I've been Spotlighted!

I am a member over at Creative Scrapbooking Divas. My squash book (which I posted here) was spotlighted as Craftie of the Month! Yea!! If you are looking for a group to do challenges with (and we just started a swap group) feel free to join us over there, we would love to have you! (either click on the above link or the sidebar link on the right)

Cuttlebug and a bit more up for grabs!

There is a Cuttlebug, some embossing folders and a couple other things up for grabs over at Creating from the Heart. Be sure to check it out.

Happy Birthday

This card was made for my sister, she is turning 17 in a few weeks. Crafty Creations is having their 100th challenge. For the challenge I followed both a sketch and used blue, beige, and plum. I rotated the sketch some, but all the basic features are there.

The inking around the edges is plum, although it is difficult to tell in this picture.

The lace and paper are from my stash, the rose image is from Making Our Mark and can be found here (psst... it's free).

The scalloped edge I modified from a SVG file that can be found here. The fun part was that I got to play around with the different features SCAL offers and modify to my liking. I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty impressed with how easy it is to maneuver and switch things up.

For the Happy Birthday I learned how to use the fonts and weld them together, which was fun!

Challenges:
Crafty Creations-sketch and color scheme
Papertake Weekly-anything goes
Stamp Fairy-Celebrate
Lots to Do-something new (oh! that rhymes)-SVG files are new for me :)

Candy Alert!

Blog candy over here!

My family is so wonderful!!!

My family is so wonderful! They are supportive of my craftiness and my Christmas gifts certainly play into that. Last year my grandmother got me a Personal Cricut and I recieved cartridges from my (then fiance) now husband and my now mother-in-law.

This year my mother-in-law got me a slew, and I am talking tons (I might post pics later) of patterned scrapbook paper. Some double sided and all gorgeous papers!

My hubby got me [this deserves a drum roll] Sure Cuts A Lot!!!!! So I just installed it and played a bit. It widens my Cricut possibilities like 5 fold (cause 3 fold doesn't seem like enough). Rereading this, I don't think it shows my enthusiasm to it's full. The excitement is high, folks!

What does this mean for you? I will be searching for lots of free SVG file sites and sharing them with you along with my creations that will be awesome! I know Penny Duncan's Creations has a lot of free svg files, some I have already downloaded. She is both a beautiful and talented woman of the Lord and I am VERY thankful for her skills :) Thanks, Penny!

I hope everyone else is enjoying a very Merry Christmas and has a wonderful new beginning to a fabulous new year!

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! I am hoping everyone has some time to rest and relax with loved ones while celebrating Christ's birth.

Testing New Watermark and Signiture

This is a test run of my new signature and watermark. Both were obtained from Whimsy Stamps, they have a rather large selection.The picture is of me and my husband hiking a year ago fall.
obviously the signature is still in the works of figuring out just how to make it stick...

Capturing Memories

A couple of weeks back, my card won a sketch challenge over at Let's Capture our Memories. As a result I have the honor of being a guest designer for this week-yea! My first guest (or any type of designing) ever! I am so excited. This sketch by Sandi is the challenge this week. And this is what I did with it! Some of you have been awaiting the result of my squash book, which is now done, and I used this sketch to decorate the cover. You can find the challenge here:
Since it is a squash book, it opens, so I took even more pictures than normal (which should make for a long post-sorry). Here it is opened. I stamped the background with a polka dot background stamp I've had for ages, added triangles to fit and envelopes for the newlyweds to add their recipes to (did I mention this was a wedding gift for some friends?). On the envelopes are some of our favorite recipes.

Details on the front. The tag is a Stampin' Up Punch. The brown shape is a digi stamp I enlarged and cut out. The 'granny' is also a digi stamp. They were from the same place: The Digi Shack (and are both free there). The glitter is Stickles and the paper Amanda Blu. Taking a look inside:
And a couple close-ups. The recipe cards were from Stamps and Smiles. If it is still available (it was free) it can be found here. The inside papers are all The Paper Studio.
The 'sides, main dishes, snacks, drinks' were written by me and embossed in blue distress powder.
Challenges:
Stampin Royalty, bring on the bling
Digi Doodle Shop's Best-new beginnings (gift for newlyweds)
Ai Factory- anything goes
Stamp Something- pockets or tags-I have both!

Shoes errr... boots

My sister is a farm girl at heart. She always teases me because I love shoes, all different colors and styles, while she says one pair of tennis shoes and two pairs of boots (one for the farm and one for the shows) does her well. She isn't very girly, so I was trying to keep it simple. This card is for her upcoming birthday:
Inside:
The sentiment is from Gingers House (all hers are free) and the cowgirl is from Digi Doodle Shop's Best. The blue paper Amanda Blu~~which works cause my sister's name is Amanda and the color is blue :) and the brown paper is a wall paper sample from The Carlisle Company (art of Eden sample book).

Photos from my Bachelorette Party. My maids of honor went around town and left plastic eggs with clues hidden in various stores and public places. Each of the clues led to the next one, like a scavenger hunt. Two teams raced to finish first (of course without speeding). The mohs hid at various locations with water balloons and noisemakers to add to the fun.
All of the activities are journaled in the tree, better picture below.
I'm terrible at layering, but I tried my hand at it for the title:
Papers: background-Amanda Blu Rest-from my stash, mostly The Paper Studio
Flower-RAK
Background stamp on title- autumn leaves
Tree- hand drawn
Leaves-cut out from a Cricut Cartridge... something about words in the garden (borrowed from a friend)
tag- Creating Memories
Ribbon-leftover from my mom's wedding (23 years ago)

Challenges:
Stamp Something- pockets or tags-tag
Sentimental Sundays-inspired by a song-title-Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (also my hubby's least fav song)

Getting Ready

Although I'm still working on scrapbooking some of the before bridal stuff (bridal shower etc), I needed a break, so I scrapped getting ready.


Not a ton to say about these... the paper is Amanda Blu, the rhinestones were given to me, there are some stickles, they are more evident in the last picture.
Showcasing the bling:Stamp Fairy- glitter it up~BRAND NEW CHALLENGE BLOG!!!
Stampin' Royalty- bring on the bling
Creative Scrapbook Divas- Dec Challenge

I just got this new digital image and wanted to play with it. So here's what I did. The image is by April Lower. What a talented artist she is!
I colored it with markers and chalks. The wings are two colors of blue, but it is difficult to see in the picture.
Although you can see the flower fine in the other pictures, I didn't think the lace showed up very well, so I put in a close up of that! Both of the papers are from wall paper books, the flower and lace from my stash, the dashed lines and thanks drawn in by me.

Challenges:
Digi's With Attitude!- anything digi
lots To Do - glitz- flower
Mami Doodles-anything goes
Stamp Something-anything goes
Stamp Fairy World- glitter it up- flower BRAND NEW CHALLENGE BLOG!!!
Stampin' Royalty- bring on the bling-flower
Crafty Creations-photo inspiration-pink+lace

Squash Book

I am working on my first squash book- a gift for one of my husband's friends who is getting married later this month. It took a couple tries to figure out the right way to fold it, but I think I got it now. I cut out the pieces, but am still working on the layout, how detailed I want to make it etc. Tomorrow I am working 12 hours and Friday another 8. I probably won't finish it until Saturday at the earliest, but I wanted to let you all know that I am still alive, even if I won't have the time to craft and post.

6 Months

It doesn't seem like it has been six months since we said 'I Do' but in a little less than a week it will be. I don't know what I would do without my incredible husband~he is such an amazing man of God! Enough of my bragging on him, here is the card I made for our six month anniversary.
The sentiment is a demo from Creative Scrapbooking Kit of the Month website. The image, of course, is from Digi's With Attitude! One of the reasons I chose to do a sappy card is because of this image. I knew I wanted to use it and finally found the perfect occasion! I'm not sure where the mittens are from, couldn't find it in my list. A close up of the image:
I made the boy darker, which is super easy to do with chalk, just add another layer! The sketch is my modified version of Let's Capture Our Memories (I rotated and flipped some of the elements). You can see some of the glitz I added below. Clear glittery embossing powder on the cuff of the mittens and the glitter on the paper. The blue on the mittens is also embossing powder. The snowflakes were won on Amanda's blog, or was it her facebook page? I embossed the edges to give them a little extra snowy look :) All the paper is Amanda Blu.
Challenges:
Digi Doodle Shop's Best-let it snow
Sketch Let's Capture our Memories
Lots To Do- words
Sentimental Sunday - Happy Anniversary!
PollyCraft Monday-pink, brown and blue

Christmas Moose

Moose can be found here.
challenges:
Stamp something-Christmas
Little Paper Shop-funky edges
Christmas and animal-digital tuesday

Snow Bear

This snow bear is from Stamp Fairy World. I love their images, and you should hop over and take a look. I colored it with markers and chalk.
There is glitter and buttons and a bit of attitude in the sentiment-to meet Glitterbabe's Challenge.
The sketch is Papertake Weekly. It has an animal and Christmas for Digital Tuesday. There is words for Lots to Do. and since it is Christmas, it qualifies for Stamp Something.

Gretchen+Christmas=Irony

If you've read any of the posts where I used Digi's With Attitude! Stamps, you know I adore Grumpy Gretchen. So I was thrilled to see her elvish form as this month's freebie.
The tag, which is hard to read says ' the most wonderful time of the year'. Perfect irony for Gretch! Like Gretchen? Digi's With Attitude! is sponsoring Glitterbabe's Challenge this week, and you can win free digis! Just use buttons, glitter and attitude.

A close up of Gretchen and her bling. One of my husband's friends was over while I was making this card and he said he wanted Gretchen on his Christmas card 'cause she is hot'~such a guy!

Challenges-
Glitterbabe's Challenge- glitter, buttons, attitude
Lots to Do- words
Papertake Weekly- sketch- I did my own spin, but you can see the layout
Stamp Something-Christmas
Whoopsie Daisy- girly

Angel in Gold

When I saw this image I though of my grandmother, she loves angels (and she gave me the ribbon too). So this card is for her.
Velum is behind her. And it is hard to see, but the bottom edge is wavy.
Challenges:
Lots to Do- words
Stamp Something-Christmas
Wild Orchard-Traditional Christmas
2 Sisters-Non Traditional Christmas Colors

Image is Making Your Mark

New Technique

I like to try new things every now and then, this card was the result of that. I think it turned out alright. Pretty good, for the first try, I guess. I'm not sure what this method is called~I got the idea from my mother in law while looking through her stash of past cards she had made (in bulk, I believe). The front:
The red and blue (dotted and solid red) paper was a double sided piece I had. In the future I would use a thicker piece. I added the black, it is by Amanda Blu. I'm not sure the brand of the double sided paper. The 'Merry Christmas' is written with my new Versa Marker (a wonderful, wonderful tool) and blue Distress Embossing powder. I got the VersaMarker from 1-2-3 Stitch for just over $5 (that included shipping and handling). I received it two days after it was ordered. I will definitely order from them in the future. I encourage you to check out their site, as their prices seem to be much lower than anywhere else (at least the items I was looking at). Image while opening:
Opened card. Fun, isn't it?! The image is from the wonderful Linnie of Whoopsi Daisy. She is simply darling!
The snowflakes on the bottom are a punch, it didn't have a brand on it~sorry!

Challenges:
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge-girly
One Stop Craft Challenge- Christmas Cuties
Stamp Something-Christmas
2 Sisters Challenge Blog-Non Traditional Christmas Colors

Candy

Horse digis candy here.

Giveaway!

Obsessed with Scrapbooking is giving away ATG guns, click here for more information.

Design Team Openings

There are a couple of design team openings at a couple of the websites I frequent. Digi's With Attitude! is looking for new design team members (click on their badge on my sidebar to go to the DT call). As well as a newer site: Stamp Fairy World. I've never been on a design team before, but I might apply for fun... we shall see.

Gift bag

Alright, I know one of the blogs I follow made a really cute gift bag for Bath and Body travel size containers. But now that I want to make one, do you think I can find it~nope! Has anyone seen this and know where I can find a tutorial for it? I am hoping whoevers blog I found it on follows me and can direct me to that post.

Thanks in advance,
Brandi

Fairy Good Day

Attempt #2 at painting backgrounds (and I left it at that, as I was so pleased with how this one turned out). Again the image is from Karen's site, which I am very grateful for! It is hard to see, but there is a fairy on the flower.
I tried to stick with fall colors and keep it simple (as I wanted to showcase the background).

Challenges:
Digital Tuesday-winged creature+digital image
Digi Doodle Shop-fall
Flutterby WEd-open+fairy
MyGrafico-fall colors

Painting Backgrounds

I was nannying and the little one wanted to paint. He showed me where the materials were and there were no watercolors, no kid-friendly materials, just acrylic paint, brushes and sponges and a paint smock. So we painted. And I decided that although I'm not a painter (at all) I'd give it a whirl. This card isn't done yet, I need to add flowers to the right-hand side. But I wanted to post a picture before it got done, so you can see what a terrible painter I am ;) But I'm ok with it.
I will say that I tried really hard on this one, and I'm not really pleased with the outcome. I had an image in my mind, that didn't work out (it never does) and I think my idea clamped handcuffs on my creativity. The image is from a public domain site by Karen. She ha a bit of everything and they are all free.

'Tude

Attitude is not often seen as a good thing; but over at Digi's With Attitude! Attitude is in~and once you look at their digis, you will see why-they are absolutely adorable! That is one reason why I am honored to have received the 'My Blog Has Attitude' Award. And the best part about the award? It comes with a 5 dollar gift certificate~yea! As part of receiving the award, I am to tell you three things that make me unique and pass the award on to 5 others (so you can have a chance to get your 'tude on).

Three things:
1. My passion is teaching children. Right now it's preschoolers, although I would love to get a job teaching elementary or middle school students.
2. I am easily excited (for instance, I jumped up and down when I won this award)
3. I think technology is great, but it sometimes takes away from the beauty God gave us. Nothing makes me happier than a walk in a gorgeous park with someone I love.

Now for Five Folks Who know How to Bring Attitude :)
Tammy of Tammy's Creative Tidbits (a crafter to whom I can never compare)
Stef of Glitterbabe's Greetings and Glitterbabe's Challenge
Sid of Harpie's Crafty Corner (a man who is an expert crafter~a rarity)
Jen of Jen The Crazy Scrapbooker (although she does lots more than scrapbooking)
Melanie of Courtney Lane's Designs

Click HERE to see what you need to do to get your gift certificate.

For My Man

My husband asked me if I had a bookmark the other day and I didn't. So I made him one tonight and tucked it inside this 'manly' card. I have always had a hard time doing guy cards, because I tend to be 'girly' with my colors and style. So I kept this one simple, followed Papertake Weekly's sketch and added a fun embellishment. Here is the card (you can see a little of the bookmark on the side):
The image was so fab I didn't want to 'girl it up' by adding color. Now a close-up of my home made embellishment:It is a piece of plastic I found lying around (not super thick, but not paper thin either). I inked it (with a background stamp, didn't expect it to show), added embossing powder and heat it up. My husband will tell me I wasn't being safe (I burn myself all the time on my clue gun, he says I get hurt more crafting than doing anything else). You have to heat it a few seconds, hold something on the plastic to achieve the desired folding, then repeat until it looks like you want it to. You wouldn't have to use powder, I just wanted to add color.

Also goes with digital Tuesday Challenge-something new+digi (I hadn't used the vellum yet)
and Polly Craft Monday-doodles

Flowers of Thanks

I had soooo much fun making these flowers!! I had forgotten how great layered flowers look! Some of these are from Ileena (not sure which cartridge she used) and the smallest one (8 petals) is from a punch-Marvy Uchida. The brads are old ones, the glitter is stickles, the ribbon is Robert Stanley. The image is Meljens-(I did separate the Thank You, which was above the image) she has lots of great ones!
I used markers for most of the image, with the exception of the fur-which was pastel chalk.
Challenges:
I used Sentimental Sunday's sketch
I added doodling (in stickles) for PollyCraft Monday
Glittery/Girly/Glam-Creative Inspirations
Glitterbabe's Challenge-glitter+thanksgiving