First Vacation Layout

I'm so excited that I've actually been motivated to do some scrapbooking! I have been in a card making rut (not that that's a bad thing). I used my Cricut sooo much for this page, I had kinda been neglecting it since my SIL's baby shower.*that reminds me I need to get those photos posted!*

This is the first of my Tennessee vacation layouts (there will be more to come later as I get them done). Obviously, we went to the Smoky Mountains.

The background paper is from the Paper Studio 180 pack. The title, frame and mountains were all dome with my Cricut. I first drew the images with my Cricut markers (first time using those) and then cut them out. I used the Cricut Design Studio to plan my layout using the Camp out Solutions cartridge and Opposites Attract (upright) for the font. I'll be happy to share the cut files and directions with anyone who asks, just send me an email!

I did some hand journaling and then some more computer typed journaling (behind the journaling mat) on cardstock which I then matted on some leaf patterned card stock that I ran through my paper crimper. The mountain scape photo is mounted on some Bazill cardstock that I embossed with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and them enhanced with some Stazon opaque white ink.

Cuttlebug and Cricut items can be purchased from me via my store (I don't have the cartridges or Design Studio in stock ,but I can easily get them for you at a lower than retail price! Just email me.)

Card Sketch Challenge #10

Here's my take on this weeks sketch over at From C to Shining C. Sorry it's a little crooked, I used my scanner to upload it instead of my camera today.

The background paper is Bazill card stock, the printed papers are DCWV pocket full of posies, the ribbon is Fancy Pants and the flowers are Prima.

Happy Birthday Angie!

Today is my friend Angie's birthday. I made her a card but since she hasn't got it yet I can't post a picture. Angie is a very talented painter and maybe one day she'll share some photos of her work with me so I can post them here (hint, hint).

What Have I Been Doing?

I have been in the Great Smokey Mountains for the past few days. Our family drove (7 hours) down to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area for vacation. My parents met us down there, which was the icing on the cake for the girls. We stayed in a lovely "cabin" (more like a house on top of a mountain). We went up the mountain, we visited Ripley's Aquarium (which I think is a must if you go to Gatlinburg) we went to Wonderworks and we ate, a lot!

I'm Back and I Brought Candy

OK, I didn't bring the candy, just a link to a fabulous blog where you can enter to win some! Enfys' blog Going Buggy has this great blog candy you see here and even more that is not shown!

I just got back from a fun filled family vacation in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Tennessee (don't I sound like an advertisement?) We had a great time and I have lots of pictures that I'll post a little later. I'm still trying to catch up on emails, blogs and of course customer's orders.

Prima Spice Shelf

The UPS man just left these on my front porch! (OK not just I did have to open them, take some time to admire them and then of course take pictures) But they are a new arrival, so new in fact, that I think I'm the first retailer to receive them! How exciting is that? They are a new release from Prima because QVC decided to pass on them (gotta love it when that happens!) The shelf measures 9"x8"x3" and includes 6 clear plastic bottles full of paper flowers (approx 1055 flowers!) I am selling them (while supplies last) for $20 (+S&H). I will also be taking orders for more after my stock sells out.

If I've got you interested, you can email me to place your order. I take Paypal and money orders.

My Lillies

Aren't they pretty?

The cute little blue eyed one is my baby Lilee Renee. She's growing pretty fast too! She just loves to color, my little artist!

Father's Day Card

The Card Sketch Challenge over at From C to Shining C this week was a tough one for me. I am horrible at lining things up in an even pattern. I really needed to make a Father's day card for my Dad so I gave it my best effort.

It's kinda rustic and manly, right? Plus I'm a bit infamous for not getting cards out to their recipients on time so here's proof that it was done, way before Father's day!
The paper is various vellum, patterned and mulberry papers from my stash and some DCWV cardstock. I used Studio G stamps and Ink for the sentiment and gave it a clear, glossy coating with embossing powder.

Another Award

If you could see me right now, you'd see that I am blushing from all these awards. I got this fabulous award from eiyiyi on her blog Dropped Stitches.

Isn't it beautiful? She gave it to me because I am supportive of her blog, what she doesn't realize is that it's so easy to appreciate such fantastic work. I'm going to cherish it for a while before I pass it on to some well deserving blog owners too.

Blog Awards

I'm so excited! I was given two blog awards from Mary, her blog is KreatesKards if you'd like to check it out.

The lemonade award is for blogs that show great attitude and gratitude. *me, aww shucks!*

The Honest scrap award requires me to state 10 honest things about me and then pass it on to 7 others. So here goes:

1. I usually spend more time reading blogs and visiting the MBs than I spend actually crafting.

2. I'm going to be the big 3-0 next month but it's no big deal to me.

3. I hope that I will be able to open a brick-n-mortar scrapbook store when my girls both go to school. (in about 4 more years!)

4. I wish I could get lasik eye surgery, but I'd always rather spend the money on something else.

5. I don't like peanut butter(I'm getting pretty desperate, trying to find honest statements)

6. I met my husband in a restaurant, I was his waitress and I was engaged to someone else!

7. I love Disney World, I've been there 3 times and can't wait to take my daughters.

8. I play (or at at least I used to) the drums

9. My favorite color is blue ( I know, getting desperate again)

10. I don't think that people are really going to care what 10 honest things I write about.

So now I will pass it on, if you want to check out the blogs I'm giving it to here's the links:

http://courtney-lane.blogspot.com/

http://eiyiyi.blogspot.com/

http://all4sydney.blogspot.com/

I visit these blogs almost daily, there are others that I visit but they have already received these awards (go figure).

Recent Projects

I really have been crafting lately, I just haven't been posting them.
So here's some of what I've done this week:

This one is a belated birthday card that also happens to be my take on the Card Sketch Challenge #7 over at From C to shining C. I used DCWV cardstock, DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies stack, American Craft's ribbon, Chatterbox wood frame and a Prima flower. The sentiment is a rub-on.

This is a layout I made for my grandma's birthday. It says "you put the great in great grandma" it also has a tear bear dressed just like grandma does with jeans, heals and a Vera Bradley bag!
I used DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies stack for the background and photo mat, various patterned papers for the tear bear, Prima flowers and Dew Drops for the flower centers. The ribbon is American crafts.
*the Prima flowers and Dew Drops are available in my store

i-Top Your New Favorite Tool

Check out this video for the i-top from Imaginisce. If it's something you must have, visit my website to pre-order yours. Starts shipping July 1st. More details and videos on my website

My New Toy

Here's the my new 4 wheeler that Kevin bought for me:

It's not "brand new", but it's new to me and I'm so excited. I've already been busy putting my personal touches on it, of course:

I used my Cricut and DS to cut out some vinyl stickers. The bee theme seemed fitting since the quad is yellow & black. I used Pooh and Friends for the bees and Mickey font for the lettering.

Talented Friends

I was blessed today with this fabulous card and a gift from the very talented Stephanie. She was so sweet to send me some goodies "just because". You can check out Stephanie's other fantastic work on her blog All4Sydney has caught the Bug. Thank you Stephanie for brightening my day!

Winner of the Blog candy is....

Shelby!!!
I sent you an email. If I don't hear back from Shelby by the 4th of June I will draw another winner. Thank you all for your entries, I wish I could give something to every one, oh wait I can! You can get 10% off your purchase at my store by entering the coupon code: CANDY at check out.