Love and Chocolate.......

I figured the title would get ya!  We all love chocolate right--so check out my post over at Everyday Cricut!
On top of this being my weekend over there--I am giving blog candy away!

 I have a cricut cartridge to give away--all you need to do is be a follower and leave a comment--for twice the chance leave a comment here and over at Everyday Cricut. I will also be giving away the new Sweetheart Level 2 paper pack to a second lucky follower!  Same double entery and rules.  Winners will be announced next saturday!
I am off to NYC for the weekend then headed to Asia and India--I have posts ready to go so make sure you check back. 
Have a great weekend!

Sweet 16 using Cricut Martha Stewart Elegant Cake Cartridge

It's Friday and I am home sweet home--at least for tonight!  I was asked to make a Sweet 16 card for a dear friends niece and this is what I came up with. 

I used My Minds Eye Ohh La La paper.  They make some of the best paper and have amazing color combos.  The seam binding is from SU.  You can see how I finished the envelope in this photo--a little goes along way. 

The little label was a die cut that came in the paper pack which I stamped using the Priceless Love Word Puzzle (D1348) stamp set from CTMH which will be available to order Feb 1. 

The brackets were die cuts as well that came with the paper.  I sent them through the xyron and added micro glass beads.  I cut "16" at 2 1/4".  I used the Cricut Martha Stewart Elegant Cake cartridge and cut the shadow in the deep pink and the base layer in a cream glitter paper.  I layered up the numbers and pop dotted the '1.'  I really like how this came out!

 Here is the inside--I used the seam binding and made the patten paper look like a present, a few clear blings and an elegant font stamp (For Every Occasion D1187) from CTMH.
Don't forget to check out Everyday Cricut on Saturday for my monthly guest spot.  I will be kicking off my Valentine's Day projects with a bang---and Blog Candy!!!  See you both here and at Everyday Cricut in the morning!
Make it a great one-

A card to Comfort..........

Today I have a card to share which I find the hardest to make and to give.  A sympathy card can make a world of difference when a friend or loved one is going through the death of someone close to them.  I find that when I do make them they tend to be monochromatic and or at least tonal in hue. 

I used The Neutral Stack from DCWV for the pattern papers.  Once mounted on a chocolate matte it really pops.  I sent the darker mocha pattern paper through the cuttlebug using the Manhattan Flowers folder from SU.  I pop dotted that off the base to give it a little something extra.  I punched a top note using a Fiskers punch and heat embossed the first part of the sentiment which says "just a little prayer..."  added a couple of mocha pearls from CTMH and some seam binding I got when Joy, Mel, and I went to lunch (they are the best!!) 

I finished off the inside by adding another embossed flower and trimmed around the edge.  I used the same color heat embossing powder on the inside for the sentiment which says, "that God will keep you in His care."  These two stamps are from a brand new set from CTMH called Card Chatter-Sympathy (D1476)  The sentiments are not all sympathy related and can be used on lots of different cards!  February first is the idea book release date, you will find all the new items on my website!

I am in NYC for a meeting with one of my most important customers and will be coming home for one night before I leave for 15 days.  This road warrior thing can get old real quick!!!  Remember to check out Everyday Cricut this weekend as it is my turn to share--I have some great easy and quick Valentin's to share--if you have young ones in school your going to want to check it out!

Make it a great one---

Birthday Wish card using Cricut Wrapped Up Cartirdge

Well it's Tuesday of a SUPER busy week.  I am back in NYC on Wed and Thurs, home on Friday and than Back to NYC for Sat, Sun, Mon and leaving right to Asia for two weeks from NYC.  I will only be home 8 days out of the first 6 weeks of 2011!  I do love my job but I would like a few weeks at home!

I have a fun birthday card to share.  I used some Scenic Route patterned paper a few scraps, and my fav find ever--Stampin Foil!

I cut the candle from the Cricut Wrapped Up cartridge--which I think this one is a must have.  The images and the word are is good!  I used the glitter paper from SU and a scrap of SEI striped paper for the candle.

I wanted to stamp the inside with a nice sentiment and a bit of the pattern paper.  On white cards esp. I like to finish off the inside--everyone likes a little somethin' somethin' that makes it even more special.

The envelope is just as important and on this one I used the same pattern paper and a bit of navy that I cuttlebugged with the candles folder (an oldie but goodie)!  Here is an up close shot of the embossing.

Alright everyone--if you had yesterday off like I did today is or Monday.  I never thought I would say this but I miss my office!  Make it a great one-



Hello Mr. Postman, UPS Guy, and the FedEx Dude

I have been away on business for the last 11 days and only home for three than back to NYC here a day than back to NYC and Asia--It's crazy--
Rest assured there are projects to be shared and blog posts to be read! (some are already done and ready to go)
So when I got home my front door was covered with post it notes from the different shipping companies, I went to the office and found that I had all of these--

there was a ton of new Close to My Heart stuff and some new paper, a few of the newest cricut cartridges, and a few pair of shoes! 
Make it a great one-

A charming life...............

I am still in NYC and hunkered down due to the impending storm but wanted to share a very special gift that I was able to give to my oldest niece who just turned 13!  I can not believe what a young lady she has become.  She is so smart, witty, and growing up to fast. 
For the past 13 years I have purchased a charm from some where on my travels.  The first charm was an A for Ashlyn.  I found a fortune cookie in China, a picture frame from France, and 4 leaf clover from Irland, a sun from India, a luck horseshoe from Texas!!! 
All of them have a special memory for me and reminded me of her or a lesson I wanted to share.  I am making a book of the pictures of each charm and the story to go with it.  I was a bit afraid if she would like it--you know how teenagers can be--but it was a big it and a long time coming. 
Thanks for letting me share this special gift with all of you.
make it a great on-

Quilt card using Close to My Heart Wings Collection

The week is half over and I have another card to share with you. 

I used a bit of each of the patterns in this collection and even managed to use my go to cartridge (Songbird) for the top note shape on the card and envelope. 

I love the idea of using the top note shape as the address label on a black envelope.  I also used the clear embossing powder and the beautiful butterfly stamp from the Stamp of the Month to finish off the envelope. 

I used a scrap pc of colonial white card stock for a base to my 'patch work quilt' to I knew exactly what to cut for each pc from my scraps--this is a great way to use up some of the smaller bits left behind from other projects.  

I mounted the sentiment to a strip of satin ribbon and added two buttons with colored twine tie to finish off the outside.  I simply love this stamp!!! We all have a friend or two that this is true for!

I finished off the inside with a 5x7 pc of the matching green with a strip of the butterfly paper down the side. 

Make it a great one