Let's Go "GLAMPING" !!

Okay, my dear dear friend, Becky is turning the big "60"! So I asked her what kind of party she wanted, and it didn't surprise me that she wanted a girls camping trip. So, of course it wouldn't be a camping trip without GLAM or BLING right? I made a GLAMPERS survival kit for each gal. This was a fun a really inexpensive project. Only $20 for everything you see here! I went to Dollar tree and got flashlights (made GLAM GLOW tags for them) and then I covered shampoos and conditioners that were free from past hotel stays and labeled them with "Glam Sham and Glam Shine"- also covered soap and called it "GLOAP" (yes, that means Glammer soap!) The covered water bottles will have candy to stuffed in them. Lastly, a glammer gal can't go camping without WET WIPES, so I covered them with tissue and a fun boa and called it Glam Rags. I can't wait for the party!!

SPoOky Banner with Moonlight

I have never tackled a banner before, and since I am WAAAY into Halloween, this one will get plenty of use! I used old sheet music to cut the the pinwheels on my Cricut and cut spooky characters with the EEK button on the Artiste.

WHOO LOVES YOU...and a few SWING CARDS!

I spent the afternoon playing with my Cricut Artiste...so addictive! I made the swing cards (so easy and adds quick dimension to a boring old card) from page 52- and created them at 6 1/4". The OWL card is made from the image on page 76 all at 4". I stamped WHOO LOVES YOU on the inside. I definitely got a jump on my Halloween cards today. So much fun!

Vintage French Style La Belle Vie Anniversary Card

I am in LOVE with the new La Belle Vie paper pack (X7158B)..can I just say? And with the new cricut cartridge Artiste, it makes for a fun surprise inside! This card was cut (pg 51 of Artiste) with the LOVE accent inside. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

Christmas cards with a few scraps and buttons

I often have JUST a few little scraps of a favorite paper pack and love to use them for a card. These cards were made with the LAST scraps I had of the new Pear and Partridge paper and the ornament one is made with a few buttons. I saw a few cards similiar on Pinterest, and it inspired me to put together a couple of cards.

It's a BOY! Diaper card and baby shoes!

I am SO excited to share that my cousin is having her MIRACLE baby (at 44 and has been trying for YEARS to get pregnant!). She just found out that she is having a baby boy! So....off to the Cricut Artiste I went to look for baby shower ideas! I found the adorable diaper cards (and SO easy to make) on page 64. These may end up being the invites I make for her shower. The shoes and card were "practice" samples, and I am happy with how they turned out! Her colors are blue and brown.

Halloween with Cricut and a FUN BAT card!

So....I LOVED the ideas I recently saw at convention's Extravaganza. Denise Black made a darling coffin with cricut Artiste (page 76 & 77) using the new Haunted Assortment (Z1741) little skulls as coffin handle brads- she is so creative! I cut the lid for this and used a woodgrain envelope on cuttlebug to make it look like worn wood. She also used old ribbon round containers and covered them with the new Moonlight paper (X7161B). I added a bit of the new Tulle and some bling. The owl card is one of my favorites from the new cartridge, it is SO easy, cut and yer done! I added a few bling eyes and cut the "EEK" from page 76. My favorite part was closing him with the new mini hoop and loop (velcro) dots (Z1805). These little suckers are a MUST have for this bat card!

Noel Slide Card

Well it is certainly Christmas in July in my craft studio with all the new CTMH products scattered all across the room. I feel crazed, and not sure where to start, and when to END! I made this slide card (page 49 of new Artiste cartridge) and the flowers are 3 leaves put together (from page 33 using Accent 3). I used the Pear and Partridge paper. Love the look of the paper. I have almost used the entire pack on different cards and projects...may have to get another!

Just "BE" card

I think my favorite stamp was the BEE in the new Jardin (D1528) stamp set. He is so vintage and fun. AND...when I saw the Honeycomb type background that comes in the Scroll album Workshop stamp set, they were a perfect match! So...I was looking through my stamps for a perfect sentiment, and last months Stamp Of The Month, Live Out Loud had a "Just BE" sentiment..wah lah! I used Buttercup and Desert Sand paper here and the burlap ribbon (love that stuff) is cut in half here. I also used milepost shapes, hemp and then used Cuttlebug for the buttercup background paper.

Avonlea Cards made from Cardmaking Kit

Okay...so I couldn't sleep last night knowing that my new Avonlea Cardmaking kit was in my studio untouched! I am so bad! It's like a good book you can't put down. This kit is amazing, because the paper is SO versatile! The kits comes with 15 Colonial White cards AND the envelopes, all the paper to do the 15 cards ++ more, adhesive Epoxy bubbles in a gorgeous slate color and organza ribbon. I made greeting cards, Thanksgiving cards AND Christmas cards from this paper. It is SO elegant- I had a blast! This kit (G1041) is available for purchase through my website on August 1st.

Fangs For The Memories!!

Okay....those who know me best know that I LOVE Halloween! SO...I couldn't wait to get started on making the Halloween images on the new Cricut Artiste. This coffin was cut at 7 1/4"- It actually has a coordinating lid, but I pulled a blonde one and put 2 bases together on this one...so I plan to do a few more correctly! ha ha. I wanted to share how cute these would be to take full of candy or some other treat as a hostess gift at a Halloween party!

Pemberly File Box for cards

I am having so much fun with the new Cricut Artiste! The flowers on this are popped up at each layer with pop dots. This box makes a perfect holder for handmade cards!

Scholastic paper for Anniversary Card?

This is probably the LAST paper pack you would think to use for a 10 Year Anniversary card right? Well, I thought it was perfect for my hubby. After (almost) 10 years, he is STILL MY TYPE! ha ha. The numbers are the date we were married (4/11/03---and YES, I am a bit early. The cricut Artiste has folder cards, I LOVE how cute they are to make cards with.

Le Belle Vie

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this new paper pack...La Belle Vie. This picture doesn't do it justice. It is romantic, vintage and tastefully elegant! The embellishments are perfect with all the bling. I also had fun with the new tulle in black. It is a stiffer tulle which made it easy to punch circles and bunch behind the Paris tag I made.

Belated Birthday card

This card was also used with the new stamp set Pun Fun C1505. Such a cute and easy card. Shapes were cut from the new Cricut Artiste from CTMH available August 1st.

Dakota Layout

this layout didn't photo all that great, but the paper is stunning in reality! It has a cowboy flair to it, and is fun for any outdoor photos, guy layouts or cowboy pics. I love it! This layout is of our friend Casey, who just had a 50th birthday party-perfect paper for that!

Cards I made at Convention

Love the new paper and stamps in the latest Idea Book! The paper here is from La Belle Vie and also Dakota. The stamp set is one of my favorites, (and they gave it to us at convention) Pun Fun C1505.

CTMH Convention in Dallas!!

Well Howdy! Wanted to share a few pics from our recent trip to convention in Dallas. Maricris and I had a hoot hollerin good time seeing ( and playing ) with the newest products that will be available August 1st in the new Idea Book! We went to Extravaganza, crops, saw the Texas Tenors, got to hear from Jeanette Lynton, our founder and CEO, also heard from Stacy Jillian our key note speaker that was very inspiring, and overall had fun! Check out some of the pics below!

ROAD TRIP using Typeset!!

I was inspired by a layout that fellow consultant, Cheryl Evan did with the Typeset paper pack. I had just a few pieces left and that was all I needed! The background paper is Barn Red and the embellishments are Milepost Shapes and the wood buttons from CTMH. I also used a pin clip on the right side of the layout. I am all ready to place my family photos of our upcoming ROAD TRIP to Oregon on this layout!

I WON a Liebster Award!!

Lori at Lori's Scraptastic Adventure and Creations has nominated me for a Liebster Award. The origins of the Liebster Award are a little unclear but the general consensus is that it originated in Germany. Liebster means "favorite" or "dearest" and this is a peer to peer award to help showcase bloggers with less then 200 followers. Upon accepting the award the recipient must then pass it on to five more blogs of their choice. I want to thank Lori for thinking of me and if you have a chance stop by and check out her blog. Now here is what you do as a presenter of this award: 1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog. 2. Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you. 3. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog. 4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve it. 5. Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment at their blogs.

Here are the five blogs I feel deserve this award: 1. Sandee at Stamping and Scrapbooking with Sandee 2. Caron at Scraphappy Corner 3. Paige Dolecki at Paiges Paper Paradise 4. Linda Sturdivant at Stamping and Scrapbooking with Linda 5. Peggy at Creative Scraps by Peggy Lee ********Now ladies please choose 5 blogs you feel deserve this award and thanks for all the inspiration on your blogs! Please pick one of these Liebster awards for your blog!

Place an online order of $75 or more in July and you will receive a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory—a Perfect Pair—for free! That’s a retail value of up to $17.90! Different Perfect Pairs are available on different dates throughout the month so you’ll want to place more than one qualifying order to snatch several Perfect Pairs. Place your order early in the availability period, as the promotion is while supplies last. Offer valid July 1–31, 2012. While supplies last. Additional shipping/handling and tax may apply. Discounted products do not count toward a qualifying purchase.CLICK on my shopping cart to see which paper packs are offered each day of July!

Happy 4th Of July Cards

Anyone that really knows me, knows that I just LOVE certain holidays, and Independence day is one of them. I love what it stands for...FREEDOM, STRENGTH and PRIDE! I am SO proud to be an American, and loved making these cards. The card on the right was inspired by fellow consultant, Kandi Gallegos-Garcia. She has so much talent! I wish you ALL a super and SAFE 4th of July! I plan to eat great food and float in my pool with my hubby, dog and some really great friends!

Dallas...only 12 more days!

I couldn't be more excited to be attending the Close To My Heart annual convention in just 12 more days! This year it will be held in Dallas, and I have my cowboy hat layed out by my suitcase! I like to participate in "SWAPS", where other consultants swap hand made cards. This year I made 75. I get bored making more than about 10 of the same card, so I made several. I started with the western theme with a retired paper pack and stamp set, and moved on to others. I had so much fun with these!

Let's Party!

I saw a video online on how to make this simple CONE card, and did this one with paper from the Dotty pack and simply stamped circles for background paper. The ribbon is CLose To My Heart color ready ribbon, which is fun to do with a few different colors to add a dimensional element.

I have spent quite a bit of my day checking out lots of different blogs and adding some of my favorites here on my blog as a link to share with you all. I saw LOADS of talented ladies out there with wonderful postings of layouts, cards and projects. I also noted a wonderful quote that was on France Pelletier's blog. It has so much meaning in such a simple phrase:

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 
― Dr. Seuss


Isn't that the way we should all live our lives? It sure is easier on the heart when we think this way. I am so blessed in my life, and love the lessons we learn from each person we encounter, and experience we have.

Rainbow Card

I love rainbow colors- and decided to make a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" card using the LOVE LIFE stamp sets (D1482) for this simple one.

Born To Ride Card

I LOVE this stamp set- Born to Ride (C1483)! Makes for a great guy card.

Oh SNAP!

I saw this card ( not my original ) in Paper Crafts magazine, and HAD to make it. I used the Cricut AP cartridge to cut each part of the crab. The body is the oval card at 5 3/4", and you will need 4 small ovals ( 2 for each claw and another 2 for the other spikey claws). I cut black eyes at 1/2" and the white parts of the eyes are 1 1/2". I also cut a white liner for the inside of the card at 3 1/2".

JULY 4th layout!

I am already getting ready for a fun day by the pool with this layout. I really enjoy holidays (can you tell?), and this paper is perfect for Independence Day. It's the SUPERHERO paper X7152B.

Paper Lanterns for Memorial Day Weekend!

This is one of my FAVORITE stamp sets- Paper Lantern C1458. I found a card online that inspired this one. Had fun with the colorful lanterns.

Contest Entry- CTMH upcoming Convention

I entered this layout in the Close To My Heart convention contest. CTMH sent us all a postcard to integrate into the layout...so here is what I came up with. **UPDATE**............I WON!!! My layout was chosen as a winner! I AM SOOOOO EXCITED! My 1st entry winning in scrapbooking. YAY!!

54 Button Layout with Dotty

Okay, if you haven't made a layout with 54 (or more!) buttons, then you MUST! What a thrill to glue dot each of these suckers down! I have been wanting to do a layout with buttons for a while now, and the Dotty paper pack was a perfect marriage! This layout is ALL ready for my birthday NEXT month! Hope you like it.

Mother's Day is coming!

Have you made your mom/mom-in-law a card yet? I woke up this am to a beautiful sunny spring day and decided to get started on mine. Flowers always makes a mom smile, so this card made with LUCY paper pack and the AWESOME bling did the trick!

Dotty Layout with the April Stamp of The Month

So this layout is made with the Dotty for you paper pack (can you tell I am loving it?). I will be adding our pictures from our recent trip to Bass Lake/Yosemite.

Graduation Card using Cricut AP shapes

My cousin is graduating from high school, so I created a owl GRAD card using images from the CTMH Cricut AP cartridge. I cut the wings with the half shaped scallop at 3" and cut in half. The body is the funky shape on the bottom row (6 in from the left) at 3". I cut the edges of that shape to make the owl "horns"- The grad hat is the square shape on the maple leaf button cut at 1", the eyes are 1/2" circles. I cut the feet/nose and tassel by hand. I think OWL's are silly, and hope our next cartridge has one!

I was inspired by a fellow consultants in making these cards-the lantern card idea was from another consultant (name unknown) and Lisa Stenz made a pink polka dot AMAZING card, I changed it up to yellow.(can't take too much credit here!) LOVE the colorful cards. My mom recently came down with a case of the shingles, so I have been sending her cards, and like the cheery happy ones!