Buttons, Brads and Bling!

Well, HELLO there bloggy people!  Again... I know, it's been awhile, a long while!  And again, I am sorry.  How nice it would be to finally get back to a good blogging schedule.  I always have grand intentions!

For today though I just wanted to make a quick post to share a card that I decided to create for a challenge on the Northridge Publishing CREATE blog.  It's also been a long time since I've participated in any challenges so it was fun to just create on a whim doing something I totally enjoy! 

The blog challenge for this month is to design a card using buttons/brads/bling! 

And here's what I came up with... 

For this card I used Core'dinations cardstock... the embossed Floral is a piece from the David Tutera card making line, as is the "Thank You" sticker sentiment.  The canvas resist flowers and butterflies are Prima and I misted them all with Glimmer Mist.  The "You" and "Made My Day" stamps are older stamps from one of my favorite sets from For the Luv of Art.com.  All the other embellishments are from curtseyboutique.etsy.com. (glitter butterfly, pearlized heart stick-pin, baker's twine, painted wood button and blue library card).  Ohh, the glitter dots are from Sei.  I used them as floral centers to give the look of blinged out brads!  

I hope you enjoy my design as much as I am digging the color combination!  Now that I keep seeing the card on my desk, I am totally drawn to this silver/orange/blue pallet!  

Sorry to be short, but I am off to enjoy the evening with my hubby.  We are going on a movie date to see The Lone Surviver!  Enjoy the rest of this cold, cold weekend and whatever it is you are doing...stay warm! 

Some Oldies, But Goodies!

Hello, and Happy Sunday to one and all!  Not all too excited that tomorrow is already Monday, but it is what it is, and I may as well enjoy the rest of this day off!

 

So today, I thought I would break out some oldies (well not too old, just not too recent either) that have previously been published to share with you all.  I know that not everyone subscribes to the magazines and may not have the opportunity to flip through them on a monthly basis either, so I wanted to show some of the things I've created which you all may not have seen before. 

 

These are all from last years Summer issues of Cricut magazine.  The following "Best Wishes" tag and envelope card from the May 2012 issue really turned out beautifully I thought. 

 

This is the envelope, which  I wanted to be just as fancy as the inside tag.  I cut both the envelope and the tag using the Cricut Damask cartridge.  You will see in the next photo that I cut out a tag with an intricate damask design.  But, I then used a portion of the leftover intricate pieces as a mask for the outside of the envelope.  This was sprayed with a teal Glimmer Mist.  I really like using negatives from Cricut cuts as masks for my projects... definitely a favorite technique!  

 

 

The patterned papers that I used for this are from Glitz Design and all that gorgeous ribbon and trim is May Arts! The black crinkled silk ribbon adds just the right amount of elegance!   

 

Here's a look as well at the reverse side of the tag...

 

This last card features some My Mind's Eye papers and I must say, I loved the way this card turned out so much that I'm not sure I can even give this friendship card to anyone.  I think I may just frame it and keep it for myself!

 

 

This card was published in the July 2012 issue and the cuts for this card came from the Give A Hoot Cricut cartridge.  I'll tell ya, the combination of the yummy plaid paper with the Core'dinations Vintage cardstock just makes me squeal, lol! 

 

Here's another close-up of the detail...

 

 

Remember you can always click on the photos to view them larger!  This card really packs the layers and texture that I love :)

 

Okay... I guess that it all I have to show you today.  I also want to tell you to head on over to the May Arts blog this week.  Tomorrow, Monday, July 15th will be the kick off to them sharing all the Design Team finalists' projects.  I'm so excited... and eager to see if I'll be one of the new May Arts Prima Ribbonistas!  The announcement and revealing of the new DT will be made on July 29th!!  I am so nervous, so please keep your fingers crossed for me... THANKS! 

Fun Announcement!

Hi all!  I have such a fun announcement to blurt out today, AND a fun share! 

I am excited that I have been added to the  Design Team of a fabulous little Etsy shop and creative blog... The Curtsey Boutique (Shop and Blog)!  If you are a fan of sweet, vintage and shabby-chic, you really need to check out what all the Curtsey Boutique has in store.  I believe you will fall in love with all the cute hand-crafted elements!  Today the shop's blog featured my very first project and tutorial and I would love for you all to check it out and comment (there and here) to let me know how I did for my very first go of it!  ;)  HERE is the blog post!  I'm not going to go into depth here with the tutorial since it can be seen on the Curtsey blog, but I will share the picture here of the finished card.  Since St. Patty's day is coming up, I went with that theme.  I paired my green up with some lovely "SPRING" yellow!  Anything to set that spring mood of course! ;) 
 

 

 

The elements I used on here from the Curtsey Boutique include the hand-dyed yellow doilies, the seam binding and the green pearlized heart pin.  The green seam binding was originally white but I sprayed it with some wonderful Fairy Green Glimmer Mist!  You can see I also packed this card with loads of wonderful new Core cardstock too...the fabulous NEW Tim Holtz Shattered collection, as well as some beautiful softer shades of yellow and green from the current Graphic 45 Signature Series in Lights!  My die cuts were cut from Cricut cartridges. I used the Paper Lace cart to cut out a heart shape... I used 3 different hearts pieced together to form a clover design.  Then I also used the Teresa Collin's Sophisticated cart to create the banner to house the sentiment which I stamped on with Vintage Photo Tim Holtz Distress ink. 

 

So there you have it... my first design for Curtsey Boutique!  I'm hoping you liked it and that you'll go check out the shop!  There are tons of beautiful goodies in there to spark your creativity!

And, one more thing before I forget to mention... my favorite company to design for is now hosting an open Design Team call!

 

  Yesss... that's right, Core'dinations is having a new designer call and you do not want to miss out on this fabulous opportunity.  Believe me when I say, this is one design team that I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE UP... like EVER!! So now maybe your chance.  Break out that Core and create in a frenzy!  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the week :)

Getting Patriotic With A Sous Sketch and BoBunny Card Challenge!

For today I have some red, white and blue!  I know... it is a bit early to break out with the 4th of July cards, but it is never really out of date to celebrate patriotically, and besides, this Bo Bunny Liberty collection is a wonderful classic line that I just had to cut into for this week's SOUS sketch and the latest BoBunny card challenge!  

First up, it is Friday so that means it's time yet again for another terrific sketch at Stuck On U Sketches!

Our sketch for the week is brought to you all from Nanné, and we also have a wonderful guest designer in our midst this week, Debbie Burns. For this sketch, I totally envisioned a card using Nanné's fun block design!  I did flip the direction of the sketch around and upside down for my interpretation.  I used Core'dinations cardstock and a tag and I cut up 1" squares from the BoBunny Liberty collection.  The middle piece I stamp embossed the flourished star, also from the Liberty line, onto a piece of Cambridge patterned paper, also from BoBunny. 

(Please click on image to show enlarged !)

I also included some BoBunny stickers, a denim strip and pearl accents on here.  The flocked flowers are all Maya Road, the Baker's Twine from The Twinery and the tiny type alpha stickers are Cosmo Cricket and Carolee's Creations.

 

Be sure to take a look at all the other designer's creations over on the SOUS blog... it's always a feast for the eyes.  You can also play along with us and share what you create using the sketch... we'd love to see you there! 

Next up is my card that I did for the Tuesday Card Challenge at BoBunny.  For the challenge which is due on Jan. 24th, you need to use the following items on a card:  Ribbon, at least 2 buttons, patterned paper with dots, and chipboard.  Easy and fun enough! 

Again, I used the Liberty collection pattened paper, rub-on and pearl accents.  I also used a strip of denim and some ivory buttons from other BoBunny lines.  The chipboard stars from Fancy Pants I misted with Sapphire Glimmer Mist. That fabulous twill ribbon is from May Arts and my diecuts were cut using the Cricut Stand and Salute and Jasmine cartridges.  I also love the Vintage blue Core cardstock with this Liberty line... a perfect match-up! 

Okay, that's all I have for today.  I think I will no doubt be snowed in for a good part of my weekend, so I think that might be beneficial to me... crafty-wise, lol!  We shall see!  Have a great weekend, my friends!  Enjoy :) 

Advent Calendar Day #19 At The Nook!

Today is the 19th... and that means it's the 19th Advent Calendar day at The Nook and I am happy to be the calendar host for the day!  If you haven't already heard about it, now is your chance to join in and help us count down the days til Christmas in a very exciting way and with some fabulous giveaways to boot! 

Everyday from December 1st up to December 25th, one Nook friend is hosting a giveaway on her blog as part of the Advent Calendar festivities!  I urge you to go back and take a look if you've missed out on any of the previous days because there is always fabulous inspiration!  If you check out the Nook blog you can find a link posted for the day's host, which today is me.  If you are coming here from the Nook's blog post, then I simply say, "Welcome"! 

Here is a list of all the participating blogs for the Advent Calendar... please visit!

1	Hilde	http://www.scoobieslilleblog.blogspot.com/
2	Antenucci	http://antenucci.blogspot.com/
3	Danielle	http://picsandcheesecake.blogspot.com/
4	Lisa J	http://cutcreateandcare.blogspot.com/
5	Pam	http://happytobecreating.blogspot.com/
6	Meg Aaron	http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/
7	Mag	http://magandscrap.blogspot.com/
8	Monique	http://moniquesscrapbook.blogspot.com/
9 10	Kate Vickers Sherri	http://www.scrapsation.com/ http://faithandscraphappiness.blogspot.com/
11	Lilith Eeckels	http://lilithandscrap.blogspot.com/
12	~jan	http://jantatomir.blogspot.com/
13	Carol	http://carolmonson.blogspot.com/
14	Arty Carty	http://blog.artycarty.com/
15	Tanya	http://little-scrapper.blogspot.com/
16	Annelie Maddoc	http://swewi.wordpress.com/
17	Nenne	http://www.creativenenne.blogspot.com/
18	Nicole	http://justnicks.blogspot.com/
19	Andrea Amu	http://imlivinonscraps.blogspot.com/
20	Marinette	http://www.scraptherapie.com/
21	Pysselpetra	http://mittkreativakaos.blogspot.com/

22 Samantha http://samawright.blogspot.com/
23 Anna Sigga http://annasigga.typepad.com/scrappalicious/
24 Jennie http://pappersverk.blogspot.com/
25 Leah http://www.leahkillian.com/

Now onto some holiday sharing and giving from me!  Today I was busy creating some holiday cards and I got to thinking that it would be perfect for me to make up a little card kit with the products I've used on my cards and offer it up as a giveaway for today's Advent Calendar!  Here is the card I created using one of my favorite new embossing folders... the Tim Holtz Alterations woodgrain texture fade! 

And even better, the woodgrain is perfect embossed on some fabulous Tim Holtz Distress Collection Core'dinations cardstock. I also used the Cricut Winter Woodland cartridge to cut out the cardinal from some Tim Holtz Nostalgic Kraft-Core. Isn't the green pine needles border a really neat detail?  That is my new Martha Stewart Deep-Edge punch that I just got on sale at Michael's for 50% off! I also got the wood buttons in the Dollar bin at M's and spritzed them with some Burnt Red Glimmer Mist. 

Okay, here's what's up for grabs... and yes, the Tim Holtz Texture Fade set with the woodgrain is included in my card kit giveaway!

 

There's enough to complete 2 cards!  If you'd like a chance to have this kit, just leave me a comment here in this post by 12 PM EST, Wed. Dec. 21st.  I will randomly draw a winner by December 22nd. 

Also, You don't want to forget to hop on over to Leah Killian's blog and get entered for the grand prize sometime between now and Christmas Morning. You could win a free subscription to the always inspiring Nook kits!

A New Card... New Week of Challenges!

Today I thought about going out to do a bit of shopping, but then I thought twice and decided it would be much better to just stay home in the comfort of my pj's and do a little crafting.  And I am so glad I did.  Yesterday I had big plans to scrap and make cards but none of that happened because I was stricken with a ridiculous sinus headache that lasted ALL DAY LONG!  So today I am feeling much better and I seem to be back on track because I finished one of the three cards for the 2nd week's Card Sharks contest challenges at the Nook... Yay! 

So this challenge is called KINGS IN THE CORNER!  The challenge part is to create a card fit for royality!  I decided to make mine a Mother's Day themed version and went with the sentiment, "Mom, You Are My Queen Bee, Always".

I used the bee cut from the Sentimentals Cricut cart along with the Queen Bee phrase from Kate's ABCs.  I also added a lil' crown to the bee which I cut using the Teresa Collin's Sophisticated cart... a new favorite for sure! And the hexagon embossed cardstock is from the Core'dinations Pink Paislee Modern Prints collection... good stuff!  I also had fun using a mix of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist and Glimmer Glaze within the hexagon shapes.  The beautiful papers and brad accents are all from the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 2 collection and I also added a few tiny golden Kaiser pearl accents to the crown with Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type stickers to complete the sentiment. 

As always, thanks for stopping by and do enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening!  I'm off to start another challenge as I wait for the hubs to get home with our take-out pizza for dinner!  That's what I'm talkin' about!! ;)

Playing With Card Sharks!

There's a fun card contest happening over at the Nook right now, and I've been busy playing around with some of this weeks challenges today.  The Card Sharks contest is an elimination rounds style of competition, so I do hope that I can continue swimming on with the card sharks after this week!  ;)
Here are the first challenges that I've finished up so far...

The introduction challenge is Challenge ZERO - POKER FACE.  We had to create a card with the envelope taking center stage and the sentiment on the inside card hidden from view.  The card also was required to contain a stamp image, a ribbon and the color black. 

I used Core'dinations cardstock (Tim Holtz Kraft), Glitz Designs pp, Technique Tuesday script stamp, May Arts ribbon and trim, SEI pearl brad and MME decorative brad, Kaiser black gems, Cuttlebug emboss folders, Glimmer Mist, Papertrey Ink twine, paper lace doily and the Damask Decor and Lacey Labels Cricut carts.  Here are details of the front and back inside pull out tag-card ...


Next up is the Week One - Challege One (Phase 10). 
For this one we were given 3 different phases to complete. 
First phase was to create the BASE of the card using these 4 elements:
-1 patterned background
-1 block of patterned paper or cardstock
-1 strip of paper or trim
-1 decorative edge

I used BoBunny double-dot patterned cardstock for my background, a block of MME patterned paper, American Crafts ribbon rose trim, and a MME decorative edge punch-out.

The second phase was to then EMBELLISH the card from phase 1, using any embellies I have to create the best handby the end of the game.  Then onto the 3rd and final phase we are to UPLOAD the picture of our card to the appropriate thread and Nook blog post.   My final phase looks like this...

I embellished with a MME transparent flourish and 3-D sticker, a Prima chipboard journal tag, a K&Co. journal tag, plastic rosettes from Making Memories and a handwritten sentiment.

I have not yet completed the 2nd challenge of the week which is SOLATAIRE, but I will finish and post it later. 

The 3rd challenge for the first week is the UNO Challenge.  For this one we needed to create a card where the #1 is somehow incorporated into the card's design!

I dug out some BoBunny Blast Off collection for this one...

To create the #1 on the Canvas Corp. star, I used some Thickers as a mask and sprayed the canvas star with Sapphire Glimmer Mist!  Love the result!

So there ya have it so far!  I'll be back later in the week with other challenges I've been working on.  It's been so much fun swimming with the sharks this weekend!

A Not So Witchy Hat!

Yes, not all witch hats are drab and ugly... definitely not this hat that I created using some Core'dinations Black Magic cardstock.

I believe it turned out rather pretty if I do say so myself!  Anyway, this Halloween project of mine was featured today on the Core'dinations blog.  We've been having a week long partnering with two other inspiring companies... May Arts and Petaloo!  Check us all out...

THREE awesome companies have come together to inspire you. And our teams have been working hard to create some festive projects for you, too. It’s all about the Holidays. From Halloween to Thanksgiving and even Christmas…you will see festive projects to get those creative juices flowing and hopefully give you some ideas for this time of year.

And of course…there are give-a-ways!!! All three companies will giving away tons and tons of goodies this week so make sure you head over to the Petaloo Blog and May Arts Blog for details and inspirational projects. Don’t forget about Facebook! Join us on our Facebook page here, the May Arts and Petaloo pages, too, for additional chances to win. Make sure you tell them we sent you!

Now getting back to my monogram witch hat, here's a few close-up shots of the details...

Again, I used the Core Black Magic in Warlock, and I tore various strips as to show the texturing of the color core.  I then formed the strips around a paper mache hat that I purchased at Michaels, where I also got the black resin frame used to showcase some orange Tillie dotted Core and a Cricut cut initial monogram.   For the floss-like fibers used in the button ties, I pulled apart the May Arts cording... discarded the white fiber-fill from the inside and just used the flossy threads.

The Petaloo flowers used include Citrus Orange and Nightfall.

 Other supplies include:

Cricut (A Child's Year cartridge - monogram).

Buttons by BoBunny.

Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels.

Script patterned paper by The Girls' Paperie.

Adhesives by Glue Arts.

Already August!

The months sure are flying by... especially these Summer months!  Can't believe it is already the beginning of August, but I'm not complaining of course because that only means my favorite time and season of the year is almost in sight!  I'm already starting to enjoy the Fall scents in the house... I can't resist, lol.  Over the weekend I was in Wal-Mart and ended up in the candle aisle (no surprise there).  They had a new item from their Better Homes collection, Scented Wax Cubes... their version of the Scentsy warmer bars! I guess they had them in the stores last Christmas season, but I missed them some how, and other Wal-Mart stores have carried them for months now, but it's the first I've seen them here at our closest WM. Let me just say they smell just as great and are much cheaper at $2.00 each! I got the Vanilla Caramel Spice to try and I'm in scent heaven because it makes the house smell just like Cinnabon!  Seriously, I keep getting cravings for sticky buns now :)  Yep, I will be stocking up on these, and they (Wal-Mart) better not go and discontinue these anytime soon like they did when I was in love with buying their wall plug-in scents they used to have that were like the Bath and Body Wall Flowers!

Since it is August now, I thought today I would show some of my past publications that were in the June/July issue of Cricut magazine.

 You know I love my Cricut and I love to share what I do with it... and I also can not say enough about the Cricut magazine!  It is my favorite publication and I can happily relay that I've had and will have some of my work featured in every single issue (regular and special issues) since the magazine has been in publication up to and through the January 2012 issue.  That's very exciting for me! 

Anyway, here's a look at what all I had featured in this particular issue (their final bimonthly, because starting with the August issue they are now MONTHLY)...

My "Lazy Days" card featured the Life is a Beach Cricut cart and the Echo Park's Sweet Summertime collection.

This next layout, I used BoBunny papers and cardstock along with a combination of the Don Juan,Stand and Salute and Wild Card cartridges to create the layered title words and stars...

(Don't forget you may click on the images to view them larger!)

And here's a layout where I got creative with embossing the diecuts... aren't those cute crabbies?

The Life is a Beach and From My Kitchen carts were used for this along with Kaiser papers.  The bottom border was created by using the negative cuts of the crab border to mask and mist with Glimmer Mist spray.

I do also have 2 more cards and another 1 page layout that were published in this issue as well, but I have seemed to lost my images on the computer, so I can't share those, but maybe later. 

For now though, I am about to go get busy in the kitchen.  I have been wanting to try to make those super yummy looking cake ball truffles that are all the rage now in the world of sugary confections!  Have you seen them?  If not, this is what I am talkin' about...

And, here's a recipe! They are really dense and truffle-like because you actually fold the frosting into the already baked cake pieces, making it both dense and moist.  You really can use your imagination and do any flavors or combination of flavors you'd like!  I just went and bought some candy melts today and I'm going to first try making some lemon cake truffles with cream cheese frosting, because that's all I have here at home right now.  I'm going to coat them with both white and dark chocolate though.  Ohh, you all... I just can't wait anymore, so I'm off... but I'll be sure to let you all know how they look and taste! :)   Good day everyone!