Just Popping In....It's Good to be Back!

Hi Everyone!

How are you all?  I have to say that it's good to be back!  I had no intention of disappearing for the summer, but life just gets in the way!  I spent a fun-filled summer with my kids, and now that they're back to school, I should have a bit of time to craft, so I'm going to make the best of it!  I'm trying real hard to work on my scrapbooking, but I'll be making a few cards here and there for special occasions.  I'm also trying to catch up on blogs, so don't be surprised if you see a comment from me on yours!  :-)

Since I had back-to-school pictures close at hand, I decided to jump right back into scrapping by making this "School Days" page.  Simple, but effective.  My oldest son started middle school this year....oh, my...I know I'm treading on new turf!!  The birdie with the books and backpack is from the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge, as is the "School Days" title.  That cart is a keeper!  The pencil is from Locker Talk - another fave - perfect for this time of year.  The two little birdies are DCWV chipboard pieces.  I thought they'd be cute buddies for my school-bound birdie.  :-)  Hope you like!



Recipe

Birdie with books & backpack, "School Days" title - Cricut 3 Birds on Parade

Pencil - Cricut Locker Talk

Chipboard birdies - DCWV Green Stack chipboard box

Background paper - DCWV Grade School Stack
Cardstock - Bazzill, Recollections

Black Creative Memories marker for journaling/doodling
Cat's Eye chalk ink

Recollections dimensionals

I'm entering this layout into 2 challenges:
Quick Quotes: Friday Challenge #3 - Back to School - Any back-to-school project.
Whimsical Wednesday: Scrapping School Memories - Scrap some school memories and add a chipboard element.

Have a great day!
~Sharon

Splash Time - Spring Puddle Stomping layout

Hello!  Where did the weekend go?  I hope yours was more productive than mine!  Soccer season started for 3 of our kids yesterday and the weather actually cooperated.  This was the first soccer season in 2 years that started without cancellations!  I'm hoping it's a sign of good things to come!  :-)

I was able to finish a scrapbook layout today.  Whoo hoo!  There are quite a few challenges I've seen recently with April showers and Spring time themes and they reminded me of these pictures of my 2 oldest boys when they were not quite 3 and 5 years old.  This was the first time I let them get as wet as they wanted out in the rain.  I'll never forget them splashing and stomping around in the puddles.  They were so happy because mom had NEVER let them stomp around like that before!!  The smaller picture actually captures their expressions as they're looking at me...I'm sure they're wondering, "Is she REALLY okay with this?"  LOL

I'm enjoying the images on the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge...like this happy little guy holding the umbrella.  I covered his boots with Glossy Accents to give them a good shine.  I inked the edges of the cloud and added blue Stickles to parts of its swirls and to the falling raindrops.  The caterpillar nicely filled the spot on top of the bottom photo and he's smiling because no rain has fallen on him (yet!).  And I thought the herringbone pattern would look cool on the umbrella...what do you think?

Recipe

Title 'Splash Time', bird with umbrella and raindrops from Cricut 3 Birds on Parade; cut all layers

Cloud from Cricut Create A Critter

Caterpillar from Cricut Pooh and Friends

Circle from Cricut George & Basic Shapes

Patterned papers - My Mind's Eye everyday tango and Bloom & Grow stacks

Textured cardstock - Bazzill

All other cardstock - Recollections

Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls & Herringbone embossing folders

Peachy Keen Critter Faces stamp

Stickles on cloud, raindrops

Glossy Accents on rainboots, title

Cat's Eye chalk ink

Black Creative Memories marker for stitching/doodling

I'm entering this scrapbook page into six challenges:

Cooking With Cricut: April Showers - Create a project with a shower, rain or water theme.  Include at least one die cut.

Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #54 - April Showers - Create a project using an umbrella or hat.

Get Inspired With ChatterScene: April Showers Challenge - Create any project that fits an April showers theme.

Get Your Sketch On #14: Use this sketch for your layout:

            

The Paper Variety: Photo Inspiration - Use some inspiration from the photo HERE to create a paper project. 

Whimsical Wednesday #1 - Create a scrapbook page with a Spring or Easter theme; include a bug or critter.

Have a good night!
~Sharon C.

You Can Run...But You Can't Hide!! Funny Card!

Hi everyone!  Funny card challenges abound at the moment because of April Fool's Day, so I jumped in with a birthday card I made for my brother-in-law.  He finds it amusing to tease my kids (in a nice way!) and they think he's a really funny guy.  He wins extra uncle points for bringing yummy fruit salads to all of our family events...what a guy!

This bird in disguise is from the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge.  I thought the sentiment, "You can run ... but you can't hide!" was fitting, don't you?  The inside of the card reads, "It's Your Birthday!"  The bird is hanging on an Action Wobble...I think he'll make my brother-in-law smile!  hee hee hee

Recipe

Bird in disguise from Cricut 3 Birds on Parade; cut all layers

Blurb and shadow from Cricut George & Basic Shapes

Striped paper from DCWV Stack 6

Olive textured cardstock from Bazzill

All other cardstock from Recollections

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Herringbone embossing folders

EK Success Scallop Diamond border punch

White Gelly Roll pen

Black Creative Memories marker

Chestnut roan Cat's Eye chalk ink

Action Wobble

Sentiment printed on my computer

I'm entering this card into four challenges:

Cooking With Cricut #23: Funny Quote, Saying or Pun - Create something funny, cute or punny!!

Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #9: Sketch Challenge - Follow this sketch:

Flaunt It Fridays #17:  3 Birds on Parade - Use the disguise bird from the Cricut 3 Birds on Parade cartridge to create a project.

More Than Favors: Wacky Wednesday #32 - Something Funny! - Make something funny in honor of April Fool's Day.



Have a great day!

~Sharon C.



My Princess Bike - Layout using 3 Birds, Birthday Bash

Hi again...yup, it's really me...2 days in a row...can you believe it??  :-)  I finished this layout this morning while snow was falling AGAIN.  Just another inch or two, but we're expecting another 5-10 inches tomorrow.  Looks like the kids might have another snow day real soon.  And the college kid who plows our driveway will be taking a nice long vacation on us this year!

The pictures on this page are of my daughter at her 4th birthday party.  My parents gave her the perfect gift - a pink and purple Disney princess bike complete with training wheels.  It doesn't get much better than that!  Oh, I guess the matching helmet does make it a bit better!  :-) 

I've been trying to make more 'girly' layouts.  The 'princess' word art with the crown came from the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge...I was so excited when I found it!  The stickles on the crown are actually pink but they look orange in the photo.  The white and purple felt flowers were from the Michael's dollar bin...I couldn't resist them...just love the texture and dimension they add. 



Recipe

'Princess' word art - 3 Birds on Parade

'my' and 'bike' - Birthday Bash

Scalloped circles - Mini Monograms

Patterned paper - American Girls stack (borrowed from my daughter!)

Cardstock - DCWV Brights stack; Recollections

White & purple felt flowers; purple rhinestones; purple ink - Michael's dollar bin

Pink & green Ranger stickles

Black Creative Memories marker for doodling, journaling

EK Success dimensionals

I'm entering my scrapbook page into three challenges:

CropStop: Challenge #3 - Squares and Die Cuts - Create a square card or layout and use at least one die cut shape on it.

Made by Momo: Tuesday Challenge - Princess Themed - Make any princess-themed project.

The Paper Variety: Week 17 - TPV Sketch Challenge - Use their sketch to create a layout, card or other paper project.  Here's the sketch:

Have a great day...I'm going to put on another pair of socks!

~Sharon C.



Your Kindness Warmed Our Hearts! - A Thank You Card using 3 Birds

Hello friends!  Do you love your neighbors?  We are lucky to have some kind, friendly, funny and considerate neighbors.  One of our neighbors has two children who mine enjoy immensely, but since they do not attend the same school as my kids, we don't see them as often as we'd like.  Last week, this incredibly thoughtful neighbor brought by a Happy New Year card along with a canister of dark chocolate shavings for hot chocolate from Crate & Barrel.....yum yum yum!  My middle son begged me to make him a cup of hot chocolate right away...and as soon as I turned on the stove, the electricity went out!  It's been very cold and snowy here, so the gift is very much appreciated by our family.  :-)  Oh, and our neighbor mentioned that the shavings make a great topping for ice cream, cupcakes, waffles...we'll be trying those! 

I wanted to make a special thank you card for our neighbor and thought I'd put a twist on a card I created using 3 Birds on Parade early in December. I just adore this little bird.  He's holding a stack of gifts on page 45 of the handbook, but I swapped out the gifts for a warm mug of hot chocolate - appropriate for this occasion - from Gypsy Wanderings.  I stamped the mug with just the smiley, happy face from a ghost in the Peachy Keen stamp set "Nikkity Knack Cat Gang" (I really need to order more of their stamps!!!).  The sentiment "Your Kindness..." is completed inside the card with "Warmed Our Hearts!  Thank You!"  I'm very pleased with the way this card turned out - I hope she likes it too!  :-)

Recipe

Scalloped circle shaped card - from Mini Monograms, welded with my Gypsy

Circle layer - from George and Basic Shapes

Bird - from 3 Birds on Parade (p. 45), replaced stack of gifts with mug from Gypsy Wanderings

Sentiment - Computer-generated on top note shape from Gypsy Wanderings & inked with Cat's Eye chalk ink in warm red

Patterned paper - DCWV Holiday Stack

Cardstock - Recollections; Bazzill textured

Earmuffs glittered with Martha Stewart red glitter

White Gelly Roll pen for doodling

Black Creative Memories marker for doodling, stitching

Pop dots to pop up birdie and mug

Googly eyes

I'm entering this card into three challenges:

Getting Cricky with K. Andrew: Getting Cricky with Memory Miser Challenge - For the Birds! - Create any project with a bird, preferably a bird cut from a Cricut cartridge.

Peachy Keen Stamps "Let's Face It Friday" Challenge - Create a thank you card using Peachy Keen face stamps.

Scrapbookaholic by Abby: Pink by Design Challenge - It's Cold Outside!! - Create any project that has to do with winter/cold.



Have a great day!

~Sharon C.



Winter Fun Layout using Winter Woodland and 3 Birds on Parade

Hello...and happy Saturday!  I'm so happy to be posting a scrapbook page today!!  I share a resolution with many of you - to get more pages done - and this is my first of the year.  Whoo hoo!  I hope to have another one completed by Tuesday.  The pictures I scrapped are from last February during my kids' school vacation.  We spent a few days at my parents' house in New Hampshire sledding and snowboarding in their yard.  They have a hill behind their house that's perfect for the kids.  It was a beautiful day and the kids all had a blast in the yard.  They made the cutest snowman too.  Do your kids love playing in the snow?  Mine would stay out all day if I let them! 

I used 3 Birds on Parade for the snowball-throwing bird...isn't he a cutie? The snowflakes are favorites of mine from Winter Woodland. I used a fine glitter on them...and added some blue rhinestones...I love the look. :-) The layout came from the January 2010 PageMaps. I often use their layouts...I find them to be a great starting point for me. Getting started is usually the most difficult part!

Recipe

Birdie and title 'Snow Day' - 3 Birds on Parade

Snowflakes - Winter Woodland

Scalloped circles - Mini Monograms

Patterned paper - My Mind's Eye everyday tango 

Cardstock - Bazzill Textured, Recollections

Fine glitter
Jo-Ann's Rhinestones

EK Success Dimensionals

Creative Memories markers in black and blue for stitching, doodling

I'm entering my page into a few challenges:

Cooking With Cricut: Challenge #11 - Snow Fun - any type of project with snow or winter time activities.
Fantabulous Cricut's Challenge Me Monday #41: Snowy Delights - create a project and incorporate snow or snowflakes.
Made by Momo's Tuesday Challenge - make something with snow or a snow theme.
The Paper Variety's Weekly Challenge - include snowflakes on your paper project.

Have a great weekend!

~Sharon C.

Fa La La La La! Caroling Birdie from 3 Birds on Parade

I can't believe that it's been over a week since I posted my Thanksgiving card.  Where has the time gone??  I hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving and found great bargains on Black Friday!!  And I don't want to say it...but...it's DECEMBER!!  Time to post another holiday card.  This one was inspired by this week's challenge at Paper Playtime - make any paper project that is 'Christmas Carol Inspired'. 



Well, that cute little bird from 3 Birds on Parade came to mind again.  So I cut the bird carrying the stack of gifts on page 45 of the handbook (all layers).  But I replaced the gifts with a book cut from Every Day Paper Dolls (page 67 of the handbook) and popped up the musical notes from 3 Birds (page 67 of the handbook).  Then I used one of the negative cuts from the musical notes to turn Miss Birdie's book into a songbook.  Ta da!  My dressed-for-the-weather birdie is now a singing sensation!  :-)  I can almost hear her tweeting, "Fa la la la la, la la la la"!

Recipe

Scalloped circle shaped card - from Mini Monograms, welded with my Gypsy

Circle layer - from George and Basic Shapes

Bird - from 3 Birds on Parade (p. 45), replaced stack of gifts with book from Every Day Paper Dolls (p. 67)

Musical notes - from 3 Birds on Parade (p. 67)

Patterned paper - DCWV Holiday Stack

Cardstock - Recollections

Glittered earmuffs

White Gelly Roll pen for doodling, stitching

Black Creative Memories marker for doodling, stitching

Pop dots to pop up bird and musical notes

I'm entering my card into two challenges:

Gaby Abby Challenge #8 with SEI: Anything Christmas - make any Christmas-themed project.
Paper Playtime Challenge #27:  Christmas Carol Inspired - make any paper project that is "Christmas Carol inspired".

3 Birds on Parade - Pilgrim Shape Card!

My 3 Birds on Parade cartridge arrived Wednesday from cricutmachine.com.  Whoo hoo!!  I bought my Gypsy there last November - a great deal - and I couldn't resist their super prices on Cricut carts last week and I caved.  Bet I'm not the only one!!  :-)  I had time to play this morning and couldn't help but cut this cute little pilgrim and turn him into a shaped card.  I'm really lovin' those right now! 

I think this card will be making it's way to our CCD coordinator for Thanksgiving.  She's such a lovely woman...with an incredible spirit and endless energy.  I need to let her know how grateful my kids and I are for her!  Then I may just make a few more of these...one for my mom, one for my mother-in-law...you know what I'll be doing this weekend!  Enjoy!

I'm entering my birdie into Paula's Wacky Wednesday challenge #16 at More Than Favors.  This challenge is to make any fall- or Thanksgiving-related project...check it out!

Recipe

Pilgrim birdie cut from 3 Birds on Parade cartridge, shaped card welded with my Gypsy

Patterned paper - Basic Grey 'Recess' 6x6 stack

Cardstock - Recollections

Distressed stripes folder for embossing

Skittles - handmade by a friend (thanks Nancy!)

Cat's Eye chalk ink

Brown & black Creative Memories markers for stitching, doodling and eyes