2011 Calendar

Hey yall! Happy Thursday! I have a new post going up on the Helmar Blog today and wanted to share my project here too. I created a calendar for my desk for 2011. If you would like more info on this project, you can check out the Helmar blog HERE. For my project, I used:

1. Chipboard Album, Flowers: Maya Road

2. Patterned Paper, Stickers: Fancy Pants Designs

3. Pearls: Queen & Co

4. Calendar Die Cuts: Elle's Studio

5. Trim: Source Unknown
6. Adhesive: Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner, Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots, Helmar Professional Acid Free Glue, Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Here is my project:

 Aren't these flowers from Maya Road the cutest? I love 'em!

 This chipboard album was perfect for a calendar. It came with 6 chipboard pages on the inside. So I was able to put a calendar die cut card on each side of the pages.

 Here is the inside...these cards are from Elle's Studio. I am such a fan of anything from Elle's Studio!!!

 Back of project...

That's all for me today. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Scrappin'! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Curly Sue

Happy Hump Day all! I can't believe it is mid week and the 1st of December! Time is just flying by! I wanted to take a minute to blog today and post a layout. I created this layout a few months ago for a Scrapstreet article and never posted it here, so I wanted to do that today. This layout is of my niece (or that's what we call her...LOL), Autumn Grace. She is just the cutest little girl and has these curls that are gorgeous. For this page I used:

Cardstock: The Paper Studio

Patterned Paper: Graphic 45

Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts

Bling: Imaginisce (used my I-Rock tool and templates to create the swirls)

Pearls: Queen & Co

Border Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts

Ball Fringe: Jo-Ann

Flowers/Brads: Imaginisce (made these with the I-Top tool)

Pen: Stampin' Up!

Adhesive: Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner, Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots, Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I hope you all have a fabulous day!

Happy Scrappin'!

P.S. Oh, I almost forgot!!! It's the 1st and that means a new issue of Scrapstreet!!! My article this month is on gingerbread men. You can check out the full issue HERE.  All of the articles are wonderful and so much inspiration!!!!

Back At Last!!!!

Hey yall! Happy Monday! Wow! I can't believe I haven't blogged in so long!!! I do apologize. I spent a whole week at my parents house during the hubby's vacation. Then, my whole family spent the Thanksgiving holiday in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. So I haven't even hopped online in over a week. But we finally made it back home last night. What we thought would be a 7-8 hour drive, turned into over 12 due to heavy traffic. We were in stop and go traffic for like 4 hours in VA and it was so awful! I have never been so glad to be back at home and in my own bed!!!

Anyways, I hope to get back to scrappin' and bloggin' this week! I just wanted to say that I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday with your friends and families! I'll be back in a day or two with some new scrappy stuff!

Hugs! Have a great night!

P.S. Oh, and head's up!!! We have another FABULOUS Helmar blog hop coming up!!!

Check it out HERE!!!!
It's gonna be SOOO much fun!!! I hope you will join us!

Checkin' In...

Hey guys! I just wanted to check in. Brandon and I made it safe and sound to Alabama on Thursday. We've been on the go every minute since then! I haven't done any crafting, but I hope to do that this week. I hope all of you had a fabulous weekend!!!

Enjoy your week! Hugs!

Shakin' It Up With Helmar!

Hey yall! Happy Thursday! I have a new project going up on the Helmar blog today and I wanted to share it with you guys as well. If you would like to see the post and see how I made this card, go HERE. This is another shaker card (thanks to Sheila for the inspiration). I used my Gypsy to design this card. I also used the Gypsy Wanderings, Christmas, Joys of the Season, and New Arrival cartridges. This patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye and Die Cuts With a View. I also brought in some bling and ribbon. Here is my card:

 I shook it up a bit and layed it flat so you could see the shaking action...

 Inside...

 For this project, I used the following Helmar Adhesives:

1. Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

2. Helmar Zap Dots

3. Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots

4. Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner

Also, I am headed to Baltimore with the hubby today. We are going to spend a bit of time there and then stay overnight. Then, on Friday, we are hoppin' a flight to Alabama. Brandon has a week of vacation next week. We are SOOO excited to go home and see our families! We miss them so much! But I do have Internet access at my Moms and we are planning on scrappin' some. Of course, I'm taking my Gypsy on the plane and hope to design some then...what a great way to pass the time! :) So I will try to blog as often as I can!

I hope you all have a marvelous weekend! Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Scrappin'!

Heads Up!!! Scrapstreet Is Looking For New Team Members!!!!

Hey yall! Happy Wednesday! It has been a busy week so far for me...lots of DT work to be done. I'll post some sneaks for ya today! But in the meantime, I wanted to tell yall about this DT call!!! Scrapstreet is looking for new team members!! Check it out HERE!

Good luck to all who apply!!!

Happy Scrappin'!!!

Gypsy Made Simple Challenge

Happy Sunday Yall! I hope you all are having a wonderful, peaceful Sunday. I am all alone today. Brandon is in Jersey, so I decided to sit at my desk and work for a bit. I decided to go ahead and make my card for the current 'Gypsy Made Simple' challenge over at She's A Sassy Lady. This week Sheila showed us how to use our Cricut Gypsy to make a shaker card.

So I pulled out Esmerelda (my Gypsy...yes, I named her! LOL) and designed this card last night while watching football. I used the following Cricut Cartridges:

1. Give A Hoot

2. Gypsy Wanderings

3. Plantin' Schoolbook

I have a thing for peacocks, as many of you know, so I incorporated the peacock from 'Give A Hoot' into this card. For my 'shaker action,' I decided to use some dew drops from The Robin's Nest. This card was so fun and easy to make! I love picking it up and giving it a shake while doing a little dance. I'm glad I am by myself today because Brandon would probably look at me like I was crazy when I start dancing with my shaker card! ROFL! I also used some pearls from Queen & Company and Stickles glitter glue on the sentiment. All patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye. Cardstock is from The Paper Studio and Core'dinations. Of course, I pulled out my favorite Helmar Adhesives to pull the project together. I used the Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner, Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, and Helmar Zap Dots. I'm thinking this type of card would make a great tutorial using my Helmar...stay tuned...the wheels are already turning in my head! LOL

"Happy Birthday"

 Up close of my peacock and sentiment. This patterned paper is glittery. I hope you can tell. I really loved it!

 I shook the card up and layed it down flat so you can see the dew drops that are inside.

 Inside of my card. I used a Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page punch set on the blue piece of paper.

That's it for me today! I'm off to clean up my mess and chill. I need to be giving my house a deep clean, but I'm thinking I'll put it off until Wednesday. Tee Hee!

Happy Scrappin'!

My Cricut Cartridge Binder

Hey yall! Happy Saturday! The hubby and I are veggin' out on the couch today watching football and playing Lego Batman on the XBOX, but I wanted to hop online and share a project I finished up yesterday with yall. One of my good friends Sheila, from She's A Sassy Lady, inspired this idea. As you may know, Sheila hosts videos every Saturday on her blog that focus on learning more about your Cricut Gypsy. They are called Gypsy Made Simple Saturdays. If you haven't checked 'em out, I highly recommend that you do. They are awesome! I have learned so much in the short time I have had my Gypsy.

Anyways, a few weeks back during one of videos, Sheila showed us how she keeps track of all of the images on the various Cricut cartridges. She keeps a binder. I just adored this idea from the minute I saw it and I knew I had to make me one. Now, unless I want to, I no longer have to dig out booklets and flip through them when I'm designing/cutting with my Cricut. So I picked up a 1/2" binder at Wal Mart and decided to make a cover for it. You know me...have to decorate up everything. I used the Cricut Create A Critter and Lyrical Letters cartridges and some patterned paper from Imaginisce for my binder. Here is the outside:

 My little hooty tooty...this is my favorite cut on this cartridge!!!

 This little deer is a close second to being a fave though.

 Now, for the inside, I printed off each of the sample sheets (found HERE) for all of the cartridges that I own. I then slipped them into the page protectors that you can buy at any store. I got mine at Wal Mart. I love these page protectors for 2 reasons. One, they make turning the page so smooth and easy. Second, they protect the pages. Since I will use this on a regular basis, it's nice to know that they won't get messed up from daily use. I just love this idea because I have all of my cartridges right at my fingertips...no more digging around forever finding what I need.

Thank you for the inspo Sheila! You rock!

Have a great weekend yall! Happy Scrappin'!!!

Gypsy Challenge: Let It Snow

Hey guys! Happy Friday! I have been a busy bee today. I started out the day with straightening up my house. It was a bit messy. I then got in the kitchen and got to work on preparing my very first Chocolate Cheesecake! Yum! I am so excited about this cheesecake! It did not crack on the top!!!! That's a first for me. I have it chilling in the fridge. When we cut into it, I'll be sure to share pix and the recipe with you guys. Anyways, while the cheesecake was cooling, I sat at my scrappy desk to get some work done. I finished up this shaped card for the current challenge on the Gypsy Chat section of the Cricut Messageboard.

The specs of the challenge were:

1. Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Birthday Theme-check (I made a Christmas card)

2. 2 pieces of art-check (I have a snowglobe, snowmen, snowflakes, and a poinsettia flourish)

3. 1 word-check (I have the sentiment 'Let It Snow' on the inside of my card)

4. 1 weld-check (I welded 2 snowglobe shadows together to form the base of my card)

5. 1 stretch-check (I stretched the snowmen to make them a bit fatter)

6. 1 turn or slant-check (I slanted the poinsettia flourish...first time to slant anything for me)

I used the my Gypsy and the following Cricut cartridges on this one:

Christmas Cheer (snowglobe)

Speaking of Winter (snowmen)

Christmas (poinsettia flourish)

Joys of the Season (snowflakes)

Winter Woodland (sentiment)

(I don't think I've ever used so many carts on one project! LOL)

Also, on my card I used:

Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye

Cardstock: The Paper Studio

Ribbon: Ribbon FX (Hobby Lobby)

Glitter Glue: Stickles (Ranger)

Pearls: Queen & Co.

Pen: Stampin' Up!

Adhesive: Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner, Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots, Helmar Zap Dots

Here is my card:

 These snowmen are from the 'Speaking of Winter' cartridge. This is a font cartridge and these are actually the 'N' on the cart. But they looked like 2 little cute snowmen standing next to one another in the chilly breeze to me. :)

 Added dimension by popping up the poinsettia flourish with Helmar Zap Dots.

 Inside of card...

Thanks for droppin' by my blog this evening! I am working on another Cricut project and hope to share that with ya tomorrow! See ya then!

Happy Scrappin' and have a fabulous weekend!!!

Project Team Ewan

Hey yall! TGIF! It's Friday! Woot Woot! I am so glad the weekend is here! I hope to sit at my scrappy desk today and work on a project for the current challenge on the Cricut board under the Gypsy Chat section. It is due by midnight and I am running late this week! I have it designed, just not cut. But first, I wanted to share a fundraiser with you guys! This fundraiser benefits Seattle Children's Hospital and 100% of the proceeds will go to research that will further care for children who have congenital heart defects. You can check all of the info HERE.

Have a fabulous weekend and Happy Scrappin'!

SFTIO DT Reveal #5

Hey yall! Whoo! It's been a week hasn't it?! Sharing all of these emotion based layouts...takes a lot out of ya! But today is the last one, then I promise to share some other scrappy stuff. As you know from this week, this month's theme at SFTIO is 'Acceptance.' This last page was a hard one for me to do. This layout is about realizing that everyone is not who they say they are. They portray one thing and then turn out to be another. You have 'friends' who walk into your life and then without warning, walk out. Although it is sad, you can't let them pull you into their drama. You just have to remember who you are, remember what you stand for, and let them go. For me, it's the only way to be at peace. It's not about being angry for me. I have chosen not to be angry or hold any grudges. I cannot change their decision and although I do not understand it, I will not question it. I just have to be me and go on with my life and in the end, I'm a better person for it. I know many of you have experienced this and it is tough, but you can't let it get you down. So although it was hard, a very calming layout to do. It left me at peace and I can move on with no regrets.

The layout is called 'Realization.' Our DT Coordinator at SFTIO, Nancy, sends us artwork each month that correlates to the theme. I chose another piece of artwork for this page. I love this artwork. It is of a lady and she is letting what is in her hands blow away with the wind...so symbolization for me. The lace, pearls, and purple craft wire were all pulled from my personal scrappy stash. The rest of the page consists of items from the November Acceptance kit from SFTIO. I used the Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner, Helmar Zap Dots, and Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots on this page. Here it is:

The pearl bling is from Queen & Co. The ribbon on the tag is from Hobby Lobby, Ribbon FX.

 

 This purple craft wire was so fun to work with. It has sat in my scrappy stash for a long time. I'm so glad I got to use it!

 All flowers from the kit. The one on the far right is a rub on.

Thanks for visiting my blog and discovering 'acceptance' with me. This was a tough, but big stress relieving subject for me. I can't wait to add these pages to my personal scrapbook that I keep for me. No one but me may ever see them in person, but I like that I can look back on them and remember lessons I've learned.

I hope you have a fabulous day! Happy Scrappin'!

SFTIO DT Reveal #4

Hey yall! I hope you are having a fabulous week so far! This week I have been sharing my DT layouts for the November 'Acceptance' kit from SFTIO with you. Today, I have my 4th DT layout to share. I had so much fun creating this page! I must of been in an ill mood without realizing it on the day that I scrapped this page. I went totally crazy with the distressing on this page. I just banged this one up! LOL. But I am pleased with the way it came out. I like to tear stuff up sometimes! :)

This layout is called 'My Confession.' This layout is about my marriage. Although it is hard to admit, I haven't always been the wife I set out to be 8 years ago. I know we change as we age, but there are things I have done that I am not proud of. I have not approached all situations to the best of my ability. I know I have driven my husband crazy at times, as he has me, but I still remember what kind of wife I wanted to be and I strive every single day to fulfill that goal. I want to be the perfect wife for my husband. He is such a good man and is so good to me. He is a wonderful provider and takes very good care of me. He also spoils me rotten and is just the most gentle man I've ever known. How on earth he puts up with me on my moody days, I have no idea! LOL. But I am always quick to apologize for raising my voice or starting a fuss. Creating this page just helped to remind me of what kind of spouse I want to be.

Everything you see on this page, with the exception of the purple cardstock, was pulled from the November SFTIO kit. I love this kit! The My Mind's Eye patterned papers in it are to die for!!! Love 'em! Of course, I could not of pulled this layout together without my favorite Helmar Adhesives! Now I know I always tell yall that, but I definitely mean it on this one! This page features so much dimension and embellishments...I needed adhesives I could trust to hold it together and I know I can count on my Helmar! I used the Quick Fix Adhesive Runner for the majority of the page. I used Helmar Zap Dots to pop up the cutowrk of the tree limb and birds. I used my favorite, Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots, to secure my Prima flowers, paper rolls, and buttons.

Also, I created my own patterned background for this page with the use of a mask and Shimmer spray ink (both included in the kit). I started with a tan colored solid cardstock. I then layed the mask and spritzed. I did this in a funky pattern. That is what I love about spray ink. You don't have to worry. It is very forgiving!

Here is my page:

 Aren't those Prima flowers fabulous? I tell ya, the SFTIO kits are always tops when it comes to the embellishments they add! I am always amazed! I created these paper rolls using some paper scraps. I cannot take credit for this paper roll idea myself. I discovered these on a layout while surfing online. They looked so cool and easy to create. So I gave it a go on this page and am so glad I did! They not only put those scraps to good use, but they give a unique look to the page. I will have a tutorial going up on the SFTIO message board some time this month showing how I created these.

 I also distressed my photo. I used a craft sanding block to grunge up the edges.

 Just to show the dimension of my cutwork and distressing:

That is all for me today! I hope you have a great day! I'll be back tomorrow with my final DT Reveal for this month at SFTIO! See you then!

Happy Scrappin'!

A Sassy Challenge 'Sealed With A Kiss'

Hey yall! Happy Hump Day Evening too you! I hope you are having a great Wednesday! Not too much going on here, just same old boring stuff. I'm about to cook dinner for the hubby and I, but I wanted to take a minute to share a card I just finished up with you first. I'm cooking a later dinner tonight since Brandon is coming in late from work. Tonight's dish: Grilled Citrus Steak and Baked, Fresh Mixed Vegetables. I can't wait! I'm hungry! LOL.

Anyways, this card is for the current challenge over at She's A Sassy Lady. I love playing along in these challenges. I always have a good time! This weeks tutorial was on creating large window shaped cards. If you want, click on the link above and check out the video and Sheila's card.

So, after watching the video and contemplating for a few days, I created my own window card. For this card, I used the following cartridges:

1. Smiley Cards (SWAK sentiment, lipstick tube)

2. Indie Art (lips)

3. Gypsy Wanderings (flourish and frame that I created card with)

Here is a pic of Esmerelda (my Gypsy...LOL) when I finished designing. Sorry for a dark pic. It was the best I could get inside on my desk.

Now, here is my card. For this card, I used:

1. Patterned Paper: Die Cuts With A View, My Minds Eye

2. Cardstock: Die Cuts With A View, The Paper Studio, Core'dinations

3. Pearls: Queen & Co

4. Glitter Glue: Stickles (Ranger Industries)

5. Adhesive: Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner, Helmar Zap Dots, Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

SWAK sentiment/lips (can ya tell I did that Gypsy update? I'm having fun with all these new carts that were included in the update!!!)

Lipstick Tube

Used Helmar Zap Dots to pop up the lips and lipstick tube for some dimension...

Simple inside...

Simple back...

I hope you have enjoyed this card. It was simple to design, cut, and put together. I think from start to finish, I spent maybe 45 minutes on the card. So super easy...gotta love that! If you have a Gypsy, do hop on over to She's A Sassy Lady and play along with us! We'd love to see what you can create as well!

Enjoy the rest of your evening! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Happy Scrappin'!

SFTIO DT Reveal #3

Hey guys! I have another SFTIO (Scrapbooking From The Inside Out) DT Reveal to share with you today. This months theme at SFTIO...Acceptance. When I first saw that we were working with this emotion, I was unsure what to scrap. So I did a lot of thinking and researching and came up with several ideas. However, the idea for this layout was the most invigorating for me. Ever since I was a small child, I always worried CONSTANTLY about what everyone thought of me. I was always trying to impress everyone and would do anything for them to like me. I just could not stand the thought of not pleasing everyone I came in contact with. Well, as I aged, I discovered something that most of us learn as we age...you can't please everyone. Although you try, it just cannot be done. So I have come to the conclusion that you can't let petty, insignificant stuff like this get you down. You just can't! It's a total waste of time! So that is what this layout is about.

My layout is called 'Approval???' Everything that you see on this page is from the November Acceptance Kit at SFTIO. Love love LOVE this kit! It was filled with very interesting color combinations. When I first saw it and saw all the purple, I have to confess....I was so afraid! Purple is not a favorite of mine and I was scared to scrap with it. But I am so glad I just jumped in and did it because now I love purple!!! I love it mixed with the goldish-yellows and greens in the kit! Yum! I pulled out my sewing machine and did a bit of stitching on this page as well. Here is my page:

 I used the following Helmar Adhesives to adhere my page and embellies:

1. Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner

2. Helmar Zap Dots (lots of 'em!) Tee Hee

3. Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots

4. Helmar Premium Craft Glue

My journaling on this page reads:

"For so many years I worried constantly about what everyone though of me! But you know what? Here lately I've realized...I don't need anyone's approval!!! I am who I am! Love me for that or get over it!!!"

 The journaling is hidden behind the photo in a pocket that was included in the kit.

 The kit included this purple patterned die cut shaped paper. I decided I wanted the floral decoration that was in the corner to stick out a tad more. So I pulled out my craft knife and cut out around the pattern. I then used the Helmar Zap Dots to pop it up off the page. I kinda got happy with the Helmar Zap Dots on this page! LOL

 I was especially fond of this flower (from Prima) included in the kit! It is so delicate and feminine...right up my alley!

I will be back tomorrow with another DT Reveal from SFTIO's Acceptance kit! I hope you'll hop on back to my blog to share that with me! Have a marvelous day! Stay warm! AND Happy Scrappin' my crafty friends!

Helmar Blog Post & Some Thanksgiving Decor'

Happy Tuesday all! I hope you are having a grand week so far! I spent the whole day yesterday cleaning my house, doing laundry, and decorating my home for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. I have a doctors appointment this morning that I am very anxious about, but I wanted to take a moment to hop on and blog. I have a new post going up on the Helmar blog today. If you would like to see that and check out how I made the card below, go HERE. For my project, I used the following Helmar Adhesives:

1. Helmar Remove Cleaner

2. Helmar V2 Vellum Adhesive

3. Helmar Zap Dots (both square and round in black/white)

4. Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots

5. Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive Runner

 Here is the card I made for my blog post. It is a 6x6 square card. For the card I used:

1. Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee

2. Punch: Martha Stewart, EK Success

3. Pearls: Queen & Co.

4. Glitter: PK Glitz

5. Laminator: Purple Cows

6. Butterfly Mask: Tattered Angels

7. Butterfly Embellishment: source unknown

8. Die Cut Machine: Cricut

9. Die Cut Software: Cricut Gypsy

10. Die Cut Cartridge: Mini Monograms

 For more info on the glittery background, view the Helmar blog post that I linked up above. This was super easy to do and fun!

 You know me, I have to include lots of yummy dimension...

 Inside of card:

 Now, it's not much, but I wanted to share my Thanksgiving decor'. As always, I had to decorate my table. Yall know I love dishes! If you don't, I am a dish fanatic, as is my Mom and SIL. I own about 17 sets of dishes and change out my table almost every month. This month I have some fall/leaf looking dishes. I wish I had some turkey dishes...maybe one day! :)

 Individual place setting.

These are not fancy schmancy expensive dishes either. I purchased these at Wal Mart a few years ago. The gold chargers are from Hobby Lobby.

 I have a little table in my dining room too that I always try to decorate. I added the 'Give Thanks' frame that I shared with yall a few weeks ago to this table.

So it's not much, but there is my attempt at bringing the Thanksgiving cheer into my home. I want to get some nice potpourii to make it even better. I see another visit to the Christmas Tree Shoppe...tee hee!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoy your day! Happy Scrappin'!