Scrapbookaholic Challenge

Hello my friends!  I know it's been a VERY long time since I have posted anything!!  I'm sure your lives have been as busy as mine; isn't summer always that way?!!!!!!  This week at Scrapbookaholic by Abby the challenge is to create anything summer!!  When I hear summer, I think camping.  With camping comes fishing. :)  Summer also means Birthday's for us.  We have one in May, one in August and mine is July.  So for the challenge I thought I would combine fishing with Birthdays. 

You can see that the little fish is hiding in the waves; when you pull it out you'll see that "Fishing you a Happy Birthday" is stamped on the back of the fish. :)

The waves are from Paper Doll Dress up.  I merged two waves together using my Gypsy and layered them using foam squares.  The fish is from Create a Critter. 

The sponsor for the challenge this week is Sakura of America, they make AMAZING Gel Pens.  I used the white gel pen on the waves as well as the fish.  We'd love to see you create something that represents summer!!!  Make sure you stop over at Scrapbookaholic By Abby to participate in the challenge, you'll also love to see what the other DT member have created (they are all AMAZING)!! :)

As always, thanks for stopping by, and make sure you join us for some fun at Scrapbookaholic by Abby!!!

Sweet Magnolia's "Family" Challenge

I happily came across the amazing blog, Sweet Magnolia Rose.  Mistyrose has a wonderful challenge that is closing on April 1st.  The challenge is to create a Family themed item - LOVE IT!!!  Family is my favorite topic (as if you can't tell by my posts). :)

Sticking with the 'Family' theme, I had my little helpers make it a family card.  We made a Fish card because as a family we love to go fishing!!  My little boy 'helped' put the blue circle through the Cuttlebug to emboss it.  My little girl 'helped' ink the edges of the card (she picked the color and didn't want any ink on the top). :)  My little boy 'helped' stamp the top sentiment (hence the blur).  My little girl 'helped' me stamp the bottom sentiment.  We had fun!!!!

Recipe:
I can't remember where I found the card base, I do know I welded two together on my Gypsy to make it a card.
Fish - Camp Out cut at 3.0
Stamps - Pink by Design Simply Everything stamp
Embossing - PC folder, I'm not sure of the name

Make sure you go over to Sweet Magnolia Rose to enter a project! :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!!

FIF Birthday Bash Bunny Blog Hop!

HELLO FRIDAY!!!!!!  Anyone else in need of a Friday?!  I'm so happy you're here (both you and Friday)!

Welcome to Flaunt It Fridays Birthday Bunny Bash Blog Hop!!! :)  I hope you came after visiting Amanda at My Scrappin Obsession.  Didn't she do such a great job?!  She's so talented!!  If you just happened to visit my blog for the day, make sure you start at the beginning at Flaunt It Fridays. :)  You'll want to make sure you visit everyone and leave a comment at all of the blogs to be eligible for the Grand Prize - a Peachy Keen Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed assortment!  YEAH!!!

On to my projects! :)

The first one isn't the prettiest thing, but I love the idea (I'm sure a lot of you can make it look even better). :)  This is my way of keeping track of annual events such as Birthdays and Anniversaries. :)

I kept this one super simple.  I used Create A Critter for the Bunny as well as for the present.  The ribbon and the frame were from my stash, I'm not sure where they came from.  I did use some flocking for the bunny (just to add a little bit to it).








I'm sure most of you are much better at remembering to send cards to family for Birthdays and Anniversaries!  After school started, I saw a bunch of these 3x5 card holders on sale for less than a dollar.  They've been sitting in my 're-porpose' box calling my name. :)  I came up with this idea to help me keep organized.  I printed off all of the annual events on 3x5 cards.  I also made the labels for the separators for each month and one for addresses (because I can never find them when I need them).  Very simple, yet very helpful.  It makes it very nice to be able see what is coming up within the next month and making the card a little early to get it sent on time. :)

For my second project we were supposed to make something using a different cut from Birthday Bash.  Looking through the images online, I found a cute little snail that was holding an envelope. It inspired me to make this card.

 I used Base Camp for the card shape (to look like a stamp).  The snail is from Walk In My Garden, and the grass is from Paper Doll Dress Up. :)  I inked around the grass, the snail and the base paper to give a little bit of dimension.  The stamped message is a My Pink Stamper stamps.

Enough of my jabbering!!!  I do have a small surprise for one person.  All you need to do is leave me a comment telling me how you keep the important annual dates organized; I'd love to hear!!!!  You don't need to be a follower friend, but I love friends! :)

Your next step is Carley at The Real iCarley.  You will LOVE what she has in store for you!!

If you get lost, here's the line-up:

1. Flaunt It Friday's

2. Sandra

3. Lisa

4. Sheandra

5. Pam

6. Stacey

7. Glenda

8. Sharon

9. Amanda

10. Me <------This is me

11. Carley  <------- You're Next Step!!

12. Jenny K

13. Laurel

14. Corri

15. Monica

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure you leave a comment on every one's blog for a chance at the Grand Prize!! :)

Jen's Happy Birthday Blog Hop!

If you're looking for my Spring Forward Blog Hop scroll down or click here to go to it.

If you're here for Jen's Happy Birthday Blog Hop - You're in the right place!!!!!!  WAHOOOO!!! :)

I'm so excited to be a part of Jen's blog hop.  I hope many of you know Jen at The Purple Scrapbooker, if not - you really should!!  She's so amazingly talented; I'm so honored that she let me be a part of her Birthday Blog Hop!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN!!!!!!

I hope you are here after visiting Denine at Pumpkin & Spice.  If not, that's OK - just make sure you start at the beginning with Jen at The Purple Scrapbooker (you're not going to want to miss anything)!! :)

When Jen asked if I would be a part of her hop, of course I said YES!  I also asked her a few questions about her favs (favorite treat, favorite movie, etc).  Well, one of her favs is the color purple (of course), but another fav is the movie Steel Magnolias.  So to help Jen celebrate her Birthday, I wanted to make this card **I didn't get into town so Jen won't get this card until next wee; sorry Jen!**  Yes, the flowers are supposed to be Magnolias. :)

The card fits into a legal size envelop (I think it's around a 9x4).  The branch and flowers are from Gypsy Wanderings cut at 2.5.  I cut the flowers out twice so that I could layer them.  I inked one set of flowers (purple around the sides and yellow in the middle) to give a little bit of color; and what is a flower without a little pearl in the middle?! :)   I used an older stamp set for the sentiment and used a MS border punch for the top and bottom of the sentiment.  The butterflies are layered stickers; I just wanted to give the card a little more color and a little something else. :)  Here's a picture of the flowers.  I used homemade pop dots to pop them up a bit and curled the edges of the top layer.  I liked the effect. :)

To help Jen celebrate her Birthday I have a small present for one lucky person.

I loved this little stamp and everyone loves a little bit of bling!!! :)  To be entered, all you need to do is leave a comment (only one comment per person please).  I'll pick a random winner on March 15.  You do NOT have to be a follower friend; but I'd love to have you visit any time!!! :)

Well, now that you've seen my card for Jen's Birthday the next step is to go visit Cheryl at Cards by CG.  You will love what she has in store for you!!!!!!!

If you get lost, here's the line-up:

Jen - www.purplescrapbooker.com

Amber - www.stayingcrafty.blogspot.com

Sarah - www.pinkcricut.com

Star - www.starspaperpassion.blogspot.com

Georgiana - www.carsonscricutcreations.blogspot.com

Tracy - www.craftjunkietoo.com

Denine - www.pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com

Celeste - www.ccscards.blogspot.com<---- You are here

Cheryl - www.cardsbycg.blogspot.com  <------ You're next step!

Julie - www.cricutchick.blogspot.com

Jen - www.jenscraftcorner.com

Thanks again for stopping by.  A big thanks to Jen for letting me be a part of her Birthday!!!

Snappy Birthday Pampa!!!!

Hi Friends!  I hope everyone is doing well!! :)  This card was made for my Dad's Birthday. 

  Sorry about the shine, it is very shiny paper and I just couldn't get the light to work with me. :)

My little ones wanted to help make a card for 'Pampa' (and of course, I let them).  My son picked out the crab (because, according to my son,  Grandpa likes red just like he does).  My daughter picked out the blue and brown paper (because it's pretty).  My son started asking what my Cuttlebug does (even though he's used it several times); so we decided to send some brown through it to make sand and add dimension. :)  My daughter wanted to make the whole crab sparkle with Stickles, but I convinced her to just do the cheeks.  The crab is from Create a Critter and was cut at 3.5 (I think) and the stamped phrase is from My Pink Stamper (love these stamps!!!)

I'm so glad you took the time to stop by!!! :)

Oh, What a bad friend!!!!!

I felt so bad.  I was looking at my fridge and realized that I missed one of my friends Birthday's.  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!  I felt terrible (let's be honest - I'm terrible with Birthdays).  I made this card for her.  I wanted to type the sentiment, but I didn't have time (I was running into town and knew that I could stop off at her house before she went to work).

I stamped the swirls on the front of the card (just to give it a little something).  I can't remember where the card cut came from, but the frog was from Create a Critter; and what is a frog without googly eyes?!!!  :)  The bling on the front was given to me by Albert @ A.Go's Craftomonium.  He is so creative, and such a sweetheart!!!  I thought they worked perfectly for this card.  The rest of the paper is from my scraps pile. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!  Have a great day!!!! :)

Birthday Cards

I can't remember if I've mentioned it before or not, but I'm helping my Mom out with Birthday cards.  She is in the Relief Society presidency in her Ward (she helps with the ladies in our Church).  They wanted to have personalized Birthday cards for all of the ladies in the Ward (Church group).  My Mom asked me if I would help since they don't have anyone that is willing to help; of course I said yes.  Here are a few that I made.  What do you know, I decided to enter them in for My Pink Stamper (Robyn's) Birthday (click here for the post).  I hope you like them!  All of the cuts are from (of course) Create A Critter and are all cut at 2.  The phrases were computer generated.  I had to make around 30 cards, so I made them as easily as I could.

They are very simple, but personalized.  I hope they put a smile on their owners face!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!! I'm so glad you took the time! :)

A Guest Designer and the Winner

WOW!!!  I am so completely honored to be able to be a guest designer over at More Than Favors.  I absolutely love Paula's work; she is so amazing!!!  So . . . here's my guest post. :)

This is a simple A2 gift card holder.

The cake is from the Smiley Cards Gypsy download (so much fun).  I hid the face (using my Gypsy) and used a super cute PK Princess face.  I used Stickles on the flames. :)  I used a MS punch for the borders.  The stamp is Pink by Design Simply Everything.

The gift card holder on the inside was actually very simple.  Here are the steps:

Take a 3 1/2 x 11 inch piece of paper and score it at 4 inches from each end and fold (you will want to use a bone folder).  The paper can be taller than 3 1/2, but has to be at least 3 1/2.

 

Take the 2 mountain folds and put them together making the letter 'M', or 'W' (depending on how you look at it).  This will give you the tab that sticks out. (Pay no attention to my fingernail polish - I need to take it off)

 

Cut a line on the middle fold starting at 1/2 inch from the top to 1/2 inch above the bottom.  It's easy if you mark it with a pencil.

Glue down each part of the tab at the very edge of the inside of the card.  It will be a little short (doesn't go all the way to the middle), but that's what will help it stand up.

 I thought it was simple yet different. :)  I'd love to know what you think! :)

Now, for what some of you may be waiting for . . . the winner of the 'A Few of My Favorite Things' blog hop!  I hope you had fun!  It looks like the winner chosen by random.org is . . . .

Christel AKA Scrappin Sista!!!!  She said:

Love all the wonderful touches. You have given me a wonderful new technique with the glossy accents on the glitter. Why didn't I think of that! I'm so using that real soon. TFS and the chance to win!

Congrats Christel; I'll be sending you an e-mail!!!  Let me just give a big thanks first to all of my new and returning friends!!!!  I'm so happy you came by!!  Also, a BIG thanks to Kassidy @ Inking It Up Crazy for hosting the hop; it was so much fun!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!!!!  It means a lot to me!!! :)

A Few More Birthday Cards

Those that know a little about me or have hopped with me know that my little ones have a lot to do with my cards.  I am first and formost a Mommy!  Well, the following three cards are very simple (VERY, VERY SIMPLE).  I must appologize for the . . . interesting color schemes.  These cards were made for my family and so it means the world to my children to pick the colors and design the cards.

This one is for my youngest brother.  My little boy designed it and wouldn't let me put anything else on it.  Made using Create A Critter.

This one was made for one of my Aunts.  She's very special to me, and has a very special place in the heart of my daughter.  So of course my little girl designed this one.  She let me add a little bling to it, but not much else.  This little lady is from Walk in My Garden.

This one is for my Niece.  She lives in Canada so we don't get to see her very much, but she happened to be down for a little over a week.  She loves the Twilight series (which is the reason for the Apple), and the butterfly is because my little girl wanted it on there.  Again, my children picked the paper.  Well, what do you do?! :)  Both are from Create A Critter.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!  I'm so glad you did, and I hope it put a smile on your face!!! :)

Happy Birthday

Within the first two weeks of this month I've had 5 Birthdays and 1 Anniversary.  To add to that I had a neighbor ask for 12 Thank You cards for some people that work for her husband.  I was able to get the Birthday and Anniversary cards done (pictures will come) and I'm working on the Thank You cards.  To top it all off, my little sister is leaving on an LDS mission.  She's going to be serving in Argentina and is leaving today.  So Sunday was a very big day for my family; by tradition we have all of the family gather along with very special friends.  We were fortunate enough to have a lot of people help with food for the gathering of friends and family on Sunday, when you come from a family as big as mine (my mom is the oldest of 15 children and that makes me the oldest of 80+ Grandkids).  To help my mom out I told her I would make a bunch of Thank You cards for her to give to family and friends that brought food, and more for my sister to Thank people for coming and supporting her.  So until I get the rest of the card posted I'll show you one that my little girl helped with!  This is for my Mother-in-law's Birthday.  Enjoy!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by (I'm so glad you did)!  Have a wonderful day!!! :)

80's Blog Hop Day 3

Yep, it's Day 3 of Raven's 80's blog hop! **I'm posting every day until I announce the winner on November 5, comment on each post for more chances to win the blog candy!**  This one is another VERY simple card, but I thought it might be fun!  I HATED/LOVED my Rubik's cube.  So much fun to play with, yet so frustrating (and yes, I know there's a trick, but I still get frustrated). :)  Like I said, very simple; fun though!  

Make sure you check out these wonderful ladies (if you haven't already)! You may have to scroll down to see their creations for the blog hop!!!!

Raven

Vanessa

Mary

Misty

Sandra

Debbie

Jenny

Kassidy

ME

Angela

Thanks again for stopping by!!! :)

It's TOTALLY a Blog Hop!!

I can't tell you how totally excited I am!!!!  I'm guessing you came from Kassidy from Inking it Up Crazy (isn't she talented?!!)  If you happen to be checking up on me, make sure you start at the beginning of the hop with Raven at Love 4 Stamps.  We're celebrating the 80's for Raven, she's celebrating her Birthday and thought it would be fun to flash back to the 80's; don't worry, we'll be flashing back for the next week.  Get out those leg warmers and flash back with us; and I hope you've had fun so far! :)

I can't tell you how much I was just LAUGHING at my own cards (don't worry, you can laugh too)! :)  Here's my first card to start off the hop:

One of my first thoughts when I heard '80's' was thinking back to those shirt ties.  You know the ones I'm talking about - they look like a 'no' sign or a circle with a line through it.  I used to have a BUNCH of those things; all in florescent colors of course!!!!  So . . . I had to make my first card of the week with the brightest colors I had,  and of course those shirt tie things.  To answer your question - yes, the shirt/ribbon tie things on the card move (my kids loved playing with them). :)  This card was really simple, but still fun. 

Moving on to the blog candy.  Like I said earlier, we'll be flashing back for a whole week (WAHOO)!  So to be entered into the blog candy all you have to do is:

• Leave one comment on one or all of my 80's blog hop posts.  So, if you comment each day you'll have more chances to win rather than if you just comment on one post (I hope that makes sense).  Only one comment per post, please!
• That's it!  If you'd like - take a look at some of my other projects/creations to see if you like my simple style; YOU DO NOT have to be a follower (unless you want to).
• Sorry, but US residents only.  I hope you understand!!
• All comments need to be in by Midnight Thursday November 4th so that I can pick a winner and announce the lucky person on Friday November 5th.

Here's a picture of the candy:

I'm so glad you stopped by!!!  Make sure you head over to visit Angela over at Creative Crafting next!!  You'll love her work - she's amazing!  If you happened to stop by my blog first, just make sure you start at the beginning with Raven at Love 4 Stamps!

If you get lost, here's the list of all of the creative ladies to hop to!

Raven

Vanessa

Mary

Misty

Sandra

Debbie

Jenny

Kassidy

ME

Angela

Thanks again for stopping by!!! :)

Cute Birthday Card

So there's two things with this card. As I've mentioned before I am a big baby!!!!! No, seriously - I am!!!! Well Sunday night I was reading a post from Paula at More Than Favors. The post I was reading was about a little boy named Hunter. Long story short, this may be his last Birthday and all he wanted was a lot of cards (Full Story Here). My little girl asked why I was crying (again - big baby). I explained to her the situation and the Birthday wish. She thought for a moment then asked if we knew him, when I told her no, she asked if we could still send him a card even if we don't know him . . . Like anyone would say no to THAT!!!! **TEARS** I explained to my little boy the situation and he said we had to make a 'Mater' car. So, we got to make a card for Hunter and just finished it tonight. I'm also entering it into MY Pink Stamper's challenge - the challenge is to make something cute. Although the card may not be the 'cutest' one I've ever made, I thought the story was. Happy Birthday Hunter!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you did!!! :)

I know, Déjà vu!

This card is similar to a card I made for my Dad for Fathers Day, but it's still cute (if I do say so myself). One of my little brothers is serving an LDS mission in Slovenia. His birthday is coming up soon and my parents are sending him a care package. What is a care package without a card (especially from his niece and nephew). When I asked my little ones what they remember and love most about him, they told me that it was that he took them to feed the horses. Yes, it's the same answer they have for just about all of my family, but I know it means a lot to my little ones.

This was made using my Gypsy and the Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge. Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

For those that know a little about me you know that anytime I make a card for a family member I always have my children help with ideas (makes it more personal).  So, for my Mom's Birthday I asked the kids what they love best about Grandma.  The first response was going to feed the horses (they say this for just about anyone in my family), the second thing was that they love when she takes them swimming.  So, this is what I came up with. 

I had little helper hands that wanted to help me glue, ink, and use the pens so you can see a few shiny spots on the paper were the glue was spilled and a few ink mess-ups.  The card didn't turn out exactly as I planned it, but it was something specially made from my little ones.  My little girl really had a hand in this one.  She's the oldest Grandchild on my side of the family and seems to have a very special place in her Grandma's heart - so she wanted to make sure that she . . . helped. :)  Thanks for stopping by!!! :)

For this card I just used the Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge, and the stamp is one of those dollar stamps I found a long time ago.

Stop by and say Happy Birthday

You have to stop by Carson's Cricut Creations!!!  My friend Georgiana has a Birthday coming up and she's sharing with us!  Go visit her blog (click here for the exact link)!  She is so amazingly creative!  Go say hi and Happy Birthday (and have a chance to win a cartridge, the fun thing is that we don't know what cart yet)!!!!!  YEAH!!!!  Happy (almost) Birthday Georgiana!! :)

Disclaimer - This is one of her cards; I did not create it, Georgiana did!!

Fishin' a Happy Birthday

GRRRRR - is all I can say to my final result!  Don't get me wrong - I loved the challenge over at Peachy Keen Stamps! They challenged to use the color scheme and sketch below. 

I was trying to make this really cute (yet masculine), but had a few problems along the way.  Long story short - It worked, but not as planned; I ended up having to write the sentiment (that's where the GRRRR comes in).  My Dear Father-In-Law's Birthday is right around the corner.  One of the things my kids love to do with Grandpa is go fishing so this was the card we came up with. 

I used the sketch and colors from Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge, but I flipped it upside down to fit.  Like I said - not the way I wanted it to look, but it will mean a lot to him because it's from his grandkids.  I did end up doodling a little before we sent it - forgetful me forgot to take another picture, sorry!  I used the Camp Out cart for the fishing pole, the fish is from Paper Doll Dress Up, and the waves are from Plantin Schoolbook.  Pay no attention to the terrible inking job, it's a skill I still don't have mastered. :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

I'm an idiot!!

My dear brother (2 years younger than me) just had a birthday a few days ago.  I made a cute little card (with my kids' help) for his birthday.  Well, I went to upload the picture today from my camera and . . . I forgot to take a picture before I sent it!!!!!!  I could kick myself!!!!!!  Well, happy birthday my dear brother!!!  I love you!!!  (I'm going to have to have him send me a picture.)

TT - Birthday Card

My dearest Grandpa just celebrated his 80th Birthday!!  YEAH GRANDPA!!!!  We are counting our blessings because he was the one that just suffered from a heart attack recently.  I had meant to make him a Birthday card and low-and-behold Emma with My Creative Time is doing a Throwback Thursday Birthday challenge.  She challenged crafters to use the Celebration cartridge.  Unfortunately this is not a cart I own.  If you don't own the cart Emma challenges you to use an older cart.  One of my older ones is Wild Card (one of my favs!!!)  I used the Wild Card cart for the shape of the card.  The number 80 was used from the Plantin Schoolbook cart and the cake in the background was from Disney Princess - Dreams Come True.  I know it has a ribbon, but I don't like the top of the card (where it folds) so I figured a brown ribbon should be OK even for a guys card, right?

To my Dear Grandpa - I love you and I'm glad you're around to celebrate you 80th Birthday!!!!!!  You mean the world to me; and no matter what all of the other grandkids think (all 62 of us) - I know I'm still the favorite (even if it's just because I was the first grandchild)!!!!!!!  LOVE ALWAYS!!!

Trying Something New

This is the thing.  I LOVE decorating cakes.  I'm not very good at it, but they're still edible, so I figure it doesn't really matter.  My cute little nephew's birthday was a few days ago and he and his parents and siblings came to visit for his birthday.  They had already celebrated with a cake at their house, but I don't think you can celebrate at my house without a cake too!!!  I volunteered to make a cake for him.  Right now he is into NASCAR.  Since we live in the middle of nowhere - the chances of finding a NASCAR cake pan was very slim (we even drove 45 minutes to the nearest Wal-Mart)!  After no luck finding a car shaped pan,  I decided I was going to make a car for him out of two loaf pans (one was bigger than the other).  I got a recipe from a neighbor for fondant and thought it was worth a try.  Well, it wasn't my favorite, but it turned out cute.  Next time I think I'll stick with just butter cream frosting - but it was fun to try!!!

 I also made a normal sheet cake with butter cream frosting for the adults.  I thought it was a little better.  Oh, well - at least I tried something new. :)