Happy Nesting!

So this is the first time I ever entered something I made into a challenge.  It was actually a challenge that I hosted on the Cricut Message Board, so I HAD to enter, right?  The challenge was to make something that had a Bird, a Button and Blue on it, and here's what I came up with:

I'm going to send this card to a friend of mine who just got married and moved into her new house - Hope she likes it!

About this card:

Kraft Cardstock 5x5 base
Patterned Cardstock - My Minds Eye Laundry Line Collection
Cricut Cuts - Straight from the Nest Cut at 2"
Solid Cardstock Chocolate Brown & Ocean Tides - Papertrey Inc.
Spellbinders - Lacey Ovals
Crystal Flourish - Recollections
Sentiment - Hampton Ink
Stickles - Turquoise & Cinnamon
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Buttons - Stash

Pool Party!

As I mentioned in my last post, my Mom watched my daughter, my niece and my nephew one day last week. Being the WONDERFUL Grandma that she is, she threw a little pool party (for a 4-yr. old & 2 2-yr. olds) complete with baby pool, sprinkler and popsicles!  I made this card to send to her to thank her for her wonderful hospitality last week:

I recently cleaned and organized my craft room, and it has made it so much easier to throw together these little cards.  Now, can I keep it that way...?

About this card:
Card Base - Papertrey Ink Cardstock in Hawaiian Shores (5x5)
Patterned Paper - Echo Park's Splash Collection
Spellbinders - Labels One
Cricut Cut from Pack Your Bags at 2.5"
Sentiment - Pink by Design Summer Vacation
Ribbon - American Crafts
Stickles - Orange, Lime Green, Black Diamond, Magenta, Pink & Turquoise
Stash - White Cardstock, Bling & Googlie Eyes

Positive Reinforcement

So, my Mom watched my 2 year old daughter for me today while I was at work.  She also watched my 4 year old niece - and they both got a VERY GOOD report card from Grandma for sharing and playing so nicely together all day!  My niece, Danielle, is really into Littlest Pet Shop and Zoobles, and I guess that's what they played with all day.  I want Danielle to know that my Daughter, Jocelyn, really appreciated her sharing her toys today, so I threw together this quick card for her:

Danielle will be so excited to get mail from her cousin!  I hope it encourages her to continue to share her toys in the future as well.  Can't hurt, right?

About this card:
Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye - Laundry Line
Elephant - Cricut cut from Create a Critter cut at 2" on Bazzill Bling
Ribbon, Twine & Bling - Stash
Tag - Hand cut from Bazzill Bling
Stickles - Pink
Sentiment - Pink by Design Jungle Fever clear stamp set
Rounded corners using Corner Chomper 1/4"

Playing With Some of My New Things

I hope everyone is having a great week!  In the not too distant past, I've received various summer-themed elements, and I've been so anxious to put some of them together into cards.  Here's one that I came up with tonight using a new cartridge, new paper and a new stamp set:

 So sorry my pictures aren't good... Maybe I'll get a nice digital for Christmas - I just use my cell phone right now.  Anyway... I scraplifted the layered background idea from a friend (If you recognize it, Thanks!) I like that I can use this card for a pick-me-up or a birthday... but for now, into my stash it goes!  Have a sunshiney day everyone!

About this card:
5x5 Card Base - Kraft Cardstock (stash)
Patterned Paper - My Mind's Eye "Fine & Dandy"
Sun - Cricut Cut from "Pack Your Bags" cut at 3" using Bazzill Bling cardstock
Sentiment - Pink By Design stamp set "Summer Vacation" on Bazzill Bling
Spellbinders - Label 4
Stickles - Yellow & Orange Peel
Stash Bling

Thanks for looking!

My First Anya

Ok, so I am in AWE of anyone who can color all of these beautiful Anyas, Tildas, etc.  with Copics - they are just gorgeous!  My husband is an artist, so this would come naturally to him.  Not the case for me...

I decided not too long ago that I was going to give this art form my best shot - so I bought a decent collection of the markers, started collecting the stamps/Memento Ink/Neenah Cardstock, and watched a TON of Youtube videos, and here is my first REAL attempt at coloring with Copics:

While I know she's not perfect, I am very proud of her and will definitely use her on an upcoming project.  I love the highlighting effect of the stickles!  Maybe you'll spot her in an upcoming post... Keep an eye out!  Now I'm excited to color everything I can get my hands on... I even find myself pondering my daughter's coloring books... Do you think I need help?  Thanks for looking - Have a great day!

About this project:
Flutter Anya (Memento Ink/Neenah Cardstock)
Stickles: Fruit Punch & Turquoise
Copics: Oops I forgot to keep track!  I'll remember to do that next time :)

Another 'Sweet" Award!

I would like to thank Dana from Dana's Crafty Corner for this awesome award! Thanks so much - I am truly honored. As part of this award, I'm to post 7 things about myself and pass it on to 7 bloggers.

7 Things About Me:

1.) I love roller coasters
2.) I believe in ghosts
3.) I can't drink a drink if it has ice in it (sensitive teeth)
4.) Throw me some Junior Mints, and you can have anything you want!
5.) If I could go back and choose another career, I'd want to become a Private Investigator
6.) I don't listen to much music (unless Veggie Tales counts) - I listen to audio books while I'm driving alone
7.) If napping were an Olympic sport, I'd be GOLD, baby!

7 Bloggers to pass this on to:

As I have said before, I'm relatively new to this, so I will start with one dear friend who deserves this, and will add to the list as I think of people.

1.) Jamie at J-Bears Home
2.)
3.)

Replenishing My Stash

Hi Everyone - Happy 4th of July weekend!  Isn't it great that the 4th fell on a Monday this year?  I just LOVE 3-day weekends!  My "extra cards on hand" stash got hit pretty hard last month, so I am in the process of replenishing.  I've been VERY anxious to try out my new Florals Embellished Cricut cartridge, and I LOVE it!  I really enjoy making 4x4 cards - they're small enough to make quickly, they're big enough to get the "wow" factor, and you can make an envelope for them out of a regular sized piece of paper.  Here's the one I made last night:

 
The card uses 3 of my favorite papers, which I'll specify below.  The cut is mounted on the card using Pop-Dots, to give it some dimension.  This cut is 7 layers thick, so it may not have needed it, but I wanted it to have that extra pop!  I left the inside blank so that they can be used for whatever occasion comes up at the last minute - all I need to do is stamp a quick sentiment inside, and I'm ready to go:

I love how summery this card looks - guess that means that I need to use it soon!  Happy Independence Day!

About this card:
Base Cardstock - Papertrey Ink (8x4)
Cricut Cut - Florals Embellished using Bazzill Bling cut at 2.5"
Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye "Fine & Dandy" Line
White Cardstock, 3D Dots & Twine - Stash