Happy New Year

 Well, I can't believe that 2010 is over...where did it go?

Looking back, I have mixed feelings...Some of the highlights, (briefly)...My oldest moved back from across the country. I went on a (much needed) vacation to Disney World with my husband and 3 sons. (I hadn't been on vacation since 2005). My middle son graduated College and my youngest graduated High School.  My husband's father and uncle passed away. I (finally) started this blog. My youngest started College. I took a couple trips up to New York and saw some good shows.  Our baby girl, (an Australian Shepard/Husky) Lady passed away. We adopted a new baby girl, (an Australian Shepard/Pointer) Niki.

Now it's time to think about resolutions...not sure if I'll make any this year...most of them never happen anyway. So maybe I'll just hope and pray for the best and I guess I'll see where 2011 takes me.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. May it be everything you want and need....just imagine what you could do....

Pillow Boxes

One of the presents I received for Christmas was the Cricut Cartridge Wrap It Up.  It has the new handbook which, in my opinion since I am use to the old handbook, I think is harder to understand. I am sure that it will be fine once I get use to it. I do like that it shows you the location of the image on the overlay.

One of the images that I liked was the pillow box, found on several different pages. I cut the poinsettia one and thought it turned out really nice. (I don't have a photo of it, as I used it already). However, I thought that the pillow box would make a great gift card or money box even without the special image cuts on it. So I put it in Cricut Design Studio and used the hide selected contour to hide the inside cut design and then I also resized the box. I was able to get two (2) on a 12" x 12" mat. This is several of the boxes that I cut:

I thought that these would be great to keep on hand for birthdays.  I like the way they turned out either with "birthday" paper or with the solid cardstock and embossing. (I used Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Happy Birthday). Now all I have to do is make some coordinating tags.

Hope you like these pillow boxes...just imagine what you could do...

Trying To Recover...

I hope everyone had a safe and healthy Christmas. Did Santa bring you everything you wanted? I must have been a good girl, cause I did get some new crafting stuff...
The past week seems like a whirlwind to me. Last Tuesday, my husband, Joe, and I went to see "White Christmas" in Philadelphia. It was really good.
On Wednesday, we headed up to New York to see an off-Broadway show. Our youngest son gave us the tickets for Christmas. It was called "My Sinatra A Musical About Obsession". It was very entertaining. Before the show, we walked in Central Park for a little, then had dinner at this little Irish pub called Malachy's Donagal Inn. I had a cheeseburger and my husband had a peppers and sausage sandwich. We both thought the food was excellent.
On Thursday, my husband's family came over (his mother...she was visiting from Florida, his niece, and two of his sisters and their husbands) to celebrate the holidays. I decided to make pork roast for dinner and put three of them in the oven. Now can anyone please explain to me how one of them was cooked, yet the other two were pretty much still raw after cooking it longer than it said? In the end, I sliced them up and threw them in the microwave and cooked them that way. I was, to say the least, a little flustered. However, they ended up fine.
On Friday, Christmas Eve, we celebrated Christmas with our immediate family. My husband had to work out of town on Christmas Day, so we decided to celebrate it early so everyone was there.
On Saturday, Christmas Day, the boys, my husband's aunt and I went over to my cousin's house for Christmas dinner. Lots of laughs...always!
This brings us to yesterday where it snowed all day....it was just one of those lazy days. I did play a little with one of my new Cricut Cartridges (Wrap It Up). However, in reality, not much got done.
Today....well, the first thing is digging out of the snow...guess I better get that done...then maybe some crafting time. We'll see...
Hope to be back soon with some projects. Til then, imagine what you could do...

Merry Christmas

 

We wish you a Merry Christmas

and 

A Happy New Year!

                                                          ...imagine what you could do......

Two Mini-Albums

Hope everything is going well for everyone. Are you ready for Christmas yet? I'm getting there. Spent the last two days wrapping presents. I also made some chocolate covered pretzels yesterday. I make them every year but didn't think I was going to have time this year. I still have to get stocking stufffers...hopefully later today.

I haven't had much time for crafting, I hope that is not the case for all of you. I did want to share a couple mini-albums that I made a couple of weeks ago. I was inspired a while ago by an album that was on Cardz TV. Who knew what you could make with flattened toilet paper rolls, paper and ribbon.

This is the first one I made. It says "XMAS". The letters are cut from Cricut Cartridge George and Basic Shapes. The tags are from Cricut Cartridge Tags, Bags, Boxes and More in Cricut Design Studio.

The tags you pull out say "Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas!" and the last tag holds a gift card as their gift.

This is the second one I made.  It says "4 YOU". (It's hard to read in the picture).

The tags in this one say " A Gift For You. Merry Christmas". Again, the last tag holds the gift card.

I plan on making more of these. I think they would be great for birthdays. I'm always looking for different and creative ways to give gifts.

Until next time, keep crafting and get inspired cause imagine what you could do.......

Cookie Exchange, Banner, Mice, Ornaments and Cards

Seems like it has been forever since I posted anything. I had been busy getting ready for the cookie exchange and trying to get some Christmas shopping done. I think the week I was sick in November really put me behind.

I hosted the cookie exchange on Sun the 12th. It turned out to be really nice. Here are a couple of pictures of the table with the packages of cookies...

(It looked much better in person)....

I had made a banner for the wall in the kitchen...

and a close-up...

I used Cricut Cartridge Celebrate with Flourish for the ornaments (cut at 7") and Cindy Loo for the letters (cut at 3"). They were all cut with AC Specialty Paper, Foil.

After everyone arrived, we played a game...you introduce yourself, then tell a story that has to do with the cookie you made/brought. There were so many funny and interesting stories. Unfortunately there were a few stories about fires in the microwaves also, thank goodness nothing serious. I think everyone felt better after hearing all the other problems that the others had. We played a couple other games, had plenty of laughs and ate way too much.

In addition to my cookies I was exchanging, I made these mice...

They are made with an Oreo Double Stuff Cookie, Hershey Kiss, A chocolate dipped Maraschino Cherry, Almond Slices and Cookie Gel. They are not only cute, but they taste good too.

As a thank you gift, I made Ornaments with the Future Floor Wax and Glitter...

 I made them in gold, silver, red, green and blue. I also made cards to go with the gifts...

and two close-ups...

I used Cricut Cartridge Gingerbread (cut at 3 1/4") and Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page String Lace. The finished cards were 4" x 4". Don't you think they look like sugared cookies?

Well, this year's exchange is over...time to start thinking of ideas for next...ok, maybe not quite yet...I have shopping, wrapping and cards to get done. How about you?

Get inspired to have friends over and have some fun, cause imagine what you could do.........

Happy Chanukah...and a Christmas Wreath

Quick card for my friends that celebrate Chanukah.

Finished Card: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Materials:
Cardstock: Silver and Royal Foil
DCWV The Winter Card Stack with Glitter
Cricut Lite Cartridge Inspired Heart Star David Base and Base Shift

I forgot to take a picture of the inside, however, it says "Happy Chanukah".

Here is a wreath that I made as a request after they had seen the last wreath I made.

 

The little black box that you see in the middle is a solar panel for the lights on the wreath. It looks really pretty when the lights go on. (I also added lights to the other wreath and garland after I had taken the photos).

Hope the holidays preparations are going well for everyone. We cut and decorated our Christmas tree this past weekend. Had a nice time with friends on Saturday and family time on Sunday. It gets harder and harder with all of our schedules. I'm just glad that we were able to work something out.

Trying to get alittle time for crafting, but until I get a handle on the shopping, wrapping and cookie exchange prep (just to name a couple of things), I think that it will be limited. Hope you can take some time for yourself cause imagine what you could do...

Dashing Through the Snow...

Can't believe it's December already. Where has this year gone? I feel like I am so far behind for the holidays... I am usually just about done Christmas shopping by now, and this year I don't feel like I have even started. Nothing is wrapped (of the small amount that I do have). Even the crafting, I don't feel like I have had time for that either...however, with that said, I don't know what I have been doing......guess I better get organized or something....Anyway, I did make this card awhile ago. I hope you like it...

Finished card: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Materials:
Cardstock: White and Black
Cricut Cartridge Christmas Cards
Sizzix Embossing Folder, Phrases, Merry Christmas #2
Sentiment printed from my computer

Pretty simple card, but looks elegant, I think. You know, I bet this would look nice with either the Sizziz OR Cuttlebug Embossing folder "Snowflakes" also. Maybe I'll have to give it a try...


Happy Hanukah! (to those of you who celebrate...)

Try not to stress over the holidays...I think I'm starting to do that enough for everyone! Relax with a little crafting...(I'm going to try and take my own advice too...lol). Until next time, imagine what you could do...

Thanksgiving, A Bird and A Christmas Gift (lots of pictures)

Hope that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I had to work yesterday morning at 5am, so yesterday was pretty much of a do nothing day since I was so exhausted. We were able to get together with an old friend for a little while later in the day, which is always good.  Thought I would share some pictures of our Thanksgiving table.

I really wanted everyone to sit at the same table this year, so this is actually my pool table/ping pong table converted. It worked out really well.

(notice my little place cards)

Earlier in the morning, I was sitting with two of my sons at the kitchen table having a doughnut and/or muffin and we looked out the back window and this is what we saw:

Isn't he beautiful? I'm not sure he was posing or if we were just annoying him...

In my last post, I had mentioned that I had made a Christmas gift for someone and that I would share it later. Well, we gave it to her on Thanksgiving night, (I know it's very early, but we wanted her to be able to use it this season).

(No, not the piano...lol)  and

Here are a couple of close-ups:

She was absolutely floored and started crying. I am going to add lights to the garland, (but I wanted to check if she had a plug close by). I'm just so happy that she liked it.

Well, now it's time for the next project...decorating for Christmas. I love to decorate, but just dread pulling all the stuff out of the attic...(and packing it back up). I'm sure you all feel the same way...

Go, get inspired and imagine what you could do...

Happy Thanksgiving

What do you think of the new design? Just wanted a change. Reminds me of Winter and/or Christmas with the winter white, little bit of green and red. Tell me what you think....

Been working on some projects...

These are cards that my friend asked me to design/make. She is sending them to the guys that helped her daughter move. (Rental truck colors).

Also made a Christmas gift; however, I can't share that with you right now.....soon though.

I would also like to take this time now to wish everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving, (since I'll be busy in the kitchen the rest of today and tomorrow).
May your turkey be moist, your family and friends be many and your pants not too tight!

Enjoy......imagine what you could do.......

Nuts About You

Just a fun card...

and the inside...

 

I'm sending this to my son who is away at college. He loves that I makes cards and has been wondering how come he hasn't received any since he has been away. I just hope he gets it before he sees this post...we'll see. (lol)

Finished card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials"
Cardstock: White, Three Shades of Brown and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Create a Critter, Squirrel, page 32 (Base, Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, Accessory, Accessory Shift, Phrase and Phrase Shift)
Sizzix Embossing Folder, Plaid
Ribbon
3D-Dots

Pretty quick and simple once everything is cut. Sometimes simplicity says it all...don't you agree?
See you soon...imagine what you could do

Papercraft Star Challenge #22 Papercraft Recipe

A new challenge at Papercraft Star. This is my submission for this week:

Here is the "recipe":

Challenge 22 - Papercraft Recipe
Make a Holiday Card or Tag that features a Christmas Tree or Ornament

Use the Cricut or Other Die Cut on your project
Add Ribbon
Add Handmade Embellishment
Add Bling
(use anything additional you desire)
                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finished tag: 5 1/2" x 3 5/8"

Materials:
Cardstock: Green, Red, White and small piece of Patterned Paper
Sizzix Die Tag, Super Traditional
Recollections Clear Stamps, North Pole (Christmas Tree)
Rhinestones and Pearls, Various Colors and Sizes (Red and Clear Rhinestones; Pearl, Grass Green and Sunflower Yellow Pearls)
Crayola Glitter Glue, Gold
Doodlebug Design Inc Crushed Velvet Flock, Red
Brown, Light Green and Dark Green LePlume II Markers
Black Pigment Ink
Gold Thread
Ribbon, Gold, Red and Green
3D-Dots
"Merry Christmas" in Green (from my computer)

My Sizzix Tag is my "Die Cut". The Rhinestones and Glitter are my "Bling". The Ribbon is my "Ribbon". My Handmade Embellishment is my "Present under the tree". I made the "box" and tied the gold thread around it, complete with bow, to make it look like a gift. It measures: 5/8" x 3/8" x 1/8". The tree skirt is flocked.

I really like the way this turned out. It was different since I decided to make a tag instead of a card.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is going out with our dear friends and cutting down the tree. We have been doing it for, well, what seems like forever...and I wouldn't trade it for the world. There have been years when due to our schedules, or theirs, that we have had to go alone, and over the years, not all family members were able to attend. However, all in all, we have this great tradition. Another tradition is that they invite us over to help decorate their tree. We all have our designated roles: The husbands put the lights on; I open the boxes with the ornaments and hand them out; my girlfriend and the boys (hers and mine) decorate the tree. I have a confession concerning the decorating of our tree: I use to be very controlling of it...I'm an only child, if that tells you anything. Over the years, and many many jokes later, I am proud to say that we all share in decorating. The only thing that I am adamant about is that we decorate when we are all home, (which is getting harder and harder to do). Do you have any traditions? I would love to hear them. Leave me a comment. Thanks. In future posts, maybe I'll share a few stories too.

Now get busy, dream, get inspired...cause imagine what you could do...

Two Things...One Happy, One Sad...

Well, I guess I'll start out with the sad first. I got news that a parent from one of my son's old soccer teams had passed away. So, I decided to make a sympathy card.

 

They are simple cards but I think they look nice. I hope that they like it.

Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Yellow, Black and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Wild Card, "With Sympathy" page 32 (Base Phrase)
Sheer Ribbon
Inkssentials Glossy Accents (on "With Sympathy")

For the Happy news: I can't believe it, I won some blog candy from the Scrap Tiffany Blog Hop on The Vintage Bluebird Blog (click here). I won Inkadinkado Cute Holiday Favorites Stamp Set. I am so excited. So to Keely, "Thank you...you have made my day!. Woo Hoo!!! I can't wait to play with them."

I've have not been feeling well lately, (some back problems and then I got a cold/cough on top of it), so this was a really nice surprise. It's the simple things in life, isn't it?

Until next time, imagine what you could do...

"Family" Autumn Banner

I had seen a few banner blog hops recently and I was inspired to make one myself. Since I am having Thanksgiving dinner this year, I thought this would be appropriate to have hanging up.

Here are some close-ups of the leaves...

Wow..I just noticed in my photos that my walls look gray; in reality, they are peach...weird. Well anyway, I thought it turned out really nice and now I am so inspired that I will be making one for Christmas.
 
Finished banner: approximately 3 feet (from end of leaves; with the ribbon on each end, add about another 8" on each side)
Leaves are cut at 6"
Acorns are cut at 1 1/2" for the ones on the ends, and 1" for the ones in the middle

Materials:
Cardstock: Brown (2 shades), Gold, Orange, Mustard, Rust, Red Orange and Yellow Orange (each leaf in "Family" is a different color. The leaves on the ends are the same as the "M" and "A", respectively.
Cricut Cartridge Cupcake Wrappers, Leaf (Layer Toppers, 7th button)
Cricut Cartridge Create A Critter, Acorn page 32 (Accessory Base and Shift)
Cricut Cartridge George and Basic Shapes, "Give" "Thanks"
Cricut Design Studio
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder D'Vine Swirls
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Swiss Dots
Sizzix Embossing Folder Plaid (Acorn Tops)
Thin Green Ribbon
3D-Dots

Another thing I noticed AFTER I finished this banner was that I had just bought a tablecloth that had leaves and acorns on it also. Strange how it worked out...lol. I am having 10 people over which should be nice...not too many but not too little. Unfortunately, my husband has to work, so I guess my boys had better help me out. Basically, I am going to try to get as much done beforehand. Going to try NOT to stress. Hahahahahahahaha...well, I'm trying to think that I won't. How about you? When you are entertaining, do you stress out or are you one of the lucky ones that just can relax and have fun. (Boy I envy that). I am better once everything is in place.

More than likely, I am finished with making any fall/Thanksgiving projects. Christmas is on the brain. See you soon. I would love for you to leave a comment. Thanks...and imagine what you could do...

Papercraft Star Challenge #21 Photo Inspired...

This is the photo we had to use to inspire us to make a holiday card or tag.

I made this card:

I suggest that you click on the photo to see it alittle closer in order to see the fine glittered lines on the small light blue square. Hope that you like it.

Finished card: 5" x 5"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Blue, Green, Patterned and Glittered
Cricut Cartridge A Child's Year, Snowflake, page 55 (Layer Icon)
Cricut Cartridge Winter Woodland, Let It Snow, page 62 (Base) (Only use "Snow" part)
Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page Combo - Aspen (Only use the border punch on one side)
Sizzix Embossing Folder, Snowflakes
Blue Ribbon to Match
Snowflake Brad
3D-Dots

Thanks for checking out my blog. I would love to hear from you. Just leave a comment and imagine what you could do.

Birthday Card

Here is a card that I made at the same time that I made the one I posted on Oct 24th ( click here to see that card). My boys think this would be good for a Christmas birthday (because of the colors).

Finished Card: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Green, Rust and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed, Present 1, page 67 (Base, Layer 2, Layer 3, Shadow)
Sizzix Tag, Crescent Combo (Small tag only)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Number Collage
Gold Pigment Ink
Glossy Accents (On ribbon)
Studio G Clear Stamps, My Friend
Black Sharpie ( I wrote "Happy Birthday" on gift tag)
Gold Embroidery Floss (to hang gift tag)

I actually think if you changed the sentiment on the tag to "For You" or "Don't Open Til Christmas", you could use it as a Christmas Card.

Working on some Thanksgiving projects, as well as the Cookie Exchange...just trying to keep busy. (lol) Keep crafting...imagine what you could do....

Invitations for a Cookie Exchange

 

I'm going to host a cookie exchange and here are my invitations. This is a close-up of one invit:

 

I thought they turned out cute.

Finished Size: 4 1/" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: Black, White, Gold, Red and Brown
Patterned Cards
Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed, Penguin 2 page 66 (Shift Base, Shift Layer 1, Shift Layer 2, Shift Layer 4)
Cricut Cartridge From My Kitchen, Cookie (Gingerbread man) page 65 (Base) (I decorated each Gingerbread man differently with a white gel pen and black marker)
Sizzix Embossing Folder, Snowflakes (I embossed the front half of the card)
Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page Combo Border, Aspen ( I used the snowflakes that are punched out)
Doodlebug Design Inc Crushed Velvet Flock, Red (I flocked the bow ties)
Googly Eyes
The sentiment is printed from my computer.

I did add some charcoal chalk around the outside of the white body to give him a little more dimension and some pink chalk for cheeks after the pictures were taken.  

Last year, we had such a good time. I'm hoping that everyone can come again. I decorated the ceiling with hanging snowflakes. Here is a picture of that:

It really came out very festive looking. I cut out the snowflakes in different colors, then made a slit in the middle halfway up. Next, I took two different colored snowflakes and made a 3D snowflake out of it by sliding the slits together. (one up and one down). It's harder to explain then it is to do it...lol. (I also made the arrangement in the middle of the table...this is only a side view of that).

Here is a close-up of the snowflakes.

I haven't made any decorations for this year yet. Any suggestions? I was thinking ornaments, but I'm not sure. Still have to play around with some ideas.

Although the cookies are good...I think I enjoy the good friends the best. Lots of talking and laughing, oh yes, and eating. What's not to love? I hope I inspired you to decorate or host your own exchange... imagine what you could do

Papercraft Star Challenge # 20 "Visions of ..."

The challenge this week at Papercraft Star was from a "recipe". Click here for the link.

Simon Says

Simon Says Make a Card
Base 4.5 x 5.5
Double Mat #1: cut at 3 3/8 x 4 5/8
with another color cut at 3 1/4 x 4 1/4
Double Mat #2: cut at 2 3/4 x 4
with another color cut at 2 3/4 x 2 1/2
Add Ribbon
Add Button(s)
Add Punch or Die Cut
(Add anything else you would like to add)

This is what I made:

Finished card: 4 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Materials:

Cardstock: White, Green, Burgundy and Two Patterned Papers

Cricut Cartridge Christmas Cheer, Candy Cane page 110, Base and Shift Base (also used the flip feature for one candy cane)

Sizzix Embossing Folder Powdered Sugar

Thin Green Ribbon

One Medium Burgundy Button, Three Small Pale Blue Buttons

I know it's not Christmas yet, but it's just been on my mind lately. At work, we are decorating and putting out Christmas items. In fact, we even have Christmas music on...if you can believe that! I've also been planning a cookie exchange for December. (You'll see the invitations soon). So with all this Christmas around me, "visions of sugarplums" were dancing in my head...

Good luck to all the other projects in the challenge...there are so many talented crafters out there! Just imagine what YOU could do...

Happy Halloween

Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. Our hours for Trick or Treating are from 3 - 8 pm. We'll see how many kids we get this year. Every year it tends to be less and less. Then come Monday, I take down all the Halloween decorations, spider webs, mice, and potions, but leave all the pumpkins, (just turn them around so you can't see the scary faces), and put out all my turkeys for Thanksgiving.

Although they are not Halloween cards, I would like to share a couple of birthday cards that I thought were still appropriate for the occasion. The first one is:

It says, "Don't lose your head" on the front and " It's only your birthday" on the inside.

The second one is:

 

and the inside:

Hope you enjoy.

Again, have a safe but fun Halloween and don't eat too much candy. Imagine what you could do....