Thank You Lotus

I must be sick because I normally don't post twice in one day.  Today is an exception as I am a slacker and didn't get my card done for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Digi Challenge till today.   Last Friday I received an awesome surprise.  I had won the May Digi Release Blog Hop at Sweet 'n Sassy!  WooHoo!  I think I ended up with around 7 new digis.  I have been on a digi kick since I got my markers and now I have a reason to practice!  So now I am entering the Thank You card challenge for the month of May.

The digi is Sweet 'n Sassy's Lotus Flower.  The styling of the card is from Sweet 'n Sassy stamp's sketch challenge blog called The Sweet Stop.  I don't know if it's allowed or not but I am entering this card in both challenges.  Guess I will find out, won't I?  You can win some adorable digis and I believe you don't even have to use their stamps for the Sketch challenges.

Hope you enjoyed my card and come back tomorrow for the blog hop.  There just might be an awesome prize to one lucky commenter!

Supplies:
Lotus Flower digi by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps
Amy Tangerine Sketchbook paper pad by AC
Many Thanks by My Thoughts Exactly

My Hero

Back again everyone with a My Thoughts Exactly pretty.  Can you tell I am digging the new Father's Day Subway Art set?  Since I think my husband is my hero, this die-cut and stamp set are the perfect combo for his card.  He is my knight-in-shining armor!  Doesn't this make a cool Father's Day card?  Definitely different in my book.

Both of the die-cuts came from the new Lettering Delights Cut-Its set called Happily Ever After.  This set is so adorable.  Since they are so cutesy and I have teens, I didn't think I would use this set at all.  Who knew they would make a cute Father's Day card.  See, it's amazing how many used you can get from one stamp set!   

The set includes 8 princess that look very familiar, one frog and 3 princes.  I think my knight above is supposed to be Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty as a child.  LOL  I love these little chibi versions!  So cute.  If you want most fantasy elements, Lettering Delights has another Cut-Its set called Once Upon a Time.  Comes with Philip's horse, a carriage, a fairy godmother and a few other cool cuts.  Both of these sets are available in graphics and digital paper packs.

Hope you enjoyed my card today.  Come back tomorrow for more crafty goodness!  See you then.

Supplies:
Father's Day Subway Art by My Thoughts Exactly
Happily Ever After Cut-Its by Lettering Delights
kraft card stock

Psych!

I thought about making this a Wordless Wednesday but I think my card might not have made sense to anyone.  You see, it's a pretty personal card albeit a (at least in my mind) a funny one.   A former teen in our old Sunday School class is very special to us and while I don't make cards for too many family members anymore, I usually make one for her.  She gets my sense of humor and understands the nuance of a fine joke told at the right moment.

That's why when this card idea came to me I knew it was brilliant and perfect for her!  She has a thing for pineapples.  She has a thing for weird TV shows that like pineapples.  She has a thing for adorable characters on said shows that have a thing for pineapples. She has a th.....ahhh, you get the point. Pssst, she even sleeps with a stuffed pineapple at college.  hehehe

For those of you who might not know, the TV show Psych always has a pineapple present in every episode and my boys and I have made it our life's mission to find every one.  This is one of the many strange things she and I have in common.  Stupid shows.  This is how we connect.  We are a bit like Shawn and Gus.  We are both totally off the wall so I don't know who gets to be Shawn.  I think we are a little of both.

So here's to you, Miss Pineapple 1992.  Happy Birthday!!!

Supplies:
Damask Pineapple by Silhouette
Banner by Skery K Designs
Pen feature in Gazelle

Parker Flower Hair Clips

While swimming in the sea of testosterone I call my home, I realized how sad I am that I cannot make use of all those cute little hair clips floating around the Internet.  You see, I am much too old to pull off super girly pink hair accessories and definitely not cool enough.  So what is a girl who is awash in boys to do?  Make them anyway and dare someone to make fun of you!

So I got my brain working on how I was going to accomplish this after I saw the Parker Pop-Kut flower.  I knew I wanted to use this cute flower but I didn't think paper would hold up too well in the rain.  So what would?  I just happen to look within the many bins in my craft room and see that I had pink foam about 2mm thick. Can my Gazelle cut foam?  Why yes, Virginia, it can!!   I love having a machine that does just about everything except the dishes.

These are pretty simple to make.  You just need one of those alligator hair clips you can purchase at the craft store, foam 2mm or under and a super cute file like I have here.  If your flower is not going to be big enough (like the one on the right) to cover the whole clip, feel free to wrap a coordinating ribbon around it.  Oh and hot glue.

Since I had foam that is on the thicker end of the scale for the Gazelle, you still may need to pop it out of the foam after cutting.  I put my Deep Cut blade into the holder with 3 O-rings.  I set my Speed set on 2, force 2 and had it cut twice.  Pop them out of the foam and waa-laa, instant beauty! To give them a little stability, I cut two circles out of heavy card stock to hot glue to the back of the flower, then glued them once again with hot glue to the clips.  Embellish as desired.

I think they are sooo adorable and should hold up in inclement weather.  Those alligators are strong little suckers too so I shouldn't have a problem with my hair staying in place either.  Oh and you just ignore the grey. I am trying to go au naturel and haven't dyed it in about a year.  Hey!  Grey is the new blond, didn't you know?

Supplies:

Parker Pop-Kut Flower by Boss Kut (with middle cuts taken out)

Craft Foam - 2mm

Alligator hair clip

various embellishments

New Silhouette Deal at Plum District

Courtesy of Plum District

Get creative with today's deal from Silhouette Online Store, your online source for fun paper products and more.

This voucher is good for any downloadable designs. From borders and backgrounds to cards and gifts, the endless inspiration here could keep you crafting for a lifetime. Choose from a wide variety of artists and types of designs. All downloadables from Silhouette Online Store are meant to be used with Silhouette electronic cutting tools only.

This amazing deal is good for another 3 days and if you use code "MEMORIAL20" by Monday, May 28th, it will give you another 20% off to bring your total down to $14.40!  That's a lot of downloadable designs and the Silhouette store has some of the cutest ones out there.

Get this deal over at Plum District.  Hope you all have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day Sale

It is that time again for SVG Cuts annual Memorial Day sale!!  One of my most favorite times of the year.  LOL Summer is here and now is the time to stock up on all of the kits and collections you’ve been dying to get! The more you buy, the more you save and remember, this type of sale only happens twice a year! Use coupon code "MEMORIAL2012" during checkout to save 25% on your entire purchase!

• Save 25% on your entire purchase! No minimum purchase required.
• Sale begins Friday, May 25th, 2012 and runs through Thursday, May 31st, 2012.
• No limit on the number of uses per customer (in case you decide you want to buy more)!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Visit SVGCuts.com and start shopping! Be sure to add at least one item to your shopping cart!
2. Type MEMORIAL2012 into the Discount Coupon field during step 2 of checkout (see image)
3. Complete your payment and download your files! That’s it!

Sympathy Card

It's always hard when one has to make a sympathy card.  You want it to be solemn but uplifting at the same time.  It's always at those times when you are at a loss for words.  I never know what to say that's why I like to make homemade cards instead of purchasing one.  It helps me show support for a grieving friend.  That is why I love the Big Thoughts set from My Thoughts Exactly.  They thought of almost everything.  You get sentiments for a multitude of occasions just from these stamp sets.

I used the Mojo Monday -240 sketch with a few rolled roses.  I went with more subtle colors as I didn't want to be flashy.  I liked how the navy and cream looked together.  Hope you liked my card today as much as one can like a sympathy card.  Have a great day and happy crafting!

Supplies:
Big Thoughts by My Thoughts Exactly
Tradewinds stack by DCWV

I'm With Genius

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have a Pastor that uses computer analogies instead of fishing, hunting or sports in his sermons.  Those are the kind I completely understand and since we are both geeks, a card with my Generation Tech stack by DCWV for his birthday was pretty perfect.  Although he doesn't play a lot of video games, he has been known to frag a few bad guys.

I had originally purchased this digi stamp from Tiddly Inks thinking of myself till I realized it was a little boy (doh!).  Not that I think I am a boy or a genius. =D  It's just that he just screams "geek" to me so I bought him.  I don't know why but I giggle every time I look at him.  He is too cute!  Well, he was till I got my crappy coloring on him.  It's a learning process, woman!  I will get better.  eventually

The adorable little mouse comes with this digi.  His sign is blank so you can add your own sentiment.  I choose "best wishes".   I think this little tyke reminds me of my Pastor because they have the same hair that sticks up.  hehe  I can say these things because he doesn't read my blog.  Oh wait, I think his wife does.  That's OK, she will agree with me.  ;p

Hit me up in the comments and let me know what you think.  Unless your name is Mike, then you can just get me on Sunday.  Have a great day and happy crafting!

Supplies:
Genius and extra by Tiddly Inks
Mini Thoughts by My Thoughts Exactly
Generation Tech stack by DCWV
Spectrum Noir markers

Clearance Sale at Lettering Delights

It’s all fun and games until the sale comes to an end! Consider this your last chance to stock up on clearance fonts, alphabets, graphics set, templates and more before they leave their site for good. It’s Lettering Delights annual 50 cent Clearance Sale. But hurry, the savings and clearance products are gone tomorrow at midnight. Sale ends Wednesday, May 23.

Looking to get the best bang for your buck? Then check out these super bundles that you won’t want to miss:

Library Starter Bundle. 25 all purpose alphabets for only $10. You’ll save 90%! Kids Rule Bundle.Wrap up the school year with 31 products to celebrate kids. Just $10. Best of Rani 2. Get 37 sets for $10. It’s the best of Rani’s whimsical styles valued at $138! Best of Jillustration 2. The biggest bang for your buck. Here’s 47 must-have items worth $168 for just $10! Jillustration Font Bundle. 35 fun fonts at just $10 for the bundle. These fonts are less than 30 cents each!

Merci

Who knew you could get so many die-cuts on a card in such a small space?  Well, I guess when you layer them up, huh?  I needed a Thank You card like yesterday but it was for someone very special for a very special thank you so it had to also look good.

On Mother's Day, I received a super awesome, unbelievable gift.  Ironically, my husband or kids did not give it to me.  It was from an adorable friend who I have become quite fond of and not just because she gives totally awesome gifts either.  I thought she was a peach before that.  ^__^  It was so undeserved too.  I am sooo humbled by it, you just don't know.  So on to my lovely card for a lovely lady.

So I used three of Boss Kuts adorable designs.  On another ironic note, I used two of the new Pop-Kuts but there was little popping.  While I love the popping up of these files, I liked the look layered too.  See how versatile these designs are?  I thought it would be uber-chic to say Thank You in French, hence the "merci" stamp.  I mean, isn't that fancier than just saying "thanks?"  Heheh.  I used the new Loopy Doily for the bottom of my die-cut stack, then the new Parker Pop-Kut flower (yes, all three layers) and then finally for the top, the Ruffled Butterfly.  I did only use the Pop-Kut top part.  There are two layers to this file.  All cuts are 2" and under.  They still cut like a dream or a hot knife through butter.  Whatever analogy floats your boat.  o_O

That's pretty much it.  This was super fast with the help of my handy dandy cutter, the amazing pink lady herself - the Gazelle.  Oh, she's a sleek one I tell ya.  I just need to find a proper name for her.  Do you name your machines?  I can barely name my kids, let alone a machine.  hehe  If you think of any good ones, leave them in the comments section.  I would love to hear them, um, I think.  I hope I didn't just open a can of worms.  ;P

Supplies:
Loopy Doily by Boss Kut
Parker Pop-Kut Flower by Boss Kut
Ruffled Butterfly Pop-Kut by Boss Kut
Many Thanks by My Thoughts Exactly
Homemade Hat pin by me

New Release Preview Blog Hop

Let's go to the hop, let's go to the hop...do do.  It must be these vintage graphics, the stamps with hopping that I can't get that song out of my head.  hehe  The 50's baybee!  Welcome all the to new release blog hop for My Thoughts Exactly.  If you are joining up from here, go back to the beginning so you don't miss anything. The hop order is below.

DT Blog - mythoughtsexactly.co/design-team-blog/

Ashley - hearthugsdesigns.blogspot.com

Becki - happycardfactory.com (you are here)

Belinda - beeshiveofdrama.blogspot.com

Benedicte - benelun.overblog.com

Jen - ourchangeofart.blogspot.com

Jessica - craftyrktsci.blogspot.com

Kendra - luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com

Lenae - sugargemscrafts.blogspot.com

Tracy - queeniesscrapmad.blogspot.com

Wida - beachorado.blogspot.com

Alyssa - mythoughtsexactly.co/alyssas-blog/

I needed and I mean really needed to find a reason to use these fantastic bottle ties with the also fantastic Father's Day Subway Art stamp set from My Thoughts Exactly.  Since we are a dry household and don't drink any type of alcohol but needed some type of glass long necked bottle, I found something even better - Root Beer!  Oh how I love high fructose corn syr....erm...I mean good quality sarsaparilla.

I love this stamp set!  The fonts are amazing.  Even though I didn't use it in this project, I love the dotted line.  I bet I will be using it quite often.  Here is a look at the Father's Day Subway Art stamp set:

Too kewl, huh?  I thought you would say that!  So many lovely uses.  Father's day for dad and grandpa, birthdays for the same fellows.  You get the idea.

I have some other good news to share.  It is in celebration of Alyssa graduating from college today, she has so generously provided us with a code to give out for you hoppers!  Use code GRAD12 to save 12% on orders $25 or more!  Pick up a bundle and use the code to really save!  Some of them are the Father's Day bundle, the Mom/Dad Subway Art bundle,  the Mom/Dad Super Bundle and the now infamous I Want it All bundle!  Hit the links for pricing. 

Now for even more fun - A GIVEAWAY!  Just leave a comment on each of the sites along the hop to be entered to win a $10 gift card to My Thoughts Exactly!  But here's a twist, for every comment you make on each blog, you get one entry.  That's 12 entries!!!  Good luck and have a great day hopping!

Supplies:
Father's Day Subway Art by My Thoughts Exactly
Stewarts (yumyum) Original Root Beer
Soda Pop Neck Ties by Lettering Delights

Congrats Alyssa! We are so proud of you!!!!