MPS Challenge - Christmas Theme Card

Hey Everyone!

Are you done with all your Christmas shopping, decorating, card making, etc.?  I am pretty much done with my shopping, just a little more to do.  However, I have not sent out any of my Christmas cards yet!  Can you believe it?!  So typical for me...but I am going to send them all out tomorrow.  Here is a card that I made for my stepdaughter and my mother in law.  They both love Hello Kitty!  Can you believe I did not use Stickles on this card....that's probably why I can't get past the fact that it looks like something is missing from this card.  It needs something.... Oh well, I probably will add something more to it before I send it out.  We shall see...lol

Thanks for stopping by.  Let me know what you think....

MPS Challenge

Here is my card for the MPS challenge.  You had to use two shades of pink, two shades of blue and black.  I chose the little penguin from Jolly Holidays cart cut at 3.5".

Thanks for stopping by....

Details:

Jolly Holidays cart

PTI cardstock

DCWV Christmas stack from last year

Cuttlebug Snowflakes

Stickles

$1 Michaels Stamp

Card Swap with Crafting w/Christina

Hey Everyone,

I told you several days ago that I would share the cards that I made for the card swap I participated in over at Crafting w/Christina.  I guess it is okay to share my cards as I received the ones from the other participants in the mail....

Anyway, here are the 5 cards that I made:  Let me know what you think....

Cricut Circle Challenge #10

Hey Everyone,

I decided to enter the Cricut Circle challenge for this week.  I liked the sketch and decided to incorporate it into the cards that I was making for the Wacky Wednesday Challenge.  I really liked this little doggie that I created today and I wanted to make another variation of a card with the dog.

The challenge was to follow this sketch:

and must have at least two cricut cuts.

Here is what I came up with....  

Details:

Birthday Bash Cart - Dog 3.5"

Cricut Imagine - Scallop Circles

Cuttlebug Snowflake

PTI Cardstock - New Leaf, Pure Poppy, Kraft, White

PTI - Ribbon, Twine & Button

MME - Wonderful Winter patterned cardstock

Recollections - Green & Red Bling

Diamond, Xmas Red & Cotton Candy Stickles

$1 Sentiment Stamp 

Hope you like it....Nicole

Wacky Wednesday Challenge #18 Pet Challenge

Hey Everyone,

Here is a card that I created for Wacky Wednesday Challenge #18 - Pet theme.  I really like how it came out.  The ribbon portion was inspired by Scrappin' Navy Wife.  She made a card last week with this ribbon/bow style and I really liked it so I thought I would try it.

Details:
Birthday Bash Cart - dog 3.5"
Cuttlebug Snowflakes
PTI Cardstock - White, Pure Poppy, Kraft
PTI Ribbon & Button
$1 Stamp from Michaels
Stickles
Recollections Bling
Vintage Distressed Ink

Sympathy Card

Hey Everyone,

This is a quick sympathy card that I made for one of my mom's co-workers who lost their brother last week.  It is a really simple card (Inspired by Courtney Lane Designs) but I love the way it came out.  I only used my Imagine to cut the shape on the front of the card. 

Details:

PTI cardstock - Rustic Cream, French Linen, Dark Chocolate

Patterned Paper - DCWV Linen Closet Stack (nice stack)

Cricut Imagine Die Cut

PTI Ribbon

PTI - Communique Curves Sentiments Stamp Set (With Sympathy)

SU - Elements of Style Stamp Set (bird, inside flowers and scroll)

Stampendous - Left Inside scripture stamp

SU - Basic Brown & Bashful Blue Stamp pads

Hope you like it!

Nicole



Inside



Upcoming Blog Hop

Hey Everyone,


I want to tell you about a blog hop that is coming up on the 17th of December.  One of my favorite people/blogs is participating and I wanted to share this information with everyone that I know.  Agnes @ Flowerdiscosscraphut has just shared some exciting news.  


She is a design team member for Lime Light Scrappers and they will be hosting a blog hop on December 17th!


Make sure you mark your calendars and check out this hop.  Also check out Agnes and http://limelightscrappers.blogspot.com to see what amazing things they have going on over there.  Since Agnes is involved, I know it is going to be amazing!  


See you there!


Nicole

Nativity Scene Christmas Card

Hey Everyone,

Here is another card I made from the Inspired cart.  I decided to do an easel card for this card.  I really like the way it came out.  It was pretty easy to cut.  The cuts on the Inspired cart are very simple.  Not much to it.  Pretty much two cuts to each image.  I decided to bling it up again with MS Glitter.

Let me know what you think.  I also entered this card into the Peachy Keen challenge to make a project with dry or wet embossing.

Details:
PTI Dark Chocolate Cardstock
Misc. Recollections Cardstock
4 1/4 Easel Card
MS Smoky Quartz Glitter
MS Pointsettia Flourish Punch
$1 Michaels' Stamp
Misc. Christmas Ribbon/Michaels

Thanks....

Nicole

Stampin Up Demonstrator

Hey Everyone,

It's official!  I am now a Stampin' Up Demonstrator.  I received my kit in the mail today.  So for those of you who love Stampin' Up products and need a demonstrator or someone to order from, please feel free to contact me for Stampin' Up information, catalogs, etc.

I am new at this, but I hope to be up and running here pretty quickly.  Wish me luck, as I have know idea what I am doing. :)  I love Stampin' Up products and decided I might as well take advantage of the promo they were running at the end of November.  If nothing else, I will be able to buy my supplies when I need them and have direct access to their products.  In addition, I am going to try my hand at the My Digital Studio.  Should be interesting.  I will keep you guys posted on my thoughts and projects on their software as I learn.  If you know anything about it or have any suggestions on my new endeavor, please feel free to contact me.  I am always eager to hear from others!

On a separate note, I also finally received my two carts that I ordered from Cricut Machine during their Black Friday sale.  I ordered Wrap It Up and Car Decals on November 10th.  I just received the carts today!!!  I am so disappointed and was completely frustrated.  I am a big time online orderer and I have to tell you, this is by far the worst experience I have ever had!!  I don't think I will order from them ever again.  Well, maybe I will but the price would have to be right and it would have to be something that I could live for a month without!!  Yeah, right.  I don't think I will be ordering from them again!  We shall see.  Don't let me forget, ok? LOL


Hope all is well with everyone!

Nicole

Wisemen Card

Hey,

Just wanted to share this quick card that I have been wanting to do.  This card was inspired by Creative Critters Cricut Club when she did the Hello Thursday for the Inspired cart a couple weeks ago.

I chose the wisemen and the nativity scene to make a card.  This card only has one cut from the cricut and a stamp from the $1 bin at Michaels.

I ran the cut through my 5" Xyron and then used MS brownstone glitter on the wisemen.  It looks like a sparkly bronze.  My picture does not do it justice.  Anyway, a fast and simple card for the holiday.

Details:
PTI - Rustic Cream Cardstock 5x7"Card
Inspired Cart
MS Brownstone Glitter
Stampin Up Basic Brown Stamp Pad
$1 Merry Christmas Stamp from Michaels

Hope you like it!

Nicole

Challenge - Smiley Snowman

Hey Everyone,

Sorry I have been "ghost" lately.  First I was working on my cards for the card swap over at Crafting with Christina which I will share with you later after the swap is complete.  Then I was hanging out with family for Thanksgiving.  Finally I got a job, which I am so thankful for....but it is certainly cutting into my crafting time! LOL

Anyway, here is a card that I made for the challenge over at:
Techniques with Trish - use the smiley card cartridge
Papercutz Challenge - make Christmas card using 2 types of patterned paper
Crafting w/Christina - make a card inspired by a song....Frosty the Snowman

This z-fold card style was inspired by Dorcas over at 4CraftyAngels.  I used the snowman from the free download of Smiley cards for gypsy owners.  It definitely has some cute cuts!  I love this snowman.  I think he is pretty hip and more with the current times, with his shades and blinged out hat and scarf.... lol

Details:
PTI Cardstock - Z - fold A2 size
DCWV patterned paper from last year
Smiley Cards cart - snowman 3.5"
Diamond, Black Diamond & Cotton Candy Stickles
MS poinsettia flourish punch
Misc. Ribbon

Hope you like it!

Thanks....

Nicole

Bell Ornament Challenge @ FlowerDisco's blog

Hey Everyone,

Sorry I have not posted lately.  I just got a new job and it is taking me a minute to adjust to working all day and then caring for my daughter when we get home in the evening.  I have been working on some projects but have not completely finished or photographed the project to post, etc.

Anywho...Agnes over at FlowerDisco made this beautiful bell ornament and wanted her fellow bloggers to make our version of the ornament.  It is on the Christmas Noel cartridge that was part of the free Gypsy cart download.

Anyway, here is my version.  No where near as nice as Agnes' but I tried... :)  I made a card with the ornament on the front.  Let me know what you think and when you get a chance, definitely check out Agnes' blog if you haven't already.  She does amazing work and you definitely will be inspired!

Details:
PTI Fine Linen Cardstock 5"x5" Card
Recollection Spice Cardstock
Christmas Noel Cart 3.5"
Recollection Designer Brads
MME Wonderful Winter Glittered Christmas Papers
PTI Ribbon
Vintage Distressed Ink
Pearl Glimmer Mist

Thanks....

Nicole

 

Shall We Dance/Lori's Garden

Hey Everyone,

Boy do I have a lot to be thankful for this past week in my Crafty world.  Went to breakfast with my family and when we returned home, there were two packages waiting for me....  Shall We Dance cart and Lori's Gardenm from Provocraft.

I have not opened them yet as I am supposed to go over to my sister's house in a little bit but just looking at the package, Lori's Garden looks like it is going to have some nice cuts.  Plus I am tired of the few carts that came with the Imagine.  They are okay but nothing to jump up and down about, in my opinion.  I am not even convinced that I really like my Imagine.  I am still open though as I have not really taken the time to play with as much as I should.  Plus, I am really anticipating that it will be Great once the gypsy is truly compatible with it.  For the price I paid, let's hope~

Anyway, just wanted to share my excitement over this new arrival.  Now if the new Circle Member Cricut cart showed up, that would be the cherry on top of this already mountain high crafty dessert that I have received over the past few days...

Nicole.

Stylish Blogger Award

Hello Everyone!


This week just keeps getting better and better!  I am excited to report that I have been given my FIRST blogger award!  Wow...how exciting is that!  Thanks to one of my most supportive bloggers....Girlia!  Thank you Girlia for this award and for all your awesome compliments on my projects!  I truly appreciate that you take the time to show me love on my blog.


So, in accepting these awards there are a few stipulations that I must follow. 

1. First- Thank and Link this award back to Girlia.  


Make sure you check out her blog.  She is truly talented and I am sure you will be inspired by her work.  She also is an amazing blogger friend, so please go show her some love. 

2. Secondly, I am to share 8 things about myself.  


a. I am a single parent to an amazing 3 year old who keeps me ever so busy!
b. I am newly addicted to crafting and has now become my new shopping addiction!
c. I ventured out at midnight for my First Black Friday shopping experience to buy 4 Cricut Lite carts...it was a smooth, successful experience.... (was so tempted to buy another Cricut...which would have been ridiculous!!)
d. I bought my cricut to scrapbook my daughter, yet I have only made one scrapbook layout as....
d. I discovered My Pink Stamper (the first blog I ever went to) and have been primarily using my cricut to make cards and tags...
e. I just recently got a part-time job after being unemployed for the past 1 1/2 years....
f. I am 38 years old and currently live in Atlanta
g.  I have a mini red poodle (was supposed to be a toy) named Karma.  She is beautiful.


Now I have to pass this award to eight people.....I will be back to post this a little later today.


Nicole

Walmart Shopping

Hey Everyone!

Well, my sister convinced me to venture out to Walmart last night.  She wanted to get a couple things for herself and knowing that I am Cricut obsessed, she bribed me with buying me two Cricut Lite Carts for Christmas if I went with her.  (gotta love big sisters, right.... )  What was I to do, I couldn't let her venture out to black Friday shopping alone, right....lol

Anyway, it was both of our first Black Friday shopping experience.  I must say it went pretty smooth.  We got to Walmart around 11:40 pm last night, as we were going to one that we had never been to and we wanted to get the lay of  the land before the sale started at 12:01am.  Well, when we got in there it wasn't overly crowded but people were in there already and they were already loading their carts up with the sale items.  We were out of there within 45 minutes and that is taking our time and making the circut twice around the sale items....

The first thing we came to were the Cricut Expressions/carts.  There were 6 Expressions and I must say they were Beautiful!  I started trying to justify in my mind why I could really use another Expression but my wallet said....Hell NO!!  I should not have been out there in the first place.  It was hard to pass it up and I must say, I still keep thinking about the new expressions!  Anyway, I picked up 4 Cricut Lite carts.  Two that my sister bought and two that I bought for myself.  I got Twinkle Toes, 4 Legged Friends, Holly Jolly and Inspired.  Anyway, I am so excited for my new carts!

Nicole

Scrappers Anonymous

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to share a new blog that I discovered today with the rest of you!  Scrapper's Anonymous is having an awesome giveaway on her blog.  She reached 100 followers, although now it is closer to 200.  Go over and enter to win this blog candy below.  Also take a moment to check out her projects.  She has some cute stuff that I think you will enjoy!  Later my fellow crafters!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To My Craft Family.....

I just wanted to let you know that I am so Thankful for all the awesome support that you have given me, as I take my creative journey through this paper crafting world.  I am so thankful for all your kind words, inspiration and encouragement. It truly brings me joy and I truly am Thankful for you!

I am wishing you all a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!  May you have a fun filled day surrounded by the people you love!  May this day be the beginning of many more blessings to come!

Happy Thanksgiving!  

Nicole

I'm a Winner!!!

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited, I just had to share.  Today has been a great day!  I went to the mail and there was my package from Emma over at My Creative Time.  I won a set of the Peachy Keen Santa Stamps from the Peachy Keen bloghop a week ago.

Then I was doing by daily blog hops and I saw that I won a Pink Expression from Melanie over at Courtney Lane Designs!!!!!    I can't believe it!  I am ever so excited and sooo very thankful for all the awesome prizes that I have won so far.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my excitement with someone who would understand....

I am wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday filled with much love and many, many Blessings!!!

Nicole

Emma's Throwback Thursday

Hey Everyone,

Two posts in one day...whew!  Can you believe?  Well, it was pretty easy because Emma's Throwback Thursday is to create a Cricut-less card.  This card was pretty easy.  I made a gate fold card, a Christmas stamp and the snow flake cuttlebug embossing folder.  Oh, and of course....lots of stickles!

Let me know what you think....  This could be one of my goto Christmas cards to give out to teachers, co-workers, etc.  We'll see....

Deets:

5.5x5 Card
PTI - Ruby Red
Bazzill White Cardstock
PTI - Ribbon
Cuttlebug Snowflake
Recollections Bling
Diamond Stickles
Christmas Peace Stamp by Paper Inspirations

My Pink Imagine-Nation Challenge

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to share a project I created for Robyn's My Pink Imagine Nation Wednesday Challenge.

I used my Imagine only for this project.  I used the patterned paper from Imagine More along with Holiday Cakes.  I have been trying to work on some Christmas/Holiday cards and decided to do something along those lines.  I had been thinking about using the mittens on Joys of the Season but just got this Holiday Cakes cart and liked the ones on there better.  I also got the sentiment from Holiday Cakes.

Let me know what you think.....

PTI Cardstock - Spring Rain 5.5x5.5

Patterned Paper - Imagine More design printed on Bazzill white cardstock

Imagine More cart

Holiday Cake cart

Mittens cut @ 3.5 rel size

Rectangle from Imagine cut @ 4.7 & 4.5"

MS Punch

Stickles

Nicole

Hello Thursday/Giveaway Over @ Obsessed With Scrapbooking

Hey Everyone,

It is Hello Thursday over at Obsessed with Scrapbooking along with an awesome giveaway.  She is giving away Winter Frolic, Pink Advanced Tape Glidew w/2 refills and a Pad of SEI Kris Kringle Paper.  Wow!  Go over and check out the 8 new carts that came out from Provocraft today as well as enter to win this awesome blog candy!!

Don't miss out!

Happy Crafting....

Nicole

Par-fect Birthday Card

Good Morning Everyone,

I wanted to share a quick card that I made for my uncle.  He loves to golf so I wanted to make a birthday card using a golf theme.  I used Everyday Paperdolls for the man and the golf bag.  The Golf cart is from Jolee's by You Dimensional Sticker (which I must say was falling apart when I went to use it).  This is the first time I have used a sticker on a card but I think it added something to the card.  I printed the sentiment on my computer.

Deets:

PTI Cardstock - Rustic Cream & Kraft

Patterned paper - SEI Madeline

Cardsize - 5x7

Everyday Paper Dolls cart
Vintage Distressed Ink

Golf Cart - Jolee's by You Dimensional Sticker

EK Success Punch

Recollections Black Bling

Your comments are so appreciated! Thx...

Nicole

Cricut Circle Magazine Challenge

Hello Everyone,

Today I want to share what I made for the Cricut Circle Magazine Challenge.  The challenge is to create an  ornament.  The rules are that it must be able to hang from your tree and include at least 4 Cricut cuts and include one other Provocraft product.  I used the Cricut and the Cuttlebug.  Let me know what you think:

Deets:
PTI Cardstock (red & green), Recollections Jewel Tones (cream)
Joys of the Season cart
Christmas Cards cart
Cuttlebug Textiles Folder
Stampendous Red Tinsel Embossing Powder
Diamond Stickles
Recollections Rhinestones
Misc. Michaels ribbon & Stamin Up Hemp

Go check out the other submissions.  There are some amazing creations!  Makes mine look pretty plain but I wanted to try since I have never made an ornament before.  It is also my first time using the center point feature on my Expression.  I definitely plan to use that feature a lot more in the future for my scrapbooking.

Thanks for looking....

Nicole

Emma's Imagine-Nation Challenge

Hi Everyone,

Haven't posted anything for several days but I have been working on some Christmas card ideas.  I will be posting them in the next couple days.  Anyway, tonight I decided to participate in Emma's Imagine-Nation Mondays.  This week's theme is buttons.  I have always wanted to use buttons and just received my order of buttons from PTI last week, so I am pretty psyched to try it out.  Next, I have to find my sewing machine that my mom gave me several years ago (it's still in the box) so that I can start to sew on my cards.  I really like that effect on cards and I am hopeful that I can develop that sewing skill...  Anyway, here is the card (not sure if I adhered the buttons correctly but they are staying so far):

Deets:
Imagine More cart
Walk In My Garden cart - flower pot border, flowers & stem cut @ 2"
Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream (5x7 card)
Patterned Cardstock: magine More design printed on 12x12 Bazzill cardstock
Buttons: PTI Vintage Holiday Mix
Vintage Distressed Ink
Stampin Up Noteworthy Stamps
Diamond Stickles (of course)

Thanks for looking and let me know your thoughts/suggestions! :)

Nicole

My 1st Easel Card

Promarkers Giveaway

Hey Everyone!

There is an awesome giveaway going on!  Going Buggy is giving away a FULL set (148) of Promarkers!  Here is the link to her blog:   Going Buggy Promarkers Giveaway   Go check it out!  I hear these markers are awesome for coloring in your stamps....comparable to Copics but a little less expensive.  I don't have either and would love to win!  Go enter for a chance to win as well!

Have a Great Day!!

Nicole

Cupcake Birthday Card

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to share a quick card I made for my daughter's friend for her 3rd birthday.  I made a cupcake card from Once Upon A Princess.

Deets:
Once Upon A Princess cart
Paper Studio & Recollections Cardstock
Distressed Stripes & D'vine Swirl Cuttlebug
Stickles

Didn't come out as cool as I envisioned but oh well!

Nicole

Tea Pot Card

Hi,

I made this birthday card for my cousin who loves tea.

Deets:

PTI Cardstock

DCWV Far East Cardstack

Pagoda Cartridge
Martha Stewart Punch
Vintage Distressed Ink
Glossy Accents
Misc. Ribbon & Hemp


I hope you like it!


Nicole

Cricut Circle Monthly Challenge

Hello Fellow Crafters!

Haven't been feeling well, so I have not been posting these past couple days.  I have worked on a few cards but have not put all the finishing touches on them, but I will post them as soon as I am back up and running.

However, had to post this one today as it is for the Cricut Circle Monthly Challenge and it is due today...nothing like waiting until the last minute.

The theme was:
OCTOBER MONTHLY CHALLENGE: CELEBRATING CREATIVITY
The theme for this month’s challenge is all about celebrating the reasons why you love to create! Please create a scrapbook page or home decor project CELEBRATING CREATIVITY. Project must be newly created for this challenge and should include atleast 2 cuts to qualify. You must also:

• Use the Shadow Feature
• Use Patterned Paper (purchased, printed, or created with stamps, etc.)
• Use Embellishments to Enhance One of the Cuts (pearls, buttons, gems, glitter, etc.)

This project was definitely a challenge for me as I have never done a scrapbook page or home decor project so far with my cricut (which is really crazy as scrapbooking was whole reason why I bought my Cricut).  This was great though as it has helped jumpstart my goal to begin really scrapping my pages for daughter.

So my thought behind my layout was my daughter, who was/is the motivation for me to be creative so that I can capture the memories of her childhood for her to have when she is older.  She is the reason that I Create!

I never Imagined I could Create something that would fill me with so much LOVE!

Details:
Dark/Light Purple Cardstock - Bazzill
Pink Patterned Paper -  DCWV Mariposa Stack (my Favorite)
       *Light Purple/Pink Patterned Paper cut using Imagine Best Friends cart using the Cut Only feature
imagine - Home Accents cart, Paper Studio purple cardstock cut at 4"
create - Gypsy Font cart, K&Co Jubilee Purple Burst cardstock, shadow Recollections cardstock cut at 2.75"
Tag - Tags, Bags & More, Recollections cardstock cut at 4.29" Words (Tim Holtz) printed on computer
Large Butterfly - Once Upon A Princess Cart - cut at 3.25, Purple Bazzill Cardstock, Mariposa Photo Mat Stack
Small Butterflies - Imagine Nursery Tails cart
Flower - Forever Young Cart - cut at 2.5", 2", 1.5", 1.25" with Diamond Dust
LOVE/Heart - Tim Holtz grunge board letter,  gold powder embossing powder
Photo Mats - Pink Paper printed & cut using Imagine Nursery Tail, Tan - Recollections Cardstock
Vintage & Dusty Concord Distressed Ink
Miscellaneous Purple Floss Ribbon
Stickles - Diamond, Eucalyptus & Cotton Candy
Ink Essentials Opaque Pen
iRock Bling