Sweet Success!

Ian's second grade class made gingerbread houses today, so I was lucky enough to go along and help. It's so fun to hear the ideas of these kids - why they choose certain types of candy and how they turn them into architectural and landscaping details. We attended Conner Prairie's gingerbread event last weeked looking for ideas, so today was especially fun.

Here's Ian's finished house, complete with mailbox and raised flag. There's a patio in the backyard and plenty of snowballs. I wonder which one will taste the best? ☺

Cuddly Critters

Apparently I am going through a warm and fuzzy stage. (Someone please sedate me!) Perhaps it's temperatures that are sitting in the 20's that have me making projects covered with sparkly snow and furry critters. In any case, I really ♥love♥ them! Here's a card made with awesome Core'dinations Black Magic cardstock and a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The darling little fox is a QuicKutz die. Don't forget to check out Caardvarks for our current cardstock-only challenge!

This card also uses a double-whammy helping of the embossing folder as well as more Core'dinations. (Do you see a little trend here?) The large snowflake is also QuicKutz, the smaller two are Martha Stewart punches. I threw in some sparkly stuff and that adorable Changito monkey stamp by Stampendous. It doesn't get much better than this. ☺

Creative to the Core!

You've probably seen advertisements for Core'dinations Cardstock...it's fantastic, heavy-weight, specialty cardstock. The Core'dinations Group sent gobs of it to the Caardvarks Crew to play with, and we couldn't stop ourselves! Who needs patterned paper when working with a color-core cardstock? We didn't. You can sand Core'dinations Cardstock, tear it and antique it to reveal a hidden core color. Try it with your favorite embossing tool...you'll be amazed at the result. Visit Core'dinations for ideas and how-to videos.

Challenge: Create a *new* card using no patterned paper! Upload your entry to our Flickr Gallery for a chance to win a generous prize package from Core'dinations. Be sure to 'tag' your entry with "core". This prize package is a prize that you can sand, tear and antique to make your crafting projects truly unique! The winner will receive $55 worth of Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock! Prize includes an assorted Black Magic pack and an assorted Vintage Collection pack. Also included will be 4 different Super Assortment 4.5"x6.5" packs that have 2 sheets each of 160 colors.

We couldn't fit all of our Core'dinations creations into one post - the Caardvarks Crew put together an entire gallery full of Core'dinations Cardstock-only items...check it out here. We can't wait to see your stuff, so be sure to join our Flickr Group and post your entry!

Each and every one of my projects uses at least one Cuttlebug embossing folder. I seriously think these things are amazing!! The embossing pops through so well - all you have to do is sand a little and voila! Now go make some amazing cards. That prize pack ROCKS! ♥

'Tis the Season with SAR

Fa la la la laaaa la la la la! (Are you actually singing? I was! ☺)

Join us at (Some) Assembly Required this month for a new challenge. Many times the holidays mean an extended family meal. This challenge is all about helping your table shine a little brighter! We challenge you to alter something, candle holders, napkins, table runners, place mats and place holders come to mind, to add to your holiday table.

When you are done, take a photo of your beautiful creation and link it to us in the comments section of this SAR post by midnight on Dec. 31st. We will add it to our Holiday Table gallery. If it is easier for you, please email us a photo. On January 1st we will choose a winner who will receive a lovely RAK of holiday crafting goodies!

My little box is open inside - perfect for a flower arrangement, silverware bundles, breadsticks, candy canes...basically anything that will fit inside. I used paper and flowers from Making Memories and a Martha Stewart snowflake border punch. Click here for the details. Can't wait to see what you make!

Of Good and Evil

I got an order from SnapFish this week, so I'm back to scrapping layouts a bit. The bulk of my projects lately have been cards and altered items, so it was fun to scrap some photos again. This is for Ian's album, but I had to sneak that awesome photo of both boys on there. This layout has a ton of new products from Making Memories, My Mind's Eye, Jenni Bowlin and Teresa Collins. Click for a closer look. Throw in a little Stickles and I'm one happy scrapper! ♥

Scrapbooker Online Sale

It's a sad day for sure, but the Scrapbooker Online is closing its doors. Be sure to stop by and check out the huge discount being offered on remaining supplies.

*Price in cart reflects discount. Limited to in stock merchandise only. Not valid on furniture, gift certificates, or SBO classes. No backorders! While we do our best to keep the inventory accurate if an item is out of stock a full refund will be issued for that item and you will be notified at the time of shipping. Free Shipping for all orders over $100!

Me So Corny

Ok, that title just cracks me up! For the new challenge at Caardvarks, we're gathering inspiration from a photograph...create a card that is inspired by this photo. Upload it to the Caardvarks Flickr Gallery by December 3rd at Midnight PST for a chance to win a spot as our Guest Designer for the Caardvarks 2009 kick-off challenge on January 1st! We'll be choosing several Guest Designers to help us begin a creative 2009 with a card challenge.To find instructions on posting to our Gallery, click here. Good luck!

My card features an OLD stamp that was just gathering dust. After some hand coloring I knew that I wasn't going to be happy with just that. Something bit me to dig deeper in my stash, and I came up with some wonderful tiny amber, rust and brown beads. I glued each one on individually using Glossy Accents, turning each bead to the side to make sure that the hole did not show. It was piddly work, but totally worth it! Can't wait to see what you make.

Creative Concepts - Fourth Quarter 2008

Sharing time again! Here are the projects that I had published in the Fourth Quarter 2008 issue of Creative Concept's magazine, available at Hobby Lobby stores. Click on each photo for a closer look!


This "Boo Bag" started as a clearance paper mache bag and ended as a fun treat holder or decoration. Here's a little shout out to my bud Di Hickman who's on the same page with me! ♥


I experimented with flocking several months ago, and this card was one of my examples. The holly paper came pre-flocked, so they matched up perfectly. Lots more projects are on the way!

For the Love of Ambrosia

Did you ever find a new product line that you want to absolutely SWIM IN? Every few releases from Basic Grey I find myself completely immersed in a new line. This time it's Ambrosia. I bought the 6 x 6 paper pad (which I adore for cardmaking!), the glazed brads and some cream flourish rub ons. I have been having a lot of fun making cards including this one for my sweet friend Leslie. Here are a few more:

You can find the complete line of Basic Grey Ambrosia at Scrapbook Express. Stop by, check out their "Give Thanks" sale and tell them I sent you! ☺

Thankful Notebook

Since I was away in Pennsylvania helping my mom recover from open heart surgery, I was without internet (is that even legal?) and unable to post the new (Some) Assembly Required November challenge. Better late than never I guess!

With Thanksgiving on the way, we decided to alter notebooks with a Thankful theme. Link us a photo of your creation in the comments section of the SAR post or email us a photo by midnight, November 30th. On December 1st we will randomly draw a winner for a Making Memories "Noteworthy" prize pack including papers, a journaling notebook, tiny alpha stickers, glittered flower stickers and a few other surprises!