Winter Themed Birthday Card

Here's a winter themed card I made for a skating lover! I used Action Wobbles to make my skater look like she was really skating along the ice and I also used my go-to stamp set, Celebrate Men by A Jillian Vance Design. I love embossing my sentiments!

Supplies:
Cricut Winter Frolic cartridge (Skater cut at 3.5)
Versamark Watermark ink in Frost
Martha Stewart Embossing Powder in Dove
A Jillian Vance Design Stamps - Celebrate Men
Ranger Stickles - Silver
Action Wobble
Elmers Pom-Poms
Imaginisce Jewels (for the buttons)
Card Base - Recollections
Peachy Keen Stamps - Princess Faces
Cardstock and background paper - scraps from my stash!

Was Santa Good To You? Special News and My Crafty Christmas Stocking Stuffers...

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Although there wasn't much snow on the ground, it was still a perfect holiday!  I'm enjoying close to 2 weeks off work. During this time, I plan on catching up on my to-do list, which is growing longer and longer by the day!

I'm really excited about some of the crafty stocking stuffers I received from my hubby: Cricut Ribbons & Rosettes, Snow Day and Victorian Romance.

He also gave me a Martha Stewart book I have been eyeing: Martha's Entertaining - A Year of Celebrations.  It is a beautiful book with loads of gorgeous pictures, recipes and inspiration for all seasons.

But the best gift of all that I received is the little baby girl that is growing in my tummy!  I am almost 6 months pregnant with my first baby and hubby and I are ecstatic!  This is also the reason why I have been much quieter on my blog. I haven't had much time to craft since the fatigue and morning sickness took over.  But my second trimester has been much better and slowly I have been getting back into crafting. We've also had to turn my craft room into a nursery and now my craft room is in the office, which will take some getting used to. My supplies aren't quite organized and I'm not yet comfortable in that space. But you can expect lots of crafting coming soon:  I will be creating invites, banners, and all sorts of fun stuff for my baby shower :)

Did you receive anything for Christmas that was on your crafty list?

Cricut Circle Blog Christmas Card

Last year on the Cricut Circle Blog, Jana Eubank posted three super-cute Christmas cards as well as printable PDF instructions and downloadable gypsy files. I couldn't resist. I just had to make one of these cards. I didn't have all the materials that she used, but I was still able to pull it off with my stash at home and this card turned out just darling!

Supplies:
Cricut Christmas Cards cartridge
Kraft, Aqua, Brown and White cardstock
Martha Stewart Holidays Woodland Paper Stack
Martha Stewart Tinsel Glitter
Prima Calypso Flowers
Aqua Ribbon
Aqua Button
Ranger Stickles - X-mas Red
ATD - Christmas Party Chipboard Stickers Collection
Xyron
Adhesive
Gypsy file from the Cricut Circle Blog

- For the snowflake hills, my 2.5 Xyron came in handy. In fact any time I glitter, it's the easiest and fastest thing ever if I use my Xyron. I <3 my Xyrons :)  I always use Martha Stewart glitter. Her glitter is simply the best there is on the market.  For this card, I used her Tinsel glitter from the Holidays collection.

- For the poinsettia, I used the Prima Calypso collection.  To me, there wasn't enough glitter on this flower so I used Ranger's stickles in Christmas Red, dabbed some on the flower and spread it with my finger. It dries in a couple of hours.

- For the stitching, I brought the card over to my mom's to stitch for me. As you can see, we both need some serious help with stitching. But the point is that she tried really hard.

Cricut Imagine Santa's Village {Christmas Tags}

The Cricut Imagine Santa's Village cartridge is a MUST HAVE for all Imagine owners!  When Hello Thursday came around, there were a few photos and projects posted on the internet, but when this cartridge arrived and I flipped through the book, I just could NOT contain my excitement! There are some beautiful projects and bonus images never seen before. One of my favourite features on this cartridge is a 12x12 page loaded with 20 vintage Christmas tags! Heaven! The whole cartridge has a vintage feel to it.  As you can see by all the pictures I posted below, the tags were so gorgeous I couldn't leave out any pics!  Although these tags are breath-taking, I knew that by adding a few simple things could take them to the "next level". 


Here are a few shots of the tags before I jazzed them up:

Here are some after pics:

Without getting too detailed since there are sooo many tags, here's a general supply list of tools and embellishments that I used:


i-rock
various types of ribbon
vintage twine
buttons
stickles


I also backed each tag onto cardstock to give it  a thicker base and a more profound look and chalk inked every single tag.

Hope you enjoyed these beautiful tags. There is so much more on this cartridge and I think it is worth the money based on the content.

{Maria's Recovery} Breast Cancer Thank You Cards

On January 20, 2011, my mother Maria was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Two weeks after, a mastectomy was performed and she healed quite well (besides an infection, which she was treated for).  We have since found out that she is triple negative, meaning that her cancer is not hormonal, and further treatment is not available (besides chemo).  Since her cancer was detected early and because she opted for a mastectomy as opposed to a lumpectomy, she does not require chemotherapy.  Besides close monitoring through MRI's and Mammograms, all we can do is keep our faith and continue praying to God, who has been so good to our family!

From a crafting perspective, I was determined to try and find ways to craft my way through my mom's cancer.  I needed to find the much sought after Cricut "Pink Journey" cartridge.  After no such luck, and much research, I found many alternatives!

Below is the Thank You card that I created for my mom back in the winter. If you are desperately searching for a ribbon cut, you do not need to have Pink Journey!!! I redeemed 800 Cricut reward points and got Cricut "Stand and Salute" which has a beautiful ribbon cut!

Supplies:
Cricut "Stand and Salute" cartridge, Ribbon @ Page 30
Cricut "Christmas Cards" cartridge (for the card base and layers)
Rose, Baby Pink and White cardstock
Scrappy Mom Stamps
Pink By Design Stamps "Faithful Sayings"
Martha Stewart Border Punch
Martha Stewart Glitter in Kunzite

My mom chose the stamps sentiments!

Halloween Birthday Invite {Witchy Wednesday}

My niece's 11th birthday is coming up! And my favourite kind of paper crafting is making invitations. I love choosing fonts, colours, themes, etc. For these Halloween themed invites, I got to use my darling halloween stamps from A Jillian Vance design. The broom is from the Witchy Poo set and the adorable spider is from the Spooky set.

Supplies:
A Jillian Vance Stamps - Witchy Poo and Spooky
Cricut Happy Hauntings cartridge
Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors (for the grass)
K & Co. chipboard
Martha Stewart Embossing Powder
Chalk Ink

If you want more Halloween inspiration, check out what my teammates created over at A Jillian Vance Design Blog!

Stampin Daisies Design Team Day

Hello Everyone! Today's challenge for Stampin Daisies was to use our Ocean Buddies stamp set and we were also given a sketch to follow.  Here's what I came up with:

Like the way my Dolphin image looks even though I didn't colour it in?  I am not a colourer, nor do I have any copics, but I have a couple of tips for you to turn an image stamp into the best it can be without having to colour it:

1) Stamp your dolphin on blue cardstock
2) Trim the image to the shape of the dolphin
3) Stamp the dolphin again on white cardstock
4) Taking the white cardstock stamped image, trim around the belly of the dolphin only
5) Attach the white belly piece onto the blue based dolphin image
6) To give my dolphin more dimension and flare, I glitter glued the belly!


Supplies:
Stampin Daisies Ocean Buddies stamps
Martha Stewart Glitter Glue
Momento Cocoa Ink
Imaginisce Brown gems and I-Rock
Chalk Ink
Pattern paper and strips of paper all from scraps stash

Be sure to visit the rest of the team to check out their creations and enter the challenge!
Monica http://stampindaisies.blogspot.com/
Sherry http://patternsbysher.blogspot.com/
Linda http://www.fancyframework.com/
Jessica http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
Jenny http://www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com/

A Giveaway, Update on my mom, and A Jillian Vance Special Offer!

Update on my mom:
Hi Everyone! As you know, back in January, my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She is doing much better now and you would never know that she was sick! We just have to keep on praying that she stays healthy and stress-free! Ever since my mom was diagnosed, this matter has been very important to me. I was ecstatic when I found out that Jillian Vance would be coming out with an “Ink Pink Collection”! Perfect timing for October and Breast Cancer awareness month!


Giveaway:
But first, in honour of Jillian’s new gorgeous stamp sets and my mom’s great health, I am giving away a copy of Cricut Magazine (August 2011) and Cricut Cards Magazine to one lucky winner! I will do this if 50 of my followers head on over to the Jillian Vance Design Team Blog and become a follower! Here’s what you need to do: 1) Follow the Jillian Vance Design Team Blog and leave a comment on the most recent post saying “Nadia sent me” and 2) Come back to my blog, comment on this post and let me know that you did #1! That’s it! It’s that easy!

A Jillian Vance Design...Special Edition stamp collection:
If you are too anxious and want to check out these stamps, click to see all the rave! http://www.ajillianvancedesign.com/InkPink.html


Jillian’s Exclusive Ink Pink Collection featuring her ALL NEW Stamp set “Pray for a Cure” which comes in either a Round Set or a Rectangle Set.


The Ink Pink Collection will include:
•Pray for the Cure Stamp Set in your choice of Round or Rectangle
•Pink Acrylic Stamp block in either 3x3 for the Round set or 3 x4 for the Rectangle set
•5 Charming Jilly Charms, Breast Cancer themed, made of fine pewter right here in the USA!
•5 A Jillian Vance Design Pear Pins to attach the Charms onto your projects.
•A sample of Rinkle Ribbon, vintage ribbon to wrinkle and crinkle, ½” wide and Made in the USA.
•Bonus for ordering online at http://www.ajillianvancedesign.com/InkPink.html, a FREE Vera Bradley Zip ID Case in Loves Me. While supplies last.


All this for only $38.95 plus shipping. over $55.00 value!!!


IN ADDITION TO ALL THE WONDERFUL PRODUCTS IN THIS COLLECTION, THEY
COORDINATE WITH SPELLBINDERS NESTABILITIES!!!


The Round Set coordinates with:


Spellbinders Nestabilities
Beaded Circle S4-292
Classic Scalloped Circles S4-124
Standard Circles Small S4-116
Spellbinders Nestabilities:


The Rectangle Set coordinates with:
Large Labels S4-168


Collections start shipping out in Mid-September or sooner as items become available.


So...what are you waiting for? Go follow the blog, come back here and comment to be entered! Don't forget to check out the beautiful new breast cancer stamp sets that she has.

Teresa Collins Stampmaker Halloween Stamps

Some of you may or may not know this, but Teresa Collins tops my list of favourite crafty designers. I just love her style.  It's classy, timeless, chic and elegant. If it's Teresa Collins, I gotta have it! A while back, I discovered the Teresa Collins stampmaker and I fell in love with the machine. You can literally turn anything into a stamp, including photos!

Every month, Photocentric comes out with free downloadable images for your stampmaker and so many of them remind me of Teresa Collins' style.

This month's free stamps were back to school and halloween based images and I couldn't resist and finally printed out negatives for the first time on my laser printer. With the new Cricut Teresa Collins Chic & Scary cartridge about to arrive in the mail any day and with the release of her new "Haunted Hallows" paper line, these stamps were a must for me to make to use with all my planned projects!

The negatives are good for a lifetime so once you are done, you store them away and in the event you ever need to make the stamp again, you can re-use your negative. Below is a picture of what the negatives look like.

It's a super quick process and here are the results! I'm not sure why one stamp is clear and the other is coloured, but regardless, they work so I'm not all that concerned.  Below is a picture of what they look like once the stampmaking process is complete.

Below is a picture of what the stamps look like inked up with black ink and stamped onto white cardstock. The stamps are very distressed looking and rugged around the edges, I just love the look!

Some close up shots of the stamps.

You're Engaged!

Hi Everyone! This is Nadia from Nadia's Beautiful Mess and I am one of Monica's designers! While I am waiting for the remainder of my Stampin Daisies samples to arrive in the mail, I thought I would utilize Monica's very first stamp set, Just the Basics.  It is specially priced right now so click on the link below if you are interested. 

One of my co-workers just got engaged and Monica's stamps came in handy for my card.

I wanted a home sewn look. My sewing is off, but I think that is what gives my card character. The lighting is dark however the ribbon is actually brown.  
I also couldn't resist using another adorable stamp on this set on the back of my card. I love the font Monica used:

Supplies:Stampin Daisies Just the BasicsCricut Sweethearts cartridgeK&Co. paperMomento Ink in Rich CocoaRecollections pearl bradFoam squares
Thanks for looking!

Monogrammed Note Cards {Stampin Daisies DT Post!}

Today is our very first design team post for Stampin Daisies!  I used this gorgeous zebra stamp set to create monogrammed note cards.

Supplies:

Cricut Mini Monograms (for the scallop and circle)

Black and Brown Momento Ink

Brown Satin Ribbon

Me and My Big Ideas stamps (for the flourish detail on the note card)

Stampin Daisies Zebra Designs

Monica is giving away two stamp sets to one lucky winner! Birthday Bash and Ocean buddies. All you have to do is leave a comment on Monica's blog to win and can have more chance to win by leaving a comment on all our blogs.
Now go see what the rest of the design team created!
Monica http://stampindaisies.blogspot.com/
Jenny http://www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com/
Jessica http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
Linda http://www.fancyframework.com/
Sherry http://patternsbysher.blogspot.com/

Birds and Birdcages Blog Hop

Hi bloggy buddies! I'm back again with another blog hop! I am so honoured to have Sandra ask me to join her hops.  If you came here from Ashley's blog, you are in the right place.  If you want to play along, please start at Sandra's blog.  This hop is all about birds and birdcages so naturally my mind went to Tim Holtz.  It's been a while since I've gotten grungy so I whipped out some materials and got my hands dirty!

Supplies:

Kraft paper (for tag)

Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Bigz Die Caged Bird

Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Bigz Die Tag and Bookplates

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut and Frayed Burlap

Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint in Black Soot and Vintage Photo

Maya Road Trinket Chandeliers
Tulip Beads in a bottle (for the eye on the bird)
Tim Holtz Grungeboard
Tim Holtz Adage Tickets
A Jillian Vance Design Swirly Monogram Stamps

I hope you enjoyed my tag and your next stop is Yolie.

Sandra http://365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/
Ashley http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
Nadia http://www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com/      ---> You are here!
Yolie http://www.justyolie.com/
Celeste http://touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/
Mel http://scrappymel.blogspot.com/
Monica http://simplycricutting.blogspot.com/
Amy http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com/
Corri http://www.buglvr.blogspot.com/
Sylvia http://www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com/
Brynn http://flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/
Jess http://www.kinderstampo.com/
Pam http://www.pammejo-scrapbookflair.com/
Laura http://www.makinprettythings.com/
Dee http://deesdesignsfrommyheart.blogspot.com/
Blue Crayons http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com/

A Jillian Vance DT - Country Fair !

Hi Everyone and a special hello to all my new followers!
As most of you know, I am on the Design Team for A Jillian Vance Design. She makes fabulous stamp sets and I am honoured to be working with such talent.  Today is our first design team challenge and we were asked to use the "Down on the Farm" stamp set and the theme was Country Fair.  This stamp set is perfect for the Country Life and County Fair cricut cartridges.

Instead of stamping, I embossed my sentiment because I love that 3-D, glossy look! I also backed it onto dark brown cardstock and applied foam squares on the back to make the sentiment "pop" on the card. I also had to sew this card, it felt so appropriate!

I just love my cuttlebug quilling kits. I make loads at a time, then keep them in a baggy for when I need them. I placed an orange i-rock jewel in the center. Now with the new Flower Shoppe cartridge, it will be even easier to make these pretty flowers!

Recipe:
Cricut Country Life cartridge (pg. 72)
A Jillian Vance Design - Down on the Farm stamp set
DCWV "Autumn Splendor" stack
Chalk Ink
Sewing Machine and dark brown thread
Orange satin ribbon
Martha Stewart Glitter in Lemon Drop
Imaginisce Jewels - Brown Square and Orange gems
Recollections Embossing Powder in Cocoa
Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
Cuttlebug Quilling Kit - Daisy
Recollections cardstock

Now it's time for you to check out the other design team members' posts and show some bloggy love!

Jillian: http://princessandthepaper.blogspot.com/

Bunny:  http://bunnyrunswithscissors.blogspot.com/

Ruby:  http://handcraftedsimplybyus.blogspot.com/

Deanne: http://deannescreativejuice.blogspot.com/

Amy:  http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com/

Dusti:  http://www.scrappinwithcricut.com/

Denise:  http://girlsgonecroppin.blogspot.com/

Please subscribe and follow A Jillian Vance Design’s blog for lots of wonderful creations and ideas using A Jillian Vance Design Stamps!  http://ajillianvancedesign.blogspot.com/

Princess Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog and the Princess Blog Hop. If you came here from Patty's blog, you are in the right place.  If you happened to stumble upon my Blog and would like to play along please do so by starting at Sylvia's blog over at www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com

 

I created a girly princess tag to accompany a gift.  This was my first time using Once Upon A Princess and I never realized how many beautiful tags are in this cartridge!

Look at how darling this sentiment is!

 

Recipe:

Cricut Once Upon A Princess (Tag cut at 3)

Darice Gems

Hot glue gun (to glue those beautiful gems down)

Martha Stewart Glitter in Kunzite

Brown Chalk Ink

Momento ink in Cocoa

Light and Dark Pink Satin Ribbon as well as pearls

Corner rounder

A Jillian Vance Design - On Broadway stamp set

Hope you enjoyed my project and I would love it if you followed my blog.  Soon I will have a giveaway to celebrate 600 followers so be on the lookout for that!

Thank you for visiting my blog, your next stop on this blog hop is Anita.

 

Below is a list of participants:

Sylvia- www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com

Sandra- www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com

Theresa- www.thescrapbookingqueen.com

Sherrie - www.sherriescraps.blogspot.com

Sandy S. www.thecraftycreationspot.blogspot.com

Rebecca M- www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com

Diana- www.daisylovecreations.blogspot.com

Jenny- www.jennyplace26.blogspot.com

Patty- www.creativediva98.blogspot.com

Nadia- www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com  (YOU ARE HERE!)

Anita- www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com

Bonnie- www.pinkbonbons.blogspot.com

Amber- www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com

Lissi- www.littledetails-lissi.blogspot.com

Monica- www.simplycricutting.blogspot.com

Liz- www.mywhichcraft.blogspot.com

Faith- www.faithfulecreations.com

Corri- www.buglvr.blogspot.com

Haidee- www.created2bunique.blogspot.com

Pam- www.pammejo-scrapbookflair.com

Laura- www.sunflowercreations9530.blogspot.com