Goodbye 2010....hello new challenges!!

I just made this sweet little Valentine card......it had some fun inspiration....

This is a new blog I just found! Love new challenges....they get the juices flowing!
Check them out....if you play along, you get a chance to be their guest for the next
month. FUN!

I'm excited to see what the New Year brings......new challenges, new experiences,
new crafting fun too! 2010 was truly craftopia here......I don't know if 2011 can
possibly keep up, but it will be a fun ride either way! Hope you all can join me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Time for a little sweet.....

Well, I haven't had time to play along with Skipping Stones Designs
sketch challenges for a while....so here, with a whopping 55 minutes
to go......is a card for SSD#55. Super quick, but super cute! Tim
Holtz swirl folder embossed red paper......brushed with a cat's eye
white chalk ink to pop it. Used labels 14 to cut the shape for the
sentiment (stamped from SSD friendly fruit set). Added the strip
across the top from white glitter cardstock (American Crafts) and the
little peppermint was made with a 1" circle that I freehanded swirls
using copic #R46 and then blinged it with diamond stickles. A bow
here a pearl there.....I call it done! Whew!!

Cosmo-licious!!

Here a little "chill chaser" Cosmo-licious project, that is over on the Cosmo
Cricket blog today! If you haven't had a chance to hop over there.....pop by
and say hi, and leave a comment, cause they are giving away some goodies,
too! Read all the info over there! Well, on to the project.....below is some of
the Jolly by Golly collection....a couple of the journal cards (LOVE!....you can
really alter these up!) and I cut a piece of Core'dinations out with Spellbinders
labels 14, then scuffed it up.....

Below is how it looked when I put it all together (the cup is pop dotted)...
And here's the finished folder.....I used a 6x6 base size......you just cut a
12x12 sheet of paper in two, and you've got what you need to make the
folder! I trimmed it out in more Cosmo goodness.....a journal strip, pretty
paper (PP). Love that snowflake paper! And then ready set chipboard that I
added the words to, using the tiny type alpha.....yep, you know it.....LOVE!!
This is the inside....I added a piece of velcro to hold it closed.....the swirl is
cut out of more Cosmo PP, and the Cocoa is the Jolly by Golly alpha....I
wanted all the letters to look the same.....and there was only a red A on the
sheet.....soooooo, I used the V turned it upside down, and added a little
piece of the brown paper I used to make the folder....it's all about the
details.....lol.
Here's a detail shot of the cocoa pouch, I fed the ribbon thru a hole here,
tied a triple knot behind to hold it in place.....
And, you know, I just can't leave well enough alone.....what is a gift without
a matching card?? Here's where that altered set of journal cards ended up!
And a little chipboard snowflake from Mitten Weather, and a little bling....
Cute little teachers gift, bus driver gift.....anytime you want to give a little
something. You could also add a gift card inside the card to complete it as
a bigger gift.

Hope you enjoyed......have another project coming next week, and I may
just sneak in a few more of Tim's tags.....there are 5 more sitting here
completed.....still have 4 more I'd like to do.....those may be a New Year's
project! Say hi, if you stop by, and watch for more goodies soon!!

We Have A Winner!!

First off, let me say a huge THANK YOU, to everyone
that participated in our little hop! We had a blast, hope
you all enjoyed it too.......and thanks for all the wonderful
comments, and to those of you that became new followers
too! I have a lot of fun things coming up.....going to post
the rest of my Tim Holtz tags, and I'll be sharing some
detailed "how to's" on my Cosmo Cricket Guest Design
Team projects....I'm up every Saturday during December!

So, I promised you a winner, and here you go......




by random (dot) org number generator, the magic number is....


wait for it.....


still waiting.....


why are we waiting again??


Oh yeah, you want to know the winner, right??


Ok, Ok, Ok,........


#60. What you want me to count it out for ya too??


LOL.....ok, that would be:

Josie59 said...

Love it!! Thank you for sharing this clever idea.

December 12, 2010 3:42 AM

Josie59--you have until midnight on Tuesday to contact me
with your email so I can pass that onto our lovely store owner
Kim, and she can get your prize on it's merry little way! Hey,
you get an early present!! Congrats, and again, thanks to all
that joined us.....we'll be hopping again, so keep an eye out! And
in the mean time.....don't be a stranger.....stop by and say hi.....I
often have my own blog candy to giveaway, too!! And I feel a
mid winter clean out coming on........hmmmmm.....lol.

Let's Go To The Hop!!!

Welcome to the FIRST EVER Cutter's Creek Blog Hop! You should have
"hopped" here from Mandie's blog, make sure you don't miss a single stop,
because we have a chance to win BLOG CANDY, and amazingly talented gals
with awesome projects are at every stop!! The pic above is my little blog
hop project.....it's a great gift item, and so easy to make, you'll want one
for yourself!! It's a "Christmas Card Keeper", see a pic of the inside below:
Our "theme" is red and green, but you can see, this would make a great
project in any color scheme, and ANY theme at all. It's a great way to
present a beautiful handmade card set to someone, or a great way to
keep yourself organized!! Below you see all my envelopes, stamps and
address labels all neat as a pin!
Ok, here's where it gets funny.....forgot to edit this next pic, and it was in the
middle of all these pics I downloaded, sooooooo......you get to see my goof,
lol. You start with a basic, inexpensive school pocket folder.
Next, you make a score line 1" above the pocket........all the way across....and
you will cut down the middle seam of the folder, down to this line.......
Now you cut 2" off the top of the folder all the way across. Now you are
ready to make the flaps. Measure the first angle as shown, and draw a
pencil line...cut off this piece. Do the same on the other side of this flap,
then use the finished flap as a "template" to cut the other side.....
Now you have your folder ready to decorate.....
Start with 2 pieces of 9 & 1/4" by 5" paper to make your "liners"....put
adhesive on the folder, and line up the TOP edge first, then make sure it's
lined up at the crease, then tuck what's left into the pocket (put adhesive on
the back of the paper for this last part!)
Now to finish it off, you can decorate any way you like! I used the ever
gorgeous American Crafts glitter cardstock (white...stripes inside, red on
the front cover, black under the label and santa's belt, and gold for the
belt buckle), I also used Spellbinders Fancy Tags dies which I blinged out
in some Stardust Stickles, and the white panels on the front are plain
white cardstock, embossed with the Tim Holtz Alterations Texture Fades
from the Snowman/Snowflurries set. As a last note: I used small pieces of
velcro to hold the flaps down and hold the keeper closed.

Hope you enjoyed my little project....next time it's a video tutorial, this takes
way to long to write....lol!! But now the BEST for last......yep, you guessed it
my BLOG CANDY!! I have an awesome set of American Crafts fine tip
markers! Awesome for cardmaking and scrapbooking alike.....what a lovely
addition to a card keeper gift....hmmmm......just leave me a comment, let
me know what you think of the project, the hop, whatever, and I'll choose
a winner by random.org on Monday morning, and post it here. Only one
comment per person tho'.....want to make things fair!
Now it's time to hop on over to the awesome Melissa's blog,
and continue having a hopping good time! Make sure you don't
miss one awesome stop!! Here's the line up just in case:

Chris – CC Blog

Mandie W

Laura - http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/---YOU ARE HERE!!

Melissa

Sandi S

Kim B

Vicki W

Lori B

The 12 Tags of Christmas.....

Well, here it is, my very first Tim Holtz tag!! I have become a regular TH
addict of late (wow, scrapaddict really fits there....lol). It's been so fun to
play along with his 12 Days of Christmas tags.....but as much TH as I own,
I've had to improvise a lot! But then, that's all part of the creative journey!
The Noel tag is #2....I used a 7 gypsies swirl stamp, a Skipping Stones Design
music stamp and the holly stamp (can't remember....lol) was colored with
copics and then I used glossy accents.....think this one is one of my favs....
looks great, but was really easy!
And this is the third tag.....the branch was actually from the tree in
tag #1 (TH embossing folder)--I inked it and then cut it out. Got the
vintage post card from the internet, the tinsel is Making Memories,
and can I just say.....if you don't own TH's tissue tape....RUN don't
walk and grab it!! Wow is that stuff the BOMB!! I used it for the flower
and also it's decoupaged on the bird (which I colored with copics.....
it takes any alcohol based ink really well!!). Ok, off to work on tag #4
wow, lots of improvisation on this one....lol.

And hey--don't forget to check out the Cosmo Cricket blog every
Saturday in December for my projects during my GDT stint! I'm so
excited to "play" over at CC!!!!!

A HUGE WOOOOHOOOO!!!!

Ok, I am doing the hap, hap, HAPPY DANCE over here!!! It's true
pinch me, I must be dreaming, but true.....I am the guest designer
for the month of December for Cosmo Cricket!! I am so excited to
have this opportunity to create for one of THE most AWESOME
scrapbook companies EVER!!! Thanks again for everyone that
stopped by to visit during my Cosmo Mitten Weather projects...
and make sure you come visit the Cosmo Cricket blog often.....
you should see some of my projects soon!!! WooooHoooo!!!!

Sweetness....

Well, here's a little sweetness from---everyone all together now---
"Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather" (CCMW) collection.....lol. I must say,
this is one of my favs. I wrapped up 3 of those square shaped thin
chocolates (starts with a G and ends in a hirardelli--yum)--used some
red cardstock and then layered in the CCMW goodness.....the polka dot
paper, the scroll work/snowflake stamp (ok, this is one of my new fav
stamps) and ya know I gotta have some bling. I recycled some
scrappy packaging to use as the box....I lined it with the red cardstock.
The finishing touch...."for you" spelled with those cute as ever Cosmo
Cricket Tiny Type Alphas....they rock!

Well, this is the end of my CCMW seasonal collection (for now!)--I know
it's so hard to see it go......it's been so fun, and thanks to all that
experienced all this CCMW sweetness with me (fingers crossed I'll get
to do a DT stint with them!)--but I'll have some other crafting goodness
coming....for starters, my VERY FIRST BLOG HOP!! Woo Hoo.....excited,
excited....hope you can join me for that......keep watching!

What light thru yonder window breaks?

Ok, I do not know what is up with me today....but I am feeling the need
to quote Shakespeare.....that's my third quote today....lol. Well, let's
put Shakespeare aside......the reason for the quote is.....the lighting at my
house is not good today for a card like this. It's soft pretty purples and
greens.....the "gray" snowflakes are actually the same color green you
can catch a glimpse of in the ribbon. Well, that said.....it still looks pretty,
and you know it's Cosmo's Mitten Weather. That snowflake border strip,
the snowflake stamp I used (stamped in Tim's concord grape ink), the
cute little chipboard mittens, and if you look closely, the little mitten
sticker strip right under the ribbon. Yep, this one is all about the details.
Inside sentiment.....U Warm My Heart......perfect for our cold, wet, dreary
day here in the Midwest.

Watch for another project....I know I said that yesterday, but today I
I mean it.....have one more I really want to do.....a great little gift idea.
Off to work......

Mitten Weather....on the sly.....

Yes it's true....this card is made with Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather (CCMW).
I used the pretty soft blue/green background paper, and also used the bell
stamp from the CCMW stamp set.....it's stamped in silver. This card is
"blinged out" with sparkly ribbon, pearls and a smidge of American Crafts
glitter paper, too. I like cards that you can use for a lot of things.....this would
work well for a silver (25th) or any anniversary, or a wedding or engagement
as well. Guess it would also work if someone just snagged their first gig
playing the bells for the church choir......lol. Keep an eye out....hope to get
another project up later today.....almost the end of CCMW goodness :(

Thanks

Well here's a little Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather thank you! Yes, it's
not just for Christmas/winter projects! I punched out some of the pretty
"snowflake" paper and then embellished it up to make this pretty card.
Lots of bling.....just the way I like it. And a "thank you" to everyone that
has checked out and also those that have left a comment about my Mitten
Weather projects! I've got a few more up my sleeve before the Nov 30th
deadline, so make sure to check it out for a few more days!

Let it Snow (again?)

For someone that doesn't like snow.....I sure post about it a lot....lol.
Well, when it's a cute little snowman card like this....even I'll make an
exception! More Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather goodness (you knew
it was....lol). I used their stamp for the "let it snow" sentiment, and
the papers, and the ready set chipboard, and my snowman was a
Skipping Stones Design Stamp, colored with Copics and blinged out
with some diamond Stickles. All comes together to make me think
snow isn't as bad as it seems (um, no, it really is.....yuk!....lol)

More Gifty Ideas

This is a bag topper attached to one of my empty cellophane sleeves from
a package of Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Alphas. I used the Mitten Weather
collection to "trick it out". Using these types of bags is awesome....first, you
are recycling....that alone is an awesome thing to do, and secondly.....the
opening for the candy or whatever treat you put inside is on the BOTTOM
of the bag.....the recipient doesn't have to rip your pretty topper all apart
to get the goodies......love that!
And I happened to think about that candy bar I had done a wrapper
for yesterday.....is this a perfect fit or what?!! Even better!

A Treat for You....

This simple candy bar wrapper was made with the Cosmo Cricket
Mitten Weather collection. The spellbinder die cut tree, is blinged
out with some diamond stickles. Quick and easy, but a wonderful
gift for a co-worker, teacher or friend.

Here Comes Santa....

Yes, the Claus will be here before we know it....lol. I've got some
Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather (CCMW) goodness on this card,
with the ready set chipboard Santa and the strip of "no peeking"
paper peeking out under the bow. It's also a double goodness post,
because it's also based on Skipping Stones Design's sketch of the
week SSD#51. If you missed it.....I posted another card today, make
sure to scroll down and check it out.....

Time to Celebrate

I must say, this is one of my favs so far from the Cosmo Cricket
Mitten Weather collection. The sentiment and the emblem in the
circle (actually a snowflake of sorts) are CCMW stamps, and the
paper, also the holly leaves I cut out and pop dotted are from the
collection. I used the same easel card I made with the purple/green
last week, but it looks soooo different! This card feels so festive,
it's getting me in the mood to celebrate the holiday season!

I SPY....

another Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather project!! This time I got together
a layout using the paper, and all kinds of the ready set chipboard, the
stickers, and the journal card page. I have a hard time scrapping Christmas
pictures (we never seem to get good ones!), but this really did make it easy.
I posted later than I wanted, so tomorrow's project will be a little later as
well......thanks for stopping by!

PP.....

PP?? Call it Pretty Paper, call it Purple Passion.......Perfectly Petite......this
mini card is a nice little holiday card. The sentiment could easily say,
thank you, for you, whatever. And yes, this is the Cosmo Cricket Mitten
Weather collection! Tomorrow, you will have a scrapbook page coming your
way.....so check it out!

Reindeer Games

I've had a little stamping playtime.....hoping to get some more use out of
my Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather (CCMW) stamp set this weekend. This
is a mini card made with the CCMW paper...and once again.....the use of the
front page....that mini tag and the square of tiny dot paper behind the flying
reindeer are both cut out from the packaging sheet. Recycling never looked
so good!!

Dear Santa.....

Well, today you get a "two-fer" again......I had almost forgotten today
was the last day (literally the last few HOURS....lol) to get this card
posted to link to Skipping Stones Designs!! It's based on a sketch over
there (SSD#50) and I turned it, but pretty much kept with the design.
Using the ever popular Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather.....it's a sweet
little card.....but asks.....are you naughty or nice?? So how about it
how do YOU "define good"?......lol.

Woven Treasure

More Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather (CCMW) goodies! It's amazing all the things
you can do with ONE collection!! This WAS a peanut butter jar.....and after
it was good and washed out (NO easy task when it's peanut butter, mind you!)
I used strips of the CCMW to weave a cover around the jar. A few ribbons and
trim and it's done. Ready to fill with a muffin mix, or some cocoa mix, or my
personal fav.....M&Ms....YUM! I had planned on some chipboard or stickers on
it, but I just couldn't bear to cover up the pretty weaving pattern!
This is a close up of the lid (if anyone was interested....lol)--the leaves are
cut from one of the CCMW papers as well.

Remember to keep checking in......more CCMW ahead!

I Believe......

this is a cute Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather Christmas card!! The pretty
paper is all Cosmo, I punched out the little Santa (hmmm, does that sound
right?....lol) used the reindeer frame sticker from that collection AND....
you know my favorite thing lately.....I used the little reindeer strip off of
the printed front sheet of the packaging. You know, that never gets old....
lol. The word believe was a clear sticker I had in my stash. This Mitten
Weather collection is so fun to work with, so stay tuned for more......

Tag You're It Round #3

This tag is my fav for the day.....the bling on the tree almost looks
like real Christmas lights! Remember to leave a comment on all 3
posts today for some blog candy!! Hope you enjoyed today!!

Tag You're it Tuesday #2

Ok, this post is a "two-fer" because they are both super simple tags, but
that's what makes 'em fun.....lol. I punched out a circle on the first tag,
put some PP (Pretty Paper) behind it, and then a stamped snowflake that
I threw a pop dot under. A little ribbon, a little bling, you're done. The
present tag....hello, even easier.....tie a bow around a piece of cardstock as
if you where wrapping a gift. Add a sticker and a little chipboard.....again,
easy peasy, and DONE! Great tags for any gift......look great, you can
make them up in quantity ahead of time, using scraps and things. And
these two were made courtesy of: Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather--the
PP, ready set chipboard, stickers and stamps. Love it!

Tag.....You're It!!

Welcome to "Tag You're It Tuesday"....lol. Lot's of Cosmo Cricket
goodies coming your way today!! Mostly tags, mini cards, and the
like, all made with the Mitten Weather collection, all great quick ideas
for fun gift tags/cards for any of your favorite people!! I'll be posting
new items all day long, so check back often. If you leave me a comment
on each and every post.....you can win a little Cosmo goodness to make
your own tags!! So, let the games begin....."Tag, You're It"!!!

Let it Snow......or NOT!

Ok, snow.....is honestly a four letter word to me. Yep, not a fan! But
this Let it Snow card......it's the kind of snow I'm good with! Another
Cosmo Cricket "Mitten Weather" project, I used a cuttle bug embossing
folder on kraft cardstock and then inked it with vintage photo from
Tim Holtz. The strip with the fancy snowflakes.....came from the pic on
the front of the package (love to recycle that stuff on cards!) and the
sticker and ready set chipboard pieces are the finishing touch!

Remember tomorrow is a special day.......stay tuned.......

Mitten Weather Wishes!

This soft pretty card is another Mitten Weather creation! I used
the Cosmo Cricket papers, stamps, ready set chipboard, and the
sheet of journal boxes/tags to make this lovely little easel card.
Just made one the other day and now I'm hooked! Course, creating
is easy with this line! Another project coming Monday, and then....
Tuesday.....watch for projects ALL DAY LONG!! That's all I'm say'n,
not giving any more away!

Simple Elegance

Here is another example of the wonderful Cosmo Cricket "Mitten Weather"
collection! I cut down one of the border strips to 5 & 1/2" size, matted it,
then layered it up with spellbinders die cuts, a decorative snowflake piece
from the Mitten Weather border strip (used a circle punch) and topped it
off with the reindeer from the ready set chipboard. Simple Elegance!

A Time for Thanks....

I have had these journals sitting around for about 2 years!! Been meaning
to alter them and give them as gifts! This journal shows just how versatile
the "Mitten Weather" collection from Cosmo Cricket can be! I used the
back side of the holly paper (that's the red dot.....LOVE the 2 sided paper!)
and I also used the soft, almost khaki snowflake paper (the circle), and the
rectangle is from the journal card sheet, the "favorite things" from the
"Mitten Weather" stamp set (this set is beyond awesome!!) and one of my
very favorite things......the CC tiny type alphas......can you say addiction?!
Can't get enough of these lately! Remember to stay tuned....more to come!

It's Mitten Weather!!

Ok, that IS a joke....we are having our warmest November EVER!!
But it's no joke that this sweet little card was made using the
"Mitten Weather" collection from Cosmo Cricket! If you keep an
eye out.....I've got more cozy creations coming over the next week
or two.....if I'm lucky, I might get a Guest Design Team (GDT) spot
for the month of December! Can't imagine a better gift!!

Overflowing with Chocolate!

Challenge #1 at the Crop Chocolate crop was to draw inspiration from a Target
store ad. sorry, no image, but it was very RED and had a grid pattern.....thus,
my entry above!.....lol.
Challenge #2 was a "dinner menu" challenge.....this one was a hoot! We chose
items from a list on day one, and day 2, we found out what our choices meant!
I chose Steak as my entree, which meant to use predominately brown, my
appetizer was Potato Skins (can I just interrupt with a YUM here....lol),
it meant I had to use a square on my LO (I used a raw chipboard frame, and
embossed it using a Tim Holtz (TH) folder and my quikutz hand tool (can I say
TIME CONSUMING AND PAINFUL.....lol.....but uber cool!)....I finished that
off with suede glimmer mist and vintage photo ink to pop the embossing,
next on the menu--soup or salad.....I was a garden salad, which meant BLING
(YAY!). I used glimmer mist on almost everything.....lol, and I also added pearls
to my starfish (shout out to Heather for sending me this little wooden ornament
to embellish!), and what meal is complete without dessert?? No meal of mine,
I guarantee......lol. I had chocolate mousse which was using chipboard in your title.
Mine is chipboard, course, with more lovely glimmer mist (dragonfly!). The word
"net" was a wee bit easier...just ran that thru the cuttle bug and then misted and
inked. I this this was my favorite!
Challenge #3 was an easel card......I used BG bittersweet and the circle stamp is
BG as well. I got a chance to use my new MS hydrangea punch as well!
Challenge #4 was to make an altered word art project. This banner is soooo
pretty in person....the pic just doesn't do it justice. I was up until 2am trying to
get a good pic.....and then tried in the light the next day......it's just not very
photogenic......what can I say......lol. This one was made with the Christmas
Magic collection from FP and MM glitter jigsaw letters AND those pretty
crystals on the bottom are from Maya Road.
Challenge #5 was a "scraplift"....so a shout out to runzalot81 over at CC for
my inspiration. I've never been a big "scraplifter"......this actually is my very
first! It was fun to change it up while trying to keep some of that original
"peeking out". I used BG bittersweet, and who knew I'd use my pink MM
Sabrina collection to scrap one of my guys.....lol. I bought it for cards.....well
here you go, life is always full of surprises.....lol.

Challenge #6 (below) was a thankful journal. I did my using that front
"throw away" sheet out of the Echo Park "Walk in the Park" collection
(never throw that away....use it for cards or altered projects!) and I also
used the sticker sheet to embellish. I can tell you one thing I'm thankful
for.....Crop Chocolate and their awesome crop!! What a fun weekend!