My Craft Spot Fall Release Blog Hop!!

It's time for the My Craft Spot Fall Release Party Blog Hop. If you've come by from the wonderfully sweet and talented Ally's blog, you are in the right spot! All week long, we have been sharing projects created with the FIVE NEW stamp sets and FOUR NEW sets of metal dies. They are ALL available for purchase now!! To celebrate, we are finishing things off with a blog hop - with a $10US gift certificate to the My Craft Spot Shop available to be won at EACH of the design team blogs!!

For my project, I decided to make a Thanksgiving-themed pillow box. I took a pillow box and made a few alterations, including the addition of an Elegant Edges window. Once the box was cut, I embossed it with a basketweave folder. I used a few metal dies to create my leaf spray. The maple and oak leaves are from the NEW Fall Border metal die set, the brown leaves from the Flowers - Daisy set and the swirls from the NEW Fall Wheelbarrow set.

The little ticket was cut using a Tickets metal die and the border and underline were stamped using Tickets stamps. The wonderful sentiment is from the NEW Fall Leaves stamp set.

I finished everything off with some Bittersweet jute string and a brass brad. Oh! Plus I wrapped some tiny Hershey chocolate bars and decorated them with leaves cut using the NEW Fall Border metal dies before tucking them into the box.

Here's a look at ALL the new products - each of which is available for purchase today!! (Click the heading of each NEW product to be taken right to the order page at the My Craft Spot Shop.)

Halloween Potions

Fall Leaves

Banner Sentiments - Fall

Chalkboard Sentiments - Fall

Batty for You

Fall Wheelbarrow metal dies

Fall Border metal dies

Halloween Shapes metal dies

Fancy Edges - Halloween metal dies

Now it's time to head over to my creative and talented friend Karen's blog: Kaleidoscopic Sparkles. But, before you do, please remember to leave a comment here on this post for your chance to win a $10US gift certificate to the My Craft Spot Shop. I'll announce the winner on Monday.

Here's the full blog hop line up for you:

Kimberly

Gwen

Saundra

Heather

Lisa

Ally

Kate (me!)

Karen

Have a ridiculously amazing weekend!!

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Ballerina Poodle

Hello friends! This is a pre-scheduled post as I'm camping this week. The forecast called for a fair bit of rain so I'm hoping that's not the case!

This week, our challenge at My Craft Spot is "Just for Little Girls". When thinking about what to create, I knew I wanted pink and either a dancer or a fairy and finally decided on this fun ballerina poodle from Twinkle Toes. I used Cricut Design Space, Snipping Tool and Silhouette Designer Edition in order to cut the image with my Cameo. I did the same thing with the Elegant Edges frame behind my poodle's head. I embossed portions of my card with a folder from Stampin' Up. 

The Happy Birthday sentiment is from Tiny Tags 3 and I stamped it on a banner tag cut from Ribbon Banners - Straight metal dies. I blinged up my poodle with a pink "diamond" necklace and some little ear bows tied with baker's twine. 

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the projects created by my incredibly talented design team sisters and to link up your own "Just for Little Girls" creation. I'll be back later this week with some more pre-scheduled posts that include a fun announcement you won't want to miss!

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Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Happy Saturday! It's my delight to be sharing a project over at My Craft Spot today.  I made these fun little cards to spread some Christmas cheer!

The sweet little reindeer are from Create a Critter and they're adhered to a mat cut from Elegant Edges which is layered on the card base.  I faux stitched around the card base .  The top layer of the mat was embossed with my Cuttlebug to add some fun snowflakes to the background.  To add a bit more interest to my reindeer, I covered their little red noses with Glossy Accents and gave each a festive bow made with My Craft Spot's Christmas Candy Cane baker's twine.

The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Jingle All the Way stamp set.  It fits perfectly inside the Tiny Doilies metal die cuts.  I popped the doilies on my cards for a bit of dimension.  

Have you checked out My Craft Spot's challenge this week?  It's a Christmas shape card challenge.  Click HERE to see all the design team inspiration and then link up your own shaped Christmas card for a chance to win this week's prize: the NEW Jar Full of Christmas stamp set! 

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Nineteen

I'm so pleased to be sharing a project over at My Craft Spot today - and am posting it here on my blog as well.  A few weeks ago, my daughter turned nineteen and I created this card to celebrate her special day.

I used a sketch from Pinterest for the layout of my card - and it all came together so wonderfully easily for me!  For the most part, papers were cut by hand (with my paper cutter!) and then edges were inked.  With the layers at the bottom, I also added a strip of lace.  For the jagged edge on the mat, I cut the shape using Elegant Edges but trimmed the right side before adhering the rectangle to my card.  The flower and leaves were cut from a few different punches and the flower was placed atop a pretty little doily created with My Craft Spot's Tiny Doilies metal dies.  A pearl was added to the centre of the flower and a double bow created with ivory jute string tucked underneath.

Instead of a stamped sentiment, I chose to write "nineteen".  I cut the letters using My Craft Spot's Small Alphabet metal dies.  I absolutely LOVE these little metal dies.  The set comes with the entire lower case alphabet and a variety of little shapes as well.  They are just PERFECT for personalizing creations with any words or sentiments desired!  Here's a picture of the set:

Thanks so much for visiting!  Have a wonderful day! 


Fall Stamp Release Party.  I can't believe we're halfway through the week already!  (Perhaps it's racing by as Monday was a holiday...)  Today, the team at My Craft Spot is showcasing the NEW Ornate Labels metal dies and corresponding NEW Ornate Labels - Halloween stamp set.  

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My Craft Spot Spring Stamp Release Party - Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 of the My Craft Spot Spring Stamp Release Party! Today, we are showcasing projects created with the NEW Tickets stamp set and NEW coordinating Tickets metal dies. The tickets come in two different sizes, increasing the possibilities for your crafting creations!

For my card, I used Elegant Edges for the base, which I cut from kraft cardstock.  The circle mats are from George and Basic Shapes - as is the layered flower.  I used a combination of papers from Stampin' Up.  The fabulous ticket was cut from the NEW Tickets metal dies and stamped with an outline and sentiment from the NEW Tickets stamp set.  I love the vintage font on this set!  I finished things off with a gem brad - and some Sky Blue crinkle ribbon and Baby Blue baker's twine, both from My Craft Spot.

 

I used some of the NEW Tickets sentiments and metal die cuts for the inside of my card too.  See how there is a smaller die and stamps to fit?  What a fantastic set!

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the amazing projects created by the rest of the design team.  While you are there, remember to leave a comment for Kimberly for your chance to win today's prize: a set of jute string in 10 colours!!  

I'll see you tomorrow with another creation made with one of the NEW My Craft Spot stamp sets!

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Because I love you

This week's challenge at My Craft Spot is "Cute Critters".  I made a card to send to my daughter who has been offered an admissions interview to a midwifery program. Here in Canada, the program is highly competitive so it's quite a privilege to even get to the interview stage.  Erin's interview is on Saturday so I've popped this card in the post to let her know that her #1 fans are will be especially thinking of her and saying prayers for her on Saturday.

The sweet little mouse on my card is from Twinkle Toes.  I chalked her cheeks and ears and gave her some tiny pearls and a Posy baker's twine bow, using some fabulous twine from My Craft Spot.  She's dancing on a scalloped oval frame from Elegant Edges.  I embossed the top layer with a Tiny Hearts embossing folder.  The oval frame is popped on another frame - this one from Fancy Frames.

The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Tiny Tags stamp set and is stamped on a tiny tag created with My Craft Spot's Tiny Tags metal dies.  I added three little Calico Cottage heart buttons both on the tag and on the card base.

Head over to My Craft Spot to check out the adorable projects created by the rest of the design team - and then link up your own Cute Critter for a chance to win this week's prize!

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Some of my Best Friends are Flakes!

Hello friends!  I can hardly believe that there is only one week until Christmas!!  I still have some more baking to do but won't do that until next Sunday and Monday as there are some things that I prefer to have fresh for Christmas - and my freezer space is limited.  I tend to go overboard with my Christmas baking but nobody seems to complain!!

It's my turn to post a project at My Craft Spot today and I'm showcasing a card that I created for one of my best friends.  She LOVES snow.  A few months ago, I found some snowman tea towels with "Some of my best friends are flakes" written across them.  I picked them up for her - and then when Kimberly came out with the same fun sentiment on her new "Think Snow" stamp set, I knew that I'd be using it to make a coordinating card!!

I used Winter Frolic for the snowman and Elegant Edges for the frame.  I used a Peachy Keen stamp for the eyes.  The snowman's scarf is tied with some wonderful Caribbean crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.  I added a coordinating border made with a Martha Stewart punch.  I also did some embossing using the Cuttlebug Snowdots folder.

As I noted above, the fun sentiment is from My Craft Spot's "Think Snow" stamp set.  It's just perfect to use to spread a smile!  The little snowflakes are from the same set too!  The bottom corners of my card were rounded using a Creative Memories punch.

Have a fabulous day! Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Blessings

This week's challenge at My Craft Spot is "Merry Christmas" and we are encouraging you to work on your Christmas cards.  I can't believe that December is here already and I'm not anywhere near as organized as I usually am at this point!  This challenge is just what I needed to get another card made.

I used Winter Frolic for the darling little shepherd and lamb.  I ran the tunic through my Cuttlebug using the herringbone folder.  I also gave the lamb some curly wool using the D'Vine Swirls folder.  I used natural jute string from My Craft Spot for the shepherd's belt and headdress.  I stamped a sweet face using Peachy Keen's Wide Eyed Kids set.  The card mat is from Elegant Edges and the star is from George and Basic Shapes.

The shepherd and lamb are adhered with PopDots for some added dimension.  

I used a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Mistletoe set and stamped it on a tag cut using My Craft Spot's Tiny Tags metal dies.  I added some navy jute string from My Craft Spot to the tag and to the button on the star.  

The inside of my card has a border punched with a Martha Stewart star border punch.  I finished things off with a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Merry Christmas! set. 

Be sure to check out today's challenge at My Craft Spot for some more inspiration - and then link up your own Christmas card for your chance to win this week's prize!

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Muffins to Enjoy and a Float My Boat Card

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!  I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating the bounty of the harvest

and your many blessings. 

*This post contains my projects for both My Craft Spot and Fantabulous Cricut.

This week at My Craft Spot, the challenge is A Treat for You - create something to go with the gift of food.  Although my son is doing fabulously well on his road to recovery, he is still limited with what he can do and so we've been enjoying a great deal of mother-son time.  Fortunately for me (but unfortunate for my waistline!!), he loves to bake as much as I do.  We recently made a big batch of mini chocolate chip banana muffins so I decided to take some to work to share with my colleagues.  They were a hit!

To make the bag toppers, I used a shape from Elegant Edges.  I used the shadow for the base and then cut the "regular" shape in half to layer on the topper after running it through my crimper.  The cute little bananas were cut from Create a Critter 2 and stamped with a Peachy Keen face.  The little banners were also cut from Create a Critter 2 and stamped with a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiments - Set #2.  I finished things off with some raffia. 

Be sure to head over to My Craft Spot to see the other delicious projects created to inspire you for this week's challenge.  Remember to link up your own project before next Monday night to be eligible for this week's fabulous prize.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 

This week at Fantabulous Cricut, the theme is Columbus Day - make a project using a ship.  I used Wild Card 2 for this one.

For the inside of the card, I cut the ship and adhered it over a Martha Stewart punched heart.  The top half of the blue background was embossed using a cloud folder that I received from my amazingly talented friend and design team sister, Jayne, of Jayne Designs.  (Thank you, Jayne!!)  I also added a Martha Stewart XOX border to the bottom of the inside of my card.

The front of the card was cut to remove the top half.  I simply adhered the "You float my boat" word art to the front and then added some brads to secure the card closed with some baker's twine from My Craft Spot.   

Be sure to head over to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the rest of the design team inspiration - and to link up your own "ship" project for your chance to win this week's wonderful prize! 

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Zva Creative Birthday Card

First of all, thank you so much for your kind words concerning my son and his go kart injuries.  He is doing much better.  In fact, he was discharged from nursing care on Saturday!!  His gashes have dried and closed over so there is no more need for regular dressing changes.  Woo hoo!!  He is still sporting a cast though, and we have our first trip to the physiotherapist on Tuesday evening.  Thanks to all of you who have said prayers.  We are so thankful that our son's recovery is going so well.  

Anyway, on to business!  This week at Fantabulous Cricut, we are celebrating birthdays.  Some of the design team members were lucky enough to receive some fabulous product from this week's amazing sponsor, Zva Creative.  I'm one of those members!  I used some gorgeous Zva Creative gems to create a birthday card for my niece. 

I used Elegant Edges to create the circles mat behind the Zva Creative gems.  These gems were so easy to work with as the design is all attached.  It was a simple matter of peel and stick!!  The doily and sentiment are from My Craft Spot, as are crinkle ribbon and twine. I finished things off with a little gem from my stash.  This card really was simple to put together.  I let the Zva Creative gems do all the work!!

Head over to Fantabulous Cricut for your chance to win a fun prize from Zva Creative.  And why not check out the shop at Zva Creative too?!  

Oops!!  I messed up!  I realized after creating AND posting my card that I was to have included a candle somewhere on my project...  I am so sorry!  Please note that this week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is to create a "Happy Birthday" project WITH a candle. 

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My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party - Day Five

Ciao from Rome, Italy!  My husband and I are halfway through our European holiday - and today we will visit the Vatican.  All posts this week have been pre-scheduled.

It's Day Five of the My Craft Spot stamp release party!  Hasn't Kimberly done an amazing job with all her new sets?!  Today's set is such a sweet one!

I recently found Twinkle Toes at our local Walmart for only $10.  I couldn't believe it!  When I brought it home, my daughter looked at the cartridge and then at me, saying, "It is a good deal, Mum, but when will you ever use this?"  Of course, I had to show her that I would indeed use the cartridge and created this darling little bear with Twinkle Toes! The sweet little face is a Peachy Keen stamp.  I also embossed the ears and tummy with my Cuttlebug.  I added some stickles to the bear's bow and slippers - and created a little tulle skirt for her too!

The frame behind the bear is from Elegant Edges.  I embossed the top layer with my Cuttlebug.  The bear is popped for a bit of added dimension. 

The little banner is also from Twinkle Toes.  I used one of the new My Craft Spot stamps for the sentiment, curling it slightly on my stamp block in order to fit the shape of the little banner.  I LOVE polymer stamps for that!!  The little heart buttons are from the same eBay seller that I mentioned yesterday.  The tiny buttons are perfect for a baby card!  

The inside of my card was stamped with one of the new My Craft Spot sentiments as well.  The little border was created using a Stampin' Up border punch.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see what the rest of the design team has created and to leave a comment for Kimberly for your chance to win today's prize... the Tiny Tags stamp set!!  And remember to come back for the My Craft Spot blog hop tomorrow - with a chance to win one of the NEW stamp sets at each stop along the way!!

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Ice Cream Card

Hello from Paris, France!  My husband and I are on holiday to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary!  We'll be spending the next couple of weeks touring around Europe so all my posts will be pre-scheduled.  I'm afraid that I will not be able to comment on things while I am away - but will look forward to visits upon my return later this month.  I'm off until September and my M.Ed. is finished so I'm very excited about a break from the busyness that has been my life for the past few years!!  It seems surreal! 

This week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is "Yummy! Yummy!"  We are challenging you to make a project with any type of summer dessert (ice cream, popsicle, fruit etc.).  I chose to make a card using the ice cream cut from Fast Food.  The "pistachio" ice cream was embossed with my Swiss Dots folder and I added a bit of doodling too.  The base is from Elegant Edges - but I trimmed the bottom in order for the card to stand upright.  I did a bit of embossing and added Crackle Accents to the dish.  I also added Glossy Accents to the cherry.  I punched a border and then stamped a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Inside & Out Set #2. 

Please head to Fantabulous Cricut to see what the rest of the design team has come up with!!

Also, remember that the My Craft Spot stamp release party begins today!  All week long, I'll be showcasing projects with the new stamp sets and on Saturday, the entire design team is taking part in a blog hop - with a NEW release stamp set to be given away at each stop along the way!!

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Card for my Niece

This week's Birthday - What's Your Age challenge at My Craft Spot is just perfect timing for me as my niece will be celebrating a birthday next week.  The requirements for the challenge are to create a birthday card with a number.  (Do make sure your project is new for this challenge. No back-linking, please.)

I used Elegant Edges, Alphalicious and Christmas Solutions to create my card base, using the shadow feature for the number "10".  I then cut out the number "10" using the regular feature.  The sweet little bear is from Christmas Solutions.  I inked everything and added some punched flowers (layered) and some pretty pearls.  Everything is inked!  I also did some faux stitching around the numbers and on the bear and added a bow using Petal Pink crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.  The bear's nose and eyes are tiny black gems.  The fun little tag is from My Craft Spot's Tiny Tags set and HUGS! is from My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiments - Set #1.  

Here's a little tip:  When using crinkle ribbon on smaller cuts, roll the ribbon before tying a bow.  Your roll can be as loose or as tight as you'd like it to be. This helps the ribbon look more proportional to the cut.

For the inside of the card, I cut a smaller layer of the Elegant Edges mat and inked the edges.  A fitting sentiment from My Craft Spot's Birthday Wishes stamp set was added too.  

There are some fabulous creations by the rest of the design team at My Craft Spot.  Be sure to head over and check them out - and then link up your own What's Your Age birthday project.  

PS  Just an update on my thesis:  I'm still writing away!!  It's a busy, busy time but I'm beginning to see the light at the end of this journey!  This has been a dream of mine for quite some time so it's very exciting to be so close to the end.

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Memorial Day Card

Happy Memorial Day to all my friends south of the border!  May you all take time this special day to give thanks for those who have sacrificed their lives for your country.  At Fantabulous Cricut, we are using this week's challenge to honour Memorial Day.

Years ago, soon after my youngest was born, I joined a parenting message board.  There, I "met" an incredible American woman who quickly found a very special place in my heart.  Like me, this woman is a mother.  Unlike me, she defends her country overseas.  I cannot even begin to describe the admiration I have for her.  Her courage and bravery is beyond words.  I simply cannot imagine making the sacrifices that she makes.  She is currently back in the US but will leave for another tour later this year.  I made this card for this amazing woman to remind her that I continue to keep her in my prayers.

I used Elegant Edges for the shapes - both the mat and the frames behind the flowers.  The wonderful poppies are from Wild Orchid Crafts - this week's sponsor at Fantabulous Cricut.  (I actually purchased a number of crafting goodies from Wild Orchid Crafts.  I'm incredibly impressed with the quality of each of the items I received - along with the quick shipping and GREAT prices and rates!)  The stars are from George and Basic Shapes.  The twine and sentiment are from My Craft Spot.  In fact, I think this is my favourite My Craft Spot sentiment and it seems so perfect for the purpose of this card!  All papers and ink (with the exception of the kraft cardstock card base) are from Stampin' Up.

Please click on the Wild Orchid Crafts badge above to look through the wonderful products they have for sale.  And then head over to Fantabulous Cricut to link your own Memorial Day project! 

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Save the Earth Cricut Crawl - A Mother's Day Card

Welcome to the Fantabulous Cricut "Save the Earth" Cricut Crawl (FCCB's version of a blog hop)!  As we've just celebrated Earth Day, we are taking this opportunity to include a Reusable / Recycled item along with at least ONE Cricut Cut on our projects this week.I decided to do a double challenge and have created my card to also fit this week's Challenge at My Craft Spot: Mother's Day.

If you've just come from a visit with Karen at Simply Frenzied, you are in the right place!  Of course, if you've just happened across my blog, you are welcome to start at Fantabulous Cricut to hit all the blogs along the way. 

For my project, I used Elegant Edges for the card base as well as the fancy label, inking everything with Tea Dye distress ink.  The patterned papers are from Cosmo Cricut's Ever After collection.  The roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the little flowers were made with punches.  

The beautiful sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Happy Easter stamp set.  I also included some little pearls and gorgeous Spring Breeze crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.

Of course, I couldn't forget to include a recycled item, so I added an old dangle earring to finish things off.  Now, I just have to wait until Mother's Day to give this to the woman I most cherish and admire in this world!  

BLOG CANDY

I'm SO excited that Kimberly from My Craft Spot has so very kindly donated a Butterfly Kisses stamp set for me to give away to one lucky hopper!!  All you need to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post.  If you don't have a blog, please remember to leave a way for me to contact you should you be the winner.  You have until Sunday, May 6 to enter and I will announce the winner on Monday, May 7. 

Now, it's time to head over to visit the incredibly talented Marlene at Scrappin' Cookie.  And when you're done the hop, don't forget to head to Fantabulous Cricut to link up your own "Save the Earth" project AND to My Craft Spot to link up your Mother's Day creation.  Happy Crafting!

Here's a list of all the ladies participating in the Fantabulous Cricut Crawl:

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

2. Amy L: http://redheadedcrafter.blogspot.com/

3. Beckie: http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/

4. Cindy B: http://cindybcreations.blogspot.com/

5. Cyndy G: http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com/

6. Faith: http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/

7. Holly: http://ribbonsandglue.blogspot.com/

8. Jamie: http://scrapqueen141.blogspot.com/

9. Jessica: http://cricutafterdark.blogspot.com/

10. Judy: http://craftyjar.blogspot.com/

11. Karen: http://simplyfrenzied-karen.blogspot.com/

12. Kate: http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

13. Marlene: http://scrappincookie.blogspot.com/

14. Megan: http://saxeydesigns.blogspot.com/

15. Melissa: http://scrappymacdesigns.blogspot.com/

16. Robin: http://robinscreativecottage.blogspot.com/

17. Sheila: http://sheloveshoes.blogspot.com/

18. Sherrie: http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com/

19. Sonya: http://sonyaspapertrail.blogspot.com/

20. Suzanne: http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/

21. Tammy: http://bowmancrafts.blogspot.com/

22. Tanya: http://nonnascraftcorner.blogspot.com/

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