Thinking of you...

Today I'm here to share a card I made.  This was probably one of the most difficult cards I've ever made.  Last week I found out that someone I know is going through a very difficult situation, not something that I'm going to go into detail about, but it was really devastating news. So I wanted to make something for this person to let her know that she is in my thoughts and prayers.

The stamps used are from Unity Stamp Co.  It's a stamp set called All About Hope and it was the perfect stamp set for what I wanted to convey.

The sentiment on the inside is from the same stamp set as above, but the butterflies were from a Recollections set I got years ago.

Remember to take time to enjoy life, you never know what the future holds.  Have a great day everyone.

Patriotic Projects - a home decor and card share

Hello friends!  I've been working on some patriotic projects for the 4th of July.

First, I came across a project on Pinterest for a patriotic wreath.  This was really simple to complete.

The link for the instructions are here.  I followed the instructions for the project, and added the tulle and glitter.  And now it's hanging on my front door  :)

 

My second project today is a card made with the CTMH  Home of the Brave stamp set.  This is a promotional stamp set that is available through July 31st.  $5.00 of each of these stamp sets sold is being donated to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the United States.  Click here to read more about it or click here to order your set today.

Red and blue cardstocks are Recollections brand, white cardstock is White Daisy from CTMH.  The pattern paper is from DCWV - one of those big stacks with 180 sheets.  The cover is missing so I'm not sure of the name of it.  Inks used are CTMH black and ruby, baker's twine is CTMH Baker's Twine Harvest Assortment and the button came from my stash.   

Inside I stamped Home of the Brave and the stars, all from the Home of the Brave stamp set.

I really like how this card turned out and I'm thinking of recreating it on canvas to put up on my mantel.

Don't forget to check out the list of retiring products, once they are gone, they are gone!  Each product is linked so it will take you right to the item in my shop for your convenience.

Also, only 4 days left to place an order to qualify for the drawing for Hostess Benefits and a free stamp set.

and only 5 days left for the June specials!  **the mini banners are gone - instead of the banner you will receive the super cute My Creations Milk Cartons - these are on the retiring product list!!!  Click here for details.

Have a wonderful day!!

Summer Camp - an altered journal

Hi guys...I know I'm late today.  It's been a crazy work day and actually not over yet.  I'm still working but taking a little break.

My little guy, Max, started summer camp today!  He was so excited and when I picked him up this morning he was even more excited to go back!  I was relieved with that because this is the first of 5 weeks.

Here he is all ready for the day - umbrella and all since it was raining all morning...

And since he's been out of school for a couple weeks now the boredom was setting in.  I still have him keeping up with some school work over the summer.  He's practicing his math and reading every day.  The one thing we've fallen behind on is his writing.  While they were in kindergarten, the kids had a journal they wrote in every day so I thought camp would be the perfect thing to journal about at home and work on his writing a little more.  And to make it a little more fun, I took a regular composition notebook and altered it for him.

I used cricut Life is a Beach for the font and Campin' Critters for the scene.

I covered the front and back with this super cute tree paper that came with the Dream Pop CTMH paper collection.  I mod podged it onto the composition book and sanded the edges so they don't pop up after use.  I inked the edges with Tim Holtz distress ink, Brushed Corduroy.  I added a strip of brown cardstock from my scraps for the binding.

I love how it turned out and more importantly, Max loves it and can't wait to write about his camp experiences!

Ok, so this was supposed to post last night, but I must have forgotten because I was so tired.   I'll be back later with some 4th of July projects!  Have a great day everyone!

GOING, GOING, GONE! CTMH Spring/Summer 2013 Retiring Product List

Are you guys ready for some exciting news?????  The new catalog is coming August 1st!  But with new product we have to say goodbye to others.
I have received the latest retiring list that is hot off the press. I thought you guys might want to know what is going away as soon as possible. These things are available on a while supplies last basis only. They are not marked down yet and most likely will not be at any point. If there is something on the list that you must have, order soon before it's gone!

To make things easier for you, I have added links to each item. So, while you are going through the list if you see something that you are interested, simply click the item name and it will take you directly to it.  

Accesories
Z1366 Brads Metal Assortment
Z1410 Antiqued Copper Designer Brads
Z1704Pewter Badge Buttons
Z1703 Wooden Badge Buttons
Z1821 Buttons Black Assortment
Z1371 Buttons Blue Assortment
Z1370 Buttons Pink Assortment
Z1358 Buttons Basic Assortment
Z1369 Buttons Red Assortment
Z1372 Buttons Green Assortment
Z1773 Color-Ready Noted Canvas Shapes
Z1718 Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes
Z1450 Cork Color-Ready Alphabet
Z1719 Color-Ready Evergreen Cork Shapes
X7164C Buzz and Bumble My Stickease® Assortment
X7155C Avonlea Complements Canvas Shapes
X7167C Later Sk8r My Stickease® Assortment
X7166C Claire Complements Canvas Shapes
X7156C Clementine Complements Canvas Shapes
X7157C Dakota Complements Silver Foil Images
X7159C Scholastic My Stickease® Assortment
Z1326 Sparkles Red, Pink & Purple Assortment
Z1327 Sparkles Blue & Green Assortment
Z1710 Just Blooms® Paradise Paper Flowers
Z1612 Paper Clip Pins
Z1755 Posh Journaling Spots
Z1734 IrresistiblesTM Persnickety Journaling Spots
Z1831 Buzz and Bumble Assortment
Z1813 Claire Assortment
Z1810 Later Sk8r Assortment
Z1748 Brocade Assortment
Z1794 Cottage Assortment
Z1766 Memo Assortment
Z1780 Wrangler Assortment
Z1487 Mini Medley Accents Pewter Collection
Z1697 Mini-Medley Accents Smoothie Collection
Z1489 Mini Medley Accents Olive Collection
Z1798 Black Tulle Ribbon
Z1088 ChocolateWaxyFlax
Z1089 BlackWaxyFlax
Z906 BambooWaxyFlax
Z1081 ColonialWhiteWaxyFlax
Z1096 EmbroideryFlossNeutralAssortment

Albums
Z1347 12 x 12 Post Bound Album- New England Ivy

Crafts
Z1827 My CreationsTM Paper Pouch - Small
Z1828 My CreationsTM Paper Pouch - Large
Z1740 My Creations® Bookmark Album
Z1739 My Creations® Milk Carton
Z1774 My Creations® Canvas Journal

Paper Products
Z1474 6" x 6" Kraft Die-Cut Cards &Envelopes 
Z1724 6” x 6” Kraft Envelopes
Z1412 10-Things Pocket
Z1722 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Kraft Envelopes
Z1723 5” x 7” Kraft Envelopes
Z1721 3” x 3” Kraft Envelopes
X7155B Avonlea Paper Packet
X7157B Dakota Paper Packet
X7156B Clementine Paper Packet
X7159B Scholastic Paper Packet
X7167B Later Sk8r Paper Packet
X7166B Claire Paper Packet
X7164B Buzz and Bumble Paper Packet

Organization
Z4134     Handle and Swivel Base
Z1267     Stamp/Paper organizer8.5 x 11 (3)
Z4200     Accessories Organizer
Z4136     Exclusive InksOrganizer Carrying Case

Tools

Z670     Embossing Powder Black
Z673     Embossing Powder White
Z1246   Embossing Powder Cocoa 
Z672     Embossing Powder Red
Z1351   Embossing Powder Dutch Blue
Z659     Embossing Powder Cranberry
Z656     Embossing Powder Outdoor Denim
Z655     Embossing Powder Olive
1771     Waterbrush Medium
Z1350   Embossing powder Topiary
Z1392   2" Scallop Circle Punch
Z578     Corner Rounder
Z608    Embossing Stylus Medium

Workshops on the Go
G1061 Workshopson the Go® Chantilly Cardmaking Kit
G1060 Workshopson the Go® For Always Cardmaking Kit
G1062 Workshopson the Go® Canvas Art Kit
G1053 Workshopson the Go® Chantilly Scrapbooking Kit
G1054 Workshopson the Go® Buzz and Bumble Scrapbooking Kit
G1057 Workshopson the Go® Later Sk8r Scrapbooking Kit
G1055 Workshopson the Go® For Always Scrapbooking Kit
G1059 Workshopson the Go® Surf's Up Scrapbooking Kit
G1056 Workshopson the Go® Claire Scrapbooking Kit
G1058 Workshopson the Go® Tommy Scrapbooking Kit

Stamps

A1132 Family
A1133 Festivalof Lights
B1372 CircleTogether
B1395 SoGrateful
B1396 SchoolRocks
B1405 RuggedDude
B1406 Blessingsof Peace
B1410 A FriendLike You
B1414 Bonjour
C1438 Tea Time
C1461 SalutationSeals
C1466 InstantMemories
C1505 Pun Fun
C1507 AngelicBlessings
C1508 PaisleyFlair
C1511 LoveBlooms
C1520 ChristmasJoy
D1187 For EveryOccasion
D1388 CardChatter -­- Christmas
D1399 Dream Big
D1440Everlasting Life
D1444 A LittleThanks
D1492 ChristmasLove
D1517 Game On
D1519 Abundance
D1521 PowderHeaven
D1523 SweetMusic
D1528 Jardin
E1010 ChocolateAlphabet Large
E1014Posterboard Alphabet
E1015 CocktailAlphabet
E1017 Old WorldAlphabet
E1018 PennantAlphabet
E101 BohemianAlphabet
E1020 TokenAlphabet
E1021 TrinityAlphabet
E1022 HeroAlphabet
E1023 VarsityAlphabet
E1024 KeepsakeAlphabet

June Thank You Cards - CTMH

Hello Friends!  I'm back with you today to share the June Thank You cards I'll be sending to all my customers this month.

This is a standard A2 size card, 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  The base of the card is White Daisy card stock.  The mat is Slate card stock and embossed with the Cuddlebug folder Spots and Dots.  All other paper used is from last months CTMH special Dream Pop paper that isn't available any more, but I think this would look super cute with the Chantilly paper pack or any of the collections, really.  The yellow mat is 2 1/2 x 4 layered with the flower paper mat 2 x 4.  The sentiment is one of the CTMH June specials, A True Thank You, Oklahoma Tornado Relief Campaign.  The stamp is only $2.95 and 100% of  the profits are being sent to the American Red Cross to aid the Oklahoma victims. This is stamped with Cotton Candy ink on White Daisy cardstock, 1 1/2 x 2, matted on orange cardstock from the Dream Pop packet 1 5/8 x 2 1/8.  The pennants are 1 x 1 1/2.  I used yellow bakers twine adhered with liquid glass.  The buttons are CTMH glittery buttons I picked up from the While Supplies Last section last week.  I just checked the website and these are not available any more, but a great substitute would be the Buttons Black Assortment.

The inside is matted with Slate and White Daisy cardstocks.

I used the June Stamp of the Month, A Flowering Bunch with Cotton Candy ink to stamp the flower on the inside.  I added a dot of Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel to the center of the flower to give it a little sparkle.

If you are interested in any of these products, please click the link for my CTMH shop.  There's 9 days left to order until the drawing for my CTMH customers this month and 10 days left to order any of the June Specials!  And one note on the It's a Banner Day Special - the banners have sold out so CTMH is substituting the My Creations Milk Carton.  Click here to see them.  These are sooo cute!!! and I love that the company offers a substitution for the remainder of the month!  

Have a wonderful day!!

Airplane - a baby boy card

Hello Friends!  I'm still working through my challenge of using my Cricut cartridges I don't use often.  Today's uses the Cricut Lite cartridge Beep Beep.  I originally bought this one to work on projects for my son's room and actually used this one quite a bit in the beginning, but lately it's been sitting.  The inspiration for this card came from a baby bedding set I had seen online...I didn't save where I found it, but it was probably Pinterest considering how much time I spend on there!

The size of this card is 9 x 4 and fits into a business size envelope.  I used the airplane from the Beep Beep Cricut Lite and the clouds are from Create a Critter and I just hid the faces and cut them at different sizes.

The stamp I used is from a Stampin Up set I got years ago called Fabulous Four

I only wanted the sentiment 'For Baby' so I used my markers and inked just the sentiment and stamped it onto the cloud.

I left the inside blank for now, but I recently purchased some new baby stamps and may go back and add something to the inside.

I hope you enjoy today's card!  June Specials are available for a couple more weeks!  There are some really great ones out there, check out my post on that here. I'm waiting for my order to come in!  Also, my drawing  is open to my CTMH customers until June 29th!  Great way to get some extra free stuff!!  Check the details of that out here!  I hope you all have a fabulous day!

Happy Birthday Cake

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

Today's card is using an older cartridge that doesn't get enough use, Simply Charmed.  There are a lot of really fun, whimsical images on this cartridge.

I'm glad I'm taking the time to revisit some of these older cartridges.  I forget the fun things that are on them!

Today I used the birthday cake image and I welded them together in CCR to make a shape card.

I left off the layer with the face and the sprinkles.  I added some glitter glue to the centers of the flames.  The flower is an extra cut from a previous project I worked on.  The Happy Birthday stamp is a mini clear stamp from Kaiser Craft that I picked up at Joann.com a long time ago.

Inside I used a CTMH stamp from the Cricut Artiste Collection, Birthday and added a little cherry sticker from a sheet that I picked up at Walmart.

I hope you all have a fabulous day with a great start to the new week!

Happy Father's Day card and gift idea

Hello friends and Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dad's out there!  My son and I worked on Father's Day gifts for his Dad today.  I have so much fun crafting with him and I know it won't last forever so I like to get some craft time in with him whenever I can.

Max is on a baseball kick right now since T-Ball just started a couple of weeks ago and him and his Dad get outside to practice whenever they can.  So it was really no surprise when he said he wanted to make a baseball Father's Day card.  Here is what we came up with:

Max picked the colors and the embossing folder.  I think this one is called Tiny Bubbles.  The white mat is cut from Elegant Edges, the bear is the athlete from Teddy Bear Parade.  The bat and ball are from the Creative Memories cartridge This & That and the glove is from Everyday Paper Dolls.  He wanted it to look like the bear was hitting the ball.  I think he did a really great job!

Here is the inside with his cute little message and the keychain we made for his gift taped to it.

So my husband is a truck driver and he always keeps the key for the semi separate from all of his other keys, but he didn't have a keyring for it or anything.  We thought this would be the perfect gift for him.  We used shrinky dink that I picked up at Michaels a while back.  I loved making things with Shrinky Dink when I was a kid and was so excited to see it back in the stores.  And really, it's just as fun now as it was then!  

I traced my son's hand and foot, he used a couple of dad stamps I had on each and then colored them with a Sharpie marker.  I made sure to remember to hole punch the bottoms of each - although I forgot how much they really shrink and the holes were too small for the jump rings I had.  I ended up threading some jewelry rope through it and knotting them onto the jump ring.  

And then of course we had to make a sweet treat for him!

These are seriously the best brownies in the world if you are a chocolate peanut butter fanatic like we are!

We started with a box of Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownies and baked according to package.  Then we made the peanut butter layer with 1 stick of butter, 1 cup of creamy peanut butter and 2 cups of powdered sugar.  Mix together and spread over the cooled  brownies.  Then we took a can of chocolate frosting, put about a half a cup into a bowl and melted it in the microwave to pour over the peanut butter layer.  Add some chopped up Reeses peanut butter cups and you are done.  So incredibly rich, so incredibly good!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a Happy Father's Day!

Smitten Kitten & searching for Cricut images

Hello friends!  I'm back today with another project continuing my challenge to use the cartridges I don't use often.  Today's project comes from the Cindy Loo cartridge.

This was one of the first cartridges I purchased and I absolutely love the images!

I used the cat image from this one for today's card.

The base of this card is made from White Daisy CTMH cardstock.  I used Recollections black cardstock for the first mat that I ran through my Cuddlebug with the Argyle embossing folder.

I used Elegant Edges, Eyelet1 with the oblong feature for the pink and white mats.  Cindy Loo for the cat and Best Images of 2006 for the heart.  I don't think this cartridge is available any more, but there are tons of hearts on many different cartridges.  The sentiment comes from a Pink by Design stamp set called Just Sayin.

I carried over the black and pink to the inside and added another heart.

And just a quick tip, you can search for an individual image in Cricut Craft Room.  I don't always like to use this search feature because sometimes it's difficult to imagine what it would look like.  There's another webpage that is amazing to use to search for images called mycutsearch.  If you're looking for something in particular I highly recommend checking out this site.

Come check out the CTMH June specials and my Giveaway too!

I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend!

Shoes!

Hello friends!  Today's card was made using Bridal Shower event cartridge.  This is another of those cartridges I purchased and have rarely used.

This one also has some really cute images and great 3-D projects.  I love the little purse and the ring favor box!  For my project today I used the shoe.

Recently, I had picked up some stamps from Unity Stamp Co. during one of their fabulous sales.  

This is the "If the shoe fits" stamp, isn't it so cute!  I could have stamped the shoe and fussy cut it but I find it easier to use a cricut cut with the sentiment.

I used Slate and Blush cardstock from CTMH.  The pattern paper is from My Minds Eye, Nostalgia "Label" paper.  I used Slate from CTMH to ink the edges and Memento Tuxedo Black for the sentiment.  The glitter is glitter tape from American Crafts in peony - I love this stuff, no mess!!!

I hope you enjoyed today's card!  I'm currently working on some Father's Day projects with my son to give to his Dad this weekend and also a camp journal for my son so he can record his summer camp days when that starts in a couple weeks!

If you haven't yet, check out the amazing June specials from CTMH and my giveaway!  I hope you all have an amazing day!

Howdy!

Howdy y'all!  In continuing with my challenge to myself to use the Cricut cartridge I have never or rarely used, I pulled out the Yee-Haw cartridge.  This is one of the Cricut Lite cartridges.

Cricut Lite Yee-Haw

There really are a lot of cute images on this one.  I think I may do a farm theme birthday set soon with it!
But for today, I made a card....

Front view

And I put the boot on an Action Wobble!

Action Wobble!

I love the Action Wobbles!  You can purchase these through the Scrapbooking Queen Royal Castle Shoppe.

Inside view

I used red cardstock from Recollections for the base and White Daisy cardstock from CTMH for the inside mat.  The denim paper is from My Mind's Eye, On the Bright Side collection.  I used all scraps to make the boot and the Howdy sign and a white gel pen for faux stitching around the sides.  Then I added a little gold glitter glue to the star in the Howdy.

Don't forget to check out my giveaway open till June 29th! So far your chances at winning are really good!!!

Click here for the June CTMH specials!  There are some really great ones this month!

Hope you all enjoy and have a wonderful day!!