Saying good-bye to 2010

I can't believe it is the last day of 2010.  Time really does go faster the older you get. 

In 2011, my first born will be ten (that's a decade folks).  My baby will be six.  My husband will celebrate his fortieth birthday.  And I will have my twentieth high school reunion.  Crazy stuff! 

Since I am getting older and time is flying by, I have decided to participate in Ali Edward's One Little Word challenge.  I have chosen the word FOCUS.  I have been reading and rereading The Happiness Project.  It has inspired me to focus on certain areas of my life.  I need to focus on completing a number of projects.  I need to focus on my health; weight loss being priority one.  I need to focus on God and reading His word.  I need to focus on simplifying and organizing.  I need to focus on learning new skills (photography, digital scrapbooking, photo editing).  I need to focus on being a better parent, better wife, better daughter and better friend.  And I need to focus on this ole' blog! 

What are your plans/resolutions for 2011?  Do you have One Little Word? 

I hope you have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve. 

Here's to a healthy and prosperous 2011!         

Shutterfly promo follow up

I wanted to follow up on the Shutterfly promotion I mentioned in this post and share a picture of my completed card.

The card was a folded 5x7.  I was able to add another photo to the inside and a Bible verse.  I can't tell you how pleased I was with the results.  They did a terrific job.  Shutterfly gave me 50 of these cards for free!     

Thank You Shutterfly!

 

Happy Anniversary

I"m baaaaaack!  Did you have a good Christmas?  We sure did.  We went to a beautiful candlelight service at our church on Christmas Eve.  Two ladies at our church can sing like no body's business.  I could listen to them all day.  At the end of service the whole congregation stands, with our candles lit, and we sing Silent Night.  I doubt there was a dry eye in the place.  I get goosebumps thinking about it.  After church we went to my Mom and Dad's, ate lots of food and opened lots of presents.  Then we repeated that on Christmas Day.  Santa was very generous!

Ok, how about a card?!   

My parents wedding anniversary is in less than two weeks so I made a card for them.  I decided to use a new file from The Cutting Cafe called This Cake is All Heart (this is a BRAND NEW file and will be released soon) to make this cake-shaped card. 

It was super easy to cut out with my NEW aqua Cricut Expression (purchased on Black Friday - my sister-in-law and I pulled an ALL-NIGHTER!) and Sure Cuts A Lot.         

Sorry, I know this is a tiny picture but it gives you an idea of the wonderful color.

My Mom's birthday is January 1, yep, she's a New Years Baby.  So I'd better get to work on a birthday card ASAP!

Stamps: Stampabilities and PTI
Cut File : The Cutting Cafe's This Cake is All Heart (to be released soon)
Cardstock: SU white
Pattern Paper: PTI
Ink: SU Cherry Cobbler and Versamagic Red Magic
Misc: Cuttlebug emboss folder, SU punches, PTI dies, Martha Stewart twine

Turkey day thank you

Have you thanked your Thanksgiving Day hostess?  Well, I am about to.  I am popping this baby in the mail tomorrow morning. 

Stamps: SU and Clear Dollar Stamps
Cardstock: PTI
Pattern Paper: PTI
Ink: Versamagic
Misc: SU ribbon, PTI dies

Advent boxes

I've been meaning to share this with you.  I made little Advent boxes for my boys and filled them with treats.  They love checking the boxes each day.  I used The Cutting Cafe's Nesting Boxes (small size) and Christmas Daily for the numbers. 

Stamps: The Cutting Cafe's Nesting Boxes and Christmas Daily
Cardstock: misc
Pattern Paper: SU
Ink: just my printers
Misc: buttons, various punches

Quick post - CPS 195

Quick post to enter CPS's sketch challenge.  I am working on other projects and wrapping presents today. 

Stamps: Wplus9, PTI
Cardstock: PTI
Pattern Paper: PTI
Ink: Versamagic, Versamark and Ranger distress inks
Misc: PTI die, ribbon

SALE SALE BLACK FRIDAY SALE!

GO!  QUICK!  To The Cutting Cafe - Regina is having a sale! 

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Christmas card and tags

Gosh, it's been a week since I've posted.  Why does time seem to fly this time of year?  I have a couple of Cutting Cafe projects to share with you today.

First up, a card...

Next is a tag...   

Don't you LOVE the Night Before Christmas background paper?!

For both projects I used The Cutting Cafe's The Night Before Christmas background and Christmas Mini Words.  The little mitten on the card is from The Cutting Cafe's Mitten Shaped Card.  I was able to shrink the mitten using Sure Cuts A Lot with my Cricut.  I used my SU top note die to cut the background paper of the card.  And used a PTI tag die to cut out the tags. 

Stamps: The Cutting Cafe's Night Before Christmas, Mini Words, Mitten Shaped Card
Cardstock: PTI
Pattern Paper: PTI and The Paper Studio
Ink: SU for distressing
Misc: SU top note die, PTI tag die, nesties, Martha Stewart bakers twine, buttons

Checking in

Not sure what is going on with Blogger.  It isn't letting me upload my photos.  Splitcoast accepts them so I am not sure what the problem is.  I have a post all ready to go, it just doesn't have any photos.  Hopefully it will work tomorrow! 

Clean and Simple

Edited to explain: the embossing folder is from Joann's - it is a Sizzix/Basic Grey - you can view it here!

Howdy!  I wanted to share this little number I made for a Splitcoast challenge. 

Stamps: PTI Wreath for all seasons

Cardstock: PTI white

Ink: SU craft artichoke and red ridinghood red

Misc: SU silver and red ridinghood red ribbon, gemstones, circle nestie, BG emboss folder

Shutterfly promotion

Do you have a blog? 

Do you want 50 free Christmas cards from Shutterfly? 

Then go here.

· Holiday photo cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery
· Christmas cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards
· wall calendars to http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars
· photo albums to http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books/simple-path
· Hanukkah cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/hanukkah-cards
· upload pictures to http://www.shutterfly.com/upload-pictures
· Choose your own card/invitation and URL at Cards & Stationery page

I LOVE Shutterfly!  I have used them for years.  I love how they print their photos.  When you upload to their site they pick up information from your card on when the photo was taken.  That date is then printed on the back of the photo.  Since I only order prints every couple of months - this is a MUST-HAVE feature for me.  I used to have to write in the date taken (usually guessing) before I used Shutterfly on every single photo, talk about time-consuming.  I also store thousands of my photos on their site.  I love knowing I have them there as a back up in case my computer crashes or my external hard drive fails. 

Shutterfly has INCREDIBLE photobooks.  They are hard bound and come in a variety of styles and sizes.  I have ordered several and have never been disappointed. 

I have ordered Christmas cards from them for the past few years and have been delighted.  This year I am loving this design!  The vintage feel and simple design are right up my alley.  Plus, how could you go wrong with those sentiments?!



Inspired lavender card

I saw the challenge photo at The Shabby Tea Room and decided to play along.  This is the photo...

And here is my card...

I love using the little doilys you can get in the baking aisle at Hobby lobby.  I thought it added the "lace" feel that you can see in the photo. 

Stamps: PTI Beautiful blooms 2 and signature greetings

Cardstock: PTI

Pattern Paper: PTI

Ink: Versamagic

Misc: punch, doily, corner rounder

  

FALL banner

Warning this post is photo heavy! 

To make the banner triangles I used The Cutting Cafe's Halloween Banner Set.  The scallop top was made with a scallop die from PTI.  I added a little stitching around the triangle to give it a homemade feel.  My sewing isn't the best so don't look too close!  I used some CTMH papers - they screamed autumn to me.   

I colored the adorable turkey from Thanksgiving Day with Copics

I absolutely love this little saying from The Cutting Cafe's Thanksgiving Day set.  I added a pumpkin stamp from a Clear Dollar stamp (CDS) set called Harvest Hellos. 

The Harvest and FALL stamps are from Pink Paislee.  The leaves and grass stamps in the background are from CDS Harvest Hellos.  

I hope you enjoyed my fall banner.  Have a great weekend!

Stamps: The Cutting Cafe's Halloween Banner and Thanksgiving Day, CDS Harvest Hellos
Cardstock: CTMH
Pattern Paper: CTMH
Ink: SU and Versamagic, Copics and PTI tea dye duo
Misc: computer, printer, PTI dies, sewing machine, Cricut, scoring board, nesties, button, floss

Thank you Veterans!

Today is Veterans Day in the USA.  I wanted to make a couple of cards to thank my relatives that have served in our armed forces.  One for my brother (Iraq) and one for my Grandpa (Korea).  Don't worry, I mailed them yesterday! 

The card is based on sketch 306 from Splitcoast stampers. 

 

Stamps: Tech Tuesday and PTI 

Cardstock: white, black and red

Ink: SU black, navy and cherry cobbler

Misc: Cuttlebug folder, nesties and distress tool

It's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS!  I've been listening to Christmas music on Pandora today.  And I whipped up this little number...

The card is based on the SCS sketch # 305... 

I used three different Cutting Cafe files for my card.  I LOVE the Holiday Big Words set - the "Christmas" sentiment came from that wonderful set.  The background paper is from October Afternoon and the cardstock is Pure Poppy from Stampin Up - I was delighted to see it matched the OA paper.  The other background paper is a digital snowflake (clear) called Snowflake background from The Cutting Cafe.  And the adorable mittens are from Christmas All Around.  I LOVE that the snowflake on the mittens matches the snowflakes of the background paper.  I paper pieced the bottom of the mittens and colored the top of them with Copics.  Here's another look...

Hope you enjoyed my card and get ready... Santa Claus is coming to town! 

Stamps: The Cutting Cafe's Holiday Big Words, Snowflake background, Christmas All Around, PTI Wreath for all Seasons (merry sentiment)

Cardstock: SU Pure Poppy and Very Vanilla

Pattern Paper: October Afternoon Thriftshop

Ink: Memento Black

Misc: computer, printer, SU Old Olive Ribbon, Nestie tag and circle die, button, Copics, creamy pastels

Card sketchbook

I found this idea on Kristina Werner's blog.  I've been in a little bit of a rut and am starting to feel the pressure of the Christmas season to get crafty.  I thought making a sketchbook might give me a jumpstart.

I used one sheet of  Cosmo Cricket paper and three different PTI stamp sets.  PTI's All Booked Up, Take Note and Mini Scrapbook Tabs.  For the inside sketch pages I downloaded the pages from Kristina's blog.  

Have a great day! 

 

Do you want a FREE STAMP SET?!

Then head on over to The Cutting Cafe!  The very kind and GENEROUS Regina is giving away (for a limited time) her new December Daily 2 set.  This is PERFECT for anyone that wants to make a December Daily album.  What is a December Daily album?  You can read all about them on Ali Edwards' blog. 

Don't delay, you need to download this set fast as it is only free until November 6!  ENJOY! 

Birthday cards for twins

Thought I would share a couple of cards I made for our neighbors.  They are turning 8! 

Hope you are having a great Saturday!

Happy Birthday - medallion style

I was inspired by this card on Splitcoast.  Isn't it beautiful?  I LOVE the purely pomegranate satin ribbon so I went with that color for the card.  I used MFT's fabulous rolled rose die for the white rose.  I wish the sentiment stood out a little more.  But over all I am happy. 

Enjoy your day!

Stamps: SU medallion, PTI birthday bash sentiments 

Cardstock: PTI white, SU purely pomegranate 

Ink: Versamagic perfect plumeria and Memento black

Misc: ribbon, MFT rolled rose die

BOOKS

I just finished reading the latest Sookie Stackhouse (she is the main character) book called Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris.  The HBO series True Blood is based on this book series.   

I did enjoy the book.  But I have to say I am ready to find out which of the men in her life she ends up with.  I NEED to know.  I really like Eric and Bill but I think she should end up with Sam.  So, if you have read this series, leave me a comment and tell me who you think she should end up with! 

PTI BLOG HOP - Winter holiday challenge



PTI's Blog Hop challenge was to create a card based on a winter holiday other than Christmas.  At first, I was stumped; really stumped.  Then I decided to do a search.  I searched winter holidays and went to Wikipedia.  I found a Jewish holiday called Purim.  You can read all about it here.  According to Wikipedia, Purim is about celebrating the rescue of the Jews from Haman's plot to kill them.  You can read all about their deliverance in the book of Esther in the Bible.  So this is what I came up with...

I used the PTI All Booked up set, Daily Designs, mini Scrapbook Series:Tabs and Text Style backgrounds.  I LOVE the book image.  It reminded me of an open Bible; possibly open to the book of Esther?!  And I thought the "remember" sentiment was perfect for the holiday.

Thanks PTI for making me research and learn something new.  Hope you have a great hop!

Stamps: PTI All booked up, scrapbook series tabs, Daily Designs, Text Style
Cardstock: PTI kraft, rustic, hawaiian shores
Pattern Paper: Dotty Biscotti
Ink: Versamagic
Misc: PTI die 

Halloween treats

My boys have a short school week.  They have Thursday and Friday off for Parent-Teacher conferences.  So, I thought I would surprise them Mon - Wed with Halloween treats.  I will try to post a picture on my blog of the treats each day.

I unwrapped a piece of candy and took a pic of it to show you the candy corn kisses.  Aren't they cute?  

The little treat toppers were SO EASY!  I used The Cutting Cafe's Halloween Treats Just for You (this set comes in black and white AND colored) and the 13 piece Halloween set for the candy corn.  I used the colored Treats Just for You set which made this SUPER EASY - I simply cut out the tags added a button and I was DONE!  

Stamps: The Cutting Cafe's Halloween Treats Just for You and 13 piece Halloween set

Cardstock: white and black

Pattern Paper: none needed

Ink: computer printer!
Misc: button and scissors

Birthday Bingo

I haven't been on here much lately.  I lost my mojo.  It seemed like everything I tried to put together just looked horrible.  Anyway, I forced myself to sit down and make SOMETHING.  My sister-inlaw's birthday is Oct. 25.  I made her a card; very last minute.   

I used The Cutting Cafe's Bingo Card set.  Don't you just love the Bingo card?!  What I LOVE even more is the fact that I can get a Cutting Cafe set within 24 hours of ordering (usually quicker).  No waiting for the slow snail mail.  I also used the HB2U stamp from PTI's birthday bash set.  I thought it worked well with the Bingo card.   

Stamps: Cutting Cafe Bingo Card, PTI Just the ticket and Birthday Bash Sentiments
Cardstock: PTI Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, Aqua Mist
Pattern Paper: PTI
Ink: Memento Black, Versamagic
Misc: button, bakers twine, PTI ticket die, twill ribbon 

Halloween home decor

Warning:  This post is photo-heavy! 

To start my project, I printed out four past Halloween photos of my boys in costume on my Canon Selphy.  It has an option to add a border to the photos and I really liked the look of the border with the black and white photos.  (I converted them to B&W using PSE).    

(I took multiple photos of my photo tray.  I kept trying to find the perfect light.  Not sure if I ever found it!) 

I picked up the photo tray at Hobby Lobby for $6!  It was originally $9.99 but I had a 40% off coupon.  I thought this was a steal.  I used lots of paper scraps that I had at home.  I also used a few Cutting Cafe files.  I used The Cutting Cafe's Halloween time, Halloween mini colored set, and the 13 piece Halloween set.    

(Don't forget you can click on photos to make them larger.) 

The Bingo card is from the Cutting Cafe set Halloween time.  I used a couple of Copic markers to color in the title.  I also used some PTI tea dye ink to make it more vintage-y.  (Not sure if that is a word!  hehe!)  The black paper was embossed using Stampin Up's new web folder.

The pumpkin was cut out using the 13 piece Halloween set.  I added in some ribbon I had laying around.  

The colored witch boots are from The Cutting Cafe's Halloween mini colored set.  They are already colored in.  All I did was hit print and punched it out with a 1.5" circle punch!  I die cut some felt using one of PTI's mat stack dies.  The buttons are from my stash.  I used embroidery floss to attach them to the felt.  The doily is from the cake decor aisle at Hobby Lobby.  I used some tea dye on it also. 

Don't you just LOVE the spooky trees?  They are from the Cutting Cafe's Halloween time set.  Can you imagine having to hand cut those?  All I did was put a black piece of paper in my cricut, set up SCAL and I was done! 

The candy corn was easily cut using the 13 piece Halloween set from The Cutting Cafe.

 

I hope you enjoyed this post - sorry it was so long.  I had a fun time making this little photo tray and it is now proudly hanging in my living room.  I can't wait to make one for Christmas!

Sympathy cards

A friend of mine unfortunately needed a couple of sympathy cards.  I had less than an hour to make these cards (which means they were both the same - hehe!)  It seems when I start with a blank slate I envision one thing but end up with something completely different.  Does this happen to anyone else?!  Ok, enough talk, here is the card...

Not sure if you can see in the picture, the card is sitting on the envelope.  I cut out the pattern paper with the Papertrey Ink envelope die.  I think it really makes a homemade card look sophisticated. 

The paper doily is actually something I picked up in the cake decorating aisle at Hobby Lobby.  I saw Dawn McVey use the paper doily and knew I had to get some and try it out.  I love the look.    

Stamps: SU Very Versatile, WMS Vintage Labels 4
Cardstock: PTI white
Pattern Paper: SU dsp
Ink: SU black craft, Versamagic perfect plumeria
Misc: SU ribbon, spellbinder, paper doily, Martha S. punch, SU punch, PTI envelope die

Halloween goodies

I LOVE this goodie bag from The Cutting Cafe.  It is called the pumpkin goodie bag and is part of the 13 piece Halloween set.  This was super easy to make.  I just cut the file using my Cricut.  Filled a vellum bag with candy corn.  Stamped and embossed a senitment from WaltzingMouse stamps.  Punched it out.  Used a couple of Spellbinders.  Added ribbon.  And I was DONE! 

Here's a close up of the sentiment.

    
Stamps: WMS Midnight Feast
Cardstock: SU black, very vanilla
Pattern Paper: Lasting Impressions
Ink: SU craft black
Misc: Cutting Cafe 13 Piece Halloween Set, black emboss powder, Spellbinders, SU ribbon and punch, vellum bag from Joanns

Thank you Henry Ford

Assembly line card making!  It makes mass-producing SO EASY!  These baby shower invites were so simple to create using a Cutting Cafe's file with my Cricut.  I used The Cutting Cafe's Umbrella shaped card cutting file to make the card.  As you can see, my whole card is not umbrella shaped but I did use the file to make the umbrella and flower on the front. 

Stamps: PTI Just the ticket
Cardstock: kraft, SU very vanilla
Pattern Paper: K& Co
Ink: Memento rich cocoa
Misc: Cutting Cafe Umbrella shaped card, button, needle, floss, American crafts ribbon
 
 
Quick tip:  Make sure your Cricut cutting mats are STICKY - this makes things go smoothly.  I learned the hard way.  I used an old, non-sticky mat and the paper moved while the Cricut was cutting; messing up the design - very frustating!