A Happy Return with The Cutting Cafe

 

It's my happy return to crafting day!

Hello crafty friends! I'm so happy to be back with all of you in blog land. The last couple of months have been super great for me. I'm feeling great and ready to craft again. Thank you all for your sweet cards in the mail, your thoughtful emails, and your warm thoughts of well wishes. I really appreciate your kindness.

Now it's time to check out my project for The Cutting Cafe. Did you hear? I'm now on their design team. I am so super excited to work with Regina Easter and the rest of her talented crew.

I used the Heart Bag Cutting File/Template for this Valentine's Day project. I wanted to make something feminine to give to the two students that I mentor at school.

 

There are so many ways to use The Cutting Cafe's products. And did you know that you can print out the templates using the PDF file and score where needed to make this box? That's what I did on this project. I also printed out the heart as well.

 

Be sure to check out these two helpful links to guide you when using your cutting machine or printer.

  

http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com/the_cutting_cafe/pdf-file-info-and-tips-1.html

  

http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com/the_cutting_cafe/tips-and-tricks-on-using-the-cutting-cafe-files.html

Thanks for checking out my fun project today. Be sure to stop back by tomorrow for a NEW project and a fun GIVEAWAY!

Supplies:
Heart Bag Cutting File Template - The Cutting Cafe
Paper - SEI
Canvas - Canvas Corp.
Flower - Prima
Pearls and Label - SEI

Birdie in Print

 

Happy Monday everyone! I've got a new card for ya today!

Hero Arts recently sent me some publication incentive goodies in the mail. I really, really, really love their Newsprint Bird stamp.

As soon as I opened the package, I whipped up this card. I'm linking this up to the Moxie Fab World's - Movement Challenge.

Let me explain how "movement" is included in the design of my card.  First, the birdie is the focal point. The newsprint on the body of the bird draws your eye their first. Then your eye is drawn upward to the crisp white border design on top of the card.

Then if you look right, you will notice the colorful pattern background. Going down to the right, there is a pretty bloom. As your eye keeps going left, you then notice the sentiment.

Well, that's it for me today! It's the first day of school and I'm off to fix Rachel some yummy pancakes before she heads out the door to start her junior year of high school. Sigh...they grow up so fast.

And be sure to stay tuned to the blog this week. I received some WONDERFUL HAPPY MAIL. {I can't share the news until Saturday though}. I'm bursting with excitement and really want to share, but I've been sworn to secrecy until then.

Have a Happy Week!

Card Supplies:
Paper & Sentiment: MME - Follow Your Heart: Be Amazing
Stamp: Hero Arts - Newsprint Bird
Flower: Prima
Ink: Stampin' Up

Rachie Girl

By the time you read this, I will be in my car heading back to work. I have sooo enjoyed having the summer off. Now I've gotta get it in gear this week and get my classroom ready, lesson plans prepared, and attend dozens of meetings. Pray for me.....(smile)!

In the meantime, here's my latest page of my daughter Rachel. I used the gorgeous new Carta Bella - "Paris Girl" collection. The entire collection was designed by the fabulous Samantha Walker.

I added pink pearls, a doily, and a flower to the design. This collection also comes with pretty stickers too. I think they add just the right about of sweetness to the page.

And here's a closer look at the paper. I love the beautiful script writing on the black paper. This is quickly becoming one of my fave collections.

Be sure to grab this collection. You will love creating with it!

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?

Yellow and Gray = Happy

Summer is my friend right now. I've got no papers to grade, no lesson plans to prepare, no getting up early, and I can be lazy all day if I want to. It's my fave season of the year!

I'm taking advantage of all of this free time and have been making loads of cards. This one is for the latest CR84FN Challenge. I just had to enter this one after I saw yellow in the color palette. I love everything in yellow.

Here's a close-up! I used yummy Pink Paislee - "Daily Junque" and a Prima flower on this one.

And thank you all for the sweet comments yesterday! :) Be sure to join me back here on Thursday for my new Twinery project!

Pretty Up A Box

Check out my Flower Box that I made for Lessology Challenge #10 - Floral Delight. I must admit that I can't make pretty flowers like my fellow dt member Julie (love her flowers) ... so ... I decided to "pretty up" my flowers for this project. {I need a flower lesson Julie...just sayin'...LOL}

I used coffee filters to make a scallop shape to peek out from behind the flowers. I also rolled small pieces of coffee filter to place next to each flower. I think it dresses it up quite a bit.

I love to "dress up" small kraft boxes so I must make more of these. I hope to see you all play along with us! The fabulous Vintage Street Market is our sponsor. Be sure to {click here} to visit the LESSology blog for all of the details.

Supplies:
Patterned Paper (My Mind's Eye - Blush "Sweet" Eiffel); Flowers (Prima); Ribbon (Celebrate It); Misc. Supplies (kraft box, coffee filters)

Nik's "Me" Journal

I hope you all are having a fabulous week before Christmas. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind. I did get to see "Mission Impossible". It was an AWESOME thrill ride. Tom Cruise packed this flick with loads of action. It's a must see for sure!

I needed a last minute gift and decided to dress up this American Crafts - Amy Tangerine kraft mini book.

This project was so quick and easy. The mini book comes pre-loaded with paper. I added a few stickers, a filter flower doily, a Prima bloom, fabric Thickers, and baker's twine.

I left plenty of room for Nik {aka Nicole} to add her own journaling and memorabilia.

It's time for me to head back to the kitchen. I'm baking cupcakes and cookies. The kitchen smells sooo good right now. Have a happy week!

Supplies

Kraft mini book (American Crafts - A.T.); Patterned Paper (American Crafts - A.T. - Get Around); Accent & Phrase Stickers (American Crafts - A.T. - Good Times); Fabric Thickers (American Crafts - A.T. - Hello); Filter Flower Doily (Fancy Pants); Flower (Prima); Baker's Twine (Divine Twine)

Blooms & Boxes

 This is my very first trinket box...ever...

I was a little nervous about making one, but really had a lot of fun with it. If you like making altered things, then you must join in on LESSology Challenge #2 - The Trinket Box Challenge !

This started out as a plain wooden box (from Hobby Lobby). I painted it black, added some patterned paper, and a red Prima flower. {Prima flowers goes with everything don't they?}

The inside of the box is lined with recycled dictionary paper and red burlap. I filled it with more Prima flowers.

Now it's time for you guys to join in on the fun!

Be sure to link up {Here}

There's a kewl prize up for grabs from Market Street Stamps. Can't wait to see your projects!

Altered Book Time!

Come & Join us at LESSology!

The Decorated Book Challenge
(Alter an old board book or an old dictionary. Or make one from scratch)

I started out with a book about "friendship"...

and turned it into this.

Some of the pages of this book were worn, so I did a "page makeover" using yummy My Little Shoebox products. Here are a couple of my fave pages...

This book is full of beautiful "friendship" quotes. I cut some of my faves from the worn pages and added them to the new ones. I also added fun twine and wooden clothespins.

Here's another page. I added an RRR Bitty Bag and tucked a journal card inside. The twine is from The Twinery.

I love the cover page. It actually makes me laugh because I used to wear my hair just like this when I was a little girl. :) And look at those cute Creative Charms gradient gems in her hair.

Love this Prima flower & the MLS glittery alphas.

LESSology's first challenge is sponsored by Creative Charms.

And we are not just giving away one prize...but we are giving away two Creative Charms prize packs this week. Be sure to link up {HERE}. You have 2 weeks to play. Can't wait to see your fun & fabulous altered books.

Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: My Little Shoebox - Audrey Collection ("Love in the Afternoon", "Sabrina", "Funny Face");  Pretty Little Things Collection ("Little Miss Sunshine", "Seed Packets"); Enchanted Garden Collection ("Dazzling"); City By the Bay Collection (Journaling Diecut); Alpha Stickers (MLS); Flower (Prima); Twine (The Twinery); Gradient Gem (Creative Charms); Clothespins (The Kraft Outlet); Bitty Bags (Really Reasonable Ribbon); Upcycled Book

Share Your Smile!

It's "Happy 1st Day of School" for many of us today. I'm praying that all goes well this year! I don't have a school project to share, but I wanted to show off a little something that I made using the goodies & sketch from Artful Delight!

Also, I'm sooo lovin' the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger - Girly & Gutsy challenge. I think my project fits right in.



I made this using 3" x 3" chipboard, covered it with paper, punched a hole in the top left corner, added a flower, a metal ring and this pretty Really Reasonable Ribbon. It's the perfect little "Girly Gift" to make someone SMILE!



I added my own Prima flower that I won

from Fern's wonderful blog candy.

 Love the sentiment.

It's part of the Authentique goodies in the kit.

I hope you all have a Fabulous week!

Etsy Inspired #121 - La Pomme

Happy Saturday and welcome to this week's fab Etsy Inspired Challenge. Our featured shop this week is La Pomme. This beautiful shop is filled with authentic French vintage objects and unique home décor that are hand-made from linen and cotton.

I honestly love just about everything in this shop. I was inspired by these items:

Vintage French Pharmacy Bottles

And this Vintage Skeleton Key Ornament.

Here's my creation! 

I dressed up a glass bottle with paper die-cuts from The Girls' Paperie. I also added American Crafts Ribbon, a Prima Flower, and a Metal Key.

Here's how you can play along with Etsy Inspired:

♥  Find an item that you like from La Pomme.

♥  Create some cuteness!

♥  Link your creation up to EIC by Friday, January 14th.

The Shop Winner will receive a LaPomme prize pack containing vintage music sheets, a vintage tin box, and plush fruits. 

The Sponsor Winner will receive 3 Digi stamps of your choice from The Stamp Fairy. 

Project Supplies:

Paper Die Cuts (The Girls' Paperie);  Flower (Prima); Ribbon (American Crafts); Metal Key (Hobby Lobby); Glass Bottle (Hobby Lobby)