Missing Gypsy:-(

Well, I was all excited to start making Christmas gift tags when I discovered my Gypsy was missing! I made it a point to keep it in my cross-stitch bag so that it was always with me and wouldn't get lost in the move. I'm fairly certain it made it to the new house but I vaguely remember taking it to to the Honda dealer so I could work on it while my Odyssey was being serviced. I called the dealer today and they didn't see anything like what I was describing but would check the offices on Monday to see if anyone locked it up. I can't tell you how distraught I am. I know I can buy a new one and send it to ProvoCraft to have them fix it so I can load all of my carts again, but that means I'll be without a Gypsy for quite a few months. I'm just sick about it. Has anyone ever lost their Gypsy or am I the only absent-minded brunette?

Moved in but far from settled

Well, after being all packed and ready to move, the builder decided he needed more time. So, three weeks later we closed and moved in even though the house was still not complete. I am going through crafting withdrawal right now. I do have my own "crafting/sewing sanctuary" but it is far from being usable. I missed out on all of the good Cricut sales. I haven't even gone into a Michaels or an Archivers in months. Now with the holidays coming up, I'm so upset I won't be able to make my Christmas cards. My goal is Jan 2 to get it all put together. I want to celebrate with my first You Tube video and a give-away. I see that Robyn and Tammy are doing a Cricut cruise. I wonder if I can beg for that for my birthday. I don't think I have a very good chance because I can just hear my DH say, "This house is your birthday present". Hmmmm.

Teacher's Quilt

I finally finished my daughter's quilt for her 5th grade teacher which means I'm roughly two years late. I had intended to have her give it to her teacher on teacher appreciation day, but that day came and went. So, after a visit from the stork, an out of state job transfer for my DH, along with a subsequent home sale prep and new home build, I finally have it done! Oh, well. As they say..... 

Halloween Altered Pail

Here are pics of a pail that I altered for a challenge. It was from the local dollar store. I had a lot of fun using beads, charms, UTEE, and alcohol inks. I did learn, though, that different paper fades ink color when gel medium is applied.

Baby Thank You Card

Wow, two cards in one day! My DH took the baby for a stroller ride on the bike path and the other two are outside enjoying the humidity-free day. I needed another thank you card for a baby gift I just received so I made a quick card which passes two blog challenge criteria. Cricut Cardz Challenge was to incorporate a scalloped shape and at Papercutz Challenge I needed to use 1 ribbon, 2 buttons, and 3 colors of my choice. 

A Crafty Little Place Challenge

Sometimes "anything" challenges are the real challenge, but this time it worked well. I needed to do a birthday card for my aunt. She has collected owls ever since I can remember so I was really excited to use my Hoot N Holler cart. I normally layout my cards before I glue them down but this time I didn't. I made the base and put the on the ribbon before I did my cuts. I decided that I should have done a solid top with the ribbon higher because the words don't show as well. At least it's better than store bought:-)

Paper Playtime Challenge

"If I had more time I'd use a different cart.... " I hear myself saying over and over. I'm not usually the "cutesy" type but I just love this darn Create a Critter cart! It's so quick and easy to use. I should post some of my altered books so you can see I'm more into the "grunge" look. So here is my entry for this weeks Paper Playtime Challenge. EIEIO was the theme.. I just had to do the cow. Not too creative I know but like I said, I don't have much time these days.

Momo's Tuesday Challenge

I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I saw Momo's Tuesday challenge. Black, White and ANY color? Really!? And of course I love penguins and I can't get away from that darn wonderful Create a Critter cart so naturally... A purple penguin:-) My 8 week old even slept an hour this afternoon so I could make the card AND upload it! I think he's making progress Ü

Cuttlebug Spot Challenge

Well I literally had 20 min to get a card done. I'm not so sure I'm happy with it but, I wanted to make sure I had an entry for the Cuttlebug Spot Challenge this week. The theme was babies and you'd think I'd have enough inspiration to come up with something more creative. But, maybe that was my issue. Baby overload! If I have more time this weekend I'll try a LO and be a little more creative.

Paper Playtime Challenge #9 Anniversary

I really like these Lite carts. Even though I can't get them dirt cheap on Ebay I still think they are a value. The images are very relevant and the layers are easy to put together. It helps a not so artistic person, like myself, make something very satisfying. This 8x8 LO uses the Hoot n Holler Lite cart. I made this not only for the Paper Playtime challenge but also for my DH. Our anniversary is tomorrow (26th) and I thought I'd put a cute pic of us in the frame and give it to him.

Tuesday Challenge

I made this onsie from the B is for Boy lite cart for Momo's Tuesday challenge. I love doing these iron ons. My 6 week old barely fits in it at 12 pounds. I guess I'll be making some more soon:-)

Paper Cutz Challenge #53

Well, this was a no brainer! Paper Cutz Challenge was to make a card, LO or craft project using a digital, hand stamped or Cricut cut image of a monkey, skunk, squirrel or hedgehog and any colors we'd like. I just love the Create A Critter cart so needless to say I used the hedgehog for this challenge:-) I also needed a birthday card for a little girl who's party my son is attending this weekend. I used the stamped wording from My Pink Stamper's Punnylicious set. I wrote "...about your birthday" on the inside in order to make it a birthday card.

Throwback Thursday Challenge #9

Wow! I got another LO done! Yipee! Only a million more to go;-) I'm counting on these challenges to help me make a dent in my scrapbooking! This LO is for Emma's Throwback Thursday Paisley/Back to school challenge. As you can see this LO is for the pics taken when my son started Kgtn. He starts 3rd grade next Monday. Where does the time go? I have a feeling time is going to escape me even more with an infant in the house.

Paper Playtime & Paper Cutz Challenges

I had forgotten I made a promise to myself to use these blog challenges as an incentive to get more scrapbooking done. Due to time limitations with a newborn and two other children (and 2 dogs) I've been cheating and doing cards. Now that I'm feeling a little more spunky and Ryan's in somewhat of a nap routine I'm going to pump out some LOs. Simple at first, but at least I'll be closing the 13 year+ gap. This LO is for Paper Playtime & Paper Cutz Challenges. I definitely have plenty of pics for that challengeÜ

Momo's Tuesday Challenge

This is my entry for this week's Tuesday Challenge at http://madebymomo.blogspot.com . This week's theme was Flower Shower. I used two carts for this card, Create A Critter for the umbrella and Sugar and Spice for the flower button.

Paper Playtime Challenge #10 Miss You

I apologize in advance for the short, uninteresting blog post. I've been running on empty today but really wanted to get at least one challenge done before the week is officially over. I had cut the background out to lay horizontal but ended up putting it on vertically. I probably should have auditioned all of the backgrounds before taping it down. That ATG tape doesn't come off well if you change your mind:-) I added the buttons on the bottom because it looked like it needed something down there. I used the cute lamb from Sugar and Spice Lite cart. I does look a little more juvenile than I wanted it to. Oh, well. At least I got one done. I think I'll try and stay awake and get another challenge done before the next feeding:-)

Surgery

Well, bad news from the Orthopod. I need to have surgery on my hands to alleviate the carpel tunnel. He says I already have muscle atrophy in my right hand and I don't have any other option. I guess I'll need to learn how to use one hand for the next 6 to 9 weeks, to make cards:-) I'm definitely stubborn. I love these challenges and I'm not going to let a few stitches and a brace interfere! Wish me luck!

Cricut Cardz Challenge

I just love cupcakes! This weeks Cricut Cardz Challenge was to make a card using a cake, cupcake, cookies or candy. I used the Sweet Treats Cart along with DCWV Sweet Stack and Scrappy Moms stamp. Thanks for looking:-)

Paper Playtime Challenge #8 Flower Power

Well, I'm a tad behind (okay very behind) with my blog challenges. This card was rather quick. Not too creative I'd have to say but I wanted to be included in the drawing. I've forgotten how much time newborns demand and how much sleep I demand :-/ I've had this tie-dye paper for a long time and I thought it would be perfect for this "challenge".

Momo's Tuesday Challenge

I'm so excited to be doing these blog challenges again. I'm feeling somewhat back to normal (as long as I don't look at my mid-section).  This is for Momo's Tuesday Challenge - Super Girly. I definitely needed to do something girly this week since I was by myself with my 2 week old all week. My husband took my other two up the the lake cabin for vacation while I stayed home. I was able to get a couple of challenges done. I will post the other tomorrow. Thanks for looking:-)

New Addition on the 4th

Ryan Jacob entered the world with 4th of July fireworks ❊ His siblings couldn't be more excited and his mom couldn't be in more discomfort. Four hours of labor (which I have never experienced before and intend to never again) then a quick C section and our newest family member was here. He is a week old now and I'm feeling a just well enough to start checking emails and trying to catch up on all of the blogs I follow. I wonder if there is a remote control for an iMac. I could multi-task to the max during feedings;-) I try and use my Gypsy during nap times but end up napping myself. I can't wait to start scrapping my newest subject Ü

ASC20 Flower Power

Whew! Got another challenge done before baby arrival:-) This one is for Aly's Sunday Challenge. This week she wanted flowers as embellishments or flowers on an image you use. Anyway that we can see flowers. I used different sizes of the flower from Gypsy Wanderings, and distressed with Tim Holtz inks. I took two pics, one w/o Shimmer and one with. Couldn't decide which I liked better. I just bought the Shimmer spray so I thought I'd use it and see how it looks. What do you think?

Without Shimmer Mist

With Shimmer Mist

My Altered ATG gun

Well, I jumped on the bandwagon and altered my ATG gun. I think purple is just so much more inspirational than red (no offense to likers of red). I was a little nervous about putting it back together and it not working. I may need to work on the black trigger a little. It seems to stick. Maybe a little WD40?

Ribbon Storage

Tammy over at Creative Critters Cricut Club sent out a request for a pic of how we store our ribbon and our thoughts. To be honest I haven't found the perfect solution yet. This is how I'm storing my ribbon until we move in Oct. I'll have my own private sewing/crafting room so I'm hoping to pick up a solution by then and incorporate it into my new area. I am so glad everyone will be sharing their solutions on Tammy's blog Ü

Storage for ribbon on rolls

Storage for scraps and ribbon on cards

Throwback Thursday

I am just lovin' these challenges in which we need to do a layout. I'm so embarrassed to say how far behind I am with scrapbooking my children. I got into the instant gratification of card making. It takes me almost a whole day to do a 2-page layout and who has time for that? I'm lucky if I get 30 min of uninterrupted "me" time.

Anyway, this is my entry for Emma's Throwback Thurs challenge. The requirements were to use the Doodlecharm cart and it needed to be a LO. I also used the Stamped cart to weld the year vertically.

Cricut Cardz Challenge

Well, I was able to get another challenge uploaded. I hope I get through the weekend to finish a few more, but tomorrow is a full moon and a lot of babies are born during low atmospheric pressure. My first was anyway. So I'll keep cutting, gluing and glittering until I have to go to the hospital. Maybe I'll even get to bring my Gypsy;-) 

This Cricut Cardz Challenge was to make a card for a wedding using any cartridge(s) or colors we'd like. I wanted to try out one of my new embossing plates from SU. I couldn't get it to emboss very deep so the pattern is difficult to see. The silver CS also reflected my camera's flash so it is hard to distinguish the black CS behind the silver.

Momo's Tuesday Challenge

I'm definitely slowing down on these challenges. This carpel tunnel is getting worse. Ugh! Dr. says it should go away after the baby is here. I hope so! I'm lovin' these challenges toooooo much! This is my entry for Momo's Tues challenge "Spots and Dots". I couldn't decide on the paper/cardstock. There are so many! I was excited to use the Create a Critter cart again. I love it. I think my next purchase is going to be the faces for these critters from Peachy Keen.

Paper Playtime Challenge #3

Janis' theme for Challenge #3 is RED, WHITE, & BLUE in honor of Flag Day this week. My submission is a card using DCWV Summer Stack paper and the butterfly diecut from Gypsy Wanderings. This is the first time I have used my Gypsy to cut on my CE and I have to say it was very slick. I need to get used to such a small screen but it is more convenient than DS.

Hidden Treasures Challenge #3

This weeks Hidden Treasures Challenge is Camping/Outdoors! Kelli's criteria is anything that reminds you of camping or a nice summer outing. I used DCWV Green Stack along with some S/U cardstock. The tree was cut with the My Community cricut cart. My dad is a real outdoorsy guy so I'm going to use this as a FD card:-)

Cricut Cardz Challenge #28

This is my entry for the Cricut Cardz Blogspot challenge. This week the rules are to make a card using shoes and any cartridge(s), colors or theme you'd like. I chose to do a card instead of a layout since I was short on time. I was thinking "baby shoes" but didn't have the enough time to sort through all of those baby pics:-)

Throw Back Thursday Challenge #2

This is for Emma's 2nd Throwback Thurs Challenge. For this challenge we were to use the Stretch Your Imagination cart and use the colors brown, red, and blue. I'm in the phase of using these challenges to get some of my scrapbooking done. I found this perfect paper from My Mind's Eye and remembered the kids had made gingerbread houses a couple of years ago. I'll try and work on the other page later. Need to make the deadline tonight.

Paper Playtime Challenge

This is my submission for Paper Playtime Challenge #2. The theme for Challenge #2 is "In thy face I see Honor, Truth, & Loyalty." It may be interpreted any way we liked. I thought this was a perfect way to get my mom's pictures from Mount Vernon scrapbooked for her. I thought this quote epitomized George Washington.

Canadian Nickel Summer Challenge

This is my submission for the Canadian Nickel's Summer Challenge. Nicole's challenge is to make any "summer inspired" project, altered item, card or layout. I always relate stawberries to summer. More specifically strawberry shortcake. Yum! I found this cute strawberry on the Paisley cart and the perfect paper in the DCWV Summer Stack.

Baby Onesies

While waiting for baby #3 I decided to try my hand again at cutting fabric with my Cricut Expressions. I tried a year ago while making an applique quilt but couldn't get it to cut without shredding. I googled many sites to see what other people used for their settings but I couldn't quite replicate their successes. I gave it another try after reading some older posts on JoysLife.com. She had very different settings and voila! It worked! Thank you Joy:-) These are my first successes. I did use black fabric paint to accentuate some of the facial features that didn't show up as well on fabric as they did on cardstock.

Throwback Thursday -Animal Kingdom

Here is my first entry for Emma Aguilar's My Creative Time Throwback Thursday Challenge. I really like this idea of using past Cricut carts. For this card I did use the Animal Kingdom cart along with the Camp Out cart. I distressed the moose with Tim Holtz's distress embossing powder. It looks like real rusted metal. Pretty cool! The background is the Weathered BG stamp from SU as well as the Top Note die and inks.

Father's Day Card for MPS challenge

This is my first uploaded card and I'm so excited I actually did it. My Pink Stamper is having a drawing for a Cricut Machine tomorrow for all who submit a FD card. I know I have one already but I thought I would donate it to my kids school if I won. I became a Cricut junkie from going to some all day crops there last year. Some moms would bring in their CE and carts to share with us. I used the EPD cart along with DCWV High School stack, SU cardstock, PK and SU stamps, and twill from Joann's. I'm crossing my fingers!

My first post

As I await our newest member of the family, I decided to go ahead and start a blog page. I have seen all of the creative bloggers out there and thought I'd like to get in on this trend and share what I have learned or created. I'm more of a  "Jill of all crafts, master of none" but I like it that way. I am still learning about setting up and maintaining blogs so any hints or suggestions are very welcome. I don't have a store or sell anything online. This is strictly a hobby to keep me sane and stay current with what is happening in the crafting/art world. This may turn into an eclectic blog, not strictly scrapping or papercrafting since there are so many hobbies I like to do. Maybe I'll inspire someone to take up a new hobby or maybe I'll give the impression that I am CADD (crafting attention deficit disorder). Whichever it is I'm having fun with what I'm doing and that's what's most important, right?