Anyone own an Ereader?

Okay, so I have been working six days a week, which has left almost no time for crafting, by the time I get home I am exhausted!

So, I have been crocheting and knitting more since I can throw it in my bag, and don't have to really worry about it getting bent or squished.

I carry around an ereader with me almost all the time, because I LOVE a good book, and don't really want to lug around a library full of books to suit my interests. I was looking for crochet and knitting books for my reader, that way I wouldn't need to carry around a set of pattern books either. Ive tried to look up patterns on my mobile phone before too, and they are just too small for me to stare at. What I have found is that while they are out there, they are few and far between.

I am going to be starting a project, and posting a few free patterns here with links to the epub format (supported by almost all readers minus the kindle), to see if this is something that other people can use as well. These patterns will be of my own desigining which means they will undoubtedly need critiquing, and will be written in US crochet/knitting terms. Maybe I will even be nice and create a conversion chart between the two.

If you know anyone who would like their patterns set up into the format I would be happy to assist them with that, or I could do it for them for a small fee.

Most ereaders support Epub, PDF and Microsoft Word. Do you have another file type for your reader? I would love to know what type (if any) reader you have, or if you would just want to download the patterns to the computer directly?

Any and all feedback/comments/concerns would be welcome!

I think the more crafting literature out there the better!!

New fun stuff!

Okay, so no card swap, but I will happily trade some cards with anyone who would like for the holiday season :)

Onward!! With the holidays quickly approaching... (already??), I of course am working more and spending even less time in my studio. :( So I needed to come up with a way to make a little extra money, something that would be great for gifts, and something easy for me to make on the go, and leave some supplies at work on my desk, and in the car, and near my bed. I've always been attracted to ribbon and jewels for some reason (must be the girl in me ;) ) So I am launching a new product in my etsy shop!!

I would love to know what you guys think! I know its not paper related but I love all things handmade.






This week at work I got volunteered to paint the team pumpkin. We are the thundercats... so here's my zombie cat pumpkin (mind you i never claimed to be a painter, and got volunteered when I wasn't even there.) I had fun doing it, but it was a lot of pressure. :)

Oh Oh Oh!! A friend of mine was cleaning out her flower shop last week, and gave me this cabinet because she got a bigger better stainless steel one, so I went to work cleaning, and sanding and filling the holes, and painting and sanding, and sanding, and sanding...




This is before I painted and sanded, and removed the dreadful bird that had perched itself up top.
This is the after... I really didnt have room for it (hence the stuff stacked on top), but I really needed it for all of my ribbon. Sadly this is only the ribbon I had out for use, I have so much more packed away that I couldn't get to before. It is organized by color, and theme, and pattern, so there are a few different things here but it all makes sense to me! :)

Thanks for looking, and keep it crafty!!

-Rachel

slumber party!!!

This is a set of five I made because I just had the urge to make something lol. These are so cute with their little bunny slippers, and come with matching envelopes. I used up some scrap paper I already had along with some pre made card bases.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58337359/slumber-party-invites






Have any questions? Just ask! I can give you the measurements if you would like to make your own!! :)

cricut cartridge for sale

hey guys! Just wanted to let you know I have a sans serif cart that is extra and brand new for sale for 15.50 here.

Also there are other great deal on carts you just have to hunt for them, and mostly they are used so they've probably been hooked to someones gypsy at some point unless otherwise stated, but the one i have is brand new still in the package! I got two of them somehow! :)

Keep it crafty!!
-Rachel

Oh yea, if you are interested in the Christmas card swap, let me know by 10/15/10.

I should be uploading some some pictures of a few things in the next day or so.

Serenity Swap, and more!!

I got my envelope of goodies from the serenity scrappers swap tonight!!! So much fun!! I will definitely post pictures tomorrow!

Also, if you haven't checked it out yet, Im am thinking about hosting a swap, and you can check out all the details HERE.

Invite your friends! It will be so much fun!!

Stay Crafty!!
-Rachel

Swap Possibility

Okay, so I loved making stuff for the swap that I just finished so much, that I would LOVE to do one.


Swap idea #1 : The letter "A", this can be anything from embellies, die cuts, animals.. etc, be creative as long as it is a scrap booking or card making item. I would cap it off at 6 people per group, we could start more groups if we needed too. This would keep people from making a ton of stuff. You are more than welcome to participate in more than one group if we open them up, you can create the same things, or different ones.

Make six sets of three different items.
They must all three fit in a sandwich baggy.

Ex. If I was going to make an apple, an aardvark, and and angel, I would make 6 of each (18 items total) , and put one of each into 6 different baggies. Ship them in an envelope to me, I will divide and send them back out. :) Remember to include a postage paid envelope in your bag of goodies so that I can send yours back!!

I would like this to be the start of a whole alphabet of swaps. :) let me know what you think!!

Also for swap idea #2: I started looking for my christmas card lists the other day, and realized just how many cards I should start making. Then I thought of hosting a swap to get great things from other designers!!

Once again, divide into groups of 6, we can make more than one if necessary. Each person would make six cards, they can be the same or similar, or all different. Send them to me, I will divide them up, and send them back out, and everyone will get some different cards in their stash! I think this would be loads of fun!!


If enough people are interested in either one, I will set up a final date to have the projects mailed to me by, and start a list of everyone participating. All you need to do to participate, is follow my blog, and send me a comment on this post, or an email to lovemusicdesigns@yahoo.com.

Also, more exciting news, since I have been clearing out my craft room for quite some time, there are LOADS of new and unopened things that I simply don't need, (probably because i bought two of the same things...) and I would love to give them away. If I reach 20 followers, I will randomly choose a winner from my list of followers for an envelope full of goodies, as well as the twentieth follower will get a little something too!!

I think that's it for now...

Keep it crafty!
-Rachel

Baby boy banner and altered books

I found this heavily loved book at a local bookfair, and decided to give it a new life. Lots of the pages were missing, so I took the rest of them out, and relined the inside cover, binded it, and added two sating pagemarker ribbons. I absolutely adore it. It is a weekly reader book... im not sure if everyone had those, but this brings back lots of memories!

I made this banner for a friend who is having a little boy. I used nesties, sansserif alphabet cart, doodle charms, and stretch your imagination along with the swiss dot cuttlebug folder, green ink, and yellow grosgrain.

Trick or Treat

Okay, so I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I went back to college full time, and switched my major. Im taking fifteen hours of class, on top of a full time job, and all the work at the church. I am certainly not complaining, just tired.

Trick or Treat banner has bunches of ribbon and bling, and was made with the large scalloped circle nesties. :)

Buttons, bows and bling!

I was so looking forward to this challenge, but i missed it because my life is WILD right now, but anywho, I thought i'd share. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. :)

All comments appreciated!

Thanks for looking!!

croq zine

CROQ zine #12 is done – stories, graphics, and layout complete, but we need to raise money to get it professionally printed. Enter Kickstarter.com – a cool social fundraising site that allows people to post creative projects in need of funds and raise the money. I have to collect $2000 in pledges by August 20th. If I reach my budget, my pledgers will be charged. If I don’t reach $2000, nobody owes anything.

You can pledge any amount from $1 and up. If you pledge $5, you get an issue of CROQ zine, so basically, a $5 pledge is like pre-ordering the zine.

For every pledge level, you get an awesome reward PLUS all the rewards from each previous level.

PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!

love much!!

-Rachel

Missing you...

I made this exploding box for a miss you challenge, but missed the deadline because of some family stuff, but I thought I'd share anyway!! :) I used american crafts papers for everything, some simple ribbons, I made a boutique bow, and a miss you stamp from studio G in orange ink.


It looks like a regular box, but when you open it up, it explodes, and is really fun!!

inside I used brads, buttons, and bling, along with some marker to write "this much", Im going to scrap each of the flaps with a picture or saying of this friend, and send it to her in NC, which is 7 hours from here. :( I miss her tons, and thought this would be fun to get while she is away at school.

If you have any questions, just let me know!

Thanks for looking!!

-Rachel

O is for Oval challenge

I really like the alphabet challenges!! This weeks can be found here.

This one was about ovals, so I used a premade card base in chocolate, and cut two ovals from the plantin school book cart, 3" and 3 3/4" and i took pinking shears to the bigger one for a scalloped effect. This works just fine, but im still wishing I would have bough a few sets of nesties the other day they are 30% off at hobby lobby this week, AND they had a ton of them on clearance for just 14.99 a set.

The happy birthday stamp is from a studio G clear set that I got at joann's, ribbon was found in the scrapbooking section of hobby lobby, and the owl stamp is one my favorites in my collection and came from M's a long time ago i think.

I haven't had much time to scrap this week, so this was just simple. At least i feel like I got something done! I dont feel bad, but im sort of in a funk.

Studio G is getting ready to release their halloween stamps, and they are adorable looking, and REALLY affordable!

Also, in case you didn't know Joann Fabrics and Crafts is having a big founder's day sale, most of the a2 size cuttlebug embossing folders are just 2.99, and they have great deals on their paper, and other supplies too!! They carry the bazzil swiss dot that I am always going on about, and a package of 60 pieces ( 2 of 30 diff colors) is just 11.99. Item number is 2388999 for the 8.5 by 11 and I don't know about the 12 by 12, it's rare i buy that size unless I absolutely need too. All of their brads and scrapbook embellishments are on sale too, also order over 50.00 ship free with the promotion code AP227. Your vip discount wont work, but you'll probably save more with free shipping! I ordered twelve embossing folders, paper, brads, and maybe a few other things, but I don't know how long the sale is going on so hurry!!

Thanks so much for looking!!

All comments appreciated!!

-Rachel

Pink Cricut Stamps

So, I just stumbled across these GREAT stamps, and we all know I am a sucker for anything Halloween! :) I will be ordering LOTS of new stamps when I get paid. :)

Check them out here...

Also!! She has good giveaways so make sure to drop by frequently, or become a follower!! :)

Thanks for stopping by, and HURRY over there! ;)

Love Birds

I love this card! I used the bazzill swiss dot paper, for the pink, and a pattern paper i picked up at ac moore, some ribbon from m's and a stamp from m's I glittered with treehouse glitter, and love the simplicity.

I would love to hear all feedback and comments!

Thanks for looking!!

http://www.lovemusic.etsy.com/

-Rachel

Thank you- simplicity

Another simple card, I guess my goals this week were simplicity, using stamps Ive never used, and incorporating more pattern papers. This is the same recollections robins egg blue cardstock, and tree house glitter, coco ribbon, and pattern paper from ac moore. Stamp came from the dollar store. :)

Thanks for looking!!

All comments appreciated!!

-Rachel

http://www.lovemusic.etsy.com/

True Love

This card started out simple with the same basic thought I have had all week. Recollections pale pink embossed with the cuddlebug folder, robins egg blue with a dollar stamp, and brown ink on everything. coco ribbon, and dusty pink trim. I made the cover button, and inked on it too. The flower was kind of an after thought. I used a plain white piece of paper, and stamped it pink and brown, used my circle punch, and made it into a flower. I absolutely love it! This is so shabby chic looking. It really was simple to make too! :) There was an anything goes challenge over at Paperplay this week, so this went into their challenge. Only because I love this card, and feel that it is challenge worthy. :)


Thanks for looking!

Comments appreciated!!

-Rachel

www.lovemusic.etsy.com

Double Challenge! Lord have Mercy! and Made by Momo

This is Lord have Merc'y Sketch this week!

Momo's challenge was "Flower Shower"!

Thanks for looking!

All comments are welcome!! :)

-Rachel

www.lovemusic.etsy.com

Wee Memories and Sketch Saturday Challenges

Sketch Saturday made this great sketch for this weeks challenge! :)

Also, this is my second entry for the Wee Memories chipboard challenge.

Thanks for looking!!

All comments appreciated!

-Rachel

Alphabet Challenge N is for Nature

I just happened to get this stamp set the other day with my 40% coupon at AC Moore, and this week all wooden stamps and clear stamps are 40% off there, [so run an buy a bunch ;) ] I have le plume markers and I attempted to use them as Icopic's because quite frankly I just don't have that kind of cash to drop on some markers. But my attempt wasn't too terrible, and I thought it was really really fun. :) This is a sweet little card for the Alphabet Challenge N is for nature. :) I really like the way it turned out. It wasn't exactly as I had imagined, but I like it nonetheless.

This also went into Charisma Cardz challenge.. Something with a tail! :)


All comments appreciated! :)
Thanks so much for looking!!
-Rachel
www.lovemusic.etsy.com

WMC16 Challenge layout

Sorry for all the "extras" in the picture, I've gotten a little lazy with my picture taking. lol. This is my entry for the ...Wee Memories... chip board challenge. Almost all of the sticker looking things are actually chipboard. I have had this stuff in my stash for I know at least 4 years, and I JUST took the cellophane off of most of it. Sad, I know. But I really have done much better about not purchasing and stashing. :)

All comments are appreciated!

Thanks for looking!!

-Rachel

www.lovemusic.etsy.com

Shine Card for 2S4Y challenge

This weeks sketch challenge at 2S4Y.

This is my submission, sweet and simple. I absolutely LOVE it. :) I stamped with black ink over silver to give it the effect that I wanted. :) I used the swirls cuddlebug folder on glitter paper, once again the bazzill swiss dots for the sun, and sentiment, some white satin ribbon and bow, and bic pens along with pale blue from recollections and a french blue ink to add some depth. I used the doodlecharms cart for the sun and the paper pups cart for the clouds. the sentiment was hand cut.

All comments are appreciated!!

Thanks for looking!!

-Rachel

www.lovemusic.etsy.com

Fantabulous cricut mini album challenge

So, I am all about the challenges right now, seems like im doing one almost every day, their fun, and they really are helping me do things that I might not normally do, AND helping me use up lots of the paper that I really need to use before I can allow myself to buy more. :)

This week over at Fantabulous Cricut, animal shaped mini albums was the challenge. I dont really have any carts that are animal specific, so I improvised, I used an owl, giraffe, and frog from the paisley cart, and a cat from the mini monsters cart.

Uhm, I LOVE this frog! The paper is from a Halloween stack and is already glittered. The stripes are from a recylced paper group, and the dot of course is bazzill swiss dot. I used cheap satin ribbon from M's and a little bit of green ink. OH! and there are two teeny tiny star buttons up in the top.

The background of the owl if from a recylced paper stack, I havent a clue about the papers the owl is made from except the golden yellow is recollections cardstock from M's The bling actually came from a package I got at the dollar store. The stamp is one i am rather fond of, but not sure if i won't trade it out when i start adding pictures.

I doodled on all the little journaling tags, the cat is from and american crafts paper pack, and the yellow is once again bazzill swiss dots, (are you tired of that yet? Im not! ) The white and red are recollections from M's

This is the last page, similar idea with the journal tags, the giraffe I used a really cool pattern paper, from a recycled stack and some recollections cardstock. Tree ribbon from M's. I used a little yellow circle brad.

Exciting news! I am currently being featured in an etsy cupcake treasury!!

As well as a the blog Along a Road Less Traveled.

Thanks for looking!!

Check out all goodies at www.lovemusic.etsy.com

-Rachel

All comments appreciated! :)

Quirky Stamp

Okay, so this doesnt really fit along with my simplicity theme this week, but when your sitting in your office and the paper tells you one thing just go with it. Plus, I've been dying to use this stamp "Quirky" since I bought it a few weeks ago. I love it.
Very simple 6x6 card, four additional layers, bling, giant button, treehouse glitter, brown ink, ribbon, and bic markers for the doodles, green ink over thee entire thing.

I wish I could have gotten a bright enough pic, this is much more fun in person! :)

Thanks for looking!

All comments appreciated!!

www.lovemusic.etsy.com

-Rachel

Congratulations card

Once again with a simple card, kind of my theme of the week. :)

I used bazzill swiss dot (I LOVE THIS PAPER!) along with some chocolate satin ribbon, a bling flower, and some robins egg blue paper from recollections from M's and brown ink with a dollar stamp from M's. I would love to hear your comments and feedback!

Thanks for looking!!

http://www.lovemusic.etsy.com/

-Rachel