Paper Lovin' Gals Ch. # 16 - "SPRING colors" (Happy Birthday Card)

As I am typing this... I am realizing that January is almost over.  So that means... just a few more months until we get to enjoy some SPRING in our step in the good ol' outdoors!!  Well here is another "Springy, Flowery with Butterflies" inspirational photo challenge for you to try at Paper Lovin' Gals!!  

Here is what I came up with...

As much as I love the flowers and the butterflies... I was clearly inspired by the darker pink, lighter pink and green for the colors for my card.  And the fact that I NEEDED a birthday card.  Actually, I need A lot of B-day cards.  New year... new birthdays.  :-)

I also need to give some credit to Mary - Stamper Camper's Corner for the fun layout.  I like how the piece with the sentiment and image comes off the edge of the card a bit.

I hope you can find some time to join us this week for PLG #16!!  You have until Tuesday, January 31st @ 8pm to link up!  Please check out the other Design Team member's creations.  Some fun things!!  

Happy Stampin, Craftin' and Scrappin'.

I'm also entering my card over at Birthday Sundaes # 40  where you guessed it... Make a birthday card with some kind of "Birthday Wording" on the front.  Kristie is the owner/creator of the challenge blog... and I have followed since day 1.  Just don't get to play as often as I would like.  Go see for yourself... lots of fun birthday creations over there!!  

Supplies: All Stampin' Up

Stamps:  Birthday Bakery

Card stock:  Rose Red DSP, Pear Pizzaz, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Other:  Linen thread, bitty buttons, rose red seam binding ribbon, subtles brads, SU markers

Lasting Memories Ch. # 72 - "A REAL Treat"

It's time for Lasting Memories Layout Challenge # 72!!!  A "Recipe" Challenge.

Denise, my DT friend and Challenge Coordinator, came up with a FAB idea!! It's a recipe challenge, but not a crafty recipe!! We're going all out with REAL recipes this week!! We want you to share your recipes with us - food, drink, bath salts, body rubs - that sort of thing!! Something that we can all try ourselves!! You'll see a lot of different idea's from the DT, so have fun hopping around to visit us everyone and then go back to link up your recipe HERE!!!!   Due date is Saturday, January 28th @ 9pm EST.

AND...We have another giveaway from Stacia this week!!  You need to go to LMCB to see what she is giving away for playing with us!!  

Here is my take...

This is just not any ol' Popcorn!!  This is my Hubby's version of some DANG good popcorn... and it probably would not be considered a "Healthy Snack."  

Close-up of Left page.  Banners and a REAL popcorn bag from the movie theaters.

Close-up of Right page.  Banners, recipe and journaling that reads.. "It was the kid's first time experiencing a popcorn air popper topped off with Daddy's extra ingredients made for a very tasty snack." 

(They have only ever had microwave popcorn.)

And the very easy, cheesy, buttery, salty, seasoned recipe!!  :-)

I love how this turned out.  It's a pretty simple experience that I managed to highlight with some fun papers and embellishments!  This  just solidifies why I scrapbook!!

I also used a SKETCH from Sketches in Thyme - Thursday Takes #67 to help me!!  Love this 2-pager.

You have until January 31st to join in on their fun.

And... I am entering this into Scrapfit's # 60 challenge - "It's the simple things."

I would say the joy of seeing your kiddo's see a popcorn air popper for the first time is pretty cool and a SIMPLE pleasure. :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Now go get your scrap on!

Supplies: 

Echo Park Paper - Dots and Strips

Stampin' Up Cardstock:  Whisper white, Real Red, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight DSP

Making Memories - Alpha Stickers (black)

Simply Luxe - Alpha Stickers (red)

Amanda Blue - big "C"

A-Muse - Baker's Twine

Cricut - From My Kitchen

Stampin' Up - Small scallop punch, Triple heart punch

Paper Lovin' Gals #15 - "Spring Fever" Layout

Ohhhhh my!!  What a heck of a lot of snow have we had in my neck of the woods!!  So with that said... it's time to tell you about the next challenge at Paper Lovin' Gals. (PLG #15)

Does this scream SPRING or what??? 

It sure does to me... so I am sharing a layout with you that warms me up a bit!  :-)

I kept this pretty simple.  Pulled the YELLOW and the FLOWERS from the inspirational photo for my creation.  My kids love playing in the snow... but SPRING is the time that it seems you can do so much more outside.  Soccer, digging, running, just playing around is what it is all about.  These are some pics from 2009.  Even though I don't make New Year's resolutions... I told myself that the non-chronological scrapper in me would get caught up on some old photos this year.  So I am on my way!!  :-)

Come join us for PLG #15 and show us any creation you can think of that is inspired by our "Pretty Yellow Flower" photo!!  So much you can do with this.  I personally love those Mason Jars... but have nothing in my stash that would have worked.  

You have until Tuesday, January 24th at 8:00pm PST to link up your project.

Can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Supplies:

Stampin' Up - "Sunshine Garden" Simply Scrappin' Kit & "Big Deal" Alpha stamp set.  Ink is "Only Orange. 

Lasting Memories Ch. # 71 - "Happy New Year"

Well we are well into the New Year for 2012... and we are well into our challenges over at Lasting Memories!!  For this week's challenge LMCB # 71... it's all about something to do with the NEW YEAR.  How did you celebrate New Year's Eve??  How did you wind down on New Year's Day?  What are your New Year's Resolutions?  Goals?  Wishes?  Show us what the NEW YEAR means to you and link up your scrap layout HERE by Saturday, January 21st @ 9pm EST.  Ohhh... and we are being sponsored by Haven this week with a  wonderful prize pack!!  So.. definitely wise of you to play with us!!

Here is my layout for "Ringing in the New Year for 2012"...

I really gotta stop taking my photos at night.. .because I don't quite get the right lighting... but this is the best I could get... and I will show some close-ups as well.
We spent another New Year's Eve at home... with dinner, a movie, games, fireworks and a slumber party!!  And we can't forget the all important PARTY FAVOR NOISE MAKER!!  Oh my gosh... my Husband and I had to finally throw those things away.. because the kids would not stop blowing them.  Talk about a headache!!!  So I had to highlight the infamous noisemaker on my layout!!  I am proud for what I came up with.  The base is a Cricut Cut  from "Sweet Treats"... and then I added curling ribbon for the frilly ends!  I was proud of myself for thinking that one up!!  :-)

And then topped it off with a Clock/Hat embellie from the "Celebrate with flourish" cartridge... and just simply a close-up of  the journaling.

Hope you come play with us at this week!!  Lots of new changes over at Lasting Memories with something for you to see every day!!  Featured Layouts, Tips and Tutorials, Featured Artists.... and now even an Inspirational sketch to get your MOJO flowing.  Come See!!

I am also entering my layout  at the newest Getting Scrappy Challenge - "Anything Goes."  Amanda and her NEW DT provide 2 challenges per month.. .and I think I have attempted to play with them at least once per month.  Always love their challenges.

And then I found a new sketch blog (Well new to me) called Twisted Sketches 134 where I used the below sketch and incorporated the twist of "NEW" on my layout.  Wish me luck... this challenge runs all month.


And finally...Paper Cutz Ch. # 120 is having a challenge that has to do with anything for the New Year.  Well I would say... my layout shows exactly that.  :-)  You have until January 20th for this one.

Okay my friends... that's all I have for you.  So glad you stopped by to check out my creation!
Happy Scrappin' week to you!!  (Although I will be back with more posts)
~Michele

Supplies Used:
Cricut Lite - Celebrate with Flourish (Hat/Clock)
Cricut Cart - Sweet Treats (Party Favor Base)
Cricut Cart - Boys will be Boys ("NEW")
Stampin Up - Celebrations DSP, Celebrations Quick Accents, Basic Rhinestones, Cardstock of Real Red, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Basic Black
Martha Stewart - Essentials Paper Pad - (shiny Red paper for party favor and word New)

Lasting Memories Ch #70 - "Getting to Know you"

Hi All!  Well this is an exciting day for Lasting Memories Layout Challenges!!  It's the start of our new challenge term with a whole new DESIGN TEAM!!  I'm not sure if I have mentioned previously... but a few months ago, Karen, (LM Owner), asked me to stick around with her on a permanent basis and be her V.P.  Smiles from ear to ear!!!  Well... I of course gladly accepted!!  I LOVE being a part of this team!  So many fun layouts have adorned my books... not to mention it is such a great group of Ladies!!  So I hope you will keep reading and join our very first challenge of 2012!!  We also have lots of fun things on the horizon.  Something every day of the week for you to learn, see and enjoy!!  Now...  Here is what I created...

Close-up of Journaling...

Close-up of Song lyrics...

Soo... LMCB # 70 is all about "Getting to know you."  That's right!  We want to learn something about YOU!!  This can go so many different directions.  I decided to do a layout about some of "My Favorite Things."  Besides the obvious of Hubby, Kids, Friends, Family etc. etc... I decided to share with you a few things that make me "Tic" from day to day.  Living in my early 40's, I have learned to not sweat the small stuff and that it is the little things that fill in the spaces between all of life's happenings!!  Gotta think of yourself just as much as you might be thinking about everyone else!!

So... I could have put about 50 things on this layout... but showed a Rich cup of Hot Cocoa, My new fav comfy shoe.. TOMS, a good glass of Pinot Grigio, My music of Adele, Lady Antebellum, Kelly Clarkson and we can't forget the all important Paper crafting stash.  The color scheme of Black, Pink and White is also one of my favorites ... and then to complete... I included the lyrics to the song from Sound of Music... "These are a few of my Favorite things." 
I hope you enjoyed learning a few tidbits about ME.  Would love to see something about YOU!  Come on over and join us at LMCB #70 and link up your layout by Saturday, January 14th at 9pm EST. 

I am also entering my layout over at the The Paper Variety... where it's all about Black and White with a 'kiss' of color.  Black, White with PINK is my choice.  You have until January 13th to go check out TPV.
Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Craftin' and Scrappin'!!!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Stampin' Up... Pink Pirouette, Basic Black & Whisper White, Night and Day DSP
Embellies:  Black button from A-Muse, SU white baker's twine, Black and White striped ribbon from my stash, Title letters from my stash (sorry.. threw packaging away), Handmade flowers from Petaloo.

Paper Lovin' Gals # 13 shakes hands with Frosted Designs Sketch # 31

Good Evening all!  Yes... I am really typing this at midnight for those of you on PST time.  I had a 40 minute cat nap today... and it re-energized me!  I NEVER do that... but worked very early... so it naturally happened.  Not to mention... I am enjoying the quiet house of everyone sleeping.
I'm here to share with you the next Photo Inspiration challenge for Paper Lovin' Gals # 13.  I know most of you are past Christmas already... but I am letting go slowly.  So here is my layout that I created...

 

And here is the Inspirational Photo to get your wheels turning. 

As you can see... I had some perfect tree branches with snow on them.  Naturally, the photos of SNOW that we had on Christmas Morning back in 2008.  I don't remember if that has ever happened in my lifetime where I live.  I used alot of Red, White, snowflakes and some red Bling here and there to take from the berries.  I am only missing the bird.  So... show us what you see in the photo and create anything you like and link up HERE by next Tuesday at 8pm PST.
We are still in the early stages of our challenge blog and would love to have you join us.  Tell your friends!! :-)

I also want to share with you a FUN blog that I go to often for my sketches called Frosted Designs .  They have 3 different challenges going on at the same time... and for my layout, I am entering into the Sketch Along Tuesday #31 challenge.  Here is their sketch that I followed.  (Thank you F.D.!!)

Thanks for stopping by to visit.
And a very WARM welcome to my new followers!!  Always a happy thing!!

Playing Catch Up!! First up... PLG #12 "Happy New Year" Challenge

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of my friends and followers!!  So glad to keep these fun bloggy relationships going!!    Not to mention my inspiration to make paper projects!!  Thank you for taking the time to visit and for leaving me fun loving comments!  I always love to come see what you are up to!!  Here is to 2012!!

Here is the first of 2 projects that I am going to share with you today. Over at Paper Lovin' Gals Ch #12, we have a "Happy New Year" photo inspirational challenge going on.  You have until Tuesday 1/3/12 at 8pm PST to link up!!  Hope to see you!!  Here is my take...

 
This is New Year's Eve 2010.  My Hubby was nursing an arm after wrist surgery.  So "Home is where the Heart is."  We played board games, watched a movie, did a slumber party in the living room, watched the midnight fireworks both on TV and around our house.  (Legal here... sounded like a war zone.)  Fun way to kick back and ring in the new year with our kids!!

And here is the inspirational photo from Paper Lovin' Gals to follow...

And a few close-ups to show you my fun hole punched colored numbers and my rosette folded clock!!

I also used a sketch from Sketches in Thyme... but too late to enter.  :-(

And here are few Challenges that I am participating in with my layout.  Wish me luck!  :-)

Whimsical Designs - Share either your favorite project from the last year or make a new one celebrating a new year.  You have until January 11th at Midnight EST.

Paper Issues - "We've got your Number."  Whatever that means to you.  I have the lovely 10 to 1 countdown until midnight featured.  ;-)  You have until January 13th to share as many "Number" projects as you wish.

Getting Cricky - "Simply Sunday Challenge" - "It's a Celebration" -  My layout shows celebrating the new year. You have until January 14th to share a Celebration project of your choice.  

Thanks so much for visiting!!  I will have a 2nd layout to share later on today with you.  So be sure to stop back by!!

Happy first day of the new year!!!