Crafting the Night Away

To the Moon and Back

2012-01-27T11:12:00.000-08:00

When my husband and I were dating and our first Valentine's Day approached, we began talking about all the plans our friends were making with their Valentines and we kept eyeing one another to test out the V-Day waters. Does she expect me to that? Is he really into all of this? We both sighed with such relief when we discovered that neither one of us was into the Hallmark holiday fashion of the day. We both knew the historical significance of the date, but the pressure of holiday's celebration was just too much. I don't like roses, I cringe at the thought of the expenses that go along with the typical hoopla. Gag.
The best thing about it, is that my hubby said that he doesn't need one day a year to remind him to do the things he should be doing for me all year long. I have to say that after 6 years, he truly is my Valentine all year long.
Regardless, I can't resist all those adorable Valentine's Day sets out there...or the paper...or the embellishments! ;) Hey, I've got valentines to make all year long, remember?!
Now you know I adore OWLS, so when my dear friend, Lisa, owner of The Craft's Meow, showed me this too sweet set, I swooned! Check it out here!

Those big open spaces just call to be paper pieced, don't you think? I used Prima papers and flower, some Maya Road stick pins, and Maya Road mini Kraft Tickets (oh my gosh, can you say LOVE?) to embellish these little love birds. I was out of an appropriately sized wood grain paper, so I stamped the Hero Arts wood grain background with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink by Colorbox onto some Kraft cardstock...worked like a charm!
I was even brave enough to pull out my sewing machine and add a little something extra with some wheat colored thread. I topped the card off with a little stickles on the paper roses and the hearts in the image. The card may be girly, but I know it's a sentiment my husband will love...any day of the year!
Today and *everyday*,
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Nuture today...with friendship

2012-01-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

Life is so full these days! As I heal from my surgery, my mom continues her treatment for breast cancer following a bilateral mastectomy, and my grandmother begins another round of chemotherapy for stage 4 lung cancer.
Through all of this we have all been so very blessed with the prayers of friends, family, and strangers.
My dear friend, Lisa, has been such a treasure, through her company, support, and willingness to keep me focused when I need to be and distracted when I need to be!:)
Thank *God* for good friends!
We've been up to quite a bit, Lisa and I. First, we cleaned out some of her store's inventory, making an insane number of grab bag boxes to post for sale this week: http://www.thecraftsmeow.com/products/grab-boxes
Check them out! We spent two days going through product, sorting it out into boxes, and even cleaning out some of her personal stash for a local scrapbook store's garage sale. Wouldn't you know it, Lisa convinced me to give it a go as well, so I've purged my scrapbook room in a big way! It's SO NICE!
When I was helping Lisa, she generously paid me in stamps...and I mean STAMPS. I have so many incredible new images to play with I can hardly stand it!
Here is teh first card I've made using some of the Unity stamps I got from Lisa, along with some silk ribbon by May Arts and SU! clear buttons she gave me:

The die-cut frame is by Crate Paper, and the paper is Cosmo Cricket. Strangely enough, I made the card for teh fun of it, but it is *just right* for my mom thsi week, so it will go off in the mail tomorrow.
So,that garage sale...oh gosh! The scrapbook store kept 15% of our profit and the rest was paid to us in store credit. I have been wanting to build up a good collection of mists, inks, and washes and thsi was the perfect opportunity! I made $253 and enjoyed spending every penny of it today! If your local store does this, you have got to give it a try! I didn't sell all my items, but I'll keep them for their next sale, maybe they will sell then.
I decided to make a video haul of my new goodies, so if you have time, I hope you will check it out!

Fun, right?!
I am just so excited to enjoy all my new toys and blessed beyond belief!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Brain surgery is cause for reflection

2012-01-24T18:35:00.001-08:00

Hello friends! I hope your 2012 is off to a wonderful start! I am on week 6 of my recovery from surgery. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is the compression of the nerve root which hosts all the nerve endings to either side of your face. The condition is very painful and I've had it for 5 years. To make a long story short, my husband and I had had enoiugh of this disease and it's effects on our life together, so I made the decision to have a Microvascular Decompression (MVD surgery). They made about a 4-5 inch incision behind my left ear, cut a silver-dollar sized hole into the bone, and went about putting some teflon pads in between the artery and vein that were compressing on my Trigeminal Nerve. They popped the bone plug back in and sewed me up. *phew*

Pretty scary stuff, but the worst of it is that I've been left with some vertigo as a result of the surgery and am waiting for it to fully pass before returning to work.
What does this have to do with crafting?!
Well, brain surgery is certainly cause for reflection. Having this surgery will allow me to get off the heavy meds I have to take to keep it in check, which will allow me to have children of my own one day, but also give me my energy and life back! I have been thinking about how different I *can* make my life now that I've got this surgery behind me and how I can get back to the energetic, ethusiastic ME I was before my surgery. One of the things I used to do was Art Journaling. It was so fun to make a mess, try out new techniques, purge and vent, and either share it, or tuck it away just for me to see.
I decided that the NEW-old me should art journal this year...what a way to document this year, right?!
I went through all that to share a couple pages from my journal using the Gelli Plate by GelliArts (http://www.gelliarts.com/), which allows you to monoprint anytime without the need of a press or the mess of making your own gelatin and letting it set...all that for just $30! SO WORTH IT!

On both of these pages, I used some rubber stamps by Unity-they are SO my favorite new stamp company. The owl was purchased at a trade show and the "follow your heart" set was purchased through Unity's new stamp of the week club-a new stampset in your mailbox every week for just $5.97! SO FUN!
I hope that you will try out thE Gelli Plate too, or at least check it out on YouTube...it's a BLAST!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

This little light of mine...

2011-11-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

For the millionth time in my life, I found something I could do nearly every day and probably happily turn into a side business. Each time I strumble upon a new craft or a technique that I could see working on all through the year for some type of craft booth, I name it. Today's endevor: "This Little Light of Mine Boutique".
Okay, so I won't quit my day job, but I do have to share what I made. I am aware that this technique is by no means new, but it is new to me; I've seen many candles with stamped images over the 12 years I've been stamping, but have never ventured so far as to figure out how to do it. After seeing my pal, Debbie's project, I dashed off to the dollar store to collect the supplies I needed. For $20, I am one happy stamper and hopefully everyone on my gift list will be too because I have 13 candles!;)
Enough yappin' girl, show us the goods:

Stampendous Stamp Set: "Snowy Short Stack" and Copics

Stampabilities Stamp from the 90's and Copics
The sentiment on the back of this one reads "Baked with love to warm your heart"

Penny Black Stamp-new release at Hobby Lobby this month
The sentiment on the back of this one reads "Snowmen fall from Heaven one flake at a time"

Penny Black Stamp-between 2001-2002
The sentiment on the back of this one reads "Merry Christmas" in scrollwork

I *NEED* to go to the store and buy some taller candles and some teeny tiny candles to keep playing with this technique...so many fun ideas! If you haven't tried this yet, DO IT! You won't be sorry!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Back to school...something to HOOT about!

2011-08-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

Though school has already started for many, we are just getting ready in my district. I try to make a little "sumthin' sumthin'" for the people on my team each year, so when my dear friend, Lisa, owner of The Craft's Meow, gave me this awesome little stamp set, I knew I could put it to good use right away!

I used my Stampin' Up! Top Note Die for the goody bag toppers in Real Red and Kraft. I stamped all the images with Chocolate Chip, Real Red, and Wild Wasabi Inks. I embellished with google eyes (WOOT), SU! brads, and some super fun green twine by WRMK.

I used an old retired SU! lined stamp for the back...a perfect little message spot.
I know all the teachers will need to recharge with a few bottles of water as they set up their classrooms, so some tasty water flavor packets will come in handy!
Well, friends, I gotta' run...back to work to prep,prep,prep in the AM!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Hear YE, Hear YE...your presence is requested!

2011-08-03T01:01:00.000-07:00

A very dear friend of mine is celebrating his daughter's FIRST birthday in serious style! His too sweet wife asked me for some input on the invitations, and you know I can't just stop there... ;)
They've decided to go with an Alice in Wonderland theme, so I got right to work on the invite options-ENJOY!

Option One: One Classy Queen
Front

Detail

Back

Option Two: The Mad Hatter Girls It Up
Front

Detail

Back

Tell me, friends, which do you prefer?

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

A color challenge and a lift!

2011-08-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun participating in last week's SplitcoastStamper.com Sketch Challenge, I had to push myself a little farther and try out my first color challenge, this week! The color combo for SCS-CC334 included:
1) Whisper White
2) Basic Grey
3) Tempting Turqoise
I have to admit, I wasn't too sure about this combo at first, but once I strolled through the challenge gallery, I was ready to rock it! A quick rumage through my retired Designer Series Paper packs resulted in a couple sheets from the fifth avenue line in Basic Grey :) I decided to flip through the current Stampin' Up! catty for a layout to copy and was pleased to find a great card on page 109 featuring the "Just Believe" stamp set. I don't have that set, but I did have this retired hostess set, "Kind and Caring Thoughts"! I stamped the foilage in versamark directly onto patterned paper and embossed it in white, embellishing the main panel with some rinestones on a few martha stewart punched butterflies. Then I investigated how the ribbon was attached on the sample and had a go at it, using some whistper white ribbon that I colored with my SU! Basic Grey marker...AWESOME RESULTS!Finally, I used my new "Petite Pairs" sentiment set to stamp half the phrase on a circle of vellum, and then embossed!

I'm really happy with how this card turned out and I sure enjoyed teh challenge of having a set of specific colors to work with...I might just be hooked! :)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Resistance is futile!

2011-08-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Brown (aka UPS Delivery Guy),
I've missed you; I really have. I so look forward to the sound of your truck rolling heavily over the complex entrance gate: kuh-chunck...front wheels, kuh-chunck...back wheels; and then a screech-sigh as you step on the brake and put that giant truck of goodness into park. A ding-dong on the doorbell and a wagging dog tail can tell me only one thing...you've come for me!

Are those *business supplies*?! No, no..I won't be needing those!

THIS IS WHAT I'VE *REALLY* BEEN WAITING FOR!
After much fondling, and too much time mounting new stamp sets, it's time to dig in!

I used the new "Delicate Doily" set to create a 3 1/2" x 4" gift card holder. In an attempt to show-off the versatility of this set, I went ahead and used the border punch to create ornament toppers and voila-from doilies to ornaments! Paired with a "Petite Pairs" sentiment, this crumb cake, wild wasabi, and ridinghood red card is ready to go!

So, you see, Mr. Brown, I missed you so much, I just coudln't resist re-joining Stampin' Up for at least a few months! Now you may be wondering if it was realy *you* or if I just did it for the discount...can't I have both? ;)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia (in apartment 96)

Treehouses make my heart HAPPY

2011-07-31T23:22:00.000-07:00

Someday, when I own my own home, I will find a house with a sturdy tree in the backyard. Whether our home is filled with gallivanting children or not, this tree will hold a tree house, for sure! As a child, I was always jealous of my friends who:
a) had a giant trampoline
b) had pet chickens
c) were allowed to pin up posters of hotties such as J.T.T on their walls with push-pins
and
d) had a tree house
I would most certainly be jealous of this adorable squirrel and his blue-jay friend, for their tree house is fit for a king!

I drew out the house shape, stamped the wood grain by Hero Arts, embellished with some adorable patterned papers by My Little Shoebox, and set to work on that scalloped roof using my SU! punch. The adorable mushroom and squirrel stamps are by Prima and were a total score at their warehouse sale for 50 CENTS EACH!
I really enjoyed adding in all sorts of bitty details on this card, especially this Tim Holtz pin and paper cloud:

Oh, I couldn't resist embellishing the inside either! Check out this sweet sentiment from Michael's dollar bin:

I can see myself getting a bit carried away with these little tree house cards-I have a TON of cute tree-dwelling critter stamps...SWOON!
I'm off to map out my ideal tree house...send me pics if you happen to have one in your own backyard! :)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

...after a while, crocodile!

2011-07-31T22:56:00.000-07:00

After a while, all of us crafters seem to look around, scratch our heads, and ask ourselves where in goodness' name all this crafty crap came from! With all the "pretties" that are constantly manufactured, it can be difficult to keep up with all the new product, but most of us tend to save things "for later". We just seem to *know* that *someday* the most *perfect* project will come along and we will instantly know that *IT IS TIME*.

Hmmmm.

I really enjoy watching Kristina Werner's Make a Card Monday and Finally Friday videos on YouTube because she is always piling on the "gems" of her stash as if there is no tomorrow. Don't pretend you don't hoard these little bits away and save them for just the right moment...;) It's both painful and exhilerating to watch her dive in and annihilate an entire package of $5.99 3D stickers on one card. I admire her gusto!
Recently, an online scrapbooking friend passed away unexpectantly after her battle with breast cancer; my heart aches for her family and all of her someday plans...she was much too young. I watched her post entry after entry of beautiful scrapbook pages, and entry after entry of "hauls" ful of "pretties" that she'd never get to use. :(
The point is, both of these situations have really made me think about how I approach a new project. After some pondering of my existence, I decided to head to my scrapbook room to unwind and I started by grabbing up a pile of coordinating products that I ADORE and have been saving "for later".
Meet Albert and Sirius...aren't they adorable? I piled on my favorite retired SU! ribbon and buttons along with several Sassafrass Lass chipboard shapes, some WRMK Bakers Twine, and even some bitty black pearls for eyes on my friends.

I hope you will contemplate your own existence and really ask yourself just how long you will hang on to all those "pretties"...go one, dive in...I DARE YA! ;)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

What's old is new...

2011-07-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings night owls! I'm up late tonight playing in my scrap room and it is ooooh so lovely! Cruisin' around SplitCoastStampers.com this afternoon, I was struck by this week's sketch challenge and HAD to play along.

I've been drooling over the new Stampin' Up! catalog so I decided to pull out some oldies but goodies from my retired pile and tie 'em in with a couple new toys to liven things up. I am really enjoying the twine, this new lace punch by EK Success, and this doily stamp set by Martha Stewart Crafts. :)

Most of all, I had fun stamping the sentiment from two different stamp sets by stamping "cherish" first, then by omitting "thinking of" and only inking up "you" from the teeny tiny wishes stamp set. I will have to think outside the box more and challenge myself to this more frequently because I loved the results!
Thanks for stopping by my friends and happy stampin'!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

2011-06-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, all! Things are going well here in New Mexico and yesterday was a great day full of fun and directionless quality time with my mom. We went to church, hit Michael's Arts and Crafts Store, Borders, and grubbed on some McDonald's chicken nuggets (they are a weakness of mine).
While at Michael's I found that the Making Memories $50 "grab bags" of goodies they've had around for the last month or so were marked down to $10 each. I love me some MM, and the embellishments in the bags were pretty recent and very fabulous so I had to pick out three. :)
My mom and I stayed up until 2:30 am chatting, me working on the card below and her coloring in a new coloring book I bought her for Mother's Day. I had to bust out some of my new embellishments and other goodies for this card:

I used some of my new Echo Park papers (Life is Good, line) from Hobby Lobby, along with some MM embellishments like the button brads and mini metal-rimmed tag to show off this too stinkin' cute stamp by Hero Arts. The adorable toad stool and lady bugs were an idea from my mom and are by DoodleBug...PERFECT!

I really adore everything about this card and it will be tough to give it to my mom's neighbor! On Saturday I was walking my little brother (age 10) to the park and we passed a garage sale where the gal gave my brother a bunch of Barney VHS tapes and a talking Barney stuffed animal. The woman's 19 year old son has Downs Syndrome like my little brother, which sparked her generosity; I wanted to be sure and thank her properly...the way us crafters do best!
Have a fab start to your week and maybe involve yourself in a RAK of your own! ;)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

I'm Back: A Welcome Celebration

2011-06-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends! It has been far too long since I have blogged my crafty endeavors, but it has been quite a full year! I am so glad to have my mojo back!
I am in New Mexico this month visiting my mom who is going through chemo and a bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer. She is being such a trooper and I know her positive attitude will be what gets her through. <3
I flew out from California this week and made sure I took every bit of luggage allowable without having to pay extra, which meant taking along a small scrapbook tote and my Cricut! :) My clothing bag was 7 pounds over the 50 pound limit, so I did have to leave all my patterned paper behind...it clocked right in at 7 POUNDS! I won't pretend I'm embarrassed, a girl needs her supplies!
In light of this torture, I *had* to head out to Hobby Lobby yesterday and happend to come home with some echo park papers, new copics, and tons of Dear Lizzie ribbon. <3 WOOT!
Here's the resulting card after my fun shopping trip with my sister:

I used Dress up Anya by The Greeting Farm and altered her hairstyle by cutting her long locks off and adding the hairbuns from the Flutter Anya instead. Altering this image was SO fun and I foresee many more in the coming days.
If you haven't tried this yet with your TGF stamps, DO IT! You can't tell the image has been cut or altered once it's colored up, see:

I paper pieced Anya's T-shirt from the Dress Me Up set using the new Echo Park papers I bought at Hobby Lobby. The paper pack came as a scrapbooking kit, so I used some stickers from the set as well as some of the banners from the papers to embellish my card. A little Cricut work on that scallop, and I was all set!
I'm so glad you stopped by to see what was new and I look forward to checking in quite a bit while I am here because I have lots of time to craft!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Dreaming of warmer weather-sewing tutorial

2011-01-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

I've been away from my blog, dear friends, but not away from my craft room! I collect American Girl Dolls as well as papercraft,so I have been making things for my dolls the past few months. I made a photo-tutorial for a super quick top that I thought some of you might enjoy making with a little girl in your life, so I'll post it here. This project is a great way to up-cycle an old blouse, and takes about 30 minutes to complete with a little girl. The example would also work for Barbies, if your daughter/niece/grandaughter/ect. doesn't have an 18" doll.
Click the photo below to view the tutorial! :)

I hope you enjoy this and it is useful! I am working on making a doll blog to link to this blog so I can keep all my creative ventures in the same place.

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

All About Betty Blog Hop!

2010-09-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

The gals from The Burtonesque Dolls, Simply Betty Stamps and Simply Betty Challenges blogs figured it was a good time to put together a blog hop of our very own:

SIMPLY BETTY.

This hop is ALLLLLLLLLLLLL about Betty and since October is Betty's favorite month and there are sooooo many exciting things happening, why not do it just before?!! This way we can get things warmed up for the whole October and Halloween theme. Kinda like an appie!!

And since Halloween is her favorite time of year you will be seeing mostly, if not all Halloween cards and we have used only Betty Emo's images.

I am so super proud of Betty Boo, getting her dream-come-true-company off the ground! I think Betty's enthusiasm can be VERY contagious and I am ever so grateful for the hours of silly chatter and laughter we've shared across the crop table, along with Lisa! Whether we come in grumpy, frustrated, or exhausted we are all bound to be splitting at the seams or causing scenes at our local scrapbook store...a girl couldn't ask for better friends! <3 You Betty and Lisa!

Now, every good friend is m,ulti-faceted and Betty is no exception; we can giggle over silly stuff or get serious junk off our chests. Either way, a cup of tea and good company is always teh way to go. Being that Halloween is upon us, I whipped up a little "BETTY BREW" to calm the nerves... ;)

Without further ado, let's check out some more inspiring and creative cards from all the ladies. Please note because this is an appreciation blog hop there are no prizes. It's just for fun, but the ladies wouldn't mind some luving from you anyway!!

So LET'S GET HOPPING!! If you've joined us today from Barb's blog, you are in the right place, otherwise the hop starts over at Eulanda's!

I hope my project was your "cup of tea," but you've got to be hopping along...up next is JENNIFER!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Don't stop...HOP, HOP, HOP!

2010-08-31T23:22:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! I can't believe how quickly August has come and gone! I have been ever so busy, between starting a new job and finalizing my wedding plans...I have been go, go, go. :)

I wouldn't want my goings to interfere with your hopping today, though! So, I will say my dears, DON'T STOP...HOP, HOP, HOP on over to Barb's blog to kick off the fun for this month's Simply Betty Stamps Blog Hop!

I can't wait to be up and running with the rest of you next month, but for the time being, you'd better be on your way as Betty has a smashing group of fabulous new images for you to enjoy and naturally...THERE ARE PRIZES!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Hop back to school in style!

2010-08-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hip-hip HOORAY, today is the day! Today is the Back to School Blog Hop Release party over at Simply Betty Stamps and Betty and the DT sure have whipped up some stylin' and exciting treats! I am sure you all are loving the previews as much as we are...are these Emos cool, or what?!

If you are just popping in and you didn't start at the Simply Betty Stamps Blog, head on over there first so you don't miss a beat, or a chance to WIN some fabulous prizes, including ALL 6 NEW BACK TO SCHOOL EMO KIDS DIGIS!

I am SO, super excited about today's project...I could just BURST! ;) I have had this backpack template stored away on my computer since last fall and I just knew the perfect project would come along for it. What better way to showcase darling lil' Back to School Lola than as a shrinky dink charm for this mini paper model?

I know my own students LOVE to collect unique keychains for thier backpacks and sometimes they even trade and swap; any of the NEW Emos would make fabulous charms and keychains, like this one!

I am pretty sure that was the bell ringing I just heard, and I wouldn't want you to be late for your next stop along the hop, so you better head straight on over to AMY'S BLOG next!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Digi Stamps by Simply Betty Stamps, Cardstock by SU!, Paper by DCWV, Scallop Punch by SU!, Brads by Karen Foster, Misc. Ribbon and findings, TEMPLATE INFORMATION AVAILABLE HERE.

An apple a day, keeps the homework away!

2010-08-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

The most common question on the first day of school is "Do we have homework today?" In my own class, the answer to this one is always "Does today end in 'y'?" The kids often argue as to whether or not I am talking about the word "today" or if I am talking about the actual day of the week, be it "Monday" or "Tuesday" or...well, you get the idea. I LOVE IT!
Like all children, London here is hoping that there won't be any homework on the first day of school! She's packed her new school supplies in a stylish backpack, decked herself out head to toe in her new favorite outfit, and she come prepared to bribe the homework away with an apple!

For today's Preview, Day 2 card, I used the following Mojo Monday Challenege Sketch!

"School London" is just one of the six NEW My Kids' Emo World-School Edition digital stamps to be released this Sunday! I recommend avoiding any and all school work by heading over to the Simply Betty Stamps Blog to check out the shenanigans that the other Emo Kids are up to! ;)

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the official release of the line, and a BLOG HOP full of fun, inspiration, and of course...PRIZES!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Stamps by Simply Betty Stamps, Paper by DCWV-School Stack and MM, Misc. Craft Chalk Board Ornament (used white Signo gel pen for "chalk"), Mini paper clip by SU!, Misc. ribbon and apple button.

The paint is a -flyin'

2010-08-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Has it really been one whole month since I last posted?! I can not believe how the time has flown! As we near the end of the summer months, the days get shorter, and it's time to pack away our summer gear! For the Emo Kids, it also means, it's BACK TO SCHOOL! Simply Betty Stamps has done it again, friends! The newest line of Emos are ready to hit the books in style! Over the next two days, the SBS DT will share a few fab projects to show-case and preview the upcoming release, which will hit the market August 15th, along with quite a few fabulous sales and specials!
I know Betty has been hard at work getting these kids ready for school, so I thought she could use a little "me' time, like all moms, once the kids got back to class. As such, I decided to make her this sign for her craft space with none other than "Betty" herself!

Betty is SO ready to mix it up with a batch of art supplies and these TOO CUTE, batty socks! One thing I adore about this line are the girls' socks!

As a teacher, back to school time is magical and so full of new possibilities...go check out the new crafty possibilities the rest of the Design Team has whipped up over at the SBS Blog! Don't be late! ;)

Check back tomorrow for more previews!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Stamps by Simply Betty Stamps, Prismacolor Markers, Misc. flowers, Joann's Fabrics Charm-Ribbon, Misc. Polka Dotted Ribbon, Reflections Rhinestones,Letter Stickers by KI Memories Misc. Paints, Plain Sign from Dollar Tree.

The summer vibes are hoppin'!

2010-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

The summer heat has certainly arrived here in Southern California! I'm hiding away from the heat in my scrapbook room and enjoying some time with the new Simply Betty My Kids' Emo World, Summer Releases! Today is the day, friends...the Emo Kids have hit the market and by participating in today's release blog hop, you could WIN all 6 digi-stamps FREE! :)

Rio here, is just BEAMINGat the thought!

To participate, you will need to start at the official Simply Betty Stamps blog to kick-off the blog hop and leave a comment on each of the DT members' blogs to enter! If you are arriving from Kim's blog...you are on the right track!

I certainly think Miss Rio is on the right track, if you ask me! Check out that bikini body! Naturally, Rio shops with her BFF, London, so they both scored glittery shades to sport on the beach together! ;)

Long as the summer days may be, I won't keep you from the inspiration ahead...you've got a blog hop contest to continue! Next up, you'll want to shimmy on over to Barb's blog for even more, hoppin' fun! Best of luck to you all and I hope you are loving these kids as much as we are!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Stamps-SBS Rio, Sentiment-KI Memories, Paper-SU! Cardstock, Patterned-DCWV "Tahiti Beach," Cricut Cartridge-Sun from "Doodlecharms," Waves-Kiwilane Designs Templates (kiwilane.com), Stick Pins-Fancy Pants, Misc. Twine, Distress Inks, Chalk Inks, Stickles, and Glossy Accents.

Simply Betty "Rocks"!

2010-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, friends! I admit this is not a "happy" day based on the fact that it is a Monday (I am not a Monday person). Nor is it a "happy" day simply because I do not have to work. No, today is "happy" BECAUSE it's the first day of Betty's My Kid's Emo World SUMMER RELEASE SNEAK PEEKS! Woot!
I am L-O-V-I-N-G this release! Each image is just as cute as the last and they have SO much personality! Today's card is inspiring me to head out to the pool with my IPOD and a good book (I'm reading Holly Black's Curse Workers: White Cat, by the way)! London here, has the right idea!

After my new-found challenge love, I decided to head on over to the Mojo Monday blog and to my surprise, last week's 146 sketch worked out very well. I omitted the three horizontal strips on the sketch, and let London make her own waves using my beloved Kiwilane designs border strips.

I also printed a second digi-image of London and cut out her sunglasses so I could pop them up; I gave them even more dimension with some Glossy Accents and some stickles to make them look more realistic.

I hope you'll agree that London, and Betty of Simply Betty Stamps are ROCKIN' this new Summer release! Check out the links below to see what some of the other design team members have whipped up for you using more of the collection's images!

Betty's Blog
Catherine's Blog
Debbie'sBlog
Kim's Blog

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Say "hi" to the SBS Sketch Challenge!

2010-07-08T00:02:00.000-07:00

Okay...I will admit it. I am not a challenge kinda' gal.

That's not true.

I didn't *know* I was a challenge kinda' gal.

Truth.

Many a challenge I have passed up, not out of fear or lack of confidence, no-no, out of sheer lack of interest. Oh, I've heard all about how fun it can be to push yourself creatively; to mix up your usual routine; to think outside the box. Even then...uninterested. That is, until Betty of Simply Betty Stamps announced her FIRST SIMPLY BETTY STAMPS CHALLENGE! I admit, I was skeptical at first, but now-I believe!

Because of this month's SBS Sketch Challenge, I completed this card in *30 MINUTES*! What?! Oh yes, my friends, I am a believer.

After just a half an hour, this doll, Lola, is ready for her close-up!

Here is the original SBS Sketch challenge that I started with:

I am sure by now, you too are itching to participate in this month's debut challenge, but you must know, that its speedy road to completed cards is not this challeneges' only attraction. If you participate in this month's challenge, and link to your project from the SBS Blog by July 29th 11:59 EST, *YOU* could be the guest designer for the month of AUGUST! Please swing on by the SBS Blog to not only see what teh other DT members have come up with, but to read more about how you can be a member of the SBS DT...you know that means FREE images, right?! ;)

So, TRUTH OR DARE, dear readers?

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Paper-Basic Grey, SU! Cardtock, Wavy Borders- Kiwilane Designs (kiwilane.com), Sentiment Stamp- Claudia and Company, Misc: Image colored with Primacolor Markers and Copics, Embellished with dimensionals and half-back pearls

A Trio of Cuteness!

2010-07-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

I finally sat down to play with my new Cricut Lite cartridge yesterday, and this cute little trio is what came of it! I picked up "B is for Boy," "Block Party," and "Carnival" at a Walmart in Anaheim a few weeks ago, and just now got around to playing with them. Sad, but true.

For this group, I used "B is for Boy," which is a great cart for both boys and girls. I saw "Sugar and Spice" at my local Walmart today and I may need to go back for it because it is made by the same designers as "B is for Boy". You know I am a sucker for cute animals, so this cart was at the top of my wishlist when I began hunting for the newly released Lite carts.

I thought I was being so clever with this one...get it? "Eyes love you"...LOL *shrugs*

Sentiment by Caludia and Company (thanks Lisa, for this too cute set)!

Sentiment by Hero Arts

I used some older papers by My Mind's Eye, along with some new wavy border templates from KiwiLane Designs (check 'em out by following this link) to make the borders on each card. I LOVE these new templates; they make card making super fast and are perfect for coordinating gift sets. I have also been using them on my scrapbook layouts in their 12" form.
*NEW HEART THROB* ;)
Oh, and they are having a sale on thier borders...25% off until July 9th!

Thanks for stopping by today! I would love to see what you've created with this cartridge, so leave me a link if you have a lil' somethin' to share!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Bite Me ;)

2010-07-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday, friends! It's *almost* Friday! I am looking forward to scrapbooking and playing in my scrapbook room tomorrow with some new toys and goodies I ppicked up at CKC Riverside a couple weeks ago. If you have a chance to go to a CKC event, I highly recommend it; there were dollar bins everywhere! I scored so many fabulous things for just a DOLLAR!

I digress...I wanted to stop in and share a little card I made using some new wavy templates I made with stencil plastic and my Cricut, which show cases one of the Emo Kids stamps from Simply Betty Stamps. The phrase "Bite Me" is by Artful Inkables and goes well with the soon to be released SBS Vampy Vampire line as well! Check back soon for Betty's Vamps! Until then, here's Rio!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

TEAM EDWARD!

2010-06-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

I am SO excited about tonight! If you are not a Twi-tard, you may not know that tonight is the movie premier of the third Twilight movie, Eclipse. If you are a Twi-tard, you too will enjoy these treats I have made!

I got the idea from Angie Kennedy Juda, here:

Luckily, I ran into thie video tutorial in enough time to whip up these lil' treat baggies for my friends.I am going to fill them with some chocoalte snacks so we have some sugar to keep us going! I am headed off to the theater now for tonight's midnight release of Eclipse and we are gong to play BUNCO in line...best friends ever, huh?!
<3 Them!

I used the Martha Stewart Drippy-Goo punch for teh blood, a set of stamps I picked up at Barnes and Nobels Bookstore, some paper from Making Memories, and everythign else was from Stampin' Up!

Let me know if you try them out, and be sure to leave Angie some comment love on youtube!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Got Betty?

2010-06-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Being the enabler I am, I wanted to share a Simply Betty Stamps sale with you!

In celebration of the official start of summer, Simply Betty Stamps is having a SALE! Don't wait...this sale ends June 29th!
Naturally, the more you buy, the more you SAVE! That's how it works, right? ;)

* Buy all SIX MY KIDS EMO WORLD images for $45, which is like getting ONE FREE!Use code: 6EMOS45

* Buy all SIX DT DIVAS DIGIS for $15, which is like getting ONE FREE! Use code:6DTDD15

Don't "got Betty"?

* Buy all SIX MY KIDS EMO WORLD images PLUS all SIX DT DIVAS DIGIS for $50, which saves you 30%!Use code: EMODTCOMBO

So, my friends...Got Betty?

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Divas don't hop, they saunter...

2010-06-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday, Simply Betty fans! If you've stumbled in, hopped on over, or auntered in...regardless, you are certainly in the right place! Today is the official kick-off of the Simply Betty Stamps, Mid-month Digi-Stamp release fiesta! This DT Diva, Lisa, will be helping me to escort you through the beginning of this week's blog hop!

Surely you are here because you LOVE to shop! Okay, you don't just LOVE to shop for anything...you love to shop for scrapbooking supplies, stamps, paper, and all the newest embellishments! Am I right? If you are anything like Lisa and I, you would be happy to recieve today's card: a gift card holder!

I can't say I'm willing to share this gift card, but I can tell you that by leaving a comment on my blog post today, hopping along and leaving comments on each of the other Simply Betty Stamps Design Team Blogs, and wrapping up at the official SBS blog, you will be entered for a chance to win ALL 6 OF THE DT DIVA DIGI-STAMPS FOR FREE!

Don't waste another second, think door-busters on Black Friday and get hoppin'! Your next stop will be Amy's Blog over at A Thousand Sheets of Paper. Enjoy!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Envelope: Maya Road, Paper: MM, Stamps: Sentiment by Inkadinkado, Misc. brads and ribbon, 1" paper punch.

There's no place like home

2010-06-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! I hope your Monday afternoon is treating you well. Just a quick update from me this afternoon. :) I told you all about my friend, Lisa, who bought me this adorable stamp set as a RAK, last month:

I also told you that I only had time to color in an image, and that I would get back to you when she found a home, so...

here is the thank you card I created for Lisa (card by me, photography by Lisa). I have since picked up a few more images of these Hero Arts girls and I think they are just darling! Thanks for stopping in and be sure to check back at midnight tonight for the Simply Betty Stamps DT Divas Blog Hop!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Paper: Cosmo Cricket, SU! Cardstock, Jenni Bowlin Scallop journaling note, heidi swapp decorative tape for pleated circle, Stamps: Hero Arts Girl and Sentiment, SU! Houses, Misc. Vintage Button, Stickles, twine

Diva Days in Paris

2010-06-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Diva Confession: I don't *do* Mondays.
The only thing setting this Monday apart from all other Mondays, is that I don't have to work...otherwise, it would be subject to an equal amount of loathing to its other annual counterparts. I can't soften the blow to the end of your own weekend, but I can tell you it means you are one day closer to the release of the Simply Betty Stamps, DT Divas Digi-stamp release!
Today's Diva is making her fabulous-ness an international affair! As soon as I saw "Debbie" in her button-embellished capris, striped tank, and sassy scarf, I knew I needed to bring the Parisian out of her! I think Debbie looks right at home beside that eiffel tower, Copic markers in hand and ready to take on the creative world. :)

I am so adoring each of these DT Diva images, and the more I look at them, the more versatile I think they are! Can't you just see cutting the marker ends off and adding a shopping bag or a chic purse to Debbie hand instead? I think Debbie may even be able to go nautical, with a rope or anchor! If you are loving these gals as much as I am, you won't want to miss tomorrow's Simply Betty Stamps Blog Hop! Be sure to swing by and leave a comment on tomorrow's final preview, as well as on the other designers' blogs for a chance to win all 6 of teh DT Divas Digi-Stamps!

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Paper: SU! Cardstock, K & Co. (seriously, circa 2000)lol, Stamps: Sentiment-SU!, Die-Cut:TTF Downloaded online, Punches: SU! Misc. trims, flowers, and rhinestones

Diva Days...

2010-06-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

You know every girl is prone to have her own diva days, and those DT girls are no exception! I won't lie, "Alicia" here, is hard to surpass with her Cricut machine over her shoulder, her horn-rimmed glasses, and a flirty outfit! Any creations DT Diva, "Alicia," whips up are sure to be FAB-U-LOUS! ;)

Seriously, though, how adorable is my Digi-stamp-self? Betty, of Simply Betty Stamps, had rolled out her first Digi-stamp line, called DT Divas, and I was ecstatic to see myself in cartoon form! I think Betty totally captured my personality with this one...LOVE IT!

I decided to kick-off the DT Diva previews with an all-important memo-board of notes, sketches, and inspiration...what design team member doesn't need a space to keep track of upcoming dates for new releases?!

Don't forget to stop by the other SBS DT Divas' blogs to see what fabulous-ness they have to share!

Amy Young
Betty Roberts (Owner)
Catherine
Debbie Pamment
Jen Shults
Lisa Hjulberg (DT Coordinator)

Stay tuned for more previews of this SBS Digi-stamp release, as these girls are hittin' the town on June 15th!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Magnet board-Dollar Store, Paper: Cosmo Cricket "Girl Friday", Buttons: Autumn Leaves, Chipboard "RightNow": Scenic Route, "Sunday" Journaling Spot: Heidi Swapp

Are you afraid of the dark?

2010-06-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

Does anyone remember the "Saturday-Night-Nick" (aka SNICK) SERIES, "Are You Afraid of the Dark"? Oh how I LOVED that show! I have always enjoyed a good ghost story, or super natural tale,silly thing is, I scare easily! Unlike my friend, Christian, here, who just so happens to be fearless!

While playing with my Simply Betty Stamps this week, I glanced up at my stamp shelves wall and saw this background stamp of a dark ally and KNEW this was the perfect place for Christian and his Emo Kids friends to hang out and skateboard. I'm not altogether sure I'd be caught attempting an "ollie" in the dark, but Christian here has it down, pat!

Check back soon for what else is new for SBS and the DT!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Supplies: Paper:DCWV "The Guy Stack," Stamps: Splatter by SU!, Background by RubberNeckerStamps, Embellishments: Sticker Tape by Heidi Swapp, Fearless Sticker by KI Memories, Eyelets and Twine by SU!

Hippity-Hop...FIRST STOP!

2010-06-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how quickly this day arrived! Welcome to your first stop on the Simply Betty Stamps Release Party Blog Hop! If you've just popped in, we are kicking off the Grand Opening of Simply Betty Stamps today, by featuring the "My Kids Emo World" line on each of the SBS Design Team members' blogs! The best part? FREE STAMPS!
By participating in today's Blog Hop,leaving a comment on each of the SBS DT blogs, you will be entered for a chnace to win ALL 6 of the Emo Kids stamps! Each stamp will come to you in deeply-eteched red rubber, skill sawed and mounted on EZ-Mount cushion. I am super impressed with the quality my friends, and I have thousands of stamps!
Purchased a pre-order stamp, or two, or all 6? Not to worry...if your name is chosen to win, your money will be refunded for any/all stamps you purchased, and you too, will recieve all 6 images for FREE! :)
So, let's get this party started...
I'd like to present to you,the whole gang of Emo kids, confidently struttin' their stuff on a white, Shrinky Dink bracelet!

I colored each image in using prisma markers, scanned in the original images and printed them out onto white Shrinky Dink material for InkJet Printers. After each image was cut out, I punched a 1/8" hole on their tops and shrunk 'em down in my oven at 300 degrees for 3 minutes.
When they little darlings were done cooling, I used a variety of Blue Moon beads and findings to create this bracelet for Betty! I thought this would be the perfect way to commemorate her company's beginning! Here are a few close-ups:

I know that the projects the other members have in store have my own creative juices flowing, so leave a comment here, and then hop on over to your next stop in the hop, Amy's blog:

Amy: A Thousand Sheets of Paper

Good luck to you all and thank you so much for celebrating with us, today! Hip-Hop Hooray!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

2010-05-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! As I write this entry it's nearly midnight and the moon is nice and full, which is just perfect for today's Simply Betty Stamps sneak peek! Today's card is featuring Miller, who happens to have a wild side! Miller is one of the SBS Emo Kids, available now for 10% off today, here.

I started this card out with a tri-fold card base in Chocolate Chip and More Mustard by SU!, added some patterned paper by K & Co., a full moon stamp by Stampers Anonymous, a sentiment by Artful Inkables, some Grungeboard, ribbon, and brads. I topped it all off with a howling wolf image cut with my Cricut using the Campout cartridge.

There's something about Miller's expression that is just a little mischievous, so I knew he must have some kinda' secret...what do you think Miller is up to?
Head on over to the other SBS DT member's blogs to see what is sneakin' out in teh night over there!
Amy Young
Betty Roberts (Owner)
Catherine
Debbie Pamment
Jen Shults
Lisa Hjulberg (DT Coordinator)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

I see London, I see France...

2010-05-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today is the first of three sneak peek events for Simply Betty Stamps and you are gettin' quite a show! ;) I'd like to introduce you to a sweet little pixie named, London. London (from the Emo Kids line) is wearing the most adorable tutu and ballerina slippers, and she is just calling out for some wings!

I can't wait to ink her up again and try her out with some Tim Holtz Grungeboard wings, some vellum and acetate wings, or how about some stamped butterfly wings? I know what I'm working on this week!
For today's sneak peek, I decided to create a gift set, perfect for your own Emo Kid. What emo kid isn't wearing a cute bow in her hair?

This set features London in her full-sized glory on a standard sized card, as well as a miniaturized London as she adorns an embellished pobby pin. I created a mini easel card to display the hair bow. Each image was colored uysing a combination of Copic Markers and Prismacolor Markers, and mini-London was created using white Shrinky Dinks from the craft store.

The colors here are a little off, but I used Old Olive Cardstock by SU! and some royal purple cardstock by Bazzil. I embellished the card with patterned paper by ATD, some specialty Primas, and a few flower centers dug up from the findings section of the fabric store.
I hope this sneak peek got your wings flittering...be sure to stop by the Simply Betty Stamps Blog to see what the other SBS DT members are up to today!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Announcements Galore!

2010-05-29T16:41:00.001-07:00

Happy Saturday, my friends! Oh, this weekend is looking especially good with as busy as I have been this week! I have been focused on the Instructional Designer position I shared with you last week as I had an informal meeting/interview with the Dean of Technology yesterday! The visit around the campus just reinforced my desire for the position and I am looking forward to a panel interview in the coming weeks! In the meantime, I've been reading the 152 page User's Guide for the new Blackboard System (9.1) and well, it's consumed most of my day thus far!
This is my excuse for delaying my second BIG announcement...I would like to introduce you to the Simply Betty Stamps Design Team! I have had the pleasure of virtually and physically meeting these ladies this week nd it has been quite a ride as we prepare for the official kick-off of Betty's stamp line this weekend! You can look forward to sneak peeks tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday! I want to encourage you to check out the other designer's blogs and of course to come on back this way over the next few days as there will be blog hops and PRIZES ahead! ;)
And so, without further ado, I present to you...

Amy Young
Betty Roberts (Owner)
Catherine
Debbie Pamment
Jen Shults
Lisa Hjulberg (DT Coordinator)

I gotta' tell you, friends, the things these ladies are coming up with are just amazing! I can't wait to see it all come together!

If you haven't yet, head on over to Simply Betty Stamps to preorder your very own Emo Kids, today! After playing with them this week, they have been a blast to color; I've really enjoyed seeing them come to life!

Happy Memorial Day, my American followers; enjoy this time with your families and please remember those who have sacrificed for our liberties and freedoms!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Like sunshine after the rain

2010-05-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

Hello scrappy friends! I have had a pretty exciting week, so I just had to share! I did get a final layoff notice from my school district this month, so times may be rough ahead,but I am looking forward to new opportunities at the moment. This week I began submitting job applications for potential new positions and the one I am most excited about is at a local university as an Instructional Designer; this job is so perfect for me! I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime I am researching everything I can about the school and its programs. :)
After all the anxiety I've been through in this layoff, I feel like this week has really lifted my spirits in small ways. After a particularly yucky day, I came home to find a package of too sweet stamps from my new scrappy friend, Lisa. You must check out her blog...love it! She sent me these darlings:

So cute, no? I had just enough time to ink one of 'em up and get her colored in with my copics and prismas...I'll let you know when she gets a home! The sweetest thing about this package was that last time we were at our LSS, we both liked this set and I was going to purchase it, but before I'd made up my mind (and my wallet), a girl in our group snagged 'em. I so appreciate Lisa's thoughtfulness and generosity! <3
Additionally, I received an e-mail from Lisa and Betty (of the NEW SimplyBettyStamps) today inviting me to be a part of Betty's first DESIGN TEAM! *insert giggly boppin' around here* I was able to see all of the images in her first release this afternoon and they are SO friggin' cute! You can check out either Lisa or Betty's blogs for a Lil' sneak peak, or see the images on the company blog, here.
In light of all of this loveliness, I wanted to share this little doll with you:

For this card, I used the Rain Snow Shine set from The Greeting Farm for the main image; isn't Anya fabulous? After coloring in Anya's hair and skin with my Copics and Prismacolor Markers, I started by stamping Anya onto various scraps of both K & Co. and DCWV papers and then paper piecing her outfit together. From there, I used the Hello Kitty Greetings Cartridge and my Cricut Expression for the rainbow and raincloud, using coordinating papers. I finished it all off with a couple punches from Martha Stewart(butterflies and fence border), some embossing with SU! plates,a few prima flowers and a phrase stamp(SU!) punched out with my SU! word window punch. All of the Cardstock is SU! and the papers are from the DCWV Crafty stack.
Here is a close-up of the fashionable Anya:

I want to wish you all a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Hugs and HOOTS,
Alicia <3

Now serving a refreshing dish of marinated 12-inch borders :)

2010-05-01T12:27:00.001-07:00

When I first purchased my Cricut Expression, I was pleased as punch to find out that I could create 12 inch borders for my scrapbook pages. One of the first layouts I attempted with my new machine was a border feature on the Pp aer Pups cart(SOON TO RETIRE). I wanted to create a series of paw prints walking along the bottom of my layout, from one end to the other, so I pulled out my 12 x 12 mat and entered the magic code on the keypad overlay...only to find out that borders set to 12" cut at 11.5" :(
I dashed to Joann's and picked up a 12 x 24" mat and tried the magic code again on the keypad overlay; this time, I did get a 12" border, but the paw prints were huge and there was no way to weld them together. Once design studio launched, the feature was possible, but I hated lugging my Cricut to my computer, hooking it up, designing the measly strip and lugging it all back again to assemble my layout.
With my Gypsy, the whole process can be done in a snap! If you are like me, you likely have a very similar story to share about your 12" border-woes, but after viewing today's E-Entree, you too will be whipping up a strip here or there! :)
I've been obsessed with this Create A Critter cart since it first arrived and I have made at least 15 projects with it...mostly layouts, so I knew it would be my go-to cart for this project. For the border itself, however I chose to use Give A Hoot because of the myriad of choices using its border feature. Enjoy, friends and don't forget we all love comments and subscriptions! ;)

Here is a quick peak and the completed layout:

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Would you like to hear today's specials?

2010-03-27T20:23:00.001-07:00

Good evening!I'm excited to announce today's video after so long! I woke up this morning and decided that I needed to stop waiting for the perfect project, the perfect lighting, just the right amount of energy, and just dive back in. So, after several months away, I'm back...for real! :)
On our last Disneyland trip, Christopher and I took several pictures near the wishing well. One of the pics I snapped was of each of our shadows side by side next to the pond, there.

While taking a bath last night and looking at the images on my NEW Cricut Rewards delivery, the Asian Bundle embossing folders, I decided I needed to use some reflective paper to emboss the koi pond...it all came together from there! :)
So, without further ado, I'd like to announce, E-Entrees, a related video series to my previsouly launched A La Card series! :)

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

A card for my Maid of Honor

2010-03-21T23:54:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that my wedding is just 6 months away! Where have I been the last two months? LOL Planning update: we are meeting with the florist this week and the photographer next week. We don't have a wedding planner or anything and I refuse to go near a bridal magazine, so it's been an adventure! I just want everything to be simple and *real* and *us*.
You may have read on the Cricut MB that my planned MOH will be unable to take this role due to an unexpected pregnancy, so I've asked another of my Bride's maid's, my big sis from my sorority, to be my MOH. She excitedly took the role and when I told her I didn't want her to feel bad that I didn't pick her first she was , "oh please...let's get to work!" Gotta' LOVE this girl!
At any rate, I wanted to make her a card to tell her how happy I am that I am sharing this time with her and that she has been so supportive, so I made her a card using some of those KI Memories stamps I scooped up at Joann's on clearance. Now, you may be looking back at those photos and thinking to yourself "I don't see a dress in any of those sets," well how could I settle for only a few of those stamp sets at under a buck? If I am going to lose my job, I better jump all over deals while I can and stock up! I went back and bought another 18 sets (including a wedding themed set) because I couldn't believe the deal! LOL The clerk said "Can you believe you would have spent like $100.00 on these normally?"
Without further ado, here is my MOH card :)

I was amazed by the complete LACK of fancy, frilly papers I had available in my stash for this card! Based on this fact, I used my next coupon to get the mat stack sized version of the new DCWV "Linen" stack, so I'd have some appropriate wedding colored fancy papers for the future! I am sure I will need to make a lot of littel thank you notes along the way in the coming months! I love that little stack and am looking forward to playing with it soon.
I tried making a video tonight about making true 12" long borders using the gypsy, but my mojo was on vacation. I will give it another go tomorrow night, though...I have a couple techniques for getting your borders the correct length, which I have been meaning to share!
Supplies: Stamps-KI Memories, Paper-Green Bling Bazzil Cardstock, SU! Very Vanilla, DCWV Pink Cardstock, Patterned Paper-DCWV, Nana's Nursery Stack,Punches-SU! Scallop Square punch (4 overlapped for each, to make a larger sized square) Pearls-Hobby Lobby (not in CA), Misc: Ribbon, Dimensionals.
Thanks for looking! Have a happy week!
Hugs and HOOTS!
<3 Alicia

A positively perfect princess day!

2010-03-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

You know by now that I am a HUGE Disneyland fan; I truely believe it is the happiest place on Earth! I must share with you an unfortunate tale, however. You see, I have always been an Ariel fan....she is *my* princess and try as I might, I have never been able to get a photo with her at Disneyland. :( I've come close....she's had to leave for this parade, or that, while I was still standing in line a couple times. I've seen her from afar more times than I can count, but an actual picture together? Not so much.
Now living so close to The Mouse House is a crime in this case, but not today! Christopher and I enjoyed a fabulous breakfast at Cal Baptist University, where I was able to enjoy both tater-tots and an ICEE (like honest yto goodness ICEEs in 3 different flavors), as well as many other typical breakfast foods together.HA!

After too many waffles and cups of magical ICEE mixtures, it was off to the mouse place by way of packed freeway. An accident slowed us down, but we still made good use of our time in the car chattering about random-ness (a favorite passtime). I so enjoy doing somethign and nothign with this man of mine, I can NOT belive I really get to keep him for a lifetime! :)
After taking a trip back to teh 80's with "Captain EO: The Tribute," Christopher and I took some lovely pictures around the wishing well, where we had never ventured before.

When the line was too long at Small World, we decided today might be a good one for facing the line at the Princess Walk. If you aren't familiar with this part of teh park, it is a photography opportunity where you can walk through various stations to meet/greet with a set of four mystery princesses. The problem with the walk is you do not know who is going to be in there by the time you get up to the front of the line beacause 1) you can not see inside and 2) they are continuously rotating them through so they can get a break from all that standing and smiling. :) We didn't bother asking who was inside, so we chanced it! My most amazing fiance was ever so patient in line for goodness knows how long, surrounded by wee princesses who were not so patient, or well behaved for that matter. I was SO excited when it was our turn to go in...in order of appearance:
Snow White was sweet and quiet.

Cinderella was chatty and enthusiastic.

Ariel immedaitely noted my red hair and said we coudl be twins :) I explained the whole Ariel/picture ordeal and she decided that for such an occasion, I needed princess posing lessons.

Jasmine was reserved, but not without attitude! LOL

I left just as giddy as the little princesses I stood in line with! To top it all off, I found this awesome "Princess Deluxe Scrapbook Kit" for $24.95 at the booth outside of the Princess Walk and I was able to use my Annual Passholder's Discount on it as well...WOOT!

The princesses included Ariel, Jasmine, Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and Aurora. Each princess gets a variety of letter/image stickers (will probably only use the letter stickers, a FABULOUS sheet of cardstock punch out die cuts, frames, and tags, and then several sheets of coordinating patterned paper. At the end of the book, there are also some papers with all of the princeses included together. Do you LOVE it?

I think the price was very fair for what I got in the kit and the quality was up to par. The only part that seemed "cheesy" were the stickers...the material wasn't very thick, though all of teh images are lovely and teh letter stickers for each character are totally useable. The image stickers did have a white mat around them, but the letter stickers did not. :) The contents of the kit are all bound together with a spiral binding with perforated pages within, and with a hard cover on the front and back...like a hard back book, which is fairly convenient for taking to crops. If you plan on visting Disneyland, keep your eyes out as I saw several other styles of these books/kits in Downtown Disney at "World of Disney" as well. The photo processing store on main street carries a selection of albums these days, but no longer the punches and eyelets and scissors that it used to. If you are on the look-out, you will do best for scrappy supplies at "World of Disney" in Downtown Disney, outside of the park.
I hope this helps a few of you out in the future!Thanks for dropping in and check back soon as the 2nd trimester has ended, report cards have gone out, and I am ready to get back to my new Gypsy and Cricut projects! :)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Just a little pick me up...

2010-02-24T22:27:00.000-08:00

It's been TOO long, my friends! Thank you for sticking around in my absence and for all of your support and encouragement. Since then (read more here), I have spent the last couple weeks collecting some new scrap goodies to get me back on the horse. My bank account says I am sufficiently inspired!
I was completely shocked to find these little lovlies tonight at Joann's:

You will not believe the deal I got! Between the 40% off papercrafting supplies sale going on now, and my 15% additional teacher discount, I paid only $12.75 for each of the Nesties dies (reg. $24.99) and 82 CENTS for each of the stamp sets (reg. $4.99).
I was super happy to find these sentiment stamps because I was hoping they would fit inside my Stampin Up! Word Window punch.

Sure enough, they fit perfectly inside the punch! Take a peek:

I used Stampin' Up! cardstock in Certainly Celery and So Saffron (fav color SU! colors), some patterned paper by Basic Grey, some ribbon from last year's Sale-A-Bration from SU!, the previously mentioned word window punch, a scallop border punch by SU!, and a stamp set by, I believe Sandylion, for the little lion, in addition to the "snuggle" phrase from the above pictured KI Memories set, "baby verbage".

A little close up of this too-cute lion:

I am very excited to use some of these new goodies, as well as some other finds, in upcoming videos. I am working on a mock-up for a new A-La-Card video using the Paisley cartridge I bought back in November. I also have an idea for another video segment, I will be calling "E-Entrees," so be on the look-out...I'm back, friends! :)
Thank you for stopping by today...run to your local Joann's stores before this sale ends! HUGS AND HOOTS <3

Introducing... A La Card!

2009-11-15T18:53:00.000-08:00

Boy, am I glad to see you today! I am so excited to share with you a new video series I've begun titled, "A La Card". Usually, my video tutorial sets include two segments, a part 1 and a part 2, which means twice the length and twice the amount of work. Because these tutorials take so long to complete, there may be days or weeks between tutorials...I am told by some of you that this is just far too long and that you need a fix in between,hence.."A La Card".

The "A La Card" series includes single segment videos and projects which can be completed quickly and require minimal technical instruction to accomplish. I am most excited about this series because of the introduction I have created for them, featured at the beginning of each video. I was thinking about this series being on the side, or A LA CARTE, and teh idea of a tiny paper morsel came to mind and I ran with it from there. I hope you can enjoy my silly humor as each video opens with a heaping serving of vintage buttons! ;)

This week's A La Card video features inspiration from Kristina Werner of K.Werner Design. If you have not yet met this delightful designer, you are sorely at a loss and I urge you to check out here blog immediately at http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog !
I love Kristina's simplistic style and funky color choices; her designs are eye catching and feasible to accomplish with a minimal amount of time and supplies. I myself am not such a simple gal, so trying to create a project inspired by her style was a stretch, but it was a BLAST!

Please check out this week's A La Card Video: Inspired by K. Werner Design, and let me know what you think!

*HUGS AND HOOTS*
<3 Alicia

A new bewitching video!

2009-11-07T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends! I am just a wee bit late on wishing you all a Happy Halloween, but seeing as how it is my very favorite holiday, I was so wrapped up in my celebratory festivities, I didn't get around to editing my latest video set in time for the 31st!
I am super excited to share this tutorial set with you as the technique and the project can be used year-round and are both quite versatile!
The pictured banner below was my attempted contest entry for the Gypsy contest, but to make a long story short, I missed the deadline time due to time differences and was unable to enter. Once I found out that I'd missed it, I spruced it up a bit more with a few additional carts to make the end cap pendants cuter.

Now that the newest Gypsy updates are available, it seems I will have my hands full over the coming weeks re-doing some of my previous videos, as the newest added features make things like word books so much easier to accomplish! With the first trimester of the school year coming to a close, October was a busy month for me, but I am hoping to be able to make videos more frequently for you over the coming weeks, so keep checking back for updates, friends! :)

And without further babbling, I present to you, today's video set:
Technique: Creating Shadows
Project: Banners

Part 1

Part 2

If you create a banner yourself, I'd love to see it! Please share your creations by e-mailing attachments to me at scrapperbug2002@yahoo.com, or leaving a link from my comments page here; I will feature any projects you share on my blog so others can see what variations you all come up with!
I hope you all have a fabulously wonderful weekend!

Hugs and hoots,
Alicia

I love boys who SPARKLE!

2009-10-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

This card makes my heart swoon as much as Edward, himself does! This little locket card was a serious labor of love; you know, the ones that you work on just a little bit more each day, 15 minutes at a time. It all started with a few twilight stamps finding thier way to my home, them some Dazzling Diamonds from SU!, and a set or two of the scalloped nestabilities; once joined by a healthy serving of prismacolor markers and Copics, I was doomed!

The front of the card features Stampin' Up! and KI Memories papers, Prima flowers, stamps by Artful Inkables (colored with Copics), a lace heart cut from my Cricut and the Storybook cartrif=dge, a Heidi Swapp photo corner, KI Memories Ribbon, and an SU! Build-A-Brad. I created the locket in the center using the scalloped and oval nesties.

I have been building a Twilight-themed stapin arsenal, and teh real trouble began with this little buy from The Greeting Farm, named Edward. I colored him using a combination of Copics and prismacolor markers and added his dazzle with Dazzling Diamonds and 2-way glue from Stampin' Up! How adorable is he?!

This card was totally meant for my sister, as a JUST BECAUSE card, but I may have to keep it for myself....perhaps it will adorn a scrapbook page of the Midnight Release of New Moon next month instead? I also decorated teh inside of teh card, it says "Look after my heart-I've left with you," whihc is a quote from the book, turned into a stamp again, from Artful Inkables.

I hope you've enjoyed this bit of eye-candy as much as I have! I may have to do a tutorial on the locket design sometime soon, but it is fairly straight-forward!

Sweet Dreams!
*HUGS AND HOOTS*
<3 Alicia

New and Improved!

2009-10-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

I am SUPER excited to share my latest videos with you, but am laughing at myself over my "operator error". You have to watch Part 1 to see what I am talking about, but I know you will laugh as soon as you hear! My finace and I are still smacking our foreheads over it! Perhaps a V-8 would have done me some good!

We have another busy weekend planned!It seems the school weeks are flying by, but in turn, my weekends soar past me without much time for vegitating. I am thinking like a carrot tonight, that is for sure! I am hoping to get in some time designing, grading this week's tests and writing from my second graders, and maybe an episode or two of Supernatural(I LOVE Paranormal entertainment!<3) with Christopher before he's off to work.

I will say, I am looking forward to more fun with the mouse tomorrow at Disneyland, but I hope I am not too tired! My BFF says the Halloween Fireworks are amazing, so i will have to get back to you on that!

In the mean time, here are this week's videos! Part 1 features welding, first with letters, second with images inside a frame. Part 2 follows the assembly of a 12 x 12 scrapbook page with the items created from part 1.
Enjoy!

Have a fabulously crafty weekend, all!
*HUGS AND HOOTS*
Alicia

Mid-week playdate!

2009-09-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

It is certainly way too late for me to be up right now, but I am wired for some odd reason. I have been sick for about 5 weeks now and finally went to the Dr. today. After several scripts, one for Antibiotics, and a chest x-ray, I should be fast asleep, but I'm not! I may as well stop in for some show and tell!
Back in 2007 when PC released their line of Disney dies for their manual die cut machine, I fell in LOVE. I soon fell back down to Earth once I saw how much it would cost me to purchase the entire line. :( *crushed* Randomly enough, I was cruisin' through a few scrappy sites last week and stumbled across a clearance sale...wait for it, wait for it...all of the dies were available except for two (which I have since found elsewhere) for $3.99 instead of $16.99 each! Naturally, I had to scoop them all up! I was worried that the combination dies, which must be cut out and then embossed, would be tricky, but they weren't at all!
This is a layout of firsts: my first time using my new dies and my first title cut with my new G.

This layout is about how much I enjoy going to Disneyland on week nights with my fiance. It is SO much fun to go to work, finish prepping and take off for a sweet little date with Christopher. We are such BIG kids! I especially love having all of the extra time while waiting in line to chat about my day and talk about random bits of life with him.
My favorite thing about this layout is the office-feel. I have included the school-related items from the line and have made it seem as though Mickey is luring Minnie away from her work...which he is, using the die cuts. I completely despise chalk boards, but they sure are cute! I used a wooden photo frame die cut to make the boards here to hold my journaling. Here are a few more detail shots of the office supplies and such:

On another note, I want to also tell you that I've designed a really fun card based on some online inspiration and so I hope to make a new video for you all this week...so be on the look-out!

I better take my sickly self to bed and get some rest!
Have a happy Wednesday, everyone!

Or maybe that is falling with style?

2009-09-28T18:52:00.001-07:00

Can I just tell you how stinkin' excited I am? I have wanted to start a blog with video tutorials for quite some time now and I am so happy to be able to create a place where I can share what I love doing with all of you. I want to thank the gals over at the Cricut Message Board for encouraging me to take the leap; let's see if I can fly!

My fiance, Christopher, and I just purchased Annual Passes to Disneyland (about a 45-60 minute drive from here) and we are just ECSTATIC! We have had them for less than a month and we have already used them about 8 times! LOL Keeping this in mind, I have started to scrap all of our Disney pics and after printing them out to date, we have over 700 pictures from the mouse house over the last four years...YIKES! Regardless of whether or not I ever "catch up" on any of those, it has been so much fun looking through them and scrapping them. I thought I would share a layout with you that I completed recently using the new EDPD cartridge. I had so much fun dressing these dolls up to look like Christopher and I! I even stamped a few graphic-style swirls on his t-shiurt, becuase so many of his shirts have that sort of pattern to it and I don't have any itty bitty Greek letters to do his fraternity letters in (Sigma Chi). Speaking of which, I am an Alpha Phi Alumni...any Phis out there? AOE!

I hope that you subscribe to my blog and my youtube channel, which can be found at http://www.youtube.com/scrapperbug2002 so that I can share various papercrafting tutorials with you!

I can FLY!