I'm Still Here

Sorry, guys you probley thought I fell off the face of the earth. I have just been super busy. I thought that after my last wedding things would calm down. No such luck. The week after the wedding, I was just so worn out that all I did was veg on the couch. Then the next week was my birthday, and I was sick for a whole week (possible H1N1). Then Halloween. Then my softball meetings started back up. I was elected to manage sponosrs, I dabbled a little bit last year, because the other guy wasn't very successfull. So I have been working on getting sponsors in order for the mailing at the end of this month, I hope I do a better job. And in 2 weeks it will be Thanksgiving, and then Christmas before you know it. I have been crafting a little bit here and there, I just don't have anything to post. Then last night I had an emergancy. I cut my finger pointer with a craft knife while I was working on a scrapbook layout. Oh I was very angary at myself, I can't beleive that I cut my own finger. It's pretty deep. The doctor said, to keep it covered 24/7 for the next week and that I am out of commision on crafts for until I see him again. That's a bummer to because I have several project that I need to get done before Christmas. 2 Scrapbooks, a calander, several thank you note card sets, a photo dvd, and my christmas cards. I think I can, I think I can, ...

Leigh Ann's Wedding Pictures

Another Busy Week Ahead

My sister is getting married on Saturday in Iowa. So you can just imagine all of the last minute things that need to have finishing touches. My family is leaving on Thursday morning, that way they can be there to help out on Friday. However my husband and I can't leave until Friday. My husband has his class on Thursday night. So we will be headed that direction on Friday morning. I have never been all the way to my sister's house, we usually just meet in Iowa City. I am told it is about a 7 hour drive from here. I don't really like to ride in the car much either. Illinois & Iowa don't really have much scenery, so it is pretty boring. Well I got to go get some of my projects completed.

Personal Shower

Well the shower was great. The bride was just thrilled with all of the crafty projects that I had made for her. There wasn't to many guests, which was nice it made it more of an intimate affair. She got several nighty's and gift certificates to use for the wedding day. All in all it was very enjoyable and relaxing.

Do Not Disturb

How sweet is this sign. Way better than the plastic one they give you at the hotel. Just because the wedding and reception is over doesn't mean the celebration stops. I used the Sweethearts cartridge for the image cut in several different layers. And then Jasmine for the letters. I am also going to make one of these for my sister who is getting married in two weeks. I wish I was having a honeymoon again just to make a sign like this for myself.

Tonight/Not Tonight

This is a reversible sign. Sometimes I don't know where I come up with these ideas. But this one I had stored in the back of my memory. I remember once reading in a magazine (most likely Cosmo) that giving your partner a heads up as to when your in the mood helps with that awkward "Not to night I have a headache" syndrome. This way if one partner put it out and the other is "Not Tonight" then they will just put the sign away. Another perfect item for the newlyweds love nest. I am pretty certain that this sign will always be on "Tonight"

Love Coupons

This is also another project that took me a little while. I haven't ever met the groom but we have emailed back and forth some, plus what I have heard from the bride over the last couple years. This groom is going to love these. There is enough coupons for 365 days. This will be one way to spice up the first year of marriage. My only prayer is that next year once all coupons are gone that they don't ask for more. I work on this project every night for close to two weeks. Creating the coupon ideas, printing them, cutting them, cutting the card stock, glueing them all together. Then I had to punch them all (only 2 at a time)and make the covers and tie on the ribbons. Also finding the rings was really hard. Most scrapbook stores only carry the smaller ones. I finally found larger ones at the office store. I used my cricut India Art cartridge for the covers. And the George cartridge for the heart with Calligraphy cartridge for the "his & her"

Altered Wooden Signs

I posted all of these together, because all that I did to them was add the ribbons. I have always thought these signs were cute. Then when Michael's had them on sale one night for a quarter a piece I couldn't pass them up. They will be great shower give aways. My only thought was that I wish they were in different colors. Her wedding colors would have been perfect. I thought about painting them myself but I am running out of time. I still have several things left on my to do list and only 5 days to do them. It will be a busy week. That is also the reason I am trying to get all of this posted tonight.

Alltered Photo Album

Picture #1 ~ Front of album

Picture #2 ~ Back of album

I bought a cheap mini photo album brag book at Walmart (less than $1.00) and altered the cover to make it more personalized. People unable to attend the wedding always want to see your wedding photos. I was it the wedding business for several years and still love to see wedding pictures. The wedding colors are Burgundy, Navy & Hunter. Great fall colors. Red is my favorite color so I always tend to lean towards the red family when I do my crafts. That is why I choose Burgundy. You have seen me use this bride & groom stamp on other items. This is the same stamp that I used for my sisters wedding invitations. Only here I used Burgundy ink. I also inked the flower embellishments and added a sentiment to the bottom. "Once in a lifetime you meet someone who changes Everyday" On the back I wanted to keep it simple I just ran a strip of printed ribbon across the bottom "Live Love Laugh" and then added the stamp over the top. "100% in love" I love it and can't wait to give it to her.

The How Well Game

I bought this foam poster board for another project, but it didn't work out so well. It was to thick. So I recycled it and used it for my game board. Originally I was just going to ask the bride questions regarding the groom. However then the idea of making this more of an interactive game came in to my creative little head. So each little card is numbered and the under the numbered flap is a question. And under that flap is the groom's answer. For each question that the bride gets correct she will get a prize. If she gets one wrong then a guests name is drawn out of a basket and they get the prize. Hence all of my many projects I have been working on. This game board look me several hours yesterday to complete. But now that it is finished, It was totally worth it. I can't actually imagine the game any other way now. I hope she gets all 38 questions right. Or if not the other guests give her back there prizes in the end. Because after all the shower is all about the bride. (Hint: Shower Etiquette ~ all prizes won during games need to be given back to the guest of honor, unless it is a small party favor or treat bag)

Reversible Mini Note

For these two mini note pads I used the same paper just, the revers side for each. The first one I made the flap come to a point and accented it with a button. And the last one I just cut straight across and accented with a white stain ribbon. I hope you try out this idea for yourself or as a gift.

Flower Mini Notes

This is my favorite mini note pad. I love the print on the front and of coarse the flower embellishment. I also used a Velcro closure. I used the yellow note pads for all because they were cheaper. But you could use the color ones or even the non sticky bond at the top pads. Just cut your paper to fit your pad. Pretty simple project.

Red Mini Notes

I used the same concept for these small ones as I did for the larger ones. Except I used the 3x3 post it notes. For this design I used black mini ric rack. The inside of this note pad is printed like to mock a grade school writing tablet. Velcro closure.

Hearts & Stripes Note Pad

Another Pattern. For this one I used the Martha Stewart punch to make the stars on the front flap. And then I just added coordinating fuchsia paper over the stars on the inside so that they would pop more on the outside. I used Velcro as my fastener for this note pad.

Stripe Note Pad

Another pattern. As you can tell I love this paper. I just embellished this one with white ric rack.

The closure on this one is Velcro.

Large Bumble Bee Note Pad

I am planning on using theses note pads as prizes for games. This one has white flowers and tiny bumble bees on the outside and then tiny white flowers on the inside and buzz lines showing where the bee has been. I finished it off with some bumble bee ribbon and two yellow buttons as a wrap around closure. I used a 3 x 5 post it note pad and then just wrapped double sided printed paper around the note pad. Then I glued down the back and attached a closure. They are all so cute. And the perfect size for your purse.

Projects

As I have mentioned I have a couple weddings coming up in October. And my BFF's Bridal shower next weekend. So I have been putting my creativity to good use. I know that she prefers homemade gifts and items that show thoughtfulness. So I am going to post several projects tonight. I hope you enjoy my creativity. In case you have noticed the date is wrong on my camera. All of these pictures have been taken in the last week.

I am really sorry that I haven't posted new cards in a while. My BFF and my sister are both getting married in Early October, so I just have been very busy with several projects. Some of which I want to be a surprise for them. And that is why I haven't been able to post some of my projects. Please bear with me once these weddings get over and things settle down I will get back to cards and scrapping.

BFF

I had a little trouble with this card. I love the stripe paper. The sketch that I was using for this had several different aspects to it. So I thought that it would be neat if I used a different color for each aspect. So as I was creating each aspect individually I loved it, but I started to get concerned when I went to put it together. It just started to seem very busy. However It all just works. I made this friends card because no matter how busy my BFF and I are in our separate lives when we get together it just works too. I can't wait to give it to her. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the ridges, and then George for the circle and Calligraphy cartridge for the BFF font. And then just added the brads down the side and stamped it. Enjoy

Aqua and Lime Frame

Okies challenge 9/9 sketch #2 I used Home Decor for the frame. The patterned back ground once again I believe came from the fun in the sun stack. The lime green square was a from my scrap drawer and then I just used little green brads on the frame. And stamped the sentiment on. Then embellished it with a few hand tied bows. The stamp says: "All you need is love"

Love

Okies challenge 9/9 Sketch #1. I made this card for my husband. I used George for all of the rectangles. And Home Decor I believe for the sentiment. I spiced it up by glittering the edges and the letters. I even did an I and U on the little heart.

Okie's Challenge 9/2 Sketech #3

Okies challenge 9/2 Sketch #3--- Check back at the end of September
I can't post this photo until the end of the month. This card receiptant is a frequent browser and I don't want them to ruin the surprise.

Birthday Daisies

Okies challenge for 9/2 sketch #2. Once again I got this paper at Joann's on sale for a dollar. I think this tablet was called fun in the sun. It is hard to tell but the plaid paper is also glittery. I have a few birthday's coming up so now I just have to decide who I am going to give this one to. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the ridges. (picked up at a garage sale) and then George to cut out all of the flowers. Since the background paper was glittery, I thought that the flowers should be too. Then I just stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment and attached it with brads to the top of the card.

9/18 I just gave this card to my boss today for her birthday. Happy Birthday Carol.

Purple Thank You

Okie's challenge for 9/2 sketch #1. While I was looking through all of my papers trying to come up with an idea, I noticed that I had several shades of purple. So that became my idea. I would use all different shades of purple. I of course used George for the square, I just trimmed off the extra that was hanging over to end up with a diamond shape. Then I used the Home Decor cartridge for the motifs and then I just stamped on the thank you sentiment using very pale purple. I think that it all works together. I am most likely going to use this card to send to the guy that recharged my air conditioner in my car. At no charge. He is also big in to scratch off tickets.

All Things Grow With Love

Okies challenge for 8/25 sketch #3. I used Home Decor cartridge for the flower and vine. And the oval was cut from George. I then thought that the flowers need spicing up so I outlined them in glitter and then I used a stamp for the sentiment. I got the stamp at Meijer on the clearance rack for you guessed it $1.00. Lately I have been heck on deals. If it cost more than $5.00 I am passing it by. The stamp is part of a grouping. Stamp says: "All things grow with love"

Hershey's Chocolate

Okie's Challenge from 8/25 sketch #2. I found this stamp in the dollar bin at Michaels. My new favorite store. In the past I would occiaionally shop there, but we don't receive the newspaper so I would never get the coupon. Which in turn is the reason that I never shopped there often. However I love how now they give you a coupon for the next week each time you purchase something. It is kinda dangerous for me, because our Michael's is really close to my office so I tend to venture over alot on my lunch hour. Anyways... I used chocolate paper rectangles cut in 3 differnet sizes. Once I had all the pieces cut, I then shaded the edges with a stamp pad. After that was finished, I layered each rectangle on top of each other using pop dots in between. Then for the wrapper: I used plain old aluminum foil cut a little bit bigger and then crinkled the edges down to make them look unwrapped. I have had this idea ever since I found this stamp. I also can't wait to use this technique on a layout for my dog. He is a chocolate lab, named Hershey. I will post a few photos when I am finished.

Traveling Hello

So it has been a little while since I posted any new cards. But yesterday I spent all day making cards. I have been so busy doing your projects, that I decided to take a day to myself and do something I enjoy. This card was to be for my okies challenge 8/25 sketch #1. I bought this little travel paper stack a little while back on sale of $1.00 at Joann's. There are several prints that I really love. This print reminds me of being a child and going to spend the night a grandma's house. My sister and I spend several Saturday nights on the couch their. My grandma passed on last November. I am planning on dropping this card off at her grave site this weekend. She always loved my crafty talents. Anyways... I used the George cartridge for this card.

Photo Mat

This was another project that I did today. Two weeks ago a softball parent from Tony's team, made this photo for him. He went to Hobby Lobby and bought a frame, however the frame was a tad to big. So I sent him back to Hobby Lobby to purchase a mat. But they were to expensive so I just made this one. I know it is kind of hard to see, but on each side of the mat in the center are paper peppermints. This years team called themselves the "PEPPERMINTS" I have had the materials for over a week now and they were kinda in the way. So I just took the time to make the mat. He loved it.

Daisy Thank You

Sorry, I haven't done many cards or posted in a while. I have just been very busy. I have been working on several projects, they are just not complete yet. This afternoon I did complete these Thank You cards for my BFF's Wedding shower.

Bouquet Toss

I made this little bouquet of wine roses. Which I believe my BFF told me was the flowers she was using for the wedding. I am going to use it for a game. I stole this game idea from one of the many shower game sites that I have looked at recently. The idea of the game is to toss the bouquet the furthest. The winner gets to keep the bouquet. It is pretty fun. I have been practicing in the back yard. The neighbors I am sure think that I am crazy. I can't wait to see everyone try. Feel free to steal this idea for any upcoming showers you may be hosting.

Flower Pens

This basket is full of what looks like fall flowers, however they are actually ink pens. I am sure all crafty people have seen or made these pens in the past. I decided to make them for my upcoming shower. We are going to be playing paper games where the guest will be required to write down answers. So why not play double duty with these flower pens. I am also going to use them as center pieces on the tables. Thanks for looking.

Panty Invasion

So these little guys are the reason I have been so busy this last week. I had to make 18 pairs. I just love them. I use New Arrival cartridge for the panty. However it was only 2" big. So I drove over to Kinko's and enlarged it 350x's and them of course I had to cut each panty out by hand. And each invite took 4 panties to complete. You could get by with only two panties if you used cardstock, I only used paper that I had on hand.

That is 72 panties I cut out this past week. But it was worth it. The bride loves them. Hope you do to.

Got More Stuff!!

I just got back from the store again. I now have all of the things I need for my party. I found some super cute prizes/gifts. I even was able to buy my actual shower gift. All on sale. Ya me!! I am heading off to bed now so I can get an early start tomorrow. Night everyone!

TGIF!!

Today just couldn't pass fast enough. Since starting to plan for this shower, I have a million and one ideas running around in my head. They are starting to make me dizzy, there's so many. I ran to Michael's last night to get a couple more sheets of cardstock for the invitations, and to return a hole punch. I ended up finding several game prizes, and everything was on clearance at such good prices. I walked out of that store with 2 shopping bags and a 40 cent refund in my pocket. Can't beat that. They paid me to shop. Now that's the life. I went back today at lunch and the super sale was over. Everything that was left was marked back up to full price. It was about 7:30 last night when I was there and they were still marking items down, then by 11:30 this morning it was returned to full price. It was very weird, like the sale only lasted a couple hours. Anyways I am just glad I got the bargains. Off to chase them ideas.

Party Planning

I have been super busy today, planning for my BFF's upcoming bridal shower. It's isn't going to be just another boring shower with a ton of housewares as gifts. I am throwing her a personal shower. Where she will receive gifts that are only for her use. I made the little favors this morning, little goblets filled with bath salts. Then the rest of the day I have worked on her party invitations. I will post them once I am completely finished with one. It will be a several day process. So no cards this week.

Name Card

Gloria I want you to know that I can change this to say Sheri. When I first started I thought Sheri was the one turning 60. So it wasn't until I reread my note that I noticed. This one would be my second fav. I hope this one will work for Sheri. I once again I like the birthday words so I just added the recipients name with little brads. I used George cartridge with the charm feature.

"60"

I Love to make age cards. Especially for the milestone birthday's. Gloria's sister is going to be 60, in case you couldn't guess that. At first when she asked me to make her a card she didn't mention her age. Once I found out it was a mile stone birthday I knew I couldn't let it go by with out making her a age card. I used Cuttin Up cartridge to you out the numbers and George for the flowers. Then I just embellished the numbers with tiny purple beads, you guesses it there are 60 in there. I hope you like this one Gloria. It's my fav.

60th Cupcake

Saturday I was hooked on cupcakes can you tell. I deiced to add some bling to this cupcake. So I used glitter on the icing, on the wrapper and for the sentiment.

Cupcakes

This idea came to me while I was making another card early this week. (Fuzzy Pink Dots) It started out as the same concept patterned paper shape cut out, large image in the center. How ever once I started to put it together it looked to plain. So I decided that I needed more cupcakes. If one is good five is better. Then I finished it off with the ribbon. However it was still missing something. The Cherry on Top. So I actually used a fuzzy pink dot from my inspiration card as the final touch. Looks good enough to eat. I used the doodlecharms cartridge.

Short Wave Inside

This is the inside of the previous card. This was one of my first attempts at scrapping on the cards inside. As you can see it turned out beautiful. I used the same word paper from the front for the flowers. I cut the flowers with George. And then just glued a strip of fuchsia paper and turquoise ribbon and pop dotted the flowers out.

Short Wave

This is another card with a shorter front. I love all of the birthday words, so I didn't want to cover them up, but other wise it looked to plain. I will have to post the inside separately, because it keeps putting that picture first.

Make A Wish

I just recently came across some of the Martha Stewart punches. I found them at a garage sale for a fraction of the cost. I used the star one on this card. The front of this card is shorter than the back (hence that why my husband is holding it) This is a new technique that I am trying. I like the idea of being able to see the sentiment from the front and the inside. I used another birthday paper for the front, and the purple is just the reverse side. Then I made my own rub on "Make A Wish!"

Bear Paw

I came across this large paw print in with my scraps, as I was trying to create the previous card. Sorry, I don't know what cartridge I used to cut the paw print, it was one I had rented.