1st Time as a Guest Designer!!!!!!

Hello Crafty Bloggers.  My name is Tammy and I’m so excited that Crafty Misfit is giving me this great opportunity to be her guest designer for the day.   My husband and I are recent empty nester and trying to figure out what to do with ourselves.    Actually, we seem to be driving up to see our son quite a bit.  I don’t think we were quite ready to let our only child grow up. 

In between working and watching rugby, it’s time to start thinking about what to give out for Christmas.  We like to give out something homemade that doesn’t cost a lot of money.  We wanted to create something that would work for all ages and combine a pin board and a magnetic board.  Brad had the great idea that it should be dry erase also.  We spent a few days trying to figure out how to create the dry erase part.  There is paint available to create the surface, but the reviews weren’t very good so that was not the answer.  I kept thinking about the overhead projectors with the write on sheets that a geometry teacher used. 

Here is what I started with.  A $0.99 cookie sheet from Wal-Mart, a small batch of cork board, A box of 3M Write-on transparency sheets from the office supply store, push pins, Dry-erase markers, magnets and pattern paper. 

Brad drilled holes in the top lip so that we had a place to tie some ribbon on.  Then I cleaned the pan with soap and water to get rid of dirt and finger prints.   Brad then took some of the push pins and cut off the pin part so they would be flush.

I then took my main pattern paper and cut out the opening I wanted for the dry-erase section.  The glued the paper on top of the transparency.   Then glue the whole thing onto the pan.  If you use a teflon coated pan, you have to sand where the glue will go, or it won't stick. 

We took the push pin tops and glued them with a flower base onto the magnets.  We tried both the really strong magnets and the regular ones.  We discovered that when you glue the flower and pin tops to the really strong magnet and place them on the fridge for later use, the paper separates and the tops fall off, but they work well when they are on-top of a couple of sheets of paper.

Here are some of the finished products. 

The last one is favorite.  We took a lot of time cutting the paper out and matching the cork board to the lines on the paper. 

I want to thank Rebecca again for giving me the chance to be a guest designer for her.  So lets celebrate and give away some blog candy.  I have two A Muse Studio stamp pads to give away.  To be entered into the drawing, stop by The Crafting Misfit's blog and leave a comment.  She will pick the winner at random and have you contact me.

Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear what you have to say.

Two Cards and Winners

Hello Fellow Bloggers,

I tried to e-mail and/or visit all 46 bloggers that stopped by during the All About the Guys Blog Hop that was put on by Erica at My Cricut Craft Room.  I love reading all of the lovely comments and words of encouragement.  During the hop we were on a long motorcycle trip to Island Park, ID.  Along the way, we did stop and watch my son play rugby in Pocatello, ID.  Believe me when I tell you that I would have rather been at home playing on the computer and crafting than riding through he poring rain in 48 degrees. 

Here's part of the ISU team.  The one playing with his shorts and chewing on his mouth guard belongs to me.  I haven't learned the rest of their names yet, but considering they will be out at the house this weekend I'd better learn them quick. 

So on to some winners.  I am giving two A Muse Studio ink pads away.  Fern and Blackberry.  The first winner to respond will have their choice of color.  If your name is listed below, please e-mail me your your address and ink color preference.  Please list Blog Hop Winner in the subject line.  My e-mail is tk_themom_smith at msn dot com.

Winner #1 is..................

  True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 41

Connie Layman 

Winner #2 is.................

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 36

vick6740

So on to a few cards I've been working on.  The first one is for a card swap over at Cricut.com.  We had to build monochromatic cards for the month of September. 

I really seem to like working with turquoise and aqua when it comes to these types of cards.  I cut a string of beads apart and glued it to the middle of the flowers. The Thank you is cut from the Phases cartridge at a 3. 

The second card was a real quick card for me.  I was suppose to be cleaning off the kitchen counter and my notebook with current challenges was sitting open and I just couldn't resist.  So the two challenges I've combined are Just Us Girls Color Challenge #102 (using Pumpkin, Aqua and Kiwi), and Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #135.

  I was experimenting with coloring the doily pumpkin or kiwi.

The kiwi just didn't do it for me so I went with the pumpkin. 

The hello friend was an experiment from the previous card.  I don't even remember what cartridge I pulled it from.  The patterned paper was from a DCVW kitchen stack and the pumpkin card base is A Muse Studio card stock.  I love that their card stock is colored on one side and white on the back.  It's perfect for card making. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to have some more projects soon. 

ALL ABOUT THE GUYS BLOG HOP

I think it's that time of year when all us wives lose our husbands to the NCAA and NFL. Football is playing all weekend long.  Of course that leave more time for us to gather and play with crafts.  So I think it's great that Erica at My Cricut Craft Room is holding a blog hop that's All about the guys. 

I'm stop number six on your hop today.  You should have come from KIMBERLY at Scrapping Rookie 

Today's card is one for my son.  He is currently attending college at Idaho State University and taking auto tech classes.  He has always taken his toy cars apart and put them back together.  About four years ago our garage became the local spot for all our family and friends to bring their cars that weren't running just right.   

I cut the tools from the Lite Handyman Cricut Cartridge at 2.  The tag is a pre-cut from CTMH.  The stamp is from A Muse Studio, Tool-rific. The screws are small brads I picked up at the Expo last weekend.  The card is a standard A-2.

I couldn't resist putting the nuts inside. 

I hope this gives you an idea of a simple and special card for one of the men in your life.  I am giving out blog candy on Tuesday, September 20th.  Just leave me a comment and I will put you in the drawing.  This week I'm giving away two ink pads from A Muse Studio.  The ink colors are Blackberry and Fern. 

Your next stop is LORI at Scrappin My Stress Away. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Make sure you hit all the stops along the way to be qualified for Erica's blog candy.  If you get lost along the way, here is a complete list of stops.

Erica http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com

Yvette http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Samantha http://samanthascricutcreations.blogspot.com/

Laurie http://www.lauriecandoit.blogspot.com/

Kimberly http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com/

Tammy Smith http://cuttinandstampin.blogspot.com

Lori www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com

Maria http://scrapfornat.blogspot.com/

Melissa http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com

A-Muse Studio Distributor

I'm soooo excited.  I just signed up as a new a-muse studio distributor.  I'm very excited for the opportunity to create and help others to create as well.  I've been looking for a way to continue crafting and have it pay for itself and I think I've found it. 

This is a company that has been around for more than a decade and is now starting to adventure into the home party world with independent distributors to help spreed the joy of crafting.  They have a wonderful line of stamps, paper, ink and soo much more. 

The current promotions is

with the introduction of the fall catalog.  Here is a link to my on-line order site where you can look at the wonderful catalog and all of the other wonderful creations.  Cuttin and Stampin a-muse studio website.

I hope you all stop by and take a look.  I'm just getting my feet wet with this and I will start to post my own a-muse projects shortly. 

Thanks,
Tammy

WINNERS AND FLOWER TUTORIAL

Hello bloggers.  I want to thank all of you that stopped by and left comments during the Card and Invitation Blog Hop.  Your comments are very gracious and it means a lot to me.  There were sooo many more comments than I expected and I wanted to do a little something extra.  I have picked three winners instead of just two. 

The Stampin' Up set goes to.......................

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 58

58 is CALLYANN of Callyann Crafty Creations.

The Close to My Heart stamp set goes to.................

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 20

20 is BUNNYFREAK of  Everything Digital Scrapbooking.

The extra candy goes to......................

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 48

48 is HOLLY of Holly's Hobbie.

If the winner will please e-mail me at tk_themom_smith at msn dot com with their address I will put the prizes in the mail.  Please put Winner in the subject line and thanks so much for hopping along.

Some of you asked how I made the flowers and I wanted to let you all know that they are really simple. (If they were difficult, I wouldn't be making them).  So here is a picture tutorial on how to make the flower.

First I start with a piece of 1" x 12" cards stock. I find that I use a lot of paper the size of my ruler.

The next step is to score the paper every 1/8".  I use my old cricut paper cutter for my score board. 

After scoring the length of paper, you accordion fold it.  It's much easier if the paper is folded tightly.

Once the paper is folded, add glue or tape to one end and make a circle. 

My fingers are in the way on the next picture, so it's hard to see.  You gather the top together and push it down to the surface.  I general have a small scrap piece with some glue on it in the center of the circle.  So when I push the top of the ring down, it will stick.

I then put a ring of glue around the center on the top.  This is where I will stick my stamped piece of paper or a button.



I place the button on and then use something heavy to hold it in place until the glue is dried. This is just an empty water bottle that was handy.  Hot glue dries pretty fast. 

I normally put a bow on the button before I glue it down, but I wasn't thinking that fast at 6 am. 

So I added the bow after the fact. 

I hope this inspires you to make a different type of flower for your projects.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime.  Thanks for stopping by.

Tammy

Card and Invitation Blog Hop

Welcome to my Cricut Craft Room's Card and Invitation Blog Hop

You should have come from scrappingrookie and her Happy Halloween post.

If not please start at http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com for the beginning of our blog hop

 I was so excited to be a part of this card hop.  I have been building baby cards like crazy.  This seems to be the month for having babies.  Pink and blue have been swirling around and causing havoc in my head. 

My first try was kind of OK, but I didn't feel like it was good enough to give away. 

The tag was a baby bottle shape and the stamp didn't seem to fit right.  A few days of sitting at the craft table, working on other project and playing with the paper here is what it turned into.

.I made two for boys and two for girls.  All of the paper is from DCWV Nana's Nursery.  They have a Baby Boy and Baby Girl paper pack.  The strips were embossed with small dot cuttlebug folder.  The stamp is from CTMH Sweet Baby. 

I have blog candy to give away

 Stampn' up "A Flower for all Seasons" and

  CTMH special edition sentiments stamp.

I will post winners for these two stamp sets on Tuesday, August 23rd.  Make sure to check back to see if you've won.

Next you should go to Connies Craft Closet.   

If you get lost along the way, here is the entire line up.....

http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com  

http://www.micraftygal.blogspot.com/

http://katscrapfever.blogspot.com

http://autumnsbuggycreations.blogspot.com

http://scrappingwithpirkie.blogspot.com/

http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/

http://britkdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com/

http://cuttinandstampin.blogspot.com   ......You are here........

http://conniescraftycloset.blogspot.com/    ......The next Stop.........

http://simplysweetbysharon.blogspot.com/

http://jshandcrafts.blogspot.com

http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com
Http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com (special post for blog candy)

WINNER & Bananas

First off I would like to thank Erica for hosting such a great Cancer Blog Hop.  I think we've all been touched by some form of the disease and understand how it can destroy a person or even a pet.  I received 35 wonderful comments and I tried to get back to each of you that have blogs or e-mails.  SOO the random number generator chose:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 21 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Number 21 is ............

TerryM   who wrote

This is such an encouraging card. Love it.

Terry, if you will e-mail me at tk_themom_smith at msn dot com with your mailing address, I will get your stamp set out to you right away. 

I actually created a real quick card last night while the guys made dinner.  I was flipping through the Sweethearts Cartridge and realized that this could work for three challenges. 

First is the CCCC #25 use the Sweetheart Cartridge.

Second is Simply Sunday challenge Food for thought at Getting Cricky. 

Third is There She Goes #116 Color Challenge 

The card is 4.25" X 5.5".  I used CTMH paper and card stock.  The inset was embossed using cuttlebug (I have no idea what template I used.  I just grabbed one.)  The monkey was cut and 2.5" and the words were cut at 1.25 off the Sweethearts Cartridge.  The bananas are from the Preserves Cartridge cut at 1" and layered.  I outlined with chocolate ink. 

I wanted to put googly eyes on the monkey, but didn't want to dig for them so I thought stickles for the eyes would make it look like he was seeing stars.  I just put it on too early and then proceeded to stick my hand in it as I was gluing the rest of the stuff on. 

I put the bananas inside just to tie it all together. 

Have a great Tuesday and hope to see you back here soon.

Cancer Support and Suvivor Blog Hop

I am so honored to be a part of Erica's My Craft Room Cancer Support & Survive Blog Hop.  You should have arrived here from Jackie .  If you just stopped by and found our blog hop, you can click on over to Erica's My Craft Room blog and start at the beginning. 

When I read about Erica’s blog hop, I really wanted to be a part of it to honor the friends and family I have lost to cancer and the ones that are still fighting.  My first real personal encounter with cancer was with my Brother-in-Law, Ken.  He was diagnosed the week of Thanksgiving 2005 and we lost him two days before Easter 2006.  Just after that my father was diagnosed with CML Leukemia.   He continues his fight everyday by taking a drug call Gleevec.  Then in the last six months two very close friends have lost their moms to ovarian cancer and its complications.   

I have created a card to cheer on and support those that are in the fight for their life.   I chose pink for breast cancer because it is in focus right now in Utah.   There is a push on for early detection of both breast and colon cancer.  So if your over 40 take the time to have a mammogram and colonoscopy. 

 My card was made with CTMH cardstock.  It is  4” x 5”.  The inset is 3.5” x 4.5” and embossed with Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy.  The cheerleader is from the Cricut cartridge Everday  paperdolls   at 3.25  I cut the pompoms in three colors and tried to curl them to give them some depth.  I hand cut some off of the outfit so that more of the pink from the blacked out cut would show.   The ribbon is from the Pink Journey cartridge cut at .5.  The words were from the Wall Decor cartridge and welded together on my Gypsy.   

Thanks so much for stopping by and helping to support Erica's My Craft Room Cancer Blog Hop.  I have blog candy.  I have Stampin’ Up  Pick a Petal two step stamp.  Become a follower and leave a comment  for a chance to win.  Check back on Tuesday to see who the winner is selected by random.org. 

Your next stop is ***NINA***   Here is a complete list of stops for Cancer Support and Survivor Blog Hop. 

Tina www.craftyandgreen.blogspot.com
Amanda http://craftsbyamanda.blogspot.com/
Jackie http://jackrabbitscrappin.blogspot.com/
Tammy http://cuttinandstampin.blogspot.com.  (You Are Here)
Nina http://nina-hotpinkscrapper.blogspot.com/ (Next Stop)
Jamie http://myamusinglife.blogspot.com/
Emily http://www.createserendipity.net
Charlotte http://charlottes-creations.blogspot.com
Heather S.  http://operationcricutdesign.blogspot.com  (The End)

Christmas in July

Well summer has finally hit and every member of the family could give Rudolph a run for his money on who has the brightest red nose.  I have to stand in the shower holding my hands over my nose because the shower spray stings so bad.  So challenges wanting Christmas projects in July seem fitting.

When I think of Christmas, I think of stockings.  For as long as I can remember, there's a little something special in my stocking.  Here's my card for a few challenges.  They are Celebrate the Occasion #22 Christmas shape card.  2 Sisters Challenge Bog #48 Christmas in July.  Craft us Crazy #12  Christmas in July.  Christmas Card Challenges #33 Faith/Christmas in July.

I didn't quite make it cut it right.  It tips over backwards.  The stocking has a hook so hopefully the people that receive it will just hang it by the loop at the top. 



Color Challenge - Baby

I had a co-worker having a baby boy and the company pool needed a card to sign.  I had real fun figuring out the right size I wanted for the baby carriage.  There is a contest at CR84FN Color Challenge #32.



So here is the card I put together and it fit will with this color challenge. 

This is all the work I can post for now.  I hope to have something more tomorrow.  

CAS - Paper Piecing

I haven't posted in quite awhile.  I've been busy with family, work and quilts.  We had a number of weddings over the last two weeks and I produced four very similar cards. 

I was suprised at how easy this was to put together.  My son decided it needed the stickels.  I am entering this simple card in to craft your passion challenges #63 paper piecing. 



Pay It Forward

This post was lost when Blogger went down and I really wanted to be a part of this.  So, I'm re-posting.  If I get ten people that sign up, that's even better.

 

Deborah over at Scrapping Mamma posted this wonderful "Pay It Forward" post on her blog I picked it up from Amy at Love to CropI think it's a WONDERFUL idea and I couldn't wait to participate and pass it on!!  :)  As of May 11, the spots were filling up quickly.

"Pay It Forward" is the idea of blessing someone with a random act of kindness without expecting anything in return. It’s passing on a kindness, hoping that your recipients will do the same, and forming a never-ending chain of goodwill. But it isn’t only kindness, it is also a means to connect and share instead of just keeping it to ourselves.

"I promise to send an original creation to the (1st) 5 people who leave a comment here. They must, in turn, post this on there blog, and send something they make to the 1st 5 people who comment on their status."

Here's what you need to do:
1. Leave a comment on this post. I will send a handmade gift to the first 5 people who comment.
2. Create a post on your blog offering the same.
3. Send a handmade item to your first 5 people who comment.
4. It must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011.
Please do not sign up unless you are fully committed to making your 5 items!

**If you are one of the first 5 people to leave a comment on this post, PLEASE email me your mailing address (tk_themom_smith at msn dot com)...  It will also be helpful if you put "PAY IT FORWARD" in the subject line.  Thanks so much!!  I'm excited to Pay It Forward!! :)

"Pay It Forward"

Deborah over at Scrapping Mamma posted this wonderful "Pay It Forward" post on her blog.  Amy at Love to Crop decided to participate and Now I'm going to be involved too.

"Pay It Forward" is the idea of blessing someone with a random act of kindness without expecting anything in return. It’s passing on a kindness, hoping that your recipients will do the same, and forming a never-ending chain of goodwill. But it isn’t only kindness, it is also a means to connect and share instead of just keeping it to ourselves.

Here's what you need to do:
1. Leave a comment on this post. I will send a handmade gift to the first 5 people who comment.
2. Create a post on your blog offering the same.
3. Send a handmade item to your first 5 people who comment.
4. It must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011.
Please do not sign up unless you are fully committed to making your 5 items!
"I promise to send an original creation to the (1st) 5 people who leave a comment here. They must, in turn, post this on there blog, and send something they make to the 1st 5 people who comment on their status."

**If you are one of the first 5 people to leave a comment on this post, PLEASE email me your mailing address (tk_themom_smith at msn dot com)...  Put "PAY OT FORWARD" in the subject line.  Thanks so much!!  I'm excited to Pay It Forward!! :)

I have neglected my blog for a few weeks keeping up with my son, so I'm excited to have a reason to get back to the blog and creating things.  Hope to hear from you soon.

HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY TANYA

Vist Tanya for details on her blog candy giveaway. 

New Blog to See

Hello friends.  We have a new blogger on the block and she is giving out blog candy.  You need to check out Esmeralda at Noah's Ark Two by Two.  If you become a follower and a few other things, you will be entered into her candy give away.  And what a giveaway it is.  She is on facebook and has YouTube videos to share.
 

Pink, Brown, and Using Old Stash

The color challenges and using up old stash was really fun.  I have a lot of stuff put aside because it takes a little more imagination to use.  So I started with two color challenges that both wanted Pink and Brown.  Just-Hanna-Stamps and Anythingchallenge.  Then Eatsleepstamp gave a wonderful sketch to use.  When looking through all my brown paper I realized that this card was perfect for the 365 Cards #52. 

I am also putting this in for the Anything Goes and DT call at audsentimentschallengeblog

Have a Happy Easter!!

Clean, Simple and Monochromatic

WOW, I think that I'm getting better at laying out what I want to build in the morning after making lunches for the day and then cutting, scoring, gluing and adding embellishments after dinner while watching TV.  The guys are grateful that I'm not agonizing over every aspect of each project I build.  I think they just want their living room back.

Sentiment says Congratulations. 

I had to take a quick picture with my phone, becuase I used it right after I built it for an employee that was leaving for another job.

I really fell in love with the card sketch from 365 Cards day #48.  I know that I will be using it multiple times for many occasions.  It is such a Clean and Simple card I think it worked well for Claudia and Company challenge #80.  Then there was the Cr84fn color challenge #24 with this palette.


I fell in love with these colors.  They are so close that it worked well as a monochromatic scheme as well. So I used it for the There She Goes Clear Stamps challenge #103 and the Simply Scrapping CAS challenge.

So off for the night to looking at the list of other great challenges.  Thanks for stopping by.

Quilt Insperation

I saw this challenge at  Papertrey Paper Dolls and just couldn't pass it up.  I was suppose to concentrate on the colors and I kept going back to the quilt blocks.  I pushed it aside and started working on a sketch challenge from Simply Scrapping.  It was a very basic card and I realized that the colors from the quilt would work.  

Well, It's time to put the computer away for the night.