Sunday, January 19, 2014

Paper Smooches Challenge Anything Goes

Hi everyone,
I had a little time this evening to play along with the Paper Smooches challenge.
 
The challenge this week is Anything Goes! My card today uses the Lovestruck stamp set and the matching die set. I made my own little heart embellishment using a felt heart and button that I have had forever in my stash. I used the heart die set to cut out a small heart. I also added a cloud border from Cat's Pajamas.
 
I also used some stickles, copic markers and my clear Wink of Stella pen.

Thanks for visiting today!

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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Penguin Kisses - Exploring the Cameo

Hi everyone, I can't help but play with my new toy. Mostly, because I am trying to learn how to use the thing. Anyway, I found this cute cut, I think in the Silhouette store and I found this one hard to cut and put together, mostly because I hadn't figured out how to create a base for my image.


I used the Echo Park Keepin' Cozy paper pad, it's amazing how many different looks I was able to get out of that paper pad!
Thanks for looking everyone, hope your Saturday is great.
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Friday, January 17, 2014

You make my heart happy

Hi everyone,
I am back with a card that I made to meet a couple of challenges. First at MFT, they have a sketch challenge and a color challenge. The colors to use are pink, white and black. I am also entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where we have been asked to use embossing. For this card, I used the swiss dots embossing folder. The cuts used are from the CTMH Artiste cartridge.

The sentiment is from MFT. I really like how it came out! I am so glad that we are having a three day weekend. It was a tough week at work and you could really smell the smoke from the wildfire that was burning not too far away from where I work. Luckily, my home is quite a distance from there, so the air is much clearer here. I hope that we get some cooler weather soon and we could really use some rain because things are getting very dry here and we could see more fires. It was close to 90 degrees where I work so it really doesn't feel much like winter.

 I hope that you all have a good weekend!

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Stamped Snowman

HI,

I really changed gears today and used this cute Snowman stamp from My Favorite Things. I did some paper piecing on his hat and the heart and outlined him a bit in gray. I again used the Echo Park Keepin' Cozy paper pad and used these mica flakes that I have in absolutely forever and have never used not once! All I did was use my glue pen on the bottom of the snowman and smash down the mica flakes. The sentiment is from CardzTv. I liked this card so much that I made two of them!

Thanks for visiting me today.


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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Paper Smooches Photo Inspiration challenge

Hi everyone,

I am back with another card that I made for a challenge. I have been trying to do the weekly challenge at Paper Smooches which is a new stamp company for me anyway.



The theme this week is an inspiration challenge. We were given a picture of a cake. I used the colors that were in the photo- grey and yellow and also mimicked the pattern in my swirls. I used a MME paper pad and the Paper Smooches Lovestruck stamp set, heart and love dies.

Thanks very much for visiting today.

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Monday, January 13, 2014

FCCB Challenge #193 Winter Fun

 Happy Monday and welcome to another Monday challenge!



Challenge #193
Winter Fun
 Create a winter inspired project
 
This Weeks Sponsor
Winner will receive a stamp set of their choice.

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project and if it's not obvious, let us know what cartridge you used.
 
 Please visit the FCCB blog to see the other DT member projects and join in the challenge.

Here is my project:

I used the Winter Frolic cartridge for my skating girl and the Lawn Fawn paper pad. My little banner sentiment was from My Creative Time. Thanks for visiting today and be sure to visit the FCCB blog for more Fantabulous Cricut inspiration.

I am also entering this in the Craftin' Desert Divas challenge, 'winter theme' and Fun Friday Linky party.

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Sunday, January 12, 2014

Pretty Paper Heart Balloon - Exploring the Cameo

HI everyone,

I have been working on hard on challenges this month. That's one of my goals this year. I am trying to participate in more challenges which hopefully will get me to use all of the cute products I have bought over the years and I have promised my husband that I would try and buy a little less crafting items this year so maybe I will get lucky and win some!

 My project today is for the Pretty Paper and Pretty Ribbons new release challenge. I used the free cut they offered over the weekend and I think that it turned out very cute. I did use my Cameo and it was a really easy cut to put together. I also bought the "Valentine Kids" cut and I think that I did not cut the correct images to go with the right doll because it totally turned out so wonky so I scratched the idea that I had and kept it simple.

I used kraft cardstock and the Reflections paper pad. I also used some sparkles from CTMH. My sentiment is from Jaded Blossom which I am also going to submit this card for their Valentine's challenge.

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Snowflake Snowman - Exploring the Cameo

Hi everyone, I don't usually post on Sundays but I am trying to post more often, which means finding time to create more often and that is the hardest part, finding time!
Now, today's project is a Silhouette project. Don't hate me but I will be posting some Silhouette projects from time to time. I will not do videos on these projects however. I had the toughest time putting this guy together. For one thing, the Silhouette cuts do not have a base to build the cut on. I did not realize that you have to make your own base! Not to mention, I had two pieces leftover that I can't for the life of me figure out where they go, LOL. He doesn't appear to be missing any limbs or anything so I guess it will remain a mystery.

I used the Echo Park Keepin' Cozy paper pad and the CardzTV stamp set. My cut is from the Silhouette store. I did break down and purchase the subscription when it was on sale. It is a good value and I am getting my free cuts from Kate's Cuttables or at least I check every day to see if the cut is to my liking.

Thanks for visiting today!


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Saturday, January 11, 2014

Snowy Winter Wishes

Hi everyone,
I have another one of my winter thank you cards to share. I think that it's so cute how my little boy noticed some of the details of the cards. He especially liked the snow technique that I used on this card.

What I did for the snow is I used white enamel and then sprinkled Tim Holtz Distress glitter in white (I think it might have a different name) and then let it dry. I find that this glitter does better with a wet glue, it then won't rub off and seems to have a better effect. I used the Christmas cartridge for the window and the Winter Frolic cartridge for the snowman.

I have a video for you all today to see how it all gets put together:






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Friday, January 10, 2014

Friday is "bearable"!

Hi everyone, I have a quick card to post. I really wanted to join in a couple of challenges so I whipped up this card last night and took a quick picture of it this morning...so the lighting was not the greatest.

I combined two challenges for this card, the first was a sketch challenge over at Die Cuttin' Divas. The second was Scrappy Mom's stamps. The theme was warm and/or fuzzy. This cute little bear is warm and fuzzy don't you think, he's a cut from the Create a Critter 2 cartridge. He is cut at 3.25 and I used paper from Reflections. My sentiment is from Scrappy Mom's stamps! I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend, don't forget that I have a "smash"ing blog candy so scroll down if you would like a chance!

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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Kind Thanks

Hi everyone,

Today, I have a very quick and easy card that I used for thank you cards. My children got many lovely presents and I am trying to get them into the good habit of sending thank you cards after Christmas and their birthday. They quite enjoyed it and Tyler was tickled at the cute cards I made. So many of the projects you see this month were used this way. I also find it fun to make them winter themed as I can use up some more of my holiday paper stash and also use sentiments and cuts that I might not otherwise get to use. For one thing, we don't really have winter where I live in California. Don't hate but it was 80 degrees on Christmas day and my entire two weeks off, it was between 75-85 degrees each day so not very wintery at all!


This was quite an easy card. I used the Scandinavian Christmas cartridge but only two layers. I just ordered a new blade for my Cricut as I think I wore this one out, it just wouldn't cut this layer well at all. My paper is from the Echo Park Keepin' Cozy paper pad.

Thanks for visiting.

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

I Moose You - Exploring the Cameo

Hi everyone,

So I got a chance to try out my Christmas present, a Silhouette Cameo. Now, I am still a very devoted Cricut user but sometimes it's time to expand one's craft and my hubby was so sweet to get this for me. He not only shopped for it but he got an absolutely amazing price (203.00) from Craft-e-corner which has been a long time sponsor of FCCB so that was a lucky coincidence on his part. Anyway, I am having some struggles as some of the things that I take for granted on my Cricut and Gypsy are not there or require me to create which has caused me a small bit of frustration. Anyway, I was able to make some projects and this one is a cut from the Silhouette store.

I used the Keepin' Cozy Echo Park paper and some scraps. I used this card for a winter thank you card from my kids' to various Aunties'.

I used a bit of stickles and I think he looks quite respectable! I am submitting this card to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge- Ice Inspiration. Thanks so much for visiting me today.
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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Crafty Playtime Linky Party #1 : Balloons

HI everyone, Today begins new challenges at the former "Paper Playtime". Janis has combined her two challenges and it is now "Crafty Playtime".

http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
 
The challenge will last for two weeks and you can enter as many projects as you like as long as they are all different. Top 3 will be chosen randomly at the end of each linky part.
 
Here is my project:

I am using my new Create a Friend cartridge. This cartridge is super cute! I used some MME Christmas paper! Ha, always looking for ways to stretch my Christmas paper. Now, I cut this at 3.25 and I cut the shadow which was a bit big so I had to do a tiny bit of trimming. The sentiment is from Scrappy Mom's stamps which is the sponsor for FCCB this week.

I am also entering this card in the Anything Goes (but use stamping) challenge at Love to Scrap Challenge blog and Friday Linky party.
Thanks so much for visiting me today.
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Monday, January 6, 2014

FCCB Challenge #192 Use a Sentiment

Happy Monday. It's time for another Fantabulous Cricut challenge.



Challenge #192 Use a Sentiment

This Weeks Sponsor

Scrappy Mom's Stamps

Photobucket
 
Winner will select a stamp set of their choice.

~New Design Team Announcement~

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and that Santa left you all some crafty love in your stockings! We are very excited to announce our new design team members.  To celebrate we are having a blog crawl, which is FCCB's version of a blog hop.
 
 
If you get  lost along the way, the lineup is listed below. Once you've done the crawl, make a project using a sentiment and add it below.

Amy HS The Stamping Tree
Emily Mollie's Blog 
Faith Scrapbooker PhD 
Heather Scrapping Runner Creations
Jackie Luv 2 Scrapp
Lynn My Cards N Stuff
Michelle Just a Nutter Papercrafter
Missy Quick Chick Designs 
Nikki Crafty Calamities 
Rebecca Crafting Misfit 
Elizabeth Unik by Yes
Joneita Create with Joneita
Cindy Creating with the Heart 
Pam Stamper at Heart 
Karla Creative Love Affair 
LB Cool Beans by LB
Jilliene Jilliene Designs
Kim Kim's Kreations


Here is my project:

 
I used my Teddy Bear Parade cartridge as well as some My Mind's Eye Christmas paper. I used some stickles around the "furry" part of her coat and jacket. The face stamp is Peachy Keen stamps and my sentiment is from our sponsor Scrappy Mom's Stamps. They have a stamp set that coordinates with your bear stamps, too cute!
 
I also have blog candy. I am giving away something that I think is perfect for a New Year's blog candy:

 
 One lucky winner will receive a Smash 360 book and the Smash Time Capsule Kit. I can only ship this in the U.S. but don't fret I plan on having another giveaway in a couple of weeks that will be open to everyone. In the meantime, please leave a comment on this post to win this prize. I will do Random.org next Sunday evening and post the winner next Monday.
 
I hope that you will all do the blog crawl and then add your own project to FCCB! 
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Sunday, January 5, 2014

Paper Smooches Challenge Anything Goes

HI everyone, I am back with another Paper Smooches Challenge:


The challenge is "Anything Goes." This time I opted to use some of the digital images that they have available. These are copyrighted images and really are intended for personal use or to use in their challenges so even if you have not taken the plunge in buying some of these cute stamps you can try them out and participate in their challenges.

I used some Valentine paper from Reflections and Paper Smooches Hearts stamps and sentiment from Lovestruck. The owl and branch were the digital images and I colored them in with copics. I think the owl has a come hither stare but really I just thought it was fun and at the moment all of my Valentine's paper is out and handy!

Thanks for visiting today and if you want to check out the challenge be sure to visit here.


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Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Paper Smooches Challenge - Anything Goes

Hi everyone, I just got some new Paper Smooches stamps and dies. These are the first Paper Smooches stamps for me. They are whimsical and fun little stamps. I decided to start doing more challenges, especially for companies where I already own their product.

The challenge this week is "Anything Goes."

I used the Lovestruck stamp set and dies and I tried a new technique. Yay me! I used white embossing paste from Dreamweaver and a hearts stencil. After the paste dried, I covered some with glossy accents and poured pink Tim Holtz distress glitter  over it, I colored some with red copic markers and some were colored with my Wink of Stella marker. I used my copics to color in cupid.

It was a really fun technique and I can't wait to try this on other projects!

My husband and I both actually stayed up until Midnight! The kids went to bed at 8:30 that's about as late as they last. My husband made us all weigh in this morning. Ugh! I gained 4 lbs from last so now I have to lose 14 lbs! boo! Hope everyone has a good New Year's Day!


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Happy New Year and a Short Reflection on this blog

HI everyone,

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday. I got some lovely giftcard to some of my favorite places- Starbucks and Michaels, some cooking goodies from William Sonoma and my husband got me a Silhouette so you will start seeing some Silhouette projects. Now, there is a definite learning curve with the Silhouette and it's not a magic tool, cuz I still love my Cricut, I think even more now because the Gypsy is just so much easier than the software that you use for the Silhouette. I will say that the Silhouette once you get going, cuts quite smoothly!

Anyway, I feel that the New Year is a time to reflect on what I want to accomplish in the new year and I am not going to bore you with all the details. But one thing is that I have been blogging for over 5 years now and while I appreciate all of the comments, I sometimes wonder if the little bit of traffic I get is worth all the trouble and time involved in blogging. I started doing some videos which I know could use some improvement to liven up the blog a bit but I am quite disgusted at the people who give thumbs down. So I guess I am feeling a bit discouraged.

I am interested in hearing from you readers what you would like to see more on the blog or blogs in general? What makes you come back to a blog, to subscribe, or comment? I am very interested in hearing what you all think and I would like to see how I could incorporate your suggestions into my posts or projects to hopefully grow this blog and feel like it has some purpose. Thanks so much for listening.

Now, like many other bloggers, I have some of my favorite projects listed below, while I am working hard at putting some content up for this month.
 This was the first time that I had made rolled flowers and I was so happy with the result.
 I love this dance album that I made for my daughter's first year of dance competition.
 I did a layout! Yay! I thought it turned out so cute!
 I love this simple and elegant wedding card. It was so easy but I think that it had some wow.
 My mom still has this step card and I think it was just so pretty. It took a lot of work but I think that it really looks like a garden.
 I combined two cartridges for this card. The Animal Antics and the Creative Cards cartridge. It was so simple but I think this penguin is just a cutie.
I have no idea why I like this card so much, maybe her cute face or maybe I just love these colors.

My last and most favorite project is this Disney Album that I made for my mom. It took forever and a day to cut all of those Disney cuts but it was a labor of love.
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