Hello Spring!

Here is a card to say "Hello", and I'm thinking of you.  I wanted to create something that also says spring is here.

I used the CRICUT LITE BLOOM cartridge to cut the fence, flowers, and the topiaries.  I embossed the fence, the topiaries, and the flower pots with the Cuttlebug.  I used green glitter glue on the leaves.  The label is cut from the STORYBOOK cartridge and stamped with a TCP stamp.  And the card was finished with a little pink ribbon and bow.  

Challenges

Cricut Card Challenge   Spring card using punk, green and white

My Sheri Crafts   Spring

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge    Spring

My Craft Spot    Tie a Bow

Purple and Pink

Here is a card I made tonight that I wanted to share.  The scalloped circles are cut from one of my very favorite cartridges, LACEY LABELS.  I embossed the top circle with the Swirls folder in the Cuttlebug.  They are both inked with bronze and plum ink pads.

The slice of pie is from SMILEY CARDS.  I had not used that cartridge before.  I just forgot about it.  But i am so glad I used it.  I used chalk to add a little color and depth to the pie crust.  The filling was embossed with the circle and dots folder.  I then added a little plum ink to the embossing.  The cute little face was created with a Peachy Keen Stamp.  They are always so sweet and cute.  

The flowers were cut from the new MOTHER'S DAY BOUQUET.  I decided to glitz them up with pale pink and gold glitter glue.   The flourish and pearl embellishments are from Studio112. 

The sentiment,"Sweet Birthday Wishes" is from Scrappy Moms Stamps. And the little tag on the lower right corner is from Studio 112. I used a MS stamp to make the diagonal border.  And the ribbons are from Michael's.

The papers used are DCWV and and MY Mind's Eye.

Challenges

Terrific Tuesday Challenge  Smiley Cards Cartridge

Jitterbuggin   Sketch with purple and pink and Cricut flowers

Paper Playtime  Pick 1 of 3.  I chose pink and glitter

Whimsicall Wednesdays Exciting News and Blog Hop

I am thrilled to announce that Stephanie at Always Crafting and Erika at Cricut Love have joined up and created the newWhimsical Wednesdays Challenge Blog.  But even more so I am proud to be a part of this great design team.  There are three separate teams.  There is a scrapbooking team and two card and altered item project teams.

So go on over to Whimsical Wednesdays.  You will be glad you did!  And put April 1st on your calendar.  It is going to be a fabulous blog hop!!!!

A New Blog Award

I am so honored and thrilled to receive this new award from Donna over at Donna's Dreamworks.

These are these rules.

1. Thank the person who sent it to you.

2. Tell 7 things about yourself.

3. Send the award to 15 of your friends.

I am not sure how interesting this will be.  But, here are the 7 things about me.

1.  I love anything French and Country French design.

2.  I am an advocate for animal rights and public school employees.

3.  I have started making pottery and love the potter's wheel.

4.  I laugh when someone trips, falls, or runs into something.  

5.  I love to sew, especially french heirloom sewing.

6.  I am all about traveling.

7.  I have a degree in music and love to sing and dance.

And now here are the 15 friends receiving the award.

1.  Erika    http://cricutlove1.blogspot.com

2.  Stephanie    http://www.alwayscrafting.com

3   Star    http://starspaperpassion.blogspot.com

4.  Gaby    http://www.gabycreates.com

5.  Leah    http://beeingcreativeandfeelingcherry.blogspot.com

6.  Jessica    http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com

7.  Nanne    http://nannes-creations.blogspot.com

8.  Kim    http://scrapinmomofoneinspiringlittleboy.blogspot.com

9.  Zeni    http://scrappyzeni.blogspot.com

10. Cindy    http://cindybcreations.blogspot.com 

11.  GiGi    http://thecricutbug.blogspot.com

12.  Cathryn    http://inthepinkcathryn.blogspot.com

13.  Roberta    http://txscrappermom.blogspot.com/

14.  Sonia    http://archiving-angel.blogspot.com/

15.  Jovan    http://www.cardsbyjovan.com/   

Go visit these friends and give them some love.

Bright and Cheery

We all need a little bright and cheery greeting.  And now that spring is here, things are blooming and the birds are singing those sweet cheery tunes.  Here is my very bright and cheery birthday card.  It just fits this season perfectly.

I used the APRIL SHOWERS cartridge to cut the birdhouse and bicycle. The LACEY LABELS cartridge was used for the frame.  It was embossed with the birds and swirls folder and Cuttlebug.  The sweet little stamp is from Whimsical Stamps.  I just love everything they have.  All of the papers are DCWV. The corners were embossed with the swiss dots folder. I used the MEMENTO Dew Drops for the inking.  The ric-rac is from my sewing stash.  And the ribbon came from HobbyLobby.   And to top it off, I added a little glitter glue.

Challenges

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge  Happy Birthday

Jitterbuggin  Sketch and the color Green

My Favorite Style and Colors

My favorite colors to use in home decor are blue and yellow.  And my favorite style of decorating is Country French.  I love everything about it.  Charles Faudree's books are just fantastic, with gorgeous pictures and full of  outstanding information.  I love reading about Country French things and going antique shopping for them.

Here is one of my favorite cards because it is of my favorite style in my favorite colors.

The chair and frame were cut from SENTIMENTALS.  The words "Thank You" were cut from the MARTHA STEWART ELEGANT CAKES.  The frame and chair were both embosses using the Cuttlebug.  The flowers are Prima Flowers and the butterflies are from DCWV.  The lace came from my stash and the ribbons are from Michael's.  The little pearls are from Recollections and the papers used are from DCWV and K&Company. 

The Shabby Tearoom is having a Bingo challenge this week.  You are to select any row on the bingo card to create your card.  I chose the middle vertical row which includes lace, flowers, and embossing.

Challenge

Cricut Card Challenge   Blue, Yellow, and White

The Shabby Tearoom   Bingo Challenge

The Wearing of the Green

St. Patrick's Day is in two days so I wanted to make a card for my mom.  I have had one made for my dad for a couple of weeks.  But I just could not decide what to do until tonight.  It came to me that her favorite color is green.

We went shopping Saturday and she bought 3 pair of sandals, red, tan, and green.  She was so excited to find green sandals.  My mom is so cute.  She is 84 years old and has the energy of a 25 year old and wears cute chic clothes.  She always looks like a million bucks!!
So here is her card.  It is just perfect for her!  The Wearing Of The Green!!!

I used the NIFTY FIFTIES cartridge to cut the dress forms and dresses.  A three dresses were embossed with the Cuttlebug. The shamrocks stickers, gold beads, and ribbon are from Michael's.  The little glittered flowers on the dresses are from Target.  The black card stock is Recollections.  The gold card stock is AC Specialty and the paper used to make the dresses is from DCWV.

And here is the inside sentiment.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Challenges

My Sheri Crafts   St. Patrick's Day

The Sisterhood of Crafters   St. Patrick's Day

Penny" Paper-Crafter Challenge    Going for the Green  

Little Red Wagon   St Patty's Day

ECP Challenge   Green

Cooking With Cricut   Two Shades of Green

More Than Favors   St. Patrick"s Day

It's Almost Spring

One week from today, March 20th, will be the first day of spring.  There are so many signs that spring is right around the corner.  1.  This is my week of Spring Break.  2.  It is officially Daylight Savings Time.  3.  Trees are getting full of leaves and some are even blooming.  4.  Major sinus problems.

Here is a card that represents spring.

 I hand cut the tree trunk and used the GIVE A HOOT cartridge to cut the rest of the tree.

 The tulips are from the WALK IN MY GARDEN  cartridge.  The sky and tree were both embossed using the Cuttlebug. The ribbon I thought was just the perfect touch for the card.  The little butterfly I found a few weeks ago in the Easter stuff at HobbyLobby.  I added glitter glue to all of the tulips and leaves to make them pop.

  And the sentiment is from Scrappy Moms Stamps.

Challenges
Fantabulous Cricut Challenge   Use a tree
Cricut Cardz Challenge  A Tall Card 9" x 4"
Jitterbuggin    Rainbow Colors, Butterfly, Emboss
Scrapbookaholic By Abby   National March,  Pick Your Own Holiday

A Sweet Little Birthday Card

Today is one of my good friend's birthday.  She is one of those friends who is sort of like family.  We have taught school together for many years, and taught workshops together at a local university for years. We go shopping, out to lunch, movies, etc.  But the best of all is we go to the beach together with a bunch of our friends a couple of times a year.  In fact, they are going next week during our spring break.  I cannot go because I am on the AEA Board of Directors and I have meetings, a workshop and lobbying to do for the public schools and employees of Alabama.  I cannot complain, because what I am doing is very important. But I sure will miss all their stories and laughs.  They said they would Skype me so I won't feel left out.

This same crazy bunch of friends and I are taking a pottery class together on Tuesday nights.  So I have  made this card to take to her tonight.

I used the LACY LABELS cartridge to cut the two circles.  And the CRICUT LITE BLOOM to cut the butterfly with the cage.  The cage is made with paper from AC Speciality.  The pattern papers are from DCWV and My Mind's Eye.  The top circle is made from a piece of cream colored card stock that I inked with a multi-colored ink pad.  The dark rectangle base is a piece of charcoal card stock and has been inked with  the same multi-colored ink pad.  After having the card put together, I decided it just needed something to perk it up.  So I tied a little cream colored ribbon through the top of the cage, and added 3 buttons from an old tin of buttons I have had forever.  I finished it with a birthday stamp.

The inside of the card is pretty but very simple.  

I used a little bird cage and bird stamp that I got in the clearance stuff at Hobby Lobby this past summer. I then ran some sheer cream ribbon through a pale teal ribbon brad I got at Oriental Trading.  I hope she likes her card as much as I do.  Happy Birthday!

Challenges

Cooking With Cricut   Double Take  2 different colors of card stock, 2 different pattern papers, and 2 different embellishments.  

Getting Cricky   Sugar and Spice 

    

Mardi Gras in Mobile or New Orleans

Did you know that Mardi Gras began in Mobile, AL?  That's right!  Right here in Alabama is where all the fun began, and still continues.  Mobile has a great Mardi Gras celebration and it is family oriented!  You can check out the history of Mardi Gras, listen to the music and see the sights LIVE right here!  There is also a beautiful Mardi Gras museum in Mobile.

Now I do not want to take anything away from New Orleans.  Why, NOLA is one of my favorite places to visit. The food is beyond fabulous, the people are friendly and the music can't be beat!!   I was there last summer for a week and had a wonderful time.  Here are a few pics from the trip.

We took a riverboat ride up the Mississippi to the battlefield where "The Battle of New Orleans" was won.  Breakfast at Brennan's just is a must, especially the turtle soup and Bananas Foster. 

 Of course we spent a lot of time in the Quaters listening to the music and eating that fantastic food.

Breakfast at Brennan's just is a must, especially the turtle soup and Bananas Foster. 

We went to the National WWII Museum which was very interesting.

And the trip was topped off by watching the July 4th fireworks on the river.

Now, take a peek at my Mardi Gras card.  I made a gate fold card.  To keep the card closed I cut a fleur de lis from the FRENCH MANOR cartridge and attached a strip of purple sequined trim to it.  I just slipped it over the card to keep it closed.   

 The outside of the card has the city names MOBILE and NOLA attached.  They were cut from the STORYBOOK cartridge. I added a few different colored rhinestones to give it a little more personality.

And here is the inside of the card.

And as you can see, the sentiment is KING CAKE!!  The crown was cut from the A CHILD'S YEAR cartridge and given a lot of rhinestones for the "royal occasion".  The word CAKE was cut with STORYBOOK cartridge.  And to the sides I added a little french ironwork from the FRENCH MANOR cartridge that was embossed with a brocade folder in the cuttlebug.  

The paper I used for the card is from The Paper Studio, K&Company, and DCWV.

HAPPY MARDI GRAS EVERYONE.   

Challenges

MY SHERI CRAFTS   Mardi Gras

RAINBOW LADY'S   Mardi Gras

MORE THAN FAVORS   Purple, Green and Yellow

Organize That Ribbon

Want to get your ribbon organized?  Check out all the great ideas and giveaways at  Really Reasonable Ribbon.  There are some wonderful ideas and great gifts.  Giveaways are March 16.

Hey,  I need help in the worst way!!  I thought I had a good idea for organizing my ribbon. 

 I used a unit of draws for the storage.  I put like colors in the same draw.  Well,  that lasted about two days in an organized state.

  I'm still trying  to do it.  But the problem is I have more ribbon than storage space.  So this is the condition of  the some of the ribbon now.

  I need help, in the worst way!

Congrats! You're a Star!!

A dear friend that I went to college with many years ago has a new accomplishment!  He has earned his doctorate degree.  I got a call from him this week that he successfully defended his dissertation!  I am so proud of him.

 Because his work is in theater and musical theater, I chose to make him a theater card.

I used the TWINKLE TOES cartridge to cut out everything for the card!  WOW!  This is the first time in a while that I have used only one cartridge for a project.  The stage and curtain were cut at 5.25 L  and the label with sentiment was cut at 3.25 L. I did some distress inking with gold, brown, bronze, and 2 shades of green.  All were Color Box ink pads.  The curtain was embossed with a brocade folder in the Cuttlebug.  Then I did a little more inking on top of the embossing with gold and bronze.  I used a strip of Scoth foam mounting tape on the valance.  I added glitter glue to the valance and curtain tie-backs.  

To make the label the focal point, I used glitter glue on the sentiment, congrats,  and the swirls around the sentiment.  Then to enhance the frame, I added red, blue, and gold rhinestones, and a little green glitter glue.  The papers used are from K&Company, DCWV and The Paper Studio. 

The inside of the card says, "You did it".   It is the perfect card for him.

Challenges

Flaunt It Friday  Twinkle Toes cartridge