Just thinking...

Just felt like jotting some things down.  It's been a while since I've done so.

Trying to get into the Christmas spirit, can't seem to get there.  It seems as if this year has flown by..can't believe that it's Christmas already and that a new year is just around the corner.  I've been busy the past month making cards of all kinds, but mostly Christmas cards for some of the small craft fairs that I participated in.  I've some pictures, but will have to post those later. 

Circle Blog Monthly Challenge--October: Halloween Home Decor Challenge

The Challenge: Create a Halloween Home Decor project! Your project must include atleast 2 different Cricut Image Cuts.

I decorated a plain candy jar.

Circle Blogiversary 10-3-11 Exclusive Circle Cartridge Challenge

The Challenge: Create a project of your choice with one or more of the Cricut Circle Exclusive cartridges! (French Manor, Shall We Dance, Cricut Everyday, Pop-Up Neighborhood, or Sophie) Your project must include atleast 2 different Cricut Image Cuts. And YES! You can mix in other cartridges with your Circle Exclusive cartridges.

I made some file folders: 

Circle Blogiversary 10-7-11 Recipe Challenge

The Challenge: Use your Cricut machines to create a project using the following “recipe.” It must contain 1) A Title; 2) Atleast 2 Cricut Cuts, and 3) Atleast 3 buttons. 

I made a card: 

Circle Blogiversary 10-8-11 Sketch Challenge

The Challenge: Create a project of your choice using the sketch below. Your project must include atleast 2 different Cricut Image Cuts. 

This is my entry--A gift bag:

Circle Blog "Blogiversary" Challenge 10-5-11: Cuttlebug Challenge

The Challenge: Create a project of your choice using your Cuttlebug machine as the main focus. Your project must include atleast 2 different Cricut Image Cuts.

I made this card to celebrate the fall. 

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #42--World Card-Making Day

This is my entry for the Circle Blog Weekly Challenge. (For this next challenge, we want to see you show off your card-making skills in honor of World Card-Making Day (October 1st). The requirements are simple . . . create a card with any theme you would like using your Cricut machines!).

Cricut Circle Monthly Challenge: May--Tic Tac Toe

 Here is my entry for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  You had to create "something" using a tic tac toe grid, so I chose the top three across--Use a Cut of a Sun Shape, Use your Gypsy and add a Welded Image, and Use Button on your project.  I made file folders for Keeley's teacher as a year end thank you gift.

Yipee!! I won!!

Yipee!!  I just checked Shantaie Fowler's blog "Inking Pink" and found that I won a Rock Princess cartridge for my Cricut!!  I didn't expect to win anything, so it was a pleasant surprise.  Shantaie always creates such beautiful things. 

Me in my craft room

Circle Blog Monthly Challenge Apr11--Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle

The Circle Blog Monthly Challenge for April was to Reuse, Repurpose and/or Recycle 3 things and use at least 2 Cricut cuts:  1.)  I reused a dryer sheet to make a flower.  2.)  I repurposed a yellow button that I found for the center of the flower. and 3.)  I recycled the acetate that the Cricut cartridges come in to make the bottom border.  The two cuts that I used were "Get Well Soon" from Beyon Birthdays and "Worm" from Create a Critter.  I made this get well card for my friend who is in the hospital with colon issues, I wanted it to be bright and cheerful.  I hope she is better soon.

Blog Friday Challenge

Fantastic Giveaway Tuesday at CrafteCorner

Hop over to Craft E Corner's blog for a chance to win a Cricut "Straight From The Nest" cartridge.  Must post a comment on their blog by Wednesday, 4-27-11, Midnight CST.

E2 Launch Contest Entry

Jinger Adams from ProvoCraft announced that PC was having a contest to giveaway 5 new Cricut E2 machines in honor of Cricut's 5th birthday.  The contest ended on 4-22-11.  You could enter 3 12x12 scrapbook layouts that had a birthday theme and could not include any pictures.  These are my entries:

 ARRRG! Matey Happy Birthday

Happy 5 Celebrate

Pink Balloons Happy Birthday

(This pic isn't very good, I was in such a hurry to get them in the mail, that I didn't take the time to make very good pics)

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E2 Launch Contest

Cindy Royal is having a cartridge giveaway in honor of the Cricut E2 Launch tonight on HSN at midnight EST. Hop on over to her blog for the post and instructions!! Her blog is wonderful and she makes the most "beautimous" things!!  Her blog is royalthings.blogspot.com.

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #27--Make A Game Plan Challenge

For the Circle Blog Friday, 4-01-11, you had to make a sketch and then make a project.  This is the project I made:

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #25--Use Your Imagine-ation Challenge

For the Friday, 3-18-11, challenge you had to use your Cricut Imagine Machine and atleast 2 Cricut Image Cuts.  I used Kate's Kitchen cartridge to create some quick calling cards for the Texas Stampede.  I needed to make some more cards and since I live close, I was able to make a few before going to the Circle luncheon.  This is my entry for the challenge--front and back:

I used the cart and printed my background paper, then created the layers for the front and then a border strip for the back.

Craft-e-Corner Blog

Hello Everybody!  Craft-e-Corner is having a Fantastic Giveaway!  See the info below from the blog and hop on over to enter.  Be sure to sign up and become a follower, their blog is GREAT----here's their address http://www.craftecorner.blogspot.com/.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY TUESDAY!!

Everyone at Craft-e-Corner wants to give YOU a chance to win! Win a giveaway of great crafting products right here! That's right FREE PRODUCT!

This week's Giveaway is:   

Viva Decor Products and Tote Bag!

Texas Stampede Weekend

I went to the Circut Circle Texas Stampede on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (3-18, 3-19 & 3-20) which was held at the Embassy Suites in Frisco, TX.  I had a great time meeting everyone and spending time with my cousin Leisa and her friend Ann.  I was a bit disappointed in how the Cricut store was set up and how the items they had for purchase weren't enough for everyone to get.  I was also disappointed that there was no Cricut Circle cuttlebug embossing folders at all.  The only thing Circle related was scarfs and they were selling for $30.  They did have the large and small plush Cricut dolls, but there again they didn't have enough to go around.  On Saturday afternoon, the store put out about 6 or 7 bundles of the new released Summer solutions cartridges and an announcement was made in the Craftroom that they were available--as soon as the announcement was made there was a "stampede" to the store and pushing and shoving and grabbing just to try to get one of the six or so bundles.  Why would they even put out that few of these things???  Why can't they bring enough of things for at least the number of circle members that are going to be present???

I didn't get anything made this weekend, but I did help Ann and Leisa complete some of their projects and Leisa won an Imagine Saturday night after dinner.  WOW!!!  That was the first thing she has ever won in her life!!  I'm so excited and happy for her!!

I collected some calling cards, but not as many as I was hoping to collect.  I had to leave early on Sunday, because my daughter had to be rushed to the ER.  She is now in the hospital in Dallas and having test for an infection in her lower abdomen.  Hopefully she will be getting out soon. 

I'll post pictures as soon as I have some more time.

Circle Magazine Challenge February "Cricut Everyday" Contest

I made an apron to wear at the Cricut Circle Texas Stampede.  I also made two more--one for my cousin Leisa and her friend Ann--they are going too.  I made mine as an entry for the Cricut Everyday Contest--here's my entry:

 

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #23--Guy Stuff Challenge

I made this layout for the Guy Stuff Challenge.  You had to use weird stuff for this challenge--I chose cardboard, paint, string and hardware items (I used washers).

The Challenge: Incorporate atleast three of the following types of materials on your project. (Hardware items, stars, raw cardboard or chipboard, twine, string, paint, buttons, staples, or distressed edges)
Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. You can create any type of project you would like (layout, card, tag, altered project, mini album, etc.) but your project must be newly created for this challenge and include atleast 2 Cricut Image Cuts (all layers of an image count as part of the cut).

****UGGHH!!!  I just went to post my entry on the Circle Blog and couldn't---they changed the deadline time from 11:59pm MST to 9:00pm MST!!!  Why did they change the time???

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #21--Animal Magnetism Challenge

This is my entry for the Circle Blog Weekly Challenge, I used the Just Because Cards Cartridge for all the cuts and Peachy Keen stamp for the smiling face of the sun.  For this challenge your project must include something related to an animal. You can create your project for or about an animal, include an animal cut, use animal print, etc. Project must also contain atleast 2 Cricut image cuts to qualify.

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #20--Love Notes Challenge

This week's challenge was to create a special note for someone you adore that included a heart and embossing and use two Cricut cuts.  This is my card for my sweetheart:



Circle Magazine Challenge Feb11 My Sweet Valentine Contest

I re-purposed a nuts can and made a Valentine Candy container.  I made a flowerette for the top and covered the side with pretty paper and filled it with Hershey Kisses.  This will be a Valentine's Day gift for my cousin, she loves Hershey Kisses!

The contest was to create a fun Valentine's Day Project use at least four Cricut cuts and include something edible in the design.  My four cuts were:
1.  Lid--Scalloped Circle--Easter2010.
2.  Top of Lid--Music Note--Hannah Montana.
3.  Side--Hearts--George & Basic Shapes.
4.  Side--Sentiment "You make my heart sing"--Wild Card.

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #19--Whatevah! Challenge

 This week the cirlce blog challenge was Whatevah!.  I made this layout about fishing.

We had to use whatever we wanted, but we had to repeat something at least 3 times and we had to use spray ink.  My three repeats are the little fish and I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist on them to make them shiny.

This is the challenge post from the circle blog:
Weekly Challenge #19: Whatevah! Challenge
“Whatevah!” is a phrase a lot of parents of teens hear around their house on daily basis. We thought we’d take that phrase to heart for this next challenge. What we’d like you to do is use WHATEVAH shape you would like, but be sure to repeat it three times on your project. Project must also include spray ink and must be newly created for this challenge

Ice, Snow, Ice and now more Snow

It's hard to believe that we are having snow again this year.  We hardly ever get snow and as of today, we have gotten 4 inches of the light and powdery stuff.  It started Monday, 1-31-11, night with sleet and ice.  By Tuesday morning, we were iced in.  Then snow over the sleet and then more sleet and no warm weather...nothing above 22 for three days...no school for three days...and then late last night and early this morning we get 4 inches of snow, so once again no school.  It's supposed to freeze over again tonight, but hopefully it's supposed to get above freezing tomorrow.

Keeley has been with me since Monday night because the driving has been so bad.  Since she didn't have to go to school, her mom left her with us so she wouldn't have to get out.  It's been fun having her here, we have gotten to play tea party, read to each other, practice math and spelling and we've gotten to make some wonderful valentines.  She's learning to use my little Cricut (the baby bug) and is having a grand time.  We normally don't use the little bug, we normally just use scissors and punches to make her valentines, but this year I decided she could learn how to use it and be on her own.  Eventually she'll get the hang of it and I won't have to be by her side while she "creates".  She loves to make all sorts of things and she's very good at it.  Since today is Friday, she won't have school tomorrow and will go home tonight.  She misses her mom and is looking forward to going home to play with all of her toys and dolls...she says they are sure to be missing her.

The snow is very pretty, but I wish it didn't freeze and make ice like it does.  I no longer have to get out and drive in it, but my poor hubby works at a company that doesn't believe in shutting it's doors for anything.  He just got over gallbladder surgery and his first day back at work was on 1-31, when all the ice started coming in that night.  He has gotten up every morning since Tuesday and left the house at 3 or 3:30 in the morning so he could make it to work without so many people on the roads to get in the way.  His normal work time is 5:00am.

Well, I hope tomorrow will bring warmer weather so that it will melt this stuff!!!

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #18--Back to the Basics Challenge

This is my entry for the Circle Blog challenge #18 Back to the Basics--Valentine Gift Bag:

The challenge instructions were to use ONLY the cartridge that came with your machine or Gypsy and you MUST use THREE cuts on your project.  My original Cricut came with the George Cartridge.  I used Five cuts--they were:  1.) The phrase "I (heart) You";  2.) The sign post; 3.) The Heart that I welded together to make the top and bottom borders; 4.) The gift tag; and 5.) The Triangle Shadow to make the Hershey Kisses.

Circle Blog Monthly Challenge Jan11: Scraplift A Circle Blog Project

For the January Circle Blog Monthly Challenge, you were to "scraplift" a project from the Circle Blog.  This is what had to be done:

Use 2 or more Cricut Cuts on the project.

Use a project you have seen on the Cricut Circle Blog as inspiration for your project.
Use products from atleast two of our Sponsors (Bazzill, Tattered Angels, Imaginisce, Cosmo Cricket, American Crafts, Creating Keepsakes, Echo Park Paper).

I scraplifted  "A Toast To The New Year" card  made by Shantaie Fowler.

Instead of a "New Year" card, I made it a Birthday card!  I used my Imagine and Kate's Kitchen to cut the toaster and all the parts, then  made the oval sentiment with George cartridge on my Expression.  I used Bazzill Paper and American Crafts Adhesive and Pens as my sponsor products.

This is the card made by Shantaie:

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #17--B.A.B.Y. Challenge

This week the Circle Blog challenge was to create a scrapbook layout about me and include Brads, Aqua, Butterfly and You (me) as the subject:  Here's my layout:

I used three cuts 1) Butterfly--Paper Dolls for Everyday 2) Butterfly Border--Martha Stewart All Occasions Cake Art & 3) Me--Straight From the Nest.  I used Aqua Flower Brads and Aqua as my border background and it's about me.  I almost didn't enter because I couldn't find a picture of me because I'm the one always taking the pictures. 

This is the the exact challenge:  Weekly Challenge #17:  B.A.B.Y. Challenge!
At first glance, you may think this challenge is all about babies . . . but look again! We are usually the memory keepers in our households, but how often do you take the opportunity to step out from behind the camera and record something about yourself? This week we challenge you to create a scrapbook layout all about YOU. Your page must include the following:
(B) = Brads
(A) = Aqua
(B) = Butterfly
(Y) = You as the Subject
Project must be newly created for this challenge and must include atleast 2 different cuts from any Cricut cartridge to qualify.



Normal Monday morning, turned interesting with a surprise

This morning started out as normal, nothing much going on.  Then my daughter called at 7:15am and said that Keeley was still sick and running fever, could she stay with us? (us being my hubby and me--he's off recouping from gall bladder surgery) .  No problem with Keeley staying, she is such a good little girl and we love her so very much. 

After we have breakfast and get dressed, I make a dash to Wal-Mart because I have no children's tylenol nor any other "things" that I think Keeley will need today.  After I come back, I asked her if she wanted to make some valentines and she said yes.  I gave her some paper, glue and glitter glue and she got busy.  I checked my email and guess what??  There was an email from The BuyBytes saying I had won the blog hop random draw and would receive the Sweethearts Cricut Cartridge!!!  I was so excited to hear from Pam that I won!  Yay!  She also said she checked out my blog and liked my "creations" and I thank her for that. 

I also saw where she became a "follower", which was totally unexpected.  Then I noticed I also have another follower!  Wow!, I now have 2 followers!

Getting the email from Pam, made my normal Monday not so normal after all.

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #16--Cute As a Button Sketch Challenge

This is my entry for the Cricle Blog Weekly Challenge:

The blog weekly challege from Friday, 1-14-11, was as follows:

Babies are definitely “cute as a button” with their sweet little faces and tiny features. In honor of our Baby Theme, this week we challenge you to create a SCRAPBOOK PAGE or CARD using the sketch below. Your project doesn’t need to follow the sketch exactly, but it should be apparent that you used it as inspiration. Feel free to turn it on it’s side or move elements to fit what you are doing. In addition to using the sketch, we also want you to incorporate STAMPING and BUTTONS (of course!).  Project must be newly created for this challenge and must include atleast 2 different cuts from any Cricut cartridge to qualify.

I used MS Cake Cartridge to cut the scallop trim and a small Inkadinkado snowflake stamp to stamp white and blue snowflakes all over it.  I then used the Winter Woodland cartridge to cut "Let it Snow" and the snowflake.  I used two buttons that resembled snowflakes and added a pink jewel in the middle.

We have had snow 2 years in a row!!  We hardly ever get snow, mostly we get ice.  January 9, 2011, we only got a few small flurries, but Keeley could hardly wait to get outside and "taste" it.  Last year on February 10, 2010, we got 4 inches and in soom places 6 inches!!  Keeley was able to get a good "taste" and she was able to build a ""tiny"" snowgirl! 

It was bitter cold today, only 31 when I went to pick Keeley up from school at 2:00pm and the wind was straight out of the north and blowing hard.  It's supposed to get down into the low 'teens tonight.  I really don't like cold weather!!!

Girl Scout Cookies

Keeley is selling Girl Scout Cookies!  She is a Brownie this year and wants to sell 1000 boxes! 

We went to the Ft. Worth Zoo and picked up her cookies for show & sell on Saturday, 1-8-11.  It was sooo cold.  It was supposed to get up to 56, but I don't think it made it before we left.  We arrived at about 9:15am and there was already a line--beginning time was supposed to be 10:00am.  We were met by a very nice lady who asked if we had a "fast track pass", I didn't know what that was.  She said that if Keeley sold over 50 items during the fall Nut and Candy sale, that she should have gotten a "fast track pass".  We told her that Keeley sold over 100 and she sent us over to the "fast" lane and we signed up, they found Keeley's name on their list and we got thru in about 5 minutes.  Yay!! 

Since we got finished so fast, we decided to go ahead and visit the Zoo.  There was supposed to be activities for the Scouts, but we only found one thing after the Zoo opened at 10.  The Zoo has changed a lot since the last time that we went.  It was still very cold when we left at 2:00, but we had a good time.

Circle Magazine Challenge Jan11 Thrift Store Find

This is my entry for the January '11 Cricut Circle Magazine Challenge (After & Before):

(After)

(Before)

This is the contest rules:

Find something from the thrift store to repurpose with your imagination and your Cricut Machine. Please use at least four Cricut cuts in your design. Upload before and after shots of your project to the blog under the Magazine Challenge Tab. Only one entry per person. Entry deadline is Friday, January 14th, 2011. Winner will receive a new April Showers cartridge!!  Prize will be shipped within 4 to 6 weeks after the announcementct challenge.

I found the kitchen hanger and thought it would make a good key holder--my husband has been asking me to get one for a while.  The cuts I made are:
House--Handy Man Cricut Lite.
Red Car--Paper Dolls Everyday Cartridge.
White Truck--Just Because Cards Cartridge.
Keys--Locker Talk Cartridge.
Yield Sign Banner--Disney/Pixar-Cars Cartridge.

Maybe I'll be the lucky winner, I would love to win the April Showers cartridge.

Card Making Contest on Jinger Adams' Facebook Page

This is the card I made for the Cricut Facebook Card Contest.

The contest is on Jinger Adams' facebook page.  You had to create a card using atleast one Anna Griffin product (it could be anything) and one or more of the following cartridges:
Don Juan Cartridge, Winter Lace Seasonal Cartridge or Wall Decor & More. 
The card then had to be mailed to Provo Craft and arrive no later than 1-18-11.

I used the Don Juan cartridge to cut the phrase "thanks", the Winter Lace cartridge to create the "stacked" flower.  For my Anna Griffin product, I used the floral and printed paper and the ribbon is an embellishment that was alread tied from Anna Griffin and last the butterfly is also an Anna Griffn embellisment.  I added small pearls to the center of the flower and down the side of "thanks".

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #15--Feeling Frosty

I made a Winter Wishes card for the Friday, 1-07-11, challenge.

The Circle Blog challenge was as follows:
Brrrr! Winter is in full swing over many parts of the country . . . but even if it is warm where you are, you can use Winter-inspired elements to fuel your creative juices on your next Cricut project. We challenge you to incorporate white paint, metal, and a snowflake cut on your project this week.
Project must be newly created for this challenge and must include atleast 2 different cuts from any Cricut cartridge to qualify.

I used Jolly Holidays Lite cartridge to cut the cute little penguin and the phrase, I used Accent Essentials to cut the snowflakes.  I used white paint on the blue snowflakes and dusted the umbrella with white paint also.  I then drew white snow banks using the Snow Writer Paint pen.  For the metal, I used a small paper clip to make the handle on the umbrella and used white brads to make a pile of snowballs. 

Christmas Gift Bags

Everything has been so hectic here, that I didn't get a chance to post te custom gift bags that I made for Christmas.  Here are the 3 bags that I made and customized for 3 children 3, 5 & 7.

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #14--Getting In Shape

Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #14--Getting In Shape
Let’s start the New Year off right by getting in shape . . . a shape other than a rectangle. We challenge you to create a project in a shape other than a square or rectangle. Your project must also include a number somewhere and bling of some kind (to go along with this week’s theme of “Blinging in the New Year”!  Must be newly created for this challenge and must include atleast 2 different cuts from any Cricut cartridge to qualify.  The winner will receive a Circle Scarf of their choice or $25 added to their Cricut.com account.

This is my entry for this week's challenge--I created a Valentine card using white cardstock with my Gypsy to weld two hearts together from Love Struck 2010 cart to form the base and used red and black chalk on the white cardstock, then used Designer's Calendar cart to cut "Feb 14" and Sweethearts cart to cut the Cupid.  I used my Imaginese I-Rock to add the "bling" to the small valentine heart and used glitter glue smeared around the edge and all over the card. 

The inside of the card reads:  "Be my Valentine!! xoxoxo.  I think I'll send this valentine to Keeley, she loves getting mail and she loves Valentine's Day!