Scrapbook Layout

I  just finished making an 8x8 scrapbook for a dear friend I work with who is retiring.  Here is a 2-page layout of "ladies' day out" when we went to see the movies Sex and the City, and Sex and the City 2.  As I am sensitive to sharing photos on the web, I have blocked out the actual pictures.  I cut the city scene from the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.  Love that there was even such an image!  I made the movie marquee image in Powerpoint.  Hope you like it.

Are you ready for some candy?

Gosh, I haven't posted since Tuesday,but it seems like forever!  I haven't had time to make anything either due to taking care of everyday matters.  So it's time to announce that I will have a give-away when I reach 100 followers!  I'm just about half way there, but could use your help in spreading the word.  I want to thank all of you that follow my blog currently--many of you have been here since I started!  You're all great and I appreciate your regular visits and comments; I feel I'm really getting to know you (and you know who you are).  This has been a real fun experience so far, and isn't that what it's all about?!  SO... I've got some great blog candy (at least I think so), which includes the "From My Kitchen" Cricut cartridge!!  I'm also throwing in some "with love" rub-on transfers, a chipboard book, expoxy stickers, notecards, and some bling.

To be included in the drawing, do the following:

• Leave a comment on this post and tell me what you do with all the cards you make!  Do you tend to use them pretty quickly, or do you have a tremendous stash on hand? 
• If you're not already following me, become a follower of my blog

When I get to 100 followers, or as close to that moment as I can possibly get,  I will choose a winner from all my followers and commenters to this post.  So check back often for the announcement of a winner!  Thanks again for visiting my blog, and I look forward to meeting some new friends!

Blog Award

I received a Stylish Blog Award today! Hooray! A BIG thanks to Jessica at http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/ for giving me this award.  Go visit her site--she's challenged herself to make something EVERY day, and she's doing it!

So, here's how this 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.

First, the 8 things about myself:
1.  I don't facebook, twitter, or have an app for that.
2.  But now that I've discovered this crafty blog world, I'm totally addicted!
3.  I have a fear of flying, but would drive to almost anywhere that I could.
4.  I only have to drive 4 miles one-way to my full-time job!
5.  My favorite TV show is Grey's Anatomy; I've been watching it from Day 1.
6.  I'm learning that the older I get, the more I want to do things for myself, and I am.
7.  I hate to exercise.
8.  I love to decorate my house for every holiday/change of season.


Now, I'd like to give the award to the following 8 blogs that I've recently discovered:
1.  Tami B. at  http://tamiscraftconnection.blogspot.com/
2.  Gigi at http://thecricutbug.blogspot.com/
3.  Libby at http://beachcreationsforyou.blogspot.com/
4.  Carri at http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
5.  Donna at http://donnasdreamworks.blogspot.com/
6.  Dawn at http://pinkyswrspaper.blogspot.com/
7.  Patty at http://craftykitten1.blogspot.com/
8.  Dana at http://iwycd.blogspot.com/

Please check out their blogs, and pay it forward!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog

This is my entry for the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog:

Challenge #42 Winter Warmies

Create using some type of winter clothing/accessory on your project (i.e.: mitten, sweater, hat etc.)

 

This is a  4x4 card.  I cut the beaver from Winter Frolic at 2-1/2", typed the sentiment onto the paper, and added ribbon.  The paper is DCWV "Green Stack."  Really cute patterns.  The beaver on the inside is cut from the paper.  Something simple!

Vertical or Horizontal?

Hello Everyone, hope you're enjoying your weekend.  I'm in a quandary and need some help.  I'm about to redo my scrap space into a full-blown room (yeah!).  Right now it serves as part office/part scrapping, but I just need more space (I'm sure you know what I mean!).  Anyway, my sweet husband is going to do the work for me, of course, but I'm the designer.  And before I can decide on certain storage options, I want to know how you all store your paper.  Vertically or horizontally? 

I've been searching and searching ideas online, and I've read where it's better to lay your papers flat so they don't bend and curve.  Others feel it's much easier to search through papers that are stored vertically.

So...I'd like to know, which way do you prefer:  vertical or horizontal storage?  Please respond; I'd love to know what you're doing.  And what type of system/container(s) do you use?  Look forward to hearing from everyone.  Thanks so much!!

Cricut Cardz Challenge

I made this card for the Cricut Cardz Challenge #57.  The challenge for this week is to make a card using any cartridge or theme you'd like, BUT use the colors red, black and white ONLY!  The couple is from the Sweethearts cart and the ovals from Lacy Labels.  And the sentiment is actually a stamp - isnt't that something?!   Deadline to submit is Tuesday, January 18.  Maybe I'll get lucky and win!

  

Valentine's Card

I want to share this Valentine's card I just made. I'm happy with the way it came out. Got the idea from one of those "How to" sheets Jo-Ann's has available in their scrapbooking department and modified it.

Recipe:

• A2 white card
• red cardstock
• black and white patterned paper (I had this in my stash--Creative Imaginations Anthology--pretty!)
• red patterned paper (from DCWV Christmas Combo printed matstack)
• black ribbon
• Studio G stamps
• Sweethearts cartridge (that I just picked up at the Michael's sale for $9.99!!), page 72, cut the scalloped heart at 3" with layers
• red button, gemstone
• Fiskars corner punch used on the inside red

Hope you like it!  Comments appreciated.  Thanks for looking.

My Blog Has Attitude Award

Well, what a nice surprise I got today--my first blog award from Karen at http://karens-kakes-krafts.blogspot.com/ How cool is that!? Thanks so much, Karen, for thinking of me!! It's very much appreciated. Check out her blog; she's very creative and a very busy lady! Now, for receiving this award, I need to state 3 things that make me different from everyone else (ha!), and nominate 5 other bloggers to receive the "My Blog has Attitude Award."

Three things that make me different:
1. I own 4 cats, down from having 5.
2. I'm a night owl; check out some of the times of my postings!
3. I actually like brussel sprouts.

I've only had this blog since early December, and I was very excited when I got comments on my first posting, so I'd like to pass on the "My Blog has Attitude Award" to these 5 ladies for their early interest in my blog. It's really fun to learn and share with everyone.

1. Cindy at http://pinkladysparadise.blogspot.com/
2. Paula at http://raspberryandlimedesigns.blogspot.com/
3. Jordan at http://cutecuteworld.blogspot.com/
4. Amanda at http://fun4me-afrye.blogspot.com/
5. Elaine at http://www.expressionsbyelaine.blogspot.com/

Now it's your turn to pass the award on (doing the same thing I've done here). You should also display the Blog Award Badge in your sidebar (you can copy and paste it and link it back to me). Congratulations to all of you!!

Kitty Birthday Card

I finally made a kitty birthday card.  I was trying to reproduce the kitty card that Jolanda had made (it's so adorable).  Click here  http://jolandascraftycorner.blogspot.com/2010/12/birthday-card.html but I don't have the cartridge she used.  So I came up with this one instead. 

Recipe:

Martha Stewart papers for background

DCWV Natural Mat Stack for the kitty

DCWV Christmas & Winter Glitter Cardstock for the pillow and lettering

Kitty from Create a Critter cut at 3"

"Wishing you" lettering is from Winter Frolic

"a Purrfect Birthday" lettering is from Create a Critter.

Mixing parts from different cartridges is where I have trouble trying to figure out how to size things!  So it took me a while to figure this out, and I finally discovered if I use "fit to length" then I can base the object or lettering on the width I want it to fit across the card.  Any other tips on how to mix cartridges would be helpful and appreciated.  TFL!



Card Personalization

I read on somebody's blog today (sorry, can't remember which one) about how they have had several personalized rubber stamps made to use when making cards in order to stamp the back of the card with "made by", etc. 

As I was making cards this past Christmas season, I was using a rubber stamp too, but it wasn't personalized, and I was trying to think of an easier way that I could put my signature on the back of the card and still have it look good.  I'm not that great a stamper (if you make a mistake, you're stuck, or you're taking more time to fix it)!  So this is what I came up with.

I printed these labels on a 4x6 piece of photo paper, then I ran them through my Xyron to make a sticker, and punched them out with a Fiskars punch (I think it's called "brick").  It's a small rectangle measuring only 1-1/4" x 5/8". 

For me, this is a quicker process and I don't really have to worry if the stamped image will come out evenly, etc.  I think it's a perfect size for putting on my A2 cards.  What do you think?

Sorry if these pictures appear blurry (or maybe it's my eyes), but not sure what's going on with my camera tonight (or should I say this morning).  If you click on the picture, it should enlarge it and look a little clearer.  I think I need to go to bed.  Thanks for looking!