So happy to be back!!

I"ve been out in Boston for a couple weeks and it sure feels good to be back!
My husband's sister and family are preparing to move back to Minnesota... YEAH!!   So my SIL, Tina, and I flew out there to help them get their house ready to be put on the market and start packing.  We did lots of painting, cleaning and packing but did manage to get some fun activities in.

Tina ,Chignon, and I both belong to the Cricut Circle and a couple weeks before the trip we had posted on the mb where we would be and if any Circlets from surrounding areas would like to meet up.  We did get some responses and Diane, Capadia Designs, was kind enough to open up her home to all of us.

There ended up being 7 of us that got together and we had a wonderful day.  Tina and I had already in Boston for a week and we were going through some craftin withdrawels so it was perfect timing  for us. We met at about 10am at Dianes , had some cake and fruit , visited, and then ventured out.  Diane gave us a tour of Concord , hit the LSS, Ink it Up, and then stopped for sandwiches and ice cream.

We ended up back at Diane's and guess what we did??!!   You betcha, we went to her craft area and   played for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. She was gracious enough to let us use her stuff and  we learned some new techniques. Yeppers, lots of enabling going on .... I see an Imagine in my future :)
It was a  great day spent with some wonderful women!!

I'm now back in Mn and trying to get caught up with everything, 2 weeks is a long time to be away from home.  All I can say is its great to be back and can't wait to get back to the craft room!!

Winner! Winner!

I have a winner for the What's New blog hop!!!
I used random.org to choose a number and it was 18 so the winner is...........

chignon said... Wow! The card is great, and now I am inspired to try the fancy folding :)

 Congratulations, Tina!!   I'm  excited ......, she just happens to be my SIL and my favorite scrappin buddy  so I'll get to hand  deliver her prize!!!

Thanks again to all who participated, it was alot of fun.   I'm am grateful for all you !

Paper Playtime # 48 - Z- Fold card

Good Morning !!
 It's the start of another week and time for a new challenge at Paper Playtime. Our challenge this is week is to do a Z-fold card with optional cricut cuts and any theme & colors. This was another good challenge for me because I've never made one of these before. I've been discovering and trying different folds lately and  having a blast doing them. This fold  is pretty simple but the outcome is fantastic.  You'll have to check out what the rest of the designers have created and you'll know what I mean.  They are all pretty amazing!!
So here's my take on the fold, I really like how this turned out, I can see alot of these being made in the future.

I started out with a piece of cardstock that was 4.25 x 11 in.  I scored and folded at 2.75in  and again at
5.50 in.  For the patterned paper, I used  the Imaginisce "Berryliscious" paperline and the solid cardstock is from American Crafts.The carts used were the  Hello Kitty (strawberry), Just Because Cards (fruit slices) and Simply Charmed ( berry sweet). The sentiment is from My Craft Spot  "Inside & Out #2" , the ink is SU,   the quotation box is a MS Anywhere punch, and the ribbon  was found in my ribbon stash.

  Now its your turn, create your own z-fold and enter it into the challenge. You have 2weeks to submit ,so come join us in the fun!!!

What's New?! Blog Hop

 Good Morning and Welcome!

How many times have you jumped into a blog hop and said, "That's so cool...I want to try that some time." Then, weeks go by and you move onto other things...and miss out on trying a new product or technique.

Today it's the "What's New" Blog hop.  If you're here visiting and would like to hop along then you may want to start at the beginning.  So head on over to  Angie's , where I'm sure you will  definitely be wow'd and learn something new.

...For this blog hop, we were challenged to open that NEW download, stamps, punches, markers, or Cricut cartridge...AND check out the web for cool NEW ideas and NEW techniques!


I generally make your standard A2 cards,  so lately I've been trying to step out of my box and try out different folds. I came across this particular fold , called the Center Step Card.  Frances Byrne, at the Splitcoaststampers website, did an awesome tutorial , it was quick and easy, I can see myself making many more of these.  I highly recommend this sight, I've been finding some great tips , tricks and techniques from many talented crafters.

This is the finished card that I made along with the step by step instructions.

                                                                                

 

Step 1

Line cardstock up in paper trimmer so that the edge of the card is at the 1" mark. Position the cutting blade at 1" and cut from 1" to 6.5"..
 Flip card over and do the same on the other side.

Step 2

Place cardstock onto scoring tool and score along the long side of the card from the edge to the cut line at 1", 2" and 6.5".

Step 3

Repeat step 3 on opposite edge of card.

Step 4

Score between cut lines at 5 1/2".

Step 5

Fold at the score lines. The first, third and center score lines are mountain folds. The second score line is a valley fold. Reinforce score lines to make folds crisp.

Step 6

Stamp and decorate your card as desired.

You see, only six simple steps, some craftin supplies (we all have so little of that ?!!)  and wella.... a beautiful card!!
I didn't even use the cricut out on this... impressive, I know  lol
Something else that is fairly new to me is the stamping and coloring. I always liked coloring as a child, nothing like reverting back to my childhood,  although staying within the lines has gotten a little easier with age.

Supplies I used:   Lizzie Anne Designs "Little Bits" stamp set
                          Stampin Up -  Ink and  Watercolor  pencils
                          Fiskars  Border punch
                          Spellbinders Nestibilities scalloped ovals
                          DCWV cardstock

                          I-Rock & gems
                          Prima flowers and brads are from my stash
                          Pop up dots
So do we want some candy????  You're in luck.... I have some!!
  I have a set of stamps from Cloud 9 so if you would like to get entered in the drawing, you have until Sunday evening to leave a comment and  a way for me to get a hold of you.  You don't need to be a follower but I sure would like you to. New friends are always a blessing :)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you learned something new and are ready to start creating.  Now head on over to Crystal's   to see what beautiful project she has created.
Here is a list of the stops in the hop in case you get lost. Hope you're having fun!!!!

Start Here: --> 1. Angie, http://atuttletime.blogspot.com/
2. Jennifer, http://craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/
3. Angela, http://creativecraftin.blogspot.com/
4. Belinda, http://beeshiveofdrama.blogspot.com/

6. Heather, http://digipage-blog.everything-digital-scrapbooking.com/
7. Amanda, http://craftsbyamanda.blogspot.com/
8. Mary, http://marebearscraps.blogspot.com/
9. Crystal, http://rusticdaisy.blogspot.com/

CTO- Challenge #17- Father's Day

Hello my crafty friends!  It's time once  again for a new challenge with Celebrate the Occasion.  This week it is with Team # 1 and we are celebrating Father's Day.  With it  being just a few weeks away,  what a great way to get a head start.  I made this for my son to give to his dad , I saw this bike on the cart and had to do it.  I love it when you can  make a card that really fits the receiver.

 I really like how this turned out.  I used the Father's Day cart for both the bike and sign, both cut at 2 in.
The white and black solid paper is from Stampin Up,  patterned paper is DCWV, I used MS black flocking powder for the seat and MS silver embossing powder for the chrome and the black string is Bamboo cord from Darice.

I hope you like what you've seen, now head  over to CTO and see what all the other super talented designers have created and be ready to be inspired.  We really love seeing what you create,  so make sure you link up your project!

Have a great day !

Pool Party Blog Hop Winner!!

Thanks to everyone that participated in the blog hop this past weekend.  I hope you were inspired by all the awesome projects!!
I used random.org to choose the winner of the Winter Lace Cartridge  the number 8 was chosen.

The winner was.........

Suzanne said...

You have so enabled me. I saw those stamps and thought they were so cute. Guess I will be buying them now.                                                                                                                                            Congratulations Suzanne,  I have sent you an email.

Summer Challenge- Imaginisce

It's Summer challenge time!

My goodness don't the months fly by so quickly, it's hard to keep up these days with so much going on around us. However, we're not complaining because it's Summer and boy has it been a long awaited Season! We've got a very scrummy challenge for you this month with a fun twist, although be warned, the photo is sure to make you hungry and the song will most likely get stuck in your head! So we would like to apologize in advance, but just remember, the prize is SO worth it!

Image from Pinterest

Here's the criteria:
- Create a card, layout or off the page project using atleast 75% of Imaginisce products.
- Use the delicious picture from Pinterest as your inspiration
- Somewhere on your project you must incorporate some of the lyrics of the Cliff Richard song, Summer holiday
- Upload your project using the Linkitz at the bottom of this post by Saturday, 25th June.
- Winner will take home their very own i-top with accessories to the value of $75 or current collections of their choice to the same value.

Summer Holiday

We're all going on a summer holiday
no more working for a week or two.
Fun and laughter on our summer holiday,
no more worries for me or you,
for a week or two.

We're going where the sun shines brightly
we're going where the sea is blue.
we've all seen it on the movies,
now let's see if it's true.

Everybody has a summer holiday
doin' things they always wanted to
So we're going on a summer holiday,
to make our dreams come true
for me and you.
for me and you.

I came across this monthly challenge from Imaginisce and thought I would give it a try.  I really love, love their paperlines and this one happens to be one of my favorites. 

This paper is from the Splash Dance line and goes perfect with the lyrics of the song, Summer Holiday.  I'm heading to Boston in a couple weeks and I was told we'll be going to Cape Cod  so I know I'll have some pictures to fill  this layout, I'm sure I'll have to make a few more.

            The recipe for this layout:

                             Imaginisce-  patterned paper and stamps

              Coordinations-  solid cardstock

               Stampin Up-  chocolate chip ink

      Create a Critter cart- crabs

Life's a Beach- letters

                                         The google eyes, fish & flower brads are from my stash.

                    EK Success Bubbles Border Punch
Viva Decor paint pen

Thanks for looking and have a great day!!

-

CTO Pool Party Blog Hop

Good Morning and welcome to the Celebrate the Occasion's  Pool Party Blog hop!!  It's summertime , its time to pull  out  the swimming suits , our floaties , dive in  and have some fun!
So lets start celebrating!!
If you  came from Maquel's blog then you're on the right track, if you just stumbled upon my blog then head back to CTO and start at the beginning.  Be prepared to be  inspired, you'll see lots of great projects and find lots of blog candy along the way!  So have fun!!
I made a couple cards for the hop today.

I recently received these stamps from Stampin Up, Sunny Fun from the summer mini catalog, and I had to try them out.   I used the SU watercolor pencils and the blending marker to color, not the best but I'm still a newbie to it.
 All 3 cards are 4.25 x 5.5 in., I used SU , DCWV and Bazzill cardstock, SU ink, ribbon & heart punch, EK Success & Martha Stewart border punches, and a few eyelets& twine from my stash. I used the Life's a Beach cart for the wording in the first card.

I really had  fun making these, It's great getting new things to play with.

Now its time for the good stuff..... blog candy!!!  You all know the drill,  leave a comment  along with a way  to get a hold  of you if you win.  You don't need to be a follower to win, although it would make me happy :) I will do the drawing on Mon, June 6.

OK.... I know you may be thinking to yourself .... if we're celebrating  summer fun , why  is she giving away a winter cart???   Well,  I'm  from Minnesota.....  enough said :)  LOL

Anyway, its time to head on over to Judy Ann's  blog and see what creative project she's come up with.

Here's a list of  the blogs on the hop in case you get lost.  We don't want you to miss a thing.

CTO-http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/

Ivette-http://www.allaboutmeandmyscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Girlia-http://girliascards.blogspot.com/

Adrian-http://byadrian4u.blogspot.com/

Amy-http://www.lovetocrop.com/

Nicole-http://nadialax13.blogspot.com/

Amber-http://my3escrapbooking.blogspot.com/

Rayna-http://purplepeepstechniques.blogspot.com/

Lisa-http://prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com/

Melissa-http://melissa-moecreations.blogspot.com/

Diana-http://www.dianamlarson.blogspot.com/

Kristen-http://fantabulouslypink.blogspot.com/

Katie-http://kwilliamskreations.blogspot.com/

Nicole-http://www.creativedelightsbynicole.blogspot.com/

Linda-http://www.fancyframework.com/

Maquel-http://papermaineiac.blogspot.com/

Mary-http://marebearscraps.blogspot.com/ 

Judy Ann-http://craftyjar.blogspot.com/

Lucianna-http://dilsaverdesigns.blogspot.com/

Laverne-http://www.acraftershaven.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!!

Masculine card

Here's my take on a man card.  I was looking through the Camping Critter cart  and I came across this badge that looked like a pocket to a pair jeans. I used my gypsy  and widened it a little  and welded another one to it .... wella a card was born!!  It ended up being 5.50 x 6.00 in size, I cut another out at 5 x 5.50 in white for the inside of the card. The moose (3.5) and sign (2.0) are both from the Camping Critter cart also. The sentiment on the inside is from My Pink Stamper and for the stitching, words on the sign and red tag I used the sakura gel pens.
The challenges I'm entering this is:
Wacky Wednesday #40  -  manly card
Birthday Sundaes   - masculine card
ScrapaliciousUSA  -  man card
My Craft Spot  -    cute critter

Thanks for looking!