The Kraft Journal Memorial Day Challenge

Our Memorial Day Challenge at The Kraft Journal is in full swing and there plenty of time to join us. All the details regarding this challenge are available by clicking on our Current Challenge link that is located in the top right sidebar of our blog.  You have until this Sunday at 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time to enter for a chance to win prizes and adorable blog buttons too!

Before I share my project with you today, I wanted to share this you, first.  USMemorialDay.Org says that since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and guard the graves for 24 hours to ensure the flags remain standing. They go on to say that with few exceptions (like the one above) traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.across the United States. However, to help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

As a Veteran of the United States Army, I wanted to take the time to share that information with you today, as well as create a card that I felt best shows the traditional observance of Memorial Day by including an image I found at The Vintage Workshop.

I created this card from Brown Kraft Coverweight Cardstock cut into a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 side-fold card and layered it with Buff Ivory Cardstock cut to 5 1/4 x 4 inches and adhere pattened paper on top of that cut to 5 x 3 3/4 inches. I wrapped the card with 7 Gypsies Victoria Seam Binding in cream and royal blue. A button tied with red and white Baker's Twine and Antique Jenni Bowlin Stick Pins top the bow. I printed the digital image/sentiment that I felt conveys the true meaning of this holiday onto Buff Ivory Cardstock to finish the card. A Buff Ivory envelope adorned with patterned paper completes the project.

I hope you find time to create a Memorial Day inspired project this week and share it with us at The Kraft Journal!

Selective Embossing with Cheery Lynn Designs Embossing Plates and Dies

Before I get started with today's post, I just want to remind you that the

Cheery Lynn Designs Butterfly Challenge, ends June 4th

So you still have time to enter our Butterfly Challenge for a chance to win one of two shopping sprees to Cheery Lynn Designs!  We can't wait to see what you create!

Okay, so with that said, a few weeks ago I saw this great tutorial by Erin Lincoln where she selectively embossed part of her card front.  After watching her tutorial, I thought I'd give the technique a try with my Cheery Lynn Designs Dotted Swiss Embossing Plate and one of the small Rectangle Card-Maker Stackers dies.

I started with a 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch top-fold card and slid the top over the embossing plate and laid it down on my die cut machine like shown below (using an emboss stack). I then laid the Card-Makers Stackers Rectangle die down CUT SIDE UP (please, please make sure it is CUT SIDE UP so you don't ruin your embossing plate!!!). Position the second die (CUT SIDE UP) where you want it to show up on your card front.

Then you are simply going to fold down the top of the card like so...

Then lay the embossing pad over that, finish your embossing stack and run it through your machine. After which you'll have a finished card front like this...

Ta-da!  Now you have the perfect place to stamp your sentiment... and add a beautiful Cheery Lynn Designs flower like the one I created here using the newly released Judy's Blooms.

I know I am going to use this technique again and again!  I'd love to hear if you try this on your next project... and if you do, please leave a comment with a link to your project so I can check it out!

Don't forget to visit the Cheery Lynn Designs blog every day for more inspiration using your Cheery Lynn Designs dies and embossing plates!

This week's challenge theme at The Kraft Journal is Clean and Simple and you still have time to join us too! Simply create a project using either Kraft cardstock or products from Kraft Outlet and link it up before this Sunday at 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can find the link to our current challenge in the upper right hand of our sidebar.

I've really been into using purple on my paper craft projects lately, so when I sat down to create this Clean and Simple card, I decided to pair the yummy Brown Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock from Kraft Outlet with some pretty purple stamped flowers...

You've still got until this Sunday at 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time to enter our Clean and Simple challenge at The Kraft Journal for a chance to win a Kraft Outlet store voucher, our Top Three Button Award or even a Featured Artist spot right here at The Kraft Journal! Simply create a CAS project that features Kraft cardstock or products purchased from Kraft Outlet and link them up to our challenge.  You'll find the link to our current challenge in the upper right side of our sidebar!

We can't wait to see what you create!

My Reason to Relay: American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Ionia

I am participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life because I want to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer and I need your support!

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer, either through their own personal battle or through someone they love.

Please join my team or make a donation at my personal Relay for Life page to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together, we can help make sure that cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life!

Every day, the American Cancer Society is helping us stay well by preventing cancer or finding it at its earliest, most treatable stages. They assist families in finding the best resources to help their friend or loved one deal with a diagnosis and their journey to get well. The American Cancer Society is also rallying communities (like ours!) through events like Relay For Life, to fight back and find cures for this disease.

Please Make a Donation to Support My Walk in the Relay for Life of Ionia by Clicking Here!

CAS: Jillibean Soup, Cheery Lynn Designs and Imaginisce Bling

Last night I had a chance to sit down and create a pile of cards for up-coming Design Team assignments that I wanted to get completed before I leave on my vacation to Kristina's on June 1.  While I was at that, I decided to use some yummy Jillibean Soup scraps to create a Clean and Simple Card with bling for the current challenge at CAS-ual Fridays.  They are only on their 3rd challenge and already have lots of followers and tons of participation over there... if you haven't had a chance to check them out... you really should...their Design Team is a talented group and the CAS inspiration is well.... inspiring! :-)

For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the 6 x 6 paper pack that this Jillibean Soup line is from...but it's newly released....and so ADORABLE!  For my bling, I added Imaginisce Glam Rocks to the Scalloped edge (Large Scallop die from Papertrey Ink). Also included on this card is Pure Poppy ribbon, cardstock and Stamps from Papertrey Ink as well as the Classic Scallop Oval die and Silver Nesting Oval Die from Cheery Lynn Designs.

After I took this photo and downloaded to edit I realized that the sentiment is just a hair out of focus...but I wasn't about to schlep myself back down into my craft room to take another photo... one of these days, I'm gonna set that place up so that my main computer is right where I'm crafting...

I also entered this card into these other fun and fabulous challenges... hope you join me!

Crafting for All Seasons: Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenges: Gems and Pearls
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog: Here Comes Summer

Imaginisce Happy Camper Release Party

We're having a PARTY over at the Imaginisce blog all week long to celebrate the official release of Imaginisce's newest collection, "Happy Camper".... just in time for camping season... YAY!

As with all of our Release Parties...there is going to be lots of Inspiration from the entire Design Team...

and lots of Prizes too!

I do believe that Happy Camper is my new favorite Imaginisce Collection and I had so much fun putting together these projects for our Release Party too!

I started by creating this layout that features "Raider" one of the eleven Raccoons that stayed at our rehab facility last spring/summer until he was old enough to be released.

I paired "Don't Feed the Bears" patterned paper with a scalloped piece of "Thermal Jammies" and created buttons with my I-Top tool using "Tree Hugger" paper. I further embellished the layout with Camp Critter Icon Die Cuts and added some bling to the stars and moon with my I-Rock Tool and Glam Rocks.

I had so much fun creating that layout that I decided I had to create another one too...

I started this layout, the same as the first, with a Kraft Cardstock base, then I added Tree Hugger patterned paper across the center and topped it with a Top Crest Border punched Fresh Air pattern. I used that same pattern to create buttons with my I-Top tool as well to emphasize the green velvet ribbon I used to feminine-up the layout a bit.  A jounral tag, Take a Hike Chipboard Stickers and Camp Critter Die cuts coupled with some Glam Rocks helped complete the layout.

For my final project, I decided to create this "Bear Necessities" Bi-Fold Card... the so cute canvas Bear from the S'more Canvas Sticker pack brought out the "Jungle Book" song in me...

Above, the card is picuted closed and features the "Fresh Air" pattern from the Happy Camper Collection.

For the final touch to the inside of the card I added white cardstock and Snag "Em Stamps "Tree Hugger" Stamp. Ah but there is so much MORE INSPIRATION to be found over at the Imaginisce Blog... so hop over there right now why don't ya and get in on the "Happy Camper" Release Party!

Exotic Butterfly Challenge at Cheery Lynn Designs with BIG Prizes too!

How would you like to have a chance to win either a $50.00 or $25.00 gift certificate to spend at the Cheery Lynn Designs store?  Well...here is your chance!  All you have to do is head on over to the Cheery Lynn Designs blog today and get in on the Exotic Butterfly Challenge!

There you will find all the details about our Exotic Butterfly Challenge as well as inspiration from the entire Cheery Lynn Designs Design Team too. To inspire you to get in on this great opportunity to win, I created this card (you'll see it over at the CLD blog too).

This card showcases two of the Small Exotic Butterfly dies as well as the new Fanciful Flourish die (one of my new favorites!). The card also features Glam Rocks from Imaginisce as well!

Now what are you waiting for?  Get on over to the Cheery Lynn Designs and enter your project for a chance to win BIG! :-)

Thinking of you and Exotic Butterflies too...

All week long the Design Team at Cheery Lynn Designs has showcased the newly released Exotic Butterfly dies. I just had an opportunity to look back through the designs featured this week and I have to say that I am totally AMAZED at the projects created by the other members of the Design Team, from the adorable Butterfly Magnets created by Tanisha to the gorgeous decorated frame by our Design Team Leader Sandy... well, I can't imagine that you all haven't already hopped on over to the Cheery Lynn Designs store to buy up some of these perfectly yummy dies!  Kianel used them for masks right here to make beautiful background paper, Liz made this most adorable layout that features a butterfly net and Irit showcased the butterflies beautifully using her vintage style for both a card and a layout right here.  I can hardly wait to see what Jeannie will create as well. (Note: I prescheduled my post, so Jeannie's isn't actually up yet, but I'm betting she rocked the butterfly dies as well.)

Tomorrow will be a BIG EXOTIC BUTTERFLY day at the Cheery Lynn Designs blog too... and you are NOT going to want to miss it, so be sure to take some time to visit us some time during your day (our big event involves a prize too!).

For my project this week, I chose to showcase a couple of the Small Exotic Butterflies  (the perfect size for cards and other smaller-scale projects) along with the new Fanciful Flourish and Heart Chain Border. I also used two of the Large Oval Scallop Nesting dies and two of the Large Silver Stackers Nesting Dies, as well as the Damask Embossing plate to complete this project.

That's all for today... and don't forget to visit again tomorrow for our big event over at the Cheery Lynn Designs Blog!

Friday's Executive Team Reveal at Papercraft Star

For this week's challenge at Papercraft Star we've got another fabulous sketch from Liz Chidester. Her sketches never cease to inspire me and I was excited to get working on this particular sketch. (In fact, I actually created this card for this reveal way back in early April!)... I was on a creative roll for a couple of days creating cards for up-coming challenges that I was assigned and because I was really lovin' on the Crate Paper Neighborhood Collection papers that week... it's no accident that the last two cards I've shared over the past two months featured that patterned paper...and today's card does too!

I'm a BIG fan (I know, I know, I said it before) of using scrapbook page sketches to create my cards, so that's what I've created for today's reveal. (that and as much as I do love to scrapbook... I'm even more fond of making cards...thus the reason that I have PILES UPON PILES of them taking up space in my craftroom storage drawers!).





I used one of my favorite patterns from the Crate Paper Neighborhood Collection to create this card (I used some of this same paper on my April 8, Executive Team reveal too)...because I just love that cat...too cute. (Despite the fact that Kristna swears it is a dog!!) :-).

Supplies that I used to create this card include: Thickers (sentiment), Silver gel pen (to highlight the sentiment), Enchanted Evening cardstock and ribbon as well as White cardstock by Papertrey Ink. The button and patterned paper are by Crate Paper.

Don't forget that you still have PLENTY of time to link your project to the current challenge at Papercraft Star, you'll find the link in the upper left sidebar of the Papercraft Star blog.  We're looking forward to seeing your projects inspired by this fun sketch!

Thursday Trigger for Kraft Outlet: Stand and Salute Challenge

This week's challenge theme at The Kraft Journal is Stand and Salute in honor of Armed Forces Day on Saturday May 21, and you still have time to join us too! Simply create a project using either Kraft cardstock or products from Kraft Outlet and link it up before Sunday at 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. You can find the link to our current challenge in the upper right hand of our sidebar.

The card I created for this challenge is in honor of all the Service Men and Women who help to ensure our freedom each and every day...they are indeed "My Hero".

Kraft Outlet products featured in this card include: Brown Kraft Cover Weight Cardstock, Blue Baker's Twine, Red Baker's Twine and 7 Gypsies Victoria Seam Binding in white.

To recreate this card:

1. Create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½ top fold card with Kraft cardstock; ink edges.
2. Die cut piece of patterned paper with scallop die and adhere to piece of coordinating patterned paper that is cut at 4 x 5 ¼ inch; wrap with blue ribbon and adhere to card front.
3. Die cut tag from Kraft cardstock, ink edges and adhere scrap piece of red cardstock on back of tag; thread with ribbon, tie twine into bow and adhere to card front.
4. Die cut banner from white cardstock and stamp sentiments; adhere to card front.
5. Adhere gems on bow and large star.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink: “Stampers Select White”,“Pure Poppy”, Kraft Outlet: “Brown Kraft Cover Weight” Patterned Paper: Lily Bee Design: “Picket Fence” 6 x 6 Tiny Tablet.

Fiber: Papertrey Ink: Twill Tap 3/8 inch “Blueberry Sky”, Kraft Outlet: Baker’s Twine: “Blue”, “Red”, 7 Gypsies: Victoria Seam Binding: "White"

Dies: Papertrey Ink: “Double-Ended Banners”, “Large Scallop”, Provocraft: Cricut Stand and Salute Cartridge. Embellishments: Imaginisce: Glam Rocks “Metallic Pearl”.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink: “Ad Sense”

Ink: Ranger: Stampin’ Up: Classic Stampin’ Pad “Real Red”.

Other Tools: Provocraft: Cricut Expression Tabletop Die Cut Machine, Imaginisce: I-Rock Tool

I am entering this card into these awesome challenges... hope you join me!

Crafts and Me: Anything Goes with Option of Using Kraft
The Paper Variety: Star Studded Challenge
Truly Scrumptious: Anything Goes
Die Cutting Divas: Masculine Cuts
That's Kraft Thursday: Use Kraft Cardstock

Published in the Cricut Magazine... almost.

Cricut Cartridge Featured: Batman: The Brave and The Bold

I actually created this layout of my very own Super Hero: John,  for a men's Cricut Magazine layout call and was thrilled when it was selected for publication in the June/July 2011 issue of that magazine... alas, there ended up be some licensing issues with the Batman images and Northridge Publishing was then unable to publish it. Never the less, I can still share my project here with you today!!

To create this layout I used my Cricut Expression, my Gypsy (to size things accurately to fit the layout), Batman: The Brave and The Bold Cricut Cartridge and American Crafts Cardstock in white, blue and yellow.

The journal text reads:  My Super Hero may not be Batman or even Superman, but he is... just slightly faster than a speeding turtle. Able to leap tall piles of dirty laundry in a single bound. More powerful than a roll of duct tape. And able to make our family feel love, happy and safe.

Love Birds Card with DarkRoomDoor Stamps

Earlier this year I purchased a couple of different set of DarkRoomDoor Stamps and since then I've been thinking up ways to use them because I am so totally in love the quality of the stamped images... I mean look at those birds!

To Create This Card:

1. Distress and Ink all edges except patterned paper.
2. Make card from cardstock 5 ½ x 4 ¼.
3. Cut rectangle of cardstock (aqua) 5 ¼ x 4.
4. Cut rectangle of patterned paper (5 x 3 ¾) and adhere to aqua cardstock.
5. Die cut aqua sentiment label, stamp sentiment and adhere to patterned paper rectangle to make card front.
6. Wrap ribbon around card front and adhere to card base.
7. Stamp image on cardstock and die cut; adhere to card front with foam tape.
8. Cut piece of ribbon and trim edges.
9. Thread twine through ribbon, place ribbon on top of button and tie onto button with twine.
10. Tie twine into bow and adhere to ribbon.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink: “Aqua Mist”, “Vintage Cream”.

Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye: Fine and Dandy “True Blue” 6 x 6 paper pad.

Stamps: Darkroomdoor: Essentials 6 Collection “Love Birds"

Ink: Ranger: Archival Ink “Coffee”,

Fiber: Papertrey Ink: Grosgrain Ribbon “Dark Chocolate”, Twine (purchased at Walmart).

Other tools: Papertrey Ink: Vintage Button “Fine Linen”, Spellbinders Nestabilities “Labels 1” and Rectangle, Distressing Tool

I'm submitting this card to the following fun challenges and hope you join me!

CAS-ual Fridays: Buttons and Twine

One Stitch At A Time: Anything Goes

Easy Craft Project Challenges: Pastels

Crafty Creations: Anything Goes

Fab n' Funky: Buttons and Bows

Wedding Card Made Easy with Cheery Lynn Designs

The wedding season is just around the corner so I thought it would be fun to show you how you can create a Tuxedo inspired card for the Bride and Groom with ease when you use Cheery Lynn Designs Dies and Embossing plates. 

To create this card you'll need the following supplies: Black and White cardstock, Crystal Gems (mine are are Imaginisce Hot Rocks from the Crystal Compact), a Corner Chomper, the newly released Cheery Lynn Designs Pair of Ferns die and the Cheery Lynn Designs XL Dotted Swiss Embossing Plate (I know the dots are hard to see in this photo but they are there in all their glory I was just having issue balancing the white in Photoshop!) as well as the second to the largest CardMakers Stackers Nesting dies. You'll also need, black ribbon (also hard to see due to the light issues), a sentiment stamp (mine is from Papertrey Ink's Big and Bold Sentiments) and black ink (I used Memento in Tuxedo Black).


Featured Die: Newly Released Pair of Ferns



• Create a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 cardbase from white cardstock.
• Cut a piece of white cardstock with the second to largest CardMakers Stackers Nesting dies and emboss with Dotted Swiss XL Embossing plate; trim corners with Corner Chomper.
• Cut a piece of black cardstock 4 x 5 1/2 and adhere to back of embossed white cardstock; wrap bottom of piece with black ribbon and adhere to cardbase.
• With black cardstock die cut Pair of Ferns die with die cut machine two times, discard one die cut and trim one shorter than the other two.
• Arrange Fern die cuts off center on front of card as shown and adhere to card as shown.
• Stamp sentiment on white cardstock with black ink and trim two corners with Corner Chomper; adhere on top of black ribbon.
• Add Crystal Hot Rocks with Imaginisce I-Rock tool.

You can see more examples of some Clean and Simple cards I created using Cheery Lynn Designs dies right here and here, and you can see new inspiration examples from our entire Cheery Lynn Designs Design Team each and every day by visiting the Cheery Lynn Designs blog.

Buttons and Bows Challenge at The Kraft Journal

Our challenge this week at The Kraft Journal is "Buttons and Bows" and you've got until this Sunday May 15 at 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time to join us! We've got some great project ideas featuring Kraft cardstock, as well as products from Kraft Outlet by our talented design team.  You can find them and our challenge at the link located in out top righthand sidebar over at The Kraft Journal blog.

I have to admit that while I adore buttons on papercraft projects, I never really end up using them very often on my cards, so for this challenge I went seeking some inspiration. This card was inspired by a card I saw a few weeks ago in the recent issue of CardMaker magazine (and I'm sorry, but I loaned that issue out to a friend of mine who is trying her hand at making cards so I don't have the Designer's name or page number handy...but you'll know it if you see it for sure as she used the die cuts in this same way!).

I started this card by creating a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch cardbase using Buff Ivory Cover Weight cardstock, I just adore the texture and visual grain of this rich paper! I die cut the flower shapes from a piece of patterned paper and then tied up red buttons with Kraft Outlet's Brown Kraft Baker's Twine and added it to the center of each card.  For extra pizzaz, I added a Glitter Rock on top of each bow with my Imaginisce I-Rock tool.  I finished the project by embellishing a Buff Ivory A2 envelope  with a matching flower.

We'd love to see how our "Buttons and Bows" challenge inspires you and hope you join us by linking your project up to play along.  You can find the link to our current challenge at the top right hand sidebar of The Kraft Journal blog.

Imaginisce Flower Power Party

This week at Imaginisce we're introducing our new range of Roly Rosies and Posies that are making their way out into the retail world.

All this week we are going to showcase the new collection of Roly flowers at the Imaginisce blog with fabulous projects from our design team along with lots of lovely give-aways too.

I had so much fun creating my first project with the Roly Rosies in both Warm and Neutral Colours. Additional items needed to create this project include: a styrofoam ball, flower picks, green cardstock (for leaves), tulle, decorative stick pins, a clay pot, pink ribbon and white paint.

Here's a close up...

My second project is a simple card with one of the new Fabric Roly Posies using an embossing technique and Cheery Lynn Designs dies.

To see all the projects by the Imaginisce Design Team for our Flower Power Party and to get in on the fantastic give-aways...visit the Imaginisce Blog today!

Combine Die Cuts to Create a Whole New Look

As if Cheery Lynn Designs weren't already versatile enough, I just wanted to show you today how it is possible to combine Cheery Lynn Designs Dies to create a whole new die cut for your next papercraft project. I love how combining the dies makes it possible to get a whole new look (which means lots more designing power for your buck ...and you just gotta love that!).

For this project, I paired two newly released dies from Cheery Lynn's Designs to create a floral centerpiece that really stands out. First, I die cut the Fanciful Flourish die from Ripe Avocado cardstock. The die looks like this...

Fanciful Flourish

Even on its' own, this die cut is gorgeous... but I really envisioned my project with layers of flowers too, so I chose the newly released Darling Daisies die cut that looks like this...

Darling Daisies

Then I die cut several pieces of Red Poppy cardstock so that I had a nice little pile of various sizes of red flowers (for this project I chose not to use the stems from the die, because I wanted to add them to the Fanciful Flourish cut). I created double layers with the flower cuts and adhered them together. Then I added a little gem to the center of each flower (with the I-Rock and a few Hot Rocks), so that I could end up with a finished project that looks like this.

Fanciful Flourish combined with Darling Daisies Die Cuts

Creating this card got me pondering other ways to combine Cheery Lynn Designs dies to create different looks using the same dies... in fact, I'd love to see examples of how you combined your dies to create a new die cut, and when you do, why not leave a comment over at Cheery Lynn Designs blog for your project so we can visit your blog (or gallery) to see what you created too!

Thanks so much for stopping by today and don't forget to visit the Cheery Lynn Designs blog every day for more inspiration from our Design Team at the Cheery Lynn Designs blog.

Don't forget that one lucky person leaving comments on every post at the Cheery Lynn Designs Blog Sunday May 1 through Sunday May 8, will win a $25 shopping spree at Cheery Lynn Designs.

My Latest Rescue: Trixie and Her Kittens...

Okay....so no one in their right mind needs seven cats, and no one even remotely sane has seven cats and then rescues six more UNLESS...

A pregnant kittie shows up in your yard from out of the woods every day (and eats the dog food you put out for the Raccoon Rehab group you had the summer before...who still happen to "come home" to eat every night) and then subsequently gives birth to a pile of kittens under your grandson's wading pool that is flipped over and stored not far from my grandson's outside play equipment. 

After finding said kittens in this spot I made up an outside area all cozy and nice for the kittens (in a SAFER spot in the yard)... which mommie-kitty (that I have since named Trixie) promptly hated. She moved the kittens...but not before leaving three of the them to nearly freeze to death in the night. I took those three and with the handy-dandy blow-dryer and some kitten formula brought them back to life and over the next several days waited in the yard with the kittens until Trixie came up to take them back (it took two days but she got all three). The next day I discovered where she was hiding all five of them, yet again (down in the woods under a decaying tree) ...but this time I was smart enough to leave them alone....and simply feed Trixie several times a day (and try to get her to "like" me).

After several days of this and temps that were going to drop down to the 30's.... I decided to make my move. I have since captured Trixie... and her five kittens.  They are now ...SAFE, warm, well-fed and living in my basement walk-in closet (away from the other animals and people activity).... and I can sleep at night knowing the kittens aren't freezing to death or getting rained on.... they are now just getting very FAT! :-) Trixie, once very skinny... is now getting fat as well and has decided she's pretty dang happy too (little does she know once these kittens are weaned she has a trip to the vet in her future to prevent any further off spring)... I'm thinking Trixie is really liking being a "house" cat too... and while she might not look thrilled here (I think the flash of my camera surprised her)... she is actually very friendly and is loving the easy life (although she does make me bring her food dish to her when she's nursing the kittens. Bless her heart :-).

Mother's Day Card for Kraft Outlet's Thursday Trigger

Our challenge this week at The Kraft Journal is "Mother's Day" and you've still got some time to finish up those last minute projects for Mom and join us in the fun this week! We've got some lovely project ideas featuring Kraft cardstock, as well as products from Kraft Outlet by our talented design team.  You can find them and our challenge at the link located in out top righthand sidebar at The Kraft Journal blog.

To create this card for my mom, I started with a Kraft Outlet, Kraft Blank Notecard (they come with matching envelopes) and patterned paper from Webster's Pages. I then stamped a Card Sleeve Envelope with several stamps from the TweetyJill Journey to France stamp collection. I love these deeply etched stamps and inked them up with Very Vanilla Ink (Stampin' Up) so the stamped images would show well on the Kraft.

I created the embellished tag for the inside of the Card Sleeve from a #2 Manila Tag from the Designs Special Natural Tag Collection, and removed the string which I replaced with ribbon to match the card.

The floral trim is from Webster's Pages, the pearls by Hero Arts and the Lemon Tart ribbon is from Papertrey Ink. The "Mother" sentiment stamp and stamped fern is also Papertrey Ink and the florish is cut from Fancy Flourishes Spellbinders dies.

Remember, there's still time to join us for our Mother's Day Challenge so head over to The Kraft Journal to enter your project today... can't wait to see what you create!

Note: I've entered this card into these fantastic challenges...hope you join me!

Creative Card Crew: For Mom
The Sisterhood of Crafters: Mother's Day Theme
Clear it Out Tuesday: Ribbon/Trim
Party Time Tuesday: Mother's Day Cards
Tuesday Throwdown: Morther Day Cards
Happyleigh Scrappin' Challenge: Mother's, etc.

Imaginisce Monthly Challenge: Create a Masculine Project with Snag "Em Stamps

I'm a couple days behind on this post...but not too late for you to join in the fun because it's that time once again! A new month is upon us which means a new challenge is at the Imaginisce blog as well. This month we want to challenge you to: create a masculine themed layout/card/project, use one of our Snag'Em Stamps from any Imaginisce collection and use at least 75% of Imaginisce product too. Our challenge winner will receive a complete i-top package valued at $75, OR or a range of popular collections for the same value amount.

In case you didn't know, Imaginisce creates Snag 'Em stamps for every collection and they are perfectly sized for your papercraft projects...not to mention the fact that they are also perfectly sized for your pocket book too (in other words...they are very inexpensive!).

I created two masculine cards for this challenge... both meant for the man in your life; one fun, one a bit more on the serious side.

This card features a Snag 'Em Stamp from the Little Cutie Boy Collection, I simply masked the "It's a Boy" sentiment that is under the sailboad to create this card meant for my guy! :-)

Snag 'Em Stamp Featured: "It's a Boy"

This second card features the "Dragon" Snag 'Em Stamp from the Enchanted Collection.  I colored him with my Copics and created the sentiment on my computer.  The paper is from the Animal Crackers Collection. Both cards also feature Glam Rocks that I adhered to the cards with my I-Rock tool too!

Featured Snag 'Em Stamp: "Dragon" from Enchanted Collection

Now to link up your own project, or to check out all the other projects from the Imaginisce Design Team go to this link now!!

Note: I've also entered the Sailboat Stamped Card into these fabulous and fun challenges...hope you join me!
The Crazy Challenge: Male Card

Bunny Zoe's Crafts: One for the Boys
Make it Monday: Anything Goes
Polly Craft Challenge: Anything Goes
Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central: Anything Goes
Stamps R Us Challenge: For the Men in Our Lives
Woodware USA: Blue, Brown and Yellow Color Combo

Spring Release Event at Cheery Lynn Designs and a Give Away too!

It's May Day and we're celebrating at the Cheery Lynn Designs blog with a huge Spring Release of dies that I think you're going to absolutely love! As part of the celebration, all of the Designers at Cheery Lynn Designs got together for one big post over at the Cheery Lynn Designs blog that includes inspirational projects we created featuring the newly released dies and a give-away as well! Here's a peek at the project I created for this event...


Spring Release Event at Cheery Lynn Designs

This card features two of the new releases including the Ribbon Eyelet Border and Judy's Blooms. To recreate this card you'll also need the smallest Scalloped Oval Little Stackers Nesting Die and the smallest Oval Classic Large Silver Stackers Nesting Die, cardstock, ribbon, stamps and Imaginisce Hot Rocks.

• Create a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch top fold card base from yellow cardstock.
• Cut a 5 1/4 x 4 inch from blue cardstock and a 5 inch x 3 3/4 inch piece of patterned paper adhere together and to front of card base.
• Die cut Ribbon Eyelet Border from green cardstock; weave with blue ribbon and adhere to card front.
• Adhere Hot Rocks with I-Rock tool; tie bow and adhere to ribbon.
• Die cut Judy's Blooms from green cardstock, discard blooms and adhere leaves to card front.
• Die cut Judy's Blooms from yellow cardstock, discard leaves.
• Die cut Judy's Blooms from cream cardstock, discards leaves.
• Assemble cream and cardstock blooms and adhere to leaves on card front as shown.
• Adhere Hot Rock with I-Rock tool to center of bloom.
• Die cut scalloped oval from blue cardstock with Scalloped Oval Little Stackers Nesting Dies and adhere to card front.
• With the smallest Silver Stackers Oval die, die cut piece of yellow cardstock, stamp with sentiment and flowers and adhere to navy oval on card front.

I hope you have a chance to hop on over to the Cheery Lynn Designs blog today to see all the inspiration the designers created using the newly released Spring dies... and to get in on the giveaway as well.  By the way, you'll see the new Spring dies used every day this week at the blog...so be sure to visit often!

Note: I've also entered this card into these fabulous challenges.. I hope you join in the fun and enter your projects too!

Crafty Calendar Challenge: April Showers bring forth May Flowers
Crafts for Eternity: Anything Goes
Fairy Fun Fridays: April Showers Bring May Flowers
Just Add Ink: Just add a flower
Wags and Whiskers: Use Die or Punch
Inspire Me Fridays: Anything Goes