SPRINKLES OF FUN

Happy Wednesday Everyone :)

 This past weekend was my good friends Jodi's birthday and a bunch of us went out to this yummy restaurant to celebrate. I made her this card and inserted a gift certificate for a spa pedicure. AHHHH...isn't it wonderful when someone rubs your feet, hehe :)

The cut is from the Sweet Treats cart and the sentiment is from Scrappy Moms Stamps :) 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week :)

BLOG HOP WINNER and Q & A

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY :)

The random.org winner of the My Pink Stamper 

Fruit & Veggie Pun Stamps is...

Jessica said...

"WOW I am going to have to go to the dollar store. Also, great tip on that vinyl. I had no idea it existed!"

Congrats Jessica and thanks to everyone for hopping along AND for all the wonderful comments! I was like a kid in a candy store reading every single one! I hope you all had fun and came away with some inspiration for the holidays  :) I did!

A few of you had questions about the frosted vinyl...

Q : Where do you buy it ? 

A : H & H Supply , they have variety, great customer service and specials too.

Q: How does the vinyl preform with the heat of the candle and can you put it in the dishwasher?

A: From my own experience, candles are fine and I only hand wash anything that I've vinyl.

Q: Do you really recommend SCAL ?

A : Yes, I do. The software  gives you the capability to work with images outside of your library of Cricut Cartridges. I love my carts, but I also love the many other possibilities using SCAL has to offer. There are hundreds of free images you can customize and use too!  Basically this software just expands what you can do with the Cricut. However, I would not recommend it for those that do not like to use their computers to create or design. But, if you do here's a website that I love which has amazing tutorials on how to use SCAL and they have an amazing library of images, not to mention the owners are terrific at answering any questions you may have :)  Here is the link...SVG cuts.

And last but not least, here a recent card I made for you to enjoy :)

15 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN JULY BLOG HOP

HAPPY SATURDAY EVERYONE !

I am ecstatic that today's blog hop is finally here! 

They say it's never too early to start preparing for 

Christmas, so let's get started !...

If you are here, then you must have just visited our fabulous host's blog, Jess at Kinder Stampo where she started the holiday celebration off with "The First Day of Christmas"

awesome stuff right ?!!!

And now it's my turn !  Que music..falalala...
On the "Second Day of Christmas" my true love gave to me...
Two Hurricane Lamps and A Cookies for Santa Plate !

I made these super easy, but spectacular pair of hurricane lamp candle holders using the "Sure Cuts A Lot" software, my Cricut, some frosted vinyl and a few dollar store finds. 

I KNOW, I KNOW... .it looks like etched glass doesn't it ?! 

But it's vinyl, I love this stuff!  You can purchase some here.They have every type of vinyl you can imagine at great prices, call their customer service if you have any questions on which one to get. 

I no longer have a video camera, or I would have done a video tutorial for you, but I hope you can get the gist of how I made these from the photos :)

Here's the BEFORE, plain and blah...

 And WHA -LA, the AFTER...

Can you believe I got the cylinders and stands at the dollar tree ?! 

 Secondly, I decided to make this super cute "Cookies for Santa" plate using the same technique. It will be so fun to see my little grandson Ethan place some treats for old St Nick by the fireplace this year on Christmas Eve!

Here's the BEFORE...

And here's the AFTER...

Isn't this super fun? You could use white vinyl and a red plate for a totally different look :)

Here's a snap shot of my computer as I was designing the cuts with my SCAL software. I would highly recommend this software :)

HO! HO! HO! ...that could only mean one thing...

BLOG CANDY!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and be a follower of my blog, for a chance to WIN THIS.... 

Good Luck and Happy Holiday Hopping!

Don't forget to leave a way for me to get a hold of you in case you are the lucky winner! The hop will run thru Sunday ending at midnight and I will pick the random.org winner on Monday evening.

Ok now...You better watch out, You better not cry... cause it's time to hop on over to Cheri's Blog, Graphic at Creations for the 

 "Third Day Of Christmas"!

 I just know you're gonna love it there too :)

If by any chance you get lost, here are all the links to 

the featured blogs today. There is blog candy at every stop! And don't forget to end your hop right where you started at the
First Day of Christmas with Jess 

First Day of Christmas with Jess

 Second Day of Christmas with Alex

  Third Day of Christmas with Cheri

Fourth Day of Christmas with Cheryl

 Fifth Day of Christmas with Christine

Sixth Day of Christmas with Debbie

 Seventh Day of Christmas with Eulanda

Eighth Day of Christmas with Linda

Ninth Day of Christmas with Liz 

Tenth Day of Christmas with Madison

 Eleventh Day of Christmas with Martha

 Twelfth Day of Christmas with Melanie

 Thirteenth Day of Christmas with Nicki

 Fourteenth Day of Christmas with Shelley

 Fifthteenth Day of Christmas with Tammy

STINKEN' CUTE

HI THERE :) 

It's been a while since I've submitted a challenge card, OH! I miss it so ! Here's a card I made for this week's  

Paper Playtime's Challenge # 8 - Flower Power.

This week the all the paper queens (that name still makes me giggle) had the opportunity to showcase digital images from Digital Delights by Louby Loo. They have the cutest images :) This week's host queen is Maria  over at Joyful Stamper! She's made a super cute card that you just have to check out :) 

It's actually my first time using digital images and I had a lot of fun trying something new. I was a little nervous about using colored pencils, for the first time, but I'm really happy with the results :)

And guess what ?! Paper Play Time has a sponsor AND they have 

some delicious  blog candy for you :) Hop on over and play along :)

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE FRIENDS

HELLO TUESDAY EVERYONE :)

Since starting my new job at the doctor's office, I've decided to do a lot of my crafting and card making on my day off, Friday. So last Friday there was a whirlwind of activity going on in my craft room! It was awesome! I think I made like 10 cards !!! So, I will have lots and lots of projects and posts coming up for you :) 

Here is one I made with these cute cuts that my good friend Debbie over at DD CRAFTS sent me ! And once again I pulled out my new favorite Scrappy Moms Stamps and my rocking Martha Stewart corner punch :)

 Also, I wanted to give a BIG SHOUT OUT THANK YOU to Debbie for sending me this cute get well card and AND Janis over at Pause Dream Enjoy for also sending me this super card ice cream cone card and some goodies ! I LOVE ALL MY BLOGGING FRIENDS !!! It's the best part of the blogosphere :)

 

HAPPY RETIREMENT BIG SIS :)

HI EVERYBODY :)

I made this very special card for my big sister Cookie, not her real name :) Her real name is Hilda, you can see why should would prefer Cookie, hehe :)  Anyways, I've always looked up to my big sis for a lot of reason, one reason would definitely be for her success in her career. She was a Hospital Director of Admission and worked her way up the racks beginning at age 14! She has always been a hard worker and very highly respected in her field.  I have tried to model myself after many of her good qualities :)
But now the time has finally come for her to kick off her shoes and put up her feet and enjoy the better things in life :) 

HAPPY RETIREMENT COOKIE ! 

I pulled out my SCAL software and found this awesome free bathtub svg cut. I really need to remember how awesome that software is and all you can do with it :) The sentiment comes from the  Scrappy Moms "Sweet Somethings " set. If you don't have it, you WILL want to! I have a bunch of ideas on the horizon using that stamp set alone ! 
I am also submitting this card for Paper Playtime's latest challenge. Go on over and play along with us :) Next week they'll be some exciting sponsorship news :)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME !

HI EVERYONE :)
 Today marks 27 years of having married my sweet honey of a husband ! I can hardly believe we have been married that long, sometimes I feel like we are still newlyweds :)  I feel very blessed to be married to my BFF who still gives me butterflies :)
Here's the card I made him. 

 My husband and I are high school sweethearts and have actually known each other since 4th grade ! That school year, our teacher sat us side by side which caused us to royally hate each other, you know... in that way that a 4th grader would :)  Plus, the whole class would bug us by singing that annoying "kissing on a tree" song !LOL! Something magical must have happened in 9th grade, suddenly we saw each other in a whole different light - must have been the hormones ! We've been together ever since :)
The little chapel kind of reminds me of the neighborhood church we were married in. I don't remember much else from that day. Everyone said I looked like a deer in head lights walking down the aisle! LOL ! I must have been overwhelmed with the events of the day ! No worries, I've since snapped out of it and been in wedded bliss ever since :)
Isn't the stamp so cute ? :) It's from the new Scrappy Moms set "Sweet Somethings".  I am in love with this set ! It has a ton of great sentiments on it ! It's the first time I've made an anniversary card for my hubby :) It was really fun :) Can't wait to see what he thinks :) 
We're going out for a special dinner tonight and then heading out for a weekend at the beach :)

THE WINNER and THE QUICKEST CARDS IN THE WEST

HI EVERYONE !

I'm so sorry that I am a little late with this post. The day just got away from me with the new job and all ! 

So, without any further adieu...the winner of the 

Scrappy Moms Amusing Animals Stamp Set  is...

Brenda said...
Your card is absolutely adorable -- all those paper designs and they go together so well.Your blog candy is super and I would love a chance to win it. Thanks for offering it.

Congrats Brenda !  I will contact you asap to get your address and send you your prize :) !

NOW ON TO SOME CARD MAKING !!!

A lot of people did some very nice things for me over the last 2 months during my gallbladder fiasco, so I had a a lot of thank you cards to whip up.

Here's a quick trick I use when I want to make a lot of cards at once and utilize my scraps too.

1. I choose a very simple stamp that expresses what I want to say, like this very cute one from Stampin Up. It's exactly how I felt when someone brought me over some soup, a fruit basket or flowers after my surgery :)

2. Next I choose patterned paper and cut it down to 4 x 5.25 so it fits nicely over an A2 size base card.

3. Then I pull 2 colors from the patterned paper and make 2 mats to frame my stamped image.

4. Color in my stamp to coordinate.

5. And lastly use some simple buttons or ribbon to embellish. When using buttons or brads, a good rule of thumb is to use 3 and place them somewhere on the card to balance the main image.

AND WHA LA...

Several thank you cards, each with it's own unique look, that were quick to put together :)

BLOWN AWAY !

Hello Everyone ! 

I just wanted to thank everybody that stopped by during the National Picnic Day Blog Hop ! 

I am blown away at how many comments and entries I received  in that one post - about 225 and counting! 

I always try to thank each and every person who visits and comments on my blog, by visiting their blog and leaving a comment too. But with so many comments this time, I'm not sure I will be able to. But please know, that I have read every one of them and I appreciate every single one! If it weren't for the wonderful comments you leave, I don't think I would be blogging :) Your comments make my day ! :)

I'll be closing the comment form tonight at midnight PST ! 

So you still have a little bit of time left to enter for the chance to win the Scrappy Moms Amazing Animals Stamps Set :)

I will choose and announce the winner sometime Monday 

afternoon ! 

 Here is a recent card I made, isn't she just Stinkin Cute !

 Good Luck and Thanks Again !

CHERRY ON TOP

I think the best thing about blogging is all the new crafty friends I've made along the way ! Not to mention how fun it is to share each other's creativity and help and inspire one another ! 
But the "Cherry on Top" is when you open up your email and find something like this...

Thank you Tracey ! What a nice surprise :) Tracy is one of the people who inspired me to get more involved in card making and ultimately to start a blog of my own ! I love her designs and I know you will too, check her out at  Craft Junkie Too! 
Thanks again Tracey :)

Now it's my turn to pass on the love ! 
But first I have to complete some requirements to formally accept the award...

1. Thank the person who gave this award to you...done :)

2. Copy the award and put it on your blog....done :)

3. List three things which you love about yourself ...

1. I love that I love being a wife, mom and grandmother :)

2. I love that I am creative :)

3. I love that I have a positive attitude and that I don't get easily discouraged :)

4. Post a picture you love....

Here are the Conde's during Christmas 2009. I love this picture because it's during my favorite time of the year, Christmas, but mostly because it is of the people I love the most, my family ! My youngest son Jonathan is represented in a photo because he was currently serving a mission, he'll be home this coming November :) And baby Chloe was in my daughter's belly at the time :)

5. Tag five people you wish to pass this award on to ! 

It was so hard to narrow it down to only 5 blogs, I love so many of them :)

1. Mary at Cardz TV
  I can't say enough about how much I love Mary's blog ! She is one of my card making idols :)


2. Nicole at Canadian Nickel Scrapin
 My awesome friend from up North just blows me away with her creativity !


3. Christina at Creations with Christina
 This girl is oozing with creativity ! She is one of the first bloggers I started to follow :)


4. Jessica at Kinder Stamp O
There is always something awesome going on over at this girls blog :)


5. Joanna at Scrap Making
Super talented ! I love her designs !

NATIONAL PICNIC DAY BLOG HOP !

 HAPPY SATURDAY EVERYONE 
and welcome to our...
NATIONAL PICNIC DAY BLOG HOP! 

 Today's Blog Hop is all about picnics ! 

My favorite picnics are on the beach! I love being surrounded with good food, family and friends by the ocean! And isn't it weird how food always tastes better outdoors ?!
So let's celebrate this great outdoor past time with some craftin'!

If you've arrived here then you must have just visited 
Melanie at Scrappy Mel's!

 Now it's my turn to share my take on probably the most popular picnic snack ever ! Watermelon ! And of course no picnic would be complete without those little surprise guests, bugs ! But aren't these little guys cute enough to squeeze! Ok now...

I said squeeze, not squish ! LOL !

 I decided to challenge myself and ONLY use patterned paper in this design. Do you like it? I'm really happy with how it came out :)
The watermelon is from The Preserves cart and the stamp and sentiment are from Stampin UP. Papers from various sources.

Now for the BLOG CANDY !

I am giving away this adorable "Amusing Animals Stamp Set" from Scrappy Moms that I know you will love !

 All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, become a follower of my blog and leave me a way to get a hold of you. 
I'll announce the  Random.org winner on 
Monday afternoon July 12th.

Thank you SO MUCH for hopping along with us 

and stopping by my blog !

Good Luck !

Your next stop is Michelle over at Scrappin with my Bug ! I know you'll just love it there too !

If by any chance you get lost, below are the links

to the rest of our featured bloggers ! And remember our host

Sarah at The Pink Cricut! has an awesome GRAND PRIZE TO GIVE AWAY sponsored by Memory Miser , so make sure you end up at Sarah's blog when you are done hopping ! 

 HAVE FUN AND HAPPY HOPPING !

 Sarah the Host  

 Christie

 Holly

Abbie

Melanie

Alex ( that's me) 

Michelle 

Kim

Candace

Jenny

A BABY CHICK's BLESSING

HI EVERYONE !

I'm feeling so much better and the doc actually gave me the OK today to take a road trip to visit my kids and grand kids ! I'm so happy ! Especially since my little grand baby Chloe will have her baby blessing at our church this Sunday. I was so sad to think I could miss that ! 
But I won't, YIPPIE ! 

Last night I felt well enough to whip up a very special card for the occasion. AAAHHH it was so good to craft again :)

Isn't it so cute ? 

I especially love the sentiment idea that popped into my head while crafting it. It expresses exactly what I wish for my precious little granddaughter ! Also, I had made this quilt for her blessing a few weeks ago. I can't wait to see her crawling all over it !

Thank goodness I made it way ahead of time !

HAVE A WONDERFUL 4th of JULY EVERYONE!

I'll see ya when I get back :)