Birthday Card - Brother

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has been a while since I posted.  I was extremely sick this past week.  Won't bore you with the details but suffice it to say, I am so happy to be feeling better.  Today is the first day that I have gone in my craft room to create.  One of the items that I made is this card for my brother's birthday.  Salsa dancing is one his favorite things to do in his free time.  So I thought this card would be nice for him.

I am also entering this card into:

Celebrate The Occasion - Anything Goes Birthday

Fantabulous Cricut - Emboss It

Winner!!!!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the delayed posting....sick again! Ugghh! 

Anyway, the winner of my 100 Followers giveaway is....

JustYolie said...

I hope both of you feel better soon. Congrats on the 100+ followers. Thanks for the chance to win.

Please email me your address so I can get your package out to you - nadialax13@gmail.com 

Thanks to all of you for following!  I truly appreciate it!

Nicole

CTO Challenge #2 - Masculine Card

Hi Everyone,

If you are looking for my 100 Followers giveaway, please click HERE. 

I have 3 male birthdays coming up in the next few weeks.  I made one card so I decided to play along with the CTO Challenge to create a masculine card/project.

This card is also entered into More Than Favors Cartridge Chaos where you need to use the Rock Princess cart and Cooking with Cricut where you need to emboss.

I used PTI Kraft cardstock for the card base and DCWV Linen Closet patterned cardstock.  I love that stack and think I will buy another one.  I love DCWV cardstock!  It's nice and affordable.  I also used the Cuttlebug Happy Birthday folder w/PTI Rustic Cream Cardstock and d'Vine Swirl and Distressed Stripes

I also used Rock Princess cardstock for the cupcake cut at 2 3/4".    Topped the cupcake off with my favorite, various stickles!  I also distressed it with Tim Holtz Distress Vintage Ink.

Hope you like it!  Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment!  Love to hear what you guys think!

Have a great weekend....Nicole :)

Birthday Card for Mom

Hey Everyone,

If you are looking for my 100 Followers Giveaway post, please click HERE.  You have until Monday evening to enter. :)  I will pick a winner on Tuesday when I get back in town.

Today, I wanted to share with you a card that I made for my mom's birthday.  I was supposed to post it on Monday, but just been under the weather, etc.

Her birthday was on Valentine's Day.  I love the colors of the card but I was not happy with the tag.  I will make her another one later to replace this one, but I was tired and trying to get it done for her bday.  Also, I am working on a mini album for her as well.  It is almost done and I will share it with you guys when I am finished.

Anyway, here is the card.  I am also posting a picture of a card I made for my mom's friend for Valentine's Day.

Thanks for stopping by.....Nicole

100+ Followers Giveaway

Hey Everyone,



Sorry for the delay in posting this giveaway.  Both my daughter and I have been under the weather and I have not had a chance to get on my computer and post.  I am at work right now, but I wanted to "sneak" on my blog and at least get this post up for my giveaway.

To celebrate reaching 100 followers, I am going to give away the Sweet Treats cartridge along with some other miscellaneous craft items.  I will add a photo of my giveaway later tonight when I get home.

Please leave a comment on this post stating how long you have been crafting and what is your favorite type of project to make.  Being as this giveaway is to celebrate my followers, you must be a follower to win.  Only one comment please.  The winner will be chosen randomly on Monday, Feb.21st.

 

Updated w/Photo - Giveaway Includes:  

Sweet Treats Cart, Designer Series Tim Holtz Distress Stickles, 6 Action Wobbles, Cuttlebug Charms Dies, Recollections Halloween Cardstock & Stampin' Up Dimensionals 

Thank you again for following my blog and for all the wonderful and encouraging comments!  I truly appreciate them all!

Nicole

CTO Blog Hop Winner

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for joining the CTO Be Mine blog hop and all the wonderful comments that were left.  I also want to say thank you to all my followers, both new and old! 

So on to the winner of the Wild Card cart........Random.org selected the number 12....and the winner is:

The Crazy Cardmaker said...

Love your projects. So cute =) YAY i got to be follower number 70 =)

Hugs from Lilli =)

Congrats Lilli!  I will send you an email shortly to get your address.

Have a great day and I will be back later to post a giveaway for reaching 100 followers! :)

Nicole

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Hello My Crafty Friends....


Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day! 

I also see that I have reached the 100 follower mark!  Yay!!!  I am so excited.  I will post later on tonight the winner of the Wild Card cart and the Giveaway Post for reaching 100 followers, so stay tuned!

Almost at 100 Followers

Hello Everyone!

I must say I am so excited and overwhelmed with all the awesome comments that I have received for my projects on the CTO blog hop.  More amazing, is the fact that so many people have "chosen" to be followers!  This makes me so happy and I want to say Thank You! 

I am four followers away from 100!  In honor of that, I want to do a giveaway!  I always knew I would do a giveaway when I reached 100 but I did not expect it happen this weekend.  I have not quite decided what I want my giveaway to be!  Something good, tho... 

So with that said, I am going to be doing a giveaway when I reach 100 followers.  Keep checking back to see when and what I will be doing for this giveaway.

Thanks to Flower Disco, my very first follower!  Thanks to those who have been following me for a while!  And a special thanks to all my new and recent followers!  May we all continue to inspire one another....  :)

Happy Crafting....

Nicole

CTO Be Mine Blog Hop

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited to participate in my first ever blog hop with CTO.  CTO is a new challenge blog, and this is our first ever blog hop as well.  If you just happen to be at my blog, be sure to click Here to start at the beginning!  If you just came from Melissa then you are in the right spot. :)

Also, CTO is having a design team call.  Please go to celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com to get more details....  There is also a giveaway on the CTO blog, you just have to become a follower and leave only one comment for a chance to win.  Also, there will be blog candy throughout the hop!!  Yippee!!  We all love blog candy!!

Here is the lineup for the CTO BE Mine Blog Hop in case you get lost:

CTO Blog http://www.celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/

Melissa http://www.melissa-moecreations.blogspot.com/ 

Nicole (you are here)

Gloria http://www.girliascards.blogspot.com/

Ivette http://www.allaboutmeandmyscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Gigi http://www.the%20cricutbug.blogspot.com/

Adrian http://www.byadrian4u.blogspot.com/

Lucianna http://www.dilsaverdesigns.blogspot.com/

Nicole http://www.creativedelightsbynicole.blogspot.com/

 

Anyway, on to my projects for this hop.  The first up is a set of cards that I made with primarily Stampin Up materials.  I am practicing my stamping skills and thought these cards came out simple but cute.

The second set of cards that I have for the hop are Valentine's cards for my 3 year old daughter to give her classmates on Monday.  She helped me make these cards.  We made 13 total cards but here is a sample of each style that we made.  My daughter will "write" her name/draw on the inside of each card.  I used Cricut Spring Holiday Cards cartridge along with my cuttlebug folders.  I inked a couple of them with chalk and also used the new Stampin Up red glitter cardstock on some.  I added some stickles and rhinestones to bling it up.

So, for my blog....I will be giving away the Wild Card cart as my blog candy.  Just leave a comment for a chance to win this blog candy.  Only one comment per person please.  I will ship anywhere in the US.  I will pick a winner (by random) on Monday evening.

Click here to go to the next stop on the hop!!  Girlia is next and I know you are going to be inspired by her and the rest of the CTO DT, as they are all so talented!  Enjoy and Good Luck in winning some delicious blog candy!!

Nicole

Celebrate The Occasion - Kids' Birthday

Hi Everyone,

Today’s project for Celebrate The Occasion challenge blog was to make a project with the theme of Kids' Birthday.  Make sure you participate.  You have until next Sunday to enter the challenge and win some awesome blog candy!  Click here to go to the CTO blog and enter your project!

For my project, I decided to use the caterpillar from Stretch Your Imagination cart.  I cut her at 2.5".  I also cut the shadow in white, then blinged it up with my favorite, Diamond Stickles. LOL I used black stickles for the nose and black diamond bling for the eyes.  

I chose a colorful patterned paper that I had in my stash.  It is SEI ally's wonderland - caterpillar cushion (I just found out the name....I guess it was the perfect choice for my project).  It is floral on one side and striped on the other.  I then added some pink floral brads in each corner.

I used PTI kraft cardstock for the cardbase.  I cut the cardbase from Birthday Bash cart at 6".  I then layered it with purple cardstock.  I did some stitching on the card with the Janome Sew Mini.  This was my first time actually stitching on my card, and as you can see, I was a little crooked in some places.  LOL  Hopefully, I will get better with practice.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!  Please leave me a comment, as I love to hear what you guys think! 
Also, don't forget that Celebrate The Occasion challenge blog is having a Valentine Blog Hop/DT call on February 12th, which also means blog candy for the hop!!  :)   Go to Celebrate The Occasion to join the hop and enter for the DT call.   

Happy Crafting!  Make sure you enter this week's CTO challenge for a Kid's Birthday Theme project and a chance to win some blog candy.

Nicole

Details:
PTI Kraft Cardstock
SEI double sided patterened paper
Paper Studio purple cardstock
Birthday Bash (cardbase @ 6") & SYI (caterpillar @ 2.5")
Diamond & Black Stickles
Cuttlebug - Happy Birthday/Swiss Dots folders
Floral Brads
SU Curly Label Punch
Hero Arts Sentiments

MPS Challenge - 02/09/11

Hey Everyone,

I created this card and decided to enter it into the MPS challenge today.  The challenge is to create a card that is Springy, Valentinesy or that just makes you happy!  This card makes me very happy.  I am very pleased with how it turned out.  I only used my cricut for one cut, the flowers on the back.  I used my Stampin Up stamps on the inside, lots of distressing around the edges with my Tim Holtz ink.

I created this trifold card and used a little key brad to keep it closed.  There is lots of layering, textures, etc. on this card and I am pleased with how it turned out.  I finally used my SU Wonder Crayons that I have had for many months now.  I like how the shading turnded out with the colors on the flowers.  I blinged it up the flowers a little more with my favorite, yes.... Diamond Stickles! :)  Can never use them enough!

Anyway, thanks for dropping by and let me know what you think.....

Nicole

Details:
PTI - Rustic Cream & Kraft cardstock
Recollections - Cream Cardstock
DCWV - Linen Closet cardstack
TH Vintage Distressed Ink
Mother's Day Bouquet - Cricut Cart (flowers cut at 3.75 & 3.5)
Cuttlebug - d'Vine Swirl/Textile Textures
SU Curly Label Punch
SU Elements of Style Stamp Set
Hero Arts Birthday Sentiments
Paper Studio Diamond Bling
Diamond Stickles
Misc. Brads

Throwback Thursday

Hey Everyone,

Emma's Throwback for this week is to use the cart Wild Card or Just Because and add a sentiment to the front of the page.

I used the Wild Card Cart and chose the present card with envelope.  I cut the envelope at fit to page and then used that size to determine the size the card should be.  I chose the patterned paper from some old Stampin Up paper that I had bought last year.  I blinged it up a little with diamond stickles in the center of the flowers of and xmas red for the center of the bow.  The sentiment is from a misc. clear stamps that I had ordered from HSN last year.  Let me know what you think....

Nicole

Celebrate The Occasion - Birthday Post

Hi Everyone,

I am excited to let you all know that I have been invited to be a member of the Celebrate The Occasion design team.  This is my first design team and I feel super honored that they asked me to be a part of it.  Make sure you check out this blog, it is a group of super awesome ladies and it's a Challenge Blog all about celebrating the many special occasions of life that fall throughout the year.  :)  So make sure you join us and tell all your other crafty friends about us!

So for our first post, we are to create a project with a birthday theme.  I decided I wanted to do a card with a butterfly as the focal point of it.  I Love Hearts and Butterflies... :)  Anyway, I chose to use the first butterfly on the Rock Princess cart.  It ended up having seven layers all together and I really like the way it turned out.  I tried to go outside of my normal self and use lots of bright colors!

So, here are the details.  It is a 5x7 card.  I used the Happy Birthday cuttlebug embossing folder and inked it up with Vintage Distressed Ink, distressed some of the edges with the Tim Holtz distresser, blinged it up a little bit with Paper Studio gemstones.  I hope you guys like it.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  Thank you...

Nicole

Details:
Stampin' Up Paper - Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay
Papertrey Ink. - Lemon Tart, Rasberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado
Rock Princess Cricut Cart - Butterfly w/layers cut at 2.75" plus shadow base layer
Happy Birthday Embossing Folder
Tim Holtz Vintage Distressed Ink
Tim Holtz Distresser
Paper Studio Diamond Gemstones
Stampin' Up Designer Buttons (Bright)
Papertrey Ink Twine - Rustic Cream
Stampin Up Sentiment - So Happy For You (2011 Sale-A-Bration)
Butterfly Stamp Inside Card - Hero Arts
Stampin Up Ink - Classic Brown

Also don't forget, I am now a Stampin Up Demonstrator and can fulfill your SU orders, so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, need a catalog, etc...

Bridal Shower Card

Happy Sunday Everyone!

I wanted to share a card that I made a few days ago for my boss' bridal shower party we had at work.  We ended up having the party after her wedding due to the snow storm we had a couple weeks ago.  The couple is going to Hawaii for their honeymoon so the party was a Hawaiian theme and they wanted that reflected in the card for her.

It was an interesting combo for me but I think I pulled it off.  I was stressing about making the card as I wanted to do something elegant but also tie in the Hawaii thing.  In the end, I was pleased with the end result and my boss/co-workers loved the card.

Would love to hear what you guys think of the card....

Thanks....Nicole

Center left blank for everyone to sign.....

opened the opposite way I wanted because I taped the wrong side....lol

Baby Shower Thank You Cards

Happy Sunday Everyone,

Today I am posting a card that I worked on last week.  I was asked to donate a set of cards to go into a Baby Item Basket for a silent auction that my job is having at a fundraiser next week.  This card was inspired by a card that Emma at Creative Time made a while back.  Hers was a shaped card (just the onsie).

Anyway, this project at first was a little challenging for me as I had to make it gender neutral and I just could not find any patterned paper that I really liked (in my stash).  Finally, I noticed the one I used in the Linen Closet stack and poof....I was inspired.

Hope you like it....

Details:
New Arrivals Cart
PTI - Fine Linen, Rustic Cream & Kraft Cardstock
PTI  - DCWV Linen Closet Stack
Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots
MS - Pointsettia Punch
SU Stamps
SU Basic Brown Ink
iRock Bling & Paper Studio Gemstones
Miscellaneous Ribbon
Misc. Eyelets
White Inkessentials Gel Pen

MPS Blog Hop Challenge

Hey Everyone,

Today's project is for the challenge over at MPS.  Robyn had a blog hop last night and introduced her new design team along the way.  At each stop, the DT member introduced themselves, made a project and had a word that you had to put together to participate in the challenge!  Robyn has put together an amazing design team and I can't wait to see what all they have in store for us all over the next six months!

Today, I decided to use the Sweethearts cart and the card base is from Birthday Bash...  Hope you like.  Let me know what you think!!  Also if you have any advice on how I can get better pictures, would love it.  My pics never do my projects justice...(and I am using an Ottolite)

  Have a great weekend!! :)

Details:
PTI Cardstock - Rustic Cream, Sweet Blush
Recollections Cardstock - Brown
Birthday Bash Cart - Cardbase cut at 5.31" on Gypsy
Sweethearts Cart - Puppy cut at 3.5" twice for layering effect (although you can't see it in pic)
Cuttlebug - Textile Texture (my favorite)
Paper Studio Bling - Pink Gemstones (2 sizes around edges, lrg for top)
Metal Stickers - Black Nailheads (for eyes)
Antique Linen Distress Ink
MS Brown Flocking Powder
MS Kunzite Glitter
SU Dimensionals (THE BEST)

Paper Weight No More....

Hey Everyone,

I just packed up my Imagine to send back to Provocraft.  The faceplate kept falling off and then it stopped cutting.  I did all my updates and nothing worked.  Since we are in a state of emergency here in Atlanta (LOL) due to the snow and ice, I have been off work all week so far.  So I had time to call Provocraft to discuss my issues.

The hold time was a bit long, but once I got a representative on the phone she was extremely nice and helpful.  I now have to send back my Imagine and the carts and when they receive they will ship me out a new one.  Should take about two weeks, according to her.  We shall see.  I just did not feel comfortable keeping this machine with the faceplate falling off, especially considering I have barely used it.  (less than 10 times)

I must say, now that it is off my desk I am enjoying the extra work space.  :)

I will be posting a project in a little bit, if I don't get called in to work before I can download the picture.

Happy Crafting Everyone!!

Nicole

Expensive Paper Weight

Hey Everyone....

Well, it appears my Imagine has become nothing more than a $500 paper weight!!

Finally decided I was going to make more of an effort to use it but now it seems it is not working properly.  I have barely used it as it is but now it won't cut at all and the face plate keeps coming unglued! 

Oh well, I guess I need to call Provocraft on Monday to see what they will do.  Anyone else having problems with their Imagine?

Nicole

RUN don't walk to Michaels!!!

I am at Michaels as we speak and they have a lot of carts on clearance for $9.99!!!

Which ones you ask?!!

Pagoda, Sweethearts, Sweet Treats, Disney cars, Paisley, Winter Woodland, Disney Dreams Come True, Stand & Salute, Old West, From My Kitchen. A Childs year, Pooh Friends & Pooh Font, Mickey and Friends, Simply Sweet, Jubilee, Life's a Beach, Wild Card and More!!!

I can't believe it so if there are some carts you been wanting but didnt want to pay alot... Run, don't walk to Micheals!!

Nicole

**Edit**

So, I went a little crazy in Michaels yesterday.  I just can't pass up a good sale.....
Not sure I will keep all the carts that I bought but the ones that I am most excited about getting are:
A Child's Year (thanks to Dorcas who has created some amazing projects with this cart!)
Sweet Treats (I Think)
Sweethearts (I Think)
Pooh Friends (My daughter loves Piglet)
Disney Dreams Come True (My daughter loves all the princesses)
Life's A Beach (for scrapping vacations)
Lyrical Letters (I Think)
Winter Woodland (not sure....)
Pagoda (even tho I already have it, one of my many favs)

I got a few for a friend who just bought a cricut as a gift for her friend...Paisley, Wild Cards, Sweet Treats.

The ones I got that I don't think I am going to keep are: From My Kitchen, Old West, Cars, Mickey & Friends, maybe Winter Woodland.

My Pink Stamper Challenge/DT Submission

Hey Everyone,

Robyn over at My Pink Stamper is having a challenge and two openings on her design team.  I have decided to participate.  I love Robyn and she has been so instrumental in my exploration of my creativity over the last year!  I never really considered myself as a very creative person, so this has been quite an interesting journey.  Especially as I am not good with colors....  I still doubt my creativity but I am working on it. ;)

I had my Cricut for almost a year before I used it.  I bought it so that I could scrapbook my daughter.  I recently moved back to Atlanta and was looking forward to checking out the local scrapbooking store only to discover it was gone.  So I went to the next best thing....Michaels (lol) in search of some help/classes to learn how to use my Cricut.  No such luck....however, I did run into this nice woman in the Cricut aisle and struck up a conversation with her.  I figured she may be able to help me figure what cartridges to start out with or where to begin.  She gave me one piece of advice that has led me on this creative journey... "Go online to My Pink Stamper and you will find everything you need to know."  Lucky for me, I still remembered the name by the time I got home.  With a little searching, I found Robyn and her many video tutorials.  That was the beginning.....

This past year has been a bit rough for me emotionally with going through a separation/divorce, now being a single parent to a toddler all while being unemployed for the past year plus.  It has been quite challenging.  However, being able to focus my attention on learning how to create paper crafts has been such a pleasant distraction and allowed me to find a positive release.  I am so thankful to Robyn and all of you fellow crafters/bloggers out there.  You have all been truly inspiring during one my darkest times and I Thank You All!!

Anyway, enough of my blubbering....  Here is my submission to the challenge and design team.  Good luck to all of you who are entering.....Nicole T.

The challenge was to use your favorite cartridge and use Robyn's favorite colors: pink, brown and green and another color of your choice.  I do not have one favorite cartridge at this point, so I decided to use one of my new carts that I have not used.  I chose Twinkle Toes.  I bought this cart to scrapbook my daughter.  She walks on her toes and so I decided to put her in ballet and gymnastics.  She loves both!  I just know I am going to be able to use this cart a lot.  I learned how to make cards from Robyn and I can't wait to see her DVD tutorial for scrapbooking...as that was the whole reason I bought my Cricut. (lol - I have only made one scrapbook page and that was recently for a Cricut challenge)  I get overwhelmed at the thought of it.  I digress again....

Here is the recipe...
Twinkle Toes Cart - dancer cut at 3.75" (Rasberry Fizz, Sweet Blush, True Black)
Dancers Skirt & Bow - Stampin Up Old Olive Cardstock (reverse d'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug)
Stampin Up Cardstock - Kiwi Kiss 4.25"x5.5"
PTI Cardstock -  Rasberry Fizz Cut @ 4"x5.25"
Recollections Cardstock - Brown Cut @ 3.75" x 5" (Textile Texture Cuttlebug)
Paper Stuido Bling - Pink, Diamond, Green
Paper Studio Heart Shape Brads
Miscellaneous Ribbon from Michaels(?)
Sentiment - MPS - Punnylicious (Rasberry Fizz & Melon Berry Cardstock)
Tim Holtz Distresser
Stampin Up - Basic Brown Ink
Cotton Candy Stickles

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