Finally Made It...50 Followers....So There's A Give-away

I finally got 50 followers...woo hoo! I promised a give-away, so here it is:

Two Studio G Clear Stamps (one for St. Patrick's and one for Easter) and an Inkadinkado Clear Stamp Set with 12 All Occasions Stamps.

I will pick a winner on Thursday March 3rd...Leave a comment on THIS POST between now and Wednesday March 2nd. (Please leave me a way to get in touch with you).

Good luck and thank you to all of my followers.

Check out my big news on the earlier post too....imagine what you could do

BIG Announcment and my 100th Post

Well, according to dashboard, this is my 100th post...(woo hoo...lol)...so we better make it good, right?

I am very excited to announce that (drum roll, please...dadadadadadadadadada)....I was chosen to be on the Design Team for Fantabulous Cricut!!! I'll say it again, I am really excited. I feel very honored for this privilege. I know that I'm up for the challenge and I hope that you like the projects. My first challenge will be on March 14th. So please be on the look for it...

I had some other stuff that I wanted to post but that will have to wait because my computer is giving me trouble. I can't upload any pictures. Hopefully it will be working tomorrow.

Thanks. 

imagine what you could do.....

Make A Splash

I had another one of those weeks where life gets in the way of crafting.
I made this card for Fantabulous Cricut (Use embossing) and Scrappy Moms Stamps (Use Create A Critter Cartridge) Challenges.

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

Materials:
Cardstock: White, 3 Shades of Orange, Green, Tan, Clear Vellum, Clear Craft Plastic and Patterned Paper.
Cricut Cartridge Create A Critter Fish and Fishbowl page 43 (Base, Shift Base, Shift Layer 1, Base Layer 2, Shift Layer 2, Base Layer 3, Shift Layer 3); Gator/Splash drop (bird's wing) page 45 (Shift Layer 2).
Cricut Design Studio (paper placement and to stretch bird's wing to make it look like a splash drop)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Tiny Mosaic
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Herringbone
Pigment Ink: White (for stones on bottom of fishbowl), 2 Shades of Blue (rubbed over the clear vellum for water and splash)
Computer Sentiment

This is how I layered the fishbowl: Clear Vellum Fishbowl, Tan Stones, Green Plants, Fish, Clear Vellum Splash, Clear Vellum Water and Clear Craft Plastic Fishbowl. (Not sure is you can see the top clear layer...looks really cool in person).

Well, the new Expression is working very well...in fact, I only had to cut the cardstock once (instead of twice) and the clear craft plastic cut with only two cuts. The last time I tried to cut the plastic with the old machine, it never cut all the way through, even after 4 cuts. So, this was pretty exciting...lol. (It's the little things..you know!)
 
Hope you like the card. Leave a comment/become a follower...only 14 to go for 50 followers...Would love to hear from you. Thanks....imagine what you could do....

You Are Tea-rrific

I made this card for the Cricut Cardz Challenge #62 (use a cup image from any cartridge). This had to be the hardest card that I have ever made...not because of the design, not because of the colors or the sentiment.I couldn't get it to cut! I tried 6 times and then finally gave up...I have previously told you that I was having trouble with my Cricut  Expression. It was spitting the mat back at me, not turning on or stopping halfway thought the cut.  RIP my Cricut Expression. Fortunately, I had bought another Expression around Christmas when I was able to get a really great deal. So you would have thought, ok, so unplug it and plug the new one in. Wrong! I use Cricut Design Studio in almost all of my projects (if for no other reason, paper placement) and I couldn't get Design Studio to recognize the new machine. (Which you need to have the new firmware in order for it to work). So after at least another hour or two, I FINALLY got it to work. I cut out the images and then I got hit with stomach pains. Forget trying to do anything else. Today, I was feeling a little better, but I am having trouble with my computer...I'm getting the feeling that I'm not suppose to make or post this card...

Well, anyway...here is the card (after all that);

I cut off about an inch off the front side and layered the cup image panel hanging over it. Then, I added a strip of purple on the inside.

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

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Two Shades of Purple, Pink and Patterned Paper.
Cricut Cartridge Wall Decor and More Teacup, page 30 (Base and Shift Base)
Cricut Cartridge Paper Lace Font Letters (Base and Shift Base)
White and Purple Pigment Ink
Purple Pen
Mounting Tape

I am going to miss my old Cricut...we had a very close relationship. Saw each other almost everyday. I hope the new guy performs as well.

Hope you like the card. Leave me a comment. Would love to hear if any of you have had the same problems...(it would make me feel better anyway...lol)

Determination...that's the word for the last two days....imagine what you could do.....

WOW! Stylish Blogger Award!

Right before I went to bed last night, after having a not so good day, I checked my blog and was happily surprised that I had received a "Stylish Blogger Award". Thank you Jessica. (Check out her blog: Chick-n-Scrap). 

This is how it works:
When you accept the award, you must:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share 8 things about yourself.
3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award.

Sharing 8 things:
1. I graduated from Rutgers with a BA in Biology.
2. I try to be optmistic.
3. I like reruns...
4. I'm not (usually) a risk-taker.
5. I'm a control freak...and I can admit to it.
6. I love love love chocolate!
7. The older I get, the less organized I am...which totally drives me crazy.
8. I try to appreciate the people and things in my life. (My family, friends and dogs are my life).

Passing the award on to 8 other bloggers:
This one is hard for me for a couple of reasons...I received this award for the first time last month and passed it on to bloggers that had inspired me...however, I was disappointed when only 3 of the 8 accepted it. I love all the blogs that I follow, for different reasons, but I actually only have 4 that I would like to pass this award on to today...(in no particular order)
1. Rachelles Place
2. Liz's Paper Loft
3. Scrap Tiffany
4. September Ninth
Please go check out their blogs...there are so many talented crafters out there.

I feel so honored to receive this award. (I do tend to take things seriously..oh, I guess that is my # 9 for sharing, huh?  lol) Thank you again Jessica.

imagine what you could do....

Hello***Stars***

Thought I would combine two challenges...Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #3 I'm Seeing Stars! and The Paper Variety Sketch Challenge.

This is the sketch:
Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Yellow, Purple and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Stand And Salute Star page 32 (Base Blackout), Square Star page 33 (Base)
Cricut Cartridge Opposites Attract "h" "e" "l" "l" "o" (Base Opposite)
Two Small Gold Round Brads
One Gold Star Brad
Two Purple Rhinestones, One Yellow Rhinestone
White and Purple Pigment Ink (for stars and top of letters)
Mounting Tape

Basically, I was inspired by the star patterned paper. Thought it was festive....Hope you think so too.

As you can see, I changed the background for my blog...thought it would be fun to celebrate the "holidays"...This is for St Patrick's Day...Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts. Thanks.
Only 16 more followers to hit my big 5-0. Hope to make it there soon.

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

Sun Fun Card...I Have Had Enough of Winter

Second post for today...Hoping that everyone is enjoying their Valentine's Day.

Made a card for two challenges...Scrappy Moms Stamps (Use the Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed) and Fantabulous Cricut (Make a project featuring your favorite seasonal weather).

It's a gate-fold card and as you can tell, I love the summer! I have had enough of winter....(lol)

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

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Orange, Red, Blue, Two Shades of Yellow, Tan and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed Sun page 50 (Base, Base Layer 1), Sand page 51 (Base, Base Layer 2, Base Layer 3)
Cricut Design Studio (Just to lay it out on the mat)
"S" "u" "n" "F" "u" "n" Sticker Letters
Mounting Tape

It was actually a very nice day today, until the wind started picking up...however, I'll take it over the snow anytime.

It's been great being able to make something again after last week. Although, it's only a matter of time before my poor Expression is completely dead...It has spit paper back at me more often now and sometimes turns off in the middle of cutting...and sometimes it doesn't turn on at all. Guess the poor baby is exhausted from all it's use...I'll keep using it until I can't anymore...most of the paper has been scraps, so if it doesn't cut or makes a mistake, at least it hasn't been expensive paper (although I hate throwing out any paper).

Take time for yourself...create...leave me a message...(I read them all)...still trying to get my 50 followers...thanks......................imagine what you could do

Happy Valentine's Day

Every year I give my boys a little something for Valentine's Day. This is what I made for them this year.

I added a ribbon at the top and hung them on their bedroom doors. Just a small reminder letting them know how much I love them.

Super simple...cardstock folded over in half, stamped and stapled over the bag of candy.
  
Hoping everyone has a very nice Valentine's Day!

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

Valentine's Box

It's been a week since I was able to make anything. So, what have I been doing? Well, actually I have been going crazy trying to find kitchen appliances...what an stressful experience. Then I was a "Creative Consultant" designing a menu and business card for a friend.



Anyway, to my project. I am going to submit this to Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #2 Love is in the Air.

 Finished Project: 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Materials:
Red Cardstock, Clear Vellum and Clear Plastic
Cricut Cartridge Life's A Party Window Box page 66 (Base)
Cricut Cartridge George and Basic Shapes Heart 1 page 119 (Base)
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamp Set "For You"
White Pigment Ink
White Pen
Red Ribbon

I cut the box from a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of vellum...fit to page. On the bottom of the box, I placed a small piece of clear plastic. I thought this would make the box sturdier. I also glued a piece of clear plastic in the window section of the box. I stamped the heart, made some swirl marks and glued it to the one flap of the box, so it would show through the window when closed. I added a bow and put in some Hershey Kisses.

This was a fairly quick project. I hope you enjoy it...imagine what you could do.....

Cheers.....

Third post for today.....I made this card for two challenges...Two Scraptastic Gals...Cricut Cartridge Chaos Challenge - Nifty Fifties (Use the Nifty Fifties Cartridge) and CropStop Challenge #5 - Sketch. I don't own the Nifty Fifties Cartridge, so I went on Design Studio just to see some images from that cartridge. I thought this Martini drink (From My Kitchen Cartridge) would work, in addition to the pink and black colors which reminds me of the Fifties. This is the sketch for CropStop:

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

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Black, Pink, Green, Red, Blue, Clear Vellum, Clear Craft Plastic and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge From My Kitchen Martini page 60 (Base Shift, Layers and Layers Shift)
Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed "Cheers" page 70 (Base Word)
Clear Glitter
Mounting Tape

The "pimento" in the olive is just from a hole punch and the toothpick is a sliver cut of blue paper. I used the vellum for the liquid part of the drink and the clear craft plastic for the glass (It may be difficult to see these in the photo).

Hope you like my card. Leave me a comment (I always love to read them) and become a follower...(only 19 to go for 50 followers and a give-away).....thanks...just think, I created this card while watching (and yes, I was watching) the Super Bowl...so just imagine what you could do....

Thank You Card for Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge

Die Cuttin' Diva's First "Official" Challenge was to use a sketch...

This is my card:

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

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Lilac, Teal, Dark Lilac, Two Shades of Green and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Florals Embellished Bird 3 Page 65 (Base, Base Shift, Layer 1, Layer 1 Shift, Layer 2 and Layer 2 Shift) (Flipped Images)
Cricut Design Studio
Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page String Lace (Straight Punch Only)
Spelbinders Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Ovals Large (Second Largest Only) (cut the lower section off)
Green Ribbon
Queen and Co Pearls-Pearl
Mounting Tape

This was the sketch:

I just picked up this cartridge on Friday and as soon as I saw the image of this bird, I immediately thought of this challenge...then of course, life started getting in the way and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it. I decided this afternoon to take a little break from researching refrigerators and be creative. Hope you like my interpretation of the sketch. Leave me a comment...thanks.

Enjoy your time today...think I'll maybe try to create another card while watching the Super Bowl...imagine what you could do....

I'm Not Complaining....

Well, I am not complaining...seriously, I'm not, but it's been a couple of rough days. After we finished the powder room on Tuesday, I went shopping for accessories on Wednesday after work. My oldest son then told me that night that he thought he sound a lump on Cobi. It, hopefully, turns out to be a fatty tumor...or so the Vet thinks. I was totally stressing. On Friday after I came home from work, I didn't think my refrigerator was acting quite right and sure enough, it's dead. Thank goodness I had somewhere to put the food. To make it worse, my Cricut Expression is not acting right either. It's starts beeping weird, stops cutting and once, it even threw the paper out...we'll see how long it continues to work. Has anyone else had their machines die on them? Let me know. So, today I'm going to try to craft alittle...hope to see you real soon....imagine what you could do.....

Papercraft Star Challenge 31 - Sketch

What a difference a couple of days can make. My husband and I redid our powder room...took down wallpaper, painted, put in a new vanity/sink and put up a new light fixture. Still need the finishing touches, but wow, what a difference. Anyway...to the challenge...

Here is my card for this week:

We had to use this sketch:

Create any project you desire using this fabulous sketch by Liz Chidester!

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

Materials:
Cardstock: Cream, Black. Dark Red, Pink and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Accent Essentials Accent 43, page 74 (Base and Shift); Accent 42, page 72 (Base)
Cricut Design Studio
EK Success Scallop Circle Punch
Studio G Clear Stamp "My Friend" and " Happy Birthday"
Black Pigment Ink
Rose Chalk (rubbed over the pink circles for the "roses"); White Chalk (rubbed over the leaf)
Glitter
Pale Yellow Ribbon
Mounting Tape

I like the way this turned out. I made this with my friend, Linda (who's birthday is Sunday) in mind. Hope she likes it.

Hope your creative juices are flowing...imagine what you could do.......