Happy New Baby

Whew!!  What a hot week it has been and I have been so busy.  The temperatures are soaring and I have been working on design team stuff that I get to share with you later.  I did take some time today to create this  Fun and Cute card.  I have been wanting to cut the cute little clothes line from my Cricut Straight From The Nest cart ever since I laid my hands on it and Laura's Sketch 57 at 2 Sketches 4 You provided me with the perfect opportunity to use it.  I also created this card for the Moxie Fab World: Card Style Week - Lets Do Fun and Cute challenge.

        Cardstock, stamp, ink, twine, punches: Stampin' Up!
        Patterned paper: Imaginisce
        Die-cuts: Cricut Experession with Straight From The Nest cartridge
        Button: Fancy Pants
        Embossing: Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots embossing folder

I hope that those of you in the northern hemisphere are finding fun ways to cool off.  Me, I would love to be one of these shirts on the clothes line with the breeze blowing past me.  ;)

Hugs,

My Lil Monsters Layout with a Sketch - ScrapbookPal

Today is my day to share a project with you on the ScrapbookPal blog.  I had fun making this one because of the subjects and the fun cartridge:

These little monsters from the Mini Monsters cart are so fun to create. I caught some pictures of my kids pulling faces and thought that this cart would be perfect for a layout with these pics. I love making these cute little monsters in all different colors. I used five of the monsters for this layout.....Icky, Monster, Creepy, Mummy, and Argh.....great names for each of these fun little monsters. I cut a title from the "Monster" phrase (on a function key) that I welded with my Gypsy with "my lil" from the Ashlyns Alphabet cart. I distressed all edges on the layout with Fluid Chalk Cat's Eye ink pads.

To make this layout:

• Cut and assemble 4 of the Mini Monsters at 2 3/4 inches and one at 2 1/2 inches.
• Adhere a 11 x 11 inch piece of patterned paper on to the cardstock background.
• Adhere a 7 x 9 1/2 inch piece of cardstock to the right of the layout (a little toward the top and against the right side)
• Cut and adhere three 3 x 3 inch photos and adhere on the left side of the 7 x 9 1/2 inch cardstock.
• Add a 3 x 3 inch block of cardstock or patterned paper in the 4th spot.
• Add the 2 1/2 inch Mini Monster on the cardstock block with dimensional adhesive. Place the title to the right of the little monster.
• Add the 4 other Mini Monsters to the bottom of the layout with dimensional adhesive.

Tips:

• I have don't like to try to (find and) glue those little tiny, dark eye pieces in place. I just grab a dark pen or marker and color in the center of the eye.
• In order to get good detailed cuts, I have found that having a fresh blade AND mat work the best for me.

Sketch:

Material used:

• Cardstock - Bazzill and Stampin' Up!
• Patterned paper - Basic Gray
• Die-cuts - Cricut Expression with Gypsy, Mini Monsters and Ashlyn's Alphabet
• Distress ink - Fluid Chalk Cat's Eye ink pad
• Other - dimensional adhesive, embroidery floss

If you use the sketch, I would love to see what you do with it.  Please leave a comment here with a link and I can come and visit you and leave some love.  Thanks for stopping by!!  I hope you will hop on over to the ScrapbookPal blog to see the wonderful things the other design team members have created.
Hugs,

Stress Rx Gift Card Holder With Tutorial And Shared File

Yay!!  This is my second post for the day....scroll down to see the first one.  I have been working on a tutorial for you and here it is.  I have gypsy files for those that want them and will use them.  I made this gift card holder with some of the stamps that My Favorite Things sent to us on the Caardvarks design team to use with this months challenge.  There is still time to join in HERE.

Here is the step-by-step tutorial to make these fun and quick gift card holders.

Step 1: Gather your supplies
Things you will need:
  - 4 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock
  - scoring tool (I used my paper trimmer with a scoring blade)
  - Word Window punch and 3/4" circle punch (mine are from
        Stampin' Up!)
  - Tacky Tape or other strong adhesive (I don't recommend a
        liquid adhesive because it may spread and interfere with
        the slot where the gift card goes)
  - ribbon

Step 2: Score your cardstock

Score your cardstock at the following places along the long side:

  - 3"

  - 5 1/2 "

  - 8"

Step 3: Fold at the 5 1/2" score mark

Step 4: Punch the gift card slot

  - With the folded edge in the punch (turn upside down for

        better placement), line up the edge of the punch with

        the edge of the cardstock and punch about half way

        in the punch (don't allow the punch to go farther than

        half way into the cardstock).

Repeat step 4 on the left side of the cardstock

Step 5: Taking the 3/4 inch circle punch, center it in the middle of the two Word Window punch outs and punch about 1/3 of the way in (there usually is a little peak that makes lining up the circle punch easier).

Step 6: Fold in at the other two score lines so that the gift card slot is in the middle

Step 7:  Now turn over the holder and apply a thin strip of adhesive all the way against the edges of the cardstock from the gift card slot down to only the first score line (you only need to do this on one side) and then close the holder to adhere it together.

Step 8:  Apply ribbon with a strong adhesive and then decorate.

Here are the .gypsy files for this gift card holder using George and Basic Shapes.  This is my first time sharing, so I hope they work right.  Please don't take my files and sell them or use them for personal gain.  Also, please link back here instead of using the upload link on your blog or any message board.  Thanks!!

Gift Card Holder for Expression

Gift Card Holder for Original and Create

If you use these files, you only need to do steps 1-3 and 6-8 above.

You can stamp on the cardstock (like I did on my project) before you begin.  I hope you have enjoyed (and understand) my tutorial.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  I would love to see what you create if you use my tutorial.  Please leave a link in the comments so I can come and take a peek.

P.S.  Don't you just love my nails above??  My 6 year old gave me a mini mani and pedi the other day....she is such a sweetie!!

Hugs,

Mushroom Smile With Glitter

The new card sketch it up at Twisted Sketches and for Sketch #17 the twist is glitter.  I love playing with glitter and so I had fun using some stickles to glitter up the flowers and sentiment on this card.

        Cardstock, patterned paper, pen: Stampin' Up!
        Die-cuts: Cricut Expression with Paisley cartridge
        Glitter: Stickles glitter glue

I hope you hop on over to the Twisted Sketches blog to check out the sketch and play along.

Some of you may have noticed that I have a poll on the right sidebar and have participated.  Since I can see that Tutorials seems to be the most popular, I am working on one this weekend and for those with Gypsys, I am also working on making a file for you to go along with it.  If any of you have experience with uploading files to the internet and who you think has the best free service please leave a comment here for me so that I can check it out and get them uploaded for you.

Hugs,

Upcoming Reveiw of CSN Stores

Are you looking for an all in one online store with great prices??  Something that has from dining room tables to baby and kids items to housewares??  I have the opportunity to review a product for you from CSN Stores.  They have over 200 different stores to choose from and over 1 million items.  I have been browsing the site and there are so many items that it is hard to pick just one product to review.....but I think I have it narrowed down to something that we can use as crafters in the kitchen or the craft room.  I hope you will stop by to see my review from CSN soon.

Hugs,

To Thine Own Self Be Kind

Whew....we have had sweltering heat here over the last few days, but the clouds have come to give us a little bit of reprieve today.  That is wonderful for cooling us off a little, but it isn't the best situation for me to take photos of my work with. ;)  I did touch up this picture a little with Photoshop to brighten it a bit, though.

This card is for the Photo Synthesis design team call as well as the Moxie Fab World's Card Style Week: Lets Do Classy & Elegant Challenge.

        All products are Stampin' Up!

Don't forget to check out the design team call at the Photos Synthesis Challenge blog plus the yummy blog candy she is offering up to get it started.  I also have a poll on the right sidebar so that you can let me know what you are interested in seeing on my blog.  Please take the time to answer so that I can show you more of what you would like to see.

Hugs,

Summer Giveaway Winners!!

Thanks to everyone who has come by my blog to visit and leave comments.  A special thanks to all those who entered for my Summer Giveaway and left such sweet comments....even some of you who shared with me your trials and blessings.  {{HUGS}} I wish I could send something to each of you.  I will be having more giveaways in the future, so stop by and check them out.  Now, on to the drawing.....

I separated the comments....one for the blog followers/subscribers and one for those who spread the word about my blog candy.  I wrote the names all on papers and then I had my two older kids each pick a paper from a pile and the winners are:

Brooke S.

and

Julianna

Congrats ladies!!  I will be contacting each of you through your blogs.  Email Me and let me know your shipping information so I can get these fun carts shipped out to you.

♥ Hugs,

Apron Strings Designs July 2010 Reveal

Just a quick post to share with you the full images of the Apron Strings Designs July 2010 Smaller than a Bread Box kit.  (click on images for larger views)

Graphic 45 line:

Fancy Pants Line:

Pink Paislee Line:

All of the papers and embellies in this kit were fabulous.  Everything (with the exception of the crinkle ribbon on the "miss u" card) comes with the kit...I loved working with all of it.  Click Here if you would like to get one of these kits for yourself....you don't want to miss out on this one.  Also, if you are up for some challenges, there are some going on at the Apron Strings Designs Blog that you can win some yummy scrapping goodies with.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Hugs,

I Give A Hoot

Hi everyone!!  How has your weekend been so far??  We had a few light rain showers this morning, but then the sun came out and cranked up the heat.  We broke 100F yesterday, but thankfully it hasn't been as hot today.

I had the idea for this fun card since I saw Laura's Sketch 56 on Monday at 2 Sketches 4 You.  I rotated the sketch to make it work for what I wanted to do with this cute little owl and a moon peeking out behind him.  I used my Straight From The Nest and Give A Hoot carts for this card.

This card is also for Cuttlebug Challenges #92.  We have this cute little owl that visits and overlooks our garden once in a while and so he is my inspiration for this challenge.

        Cardstock, ribbon, linen thread: Stampin' Up!
        Die-cuts: Cricut Expression with Straight From the Nest
            and Give A Hoot carts
        Embossing: Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots folder
        Ink: Cat's Eye Fluid Chalk

I added a little texture to the tree trunk (I hand cut that) to make it look like bark.  I used my craft knife and sliced the top layer of the cardstock and then with the craft knife, I gently pulled some of the top layer of the cardstock away from the partially cut area.

There are only a couple of days left to get in on my Summer Giveaway.  Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.....I hope you have a fabulous day!!

Hugs,

The Photo-Synthesis Challenge

Have you heard??  There is a new challenge blog that one of my blogging friends (Kathryn at the Kitchen Table Crafter) is starting the first week of August.  It is called The Photo-Synthesis Challenge.

To get her new challenge blog started, she is having a wonderful giveaway.....

And she is also having a Design Team Call.

Hop on over to The Photo-Synthesis Challenge blog to check it out.

Yummy Ice Cream LO

These hot days of summer make it the perfect time to indulge in some ice cream.  I asked my daughter which kind of ice cream was her favorite and she said that chocolate with sprinkles was her favorite, so I snapped a picture of her eating her favorite and scrapped it yesterday.  What is your favorite kind of ice cream??  Me, I am partial to mint chocolate chip. ♥

        Cardstock: Bazzill and Stampin' Up!
        Patterned paper, die-cuts (flowers, label, journaling tag), buttons: My Mind's Eye
            Garden Party
        Die-cuts (circles, ice cream, title): Cricut with George, Once Upon A Princess,
            and Alphalicious carts
        Embossing: Cuttlebug with Asian bundle embossing folders
        Ink: Cat's Eye Fluid Chalk
        Other: lace trim, sewing machine and thread

I made this layout of my daughter eating an ice cream cone for these challenges:
My Minds Eye Blog Challenge #13
Fantabulous Cricut  Challenge #18
Jinger's Ice Cream Challenge on Facebook

Thanks for stopping by!!
Hugs,

Your Friendship Makes My Heart Happy

How are you all doing today (or tonight)??  We have had a super hot day and it was a great day to stay inside and spend a little time in the coolness of my scrapping room.  It is in the lower portion of our house and stays cool most of the summer.  I have to have a heater in there during the winter because it gets so cold.

I created this card with this Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab as well as the Color Throwdown #100.  I was inspired by these colors and the black and white flower images in the Moxie Fab pic for my card.  I stamped and then heat embossed on my glossy white cardstock with black embossing powder and then colored the flowers with sponge daubers and my SU! ink pads.  I cut out the larger flowers and popped them off the card a little with some Stampin' Dimensionals.

Here is my card:

        All product is from Stampin' Up!

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments.
Hugs,

Sneak Peeks, Blog Award, New Header, etc.

Hello everyone!!  Did you know that I just had my 300th post on my blog??  How crazy is that??  Little did I know a little over two years ago that I would have over 300 posts on my blog.....it has been so much fun sharing with you and joining in on challenges.  Thanks to everyone that visits and leaves me some love.  Here is to another 300 posts......  =)

Sneak Peeks
I have a few sneak peeks of the projects I have been working on with the Apron Strings Designs Smaller Than A Bread Box kit.  All of the papers in this kit were fabulous and I loved working with all of them....they are from Pink Paisley, Fancy Pants, and Graphic 45.  I hope to share the rest of it with you in the next week.

Blog Award

I received a new blog award from Liz at Liz's Paper Loft.  Thanks so much Liz for nominating me for this lovely award, she has been a regular visitor to my blog and always leaves such nice comments.  Liz has some fabulous card and layout ideas.....you should hop on over to her blog and check it out.

I would like to pass this blog award on to the following 5 people for their fabulous blogs that always inspire me........ (there are so many more out there that I love to visit, but it could take me all day to post them)......

Tomi at just what i {squeeze} in- always has something trendy going on...
Ginny at GinnyLou Studio - I love her eye for detail.....
Tonya at The Cozy House Crafter - check out her fun handmade items....
Brooke at {Designs by Brooke} - she has such a beautiful style.....
Kathryn at The Kitchen Table Crafter - such a fresh style and lovely attention to detail.....

I hope you visit each of their blogs and give them a little love.

Comment Moderation
Unfortunately due to spam being posted on my comments, I have had to start comment moderation.  I don't like it when people think that my blog is a springboard for their personal gain.  I am sorry if this is inconvenient for anyone, but I don't want my blog to be clogged up with ads and inappropriate links.

Summer Giveaway

I still have my Summer Giveaway going on and there is just a little over a week to get your chances in to win one of the Cricut carts I am giving away.

Tutorials and Sketches

I am thinking about starting to post some tutorials and sharing some more of my sketches....would any of you be interested in these??

New Blog Header

Check out my new blog header.....I spent a little time creating and loading it last night......let me know what you think....

Whew!!  That was a lot to cover in just one posting.  I appreciate your comments.  Thanks for visiting!!

Hugs,