Coneflowers with Butterfly

Let's just pretend I didn't get two projects out in one day.  Pretend with me again that this is really Friday.  I don't want to spoil all of you with two cards but I needed to get this up so I could enter it in the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi challenge before it was too late.

I have been wanting to color this coneflower digi for a long time.  It just reminds me of a special friend who always uses these pretty flowers for her avatar where ever she may be online.  If she would tell me when her birthday is, I could send it to her.  *nudgenudgewinkwink*

This is also going to be entered in The Sweet Stop Sketch challenge.  I finally got around to making a card for both of these challenges.  I feel so accomplished!  I love entering both of these so much.  Sweet 'n Sassy is one of my favorite places to get digi stamps.  It's just not something I get the time to do a lot of.  Coloring with me takes a long time.  Seems I am afraid to mess up my pretty digis.  I have also entered this is to the Spectrum Noir monthly challenge.

Hope you enjoyed the two posts today.  But don't get used to it. ;P

Supplies:
Coneflowers and Butterfly by Sweet 'n Sassy stamps
Simply Autumn stack by Recollections
Spectrum Noir markers:  (flowers- PP4, PP5, PP6 & EB1, EB2 & DG1, DG2, DG3), (butterfly - GB3, GB5, GB8, OR1)
Lone Humorous font

iPod Birthday Card

Three crafty goodness posts in one week, I am on a roll!  Since the start of the magazine, I feel my poor blog has been neglected.  But I am trying to rectify that.  I may not have time to charm you with my rapier wit and long posts.  You are probably the luckiest people alive.

My niece's 13 birthday was last week, and all she could talk about when I called was the new pair of headphones she received to go with her MP3 player.  That sparked her birthday card.  It originally was a box that I transformed into a card.  The box is from My Scrap Chick.

As you see from the last picture, I used a scrap from The Buckle Boutique sticker sheet.  This is proof that although the sheets are kind of pricey, you are able to use most of what you have leftover from a die-cutting project.  Just the right amount of bling.  I do try not to think of what will happen to this card after she gets bored of it.  Not everyone is a card hoarder like I am.  I do believe I have Halloween cards from when I was five years old and the first card my hubby every bought me in my drawers somewhere.  This all makes sense now on why I am a card maker.  hahaha

You still have a couple of days left to get some of this gorgeous rhinestone stickers sheets for 15% off using code "happycard15."  Actually the code is good from anything on the site.  Go check them out, they have some beautiful buckles too.  Hurry, as the code is only good till the 30th of September 2012.

Supplies:
iPod Box by My Scrap Chick
Rhinestones by The Buckle Boutique
Mini Thoughts by My Thoughts Exactly

Rocking Horse Gift Bag

I can come up with some catchy titles, eh?  LOL  It gets hard thinking of clever names for your blog posts after about a year of blogging, so I say go with what you know.  :P And I know rocking horses.  Especially ones for little boys.  You know the ones I am talking about too.  They are pretty much destroyed by the time the first boy gets done with it that you have to buy another one for the second child.  Thank goodness no little boy will get a hold of this one.  I'm pretty sure his mommy will keep it from him.  I just had to show the gift I got to put inside.  Isn't it too perfect for this bag?!?  I love it!

It was nice to finally make a boy version of this horse after making nothing but girl versions of this set. See how I used the spotlight twine - Chocolate Sprinkles?  I just love how the tail and mane turned out.  I am soooo not going to tell you that was the longest part of this project.  Ooops....guess I just did.

Don't forget you still have a few days to enter the challenge and win 50 yards of this yummy color!  If you don't have time and just want to purchase it, you can find it at the store.  Grab it while it's on sale.  Have a great day and happy crafting!

Supplies:
Bundle of Joy kit by SVG Cuts
Twinkle Twinkle Little Boy stack by My Mind's Eye
Chocolate Sprinkles & Chocolate Truffle by Trendy Twine
Recollection ribbon and brad for eye
Rocking Horse ornament from Kohls

Blingin' Up my Phone

Hey guys, I am back today to show you this really cool product I was recently introduced to.  Rhinestone sheets from the Buckle Boutique.  They are an adhesive sheet with gel-like rhinestones.  Here is one of the sheets I received.

As you can see from the package, they are called Dazzling Diamond self-adhesive Bling! Bling!  Oooh are they pretty to look at.  I got mesmerized. They are a 6"x10" sheet of pure prettiness.  According to the website, there is loads you can do with these rhinestone sticker sheets.  They can be used on scrapbook pages, favors, apparel, phones and personal electronics.  The stones are continuous and butt up against each other on the entire sheet. I guess they are made to cover large areas with bling.  The even cooler thing about these stickers, are since they are a soft resin they can be cut with die-cutting machines!  So let's try.

OK, the directions on the back of the package say when using an electronic die-cutter, cut backside up and use the deep cut blade.  So that is what we will do.

After popping in the deep cut blade into the holder, I made my adjustments.  I used my Boss Kut Gazelle to cut the sheets, since it can cut thicker material than my Silhouette Cameo.  The settings were a speed of 1, force of 2 and multicut of 2.  For my first run, I just cut an "R" for Rebecca at 3" high to put on the back of my phone. Something small and simple.

I was kind of shocked how quickly and easily it cut.  Just a small piece of the backing lifted.  Pretty perfect in my book.  But did it actually cut?

Well lookey-lookey!  It sure did!  You still have to "punch" it out but that is to be expected with this material.  It's very jelly like.  It's kind of neat to see squishy rhinestones.  LOL  I just sat and smooshed them.  It wasn't hard to pop out the cuts.

Look at my "R".  Pretty darn snazzy.  Only thing is I made a boo boo.  Can anyone tell what it was?  Yes, you there, in the back of the class.  Yes, you are correct.  I forgot to mirror my letter.  DOH!  So much for not wasting this precious sheet of rhinestones.  Yes, I am a dork.  Let's try this again the correct way.

Ahhh, much better.  LOL A perfect "R" and oh so shiny.  I am pretty impressed with this stuff.

My "R" in it's final resting place.  While I think this stuff is pretty neat, I will also say it isn't cheap.  For the 6"x10" piece I was sent, it is $10 for one sheet.  I think that is pretty steep for a sticker sheet no matter how pretty.  But I see it being used for lots of crafty things.  It doesn't seem like even the little pieces would go to waste.  After cutting out my design, I used the leftover corners for some flower middles and my niece's card instead of Stickles.

If you wanted to use rhinestones but didn't want to mess with placing individual ones on a layout or t-shirt, this would be for you.  So I definitely see it's uses.  Convenience has it's price and you have to decide if it's worth it to you.  But what can I say, I am pretty cheap anyway.  ^__^

What other ways can you see this being used?  I have a few ideas but don't think they are the best.  What can you guys come up with to help me use the rest of my sheet?

Supplies:
Boss Kut Gazelle
Pink Dazzling Diamond Self-Adhesive sticker paper by The Buckle Boutique
Red Hatter's Hand font by Lettering Delights

Extra, extra! Cathie from the Buckle Boutique has given me a special coupon code just for you guys.  Use code "happycard15" for 15% off anything on the site.  This code is go today through September 30th.  A big thanks to the Buckle Boutique and Cathie!

Owl-lelujah

Holy Moley, how generous!  Lettering Delights just posted a surprise freebie on a Saturday.  It's the entire Owl-lelujah graphic set.  It is free only till Monday, so go grab it while the grabbings good.  Take a look at how cute this set is.

Click on the photo above to be taken to get this set or click the here: Owl-lelujah  Have a great weekend!

Spooky Cuties Collection

Who could be scared of an adorable zombie like the one in the new collection from SVG Cuts?  I know I would love to have the little guy come hanging around my house, that is unless he tried to eat my brainz. I don't have a lot to spare, ya know. :P

With this new collection you get the Haunted House, the Full Moon, the Spider, Frankenstein, the Witch, Cauldron and Broom, the Black Cat, the Mummy, Dracula, a Bat, a Tombstone, a Skull and Crossbones, a Spooky Fence, a Candy Corn, a Skeleton, a Zombie, a Devil and Pitchfork, a Ghost, three Jack O’ Lanterns and a simple bat.  As you can see, it's quite a Halloween set!

For this week only, you can get the Spooky Cuties for free with a purchase of $9.98 or more.  Here's how:

• Visit www.SVGCuts.com and make a purchase of $9.98 or more between now and Thursday, September 27th 2012.
• Add Spooky Cuties SVG Collection to your cart.
• During Step 2 of Checkout, type FREEGIFT into the Discount Coupon section. Doing so will subtract the value of the SVG Collection from your total. This gift is a $6.99 Value!
• All of your files, including the free gift, will be available for immediate download after you complete your purchase!

Fright Night Friends

Hey everyone!  I'm back with a Halloween card using the adorable bats from Fright Night Friends.  Sorry I haven't been posting any projects lately.  I have been busy with the magazine.  

Who doesn't love their little faces?!?  I am totally in love with this set.  I saw the idea for this card somewhere online but don't remember where.   It's not as cool as this one because it didn't use the best stamps in the world.  Ha!

You will notice I have three jars on the front, but the set only comes with two.  The flask is actually the large candy corn with the eyes inside.  LOL See how versatile My Thoughts Exactly sets are?  I also curve the stamp slightly for the inside sentiment.  Another win!

Hope you enjoyed my busy card.  Have a great day and happy crafting!

Supplies:

Fright Night Friends by My Thoughts Exactly
Fright Night Friends SVGs by My Thoughts Exactly
Boss Kut Gazelle
Spectrum Noir markers
Kraft cardstock

Toil and Trouble kit from SVG Cuts

Take a look at SVG Cuts second Halloween kit of the season - Toil and Trouble!  It has, as always, great 3D pieces.  Everything for a die-cutters spooky dream.  Here's the blurb from the their blog:

"Cast a spooky scene this Halloween and create spooky yet elegant Apothecary Jars, and a 3D Witch’s Shoe!  Fill them with goodies and plastic spiders to delight the ones you love. Display them at home as creepy decor, or make and give them to someone special! Create a coordinating Gatefold Card featuring an eerily elegant pumpkin and a very dimensional banner. Show off three great photos with our easy Scrapbook Page (your machine cuts the photo out for you)! You also get each one-dimensional element (there are almost 20) ready-to-go separately in an “Extras” folder."

You guys know the drill, Toil and Trouble is free for the first week of it's appearing with a purchase of $9.98 or more.  Just follow the instructions below to get yours.

• Visit www.SVGCuts.com and make a purchase of $9.98 or more between now and Thursday, September 20th 2012.
• Add Toil and Trouble SVG Kit to your cart.
• During Step 2 of Checkout, type FREEGIFT into the Discount Coupon section. Doing so will subtract the value of the SVG Collection from your total. This gift is a $6.99 Value!
• All of your files, including the free gift, will be available for immediate download after you complete your purchase!

Creative Team Call

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know CuttingEdge Magazine is having a Creative Team call.  It is going on now till the 21st of September.  Requirements after the jump.

Calling all die-cut machine aficionados!  CuttingEdge Magazine is having a Creative Team call for a few crafters who love to use their electronic die-cutting machines with everything they do.  

What you need to know before submitting to the call:

• You must have an electronic die-cutting machine that has the ability to use SVGs or similar cutting files
• You must have a blog
• Be able to work with deadlines
• Good photography skills 
• Can complete 3 - 4 projects per bi-monthly issue
• An interest in creating tutorials is a plus but not required
• Six month committment is required

If you are able to fill these requirements, and ready to jump into this exciting new adventure with us, send the following information to info@cuttingedgesvgs.com no later than Friday, September 21st.  Just be ready to dive right in!

• Name and blog address
• Three samples showcasing your best work (no need to make anything new, just show us some completed projects)
• Other Design Teams you have/are currently on (no team experience is required!)
• How long you have been a crafter
• Anything else you would like us to know!

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you good luck!

Googly Ghost

What's great about matching SVGs that go with the worlds most amazing stamps?  That you can use them as more than the background.  I took the ghost SVG from Fright Night Friends, and used it for my card base.  Super double-time, right?  Super awesomeness, I say!

To make the card base, just bring the SVG into your favorite cutting program that has the ability to import this file type.  Size the ghost to 4.25" tall, and make a duplicate.  Take the copy you just made, flip it so that the bottom of the ghost is facing up.  Then stack the copy on top of your original ghost, making sure they are aligned properly.  Then weld the two pieces together.  When folded, it will make your card base.  

The ghost eyes that come with the Fright Night Friends stamp set will fit perfectly on this ghost.  I just used googly eyes because I had my heart set on a buggy-eyed ghost.  Wrap your cutie with twine, stamp with sentiment.  That's it.  Super quick and cute Halloween goodness.

Supplies:

Fright Night Friends sentiment

Fright Night Friends matching SVG set

Orange Licorice by Trendy Twine

Googly Eyes

Baby Name Blocks

I'm back with my new creation featuring Trendy Twine.  This month we are showcasing Chocolate Sprinkles. And what goes better with blue and brown than little boys.  Usually the brown is mud though. I decided to make my own wooden blocks out of some scrap lumber my husband had laying around.  Of course, this is going to my nephew.  You guys sick of hearing about him yet?  LOL

I saw someone selling these on Etsy, and liked them so much I made my own.  I believe they used frames.  To give interest on the letters, I outlined them in the Chocolate Sprinkles twine.  Cute, no?  I think so.  Sometimes my picture taking leaves much to be desired.  They are bright and cheery off camera.

That's all for today folks.  I slipped and fell down the stairs this afternoon. I'm not feeling so hot.  Let's just say I am too old to be bouncing down on hard wood. I mean it is a quicker way to get to the bottom, but oh so painful.  I need to take an aspirin and go to bed. *smooches*

Supplies:
Wood
Teddy Bear Brown paint by DecoArt
ModPodge
Aye Matey (wheel & anchor) by Lettering Delights
Weather Girl (cloud) by Lettering Delights
Martian Mania (font) by Lettering Delights
Free clip art found on Bing* search (sailboat, fish)
Little Boy by Echo Park Paper
Chocolate Sprinkles by Trendy Twine

*Did you know Bing rewards you to search?  Get Amazon gift cards or a subscription to HuluPlus!

New Release Blog Hop at My Thoughts Exactly

Yep, it is that time again for the My Thoughts Exactly Release Party Blog Hop!  We have some great peeks at the new Halloween stamps, and some awesome inspiration.  Oh, a giveaway too.  LOL  Let's get some details out of the way first.  If you came here from Wida's blog you are right in line.  If not, start back at the beginning so you don't miss anything.

I thought I would start with a look at the new stamps.  Excited?  I sure am.  I am in love once again.  First the two new sets.

Fright Night Friends

 Halloween Subway Art

Cute, right?!?!  Those little bats are to die for!  I love the font on the Subway art.  So cool looking.  Just so you know, Fright Night Phrases and Ghostly Greetings are back this year with an amazing Halloween Super Bundle.  You get all the Halloween stamps with free shipping for $50!  That's one heck of a deal.

My Thoughts Exactly also has another surprise.  They will now be releasing SVGs to match their art sets and these will all be FREE!  Check out the Fright Night Friends matching SVGs, they are free!  Alyssa also has a  Stationery set for $2.  This file is FREE for Cutting Edge Magazine subscribers. They can only grab it for free if they subscribe to this first Sept/Oct issue, then the only way to get it will be in the store.  I have more information but let's get to my project first.

Didn't I say I loved those little bats?  Their expressions are so adorable.  Anyway, I made little treat bags to give you an example for this month's challenge.  You will play along right?  It's super easy, the details are below.

o   Challenge:

§  Treat bags/boxes! Create a treat bag or box of any kind.

o   The Rules:

§  Must include at least one MTE stamp, any set is welcome

§  Project must be new and created for this challenge

o   The Deadline:

§  Sunday September 23^rd at 11:59 pm Pacific

o   The Prizes:

§  Every participant receives a 10% off coupon to the MTE store

§  One random entry will receive a $10.00 gift code to the MTE store

§  One judged entry will receive a bundle of MTE stamps as well as a guest designer position for October

I bet you are wondering where I got those cute little canvas bags.  Well let me tell you, they are from State Line Bag Co. and are this challenge's sponsor.  Say a big thank you to State Line Bag Co.!  Yea!  If you would like to check them out, here is their Etsy shop and Facebook page.  I really enjoyed working with them.  A nice, high quality little bag.

I did say something earlier about a giveaway, didn't I?  Well, My Thoughts Exactly will be giving away 25 of these cute little bags along with three $10 gift codes to the store.  WooHoo!  Just fill out the widget below to be entered to win.  Instructions are on the giveaway.

After entering the giveaway, you are now on your way to the next blog in our hop.

It's the amazing Kendra! 

Good luck and happy crafting!