Cricut Expression Giveaway!

Yep, you read that right! Danielle at "Life, One Layout at a Time" will be giving a Cricut EXPRESSION if she can get 600 comments on her blog! Click HERE, click NOW and click OFTEN! You can enter up to once a day until Feb 20th. Send friends over bc she has to have at least 600 comments to make it happen. Plus, if your friend says they sent you (say I sent you!) and they end up being drawn for the big prize, you will also get a little somethin' somethin'.

WOW. I am in awe at how generous this is. I have wanted a Cricut FOREVER but with being back into school full time and paying for tuition and books and this and that and two kids... HA! Let's just say I won't be getting one anytime soon. LOL. So head over to her blog and give her a shout out.

Why are you still here?? Get clickin'!

Blog Candy Alert!!

Wow, this one is a doozey! What amazing Blog Candy from Danielle at "Life, One Layout at a Time" (love that blog name, btw). Here's a pic:

All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog by February 6th at 8pm HERE. Thanks Danielle, SO generous!

LOVE U!

This is my interpretation of a January Becky Fleck Sketch. I used Pebbles Inc paper (the brown polka dot which is double sided with the diamond patterned "torn" piece), Making Memories journaling block and mini alphas (2008)straight pin (in the flowers)& heart brads (tip right of the photo). The big heart came cut in this shape and was from the $1 section at Target (4 die cut papers for a buck!) as is the big 'ol "U" for the title. The crumpled polka dot paper is from Pink Paisley. And last, but not least, the pink "bling" are from Queen & Co. Everything else is from my stash so I dunno where it came from!
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The picture is of my daughters this past October. Wichita State University (Go Shockers!) has a huge statue collection all over campus (One day I'll share a pic of the GIANT catipilar statue!) and we took a day to look at them. Even though there is a sign saying not to, we had to climb in this one for pics. This is by far one of my favorite pics of 2008.That was a long discription, sorry! Hope ya like it, TFL!

oh! The heart is bigger than the polka dot but the overall size is still 12x12.

Valentine's Day Hi!

This is a fun, simple card I made tonight using Daisy Bucket patterned paper, Bazzil cardstock and Making Memories stickers. I love the clean, simple design. Here ya go, tfl!

February Kit at 2 Scrappy Chix Designs

Just 3 more days until the February Kit ships from 2 Scrappy Chix Designs!! Get the kit for $30 (with a 3 month subscription) or $35 (month to month). It is PACKED full of AMAZING stuff. I especially love the bird stuff and the word book by Bo Bunny. This awesome kit is overflowing with great items and will also include a print newsletter with ideas, instructions and more!

There's only 13 kits left... Order yours today!!

Here's a list of what is included (get ready, it's loooong)....
Bazzill Bling Glitz cardstock
2Bazzill Bubblegum cardstock
2Bazzill Grenadine cardstock
2Bo Bunny double dot paper - blush
1Bo Bunny double dot ribbon wild berry
1Bo Bunny double dote pink punch ribbon
1Bo Bunny Flirty paper - birds
1Bo Bunny Flirty paper - dots
1Bo Bunny Flirty paper - flirty
1Bo Bunny Flirty paper - flowers
1Bo Bunny Flirty paper - stripes
1Bo Bunny Flirty paper - thrill
1Bo Bunny I Love You chipboard album
Bo Bunny So Happy Flirty transparency
Bo Bunny Wild Berry Double dot cardstock
1Buzz & Bloom CB TurnTurnTurn a Time for Love
1Buzz & Bloom Mirror Love & Kisses XOX
1Doodlebug Crushed Velvet CS cupcake
1Kaiser Pretty Pink Paint
1Kaiser Prose pearls
1Making Memories Red puffy alpha stickers
1Making Memories Rouge die cut edge paper
1Prima Flowers assorted
1Prima Flowers Love forever clear stamp
1foam brush 1"
1 Glimmer Tulle 6" wide 1

2 Scrappy Chix Designs

It's official, I am the newest DT member at 2 Scrappy Chix Designs!! I am soooo excited and so very honored. 2SCD offers amazing monthly kits plus a fully stocked scrappy store. They also have a very friendly message board and inspiring gallery.

My term will start with the March kit so keep a look out for lots of 2SCD info to follow! Also, there will be an online crop for "lovey dovey day" (as I like to call it). Click the pic at the top of my blog for more info!

Love Bug

I went cah-ray-zee with product on this card! I have been so lucky to have been able to buy lots of new scrappy stuff lately (thank you, Jared!). This card was created in honor of the Caardvarks polka dot challenge. The letters are polka dot and the rest just kind of evolved from there and using this week's sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You (Laura's Sketch #18)

I used Colorbok journaling tag (the blue outline with the deer), Creative Cafe "slide" button, Target $1 spot letters (LOVE) and flower and the rest was allll Making Memories. Oh how I love Making Memories! The patterned paper in the background, tickets (bottom right corner), brad, pink self-adhesive ribbon and little "Bug" letters are all MM. Hmmm... they make me happy.

I think I love it too much to give it away! LOL. Here it is:

Gift Card Holder for JJ's Bday

My nephew is turning 10 next month (yikes!) and I have been stumped as to what present to get him. I asked my sister and she said that he wants gift cards to a video game store. So I made this cute gift card holder to send it to him in. I haven't bought the gift card yet so I slipped in my Starbucks card for the pics. The alien paper is from my recent Tally purchase and is made by Prima Marketing ("Cosmic Chaos"). I also cut the rocket out of that same paper. I love the star ribbon and the yellow stitching (embroidery floss). Here it is:

2S4Y #18 (Kazaan)

I was able to use my new Tally Kit (that I won, whoop whoop) to make this week's card for 2 Sketches 4 You. I like the way this turned out - it's not really my style and that's what makes it fun! For some reason it reminds me of an old lady's church hat! I think it's the orange tulle and the froofy flourish die cuts. It's uber cute!

Another Amazing RAK!

In honor of her 5,000th hit Kim, at Crafty Makes, is offering an amazing RAK! Check out her blog by Jan 31st (@ 5pm GMT) for your chance to enter. Aren't the colors just YUMMY? we must have very similar taste bc I'm in love with this RAK! How fun, Kim!

RAK Alert!

There is a very generous RAK over at Creative Journeys
in honor of her 50,000 blog hit!!

50,000!??!?! Awesome!

Head over to her blog by midnight (PST),

Jan 25th for your chance to enter.

Cupcake Cutie

Today my daughter came home from school with a "goodie bag" and I asked her what it was for and she says "today was Mrs. Swanson's Birthday" and I went.... "doh!" bc I am the room parent and feel horrible to have missed it. So tonight I whipped up a card for her. This is actually the second one. The first didn't seem very "birthday-ish" so I thought I would go for something a little more festive. But before I show you the pic I have to vent. I am so frustrated and fed up with my camera! It used to take amazing pics. Now they are SOOO fuzzy and the color is all tweaked. I think I am going to take some time tomorrow to find a customer service rep and see if I messed up my settings or something. Wish me luck!

Because I have to send this to school with dd in the morning I won't have time to fix my camera before i post the pics... .sorry. So here are the washed out photos. I am bummed bc the colors are so bright and yummy. Bummer. Oh well, it's still cute! :o) Here it is:


I love the journaling tag and the patterned paper from pink paisley makes me crave cotton candy:

and one more fun angle to show off the bling on the frosting and the pink pearl on the tip of the candle:

Fabulous Blogs!

Today I was so excited to have Marie

present me with this fabulous blog award!



Now I am going to tag another 5 fabulous bloggers:

Adrienne
Gotta love this girl. Her excitement for all things scrappy is infectious! Check out her blog for lots and lots and lots of links!
Gina
Amazing. That's all I can say about Gina's talent and pizazz.

I am so in awe of everything she touches.

Big Kudos for her this month, too!

She has a LO in this month's Creating Keepsakes Magazine!!

Way to go Gina!
Jen
I sorta stalk Jen's blog. LOL. :o) She is also the brains behind Caardvarks - another site I cyber stalk! LOL. She is crazy talented and a part of so many great DT and challenge sites.
Kazaan and Laura
at 2 Sketches 4 You. I seriously browse this site while I am in class. Don't tell my teachers, I have them fooled into thinking I am a stellar student (I even managed a 4.0 last semester!). 2S4Y has incredibly addictive challenges each week and some of the best card makers in the world participate. And the DT examples are jaw-dropping gorgeous!
Taylor
This is a new blog I just found but her cards are so good they make me want to start chanting "I'm not worthy" Wayne's World style. I can't even explain it, you have to see to believe!

Hello, Foxy...

I finally had a chance to play with my new Imaginisce goodies! I used some of the patterned paper and one of the rub ons to make a card for the current Caardvarks challenge. I love the bright colors and the ADORABLE little fox. The design was based off of a sketch that Caardvarks posted, created by Becky Fleck of PageMaps. I wish my pictures came out a little better. I am SO ready to upgrade my camera but with the cost of textbooks and tuition -it won't be any time soon! Oh well, hopefully the pictures do it a little justice. Anyhow... without furtho ado... let me introduce you to Foxy and the gang...

Here is a close-up of Foxy surrounded by bling (from Queen & Co):

I love (I mean, LOVE) this patterned paper! The animals are so cute I just want to cut 'em out and carry them around in my pocket! I also love the contrast of the blues and pinks with the orange. The polka dots are on the back of the toad stool paper (from the top, left box). I printed out the title and used this really fun, scrunched ribbon that I bought by the yard at my LSS:

Caardvark's prize package (donated by Studio Calico) is AMAZING. I am SOOO hoping I win!

Laura's - Sketch 17

2 Sketches 4 You has another great sketch posted this week. I barely finished it in time! But Here is my (simple) take on the sketch:

Here's a little more detail on all of that wonderful bling by Queen & Co:

And a fun angle showing off my great Making Memorial journal tags that Adrienne sent me for Christmas:

2 Sketches 4 You is also hosting an open DT call. You can find out more info HERE. They offer new sketches every week and some of the very best card makers show up to take the challenge! Their DT examples are simply stunning. This is one of my favorite sites to browse while sitting in class.... errr.... um.... oops! ... don't tell my teachers!! LOL

Creative Cafe Blog Party!

Have you seen Creative Cafe? Their products are awesome and I love how they all coordinate. I visit their blog several times a week and right now they are having a blog party with some amazing inspiration and even some very fun and very generous giveaways! Check them out at the Creative Cafe Blog!
Look at these beautiful colors:

Yummy! I want it all! What are you waiting for? check out their blog! :o)

LUCKY ME!

I am sooooo lucky! I won a GREAT prize over at Tally Scrappers! I was drawn to receive the January Kit for FREE! yahoooo! Here it is:



I am so very excited! Want one for yourself? Head over to Tally Scrapper to check it out! They also have a very friendly message board and a huge gallery of projects to inspire you. Come join the fun!

New LO (sort of)

We went to some friends' house a week or so ago and I was able to get in some scrappy time with her while "the boys" did "guy stuff" and the kids all played (we each have two girls). It was fun to relax and scrap! I was also able to help her make her first mini-album. I didn't get lots done (which always seems to be the case when you scrap with friends!) but I did get one LO finished. The title of this post says "sort of" bc it isn't all that new anymore. But it's new to you! :o)



Here is the journaling close up. It is the lyrics to a song that I love. I made the butterfly (more info in a minute) and used Adriene's bow tying advice. I love all of the pearls and bling!


Here are the butterflies close up. I made them by trimming away a leaf of a flower. the remaining four leaves look like a butterfly! I adhered it down the "body" and used pop-dots to make the wings 3D and give them some shape. Finally, I drew on the antenna and used jewels for the body!




and a close up of the title. I think with so much going on in the bottom left corner it is nice to have a very simple but whimsical title. I used my new stamps from Christmas (thanks Janna!) for the title.

Twitterpated

Have you seen the new "twitterpated" line from Imaginisce? I am in LOVE with these adorable critters! I was finally able to go to the LSS and spend some scrappy cash (thank you, hubby!) and I spent over half of my small allowance on this line... and i wish I would have spent more! Here is a sampling (you can find it all on the Imaginisce web site):

These are clear stamps and are only $1 each! I got all three!


Double-Sided paper w/ glossy embossing ($.89 ea)

And here are the AMAZING rub ons ($4.49 ea):

Like I said, I am in LOVE! I will let you know when I get a chance to make something FABULOUS with all of it! :o)

Heads Up!

There is a GREAT Blog Candy give away at Everything Paper Crafts in Honor of Irina's Birthday (Feliz Cumpleanos!). Check it out before the 9th (at 9pm PST).