A NEW Tool!

Last week was SUPER busy, mostly with my daughter's birthday stuff (will share about birthday creations another time), but one thing I cannot wait ANY LONGER to share with you is a NEW tool from Stampin' Up!

I was skeptical, then intrigued, then...taken. :)
We've used it a few times now, and ohhh, how handy dandy!

On Sept 1st, we went to my nephew's 2nd Birthday party, and this little boy loves tractors. Sooo...as dairy farmers, it was a no-brainer - give him tractors! ;)  I picked up some RED ones (cuz those are the best - not the green & yellow kind - wink)....and of course, needed to make him a card to match his gift. :)

Warning: It's not a great card. Keeping in mind it was for a 2 year old, at a birthday party where things can be a little crazy, I didn't spend a lot of time on it. I stamped tractors, colored them in (red, charcoal at bottom, glitter pen on the grill), stamped the sentiment and framed it, and that's it. Glad I didn't spend much longer on it, because I was so right. ;)

So, yes...I made a card. BUT...I also made a matching envelope!!!  SOOO excited. Really wishing I hadn't gotten rid of a TON of older non-SU scrapbook/designer paper at a garage sale a few years ago, because it's perfect for this!!

See - it fits! :)  One of the things I love about this tool is that it creates customizable envelopes in up to 66 different sizes!! How's that for awesome??

Another thing? It's reasonably priced at $19.99!  Oh, and they've guaranteed it's going to be in next year's catalog, that's another great thing....It's super easy to use, it's small and lightweight, it has a slick scoring tool as well as a punch that lets you create rounded corners on your envelopes, and it's easy to keep it all together.

What's not to love? :)

I can't wait to show everyone at my Fall party how this works!

Did you know you can order this directly through me, but have it sent directly to YOU? More awesomeness. :) 

Be sure to check everything out while you're there - I know there's a butterfly bundle going on...save 15%!

Used: Stampin' Up's Sassy Salutations stamp set, Black Stazon ink, Basic Gray & Basic Black cardstock.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

One More

I'm here today with ONE MORE Graduation item. :)
This time...it's not necessarily a card.

It's a gift card holder!  Many people give gift cards for gifts, so I decided to make a one to sell on Etsy. Oh, and I'll share it with you here, too. ;-)

I used the same set as yesterday, Go Graduate!  I also used the Square Lattice embossing folder and same colors yet again (Black, Grey, White)! Also used the watercolor crayons and blender pen yet again! :)

Well, what do you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

It's A Bittersweet Thing...

...this last of the school year stuff.

This morning was the last time I sent my daughter off on the bus to 1st Grade. I'm a sentimental gal...so yes, I did get a little choked up this morning while praying at breakfast. Did pretty well though - I don't think my daughters had a clue.  ;-)

She loves school, so although we're DEFINITELY excited for Summer (ALL of us! )...we're a little sad too. She had a great teacher, a great time learning and playing with her friends, a great year.

Sooo...she's "graduating" to 2nd Grade. At least I'm pretty sure...I keep teasing her that we really don't technically know yet, and is she sure she's moving up to 2nd grade? Her answer? The drawn-out "Mo-om...." :)

In keeping with the graduation theme, I have another card for you today!

















I used (another) old set from last year's Summer Mini catalog, called Go, Graduate. I used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder again, used same colors again (Basic Black, Basic Grey, White) too. Colored the gowns and feet with my Watercolor Crayons and Blender pens, then topped it off with a black satin ribbon, and Voila! :) (The coloring part actually took awhile, lol!)

FYI: This card (and others) can be purchased in my Etsy Shop! :)

Well, what do you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Graduation

It is that time of year again.

The time when young (yes, you're young) Senior Highschoolers everywhere are celebrating. I can still hear the notes of Pomp & Circumstance...dah, dah dah dah dahhhh, dahhhhhh....

Anywho...A cousin of mine is graduating from high school, and we were invited to a party to celebrate. I knew exactly what I wanted to do for his card. Then changed it. Lol!

It might look familiar if you've been following me long enough...see here

I decided to add a few more layers...and it became THIS:
















The texture on the card is from SU's Square Lattice embossing folder. The stamp is (sadly) retired...never made it to the big catalog (it's from last year's Summer Mini)...but I'm gonna use it anyways! :)

Did you notice the other texture in this picture? lol  Not my usual background, lol. What can I say, we were in a hurry to get out the door, and I was desperate to find something white for a backdrop, my usual wasn't nearby. My hubby says, "do you REALLY have to take a picture of every card you make?"

Ummmmm. YES. :)
Therefore the unfolded cheap white napkin. ;-)

Well, what do you think? Which version of this card do you prefer?

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Happy Polka Dots

Weird title, I suppose.
Except that it reminds me of my friend (and her birthday gift).
Polka dots. She likes them. Happy. She is.

She's a fun-lovin', bubbly, chipper, spitfire, full of energy kinda gal.
She would probably try to dispell that - or at least blame her creamerized coffee. ;-) And yes, I know...she's a normal person and probably isn't happy 24-7...but she's got a great outlook on life and it shows.
It makes me happy just to be in her company. :)
She has a great sense of humor.
She's uber-talented, a creative genious!

Greets with a hug (I love hugs!), and has a beautiful smile that lights up the room.

She listens. Advises.
We enjoy chatting/commiserating over creamerized coffee. :)
Did I mention she loves chocolate like I do? Yay!

As if all this weren't enough, there's something more - she's got depth too.
Did you know she's my sistah?
Well, not flesh and blood...we are Sisters in the Lord!  :)

Here's what I made for her Bday - Happy Birthday, Polka Dot Style (see - multi-functional title!) ;-)






Want to know a little more?
OK.

What IS that little box??  You know, the one that has a chocolate on top and says "All you need in life is a friend who has chocolate."

It's one of those items in my collection in the garage (much to hubby's dismay) for a someday I'll find a way to use this project. ;-)  YAY - I've used one!  Now I only have 20 billion more of them to use (jk)...it's a little gerber baby food container, and I can't wait to show hubby this pic. ;-)

And what does that card look like on the inside?

It's actually a gift card holder and card all in one! :)










Well, what do you think?



Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day (and weekend)! :)
Crystal

My Momma

Pretty simple and to-the-point title, isn't it?  How do you sum everything up and make it sound catchy? Doesn't always work - I'm no poet, and I know it! lol  Okay, so that rhymed, but that was an easy one. ;-) You know who's a good writer? My momma. She has a gift of words, something I can only admire.

There are actually many things I admire about her.

She is giving - in so many ways.
Kind. An encourager.
A good listener - oye, I can sure talk her ear off at times - lol!

A great cook/baker. She can just throw things together and make great "something" --- famous for whipping together cookies by just adding things from the cupboard, lol. Ask her for a recipe and oftentimes, she'll say "I don't know, I just threw it together."

She loves God's nature and spending time outside...
She gives great hugs.
She's a wonderful grandmother to my girls.
She's always willing to help.

My hubby says she's the BEST mother-in-law anyone could have. :)

She's fun-loving.
She's not afraid of a little hard work.
She's a faithful, godly woman.
She is wise.
She is my FRIEND.

I am so thankful for her, for our relationship. I only hope that when my daughters grow up, we have the kind of relationship that I have with my mom now.  I really could go on and on...but I've done enough of that already. :)

Happy Birthday to my mother, my friend.
Proverbs 31:28

This is her birthday card...In fact, I bought this set because it reminded me of her. :)  It's a new set, called Nature Walk.




Well, what do you think?
I took the pic on the run...sorry it's not the best quality.

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Nature Walk, Well Scripted, Pear Pizzaz, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Perfect Plum, Color Spritzer, Sponges, Paper snips, Aquapainter, Seam binding ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Elegant Celebration

Well, the occasion wasn't necessarily elegant, but it was a celebration of achievement, and I used an elegant design. ;-)  Sometimes, a CAS design just speaks for itself. :)


















Just in case you can't read the tag, it says "Someone like you should be celebrated every day."

I embossed the bashful blue cardstock with Elegant Lines embossing folder, wrapped the Early Espresso ribbon around & tied, and added the tag. Though the sentiment is from the set "It's Your Birthday," I love that this specific one doesn't have to be for a birthday.

Speaking of birthday sets, I am (not-so-patiently) waiting to get the newest one in the mini catalog - I knew I wanted that as soon as I saw it.  Go ahead and take a look-see (RH sidebar mini catalog)...you might want it, too! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: It's Your Birthday
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Elegant Lines EF, Big Shot, Early Espresso satin ribbon, Circle Punch
Technique: Embossing

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(click on above pic)


Thank you, Lord...for the ultimate gift!


Thank you for stopping by, and have a GREAT Christmas day!
Crystal

Birthday Blessings

So, Tuesday was my birthday.  I *heart* birthdays. :)

This year was especially nice, as my hubby took the day off to spend with us.  He's a dairy farmer, so for him to have a day off, he has to TAKE it off.  No M-F/8-5 with weekends off job for him, lol! So, you seee....I am VERY thankful when he takes a day totally off. :)
THANK YOU HONEY!!

A "party" with my family the night before - mom STILL makes us each our own special meal - is she a gem, or WHAT? My family is so sweet & generous.
THANK YOU MOM/FAMILY!!

Phone calls, Cards, and FB messages...oh, I feel so LOVED! :)
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

The Saturday before was breakfast out with a girlfriend - I so treasure that time!
THANK YOU, BECKS! :)

Today's card is made using the stamp set I received from said friend: "Aviary".
I also made it to participate in this week's Color Challenge at SCS...use only Black, Red, & White.

The picture quality is poor, sorry about that.  It's a grey and dreary morning, and I'm too impatient to wait for better lighting, lol.

Well, what do you think (poor picture aside, lol)?

I'm sorry I haven't been on here much lately...life has just been so crazy busy!  This was actually supposed to be yesterday's post...but things happen and now I sit here finishing it today. ;-) 

I'm thinking one of my New Year's Resolutions will involve more frequent blog posting. ;-)

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!!
Crystal

ONE YEAR BLOGAVERSARY!!!

I guess it's no secret now what's so special about today! :)
(No one guessed correct yesterday)

I am soooooo excited to hit this milestone, and I *know* I couldn't have made it through this year of blogging without the support and encouragement of all of YOU!  Seriously - stopping by, leaving comments - these efforts make my day!  Especially the comments, but...we all know how precious and rare those can be. ;-)

I feel like jumping up and down, throwing confetti...I feel like celebrating!

Would you like to celebrate with me? ;-)
OK!  Bring on the balloons and CANDY! :)

I think this looks better IRL. :-(  Though...there are a few things I would change on it, but I really wanted to get this posted today! :)  Do you see the sparkle on the Wild Wasabi & Marina Mist Balloons?!!  Love it! :)

Ready for the CANDY?

Blog candy, that is! :)  All of this could be YOURS!!  7pc "Happy Moments" Stamp set, "Stamped by" stamp, Black Ink Spot, Button assortment, multiple yards of ribbon, designer paper, brads, clear half-beads (aka faux dew drops), and the card posted above!  Only a couple of things (brads, portion of ribbon) are non-SU...the rest...STAMPIN' UP! :)

For the non-crafting individuals who leave comments...the winnings are 10 random crystal-made cards! :)

How do you win?  Simple:

1. Leave a comment on this post - whatever you'd like to say, or ask, or would like to see more of, or what your favorite post of mine has been in the past year...etc.  (include if you'd rather own the crafty stuff, or the 10 cards) Also...if you comment annonymously, at least include your first name in the comment so I can distinguish it from the others if you win!

And just because you like me so much and want to make my day...and you'll earn extra credit...
2. Follow me! (see lower RH sidebar, Google Friend)

Please SPREAD THE WORD to your friends! :)


I'll draw a random winner on Monday at 5pm PST.

Thanks so much for stopping by (this past YEAR!), and have a GREAT day!
Crystal

Independence Day Celebration

Happy 4th of July (a day late)! :)

Thought I'd be able to post this yesterday, but between church, a church potluck, naps, and a friend get-together the whole evening...there was no "extra" time! 

Not a lot of time right now either, if we're being honest, lol... Getting ready for our 4th get-together of this holiday weekend as I speak write! I still need to make Snickers Salad, cut up watermelon and make sure the kiddos are ready too...oh boy.  Better make this short & sweet! :)

Here's a sweet lil' card I made this weekend...this is NOT a Stampin' Up image, but I just think it's too cute. :)  It's actually an image that a sweet stampin' friend sent me quite awhile ago. :) 














Not that I like mice, lol.  I just like the image. :)  Colored with my watercolor crayons and aquapainter, mounted on Not Quite Navy and Ruby Red cardstock....that's all! :)  Looks more matchy-matchy IRL (cardstock looks really dark in this pic)...

Well, what do you think?

It's been fun to watch the kids' excitement this year, as it is the first year we've allowed them to stay up late & watch fireworks. ;-)  Hope you're having a great holiday weekend!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

My First Blog Award!

I've been awarded!! :)  WOW.  wow. wow. I'm so honored!!

Two lovely ladies have given me the Sunshine Award, and seriously...wow. I can't even explain what that means to me!  What a special surprise - it's my very FIRST award, and...I'm so honored. :)

Thank you soooo much to Shari and Niki!

Here's the rules:
1. Put the Sunshine Award on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award to 12 other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

Well, some of my faves have already been awarded...but here's a few more people who inspire me! :)  In alpha order...

1. Addicted to Stamping
2. Creations by Mercedes
3. Flowerbug's Inkspot
4. Jill's Card Creations
5. Simple & Sincere
6. Stamp with Heather
7. Vintage Dutch Girl
8. With A Stamp and a Song

There are many more out there who inspire me...but since I've been kicked out of this post about 20 times now (NOT joking), I've decided to quit while I'm ahead! lol

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

BLOG CANDY WINNER!

It has been so fun to read all the sweet comments on the blog candy post - you guys are so nice to me! :)  It's also been interesting to read how you "found" me. :)  Thanks again for visiting my little 'ol blog, and thank you so much for comments not only on that post, but throughout my blog every day! :-D

Without further adieu....
The winner of the 25,000 hits blog candy giveaway is......













True Random Number Generator
Result:  27
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

#27 is the lucky winner!! :)
Congrats KTluv!!!

KTluv said...Love it! Congrats on all the blog hits. That is amazing. What a fun blog candy as well. Am definitely bookmarking your site. Your work is fantastic!
April 23, 2010 4:50 PM
 
KTluv, contact me (see contact info under header) with your mailing info and I'll get that out to you ASAP! :)

*If I don't hear from KTluv by Wednesday at 12 noon PST, another winner will be drawn.*

25,000 Hits BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!

Well, yes...we're almost to 29,000 now, but you know the last couple weeks have been...well, you know. :) I could baredly think beyond my own nose.  I did tell you it was coming, but didn't get to it as soon as I thought. ;-)  Forgive me? :-)

A BIG thank you to all of you who come to visit me here...I am so thankful for each and every one! :) I hope you step away inspired...whether in life, or in crafting. :)  A special "thank you" to those of you who leave comments while here...it seriously makes my day! :)

Well, how do you win this 'blog candy'?  Simple.

Leave a comment! (annonymous accepted as well, just be sure to include your name in the note)

What kind of comment?  Well....please be nice.  Write whatever you want, or tell me which post is your fave, what you'd like to see more of, etc...)...and I'll draw a random winner of the candy!

Comments until Friday the 24th 23rd @ 11pm, PT. ;-)
Here's the blog "candy"! :)













....now get to that commenting! lol :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Goody bags...

At the end of yesterday's post (my daughter's 6 year old butterfly birthday), I promised a view of the goody bags.  So here are the goody bags! (click pic for closeup) :)











I punched a scallop across white lunch bags, stamped with the butterfly from "For All You DO," and wrote each of the girls' names on it (Melon Mambo).

Wanna see what's inside? OK. :)













I put keychain bubbles in SU's small cello bag stamped with the butterfly from All You Do in white Stazon ink (it baredly fit!). :)  Sorry...forgot to get a pic of them that way before we gave them all away. ;-)

Each girl also got a glittery pencil (pink, yellow, purple, or blue), and a beaded pink bracelet.

The 3 butterfly items you see were the crafts...each one was added to their bag as they finished. :)

I recovered the little notebook with Pretty in Pink cardstock, they stamped the butterflies and layered them on the front.  They did the same for the bookmark (giant paper clip), and we finished those off with SU's pink taffeta (sorry, a bit hidden by the pencil).

The butterfly in the back is a die cut that they stamped with the butterflies from the set "Sprinkles"...so cute!  After stamping, they peeled the red piece off sticky tape (already applied), then added Smarties for the body!

WHEW!  lol

The girls did so good and were such good listeners and crafters!  It was such a pleasure to do this with them...hopefully they are pleased with their goodies. :)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Sprinkles, Flight of the Butterfly, For All You Do
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose (crafts), Melon Mambo (bags)
Accesories: Pretty in Pink taffeta, Pop up glue dots, Butterfly die cut (SU), Sticky strip, Scallop edge punch, Scallop circle and circle punches
Other: Bubbles, bracelet, pencil, Mini notebook, Jumbo paper clip, Smarties

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Well, she's not exactly a baby anymore...my oldest turned 6 today.  I love her more than words can say, and it's been so fun to see her change and grow so much, this last year especially...so proud of her!

What a CRAZY week this has been!  The "normal" cleaning, laundry, dinner, school, and the "extra" Centers (help out @ class), first-ever soccer practice, oh, and the EXTRA cleaning. You know, the kind you remember when guests are coming (wink).

Oh, and...a few more projects.  There has been a different kind of 'crafting' around here this week...

But first, I'll show you the invitation (my normal crafting)... we've gone with a butterfly theme this year, as you will see. ;-)

Cupcakes brought to class yesterday...

Cake for her 1st "friend" party (girls from class) for today...

A "Pin The Antennae on the Butterfly" poster...looks better IRL. ;-)

And the goody bags (crafts included)...but I'll save that for tomorrow. ;-)

Happy Birthday my beautiful, wonderful daughter!
I love you soooooooooooo much!! :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

25,000 HITS!!

Blog Hits, that is!
Wow, I am sooo...I just can't even find the words.  Amazed?  Encouraged?  Happy. :)

Thank you to all of you who come to visit me at my lil' blog. :)  I am so thankful to God for this opportunity, and for how it's gone so far.  I am having fun with it, and hopefully inspiring someone out there! :)

Thank you soooo much to those of you who comment on my posts.  You wanna know something?  It TOTALLY makes my day. Really! :)  I've read some really sweet words, some funny words, some encouraging words.  Thank you.  Each and every one means so much to me, and I thank God for y'all!

Stay tuned....Blog Candy announcement coming soon! :)

I just realized there are a LOT of smilies in this post, lol...what can I say?  I'm happy! :)  Oops, there's another one! lol

Thanks sooooooo much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Celebrate Good Times

You have that song in your head now, don't you? ;-)

In life, there are good times and bad.
It's important to celebrate the good times, am I right?! :)

Remember back in this post, I told you my brother was in the midst of all those awful CPA exams?  Since then, he's been notified on two more test results...and he is DONE!  He finished, he passed all the tests (4?), he is on his way to CPA! ;-)

So I made him this card to celebrate the occasion. :)

It was nighttime when I finished, so the picture quality isn't all that great...IRL, all the stars shimmer a bit. :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print

Stamps: Celebrate Everything
Cardstock: Basic Black, Brushed Silver, Whisper White, old DSP

Accessories: Large and small star punches, dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

10,000 Hits BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming to visit me!!!

Seriously, it's fun to not only see the hits climb (people have been here!), but for those of you who have commented here and there....THANK YOU sooo much!  Seriously...a comment makes my day!  I am so excited to be celebrating 10,000 hits on my blog!

(((cue interuptive 'time to finish it up and move on' music)))
>wink<

I have TWO Candy Options:
For you crafty people, here's the candy!













Yummy yards of ribbon, metal tags, and lots of eyelets, primas (flowers), and confetti flowers, a clear mini stamp set, and Stampin' Up buttons!

For you...people who don't craft....I'll send either:
A) 5 random cards I've made, or
B) A set of matching monogram cards.

What do you think about that?  After winner is chosen, I'll let them choose their candy.  Who knows...if we have a TON of comments, maybe I'll just choose two people and give both gifts! ;-)

Soooo....what do you need to do to win the candy?

Comment on this post! :)

Tell me whatever you want to tell me (but be nice! lol)...
What you'd like to see more of, what's your favorite post from me so far, whatever you'd like! I'd love to hear from you! :)

Annonymous Commenters: Please add your first name and last initial in the same box as your comment. Why? Because if there's all these annonymous comments with no names, how would we know who won? lol

You know what would be great, too (but not necessary to win)?  Become a follower of the blog! :)  See RH sidebar at very bottom with all the little thumnail pics?

Comments open until Monday morning (Jan. 11th) at 10AM PST.

Thank you for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Happy New Year!

I hope that God richly blesses you all in this NEW YEAR!

Sorry it's a day late, but yesterday was pretty full...and I made family my priority.  Yet I still wanted to be able to say it to y'all, so here I am! :)

I don't know about you, but I *loved* putting up a fresh, clean calendar yesterday.

Not that my year was bad...it was a good year, actually! :)  It just feels nice to have a fresh start (with a few resolutions, lol). I'm excited, and hopeful for what this new year will bring.  One of my hopes is that you'll continue on with me in this whole blogging journey! :)

That's all for now...but I'm working on a post I'm suuuuper-thrilled about...so we'll see you soon! :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal