Surprise! Everyone is a winner!

To the five lovely ladies that commented this past weekend on my calendar pages, I decided to share my love of these stamps with you all! I will try to contact each of you personally, but if you check in today on my blog, please contact me. Let me know which you prefer and give me your email so I can tell the lovely folks at All That Scraps which to email you. Once again, here are your choices:

Neva

Nixie

Hey, if you have the chance, check out the amazing artwork on the Blog for All That Scraps there are some great projects over there!

And finally, the winner of my little blog candy is

JustYolie who said:

HOLY SMOKES!! Your calendar is amazing!!! The snowflake pixies are the cutest! Thanks for the chance to win.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments. I appreciated each and every one of them!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Foiled by the Flu

When I joined Karel's Calendar Blog Hop, I hoped that I would be inspired to create a full 12 month calendar. I did my January pages and wanted to post them earlier, but the flu put an end to that! So today the 27th of January 2011, I am posting my January Calendar.

Materials:

K & Company Winter Wonderland Paper
DCWV White Glitter Cardstock
12 x 12 Clear Acetate

Cricut Carts - Cindy Loo, Lacey Labels, Winter Frolic

Copics and Atyou Spica Pens
White Sakura Gelly Roll Pen
Distress Ink Tumbled Glass

Martha Stewart Snowflake Border and Punch

Stickles
Sizzix Snowflake Embossing Folder

To me, January is usually a month when we spend lots of time together indoors, so I used a picture of my home that we took last year at the end of January. This year, looking at my window at the 18 inches of snow we had last night, it looks almost exactly like the picture above! Anyway, back to the page.



These sweetheart snowflake pixies are from Sweet November available at All That Scraps. What's great about them is that they come in Digi and Rubber. There are actually three to the collection, but I only purchased Neva and Nixie. Neva is in Blue and Nixie is in the golden colors. I went with Digi on these as I have tightened my crafting budget and want to save on storage space. I printed them out with Cryogen White cardstock from Paper Temptress. That cardstock is a dream to color with, no bleeding! Colors blend so easily and it's just beautiful. There is the slightest hint of sparkle on it which leads to a very pretty finish with the copics. You can't see it in the picture, but when you see it "in person" the faint glow is there. I wanted to pull some colors from the papers, so on Neva, above, I went with B000, B02, B04, B05 for her snowflake dress and RV09, RV17 on the accents. I used YR01 and Yr85 along with one more YR color that my dear son must have put away for me when I wasn't looking, LOL! For Nixie, I used YR14, YR21, YR24 with just a touch of Y28 in the corners of her dress. For Nixie's snowflake accent I went with RV10, YR82 and YR21. For her hair, I used E34. E39, E57 and E47. I used my Clear Atyou Spica for extra glimmer and a White Gel pen for accents. I cut the snowflake fairies out and adhered them to some DCWV white glitter cardstock that I embossed with snowflakes and inked the edges with Distress ink Tumbled Glass. The shapes I adhered them to is from my Lacy Labels Cartridge. It's a great cartridge for what I call Faux Nestabilities. I cut Family from Lacy Labels, too. I used Winter Frolic to cut the phrase Warmth and Joy, and adhered it with pop dots. I punched a snowflake border on a piece of cardstock from my stash, to frame my photo, and added stickles in the center of each snowflake. I punched some more snowflakes from scraps and used stickles on them as well. That was just the top page!

My Bottom half was really simple. I printed the days on my computer, used a piece of the cryogen cardstock for the base, cut my numbers from Cindy Loo and added a cute bird chipboard sticker I found in my stash. The fun part was how I cut the word January and the year. First I cut my letters and 2011 with Cindy Loo on my K & Co. paper, then I went back with a 12 X 12 piece of craft acetate and repeated the cuts. I then embossed my cuts with the snowflake folder. I used my Zig Pen to adhere them together. It looks so cool when you see it. Much like the snowflake pixies, my pictures just don't do them justice.

I have been trying to get my craft room organized. Ugh, some days it seems like a losing battle! One of the chores on my clean up list is to organize my stamps so that I will actually use them more often! While I was digging through a pile of what I refer to as "test images" I found this little Manga Girl from Sugar Nellie that I was using to test colors to see how they blended.

She is one of my earlier attempts using the Copics, so I decided to use her  as she was. I added a little stickles on her wand, shoes, bow and collar, cut her out and sat her on the top of the calendar grid. I think she looks sweet there.

One final note, I needed something to hang the calendar pages on, so I removed the clip from a dollar store clip board, and put it on a used Cricut mat. I used my big bite to punch a hole in each side on the top and bottom. I added some paper to the back of the mat to give it a more finished look. Then I used binder rings to connect the calendar page to the bottom. I used chipboard on the bottom page of the calendar so that it would be sturdy since it was going to be hanging. This solved my problem of not having all my calendar pages done at once!

How about a little candy?

This is was a really long post today, so for anyone who comments, I'll have a little drawing with random.org for some prima flowers and a cute little pixie stamp. I'll announce a winner on Sunday. Don't forget to leave me a way to reach you if I don't already have an email addy for you!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Kraftin' Kimmie's Blog Challenge 62 - Fairytales

I am so happy to be over the flu and back on my feet again! I don't know about you, my fellow crafters, but it has been sooooo cold here that it has given me the perfect excuse to do some crafting! This year, I made quite a few crafting resolutions, including not waiting until the last minute to make cards for Birthdays and other special occasions. I also want to enter some more challenges, so I am entering this Birthday card that I made for a very dear friend of my Mother in the Kraftin' Kimmie Blog Challenge. The theme for this week is Fairytales. I chose to use my Swan Princess for this card. I stamped her with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored her with copics. These are the materials I used

Copics

Dress - BG10, BG11, BG32, BG34

Hair - Y21, E97, E99

Skin - R00, E00, E1, E93, R20

Wings - A combination of the BG's and E40

Stickles

Basic Grey Paper, Wisteria

Basic Grey Opaline Pearls

Prima Flowers and Say It With Pearls Swirl Embellishment

Stick Pins

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder -  Birds and Swirls

Purple and Green Cardstock from my stash

Paper Temptress Heavenly White Premium Ultrasmooth Cardstock for Stamping the Swan Princess

VersaMagic - Purple Hydrangea and Turquoise Gem

Nestabilities Scalloped Oval Dies

I am a huge Kraftin Kimmie fan. I came upon her stamps a couple of years ago when I saw a card made with her Clara stamp. That is my Mom's name, so I had to find out where to order it and when I did, I was hooked! I am most fond of the Moonlight Whispers line by Annie Rodrigue, there is just something about the whimsical nature of her stamps that I adore. They stamp like a dream and are just so much fun to create with. I wanted to keep the papers simple and have fun with the embellishments on this card, so I layered my papers over a 5.5 x 5.5 card. I pulled out my VersaMagic chalks, prayed they would still ink, because they haven't gotten much love since I discovered Distress Inks :-) and edged the cardstock layers. I love the Basic Grey Wisteria Paper I used. I wanted it to look like my Swan Princess was gliding through the wisteria. I used pop dots to adhere her to the card. I used my computer to generate the sentiment for the inside and front of the card, then I cut them with my Nestabilities Ovals. I embellished the card with my Basic Grey Opaline Pearls and the Primas. Added the stick pins for some interest, and a piece of ribbon to anchor the embellies and sentiment. I embossed a piece of purple cardstock and chalked it with the VersaMagic Purple Hydrangea. That completed my card. Here are a few more pictures.

She turned out very pretty, didn't she?  I hope you enjoyed my card, I know I enjoyed creating her!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

I Have A Dream Blog Hop

 

 
 
Once again, KarelJ is hosting a wonderful themed blog hop. We are honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the hop is being held  January 15, 16 and 17.  The theme is simple: I Have a Dream.


“The Grand Prize Blog Candy is the Dreams Come True Cartridge, donated by an anonymous donor!! In order to be eligible to win, you need to leave a comment on each and every stop on the hop, along with a way to contact you. Karelj will choose a winner by random.org on the 18th and announce it on her blog, as well as contacting the winner personally.”

Have you arrived here from the talented Stephanie's blog? Then you are on the right track. Here is the list of blogs in case you just came to my blog and would like to participate in the hop for the grand prize.
1. Karelj at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity http://karelj.blogspot.com/

2. Nicolette at Beyond Scrapping http://www.beyondscrapin.blogspot.com/
3. Christel at Scrappin' Sista http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
4. Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly http://www.touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/
5. Rachel Henahan at Suburban Crafter http://www.rachelstampshappy.blogspot.com/
6. Stephanie at SS Crafter http://sscrafter.blogspot.com/
7. Col at Col's Creative Corner at http://www.scrappycol.blogspot.com/ You are here!
8. Jessica at Overjoyed Scrapper http://www.overjoyedscrapper.blogspot.com/
9. Krista and Kori at 2 Crafty Chicks http://2craftychics.blogspot.com/
10. Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping http://ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/
11. Monique at Unique Monique at http://uniquemonique01.blogspot.com/
12. Kathryn at Creations with Kathryn at http://wamfamily.blogspot.com/
13. Jamie at Glitter, Paper, Stamps, Oh My! http://jamieisacraftymomma.blogspot.com/

I chose to make a 2 page layout about my son. As a parent, all of our dreams become dreams for our children. Everyone who knows me understands that my son holds all my biggest dreams. My dreams for him are different than most parent's dreams for their 20 year children. I dream of a day when people will see my son for the person he is, not his Autism. I understand how hard that can be for people we pass in the streets. He is different, his reaction to life's experiences is unlike yours or mine. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. He doesn't know about hatred or cruelty. He doesn't care what color your skin is. It doesn't matter to him how much money you make, or what kind of house or car you own. He is not pre-disposed to any opinions, good or bad. When he meets you, most likely if you show him kindness, he will befriend you. Of course I dream of the day when he will speak. I try not to be greedy and want it all, but I can't help but dream of the day when there will be a cure for Autism. I pray it will be in my lifetime.

I have been fighting the flu for the past week now, so I am making an unusually short post, please accept my apology. Hopefully, I will be able to update the post before the weekend is over.

From here you are heading to  Jessica at Overjoyed Scrapper http://www.overjoyedscrapper.blogspot.com/

I know she will have an amazing project to share with you. While you are there, take a look at her blog, it is really wonderful.

 

I hope everyone has a great Holiday weekend!

Colleen

Cricut Blog Challenge

My First Challenge Of The New Year!

Cricut Blog Weekly Challenge

You Rock My World Card

From The Cricut Blog:

Dec 31, 2010 Weekly Challenge #14: Getting In ShapePosted by: Shantaie Fowler

Each week join us for “Challenge Friday” where we will announce a new creative challenge. We want you to feel inspired to use your supplies in new ways. Have fun with it! Check back often to see the beautiful entries from your Circle Friends . . . you are sure to leave with a desire to get cutting!

Weekly Challenge #14: Getting In Shape!

According to polls, “getting in shape” is among the Top Ten Resolutions people make each New Year’s Eve. Let’s do it! Let’s start the New Year off right by getting in shape . . . a shape other than a rectangle. We challenge you to create a project in a shape other than a square or rectangle. Your project must also include a number somewhere and bling of some kind (to go along with this week’s theme of “Blinging in the New Year”!
Project must be newly created for this challenge and must include atleast 2 different cuts from any Cricut cartridge to qualify.

You Rock My World Valentine's Day Card

(For My Hubby)

Materials Used

American Crafts Foil Paper

American Crafts Glitter Cardstock

Making Memories Black Cardstock

Martha Stewart Gold Glitter Paper

Martha Stewart Carrara Marble Glitter

Ranger Alcohol Inks (Stream and Pool)

Cricut Cartridges Used

Quarter Note

Wrap It Up

Cindy Loo
Holiday Cakes
Martha Stewart Elegant Cake Art

Created on my Gypsy

I wanted to create a card for my Husband using my new Quarter Note Cartridge. My Husband is a great Guitar player, so naturally, I chose the Bass cut to use! :-)

I seriously have got to get my eyes checked! I was half way through cutting before I realized my folly. After 30 years of our being together, something tells me he won't be too surprised by my minor miscalculation. Someday soon, I will use the guitar cut for him...

Other than it being a bass and not a guitar, I really like the way the card turned out. I used my Gypsy to weld the Bass with the Heart from Cindy Loo, copied and flipped my image. I welded the two images together to create the card. It's a larger card, it stands at 5.65 inches.

Gypsy Screen shot

Cut Image

Cut Image

When I cut and folded the black cardstock, it felt too "light" to handle all the layers that I knew I was going to add, so I cut the base a second time with a thicker craft cardstock. I layered the original black cut on top. I would suggest using a thicker black cardstock (like maybe cardstock from Paper Temptress) for the base if anyone wants to reproduce this card. I am still on my self imposed paper ban, so I worked with what I have, and sadly, I only have a thinner black cardstock.



Then I cut my Cindy Loo Hearts from American Crafts Light Green Cardstock, and used my Ranger Alcohol Inks to transform the color for my Earth Heart.

It looks slightly blotchy in the picture, but it works when you layer the white on it. I wanted more bling, since that was one of the requirements for this challenge, so I used Martha Stewart Carrara Marble Glitter from the Holiday Collection on the top layer. As usual, I ran the top through the Xyron to make adding the glitter easier. Here is a close up of the finished heart from the front of the card.

It's hard to see the white sparkle, but it's there...



The year is inside the card



 I had cut out the bottom layer for the Bass using American Crafts Red Foil Paper, then the top layer on the front of the card using a piece of Martha Stewart Glitter Paper from last year's Holiday Paper Collection, that I had been hoarding. One of my New Year's resolutions is to stop hoarding my Paper! I repeated all the cuts, with the exception of the Gold Glitter Paper, for the inside of the card. I used the You Rock sentiment from Wrap It Up, and hid the bubble gum dispenser, at least that I thought it was, using my Gypsy. I cut My World using Holiday Cakes and 2011 using MS Elegant Cake Art. For the challenge we needed to use a number on the project, so I added the year on the inside of the card. I put it on the Cindy Loo Earth Heart, as shown above.  Here is a shot of the inside of the card.

This was a fun challenge for me. I got to use my Gypsy which was "away in rehab" for far too long. I used only what I had in the scrap room, and I am ahead of the game with my cards for the year. Since I know Pete follows my blog, I guess I'll say Happy Early Valentine's Day to my sweetie.

Thanks for stopping by the blog to take a look at my Cricut Challenge Card.

Happy New Year To All!  Happy Crafting!

Colleen