Blog Award!

I am so honoured to have received this award from 3 different bloggers this week. Thank you from the bottom of mt heart Michelle from Upsy Daisy Creations, Tonia from Pigtails and Paper Trails and Jacquline from Made by Jacqueline. Please hop on over see their amazing talent and leave them some love!

Now I need to tell you 7 things about myself...hummm....

1 - I am currently reading a historical romance novel and forgot how much I really love them :)

2 - I love subbing in jr. high as scary as that might sound lol

3 - My favourite game on the Wii is the Price is Right

4 - In my living room I have fruit shaped pillows (a apple, a pear and a strawberry)

5 - I am getting married on New Years Eve 2011

6 - I live for pjs

7 - My all time favourite snack food is potato chips (pretty much any flavour)!

*How is that for some random facts :)

I would like to pass this award on to the following people:

Kate @ http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Kim @ http://canadiancraftcorner.blogspot.com/

Jessica @ http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/

Danni @ http://dannisdreamscrafts.blogspot.com/

Stacy @ http://lovethatbug.blogspot.com/

Tabitha @ http://oneagleswings-tabitha.blogspot.com/

Michelle @ http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com/

Rhonda @ http://scraphappenswithrhonda.blogspot.com/

Sherrie @ http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com/

Valerie @ http://bestisyet2be.blogspot.com/

Amber @ http://stayingcrafty.blogspot.com/

The Cropping Canuck @ http://thecroppingcanuck.blogspot.com/

Pam @ http://simply-pam.blogspot.com/

Thanks everyone and happy crafting!

Tara

100 Follower Giveaway!

Hello Crafters,
I have some exciting news....in honour of the fact that I recently reached 100 followers I am going to be giving away the Jubilee cartridge! Now since it is in honour of my followers I do ask that you be one in order to win. To enter just leave me a comment on this post letting me know that you are indeed a follower and your email so I can get a hold of you. I will randomly pick a winner on April 9th, 2011.

Good luck and happy crafting!

Tara

P.S. How about some great inspiration to really get you wanting this cartridge? Kate from Small Bits of Paper  has kindly let me share with you a few projects she made with this very cartridge. Check out her blog to see more of her amazing talent!

Update

Hello Everyone,
Sorry I have been MIA for a bit. I came down with a nasty cold on Sunday afternoon and have just been feeling rotten. Due to the fact I am a substitute I do not get paid sick days it means when I am booked I tend to force my way along as best as I can. I did this on Monday and Tuesday and finally decided since I was not getting any better I had to take a 'sick' day today :( I have not been doing anything but working and sleeping for the last two days. This is the first time the computer has even been turned on! That is how crappy I feel :( Anyways sorry I have not been good about leaving comments recently but now you know why. Even as I look at this screen and sneeze I know I will probably not be overly productive on here again today. I do have a blog hop coming up this weekend (Friday to be exact) and I have some projects I made on the weekend which I will be posting very soon, so stick with me there is bigger and better things to come!
xoxo
Tara

Birthday Sundaes Sping Birthday Callenge

Hello Everyone,
This week on Birthday Sundaes the challenge was to make a 'spring birthday card'. Nothing says spring more then bright colours and butterflies! Below is my inspiration for you! I did a different size then usual this week the actual card measures 5 3/4" x 4 3/4". The lighting in the picture makes it a little hard to see but I folded it so that there was 1" sticking out on the back of the card. Then I used some sheer ribbon that was the perfect size and ruffled it along the back of the front piece. (Does this make sense?) On the back piece I placed dark purple butterflies that I used a mini punch for. In real life you can see the butterflies through the sheer ribbon and it looks really neat! I think the second picture will help this make sense :)
Happy Crafting!
Tara

Recipe:

 Card Size: 5 3/4" x 4 3/4"

 Cardstock: Pink and White Making Memories, everything else from my scrap pile

Cricut cuts: Butterfly from Ashlyn's Alphabet cut @ 2", green background from Cindy Loo cut @ 4 3/4"

Punch: Mini Butterfly and mini flower- Dollarama, Scallop punches- Fiskers

Ribbon: Dollarama

Sentiment - Technique Tuesday 

Ink: Staz on black

Bling: Dollarama

Purple metallic gel pen

ATG

ZIG 2 way glue

Pop dots

Sweet Baby

Hello Crafters,
I decided since those baby cards I made at the crop turned out so good I should stick with the layout and make a few more. It think it must be my age or something but it seems like everyone I know lately is having a baby and shhhh keep this between us but I usually buy baby cards because I felt I was so terrible at making them. Now that I have found this 'formula' we will call it, I am going to make them until I am sick of pastels and build up my stash. Below is the latest (I actually made two of the exact same). Notice the cute little hat pins?! Carri from Double Click Connections Did a great tutorial on how to make these recently and I just had to try them, especially since I already had all the stuff in my stash. She is also giving away a few so pop over and check it out!.
Happy Crafting!
Tara

Recipe:

A2 Size Card

Cardstock: Recollections and From the mat stack with the missing cover

Pattered paper: From that mat stack with the missing cover again :S

(if anyone recongizes the papers from a brand let me know)

Cricut Cut: New Arrival cut @ 3 1/2"
Eyelets: Making Memories (pastel set)

Sentiment: Dollarama Wooden Baby Set

Ink: Stazon black

Embroidery thread

'Hat pin' Embellishments :Straight Pins, small breads, Glossy Accents

Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots folder

Goggle Eyes: Stash
Crop-a-dile Big Bite

ATG

Zig 2 way Glue

Pop Dots

Birthday Sundaes First Challenge

Welcome Crafters,
I am so excited that Birthday Sundaes is now in full swing! I mean honestly who doesn't always need a birthday card on hand?! This week the challenge is 'anything goes.' I was sent the link to Pink Cat Studio and once I saw all the great princess/ fairy tale sentiments for FREE I was hooked! I made a card using the Once Upon a Princess Cartridge (this is becoming a go to cartridge for me, especially with these awesome sentiments)! I love this card for a few reasons, I am lovin' the colours, I used a new border punch (so much fun to use new tools) and I tried out chalking for the first time (on the senitment). I can't believe I have had chalk for like a year and just cracked it open to try :S March is turning out to be a great month for me using my stash.

I hope everyone can play along and if you do you have the chance to win Cupcake Ruby from Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps (picture below...I want this stamp) I can't wait to see everyone's creations!

Happy Crafting!

Tara

Recipe:

A2 Size Card

Card Base Cardstock: Memories Forever

Purple CardStock: Recollections

Light Blueish Cardstock: Paper Reflections Textured 

Pattern paper: Me & My Big Ideas

Cuttlebug and Happy Birthday Folder

Cricut Cut: Once Upon a Princess Cartridge cut @ 2.5" (I think, sorry)

Sentiment: Pink Cat Studio Freebie

Eyelets: Making Memories

Mini Flower Brad: Making memories

Border punch: Fiskers Dotted Wave

Ribbon: Offray

Gelly Roll White Gel Pen

Crop-a-dile Big Bite

ATG

Zig 2 Way Glue

Pop Dots

2nd Crop Day and a Challenge

Hello Crafters,
Yesterday I went to my 2nd ever crop day! This time I did take a bit more then last and well in retrospect I didn't use even half of it. Below are some pictures of the day and the cards that I made. Baby cards...yes baby cards! I have figured it out, it's not that I can't make them, it's that I don't have the right cartridge lol. New Arrival has now been bumped to the number one spot on my wishlist!

Oh, and more exciting news...I had enough cricut rewards to get a free cartridge (well I had to pay $7ish dollars in shipping but not bad. I ordered the Sweethearts cartridge. Between that and the Tie the Knot cartridge I should be good to go when it is time to make my wedding scrapbook :)
Tara

P.S. I am entering my baby girl card (it was hard to pick which on but that little outfit is just too cute)at Celebrate the Occasion blog where their current challenge is themed 'New Arrival'.

P.P.S Serioulsy...99 followers??? I understand that often people stop following blogs (I'm not going to lie those ones that people only post on once in a blue moon often get bumped from my list) but come on not when someone is right at 100. I was not going to say anything but that hurts :( Thank you for those of you who continue to support me, your comments and friendships make it worth while.

No, I didn't take my shredder it just happened to be in the frame lol

Needed a little break :)

Recipe (for both cards):

A2 Size Card

Cardstock: Making Memories and Recollections

Pattered paper: From that mat stack with the missing cover again :S

Cricut Cut: New Arrival cut @ 3 1/2"

Metallic Silver Gel Pen

Eyelets: Making Memories (metallic and pastel set)

Sentiment: Dollarama Wooden Baby Set
Ink: Martha Stewart pink chalk ink and Staz on black

Embroidery thread - pink and blue
Crop-a-dile Big Bite

ATG

Zig 2 way Glue

Pop Dots

Hello Thursday Ramblings

Hello,
So have you seen them yet? I think that the only one I really would want is the Father's Day one because I think it would be great for male cards and layouts. Honestly, lately there have been very few cartridges released that I am going crazy over. I think now that I have built up my library and I see that I have quite a few that I hardly ever (ok never) use, I am more relucant to just run out and buy cartridges without doing a great deal of homework and thinking about it. How about you? Any must haves? Do you still want to buy each and every one?
Tara

Woo Hoo!!!

Hello Blog World,
I was just checking out my blog and guess what I noticed??? Yup, I have 100 followers now! Excellent! I feel a giveaway coming on....I'll keep you posted!
Tara

Creative Sisters Challenge

Hello Everyone,
Today I have a card for you that I made for the Creative Sisters Challenge. The challenge this week is posted on Patti-Lynn's blog and it is to make a spring project. At first I was making this as a spring/Easter card but after looking at it some more I think I might use it as a baby card. It works, right? Here I am always complaining about how terrible I am at baby cards and then bam I make one without even thinking about it lol!
Thanks for looking!
Tara

Recipe:

A2 Size Card

Cardstock: All scraps :)

Cricut Cut: Create-a-critter cut @ 3"

White Jelly Roll Pen

Yellow fine tip marker

Brads and eyelets: Making Memories

Sentiment: Pink By Design - Simply Everything Set

Ink: Martha Stewart brown chalk ink

Ribbon - Offray

Goggle Eyes: Dollarama

Crop-a-dile Big Bite

ATG

Zig 2 way Glue

Pop Dots

It's a basket case blog hop!

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know about the blog hop I will be participating in April 15-16. Rhonda from Scrap Happens is hosting this event and it is sure to be a spectacular one! There is a list of all the talented crafters participating on my sidebar. Also, hop on over to Rhonda's blog to check out the amazing projects she makes (her stuff will make you drool)! 

Happy Scrapping!

Tara 

Pink Stamper Blog Hop

Hello Crafters,
This weekend flew by and so I didn't really get a chance to check out the Pink Stamper blog hop until today. I am telling you though I am glad I took the time. The inspiration was whirling around in my head after seeing her design team's projects and checking out some of the other blogs that had linked up. After soaking up as much as I could I headed into my own craft land. The project was to be spring related and after seeing so many butterflies I knew that was what I wanted to make.
Happy March Break!
Tara

Recipe:

A2 Size card

Cardstock: Recollections

Patterned carstock: from a mat stack that the cover is missing on so I am unsure of the brand.

Cricut cut: Once Upon a Princess cut @ 3"

Ribbon: Offray

Bling: Dollarama

Sentiment: Pink by Design - Go Green set (sorry Robyn I don't have any of your stamps...yet)!

Martha Stewart Chalk ink - pink

Glitter Glue

ATG

Zig 2 Way Glue

Pop Dots

Yippy! Finally I can tell my Secret!

Hello Crafty People,
Finally, I get to tell you...I am a member of the design team for the new challenge blog Birthday Sundaes. New challenges are posted on Sundays with the first one starting March 20. Pop on over to find out more info. and meet the rest of the design team! I am so excited! This is going to be so much fun!
Tara

P.S. Sorry I have not been posting much creativity lately. It is the start of March Break here though which means many hours in the craft room coming up! I'll have something for you tomorrrow for sure! Check back!

Stylish Blog Award again!

Yup I got it again! I mean to win it once, wonderful. To win it twice, GREAT! To win it three times...I am starting to feel a bit spoiled :) Jan from http://www.living4orange.com/ presented this to me. Thanks Jan!

Okay so now I need to think about 8 things that you don't already know about me....

1 - My favourite ice cream is Farmers Peanut Butter Caramel Cookie Dough. I'm eating some right now :)

2 - My all time favourite movie is Clueless.

3 - Secretly, I think the Shopaholoic series by Shopie Kinsella was written about me.
4 - I have yet to take a picture of my engagement ring (had it since Oct.) I'm not sure what the hold up is lol
5 - Wedding planning is much more stressful then I ever dreamed it would be and yes I am quickly becoming a bridezilla.
6 - I have a hidden stash of stuffed animals under my bed I have never been able to part with.
7- For some reason I can't seem to get back into traditional scrapbooking...something about it is intimidating me lately.
8- I have a huge secret that I have to keep and I am the worst secret keeper in the world!!! Seriously, it's killing me!!!

Okay here are some talented people you should check out and who I am passing this award on to:

Dayami - From Dayi's Scraproom (this gal cracks me up...check out her last video)!
The Greenbean's Crafterole (some great seasonal craft ideas)
Cindy - I Scrap My Way (a blog full of awesome talent)

Thanks again Jen!
Tara

Craft-e-corner giveaway!

Hey everyone,
Check out this awesome giveaway going on over on the Craft-e-corner blog ! You will be glad you did!
Tara

April Bunny Blog Hop

Hello Crafters,
I am super excited! I will be participating in my first ever blog hop coming up at the beginning of April. It is the April Bunny Blog Hop which will run from April 1st -5th.  Jacqueline from Made by Jacqueline is hosting this event! Pop on over and check out her creativity (you will fall in love with her tile art)!
I can't wait for April now!
Tara

Lucky - Door Hanging

Hello Crafters,
It's a new month and you know what that means...I needed a new door hanger decoration. These are so much fun to make. The first one I made was a Halloween one inspired by one Mary from Cardz tv had made. She does a great video on how to make it if you are interested in trying one you should check it out.
In case you missed my older ones or are a newer follower here are the links to my other ones: October, December, February. (I know I have missed a couple months in there, I'll catch them the next time around lol)

One things I am always asked is how I get my paper towels tubes so flat. Well...I'll let you in on the secret... there is a few steps
1) flatten it with palm and then crease the edges with a bone folder.
2) Using A,B,C plates run it though the cuttlebug
* now you can pick your next step I have done both and both are very effective.*
3) Place it under about a foot and a half of paper pads overnight. Now you know why I am on a paper diet!
or the next is my preferred method
3) Squirt Scotch quick dry into one end of the tube and shake it until it runs down to the middle of the tube, place it between paper (saves you a mess if some decides to come out) place it back into your cuttlebug and very slowly run it though. Then do the same to the other end. I find this way the best because it gives you a stiffer result which makes the project more sturdy in the end.

I would like to enter my latest creation in a few St. Patty's Day challenges Crafting with Cristina, Creative Time For Me, Paper Cutz Challenge and Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge.
Thanks for looking and as always I love your comments!
Tara

Recipe:
1 Paper Towel Roll
Patterned paper - DCWV Holiday stack (from 2009)
Cardstock  - Recollections and scraps
Gold Cardstock - Dollarama
Leprechaun - Paper Doll Dress Up cut @ 3"
Pot of Gold - Paper Doll Dress up cut @ 3" (real dial size)
Horseshoes - Old West cut @ 2.5" and 4.5"
Lucky - Alphalicious cut @ 2.5" (in think, sorry) short stack feature + short stack shadow
Metallic rope- Dollarama
Shamrock glitter stickers - Dollarama
Bling - Dollarama
Martha Stewart Brown ink
Eyelets - Making Memories (metallic and brights)
Cuttlebug + folders 'Diamond Plate' and 'Swiss Dots'
Crop a Dile Big Bite
Scotch Quick Dry Glue
ATG
Zig 2 Way Glue
Pop Dots
(phew...I used a lot on this and didn't even notice until I had to type it all up lol)

Scrap you Stash

Hello Crafters,

Look what I found! This is just what I need to help me out with my spending issues! A support group :) Over on the blog Lala's World , Denise has come up with this idea and it is great! Each month you can link up your blog and participate. Oh, I'm in!

Happy scrapping!

Tara

Craft Spending Break Down

Hello fellow paper addicts,
I have decided that I truly need to start watching my crafting spending. With trying to pay off student loans, plan a wedding, saving for a down payment on a house, and trying to figure out if we can afford to attend an out of province wedding this summer my desposable income is at an all time low! I miss university life when I worked part time and the governement gave me student loans to live on. (At the time I failed to think about the fact I was going to have to pay it all back....grrrr.....stupid younger self).

Anyways, I know I can not cut my crafting budget all together because then I would seriously go insane but I can try and control it. I am thinking $50- $75 a month. Sound reasonable? I would like to stay closer to $50 but I am not going to set a goal I know will be way too hard to keep and be discouraged before I even start. I can always lower it if I notice I am doing super well. One way I can make myself more accountable is by recording my craft spending. I am also going to make myself even more accountable by posting my monthly totals on my blog so that the world can frown at me when I do bad and encourage me when I do well. So here are my purchases for January and February, my totals and a couple pictures of the goods.
Do you keep track of your spending? Do you have any tips for me? I would love some suggestions!
Tara

Jan. 2 Bargain Store $41.47
Jan.2 Michael's $20.69
Jan. 19 Jessica Sprauge $1.02
Jan. 21 Jessica Sprauge $1.03
Jan. 24 Michael's $13.80
    Total - $ 78.01
(pretty close to budget and this is even before I set it...excellent)!

Feb. 1 Jessica Sprauge - $6.15
Feb. 4 Jessica Sprauge $1.04
Feb. 4 Michael's $15.76
Feb. 5 Michael $58.34
Feb. 7 Dollarama $20.80
Feb. 11 Ebay (Tie the Knot Cartirdge) $31.50
Feb. 19 Michael's $34.50
Feb. 26 Michael's $20.69
      Total - $ 188.78
(yes, I am hanging my head in shame. I am determined to make March much better!)

No this is not everything as is clear by my total spending  :(

Keep on Truckin'

Hello Everyone,
I made this card for a couple challenges. The first challenge is at the Stamping Vacation Blog (if you have never been here and like challenges this site is your dream come true!) There are a ton of challenges going on at this blog but the one I am entering this card in is the 'When I grow up - Truck driver' challenge. This challenge couldn't have come at a better time to inspire me. Each day I give the students I tutor a journal prompt and yesterday's was 'When I grow up...' The little boy I was tutoring wrote all about how he wanted to be a truck driver. (He is super into anything truck, car, well, ok, anything with a engine lol)  I think I am going to save this card and give it to him at the end of the school year.

The second challenge that I would like to enter it into is the stitching challenge going on at 4 Crafty Chicks  This is the first time that I ever did real machine stitching on a card and while it didn't turn out pretty I think it fits the boy card perfect!

Boy, do these challenges ever get addictive once you really start lol!
Tara

Recipe:

A2 Size

Cardstock - Recollections + scraps

Cricut Cut - Boys Will Be Boys Cartridge Cut @ 3"

Sentiment - Pink By Design "Oh Boy" set

ATG

Zig 2 Way Glue

Pop dots

Black thread and Singer Simple sewing machine

Stylish Blog Award

Woo hoo! This is my second time recieving this award! Loves it! Thank you very much Misty Ladybug Scraping and Stuff. Here are the 8 people I would like to pass it on to:

Janice - Cricutology

Tracey - The Cropping Canuck
Patti Lynn -  Patti Lynn Creations

Sue - Crafting with Sue

Wendy - Cricut Your Classroom

Holly - Scrappily Ever After

Jacqueline - Made By Jacqueline

Linda - Linda's Creativity

Here is 8 things you might not know about me:
1 - I read about a novel a week
2 - I tutor for 2 hours every week night
(after usually subbing a full day...now you see why I have limited craft time)!
3 - I feel lost without my day planner
4 - My all time favourite drink is diet 7 up
5 - I love to eat frozen berries
6 - I am on  paper diet (my goal is to not buy any paper pads this year & cut back my cardstock by A LOT)
7 - I live five minutes from my parents house (the house I grew up in), right across the road from my mother's salon and five minutes from my grandmother's house. My family is close :)
8 - I always forget my camera :(

My Sheri Crafts Challenge

Hello Crafting Friends,
I stumbed across a 'new to me blog' recently My Sheri Crafts and there is a challenge going on there right now. The challenge is 'All about Boys'. I have been playing with the idea of making up a few card sets to have as gifts and after playing with my Mini Monsters cartridge the other day I thought why not do a set all with monsters! I need to start thinking outside the box like this more. I actually tucked this cartridge and my Jolly Holidays one to the back of my cabinet because I said to myself  "well, those are seasonal and I will not need them anytime soon." Then I get amazed when I see people making stuff with them 'out of season' lol. So here is my card for the challenge.
Tara

Recipe:

A2 size card

Cardstock - Recollections and a few pieces from scrap pile (source unknown)

Cricut cut - Mini Monsters cut @ 3"

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - 'Spots and Dots'

Google eyes - stash

Sentiment - Pink by Design - Oh Boy Set
ATG

ZIG 2 way glue

Pop dots



Challenge Award!

Hello Crafters,
Back at the beginning of February (where on each did that month go?) I entered a challenge at the 4 Crafty Chicks Blog. The card I made was a breast cancer card for my aunt.  Here  is the post if you would like to take a look. I was cleaning up my computer today and was going through my favourite links (do yours also get crazy out of control?) and I stumbled back onto the 4 Crafty Chicks Blog. This is when I discovered I was picked as one of the top three for that challenge! What a nice surprise! I feel bad I didn't figure it out sooner but I guess better late then never! I also realized I missed a couple weeks of great challenges on that blog. If you like challenges this is a blog you should check out and even if you are not a challenge person just pop over for some amazing inspiration.
Tara

Linda's Creativity Challenge

Hello Crafters,
Over on Linda's Creativity blog embossing was the challenge theme this week. I just got a Fiskers crimping tool and well, what a better way to emboss something! I just love how this card turned out! The picture due to the lighting does not do it justice, sorry.
Happy Crafting!
Tara

Recipe:

A2 size card

Base cardstock - cut down 12x12 brand unknown

White background - Recollections

All other cardstock - scrap pile

Cricut cut - Mini Monsters cut @ 3"

Google eyes - stash

Eyelets - Making Memories - metallic set

Sentiment - Pink by Design - Simply Everything Set

Big Bite

ATG

ZIG 2 way glue

Pop dots