An Altered State Of Mind

New Stuff....

2009-07-28T10:23:00.004-04:00

Just got back from a week in Chicago - one of my most favorite cities to visit! So fun and so many great things to do there!

I've got a few projects to share but first I wanted to tell you to make sure you go over to The Hybrid Chick where we are celebrating Christmas in July!

Lots of great projects there so make sure to check it out!

I've got a few projects for Sweet Shoppe Designs to share:

If you'd like to see the credits for these projects, you can visit my SSD Gallery :)

Have a GREAT week!

A Chance To Win!

2009-06-26T08:43:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to head over to The Hybrid Chick for a chance to win the altered picture frame I've got up for our online baby shower! All you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of the "Altered Picture Frame for Baby" post and you'll be entered in the drawing. Hope you'll stop by and enter!

A few new things to share :)

2009-06-19T07:06:00.007-04:00

I've got a few new projects finished that I wanted to share. The first few are for Sweet Shoppe Designs. I LOVE this project, I love the way it turned out in the end and it actually ended up being quite simple and quick. It all started with this project I saw on Paper Source. It's a kite! It's pretty big too. I have it hanging on the door of my craftroom and it makes me smile when I walk in :) The photo does not do the kite justice, I couldn't get a good photo because of the size. Also the tail of the kite looks black in the photo but is actually brown.

These are firecrackers made from Life Savers candy. I just removed the existing cover and re-wrapped them with digital papers that I printed. I wrapped ribbon around them prior to wrapping the paper.

Last from SSD is quick card I made for Father's Day:

If you'd like to see the credits for the projects above, you can go to my SSD Gallery here for the info.

Here's another card, this was for Marks Paper Company. The card slides out of the top (sort of hard to see that) and this is another example of colors getting funky with the camera - the flower in this matches perfectly with the greens and purple in the papers but looks totally off in the photo....can't figure that out.

Last is a mini-album that I made for My Creative Scrapbook. I'm sad that this will be my last project with them as I had to resign. Just not enough time to get it all done so something had to go :(

ATTENTION - YOU CAN'T MISS THIS:

All this week and next week we are having a Baby Shower at The Hybrid Chick. The projects/tutorials are AWESOME, but what's best of all is that you get to win some really great prizes! I made an altered picture frame that I'll be giving away on June 25th (can't show it to you now so you'll have to go check it out then ;) but there are some many fun prizes and all you have to do to win is leave a comment on the blog post!!! How easy is that??!! And, if you post a link on your blog, Facebook or Twitter - you will get entered for a second chance to win!

Come check it out!

That's all for now! Have GREAT weekend!

Postapolooza! Tons of projects to share!

2009-06-08T08:29:00.012-04:00

I have been soooo busy lately...but not too busy to get some crafting done :) So I'm catching up my blog today!

First off, Marks Paper Company. They've got a new kit out called English Garden and it. is. beautiful. Here are a few things that I made with English Garden:

This is a mini-album that I made from the English Garden Add-On Printables:

I also managed a few Digital Layouts with the English Garden Digital Kit:

Still Marks Paper Company, here are a few things with the Old Fashioned Courtship kit. This is a wooden tray that I painted and altered:

I also made a little Pinwheel Bouquet:

And lastly is the August Kit - this started off as a bookmark but got a little bulky to function as a bookmark so it turned into a tag :)

And I made this notepad with a matching pen (actually it's a push pencil - Target's $ section always has these in packs - they are soooo easy to cover with paper!)

I've also got some new things that I did for Sweet Shoppe Designs. If you want any info on the kits used in these projects below, you can look here at my SSD Gallery - this will give you the names of the kits.

This is a little cupcake box I made. Since I didn't have any real cupcakes I decided to make a fake one :) I made the cupcake out of a styrofoam ball that I painted pink and glittered. I made a cupcake wrapper to hold the "cupcake" and added a red pom-pom to the top.

Here's a sign I made for my laundry room. It says "Laundry" at the top and "Loads of Fun" at the bottom :)

This kit, called Lil' Stinker, it so cute. I just loved the colors in this. I made a little gift bag with it:

We hosted a pool party for my daughter's class last weekend. Here are the invitations I made (I edited the info here for obvious reasons). I packaged them in a clear bag with a squirt gun. I used clear return address labels to print the children's names to put on the squirt guns.

Here's another project for Sweet Shoppe Designs, this isn't in my gallery because it was in the past issue of Simply Sweet Magazine (you REALLY need to check it out if you're into digital or hybrid!!!) This is a Family Planner. I made it trifold to hold all sorts of stuff - when you open it there is a calendar held by clear photo corners (so you can change it out each month) and a page that has a pocket made from a clear page protector to hold things (I have some photos there). Then when you open it again, there is a notepad in the middle - held on with a binder clip and another pocket page - this one holding a "Things To Do" list, some change, etc.

Last, but not least, I have a tutorial up at The Hybrid Chick (aka - the best place on the web for hybrid projects and ideas).

Whew! I think I got it all!

*****Warning - I'm going to vent here (I'm not a "complainer" type of person but this has me so upset!):

I also put my projects up on my online gallery but I have been SO sad the past several weeks because something bad happened to my gallery at ImageEvent - all of my photos got all mixed up and out of order but the worst was that about 200 images got deleted - they are GONE! I don't know what ImageEvent did, but that was devastating to me - not to mention that I PAY for that gallery! So after begging for help via phone and many e-mails, I finally asked for a refund on my gallery and then miraculously got a response:

Dear Cindy,

We are looking at this right now, we have engineering looking at this. We have your request on high priority. We will get back to you shortly on this. We apologize about this delay.

Thanks, Jay

That was March 18th. Have I heard back from them? No. But I'm still e-mailing them asking what is going on - they just aren't answering me back. This isn't the first time I've had problems like this from them (this is the worst though) so I'm looking for a new online gallery. If you have any recommendations, please let me know! I'd prefer a pay-site, so there are no ads and I can customize the gallery. I HATE to start over but when one of the things you pay for is customer service and they totally let you down when you really need it, its time to go.

Feeling all caught-up and vented now! Time to start the new week (still can't believe it's already June!!). Have a great one!

Stampin' Out Alzheimer's

2009-05-18T13:36:00.006-04:00

See the widget at the top of my blog? I'm asking (begging) you to donate - 100% of the proceeds will go to the Alzheimer's Association. But there is much more....
My friend Jen is hosting "Stampin' Out Alzheimer's" next week (May 25-31) and I HOPE you will join this important event!!! Like Jen's father, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 5 years ago (you can see her photo in the post below). This is a terrible disease that affects everyone involved and there is no cure. For a $5 donation (or more if you'd like), check out Jen's blog {here} to see what this fun, yet important event will hold. I know there will be lots of scrapping, prizes and inspiration for all types of paper crafters. Please invite your friends too! I hope to see you there!

Mother's Day

2009-05-05T09:25:00.009-04:00

The May kits are up at My Creative Scrapbook! Since May is the month of Mother's Day I decided to make my album in honor of my Mom - and she's a great Mom too! I hate being so far from her :(

This kit features Little Yellow Bicycle's "Zinnia" Collection and, as always, Pam did an awesome job of selecting some great embellishments to go along with it! On the third page of my album, I made a little photo book (its the one that has "Memories" on it). Not sure if the photos made sense so thought I'd explain it. I guess its a mini-album within a mini-album.

Today I am grinning from ear to ear because yesterday the gals over at The Hybrid Chick asked me to join them! And I said YES immediately! I have been head-over-heels in love with their blog since I first found it and have wanted to try every project they put up - there is some SERIOUS inspiration there! Go subscribe to it NOW - you won't want to miss a single entry!!!

Lastly, I have some business to take care of....I used Random.org to generate a number for the SEI papers and embellishments blog candy I had up and got #10, which would be: Miz. Mason. So, I'll post a message on your blog to e-mail me so I can get your address.

Happy Tuesday!

Marks Paper Company and some Blog Candy!!

2009-04-28T10:16:00.004-04:00

Pamela and I have some new projects up on the Marks Paper Company Blog this week. I have a trinket box that I made using the August Digital Kit. You can find more info and details here on the blog, if interested.

Stacy has also put up a SNEAK PEEK of the upcoming English Garden release on the Marks Paper Company site. I got to see a BIG sneak peek and let me tell you....it is AMAZING!!!! I can't wait for this to come out!!!

When I was coming on this morning to make this blog post, I noticed on my Blogger Dashboard that this will be my 100th blog post - I actually thought I've had more posts than that - lol, but anyway - I think I'll celebrate by giving out some blog candy :) I just happen to have a new assortment pack of SEI Oasis papers - this contains 24 sheets of cardstock:

12 sheets of beautiful double-sided foil cardstock
6 sheets of double-sided pattern cardstock
6 sheets of double-sided textured cardstock, plus
two sets of coordinating stickers

Plus, I have a set of Oasis Rub-On Words and a set of Oasis Die Cuts Accents to go with it.

So... just leave me a comment and I'll randomly pick a winner one week from today (that'll be May 5th). I'll post the winner and e-mail them to get their mailing address - if you're posting anonymously, make sure you leave a way for me to get a hold of you OR make sure you check back on May 5th!!

Have a GREAT week!

Fun With Felt

2009-04-23T08:18:00.007-04:00

I made another felt project the other day. I've made some felt creatures for my daughter in the past - some from patterns and some from pictures that she draws (she'll draw a creature and we'll create a pattern to bring it to "life"). She had drawn an owl and wanted us to make that one into a stuffed animal, so instead of creating it free-hand I was sure I could find a pattern online, and I did - right here. I enlarged this pattern 150%, which made it approximately 7" tall. Normally she helps but I made this one myself while she was at school. Here's what I came up with:

I've also got a little project I did for Sweet Shoppe Designs. I made a cover to go over a giant lollipop using the "With Sugar" kit by Tracy Reed. This kit was PERFECT for this project!

And speaking of Sweet Shoppe Designs, you have GOT TO check out the NEW publication Simply Sweet Magazine!

"Sweet Shoppe Designs proudly presents Simply Sweet Magazine. In the debut issue of our in-house idea digest, our team tackles a subject close to everyone's heart, Home & Family. Not only is Simply Sweet packed with gorgeous layouts and inspiration featuring Sweet Shoppe products, you'll also want to think of this issue as your go-to guide for creative ideas that will get you scrapping pages for your loved ones, which you may not have thought to scrap otherwise. "

Oh, and you can't miss this....

What to WIN some yummy Marks Paper Company kits????? Check out the MPC Blog right here to see the "Grow a Flower" blog challenge.

The winner will receive a set of each of the Marks Paper Company paper collections (August and Old Fashioned Courtship), Digital Kits for both lines and a sponsored prize by Short Cuts - SheetLoad of Cards, which includes five (5) each of Clear and Frosted Card Blanks (10 pcs), five (5) each of Clear and Frosted Full Sheets (10 pcs), two (2) each of Gift Card Holder Folders in white, ivory, kraft and black (8 pcs). Total retail value for this prize package is $30.00. In addition, your winning project will be featured on the Marks Paper Company Blog and in our monthly newsletter! Hurry - this contest ends August 29th!

That's all for now - Have a SUPER day!

2009-04-10T09:57:00.002-04:00

The April kits are up at My Creative Scrapbook and they are FABULOUS!!! I love all of the mini-album kits that Pam puts together but this month has to be one of my favorites! I made a "Home is the Heart of Us" album:

I've got lots of photos! Here is the cover:

On each page inside the album I decided to make a door that opens with a photo of each of us behind it.

I also make a little keychain album to attach to the bigger album with some of the left-over embellishments:

Make sure to check the April kits out! Also check out the incredible layouts and cards made by the other members of the MCS Design Team! Those girls ROCK!

Happy Easter!

Marks Paper Company - Gift Bag

2009-04-06T17:54:00.005-04:00

I've got a new project up on the Marks Paper Company blog today. I made this gift bag with the Old Fashioned Courtship Digital Kit. I LOVE the papers in this kit and also love the fabric-look texture they have. I decided to add fabric to my project to compliment the texture in the papers so I used fabric as the "tissue paper" inside the gift bag and also added a bow made from fabric and burlap. I made a "window" by cutting out the front of the bag and adding a transparency that I printed the flower graphic on.

Don't forget that the digital kits at Marks Paper Company are on sale until 4/7/09 - so head over ASAP for a great deal!

A few quick projects

2009-04-02T15:37:00.005-04:00

Today I have a couple of really quick and easy projects - the first is an Easter Goodie Bag. I used a brown paper lunch bag, cut a few eggs and grass to add to the front, folded the top of the bag down and added a strip of paper and a bit of twine and tied the letter "E" for Easter to the top.

I used the Garden Party Kit by ScrapKitchen Designs from Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Next I have a quick card that I also made for Sweet Shoppe Designs. This was made from the Grass Stains Kit by Shawna Clingerman. The flower and leaves embellishments were printed from the digital kit and cut out. I just added a little ribbon and stitching.

That's all for now! I have a few projects that I've finished up for Marks Paper Company that I'm waiting to post once I get the "go ahead" so hopefully I'll get those up in the next day or so. Have a GREAT weekend!

Marks Paper Company - Yipee!

2009-03-31T18:15:00.017-04:00

I'm so excited because today I get to say that I've been asked to join the Design Team for Marks Paper Company! Go check out their kits - not only can you get them in paper, but they also offer digital versions of their kits....which is just AWESOME for a hybrid-girl like me!

Congratulations to the other members of the Marks Paper Company Digital & Hybrid Team:

Michele Ciola

Patricia Komara

Cathy Pascual

Maggie LaMarre

Deanna Kroll

Pamela Young

We'll be joining these fabulous gals:

Jennifer Davis

Ching Tan

Beatriz Jennings

Molly Peckham

Mimi Leinbach

Pam Callaghan

Tracy Polacheck

Patty Schaffer

Marks Paper Company will be having some pretty great special events this month, starting with 25% Off All Digital Kits and a Free Digital Template Giveaway from April 1st through the 7th!

And....there's more - so check back throughout the month!

Catching Up!

2009-03-24T08:40:00.011-04:00

I need to catch up! I've got a few projects from the past couple of months to add. I'll start with some things for Sweet Shoppe Designs:

This is an 8x8 layout made from Dani Mogstad's All You Need is Love kit. All of the papers from the kit were printed out and used to make this (non-digital) layout. I decided to frame this so I used an 8x8 shadow box - here's the framed version:

This next project was a little funky - it's a ribbon jar to hold ribbon scraps. I punched holes in the lid and decorated the front of the jar. I used Zoe Pern's Fun For Me kit. I LOVE this kit - I love all of Zoe's designs!!!

Made a little "mini-album" of sorts. It's like a tri-fold brochure with some of my favorite photos of Katie. I used Christy Lyle's High School Friends: Sweetheart kit. I loved the hanging frames in this kit - they were the inspiration for this idea.

I love the elements in Fee Jardine's Doodie Toodie kit! I thought they would look cute on a black background with a B&W photo so I made this little 6x6 layout. This was so easy - I just printed out the elements, cut them out and attached them!

I found this tin box on clearance (think I paid about a dollar for it). I painted it and decorated the front with the Good Morning Sunshine kit by Eva Kipler. This kit has amazing colors!!! I added some note paper and a pen :)

Now I've got a few things for My Creative Scrapbook. The first project was for the February Mini-Album kit:

Next is the March Mini-Album kit. I loved this kit - it featured the Bloom and Grow papers from My Minds Eye that Zoe Pern designed.

Zoe also has a digital version of this kit at SSD. I used the digital kit to make a pinwheel project that was featured in January's Simply Handmade Magazine.

Next is a "Come In/Do Not Disturb" door sign. Everything in this project is Piggy Tales, including the oval "Sliding Door" - the panel slides back and forth to change from "Come In" to "Do Not Disturb". Isn't that clever?

Lastly, I wanted to add a photo of the latest issue of Paper Crafts Magazine. Why? Well, my cake box is on the cover! This is only the second time I've been on a cover so it was a thrill to get this in the mail. Below are the close-ups of the cake boxes.

I'm feeling caught up now! I'll be back soon though because I have a new mini-album that I made with the April kit from My Creative Scrapbook - this kit is to die for so make sure to check their site the first week of April (around the 5th or so) and I'll post the album I made with it then too. Have a GREAT week!

Dear Mr. President.....

2009-02-16T09:40:00.002-05:00

No, I'm not going all political - but I had a share a major proud Mommy moment and a FREEBIE! Kidthing and the National Education Association had a "Dear Mr. President" project where children from all over the world wrote letters and drew pictures to President Obama. Out of over 4,500 letters, 150 were chosen for this free digital book that came out today and a special print version of the book will be delivered to President Obama!!!

Well, my dear daughter Katie was picked to be in the book!!!! We are so proud and hope President Obama will put her advice to good use :) For a free download of the book, you can visit Kidthing. You can also read more about this special book and project here.

Fortune Cookies :)

2009-01-11T08:07:00.003-05:00

I found a tutorial for making paper fortune cookies this weekend so I decided to give it a try. They are very easy to make! I had some take-out boxes sitting in my closet so I thought it would make a cute Valentine's Day project. I used Libby Weifenbach's "Love Shack" Kit for the papers, since it's a digital kit I just printed the papers out and used them like traditional scrapbook paper. For the fortunes to go inside the cookies, I was going to make my own but when I saw that one of the papers in Libby's kit had "lovey-dovey" writing on it, I just cut the sentiments from the paper into strips and used that - so easy!

The tutorial for the fortune cookies is here: Paper Fortune Cookies

On another note, DigiShop Talk's January issue of the "Insider" is now up and available for download. LOTS of good stuff in this issue and there's a great hybrid tutorial for making your own 2009 Planner by Melinda Stanley. Did I mention the Insider is Free to all DST members???? If you are not a member, sign up - that's free too!

One more freebie - Oprah has Suze Orman's latest book, Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan up for a free download this week only. Just click on that link and save it to your computer. Goodness knows we can all use some financial advice with the way things have been lately!

Have a GREAT WEEK!!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-04T16:17:00.019-05:00

Happy New Year! I've got a few projects but haven't had a lot of time for crafting lately - guess I'll make that a New Year's resolution: More time for fun things! The first project is a mini-album I did for My Creative Scrapbook called "Joy". This is for the January Mini-album Kit:

(Click images to enlarge)

I'm not real crazy about how the photos of this mini-album came out. I usually use a white background when taking photos but since the pages of the album were painted white, I used a very pale pink background and it seems to make the photos darker and duller for some reason. Guess I learned something new - I'll just stick with white.

I loved making this mini-album! I decided to turn the album sideways and make it tall (instead of wide as it was intended). All of the papers and embellishments are in the January Kit.

Next I have a few little projects that I did for Sweet Shoppe Designs:

Isn't this kit ADORABLE??? It's called Snow Buddies by Lauren Grier and Sir Scrapalot :)

And THIS kit by Manda is as cute as can be too!!! This kit is called "Owl Love You Forever".

Speaking of the Sweet Shoppe, there are some fun new things in store for hybrid in 2009....I'll post more details soon!

Well, the holidays are over and its time to get back into the old routine :( But....here's wishing you a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2009!

Freebies, Give-Aways, Tutorials!!!

2008-12-07T07:50:00.002-05:00

I'm back again today with some FUN STUFF! If you are not a member of DigiShop Talk - JOIN NOW because we are giving away a lot of AMAZING gifts this month in the DST Insider and I don't want you to miss out!

It's FREE to join DST, so go HERE to sign up. Once you've signed up (or if you already are a member), download the December issue of the DST Insider (It's FREE too!!!) - you can download it here: December 2008 DST Insider

This issue is all about HYBRID and in it you will find some incredible tutorials, hybrid articles and LOTS of coupons! But the best part of all - you will find all the free gifts we are giving away this month!!!! Look on Pages 47 - 48 for the freebies and then go to the special 12 Days of Christmas forum at DST to enter in the drawings!

Also in this issue, the super-talented Jess Gordon has a FREE Hybrid Photo Box project!!! I LOVE this box and am going to make one for my mom for Christmas - it is just beautiful and Jess really outdid herself on this! Check it out:

This is a GREAT project for all the scrappers out there that are wanting to try hybrid AND for those who are seasoned hybrid scrappers! All of the directions are included - just add photos, print and assemble! Thanks Jess for this adorable project!!! Oh, and make sure to visit Jess at her new store - Sunshine Studio Scraps!

Lastly, I've made these bows before and had a LOT of people ask for a tutorial - well, I did one for this issue. I have LOTS of photos and step-by-step directions - so, if you are one of the people that asked, look on pages 43-45!

Happy Sunday! Only 18 more days until Christmas!!!!

Catching Up!

2008-12-06T06:14:00.011-05:00

Obviously I've been VERY behind! Work has been so hectic and busy that I haven't been able to keep up lately :( BUT, I do have a few things to share and with Christmas vacation coming up in two weeks, I hope to get more things accomplished!

For larger photos, you can go to my online gallery and click on the individual thumbnail photos to make them larger.

I've got two mini-albums that I did for My Creative Scrapbook. The first one is the most recent, it's for the December Album Kit.

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Album Cover)

It's hard to tell in the photo, but I decided to make a "shaker box" (remember those?) Snow Globe - I put glitter in the shaker box.

(This is a second photo of this page showing the pull out photo behind the house.)

This is a "pocket page" - I always like to add a pocket to my mini-albums to stick extra photos or embellishments in.

The next mini-album is one I did for the November Album Kit at My Creative Scrapbook:

Counting Blessings

(Close up of the cover)

And, I've got a few things that I've done for Sweet Shoppe Designs lately:

Altered To-Go Coffee Cup - made this to put a coffee gift card inside for a Christmas Gift :)

A Little Paper Purse - Just for Fun

Christmas Gift Card Holder

Blessings Card

Well, that's all for now! Happy Holidays!!!!!!

It's October - Where'd the time go?

2008-10-05T16:47:00.010-04:00

Can't believe its October already! I haven't had time to do a lot of crafty things lately but have one project to share. It's a mini-album for My Creative Scrapbook. This is for the October Album Kit. Making this really put me in the fall spirit (even here in South Florida - lol).

"Photos from the Pumpkin Patch" Mini-Album
Cover

(This is the pumpkin from the cover of the album.)

Because I have been so behind in posting lately, I have several people to thank for nominating me for awards and such. I know I am late in doing this so I apologize!! Thank you to:

I've got another little project I finished up last night and want to post but I've been really sick this week and honestly don't have the energy to take the photos and do it now. I had a fever/cold symptoms for a few days and then it moved to my lungs and I feel AWFUL. I hate being sick (don't we all?) so I HOPE this week it'll leave so I can get back to normal life. I'll come back soon to post more!

Hope you have a GREAT week!

Mini Albums!

2008-09-06T13:45:00.011-04:00

I know I've been neglectful with my blog. With school starting back up, life's been busy! I do have a two mini-albums and another project to share though. The first is a mini-album for My Creative Scrapbook made with the September Album Kit:

The second is a mini, mini album. It's made with a Maya Road Mini Arrow Album. I did this project for Sweet Shoppe Designs using Shawna Clingerman's Outloud Digital Kit. The Sweet Shoppe also has blank templates for the shaped mini-albums they sell so I also used this template to drag my photos and digital papers onto to make the album - makes it really easy (especially when cropping digital photos to fit the album)!!! I kept this one simple - the inside pages are photos only with pattern paper on the backs of the pages. Lots of photos of this album:

Lastly, I have a project that I did for September's Digi Shoppe Talk Insider. This is a FREE publication, you just need to register for a free membership to DST to get it (you can register here). Along with the project, I have step by step instructions on how to make it on pages 24-25. This issue is AWESOME and there is also a chance to win a GREAT prize on page 3! Check it out!!!

Here's the project I did - its a School Memory Box:

That's all for now! Have a GREAT weekend!!!

Say it ain't So!

2008-08-11T03:13:00.007-04:00

No!!!! I'm not ready for Summer to be over! I don't want to go back to work next week!!! Only one more week 'til school starts :( I need to change my attitude, don't I? (I just don't want to go back yet!)

Anyway, I do have some projects to share.....A few I did for Sweet Shoppe Designs:

I can't remember if I found this wooden "flowerpot" at AC Moore or Michaels but I got it awhile back and never got around to doing anything with it. I wanted to make some pinwheel flowers and then remembered I had it. The papers are from this kit: Bloom and Grow. Since they are digital papers I printed out one of the papers and then flipped the paper over and put it back in the printer to print the other side. Number 4,868,973 of why I love hybrid....if you want double-sided papers, you get to PICK what papers you'll have on each side :)

I do remember that I got this mini-clipboard at AC Moore. And speaking of AC Moore, not only am I in a state of depression with school starting back.....but my AC Moore CLOSED! I am so bummed!!!! The bad thing is that they built a new store and weren't even open for a year....I was in there one day about three or four weeks ago and the girl at the register said they'd just found out THAT DAY that they were closing down on August 1st. How's that for notice?! And they did. I felt terrible for those folks that worked there, I thought that was pretty crappy for AC Moore to do to them. And I'm sad they are gone, and also surprised that I alone didn't provide enough "economic stimulation" to keep them afloat! But I digress....back to the mini-clipboard....

I made a little digital cover to alter the clipboard with from this kit at SSD: Heartsong

And then I added a photo, photo strip and tag (the photo strip and tag are also in the Heartsong kit).

I also worked all day Saturday on a project for The Insider at Digi Shop Talk. I mentioned awhile back that I'm now the Hybrid Editor for The Insider and part of my job is to find hybrid artists to feature and have them write a tutorial each month for the publication. Shannon (the owner) suggested that I do the tutorial for next month's issue (September) so I gladly accepted. I'm not going to post my project because I want to wait for it to be featured next month, but I loved how it turned out!!! I'll give a hint, its a "back to school" project.

So, if you want to see it and all the amazing layouts that'll be in this issue, sign up at Digi Shop Talk (if you aren't already a member) and the link will be e-mailed to you each month to download the FREE issue!!! (Yes, it's FREE!). You can sign up here: Register at DST

After you sign up, you can access all past issues of the insider here: The Insider

That's all for now! Hope you have a good week!!!

Mini-Album, My New Blinkie and (the dreaded) Vacation Photos :o

2008-08-04T06:35:00.013-04:00

Our projects are up at My Creative Scrapbook so I can post my latest mini-album now :) I did this album with the album kit shown here: August Album Kit

Hey, Check this out:

I ordered a custom blinkie for my blog from Graffiti Chicks . Isn't is adorable??!! And a steal too! Those girls are AWESOME - fast, friendly and did I mention the prices are amazing??? I HIGHLY recommend them - You've gotta go order one!

Whew! We got back last night from vacation. We were gone 8 days but it felt like a month! I think it was all the moving around we did - instead of staying in one spot. We flew into Altanta last Sunday and stayed there until Tuesday morning. We got a rental car that morning and drove to Clemson, SC (to see where DH went to college) and then went on our way to visit my sister-in-law and her husband in Spartanburg, SC. We stayed in Spartanburg for two days and then went to Columbia, SC to stop in and have lunch with my brother-in-law then drove over to Edgefield, SC to visit my DH's parents - spent the night there and then drove over to visit my parents near Augusta, GA and stayed there two nights. We drove back to Atlanta yesterday and flew home yesterday evening. See what I mean - it was a lot of shuffling around! But it was nice to see everyone!

Here are a few photos from the trip, now I could've posted all 300 photos that I took, but decided I'd only bore you with a few:

In Atlanta we went to CNN (did the tour, its interesting...I've done it before) and went to a Braves Game:

They lost, it was fun anyway - but darn it was HOT and this was a night game. I live in South Florida so I should be used to it, but I was about ready to pass out from the heat!

(Tried to take a good photo and this is what came out - LOL)

This was our rental car - I had something different in mind when I asked for a luxury car so it was sort of funny. DH said he's considering trading in his Camry for one after driving it around for a week {just kidding}.

Clemson

Feeding the horse and donkey at Aunt Grace's house. That donkey was so cute....I wanted to bring him home :)

Well, that's about it for now. Happy Monday - Hope you have a GREAT week:)

Birthdays!

2008-07-25T07:51:00.004-04:00

I've been in Birthday mode this month - did a birthday gift project, made a birthday mini-album (will post that next month) for MCS and yesterday made a birthday cake (paper, of course). I made this for my daughter's birthday, can't believe she'll be 8 tomorrow!!!!!

I used three wooden round boxes and covered them with papers printed from this fun, girly kit by Manda at SSD. I added buttons, ribbon, felt ric rac, flowers, some clear sequins and a birthday candle. I put little gifts in each box: earrings, bracelet and a gift card. We got her a Wii last week so this is just a little something extra :)

What have YOU been working on lately? I'd love to know - if you get a chance leave me a comment to link me up to your blog or gallery so I can check it out :)

Happy Weekend!

Fun Stuff :)

2008-07-23T15:54:00.004-04:00

I got the two cutest books last week and I've been having some fun with them. I got:

Softies

and

Aranzi Cute Stuff

Here's what I've made so far:

This cute tree:

A keychain

and I've also made some pincushions - the strawberry pincushion wasn't in the books, but one I made for fun - just playing around. The flower pincushion was made with a simple pattern in the book for the "x" shape and I cut a flower from my sizzix to put on top with a button.

These are just way too fun to make and totally addictive!

On to something else............

Do you want to win some scrapping goodies?????

Well, head on over to My Creative Scrapbook for the Sizzlin' Summer Contest! All the details are here: Sizzlin' Summer Contest. Many prizes will be awarded for best layouts in the different categories with one BIG prize for just posting comments on the message board! CHECK IT OUT!

Oh, another thing, I had some good news last week - I had a project picked up for the Dec/Jan issue of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine AND ...... I was named the new Hybrid Editor for The Insider at Digi Shop Talk! If you don't get The Insider, its FREE so go download it now! If you're not a memer at DST, you'll want to register on the site to access the downloads. Pretty exciting (and a little intimidating knowing that over 15,000 people get The Insider each month - eek).

That's about it for now. Hope you have a great week! My daughter's 8th birthday is this Saturday so we'll be celebrating - Yippee!

A few projects to share :)

2008-07-12T20:16:00.009-04:00

Got a few things done the past couple of days. Everything here is for Sweet Shoppe Designs (LOVE THEM!!!).

I wanted to make a birthday box with this adorable birthday kit called It's My Party by Christy Lyle. I made a tag to go with it but it wouldn't fit with that honkin' big bow so I left it off :)

This next one was a bit of an experiment - I saw this kit by Dani Mogstad. Its a pre-made album kit for a round coaster album. I added my photos and printed four of the pages (and cut them out). I attached each of the circles with ribbon at the sides. I added a bottom and handle and made a basket. The photos make it look a bit wonky, it looks better in person. Didn't really make the basket to hold anything, just a "memory basket" I guess - I'll put it on the shelf in my craftroom.

I made this card using a layered digital template (see below). Really easy if you've never used one, just drag the digi papers over onto the template and drop them in place. I wanted to make it hybrid so I printed out the different layers separately for the card, cut them out and added them back to the card - to give it dimension. I also added some lace.

Here's the template I used and the envelope I made with the template is below:

The last one is a card I made with Dani's MVP Kit. I made another project with this same kit last year (I'll post photos below). The more I look at this kit the more potential I see. My daughter plays/has played basketball, soccer and volleyball - I was thinking it would be fun to make up some "baseball cards" (you know, like the trading cards) for her with the different sports (another idea to add to the super-long list).

Here's the other project I did with this kit last year - this was an altered shoebox to hold her first pair of basketball shoes (I loved those pink Converse Chuck Taylor high tops!!)

Well, that's about all for now. Hope you have a great weekend!

My Creative Scrapbook

2008-07-09T06:11:00.004-04:00

The July Kits are up at My Creative Scrapbook! I've got a few photos of the album that I did for the July Album Kit. I wanted to make a little album about some of the things our freedom allows us that I am grateful for (in the spirit of Fourth of July).

That's about it for now - Have a GREAT week!

I'm Finished!

2008-07-06T08:44:00.013-04:00

I've been reorganizing and decluttering my craftroom (well, a little - didn't get rid of as much as I intended). I'm pretty much finished except for reorganizing a few cabinets and painting a big cabinet which I'll be doing next week. I've got a few photos below but have a bunch more here if you want to take a peek: My Craftroom

(click for larger images)

I'm just so happy to feel a little more organized :) Today I start the same process in my daughter's bedroom - eeks!

Hope you're having a GREAT weekend!

Fourth of July!

2008-07-03T05:03:00.005-04:00

Made a little Fourth of July Candy Bouquet. I found the star box at AC Moore and covered "fun size" candy bars to make the bouquet. I used this adorable kit by Heather Roselli & Darcy Baldwin called Freedom Rocks from Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Here are a few more pics of the box:

Well I started the daunting task of re-organizing my craft room. I do it about once a year. I've had my eye on this storage rack from Sams Club for a long time now, but was hesitant because it didn't have the "cuteness factor" I was looking for :) But, it is really big and holds a LOT so I caved and got it yesterday. It comes with 18 plastic bins sized 10.5"W x 14"L and the whole thing is 54"H x 36"W x 14"D.

And now, I LOVE IT!!! I started loading it up last night - I can't believe how much each of the bins hold. I'll take some photos once I get things back in order - its chaos in here now.

Here are some "before" photos of my craft room that I took a few months ago:

I'll be decluttering this wall - its gotten too junky. I got rid of the tall white plastic cart - moved all that stuff into the new storage rack I got.

Also got rid of the brown cart under my desk (next to the black chair)

I put the new storage cart with bins here where the wood shelving is in this picture (got rid of the wood shelving). This photo also shows the entrance into the HUGE walk-in closet attached to my craftroom - I reorganized in there too and THAT was the tough part - that took an entire day and I'm still not done. That closet is the size of a small room (you can see it even has its own window in there - lol). I have wall to wall shelving on three of the walls in the closet and it is packed full of craft stuff (its a sickness, really).

I took down the shelves and everything off the wall here and am putting up three rows of uniform white shelves - "L" shaped to fit around the corner. Hopefully it will be a LOT less junky.

So, I have lots to do and will be busy, busy this holiday weekend working on my little re-organization project. Whatever YOU do, I hope you have fun! Happy 4th!

A fun gift idea...

2008-06-26T18:23:00.005-04:00

(Click for larger image)

I've been making these for years - this is one of my favorite gifts to give kids because kids typically love art and I love to encourage them to create art. You can get the art cases from the craft store and whenever my daughter gets invited to a birthday, I typically do one up as part of the gift. For the past two Christmases, Michaels (craft store) had the art cases on sale - they had them on sale several times but during one sale they had them for $2.50 each so I bought a whole case of them!

Here's what the cases look like "before" and I have another photo of the inside:

There is a clear plastic cover on the case so I use an exacto knife to carefully cut into the plastic on one side of the case. You have to cut really close to the edge so you won't see the cut. After cutting, the prepackaged cover slides right out and you can slide your new cover in. I use a little bit of ashesive to hold the plastic back down, again just on the very edge and just a little so its not noticeable.

To make the cover insert on this project I used an ADORABLE digi kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs, called Squiggle It. It was PERFECT for this! Here's a peek:

Isn't that cute??!!

I had some good news this month - I had Scrapbook Dimensions ask for a project, Bella Scraps published two of my projects this month and Scrapbook News and Review ask for two projects for their July issue. That's always fun :)

That's about all for now....I can't believe June is almost over - where did the time go???!!!

July 4th Treats

2008-06-16T11:36:00.011-04:00

This was probably the quickest and easiest project I've ever done. I could have done a lot more with it, but I wanted it to be quick and easy so that is how I approached it. I'll be making more of these but here's the first one - its a July 4th Treat Bag. I filled the bag with "Red Hots" (cinnamon candies). For the bag topper, I used a pre-made digital page and just inserted a photo. Here's the digi kit with the pre-made stars that I used: Liberty & Justice: Mini Star Album by MandaBean.

This kit is made for making a mini-album, but I like to "think outside of the box" and see what else I can do - you know, to get more bang for your buck ;)

I found the little red bags at the craft store (you may need to make the star a little larger when you print it out depending on what size bags you get). I printed the star out on cardstock, cut it out, and used brads (I put a little sequin with my brad) to attach it to the top of the bag (I also folded the top of the bag down a bit prior to attaching the star with the brads). Here's a photo of the back of the bag, to show how the brads attach the star:

The two sayings at the bottom of the bag also come in the digi kit. I just cut them out and used glue dots to attach them to the bag. That's about it - SUPER EASY and a great "starter" hybrid project too - Let me know if you try it out!

A few things and a CHALLENGE!

2008-06-10T04:42:00.007-04:00

Got a few things done for Sweet Shoppe Designs:

Made a card using this: Blossom CD Album Kit. Instead of making the CD album, I used one of the pages for a card front. It was sooo fast and easy!

Found these plastic buckets at Party City and used this kit from Eva Kipler to made a "Girl Stuff" bucket for dd to put her girly trinkets (hairbows, bracelets, etc....) in.

There is a new CHALLENGE up at My Creative Scrapbook for June!!! You can go here for all info: June Challenge. The prizes this month include: AC Thickers, Bling, a Font Folder (alpha rub-ons) and Pattern Paper! All you need to do is complete a layout using this sketch:

You can use any paper or supplies you want - we just want to see what you do with the sketch!!! I'd love for you to participate!

Also, if you haven't seen the kits at My Creative Scrapbook check out the DT Gallery, the girls there ROCK!!!

That's all for now! Have a GREAT WEEK!!!

New Stuff, Gift Ideas & More

2008-06-04T13:16:00.008-04:00

Got a few projects done. The first is a super quick 6x6 layout for Prima Hybrid. This was sooo easy, I used a predesigned 12x12 digi page, printed it at 6x6 and just added a few real embellishments (flowers, buttons, ribbon and an epoxy sticker). Love how it turned out!

Here's another fun project, but the photo here stinks because there was too much glare on the coffee mug. Anyway, I found these mugs at Hallmark. I've seen them before in other places but they had a good deal on them when I was at Hallmark so I got several (more on the deal later...). The mugs have a removable insert so I made my own insert using Heather Roselli's super cute digi kit at SSD called "Be Happy". More info is here.

Here's a better picture of the insert before I put it in the mug.

After I printed out my design, I traced the existing insert onto my printed page and cut it out to get the right size and shape. Really easy, plus I can make many more of these and change it out whenever I want.

Oh, and here's the info on the coffee mug deal, they are $8.95 at Hallmark (until Father's Day) with your Hallmark Rewards card. You can get the card free online and print it out instantly right here.

And no, I don't work for Hallmark (LOL) just passin' on a deal...

Here's something else I did yesterday, this was a quick mini album for SSD. I LOVE this cute little digi album kit from Mandy called "Nerdy Girl". My daughter's teacher this year sent all the students home with a CD on the last day of school that had pictures from the whole school year. There must have been 75 photos on that CD and it was the MOST AWESOME thing ever!!!! Such a great idea!!! Anyway, I used the photos from that CD to make this. The digi album is all pre-designed so all I had to do was pretty much drag my photos in the photo spots and print. The album was designed at 8x8 so I changed my printer settings to print at 6x6 to fit the BasicGrey "Quarter Pint" Album I used for this project. Here are a few pages:

I added a few traditional embellishments (flowers, ribbon, buttons, etc) to the pages after I printed them.
I photocopied some of her school papers at a reduced size to put on the backs of the album pages.

Well, that's about it for now...I'll be back soon!

It's June!

2008-06-03T03:56:00.006-04:00

A new month and some new things for My Creative Scrapbook. Make sure you go visit the message board at MCS and check out this post to find out how to win some free scrapbook goodies!!! Also check out the monthly kits - they are FABULOUS and FULL of stuff!!!

Here's a project I did with the June Album Kit featuring Heidi Swapp's World Traveler papers:

Gotta add one more photo - my dd is taking a rock climbing camp this week, here's a shot of her on the rock wall yesterday:

I don't know exactly how high that thing is, but it is HIGH!!! When I went to pick her up yesterday the guy running the camp asked if I wanted to give it a try, uhhhh no thanks! LOL!

Have a great week!!!

Memorial Day Weekend (Yipee!) & Teacher Gifts

2008-05-24T10:50:00.007-04:00

I LOVE a three-day weekend! Especially since we only have 4 days of school left when we go back next week :)

This weekend I plan to "stimulate the economy" and several items on my list are teacher gifts. I wanted to get my dd's teacher a nice gift card so I made a card and matching pillow box to put the gift card in. I LOVE this kit called "Imagine That" by Robin Carlton & Misty Cato, there are two reasons I love this kit so much: 1) its sooooo bright and colorful (and I love bright colors) and 2) I'm a Reading Resource Teacher and its got some really cool reading-themed pieces to it. I have another project below that I did with the same kit so its pretty versatile, too.

Close up of card:
Close up of the pillow box:
Here's the other project I did with the same kit. I found these plastic cases at Michaels. They are 7" x 10" and I think they were $2.99. I thought they would make a fun "Summer Survival Kit" to put crayons, paper, stickers, playing cards, a book, etc... in for those "I'm bored" summer vacation days.

Here's a "before" pic of the cases (I didn't get a "before" of the blue one, so here's a green one):

And here are some pics of the finished blue case with the "Imagine That" kit:

ALSO.... on another subject, My Creative Scrapbook is having a sketch challenge due May 31st. You can go HERE to read the details. All you do is create a LO (using any supplies you already have) based on this sketch by Liz Qualman:

The winner will receive a prize package consisting of Black Prima Crystals, Prima- Belle fleur fowers pack, Heidi Swapp- Jeweled brads, Ribbon, and Black and white foral papers. Hurry, only one week left!

That's about all for now. Have a GREAT Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Summer Journal

2008-05-20T16:56:00.002-04:00

Got another quick project to add for the Sweet Shoppe. If you have never been there, you have GOT to go look at the kits..... I love EVERY kit those girls put out!!!

Here's a project I did with Julie's Wildflower Whimsy Kit. It's a summer journal for my daughter to keep up with her writing over summer vacation. She loves to write stories and draw so I thought she needed something cute and summery to do it in.

Have a GREAT week!

~Cindy

Pinch Me!

2008-05-17T04:45:00.005-04:00

I am SOOOO excited! I got some great news early this week and have had to hold it in all week, but now the cat is out of the bag....check this out (the very bottom row):

My Dream Team

Yipee!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE SSD!!!! I am one lucky girl to get to work with all these amazing designers!

I've gotten two projects done for them so far:

This card was made with the Skippy Doo Da Kit by Lauren Grier

and, I made a little BFF Bouquet with Chit Chat by Kristin Cronin-Barrow.

Make sure you check out the new Hybrid Babe Gallery to see some super projects from the other new Hybrid Babes at the Sweet Shoppe!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Projects!

2008-05-09T14:36:00.005-04:00

I've got a few projects to share - The first is a tutorial I did for SBB, I thought this would make a neat teacher gift since school will be out soon. I used Ali Folendore's Teacher's Pet Kit for this altered mini-clipboard.

This is another project for SBB, this altered frame was for the April issue of Tid-Bytes Magazine. You can find the tutorial for this project there.

I LOVE this month's mini-album kit over at My Creative Scrapbook!!!! There are several kits to choose from each month, this is the mini-album kit featuring Pink Paislee. You can check it out here: MCS May Kits

Have a GREAT weekend & Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there!

BLOG PARTY!!!!!

2008-05-02T20:40:00.018-04:00

It's a Prima Hybrid BLOG PARTY!! Below you will find my FREE template download and the links to the other flowergirls and moderators who have free templates at their blogs too.

Also, see below for my Altered Challenge at PH with a chance to win a $20 Prima Hybrid Prize package!!!!!

Here's the template and download (I used the header I created for my blog as inspiration):

Download Here: Cindy Gilchrist's Blog Party Template
Here's a digi layout I did with my template:

(I used Weeds & Wildflowers' Vintage Comfort Kit Papers for this LO)

Also, head over to PH for a challenge and tutorial for this project:

See HERE for the tutorial for this project and HERE for the Challenge - You have until Sunday 6 pm EST to complete this challenge and get a chance at a $20 prize pack from Prima Hybrid!!!!!

See the sidebar -> to sign up for e-mail updates on my blog, including occasional freebies!

Links for more FREE Templates:

Di Hickman http://dihickman.blogspot.com/
Andrea Gourley http://www.andreagourley.blogspot.com/
Kristin http://wyowoman.blogspot.com/
Jess Gordon http://scrapbookideas.wordpress.com/
Amy Martin http://alb52.typepad.com/
Angel Hartline http://angeltown.typepad.com/
Indah Permata Sari http://inskidahv.wordpress.com/
Patty Komara http://plkomara.blogspot.com/
Melinda Staley http://myscrapcorner.blogspot.com/
Monika Martinson http://monma.blogspot.com/
Cathy Pascual http://paper-cat.blogspot.com/
Margie http://margiescreativity.blogspot.com/
Heather http://designrecollections.co.uk/blog

Also, in honor of NSD, we are having challenges and give aways at the PH Site - make sure you stop by!!!

Happy Scrapping!!!

A little project and Blog Party info...

2008-05-02T20:19:00.006-04:00

{Photo removed for publication}

Got a new tutorial for this Notecard project in the latest Fresh Cuts Newsletter at Prima Hybrid. You can go here to sign up for the newsletter, it always has great tutorials and great info.

Also, tomorrow we are having another Blog Party at Prima Hybrid!!!! I'll post a link to all the Flower Girls' Blogs where you can go and get a free goody at each blog! You don't want to miss it so check back tomorrow!!!!!

Sneek Peek

2008-04-28T18:10:00.003-04:00

Got a little sneak peek at the new kit for May at My Creative Scrapbook! This is just one of several kits available this month. I'll be posting a sneek peek with another kit soon....

Lucky Me!

2008-04-11T12:57:00.003-04:00

I got to play with Teresa Collins' new "Journal It" line for our April kit at My Creative Scrapbook! I've had my eye on these papers so I was thrilled when I found out we were getting them!!!! Make sure you check out the MCS Blog to see the kits available and the other AMAZING layouts and projects from the other girls!

One of the kits comes with an adorable red suitcase and mini-album to go in the suitcase so that's the kit I used for these projects. Here they are:

That's all for now! Have a GREAT weekend!!!

In love with Felt!

2008-04-05T19:44:00.010-04:00

I am currently having a major love affair with the felt from Creative Cafe! I want to make everything out of this stuff. Here's another little quick project I did today with it:

Everything here is Creative Cafe except the ribbon, thread and pillow box.

(Creative Cafe Spirit Felt Shapes, Creative Cafe Flower, Creative Cafe Button, Creative Cafe Planner Punch-Outs, Creatie Cafe White Felt Ric Rac, Creative Cafe Rub-On, White Grosgrain Ribbon, DMC Floss (thread), Marcella by K Pillow Box)

I've also started another project, I found this house-shaped curio shelf at Michaels so I wanted to do a "family" project. I still have to figure out what papers I'll use but I started gathering things that I thought I might use and stuck them in the shelf, I thought that in itself made sort of a neat photo: The start of an altered project...

Well, Spring Break is winding down - I don't want to go back to work! Katie and I had a good week. We made smoothies:

Went to Busch Gardens:

did projects together, went shopping, read a lot, went out to lunch a few times and just had lots of fun. Now back to the grind (until Summer Vacation!). Happy Weekend :)

This was FUN!

2008-04-03T11:46:00.005-04:00

I just finished doing a really fun project! I did a "Paintable". You can see them here: IOD Silhouette Gem Frame Fleurish. You just print them out (either on paper or a transparency) and paint them (you should either print them on a laser printer or print with ink jet then make a copy of it on a copier - unless your ink jet uses water-proof ink). I used Staedtler watercolor pencils and a Tombow Blender Pen to paint with ~ I had these from my old Stampin' days.

Here's how it came out:

Here's a close-up of the "painted" part:

Supplies: IOD's Silhouettes Gem Frames Fleurish, IOD's Rue 88 Digital Coordinates Paper Collection, Prima Center Kisses, Staedtler Watercolor Pencils, Tombow Blender Pen, Sheer Creations Ribbon, Maya Road Chipboard Scroll, Bazzill 'Just the Edge' Cardstock Strips.

My Spring Break is winding down :( But, we are going to Busch Gardens in Tampa tomorrow for some fun :) It's been really warm here the past few days (it's gotten up to 90 degrees the past two days), I'm hoping Tampa will be a little cooler! Hope you have a GREAT weekend whatever YOU plan to do!

Some weekend goodies....

2008-03-30T17:36:00.006-04:00

I've had a little bit of time to play and did a few projects this weekend - the first one is for Prima Hybrid, its a 6x6 mini-album and a box to keep it in.

Credits: Weeds & Wildflowers "Counting The Ways" Quick Album, misc. embellishments.

I've got a lot more photos at my online gallery if you wanna check them out.

I also made a little sign for my dd, I used Creative Cafe felt and embellishments (love their new stuff):

Some other fun news - I'll be joining My Creative Scrapbook's Design Team to work with some great new kits they'll have coming out. I'm looking forward to that!!!

Have a GREAT Week!

"Happy Easter" Basket

2008-03-21T09:30:00.004-04:00

I've got a little Easter project to share and details on how you can get the kit I used in this FREE!!!

SBB is having a fun-filled chat day tomorrow and you can get this kit for FREE by participating!!! You can check out the details here: March 22 Chat Event

Happy Easter!

Happy Spring!

2008-03-20T17:37:00.006-04:00

Today is the first day of Spring!!! I decided to make a pocket card with Meredith's Spring Explosion kit to celebrate:

Supplies: Spring Explosion Kit by Meredith Fenwick, Prima Center Kisses, Prima Rue 88 Essentials flower, Autumn Leaves Flourish Stamp, Bazzill Bazzinks ink, Colorbox Chalk Ink, Hallmark Ribbon, vellum.

Hope YOU have a GREAT Spring and a Happy Easter too!

Blog Party Template - UPDATE & Another Freebie!

2008-03-16T10:41:00.003-04:00

The Blog Party Template Freebie is in the post below 6so feel free to snag away!

I wanted to post an update though because due to overwhelming traffic, the previous link to the template went down sometime late last night because it reached its download limit on that site. I reloaded the template on another file sharing site and it is back up and functional again - YAY! If you tried last night or this morning and couldn't get the download, its working now so try again!

Also, here's another FREEBIE at the Prima Hybrid site:
HYBRID HELPERS - Scallop Edged Basket Template Enjoy!

It's a BLOG PARTY - LOTS OF FREEBIES!!!!!

2008-03-15T10:15:00.015-04:00

At Prima Hybird we've added four new Flower Girls to our team so we decided to celebrate by having a

BLOG PARTY!!!

And YOU get the gifts!!!!!

So let's welcome Laura Kannady, Teresa Victor, Patty Komara & Monika Martinson, our new Flower Girls! And as promised, below you will find my gift and links to all the other Flower Girls, when you visit their blogs today you'll get a gift from them too!!!!!

I'm VERY lucky because the AMAZINGLY talented Doris Castle gave me a template to share with all of you, I know you will love it as much as I do!

You can download the template HERE:

Blog Party Template by Doris Castle

{Subscribe to my blog (to the right of this post) as I often send out links to freebies we have ->}

Here's Doris' Digital Layout using the template:

And here's my Hybrid Layout using the template:

Credits: Doris Castle's "True Love" Kit at PrimaHybrid.com, Blog Party Template by Doris Castle, DCWV Cardstock, Prima Essentials 3 Flowers, CK metal brads, Fabric, Colorbox Chalk Ink, Machine Stitching.

Make sure you visit the other Flower Girls' blogs to get your free gifts from them too:

Have a GREAT Weekend!!!

Just call me a Cover Girl.....

2008-03-15T09:39:00.003-04:00

LOL!!!!!! Yep, I'm a little giddy because I just got the latest copy of Ready, Set, Create in my inbox and lo and behold, my project is right on the cover page. That was fun to see!

Anyway, its a great issue just FULL (107 pages full) of birthday layouts, cards and projects. Go here if you want a copy of your own: Ready, Set, Create.

I'll be back in just a bit with another post today regarding our Blog Party at Prima Hybrid - we'll be giving away a lot of FREE templates on our blogs so you don't want to miss it!!!! TTFN

A fun letter project...

2008-03-11T15:41:00.005-04:00

Here's a fun project I did this weekend for Prima Hybrid. You'll have to indulge me, I have lots of photos:

These are large (6.5") chipboard letters that spell my dd's name, KATIE. I covered the letters in papers and embellishments from Prima, punched a hole in the top corner of each letter and put them on a chain.

Here are the individual letters:

Supplies: Weeds & Wildflowers "Cherishing Every Moment" kit papers and embellishments from PrimaHybrid.com, Prima Forever Flowers, Prima Say it in Crystals, Prima Essentials 3 Rue 88 flowers, Prima Center Kisses, Prima Sprites 2, Prima IOD Epoxy Stickers, Prima Ric Rac, HS Bling, HS Chipboard Alpha, Colorbok Chipboard Tag, Hemp Cord, Colorbox Chalk Ink, HS Fuzzy Rub-Ons, American Crafts Ribbon, Letters cut from Cricut Base Camp cartridge.

Have a GREAT week!!!

Another Freebie - Yea!!

2008-03-05T13:54:00.003-05:00

We've got a new freebie up over at PrimaHybrid. Di made this adorable gift box template for this month's Hybrid Helper (we're giving away a free tempate each month). You can go here to download it: March Hybrid Helper

Here's one of the samples I did with this template using Nancy Kubo's Little Dreamland paper & elements -

Enjoy!!!

Keepsake Box

2008-02-26T12:59:00.004-05:00

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to make little altered boxes. Here's one I did yesterday for SBB's new collaboration kit that's about to be released called, Pushing Up Daisies.

Happy Tuesday :)

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2008-02-23T17:00:00.005-05:00

I have been so busy with projects!!! I came home from work yesterday and went immediately into "craft mode" and didn't stop until 3 a.m. then got up at 8:30 this morning and started right back at it! I had some tutorials and projects I HAD to get done before the deadlines, needless to say I've had my nose to the grindstone, so to speak. So what do I have to show for all my hard work??? Just ONE LITTLE THING (and this one was a quicky), because everything has to be tucked away until "reveal" dates which will come later.

I made this little journal last night for a challenge we are having over at PrimaHybrid.com. Di's challenge was to make a journal and even though I can't join the contest, I wanted to play along so here's mine:

I used a digital kit by Kim Christensen, Thrift Chic and this awesome Silhouette Alpha by IOD that you add the Prima Chipboard Letter to (I put a close-up below).

Sooo....more to come later. Have a GREAT weekend!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-13T13:34:00.009-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
I've got a few Valentine's cards to share - I did all of these for Di's Blog:

Supplies: Vintage Love Digital Kit by Corina Nielsen, Fancy Heart Notes by Corina Nielsen (both available at PrimaHybrid.com); Black Cardstock, Making Memories Brad, Ribbon by JoAnn's, Ultimate Stitches (Digital) by Dani Mogstad, Colorbox Chalk Ink.

Supplies: Amore Pattern Papers by Shabby Princess, Bazzill Cardstock, 7Gypsies "jetaime" rub-on, hemp cord, Colorbox Chalk Ink, machine stitching.

Supplies: Sweetness Digital Kit by Meredith Fenwick (available at Prima Hybrid), Basic Basic Ribbon, Bazzill Cardstock, Button: unknown.

Hope your Valentine's day is really SWEET!

FREEBIES!!!!!!!

2008-02-03T10:37:00.000-05:00

Want some Freebies??? I've got a free digi kit and a free template here for you but you've got to sign up for the Prima Hybrid Newsletter to get them (you'll love the newsletter - its FULL of yummy projects and great tutorials and is published weekly).

Go here to sign up: Prima Hybrid Newsletter

I've got a few projects - both are in the newsletter with instructions:

Also, go here to get your free template for this Valentine's Candy Box and also Free Digi Kit by Vera Lim:

Here's my sample from the template:

Here's the beautiful kit by Vera you can get for FREE:

Go get your free stuff and PLAY!!!!

You've gotta sign up for this newsletter!!!

2008-01-23T17:25:00.001-05:00

Our first Prima Hybrid Newsletter is now up! You've got to sign up for it (its free!). Each newsletter will contain articles, projects and yummy eye-candy. Go here to sign up:

Prima Hybrid Newsletter.

Other news - I found out this morning that I'll have four projects in the upcoming Paper Crafts Special Issue Holiday Cards & More, Volume 3. I know some other girls that will be in this issue so I can't wait to get it!

Have a GREAT Day!

Valentine's Treat Box

2008-01-19T11:31:00.000-05:00

Here's a new project that I did last night for Prima Hybrid - it's a Valentine's Treat Box. I used these yummy papers from Weeds & Wildflowers at Prima Hybrid:

Credits:

All Papers from Weeds & Wildflowers Design Cherishing Every Moment(http://www.primahybrid.com/shoppe/pr...t=0&page=1)

Trish Jones Date Stamp (http://www.primahybrid.com/shoppe/pr...t=0&page=1)

Paper Swirl cut from Weeds and Wildflowers Cherishing Every Moment - Elements (http://www.primahybrid.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=260&cat=0&page=1)

Remember: Prima Hybrid is looking for some new Flower Girls (or Guys) - See my post below for more info!!!

Have a GREAT weekend!

OMGosh - You HAVE to check this out!!!

2008-01-18T13:16:00.000-05:00

PrimaHybrid would like to add some fresh talent to our crop of Flower Girls creative team!

You could be a Flower Girl (or Guy!) at PrimaHybrid!

Call Details:

Please send the following items in your email application:

Please tell us about yourself (any scrapbooking or artistic experience) and why you would like to be a Flower Girl

2 or 3 examples of your current style in the form of cards,altered projects and/or layouts. Projects must be “hybrid” – created partly with digital techniques and party with traditional physical products. Each photo must be less than 200k. There is no need to use Prima products on the projects. Projects may have been previously published and/or posted online.

A link to an online gallery and/or resume. There is no need to have been published before. You may be on other design teams - but please tell us about them.

Your full name and state/country of residence, along with full contact information (phone number too!) This will be kept confidential and will only be used to contact you for joining the team.

Flower Girl Creative Team Requirements:

The main role for our Hybrid Creative Team members is to create layouts or projects using our physical products mixed creatively with our digital products to give members inspiration and education.

Flowers Girls are required to create one project per month that is tutorial based (has written step-by-step how instructions) and one additional project per month with just photos and credits.

Flower Girls are able to enjoy supplied physical and digital products from Prima Marketing, Inc. and PrimaHybrid.com

Please email your application (subject: PrimaHybrid Creative Team) to the following addresses: doris@primahybrid.com and cc to tami@primaybrid.comCall applications accepted immediately.

Call deadline is Feb. 20th, 2008 at midnight EST. All entrants will receive a verification email. We plan to notify new design team members by March 1st, 2008. Updates will be posted on the blog. If you have any questions feel free to post them here or email: doris@primamarketinginc.com

It's the BIG DAY!!!!

2008-01-14T13:25:00.000-05:00

Yea! I can finally share the BIG NEWS that I've had to hold in since NOVEMBER!!! A major scrapbooking company that we all know and love is going HYBRID....Introducing.....

YIPEE!!!! Prima is combining its wonderful traditonal products with new digital kits for this new venture. Come visit the new site at:

Prima Hybrid

Oh, and another reason I'm so happy about this, guess who's a new Prima Flower Girl???

Prima Hybrid's "Firsts" Collab Kit, Prima Hydrangea Petals, Prima Rue 88 and Journalist Chipboard. Loved the fabric look to this paper so I decided to print it and sew it to make a quilt for the bottom of this wooden tray.

IOD's Paintables (YES!, you can download and print Prima's Paintables!!!), Kim Christensen's Thrift Chic Papers, Prima Flower)

"Damask Dream" kit by Dianne Rigdon, Prima Belle Fleur Flower, Prima Journalist Collection Chipboard, Prima Say It With Crystals.

Corina Nielsen's "One Sweet Day" Kit, Prima "Got Flowers" flower.

Here's more Info:
Prima Marketing, Inc., an industry-leading manufacturer of unique flower accents and scrapbooking materials, is about to set another trend – products that seamlessly build a bridge between traditional paper and digital scrapbooking. PrimaHybrid.com will launch on January 15, 2008, offering exclusive hybrid scrapbooking products, projects and resources that will appeal to both traditional scrapbookers and digital scrapbookers.The foundation for PrimaHybrid.com is already in place, set to provide the hybrid scrapbooker with a variety of resources to create meaningful hybrid projects:• Products that instantly coordinate to combine paper and digital product lines • Step-by-step hybrid scrapbooking project examples• Inspiring articles to help the digital scrapbooker to visualize how digital "translates" into traditional paper projects• Tutorials to help the traditional scrapbooker cut the learning curve into learning about digital scrapbooking techniques• A weekly newsletter to showcase newest trends and tips, such as “A Step by Step Guide to Your First Hybrid Project”The site will also offer complete digital kits and elements created by leading digital artists such as Gina Miller, Weeds & Wildflowers Designs, Meredith Fenwick, Iron Orchid Designs (IOD), Carrie Stephens, Corinna Nielson, Dianne Rigdon, Nancy Kubo, Trish Jones, Kim Christensen, Vera Lim and Doris Castle. One of the first offerings available in the shoppe is a collaborative kit, called “First Blush” featuring creations by each of the artists.

Tomorrow

2008-01-14T13:24:00.000-05:00

Something wonderful begins tomorrow........
please check back to get the scoop!!!!

I've got two WINNERS (& a secret)...

2008-01-13T11:06:00.000-05:00

My daughter just picked two random winners for the Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine give-away, and they are............

Kannady and
Erin McKinney

Luckily they both left contact info so I'll be contacting you girls to get your addresses. I'll be be giving away more stuff in the future so be on the lookout!

Now for something else,

BIG, BIG, BIG News
Coming On Tuesday
& I can't wait!!! I have several projects I'll be posting then too so check back in cause you don't want to miss the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

Happy Sunday!

Altered Mini-Notebook

2008-01-09T13:52:00.000-05:00

I've been busy with several projects but only one that I can post now (the other's have to wait until next week.....something BIG is happening then!!!!).

Here's a little mini-notebook that I did for Di's Card Sketch blog. I decided to use this week's card sketch for the cover:

Supplies: K&Co pattern papers, Basic Grey ribbon, K&Co felt flowers, Stampin Up "Cherish" stamp, Colorbox Chalk Ink. Additional Supplies: Chipboard, Sprial Binding Machine & Spiral Coil, Machine Stitching.

That's all for now! Remember that I'll be having a drawing for 2 copies of Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine this weeked - just post a comment on my blog and you'll be entered in the drawing!

Want a copy of the latest Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine?

2008-01-05T08:23:00.000-05:00

Time for a give away! I've got two extra copies of the latest Scrapbook Dimensions Mag that I'd love to give away to someone who doesn't have this magazine.

Just leave a comment to any posts on my blog now through next Saturday (1/12/08) and I'll have my daughter randomly draw 2 people from the comments to get a copy of the current issue of Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine. You can either leave me your e-mail addy or blog url to let me know how to contact you to get your mailing address if you win OR just check back next Sunday (1/13/08) to see if you were picked and contact me if you see your name.

Do you digi???

2008-01-04T18:51:00.000-05:00

I LOVE Hybrid scrapping and admit that most of my projects are hybrid because I love the ease, flexibility and availability of digi products - I mean there is nothing I love more than kicking back and going shopping on Saturday and Sunday mornings in my robe and slippers with a mug of hot coffee (online obviously). It's incredible to have instant access to millions of scrapping products, I'm no longer limited to whatever is in stock at the craft store or waiting on my online order to arrive, not to mention the variety of digi!! Most of my hybrid projects are really heavy on the traditional scrapping methods - I love using digi products but scrapping the traditional way (cutting, pasting with real scissors and glue). I'll dabble with digi scrapping sometimes and have learned a few techniques to get me by, but I am so envious of all those amazing digi girls that can do it all! Well....today I got a great gift and I am inspired to get my digi on! I got "Digital & Hybrid Scrapbooking & Card Making with Photoshop Elements" by Patty Debowski.

I am in love with this book!!! I've had Photoshop Elements for sometime now but have been intimidated by it and therefore never use it...FINALLY - something that makes sense of all the gears, buttons and gadgets!!! If you are interested in learning digi or adding it to your traditional scrapping or card making - seriously, check this book out!!!!

On another note, I have been busy with some new projects but can't show them yet - more on that a little later ;)

I wanted to share some of my favorite places to snag FREE digi kits and goodies:

(Happy Downloading!)

Shabby Princess

Free Digi Kits at 2Peas

Designer Digitals (you may have to register at their site to have access to the freebies)

Happy New Year!!

~Cindy

Photo Gift Box

2007-12-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

I plan on making more of these but here's one I made last night:

{Click for larger view}

The next few I make will be more "Christmasy" because I thought this was a fun way to package a gift. Anyway, this one was made with Dani Mogstad's Snow Bunny Kit - I loved the pinks and browns in this kit. In fact, I wanted the photo to match the paper so I changed to hue of the photo in my digital image software from "black and white" to "brown and white" so instead of black and grey tones, the photo has brown tones. In addition to the digi kit and photo, I used Hallmark ribbon, a Prima flower, chalk ink, a rub-on from American Crafts and an antique button.

Happy Holidays!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit!

2007-11-24T16:43:00.002-05:00

LOVE this time of year! My family has been visiting the past several days, had Thanksgiving at my house, I've been shopping the past two days and I am WORN OUT, but I love it! I've got a few Christmas goodies that I've done recently:

This is a card I did for Di's site. The card is based on Di Hickman's card sketch. Supplies: K&Co Pattern Paper, Bazzill Cardstock, Heidi Swapp Chipboard Label Holder, Making Memories Paint, Making Memories Brads, Colorbox Chalk Ink, Ball Fringe, Buttons.

This is a stocking gift card holder I made for one of my DT projects for Dani Mogstad & our Girl Talk Blog. Directions and supplies can be found here: Girl Talk Blog.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-17T08:16:00.000-05:00

My poor neglected blog! I've had classes for work the past two weekends and finally I have a day free - too bad I have to spend it doing some power cleaning because we are having Thanksgiving at my house and my parents are coming in from out of town. I also have to go out of town tomorrow, will be back Monday and they come in on Tuesday. We only get Thursday and Friday off at our school system, so it'll be another crazy week ahead.

I wanted to post this project I did for the Everyday Digital Scrapbooking Blog. Full directions and a template are shown there, if interested.

I used the FREE 2006 Seasonal Sampler Kit by Shabby Princess to make this transparency box/bag and it was a really easy project! In addition to everything else going on, I've got some deadlines looming so hopefully I'll be back posting more stuff really soon!

Have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING & Remember all that you are thankful for!

NOVEMBER!

2007-11-04T13:17:00.001-05:00

It's already November! I just can't believe how time flies! I'll be having a fun November because I'm "Miss November" over at Everyday Digital Scrapbooking Blog. I have my first tutorial there now on how to make a hybrid photo frame like this one:

Have a GREAT week - Did you remember to set you clocks back???

A little card

2007-10-27T09:01:00.001-04:00

Got another card up for Di's Card Sketch Blog:

Love this new paper by K&Co!

Have a fun and spooky Halloween!!!

Boo!

2007-10-21T21:24:00.000-04:00

This is a fun hanging sign I made this weekend. I can't remember if I found these unfinished letters at Michaels or JoAnn's but wanted to give them a makeover - here's the "before" picture:

The letters are pretty big, about 6" tall, so it made a nice big hanging sign. I used the new "Scared Silly" kit by Dani Mogstad and Jacque Larsen. I love the paper and embellishments in this kit!

Got some fun news from Julie Ann over at Everyday Digital Scrapbooking, she asked me to be the Guest Designer for November so I am thrilled! I got a peek at some of the things that'll be going on there in November and although my lips are sealed, I can tell you that you might want to mark your calendars to check in during the month cause there's good stuff coming!

Later!

I Want Candy...

2007-10-18T15:33:00.000-04:00

( Click for larger view)

Got a new card up on Di's blog. I used some really cute Halloween papers by American Traditional Designs, Bazzill, ribbon and some buttons. I made the black border along the center with my Cricut Expression and the Accent Essentials cartridge. I picked up the new Cricut Expression a few weeks ago when AC Moore had the bundle package (the machine, mat, 4 cartridges and the markers) on sale. I still have my original Cricut, don't know what I'm going to do with it- its stuck in the closet for now.

That's about it for now - hope to have more stuff to share really soon.....

This and That....

2007-10-10T15:47:00.001-04:00

Happy Wednesday! I sure do miss posting to my blog :( I've just been so darn busy!

I had a couple of projects in this month's Paper Trends Mag:

Friendship Journal (made for my dd)

An Altered File Box, and

"Turkey Day" Treat Bag (filled with sunflower seeds)

Also have a new card up today for the latest card sketch over at Di Hickman's Blog:

and lastly....a card in the latest edition of Scrapstreet Ezine (you've gotta check out this online magazine if you haven't yet, its fun, fabulous and FREE!!!!!):

Have great week!

A Halloween Goodie and Some Cards

2007-10-04T16:10:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure if you would call this a bag or a box - it's a wooden box shaped like a bag. I wanted to make something Halloweenish with Dani Mogstad's new Spookable kit and I had two of these bag-boxes in my storage cabinet so this is what I came up with:

I designed the elements and then after I got it all assembled I realized it was the same saying that was used on the candy tent from the Design by Dani October newsletter...oops...no wonder it seemed like a good saying to put on a candy bag, I had just seen it there.

BTW - Dani's having a sale right now to celebrate the the store's 2nd birthday so check it out:
http://www.designbydani.com/

Here are some cards I did for Di Hickman's Sketch Blog, the bottom one is a digi card as you can probably tell:

Make sure to check out her blog to see all the cute cards the sketch girls did!

Happy Thursday!

October Is Upon Us!

2007-09-29T08:43:00.000-04:00

The October Newsletter is up at Design By Dani, you can download it here:

http://www.designbydani.com/designbydanioct.zip

Included with the newsletter is a free printable template to make some adorable Halloween candy tents that you just print, cut and fold!

Speaking of Design by Dani, I found out this week that one of the projects I did for for Dani's Girl Talk Blog was featured on Disc Talk Radio on the Dishin' the Digi - Coast 2 Coast show! That was exciting!

Can you believe Monday is October??? I'm hoping to have time this weekend to do some Halloween decorating and crafting. I love holiday crafts! If you have some Halloween crafts or cards- link me up in the comments section cause I'd love to see them!!!

Saturday Stuff

2007-09-22T07:57:00.002-04:00

Just poppin' in with a little card I did for Di Hickman's Card Sketch Blog this week:

Also had another request for a project from Scrapbook Dimensions yesterday and that made me happy :) You know I love that magazine!

I had such a nice surprise last week when I found that Karen Maggie mentioned my blog in her September Workshop: Focus on Hybrid post for Scrapbookgraphics.com. I was blown over when I saw the link to my blog there! This article is a GREAT resource for Hybrid Scrapping and getting hybrid projects published. I've had a lot of people ask me questions about Hybrid and this article has all the answers! The uber-creative Julie Ann Shahin is featured in this article, scroll down in the comments section and you'll see all the links she has for everything Hybrid and MORE! Good Stuff!

Have a great weekend!!!

I'm Baaccckkkk....

2007-09-14T16:58:00.000-04:00

Wow! I've been MIA for 2 weeks! I got a temporary job for the month of September so I've been working every day and that has kept me quite busy. Needless to say, not much crafting going on around here. I did have a card in this month's issue of Scrapstreet.com Magazine - here's the card:

This latest issue of Scrapstreet is a good one so go check it out!!! Have a GREAT weekend!

Altered CD Binder & Some Freebies :)

2007-09-01T14:12:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I spent several hours backing up all my digi kits from my external hard drive onto CD's. I wanted someplace safe to hold my CD's so I remembered this CD binder that I had, it's like a small three-ring binder (except it has two rings) and it holds little CD-size page protectors to hold your CDs. I decided to make it cuter by using Trish Jones' Popsicle Meltdown Papers to alter it. I love bright colors and this kit delivered! I thought it would make the chore of backing up files a little better if I knew I had something cute to put them in - LOL!

Also.....I found two great freebies for the day if you are fast enough:

1. HURRY!!! Scrapbook Dimensions magazine has got a current special going where they are mailing out free magazines to the first 50 people that they get emails and addresses for. If interested, please send email and mailing address to freemagazine@scrapbookdimensions.com.

2. Close To My Heart is giving away free stamps! Click here: Free Stamps and click on the link at the top of the page that says "Enter to win free Close To My Heart Products!"

Happy September today!!! Hope you all have a great LONG weekend!!!

We've got a winner!

2007-08-31T20:08:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to

Cheryl (aka CAKVD) of Madison, WI!!!

We just drew your name to receive the latest issue of Scrapbook Dimensions!

I didn't forget....

2007-08-31T11:53:00.000-04:00

I'll have my daughter pick a winner for the latest issue of Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine later this afternoon! It's not too late to leave me a comment and get in the drawing!

Just Clownin' Around....

2007-08-27T19:50:00.001-04:00

(click photo for larger image)

Clownin' Around is the name of the paper and embellishment kit I used to make this birthday hat and card. The digi kit is by Dani Mogstad and I just fall in love with everything she makes - the themes, the bright colors....she's amazing! When I saw this kit I knew I wanted to make a birthday hat and I remembered this multi-colored yarn I had stashed away, I thought about it and hoped it would match so I pulled it out and it seemed to work. I made a big pom pom for the top of the hat and a trim around the bottom (plus I added some to the card to match).

I used several different papers to make the hat and its hard to see them from the front so here are a few more views of the hat:

That's all for now!

Holiday Cards and Other Stuff...

2007-08-26T17:15:00.000-04:00

Oh, I just love making holiday cards, no matter what the holiday, its just fun. I did a Halloween card this afternoon with the Bewitched Paper and Embellishment Digi Kits by Dani Mogstad.

Have you backed up your computer lately? That is what I spent hours doing this morning - 11 CD's worth of stuff (yes that's eleven). I feel much better now that my precious photos and digi kits are backed up and safe. I have an external hard drive that I use to keep all my digi-scrapbooking stuff and photos on. Since its an 80 GB drive, I pretty much save everything there instead of my computer so the computer will always run fast. That's what I backed up today. Whew....glad that's done!

Next on my "to do" list is the grocery store and it happens to be a very yucky, rainy day here. I'd skip it if I didn't need to get lunch meat, bread, etc for dd's lunch for school tomorrow so....I guess I'm off to do that now! Happy Sunday :)

I'm giving away another copy of Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine!

2007-08-24T08:07:00.000-04:00

Good Stuff....I just found out that my Altered Jiffy Pop project was picked for Hybrid Project of the Day over at Digi Pick of the Day and I also had an e-mail from Digital Artist Magazine asking for another project for next month's issue.

I'm in the process of rearraning things in my craftroom a bit and doing some decluttering. I hate to throw anything crafty away though....I always feel like I may want it later. I'm getting rid of a bunch of papers (not scrapbook papers but notes and stuff), scraps, etc. I also uncovered ANOTHER new copy of the current Scrapbook Dimensions! Hmmm.........

So....ANOTHER GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment to this blog post or any new posts through Thursday, August 30th and I'll have my daughter randomly draw a winner from all of the comments next Friday (August 31st) to get a copy of the current issue of Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine. You can either leave me your e-mail addy or blog url to let me know how to contact you to get your mailing address OR just check back next Friday (Aug 31) to see if you were picked and contact me if you see your name.

Have a GREAT weekend!!!

Goodies!

2007-08-22T11:59:00.000-04:00

Got my goodie box today from being published in the Aug/Sept issue of Paper Trends - LOVE the goodies!!!

So now I just need some time to play with it all!

The new card's are up on Di Hickman's blog for our weekly card sketch. Here's mine:

Supplies: DCWV Cardstock, K&Co Pattern Papers and Flower, Bobbin Ribbon, Colorbox Chalk Ink, Provo Craft Decorative Scissors.

Make sure to check out Di's Blog to see the sketch and the other cute cards.

Happy Wednesday :)

Back To School

2007-08-20T09:03:00.001-04:00

Today was the first day of school and my daughter's first day of Second Grade. Boy, does time fly!!!

I have a little project here that I did for Bitten By The Bug, which is a blog my friend Regina has for the Cricut Machine. The "assignment" was to use the Apple from the DoodleCharms cartridge so I decided to alter a mini-chalkboard. I also used papers from Dani Mogstad's County Fair Digi Kit, ribbon, HS chipboard, MM button and added some chalk with a ribbon tied around it. The girls at Bitten By The Bug did some AMAZING things so make sure you go check them out!!!

Happy Monday :)

Creating with Transparencies!

2007-08-15T08:25:00.000-04:00

Have you made anything with Transparencies? I love the look of transparencies and the new clear books that are out. I have yet to make a clear book, although I did buy a few Styrene Blank sheets to make one with - these are a cheap alternative to the pre-made books and can be found at the craft store in the painting isle (where they have specialty & acrylic paints). You just buy the blank sheets and put them together to make your own book.

The transparencies can be found in the office supply store - for either ink-jet or laser printers. I have a box of transparencies that my mother gave me years ago that are made for copy machines, since a laser printer is pretty much the same, I use them in my laser printer and they work great.

Here are a few projects I've made with transparencies:

This is a card - the card base is made from a transparency. I put a photo on the inside of the card and used rub-ons around the photo. On the card front, I simply sewed a strip of paper, a flower and die-cut along the bottom.

This is a hybrid "Summer Fun Journal" I made for my daughter to write about her summer adventures. I used a transparency to print "Summer Fun" on and then sewed that to the front of the journal over the striped paper.

This is a hybrid card I made and wanted to print the round glitter embellishment on something transparent to add to the front of the card. I printed on a transparency and then added some vellum behind the transparency to make it a little less transparent.

Do you have any projects made with transparencies or a clear book? I'd LOVE to see them if you do so leave a comment and let me know!
Also....I'd love to see any altered art projects you've got, no matter what they are made of.... just leave me a link in the comments section!

***********

I had a comment Monday from JanMary that said:

Just getting into hybrid - any suggestions of sites/boards for inspiration? Thanks

Hi JanMary - I listed some a few days ago that I like to visit, here they are:

Scrap Gypsies
Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine
Girl Talk Blog - each Tuesday is "Altered Tuesday" so you'll find great altered projects that are hybrid then.
Digi Shop Talk Hybrid Gallery

Another new one I'm adding is: Digi Freebies Blog (free digi stuff!!)
But there are a LOT more. If anyone knows of a good site, leave me a comment so I can add it to the list!

Happy Wednesday :)

Whatever Girlfriend!

2007-08-12T10:18:00.000-04:00

Alright, so I am in love with this funky new kit by Trish Jones and Sausan called "Big Girls Panties". It's just too fun and the colors....oh my gosh - Amazing!

I did up this wooden purse and once I got the papers on I almost stopped because it simply didn't need anything else, the papers are so amazing. But....I saw the "Whatever Girlfriend" word art and the "So?" journaling spot so I HAD to add them! I LOVE the way this turned out, I took so many photos of this but couldn't get one that did the project justice, anyway I love it and will soooo be carrying this purse around!!!

This purse is pretty big, bigger than it looks in the photo, its about 9" across. I printed out the pattern papers from this digi kit, traced the shape of the purse onto the paper, cut the shapes out and adhered them to the purse. For the Whatever Girlfriend embellishment, I digitally placed the "Whatever Girlfriend" word art onto the "So?" journaling spot, printed it and cut it out. I cut three pieces of polka dot ribbon to put behind this embellishment, added a skull & crossbones sticker and adhered it to the front. On the purse handle I used more polka dot ribbon - I sewed the sides of the ribbon together and made a casing to cover the purse handle. That's it!

Happy Sunday :)

Who's getting a free copy of Scrapbook Dimensions???

2007-08-11T08:43:00.000-04:00

We have a winner!!!! Last Saturday I posted that I would send a free copy of the latest Scrapbook Dimensions to anyone that made a comment on my blog this week. This morning my daughter and I printed out all the comments from this week, cut them in strips and she drew one. Its....................................

Suzy H from Halifax Canada !!!

Thanks so much to all of you for your nice comments!!!! I really enjoyed reading them all!!!

And speaking of comments - here's one I received yesterday:

I am intrigued by the digi-scrapping and altering but have no idea how to begin! Any thoughts that you can blog about as to how to learn and do this? _Marie

What a great question, because I've had several people ask me about this (Hybrid: Digi & Traditional Scrapping). Its actually easy the way I do it (because I'm limited in my Digi skills!). Most of the time I just print out the digi papers and elements, cut them out and use them just like traditional scrapping supplies. I have a project that I did a few weeks ago for the Girl Talk Blog that shows this. I'll post the photos here but you can go here to see the full post: Altered Tuesday ~ Framed Summer Memories

I used the Dani Mogstad's Heat Wave Kit for this project. All of the embellishments were printed from her kit, I just added the ribbon bow, the button and some brads.

A few other places to learn more about hybrid scrapping are:

Scrap Gypsies
Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine
Girl Talk Blog - each Tuesday is "Altered Tuesday" so you'll find great altered projects that are hybrid then.
Digi Shop Talk Hybrid Gallery

These are just a few of the places I go, if anyone knows of a good site to add to this list, please let me know!

Have a great weekend! I finished a project (late) last night for Trish Jones and I'll post it later today.....Boy, I had to put my "big girl panties" on for this project (just check back later - LOL!)

An Altered Jiffy Pop Project!

2007-08-10T15:46:00.000-04:00

Do you remember Jiffy Pop? I do and I was quite surprised to see it in the dollar section at Target the other day. I guess it kinda faded out when microwave popcorn got big. But Jiffy Pop was fun....there's just something about that big bump of popcorn that grows as you shake it on the stove burner. O.K.... so where am I going with this - LOL! Why an altered project, of course!

This is a project I did for Dani Mogstad. It's made using a brand new kit called "County Fair". I thought making the Jiffy Pop into a gift would be fun so I decided to make it a Movie Night Kit, decorated and adding a video store gift card.

The Jiffy Pop has a round cardboard cover that is held in place by the thin metal sides that bend over it (the black rim around the cover). All you have to do is open the sides and take the cardboard top off. I measured the top but decided to leave it in place and make another top to go over the original top. I thought it would be best to leave the instructions, ingredients and all that important info on the original top in place since I planned to make this a gift. The top measured 7" so I opened up my imaging program and made a 7" circle to design the top. After designing the top, I cut a slit in it to stick the gift card in and added some ribbon and a button.

Now I have this:

{Click here for a bigger image}

I thought this would be a fun gift for a teacher or friend or neighbor ~ especially with the fall nights ahead.

More later.....

Newsletter Is Up At Scrap Gypsies!

2007-08-09T09:30:00.000-04:00

We've got a new newsletter just up at Scrapgypsies.com! You have to check it out! I believe you have to be a member on the site to view it, so go sign up HERE really quick (only takes a second) and then go HERE to view the newsletter.

Here's a project I have in it this month, Altered School Supplies - you can find the full instructions & more photos in the newsletter:

A few more things I can share are two more projects for Scrap Gypsies:

(Used Pamela Gibson's "Vintage Style Deliciously Cloudy Spring" Paper Pack.)

(Used Meredith Fenwick's "Funkalicious Font" and "Doodley Doo Funkalicious Stamps")

Also....

Di has an adorable paper pack that you can download FOR FREE in the Scrap Gypsies newsletter, each month she's going to add to it - here's a little peek:

Think that's all for now.....Remember, If you are into Hyrbird and also into Trish Jones Designs, She's putting together a Hybrid Team so link me up with some hybrid eye candy if you are interested in joining the team. You get acess to all of Trish's stuff in exchange for 3 projects per month!

Wednesday's Stuff...

2007-08-08T12:06:00.000-04:00

Did this little card for Di Hickman's Card Sketch and also a Caardvarks Challenge. I used a FREE Digi Kit from Shabby Princess that you can get here: Express Yourself Digi Kit. I loved the colors and the flowers in this kit and did I mention IT'S FREE!!!!

Speaking of digi kits, I found this one this morning when I was checking out Di Rigdon's site and fell IN LOVE. I hope its alright that I post a picture here:

I love the digi embellishments with this kit! Just too cute! There is also a solid paper pack that goes with it. I've already spent my monthly craft allowance and this is just killing me....I may have to cave.

Do you do hybrid? Trish Jones is looking for some Hybrid girls to add to her team. I need to get back with her regarding the requirements but am guessing it'll be 2-3 projects per month (I'll edit that if it changes but Trish is pretty laid back and I know it won't be anything major). If you are a hybrid scrapper (do layouts, and maybe some cards or altered thrown in, using a mix of digi and traditional) and you like Trish's style, hook me up with a link to some hybrid stuff you've done if you are interested!

Tuesday Stuff...

2007-08-07T17:51:00.000-04:00

My daughter and I went to see the movie "Hairspray" today and WE LOVED IT!!! My daughter is 7 and aside from a little kissing and I think one mild bad word, it was perfect - she loves musicals and broadway/theatre so this was right up her alley. We decided we would go see it again and bring Dad next time. I give it a BIG THUMBS UP!

I had a nice e-mail from Scrapstreet today asking to publish a card I did for the September issue. That made my day! If you haven't seen this online mag, go check it out NOW: ScrapStreet.com Magazine, IT'S FREE!!!!

I also finished a project last night for the Scrap Gypsies Newsletter. I'll post it here as soon as it comes out (which should be in the next few days), I thought it was a neat project: Altering School Supplies.

Speaking of school supplies, here's a school bucket I did (this is the one that's in Scrapbook Dimensions), I can post it now that the mag is out:

Happy Tuesday!!!

Get your Layouts, Cards or Altered Art ready....

2007-08-05T08:57:00.001-04:00

and go post them in the gallery at ScrapGypsies.com! Scrap Gypsies is a great site where anything goes....Traditional, Hybrid or Digital and we LOVE Layouts, Cards, AND Altered Art. Each day we pick one project from our gallery for "The Gypsy Gem of the Day" and you get a PRIZE! Right now the prize is a gift certificate from Shabby Elements (the digital store owned by the fabulous Di Rigdon - all you crafters have to check out her templates at Shabby Elements too). Scrap Gypsies is a new site so we are trying to build up our members - the good news is that since we are still new, your chances of being picked are VERY good! So what are you waiting for....go post your latest projects right now! Not only do you get bragging rights for being the Gypsy Gem of the Day, you get a prize!

I wanted to post a little card I did that just came out in this month's Digital Artist Magazine:

For this card I used Dani Mogstad's Crazy Love Paper and Embellishment kits, Dani's Alpha Cards and Paper Borders plus some ribbon, a button, etc. Happy Sunday!

A Good Mail Day!

2007-08-04T18:45:00.001-04:00

Don't ya love a good mail day?! I (FINALLY) got my new Paper Trends AND Scrapbook Dimensions came today too!!! I have one project in Paper Trends and two projects in Scrapbook Dimensions. I was excited to see that my project in Paper Trends was a two-page spread (Yea!).

Here's a peek:

I love Scrapbook Dimensions! It's all about Hybrid (using digital AND traditional supplies) which is something I love to do. The magazine features a variety of projects: Cards, Layouts and Altered and it also has good articles and how to's for Hybrid Scrapping. In fact, I love this magazine so much - I'm going to give one away.....just leave me a comment here on my blog to ANY post in the next week (Aug 4 - Aug 10) and I'll have my dd randomly pick a name to send it to. You can either leave me your e-mail addy or blog url to let me know how to contact you to get your mailing address OR just check back next Saturday (Aug 11) to see if you were picked and contact me if you see your name.

Have a GREAT Weekend!

2007-08-01T19:21:00.000-04:00

Wanted to pop in and post this card I did for this week's card sketch for Di Hickman:

I used K&Co Papers, Bazzill, cotton lace, hemp cord, a chipboard tag, twill sticker by AMM, antique buttons and flowers. I cut a "window" out of the front of the card with the flowers and pattern paper showing through so when you open the card, the flowers are on the inside.

Busy with lots of stuff today so gotta run.....more later.....

Waiting for the mail....

2007-07-31T13:50:00.001-04:00

Don't you hate to wait on the mail when you are expecting something to come! I'm waiting on my new edition of Paper Trends and my goodie box from them......Where is it??? LOL! I have this project published in it:

It's a Journal made with Toile Fabric (LOVE Toile!!!), flowers, buttons, twill tape, metal bookplate and some ribbon.

If you get a chance today, check out our Girl Talk Blog at Design by Dani cause I have a project up and I'd love for you to come by and say "Hi".

Sweet Memories

2007-07-29T22:48:00.000-04:00

Did a little project last night for one of my August design team projects for Dani Mogstad. This is a new kit just released at Sweet Shoppe Designs called MVP and thought it would be perfect for an idea I've had rolling around in my head for some time. I wanted to do something with my daughter's first pair of basketball shoes - pink Converse high tops, so I decorated a shoe box - a keepsake box to store them in.

This was such a fun project for me and I know we'll enjoy pulling these out from time to time to remember how cute she looked playing basketball for the YMCA in her cute pink high tops.

My Mantra....

2007-07-27T14:22:00.000-04:00

I love this saying and tell myself this all the time - guess you could call it the power of positive thinking:

Anyway, I've been meaning to make a little sign or something with this on it to put up in my craft room and finally did it last night. I used the papers from the Unforgetable Kit by Trish Jones and covered a plaque I found at Michael's in the dollar bin. Speaking of these dollar plaques, check out our Girl Talk Blog for this super cool project by Dee Dee using the same plaques. It was funny because I was out of town earlier this week and ran into the Michaels there and found this sign among a few other goodies. The next day when I got home I saw Dee Dee's project. I am in LOVE with the signs she made - amazing inspiration, actually everything she does is awesome.

Just wanted to pop-in....Gotta go clean the house now (ugh). Happy Friday :)

Seven Years Ago On This Very Day...

2007-07-26T09:06:00.000-04:00

My Beautiful Daughter Was Born!

Happy Birthday Katie!!!

Since its Katie's birthday I thought I'd bring over some of my favorite "Katie crafts" from my gallery:

An Urban Lily Sugar Cube (alterable box) done up with Crate Paper.

This was a project made for Scrap Gypsies with papers from KBandFriends.com

Made this card out of a transparency with Fancy Pants Papers.

Just a little box I covered with a photo and pattern paper.

Flair Designs papers and a photo of Katie dressed up as Cowgirl Kate from the story "Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa" for favorite book day at school.

What Day Is It???

2007-07-25T08:57:00.000-04:00

I was going to entitle my post "Happy Monday", but then I realized its not Monday! I'm waaaayyyy off! Been out of town the past couple of days and DH is on vacation this week so I'm just messed up with my days.

I have a new card up at Di Hickman's Card Sketch Blog. Come by and leave a comment if you get a chance. On this card I used Bazzill Cardstock, The Bella Collection Digital Papers from Shabby Princess, buttons & flowers from my stash, My Mind's Eye Ribbon, K & Co. Chipboard and machine stitching. Oh and Colorbox Chalk Ink (I use it on EVERYTHING!).

This photo didn't come out so great but I wanted to post it because this is something interesting we did the night before last. This is a photo of BATS!!! We went to the Bat House in Gainesville, FL (we were staying in Gainesville for a few days). There are supposed to be between 60,000 to 100,000 bats that live in this bat house and each night at sunset they come flying out. It takes about 10 minutes for them to all come out and it is unbelievable! This is just a few of them:

Happy Wednesday!!!

Awww....how sweet!

2007-07-20T07:42:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by Bety and Samm with the Rockin' Girl Blogger tag - Thanks girls!!! That made me smile :) I guess I now have to pick five more people, so it'll be:

Now you Rockin Girl Bloggers have to take the tag, put it on your blog and nominate 5 people on your blog.

An Altered State Of Mind

New Stuff....

A Chance To Win!

A few new things to share :)

Postapolooza! Tons of projects to share!

Stampin' Out Alzheimer's

Mother's Day

Marks Paper Company and some Blog Candy!!

Fun With Felt

Marks Paper Company - Gift Bag

A few quick projects

Marks Paper Company - Yipee!

Catching Up!

Dear Mr. President.....

Fortune Cookies :)

Happy New Year!

Freebies, Give-Aways, Tutorials!!!

Catching Up!

It's October - Where'd the time go?

Mini Albums!

Say it ain't So!

Mini-Album, My New Blinkie and (the dreaded) Vacation Photos :o

Birthdays!

Fun Stuff :)

A few projects to share :)

My Creative Scrapbook

I'm Finished!

Fourth of July!

A fun gift idea...

July 4th Treats

A few things and a CHALLENGE!

New Stuff, Gift Ideas & More

It's June!

Memorial Day Weekend (Yipee!) & Teacher Gifts

Summer Journal

Pinch Me!

Projects!

BLOG PARTY!!!!!

A little project and Blog Party info...

Sneek Peek

Lucky Me!

In love with Felt!

This was FUN!

Some weekend goodies....

"Happy Easter" Basket

Happy Spring!

Blog Party Template - UPDATE & Another Freebie!

It's a BLOG PARTY - LOTS OF FREEBIES!!!!!

Just call me a Cover Girl.....

A fun letter project...

Another Freebie - Yea!!

Keepsake Box

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Happy Valentine's Day

FREEBIES!!!!!!!

You've gotta sign up for this newsletter!!!

Valentine's Treat Box

OMGosh - You HAVE to check this out!!!

It's the BIG DAY!!!!

***Tomorrow***

I've got two WINNERS (& a secret)...

Altered Mini-Notebook

Want a copy of the latest Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine?

Do you digi???

Photo Gift Box

Getting in the Christmas Spirit!

Happy Thanksgiving!

NOVEMBER!

A little card

Boo!

I Want Candy...

This and That....

A Halloween Goodie and Some Cards

October Is Upon Us!

Saturday Stuff

I'm Baaccckkkk....

Altered CD Binder & Some Freebies :)

We've got a winner!

I didn't forget....

Just Clownin' Around....

Tomorrow