Hello

to all my bloggy friends.  Another post without a project.  :(

Sorry I have been MIA.  I have just returned from a week long trip to Disney to celebrate my daughter's birthday.  Unfortunately, during my little family vacation my house sprung a leak, causing a flood and extensive damage.  I've been dealing with contractors, and plumbers and insurance people for the last three days.  I have been told my house will not be back together until after Christmas.  I will be spending all free time for the remainder of the month either packing up everything to get it out of the way for the repair work to be done, or unpacking it to get back to living.

I will do my very best to post pictures I have stored on my computer of older projects I have done, but the picture quality will be far from ideal.  In the meanwhile -happy crafting everyone!


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                        `v´  Darlene

Today is World AIDS Day

 

AIDS continues to be a major health concern.  There are new cases of HIV diagnosed every single day in the United States.   Today is a day of remembrance for the lives lost to this disease, and a day to be thankful for the medical advances that allow so many to continue on.  Take a moment today to think of those lost and those who are surviving.

In memory of those clients I have lost over the last decade.  May you all rest in peace.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Today is my guest designer spot at Susana's Scrapping Corner  found here!

Here theme this month was My Favorite Things.  Due to some camera malfunctioning, I was unable to photograph my project.  :(  But, I went through my stash of photos from past projects and came across a card I made a few months ago for a Baptism.

I used Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Ovals for the deep embossed image around the cross.  The cross itself is from the Indie Art Cricut cartridge, cut in various shades of pink.  I used my Xyron 250 to adhere the cross pieces together, and to the card.

Hope you like it!  Stop by and wish Sue a Happy Thanksgiving!  Until next time!

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene

Another Source of Inspiration

EGADS!!!  Almost three weeks since the last post!  I promise to be better!!  Life has been hectic, leaving little time for crafting.  When I do have time to create, I don't always have the time to set up everything to take a decent picture and upload it.

More than a month ago, hopping around the Spellbinders blog, I came across this video YouTube.  When I watched the video I thought it was a really great way to spruce up a gatefold card (which is my absolute favorite fold), but didn't really have the chance to try it myself.  Over the weekend I gave it a whirl, with this as the result:

I started with Recollections basic cardstock in red cut at 5 1/2 by 12.  I eyeballed the patterned paper to make it fit.  I adhered it with my Xyron Mega Runner.  Rather than use the Twisted Metal Tags and Accents die that Julie uses in the video, I chose the large ornament die, from the Holly-Ornament Set from Heartfelt Creations Found Here.  The sentiment is the matching stamp from Heartfelt Creations Winter Wonderland Collection found here.  I stamped it in white pigment ink from Hampton Arts, and embossed with white embossing powder.  I tried as hard as I could to get the ink onto the die to create the lovely frame, but alas, I couldn't get a good image - so I just used ordinary white cardstock.  Rather than use a glue pen, I ran it through my Xyron 250.

Here is a view of the card when it is opened:

I chose not to use the die cut ornament for the inside of the card because I wanted the white embossing.  I was originally very unhappy with the stray flecks of embossing powder, but now I think they look like snow!

I will be submitting this card to Xyron for their holiday card contest.  Until next time!!


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                        `v´  Darlene 

Inspiration

Where do you find yours?

I love to hop through different blogs.  I love to walk around when I'm at a crop and see what other scrappers are creating.  I love to look at Etsy and Ebay to see the different designs.  Sometimes inspiration comes from another place.  For instance . . . one day I was flipping through a copy of Arizona Highways.  For those of you not familiar with the magazine, it is a publication put out by the State of Arizona which helps fund their state parks.  It is chock full of beautiful images of various places in and around the state.  Anyway, I was flipping through the magazine, when I came across this quote:

The butterfly counts not months, but moments

and has time enough.  - Tagore

It inspired me to create this card.

I sometimes use pre-made card bases from Michaels and enhance from there.  This is a 5x7 card base, inked with Weathered Wood Distress ink.  The purple background was made using the Faux Torn Mosaic technique from Splitcoast Stampers.  Found Here  I actually created this quite a while ago and then never used it the way I had intended.  I used Spellbinders Labels 8 to trim it to the size and shape you see.  The quote was printed using my Xyron Design Runner.  I then cut it out using Spellbinders Labels 10.  The butterfly is from Gypsy Wanderings.  The DP was from the bargain bin at Michaels.  I used Star Dust stickles in the cutouts on the butterfly.  The base layer was cut on plain white cardstock.  I don't remember the sizes of any of the cuts. I made this card long before I started this blog, and before I realized such details are important!  That's also the reason for the not so great photo.

If you are so inclined, leave me a comment and let me know what inspires you!

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene 

My Creative Time Design Team Call

Emma at My Creative Time announced her first ever design team call on Sunday, October 23, 2011.  Found Here.  I was excited to hear this, as I've been a fan of her stamps since the first day I stumbled across her blog.  Her requirements were to create a brand new project just for this call.  After lots of thought about whether to create a card, a scrapbook layout, or an altered item, I decided on a card using Emma's All Around Christmas stamps.

It is a swing card, made using Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares.  Here it is partially open.

The stamp is Heartfelt Creations Holly Leaves Precut set from the Christmas collection.  I stamped on Bazzil using Memento Ink in black, then embossed with clear embossing powder.  The leaves are cut using the matching Spellbinders dies, and stamped with the matching Heartfelt Creations stamp with Versamark.  They are also embossed with clear embossing powder.  I'm usually not a fan of glitter - bling yes - but glitter, not so much.  However, the holly berries were screaming for something, so I dug through my stash and found some glitter I had been given (thank goodness I had red).  I used my Helmar 450 Quick Dry glue to fill in the stamped areas, sprinkled with glitter - and voilá, pretty holly berries!

Here it is fully open.

I left the inside mostly blank to write a Christmas greeting to the recipient.  The Merry Christmas on the lower right corner is from Emma's All Around Christmas stamp set. The green cardstock is Bazzil.  The patterned paper, ribbon and white cardstock base are all from my Michael's and part of my stash.

Hope you like it!

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene 

My Creative Time Throwback Thursday Challenge

YEA!!  It's Throwback Thursday at My Creative Time!!!  This time the challenge is to use an "older" Cricut cartridge with a card feature, but the project must be Halloween themed!!!  You can check out the challenge here!
For my card I used Stretch Your Imagination.  I used the card frame feature on page 43.  I used my Gypsy to hide the window before making the cut.  I had lots of thought running through my head for this card.  I first wanted to use the cut with the window and put a black cat in the window, but ultimately did not like how it looked.  While flipping through my paper stash I came across Halloween paper that had an image of a witch on her broomstick in front of the moon.  The card came together from there!

The fun part of this card (IMHO) is the cat!  He is from CTMH SOM.  After cutting him out I colored him with a black embossing marker and added black embossing powder.  His tail was a bit long so I had to cut it to make it fit.  That is not the best part though - the cat is adhered to the card using Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots.  If you've never used these before run to the Helmar site Found here figure out which retailer to use, and buy them!  I saw them on a video and thought they looked cool.  Then I got my hands on them and WOW!!!  The beauty of these is that because they are liquid you can build them, or shape them to give anything dimension.  I used a toothpick to spread the adhesive on the cat's tail so that it too has dimension off the page (and not just the body of the cat).  Could you imagine trying to trim foam tape to fit under the tail?  NIGHTMARE!!!

Other points of interest on the card - the fence is inked with Peeled Paint, Rusty Hinge and Frayed Burlap distress inks. The orange paper and white cardstock are from my stash.  The straw colored patterned paper is from the same stack that I cut the witch from.  I've had it forever, so I can't tell you the manufacturer (the cover is missing).
Hope you like it!!

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene 

Link Up For Pink - Project 2

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  From October 1 -  October 14 some very talented ladies will be sharing their stories and/or showcasing some very special projects.
When I posted the layout I made for this special event I said a coworker requested another one and I hoped to have it completed before the link party was over.  I managed to complete the layout in time!!  I apologize in advance as I took a shortcut with the picture and as a result it isn't all that great.

Some design elements might look familiar if you saw the previous layout.  The scroll was repeated by request.  I used the wrinkled distress technique with Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet.  The font for the team name is Cricut Blackletter, and the ribbon is from Cindy Loo.  I covered it in Glossy Accents to make it shine.  The scales are another Pazzles cut that I purchased from my local scrapbooking store.  The photo frames are something I purchased on Ebay well over a year ago.


Don't forget to visit the Link Up For Pink hostesses:
Celeste - http://touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/
Gaby - http://www.gabycreates.com/
Yolie - http://www.justyolie.com/

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene 

Link Up For Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  From October 1 -  October 14 some very talented ladies will be sharing their stories and/or showcasing some very special projects.  A few months ago I was fortunate enough to cyber-meet Lynne of Her Craftiness.  As a result of that meeting I participated as a designer on my very first blog hop, and have created projects just for Lynne's blog.  Now, as a result of this meeting, I am participating in this very special Link Up For Pink event.  

Cancer touches us all in one way or another.  For me, I lost my mother to lung cancer 19 months ago.  My father-in-law succumbed to cancer before I ever had the privilege of meeting him.  My brother was diagnosed with liver cancer 4 months ago, and on September 19, 2011 my grandmother died of stomach cancer.


This a layout is a tribute a colleague who is a survivor, and the colleagues who participate in the Race For a Cure event in New York City's Central Park.  In the scroll is a “Motion to Make a Difference,” a “legal motion” on behalf of Team Legally Pink against “the defendant,” Breast Cancer. Originally printed on pink paper, and distributed to all staff it provides information on why staffers should join the team and how to do so. It also encourages staff members to “serve” their friends and family members with the “Motion.”

 
Here is a close-up of the motion:

I made a copy of the original, and shrunk it on the office copy machine.  I found the scroll image online, and fit the motion into it to create the image for the layout.  I used Spun Sugar and Vintage Photo distress ink on white cardstock.   The base of the layout is pink parchment cardstock from AC Moore.

I purchased the scales from my local scrapbooking store.  She has a Pazzles, and cut the image at 3 inches at my request.  I also purchased a single sheet of the paper it is cut from.  I don't know what brand it is.  The team name "Legally Pink" is cut from the same paper using Tim Holtz' Vintage Market on my Cuttlebug.  The ribbon is from my stash.

I'm happy to say that this layout is framed and hanging in my office.  I have been asked to create another one.  I hope to have it finished and posted before the Link Up For Pink event is over.  Don't forget to visit the Link Up For Pink hostesses:

Celeste - http://touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/
Gaby - http://www.gabycreates.com/
Yolie - http://www.justyolie.com/

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene 

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday # 80

Fantabulous Cricut (found here) has another challenge going this week.  The requirement is to use a pumpkin on your project.  I chose to use more than one!

The vines are created using a gypsy cut file found at 217 Creations that I fell in love with the moment I saw it.  I used Create a Critter, Everyday Paper Dolls and Paper Doll Dress Up for the various pumpkins around the page.  I heat embossed the green vines on the pumpkins, and used glitter for the stems.  The background paper I had hanging around.  I created a double mat for a 4x6 photo.  The cardstock to create the mat is from my stash.  The cream cardstock is embossed with leaves and vines.  
I have a great picture of my daughter in a pumpkin patch that will go on the mat.  Hope you like it!


REMEMBER from October 1 -  October 14 some very talented ladies will be sharing their stories and/or showcasing some very special projects in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.   You can visit their blogs during this time.  They are:

Celeste at http://touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/
Gaby at  http://www.gabycreates.com/ 
and
Yolie at http://www.justyolie.com/

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Have you had a mammogram lately?

From October 1 -  October 14 some very talented ladies will be sharing their stories and/or showcasing some very special projects.   You can visit their blogs during this time.  They are:

Celeste at http://touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/
Gaby at  http://www.gabycreates.com/
and
Yolie at http://www.justyolie.com/

Stop by and give them some blog love.  Check back here for my Link for Pink project on October 6.


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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene

Blogger Malfunction! - Guest Designer Day at Her Craftiness

EEK!!!  Blogger malfunction!!  I had a post scheduled to go up at 6:00AM, which obviously never did! 

Today I am guest designing over at Her Craftiness while Lynne recovers from surgery.  You can see a Back to School and a Fall project over there.  Please pop over and wish Lynne a speedy recovery!

My Creative Time Throwback Thursday Challenge

It's time for another Throwback Thursday Challenge with My Creative Time.  Found HERE.  This one is a Cricut-less challenge.  Since I only got my Cricut for Christmas, this is a bit easier for me than most.  I put by brand new CTMH stamps to work.  The other requirement was to use orange, black, green and purple.  Purple was the hardest color for me to incorporate for this challenge.  All of my Halloween paper had orange, black, green and blue??   Why blue, I have no idea.

In any event . . . here is the card I am entering in this challenge.  I love Emma's stamps, and I certainly hope that this time around I win!!

The sentiment is stamped in purple ink.  The label is Nestablities Label 10 Die that I cut using my Cuttlebug.  Both the sentiment and the witch are from the August SOM from CTMH.  The witch is stamped with black perfect medium, and then brushed with Forever Violet Perfect Pearls.  It looks great in person, but the iridescent shimmer of the Perfect Pearls is beyond my photography skills at this point, so instead of looking purple it looks black.  :-( 


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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene

And the Winner Is . . . .

Random.org selected 13:

Joydee1963 said:
Great card! Love it.joydee1963 at yahoo dot com

Congrats!!  You are the winner of the set of 3 handmade flowers!  I will send you an email to get your contact info.


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                        `v´  Darlene

Susan's Anything Goes Festive Birthday Blog Hop

Happy, happy, happy birthday to Sue!!!!!!!!!

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of Susan's Anything Goes Festive Birthday Blog Hop!  You should have arrived here from the very talented Amy at Love To Crop.  If you just happened across this blog and want to start at the beginning, please head on over to the birthday girl's blog by clicking HERE!

Anything goes for this hop, but we all know Susan's favorite colors are purple and pink!  Hope you enjoy our hop while you stop by the various blogs as we celebrate Susan's birthday with our usual creativity and craftiness!!! So, please stop by and make sure to wish Susan a very Happy Birthday along with some bloggy love!! 

Karber Digital Images will offer blog candy to a random commenter of the blog hop :)
Jen's Digi Designs is offering a $15 gift card for liking her Face Book page and commenting on Susan's page with a winner being chosen randomly :) Link to Facebook

Please be sure to stop by Staci McD's site (http://preciousmem.blogspot.com) as there will be a $20 gift card to Designs on Cloud 9 to one commenter on her blog.

Some of the ladies have blog candy.  Hop along to find out which ones, and make sure to leave a comment for everyone!

Now, for my project.  Susan asked for this:

 

I wish I had the time to make such a cake, but alas, given the nature of blog hops and my distance from Susan, I was unable to do so!  ;-)  But, I did create this card for her!

The patterned card stock is Karen Neuburger Chesapeake Collection in Dainty Floral.  It's a few years old, but I thought the purple flowers were perfect!  The sentiment and scroll stamp are from Waltzingmouse Say it With Style.  I used Labels 10 from Nestabilities for the tag, and adhered the bling with my I-Rock.  I used purple embossing powder over the purple ink for the scroll to give it some pop.  The real pop however comes when you open the card!!

I borrowed Aurora from my 3 year old to take the picture!!  The castle is from Once Upon a Princess.  The paper for the castle is Core'dinations Whitewash Collection.    For the shadow image on the back of the card I flipped the image before cutting it, so it was on the reverse side of the paper.  I did the same thing when I cut the peaks on the castle towers.  All the edges are inked with Dusty Concord distress ink.  The windows on the castle are filled with glossy accents.  Here is a close up of the castle:

I am giving away blog candy.  Please leave a comment on this blog to be eligible to win a set of three handcrafted flowers.  I would love it if you became a follower but that is not a requirement.  However, if this blog makes it to 100 followers by 6:00PM Monday, I will give away two sets of flowers.   Make sure you leave a comment letting me know you are a new follower (or a follower already!)   I will use random.org to pick a winner.  Results will be posted on Wednesday.  The winner will have until Friday to provide me with contact information.  International posters are eligible to win, if willing to pay postage.

Your next stop is Faith.  Here is the entire list in case you get lost along the way!

Susan: http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
Amy: http://www.lovetocrop.com/
Darlene: http://twoscrappinlawyers.blogspot.com/      <---- You are here
Faith:http://faithfulecreations.com/
Heather: http://blessed2cre8.blogspot.com/
Indira: http://craftyhomemade.blogspot.com/
Janet: http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
Jearise: http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
Linda: http://www.lindascreativity.blogspot.com/
Lori: http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
Maria: http://justgetscraphappy.blogspot.com/
Nicole: http://crashingcreatively.blogspot.com/
Theresa: http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/

To increase your chances to win the digital giveaways, make sure you go back to all the Day One Blogs to leave a comment.  Here is that line-up.


Lynne: http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
Amber: http://pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com/
Angie: http://atuttletime.blogspot.com/
Becky: http://squirlygirlcreations.blogspot.com/
Berenice: http://karbersweetescape.blogspot.com/
Brenda: http://createbyburffrau.blogspot.com/
Christel: http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
Cindy: http://www.cindys-greencricut.blogspot.com/
Deborah: http://www.scrappingmamma.net/
Erin: http://comfyonmycloud.blogspot.com/
Faith: http://faithfulecreations.com/
Gina: http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/
Kari: http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/
Staci: http://preciousmem.blogspot.com/

Happy hopping!!!!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday #75

Here is my project for the most recent Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday.  Found here.  The only requirement for this challenge was to use the color yellow.

 I followed the instructions for creating the flower posted by Elizabeth at 217 Creations.  Since I don't own Walk in My Garden, I used Mother's Day Bouquet.  I don't remember the sizing on the layers, but each is inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  All cardstock is scraps from my stash.  The patterned paper is K & Company: Best of Brenda Walton stack.  I cut the tag from Spellbinders Fancy Tags.  The sentiment is from My Creative Time's So Grateful For You.  Found Here.


Hope you like my card!  Just a reminder, Day 2 of Susan's Anything Goes Birthday Bash Blog Hop is Sunday, September 4, 2011.  My project will be up at 6:00AM so long as blogger cooperates!!  There is blog candy to be won!!!

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                     `v´  Darlene

Test Post

Hi all . . . this is merely a test post.  I need to make sure scheduling works for the blog hop this weekend.  I've included a photo of one of my favorite cards.  The image is from Stampin' Up, the sentiment from Purple Onion Designs.

What do you get the couple that has everything???

I was overjoyed when I received a wedding invitation in the mail a few weeks ago.    These two friends have been together for over 30 years.  They have traveled the world together, exploring such places as China and India.  They have collected antiques the world over.  They own multiple residences, and their own businesses.  However, the invitation forced me to ask myself: what exactly do you get the couple who truly has everything when finally they are allowed to get married - and are doing just that???

I decided on something personal, something handcrafted, something created just for them.  I dug through my own wedding photos and found the perfect black and white picture of the two of them together.  I headed to a local scrapbook store that I knew carried Graphic 45 paper - since these two scream "vintage" more than anyone I know.  I bought a 12x12 shadowbox on sale at Michael's - and viola - a layout mounted in a shadowbox was created.

 

Obviously, I edited some personal information from the layout before posting, as that is the invitation I received complete with names and RSVP information.  I used Tea Dye distress ink to tone down the ecru card stock the invite was printed on.  Additionally, as this has not yet been given, I do not have permission to post pictures of the recipients, so the photo has also been edited out.  (The happy couple does not know about this blog, so they won't see their gift in advance).


To create the layout I used paper from Graphic 45's A Proper Gentleman collection.  The background is Dressed to the Nines and A Proper Gentleman.  The invitation and photo are both double mounted.  First on Nightmist Bazzill, then on A Proper Gentleman and The Sophisticate, respectively.

The quote is one that I found in my stash from DCWV Wedding & Romance quote stack.  I adhered the vellum to the Bazzill with my zig two-way glue pen, and then covered the glue with antique brass squares I found in the clearance bin at Michaels.

This photo also shows the two different background papers I used.  The ruler along the bottom is cut from A Proper Gentleman.

My original intent was to make the Tim Holtz grunge roses for this layout, but they just didn't look right on the page.  I did some Google image searches and found flowers that I thought would fit in perfectly.  Using Mother's Day Bouquet and my brand new Art Philosophy cartridge I created the flowers for the lower left of the layout.  It didn't look complete without a vine or something to connect them, so I used Art Philosophy to cut the flourish.

The paper is from DCWV Life's Journey stack.  With a little bit of Tea Dye distress ink, it coordinated beautifully with the Graphic 45 paper.  I inked the edges of the flowers with Faded Jeans.  The pearls in the center are from Recollections.

The wedding is next week, and I hope they like their gift.  I would LOVE to hear what you think, so please leave me a comment.

As a reminder, on Sunday, September 4, I will be designing for Susan's Anything Goes Festive Birthday Blog Hop.  I will be giving away one set of 3 of the handmade flowers in this layout to one random person who comments on this blog during the hop.  I hope to see you there!

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                       `v´  Darlene

Yet Another Two for One Challenge: WMSC 62 & Challenge Me Monday #74

Hi Everyone!

Fresh on the heels of Hurricane Irene I have a project for 2 different challenges!  First up is the weekly sketch challenge at Waltzingmouse Stamps.  Found here.

The sketch looked like this:

The challenge allowed me to create either a tag, a card shaped like a tag, or a card with a tag on it, and of course, use Waltzingmouse Stamps!  For those of you that have never seen Clare's stamps, I urge you to check out their deliciousness!!!!!!  I do not consider myself a stamper, but I LOVE her stamps, and for this challenge used my most favorite sentiment from Say it With Style.

To combine challenges, I created a birthday card for the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday # 74, whose only requirement was to create a birthday project, and of course, a Cricut Cut. Found here.  I used the Dreams Come True cartridge for the focal image.

So, without further ado, here is my tag shaped card, using the "Happy Birthday" sentiment from Say it With Style.  I inked the "happy" and "birthday" individually and stamped them individually, before hand cutting the banner pieces.  I inked the edges of the banner pieces with distress ink, but for the life of me I can't remember what color I used!!  I'm counting Belle's skirt as the third banner piece from the sketch.

I used by I-Rock to attach the bling to the banner pieces.  I realized a bit too late I should have attached bling at the top where the hole would have gone at the top of the tag.

The last few days have been a bit crazy as my husband and I prepared for Hurricane Irene.  This hurricane is the most powerful to hit in New York State since Hurricane Gloria in 1985.  I spent Friday running around in anticipation of the storm buying a few necessities.  (wine, cheese etc. ).  Early Saturday morning was spend at a birthday party, (the birthday girl was the recipient of today's project) while the rest of the day was spent sitting around just waiting for Irene to make landfall.  Today I spent the entire day without power.  Thank goodness for battery powered Ottlites to see my crafting space!!!  We lost one tree to the hurricane.  Not a bad outcome considering the tree was right up against the house and it went down in the opposite direction!!  I live in a condominium complex, and as such, the downed tree has already been removed!  It was actually removed a full NINE hours before electricity was restored!!!  So, a huge thank-you to the tree trimming crew that was here for removing the tree before it broke any windows, or was completely uprooted and damaged someone else's property.  I hope everyone reading this that was in the path of Hurricane Irene is safe and sound and without damage, or that your loved ones that found themselves in the path of this monster storm are all safe and sound.

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                      `v´  Darlene

Another Two for One Challenge!

First up, Cricut Cardz Challenge, found HERE.  The theme was back to school, and the requirements were red, ribbon and rhinestones!  I lost track of time, so this might not actually make the time constraints for entry.

The second challenge was for Crazy About Cricut, found HERE.  Again the theme was back to school, and the only requirement was to make a note!!

This was my first time using the Lacy Labels cartridge.  I used the "Bliss" cut at 4 inches, and welded the shift and non-shift images together to create the card.  The patterned paper scalloped circle is a Spellbinders; paper from DCWV.  The little girl and her easel are from A Child's First Year cut at 3 inches.  If you look closely you can see the rhinestones in her hair!  I inked the card base with Tattered Rose and Firebrick Red Distress ink.  Tied on a ribbon and viola - a simple little card I will send to daycare with my little girl!  The solid cardstock is from my stash.


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      ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   -:¦:-
     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene

Was that an EARTHQUAKE??

Why yes, yes it was.  And to think, this morning my biggest concern was what to wear to a hearing!  By now I'm sure almost the entire country knows that a 5.9 quake hit in Virginia and was felt up the coast.  Here on Long Island (the appendage of New York state where I live), it came as quite a surprise to many people.  Reports are it was felt down in South Carolina and up in Massachusetts.  Once I realized what it was, I was concerned for those located near the epicenter.  Once I discovered where the epicenter was I was concerned for my BFF and her daughter.  She and I have been friends since the 8th grade!  It's amazing to me that we have maintained this friendship after more than 30 years and across state lines.  (YIKES - am I that old??) She moved to Virginia about 5 years after we graduated high school, and relocated to Florida for a while, before returning to Virginia.  I keep trying to talk her into returning to Long Island but her job needs her close to Washington, DC.

So we maintain the friendship through morning phone calls while I drive to work.  Yes, I'm one of those people yammering away on my cellphone.  I do however always use a hands free device.  I find that the only time I am alone long enough to have a decent conversation with anybody is when I'm in the car.  We see each other when we can - although certainly not often enough.  I'm hoping to make it down to see her next month.  It will be my birthday present to myself, if only I can find an affordable hotel for the family that isn't in a bad neighborhood!

So, my friends are safe, and I'm safe, and my family is safe, and I hope that all out in cyberspace reading this are safe as well!


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      ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   -:¦:-
     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene

Do I own a punch to make a tag?

Just a quick thought about getting organized. I'm willing to bet that other scrappers can relate.

I want to make favor tags for a birthday party. I saw photos of some online & I know I can make them myself.

I asked myself: Do I own a tag punch or maybe a tag Cuttlebug die?

I answered: I'm not sure. Maybe I'll ask my scrapping buddy, our very own Darlene, if she has one or if she has a Cricut cartridge that would do the trick. Or perhaps instead of bothering her to borrow something I can just ask her whether *I* have one.

Don't you just love it when you do not even know what is in your stash, and you are are too lazy to look but then you realize that your friend can probably tell you whether you own it? It's a fringe benefit of scrapping with other people!!!!

I was considering making a list of my supplies, perhaps just a word document, but then, uggh, I would be keeping inventory & having to add my new purchases to a list.

What tricks do you have for staying organized and for simply remembering what it is that you may own?

Two for the Price of One! WMSC 60 & Peachy Keen Stamp Sketch Challenge 58

How often do you find the same, or similar sketch for a challenge?  This week, Waltzingmouse Stamps, and Peachy Keen Stamps have virtually identical sketches for their challenges.


The Waltzingmouse Challenge can be found HERE.
This is the sketch:

The Peachy Keen Challenge can be found HERE.
 This is the sketch:

Virtually identical right??

So, rather than create two cards, I made one.  In keeping with the rules, I used Waltzingmouse Vintage Labels 4 and Say it With Style stamps on this card.  Peachy Keen doesn't require use of their stamps for a sketch challenge.  Whew!!!

The photo is a bit crooked, but you get the idea!  I used Perfect Pearls Forever Green on the Label 4 stamp.  I would have used it to stamp the sentiment, but Black Perfect Medium is very sticky and very hard to get off clear stamps.

Here is a close up of the Perfect Pearls.  You can kind of see how it is iridescent.  It looks really nice in person.

The bling was attached with my I-Rock.  The patterned paper is from a holiday paper pack that I have hanging around.  I inked the edges of the oval with Broken China distress ink.  For the scallops I used good old fashion decorative scissors.  Hope you like it!

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          ¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
      ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   -:¦:-
     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                       `v´  Darlene