Back To School Already?

Aloha Friday!  YIPPY!  This week for FFF, the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog has a really cool challenge for you . . . "2 Cool 4 School"! Show us your best school-related projects, either for students or teachers, it doesn't matter.

For some of you, you or your kids may still be on summer break, but for me and my kids, school began about 2 weeks ago.  The first week wasn't so back with no homework for my son.  This week was a different story - - he and his classmates got SLAMMED with work!  You would think he attends private school, but nope, he's in the public school system.  Anyway, we've been busy with homework and with extra-curricular activities during the week and weekend.

For my project, I decided to do a set - - a card and a 3D item.  Do you spy Teacher Anya?  :) 

I kept the card pretty simple so that the letters can be seen.  The school year 2011-2012 was stamped in the corners.  I think this is perfect to give to my son's new teacher.

Here's a backpack I made.  I found a tutorial {HERE} at Splitcoaststampers, but tweaked it a bit.   I'm going to give this set to my son's teacher and will add some goodies in the backpack to get her through the school year.  :) 

This is the backside of the backpack.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> 2 Cool 4 School.

That's all I have for you today.  I'll be back soon for some other creations.  :)  Thanks for stoppin' in and have a great weekend!

A Luv-ly Fancy Fold . . .

Are you ready for a Throwback challenge?  For Farm Fresh Challenge Blog's FFF challenge, we require you to break out your "old" TGF singles/sets.  At the bottom of this post, there is an "Exclusion List" which has the last several months worth of TGF releases on it. The deal is that you can use anything on your project BUT those stamps. So dust off your very first TGF purchases and make them shine again!

Along with this Throwback challenge, there's a twist. Create a 'Fancy Folds' card/project using your "old" stamps!  It can be an Easel Card, Tri-fold, Pop-Up, Gatefold Card . . . be creative and we'd luv to see what you come up with!

Before I get to my project, there's a new Farm Fresh Face joining the team.  Welcome, Emily Martina aka Beansscrapsandsheep!  Congrats girl!

Now, on to my Throwback Fancy Fold project.  If you know me, I absolutely luv anything 3D so this Fancy Fold challenge was right up my alley!  Today, I've made a Book Box Card featuring Wild Sprout Dahlia.  Ain't she a blast from the past?    I hadn't inked her up in ages and she was just screaming my name!  :)

Here's the front of the Book Box Card.  My sweet friend Cami did a Make 'n Take for one of our gatherings and this is the project she prepared for us to make.   I really wanted to make another one and this is what I came up with.

Here's the inside of the Book Box Card.  Click {HERE} for a tutorial on how to make one.  ***Sorry, after taking this photo and doing my final editting, I notice that one of the pearls had moved.  :)

A closer look . . . the box area is big enough to fit some goodies!  On the other side, there's an area for me to write a sweet note.

That's it!  Hope you enjoyed it and let me know if you try this.  I'd luv to see what you come up with!  :)
Exclusion list

Anya/Ian Singles
Fancy Anya
Beanie Anya
Café Ian
Surfer Anya
Twirl Anya
Princess #2
Princess #3
Birthday Anya 2
Birthday Ian
Anya/Ian Sets
Miss Anya Lounge
Miss Anya Hats Off
I Do
I Heart Sweaters
Creeper Crew
Syren
Creepin’ Kit
Abbey
Piper
Cheeky Cherry
Naughty or Nice
Cheeky XMas
Cheeky Cherry Pie
Cheeky Chat
Cheeky Howdy
Oliver & Amelia
Little Dreamer
Because of You
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Ahoy
Summer Fun
Surprise

Sentiments/ Backgrounds/Other
Because of You
Splotchy
Hoo Loves You

Sprouts
Daisy
Elena
Ryan

Digital Images
Easter Anya
Easter Ian
Ballet Anya
Chibi Farm Hand
Blush
Hearts Background
Bonnie
Babette
The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Throwback Challenge > Throwback 3.

July C.A.T.S. Swap . . .

Wow, I'm coming down from a high after celebrating The Greeting Farm's 3rd Birthday Bash! 

My good friend Joy hosts a Card And Tag Swap also known as C.A.T.S.   I decided to give it a go and participate in the 3 month long swap.  Click {HERE} for more details if you want to participate and meet some new crafty people!  For the month of July, I was partnered with the most fabulous and talented, Donna Mikasa of three umbrellas.  Here's the card and tag she sent me . . .

Cute or what?  True Donna fashion . . . luv her polka dot, wonky reverse rectangle card and tag!  :)  The theme was RED, WHITE, and BLUE.

Oh boy, oh boy . . . I was so nervous, I knew I had to come up with something special.  Since Donna makes the cutest shaped cards with her Spellbinders, I wanted to make one for her, but with a twist, LITERALLY! 

Here's my card using Maisie Two Balloons from Lili of the Valley.  She's a tiny cutie patootie and perfect for a shaped card.  I decided to wipe away Maisie's two balloons and added a balloon cut from CC Designs balloon die instead.  This is a mini easel card with an added twist.  I saw this card on Norma's blog {HERE}.  She has a very detailed, step by step tutorial which is so easy to follow.  :) 

Here's the "twist".  You can write a sweet note in this section.

Now, this is the tag.  I stuck to the same layout as the card.

Thanks Donna for being an awesome partner!  You amaze me with your creativity!  Now I have to think of something special for my new partner for my August swap . . . oh boy, I better be on my game, I've got a super talented partner.  Stay tuned . . .