Just Wondering Wednesday...and A Butterfly

Hello!
I'm popping in really quickly today with another quick card because I'm working on something really cool for this weekend and my crafting time is short.

In today's Just Wondering Wednesday question, I want to know if you're a blogger, "Why do you blog?"  I told you my reason last week, so this week I want you to tell me why you do it.  If you're not a blogger my question to you is, "Why not?"  Because you don't want to is a completely good reason.  I just want to know, because I'm always just wondering.  I look at some of the blogs I follow and they've been doing this for years, three years ago I was oblivious to blogs.  Since I've been blogging I've met some amazingly crafty people and have been inspired in some way by all of them. 

I did make a card this week to send to my uncle.  I attended my aunt's birthday party this weekend and it was more like a family gathering and found out that one of my uncle's could not make the trip.  I missed seeing him and wanted to send him a little thinking of you note so he'll know he was missed.

Again, not much to this card just a simple butterfly and buttons, but a whole lot of love and care will be sealed inside.

Enjoy your day!

Cartridge:  Hello Kitty Greetings
Paper: Papertrey Ink, Pink Paislee-Country Meadow
Ribbon: American Crafts Premium Ribbon
Twine:  The Twinery-Cappuccino
Buttons:  Stampin Up

MEFY Weekly Challenge - Paper Piercing

Happy Memorial Day!

I would like to say thank you to our service men and women and their families for the sacrifices they make daily protecting our freedom.

Today over at Made Especially For You, this week's challenge is to use the technique of paper piercing on your card.  This is my first time using this technique.  I thought I would give it a try free hand, not too bad but I think on my next try I'll use a template. LOL!!

This week's sponsor is  Adams Acres - http://www.adamsacres.com/.  Adam's Acres will be giving away at $10 gift certificate to the randomly picked winner!

Why not head on over to the Made Especially For You blog and enter your card today! 

Cartridge:  Country Life
Paper:  Bella Blvd - Juicy Good Time, Stampin Up - Pink Pirouette
Twine: Trendy Twine
Buttons: Stampin Up - Subtles
Stamp:  The Scrapbooking Queen - Royal Shoppe

This Journey...

When I started my blog journey a few months ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  I was coaxed by a craft buddy to start a blog. Whenever I made something, I would show it to her on my cell phone.  One day at a local crop she said, "You should start a blog!" Well, there's an idea!!  So I did.  I didn't know what to expect or what I was getting myself into.  Another craft buddy of mine decided she too would start a blog around the same time, so we set out on this adventure together.

When I saw this cut on the Nate's ABCs cricut cartridge, it kind of reminded of me and my new-to-blogging buddy. 

I never set out to compete, gain fame or fortune from creating cards.  It's just a way I express myself, relieve the stress from day to day living and share them with friends and family and those that genuinely wish me happiness.

Here's to you buddy!  Have a great day!
Cartridge:  Nate's ABCs
Paper: The Paper Studio Hoot Hoot
Stamp:  Recollections - Road Trip
Gems: Crystal Stickers - Elements
Ink: Stampin UP! - Soft Suede

Just Wondering Wednesday and a Card...

I think I may have mentioned this before on my blog but now I'm really ready...I need want a new camera, and for you bloggers out there I want to know in today's Just Wondering Wednesday question...What camera are you using for your blog photos? I know there are some pretty expensive ones out there, but with most things, there is a great one, at a great price, and I just have to make sure I know where to get it.  So help me out, help me decide on a good camera for my blog photos. (It could totally be operator error, but for now let's just go with the camera issue). LOL!!!

Today's card is a simple card that was shared by one of my card group members (Hi Tricia!!) at our last card swap and I told her I was totally going to scraplift it and put it on my blog.  I love the simplicity of this card and I love the fact I can make several of them and have them ready to go with only having to add a sentiment to the inside or outside.  You can also add embellishments, I added some purple gem flowers to the inside.

For my card I just added a simple sentiment from a Close to My Heart stamp set I have.

Remember...its the camera's fault its dark. :-)

The card is 51/2 x 41/4

Purple paper is cut at 3"
CTMH stamp set is Splendid Day #D1462
Embossing Folder by Sizzix
Twine is by Trendy Twine

Button is from my stash

Paper is Stampin Up!

Zots glue dots to adhere the button

Thank you for stopping by today!  Don't forget to pass along those camera tips.  I'm always Just Wondering something!

Made Especially For You Weekly Challenge!

Happy start of the week to you!
This week's challenge over at the Made Especially For You Blog is Create A Card Using 3 Brads! Here's my card with 3 brads!  Its a "bird" day card!

The sponsor this week is Kristy Scraptastical Kreations!

Kristy Scraptastical Kreations will be graciously giving away a $20 gift certificate to Scraptastical Kreations!!!

Bring on the King's Cake!!!

Hello!
Today is my post day over at the Queen's Castle for The Scrapbooking Queen's Design Team. I'm so excited!!  When I saw the stamp set The King's Birthday, I knew I wanted to use this croc.  He looks like he's ready for his BIG piece of cake!

I would also like to send a Birthday Shout Out to Caleb  the current Prince of The Scrapbooking Queen's Royal Design Team!!

Be sure to go over and check out the Queen's Royal Shoppe to get this stamp set and many more!

Hope you have a great Sunday!!

Stamp: The Scrapbooking Queen - King's Birthday
Cartridge: Crocs Rule Lite
Paper: Stampin Up!, JoAnn, Close to My Heart 
Hardware: Stampin Up!
Cake Embellishment: K & Company

Just Wondering Wednesday and Card Swap

Today's Just Wondering Wednesday question is...Where do you cut costs and find ways to save on your scrapbooking, cardmaking and crafting?  I mostly use coupons and reuse those scraps!  My daughter wants to go to Lacrosse camp this summer, so we're tightening the belt around here...starting with my hobby! Ouch!!!! So I'm going to need those tips!

Now on to the Shoe Box Card Swap!  Have you ever participated in one of these? I went to one last night and it was so much fun!!! Everyone was asked to bring in one card made completely, then bring the materials for the number of attendees to make that same card.  This included paper cut to the size needed for the card, embellishments, ribbon, stamps, etc.  The host only asked that you bring your own adhesive, scissors and anything else unique to your card.  The host also asked that you keep the card simple. 

Here's my materials for the Shoe Box Swap.

 This is the finished card.  I left the right side open for others to add the sentiment they wanted.  I brought along a couple of different sentiment stamps for the others to add the one they felt best fit the card.

Here's the one finished card I brought along as an example.

Sometimes a really simple card is needed in cases of sorrow, or encouragement.

A shoe box swap is a great spin on a traditional card swap and a great way to see how many different ways given all the same materials how different crafters come up with different card layouts. 

Enjoy your day!

We Have A WINNER Folks!!

Today I'm announcing the lucky winner of my PinkE's Mother's Day Blog Hop Giveaway!!  The winner of the giveaway will receive ...

Cricut Cartridge - Birthday Bash

Fiskars Birthday Stamps

A Daily Creative Journal 

The winner was chosen by Random.org and the winner is...

Maria, I'll email you to get your information so you can get your goodies right away!!!
Thank you EVERYONE for hopping along with me on PinkE's Mother's Day Blog Hop!!

Enjoy your day!

Made Especially For You Weekly Challenge...

Hello!
This week's challenge over at the Made Especially For You Blog is to create a card inspired by this sketch.  This is such a fun challenge because everyone has a different take on sketches.  You can turn this design anyway you like, just try to keep the main elements in your card. 

Here's my take on the sketch!  See...not exactly the same, but I tried to keep the main elements as part of my card.  Doesn't she look sweet!  A real cutie pa-tootie!!!

Click image to enlarge photo

This week's sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps!  The winner will receive seven images of their choice!!!  Yes, seven!! 

A second winner will receive a set of Lucky 8 Punches!! Woot-woot!!

Be sure to check out Made Especially For You's blog to check out what the Design Team came up with for this sketch and then make your own creation and enter it!! 

Have a great day everybody!
Stamp: Bugaboo Stamps, Peachy Keen
Cartridge: Playtime, Wild Card, CTMH Art Philosophy, Mini Monograms
Paper:  AC Cardstock, Stampin Up!, Close to My Heart
Twine: Trendy Twine
Embellishments: Stampin Up!, Stickles

Happy Mother's Day!!

Thank you so much to everyone for hopping along with us yesterday on PinkE's First Mother's Day Blog Hop!  It was a blast!!  I had so much fun!!  It was my first blog hop and I'd love to do that again!!

What are your plans for this weekend?  I'm hoping to spend the weekend in my slippers!! Here's a card I did for my mother-in-law. I had planned to post it earlier this week but got busy and I'm just now getting around to it.

Another simple card with only one cricut cut.  The Happy Mother's Day shape was cut from the Close to My Heart's Art Philosophy cartridge.  The bows are hand tied (who needs a bow maker...I do!). I did some faux stitching with a brown marker.  The paper is Stampin Up!  The stamp is from the Fiskars Holiday Hooplah set. 

See you back here Monday with the Made Especially For You Weekly Challenge. 

Now, where are my slippers?

Pink E's First Blog Hop!!

It's Time!!!

It's finally here!!!  PINK E'S FIRST  Mother's Day BLOG HOP!!! Let me start off by saying THANK YOU!! to Pink E for inviting me to play along on her very first blog hop! What an honor!

 It's hard to think of Mother's Day without imagining roses. 

My card today is a simple Mother's Day card full of roses!  I made a gift bag for my Mom's gift.  I made the bag using 2 sheets of 12x12 paper, store bought ribbon and tacky tape...oh and more roses!!  I don't think the colors came out as well in the photo, but you get the idea. I''ll be posting the how-to on making gift bags soon, but now its time for a giveaway!  I'm so thrilled that you took the time to stop by our hop that I'm giving away these goodies:

**ENTRIES FOR THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED**

Cricut Cartridge - Birthday Bash

Fiskars Birthday Stamps

A Daily Creative Journal

 Here's all you have to do for your chance to win:

 - Become a follower of this blog

 - Leave a comment

  - In your comment be sure to include an email address for me to contact you

That's it!

 

Now check out this line up and if you didn't start over at Creations By PinkE start there, so you don't miss out on any of the Mother's Day cards and projects along the hop!

Here's the line up:

  Creations By PinkE @ http://simplypinke.blogspot.com

 Creations By Rosie @ http://www.createbyrosie.blogspot.com/

  Kricut Krazy @ http://www.kricutkrazy.com/

 Card Creations by Lorraine @ http://cardcreationsbylorraine.blogspot.com/

Creations By Beulah @ http://beulahscreations.blogspot.com/

Stampin Voila @ http://melissastampingvoila.blogspot.com/

 Susie Craft Happy  @ http://www.susiecrafthappy.com/     <===== You are here!

Next blog!====> AJ Scrapbooking and Cards @ http://anjenicgibson.blogspot.com/ 

A Newbie Crafter @ http://anewbiecrafter.blogspot.com/

Crazy About Cricut @ http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/

Melody Lane Designs @ http://www.melodylanedesigns.blogspot.com/

The winner of my PinkE's First Mother's Day Blog Hop will be chosen by Random.org on Monday and announced on Tuesday, May 15.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day!!!

News...Updates... Giveways... OH MY!!!

Hello!
Where have you guys been?!  Just kidding! Well, you can run, but you can't hide from life!  This week is crazy and its just Wednesday Thursday!!

And now the NEWS!!!  I have been selected as a new designer for THE SCRAPBOOKING QUEEN!!!  Yes, your Royal Highness selected ME along with a few other chosen ones was to be on her newest design team!!  I am so excited to be a part of a team of such talented crafters! Woot-woot!!

I want to remind you to be sure to join me back here on Friday, May 11th for PinkE's Mother's Day Blog Hop!  It's going to be so much fun!  You will get to see some really talented crafters and there will be prizes along the hop!

During PinkE's Mother's Day Blog Hop, I will be doing a giveaway!  You don't want to miss this giveaway because its going to be a good one!! 

And not to be forgotten...today's Just Wondering Wednesday question on Thursday (LOL!) is...How did you spend your National Scrapbooking Day?  Just wondering.

 I'm sorry, where are my manners...I would like to say Hello and Thank You to my newest followers. I appreciate you following my blog! (I'll have a thank you giveaway coming in the next two weeks to show my appreciation for ALL of my followers). 

Have a great day everybody! 

Simple Cards Week...

Hello!
This week I will be busy working on several projects so I'll only be popping in with an easy card or two to show you.  I'm still building my card stash, so today's card is a quick thank you card.  I love this paper.  I think the yellow roses are really pretty. 

I used Flower Shoppe for the small rose and Art Philosophy for the banner.  If you haven't gotten this cartridge (Close to My Heart Art Philosophy) you have to get it! Its a go-to for me when it comes to shapes and shaped card bases.  Check out Elizabeth over at Life and Mixed Media and she can tell you how to order yours.  Elizabeth is my Close to My  Heart consultant.

I may have a few more this week, but it all depends on these looming deadlines.

Enjoy your day!

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket, Recollections (Kraft)
Cartridge: Flower Shoppe, CTMH Art Philosophy
Ribbon:  My stash
Stamp: Stampin Up!
Ink: Soft Suede