Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Imaginisce June Challenge!

This month's challenge at Imaginisce is a fun one! You are to use the inspiration photos well as lyrics to a song. You can find both of these at the Imaginisce blog HERE. 

I used a bunch of lines on this card! :) The pink and blue are from Enchanted, the yellow is from Berrylicious, and the red is from Happy Camper. The cloud stag 'em up stamp is also from Happy Camper.

Have you ever made a project where you just didn't think one photo was enough? Here is the first photo I took which shows the depth of the embossing. 

This photo shows better the rhinestones and the Glossy Accents which I sprinkled with glitter.

Lastly, here is a close up! :) 

Recipe:


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Hi - Case alert!

Today at Betty Bee's Buzz we are showing you how you can use corrugated chipboard on your projects! 

My friend June provided you with a host of inspiration on Monday and I knew when I saw her cards exactly what I want to do! 

I think this is my first "legal" sized card - 9"x4"



I am a *proud* member of the Cricut Circle and we had a challenge to case a card in the private magazine that is provided for us! I have never cased a card to this extent and thought it was just charming so I chose this one. 

If you want to learn more about the Cricut Circle I am happy to answer any questions you have! 

I took a screen shot of this card to share with you so you could see how closely I cased it. In the magazine, we get cut sizes, recipes, and instructions so it was easy to follow closely.

This is the card I cased by Janet Wilkins
Recipe:


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Memorial Day Weekend

Here are some pictures of this Memorial Day weekend in Big Sur, CA. My extended family has a house up there and you can see - it's on top of a very big hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We are SO blessed to get to use it when we can. So of course we jumped on the opportunity to go down there on Sunday. :) 

Back deck:

 Pool and yes, the blue is the Pacific Ocean!


 Our dog Spoon about to go for a small swim. She generally sinks after about 4 feet so she has to be under close supervision.
 She loves the water though!
 She's pretty sure she is ready to come out now.
 She tried to swim, started to sink, and so mom pulled her out! :) 

The north side of the property:
 Zoomed in:
 Husband and I on the bench in the orchard where the above two pictures were taken.
 An artsy pic by me:
 Fruit! 
 Spoon being adorable. She loves it up there.
 Dad telling her to look at me so I could get a good picture :) 
 Laying in the sun eating watermelon with my mom :) Perfect ending to our time in Big Sur (thanks to dad for taking the photo!)

Just thought I would share a little bit with you. 

Also, tonight I have not 1, not 2, but THREE posts going live for you!! There is one for Betty Bee's Buzz, one for Imaginisce, and one for Artful Delight! Make sure you check out all three and I hope you enjoy the inspiration! 

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Love

This is a deceivingly simple card. I did weld the house shapes together on my Gypsy to create the card base, but from there the design paper did all of the work. Almost everything on this card came from Artful Delight's May kit (which is sold out!!!) BUT the reveal for June's kit is up and I love it!!!! Check it out although pics don't do it justice. I think this one will go fast so pre-order it if you love it! 

Have I told you all lately how much I love my Cricut Expression? I'd love to get an E2 and an Imagine, but I LOVE my Expression. Anyway, if you ever have any questions about it, please let me know! :) I'm happy to answer them! CourtsCraftsBlog@gmail.com

Recipe:


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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Honeybees and Artful Delight!

I loved this month's kit by Artful Delight. Check out the blog here where you can get plenty of inspiration from all of the designers using the kit. 

This kit is just PACKED with goodies! I think there is only one left! If you want it, you better snatch it up!  ****Update! It is now sold out!!! :( Sorry friends! Get in on next month's because it is going to be FABulous! ***

I also made this card for Betty Bee's Buzz. This week's theme is "It's summertime and the living is easy". My mom used to cut up watermelon for me every morning and I had it for breakfast so when I think of summertime, I think of her and watermelon. 
Recipe:
Paper: Echo Park: Summer Days "Scallops"™ (from Artful Delight May Kit)
Cartridge: Designer's Calendar
Embossing: D'vine Swirl Emboss Folder
Buttons, ribbon, and twine: PTI

Next month's kit will be revealed soon and I LOVE it! I know you all will too! 

Come back tomorrow and see the card that I made. I am really excited to get to share it with you! :) 

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My Pink Stamper: It's a Game Night

So our challenge this week was to make a manly card using something from Robyn's new stamp lines. I chose Invitation Only

This stamp set is much more versatile then just the intended purpose of invitations, but today that's what i used it for. :)

It's A Game Night

Designer Note: I actually laid the ribbon so that it made like a "cumber-bun" effect as my friend June called it. But once I covered it with things you don't really notice. I wish I would have put a fourth row in hindsight, but I still liked the attention it brought to the sentiment. 




Recipe:


Now hop on over to the My Pink Stamper blog to see what everyone else created for your inspirational pleasure! :) 

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Happy Camper Release Party!

Welcome to the release party for Happy Camper by Imaginisce!!! I am really excited about this cute little line and there is SO much versatility to it! 


You're a Hoot
I made this owl card using die cuts that came along with it, a "snag 'em up" and patterned paper. 

Recipe: 


Thank You
I made these thank you cards for my cousin Katie. I married into the best family ever. I truly believe it. Anyway, Katie is one of my (many) new cousins and she is an INCREDIBLE quilter. You can check out her blog HERE. It's called "From the Blue Chair" because she sits in her adorable blue chair to quilt from.

Anyway, she sent me the most adorable elephant that I couldn't love any more than I do. She (the elephant) will have her own photo-shoot and post one day so you will get to meet her. I wanted to send Kati a thank you card along with something I made so I made these three thank you's for her to use - from the blue chair :) 

Close-up

Recipe:

Friends FUR-ever
This last one was just for fun for me. I had a great time making it and still don't feel like I'm done tinkering with it, but alas, it must go up on the blog. :) 



Recipe:


This is just the opening day of the Happy Camper Release Party! Check out what all of the other ladies have done for you today and make sure to leave a comment on the Imaginisce blog everyday because there are prizes to be won! :) 

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Update on my grandfather

I have been SO touched by those of you who left kind comments and sent emails asking about my grandfather. I am SO excited to tell you that almost a month ago he was given two days to live if things did not improve - that was the day before Easter. 

They started him on a new kind of chemo that nearly killed him. It was really hard to watch, but he never complained. He is such a strong and courageous man. On his worst day of pain so far he didn't tell anyone but instead complimented the nurses on how good the tapioca pudding was! It made us all chuckle. He's such a jolly man. 

They did a CT scan a few days ago and got the results back on Thursday afternoon - the tumors had shrunk by 70%!!! We are elated. We know this is only a temporary good time, but we are cherishing it and making the most of it. ------ He is determined to go back to work on Monday. haha. He LOVES to work. 

Again, thank you so much. I am so thankful for this extra time that we get to spend with him.

Early Monday morning I will be back to share three projects from the new Happy Camper line from Imaginisce! I know you will love this line. It's so versatile! It's not just for campers. :) 

Hugs to you all! The wedding starts in 2 hours so I better get going! :) 

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

You're My Favorite

Nikki Sivilis had a sketch challenge and I tried - I really tried.... I can't say that I'm super duper pleased with the resulting card, but it was different for me and I'm always up for a challenge. 

I never make anything that I don't post on here so while sometimes I feel like the cards I post aren't the very best I've made, I'm still happy to share them with YOU to let you know that not everything I make is fabulous and so be proud of your process and your work no matter what because you are still expressing your creativity and that's a beautiful thing no matter what card comes out of it. Okay, I'm done "preaching". :) 






Here is the sketch it is based on:
Hope you are all having a wonderful end of your week. I am in Colorado for a wedding and we are having crazy weather here! I'll be back very soon and will be back in my craft room. :) 

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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Honey Bee Showcase- Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

This week at Betty Bee's Buzz Amy Sheffer is our guest designer! She made a GORGEOUS balloon card! She also got to pick the theme for this week and she chose... Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. 

Amy Sheffer is a good friend of my friend June (also a HoneyBee) and I am thrilled that June set this up because Amy's card is just gorgeous and her talent is fabulous. 

I have to admit I was STOKED about this challenge. I laid everything out that I wanted to use and realized... there was no blue. haha! So I started again and I'm very happy at where the card evolved to. 

 Old: old script writing
Borrowed: a sketch from Artful Delight AND the idea of having the flowers overlap like that from Melinda Spinks HERE
Blue: background paper

It is based on this sketch here:

Recipe:




Play along this week to win a prize! :) There are SO many takes on this challenge and it's a really fun one. So have a blast and join us! :)

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Monday, May 16, 2011

It's a Date Night

This card is going to be an invitation to my husband to go on a date night. We have date night every Wednesday night so it's nothing new, but I think it would be fun to send him an invitation that he gets at work for the date night one time.  :) So this idea was born! I tried to make it somewhat masculine but while keeping the date night idea - so the two person bike seemed appropriate. I hope you like it! 

I LOVE this stamp set. I helped Robyn come up with this idea of having a stamp set that did all invitations so I am thrilled to see one of my stamping dreams come to life! Thanks Robyn for creating it! :) Check it out HERE. There are SO many different invitation options on it! 



This card was based off this sketch from Artful Delight. Leeanne had 14 sketches for 14 days and if you participate you can win this month's kit! How fun is that! So play along and you can get up to 14 chances to win but they have to be linked by the 23rd. 

Recipe:


Have a great week everyone! 


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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Best Wishes

I really like this card and hope you do too. It is really what I feel like my "style" is. I just have to express it a little more. :) 



My project was based on this sketch at the My Mind's Eye Blog.


Recipe:
Cartridge: Mother's Day Bouquet
Patterned Paper: MME: Stella and Rose: Hattie "Boy" Tapestry Paper, Gertie "Friends Forever" Tapestry Paper, Hazel "Memories" Lithe Lines Paper
Background Stamp: Gertie "Girly" Stamps™
Ribbon: Hattie "Boy" Trims
Sentiment: My Pink Stamper: Fancy Phrases
Brads: Lush2 Rhinestone Brads Fuchsia
Glue Arts Extreme Adhesive Squares
Colorbox ink in black
Twine from Paper Trey Ink™

Hope you all are having a great weekend! I just got some Crinkled Ribbon from Kris Swain's Etsy Store. SO excited to play with it!!! If you decide to go check out and buy something, please let her know I sent you in the comments section before checking out! :) 

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Friday, May 13, 2011

Friends Forever No Matter the Weather

Whew! Blogger has given us a run for it today! So sorry this is a short post, but I had about 6 drafts going and all were deleted so I have to go back and get those done! Still so thankful for technology and thankful for how rarely it lets us down because this stinks! :) haha. 

Hope you are all having a great day! It's mid-60s here in San Francisco and a beautiful day! (Don't worry... we have rain forecasted for the next two days! But I LOVE the rain so I am actually very excited!) 

Head on over to Artful Delight's blog to see the contest Leeanne has going on right now. 14 sketches in 14 days! That's a lot of inspiration and a GREAT prize is to be had if you participate! Don't forget about the regular monthly sketch challenge either! 


Recipe:
All items from Artful Delight May Kit except for the stamp, ink, and card base.
The Cricut Circle also wants to see a picture of us in our craft room - which as you all know - is my entire house. haha. I keep toying with the fact of getting an Imagine, but my husband keeps asking where I will put it. You KNOW I'll find room! haha. I did this on a self timer yesterday evening so the lighting is not so great. I mean it's great for my scrap table (read - dining room table) because I get a ton of natural light all day. 


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Roly Rosies Release!

This was from yesterday, but it was deleted by Blogger :( 


I am SO in love with the new releases! This frame is using the denim fabric Roly Rosies and the newsprint paper flowers. 
 Close-up!
Recipe: 
Roly Rosies: Neutral Colors 
Hot Rocks Compact in Jewel (the old version. The new version replaced the yellow with red gems.) 
mod-podge


I hadn't seen someone do a tag yet and I just couldn't help thinking it would be so cute on a tag! So I pulled out my Enchanted Line, the new i-rock hot rocks in glitter, and the Itty Bitty blossoms to make this sweet tag. I hope you like it! 
Recipe:
Cartridge: Birthday Bash™
Roly Rosies-Warm Colors
i-rock
Hot Rock Compact in Glitter
Imaginisce: Enchanted "Princess Promenade"
Imaginisce: Enchanted "Belle of the Ball Border Stickers"
Itty Bitty Blossoms Paper Mix
Solid cardstock: Paper Trey Ink™
i-bond




Check out all of the goodies that they have been giving away all week because of the release party on the Imaginisce blog! Make sure to leave a comment on every post as there are different things to win! Yesterday's is the new HAPPY CAMPER LINE! Some of our DT haven't even gotten it yet, so it's HUGE that one person will win it before it's even released. There is another opportunity on Facebook during a referral contest. So check it out! 

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Sunday, May 8, 2011

You're the icing on top!

I hope you all enjoyed National Scrapbook Day!

Just another creation made with the Artful Delight May Kit! There is SO much paper in this kit!!! 

I actually made this card for Jenny's 30th birthday post on Friday but too many of my friends thought it was a wedding cake and not a birthday cake. So I made her the mouse card instead.

I just wanted to show you that a "cute, summery" kit can also be classy! Hope you like it! 


Recipe:
Cartridge: Tie the Knot
Paper: Echo Park Paper: Summer Days: "Clouds" (stripes), "Blue/Orange) (blue solid) and "Borders" (flowers)™ (Artful Delight May Kit)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (true black), Colorbox white
Sentiment: My Pink Stamper: Sweetest Cupcake
i-rock by Imaginisce
Hot Rocks Compact in Crystal
Ink: Colorbox in black
ribbon from my stash

Have a beautiful day! 

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Saturday, May 7, 2011

My Pink Stamper NSD Challenge #2!

WOO HOO! This day last year got me jazzed about crafting! Robyn puts on SUCH a fun day!!! This year I have the honor of being a part of it along with helping her release her new stamp sets!

I am challenge #2 but the rules are you have to go over to My Pink Stamper's website and check out both the VIDEO that I made for you and the CHALLENGE for this hour!

You won't believe the things you can win if you participate so check it out! I can't show you the whole project, but I really love it! You have to go see my video for the full picture! - National Scrapbook Day Rules! :) 


***Since it has been a while since National Scrapbook Day I thought I would post the picture and the video on my blog. Hope you enjoy it!!***




Recipe:


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Friday, May 6, 2011

Apple of my Eye

This is the second card I made with Artful Delight's May Kit

You know how I love shape cards and the minute I saw the handbook for this, I knew I wanted to turn it into one. The May Kit was perfect for making this come to life! :) 

Make sure to pick up your kit if you are interested because they always go fast!
Recipe:

The Kit:
Echo Park Summer Days collection 12x12 sheets (1 sheet each)
Scallops
Clouds
Banners
Big Dots
Flowers
Ice Cream
Quilt
Rainbow
Scene
Die Cut
Journaling Cards
Borders

Coordinating Cardstock 12x12 sheets (2 sheets each)
Yellow/Purple
Red/Green
Blue/Orange


Fancy Pants - Beach Babe collection 12x12 sheets (1 sheet each)
Lemonade
Reef
Cards

Bo Bunny - Sun Kissed collection (1 each)
Heat Wave Die Cut

Bazzill Cardstock 12x12 sheets (2 each)
White

Embellishments - sizes and colors may vary per kit
1 package - Echo Park Summer Days collection - Chipboard Accents
1 sheet - Echo Park Summer Days collection - Element Stickers
1 sheet - Echo Park Summer Days collection - Alpha Stickers
1 yard - Pink Gingham Ribbon - Reasonable Ribbon
1 yard - Yellow Gingham Ribbon - Reasonable Ribbon
1 yard - Orange Gingham Ribbon - Reasonable Ribbon
1 package - Bling It (self adhesive rhinestones) Violet/Lilac - Basic Grey
12 brads - Echo Park Summer Days collection
4 - American Crafts - Sunshine Flower Paper Embellishments
8 - Pink Paislee Beach Babe collection - Paper Flowers
1 - Felt Turtle - Ring-O Crafts Etsy Shop

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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Jenny's turning 30!

Happy 30th birthday Jenny! I was so tickled pink to be asked by Jenny to be a guest designer on her blog today. Head over to her blog and wish her a happy birthday and to see my full project! She is also having a blog hop on Friday if you would like to join in the fun!

Since she was turning the big 3-0 I wanted to make her a fun and childish card to keep her young! :) 



This was all made with Artful Delight's May kit! 

It has Echo Park Summer Days, Fancy Pants Beach Babe, Summer Days chipboard, and lots of other goodies! 

Recipe:
Now head on over to Jenny's blog to see the full project and to leave her some birthday love!

I entered this into the Tic Tac Toe challenge for the Cricut Circle. I used a Gypsy/Welded image (the whole card is welded), ruffles (the tissue paper), and Cuttlebug embossing!

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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Mother's Day Card

Today at Betty Bee's Buzz, we have been challenged to make a Mother's Day card. Judy did a fabulous tutorial on Monday on how to make a three tiered slider card. I didn't have the instructions with me at the crop, so I just made a mother's day card. I still wanted to participate this week though! :) 

This is the Mother's Day card that is going to my mom this year. 

Some cards you just fight with and this is one of them. I was at Monique and Wendy's Crop for a Cure and this is like the 17th iteration of this project. I kept moving things and changing things until I liked it. I do like it now, but it was an ordeal to get here! haha.


Recipe:






Announcement: National Scrapbook Day is on May 7th and My Pink Stamper has some AMAZINGLY fun things planned as well as AMAZING giveaways! So come and get ready to scrap your heart out and play in all of the fun! 


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Crop for the Cure!

I just got back from the Crop for the Cure that Monique Griffith and Wendy Lawrence put on every year because Monique is a SURVIVOR! 

Anyway, I had a FABulous time and got to meet such lovely people! I forgot my camera (eek!) so I only have two pictures that were taken with Lezlye's camera and by Stephanie who is a professional photographer. 

I feel SO blessed that I got to sit back to back with the lovely Lezlye! We talked pretty much the whole time! We both have Yorkies which we spoil rotten - I mean treat like children - I mean, you know, they're okay for "dogs" ;) and she got the E2 so I got to see it in action! She also gave me a piece of sponge because mine was missing! I was so touched by that token of generosity! Here we are: 


I also got to meet Judy and Nana Susan (Mother in Law and Mother of Monique) who were lovely. I also got to meet Becca (sp?) who is Monique's Sister in Law! They all design for Monique and are such talented and sweet ladies!

Two people that also stood out were Kristy and Jennifer Jackson (I can't find your blog! Let me know what the URL is and I will connect it) (her name has a nice ring to it don't you think?) who are followers that are just as sweet in real life as they are in comments. I was so touched by the lovely things that they had to say and I have still smiled since when I think about it - as I am smiling as I write it! :) Thank you again!

I had the best cake pops EVER, laughed heartily, and met Rita who is coordinating the Cricut Circle Crop! So excited for that and it's only a month away!!! :) 

Brenda is always fun to see. She recently got in a car accident and hurt her shoulders. I didn't know and walked up to give her a friendly shoulder massage. SORRY friend! I still feel bad! Everyone send Brenda healing and pain-free thoughts!

Lastly, here is a pic of Wendy and I (I can't believe I didn't get one with Monique, but we will get one together this summer as roomies for CHA!). We are on the My Pink Designer team together and I just LOVE these two ladies! 

I have a post going live in a few hours for Betty Bee's Buzz! I made it at the Crop for the Cure and hope you enjoy it! Lezlye, Monique AND Wendy helped me stop fussing with it and gave opinions when mojo was low. So thanks ladies! 

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