The Last Bitten by The Bug Challenge of the Year...and some Family Photos!

This is the last BBTB challenge for 2009. We are taking a break until after the new year......which is kind of nice! This last challenge uses the branch cut from the Woodland Cartridge. I wanted to incorporate this little Elzy Bells stamp with the lil' mouse. This cute image was colored with Copics and then cut out. I added some texture paste to the branches and then sprinkled chunky glitter over it while it was still wet. I used my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder for the background, added a pretty gingham ribbon, and a cute clay button by Tessa Ann.

I just love this mouse!

What a busy weekend it was! Saturday, Cort and I went to get our hair done. She got a trim and some blonde highlights. (You'll see in the pics below) She just loves being fussed over! Saturday night we had Brian's office party at a wonderful Italian place. The food was great and we laughed a lot!

Then on Sunday my sister, niece, mom, Cort, and myself went to brunch at Misericordia. (A residential place for disabled persons) It was so much more than I expected. Just look at this beautiful center piece on the table!

Here we are in front of the tree. Too bad the girls aren't looking at the camera! Kids! Sheesh! (Can you tell we are related?) LOL!

Could this dessert platter be any cuter? Or tastier?

All in all a wonderful weekend filled with family and friends.......busy......but good. : )

Have a wonderful day!!!!

Bitten by the Bug Blog Hop & Some Blog Candy!

This week's BBTB Blog Hop is hosted by Regina! She challenged us to use the phone cut from the, In The Kitchen, cartridge. I decided to go traditional and create a black phone. Of course my black phone had to glittery.......cuz I am alllll about the sparkle! (It is a bit hard to see in the photo though.....) I did create a card that can open by using the shadow cut twice, scoring both pieces on the right, and then adhering those scored sides together. I love pink and black together, (as evidenced by my black and pink scrap room!) so I used some old Doodlebug paper for the rotary dial piece and my JustRite stamp set called, Just a Note. I cut the circle with my Spellbinders and airbrushed the center while the die was still in place. I finished it off with a Prima flower/button and a pink bow.

Now for my blog candy...........

Here is what ya get!

1. Brand new Creative Scraps by Crafty Secrets! Can you say deliciously retro?

2. Maya Road Journaling tags

3. doilies

4. Martha Stewart Mica flake glitter.

5. Maya Road Kraft envelopes

6. Gel-a-Tins Stamp set.

Just leave a comment for me and you will be entered into my drawing! If you become a follower or subscribe using Feedblitz I will enter your name in twice. I will print out all the names and have Kyle pull a name randomly by Wednesday night.

Movin' on with the blog hop......your next stop is.............Carole!

Bitten by the Bug Challenge!

This week DeeDee from Bitten by the Bug, is our hostess with the mostess! This week we were surprised with some adorable new dingbats from Scrapnfonts.com. There are lots of fun little images in this set called DB Mulberry Lane. I printed them many times, so that I could layer them and cover the images with Crystal lacquer for some extra pop! We were to also use the grass cut from A Walk in the Garden, cartridge, which I added to my little "scene."
See all my layers? Lots of crazy cutting here!

If you would like to join us in this week's challenge head on over to the BBTB blog and add your name to MckLinky!

Can you believe it is Monday.......already? Hi ho, hi ho.......it's off to work I go.........

This week's Bitten by the Bug Challenge!

This week at BBTB, Carole is our lovely host! She challenged us to use the bird cut from the Storybook cartridge. I decided to break out this new paper I had purchased a bit ago from Making Memories. I love the rich fall colors of it! I dressed the bird's body up with glitter (On his underbody and the flowers), and feathers. I used the copper "leaves" as a branch for him to perch.

I sprayed the felt flowers with adhesive, sprinkled with glitter, then sprayed with a bit of walnut ink to "dirty" it up a bit. (This glitter obsession is gettin' a bit out of hand! LOL!)

Well, I am home today with my boy. On my way into the city, with Cort,to get her H1N1 vaccine, I got a call from Kyle's school saying he didn't feel good,and that he had a headache. It was already 2:30 (He gets out of school at 3), and I was pretty far away. So being the good mother I am, told the nurse he will have to stick out the 1/2 an hour and walk home. She didn't sound to thrilled with me. In the meantime, my hubby, who also wasn't feeling well came home a bit early and picked up our messages at home. He went to the school and got Kyle. Now you have to know Kyle.....he is a bit of a drama king. He is constantly complaining of headaches, toothaches, foot aches, spleen aches, stomach aches, ANY ache! So sometimes we aren't really sure if this was a ploy to get out of school or what. (You know the story of the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf right? My husband openly expressed this to our son. Brian continued his lecture into the car about how he had to go to CCD since he had missed last week due to a headache, when suddenly.......Kyle threw up. Yep.....inside the car. Then again outside of the car on our front steps. Ick. So needless to say.......we now believed he really was sick! On top of that, he headed to bed around 7 PM and is still currently sleeping while I am typing this. 12 hours of sleep.....this is unheard of for my lil' night owl!

So maybe today will be a curl up on the couch, stay in our jammies, watch a movie, kind of day.

Hope your day is wonderful (and vomit free! : )

Bitten by the Bug Blog Hop and Some Vintage Goodies to Give Away!

This week's Bitten By The Bug challenge was to use the pointed tag from the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. Mine ended up looking a bit like a house. I love that I could combine my favorite companies for this week's challenge. I used an image from the Halloween Journaling booklets by Crafty Secrets., and Halloween paper from Noel Mignon's 31st kit. (sold out) I used a Martha Stewart punch for the roof and added some black glitter. I also outlined the main image with glitter because a girl can never have enough sparkle! KWIM? I added a lil' bow, a button, and a couple of stick pins to finish it off.
Isn't this a cool little border punch on the "roof?"

And what would a blog hop be without some fun candy to go with it?! Since ya'll know that I LOVE anything shabby or vintage, I thought I'd give some of my absolute favorites away! This is what you will get........ : ) Do you want to see what is inside the bag? Keep scrollin' down.....and you'll see the goodies inside!

This bag is PACKED with vintage finds and pretty notions.......I love the pinks, reds, and creams.....

So what do you have to do to win all of this? Just leave a funny for me......yep....make me laugh. Cuz right now laughing is very much needed...... : )

So where are ya headed next? Regina Easter!!! She always has the CUTEST cards and projects!

I will draw a winner on Wednesday night!

Bitten by the Bug Blog Hop and some Blog Candy!

Happy Monday to you! This week's Bitten by the Bug challenge was to use the Priceless cut from the Graphically Speaking cartridge. I decided that babies definitely fall into that category! : ) I pulled out this adorable Debbie Mum DP and some Kraft cardstock. I added some glitter to the sentiment, priceless, and inked the edges a bit. I also pulled out my JustRite stamps to create the words, babies are. I cut the circle out with my Nesties and inked those edges too. I tucked it behind the word priceless, added a bit satin bow, and a couple of pretty stick pins to finish it off.

Since it is the end of the month.....you know what that means don't cha? BLOG CANDY! Just a teeny offering this month, but I hope I can pass on these goodies to a good home! What do you have to do? Tell me something you would like to see more of on thee ole' blog here! Consider it a suggestion box if you will! : )

Easy enough right?

And a few more tidbits.......my husband and I LOVED the P!nk concert! She put on such an outstanding show! And who knew that she was so funny? Love her!

On Sunday we headed to Indiana to pick some apples and spend the day together. I actually got a pretty decent picture of my 2 kids........ : )

Where to next? You are heading to Penny's blog now!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to leave your suggestion before you head out!

Crafty Secrets and Bitten by the Bug Blog Hops & Blog Candy!

I have so much to share with you today! I have two blog hops today......the first one is for Crafty Secrets. The design team used the fabulous new post card kits in such beautiful and creative ways. I decided to incorporate the Story Time postcard kit into a cornet. I love these and have been having so much fun making them! I used some fall foliage, Graphic 45 paper, and some miscellaneous trinkets. Some of my items were getting lost in the cornet, so I hot glued them to wooden skewers that you buy at the grocery store. Then I could vary the heights of my items. (Domino, clock face etc)

(Did you see a peek of my hot pink scrap room?) : )

The postcard kits come with a set of stamps to decorate with as well. I used them on the back of the postcard. Then the back of it is pretty too! : )

Make sure you check out the rest of the Crafty Secret's Design Team. They are sure to knock your socks off!

Vicki Chrisman

Anna Wight

Pam Hooten

Heidi Blankenship

Vivian Peters

Linda Duke

Michelle Van Etten

Crafty Secret's Blog

Today is also our Bitten by the Bug blog hop. We were to use the ribbon cut from the Paper Pups cartridge. (Which BTW, I got my new Cricut Expression a few days ago.....let me just tell you how much I LOVE my new machine!) I decided to create a fall card. I guess it is because it has been cool here in Chicago and summer seems to have ended. I used Melissa Frances paper and a sticker for the center of the ribbon. I used my Nesties and some leaves tied with a button and twine.

Since I have been cleaning and painting my scrap room for the past 2 weeks, I have some stuff, aka.......... blog candy that I'd like to pass on to one lucky winner. All you have to do is leave me some love on the blog..... : ) Kyle will pick one winner on Thursday night. Make sure you hop on over to Regina's blog next!

And for those of you asking about my scrap room. It is nearly done. It just need curtains which my wonderful MIL is making for me. (Hugs to her!) I might also switch out a table I have in my room for a different counter.....not sure yet. I will take pics soon!

Thanks for sticking with me in this VERY long post today!

A Blog Hop & Blog Candy!

It's that time of the month again.....for the BBTB blog hop! This week's design was to use the "couple" cut from the Going Places cartridge. I decided to create an anniversary/wedding card with it. I used vintage book paper for the couple and distressed their edges with black ink. The paper is SU! and Basic Grey. I added a few pops of red for interest with the heart and brads. I used a part of the sentiment from the JustRite Something Sweet Set. (Not yet released because it is actually a Christmas set) I used two different circular Nesties to cut it out. I cut the ends to look like a banner. I couldn't get my sewing machine to actually sew on the card ( I think something to do with the tension), so I just used it to pierce the card stock.

I am giving a few summer treats away to one lucky winner. This is what you will get:

What do you have to do? Just leave a comment for me! If you want a second chance to win, become a follower or a subscriber to my blog and I will put your name in the "hat" twice! : )

Off to the next DT member.........Susan Edwards!!!

Sweet Summer Treat

This week's Bitten by the Bug Challenge was to use the ice cream cone cut from the Indie Cartridge. We also got the opportunity to use these pretty crocheted flowers from Paper Blooms. The one I had was originally white and I wanted to "dirty" it up a bit. So I sprayed it with walnut ink and then ran it under water. Once dry, it looked more vintage looking and matched my DP better. The paper is Basic Grey's new Pink Lemonade. (yum!)

I inked all the edges with Tim Holtz Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap inks. The sentiment is by JustRite. The cone was glitzed up a bit with Martha Stewart's black glitter.

For your chance to win some pretty crocheted flowers go HERE for info! : )

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Off and running this morning. I have tutoring first, then I need to go to Party City for balloons, one more tablecloth, and then to Jewel for Cort's Hannah Montana cake as well as ice. My husband just informed me that the coolers are buried under boxes of clothes in the basement............great. So I guess I better get a move on.......

Have a great day!!!!

Bitten by the Bug Challenge

This week's challenge over at Bitten by the Bug was to use the ring from the Mickey & Friend's cartridge. Of course the obvious choice was to make some type of wedding or anniversary card. : )


I used mostly Making Memories "stuff" for this card. I included some stitching and lots of glitter to the ring. I also included a Papertrey satin ribbon along with a Jenni Bowlin button.

Hope you head HERE to see what the other DT gals came up with.......and maybe, just maybe you'd like to play along?!!! : )

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Kyle has the dentist this morning. He is supposed to have a tooth pulled before he gets his braces on. I am not sure if they will attempt that this morning or not......we'll have to see. Later today, the teachers are "camping" out in front of our school. Our board can't seem to agree on a contract that everyone is happy with. So we are going to show our support. We are all bringing our kids in hopes that they see who this affects. I am crossing my fingers that things get resolved soon......

Have a wonderful Monday!!!!!

Bitten by the Bug Blog Hop AND BLOG CANDY!!!

Welcome to the Bitten by the Bug Blog Hop! This week's challenge was to use this freedom cut. With 4th of July right around the corner, what could be more perfect? I used some new Melissa Frances paper. I stamped over the word freedom with an old, Pledge of Allegiance stamp. I added some Prima glittery stars, a button, and a pretty ribbon that reminds me of a picnic. : ) I added some silver pearls to the corners too!

I am also offering some blog candy......this is what ya get!

A couple of Bella stamps.

These are brand new .....called Vintage Finds by Making Memories......totally up my alley!

Of course I had to throw in some Crafty Secrets and JustRite goodies......

Since this weekend is the 4th, the drawing will be held Sunday night. How do you win? Simply leave a comment......if you become a follower or subscribe to my blog, I will throw your name in the "hat" twice!

Now, off you go to the next stop.....Sandi Kelly's blog!

Have a fabulous Monday......and thanks for stopping by to visit!

***and in case any of you were wondering.....we did go to the Cubs/ Sox game! And the Sox won the game....by one run! wooohooooo! (Sorry northsiders! )

Bitten By The Bug & Guest Blogger!

The challenge this week at Bitten by the Bug is to use the flower pot cut. I used my new favorite paper, October Afternoon's Two Ducks in a Row. I inked the background piece and machine stitched it. The flower pot was pieced with 2 designer papers. I added some pretty ribbon and 3 buttons. The grass is by Making Memories. I punched the flowers from vintage book and music paper and one piece of Jenni Bowlin. I inked the edges of the flowers and added buttons to the centers. I punched leaves, distressed those as well, and tucked them in behind the flowers.

I did fold the petals to give them a bit of dimension. : )

Here is a sneak peek of one of the projects I did for the JustRite blog this week! To see the entire project, go HERE!

Have a wonderful Monday! (The sun has been peeking out since Saturday! Yea! That makes me happy!)

A Bitten by the Bug Blog Hop!

Bitten by the Bug is hosting a blog hop this week! The DT is offering blog candy at each site you visit! Before I tell you who to go to next.....let me give the deet's on today's card! This cute mushroom is from the Tinkerbell cartridge. I used Noel Mignon's Rise & Shine kit because I love all the bright colors! I distressed the edges a bit and added some glitter. I used my JustRite set for the sentiment. (A quote by the original Superwoman!)

OK.....so you ask where is the blog candy? wellll......I forgot to take a picture of it....so I will post that later today. But here is a list of what I've got for ya!

1. Inkadinkado mini stamp

2. Two Jenni Bowlin Bingo buttons

3. Prima flowers

4. SEI Alpine Frost ribbon

5. Jenni Bowlin Bingo Card

6. K & Company Baubles

7. JustRite Homemade Treats Set

8. Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps (Calendar set)

Just a few little treats from my favorite companies!!! I will post pics later today....I promise!

I will have Kyle pick a number this Friday (June 5th) evening......as sort of celebration to the beginning of summer!!!

So where to now? Susan is next!!!

Have a fantastic DAY!!!

You Can Travel in a Book!

This week's Bitten by the Bug challenge was to use the bookmark cut on the Animal Kingdom cartridge. I thought I would incorporate the bookmark into a card that can be used for the recipient's favorite books! I used the paper from Noel Mignon's newest kit, Rise & Shine. Love how bright and fun it is!

The sentiment was done using THIS set from JustRite. I love being able to use quotes and sayings I find right on the card! The little "story time" sentiment is from Crafty Secrets. I used my Nestibilities to cut the various size circles. I also sewed a transparency on 3 sides to give the card a "pocket" for the bookmark. : )

The lion was cut several times, distressed, and placed on pop dots for dimension.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We are heading to the Science & Industry Museum today with Kyle to see the Harry Potter exhibit. It is sort of a belated birthday present. He is super excited to go! We have been reading the Harry Potter series together for the last year or so. We are currently on the 4th book, The Goblet of Fire. Should be fun!!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Memorial Day!!!!

Turn Your Frown Upside Down!

This week's challenge over at Bitten by the Bug was to use the smiley/frown icon on the Wild Card cartridge. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with this image, until my MIL gave me the idea for the sentiment, and I created a sort of cheering up card. The sentiment was done using the Times New Roman font and 2 " stamper from THIS Just Rite set. I used my Nesties and Wild Raspberry paper from K & Company. (I've been using it so much you will probably get tired of seeing it! )

I forgot to take a picture of the inside of the card, but when you open it, it says, ".... and smile, smile, smile!"

*** I am off tomorrow for Cort's IEP. I am actually looking forward to it now that she is at Elim. The staff there is fabulous, and they focus only on the things she CAN do. They are so upbeat and positive it is difficult to leave there feeling anything but good! Then I am off to Kyle's school to talk to his art teacher about a project that I want the kids to do for their 6th grade awards assembly and dance. So even without "work", I will still be busy! : )

Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!! I sooooo appreciate you stopping!

Peggy Loves Vintage! (and so do I!)

This week's challenge over at Bitten by the Bug was totally up my alley! We were given the pleasure of working with Peggy Loves Vintage images. You know I am all about the vintage!! : ) In conjunction with the image, we were to use the Inch bag from the Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More cartridge.

The first bag I created was with this darling circus image. Simply print the images on cardstock and use them the way you would use any stamped image.

I tucked a couple of tags behind the image to write a little sentiment to the recipient. I also added some ric rac, a button, and some red floss to dress it up a bit.

This second bag was created using another one of Peggy's sweet images! I used some Graphic 45 paper, a glittery chipboard heart, a vintage button tied with ribbon. I also added a couple of stick pins in. This bag I decided to add ribbon "handles." Don't know why, just liked how it looked! Instead of adding tissue paper to the inside of the bag, I added white tulle. It looks softer, more feminine than tissue paper.

These bags are perfect for giving gift cards or other small items. : )

Stop on over to the BBTB site to see what the other gals came up with!

Have a wonderful Monday!