larger then the first and middle. In this instance K is the last  name initial, L is the first name, and M is the middle one.

 3. The final step to set up my monogram project is to make another layer to add depth. To do this I Copy my letters and paste to page  then line them up as shown. Move the individual letters and square off the page for a minute. Next I highlight and drag over the whole image in the bottom left of the screen and hit weld. Then you can drag it all back to be on one page again to save. Click save I used  the persons name, it was easiest for me, then I could use this template for each layer.

 Now to create the layers you will need a Background, Welded and Three separate initials.
This is where I choose to through in each personality of the recipient of the gift.
   Above is is an example of how I did this with the paper. First the background is paper with bug stickers for the nickname bug. Just lady bugs and fluttery bees did not fit this boy's personality but I needed bugs. The stickers worked out great and know my nephew has custom paper for his gift. I do wish I would have copied, and saved the paper with the bugs, as a image for future use though. Next time! In order to cut the layer I just moved the other items to the side and cut only the 6 x 6 inch section.
 Next I moved over the welded layer into the page and slid out the background.
   Layer number two is the welded layer, which I usually chose a subtle pattern. 
This one is grass because that is where bugs live! Pretty corny I know. Ha Ha! 
Then I move the welded section off to the side.
The final Layer is the individual letters. I like to make them all different paper patterns that compliment each other. I put one letter on at a time, because I am usually using small pieces of paper by now. I do not want the paper to get caught in the up machine.
 I know, I could attach them all lined perfectly but, this is just my preference, after a few mishaps.
 I glue the first and middle initials on then place the last initial on top to give it more importance.

 TaDa! Three of the many Monograms I have made.


 I have realized that I could have used no cut option on this project. I have learned that process since I made these for gifts. That is one of the great parts of life, we always have opportunities to keep learning. If you are wondering where frames came from it is one of my favorite stores +Michaels Stores. I hit half prices sales and stock up.

Until Next time........
~Let Your Creative Spirit Dance~



Please follow along with my Silhouette Challenge Friends have shared their posts today too!



The Great Lamp Rescue Barnyard Animal Paper Garland & Party Details Sweet and Simple Easter Bunny Card Owl Theme Baby Shower Ombre Paint Chip Earrings & Free Cut File Spring is Blooming Drop It (Like It's Hot) Hexagon Tray Spruce Up Your RECIPE BOOK Gift Card Giving Free Cut Files Custom outlines for stamps Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Juice Boxes Wine Themed Bridal Shower Learn How To Make A Sewn Paper Garland! Moroccan Thank You Card 3D Flower Spring Wreath For the Love of Paper: Cutting Embellishments Create Your Own St. Patrick's Day Cupcake Wrappers and Toppers Swimming Word Art St. Patrick's Day Lime White Chocolate Chips Cupcakes + Freebie You're invited to a dog party! I'm so Lucky! Spring Wreath with SIlhouette Cut Flowers Tiny Princesses Paper Dolls Colorful Quote with your Silhouette Get Well Bouquet with Persimmon Roses Greeting Card Holder Baby Shower Invitations How-To Create a Custom Pillowbox on Your Silhouette Machine + Free Cut File! Quality Time Jar Matchbox Cover with {FREE CUT FILE} DIY Baby Girl Shower Invitation Candy Alphabet Travel Game Paper Garland Pretty Paper Roses DIY Geometric Heart Journal Hand Made Decorations for a Pirate Party Wedding Shower Gift Heart Map Decoupaged Letters (A scanner + A Silhouette = Spectacular results!) Easter Pop-up Box Card with Sweet Sorbet Designer Paper from Stampin' Up! Better World Greeting Cards Star Wars Silhouette Canvas Monogrammed Gifts Make Printable Gift Wrap with your Silhouette Software Free Printable: Blank Banner with free Silhouette Cut File
1. McCall Manor // 2. The Turquoise Home // 3. Creative Savings // 4. Sandpaper and Glue // 5. The Thinking Closet // 6. Sowdering About in Seattle // 7. Persia Lou // 8. From Wine to Whine // 9. Dream a Little Bigger // 10. Please Excuse My Craftermath... // 11. Play. Party. Pin. // 12. Everyday Paper // 13. Practically Functional // 14. A Tossed Salad Life // 15. My Favorite Finds // 16. The House on Hillbrook // 17. Adventures in All Things Food // 18. A Glimpse Into Barb's Life // 19. TitiCrafty // 20. The Experimental Home // 21. feto soap blog // 22. Creative Ramblings // 23. The Stamp Doc // 24. Ginger Snap Crafts // 25. Simply Kelly Designs // 26. Whats Next Ma // 27. unOriginal Mom // 28. Bringing Creativity 2 Life // 29. Cutesy Crafts // 30. My Paper Craze // 31. Create & Babble // 32. Grey Luster Girl // 33. The Sensory Emporium // 34. Lil' Mrs. Tori // 35. Black and White Obsession // 36. Mama Sonshine // 37. Weekend Craft // 38. Creative Carnival // 39. Peace, Love and Joyce // 40. Tried & True // 41. The Frill of Life // 42. Dragonfly & Lily Pads // 43. Get Silvered // 44. Minted Strawberry

Blog Designs

Saturday, March 1, 2014

      I bet there many of you out in Blog World, who have faced the same decisions I have been make recently. 
  What decisions you asked?
 Well here is a part of the list:
1. website hosts dedicated, shared, and free servers 
2. $$$$ cost is is right for me or you? 
3. Raise your SEO and Page traffic.
4. WordPress vs Blogger?
  I am filled with information overload after searching, reading, and questioning. Now I  feel like I am tossing the pros and cons like a juggling act. Many of you are right now in the same boat, with your mind steering the boat in circles, well I took a little break and Jumped off the Boat!
  Since I am still debating these thoughts I needed to accomplish something.
 We all know, that a creative spirit has got to dance, clear the cobwebs, to be able be inspired, to transform, and create.
 Hey, I think I just worked on simplifying my Header!

    What did I do? 
I created new art work for my blog. 
  I have been working on creating one continuous logo for my types of social media and blog. I have been chatting with someone who I value their opinion. She knows who she is for now we will keep it that way. Her suggestion is simplify your design and header. 




The first idea was layering paper, an image from the +Karen Watson Graphics Fairy(Lily Pads), and my own image the Dragonfly.




When I  worked on this I used my computer to wash in some color to appear like a water color.


http://dragonflyandlilypads.blogspot.com/
I added in words I feel describe my blog and dressed up the Logo a bit.   
Did you notice the color of the year?


Can you see the subtle change?


Happy Day

I Have something to Celebrate with all of you who have shared this blog journey. We Have hit over 5000 page views ahead of my goal. This would not be possible, with out each reader, who has given me their vote of confidence by reading 
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! 

Now is the part where I need your feed back. This entire blog is about the people

 who read it, try new things, and create.

Please leave a comment below answering any or all of these questions?
1. Which is do you like the best?

2. Do you like the message?

3. What would you change?

4. Does the Title Stand out enough?

5. Any other thoughts!



  Constructive comments will not hurt my feelings. Being honest with your thoughts will help me better to serve you. 


A great BIG THANK YOU to +Karen Watson http://thegraphicsfairy.com/ Please go by and check out her awesome blog, graphics and talent. It is not to be missed!
The Black and white Graphic of the Lily Pads is from her site.

I can not wait to see your responses, Please take the time to share your input. I assure you it is truly appreciated.

~Let Your Creative Spirit Dance


This post is linked to:

http://eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2014/03/creating-stars-2014-contest-link.html
http://tatertotsandjello.com/