Last Holiday challenge for OWH

The challenge was to bid farewell to 2010 by making a card that had 10 things on it. Well, keeping it to 10 can be a challenge for me lol. Therefore I made it a double challenge for myself. I am trying to "get it together" to make cards for this worthwhile cause. Heaven knows I would have loved my hubby to have one of these cards to send me when he was deployed so it is the least I can do. The problem is as a new crafter I am terminally slow!!! I just am never happy with a project for days. Well that does not get many cards made so I challenged myself to create a card that I would be proud to send in 45 minutes so that it would be something that I could possibly replicate a few times. So here goes.
4 papers
4 flowers with bling centers
2 ribbons
now STOP
Thanks for looking at my work.
Happy New Year.
Hope that I will see you all in 2011.

A card with no pink.

Wow Christmas is all done and I feel like I have nothing to do. Must be time to attack a challenge or two. Operation Write Home had a challenge to create a card with no pink. funny even though I am not a big fan of pink I tend to use a lot of it in my cards.... but here we go.(Funny when I went to preview my post his ears look a bit pink lol they are light brown for sure!!) This is also the first print and cut image that I have done with MTC that I was happy enough with to use in a project Woohoo!! Planning on cutting out a bunch and Friday night at work making more miss you cards.

I got this idea on HGTV and then of course my engineering hubby had to help me take it to the next level. I have all three "presents" stacked in my foyer and they just plain make me happy. It really turned into an ordeal but any of you who know Jeff will know it will be around for MANY Christmases to come.

Blog Candy

Jenn at paper this and that is giving away some awesome blog candy, a years subscription to the new Bug magazine!! While you are there check out her awesome blog! Here is the link http://paperthisandthat.blogspot.com/2010/12/woooo-hooooo-100-followers.html

Pink Stamper Challenge

I needed to make a birthday card for my cousin. I had decided I wanted to use the Forever young cartridge, but had no plan yet. Then I saw the color challenge on My Pink Stamper and a plan came together. Since her birthday is so close to Christmas I wanted to make sure that it was far from Christmasy and these colors helped accomplish that. The stamp is from the pink stamper everyday life collection.(If you are searching for a second shade of blue, the background of the card is navy not black lol)

The twins are 5!!!!!!!!!!!

Can hardly believe that they are 5 years old! Where does the time go? Eli announced that there are 2 people having birthdays so that means that 2 birthday cakes are needed!! So, it would not do for Grandma to make one card. Of course the cards need to be as different as they are!

Thank you card set

Another of the challenges done. The files for the box and the envelopes was a shared file. I am really happy with the way these came out. I think I will add them in with my Moms Christmas gift. Just previewed and I need to work on the photography ARGH

MTC Cyber Crop

I am so sad that this cyber crop is taking place when I am crazy busy.....sniff sniff.... But I am so thankful that I was able to get a couple complete, photographed and submitted. I will update as I finish a few more..... Wish my vinyl would get here!!!
This first challenge was an in and out card. The window has acetate behind it. I used puff paint and glitter to add the snow. I really like the way this came out. I wish I had thought to add brick behind the fire place before I glued it together lol.

Holiday Blog Hop

Cookingwithcricut.com is doing a 2 day Holiday Blog Hop. It is very inspiring! I hope that you will have time to jump on over and get your "mojo" going in time to make some holiday goodies.And there is plenty of bog candy to boot. Have an awesome weekend!

GOOD GRIEF!!

Okay I am getting frustrated. I am doing something that is deletin my post in the middle on my new computer and I can not figure out what I am doing ARGH... Anyway I have not been able to get my creative mojo going at all recently. I am trying to learn my new computer and get all the files off the old one. Also got a gypsy and MTC added an AWESOME update. So I think all my energy has been going into trying to get to a point where I can at least use all this new stuff. So today I was determined to get something done crafty. I had bought this paper at a craft store in Columbus amd thought it would be a no brainer to get me started. I also did a little blog hopping to come up with a couple of challenges to get my mojo flowing.
Are these guys not the cutest. Ashlie did a great job on their costumes!!

Think Pink

In honor of Breast Cancer awareness month Robyn at mypinkstamper.com is having think pink week. She is doing a project with pink everyday and even giving away a pink expression!! She posted addresses for 2 fellow crafters who are currently in the heat of the battle with breast cancer. These are the cards that I made for them.

This first card was made with my brand new Forever Young cartridge. I saw a video making a slider card with the hat box and I lifted the idea. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfCT9y8emcM&feature=relatedAnd absolutely love it!! Already planning the next one.

I just learned how to do ribbon slots with MTC so had to use that on my second card. The dragonfly is cut with Doodlecharms cartridge and as always went a little bling happy.....Thank you for taking the time to look at my work.

A card for Madison

Joy at obsessedwithscrapbooking.com send out a plea that was forwarded to her for cards for a precious 6 year old girl who is currently in the hospital battling leukemia. This is my card for little Madison. It sure makes me stop in my tracks and Thank God that my grandchildren are healthy. This is the info if you would like to send a lttle cheer to a precious child.

Hello Joy,
Hope you are doing well. This email is to ask all of you for some help. Hopefully you can post this info on your blog or attach a link to my blog (techniquesbytrish.blogspot.com). I absolutely love your blogs "Obsessed with Scrapbooking" and "Everyday Cricut" and was hoping that you could help spread the word on this card drive i'm holding.
After working for my parents business for 10 years, you get to know your customers pretty well and over time they become more like friends. One of the customers had told me last year that he was thrilled that his niece, Madison, was in remission from Leukemia! Their family was over joyed that such a young girl had beat this vicious cancer (she's only 6 years old). However, just last week, their family was just hit with the most horrific news........Madison's cancer has returned.
Now I personally do not know Madison BUT I'm the type of person who wants to help whenever I can. I know that I cant cure her but I can help with making her day a little better by sending her a card to put a smile on her face.
So, this is where i'm hoping to get your help.....i'm hoping to get a TON of cards to cheer up Madison. "Get well" cards and anything that is super girly would be perfect!!! And if you'd like to send a small gift, ex: a barbie or stuffed animal, im sure it would cheer her up and keep her company while she spends the next several weeks in the hospital. I know she loves pink, butterflies, and anything girly.
If your interested in helping please send your cards/packages to the following address by Friday, October 29th(please have it in the mail on or before that date):
Trisha Theo
Po Box 7806
North Port, Florida 34290
Thank you everyone in advance for spreading the word and helping this young girl get through such a hard time,
Trish

Card for Amanda

I was doing a blog hop this week and one of the blogs, www.creativetimeforme.com had a challenge posted. Now we all know that I am not too creative so I usually just submit to the ones that have a random winner. But for some reason I kept thinking about this one. Anyway used it to create a Halloween card for my daughter who owns a boston terrier. I have not amassed very many cartridges yet(can hardly believe I have been crafting for almost 10 months! My how time flies when you are having fun!) so, used what I had.
the dog was cut from Create a Critter
the hat and shoes were Paper doll dressups.
Thank you for looking. I would love to hear any thoughts on how I could improve it.

Fall project

Day 3 of the week of challenges make a fall or halloween project. In the realm of RAK this week I made 3 different varieties of muffins last night. I have a friend whos mother is in a pallative care facility. She is a dear sweet woman but can bit a bit demanding of the staff. So they get a batch of muffins. Also, before I started working so many hours I volunteered at a local charity thrift store. I miss being able to help out so thought I would stop by and leave the workers some too. I have more muffins, not sure where they will end up yet???
I took the plastic containers that cut fruit comes in at my local grocery store and decorated them a little (after fighting with the sticky label). I used alcohol ink to "paint" the lid before adding the paper decorations.

OWH

This is one of the cards that I am making for Operation Write Home. I am trying to find a design that goes together quickly as I am such a SLOW crafter, that way I can send many instead of a few. Thanks for looking Have a great day!!

Too Cute!!!

Day 2 of the Pink Stamper challenge week was simply to make something cute. I made this trick or treat bag for one of my grandchildren (only 4 more to go) I personally think it is way cute!!! Hope you do too.The hardest part of this project was finding the bag.... I had an idea in my head and had to go to FIVE stores before I found exactly what I wanted. I used paper doll dress up cartridge for all the cuts except the moon and bats and they are from an MTC file. Thanks for checking out my blog.

For someone else

The Pink Stamper is doing a daily challenge this week. I am working 64 hours this week so I am indulging in every challenge for the break that it gives me!! The first one is make something for someone and give it to them. I at first thought of the things I already had on my plate 2 more sympathy cards, a get well card, and food for a grieving family, but decided that would not be a challenge. It took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to do. I have a dear friend who is quickly approaching the first anniversary of suddenly losing her husband. This has been a really tough year and distance has kept our communications to a minimum. I decided to make her a relaxation bag full of bath goodies. Thank you for looking and thank you Robyn for encouraging me to look deeper and do a little more.

Just my size

Skyler at the pumpkin patch, is he not the cutest!!! Kristal at http://www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com/> posted a fall blessings challenge. You should head on over and check it out she is giving away a boys with be boys cart!!This is my go at it. I do not have a "fall" cartridge so used the leaf and pumpkins off of create a critter. And as usual it looks crooked, now I am not saying that it is perfectly straight but when I look at the piece it is no where near as crooked as the picture.....what is up with that? Thank you for taking the time to look at my work and I hope that this precious picture brought a smile to your face.

The Pink Stamper had a challenge to create anything with a winter theme. I have a friend who lives in a colder climate than I do, so I like to send her "wintery" cards all year round, lol.I got the MTC file for the hot chocolate from http://happy2bscrappin-777.blogspot.com/.
I am so happy to be back from my long break and playing with my Cricut and "stash" again. Unfortunately, I have been making many get well and sympathy cards in the few minutes I have had recently(still have 2 sympathy ones left to do). I am thrilled to be able to find a moment to create something that is just plain fun! Thank you for looking.

Hummingbird Card

The Pink Stamper (don;t you just adore Robyn!) had a celebration of 5,000,000 views challenge, make anything with a bird. I promise this card looks better than the picture. I have a new camera and I just can not get it to take a picture I like in the house (I usually go out on the porch but thankfully it is raining today). I did not want to use the scanner as this has so much dimension. I guess I really need to work on creating a space in the house where the pictures work with no glare hmmmmm. Thank you for looking!

I's a duck

I have wanted to scrap this picture from the second I caught the bug!. My precious Olivia was so sweet and smart. And what about that imagination. I kept this super simple to match the picture. The ducks were cut from the doodlecharm cartridge. I used all items from the club ruby kit!! Yeah Club Ruby sure made it easy.

Okay got the challenge done and it has really made me take stock about how I feel about card making. I tend to forget that scrapbbok pages are worth really sweating over but for the most part cards are much more temporary. I keep seeing people ask for cards to be sent for different causes and I think I would like to do that. Well, then I begin to over think and sweat the details and yes doubt my abilities.... then you guessed no cards. So my mantra is going to be KEEP IT SIMPLE SILLY! Then if I do not have a fancy card so be it. So my goal this week is to get started on some Christmas cards that someone is requesting for the wounded soldiers. I would like to get 6 done and sent. I have a basic plan and will post them when they are done.

If you got here from my pink stamper you no doubt have noticed that the cards are not the same..... I could not figure out how to totally delete my first card and add this one hmmmmmm. Anyway, I was never happy with the first one, so I made this one instead. We have a young man in my church congregation who is deploying next week. This card will be perfect to give him at the send off reception.I used wild card to cut the cluster of stars (the cutouts are perfect for the inside of the card). I used gel pens and the cricut to write the sentiment. Thank you for taking the time to look at my blog

Blog candy

This is a great give away at http://www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com/. There is planty of time and lots of ways to get your name entered. So jump on over and give it a shot. While you are there take a look around Kristal is very talented and has a lot to share.

I am thrilled that Kristal at http://www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com/ is having a challenge. I generally do not "do" halloween. Don't ask, left over childhood trauma..... So I decided that I would try my hand at this challenge. I had soooo much fun creating it. It is super super quick but I love it. The house and the tree are from the paper doll dressup cartridge. The bats and the moon were lifted from the MTC users gallery. The font was also done in MTC with gel pens.I used acetate colored with alcohol ink for the windows. Just plain simple!! I promise you that it is not as crooked as the picture appears. I am not sure what my issue is with photographing but it is a learning process I hope!!

I finally have a couple of days that are not totally committed. Got these 2 layouts finished and one will be done later today. WOOHOO! I am loving my first kit from Club Ruby. I have done a lot with it and have TONS of paper left.hmmmmm

Love love love this picture. I have wanted to get a page done with this since the first week I started scrapbooking (almost 6 months now) But could not ever get it to come together. I am very happy with this page. It is absolutely nothing like I had started. I kept it quite simple because when I added it seemed to take away from this precious picture.I love the embossed foil paper. I have never used that on a page but think I will be using that technique again!

A second layout today. Jeff wants me to shadow box it and send it to Dee. I was not planning on that but it might be fun! I have never made a shadowbox effect layout.I really like the way it came out. Another new thing to add to the bag of tricks.

Finally got another layout done. I have probably a half dozen in process. This is the first time I have ever tried "pleating" ribbon I am pleased withtthe results. When I do a layout and label it 2002 it reminds me of how much I have that I would like to scrap. I had pulled these pictures out when I was doing the class with Big Picture Scrapbooking and then went on vacation and never got to the layout Well, it is done.

Super quick card

The Pink Stamper is having a challenge to make something with a winter theme. I put this together real quick for Olivia. She is really struggling with going to school for the first time. I thought it would be fun and she loves penquins. When I went to post it on the website realized that MANY others used the same penquin and igloo. Lol guess though I am not original I have good taste!! Maybe I can score a little originality, the scarf is cut from the insert from my pink stamper stamp set.

This is Adrienne's birthday card. I wanted to do an elegant card but when I dyed the paper such bright colors I liked it. It does not lend itself to elegant. The inside is my first ever pop up card. It will not be the last as that was soooo simple. I really wanted to "tacky up" the inside so that Skyler would appreciate it, after all he is my biggest fan! When I look at the pics it is interesting that the scanned pic shows that it is pink yet the camera shot of the inside it appears red????

One last post today. I allowed all day to play and only got 2 cards and one layout (that I am not in love with) done. ARGH I sometimes move so slow! This is from Olivias visit and really gave me a fit. I had started with a plan a long time ago but quickly changed and then changed and then added until it was a hot mess. Finally got it to the point where I can live with it even if I do not love it.

World most ridiculously easy card!! But I like it..... I am trying to come up with something a little creative for Adrienne's birthday and that is definitely stretching for me. I colored glossy card stock with alcohol ink. I tried embossing backgrounds adding silhouettes ribbon etc. But I kept coming back to the painted paper. I love the way it looked and did not want to take away from it at all. I am not going to send this to Adrienne and before I use it may add to it, but would not be unhappy to mail as is!!

CONGRATULATIONS, Adrienne. This is a fun card I made to celebrate making Deans list. This was using sassafrass summer kit from club Ruby. This is the first time I have purchased a kit so working with it is going to be totally different. I do not think I have ever "blinged up" a card this much before it sure was fun to make! Hopefully this will be the beginning of the end to my "dry spell!" Off to start on her birthday card.......

Playing with Grandma's "stash"

I so enjoyed my recent visit with Olivia, it is such a rare treat theses days to get to have her at my house for a few days. she has such a precious giving spirit. She wanted to make cards for her brother and sister while she was here. She really enjoyed the sparkly things she discovered among my accumulation! So she made sparkly cards to match her sparkling personality!

Olivia comes from a long line of chocoholics. So I designed this for her birthday. I actually was working on a pink and brown challenge too. Happy Birthday, Olivia!

Isn't this the cutest! My 9 year old (in a few days) granddaughter is visiting me, she designed this for her bff. It was so much fun to watch her creative wheels turning as we worked on the card. Her enthusiasm is definitely contagious! The purple tummy represents bff Annie's fav color and you guessed it the blue is Olivia. Grandma is having soooo much fun this week. Hoping to get a slew of pics to scrap soon (just add them to the list!)

I really should be getting some work done LOL. But these faces were calling me to work with them! I feel like if I can get them on paper I can hold onto the visit for a bit longer. I am happy with this though it is a very simple layout for me. I looked through the gallery from camp scrap this morning and was struck by how simple so many layouts were so here is todays shot at it!

The first 2 page layout from my recent trip to Richmond. Skyler LOVES the camera. He would bring me the camera and then pose. And of course he is quite photogenic. Really loved doing these and getting to highlight his precious little face!

This was so much fun to make. I really love the Paper Doll dress up cartridge. Also loved playing with my stash and adding to the cuts. Hope the happy couple will like it too! Todays goal to learn how to make a pop up card and try to get inspiration for a swap. Have to play with it for awhile before I commit. I agonized so much over the last one and then when I got my cards back I was happy with my work. whew!

This is obviously Neals first birthday card..... I had so much fun doing this. It was a combination of a couple of cartridges and some MTC pieces too!! Really think that the little ones will like all the bling. It is quite busy but....... It is for a one year old. I am feeling so overwhelmed trying to get ready for this trip. I really get so stressed trying not to hurt anyones feelings and still have an enjoyable visit. It is sooooo hard

Love this layout. It is so awesome that I am able to keep up with the grands even being hundreds of miles away!! Can hardly believe that I will be there the end of the week. Got to get Neals birthday card made.......

This should prove interesting, I am actually still at work! I am beginning to get the hang of the internet by way of the droid.... Feeling very overwhelmed with all that is going on this month. It is all great fun but just trying to get ready is exhausting!! Add camp scrap in and it is impossible. Really wish I could keep up but do not want to take the fun out of it by streaaing. Really wished I had a friend to ascrap with.....looking forward to the acrapbook expo today. Trying to keep myself pumped though it is hard going by myself. Will hopefully bw able to get this thing to work tonight and I will report back!

Wow, no attachment today. Just had to write a few things before they get away. I am still doing the happy dance from getting my card swaps in the mail! I hope that if and when I ever sign up for another swap I will be more organized and not put it off. I was just so worried that they would not be good enough.... Now I am anxiously awaiting mine and hoping that mine were not too inferior. I have been going through pics today for camp swap. This has motivated me to go back through some of my photos and try to get them a little more organized. But each session is soooo short because they end with me in tears. Life is just slipping away.......But hoping to finish a few layouts for camp this week end. If I want to be caught up before I go to the lake it will be 9 layouts and a few birthday cards.....hmmmm should I call in sick LOL

Another layout from camp. Who knew camp could be such fun!! I am having a yuck day (paying bills ugh) so instead of finishing up my card swap did this. Love the paper and thrilled with the way it came out. Now have to work on the bills and then I will try to finish up the cards but......