One in a Melon

I can't believe it's going to be August tomorrow. That means only 3 more weeks until the kiddos are back in school:-) The only problem is that it's still so hot out. Only one of my kids' schools has A/C:-(  I hope it drops into the 70's before school starts.

For this card I used one of my most favorite carts, Simply Charmed. I used my Gypsy to remove the face so it wouldn't cut and used a Boy Mates PK stamp instead. Yes, I think I went a little white gel pen happy and perhaps shouldn't have hi-lighted the face. I really need to take a class on hi-lighting --{with sarcastic voice} -- oh wait -- we don't have a scrap store that does that. The sentiment is from Scrappy Moms The Charmed Life set and the patterned cs is from DCWV Nana's Kids. I submitted it to FCCB's Monday Challenge and Paper Playtime's challenge. The Monday Challenge will have a new challenge beginning tomorrow. Paper Playtime will have a new challenge next Monday. They're really fun. Come by and play sometime. Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

That Takes The Cake

Welcome back crafting friends:-) My DH took the 13 mo for a walk this afternoon so I took advantage of the quiet time and whipped up a sweet card for a couple of challenges. Both Bitten By The Bug 2 and Die Cuttin' Divas wanted the Sweet Treats cart used. I love this cart. Although, every time I use it, I have the urge to eat ice cream. I have re-organized all of my card stock so I can't say exactly where the solids came from. The patterned is DCWV All About Girls stack. Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

Happy Holidays

Jump to the Just Wordz Celebration post by clicking HERE!

It's sure hard to think about cold & snow when it's 90+ outside with 80%+ humidity. So, to get a little holiday inspiration, I wandered through Hobby Lobby's Christmas displays:-) Really, it was research! {hee hee}. For this card I used the Winter Woodland cart, some cuttlebug embossing folders for texture, a background stamp from Stampin' Up for a subtle pattern, some silver cs for that metallic feel, as well as a little bling for that "icey" feel.

I've submitted this card to Celebrate The Occasion, Wacky Wednesday, Cricut Cardz, Throwback Thursday, and Cricut 360. Go check out these challenges. There is still some time if you'd like to play along. Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

What's Up?

Just Wordz post HERE

It sure feels good to be making challenge cards again. That darned thing called "Life" interrupted my crafting time;-) This card is for Scrappy Moms Terrific Tuesday Challenge. I was so excited that one of the carts was Nifty Fifties - my favorite! I was bummed to notice I didn't have their A Pinch And A Dash stamp set:-( I swear I did when I started this card, but I soon will:-) Looks like it shipped yesterday. So I had to improvise and use a cute font on my computer, Fabulous 50s. Thanks for stopping by:-) Have a creative day!

Just Wordz Celebration Week 2

If you are new to my blog, Welcome:-) If you've been a loyal follower, Thanks for coming back. Today ends the second week of Kimberly's Just Wordz Stamp Release Celebration.  I created this card with one of my favorite sets from Stampin' Up, A Little Bit of Magic. I used Plum Pudding grosgrain ribbon from PTI, pp from DCWV Summer Dreams stack and a sentiment is from Just Wordz, Everyday Sentiments.

I went back to my old love of watercoloring. Since this is such a small and detailed stamp. I used my wc pencils after I stamped the image with Memento black ink pad on water color paper. I must have been a little too close when I "shimmer spritzed" the watercolored image... had a little "running" incident. Normally, I would have redone the image but, as usual, it was late and I was getting ready for vacation.

Now, for the fun stuff...  Visit Just Wordz blog and leave a comment on each Friday's Celebration post for a chance to win a new set of Just Wordz stamps. You get extra chances by leaving comments on all of the DT members posts as well as if you add her button to your sidebar:-) Easy right? So go check out Kimberly's site HERE as well as the other DT members.

ANNE

TARA

DOREEN

CORRY

Thanks for stopping by! Have a creative day:-)

Metal Die Storage Ideas

Yes, I did a new video! It's getting less intimidating. I still don't like being in front of the camera, but I   Love   Love   Love  filming and editing on my Mac! After I submit this comment, I'm heading to the Apple store to get iLife '11. I've been learning about all of the cool things it does. Now, I just need and actor/actress {insert sublimal thought - Mary} to do crafting demos and I'll be a happy mommy:-) Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

Just Wordz Stamp Release Celebration

Today Kimberly at Just Wordz is celebrating the release of her new stamp line! I am privileged to be one her first Design Team. I just love working with these stamps. They are so versatile and much easier than printing on cardstock from a computer. You can arrange as few or as many words as you like, in any direction, and sometimes any shape:-) She is giving away one of her sets just for leaving a comment each week that her celebrations runs.

Here is my card using two words from her set. The cut is from the Nifty Fifties Cricut Cartridge, the embossing is the Nifty Fifties coordinating Cuttlebug folder, and the cardstock is from Stampin' Up and DCWV Nana's Kitchen. I also used S/U dazzling diamonds for the martini and beaded a wire for the "glass id tag".

If you came from her site to check out mine, thanks for stopping. If you're already a follower and haven't discovered Kimberly's wonderful blog, you can click HERE. You can also visit the other DT members to have an extra chance at winning Kimberly's stamps.

ANNE

TARA

DOREEN

CORRY

Heartbreaking News

Without going into a long disscertation, my BFF Mary from Just Cut The Paper, has been in Austin with one of her sisters who is dying of stage 4 cancer. It started out as breast cancer.. double mastectomy, chemo, MRI and good news, all gone. Until recently, something they thought was swelling, ended up being a tumor. She said the physicians don't give her much time. I'm so heartbroken. Please stop by her blog when you get a chance and give her some encouragement. I think she could really use it right now. Thanks for stopping by.

Scrapper In The Making Hop

I have to say, that was one of the most enjoyable blog hops I've ever been on.  Felicia at http://scrapperinthemaking.blogspot.com is doing a 100+ hop today. All but one site on the hop had word verification turned off. I think that bloggers on hops should all do this. It makes it quicker for moms with little ones like me to get through more sites. I've always had mine off and have never had any "issues". I think it makes blogger less "fussy" with it off. Someone had suggested that I leave it off and I can still delete questionable comments if I needed to. Go check out Felicia's hop. There is a lot of wonderful inspiration:-) Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day!

You Shine!

I took the suggestion from Charity and started using scraps for a challenge card since I had no power (my DH wasn't amused that I asked for a generator just for my cricut & gypsy). The card is 5x5 with coordinating paper strips, 4" x 1-1/4". I was going to use punches and ric rac to make a sun but I wasn't happy with how it came out so I ended up using my cricut to make a cut. The sun is from EDPD and the sentiment is from Scrappy Mom's Sweet Somethings set. This card is for Paper Playtime, Cooking With Cricut, and Wacky Wednesday. There is still time if you'd like to enter any of these challenges. Click on a challenge name and the link will take you there. Thanks for stopping by! Have a creative day:-)

My Cozies Came!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you tell I'm super excited. Maybe I need a few more exclamation points in my title? :-) Kathy made me the most brilliant CE and Kindle covers ever!! I had bought a Kindle for my daughter for doing well in school this year. I just gave it to her with the cover and now I can't find her. I'll post the pic on FB later, I guess. But here is my new cover.

I hunted for 1950's kitchy fabric and found this print on eBay. I sent her the link and she purchased it for me. She coordinated this wonderful polka dot fabric and added the perfect crocheted flower. I know you might be thinking, "why not purple?".  I did consider it, but I'm thinking of doing my room in a 1950's kitchen decor. I just love 50's kitchen stuff! :-)  Hmm, now I don't know if I want to use my Cricut now because it's so darned cute!!

No Power:-(

Well, I was so wanting to get back to card making this week but it doesn't look optimistic. ComEd says maybe a few days before we get power back. That's what we get for moving out to the country - bottom of the list. Luckily I have a Verizon Hotspot so I can get internet, not very fast internet, but it's communication, at least:-) Hopefully we get power back before I leave on vacation next week. Right now, I'm on the hunt for a generator. Rumor has it that there aren't any around here. Hope springs eternal;-) Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

I was featured on Birthday Sundaes:-)

I apologize for tooting my own horn on a Sunday, but I'm so excited! I just saw I was picked as one of the feature cards for last weeks Birthday Sundaes challenge.

Best Friend Blogger Award

Wow! What can I say but thank you, Pam. I'm so honored that you consider me a blogger friend. You are super sweet. By accepting this award I need to tell you one thing about myself... I love blogging and meeting new friends. I have been doing this for over a year now and have met some of the nicest people. Ever since I became pregnant a couple of years ago, my social life took a nose dive. It was very hard for me to go out with friends because I physically couldn't or taking a baby to lunch was too complicated. I found a new social outlet by blogging. I didn't think much of it at first, but have since found this crafting community of bloggers a wonderful inspirational and supportive group. I am so grateful to have met so many fabulous and talented people, it's hard to pick just 5 to pass this award on to.

Please take time to visit my wonderful new friend, Pam at craftycards4u2 who gave me this fabulous award, as well as my BFF Mary at Just Cut The Paper, Glora at Glora's Crafts, Charity at The Bookin Room, Ana at Scrappy Pink Corner, and Kimberly at Just Wordz.

Christmas in July

I know it's hard to think about Christmas cards now when it's 90 degrees outside (here in the Midwest at least), but that's what Celebrate The Occasion blog challenge wants. I thought I would incorporate First Of The Month blog challenge also, so I used the Doodlecharms cart for the card. The cardstock is from DCWV The Eco Stack and S/U's (Stampin' Up) Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. I used my new die from My Creative Time to stamp the sentiment from S/U's Teeny Tiny Wishes on to, and the ribbon is from PTI (Papertrey Ink). Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

Stay Cool In The Pool

Now that we're well into summer and Independence Day celebrations are past, Hobby Lobby has started filling their shelves with Christmas Decor. LOL! I can't even think past tomorrow let alone Christmas! I sure hope there's stuff left by the time I start my Christmas crafting. On that note, I'd like to share with you a summertime card that I'm entering on FCCB's Monday Challenge, Cooking with Cricut, Cricut Cardz, and Scrapalicious USA challenges. Yes, I used that Nifty Fifties cart again. Love that darn thing. Some yummy twine and brads and a fabulous sentiment from My Creative Time's Have Fun In The Sun set are also used. Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

Starfish birthday card

Now that the big birthday party is over and clean-up is done, I am back to my craft room. Oh my! Did I leave this mess?;-) Well, I'll just leave cleaning this room for another time. For now, I need to create!

This card is for Birthday Sundaes, Bitten By The Bug 2, and Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges. I used the Life Is A Beach cart for the starfish and a background stamp from Stampin' Up. The cardstock is from DCWV Baby Boy Stack & Stampin' Up. I also used twine from The Twinery, starfish charm from Blue Moon Beads, and a sentiment from the S/U Teeny Tiny Wishes set. Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

My Birthday Boy

I can't believe that it was 366 days ago I gave birth to my third wonderful child. He is simply my ultimate joy and the answer to my prayers. He is also very representative of his birthdate, July 4. What a happy, spirited, little firecracker:-) We had a perfect day for his first birthday celebration. Warm, sunny weather and no rain for the swim party. I think everyone had a fun time, only a little potato salad and baked beans were left (my mom made enough for 100 people I think). Ryan's favorite gifts were the FP airplane from his uncle who is a pilot and the big wagon from mom and dad.

I wanted to share the cake I made using my Cricut cake. I used the Walk In My Garden cart for the turtle, Nate's ABCs for the letters, and Holiday Cakes for the scalloped edges. I'm not sure how many of you have used the sugar sheets with the CC but I wasn't too pleased. I thought I would try them because they are thinner and don't cost as much as fondant. Well, they kept catching on the blade and ripping. The one thing about fondant is that if it does, you can stop, smoosh it together, and cut again. With the sugar sheets if it rips, you just have to pitch it. After some trial and error, I finished the cake at 2am Monday. I think it came out cute, not professional, but good enough. Have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by:-)

What a cheesy smile:-)

A Sweet Hello

Good morning crafters! Hope all of you had a fabulous Fourth:-) Let's just say I'm glad the day is done. Big birthday party for my baby who turned 1 (one). Yes, he's my little firecracker for sure. Action plus!

Ruthie asked if I would do a card for her July Tacky Tuesday Challenge showcasing a cool summer treat and using the word sweet. Since I've been in this 50's zone, (you'll soon find out what I'm talking about when I get a certain package from a certain Kathy) I used one of my favorite carts, Nifty Fifties, along with the coordinating embossing folder. I also used swiss dots and script folders. The cardstock is S/U, the twine is from The Twinery, the sentiment is from Scrappy Moms Sweet Somethings set, and of course Stickles. I sized this card to fit into a 6.5" x 5" envelope. I have quite a surplus of these purchased at a local drugstore sidewalk sale:-)

Please join us on Facebook for September Ninth's Tacky Tuesday's Challenge. It's extremely fun! Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day:-)

All-American Happy Birthday:-)

Wow! Has it really been since Tuesday that I posted a project? Time flies when you're taking care of a sick baby and getting ready for his party while the DH is stuck in Calgary:-P So, guess what I did the second he got home? I couldn't get to my craft room fast enough! :-) Here is what I whipped up so I could get it submitted before the deadlines (I've actually stayed up all night at times making cards only to discover I missed the time cut-off).

For this Critcutless card I used a large chipboard star from Stampin' Up (S/U). The smaller faux-button star is paper punch from EK Success. I used a new die I bought from Papertrey Inc (PTI) for the red "ric-rac". The sentiment is also from PTI - Birthday Basics. I used a technique for the stamped image that I saw online awhile back -- alter the shape of a long clear acrylic stamp as you place it on the stamping block. I added some air-mail twine from The Cupcake Social and Stickles. The challenges are Birthday Sundaes, Monday Challenge, Celebrate The Occasion, Paper Playtime, Wacky Wednesday, Penny's Paper-Crafty, and Crop Stop. Check out these challenges. There may still be time to play:-) Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative day!