Gardening Time--Layout and Challenge entry

Here's that other layout I mentioned yesterday.  I made it for the monthly technique challenge at Paper Secrets.  It was to use punches.  I love challenges!  Because right now it seems I'm soooo busy lately, I haven't been doing much scrapbooking!  I make cards, gifts for other people, help them on school projects, or work on swap items.  But I seldom get around to much scrapbooking for myself.  So I made this page for the technique challenge:

I almost forgot how quickly a page can come together when you grab a handy punch and some scraps and get to work!  The picture is of the hubby and the two oldest "sowing" some winter peas last fall.  I used some scraps of paper that I got at Hobby Lobby and two EK Success border punches. I punched the large scallops with my Creative Memories circle maker and cut them to make a large scalloped border.  And the birds and branches are from Stampin' Up!, as well as the large circle and the label they are "nesting on."

I've seen in several magazines lately how some scrappers are tying a bow behind a button, so I had to try it with this hemp rope.  I Just Love how the button, rope, ribbon and birdies all came together to jazz up the border on this layout.  And I'm glad I visited Paper Secrets to get inspired with their technique challenge.

Celebrate the Sweetness!!

Whew!  It's seems like I've been so busy lately, and with what?  I can't prove much!  It just always seems like something is going on, and time is flying--can you believe March is almost over??  Me either!

I wanted to join the monthly challenges over at Paper Secrets, and don't you know I waited until almost the last minute!!  Anyway today I completed two pages for their challenges, but in my hurry to get them done and posted, I forgot to turn off the date stamp on my camera.  It looks really dorky (to me) to have a picture of a really nice page and have that digital number in the corner!!  This one was alright, so I will go ahead and enter it in Paper Secret's March Sketch layout.

This was Kellie's 10th birthday, and since she was into (and still is into) all things "cupcake," we had a decorate-your-own cupcake party.  The kids all had such a blast with that!  I didn't journal much about it in the layout because I will be doing other pages of the party.  You know there's always a ton of pictures: the cake, presents, games, and friends.  I'm so glad I bought this DCWV Celebration pad--I'll have plenty of coordinating paper to use for all those fun memories!

Until the next "scrapportunity!"  C-ya!!

Ice Cream, You Scream, We all SCREAM for . . .

ICE CREAM!!!

Even though it's only a few days into Spring, it's been around 80 degrees here!!  My kids are wearing shorts and complaining that it's too hot to go outside!  I remind them that in a few short months, it will be a lot hotter!  Last summer the average temp was 113 degrees!!  One thing that helps them cool off is a cool, sweet treat, so when they offered an ice cream swap on my fave swapping site, It's a Scrapbooking Swap Thing, I signed up for the deco items.

You can pick to decorate basic shapes, or some hostesses will let you embellish die cuts.  I love my Cricut, and cannot resist buying more cartridges!!  So when I saw all the cute frozen treats on the "Sweet Shop" Lite cartridge . . . well . . . I had to take it home with me!

Each item on this swap was supposed to be embellished at least twice, so I embossed and inked the cone on this one and added some dimensional paint to give it a little vanilla drippy look!

Don't they look yummy?  Now I have these little die cuts ready for scrapping some pics of those kiddos enjoying a cool treat on a hot day.  Maybe sooner than later . . .

"Dino"mite Birthday Card

Wow!  It's been a while!!  My kiddos have been on Spring Break, so I've been keeping them busy instead of doing much crafting or card-making.  But I did have a little "scrapportunity" to make this birthday card for a friend's little boy who just turned 5!

The paper is from a DCWV pack I just picked up at Jo-Ann's when my friend and I snuck away and went shopping.  She is a new scrapper who is learning how this hobby works.  Example: She has seen my paper stash, but when I exclaimed excitement over these bright birthday papers, she didn't stop me from buying it.  That's a real scrappin' friend--no interference in paper-hoarding! LOL!

I will be entering this card in a challenge over at Frosted Designs.  You can find the Card Sketch Challenge #14 here.

One more day before the kiddos are back in school, and I can get away with more "scrapportunities!"

Quick St. Patrick's Day Candy Bar Wraps

Did I mention that I'm a procrastinator?  I think I did on my last post, lol!  Anyway, being an admitted procrastinator, I've found a few ways to do things rather quickly (aka, last minute)!  So here are some St. Patrick's Day gift items I whipped up.

I made the card with the Cricut "A Child's Year" cartridge.  I love the silhouettes on this cartridge!  They are a little elegant and don't required layers or much embellishing!

And the other items are Hershey bars wrapped in patterned paper.  I loved the sketchy shamrocks, but wanted to add a little colorful variety with the striped paper.

Since this is my kid's last school day before Spring break, their teachers will be getting one of these, as well as some friends we are meeting tomorrow.  I'll wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day, too, sans chocolate, but with a crafty idea if you get an opportunity!

Belated Birthday Card

Hi All!! Today I'm sharing a card I made for my best friend's birthday--which was February 23!!  Yes, she understands that I'm a hopeless procrastinator!  And I always have excuses--my kids have been sick, my hubby needs me to work on paperwork, . . . something all the time, lol!  But anyway, while working on her card, I got out some 3-D stickers from ATD and my Yummy Puns Stamps from Joy's Life.

 This was the perfect sentiment to lighten the mood on the belated-ness!

I'm entering this card in The Fabulous Friday Challenge at Frosted Designs. This challenge is to use kraft paper in your project.  You can find more info. about the challenge here.

I can't wait to give my BFF her sweet card along with a gift of SCRAPPIN' SUPPLIES!!!  She will totally forgive me for being late for her birthday when she gets her goodies!!

Cheery Cherries Tag

Hey!  It looks a lot like spring around here with all the blooming trees around, including our cherry tree. The kids are planning on feasting on cherries in a couple of months, so when I saw these cute Doodlebug papers in a swap on "It's a Scrapbooking Swap Thing", I knew I had to sign up!

I cut my tag with the "Elegant Edges" Cricut cartridge, and the cherry stem with "From My Kitchen".  I wanted the cherries to be perfectly round like on the patterned paper, so I punched them out with my Creative Memories circle maker.  And don't you know with a swap name like "Cheery Cherries," mine had to have happy faces!  A perfect scrapportunity to use my new Peachy Keen stamps!

I love creating for this swap group, mostly because it keeps me inspired and looking for new ways to embellish and get crafty! So if you're looking for a group to try, check them out here.

March Card Sketch Challenge

Wow! It's been a little while! My kiddos have been sick for a few days, and I haven't had many scrapportunites lately.  But yesterday everyone was feeling better, so I gathered up a few items and checked out the March Card Sketch Challenge at Paper Secrets.  Here's my card.

I was inspired to use the sentiment stamp from Close to My Heart after the sad weekend with the storms blowing across the Midwest and South. My heart goes out to the people who lost loved ones or their homes last week.

This card can be used for a number of occasions; we all could use a little more prayers at times in our lives, whether we lose a loved one or while going through a tragedy or even a rough time.  I want to use my scrapping/cardmaking hobby more to help others and encourage them.

Hope you like this card, and that it can inspire you to send a prayer for someone and let them know about it.  It will probably bring a smile.