January SFYTT

Today is the last day to link up your creation using the January SFYTT!  I meant to play along earlier this month, but you know how it goes :>)

I used more of the BG paper from yesterday and went to town.  I had colored and paper pieced this image last week when I finished the "guy" version of this Get Well card.  Since TCP is this month's SFYTT sponsor I felt it only appropriate to finish a card with these cute penguins.
Have a wonderful week.  I am hoping that the snow stays away.  Enough already!!!  It is beyond ridiculous the amount of snow we have received since the day after Christmas.  I am starting to forget what grass looks like ;>).  At the very least, I now know that I have a second career to fall back on...shoveling.  I actually had to shovel a street to get my car "unstuck" on the way to work last week after 18" of snow arrived.  After 20 minutes, my car was finally moving again thanks to the help of a man with a snow blower who offered to help snow blow the road while I shoveled.  I wish I was kidding...
Still Smiling,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Better Get Better (TCP), PP - Green at Heart (BG), CS - White (PTI), Embossing - Woodgrain (Tim Holtz) and Swirls (Cuttlebug), and copics.

A Case of the Circles

I recently received a card in the mail from the talented Leigh Ann, the mind behind Perfect Presentation and the blog Paper Chase.  I loved the card LO and patterns, so I decided to case it!   It also has lots of circles on it which fits in with this week's Stamp Fairy Circle Challenge.  Plus, my card is also for the Paper Player's Anything Goes Challenge, which comes with the chance to be a Guest Designer :>)

I  kept to the same LO, using floral and striped patterned paper.  I also fussy cut the image and popped it up, just like Leigh Ann.  Here is her original, don't you just love the patterns?

Thank you Leigh Ann for the card and inspiration!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Stamp Fairy, PP - Green at Heart (Basic Grey), Button (PTI), CS - White (PTI), copics and Ribbon (Prairie Bird Boutique).

Viva La Verve January 2011

Have you ever played along with Viva La Verve on SCS?  Each Friday, one of the Verve Divas posts a sketch in the Verve SCS forum.  Create cards using each sketch posted during the month and you have a chance to win next month's release from Verve!  I know that you really win the whole release, because I won Viva La Verve the first time I played along back in August!!!  I am sharing my cards for January's sketches, but it may be too late for you to join in, unless you are a super speedy crafter.  The deadline is tonight!

The lacey circles are a new SVG available from Perfect Presentation, aptly named "Lacey Circles".  I made the circles a little smaller - don't you love the ability to resize?!!!  I made these cards with the thought of eventually creating a set of cards perfect for gift giving.  That means you won't have to guess what colors and patterns you will be seeing for February's sketches!!!  I am stealing one card out of this set since I need to send Get Well wishes.  Some things take priority :>).
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps:  Blue Skies, Feel Better Soon, Happy Thoughts (Verve), Circles - Lacey Circles (Perfect Presentation), PP - So Sophia (MME), CS - Vintage Cream (PTI), Coral and Green Gable (SU), Ink - River Rock, Coral, Really Rust and Green Gable (SU), Buttons - stash, and Embossing Folders - Swiss Dots and Swirls (Cuttlebug) and Twine.

Patterned Paper x 8 and a RAK

Yep, there are 8 different patterned papers on this one :>)  I could not resist - once I got started I just kept adding.  I know it would be more impressive if all the papers were not from the same pack, but I sometimes (ok, honesty here, ALWAYS) find it hard to mix manufacturers.  I was so happy with myself last week when I switched up the manufacturers on the Eat Cake card.
So anyway, this is what I came up with...

My card is based on this week's Card Pattern's sketch #99 found here.  I resisted the urge to stitch away on this one since I am earmarking this as a "guy" get well card.  The image is from the Cat's Pajamas set You Sick Thing.  This is where a HUGE THANK YOU comes in.  I picked up the stamp set, ribbon, ric rac and 13 sheets of patterned paper when I went on a shopping spree with an All That Scraps gift certificate that I won from Tasha of Millie's Magical Moments.  Here is a pic of everything.

Thank you for being so generous Tasha!!!  I had fun shopping and got some great bargains :>)Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - You Sick Thing (TCP), PP - Blue Mat Stack (MME), CS - White (PTI), Copics, a brad and Ink - Black (Momento).

Glitter - Flashback Friday 7.0

Glitter!  It is the Flashback Friday 7.0 challenge.  Repost the first project you made using glitter.  I know glitter has been around a long time, but I only had to flashback just over a year.  I bought my first package of paper crafting glitter in December 2009 so that I could make these cards.

I ended up making quite a few of these as sets for Christmas gifts.  I was inspired by Nicole Heady.  Here is my original post if you really want to flashback :>)
If you want to play along with Flashback Friday link up the repost of your first glitter creation HERE.  You have until Friday Feb. 4th to link up.
Smiles,
Julie

January Papertrey Blog Hop

It's time to hop with Papertrey!  

The challenge this month is to "use a Papertrey stamp set that has yet to see ink or even one that might be collecting a little dust!"  I decided to pull out Enjoy the Ride, which I have only used once!  I have done the math (I am an accountant at heart) and I need to use this set at least 5 times to make it worth the purchase :>)  I don't think that will be hard to do.

It has been so long since I did a pure CAS card.  This one is a case of Emily Leiphart's card found here - she is the featured stamper this week on SCS!  Congrats Emily!!!  I changed out the image and sentiment, but love the freehand frame she created and the way she popped up the image.
Have fun hopping, it is the perfect way to stay warm!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Enjoy the Ride (PTI), CS - Kraft and White (PTI), Ink - Black (Momento), and Copics.

Eat More Cake

I am not one for New Year's resolutions, but one of my goals for this year is to actually send out the cards I make - ha, ha, ha!

This one uses a fun image from The Cat's Pajamas and is based on Card Positioning System's sketch #201.  

Have a wonderful weekend!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Forget about the Cake (TCP), Sentiment - You Say It's Your Birthday (TCP), PP - Lapreal (Adornit) and Blue Mat Stack (MME) , CS - PTI, Ink - SU, Buttons - PTI, and copics (I am still practicing!!!  My goal is to be 1/2 as good as Alyssa:>)  )

Perfect Presentation Template Winner

Thank you for all the "sweet" comments left on my Perfect Presentation group post last week. 
The winner of a Perfect Presentation template of their choice is:

Congratulations Carol!!!  Please e-mail Leigh Ann at annie21211@yahoo.com and let her know which template you would like.  Have fun and be sure to share what you create with us!!!

Smiles,
Julie

Perfectly Sweet

It's group post day for Perfect Presentation and Leigh Ann has a sweet new template in the Perfect Presentation store "Be Mine".  It is just the right size for all those Valentine's Day sweets you will be sharing! 

Lots of embossing on this one and combine that with some Cosmo Cricket Togetherness and it is all yummy!

Want a chance to make your own Valentine's Day gifts this year?  One random commenter will win a template of their choice, just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, January 16th at 11:59 EST.  Be sure to visit the rest of the Perfect Presentation design team for more inspiration and more chances to win! 

Leigh Ann Baird
Kerri Michaud
Beth Johnson
Alyssa Scritchfield
Chris Olsen

Harriet Hensley

Susan Wesley
Terri Moore

My box is for the following challenges:
Scrappy Frogs Challenge - sentimental
One Crazy Stamper.com - Love
Scrap-Creations - Love is in the Air

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Template - Be Mine (Perfect Presentation), Sentiment - Verve, CS - PTI and GKD, PP - Togetherness (Cosmo Cricket), Dies - Hearts (Cuttlebug kids - yes, these work in the regular die cutting machines too), and Embossing - swirls (cuttlebug).

Cuteness Continues

I am not sure what type of mood my mojo is in lately, but I am back with another cute digi from Stamp Fairy.  I think I may still be recovering from the Christmas crafting rush :>)

Aqua bears are not the norm, but I have more aqua copics than brown or gray!  

To add dimension to Lenny I printed him 4 times and then colored and cut out to create layers - note to self, in the future I do not need to color the entire image if it will be covered by another layer!  Originally, I was going to use dimensionals between some of the layers, but in the end, 4 layers of paper for the head created enough dimension.
Challenges:
This card is uses the sketch from Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #93.
Stamp Fairy Layers and Buttons Challenge - At a few points, there are 10 layers of paper (4 for the bear's head & hand and then 6 with the mats - yikes!).
The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges - Anything goes (include an animal)
Smiles,
Julie
Details - Image (Lenny Bear - freebie) Stamp Fairy, CS - PTI, PP - Togetherness (Cosmo Cricket), Copics, Lace and ribbon from stash, Buttons (PTI), and some glossy accents on his nose.

An Award and a List

Emily Leiphart of Art from the Heart honoured me with this blogger award yesterday. To accept this award, I have to meet the following requirements:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Share 8 things about yourself.
3. Pass it on to 8 bloggers.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award.

Thank you Emily!!!  :>)
1.  I love to take naps!!!  Fortunately one of my sons still likes to take 'em too :>)
2.  I craft in the car.  I carpool, so every other day when I am not driving I can be found fussy cutting (or napping!).
3.  I recently celebrated a B-day.
4.  Aqua Mist is my favorite color and is now the color of the walls in my bathroom.
5.  The only time my craft area is clean is after my sister helps me organize it.
6.  I try to avoid cleaning in general, but I like to wash dishes.
7.  I like to walk fast.
8.  I am forever grateful to everyone who leaves comments.  You brighten my day and bring smiles to my crafting :>) :>) :>)

This award is passed on to the following:
Alyssa, Kerri, Alison, Yvonne, Amy, Laurel, Karen B., and Leigh Ann.

LIST OF FOURS
I was also tagged by Yvonne Yam and Alyssa to play along with the list of fours.

4 shows you watch
So You Think You Can Dance
Project Runway
Grey's Anatomy (although I have not watched any yet this season)
Desperate Housewives

4 things you are passionate about
My family
My friends
Crafting
Volunteering

4 words/phrases you say a lot
"let's skip a doodle"
"toodoolous"
"no, no, no" (to the kiddos)
"uh, uh, uh" (to the dog)

4 things you've learned about the past
Go with your first choice
Kill 'em with kindness (Yvonne listed this one and I completely agree)
Sometimes Less is More
Don't try to be everyone's mother


4 places you would like to go
Australia
Hawaii
Alaska
Holland

4 things you did yesterday
Went to Disney on Ice
Played outside in the snow with my sons
Read "The Monster at the End of this Book" by Jon Stone (so much fun for the under 5 set)
Took a nap (yay!)

4 things you are looking forward to
Spring
New Cosmo Cricket Lines
Increasing my Copic collection
Whatever the future holds :>)

4 things you love about winter

snow days
fresh clean snow
snow tubing
huge snowflakes

Tag 4 people to play along
Jen P.,  Bethie, Candy and Leanne

Smiles!!!
Julie

Catching Best Fishes

I have had the image on today's card colored up and waiting for the perfect sketch.  I took this week's Card Pattern's sketch #97 and grunged it up a bit for a "guy" card. 

When I first saw the swordfish image from Amber Ink's Fish Wishes set I knew it would be perfect for Birthday cards for some of the fishers in my family.  This is one versatile set that works for quite a few holidays (including Valentine's Day) and would be great for so many occasions.

Lots of dimension on this one with the frame and image popped up on dimensionals.  I also could not resist adding a hook that I made out of craft wire (yay, finally using wire that I bought and never took out of the package). 

Here is the Card Pattern's sketch, be sure to check out the blog for all the details.
Smiles,
Julie
Details - Image and Sentiment- Fish Wishes (AmberInk), PP - Oliver (Basic Grey), CS - Black (PTI), embroidery floss, wire - Making Memories, and tons of sewing, plus copics.

A Welcome with Togetherness

It feels like so long since I have posted anything new that was non-Christmas related!
Last month I came across the Stamp Fairy blog and found so many darling images that I could not resist.  "Cute" is one area that is lacking in my stamp arsenal or at least that is how I justified picking up a few new digi images :>)   I went with one of the cute pea pods on today's card, using the Cosmo Cricket Togetherness paper which has patiently been sitting on my desk waiting for me to pick it up again.  I think I may have trouble putting it down - all that aqua paper is just making me so happy :>)

Lots of paper piecing on the pod...   

The Stamp Fairy challenge this week is a recipe - to use 2 PP, 3 embellies (lace, twine and buttons) + lots of colors.  I really wanted a 3rd PP, but didn't want to break the rules, so I created the text layer using a sentiment stamp.
This card uses sketch #83 from Sweet Sketch Wednesday.
There is also some embossing in there for this week's Tuesday Throwdown Challenge.
Plus, Paper Sundaes is looking for something new this week - that would be the image :>)
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Pea Pod (Stamp Fairy), Sentiments - Baby Button Bits (PTI), CS - SU and PTI, PP - Togetherness (Cosmo Cricket), buttons - PTI, Twine - Martha Stewart, Lace - Stash, and Embossing - Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug).

Cosmo Cricket's

Want a Chance to Win Cosmo Cricket???

There's a new blog in town...Amy Tsuruta's Flashback Friday Challenges have moved to the "FLASHBACK FRIDAY CHALLENGES" blog.  Yep, the challenges get their own blog, how official :>)  My post from Tuesday with the repost of a toothpick card was for this challenge.  Yes, all you have to do is repost stuff you already created for the flashback challenges!!!

To celebrate the new blog, Amy is slinging out some candy.  Head on over to the "FLASHBACK FRIDAY CHALLENGES" blog and check out the Cosmo Cricket goodness that is being given away.  Togetherness - one of my absolute faves - oh how yummy is that?!!!
Leave a comment, become a follower, join in the challenge, or post about the new blog - each will give you a chance to win.  You only have until January 7th at 11:59 pm PST so get going.  It's easy, what are you waiting for?
Smiles,
Julie

Flashback Friday 6.0

Amy Tsuruta's Flashback Friday challenges are fun and easy, all you need to do is repost a certain type of card, etc. I was stumped though, with the 6.0 challenge from Yvonne Yam, to repost **The first card you blogged about that featured an unexpected find from your home**.  I am a follower of Yvonne's blog because she is a master with scrapbook layouts, and also because she can take a mix of the most unusual materials and create masterpieces.  Her first card with an unexpected find included a tiara :>)  After looking back thru my own posts, however, I learned that I do not leave my craft room when it comes to card making!!!  If I did not buy it in a craft store then most likely you will not find it on my cards.  

That being said, I did find a card using toothpicks that I did for a EBTKS challenge back in December 2009.  I suppose the only reason I went into the kitchen for this card was because toothpicks were part of the challenge.  If I remember correctly, I may have even bought toothpicks specifically for the challenge!  So here it is, I know the suspense is unbearable, my thrilling flashback card containing toothpicks...

I really need to think outside the craft room!  I did upcycle tonight though, by taking a faux fur vest with a broken zipper and turning it into a mini comforter for my daughter's dolls.  I am trying!!!

Why don't you reshare your own first card with a "find"?!!!  Link up your creation to Amy's Flashback Friday 6.0 by 11:59 pm PST Friday, January 7th, 2011.

Smiles,

Julie

Happy New Year!

To welcome in 2011, I am finally sharing my family Christmas card from 2010.  My children are all still young, so a photo card is the way to go. 
I waited until December to choose the pic.  I held out hoping for a group shot of my children and the new addition to our family, Bolt, aka Cute Boltie, our sweet Westie pup, but alas, it was difficult to get 3 kiddos and a dog to cooperate!  A friend suggested I use the family pic that was on my computer background and so that is how my hubby and I ended up on the Christmas card too {and Bolt got left off :>(}

I am sure there is no surprise with the color combo on the card.  How could I not use Aqua Mist???!!!  Add in some ocean tide and spring moss, and it's all good.  Not to mention using the Tag Set 1 svg from Perfect Presentation to quickly create the tags for the 40 cards that I mass produced. 
Have a wonderful new year!
Happy Crafting :>)
Smiles,
Julie