Saturday, December 31, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - Penguins Mate for Life!

"Family means putting your arms around each other and being there!" - penguins, bling, and a dryer sheet.


Did you know that penguins mate for life?  Yep, those cute little tuxedo creatures represent a strong family bond, so if you have a family (well most people do), you know how important it is to support one another through the good times and the bad.  With that in mind, I created a card, which I put in a frame for display.  I like to do that with some of my very special cards.


If you go to Paper Piecings By Nikki, you’ll see that Nikki has a pattern set called
You Crack Me Up with some adorable penguins. Her store is located at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com

Here's my framed card:

Well, you can see the penguins and the bling, and yes, that's a dryer sheet I used in the background on top of a plain black piece of cardstock.

Remember, no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it.  Thanks for stopping by..........cyberhugs.......Mama LoveBug.

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Friday, December 30, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - Bottle Cap Wearable Art


Bottle Caps Turned into Wearable Art

Mama LoveBug knows that bottle caps are hot, hot, hot!  One can use them for all kinds of scrappy projects, including wearable art (i.e. brooches).  If you go to Paper Piecings By Nikki, you’ll see that she has a set called Super Mario Bros (along with two sets for Twilight).  My granddaughter loves Super Mario and when she goes back to school I wanted her to have a Super Mario Bros brooch.  She can wear it on a shirt, jacket, or put it on her book bag!!

Here’s the brooch, which is made entirely out of paper, plus a SU button and some decorative twine!





Remember, no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it.  Thanks for stopping by…………..cyberhugs…………Mama LoveBug!



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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Read Any Good Books Lately? Need a Handmade Bookmark?

Mama LoveBug loves to read.  I belong to a book club through our local library (Williams County Public Library) called Novel Ideas, which meets once a month.  Do you like to read too??

I decided that it would be a fun project to make bookmarks for the gals in the group, so I crafted some using a darling little digi from Broken Box - she's a Toodle.  This one is a Reading Toodle, which given it's a book club, was appropriate.  I also thought readers who really, really like their books, should be known as
Paper Divas (yes it could also apply to crafters as well).

We also have two guys in the group so I used more masculine digis from GFS.  I had some Core'dinations paper which I embossed and some double-thickness Kraft paper (I heart Kraft) for the base to give each bookmark some depth.  I cut out the digis with two different Spellbinders shapes - oval and fancy oval.  For the GFS digis, I colored them with watercolor pencils and added a glitz or two after fussy cutting them. Here's what I designed:


And here's a close up of the Paper Divas


I hope you like these little characters and maybe you'll make some for the readers in your life...........cyberhugs, Mama LoveBug.
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - Are You Ready to Party??

For anyone who’s planning a New Year’s Eve Party and wants something unique for an invitation, use the delightful bears (champagne and top hat) in the Happy New Year 2012 Pattern Set of Paper Piecings By Nikki found at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com  There are even some numbers included in the collection for the year(s), so it's a set that can be used in future years too.  Nikki's collections are reasonably priced so they won't break the bank!

I used these bears in combination with Greeting Farm Stamps New Year Anya to create my invitation. Nikki’s piecings go with so many other stamps, digis, and piecings; they’re very versatile.

I started out with a base of embossed white and a second layer of patterned paper with just the right pinks and light colors to go with the green invitation – You’re Invited – which I cut out with my Bick Kick using a Sizzix die.  Then after fussy cutting my little bears and Miss Anya (colored with glitter pens), I pop-dotted them onto my card, added a cute bow for little mister top hat bear, and stickled the champagne bubbles, the balloons, and a few other spots for more texture.  Here’s my invitation:


Closeups of the piecings:
Happy New Year Anya

Champagne Bear

And Top Hat Bear


Check out Nikki’s store for more “cuter than cartridge” items to add to your arsenal of crafting products.

Remember, no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it…………….cyberhugs from Mama LoveBug!




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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - It's Thursday - How About a Holiday Brooch??

Well, if you're viewing this post you'll see #4 project for my holiday set of Baking Memories from Paper Piecings by Nikki located at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

This component is all about wearable art (my brooch collection) - when I saw the SU patterned paper that my daughter, Melissa, gave me, I just had to make a brooch from it.  This is a dynamite red pattern that worked so well with the card, the bookmark, and the tag..........so here's what I designed:


You'll notice outer layer and inner layer are made from the patterned paper and the middle layer is embossed from plain matching red paper.  The center is a prima flower - all made from paper!!

Here's a picture of the complete set:


The card, the tag, the brooch, and the bookmark...........I really had lots of fun making these - and isn't that what handmade crafting is all about??

Enjoy your holiday crafting and definitely share the love.............cyberhugs........Mama LoveBug!
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - It's Wednesday- Day Three of the Holiday Set

Today is Day Three of the holiday set I made using the Baking Memories "gingy" collection from Paper Piecings By Nikki which is at  http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

Wednesday is tag'em and bag'em day so with that in mind, it was time to design a tag for the third component of the holiday set.  Here's the tag:


Ingredients: The same SU red patterned paper and red embossed paper for layers one and two (see card) topped off with our lovely gingy paper piecing and an extra gingy and lollipop, both hand-stamped and colored, plus some lovely green ribbon and a title - sugar and spice, all mixed together to create this Baking Memory Tag.

Add that to the bookmark

and the card

which will give you three of the four pieces of this holiday set.........you have to come back tomorrow to see the final piece............cyberhugs.........Mama LoveBug

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - It's Tuesday - Day Two of the Holiday Set

Yesterday I showed off a holiday card using the Baking Memories from a collection found at Paper Piecings By Nikki located at  http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

Today as part of the set I made for a friend, I'm posting an ideal little gift for any one who likes to read - a bookmark!  Here I used the gingy set and added another gingy sticker I had on top of the SU red patterned paper I used for yesterday's card plus a few embellies.  Here's the bookmark:


to go along with the holiday card


So we now have two parts of the four piece set.  Stop by tomorrow to see what else is included.  Thanks for checking me out............cyberhugs...........Mama LoveBug




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Monday, December 19, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - It's Monday- Holiday Card

As we come closer to Christmas, Mama LoveBug wanted to share with LoveBug Creations fans some projects for the holiday in a “matched set” – each day for the next four days I’ll be posting a component of four items I’ve made, three of which utilized a holiday collection piece from the Baking Memories “gingerbread set” by Paper Piecings By Nikki located at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

Baking Memories has three adorable gingerbread scenes from which you can have a lot of fun and creative time using them in many ways.  For today’s project I’ve created a card using the gingy and snowman characters – yummy!!  The cardstock is SU in a delightful red pattern for the base, an embossed red paper for layer two, the paper pattern run through my Big Kick using a Spellbinder die, some bling, a circle cut sentiment offset with the red patterned paper from the base layer, and lots of love.  Here’s the card:



Check out Nikki’s store for more holiday treats to add to your arsenal of crafting tools.


I've also entered this card in Nikki's blog challenge at http://paperpiecingsbynikki.blogspot.com/
Maybe you'd like some very sweet blog candy Nikki is offering - read all the requirements and have lots of fun!

Remember no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it………cyber hugs from Mama LoveBug……….


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Friday, December 16, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - It's Saturday - Holiday Theme

Hello Saturday………..time for a holiday theme project! Mama LoveBug is truly enjoying some crafty time on the design team of Paper Piecings By Nikki.

The holidays would not be complete at LoveBug Creations without some sweet candy stix with charming toppers from images created by Nikki.

Seven different stix for the Magnificent Seven grandchildren (yes, the youngest gets one too, even though she's only a few weeks old).

As you can see, I had on hand several collections of holiday note, which you can find at Paper Piecings By Nikki located at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

I made holiday treats/stocking stuffers,  which include the Spud Pals (on the right), the ornament and snowman (center), and the Gingerbread men from Baking Memories Pattern Set (on the left), all part of Nikki’s marvelous creations.  Look carefully and you’ll see the gang’s all there, waiting for a special child to drop by for a treat.  Pick me! Pick me!

The images were printed on cardstock and cut with a Spellbinder die; then I loaded up the cello bags w/ Christmas M and M's, punched a hole in the image and the bag, threaded Christmas cord through the hole, and tied the cord in place.  Pretty simple to make those stix. Lastly, I placed them in a noodle box for display.


No stix was harmed during this photo shoot.........LOL.......but my camera took a dive and hit the floor.  Thanks to my husband, I am back to operating with a working camera!

Check out Nikki’s store for more holiday treats to add to your arsenal of crafting tools.

Remember no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it………cyber hugs from Mama LoveBug……….



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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - It's Wednesday - Holiday Tag


Hello Wednesday………..time for a holiday tag! Mama LoveBug is having a lot of fun with the Paper Piecings By Nikki as DT member, Pam.

Today I want to show you a holiday tag from a collection called Very Beary Christmas, which you can find at Paper Piecings By Nikki at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

Yes, I’m still in love w/Kraft paper so this tag and dozens of others I’ve made uses Kraft plus some other items.  Here’s my little golden bear:



First and foremost, you will love the darling “holiday bear images” as they can be purchased as either paper piecings (already colored) or as digi images (you get to color).  This collection contains six different bears so you have a plethora of designs to have fun with and create some unique cards, tags, LO’s, and more.  That’s a big bang for your holiday craft shopping.

I used the bear as a digi and colored her with watercolor pencils, some glitter pens, and added some Stickles.  The base of the tag was Cricut-cut from Lacy Labels cart and then I added some pearls (my favorite) and little gems to dress it off.  Lastly, I added some white ribbon at the top so I could tie it to a gift package.  Oh what fun!!

Check out Nikki’s store for more holiday treats to add to your arsenal of crafting supplies!

Remember no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it………cyber hugs from Mama LoveBug……….



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Monday, December 12, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - It's Monday -Holiday Card

Hello Monday………..time for a holiday card! Mama LoveBug is having a lot of fun with the Paper Piecings By Nikki as DT member, Pam.

Today I want to show you a holiday card I made using the doggy house from the collection called 
Doggy Christmas, which you can find at Paper Piecings By Nikki at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

By the way in this collection you’ll find a doggy, doggy house, doggy tree, and a wreath so there’s lots to play with and Nikki is having a sale………..so check out this site, as her piecings are “cuter than cartridges”!  Here’s my project:



I took the pattern using the doggy house. Again I used Kraft paper as the base layer and some red cardstock that I embossed for the next layer.  I ran the doggy house image through my Big Kick using a Spellbinders cut, found a sweet sentiment embellie and Christmas cupcake from a set from Wal-Mart.  Next I added some embellies like the twisted ribbon, and sparkling jewels.  I finished off the doggy lights with some Stickles and two side ribbons.


I'm entering this card in Nikki's Challenge located at http://paperpiecingsbynikki.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-challenge-week-1.html - why not make up a card and enter too.  Be sure to read all the requirements!

Again, you can use your imagination and create a unique (one-of-a-kind) card to give to a family member or friend.

Remember no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it………cyber hugs from Mama LoveBug……….


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Friday, December 9, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - Holday Card

Mama LoveBug is having a lot of fun with the Paper Piecings By Nikki as DT member, Pam.

Today I want to show you a holiday card I made using the doggy from the collection called 
Doggy Christmas, which you can find at Paper Piecings By Nikki at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

By the way in this collection you’ll find a doggy, doggy house, doggy tree, and a wreath so there’s lots to play with and Nikki is having a sale………..so check out this site as her piecings are “cuter than cartridges”!  Here’s my project:



I took the pattern and made a few additions to the doggy so he appears as a reindeer.  At least that’s what I was going for.  Again I used Kraft paper as the base layer and some red cardstock that I embossed for the next layer.  I ran the doggy image through my Big Shot using a Spellbinders cut, found a sweet sentiment and punched that out with my SU punch.  Next I added some embellies like the ribbon, big gumdrops, ribbon, candy cane and “antlers”, and some twine.  I finished off the doggie’s ears with swirls of Stickles. 

Again, you can use your imagination and create a unique (one-of-a-kind) card to give to a family member or friend.

Remember no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it………cyberhugs from Mama LoveBug……….



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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - Tag It and Bag It!




Being on The Paper Piecings by Nikki Design Team, DT member Pam (Mama LoveBug) wanted to show off the versatility of Nikki’s paper patterns from her store, located at http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/

You can find many neat patterns there for all occasions; she even has some darling freebies which in my opinion is extremely generous of her!  Since this is the holiday season, my focus in this post is to use two of her patterns to make some Christmas tags – a Snowman and a Christmas Gingerbread Man Ornament. 

As you can guess by now, I like………no love, Kraft paper so I made a Cricut cut tag using the Lacy Labels from plain and patterned Kraft cardstock to create the foundation of the tag and then added a label, a darling paper pattern, some twine and some ribbon, attached a handmade snowflake using a Sizzix die and glitz...... and oila…



two Christmas tags.  The possibilities are endless in using these patterns on other types of projects.

Remember, no matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it..........cyberhugs.......Mama LoveBug!


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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Paper Piecings By Nikki DT Offering - This Spud's for You!

'


Mama LoveBug is a  Paper Piecings by Nikki Design Team Member!


In honor of my first posting I will show you my Spud Pals Tags.  If you saw the vintage Christmas cards I made for the PPBN Hop you'll recognize the Spud Pals.  For this posting I made tags using the wonderful paper patterns found at 

http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.com/  


Look for the Spud Pals.  They are too cute cut out using Spellbinder's Classic Oval and mounted on paper cut by my Cricut from the Lacy Labels Cart.  I used plain and patterned Kraft paper (my new favorite).  Then I ran a sentiment "Merry Christmas," punched a Stampin Up label, punched a hole in the top and threaded some red and white ribbon through to make the tie for the tag.


This Spud's For You!! Santa, Mrs. Claus, Reindeer, and Elf (there's also Mr and Mrs Spud Pals Too) 


No matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it.  Hopefully you will see a style of paper piecing that defines your talents.


Cyberhugs............Mama LoveBug!

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

The Newest Lovebug!!!!

We would like to formally introduce our newest lovebug. Born 11/29/11 @ 9:54 am. She weighed in at 6lbs 1.4 oz and is 19" long! Without further ado please meet our dear Danika Sue!

                                          Close up of the adorable lil lady in her ladybug hat
                                                         Full view of her ladybug outfit!
                                                        One of my favorite pictures!
So while this isn't exactly a "crafty" post we couldn't help but share the cuteness! :)
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Friday, December 2, 2011

Paper Hoarders DT Offering - Christmas Cards

If you wish to attend the Christmas Paper Piecing Blog Hop, please scroll down to the next posting......




The Paper Hoarder Design Team was asked to make up some samples of darling Christmas cards to get all the members in a holiday crafting spirit.  Others who participated have much to see and swoon over on our PH guru's blog, so head over to see what Tanya has to offer there at http://www.scrappinkymomma.blogspot.com/

Mama LoveBug has never used Kraft paper before - I know - other PH members are rolling their eyes, but I haven't, so I found this wonderful pack of Christmas Kraft Cardstock at Hobby Lobby and fell in love with it.  So much so, that I made three cards for this posting.  I used my Merry Christmas embossing folder, digi stamps from La La Land (they are to die for), my watercolor pencils and the Mango Skin Copic markers plus some glitter pens for the images, and my Sizzix ornament die as well.  Lots of love went into this recipe so here's my Christmas Card Sweeties!




The nature of crafting posts is to entertain, inform, and inspire others to get their mojo working for the good of our crafting community.  I hope I've done some of that so you will put your time and talent to good works during the holiday season...............Cyberhugs from Mama Lovebug!
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Christmas Paper Piecing Blog Hop



Welcome to the Christmas Paper Piecing Blog Hop
Nikki of Paper Piecings By Nikki is hosting this blog hop and has a line up of very talented designers for this two day hop.


The blog spot line up is as follows:



Nikki wanted us to show off some of her paper piecings for this event so I purchased the Spud Pals aka Potato Head Family and turned them into Christmas cards.

The Potato Heads are of particular importance to me as I had a Mr. Potato Head game (the first one) when I was a child and I think of it as a classic - so easily recognizable.  These little characters just fill me with nostalgia for games of entertainment that are not tied to electricity like so much of today's children’s amusements.  This was a game that the whole family could play together without the TV blaring or the hum of a computer in the background.  It's old-fashioned fun and the papers I used are rather vintage Christmas paper for the Spud Pals - Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elf, and Reindeer.




Versatility is the spice of life........Of course, paper piecing can also mean taking a stamped or digi image and doing a bit of fussy cutting, so here are several examples using a PK stamped little boy, a GFS Santa girl digi, and the traditional stamped Santa Hat and Candy Cane from Loralie Designs Art Stamps.  Also with the Cricut one can do paper piecing using a tag and a Sizzix paper doll body and clothes to create a project for a Christmas package.




Again combining the Cricut and the Sizzix Paper Dolls one can design clothes with all kinds of colors for some really unique cards.  This one is my most favorite card - The Perfect Pair. 




No matter how you piece your paper, have fun with it.  Hopefully you will see a style of paper piecing that defines your talents.

But wait.......there's more - Candy! Candy! What do you need to do for some sweet blog candy by Nikki?

You need
* to leave a comment on everyone’s blog,
* to follow each blog, and
to "Like" the Paper Piecings by Nikki page (check out the details there as well).


Thanks for stopping by..........Cyberhugs from Mama LoveBug

Your next stop is Linda:  http://www.lindascreativity.blogspot.com  



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