Friday, April 30, 2010

It's Mary's Fault.... LOL :-)

SECOND POST TODAY - SCROLL DOWN FOR EARLIER POST


I just love Mary at Cardz TV!  
If you haven't been over there, you have to scoot there as soon as you can.  
She has wonderful videos, and makes adorable cards!
And when watching MadeByMomo YouTube videos, it just encouraged this behavior.  LOL  She also has great videos.  Go check out her YouTube.  I don't know how to link it here, just search for MadeByMomo.

Here is my little stash I got from Joann's this morning.
Did you know that you can use a Joann's flyer coupon on the SAME visit that you use a printed coupon on your computer?  I used two 40% off coupons today!  Joann's ROCKS!!

((((And no, I don't know why my picture posted here upside down.  I have stopped trying to figure out why my computer thinks it's funny to mess with me like this.  I'm just going to go with the flow here.))))

The button bags were buy one get one FREE.
The ink and flower jewel stickers were $1 each.
I was very happy with what little $$ I spent.
Now I can't wait to dig into it and use it on some creations!!

Tomorrow is NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY!
Be sure and stop by Cardz TV tomorrow for lots of give aways, and of course, Robyn is doing stuff all day long at My Pink Stamper.

Have a SCRAPPY weekend!
Toodles,
Janis

SUNSHINES LEFT TECHNICAL CHANGE


Yesterday I posted that I had made our special needs daughter, Bonnie, a SUNSHINE calendar so she could add a sunshine everyday with a number on it counting down until the day we move back to the lower 48 deep south.

Well, after 3 days of that, the concept is not working.  She just doesn't get it.

So my lovely hubby, Tom, made a suggestion that why don't we put ALL the Sunshines on the frig and every day she can pull one off until there are none left and it's time to move.  What a great idea!

So with my darling hubby's help, we cut a strip of magnet for every single sunshine, peeled off the stick strip on the back, and stuck them to the sunshine, then stuck them to the frig in rows of 7 (a week's worth a row).

Fun stuff at our house... always!  :)
 Janis

Thursday, April 29, 2010

MY MUDDER


Here is my card from Mary's pattern over at Cardz TV.  Click here to visit her post.

I tried to make it as much like her's as possible, but I didn't have all the items she used, so I just improvised a little.  Such a sweet card.  Thanks, Mary!

Cricut Cartridge:  CREATE A CRITTER
Ribbon & Button from stash
Saying generated on the computer
Cow on page 60 cut @ 2 1/2"
Mary discovered something very important - a typo or something on the cartridge - to print the light gray layer of the cow, the manual says it is Layer 1.  This is incorrect.  It is actually Layer 2.  Thanks, Mary, for that info!  That will save some paper getting wasted!

Scroll down for 2 additional posts from today and a short video for a Kitty Card.
Toodles!
Janis

PURRFECT


Hello all my bloggy friends!  Here's a video for you.  Enjoy!



Cricut Cartridge:  CREATE A CRITTER
Kitty page 38 cut @ 2 1/2"
Pillow page 38 cut @ 1"
Purrfect page 38 cut @ 1 1/2"
Background page 33 under PHRASE button cut @ 3 1/2" in dark pink and 3 3/4" in black
Ribbon from Joann's
Button from Michael's
Therm O Web foam squares
Zig 2-Way glue pen
ZOTS
Scotch Photo Splits

Enjoy!  Toodles!

47 More Sunshines

OK, so I know I was MIA yesterday (missing in action).

As many of you know, our youngest daughter, Bonnie, is a Special Needs child.  She has not grasped the concept of today, tomorrow, yesterday, in an hour, in 2 hours, this afternoon, etc.  However, she has completely grasped the concept of "sunshine" which she uses to describe tomorrow.

We are moving from Alaska to South Caroline in June.  One of our others daughters is flying up here the week before to visit and take the ride back to the lower 48 with us.  She's never been to Alaska so she is excited.  And Bonnie misses her and her other sister and brother so much, so she's thrilled Kati is coming!

We told Bonnie about moving and Kati coming to visit, but she really doesn't understand when it is.

So yesterday, Bonnie and I made a
  "SUNSHINES UNTIL..." chart.

I printed out blank calendars as large as I could make the boxes for each day on legal paper.  The I cut out 50 sunshines from the GIVE A HOOT Cricut Cartridge.

((By the way, if you put 12"x12" paper in the Cricut, select "AUTO FILL", and tell it to cut the GIVE A HOOT sunshines at 2", it will cut 25 of them on that paper.))

With a black Sharpie, I wrote numbers on each sunshine 1 - 50.

We taped an April calendar to the refrigerator, crossed off all the days that have already passed, and I let her glue the Sunshine #48 on yesterday's block.


She had so much fun doing this.  I'm not sure she quite understands yet because she can't think really past tomorrow's sunshine, but we'll keep counting down the days until we move on the calendar like this.

Hey, she's enjoying it, and it's helping her with her numbers.

Now, for your viewing pleasure..... here's out little sweetheart, Bonnie.  So stinkin' cute!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Short Note: UPDATE

UPDATE:  Daddy's heart is skipping lots of beats.  He is wearing a heart monitor at home until Thursday and then has to go to his doctor next week.  So it sounds like we won't know anything until the end of next week about what is going on and what they can do about it.

Thanks for keeping him in your prayers.
______________________
ORIGINAL POST:

Hello all my bloggy friends!  Not sure if I'm going to do any crafting today.  Maybe later.  I don't know.

Please keep my daddy in your prayers.  I got a call a while ago that he is in the ER with heart issues.  Not a heart attack.  Heart is skipping beats.  They have drawn blood and have run some tests.

My sister calls me with updates.  I can't reach Mama because the cell doesn't work inside the hospital where he's at.

I'll keep you posted.  Hopefully it's nothing.

Please keep good thoughts, words, and prayers for him.

Thanks!
Janis

Monday, April 26, 2010

LET'S PLAY


Don't be crabby.  LOL
When I was a teenager, my cousins and friends and I thought it was so funny to say, "Hello, Crabby."
I have no idea why.  But our parents always laughed when we said it.
Silly kids.

This is actually going to be a birthday card for someone next month..
Card base butter cream from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!
Cricut cartridge:  Create A Critter
Phrase page 40 cut @ 1 1/2"
Sand Castle page  40 cut @ 3"
Crabby on page 40 cut @ 1 1/2"
Rhinestones from Joann's Busy Kids, Kid's Camp
Scotch Photo Splits
Zig 2-Way Glue Pen
Therm O Web Foam Squares
Kraft Paper
Other solid colored papers from Recollections
Blue Pattern paper from DCWV The Glitter Sweet Stack

Toodles!
Janis



WHAT'S THE BUZZ?


bzzzzzz  bzzzzz

This is my submission for Bitten By The Bug 2's challenge.  Click here to see details.
I don't have the Sentimentals cartridge, but you are allowed to substitute any Bee that you do have. :)

Card base Turquoise cut from card stock stash
Glittered background paper from DCWV The Glitter Sweet Stack
All other papers from Recollections
Bee's rhinestones from Busy Kids, Kid's Camp from Joann's
Scotch Photo Splits, Zig 2-Way Glue Pen, Therm O Web Foam Squares
Cricut cartridge:  CREATE A CRITTER
Limb page 25 cut @ 1 1/2"
Bee & Hive page 68 cut @ 3 1/2"

Hope you'll join in the fun!

I'm buzzing off now,
Janis

Sunday, April 25, 2010

BOXED SERIES CARDS!! :)

Hello all my crafty, bloggy friends!  Have you been wondering what in the world to do with all the cards you've made in a SERIES?

I've been really enjoying my MICKEY & FRIENDS series!  These images are just so sweet!

And today I found a YouTube video explaining how to make a box for your A2 size cards.  Here' the box I made today:





It's really easy to make a gift box for all those cards you've made in a series!  Here are the simple instructions to make a gift box to hold your A2 size cards and envelopes.
  • 8"x12" cardstock scored at 1" on all four sides
  • Then with 12" side along top of ruler (landscape) score at 5 1/2" and 6 1/2"
  • Fold all score lines
  • With paper in landscape mode, cut slits on score lines up to crease of crossing score line on opposite sides
  • Add adhesive
  • Fold up corners and adhere
  • Voila!
  • For band, cut cardstock strip at 12" x 1 1/2" and wrap around closed box
  • Add adhesive and crease on all edges
  • Add cut image to identify type of series cards inside box
  • You'll just slide the band off to open the box



I want to thank MADEBYMOMO for this idea!  Please visit her YouTube instructional video by clicking HERE.

And here are the cards I put in this box:


How fun is this?!  Can't wait to see what you do.  Leave me a link in the comment section!

Toodles!
Janis





Saturday, April 24, 2010

MINNIE JUST FOR YOU


Here's another card JUST FOR YOU in the Mickey & Friends series.

Card base bright yellow from Cardstock stash
Ribbon from Joann's
Clear stamp from Heidi Grace
Cricut Cartridge:  MICKEY & FRIENDS
Minnie Mouse page 109 cut @ 4"
Background paper from The Best of K & Company
Other papers from DCWV Flower Shower Spring Stack & Recollections
Scotch Photo Splits & Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

Toodles!
Janis

Friday, April 23, 2010

JUST FOR YOU


Continuing in the MICKEY & FRIENDS series...

I made this little guy and Minnie.  I'll post Minnie in the morning.

Card base cream from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!
Background paper from DCWV The Glitter Sweet Stack
Other papers from Recollections
Cricut Cartridge:  MICKEY & FRIENDS
Mickey Mouse page 108 cut @ 4"
Ribbon from Joann's
Clear stamp from Heidi Grace
Scotch Photo Splits & Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

Toodles!
Janis

READING CURRENTLY & TO READ LIST

Happy Friday, all my bloggy, crafty, artistic, fun-loving friends!

I finished my "naughty" book "Tempest Rising" by Nicole Peeler.  It was not what I normally read, but I did enjoy it.  The language was bad, but not slathered with it, so I just kept on going.  You have to admit, sometimes saying WTF is just hilarious.

Do you know what I liked BEST about this book?  The way the main character, Jane, talked to herself and answered / argued back to herself.  I mean it had me cracking up... when I was reading in bed.... and hubby was trying to sleep.... and then I'm snickering over some book I'm reading.  hahahaha  Maybe because I talk to myself all day long, I understood first hand what Jane was doing.  LOL

Oh, and I'm going to tell you right now, it's HOT!  So if you aren't into descriptive scenes, this book is not for you.  

This is the first in a series; the #2 book, "Tracking The Tempest" is suppose to be out July 2010.

QUESTION:
As you know, we will be driving from Anchorage, Alaska to South Carolina in June.  PLEASE tell me a GREAT book series to get for my trip.  I devour books, so just getting one book for the adventure will not hold me over until we get there.  And I so LOVE reading books in a SERIES.  Yes, I've read The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Harry Potter series, and the Twilight series, so think of something else and let me know. But only if you've read them and know they are good!  




Today I started reading "Godmother" by Carolyn Turgeon.  It's a story of the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella.  I've just begun, and it's a little slow going right now, so we'll see if I stick with it through tomorrow.  If not, I have a whole stack of other possibilities ready to be devoured from the Library:




The Return by Ben Bova - and oh darn I just realized it's Book 4 of the Voyagers series.... hmmmmm.... now to decide whether to go ahead and try it out, or go back and start from the beginning?









I may or may not be back later on today with a new card creation.  I'm kind of feeling like a mini album, but I've packed material I would need for that.  And I'm kind of feeling like starting a Travel Journal for the trip back, but, oh, I don't know.  I was on a card swing after I had used all the ones that I had, and now I'm bursting at the seams with cards again.  Sort of hate to make another for the already stuffed box.  But they are so easy and so fun.  Decisions, decisions......

Toodles!
Janis







MINNIE MOUSE HELLO


Ready for another card in the MICKEY & FRIENDS series?
Minnie says "hello" precious.  

Cricut Cartridge MICKEY & FRIENDS
Minnie page 92 cut @ 4"
Card base bright green from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!
Background paper from DCWV The Glitter Sweet Stack
Paper for Minnie's outfit from DCWV Flower Shower Spring Stack
Ribbon from Joann's
Hello clear stamp from Heidi Grace 
StazOn Jet Black ink
Scotch Photo Splits, Zig 2-Way Glue Pen, & Therm O Web Foam Squares



HELLO, WEEKEND!
Janis

MICKEY & FRIENDS SERIES #3


Here is #3 in the MICKEY & FRIENDS Series.

Card base Aqua from cardstock stash
Ribbon from stash
"You wind me up!" clear stamp from Recollections "Robots"
Background paper cut @ 5 1/4" x 4" from DCWV The Glitter Sweet Stack


Cricut cartridge:  MICKEY & FRIENDS
Mickey page 81 cut @ 4"
What winds you up?
Janis

Thursday, April 22, 2010

BOOKMARKS & NEW CHALLENGES



PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EARLIER POST TODAY WITH CARD #2 IN THE MICKEY & FRIENDS SERIES.



You would think, knowing how much I LOVE to read, I'd have lots of bookmarks laying around.  But, nope, not me.  And I thought yesterday, why don't I just make a bookmark for myself?  Forehead slapping d'oh moment.  LOL

I used Cricut Cartridge  GIVE A HOOT and the tag on page 30.  One cut at 5" and the other at 6".  The Ribbon is from stash, and the paper is from DCWV Flower Shower Spring Stack.  The blue mat is from DCWV The Glitter Sweet Stack.

How simple was this?  Very.

I wasn't sure what to do about adding a ribbon, so I did it 2 different ways. I'd rather have a pretty bow, but then I also like long tassels.

The birdhouses are glittered - so pretty.

In an earlier post I asked if anyone would like me to start a weekly challenge on this blog.  I have gotten some feedback, but want to put the question out there for the next several posts just to make sure everyone sees it. Please comment and let me know if you'd like a weekly challenge on this blog.  If so, would you be interested in letting your work inspire others for these challenges?

Have a Tweet night... read something intriguing... Janis

PLAY

Can I just say I <3 LOVE <3 living here?!!!!  It's snowing like crazy right now.  My kind of day. :)

Here's a card I made this morning.  Bonnie wanted another Mickey Mouse and a doggie..... I'm here to please. :)

OH!  And thank you for all the kind thoughts and ((((hugs)))) yesterday!  I love all my bloggy friends!!

Would any of you guys be interested in me posting weekly CHALLENGES on my blog?  It's something I haven't done before, but I'm considering starting.  Just curious of any of you guys think you would participate if I started a weekly challenge.  Let me know what you think.


Card base butter yellow from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!
Green background paper from DCWV The Glitter Sweet Stack.
Ribbon from Michael's or Joann's - not sure which.
"Play" clear stamp from Heidi Grace "Reagan's Closet".
Solid papers from Recollections
Other papers from DCWV Flower Shower Spring Stack (Mickey's shorts & mouth, Pluto's tongue and collar.)
Cricut cartridge MICKEY & FRIENDS
Mickey & Pluto on page 83 cut @ 4"

  • (I cut the image in black with guidelines for additional placement for other colors and also cut a SHADOW for a little thicker outline.)

Therm O Web Foam Squares (man, I'm almost out!)
Scotch Photo Splits (also getting low)
Zig 2-Way Glue Pen (need to get another of these too soon.)

PLAY today!
Janis

PHOTOGRAPHY

Our daughter, Kati, is an awesome photographer and art student.  I wanted to share just a snippet of her work with you this morning... PLEASE don't copy or print these picutres as they are her original work.  Thanks!  (JULS, for some reason, I'm thinking you will especially like these from an artist view.)