Published me...

The new issue of August/September Ezine is out with Ready Set Create and I am always so pleased to say that I have a card in the mag.  If you wish to see some really inspiring and creative projects, take a look here.... You get a great dose of wonderfulness with Jen's mag and her prices are wonderful too.  TFL...and when the 30 days are up under the publishing stips, I will post my card ...which was done with the clear sheets. 

Happy Friday everyone!

BIG NEWS EXCITING NEWS

Watch for some wonderful news Saturday morning...

BBTB/GP/People/BlogHop

I HAVE A WINNER:  Congrats to ASHJOY for winning the Rocking Horse Hand Towel. Please email me before August 5 with your name and mailing address  ... Thanks to all for playing along with the blog hop/blog candy.  

It's Monday and we know what that means... Regina has scheduled another BBTB Blog Hop and I so so love these. You can blip from one blog to another to see the designs AND you can sign up for some pretty spiffy blog candy. If you are here, you probably have arrived from Enfys' blog. A true delightful experience! Her work is wonderful, inspirational, and just pure genius in design and ideas.
Here is my card. We were to design from Going Places and we were to use the people cut.
This is just a blank couple holding hands so I had to dress them up. I figured a vacation would be just the ticket...and the ticket would be Hawaii. The vacation dies are from LAB, a fun fun cartridge to work from.


For my blog candy, I found a cute little white hand towel that I embroidered with a rocking
horse. These are not expensive towels but I love to embroidery on them and give as gifts.
Please leave a comment and your name on my blog and I will put you in the draw. Be sure to check back on the draw deadline of August 1st. If you are the winner, then I will ask you to email me with your information so I can mail the towel to you.
Now.... please blip over to Sandi's blog to see her delightful designs and fantastic techniques and ideas. Talk about getting inspired!...Thanks all for stopping by. Have a super day.

Sunday

Stay tuned...Blog Hop on Monday.

Butterflies Flit

I love Regina's Cutting Cafe and the sets she offers.... I love to look at the cards the designers create and the gallery full of cards to admire. Hop over there right now and take a gander at the beautiful Butterfly set.

With that said, here are three cards I did using Regina's sentiments. I love this little simple card. I double mounted the sentiment and ran it thru the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. The card front was also embossed and the butterflies come from a MS punch. I've added some feelers, and a dab of tiny pink micro beads.

Such a simple to do card. The MS butterfly punch, a sweet pearl and two pretty white ribbons atop an embossed mount.
I was pleased with this card. First of all I love the circle sentiment with the butterflies swirling all around. Going with that, I used four MS punched butterflies with small pearls and put them in a circle with tips of wings touching. TFL...I always appreciate your visits.

Free Stuff @ The Cutting Cafe

Wow, what a treat you are in for if you perchance to The Cutting Cafe here. Regina has a set that she is giving away free until the end of August. Hurry.... you don't want to miss these.

BBTB/IA/Cone

Today is Monday and that means Regina has posted the designer cards for the Indie Art Ice Cream cone challenge. I always rush to the site to see the fantastic cards. Please visit here and you can see too.

For my card, I used some scrap bin papers of red white and blue. The crochet flowers are from Paper Blooms. Aren't they darling? Leah does a wonderful job on these. The sentiment is from Regina's Cutting Cafe, 40 Ways to say Happy Birthday. And of course I ran the background paper through the wonderful Cuttlebug Embossing Folder.

TFL...

Blog Candy Mice Towels

UPDATE:  WINNER...Vicki, congratulations, you won the draw. 

Please email me with your addie and I will mail off these cute Mickey and Minnie Towels.  Thanks to all for playing along with my celebration blog candy.  

My blog has had more than 23,000 hits which makes me smile big.

So I am celebrating with a little gift for my friends who stop by to visit.

These towels are not expensive but they are fun to embroidery on.

Here are two. Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Something cute to lay on your sink. So leave a comment and I will put your name in the draw which will be next Tuesday, July 28th ...and that happens to my birthday. TFL...

CuttingCafe/Giveaway YAYYYY

Update: Katarina now has her Nestling Boxes Template.

A WINNER: Congratulations to KATARINA. Please send me your email address by July 22nd so that we can get the Nestling Boxes Template sent to you via email. If I do not hear from the winner by July 22, on July 23 I will select a new name. Congratulations, Katarina, and to all who stopped by to leave a comment, thank you. I appreciate each of you.

Regina has told us that we can offer a free set from The Cutting Cafe. All we have to do is pick a set, make a card or project and then we can offer the set through a drawing in 3 days.

How wonderful is THAT?

First of all, I LOVED the Nestling Boxes Templates that she just released. There are three boxes; the biggest box is approximately 3 x 2.5 with the smallest being 2 x 2-1/2. You can stack them, or decorate them and sit them side by side as I have done here.

Here are two of the nesting boxes decorated with holiday dies and holiday papers. I stacked the two boxes, and nestled in a Christmas text die.

These represent the three sizes and I made the bottom of the box with pattern papers, the lid with white card stock that has been rubber stamped. I added ribbons and some dies, and some beads.

Now, all you have to do is leave a comment and I will do a drawing on Saturday morning.

Thanks for looking, thanks for playing and lots of luck. These are wonderful templates and so much fun to work with.

BBTB/M&F/Ring

When Regina selects a challenge, it's always a good one. This ring icon from Mickey & Friends cart was the whopper of a challenge for me. I sat and looked at that ring cut and simply could not come up with anything so I just cut out 8 rings, stacked them and created a pretty flower. There is glitter in the center along with a pink jewel. I added some rick rack paper, a green ribbon and the word LOVE is from Jubilee cart. (I think)... Please visit the BBTB designer site and prepared to be impressed with the wonderful cards.

Hallmark Challenge/A Sunny Day

Kris had the task of selecting the weekly challenge for our Hallmark Scrapbook Messageboard fun. She chose ...sun... How appropriate, especially here in parts of Arizona. In Phoenix yesterday I read it was about 114 and it surely felt like it too. Here is my card. The sun and cactus dies are from the original dies. TFL...and stop by Hallmark and join in our fun challenges.

Journey to 1,000

What a find.... I saw Donna's post about this wonderful opportunity and fun thing for all of us to enjoy.

The Cuttlebug Spot has this fantastic wonderfulness going on right now and I hope you will join in because it's.....well, FANTASTIC.

They are trying to reach 1,000 followers by the end of July, and for this they are offering $1,000 gift certif from Custom Crops. WOWZER.... Anyone can join. Here is what you need to do.

1. Become a follower of The Cuttlebug Spot. If you already are, the first step is done.

2. Post a link to this contest on your blog. If you don't have a blog, why are you waiting... Start one at blogspot.com. So easy, so much fun.

3. Leave a comment to this post with a link back to your blog post.

Winner will be selected from random.org for those that complete all steps. Hurry, start the ball rolling.

Blog Award from Janis

Janis has given me a wonderful award with one of the prettiest blog award images everrrr. Her daughter did this wonderful work of art of her EYE, of all things, with some added art work. Isn't it lovely?
There are soooooo many blogs that I love to visit, and so much talent from the friends it is really hard to narrow down to a few. I love all of the blogs I visit. Here are some that I visit often and drink in the creations. Visit Janis here.
Sandi
Enfys
Carla
Margie
Kris
Here are the rules of this Award:

By accepting this award you recognize that the giver 'LIKES YOUR STYLE'.
You agree to display this award proudly on your site, and include a post linking back to the giver.
And because there are so many blogs out there which you like their style, you will share this award with them... however many that may be.

Star Card/Holiday Theme

Generally when I do a Star Card, I make them 3 layers with 9 sections but this one has only two layers with 7 sections. I cut seven red 6x9, and seven red 6x7. Fold each in half. On three of the 6x7 cuts, I used my Nestabilities by laying only half of the Nestie on the fold of the card. Here is a sample, and you can see that there is a round opening on the smaller cut. I precut some Christmas dies from Christmas Cheer and Christmas/Noel, and Sizzix.

On those with center openings, be sure to lay your decorations/dies on the 6x9 cut before you attach the two cuts for each section. I place the smaller cut with opening over the larger cut and make sure that whatever diecut or sentiment I put will show. The cuts that have no center opening are easier to embellish and these will be embellished on the 6x7 cut. . I added sentiment rubber stamps, Cricut sentiments and titles, holiday die cuts from both Cricut and Sizzix.

Now that all seven sections (consisting of the 6x9 and 6x7 cuts) are embellished, you will now begin to attach the two cuts for each section. Glue the outside edge of the 6x7 sheet to the edge of the 6x9.. Now you will glue the other edge and pull the smaller cut to the edge. This creates the obvious layers and/or windowbox. Here are samples.

This page is actually the last of the 7 sections. It has a small pocket and a tiny card slips inside. This is where you will add your message and holiday greeting.

When each section is completed, you will now begin attaching them by glueing the back of right page to the back of the left page on the second section.. If there is a sequence, line up your sections before attaching. Big NOTE here...make sure when you are gluing one backside to the next backside, the sections are right side up. As many of these as I have made, today of all things I glued the back section upside down. Fortunately I caught it quickly and was able to pull the sections apart.... And if that wasn't bad enough, I decorated the back cover upside down and had to do a second round of embellishments and titles. Here is a picture of the sections being attached.

For the front and back cover, I cut a square 6-1/4x6-1/4 from chipboard . . I cut two strips of ribbon and glue each one of the edges about 2 inches in from the edge of the cover that will open the card...and then I cover the front of each with paper. I glue the back page of the first section to the inside of the front cover, and I glue the right backside of the last section to the inside of the back cover. When you are doing this, make sure that the two edges don't "collide" with each other when the Star Card is flared open to make the Star.. Again, make sure your pages are right side up before this final step.

One of the inside sheets.

Here is a photo of the folded Star Card, ribbon tied
This is a shot of the flared card.
A picture of the "star" when the front and back cover are pulled together. If you make a card with 9 sections and 3 layers, this card will be very impressive.
TFL,...I always have fun making Star Cards.

A Non Red Apple

Margie (BellaBug) had a turn at selecting a challenge for the Hallmark Messageboard ...she told us we could do something using an apple from any cartridge, but it could not be red. Here is my take on that challenge. TFL. We are having a great fun at Hallmark Messageboard so please, stop by and join in on the challenges.

A Tucson Delight

Here are a few of the 82 cards I made last weekend in Tucson. I love love love the cards with the darling flamingos from Life Is A Beach cartridge.

Are these bright enough????
I was waiting to post a few of the photos from my wonderful Tucson visit to Deb's house. The photos I took just didn't do it all justice so I am borrowing some from Kris. What a wonderful weekend. Deb had a fantastic set up for Kris, Sandy, Deb and myself... tables full of Cricuts and Cuttlebugs, all the bells and whistles for same, tubs of papers and embellishments to share.

Deb's husband did all of the cooking and we had some fantastic meals. I was in my glory with a Pomegranate Cocktail! And I fell in love with Deb and Don's absolutely darling dog, Zoey. She would lure me outside to watch her guard the house against lizards. Here are two of the great photos Kris shared with me, and if you visit her wonderful blog, there are even more. See Kris here...

BBTB/WC/House

Here is Regina's challenge to us. Use the House Cut on the Wild Card cartridge. I saw in my mind's eye a townhouse row so here it is. I used a Sizzix tree and fence and cloud. Thanks for looking and please visit here to see the designer's wonderful cards. TFL and have a wonderful week.

BBTB/GS/Freedom/BlogHop

A WINNER... Janis, you have won the blog draw. Please email me with your address and I will mail the tote out. Thanks to all for playing along and visiting my blog, and leaving a sweet comment. I appreciate all of you.

This week Regina asked us to design with Graphically Speaking.. Here is my design. I sorta love this card although I looked at the scrambled word about 40 times before I could envision any sort of design that made sense.

Onto the BLOG HOP. How I love participating in these fun hops. This time I am offering up a sweet little handmade quilted tote that I did using left over fabric pieces from a small wall hanging. This is a smaller tote by tote standards, and the ribbons have some beads on them. Please leave your name and I will put you in the draw. I will draw the winner on July 6th. Please check back and if your name shows, then please email me then with the mailing details. Thanks for looking...
Now for the blog hop real fun! We are all linked...and hopping around gives you the chance to sign up for blog candy here, blog candy there. Please go visit Penny...oh my you are in for a treat if you haven't seen Penny's talent. Hop here, http://penniannies-penniannie.blogspot.com/sign up for her blog candy too...and enjoy your trip.

I'll be baaaaaaack!

I am doing the Hoppy Dance. I leave tomorrow for Tucson, Az to spend 2-1/2 days with Kris Lancaster, Deb Emrick and friend Sandy for a fun fun fun card-making event. The girls came to my house last January and we decided this was so much fun, we would do it twice a year. Now it's my turn to visit Tucson. I haven't been there since 1987 when I took my son down to U of A for college. I am excited.

Now...as for Heidi Sweetface...


She looks sad. All down and out...! But actually this is a photo taken by Carol Sheetz' girls during their visit. Heidi is doing her usual lay-down-and-wait nap. She knows that my neighbor will stay at the house to serve her demands and needs. Heidi loves my neighbors and they love her too. She'll be fine. So, I will be back on Sunday afternoon and look for a wonderful Blog Hop for the BBTB team. I will have some blog candy and a link to another design team blog hop. It'll be fun. Please check back ...

BBTB/GW/Flower Pot

This week's challenge from Regina was to use the cut from Garden of Words, the flower pot. Well, you should see the ideas that popped into designer heads and the creations that appeared.. Wonderful things. Here is my card. For a full preview of all the wonderful cards, go see http://www.regina-bittenbythebug.blogspot.com/

TCC/FathersDay and July 4th

This is a cut from Regina's Cutting Cafe from the Father's Day printables. So many to select from. If you've seen Regina's printables, you know that each "theme" has so many choices. This card features the shirt and tie, with a hanky in the pocket. Now, go to Regina's Cutting Cafe at http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com/ and see her offerings. You'll love them all. Shown also is a cut from the July 4th printables I used Wild Card cut from Cricut on the card, and the sentiment inside is Cutting Cafe sentiment.

Best of the Show

We all know how I lovez m' Heidi Sweetface. .... I love to visit Carol Sheetz' blog and see her girls and her sweet Princess-dog and it was such a delight to have the girls meet Heidi. They so doted on her and she so loved every second of it, staring up, woeful eyes. Isn't this the cutest?

Fun Fun Fun

Well today was one special day indeed. My friend Carol Sheetz and her two darling daughters were in Arizona visiting. Carol, Jessica, Emily and Vicky, her mother in law, came to meet me in person. I was so excited...and we had fun sharing our love for making cards and scrapbooking. If you visit Carol at http://crazyforcrafting.blogspot.com/ you will see her wonderful talents and those darling daughters. Here you see Carol and Carole.

This is the lovely family photograph. Aren't they wonderful smiling peeps.

BBTB/PDDU/Car Accessories

Regina asked us to design using the Paper Dolls Cricut cartridge and to use the car accessories.  I had an awful time with this challenge.  I  made 3 cards that I all but trashed and then finally I took my mind off the car and grabbed up a focus.  The Planet Earth!  I used one of Regina's circle shaped printable images, drew in some lands, colored the circle with Prisma pencils and OMS and now I finally had a card with a purpose.  I hope you like it...and do do do go to http://www.regina-bittenbythebug.blogspot.com/ to see the awesome creations from the designers.  Stop by http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com/to look at the absolutely wonderful printables with an endless selection. 

Cutting Cafe and More

This round scalloped card is designed to show  Regina's Cutting Cafe "Baby" printables sentiment. http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com/ I added some punch hearts on the inside scallop.  The diaper pin and sweet baby dress and heart are from New Arrivals.  Of course I ran the base card through my Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Swiss Dots).  A sweet pink and white polka dot ribbon ties two scallops together and on the inside it says "congratulation on your baby girl". 

I LOVE this cupcake.  It is from the Home Decor cartridge.  My dear friend Sandi (Celtic Woman at http://wwwpapertrail-celticwoman.blogspot.com/) sent me scads of these cupcake dies because I so admired them and I didn't have the cartridge (yet.)  The circle sentiment is Cutting Cafe "All occassion" printables.  The papers are new...I got them at the Creative Memories Crop on Saturday.  This paper pack threw me into another pink pink pink card adventure.  I've added some gems, a ribbon, and a polka dot sticker which accompanied the papers.  I've Cuttled again...!!!
I may have posted this pink card from a few days back.  It is for a Hallmark Messageboard challenge.  I like the way it turned out...
Another darling cupcake.  The sentiment is from the Celebrations Cricut cartridge.  The scalloped tag is from Celebrations
Now this card and the inside is a Shortcuts card.  I used one of the wonderful Shortcuts frosted sheets, some of the pink Creative Memories paper, a ribbon, Cuttlebuged the paper, and the inside sentiment circle is Cutting Cafe (of course).  The party hat is Celebrations cartridge.You can see the Shortcuts gallery at http://sheetloadshortcuts.blogspot.com/