Sunday, December 30, 2007

My Favorite Things Really Are My Favorite Things!

I finally made my first purchase with My Favorite Things and I have fallen in love with their stamps! They stamp so well and are so much fun to color. All of the phrases that you need come with the sets. I started with about six sets and am waiting on another that was backordered. I inked up the "Rain or Shine" for an order made by my mother-in-law. I wanted to keep the design simple since I needed to make a dozen. I used the main image on the front and the phrase "rain or shine" and on the inside, I stamped "I'll be your umbrella, get well soon" and the umbrella. I used Stickles as accents on all of the umbrellas. I also coordinated the envelopes by stamping the cute little boots in the corner. I added a ribbon on each front that matched that cardstock that matted the stamped image.

Edited to add: This turned out pretty dark but if you click on the image you can see the details.

Supplies:
My Favorite Things "Rain or Shine"
Bazzill cardstock
Halcraft cards and envelopes
Stickles
Craft ink from Joann Fabrics
Random ribbons from stash

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. I certainly am and appreciate being a teacher and having a few extra days off. We will go back next Wednesday so I am trying to relax and enjoy the break.

I have made the most of the frames from the dollar store. Someone at work asked for a name plate so I made it for her nephew. She just requested that it be boyish and I could choose the colors and everything. I really enjoy altering different items!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

More Revamped Frames

I was commissioned to make two of the altered frames for a friend at work who saw them and really liked them. I love these frames and went back and bought the rest!

Here are the two examples:


Supplies:
Basic Grey patterned paper
Random buttons and ribbons
Heidi Swapp brads and ghost shapes
Cricut machine with All Mixed Up and Alphalicious
Dollar Store frames

Sunday, December 9, 2007

25 Days of Christmas

Click on the picture to see it closer.

A bit closer look:


Here's another project that I entered into the Hallmark Scrapbook contest. I REALLY want to win!

The pictures of this project do not do it justice! I spend hours on this project and really enjoy it. I bought a basic cookie sheet, covered it with white paint and Martha Stewart glitter. Then, I chose some Reminisce patterned paper and Modge Podged it onto the sheet, then I added more glitter. I adhered a sheet of green Reminisce paper with Modge Podge and glitterfied it too! Needless to say, I have been covered in glitter from head to toe for days! Anyway, I used Joys of the Season to make all of the cuts for the days of Christmas. I decided to list all of the cuts that I made using the cartridge.

Here are the cuts:
calling bird, Santa & bag, sleigh, deer2, Santa, Santa face, candy, Santa hat, sled, skate, home, mittens, mug, penguin, layer from stocking1 to make a crown for the penguin, bear, stocking1, candle, gift1, horse, soldier, Christmas tree, flake3, flake4, bulb1, tree2, wreath2, holly, swirl border, Merry Christmas, 25 ornaments, numbers 1-25

Dollar Tree Find--Revamped!

I made my first project with the Dollar Tree frames that I bought. I actually made this one as a gift but must make one for our apartment too. The frame is so neat because it's three individual frames and has the perfect colors for the Basic Grey Figgy Pudding papers. I took the picture with some finds from Michael's because I think that I'm going to make a decorative arrangment. We'll see how that goes!

Anyway, to the project at hand!


Supplies:
Basic Grey Figgy Pudding
Buttons from stash
Random ribbons--Prima and Wal-Mart finds
Stickles
Heidi Swapp ghost star
Heidi Swapp chocolate brown brad
All Mixed Up Cartridge w/ Cricut
Me & My Big Ideas rhinestones
Making Memories fuzzy brad
Fancy Pants snowflake stamp from 12 X 12 stamp page

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Happy Birthday

I haven't posted in a few days but I've been very busy working on a big project that has to be done by the 15th. I did get a chance to make a birthday card for a friend of mine who is a music teacher. I thought this was appropriate!

I just got the new Joys of the Season cartridge from Hallmark Scrapbook and found that there are music notes on it so I started out there.


Supplies:
American Crafts patterned paper
Bazzill cardstock
Joys of the Season cartridge
Making Memories rhinestone brads
Zig marker
Black ribbon from stash
Karen Foster rub-ons

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Hallmark Scrapbook Rocks My Socks!

I just placed an order last Friday, the 30th, with Hallmark Scrapbook and it was here yesterday afternoon! That is awesome! I got Joys of the Season and some other goodies and have a great plan for a project that I'm going to enter into a contest! I am just so excited. This is going to be a good week for so many reasons!

Monday, December 3, 2007

Good day!

I know today is Monday but it was an awesome day! It was the last day of classes for the semester (all my projects are turned in too), I recieved the new Fancy Pants Christmas stamps from Jacksonbelle and the prize from a contest on Melissa Phillips's blog, I won second place in a contest on Bitten by the Bug, and my mom is going to order two cards from me.

It's been such a good day and I just hope that the rest of the week goes just as great!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Desk Calendar using Doodlecharms Cartridge













Here's what the calendar looks like standing up. I guess it's not really a calendar...more like a picture frame :).


This is a Christmas gift for my husband. I got wallet size pictures of us made and created a mini-scrapbook page for each month. I used so many supplies I will just give a general list: rhinestones, Zig markers, Distress Ink, Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye, American Crafts, Remniscence, DCWV, Sassafras Lass papers, ribbons, glitter, Stickles, felt, and other goodies! If you have any questions...please ask :).
I highlighted Doodlecharms cartride and here are the cuts:
3 snowmen, 3 snowflakes cut out of felt, envelope, tiny heart, circle tag, circle tag shadow, basket, circle from flower, palm tree top, 2 smaller dots from palm tree, watermelon center (these 4 things together made Grunge, a little guy on the 4-wheeler page), 3 hearts, 3 shadow hearts, 16 glitterfied hearts, popsicle and sticks, stem with three leaves, 3 pumpkins, 3 acorns, leaf, tree, tree shadow, and star as topper....whoa . I counted up 50 different cuts from the Doodlecharm cartridge .

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Dollar Tree Finds

My husband and I have a zany tradition of going to the Dollar Tree to look for stocking stuffers. We have a $10 price range and as soon as we hit the door, we split up in search of those neat unique things that one can only find at a dollar store. It's really a blast and not too expensive either!

Anyway, I hit the mother-load as far as alterable items goes today (and I will be returning tomorrow for sure!). I found an awesome picture frame and those travel mugs where you can create your own cover. With it being the Dollar Tree, everything really is a $. I will be back there tomorrow for sure!

I'll post pictures of my goodies once I have them altered!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Happy Holidays!

It's getting to be that time of year...the Christmas tree is up, there's Christmas music non-stop on 106.9, and it's getting colder. It's no doubt that Christmas has snuck up on us again this year. I will admit though, this is my favorite time of year (okay, other than summer), from Thanksgiving to my birthday on January 4th. It's a time for family and all of those things that we need to think about all the time.

Here's a card that I made a few weeks ago.


Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Basic Grey Figgy Pudding
"Happy Holidays" Studio G acrylic stamp
Green rhinestones are Me & My Big Ideas
Presents stamp is from $ section at Michael's
Colored in with Stampin' Up markers
Martha Stewart border punch

Sunday, November 25, 2007

More Cartridge Highlights

Oh man, over at Hallmark Scrapbooking, they are giving away a Cricut Expression. I think I might just jump out of my shoes with excitement if I were to win! I have five entries ready so far and have posted four of them. Here are my latest two:


Supplies:
Mickey & Friend Cartridge
Cricut
Bazzill cardstock
Basic Grey Figgy Pudding
K & Co. rub-ons
Snow Writer
Martha Stewart seam binding ribbon
Stickles
Black Zig marker


Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Bazzill scallop cardstock
Sassafras Lass patterned paper
Random ribbons--Prima and some from Michael's
Martha Stewart snow felt
Rub on tree from Hambly
Heidi Swapp ghost star
Making Memories rhinestone brad
Stickles
Martha Stewart glitter and glue
White paint
Martha Stewart snow border
Snow buttons from Michael's
Zig black marker
Me & My Big Ideas rhinestones

Saturday, November 24, 2007

New Arrival Cartridge Highlight



New Arrival Cartridge
I used the following cuts: Pregnant lady, "Baby Shower", "thank you" twice, presents, hat for the moon

I used all Bazzill cardstock, Figgy Pudding by Basic Grey for the shirt, Martha Stewart seam binding ribbon, and a button on the shirt and two little rhinestones on the shoes. I decided to think outside of the box for this entry. I made the pregnant lady into Santa's helper and put Crystal Effects with glitter on the hat, the tips of her pants, and the tips of her shoes. I added a button to the shirt and two green rhinestones to her shoes. I cut the presents out of a transparency then cut the bows in red. I covered the presents with Crystal Effects and then covered it with glitter. I cut out "Baby Shower" and used the word "Baby" and the "S" for the saying. Then, I cut out "thank you" twice and used the "an" and "a" to finish spelling out Santa. I topped it off with a ribbon at the bottom and popped up Santa's helper.

It was so fun to create something for Christmas from this cartridge.

Doodlecharms Cartridge Highlight



Here's a card that I made using the Doodlecharms cartridge with my Cricut. I used all Bazzill cardstock. I cut out the stocking out of the yummy paper from Paper Salon and then added the candy border at the top of the stocking with tons of wonderful Stickles. I flocked the bottom parts of the stocking also. I put Stickles all around the border of the card. Along the side of the card are circle tags that I used to make into a scallop border. I also added black brads in the holes that were naturally in the die cuts. I popped up the Christmas tree then put on some rhinestones and used my Snow Writer to accent the tree. A couple of final touches with Martha Stewart seam binding ribbon and a "merry christmas" stamp from the $ Michael's section topped off this card.

I like the bright colors and how the top of the stocking turned out.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Black Friday

Happy Black Friday!

My husband and I ventured out into the craziness that is Black Friday and I have to admit, I love it! Last year, we also went shopping on Black Friday for the deals but none of the doorbusters nor were we out before the rooster wakes. This year, the alarm was set for 3 a.m. and we knew we were going to Wal-Mart with visions of a 42" television dancing through our heads. We were walking through the electronic section of the store when someone asked what we were looking for and they led us in the right direction. We were 8th there and there were 11 televisions. This was at about 3:40 this morning. Well, needless to say, there were several people waiting there. There was only one person who was a problem and he had to be physically restrained. I couldn't believe it! They should have given out tickets so that it wasn't a rat race. Down the aisle from us, at about 4:50, people were opening up the packages so we did the same. The manager came over and yelled to put them all back until 5:00. Anyway, end of story, we got the TV and were home by 8:00 a.m. with all sorts of great deals! We'll do it all again next year....but maybe not be going for a doorbuster.

Okay, onto some cards. I found this beautiful paper at a LSS and thought that it doesn't need much embellishment.


Supplies:
3 Bugs in a Rug patterned paper
Bazzill black cardstock
K & Co. glimmer paper
Sewing machine
Rub-on "white christmas"
Random buttons from LSS
Frosted Lace Stickles


Supplies:
3 Bugs in a Rug patterned paper
Bazzill black cardstock
K & Co. glimmer paper
Martha Stewart twill
Random buttons from LSS
Faux rhinestones from Wal-Mart
"Winter Wonderland" with Dymo labelmaker (which broke somehow and has to be returned)

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Caardvarks Rub On Challenge

Woohoo! Caardvarks has such a fun challenge going on right now! It's using rub-ons...those lovely little things that I have a drawer full of. I had bought packages of rub ons for Halloween and Christmas from Michael's that were glitterfied and beautiful. I bought a package of adorable chickadees that were completely glitterfied so I went with the green, white, and black color combination. I just love this card!



Close up of glitterfied birds:

Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock--black, dark green, light green
Bazzill scallop paper--white
Chickadee rub ons from Michael's
"'tis the season" rub on in Reminisce package
Ribbon from Michael's
Pin from sewing box
Black brads--probably from Joann Fabrics
Black Stickles
Random buttons from stash
Black ink for distressing

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Thanksgiving Break

Tonight is the beginning of Thanksgiving break and it is so welcome. I guess on my grateful project, I should have put breaks as one of them. Anyway, I look forward to sleeping in, catching up on some work, and getting lost in the craft room.

Here are a couple of cards that I made that aren't actually Christmas cards!


Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Martha Stewart edge punch
American Crafts patterned paper
Martha Stewart binding ribbon
"Just thinking of you" rub on
Random buttons


Supplies:
Random black cardstock
American Crafts cardstock
"Happy birthday" Heidi Swapp stamp
Random black ribbon and brad
Rhinestones by Me & My Big Ideas

Monday, November 19, 2007

Blog Candy Winner

Okay, my random number generator...gotta love the husband....chose number 17 which is Jodene! Congratulations and please e-mail me your address so that I can get out your goodies. You will want these for your Christmas projects!

I Am Grateful for...

Wow! I made something that is not for Christmas! What a shock :).

I wanted to make something showing what I am grateful...it's important to think about this all of the time but this is the time of year where, I think, I realize it the most.

Also, Regina is holding a contest right now over at her Bitten By the Bug site and this fits in great there!


I attended the CATS cross stitch festival in Hershey, PA in 2002 and had this cute frame but never had a use for it...that is, until now! I decided to create an altered item that I can display every year. I used the Basic Grey Mellow papers along with Bazzill cardstock. I used Alphalicious and Doodlecharms with my lovely Cricut machine! I used the Alphalicious letters then traced my cute Doodlecharms leaves and acorn onto felt; then I cut out the felt shapes and handsewed them. I used Technique Tuesdays Williamsburg stamps for "for" and added little rhinestones that I bought at Michael's. I just used some white cardstock and printed my words out using various fonts then inked the edges of the papers. I added a line of pretty ivory lace that I found at Walmart. Oh yeah, I also used my Heidi Swapp edge distresser for the paper under "Grateful".

I think that it turned out really great and helped me to think about what I am grateful for and why. Regina, thanks for encouraging me to do this through your challenge.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Happy Holidays

I got a pack of cute little reindeer at Michael's and just had to find a way to use them.

On another note, this should be a nice week with just two workdays. Also, the college semester is winding to a close. Most of my final projects are complete and it's a great feeling. I just have one more paper to write and proofread and then I'm finished. It'll be such a phenomonal feeling in April or May when my degree is completely done!


Supplies:
Transparency from office store
Reindeer in sticker pack at Michael's
Reminisce patterned paper
Basic Grey red paper
K & Company glimmer cardstock
Ribbon and buttons from stash
Felt
X-Mas Red Stickles
"Happy Holidays" Michael's $ stamp

Friday, November 16, 2007

Blog Candy

Don't forget about the blog candy! The post is at the beginning of the next page (I don't know how to make it sticky) and it's going through the 19th so you still have time to comment.

I'm going to go get some cool cool stuff from the scrapbook store to give away this weekend!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Simple Merry Christmas

This card was incredibly easy! I love glitter too so making the heart so glittery was so fun....messy too!


Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Basic Grey patterned paper
Red buttons from stash
Making Memories chipboard scallop circle frame and heart
Martha Stewart Garnet glitter and glitter glue
Lace from Hancock Fabrics...on clearance 70% off :)
"Merry Christmas" stamp from Inkadinkado bought at Michael's

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

New Storage Solutions

I love to shop! Especially at craft stores...that means, in my town, Michael's and Creating Inspirations (our scrapbook store which rocks my socks). I was in Michael's wandering around with my 50% off coupon trying to decide what to get. Then, I saw the perfect thing! Michael's is carrying new storage containers that are awesome! There are three different kinds of units and they can be put together easily. You just need a screwdriver and anyone can do it. I must admit that I now have three because I happened upon three coupons...that's another story. Anyway, I also wanted to post a picture of my new gorgeous craft table! I love it so much and it serves my purpose perfectly. My mother-in-law and father-in-law found it on their way to a business trip. It is just great!


Close up of storage units (this is three separate units):

Believe in Snow

Okay, I admit it, I love snow, especially from inside with a nice hot cup of peppermint tea and snuggled up in a blanket with my toe socks and comfy clothes. I hope for snow this winter and sometimes it's hard to get snow because there hasn't been much in the past couple of years. I'm really hoping for some this year!

The card I made is so striking in person with the brilliant blue color, sharp white, and chocolate brown accents. I forgot that I had the make a snowflake kit from Technique Tuesdays so I was very pleasantly surprised to find it!


Supplies:
Bazzil scallop paper
My Mind's Eye Bohemia Christmas paper
Random white cardstock
Technique Tuesdays Limited Edition Make a Snowflake kit
Technique Tuesdays Williamburg Alphabet set
Random buttons and ribbon from stash
Making Memories brown brads

Monday, November 12, 2007

Snowman Love

I just think that this card is so adorable and it didn't start out that way. I didn't know that I was going to use my new snowpeople...but am so glad that I did :).


Supplies:
Bazzill scallop paper
Bazzill cardstock
Basic Grey paper
Black and red ribbons from stash
Green button from stash
"Merry Christmas" using label maker
Stickles--Lime Green and X-Mas Red
Doodlebug snowpeople and snowflakes
Cute little top hat--my own design

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Caardvarks Hand Stitching Challenge

I just loved designing this card! I made the snowman without a pattern but rather cut two circles from my Cricut machine and just traced that on my felt. Then, I stitched all around both circles with an irridescent fiber, brown floss for the eyes, mouth, and to stitch the arms on, and then a cool blue Kreinik fiber for the nose and to sew on the buttons. I added a nice white organza ribbon and four little snowflake buttons to the corners. I distressed all of the edges with white paint that I also used to stamp "winter." I also glitterfied the area over "winter" for some sparkle. I mounted it all on a piece of Bazzill scallop paper.


Supplies:
My Mind's Eye: Bohemia Christmas
Bazzill scallop paper
Snowflakes from Michael's
Organza ribbon from stash
Felt from stash...probably from Joann Fabrics
Kreinik fiber
DMC floss and fibers
White paint
Winter stamp from Making Memories foam stamp set
Buttons from stash

Saturday, November 10, 2007

More Holiday Cards

I had a great time last night making some new cards. It was even better since I have my new craft table and everything organized just how I like it. I also got to stop by the scrapbook store and found some new items that they had just gotten in the store.


Supplies:
transparency sheet
Candy Cane Lane: 12 Penguins Chillin'
red ribbon from Michael's
red felt from Joann Fabric's
Buttons from stash
stamp is Studio G from Michael's $ bin


Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Martha Stewart punch for scalloped bottom
Reminisce patterned paper
silver brads probably from Joann Fabrics
Ribbon from stash
"Joy" Kurio from Walmart
Rhinestones are icons by Me & My Big Ideas


Supplies:
Bazzill scalloped paper
Candy Cane Lane Polar Pinstripe paper
Rhinestones are icons by Me & My Big Ideas
K & Company shimmery paper
Buttons from stash
Ribbon from Walmart
"Merry Christmas" from Michael's $ bin

Friday, November 9, 2007

More Blog Candy

Wow! I'm at 2000 hits...thanks to everyone who keeps coming to visit my blog and see my stuff. I love reading comments and checking out other blogs as well.

I am dishing up some new blog candy! Brenda won my first one when I hit 1000 and I asked about everyone's favorite stamping company.

This time, please leave a comment letting me know how you found my blog.

Good luck to everyone...it'll be some yummy blog candy!

Oh yeah, you will have until November 19th to post your comment. Then, my random number generator (A.K.A. dear husband) will choose a number.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Busy Little Bee

I've been so busy and productive this weekend. It was so fun to pretend that I don't have a bazillion things going on in my life and just stamp and enjoy myself. I must do this more often!

I'll just put all of them in the same post and if you want to know how any are made, just let me know!



Supplies:
Bazzill scallop paper
Reminisce paper
Queen & Co. adhesive felt
"peace" Heidi Swapp chipboard letters
Faux rhinestones from Walmart
Martha Stewart twill



Supplies:
Reminisce paper
Bazzill scallop paper
Making Memories foam stamp
acrylic paint
Rick rack from stash
Martha Stewart glitter
"peace" Basic Grey chipboard
Modge Podge



Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Basic Grey Scarlet Letter paper
K & Company snowflake rubons
sewing machine and black thread
Cricut machine Stamped cartridge
Crystal Effects by Stampin' Up
Velvet ribbon from Michael's
Heidi Swapp edge distresser
Zig black marker



Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Reminisce paper
Martha Stewart ribbon
Buttons from button bag bought at LSS
Cricut machine
"noel" from All Mixed Up cartridge
circles from Mini Monograms cartridge



Supplies:
Bazzill cardstock
Basic Grey Scarlet Letter paper
Snowman stamp--Inkadinkado
Snowflake felt from Martha Stewart felt ribbon
Happy Holidays stamp by Studio G
Word Window stamp by Stampin' Up



Supplies:
Bazzill scallop paper and cardstock
Queen & Co. adhesive felt
Buttons from button bag bought at LSS
Velvet ribbon bought at Michael's
Turquoise Stickles
"joy" American Crafts Thickers

Friday, November 2, 2007

Joy



Supplies:
Basic Grey Figgy Pudding
Bazzill cardstock
Buttons from stash
Rusty Pickle brown ribbon
Diamond Stickles

I just love this little card. It may not have the most stuff but I just love the details of it. For the word "JOY" I used my Heidi Swapp chipboard letters. I noticed that the little part that was left in the "Y" looked like a little Christmas tree. I was trying to figure out where to put it and ended up putting it in the center of the "O" and I just love it! I used a strip of Rusty Pickles ribbon to put through the center of the card. The base of the card is Bazzill cardstock with a layer of chocolate brown and then Figgy Pudding on the card. I went through and used Diamond Stickles on the center of every circle. I also just love the buttons because I layered three little buttons on top of the blue button. It was just a lot of fun to make!