12 Tags of Christmas - Tags 4&5

Howdy friends!  I'm sharing tags 4 & 5 today.  Tag 4 took me a lot longer to work on than I anticipated because I had to wait for stuff to dry - but it was worth the wait!  If you are being inspired by Tim's tags and playing along you may be thinking "I don't have all that stuff!"  Well, let me tell you, it can be intimidating at first - 2 years ago I went and bought all the supplies.  Last year I bought a couple of items and tried to use my own stuff to fill in.  Well, this year I've made it my mission to not buy anything and use what I already have.  In tag 4, I used packaging that a Cricut cartridge came in!  Later on, you'll see I used wax paper in place of glassine (but that's a different day).  You too can seek around your house - you'll be amazed at what you find!!

OK - enough of that chitchat -  on to the tags!

Tag 4:

Tag 5:



I have to say that I love how these are turning out!  I'm being creative and having fun for no reason at all!  I put last year's tags on my tree and I enjoy seeing them displayed.  I think I might frame some of these this year and have them as wall art next year.  What do you think?  Tree, framed, any other ideas?

I'll see ya soon!
Jenn

12 Tags of Christmas - Tags 2 & 3

Howdy friends!  Today I'm sharing tags 2 & 3 since I'm behind!  As usual.  Check out Tim's blog to see the original at timholtz.typepad.com.

Here is Tag 2:

and Tag 3:

So much fun trying to use what I already have.  I know Mr. Scrappin' Aggie likes it too!

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 1

Howdy friends!  I am participating in Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas again this year!  I LOVE learning new techniques and revisting older ones that I've forgotten about since last year.  This year has already been so much fun!  I am starting with Tag 1 here - but I may post out of order, or all together because I'm a bit behind in sharing my tags.  I have been creating a bit here and there and just enjoying the creative process for no other reason than just because!

So - my first tag!

I really enjoyed making this one with my stash on hand.  I was able to use my plethora of Cricut cartridges to help me with the die cuts.  I created the Noel with Cricut Design Studio, Winter Wonderland Font, and Tie the Knot and welded them together.  The leaves and holly are from Winter Frolic and Christmas Cheer, respectivley, and the pinecones are actually flowers from Flower Shoppe.  Thanks for stopping by and looking - I'll try to get the others posted as well. 

You should go check out Tim's amazing blog - he is awesome!



Just a Card

Howdy folks - I'm just posting a quick card I made for my Aunt's birthday.  It was great to go along with PTI's Make It Monday technique.  That is all for now - I really need to finish Christmas cards.

Peace on Earth

Howdy friends!  Jumping in real quick to share a Christmas card I made today.  It was inspired by the Make It Monday video series on Nichole's blog for Papertrey Ink.  Jump over there and check out how to use your stamps in a new way!

I love how quickly this came together, very simple but impactful.

See ya'll soon and have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Supplies:
All supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted
Cardstock - White; Kraft, Black (The Paper Studio)
Stamps - Signature Greetings, Background Basics: Sheet Music; Christmas (Inkadoo)
Distress Ink - Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Die Cut - Winter Frolic (ProvoCraft)
Embellishment - Rhinestones (Tulip)
Adhesive - ATG (Scotch); Glossy Accents (Ranger)



Reason # 4,123 - why I love this man.....

He fixed the USB ports on my computer!!!!!!!!!!  Now I can show you some fun stuff - such as this beauty:

Well, it will be when you see the next picture!  I found this at Goodwill for $10!  Score!  Then I sanded, painted, and recovered it all with materials I already had at home - even better!  2 days people!  I don't think I've E.V.E.R. completed a project in 2 days....

Here she is!  Not sure if I like the stenciled seat - but no worries - I have leftover drop cloth (yep, I said drop cloth) that I can use to recover my recovered seat cover.  Got it!?!

See ya soon!

Jenn



I so love....

technology - most of the time that is.  I mean, do you remember a world before email, texting, or the internet?  It's kinda hazy when I try to think about it - but if I think REAL HARD I sorta remember asking my mom things like - "What does this word mean?" and then hearing "Look it up in the dictionary!"  Nowadays, my kids ask me the same thing - but my answer is "go google it!"  REALLY - who would have thought google would ever be a verb or noun?

I digress though. 

I so love technology, up til about a week ago.  I have several pics to share with you and my camera is playing nice - but now my USB drives in my computer have somehow gotten 'camera' shy and have scootched their way INSIDE of the case.  AHHHHH! 

So, if you promise to bear with me, don't give up on me, I promise I'll have Mr. S check this new problem out and fix it.  He's handy like that!  Love my computer geek :)

For now, I've busted out the Christmas music and am finishing my final cards!  Whew!

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

Howdy friends!  I'm here today to share a card I made to send a new friend of mine.  She and I are prayer partners at church and I just wanted to let her know I was thinking about and praying for her!  It just so happens that I came across a perfect color combination for this card on the Moxie Fab blog - check it out here.....!  This is the inspiration picture that was given to us:

Gorgeous, huh!

I adore how this card turned out - and it was super easy!!

What do ya think?  I ALMOST don't want to give it away - but then, I made it for a purpose and I want to share, right?   Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
All supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.
Cardstock: (Smokey Shadow); (Teal) my stash
Stamps: (Flower from Delightful Dahlia, sentiment from Hello, Friend)
Hybrid Ink :(Vintage Cream)
Distress Ink: (Pumice Stone) Ranger
VersaMark: Tsukineko 
Border Punch: (Doily Lace) EK Success
Embossing Enamel: (UTEE) Ranger
Ribbon: (gray) Hobby Lobby
Gems: (black) Tulip
Tools: (heat gun) Darice, (gem tool) Tulip
Adhesive: (ATG) Scotch

Faux Watercoloring

Howdy friends!  Just popping in real quick to show you the card I made for the  Make it Monday series on Faux Watercoloring.   I used a Q-Tip to do my watercolor effect since I didn't have a brush on hand.  The card came together pretty quickly.  Click on the link above to check out the video and learn something new!

Supplies:

Cardstock: (White, Orange Zest) Papertrey Ink

Dies: (Mat Stack 1) Papertrey Ink

Stamps: (Pumkins from Friendship Jar Fall Fillers) Papertrey Ink

Hybrid Ink (Orange Zest, Ripe Avacado) Papertrey Ink

Markers (YG97, E59) Copic

Button and Ribbon from my stash

Twine (Mandarin) The Twinery

Letterpress Plate (Holiday: Halloween) QuicKutz

Adhesive (ATG) Scotch

Washi Tape??

Hmmm....ever heard of it?  No?  Me either until about a two weeks ago when I was taking an online Embossing Techniques class.  I figured it was something I didn't need to bother with - I mean, really!  Like I need to spend $$ on something else that is just a fad.  That is, until I came across Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday video series!  Custom stamped Washi Tape - AND - I already have what I need to make some for myself!!

So, if you're interested in this Washi Tape technique, go to Nichole Heady's blog right now (well, after you see what I did with it first!!).

I made yet another Christmas card (are ya tired of seeing them yet?!).  I am happy to report that I'm very close to being done!!  Yippee!  So, without further ado - or much ado about nothin' - here she is:

Supplies:

(All items are Papertrey Ink unless noted otherwise)

Cardstock (White, Scarlett Jewel)
Stamps (Background Basics: Sheet Music, Tiny Treats: Christmas)
Hybrid Ink (Vintage Cream, New Leaf, Dark Chocolate, Scarlett Jewell)
Ribbon, Feather, Pearls (from my stash)
Adhesive (Scor-Tape)

Shame On Me!

Howdy friends!  I am totally embarrassed at the date of the last time I posted!  Yikes!  I've been so busy doing projects of all kinds and have neglected posting pictures of anything I've done - but I hope to remedy that starting today.  My brain is totally in overload mode and I do have another card to share with you - but I'll get to that later.  Also, I've been crazy busy decorating for Fall and updating my 'formal' living room.  Can't wait to show you some of those things too.  I'll be back in a bit to share my card - gotta get to the gym for an hour!

Jennifer

Moxie Fab with Felt

Howdy friends!!!  Wow - I must say that the summer has been flying by.  School starts Monday and I've got a list 2 miles long of projects I've put on hold while I've been entertaining hanging out with the kids.

So, I was looking at some inspiration blogs for ideas to continue my Christmas card collection, and I found it at Moxie Fab World!  Using felt in an innovative way.... I thought of snowflakes!  I used my Limitless Layers Die from Papertrey Ink, got some stamps and begin playing!  Love it when a card comes together without a real plan - just plain ol' inspiration!  Oh yeah - and since its been ridiculously hot, thinking of snow just makes me feel a bit cooler, right?

Supplies

Cardstock: (Select White, Aqua Mist) Papertrey Ink

Tag: Staples

Felt:(Aqua) JoAnn's

Stamps: (Friendship Jar Fillers) Papertrey Ink, (Christmas) Inkadoo, (Splatter Pattern) All Night Media

Ink: (Fresh Snow, Plum Pudding) Papertrey Ink, (Watermark Ink) VersaMark

Adhesive: (ATG Gun) Scotch, (FabriTac) Beacon Industries



It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like.....

Christmas!!  Well, in my studio that is - with all the Christmas cards I've been making!  I'm still a tad behind on the 5 per month, but I think when school starts back up in *two* weeks, I'll be able to spend more time working on them.  Nichole at Papertrey Ink has a REALLY.COOL technique using ribbon and Copic markers (but you could use other kinds of markers too).  Check it out here and then play along too!!

Check out how my card turned out!!

I really love it!  I *almost* want to keep it for myself - but a picture will have to do for me because I love to share them more than I love to keep them!

Thanks for stopping by today - have a fabulously crafty day!

Supplies:
Cardstock (Select White, Vintage Cream) - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper (Festive Brocade, Holly Berry Floral) - Girls' Paperie
Stamps (Mod Squad, Signature Christmas) - Papertrey Ink
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby
Lace - Vintage Seam Tape
Ink (Spring Moss) - Papertrey Ink, (Chestnut) - ColorBox, (Embossing Ink) - Top Boss
Gem - The Paper Studio
Embossing Powder (Rich Red) - Ranger
Copic Sketch Markers (R29, YG93)
Adhesive (ATG Gun) - Scotch, (Dimensional Squares) - The Paper Studio

Inspired Birthday Card

Howdy friends!  I'm popping in real quick like to share a birthday card I made for a 13 year old girl.  I originally had a different card made for her, but then decided that since this was her first TEEN year I needed something more appropriate - not too kid like, but still cute.  I am participating in Papertrey Ink's July 2011 Blog Hop and here is the inspiration picture.

Gorgeous I tell ya!  My interpretation for a teen birthday card:

I am totally loving this color combo!  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer

Supplies: (all supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock (Vintage Cream),  (Kraft) - The Paper Studio

Patterned Paper - The Girls Paperie

Stamps (Cupcake Collection, Hello Friend)

Ink (Dark Chocolate, Spring Rain, Orange Zest)

Stickles (Orange) - Ranger

Twine - Hobby Lobby

Gel Pen (White) - Gelly Roll

Stamp-a-faire #8

Ok - I'm wiped - this is my final card for tonight.  I was able to do 7 challenges out of 9, which means I have 7 Christmas cards complete!!!!  Check out challenge #8 on the blog.  Here is my card:

Supplies:

(all supplies used are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock (Scarlet Jewel, Vintage Cream) (Kraft - The Paper Studio)

Stamps (Background Basics: Sheet Music, Signature Christmas, Mod Squad)

Ink (Scarlet Jewel), (Vintage Photo - Ranger)

Twine - Hobby Lobby

Glass Glitter - JoAnn's



Stamp-a-faire #9

Yes, I know - I went from #5 to #9 - but I HAD to do this card!  Using your stamps in a new way - why not a Mod Christmas??!!  Who says it needs to be traditional?  Check it:

Eek!  I'm so excited!  Super duper fast and super duper cute!

Supplies:
(all supplies used are Papertrey Ink unless noted otherwise)
Cardstock (Select White)
Stamps (Mod Squad, Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers)
Ink (Dark Chocolate, Orange Zest, Spring Rain, Berry Sorbet)

Stamp-a-faire #5

I can officially say that I've created my Christmas card goal of 5 per month!!  Now I'm only about 2 months behind.  Thanks to Papertrey Ink and the Stamp-a-faire challenges on Nichole's blog today, I'm quickly knocking out my cards! 

The challenge for #5 was to use a solid stamp and make a border.  I used a stamp from Vintage Ornaments to make icicles.  Cool, huh?

Ok - I'm off to try and get one or two more done before calling it a day!

Supplies:

Cardstock (Select White, Enchanted Evening) - Papertrey Ink

Ink (Fresh Snow) - Papertrey Ink

Stamps (Vintage Ornaments, Tiny Treats: Christmas) - Papertrey Ink,  (Simply Sweet Occasions)-My Pink Stamper

Gems - Tulip

Ribbon - Hobby Lobby

Embossing Folder (Divine Swirls) - Provocraft



Stamp-a-faire #4

Here is an unconventional color for a Christmas card.  The challenge was to use these colors - hmmmm...

This is the next card for my Christmas card stash:

 I wasn't sure that I was going to like this, but it turned out pretty well.

Supplies:

(all supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock (Ripe Avocado) (Blue - Bazzill)

Ink (Enchanted Evening, Simply Chartruese, Ripe Avocado)

Stamps (Tiny Treats: Christmas)

Ribbon - Hobby Lobby



Stamp-a-faire #3

I'm on fire peeps!  This card took literally 10 minutes to complete.  Once I saw the challenge  I knew EXACTLY the kind of card I was going to make!!

Here it is:

Supplies:

(all supplies are Papertrey Ink unless noted otherwise)

Cardstock (Select White)

Die (Limitless Layers)

Stamps (Vintage Ornaments, Signature Christmas)

Ink (Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz)

Twine (Carribean) - The Twinery

Gems - Tulip

Stamp-a-faire Card #2

Whew!  This card came together super fast and I L.O.V.E how it turned out!

Check it out:

Supplies:
(all supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)
Cardstock (Select White, Smokey Shadow, Raspberry Fizz)
Ink (Smokey Shadow, Raspberry Fizz)
Stamps (Vintage Ornaments)
Ribbone (Gray) - Hobby Lobby

Virtual Stamp-a-faire

Howdy friends!  I'm 'attending' a the Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-faire today.  PTI is hosting a huge stamp party up in Ohio and being that I'm not near Ohio - I'm participating in their virtual faire.  They have some challenges on Nichole's blog that are lots of fun, so I'm going to try and get as many done as possible today.  This is going to be a perfect way to get more Christmas cards done - so I'm going to post them as they get finished.

Here is #1:

Whew  -  one down, several more to go!!

Supplies:

(all supplies are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock (New Leaf, Select White)

Ink (New Leaf, Smokey Shadow)

Stamps (Tiny Treats: Christmas, Signature Christmas, Background Basics: Sheet Music)

Twine - Hobby Lobby

Button - my stash

Howdy all - several cards to share today!!

Wow - where is the summer going?  One minute I'm lounging in the pool, the next minute we are running around doing fun stuff, and now I'm seeing school supplies out - WHAT??!  Believe it or not, I'm not ready for the kids to go back to school and I certainly don't think they are either!

So, I've been out of the swing of all things crafty for the past 3 weeks due to vacation and having family in town.  I finally made it up here and was stuck on what to work on.  I perused some of my usual haunting spots and found a couple of challenges to get my creative juices flowing.  So, without further ado - here is what I've been doing!! 

First up - Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge: Dry Brushing Technique

I decided to do another Christmas card as I'm way behind on my goal of doing 5 per month!  I'm about 15 cards behind now - well make that 14 now that this one is completed!

Next up - Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday: I Scream For Ice Cream!

Create a project using a cool treat - of course, you must use a Cricut cut on the project.  I needed to make a birthday card and this is what I came up with:

Thanks for coming by today!  Have a creative day!!

Jennifer

Supplies:
Merry Christmas card (all supplies from Papertrey Ink unless noted otherwise)
Cardstock (Vintage Cream, New Leaf, Spring Moss)
Ink (Spring Moss), (Chestnut - ColorBox), (Embossing Pad - Top Boss)
Embossing Powder (Clear - American Crafts)
Stamps (Vintage Ornaments)
Paint (Funky Vintage Lipstick - Making Memories)
Twine and Ribbon from my stash
Adhesive (ATG - Scotch)

Best Wishes Card
Cardstock (White, Blue, Pink - The Paper Studio)
Patterned Paper ( Mod Retro Stack - DCWV, Lost and Found - My Mind's Eye)
Vellum - The Paper Studio
Die Cut (From My Kitchen - Provocraft, Just the Ticket - Papertrey Ink)
Stamps (Just the Ticket, Cupcake Collection - Papertrey Ink)
Ink (Chestnut - ColorBox)
Stickles (Diamond - Ranger)
Gem - The Paper Studio
Adhesive (ATG - Scotch, Dimensional Foam Squares - The Paper Studio)

Niece Cuddles - and a Sympathy Card

Howdy friends!  I had the pleasure of visiting my newest niece and her mommy today!!  Got me some cuddle time with sweet baby "E"!  Also, my 2 nieces on my hubby's side of the family made it in tonight - so I get to see them tomorrow!  Wow!  What a fun time to be an aunt......!!

On a sad note, a dear friend of ours from our Church lost her Grandmother last week.  I wanted to send her a special card to let her know we are praying for her and the family.  This was a perfect opportunity to try a new technique I saw at Nichole's blog for Make It Monday - go on over and check it out if you want to know more about Polaroid - 2 step masking.

This is the card I made to send my friend:

Supplies:
Cardstock (Select White) - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper (Stash)
Stamps (Botannical Silhouettes) - Papertrey Ink
Hybrid Ink (Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus, Spring Moss) - Papertrey Ink
Die (Mat Stack #1) - Papertrey Ink
Pearls - The Paper Studio
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby
Pen (Dk Grey) - Creative Memories
Adhesive (ATG) - Scotch

Catching up and PaperTrey Blog Hop

Howdy friends!!  Wow - its been w.a.y too long since I posted here on the blog-o.  Kids are out of school and I've tried to spend more time with them instead of crafting - but sweet, sweet hubby made it possible for me to have some time to create and not feel guilty!  He took the youngest for the morning and the oldest was already gone - so I got busy!!  Oh yeah - and my newest little niece was born a week ago - so I've gotten to spend time hanging out with "E" , my brother, and his wife, so that's been pretty special too.

Anywho - enough rambling, on to the Blog Hop!  Nichole of PaperTrey Ink is hosting the monthly blog hop, now I've hopped around looking in the past but have not participated - so here's to my first PTI Blog Hop :)   Here is the inspiration picture:

And here is my interpretation:

Pretty easy card,  it didn't quite come out the way I planned, but I'm happy with the results - oh, and I pulled out the Copics!  

So hopefully I'll be creating more and sharing the projects, but this summer I'm focusing on my family.  We are in the middle of sewing "K" a dress (she's been helping and learning, and she's hooked!), and "C" is pretty busy this summer, so when he is home I hang out with him.  Oh yeah, and there's my new niece, and my other 2 nieces are coming for a visit next week - and vacation, and canning veggies - whew!  Summer will be over before I know it!! 

ttfn - Jenn

Supplies:
Cardstock (Select White, Aqua Mist) - PaperTrey Ink
Stamps (Mod Squad) - PaperTrey Ink
Hybrid Ink (Hibiscus, New Leaf) - PaperTrey Ink
Pigment Ink (Silver) - ColorBox
Copic Sketch Markers (YG17, YG13, RV17, V91, BG13, Y15, BV11) - Copic
Tools (Corner Rounder) - Creative Memories
Adhesive (ATG) - Scotch

Summer is Officially Here!!!!

Howdy friends! WOW! It is H.O.T out here! That means one thing - Summer is here! The kids are officially finished with school - our youngest finished elementary school and I am sad. No more class parties, field trips, field days, lunch with her at school, etc. But that brings so many more new experiences for her! The oldest will begin his Junior year and that means getting ready for College! Yikes!!! Wasn't I just there myself??

So, in honor of Summer beginning I made a few cookie treats to give the teachers. It was the first time I used mini cookie cutters and I am THRILLED with how they turned out! Check it out:

Sis-in-Law Birthday

Howdy friends!  Happy Friday to you!  I am getting ready to spend a nice weekend with just my hottie hubs!  The kids are off to spend time with the Grands and some friends.  Just popping in to share my newest card, which also happens to be for my Sis-in-Law who is having a birthday this weekend.  It is based on a challenge at My Creative Time with Emma - use any 'older' Cricut Cartridge AND yellow and green.

Here is what I made for my SIL:

Fun, huh?

Hope all of you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! 

TTFN - Jenn

Supplies:

Die Cut - ProvoCraft  (Forever Young Cricut Cartridge)

Cardstock - DCWV

Patterned Paper - my stash, Cosmo Cricket (UpCycle)

Gemstones, Brads - The Paper Studio

Pen - Gelly Roll (White)

Stamp Sentiments

Ink - Papertrey Ink (Black)

With Sympathy....

Howdy friends!  I just wanted to stop by and share a Sympathy card with ya'll.  I always have a hard time making Sympathy cards - but with some simple techniques, it can be a quick and easy process.  Check it out here on Nichole's blog from Papertrey Ink.

Sadly, a sweet gal from my Church (our pianist for 9:00 service) lost her father last week very suddenly.  I will be sending her this card. 

I then found out that a Scoutmaster of a nearby troop suddenly died last week as well.  This same Troop also lost a Scoutmaster about 2 years ago, also suddenly.

If you are a believer in prayer, please pray for these families and scouters as they deal with their losses.  Also, pray for the victims of Joplin, MO - my parents lived there for 4 years and still know a few folks up that way.

Supplies:
Cardstock (Spring Rain) - Papertrey Ink
Ink (Spring Rain) - Papertrey Ink
Stamp (Mod Squad) - Papertrey Ink
Stamp (July Sentiments) - The ScrapRoom
Die Cut (Limitless Layers) - Papertrey Ink
Gemstones - The Paper Studio
Twill Tape - Wrights
Marker (B41) - Copic
Adhesive - Scor-Tape, Pop Dots

Birthday Cheer

Howdy friends!  It is Friday and rainy here this afternoon.  I thought we could use a little cheery birthday card today.  I made it for a sweet little girl in our Small Church Group who is having a birthday in a few weeks.  I love sending birthday cards to my family and friends!

This card was made based on the challenge I saw at My Creative Time with Emma for her Throwback Thursday challenge.  We had to use Doodlecharms cartridge (or the oldest one you have if you don't own Doodlecharms) and the color blue.  This is what I came up with:

I'm thrilled with how it turned out and I can't wait to send a smile to our friend in a couple of weeks!!  Have a great weekend!

Supplies:

Cricut Cartridge (Doodlecharms) - ProvoCraft

Cardstock (Stash)

Patterned Paper (Stash)

Button (Stash)

Baker's Twine - Jillibean Soup

Perfect Pearls (Perfect Pearl) - Ranger

Shimmers (Pixie Dust)

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Happy Birthday) - ProvoCraft

Gelly Roll Pen (White)

Stamp (Hello Friend) - Papertrey Ink

Ink (Dark Chocolate) - Papertrey Ink

Adhesive (ATG) - Scotch



Trying New Things - And A Challenge

Howdy friends!!  I'm just popping in quickly for a short post.  I wanted to try out the Center Point button on my Cricut - and after a year and a half of owning the Expression, I've finally decided to give it a whirl.  I made a card for the Challenge Me Monday: Try This Angle Challenge at Fantabulous Cricut.  The butterfly on the inside of the card was made using the Center Point Button on patterned paper from Glitz.  Pretty close for the first time - OK, I admit that it was my 2nd try because I had the paper upside down the first time!!

 Inside the card:

Ok - enough playing around for me.  I gotta get busy on my Sis-in-law's baby shower party this Saturday - cookies, cake balls, and decorations - oh my!!

Supplies:

Basic Cake Cricut Cartridge - ProvoCraft

Cardstock (Gecko) - Bazzill

Patterned Paper (Polka, Butterlies, Plaid) - Glitz

Butterfly Clear sticker - Pink Paislee

Ribbon - Target

Ink (Amaretto) - Quick Quotes

Adhesive - Scotch

Yummy Strawberries

Howdy friends!  Its a beautiful Friday afternoon - girly girl has a friend over in the pool, and I'm outside enjoying the weather! 

Once again, I've been very busy doing stuff - we had our last Field Day at the school today - I've been to 12 in a row between both kids and I'm kinda sad.  I brightened myself up though by decorating these yummy strawberries that I baked yesterday.  Mmmmmm.....

Have a great weekend!!

Make It Monday Challenge

Howdy friends!  I'm sitting in my comfy chair watching 'our' doves making a nest under our patio cover.  I call them 'our' doves because they've returned for the 3rd year to lay their eggs.  We started seeing them about 2 weeks ago, hanging around looking for a safe place.  Last year it was on the ladder on the back of our garage!   

Anway - Papertrey Ink has another wonderful Make It Monday challenge this week - line frames.  Check it out here.

Some of you know that I've challenged myself to make 5 Christmas cards every month to be ready to go in the mail at Christmastime without the stress.  Well, this month I've been delinquent and need to get busy!!  I have 2 from last month to do AND I need to get this month's finished before the end of the week!  YIKES!!  So, I used the challenge to make this card:

Thanks for stopping by today and taking a look!

Supplies:

Cardstock (Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream) - Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper (Jolly By Golly) - Cosmo Cricket

Stamps (Tiny Treats: Christmas) - Papertrey Ink; (Borders) - Inkadoo

Shimmerz

Stickles - Ranger

Copic Marker (R29)

Ink (Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avacado) - Papertrey Ink; (Cherry Red) - Stampabilities

I'm Still Here....

Howdy friends! Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.  We had a wonderful day starting with Church and then had our families over for Easter lunch, so it was great to see everyone together.

 I'm still here - just been super busy (but I brought that on myself!).  I cannot believe where April has gone!  Just thought I'd pop in to show you a few things I've been up to lately:

Let's start with our garden.  We've planted strawberries, zucchini, cucumbers, okra, several types of tomatoes, carrots, onions, banana peppers, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, and various herbs.  So we've been busy tending this stuff:

We've also been helping with our son's Eagle Project this month.  He renovated the exterior of an old house on our Church property that is used by the Church.  Here is a picture of that project - yikes!!

Thankfully, he had lots of help and it was completed in 2 long weekends!  Great job buddy!  I'll try to post an after picture later - gotta find it!

Then, I've taken up a new hobby - cookie/cake/cupcake decorating.  I've been playing around with that and it is fun!  Here are my first attempt at decorating cookies with royal icing.

I made some Easter cookies too, but forgot to take pictures!  They turned out really cute too.  But, I did manage to make some yummy cupcakes with cookies - inspired by this post at Bake at 350.  Here is my creation with some help from my daughter.

Pretty yummy looking, right?


And, I cannot leave out house decor.  I saw this loverly wreath and H.A.D to make one myself!!  Let me tell you, it is a super easy project - but definitely time consuming and oh so worth it!!!

OK - so now that I've bored you with all the details of my past few weeks, I'll leave you alone - for now.  I've gotta get busy on decorations for my Sis-in-law's baby shower coming up in a few weeks!  Have a great Monday ya'll!!

Jennifer

Easter Gift Tag

Howdy friends!!!  It is Friday and that means a busy weekend for our family.  We have a volleyball game, Eagle Scout project, birthday dinner, Church, Scout religious symbol ceremony, Small Church Group Bible Study, finish planting my vegetable garden - and someone in here I need to craft!!  But, in case I don't get that chance this weekend, I made this:

Isn't she lovely?

I made the tag for Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday Challenge - using wet embossing techniques.  Unfortunately, I could not get a picture to show the embossing because I used clear powder over the bunny image.  I just love the look of the tag IRL - the picture doesn't really show its true beauty, but that's okay because maybe I'll frame it for a decorative item in my house for Easter.

Well, have a happy weekend and I hope you get to do something that you love this weekend!

Jennifer

Supplies:
Manilla Folder: Office Depot
Ribbon, Twine: Hobby Lobby
Pins: (Vintage Hip Trinket Pins) - Making Memories
Cardstock: (Sweet Blush) - Papertrey Ink, (Kraft) - The Paper Studio
Image - Tim Holtz (Seasonal Paper Stash) - Idea-ology
Stamps: (Vintage Ornaments) - Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Mocha Mama) - PowderPuff, (Dark Chocolate, Spring Rain, Plum Pudding, Hibiscus) - Papertrey Ink
Embossing Powder (Clear) - Zing
Distress Embossing Ink - Ranger
Embossing Folder (Script) - Provocraft

Like I Need Another Hobby....

Howdy friends!

Oh dear - I'm gonna be in trouble, I already know it!  This past fall I decided I NEEDED to take the Wilton's Basic Cake Decortating Class - I had a blast!  In fact, I was planning on signing up for the next 2 classes as well, but time has gotten in the way and my family schedule won't allow for me to do so.  I just decided that I'd be happy with my basic knowledge and I've had fun playing - here is the cake I decorated for my final class project:

I am totally happy and content with my basic knowledge.  That is what I've told myself over and over - until I signed up to watch the Cricut Cake Class last week.  If you don't know about this toy, then click here to take a looksy for yourself.  Now you see my dilemma? 

 Oh boy - dare I say it?  Ok, I confess.... I knew JoAnn's had the Cricut Cake Mini on sale for $99 - that's a 50% discount folks - would you pass it up??  Me neither - so I trotted my happy little self to JoAnn's and bought that puppy.  I finally got the courage up today to try it out and here is what I did:

Not sure how I'm gonna break it to the hubby yet, but I sure hope he's so mesmorized by 1) my cookie decorating skills, and 2) another use for all of those Cricut Cartridges I've been collecting - maybe he'll find it in his tummy, er heart to forgive me!  Oh yeah, and the fact that I can use it to make fun cakes and cookies for so many occasions instead of the bakery I've been using - which when you do the math that's only 4 'basic bakery' cakes, right?  Girl math people!

Thanks for coming by today and I hope to share more creations with my newfound hobby!