Happy Birthday, Rio!

A bunch of us Simply Betty fans are celebrating her daughter's birthday today.  Happy Birthday, Rio!

You should have arrived here from Trish' blog.  If you just joined us and want to start from the beginning, visit the Simply Betty blog and start there.

We're all using this cute Rio Zombie digi for our projects.  I inked her up with Copics.  The paper is by Authentique.  Since Rio is a bookworm, I chose some paper with text as well as paper with a notebook paper pattern.  I inked the edges with TH Black Soot distress ink.  The sentiment is by Hero Arts.  I finished off the card with a touch of bling.  Hope you like it, Rio!  Have a great day!

Please hop on over to Sharette's blog next.

Below is the complete blog hop lineup:

SBS http://simplybettystamps.blogspot.com/

Corinne http://wishuponascrap.blogspot.com & Lisa Nelson

Irene:  http://irenescardcreations.blogspot.com/

Rachel http://www.rachelstampshappy.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://www.inkandsew.blogspot.com.au/

Kathy http://kathyand3kids.blogspot.com/

Carrie : http://carriescreativecards.blogspot.co.uk/

Lucy http://loopylass2010.blogspot.co.uk/

Kaylou http://kayloucraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Louise http://louisescraftycards.blogspot.co.uk/

Jill http://cuddlyscraftycreations.blogspot.co.uk

Darcy S. http://craftingwithdarcy.blogspot.com

Patricia http://preybueno.blogspot.com

Berenice http://karbersweetescape.blogspot.com

Anita http://kardmakingheaven.blogspot.co.uk

Beth http://bethscraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/

Roz http://wolfepak5.blogspot.com

Sheri http://www.mammasscrappin.blogspot.com/

Dawn http://www.stampersgonewild.blogspot.com

Celina http://www.scrapvamp.blogspot.com

Fabi http://www.thescrappingfactory.blogspot.com

Jacki - http://papermoments.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Dove http://just4funcrafts.blogspot.com/2013/02/party-with-big-girlz.html

Katya : http://www.kattyxotica.blogspot.com/

Sharon: http://www.mrslumpys.blogspot.com/

Karen: http://kraftykarens.blogspot.com/

Trishthedish http://scrappintillthecowscomehome.blogspot.ca/  

Dena: http://missdjones.blogspot.com/

Sharette: http://scrappernthemaking.blogspot.com/

Summer: http://1craftypainter.blogspot.com/

My Personal Use My Stuff Challenge for 2013 and a Washi Tape Card

This year, I am vowing to use every tool, every stamp, and as many supplies from my stash as I possibly can.  Now, the digital stamps might be a little difficult in that I have so many, and it does take longer to hand color digi's, but I am going to try my best.  I am just tired of seeing things in my craft room that haven't been loved at least once!  I'm sure all of you crafters know exactly what I mean.  I will be tagging these projects as a way for me to track how many items I am finally making use of this year.  

Earlier this week, I bought a cute set of mini clothespins by American Crafts from Target, and on the package was a picture of a card.  I thought it was the cutest thing and I just had to try my hand at it.  I used Kraft cardstock, natural twine, and washi tape.  

I have to say that it was a little bit of a hassle working with the washi tape and the twine together because this twine had a lot of loose fibers that kept getting stuck onto the washi tape.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set which I stamped in Pure Snow by PTI.  As you can see, the impression wasn't very even, but art isn't always perfect, right?  LOL  I do have to comment that the ink pad seemed especially juicy.  I am not sure if it's supposed to be like that or not.

That's it for today.  I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing Sunday cleaning, organizing, and maybe squeezing in some crafting.  I am sure there will be some football watching as well.  Happy Sunday!

My Personal Use My Stuff Challenge:
washi tape :  used some of the rolls here for first time

PTI ink in Fresh Snow

natural twine

(not counting the mini clothespins since they are a recent purchase)

My First Project for Forever Night Challenges

(click on image to enlarge)

*** I have two posts today.  If you are looking for the Love Bugs Banner Hop, please CLICK HERE.

Hello, Bloggers!  Today, I am sharing my very first project as a DT member for Forever Night Challenges -- where creepy meets creative!  This week, we are featuring digi's from Dilly Beans Stamps.  Megan over at Dilly Beans Stamps has some really unique stamps in that they are a great combo of creepy and cute!  Please be sure to check out her site!

(click on image to enlarge)

For my project, I chose to work with this cute witch.  I colored her with Copics.  I'm definitely not an expert at coloring yet, but I am having fun practicing!  I think I would have liked to shade the hat a little differently, but maybe that's just me being overly critical of my work.  LOL

Now, over at Forever Night Challenges, the emphasis is more on creepy rather than cutesie, so I made sure to pair the image with some paper that wasn't too bright or cute.  I chose to use Echo Park's Apothecary Emporium.  

(click on image to enlarge)

I also used the same paper to line the inside of the card.  I don't always line the inside of my cards, but I'm trying to get into the habit of doing it more often!  The sentiment was computer-generated and says "Witching you a Happy Birthday!"  I was thinking this would be the first of my handmade birthday cards for the year, but my teenager said she wanted to save it for one of her friends who has an October birthday.  Oh, well ... guess my birthday card count for the year is back to zero.  LOL!

Before signing off, I wanted to share this cute avatar assigned to me over at Forever Night Challenges:  

We were allowed to choose from a bunch of avatars, and when I saw this one, I knew I had to pick it!  The avatar is a representation of Jack Skellington from the movie "The Nightmare Before Christmas".  If you're familiar with the movie, you'll know that it's really not scary at all.  In fact, Jack Skellington (the main character in the movie) is my fifteen-year-old's FAVORITE character of all time.  So, I thought it was only fitting that I pick this avatar.  

I hope you enjoyed visiting my blog today!  I really appreciate all the comments I get; and, please -- if you have any questions on any of my projects, please feel free to ask!  Thanks and have a great day!

Happy Sunday! It's been a relaxing day so far. My boyfriend mowed the yard while Madison and I supervised (LOL). Afterwards, we had breakfast and then watched "The Fighter" on Netflix. It was an interesting movie -- not one of my faves, but entertaining enough, I guess.

Last night, we went to a birthday party for another set of twins. I'm happy to say that we have no more birthday parties to attend until the one we're throwing for Madison's first birthday. It's been a whirlwind of events, and we need a break! Well, no more parties, but we do have to buy a gift this afternoon for my older daughter's friend. Guess I will have to fit in a trip to the craft store at the same time ... tee hee.

Anyway, here is one of the cards I made for the twins yesterday. I did actually make two of these. I used some glittery paper from a stack I've had for a while. The image is Cotton Candy Leah from Whimsie Doodles. It was my first time doing digital coloring, and I have to say that I wasn't real pleased with the results. The shade of pink that printed was very different from the pink on the screen! I know my pink ink is running low, so I'm not sure if the result was because of that or something else. It was late at night, so I didn't want to fiddle with it anymore. I definitely like the look of hand coloring over digital coloring, but the nice thing is that you can easily change colors when going the digital route.

I added some pink bling and a stamped sentiment from Hero Arts. I also stamped "Happy Birthday" on the inside of the card. I really wanted to add some ribbon and had the perfect ribbon to use. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough to use on both cards so I had to do without. *sad face*

Well, I'm going to squeeze in a little power nap before hitting the road. Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend. ALOHA!

Another Birthday Card with the Cricut Hello Kitty Cart

I've been making a bunch of cards lately! Here is another birthday card I made recently. I used the Hello Kitty Greetings Cricut cartridge. The gal I made this for is a Hello Kitty fan and also loves cheetah print. So, of course, I incorporated both into this card! I knew I wanted to add some bling, so I started adding some to the pink ribbon. Before I knew it, I added a long string of bling resulting in what looks like a blinged-out collar perhaps??? With Hello Kitty, I like to add Glossy Accents to her bow, so I made sure to do that on this card. I also like to use Stickles. For the inside of the card, I first printed the sentiment and then cut out the top note style shape with MTC. I then layered the top note shape and added some bling.

This week, I'm working on some stuff for a baby shower I'm going to this. I'm kind of excited because I'll get to work on a theme that I rarely work with these days -- only because the majority of my friends are done having kids (or so I thought, LOL). I just hope my projects turn out the way I want them to. Thanks for stopping by and hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Birthday Card For Niece

Happy Saturday, Bloggers! I have a busy weekend ahead, but I guess that is typical for any Mom, right? LOL I have tons of projects to work on, a doctor's appointment for Maddie, a graduation party tonight, housecleaning, etc ... A Mom's job is never done! =)

Well, today I'd like to share a birthday card I made for our niece. She's 12, and I was a little worried about making a card that might seem too kiddish for her. I think cupcakes fit the bill for people of all ages, so I cut a cupcake from the Sweet Treats Cricut cartridge. I really love the bright color combos on this one. I added some ribbon and bling to finish it off. Thanks for looking! :)

Superman Birthday Card

Hi, all! It's been a little while since my last post. Everyone in the house has been sick including me. I'm feeling better but still have a nagging cough. Last night was the first night I was able to sit down and do some paper crafting. It felt good! =)

I made a card for a first birthday party we are going to this weekend. The party will have a superhero theme and the birthday boy will be dressed as Superman. I figured that a Superman card would be perfect.

I found the Superman logo from the My Time to Craft blog. I will have to update this post later with the direct link as it doesn't seem to be linking properly right now. I used some cute star patterned paper from Bella Blvd's Mr. Boy line. I really love this paper because it's so versatile. I added ribbon and a Happy Birthday sentiment. I have two more birthday cards to work on this week, so I'll see you later!

Hello Kitty Birthday Card

Today was a nice, relaxing day. I had a birthday party to go to this afternoon. It was my cousin's baby's first birthday party. I used the Cricut Hello Kitty cartridge. I can't say it enough: I LOVE that cartridge! To be honest, even though I can't live without the Make the Cut software program, I will always have a Cricut just for the sake of being able to cut the cute Hello Kitty images! =)

I kept this card somewhat simple as I did not have a whole lot of time to work on it. I used pp from the Doodlebug Nifty Notions line. I love, love, love this paper! Sometimes, I come across paper that I just can't resist, and this was one of them. The pink pp used for the heart is also by Doodlebug. I'm a HUGE Doodlebug fan if you haven't figured that out by now. LOL!

I raised Hello Kitty with pop-dots, used Glossy Accents on her bow, and also stickled the Happy Birthday sentiment. I was glad when my cousin texted me and told me that she just loved the card!

Speaking of cards that were well-received, this evening, my stepdaughter's boyfriend came over for dinner; and, I was able to finally give him his graduation card. It was the one in my last post. He seemed surprised that I made it, stating that the card was "sick". LOL He thanked me and gave me a hug. I was really surprised by his reaction simply because he's a guy -- and most guys don't really care much about crafty things.

You know, I guess I was reminded twice today that something I create can bring a little bit of happiness to someone. It was a really nice reminder! =)