Simple Southern Blessings

Live Laugh Scrap

2012-01-12T12:36:00.003-06:00

Hi ya! Janis over at Pause Dream Enjoy has started a 52 Tags in 2012 Challenge. Basically, each Friday she will give you a question or a theme for that week's tag. Feel free to jump in and get started anytime throughout the year. Hopefully, I can stay caught up. So here goes...

Tag #1 - What are your 2012 hopes, dreams, goals or resolutions?

I thought this phrase from the Everyday Cricut cartridge was perfect. The patterned paper is from the Imagine, not sure which cartridge. It was a test cut from last month that I scavenged from my leftovers bin. If I can Live and Laugh and Scrap throughout 2012, I will be one happy lady!

Thanks for looking.

Darlene

Happy New Year!

2012-01-11T22:07:00.003-06:00

Oh wait! That was over a week ago! Boy, have I missed blogging. I actually have been reading blogs and crafting. Crafting a lot! Just haven't been taking any pictures. So here it is a new year and it is time to set some goals for myself (goals.... NOT the 'R' word).

1. Send make and send birthday cards to my family throughout the year.

2. Finish DD#1's baby album - only have 2 pages left. She is 13 years old.

Start and put a good dent in DD#2's baby album. She is almost 10.

I am not a chronological scrapper, obviously. And I didn't really get serious about papercrafting until almost 3 years ago, so I have a lot of catching up to do.

3. Enter challenges again. I miss it. It was nice to be pushed outside my comfort zone and try something new.

4. Find a new home for some scrappy stuff that I have outgrown. What can I say, my tastes have changed. I have a bunch of stuff that I will probably never use, because it's just not me anymore. I have been giving a little bit away to my monthly scrap club, but I would really like to purge so I don't feel so guilty when I buy new stuff!

5. Join another Design Team - this was another thing that challenged me. I miss being on one.

So, those are a few things I would like to achieve this year. And here is my entry for the Creative Critterz Imaginations DT call.

I LOVE my Imagine. It is so cool to whip a cartridge and lickety split, print and cut a card. I must admit, I haven't used it much for layouts. But for my DD#1's birthday last year, she wanted to go to the ice skating rink. Awesome! Wait! I live in south Louisiana. The nearest one is an hour away and doesn't open until mid October and her birthday is in early September. So we waited and waited and then drove and drove. LOL Anyway, I don't really have much "snowy" paper since it rarely snows here! So the Imagine was perfect. I used the Snow Angel cartridge for all of the patterned paper.

The sweet little ice skater is from Winter Frolic. I chose my cuts and flood filled them with the colors and patterns from the Sno Angel cartridge. It is hard to tell in the picture, but I used some aqua Fun Flock on her cute hat and some Glossy Accents on her skate blades.

The title is from a wonderful cartridge called Phrases using the Snow Angel colors again. I must admit, I hate welding on the Gypsy or Cricut Craft Room when I want to use a shadow with my font. They never seem to line up correctly. So this cartridge is perfect. It has a lot of great, um, phrases!

After skating for two hours the girls definitely needed some hot chocolate. This mug is from Creative Memories Cheerful Seasons cartridge. I also used some Glossy Accents on it for the ceramic look.

Well there you have it. My 1st post of the year. And I promise many more....

Darlene

My Creative Time Design Team Call

2011-10-29T14:29:00.003-05:00

Wow! Emma from MCT is having a design team call. There are a lot of wonderful entries over there. I love her stamps and the matching dies that she has come out with to coordinate with her stamps. Since I just got my latest order this past week, I decided to go ahead and play with them and enter the DT call. SO here goes...

Paper - Echo Park , The Apothecary Emporium.

Jewels and Skeleton head flower - Making Memories

Sentiment - My Creative Time Mixed Holiday Sentiments, XL Label die and XL Label borders

Banner - MCT Build a Banner Kit and Anyday Bingo & Crossword

Darlene

Exploring Cricut Challenge

2011-10-29T14:23:00.003-05:00

Have you heard of this new blog called Exploring Cricut? They are all about diving into all the wonderful cartridges that we own. This week they had a challenge to use the candy on page 111 in the Celebrations cartridge. I recently went through all my Christmas stuff and I knew I had some candy paper that would look great with these cuts. SO here is my entry...

Darlene

2011-10-14T04:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Simple Southern Blessings and Cricut 360’s Spooky Halloween Blog Hop!

Well down south in Louisiana some of the leaves have fallen and we are still waiting for the cool air. I sure do miss seeing true Fall. But I don't miss Trick or Treating in winter coats!

Our DT has come up with some amazing spooky projects for this weeks challenge and blog hop.

If you've come from visiting Heather at Houses Built of Cards, then you are hopping right along.

If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Spooky Halloween Blog Hop,

start HERE .

Make sure to check out each DT member's blog for some awesome inspiration and collect the key words to reveal this weeks challenge.

There will be prizes along the way at some of the DT members' blogs, AND a grand prize, a Freshly Picked Cricut cartridge. How fun is that?

Just link up your project over at Cricut 360 for a chance to win!

I really struggled this week with what to make. I have plenty of halloween paper and cartridges, but just couldn't find any mojo. I hope you like what I finally came up with. There is a jack o'lantern card feature on the Wild Card cartridge that I chose to work with. This cartridge doesn't have as many layers as I would have liked. I ended up cutting the main card layer in orange and then the blackout layer in Kraft and black. I then just cut the back part of the black card off so that the Kraft would be the card base and the black would just be used behind the orange. I then cut the stem and vine in brown and green and just trimmed the vine off of the brown one, leaving me with the brown stem. I hope that made sense.

The upper corner of the card seemed a little bare, so I went searching for a moon, but didn't really like what I found until I saw the moon and bats on the Imagine Cartridge Enjoy the Seasons. Perfect. I also inked all the edges a little. Spooky, with a little cute. LOL

My key word is: GREEN

I have a little blog candy for one lucky winner. Please leave a comment and a way to contact you and maybe you will win some Halloween Goodies.

Now it is time to head over to Leirad's Card Making Corner. Go see what she has in store for you today... And when you're done, make sure to link up your project to Cricut 360 be entered to win!

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #12

2011-09-16T07:23:00.004-05:00

Welcome back! Today is Friday and I am so excited. I am in the middle of a 3 day crop called Scrapfest. Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 am til midnight of nothing but scrapping! Boy will I have a lot to show ya'll. I did 14 pages yesterday!

On to the challenge... September 19 is Native American Day, so make something Indiany. LOL

When my daughter was in preschool, she had a little stuffed monkey that she carried everywhere named whowhohaha. During Thanksgiving, they made cute Indian shirts and the teacher asked each child their Indian name. They all came up with names like Running Deer, Wise Owl, Leaping Fox, etc. Not my Bailey. She was going to be Whowhohaha. The teacher tried to talk her into something more Indian, but finally gave up and asked her how to spell it! So here is to Indian Whowhohaha!

Cricut 360 Challenge #11

2011-09-09T04:00:00.000-05:00

It's Friday!! Whew! It has been a super busy couple of weeks. Preschool has started back for me. At our church preschool, we have 250 sweet little ones that attend. I work mostly in the office doing the computer work and tuition and stuff. But whenever I need a break, I sneak into the toddler room for a little fun. But since school just started, it has been a little loud in the toddler and two year old rooms. It is the first time some of these guys have been away from their momma's, so they are a little upset. But we hold em and rock em and play for a few hours.

Anyhoo... onto this week's challenge - Make something for a HERO. Easy peasy. I know we all have someone in our life that we look up to. I knew I had a black and white picture of my father from his military days that was begging to be scrapped. I used the Stand and Salute cartridge for all of my cuts. This is really a great cartridge to have, so many good patriotic cuts.

I loved the paper I used for American Pride - the way it faded from one color to the next. Not sure where it is from because I got it from a paper swap a while back. I thought it would be neat to use a few dog tags. I really wish I had some sort of thin metal to use for the chain, but grey baker's twine will have to do. The bottom corner needed a little something, so I added the metal star brads.

Hope you like it and that you play along with us at Cricut 360 this week and make something for a Hero in your life.

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #9

2011-08-26T06:16:00.004-05:00

Yea! It's Friday and Cricut 360 Challenge day! For Challenge #9, we are celebrating Labor Day by showcasing ways to Relax!

This past summer, my dear husband bought a hammock for the backyard. The girls and I love to go out back and swing. I also try and escape to the hammock without them for a little quiet time.

Crocs Lite is an awesome cartridge with so many cute images. I just loved the one with a crocodile in the hammock. The Paper Pups cartridge had this great word art. I don't know where all the patterned paper is from because I got it from a "scrap swap" I just participated in. So fun! I gathered up all my patterned paper scraps and traded scraps with a crafty friend on Facebook.

Isn't this guy just the cutest?

Well I hope you feel inspired to play along this week with us at Cricut 360 and just Relax!

Darlene

WOW! 1000 sheets of paper!

2011-08-21T19:49:00.002-05:00

Amy over at one thousand sheets of paper is giving away 1000 sheets of 6x6 paper, again!

Go check it out and enter for your chance to win paper and stamps.

http://athousandsheetsofpaper.blogspot.com/2011/08/1000-sheets-for-thousand-sheets-again.html

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #8

2011-08-19T04:00:00.000-05:00

Wow, has it been a week already? These days are flying by. I must admit, I am missing summer just a little. With the kids back in school, and me back at the preschool getting everything ready for our new year, I just have not had any extra time to craft. I miss being able to do a few challenges each week. Sure hope we get our routine down soon.

This week's challenge at Cricut 360 is back to school! Easy, peasy! At my preschool, we have this wood and felt tree on the wall. It is usually undecorated. I decided to change that!

I used the Recess Lite cartridge and went crazy! These images are so cute and easy to layer. I can't wait to use it again for 1st day of school pics. I know ya'll are going to knock this one out of the park! Go get crafty!

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #7

2011-08-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

Yee Haw! It's Friday and that means Cricut 360! It sure has been a busy week. My kids started back to school, 4th and 8th grades. And I started back to work, boy have I missed my craftroom. I sure hope to get in there this weekend. But hopefully, we will all start to settle into our new routines soon.

The challenge this week is the Old West. One of my besties has a daughter that loves Woody from Toy Story and I knew I wanted to make her something with my Cricut. Those darn Disney cartridges are killer, I tell ya. The plan was to make Woody about 9 inches and put him in a frame with some western background paper, etc. Well, 9 inch Woody didn't come out so great. Those pieces are just so tiny! I ended up cutting him at 11 inches, so obviously he isnt going to fit in my frame.

So maybe this weekend, I will come up up with another idea for Woody.

So pull on your cowgirl boots and play along with us. Don't forget to check out the other great projects from the rest of the Cricut 360 DT.

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #6

2011-08-05T04:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome back to another Friday at Cricut 360! Thanks to all the wonderful crafters who have been entering our challenges. It is so much fun to hop through all the entries and see your wonderful creations. So now onto Challenge #6 - Refreshing - Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!

My brother is in the Air Force and is currently deployed. He has 5 kids and a wife back in Virginia. We decided to treat his oldest daughter to a week long visit with us down in LA. She lived here until she was about 7 or 8 and has other family close by, so it worked out great.

One of our little adventures while she was with us was to a water park in Mississippi.

All three girls had a blast.

I used Echo Park's Splash line for all the patterned paper. I knew the Cricut H2O cartridge would be perfect for our trip.

Aren't those girl so silly? Sorry these bottom pictures are so dark, but we all forgot our camera's and had to use the iPhones.

We really enjoyed having my niece and giving us a great reason to visit the water park!

Now it's your turn to go get your craft on! It's been so hot lately for everyone, you shouldn't have any problems with inspiration! So go make something an post it at Cricut 360.

Darlene

First of the Month Challenges - August

2011-08-01T12:47:00.004-05:00

Oops! forgot to do my post for today.

Aww... August. Back to school is a week away for me. Looking forward to a little more routine in my life that school brings. The girls are getting a little too used to sleeping in!

Here are the 3 challenges for August.

Life is a Beach Cartridge

The handmade flowers are from Shannon at Creative Chaos. Check out her etsy shop. She is super sweet to work with.

Altered item

My girls and I all share an iTunes account, so we save our spare change to use for buying gift cards for it. I thought this would be a cute place to put the coins until we have enough to cash in.

Design your own Background Paper

I love love my Imagine. I saw this on a website a few months ago (not sure which one). I used the cricut logo image from Cricut Everyday (Circle exclusive) and then chose a few different colors to fill in each image and then let the machine do auto fill. The frame is a cheapo one that I painted red.

I hope you feel inspired to create something with us this month and enter the First of the Month Challenges at Card Creations & More by C.

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #5

2011-07-29T07:06:00.003-05:00

I had to take a break last week from Cricut 360 and boy did I miss it. Sometimes Life just catches up with you - my mom was in town for a few weeks, then my niece came for a visit, a funeral and a weekend beach trip.

But here we are with Challenge #5 - Transportation/Travel

This was my oops card from a couple weeks back.

I used the Summer in Paris cartridge to cut the Eiffel Tower and added a little bling to it. It is hard to tell in the picture, but I inked the Thanks Cuttlebug embossing folder and then ran it through the Cuttlebug. The background paper is from Echo Park Be Mine collection and the ribbon is from my stash.

I hope you enjoy all the awesome projects the DT has made this week and make sure you participate this week.

Darlene

Scrappin Chic's Challenge

2011-07-29T03:00:00.000-05:00

It's almost the end of the month, time to get your project in for the Scrappin Chic's Challenge. Remember, you need to make something that reflects a favorite song.

In high school and college, I loved the Beatles. I chose another of my favorite songs by them.

I used the Imagine to print the background paper and letters in coordinating colors. So now this song will be in your head all day. "I don't know why you say goodbye and I say hello. Hello, Hello. I don't know why you say goodbye...." Your welcome!

Have fun and enter the challenge at http://scrappinchicschallenge.blogspot.com/ before July 30 at noon.

Darlene

Christmas in July Blog Hop

2011-07-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Wow! Really? Who can think about Christmas with all this heat?!

Well anyway, here goes...

Welcome to the Christmas in July Blog Hop!

This hop is being hosted by Jazzy from Jazzy's Cards. If you are coming from Gina's then you are in the right place, but if you are just checking on my blog and stumbled across this, please go start at the beginning. This is Jazzy's first time hosting a hop, and I know she would appreciate the love.

The theme for the hop was something Christmas related that included the colors green and red.

So I dug out all my Christmas stuff and started searching for ideas. When I came across the background paper, I knew I wanted to use it.

I cut the tree from Create a Critter using green glitter paper from DCWV. I had the hardest time deciding what to do next. I found out that I don't have anymore red bling and that I have way too many ribbon choices (or not enough choices depending on how you look at it). I just couldn't find the perfect addition. I finally settled on the tiny red bow. And I actually kinda like it. I am liking the simplicity of the card so I don't think I am going to add a sentiment.

Thanks so much for checking out my project. Now please hop on over to Kathie's and remember to wish everyone a "Merry Christmas" in order to be eligible for Jazzy's Cricut Cartridge Blog Candy.

Here is the hop line up just in case

Jazzy - www.JazzysCards.Blogspot.com

Jenn - www.memorieswithjen.blogspot.com

Misty - http://deliteful-gifts.blogspot.com/

Amy - http://www.lovetocrop.com/

Gina - http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/

Darlene - www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com

Kathie-http://kathleessnippitsncricuts.blogspot.com/

Anita-http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

Theresa - www.thescrapbookingqueen.com

Nadia - www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com

Elizabeth - http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Vicki - http://www.melovebonoandscrapbooking.blogspot.com/

LaKesha - www.scrapingdiva.blogspot.com

Brenda - www.createbyburffrau.blogspot.com

Scrappin Chic's Challenge

2011-07-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the start of another challenge month at Scrappin Chic's. Throughout the month of July, I will be showin three different projects for July's theme. The theme is "Your Favorite Song". Wow, that's hard, how do you choose? And it seems like today's music is just different. So I thought back to some of my favorite songs from high school and college. I was on a serious Beatles kick for awhile. So this month, I will be showing you cards made with my favorite Beatles' songs in mind.

Here Comes the Sun, doo doo doo doo

Here comes the sun and I say it's alright

Hehe, now you will have this song in your head for days!!!

The designer paper is from Echo Park's Splash 6x6 pad. I printed and cut the sun using my Imagine and the Enjoy the Seasons cartridge. I used my computer for the sentiment. Thanks for looking and make sure you check out all the other great "Song" projects this month and play along.

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #3

2011-07-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

This is so exciting!! 51 Entries this week! Wow They were all so great! Thanks so much for participating.

So now onto Challenge #3! Make a card for Parents. July 24th is Parents' Day. Huh, who knew. So make a card or layout using any Cricut Cartridge to celebrate Parents in anyway.

I chose to make a layout celebrating relationships in families. I have had these 2 wonderful pictures of my oldest daughter (when she was 4) with her great-grandfather walking on the beach in Hawaii. Say it with me now... Awww, how sweet.

Aren't these handmade flowers beautiful? I just love them. If you would like some of your own, go check out Shannon's Etsy shop here .

Now it's your turn! Dust off your Cricut and make something.

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #2

2011-07-08T04:00:00.002-05:00

Wow! What an awesome 1st Challenge we had at Cricut 360! We had 39 great entries.

So now on to Challenge #2 - this week we want you to create a Thank You card, but make it circle shaped.

Thank You and Circle shaped - got it?? Just making sure. Cause I didn't! I made a super cute Thank You card, A2 sized! Oops. So, we will save that one for another challenge.

A little quick thinking and my Imagine saved the day. I used the Imagine More Cards cartridge.

I chose two different cards and used a few pieces from each. I love that I can choose to print only certain layers and then combine them to make a totally different card.

Make sure you check out the other design team projects and enter your own for a chance to win and awesome prize. Just click HERE to go to Cricut 360 blog.

Echo Park 6x6 Paper pad called Splash

I love EP. The colors are awesome and fun. isn't it pretty?

Well that's all for now! Now go Create!

Darlene

Cricut 360 Challenge #1

2011-07-01T04:00:00.000-05:00

WooHoo! It's finally here! July 1st and the start of the new challenge blog for Cricut 360! I am so excited to be a part of this endeavor. For our first challenge, we wanted to "invite" everyone to participate, so we all made an invitation - birthday, pool, wedding, etc. Just make an invitation to anything.

I have the new E2 and love it. One of the cartridges that came with it is called Cricut American Alphabet. Not only does it have a great font, but it has some wonderful images. I used the coffee cup and some wonderful paper from Echo Park called Be Mine. I am not a big "pink" person so this was stepping outside the box for me! LOL I love all the layers on this cartridge and even though there are a lot of layers, they aren't difficult to figure out.

So who's coming for coffee? I like mine with french vanilla creamer. How do you take yours?

Make sure you stop by everyone else's blogs and check out their invitations. And don't forget to make something so you can play along too.

Darlene

First of the Month Challenges - July

2011-07-01T03:45:00.001-05:00

Christina from Card Creations by Christina has decided to change things up a bit with the way she does her challenges. We used to have challlenges every other Saturday called "So Saturday Challenge". Now we are going to go with a monthly challenge format. But there will be 3 different challenges, so hopefully one (or all) of them will tickle your fancy and inspire you to enter. So here goes - my three projects for the new First of the Month Challenges.

Challenge #13 - Make anything using the Doodlecharms cartridge.

Isn't this a sweet card?

Challenge #14 - Make a home decor project

My daughter and I redecorated my scraproom in aqua blue and cricut green and I needed a sign for my door. If you want to see the rest of the new room decor check out this post

Challenge #15 - Make something that is inspired from a Blogging Friend's project, must link their post to yours

Let me just say that Christina makes alot of cards. I am amazed that she usually posts one every day. I really love alot of her designs. I liked how she cut out a window in the card that shows through to the inside of the card.

http://cardcreationsbyc.blogspot.com/2011/06/just-because-card-believe-in-yourself.html

I bought these little hedgehogs and mushrooms from Michael's when they were on sale for 50 cents! I found some paper on the Imagine that I thought coordinated well with the colors of the mushrooms. very sweet. I know the colors are very washed out. I'll try and fix them later.

I hope you have enjoyed my projects. Don't forget to play along with us this month in any or all of the challenges

Cricut 360 Challenge Blog

2011-06-24T04:00:00.003-05:00

WOW! July is almost here! Where has the summer gone? Well on July 1st a new challenge blog will be fired up! CRICUT 360! This is going to be an awesome blog celebrating all things Cricut!! And I am excited to say that I am on the 1st Design Team.

To get things started, we are giving away Cricut's Create A Critter.

So if you want a chance to win, head on over to Cricut 360 and check us out. Make sure you follow the directions on how to enter the giveaway . You have until Wednesday, June 29th to enter and the winner will be drawn on Thursday.

Can't wait to see ya'll there.

Darlene

Guest Designer for Inking It Up Crazy

2011-06-21T05:03:00.001-05:00

Kassidy is having a month long celebration for her birthday. She invited a bunch of awesome bloggers to showcase her favorite things. Today I am a guest designer for Craftroom Decor. This was perfect for me because my daughter and I had been planning on redecorating my scraproom this summer. My room was decorated in neutrals. Which is according to my teenage daughter - BORING! So my favorite color is blue, any shade really. So we went with an aqua blue and cricut green! Love it. I was really worried about using these colors with my cherry furniture, but it really brightens it all up. So here we go...

It started with a piece of trim. Honestly I dont even know where it came from, but I loved the colors. (sorry I don't know why the whole post is underlined. I tried for 15 minutes on Blogger to correct it.)

This is what you see when you first walk into my room. Tada! Isn't it lovely? I made the create sign all by myself!! LOL The letters are from Hobby Lobby. I painted them, hot glued them all together and added a few tacks in the back for stability and got my hubby to hang it. The bins on top are being used to store things (pssst... they are trash cans from the dollar spot at Target). My daughter and I raided the sale section at Michaels for the birds and flowers. I also found the colored bins at Target. I use them to store my Distress Inks, current projects, etc. I didn't like that you could see into the cabinets on either side of the desk, so I used paper on the glass to hide it all.

I call this spot Cricut Corner! I have my new E2, Imagine and Gypsy all right here. Under the table I keep my ribbon and cricut cartridges in snapware containers.

This picture shows the awesome shelf unit I found at Target. They were on sale for $10, so I bought 2! They also had the cute little fabric bins in just the right colors. (see cricut hanging out on the shelf?) The glass jars are from Hobby Lobby (I already had them, they go on sale for 50% all the time, so they are only a $1) and they hold my flowers in every color. I also have the little plastic jars from Michaels that hold tiny flowers and buttons in every color. I am using the bins to store my sentiment stamps from Pink by Design and My Pink Stamper and my stickles. The plastic baskets on top (again Target) are just more storage.

Just another closeup of the desk.

My youngest daughter likes to do her homework in my office, so she has a teeny tiny edge on this table! do you see my fur baby, Maggie? She also likes to hang out with me while I craft! I repurposed the curtains from when my daughter changed her room decor a year ago.

This is the wall right when you walk in. I found these plain white wall plaques at Hobby Lobby for $5 each. So I took them home and slathered on 3 coats of blue and green paint. They are just what I needed to showcase my latest cards. I found the cute green frame on clearance at Target. Everything else I already had.

On the 1st shelf I have pictures in the black boxes and stickers in the plastic bins. On the next shelf, I am using the black boxes to hold my Cricut handbooks and overlays. The two plastic cases have cards in them. And the bottom shelf has my albums.

Here is another closeup of the wall plaques. The big box with the green front is more stickers. Yes, I know, I have a problem! Most of these were bought pre-Cricut! The white plastic storage unit next to it has punches in it.

Well I hope you have enjoyed a look into my new craftroom. I adore it. Now if only it would stay this clean! (grr... and of course the last sentence is fine! not underlined! I didn't do anything different!)

So head on over to Kassidy's for her Birthday Celebration. www.inkingitupcrazy.blogspot.com

So Saturday Challenge #12

2011-06-18T09:39:00.003-05:00

Woo Hoo it's the weekend!! This past week was VBS at my church. Boy am I tired. I was in charge of the kitchen - so that meant preparing snacks everyday for 600 kids. Whew!! I had lots of help of course, but it was still a lot of work. Next week is a day Girl Scout camp for my girls and guess who is bringing the snacks everyday for them!! ME But luckily it is only for 75 girls.

This week we were challenged to be patriotic. I have been lovely the little mat stack I picked up from Michaels from K and Company called Americana.

So here is my simple little card. The ribbon is cut from Stand and Salute. I used my Corner Chomper and a little twine.

My brother leaves this week for his 3rd tour overseas. Luckily, he is medical and will spend the next 7 months based in a hospital. I plan on sending him lots of cards!

So go get your craft on and make a patriotic card to support our troops or celebrate July 4th.

Darlene

Jillian's Big Birthday Celebration Blog Hop - LAST DAY

2011-06-13T07:24:00.004-05:00

Well today is the last day of Jillian Birthday celebration.

This cool chick is from Rock Princess. And the paper is from MME Party stack.

I hope you have enjoyed our Birthday celebration.

Blog Candy / Contest

Please make a teen birthday card. Honestly this is something I struggle with, so I want to see what you guys come up with. So make a card, and leave a comment with a link to your blog (I dont know how to do inlinkz yet). I will choose a random winner. You have until Monday, June 13 to enter. I will post the winner on Tuesday, June 14th. You may leave your comment on any post on my blog during the blog hop. The winner will receive a stamp set from Pink by Design called A Cupcake for You.

I will also choose a winner from the regular comments to win a 3 pack set of stickles.

So please leave your email addy so I can contact you.

Here is the list of all the blog hop stops in case you get lost.

Jillian http://princessandthepaper.blogspot.com/
Bunny http://bunnyrunswithscissors.blogspot.com/
Theresa http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/
Brynn http://flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/
Yolie www.JustYolie.com
Susan http://sueinct.blogspot.com/
Ashley http://myscrappinpalace.blogspot.com/
Deanne http://deannescreativejuice.blogspot.com/
Tanner http://www.mrcricutcrazy.com/
Darlene http://talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/ ME
Ivonne http://4everspink-dailydoseofbeauty.blogspot.com/ Your next stop
Karen http://karens-kakes-krafts.blogspot.com/
Denise http://vintageheartfeltdesigns.blogspot.com/

Getting Cricky Simply Sundays Guest Designer

2011-06-12T15:00:00.001-05:00

Two weeks ago I won Getting Cricky's Simply Sunday challenge, so theis week I get to be a Guest Designer for her! YEA!! It was Designer's Choice, so anything goes.

I know we all have half completed LO's just begging to be finished. I won this awesome Bo Bunny paper called Learning Curve that I knew I wanted to use with this picture of my daughter and hubby. Every year in middle school they would choose a Saturday morning and invite all the dads to come and have donuts with the kids and tour the school. I just loved this picture (mainly now bc she still looked so young and now she will be an 8th grader).

Originally I was going to use the Cricut and cut out a donut, etc. But then I received these beautiful flowers from Shannon at Creative Chaos. She has just started a small DT to showcase her handmade flowers. They are just gorgeous in real life. Go check them out in her etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannleffew2

So there you go! Make sure you stop by Kristal's at Getting Cricky to enter the Simply Sunday challenge and maybe you can be the next Guest Designer.

Darlene

Jillian's Big Birthday Celebration Blog Hop - DAY 3

2011-06-12T07:44:00.004-05:00

Welcome back! Here we are at Day 3 of Jillian's Birthday celebration.

For this card I welded the number shadows together on the Gypsy, then cut the numbers. The paper is from an American Girl paper stack. I added stickles for the flames.

Blog Candy / Contest

I will also choose a winner from the regular comments to win a 3 pack set of stickles.

So please leave your email addy so I can contact you.

Here is the list of all the blog hop stops in case you get lost.

Jillian's Big Birthday Celebration Blog Hop - DAY 2

2011-06-11T06:42:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Day 2 and it's Saturday!!

I was at my monthly crop last weekend and really wanted to play with the new Buccaneer cartridge for the Imagine. I made this cute Pirate Princesss and used a sentiment from Pink by Design's Pirate Life stamp set.

Blog Candy / Contest

I will also choose a winner from the regular comments to win a 3 pack set of stickles.

So please leave your email addy so I can contact you.

Jillian http://princessandthepaper.blogspot.com/
Bunny http://bunnyrunswithscissors.blogspot.com/
Theresa http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/
Brynn http://flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/
Yolie www.JustYolie.com
Susan http://sueinct.blogspot.com/
Deanne http://deannescreativejuice.blogspot.com/
Tanner http://www.mrcricutcrazy.com/
Darlene http://talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/
Ivonne http://4everspink-dailydoseofbeauty.blogspot.com/
Karen http://karens-kakes-krafts.blogspot.com/
Denise http://vintageheartfeltdesigns.blogspot.com/
Kristin www.scrappingmamahen.blogspot.com

Jillian's Big Birthday Celebration Blog Hop

2011-06-10T07:50:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Jillian's Birthday Blog Hop! This is going to be 4 days of projects and fun. Jillian is turning 12 in a few days. I have a 12 yo daughter myself, so I now how special this is for her.

For my first project, I made a really sweet card using the Imagine. Quick and easy. That is one thing I love about the Imagine, it lets you make super cute cards in a flash.

Blog Candy / Contest

I will also choose a winner from the regular comments to win a 3 pack set of stickles.

So please leave your email addy so I can contact you.

Here is the list of all the blog hop stops in case you get lost.

So Saturday Challenge #11

2011-06-04T09:23:00.005-05:00

If you are looking for the All About Dads Blog Hop, please scroll down. thanks

EEK! I took the pictures of my cards, but totally forgot to write the post for today! So here goes...

Welcome to another edition of So Saturday Challenges. For this week we needed to make a shaped card. Easy Peasy! There are lots of shaped card options on the cartridges, but I decided to use my gypsy to weld 2 cut and make my card. There are lots of awesome tutorial videos on there on this topic. Check them out.

For my first card, I used the bucket and pail from Boys will be Boys.

Of course my daughter had to give me her opinion, she thought my card was just blah! So she made her own. She says hers is way cuter. I just want to know where you can buy a polka dot bucket!

Then I decided that I wanted to make another, to make sure I really remembered how to weld, so here is a Sandcastle cut from Life is a beach. Because of the flags, I did need to weld this at the bottom. But that just makes it unique! It's cute,but I think it needs something. But what?

Thanks for looking. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Darlene

All About Dad's Blog Hop

2011-06-04T06:00:00.006-05:00

Welcome to the All About Dads Blog Hop! We have gathered a talented group of crafters to share their projects with you for Father's Day. I hope that we are able to provide you with lots of great ideas for all the special men in your life.

If you just came from Amy's at www.amychomas.blogspot.com, then you are in the right place. If you stumbled upon my blog and want to hop along, you can do so by starting at Jen's Blog at www.memorieswithjen.blogspot.com.

I have always struggled with making masculine cards. My cards usually aren't girly either, just somewhere in between at cutesy!

I posted this card for a challenge a few weeks ago, but it would be perfect for Father's Day, just change the sentiment.

This cut is from the Cricut Sampler cartridge and I don't remember where the fish is from. The background paper if from My Mind's Eye Stomp.

I bought the Father's Day seasonal cartridge. The next 3 cards are all from it.

The paper on this card is from K and Company's mat stack.

Hehe. Did your dad have a chair that was 'his' and only his? Mine did and it was an ugly rust orange color. I used the Imagine to print the denim paper from Snapshot texture cartrdige and added a few brads from my stash. The sentiment is from My Pink Stamper's Happiest Moments set.

For my last card I used the Imagine again and printed the floor and basketball from the Snapshot Everyday cartridge. The sentiment is from 40:31 Creations stamp set that has yet to be released.

Well that's all folks! This is the end of the hop. I hope we have given you lots of awesome ideas to make a special card for the wonderful men in your life.

Remember if want to be eligible to win the Cricut Cartridge A Child's Year you must leave a comment on each stop in the hop. So don't forget to leave a comment below with your email address. Thanks so much!!

Here is a list of the participants in our hop in case you get lost:
Jen R www.memorieswithjen.blogspot.com
Anita www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com
Amy www.lovetocrop.com
Jackie www.jackrabbitscrappin.blogspot.com
Stasia www.stampzone.blogspot.com
Gina www.californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com
Sher www.patternsbysher.blogspot.com
Michelle www.designsoncloud9.blogspot.com
Laura: www.makinprettythings.com
Kari www.purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com
Jenn www.jennscrap2.blogspot.com
Samantha www.buglovinchick.blogspot.com
Kathy www.kathyand3kids.blogspot.com
Lori www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com
DD www.craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com
Rhonda www.craftingwithblue.blogspot.com
Kristal www.gettingcricky.com
Amy www.amychomas.blogspot.com
Darlene www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com

Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky

2011-05-31T08:09:00.005-05:00

So this week the Simply Sunday Challenge is to use banners or pennants. No problem - I have a ton of Cricut cuts or paper and even a stamp. K Andrew showed us a LO she did using Echo Park. So since I have almost every EP collection (unused, bc it's so pretty), I decided to break a pack open and use the pennants.

As I've said before, my daughter thinks I make too much cutesy Cricut animal cards. So I stepped outside my comfort zone and didn't use my Cricut or an animal. Are you happy Taylor? Still not sure if I like it or not, but it's growing on me.

I'm entering this into Getting Cricky's Simply Sunday challenge at

http://www.gettingcricky.com/2011/05/simply-sunday-challenge-banners-and.html

Darlene

Cricut 360 DT entry

2011-05-23T19:43:00.007-05:00

There is a new challenge blog on the block called Cricut 360. It will start on July 1st and focus on all things Cricut! Love it! They are looking for a design team. In order to enter you needed to make something with a bug and the color lime green, of course. I have always wanted to make a spinner card and this seemed like a great time to give it a try. I think it turned out great. All the paper is from Echo Park's A Walk in the Park andSweet Summertime. The mushrooms and butterfly are both from Kate's ABC's. I used a sentiment from MPS's Buggy Punnies. Oh, lots of dimensionals and 2 pennies.

Thanks for looking

Darlene

Getting Cricky Simply Sunday - Retro Dad

2011-05-21T16:36:00.006-05:00

Retro was hard for me. So I went with not cutesy! My daughter says I only make 'cute' cards. Like that's a bad thing! So here is my not cute, retro dad card. Personally, I love it. I will either give it to my dad or to my hubby this year.

The background paper is from My Mind's Eye Stomp line. I adore this paper and I don't even have boys. The other paper is from my scraps. I used My Pink Stamper sentiments - the front is from More Punny and the inside is Happy Father's Day from Happiest Moments. Thanks for looking and makle sure you jump over to K Andrew's blog and enter your own Retro Dad card.

www.gettingcricky.com

Darlene

So Saturday #10

2011-05-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome, Welcome! It is So Saturday Challenge #10. This week we needed to make something that moves. Hmmm... Action Wobbles to the rescue! I just love them. So I made two cards!

I don't remember where the balloons are from, there are so many cartridges with them on it. The paper is from one of my favorite stacks from My Mind's Eye called Party Time. It is so veratile, cute and full of glitter! The sentiment is from My Pink Stamper Pinkalicious set.

This card is cut from Wild Card. I printed the paper on the Imagine and also used Kraft cardstock. The inside sentiment is from Lauren's 40:31 Creations set called Love. It says "you had me at hello".

These are my first attempts at videos, so please bare with me. It can only get better, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic6m6fgKQNs

here is the second video.

Thanks for stopping by and I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

Darlene

Armed Forces Day Blog Hop

2011-05-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

We Love Our Hero’s Blog Hop 5/21

Today is Armed Forces Day! This is a hop to support and bring awareness to the works of Operation Write Home . You should have arrived from Jenny at www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com. If not please hop back to Misty’s, so you won’t miss anything this wonderful group has to offer. In addition to card makers making cards for service persons to send home to their families, OWH has what they call ‘Hero Mail’. These cards can be any size; not just the usual required A2. They also include a personal note to ‘Any Hero’. We call them Hero’s, because OWH covers all branches of service. These are passed out to deployed hero’s, who might not get much mail, or just passed around to enjoy news from home. Here is more info about this awesome program.

http://operationwritehome.org/anyhero.html

Thank you to All of our Heros, past , present and those who serve on the Homefront as well!

Since July 4th is just around the corner and I was loving the red, white and blue, I got a little carried away and made three cards!!

This card base is just made from kraft cardstock. I found these beautiful patriotic flowers at Michaels and they were on sale this past week!

For this card, I embossed the white background with my cuttlebug and used gold star paper from K and Company.

This card was kinda the same as the 2nd card, but then I found these awesome felt stars at Michaels to layer together. And guess what, they were on sale too. I must have spent $40 on flowers and stuff, but it was all 40% off so it's OK! LOL

Hope you like my creations!

Your next stop will be Jenny B at www.craftydivalounge.blogspot.com

Oh yeah, leave a comment below with a way to contact you for some blog candy from my stash.

Here is the complete hop list.

1. Misty www.deliteful-gifts.blogspot.com

2. Tanya http://scrappinkymomma.blogspot.com

3. Kristal http://www.gettingcricky.com/

4. Sally http://sallysbitz.blogspot.com/

5. Amy http://www.lovetocrop.com/

6. Anita http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

7. Kathie http://kathleessnippitsncricuts.blogspot.com/

8. Rexann http://ibecircled.blogspot.com/

9. Vicki http://melovebonoandscrapbooking.blogspot.com/

10. Jenny http://www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com/

11. Darlene www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com

12. JennyB http://craftydivalounge.blogspot.com/

13. Linda http://lindascreativity.blogspot.com/

14. Patti http://www.pattilynncreations.blogspot.com/

15. Jazzy http://www.JazzysCards.Blogspot.com/

16. Momo http://madebymomo.blogspot.com/

17. Paula http://morethanfavors.blogspot.com/

18. Melanie http://inlovewithabug.blogspot.com/

19. Jan http://jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/

20. Gina http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/

Show Your Stash!

2011-05-19T06:49:00.004-05:00

There is a new challenge blog called Shopping your Stash. The first challenge is to show a pic of your stash or scraproom. So here goes...

Darlene

Throwback Thursday with Emma

2011-05-18T16:00:00.005-05:00

I was home from work today feeling a little under the weather, so in between naps I made this little card for Emma's challenge. We needed to use Doodlecharms cartridge and the color blue. I am in love with this paper stack from My Mind's Eye called Party Time. There is glitter on every page and it is just so festive.

I cut the party hat at 3.5 inches and used a stamp from Emma's Turn that Frown upside down. So sute!

Darlene

Link up Love Party with K Andrew

2011-05-18T15:46:00.001-05:00

This link up love party is a way to get to know each other and find new blog inspiration. I look forward to K Andrew's posts. She is way crafty and sweet. To particpate in the Link Up Love Party just make a post about your favorite project, old or new, and then follow the directions on her blog www.gettingcricky.com. Super Easy.

So here is mine. I made this for the grand opening of the Cricut Circle Blog. The papers are from Sassafras Lass Indie Girl and I just love them. I wanted to hang it in my daughter's room, but she nixed it because it didn't go with her monkeys! At the time, it didn't match my scraproom, but this summer I am redecorating my room and using my favorite colors, so it is coming out and will have a home on my walls!

Thanks for stopping by

Darlene

Reading Card

2011-05-16T18:55:00.002-05:00

This past year at the preschool, we have had a wonderful older gentleman come every week and read a few books to a couple of classes. He is so sweet and the kids adore him. Since this is our last week of school, I needed to make him a card to go with the gift card we purchased for him.

The paper is Bo Bunny Learning Curve and the boy reading is from A Child's Year. I just love how this turned out - the colors and simplicity really help the meaning get across. Thanks foor looking.

Darlene

NSD MPS Challenge #11

2011-05-08T20:56:00.001-05:00

www.mypinkstamper.com

Use pink, green and black

NSD MPS Challenge #10

2011-05-08T20:55:00.003-05:00

www.mypinkstamper.com

Pet project

NSD MPS Challenge #8

2011-05-08T20:54:00.001-05:00

www.mypinkstamper.com

Summer themed project

NSD MPS Challenge #7

2011-05-08T20:53:00.001-05:00

www.mypinkstamper.com

Make a scrapbook page.

NSD MPS Challenge #6

2011-05-08T20:52:00.002-05:00

www.mypinkstamper.com

Incorporate a Tag.

just a simple cute card with a tag.

NSD MPS Challenge #5

2011-05-08T20:49:00.003-05:00

www.mypinkstamper.com

Make a 3D item

This summer my daughter wants to redecorate my scraproom. I have cherry wood furniture, so most of my stuff is neutrals. Well she says it's boring. My favorite color is blue, with green being second, so we are going to go with that and just not worry about it matching the cherry wood. So who knows how it will turn out. This picture frame will end up in my new scraproom. Paper is from Basic Grey Lime Ricky.

NSD MPS Challenge #4

2011-05-08T20:47:00.002-05:00

www.mypinkstamper.com

Mother's Day Theme

Sassafras Lass Indie Girl paper - love it!!

NSD MPS Challenge #3

2011-05-08T20:46:00.001-05:00

www.mypinkstamper.com

Make something with a Breast Cancer Theme

NSD MPS Challenge #2

2011-05-08T20:45:00.004-05:00

href="http://www.mypinkstamper.com">www.mypinkstamper.com

Make something with Kraft Cardstock. I used the new DCWV Playtime stack. Love it!

NSD MPS Challenge #1

2011-05-08T20:42:00.004-05:00

After spending Friday night with my youngest daughter and her Brownie troop at the Zoo, I was finally able to get into my scraproom and play along for National Scrapbooking Day. YEA!! So here is Challenge #1 at www.mypinkstamper.com

Anything Cupcake!

So Saturday Challenge #9

2011-05-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to So Saturday Challenge #9 by Card Creations & More. This week Christina challenged us to use some sort of embossing. Easy Peasy!

I decided to use the cartridge A Child's Year. This is one I really haven't used much, if at all. I guess, I just used to all the layers and stuff with the other cartridges. The last time the Cuttlebug stuff was on sale at Michael's, I picked up the star embossing folder. I inked the inside of the folder with Stampin Up Brilliant Blue and then ran my paper through the Cuttlebug. I did the same thing with the strip folder and SU Real Red ink. Doesn't it look awesome?

I cut the silhoutte at 4 in and ran it through the dots embossing folder and then inked the edges in a neutral color. I wanted the star to stand out more, so I added a yellow star. One thing I did notice when cutting the image and it's shadow is that they didn't match up like they are supposed to when using real size on the Cricut. I had to go back and shrink and recut the image to get it to fit better with the shadow.

I can't wait to see what ya'll come up with for this weeks challenge!

Darlene

Jenny's Big 3-0h Birthday Blog Hop

2011-05-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Jenny!!! Wow, to be 30 again! LOL

Welcome to Jenny's birthday blog hop. If you arrived here from Sher, then you are in the right place. If you want to start from the beginning, then head over to Jenny's blog at www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com.

For today's project, I used the Imagine and the Yummy cartridge to make this LO. I plan on using this at work for our birthday celebrations. It will look wonderful on the table with the other decorations and we can use it throughout the year.

Don't these look yummy!

Now for some yummy blog candy. Silly me bought another Echo Park Sweet Summertime paper pack. While it is beautiful paper, I don't think I would end up using a 2nd one.

Please leave a comment with a way to contact you if you would like to be entered to win this yummy paper.

Your next stop is Kara at www.karassweetcreations.blogspot.com

And don't forget to wish Jenny a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Here is the blog lineup in case you get off track.

Jenny www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com

Linda http://www.fancyframework.com/

Jennifer http://scrap-a-tude.blogspot.com/

Katie http://kwilliamskreations.blogspot.com/

Jennifer http://craftyfulgardens.blogspot.com/

Kathie http://kathleessnippitsncricuts.blogspot.com/

Jen www.jenscraftcorner.com

Diana www.daisylovecreations.blogspot.com

Kristen http://fantabulouslypink.blogspot.com/

Nadia www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com

Giselle www.crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com

Belinda http://theembellishedcard.blogspot.com/

Savannah http://www.simplecricutcrafts.blogspot.com/

Amber www.amberscraftsandstuff.com

Monica http://www.stampindaisies.com/

Michelle http://www.madebymisha.blogspot.com/

Nikki http://www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Juel http://jandjsyummycreations.blogspot.com/

Sher www.patternsbysher.blogspot.com

Darlene www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com ME!!

Kara http://www.karassweetcreations.blogspot.com/ Next Stop!

Jamie http://cutecardsandcraftsbyjamie.blogspot.com/

Jessica www.bakingupcrafts.com

Elaine www.ExpressionsByElaine.blogspot.com

Thanks for Hopping

Darlene

Mother's Day Cards

2011-05-05T09:28:00.003-05:00

Here are the 2 cards I made for my mom and my MIL. I made both with the Imagine.

This one is for my MIL. The flower basket and background paper are from Enjoy the Seasons. I used a corner punch and edge punch to dress up the paper. The button and ribbon are from my stash. I pop-dotted a few of the flowers for dimension.

This one is for my mom. I used a card / envelope base from Better Together so the outside would be pretty too. I consider my mom to be one of my best friends, so I liked these two girls holding hands. The cloud paper is left over form another Imagine card and the green is printed from another Imagine cartridge. (I just love my Imagine!)

Darlene

Getty Campy with Getty Cricky!

2011-05-05T09:25:00.001-05:00

Krystal has a Simple Sunday challenge of Get Campy. Here is a LO I made of my oldest daughter Taylor when she went to camp 2 yrs ago. WOW! I can't believe how young she looks compared to now. I made this with a kit before I got really involved with my Cricut.

Check out the challenge at http://www.gettingcricky.com/

Darlene

Teacher Appreciation Week

2011-05-03T07:21:00.004-05:00

Each day during Teacher Appreciation week at my daughter's elementary school, they have a suggestion for a small item that the kids can bring in for the teacher. On Monday, it was a sweet treat. Bailey sd her teacher likes chocolate, so I let her pick out some nice chocolate from Walgreens. She chose a few items for the Yummy Imagine cartridge and got to work. Here is what she brought to school. There are 15 Bliss chocolates in the bag - one for each day left of school!

Bailey did a great job!

Darlene

Grad Bash! Day 2

2011-05-01T08:32:00.004-05:00

Welcome back to Day 2 of the Grad Bash Blog Hop.

If you have come from Amber's blog at www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com, then you are in the right place. If you stumbled upon my blog and want to play along, you can do so by starting at Nadia’s Blog (www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com). (sorry for the duplicate posts from Day 1. Blogger and I have not been getting along!)

For this card I used the cap and "congratulations" from the new Everyday Pop Up Cards cartridge. I knew I wanted the colors to be green, white and gold because I have a cousin who is graduating from my alma mater. I made the card pretty big because of the inside wording. The card is 5.5 by 7 in.

Sorry about the horrible inside picture, but I totally forgot to take it when I was prepping the post and now the girls are both asleep and the darn thing wouldn't stay open.

I cutthe inside words at 6.5 and boy were some of it delicate. I had to be very gentle putting it together.

Hope you like it! Better yet, hope my graduate likes it! Leave me a comment to be entered for the blog candy.

Your next stop is Anita's at www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com

2011-04-30T21:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Graduation Day Blog Hop! We hope that we are able to provide you with lots of graduation ideas for all those graduates in your life.

If you have come from Amber's blog at www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com, then you are in the right place. If you stumbled upon my blog and want to play along, you can do so by starting at Nadia’s Blog (www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com).

For my first card, I decided to use the image from the Wild Card cartridge. I'm not sure why I chose these colors, but I will actually be able to use the card because one of the high schools in my area has the colors red, black and white, so this card should would great!

I cut the card at 8 inches. I used twine for the tassle. Isn't it cute! I had to go buy brads from Michaels because none of mine were big enough!

Make sure you come back tomorrow for another card.

Blog Candy - I will be giving away a bunch of pretty embellishments. Picture to follow soon!

Well that's all! Thanks for hopping along with us! I hope we gave you some good ideas for all the Grads in your life.

oops! looks like I wasn't last. Your next stop is Anita's at www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com.

Here is a list of all participators:

Nadia www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com

Giselle www.crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com

Sandra www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com

Kristy www.craftin-on-my-door.blogspot.com

Jazmin www.jazzyscards.blogspot.com

Alma www.almabrooksblog.blogspot.com

Yolonda www.craftyscentiments.blogspot.com

Melanie www.inlovewithabug.blogspot.com

Carrie www.paperglitterstamps.blogspot.com

Adri www.macheriecreations.com

Sylvia www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com

Amber www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com

Darlene www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com

Anita http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

2011-04-30T11:07:00.001-05:00

I cut the card at 8 inches. I used twine for the tassle. Isn't it cute! I had to go buy brads from Michaels because none of mine were big enough!

Make sure you come back tomorrow for another card.

Blog Candy - I will be giving away a bunch of pretty embellishments. Picture to follow soon!

Well that's all! Thanks for hopping along with us! I hope we gave you some good ideas for all the Grads in your life.

oops! looks like I wasn't last. Your next stop is Krista at www.kristaspapercafe.com.

Here is a list of all participators:

Nadia www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com

Giselle www.crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com

Sandra www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com

Kristy www.craftin-on-my-door.blogspot.com

Jazmin www.jazzyscards.blogspot.com

Alma www.almabrooksblog.blogspot.com

Yolonda www.craftyscentiments.blogspot.com

Melanie www.inlovewithabug.blogspot.com

Carrie www.paperglitterstamps.blogspot.com

Adri www.macheriecreations.com

Sylvia www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com

Amber www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com

Darlene www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com

Krista http://www.KristasPaperCafe.com/

Anita http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

Grad Bash Blog Hop!

2011-04-30T06:00:00.003-05:00

I cut the card at 8 inches. I used twine for the tassle. Isn't it cute! I had to go buy brads from Michaels because none of mine were big enough!

Make sure you come back tomorrow for another card.

Blog Candy - I will be giving away a bunch of pretty embellishments. Picture to follow soon!

Well that's all! Thanks for hopping along with us! I hope we gave you some good ideas for all the Grads in your life.

Here is a list of all participators:

Nadia www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com

Giselle www.crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com

Sandra www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com

Kristy www.craftin-on-my-door.blogspot.com

Jazmin www.jazzyscards.blogspot.com

Alma www.almabrooksblog.blogspot.com

Yolonda www.craftyscentiments.blogspot.com

Melanie www.inlovewithabug.blogspot.com

Carrie www.paperglitterstamps.blogspot.com

Adri www.macheriecreations.com

Sylvia www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com

Amber www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com

Darlene www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com

So Saturday Challenge #8

2011-04-23T08:28:00.001-05:00

Welcome to another So Saturday Challenge for Card Creations & More. This week we needed to make anything but a card or layout. I started one project for my scraproom, but when I sat down to finish it I discovered I had misplaced a few pieces! So guess that project will be for another day. LOL

So I switched grears, I decided to make a cute little flower pot with my daughters. We used a pot and a bag of rocks from the Dollar store. I let the girls design the flower combinations and we secured them with glue dots or brads. The stems are green ribbon wrapped skewers from the kitchen. I added some ribbon and a bow to the pot to finish it off. So cute!

Thanks for stopping by and can't wait to see what ya'll create this week.

Darlene

All Creatures Great and Small Blog Hop

2011-04-15T06:00:00.003-05:00

Hello my Crafty Friends & Welcome to the All Creatures Great & Small Blog Hop hosted by...Misty!Here is why she wanted to start this Blog Hop....
Operation Write Home recently put out a call for kid friendly cards so that our hero’s could send cards home to their children. That got me to thinking, what is friendlier than a happy critter? I have been wanting to host a hop, and what better excuse? (Like we need one..Eh?) If you have been a follower of mine, you know I really DO love All Creatures Great & Small (& deadly). So I put out a call & we have 20 very talented ladies for you to visit today!
I hope to garner some ideas from here & I am sure you will too!

OH! I heard through the zoo grapevine, there will be candy along the way,

So be sure to leave lots of love ♥

So here is what I decided to make for this worthy cause.

First up is a cute little turtle. What makes him extra special is that he is on an action wobble. These little things are the greatest. They make me laugh everytime they wobble to and fro.

The turtle is from Create a Critter. I embossed the grass hills for a little texture. I printed the cloud paper on the Imagine. And I think the sentiment came from My Pink Stamper. Cute!

For my next card, I wanted to try a new product that I just got in the mail this week.

It is a new stamp line from Inky Antics called HoneyPOP. This set is called Easter Chick.

Isn't it so cute! (pay no attention to my horrible attempt at coloring. I am definitely NOT a stamper!) So you choose a stamp set and then choose your HoneyPOP color to use inside the card. I paired this cute little chick with some paper from Basic Grey's Urban Prairie line.

So much fun and it wasn't hard at all!

***CANDY ALERT BELOW***CANDY ALERT BELOW***

If you would like to be eligible to win my blog candy, please become a follower and leave a comment with a way to contact you. US addresses only please

I will be giving away a monthly kit from The Scrapbook Nook.

(picture coming soon)

Thanks for stopping by!

Darlene

If you get lost along the way, here is the line up:

1. Misty… www.deliteful-gifts.blogspot.com

2. KAndrews... www.gettingcricky.com

3. Amy... www.lovetocrop.com

4. Tanya… www.scrappinkymomma.blogspot.com

5. Darlene… www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/ ME!

6. Kathie… www.kathleessnippitsncricuts.blogspot.com Next Stop

7. Michelle D… www.upsydaisycreations.blogspot.com/

8. Sally… www.sallysbitz.blogspot.com/

9. Gill... www.creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/

10. Jen… www.memorieswithjen.blogspot.com

11. Sher… www.patternsbysher.blogspot.com/

12. Rhonda… www.scraphappenswithrhonda.blogspot.com/

13. Tara… www.creativeprincess-homemadehappiness.blogspot.com/

14. Vicki… www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.melovebonoandscrapbooking.blogspot.com%2F&h=eaede

15. Jen … www.www.jenscraftcorner.com/

16. Dawn… www.iowascrapper.blogspot.com/

17. Martha… www.pattisscrapingtime.blogspot.com/

18. Becky… www.beckscricards.blogspot.com

19. Anita… www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

20. Kara… www.karassweetcreations.blogspot.com/

21. CheriJ… www.cdjcape521.blogspot.com/

22. Carlene… www.misspinkcricut.blogspot.com/

So Saturday #7

2011-04-09T07:00:00.002-05:00

Today is So Saturday #7 Challenge at Card Creations & More by C. This we needed to make anything Spring related. Easy Peasy! But no, because apparently my mojo has disappeared. Maybe I have too much papercrafting stuff - cricut cartridges, paper, stickers, etc. Too many things to choose from. NAW!!!! I'll never admit to having too much stuff. So anyway, last year I had hunted high and low for a Cuttlebug butterfly cut and embossing set. I finally found it, unwrapped it, did a few test cuts, said "cool" and "those are pretty" and then put it with the rest of the cuttlebug stuff. Never to be seen again! Until today! LOL So here are a few cricut less Spring cards.

The letters on these two cards are from the dollar bins last year at Michaels! I just love the blue and yellow ones.

These were just leftover Thickers from another project. Well there you go! Hope you enjoyed my Spring cards. And I vow, I am actually going to send these to some friends and not just put them in my card file! Darlene

April Fool's Day Blog Hop

2011-04-01T06:11:00.003-05:00

Welcome to It's A Joy 2 Scrap's April Fool's Day Blog Hop! I hope everyone is having a fantastic Friday! If you came here from Vicki's blog, you are in the right place. However, if you happened upon my blog, please head over to It's A Joy 2 Scrap's blog so you don't miss any of the fun. For this hop, we were asked to create a project that “tricks the eye.” I knew I didn't have any cool holographic paper and I'm really bad with April Fool's ideas, so I went searching on You Tube. I looked high and low and just couldn't find anything. So I decided to make a cute box.

April Fool's !!!

It's not just a box! It's an exploding box!

Isn't it awesome?!

I used a simple tutorial from PMaddict at http://www.youtube.com/user/PMaddict#p/a/u/0/-8xL_zdG_X8

It really is easy. The hardest part is deciding how you want to decorate it!

To make this cute box, you will need 3 sheets of 12x12 cardstock for your base. The rest is up to you. I used a bunch of items from Making Memories Chloe's Closet. Last year, I just had to have all the pieces from this line and then I never did anything with them. Such is the life of a hoarder! Later I can add a few pictures or some more quotes before I give it away. Hope you enjoyed it.

Next in line is Lindsay from La Georgia Paperie. Her blog is full of pictures and stories about everyday life! Love it! Have you ever wondered why we like hearing about other people's lives?? And she has a hubby who will MAKE her a card! My hubby wanted me to make my own bday card this year! I declined and opted for an extra gift.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. If you get lost along the way, here is the line up of my fellow crafters:

Elaine www.expressionsbyelaine.blogspot.com

Vicki W www.scrapbookingcreationsbyvicki.blogspot.com

Darlene S www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com You are here

Lindsey Z www.lageorgiapaperie.com Here is your next stop

Tammy J www.tammyjennings.blogspot.com

Kara www.karassweetcreations.blogspot.com

Amy www.lovetocrop.com

Ashley W www.proudusmcwife415.blogspot.com

Janice www.cricutology.blogspot.com

Tonia S www.pigtailsandpapertrails.blogspot.com

Kim M www.me-makimsplace.blogspot.com/

Janice C www.craftingeek.blogspot.com/

Jillian E www.jillianbeancrafts.com/

Denise www.vindeeloosthisnthat.blogspot.com

Wendy www.gilbyscraftster.blogspot.com

Kayla T www.myscrapbookinghideaway.blogspot.com

Jenny K www.scrapwithjenny.blogspot.com/

Patty www.craftykitten1.blogspot.com/

Tiffany www.sparkledmemories.blogspot.com

Carlene www.misspinkcricut.blogspot.com

Krystal www.krystalskreativity.blogspot.com/

Jenny www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com/

Michelle www.madebymisha.blogspot.com/

Linette O www.moonscrapper.blogspot.com/

Katie www.kwilliamskreations.blogspot.com

Debi www.Debican01.blogspot.com

What's a hop without Candy??? Of course there is candy. I just don't know what yet. But I have lots of goodies around here. LOL So please leave a comment and a way to contact you if you want a chance to enter for the mystery candy.

Don't forget! If you leave a comment on all the blogs by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. CST. You have a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

Thanks for stopping by the April Fool's Day Blog Hop

Darlene

Busy , busy

2011-03-26T15:59:00.003-05:00

I am a busy girl this weekend. I am doing 2 hops and 1 design team post today.

So if you are looking for So Saturdays Challenge #6 by Card Creations & More by C, please click here http://talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/2011/03/card-creations-more-by-c-challenge-6.html

If you are looking for the Imagine That Blog Hop by Sandra then click here http://talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/2011/03/imagine-that-blog-hop.html

If you are looking for the My Favorite Things Blog Hop by Krystal then click here http://talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-favorite-things-blog-hop.html

Hope this helps you find your way.

Darlene

My Favorite Things Blog Hop

2011-03-26T10:00:00.007-05:00

Hi ya'll, welcome to the My Favorite Things Blog Hop hosted by Krystal at http://www.krystalskreativity.blogspot.com/ . If you came here from Cherie's blog, then you are in the right place. If you would like to start from the beginning, please hop on over to Krystal's and start there!

Krystal is turning 37 on Monday, March 28th so she thought it would be fun to host a blog hop listing some of our favorite things. I really wanted to do this hop with her because my birthday is on Tuesday, March 29th! How cool is that!?
So here are a few of my favorite things that I have made...

First we have this adorable frog. There are a few reasons why I love him so much. The colors - the blue, green and kraft are just awesome. The other reason is that he is on an action wobble. It just makes me smile when he wobbles!

This one is one of the first cards that I made with my Imagine. It took me quite a while to get it done, but the end result was worth it.

I made this for a Cricut Circle challenge. It was also my first home decor project. The colors are just so pretty in person. The paper was by Sassafras Lasss Indie Girl.

Let me just start by saying that my daughter hates this card. I honestly don't know why I like it so much. Maybe I have a secret thing for rainbows. Or maybe it's just because I love Basic Grey paper and was so happy to finally use some instead of just hoarding it!

I made these last fall for a friend at work. And obviously they are my favorites because I am a South Louisiana girl! They are also my first comissioned cards. Someone actually paid me to make these for them!! LOL

This paper is from the first monthly scrapbook kit that I joined last year. In the kit were the flowers, buttons and the pretty stick pins that are all the rage right now. This was definitely stepping outside my comfort zone to use these items and make it pretty and flowery. I must say, I really liked the end result. And now I use buttons and flowers on lots if things.

Well there you have it - some of my favorite things that I have made over the past 6 or 7 months. Surfing blogs, entering challenges, etc has really helped me to expand the way I scrapbook and make cards. I hope I didn't bore you with so many projects. Thanks for looking!

Happy Birthday Krystal!

And now for the fun part... The BLOG CANDY ! Since it is my birthday too, I'm going to give you guys a present! That's how it works, right? I am giving away a brand new Cricut Paisley cartridge! YEA! It is so cute. All you need to do is be a follower and leave a comment with a way to contact you. Easy!

Thank you for taking the time to participate in our blog hop. And now, hop on over to Jenny's blog for more fantastic Favorite Things.

When you reach the end of this blog hop, head back over to Krystal's blog and leave a comment there letting her know you've visited us all!!!

Here is a list of all the participants and their links:

Krystal - Krystal's Kreativity - http://krystalskreativity.blogspot.com/

Cindy - The Scrapping Room - http://scrappingroom.blogspot.com/

Cherie - One Heart Scrapper - http://oneheartscrapper.blogspot.com/

Darlene - Simple Southern Blessings - http://www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/

Jenny - PaperCut Creations - http://papercutcreations.blogspot.com/

Gayle - Grma Gayle's Corner - http://g-gayle.blogspot.com/

Jessica - Chick-n-Scrap - http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/

Jessica - You're Always In My Heart - http://www.barrycrafty.blogspot.com/

Imagine That Blog Hop

2011-03-26T07:00:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the Imagine That Blog Hop organized by Sandra of 365 Days if Cricut. You should have arrived here from Yolonda's awesome blog. If you are just starting out, then jump over to Sandra's blog to get started. And of course, there will be a little blog candy along the way.

Sandra wanted us to use our Imagine to create anything. Easy Peasy! I love my Imagine. I decided I wanted to show you how easy it is to use the Imagine to create gift bags and purses. They have so many cute designs on the cartridges and awesome patterns. These are all from the Imagine More Cards cartridge. All I did was pick one and press GO.

See that little one? That is what happens when you don't press "fit to page"! Isn't she cute? My daughter has claimed it.

I added a few flowers and twine and what an adorable little gift bag. The Imagine patterns are already a little inky around the edges and vintage looking.

Ready for more cuteness?

How about these two?

I love all the different patterns on this one. It would take you forever if you had to cut each piece and glue them on.

So pretty.

And last but least, a pretty red polka dot purse. I'm sure there are lots of little girls out there that would love to play with these creations.

I hope you enjoyed my creations and can see how easy it is to create cute gift bags with the Imagine in very little time.

Now for the blog candy - how about a Cricut cartridge? I have Summer Vacation to give away. It has been opened, but unused and Reward points still good. Silly me, bought it twice and didn't realize it until I tried to upload it.

So please become a follower and leave a comment with a way to contact you.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Sandra is giving away a Grand Prize of Peachy Keen Stamps and Scrappy Moms Stamps. Make sure you comment on all the blogs to be entered to win.

So to continue on with the blog hop, jump over to Cristina's blog to see her wonderful project. If you get lost, no worries... here is the blog list.

1. Sandra http://365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/

2. Elsa http://cricutlvr.blogspot.com/

3. Monica http://simplycricutting.blogspot.com/

4. Pam http://simply-pam.blogspot.com/

5. Nadia http://nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com/

6. Laurel http://www.blog.littlepeaceofmyheart.com/

7. Lezlye http://www.lezlyes.blogspot.com/

8. Jenny http://kozfam5.blogspot.com/

9. Mistyrose http://sweetmagnoliarose.blogspot.com/

10. Gaby http://www.gabycreates.com/

11. Lauren http://www.laurenscreative.com/

12. Kristen http://fantabulouslypink.blogspot.com/

13. Haidee http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/

14. Giselle http://crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com/

15. Yolonda http://www.craftyscentiments.blogspot.com/

16. Darlene http://talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/

17. Cristina http://www.craftingwithcristina.com/

18. Kristin http://www.pinkldycrafter.blogspot.com/

19. Candice http://stampinpearls.blogspot.com/

Card Creations & More by C Challenge #6

2011-03-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to So Saturday Challenges at Card Creations & More by C! For our challenge this week, we needed to use a patterned ribbon.
A few years ago, I used to make hairbows and headbands. First, it was just so that my girls could have a bow in every color, then people started asking for them and it became a little business for me. I was making bows for 2 stores and friends. Busy! Then I started working more at our church preschool and it got stressful and lost its charm. And my girls weren't wearing them anymore. So now I am a paper crafter with a ton of ribbon in all colors, sizes and patterns!

Isn't this so cute? The sand castles is from Create a Critter and I printed the blue background paper and clouds from Imagine More cartridge. I used glossy accents on the flag and added a few buttons from my stash.

The sentiment is from Pink by Design's Summer Vacation set.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to play along with us this week at SoSaturdays Challenges.

Darlene

Coming this weekend...

2011-03-24T07:12:00.004-05:00

2 Blog Hops and a design team post from Card Creations & More by C! Can you say "busy"! LOL

The first hop is My Favorite Things by Krystal at Krystal's Kreativity. We are celebrating her birthday and showing you our favorite things to craft with.

The second blog hop is Imagine That by Sandra at 365 Days of Cricut. We are showcasing all the wonderful things you can do with the Imagine.

And last but not least is my design team project for Card Creations & More by C. Make sure you check out all the wonderful creations from our members.

See ya soon! Gotta get back to crafting!

Darlene

The Original Scrapbox Giveaway

2011-03-17T06:13:00.003-05:00

The Original Scrapbox is giving away a Scrapbox when they reach 10000 Likes on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalScrapbox#!/TheOriginalScrapbox#!/album.php?profile=1&id=39007817954

Wishing you a HOPPY day!

2011-03-06T19:55:00.002-06:00

Isn't my frog cute? He is kinda a card/wall hanging. I love this color combo.

I am entering this card into a few challenges.

Cricut Cartridge Chaos #7 - Paisley cartridge

Sp Color Combo #89 - Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake

Good Luck

2011-03-06T19:39:00.002-06:00

The other day I wanted to make a quick card with my Imagine using on of the stock images and then see how I could dress it up. I chose the Good Luck from cartridge. I thought it would look great on kraft paper. I added a few eyelets with my crop a dile and some ribbon from my stash.

I am entering this into the 1st challenge at Creative Critters Imaginations.

New Challenge Blog Coming Soon!

2011-03-04T16:09:00.003-06:00

A new challenge blog will be coming March 20th. And it is all about Birthdays! Kristie wants to help us get a stash of Birthday cards ready to send out for the year. I am all about that! Sending handmade birthday cards to my extended family is one of my goals for the year.

Go check out Birthday Sundaes! http://birthdaysundaes.blogspot.com/

Card Creations & More by C Challenge #5

2011-03-03T19:51:00.007-06:00

Welcome to So Saturdays Challenge #5. Today is Design Team day over at Card Creations & More by Christina. The challenge was to make a tri-fold or Z fold card. I chose to make 2 Z fold cards. I don't have many boy cards, so these two will be perfect.

Both the dinosaur and volcano were cut from Create a Critter. The awesome glittery paper is from a favorite stack of mine by My Mind's Eye called Stomp. It is perfect for boy stuff, outside LO's, etc.

Thanks for checking out my cards today and don't forget to make your own tri-fold or Z card to enter the So Saturdays challlenge at Card Creations & More by Christina.

Get Well Panda

2011-03-03T18:34:00.004-06:00

I love love this card. A close friend of mine has been going through a rough time health-wise lately. She loves pandas because her name rhymes with panda, so this card was for her. The panda and bamboo are from Pagoda . The paper is all scraps from my stash.

I am entering it into the following challenges:

House of Gilli - Green
DYSU Challenge - Green
Dutch Dare Card - Who's who in the zoo
The Paper Variety - Green
Critter Sketch - sentiment
Celebrate the Occaision - green, white and one other color

200 Follower Giveaway

2011-03-01T16:54:00.002-06:00

Go check out the awesome giveaway at Scrappin With Cricut here. Dusti is going to choose someone to win this Yudu when she reaches 200 followers.

Card gone terribly wrong

2011-02-28T21:49:00.003-06:00

Sometimes a card just doesn't turn out pretty, or even cute. It's not the card's fault. I was trying to play along at Picture Perfect Creations Color Combo #50. We were supposed to use Peach Parfait, Early Expresso and Pretty in Pink from Stampin Up. I was excited to play along because I had gotten my box with all the new colors. After a little pondering, I decided on the piece of cake from Sweet Treats cartridge.

So I knew it wasn't looking great, so I thought some stickles would help. I don't think they did. I was going for chocolate cake. It just looks like a striped brown box! Maybe if I round the corners a little? Come on, who has a cake that square?! Maybe if I had used the cuttlebug on the brown? I don't know.

Poor card! It's not his fault. Is there a place where the sad little cards can go?

Darlene

Happy Anniversary

2011-02-26T11:03:00.002-06:00

I made this card to play along at Picture Perfect Creations this week. It is their one year anniversary! I finally ordered some new SU paper to fill in my missing colors, so it was fun to play along and have exactly the right shades needed.
This week we needed to use Basic Grey, Melon Mambo, Garden Green and White.

I used a Cuttlebug butterfly die and embossing set for the large butterfly and a punch for the smaller one. The grass is from a Martha Stewart cricut cartridge and the ribbon is from my stash. The sentiment is My Pink Stamper Happiest Moments stamp. Thanks for looking

Darlene

So Saturday #4

2011-02-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

It's time for another challenge at Card Creations & More by C. The week we needed to sparkle - well, the project needed to sparkle. This was a little hard for me. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of bling - stickles, i-Rock, adhesive bling, etc. I just couldn't decide what to do with it.

My first project bombed. I made a cupcake on my Imagine and then stickled the sprinkles on it. I set it aside to dry and when I came back the ink had smeared. Maybe I needed to let the Imagine colored paper sit overnight before stickling it.

So, a few days later I came up with this card.

But my daughter gave me the thumbs down on it. She said the glitter tulips don't match the country looking paper.

She may be right. But it does sparkle.

So I thumbed through a few magazines and came across an ice cream cone.

So, a little bling and the perfect sentiment from Pink by Design's Take the Cake stamp set and done!

Good Luck and can't wait to see what ya'll come up with for the So Saturday Challenge!

Darlene

Oh My!

2011-02-25T20:47:00.003-06:00

Look at the fabulous blog candy Melissa is giving away.

~ Brother CP-7500 Computerized Sewing Machine

~ 1 Sew Easy Tool (Love these)

~ Sew Easy Mat

~ Sew Easy Thread in Pinks and Blues

Wouldn't it be so cool to win all this. Head over to her blog for all the details.

http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/2011/02/candy-for-u.html

Blog Candy Alert

2011-02-20T12:35:00.002-06:00

Go check out Laurie's blog. She is giving away some awesome goodies.

Sensational Scenes Blog Hop

2011-02-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Sensational Scenes Blog Hop organized by Christina of Card Creations & More. You should have arrived here from Savhanna's awesome blog. If you are just starting out, then jump over to Christina's blog to get started. And of course, there will be a little blog candy along the way.

Christina challenged her design team and friends to make a project with a scene - any kind of scene like water, snow, sky and land. I decided to show ya'll how easy it is to make cards with the Imagine. I did say cards. I made 4 cards in under 2 hours. I'm not sure really how long it was because dear hubby wanted me to watch a little TV with him, so I took a break.

This first card is my favorite. These little guys look like they are the best of friends. They were cut from the Better Together cartridge and the sentiment is from 40:31 Creations new stamp set called Say Anything.

This house is adorable. I really wish I had made it bigger. It is from the Nursery Tails cartridge. I wanted to use a sentiment like welcome home baby or something, but didn't have anything that worked. This sentiment is from Pink by Design's Spring has Sprung set.

The next 2 cards are from the Best Friends cartridge. This sentiment is Pink By Design's Simply Everything set.

This sentiment is from Pink By Design's Spring is Sprung stamp set.

I hope you enjoyed my creations and can see how easy it is to create cute cards with the Imagine in very little time. I made these from just the stock images, just think of what you could do if you start mixing things up.

Now for the blog candy - not sure what it is yet. But please become a follower and leave a comment with a way to contact you. I will be going through my stash and will put together some yummy goodies.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Christina has some blog candy as well. Make sure you comment on all the blogs and end with Christina and leave a comment there to be eligible to win a Scrappy Mom's stamp set of your choice that has been donated by Tammy and Mel.

So to continue on with the blog hop, jump over to Paula's blog to see her wonderful project. If you get lost, no worries... here is the blog list.

Momo http://madebymomo.blogspot.com/

Tammy http://scrappycritters.blogspot.com/
Mel http://scrappymel.blogspot.com/
Sandra http://365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/
Janis http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/
Denise http://cricutmyway.blogspot.com/
Savhanna http://svioratomora.blogspot.com/
Darlene http://talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/
Paula http://craftwithbee.blogspot.com/
Janice http://cricutology.blogspot.com/
Sharon http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com/
Lauren http://laurenscreative.blogspot.com/
Christina http://cardcreationsbyc.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping in and a special THANKS to Christina for hosting this event.

Darlene

Cricky Across the 50 Blog Hop WINNER

2011-02-14T17:23:00.002-06:00

Wow! That was so much fun. I had 171 comments and a slew of new followers. I really enjoyed sharing about the swamps of Louisiana and scaring a few people with the pictures of the alligators! It was also fun to see what everyone else had to share about their states. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Well now onto my winner of the Paisley Cricut cartridge...

The winner is Lisa from Lisa's Paper Butterflies.

Lisa, send me an email with address so I can get this out to you.

Thanks again to KAndrew for all your time and effort in orgainizing this hop!

Darlene

Card Creations & More by C Challenge #3

2011-02-12T06:01:00.000-06:00

It's that time again! Challenge Time! For this challenge we needed to use black, white and one other color. I must say I was a little stumped because most color combos used pink or red as the extra color, and I am definitely not a pink girl! Then I noticed on my calendar that it was my best friend's birthday. She recently moved to Florida and happens to be a huge Disney fan. Voila! Black, white and red it is!

I Absolutely LOVE this card! The Mickey ears are on an action wobble and they make me laugh each time it wobbles. I already sent it to my friend and she loves it. It was so fun to make and cam together so easily. The ears with Oh Boy are on the Mickey Font cartridge. When I was taking the pieces off the mat, I lost the middles of the O and B, so I used some black bling.

I decided to make this card with my scraps. I had originally cut this set of ears and hat, but then decided against them. I ended up with the cut out letters of Oh Boy from the other card. What fun and versatile card .

Thanks for checking out my creations and I hope you will participate in the challenge at Card Creations & More by C.

Darlene

Cricky Across the 50 Blog Hop

2011-02-11T08:31:00.000-06:00

WooHoo! I hope you are enjoying travelling across the States. What an awesome way to see the sights of our wonderful nation. You should have come from Indiana and Angela at http://creativecraftin.blogspot.com/. If you didn't, then hop on over to Kristal at http://www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com/ to start at the beginning. I know the hop is a bit long (as it should be since you are traversing the United States!), but don't worry - you have all weekend to complete it. We are celebrating K Andrew's big move across the country.

My name is Darlene and I am here to show you my home state of Louisiana. A few years ago my husband and I took our girls on a swamp boat tour. It was something he had always wanted to do. Even though I grew up here, I don't think I ever really appreciated the swamps and their beauty. Well today, you will get to see what South Louisiana has to offer.

Don't we look cute!

It was breathtakingly beautiful sometimes. I am still amazed that I took so many awesome photos. Our tour guide would stop the boat every so often and talk to us about our surroundings and the local history.

We even were lucky enough to get up close and personal with some of the local wildlife!

Is this close enough for you?!

Or maybe this?

Now this is more my speed. The tour guide found an alligator nest that had recently hatched. Bailey is my tomboy and loved holding this little guy. It was chirping something fierce for it's momma, so we didn't stay long.

Here is one of three layouts I made from this trip. Why 3 you ask? I had so many good pictures, that I decided to make a LO for both girls' books and then a LO for the family book.

Now let's get crafty!

One of my favorite projects so far was made for the Cricut Circle monthly challenge back in the fall. I don't remember exactly what the challenge was, just that it was to be a home decor project.

I made this with paper from Sassafras Lass Indie Girl. I just love the blues and greens!

Whew! Tired yet? Well how about some Blog Candy?! I will be giving away a Cricut Paisley cartridge.

Please become a follower and leave a comment with a way to contact you before 12 midnight PST on Sunday, February 13th for a chance to win. I will use random.org to choose a winner on Monday.

Please make sure to leave comments on all of the blogs for a chance to win a ton of different Grand Prizes on Getting Cricky's blog, from these great companies: Scrap N Tote, Scrap N Easel, Cri-Kits, Creative Charms, Memory Miser, Scrappy Chic Cafe, Loralie Designs, My Pink Stamper, Peachy Keen Stamps, Cricut Town, The Scrappin' Table, Piktails, and Pink by Design.

Make sure to visit ALL the blogs, as EVERY single blog will have fabulous giveaways (cricut cartridges, paper packs, copic markers, yourstory bundle, clear stamp sets, and tons more). Each blogger was extremely generous with their own personal giveaways

Next stop on the hop is Karen Madden in the state of Maine of Lilac and Lupines http://lilacsandlupines.blogspot.com/

40:31 Creations Design Team Project

2011-01-31T20:01:00.004-06:00

YAY! Today we are officially celebrating the start of 40:31 Creations Design Team. Lauren has started her own stamp line and this week we are using her Love stamps. They are awesome. They really do stamp clean and easy. I made two little treat bags.

My first little box is from the Tie the Knot cartridge. I cut it on my Imagine so I could use the paper from the Better Together cartridge. Sometimes, I really dislike the little handbooks that come with the cartridges. It is really so hard to see what they are going to look like. I don't 'love' this cut. I don't like how the heart is covered partially by the flaps to close the box. The sentiment tag is from the Groovy Times cartridge and the sentiment "kiss me" is so sweet. I love the font. It was just perfect for Valentine's Day.

For the next little treat bag, I used Tags Bags Boxes and More. I actually made 24 of these for my daughters class. But that was one too many than she needed! So this one will be for Hubby! The lips are also from Tie the Knot. The sentiment tag is a stock image on the Imagine. I just have to repeat myself - I love the fonts for the sentiment.

Well, there you go! I hope you have found a little inspiration for your Valentine projects. Thanks for stopping by.

Darlene

Insectarium Layout

2011-01-30T20:35:00.003-06:00

Last Fall, Brian and Bailey visited the Audubon Institute's Insectarium. It wasn't exactly on my list of must-do's, so it was a perfect field trip for them! Brian sampled a chocolate covered insect, but Bailey decided she loved insects too much to actually eat one.

My background paper is from My Mind's Eye's Stomp line. I love this paper. Even though I don't have any male children, this paper is just perfect for LO's like this. It has great texture with a little bit of sparkle. The critters are from Create a Critter. This cartridge is awesome and definitely a must have. I decided to use Thickers for my title because well, I had them in my stash and somebody has to use them!

Thanks for looking.

Darlene

Card Creations & More by C Challenge #2

2011-01-29T06:00:00.001-06:00

Yay! It's Saturday and that means it's time for Card Creations & More by C's Challenge #2.

This week we were challenged to make something for Valentine's Day. But shoot, we've been seeing Valentine things all over blogland for weeks. I didn't want to do something similar to someone else. So one, night I took a trip to Michael's and Dollar Tree to see if something would jump out at me. Well lo and behold, Dollar tree had some Easter stuff out. These cute little flower pots in pastel colors with branches to add flowers too. AHA! I can work with that.

I love it! Simple, sweet and easy to make. Can you believe the little flower pot was only $1 ! I found the ribbon at Michael's for 99 cents and all the paper is from K and Company. I used my Imagine to cut the hearts because they have a regular heart and a scalloped heart in the stock images. So 52 hearts later, we have a great Valnetine decoration. I think I am going to bring it to work with me to brighten up my office. Of course since we loved it so much, my daughter and I had to go back and buy more pots in other colors. Don't be surprised if this little cutie pops up later this spring.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will join us at Card Creations & More by C Challenge ! http://cardcreationsbyc.blogspot.com/

Darlene

Whew!

2011-01-24T17:19:00.002-06:00

Wasn't that a fun Valentine blog hop! I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the comments. This week I will be visiting all the blogs of people who left comments to see what ya'll have been up to!
No on to the winer of my blog candy - it is Linda Mc. Congrats! send me an email through my About Me on the sidebar with your address so I can get it out to you!

Lastly, a BIG Thank You to Ellen for arranging the blog hop and sharing all those awesome and creative cards! Thanks so much!

Darlene

Card Creations & More by C Challenge #1 ends Today

2011-01-24T06:17:00.002-06:00

Don't forget to enter Card Creations & More by C challenge today by 7 pm EST. The challenge this week was "Anything but a Card" and the prize is a Cricut cartridge. Click on the button on my sidebar to get there. Now go CREATE!

Darlene

Welcome back to the Valentine's Day Blog Hop

2011-01-23T09:02:00.004-06:00

Hope ya'll had fun yesterday visiting all the stops!

Here is a quick Cricut-less (gasp!) card. I used a chipboard element I had from a calendar stack from Hobby Lobby. The paper is from K and Company and the ribbon is from my stash. The sentiment is My Pink Stamper Lovealicious - perefct for Valentine's Day.

You should have come from Angie's blog at http://www.atuttletime.blogspot.com/. Wasn't her project awesome! If you just happened upon my blog and would like to start and the beginning of the hop, please go to Ellen's at http://www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/.

Don't forget to become a follower, and leave a comment with a way to contact you to be entered for the blog candy that I posted yesterday.

Now, hop on over to Taylor's at http://southernscrapper2010.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping

Darlene

Welcome to the Valentine's Day Blog Hop

2011-01-22T06:00:00.002-06:00

Hopefully you have hopped over from Angie's blog at http://www.atuttletime.blogspot.com/. Wasn't her project awesome! If you just happened upon my blog and would like to start and the beginning of the hop, please go to Ellen's at http://www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/.

Now onto my card. I decided to use my new Imagine today. It really is an awesome machine. I chose the Better Together cartridge. It has a lot of great images that will work wonderfully on cards as well as layouts.

The two little birds from the first page were perefct for a Valentine card. I combined it with the background layers from a different page. I cut them out to fit on my 4x6 kraft base. A little twine, flowers and a button and Voila - a super cute card!

Aren't they sweet? Do you know what else is sweet? Blog Candy!

If you would like a chance to win, please become a follower and leave a comment with a way to contact you. Thanks for stopping. Your next stop is my beautiful and crafty daughter, Taylor!http://southernscrapper2010.blogspot.com/

Darlene

Valentine's Day Blog Hop is on Saturday!

2011-01-21T20:58:00.003-06:00

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow at 7 am for the Valentine's Day Blog Hop organized by Ellen at CardMonkey. Here is a list of all the stops.

1. Ellen www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com

2. Shawn www.craftychicsblog.blogspot.com

3. Elaine www.expressionsbyelaine.blogspot.com

4. Angie www.atutttletime.blogspot.com

5. Darlene www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com

6. Taylor www.southernscrapper2010.blogspot.com

7. Shawnee www.quiverofangels.blogspot.com

8. Nikki www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com

9. Sarah www.simplyshaddock.blogspot.com

10. Jaime www.glitterstampsandpaperohmy.com

11. Sarah www.sarahvaitstamps.blogspot.com

12. Liz www.skittles-and-scrapbooks.blogspot.com

13. Selina www.mudpiereality.blogspot.com

14. Angie www.luvs2scrapbook75.blogspot.com

Darlene

Love

2011-01-20T20:29:00.002-06:00

I made this card with the Imagine and the Expression. On the I, I printed the cloud paper from Best Friends and then also used a grass layer from one of the cuts. And now for the life of me, I can't remember what cartridge I used for the flower and sun, sorry. I used paper from my scraps and stickles around the flower and sun, and a PK face for the sun. The ribbon is from my bow making stash.

Paper Playtime - use the word LOVE

Music Monday - Golden

Darlene

Flaunt It Friday #7

2011-01-20T20:14:00.003-06:00

The challenge this week for FIF was to use the skull from Mini Monsters in a non Halloween way. So I started thinking...hmm.. how about toxic... which led me to my daughter's room! That girl can trash a clean room in less than 5 minutes. So I decided I wanted to make something to warn the general public. I was thinking a door hanger, but it wouldn't be big enough for the words. Eventually the it evolved into a project with a couple of firsts for me. My first time using wood and first time using a stain. The theme also changed from her room to her attitude! Funny how a project evolves over a few days. (she really is a good kid!) So here it is. I must say I don't love it. I wish I had a different color stain to work with, but I had just gotten a box from Crop Chocolate.com (love them) and I had ordered the Making Memories distressing Kit that the stain came in. But the important thing is... my daughter likes it and is going to let me hang it in her room and she has the same citron color. So alls well that ends well. Oh yeah, the paper is all from Basic Grey Granola.

Darlene

2011-01-20T06:40:00.004-06:00

WOW! Go check out Skittles and Scrapbooks by Liz. She is doing a giveaway and has some awesome blog candy to giveaway to 3 lucky people.
Here is what she has to say.....

My blog just had a makeover, so its time to celebrate with some blog candy fun!

First up - here are the goodies. There are THREE different prize packages you could win!

Blog Candy #1 --
Cupcake Cricut Lite cartridge!

Blog Candy #2 --
We R Memory Keepers Goodies: Heart Attack Tool, Sew Easy - stitch piercer, Zig Zag attachment, Cross stitch attachment, and two cute Valentine's day stamps!

Blog Candy #3 --
Smörgåsbord: My Mind's Eye Mega Pack - Tres Jolie (borders, die-cuts and lots of paper! 200 pieces), 3 packages of Basic Grey rub-ons, Making Memories decorative packaging tape, Glitz Stamp roller, Ribbon Ring storage set, 4 jars of Bazzill flowers (brown, pink, cream, blue), American Crafts Remarks floral sticker books, Me & My Big Idea mini album kit... whew! Thats a lot of goodies!

Doesn't that look awesome!! Go check it out http://skittles-and-scrapbooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-candy.html

Darlene

Valentine's Day Blog Hop

2011-01-18T21:10:00.003-06:00

Come join us on January 22 and 23 for a Valentine's Day Blog Hop hosted by Ellen at http://www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/. There will be 10 talented crafters ready to show you a project or two (and probably a little blog candy as well).

MPS 1st Blog Hop Challenge

2011-01-18T00:01:00.002-06:00

Hooray for Robin at My Pink Stamper! This weekend she had her first blog hop. We went from blog to blog and collected a word (or two) from each to find out our challenge. So the challnege was to use MPS stamps or her favorite color, pink. I chose to do both! I used Create a Critter (love it) to make the cute mushroom and the sentiment from her Pinkalicious stamp set. Kinda sweet and simple.

Darlene

More Than Favors : Wacky Wednesday #21

2011-01-17T21:01:00.002-06:00

The challenge for Wacky Wednesday was to make a treat or gift bag. I used beautiful paper from K & Company and flowers and a brad from my stash.

Darlene

FC Challenge Me Monday #42

2011-01-16T17:55:00.004-06:00

The challenge at Fantabulous Cricut this week was "Winter Warmies". Of course, I wanted to use my new Imagine. I must confess, this card took me a few days to put together. I didnt have a plan in mind, I just knew I wanted to use this particular cut. I used the Snow Angel cartridge and left his colors as they were (my favorite colors). I cut his layers and popped all the pieces. I used the oval from George and inked the edges with SU Tempting Turquise. Then I filled the scalloped oval from the Imagine with a preset color from the cartridge. I flood filled a square with the tree pattern and trimmed it to fit my 5x7 card. But then I felt it needed something more....

In comes my ribbon stash! So, in a former life , I used to make bows for my two adorable girls, friends and a few local stores. Flash foward 5 years and the girls no longer want a bow to match every outfit and I got tired of burned fingers from hot glue. So now I have a ton of ribbon in every color and width.

I found some ribbon that matched, but I didn't just want a bow. Hmm.. haven't used my Crop-a-dile in a while. I set two eyelets and threaded my ribbon and ATGed it all down. DONE

I think I like it!

Darlene

Card Creations & More by C Challenge #1

2011-01-15T06:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the 1st challenge for the new Design Team for Card Creations and More by Christina. Go check out all the design team at http://cardcreationsbyc.blogspot.com/

Today's challenge is to make anything but a card!

Easy Peasy! I knew I wanted to use my Imagine so that I could flood fill my design with a pretty pattern. I chose to make a cute little bag from Forever Young. I used a pattern from the Snow Angel cartridge to fill the purse cut from page 73. I then chose the cute little snow friends that are actually a layer from an ornament on page 6. I also chose 3 snowflakes that I thought coordinated well with the colors. Look through your cartridges, there are a bunch of great purse or box features.

So here is the bag all scored and ready to be assembled. I just used my ATG because I couldn't find my red tape. It went together so easy. Now to decorate.

I used 3 different colors of stickles to decorate my snowflakes and a little inking around the edges. I used some ribbon from my stash for the handle and VOILA!

So here is the completed project! Isn't it so cute!?

I love how the stickles made the edges of the snowflakes curl up a little.

Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my project. I hope I have given you some inspiration to make anything but a card.

Darlene