I found in one of my 100’s of boxes, this little antique typewriter frame.  I decided to put my mom’s picture in it because I have her antique typewriter in my office.  I wanted to do more than just put a photo in a frame.  My mom was a very creative person with decorating and sewing.  I learned a lot from her, so her photo had to be reflective of her creativity.  This is my favorite photo of her before she withered away and died from Alzheimer’s.  She’s wearing a dress she made in her favorite color, so I used Cameo Coral ink and cardstock.  I used the Vintage Vogue stamp set (117690 $23.95), the Scallop Trim Border punch and Medium Jewelry Tag punch (all from Stampin’ Up!).

My very first decorating project in the new house was framing this poster I got from a Stampin’ Up! Leadership Conference.   I took out the picture that was in this frame because the poster matched perfectly.  Most companies have a mission statement.  Not Stampin’ Up!  They have a Statement of the Heart.  "To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments, in this we make a difference!"  This looks so beautiful in my studio!

I am one of those people who love to take items (some people call junk) and make them unique.  I also don’t like decorating my house with impersonal stuff.  I like to surround myself with things that provide memories of my family and friends.  Here are some projects I’ve been working on for the new house.

This is the new "Home" Decor Elements from Stampin’ Up!  (e.g., Decor Elements are like rub-on’s.) Since we haven’t painted the walls yet, I decided to put it on top of the glass of a frame.  I used some retired Stampin ‘ Up! decorative paper (I love books) under the glass.  This was so simple to make.  I sanded the edges of the frame to shabby it up a bit. 

If you want to order the "Home" Decor Elements, it comes in Black, Chocolate, or White; and in three sizes:  13"x6 1/2" ($9.95); 19" x 9 3/8" ($12.95); or 26 1/2" x 13" ($14.95).  You can order it by calling me, emailing me or ordering it from my website.

I love this and do try to life my life this way.  I found it among my mom’s things when we were cleaning out her house.  I wanted to shabby it up, so I used the "Sanded" background rubber stamp (109294 $17.95) in Sahara Sand ink and stamped all around it.  Then I crumbled the entire piece of paper and smoothed it out.  Then I took a Creamy Caramel ink pad and dragged it all over.  Where the paper is wrinkled, it left a mark.  I glued the wrinkled paper to some cardstock and put it in a frame.

This is the top of an antique mirror.  I took out the picture that was in it and put in this page from a Palmer Handwriting Book.  I found this page at a junk sale.  This is the spitting image of how my mom wrote–perfectly formed letters–the Palmer method of writing.  I didn’t need to shabby  this up, as it’s already old and worn looking.  I glued it to Basic Black cardstock and added a Library Clip in the corner.  I took a photo of our new house and glued it to Basic Black cardstock that was punched with the Scallop Trim Border and Scallop Trim Corner (available from Stampin’ Up).  I took Soft Suede cardstock and used the "Sanded" background rubber stamp (109294 $17.95) in Soft Suede Ink on top of it.  I put the picture and page on the Soft Suede cardstock with Dimensionals.

Here is the front hall wall arrangement which includes the projects discussed above.  I love it!  Now you can see that your cardstock, ink and other supplies can be used for more than stamping and scrapbooking!

Here it is before anything is moved in.  One of my requirements for a studio was it had to be handicapped accessible.  I love having the natural light from the patio door.

The other end of the room is a built-in office, which I love.

My son-in-law spent one week helping us with our long "to do" list.  Here he is putting together one of three cabinets for my studio.  He also put together a dresser.  Ikea is great if you like to put together furniture (I don’t).

He is leveling and securing the cabinets to the wall.  I had boxes and boxes to unpack!

I have my tables in a "U" shape, but have flexibility to change the table layout.

Ink pads and cardstock galore!

Through this door is the laundry room with a refrigerator and microwave for snacks!  There is a door to the garage from the laundry room.  There is also a bathroom next to the laundry room.

A gas burning fireplace to keep the room toasty.  A ceiling fan to keep the room cool.  Satellite TV to catch the latest movies and shows.  Paper cutters and ribbon, ribbon and more ribbon.

I’ve beenwanting to hang up my punches with these Ikea rods.  I put Ikea clear drawer liner on the wall under the rods so the wall doesn’t get all scratched up from grabbing punches.

I even squeezed my treadmill between the office and studio.  This was the TV armoire that was too large for the living room.  It now is filled with craft  and office supplies.

I love having my office right next to the studio.  I wheel my chair back and forth throughout the day.

This is my third studio, but the first one that didn’t have to be constructed from bare walls.  I am so blessed and filled with joy to have this studio to share with my friends and family.

It was wonderful to host Christmas dinner at our new house.

We had plenty of snow to make it feel very Christmasy.

This is my hubby and I in front of our Christmas tree.

This is our daughter, son-in-law and the two grand girls.  Oh, and Lillyanna, the new doll.

This is our son and daughter-in-law, who will be having our third grand child any day.

My brother and nephew joined us at Christmas this year.  My son looks so much like my brother!  We had such a wonderful time celebrating together!