Wedding Album

Good Evening everyone,

I know I promised you some pictures of the wedding album I worked on at the crop last week. I apologize for just now getting around to it. I apologize in advance for the photo heavy post. So without further ado...

Bride & Groom Pages

These pages are actually pockets. I intend to put some tags in for individual pictures of the bridal party and groomsmen.

Wedding Party

I know there is a word missing, I need to recut the "The". The cricut machine at Scrap That had a dull blade and it completely ripped that word apart.

Ceremony

Reception

Now for some close ups:

I still have a few pages to complete, but I'm almost there. Thanks for stopping by.

Stay Crafty

Amber's Crafts and Stuff Challenge #3 - April Flowers

Good Evening bloggers,

This week over at Amber's Crafts and Stuff the challenge is April Flowers. I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for winter to LEAVE and bring some warmer weather. It's suppose to snow Friday night here in Philadelphia. Brrrr.

I didn't start my project this week with a particular idea in mind. So I did some searching for ideas on Google and found this really cute pocket card.

Card with Insert inside

With Insert Pulled Out

Don't let looks deceive you, the only thing cut with the Cricut are the flowers and stems. The flowers are cut from George & Basic Shapes at 1 3/4 inch. The stems are cut from Pagoda at 2 inches. I found the directions for th flower pot and insert here. Another word of caution, this card is REALLY small. It's only 3.5 inches wide at it's widest part.

Head on over to Amber's blog and enter you own creation in this week's Challenge.

Stay Crafty

I'm A Winner!

Good Morning Bloggers,

So as usual, I'm checking out my favorite morning blogs and guess what....I'm a challenge winner!!




I won the weekly challenge over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog. I'm so honored. There were many great entries this week. If you've never entered any of their challenges, I suggest you do. They have great prizes and almost always challenge my creativity.

To see my winning entry, click here.

Another Blog Award / Many Thanks

Good Evening Everyone,

The love has just been pouring in. First of all I would like to thank all of the "new" followers to this blog. I'm completely humbled and honored that you find my posts to be inspiring enough to follow. I promise I will get around to each of your blogs and follow you too, just give me time. I also want to thank Momo over at MadeByMomo for hosting her linking party that brought all these wonderful people to my blog.

Diana over at DL.ART has passed on a wonderful award to me. I would like to thank Diana for thinking of me. She's such an inspiring person and her blog is quite amazing too.

The rules of this award are:

1. Post about it on your blog with a link to the sender.

2. Pass it on to  those who visit your blog and leave comments regularly.

I would like to thank the following bloggers for finding the same inspiration in me and coming back ofter to check out what's been going on. So in no particular order:

• Kel - http://craftytwilightmom.blogspot.com/
• Janice - http://cricutology.blogspot.com/

Thank you ladies!!

Please come back as I should have some good things going up the rest of the week. Also, if you haven't, check me out on Facebook too. I hang out there more!!

Stay Crafty

FCCB Challenge #52 - Happy Birthday

Good Evening everyone,
I know I'm cutting this submission close, but I finished my "Pinkalicious" Birthday Banner for my BFFs daughter's birthday. I gave a sneak peek the other day. Please excuse the 70s paneling, my basement isn't the most up to date place in the world. 


While I was cleaning up the scrap cave, I went through my stash of yarn and found pink and white Fun Fur. I decided to use this as the string to hang the banner. I tied some ribbon in between each of the letters. You can't see it in the picture, but's it's pink with white polka dots and pink with crowns.





I'm not completely happy with how this turned out. I might go back and add some more details to the cupcakes before I put it in the mail. I hope Miss Madelyn LOVES it. I'll be back tomorrow with some pictures of the pages I completed at the crop.

I'm entering this banner into the Challenge Me Monday contest over at http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com

Stay Crafty


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Crop is Done and I'm spent

Good evening everyone,

Just wanted to check in after my all day crop (I bet some of those ladies are still there). This morning I went to my first ever crop at Scrap That in Burlington, NJ. Let me begin by saying this store is AWESOME! I was greeted by some of the nicest ladies I've met in a while. Everyone was so welcoming and ready to embrace this newbie. Those ladies travel hard. They had stands, racks, holders for the ATGs, Ott Lights, and just about everything in my entire scrap cave. I felt a little embarrassed that everything I brought fit into a blue IKEA bag. :0)

It took me a bit to get started, but from that point on and I was on a roll. I finished eight (8) pages today. That's the most pages I've done in months. I'm glad I decided to stick to just working on the wedding album. There was so much stuff in the store that I could have easily bought up. But since I just bought some paper, I held off.

I will post some of the completed pages tomorrow, since I didn't take any photos. Until then it's back to my duties as a Crafting Pal over at http://www.amberscraftsandstuff.com/

Stay Crafty

Attending My First Crop/Sneak Peek

Good evening bloggers,

Just finished packing for my first crop. I hope I got everything! The plan is to finish working on the black and coral wedding album, but I'm dragging the other along in case I need a color change. While I was down in the scrap cave (it's in my basement, far away from everyone and their iPods, iPads, and what have you), I decide to clean and organize. Then I decided to test out an idea for a birthday banner.

I've been seeing them everywhere on Etsy and other blogs. One of my BFFs daughter has a birthday coming up and I had been sending a scrapbook of the previous year in pictures. Sadly, I'm behind. So I decided to send something for the party since it will be the first with friends being invited.

It's not completely done, but here's a sneak peek;

Oops, sorry it's upside down. My iPhone 3G needs to be upgraded in the worse way. Her theme is "Pinkalicious". I'd never heard of it until then, thank goodness for Google. I still need to add some "sprinkles" and punch the holes for the ribbon.

I cut the cupcake and layers from Create-a-Critter at 5 inches. I didn't cut the face since it would be covered up by the letters. The 4 is cut at 3 1/2 inches and the "th" is cut at 1 1/4 inch. I used Sans Serif for the font. I wanted to use a darker shade of pink, but it was hard to read.

Check back for the finished product and the party favor I'm going to send as well.

Stay crafty

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

DCWV $9.99 12x12 Paper Packs JoAnn's

Hey everyone,

Just dropping in really quick to let you know that JoAnn's has their DCWV 12x12 packs on sale for $9.99. You can order online or in store through Sunday. If you use TEACHER2011 as a coupon code you can save 15% on your order.

I just ordered my Far East, Cafe Mediterranean (Prints & Solids), and The Guy Stack. Great deal @ 50% plus an additional 15% (which counter-balanced the shipping and handling because I'm too lazy to drive an hour to go to JoAnns).

Stay Crafty

Amber's Crafts and Stuff Challenge #2 - Die Cuts

Hello bloggers,

So it's my debut as a Crafty Pal over at Amber's Crafts and Stuff. This week's challenge is to use a die cut, either from a sizzix (or similar machine), a cricut (or similar), or a die cut you purchased then make anything you want with it.

I recently purchased Graphically Speaking from Oh My Crafts and couldn't wait to try it out. There are so many great images on this cartridge!! Here's my card:

Card Details:
A2 sized card (4.25 x 5.5 inches)
Butterfly (Icon and Icon Blackout) cut at 3 inches, Diamond stickles added to the top layer. I added some Recollections bling to the antenna. I used 3D-Dots to pop the butterfly up.
Swirl is also cut at 3 inches and blinged up with stickles.
The tan mat is cut at 4 x 5.25 inches, then I inked the edges with brown ink.
The floral mat is from an 8x8 scrapbook kit made by Making Memories. I trimmed the mat down to 3.75 x 5 inches and inked the edges in the same brown ink.
The sentiment is a sticker from the same kit.
To finish it off, I add a piece of satin white ribbon to mimic the movement of the butterfly and a few pearls from the same Recollections pack as the rhinestones.

I love how this card turned out. Head over to Amber's blog to check out what the other design team members created and to enter the challenge.

Stay Crafty

A Blog Award

I have been awarded "The Versatile Blogger" award by Amber over at Amber's Crafts and Stuff. The rules state I must:

1. Thank the person who sent you this blog.

2. List 7 things about yourself (is that even possible ?)
3. Send this to 15 bloggers

Thank you Amber for passing on this award to me. I am truly honored to be a part of your very first design team and I hope that my creations live up to your expectations. 

About Me:

1. I am absolutely terrified of turning 30 next month. I mean I should be happy to be entering this new sophisticated chapter of my life, but I'm not ready.
2. I love my friends so much and wish that we could be together again. Thank goodness for Facebook, I don't know how I'd ever manage to keep in touch with them all. 
3. I don't keep in touch as often as I should. I grew up an Army brat and picking up and moving was very much a part of my life. 
4. I've lived in 3 foreign countries (Germany, The Netherlands, and England) and 7 states (WV, TX, NM, OK, GA, VA, and PA).
5. I was in Germany when the Berlin wall came down and have two pieces of it that my aunt who still lives in Berlin gave me
6. The life I envisioned having when I was a little girl is nothing like the life I live today
7. I should have picked a different profession because my passions lie elsewhere

So now that you've learned a little more about me, here are the blogs that I'm passing this award on to. These ladies have inspired me to reach beyond what I thought I could do and try new exciting things.

1. Alex: You Had Me At Craft
2. Jennifer: Striving For Creativity
3. Kate: Small Bits of Paper
4. ScarppinC
5. Oh My Gluestick - is currently away on maternity leave
6. Tina: My Scrap Happy Life
7. Angie: My Paper Productions
8. Melissa: My Creations by Melissa
9. Lynda: http://lyndascreativetouches.blogspot.com/
10. Donna: http://donnasdreamworks.blogspot.com/
11. Diana: D.L. Art
12. Janice: Cricutology
13. Ash: Cricut Crazed Lady
14. TBD
15. TBD

There you have it. My "almost" complete list. Thanks for taking time to learn a little about me and the blogs I follow.

Stay Crafty

April Showers Giveaway

Just a quick post this morning to let you know there is a giveaway over at Scrapping With Glitter. Anita is giving away the April Showers cartridge to a lucky follower. Head on over and check out her blog.

Stay Crafty

Thinking of You - Spring

Good Evening Everyone,

I've been super busy the last couple of days. On Friday I was accepted as a member of Amber's design team over at Amber's Crafts and Stuff. I also was the winner of a giveaway over at Circutology. With all of that excitement, I unfortunately had to come home to some rather disturbing news. My man-friend's daughter had a bad grade on her progress report due to not turning in her homework. He and I are both rather easy-going and this wasn't how we wanted to kick off the weekend. So after a brief discussion and removal of internet privileges and her most cherished iPod, I was able to get back to my new duties.

I spent most of Saturday night down in the scrap cave. I have a wonderful project for you later in the week, but I wanted to also share this quick card that I came up with.

Card Details:
A2 sized card (4.25 x 5.5 inches)
Tan mat (4 x 5.25 inches)
Grass mat and Vellum overlay (3.75 x 5 inches). Yes, that's right...I used a piece of paper that looks like grass!!
I cut the tulips from Create-A-Critter at 3 inches.
I finished the card off by adding some green brads in the corners and some stitching

I was going to enter this into a challenge, but in my sleepy daze it needed to be a layout not a card. Sooo, anyway.

I'm so ready for spring! My allergies, on the other hand, are not. I hope you enjoy the card. If you haven't already done so, stop by Natasha Crafts on Facebook.

Newest Member of a Design Team

Well first of all let me say that I am uber excited that Amber over at http://www.amberscraftsandstuff.com/ has kindly given me the chance to participate on her design team. When I started this journey, I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with it. Over the past couple of months I've met some of the most talented people in scrapping world. Everyone has been more than welcoming and inspiring all the same. I'm super excited to get started.

Amber's first challenge is a Stashbuster/Anything Goes. Head on over and check it out!!

Stay Crafty

Some Bunny

Good Evening everyone,

While I sat around waiting for the wonderful news of March's "Hello Thursday" cartridges, I decided to make another Easter card. I wasn't quite sure how it would turn out, but I LOVE it.

Details:
5 x 7 card
Bunny and basket are cut from Create-A-Critter at 3 inches on all layers
The eggs are Jolee's that were left over from another project
I cut a little piece of grass to go in the basket
I used my Martha border punch on the top green mat which is cut at 4.75 x 3. The pattern green mat is cut at 4.75 x 4. 5 (I think).
I printed the sentiment on my computer using the font "Chalkboard" at 20 pts.
I choose to use a button to challenge myself. I have a small stash of buttons, but have been hesitant to use them.

I hope you like.

Stay Crafty

Etsy Shop

Good Evening Everyone,

I've been super busy this past week. After much deliberating, I decided to open up an Etsy shop. I'm sure it's going to be hectic, exciting, drama-filled, and emotionally draining. I've only posted two items so far...got to make some more projects to post. If you'd like to check it out, click here.

I've also set up a page on Facebook. I would be thrilled if you stopped by and "liked" it. You can find me here at Natasha Crafts.

I hope you find something there that you like and want to buy. I'm not looking to quit my day job or get rich. I just wanted to be able to share some of the things I love with others.

Have a wonderful night & stay crafty

Celebrate the Occasion Challenge #5

Good Evening,

This is my first time entering a challenge over at Celebrate The Occasion. This week's challenge is "New Arrival (baby or puppy)". You can create a card, layout, or project. Here's my card:

I decided to do an unconventional card. Here are the details:
Card base is 6 x 6 inches
Gingham mat and yellow mat are 5.75 x 3.5 inches. I used a Fiskar's punch along the bottom edge to add some details
I cut the carriage from the New Arrivals cartridge at 3 inches for all layers. I added some Stickles to the handles, wheels, and the edging of the bassinet.
I used a stamp from my clearance set that I got at Micheal's

Miss A says that the card is a mixture of baby and Easter. That girl...I tell you!! If you haven't check out CTO's blog, do so and become a follower. Have a wonderful evening.

Stay Crafty

FCCB Challenge #51 - Hip to be Square

Good Evening,

I just wanted to post my project that I will be entering into the weekly challenge over at The Fantabulous Cricut Blog. This week's challenge was to create a square card using green and gold (bright yellow was also acceptable). So here's my card:

Details:
Card base is 5 x 5 inches
Yellow mat is cut at 4.75 x 4.75 inches
Gingham mat is cut at 4.5 x 4.5 inches
Square clover is cut from Designer's Calendar at 3 inches
Ribbon is from my stash that I got from Oriental Trading Company and the stamp is from a set I got at Michael's

It's doubly squared. LOL! I was actually able to get 3 cards done tonight while the man-friend and his daughter were at boxing class. Oh how I love Tuesday & Thursday nights!! Have a wonderful evening.

Stay Crafty

EK Success Punch Giveaway over at Cricutology

Good Afternoon everyone,

Janice over at Cricutology is giving away an EK Success Border punch for reaching 300 followers. Just click on the link and become a follower, then post it on your blog. Easy Peesy.

Stay Crafty

Iron-ons & the Cricut

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I wanted to share how I made these adorable t-shirts for a friend. I got this idea from Karlee over at her blog. I wasn't able to find the sheets that she purchased (and I wasn't going to drive 45 mins to Joann's), so I went over to Wal-Mart and looked for an alternative.

I remember WAYYYY back when we used Heat & Bond back in Home Ec. So I picked up a yard of that. Make sure you buy the one for being used with an iron. They have a sew-on one and I don't sew!




Right next to the Heat & Bond there was a ton of fabric to choose from. I ended up buying 2 yards of blue cotton fabric. Here's a pic of the label.




I don't have any pictures of the process...but I will try my best to explain it to you. First, you will want to cut a piece of fabric about 6 inches long and 12 inches wide. I chose these dimensions because I wanted to make sure there was room on my Cricut mat. Next you will want to cut a piece of the Heat & Bond slightly smaller than the fabric.

Apply the Heat & Bond to the fabric using the directions. Then make your way over to the Cricut.

I applied the fabric to my mat, fabric side down. I cut the letters using Classic Font and the airplane and truck from New Arrivals. Make sure that you have your "Flip" button on!!!! I made that mistake the first time. Enter whatever you are going to cut and hit "Cut".

When you are ready to put your images onto the t-shirts. Peel the paper off, arrange as desired, then place your warm iron over each image for about 10 seconds. Here are the finished t-shirts:










I have some many ideas going for future t-shirts.

Stay Crafty

Free Classes From scrapbook.com

Good morning everyone,

Today over at  scrapbook.com, they have 24 scrapbook classes (that are delivered via email) available for free. Everything from beginning techniques to advanced skills will be delivered to your email address.

I've been a fan of their magazine for many years. I always find tons of inspiration looking through their sketches.

Stay crafty


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A.C. Moore 9.99 Cartridges/JoAnn's DCWV Stacks 50% off

Ok so why didn't anyone tell me that A.C. Moore had cartridges for $9.99? Here I was, happy that I didn't go cart crazy this month (yes, I know it's still early) and I was looking through the ads that I missed this week. There at the bottom of page 2 was the hidden ad. Stand and Salute, Jubilee, Home Decor, and Simply Sweet.

I grew up an Army brat. 100%. My stepfather retired in 2002 after he returned from Iraq. That's 22 years of duty stations, photos, and memories. I think Stand and Salute is a must have for anyone that has service members in their family.

I can't wait to get started. The sale runs until tomorrow, but I would advise calling your local store(s) before running out to get something that might not be there.

Also, when did A.C. Moore stop price matching? JoAnn's has their entire collection of DCWV paper stacks 50% off. It says that they are a web deal only...but I haven't made it out to my local store to see if they are having the same sale in the brick and mortar.

I'm so in love with the Far East and Cafe Mediterranean.




Stay Crafty

FCCB Challenge Me Monday #50 - Tree Time

Over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, this week's challenge was to create something with a tree.

I was looking over my collection of cartridges and wanted to use one that I haven't really used in a while. So that lead me to Pagoda. A little history behind why I purchased this cartridge. I'm totally into Chinese/Japanese things. My dining room is where I've started to incorporate some of these things into my home. I bought this cartridge on the idea that I would use it to decorate my walls...well I haven't made it that far yet. But I'm getting closer.

Anyway on to my project:





This is a standard A2 sized card (4.25 by 5.5). I used a corner rounder on the edges of the card. I wasn't in a square mood. The red cardstock is 4.25 by 4. I used the Fiskars punch on both edges. I will master that punch one day! (That's if you notice the double hole under the tree)

I cut the tree and it's shift image from page 44 at 3 inches. I have another bad habit of putting the pieces together and then going, "Oh I should emboss it". So I ran it through my Divine Swirls cuttlebug folder for detail. Then I tried something new. I inked the edges...yes I know I should have done that first. But can't you tell I'm totally into doing things backwards!

I finished off the card by tying some brown polka dot ribbon to it. I stamped the sentiment from a set that I got on clearance at Micheal's. I hope you like.

Stay Crafty

Baby Girl Frame

Good evening bloggies,

As I sit here watching Glee, I thought I would post my project that I just completed. A friend of mine is having her third baby this month. After two super adorable boys, she's having a girl.

I wanted to send her something she could put in her daughter's room. I still need to go out and buy a frame, but here's the part that will be inside the frame.






What do you think? I cut the squares at 2 inches and arranged them randomly. The B-A-B-Y are cut at 1.75 inches from the Don Juan cartridge. The outfit and carriage were both cut at 3 inches. Everything else was cut at 2 inches. All the other cuts are from New Arrivals.

Well that's all for now.

Stay crafty

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Brought Another Over to the Craft Side

Good Afternoon bloggies,

I just wanted to drop by with a quick update. I plan on doing some crafty stuff tonight, so I should I have some projects up and ready for you soon. Have you ever been so excited about things, that you pass them on to others? My officemate and I share our hobbies with each other all time. Well she recently has come into the wonderful world of scrapbooking (I'm sure her husband isn't singing the same praise, J/K).

Well last week she jumped in the pool and bought a Cricut Expression!! I'm so proud. It's like being a crafty momma and baby crafter is ready to fly from the nest. Today we were sharing some of the projects we've been working on and her calendar for March was AWESOME. Here's a picture of her calendar.

Have you recently introduced someone to scrapbooking or card making? Do you feel an excitement for them when they share their projects with you?

Until next time,
Stay Crafty

D.L Art 200 Follower Giveaway

Happy Sunday night everyone,

Trying to catch up on some blog reads and one of the blogs that I follow is giving away a $15 Micheal's gift card upon reaching 200 followers. Head over to D.L. Art and check our her blog for a chance to win.

Stay Crafty.

Scotch ATG Refills

Just a quick find. I'm always looking for a deal. I needed to order some refills for my ATG (those invitations used a lot of tape) and I came across the following site.

http://www.scrapbookchicks.com

Good price, even at regular price. I ordered 2 refills (4 rolls of tape). With shipping and handling, it came out to $21.99. I'll have tape for a while now.

Just wanted to share.


Stay Crafty.