Oh Boy!...Baby Boy Card

Well....it certainly has been a very busy month.  Only 34 more days of school (yes, I'm counting).  We are in the midst of MSP (our state standardized test) testing.  In our school, the primary classes (non-testing grades) support and encourage the intermediate classes by making cards, posters, bringing in treats, etc.  I know this can be a super stressful time of year for everyone, but how can we get too stressed out when our staff is being blessed with many.....and I mean MANY.....babies.....AGAIN!  Yep, I said AGAIN.  Last year we had (with grandbabies included) 10ish babies born.  Last year a majority of the babies born were girls.  This year we currently have 5 (so far) people expecting babies either this summer or in the fall.  We know of 3 BOYS and don't know the gender of the last two yet.  Must be something in the water.  The husband said I'm not allowed to drink the water there.  :-) 

So...here's the card I made for our first of many baby showers for the remainder of the year.  I made this card in a frantic "Oh, no!  The shower's tomorrow???"  Ever have one of those days?  Thank goodness I still had some time that night to run and pick up a gift as well.  Whew! 

To make this card, I used the Simply Charmed cartridge.  Unfortunately I didn't write down the directions for making this card.  So sorry! 




I hope everyone has a wonderful week! 

Hoppy Easter Banner

Yesterday I enjoyed a nice relaxing day at home with my boys.  It has been such a wonderful week being able to spend time with them.  I cannot wait until summer vacation....only 3 months.  Yay!  So yesterday's crafting task revolved around a new Easter banner.  I made an Easter Peep banner last year (at the beginning of my banner making phase).  Now....we all know how when you start to evolve in your skills and creativity the items you made at the beginning of your adventure just aren't up to par.  Okay, let's face it....it's just not good....at all....  Hence.....the NEW Easter banner.  I am MUCH happier with this banner.  PLEASE bear with my photos....I've been taking the pics with my phone, and apparently I need to stop doing that.  It's just SO much easier than having to hook my camera up to the computer to download the pics.  Does anyone else feel this way?

To make this banner I used the following items:

Paper:  Reminisce (I actually had leftover paper from either last year or the year before)
Cricut Cartridges:
        Birthday Bash-Banners cut at 6"
        Create a Critter-Bunny cut at 4 1/2", Carrots cut at 1", Basket cut at 2 1/2"
        Alphalicious-Letters cut at 5"
        Doodlecharms- Eggs cut at 2" and 4 1/2"
Peachy Keen Stamps-Critter Faces (Large)
Stampin' UP Chocolate Chip stamp pad-I used this for the distressing
Twine-

Close up of the end piece.  I really like the basket of eggs and carrots.  :-)  I added stitching to the carrots, but distressed and speckled the eggs.  I like the looks of them...it really matched the look of the paper. 

I added a few buttons to this piece for something different.  The thread used was twine by My Mind's Eye.

The husband took today off to spend a day with the family.  We're getting ready to head out and go bowling.  Yahoo!  I feel a heavy competition brewing. Have a great Friday!

It's Almost Easter...so that means...PEEPS!

This week is my Spring Break......YAHOO!  My students have definitely made me earn it this year.  Whew!  They keep me on my toes, that's for sure.  My plans for the week include crafting, crafting, getting ready for Easter, crafting.....did I say crafting?  Yep....that's all I want to do this week.  I haven't been able to do ANYTHING crafty since President's Day weekend in February.  Now THAT'S sad.  One of the projects I've been wanting to do since last year was to package up some of my favorite Easter treats (peeps) for friends and family.  I even downloaded a bag topper last year from www.Nothingbutcountry.com.

Here's the original picture from www.Nothingbutcountry.com that inspired me to try this idea.  Click on the link below to look at the picture.

http://www.nothingbutcountry.com/2011/04/hoppy-easter-peep-treats/

 It was this year, with my new obsession with Pinterest, that I found a combination of Peeps, graham crackers, and chocolate.....Peep S'mores!  I LOVE IT!  I now not only have a S'mores pinboard, but also have a Peeps pinboard.  SO much fun!

Here's the idea that I pinned with the Peep S'mores from http://confetti.typepad.com/confetti/2011/04/fashback-friday-peeps-smores.html 

THANK YOU for your inspiration, ideas and generosity in sharing your downloads!  So.....here's what I came up with:

 

WARNING.....changing subjects......

So....Nathan and I decided to go to Target (one of my FAVORITE stores EVER) this morning to grab a few things we needed at home and to get the supplies I needed for the above project.  We just happened to go by the gardening section....and what did I find?????  Another of my latest obsessions....a super adorable owl.  I think I might just have to write about my owl obsession in another post....so here's the super cute owl...

 

Now....Super Adorable Owl only cost me $12.99.  Nathan was trying to convince me to buy Super Adorable Owl's (I think that's his name) little sister.  Yep, he has a little sister.  She's shorter, red and round....ALSO super cute.  She's only $9.99....and might have to come home with me really soon.  Super Adorable Owl ALSO has an older (I think it's older because it's taller) brother.  He's green....and only cost $19.99.  I'm trying to decide if I can handle 3 Super Adorable Owl Siblings.  Hmmmm......  What do you think????? Now...Super Adorable Owl was originally bought to go in my garden, but I'm not sure I could stand the fact that Super Adorable Owl will get dirty and possibly be covered in moss (one of the wonderful things about living in the Pacific Northwest).....so right now he's nesting on top of my piano.  It actually looks really nice there.

My question for you.....What's YOUR latest obsession????

A Few Cards

I am so glad it is Mid-Winter Break....it was nice to relax and make some cards today with a couple of my friends.  I was in need of birthday cards, so that was my goal today. 

This first cards is just a simple birthday card.

For this card I used the Simply Charmed cartridge for the Happy Birthday.  I used my Gypsy to delete the faces on the a and the d.  I cut out the image at 3".  I then used my Peachy Keen Everyday Character Face Assortment stamps to add the faces.  The paper I used at the top is from 3 Bugs in a Rug.  I then added the three brads to the bottom.

The next card I think I'll use for when the boys have birthday parties to go to.

To make this card, I used the Create-a-Critter cartridge.  I cut the terrier at 2 1/2".  I cut the hat and present from the same cartridge.  The hat was cut at 2 1/2" and the present was cut at 1 1/2".  I added a bone brad for the collar and then two paw brads for something different.  I think I bought these brads at Michaels.  I added stickles to the hat and the present for a little bling.  The Yappy Birthday stamp is from My Pink Stamper's Even More Punny-licious stamp set.


I think this next card just might be my favorite....the koala is just too cute. I figured I could either use it as a birthday card OR as an everyday "just because" card.

For this card I used the Create-a-Critter cartridge.  I cut the koala at 3".  The background paper I had left over from a banner I made a while ago.  The paper is from Pebbles.  It's their New Arrival line.  I decided to mat it just to change up the look my cards usually have.  The G'day Mate sentiment is from Scrappy Mom's "Amusing Animals" stamp set.

This last card I made over winter break for my grandma.  She LOVES penguins.  I think they're pretty cute, too.

For this card I used the Simply Charmed Cartridge.  I cut the penguins at 3".  The igloo was cut at 1 1/2".  I tore the white paper to give it the look of snow.  The have an "ice" day sentiment is from My Pink Stamper's Winter Punnies stamp set.


I hope everyone is enjoying the long President's Day weekend! 

Don't Go Breakin' My......Elbow and Iowa Hawkeyes Barn Star

What a day!  Yesterday Nathan (my 13 year old) had his first junior high basketball game.  He was really excited about it!  He is also playing on a rec team, but this was his first junior high school sponsored game.  Anyway.....I couldn't go because his game time is still while I'm in school.  So...during his game he decides to go up for a block from behind, misses it and the keeps running with his arm extended in front of him.....and goes full force into the wall behind the basket.  Ouch!  He calls me after the game to tell me that he's hurt and then proceeds to put his coach on the phone.  After a long night of Nathan being in a lot of pain, elevating the arm and icing it, we decided this morning to go to the doctor to have it checked out.  We spent the entire morning at the doctor getting x-rays......to find out that he has fractured his elbow.  Ouch!!!!  From the doctor's office, we were sent to see an orthopedic specialist for a treatment plan.  They decided just to sling it for the next 6 weeks (thank God there is no surgery involved), and to start physical therapy right away.  Happy Valentine's Day to us!  :-)  I am so very thankful that it isn't as bad as it could have been. 

Today I'm posting a project that I actually made this fall before football season started.  I made yet another barn star with an Iowa Hawkeye theme.  I actually LOVE how it turned out.  I did ink the edges of the paper to give it a different look and added ribbon to the top for something different.

I think I had to Google search Iowa Hawkeye Scrapbook paper to find this particular pattern.  I know that Reminisce has a line of Iowa Hawkeye paper, as they are based out of Iowa.  I have used a lot of their papers and love them.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day.....the hubby and I are going to snuggle up on the couch and watch some GLEE.....LOVE that show!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wow!  I can't believe it's Valentine's Day already!  I love having the opportunity to tell people that I care about them....a couple of those people are my two boys, Nathan and Josh.  I just LOVE them!  They are so full of life and make everyday an adventure.

This first card I made for Nathan. 

To make this card:

Squirrel from Create-a-Critter cartridge cut at 3 1/2".
Acorn from Create-a-Critter cartridge cut at 1 3/4".
Nuts About You stamp from My Pink Stamper---Punnylicious
Mini Heart Punch

This next card is for Josh.

I used Create-a-Critter to make this card, as well.

Dinosaur cut at 3 1/2"
Palm Tree cut at 3"
You're Dino-mite! stamp from My Craft Spot---Build a Valentine

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with love! <3

SMILE!

It's Sunday night, and I'm in the process of watching the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, A Smile as Big as the Moon.  How fitting for these two crafts I'd like to share tonight.  The first is a banner I made for the Health Clerk at my school.  She's such a wonderful, smiley person, who LOVES smiley faces.  I had her name for "Secret Santa" at school this year....this is what I made her:

 She has the banner hanging above her office door, which is fitting, considering her office is decorated in smiley faces.  :-)

To make this banner, I used the Birthday Bash cartridge and Smiley Cards cartridge on my Gypsy.  For the letters, I used the Alphalicious cartridge.

Last, but not least, here is a card I made during our snow days a little over a week ago.  Super simple, but I LOVE it!

This card would be so easy to replicate for various holidays or birthdays, as well!  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!  Happy Crafting!

Let it Snow!

Greetings from snowy Seattle!  It has definitely been an interesting few days here in the Pacific Northwest.....Monday we had no school due to Martin Luther King day, Tuesday was a late start to school because of weather (some snow), today we didn't have school (pics to follow showing why), and tomorrow there's no school, either due to weather.  So...today we got about 6-ish inches of snow.  Now, coming from the midwest, I KNOW that this isn't a huge amount of snow.  And God knows, if we were back in the midwest, we sure as heck would be in school.  HOWEVER, this is the Pacific Northwest.  We usually get rain, not snow, and we don't have the equipment to remove the snow.  Here are a couple of pics of our snow.....

 

My youngest son went outside this morning to measure our accumulation, and measured about 6 inches of snow.  He spent a good majority of his day shoveling our driveway so Eric could get back home after work.  Isn't he the sweetest?  There is now a HUGE snowpile in my front yard.  I'm sure it will be lots of fun to play in tomorrow!  :-)

So...tonight it decided to start drizzling....ugh!  That means freezing rain....and once again.....no equipment to clear roads quickly.  NO SCHOOL tomorrow!  BUT....that means the road behind our house will be PERFECT for sledding tomorrow...nice and slippery!  Yahoo!




Today I decided to take advantage of my time home by reorganizing my craft room.  It just needed a little clean up and organizing so I could actually work in there.  After completing that project I decided I might want to finish the snowman banner that I started at Christmas.  I had completed one for my mom while she was here for Christmas, but never finished my own.  Considering January is half over, it's probably a good idea that I got it done today....Valentine's Day crafts are coming up soon!


Here's a pic of the completed snowman banner:

To make this banner, I used Birthday Bash for the banner pieces.  The Snowflakes were made using Winter Wonderland.  The letters were made using Alphalicious (my favorite Cricut font).  The snowmen were made using a template that my friend, Lily allowed me to use.  Check out her blog at www.scrapnbookstore.blogspot.com.

Here are a couple of other pics of the banner:

I hope everyone is having a wonderful new year!  To all my Pacific Northwest friends:  stay safe and warm!  To all my midwest friends:  the snow's heading your way....watch out!  Love and miss you all!