TAG TUESDAY - Autumn

Greetings to all after a unavoidable 3 month absence. I have missed participating but I am back in full swing with this Tag Tuesday theme of Autumn. (see more tags at www.tagtuesday.blogspot.com)

I think Fall or Autumn is my favorite season...I love the colors and the crisp feel to the air'

 

My Tag was made using actual leaves from my yard and actual acorns along with a couple of glitter leaves for a splash of color.

The background is cardboard with a torn and aged piece of corrugated cardboard that holds the letters FALL which I hand cut from two layers of cardstock and put glitter around the inner edges.

The bottom has a strip of satin ribbon (which is also a bow and hanger loop at the tag top) topped with a black w/glitter ribbon. That is edged with checked cardstock, that is edged along the bottom with brown cotton crocheted lace.

 

Thanks for stopping by, I would love to read your comments!  And please stop by my Etsy stores for more holiday inspiration! The acorn caps I used for this tag are available in my shop and I also sell fabric covered acorn caps, perfect for Fall and Thanksgiving decorating!

Happy Fall y'all...

 

Sally

 

www.tagtuesday.com

TRAVEL TAG  for Tag Tuesday ( I lost my photo - but you can view it on the blog....see link)

 

I chose as my Travel Tag for Tag Tuesday, a favorite quote of mine.

 

If you do not know where you are going,

the road will get you nowhere.

 

I hand lettered the quote on a piece of paper that I had aged with distress ink.

I made the suitcase out of stacked cardboard, decorated it and put on country flag labels. The arm holding the suitcase is also cardboard and both are raised with pop dots.

The background is a generic map that has been distressed..

The bottom tag is a hand lettered:
Life is a Journey

It is mounted on a red grosgrain ribbon and has a dimensional 'compass' over lapping on the side.

 

My apologizes for the fuzzy tag photo. I am having trouble with my computer this week.

Blessings,
Sally

Patchwork Scrapbook Page

 

The quilt pattern is 'Variable Star'.

 

The page was made in 1995 when I did a whole series of scrapbook pages based on different quilt patterns.

 

Families are like quilts,

Lives pieced together,

stitched with smiles and tears,

colored with memories

and bound with love.

Author unknown

 

 

Tag Tuesday FISH

'FISH' Tag

I went totally opposite with what the word FISH conjured up in my mind. Growing up I loved to play Go Fish with my sister and have now played it with my grandchildren so naturally that is what popped into my mind.

 

The background is burlap...kinda like fish net!

The cardboard tag was colored with distress ink.

I drew, then cut out the silhouette of children playing cards.

I scanned the cards onto my computer and made the box.

I drew the words Go Fish with markers. cut out and added them with pop dots.

The fishing pole is cardboard with a jute string attached to the glittered gold FISH.

I added the buttons just because I love buttons.

Anybody want to play a game of Go Fish?

 

Sally

The Roaring Twenties - Tag Tuesday

 

 This was an easy tag for me to make for as soon as I saw the theme was Roaring Twenties, I immediately thought of my Mother and Father who met and married in the Twenties...Roaring for them I am sure!

 

I colored the Tag background with distress ink then stamped Love in white. (Which you can hardly see).

The year 1929 was cut from glitter cardstock as was the edge at the bottom.

The flowers actually were worn on my mother's wedding dress. A bit tattered after 85 years.

A row of vintage lace hangs from the tag bottom.

The gossamer ribbon is topped with an old pearl and rhinestone earring.

Of course, the photo of the happy couple is the best part.

 

To view other Roaring Twenties Tags go to the Tag Tuesday Blog.

 

Enjoy, Sally

 

 

Tag Tuesday Member

I was recently accepted to be a member of the Tag Tuesday Blog and I am excited because I love making Tags.

Each month they give the weekly themes for making a Tag. The theme for my first Tag was 'Italy'.

Now that conjures up a lot of images in my mind but what kept reoccurring was my daughter's family Friday night Pizza Night so that is the focus of my Tag.

You can go to the Tag Tuesday Blog, read about my Tag and see about 16 more tags made my members around the world.

Next weeks Tag's theme is the Roaring Twenties...and it is already finished as well as Tags for the following two weeks...

ENJOY,

Sally

Hand Lettered Free Download

Cards and crafts are still a favorite pastime of mine!  I enjoy making cards and tags which I sell in a local Treasure House Shop. 

I have done Calligraphy for over 50 years and have even taught classes, so hand lettering comes naturally. In fact it is easier and quicker for me to simply hand letter a greeting than to find the appropriate size, shape or color in a stamp or rub-on.  Besides, I love the quality that hand lettering gives to my crafts.

 

My oldest daughter has recently gotten into the card making business so I made a sheet of my hand lettered greetings for her and that I wanted to share with you, my blog readers.

 

 

Right click on the image, save to your computer. Print. If the size of an individual greeting is not what you want, simply enlarge or reduce.

Wa-La...you have your own personal hand lettered greeting to attach to your craft item.

 

Below are a few examples of my cards where I have used a greeting from the download.

Thanks for stopping by!  I would love to read your comments!
You can also find me on  www.sssstudio.etsy.com and Pinterest!

Sally Swift

Free Easter Printable

Happy Easter!  I recently returned from a lovely trip to New Zealand to visit my daughter and her family. They moved to New Zealand a year ago and I was abe to spend four delightful weeks visiting them and seeing the beautiful country!  Hope to blog more about that soon. 

The above is a card I made with the pattern below.

I wanted to wish all my followers a Happy Easter with this FREE download - Honey Bunny

 

Photo One: I cut out the bunny pieces from white cardstock and drew the features as seen on the pattern. I aged the edges with distress ink. I used pop dots to adhere to the aqua glitter cardstock. That was glued to a pink check paper which was first glued to a card, 4" x 5 1/4". I made a ribbon bow and glued to bunny.

Of course any size card will do, just adjust the pattern to fit.

Right click on the pattern, save to your computer and print.

 

 Please leave me a comment about how you used this bunny! I love to hear from you. And please check out my Etsy shops for more Easter downloads and gifts!

 

May you all have a wonderful, Blessed Ressurection Day.

 

 

.

Valentine Wishes for You!

Happy New Year and Happy Valentines Day!

I know it IS early for Valentines but if I don't create some new digital downloads this week, I won't be able to until the end of February.

I have been busy preparing for my big trip to New Zealand to visit my daughter and her family.  They moved to New Zealand last year and I am going to visit them for four weeks!!
I am exited to be going on my first overseas adventure in 60 years!  My oldest daughter, Colette, and her engineer husband, live in Christchurch, New Zealand!  In prepration for my trip I have been BUSY adding more vintage digital downloads to my Etsy shop.

Here is a FREE Valentine Tag I created just for you. Right click on the image then save to your computer.   

Check out all my new digital downloads at my Etsy shop.

Have fun creating Valentines for the special loved ones in your life.

 

Handmade Glitter Houses

Christmas and Crafts just seem to go together.
I have been collecting Glitter House photos, patterns, tutorials and cereal boxes for a LONG time.

Last week-end was the time to put them all to use when I had two of my grandchildren over to have a craft day. Emmett is 12, he admitted that he didn't think he was going to like making glitter Houses. Something about the word Glitter that made him think girly. Elise 8, on the other hand loves anything and everything that has glitter.

We all really got into it and in about 7 hours had made 5 houses. Emmett had the best time, making two. He wanted to come back on Monday, a holiday from school, and he made two more.

Emmett and I had  challenge to see how inventive we could be. He went out in the yard to find small sticks so he could make a wood pile next to his house...I put fluffs of cotton in my chimney.

He made a snowman out of clay...I made stepping stones out the door, in the snow. His fourth 'house' was a small castle that he made the pattern and did the entire 'house' by himself.
However, it doesn't count because he didn't put any glitter on it.

One of the best web sites for photos and patterns is: www.littleglitterhouses.com

As soon as I can photograph my houses (I made four houses and a church), I plan to put them on my etsy shop: www.sssstudio.etsy.com

If you haven't tried makings these, I must warn you, they are addictive!

Happy Crafting and Merry Christmas

Sally

Thrift Store Bonanza

I recently rediscovered a local thrift store that sells their merchandise by the pound. Everything there is in disarray and piled in crates and bins. You really have to be a thrift store groupie to want to go there because it's dirty and the majority of people there would just as soon knock you over to get at items they want.

Well then, why on earth would I want to go...because I can get a buggy full of merchandise for pennies per item or the whole buggy full for less about $8.00

On one of my recent visits I remembered to take my camera so I could record my weekly shopping trip. Many items I have already sold on my Etsy shops or from a local Antiques and Uniques shop.
The bride's hat looked a bit sad but the lace was gorgeous when removed.

In the buggy were paper back books, a vintage tablecloth, a rustic tin pumpkin, a grapevine wreath and other items I can't remember besides the ones pictured below..

I have already sold the tea cups and vintage scales, left.

I have also sold the creamer, sugar, the slate heart, and the small brass frames, below.

If you like treasure hunting, check out your local thrift stores. Go to: http://www.thriftstorelistings.com/ Enter your zip code, city and state and they will list all the thrift shops in your area.

 

If you prefer to shop on-line – check out my three Etsy shops!

http://www.treasures4ewe.etsy.com

http://www.allthingshomey.etsy.com

http://www.sssstudio.etsy.com

 

Just because Holloween is around the corner, I have a free download for you. Just right click, save to your computer and print. No tricks - just treats !

Thanks,

 Sally

You can also find me on Pinterest Sally Swift - Florida

Quilts wrap you in Love

Quilt no.1 is the first quilt I made in 1989. It is a Lap Quilt and I still love to be wrapped in it.

Quilt no.2 is a quilt my daughter Cathron made for me of my first two grandsons. My oldest grandson's hands are very dear to me as Stephen has gone home to be with the Lord. This quilt holds a lot of love.

Quilt no.3 is one I bought at an estate sale for $5.00. This corner is about the only part of the quilt that looks decent. I have it spilling out of an antique basket in a ceiling high area between my kitchen and dining room. It brings a warm, loving feel to my home.

Quilt no.4 is a lap quilt that my sister, 3 daughters, and 2 nieces each made a block to exchange with each other then we each made our squares into a lap quilt. Even though we all have the same 7 squares, each one looks different but all speak of our love for each other.

And lately I have been making tags and cards from old quilts.
These I have for sale on my allthingshomey.etsy shop. 

Also I have been making fabric swatch tags. The examples below are free for you to download and print.
Just click on the picture, then right click to download and save to your computer or print.

Thanks for stopping by!  Would love to read your comments!
Thanks,

Sally S Swift!

May and Mothers Day

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

Thinking of my mother .......she would have been 106 today if she were still alive. She has been gone for 17 years and I miss her terribly everyday. If she were here, I would like to ask her many questions that didn't seem important 20 or 30 years ago. She was a part of a rapidly changing history and I would love to know more about her personal history.
One thing I remember about my mother is that she never complained about anything - never! She lived through the depression, the Second World War, many moves, widowhood and the last two years coping with a stroke and dementia. Yet she never complained.

And I am also thinking of my three daughters and the tremendously great job they do as mothers to my 12 grandchildren. I am proud of each one and thank God for Blessing me with them. My quiver is full!

My Mother loved to read and in her honor I have created two bookmarks that you can download and print. They are 2" x 8.5",

Click on image to print or save to your computer. Original art may not be copied or sold.

Thanks for looking - I would love to read your comments! 
Happy Mothers Day!

Sally S Swift

All nature praises the LORD

For over 10 years I have looked forward to the coming of Easter when I find evidence of nature praising God. The new growth of a particular pine tree, in Florida, shows it's praise in the form of crosses at the tips of each branch. It makes my heart want to join them in Praising the God who made all.
I have never been able to get close enough to take a picture. These are tall pine trees. This year I found some, not too tall, and I borrowed my daughter's camera and her son and we went picture taking. John-Thomas did an awesome job taking the picture in the above page. Then he selected the background paper and I did the rest of the page.
One of my favorite pages because it has been simmering in my heart for over 10 years. I hope you enjoy it.
Easter is all about new life. The new life that Jesus gives us through His blood shed on the cross and through our acceptence of his sacrifice to cover our sins.
New Life comes through the crosses on pine trees and also comes from chicks pecking out of their eggs. I have been decorating eggs at Easter for over 50 years. Two of the quail eggs on my tree are 50 years old. Some are over 40 years old and some are just days old.
Happy Resurrection Day to all.

Easter baskets, Rabbits and Paper bags

Easter Baskets, Rabbits and Paper Bags!

Spring is in the air and I am feeling crafty again.  My daughter (Colette) and her family (husband and three children, ages 16, 14 and 10)  recently moved to New Zealand.  She called to ask if I could help with her Easter Basket dilemma.
Easter is quickly approaching and all of their furniture, belongings and Easter Baskets are in a container, on a slow boat - headed for New Zealand sometime in May.  Colette was looking on several craft sites and came across a paper bag turned into an Easter Basket. I thought this would be easy to make and easy to mail. Since greeting cards are expensive there, I also made 10 hand embossed cards and added them to the package. That's more crafting that I've done since my surgery in November. Feels good to be back creating again.   And you know I love buttons - so I added a few of those as well!

Hand made Easter Bag/Baskets!

Please leave me a comment if you would be interested in the patterns!  I have also added some cute Easter Rabbit down-loads to my Etsy store!  Happy Crafting and Happy Easter

Merry Christmas and Happy NEW Year

Merry Christmas and Happy NEW Year

I have missed connecting with you on Etsy and here as I have been recovering from knee replacement surgery.  My daughter, Colette, had updated her blog and posted about some of the Christmas ornaments I made for her.  I hope you enjoy her blog and I hope to be back crafting and connecting soon!

Happy New Year!

Sally

http://ewe-scrap.blogspot.com

Happy Thanksgiving to all

and for my loyal followers, I have a special digital download sale at sssstudio.etsy. Buy 2 digital downloads and get 2 FREE, of equal or lesser value.

When you order 2 digital downloads, type in the 2 free downloads, (of equal or lesser value) in the comment section so you will only be charged for two but will receive 4.

Give your Christmas season a jump start by downloading all your tags and gifts.

(This offer ended Monday Noember 28th - please see the FREE Angel Card offer below)

Angel Card Giveaway

Three holiday cards with handmade angels, paper pieced. Highlighted with squiggles, chalk and a vintage shell button. Use two cards to giveaway and save one for yourself.


The inside is left blank for you to write your own message: Merry Christmas, Thanks, you're an Angel or one of your own choosing.


Each card measure 5" x 6 1/2" and comes with a matching envelope.


Leave a message in the comment section and one winner will be chosen December 7th.

Christmas Angel Pattern

Angels abound at Christmas time but really are all around us all the time.
This Angel can be made from pattern paper or stabilized cloth. She can be used as an ornament or on a scrapbook page, card or tag.

Click on the pattern and save to your computer. Open from your computer and size however you would like. Print and have fun with the Angel.

Be an Angel and don't sell the printed pattern. (c)Sally Swift 2011

Glad tidings to you all,

Holiday Craft Tutorial

DIRECTIONS FOR NAPKIN RINGS:
Fold napkin ring paper or card-stock, wrong sides together.
Open folds, using glue stick, glue entire wrong side area.
Fold on fold lines. Press out any air bubbles.
Roll short ends together and glue overlapping ends using tacky glue. Clip, using paper clips or clothes pins, until dry.
Burnish edges with Distress ink.
For extra strength and protection, cover with Mod-Podge.
Add Harvest or Christmas Acorns with hot glue.
Tie ribbon in small bow and hot glue to top of acorns.

DIRECTIONS FOR ACORNS:
A. Cut fabric circles 1 1/2" in diameter. Using double thread and needle, Baste around edge of fabric. Pull thread a little to draw up circle.
Put a fiber fill ball into fabric circle.
B. Pull threads tightly and knot thread, clip thread.
C. Using hot glue gun, glue ball into acorn cap. Add button on top of bow if desired.
Repeat for all Acorns.

If you don't have a supply of acorns in your area, I sell them on my Etsy Shop: Alll Things Homey.
You can send me a message telling me what you need and I will make a custom order just for you.
I also have in my shop other items made from the stuffed acorns that might give you some decorating ideas.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving to you and all that you are thankful for.

Sally