Holy Moley, look what a little encouragement did...

I cannot thank my Facebook encouragers enough for helping me with my Christmas cards today. I so wanted to learn the print and cut feature on the Cameo but I was so intimidated. I was pointed to a wonderful fellow Facebooker's Youtube page (Hi Jin of Under a Cherry Tree) and watched her video (as well as Silhouette America's) and set to work. I managed to get all the my cards done. Here they are:

I am astounded by how easy this all is!! Everything was cut with Cameo Silhouette except for the ornaments. Those were from a Creative Memories embellishment pack. Sorry for the poor pics but I was so excited to post these :) Until next time.....

It's almost Christmas....

and here I sit trying to decide if I want to make my cards using Print n Cut feature or do it the ole fashioned way. What a dilemma. Since I have not had a post in a bit I thought I would do a bit of an update. I have taken on a new position (an entire department in fact) at work and the hours are grueling as I have inherited a bit of a mess. My craft time has been pretty much squashed. Good news is I am on vacation from work until the 31st. I would say sorta on vacation as I still check emails and such. But come the 26th-the 28th, they will need to live without me. Here is the reason...

On my last trip South, Dad just did not seem right. He had lung cancer a bit over 2 years ago and he was experiencing a lot of pain on the same side. Over two months he began deteriorating and finally agreed to go to the ER. Well, his cancer is back and he is facing a very serious surgery next month and then chemo and radiation. I appreciate all your good thoughts and prayers during this time and I hope to squeeze in some creative time to keep me sane. Well, I better get back to my cards. Wishing you and yours from me and mine, a very happy holidays :)

Until next time.....

Crafty Card Gallery Blogaversary Challege- Nov 29, 2012

Here we are for another fun filled challenge brought to you by the Hostess with the Mostess, Miss Jen from Crafty Card Gallery and The Buckle Boutique. We received this bling in the mail and I have a gamillion ideas for it! We always make a card for one project and I had lots of Fun, Fun, Fun (so nice I had to say it thrice). Here is the card that I made with my Cameo Silhouette and some Jolee's Stickers.

Here is how you use their Dazzling Diamond Self Adhesive Bling! Bling!

Directions:

Peel the protective cover away from the sticky surface. Cut with scissors, paper cutter, or die-cut. When using a die-cut machine: use deep cut blade and cut on the backside. Adhere to paper, fabric, electronics, shoe arches and more! Not intended for children under age 13.

I really wanted to make a non-card project but decided to do a throwback to my cross stitch days. Here is another card that I made.

For this one I used my new Creative Memories Diamond border maker cartridge and some CM bling. This is an exclusive for Rewards Club Members and is used with the Border Maker System. If you join the Rewards Club you get:

• An immediate club credit.
• 15 percent club credit earned on the retail amount of each order. (Learn more about Digital Center purchases.)
• Access to exclusive products.
• Exclusive offers and promotions and email updates.

So why not give yourself a holiday treat and sign up today HERE. You will be so glad that you did. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time...

CCG Birthday Banners for Foster Children

Banners for Foster Kids Birthday Parties Blog Hop

Hi! Welcome to Foster Kids Birthday Party's Blog Hop! Many of you may be familiar with CardMonkey's awesome banner hops for kids... I was so inspired by them that I wanted to find another opportunity to do good with my crafting. I happened upon a volunteer at Birthday Magic at a work event &  followed up with them. They loved the idea of handmade birthday banners, so I put out the call and I was lucky to have 15 awesome crafters join me! So today you will get to see everyone's creations!

If you've never heard of Birthday Magic, you can see their site here:

http://www.volunteersac.org/birthdaymagic/

BirthdayMAGIC is a program of the Volunteer Center of Sacramento, which provides personalized monthly 

birthday parties to children currently living in Sacramento area homeless shelters, transitional living facilities, community programs or residential treatment centers.

The goal of BirthdayMAGIC is to brighten the lives of children by providing fun, meaningful and memorable birthday parties during what can be an awkward and challenging experience in their lives.

Each month, children living in these shelters will celebrate birthdays – through financial support, volunteer help and the BirthdayMAGIC program, these wonderful children will receive a birthday party thrown in their honor.

BirthdayMAGIC | Volunteer Center of Sacramento

www.volunteersac.org

BirthdayMAGICis a program of theVolunteer Center of Sacramento, which provides personalized monthly birthday parties to children currently living in Sacramento area homeless shelters, transitional living facilities, community programs or residential treatment centers.

For more information on sponsoring a party please contact us at info@volunteersac.org or call (916) 567-3100.

So now, sit back & enjoy all the great banners!!!

You should have started the hop at: Jennifer Restivo http://www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/ And if you've been following along, you should have come from Jamie's Blog. 

Here is the whole lineup so you don't miss a thing:

Jennifer Restivo http://www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/
Madeleen Field http://madeleenscraftcorner.blogspot.co.nz/
Jamie Moore http://cristyscreationsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Susan Bermudez http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Roseberry http://www.zannieberry.blogspot.com/
Shawn Mosch http://craftychicsblog.blogspot.com/
Melissa Pinter http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com/
Kim Varonin http://socalcraftycreations.blogspot.com/
Lisa Thorpe http://bitbythecricutbug.blogspot.com/
Jessica Shelton http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com/
Cristy Sova-Davis http://cristyscreationsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Tonia Williams www.twcards.blogspot.com/

Again my Silhouette Cameo is getting a real workout! Here is the whole banner hung up:

And the closeups. I tried to make them generic as possible so a boy or girl can enjoy these:

I am so glad that you hopped on by to see what we have made for such a worthy cause. I am offering a little blog candy too! By leaving a comment below, you will be entered to win a $20 Creative Memories gift certificate. So leave a comment and then hop on over to Suzanne's blog. Until next time.

It's Official!!!!

I have been published!!!! (Can you hear me dancing all the way over here in Jersey?) I am blessed to be on an amazing design team headed by Miss Jenn of Crafty Card Gallery. When she put out a call for her magazine, I decided to submit some items. Well, here we are:

You see that snowman card in the bottom left corner? Well, that one is mine! I am going to have to order print copies of the magazine too. If you would like to order your own copy of this HIGH QUALITY magazine (it comes digitally or print copy), you can go here: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/466058 I hope that you will join me in my happy dancing. Until next time...

Cardmonkey's Christmas Banners for Special Needs Kids Hop

Christmas Banners for Special Needs Kids BLOG HOP, November 10-12, 2012

"In the eyes of children, we find the joy of Christmas. In their hearts, we find its meaning."

As joyous as Christmas is for most families, for some, their holidays are filled with worry, medical treatments and tests, and pain -- for their child must be hospitalized or she or he needs long-term care rather than being home with their families. 

For these kids, Santa doesn't slip down a chimney but rather, often comes in the guise of community volunteers who help make the season bright.  

This is the second Christmas season that our own band of dedicated and loving paper crafters have come together to make Holiday banners for children who are too sick to be home for the holidays.  Welcome to the Christmas Banners for Special Needs Kids blog hop!

I am especially pleased that this year, not only have our numbers of generous crafters swelled so our Hop is over three full days, but also, that we have partnered with another great cause and recipient of our banners!

By teaming up with Madison Womack's I FEEL THE LOVE PROJECT, the banners our crafters have handmade will be going to the hospitalized children at Children's Hospital Central California! 

First, let me show you the banner I made for today's post. I'll be sending this to Madison and the children at CHCC who are benefiting from the I Feel the Love project in December. I am always super excited to make banners for the kids and I used my Silhouette Cameo to make this. It was so super easy to do.

Now, have I inspired you to make and donate your own banner or a Christmas card or two to the I Feel the Love Project?  I hope so!  Because if you will, you'll be entered into a drawing to win my:

CARDMONKEY's SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Super-Fantastic Gift Basket

Throughout the month of December, I'll be adding crafty goodness to this basket so that it will be over-flowing and ripe and ready for under your tree. I'll be picking the winner on Christmas Eve, announcing the winner on Christmas Day, and if you win, you'll have the basket in your hands by New Year's Day!! 

Stay tuned to the CardMonkey blog over the next few weeks leading up to the drawing, as I'll be posting the contents of the basket as they mount. 

 OK, so to win the GRAND PRIZE (all continents are welcome!), here's what you must do:

1.  Be a follower of the CardMonkey blog and tell me in your comment how I can contact you.

2.  Leave a comment telling me what you plan to make and send to the IFTL project by their deadline, December 10.  Then do it!  Go to www.ifeeltheloveproject.blogspot.com for mailing information for your card or banner.  Your card or banner MUST be received by Madison by the deadline to be eligible to win the GRAND prize!  

NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME??  You can still win great blog candy just by being here and commenting on as many banner makers' blogs over the course of the next three days.  

Since we have more than 50 banner makers today, tomorrow and Monday, I'll be picking 5 blogs at random, and then one random comment from that Blog site, for that commenter to win one of five great prizes, which are:

1. Susan Bermudez, Independent Consultant for Creative Memories, donating a $20 gift certificate for Creative Memories products from her catalog (http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/susanbermudez/).
2. Scrappin' Madge: $25 Gift Certificate to The Scrappin Lounge Shoppe (http://madgesscrappinlounge.storenvy.com/)
3. Fresh Brewed Designs: Two prizes - One prize is a rubber stamp, Item #497 "Cutie Pie Ice Skating" (http://www.freshbreweddesigns.com/item_497/Cutie-Pie-Ice-Skating.htm), and the other is a $15 Digital Stamp gift card.
4. The Paper Temptress (www.papertemptress.com) - Owner Patricia Dunbar will donate a $25 Gift Certificate to her online store, the Paper Temptress.
5. The Pinque Peacock (www.pinquepeacock.com) - Owners Jessica Shelton will donate a gift certificate to her NEW store (products are being added daily -- watch as she grows!)
6. In addition, Close to My Heart Independent Consultant Lucy Kelleher will award a $20 gift certificate to a randomly-selected hopper who visits her blog (http://love2createitall.com) and/or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/LucyK.CTMH) and posts a comment about the banner blog hop

P.S. -- Be sure to check out as many blogs as you can, as several will be providing their own blog candy with their own requirements.  If I catch them along the way, I'll add them to this list, as a shout out of gratitude, and also so you don't miss out on some sweet candy(canes!)... 

The Line Up For Monday, November 12:  

1. Ellen ~ CardMonkey - http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/
2. Marianne - http://paperorfabric.blogspot.com/
3. Beckie ~ http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/
4. Tami - http://tamboscreations.blogspot.com/
5. Heather D. - http://joemamainks.blogspot.com/
6. Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
7. Susan B - http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
8. Jamie M. http://craftygirl21.blogspot.com/
9. Linda Simpson - http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com/
10. Theresa ~ www.thescrapbookingqueen.com_
11. Vicky - http://www.luvmygypsy.blogspot.com/
12. Debbie T-  http://debbiescrafttime.blogspot.co.uk/
13. Pam Funk - http://dreamersklub.blogspot.com/
14. Shelly - http://kccroppers.blogspot.com/
15. Alina - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com/
16. Lisa L. - http://lisascreativeniche.blogspot.com/
17. Nancie - http://alittlepieceofmebynancie.blogspot.com/
18. Dorcas - http://craftycardangel.com/
19. Debbie _http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
20. Rexann - http://ibecircled.blogspot.com

I am so happy you came by today and don't forget to leave a comment to be entered to win a $20 Creative Memories gift certificate. Your next stop is: Jamie M. Until next time.

New product (to me) and New Years

Greetings all!

It has been quite a do-nothing weekend. I needed to get caught up on some crafting and calls. I had one more New Year's card to make and wanted to make a card for my baby brother who is having surgery.    
Here is the results of the weekend's activities:

The New Year's card was made with my Cameo. I inked the edges of the champagne glass and added the bells as a wine charm. The Beatles card is made with C&D Visionary Inc stickers. I saw them and just knew I had to get them to make a card for him. It is all stamped and ready to go tomorrow. I have to start getting ready for an all day crop on Saturday. Thanks to my hubby for being so sweet (I love you honey).

Remember that the new LIMITED EDITION Nov/Dec Creative Memories catalogs are available via email and once these products are gone they are gone. One of these is the newest EXCLUSIVE Cricut Cartridge, Holiday Frames and Tags. This cartridge can be used ALL YEAR ROUND. I hope you will stop by and check out my site HERE.

It's that time of Year...

As we are getting closer to the holidays, it becomes time for card swaps and Christmas card orders. I even found myself getting excited about Christmas stuff in our local Walgreens (I even got a gift for my Dad that was too cute). Well, during our power outage due to Hurricane Sandy, I decided to work on some cards for a swap I am doing with Jenn of Crafty Card Gallery. The theme was winter so I opted to take out one of my older Stampin' Up stamp set and so ink spots. I used my favorite Corner Rounder from Creative Memories. To embellish on these cards, I used a mixture of products. Here is the results:

Can you see that I used my Cameo Silhouette to cut the snowflakes after the power came back on? I am so glad that I did not allow Sandy to interrupt my creativity. Right before we lost power I was offering a special for the newest Creative Memories products. I was offering $5.00 off of every $50 dollars ordered. I have decided to extend this sale to November 15th. You can stop by my website HERE to see all the wonderful items. There are some LIMITED EDITION products that you can see in  the November/December catalog. The one thing you need to know is that the products in the mini catalogs are LIMITED EDITION and once they are gone they're gone. I do not want you to miss out on the products that you really want by delaying. You might have also have caught Nancy O'dell on TV talking about her newest book, "Here's to Fabulous You". This is a wonderful holiday gift for the special women in your life. Don't hesitate to contact me here. I can also be your own personal shopper and contact your loved ones with your special requests. Until next time...

Craft Card Gallery's Design Team Office Supply Challenge

Hi all!

It is time for another challenge as a member of the Crafty Card Gallery's design team. We were challenged to use an office supply in our card. When I saw this Spare Parts paper clips I knew I just had to use them. I had a wonderful time shopping in Hobby Lobby with my friend Deneen and she helped me decide on the papers. For the lettering I cut it from my Cameo and wanted the letters to stand out on their own. The pink bling is also from Spare Parts. I definitely have to make more use of these as well. Here is what I came up with:

I just love it! I can just picture it in other colors. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time....

A Hobby Lobby Adventure...

Good morning all:

I had such a successful Hobby Lobby adventure with my friend Deneen on Saturday to prepare for the nasty weather to follow. I have had a wonderful 2 days of craftiness thanks to Sandy. I managed to get 3 New Years cards, 4 Thanksgiving cards, a Design Team project (to be posted on a later date) and a card inspired by my DT project. I cannot believe I had such a productive weekend. Here are the fruits of my labor:

 My Cameo got quite a workout with these cards. This little fellow is just too cute!

I have to say that I love this last one. The color contrast just made me smile. I am definitely going to be using this paper on other cards to come. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week. Until next time...

Get them while you can....

NOTE: WHEN YOU PLACE A $50.00 ORDER AND GET A SANDY SPECIAL. $5.00 OFF EVERY $50.00 SPENT AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU GIFT.

Good afternoon all!

We are battening down the hatches in preparation of Sandy but I do not want my special friends to miss out on the opportunities that will be leaving soon. Creative Memories has a mini catalog that comes out every two months. We are going to be exiting the September/October period and entering the November/December catalog. The one thing you need to understand is that the products in the mini catalogs are LIMITED EDITION and once they are gone they're gone. I do not want you to miss out on the products that you really want by delaying. Some of the items from the September/October catalog that are MUST HAVES are the Rustic Fence and Pumpkin Chain cartridges (the Twinkle Chain border cartridge is already SOLD OUT). Another one to get while it last is the Sparkle Pocket Punch. You might have also have caught Nancy O'dell on TV talking about her newest book, "Here's to Fabulous You". This is a wonderful holiday gift for the special women in your life. 

For the November/December Catalog (which I can email to you), there are some extra special treats that I know I am going to be getting for myself as well. One is the EXCLUSIVE Cricut cartridge "Holiday Frames and Tags Cartridge". This is not just for the Winter Holidays. You can use it ALL YEAR LONG.The Limited Edition Zig Zag Diamond Border Maker Cartridge. The Border Maker System is my favorite tool and I do not miss one cartridge. The Be Merry and Joy Fast to Fabulous album has pre-printed pages so you just need to add your pics. Even if you are not normally a scrapbooker you can have a beautiful album to preserve your memories. And I cannot leave out the cardmakers either! The Nordic card set is for you. I wish I could show you all the pics but you will just need a mini catalog of your own. Feel free to email me HERE to receive one. I will also send you a holiday wish list so you can write down gifts for yourself and you can let me know who to contact. Think of me as your own personal elf.

Do you like free stuff? Well, gather a few friends together for a Christmas is Coming or Holiday Gifts workshop and you can earn the following Host Rewards (click the link). We have a blast and you can earn all the benefits.

I look forward to meeting your crafting needs. Until next time...

New Year's is Coming Early....

Good evening all!

In preparation for Hurricane Sandy, I decided to make sure I got some creativity in. New Years is just around the corner so I decided to get a hop on them. One set I can show you and the other will have to wait. I was on the Silhouette store and saw this Subway Art for New Years. Being from New York this definitely struck a chord within me. I decided to make this in two different colors. Here they are:

I really like how they came out. As you can see, I am enjoying the Silhouette Cameo immensely! :)Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful evening. Until next time....

Thank goodness for my Cameo....

After fighting a migraine all day, I had to get some cards done. The challenge was to use the following Stampin' Up colors: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade and Night of Navy. Well I received these Craftworks Candi paper dots from a friend at my last crop and new they would be perfect. They remind me of fancy gumballs! I love using my Silhouette Cameo to make several cards at one time. I decided to make this card as it brought me back to my childhood and the neighborhood candy store. The large jars of candy that were all colors of the rainbow. So here is my card:

I decided to use my silver metallic to add some accent to my jar. Don't they look yummy :) Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday :) Until next time....

P.S. - I had two jars left over and decided to change the color scheme. My daughter is turning 18 tomorrow and I wanted to make a card for her. Here it is :)

I will write a sentiment on the jar and a message on the inside. 

Crafty Card Gallery's Sketch Blog Hop

Welcome to the Sketch Blog Hop. Everyone has had so much fun doing these it's turned into a regular event!

The purpose of this hop is to show how all of these talented bloggers can take the same sketch and come up with totally different cards. If you've never used a card sketch before, give it a try! You should have come from: INSERT BLOG HERE, if you didn't be sure to go back to the start at www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com. Be sure to check out all of the fabulous cards at the different stops!

Jennifer http://craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/

Shawnee http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

Ashley http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com/

Susan http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/

Rachelle http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/

Lisa http://bitbythecricutbug.blogspot.com/

Jearise http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

And here is card I made with the tree sketch. I used my Cameo Silhouette, my Cuttlebug and lots of scrap paper.



I just love participating in these hops with the Crafty Card Gallery folks. Please make sure that you make your next stop Rachelle. Until next time....

Happy Birthday Sasha

Welcome to Sasha Loves Her Cricut Birthday Bash Party Blog Hop. Sasha is Lynne's oldest granddaughter at the ripe old age of 7 today. Sasha loves to craft with Grammie Lynne especially with the Cricut! She knows the rules of using the Cricut --- no food eaten or around the Cricut, no touching the Cricut when the blade is cutting and the most important rule - THE CRICUT IS NOT A TOY!!!

Everyone participating in this hop is to make Sasha card for her birthday using their Cricut - Sasha loves Disney Cars, Hello Kitty is her favorite cartridge to cut out and make into cards, Cinderella is her favorite Disney Princess and she loves balloons are just a few of her favorites.

Come along and help wish Sasha a very happy birthday!!!! If you just happened to stop by and visit me today, I'm thrilled and glad you follow me but I wouldn't want you to miss any of Sasha's party! Our party starts with Lynne, Her Craftiness, at http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/. If you followed the balloons and party streamers you should have been skipping along from .

Lynne is going through her stash and found all kinds of goodies in her recent move that she will make up a party favor bag to one lucky person that comments along the way.

There is a great group of ladies helping to celebrate Sasha's birthday and here is the line-up in case you get lost along the way with the confetti and balloons

1. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
2. Kimberly ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com
3. Lisa ~ http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
4. Anita~ http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com  
5. Miriam ~ http://miriamscreations.blogspot.com/
6. Susan ~ http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
7. Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

For my card for Sasha, I have made Sasha a Disney Princess Birthday Card. I have not used my Cuttlebug and these cutting/embossing folder since I got my Cuttlebug about 2 yrs ago. I decided to use me Cameo Silhouette to design the majority of the card. I also new Creative Memories Border Maker Cartridge called "Twinkle Border". It was a limited release and I knew I had to have it. We know that the Border Maker System is my favorite CM tool. Here is the results:

I hate to have you leave before the cake is served, but have no fear, there will be other goodies along the way - Now I send you over to Jearise's blog. I hope you have a wonderful day. Until next time...