It's Spring!?!

The weather has turned much cooler, and we're hiding inside this weekend (or at least the beginning of the weekend).  But, I've been crafty all day, making things for challenges.  I made this spring wall hanging for the Cricut Circle spring challenge.  I used the Kate's ABC's cartridge & my Cricut Expression 5th Anniversary Edition for most of the cuts.  The ribbon used to hang it, and the ribbon on the bunny are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Two Unity Challenges, One Card -- I'm Getting Good!

There's 2 challenges I want to enter on the Unity blog -- their window/door challenge, and the Ippity Flower challenge.  Because time is always a factor, I made one card to fit both challenges.  I used the Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut out the window card, then cut a layered square to surround the window.  I used the July Unity stamp kit for the flower inside the window, and used Smooch ink (love my Smooches) to color the flower.  The button was from my stash.  The paper is Lucy -- from Close to my Heart.

A new discovery, a new challenge

I recently discovered Market Street Stamps and decided to enter their challenge this weekend.  They're based right here in Wisconsin, so they gotta be good, right?  They had some new releases this weekend, so they're celebrating with a sale all weekend.  Check it out.  They've got some cute stuff.  My favorite is this doily stamp.  It is so intricate, yet stamps so crisply.  I find myself reaching for it repeatedly. The paper is a 6x6 Studio Calico Memoir Collection pack.  I made this card for a Mother's Day card swap I'm participating in.  I hope you enjoy it.

Card for Sarah

Card for Sarah, take 1

I just finished this card for my niece, Sarah.  Her birthday is coming up the beginning of April.  We have that occasion to celebrate, plus she just placed third at the National Ski Championships for Paralympic athletes in Aspen, Colo.  She is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a mono, or sit ski, but is unstoppable!  I'm proud of you, girl!

 Now, back to the card. There's actually 2 takes of the card in this post.   I used the March Kit of the Month from Unity to stamp the banner, stamping it a few times on different patterned papers (American Crafts Confetti), cutting them out, then piecing them on the banner I stamped on the yellow paper. I blinged it up a bit with a paper flower, some glitter and pearl pens by Viva Decor.Inside the card, I simply stamped the sentiment, "Happy Birthday to you".  In take 1, I glued the yellow paper to the base, dot paper and thought I was done. But, while taking picture of it.  It seemed lacking. 

Card for Sarah, take 2

So, back to the studio I went, added a piece of paper I had used in the banner, got out one of my favorite tools -- the Corner Chomper -- and in no time flat, I had a card I liked much better. So, this is the one I'll send her.  What do you think?  Did the patterned paper behind save the card?  Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention:  at an antique show at a mall in a town about 15 miles from us, I found a floral frog last Saturday.  If you look closely, you can see it holding up the card in these 2 pics.  I'm so excited!  I feel like a real card maker now! For $3! 

Boys & Their Toys layout

I have today off from work and found a little time to play in my happy scrappy space.  I made this layout for a challenge on the CropChocolate.com site.  This week's challenge was to scrap your man using something that is transparent, clear, or glossy.  I chose to use some liquid glass on the star shaped brads to make them glossier (I'm sure that's a word!) and the letters I used have a very glossy finish to them.  The paper is from the Echo Park Little Boy collection.  I cut the stars out on the Cricut, using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  I love the joy on Shaun's face in this picture.

Unofficial CC Blog Hop winner!

I used Random.org to pick the winner of my blog candy.  Cangratulations to #47, Jeannie, you are the winner.  Please contact me with your mailing address so I can get you prize out to you.

Chance to win blog candy extended & a wall decor piece

If you are looking for the unofficial CC blog hop, look down an entry.

I don't know what I was thinking when I said I would give away my blog candy after midnight tonight.  I wasn't thinking, I guess.  I should have known that there would be some people too busy over the weekend to blog hop.  I don't want to offend anyone, but I'm going to extend my giveaway to coincide with blog hop winnings.  I'll announce the winner Wednesday here on my blog.  Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you!

And now for my newest artwork.  I spent a little time this afternoon creating this door hanging for my father.  He recently moved to an assisted living facility in the same town I live in.  His door looks just like everyone else's to him, and, until I hung his first hanging up, he was walking into the wrong apartment.  This is the second hanging I've made it.  I've once again used my trusty cereal box as backing, cut it with Spellbinders, cut paper the same size, and then did the rest on the Cricut.  I used Echo Park Country Drive paper -- both 12x12 and 6x6.  The Cricut cuts are all from Kate's ABC'es -- even the cute font.  Does the bunny look like he needs an eye? Or a ribbon? I couldn't decide.  LMK in the comments.  Hope you enjoy this "hoppy little bunny".