Leslie's Creations

Happy New Year!

2012-01-14T14:29:00.001-05:00

Like normal I haven't posted anything in a while. Below are a few cards I have made this week:

The above cards were made with the following supplies:

Recollections Ivory cardstock for the bases and Big Sister words (cut with my Gypsy using Gypsy Font welded)
The background paper and pink background of the "welcome Baby" were a single two sided Heidi Grace paper from JoAnns
The 'welcome, Baby' is an Inkadinkado's I picked up at Big Lots, stamped with Staz-on Timber Brown and then stamped again with glue and used Ranger Rainbow Sparkle Embossing Powder to make it shine. The tag was cut from Lacy Labels Lite cartridge used on my Gypsy and cut with my Cricut Expression machine.
The girl pushing the carriage is from A Child's Year cartridge. I used my Gypsy to modify the shadow layer so it would show more of the solid brown cardstock.
I used my Pink ATG and Xyron X for adhesives.

This Birthday Card was made from one single page from DCWV Sweet Stack. I cut out one of the cupcakes and used matching paper to cut diamonds on my Cricut using my Gypsy and Plantin School Book cartridge. I used EK Success 3D Dots to pop it off the paper. The ribbon is American Crafts that I picked up at Big Lots. 'Hi Cupcake!' is also an Inkadinkado set stamped in white ink and embossed with white Martha Stewart embossing powder. The card base is Ivory Recollections card stock from Michaels. I also used my Xyron X to adhere the diamonds together.

Baby Girl card

2011-11-20T12:04:00.000-05:00

My sister is expecting her second daughter in mid-January 2012; her shower was on November 13, 2011 and below is the card I made for her...

My supplies were: Peachy Keen Stamps PK-250 Sleeping Teddy, Staz-on Jet Black Ink, Misc DCWV papers (got to raid the scrap file for most), tiny pink brads, Xyron sticker-maker and my pink ATG gun. I paper pieced together the image by stamping the stamp on multiple pieces of paper and intricately cutting out each piece I wanted in each color. I then assembled the pieces to make the complete image. Oh yeah - the scallop oval was cut on my Cricut using my Gypsy and the Forever Young cartridge. I did a blue version a few months back for one of Shelley's friends who was having a boy (see a few posts down for a picture.)

Going Buggy give-a-way

2011-07-15T10:17:00.000-04:00

Head over to the following blog and sign up to be a follower. Enfys does beautiful work with ProMarkers by Letraset and all kinds of stamps. She makes the most beautiful cards and has one heck of a sense of humor. I love reading about her travels and funny moments. She is giving away two sets of ProMarkers donated by Letraset and a Cricut cartridge. Even if you don't win a prize you will win by discovering this awesome blog...click her link below.

http://going-buggy.blogspot.com

PKS Challenge: Sketch Challenge 55

2011-07-10T15:18:00.000-04:00

It has been a long time since I have done a PKS Challenge. This one I used for a layout but didn't look at the challenge until the day it was due so the photograph is not yet on the layout - it is being printed at the lab now but I won't pick it up until after work tomorrow. Here is the sketch:

Here is my layout:

I will be adding this picture of my niece, Brooke, tomorrow. She received the "Most Improved" award for the Pre-Kindergarten class. I will do another post of the complete layout. Have a great week!

PKS Challenge 43

2011-01-12T13:29:00.000-05:00

First challenge for me this year! Heck, first challenge for me in a long time. I loved this sketch!! I will be making more cards for my stash this evening based on this sketch now that the important one is done (my sisters birthday card for tomorrow 1/13).

I used Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge for the Ice Cream Cone and PK490 Everyday Character Face Assortment for the face. This is the first time I have ever put a face on a non-doll and I think it turned out really cute.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look. Be sure to check this challenge out for youself at the following wonderful website: http://peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/01/peachy-keen-stamps-sketch-challenge-43.html. Have a Peachy day!!

I couldn't help it. Leslie :)

Wow--almost 6 months with no posts.

2011-01-12T12:40:00.000-05:00

I really need to refocus myself--I have not been doing enough of my crafting lately. Sure I make a card every now and then when I need one (see below) but I really need to get some scrapbooking done. I got caught up in all the excitement online about new Cricut Cartridges and machines etc (which I can afford none of) entered every contest I could that required a simple comment for a chance to enter, occasionally entered the ones that had challenges and just wrapped my world around visiting each blog daily. I did win a MS Scoreboard from Capadia (Thanks again Diane--sorry I never sent a card; best of intentions.)

One day I read a post by someone that said you really have to love what you do to post all of these projects and give away all of this stuff and they didn't recommend anyone trying to join their ranks unless they were ready for a lot of hard work and criticism...that was it I stopped reading all of the blogs. I realized I was looking at them for the wrong reasons and didn't truly appreciate all of the hard work behind every post they published. I peeked in occasionally if I realized it was Hello Thursday but I wouldn't comment--just look and leave.

Now I am back, planning to really work on my own things and use blog land as the true inspiration it was probably intended for. I needed to make a card for my sisters birthday yesterday and wasn't feeling very inspired so I pulled up my favorite challenge blog Peachy Keen Stamps and sure enough their sketch was perfect and I got my card done (I will post that in the next post). I will be going home tonight to make more cards using the same sketch. I might even enter one in another challenge I found today. I have decided that I am only going to enter challenge blogs right now instead of the mass just comment to win ones until I get more of my work completed. I will still look in but will not post.

As for this very wordy post I decided to just showcase some of the things I have done recently but haven't posted. Enjoy!! If you made it to the pictures you must be bored ;)

Wow I see a lot of purple--I think that is my favorite color. Again, thanks for looking.

I made the CHIRP!!

2010-06-24T21:38:00.000-04:00

I have only posted three projects so far on the Cricut.com message boards but my second one...my altered Tool Box from the new Handy Man lite cartridge...was featured in the June 22nd newsletter. I am so excited!!!! I am in there with Melanie from Courtney Lane Designs and Joy from Obsessed with Scrapbooking who I have been following on their blogs and Everyday Cricut for just over a year now.

Here is a link to the newsletter: http://www.cricut.com/newsletters/volume.aspx?ID=262

Celebrate with Flourish-Father's Day Card

2010-06-20T20:58:00.000-04:00

Here is the quick card I made for my dad for Fathers Day today. I used the same DCWV paper that I used yesterday for my brother-in-laws birthday card. I used tan for my shadow from DCWV Rustic Stack and the metallic blue green is from DCWV Metallic Stack. The brown pearls are Recollections that I just happened to pick up at M's last week--almost like I knew I would use them soon.

I love using vellum for the envelope when I get the chance to...you spend so much time making the card look nice just to stick it in an envelope...why not show it off even before it is opened. This card is 4.25 x 4.25; the envelope is from Plantin School Book cut "fit to page" on 8.5 x 11 vellum. I believe it is Roly Poly feature then shift of the card for the envelope.

Celebrate With Flourish-Golf Bag Birthday Card

2010-06-19T17:42:00.000-04:00

I made this for my brother-in-law today since it is his birthday. I shouldn't have waited until the day of to make it but it was really simple.

I used my new DCWV Linen Closet stack for the stripe background and the blue of the bag. The brown and gold were scraps from the scrap drawers. The ivory card is The Paper Company from Michaels. The sentiment is from Inkadinkado "just saying" inked with brown ink from M's (don't remember brand).

I cut all four layers of the golf bag at 3 3/4 from the new Celebrate with Flourish Cricut Lite cartridge that I purchased last week. I cut the shadow and third piece both in brown. I glued the blue and smaller brown piece together and then cut off the clubs. I wanted the clubs to look like they were coming out of the bag and also wanted them to be metallic instead of matching the color of the bag. My card is 9 x 6 1/4 (folded is 4 1/2 x 6 1/4), the striped layer is 4 1/4 x 6. I used a corner rounder on the card and the background piece because I thought the card looked funny with just the striped paper rounded. I inked the edges of the golf bag and striped paper with brown ink. I started to add ribbon and or twine but realized it was for a man so he wouldn't care if that was missing.

Handy Man Father's Day Card

2010-06-13T15:29:00.007-04:00

I have the new Cricut Lite Handy Man cartridge. I have dreaming of this cartridge for a long time and they finally did it. I am very excited!!!!! As soon as I saw it I started seeing images that I would alter to make shaped cards. Here is the first one.

The tool box...........it just screamed "open me." LOL

I used Design Studio to weld two tool boxes together at the handle. I used hide contour to remove the cuts for the "lid". I also hid the holes in the hinges becaues I only wanted two instead of the four it is designed to cut. I cut the shadow in gray, glued one box to the shadow, used my bone folder to create the crease for the card at the handle, used scissors to cut the part that opens, then glued the front of the box to the other that I had already glued down (wow that is confusing). Luckily I have a Xyron X sticker maker...I would never have been able to make those strips stick down if I didn't have the X.

I work for a maintenance department that employs approximately 130 trades men and women so I plan to get a good bit of use out of this cartridge making get well and retirement cards for work. I will also be doing scrapbooking projects of our house hold changes since we are planning some big projects around here soon.

We will be using this card for my Father-in-Law for fathers day. I will be using the new Lite "Celebrate with Flourishes" for my dad's card but can't work on that right now. We have a new kitten (Gracie) and I need to go check on her.

Forever Young Shoe Card

2010-06-13T15:09:00.009-04:00

This is my first ever shaped card and I loved how it turned out so much I almost didn't want to give it away but I did since I made it specifically for my Sister-in-laws birthday card.

I used my Cricut Expression, the Forever Young cartridge, misc. adhesives, rhinestones and paper.

I had to use Design Studio to weld the shoe together using the shadow feature. Then I cut out a single shadow for the front in dark metallic gray so you wouldn't see the fold. I then cut the shoe in black metallic and the upper part in pink metallic. I added rhinestones for more bling. The inside I used the shoe cut and did hide contour to keep the cuts out that are used to layer (ie pink on black...there are cuts on the black part to show where to put the pink). I stamped Happy Birthday on the white with light pink ink--hard to see but it was the only pink ink I had. I didn't try to make it fit in the standard invitation size envelope but it did so I call that a happy accident.

Thanks for looking!!

Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge #28

2010-05-16T13:12:00.018-04:00

http://peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/05/peachy-keen-stamps-challenge-28-and.html

Here's the Challenge!! You have until Sunday, May 23rd to link up your entry to Mr. Linky. We will draw one RANDOM winner and one JUDGED winner. That means you have TWO chances to win! Entries will be judged based on: originality and creativity! The bottom of this post lists the prizes. Good luck!

Inside:

I saw someone post on the Peachy Keen page a few challenges back where they stamped their image on patterned paper and then cut it out and glued it on top of the whole stamped image to make the stamp coordinate with the paper. I loved it and wanted to try it myself...that is how the hat matches the blue, the blanket matches the yellow and the diaper matches the smaller stamps ink color. On the diaper I dabbed the blue ink on white cardstock, let it dry, they repeated the earlier steps of stamping the image over top and cutting it out.

Here is my long list of supplies:
PK-250 "Sleeping Teddy"
Staz-on Ink Black
Hero Arts "Welcome Baby" (Onesie, feet and pins)
Inkadinkado "Just Saying" set (congrats)
Versa Magic Dew Drops Sea Breeze
Around the Block "Baby Brads"
Pressed Petals "Baby Boy" assorted open stock paper pack w/glitter. (Big Lots bargain)
Georgia Pacific White for the card base
EK Success Corner Rounder punch...my new favorite!!
Xyron X for the little pieces
Mono Adhesive for the bigger pieces
Yellow Stickles
Crayola Colored Pencils for my coloring
and Misc. Ribbon

Thinking of You

2010-05-07T08:21:00.006-04:00

My grandmother loved all of the cards I made on National Scrapbooking Day (well weekend for me) and asked if I would make her some "Thinking of You" cards. She requeseted 5 cards, not flowery or too girly and no black. The image is a little dark but the colors are brown, gold, green, orange, yellow and ivory.

Supplies:

DCWV Rustic Stack

Ivory cardstock

Brown ink

thinking of you stamp (from Michaels...not sure of brand)

Gold embossing powder

Lyrical Letters cricut cartridge

various adhesives

Brown Ribbon

Corner rounder punch (my new favorite!!)

I haven't embossed a stamped image in quite a while so I was excited to do that again. I also inked a lot of edges. The paisley print paper was a 12x12 sheet with the edges already distressed so I had to ink the edges of the pieces when I cut it to size for the card to make it look better since one or two sides were already done. I don't have any fancy tools for blending but a cotton ball and piece of scrap paper to dab on worked wonders.

If my printer had been working I would have printed the saying inside the card that she requested but the inside is blank so she will have to write it in. Hopefully, I will get a new printer soon so I can complete my cards :)

MPS--NSD Challenge #10-"May Day"

2010-05-03T21:43:00.004-04:00

Mypinkstamper.com challenge #10

Make a project using flowers or something springy!!

I liked this paper from the get go and thought the flowers would also make good embellishments so I sat here and cut a few out by hand. Wow...time consuming. Instead of popping up the phrase I decided to put the flowers on top of themselves (did that make sense, oh well).

This is it for me. I am not going to try any more challenges before the deadline. I have grand plans for challenge 12--Critter-licious. My husband and I went to Animal Kingdom a few weeks back and I have all kinds of animal pages to scrap but I think it is time for bed.

MPS--NSD Challenger #7-"Hey Dad"

2010-05-03T20:55:00.005-04:00

Mypinkstamper.com Challenge 7

Make something for Dad or a guy in your life. It doesn't have to be for Father's Day but try to make it masculine.

I didn't think I would get anymore challenges done. I started preparing this one as soon as I got home from work, then got frustrated after an hour. Stopped to eat dinner and post challenges 1 to 6. Then, all of a sudden, I got a burst of determination and made this one work. I think it turned out good. I will probably use this for my dad's Father's Day card.

MPS--NSD Challenge #6-"Kids Craft, Too"

2010-05-03T20:03:00.008-04:00

Mypinkstamper.com Challenge #6

Have a child help you with a craft project. If a real child isn't available use a paper kid (Child themed cartridge)

My sister asked if I would watch my 3 year old niece overnight Saturday (part of the reason I only got through challenge 6) and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for her to make mommy a mothers day card. I had some white test flowers from my mothers day cards that I let her color with color pencils and crayons. She saw me doing my stamping so of course she wanted to do the stamps herself--at three I didn't dare let go or she would have had ink everywhere. The finished product isn't glamorous but it is the vision of a three year old. :) As soon as her mommy walked in my door on Sunday she wanted to give mommy her special card.

Like I said above I only got through challenge 6 by Sunday evening and now with computer glitches I will be lucky if I can get them all linked to Robyn's page in time. Thank you for the wonderful challenges and opportunities to win. I had a blast and so did my niece!!

Update--I had a burst of determination. I am going to try and do more of the challenges. One at a time then post. Wow I got Challenge 7 done quick (well I spent about an hour contemplating it earlier then gave up.)

MPS--NSD Challenge #5-"Teacher Appreciation Days"

2010-05-03T19:57:00.005-04:00

Mypinkstamper Challenger #5
Create something for Teacher Appreciation week -or- someone you appreciate.

My husband found two 3 day old baby kittens at work 3 weeks ago and a friend of ours works for the local SPCA so we asked her if she could care for them until they were old enough to come home and join the two we already have. She said yes. Last week she called to let me know that one of them didn't make it. I wanted to make her a card to tell her that we appreciate everything she is doing and that maybe the little guy was just too sick from the beginning to survive.

The paper is from a Cloud9 Cat kit that I found at my local Big Lots. I also purchased a Dog one but we don't have any dogs at this time. I tried something new for me on this one as well...inking the edge of the "Thanks..." tag; I think it really gave it a finished look. I will be inking a lot more from here forward.

MPS--NSD Challenge #4 -"I like you the least"

2010-05-03T19:50:00.006-04:00

Mypinkstamper challenge #4
Make a project using your least favorite or least used cartridge.

I am posting two photos--one is a little dark and the other has a glare. No good middle ground :)

I even used what I thought was my least favorite color combination...pink and orange....but I think it turned out really neat. I used my Tear Drop font cartridge. I can't tell you the last time I dusted that one off (yep, no gypsy yet so still using cartridges). Paper again is DCWV. I didn't like how the saying cut out and you had to put all of the little pieces back in to make the letters work so I used the "negative" image and cut the shadow instead. I used a white gel pen to replicate the butterfly trail that is typically cut with this image.

MPS--NSD Challenge #3-"Think Outside the Box"

2010-05-03T19:42:00.004-04:00

Mypinkstamper.com Challenge 3
Do something on your scrapbook page, card or other item that you wouldn't normally do. Add something fun or crazy!!

I did two new things on this card:

1st--after watching a video on Robyn's site earlier in the week I saw her emboss a piece of paper with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder then run a white ink pad over top to essentially make white polka dots. I recently purchased a new stamp from Peachy Keen and knew that on dark blue paper white dots would look like stars and tie in with the stamp perfectly.

2nd--I have never used a cotton ball as part of a finished project before so I added one to the bottom of the stamped image to represent a cloud. Added some stickles for bling and I have a perfect card for a co-worker of mine who just found out she is going to be a grandma for the first time.

MPS--NSD Challenge #2-"Getting Scrappy"

2010-05-03T19:30:00.003-04:00

Mypinkstamper.com Challenge #2
Make a project incorporating your scraps.

I had some left over flower pieces from my first three cards and a large left over piece from a birthday card I made a few weeks back. I have a new Happy Birthday card in the stash...those always come in handy.

MPS--NSD Challenge #1-"Mother Dear, I Love You So"

2010-05-03T19:20:00.005-04:00

Robyn at MyPinkStamper.com ran a 12 hour challenge on Saturday, May 1 in honor of National Scrapbooking Day. She did one challenge per hour for 12 hours. I was only able to complete the first one and number 6 on Saturday due to other obligations.

Challenge 1: make a scrapbook layout, card or other item with your mother or someone dear to you in mind.

I was already planning on making my three Mother's Day cards this weekend so this challenge was perfect.

Inside (all three are the same):

Mother, Mother-in-law and Grandmother are done!! I used DCWV Prints for the Year Ultimate Stack, My new Forever Young Cricut Cartridge and my new Corner Rounder punch, Stickles, random brads and Offray Pink Ribbon. How did I live without that punch for so long?? LOL Thanks for looking.

MPS--Pink, Green and Black Challenge

2010-04-11T15:00:00.007-04:00

I am a little intimidated posting this at My Pink Stamper as I look up to a lot of the design team as well as Robyn for being so crafty!! The challenge was to use Pink, Green and Black to make something creative.

Here is what I grabbed to brainstorm with:

DCWV--Nana's Kids Stack
Beyond Birthdays Cricut Cartridge
Staz-on Black Ink
Peachy Keen PK-M12 Lady Bug Thank You stamp
Offray Ribbon
Misc. Brads
Georgia Pacific White Cardstock
Crayola Colored pencils (not pictured)
Stickles (not used in final card)
Embassy Invitation Envelope from Wal-mart
Misc. Adhesives
Cricut markers (not pictured)

I have really wanted to use the cute green and pink lady bug paper from the Nana's Kids stack for a long time now but never had any ideas. Well when I saw this color challenge and realized that I just got the PK stamp I could use this paper to make something really cute. My niece, Brooke, will be turning 3 in two weeks so I made her card. I decided to personalize the envelope also which is not normal for me. Thanks for looking!!

Congrats

2010-04-11T14:52:00.005-04:00

My cousin finish school just before Easter so I made her this card:

Here is a shot of the inside--sort of--I didn't want to post what I had written in the card as it is sort of personal from me to her.

The patterned paper is from DCWV Nana's Kids stack. The solid purple is from the DCWV shimmer metallic stack. "Congrats" was cut from Beyond Birthdays on my Cricut and the flowers were from the Mickey and Friends cartridge. The pink was just basic Georgia Pacific cardstock from Walmart--ran through the Cuttlebug using Swiss Dots and Stickled like crazy.

Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge 25

2010-03-23T22:18:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I haven't done a Peachy Keen challenge since their Halloween Challenge but I just ordered some of their wonderful stamps during their St. Patrick's Day sale and couldn't help myself when I saw the sketch for this challenge.

Here is their blog address for this challenge:
http://peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/03/peachy-keen-stamps-challenge-25.html

Here is my entry:

I used my new PK-M12 Lady Bug Thank You! stamp set. The paper selection is fairly plain but I prefer plain. I also used a few of my newer Cuttlebug Embossing folders. I love how those little brads just added the right 3D look to the Lady Bug's antenna. Thanks for looking. Now to head over to my facebook page and post this there! See what happens when I stay home sick with bronchitis--I get creative :)

"Just Married" card

2010-03-13T17:30:00.006-05:00

I was in a hurry to get to a friends wedding (like normal...if I am not part of the bridal party I will be late) and it was either finish drying the clothes I intended to wear and make a card or change my outfit and leave time to run by the store. I am glad I made the card because it turned out cute--I ended up changing the outfit anyway.

I had some left over Thank You cards from mine and Ken's wedding last year that I purchased at Target.

My friend's favorite color and wedding color was purple so I made a card base from basic card stock purchased in the office section of Wal-Mart. I used the plain inside of the thank you card as the front of the new card and cut out the tux and dress. I added ribbon that I had on hand from Big Lots, a purple brad, some Making Memories flowers and used purple Staz-On ink so the sentiment "Just Married" wouldn't smear.

I made sure the new card was the same size as the original card so I wouldn't have to make an envelope.

Valentines Cards

2010-03-13T17:16:00.007-05:00

I am really bad about posting after the fact but oh well. Here we are almost a month later and I am posting my Valentine creations. Enjoy!!

The flower is a digital stamp from "Sew Many Cards" blog. They have some really cute images. I intended to post this in their Valentines Black and Red challenge but didn't make it.

Card inside:

I made this card using the word "Sweetheart" from the Mickey and Friends Cricut Cartridge. The paper is DCWV and Core'dinations. I took these to work and a few of my co-workers took them home to their wives.

Last but not least: I made this coupon book for my husband as his gift and card

Again--DCWV and Core'dinations. The ribbon is from Michaels.

Birthday Card

2010-01-24T14:22:00.008-05:00

I wish I had taken a picture of the finished product. I got to use a lot of Christmas presents on this card for my sister Shelley's birthday. I used my new Cricut Cartridge - From my Kitchen (thanks Kim) for the cupcake. I used my new Cuttlebug and swirl embossing folder for the swirls in the frosting part of the cupcake (thanks to my husband and in-laws). Finally, I used my new Xyron 5" create-a-sticker to turn the cupcake into one big sticker (thanks Gigi).

The glitter is Stickles, the diamond paper and brown paper is DCWV, the pink, purple and white paper is basic card stock from the office supply section at Walmart. The sentiment is stamped on vellum using Staz-on ink...works wonderfully!! I did learn a valuable lesson about white core card stock--it doesn't emboss flawlessly. I had to use a brown brush tip marker to color over a few spots on my "chocolate" frosting because the white core showed through. Oh well, lesson learned.

In addition to the card I made an envelope using an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of vellum cut "fit to page" on the Cricut. (card size is 4.5 x 6). I also used a 12x12 piece of the diamond paper to cut another envelope at "fit to page" to use as the wrapping for the present. I tied the two together with white ribbon. It looked so nice Shelley didn't even want to open it. Again, I wish now that I had taken a picture of the completed gift.

Christmas Cards

2010-01-24T13:59:00.000-05:00

I know that I am quite late in posting these but I didn't even have them finished until Christmas Eve (I know today is January 24th). Who am I kidding...I made them on Christmas Eve morning. Everyone in my immediate family (excluding my Dad, Ken and Brooke) received a hand made item. The girls got the purses (see post below) and the boys got these cards.

I read some where that using vellum for your envelope is the neatest way to show off what is inside. You spent time making the card let everyone see it! That is what I did with these. I don't have a picture of the back but I wrote the name of the person the card was intended for on the flap of the envelope with a vellum marker so it wouldn't smear. I just used some adhesive to attach the gift cards inside.

Gift "Bags"

2009-12-23T15:39:00.000-05:00

Ok...so I haven't posted since Thanksgiving but that doesn't mean I have given up on crafting. Actually quite opposite. I was helping/loaning/giving supplies to my sister so she could do a scrapbook to send to her inlaws in Michigan for Christmas. I think there were about 25 pages by the time we were done. We ran out of time so I ended up giving her pages of her family that I had complete in my book so I will need to redo those eventually.

After watching Christmas with the Cricut Ustream event on 12/20/09 I decided I needed a 12x24 cricut mat to make larger purses & gift bags. (Check out their blog... http://cricutchristmas.blogspot.com/) I went to Michaels and Joann's seeking 12X24 mats and paper. Well I found the mats with no problem but no luck on paper. That didn't stop me...I just used two 12x12 pieces and taped the seam from the inside and viola bigger purses. I used the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge and my Design Studio to make them just a little taller...fit to page was good for some but others needed to be just a bit taller. **If you do edit the size of a box or bag in design studio in just one direction (like me--height) it will not line up perfectly when you go to fold and glue but it is do-able.

I can't tell you what is in the bags yet since it is before Christmas but I just had to share. Thanks for looking and hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!! Now I have to go work with the bigger gifts and actual wrapping paper :(

I am entering these in the following challenge:

Practical Scrappers: Anything Christmas
http://www.practicalscrappers.com/2009/12/this-weeks-challenge-is-anything_21.html

TCP Challenge #6: Place Cards & Napkin Rings

2009-11-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

Here is the challenge for November from The Crafting Pot

http://tcpchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/11/tcp-challenge-6-place-cards-napkin.html

Your Mission:Create a Place Card -OR- napkin ring for your holiday table.

What qualifies as a place card or napkin ring?

Anything you would use to indicate location on a table (actual seating arrangements, signage for items placed on tables, etc) or any sort of napkin holder (napkin ring, tray, dispenser)

What should you make it with?These can be made from anything... paper, fabric, wire, wood, recycled materials, etc.

Deadline:Submission Deadline is Monday November 23rd by Midnight.

I made the napkin rings using my Mickey and Friends cartridge and my Cricut E. There is a leaf border for Chip n Dale; I cut the shadow and detail at 1 1/2". The shadow is a gold metalic paper and the detail is a brownish orange. I am using the decorative napkins for Thanksgiving but it was easier to see on a white napkin. Off the to right is one of the rings I haven't finished yet...just 4 welded leaves when folded it is a little square.

The placecards are just simple votive holders I got at the dollar store. I used Cricut vinyl in brown and my Design Studio to create the leaves. The leaf is from Stretch Your Imagination and the names are one of the wonderful fonts from Lyrical Letters welded together. As you can see my name is a little longer than my husbands so I had to do mine at an angle. The ribbon has been in my stash for years (after holiday clearance from Walmart). These are nice because the vinyl is temporary. If you wanted to do something more permanent you could use some etching cream to actually etch the glass. I intend to change these over for the next holiday and so on. I have two more to create but my design studio was giving me a hard time so I gave up for now.

Wonderful challenge TCP! Thanks for looking.

Peachy Keen Halloween Challenge

2009-10-31T11:23:00.000-04:00

http://peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2009/10/peachy-keen-halloween-challenge.html

THE CHALLENGE:
• create a card
• use a haunted house somehow in your card
• you will need a bat
• and a ghost
• include a Halloween greeting
• you can use die cuts, stamps, punches, images on papers... etc.. anything goes!

I even got the hubby's input on this one! I asked him if I should put yellow behind the windows or an orange/yellow. He looked a few times and said put yellow on the lower and orange on the uppers. Can't really tell the difference in the picture but I liked his reason behind his choice; the yellow looks brighter and since you are closer to the lower windows when you walk up to a house than you are the upper ones the lower should be brighter.

Also a first on this project...I used my cricut markers to draw the face on the ghost and bat. Not to shabby for a first attempt. Thanks for looking and have a wonderful Halloween!!

Scrapsketch Friday Challenge 10/16/09 & Just Buggin' Challenge #7

2009-10-18T13:58:00.000-04:00

http://www.scrapsketch.com/2009/10/friday-scrapsketch-challenge.html

Here is this weeks sketch from Scrapsketch...

I loved the set up of the sketch as soon as I saw it. I was planning to pre-do this years Halloween page for my niece but didn't know what I was going to do...this worked perfect. My sister told me she was going to be Minnie Mouse this year but the costume was pink not red. I made two identical pages (one for me and one for my sister--aka Brooke's Mommy). The black boxes are on the page temporarily until we get the pictures. I will post a follow up with the photo's added after Halloween.

This is the first time I have used the Mickey and Friends cartridge for my Cricut. Wow--Minnie was difficult to do. Thank goodness for my Xyron X sticker maker. If you own a Cricut and don't have an X (like me until recently) you need to get one. Walmart carries them and their refills. Perfect for the little pieces!!!!! I used the Minnie Mouse signature from the same cartridge as Minnie and used the Mickey font for the rest of the letters. I utilized my Graphically Speaking cartridge to cut the half circle. I used the do not symbol (circle with the line drawn through it) to get two equal size circles...since I did two identical pages it worked perfectly.

I am also using this for Just Buggin' Challenge #7
http://justbugginchallenges.blogspot.com/search/label/Challenges
Anything but a card -make any project you want, as long as it isn't a card!
As always, you have to use your Cricut to make your project as well.

**Update: 10/23/09 I was chosen as one of the top 3 from Just Buggin' for this layout. Which is a total shocker since I didn't even know they had looked at my layout. (only comment here is from Viv at PeachyKeen.)

SP Color Combo #19

2009-10-18T13:46:00.000-04:00

Here is the challenge from a wonderful blog: http://spcolorcombos.blogspot.com/2009/10/spcc-19.html

Use this color combo for your project -be it a card, scrapbook LO, 3D or altered item. You do NOT have to use Stampin' UP brand colors, but you do have to use colors close to these colors.

Entries are due on Monday, October 19th at Noon PST. Next Tuesday, I will showcase the winner and the SP Top Five.

Here is my card. I have some Stampin'Up markers, watercolor pencils and chalks that I purchased from someone who was moving and couldn't take all of their supplies with them. I actually had all of these colors in the markers. I don't have the exact color paper so I got as close as I could.

The stamp says 'there's no business like "snow business."'

Thanks for looking!

Peachy Keen Challenge #13

2009-10-12T19:08:00.000-04:00

http://peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2009/10/challenge-13.html

Here are the rules for this challenge:

Make a card

Use colors Blue and Purple in your design (can be subtle or bold)

Use a stamped image

Must include at least 3 snowflakes (can be more)

Must include a Greeting

Outside of the card:

Inside of the card:

I had this great paper with snowflakes on it that looked like it was spray painted blue and purple. Also from the same stack I had a deep purple that matched well. I added stickles to practically everything...the snowflakes and swirls, the borders of the cut portions, the penguin and the stars in the Merry Christmas. I attempted to emboss the snowflake stamp by the Merry Christmas with a clear glittery embossing powder...it didn't turn out exactly like I wanted but it looks fine. This is my first card with an opening from the front to the inside so thank goodness for my Cricut Design Studio I was able to line it up perfectly.

I wish I had some of Peachy Keen's wonderful winter stamps...they are definitely on the Christmas wish list! This is my second challenge from their blog and I am loving it!

**Update 10/20/09: I won!! Isn't this graphic the cutest!

Blog Hop Challenge #13

2009-10-02T00:51:00.001-04:00

#13--ScrapbooksnStuff:

http://scrapbooksnstuff.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Again, using another sketch. I am starting to like this sketch thing. The most difficult part for me was creating the shape of the white background part...I realize it is a popular shape but I don't know where to get it from so this is my version from my Cricut Lyrical Letters cartridge. I like how it turned out. Again, another page checked off the list from my niece's 1st birthday party. A few more challenges and I should have that project done :)

Blog Hop Challenge #12

2009-10-02T00:49:00.001-04:00

#12 The Crafting Pot:

http://thecraftingpot.blogspot.com/

Old school--no special tools. I used postcards, regular scissors, a few pictures and a brochure from the Coke museum in Georgia. I am really working to catch up on my books...these pictures and items are from 2001. I had it planned but never executed till now:

Blog Hop Challenge #11

2009-10-02T00:48:00.000-04:00

#11--Scrapfit:

http://scrapfit.blogspot.com/

The challenge here is "Happy Fall". This is probably my favorite cricut image (the leaf) so I decided to use it along with some of my newer papers. The stripe paper and ivory behind the leaf is from the DCWV Rustic stack and the words and leaf are cut with my new metallic paper. The base of the card was scrap brown cardstock.

Blog Hop Challenge #10

2009-10-02T00:46:00.000-04:00

#10--Creativity With A Twist:

http://creativitywithatwist.blogspot.com/

The challenge was to use the theme "Down and Dirty". I was having a hard time with this one since I don't have any kids nor is my husband a car mechanice or avid gardener. The only thing I could come up with (and I love how it turned out) is this picture of my niece from her birthday party playing with sidewalk chalk. She was at that age where she didn't want to touch sand/dirt so this is the closest I have to "Down and Dirty."

Down and Dirty with Sidewalk Chalk

Blog Hop Challenge #9

2009-10-02T00:45:00.000-04:00

#9--Just Buggin:

http://justbugginchallenges.blogspot.com/

This challenge was another die cut challeng but it required you to dress up your images a bit. Nothing plain, don't just cut it and slap it on the page. Oh boy did I work on dressing these up. I added stickles, rhinestones, used plain and patterned paper, use my design studio to edit the tea pots to be used as frames for the pictures. I even used vellum to cut the steam coming out of the cup and wrote each person's name on a piece of steam as my way to caption the picture.

Blog Hop Challenge #8

2009-10-02T00:44:00.002-04:00

#8--Practical Scrappers:

http://practicalscrappers.blogspot.com/

This challenge was to use diecuts...any kind, store bought or made from any machine. I used my cricut and cut star bursts to copy the ones in the designed paper. I added stickles, flowers and brad to dress it up a bit. These are engagement pictures of my husband and I about 3 weeks before our wedding.

#8--Practical Scrappers:

Blog Hop Challenge #7

2009-10-02T00:44:00.001-04:00

#7--Peachy Keen:

http://peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

I love these little faces!!!! I purchased the stamps when I purchased my Cricut Paper Dress-up Dolls cartridge because I was terrified about trying to draw faces. These are perfect because they tell you what size doll to use each stamp on. Only problem was that my supplies have been in boxes for about a year and my ink was almost dried up so I had to stamp twice...yes I sort of missed the second time so the mouth is double stamped. Oh well, got new ink yesterday so I will be better next time.

Blog Hop Challenge #6

2009-10-02T00:42:00.001-04:00

#6--Chirper Challenge:

http://chirperchallenge.blogspot.com/

The challenge called for "sweet", a stamp somewhere and some glitter. The little foot prints is a stamp and the brad has glitter on it (hard to see in the picture). I was racking my brain to do a cupcake or something for a birthday card but while at the gym I was talking to my mom about my cousin's new baby boy and I thought that would be a more current card to make for the challenge that I would also be quick to send out. I think I am going to put slits on the inside to hold a gift card before I send it out.

Blog Hop Challenge #5

2009-10-02T00:41:00.000-04:00

#5--Sew Many Cards:

http://www.digital.sewmanycards.com/
This giraffe is super cute. I loved looking at the different designs on this website. What a wonderful idea...digital stamp. I am just starting to do cards so this blog hop challenge is the most cards I have ever made (wow 4) I think this is my favorite and it was the most simple of them all.

Blog Hop Challenge #4

2009-10-02T00:40:00.000-04:00

#4--for SPCC
http://spcolorcombos.blogspot.com/

This is a layout I completed about two weeks ago but I didn't think it was finished. When I saw this challenge to use the selected colors I knew I just needed to add the bright green on top of the dark green and it would give this the kick it was missing. The driving force behind this layout was the wonderful pictures. My niece with her cousins at her first ever pumpkin patch. I love the ribbon also...it had just the right touch of glitter and sparkle.

Blog Hop Challenge #3

2009-10-02T00:39:00.000-04:00

#3--for Whimsical Scraps & Bugs:
http://whimsicalscrapsandbugs.blogspot.com/

This was completely out of my normal crafting mind. I have done a few non-layout, non-card projects but wow. Great Challenge!! I didn't have any cute festive ribbon so I grabbed what I could find and straw seemed appropriate. Thanks for looking.

Blog Hop Challenge #2

2009-10-02T00:38:00.000-04:00

#2--All About Me Challenge (scraplift Miranda)
http://itsallaboutmechallenge.blogspot.com/

I had a hard time getting motivated to do this one. What color describes me??? HUH? Then all of a sudden, while in the shower, I remembered that I attended a training class when I first transferred to my current job called "True Colors". My driving force color is GREEN. The picture is of my husband and I at my sister's wedding. Our dresses were green so I thought the picture was appropriate. The story and picture have nothing in common except the color but oh well.

Blog Hop Challenge

2009-10-01T23:55:00.001-04:00

#1 for Scrapsketch:

I think I am going to enjoy this blog.
http://www.scrapsketch.com/
This is one of my first layouts utilizing a sketch and it challenged me to get out of my comfort zone. I love the results. I have been needing to scrap my niece's 1st birthday party for a long time (she is 2 1/2 now) but I couldn't get very involved in my crafts until now...wedding, moving etc got in the way :)

Welcome!!

2009-09-29T15:11:00.001-04:00

I am very very new to this so please be patient. I have created this blog to participate in a scrapbooking/crafting blog hop challenge. As I was looking into the challenge I discovered that participating in random challenges it probably going to be the best way to keep me on task when it comes to my scrapbooking hobby. I am hoping to expand to card making eventually but need to catch up on my personal scrapping projects.