Happy Birthday Colin!

Happy Birthday to my dear nephew Colin!

Wishing you a wonderful, spooktacular Birthday!!

We love you!

Aunt Min & Uncle Glen

Batty for You!

With Halloween just 2 1/2 days away, I thought I'd take a quick second to share with you the Halloween card I made for my hubby.  I usually make cards that are non-occasion cards and leave them where he might find them - by his coffee cup, on the bathroom counter, in the refrigerator (yep, I've put a few in there) just to name a few places.  But when one of my design team sisters at Scrap-Friendzy gave us a challenge to make a Halloween card or layout using 'non-traditional' halloween colors (no black & orange), it was an omen that I needed to bring this cute idea in my head to life.

So, that's exactly what I did!

Papers - From my Stash of course!  Yellow, DARK purple, Pink & White (the most NON-Halloween colors I could imagine).

I used Design Studio to weld and design the base of the card.

Carts:  Dreams Come True, George & Paper Dolls Dress Up

Sentiment is Computer Generated

Stickles & Googley Eyes

I cut a second bat out and popped him up on dots for a bit more dimensional.  When I welded the Circle and the Bat together, the left wing of the bat was welded to the circle.  So, that's why I cut out a second bat, so we could have both his wings.  Of course it won't go in an envie since it's a crazy size and becuase it's for my hubby, there's no reason to mail it.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you're having a fabulously productive day!!

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Yee-Haw

Just a rowdy little cowboy birthday card I thought I'd share with you.  After making Colin's Purple Dino-four birthday card and having WAY too much fun making it, I thought I'd give another one a shot.

All paper used is from my scrappy basket (Black, White, Brown, Yellow & Red). 

Cricut & Design Studio:  Base Camp, George and Paper Dolls Dress Up

Cuttlebug embossing for Sun, Silver part of the Hat and Mountain texture

Stickles, Silver/Black/Brown Inks, Black Fun Flock (on the cow), Googley Eyes, a WHOLE LOTTA POP DOTS and MCPT for cow features.

It's even cuter in person!  I'm so pleased with the way it turned out!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today and taking a look!

Hope you're having a fabulous crafty kinda day!

Tonight is assembly night for 29 little goodie bags (The world series starts tonight and I've got to have something to do while we're watching it).  :)

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Wow, where did last week go??

Do you ever have one of those weeks that when it's over, you wonder where it went and exactly what you accomplished?!  Whew, that was last week.  I spent a few days down for the count with a miagraine.  Those kind of 'bucket by the bed' miagraines.   And of course with a miagraine, comes the few days after still not feeling 100% which = low or no productivity. 

So, on Saturday when I was feeling better, let me tell you, Saturday and Sunday, boy, oh boy was the paper flyin'!

On Saturday we spent a crafty day with Amy and Colin.  Colin is celebrating his 4th birthday this Saturday (yep, my Halloween nephew).  We're getting all his goodie bags and cake toppers and things together.  So, we cut and dressed 29 little paper dolls for gift bags.  We have Witches, Rock Stars, Firemen, Pirates, Cowboys/Girls & Indians, Princesses, Pixies and Super Hero's just to name a few!

We've got some extras that don't yet have clothes for the late RSVP'ers.   In addition to the googley eyes on these little dolls, I believe there were some googley eyes that at one point were attached to a 4 year olds nose, but of course, the camera wasn't anywhere within reach.  This week I'll finish getting them attached to their little bags.  All that's left to finish cutting is the center piece decorations and the cake toppers. 

Sunday I did a bit of playing catch up until it was time to meet Amy, Colin and Susan for the Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo.  We always have such a great time.  We're still swapping photos back and forth between the three of us, but here's a cute one of 'Chef' Colin and his three little monkeys.

 

I was able to get a few Scrap-Friendzy projects done, which was fabulous too!! 

 

 These are just a few I did.  I had this font that is all pumpkins (I got it through Scrap N Fonts which has fabulous fonts and dingbats - yep, another addiction!!).  I increased the size to 325+ point, printed out a few 'layers', colored them using the Magic Colored Pencil Technique and then started layering the different parts & pieces with pop dots.  The eyes and stems were cut out and put on 1/8" dots.  Added a bit of doodling and some stickles and wal-lah.

So, that's about all for today.  I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things this week - after last week, anything is better than last week.

Hope you have a fabulous day!

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Keep on Hangin' On!

Just thought I'd share a little quickie I put together over the weekend.  Isn't he cute?

Image - Dustin Pike

Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique

Papers - We R Memory Keepers & Green/Brown Cardstock

Extras - Ribbon, Stickles, Cat Tail is flocked

The inside says - HANG IN THERE

Hope you're having a super productive day!

This evening I get to spend some time with my nephew, so we'll be busy busy busy doing some 4 year old crafty-stuff (I'm sure we'll also be playing Uno Attack "Colin-style" with his Uncle Glen).

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Good Friend Challenge Week of October 19

Whew, kind of a stinky productivity week for me last week.  Not sure how that all happened.........Those kind of weeks make me crazy!

So how did you do this week??

I finished a few things on my to do list - So, this week will be a week of playing catch up -

I finished 2 Scrap-Friendzy Challenges, including a layout!  This layout if for Tammi's Blog Hop #1 Challenge - It was to use 3 patterned papers, some bling and something old.  Papers, Check, Bling, Check, Something Old, Check!  It was so great to get back to doing layouts.  This one was a great way to get back at it. 

This is my nephew Colin.  How darn cute is he?!

Birthday cards!  I had a few I finished - one was the cute Dino-Four card I posted here.  Haven't photographed the rest of them yet, so I'll show you them later in the week. (I'm trying to get ahead of the game for November.....).

Turkey Day Dinner Invites  These are back on my to do list for this week.  I have an idea, but no progress has been made yet........I do have the paper though and that's 1/2 the battle, isn't it? :)

Work on Santa Album Design for December LSS Class - Album is designed

Gift albums  Nope, no progress here either - DOH!

Idea for Halloween Costume - I have an idea, now I just need to figure out how to execute it!
Back on the list for this week -

Scrap-Friendzy Challenges - There are so many awesome challenges the girlz have posted that I want to get to this week.  If you haven't stopped by and check out the Blog Hop or regular weekly challenges, please do, you'll be inspired, promise!

Birthday Cards - just a few more and I'll be ahead of schedule!!

Turkey Day Invites

Tinker with Albums

Slippers - KEEP knittin' em!  (I've finished 8 pair now, 14 more to go)

Tinker with Colin's Birthday extras - cake topper & goodie bags

Enjoy the Zoo Boo with Colin, Amy & Sue this weekend!!

I hope you have a fabulous week - we're supposed to get another blast of 'kind of summer like' weather this week - mid-60's, so we'll be enjoying every last little bit of sunshine we can!!

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Colin's Purple Dino-Four

Ha ha, just a little play on words - really I know how to spell dinosaur:o)

This card turned out so cute for my nephew Colin who will be celebrating his 4th birthday on Halloween, I just had to share it!  Even if it is a little early.  Because he's a Halloween baby he always has a themed birthday party - his momma is wonderfully creative and we look forward to it every year!!  The first year it was a Puppy Pawty, the second a Zoo Party and last year it was a Cooking/Food party (Glen as 'herb man' and I as Colin's 'menu' - see last years photos here.  We always have so much fun because YES, we dress up for our favorite little man's parties!  This year it's kind of an open theme, but Colin will be a Purple Dinosaur (Purple is one of his favorite colors).  So, it only seemed right that the birthday boy get a specially made purple dino-four birthday card from Aunt Min & Uncle Glen to go with his Mr. Potato Head Family.  Amy if you're viewing, shhhh.  :o) 

I was going to take another photo, but I thought it was kind neat the way the sunshine that we haven't see very often this week made it into the picture. 

The card was designed using Design Studio.

Cricut - Cuttin' Up (4), Every Day Paper Dolls (Grass), George (Square for square parts of the card), Paper Dolls (Dino & Mountains)

Cuttlebug for Dino texture (tiny mosaic texture) & Mountain texture (distressed stripes)

Papers - Purple Core-dinations, Black, Yellow, Green, White & Rust cardstock, mostly from my scrappy bin.

Miscellaneous - Pop Dots (LOTS OF THEM), Stickles, Ink, colored pencils, hand cutting, Googley Eyes & Hole Punch and Large Round Punch 

There are lots of layers on this one and the last two photos I wanted you to be able to see them.  I cut four layers of the dino, cuttlebugged him and then started sticking the layers together (hence all the popdots).  I also cut 2 layers of the #4 and layered them in as well.  The first four is glued right on to the card base, the second layer is popdotted to look like it's being held by Mr. Dino.  I also layered the grass on both the inside and the outside (the inside has grass, mountains & popped up clouds).  I'm working on the witty Dino Birthday wish, but last night it just wasn't coming to me.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far.  I'm hoping for a bit of time in my studio this afternoon, but also plan to get all the planters emptied and stored for the winter, I don't think with 30* at night lately we'll be growing much of anything.

Happy Craftin'!

Min

The Last of the Halloween Cards....

Are finished and ready to be mailed :o)  This one was the last design in the set.  Yes ma'am, another House Mouse - but WAY TOO CUTE not to make a card with, don't you think?  I love the little mouse stuck in the witches had.

Image - House Mouse "Witch Way To The Candy"

Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique

Cuttlebug - Spider Web Embossing Folder

Papers - Core-dinations (black spider web embossed/sanded), Purple & White Paper from Stash

Doodling & lots of Stickles

Thanks for stopping by today wishing you a day of Happy Craftin'!

Min

Good Friend Challenge Week of October 12

WAIT, YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!!!! 

We're just getting dressed up for Halloween!!!

Spooky, huh?

Whew, what a week last week!!  On Tuesday, our laptop computer died - yep, kaput, kaplooie!!  No warning.  So, Glen and I spent last week trying to determine if it was better to get it fixed after 2 year and 2 weeks (of course the 2 year warrenty we'd purchased expired 2 weeks ago - perfect timing, huh?) or buy new.  So after much homework, we decided new was the way to go.  Friday my wonderful hubby did all the leg work and when I got home from work he was busy reloading software.  Amazing how much time dealing with a computer situation takes out of your life.......but BOY OH BOY is this new computer FAST!!!

So, onto the 'house cleaning' for the week.

How did YOU do with your weekly challenges??  Successful week??

I was able to get a few of my Scrap-Friendzy Challenges done - including this super cute little card for my favorite nephew.  He's going to be a purple dinosaur for Halloween, so this image (courtsey of Aprile on the Cricut MB for the October MCPT Challenge) was PERFECT!

I got PART of a gift album cut prior to the computer demise, so I ended up hand-cutting the papers for the album (UGH......hand cutting.......talk about ole' school), so that's coming together.  I thought we completely lost everything on our hard drive, but turns out we didn't, so all those cut files that I've designed I'll be able to save off onto a jump drive, including the current album I'm working on.  Whew, THANK GOODNESS!!!

Another week that I didn't get any layouts done though, which really bums me out because the Design Team has so many fabulous layout challenges!!

But let me tell you, the slippers are coming right along.  Finished another pair last night!

And because Halloween is my favorite Holiday, my hubby and I were able to take advantage of the 'nice' weather (50* and sunny) on Saturday and get all of our Halloween decorations & lights up.  I'll have to show you a picture. 

So, this week will be a week of playing catch up -

At least 2 Scrap-Friendzy Challenges, including 1 Layout (this is first on my list this week!!)

Birthday cards & Turkey Day Dinner Invites

Work on Santa Album Design for December LSS Class

Gift albums

Idea for Halloween Costume - Any one have some fun home made costume ideas??

So, WHAT'S on YOUR list this week.........?

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Last Stop on the Scrap-Friendzy Blog Hop!!

WELCOME TO DAY 10 - the final day of the SCRAP-FRIENDZY Birthday Blog Hop!!

Thanks so much for joining our 2nd Birthday Celebration!!  If you haven't had a chance to hop by and visit my 9 fabulously talented design team sisters blogs, please start here and hop, hop, hop your way to inspiration!  Stop by all 10 blogs on the hop and leave a comment and you get 10 changes - yep, you read that right - 10 chances to win some YUMMY Scrappy Blog Hop Grand Prize Treasures (say that 5 times fast :)!!

You have until the end of October to complete the Blog Hop Challenges for Friendz Points at Scrap-Friendzy, but only until October 15th to leave a comment on all of the Blog Hop Stops to get your name in the bucket for the Goodies.

So, the Girlz have provided some awesome challenges for the last 9 days of our blog hop - amazing talent they have!! 

Since today is the final day, you know a birthday party is never complete without a Birthday Gift or two and of course, the FABULOUS packaging those gifts come in!

So, I'm challenging you to "Wrap it up in a neat little package".

Your challenge is to create some type of packaging - it can be a 'good things come in small packages' box or a fabulous gift bag or any other neat-o crafty gift wrapping you can come up - the choice is yours.  And even better yet, it can be for any occasion (Birthday, Halloween or even Christmas if you're working ahead!!)

Here are a few of mine -

This was for my hubby's birthday last week - he's a huge baseball fan, so Grand Slam Gift Wrap seemed appropriate (complete with Wii games & accessories inside).

And what 4-year old Halloween Birthday Boy wouldn't enjoy opening this little ditty for some sweet treats from his Aunt Min & Uncle Glen?

This challenge is worth 40 Friendz Points!!  Complete your packaging and upload it into our Gallery at Scrap-Friendzy!!

Thanks so much for joining us today and for hopping with us these last 10 days.

We can't wait to have you stop by and join us for more birthday fun throughout the month at Scrap-Friendzy!

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Silent Night

So, I finally got the necessary ribbon together for the Glass Block I 'almost' finished over the weekend.  Doesn't it just make you crazy when you run out of something just as you're ready to use it?!  DOH!

Cricut - Calligraphy, Christmas Noel & George/ created in Design Studio

Vinly - Light Blue Wall-pops (from Lowe's last winter)

Standard Size Glass Block, frosted with Krylon Frosting paint

Ribbon - Michaels

Bow - The bow is a bit difficult to see - but it's a nice big loopy bow hand created by Moi! :)

I'm so pleased with the way it turned out.  This one will be going to my mom's store this weekend when we see them for sale.

If you're interested in purchasing one for yourself or a holiday gift, please feel free to contact me.

Happy Craftin'!

Min

The Felted Slippers

So, on top of scrapbooking, card making & my mini albums, I also knit.  A few years ago when both my mom & I were 'relearning' how to knit, we'd try to take a class together each fall or winter.  One winter about 6 or 7 years ago, my mom and I took a Felted Slipper Knitting class.

I think everyone thought we were looney when we brought home a 'slipper' that looked like something a clown in a circus would wear.  However, because they were knit with wool, you throw them in the washer and guess what happens?  Yep, they shrink up like sheep in the rain and into something FABULOUS!!!

So, every few years, after the recipients wear the bottoms out, I start from the beginning and make everyone a pair of felted slippers for Christmas.  My dad and Glen usually get a new pair each Christmas.  My dad usually wears his out in 8 months, so it's gotten to be a funny gift between he and I.  This year I'm making 21 pair, hence getting started on CHRISTMAS gifts in September........

So, here's my start -

I made two pair last week (the purple & green) and have begun the first pair for this week.  I've made 6 pair in the last few weeks (I usually knit while we watch tv in the evening or sports.  My mom and I have also been known to take our knitting to football games, baseball games and pretty much any place else we can 'get away' with it.  You wouldn't believe the conversations we end up in with other people wondering what we're doing......:).

So, this is a slipper from the side, prior to felting - you can see the stitches much more than the second photo below.  This one is about 16" from end to end, just to give you an idea how they shrink down.

This is the felted slipper from the side (my mom made me these last winter).  I wear a 7 1/2 ish just to give you an idea of size.  They are the warmest slippers I think any of us have ever had and we haven't had a complaint from anyone yet.

 So, that's the story of the felted slippers. 

Hope you're having a great day!

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Good Friend Challenge Week of October 5

Whew, what a week!

How did YOU do with your challenges this week?

I was relatively productive, but of course, we had a FEW nice days which we won't have many more of, so I didn't get EVERYTHING I wanted to get done.  But, there's always this week, right??

I was able to wrap up all the Halloween Cards I needed for the Kidd-o's in our family.

Didn't they turn out cute?  There are 6 of them total.

Image - House Mouse

Punch - MS Drippy Goo Punch

Papers - Doodlebug (older halloween papers), Purple, Green & Orange Cardstock

MS - Trick or Treat Stamp (embossed)

Orange & Diamond Stickles

I also NEARLY finished one of the Christmas projects I had, but DOH, ended up running out of the ribbon I needed.  I'll take a photo of it this week once I pick up the ribbon.

I was also able to wrap up my Design Team projects, but can't show them to you until a little later.  ;)

And last but not least - slippers are coming right along......I finished 2 pair this week - in the last 2 weeks I've done 5 pair.  I'll post the photo of all of them tomorrow as it was too dark to take photos last night by the time I finished.

I'll explain more about the felted slippers tomorrow when I post the photo.  :)

I think I may have been a bit OVER optimistic last week - I DIDN'T finish my one layout, but over all it was a very productive week.  

So this week - 

FINISH at least 1 Layout

Work on October Scrap-Friendzy Challenges (If you haven't stopped by and checked out Scrap-Friendzy yet, click here and join the fun!!)

Design Gift Album

What's on your Crafty TO DO list this week???

Hope you have a great week!

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Celebrate!

A few little House Mouse quickies to share with you this morning.  I realized (at the last minute of course) that I didn't have any kidd-o type birthday cards.  So, I set off to create a few.

Image - House Mouse Surprise Party; Celebrate - Studio G

Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique

Papers - Printed & Cardstock from my stash

Sizzix Dots Embossing folder

Miscellaneous - Stickles, Brads & Bling

Hope you're having a great weekend!  If you haven't stopped by the Scrap-Friendzy 10-day Birthday Bash Blog Hop, click here to start at the beginning.  You won't want miss the fabulous inspiration and yummy goodies you could win just by commenting at each of the stops.

Happy Craftin'!

Min