Frame Bind It All Journal

Regina at The Cutting Cafe' has done it again. Her designs always have such a "WOW!" factor for me! She just came out with Huge Frame Printable Stamps and Huge Heart Printable Stamps. This is a project using the small inner frame in the Huge Frame Printable Stamps set.


I received the new files from Regina, and I'm so excited, because this frame is so cool, and who doesn't love hearts? So, I cannot wait to work with them!! I really want to use them on some scrapbook pages. However before I get a chance to do that, my youngest daughter and I are looking through an Archiver's ad, and they're showing Bind It All projects. There are going to be some Teresa Collins Bind It All covers coming out, and they kinda resemble the Huge Frame that Regina just sent to me!! So, my youngest daughter and I print out the small inner frame, use it as a template, and we cut cardboard in the same shape. I just used my Xacto knife and followed the design. We then printed the small inner frame two more times on the backside of two sheets of patterned paper. These became the pieces that covered the cardboard for the front and the back covers!! In order to get a flat side for the Bind It All binding, I just trimmed a small portion of the side of the frame. We used a lot of My Mind's Eye on this Bind It All journal.



This is the inside of the journal. Jessica designed the inside. She really likes the natural look of the cardboard. The inside pages are 4x6 index cards. The first sheet is cardstock, and there are some Chip Chatter chipboard letters, a foam flower, and a rhinestone. The inside front cover just has a MME paper strip and a die cut flower. We also added some FUN Heidi Swapp tabs to some of the pages.


This is also MME paper and rub ons. Isn't this CUTE? I just LOVE the shape of this frame, and I think it makes an AMAZING cover for this unique Bind It All journal!! Don't you? You can click on the photos to see them larger. Be sure to visit The Cutting Cafe' and see what else Regina has to offer. You will be amazed at the fun creations that she's made!!

My girls and I had a very fun pajama party last night, and we've been hanging out all day. I hope you're having a fantastic weekend!! Thanks for stopping by!!

FUN at ScrapCity!!

At ScrapCity, a few of us signed up to do an ATC swap. I have NEVER made an ATC before, so I really didn't know what to do, but this is what I ended up with!


I used some Marcella paper that I got at Target a long time ago. Since it's NOT double-sided paper, I used a different sheet for the back of the card, and I just adhered them back to back. I stamped a couple of Stampin' Up stamps. The "genuine article" circular sentiment and the "I Like Your Style" stamp are both Stampin' Up images. I added some American Crafts ribbon, a small Making Memories safety pin, a rhinestone trio, a Prima, and a Making Memories button for the flower center.


This is the back side of the ATC. I added more Stampin' Up images. "Original" and "No." are once again, both Stampin' Up. I numbered the ATCs, and then I added information about me and the date created. I created that information on the computer and just printed it out. The little flower is from a Stampin' Up punch. The center of the flower is a small rhinestone.


Here's a close up of the ATC front. What do you think?


This is the back of the ATC. I have to admit, I'm pretty happy with the way these turned out!! It was fun to create!


I want to also mention that a very fun online crop is being planned at ScrapCity starting February 20th. It's going to be a Sketch Fest!! If you haven't joined ScrapCity yet . . . why haven't you? We have so much fun over there. In addition to the upcoming Sketch Fest online crop, we will also be issuing all of the February challenges in a couple of days. Of course, all of these activities have PRIZES!! I am the Sponsor Coordinator for ScrapCity, and let me tell you . . . you will DEFINITELY want to see the February prize!! It's AMAZING!! So, get over there, join up, and take a look around! You won't regret it!

So, I've got some cleaning to do, and then I'm hoping to get some creative time! I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!

All Occasion Cards - The Cutting Cafe'

TWO posts in one day!! Check my post below for my Scrapping Recipe Challenge layout!! The Cutting Cafe' has SO MANY wonderful cutting and printing files available. This set of cards features the All Occasion Circle Word Set 1.

Here are all five of the cards that I made.

There is a sympathy sentiment.

A "thinking of you" sentiment.

A "happy birthday 2 you" sentiment.

There is also a thank you circular sentiment.

I made a second sympathy card, because unfortunately, I needed to send out a couple of sympathy cards.

Here are all five again. The set ALSO includes a get well soon and a baby sentiment!! To make all of the cards, I used a FANTASTIC card kit that I got from Wendy at ScrapCity. Thanks Wendy!! The cardstock is Bazzill bling, and the patterned paper is by K&Company. It's just a gorgeous color combination. I used my 1 1/2 inch circle punch for the sentiment, and I used my Nestabilites for the scallop circles. I also used my threading water and lace doily punches. I added ribbon, Primas, and rhinestones. Wouldn't it be a GREAT gift to give someone a set of cards that they could use?

Head on over to The Cutting Cafe' to see what else is NEW! Regina has been doing an amazing job coming up with FANTASTIC printable designs! I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!

Scrapping Recipe Challenge #33

This is my layout that I created for Scrapping Recipe Challenge #33 at Sketches! {by Tamara}.


The scrapping recipe for this week, that can be used on cards or layouts is:

• Die Cut
• Ribbon
• Buttons

I FINALLY used some of my Cosmo Cricket Oh Joy papers, die cuts, and chipboard pieces that I won from the Cosmo Cricket site. The mittens are the buck naked chipboard, I covered them with the coordinating die cut that's included in the paper collection pack. I made my own cuffs for the mittens so that they would coordinate with my matting paper. The title is a piece of the strip tease paper matted on a threading water punched strip, and I also used a journaling card from the collection. I tied sheer ribbon around the journaling card, and I sewed on three buttons. I also used chalk ink to distress all of the paper edges. I really love the way this layout turned out! You can click on it to see it larger.

It's COLD outside! Wow! I need to run to the grocery store, do some cleaning, and then I hope to create a little. I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

LOVE YOU

I am very happy to have a guest designer on my blog today!! There is a great challenge at the Kids Can Scrap site, and this is Emily's page for that challenge. Challenge #5 at Kids Can Scrap is to do a layout and include your favorite song.


Dave loves country music. Emily is starting to really like country music. She loves a Jack Ingram song called "Love You". Well, the lyrics are completely sarcastic, and he means just the opposite of "love", but she wants the lyrics to really mean "Love You"!! Dave recently went to a country music concert, and Jack Ingram was the opening act. He just had to get Emily a t-shirt. As soon as Emily read about the next challenge at the Kids Can Scrap site, she knew she wanted a photo with Dave while she was wearing her shirt! This page is so cute, I love it, and more importantly? Emily LOVES it! (Sorry for the photo, the natural light is awful right now!!)

Have a great day everyone, and thanks for stopping by!!

Photo Challenge

My wonderful blogging friend Fiona issued a photo challenge! I gladly accepted! Here's my photo!


I had no idea what I was going to end up with! The challenge is: in the 6th folder, take the 6th picture, and post it on your blog. Write something about the picture. Challenge 6 new people to join in this challenge. OK! This is the 6th (and last) photo in my 6th folder! This is a snow photo from January 14th. The previous day, I had just gotten our driveway COMPLETELY cleared off. The sun had come out, and the concrete was clear and dry. The next day? This happened! Yes, it's pretty, but what did it mean to me? More shoveling!! This was a FUN challenge Fiona! (Go check out Fiona's photo!! It's fantastic!!) Thanks!

OK, I have to challenge 6 bloggers to do this now! I'm going to challenge: Becky, Chris, Clare, Lesli, Sharon, and Wendy! Should be interesting!! I have a guest designer page to post later! I just need some natural light first! Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Sketch #3 - 52 Sketches . . . 52 Weeks

I'm enjoying the sketches at the 52 Sketches site. This is sketch #3.

This is my layout using this sketch. I had a tough time finding three pictures for the sketch, and when I was putting this together, having everything on an angle just didn't work for me, so I have to put it all straight. Then, instead of adding scattered flowers by the two corner of the photo trio, I added scattered wordfetti Making Memories stickers. I love the large photo of Jessica! She just looks so CUTE!

I'm just taking it easy today. Unfortunately, I have a huge headache. I wanted to take some time today to create many cards, but I just don't feel creative when I have a headache. I hope you all have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!

Envelope Mini Albums

Wendy posted a very cool envelope album tutorial on the ScrapCity blog. I really like the idea, so I decided to make one for Emily and Jessica.

This is the front of Emily's. I added one of the crocheted flowers that she made for me!! The ribbon just slides off, and the album can then be opened.

This is the inside. I left it undecorated, because I knew that the girls would want to decorate the albums themselves!

This is the backside of the mini album.

Here is the front of Jessica's. I added some Prima Sprites with a button center. Once again, the ribbon just slides off.

This is the inside of Jessica's. Using envelopes is such a great idea, because they make GREAT pocket pages!!

This is the backside. The best part about these albums is that I used all paper scraps to create them! I just patched pieces of paper together, and themed them in their favorite colors. The girls really liked them, and they're trying to decide what to use them for!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for your kind words about Janice. I think that ScrapCity was just in a state of shock yesterday learning about her passing. She will be missed by us all very much!!

We have a very cold weekend in store for us. I hope you enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!!

Sad Day

Today I'll be posting a dedication to a blogging friend. We found out that one of our Creative Team Members at ScrapCity, Janice Nielson, has passed away. To say that this is a huge loss for all of us at ScrapCity is an understatement. Janice will truly be missed. Words fail me, so please take a look at the wonderful post that Telah put up on the ScrapCity blog. My deepest condolences to the Nielson family.

Hot Lips

Regina at The Cutting Cafe' completely outdid herself with this shaped card, don't you think? It's a BIG smooch!


It's a cutting file that I printed on cardstock and just hand cut. Easy as can be! This is called the Lip Shaped Card. I also added one of the Valentine Circle Words. The "hot lips" metal rimmed tag is from a set of tags that I got from Target a long time ago! Isn't this CUTE? I do believe that my husband's Valentine is now done! Mwah! S.W.A.K.!! If you haven't check out The Cutting Cafe', what are you waiting for? Regina has got the coolest designs around! Check it out, make a fun purchase, and tell her Carol sent you!!

I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Scrapping Recipe Challenge #32

This is my layout for Scrapping Recipe Challenge #32 at Sketches! {by Tamara}.


This week we were challenged to use the following items on our cards or layouts:

• lined notebook paper
• ink/paint
• journaling box

I combined two of the elements by making my journaling box a lined post it note. I got cute little sticky "notes" in the $1 spot at Target a while back. I used distress ink on the entire layout. The papers are Recess by Basic Grey. I also added some school themed brads. You can click on the layout to see it larger.

Will you be watching the Inauguration coverage today? I will be watching. It's back to school for the girls today after five days off! It was so relaxing having them home. I asked them if they thought TVs would be on at school today so that all of the students could watch the swearing-in ceremony LIVE. They didn't know. I would hope that the school would let the kids watch, but I'm not too sure that's going to happen. So, they'll have to watch it recapped on the news tonight. I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!

Sketch #2 - 52 Sketches . . . 52 Weeks

I'm loving the 52 Sketches . . . 52 Weeks site! This is sketch #2.

Here is my layout for Sketch #2. I love the way it turned out! I used all Basic Grey Stella Ruby. It took me a long time to detail cut that branch with the flowers!! I stamped stitching on the border strip, and I matted it on another sheet of patterned paper that I punched with the threading water punch. I added a simple title, date stamped the page at the bottom, and I was done! This is the photo that we used on our Christmas cards this year. I love the fall leaves in our backyard, and I look forward to taking the girls' portrait in the fall every single year!

Woohoo! The temperature is finally above zero! It's a HUGE difference! School was canceled both Thursday AND Friday, and the girls have a day off on Monday. So, they ended up with a five-day unexpected vacation! Not bad! I hope you're having a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

ScrapCity January Cards

Edited to add: There's a fun giveaway at Cosmo Cricket! Tell them Carol sent you! We could BOTH win!!

I keep forgetting to post my ScrapCity January Creative Team Cards that I made! This month at ScrapCity, we still have all of the regular FUN challenges, but we also have lots of card challenges going on. There is a virtual crop that is all about CARDS! I made these cards with goodies that Wendy sent to the entire creative team. I added stamped images and some border punches. I love making cards, so creating these was very fun!!

The great thing about our January Creative Team reveals was seeing how the other members of the Creative Team used the same papers and embellishments to create their cards!

The girls have no school today! The current temp is -15, and the wind chills are truly frightening! Tonight, there are warnings about the windchills getting to 45 BELOW zero. That's scary stuff. I hope you all have a great day today, and as always, thanks for stopping by!

Hey Cupcake!

Who doesn't LOVE a cupcake? They are CUTE and delicious. What more could you ask for? Regina at The Cutting Cafe' created the most AMAZING set called All About Cupcakes, and I just had to create a cute card using a couple of the images!


I printed the sentiment and I cut it to size to use it as my card front. I then printed the cupcake, colored it in with pencils and added some Stickles. I detail cut the cupcake, and added it to my card front. The last additions were ribbon and a rhinestone heart trio. Does it get any EASIER than that? I don't think so! These cupcake images are ADORABLE, and the set Regina created is HUGE! So, check it out at the The Cutting Cafe', and tell Regina that Carol sent you!!


Next, my wonderful blogging friend Sharon presented me with this award. Sharon is so talented. I'm just not saying that! She creates gorgeous cards, and she is so funny! She'll play with words and create something that just makes me laugh out loud! Thank you so much Sharon! You have a lovely blog too!

I'm so done with winter. It's BRUTAL! Cleared the driveway yesterday, and oh yes, I get to do it again today. Yippee! To top it all off, the wind chills tonight are supposed to be close to -25. Yes, 25 BELOW zero. That's scary stuff! At this point, 20 degrees will feel like a heat wave! Well, have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!

Scrapping Recipe Challenge #31

This is my layout for Scrapping Recipe Challenge #31 at Sketches! {by Tamara}. Be sure to check out what the other design team members created.


This week, the recipe consisted of using the following on our card or layout:

• Use 3 strips of paper
• Distressed edges (torn is OK if you don't have a distresser)
• A tag

My papers are Love, Elsie Roxie. I distressed the edges of my photo mats, and then I inked the edges. The tag is a date tag that is tied to my flower stack. I used foam Thickers for the title. The journaling in the bottom right corner is on a Roxie sticker. The flowers are Primas. Isn't that red and white checked flower fantastic? The flower stack center is a Roxie chipboard button. I love the way this page turned out. I love the negative space around the title. You can click on the layout to see it larger.

Well, I just got in from clearing the driveway. This is the first time I used the snow blower all by myself. I didn't know how to start it, but my husband showed me how on Sunday. Let me tell you . . . using the snow blower sure beats shoveling!! We have some brutal temperatures forecasted. I just hope they don't last too long. I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Heart Bag

This is the CUTEST heart bag from The Cutting Cafe'. This took just minutes to put together. I love it! Be sure to check out the goodies that Regina has available at The Cutting Cafe'!

I used a sheet of Cloud 9 Valentine paper to print the cutting image on the reverse side, and then I hand cut the bag and assembled it. I then printed the additional hearts and hand cut those too. I added some Stickles to the smallest heart. I used a border punch on the handle. I put the handle together with heart brads and I added small Prima Sprites on both sides. So easy, and so CUTE! I love it!

I hope you have a great day! Thanks for stopping by!!

Kids Can Scrap - Guest Designers!

The girls LOVE the Kids Can Scrap site! It's so much fun for them to work on Challenges! These are layouts for Challenge #4. This challenge stated: Challenge #4 is to have your mom begin a layout and then you get to finish it. You can work together to pick out the pictures and papers if you wish. Then let mom get it started. Don't let her do it all. When she stops, take a picture of what it looks like at that stage. Then it's your turn! You get to dress it up, add all the finishing touches and do whatever you wish. Moms, you have to step back and let them do what they want. Then take another picture of the finished product! Send them both to us.

We LOVED this challenge! Here's what I created for Jessica. The border strip was adhered down. The photo was matted, and the photo corner was attached. Everything else was loose on the page, but she had to use it on her layout. I didn't want to adhere too much, because I wanted her to feel that she was designing the page.


Here is what the page looked like when Jessica was done with it! Isn't it fantastic? I didn't help with anything that she did to her page.


To make this challenge even more fun, I decided that the girls were going to use the same photo! Here's what Emily started off with. Once again, the border was adhered to the page. The photo was matted, and the photo corner was attached. Everything else was loose.


Here's the page when Emily was finished with it. Once again, I just love it! I think both of my girls are EXCELLENT scrapbookers!

If you have kids that love to create, you really have to visit the Kids Can Scrap site. It is so much fun! Telah and her daughter Nessa are doing an amazing job! We love it!!

I hope you have a GREAT Sunday, and thanks for stopping by!!

Sketch #1 - 52 Sketches . . . 52 Weeks

Over at ScrapCity, one of the members of the Creative Team mentioned this 52 Sketches . . . 52 Weeks site. They are going to have a sketch a week all year long. It seems like a great site, and an awesome online community.

This is Sketch #1. Isn't it great?

This is my layout based on Sketch #1. I used a lot of Basic Grey Urban Prairie. I did a lot of detail cutting too. I added some rhinestones to the butterflies and to the Nestabilities scallop circle that I cut. I added some Making Memories Noteworthy felt flowers. The sparkle chipboard letters that I used for the title are by ScrapWorks. The journaling is a Creative Card from Fancy Pants. I just cut it into strips. I love scrapping a summer layout in the winter! The bright colors really make me happy! You can click on the layout to see it larger.

I hope you have a great weekend! We got more snow overnight. Oh joy! (Said in a most sarcastic tone!) Thanks for stopping by!

Award & Jessica's PRIZE!

My wonderful blogging friend Patsy gave me this award! Thank you Patsy! I'm honored! I think your blog is fabulous too!


For this award, I am supposed to name 5 of my addictions and 5 of my favorite blogs. OK!

Addictions:

1. Papercrafting (Seriously, do I even need to list this one?)
2. Dave, Emily, and Jessica. Yes, Princess too! My family means EVERYTHING to me!
3. My computer. I can't help it. I love email, blogs, message boards, etc.
4. My home. It's my safe haven. It's where I spend time with my family, and it's where I relax.
5. Reading. I love curling up with a good book!

Favorite Blogs:

1. Chris - Not only is she talented, but she makes me laugh! We have a lot in common!!
2. Latisha - So nice and very talented! Her cards are amazing!
3. Deb - I think Deb is one of the most talented card makers that I visit! Her cards are works of ART! She is also an amazing photographer!
4. Liz - Happy blogaversary!
5. ScrapCity - Everyone on the Creative Team gets to contribute to the blog!

Next, I want to show you the awesome prize that Jessica received from Kids Can Scrap! She was getting off the bus yesterday when I checked the mailbox, and you should have seen her face when I told her that the big envelope was for HER!! She was so excited! Jessica won Challenge 3 at the site. She got this wonderful Making Memories mini book kit! It's FANTASTIC. She cannot wait to use it! Thank you to Telah and Nessa from Kids Can Scrap!

I hope you all have a fantastic day! Thanks for stopping by!

Smile - Kazan's Sketch 17 - 2S4Y

I always love the card sketches at 2 Sketches 4 You, and I'm always bummed when I don't get time to make a card using the weekly sketch! This week, I had some time, so I created a card for Kazan's Sketch 17.
I really LOVE the way this card turned out!!

I recently purchased the Basic Grey Obscure paper collection. It's so funky! All of the papers I used are BG Obscure. The brown scallop was hand cut, and the felt scallop is Fancy Pants. I created the sentiment medallion with a Stampin' Up stamp, and I cut the two layers with my Nestabilities. I then punched a hole in the medallion, and hung it from the large ribbon. The turquoise/lime green ribbon is gorgeous, and I got it quite some time ago on clearance at Target. The felt flower, blue flower, and the sparkly button are all Making Memories Noteworthy. I distressed everything with chalk ink. You can click on the image to see it larger! I LOVE THIS!!

Edited to add: This card just got accepted into the Basic Grey Gallery!! Woohoo!! I'm so excited! Once again, I feel like a celebrity!!

We got a couple of inches of snow last night. Unfortunately, I'll be outside shoveling the driveway soon. I hope you all have a GREAT day! Thanks for stopping by!!

Scrapping Recipe Challenge #30

This is my layout that I created for Scrapping Recipe Challenge #30 at Sketches! {by Tamara}. This is also my very last page for my 25 Days Until Christmas book!


The three required elements in the recipe this week were:

• Kraft Cardstock
• Brads
• Lace

All three of the required elements are at the top of my layout. I love the way the lace looks on the kraft cardstock. The background paper and the page title are both Cosmo Cricket. The felt pieces are by Fancy Pants. You can click on the page to see it larger. This is a simple page, but I really love the way it turned out!

I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Back to the Routine!

Well, I don't have anything new to show you, but I wanted to say "hi", and tell you that it's back to school for the girls, and back to the routine for us all. We had such a nice break, and it was fantastic spending lots of family time together! I've started a photo blog for Carol's Project 365. It's been fun thinking about what my photo of the day will be!

Well, I just need to get the tree down, and the house will be back to normal. It was exhausting putting away all of the decorations yesterday! It would be great to get some creative time today. We'll see!! I hope you all have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Owl Always Love You!

This CUTE owl is from The Cutting Cafe'. Regina has done it again! Hurry on over to take a look at the site, because Regina has a special Valentine sale going on right now!!


The wonderful thing about these PDF files is that you always have them. You keep it on your computer, and you can print it over and over and over again! I used colored pencils and gamsol on the owl. I cut it out with my Nestabilities. The GORGEOUS paper is Basic Grey Stella Ruby. I added some beautiful Primas with a wonderful Making Memories brad center. I also added some dotted grosgrain ribbon at the top. I love the way this turned out!! You can click on the photo to see it larger.

I hope you have a great day, and as always, thanks for stopping by!!