Birthday Fun!

My oldest turned 9 a few weeks ago, and she had her sleepover birthday party on Friday night.  I scheduled this post so that it would be up, whether I survived or not!  LOL!

We made the invitations using my Cricut...I dusted it off and it works just fine!  LOL!   Oh, Cricut how I missed you so!  The paper is We R Memory Keepers Hippity Hoppity Easter Collection..haha!

In keeping with the cupcake theme, the loot bags were made with my brand spanking new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge from Close To My Heart.  

The bags were colour co-ordinated to the contents - a body lotion, hand sanitizer spray and $10 gift card to Bath & Body Works.  I have to tell you, I always work really hard to make our loot bags a little bit different, or at least something that the kids can use. 

Now, the challenge this week at Paper Sundaes is being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and the challenge is to use Bows on your project somewhere.  I make all my bows with my own little fingers, but I now that other people have little gadgets.  I could never get the hang of my boweasy...but tell me, what do you use? 

Go and make some bows!

Stamps:  Lily of the Valley Just For You
Paper:  CTMH - various colours, We R Memory Keepers Hippity Hoppity
Ink:  CTMH Black Ink

Accessories:  Yellow Grosgrain Ribbon, Cricut Cartridges - Sweet Treats & Art Philosophy, Zva Crystals

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Ahh, the Christmas Music has started.  I turned it on at work today, although I'm sure that the guys changed the station as soon as I left, and it was nice to just hum along to the old familiar tunes.  Despite the music, and a spattering of snow yesterday afternoon it doesn't feel like the holiday's yet at all.  Perhaps it is because I'm not watching enough TV, so I'm not seeing the commercials telling me how I need to buy more, bake more and decorate more. Or, maybe it's because we got a new fireplace downstairs and it is finally warm when I craft.  :)

Either way, the holidays are coming and I am slowly getting ready.  I made this card using a sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  And, I even had it done in time to enter the challenge, but never got around to blogging it until now.  But it isn't really about entering, more about getting something done, and I did.

I even managed to finish the inside of the card, since I couldn't seem to figure out where I wanted my sentiment to go on the outside. 

I'm going to enter my card in a few challenges - even if I did miss the one it was intended for!

Papers and Such is looking for Paper Piecing - did you notice her funky gloves & scarf?!?

and

The Pink Elephant is looking for embossing on your project. 

It's late, and so I'm off to bed.  Chat again soon.

Danielle

Paper Sundaes - Gettin' Digi with It!

Haha, I'm sure all you old school Will Smith fans will get a giggle from my post title...at least, I hope you do.  This week's challenge over at Paper Sundaes is to use a Digital Image...and we're being sponsored by Pink Cat Studio's one of my favourite stamp company's.  I own a whole slew of their digital images, so this was a fun challenge for me.  I used Mojo Monday Sketch #214 for my inspiration.

This image isn't one that you'll find on the Pink Cat Studio site...I used Gingerbread Tree and then blew it up to the right size and cut out my little gingerbread friends.

Only 4 more days until I get to spend the night with my girlfriends and get a little Twilight fix!  I'm so excited for Breaking Dawn's release on Thursday.  The commercials I keep seeing on TV give me chills! 

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio's Gingerbread Tree, Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Noelle (sentiment)

Paper:  Misc. Bazzil from my stash, Echo Park Season's Greetings
Ink:  Copic Markers

Accessories:  Stickles, Dollarstore Gems, Prima Poinsettia flowers and leaf and ornament too!, Spellbinders

The Coldest Day

Wow, we have been blessed her in little Thunder Bay Ontario...NO SNOW!!! At least, not in my neighbourhood.  I'm afraid they were hit pretty hard both east and west of us, but the lake managed to push the system away from us and I couldn't be happier.

I'm also happy because I have been having a series of good days....yes, a whole series of them!  Not only have we managed to have no doctors appointments this week, the kids haven't been sick either so I've been at work all day every day!  This is huge for me and I get so much done...amazing how staying at work all day works!  LOL!  Then, I finally figured out a parenting strategy that helps calm my nerves and allows my 6 year old to calm her rage.  Wednesday we had our first tantrum free day in almost 18 months!  And yes, I've been keeping track...it was bliss!

To add to this bliss, I have hired our babysitter to come to the house every Tuesday evening so that I can get some "me" time, since all else was failing.  This Tuesday evening in just under 3 hours I was able to buy clothes for both children, go to the cable office and change my television programming, buy a new smaller crock pot, wander around Michael's for a few minutes, spend some time at Chapters and then I parked the car at a nice park and read a book for 45 minutes!  Amazing what I can get done without little one's in tow.

And then...I spent Wednesday after the kids were in bed working in my every neglected craft room.  I came out with 3 cards...count 'em 1 - 2 - 3 cards!  And this first of those cards is right here.

I was so excited when I received my order from MFT (I haven't been crafting but I have still been buying...bad me!)and I could just see all the paper piecing possibilities with this new WTG Gets Cozy with Cocoa set.  I rummaged through my stash and came up with this great Bo Bunny paper from last year.  I managed to use the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Sketch#45 for my layout too!

In keeping with my chilly theme, the challenge over at Delightful Challenges this week is Snowflakes, so I'm going to enter my card. 

Although there hasn't been any snow yet, there is definitely a nip in the air.  I finally retired my fall coat this morning and pulled on the inside of my winter jacket.  I do believe that heated seats are now my new favourite thing about my car! :)

Stamps:  My Favorite Things WTG Gets Cozy with CocoaPaper:  Bo Bunny, CTMH Baby Pink

Ink:  CTMH Holiday Red, Copic Markers
Accessories:  EK Success Snowflake Punch, MFT Simply Scallops Die-namic, CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge (for the tags), Bella dots in pink.