redheaded crafter

GIVEAWAY & Exciting News!!!!! :)

2012-03-01T20:00:00.000-08:00

**This post will remain at the top.... Scroll down for new posts! :)**

Hello and Happy February everyone!!! I am so excited to share this news with you! I have been chosen to be a Design Team member at Joy's Life!!!! She has adorable stamps and she is super funny! This is my first time being on a DT and I am thrilled about it!!!! :) I look forward to sharing lots of wonderful projects with you!

I am also excited because my friend Devi (she is awesome) from Diddles & Dumplings made a brand new blog makeover for me! Woo hoo!!!! You can see my brand new blog button on the right sidebar! I am so excited with the outcome of the new and improved redheaded crafter!

NOW, with all of this exciting news, I would like to do another giveaway! Oh yeah baby! If you win, you will get to choose a gift card from the craft store of your choice: Michael's, JoAnn's, or Hobby Lobby!!!! Does it get any better than that?!?!

Here's how you can enter:
1. Become a follower and leave me a comment here.
2. Post my new blog button on your blog.
3. Spread the news about my giveaway on your blog.
**You can enter for each thing listed above, for a total of 3 entries!

Good luck everyone! :) I will draw a winner on March 1st!

Thanks a Latte Card

2012-02-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!!! I am so excited to be a Guest Designer over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog! :) This is one of my favorite challenge blogs because they want you to use a Cricut cut on each project... That is right up my alley because I use the Cricut on almost every single thing I make! :) The challenge this week is to use lace or ribbon on your project (along with at least one Cricut cut). This card is going to be given to my friend Devi from Diddles & Dumplings because she did this amazing bloggy makeover for me, and I couldn't love it more! I wish I could give her a "latte" more than this card, but she knows it was made with tons of love! :) I hope you will all join in the challenge this week over at FCCB...

Be sure to enter my GIVEAWAY!!!! :)

Love You a Latte- cup cut at 8.53"

Cuttlebug- polka dots, forest branches

Scrappy Moms Stamps- Freshly Brewed

Distress Ink- vintage photo

Ribbon

Twine

There it is everyone! Hope you enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!!! :)

CHAIRished Friend Card

2012-02-17T11:32:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!!!! I am really enjoying my 4-day weekend!!! If this were a normal Friday I would be on my lunch break right now, but instead I was able to craft all morning!!!! YAY! Here is a card that I made to enter into a few challenges... I was finally able to use my new Joy's Life stamps, and I couldn't wait to use this sentiment! I also just bought the Love You a Latte cartridge (I know, what took me so long!), and this chair fits the stamp perfectly! Can't wait to send this card to someone.... I do have the best friends and family, so I'm sure I'll be able to find a reason to give this away! :)

**Be sure to enter my GIVEAWAY!!! :)

Sentimental Sundays- shaped card w/ sentiment on front
Frosted Designs- brads and/or eyelets
Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge- a card for a friend
FCCB- use a pun (I LOVE puns)
Cardz TV- use real or faux stitching

Love You a Latte- chair cut at 5"
Everyday Paper Dolls- pillow cut at 2.26 x 4.49" & 1.90 x 3.78"
Cuttlebug- ornate flourish (The Paper Studio)
Joy's Life Stamps- You're So Punny
Peachy Keen Stamps- Everyday Character Face Assortment
Twine
Glossy Accents
Mini button brads

There you are all of my CHAIRished friends! Thanks for stopping by! :)

Conversation Hearts Valentine Coupons

2012-02-15T20:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!!! I hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day yesterday! My day was wonderful! My students were so adorable, and they could hardly wait until after lunch to pass our their Valentines! They kept asking me all day if it was time... They showered me with gifts, and I felt really spoiled!!! One of my kids said that "I spoil them, and they spoil me"! How cute! :) I then went up to my parents and had a nice dinner with my family.... Can't complain about that!

Yesterday I was doing a candy heart graphing activity with my students and the idea for this Valentine popped into my head! It was like a beautiful candy lightbulb going off over my head, and I don't care that Valentine's Day is over, I had to make it!!!! :) On the back of the little hearts I would write down little love notes, or coupons that you can give to your sweetie! For example, I would write "good for one movie night of your choice", etc.... Hope you enjoy!!!

Be sure to enter my GIVEAWAY! :)

My Pink Stamper Blog Hop- use red, a circle, pink ribbon, more than 1 MPS stamp, a die cut
The Cuttlebug Spot- use hearts and a stamp
Little Scrap Pieces- anything your heart desires
Die Cuttin' Divas- choose at least two of these colors: red, pink, white, black
Celebrate the Occasion- Valentine's, use a heart
Paper Playtime- Cricut creation with hearts or love theme

Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More- box cut at 4.18"

Create a Critter- candy hearts cut at 2.18", heart window cut at 2.12"

Paisley- "sweetheart" cut at .61"

Doodletype- "for my" cut at .69"

Mini Monograms- scalloped circle cut at 3.06", red circle cut at 3.31"

Cuttlebug- doodle hearts (on the transparency), swiss dots

My Pink Stamper Stamps- Love-alicious

Pink ribbon

Transparency film

Okay everyone!!! Hope you enjoyed my little coupon idea! :)

Krafty Girls Challenge Number 1 and Blog Hop!!!

2012-02-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!! Welcome to my lil' ol' blog! I am so excited to be a part of the Krafty Girls DT, and I'm super excited that today is the first challenge!!! The challenge is to create a card, 3D item, scrapbook page, etc. that represents the place that you're from/live. I live in California, so this is the card I made to represent some of my favorite things about living here! California has soooo many things to offer (deserts, agriculture, some really big cities), but I chose to represent what I love most: a big redwood tree, the ocean, and (of course) Mickey Mouse because I love going to Disneyland!!! I also added twine around the state, this represents the area of California where I live! Hope you enjoy and I can't wait to see what all of you create over at Krafty Girls!!! :)

Do not forget to enter my awesome GIVEAWAY!!!!!

A7 sized card (10 x 7" paper folded in half) Zooballoo- waves cut at 1.24" (I welded them to a rectangle on my Gypsy so they would be taller)
50 States- state of California cut at 5.94", "California" cut at 1"
Gypsy Wanderings- sun cut at 3"
Create a Critter- "sunny" cut at 2.41"
Disney Princess Dreams Come True- pine tree cut at 3.12"
Mickey and Friends- Mickey cut at 2.76"
Cuttlebug- d'vine swirls, forest branches
K. Andrew Stamps- Positive Thoughts
MS Glitter- crystal fine
Twine

Hope you liked your visit to California, hee hee! :) Here's the Blog Hop order if you need it! :)

Krafty Girls
http://www.kraftygirls.com/
Amy <--------- (You are here)
http://redheadedcrafter.blogspot.com/

Candy
http://candyscraftcorner.blogspot.com/

Chris
http://chatterscene-mom.blogspot.com/

Cyndy
http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com/

Jennifer
http://www.jennuinecrafts.com

Jessica
http://www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/

Karen
http://craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com/

Maribel
http://ilovescrapping.blogspot.com

Stephanie
http://www.scrappyrae10.blogspot.com/

Tracey
http://www.trailoftreasures.com/

More Exciting News!!!!

2012-02-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Well everyone! I have more exciting news to share with you!!!! Not only did I have an amazing 30th Birthday yesterday (I will try to post pictures later), I have also made the Krafty Girls Design Team!!!!! YAHOOO!!!! I have been wanting to shout this from the rooftops, but I had to keep it a secret for a while! Now the cat's out of the bag! There will be a Blog Hop and the first challenge on February 14th! :) Be sure to check it out, you won't want to miss out on the fun! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY! :) See you soon!

Stud Muffin Valentine Card

2012-02-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!!! I hope you are all having a great week so far.... I am getting very excited that my birthday is on Friday! I'm enjoying the last few days of my 20's! :) My mind has been on stud muffins lately, so this card just popped into my brain! As you know, I love puns, so this card was really fun to make! :) I'm excited to find myself a wonderful stud muffin and give him this card!!!! Hee hee.... Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY! :)

Sentimental Sundays- Feel the Love
My Sheri Crafts- love, use at least 2 hearts
My Craft Spot- Valentine's
The Kraft Journal- love
Frosted Designs- use ribbon and/or twine
FCCB- use a heart

Scrappy Moms Stamps- use hearts

The Sweet Stop- use the sketch

5" square card

Create a Critter- muffin cut at 2.41", hearts cut at 1.08" & .85"

Cuttlebug- mesh texture (The Paper Studio)

Peachy Keen Stamps- Retro Paper Doll Face Assortment

TPC Studio- Hugs and Kisses Stamp Set

Sentiment from my computer- Smiley Monster font at size 16

DCWV- The Guy Stack

Twine

Glossy Accents

Well, there it is! Hope you enjoy and thanks for stopping by! :)

A "mice" Thank You Card

2012-02-05T16:55:00.003-08:00

Hey everyone!!! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far! I know that I need to stop playing in my craft room and start doing dishes, dusting, etc..... I didn't do any housework yesterday because I was hanging out at my parents house... It was fun and I love going up there, so that's okay that housework had to take a backseat! :) Hope you guys enjoy the card I made for you today and don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY! :)

Die Cuttin' Divas- anything goes
My Craft Spot- anything goes
D.L. Art- Thankful Thursday challenge, use red and glitter
Celebrate the Occasion- thank you card & use punch (border punch)
Mojo Monday- use the sketch

4.25" Square Card

Mickey and Friends- Minnie Mouse cut at 2.53"

Cuttlebug- seeing spots, swiss dots

Sentiment from my computer- Mr. & Mrs. Popsicle font at size 16

Stickles- Christmas red

Button

Twine

Polka dot ribbon

Stampin' Up scalloped border punch

There it is everyone! This one was pretty simple to put together, and I have definitely been in need of some thank you cards lately! Have a great weekend! :)

Mini Valentine Card! :)

2012-01-31T20:17:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I had a great day today! My students and I went out and picked some broccoli from our school garden, and they were munching and crunching their hearts out! They were so excited to eat that "healthy stuff" that feeds their brains and bellies! :) They are also very excited because tomorrow is the 100th Day of School! This year is flying by! Anywho.... The challenge at FCCB this week is to create a 3" x 3" Valentine card... I didn't know just how tiny that would be, but I decided to make one.... Anyone who knows me, knows that I love miniatures! This card literally fits in the palm of my hand!!! Too adorable! I feel like I want to make more of these little cutie patooties! :)

Little Scrap Pieces- use red
FCCB- 3 x 3" Valentine card
The Kraft Journal- so romantic
Paper Playtime- anything goes
Shabby Tea Room- photo inspiration, Valentine card, & use something with a mail/postal element

Birthday Bash- postage stamp card base and white layer cut at 3"
Hoot 'n' Holler- heart cut at 1"
Cuttlebug- swiss dots
Sentiment from Stampabilities- Definitions
Lace
Twine
Stickles- Christmas red
Foam tape
Red glitter gel pen

Thanks for stopping by!!!! Hope you enjoy! :)

You're My Cup of Tea Card

2012-01-29T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I'm telling you, I need to have weekends every day! I was able to get two cards done in the last two days, and I couldn't even get one made during the work week! I feel like this could be used as as a Valentine card, or a "just because" card... Hope you enjoy this card, and that it's your cup of tea! I love puns!!! Hee hee.... :)

Lily Pad Cards- use patterned paper
Truly Madly Crafty- anything goes
Anything Goes- to the one I love
Pile it On- "just because" card
Taylored Expressions- use the sketch
Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge- use the photo as inspiration

This is a 5" square card

Mini Monograms- scalloped circle cut at 4.53"

George and Basic shapes- circle cut at 3.35"

Disney Princess Dreams Come True- teacup cut at 1.9"

Cuttlebug- doodle hearts (The Paper Studio)

Peachy Keen Stamps- Retro Paper Doll Face Assortment

Sentiment from my computer- Pea Anna-Banana font at size 16

Patterned Paper- DCWV "The Blossom Song Stack"

Brads (The Paper Studio)

Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (on the teacup)

Ribbon

Twine

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)

Shabby Chic Love Card

2012-01-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I had a really busy week, but it was fun so that's okay! :) Yesterday my students and I were given a pizza party for raising the most canned foods at our school. We raised over 200 cans in my class alone!!! I was so proud of them, and they were so excited about getting pizza (of course)!!! Today I went shopping with my mom (we had a lot of fun), and we went to Hobby Lobby! YAY! I hadn't been in a while, so I was excited to get in there and buy some crafting stuff... Anywho, this card is waaaay out of my comfort zone! I usually make whimsical cards with bright colors, and this is the opposite of that! I would use this card as a Valentine, wedding, or bridal shower card... Hope you like my attempt at "shabby chic".... :)

Pile it On- use lace
BBTB2- use a dimensional flower
Papercraft Star- Victorian
Shabby Tea Room- photo inspiration, use cream, white, silver, and a splash of pink

A2 sized card
George and Basic Shapes- flower cut three times at 2" to make rose (see how I made it here)
Cuttlebug- ornate flourish (The Paper Studio)
The Paper Studio- bling brads
Chipboard letters
Lace & ribbon

Okay, there it is! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)

Toaster Valentine Card

2012-01-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I can't believe the weekend is flying by at warp speed! Today I have made another Valentine's card. This one also has a kitchen theme, but I really wanted to use this sentiment stamp, so this is what "popped" into my brain! :) I am going to be entering this into a few challenges, as well as the Getting Cricky Link Up Love Party... While I was making this card I was listening to Shenandoah's "I Wanna Be Loved Like That", and I was swooning! I love that song, and I know someday I will be loved like that! :) Okay, enough mushy stuff, here's the card....

Getting Cricky Link Up Love Party- Valentine's
Peachy Keen Challenges- use a pocket
Jellypark Challenges- use a pocket
She's a Sassy Lady- Valentine's
Whimsical Designs- anything goes

A2 sized card

From My Kitchen- toaster cut at 4.88", bread cut at 3.47"

Peachy Keen Stamps- Retro Paper Doll Face Assortment

Scrappy Moms Stamps- A Pinch and a Dash

TPC Studio Stamps- Hugs and Kisses ("i love you" on the toast)

Glossy Accents

MS crystal fine glitter

Fuzzy ball ribbon

Foam tape

Prismacolor pencils for the eyes and cheeks

*I had to cut the bread out by hand because I couldn't find a single slice of bread. So, I cut the bread loaf in my Cricut, and then cut the loaf off leaving just the front of the bread. I used the actual toaster slot (which I had to widen with my scissors) as the pocket on this card.

Hope you enjoy, and I appreciate that all of you always "pop up" when I need you! Have a great day! :)

Snowman Birthday Card

2012-01-18T21:17:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy Wednesday everyone! I am so excited that the work week is halfway over! :) I had a really difficult time making a snowman birthday card (not sure why)... I actually like the way the card turned out, so I was glad that I challenged myself... Making birthday cards makes me think about all of the birthdays that are coming up: my sister's, my niece's, and my *gulp* 30th birthday next month!!! I am actually excited about turning 30, well... we'll see how I feel about it next month! Hee hee... :) Anywho, here is my take on a winter birthday card.

FCCB- use snowflake or snowman
My Craft Spot- "snow much fun" use a snowflake or snowman
Cuttlebug Spot- winter
Perfect Sentiments- birthday card using embossing resist
The Paper Variety- use a fan fold embellishment (I think these wrappers count)
She's a Sassy Lady- birthday card
Getting Cricky- let it snow, use embossing
Crafting for All Seasons- snowflake or snowman
Birthday Sundaes- use the photo for inspiration

A2 sized card

Winter Frolic- all snowmen cut at 2.29"

Sweet Treats- cupcake wrappers cut at 2.06"

Cuttlebug- seeing spots

Peachy Keen Stamps- winter face assortment

Sentiment, computer generated: Curlz MT font at size 20

A la Mode- sparkle embossing powder
Cupcake and snowflake stamps

MS ink- ocean

Prismacolor pencils for the noses and cheeks

*I accordion folded the cupcake wrappers by scoring them on my MS scoring board and then folding them. I attached tabs to them on my Gypsy by using a rectangle from George and Basic Shapes. I was then able to fold the tabs behind the snowmen to keep them in their wrappers.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week! Bye y'all!!! :)

You Bake Me Happy!

2012-01-16T16:33:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I can't believe I am posting twice in one day!!! Woo hoo!!! :) See what happens when I'm given an extra day off!?!?! I cleaned my house, did all of my laundry, played with the dogs, and I made two cards! :) On this card I used a stamp that I have been wanting to use since I bought the stamp set. It's so cute, and I had a vision in my head for the card I wanted to make... Baking is my second favorite hobby, I LOVE to bake! On Friday, I came home and made some delicious chocolate chip cookies. It's so stress relieving for me to bake and craft, so here I have combined my two favorite hobbies...

Peachy Keen Challenge- anything goes using PK stamps
Docerela Creations- Valentine's theme
Sweet Stamps- hearts
Little Scrap Pieces- anything goes

From My Kitchen- oven cut at 4.65", muffin (from the "Tabs" button) cut at 14.88"
Create a Critter- hearts cut at .53"
Peachy Keen Stamps- Retro Paper Doll Face Assortment
Scrappy Mom's Stamps- A Pinch and A Dash
Stickles- Christmas red
Twine
Glossy Accents
Distress Ink- vintage photo
White gel pen

Hope you enjoy and remember that you all "bake" me very happy!!! :)

** P.S. I'm having a very frustrating time trying to leave comments! Some blogs are giving me no trouble, and others won't even go to the comment form... If I didn't leave a comment, just know that I did try! :)

Blue & White Sympathy Card

2012-01-16T12:22:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Today I made a sympathy card, and I always find it difficult to make a card like this. I'm not giving this to anyone (luckily no one needs it right now), but it is nice to have these on hand when you need it. This card is going to be entered into a few challenges... Two of the challenges are actually using the same exact photo for inspiration!!! How cool is that!

Perfect Sentiments- sympathy card using the photo for inspiration
Cooking with Cricut- photo inspiration
Die Cuttin' Divas- blue, silver, and white
Mojo Monday- card sketch
Made Especially For You- use three ribbons
Moxie Fab World- use embossing

A2 sized card

Graphically Speaking- tree cut at 2.53"

Mini Monograms- scalloped circle cut at 3.12", blue circle cut at 3.24"

50 States- bird cut at .61"

Cuttlebug- forest branches, swiss dots

Paper Trey Ink- Mega Mixed Messages stamp set

Paper Trey Ink- ribbon (the white line is another ribbon)

Hope everyone is enjoying their Monday! I know I sure am enjoying my 3-day weekend! :)

Ariel Birthday Card

2012-01-13T22:57:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy Friday the 13th everyone! :) Next month is my niece's birthday. Chloe will be 6 years old very soon! She loves Ariel (my favorite character too), so I knew that I had to use that on her card... I will also be entering this into a couple of challenges (of course)... :)

Scrappy Moms Stamps- use a cartoon character
Celebrate the Occasion- kid's birthday

Birthday Bash- cupcake cut at 4.18" (I didn't use the cherry on top or the sprinkles)

Disney Princess Dreams Come True- Ariel cut at 3.94"

Plantin Schoolbook- number 6 cut at 1.82"

Cuttlebug- seeing spots

Stickles- yellow, star dust

Glossy Accents

Twine

There it is! I tried to jazz it up, yet keep it simple at the same time... Hope you enjoy! :)

Sweet Cherry Card

2012-01-09T21:19:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy Monday everyone! I had a great first day back with my students today! They were so excited to be back (they felt as if it had been months) and they coudn't wait to show off their new clothes, shoes, etc. from Christmas! :) They were also very good considering they'd been out of the loop for 3 weeks... They fell right back into the rules and routines (and, of course, super-fun learning)! Hee hee... Here is a card that I made for a few challenges. I would give this card away as a "thank you" card or as a "just because" card. One of the challenges was to keep it CAS (clean and simple), which can be tough for me. I resisted to urge to start adding twine and Stickles! :)

Made Especially for You- machine embossing
My Craft Spot- include a delicious treat (I love cherries)
CAS-ual Fridays- use chipboard
Frosted Designs- cardstock only, no patterned paper
Little Red Wagon- yellow, polka dot

This is a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2" square card
Country Life- cherries cut at 2.53"
Mini Monograms- scalloped circle cut at 3.47", yellow circle cut at 3.67"
Cuttlebug- argyle, polka dots
The Paper Studio- chipboard letters
Glossy Accents
Foam tape

*I cut a solid scalloped circle and then used my Crop-a-Dile to punch holes around the edge to give it a little something extra.

Hope you had a great Monday! See you soon... :)

Hoo-ray, It's Your Bird-day Card

2012-01-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!!! I am both sad and excited about going back to work tomorrow.... I love sleeping in and having no schedule to follow, but I sure do miss my kiddos too! Here is a really simple card that I made to enter into a few challenges. This is probably the fastest card I've ever made! I usually take forever to make something, but this only took about 20 minutes! Whew! :)

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog- use a bird
Birthday Sundaes- make a birthday card
2 Sisters Challenge Blog- things with wings
Waltzingmouse Sketch- use the sketch
The Shabby Tea Room- use the photo for inspiraton

A2 sized card

Hoot 'n' Holler- owl cut at 3.35"

Cuttlebug- forest branches

My Pink Stamper Stamps- Tweetie Hoo Puns

Stickles- star dust

Ribbon

Corner rounder

That's it! Pretty simple, huh? Hope you enjoy!!!! :)

Young at Heart Birthday Card

2012-01-05T22:22:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!!! I am so proud of myself for posting this many things so early in the year! I don't make resolutions because I never stick to them, but I set a sort of personal goal (I guess that's what a resolution is, but hey) to post more often... So far, so good! :) This card is for my friend Sarah. Her birthday is on Tuesday and we have been joking about her getting old because she's turning 25 (whew, mid-twenties)... That's why I chose this particular sentiment for the card... Hee hee....

The Kraft Journal- anything goes, use kraft cardstock
Simply Crafts- use the heart cupcake from Sweet Treats
Getting Cricky SS Challenge- it's a celebration
Fussy and Fancy- birthday or use animal print (I did both)
If the Shoe Fits- use a hoarded item (my paper pack & my cupcake stamps)
Whimsical Designs- create a border, or use a border punch
Die Cuttin' Divas- use the sketch

A2 sized card

Sweet Treats- cupcake cut at 2.76"

George and Basic Shapes- pink circles cut at .94", black circles cut at 1.22"

My Creative Time Stamps- Wow! So Many Candles

TPC Studio- Hugs and Kisses stamp set (cupcakes)

MS border punch

DCWV Paper Stack- Gone Wild

Twine- pink sorbet

Stickles- star dust

White gel pen

* The black zebra piece measures 4 x 4" and I rounded the corners, the yellow piece measures 1.5 x 4".

As always, thanks for stopping by and taking a peek... :)

White Snowflake Card

2012-01-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Hope you are all enjoying the new year so far! :) I have been so busy on my Christmas vacation that I have actually enjoyed the last two days of doing nothing! This is my last week off and I just plan on relaxing, going to lunch a couple of days, hanging out, etc... Last week I went to Disneyland and it was so packed that they were actually not selling tickets anymore!!! I have never seen the park that busy!!! Luckily we were able to get in because we had already gone in earlier that day and we had the "magical" hand stamp for re-entry.... Anywho, here is a card that I made to enter into some challenges... YAY! :)

My Craft Spot- Winter Wonderland & use glitter
Go Fish Challenge Blog- white on white (this was tough for me)
BBTB2- Winter Woodland ice skate
Victorine Stamps- use a punch
A Muse Studio Challenge Blog- use heat embossing
Exploring Cricut- winter scene or activity
Pile it On- anything goes
Ladybug Crafts- anything goes, use your new stash (my rhinestones)
Fresh Brewed Blog- use something new
Jellypark Challenges- use something new (rhinestones) and something old (MS punch)
Creative Cutter Room- use glitter/Stickles

Wild Card- scalloped card base cut at 4.88"
Winter Woodland- ice skate cut at 3.35"
Cuttlebug- swiss dots, snowflakes
Scrappy Moms Stamps- Winter Wishes
MS snowflake punch
a la mode sparkle embossing powder (used on the snowflakes & ice skate bow)
a la mode detail silver embossing powder (used on ice skate and sentiment)
MS glitter- crystal fine (I added this to the embossed snowflake background with a Zig glue pen)
Silver ink pad (I inked the edges of the ice skate)
Rhinestones
Pearl

Hope you enjoy and hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by! :)

Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I can't believe that it is already 2012! Wow!!! 2011 was a very emotional year for me, but it also did have a lot of good times.... One of the best things about 2011 was that I started this blog! :) I was scared to "put myself out there", but I am so glad that I did... I have met so many wonderful friends and found so much inspiration through this crafting blog! There are a couple of New Year's challenges right now where we are being asked to look back on our projects from last year and choose a favorite... This was definitely a tough challenge for me, but I finally settled on this little mini-album that I made. This is my first (and only) mini-album. I made it in one day (and my back was screaming), don't think I'll try that again! :) I also chose to post this because a lot of you have never seen it... Okay, here I go...

Cooking with Cricut- favorite project from 2011
Whimsical Designs- favorite project from 2011
Little Scrap Pieces- link up any project to ring in the New Year

The directions for this can be found by clicking here. Hope you enjoy and I hope everyone is having a great New Year! :)

Merry Christmas!!!!

2011-12-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!!! Merry Christmas! I wanted to post a picture of the ornaments that my students made for their parents. Since they are Santa ornaments, I figured this was literally my last chance to post them! :) I had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with my family yesterday... They are the best family any girl could ever ask for!!! :) I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year (if I don't post again before then)!

I told the kids they could spread their fingers apart (like the one on the left) or they could keep their hand closed (right) when they traced their hand. I thought these came out really cute, and all you need is some cardstock, crayons, and cotton balls! Doesn't get any easier than that! :)

Before I end this post, I will leave you with a few crazy pictures that my mom and I took at the Apple Store. We were waiting for her iPhone to be fixed and we started playing with the photo program on their computer... This is what happened!!! :)

First we took a normal one....

This one is crazy! It looks like my mom has an alien on her finger, and I look like I have a gazelle running up my cheek!

Hope these can spread some more Holiday cheer! Merry Christmas to the best blogger friends in the world! You guys are awesome and I appreciate all of you! :)

P.S. I just added a "Follow Me by E-mail" option on the right side of the screen... Hope it works! :)

Thank You Card for Physical Therapy

2011-12-20T16:27:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Brace yourselves.... I actually made a card!!!! :) Woo hoo!!!! My mom came over today and asked if I could help her make a thank you card for her last day of physical therapy. I told her "no problemo" and this is the little beauty that we came up with! She had knee surgery back in August, so you can see that this little skeleton comes complete with a titanium knee cap! :) Hope you enjoy!

A2 sized card
Paper Doll Dress Up- skeleton cut at 3.94"
Everyday Paper Dolls- crutches cut at 6.53" & 5.82" (top crutch)
Hoot 'n' Holler- heart cut at 1"
Cuttlebug- swiss dots
Peachy Keen Stamps- Retro Paper Doll Face Assortment
Inkadinkadoo Stamps- Thank You words
Stickles- Christmas red
Silver mini brad

Well it felt wonderful to be crafting again, hope to do some more soon! ;) See you later....

Holiday Fun!!! :)

2011-12-11T14:10:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!!!! I haven't been able to craft in such a long time! I have been so busy with things at work, and now that I have my car back I'm rarely ever home. I am making it my goal to start making more cards!!! I am hoping with my upcoming vacation that I will have more time for using the Cricut (it's okay Cricut I still love you)! Here are just a couple of the things I have been up to...

We had our annual Jingle Jam at work, and my students dressed up as little Santas and sang "Must be Santa". It was sooooo cute! They were so proud of themselves and they had to perform their song 3 times in front of 3 huge crowds! They weren't even nervous! I think I was more nervous than they were... A few years ago my aide and I came up with this little costume to make for them to wear during their performance and I think it's just the cutest thing ever! I took this picture of my niece wearing the costume...

I can't even express how cute it was to see all of these little Santas on the stage! I think some of them actually thought they were Santa! :) They were so excited about their costumes that they didn't even want to take them off when we went home!

Yesterday I made a bunch of cookies and candy to give out to my friends... Here is the cart full of goodies that my friend Sarah and I turned into holiday deliciousness! :)

Well everyone I hope to be up and crafting soon! I haven't forgotten about you guys (or this blog), just been super busy!!! See you soon, and I hope your holidays are going great! :)

Pumpkin Cheesecake Card

2011-11-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!!! I am so sorry I haven't been posting lately... There has been so much "stuff" going on with work, and family & friends, etc, etc.!!! But it's all been good "stuff", so that's nice! I knew that I had to make a card with a fall theme before the big Christmas wave hits... This is my favorite time of year, so I love working with these fall colors and this card was so fun to make. On the inside of the card I would write the recipe for this dessert. As a bonus (since I've been a very bad blogger), I am including a recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake at the bottom of this post. I absolutely love this recipe and I know it was a hit with the family too! :)

Mojo Monday- use the sketch
Crazy 4 Challenges- use 3 embellishments, 3 papers, 3 die cuts and/or punches
My Sheri Crafts- Thanksgiving
Our Creative Corner- pumpkins
Peachy Keen LFIF Challenge- holiday recipe & a PK face
Cupcake Inspirations- use the cupcake picture (fall colors)
FCCB- red, orange, brown
The Kraft Journal- sweet treats and bakers twine
Scrappy Frogs Challenge- use Kraft cardstock
Whimsical Designs- Thanksgiving theme
Celebrate the Occasion- Thanksgiving, must use a punch

A6 sized card (9 x 6 1/2" folded in half)
Create a Critter- pumpkin cut at 1.47"
My Creative Time Stamps- All Around Halloween
Peachy Keen Stamps- Monster Mash Face Assortment
"Pumpkin Cheesecake" Monotype Corsiva font at size 28
K & Company paper
MS border punch
1.5" circle punch
Button
Bakers Twine
Colored pencils
Accordion flowers, click here to see how I made them

Okay here is the recipe (this recipe was not created by me, I got it from allrecipes.com)... Yummmmm.......

Pumpkin Cheesecake

(For mine, I piped buttercream frosting around the edges, garnished with pecans, and filled in the middle with toffee pieces)

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup ground pecans

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

3 egg yolks

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground mace

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

3/8 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 tablespoons whipping cream

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, ground pecans, 2 tablespoons white sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and the melted butter or margarine and mix well. Firmly press mixture into one 9 inch springform pan.
Combine 3/4 cup of the white sugar, the pumpkin, 3 egg yolks, ground cinnamon, ground mace, ground ginger and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well, and set aside.
Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; gradually add 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons white sugar and mix well. Add the whole egg, remaining egg yolk and the whipping cream, beating well. Add cornstarch and vanilla and lemon flavorings, beat batter until smooth. Add pumpkin mixture and mix well. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 55 minutes. Do not overbake. Center may be soft but it will firm up when chilled. Let cheesecake cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate.

Enjoy!!!

PBR Fun!!!

2011-11-06T16:09:00.000-08:00

Happy November everyone! This is my 100th post! :) Woo hoo! Unfortunately I don't have a craft project today, but I do have some fun photos from a PBR (Pro Bull Riding) event that I went to last night.... It was my first time going to a PBR event and I had a blast!!!! :) The bulls were huge and some of the cowboys were getting stepped on and charged after! It was scary and entertaining all at the same time...

My friend Sarah, me, and my sister Joni.... Ready for some fun!

Here we are at the Italian restaurant before the event.... Super yummy!

There's the arena. We had really good seats! The rodeo clown was very funny! You can see him running from a runaway bull here...

Here's the whole group that went. Back row: Ron, Jan, Debbie, Veronica.

Front row: Ernesto, Joni, me, Sarah, Jesse

A serious and silly picture. Looks like my sister and I are the only ones acting silly! :)

Yeehaw that was a good time (and there were lots of cute cowboys)! :) See you soon with something crafty!

Candy Corn Card

2011-10-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone (well, what's left of it)!!! I came home from work today and I just really wanted to make a card for Halloween while I still had the chance.... It was fun at work today, the kids always love this holiday! They were actually really calm all day, you could have heard a pin drop during math! :) They had a costume parade and we had a party with lots of goodies... This card was really fun to make... I like the way that candy corns look (they are super cute), but I don't really like to eat them! I'm more of a chocolate kind of girl... :)

Crazy 4 Challenges- include candy
Peachy Keen LFIF Challenge- creepy cute
Paper Playtime- anything goes

A2 sized card
Mini Monsters- candy corn girl cut at 3.82"
Peachy Keen Stamps- Everyday Character Face Assortment
My Creative Time Stamps- All Around Halloween
Stickles- yellow, star dust, black diamond
K & Company paper
Brads

Here's a picture from the Tarantula Festival that I went to this weekend. It was a really fun festival, and I just can't get over the proud feeling I have for letting that spider crawl on me!!! It is a seriously huge fear of mine, and I don't know why I felt compelled to let this HUGE guy walk on my hand! I'm so glad that I did! :) This picture is of me and my mom...

AAAAAHHHHH!!!! See you soon! :)

Birthday Sundaes Guest Designer!!! :)

2011-10-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!! I am so excited to be a guest designer over at Birthday Sundaes!!! I am also excited that I was able to get back into my craft room and make something! It felt great to go through my paper packs, stamps, etc.... I am feeling so much better and I had a great time yesterday at a tarantula festival! I have a major case of aracnophobia, but I actually let a real, live tarantula crawl across the back of my hand!!!! It was a really proud moment for me to overcome such a huge fear of mine! I will be posting some pictures later from the festival, and hopefully a card to go with it.... :) Now onto my card for Birthday Sundaes... I love this challenge blog (it's one of my faves)! The challenge was to create a birthday card with any theme... I hope you enjoy what I came up with, and that you will check out all of the other guest designer's blogs! :)

Birthday Bash- elephant cut at 4.65"
Sweet Treats- party hat cut at 1.71", cupcake cut at 1.47"
My Creative Time stamp set- Wow! So Many Candles
Stickles- star dust
Glossy Accents

There it is! Hope you enjoy it, and it feels great to be back!!! :)

Giveaway Winner!!!

2011-10-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Before I start this, let me just say again how grateful I am for all of the support I am receiving! :) You guys are the best!!! I can't believe I went another week without crafting! I have been super busy! Today was fun too... I spent time with my family and we went to a delicious bakery and went shopping! :) I am working on some thank you cards right now, but I didn't want to forget to post a winner for my giveaway! This lucky lady will get to choose a gift card to the store of her choice! Fingers crossed.... Drumroll please.... And the winner is.....

Number 12- Amy @ http://amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com/

YAY Amy!!!! :) You can choose a gift card from Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's or Michaels!!! Woo hoo! Just e-mail your choice and your mailing address to redheadedcrafter@hotmail.com.

Thanks again to everyone who joined this giveaway and for all of the wonderful comments you have been leaving for me! See you soon! :)

Another Update

2011-10-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I'm so sorry that I haven't been on here to give you another update... I want to start by saying that I appreciate all of your kind words and support! Every time that I receive another comment from one of my buddies, I feel so much better! :) I apologize in advance for the negativity in this post, but it is unbelievable that someone I trusted did this to me, and it helps me cope when I am able to vent and discuss this. This will be the last post that I ever write about Daniel Lagow (I feel the name Danny is too cheerful a word for him)... In the week since I last posted I have found out so many disturbing things about this person, that I literally can't believe I have been fooled for this long! I spoke with Daniel's mistress on the phone and she did not know about me (well she claimed not to). She said that she met him in July 2010 at a bar. He wasn't wearing a ring, asked her for her number that night, and then told her he has been divorced for 3 years! I'm disgusted knowing that he picked her up like that, then came home to me and crawled into my bed!!! I told her all of the lies that he has been feeding me, and I told her that he was sleeping in my bed up until he moved into her house almost 3 weeks ago. He called me after I hung up with her, and he threatened me and yelled at me. I have also discovered that he was keeping me a secret from his co-workers! He has been telling everyone that he works with that he has been divorced for 2 years! I found it strange that he never introduced me to his friends, but he does work an opposite schedule from me, so it made sense that our paths never crossed... One of his co-workers found it strange that he was saying we have been divorced 2 years, but he was still driving my car to work... His family didn't even know that Daniel had taken my car from me, and that I haven't been behind the wheel of a car in 2 years! He told his family that we were sharing my car, which is not true. Daniel has been taking dinner to his mistress on lunch breaks, and telling me he is working over time almost every night and then going to her house after work. He even worked "over time" on my birthday, his birthday, Valentine's Day, our anniversary, etc. As I mentioned, he has moved in with her (the day he left me) and it is less than 2 miles from my home! Daniel went to my sister's wedding in Las Vegas with me in July, and he told his mistress and co-workers that he was going on a guy's weekend!!! In reality, he was spending time with his wife, her family, and sharing an intimate moment with all of us! After Daniel left me I also discovered all of the bills he didn't pay and I found out that he has been smoking cigarettes for years! His co-worker told me that when he was in school they used to tell him to bring me out with them when they went for a few drinks and he would tell them "she used to party, but she doesn't anymore", or he would say "she doesn't like to go out". That really hurt my feelings because I am a really fun person, and I do like going out! I'm also disgusted because I paid for Daniel's college education, and I supported him financially at home by paying all of the bills. I also used to quiz him for tests, proofread his reports, etc., etc... I'm sad that his friends never got to meet me, and that they probably have a very different picture in their head of me (and, of course, they think that I'm his ex-wife)... If his mistress has any common sense (*Update, she doesn't have any common sense- he's still living there), she will get rid of him right now before it's too late! After she talked to me, he probably turned on the tears, told her he would never do that to her, he never loved me, he left me for her, blah, blah, blah... He is a sociopath, a pathological liar, and a parasite! I was his host for a while, but he has drained everything out of me, and he has moved on to the next host! I will end this post with some pictures of the wedding that I had with this person 5 years ago.... I will never think of this day again, nor will I ever mention Daniel's name. November 18 will no longer be a day of remembering our wedding, it will be a day that I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that I got rid of this crazy person. The love that I had for him is completely gone and I hope that someday I find a real man that can treat me the way that I deserve to be treated! These pictures make me feel empty inside because I feel that he never really cared about or loved me (he has some mental problems that keep him from feeling human emotions)...

And with that I am closing this chapter of my life... I can't say that I regret meeting him because I learned a lot about myself and I really do love his family... But I do feel that he has wasted 10 years of my life, and I will not waste another minute!!!! :) See you soon with a crafting project of some kind!!! :) Thanks again for the support you have shown me...

Giveaway!!!!

2011-10-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

**This post will remain at the top.... Scroll down for new posts...**

I feel that it's time to do another giveaway! :) I noticed that I had hit 300 followers, and I am extremely excited! When I started this blog, I never even expected to reach 20 (that was exciting for me too)! I have been really bad about posting ever since I had to go back to work, and I felt I needed to give something to all of my wonderful bloggy friends out there! So let's do a giveaway to celebrate: how wonderful you all are; reaching 300 followers; and to celebrate that Fall is officially here! :)

Here's how you can enter my giveaway:
***Become a follower and leave me a message on this post.***

For extra entries:

Post about my giveaway in your sidebar and leave me a message on this post.

Mention my giveaway in one of your blog posts and leave me a message on this post.

Let's give away the same thing that I gave last time..... a gift card to the craft store of your choice: Michael's, Jo-Ann, or Hobby Lobby!!!! Woo hoo! I will end this giveaway on October 15 and I will announce the winner on October 16... Okay, let the fun begin!

Update

2011-10-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone... I am sorry I have not been posting very much lately, or making it over to see your wonderful blogs... I am going through a very tough personal time that is making it hard for me to even function, eat, smile, etc. By the time I make it home from work, I can't exert any more energy. I consider my online buddies very special to me, so I will tell you the basic outline of what has happened. My husband, Danny Lagow, confessed on Monday that he has been cheating on me. He did not tell me this on his own, I found a strange phone number on our phone records that he had been making a lot of phone calls and texts to. He left me while I was at work on Monday and he has not spoken to me since (he's being a huge coward). It has now been a full week, and I saw them holding hands in public together on Saturday. I found out on my own that he has been talking to her for at least a year behind my back. I am also finding a TON of unpaid bills that he was responsible for, so I am now dealing with that mountain of debt and the overwhelming feeling of lonliness. The love I had for him is pretty much gone, and has been replaced with negative feelings, but it is still an adjustment for me seeing that we have been together for 10 years. I hope to be up and posting soon because I love visiting your blogs and making cards. Crafting is a very stress relieving outlet for me and I look forward to creating "masterpieces" again. See you soon, I'm sure.

You're a Great Catch Card

2011-09-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

***Don't forget to enter my 300 follower GIVEAWAY by clicking right here!!!***

Hello everyone! I'm just going to make a quick post this morning because I have to get ready to go shopping with my sister. My mom's birthday is on Tuesday, so we need to go and find the perfect present! :) I made this card to give to my husband "just because". I usually make girly cards with bright colors, but it was really fun making a masculine card! :) Hope you enjoy!

Papercraft Star- use the sketch
CAS-ual Fridays- monochromatic plus brown
Frosted Designs- ransom letters
Cricut 360- Native American (this theme makes me think of the outdoors)

A2 sized card
Potpourri Basket- fish cut at 1.9"
Simply Charmed- fishing pole cut at 2.63"
George and Basic Shapes- ovals cut at 2.42" x 3.76", 1.99" x 3.26"
Cuttlebug- forest branches
Kraft paper down the middle measures 2 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Stampin' Up scallop border punch
Twine
Brads
Letter stamps

Here's a picture of my hubby with a fish that he caught. It's a bass, just like the Cricut cut I used... :)

Have a great day!!!

Halloween Greetings Card

2011-09-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

***Don't forget to enter my 300 follower GIVEAWAY by clicking right here!!!!***

Hello and happy Saturday everyone! I am so glad that it is the weekend!!!! Woo hoo!!!! This next week is going to be super busy for me because of Parent/Teacher conferences... I would really like to start crafting and posting more, so hopefully I can after conferences are over! :) For today I have made a Halloween card to enter into a few challenges. I have already mentioned that I love Halloween, so this card was very fun for me to make! Hope you enjoy!

My Sheri Crafts- use stitching (real or faux)
Card Patterns- use the sketch
Lily Pad Cards- use bling
Crazy 4 Challenges- Halloween
Creative Cutter Room- Halloween- faux stitching, sticker (the bling is a sticker), ribbon (I used twine)

This is an A6 size card- 9" x 6 1/4" folded in half

Mini Monsters- monsters cut at 1.71"

My Creative Time stamps- All Around Halloween

K & Company paper- orange piece 3 1/2" x 4 1/2", green piece 4 1/4" x 6"

Martha Stewart border punch

1.5" Circle punch

Rhinestones

Twine from The Twinery

White embossing powder (a la mode)

White gel pen

Hope you have a SPOOK-tacular day!!! :)

What's Cookin' CAS Card

2011-09-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday everyone!!! I am so excited to have a day off! Before I get to today's card I want to say THANKS to Lisa @ http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/ for passing the Butterfly Award to me! Lisa's blog is truly inspiring and she always leaves really nice comments on my blog... I feel honored that she thought of passing this award on to me! Thanks again Lisa! :) The card that I made today is a bit out of my comfort zone... The challenge was to make something CAS (clean and simple). As you know, I LOVE adding Stickles and "bling", so this was definitely a challenge for me! :) Hope you like what I came up with....

Use it Tuesday- use an uninked stamp (and I used some hoarded patterned paper)
CAS-ual Fridays- make a mini card (no bigger than 4 x 4)
Scrappy Moms Stamps- use Country Life cartridge
Whimsical Wednesday- make a card "just because"

Card measures 4" x 4"
Country Life- utensils cut at 2.88"
Cuttlebug- swiss dots
Scrappy Moms Stamps- A Pinch and a Dash
Distress Crackle Paint- clear rock candy
Glossy Accents

There it is! Enjoy! I'm in the process of cookin' up some more projects for you! :)

MPS Pinkalicious Blog Hop- Back to School

2011-09-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am so proud of myself for posting 2 days in a row!!! :) Before I get to my project for today, I want to say a huge "thank you" to Diana @ http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/ for passing the Butterfly Blog Award to me!!!! Her blog is amazing, she is a wonderful bloggy friend, and I really do appreciate her thinking of me! Check out her blog, you'll be happy that you did! Thanks again Diana!!! :) Okay... I wanted to make sure that I was able to get in on the MPS Pinkalicious Blog Hop this month, but it took me a while to come up with an idea... The challenge was to create something with a school theme, BUT it couldn't be a card or scrapbook page... You all know that I LOVE making cards, so this was a chance to think outside the box... and that's exactly what I made: a box! This is a treat box you can fill with goodies and pass it out to other teachers (co-workers), your child's teacher, etc... I love the little miniature clipboard on this and that cut is actually the reason I bought the Fabulous Finds cartridge! :) Here it is....

MPS Pinkalicious Blog Hop- school theme
Bitten by the Bug 2- TBBM 3D box
Blog Quick Quotes (CWC)- Back to School

Tags, Bags, Boxes & More- box cut at 5.12"

Fabulous Finds- clipboard cut at 5"

Doodlecharms- apple cut at 1.28"

Hero Arts- Friends stamp set

Grid paper 4 1/2 x 2 3/4", I punched holes down the side with my Crop-a-Dile

Twine

Glossy Accents

There you have it folks! I kept it pretty simple, so it would be easy to make multiples of... Hope you have an A+ day!!! :)

Patriotic Card for 9/11 Heroes

2011-09-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone... I can't believe that today marks the 10th year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks... I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was in college at the time, and I still lived at home with my parents. My sister came in to my room and started shaking me and told me I needed to come watch the news. My mom and sister had watched the second plane hit on live television. I had to get ready for my morning class, but I remember not even wanting to tear myself away from the television... I ended up going to class, and my instructor told us we didn't have to stay, but we could if we wanted to talk about what was going on. I stayed for a little while, then I drove home to watch more of the news... I went to work that day (in an after school program with first graders), and I just kept looking at the sky and thinking about all of the horrible things happening right here in our own country... The kids wanted to talk about what was going on, and I found it hard to discuss this with first graders. I didn't know how to word things, or how to explain it to them... There was a candle light vigil held in our local Veteran's Park that night and I remember just standing there and crying... I know I will never forget that day, and I will continue to remember the people who lost their lives, lost loved ones, and the men and women who continue to fight for our country so that we can keep our freedom!

Cricut 360 -create a card for our heroes
Sweet Sassy Diva- honoring 9/11
Papercraft Star- use patriotic colors

Independence Day- flag cut at 3.47", "freedom" cut at 2.29"
Cuttlebug- stars
K. Andrew stamps- Positive Thoughts
K & Company- Americana paper pack

Thank you to our heroes! I'm proud to be an American!!!

Halloween Candy Bucket Card

2011-09-05T22:41:00.000-07:00

Hello there everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful extended Labor Day weekend! I know that I sure did enjoy my extra day off today! :) It allowed me the time I needed to clean up my house, relax, and get some long overdue time in my craft room... I have really been wanting to make a Halloween card for a while now... Halloween is one my favorite holidays, I just think it's so cute! My students also really love Halloween (I'm sure you can imagine)! I love when they get to wear their costumes to school, and we have a little costume parade... I also love dancing with my students to classics like "Ghostbusters", "Thriller", "Scooby Doo", etc... It also really cracks me up when the boys wear a costume that has muscles built in to it! They look so hillarious sitting at their desk with these huge biceps! I could go on and on about Halloween, but I will save some of it for October! :) Anywho, before I get to the card I wanted to say thank you to Nita @ http://niftynitanotes.blogspot.com/, Maribel @ http://ilovescrapping.blogspot.com/, and Candace @ http://mypassion4scrappin.blogspot.com/ for passing the Butterfly Award to me! All 3 of these ladies have amazing blogs, they are such great crafty friends, and I really do appreciate them passing this to me! :)

This card is going to be entered in a wonderful challenge called "I Feel the Love" that Madison @ http://funkycards.blogspot.com/ is hosting. The challenge is to make a Halloween card that can be passed out to the children at Pediatric Specialty Care. You should really check out her blog to find out more about this.... I am also going to enter this at the Woodware USA challenge- Anything Goes.

Mini Monsters- card cut at 5.47", monster cut at 2.41", lollipop cut at 1.35"

George and Basic Shapes- orange circle cut at 4.29", oval (to show candy) cut at 2.88"

Cuttlebug- d'vine swirls

Sentiment: Scrappy Moms Stamps- A Haunting We Will Go

Peachy Keen Stamps- Monster Mash Face Assortment

Patterned Paper- K & Company

Candy Stickers: Stickety-Doo-Da

Stickles- star dust

Glossy Accents

Have a wonderful day, and I hope to see you around soon! :)

**I'm also submitting this in the Craft Junkie Too's TGIF Linky Party! :) http://www.craftjunkietoo.com/

Seize the Cake Birthday Card

2011-08-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am so proud of myself for posting during the school week! :) I am going to have to keep this short and sweet, seeing as I am already about 1 hour past my sleepy time! Before I show you my card for today, I wanted to say THANK YOU to all of my crafty friends who gave well wishes for my mom... She is doing great (she's tough), she had her surgery on Thursday and was discharged Saturday! :) She loved her cards and she got teary eyed (which made me teary eyed)... My dad is an RN, so he is taking care of her at home... :) I also wanted to say thank you to Pam @ http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/ and Karen @ http://craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com/ for passing the Butterfly Award to me!!! :) You guys are awesome and I always love looking at your blogs! Thanks again! Okay, onto the card....

Peachy Keen LFIF- use an animal
Fantabulous Cricut- use the color yellow
My Craft Spot- use stitching (faux stitching)
Birthday Sundaes- photo inspiration

Sweet Treats- cupcake cut at 4.25"

Simply Charmed- chick cut at 2.41"

Everyday Paper Dolls- flag cut at 5.12"

Sentiment- Hero Arts Birthday Messages

Peachy Keen Stamps- Critter Faces SET A Medium

Stickles- yellow, star dust

Glossy Accents

White gel pen

There it is! Hope you like it and I hope everyone is having a good week so far! Now it's time for bed! See you soon... :)

Get Well Soon Card for Mom

2011-08-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am so glad that tomorrow is Friday!!! Woo hoo! I am also relieved because my mom went in for surgery today and it went very well! Her surgery took place about 45 minutes away, so my sister, niece and I are going to drive up there tomorrow to visit her in the hospital. She had to have surgery on her knee (I believe it was a complete knee replacement)... Luckily my dad was able to be there for her (check her in, wait with her, see her when the surgery was done)... I whipped up this little beauty to give to her, and I had to incorporate crutches since that is how she will be getting around for a while!

Celebrate the Occasion- any occasion (must be circle shaped)
Paper Playtime- anything goes

Mini Monograms- card base cut at 5.47"

Walk in My Garden- flowers cut at 1.47", 1", 0.76" (I just layered them on top of each other)

George and Basic Shapes- plaid circle cut at 4.06", green circle cut at 3.47"

Everyday Paper Dolls- crutches cut at 5.59"

My Pink Stamper Stamps- Spectacular Sayings

Button brads

White gel pen

There it is! I kept this one nice and simple... I wanted it to have a cheerful feel... My niece also wanted to make a card for "gagga". She came up with all of the colors, cuts, sizes, and the sentiment inside. She even used the Cuttlebug all by herself (well, kind of by herself)! We wanted to see what this little Kindergartener would come up with, and the result is so cute! Here is a picture of what she created.... :)

Enjoy! :)

Butterfly Award

2011-08-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I went an entire week without posting, and now I'm posting for the second time today! :) I am so excited to be receiving an award from Peggy @ http://repeartreedesign.blogspot.com/. Her blog is really great and I hope everyone takes the time to stop by and take a peek! :) Thank you Peggy for thinking of me! :) This is an award I've never receieved before....

To receive this award, I need to: answer several questions,

award this 'Butterfly Award' to 10 other bloggers,

contact the 10 bloggers to let them know they have been

given this award, and I also need to show a link to the

person who gave me the 'Butterfly Award'. So here goes...

Q1) Name your favorite colour?
Green

Q2) Name your favorite song?

I'm a huge music fan, so I really can't choose! I do love Journey...

Q3) Name your favorite dessert?

Ice cream

Q4) What wizzes you off at the moment?

I think "wizzes" means upsets me, so I would have to say this summer heat.

Q5) Your favorite pet?

My two dogs, Bella (a lab mix) and Maddie (a German Shepherd)

Q6) Black or White?
White

Q7) Your biggest fear?
Spiders and heights

Q8) Best Feature?

My sense of humor

Q9) Everyday attitude?

I'm trying to be better about getting over things that are out of my control...

Q10) What is perfection?

Chocolate

Q11) Guilty Pleasure?

Snacks and reality television!

Q12) When you're upset you?

I get really quiet.

Now I have to pass this award onto 10 other friends... This is not going to be an easy decision, but here it goes! (I'm passing this along to more than 10 because I can't help myself) All of these ladies have amazing blogs, they leave really nice comments, and they are just all around great, encouraging crafty friends! :) I could have kept going, but I am trying to at least stay close to the rules...

Amy @ http://amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com/

Carri @ http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/

Dawn @ http://simplydawn53.blogspot.com/

Diana @ http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/

Karen @ http://craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com/

Karen @ http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/

Lisa @ http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/

Maribel @ http://ilovescrapping.blogspot.com/

Melissa @ http://createdbysunshinehoneybee.blogspot.com/

Nita @ http://niftynitanotes.blogspot.com/

Pam @ http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/

Rachel @ http://rwkrafts.blogspot.com/

Sandy @ http://sandyfromukiah.blogspot.com/

Shen @ http://mycuriouscrafts.blogspot.com/

Sherrie @ http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com/

Susan @ http://cricutandgrasshopper.blogspot.com/

Tina @ http://myhoppyplace.blogspot.com/

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks again Peggy! :)

Cowgirl Birthday Card & Link Up Love Party

2011-08-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

Well howdy y'all!!!! Oh my goodness, it has been a busy first week back at school! The first week is always a tough one, but the kiddos seem to be adjusting to first grade pretty well... My bookmark was a big hit with all of them, and they are loving the chapter books, so it turned out great! :) I can't believe it has been a week since I posted anything! I was finally able to sit down and make a card, and one of the challenges I wanted to enter is now closed... :( I am still going to enter it into a couple of other challenges that I came across, though.... Hope you have all been doing well, and I hope to stop by and see you soon! :)

Whimsical Wednesdays- use 3 cuts, 3 colors, 3 of the same embellishment
The Paper Variety- use twine
Birthday Sundaes- use at least 3 brads

A2 sized card
Country Life- guitar cowgirl cut at 4.18"
Storybook- denim piece cut at 3.35"
Gypsy Wanderings- music notes cut at 0.65"
Sentiment- K. Andrew Stamps: Positive Thoughts
DCWV paper- The Lodge Stack
Star brads
White gel pen

I am also going to enter this into the K. Andrew Link Up Love Party!!! This is so much fun and it really does help you meet a lot of new crafty friends! :)

Start at http://www.gettingcricky.com/ for all the details on how to join in the fun! :) One of the rules is to name something you are grateful for.... I am grateful for all of my friends and family, and a job that I really do enjoy! :)

Nuts About School Bookmark

2011-08-13T17:48:00.000-07:00

Well hello everyone!!! I am so glad that I am finally able to post something today! As you can see, I survived the first two days of school with my new kiddos.... The first two days actually went pretty well, and I seem to have a pretty good bunch, and I'm excited that they seem to know all of their letter sounds already. :) I've had so much on my mind (I can't imagine why), I forgot to take pictures of my classroom again. I will definitely be doing that soon... For now, here is something I made for a few challenges... :) I decided to make a bookmark, and I will actually be using this in my classroom. Every afternoon I read 1 chapter from the Magic Tree House book series. It is a really fun series, it's perfect for a 1st grade read-aloud chapter book, and my students think they are so cool because they are listening to a chapter book (just like the big kids)! :)

Celebrate the Occasion- Back to School
Bitten by the Bug 2- use Locker Talk
Whimsical Wednesday- Back to School (something other than a card)
Scrapalicious USA- any project (not a card)
My Sheri Crafts- Back to School
MPS Pinkalicious Blog Hop- use products you love (I love Stickles, Glossy Accents, twine, & CAC)
Cards by Jovan- Back to School Blog Hop

Bookmark measures about 2" x 5"
Create a Critter- squirrel cut at 1.94"
Locker Talk- apple cut at 1"
Sentiment is from my computer: Kristen ITC font at size 18
Chalkboard paper is from Provo Craft
Grid paper is from DCWV "Dots, Stripes, & Plaids Stack"
Bakers twine
Stickles- Christmas red
Glossy Accents
White gel pen
Corner rounder

Okay, I hope you enjoy! I can't wait to start visiting your blogs again too.... See you soon! :)

Blog Awards! :)

2011-08-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Just a quick post before I go to bed (it is a school night)... I want to thank Diana from http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/ for passing along some blog awards to me! I truly feel so special, excited and honored when any of my crafty friends think of passing awards to me! So thank you again Diana, and if you haven't checked out her blog, you really should! I also won a giveaway on her blog a couple of weeks ago, and I received my prize (a set of K. Andrew stamps) yesterday! I can't wait to use these stamps, so thank you for that too, Diana! :)

Hope you are all having a wonderful week so far.... I will be spending my last day alone in my classroom tomorrow (the kids show up on Thursday)! I am getting excited, hopefully I will remember to take some pictures! :) See you all later! :)

Use it Tuesday Guest Designer!!! :)

2011-08-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I am so excited that I was asked to be a Guest Designer over at Use it Tuesday!!!! This is a really fun blog that challenges you to use hoarded crafting items you have in your stash... I know I am notorious for buying paper packs, ribbon, bling, etc. and never using them! This card uses a lot of hoarded items that I had never used before: a new Cricut cartridge, DCWV paper, stamp, and ribbon! I bought this DCWV paper pack because I love that it uses real photos, but it got pushed into the "paper pack pile" and never used.... I love the way the cartoonish die cut looks against the real horizon... Anywho, here's the card...

Use it Tuesday- Indian summer & use a hoarded item
Cricut 360- refreshing
Paper Playtime- water
Scrappy Moms Stamps- Pack Your Bags cartridge

A2 sized card
Pack Your Bags cartridge- girl cut at 3"
Making Memories Passport stamp set
DCWV The Photo Real Stack 3
Ribbon
Corner rounder

I kept this card very simple... Hope you enjoy! :)

Santa in the Chimney Card

2011-08-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!!!! I can't believe it, but I actaully made a card today!!!! YAY! It was really nice to get back into my craft room again.... I have some more cards in mind, hopefully I can get into this craft room more often! Anywho, I am feeling quite jolly after creating this card. Can't wait for Christmas to get here! :)

Jingle Belles- shaped Christmas card
Woodware USA- anything goes
Crazy 4 Challenges- shaped card
Peachy Keen LFIF- shaped card using a PK face stamp

Simply Charmed- chimney cut at 4.18", Santa cut at 3.24"

Freshly Picked- sack cut at 4.65"

Cuttlebug- Tim Holtz Sizzix bricked embossing folder

Scrappy Moms Stamps- Winter Wishes

Peachy Keen Stamps- Everyday Character Face Assortment

MS crystal fine glitter

Bakers twine

There it is everyone! Hope you are having a great weekend, and that you're being nice, not naughty.... Hee hee! :)

Blog Awards! :)

2011-08-03T23:28:00.000-07:00

Hello there! I feel like I have been removed from the crafting world completely! I was doing so good about posting everyday, but since I've been back at work it's been very difficult... I already feel exhausted and the kids aren't even back yet! :) I guess that's what I get for sleeping in for about a month now.... :) I've been feeling excited, moving furniture, creating seating charts, changing bulletin boards, chatting with teachers, etc., etc..... My classroom is coming along, and I plan on taking pictures as soon as I'm finished.... I have felt bad that I haven't even been able to visit all of my bloggy friends and see their beautiful creations, and I haven't been able to play in my craft room at all... I am going to make sure to set aside time to craft and visit! :) For now, I want to send out a big THANK YOU to Pam at http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/ for passing some blog awards back to me! I feel so honored and special any time someone shares a blog award or a kind comment with me... You are all so positive and encouraging, and I really appreciate it! :) Pam actually passed along all of these awards with me at once!!! I want to thank her again, and I want all of my friends to pick up all/some of these awards and post them on your blog.... You are all special people and you all deserve these awards too! So take them and enjoy them! :)

Thanks again to Pam! I hope to be visiting all of you soon, and making more projects to share! See you soon! :)

And the winner is.... :)

2011-08-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I have been super busy today because it was the first day I was allowed back into my classroom.... I may take some pictures of my room and post them (if I remember)! My head is absolutely swimming with worries, excitement, etc., etc., etc.... This will be my 7th year as a teacher!!!!! That sounds insane to me! I taught Kindergarten for 2 years, and this will be my fifth year in 1st grade... WOW! Anywho..... It's time to announce the winner of my first ever giveaway!!!! YAHOO!!! This giveaway was so fun, and I know that I will be doing more of them... Okay here it is.... Drumroll please......

Number 27: Carla @ carla-writes.blogspot.com

YAY Carla!!!! Just e-mail me your mailing address and let me know which gift card you would like: JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, or Michaels! My e-mail is redheadedcrafter@hotmail.com.
If I haven't heard from you in a week, I will choose another person...

P.S. If anyone knows how to copy and paste the random.org box... I would love to know how! :)

Keep on the lookout for more giveaways, and again thanks to all of my followers! You're the best! :)

200 Follower Giveaway!!!!! :)

2011-07-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

***This post will remain at the top... Please scroll down for newer posts... :)***

Okay everyone, this is a giveaway to celebrate reaching 200 followers!!!!! Woo hoo! This is also my first giveaway, so I hope it goes smoothly! :) I am going to be giving away... Drumroll please..... A gift card to the store of your choice! I'll let you choose if you want the gift card from JoAnn's, Michaels OR Hobby Lobby!!! Yeah! Here's how you can enter:

*Become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment on this post.

*For an extra chance to enter, post this giveaway in the sidebar on your blog and then leave me another comment.

Okay, good luck everyone! I will do the drawing for this giveaway on August 1, so that gives you about a week to enter! Woo hoo!!!

Which one will you choose? :)

Polar Bear Christmas Card

2011-07-31T00:42:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I have been such a busy girl lately! I have been trying to squeeze the last bit of fun out of my summer, while at the same time getting ready to go back to work.... School starts on August 10th for me, but my students will be there the 11th. That is almost here!!! YIKES! I get nervous every single year! Tomorrow I'm going back to my classroom for the first time since June... I'll be re-decorating a couple of bulletin boards and labeling EVERYTHING! The success for the school year starts with how organized and ready you are for the first day of school! Anywho.... (I can tell I'm nervous about school because it's all I can think about) I made this card to enter into a few challenges, and it's also my last card as a Guest Designer for 365 Cards. I have really enjoyed working with them this month, and I know I will continue to join their challenges! :)

Jingle Belles- blue Christmas
My Creative Time- Throwback Thursday, Christmas
Celebrate the Occasion- blue and white
365 Cards- use the sketch

A2 sized card

Joys of the Season- polar bear cut at 1.94", star cut at 1.59"

Create a Critter- cloud cut at 1.71"

Cuttlebug- snowflakes, d'vine swirls

Scrappy Moms Stamps- Winter Wishes

Martha Stewart border punch

MS crystal fine glitter

Blue sparkle gel pen

Foam tape

Corner rounder

Okay, hope you enjoy my blue Christmas card... I can "bearly" wait to hear what you have to say! :)

***I also want to thank Karen @ http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/ for passing these blog awards to me! Her blog is fantastic and she posts beautiful projects and recipes! YUM! You really should check out her blog... Thank you again Karen, you are a very special friend! :)

Hello Kitty Air Mail

2011-07-29T22:40:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! The last few days have been really busy for me! Yesterday my in-laws came over and it was really fun! I hadn't seen them in a while, and it was nice to visit with them, see my niece and nephew, etc.... Today I went shopping at the teacher store and spent more money on my classroom! There never seems to be a school year where I am not spending a lot of money on my class! Oh well, I really love it, so it's okay! :) Anywho I made this simple card to enter into a couple of challenges and I was just feeling the red, white, and blue vibes..... I am also excited because I received my twine from My Craft Spot and I just had to use it!!!! :)

M.A.G. Challenge by the Page- Hello Kitty pg. 65 only
Cricut 360- transportation
Woodware USA- stamped background
Getting Cricky- for the troops
Cricut Cardz- anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays- anything goes

A2 sized card
Hello Kitty Greetings cartridge- Kitty and her plane cut at 3.47"
Making Memories- Passport Stamp Set (used on background too)
A la Mode sparkle embossing powder
Versamark Ink
Twine
Stickles- Christmas red, yellow
White gel pen

There it is! Hope you enjoy it! :) I also want to thank everyone for all of the nice comments you leave for me.... I read every single one of them and they make me so happy! :)

Blog Awards! :)

2011-07-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I have been out of the house all day today, so no crafting for me! My friend Debbie wanted to go to a bakery that was featured on Food Network, so we drove to Bakersfield and checked it out! YUMMO! I actually went hog wild and bought several different desserts and brought them back to share with my parents, sister, and brother-in-law (and hubby, of course, but he works the PM shift).... Then we all went to our favorite Chinese food restaurant, then went to grandma's to visit! It was a fun day! :) Anywho, I was given some blog awards from some wonderful bloggy friends (Amy, Pam, and Shen) and one of the awards was one I didn't already have..... So I will pass it along to some of my friends that I visit often (and they visit me often too).... There are no rules, so I will just make it up as I go along! :) Thank you to those three ladies for passing these awards to me! If you click on their names it will take you to their blogs and you will be amazed with what they come up with!

Okay here is the award I had never received before:

Since there are no rules I will tell you three things about myself and pass this award on to 15 other friends (I'm just making this up here folks)! :) I could definitely pass this on to more than 15, but I am trying to keep myself under control a bit! Hee hee.....

3 things about me:

1. I love to bake (mostly sweets), and I dream of someday opening a bakery! I would call it "Sweet Tooth". :)

2. I can be brought to tears easily. I'm not someone who is always crying, but I do cry during sad movies, TV shows, the last day of school, and during a very "moving experience" (for example I wanted to cry during the opening of the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show). So did my sister, so I didn't feel too bad!

3. I love to sing!!!! I sing everywhere! I am one of those people you will see rocking out in the car... When there is karaoke involved, it takes me a while to get over being shy, but once I do you can't get the microphone away from me! :)

I am passing this to: (these are in no particular order)

Amy @ http://amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com/

Pam @ http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/

Shen @ http://mycuriouscrafts.blogspot.com/

Diana @ http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/

Chriss @ http://chrissandlou.blogspot.com/

Nita @ http://niftynitanotes.blogspot.com/

Sandy @ http://sandyfromukiah.blogspot.com/

Lisa @ http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/

Maribel @ http://ilovescrapping.blogspot.com/

Glora @ http://glorascrafts.blogspot.com/

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

Sherrie @ http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com/
Sonia @ http://cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com/

Gloria @ http://girliascards.blogspot.com/

Lolis @ http://lolis-mycorner.blogspot.com/

Samantha @ http://samanthajdesigns.blogspot.com/
Carri @ http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/

Rachel @ http://rwkrafts.blogspot.com/
Cely @ http://hawaiipaperparty.blogspot.com/
Karen @ http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/

There's my 15 (which actually turned out to be 20), but hey there are no rules.... :) Okay, I should be back tomorrow with a project this time. See you then! :)

Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy Card

2011-07-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! It's been so hot around here! It definitely does inspire some of my cards, like this one! I love drinking homemade lemonade on a hot day.... It's so refreshing! I was also inspired by my new Scrappy Moms Stamps!!!!! I would highly recommend these to anyone! They are such nice quality and they smell good (just like MPS stamps).... :) This sentiment is awesome, and my students and I actually say this all the time! :) Since it is so hot today, I will share my favorite recipe for lemonade! Look for it at the end of this post... As always, don't forget to enter my giveaway ------>here<------- if you haven't already.... :)

Frosted Designs- use buttons
Our Creative Corner- use the 4 B's (black, bling, buttons, bows)
FCCB- use a melon or another fruit
Woodware USA- stamped background
365 Cards- stamp your sentiment all over the background
Use it Tuesday- use two hoarded items (I used the beads and the black jute cord for the first time)
Papercraft Star- anything goes

A2 sized card
Savory cartridge- pitcher cut at 4.06", lemon cut at 1.82"
Scrappy Moms Stamps- A Pinch & a Dash
MS pigment ink- ocean
Stickles- star dust
A la Mode sparkle embossing powder
Clear beads
Jute cord- black
Buttons

*I stamped the sentiment multiple times on white cardstock using VersaMark ink. I then embossed it with the sparkle embossing powder and used my heat tool to set it. Then you can just rub ink over the entire piece of cardstock and the ink won't stick to the embossing! Sooo cool! :) I think it actually made a pretty neat looking background....

Okay, as promised, here is my favorite recipe for lemonade! I did not come up with this recipe.... I found it on allrecipes.com. Mmmmmm.... So refreshing!!!

Best Lemonade Ever

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups white sugar

8 cups water

1 1/2 cups lemon juice

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled.

2. Remove seeds from lemon juice, but leave pulp. In pitcher stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice, and remaining 7 cups of water.

It's just that "easy-peasy, lemon squeezy"! Enjoy! :)

Beach Birthday Shaker Card

2011-07-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! This card was soooo fun to make! It's my first attempt at making a shaker card. The directions I followed can be found here. This card is definitely making me want to go to the beach! I also had a few Kenny Chesney songs playing in my brain while making this!
"No shoes, no shirt, no problems
Blues what blues hey I forgot 'em
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom
And no shoes, no shirt, and no problems" :) Ahhhh......
**Don't forget to enter my 200 Follower Giveaway by clicking right
----->here<-----. :)

Cricut 360- Outdoors
Birthday Sundaes- inspiration photo (some beachy cupcakes, yummo)
Crazy 4 Challenges- make a shaker card
My Craft Spot- embossing
Paper Playtime- summer theme with a stamped image or sentiment
Crafty Sprouts- shaker card
Creative Sisters Monday Challenge- summer theme
Scrapbookaholic by Abby- summer theme

Cricut cartridges used:

Life is a Beach- waves cut at W 6.24" x H 2.03", shark- 3.59", sandals- 1.82", life preserver- 3", surf board- 4.06"

George and Basic Shapes- rectangle W 2.68" x H 6.16" (I welded this to the waves to make the card base)

Cuttlebug- d'vine swirls, swiss dots

Sentiment- Hero Arts Birthday Messages

Sand (I used some from my backyard), inside shaker and applied to edges of kraft paper using Zig glue

Transparency film (I used a sheet I had from Office Depot... It's good to be a teacher!) :)

Jute cord, or twine (rope around life preserver)

Foam tape

Well have a totally tubular day, and dream about catching some gnarly waves! Thanks for looking! Or should I say "mahalo"! :)

*Also linking this to...

Beaver Birthday Invitation

2011-07-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I can't believe how fast this month is flying by!!!! Next Sunday will be my last day as a Guest Designer on 365 Cards. It has been fun!!! :) I'm working on the last sketch, but for now here is the next one...

Fabulous Finds cartridge- ticket card base cut at W 6.06" x H 4.31", yellow ticket cut at 1.47"
Birthday Bash cartridge- beaver cut at 4.19"
Cuttlebug- seeing spots
Peachy Keen Stamps- Critter Faces SET A Medium
Sentiment- Inkadinkado Paperwork Greetings
Stickles- star dust
Glossy Accents

I had been wanting to use that ticket stamp badly, so I thought why not use it for an invitation! On the inside you could write all of the info. needed for the party.... Hope you enjoy! :)

So Sweet Sundae Card

2011-07-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

Oh, hello there! I am just trying to concentrate on this post, and not keep thinking about ice cream! Time really got away from me, but I made this card just in time to enter two challenges I've been wanting to join! :) Ice cream is one of my favorite things on this planet, so I enjoyed making this card. I was also able to use a new product I hadn't used yet! YAY! AND I can't believe I made two cards today (last night's was pracitcally today), and I have another to post later! Anywho, onto the card! OH! Don't forget to enter my 200 Follower Giveaway by clicking right ----->here<-----. :)

FCCB- ice cream!!! :)
Getting Cricky- Simply Sunday "food for thought"
Scrapalicious- anything summer

Birthday Bash cartridge- 3 scoop sundae cut at 3.19"
Doodletype- "so sweet" cut at 1.12" (I welded the letters together on my Gypsy)
Stickles- xmas red
Glossy Accents
MS tinsel glitter- tourmaline (I sprinkled this on the wet Glossy Accents)
A la Mode- sparkle embossing powder (I embossed the letters with this)
Distress Crackle Paint- clear rock candy (I painted this on the dish and it really looks like glass)

Okay, I hope I didn't make you crave ice cream too badly with this! Thanks for stopping by! :)

**I also want to thank Karen from http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/ for passing along some blog awards to me! She is such a sweet person, she leaves really nice comments, and her blog is amazing! Everyone should give her blog a peek! :) Thanks Karen!!!

Hay Neigh-bor Horseshoe Card

2011-07-23T23:17:00.000-07:00

Hey there folks! I am mighty excited because I finally own the cartridge being used at the M.A.G. Challenge by the Page blog!!!! AND it happens to be my favorite cartridge: Create a Critter!!!! Yee haw!!! The challenge is to create a project using only page 59 from CAC, which is the horse, star, horseshoe, and "howdy". Here is what I came up with... :) I'm also going to enter this into the 365 Cards- So Random challenge (use a random sentiment). P.S. Don't forget to click here to enter a comment in my 200 follower giveaway! :)

Create a Critter cartridge- horseshoe cut at 5.35", horse cut at 3.47"

My Pink Stamper Stamps- More Punny-licious

Stickles- star dust

Glossy Accents

Distress Ink- vintage photo

That's all there is to it! Thanks for looking, and.... Y'all come back now ya hear! :)

Penguin Spinner Christmas Card

2011-07-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone! I must start off by saying.... WOOO HOOOO!!!! I have reached 200 followers! I am going to do a giveaway of some kind, so keep your eyes peeled for that! :) It will be my first giveaway, so I'm a bit nervous (not sure why).... But, I really want to do this because I want to say THANK YOU to all of the people who are taking the time to visit and follow my blog! I can't believe that with all of the talent out there, my little blog reached 200!!! Okay, onto my card for today...

Bitten by the Bug 2- use a penguin (I don't own Jolly Holidays, so I used Joys of the Season)
My Craft Spot- Christmas in July
Jingle Belles- O Hole-y Night: create a card with a window in it (I love the name of this challenge) :)
Paper Cutz Challenge- anything goes
Peachy Keen LFIF Challenge- use a pun (I LOVE puns) and a PK face

Cricut cartridges used:
Joys of the Season- penguin cut at 3.35"
Wild Card- card base cut at 5.59"
Winter Woodland- snowflakes cut at 1", 1.55", 1.86"
Peachy Keen Stamps- Critter Faces SET A Medium & Winter Face Assortment
Sentiment from my computer- Curlz MT font, size 18
Martha Stewart Ink: sea lavender & ocean
Mini snowflake stamp
A la Mode sparkle embossing powder
Martha Stewart fine glitter- crystal
Brad for the spinner
Foam tape

**I'm so excited because I made my own background paper! To make it I stamped a mini snowflake (I don't even know the brand of the stamp) with Versamark Ink in various places on the white paper. Then I sprinkled the embossing powder over it and heat embossed the snowflakes. I then took my MS sea lavender ink and dabbed it over the entire card (and it doesn't stick to the embossed images). I inked the edges of the card with MS ocean ink.

Before I end this post, I want to thank Cally Ann @ http://callyanncraftycreations.blogspot.com/ for giving me a blog award!!!! She has a really cute blog, and posts really nice projects. I would encourage you all to check her out! :) You can see my original post for this award here. Thanks again!

Okay, I snow you will have a cool day! Thanks for stopping by!!! :)

Hello Friend Linky Party

2011-07-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone! I am going to try and post a card later today, but.... I came across this new site (it's new to me) called Sassy Sites, and there is a fun linky party going on right now. This is for anyone who has had their blog less than a year. You just link up and you can go and visit all of these other awesome blogs out there! How fun!!! :) I'm joining to meet new crafters, and I know a lot of people who I already follow have new blogs and this sounds like fun!

These are some questions on the blog, so I thought I would answer them! :) It's fun learning new things about our bloggy friends...

Why did you decide to start blogging? I started blogging to meet other crafters out there, have a place to post my cards, and to enter challenges.

When you aren't blogging, what are you doing? Right now I'm on summer vacation, but when I'm not, I'm teaching. I am a first grade teacher. :) I also like going to the movies, gardening, reading, baking, etc...

What is your blog about? My blog is about paper crafting. I usually use the Cricut on my projects, so that is also a theme in my blog. The Cricut rocks!!!! :)

When do you find the time to blog? Because of summer vacation, I have A LOT of time to blog right now. When the school year starts again, I am going to have to squeeze in some time after work (sadly, no more late night crafting)... Right now I can craft late into the night, but during the school year that would turn me into zombie teacher! Aaaaahhhhh! Run for your lives!!!
Why do you love blogging? I love blogging because it gives me the opportunity to share my cards with other crafters out there. I love hearing from other bloggy friends out there, and I love visiting other crafting blogs!!! It's just so much fun! :)

What is your favorite post so far that you've written? Hmmmm..... Thats a tough one! I would probably say my "sandal shaped card with a cute pooch".... It has sequins, a flip flop (which I love), and a cute dog in a bikini (I love dogs)!

Well there you have it folks! I hope those of you with a "young blog" will join in the fun!

Princess Castle Birthday Card

2011-07-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday everyone! I want to say thank you for all the kind words people were leaving about my paper roses tutorial... It made me feel great, and you are all awesome!!! :) Anywho, today's card is a very whimsical/fantasy card. I would definitely give this to one of my nieces, or perhaps someone who loves Disney because it just has a Disney feel to it.... I have really been wanting to go to Disneyland lately!!! Oh man, now I'm thinking about it again.... :)

Birthday Sundaes- anything goes birthday card
Die Cuttin' Divas- shaped card
Paper Cutz Challenge- include anything that has to do with the sky
Cupcake Inspirations- use the picture for inspiration (the picture is full of princess stuff & pink)

Cricut cartridges used:
Wrap it Up- castle cut at 5.82"
Create a Critter- cloud cut at W-4.63 x H-1.85" (I pushed the little chain icon on my Gypsy to make this size)
3 Birds on Parade- wand cut at 22.53"
Cuttlebug- tiny mosaic, floral fantasy
Sentiment- Paper Trey Ink Mega Mixed Messages stamp set
Martha Stewart sea lavendar ink (that's what I used to ink the cloud edges)
A la Mode sparkle embossing powder (I embossed the star, flag, the edges of the cloud, and the rooftops)
White gel pen

Hope you enjoy! I wish you a magical day!!! :)

Making Paper Roses

2011-07-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! After I made paper roses for a birthday card, I had a lot of people ask how to make them. I did not come up with this formula for making these roses. I watched a video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edApDLVUWSw. The crafter's name is Kathy and her website is http://www.paperphenomenon.blogspot.com/. She has some awesome creations on there! :) Since I know some people follow step by step pictures better than a video, I have followed Kathy's steps and I am going to outline them for you in this post.... Cool! :)

These are the supplies you will need: hot glue gun, scissors, something to curl your petals back (I used my Gypsy stylus), 3 flowers (cut at 2.75" from George and Basic Shapes using the Shadow/Blackout feature). You can use any size flowers you would like, but all 3 need to be the same size.

You are then going to cut 1 petal from the first flower (and throw that one petal away), and cut 2 petals from the second flower (do not throw those petals away).

You will be left with 5 pieces in all: a flower missing 1 petal, a flower missing 2 petals, an intact flower, and the 2 petals you cut off (they are kind of shaped like a heart). Take the intact flower and make an "x" in the center with your scissors. You are then going to make the "cones" using your cut flowers. You roll them in on themselves forming a "cone" where two of the petals are overlapping exactly, and you hot glue them together. The smallest piece (the heart shaped piece) needs to be rolled in on itself. Just start on one end and roll it until you get a look you like and hot glue it, this will be the center of your finished rose. Your flower that had 3 petals will now look like it has 2, the flower with 4 petals will now look like it has 3 petals, etc. The intact flower does not get rolled into a "cone".

Now you need to roll the edges of your flowers. I used the stylus from my Gypsy (like I saw in the video). You need to curl the edges of all of your flowers, from the tiny center piece to the large flower with the "x" in the middle.

Now it's going to start looking like a rose! Take the big flower with an "x" and put some hot glue around the center. Take the "cone" that has 3 petals and push it through the "x". Apply more hot glue to the center of the "cone" with 3 petals, and then push the "cone" with 2 petals into the center. Then you will be left with the last piece that will be the center of your rose.

Turn your rose over and snip off the bottom. This will give you a bigger area to push the center of your rose through. Turn the rose back over, put some hot glue in the middle and push through the last "cone" that will be the center of your rose. VOILA! You have a finished rose! :) You can snip off the back again to make it more flat to adhere it to cards or scrapbook pages. I adhered my roses to my card by using hot glue.

I hope this tutorial helps someone out there! These sure were fun to make and I think they look almost real! :) Make sure to check out the video, Kathy does a great job of explaining the steps. See ya later!

You're Tops in my Book Card

2011-07-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! The idea for this card just popped into my brain during the car ride on the way home from Monterey! I knew the challenge at Cricut 360 was to do something for your parents, but I had no idea what I was going to do... Well, when you're driving for hours, you get to do a lot of thinking! :) I like the way this turned out, it looks almost like it did in my head.... I will definitely be sending this to my parents because they are the best parents ever!!!! They pretty much paid for the trip to Monterey, they are always supportive of my sister and me, and they just rock! :)

Cricut 360- create something for the parents
Frosted Designs- use a quote (I've heard people say this before)
GAB Challenge- use something you rarely use (Graphically Speaking cart. & the wobble springs)
Whimsical Wednesday- interactive fun (I used springs under the tops, so they wiggle a lot)
365 Cards- add dimension to your project

Graphically Speaking- book card base cut at 4.29"
Joys of the Season- ornament (I used to make tops) cut at 2.53"
Cuttlebug- d'vine swirls
Peachy Keen Stamps- Retro Paper Doll Face Assortment
Sentiment is from my computer- HP PSG font at size 18
Stickles- star dust, cotton candy, lime green
Glossy Accents
Wire to make the springs

** I used the search feature on my Gypsy to find a top and the only cartridge that has one is Boys Will be Boys. I don't own that cartridge so I started thinking about other things that may resemble a top, and that's when ornaments popped into my brain! I used the ornament from Joys of the Season, cut each one 3 times (so I could layer the different colored papers), cut off the top of the ornament and the little ball on the bottom, and VOILA it's a little spinning top! :)

** I had been hearing that you can use Action Wobbles to create movement on your cards, but I didn't have any.... so, I made my own. They are not exactly the same as the Action Wobbles, but they are really fun! To make them I just cut some wire, wrapped it around a pen, and used Scotch tape to adhere it to the little tops and then to the card.

Hope you enjoy, and you're all tops in my book too! :)

Blog Award!!! :)

2011-07-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I came back from Monterey yesterday, and I am working on a card that I will post later today! If it comes out the way it is in my head, it's going to be cute.... :) Anywho, I am so excited that Lolis @ http://lolis-mycorner.blogspot.com/ has shared a blog award with me!!! YAHOO!!!! Lolis is an incredibly talented crafter, and you should really check out her blog! It's great! Thank you Lolis!

The rules for this award are:

*Your Blog has been deemed Cricut-tastic!

* Wear this Badge proudly on your Blog

share it with friends! Since Cricut is 5 years old and they

have an E2 out share this award with 10 people

that you think have Cricut-tastic Blogs!

You also have to tell 5 Cricut Related things about yourself:

Okay, here are 5 Cricut related things about me:

1. My Cricut and Gypsy are used on just about every project that I make.

2. I have the Cricut Expression (and I use my friend Sarah's Imagine sometimes).

3. I am somewhat addicted to buying Cricut cartridges, but my teacher salary keeps that under control.

4. My Cricut is 2 years old, and I purchased it at Wal-Mart the day after Thanksgiving.

5. A huge goal of mine is to start using my Cricut for my classroom more often.

And now to pass this on to other crafters out there (not in any particular order & trust me it was hard for me to decide...) Take some time to look at these blogs, you will not be disappointed! :)

1. Pam @ http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/
2. Karen @ http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/
3. Shen @ http://mycuriouscrafts.blogspot.com/
4. Amy @ http://amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com/
5. Maribel @ http://ilovescrapping.blogspot.com/
6. Cely @ http://hawaiipaperparty.blogspot.com/
7. Pat @ http://patsscraps.blogspot.com/
8. Lisa @ http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/
9. Sonia @ http://cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com/
10. Glora @ http://glorascrafts.blogspot.com/

Thank you again Lolis! :)

365 Cards Guest Designer- You're One of a Kind

2011-07-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Like hello everyone! Like this card totally makes me think of the 80's! You know! It's, like, totally rad and stuff! Okay, okay, I'll stop... :) This card really does remind me of the 80's though, with the black and white and neon colors. I'm so excited to be the Guest Designer this month at 365 Cards, and here is the second sketch and the card I came up with for it! Yay! :)

A2 sized card
Cricut cartridges used:
Mini Monograms- scalloped circle cut at 3.59"
Create a Critter- flower cut at 5", middle of flower cut at 7.31"
George and Basic Shapes- circle cut at 2.41"
My Pink Stamper stamps- Spectacular Sayings
Peachy Keen Stamps- Everyday Character Face Assortment
Stickles- star dust
Ribbon
Buttons

Well, there you have it folks! Like totally have a good day okay! :)

*P.S. I am also going to enter this into The Paper Variety- create a project using the picture for inspiration.

Merry Christmas Snowflake Card

2011-07-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am posting this card today (which is actually kind of tomorrow already) because I am going to be going to Monterey for the next couple of days.... I am so excited to get out of this heat! Woo hoo! As always, I will look forward to coming back on Sunday and seeing what you have created over the weekend! :) This card is making me really get into the holiday spirit! I think it turned out looking kind of country... I had the song "Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays" by N'Sync playing in my head the entire time I was making this! Very nerdy, I know... :)

Celebrate the Occasion- make a shaped Christmas card
Bitten by the Bug 2- use the mittens from Joys of the Season cartridge
Scrapbookaholic by Abby- use some bling (I think Stickles are bling)

Cricut cartridges used:
Winter Woodland- card cut at 4.41", snowflake cut at 5.59"
Joys of the Season- mittens cut at 1.47"
Storybook- frame cut at 1.55" for white piece, 1.94" for green piece
Cuttlebug- swiss dots, snowflakes
Sentiment- Stampabilities
Stickles- star dust

Okay, there it is! Hope you enjoy, and I'll see you in a couple of days!

Rose Birthday Card

2011-07-14T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am really excited today because I stepped outside of my comfort zone and made some paper flowers. These flowers were fun to make, and I was so happy that they turned out looking somewhat like roses! :) I followed a video tutorial to make these flowers... you can see that video here. This card is definitely more elegant than I'm used to making too... There is no amount of Create a Critter on here at all! Hee hee.... :) Here's the card....

Cricut Cardz Challenge- create a birthday card for a grandparent
Birthday Sundaes- create a birthday card using green, orange, and white
Scrappy Frogs Challenge- use flowers in your project

A2 sized card

Cricut cartridges used:

George and Basic Shapes- flowers (each size is cut x3) cut at 1.5", 2", 2.5"

Storybook- frame cut at 1.51" for white piece, 1.71" for green piece

Disney Princess Dreams Come True- leaves cut at 1.5", 1.94"

Cuttlebug- argyle

Sentiment- Hero Arts Birthday Messages stamp set

Glue gun

Well there it is.... No stickles, no punny sentiment, no Create a Critter.... Just a pretty fancy card! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy! :)

**I am also going to enter this into the Kissed by a Frog linky party: http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/2011/07/frog-blog-love-linky-party-5.html

AND

Beary Best Camping Card

2011-07-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! This card was really fun to make! I love going camping, so this card made me feel happy! :) I used some distress ink for the first time, and I used a lot of Cricut cuts and foam tape, to create this little outdoor scene.... Here it is.....

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge- Let's Go Camping: outdoor theme
Scrapalicious- use a bear in your project
My Craft Spot- Ink it Up (I inked all of the foliage, the thought bubble, marshmallow, etc.)

A2 sized card

Cricut cartridges used:

Create a Critter- bear cut at 1.71", campfire cut at 1.71"

Graphically Speaking- moon cut at 1.24"

Disney Princesses Dreams Come True- pine tree cut at 2.88"

3 Birds on Parade- marshmallow stick cut at 1.94"

Everyday Paper Dolls- boy cut at 3", bushes cut at 4.88"

Gypsy Wanderings- pine tree cut at 3.71"

Potpourri Basket- pine trees cut at 3.82"

Indie Art- thought bubble cut at 1.2"

My Pink Stamper- More Punny-licious

PaperTrey Ink Stamps- Mega Mixed Messages

Peachy Keen Stamps- Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed & Everyday Character Face Asst.

Glossy Accents

Silver gel pen (for the stars)

Martha Stewart glitter- fire opal

Tim Holtz Distress Ink- antique linen

Whew! It takes a lot of cartridges and work to mimic the great outdoors! Thanks for stopping by... Hope you enjoy! :)

Sandal Shaped Card with a Cute Pooch!

2011-07-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I was having major internet problems yesterday and wasn't able to post anything! :( But today it seems to be working okay, so I can post this card I whipped up for some challenges.... Before I get to the card I want to thank Lisa- A Mermaid's Crafts and Lori- Lori's Artsy Obsession for giving me some blog awards!!! These ladies are incredibly talented and sweet, you should check them out! I was given the Stinkin' Cute Blog Award and the Best Friend Blogger Award! :) Thanks again, it made me feel very special!!! :)

Now onto the challenges:

Getting Cricky w/ K. Andrews- Simply Sunday Fashionista challenge (I think this pup's more fashionable than me)
Use it Tuesday- make something with an animal & use something from your scrappin' stash (I used a prima flower and some sequin ribbon)
Die Cuttin' Divas- summer theme
Cricut Cardz- include summer apparel
My Sheri Crafts- include a faithful & furry companion on your project
Paper Playtime- summer theme

Cricut cartridges used:

Life is a Beach- sandal (for card base) cut at 7.94" (this image has 2 sandals, so I hid one on my Gypsy), bathing suit cut at 1.47" (I had to cut it and piece it together to fit the dog's body)

Paisley- sunglasses cut at .76"

Create a Critter- dog cut at 2.65", purse cut at 1.82"

Cuttlebug- seeing spots

My Pink Stamper stamps- More Punny-licous

Peachy Keen Stamps- Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed Face Assortment

Prima flower

Sequin ribbon (I adhered it with glue dots)

Martha Stewart fine glitter- sterling

Glossy Accents

I'm glad that my internet is working again! I'm now off to check out some of the blogs I missed out on yesterday.... Thanks for stopping by! :)

Thank You Card- 365 Cards Guest Designer!!!

2011-07-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am so excited!!! I was asked to be a guest designer at 365 Cards for the month of July!!!! I will be creating cards every Sunday this month using sketches (Super Sketchy Sundays).... This is just too exciting!!! :) Here is the sketch and my card....

This is another completely Cricut-less card!!! *GASP*! I know, I know.... I usually never make a project without the Cricut, but I found these cute K & Company stickers and just had to use them. The front of this card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". The stamp is from Inkadinkado- Thank You Words set. The patterned paper is from the Cosmo Cricket Salt Air mini deck. I used my 1.5" circle punch on the sentiment. That's it! Pretty simple!!! Hope you likey, and I am so excited about being a GD at 365 cards!!!! :)

Best Friend Blogger Award!!! :)

2011-07-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I was just given this beautiful blog award from Pam @ http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/. Pam is a very sweet person, her blog is amazing, and she leaves such nice comments on my blog! I am so honored that she decided to pass this along to me! You really should check out her blog, it's awesome! Thanks Pam! :)

Okay, here are the rules for this award.... I have to tell you something about myself, share with you who gave this to me (and provide a link to her blog), and pass this along to at least 5 friends...

I have already shared so many things about myself, but I guess I can say that I have a really close knit family. We are known as the family that gives a lot of hugs! When you come to any family function, you are going to get hugged by at least my mom, my sister, and me as soon as you come through the door! :) This goes for friends too! What can I say, we just love giving hugs! :)

Now I am going to be passing this on to 14 of my BFB's! The rules say "at least 5", so I am still within the rules.... If you check out the following blogs you will not be disappointed! They are very talented, they take the time to leave comments, and they just rock!!! :)

These are in no particular order...

Shen @ http://mycuriouscrafts.blogspot.com/

Amy @ http://amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com/

Nita @ http://niftynitanotes.blogspot.com/

Diana @ http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/

Gloria @ http://girliascards.blogspot.com/

Karen @ http://littlescrappieces.blogspot.com/

Karen @ http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/

Lisa @ http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/

Raina @ http://scrapwithraina.blogspot.com/

Sandy @ http://sandyfromukiah.blogspot.com/

Tina @ http://myhoppyplace.blogspot.com/
Sherrie @ http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com/
Carri @ http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/

Candace @ http://mypassion4scrappin.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Pam! :)

Wedding Card for My Sister & a Blog Award Update! :)

2011-07-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday everyone! I have to first start of by saying a BIG thank you to Rebecca at Crafting Misfit. She has given me this blog award, and I truly feel honored that she thought of me! Her blog is amazing, she is not a misfit at all in this crafting world! :) Check out her blog sometime, you'll enjoy it! Thanks again Rebecca! You can see the orignal post for this blog award by clicking here.

Now onto my card for today.... I have had this card in mind for a while now.... I just couldn't decide if I should do a traditional wedding card, or a Las Vegas themed card for my sister.... Well..... After much consideration, I decided to make a half & half card (half traditional, half Vegas)! How fun! I had a great time making this card, and I really like the end result! I know my sister is going to like it too (and the cash gift inside doesn't hurt)... ;)

This is an A2 sized card. I really stepped outside of my comfort zone for this one.... I didn't use my Cricut at all on this card! AND I didn't use my Cuttlebug OR my Stickles!!! AND I didn't enter this into any challenges! Wow! Who am I?!?! :) Let's look at the Vegas side: The font is AR HERMANN, size 48. The stickers are from Jolee's.... Now let's take a look at the traditional side: The font is Edwardian Script ITC, size 48. The stickers are from K & Company. The pearls and rhinestones are from The Paper Studio.

There you have it, my first (and possibly only) half & half card.... Hope you enjoy it! :)

Happy Holidays Card

2011-07-08T23:28:00.000-07:00

Wow! Another post today! I must be making up for lost time.... Hee hee.... I had to make another card today because.... When I got home from Vegas, I found a lot of challenges I wanted to enter! I just can't help myself! :) There are a lot of challenges going on now (and coming up) that have a "Christmas in July" theme, so that is why I made this holiday card in the middle of the summer! It was fun to make.... Christmas is my favorite time of year, so this brings up good feelings. Okay, here we go!

The Paper Variety- Christmas in July
Celebrate the Occasion- Christmas card using NO red (that was tough, I can just picture a red scarf blowing in the wind....)
My Creative Time- Throwback Thursday, use Wild Card & incorporate embossing

Wild Card- card cut at 4.69"

Christmas Cheer- snowman cut at 3.24"

Cuttlebug- polka dots, snowflakes

Peachy Keen Stamps- Winter Face Assortment

Sentiment- Stampabilities

Martha Stewart glitter- crystal, sterling

Enjoy! :)

Stinkin' Sweet Thank You Card

2011-07-08T18:12:00.000-07:00

Hello there! I made this card to enter into some challenges, and I love the way it turned out! I am actually going to be giving this to my parents. They paid for the hotel rooms in Vegas and I think that was awesome of them! :) Okay, onto the card... I came up with the sentiment all by myself! I was cracking up, the skunk's stinkin' and the lollipop is sweet! It's just too punny! :) I was also laughing at how difficult it was for me to take a picture of a circular card.... It kept rolling all over the place! :) Hee hee....

Cricut 360- create a circular shaped thank you card
Die Cuttin' Divas- create a card using the sketch
Peachy Keen LFIF- use patterned paper & a PK face
More than Favors- use Wild Card cartridge

Cricut cartridges used:

Wild Card- card cut at 4.65"

Create a Critter- skunk cut at 2.65"

Mickey and Friends- lollipop cut at 1.35"

Peachy Keen Stamps- Critter Faces SET A Medium

Sentiment from computer- Maiandra GD font at size 16

Stickles- star dust, cotton candy

Glossy Accents

Mini button brads

White gel pen

Thanks for stopping by.... It was stinkin' sweet of you! :)

**I'm also going to submit this in the Made it Myself Monday @ You Had Me at Craft!! :)

Whaley Good Birthday Card

2011-07-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

I have to start off by saying that Diana @ DL Art also gave me the Stinkin' Cute Blog Award!! Thank you Diana! Everyone really should check out her blog, and right now she's doing a 400 follower giveaway! :)

I must say that it felt great to get back into my craft room, look up some challenges, and make a couple of cards! I knew that I wanted to use a punny birthday sentiment on my card, and I wanted to use a whale (to make it a summer theme)... When I looked through my stamp sets, I couldn't find any stamps that fit what I needed, so I made up this sentiment on my computer.... I think it turned out really cute! Hope you enjoy!!! :)

Cooking with Cricut- anything goes using Cricut
My Craft Spot- anything that reminds you of summer
BBTB2- use the starfish from Life is a Beach
FCCB- water theme
Birthday Sundaes- anything goes (must include a birthday sentiment)

A2 sized card
Cricut cartridges used:
Create a Critter- whale cut at 3.47"
Life is a Beach- starfish cut at 1.39"
Everyday Paper Dolls- clouds cut at 2.49" & 1.98"
Zooballoo- waves cut at 1.24"
Cuttlebug- D'vine swirls, spots and dots
Peachy Keen Stamps- Animal Faces Medium (I used one stamp for the eyes, and a different one for the mouth)
Sentiment is from my computer- AR CHRISTY font at size 24
Stickles- star dust
Glossy Accents

Have a WHALEY good day! :)

* I'm also going to enter this into the Craft Junkie Too T.G.I.F. Linky Party... :)