Flip Flop Birthday

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Today I made the cutest card for my sister's birthday. I made it with the challenge over at K Andrews Simply Sunday Challenge in mind.  The challenge is to use a face in your project.  I used the Peachy Keen Everyday Faces.  They are soooo cute!

Supplies:

Cricut Cartridge Cheerful Seasons

Peachy Keen Everyday Faces Stamp set

Stampin' Up! Basic Black ink

Cardstock from my stash

Red ribbon from Joanns

Patterned paper is from Creative Memories, I believe :)

Bling on flip flops are brads I picked up at Big Lots

Martha Stewarts Border punch (I picked up recently at TJMaxx.)

Tiny Tag and sentiment are from Papertrey Ink (my newest purchase. Love it!)

Don't look too closely. I have some glue residue on the flip-flops and my alignment wasn't exact.  I use to stress over these things but I'm learning not to sweat the small stuff.  Only you and I card-makers will notice these small flaws.
Thanks again for stopping by.  Your support and comments make me smile!
Hugs and TTFN,Elaine

PAPERTREY INK Haul

Hi everyone!

I have a quick video to show you of some of the goodies I purchased from PAPERTREY INK.  I follow Creations with Christina and she uses a lot of their products on her projects.  They always turn out so beautiful so I finally gave in and ordered some products.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I used to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator so I try not to buy too many stamps because I already have an abundance but these all work well together and have a unique function. In other words, I couldn't resist.  What's one or two more sets?

I'll make sure to post my projects as I use these new toys!  I see a mini album in the future.  I'm a little intimidated by them even though I have all the tools to make one.

Here goes:


Hey! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs and TTFN,
Elaine

Crocheted Flowers and a swap

Hi everybody!

First let me take care of some business. If you've been following my blogging journey then you know that I had been chosen to be on the Getting Cricky Design Team and I was super excited to have the opportunity. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I am no longer on the team. I want everyone to know that I totally support the Getting Cricky Design Team and Kristal Andrews! I will still be playing along with challenges, blog hops, Ustream and playing with the new stamps she just released.  They are currently hosting a blog hop this weekend.  Why not go check them out here?

Now on to my post, my hands were busy this week making lots of little crochet flowers for a swap I am participating in this month. They were so easy to make that I checked out a book from the library on patterns for making different flowers.

For the swap I had to make 16 identical "girlie" cuts. I ran out of the patterned paper so I decided to make a few in another patterned paper.  I hope that was ok!  I just love this purse from the Cricut Paisley cartridge. They came together so fast. I used brads for the center of the flower that I picked up at Michaels. The brads are made by Recollections. I also used the Cuttlebug to emboss the flap to the purse.

The swap is hosted by the Scrappin Sista.  The link will take you to the tab on her blog that deals with Swaps.  She hosts a different swap every month.  This is my first time participating in a swap.

Did I do good?  I think so.  Thanks for stopping by and hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  I've been busy trying to make my husband feel like the king today: breakfast, car wash, bike ride, dinner and homemade cheesecake.  PHEW! I'm whooped!

TTFN, Elaine


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Graduation Cupcake Toppers

My darling son graduated from 8th grade last week from Bethel Christian Academy. I am so proud of him. He was the class Salutatorian and gave a great speech. He also had an opportunity to lead the audience in a couple of Praise & Worship songs by singing & playing the guitar. This was the first time he did this and boy did my heart swell in addition to my eyes :)

Here is a picture of our handsome young man.

















Well, enough bragging about my son. On to my post. We had all the 8th graders over for a celebration. Rather than buy a sheet cake, I decided to make cupcakes. I made these quick toppers by using the autofill feature on my Cricut Expression. I used the Locker Talk cartridge and cut them at 2 inches. I used the Sakura white gel pen to outline the caps. I used the Xyron sticker maker to put adhesive on the back of the tassels, assembled, taped the toppers to toothpicks and stuck them in the cupcakes. Super easy and fast! I think they look good! They were also good in the tummy :)


























Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs!
Elaine



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

End of year Teacher gifts

Hi everyone!

Here is a quick post on what I put together for my kid's teachers. I made a total of 5. These reusable cups are very popular these days. I picked up the cups at Bed Bath and Beyond. They were a two pack for $7.99 and of course I used a coupon. :) I bought some of those Crystal Light wanna be single serving flavored iced tea and lemonade. Stuffed the cups with crinkled paper and tea mixes, placed in a cello bag, made a gift tag/card of the same cut, tied it on with curling ribbon and viola! Quick, easy teacher gift!



I used the Cricut Locker Talk cartridge and vinyl.

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think, I truly enjoy your comments!

TTFN, Scrappymama Elaine

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Vintage Vibe? Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky with K Andrew

Happy Sunday to all my wonderful blog followers and guest!!

As part of the Getting Cricky Design Team, I get the privilege to showcase my creations on Getting Cricky with K Andrew's blog along with my own post.  The thought of that brings a smile to my face!!! 

Today's challenge was to create something with a "vintage vibe".  I don't do "vintage".  What does that even mean?  Well, I went to the dictionary.  Dictionary.com had a lot of definitions to offer mostly related to wine but I found two that helped: 1. of lasting interest and importance; classic 2. old-fashioned; dated

Here is my take on this challenge.  (BTW, this is what I love about Getting Cricky's challenges: it's open to my interpretation.)  Another craft that I love is crocheting.  Crocheting is a craft that has been around since like, FOREVER! Actually, I looked it up and it has been around since the 1800's.  If that's not vintage, I don't know what is!!!  Anyway, My aunt taught me some basic stitches when I was a little girl and it has stayed with me since.  I had this awesome idea to crochet some flowers.  At the time, I didn't know what I was going to do with them but then it hit me - glue them to some flip flops!!!  What a great idea!  So I headed to Joanns and picked up some variegated cotton, flip flops and the cute buttons.  The buttons were actually part of a Kids Camp Flip Flop embellishment package.  The package included the smiley faces, buttons, and some 

rhinestones.  I'll get alot of use from the extras.

I decided to wrap the cotton around the straps but I didn't think it would stay in place so another idea came, see if you can crochet it.  Did some searching and sure enough I found some instructions on how to crochet the straps. Super easy too!

As I was playing around with the size of the flower, I made a couple of different sizes.  I glued them together , added the smiley face and thought, ah, ha! a brooch!  I found a brooch pin, hot glued to the back and stuck it to my floppy hat.  Now I'm all set with my summer wear!!!

Well, I survived the "vintage" challenge.  I truly thank God for the way He enlightens me with what I consider clever ideas.  It blows me away when I can come up with an idea that I didn't see anywhere else.  To God be the glory!

Make sure to stop by Getting Cricky with K Andrew's blog and check out the rest of the design teams' creations!  They are some gifted crafters. Why don't you consider making something with a "vintage vibe" and link it up to her site.  She always has the best giveaways too!. 

Let me know what you think of my fun flip flops and brooch.  Now to decide if I start wearing them now or save them for our trip to Hawaii!!!!  Can't wait!  

TTFN, Scrappymama Elaine

Graduation Card and Surprise Getting Cricky Stamp set #4 release!

Hello my bloggie friends!

I just got home from running/walking a 5K! PHEW! I'm whooped!  Didn't get a chance last night to schedule this post but better late than never, right?

First, let me start with this super easy and quick card I made early this morning.  We are going to a graduation party later today and I needed a card and I needed it quick!  Fortunately, I had already laid it all out in my Gypsy so it was a matter of cutting and putting it together.  It literally took me 10 minutes to put this card together.  Amazing how the right colors, cardstock and cuts and not alot of frill can still produce a great card.

Recipe:

Blue/white double-sided card-stock from my stash

DCWV Dots & Strips Card-stock

Cricut Cartridge-Locker Talk

White Sakura gel pen

ATG glue gun

Dimensionals

Now for the surprise release of Stamp set #4: Food for Thought:

I say surprise because this was a last minute brain child of Kristal's.  This woman is so amazing! I don't know how she does it all!!!!  Actually, I do know how she does it.  The Bible says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13.  I'm sure she would agree that her strength comes from the Lord.

This set is so awesome because it is great for those sweet, little, love notes some parents like to leave in their kid's lunch boxes.  (I'm sorry, but, I'm not one of those awesome parents.)  It is also a versatile set that can be used on many projects.  Stop by her blog and check out how to get your hands on one of these sets or to order all 4.  She is offering a bundle discount and free shipping (limited time) on all preorders.

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to come back tomorrow for my Simply Sunday Challenge post.   Have a great Saturday!

TTFN, Scrappymama Elaine

Getting Cricky with K Andrew Stamp set #3-Freedom Isn't Free

Happy Friday!

It's Friday and today K Andrew from Getting Cricky is releasing her third set of stamps called Freedom Isn't Free. So many of us either have someone in the military or know someone who is serving our country.  I personally have two sons in the military.  My oldest is in the Army and currently in Iraq.  His wife and children are excited because he will be home in June. Our next son is in the Air Force and is stationed in Japan.  My daughter spent a short time in the Navy but was released due to an injury.  So you can see why this stamp set is near and dear to my heart.  It is also very near to Kristal's heart since her husband also serves in the military.

My older sons, so proud!!

These sentiments are appropriate any tine of year.  We don't have to wait for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day to express our gratitude to the men and women that serve our country so we can be protected and experience the freedom we have here in the United States.  Stop by Getting Cricky and check out the story behind the set, how to order and don't forget for a limited time Kristal is offering free shipping and a bundle discount.

I hope you have a great weekend!  I think we may have one more set to preview on Saturday.  Kristal works fast and got another set put together.  It's another goodie!!!!  Be back tomorrow,  k?

TTFN, Scrappymama Elaine

What's on my desk?

Christina from Creations with Christina asked us to do something different.  She said: go get a camera and take a picture of your craft desk without cleaning it first!! AHHHH!!!!.  Then.... post the picture on her blog.  Really?  It was clean a few days ago but not anymore.  I've been shopping for end of year teacher gifts so my bags are on my desk.  I also recorded a haul video (here) so needless to say, my desk is a mess again!!! Ugh!!

Such is a crafter's life, hee, hee!  Come back tomorrow to check out the third stamp set released by Kristal  from Getting Cricky with K Andrew.

TTFN, Scrappymama Elaine.

Getting Cricky with K Andrew Stamp set #2 Preview and a TJMaxx Haul video

Good day friends!

It's Thursday and today K Andrew from Getting Cricky is releasing her second set of stamps called Positive Thoughts.  If you have seen or read Kristal's blog, you know that she is a very loving and encouraging person.  These sentiments are straight from her heart.  Didn't she do a great job!  I know I can use these sentiments over and over again, on cards, on the outside of envelopes, scrapbooks, etc!!!!

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, she is currently accepting preorders and offering, for a limited time, free shipping.  She is also offering a bundle discount if you order all three sets.  $1.00 from each stamp set will go to a charity.  This set will contribute to Storefront Children's Shelter.  To learn more about Kristal's new stamp sets, the charities that will benefit and how to order, just click here to jump to her blog and let her know that Scrappymama Elaine sent you.  

Now for my TJMaxx Haul video.  Recently I read about someone finding some great deals on scrapbooking paper packs at TJMaxx so.....I had to pay them a visit.  This is what I found:

I will be in a different part of town tomorrow that has another TJMaxxs, so I will be perusing the aisles for some more finds!  I'll keep you posted.

I'm in Cleveland OH and we are having beautiful weather.  I hope you are too and enjoying the sunshine God has sent out way!

Let me know what you think of Kristal's new stamps.  I can't wait to use them and show them to you on a project.  Also, I finished my project for this Sunday's Simply Sunday Challenge.  I can't wait to show it to you!!!  Make sure to come back and tell your friends too!

TTFN, Scrappymama Elaine

Getting Cricky with K Andrew Stamp Set Preview and Pre-orders going on now!!!

Hi friends!

As most of you may know by now, I have the privilege of being on the Getting Cricky Design Team.  Kristal Andrew is the author of this blog and let me tell you she is an amazing, talented, generous, and caring woman!

She has just designed and is in the process of taking pre-orders on her 3 new stamp sets.  These sets are full of sensitive, funny and touching sentiments.  You WON'T be disappointed!

Today, I have the privilege of showing you the first of these sets called Fashionable Friends.  When I first saw the sentiments, my wheels started turning of the different ways I can use these stamps in addition to which Cricut cartridges would work well with this set: Forever Young and Paisley will definitely work!  Of course, these stamps are not designed to be specifically used with the Cricut.  There are so many other uses for these sentiments.  Let your imagination fly with it!

Currently, Kristal is taking pre-orders and for a limited time pre-orders ship for free!!! In addition, Kristal will be donating $1.00 from every stamp set to a specific charity.  Isn't that awesome?  Told you she was generous!!!  Head on over to Getting Cricky with K Andrew and learn more about how the stamps are made, the charities that will benefit, the online retailers and how to place your order.

As soon as my stamps come in, I will be creating and posting my projects for your viewing pleasure.

I hope to post a haul video tomorrow and I'm working on my post for this coming Sunday's Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky, so make sure to come back again soon.  If you missed last Sunday's challenge, click here for my post and here for the Getting Cricky post so you can read all about it and play along.

TTFN, Scrappymama Elaine