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Snowflake Christmas Ornament Project & Tutorial


2010
08.19

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Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery), Project Tutorials/Instructions | No Comments »

Designed by Theresa (**Treefrog**) Kelly  

  

To see more of Theresa’s beautiful work please visit her blog at http://www.binkyblossoms.blogspot.com)  

    

Supplies you will need:    

Cricut (cartridge used: Home Accents) There are numerous snowflakes on different cartridges and When it’s Cold Outside is all snowflakes! Or cut your own!    

Glass Christmas Ornaments (the ones that the loop piece will come off.)   

Cardstock Xyron or good old white glue or any glue you prefer to use     

Glitter or stickles Beads      

Jewelry findings (Jump rings, straight head pins and filler pieces) Various jewelry tools      

Hole punch Ribbon      

I did this on Design Studio, the larger ornament snowflakes were cut at 6” and the smaller were cut at 5”. I got my Christmas ornaments at Wal-Mart last year after Christmas on clearance, you could get them just about anywhere or use ones you already have at home.    

 

    

Beaded baubles: Use a head pin to make your beaded baubles. Add a smaller bead, filler piece, bead, filler piece and last a smaller bead. Bend and make a loop, trim to finish the loop to add to the jump ring. (If you don’t have jump rings you could use decorative ribbon or string also)    

  

     

Decorate your Xmas ornaments any way you want to. You can use glitter, double stick tape, glue, punched double stick tape designs, buttons, gems, beads, pre-stuck rhinestone designs (ex. swirls) just about anything you want to add on the ornaments, the sky’s the limit. (Hey, you could even add clouds on there, LOL!)    

    

Snowflakes: I glued 3 cardstock snowflakes together to give it some stability. (You could use chipboard if you like) I ran the glued snowflakes thru the xyron machine to add my glitter then used good ole regular glue to glitter the other side. Let dry. You could also use stickles and just go around the edges also or coat the whole snowflake. Punch a hole in 3 of the snowflake arms to add your baubles to. (you could even add a bauble to each arm if you want too) Add your jump ring to the punched hole with your bauble on it and close up the jump ring.    

You could use some of the beautiful pre-glittered double sided patterned papers there are out there, You could even use silk flowers or use your Cricut to cut out flowers for a spring time tree.     

  

   

  

    

Now to assemble: Pull off the metal ornament topper (the part that has the loop that you would attach to the tree) Add the snowflakes to the top (you may need to make the snowflake hole opening bigger to fit onto the top of the ornament) Re-attach the metal ornament topper, attach a bow and hanger to the loop and your ornament is ready to hang on the tree or in a window or as a centerpiece or use your imagination, there are SOOOOOO many possibilities.    

  

    

 

     

 

  

    

I sure hope I’ve inspired you to make some of these and please drop by my blog: Binky Blossoms and share your creations with me, I would LOVE to see them and if you do make some please mention where you got the idea (remember I did inspire you, lol). Thanks and have fun with it, there are SOOOO many possibilities with these and I want to Thank Kim for putting up with me this week, I had a blast and I hope I haven’t bored you, even if I did, I sure had fun (see I lead a very simple life, LOL) Well Thanks again Kim, I hope we can do this again some time, but next time in person, hopefully!     

Take Care everyone and Froggie ((Hugs)) To all,     

Theresa

***

It’s been tons of fun having you as the Master Olive Guest Designer this week!  I have giggled so much my cheeks ache at all of your LOL’s!!! Thank you for sharing this gorgeous snowflake ornament project and tutorial – the ornaments are just beautiful and I can guarantee they’ll be a hit! 

Hugs to you too!

xKim

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Get to Know Theresa Kelly aka TreeFrog, Part 1 of Her Interview


2010
08.18

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Random Posts | 1 Comment »

 Hi Everyone!  Today, I’m going to share with you the next part of Theresa’s story by posting her interview questions and responses.  Tomorrow will be Part II of the interview and then on Friday a super duper project and tutorial for one of the upcoming holidays.  I haven’t seen it yet myself but I was told by Theresa that I would LOVE it and so will all of you!  Please feel free to leave comments for either Theresa or me this week.  Ask questions, leave your thoughts, tell us if you ever spotted Treefrog somewhere lurking about..!  

 ABOUT ME…  

1. Your full name Theresa Kelly (aka: **Treefrog** on most message boards)   (Kim:  I’m glad that the mystery of TreeFrog Kelly has been solved this week.  I’m taking full credit of releasing you from your incognito alias)

2. Are you married? Yes To Ken for 15 years (And we ALWAYS forget our anniversary!) (Kim:  He sounds like a great guy, especially since you said he laughs at my dumb posts *grin*)  

3. Do you have children? How many and how old? Yes, 3, Brian 29, Dawn 26, and McCade 9. (All I can say is Oops!) I also have 3 Grandkids, Molly 6, Madison 5, and Ethan 1, and I miss them terribly, they don’t live close by! Maybe one day! (I’m trying to finagle a way to get them here and then not return them, LOL!) (Kim:  40 is not too old to have a baby these days.  I don’t think McCade was necessarily an OOPS but more like an unexpected treasure *smile*  He seems like the sweetest kid!)

4. What is your favorite color (Red, love love love it, if I could have a red house I would, but I had to settle for a red roof and shutters, LOL), food (Fried Chicken and Ken makes the best!), holiday (Christmas of course! But I also love Thanksgiving because we go to Ohio every year to visit family, McCade loves his Aunt Heather and cousin Jessica, they spoil him rotten!), day of the week (Monday, it’s the day I get the most done around the house), time of the day (mornings, when everyone else is asleep), season (Spring and Fall, can I have 2?), craft supply (My Cricut, Gypsy and Design Studio and LOTS of paper), television show (Glee), movie (Gone With The Wind ,I think I’ve watched it a million times!), book(s) (Political Books, I like to know what’s going on in the world! And The Left Behind Series, what a contrast huh!), song (I listen to mostly Country but don’t have an actual favorite), actor/actress (Don’t really have a fav but I like Sam Elliot, Robert Duvall, Ed Harris, Nicholas Cage, Tommy Lee Jones, hum, all men……and good looking ones at that! LOL) comedian (Rodney Carrington), place to shop (Any Scrap/Craft store and if I had to pick one other than Hobby Lobby), visit (I would love to go to Italy one day) (Kim:  That’s funny you said you’d have a red house if you could because my husband has heard me say that same thing over and over.  I would LOVE a red house but instead I have lots of red walls and red furniture.  I just can’t get enough of the color.  Plus, I have red hair, my oldest son is a redhead….you would think I’d get sick of the color!) 

5. What do you like to do in your free time? Scrap, Craft or Alter/refinish/refurbish furniture   (Kim:  Oh yeah!  Bring it on!  I’d love to see some of your refurbished furniture.  I should take photos of some of the pieces I “pimped up.” *wink*)

6. Who is your idol/hero? That would be my Dad! He was Amazing, and so down to earth, everyone Loved him!  (Kim:  That’s awesome.  I bet he thought the same of you! *smile*)

 7. What five adjectives would you use to describe who you are as a person? Trustworthy, Honest, Imaginative, Loyal, Organized (as much as my family allows me to be!) (Kim:  See!  I knew you were a good person) 

 8. If I were to ask your significant other, friend or family member who knows you very well to describe you as a person what five adjectives do you think they would choose? Loud, Funny, Honest, Organized, Straight Forward/To the point.   (Kim:  Loud?  Is that because you are always LOLing? *smile*)

9.  Do you have a favorite saying/quote? Yes What is it? What goes around, comes around! My Dad used to say that all the time and it is soooo true, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve actually seen it come true so I try and live by that motto!  (Kim: Yep, that is a good one and I have to say this usually does happen.  I also live by the easy to remember quote “practice what you preach.” )

10. Favorite genre of music…. Country and Bluegrass  (Kim:  A little twang never hurt anyone.  I used to be heavy into the country but nowadays I listen to pretty much everything.)

11. List your pet peeves… Rude/Lazy People, Messes, The Government! (Enough Said!)  (Kim: Amen sista!)

12. What was your most embarrassing moment? (Hopefully not this!) When I was a kid we used to go in the flood control where we lived and catch frogs and tadpoles which was right next to the police station and one day we had our buckets and cups and were getting ready to head home with our “catch” of the day and the Police helicopter took off and came over head and told us to leave or the police were coming, well I was climbing up the ladder to get out with the cup of tiny tadpoles and frogs in my mouth (I still can’t believe I would have done that, yuck) but I looked up at the helicopter   and you guessed it, everything in the cup went ALL over/in me. In my mouth, down my shirt, in my hair, and whoever was behind me even got it! Everyone was laughing, even the police in the helicopter were laughing (that’s how close they were and found out years later they always knew when we were in the flood control and didn’t really care but that day they were trying to be funny and scare us) Well from that day on I was known as Treefrog!  (Kim: Maybe it’s because of my warped sense of humor but this question and the next one  are my favorites in the interview.  It always makes me giggle what you gals share with all of us!  Love the story and can only imagine how freaked out you must had been!)

13. What was the funniest thing that has ever happened to you or you have done to someone else? (Other than the frogs/tadpoles all over me!) Was when we moved out here it was our first year and our first snow (you have to remember I grew up in So. California and I hadn’t seen snow till I was 18 yrs. old and itonly snowed in Vegas a couple of times but didn’t last too long.) and there was a board in the yard and I thought I would hop onto it to get out of the snow and hopped and my feet came right out from under me like I was flying (the board was iced over). I was laughing so hard I was crying (literally, and I even think I peed my pants, I don’t know I was all wet and covered in snow!) and every time I would try and get up I would fall again, my husband, son and neighbors were laughing so hard they couldn’t even get to me to help me. They said it looked like someone kept knocking my feet out from under me. Finally I gave up trying to get up and just crawled to the door. (OMG I’m sitting here laughing thinking about it and the hubs asked what’s so funny and I told him what I was writing and he’s on the floor laughing again, said it was the funniest things he’d ever seen!) I’ve fallen numerous other times since then too, I just can’t seem to stay on my feet here, LOL! And the dogs have knocked me down a few times also!  (Kim:  I have a hard time standing on both feet too – even on dry ground *wink*)

14. Share a memorable moment in your life, a time you will never forget. Well it would have to be the birth of all of my children. Each one was totally different but very memorable.  (Kim: moments that are hard to forget)

15. What do you find yourself doing that you said you would never ever do? Being loud just like my Mother (she was full blooded Italian, so use your imagination!) And I do have a tendency to curse at times! LOL  (Kim:  I imagine you laughing loudly…A LOT…am I right?  It has to be because of all of the LOLing in our emails *wink*)

16. Name three things you are completely and utterly proud of. Building Our own House! think that counts as ALL Three and then some, LOL!  (Kim:  My hubby built our house in Michigan and you’re right – it does count for all three thingsthat you’re utterly proud of because that’s a MAJOR feat)

17. Do you consider yourself to be a risk taker? Well Yes and No, Well if selling your home and then tracking across the country in a Travel Trailer and not having a destination in mind, I guess that would be a BIG Risk. But in eveyday life, then No.  (Kim:  Wow….that still amazes me.  I would say that is a risk taker too…)

18. Have you ever won anything? Yes What was it? I’ve won a few Cartridges and recently I just won a Cricut for my sons school.  (Kim:  you won the Easter Egg contest on my blog in March)

19. If you were able to skip a day of work or whatever you typically do during the day, how would you spend your day? I would love to go on Old Historical Home Tours with McCade, Him and I are sooooo much alike and he gets a big kick out of it too. The rest of the family thinks that it’s boring. What do they know!  (Kim:  That does sound like fun)

20. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? River Rafting, it was a Blast and I’d love to do it again!  (Kim:  It looks like a blast but I’m too chicken to try)

21. What makes you happy? Being with my family!  (Kim:  Nothing better)

22. What makes you sad? Not having my grand kids close by.  (Kim: That must be really hard. )

23. What makes you angry? The Government! (Enough Said!)  (Kim: Yep, I totally agree with you on this one)

24. Do you have any pets? Yes What are they? 5 Dogs, 2 turtles and 2 cows (hey what else do you do with 10 acres, but they stay with the neighbors cows (so they don’t get lonely) and we rotate them back and forth from their property to ours, we thought it was easier then mowing, LOL LOL LOL!!!) Oh I’m so funny!  (Kim:  Seriously or are you pulling a funny on me? )

MY CHILDHOOD

1. Describe yourself as a child… I was a pretty shy kid, A little chunky, my Mom is Italian so Bread and Pasta were a staple in our house and I love Bread and Pasta! Loved to be outside and at the beach. Loved to go anywhere on my Dad’s Harley with him. I loved to create things and used to hand sew clothes for my dolls. I didn’t get a sewing machine till I was in Junior High (Middle school is what it’s called now, LOL) I took a sewing class and fell in love with it and used to sew almost all my own clothes (except jeans). In High school I went right into Fashion Design and since I was so shy (and didn’t know how to say no) all the teacher’s would come to me to mend their clothes or fix zippers or hem (to this day I WILL NOT fix a zipper if it’s broke, LOL) (Kim:  Oops…just deny the large box I just Fed Ex’d out to you yesterday then…it’s full of jackets and pants that need the zippers repaired.)

2. Where did you grow up and what are your memories of this place? I grew up in Bellflower Calif. I loved the place, we would stay out all day until the street lights would come on so I guess it was a pretty safe place. If any of the kids did something wrong the neighbors would call your parents (or just scold you and threaten to call your parents) so everyone knew everyone. I always knew when my Dad came home because he Drove a Harley and I would “hear and feel” him come home and all the kids would run to my house so they could get a ride on his Harley. That was back in the 60-70’s and everyone thought he was a “Biker” because not many people had Harley’s back then (like now, almost everyone has them) but he was far from a biker, (he actually looked just like Ross Perot but covered in tattoos, he was in the Navy for 30 years.) (Kim:  Sounds like you had a great childhood full of some wonderful memories!)

3. What did you enjoy doing as a child? Reading, going to the beach and being outside. We used to go Camping alot and deep sea fishing too. (Kim:  Deep sea fishing must have been awesome!  I lived in Michigan surrounded by the great lakes.  We used to go minnow dipping, spearing and salmon fishing in the spring but I’d have to say deep sea fishing must be the cat’s meow!)

4. What was your favorite comic/cartoon character? I loved the Flintstones, and still do! (Kim:  I forgot about the Flinstones – I used to love it too)

5. What was your favorite outdoor activity as a child? I loved going to the Beach, we would take the bus or ride our bikes down there and spend all day. What is your favorite outdoor activity as an adult? Gardening, but not lately, it’s been WAY to hot here. I love to be near/in water and love being on a boat and/or Sea-doo. I also like to go hiking, there are so many great parks to explore. (Kim:  You do sound like a water baby – do you live close to any water now?)

6. Were you crafty as a child? Yes What did you enjoy doing the most? I loved to sew and make paper dolls and play with my doll house, I would make furniture to go in the house with all kinds of things. (Kim:  I did the same thing but it was always for my Barbies – loved those things)

7. What was your favorite toy? I had a doll called Thumbelina, she was only about 8-10” long (I still have it!) You pulled a string and the doll wiggled like a real baby. My best friend and I both had one and we also had a carrier, stroller, clothes, diapers and bag and all kinds of things to go with it and pretended to be moms for hours at a time every day. (Kim:  That’s so sweet!)

Alrighty, that’s it for today!  Make sure to check back tomorrow for Part II of Theresa’s interview and to see some more fun photos of herself and her family!

Thanks everyone!

xKim

P.S.  I just hopped over to see what’s new over at Binky Blossoms ,  Theresa’s blog, and she has the cutest layout using the Dinosaur Tracks Cricut cartridge that you  have to see!  Of course, she has tons of  other things too – cards and layouts that she has designed for BBTB2 …they’re  just too cute for words!  

2 comments

Thoughts to Ponder About Theresa Kelly aka Treefrog


2010
08.17

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery) | 2 Comments »

Ribbit-Ribbit… I was just sitting here chillin’ and thinkin’….and remembered that ::::Shhhhhlepppp:::(sorry just caught a Cricut- yum!)…anyway I was just sitting here chillin’ and thinkin’ about  Theresa Kelly aka TreeFrog from Binky Blossoms.

Funny, here we all thought TreeFrog was a crafty frog - how lame is that to think a frog can be crafty!  Uh….h-e-l-l-o?  What we’re we thinking?! The only frog I’ve ever met who can talk, sing AND act is Kermit.  Theresa sure is  one incredibly talented crafter and is the Master Olive guest designer this week over at OJS. Have you been over to her blog yet?  You really need to hop on over there after reading her interview below because she has some REALLY AWESOME stuff on there. She is on the BBTB2 Design Team and is always full of surprises! Did I ever tell you she’s one of my other favorite artists?  I just LOVE her style but that could be because she has this thing for frogs and toads…. (I think she might have the hots for me….I better get working on my croaks to swoon her…) :::::Shhhhhhlooooop:::::(sorry it’s that Cuttlebug…just can’t help myself when I see one).

I hear glue dots are as sticky as a frog’s tongue…

Hop along now…go check out Theresa’s interview questions & responses so you can learn more about her story.  I’m sure Kim will be posting it soon.

                                                                        Adios friends,

                                                                        xMr. Frog Legs

1 Comment

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS FROG?


2010
08.17

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Random Posts | 1 Comment »

     -WANTED-

 CROAKING OR CREATING

     

  REWARD: 10 Billion dollars in Monopoly $$$

Rumor has it this frog used to be a  crafty gal named Theresa Kelly who loved to hang out with the pretty things – diamonds and pearls, glitter and sequins. Years ago, Theresa woke up feeling kind of green and was horrified when she looked in her bathroom mirror that morning to find a treefrog looking back in her place. Witnesses are unsure as to why she turned into a frog but have speculated it happened after going on a hot date with Kermit. Since then Theresa, the human, has disappeared and has been replaced by this amphibian.  This frog  still has a crafty edge to it in a froggy way – it’s been  known to sport a few paper cuts over the years and has been heard croaking out a tune while stitching a mean and straight line on its sewing machine.  It has a deep desire to bedazzle everything it touches and croaks about anything that slightly resembles an insect, even CRICUTS!  A recent report states a warning: ” This frog has been seen hopping around as far away as California, Nevada  and Kentucky. Many years ago it was seen even  jumping around in Illinois. Eye witness reports have noted this frog lurking on several Internet sites -OJS (that’s here in case you didn’t know),  the Cricut forum, Cricut Circle forum and on one of my favorite blogs called “Binky Blossoms.”      This frog will “LOL” nonstop if your paths cross. You will require several bathroom breaks if left unsupervised from the constant “LOLing.” Local authorities have found this frog to be a threat to anything that chirps or remotely resembles a Cricut.  It only eats things that are still so shake and shimmy and keep your Cricut and other bugs running for the next several minutes as you read the post below. It fears the police and has been hopping and hiding from the law since a very young age. There is now a shortage of Cricuts across the world that has left everyone to only IMAGINE what the problem could be.  Victims of this frog have declared a state of emergency when it was spotted having close encounters with the Cuttlebug causing everything in sight to become impressively embossed. Researchers on this case are afraid these close encounters will cause many crafters throughout the world to envy this frog in epic proportions that would leave Kermit crooning “It’s not easy being green.”  If you are attending SWARMS, Circle Events, Crops or even crafting at home, make sure to keep your doors locked and your Cricut and Cuttlebug close by.  Be on the lookout and contact local authorities who have formed team TREEFROG if this frog is spotted in your neighborhood. If you find yourself eye to eye with this frog make sure to have a Pina Colada on hand and demand Theresa Kelly be released from the wraths of the Treefrog. 

A legend, possibly folklore from the hills of Kentucky,  say no one really remembers what Theresa Kelly looked like before turning green.  People say it’s been so long since she resembled a human crafter.   We WILL solve the case of Theresa Kelly whether it takes the world’s supply of Monopoly $$ for additional clues and leads. 

TO BE CONTINUED… 

1 Comment

The MAIN OLIVES Interview, A Partial One!


2010
07.30

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Random Posts | 1 Comment »

My full name:  Kimberly Sue Du Chene

Where do I live:  I live in Naperville, IL. a suburb approximately 45 minutes west of Chicago.

Am I married:  Yeppers, to my crazy and loving hubby, Bill.  It will be  our lucky 13 years on December 20th!

Do I have children?  Oh yeah!  I am mom to two adorable, loving, giving, adorably funny boys, Zachary who is 10 and Spencer who will be eight (EIGHT!!) on August 16th.  I cannot believe my boys are as old as they are.  We always planned on having four or five children but God works in mysterious ways.  He blessed us with our second child who screamed 24/7 for 2 1/2 years.  He had chronic ear infections, chronic constipation and of course a dash of colic to top it off.  And, he only slept for 30 minutes at a time before waking up screaming.  :-(   We are now blessed with two boys who are the love of my life and are the sweetest and funniest kids a mom could ever wish for.  They tell us they got their sense of humor from their parents – I have no idea where they ever got that idea.

Do I have any pets?  Well, it depends on the day, the year, the month – all of those things HAVE to be taken into account.  Right now, our LIVING pets include a Convict Cichlid (just one!), and about 50 tadpoles my seven year old rescued from the ditch in our backyard.  I expected the fish and the tadpoles to have died weeks/months ago but no, they are thriving and doing well.  A year ago, we had three Fire-Bellied Toads, a dwarf bunny named Maxie and a dwarf hamster named Vinny, three Convict Cichlids, a Plecotamus (did I spell that right?), and Three Koi.  Does that tell you something?  And my kids NOW want a dog….yeah, about that.

My favorite color(s):  Easy peasy without missing any sleep – it’s RED.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE red and cannot have enough red in my life!  My kitchen and part of my living room is painted tomato red.  I also LOVE warm colors – oranges, reds, turquoise and teal, buttery and sunny yellows, granny smith apple green, warm pinks, along with other vibrant hues.  Of course, black and silver top it off.  Funny….now that I’m thinking of it,  those are the very colors of my house!  Now it makes perfect sense why I chose those colors!  I think this is when I’m supposed to say, “WOW!  I coulda had a V-8!”  

What is my style for my home decor/interior decorating?  100% eclectic, which includes pieces that are vintage, funky, artsy, folksy, countryish, modern, etc, yet they all work together.  I’ve been this way ever since I was younger and have tried to grow up into a more sophisticated style but it’s just not me!  I love playfulness, a home of comfort and happiness and LOTS and LOTS of color!

Here’s a photo of the open area.  There’s lots going on!

 

Sheesh!  I never realized how much of my artwork  is scattered throughout our house until really looking at these photos!  We’re a bit messy in this photo but this is our humble little love shack.  Its a small house but definitely a happy one! 

I think this is all I’m going to post about me today.  It’s late, I’m tired and I have to get up early in the morning to head back to CHA.  Tomorrow morning I’ll be attending the Cricut Circle event – I hope to meet you there or at the Consumer Show later on in the day!

Olive a great week, don’t you?

xKim

2 comments

Ta-Da! It’s ME!!!! I’m THE BIG Surprise for This Week….BUT THERE’S MORE!


2010
07.26

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Random Posts | 2 Comments »

 

Hey Guys & Gals!  It’s CHA week here in Chicagoland!  Big time fun is to be had and I plan on sharing the excitment with you right here, each day as soon as I am able to get to a computer!  I will be attending CHA Tues/Wed and Fri/Sat. of this week – possibly Thursday too but not sure yet!  I purposely kept this week open with no designer scheduled because I wanted to hog the week with LOTS of awesome photos of the going-ons at CHA!  I’m hoping to meet a lot of my followers and other members from the Cricut Board and other craft websites I frequent.  I was one of the “lucky” ones to receive an invitation to the Provo Craft “Imagine” Gala on Tuesday evening so I promise to share as much info as allowed with all of you!!! 

Instead of having a guest designer this week, I’M GOING TO ACTUALLY BE THE DESIGNER FOR MY OWN BLOG!!! ROFL!!!  How ’bout them cookies, folks?!  That definitely deserves a “WoHooO!!!!!”  I’m even going to post a series of questions and answer them- some of the questions may be a bit different, but it should be fun for anyone who has been wondering who I am or what I look like, especially since I still can’t figure out how to post a photo in the sidebar using my new blog platform, WordPress!    I will be posting lots of photos of myself, my family and photos of where I live along with PROJECTS I’ve designed each and every day starting Sunday, July 25th (Uhhh….it’s Sunday now and I don’t have any projects ready to be posted sooooo we’ll start that….? Tomorrow?  Yeah, that’s it.  Tomorrow, which is today – Monday because it’s 2 0′clock in the morning – OMGoodness!  I didn’t realize it was that late until just now!  Confused yet?  You will be by the end of the week with me in charge of things!   I think we need to do a blog cocktail too while we’re at it – what’da all say?  The only thing is I don’t know what I’m going to give away but I believe it will be something(s) I pick up at CHA and the drawing will be on Sunday, July 1st.  What do you have to do to enter?  I have no clue because this whole idea just popped in my head!  How about anyone who can submit a project photo of anything that you have created this week or sometime recently that hasn’t been published (but can be on  your blog).  It does not have to be a Cricut-y made project either.  Send me a photo of your project, your name, email and your blog URL if you have one.  I will post all project photos here as they come in along with links to your blogs and I will put all participants names in a hat for the drawing of the mysterious prize.  It will be good -I promise.  I don’t usually do junk – at least I don’t think it is.  You don’t have to be a follower BUT I really do love my followers and have this thing with see so many smiling faces looking at me when I’m adding content to my blog so  please consider it just to make me feel like there really are people who like to visit! LOL!

I really thought I was going to be ready for the first project for today BUT….I’ve had a bit of a rough week since last Friday and I’m still playing catch up with the rest of life – PLUS, I’ve been slaving away trying to make some handmade calling cards to take with me to CHA.  Of course, this should have been done WEEKS AGO and I’m just starting them three days before the show.  Ugh.  Anyway, this past week has been a REALLY rough one for me and my family too because  I woke up motivated to clean my craft studio last Friday (the 19th).  The plan was to  clean up that awfully messy studio of mine that I tend to keep mentioning in the interviews with the designers.  (If I were brave enough I’d post a photo but I’m a chicken.)I worked for a total of an hour before the plans changed. I ended up putting my back out when I started vacuuming -go figure.  My conscious is telling me it was a ploy to get me out of cleaning the mess – try it, I swear it works!!! ROTFL!!!  Let me tell you, after the pain I’ve been through this week I would MUCH rather clean a pig sty than experience the pain I’ve had in my backside!  Well, that’s not even the best part of my story.  The best part  of this story is yet to come… I have a recent history  for the past five years or so of this type of back pain….so I dug around in my medicine cabinet until I found some Vicadin from the last time.  The bottle said 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours (they weren’t expired so it was good).  I took one at 11 a.m., another at 5 p.m. and then two at 10:30PM because only one was doing nothing.  About 15 minutes later I was hallucinating and feeling really loopy. My husband came upstairs to help me get to the bathroom but I couldn’t move -the pain was that bad.  He somehow got me off the bed and then I got so dizzy and nauseous.  My heart felt like it was going to explode, my vision got all weird and I felt like the room was going to suck me up – very very strange feeling.  Nex thing I knew, I was passed out on the floor…I came to and got up and passed out again.  Next thing I knew, I was on a stretcher headed to ER.  I was admitted to the hospital where I stayed for three days.  Ugh! I found out that I have pretty much no tolerance for pain killers anymore.  The reason I passed out was because the Vicadin caused a severe reaction with me and caused my blood pressure to plummet to 83/43.  Every time I sat up in bed or the nurse/doctor asked me to stand the same thing would happen.  Sooooo not fun.  I would definitely suggest doing this very thing if you are trying to get out of doing something you don’t want to do too.  It works like a charm and it sure got me out of cleaning my messy studio!  I was finally able to convince the doctors that I needed an  MRI and it’s a good thing because now I know what the problem is –  I have three bulged discs in my lower lumbar spine.  Owwwwie – very painful. I’m on third day of physcial therapy and it seems to be helping, plus I’m just generally feeling better on my own but goll darnit I WILL NOT MISS CHA this year!  I am soooo going even if I have to go on a stretcher or an electric Amigo scooter running over all of you and your feet! LOL!   As of today, I’m doing well.  I only have a little pain so I  am so going to CHA!  I’m so excited!   (It’s my new mantra….seems to be working….the back pain got me out of cleaning the messy studio but healed in time for the fun – perfect, wouldn’t you say so?)

Here’s a few photos of me and my family…ahem…..I’m the one with the crazy curly red hair – be nice now!  People who know me in person can attest to how crazy it gets when not pulled back- it can get REALLY REALLY BIG and REALLY REALLY WILD with no effort.  I realized recently I’m not in many photos because I’m always the one taking the pictures.  Here’s a few to start with and I’ll add more photos throughout the week if I find a few others.  I can show you a million plus photos of my kiddos  – aren’t they just the cutest little olives ya ever seen?


   
  

        

                

I really need to work on writing shorter blog posts.  I hear snoring.  It could be my husband since it is almost 2:30 in the morning but I thought for sure it was coming from here.. (can you tell I get really loopy the later it gets and the less sleep I get?)  BTW, the posts this week probably won’t be following the typical guest designer schedule -I’m allowed to mix things up a bit, right? *wink*  You neve know what you’re going to find at OJS….are you with me?

Please spread the word about the contest – we need to get things jumping around here and kick it up a notch!

Olive fun surprises, don’t you?

xKim

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

1 Comment

Please Welcome Jennie Barger aka Java Jen As This Week’s Guest Designer!


2010
07.20

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Random Posts | 1 Comment »

Hi Everyone!  It’s Tuesday again which means it’s time for me to introduce to you this week’s Master Olive Guest Designer!  I’d like you to meet Jennie Barger aka Java Jen who has a blog called “Java Jen Creations”   I’ve been over to Jennie’s blog several times and I’m even a follower (I told you I’m addicted to blog hopping – by the way, if I’m not following your blog yet shoot me an email so I know and I’ll get on over to do just that!)  If you’re not a follower or have never been to Jennie’s blog you really MUST scoot on over there after you meet Jennie here!  Why? Because she has some of THEE most amazing mini albums!  They are just adorable!  Some of the latest  projects she has on her blog are some really cool mini albums she whipped up as craft kits for one of her family reunions – I’m telling you it is sooo neat and such a unique idea that I just might have to try it out myself (along with all of the other million things I want to make!)   Jennie is another one of those hidden gems that I really want people to see and know about –  just like every other designer that has been on here so far this summer!  :-)   Oh, and wait…just you wait until you see the adorable project and tutorial she has created for her week here at OJS!  She even uses her gyypsy and teaches us all a few neat tricks too… it’s REALLY super de-duper cute…. On that note….
 

Let’s Meet Jennie….


Hello everyone! This is Jennie Barger aka Java Jen and I’m really having fun answering all of Kim’s questions!! I haven’t had to think this much about myself and what makes me tick in quite some time!!  Hard to believe that anyone would want to know this much about me — but here goes!!
Hmmmm……… where to start?!  I am 43 and I have been married to the love of my life since I was 18! Yep, we got married 3 weeks after I graduated from high school!  He was 22!  That means that as of  June 22, 2010, we have been married for 25 years!!!  Wow!  All I can say is that marriage just gets better and better with every year! We have been through so much – good and bad – and I like to tell people that all that has “super-glued” us together! I feel so blessed to have the husband that I have!  OK – enough gushing about my dreamboat! Haha!  Now I’ll just gush about my kids! We have a daughter who is 24, was married in 2008 and is expecting our first grandchild!  Woohoo!  She and I are such great friends!  We love spending time together and crafting, of course! She has a photography business so she is a big source of some fantastic pictures that I use in my projects! Our older son is 22 and was just recently married in December ’09 to a wonderful gal whom we just adore!!  He still calls me and tells me that he loves me so I feel like we must  have  done something right!  Our baby, although he doesn’t like being called that, is 12 and has been a blessing since his birth! I homeschool him and love it!
I have come through some serious and potentially life-threatening things in my life, and while I won’t bore you with TMI, I’ll give you the condensed version of them because I truly believe that these events have made me who I am today.  When our daughter was born, I developed toxemia and after delivering her by c-section, my kidneys shut down and my doctors did not know what to do because the medicines they were giving me were not working. Then our Pastor came to the hospital and prayed for me and everything started working like it was supposed to.  I guess God decided He needed to keep me around for awhile longer!  We were expecting our third child about 9 years later and although I had a relatively uneventful pregnancy, near the end, I started having blood pressure problems. At 38 weeks, I was going to the doctor every 3 days for monitoring. This particular visit, the Dr. put that little heartbeat thingy on my belly and there was total silence. My heart dropped and I really thought that I was just having a bad dream.  To make a long story short, I had a c-section the next morning and our sweet little red-haired boy was stillborn. This was one of the toughest things that we have ever gone through but it was a miracle how God sustained us and restored us! (More about that in a minute!)  Then, almost 2 years to the day since our son was stillborn, it was time for our miracle!  See I told you I would have some happy news! I was again at 38 weeks and being watched very closely and was again expecting a boy! My blood pressure was again not behaving, so my doctor decided that it would be best to deliver him as soon as possible. I had another c-section and I have to tell you that hearing his loud cry in the delivery room was the best sound in the world!! He has been a blessing ever since! It’s so awesome how God used his birth to start healing our hearts! Fast forward to October 2002. I found a lump and, long story short again, found out through mammograms and a biopsy that I did, indeed, have cancer.  I was only 35 and shocked to say the least!  The surgeon was able to remove the whole tumor and it was just under the size that would have required chemo! What a blessing!  I just had 30 radiation treatments and have now been cancer-free for almost 8 years!! What an experience! I think it was harder on my husband than me! He is so wonderful!!

 
OK, I think I’m done with all that stuff – sorry if anyone fell asleep reading my book!  :-)
In 2004, we opened a small coffee shop across the street from a small university. What an eventful time in our lives! I actually became a barista and learned all I never knew that I needed to know about running my own business!!  My whole life was the coffee shop – 6 days and 70+ hours a week until we sold it when my husband’s job brought us to Texas!  I had a blast making so many new friends and learning so many new things!
Now, I finally have time to craft like I really want to and I’m loving it!!  My ongoing project for this year is handmade birthday cards for everyone in my family (both sides)!  So far I’ve made about 50 with at least that many to go before the end of the year!  Keeps me hoppin’!!  I love making mini albums and gifts for others. I have lots of completed albums of my family but I don’t know if I’ll ever be caught up!  Crafting is definitely my therapy. As I go through pictures for a project, I tend to get emotional as I remember happy and sad times.  More than once, someone in my family has walked in my room or called me when I was totally caught up and thought  that something was terribly wrong!  Nope!  Just me doin’ my thing! :-)   I guess that’s probably what I love most about all the craft projects that I do – how it stirs up my memories of all those that I love!  I don’t ever want to forget what they mean to me!  I may not have the most amazing creations ever seen, but I sure do have fun learning and creating new things!

Java Jen
www.javajencreations.blogspot.com

 

Wow!  You sure have had some storms in your life but with your fabulous attitude and postive outlook you have been able to put a spin on the negative by giving everything a reason for happening.  You’re definitely an inspiration to me, and I bet to many others,  after learning about all that you have been through, yet you continue to trudge on focusing on what makes you happy in your life. It makes me smile hearing so many fond stories about marriages and family from all of the designers who have been on OJS so far. :-)   Maybe there’s something more to being a crafter than just the fascination with creating “things”…maybe all of us crafters also treasure creating moments with our families to remember and craft about….  :-)

Olive a story with a sweet ending, don’t you?

x Kim

2 comments

Clare Dempsey’s Interview, Part II


2010
07.15

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Random Posts | 2 Comments »

Hi Everyone!  Yeppers you guessed it!  It’s Thursday and it’s time to squeeze in Part II of Clare Dempsey’s Interview!  I am just finishing up the questions  and it’s almost 2 am.  Shhhhh!  Don’t squeal on me for staying up so late! 

 just had to share this fun photo with you again!  Remember?  “Please welcome Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary and MARY!” I just love it! (Won’t you share my humor?!)

  My Creativity….

  1. 1.   Do you consider yourself to be an amateur, novice, or seasoned/expert crafter?  Seasoned crafter, expert Cricuteer, sewer and patternmaker. (Kim:  Hook me up with the patternmaking.  I’d love to get better at this)
  2. 2.   If you could take a class with any crafty celebrity who would it be and why?  Penny Duncan, because I would love to know more about Inkscape.  (Kim:  I just checked out Penny’s blog and all I can say is wow!  She’s very talented and I’m now a follower! *smile*)
  3. 3.   What craft have you NOT tried yet but would like to in the near future?  Can I choose to play an instrument?  I would like to play the mandolin.  I know, bluegrass obsessed! (Kim:  I’m really intrigued by all of this bluegrass talk the past few days.  I’m going to spend some time one of these days listening to some of the groups you suggested yesterday.  I think playing the Mandolin is definitely a “craft” of sorts and REALLY think you need to pursue it.  Anyone as passionate about something as you are about the Mandolin and Bluegrass needs to follow their dream!)
  4. 4.   Do you scrapbook?  Why do you scrapbook and what is your favorite thing to scrap?  Scrapbooking all of my families Christmas cards and love the freedom of putting one picture on a single page. (Kim:  Hmmm…so you’re another one photo per page scrapper, eh?  I do this a lot too, not all the time,  but do know that many people frown on this.)
  5. Have you ever sold anything you’ve made?  Yes, I sell my Cricut Covers online, and at crops my Scrapbags are my best sellers. (Kim: That’s really awesome!)
  6. What/Who inspires you? (I know, I know it’s me!)  Music inspires me, I can’t imagine life without it!  I love to visit Gerry VanZant’s(http://www.gerryscrafts.blogspot.com_) and Lolly Chessies (http://www.lollychops.com/lollychops/) blog, your blog of course, there is great variety and funny stories too!  The idea of finding undiscovered talent appeals to me.   So, many beautiful items, may never been seen without blogs like yours! (Kim:  Awwww!  That’s so sweet of you to say that!  I feel like my blog is a mess right now and really have to apologize for the chaos.  I had a blog designer “working” on a new design but things just weren’t jiving so now I’m looking for a new blog designer – anyone know someone who works with WordPress? I’m loving all of the URL’s your sharing with us today – I’ll check out Gerry’s too…) 
  7. What do you do when the mojo is no where to be found?  Put on some music and clean the craft space.  When you see the stuff in your stash, you cannot help but be inspired! (Kim: LOL!  Thats why my studio rarely gets “completely”" cleaned.  I start going through my stuff and then have one of those a-ha moments and I’m sure you can figure out what happens from there.)
  8. What one thing needs to be done to pretty much every single thing you make before it looks like it’s finished?  Embellish it!  I am a space filler and tend to fill empty space, and love the layered look. (Kim:  Same here.  I have a hard time not filling every nook and cranny on my projects.  If there’s “white space” it doesn’t look complete to me!)
  9. How did you come up with your blog name and Cricut board screen name?  I am frequently too excited to try the newest technique or gadget, so when I discovered blogging, I was in a hurry to get online and share some cut files.  I decided it should have Cricut in it because I love my Cricut and use it daily and Clare and crafty seemed to make it a more catchy.  So, it became Cricutcraftyclare.  For the Cricut Message board, I chose Scrapincovers, to help promote my dust covers, it is the same name as my Etsy store. (Kim:  It’s a catchy name that I’ve remembered)
  10. If you had a choice between making a card, scrapbook page layout or altered art which would you choose and why?  Scrapbooking, because I can create a way for my family to hold onto their memories and have pictures of loved one’s too! (Kim: That’s definitely a great reason to scrapbook. *smile*)
  11. Are you on any design teams?  Yes, I am on the design team for Jill D Zines.  She offers products for the digital scrapbooker and digital cutter! (Kim:  Another website I’ll have to check out.  I visit so many each week that I find I’m already a follower on many without even realizing it!)
  12. What is your favorite thing about blogging?  I love that people like to use my cut files, what a compliment  and love when they leave comments.  I love that I have met new friends from as far away as Australia and from all over the US. (Kim:  It is an honor to know someone likes your style and uses your .cut files, tutorials, or let alone just the idea!  I do have to agree with what you said about meeting friends from all over the world too – it’s just amazing how a simple blog can build such genuine relationships with your devoted followers – I just love it!)
  13. List 10 of your favorite blogs/websites that you visit often. http://www.lollychops.com/lollychops/                         http://capadiadesigns.blogspot.com/    http://cutting.craftcrave.com/  http://www.cricutholiday.com/                                http://gerryscrafts.blogspot.com/           http://thegreenbeanscrafterole.blogspot.com/ (Kim:  I don’t recognize all of these so I will definitely be checking them out after our interview!)
  14.  How many hours a day/week do you typically find yourself crafting?  Everyday, for me it is like a cigarette break without smoking.  I do some housework, stop and create, I play with the kids, stop and craft, I make dinner and do the dishes, stop and craft. (Kim:  I love this answer!  “a cigarette break without the smoking”- exactly!)
  15. Are you a morning, night or all day crafter?  I feel most productive in the morning, and usually work on my Etsy shop items in the morning.  Then I work on other creative items throughout the day, in the effort to avoid housework.  (Kim:  And it’s so funny how easy it is to avoid the housework…If they would only come out with self-cleaning houses….:::sigh::: all of us crafters would be all set)
  16. Do you have a separate craft room/space in your house?  What do you like about it the most?  What do you dislike?  I have a small space in the basement, and am working to get the air hockey table swapped out for the computer desk.  The air hockey table, actually makes a great cutting surface for fabric, but I would like my Cricut DS and and computer IN my scrap space. (Kim:  You just need to do the “craft house” thing like I do – let your family live amongst the craft overflow.  *wink-wink*  )
  17. What’s the craziest thing you’ve done with your Cricut machine?  I am currently obsessed with cutting up my salad packaging and covering it with glitter to make flower embellishments. (Kim:  That sounds like fun….hmmm….neat idea!  I was on the pop/beer can kick a year or so ago.  I kept cutting  and flattening the cans to cut – I’m over that phase)
  18. Describe yourself as a crafter. What do you think about yourself and do you think people perceive you in the same way?  I am scrapbooking obsessed.  I think that my work has come a long way and I am experiencing my own personal renaissance.  It seems to me as if my sense of design, proportion and color have never been better.  I love that I can get such professional results from my Cricut machines and other tools at home!  Others would say I am the one to ask about how to use the Cricut Machine, DS software, and Gypsy. (Kim:  It’s a fun thing to be known for though, right?)
  19. What is your favorite shape and font Cricut cartridges?  Favorite cartridges are Storybook, and Heritage, but these change often. (Kim:  They’re both great cartridges.  I don’t know if I can pick a favorite.  I have some I rarely ever use and others I constantly reach for – I’m really having fun with some of the Lite Cartridges though!)
  20. How many cartridges do you own?  44 (Kim:  That’s a good amount)
  21. How often do you use your Cricut each week?  Daily. (Kim:  I was going strong using mine daily but it’s taken so much work with getting this new blog up and running and promoting all of the designers I’m finding that I’m only gettinga about 3 days of crafting time in right now.  I’m sure this will change once my kids are back in school and this blog fiasco is tidied up)
  22. What is your favorite medium to use when crafting.  Currently, glitter.  I put in on my embellishments and love to try stamping with glue and sprinkling it on. (Kim:  I just posted one of my glittering tips on the Cricut board a few days ago…I should paste it in a post here because it’s quite helpful….:::making mental note to self:::)
  23. If you were asked to enable every crafter reading this to buy just one craft tool/machine or supply that you think everyone should own… what would it be and why?  Oh, I think you know…the Cricut!  I love that I can use it on paper, vinyl, plastic, chipboard, craft foam, my projects, school projects, home decorating, scrapbooking, cardmaking.  I think it become as popular in homes as the sewing machine.  (Kim:  It definitely has earned it’s keep in my studio…)
  24. Bling or grunge?  Bling!  My mother used to say there were three things worth spending your money on, your teeth, your feet and fine jewelry.  I think that I tend towards the bling as jewelry is not in my budget! (Kim:  Can we say cubic zirconia? Maybe I should rephrase that by saying…can we say sequins and stickles?  That’s about as blingy as I get too)

 

Random Thoughts…

  1. If given the option to change professions what would you choose?  I would be a musician and sing and play mandolin in a country band. (Kim:  Clare, you REALLY need to start taking lessons, why have regrets about something you love so much?!)
  2. What place outside of the U.S. would you like to visit?  I have always wanted to visit Australia and Queensland. (Kim: I would love to do that too.  Can I travel in your suitcase?)
  3. Would you rather have a chef prepare healthy, yummy foods for you and your family for each meal 7x a week or a housekeeper who follows behind you during your crafting sessions and cleans up all messes AND puts everything away in an orderly fashion?  A housekeeper who follows my crafting and cleans up! (Kim:  Finally, someone who thinks like me!)
  4. Favorite dessert…  Strawberry Rhubarb pie! (Kim:  That sounds divine)
  5. Do you collect anything?  What is it?  Buttons.  I have fond memories of rainy day crafts and my Mother’s button box.   I love vintage buttons and think I started making my covers just so I could use the beautiful vintage buttons in my collection.  (Kim:  I collect buttons too! I have found some real gems too that I have a hard time using.)

 

I bet you didn’t catch it but did you know Clare LOVES Bluegrass and has always wanted to play the Mandolin? *wink* I think Clare needs to get working on her musical skills by taking some lessons, don’t you?  Make sure and check back tomorrow to see the REALLY awesome project and tutorial Clare is sharing with us here at OJS – You’re going to love it!

***Just a quick reminder to go cast your vote for your favorite frame for the Olive Crafts Challenge that ended last night.  You know me and my blogging skills with WordPress (still learning) I couldn’t get the voting poll widget to work that I had downloaded two weeks ago for this very reason.  I have to pat myself on the back though because I figured out how to use another program to allow all of you to vote so thanks to all of you who entered the contest and to those of you who voted!  Voting closes at 11:59AM CST today (Thursday, July 15th) so go vote if you haven’t and then come right back!

Hope you have a day of sunshine and smiles….And of course, a crafty one!

x Kim

2 comments

“Independence Day Celebration” Card Project & Tutorial by Vicki Purdham


2010
07.09

Posted in Independence Day Cricut Cartridge, Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery), Project Tutorials/Instructions, Random Posts, Seasonal Cricut Cartridges | 2 Comments »

(Several of you have contacted me in regards to the photos not appearing.  I’m trying to fix this problem and will hopefully have this mystery solved soon!  Thank you so much for your patience and please bear with me as I continue learning this new blogging platform!  It’s not at all like Blogger where my last blog was at and has a bit of  a learning curve!  -Kim)

Hi Everyone!  I am so excited to be the guest designer for Olive Juice Studios this week! Since Kim asked me to be the guest designer for the week of July 5th I wanted to make an Independence Day celebration card.

I used the dog from Paper Pups. I love how he is looking up to the sky. I used the grass from Zooballoo and the fence from My World. The flag is from Independence Day and the fireworks are from Stand and Salute. For the card base I used a sheet of 81/2″ x 11″ cardstock and cut it in half. I inked around all the edges inside and out. I then used my ATG gun and attached the red frame piece and also the blue piece.  The first cut piece I glued down was the first layer of grass.  Then I glued down the 1st layer of fence.  Then I took Zot 3-D dots and attached the second layer of the fence.  After I attacfhed the second layer of the fence I attached the flags.  The flags are attached using the Zot dots. The fog is actually 3 layers. 2 base and one regular cut.  I inked all around him and drew his face on. The fireworks are attached with foam 3-D squares but before I attached them I used my heat embosser and added star dust embossing powder. Love how it looks in person. One the inside I added another dog but haven’t decided the perfect sentiment yet!

 

I hope you enjoy and thank you Kim for having me as your guest designer. I’ve had a blast.

Vicki

(Kim:  Vicki, it has been a great pleasure to have you as our guest designer this week!  I’ve had a great time lauging along with you and enjoyed helping you share your story with our  OJS readers!  Your project is so darn cute and I will have to keep it in mind for next  year! It’s been a lot of fun and I’m sad to see our week end!  Until next time, soul sista! *wink*)

Olive crafty people, don’t you?

x Kim

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It’s Tuesday, July 6th, 2010…Time to Meet THIS WEEK’S Guest Designer, VICKI PURDHAM!


2010
07.06

Posted in Master Olive Guest Designer, Olive Juice Studio, Random Posts | No Comments »


Come on down, Vicki Purdham!  It’s YOUR turn to be  Master Olive Guest Designer!!!  WoOoHooOO!!!  ::::the crowd cheers and applauses:::::  Vicki is spotted sitting in the fifth row filing her nails not even paying attention.  “Vicki….Vicki Purdham?  Put your emery board away and come on down!  It’s your turn to playyyyyy Master Olive Guest Designer at Olive Juice Studio!” 

“Me?!  What?!  Did Kim really say MY name?!” Vicki starts screaming and flailing her arms wildly while running over to OJS.  “IT’S MY TURN TO BE THIS WEEK’S MASTER OLIVE GUEST DESIGNER!!!” she screams. 

I feel eyeballs rolling and hear cyber groans from some of you -careful now, or I’ll come  after you to be the NEXT guest designer! :-)    I’m tired and loopy, what can I say?  :-) I try to mix things up a bit in the way I introduce each new guest designer but unfortunately for some of you my warped sense of humor occasionally takes over.  Bwa-ha-ha!

So….here she is folks, the one….the only…..Vicki Purdham from “One Purdy Card.”

Vicki’s Biography….

My name is Vicki Purdham.  I am married and have two great children.  A daughter, Susan, who is 20…wow, that is so hard for me to believe and a son, Brandon, who is into absolutely every sport  possible.  I also have 3 wonderful step sons, Jake, 13, Nick 10 and Luke 9.  They are also really great kids. 

I love to do just about any kind of craft but card making is my absolute true love.  I would love to be able to make crafts for a living and quit my full time job.  I also love to cook and love to bake and make candy.  At Christmas time I make so much candy.  Actually about 7 years ago I came really close to opening up a craft/candy store but the fear that it could possibly fail scared me to death.                                                                                                                          

I am almost 40 years old and I have to tell you, that number doesn’t sit very well with me.  I spent my entire 30 birthday in tears so I am not quite sure how I will handle 40.  Wish me luck!                                                                                                                                                                                                       

I would like to think of myself as a very friendly, outgoing person.  I honestly don’t think I have ever met a stranger.  I love to make people laugh and I love to make people smile.  I just love all people.  Most people that know me really well say my biggest fault is that I am too nice and sometimes people take advantage of that.

I am a huge family person and grew up being very close to my entire family.  I was a huge Daddy’s girl but lost my Dad 7 years ago to brain cancer and I will just leave that at that.

I am also very in touch with my spiritual beliefs and am very close to God.  I know that as long as I continue to live my life the way he wants me to that I will stand beside him some day.

I just want the entire world to be at peace and live in harmony, wasn’t that the Coca Cola song years ago….I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…. (Kim:  I’ll do backup…”Do-wap”)I’d like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company (Kim: “Do-wap”) …lol….and lastly I think I watched too much TV as a child because I remember way too many commercials as a kid…..big mac, fillet of fish, quarter pounder, French fries, icy Coke, thick shakes, sundae’s and apple pies…..lol……

 

  

So here I sit 2 o’clock in the morning singing the Coca Cola jingles with hunger pangs for  a Mac Attack. 

Did you know that Vicki is THEE Vicki in the Jeannie (Phillips)/Vicki Card Challenges????  Yep – she sure is!   I remember seeing Vicki’s cards the first time I visited her blog having no clue she was THEE Jeannie/Vicki Card Challenge Vicki (try saying that 10x fast).  I couldn’t get over how similar her style was to Jeannie Phillips!

Anyway, I am rambling for some odd reason.  I bet it has nothing to do with me drinking a whole pitcher of ice tea earlier this evening, sitting in ER with my seven year old son for an hour at midnight (he has an outer ear infection in his left ear and an inner ear infection in his right ear. Poor baby!) Now working on posting Vicki’s biography at 2:00 in the morning.  Please note:  This is what happens when an olive goes looney.

I hope you enjoyed Vicki’s biography today and that you will make sure to check back tomorrow AND the rest of the week as Vicki shares more of “her story” with all of us! Please take a few moments to leave Vicki a comment here and to  stop by her blog.  She has some great cards!  If you like what you see, please consider following her because I know she would LOVE to have more followers!  :-)

Until tomorrow….

Olive crafts, don’t you?

x Kim

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