Hello Thursday! (Even if it IS Friday!)

Good morning and happy Friday to you! The weather here in Chicago has been unbelievable! It was in the low 80's yesterday, which is totally unheard of for this time of year! I am so enjoying breaking out the capri pants and not having to bundle Cortney up every morning!

 It is that time of the month when Provo Craft releases their new Cricut Cartridges.  I had the pleasure of working with Paper Dolls Teen Scene.  What a fun cartridge this is!  I decided to go with the summer theme and create a beach girl.  I gave her a bit of depth with Copic markers and pink chalk for her cheeks. Her  surf board was cut at 5" using the Life's A Beach cartridge.

I  created  the sand with vintage tissue paper that I had in my stash.  I wrapped it around the bottom of the card and added a bit of real sand to it.  Once again, my card is a bit "poofy", but I guess I like "poofy" cards! ; ) I added a little beach ball, sentiment, twine, and a seashell from the top of a stick pin. 

Be sure to check out the Cricut Blog to see the other fabulous cartridges and what the other designers have created! 

I will be hosting a giveaway this weekend, so be sure to pop on by for a visit!

Have a great day! : D

JustRite Day 4!

Good morning to you! I have another JustRite card to share with you today that uses a cool background stamp called Chevron Stripe! I stamped it in Versamark and used white embossing powder. I love the contrast with the kraft paper. It gives visual interest without overpowering my main image.  The sentiment is from the Spring Words set. The frame is part of the Easter Blessing's set. It was cut out with the Spellbinder's Nested Medallion die.  I decided on the pink and green color scheme.....it seemed "springy" to me. ; ) The flower and leaves were cut with my Cricut and the Flower Shoppe cartridge.

I added a few rhinestones and a pearl to the flower to finish it off.  

The other designers are gonna knock your socks off with their crafty creations! Be sure to pop on over to their blogs to take a peek!

JustRite Inspiration Sharon Harnist Kellie Fortin Kazan Clark Heidi Blankenship Barb Schram Angela Barkhouse Michele Kovack

I also want to apologize for not visiting much this week.  I know I've been quite neglectful.  Somehow my kids, my job, and "life" has really gotten in the way of my "computering!"  ; )  Those darn responsibilities! 

: D  So I hope you can forgive me! Have a great day!

JustRite Day Three!

Today is day 3 of JustRite's New releases.  Today the team is using the Lace Borders Two and Classic Scalloped Borders.  I had previously used the Scalloped borders on my Easter Egg card found HERE!  This time I used Lace Borders 2 in a more subtle way.  I used it as a pretty border for the bottom of my little treat box.  I hand cut it, inked the edges, and snuck a bit of lace behind. it.  I wanted a tag for my box so I used the Easter Blessing set.  It was colored with Copic markers and cut out with an oval Spellbinder's die.  I stamped the word on vellum and tucked it behind the tag.

The box itself was cut using my new favorite Cricut cartridge, Tags, Bags, Boxes and More 2!  (Be sure to check back this weekend for a fun giveaway!)  

Be sure to check the other DT blogs for some crafty inspiration using these two new sets!

Have a wonderful day! : )

JustRite Inspiration
 Debbie Olson
 Eva Dobilas
 Darsie Bruno
 Angela Barkhouse
 Kellie Fortin
 Michele Kovack
 Kazan Clark
 Kathy Jones

Day Two of JustRite's New Releases!

Today is day two of JustRite's Newest releases! I am using a fun new background called, Vintage Map Collage.  It is such a cool vintage inspired background stamp!  I decided to leave it monochromatic with just some pops of red here and there. The image was stamped in kraft ink.  I distressed the edges a bit with a walnut ink by Ranger.  I added a bit of glitter around the circles and the word, Travel with red glitter.  I punched a little heart to my destination with an arrow cut from my Cricut. I found this cute little house button and thought it was perfect for this card! 

I added a bit of vintage lace and some red twine to finish it off. 

Here is the background stamp.....: )

The other designers have done some really cool things with this stamp, as well as the Fleur De Lis background stamp, be sure to check out their blogs for more inspiration! 

JustRite Inspiration
 Heidi Blankenship
 Linda Duke
 Kellie Fortin
 Kazan Clark
 Michele Kovack
 Eva Dobilas
 Angela Barkhouse

New JustRite Releases!

Good morning to you! It is a beautiful, sunshine filled day here and I am loving the fact that spring has arrived! JustRite has come out with an entire series of background stamps, Harlequin Script is the stamp being highlighted today!  I used the Harlequin Script stamp to create a chair fit for a queen! : )  My chair is a little treat box that was cut with my Cricut and the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More 2 Cartridge.  When creating a shaped stamped item, cut the shape first and lay it flat.  Stamp the background and then fold it. For my little "pillow" I used JustRite's Spring Words stamp set.   I have a mini tutorial on how I created the little "pillow" a little further down! : )

I used a scalloped circle die from Spellbinders and floss.  Just glue the floss all the way around the circle.  I don't worry about being neat (obviously! ; ) just get it all the way around and as close together as you can.  Adhere the second scalloped circle on top and then give it a "haircut!"  I stamped my sentiment and cut it out with a Spellbinder's circle die and glued that to my "pillow." 

I used Martha Stewart's Silver glitter for the back of the chair.....I just couldn't resist myself!

It is important that when creating a 3-D project that it is pretty from all angles.....even the back!

I love the way the Harlequin Script adds a touch of "Regalness" to the project! 

Be sure to visit the other DT gals.....they are so fabulously talented, you won't want to miss what they have done with this gorgeous background stamp!

JustRite Inspiration
 Darsie Bruno
 Michele Kovack <----- Me! : )
 Sharon Harnist
 Eva Dobilas
 Kellie Fortin
 Kazan Clark
 Kathy Jones
 Heidi Blankenship
 Angela Barkhouse

And thank you from the bottom of my heart for yesterday's comments and e-mails......they truly touched me. Have a wonderful day my friends!

Cort's Prom Dress....

I had a bit of a photo shoot with Cortney's prom dress this morning. I want to soak in all of it....from the pretty dress, to the jewelry, to her cute "boyfriend" holding her hand, to my girl's beautiful self in this dress. I will never have the luxury of seeing her get married or hold a child of her own someday....so I want...need to take in all of the things she can do. My heart gets torn in a million directions.....

There is a bit of magic in this dress........*sigh*

Prom is a right of passage and I am so glad her school give these kids an opportunity to experience it.....

Have a wonderful day and be sure to check back tomorrow for some new releases from JustRite!

Hugs!

Hi Sunshine!

I can't believe it is Friday already! This week just flew by! Oh wait! Maybe it was because I only worked 4 days!; ) Every week should be so short! I have a very bright happy card to share with you today.....so get those sunglasses on before you scroll down. It uses Provo Craft's new Cuttlebug Flower Fringe die, . It creates such a fun flower! I used Pink Paislee's paper and a bit of fluorescent tulle.  I added a few glittery letters, twine, and rhinestones to finish the card off.  It was actually a pretty quick card for me.....like less than 2 hours! 

I also have a delicious recipe to share with you.  If you like blue cheese and bacon you are going to fall in love with this side dish! 

Nutty Greens with Bacon and Blue Cheese

Recipe Courtesy of Claire Robinson of the Food Network

Ingredients:

Kosher Salt

1 lb haricots, verts, trimmed

3 slices bacon

4 oz blue cheese, cut into small chunks 

1 1/2 cups toasted whole pecans, coarsely chopped

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:

Brian a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the haricots verts and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove the beans from water and immediately place in a bowl of ice water. Remove the haricots verts from the ice water and set aside in a medium bowl. 

In a large saute pain, over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and place on paper towels. Add the beans to the bacon drippings and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.  Add the blue cheese and toss just until is starts to melt.  Break the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces and add to the pan.  Finish by stirring in the toasted chopped pecans.  Season with freshly ground black pepper and just a pinch of salt. serve immediately. 

Thank you for your suggestions on photo collage sites!  I was able to find exactly what I was looking for! 

Have a great weekend!