woah! cool award!!

Monday, June 30, 2008

I wanted to thank Chloe for nominating me for the lovely Arte y Pico Award. Chloe has a wonderful blog with lots of fun ideas - I am honored to be nominated by her! You can visit her blog HERE.

Here are the rules of this award:

 1. You pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone. Remember to leave the person a comment or email to let them know they received the award.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

Here are my five picks:
1. Jaime's Blog: http://cre8tivbrain.blogspot.com/
2. Michelle's Blog: http://www.surette.biz
3. Dallas: http://designsbydallas.typepad.com/stamp_this_stamp_that/
4. Diane: http://dianebarnes.blogspot.com/
5. Savitri: http://www.scrapbit.com/

video: doggie photo holder

Sunday, June 29, 2008
I don't have a dog. BUT: there are lots of cute papers & embellishments out there for doggies. I was putting together a scrapbook for my kitty (which I will share with you later on this week!) - and I had lots of puppy paper left over. I decided to do something with it.



I also had to figure out what to do with the 100+ coasters we have leftover from our wedding last September. We ordered them for the bar area and apparently they didn't use very many? So now I have 150 coasters that say "Eat, Drink & be Married - Kerry & Peter 09.22.07". haha. The good thing is, there are plenty of crafty ways to use 'em. These are some pictures of what I came up with, and I also created a little video of me putting it all together. 

This isn't really an official tutorial, as I didn't do much explaining in the video (it's pretty self explanatory) - but if you have questions on specifics let me know. I can't do the whole "talk while I video myself" thing yet (i'm scared!) - so I just put it to some tunes. It was super easy to make and didn't take too much time.

Hope you enjoy it! (it's sorta long!!)

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Kristina's Color Challenge 13

Thursday, June 26, 2008
so this week's color challenge at Kristina's Blog was SUPER hard for me. I actually really dislike these colors together. I think it's the River Rock that is bothering me. Just not a pretty color. Or maybe it is...but for some reason it does nothing for me. I will say that I LOVE the other In-Colors...especially Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate - I will be very sad to see them go. I've seen the preview of the new in-colors and I'm really not wild about them.

Here are two cards that I made for this weeks challenge. I like the "Hi" one better, but they are both pretty different.



Hope everyone is having a great week! I can't believe next week is the 4th of July. I love the 4th. Such a great holiday.

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another "u rock!" card...

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

so I took the idea that I had used earlier on this card and decided to try it again. I wanted to cut something out BADLY with my new Cricut, and I found this cute little iPod shape. I don't have many cards for teenagers, so I figured anything to do with an iPod would be perfect...

I had the sugar coated letters, they are made by Doodlebug Design. Aren't they fun? I cut out the iPod layers and the sunburst shape with my Cricut, and drew on the little headset wire coming out of the top with a white gel pen.

Right now I'm trying to finish my card for Kristina's Color Challenge...I have to admit, I HATE these colors together!! Blegh! This one is VERY tough for me! Stay tuned tomorrow to see my submission in the challenge...

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new toy for ME!!!

Monday, June 23, 2008
so as you know, last week I was feeling a tad under the weather (and No, just to clear things up - it was a stomach bug, not any 'baby' issues as some lovely anonymous bloggers were kind enough to comment here! hehe). Anyway...I was home sick from work last Monday when I heard a thump on our front porch...I looked out and saw a box and a UPS truck. So I looked at the box and the outside of it said...Provocraft Cricut Expression!! WOAHHH!! My birthday is not until the end of August so I was pretty surprised. Pete ended up fessing up that it was indeed supposed to be a surprise for my birthday - he was trying to get a head start on shopping and what were the odds I was home the one day they deliver it?? What a hubby!!

So naturally we opened it - no way could I let it sit in the box until my birthday :) I finally had a chance to get it all setup after my brother's wedding this weekend. Here it is all ready to go! I was practicing with it as you can see. I can't wait to make lots of fun stuff with this bad boy. I'm pretty spoiled I think!! yayyyy




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Happy Birthday Erin!!.....(and some exciting NEWS!!)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

so this is a day early, but I am off tomorrow & Friday for my brother's wedding. I wanted to get this posted as I made this card for my friend at work Erin - it's her birthday tomorrow. Happy Bday Erin!! Have fun in Vegas!! :) I have a fun tidbit of news to post today...I've been feeling a bit under the weather lately, but finally feeling back to myself, so I'm ready to dish about it! OK well actually this news is more than "fun" - it's REALLY EXCITING for me....

I'M BEING PUBLISHED!!!! I got an email the other night, about a card that I submitted, and they actually want to publish me in the November 2008 issue of CARDS magazine. EEEEKK!!! I'm soo beyond psyched. So now, I must make one of those fun little graphics for my blog that says "removed for publication" - hehe, how fun is that? I think now that I know I was accepted, I might try my luck at submitting a few more entries to some other magazines! woo!!

"Erin" Card:
Paper: K & CO. Designer Paper, SU! Green Galore, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Stamps: SU! Tart & Tangy, Fontwerks Alphabet
Ink: SU! Green Galore, Pink Passion, Embossing Powder & Versamark
SU! Circle Punch, Scallop Punch, 5/8" Regal Rose Ribbon

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my first Craft Fair...

Sunday, June 15, 2008

yesterday I had my very first Craft Fair. It was a church in Westborough, MA. I did VERY well! I was a bit nervous that nothing would sell, but I definitely sold a good amount of stuff. The hottest thing by far were the paperclip bookmarks. The kids seemed to like the Alligators & Lions from the Wild About You stamp set.
It was a gorgeous day and I was lucky to have a table on the front lawn of the church, right under the shady trees. My Aunt Anne was nice enough to come and sit with me for the day and help out. Here are a few photos of my table, for better shots, and up close views of the items I was selling, please visit the Project Gallery.








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Kristina's Color Challenge #11

Friday, June 13, 2008

soooo I have lots to do tonight but had to squeeze this in. I'm addicted to these darn color challenges!



The colors this week were: Rose Red, Old Olive, Going Grey, Whisper White, and So Saffron. This card is probably the weakest of all the ones I've submitted, but it was tough figuring out what I wanted to do!! Here is my card entry for this weeks challenge. Thanks again Kristina for another fun one!




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more mailboxes



a while ago I stocked up on some of these tin mailboxes from Target. I decided to alter a few more with the Tart & Tangy stamps & designer paper. This one was fun to make - again using American Crafts Thickers - they just look great on everything. I also used some AC rub-on's for the "so" lettering. I'm going to put some fun candy in these and hopefully they will sell in the craft fair tomorrow.

I also just saw that Kristina posted another Color Challenge today. EEEK! will I be able to squeeze it in? Hmmm...I might just have to see if I can bust out a creation tonight and post it on here....

EDITED: adding a photo of the other mailbox that I didn't get up here earlier today. Same concept, different desginer paper...and I used Bazzil Chipboard Letters instead of Thickers.

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for the Dad's

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
these next few cards I've created are to honor the Dad's in our lives...I'm uploading them today because I'm not sure how much time I will have to post these next few days. I'm really trying to finalize everything for the Craft Fair on Saturday. The weather outlook looks OK, but I do have an outdoor booth and I will just cry if it rains. Pete is being SO helpful in getting everything ready for me.

I used the Stampin Up! Simply Scrappin' "All Boy" kit on these cards - but added some American Craft Foam Thickers to write the word "Dad". I LOVE thickers. They are so fun to play with. Come to think of it, I'm in a bit of an American Crafts phase right now. How neat would it be for me to get on their design team and get FREE stuff? :) One can always dream, right??

Hope you are all having a great week. I'll be adding the rest of the blog links to my site soon, for those of you who I haven't added yet. Thanks for all the submissions!





"Dad" Cards:
SU! Simply Scrappin Kit: All Boy, Wild Wasabi Ribbon, Bashful Blue CS
American Craft Thickers

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not my style...

Monday, June 9, 2008

so this card is very unlike me - but I figured I would post it anyway. It's cute for a pre-teen or teenage girl. I just love these making memories letters - they are chunky and fun. I also got to play with my silver embossing powder, and Fontwerks letters. These letters are neat - they remind me of a rock concert or city lights.

this weekend was HOT here in MA, so I didn't spend much time in my craft room. We spent the weekend at my parents house, lounging in their pool and visiting with family & friends. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be scorchers again - tomorrow might reach 100 degrees!! Very unusual for June in New England. Thank goodness for AC. I have my craft fair coming up this weekend, so I really need to finish stuff up for it! Hopefully things will cool down a bit and I can get everything ready in time.

"U Rock" Card:
Fontwerks Stamps, Making Memories Chipboard Sugar Coated Letters
Cardstock: SU! Basic Black, Pixie Pink
White Gel Pen, Marvy Scallop Punches, Misc. Ribbon

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daydreaming of Hawaii...

Thursday, June 5, 2008
So for some reason, these past few days I can NOT stop daydreaming about our time in Hawaii. Pete and I went there on our Honeymoon - which was pretty special, and I know that is why it will always be an extra special place for us...but can we just discuss how GORGEOUS it is??? I am absolutely in LOVE with the island of Kauai. And there is so much more I want to see. I know that I have a few blog readers who live in the Hawaiian Islands - I am VERY envious!!

So the other night I had a fitting for my bridesmaid gown for my brother's wedding. My seamstress is leaving soon for a trip to Hawaii and I was telling her all the great places to see & go. I sent her some pictures that we took, and it really just got me thinking again. How I would LOVE LOVE to be sitting at breakfast, overlooking the beach on Kauai, waves, sunrise...Hawaiian music. Oh man, I gotta stop. Anyway, I went home and was inspired to make a card. I have some great DP that reminds me of Hawaii, so I was starting to make a card that just said "hi". Well then I thought, how cute would it be if it said "Aloha" instead? :)

So here it is...my Aloha card...the "i wish i could jump on a plane and go to Hawaii for a whole month" card. I guess we better start saving up for our next trip!!

"Aloha" Card:
Paper: SU! Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip. K & Co. Designer Paper
Bazzil Chipboard Letters, American Crafts Ribbon
Paper Piercing Tool

EDIT: thanks to everyone for commenting on my last post and leaving me your Blog URL! Check back today, as I will be creating a listing on my sidebar with all your blogs! I can't wait to check them all out.

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looking to beef up my "blog browse" list!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
hey everyone! So I would like to include a section on my sidebar here, dedicated to those other great people out there who have blogs. What kind of blogs you ask? Why...any type! I am a blog-fan of all types. (in fact, I have a personal blog in addition to this here crafting blog). Yes, I do frequent crafting blogs more often, however I enjoy blogging in general. If any of you readers out there have a blog that you would like me to add to my "list", leave me a comment (be sure to include a link to your blog!) - I will check it out and add you to my list! (as long as you aren't a crazy spammer!) - my only request is that you would do the same and add me to your list? Deal? :)


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a few firsts....

Monday, June 2, 2008
so when I was at the CKC convention a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon and ENTIRE booth full of Nestabilities. I was shocked, as I know these can be hard to find! I decided to invest in a few sets and to be honest they have been scaring me. I was unsure of what to do with them (which is odd because I use my scallop punches all the time!) I finally had a great excuse to use them this past week.

I also had a set of aMuse stamps that had yet to be inked up...again, scared of them. Didn't really know what to make with 'em I guess? My problem with aMuse is that their stamps are TINY. I feel like my cards are going to be nekked with these small little stamps. However, the smallness of these stamps combined with the layers I can make using the nesties seemed to work just perfectly together!!

 This card is for a friend of ours named Kara, who just told us that her & her husband Tommy are expecting their first baby! We are so happy for them. I am seeing her on Thursday and giving her this card, so let's hope she doesn't check my blog out very often, because otherwise the surprise is ruined :)

"Congratulations" Card:
Stamps: aMuse
Paper: SU! SS Just Delightful Kit
Ribbon: SU! Regal Rose
Nestabilities, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals

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