School is (almost) back in session!

Every year, about this time, I shake my head in disbelief of how quickly summer escaped me.  You too, right?  It seems like just a couple weeks ago we were anxiously awaiting the snow to melt and here we are...{almost} back to school!  My {bigger} little beauty will be starting pre-school this fall (I've already stocked up on tissues, don't judge me-LOL!) and I have several teacher friends and family that will be starting up this next week already. 

I'm a big fan of teachers for many reasons but mostly, it's because I had a few growing up that really helped me and changed my life.  (A big shout out to Ms. Hance, Mr. C, and Mr. Rose!)  There are a lot of people who seem to think that teaching is an 'easy' job or that they 'have it made' because they have summer's off.  Umm...have you see some of the kids today? LOL!!! 

In all seriousness, they have a BIG job that most of us wouldn't, couldn't, or shouldn't do.  So, THANK you to all the teachers out there gearing up for another school year!

I wanted to make sure my teacher family and friends knew I was thinking of them, and praying for a successful school year so I made up some cute little favors to wish them well.  

 Here is the front of the gift card holder.  I attached the ribbon using the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher--I thought staples were fitting for school, no? :)

This is the first flap.

Ta-da!  Here it is all the way open.  The gift card is nice and snuggled inside :)

Materials:

Apple-Creative Memories Cheerful Seasons Cart.
EK Success ABC123 Punch
"Good Luck" stamp from the Dollar Bin
Ribbon from my stash
Paper:  Kraft, Red, two shades of Green, Yellow, Chocolate
Tim Holtz tiny attacher


I'm entering my project in the Celebrate the Occasion Challenge #25!

My Pink Stamper Design Team Call

WOW!  I'm so super excited to be able to join in the fun this time around by 'trying out' for the My Pink Stamper Design Team!  A BIG thanks to Robyn for giving us this opportunity :).  WOO-HOO!  If you haven't submitted a project, you still have time.  You can check out Robyn's requirements HERE and/or I've listed them below:

*You will need to have a blog that you regularly post on for at least 3 months.*You cannot already be serving on a DT that has product that is a conflict of interest (most DTs are just fine as long as they do not sell product that is similar to My Pink Stamper Original Cricut Stamps idea)*Your project must be made just for this challenge*Post a pic on your blog with a full recipe along with what the challenge is about*This needs to be a new project that you make just for this challenge*Only one entry per person, please*You do not need to be a professional but you must have a love for the craft!  :)
Challenge:  Make a card, scrapbook page, or other Cricut project with your favorite Cricut cartridge using the following colors......
OrangeTurquoise GreenBrown(other optional color of your choice) 

I have to admit, when I looked at the color choice I thought "Robyn must be crazy!" LOL! However, after creating my entry, I'm in love! This is probably my all-time favorite {double} layout. I kept it simple because I wanted the focus to remain on how lucky we are that we were able to take that picture! {My great-grandpa is still alive and kickin' it in his own house at the sweet age of 94.} It's just such a sweet reminder how important family is :).

 

  

Although I stuck with the color requirement, I did use varying shades of these colors.  My (optional) color was cream!  My favorite Cricut Cartridge {right now} is Cheerful Seasons from Creative Memories; the Dragonfly, Flower, and Font were all cut from there.  

Materials Used:

• (2) 12 x 12 'Nougat' Cardstock
• (2) 11 3/4" x 11  3/4" Cosmos Cricket 'Ribbon Sandwich' Cardstock
• (2) 11 x 11 'Papaya' Bazzill Cardstock
• Photo Mat: Chocolate Truffle cut at 4.5 x 6.5" and Intense Turquoise cut at 4.25 x 6.25"
• Dragonfly: cut at 2.25" from Cheerful Seasons Cartridge
• Flower: cut at 4" from Cheerful Seasons Cartridge
• Cosmos Cricket 'Brunch' Cardstock
• Additional Bazill Cardstock in the following colors: Leapfrog, Chocolate Truffle, Saltillo, Intense Turquoise, Cream
• Adhesive: ATG Gun and Dimensionals (Dragonfly and Flower)
• i-rock and orange gems
• Martha Stewart Glitter Glue in 'Cinnabar'
• Brown Ribbon
• Tag Maker Punch
• Fiskars 'Threading Water' Punch

If you haven't submitted your project for a chance at Robyn's Design Team, HURRY! 

You have just a few days left.  Good luck :)  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Banner...Grrrrrr!!!

Hello!  So I am FINALLY able to post some of what I've been working on, HOORAY!  I didn't want to post them too early because they were gifts but the party is done so here we go....

I've been on a banner-spree as of late because, well I love them. :)  My niece and nephew (two different sisters) share a birthday so I whipped a couple of these bad boys out for their birthday parties.  

Click on any of the pictures for a closer look!

Taylor is a lime-green fanatic so I knew she would LOVE this :)  ( I left the tulle quite long on both sides to make sure she was able to hang it in her room.  It can be trimmed accordingly!)

 I fanci-fied the letters because she's 11 and what 11 year old doesn't love some bling-age?  Each letter in her name received 3 little crystals, courtesy of my new i-rock!

 My original idea was the put turtles of some sort on each end panel but the lime-green leopard paper was too busy and too much green.  The stars worked well!

 I used glitter paper for the stars because, of course stars twinkle, no?!

The stars and all the letters were given dimension too.  They all popped up nicely!

Recipe:

Banner (Black base and Patterned paper): Birthday Bash 5.75 inches

Font: Creative Memories Cheerful 3.5 inches

Stars: Rock Princess 4 inches

Patterned paper: Recollections

Black Card stock

DCWV Glitter Paper

I-rock crystals

Black Tulle 

I also entered this in Cooking With Cricut's Weekly Challenge!!

Make sure to buzz by tomorrow to see the banner I made for my nephew :)  It's adorable!