The Big Gift...a Guest Spot for The Paper Variety!

Oooohhh, I am so excited to be hear with y'all today! Why, you may ask? Because today is my reveal for The Paper Variety as I'm their Guest Designer for their current challenge...yay! I am so excited about guest designing for them...they have super fabulous challenges & a great DT too. Their challenges are always inspiring as well, which really gets my creative mojo going & that's a plus! So this week over at The Paper Variety the challenge is to create a birthday project that includes a banner. You can visit the challenge HERE! You know how much I love my banners & it doesn't hurt that they are very trendy right now. Plus, they are so easy to make - especially with scraps! Which is exactly what I did here...this entire page, with the exception of the cardstock, was made using some of my fave Cosmo Cricket scraps. I save everything, unless its extra tiny, cause you never know when its gonna come in handy. And scraps are always perfect for whipping up a banner of even the smallest size!

Another thing to note is that I was honestly challenged with this LO. For some reason which I do not know, I am totally uneasy with birthday LO's & find them more difficult to me than any other LO. Weird, right?! I don't understand why but I do know I felt so happy to get a birthday LO finally completed thanks to The Paper Variety! Especially since this LO features our son during his 15th birthday party this summer...as you can see he got a very big gift. A brand new drum set which was well over a thousand smackeroos, but which the majority of friends & family chipped in on. We believe in his God given musical ability so much & are so proud of him. He plays multiple instruments including trumpet (which he started on thanks to school band), guitar, bass & drums! However he primarily plays drums in a band with his friends & let me tell you, he is GOOD! Especially because this awesome kiddo, while having had guitar lessons, has never actually had a drum lesson! He has played for five years (we got his first set for a 5th grade graduation present) & can just hear a song and then play it which is definitely a gift from God! Thanks for putting up with me and letting me brag y'all! LOL!

Supplies

Cardstock - Recollections

Patterned Paper - Cosmo Cricket (odds & ends, upcycle, in the garden, joy ride)

Tiny Type - Cosmo Cricket 

Red Thickers - American Crafts

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz (walnut stain)

Baker's Twine - Doodlebug

Eyelet - We R Memory Keepers

Journaling Pen - Sakura Jelly Roll

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Now, I would love it if you would hop on over to The Paper Variety & join in the challenge! You'll have lots of fun, as well as the opportunity to win a fun prize, be a featured artist, or even when a guest design spot like I did! I'll also hopefully be back in a day or two with another fun post for Paper Issues because we have a new & super fun linky party going on with a back to school theme! We're calling it Learning Curve! So visit Paper Issues HERE to find out all the details in the meantime. Until then, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my LO into the following challenges!

The Paper Variety - Birthday w/a Banner

Lasting Memories - What's Your Secret + DT Entry (hidden journal tag!)

Creative Inspirations - Lots of Layers
Southern Girls - Through the Decades (chose the current decade for a teen birthday!)

Right Now...at 34

I gotta warn y'all right off the bat that this is a photo heavy post...not really heavy but more than I normally post. Thanks to Crate Paper's fabulous Restoration Kit there were so many details I needed to capture in my LO. First I must say that this kit is truly awesome! The papers are just divine, I love their texture & the vintage appeal they have. Plus, all the extra punch outs & cardstock stickers are so groovy!!

 

This is the second LO of myself I've done this week because I've realized that I very rarely scrap photos of myself. Like most of you, I am always the one behind the camera & I always scrap everyone else in the family. But, I recognized that I needed to scrap myself as well so here is another one to go in the album. I wanted this one to focus more on who I am at this very moment, what's in my life right now that makes me...well, me. And this line from Crate Paper suited that purpose to at "T."

Supplies

All items from Crate Paper's Restoration Kit except:

Tiny Type - Cosmo Cricket 

Brown Thickers - American Craft

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz (walnut stain)

Floral Ribbon - Offray

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

 

As always, I wanna say thanks so much for stopping by! For those of you who leave me comments, they make every day extra special & I value them so very much. Y'all are awesome & I count my blessings that I've been lucky enough to make so many wonderful friends through my crafty endeavors! Make sure to check back in a couple days for another Your Memories Here post, a Paper Issues post & new linking party, and a very special post because I'm the Guest Designer next week over at The Paper Variety! Woo-Hoo! How exciting is that?! I simply can't wait for my Wednesday reveal! Until then, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my LO into the following challenges!

Crate Paper - Routine (inspired by me, what i am right now that influences my everyday activities!)

CropStop - Anything Goes

Creative Scrappers - Sketch #169

Sketches in Thyme - Open Challenge (used creative scrappers sketch #169!)

PaperCrafting Journey - Anything Goes

Inspire Me Fridays - Inspiration Link Party

The Paper Variety - Travel Theme (based on 'life's journey!')

Inkspirations - Color Challenge

Blessed...

Don't you just love the sweet versatility of Prima Marketing products? I just love how I can use them on a wide variety of projects, plus they always go so perfectly with my addiction to Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists! So this week for my Your Memories Here DT post, I decided to scrap some recent photos of myself and journal about all the wonderful blessings in my life. Life gets hard sometimes and it is so easy to get down about things, but I think counting your blessings helps keep things in a much needed perspective. Also, I'm pretty bad about never scrapping myself. I am usually the one always taking the photos & scrapping about everything else...but me. Then I realized that I need to do this too so my son has some more personal pages to look back on when he's older. And I can look back and realize exactly how old I've gotten...LOL!

The patterned paper is from Prima's Madeline Collection & is so lovely. The butterflies are from another sheet of Prima paper that I used just to do some fussy cutting. And the journaling spot is actually some recycled Prima rub on packaging. I just love their packaging because they always make it pretty enough to reuse! I wish I knew the manufacturer for the felt title, but I don't. I just picked it up at my LSS a few years ago & am finally using it. It was this bold orange but I used a couple of Tattered Angles Mists (chalkboard mist in peacok & glimmer mists in fall breeze and vintage rose) to make it a more muted olive and match the paper better. Also, believe it or not, this was my first time using Perfect Pearls! I decided to pick up a bottle a few weeks ago to try it out & boy, have I been missing out. They are soooo easy to use & I absolutely loved the results! I can quickly see these becoming my newest addiction!

Supplies

Patterned Paper, Lace, Flowers, Rhinestones, Journaling Tag - Prima Marketing

Mists - Tattered Angels (chalkboard - peacock, glimmer - fall breeze, sand, vintage rose)

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz (walnut stain)

Perfect Pearls - Ranger (bisque)

Butterfly Ribbon - The Paper Studio

Doilie - Wilton

Journaling Pen - Pentel

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Aileen's Quick Dry Glue

Felt Title - Stash

If you want to grab some of these fabulous Prima products, and Tattered Angels mists as well, hop on over to the Your Memories Here Store! There is a fabulous selection of products in the store & you can get them at amazing prices too. Plus, if you need some awesome inspiration, check out the YMH blog...the other ladies who design over there are uber talented & you'll be glad you visited. Make sure to check back soon because I've been on another crafty roll lately & will have more to share with y'all! Until then, Happy Craftin'! 

I'm also entering my LO into the following challenges!

ScrapFIT - Scallops (scalloped trim & doilie!)

Sketches in Thyme - Sketch #54

PaperCrafting Journey - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Dimension & Texture
Scrapping the Music - Song Inspiration (inspired by lyric "see my world before my eyes!")
Creative Scrappers - Sketch #170
PaperPlay - Recipe
CropStop - Pearls (used Ranger's Perfect Pearls!)

Hello My Friend...

Hey y'all! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend! I'm back to share a card with you that combines two of my favorites at the moment, Cosmo Cricket & banners. I so adore the look of banners & they can be customized for so many different types of projects plus, when combined with Cosmo Cricket's Odds and Ends collection, the end result is super sweet! And don't you just love all those antique buttons I used in the photo? They just make my heart happy!

Supplies

All products from Cosmo Cricket's Odds and Ends Collection except:

Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink (walnut stain)

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Stash - Baker's Twine

Thanks so much for stopping by again! I just love it when you visit! I'm been craftin' my butt off the past few days so I'll be back very soon with some more projects. Plus, as always I'll be back Tuesday for my regular Your Memories Here DT post. Also, don't forget that at Paper Issues we have another linking party going on & this time the theme is Let's Ride...so go check it out! Until next time, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges!

CES - Banners, Bunting & Flags
PaperCrafting Journey - Anything Goes
Inspire Me Fridays - Inspiration Link Party
Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger (inspired by the retro feel!)
The Shabby Tea Room - Polka Dots
Inky Impressions - Reminds You of a Song (the Golden Girls theme song!)
Paper Sundaes - Just Saying Hi
Whoopsi Daisy - Anything Goes

Live Free....or Dive Hard!

Hey y'all! I'm back again today to share another project with you thanks to some inspiration I got from Sketchy Thursdays! Their current LO sketch (you can view it HERE) is so fabulous that when I looked at it, I pretty much ran into my craft room & got to scrappin'! Don't ya just love it when mojo & inspiration hits at the same time? ;0)

So, do you like my title that's a play on the name of 4th movie in a popular franchise? Did you catch it? My hubby & kiddo thought it was kinda cute...ya know, instead of Live Free or Die Hard, I made it Live Free or Dive Hard. I'm a goober with things like that sometimes! And I just love these pics of our kiddo (center photo) and some of our friends diving in their pool. It was hot that day & so much fun! I'm happy to say that we've attended more pool parties this year than any other year, thanks to the record breaking temperatures here in Oklahoma. But when you have this much fun together, the heat is a great excuse to let loose! ;0)

Supplies

All Products from Echo Park's For the Record Kit except:

Letters - Cosmo Cricket (black tiny type), American Crafts (black thickers)

Baker's Twine - The Twinery

Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink (walnut stain)

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Journaling Pen - Pentel

Well, thanks so much for stopping by again today! I hope you take the time to check out the Sketchy Thursdays blog. They have some really awesome sketches that are sure to inspire you, not to mention some amazing designers too. And, don't forget about the new link party at Paper Issues. The "Let's Ride" theme is sure to get your mojo movin'!! Check back soon for another fun post but until then, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my LO into these fun challenges!

Sketchy Thursdays - Sketch Challenge (8/11) 

The Paper Variety - Threads (used some fun baker's twine!)

 Crafts and Me - Blues or Blues & Greens

Fresh Brewed Designs - Hot!

If the Shoe Fits - Shows Us Your Green (used several different shades!)

Let's Ride with Paper Issues!!

Isn't this such a fun card? I just absolutely LOVE these cutie pie, clear stickers by EAD Designs! I was lucky enough to win a $20 gift card to their amazing vinyl store last month so I used a little to pick up these sweet little vinyl sticker set. (i also scored some amazing vinyl art for my walls!) I love that they are clear so you can highlight cool patterned paper behind them. Makes them so much like a stamped image! And, these stickers made this card perfect for our new link party over at Paper Issues, Let's Ride! It's such a great link party full of fabulous inspiration and I am totally lovin' being on their Creative Team. You can link up any project, new or old, that corresponds with the theme for a chance to be a featured artist. How cool is that?! Just click HERE to join in the fun!

Supplies
Stickers/Sentiment - EAD Designs
Patterned Paper - Cosmo Cricket
Cardstock - The Paper Studio
Ink - Tim Holtz Distress (walnut stain), KI Memories
Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Stash - Pom Pom Trim

I do hope you'll take the time to hop on over to Paper Issues and check out the link party. I hope I see you there cause I'd love to see what you whip up! And make sure to check out EAD Designs for some cool vinyl lettering & stickers...you'll be super glad you did. I'll be back in a few days to share a card with a vintage vibe so make sure to check back. Until then, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my colorful card into the following challenges!

Paper Issues - Let's Ride!
Card Makin' Mammas - Birthday
 Really Reasonable Ribbon - Keep it Clean
Tuesday Throwdown - Non Stamped Sentiment (used stickers!)
AiFactory - Anything Goes
CCEE - Word Inspiration "Glass" (inspired by 'glass' to use 'clear' stickers!)
Tuesday Taggers - Anything Goes
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Happy Birthday
Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle - Photo Inspiration (inspired by colors!)
The Crazy Challenge - Movies (inspired by Disney/Pixar's "Up"!)

He's Our Best Friend...

Hi y'all! I'm back again today to share my usual Your Memories Here DT post, but this time the focus is on our gorgeous fur baby, Sidney! See, our Sid is a special Boxer boy. We rescued him 5 years ago from a local shelter & he has been such a joy, not to mention an adventure as well! We love him so very much...especially his sweet kisses & clowning around. When I found this Basic Grey paper from the Max & Whiskers collection at a super duper sale for 75% off I knew exactly what I wanted to do! Only problem is I needed some matching letters & ribbon, which is where my Tattered Angels mists from the Your Memories Here Store came in super handy!! You can grab the colors I used HERE!

The yellow ribbon is some fabulous Tim Holtz product (originally a beautiful shabby white) that dyes so easily. And although it looks like I only used one shade, it is actually two colors to get the just right shade of yellow to match the LO. I used Tattered Angels Chalboard Mists in Alaskan Salmon & Firefly for the ribbon, while I used Tattered Angels Chalboard Mist in Peacock & Glimmer Mist in Fall Breeze for the flocked letters. These flocked letters I snagged for a buck at my local Dollar Store take color so amazingly well. I just love that with Tattered Angels products I can customize anything to suit my needs...which is definitely cost effective too. Oh, and that fabulous orange ribbon? Prima Marketing, of course! I just love it so much! And while I used my Tim Holtz Distress Ink on the photo like I always do, I used some new Jenny Bowlin ink in Spice Tin to edge everything else. And, by the way, it is some super fab stuff! Just loved the way the color saturated the paper & the felt pad is fantastic too. Plus, the whole line of inks has some super cute names like Spice Tin, Cough Syrup & Chicken Feed. Too adorable!

Supplies 

Cardstock - Cloud 9 Design

Patterned Paper - Basic Grey (max & whiskers collection)

Ribbon - Prima (orange), Tim Holtz (yellow)

Mists - Tattered Angels (alaskan salmon, firefly, peacock, & fall breeze)

Letters -  My Little Shoebox (yellow), Dollar Store (large flocked)

Ink - Tim Holtz Distress (walnut stain), Jenny Bowlin (spice tin )

Punches - Martha Stewart, Stampin' Up

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Thanks so very much for stopping by! I always love to read all of your comments cause they mean so much to me...you guys rock!! Make sure to check back soon to look at a fun card for our latest Paper Issues Creative Team linking party, Let's Ride. It's a such a fun challenge & every time you enter you have the opportunity to be a featured artist! Also, you'll definitely want to check out both the YMH Store & DT blogs. There are some great new products in at the store that you can check out by clicking HERE & there is always amazing inspiration HERE at the DT blog. Until next time, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my LO into the following awesome challenges!

ScrapFIT - Inspired by a Book (inspired by the colors!)
A True Friend - Pet Tales

Lasting Memories - Try Something New & DT Submission (dyed tim holtz ribbon & popped my journaling!)

EAD Designs - Good Company Color Challenge

Sketches in Thyme - Sketch #53

Inkspirations - Color Challenge

Clear It Out - Glitter It (used glimmer mists!)

Crafts and Me - Make It Count! (number on my journaling date!)

PaperCrafting Journey - Photo Inspiration (inspired by colors!)

CES - Mix & Match 2 different DP's (cloud 9 design & basic grey!)

Just Chillin'...with ScrapFIT!!!

Happy Saturday y'all! I am so darn excited to be here with you because today is my big reveal as a FitGIRL Spotlight Guest for ScrapFIT! Yay! Over at the ScrapFIT blog, which you can find by clicking HERE, they are featuring a little about me & some of my work. I do hope you'll stop by to visit, play along with the current challenge, & maybe leave a little love too if you'd like! The current challenge, Weekend Warm Up #11, is all about flowers & I've made sure to incorporate some fun rolled rosettes into my LO. I made them using some Cosmo Cricket Glubers & these things are fun, fun, fun! Not to mention super easy to use - they really make creating these flowers much easier. I also used some fantastic goodies from Crate Paper's Restoration Collection & let me tell you, I am in total love with this line!! This may sound horrible, but it's my first time really playing a lot with Crate Paper & I am happy to say it will definitely not be my last either!

Supplies

All Products from Crate Paper's Restoration Collection except:

Cardstock - The Paper Studio

Glubers - Cosmo Cricket

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz (walnut stain)

Letters - Cosmo Cricket (tiny type), American Crafts (thickers)

Adhesive - Glue Glider Pro, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Softie Buttons - KI Memories

Fabric/Embroidery Floss/Journaling Pen - Stash

Thank y'all so much for stopping by & sharing my FitGirl Spotlight with me! If you'd hop on over & play along with the challenge (you still have a week to go) that would be totally awesome. And, there's another challenge at ScrapFIT too, Workout #49, which is Put a Banner On It. Super Fun! As well, I'm also linking this up to our current Design Team challenge over at Paper Issues. You have one more day to link up your new or old creations for our current theme, Make a Splash. Or, make sure to check out the Paper Issues blog on Sunday when a new challenge goes live. Either way, whenever you link up you get a chance at being a Featured Artist! Make sure to check back soon cause I'll be posting my usual Your Memories Here DT project, something cool for the new Paper Issues party, and a few fun cards I've whipped up. Until then, Happy Craftin'! 

I'm also linking up to the following challenges!

Paper Issues - Make a Splash!

Lasting Memories - Buttons (and a DT submission too!)

Inspire Me Fridays - Inspiration Link Party

Fresh Brewed Designs - Hot!

Take the Plunge!

Just lookin' at the photos on this LO makes me want to go swimming...again! We have been doin' a lot of that here in Oklahoma lately as we continue to break records with our +100 degree temps. So, I guess you can expect quite a few more water themed LO's in the coming weeks...lol! This week for my regular Your Memories Here DT post I decided to mix a number of favorite products you can find at the YMH Store like Tattered Angels, Prima Marketing, Tim Holtz, & Cosmo Cricket. I also tried out a new to me, and definitely fun, product - Heidi Swapp Invisibles! I've had the paper in my stash for some time but had forgot about it. Well, I found it going through some stuff & decided to give it a whirl. Glad I did too! It was super fun to play with thanks to my Tattered Angels Chalkboard Mists. I just spritzed on my colors & then wiped some off to reveal the awesome design underneath...you must try it!

Supplies

Mistable Patterned Paper - Heidi Swapp

Chalkboard Mists - Tattered Angels (peacock, firefly, alaskan salmon)

Rosette Ribbon/Distress Ink (walnut stain) - Tim Holtz

Pom Pom Ribbon - Prima Marketing

Cardstock Flowers - Cosmo Cricket (upcycle collection)

Letters - Sticko (embossed turquoise) & Dollar Store (flocked white)

Journaling Spot - Shabby Chic Crafts

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Twine/Journaling Pen - Stash

All the fun chalkboard mists, trim, & inks can be found in the YMH Store. So make sure to hop on over to check them all out...especially the new Prima Marketing goodies released at CHA. Also, for some fun inspiration check out the YMH International DT Inspiration Blog! There are some new gals on the team & they are super talented too. I also made sure to stay with our current DT theme over at Paper Issues. The fun Make a Splash themed link party going on HERE at Paper Issues is a great place to link up, new or old projects it doesn't matter, & have a chance to be a featured artist! I'll make sure to pop back by later in the week to show off some other things I've been working on. Until then, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my LO into the following fun challenges!

Paper Issues - Make a Splash!

ScrapFIT - Workout #49 Put a Banner On It!

Moxie Fab World - Luminous Layers (inspired by colors & summery feel!)

Inspire Me Fridays - Inspiration Link Party

Fresh Brewed Designs - Hot! (hot colors & beatin' the heat photos!)

Scrappin' the Music - New Soul (inspired by the lyric, "this is a happy end"!)

Really Reasonable Ribbon - Sizzlin' Summer

Candy Shoppe Designs - Paradise (my idea is to be anywhere IN THE WATER!)

Fabby ScrapFIT News to Share!!

I'm just so excited that I just had to take a moment on this beautiful Sunday afternoon to share with you some super fabulous news! I'm the next FitGirl Spotlight Guest Designer at ScrapFIT...WOO-HOO! Can ya tell I'm excited? LOL! I've been a huge fan of ScrapFIT for so long & was just tickled pink when I checked their blog this morning & discovered I won Weekend Warm-up #10, a borders challenge, with my You/Me LO. 

 (the LO that won!)

I absolutely cannot wait to play along with Weekend Warm-Up #11 & spotlighted on their blog. I'm so doing a happy dance...hehehe! I do hope you will join in WWU#11 (which is flowers) by clicking HERE. As well their other challenge, Workout #49, is going on right now (click HERE) which is "Put a Banner On It!" I'll make sure to post my creation as soon as I can & I hope you'll stop back by on Tuesday for my weekly Your Memories Here DT post. Until then, Happy Craftin'!!

Tea for Two...

Happy Tuesday y'all! Hope everyone had a terrific weekend! I am so happy to be back this week to share another fabulous Your Memories Here DT project with you. I just love designing for the YMH Store...mostly because Kristina, the owner, is so amazing to work & incredibly talented to boot. I feel so blessed to be starting my 3rd DT term with her as I have loved designing with her awesome products so much. And speaking of designing, this week I have a sweet little shabby card to show off. I used lots of Prima Marketing paper & bling from the YMH Store on this one, as well as little bit of upcycled packaging too! That little die cut patterned border at the bottom, well it used to be the edge of some Prima Rub Ons packaging. I just trimmed it, inked it & glued it down. I love recycling & Prima does an amazing job with their packaging so its easy to re-use! And as you can see, I'm kinda in love with rosettes again right now since this is the 2nd post in a week that's included them. They are just so easy & fun to make...such a great DIY embellie for any project!

Supplies

Patterned Paper, Rhinestones, Pearls & Crystals Swirls - Prima Marketing

Distress Ink - Tim Holtz (walnut stain)

Cardstock - The Paper Studio

Stamp & Sentiment - Mark's Finest Papers
Ink - Staz On

Pearl Strand - Offray

Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, Pop Dots, Aileen's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

And don't you just adore that sweet little teacup stamp? It is part of a set from Mark's Finest Papers that I won a little while ago & am just now breaking out. I love all the sweet images in this set & can't wait to create some more projects with them. I hope you'll hop on over to the YMH Store & see all the fabulous Prima Marketing products, including some of the latest CHA releases! The prices are great & shipping is wonderful too. And, if you're needing some inspiration why not visit the YMH DT blog? There are some very talented designers there showcasing some neat techniques, products, & projects! I'll be back in a few days to share another Paper Issues CT post with you so until then, Happy Craftin'!

I'm also entering my card into the following fabulous challenges! 
Speedy the Cat/Mark's Finest Papers - Anything BUT Ribbon
Cardmakin' Mamas - Food or Drink
Creative Inspirations Paint - Inspired by a Sketch
Amber's Crafts & Stuff - Patterned Paper
Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger (inspired by shabby & feminine aspects!)
PaperPlay - In the Garden (floral teacup, paper & rosette!)
Kaboodle Doodles - In the Garden (floral teacup, paper & rosette!)
All That Scraps - Inspiration Photo (inspired by shabby, country feel!)
OLLCB - Circles (rosette!)
Your Next Stamp - 3-2-1 Recipe
The Shabby Tea Room - Mix & Match