New blog header

Thank you to Plumrose Designs for my lovely new blog header! Isn't it lovely!
Go by her blog to order your very own design!
Thanks Sharon!

Sharon took some of my favorite items and colors and designed THIS! AWESOME!

Turtle Love

It's turtle soup around here, gecchu some

 This cute little turtle comes to you from the "live simply" Cricut cartridege with some stamping to add texture to the yellow background.

I was turned onto the Faber Castell markers and that's what I used to add shadows and depth.  You know you love it!

I was so proud of myself when I discovered I could use the left over flower cut outs as cloud stencils.  That probably doesn't make much sense.  But, you know, that piece of paper that is left after you die cut a flower.  I've been tossing it.  But, wait...there is oh so much more you can do with it.  

I was most excited about this little plane stamp then I thought, "hey, that plane could be writing in sky." And there you go.  The technique needs a little perfecting, but it was ingenious if I do say so myself.  

We're not in Kansas anymore....

We're not in Kansas anymore...
Or
Are we?
Did you know that Kansas is known as the Sunflower State?  Well...you do now!
  In honor of Kansas (not really)  check out this CAS card.

I used glossy photo paper and alcohol ink for the sunflower.

 After the alcohol ink dried, I stamped the sunflower with Stayz on ink(black) and fussy cut.

 To add a little pizzaz to the  card I drizzled the center with glossy accents and sprinkled Martha Stewart microbeads into the center. All I gotta say is the person getting this card will be IMPRESSED!!

   I added a yellow gingham border, glittery flower border and a white ribbon. Pop dotted the sunflower and stamped  LOVE  and done! **snapping fingers**

If you're still reading, let me share this factoid about the state of Kansas.  I NEVER knew until I just googled Sunflower State.  Who knew Kansas used to be a "squatter sovereign state?"  Read on to find out how and why.  You'll be able to share this at your next party and impress EVERYONE.The Squatter State

Kansas was referred to as the "Squatter State" because of the new settlers that flocked into the new territory establishing claims to the land. Early squatters were from the slave state of Missouri. They moved in as quickly as possible to prevent the territory from being populated by people from free states, especially those from New England. Missouri squatters organized the Squatters Claim Association in 1854 in order to secure their claims to the land and prevent emigration from the northern states. Before any arrivals from the northern free states, nearly every man in west Missouri had staked a claim in the new territory of Kansas and become a "Squatter Sovereign" of the state. Almost all desirable land that was open to settlement had been claimed by pro-slavery Missourians.

Fly Home Tags

These are some tags I've made for some swaps.  The Altered Paper Blog hosts a monthly tag swap--(which you can still be a part of!)
With no further ado, since it is freakin' Monday and I have to go to work. (I still haven't banned Monday's completely)

 I originally had a nest in place of the postage stamp....but it just didn't work.
On the backside of this tag...

 Tag 2
I LOVE these flowers--which I learned from another blogger.  Mine didn't come out nearly as cute as her's, but they still were cute.  Note, use paper with designs on both sides.  Underneath the tulle is a messed up heat embossed "mom".  But, I hated disliked it (hate is a strong word...) and covered it with tulle and then put some stickers on the net instead. Ta-dah!

The alpha stickers on this are originally a halloween set of alpha stickers.  Just so you know you can use seasonal items all year 'round!

 Love this side, the big poppy is on the paper. It's a chipboard bird I added distressed ink to the edges.

Tag 3...looks alot like #1, but with a next instead.

I just saw a technique I would've used on this next...if I thought about it! (darn)  Crackle paint on the next would have given it more wood like texture.....

See ya tomorrow!

Tag-erfic Saturday!

Saturday was a beautiful busy day at my home.  Thank goodness I was able to postpone some things on my schedule to complete these tasks.  Here's just a bit of what I did yesterday, these tags were made for some Girl Scout volunteers who are earning one of our highest awards.  I can't wait to celebrate their achievements!

This picture I took off center so you could see what's behind the "curtain."  I tape up a piece of white paper to the front of my aquarium.  Just started doing that, so my Angel Fish is very interested in what I'm doing.  See him on the right?

 Additionally, as soon as I get to messing around the aquarium, Sookie, the kitten is there too.  She has decided she LOVES fish food too.  Whatever little sprinkles fall outside of the aquarium is her's!! It seems like she interested in this tag--but really she's going for the sprinkles of fish food.

Ladybug, Ladybug fly away home....

Ever heard the song,
Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away home, your house is on fire and your children are alone.
That's a bit creepy, isn't it. So, this little ladybug took her babies with her.

These little ones are special because they represent our "little" family.
Look closely they all have initials to represent each of us and there's two identical babies for the twins!
Happy Saturday!

I used the "Live Simply" cricut cartridge
I cut a green background(my mom's favorite) then added a little rubon of leaves and branches.

 What ribbon should I add?

Entering this into
BBTB2 challenge ladybug/bee challenge!

Winner Announced

The entire month of April we were celebrating my pop's 84th Birthday!  And today I put all the entries into the random.org sequencer and it generated this winner:

anna christensen craftsApr 20, 2012 12:58 AM

Hello Georgie, sending all the very best to your dad (and you!) I loved looking at these photographs. I am already a follower and will have a go at posting your candy on my side bar! I would love to be included in your gorgeous draw. Have a great weekend. Anna xx

Congratulations Anna for entering into this giveaway.  This package of goodies will be on the way to you ASAP.

**jumping up and down** in excitement!