Jessica's Craft Shaque 400 Follower Challenge!!

Happy Thursday, everyone!! I hope you are having a fabulous week!! The weekend is almost here...yay!! I have a card today to enter into my dear blend Jessica of Jessica's Craft Shaque's 400 Follower Challenge!! She has a couple of different ways to win some amazing prizes!! One is to create a project inspired by one of her projects. This is so not easy!! I chose a project of hers to recreate for the Blends Join Hands Blog Hop in January (see the post HERE) and it took me forever to pick which one to copy...she has so many amazing projects!! For this Challenge, I narrowed it down to three and then decided on one because it would let me use a set of K Andrew Designs stamps that I haven't used yet (gasp!!) :)

Here is my recreated project:

And here is Jessica's gorgeous card that I hope I did justice:

You can see Jessica's original post HERE!!

For my card, I started with a Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Scalloped Rectangles base. I adhered a Grand Nestabilities Rectangle on top, embossed with a 5x7 Cuttlebug Embossing Folder that I have no idea what the name is...I've said this before, but why, why don't they print the names on there?? The red background is a Spellbinders Nestabilities Label 10, and I used Core'dinations Gemstones paper. The adorable coffee cup is from K Andrew Designs Coffee & Tea Time stamp set. I've actually never used this set yet...I'm not a coffee drinker so I never think to make coffee-themed cards. I used Kraft paper to wrap around it to look like a coffee cozy :) "Hot" is from Kristal's Coffee & Tea Tag-Along set.

The flowers are a mixture of Spellbinders dies, Flower Shoppe cuts and fabric flowers from my stash. "Love Ya a Latte" is from K Andrew Designs Coffee & Tea for You & Me stamp set.

I am just getting this in under Jessica's deadline. The challenge ends tomorrow so I hope you will join in on the fun!! Click HERE to go to Jessica's blog! There are some fabulous prizes up for grabs!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the monthly Getting Cricky Blog Hop!! Hope to see you there :)

Love Ya Mom!!

Happy Thursday, everyone!! I hope it's been a great week so far!! I am attending a conference this weekend, so I won't be around to visit until Sunday night. Has everyone been having trouble scheduling posts?? Mine hasn't worked since last Friday.  I have this post scheduled and another on Saturday...crossing my fingers that it works!! If not, I will try to jump on the computer at the hotel and manually publish. UPDATE: auto-post worked!! Yay :)

I have a Mother's Day card to enter into a few challenges. The paper is from Fancy Pants Road Show stack. It has lots of sparkle and shine to it, but you can't tell in the pics. I used a Spellbinders Label 23 for the base, and a Lace Doily Motif for the back, cut in half. All of the edges are inked with Walnut Distress Ink.

The labels are Spellbinders Nestabilities 10. The flowers are a combination of Flower Shoppe and  Spellbinders Rose Creations dies for the bottom. The gems are from Recollections.

 

I was so excited to use my new Letter Envy Font Cartridge, that I won from Linda at The Paper Boutique!! Love it!! Thanks again, Linda!! :) I used it for the letters in Mom. Each layer is popped up with foam tape for dimension. The tag is a Spellbinders Pennant die, with "Love Ya" from K Andrew Designs Coffee & Tea For You & Me stamps set:

Click HERE to purchase your own set!!

The beautiful organza ribbon is from Michaels, the flower button and natural fiber from my stash. The "Made With Love" charm is from Hobby Lobby.

I am entering the card in the following challenges:

1. Cooking With Cricut #83 - Bling, Bling and More Bling
2. Krafty Girls Challenge #6 - Mother's Day
3. Tuesday Throwdown #95 - Use Some Sparkle
4. The Stamp Man - Show Us Your Shabby Chic or Distressed Style

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I will stop by to visit when I get home :)

Spring in Manhattan

FOR MY BLOGAVERSARY GIVEAWAY, CLICK HERE!!

Happy Friday, everyone!! Can you believe another weekend is upon us?? And March is 2/3 gone. Wow, time flies. I have a card to enter into a few challenges today, and I used the Tony Bennett song "Spring in Manhattan" as my inspiration. I haven't lived in New York for a few years, but I still consider myself part Hoosier, part New Yorker :) I lived upstate, but visited the City as often as possible. There is nothing like Spring in New York City :)

I used the Cricut Craft Room for the first time and I'm not sure about it yet. I purchased the New York set and really wish I could have used my Gypsy. I'm so much more comfortable with it. This cut is of Central Park. I had to cut the layers out so many times because I wasn't sure what they were going to look like with different colors. Plus, the suggested height to cut it out so that it would cut cleanly was 5", so the length is like 10"! This is a big card!!

There is a ton of embossing going on!! I used the Tim Holtz Rays folder for the background; Swiss Dots for the trees, Swirls for the bushes, and Tim Holtz Bricked for the bridge. All of the layers are attached with foam tape for dimension. The tulips hold up the easel card, and are from Walk in My Garden, cut at 1.25". The grass is a Fiskars punch.

"Spring" is from Base Camp, "In" is from George and Basic Shapes, "Manhattan" is from Gypsy Font, and I welded the shadows together with my Gypsy.

The scallops are cut from 3 Birds on Parade. "Sending you Sunny Thoughts" is from K Andrew Designs Splashtastic Summer stamp set:

Click HERE to purchase your own set!!

I am entering the card in the following challenges:

1. Cooking With Cricut #78 - Spring Song Inspired Challenge
2. DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge - Spring Flowers
3. My Craft Spot #49 - Spring Scallops
4. Aud Sentiments Challenge #50 - Song Title - Inspiration

Thanks so much for stopping by today!! Have a wonderful weekend :)

Paws-itively Purrfect!!

FOR MY BLOGAVERSARY GIVEAWAY, CLICK HERE!

Happy Ides of March, everyone!! I hope you are having a great week!! Wow, I can't believe Friday is almost here already :)  I have a card to enter into the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog Challenge #102 - In Like A Lion, and the Krafty Girls Get Growing Challenge #3 - Use a Handmde Flower.

The solid papers are from Core'dinations and My Paper Studio. The striped paper is from My Mind's Eye Love Nest stack. I distressed the edges and inked them with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink.

The cute cat is from Four Legged Friends, which is the cart I am giving away (click HERE to enter). Isn't she sweet?? There are so many adorable animals on this cart!! I added a diamond collar, a flower from Flower Shoppe and used foam tape and popped her up over Spellbinders Labels 10. I embossed the label with the Cuttlebug Spots and Dots folder and inked it with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink.

"Paws-itively Purrfect" is from K Andrew Designs All About Animals stack:

Click HERE to purchase this set or to see her entire line!!

I added some rhinestones and an organza ribbon bow to finish it off.

Mark your calendar for tomorrow night!! It's the Getting Cricky In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb Blog Hop!!

You will see some fabulous projects and maybe even have a chance to win blog candy!! The fun starts at 9:00 pm EST!! I hope you can join us!! :)

When One Door Closes, Look For The Open Window

Happy Friday, everyone!! Yay, the weekend is here!! I hope you have fun plans!! It's supposed to be sunny and high 50's tomorrow so I hope to be able to enjoy the outdoors :)

I have a card to enter into a few challenges today. All of the paper is from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Kraft Resist stack, except for the black background paper, and it's from my stash. I wrapped the black paper with tulle for texture.

I used the largest Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Square and the second largest Classic Square and sewed them together. The edges of the square are inked with Walnut Distress ink. The squares are attached to the black paper with foam tape for dimension. The bird is a Tim Holtz die, also attached with foam tape. I added a black rhinestone for his eye, and one at each corner of the Fleur de Lis Square.

The flowers are from Flower Shoppe, cut at 2". I hand cut the leaves. Both strips of tan lace are from Hobby Lobby.

The label is a Spellbinders Grommet Tag. I inked it with Walnut Distress Ink and attached it with foam tape and brads. "When one door closes look for the open window" is from K Andrew Designs Sympathetic Sayings stamp set:

Click HERE to  purchase your own set!

I am entering the card in the following challenges:

1. Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge - Kraft Paper
2. Divas By Design Challenge #25 - Favorite Things (Spellbinders dies!!)
3. My Craft Spot Challenge #47 - For the Birds
4. Sentimental Sundays - Words of Encouragement
5. Passionately Artistic - Linking Party

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Tomorrow I have a project to share for one of my Getting Cricky Design Team sisters, several people to thank for the Green Blend Award and a winner to announce for the paper stack and flowers from Amy Jo's Birthday Blog Hop!! Have a fabulous Friday :)

Time 2 Read!!

Happy Thursday, everyone!! I hope you are having a great week :) I have a card to enter into a couple of challenges today. The first is Cooking With Cricut and the challenge is Dr. Seuss or a reading themed project. I sadly have nothing Dr. Seuss-related so I went for a reading theme. The second is Frosted Designs and the challenge is to use numbers.

I couldn't wait to use my new Spellbinders Book Pages dies that I won from Shirl at Creations By Shirl!! I absolutely love them...thanks again, Shirl!! The red, white and black paper is from The Paper Studio and the pretty flowered paper is from DCWV...I picked it up as an individual sheet and I wish I had grabbed a few more. It's thick and has a nice texture and the design is so beautiful :) I stitched it to the red cardstock. The clock is a Tim Holtz die and I cut the girl reading a book from A Child's Year three times and attached each layer with foam tape for dimension. (Hum...I used Cricut, Spellbinders and Tim Holtz dies on this card...I should have pulled out a Sizzex die and covered all the bases ;)

I cut "time2read" from Base Camp, and welded the letters together with my Gypsy. I attached the words with foam tape and added a double layer under the "2".

I've used this stamp before on a card about reading...I think it is the perfect sentiment for books since they are made from lots of paper :) It's from K Andrew Designs Crafty Friends stamp set:

Click HERE to purchase your own set or to see her entire line of stamps.

The border along the bottom is a Spellbinders Floral Doily Accents die and I added rhinestones, ribbon and a button from my stash.

My blogaversary is only five days away, so be sure you stop back by...I will have candy!! Have a great day :)

Carnival Birthday Card!

Happy Sunday, everyone!! I hope you are having a great weekend!! I want to sincerely thank everyone for their concern during the storms on Friday, especially those awesome friends who emailed me, messaged me and left comments. I can't tell you how much it meant to me...I am so thankful for every one of you!! The storms hit about an hour SE of here...we had strong winds, driving rain and the skies were a scary black, but thankfully no damage. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the terrible storms.

I have a card to enter into a couple of challenges today. The blue background paper is Core'dinations, and I embossed it with the Traffic Jam folder. All of the patterned paper is from DCWV Citrus Stack.

The carousel is from Summer Vacation. I cut it twice, once in black for the shadow effect.

The roller coaster is also from Summer Vacation. The balloons are from Birthday Cakes. "Happy" is from K Andrew Designs Fall-O-Ween stamp set, and "Birthday" is from Coffee & Tea For You & Me:

Click HERE to purchase your own set or to see the entire fabulous line of stamps!!

I am linking this up with the following challenges:

1. Cooking With Cricut #75 - Carnival or Carnival Birthday
2. Whimsical Wednesday #44 - Sketch Challenge:

I have several people for the Green Blend award but I didn't get the chance to put it together yet, so I will do so in the next few days. Also, I have so much to do this weekend, I haven't had the chance to stop and visit you...I will do so very soon!! Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day :)

Give Thanks and WINNER!!

Happy Friday, everyone!! I hope you are having a great week!! I have a winner to announce from the Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop, but first, I have a card to enter into a few challenges :) I am trying to get this posted before a major storm hits. We are under a tornado watch until early evening.

All of the paper is from The Paper Studio Uptown Flair stack. I inked all of the edges with Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet Distress Ink. I used a Spellbinders border die for the scallop under the lace.

The label is a Spellbinders Label 10. The oval in the front is from George and Basic Shapes. I cut one of the flowers from the background paper for decoration and added crystals to the center of all the flowers.

I have no idea who the flower stamp is from. I bought them a while ago - before I started blogging. Since I keep all my clear stamps in a binder, I threw the package away. I used both Victorian Velvet and Forest Moss distress ink on the stamps. "In everything give thanks" is from K Andrew Designs Scripture Sayings stamp set:

Aren't these sentiments beautiful??!! Click HERE to purchase this set or to see the entire line of stamps!!

For this card, I used the CropStop Becky Fleck pagemap:

I am entering the card in the following challenges:

1. Love to Crop Spring Fling Challenge
2. CropStop Challenge #60 - Ovals plus a Becky Fleck sketch
3. DL.Art Thankful Thursday - Three+ layers, bow, bling

And now for the winner of the Fiskars Home Sweet Home stamp set from the Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop!! Thank you all so much for stopping by during the two day hop!! I combined the comments from the two days and there were 113 comments. Random.org selected number.........

And the 31st comment on Day 1 was........

Congratulations!! Please email me at indymermaid(at)gmail(dot)com and I will get the stamps in the mail to you!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Please stop back tomorrow...I have some more people to thank for the Green Blend award!! Have a great evening :)

Decorate To Celebrate Challenge #19 - All About Boys!!

Hi everyone and happy Wednesday!! It's time for another super-fun challenge at Decorate to Celebrate!! The theme is week is All About Boys - we are asking you to create any project to be used as a party decoration (or party supply) for a boy party (remember to use BLUE!!)!! Let's celebrate everything wonderful about the sweet little boys in our lives with your table decorations, party banners, pennants, yard signs, cupcakes, party favors and more!!

For my boy party decorations, I created a race party theme :) Indiana - Indianapolis specifically - is the racing capital of the world and the Indianapolis 500 is known as the Greatest Spectacle in Racing!! I was born and raised in Indiana and for a couple of years I even lived in Indy, just a few short miles from the Speedway. I then moved to New York for several years but came back to Indiana...it's home :)

When I decided on a racing theme - with the inaugural Krafty Girls Home Sweet Home challenge in mind - I came to the sad realization that I have no checkered paper!! So I had to create my own :) I used my Gypsy to make a checkered pattern and cut it out on plastic from a Cricut clamshell. I then used it as a stencil and dabbed Snow Cap Adirondack paint on black paper.

The blue ribbon is from Something to Celebrate and I attached all of the layers with foam tape for dimension. The number 1 is from K Andrew Designs Crafty Friends stamp set and "you're awesome" is from Food For Thought.

I also came to the realization that I have over 100 cartridges and not one image of a race car!! How sad!! This was the closest I could come to one...it's from Paper Doll Dress Up. The number 20 and the stars are also from Crafty Friends.

The winner's cup is also from Something to Celebrate. The number one is from Crafty Friends and smile is from Food For Thought:

Click HERE to purchase your own sets or to see the entire line of K Andrew Designs stamps!!

The goodie box (I don't have a close up) is from Spring Holiday Cards and Happy Birthday on the front is from K Andrew Designs Fall-O-Ween and Coffee & Tea For You & Me sets respectively.

I made pit passes which could serve as invites to the party. Each child's name would be written on the front.

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Decorate to Celebrate and link up your Boy's Party Decorations (and don't forget to use blue!!) I can't wait to see what you create :)