Valentine's Day Date Night

I can not believe this is the last day in February....where has this month gone?!?!  I thought it would be fitting to have the last post of February be the layout I made of my Valentine's Day evening I had with my husband.  We spent our Valentine's Day evening at a nearby restaurant, that is known for some great live jazz music, which was only open that evening for reservations that included a 4 course meal & a bottle of wine. It was a really nice romantic evening & am glad I was able to make a layout as a reminder of the evening.  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for these projects:
- Date Night Couple from Sweethearts Cricut Cartridge cut at 4

- QuikKutz Revolution Tool with Diesel font used for Valentine's Day & Aquarius font used for 'X' & 'O'

- Martha Stewart Scalloped Paper Punch

- Martha Stewart Heart Paper Punch

- Doodle Design Inc - Doodle Twine - Valentine's Assortment
- Black Gelly Roll Pen Medium, to do the faux stitching

- White Gelly Roll Pen Medium, to do the faux stitching

Love is Sweet

 The project that I have to share is a card that I made for my sister-in-law & her husband, as they are getting ready to celebrate their wedding anniversary.  When going through my Cricut Cartridges to get some ideas for a couple different projects I was working on this weekend, I came across these cute little 'cow people' & thought they would be really cute to use for their anniversary card, as he is a true cowboy & and her a true cowgirl!  Up until I had met my husband, I was such a 'city girl' & had never been on a true ranch until I visited his sister & her family.  Much too my surpirse & it was nothing like I would have pictured it would be....it was pretty neat!!  It was like a free petting zoo with all the cute cows, pigs & horses....as long as you didn't get too close to them or in their pins!  :)   Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for these projects:
- Cowboy & Cowgirl from Paper Dolls Dress Up Cricut Cartridge cut at 3
- Fence from Old West Cricut Cartridge cut at 2
- QuikKutz Revolution Tool with the Squared Scalloped diecut

- Hero Arts Stamp - Valentine Sayings - 'Love is Sweet'

- Peachy Keen Stamp - PK-490 Everyday Character Face Assortment - 1/2" smiley faces

- Hampton Art Stamp - 'Happy Anniversary' - stamped inside of card

- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black

- Black Gelly Roll Pen Medium

- White Gelly Roll Pen Medium

- Glitter Shimmer Gelly Roll Pen Medium

- We R Memory yellow brads

- Crinkle Ribbon in Sunshine Yellow from My Craft Spot

Exciting Fantabulous Cricut News.......

Happy Monday!!  Today's post is a very special one for me, as I have some really exciting news to share....news that has been hard keeping quiet!!!!  Over at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, Robin was having an open call for Design Team Members.....and......I have been selected to be a Design Team Member!!!! :)   I feel extremely honored to be selected & to be joining the ranks of a great group of talented designers, some members you already know along with some new members like myself!! 

My first project as an official Design Team Member for FCCB will be featured March 5th and I am really excited to start sharing some of the projects over the next couple months with all of you!!  If you have not been over to Fantabulous Cricut before....you should head over for the fun 'Challenge Me Monday' Challenges & some great inspiration!!  Thanks for stopping by & sharing in my great news!!!

Just Married

(Close up of the details on the flowers)

Tonight is the wedding reception for a couple who recently got married in The Turks & Caicos. I wanted to make a really cute card for them & felt some self-inflicted stress, as the bride is also a scrapbooker. Seriousally!!  That is a lot of pressure....making a card for someone who also makes cards & who is also one of your best friends...... :)  While looking through my Cricut Cartridges, I came across the 'how to' project in the front of the booklet for Sweethearts, and I am always thinking to myself that they are such cute projects & I should make them sometime...so on this card I did just that.  I do have to give credit where credit is due.....GREAT project idea Rob and Bob Studio!!  I really liked the flower bouquet & the 'Just Married' sign together, but wanted to use some extra things to make it pop & feel like I didn't totally rip off the card!!  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for these projects:
- Just Married from Sweethearts Cricut Cartridge cut at 2.25
- Bouquet of Flowers from Sweethearts Cricut Cartridge cut at 2.5
- American Craft Premium Ribbon
- Tulling Ribbon, tied into the bow (Great idea from Missy over at Quick Chick Designs)
- Doodle Design Inc - Doodle Twine

- Hampton Art Stamp - 'Congratulations' - stamped inside of card

- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black

- Silver & Pink Chalk

- Glitter Shimmer Gelly Roll Pen Medium, swirls on flowers

- Glossy Accents, on flowers

- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider

"Love is in the air" - Challenge Me Monday #97

The entire card - where you can see the inside of the card after folding over part of the front.

Close up of the front

Is everyone ready for Valentine's Day?  With only a couple more days left, I am finishing up a couple last minute items on my check list....  One item being a card for my husband, who has really come to appreciate & expects my homemade cards. I wanted to make a card with hearts on the card, since the challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut is 'Love is in the air' where you are to use a heart on your project. 
I used paper with hearts, a heart in the words that say "I love u" as well as the heart on the lovebug.  I did a couple different things on this card than I haven't done before....  I created a standard 4x6 card, but folded over the front of the card by 1", layered the folded piece with paper & twine, and then glued it down where you would be able to see part of the inside of the card's color.  I also used a circle punch to cut out several circle's which I glued behind one of the layers of paper to create a scalloped look.  I like how folding over part of the front & the faux scallop look....thinking I will use them again in other projects.  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for these projects:
- Love Bug from Create a Critter Cricut Cartridge cut at 3
- Heart from Sweethearts Cricut Cartridge cut at 2
- QuikKutz Revolution Tool with the Aquarius font for the 'I' & 'U'
- Hero Arts Stamp - Valentine Sayings - 'Happy Valentine's Day', inside each card
- Peachy Keen Stamp - PK-490 Everyday Character Face Assortment - 1/2" smiley face

- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black

- Doodle Design Inc - Doodle Twine - Valentine's Assortment
- Black Gelly Roll Pen Medium, to do the faux stitching

- White Gelly Roll Pen Medium, to do the faux stitching

- Pink Shimmer Gelly Roll Pen Medium, to do the cheeks

- Martha Stewart Circle Punch, to create scalloped border

- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider

Friends are Special Treasures

The project that I have to share is a card that I made for one of my best friend's as a 'Thank You' for a nice & thoughful gift she sent.  She recently got married in the Turks & Caicos and as a special gift for each of the guests that were able to made the trip for her big day, she sent a nice framed picture of them with the happy couple along with a picture of the entire group.  When I received the package, I started thinking about a thank you card to make and was excited to make this one. 

I have seen several cards/projects that have used a sewing machine and always wanted to make one!  I have a sewing maching but had bought the We R Memory Keepers Piercing Tool with the different attachments thinking that the tool would be great to have & use.  This was the first time that I used the tool & am very happy with how the stitching looked when it was finished.  After using the tool for the first time, I didn't know if I was a huge fan & was starting to think that I may have bought a tool that I would not use again...as every since one of my finger tips were so sore from pushing the needle in & out.

While visiting a newly found scrapbooking/crafting store with my best friend last weekend though, I got some tips for using the tool from the owner & another customer shopping, so I am going give the tool another try on a project before pulling out the old trusty sewing machine & calling it quits. :)  If anyone has any helpful hints about the Piercing Tool, I would love to have some more.  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for this project:
- Treasure Chest from Life is a Beach Cricut Cartridge cut at 2.5
- Stampendous Clear Stamps - Happy Messages - 'friends are special treasures'
- Stampendous Clear Stamps - Happy Messages - 'Thank You', inside the card
- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black
- We R Memory Keepers Piercing Mat & Piercing Tool
- Taupe DMC Cross Stitching thread
- Paper punch - standard & mini size, to create gold tokens from inside the treasure chest
- White Chalk
- Black Gelly Roll - details around treasure chest
- Distress Stickles - Clear Rock Candy, applied to the map paper to have a distressed look
- Stickles - Gold, applied on the gold in the treasure chest
- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider

Thinking of you

The project that I have to share is a card that I made for my sister.  She is older than me by 16 months and is more than a 2 hour flight away from me.  We try to talk as much as possible, but there are times we just aren't able too talk as much as we would like, as our schedules are crazy.  We have always had a habit of being able to finish each other's thought & know if something is going on with the other.  While working on projects today, I wanted to make a little quick card that I could write a few lines or so in & mail out to her...just to let her know that I am thinking of her.  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for these projects:
- Bird from Simply Charmed Cricut Cartridge cut at 2.5
- Gypsy used to flip the bird around to face the bow
- Hero Arts Stamp - "Thinking of you"
- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black

- Doodle Design Inc - Doodle Twine - Valentine's Assortment (pink)

- Doodle Design Inc - Doodle Twine - Halloween Assortment (purple)

- White Gelly Roll Pen Medium, to do the faux stitching

- Corner puncher

- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider

- Pop Dots

Bundle of Joy

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a birthday on Leap Day?  Do you only get to have a birthday every 4 years?  Or do you get to choice which day to celebrate your birthday, February 28th or March 1st? If my soon-to-be niece arrives on my sister-in-law's due date....we will get to find out.  My husband's brother, wife and 2 year son Fionn, are getting ready to welcome their newest addition to their family in a couple weeks. 

When I was working on the card for my sister-in-law to send & tell her "Comhghairdeas!!", which means Congratulations in Irish, I couldn't help but giggle at the face stamp on the baby.  It was the same face that Fionn used when he would say his now famous phrase of: "Ooooh Noooo!!" when they were in the states visiting this past fall.  When I showed my husband the card, & asked if he thought it looked like a certain someone, he also said it reminded him of Fionn.  We are keeping our fingers crossed for our niece to have a unique birthday but more importantly an easy & safe arrival for baby & momma! Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for this project:
- Stork from New Arrival Cricut Cartridge cut at 3

- Baby Girl from New Arrival Cricut Cartridge cut at 1.5

- Peachy Keen Stamp - PK-490 Everyday Character Face Assortment - 3/8" face

- Studio G Clear Stamp - "Bundle of Joy"

- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black

- Pink ribbon with white stiching

- American Craft Premium Ribbons - Twine

- Pink button

- Brown chalk around Stork's hat

- Black Gelly Roll Pen Medium

- White Gelly Roll Pen Medium

- Glaze Pens to color in stars from stamp

- Glossy Accents to stars

- iRock Hot Pink gem on the baby blanket

- Cuttlebug Polka Dot embossing folder

- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider

- Pop Dots

- Hot glue gun

“Valentiny” Cards - Challenge Me Monday #96

 



Hugs & Kisses (These are my favorite of the Valentiny Cards I made.)



Love Bugs (These are my husband's favorite of the Valentiny Cards I made.)



Scent-sational Skunks

The project that I have to share is for a challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut.  The challenge is to create a 'Valentiny Card', a 3x3 card for Valentine's Day.  I remember as a kid getting Valentine Day cards & being excited that someone liked me enough to give me them, so I thought this year I would send some out to hopefully make someone's day & let them know that I like them. :)  I think the mini cards are so cute & enjoy making them, so I was also excited to participate in this challenge.  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for these projects:
- Love Bug from Create a Critter Cricut Cartridge cut at 2
- Skunk from Create a Critter Cricut Cartridge cut at 2
- QuikKutz Revolution Tool with the Aquarius font for the 'X' & 'O'
- Hero Arts Stamp - Valentine Sayings - 'Happy Valentine's Day', inside each card

- Hero Arts Stamp - Valentine Sayings - 'Hugs & Kisses'

- My Pink Stamper - Even More Punny-licious - 'You're scent-sational'

- Peachy Keen Stamp - PK-490 Everyday Character Face Assortment - 1/2" smiley face

- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black

- Doodle Design Inc - Doodle Twine - Valentine's Assortment
- Black Gelly Roll Pen Medium, to do the faux stitching

- White Gelly Roll Pen Medium, to do the faux stitching

- Metal Stickers Nailheads - silver
- Corner puncher

- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider

- Pop Dots

Valentine Bucket

( the layout that is wrapped around the inside of the bucket )

( The top of the lid )

The project that I have to share is a Valentine's Day Bucket full of Hugs & Kisses.....Hershey Hugs & Hershey Kisses that is.  A while back I was in my local Target to pick up a couple household items and spotted little buckets in the $1 bins by the front door. Needless to say....I walked out with $15 worth of buckets knowing that I would use them for some good projects sooner or later.  I took a couple of them and made them into some Valentine Buckets to give to a couple extra special people this .  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for this project:
- Cupid's from Sweetheart Cricut Cartridge cut at 2.5

- Cartoche from Sweetheart Cricut Cartridge cut at 2, along with the inside to the overlay cartoche

- Gyspy - used to flip a cupid

- Clear handled bucket from Target, with a lid opener, which I attached with the long ribbon on the handle
- QuikKutz Revolution Tool with small & medium sized circle scallop, used to cut out a decorative circle for on the top of the lid
- American Craft Premium Ribbons - in a variety of different colors & twine

- Hero Arts Stamp - Valentine Sayings - 'Happy Valentine's Day'
- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black
- Martha Stewart Heart punch

- Black Gelly pen to do the faux stitching

- Stickles on the cupid's & the heart
- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider

Valentine Candy Bags



( Close up of the bag toppers )

 The next couple posts will be keeping with the 'Love' theme since Valentine's Day is just right around the corner.  The project that I have to share today are candy bags with bag toppers that I made for some of my cubicle work buddies. I filled the bags with Hershey Kisses & Hershey Hugs, which is a must have since everyone should have Hugs & Kisses on Valentine's Day.  :)  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for this project:
- 3" x 5 1/8" clear bag with no flap from http://www.clearbags.com/
- Bag Topper cut at 3" x 4", then folded in the middle
- Hero Arts Stamp - Valentine Sayings - 'Happy Valentine's Day'
- Versafine Stamp Ink in Onyx Black
- Doodle Design Inc - Doodle Twine - Valentine's Assortment
- Martha Stewart Heart punch, 2 where folded & glued on top of a 3rd one to create a 3D heart
- We R Memory Keepers Stapler
- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider

Love

I can not believe that we are already starting February...seems like we were just making Thanksgiving dinner... boy how time flys by.  With February being the month of love, I am excited to have the first post of the month a page that I made for a special book that I have been working on.  It may seem simple, but it has such a special meaning & purpose. 

My husband and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary in December & while we were at dinner, we were discussing our previous anniversaries; where we were & what we did on those days to celebrate our special day.  During our discussion, it was brought up that maybe I should make an Anniversary book, to document each anniversary for the last 4 years & the future one's going forward. 

The layout is the first page inside our new Anniversary Album, which contains a picture of us from our wedding, a piece of one of the ribbons we used through out our wedding & reception, and using the same colors we used on our special day for the layout - black, white & red.  Thanks for stopping by & taking a peek!!

Recipe for this project:
- Love from Sweetheart Cricut Cartridge cut at 3
- Scotch Advanced Tape Glider