Cricut Circle Blogiversary - Cuttlebug Challenge

I am entering another one of the Cricut Circle Blogiversary challenges...this time featuring the Cuttlebug and any two Cricut image cuts.  The prize is a Yudu Cardshop which is a mini version of the Yudu silkscreening machine and great for making cards and smaller projects.  My fingers and toes are crossed that my entry gets picked.  

I am really getting excited about Halloween this year and decided for this challenge I wanted to make a Halloween Layout page.  Cricut has several Halloween images and cartridges that I love so the decision on what to use was hard but I finally came up with a few fun images to use.

Here is the layout

I had so much fun making this layout from my stash of supplies. 

Since I first saw this silly looking Spider with the long legs from the Stretch Your Imaginations cartridge, I have wanted to use him on a project but hadn't gotten around to it until today.  I cut him out of black cardstock and then  used Ranger Paint Dauber in yellow to color his legs.  I used a black sharpie and added some stripes to make his long legs a little more comical.  Next I used a small dot Cuttlebug embossing folder to add some fun bumps to his body and highlighted a few of his bumps with green Stickles and some orange Stickles to his hat. He was just screaming that he needed googlie eyes so he got those too!  

Next I made a mat using my Cuttlebug and a Halloween embossing folder on some orange Coordinations cardstock which I then sanded to expose all the fun embossed images.  I love to do that with my Cuttlebug folders!

For the lettering I used the awesome Happy Hauntings cartridge for the "Spooky" title and the EEK! on the layout.  I also used Accent Essentials cartridge to create the circle backgrounds for the punched out pattern paper pieces that I used to make embellishments. I added a few Dress Up Buttons Halloween pieces for a final touch.  Love how this turned out.  And now I have one layout ready for some Trick or Treating photos this year!   
Good luck to everyone who enters the contest !

Splish Splash !

I absolutely love ECHO PARK's  paper collections. They are definitely one of my favorite paper companies. If you haven't checked them out, you really should do so.  Their paper is a wonderful quality and their paper collections are a great mix of patterns and paper embellishments plus at a great value. Can't ask for more in a perfect scrapbook paper line. 

When I bought the Echo Park Summertime  paper line the colors just SCREAMED summer to me. And as luck would have it, I had the perfect summer photos of Bianca learning to swim to use with it. 

I used the Cricut H20 cartridge for the titles, pool floatie and girl.

I matted the title and a focal point photo and used a Ranger Inkado

White Pen to add faux stitching. I cut the sun shape out of two different colors

and popped dotted one over the other for added dimension.

 I then added a hidden Echo Park journaling

card sticking out of the top of one photo. 

The pool float and girl were made separately and then

I just slipped her into the horse floatie.

I used my COPIC Markers to color her skin. Love how it turned out !

The H20 cartridge even had the perfect Jumpin! word phrase

to match my photos.  How did they know! LOL

This is a fun, colorful layout that really helped make these pictures come alive. I just love scrappin' summer photos, don't you ?

Cindy Loo Magic...

I just love the Cindy Loo Cricut cartridge and try and use it any chance I can get.  Lucky for me, I stumbled across one photo I had not scrapped from when I was the design team lead at a local scrapbook store. Sadly that LSS has closed but the memories still remain. We had a fantastic time at the National Scrapbook Day Crop that year and took a photo of everyone in front of the store.  Our store colors were black and pink so I used those colors on my layout.

I created the frame and flourish using Cindy Loo.

The title was made using Gypsy Font.

The flourish is a layer on the frame.

On a separate piece of paper, I made the flourish layer

and then added stickles over the top.

I love how it turned out and added a bit

of glam to the layout.

It's so sad that many of our LSS have closed. I do my best to support LSS whenever I travel. I think the LSS helps keep our favorite scrapbooking hobby going and we need them.  I encourage you to also support LSS wherever you travel too.

So Beary Cute

Well, as many of you may know, I make alot of layouts featuring my silly granddaughter, Bianca.  She is a happy, joyous and creative 8 year old and an endless source of photo shoots. Over the winter we were at my dad's house and she started hamming it up so of course I had to capture her silliness once again.

Here is a layout I made using Twinkle Toes Lite Cartridge. 

Bianca is fascinated with my dad's Grizzly rug.

Here she was making a "BEAR ANGEL" instead

of a snow angel. Silly, right?

I used Twinkle Toes Lite Cartridge to

make this adorable bear.

I tried to mimic Bianca's shirt on the

skirt of the bear using Copic Markers.

On the title I used some pretty half dome pearls in pink

to add a feminine touch.

Fixing Up The Place

Here is a layout I made using the Handy Man Lite Cricut cartridge.  This cartridge had perfect images to enhance the story I wanted to tell about helping my dad build his new house.

To add a little special touch to the title

I used Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher staples

This Handy Man Lite Cartridge even had an adorable

house that looked similar to my dad's Victorian house

we helped him build.  I added some details to the

die cut using Copic Markers and black dome dot

for the door handle.

I used Fabulous Finds cartridge to make a clipboard

just like the one my dad used to keep track of

building the house.  The yellow journaling notecard

was perfect to make the checklist.

 My daughter and granddaughter and I had gone over to help  my dad with the painting on the inside of the  house.  We had a great time together and it was fun to help.  My dad's new victorian house turned out gorgeous! 

Provo Craft E2 Contest Entry

Well in honor of the 5th Birthday of the Cricut  Expression, Provo Craft is coming out with a new Cricut machine called the E2.  ooooh, aaaaaaah....this one is new and improved and uses both regular Cricut cartridges and Imagine cartridges too so you get the best of both worlds. It will debut on HSN on Tuesday, April 26th. 

Provo Craft is sponsoring a contest to win a new E2 machine.  Well of course, I just had to enter. 

We had to make a Birthday themed 12X12 page using any Cricut cartridges. We could submit up  to 3 layouts. I did two I was happy with and stopped at that. 

Here are my two layouts I sent in: {the colors are very vibrant in the original...took these in a hurry}

TIME TO CELEBRATE                       

I used Birthday Bash and Create A Critter Cartridges

This was a fun, playful layout with vibrant colors and images.

Lots of embossing and stickles on this layout too.

SURPRISE BIRTHDAY GIRL

I used Best of Pixar, Elegant Edges, Sans Serif, Celebrations and Create A Critter Cartridges

Hard to see in the pics but there is embossing and stickles on several items too.

Well, keeping my fingers and toes crossed that at least they show one of my layouts on HSN.  Doubt I will win a machine but it sure was fun creating something for the contest.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OTHERS WHO ENTERED !

Circle Weekly Challenge #27

The Cricut Circle Blog post a challenge each week for Circle members only to enter.  This week there was a challenge I was interested in doing. This challenge encouraged us to make a sketch for a 12X12 layout and then make the layout. 

I have made sketches by drawing by hand on paper before but I have been toying with the idea of making my own sketches for layouts using the computer. Today I figured it out. Here is what I came up with to enter for the challenge:

It only took a few minutes to create this sketch using powerpoint and exporting as a jpg file.

Here is the layout I made using the sketch.

The picture of the layout doesn't really show off  the vibrant colors. I may take another photo tomorrow when the lighting is better but you get the gist of it here. I used Gypsy Font for the Birthday word and the cupcake is made with Doodlecharms. I used some stickles to add that gooey icing effect and to make the candle glow. And for the sprinkles I added glass dew drops.  The Joy word is by Prima.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope this inspires you to create your own sketches too!

February Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop

Welcome to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop !

We are so glad to have you hop along with all the participants and enjoy all the inspiration we have for you from the counterfeit kits we made this past month.

You should have arrived here from Denise's Blog . If you missed the beginning of the hop, please go back to Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog to start so you don't miss any of the projects.

This Blog Hop is specifically to showcase the Scraps of Darkness Sketch Challenge using our Counterfeit Challenge Kit we put together based on Scraps of Darkenss February Kit.

Here is my Sketch Challenge Layout

My February Kit was focused on Pink, Red, Gray, Cream and Black colors and

was inspired by Echo Parks new Be Mine paper line.

I cut out part of the Be Mine journal sheet for the heart just like in the Sketch Challenge since I happened to have the same pieces. I added various color of beautiful sparkly Prima flowers and a jeweled Jenni Bowlin Stick pen to finish off the cluster of embellishments on the bottom left of layout.  At the top left of the layout is a mirrored Bird from Heidi Swapp and Making Memories glittered chipboard swirls.

In the top right of my layout, I added the Faux Teresa Collins Blingage that I made for my kit.

And again,  cut out some of the Echo Park journal cards and layered together

 for this cluster of embellishments.

In the bottom right of my layout you will see a piece of Echo Park journaling strip that I stamped in red,

 then used one of the Faux Frames that I made for my kit.  Then I layered a small strip of Maya Roads gorgeous pink rose trim to complete the look.  I couldn't resist cutting from the bottom of the

Echo Park Be Mine paper strip the paper line emblem that normally would have been tossed

except it matched my layout theme too much to toss!   

 

I'd love it if you left a comment so I know you stopped by. Now head on over to Missues Wookie's Blog for more inspiration !

We HEART Our BIG Dawg!

I have a granddog...yes, you read that right. I gladly claim this adorable big 200 lb Mastiff named Winston as my granddog.  My daughter Crystal is his doggy momma.  He really is a gentle giant and loves to be petted and give kisses back.  He even looks hurt when you tell him he is not allowed to sit in your lap. I truly believe he only thinks he is as big as his head so he doesn't understand when you don't enjoy him laying on you :)

We took these pictures last year when he was visiting.  He is such a happy dog that I just had to show him off in a layout.

 I used my Cricut to cut out the title, the hearts, circles and paw prints.  The scallop trim was made with a Fiskars punch.  I am going to enter this in the Cricut Circle Blog Weekly contest that is about pet projects with your Cricut.

You Are My Sunshine !

My adorable granddaughter, Bianca, celebrated her 8th Birthday in December.  She was so excited to turn the big 8.  Funny, how all of a sudden little girls start to look more like young ladies.  She looks so grown up in her birthday picture.

This adorable layout was made using the items from my kit I put together for the January Counterfeit Kit Challenge hosted at Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog.  You need to check out this Blog if you have not done so already and play along with us each month.  The February challenge should be out soon!

Bianca is one of those little girls that is happy no matter where she is...at home, at school, visiting friends, going on a trip, in the car, sitting on the couch...she is our little ray of sunshine all the time!  When I saw the "Little Miss Sunshine" tag from Cosmo Cricut in my January Kit, I knew it was perfect for her birthday layout.

Love you lots to our very own " Little Miss Sunshine"...you brighten all of our lives.  Hugs from Nonny !

Think Pink Challenge Entry

On the Cricut Circle Blog, there is a weekly contest.  This week was a Think Pink theme.  When I think of pink I always think of an adorble baby girl !  Here is my contest entry.  We had to use 3 items from a choice of several...I picked Scallops, ruffles and pink !!

Happy Labor Day !

Around here Labor Day is for spending time with friends, enjoying some bar b que and crafting  ! May not be your perfect long weekend but it sure is mine.

I got my new 3Birds Cricut Cartridge and found some perfect images to inspire this layout that captures the spirit of the weekend.

I used the 3Birds cartridge for the adorable barbque bird and his amazing grill.  

I hope you can see the shiny red metallic paper better in the picture that I used for the cowboy hat, the apron and the top of the grill. And I like the added touch of the bakers twine on his chefs hat.

 Plus I couldn't resist making one little cowboy bird since he seemed so perfect with his little hat and boots.

The font on 3Birds is so cute ...it has these little bird feet as part of each letter. I used my swiss dot cuttlebug folder and embossed the letters for added dimension.

AND THE CRAFTING DIDN'T STOP THERE........ 

Part of being in the Cricut Circle is getting to meet new friends. Provo Craft asked us to create some 3X3calling cards to exchange with other Circle friends. Here are the cards I made to represent me..I just had to add "my crown" too!

 I found this great pp with various shades of pink circles on it...so perfect to represent the Cricut Circle.

 AND You just have to swing the cover image over slightly and find my contact information. I made 140 cards and can make more as the Circle grows and I meet more people.  How fun is that !!!!

Hope you found something to INSPIRE you over the weekend too !  

I'm Bananas About You 2

I was flipping through some photos this morning and ran across an adorable picture of my hubby and granddaughter monkeying around the pond when we went to the ZOO this spring.  Just seeing these pictures brought back a flood of happiness!  Seeing these two having such fun together brings me such joy. 

I made this layout to post for the Cricut Circle Weekend Challenge.  We were asked to make something using papers from our stash that we had been hoarding.  I have been hanging on to these really cute monkey papers - the yellow has bananas on it and the green says oooh, aaah...from Reminisce.  The button paper is from Recollections and the die cut red and white paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Hello Sunshine 8X8 paper pad.  I even used some yellow die cut letters from Reminisce I had also been hoarding. 

The adorable monkey and banana are cut from the Create a Critter Cartridge. I just love this cartridge...so many cute shapes on it. 

Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon everyone!

Happy Summer Everyone ...The HEAT is here!

WOW - where did the month of June go? Around our house, June is the month to celebrate the men in our lives. My dear hubby's birthday one weekend and then Father's Day the next, kind of filled up this month. And then of course, we have had our great HEAT WAVE here in TEXAS with several 100 degree plus days. Finding ways to stay cool in this weather has also been a priority :)

This year for hubby's birthday, I surprised him by picking one of our lesser known museums...The History of Printing and organizing an outing there with some friends. It was really fun and we even got to see an exhibit on paper watermarks which was very interesting to learn about. Afterwards we all went to a really cool place to eat that is kind of an upscale but casual old ice house called Beavers. We had a fabulous time and enjoyed the evening.

Happy Birthday Sweet Hubby....I Love You So MUCH !!!!


Staying cool during this heat wave has meant I was able to fit in some scrap time. In honor of our upcoming Indpendence Day, I made this layout to showcase some of the things that are family traditions at our house....Neighborhood 4th of July Parade....Big juicy slices of Watermelon.... And of course the ALL AMERICAN MEAL - Hamburgers and Hot Dogs !!

Sure hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe 4th of July Weekend !

I am on the PRIMA BLOG !

OMG! I am so excited. I submitted a project for Prima's Frugal Scrapper Contest. Alas, I did not win the big prize but they are featuring my project layout "Prima Donnas" on their March 20th blog post. I am so excited to see my work on their blog. I truly LOVE Prima products, as many of my scrap projects and my scrap room stash surely proves since it is almost everywhere you look....from gorgeous flowers, beautiful trims, lots of bling and lovely papers !

You can check out the contest winner and other participants here http://prima.typepad.com/.

The contest was to use Prima product packaging on your project. I ended up being able to actually use FIVE different products on my layout....can you spot them all ?

The first person to spot all 5 products used will win a little PRIMA goodies bag from me.

the SUN is SHINING this early MARCH morning!

WOW -- It is absolutely gorgeous outside this morning. What a welcome relief from our rainy and cold weather earlier this week. Spring Breakers here must be jumping for joy today!
I immediately thought to grab my camera this morning and take a better picture of the layout "LUCK of the IRISH" because the pic in the post below did not do it justice and our "little Irish princess" wants to see a "prettier picture" of it on my blog. LOL....that girl is such a perfectionist.
Really, she is just a great little scrapper even at 6 years old and understands design and color better than most grown ups do. It is just a natural talent that she has always had.
So Miss B -- this one's for you ! Have a wonderful day sweetheart!

Notice the cute versatile Jillibean Soup Journaling Sprouts I used not only for journaling but also as mat corners and to frame the brad. I just love these products and can't wait to get more of them ! Jillibean Soup is a relatively new scrapbook company. If you haven't seen their stuf, check out their site under my Favorite Blogs.

SpRiNg makes me HAPPY!

I am always ready to SpRiNg forward...what can I say, I am a "love the daylight" kinda girl. Spring to me is more than just flowers blooming and birds chirping...in fact, I could do with a little less of those darn birds chirping so early in the morning. LOL.

But what makes me so happy about springtime is all the yummy colors that start showing up everywhere you look...in fact, I was pulling out some supplies yesterday to work on a project and was struck by how gorgeous and happy the colors made me feel.


In fact, all those yummy colors made me want to do a bright and cheerful project immediately so I threw together this quick layout using some of the new Sassafras "Hog Heaven" papers that are so, so yummy and colorful. Plus, I couldn't resist using a picture of my two favorite people...hubby and granddaughter who always add to my happiness!

What makes you happy? Find something that inspires you and brings a smile to your face!

Being Thankful !

Today I have been reflecting on how thankful I am for many things in my life since I have been slowly recovering from eyelid cancer surgery. Yes, Eyelid Cancer. Never heard of it? Neither had I until a month ago when I went in for a sinus infection that wouldn't go away and had a guncky eye. Before that, I had a stye that kept showing up but would disappear after a few weeks so I had no idea I had a real problem I should have kept asking doctors about.

You can only imagine my shock when the doctor said "You have eyelid cancer". Sure that I had misheard what she said, I said something clever like..."what did you say", and then "I never heard of that". After I was "reassured" it was very rare...the panic started to set in. How do you treat this, what is going to happen to me...HOW BAD IS THIS?!?!?!?! You can only imagine my emotional state as I grappled with this prognosis. Our family was finally moving forward after loosing my brother-in-law to cancer several months before.

Well, after a biopsy to confirm I did indeed have eyelid cancer, I had surgery a week ago to remove the cancer from my left lower eyelid and plastic surgery to rebuild my eyelid. It is painful, it is gross, it is UGLY.

Even with all of this happening to me right now, I am so thankful that:

• We discovered the cancer before I could loose my vision or worse
• I have a great team of highly skilled doctors treating me
• I am blessed with a support system of family, friends and co-workers helping me get through all of this
• Even though my appearance is slightly altered right now, it will heal and I will be okay
• Today is a relatively good day since my eyelid is less swollen and I can see out of it
• I felt good enough to record these thoughts on my blog
• I can help promote awareness of this type of cancer and encourage others to seek treatment

And most importantly of all....I am thankful for each special memory I have made and the joy I get from capturing those memories on film and documenting them for my family.
The week before my surgery I had lots of nervous energy and put it to good use creating a few scrap projects. Today I wanted to share this special layout I created with the new Jenni Bowlin Farmers Wife products. The picture is special to me since it represents FOUR GENERATIONS OF HAPPY O'NEAL WOMEN...my mother-in-law, my daughter, my granddaughter and myself. We have so few pictures of the 4 of us together...in the future I want to make sure I get more group pictures of us together.

Handmade embellishment using Jenni Bowlin Milk Cap Button

and pattern paper, crocheted flower and embroidery thread

I created the folded paper element that seemed to remind

me of a cute ladies skirt which seemed perfect for my subject

I love the clever Jenni Bowlin packaging and used the backing from

the milk cap cb button as pointer to my journaling on the layout

And PLEASE...spread the word about eyelid cancer and encourage people having eye problems to not ignore it and go to the doctor !