No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth.....

But I have been busy with all of the holiday preparation and planning. Shopping, cooking, making cards, pictures, programs, parties, and the list goes on and on... Hopefully things will get close to normal after the holidays and my regular posting will resume. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year!

Advent Calendar

So the projects have been posted and they all look great!! This is my advent calendar made from altered flash cards. If you don't have any of these laying around your house, check out the dollar store. I found several different sizes there all for $1. Posting the directions for each page would be crazy!!! But I am sure that all of you know how to alter something. But I do have a couple of tips if you are going to make a project like this. Wait untill all of your pages are done before you do the numbers. I rearranged my pages several times before I decided on the order. That was mostly to keep the same papers from being back to back. Do 24-12 one way and then switch the book around to see the 11-1. This keeps you from having to turn the album every day. Not a big ordeal, but it could get annoying!! This projects takes alot of paper, glue, and other supplies. My Christmas paper stash is gone!! Make sure you have extra on hand to keep from running out in the middle of your project. If you make an album like this, I would love to see it!! Post your link here in the comments. My son is already ready to put this up and countdown to Christmas!! Happy crafting!!



Ingredients: (a partial list)
Basic Grey Figgy Pudding Paper
Joy of the Season, Alphalicious carts
American Craft Making Memories ribbon
Making Memories rub on Stickles
Martha Stewart glitter
Martha Stewart branch punch

Sneak Peek.......

The last two weeks I have used almost everything in my stash. My Cricut Blade is dull, my mat needs to be resticky, and I made three trips for more supplies. Why you ask? Well, I can't show you just yet! But it was for this week's project at Whimsical Scraps & Bugs. And I can't wait to show you the entire project!! Check back soon either here or at the WS&B site for all the great projects from the DT!! Happy crafting!!

Tip for the Week

While I was working on my DT project for this week, I was wasting alot of cuts that were ripping when I popped them out from the paper or spending too long using my craft knife to try to save them. So, to try to keep this from happening, this is what I came up with. Turn the paper over and sand the back of the cut. This thins out the paper and the design will come out with out having to cut the design by hand. This is also helpful for intricate cuts that you risk tearing when popping out of the paper. I hope this saves you some time away from the craft knife. Happy crafting!

Boo! 2nd DT project

Here is my second project for the Whimsical Scraps and Bugs Design Team. The challenge was to use the colors black, orange, purple, and yellow, Design Studio, and glitter. I did get stuck on the yellow and the glitter but I do think that this is a fun layout. I welded my title together in Design Studio and then hand cut a ghost out to put behind the title. ( I tried to design a ghost, but wasn't happy with the results.) The bats are from a shaped ribbon and I just cut them apart and used Glue Dots to attach them. The white letters are leftovers from my Quickuts that I keep in a box. They are a mix of all my mini's. Thanks for looking. Happy crafting!

First Project for Design Team-Altered wooden blocks for fall

The first projects have been posted at the
Whimsical Scraps and Bugs blog and they all are great!! My project was altered wooden blocks using the required colors, red, orange, yellow, and brown, and of course a Cricut cut.

Here is the supplies that you will need to complete this project:

9 wooden blocks 1 1/2 inches
paint and brush
6-8 co-ordinating papers
Modge Podge
Sandpaper
Stickles
ribbon
George, All Mixed Up, Stretch Your Imagination carts

Start by painting your blocks the base color. I used Brick Red for mine. These can be bought at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. My hubby helped me make these, and if you make your own, make sure to sand them before you paint. Select 4-5 patterned paper and 1 or 2 solids. Cut papers to 1 1/2 inch squares and randomly glue to blocks using Modge Podge. Use the sandpaper to clean up the edges and to give paper a distressed look. Arrange the nine blocks in a square so the paper on the front is pleasing to the eye. Glue them together using the Modge Podge. While the glue is drying, cut the tree from Stretch Your Imagination at 2 1/2 inches and FALL from All Mixed Up at 1 inch. To add the leaves to the tree, cut Flower 1, two times from one color solid cardstock, and two times, from a second color at 1/2 inch. Then cut from between the petals to the center to make leaves. Arrange randomly on the the tree. Add Stickles to highlight some of the leaves. When finished decorating the front of the blocks, use a wide ribbon to tie them together. Very cute and easy project to do! Happy crafting!

1.5 Million Butterflies

Someone on the Cricut Message board posted about a wonderful project that is perfect for all crafters alike. The Holocaust Museum in Houston is working on gathering 1.5 million paper butterflies to remeber the innocent children that died during the Holocaust. The butterflies will eventually become a breath-taking exhibition that is currently scheduled to be completed by Spring 2012. Please join me and others to help make this possible. Here are some of the details:

Butterflies should be no more than 8 inches by 10 inches.

They can be of any medium that the artist chooses, but they prefer that they are two dimensional.

Glitter should not be used, but glitter pens should be fine. (This will be a hard one for me to pass up!!)

Food products should not be used.

If possible, e-mail a photograph of your butterflies, to butterflyproject@hmh.org

Please send or bring your butterflies to the Museum by June 30, 2011, with the following information included:

Your name,
Your organization or school,
Your address,
Your e-mail address, and
The total number of butterflies sent.

Mail or bring your butterflies to:

Holocaust Museum Houston
Butterfly Project
Education Department
5401 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77004
USA

For questions or additional information, please e-mail butterflyproject@hmh.org or you can visit the site at www.hmh.org/minisite/butterfly/index.html

I will be sending some myself. If you would rather send them to me, I will forward them, along with all of your information to the museum. Crafting for a good cause. What could be better? Happy crafting!

Whimsical Scraps & Bugs Design Team!

I am so very excited to be a part of the new Design Team for Whimsical Scraps & Bugs. It's a new challenge blog with members from the Cricut Message Boards!! I am ready to get started and the first challenge is a color challenge. Fall colors of red, orange, yellow, and brown on a layout or card. And of course, Cricut cuts!! I am ready to get started, but I have to work fast! I am off to take my kids on a little vacation! So check out the new blog, Whimsical Scraps & Bugs to see what great ideas the design team comes up! Happy crafting!!

Make your voice heard!

Normally I wouldn't get on my soap box on my scrap blog, but like scrapbooking, I am very passionate about politics. I try to stay tuned in to the governmental things that effect me and my family, both at a local and a national level. This election is going to be very close again this year and everyone needs to make their voice heard! Register to vote and go out and vote!! If you can't make it to the election booth on 11.04.08, then find out how to vote early. But please don't select your candidate based on gender or race. Neither of those qualify someone to run our country. Vote on the issues that matter to you. There are several sites you can visit to find a bipartisan list of how they voted on key issues. You can check out selectsmart.com or knowbeforeyouvote.com Or you can find a site such as Candidate Calculator to see which person matches your values and beliefs the closest. If you are not registered to vote, you can check out Rock the Vote to help get you registered to vote in your state. Please vote. Whether or not your opinions and values differ from mine, I still encourage you to vote. And as my dad use to always tell me, "You can't complain about the government if you don't vote." I'll get down off my soapbox now.

Halloween Treat Jar

As most of you know by now, I have been hanging out with some talented ladies at Addicted Scrappers. They have posted some great challenges, ideas, and contests. One of the lastest posts is some Halloween treat jars. They are simply adorable!!! And when I saw them, I immediately had to make one!! This is what I came up with. If the paper looks familiar, it is from my circle layout from a couple of months ago. This was very easy to finish, but there are a couple of tricks. Put your paper on one layer at a time. If you try to put it together first, the top layer will pull when you wrap it around your jar. (Yes I made that mistake!) And the easiest way to do the ribbon around the lid and jar is to put adhesive on the top side of the end and wrap around and let it stick, then trim it. If you plan on putting the buttons on the top of the lid, make sure you hot glue the lid to the ring, so when you remove it, it will come off as one piece. (I learned that one on the Christmas treat jar I made last year!!) Thanks for looking, happy crafting!

Items Used:
Threading Water Punch
Ribbon: American Crafts, Dots, Dashes, and Checks, Hobby Lobby, unknown
Studio G stamps
Gel Writer pens
Buttons: Paper Studio, American Crafts

School is in Session

Here is a layout that I finished for Mason's first day of kindergarten. This was one of the easiest layouts that I have finished. It came together in about 30 minutes! The paper is part of the new line from KI Memories. The strips of patterned paper behind Mason's photo is all from one sheet. There were several different strips of patterns and I cut it into strips to use as accents. I also did the cheater "notebook" paper. The title and star was cut from Plantin' Schoolbook (Appropriate, huh?)



I liked the layout so much that I also used it for Dylan and Corbin's First Day pages too. They are a little different, but I did use the scraps from Mason's page. (More points in the Addicted Scrappers Use Your Stash Contest!!) There is also three different fonts on Dylans. Another challenge at Addicted Scrappers, thank you Dawn!! I really had to make myself use that third font. I still look at it and think that it looks out of place!! Can you tell that it is out of my comfort zone?!!

I still have to finish up Corbin's page, but I will use the same layout and paper. Thanks for looking!

Addicted Scrappers-Use Your Stash!!

I have been hanging out alot over at Addicted Scrappers. The girls there are just wonderful and have alot of fun with challenges and contests. I submitted my Halloween layout for the shaped paper challenge last month. This month they are having a Use Your Stash Contest!! Just what I need to use up my overflowing scrap supplies!! I bought this clipboard when I bought my son's school supplies. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but when AS posted bonus points for really old paper, I dug through my "old" stash and found this. I like how it turned out. The tag is cut from the pattern paper on the bottom. I colored in some of the spots with a glitter pen. It doesn't show up well, but it gives it just a little sparkle. Hope you like it!

PP-Junkitz, REALLY OLD!!
Ribbon-Most of it's American Crafts, some is Dashes, Dots and Checks from Michaels.
Punch-Threading Water Punch, Fiskars
Die Cuts-Quickutz, Vixen
Flowers-Primas
Felt embellie-Queen & Co.
Buttons-American Crafts, Other
Cardstock is from Hobby Lobby
Pens-Uni-Ball from Sanford

I've been tagged!!

My friend AshleeM, from the Cricut message board, has tagged me on her blog. You can read her blog here. So I need to list either six random facts about me, or seven strange things about myself. Then I am supposed to tag some others so they can play along. I am not sure that I can come up with that many, but we will see!

I think that I will go with six random facts, because some of you may not like me if I list all of my weird quirks!

Fact 1: My husband and I have been together since high school. A total of 16 years! But we didn't know each other until we started working at the Winn-Dixie together. Our high school had over 1,600 students, so we never saw each other there.

Fact 2: I am out of pictures to scrap. No, I'm not caught up, but at the moment, there aren't any pictures that I want to scrap.

Fact 3: I am addicted to the show Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. I have seen almost every episode and have only been grossed out once or twice. I even watch the re-runs.

Fact 4: My life is surrounded with multiple babies. I have twins, my best friend across the street is pregnant with twins, the neighbor behind me has triplets, and on the office floor that my mother in law works on (and where I used to work); her first boss had twin granddaughters, the other secretary has identical triplet grandsons, and she of course has twin grandsons. All were concieved with out fertility drugs except my neighbors triplets. This is the reason why my husband and I will NOT try to have a girl!!

Fact 5: I have lived in four different states and eight different houses since my husband and I have been married, ten years. He moves alot with his work, and we will probably move again within the next year or so.

Fact 6: My family is debt free, except for our house payment! We were blessed to find Dave Ramsey and start doing his debt snowball, and in April we paid off the last debt we had. No more debt for us ever!! We have saved up our emergency fund, which is step three. The next step is to save for retirement, then college, and pay off our house early. After that, get wealthy and give. I can't wait! If you've not heard of Dave Ramsey, check out his program at .www.daveramsey.com
You don't have to buy anything. His baby steps are listed on the site and he has a radio and tv program you can check out. Being debt free is awesome!!

Sweet Smile

I love this picture of Corbin and it had been sitting on my desk for a few months. I saw a layout in the gallery at Scrapbook.com and it inspired me to create this layout. Not really scraplift, because it looks nothing like the other layout. But more or less the simplicity and the triple mat with two printed papers. The ribbon is pleated and sewn across the bottom. The "notebook" paper was handmade. I just used my Cropadile to punch holes across the edge and then used my stylus to rip the side. Perfectly matched "notebook" paper anytime!! Hope you like it!

Printed Paper: TreJolie, My Mind's Eye
Background paper: Kaleidoscope
Rub On: MAMBI
Journaling tag: My Minds Eye
Die Cuts: Quickutz, Lucy and Paige

Trick or Treat!!

I was so excited to try a circle layout, but I always seem to have too many pictures. So while I was cleaning and organizing my scrap space, I came across a half-finished two page layout from Halloween, 2005!! I didn't have enough pictures for a two page layout, (this was before I came to the dark side of the digital camera!) so I thought that a circle layout would be fun to try with these pictures. I trimmed my paper in a circle and got started! I used Colorbok paper, Studio G stamps, Doodletype for the title, Quickutz Olivia for the year, Making Memories orange staples and brads. I really liked how this turned out and I think that I will give it a try again soon! Hope you like it!

2S4U-Card Challenge

Ok, another week and another great sketch from Kazan over at 2sketches4you. I have been loving the birds lately and added another one to my card this week. This stamp is from Inkadinkadoo. The paper is from my ever growing scrap stash and I can't remember who made them. But I have used them several times for cards and stationary. Hopefully later this week, I will be able to post some layouts. I just got my ATG refills from Julie at Crop and Stick and now I can get to work!! Have a great day!!

2 sketches 4 you card

After a couple of weeks of skipping the sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You, I decided to head back over there and check out this weeks' sketch. I found some scraps in bright colors for this card. I made a couple of variations with flourish stamps and stickles, but this one ended up being my favorite. I used my Glimmer Mist, (which I LOVE!!) and my Threading Water Punch. The greeting is Quickutz, and the ribbon is American Crafts, tied in a cheater knot. I like the simplicity of this card and I am sending it to a friend that I haven't talked to in a while, so I hope she like it. I hope you like it too!! Thanks for looking.

Watch Out Sinatra!

This page has been an idea of mine for a while now. I love that my boys all have blue eyes and people comment on them all the time. I wanted to keep the layout pretty simple to keep the focus on their eyes. Corbin's picture (top) may be replaced with another one since it's not as close up as the other two. The photos are 5x7 trimmed down and the paper is Basic Grey and My Mind's Eye. The flowers are Primas and have been sprayed with Glimmer Mist to make it match the colors of the layout. The journaling was done on the computer so I could keep it to a confined space. The flourishes are of course, my favorite, Autumn Leaves. It seems like I use them on everything! Thanks for looking!!

Tip of the week

After I have completed my layouts, I turn it over and record all the supplies used for that layout. This has come in handy several times when I needed some more paper or embellishment. If you are interested in having your layout published, all of that information has to be submitted with your layout. This is the easiest way to keep track of it all!

Projects have taken over!!

I have been working on so much stuff that it seems like all my projects have taken over!! I signed up on the Personal Challenge on the Cricut MB and I think that my eyes were bigger than my time!! I am way behind and I am hoping to catch up this week! But add a party, a bathroom remodel, houseguests, and two appointments and I think that it is hopeless!!! Pictures have been printed, paper bought, and sketches made. Now I am off to find some time to work on these ten layouts, 3 cards, an altered item, and pictures for the boys bathroom!! I will let you guys know what I get finished!!!

Tip of the Week

If you have completed your layout and are like me, you haven't put your journaling on there. And there are only so many times that you can hide it. If you want to save your memory of the event, but don't want it on the layout, turn it over and journal on the back of your background paper. I have done this several times and at least I know that my story is there, just not for everyone to see!!

Tip of the Week

If you like to use chalk or pastel crayons on your layouts, then you need an artist gum eraser. They will remove any stray marks, mistakes, or erase it all without messing up your paper. These are usually under a dollar, and found in the art supplies department. My favorite brand of course is Sanford!! (DH works for them!!)

Christmas in July Challenge

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. The cooler weather, hot cocoa, all the lights decorating the trees and houses. The spirit of the season seems to put everyone in a little bit better mood. So why not celbrate a little here in July? I have been working on a Christmas layout and ideas for my Christmas cards, and would love to see you pull out those Christmas pictures and get them scrapped! Here's the lowdown:

Make a Christmas layout or card and get entered to win some Christmas scrap goodies!

Get an extra entry if your layout has three or more pics.
Or if you use any Cricut cut.
Or if you use colors other than the traditional red or green.

Post a link to your layout in the comment section here or you can post in the Christmas in July Challenge thread at http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=2519651

The winner will be drawn randomly from all entries on July 25. Best of luck and I can't wait to see what your work!!

My first published layout!!

I don't think that I could be any more excited! My layout was published in the Stamping, Stationery, and Scrapbooking magazine, third quarter edition, available at Hobby Lobby. I submitted this layout because of a personal challenge thread on the Cricut Message board. I nver thought that it would be picked! But I am grateful to Cynthia for starting that thread and holding me to my goals! Now that the first one is in print, I'm working on some other goals!

Cards

This month I have been making alot of cards. Some I don't have pictures of, because I mailed them before I remembered to photograph them! But here are a few that I have remembered to:

2 Sketches 4 You-Week 3
I have enjoyed working with these sketches and I am making more interesting cards than I usually do. I may never send these out because I like them so much! I used the same paper as I did in my anniversary card because I really liked how it turned out. Studio G stamps, prima floweres, sequins, American Craft ribbon, Making Memories paper clip.


Ten Years
I made this card for my wonderful husband of ten years. I tried not to get all girly with this one. My husband said that it was perfect (he's so sweet!). The heart is from the George cart. Not much else to this one.


Birthday
I saw another card on the Cricut Message Board that gave me the idea for this. I stickled the candle and the flame. The card is from DCWV.

2 Sketches 4 you weekly sketch challenge

This is my take on week three's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You. If you haven't checked them out yet, what are you waiting for?!!?

I used Making Memories and Paper Studio paper. The pink is embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder with a void where the sentimnet is. That stamp is by Scrappy Cat, some of my new favorite acrylic stamps! The flourish is from Accent Essentials and embellished with Prima's and skittles. The white ribbon is American Crafts and I'm not sure where the pink ribbon is from. Hope you like it!!

Christmas Cuties- Out of my comfort zone

Over the weekend, I saw a commercial that gave me the idea for this layout. Funny how you can find inspiration in some of the strangest places. Any way, this is what I came up with. I was out of my comfort zone with the painting. This was the first time that I had used paint as a background. Then I stamped with my Autumn Leaves Flourishes stamps. I also used my heat gun for the first time even though I've had it for about a year now! I added red embossing powder to my black brads after distressing them. I love how they turned out!! I may have a new favorite technique. The title is cut from Quickutz Lucy, and all the paper is Basic Grey. Hope you

like it!

Grease Monkey

Here is one of my latest layouts. I love these pictures of my son "working" on his Hummer while his dad was working on the car. I wanted to keep it pretty simple, to keep the focus on the pictures. I used a tire from my son's toy truck collection to make the tracks. Doodletype and Design Studio was used for the title. I also put chalk on the letters to make it look like dirty fingerprints.

Work in Progress

Still working on my page. With three kids, who knows how long this will take me!