Compliments of the Season

So very hard to believe that Christmas of 2012 is now behind me.  This year seems to have just flown by.  I commit in 2013 to slow down embrace small everyday moments and hold them close to my heart.  

Today is Friday Die Cut SOUS reveal day and we love those days !!  For this challenge and in keeping with the spirit of Christmas we were asked to create using a 'deer' cut of some kind.
Because we deeerly love Christmas this was a wonderful challenge :).   I created a few cards for some crafty friends.  Hope they inspire you to pull out your holiday photos and start creating.

 

For these cards I used the Cricut Carts, Sophie, Damask Decor and TC Dec 25

Be sure to go back and check out all the designs our team has created on the official SOUS blog.  As always they are an amazing bunch of gals!.  

Wishing you and yours the best of the season and hopes for a wonderful 2013.   Happy New Year to you!

The Greatest Gifts of all

If I have learned anything recently its that the smallest kindest gestures of love, family and friends are the greatest gifts I will ever receive.  How many of us can recall physical gifts received from childhood, the paper and the bows ?  from Santa or from Grandma?  yeah... me either.  But I can recall so may moments from my childhood where the memories will forever be etched onto my heart.  I can so recall playing kitchen with my Grandad where I would pour fake coffee and he would always played along.  Or snapping peas on the porch with Grandmother and as a toddler following my brother to the fishing hole in the neighborhood where he would bait my hand made fishng pole of a stick and found fishing line.   I think I could tell stories forever and not a single one would consist of the opening of a box and finding some sort of treasure.  Thus my title of this layout for the latest Stuck on U die cut challenge.  We were asked to create something with GIFTs.  
The photo not yet taken ;).... will be one of my sweet neice at Christmas.  

Hugs to you and yours this holiday season!! 
 Be sure to check out the SOUS blog to see what the fabulous Die Cut gals have created but not before you check out my photos.  :)

 

 

 



 

 

Cricut Cartridges used were Birthday Bash and Teresa Collins Sophisticated

 

HOO's HOO ? :)

Happy Friday all !!  Its a fabulous Friday over on the SOUS blog!  This weeks Die Cut challenge was to create something using an OWL and OH MY WOW did the gals come up with some amazing designs! 
While we are approaching the best of the Harvest season here in the South, and while Hootie Owls are aplenty, when given this challenge I knew that I wanted to use a bright fun photo of myself and my most favorite neice sporting our pink croc's and it gives me an opportunity to get my girly on since I am surrounded by boys.   This layout just makes me smile :)

For the different cuts I used the Cricut cartridges:Hoot n Hollar, Don Juan, Opposites Attract and Crocs Rule. I also pulled out a Martha Stewart border punch and embossing folder for the heart.
I must say that when I purchased the Crocs Rule Cartridge I had every intention of using it for some of Codys High School layouts as their mascot was a gator.   It never crossed my mind till now to pull it out for shocasing our cute little CROC's!   This is def. going to be used again as my entire family has lots of love for our Croc's.   :)   On to the photos..

 

 

 

 

CUTE CUTE CUTE !! If I may :)      Now if you have never checked out the OFFICIAL STUCK ON U SKETCH BLOG BEFORE NOW IS THE TIME !  I am telling you will not be disapointed as this weeks projects were all rocked out by my fellow Die Cut Team gal pals!    Just click the link here and enjoy!    Be sure to grab a pencil as I am sure you will want to jot down all the resources used for these projects.   ;)     Huggs and hope your days are filled with joy during this holiday season!

Autumn Bliss

Happy Friday everyone!   This latest SOUS challenge could not have come at a more perfect time.  My yard is covered with the most beautiful array of color and this family loves it!  Having a home with sportsmen there is no better season then Fall.  They live for the outdoors and everything it has to offer.   For this SOUS challenge we were asked to create something using the word Fall or Autumn.  I chose Autumn Bliss as my title.  Although he and his Dad my have the most beautiful blue eyes, Autumn suites them both perfectly :)

The Title Autumn Bliss and the little leaves were cut from Cricuts Gypsy Wanderings and the Border cuts all from Cricuts Paper Trimmings.   The paper used for this was a K and Co. paper pad where everything worked so beautifully together.  Their paper is the perfect weight and just cuts like butter through my machine.  A touch of glitter, a few flowers, burlap, ribbon and pearls... ahhh the little things that make me happy.  Yep... even on this boys page :)

As always be sure to check out the official SOUS blog for all the design teams latest creations.  I am always inspired by their talents :)   

Easy Breezy

Simply sweet photo of my most favorite kiddo.
Life.... yep, life is good.  :)

 

Velvet covered heart button.... sweeeet :)

 

LUCKY ME

Was it luck that brought his dad and I together?  Luck that he and I have an amazing relationship?
Luck that my days are filled with Laundry and Joy?  Although I do feel like one Lucky Girl, I would rather think of all of these things as Blessings handed to me by one amazing God.   
I have no children of my own, but am so very thankful and acknowledge how Blessed I am and take no day spent with my family for granted.

These photos were taken at lunch on the day that he would Graduate from HS. 

 

 

 

 

 

*** sigh.... wishing Time ... would crawl at a snails pace.  

Sweet Child

Spent a weekend away with some wonderful women at a beautiful bed and breakfast.  I do not think I have ever completed more projects in a single weekend.  I truly am blessed to have had such an opportunity.   I wanted to share a few of the layouts I created.  My fella's are my world and I love them dearly.    This first layout is of Cody in his element.  He and his dad are both Nature lovers and it shows.  He just glows and so do I.   He will always be one of my most favorite memories. 

Using what I think is my most favorite of paper lines MME.   So many elements, texture and depth offered with their lines how can anyone not love them!

A Happy Halloween Hello

Ok, so reveal day was Friday on SOUS and well.. today is Saturday.  My scheduled post went MIA **sigh.     But nothing like a brisk Saturday morning sitting in my fuzzy socks :) browsing blog land.  Be sure to check out the official SOUS blog and link up one of your own projects!

For this SOUS challenge we were to use a pumpkin or a vegtable.  I created a simple sweet little Halloween Hello.  Actually I made 6 of these cards !  so much fun.  I just love this cut of the pumpkins in a row from the Cricut Cart MS Holiday Cakes.   The happy colors and a sprinkle glitter :).  

Im off to the post office to mail to some distant friends.   Hope your day is filled with oodles of  Fun !

 

 

The littlest bat in the tiny flower... from EK success border punch.  :)

Lake Side Wedding

Created for a friend and her Eufaula Lakeside wedding.  :)  I love how this turned out.

Cricut Cartridges used were, MS Elegant Cakes, Winter Woodland and Cindy Loo.

For my ' BOO '

Admit it.  We all have cute little names for our family members.  :)    When Ms. Nanne' from Stuck On U sketches posted for our latest project I was stummped.    I live in the country and do not  receive trick or treaters.  Cody being 19... well not many photo ops there for me to stage something before the due date.   However I do love love the changing of the seasons and all the colors of the holiday and who can go with out mentioning the 'candy '!     So for this ' Creepy Crawly ' challenge I decided to create some decor for my kitchen and a little treat bag to fill with all of my ' BOO's ' favorite candy :).

For the decor I have had this cartridge for ... well since it was released and I am afraid to tell you when that was. LOL.  So I decided it was time to crack the seal on the Pumpkin Carvings cartridge and create a glass block for my kitchen to glow at night :).   I filled it with orange toole and white lights and instead of Cody drawing a face on a pumpkin to be carved, he managed to make enough time for me to picked this cute little expression out for his block :).       On to the little bag.   Confession,  this was one of a few projects I worked on but did not finish for the PC contest using their new release Create a Critter 2.   I finished it too late to enter but just in time for the SOUS challenge and I am quite pleased.    I cut Orange and Black fabric using my Gypsy for the treat bag design, then cut again 3 more times.   This allowed me to line the inside and to make it more sturdy.  The bottom and sides were created with a straight 3.5 inch strip.   all pieces were sewn together with raw edges showing.  Once completed the edges were not lined up so perfectly so I used pinking shears to even out and I like how it added a little extra something.    Outlined the eyes and mouth with stickles and created a handle using wired vintage silver tinsle.   The tag, is a $1 bin bag of wooden tags covered in paper.  The 'BOO' was cut using Sizzix Sock Hop font.   

My sweet BOO will be happy to see his little treat bag filled with goodies come hallows eve. :) 

 

Be sure to creep over to the original SOUS Blog for more ideas our Design team created for this challenge.  Your sure to be inspired :)

Every Leaf A Flower

Its another Friday and another chance to share some SOUS love.  This weeks challenge was to create something with a FALL theme.  The crisp cool air is slowly moving in here in GA and and in the wake of the loss of my brother I am reminded how much he loved this time of year.   For this challenge, I pulled some photos of a recent camping trip he took with a few friends and family.  You can see here he adored my sweet neice as he worked hard to build her a boat with sticks and the perfect leaves for the sails.  Simply precious their love of nature. 
Its been a while since I first created my paperdolls and knew immediately I wanted to create another, with big green eyes just like his complete with laced up shoes and all.   Hope you like.  For more doll inspiration, see my blog listing.  In fact one of my first was featured in the Cricut Chirp some time back :)   ( Hot lil' fireman ). The quote used on this layout is from a stamp I had on hand as I have a secret love for acorns and oak leaves.   A bit of coloring and glittering and done. :)

Once you have browsed be sure to link back to the official SOUS blog for some more stunning inspiration for fall creations.  These ladies are simply amazing. 

My Layout uses Cricuts Paper Dolls for the doll and rake, also Doodlecharms for the basket.

 

 

Save 2nd Base

My favorite time of HS baseball was when the guys would play in theme.  What I mean by this is their uniforms and hats were unique for an individual game and cause.  These boys have played in army greens and hosted appreciation games for men in uniform.  They play for causes to raise money for relief efforts of other communities hit by natural disaster and for this game, they played for Breast Cancer Awareness.  Wearing pink, and their hats Pink and Black with the little ribbon on the back.  I just love that this Coach found a way for our boys to remember communities, honor loved ones lost and support causes even in their everyday activities such as baseball.   I am going to miss Codys High School Days but will cherish the memories for always.

I did not realize this photo was so blurry and I will be replacing with a newer one come Saturday!

This layout was prompted by yet another fantastic group over at Stuck on U Sketches.   We were asked to create something with the theme " Put me in Coach ".   I did not hesitate to pull this photo of Cody and his friends in their pink shirts and a fantastic cause.   The carts used for this were Art Nouveau for the butterfly and Boys will be Boys for the baseball bat and "Playing" title. Then there was good Ol' Don Juan, a go to font for the title " Save 2nd Base ".   The little ribbon, that came from Stand and Salute.  

 

Dont forget to head on over to the official SOUS blog and check out what my other DT gals have created!  Loads of inspiration for so many different sports themes :)

Wonderful World of Cars

Its time for another SOUS creation.  This one challenged us to incorporate vehicles into a project.
Being that we are well into our NASCAR season, no better time then now to sit and scrapbook some long overdue photo's.  WOW how time flies... can you say 2003 ?!?!?!!!  I hope I am not alone with the back log of memories just waiting to be revisited.  Bryan and I spent our anniversary in 2003 with a few friends at the Charlotte NC track.   Boy was I spoiled.  As you can tell from the few photos we were hanging out with the drivers.  Yep behind that fence for all you fans ;).   I never knew just how nice their buses were till then.   We were given our own little golf cart to scoot around just about anywhere we wanted to go.  PIT ROW was a first request where I was able to take a few photos with some willing fella's :) ( Go Brown ).   The rains came, as they do often and we were off to the garage where we were able to capture the crews in action.  You would not believe how clean they keep everything!  I was so very impressed and overwhelmed at the generosity of everyone we met.   Oh this is not all of them but its a start.  For these layouts I pulled out the fantastic CARS Cricut Cartridge.  Could there be anything more perfect?  :)  

 

For the Cars cut, you will see multiple layers, a bit of copic coloring and some sparkle! 

Everything looks better with a little glitter right ?

                                                                      GO BIG BROWN!

 

Who does not love a bit of Lightning McQueen, you know he always dreamed of being a NASCAR super star :)    Lots of layering but oh so worth it.   Again some glitter to polish him up and a Checkered flag waving the boys around for the final lap.

 

Perfect Pit stop markers!  as a rain delay brought out a Caution. 

I layered the flags and popdotted to give a bit of dimention.  

 

My most favorite cut of all.  Wierd I know.  but I jsut love this.  I cut the stop light and popdotted, and colored.  I used for the Red, Yellow and Green glitter paper so it would appear to be lit up a bit.  I also used perfect pearls for the white highlites with in.   I will be using this cut again I am sure. 

 

 

And the two page spread.  10 pictures and 7 die cuts on a two page layout.  Whew thats alot for someone who usually scraps a single photo at a time, but boy do I love out it turned out.  
Now head on over to the official SOUS blog for some more exciting vehicle inspired projects!  I think you will be pleasantly surprised by all the different ideas the ladies came up with.

Hugs until next time :)

 

SOUS School is Cool

Amazing how life can change in an instant.   My posts will be slow to come as my family greives the loss of my brother.  He was an amazing soul and I am blessed to have had him in my life.

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This post although late being published to my own blog was completed for the August 10 SOUS die cut DT.  The theme, School is cool and with my Cody just graduating nothing was cooler than seeing him having fun and living life with no worries his Senior year in HS.   These photo's were from Prom and not sure if the look on their faces show 'fun times ahead' or 'trouble'.  Either way he survived and is now preparing for college. ACK!     For my layout I used the Cricut Cart. Elegant Cakes.  If you have not thought of cake carts for your regular machines please do.  They are filled with the most elegant borders and fonts.   I also used the Cricut Cart Pretty Pennants.   And yeppers... another one completed for my sweet boy .... with flowers ;)     

If you have not already visited the official SOUS Blog, please do so and check out all the inspiration for Back to school that our other DT gals created.  Lots of fantastic ideas to get your MOJO going.

ROCK ALL NIGHT GUITARS

Lets keeps this going shall we.   Post #2 of 7.  I think your really going to love this one!  and mind you the BEST one is yet to come ;)      For any who are just now reading this I encourage you to read the previous post.  I am sharing a series of 7 signs created for a little rockers 4th Birthday party.   This beauty represented the 'shop' where each guest could come shop and pick out their very own guitar! ( hee hee, blow up versions from oriental trading I think )   The Guitars they were able to find had flames on them and so of course I followed suit.     The Cricut Cartridge used... wait for it... Rock Princess !!! yep that guitar came off of Rock Princess and the flames were added using Indie art.   I love proving that even a girl cartridge can be worked for the boys :)         

2 down and 5 to go!  see you soon

HARD ROCK candy bar

Ok.. remember when I mentioned not much activity in blog land.. but that I had been busy ?  Well... this post is the begining of some things I have been working on.     First up.  A ROCKIN BIRTHDAY !!  I have a friend at the office who wanted to help another friend and asked if I could create a few signs that would serve as ' store fronts ' for a childs rockin birthday party.  Cool I thought and so I said yes not even having met this other gal.  So with my list in hand, I was challenged to come up with a sign for the following:  Candy Bar, Gift Table, Cake Table, Guitar stand, Hair salon and Tattoo Parlor.   This cool kid loves playing guitar hero and his favorite color was blue.   Did I mention he was only 4 ?   LOL... yep I did the same thing. But learned quickly that this kiddo was into his parents classic rock music and could beat most anyone in guitar hero.  That game alone is what sparked the idea of this party.   So MOM decided to envolve all the family,  each would dress in rocker style and man a station and it was my job to 'ROCK IT OUT' ensuring it was boyish, and fun.  So with out delay lets get onto the fun stuff shall we.  :)   

For todays post I will share the first Sign representing the Candy Bar.... and for the next few days I will post the remaining till they are all up so please stay tuned.

Ok.. so kid party... a table set up with a variety of candies and treats, a boy and ROCK... humm I thought.  But it did not take long to imagine the Hard Rock Cafe'  :) 
So below is my version and Sign no. 1.

The base for all signs is the typical school project foam core board.  I cut each with a razor as my starting point.   For the Hard Rock Candy Bar, I used the Cricut Cartridge George and Basic shapes to cut my circle and the shadow.   "Candy Bar" was cut from Cricut Cartridge Street Sign, and " Hard Rock " cut from Hanna Montanna.    I glittered the circle wanting to give the effect of 'rock candy' for any of you that remember that :).   Being that his favorite color was blue, you will find it mixed in just about every single sign.   You will also find that although this was for a boy... I used the Hanna Montanna cartridge often as well.  So to any who thought that it was just for girls.... check back in the coming days and you just may have a change of heart ;)