Dude, Twins, and Instagram

I'm jumping in head first into the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol competition.

It's a lot like American Idol, except there is no singing.

{Thank God! I can't sing!}

The open round of auditions is going on right now. I submitted three cards.

The first one - (shown above) - was inspired by my teenage students. They are always saying the word "dude". I used a stamp from The Craft's Meow, a Lil Inker bow tie die, and Studio Calico paper.

Here's my second entry. I wanted to do something creative and make a birthday card for twins. I think the lollipop sticks and the graphics from the digital kit add some fun to the design.

My third entry came about because of my love for Instagram. The design popped in my head in the middle of the night. This one is for a Teen Girl's Birthday! 

I stamped the camera image using a little one from Fresh Squeezed Stamps. I typed the sentiment myself using my fave font - "Ostrich Sans". As you can see, I kept the design clean and simple. The American Crafts paper helped me add a splash of color.

I'm keeping my fingers & toes crossed!

Good luck & crafty hugs to everyone that entered!

The Twinery - Halloween Treat & Mini Card

Happy middle of the week!

Don'tcha just love short work weeks? I sure do. It gets me closer to the weekend! :)

I'm happy to share my Twinery project with you all today. This one involves my fave fall treat - candy corn.

Here's a candy corn paper bucket made with the Twinery's "marigold" baker's twine. The bucket was made with the Lifestyle Crafts Bag die. I also used some Samantha Walker Designs paper & SRM Halloween stickers for extra added fun.



Here's the mini card that goes with the set. I used the Twinery's charcoal twine. The metal framed witch sticker is from Creative Charms & the "spooky scary" sticker is from SRM.

I wrapped a lollipop stick with Twinery Twine as well and added another Creative Charms metal framed sticker.

Here's the set all together. It's super fun for Halloween gift giving.

Be sure to shop at The Twinery Store!

http://www.thetwinery.com/

And for inspiration check out the Twinery Blog!

http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Have a Happy Week!

Other Supplies:
Bag Die: Lifestyle Crafts (Use code COKIE for 20% off)
Twinery Twine - Marigold and Charcoal
Striped Paper: Samantha Walker - Creative Imaginations: Sea Stripes
SRM Stickers: We've Got Your Border - Halloween
Purple Paper: My Little Shoebox
Metal Frame Halloween stickers: Creative Charms

Play Date Cafe - I'm Nutty '4' Cookies

Are you hungry yet?

Today, I'm mixing baking and crafting all in one post for this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge. This week's color story includes - Evergreen, Olive, Smoke, and Cherry Blossom.

I made these items to add to a birthday gift box for a friend. I even used a shredder to make some paper shavings to add to the box as well.

The doily tag was made using the fun "I'm Nutty 4 U" Gel-a-tins  stamp.  

I also made some homemade walnut chocolate chip cookies. The stamp fits in perfectly with the cookie treats. I placed each one in a small cellophane bag & dressed it up with a colorful flower.

This project is easy peasy and so great for gift giving.

 

Gel-a-tins is our wonderful sponsor this week.

 

 

Be sure to link up on the PDCC blog. And remember, your project can be anything crafty just as long as it follows this week's color story! 

Have fun & Happy Crafting!

Come Back Summer...Come Back!!!

 

For some reason it was hard for me to go back to school this year. I really, really, really did not want summer to end. I wish it would come back. It went by waaaaaaay too fast....sigh....{insert sad face}.

 

At least I can live out the fond memories of summer with the new dies from Lifestyle Crafts!

 

Here they are ... Introducing the "Pool Party" Dies!

 

 

 

 

This brand new collection is a limited edition release and only available while supplies last, so get yours before they're gone!

 

I really love the bright & colorful shapes. They will look great on all of your summertime projects.

 

Let me show you these adorable dies in action...

 

Here's a tag that I made using the yummy Frozen Treat die.

 

 

Don'tch just love these new goodies? Be sure to get yours in the Lifestyle Crafts store! Their dies work in all leading die cutters. And as always - {Save 20%} using code - COKIE

 

I really heart this collection!



Play Date Cafe - Playful Paper Pockets

It's back to school time and I've got some fun projects for ya today that I made for my students and fellow teachers.

I have named this one  - "Playful Paper Pockets"

And be sure to play along with us at The Play Date Cafe. We've got a beautiful color story for you today. The colors are - Black, White, and a splash of Lime Green.

 We got to play with some wonderful SRM Stickers this week too!

I made this pocket to give to one of my students this school year. I love to make gifts for them when they show respect, good manners, help out a fellow classmate, or work extra hard on a project. I used SRM's - Year of Memories - 2013 Sticker. I added a small wooden pencil on the inside. I will also add a granola bar or some other treat as well.

And this one is for a fellow teacher. I love to give my co-workers something crafty for their birthday. I will add a gift card to this pocket. I used SRM's - Stickers by the Dozen - Birthday.

Be sure to play along and link up on the PDCC blog. And remember, your project can be anything crafty just as long as it follows this week's color story!



Play Date Cafe - Be Amazing Gift Bag

It's Thursday and time for the Play Date Cafe Challenge.

Here's the bright and cheery color story:

This week I made a fun gift bag full of art supplies for one of Rachel's friends. I added a Pink Paislee felt bloom, a Whisker Graphics bitty bag, and an Echo Park chipboard butterfly to the front. For an extra special touch, I even added markers that match this week's color story.

Here are some close-up shots of my bag:

The prize up for grab this week is from Simon Says Stamp . Be sure to check out the PDCC blog for more details.

You have to admit...these are some happy colors to play with this week. And remember, you can enter an altered project, layout, card, mixed media art, or any other kind of craft that makes your heart sing. Just be sure to follow this week's color story when entering.

And P.S. - Have you heard? We have a new addition to the PDCC team. Be sure to go & give a big welcome Jen Cutherberson! :)

I can't wait to see what you make!

Supplies:

Kraft Bag - Michael's Craft Store

Felt Flower - Pink Paislee: Daily Junque

Bitty Bag - Whisker Graphics

Paper - Echo Park: So Happy Together

Chipboard butterfly - Echo Park: Hello Summer

"Amazing" Sticker - Simple Stories

Samantha Walker Blog Hop - Back To School

Welcome to the Samantha Walker Designs Creative Team Blog Hop!

If this is your first stop, you will want to click {HERE} to the spot where the hop begins!

I have two brand new projects to show you today. Keep reading to see the fun products that I used.

First up is a "Lunch Box Note Tag" that I made.

Each year, on the first day of school, I sneak in a little note of encouragement into Rachel's lunch. She takes so long to get ready, which give me plenty of time to add the note to her lunch without her peeking. (smile) She's starting her junior year in high school, and she still loves getting my notes every year!

I used Samantha's Schoolhouse paper on the tag. You can find all of her paper in the Creative Imaginations Store. I also added a bit of Twinery baker's twine.

Next up is a card made with Samantha's new stamp set called "Ooh La La French Frills". You can order this set at the JustRite Stamp Store. I also used her beautiful paper from the Tea Party Collection.

  

Here is the fabulous prize up for grabs. Samantha is giving away the beautiful Ooh La La French Frills Stamp Set. Comment on all the blogs by Sunday, August 12th, to be eligible to win. The hop winner will be announced on Monday, August 13th on the SW Facebook page.

Also, be sure to subscribe to Samantha's blog to receive the FREE SVG cutting file below. You can download this file to your personal electronic cutter. The link will be emailed to you early next week. Please visit the SW Blog for more details!

Happy Hopping!

Click on the picture below to go to the next stop - the talented Jennifer Evans

Play Date Cafe - Dude Paper Bucket

Happy Thursday everyone! Today begins the term for the new Play Date Cafe Design Team. I'm so excited to share my fun new project for the challenge.

Here's the Fabulous Color Story:

I simply named this project - "Dude Bucket"

School will be starting soon and I always make something crafty to give to "Superstar Students" in my class who show respect, try their best, are helpful to others, and stay prepared with their school work.

I made several of these to give to the boys in my class. I'll fill these with yummy mini candy bars. (Yes...even the teenage boys in my class love to get crafty stuff too!!!)

Our sponsor this week is Stop and Scrap. Be sure to pop on over to the PDCC blog for more details.

And...Stop and Scrap is offering every player and visitor 10% off.

Just use coupon code PDCC10

I hope you will all play along with us this week.

Supplies:

Popcorn Bucket - Lifestyle Craft Die (Save 20% using promo code "Cokie")

Stamp - Skipping Stones Designs:

Ink - Stampin" Up

Star - Pretty Little Studio

Baker's Twine - The Twinery: Marachino

Alpha Stickers -

Mini Clothespin - Canvas Corp.

Exciting Cafe News!!!

It's time to reveal my big news!!!

I am sooo EXCITED to be a new designer with The Play Date Cafe!

And I must say Wowza...this team is oh soooo

very talented. I am honored to be among such a group of ladies!!!

And to celebrate, I'm playing along with this week's Color Story.

{Isn't it gorgeous?}

I love to give Starbucks & Target gift cards and made a Gift Card Holder using the beautiful colors.

Here are the details of my project:

The coral fabric flower is from Prima.  

I used several soft yellow elements including the Stampin' Up birdie sticker.

A mint colored sentiment from Recollections

A tulip mini butterfly using my Martha Stewart Crafts punch

And a mini kraft bag and clothespin from Canvas Corp.

More NEW DESIGNERS will be revealed this week, so be sure to stay tuned to the PDCC Blog each day to see who they will be.

I can finally share that the VERY TALENTED Veronica Zalis, Lynn Adams, Anya Schrier, Jocelyn Olson, Amy Tsuruta, Connie Mercer, and Jackie Rockwell are new to the design team as well. Congrats ladies! Be sure to leave them some love!!!

These are exciting times for sure!

Can you see me SMILING all the way from Texas?

Flutter on by Little Butterfly

I'm starting off the week with Butterflies and SRM Stickers!

My weekend was busy, busy, busy. I won tickets to the Big Time Rush concert. Rachel got a kick out of hearing mommy win on the radio. I'll have pics and a project featuring this group real soon!

After all of the boy band excitement, it was nice to hop back into my craft room and make this gift tag and card set. 

I used these fab products for this one:

Samantha Wallker Paper - Cuckoo 4 U Strawberry Love

 SRM Stickers - We've Got Your Border - Thanks

Stampin' Up - Butterfly punch

Stay tuned for more fun this week...

Supah Dupah Good Eats!

I'm having some fun on a Monday morning with some new tags that I made. I think I'll add these to some gift bags of baked goodies.

I'm playing along in the Inspired By Challenge. I've been wanting to join in on the fun over there for a while. I just love the inspiration photo. It reminds me of good home cookin'!

Have a Happy Monday!

Supplies: Tags (Pretty Little Studio); Patterned Paper (Pink Paislee: Daily Junque); Yellow Die-Cut & Homemade Stamp (Stampin' Up); Alpha Stickers (My Little Studio - Happy Go Lucky); Baker's Twine (The Twinery - Marachino); Pink Ribbon (May Arts)

Cupcake Saturday!

Hello everyone! I'm back with a fun and quick post today. I'm still on the mend. I have an ear infection in both ears and am still not feeling 100% yet.

My parents are having a pool party today at their house. I made some cupcakes for the kiddos. Don'tcha just love the Dr. Seuss books? I hope my cupcake toppers make them smile.

No swimming for me today, but at least I'll have something sweet to eat! :)

Have a Happy Weekend!