10/31 Boo Birds

"Where have I been? That's the question I have been getting in my email inbox and in my messages for a couple of weeks! I haven't stopped creating, I have just hit the slow motion switch for a while. I have been on the go pretty much nonstop for the last two months, having a senior in high school and revamping our business is keeping me rather occupied! Add to that- my need to spend more time with my family, and friends, and to live a well rounded life,frankly it has left less time for the craftroom! That being said, I DO plan to get back into a regular crafty groove in the next few days!

 Let's start with a Spooky card inspired by this weeks mojo Monday sketch! I'm just loving these jailhouse looking birds....they are more funny than creepy so I stamped over them with a spiderweb to darken their spirits just a bit!

A lace doily spritzed with raven and jack-o-lantern glimmer mist and distressed edges on all of the layers add a look of  disheveled Halloween goodness! Do you just love the greeting? me too!!! Its from SRM stickers, and sooooo cute! This will be a fun card to send to my nephews with a little care package....because you know me {always a reason to send a gift}! 

Thanks for sticking with me, and to so many of you who checked in on me to make sure everything is okay, I appreciate your friendship and kindness and genuine care for me! * call me a little awestruck that you even noticed* ;)

happy creating~ hugs!

Making Wishes!

The celebrations are like a mountain of butter cream frosted cupcakes around here this time of year! So many birthdays and life changing events happening all at once its hard to keep the smile off of my face {frosting too...but that's another story} :) I want to celebrate each and every birthday, so I will put my tools to work for me, that way I can save time, and have plenty of energy for all of the good times!

 I used the Cuttlebug all in one cupcake set for this card, the fab-tastic thing is that I embossed it, and sanded it and shazam the card front is practically finished!!! 

 A few little paper curls, and a ticket granting a wish completes the card...and I'm ready to head to the party! I have 6 birthdays in the next few days, a homecoming, a new baby, a wedding, and my daughter got her very first car!!! what a week { a frosting dream come true!} yummmo! 

 Now I'm heading to the airport to pick up my oldest daughter, and take her out for lunch our favorite... Hispanic food!! Oh and a bit of  gift shopping! I may need a nap after all of that! :) { or a small loan} *snort*

Winner announced!

I know you have all been waiting for me to finally announce the winner of the Lanor day weekend prize pack giveaway!!! I have had an unexpected series of events take place that threw me off schedule- nothing bad happened in fact all of these events are good news!! I had to leave town for a few days and my trip has been elongated for a bit, so hang in there I promise oodles and oodles of sharing, crafting, and  craziness before the week ends!!!!

 OK I bet you are way more interested in the name of that lucky winner than you are my chit chat!!  :)
The winner is MIRIAM PRATNER!!!!! Congrats Miriam !!!!! Shoot me an email with your mailing address and I will get these right out to you!!! I can't wait to see all he fun Hello Kitty projects you make for your girl!!!! :)

Until I return- happy creating!  Shantaie

Giveaway, and Vintage style tags!

I have a giveaway package for you, with lots of goodies sure to spark some creativity! The Hello Kitty font Cricut cartridge, The Pop-Up neighborhood Cricut cartridge, A typeset cuttlebug embossing folder, a set of Cricut Ink cartridges {markers} and a sweet chipboard mini album. To enter to win, leave a comment below  telling me what you will miss the most about summer!

 I will miss the ability to sleep in, I love when school is out and we can stay up late, eat meals well into the late night, and have the occasional sleepy slow morning! Oh how I will count the days for school to be out again! :)

I also love the activities of summer, I live to be outside, I can sit by the water for hours, but I can't sit in front of the TV for more than an hour or two! These vintage Bicycle tags remind me of a time when folks had to make their own entertainment, long bike rides, croquet, and walks in the park. Too bad those days are gone, but the adoration for them will never be!

Sweet little elements like, cotton thread and silver bells add a whimsical touch.

These tags were cut using the Cricut Craft Room exclusive digital bicycles cartridge, it does not look like an heirloom cartridge, but if you put your mind to it, most any image can be softened with the choice of papers, or embellies! {I said almost} I can't see some things working...but who knows you might invent a new trend!

Whatever you do this weekend, make it happy!

Tweet Tweet!

Hi Yall' I hope you are hanging in there with me as I get back in the groove, reacquaint myself with my craft room, and dodge a few boulders this week! I know not all of you have a Cricut Imagine, but if you do here is a card showing several ways to customize your cuts....if you don't maybe these ideas will come in handy when working with tags, and printed papers...so don't leave just yet...stick around and take a look! :)

Stitching a printed layer adds texture, and visual interest, plus takes away the "carbon copy" feel of printed images. Adding elements such as this fringie-ish trim, and quilled flower add luxury to the project. A chain, and foam tape to pop the bird cage away from the bird give the image a more "realistic" spin. Stamped, printed, die cut, it doesn't matter...if you add embellishments to them they become your personal artwork, and not just another cookie cutter image.

Check out the metal effect I achieved by inking the cage in a metallic ink and embossing powder! I know its another one of my "more is more" cards, but when you are having fun, more IS more!!! 

Don't jump ship on me just yet my friends, I promise I will be back to a regular schedule after Labor day....in fact lets do this right! I will be announcing a holiday giveaway on Friday AM !!!

happy creating!

If The Flip Flop Fits....Island life

Summer days are behind me, Chelsea has been back to school for a week already, and we are trying to get settled back into a more structured schedule. The key word is trying! I am having a shameless love affair with the snooze button, because going to bed early is so against my nature. I think I am better suited to island life, where the attitude is relaxed and casual outdoor living is king! Ah paradise!!! 

This frame was embellished using cuts from the Pack your bags Cricut cartridge, the wooden frame was painted a bold green and paired with hot pink flowers! Strips of paper were curled to create tendrils all around...one of my favorite cheap tricks! 

I placed a photo of Meagan with the Florida Keys sunset as seen from our balcony in the background. This cruise photo is several years old, but it still reminds me of how amazingly relaxed and refreshed we were on our trip! I could spend the rest of my days sailing walking on the beach and sipping cocktails.....but until I find a genie in a bottle to grant my wishes, I will just dream of Island life!

As always happy creating!

A Year To Remember mini Album

As I think of all that has happened in the past 8 months there are several occasions that jump to the forefront. These are typically the things we preserve, through photos, scrapbook pages, and journals, usually months if not years after the event has occurred. The photos can help tell the story but the little details or funny happenings can become a little fuzzy in your memory after time goes by {or is that just me?} ;)

Enter the concept of a month by month mini album, a 12 page album using the SRM calendar companion stickers. I used a file folder cut from the "from my Kitchen" Cricut cartridge and cut all of the pages with a paper line that has multiple coordinating  patterns, and filled in each with one photo depicting a moment or event from each month.The idea of one page at a time is so much less daunting than an entire album all at once, especially to a new scrapper! 

I look forward to adding new photos and personal memories to the rest of this album! I do have a few hints to help you with your own month by month album. Choose papers that work well together, and are not too season specific, use small black and white photos. They allow room for embellishing while still letting the photos be the real star of the page. Small moments can be forgotten over time, so include those as well as big events such as Christmas or vacations. Assemble the album, and keep all the scraps in a container for future use, you may want to add extra elements using your papers as you go! Most importantly enjoy the process, share the tiniest details .......because that is where the real story of your photos and of your real life truly live!

Speaking of real life, check back with me in the next few days for more projects, and some great photos from our summer adventures!