My Pink Stamper 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

Hello Everyone!!

If you would like to enter the My Creative Suite Giveaway, please click HERE.

It's been a while since I posted something I actually made.  Don't get me wrong, I have not stopped crafting, I have just been slow at posting on my blog.  Hopefully I will catch up in the New Year.

Robyn over at My Pink Stamper is hosting a 12 Days of Christmas giveaway and challenge event.  Each day is a different project, a different challenge, and a different giveaway.  You do not need to participate in the challenges in order to enter the giveaways.  If you have ever read my blog, you know I LOVE Robyn's blog and stamps.  I thought I would participate in a couple of the challenges in order to get my craft and posting mojo going.  I am doing the Day 5 challenge, which is to make a gift card or money holder.

It turns out I made a few gift card holders for various secret santa gifts.  I altered the crayon box from Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More in order to make something that laid flat.

Here is the rest of the gift I made.  This was for a Secret Santa.  I made a movie date night box.  The bucket is actually a bucket of popcorn I covered in paper.  I also included two sodas, two boxes of candy, and a gift card for our local movie rental place.  Last, I wrapped in in cellophane in order to make it package like...and something they could open.  I made the bows out of paper.  Look for a future video for the tutorial.  

Supplies Used

Various Paper

Tags, bags, Boxes and More Cricut Cartridge

Create A Critter Cricut Cartridge

Popcorn Bucket

Soda

Candy

Stickles

White Gel Pen

Cellophane

Ribbon

Hope ya'll are having a fabulous holiday!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the My Creative Memories software!!

Digital Scrapbooking and AWESOME Giveaway

Hello Everyone!! 

It's been such a long time since I've posted anything on this blog.  I have been crafting some (especially during Halloween), but somehow the pictures never made it onto my blog.  I'm hoping to get back into the crafty/bloggy groove of things.  Here is my first attempt!

I was contacted a couple months ago by Liz from My Memories who wanted me to do a giveaway on my blog.  I was skeptical about it because I do not use digital scrapbooks and prefer making my own.  However, I thought I would give it a try.  

I got a download of the software to test out, and it turns out it is not so bad.  I found the software SUPER easy to use, and it was VERY user friendly.  My hesitations come from never digitally scrapbooking.  It was hard for me to figure out exactly where I wanted everything and how I wanted it to look.  However, I do think it is very nice software.  When you are done creating your "album" you can ask them to print and bind it for you, or you can export your album into jpeg files and use them however you please.  They have several you tube tutorials and information to get started using the software.  See below on how you have a chance to win the digital scrapbooking software for FREE!!!

Below is my first attempt at creating a digital scrapbook page.  I decided to stay with the Christmas theme (after all this is December).  A couple of years ago, my fiancee, my mom, and I took a trip to Disney World for New Year's Eve.  I had always wanted to see Disney World lit up for Christmas.  We spent New Year's Eve in the Hollywood Studios theme park where they have the dancing lights.  It is one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen and a memory I will never forget. Below is a SMALL sample of the pictures I took of the lights.      

Okay, now we get to the fun part...the GIVEAWAY!!  My memories has been kind enough to donate a free download of the complete My Creative Memories Suite software FOR FREE!!  Here are the ways to enter the drawing: 

1. Go to the My memories website and browse through their digital scrapbooking packages. Leave a comment on this post telling me which one is your favorite and a way to contact you. 
2. Follow my facebook page (click on the link to the right) and leave a comment on this post telling me you now follow me. 

I will randomly pick a winner on Monday, December 12th.

  

For those of you who want the digital scrapbooking software now, My Memories has not forgotten about you either.  They are offering a special coupon code that provide a $10.00 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software and a $10.00 coupon for the My Memories.com store.  Just enter the copy and paste the code STMMMS1268 at checkout for your discount. 

For more information about My Memories, please visit their facebook page or twitter page.  Good luck and be sure to check back for more holiday projects!!

Where I've Been

Hello Everyone!

I know I have been MIA for a long time...I have been going through some life transitions.  In June, I started my very first "big girl" job as a mental health counselor.  While I was still figuring out my place and getting used to the schedule, I learned I had a cyst on my tailbone that had to be drained.  Once I healed from that, my fiancee ended up in the hospital for a cyst and had to have some longer term health care.  When my fiancee healed, I had to have surgery to remove the damaged tissue from my cyst.  Now we both are finally healed and ready to get back to a "normal" routine.

I think in starting a new job and with all of the chaos that has been going on, I have lost sight of things that I truly enjoy and that allow me to recharge my batteries.  So, I am going to go back to what gave me lots of happiness...my BLOG (for starters)!!  I have added a few new features...if you look to the left, I added a button for facebook and pinterest.  Also, I need to have time to start making new projects and getting back into a groove.  On Monday, December 5th, I am going to kick off my blog restart with an AWESOME GIVEAWAY you will NOT WANT TO MISS!!!

I also want to let ya'll know how much I appreciate you following me throughout my absence.  I really do love to craft, and I am happy I can share it with people who enjoy it as much as I do!  See ya'll soon!!!

Watch This Wednesday-Altered Paper Clip

Hello Everyone!!

I promise I'm trying to craft more.  I am participating in a circle sister swap, so I have been working on projects for that, which I promise to post AFTER she receives her package.  Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.

Anyway, onto today's tutorial.  I have had a clothes pin in my craft room for a long time.  I have always wanted to alter one, so I bought one...and then it just sat.  I thought this weekend was a perfect time to pull out that project.  I was trying to find a video that taught me how to take out the metal thing and put it back in; however, I could not find one...so guess what's in my video!!

This clothes pin is just going in my craft room to hold projects and/or pictures.  Hope ya'll enjoy!!

Look!! I even made a video!!

Supplies Used

Stampin' Up Solid Cardstock

Ta Da Patterned Paper

Clothespin

Stampin' Up Ribbon

Elegant Cakes Cricut Cartridge

Mini Monograms Cricut Cartridge

George and Basic Shapes Cricut Cartridge

Paint

Mod-Podge

Hope ya'll enjoyed!! See you next time!!!

I'm Baaaaack!

Hello Everyone!

Wow! What an exciting (and quick) summer it has been!  As most of you know, I have been MIA lately because my apartment was being renovated and my craft goodies were safely packed away.  During the summer, I have been keeping myself busy working, working some more, reading, and playing video games.  My new job is fabulous, but it's taking me a while getting into the groove of things.  

Anyway, back to the craft stuff.  It took some time, but my craft room is finally set up and ready to use!!  Because of the renovations, the space in my room has been cut almost in half.  You will see I have a (new) washer and dryer in that room.  They also extended part of the kitchen to make room for the refrigerator, so there is not a lot of space.  However, I think I made it work (I hope!).

My dad's side of the family pitched in and bought my an E2 for my master's graduation.  I am so excited to be able to use it!!  Look for projects and videos posted soon.  One of my fiancee's employees built a stand for my Imagine and original Expression.  It's super cute!!  Special thanks to Maile Lee on the cricut message board for posting the directions.  It's fantastic!!

Here is a special video showing you my new (and improved) craft room!! Hope you get some new ideas and inspiration.  I missed all of ya'll and am super excited to begin crafting again!!!

Thanks for watching!! Hope to see ya'll A LOT more often!! 

Thanks Mom Blog Hop Winner and Blog Award

Hello Everyone!!


I want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the blog hop.  It was a great success, and I hope you all took away some cricut inspiration.  I appreciate every comment that was left.  I do read all of them!! Now, onto my winner.  I used random.org to pick the winner. The winner is....

Dale said...

I left another comment in the wrong spot! Love your explosion box. Good luck to you.

CONGRATS DALE!!!! I have sent you an email with instructions on how to claim your prize!! Please remember that you have two weeks to respond to my email or I will have to pick another winner.  Again, thank you to everyone that participated!! This would not have been such a success without you.  Please remember to check the other blogs along the hop to see if you were a winner there.  Deb is going to draw for the big giveaway tomorrow, so be on the lookout for that. 

Onto the blog award...I want to give a special shout out to Deborah, Linda, Jamie and Cassandra.  They have both given me the Versitle blogger award.  These are four awesome and talented ladies.  If you have not checked out their blogs yet, please go now!! They are amazing!! 

For this award, I need to list 8 things about myself and pass it on to 15 other bloggers.  Know that if you are not listed among the 15, please feel free to take it and say if was from me.  There is no possible way I could give an award to each one of you, but you each deserve it.  

About Me

1. I recently graduated from graduate school and am a little nervous about being an "adult." I have been a student for 20 years, and now I'm going to know what it's like to have my evenings free (to craft). 
2. I received an E2 for a graduation gift.  While I am really excited, my fiancee is not as we "do not have any place to put it." Don't worry...I'll find somewhere. 
3. My family is all over the place, and I do not live close to any of them.  I love and miss them very much!!
4. I am an X-Files junkie and will often watch it as I craft. 
5. I am a Cricut Circle Member
6. While I love to spend time with others I often need my own space to recharge
7. I LOVE to do videos of my projects, but I do not have enough time to do them
8. Gerber daisies are my favorite flower...especially when they come in multicolor bouquets

Recipients (Click on their name to view their blog...and become a follower)

1. June
2. Cricutbug
3. Kim
4. Sandy S.
5. Charlotte
6. Arlene
7. Tina
8. IRW Dana
9. Got2bcrafting
10. L.B.
11. Nadia
12. Angela
13. Melissa
14. JanJan
15. Simply AJ

I hope you all enjoyed the hop!! Look for more projects coming soon!!

Thanks Mom Blog Hop

Hello Everyone!!

Welcome to the Thanks Mom Blog Hop!! Thanks for joining us to enjoy the wonderful crafty inspiration in honor of moms everywhere from the talented designers in this hop.

You should have arrived here from Jenny's Blog.  If you missed the beginning of the hop, please go back to the start of the hop at Debbie's blog so you don't miss any of the amazing projects along the way.  Also, there is Grand Prize Blog Candy being offered, so you want to check out her blog to get all the details on how to win!!

I am busy graduating from my master's program and spending time with my family, but I didn't want to forget about my blog family...so here is the hop!! I know I've been away a lot with school and moving and such, but I enjoy crafting and really wanted to do something crafty.  You'll have to forgive the simplicity (sometimes, simplicity is the way to go), but I have limited resources as some of my stuff is boxed :)

I decided to make an explosion box for my mom.  I am going to fill it with pictures and special quotes of us.  I am SO EXCITED that I get to spend mother's day with my mom.  I live away from my parents, so I do not get to see them very often.  However, my mom is coming in for my graduation and I get to spend time with her.  I made the box for her to take with her as something small to keep and quickly see all of our pictures.  I found awesome instructions for how to create an explosion box here.  Be sure to check it out!!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper from Oops-A-Daisy Paper Stack from The Paper Studio

Mother's Day 2010 Cricut Seasonal Cartridge

I am also giving away some blog candy of my own!! I have a box of crafting goodies waiting to go to a good home.  To win, please leave a comment on THIS POST with an email/blog address that has a way to get in touch with you.  I will draw winners on Monday morning and announce it on my blog as well as send a personal email to the winner.  

Thanks for hopping along with us. Remember, if you leave a comment on every designers blog hop post, your name will go into the drawing for the Blog Candy that our THANK MOM BLOG HOP hostess, Debbie, is offering as a Grand Prize.

Next up on the hop , is the talented Cassie