Win $1000 at the CuttlebugSpot.com!!!!!!!

I have just discovered that The Cuttlebug Spot is having a contest - "The Journey to 1,000"! They are trying to reach 1,000 followers by the end of July and need your help. To enter all you have to do is go to their site, sign up as follower and complete a few easy steps and you could win a $1,000 gift certificate to Custom Crops (http://www.customcrops.com/)! GO NOW and check it out at http://www.thecuttlebugspot.com/

"Once Upon A Time"....Tinkerbell Layout

Okay.....Here is another layout I did using the" layered" technique .......When I finshed
this LO...I got this bright idea to use Glossy Accents on the lil fairies eyes and lips..."Mistake"....but too late....so their eyes blurred and I cannot fix it....Okay...I'm over it now(still a lot dissapointed)...but will probably do another ....so they don't looked "spoooked"....Tink and her friends are 3.5" and believe it or not they were not difficult to make that small.....( here is a lil' secret...I used American Crafts CS and the multi-cut feature).......The tree was cut at 9"....and layered with the Shadow feature and the blackout feature......I used a lot of "bling" (i.e. diamond dust,stickles and gems)... to give it sparkle.....TFL ladies....

"Tea Time"- "Dreams Do Come True" Card

Okay, I kind of killed two birds with one stone sorta ...with this challenge...I made this card for "two" cahllenges really. The "Cricut Crafters Unite" thread had a challenge where you had to use ANY catridge that you had not used in the last month and the Challenges/Projects Blog's challenge was "Layering"....so I chose Disney's "Dreams Do Come True"......I used the Teapot and cup.....This was a fun challenge and it satisfied both challenges.......

I layered this card about three times....Though you cannot tell....I used DCWV and American Crafts Cardstock....(Two tones of Pink, and white ) ....and layered it again with a stripped transparency (acetate...).....So ...okay four times.....I also pop-dotted it for dimesion.....TFL....


side-view (layered and pop-dotted)

"Be Yourself"- CTMH Notecard Set

Today, I am "Scrappin' My Stash".....I guess I am feeling a bit guilty because I went out yesterday and found some pretty good SB stuff on sale.....AND to my surprise, I did not purchase any paper....(now, that's a first....). But, I have so much that I have purchased at the Craft stores or online over the last few weeks.....I thought it was time for me to use some things that I have been promising myself to complete...This "Be Yourself" CTMH stamp was a "Must Have". I was sooo excited about getting it ....and using it....but something else either came out or "hottest" and "Greatest" New Item caught my attention and I never got the opportuntiy to try them out.....Yeah, I forgot about them......But ran across them in my stamp drawer and made a simple notecard set with some of the stamps.....Take a look......

Accordion Album-Micheal Jackson-1958-2009

This is an accordion album that I made for a challenge. This is kind of twofold as I needed to complete a challenge and my sister wanted to make a "Michael Jackson" album. So I figured why not do both at the same time.........This is a pretty easy project....but the detailing of each page took a lil thought and time....and I had to research the intenet for pics and MJ information......I'll probably have to make another because I ended up with so much information......This was a pretty busy weekend for me...as I had visitors...(and they were "scrapbookers"...(hehe)...so you know I enjoyed...) ....but I manged to get some of the pages completed....As I complete the pages I will post the pics in the this slideshow.....I enjoyed making the album....hummed MJ tunes thougout the process. The folder is bi-direction- meaning there is no back or front...I like the way this project is going....TFL....

"Celebration"- 4th July-Altered Tin

" Celebration"

Over the weekend I discovered that I can still use all of my craft things that I stockpiled over the years to scrapbook with.... so yall know I am doing a "happy dance", right????..... Well, I have been making some projects the last couple of days and decided to use some tins to make some table arrangements for 4th of July and....I am having a ball with them.....Now I have to rethink the remainder of my space in the basement....I am thinking....."more expedit shelving for my crafts items.....Yeah...I am sketching out the area and measuring walls as we speak...maybe I should even go ahead and paint this time....Okay...now that scared me...That's a whole lot of work...but anyway....

I have made the 2nd of the 3-4th of July arrangements that I am making. I used colored transpaprencies to make the balloons (cute huh???), embossed and edged with Staz-on... I used Don Juan for the fonts...I so love Don Juan.....(hehe...).....Yeah...I'm liking this one.....(smiles....) TFL ...

("Closeup" of top of the arrangement ")

(Closeup of "altered tin")

A Treasure Chest of "Hope"- Inspirational Bible Verses

I "lifted" this project from a MB member that use to do a "Monthly Personal" Challenge that I use to participate in. Thank you Cynthia...a couple of years later ...and I found it in my list of "Things to Lift".....This altered craft is made with a wooden box from the wood craft departments in the craft stores. I always pick loads of them up when ACM, J's or M's have them on sale for about 2 0r 3 for $1. They make very nice gifts, stocking stuffers or "make and takes". This one has 31 days of "inspirational" bible verses.....I enjoyed making this project. I know it's been quite a while since she made this.....but, thanks again Cynthia for the inspiration. I varnished the box (make sure you do this in a well ventilated area) using a wipe-on tinted varnish. The box was altered inside and out with PP. A mirror was set on the inside of the lid. I used Graphically Speaking to make the cards. The cards inside the box are cut at 1-3/4" and the card on the outside of the box is cut at 1". The bible verses were found on the website and computer generated. This was not a quick and easy project ...but it was fun to do.....TFL

"God Bless America"- "4th of July" Craft Arrangement

I wanted to make a "4th of July" arrangement and was looking for the "Stand and Salute" cartridge today.....but I could not find it....So, I had to use what I had....I used "Don Juan", "Graphically Speaking" and "George" for some of the stars......The Radio Flyer wagon is one of my many crafts that I have collected over the years....so is the bear. I just thought this was a rather cute idea for a "4th of July"........ TFL Everyone and have a "Happy 4th".....

OMG!!!!!!!!....."Who knew"........?????

I am probably the only one that did not know this............Yep..... of course it's scrapbook related...and "I missed it"....I knew when they came out.......So why didn't I realize what I purchased.....(Well, probably because ...I just purchase all stamps....."I just gotta have them"....(hehe....).....I am sitting on a "goldmine".....Okay..let me calm down. I know...... I'm a lil more excited then I need to be. But, this week I did a challenge where we had to use "inchies". So....... okay...I made a card doing just that......I made my "inchies" and embossed the "inchies"..Cute huh..?...Well, okay....they are to me..(smile)...

Here is the card.....Okay, I got a lil carried away with "inking" the edges.....(hehe...)..but this is my card.......

I received the July 2009 edition of "Cardmakers" Magazine in the mail yesterday...and guess what ...an entire section dedicated to "Inchies Artwork"....I'm thinking..."Wow, what inspiration"......"I can use these examples to make some more "inchie" cards." Flip the page and there they were...... staring me in the face...... "inchie" stamps. I looked a lil closer...and thought"Oh my, I have those stamps...Let me go down to my scrapbook and check in my stamping drawers".....and Yeah..."Look...."......... I know all of you in a "inchie" swap orATC club are going..."Oh, we knew that"....So, okay...Call me slow......(hehe...)... Yep, .......just sitting there amongst the rest of the stamps I have been collecting overtime...and waiting to use for something....I knew they would come in handy when I purchased them..but never tied them in with "inchies" because I never did an "inchie" card until this week.....Wow y'all, I am truly doing the "happy dance".....and waiting to put these stamps to good use.......Yay....me.... I'll show y'all what I do with them.....(smile)....So, was that worth all of the excitement?????.... And this is the card I made from "Cardmakers's magazine.

RAK for "Most Improved Scrapbooker"

Out of the kindness of my heart, I wanted to acknowledge someone and give them a true "RAK". Someone who I thought has "improved" tremenduously in their creative ability. She jumped right in when we started doing challenges...Though she acknowledged she was "just learning" and at first even hesitated to post her creations....she never quit. And she always challenged herself to go one step further. In looking at her work, I noticed the evolution of a "flower in bloom". She takes pride in her projects and ask for help when she feels stumped or lost at completing a challenge or what to do next. As she said...she started taking "baby steps"...but have found what it takes to do what she truly enjoys,. ie., scrapbooking, cardmaking, altering crafts. I wanted to give her a blog award...because in looking at her projects from her initial challenge submission, I see vast "improvement" in her projects...... but to date, she does not have one...but remember ...she's taking "baby steps"...So, I think that will probably be her next step..........So, to Kathy Oscar...I give you this gift knowing that it will "inspire" you to continue doing what you truly enjoy...God Bless Sista...(smile)...(I hope you do not mind me doing this ....but I think you deserve it"...."Enjoy".....

Heat Embossing - "Thinking of You" Card

Yay...This is a card that I created using the heat embossing technique...I know, not a big deal huh?????.....But I have not created anything using this technique in quite some time...."Heat Embossing" is the challenge this week on the Sistas Blog.

http://thesistas-challenges.blogspot.com/

And we now have a "Design Team". "Yay"...........The team was set up to show different takes on the challenges that are posted weekly. Presently, there are 3 Design Team members on a 5 member Design Team( as we are sure it will grow pretty fast)..... a couple of slots are open for anyone that is interested in submitting a project that they feel shows their creativity,technique and style . So Yes.....we are looking for "A Few Good Ladies"........(I know, I stole that title......hehe.....). So, if interested shoot us an email to the gmail account on the Sistas Blog. Thank you to the ladies that are a part of the Design Team.

The instructions and cards created by the design team are posted on The Sistas Blog. Go over and take a look.....and don't forget , if interested in joining the team, feel free to submit your interest via email.

Here is the card I submitted for this weeks challenge. TFL

Flap "Paperbag" Album

Can you say fun?????? This was a great challenge. I like the pockets that hold all of the tags, pictures, momentos....and notes that you want to keep with the album.....Yes, this was quite fun......TFL.... The Flap Paperbag Album was created using youtube tutorial from "Angi Scraps" Great video and the instructions were easy to understand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poVN2rU6WzU Thanks Angi

Father's Day Cards

Hehe...These lil' shirts were absolutely adorable. I started this challenge last night....I made these shirts before about 10 years ago....and I now remember how much fun they were to make. I ended up making lots of the shirts...I should have taken pictures of the individual shirts. It was like making clothes.....But anyway...I made about six shirts last night....If I did not get sleepy...I'm sure I would have made more. Well today, I made the cards to go with the shirts ......That was just as much fun..because I wanted to make the cards match the shirts....I know...I'm easily excited...(hehe...)....But I used the Yooutube video Classy Crafts by Nona Davenport http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3xfjRM80bI Thanks Nona..... the video was nicely done and easy to understand.

Here are the Father's Day Card....Of course I am making more....(Hehe...)....TFL

"EXPLORING" "DS and SCAL"

I figured out why I did not utilize "DS" or "SCAL"....and that's only about so long ( maybe 2 years or longer) after having both...I purchased "DS" and "SCA" when the products were released.....Initially I started using "DS" and then figured it was taking up tooo much of my precious SB time....But I figured a couple of years later I was really just being lazy AND I had my laptop on one workstation and my "E" on another.....So today....I kind of rearranged my system so that it will actually work for me.....I guess that is what Jukebox will do for yah... I never really bothered to figure either program to it's "fullest" capacity and then I got jukebox......I think I am going to put these programs to the test....I hope that does not mean designing more than SBing.........But, anyway.....here are two of the five workstations in my scrapbookroom...that I rearranged.....Now I actually have a computer workstation...I am going to see how this arrangement pan out for me ....Maybe it will inspire me to get to using DS and SCAL....I can dream.....right?????....Now to figure out where to sit......Hehe....

Originally I had my "E" on this workstation ....."all alone"....... and not even connected to my laptop.....

Now that I have rearranged........I have an actual computer worstation .....I hope this really works for me.....I cannot bear to think I am just sitting on "DS" and "SCAL"....I'll see how it works out......

"I've Been Awarded...."Kreativ Blogger"

I am totally overjoyed receiving this award from Carol T....from
http://koalatkreations.blogspot.com/ ...Carol, Thank you for your kind words and comments. I have to let you know that it really pleases me to receive this award from you ...especially since you are so creative, inspiring and full of knowledge. I love your creativity and will continue to look to you for inspiration. Keep doing what you do ....Your work is superb...... I love this MB. You ladies are the best.....(((Hugs)))......Y'all make me smile.


Here are the RULES for this AWARD:
(I just received this award....and will complete the posts and bog-hopping when I get home tonight)...Thanks again Carol... )
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award. (completed)
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. (completed)
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award. (completed)
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

• I scrap every weekend if I can.......
• Everyone that is importatnt in my life....knows how important SBing is to me ....and supports it 100%.
• I would buy a gift for someone before I try to make one and give- but everyone prefers my handmade gifts.
• I started doing crafts when my son was not quite 1 year old- He's now 34.
• I love Blog-hopping. It helps me to understand a persons style.
• I have grown so much from so many inspiration and creativity on this MB.
• I love this MB and I am here because the most relaxing thing for me is Scrapbooking.

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers: http://magandamemories.blogspot.com/ Myrab http://liveitscrapit.blogspot.com/ -Nilla http://cropaholicscorner.blogspot.com/ - Cropgirl http://chocolatedrop1908designs.blogspot.com/ -Shonna Luten http://craftingwithsue.blogspot.com/ -Sue

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate. (5 complete)

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated. (5 completed)

To follow the rules of this award, I am choosing the following blogs to receive this Award

"Honest Scrap" Award

Wow...I won another award..I really do want to make a "speech" (hehe) and tell everyone how happy I am that Jeri at http://craftyjsplace.blogspot.com/ thought my Blog was nice enough to receive an award...Thank you Jeri....I was surprised by this one and......I don't have a speech prepared-(hehe..)...But ....I am totally elated. And.... there are a few things attached to receiving this award ...so here goes:

1: Thank the person who gave me the award and link to their blog (Completed)

2: List 10 honest things about myself:

• I missed my son and his GF so much..I did not want to leave when I went to visit.
• My son's girlfriend is taking me to Japan in November for an early Christmas present. I feel "so special".
• I wished I lived closer to both my children.
• I am so excited about my DGC coming to live with me for a year....I wished they could live with me "forever".(Don't tell my daughther-she may change her mind about leaving them with me.)
• I miss my sisters.
• I Love to scrap all the time.
• I love to scrap things that I can make from everyday household products.
• I love people and feel that everyone should get along regardless of their differences.
• I have Scrapbooked, all weekend, all alone for 48 hours and enjoyed every minute of it.
• Very seldom have I gone more than 4 days without Scrapbooking.
• And a Bonus.........I say a prayer everyday that the world will get better for "everyone"......

3:Put the award on my blog(Completed)

4:Pick 7 people to give the award to:
In no particular order.....

(I have a incomplete list and I will post the remainder tomorrow when I am able to visit the other two blogs to leave a comment.-I received this award kind of late ...so I need to call it a night...and I will finish posting and blog-hoping tomorrow.....)

http://www.100blackdiamonds.blogspot.com/ Black Diamond

http://dreamofscrappin.blogspot.com/ Siobhan

http://peanutsandpepperspapercrafting.blogspot.com/ LisaLisaandScrapJam

http://paperismypassion.blogspot.com/ Devon Alaska

http://www.cardsbyshelly.blogspot.com/ Shelley BoBrowski

"What's Your Style.......?"

One of this week challenges on the Sistas Thread on the CMB was to use the Scallop Shaped "Nestabilites" to make a dress(s), LO, or card.......Well, I got started with the dresses and that's as far I got. One of the ladies, (LisaLisa) on the Sistas thread suggested a "Fasion Show"...so that's what we are actually doing this week....I ended up making so many of these lil dresses...Cute Huh????.......I decided to have a fashion show of my own.......I figured I would have the dresses on hand ..if I needed to make a card quickly.........So..."What's Your Style....?"

"Create" and "Hope" Glass "Etch" Project Challenge

Okay....this is something that I have not perfected....and taking pictures of this project is even harder. I decided to attempt the Glass "Etch" projects again ....after several attempts a while ago...And it is also a challenge on the Sistas Blog...so of course I had to give it another try...I don't care how careful I am ....I always seem to blotch this project..One day.....I'll get it right...

I don't know if you will be able to get a clear vision of this project because I could not get the lighting just right...or hold it at an angle that showed a clear picture of the etching....But here it is....I used flat glass ornaments that I purchased (and collected) over the years from ACM, HomeDecor for the designs and a few gems for color. I really have to pretend it's the camera that shows all the flaws in my project. I'll ask BD (one of the ladies on the Sistas thread- she's a photography guru......) and see what she thinks....Hehe....TFL...

Tri-Fold Shutter Card Challenge

Oh...this was a great challenge...I really enjoyed making the Tri-fold cards.....I completed this card for the "Sistas" Challenge....a thread on the Cricut MB.....I had to wait for a while to make this card because I was out of town over Memorial Day weekend and had to wait to get back to do my challenegs......BUT...still were not able to do them because ...I was trying to rest up for my workweek.....I made two of these cards...The first one looked like I just put embellies on it.....so I wanted to give it another shot....If you just look at a completed card...It does look a bit intimidating.......I think that is really why the ladies are hesittating....BUT...the card is a very simple card to make.....and it was also very enjoyable..... We used Craftiblogs tutorial to create the fold card.....Thank you Craftiblog.
http://craftiblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/2009-04-23-quad-fold-card-sample-tutorial/

So here it is.....The first card....

View at an angle....

Card laying flat....

Angle from top.......

And this is the second card I made.........I used the branch and the bird from Home Decor Cart on this card......I liked this one better because it looked like it had a theme...rather than just embellies placed on it........

"Pretty" Creepy Crawlers- Sista Challenge

"The Great Outdoors- My Lil Fellas Heaven"

I don't know if they are all that cute....but, the Sista Challenge was to use an insect from any cartridge. Being that the layout is with my Grandson....We'll disregard the "pretty"....but I do think they are cute......

I used "Doodlecharm", "What's in My Garden" and "Graphically Speaking".

"Celebrate"- Team2 Challenge -Any Cricut Cartridge Flower- Home Accents

The Team 2 Challenge for this month was to use any flower on any Cricut Cartridge. I am Team 2's Angel for this Challenge........and wanted to go ahead and have my challenge ready....just in case they needed it.........Anyway...I had a great time with this challenge this month.....even ...if it is not used for the challenge...... I played around with this for a while and finally decide on "Home Accents".


Home Accents Flower #6
Home Accents Flower #6-S
Home Accents Flower #6-Shadow
Home Accents- Corner Accent- used as an adornment
K & Company- Black and Ivory DS- PP
AC Foil Specialty Paper-Black
Metal Shapes
K&Co-"Que Sera" Gold Ink Pad
Black Bead seeds
EK Success Scallop Punch
Gold Eyelet
Inkadinkado Flourish Stamp
CTMH- Celebrate Stamp

And this is the inside of the card.......

"Coffee Run"-Stair-Step Card-Sista Challenge

Instead of doing a Re-do of the first Stair-step card I made ......I decided to make another "Stair-step" card for the Sista Challenge. I had fun with this one.....I just love my caffeine......

Embossing Folder - Brayer Technique- QuicKutz A2 "Frame" and "Vines"

I decided to give the "Embossing Folder Brayer Technique" a try...Though I have created something using the brayer technique I have never creating anything using the embossing folder brayer technique....I have not put the card together....I think I need to practice a bit more....but this is what I came up with.......Something else for me to explore......It's a bit messy...cleans up nicely and I like the outcome....

Stair-Step Card- QuicKutz A2-Polka Dot-Sista Challenge

This is my take on the Stair-step card that is one of the challenges this week on the "Sistas" Thread......I thought I would give it a try and see how difficult it was to make...The card itself......Not difficult at all...All folds......The hard part is decorating it....I am just fresh out of ideas...I guess I'll save this for the weekend, jot down some ideas over the next couple of days ....and try again.....This is what I came up with today...Plain- not much decorations......but, I think by the weekend...I should be able to come up with something.....TFL

QuicKutz Polka Dots A2 Embossing Folder Spellbinders Large Scalloped Octagon- Frame cut handmade Butterfly Purple Stickles Metallic Banglebits Striped/checkered ribbon DCWV CS Colorbox Cateyes-Chestnut Roam

"Friendship"-6x6 Card-

I tried to take a picture of the actual embossing folder that I used.....but, the impression would not show....This is one of the 12-A2 Embossing folders I received last week....Eventually I will make something with all of them...They are pretty nice.....a lot of them are a lot similar to the "Cuttlebug" patterns....so..I have to really challenge myself to use them differently....I do have loads of ideas floating though.....so, now.........I am trying to put the ideas to paper....Did I do okay with this one....??????.......This card is "All" paper- "no embellies" .....and I used the "CTMH" -D1191-"Friendship Blessings".....

"Happy Mother's Day"- Mega-Nestabilities- "Small Deckled" Mega-Rectangles

6x6 card made with the "Mega"- Nestabilities.
Small'"Deckled" Mega-Rectangles
Cuttlebug Making Combo- "Everyday Greetings".......
***************************************************
embossed three of the flowers with vellum and cut them out....
Inked with Colorbox "CatEyes"- navy
3/8" Grossgrain Navy ribbon
140 lb Strathmore ColdPress Watercolour paper
American Craft Navy Cardstock
Pearl Gemstone
Blue Gemstones
Happy- Mother's Day- Inkdinkado $1 Stamp...(cut apart)

"Hope"- Spellbinders Nestabilities- "Label Four"

Wow...time really flies....I keep promising myself to "at least" make an entry a week to my blog...But time just keep slipping away....I was able to work with some of my "Mother's Day" gifts....some being the "Nestabilities"......Here is one of the cards that I made....I looked on the website and "Youtube" to see if I could come up with other ways of using the nestabilities and found "frames"...though on this card you can hardly see it...I like the concept......Okay...here it is....the technique is pretty easy...but I do not have the magnet mat yet....so it was a little challenging...Hopefully this week....I'll have the magnet mats....I had to order them.........I did not know they were out there...as I would have suggested this as one of my Mother's Day gifts......So...here goes.....and TFL....

"It's "MY" Time Now....."-Altered Clock

This is one of four (4) more clocks...( well really 5- the 5th is an actual "Wall" clock)....... I had to alter for someone who wanted to present it to her sister. She came up with the sentiment, which I thought was cute...."It's "MY" Time Now....."....(a lil' inside joke between her and her sister....).......I worked on this over a few days and this is what I ended up with..."Hope she likes it"......aaahhh, because she wanted to give it to her today.........I know, I hate last minute too......And, she has been asking me about it....I'm going to try and complete the other three requests that I have this weekend...Hopefully.....So at least I have enough time to really look at it and make sure it turns out the way I like.......So, what do you think???????....TFL...