Happy Birthday Blake!

No cards, no layouts, no mini albums for you today.

Just a great big

Happy Birthday Blake!

to my sweet, adorable little grandson who turned 2 years old today!

Look at that face!

Blake and his Daddy (my son)

Blake and his Uncle Matt Matt (my other son) enjoying

the icing from the cake!

The Birthday Boy and Big Sister Emma

We had a great time and Blake had a wonderful birthday!



Special Blog Awards from Special Friends

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

people who play with paper are some of the nicest people around!

I have received 3very special blog awards from 3 very special friends!

The first award is from Rae at Wahoo Crafts.

Rae is one of those people who always has a kind, encouraging word!  She started out as a wonderful follower, always leaving me the sweetest comments.  Now...I am proud to say that we are fellow

Design Team members at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog and she does some awesome projects!

Here is the award sent to me from Rae...

                                                          Here are the rules of this award:

                                       1. Post about the award on your blog with a link to the sender.

                                   2. Pass it on to those who visit your blog and leave comments regularly.

I would like to pass this award on to the following ladies and I hope you will visit their blogs...

Sarah at http://sarahvaitstamps.blogspot.com/

Eva at http://tytyexplores.blogspot.com/

Sharon at http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com/

Lisa at http://lisa-craft-blog.blogspot.com/

Theresa at http://miislucky.blogspot.com/

I also recieved this award from 2 great, paper-loving, blogging friends...

Here are the rules for this award:
1. Thank the person who sent it to you!
2. Tell us 7 things about yourself
3. Reward this to 15 bloggers

I recieved this award from...

Ashley at http://welchcreations.blogspot.com/ and

Eva at http://tytyexplores.blogspot.com/.

These ladies are great and have some awesome projects.  I hope you will visit their blogs.

Ok...7 things about me (warning...I'm really not that interesting)

1.  My wedding anniversary is coming soon and I will have been married to my biggest fan for 31 years.

2.  I have 2 grandchildren and a third on the way!

3.  I was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi

4.  When I'm not scrapping, I love to read.

5.  I have a Cricut Cartridge addiction.

6.  I am working on our set for VBS at our church already.  We are "building" Nazareth.

7.  My favorite snack is anything chocolate and a hot cup of coffee!

I have so many blogs that I turn to for inspiration, so this won't be easy...but here goes...

1.  http://irishmist59.blogspot.com/

2.  http://www.cardsbyjovan.com/

3.  http://countrychickcreations.blogspot.com/

4.  http://gracenotes4today.blogspot.com/

5.  http://glendascards.blogspot.com/

6.  http://handmadefromtheheart-designsbylarelyn.blogspot.com/

7.  http://iwycd.blogspot.com/

8.  http://sandeeallen.blogspot.com/

9.  http://jeannine-scrappnthehamptons.blogspot.com/

10.  http://scrappinfromtheheart.blogspot.com/

11. http://www.scrappingmommy.com/

12.  http://stellarscraps.blogspot.com/

13.  http://nonnasscraps.blogspot.com/

14.  http://sonyaspapertrail.blogspot.com/

15.  http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com/

Ok...that's a lot of typing in one post!  I think I need to take a break for some chocolate and that cup of coffee!  I do hope that you will take a few minutes and visit these blogs...you won't be disappointed.

I'm off now for my snack!

Until next time,

                               

                           

                          

Another Scrapbook Layout for Yates

Good morning to you!

It's been busy around here already today.  Today is picture day at school...so my morning was spent trying to find that one perfect hair bow to match the dress to match the shoes...you get the picture!

So, once Emma was off to her photo shoot....er....school, I was able to get upstairs and actually get some scrapping done!

I'm still trying to finish up the scrapbook I started as a gift for baby Yates.

Don't give up on me yet Caryl...I promise you I haven't forgotten :0)

Here's the layout I just finished...

(click on picture to enlarge)

For this layout I used the following...

* Paper - an older paper stack from Martha Stewart

* Cricut's "Nursery Rhymes" cartridge

* Cricut's "George" cartridge for the stars

* ek punch for the star borders

* Ribbon from my stash

                      

(click on picture to enlarge)

The cow jumping over the moon was cut at 4 inches.

I also used the "Base Shadow Blackout" feature, cutting it twice and used pop dots to add dimension.

The stars are from "George" and are cut at various sizes (from 1 1/2 inches to 3 1/2 inches).

I used the shadow feature twice and added pop dots to the stars also.

(click on picture to enlarge)



The "over the moon" phrase is cut at 4 inches and layered onto the "Phrase Shadow Blackout" layer.

Again, I used pop dots to raise it up a bit.



That's about it for right now.  I need to head back upstairs and get busy on my project for this week's

Fantabulous Friday at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.

Until next time,





SPRING

Happy Monday Morning!

I hope you have enjoyed your weekend and are ready to start your week!

Has spring made it's way to your neck of the woods yet?  It has been hanging around my house for a couple of weeks now and I am loving it!  The weather is just perfect with sunny, blue skies...I hope it stays around for awhile longer.  Our springs here in LA (lower Alabama) are usually short-lived...then comes summer with all it's heat and humidity...but in the meantime it's.....SPRING!

And speaking of SPRING...it's time for Challenge Me Monday over at

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.

This week's challenge is.... "Looks Like Spring"

The challenge is to create a project with any spring theme.  Remember to use at least one cut from any

Cricut Cartridge!

For the challenge this week, I decided to try my hand at a step card...

Recipe:

* Papers - I used scraps!  Isn't it great...love when I can make something and use up scraps!

* Tree - Cricut cartridge "Freshly Picked", apple tree cut at 4 inches.

I used the Sizzix embossing folder "Burlap" on the bag and Cuttlebug's "Divine Swirls on top of tree.

*Gnome - "Freshly Picked" - cut at 4 1/2 inches.  I used the Cuttlebug folder "Candy Cane Stripes" on his hat.  You can't really tell in this picture, but I also used white flocking powder on his beard.

*Sign - "Freshly Picked" cut at 2 1/4 inches.  I used tiny brown brads in each corner to look like nails.

*Spring sentiment - "Straight From the Nest" cut at 1 1/2 inches.

I used my white gel pen to add some stitching lines.  I added a tiny white flower (from a MS punch) to the dot of the letter i.  A tiny gem in the center is the finishing touch!

*The grass is also from a Martha Stewart punch.

*Some great red twine (I love this stuff) and a button complete the card.

Close up of "Papa Gnome" and stitching lines on Spring

Closer shot of all the embossing on tree.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my SPRING card!

Now...head over to FCCB and check out all the great projects posted by our Fantabulous Design Team!

After all that inspiration, I know you will ready to join this week's challenge.

I can't wait to see what you create!

Until next time,

It's Fantabulous Friday time...

Good Morning!

Yippee it's Friday!  Hope you are all having a fabulous morning and have great plans for the weekend.  We will be celebrating my grandson Blake's second birthday this weekend!  I am so looking forward to spending some time with this special little guy!

Over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, we have been celebrating birthdays all week.

The Design Team came up with some awesome projects this week. I hope you will stop by and check out all the great work.  And, if you haven't already joined the challenge for this week, you still have time.

Of course, while you are there, don't forget to check out my Fantabulous Friday post for this week.

Here's a sneak peek...

Have a great weekend!

Until next time,

Sending You Thoughts and Prayers

Hello, hello! Hope you have had a wonderful day!

I've spent mine running errands and feeling like I have accomplished nothing. Just one of those "busy" days where it seems the more you do, the more there is to do!  Ever have one of those?

I did manage to squeeze in one card today.

I have a sweet, wonderful aunt who just had hip replacement surgery. I have had her on my mind all week and since she is too far away to visit, a card will have to be the next best thing...

For this card I used the following:

*Paper - a lovely new stack I just bought called "Blossom Song" from DCWV

*Florals Embellished Cricut Cartridge - page 61, cut at 4 inches

*Nestabilities - Eyelet Squares

*Stamp - Inkadinkado

*Gems - Recollections from Michael's

This cartridge has some amazing cuts with so many layers.

It has truly become one of my favorite cartridges!

As always, thanks for taking the time to stop by and visit!

Until next time,



Happy Birthday Robin!

As many of you know, I have the fun "job" of creating the post "Fantabulous Friday" each week for the

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.   I am also a member of the fabulous Design Team at FCCB!

All this thanks to a very sweet, talented lady who was willing to take a chance on me!

Today just so happens to be the BIRTHDAY of this sweet, talented lady!

So...Happy Birthday Robin!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

I have waited to post this card in hopes that Robin receives it first!

I hope this card has made it to your mailbox Robin...

I used "Florals Embellished" for this beautiful butterfly.

The papers are from K & Company's Sweet Nectar.

I love all the layers on this cartridge!

Happy Birthday Robin

Until next time,



Blake turns 2...

Good Morning!

Are you ready for another fun challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog?

I hope you are because this challenge is lots of fun...it's all about....

Birthdays!

Why...because it's Robin's birthday!  That's right...the Fearless Leader of FCCB has a birthday this week!

How old?...ummmm...I'm not going there...you ask her!

So, when you link up your project for this week's challenge be sure to wish Robin a happy birthday! 

This month also happens to be my sweet grandson's second birthday.  Awwww...I don't know where the time has gone but it' time to say...

Blake turns 2....

For this project I began with one of those great frames made for a scrapbook page.

What's so great is that once Blake turns 3, this page can be popped out, put into a scrapbook and a page about Blake's 3rd birthday can then be put into the frame.  This frame was purchased at Michael's and I think they run about 20 dollars...use a coupon!

* Patterned paper is from DCVW - The Celebrations Stack

* The banner is cut from "Straight From the Nest" using both the Layer and Layer/Shadow features.

*The letters for Blake's name are cut from "Birthday Bash" at 1 inch, using the Font and Shadow features.

* Skittles at the top of each banner are from Recollections available at Michael's

* I used pop-dots on the banner pieces to raise them up off the page. In the following picture, you can see the yellow ribbon connecting the banner sections...

* The number 2 is also from "Birthday Bash" and I ran it through my Cuttlebug using the Spots and Dots folder.  Then I added Stickles to the dots for some bling.

* The yellow mat behind the number 2 is actually the sunshine from "Create a Critter" cut at 3 1/2 inches.

* The birthday cake is cut from "Sweet Treats" at 3 inches.  This cake got the works!

I embossed the white layers with Divine Swirls, added Stickles to the flames and icing, then added

Glossy Accents to the plate.

* I added pop-dots to the bottom portion of the cake so that Blake's mommy can add a photo to the photo mat and just slip the corner right under the candles.

I think you can see all the layers in this photo.

I added two 4 X 6 photo mats to hold a couple of Blake's birthday party pictures.

I'm hoping that Blake and his mommy enjoy this frame...at least until....Blake turns 3.

Until next time,

Each Day is a Gift...

Good morning everyone!  I hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start.

It's a beautiful, spring day here in LA (lower Alabama), already 82 degrees.  My yard is in full bloom and everything is just so pretty right now.  I love this time of year...my allergies...not so much.

Anyway, I stayed up waaaay too late last night to finish my card for today.

All the spring blooms and the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches inspired me to create this card...

I love, love, love the new cartridge "Florals Embellished"!

So many lovely cuts on this cartridge.

Recipe:

*Paper - K & Company - Sweet Nectar (beautiful, vivid prints)

*Florals Embellished Cricut cartridge - page 56, cut at 5 inches

*Ribbon - from my ribbon stash (I think it was from Michael's)

*Pearls - Recollections line from Michael's

*Sentiment - cut from Nestabilities die cut, stamp is from Pink By Design (Faith)

You can see the layers of this cut a bit better in this photo.

Until next time...remember...each day is a wonderful gift from God...make the best of it!

Fantabulous Friday!

Good morning...it's Friday!

Which means...time for another Fantabulous Friday over at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog!

I hope you will hop over there and check out the projects I posted this week.

This week's challenge at FCCB is

Challenge #51 "Hip to be Square" -green & gold
create a square card and include the two colors green and gold (bright yellow will do).

If you haven't created something for this challenge yet, you still have time!

So...get busy...get creative...then go post your project!

While you're there, don't forget to check out this week's Fantabulous Friday...

Here's a sample for you....

So, until next time...just remember...It's Hip To Be Square!

Card for Melody Kate...

Don't you just love babies?

We seem to be adding to the population around here alot lately :0)

Not only are a couple of good friends welcoming new grandbabies....but....uuhhh...hmmm

I'm going to be a Nonna...again!

Yep, my oldest son and his sweet wife are expecting again!  So exciting...Emma and Blake will have a new sibling sometime around late August or early September.

So, with the population explosion around here, I've been busy working on baby stuff ...fun, fun, fun!

My last few posts have been for Yates and today I've got "girl stuff" for you!

My good friend, Kathy just welcomed a sweet new granddaugther into her family.

Welcome to the world Melody Kate....

For this card I used my new "Florals Embellished" cartridge.

I love it!

I used the bird found on page 63 of the handbook and cut it out at 3 1/2 inches.

Look at all these layers....

I can already tell that I am going to love this cartridge!

It has so many beautiful images on it and I can't wait

to play with it some more.

Hope you enjoyed this one!

I'm pretty sure I will be back with more from this cart soon!

Until next time,





Scrapbook for Yates...Part 3

Whew...I'm tired!

It's been a good day, but a tiring day around my house today.

I was able to play upstairs most of the morning...yesterday's marathon cleaning session really paid off!

This afternoon was spent outside with Emma, it was just too beautiful to stay indoors (even to scrap)!

I spent the morning working on my project for next week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.

I can't show that to you just yet, but I do have time to post a few more pictures of the scrapbook I am working on for Yates...

No baby scrapbook is complete without a bath-time layout!

I used "New Arrival" for this sweet little bathtub - cut at 5 inches.

The sentiment "bathtime" is cut at 3 inches and of course I added Stickles to the bubbles!

The rubber ducky is also from "New Arrivals" cut at 3 1/2 inches.

I used the Cuttlebug folder "Swiss Dots" to emboss the duck. A ribbon around his neck is a cute touch!

For the journaling pocket, I used the card feature at 5 inches.

I love the bright colors on this layout.

The train is from "New Arrival", cut at 4 1/2 inches.

I used the following embossing folders:  Diamond and Dots, Swiss Dots and Candy Cane Stripes.

The "Oh Boy" sentiment is from "Nate's ABCs".

I used my gel pen to create stitching lines and added brads for a pop of color.

The sunshine is from "Create A Critter" cut at 4 inches.

The orange layer is embossed with the "Spots and Dots" folder.

The yellow layer is covered in Stickles and I added wiggly eyes.

The yellow border at the bottom of each page and on the journaling pocket is from a

Martha Stewart punch.

Well, I think it's about time to call it a day!

I have a busy day planned for tomorrow...furniture shopping...or...looking...depending on my

hubby's mood at the time.  Wish me luck.....

Until next time,



Scrapbook for Yates...Part 2

Good Tuesday morning to you!

I hope your week got off to a good start yesterday.

I spent yesterday morning cleaning my house (not my favorite thing, but it was way overdue).

Yesterday afternoon was spent working in my badly neglected yard (we're talking dead plants that had to be yanked up). I'm already sooo sore...gonna be taking lots of Motrin over the next few days, I'm sure!

Anyway, the good news is that after all that hard work, today is going to be dedicated to playing in my

Craft Corner!

Yippee!  I can play all morning (guilt free) because I worked so hard yesterday.  (Ok, you and I both know that I would have played with my paper and scissors today anyway even if I hadn't worked my tail off yesterday, but that's totally beside the point....so just don't go there!)

So...I thought I would start this morning off with a few more pages from Yates' scrapbook...

Sorry about the lack of quality pictures...it was an overcast day when I took these and I didn't realize how bad they were...ugh..hate when that happens! The paper is actually a very pretty, almost lime green with yellow dots and the trim is all a dark, chocolate brown. 

Anyway, this double page layout will hold four 4X6 photos of sweet baby Yates.

I used a gel pen to make stitching lines around the photo mats.

For the corners, I cut triangles and used a Martha Stewart punch along the side, brads finish off the look.

The journal pocket is embossed with Cuttlebug's "Animal Prints" and the sentiment is from

"Create A Critter" cut at 1 1/2 inches.

The cute little giraffe is also from "Create A Critter" cut at 5 inches.  I cut him out twice and pop-dotted him together for some dimension.

Close up of Giraffe!

Ok, sorry again about the poor pictures!  Hopefully my next photos will turn out better!

I'm heading upstairs to get started on a new project.  I'll have pictures for you soon...ok...I said I would try to do better with the pictures.....

In the meantime, have a good day and remember....

It's Hip to be Square

(head over to Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog to see what I'm talking about)

Until next time (still can't get that song outta my head),