Clear Your Calendar!

Don't forget Saturday December 12th is the "Thank You" Gifts Blog Hop.  The hop will start at Joy's Life and eventually lead to many other blogs including mine!  I will have a fun "Thank You" gift idea to share with you as well as a prize for one lucky blogger who leaves a comment and e-mail address. 

Sign up for my newsletter by e-mail to the right to find out when I post new blurbs on my blog!  Tell your friends. 

When I get to 100 followers I am going to have a giveaway for one lucky follower!
Have a great weekend!
Natalie

Blinkies, Buttons, and Bling

I have gone crazy looking at all the blog hops going on right now and all the great work and ideas out there!  I noticed that most of the blogs have many blinkies, buttons, and bling all over their page and I thought I'd let my followers know why my blog doesn't necessarily look like the others in that regard.

My goal for this blog has changed over the time I've had it and I have settled into a position in my life right now that I am only on one design team at the time, hence one button in support of that.  I have the button for my site that someday will be updated :).  I put up a few blog candy announcements and blog hops if I feel like it!!!  For the most part I want to keep all of my space on the side columns free to bring you links to all kinds of other sites.  You see I am not the most talented person on the planet (yes I know this comes as a shock to my family), I love my own style and I am just not a pioneer in the paper craft world, so I like to connect others to those who are pioneers as well as those who are newbies.  All of the talent is amazing to say the least.  All of it is inspiring in some way. 

I like to share what I make on this blog, nudge you to be you, and have this blog feel like it is an old notebook filled with knowledge that you'd never throw away.  I have so many goals, to make videos, to make more varied projects, and to showcase more complex and difficult techniques. I have thoughts to share with you and inspiration just trying to get out.  This will all come in time......

So for now, few blinkies, and lots of linkies!
I need to get to bed!
Natalie

Peachy Keen Stamps

Recently, I made a new bloggy friend, Ruth Ann or Ruthie as her friends call her.  She is a member of the Design Team at Peachy Keen Stamps.  This site is great!  They have awesome stamp sets and even hold challenges on their blog and they give away their product.  If you haven't heard of this site before and you like to put "faces" on your creations, then this is the place for you.

I asked Ruthie, which stamp sets should I start with.  I don't have any of the paper doll cartridges, but thought it would be fun to put faces on some everyday die cut shapes.  Here's the advice she gave me.

Hi Natalie,

O.k. here is my advise....

I would start off with one of these sets:

PK-491 Every Day Faces

PK-540 Funshine Face Assortment

PK-570 Basic Paper Doll Face Assortment

All three of the above sets have very basic faces and can easily be used in many different ways. I would choose the one you like best and get that one. All three sets come with 6 different faces, in 5 different sizes. I think Funshine has 7 faces, that is why it costs a little more then the other two.

If you are able to purchase a second set, I would get PK-640 the Princess Face Assortment.  This one is really girlie so I wouldn't choose it as a 1st choice.

If you are going to be stamping faces on things that don't normally have faces, like fruit and other objects, then I would get PK-660 the Laughy Taffy Face Assortment. 

You can also use the basic faces on non-traditional stuff, but the Laughy Taffy set is a fun one to have.

The white pen and chalk really make the faces come to life. I bought both of these items at Michael's with coupons. Lately, I have been using my colored pencils as well.

Hopefully, that helped. :) Let me know if you have any other questions.

Ruthie :)
Check out Ruthie's blog here.  Peachy Keen Site is here.

Sweet Daddy

My newest LO featured at If It's Groovy!

 Stop by If It's Groovy and check out all the Design Team creations lately! 
Natalie

New Blog in Town

I love finding new blogs, if you have any I should check out, let me know!  I list them on my website and I try to list blog hops and other challenges and giveaways.  Let me know about any of these and I'll post them for you! 
I stumbled into a new blog for the Cricut, Flaunt it Fridays!  Check it out!


Natalie

Imaginisce Design Team Call

Being on a DT is a wonderful way to grow as a scrapbook artist and paper artist.  Try out your talent at Imaginisce for 2011.  I would, but I am wayyyyy toooooo busy!  Maybe next year!
Natalie

$450 in DCWV giveaway at Robert's Crafts!

I just found a huge giveaway over at Robert's Crafts!  Hurry over and check it out!

Holiday Blog Hops

Here is a list of some Christmas/Holiday blog hops and giveaways going on and coming up!
My Creative Time
Imaginisce
Scrappin Navy Wife
and another Imaginisce December Sketch Blog Hop
Sweet Sassy Diva
Cooking with Cricut
Happy New Year Giveaway 

The Chargers

My husband loves the Chargers and so do I.  Well, he loves the San Diego Chargers and I just love the ones featured over at Michaels this week!  I have never purchased chargers to put under my plates, but there are some really great ideas!

Go over and check them out here.

New Challenge at If It's Groovy! Tell your friends!

Hey do you get those "words of the day" emails? Do you ever wonder what in the world that word means? Now is your chance to use one or open up a dictionary and create a lo using a word you find! It should be fun and Debbie will have a prize for one winner. Head on over to If It's Groovy and check out what's going on!  Email Groovy Deb at If It's Groovy if you would like to enter: groovydeb@yahoo.com.
Here's my take on the challenge!

Pay It Forward Day and Merry and Bright Card

Today is Pay It Forward Day at my church and I challenge you to give a gift of a kind deed or a donation today or this week or this month! Run through your house and find a box or bag full of stuff you could take to any of your local charity supported thrift stores. Take a few bags of food to the food bank. Make a commitment to an Angel Tree child or church supported fund-raisers! Pay for someone's groceries, or coffee at the coffee house. Maybe even drop a bag of pet food to the local pet shelter. Make treats for your neighbors or people you get services from in your community! Try to work this in here and there this month. You'll find that helping others cheer up takes away your own blues and holiday frustration.

Here is a card I made last night to wish you all a Merry and Bright Christmas and Holiday Season. Today I'd like to share with everyone that I am so grateful for the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, and that I love spending all month celebrating and reflecting on this Man, who is God incarnate! I get weepy when I think of how our Creator knitted together Jesus in Mary's body and kept her safe as the precious baby grew, indwelt in this Man's body His own Spirit, and allowed His own Son to go through a short but fulfilling life on Earth all because He seeks a freindship, fellowship, and relationship with me! Thank Yous are never enough!!!! God bless all my family, friends (internet included), loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, my community, my state, my country, and my enemies. May you all be filled with God's Spirit this season!

10 x 7 in. white cardstock folded in half
5 x 7 in. patterned paper #1, 1 x 7 in. patterned paper #1 edges and folds distressed with sandpaper (SEI Winter Song)
4 x 6 in. patterned paper #2 edges distressed with sandpaper (SEI Winter Song
3.25 x 4.25 in. patterned paper #3 edges distressed with sandpaper (SEI Winter Song)
8 inches red grosgrain ribbon 1/2 in wide
snowflake die cut from white cardstock at 2 in high (Christmas Cricut cart, Gypsy, Expression)
scalloped circle die cut from patterned cardstock at 1.6 in (SEI Winter Song,, any cart with a circle with small scallops, Gypsy, Expression)
snowflake stamp approx 1.5 in wide or less (I used Basic Grey Figgy Pudding: Santa Baby clear stamp set)
sentiment stamp approx 1.5 wide or less ( I used Stampin UP! 2002 All Year Cheer I)
clear stamp acrylic mounting block
coordinating stamp pads 2 colors (Stampin UP! Bordering Blue and Tim Holtz Firebrick Red Distress Ink)
Reminisce foam 3D adhesive squares
Stickles in Crystal color
double sided adhesive

Use any sentiment you choose from your assorted collection.  Don't have any stamps, check out this link for some coupons to your local craft stores.  There are also some great stamp artists on the internet like Joy's Life, Typical Scrapbooker, or any others that are referenced here on my blog to the bottom left of the page.

 

Sand the edges of the paper to create a lovingly worn look!   When adding the #3 patterned paper use 5 3D foam adhesive squares or circles to pop off card.

                                   Adding ribbon makes cards look more handmade and personal!

  Add the distressed strip of paper to the top or bottom or the side of the inside of the card for pizazz!

Practice on scrap paper with the stamps to see where to put each one and then stamp on your project pieces, add a 3D foam piece to the center of the snowy message medallion and top off with some Stickles for bling!

I hope you enjoyed my card and have a great day!!!!  May it be Merry and Bright!
Natalie

Christmas Bags and Tags

My mother, Bead Bum, has been making jewelry for the University of Montana's UC Bookstore gift section for a few years and I offered to make her some cute bags and tags for her Christmas Collection.  Here is a slide show of the bags I made.  Some are large for bracelet earring combos and some are small for just earrings.  She places a card with the jewelry on it inside the bag along with some tissue.  She'll be adding ribbon for the tags.  I plan on making some for other holidays for her as well. 

I made the bags using my Cricuut Expression, Plantin Schoolbook, and Very Merry Tags.  I used K and Company dual sided Christmas paper and SEI paper Winter Song.

Check out my Sketches!

Over at If It's Groovy, Groovy Deb has been featuring my sketches every Friday.  These are not your everyday sketches, people.  These sketches push you to develop a way of scrapbooking that brings your life and your emotions on to the pages.  I hope to develop some 2-page layouts, cook book layouts, faithbook layouts and make sketches from them.  Until then check out the past two sketches I've done at If It's Groovy.  I challenge you to submit your take on my sketches to the blog for us to enjoy!  This weeks sketch and last weeks.
Natalie

5 free Cricut Cartridges for your Gypsy!

Hurry over to http://www.cricut.com/gypsy/promo/default.aspx and get 5 free cartridges if you buy a Gypsy and register it by December 31 or if you already own a Gypsy you can just do an update and receive them!  PC and MAC updates and software available!  Wow!  What a treat!

My new daughter!

Well, folks, I've been away for a bit due to some recovery time needed with having my daughter.  I am happy to announce that she was delivered via C-section on October 7th at 5:18 pm and weighed 8 lbs and 6 oz.  She was measured at 21 inches long, but the pediatrician's measurement was 20 so that is what I'll go with.  She has beautiful curly, brown hair and is such a joy to have.

I'll be back to crafting soon.  In the mean time stop over to If It's Groovy and take a look at all the great Halloween layouts, cards, and projects that the Design Team has made.  Ever thought it would be fun to be on the If It's Groovy Design Team?  Well, if you've got some spunk and you're a Groovy Girl, head on over, check it out and send Groovy Deb and e-mail letting her know you are interested and would like to apply!

Imagine Nation Bloghop

Oh my gosh!  If you love winning scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies then hop on over to Pink Cricut and hurry up as the hop ends tonight as far as I can tell!   Do it, do it now!

Natalie!

Happy October 1st!

It's a blustery day here in Imperial County and a great day to scrap.  I've been a little behind in reading my emails, however I wanted to share the Green Wednesday announcement from Provo Craft.  They are selling the Cricut Imagine with three carts~a totally different combination than that which was offered on HSN.  Click on the ad for details.

If you are having any issues with your Imagine here is a link to Tips, Tricks, & Troubleshooting.
I wanted to let my followers know that my husband blessed me with the HSN deal for our 6th Anniversary!  I have been playing with it as much as possible and I am really enjoying it.  I never planned to get one and I felt so guilty getting one.  I have really denied myself this past year as far as clothes and crafting goodies as in the past I spent a lot more, until the economy crashed.  I am just very humbled and trying to accept that it's okay to celebrate once in a while.  If any of you are struggling with celebrating in these lean times or if you struggle with celebrating, period, you've got to read "Eat the Cookie, Buy the Shoes", by Joyce Meyers.  The title is misleading in my opinion, and it's turning out to be a great book.  My women's Bible group is reading it now.

I hope to be sharing projects I've made and I want to make some out of different materials than the mainstream Cricut blogs are doing.  I really want to try using transparency material as my current printer will not print on it very well.

On a different note, yesterday my OB doc said that he may induce me next Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday as my due date is on Friday the 8th and it is best not to go too long as I have gestational diabetes.  So we'll see folks, we may have a new little one this time next week!

Blessings from Natalie!

Time to Think About Halloween?

I don't have any fun pics of me as a child dressed up in costume to show you, but I'm thinking I can dig up one or two from my adult Halloween days.  I'll have to put that on my to do list today!

In the meantime, I stumbled onto the Die Cuts With a View Blog via Everyday Cricut and they are both having giveaways.  In fact Everyday Cricut has a giveaway every week and you'd better get over there and check it out!  Sign up to receive e-mail notices from both sites and comment on their posts.  Follow their directions for your chance to win the giveaways and be inspired as well! Make sure you visit DCWV on Facebook, too!

I've got about a week and a half to go before baby is due and I'm trying to take it easy and scrapbooking and making cards fits in well!  Even my 3 year old loves being at the big desk across from me and working on her own projects.....lovin' it!

Family Layout

Being on a design team has caused me to mix up the order I usually scrap my layouts.  So I've had to go back a couple of years and start scrapping some of my pictures from family vacations.  I have different albums going as well.

I have an album for my 3-year old daughter and I am also doing an album for me of all family.
This layout is entitled "Family"

The background is craft paper.  The stickers were from Michaels and the strip of denim with chunky glitter was trim from the clearance section of Wal-Mart's craft section.  I believe the patterned papers are from SEI, but I'll have to double check that and rummage through my scraps to see if I can find the maker.  I've had absent-minded pregnant lady mentality lately!  The red polka-dot paper was from the clearance area at Two Peas in a Bucket.  You could easily make it by welding circles together on your die cut machine software or your Gypsy.

Awesome Blog Hop

I just stumbled upon this awesome blog hop today that is for all kinds of crafters.  All you have to do is leave a comment on each blog and follow it!  I came away from this hop very inspired for fall and got some ideas for things to make for future craft shows as well!

The Fall Blog Hop starts here.  Happy Hopping!
Natalie

The Imagine on HSN

Okay crafters, tomorrow is a big day for scrapbooking and card-making enthusiasts!  The people who brought us the Cuttlebug, the Cricut machines, the Gypsy, and the Cricut Cake, are releasing for sale on HSN, the Cricut Imagine.  I am in no way endorsing this machine or even planning on getting one, but I am still going to watch the release for sale of this machine on HSN tomorrow at 9 pm Pacific, 12 am Eastern.  

Here are some websites that have been showcasing this machine and what it is capable of: 

Everyday Cricut
The Pink Stamper
Obsessed with Scrapbooking
Clever Someday

Let me know what you think about it or if there are any other sites that offer good information and projects about Cricut machines and products.
Natalie

Busy week

Today is 9/11 and it seems like ages ago that the Twin Towers were brought down. That year was a pretty terrible one for me. My country was attacked in a devastating way and I was enduring horrible emotional abuse from my new husband in a strange new city and questioning the religious institution I was involved with. I lived way down in San Diego, CA when 9/11 happened and I felt so deeply about these people. I had friends who were not Muslim that were victims of hatred and I saw different ethnic groups react in vast ways to this event. Some were anti-American and were indifferent and apathetic. 

It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the world's events because, let's face it, it affects all of us in a myriad of ways. For this simple woman, it has affected my sense of safety and how I view people and strangers. It has affected my hope in the future of my country and the future of my children. It has affected my spiritual life and has helped my faith grow. I gave my life to Christ, found a husband who appreciates me and haven't looked back.

But in an even more simplistic way, all the world's events have effected the kind of scrapbooking I do! I have sought to create balance and not let scrapbooking take over my life or other crafts for that matter. I have sought to include journaling and pictures in my scrapbooks that tell stories...history, and convey real life as it is or was!
I have also been very careful not to spend too much time envying everyone else's skill level, blog, or craft room inventory. I have been cautious in not letting every fad, theme, tool, embellishment, and craft industry invention suck the money out of me. There will always be pretty things, I tell myself, but I am now an advocate of buying tools and supplies as you have cash for them, not driving up a credit card debt to satisfy a shopping binge! I am going to start going through my papers and start sharing them with others. I suppose the most logical place to do this is on my blog! I'd also love to do swaps with anyone who is looking to get rid of some extra quality paper scraps and supplies and would like some new paper and supplies.

The title of this post is "Busy Week" for a reason. As some of you know I am pregnant and the due date is October 12th. This picture of me was taken about a week ago.  I have about 4 weeks left!

I have gestational diabetes and have been doing fairly well with controlling my sugar, not perfect and I give in to a big bowl of Cinnamon Life and milk sometimes!  I haven't gained any weight which is good since I am over the healthy weight I should be and my appetite is pretty nil....why can't I feel like that when I'm not pregnant!   Anyway, I have to go to the doctor and the hospital once a week for monitoring of the baby.  I am looking forward to meeting my little one and I hope you'll join me in praying for her safe arrival into this world.  I just pray that she is happy and healthy!

I will be blogging and doing projects for If It's Groovy as much as I can, but bonding with baby is number 1!  Right now I am working on a Creative Memories album, girl themed, which happens to have a lot of the pages pre-layered with paper pieces and shapes.  I just have to add pictures, journaling and stickers!

I also received my new issue of Paper Wishes and I am getting some great ideas from their catalog for color combinations and even that crazy Christmas Wish List!!!  Sometimes I use their catalog to just see what new products are out there and which old ones are still available.  I can then look elsewhere on the internet for cheaper prices and if I have a "real" need and money in the bank I might buy a little goodie or two, once in a while!  Check out their website here.
Take care all,
Natalie

New to me

I know I am not the only one in the paper arts world that is inundated and overwhelmed by the choices of paper, embellishments, tools, and goodies that exist to make all of our project wishes spectacular.  I am very much a lurker and when new products come out I just am not one to jump on the band wagon.  One product that I have been giving a lot of thought to lately is Core'Dinations paper.

I have been looking around the internet and trying to find websites and videos that demonstrate how to use this cardstock as well as which different color choices yield which type of core colors, etc.  I will keep searching and if you have any great websites or blogs that you think would help me as well as others discover the wonders of this product, leave me a comment!

Wonderful Summer Card

I love cards that are homemade and made by someone who thinks outside the box! Check out this card over at If It's Groovy!
Do you have any cards that you'd like me to check out?  Leave me a comment with your blog addy!

Natalie

Free Card Design Downloads

I was just looking around my blog and noticed that there is a site where you can download free card designs!  I love free idea sites with pictures and inspiration!  Check it out!  Free Cardmaking.com

Gift Ideas!

Need some gift ideas for friends or a special teacher?  Check out If It's Groovy and see what project I made for just such an occasion!  If you have any questions about how to complete the project, let me know! 
Natalie

National Sandwich Month

Over at If It's Groovy, they are celebrating National Sandwich Month with some great layouts! Head on over and join in on the fun!

Here's my entry for the challenge:

This layout is from my own sketch and I used the bottom of a large dixie cup to make the "coffee cup" stains!  I used my Cuttlebug to put the texture in the red paper.  And the cork is actually real scrapbook friendly cork-paper!

Back from Vacation

Hi all, I am back from a 3 week vacation in Missoula, Montana! We took three days to drive there and three days back. We saw all kinds of friends and family and helped my parents celebrate their 50th Anniversary! I got to go to Jo Ann Fabrics, which we don't have where I live and I bought some great Fiskars products and paper pads from Die Cuts With a View!
I also bought a scalloped border punch that I have used for all kinds of page accents as well as making tags!
I also picked up some mini color pads for mounting pics on and using in my Cricut to do fun font and shape cutouts without having to sacrifice big sheets of paper!

Peek-a-boo!

Hi all!  I am so excited to share one of my handmade cards over at If It's Groovy.  To see the card click here!
I hope you enter the monthly challenge over there for a chance to win a prize!  My last post talks about the challenge over at If It's Groovy. 

Above Rubies Studio has a new tutorial up for a couple of cute summer layouts, too! Go here to see what Megan made for CustomCrops.com.  Be sure to check out the other tutorials on the Above Rubies Studio website.  Make sure you sign up for her newsletter for upcoming announcements for the new Club Ruby! 

I am going to be going on vacation to Montana for three weeks and I will still be posting as much as I can.  I will try to get some pictures up for you to see.  Is any body else going on vacation in July? Where to?

Alphabet Overload

This month's challenge over at If It's Groovy is Alphabet Overload.  For my entry I decided to use my trusty Cricut and five different fonts.  I used them in five different colors that coordinated with the Berry Sweet paper from K and Co. that I like so much.  The star of the LO is of course my daughter.

Happy Father's Day Card

Here's the card I made for my daddy!

Help Celebrate Above Rubies Studio One Year Anniversary

Hi everybody! I am so excited to spread the news that Above Rubies Studio turns One today! Hurry on over to Above Rubies Studio and leave comments from June 10th through June 17th for a chance to win prizes.

Above Rubies Studio strives to help people who use the Provo Craft Cricut line as well as the Gypsy with tutorials and instructional DVDs, see below. She also has the latest testimonials on great products that all paper crafting fans love to use.

Sign up to receive e-mail updates from the ARS website and don't forget to download the free Cricut cutting guide for paper and other materials! I did and I use it every time I cut something with my Cricut!

Tri-Shutter Album Tutorial

I subscribe to Obsessed with Scrapbooking and they have a post today that takes you to Paper Pleasing Ideas which has a tutorial you have to check out!Tri-Shutter Album Tutorial !! - Paper Pleasing Ideas

Warehouse Sale

I grew up reading and using Dover books and they are having a huge sale.
You can use many of their books to make cutting files for your SCAL and MTC programs as well as other cutters. You could even cut out their designs and color them with your favorite markers, inks, or chalk. Enjoy!
Warehouse Sale

Remember photobooths?

Hi everybody!
The challenge this month over at If It's Groovy is to make a LO using photobooth picutes. So, go dig up those old photobooth pictures, go make new photobooth pictures, or make your own by using a website like Big Huge Labs. The challenge ends June 30th and Groovy Deb is giving away a goodie box!!!

Here's my entry as a member of the DT over at If It's Groovy:

 Don't forget to visit the If It's Groovy blog and become a follower.  Invite your friends, too!  Look for If It's Groovy on Facebook, too!
If you love the paper and embellishments, I used K&Company Berry Sweet Paper and Embellishments.