It's a Whale of A Tale {Birthday Party}

Hi Crafters,

We celebrated our nephew's first birthday yesterday.  It was a Whale Under the Sea themed party. I helped my sister in law with some of the party decor.

I used the whale from Create a Critter as the main character. The font for the banner is from Cricut Craft room Basics.

The other sea creatures were from Create a Critter and Life's a Beach.

I made a little mini pennant banner that attached to the main focal stick and attached those to other toppers. My sister in law made this adorable whale cake. 

Thanks for stopping by

Celebrate Summer at {Cut it Up} and Paper Nest!

Hi Crafters,

Gosh, summer is flying by so quickly! I've been enjoying all the visitors that have crafted with me in the loft this summer! Our next challenge is to celebrate summer at Cut it Up! is sponsored by Paper Nest.
They have some ADORABLE images for all occasions but especially to celebrate summer.  You don't have to use one of their images to enter the design challenge just make sure you've included a die cut. One lucky participant will win a $25.00 gift certificate.

This adorable little fella is Boogie Board Owen. I used a mixture of Stampin' Up! markers and copic markers to color him.  This was my first time coloring printable stamped images, let alone people! The wave frame is from Stretch Your Imagination and the waves are from Life's a Beach

This summer fun little lady is Strawberry Girl.  I used a card from Stretch your Imagination and put a circle in the middle of the front.  I cut the card in half and used that for the card front.  I stitched along the side with some embroidery thread and my sewing machine. 

Looking forward to seeing all your creations celebrating Summer!!

Happy crafting,

It's a {WHALE} of a tale :baby shower:

Hi Crafters,
The new challenge for Cut it Up! is something wet. It can either wet all the time or can get wet.

This challenge fit perfectly with the baby shower I hosted a few weeks ago for a co-worker.  This was the first girl baby shower I've thrown in over 3 years (since my niece was born)! The nursery is a beach theme with whales and surf boards.

I used the cuttlebug on her card. I used the 2.5x2.5 mini baby folders on each strip of paper.  

I made a variation of this invite for her shower.  I ended up not doing the double layer and only using the light aqua color for the whale.  I embossed the background purple piece with the cuttlebug.

This is the name canvas I created for her gift.  The surfboard and whale are both from Life's a Beach the lettering is from Songbird (script) and Opposites Attract (up right).  I used a 12x24 paper from K&Company for the surfboard and accents.  The whale is embossed with the cuttle bug.  I stitched around the outside of the surfboard with my sewing machine with green thread.

The banner pennants came from Birthday Bash and the font is from Life's a Beach. 

I hung whales from the loft and chandelier with fishing line (one of my craft room must haves).

Thanks for stopping by make sure to stop by Cut it up! to link up your project of something wet.

Happy crafting,

{Clean and Simple} Birthday Cards

Hi Crafters,

If you are looking for my Cut it Up Challenge!  Lion and Lamb Challenge post.

This first card I got my inspiration from Freshly Made Sketches and I am linking up to them as well.  The whale and the waves are from Life's a Beach.

This next card I made for a coworker.  Men cards are always a challenge so I kept it simple with this one too.  I cut the sentiment shape from Lacey Labels.  I embossed the strips of paper with the cuttlebug and added some buttons down the side.

Thanks for stopping by...

Happy Crafting,

Getting settled!

Hi Crafters,

I apologize for the lack of posts over the past month!  We have moved into our new home and are settling in.  I hope to get my mojo back and start blogging again regularly.

My craft loft has finally taken shape! My friend has told me I need a fancier name for this space, let me know your ideas. Here's a snap shot from phase one of the cabinet installation. I snapped this picture a few weeks ago.

We still need to install counter tops on the corner cabinets but things are coming along.  I didn't let the lack of furniture get in the way of crafting!  I set up some boxes to put the cricut on and got a few time pressing projects finished up.

My husband installed the cabinets last week.  We will likely do a color wash to let the grain show through.  The cabinets are from Lowes.

I nabbed the wire paper rack for $5.00 from a local Joann's store that was closing to open a super store a few store fronts away.  My older sister gave me the piece next to it, it had been in storage while we built.  I was glad to have it back and load it up!

Here's one of the first projects I made in the new house...

I made this for a co-worker who just celebrated the birth of his daughter.  The font is Lyrical Letters, the elephant is from New Arrival, and the palm tree is from Life's a Beach.  I used copic markers to accent the elephant.  This allowed me to use modpodge to seal everything including the marker accent. I used my cuttlebug to accent the trunk and leaves of the palm tree.  The lettering is cut with vinyl and the embellishments are cut out of card stock.

I think I've typed enough to make up for the past few weeks!

Happy Crafting,

Summer Layouts

Hi Crafters,

Here are a few more layouts from my weekend.  I had a bit of catching up to do!

The artist is from Printing Press.  I actually found this scrap with a star already cutout and ended up liking how it worked with the layout.  The bucket, shovel, and text on the next layout are from Life's a Beach

This next layout uses text from Opposites Attract.  I welded the letters with the gypsy.  I used my xyron to put the ribbon and rick-rack through.  Don't worry about the chocolate spatula licking, her aunt is feeding her GrandMary's fudge (no raw eggs).

Happy Crafting,

::Tap tap: Is this thing on?

Hi Crafters,
Good gosh! It's been too long.  These past 2 months have been pretty crazy.  We have finally started on our house.  We also moved in with my husband's parents while we build.  I have a fantastic craft space while I am here.

I have managed to get back into the crafting groove.  Here's a few things I've been working on...

This project I've had in my head for months.  We head down to the Outer Banks every summer with our good friends.  This year we happened to be at the beach on what would have been my grandparents' wedding anniversary.  I was very close with my grandmother, and am quite fortunate to wear her wedding band as part of my bridal set.  While I was shell searching and wading in the water I happened to find a whole un-broken sand dollar floating in the surf. Not to get too sentimental but it was a blessing to find it, especially on that day. This is the only perfect one I have ever found.  I managed to keep it safe through the trip home and our move.

I found these frames at Kohl's in a set of 5.  The light house is from Life's a Beach and the font is from Designer's Calendar.  I used the makers on the lettering.  The light is a hot affix crystal.

I am headed to a Bridal Shower tomorrow.  I picked up these glasses at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a whopping .89 apiece! I used the cake cartridge that came with my machine for the frame.  The font is from Opposites Attract.  The only frustrating thing about this purchase is they had HUGE yellow stickers marking the price.  I used my heat gun to help get the sticker off without many issues.

Okay, last project!  I made some adorable barrette's for sweet Penelope!  I'm still trying to find the perfect place to take pictures here so this one is not great.  I used my cuttlebug dies to cut these out of felt.  I found it needed an extra cardboard shim to get a clean cut.  I used "The Best Glue Ever" for the adhesive. 

Well, that's all I have for now!

Happy Crafting,

ABC Album

Hi Crafters,
My friend from Crafting with my Girls hosted her semiannual scrap weekend at her parents' lovely home last weekend.  I got a few personal layouts done but my main project for the weekend was my niece's ABC album.  I used my cricut and pictures that I had ordered but not done anything with.  I only had to order 8 more pictures to finish the album.

 The dinosaur is from Create a Critter.

 The lighthouse is from Life's a Beach

 Please pardon the fact that O and P are reversed. Octopus is from Life's a Beach

 The crown is from Gypsy Wonderings

 Umbrella is from Life's a Beach

Hearts and XOXO are from Sweethearts.The zebra is from Create a Critter.

Happy Crafting,

They're getting hitched!

Hi Crafters,
I've had to keep a HUGE secret the past few weeks from my best friend.  Yesterday her boyfriend (my husband's best friend) popped the question.  Her fiance and I went to look at rings a few weeks ago and he got the perfect one.  We celebrated yesterday afternoon with them.  I managed to do an entire scrapbook in one week.

I used a bunch of cartridges (life's a beach, a child's year, lyrical letters, storybook, camp out, martha stewart elegant cakes, sweet hearts, gypsy font, indie art, and old west) to complete the layouts.  Click on the layouts for larger pictures.  Unfortunately I was having a few exposure issues so the pictures are not up to par.  The couple seemed to like how it came out.  Congratulations Martin and Jessica!  I am so excited for you both!

Happy Crafting,