Rain, Rain, Go AWAY

I know that rain is good for the Earth,

but it's not so good for my mental state.

I had a hard time getting into a crafty groove this weekend,

which stunk since we couldn't do anything outside.

I was able to make this cute card.

My friend Angie sent me these card blanks as a thank you RAK.

Thank you, Angie!!

As soon as I saw it I knew it needed a charm!

The charm is from my stash - I think it's Making Memories.

I have a whole new respect for my jewelry making friends - those jump rings gave me anxiety.

Some washi tape, paper from Pink Paislee, and a Heidi Grace sticker complete the front.

I used the same paper to line the inside.

My apologies for the quality of the photos - 

that's what happens when the sun is hiding.

It looks like we may get a break from the rain tomorrow,

keep your fingers crossed for me!

What's the weather like where you live?

Mojo Monday #238

Happy Friday!!

I have a quick post today featuring a sketch from Mojo Monday.

And here's my take -

A close up of the fun tag -

It's Graphic 45 {Le Cirque}.

Because honestly, how can you go wrong with G45?

Thanks to Mojo Monday for this super fun sketch!

Have a great weekend!!

Lucky Me!

I guess I should start this post of by letting you all know that I am that 'crazy dog lady'.

We have two adorable Boxers who snuck into my heart, wrapped their little {big} paws around it,

and are currently holding it hostage.

It hasn't always been this way, I was never really a dog person until we got Daisy.

We've had some ups and downs with her health, she's extremely bratty and temperamental,

but she is my "heart dog" and I count my blessings that she's mine. I mean, ours.

Okay, on to the crafty part......

I stumbled upon this amazing sketch from Elle's Studio

and immediately got to work.

Because I scrap backwards I had most of the layout completed 

without having a photo.

So I went strolling through my online photo book and came across the perfect picture.

Of my Daisy. I mean "our" Daisy.

How adorable is she?! She follows the sunny spot around the house and was quite perturbed when I got in her face to snap this photo. She makes me laugh.

I used some inexpensive chipboard letters from Target for the title.

More inexpensive details - washi from Target and a sentiment I printed and cut out.

The journaling card is from the Smash collection. 

I tucked it underneath the layers of paper.

The sketch made this layout so easy to put together, so a huge thank you to Elle's Studio!

Products Used:

My Mind's Eye {Be Amazing}

Pink Paislee {Love Letters}

Tim Holtz {Lost & Found}

Graphic 45 {Le Cirque}

Fireworks Ink Spray {Lady Bug, Tangelo}

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist {Coffee Shop}

Smash Pad {Blank}

Party Time Tuesdays #65 - Anything Goes!

I bring you the latest info on Party Time Tuesday's

weekly challenge not as a player,

but as a design team member!

I'm so excited to be joining this fabulous team of designers.

You can check each one of them out -

 just click on their name to go to their blog.

Jenn

Danie

Cely

Holly

Nancy

Dawn

Michelle

Dana

Britt

This week we need you to bring "Anything" you want to bring to the party as long as it includes KRAFT! 

So our challenge is ANYTHING GOES + KRAFT colored paper.

Month-long challenge sponsor for April is Bugaboo

We're also proud to be sponsored this week by Kraft Outlet 

and Crafty Sentiments Designs

My card this week features Rosey from Crafty Sentiments.

Isn't she adorable?

I used colored pencils to color her in and chalk ink for her dress.

Some pearls make a cute "belt".

On the inside I added this fun ticket from Crafty Sentiments (LOVE these!) . . . 

We're also featuring a couple designers from Feline Playful this week

as well as a heartfelt tribute to fellow crafter Jen Scull.

Come and party with us at Party Time Tuesdays,

we can't wait to see what you create!

Card Set

Happy Monday! 

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I have a card set to share today that I whipped together using the cute card blanks from my friend Tanya.

I used my Alla-Prima 6x6 paper stack for these.

I love the collection so much that I scooped up a bunch of

12x12 pieces when they were

10 CENTS A SHEET at scrapbook.com.

Thanks for taking a peek! 

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for some exciting news!

Artful Times and Mojo Mondays

Scrapbook.com had a fantastic paper sale a few weeks ago - 10 cents a sheet.

10 CENTS A SHEET!

And not that flimsy crap you get at the dollar spot at Target,

we're talking REAL paper - 

Graphic 45, Echo Park, Canvas Corp, Teresa Collins, My Mind's Eye,

Prima, Studio Calico . . . 

Okay, I'll stop now. You get the idea. 

I admit I bought some that I never would have looked twice at.

Like the lime green zebra striped paper from Canvas Corp.

But it was ONLY 10 CENTS!

It seems my lime green paper was destiny in the making,

because the Artful Times challenge this week is titled 'A Sea of Greens'.

So, armed with my green paper and Mojo Monday's current sketch I got to work.

I'm all for "go big or go home", but that may be a little too bold even for me.

Let's tone down that background paper using the apple bag technique.

It's messy. And fun. You should try it.

Better. But I don't love the placement.

I usually try to follow sketches to the T, but I'm going to play with this.

Mm hmm. A little washi tape never hurt anyone.

And some stitching so those circles won't look like they're floating.

{I really need a sewing machine.}

Hooray! More stitching, more lime green zebra paper, and more washi tape.

A little sentiment sticker and a few Stickle dots and we are done!

Be sure to check out Artful Times and Mojo Mondays

for some fun challenges.

And don't be afraid to buy paper that is outside of your comfort zone!

Taco Meatloaf Muffins?!

I realize it's a little bizarre seeing recipes on a crafty blog,

but these turned out too good not to share.

Meatloaf. You either love it or you hate it.

My daughter HATES it.

Which stinks because the rest of us LOVE it.

So I played around and came up with something that she not only ate, she devoured.

Taco Meatloaf Muffins!

Why muffins? 

Because everyone knows that the end pieces of meatloaf are the best.

This way you get 12 end pieces!

Here's what you need:

1 lb ground turkey

1 egg

1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

1/2 packet taco seasoning

1 cup shredded cheese

some extra cheese for topping

taco sauce

And here's what you do:

Mix the first 5 ingredients in a bowl.

Distribute evenly into your muffin pan, making a little well in the tops to hold your sauce.

Fill the well with approximately a tablespoon of taco sauce.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.

(Check the internal temperature to make sure they're cooked through.)

Top each muffin with shredded cheese and pop them back in the oven for about 5 minutes.

Aren't they cute? And so yummy!

Cheap, quick, easy, and the perfect portion size for little ones.

Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

Do you have a favorite meatloaf recipe? I'd love to hear it.

Inspired by Pinterest

I've set a goal for myself to actually attempt some of those amazing projects I have pinned.

My most recent find was a doily made with a corner punch.

Isn't it gorgeous? I found it here. {Go there for the tutorial.}

I used my Cricut to cut a 5" circle and then went to town with my Martha Stewart deco fan punch.

I didn't think to snap a picture of it before I started assembling my card,

but here it is on the finished project . . .

It worked and it's FABULOUS!!

It just so happens that Sugar Creek Hollow is having a challenge this week

to create a vintage, shabby chic, or primitive card using die cuts or punches.

You know I was all over that! Here is a close up of the layers . . .

I used two dies from the Spellbinders Shapeabilities Blossom Tags & Accents set on top of my doily.

I printed the sentiment and cut it out with a circle punch.

I also used Spellbinders Shapeabilities Butterflies and a Martha Stewart butterfly punch.

A spray of pearls, ribbon, and a simple rolled flower finish it off . . .

*Click here* to see the rest of the entries at Sugar Creek Hollow.

Be sure to check out the amazing inspiration from the design team!

Card Patterns #161

I love this sketch from Card Patterns!

As soon as I saw it I sat down to give it a whirl.

And this is what I came up with.

Bright, cheery, fun, and simple!

Products used:

Echo Park This & That {Graceful} and {Charming}

Spellbinders Shapeabilities {Blossom Tags & Accents}

Zva Creative self adhesive pearls

Up & Up (Target) brand paper tape

Doodle Twine {Swimming Pool}

Sticker from Heidi Swapp

Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate your wonderful comments.

Baby Boy Super Mini

I love paper bag mini albums!

Do you love them, too?

They're hands down the most fun thing I've made in a long time.

For this one I used the teeny tiny bags from Michael's - they measure 3 1/2 inches by 6 inches.

I actually cut the bag down even further - I think to about 5 inches.

Perfect size to celebrate a new baby!

You may recognize the tag I made for the Artful Times challenge.

I attached it to a kraft gift bag to hold the mini.

I used the Fiddlesticks collection from My Mind's Eye, yellow cardstock, 

and a couple stickers from Heidi Swapp.

I dusted off my Cricut for part of the title and some baby-themed die cuts.

The tags are a combination of premade tags, Nestie and Cricut die cuts. 

There is room for journaling on one side and a photo on the other.

And here it is all tucked in its little bag . . .

If you've never made one before you really need to try it.

There are tutorials all over youtube -

you can follow them to a T, or just watch a few and wing it (like I did).