MY CREATIVE TIME ~ THROWBACK THURSDAY CHALLENGE ~ EPISODE 157

This week, Emma's challenge is to use PAPER DOLL DRESS UP or PAPER DOLLS for EVERYDAY and the project must include some sort of embossing.

Here's my soccer dude cut from the PAPER DOLLS for EVERYDAY.  The grass (which I flocked) is also from the same cartridge.

I cut the soccer ball out of a circle punch, embossed the whole thing in white then used a black gel pen for the markings.

PEACHY KEEN ~ CRITTER FACES - MEDIUM for his cute face and the "11" (the number my son wore for years) was punched out of the MARTHA STEWART number/symbol punch.

This is the first time I've used ACTION WOBBLES and they really add so much to your projects.  Hard to tell from a photo but when you pick the card up..he bounces around :)

Oh...the the sentiment stamp I just had to have.  There was a little monster guy attached and I just cut him off.  YES...you can cut your stamps.  Loads easier than masking them too.  I'm not sure which company it's from but I got it at BUFFALO STAMPS AND STUFF and if you really want to know...I can find out.

Thanks for visiting ~ have a WONDERFUL day.

EllenM

SCRAPPIN' ROOTS BLOG HOP

THANK YOU SO MUCH for stopping by.

Thanks to Erin at http://www.spantastikreations.blogspot.com/ for hosting this great blog hop.  I've gotten so involved in making cards that the scrappin' has taken a backseat (which is going to change in 2011) so this opportunity came along at the perfect time.  Also, I've really been trying to USE WHAT I HAVE instead of running out and buying more stuff (I'll explain more about what I did below).

DH and I were married in 1984 and our "first dance" song was MY FUNNY VALENTINE (a la Rickie Lee Jones).  This year on June 1st, we will be celebrating our 27th anniversary.  Some days I just can't believe that I've been married that long ~ I mean....wasn't I just 23 last year???  guess not.

On to my project.

Hearts were cut with the SURE CUTS A LOT program and then I distressed the edges.  Of course no project would be complete without some stitching with a white gel pen :)

MY FUNNY VALENTINE was also cut with SURE CUTS A LOT.  I made faux chipboard out of old cereal boxes on both the black and red layers.  Pop-dotted each layer individually.  I didn't have any red polka dot paper that matched so I ran the red letters through the SWISS DOTS embossing folder then went over each dot with a white gel pen to make them stand out more.  It didn't take nearly as long as you'd think.

The chipboard hearts were from a pack I got ages ago that have never been used - covered them with paper and cut out with an X-ACTO knife.  Notice the larger open heart - I used two different papers.

The acrylic heart was from a 2-pack I got for a quarter at AC MOORE and again..I've never used the batch I bought.  First I used some ALCOHOL INK on it then flipped it over and put dots of LIQUID PEARLS all over.  Added a ribbon and attached it with the TIM HOLTZ TINY ATTACHER.

Various $1.00 heart stamps stamped in WHISPER WHITE craft by STAMPIN' UP then I went over them with FROSTED LACE STICKLES.

And now for a little giveaway. 

The rules are:

Become a follower

Leave a comment

(if you're married) tell me what was your "first dance" song

(if you're not married) tell me what song you'd pick

Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you

I'll pick a winner next Saturday - January 29, 2011



1 - 8 piece Heidi Grace 12 x 12 specialty paper pack
1 - 24 pack Heidi Grace 8 x 8 cardstock pad
1 - Heidi Grace alpha chipboard pack - teal flourish
1 - 20 pack Colorbox 8 x 8 paper pad - sweet blooms
1 - ZIG 2-way felt tip glue pen
1 extra little goodie (not pictured)

Check out all the wonderful projects from all of the wonderful, creative and inspirational gals.

Erin: http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa39PPgQcK9zr7jVAMeXilUsw;www.spantastikreations.blogspot.com/

Abby:
http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3Xdti4u_0R_oL5caOdBZMsA;www.scrapbookaholicbyabby.com/

Amanda:
http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3--nXg0-5-OWyvgSDIx0Y3w;www.myscrappinobsession.com/

Amy:
http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3Dpk_XcEXJ-cdmTlCc6lWEw;www.perfectlyunperfectcards.blogspot.com/

Ann Marie:
http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa37fww-PO41MzO8gkGkGMS3w;www.yourstrulee.net/

Jenny:
http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3T18gElMbSzYycpt7ez4LvQ;www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/

Christel: http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3mk35dgILFb-BEzOcJtos1Q;www.onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/

Cristina: http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3oMr3NuJ_N7qExmuvxPWV2g;www.craftingwithcristina.com/

---->  You're here Ellen: http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3yK_RiH8TPKFtggF6LoOfWw;lifeatwalnuthill.blogspot.com/

Jennifer: http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3zyRLVF0CJOxXWeHuxix7ng;creativearmywife.blogspot.com/

Lauren: http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3JgYaQzjodrv3HzWjabRbFA;laurenscraps.blogspot.com/

Paula: http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3_EppwQgld4ALc41vuz9eQw;morethanfavors.blogspot.com/

Theresa: http://www.facebook.com/l/aaaa3d-r2DkKbxoIHXr7a7xE4LA;www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/

HORSE ~ BIRTHDAY CARD

I made this card for my daughter's friend who is a horse lover!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMIE!!

Horse and fence are cut from OLD WEST and the grass is from GYPSY WANDERINGS. 
Sentiment is from MY PINK STAMPER.

MY CREATIVE TIME ~ IMAGINATION MONDAY ~ CHINESE NEW YEAR CHALLENGE

This week, Emma's challenge is to make something with a CHINESE NEW YEAR theme.

The bunnies are cut from PAPER DOLL DRESS UP and the 2011 font is from DOODLETYPE. 

Stampin' Up paper, Peachy Keen Stamps and a digi stamp.

Thanks for taking a look and have a wonderful day!!

EllenM361

IMAGINE owner - NOT

MY PINK STAMPER DESIGN TEAM 2011 ~ CHALLENGE & SUBMISSION

So...I've decided to give it a go and submit a card.  Hey....you never know unless you try ~ right!!

The challenge is to:  "Make a card, scrapbook page, or other Cricut project with your favorite cartridge using my favorite colors......Pink, Green, Brown (other optional color of your choice)".

I made this card to go along with a bag of some homemade cocoa mix.

A2 card base - Stampin' Up - I think it's pink passion but I'm not 100% sure

mat - craft paper cut at 3.75 x 5 - I wanted a bigger border around the mat.  I also cut the "cocoa" out of craft paper.

embossing folder - Cuttlebug ~ D'Vine Swirl 
Stampin' Up Whisper White on embossed swirls

Tea cup ~ cut from the WINTER FROLIC cartridge at 3.52 x 4.23
Base is dark brown RECOLLECTIONS
Polka dot patterened paper (not sure where it's from...sorry)

Heart is cut from CREATE A CRITTER at 1.42 x 1.78 out of the same pink and the sentiment is from Stampin' Up ~ COLD & CUDDLY done in CHOCOLATE CHIP.  I also edged the heart in CHOCOLATE CHIP.

The ribbon is from Michaels and I used a Signo uni-ball white pen for the stitching.

To top off my yummy treat, I added marshmallows with some DecoArt SNOW WRITER (which is a great product).

I also used a bit of dark brown chalk around the polka dot layer.

Hope you like it.

ANOTHER STORAGE SOLUTION

Here's how I store things.  I really need to paint that round wood base white one of these days.





I'VE BEEN PICKED!!

I am THRILLED to announce that I have been picked by PEACHY KEEN STAMPS as one of their 2011 GUEST DESIGNERS!

I am looking forward to working with this wonderful company. Their stamps are of the highest quality and stamp so crisp and clean…and the images are oh so adorable.

So be on the lookout on June 20 - 24, 2011 ~ that's my week.

THANKS TO EVERYONE AT PEACHY KEEN STAMPS!

Click here http://www.peachykeenstamps.com/ to see all of their yummy stamps!!

MY PINK STAMPER ~ 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ~ DAY #6 CHALLENGE

This challenge was to make a CHRISTMAS card or layout.

I really don't like my handwriting so here's how I compensate for my poor penmanship.

I print out my sentiment (in draft mode) in the same color as the pen I want to use  Then I go over the letters with the gel pen.  For this card I printed out the "PEACE and" then traced it with a JELLY ROLL SPARKLE pen ~ RED STAR.

I've been trying to improve my writing and I've always admired Kristina Werner's writing so I purchased her "Exploring Your Personal Handwriting Style" instructions and I've been practicing.  Here's the link:    http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/?p=3006

HERE'S HOW I STORE MY HANDBOOKS AND CARTS

This is my first video so please be kind ~ Thanks
A few things I didn't mention on the video. 

~ I don't go to crops or take my cartridges "on the road" so I have no need to keep them in a box that travels well.

~ The handbook/overlay box sets on top of the plastic cartridge box on my table.  I use my GYPSY for most projects so I don't use the actual cartridges often.

~  The box is put together with hot glue.  I actually have made a number of custom storage boxes with foamcore and hot glue.

Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge #42 ~ Emboss It

I made this ornament for the director of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the ALDEN CHRISTIAN THEATER SOCIETY. 

I printed out the text on a piece of clear craft plastic and quickly poured white embossing powder on the wet ink.  Used a heat gun as usual.  I cut the plastic into a circle with the Martha Stewart circle cutter, punched a hole in the top and hung it inside a clear ornament then added some Martha Stewart crystal coarse glitter and a little bow.

IVA'S " 'TIS THE SEASON BLOG HOP " DAY #3

OK...it's official.  I am THE WORST bow maker in the world  (vent over).

For today I thought I'd do a bit of stamping and coloring along with using SURE CUTS A LOT and a svg  from LETTERING DELIGHTS ~ the new ALPINE SNOW set http://www.letteringdelights.com/clipart:alpine_snow-9819.html   

I hope you can see from the picture that the snowflake/stamp curves out at the sides.  I glued down the center vertically and pop-dotted the sides.

To see the list of everyone who is participating this blog hop go to:

 http://ivarai.com/

And my "before me" and "after me" friends at:

Kerry Turner - http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.com/
Mary Ann Gawid Santos - www.thepapersalon.blogspot.com

IVA'S " 'TIS THE SEASON BLOG HOP " DAY #2

For today I've made a cute Santa card using DOODLECHARMS.  This cartridge has so many cute cuts on it. 

The "BELIEVE" is a stencil from a DecoArt Laurie Speltz's Instant Images template I got a Michael's after Christmas sale a couple of years ago for 99 cents and it's the first time I've used it.  How could I pass up a $.99 deal like that :)

Don't forget to visit http://ivarai.com/ to see the list of everyone who is participating in her blog hop. 

And please make sure you visit my "before me" and "after me" buddies!!

Kerry Turner - http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.com/
and
Mary Ann Gawid Santos - www.thepapersalon.blogspot.com

Peace,
Ellen

IVA'S " 'TIS THE SEASON BLOG HOP "

A BIG THANK YOU to Iva at http://ivarai.com/ for hosting this blog hop.  I'm so excited to be part of this ~ first one that I've ever participated in.  Thanks for visiting my little blog.  Please leave a comment and become a follower ~ I'd appreciate it.

Now....on to my project for today with a little background info.

This year my family has chosen OPERATION PETS/FELINE CAT FOCUS http://www.operationpets.org/ ~ http://www.feralcatfocus.org/ to donate to.

A few months back, someone dropped an adorable (but pregnant) kitty off near our home. We started feeding this poor malnourished mama cat and became very concerned when we didn’t see any kittens. We searched and searched our property but had no luck finding the babies. Then out of the blue there were 5 kittens at our back door. We’d love to make them indoor kitties but we already have a house full of animals (not to mention a barnyard of chickens and a couple of goats) and the fact that they are considered “feral”. OPERATION PETS/FERAL CAT FOCUS OF WESTERN NEW YORK has been a blessing to us and we are in the process of getting all the kittens and the mama “fixed”.

Here's the money jar I decorated.  My youngest daughter named all of them so there's PUMPKIN the mama and her 5 kittens.  The kitty head is cut from DOODLECHARMS, large Santa hat is from HOOT N HOLLER and the little hats are from PEPER DOLL DRESS UP.

Thanks again for visiting me and please visit these other wonderful paper crafters who are hopping too.

Kerry Turner - http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.com/
---> that's me    Ellen Mandris - http://lifeatwalnuthill.blogspot.com/
Mary Ann Gawid Santos - www.thepapersalon.blogspot.com

MY OLDEST STAMP

So...I challenged myself to use the oldest stamp I own ~ 26 years to be exact from INKADINKADO.  Cute puppy hanging from a wreath.  When I ordered it we had a cute puppy that looked like this :)

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR MY SISTER-IN-LAW

On the inside it says "Wishing you a warm and cozy birthday".