***Big Red Scraps: Join us!***

Just a quick post to spread the word about Big Red Scraps. I have a link in my sidebar, and if you aren't familiar with this group, it is a community featuring Close to my Heart artwork. The gallery is ***awesome*** and if I am ever stuck for an idea, I can always find inspiration there! If you are interested, you can check them out here. Go now...seriously, what are you waiting for??? ;)

Unscripted Sketches # 87

So glad the Christmas chaos is behind us. We had a very lovely holiday, but I am really looking forward to some quiet time and getting back to papercrafting! Today, I needed to make a birthday card right quick for my aunt, and I got some terrific inspiration from the ladies over at Unscripted Sketches. Here is what I came up with. Happy New Year all!!!




***FYI***I was shopping in the Tuesday Morning recently and found some great deals on scrapbooking supplies. I got this fab pack of Making Memories pattern paper for $2.99! If you have one of these stores in your area, be sure to check periodically for some goodies of your own :)

Unscripted Sketches #83

My baby turned six this week and lost another tooth! I feel such joy, but also a bit sad as she is my last and growing up way too fast. Here is the birthday card I made for Emmalee using this week's sketch over at Unscripted Sketches. I turned the sketch on it's side to better accomodate my images. The digi was another great freebie from Sj's Little Musings. Thanks for looking :)

Snowman Soup

I had a sick child this week so no time to create :( I put this lil treat holder together this morning. Lyn B. is hosting the 3D Tuesday Challenge over at PCP this week and shared this FABBY mug-shaped template. I have used the snowman soup poem to make goodie bags in the past, but this just seemed the perfect packaging! Thanks for visiting :)

Recipe:

1 packet cocoa mix
hershey kiss
small candy cane
mini marshmallows

The poem reads:

"Was told you've been real good this year
Always glad to hear it
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick
Just add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!"

Unscripted Sketches # 81

LOVE LOVE LOVE the sketch at Unscripted Sketches this week, and as soon as I saw it, I knew I was gonna make a scrapbook page.

I took so many photos of Emmalee this Halloween and I didn't want to leave any out, so I decided to make a mini album. I bought this chipboard All-Sorts album from CTMH a while back and thought it would be perfect. I grabbed my Enchanted Level 2 papers, also CTMH, and went to work.

Notice the inverted scallop Nestie mat around the photo...it is my very first time using them. I was the lucky winner of Alanna's candy during the blog hop last month, and this was one of my goodies :) I will def be buying more of these!

Finally, I embellished with ribbon, twine, paper flowers, buttons, brads, and a metal tag. This is the cover of the album...I will post again when I complete the other pages.

Thanks for looking and taking the time to leave me lovely comments...they are always appreciated!

Sketchy Thursday 11/11/2010

This is my take on this week's FAB sketch over at Sketchy Thursdays. I just took these pics on Saturday while visiting my daughter's ballet class. This was the first time parents were invited into the studio to watch the girls perform. What a treat!!! Thanks for looking :)

Supplies:
PP: Making Memories "Eliza" collection
Amore Lowercase SS (CTMH)
Black ink
Paper flower, hat pins, arrow w/brad, pearls, pink buttons, Hollyhock ricrac (CTMH)

Unscripted Sketches #80

Here is my take on this week's sketch at Unscripted Sketches. The papers are from a Making Memories stack and the SS is called Celebrate in Style (SU!) LOVE that octopus with all the yummy handbags!!! I have been wanting to reconnect with a dear friend...we just kinda lost touch last year and I decided to send a card to tell her I've been thinking of her and want to get together. I was also inspired by challenge #254 at 365 Cards to think of a wish and create a card to express that wish. I'm wishing for friendship :)

CAS Lesson 19

The lesson this week was how to make a simple gift card holder. This only uses a 4" x 11" piece of double sided PP and took about 10 minutes to put together. LOVE it! If you want to make one (or 2 or 3) of your own, join the CAS Card Group over at Paper Craft Planet. Lyn has a terrific new idea/card to share every week.

'Tis the Season

I used this week's sketch from The Beary Scrap and the photo @ The Shabby Tea Room as inspiration for this card. I am usually very traditional and never do anything but red & green for Christmas, but I decided to step outside my comfort zone (just a bit) and try something different. I chose the papers to compliment the blue and red in "Hollie's" outfit. The digital stamp is a freebie over at Sj's Little Musings. I discovered her blog last week and have been enjoying using her adorable images on my projects.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I am house & dog sitting at my Mom's all week and I have to say I've had the best time in her scrapbook studio. It's like having a whole store with new things to discover & play with! You know, I think that fabby ribbon you see on my card may "accidentally" find it's way into my suitcase LOL

Challenges:

One Stitch at a Time: Christmas(also a quiz here as an extra way to be eligible to win)
The Shabby Tea Room: Photo inspired (I used color scheme Red,White and Blue)
Top Tip Tuesday: Christmas
Freshly Brewed: Anything goes/optional sketch
The Beary Scrap: sketch

Supplies:
Pattern Paper : Summer Celebration pack (CTMH retired)
CS: Tulip, White Daisy (CTMH)
Ink: Tulip (CTMH)
Stamp Set: Punch Pals (SU!)
Ribbon, brads, button, sparkles (stash)

365 Cards # 245

Here is my take on the Sunday sketch @ 365 Cards. The adorable giraffe digi,"Fifi" was a freebie at Sj's Little Musings. As soon as I saw her, I knew I was going to make a card for friends expecting their first child...a boy! Such an exciting time...I miss having a baby in the house...well sometimes LOL I have had 4 of my own, ages 6, 16, 19and 21 at the moment(all still at home) and it's quite enough now that I think about it. They're blessings,every one, but oh my such work :)

Other Supplies:
CS: Textured Dutch Blue, Heavenly Blue, White Daisy (CTMH)
Tiny Talk & A New Little Someone SS (SU!)
Inks: Star Spangled Blue (CTMH)
Gingham ribbon, button, paper flower, silver brad (personal stash)
Scallop circle and border punches (SU!)

Unscripted Sketches #79

Ok so I'm house and dog sitting for my parents this week and the best thing is, my mom is a papercrafter too and I get to play with all new stuff!!! Woohoo!!!

This afternoon, I needed to make a card for my sister-in-law and thanks to the fab sketch at Unscripted Sketches it came together fairly easily.

Thanks for looking...have a safe & HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!

Supplies:
Heartfelt Thanks SS (SU!)
Inks: Sunflower,Chocolate, Sweet Leaf (CTMH)
CS: scraps
Textured card base(Jo-Ann)
ribbon (Elements by American Crafts)
button (CTMH)
border punch (Martha Stewart)

365 Cards # 238

Here is my take on the Sunday sketch at 365 Cards. I rotated the sketch to better accomodate my images. I love this blog, because no matter what day of the week it is, I know there is a fresh challenge waiting for me...thanks ladies! :)

Supplies used:
CS: White Daisy,Indian Corn Blue, Cranberry (CTMH)
Stickers from a Scrapbooke's Sticker-a-Day calendar
Ink: Chocolate (CTMH)
Clear Sparkles (CTMH)
White Daisy grosgrain ribbon (CTMH)
buttons from my stash
embroidery floss
'snowflake' texture plate (Fiskars)
sponge tool,corner rounder,paper piercer, sanding block

Trick or Treat!

I designed this card for The Shabby Tea Room challenge this week. We were to CASE one of the DT member's creations. Mine is based on Nicole Segnere's beautiful card. I basically copied the sketch, but edited the theme/colors. The cute mummy digi "Maeve" is a freebie I snagged @ Sj's Little Musings. I wanted to incorporate some gauze, but alas I couldn't find any in the medicine chest :( I'd better get some just in case we need it to administer first-aid or for a craft project in the future ;) For now, I settled for a bit of twill to mimic the mummy bandages.

Other challenges:

TPE (brown & orange)
The Wild Flower Patch (halloween)

Thanks for looking and Happy Halloween everyone!

Supply list:
CS: Cocoa,Colonial White,Goldrush (CTMH)
PP: from my scrap pile... originally won at a scrap bingo, so I have no idea what company makes it :)
Twill ribbon (SU!)
Seasonal Thoughts SS (CTMH)
Black ink (CTMH)
Pewter brads (CTMH)
Border punch (Fiskars)
pop-dots (MM)

I'm a winner @ Unscripted Sketches!

I am soooo thrilled to have won the prize for US Blog Hop for Breast Cancer Awareness/Challenge #77! Anita Be Stampin' was the sponsor and generously offered a choice of any stamp set or 3 digi images.

I chose this birthday SS. That lil cow is *udderly* adorable...sorry, I couldnt resist ;)

Visit Anita's shop to see more fabby stamps at great prices and enjoy FREE shipping(US and Canada) through Sunday, October 31st!

***Tiddly Inks Blog Candy***

OOOH...you don't want to miss out on this one! I stumbled upon another awesome blog tonight and wanted to share. Tiddly Inks has the cutest digis and til November 4th they are offering up this blog candy to one lucky papercrafter. Hurry and get linked for your chance at this fab prize!!! You may also want to join their group over at PaperCraftPlanet...a new FREEBIE every Tuesday :)

Got Pie?

I just love this cute lil mouse, don't you? "Mumford" was a free digi at Two Scoops Rice Designs . Check out their blog for more adorable images.

For a jumping off point, I used a sketch from my CTMH Originals card program. The ribbon, stickers & PP inside and outside the card are from a bundle of goodies I won at a Scrapbooking Bingo a few years ago...haven't gotten around to using it until now. I distressed the edges of the CS pieces with an edge distresser and sponged with Chocolate ink. I used my paper piercer to create the faux stitching around the Garden Green mat. Also sanded it a bit. The sentiments (inside and out) are CG.

A few challenges:
Freshly Brewed Blog: Sweet Treats (pumpkin pie)
OSAAT: Anything Goes/Celebration (Thanksgiving)
365 Cards #240:I've Got it Covered(PP inside and out)

Thanks for visiting and leaving me such lovely comments :)

Corner Bookmark

YAY! I got a chance to get away and papercraft with my family (Mom, Aunt and cousin) today :) I started off making this corner bookmark for the challenge @ Project Tuesday. I have never seen these before and since I LOVE books, I decided I HAD to make one. The cute lil mouse image is a "freebie" from MelJen's Designs. I colored him in using chalk, and the papers are from CTMH's Bella Level 2 Paper Pack. To embellish, I added some White Daisy grosgrain ribbon, a lavender button and some paper flowers with clear sparkle centers. The border at the the bottom was punched with a Fiskars punch.

Other fabby challenges my project qualifies for:
MelJen's Designs: Anything Goes
Stamptacular Sunday: Anything but a card

PCP Sketch Challenge

Another awesome sketch this week at PCP's Saturday Sketch Challenge. If you want to play and have a chance to be the Shooting Star this week, visit PCP here. Susanna B. has 2 beautiful sample cards to inspire you.

For my card, I chose to use a christmas tree image and sentiment from my CTMH Evergreen SS and "Jingle" PP that debuted last year. I random stamped the Juniper CS piece with a bow stamp from the CTMH Magical Season SS. I used my paper piercer to poke holes around image to create faux stitching. I embellished with Creme Brulee grosgrain ribbon, also from CTMH. The snowflake button, silver brads and embroidery floss are from my stash. I don't have any Nesties (yet) so I had to punch the scallop border on the oval by hand.

Notice I said 'yet'. I just found out this morning I was the lucky winner of some fabby candy over at US DT member, Alanna's blog, which included some Nesties. WOOT...thanks much Alanna for your generous prize!!!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

If the broom fits...

...ride it! How cute is that??? LOL I received a card from a friend with this sentiment, but don't know where it came from to give credit :( I thought it was perfect for this card, though :)

Nothing makes me happier than discovering new challenge blogs...except maybe ALSO gettin a FREEBIE! This ADORABLE bear/witch digi image is a free download in October over at The Creative Cottage. Seriously *awesome* inspiration there, and blog candy is up for grabs as well, so if you haven't been, check em out!

I also have to give credit for the sketch to the talented ladies over @ Unscripted Sketches. They are having a blog hop this week for breast cancer awareness. Lots of great candy and beautiful artwork along the way, so hope ya'll find time to visit them and share some love :)

And WOO HOO I find my card is eligible for some other FABBY challenges in the blogosphere:

Pile It On: Halloween 4 Kids and at least 1 other challenge
Really Reasonable Ribbon: Halloween ***Blog Candy Giveaway here too!!!***
One Stitch at a Time: Embellish it!
The Wild Flower Patch: Orange,Black & Green
Aly's Sunday Challenge: Halloween
Freshly Brewed: Purple & Black
Digital Tuesday Challenge: Yellow, Black & Purple

Supplies:
PP and CS from my scrap pile
sheer dotted black ribbon (Michaels)
clear sparkles(CTMH)
Fiskars "webbing" texture plate
Lil bat from Spooky Night SS (CTMH)
sentiment is CG

CAS Lesson 16

OMGosh, I really have to figure out a way to balance my life!

I am homeschooling my 5 year old this year and it has totally taken over...between that and ballet lessons, 3 older kids, a husband, 6 cats...well you get the picture LOL Of course I was the ONLY one in the house to get the ickies last week, DH's car is broken down AGAIN and my oven has now conked out. I will not ask "What next?" cuz it's always somethin, ya know?

BUT today is a new day, and I am playing in my craft area NO MATTER WHAT!!! :)

I thought at the very least I could make a CAS card. Thanks to Lyn over at PCP, who comes up with these AWESOME lessons and samples for 10 minute cards. This week we used a scrap piece of DP(I have TONS of scraps as I do 12 x 12 LOs and rarely use a whole sheet) for the focus then simply added a border punch strip and ribbon. Here's what I came up with. Thanks for looking :)

PCP Sketch Challenge

Hooray...I found some time to play with the sketch over at Paper Craft Planet this morning before heading out for the dreaded back-to-school shopping. In addition to the sketch this week, we were asked to include a punch on our card. The sample made by Wendy is *awesome*! Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day :)

Pattern paper: DCWV
CS: Coredinations
Boho Blossoms punch:SU!
Dainty Thoughts SS: CTMH(sentiment and stems)
Pear & Black inks: CTMH
Spring Buttons: CTMH
ribbon & hemp from my stash

Busted!

There was no question what I was gonna scrapbook today. When I walked into my studio this morning, I found that my cat had made herself comfy in my Expedit shelf!!! LOL I immediately took some pics and got to work. My layout meets the criteria for the following challenges:

Sketchy Thursdays- sketch
One Stitch at a Time- say it with shapes(circles,hearts etc.)
Heart2Heart- Use mostly CTMH supplies and stitching(I faux stitched a border around the page)
Scrap & Stamp- Anything you love + a stamp( of course I LOVE mah kitteh and I used stamps to create the title and the 'You Make Me Happy' sentiment))
Pile It On- Recipe(3 pattern papers,2 stamps,7 buttons, ribbon, something clear)Gee, they really meant it this week! :)

Thanks for looking!

Life is about...

My original vision for this card sketch from Unscripted Sketches was to hand stitch daisies, but the more I worked on it, the less I liked it. Sometimes I find it's best to change an idea rather than force anything. So I ended up stamping the flowers and using ric-rac for the stems.

And I am always excited to discover new challenge blogs!!! Great things going on over at Craft Your Days Away. The challenge this week is "With Wings" so I included a pretty paper butterfly.

Thanks for looking :)

All supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted*

CS: Lilac Mist, Cocoa, White Daisy, Buttercup
Life's Creation stamp set
antique copper brads
Sweet Leaf ric rac
Just Blooms paper butterfly
ribbon from my stash
Fiskars border punch

Sketchy Thursdays 8/19

So today is my 22nd wedding anniversary and I needed to make a card for my husband. This sketch featured on Sketchy Thursdays was perfect and the card came together very easily. I know it isn't masculine, but DH likes my "cutsey" cards and actually complains if I buy one instead of making him one. I def got one of the good ones! :~)

CS: Colonial White, Chocolate, Olive, Sunflower, Crystal Blue (CTMH)
silver brads
SU Boho Blossoms punch
Live Simply Cricut cartridge
Inks: Chocolate (CTMH)
Twill ribbon (CTMH)
Fiskars "Filigree" texture plate

Sketchy Thursdays 8/12

Here is my submission for Sketchy Thursdays this week. I LOVED that the sketch was for a 2 page layout. So often the sketches are only one page and don't accomodate more than a couple photos, so this was a treat :) Thanks for looking!

Pattern Paper(purchased @ Michael's)
CS: Autimn Terracotta, Sweet Leaf & White Daisy(CTMH)
White Daisy & Hollyhock buttons (CTMH)
embroidery floss
hemp
ribbon(purchased @ Michael's)
silver brads
alphabet stickers(Mrs. Grossman's)
definition sticker (Making Memories)
Fiskars border punch

CAS Lesson 7

I am just loving the CAS lessons over at PCP. Lyn shows us how a torn strip of pattern paper, some ribbon, a tag and sentiment are all you need to make a beautiful card. This card only took 5 minutes and I am very pleased with it. If clean and simple is your style, consider joining this card group. Thanks for looking :)

Pattern Paper: Life's Journey Pansy Pad(K&Co)
CS: from my 8.5 x 11 stash
Sentiment: For Every Occassion SS (CTMH)
Tag image: Postmarked SS (CTMH)
Inks: Gypsy & Chocolate (CTMH)
hemp & ribbon from my stash

Amish Country LO

This is my submission for this week's challenge at Scrap & Stamp. We had to create a 2 page layout and use at least one stamp. This also qualifies for the Practical Scrappers ' "summer" challenge. I mean what says summer more than flowers and butterflies, right?

I used the latest CTMH how-to book, "Magic" for the sketch and the papers are from the Sweet Home Level 2 PP. The flourishes are from the Playful Flourishes SS and the little flower centers are from the Dream Big SS. The title was cut on my cricut using the All Mixed Up cartridge. A few sparkles, paper flowers, buttons and brads complete the look.

Have a great day fellow papercrafters!

Heart to Heart Sketch Challenge

More fun with flowers. As soon as I saw the sketch at Heart to Heart, I knew I was gonna use handmade flowers. These are just strips of designer paper accordian folded and glued in the center. I love the dimension on these! I made this card for my Nana, and I'm not sure how to send it in the mail??? Maybe a padded envie? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Have a great day :)

*All supplies are CTMH*

"Veranda" Creative Basics papers
Colonial White & Chocolate CS
Unity SS
Chocolate & Garden Green inks
Creme Brulee ribbon
Holiday buttons
silver brads
hemp

MLSB Sunday Sketch & TPE19

I combined 2 challenges to create this layout. The sketch is from My Little Sketch Blook, and the challenge this week at TPE is a recipe...buttons, punch borders and at least 2 pattern papers. Although it doesn't show well in the pic, I printed the photos on textured CS. It makes the photos appear as if they are painted on a canvas. I have been wanting to try these tissue flowers for a long time...they are so easy to make and I really love the effect! I'll def be making more of these :)

*all supplies CTMH unless noted otherwise*
Paper Pack: "Topstitch"
CS: Chocolate, Garden Green & Colonial white
Spring & clear buttons
Embroidery floss
silver brads
Alphabet Stickers(EK Success)
Fiskars border punch
ribbon from my stash

A Little Birdie Told Me

I bought these adorable "Nana's Nursery" papers in a scrap stack @ Jo-Ann's last year and have only used a couple sheets. I love all the patterns and although it's hard to see here, many of them have glitter! I think this would be an adorable announcement, dont you agree? The sentiment is from the CTMH "Dream Big" stamp set. All the lil images fit perfectly on the layered scallop. Thanks for looking :)

Unscripted Sketches #67

Another terrific sketch from the DT over at Unscripted Sketches...thanks ladies!

My project features more treasures found while sorting through a mountain of scraps :) These pattern papers are from a DCWV "big stack" I bought at Michaels. I am seriously determined to use what I already have and refrain from buying more. I don't want to end up on an episode of "Hoarders"! LOL

The image is from the CTMH "Merry Pursuits" stamp set. I think those elves are so darling!!! I stamped and cut a bunch of them last year for Christmas cards and just never got around to using them :(

Thanks for looking and have a blessed day!

Sweet or Sour?

No matter which variety you prefer, cherries are definitely IN! I spent the weekend sorting through a couple boxes of paper I have had in storage and was so surprised how much paper I actually own!!! I have vowed to make a dent in my huge stash before buying any more LOL I didn't use a sketch or anything for this one...I was just winging it! Thanks for looking :)

A Little Bit of Sunshine/TPE77

This is my intertretation of The Pink Elephant Card Sketch Challenge #77. I intended to make a card with a Fall theme, but just couldn't get it to come together, so I ended up with sunshine :)

*All supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted*

Moon Doggie Level 2 Paper Pack
August Word Puzzle SS
Black, Desert Sand & Honey inks
Honey, Cranberry, & Colonial White CS
Fiskars border punch
Twill ribbon
silver brads