The Stamping Boutique BACK TO SCHOOL HOP!

Welcome to The Stamping Boutique Back to School Blog Hop. If you arrived here from Collette's blog you are on the right track. If you get lost just go back to to the beginning at Alethas blog

Can you believe it is already back to school time? Where did the summer go? I don't know about you but I LOVE FALL which means that I love back to school time even though I don't have a little one there just yet. Even as a little girl I LOVED (read drooled over) school supplies and took so long to choice mine I am sure I drove my Mom batty. To this day I am still the same way. I can't help but stock up on the basics at least during this time of the year. I love to organize and love anything to do with school so this blog hop was just up my alley. Tracey designed some super cute and school themed digis just for this hop. You can find them all HERE plus all her other work, simply amazing!

For my card(s) I choose the apple and the pencil. I am fairly new to the digital stamps so be nice! OK enough chatting here are my cards. When you are done hop on over to CRYSTAL D's blog. Leave me some love and on Monday I will pick a winner to receive some goodies (I am going shopping Sunday!). Happy Fall Y'all!

Wedding Card-Mini Monsters

I do not think that I showed you all this one. I made this with Mini Monsters too. I used LOTS of cuttlebug, ink, stickles, stamps, pearls, and lace! I originally made this for my battle buddies wedding this next month but just found out that one of my other friends just got married, so off it goes to her. I hope she enjoys it. What do you think?

I want my MUMMY! Scrapbookpal Second Design

I am so excited to share this one with you all. I love these pictures of my "angel" throwing her fits. She looks pitiful huh? She almost looks like she does not feel well but this was that end of her fit! LOL! I hope you like it, pretty simple and straight forward. I love comments so let me know what you think!

Ingredients:
Mini Monster Cricut Cartridge
Fruit Punch Stickles
Black Diamond Stickles
Stardust Gelly Roll Pen
Zig Millenium Pen
Honeybee Scissors
Chesnut Roan Ink
Distress Ink Peeled Paint
Distress Ink Tattered Rose
Zig Glue Pen -Chisel
Scotch ATG
ATG 1/4 inch tape
Cricut Expression
Cricut 12X12 mat
Recollections Monster Stamps
Pink, Blue, white, Kraft Card stock
Reminisce Monsters Patterned Paper
Googly eyes


Recipe:
1. Using Mini Monsters Cricut Cartridge select Mummy cut on page 35 in the handbook.
2. Cut all layers at 4 inches.
3. Base Shadow in cream, mummy in pink, layer one in blue, layer one shift in white; phrase in cream, phrase shift in pink
4. Adhere using ATG Tape and Zig Chisel Tip pen, appropriately.
5. Select BOO cut on page 37 layer one for the two circles. Cut at 10 and 12/75 inches.
6. Mat all photos leaving 1/8 inch border of cream card stock. Ink edges in Chesnut roan ink
7. Adhere two circles to kraft 12X12 card stock
8. Arrange and adhere pictures on page.
9. Add fruit punch stickles to "I want my Mummy" cut and adhere to page.
10. Adhere googly eyes and dots of black diamond stickles to feet of mummy and adhere to page.
11. Cut three one inch by three inch white rectangles, and stamp title using Distress inks in peeled paint and tattered rose.
12. Dot all three white rectangles using gelly roll stardust pen
13. Journal around edge with Zig millenium pen

Big Girl Bed

Pictures from November 2009, first day of C in her big girl bed. Used Me and My Big Ideas patterned paper, BOYS, wanted to keep it simple and masculine.

Thankful

Today's layout is our Thanksgiving Dinner this past year. This year it was just the three of us as in a few weeks the house was packed with both sides of our family and friends in celebration of Caitlyn's second birthday. It was a nice and relaxing day. This layout fits the Practical Scrappers challenge of using at least 7 things. I used: card stock(four different colors), patterned paper(four different types), distress ink(two different ones), green journaling pen, white doodle pen, two types of ribbon, grunge board, staples, and glimmer spray. WHEW! Lol. I did not realize how many things I use. The general sketch/placement came from a book called "Imagine" by Jeanette R. Lynton.

Top 10

I used the sketch HERE at Sketches in Thyme for my inspiration. I am not thrilled with this one but considering all the sadness in this house right now I think this is pretty good.

Memories

As you all know I have been in a funk but I am trying to get it together. Thank you all for the kind words about the loss of our furbaby. I really miss him :(
Anyways, before I start crying again, here is a layout that I did for Practical Scrappers. I used their Friday sketch for this week and also all my products are WAY older than year. I distressed some, inked some, cuttlebugged some. Hope you like it.

Blog Candy WINNER!

Again I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone that hopped along with the Cricut Card Fairies last weekend. I had fun and I hope you did too. I think we received six or seven new fairies so that is a HUGE! I am so proud of you all! We are at 630 plus missions that is just plain out amazing. Keep up the good work.

Without further ado the winner according to random.org..................................

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PENNY LIGHT YOU WON THE JUST BECAUSE CARDS CRICUT CARTRIDGE!!!!! Send me your mailing address sweetie! YAY! Congrats! I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Penny and Gina I will get your blog candy out sometime this coming week. I am a little behind and I apologize!

See you all in September for another Cricut Card Fairies Blog Hop!

My Gizmo and Tiger RIP

My Gizmo was my beagle/Pomeranian mix furbaby. We received him when he was a mere 18 months old (he was the runt of the litter and the owner could not take care of him anymore). It was love at first sight for both of us. This was back in 1996. I was in high school and up to that point had only had one other dog (Baby) and was timid and quite frankly scared of dogs. That all changed the day we drove home with Gizmo on my lap and the dashboard of Daddy's ugly gold El Camino (no he does not have that anymore thank goodness). He was all of our dog but his love and devotion when tested always laid with me. He would not let anyone new near me; he laid with me when I would suffer through migraines or other sickness, he was a little stinker always running away but coming back. He would jump in my bed full of stuffed animals (I was a teen girl!) and hide, it would be so hard to find him and sometimes he would sleep that way. He loved to run, hunt, play, and cuddle. He was always so excited when we came home from school, work, or from just being gone. Although he never did learn to walk properly on a leash he was so full of spunk and love you forgave that. Well after almost 16 years of life and 14 years of being with his people and being loved and loving my Daddy had to put him down yesterday. He was suffering and my Daddy did the correct thing but it still hurts so much. It is amazing how much an animal can hold of your heart. I am 12 hours away and my heart is breaking. I wish I could have held him once more but when we were home in May I sort of knew, so I spent lots of time with him. I know that he is in a better place now but my heart hurts. I hope he is in Doggy Heaven chasing rabbits, swinging on swings, and with his brothers that we lost Tiger and Brownie. I hope they were waiting for him when he crossed over. I love you buddy. I will NEVER forget you. With all my love Rest in Peace Gizmo.

Caitlyn trying to feed old Giz. She was barely 1.5 here I think.

My amazing brother and Gizmo back in the 90s

This is how he chilled and relaxed!

My baby!

As he got older he got bigger and browner LOL!

I love this picture! This is Gizmo and Tiger begging for food (or is it Brownie) They looked just alike!) I love their tongues!
These are pictures of Tiger. My Daddy bought him for me when Brownie passed away in fall/winter of 03. I loved him so much, he was so fluffy and looked hilarious when we shaved him for the summer. He passed away earlier this year. We are not sure why but I think it had something to do with the accident that took one of his eyes a few years back. I miss and love you Buddy, you and Gizmo better be taking care of one another!

Need some inspiration?

Well I have a great place for you! Tell all your crafty friends! I promise they will not be disappointed!!!!!! My fellow DT Sisters at ScrapbookPal Blog will knock your socks off I promise! We all different styles and items to look (and drool) over! And what is even better we USE CRICUT CARTS! I don't know about you but I get in funks where I do not even turn on my machine (GASP!) so my fellow DT sisters have really made me step up my game and think outside the box while using the Cricut! YAY! So come on over and join us every other day there is a new creation posted, yes that is EVERY OTHER DAY full of inspiration, and PRETTINESS! Leave them some love since we all know blog comments/love inspire us all! Put this wonderful site in your reader, become a follower, and prepare to be amazed!!!!! Have a great day!! Hope to see you around SCRAPBOOKPAL BLOG!

Blog Hop STAMP winner!!!!!

I used random.org list randomizer and it picked NUMBER 8!

So GINA THORNTON COME ON DOWN YOU ARE THE WINNER ON THE BLOG HOP for the STAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!

I will draw a name for the CART on Sunday morning! That is why the post is staying at the top, ONLY to link the cards made, the HOP IS OVER! It was so much fun THANK YOU for joining in. We will have another one sometime in September, so be on the lookout for that!!!!!

Sketches in Thyme Challenge SIX

I love the sketches that my good blogging friend Kim picks out each week to inspire and try! Thanks hon! I love her design team too. I have not done much crafting but I did get a one page layout based on (not totally like) this weeks challenge sketch. I used my Cuttlebug and the Stars folder, LOTS of TH ink, some distressing, primas and other paper flowers, jewel brads, and more ink LOL!

Don't forget to make a card for Monique or Bella and win a Just Because Cards Cricut Cartridge!!!!!!! They are due to be linked up by the 24th!!!!

Nice Job Card-The Stamping Boutique

Sweet and simple. I used a CPS Sketch to get started. Everything is from scraps except the adorable image. What do you think?

Are you ready to hop with the Cricut Card Fairies?????

*************PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER POSTS! THIS WILL STAY AT TOP UNTIL SUNDAY JULY 25TH!*****************

NOTE THE BLOG HOP IS OVER! This is only staying up top to LINK your cards for Bella and/or Monique to win the cart!!!!!

Good Friday morning. Welcome to the CRICUT CARD FAIRY FIRST EVER BLOG HOP! Are you ready to start hopping to THIRTEEN blogs for some card inspiration and possibly some scrapping goodies along the way? I am so happy you are here to hop along with some amazing women.

Let me tell you about the CRICUT CARD FAIRIES first. They sprung from an idea that I had (Cards for Soldiers); I figure hey our Soldiers loved the cards we were sending, why not use our massive amounts of supplies and talent to help anyone that needs a pick me up or lift. So I asked on the cricut messageboard in April 2008 and two years and 620 plus missions later we are still going strong. We are a group of VOLUNTEERS who love our circuts, love making cards, and love spreading cheer through said cards. We have sent all over the United States, Canada, Australia, Middle East and even Germany and other parts of Europe. We send all types of cards: birthday, good thoughts, sympathy, well wishes, get better soon, and so many more. I am biased but I think the Cricut Card Fairies are the greatest group of caring, sweet, and super talented people around.

So are you ready to HOP!?

Well I am Crystal, the commander of the Cricut Card Fairies. To share with you today I have a card for a fellow message board member who was just diagnosed with Stage 3 Cancer, our own Monique Griffith. We along with the followers of MyPinkStamper are flooding her with PINK cards. So this is what I made. I did not use the Cricut as we had to take DD to the hospital last night, she is alright but it was super stressful; we thought she had swallowed some real coins AAAACCKKK! So this is what I came up with before falling asleep! Kraft card stock, some faux white stitching, stamped images, pearls and pretty pink ribbon paper.


OH did I say there was BLOG CANDY involved? Yes I did!

I have a BNIP JUST BECAUSE CRICUT CARTRIDGE to give away to ONE lucky reader. BUT you will have to work a little for it. Here is what you have to do:
1. Hop to all THIRTEEN blogs and LEAVE COMMENTS (follow if you like them!) (I WILL CHECK THIS IF YOU WIN!)
2. Make a card for either MoniqueGriffith HERE OR Bella, Information for Bella can be found HERE
3. Link it up below.
4. I will pick a random winner who does all the above to win the BNIP Just Because Cards NEXT Saturday (July 24, 2010).

Now if you just want to comment on ALL the blogs I have a BNIP Hampton Art "We make a great pair" clear stamp set to give away. My friend Sandy sent me a set and I loved them so much I got another one to share!


Now it is time for you to hop onto the next blog, my amazing Co Commander LYNNE. If you get lost, you can always come back here and all the blogs are linked here below! Don't forget to come back and post your card and let me know you left love (comments) on all my Fairies blogs! HUGS!

Now here is the lineup for this whole weekend. We will END THE HOP on Sunday evening. Please pay attention to when each fairy will post their winners (if there is candy!)

LYNNE http://scrapthiscraftthat.blogspot.com/

ScrappyCanuck http://scrappycanuck.wordpress.com

NicoleStorch http://nicolestorch.blogspot.com

GRKIDDO ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/

SherylGreene http://sherylscraftingcorner.blogspot.com/

Its-Only-Money http://itsallmymoney.blogspot.com

PamelaOsterday http://blog.pamelaosterday.com/

StampinMeg http://www.peacockpaperie.blogspot.com/

BeeJay www.beejaysstudio.blogspot.com

PennyLight http://lightwhimsy.blogspot.com

My First ScrapbookPal Design Team Design-Mini Monsters

Woohoo! I am sooooo excited to show you all my first EVER design for the wonderful design team at SCRAPBOOKPAL.com! WOOHOO!

Project by Crystal Butler
When I received my first package from Scrapbookpal.com I was so excited. I opened it up and WOW there was MINI MONSTERS Cricut Cartridge! I was giddy! I wanted to use it in an unexpected way and this is what I designed.

Instructions:
1. Cut, score and fold Kraft card stock into a 5.5 by 5.5 square card.

2. Using green patterned paper (grid and pearlescent) cut five strips at 1 inch by 5.5 inches. Ink all edges using Chesnut Roan Chalk Ink.

3. Adhere three one inch grid patterned paper strips to the base of the card with ATG 1/4 inch adhesive.

4. Punch each one inch strip of green pearlescent paper with Martha Stewart Drippy Goo punch, ink edges and accent with Gelly Roll Stardust pens.

5. Adhere punched strips to card base, butting each to the grid paper using ATG 1/4 inch adhesive
6. Using the Argh cut on page 43 in the booklet I cut all the layers including the base shadow at 3.5 inches using my Cricut Expressions and 12X12 mat.

7. Assemble as directed.

8. After the main "monster" is assembled it is time to embellish. I used Fruit Punch and Black Diamond Stickles on this tongue and feet. I hand drew some tears and accented them with Glossy Accents, added a googly eye, medical tape and a band aid from our medicine cabinet.

9. Stamp sentiment "Get Well" and Red Cross with Black Stazon Ink, and Blazing Red Stazon Ink. Ink edges with Chesnut Roan ink. Adhere using pop dots. Adhere three pearls to bottom left side.

10. Ink all edges of card with chesnut roan ink.

Other supplies used:
Mini Glue Dots
Honeybee Scissors
EK success TweezerBees
Zig Chisel point glue pen
Queen and Company pearls
DCWV patterned paper
We R Memory Keepers patterned paper
ProvoCraft bone folder

Celebrate

One of my amazing DT Sisters from ScrapbookPal created a sketch that I LOVED. So I tried it out tonight on this simple and cute birthday card for a dear old friend of mine! I hope she likes it! While creating this I managed to LOSE half of the stamp set! I am so UPSET! I have torn my room up and even dumped the trash out to sift though (just the scraps) and NOTHING! I am hoping that my little "helper" picked it up and has it stashed somewhere as I LOVE this stamp set! UGH! Anyways here is where I got the wonderful SKETCH. I will have my FIRST Design Team project for Scrapbookpal to share with you on TUESDAY so make sure you come back to see that!!!!!!

My Greatest Fear

Good morning all. I hope you have a fantastic weekend. We have NOTHING planned and I am so GRATEFUL! I feel like we have not stopped since the last week of MAY! So this weekend is relaxing, scrapping and maybe a little shopping! Any ways, here is my latest layout. I used a sketch from Sketches in Thyme, and the theme from all about me (greatest fear). I also learned to "age" my photos in photo shop so that was fun! Hubby and I disagree on this layout. I would like your thoughts. Do you think that the photos go with the "style" of the page? I know that the style is WAY different than I normally do but I had fun with it. What do you think? All the paper is from TIM HOLTZ SHABBY CHIC paper that I LOVE LOVE LOVE and just got for 50% off at Michael's! I may need another stack! LOL! All the flowers except the large shiny one are primas. The large pink three layered one with bling is a brooch that I found while yard saling with my Daddy in May. I loved it and with a little ink it goes perfect I think. The lace is also Prima that a good friend sent me. A zva bling swirl from another friend, a Joann's Essential ribbon slide, thickers, and MM mini letters lots of pearls and INK! LOTS OF INK! What do you think?

If you are interested in the journaling (its a bit personal) I think you can see it but I can't type it again without tears.

So there you go a new style for me, what do you think?
And for good measure while I was trying to get a picture of this layout this is what C was doing:
She wanted her picture taken! She kept saying CHEESE CHEESE! LOL! Such a silly girl! Doesn't she look like she is at least four or five or older in this picture? OH MY!

Michaels has new paper!

This is the MME (my minds eye) paper that I scored today at 50% off! There were so many new stacks and some thing called a layered stack with all different sized papers in the same theme. There were two of the three Tim Holtz stacks, they had Shabby Chic and Lost and Found for 14.99 plus Caitlyn used a 50% off coupon so I could get the Shabby Chic. They had several new DCWV stacks, don't remember the full names but one was Blue Jean something, then a weathered, worn one with paper that looked like weathered wood, lace, etc, Autumn Splendor (fall stack) and a few others. I was so excited!