Baskets, Shakers, and Laughs!

Over the weekend, I was able to finally meet some wonderful and very crafty ladies at a small gathering.   Although this was my first time meeting most of them, it felt as if I've known these girls for a really long time!  We ate, we talked, and we crafted!  Everyone brought a little goodie to share and I'd like to share them with you!

Here is what I made for the small gathering . . .

I got the template from {HERE}.  With all the scraps and leftover papers, I made paper flowers.  My gf Kim Yu of Kimbee's Creations inspired me to make these!  Thanks Kim!  :)

This one is from Michelle of Mushi's Creative Inspirations.  She made a cute Easter basket with Hello Kitty dressed in an Easter costume attached to the front.

Joni of Crafty Hula Hands surprised me with this . . . when I pulled the ribbon tab, a rubber stamp of Baby Bunny hopped out!  What a sweetie you are!

Joy U. of A Place To Be Me made this adorable popcorn box basket.  She stuffed the inside with goodies!  :)

Jodi of INKED INSPIRATIONS made this super cute basket.  Not only that, she made this card for my birthday!  Jodi ~ Thank you and you know how much I appreciate you!

Joy D. of Tamiko's put together this Easter basket!  I couldn't believe she stitched some the the basket handles with her sewing machine!

Teri of big Ideas From A Little Girl created this Easter basket.  I just luv those felt flowers!  Teri also did a make 'n take that day . . . a double shaker picture frame!

Here's mine . . . don't look too closely at some of my mistakes!

Thanks girls!  That was a fun day and I can't wait to spend the day with you again!  Needing "adult" conversation is good for my soul!  :)

Battle of the Design Teams - TGF - Week 1

I should've posted this earlier but didn't have the time too.  I am participating in the Battle of the Design Teams hosted by TGF!  I'm sure most of you have heard about the brawling going on over there and let me tell you, the teams are doing a fantastic job! 

I am on a team with some great ladies - - - we are the  FRIENDLY FARMERS!

Christine - Team Leader

Kris

Melly

Lisa
Me!

For the first challenge which was RETRO, each member of our team created a card and we voted which one would be submitted for that challenge.  I don't know why, but the team selected my card.  Here's what I created.

I did a bit of altering on this sweetie.  Can you tell who she is?  Of course . . . it's Rockabilly right?  Partially.  I took Rockabilly's body and stamped Birthday Anya's head minus the cake that should be on her head and her face.  If you have Birthday Anya, you would know that her eyes are closed.  Well, I knew I wanted them to be open so I drew them in! I just had to add the pouty lips!  She turned out as I wanted, a Pin Up girl!

To those that voted for our team, a HUGE THANK YOU!  Please continue to vote for our team as we've made it to round #2!  :)

La-La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge 32 - Paper Piecing

Hi bloggers!  It's Wednesday and it's time for another great challenge brought to you by KRISTINE!  She has asked us to use Paper Piecing for this challenge over at La-La Land Crafts!  Because our hostess, Kristine, used Rosie with Bird for her card, you can run over to the Online Store and purchase Rosie with Bird at 20% off only for the week of this challenge!  Now that's a deal!

Here's my card . . .

I use Lotus and paper pieced her whole outfit including her shoes.  The floral DP's for the background came from my BasicGrey Origins Paper Pad --- luv the colors!  Added some flowers to go with my floral scene and a sentiment banner and voila!  I also distressed all the papers including the flowers with Tim Holtz Distress Ink.  This was so much fun to create!

So what are you waiting for?  Don't you want a challenge?  Join us over at La-La Land Crafts!

I am also entering this sweetie in a couple of challenges.
~ Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #106
~ Simon Says Stamp Challenge - It's So Distressing

Quick Birthday Card

Just one thing to share tonight.  It totally slipped my mind to make a birthday card for our neighbor's son during the week.  At 11:00 pm Saturday night, I started this birthday card.   I tried to keep it simple because I was so tired from a day of fun with some wonderful crafting friends.  Yes, yes, I will share everything in another post . . . I didn't take any pictures of them yet.  So hold on to your horses for just a bit and it'll come!

Here's what I did . . .

I inked up Wild Sprout Edward and colored him up with my copics.  OMGosh, I found this DP in my scraps pile and thought it was perfect for this boyish card.  Do you see that sentiment?  Well, that sentiment was on the backside of the DP I used for the background.  It kept repeating "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU" over and over in alternating blue and orange lettering.  Lastly, I tied up a ribbon and added some black pearls.  Oh, I should've used a different colored background when taking this picture . . . the white of the card and the white of the background blends in together . . . duh!  Well, excuse me, but I snapped the picture Sunday morning, inserted the card into the envelope, and headed out the door to the zoo where the birthday party was.  No turning back!

Come back tomorrow 'cause I'll share all the goodies I received and the make 'n take that I made!  :)

It's Been A While, But I'm Still Here!

It's me, 1LuvnMama!  Just thought I'd refresh your memory since I haven't posted since Wednesday.  Boy, I (and the family) have been really, really busy.  Here's what's been going on . . .

On Thursday, we welcomed my niece into the world!  She is a healthy 8lb. 9oz. baby girl!  She's soooo adorable!  We went to visit her at the hospital on Friday . . .

After that, 1LuvnDad & I took the kids to the Car Show.   The 2 kiddos are testing out the new Toyota van.  We had a long day, but it was so much fun to spend it with the kids!

On Saturday, I got to meet up with some wonderful local blogging sisters.  I will post more on our gathering, make n take and all the goodies later on.  Here's some Easter Baskets that I made for the girls.

Then today, Sunday, we took the kids to the zoo for a birthday party.  It sure was a fun filled day!

I realize that I took a little, mini vacation from blogland, but like I always say, my family comes first!   I enjoy blogging, sharing, and craftting, but my priority is my family.  However, in  my "mini vacation", I did do some crafting which I will post later.  Thanks for sticking with me through my long week/weekend!

Spring Elf . . . Happy Easter! - Post 2

**Scroll down for my #1 post on my March OCS.  I received an adorable card from Jenny!

Here is the card that I sent to Jenny for my March One Card Swap.  I made another tent card using the boy Spring Elf from the Sweet November Stamps Spring Elves Set.  Ain't he just adorable coloring his egg?  I used foam mounting tape to give the bunny and sentiment a little pop!

I haven't entered in any challenges for a while and thought maybe I should with this card.

~ Tamiko's #1 - Easter & pastels
~ C.R.A.F.T. #42 - Easter
~ Cute Card Thursday 105 - Dimensions

March One Card Swap - Post 1

Teri of big Ideas From A Little Girl hosts a monthly One Card Swap every month.  With her hands full with family life, work life, and personal life, Teri continues to organize the OCS and let me tell you, it's been quite fun and enjoyable!  THANK YOU TERI FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER EVERY MONTH!!!  (((BIG HUGES TO YOU!!!)))

For this month, March, I was paired up with Jenny of Crazy for Paper Crafts.  She is one special lady and I look forward to meeting her in person someday.  Here is the card she sent me.

When you untie the bow and open the card up, this is what it looks like on the inside.  Boy, do I luv this card and the color combination.  The chocolate colored CS is shimmery and the polka dots add a little fun to this card.  Thank you so much Jenny!  You are amazing!

La-La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge 31 - Make Your Own Flowers!

Ready for another challenge?  This weeks challenge over at La-La Land Crafts is . . . Make Your Own Flowers!  Our hostess, KIM challenged the DT's,GDT's, & YOU to create our own flowers.  I know there are tons of ways to make them so join in on the fun!

Since Kim used Porsha for her card, Porsha can be purchased at 20% off only for the week of this challenge at the Online Store!  And guess what?  Remember the Easter Digi Collection?  Well, IT'S IN RUBBER!!!  You can purchase them at the Online Store too! 

So, on to my card . . .

I used these papers that I received from Ms. Amy Young of A thousand sheets of paper.  I sorta CASEd her card that she sent me.  {Sparkle Thistleweed} . . .  Anyway, I took Lala with Bunny's head & Lala with Rose's body from the Easter digi collection and did a little altering as well as trying the paper tole thingy.  I colored her with my copics and used my clear Spica pen to add some sparkles on the top part of her dress.  Voila . . . there's she is!

I decided to make my flowers out of ribbon.   I didn't realize how many ribbon spools I had.  They're just sitting there begging to be used!  This is how I made my ribbon flowers.  I cut at piece of ribbon, anywhere from 6 inches to 12 inches depending on the size of the ribbon.  With a needle and thread, I did a simple stitch along one edge until I reached the end of the ribbon.  I gathered the ribbon by pulling both ends of the thread and tying a knot.  I embellished the center with pearls.   Easy peasy!

Wanna play?  Check out the details for this challenge at La La Weekly Wednesday Challenge Blog.  Remember, you MUST use a La La Land stamp or digi in your project!  :)

Sweet Friends in Blogland!

Happy Monday all!

I don't have a card or project to share with you today, but I did want to share some great cards and STUFF I received from sweet friends in blogland!  Again, I can't stress how warm the blogging community has been to me!

This Thank You comes from Michele of My Simple Crafts.  She won one of my Birthday/6 month Blogaversary Candy last month.  Michele was so sweet and sent me a thank you card using Cupcake Rosie, pearls, and flowers.  These were a part of her win!  :)  Along with the card, Michele included a cute magnet wallhanging and HK ribbon and stamp.  How sweet is that?  Thanks Michele! 

  

This Thank You comes from Cyndi of Strawberries N' Cream.  She was second winner of my candy.  Cyndi, too, was kind to have sent me a luv-ly card and a lot of stamped Tilda images.  I don't own any so I was really happy to receive these from Cyndi!  Thanks so much girlfriend!

This card comes from a very special friend who just celebrated her birthday!  Happy Birthday again Kris!  Kris of K-lusive Kreations sent this adorable card!  I just luv the sparkle and the butterflies!

Here is a load of STUFF Kris sent with the card . . . HOLY COW!  So sweet yeah!  Thank you sooooo much sistah!  You really made my day and I appreciate your friendship!

And this last one came a long way from the state of Washington!  Liann of CrEaTiNg WiTh AlOhA sent me a package with so many goodies!  I luv her distressed tag card!  Do you see the Aloha Cutie?  Liann created a gift holder of really good size . . . it can hold a lot of stuff in there.  You know me, I'm gonna have to figure out the measurements and try it out myself!

Liann placed the stamped images, the bling-bling, the stamp, and the FAMILY plate all in the gift holder.  I luv them all Liann!  Thank you oh so much!!!!

Thank you for sticking with me on this post.  These wonderful friends have worked so hard to create such beautiful cards that I had to share them with you . . . . I am BLESSED and very fortunate!  Thank you again ladies!  :)

Gift Holder - Ms. Rosalie & Ms. Gretel . . .

I'm back!  Here is the gift holder that I made to go with my 2 cards that I shared yesterday.  Click {HERE} to see the post with Ms. Megan & Ms. Rosalie!

I used a tutorial from the Whiff of Joy Tutorials & Inspiration Blog to create this gift holder.  For the blue holder, I used Gretel instead of WS Megan.  Just thought I'd give her a little attention too . . . how can you not luv that face?  :)

Here is the inside.  It can hold a good amount of goodies . . . I think I may change up the dimensions a bit to make it bigger to hold more stuff inside!

Well, just wanted to wish these 2 special friends a very Happy Birthday!!!!  And many, many more!!!

Ms. Megan & Ms. Rosalie needed some LUV!

Another quickie post!  Boy, so unlike me to not ramble yeah?  Well, just wanted to share 2 cards I made using Wild Sprout Megan of TGF & Rosalie which you can get at ATS.  I've been neglecting these sweeties (I'm guilty of neglecting a lot of my gals & guys in my stash!) and thought I'd give them some LUV!  Here's Ms. Megan . . .

And here is Ms. Rosalie . . .

These sweeties are making their way or have already made their way to some special friends.  :)   Come back tomorrow . . . Megan & Rosalie accompanied a gift holder ~ yes, a sort of matching set.  That's it for me!  I'm out of here!

Window Lala and some stamped images ~

Quicky post before bed . . . I made this crayon box using my Window Lala.  You can get her at the La La Land Crafts Online Store. 

I distressed the paper with my tool and distressed the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink. 

I place stamped images of various La La Land Stamps.  Sorry this post is short and sweet, but I had a full day today and I'm tired!  ;) 

As we say . . . ALL BETTAH!

I just want to thank everyone again for your well wishes for my DD as she was ill last week.  Do you remember this picture that I posted?

Well, check this out! 

Aunty Joni, of Crafty Hula Hands, was so sweet and stopped by the house on Monday.  She dropped off some goodies for DD to cheer her up and lift her spirits.   What do you think?  Aunty Joni did good!  I think DD was thrilled and no longer feels the effects of her illness!

Amazing what a little something can do for a little child! 

DD says, "THANK YOU SO MUCH AUNTY JONI!  YOU REALLY MADE MY DAY . . . I'M SMILING ONCE AGAIN!!"

La-La Weekly Wednesday Challenge 30 - Go Green . . . Recycle!

It's that time again for another La-La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge.  This week, our challenge comes to us from none other than our hostess, ELENA!  She challenges us to a Go Green & Recycle!  What a perfect way to help Mother Earth!

Since Elena used Pirate Lala on her card for this challenge, Pirate Lala can be purchased at 20% off only for the week of this challenge.  What a deal!

As I was thinking what to do for this challenge, I realized that I have tons of scraps laying around!   What paper crafter doesn't?  The pile just gets bigger and bigger with time!  Ok, that was my starting point.  I've been seeing so many different ways of creating beautiful flowers.  Some use fabrics and others use paper!  The options are endless!  Here's what I came up with . . .

My girlfriend Michelle, over at Mushi's Creative Inspirations, recently did a tutorial on how she made her flower.  Click {HERE} to see how she made it.  I use my scraps in coordinating colors to create this card using Sitting Lala.  I added buttons to the center of the flower from my stash.  I dug into my ribbon drawer to see if I had any ribbon - - found this black one.   I thought I'd use it since I had this spool sitting in the drawer since the 1990's?  What a way to recycle this ribbon!

Now it's your turn!  See all the details for this challenge at La La Weekly Wednesday Challenge Blog.  **PLEASE READ THE NEW RULES CAREFULLY . . . YOU MUST USE A LA LA LAND STAMP OR DIGI IN YOUR PROJECT**

Thanks for joining me on this long post!

Oh la la . . . check this out!

Kim, of Kimbee's Creations, has been such a dear blogging friend plus, I get to work along side her on the La La Land Crafts Team!  She sent me this birthday card using Fairy Lala a few weeks ago.  You can purchase her at La La Land Crafts Store.  I luv this card . . . the colors and the DP's that Kim used are amazing!  Don't you think it just pops?

 

Then, over the weekend, I receive a box.  Wanna know what was in it?  OMGosh, I nearly killed over!  I was eye-ing up this Easter Basket Kim had made for her DT project and I was floored!  She created the template for this basket and admired it from afar.  I was thrilled that she made me her basket and included a card to go with it!  What did I do to deserve this?  Do you see those flowers?  Kim made a whole bunch and stuffed them in the basket!  I almost hate to say this but I don't want to use them.   They are gorgeous!

Here's more stuff . . . Kim added some beads for shaker cards (watch out Joy U.!  hee, hee!), 2 spools of ribbon, and 2 bags full of flowers!  Holy cow!

What can I say . . . words cannot express the appreciation that I feel.  I have been blessed to be able to make connections with others in the blogging community.  I wouldn't have dreamed that we all draw inspiration from one another yet continue to enjoy the passion of crafting.  

THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH KIM!  YOU MADE MY DAY WHEN I NEEDED IT THE MOST . . . I AM SO GLAD TO CALL YOU "FRIEND" AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS!  KEEP INSPIRING BECAUSE YOU INSPIRE ME!!!!  :)

Balloon Emma Birthday Tent Card

Today my family went to a First Birthday party.  I scrambled last night to put a card together.  This is what I made.

I initially saw a Tent Card Cami, of Capture a Heart . . . Something Handmade From Me To You, made.  She entered her card in the Just Magnolia Challenge Blog.  That's where you can find a  tutorial on how to make a Tent Card.  Click {HERE} for the tutorial.  Thanks Cami for the inspiration!  :)

The Balloon Emma stamp was given to me by my blogging friend Joni.  After coloring her with my copics, I realized that she's sitting.  Oh no!  I'm having Mommy Brain Syndrome!  That would look weird if I hung her and she's sitting in the air!  I tried to add some flowers to the background so that it would look as if Emma is sitting on a bed of flowers.  How corny is that!  Anyway, it's my first try at this . . . I need to try it again!  Hopefully, my Mommy Brain doesn't kick in again!