Freestyle! - Challenge #5

This is the last Saturday of the month!  Sooooo this week's challenge is Freestyle!  This week you can enter any paper project to get entered into July's Giveaway!  So be sure and link up ANY creation!  Please only one.  You have until Friday, August 5th.

You can see the HIMCR schedule of challenges and guidelines HERE!  Please be sure and follow the few easy guidelines so your creation will get entered into the monthly giveaway!!!

Just a few guidelines: 

1.  The current weekly challenge linky will be up until Friday night at midnight MST.  Be sure and link your creation back to that post and not just your blog home page.
2.  When posting your creation on your blog or online gallery please link it back to the challenge.  This helps me to spread the word!
3.  Please create something new for the current challenge and NOT use something you've made previously.  However, you can combine a HIMCR challenge with other challenges.  It is always fun to complete more than one challenge at a time!
4. Have FUN!!
5. Let me know if I forgot something!

Thanks so much for checking in today!

Center Point - Cricut Expression 2

Here's a video tutorial demonstrating the Center Point feature on the Cricut Expression 2, Anniversary Edition.  I hope you like it and it helps someone!

Cricut Cartridge New Releases!

It's that time again for New Releases from Cricut!  Are you ready for 5 new cartridges?  Not sure if my pocket book is!  LOL!!

Here they are:

Sophie - Exclusively for the Cricut Circle members



Art Nouveau


Something to Celebrate - party themed & perfect for all occasions



Art Philosophy by Close to My Heart



Simply Scarecrow - A seasonal fall themed cartridge


Which ones are your favorites?

Cricut Says .....

Start every day with a Smile!  Isn't he cute?

I really like this saying!

Cricut was cut at 3.5" from Cricut Decals cartridge exclusively on the Expression 2.

I usually cut Stampin Up cardstock using the Heavy Paper setting on the E2; however this cut, with some error, I cut using Medium.

Recipe:

Card Base: SU  Glorious Green 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:    DCWV 'The Stack'
Other Cardstock / Paper:   Gold Shimmer paper from Target
Ink:  Glorious Green 
Stamps:   Stampin Up Edgy Eloquence
Accessories:  Cricut & Cricut Decals cartridge, Wal-mart clearance ribbon (YES, I have a ribbon addiction!)

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!
SMILING!

Stinkin' Cute

A fellow crafter was having some cutting problems with her Cricut Expression 2 not cutting images from her Create a Critter cartridge.  I checked to see if it was maybe a machine issue but I'm not having nor have I had as of yet (knock on wood!) any issues with my Anniversary Version Cricut.  Unfortunately sometimes there are glitches in the tools we buy.

I decided to make a super quick card with the Skunk image that I cut out double checking my machine. 

Here's what I came up with:

Skunk layers were cut at 4".
I used Glue Dots to attach the buttons.

Recipe:
Card Base: PTI  Sweet Blush 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Other Cardstock / Paper:   DCWV 'The Garden Party Stack'
Ink:  PTI True Black
Stamps:   Pink by Design 'Go Green'
Accessories:  Cuttlebug & D'Vine Swirls and SU Square lattice embossing folders, Cricut & Creat a Critter, SU ribbon, buttons, black SU marker for eyes

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

PTI July Blog Hop

The 25th of the month!  You know what that means!  Papertrey Ink Blog Hop time!!  This month the challenge is another inspirational photo.  Not my favorite (because they are soooo challenging to me) but I gave it a whirl anyway!

 

"We have another amazing inspirational photo for you this month that we just know will bring out the very best in your creativity! Look closely and there are so many directions to go in! you can choose to focus on the colors, the motifs or the overall design! We look forward to seeing your projects!"

Here's what I came up with:

Recipe:

Card Base: PTI Ocean Tides 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:   Fine Linen 4" X 5 1/4"
Other Cardstock / Paper:   PTI Simply Chartreuse, Terracotta Tile
Ink:  blue Bayou, Dusty Durango
Stamps:   PTI Delightful Doilies, Verve Beautiful You
Accessories:  Cuttlebug & Victoria emobossing folder, Cricut & Elegant Edges, SU Kiwi Kiss ribbon

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Happy Sunday!

I hope everyone had a great Sunday! I usually LOVE Sundays, my favorite day of the week; however, since my husband has been deployed, they are the hardest day of the week. We try to set aside our Sabbath day to spend it as a family, limiting what we do.  Plus, he is such a big help getting the kids ready for church. Church can be hard too, seeing all the couples and families sitting together.  I miss him more than ever!  I play this little mind game with myself, one of many!, when the time gets closer for him to come home I start counting down Sundays. It just sounds so much better than days! I have done this for all his many many deployments.  Only 4 more Sundays! 

This picture is almost two years old but will always be one of my favorites!

Something New, Something Old - Challenge #4

Saturday again already!!  WOOHOO!!  My kids started school this past week and this is our first weekend.  We are already ready for it and are soooo looking forward to just hanging out, running errands, and just spending some time together having fun!

The fourth week challenge is "Mix It Up" and will vary from month to month.  This week the challenge is to use 'Something New AND Something Old'.  It can be retired stamps, cardstock, inks, old technique, or just something you've had a while and something new:  New stamps, new papers, new Cricut Cartridge, whatever!!  Be sure in your project description to let everyone know what you used that is new and what you used that is old.  This should be a lot of fun!

You have until Friday night, July 29th to link up your creation to get entered into the monthly giveaway. 

Here's what I came up with:

Something Old:  Stampin Up 2006 Polka-Dot Posies Set

Something New:  Everyday Pop-Up Cards Cricut Cartridge

Flower was cut at 4".

Recipe:
Card Base: SU  Old Olive 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:  Chocolate Chip 3 3/4" X 5" & Confetti Cream 3" X 4 3/4"
Other Cardstock / Paper:  Pumpkin Pie
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard
Stamps:  SU Polka-dot Posies, PTI Mixed Messages
Accessories:  Cuttlebug & Brickyard and Swiss Dots embossing folders, Cricut & Everyday Pop-Up Cards cartridge, SU Pumpkin Pie Satin ribbon,

You can see the HIMCR schedule of challenges and guidelines HERE!  Please be sure and follow the few easy guidelines so your creation will get entered into the monthly giveaway!!!

Just a few guidelines: 
1.  The current weekly challenge linky will be up until Friday night at midnight MST.  Be sure and link your creation back to that post and not just your blog home page.
2.  When posting your creation on your blog or online gallery please link it back to the challenge.  This helps me to spread the word!
3.  Please create something new for the current challenge and NOT use something you've made previously.  However, you can combine a HIMCR challenge with other challenges.  It is always fun to complete more than one challenge at a time!
4. Have FUN!!
5. Let me know if I forgot something!

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Happy Birthday Cupcake Bash!

I have so much previous colors of Stampin Up cardstock.  You know, Bold Brights, Earth Elements, etc.  And now even more new colors have been released.  I made this card using some of my HUGE retired cardstock stash!  I think it turned out pretty cute!  Now I just have to find someone with a birthday coming up!  HMMMM!

Here it is:

 I realized you can't see the ribbon from the angle of the other photos!

Cupcake was cut at 4" from Birthday Bash cartridge.

Recipe:
Card Base: SU  Lovely Lilac 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:   Barely Banana 4" X 5 1/4"
Other Cardstock / Paper:   DCWV 'The Stack', SU Melon Mambo, Garden Green
Ink:  Melon Mambo
Stamps:   SU Warmerst Regards
Accessories:  Cuttlebug & Distressed Stripes,  , Cricut & Birthday Bash cartridge, PTI Raspberry Fizz ribbon, Prisma Glitter, Hologram Glittler Glue, SU Modern Label Punch

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Be Sure and check back tomorrow!
The New Weekly Challenge goes up tomorrow, Saturday Morning!

Look on the bright side!

My Pink Stamper is looking for a new Design Team!  The challenge is:

"Make a card, scrapbook page, or other Cricut project with your favorite Cricut cartridge using the following colors......" 

Orange

Turquoise

Green

Brown

(other optional color of your choice)

Wish me luck!  It would be great to be on this Design Team!!

Here's what I came up with:

 Monkey layers are cut from Life's a Party cartridge at 3 3/4".

Gift bag was cut from Life's A Party using an 8 1/2" X 11" piece of cardstock

and using Fit to Page feature.

The tag was cut from Tags,Bags, Boxes & More (retired cartridge) at 2".

The set together!

Recipe:
Card Base: SU Bermuda Bay 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:  SU Chocolate Chip  4" X 5 1/4"
Other Cardstock / Paper:  DCWV Twinkle twinkle little boy, SU Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Stamps:   Verve Fluttering By
Accessories:  Cuttlebug & SU Square Lattice embossing folder, Cricut & Life's a Party cartridge, SU Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon, nestibilities

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Try a Technique Challenge #3

Happy Saturday!

Time for a new challenge!  This week's challenge is Try a Technique Challenge #3.  I decided to keep it simple simple this week.  The technique I chose is Crinkled Cardstock which is basically taking cardstock and wadding it up, opening it, then using it in a project.  I have a tutorial of flowers I made using a similar technique here:  Happy Birthday Card

Here's what I came up with:

I used a sponge on my Crinkled Cardstock to give it a little more dimension.










Recipe:

Card Base: SU Wild Wasabi 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:   Purely Pomegranate 4" X 5 1/4", Certainly Celery 3 3/4" X 5"
Other Cardstock / Paper:   White
Ink:  Purely Pomegranate
Stamps:   SU Brocade Basics
Accessories:  SU punches, flowers and a brad, sponge

You can see the HIMCR schedule of challenges and guidelines HERE!  Please be sure and follow the few easy guidelines so your creation will get entered into July's giveaway!!!

Just a few guidelines: 
1.  The current weekly challenge linky will be up until Friday night at midnight MST.  Be sure and link your creation back to that post and not just your blog home page.
2.  When posting your creation on your blog or online gallery please link it back to the challenge.  This helps me to spread the word!
3.  Please create something new for the current challenge and NOT use something you've made previously. 
4. Have FUN!!
5. Let me know if I forgot something!

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Doggone Great!

When I saw this paper from DCWV 'The Stack' I thought it was soooo cute and would make a cute card! 

Here's what I came up with:

I think this little bone for the sentiment is soooo cute!

Cut at 1.5" from Creat a Critter cartridge.

Dog is cut at 3 1/4" from Doodlecharms (an oldie but goodie!)

Recipe:
Card Base: SU Basic Black 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:  Gold Shimmer paper from Target 4 1/8" X 5 3/8",  DCWV Paper Pack 4" X 5 1/4"
Other Cardstock / Paper:  White
Ink:  SU Basic Black ( I wish I had used what I usually use which is PTI True Black!)
Stamps:   PTI Tiny Treats: Valentine
Accessories:  Cuttlebug & SU Square Lattice , Cricut & Doodlecharms (an oldie but goodie!) and Create a Critter, Dollar Tree $1 ribbon!!, buttons

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Last Day!

Just a quick reminder!  This is the last day to get entered into the monthly giveaway during this week's Super Scraps challenge!

See buttons on the far right side bar!

New challenge goes up each Saturday!

A Secret Tip and Product Review

Okay, so I have a little secret!  I sometimes take solid cardstock and a paperpack to my bedroom and just sit spread out on my floor matching up colors.  Paperpacks are great to use because there are papers they coordinate perfectly together and that is left is finding some solids to match.  If I remember to take my ATG I even adhere some layers together.  NOT to the card base in case I want to add brads or ribbon!  So at anytime I have at least 2 or 3 cards ready to just add a stamped or Cricut image and embellishments!

These card starters were made using DP from DCWV 'The Garden Party' stack

I'm sure you will be seeing these again! ;)

Now for some disappointing news!  I bought at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (I love this store!) one of those paper trimmers with the light to show where the cut is going to be.  I got it for very cheap and thought it would be a great EXTRA trimmer to have upstairs. Well, I kept cutting card bases and then when I would see how it looked on the card base it wasn't the right size!  I wasted some cardstock and DP, too much, thinking it was ME!!  But it wasn't!  These trimmers or at least the one I got is OFF!!  Don't buy one!  Even if it is on sale and you use a 20% off coupon and you can get it for next to nothing unless you are going to use it for cutting coupons or things that don't have to be cut straight or a certain size! 

Enjoy the Ride!

Just because I have started hosting challenges doesn't mean I don't like other challenges too!  I decided to get my week started with a MojoMonday sketch!

Here's what I came up with:

Blue and Chartreuse layers were cut using Elegant Edges at 3"

Vintage Cream layer cut at 2 3/4".

Border cut at 1 1/4" for the width then trimmed to fit.

Recipe:

Card Base: PTI Blueberry Sky  4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:   Simply Chartreuse 4 1/8" X 5 3/8",  DCWV The Stack 3 3/4" X 5"
Other Cardstock / Paper:   PTI Vintage Cream, SU Real Red
Ink:  PTI True Black, SU Real Red
Stamps:   PTI Enjoy the Ride, SU Seeing Spots & Loads of Love Accessories
Accessories:  Cuttlebug & Traffic Jam embossing folder, Cricut & Elegant Edges cartridge, PTI Blueberry Sky polka dot ribbon,  EK punches, buttons

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

July Monthly Giveaway!

Here's the giveaway for the month of July!

To get entered into the drawing just check out the current challenge and link up a creation! The button on the far right will take you there! You will have up to 5 chances to enter. Once per week! A NEW challenge will go up each Saturday! You can see all the details, schedule and guidelines here:  Challenges!

Super Scraps Saturday Challenge #2

The challenge this week, the 2nd week of the month, is SUPER SCRAPS SATURDAY!  So dig out those scraps and create any paper project.  You have until Friday, July 15th to link up your creation to get entered into the montly drawing.  I'm sorry I haven't pictured the prize yet.  I will try try try to get that done this weekend! 

You can see the HIMCR schedule of challenges and guidelines HERE!  Please be sure and follow the few easy guidelines so your creation will get entered into the drawing!!!

Here's what I came up with my many many scraps:

 Ladybug was cut at 8" using 'Just Because' Cards cartridge.

Because the images on this cart are for a card they will be porportional to a card size.

Which is why it was cut at 8".

ANYONE can enter this week!

My seven year old had a party to go to today.

I had already promised my kids I would take them swimming.

So I whipped this card out including getting the post ready in just over an hour!

I'm looking at the clock amazed myself!!

Recipe:
Card Base: SU  Mellow Moss 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:  SCRAPS!  Purely Pomegranate, Night of Navy
Other Cardstock / Paper:   DP from ??? pack
Ink: Purely Pomegranate 
Stamps:  PTI Mega Mixed Messages
Accessories:  Cricut & 'Just Because' cards cartridges, Cuttlebug  & Swiss Dots and Victoria embossing folders, ribbon from my stash, SU punches

Just a few guidelines: 
1.  The current weekly challenge linky will be up until Friday night at midnight MST.  Be sure and link your creation back to that post and not just your blog home page.
2.  When posting your creation on your blog or online gallery please link it back to the challenge.  This helps me to spread the word!
3.  Please create something new for the current challenge and NOT use something you've made previously. 
4. Have FUN!!
5. Let me know if I forgot something!

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Winner!!

The winner, using Random.org, of the Level 2 Stampin Up Stamp Set is.....

grandma

Congratulations, grandma!!! Please use the 'Contact Me' button at the top of my blog to send me your shipping information!

Thanks so much for everyone who participated!  It makes my day!
 
Also, Don't forget about the current challenge to get entered into the Hiding in My Craft Room monthly drawing!  See button in far right sidebar.  New challenge will go up Saturday morning!

Stamp Set Giveaway Reminder!

Last day to get entered into the current Hiding in My Craft Room giveaway!

Here:  Giveaway to Celebrate 400!

Check back tomorrow!  I'll be posting the winner!

Butterfly Birthday

I hadn't been able to spend much time crafting lately and just needed a little quiet time!

Here's what I came up with: 

I stamped two of each butterfly to stack and give it dimension.

The top layer I actually stamped front and back.

I tried to get it in the picture but it's not showing.

Recipe:
Card Base: PTI  Berry Sorbet 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front:  PTI Harvest Gold 4" X 5 1/4",  DCWV 'The Garden Party Stack' 3 3/4" X 5"
Other Cardstock / Paper:  More from DCWV 'The Garden Party Stack', white
Ink:  SU Garden Green, Cameo Coral
Stamps:  PTI Butterfly Dreams
Accessories:  PTI Butterfly die, SU Daffodil Delight ribbon, EK success punches,

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Don't forget to check out my current giveaway!!

Just click the button in the sidebar at the top on the far right!

Summertime Fun!

We are trying to stay busy during the summer!   To break up those long days.  

This is my little guy in a pirate boat!

He is now called Jack Sparrow! LOL!

Isn't he just too cool?

Jack again! LOL!

He's name is not really Jack, FYI!

Ta-dah!

This one is always ready with a pose!

The other two (the two and four year old) that were with me wouldn't let me take their picture!

 I finally got all my kids in bed and asleep after going to the Airforce base to watch fireworks, but wanted to pop in and say:

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone had a great one!

Color Challenge #1 - Red, White & Blue

Are you tired of Red, White, & Blue yet? 

This week being the first Saturday of the month the challenge is a color challenge and my very first!  I decided it would be fun to work with Red, White, and Blue in honor of our (if your in the US) Independence Day weekend. 

However, I decided NOT to do a 4th of July card but instead a 'whatever' or 'just because' card.  That is not part of the challenge this week but could be fun!  I used Stampin Up colors:  Pacific Point, Poppy Parade, and white, but of course any brand can be used!!

For the monthly schedule and guidelines please go here.

I haven't gotten the monthly giveaway pictured yet by I will get that up ASAP!  But until then be sure and check out my current giveaway!  See top right hand button!

Here's what I came up with:

 Swirl was cut at 1.5" from Picturesque cartridge.

The top note was cut from Elegant Edges cartridge at 3.25" and 3.75".

White flowers that I soaked in water with a drop of Pacific Point reinker.

I love the way they turned out!

Recipe:

Card Base: SU Poppy Parade 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" (folded)
Card front: White  4" X 5 1/4" stamped with Poppy Parade
Other Cardstock / Paper:  Poppy Parade DP, Pacific Point
Ink:  SU Poppy Parade, Pacific Point
Stamps:   PTI Embellishments & SU Vintage Vogue
Accessories:  Cuttlebug & Moroccan Screen embossing folder, Cricut & Elegant Edges and Picturesque cartridges, SU Poppy Parade ribbon, white flowers that I dyed in water with a drop of Pacific Point reinker and a rhinestone brad

Just a few guidelines: 
1.  The current weekly challenge linky will be up until Friday night at midnight MST.  Be sure and link your creation back to that post and not just your blog home page.
2.  When posting your creation on your blog or online gallery please link it back to the challenge.  This helps me to spread the word!
3.  Please create something new for the current challenge and NOT use something you've made previously. 
4. Have FUN!!
5. Let me know if I forgot something!

Thanks so much for visiting me while I am

Hiding in My Craft Room!

Giveaway to Celebrate 400!

Here's the giveaway to celebrate 400 blog followers that I mentioned a few days ago!  I thought it was fitting to give away a Stampin Up Hostess stamp set:  Fast & Fabulous.  It's a level 2!  One that you have to reach $400 in sales at your workshop in order to get!  Get it - 400!!  I'm more clever in my mind than I am in real life!

All you have to do to get entered into the drawing is leave a comment on this post and be some kind of follower (since it is to honor my fabulous supporters!)

I will be using Random.org to pick the lucky winner and post it next Friday, July 8th.  I figured since it is a holiday weekend I would have the drawing open for almost a week, closing Thursday, July 7th at midnight CST. 

Thanks for visiting Hiding in My Craft Room today!