Distressed Flowers

I had a great time trying to make my own paper flowers using cuts from my Cricut.  I used a six petal flower from the Preserves cartridge.  I inked the edges using Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  Then to make the flowers really pop off the page, I used my piercing tool and curled the petals.  Then I layered several flowers together and used a button for a center.  The Happy Birthday is cut from the Cricut Lite Celebrate with Flourish cartridge.  I really love this cartridge!  It has so much to offer!  I am on a quest to use up papers from my large and abundant stash!  So these papers are a selection from Stampin Up Pattern Papers.  They are retired, and I do not remember the name of the package.  The very back cardstock is Creative Memories Brick.  I find I go to this color over and over when I need a true deep burgandy shade.  The other cardstocks are from my Stamping Up cardstock stash.  I am not sure about the colors as much of my paper stash is discontinued.  The green ribbon is just a generic ribbon from my sewing room and the burgandy ribbon is Stampin up.  When I cut out the Happy Birthday, I lost the dot to the letter i.... so I just used a brad!  I hope you enjoy this page as much as I enjoyed making it! 

Where Oh Where has my Crafting Time Gone???

Where Oh Where can it be?!

It is hard to believe it has been almost a month since I've done any crafting...As you can tell from my non-existing blog postings! Where does the time go? One weekend was spent away visiting family, and I spent one entire weekend creating my entry in the September Cricut Circle French Manor contest. (And yes, I'm about to share that with you! And no, I didn't win) I spent another weekend catching up on some organizing around the house and spending time with my family. ( I had to make it up to them for locking myself in the craft room for an entire weekend the week before.)

This project is the most difficult project I have tried to date using my Cricut! But it was so much fun to create. Now one of the reasons, it took me an entire weekend, is because I'm still learning how to use my Gypsy and Expression together.... and I'm very detailed oriented. I can get lost trying to perfect the smallest little thing... like those little circles instead of numbers on the clock. I used papers from Creative Memories Black and White Power Palette, Die Cuts With a View Glitter Stack. I used the French Manor Cricut Cartridge, which is the first exclusive cartridge for Cricut Circle members. But this could easily be made using items from Summer in Paris. I used a blank clock from BE Creative Imaginations (purchased at Hobby Lobby a while back). Of course, all the usual supplies of adhesives, pop dots, gel pens. For the intricate cuts, I used vinyl on the circles . I found that vinyl really cut small detailed designs very clean and precise.

Now you may be wondering about the concept in creating this... well that goes to the Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffet song... Its 5 O'clock Somewhere! Hope you enjoy!

Tanya

Louisiana Title Page

I haven't quite finished this one yet, but I ran out of craft time this weekend. I want to add an alligator but can't decide which Cricut Cartridge to use. It was challenging doing the magnolia, but I'm really pleased how it turned out. Cartridges used: 50 States, Life is a Beach. I will post again when I get this page complete... but wanted to share the results so far.

Fall Layout - Circle Cricut Contest

This is my entry into a weekend contest for a Fall Layout. I used the Cheerful Seasons Cricut Cartridge (exclusive from Creative Memories). For some reason, I keep finding I like the papers from the Reminisce Accent Palette with the cuts from Cheerful Seasons cartridge. They just seem to work for me! I used the Autumn Addition this time along with Creative Memories Cardstocks. I also used the Reminisce Paper Ribbons. Enjoy!

ScrappyGirl

Why do Weekends go by so quickly?

I have been looking so forward to the long holiday weekend! It was a very hectic week last week... trying to get back into the school routine, earlier bedtimes, homework, being rushed every evening to get supper on the table... and handling all the distruptions to schedule. No matter how hard I tried to spend some time crafting after "bedtime", it never quite worked out this week. "Bedtime" seems to be mean 11pm to my ten year old, no matter how many times I told him it was 9pm!

Now, here I am half way thru the long weekend, wondering where the time went! Friday evening, was spent running some errands with the DH, while DS was at a football game with a friend. And Saturday... my crafting day... some how I ended up back in town doing some shopping for nothing in particular until 4pm! I had fun being away from the house for a few hours and I really enjoyed not having to multi-task for a few hours. I went to Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Tuesday Mornings, and Big Lots.... some of my favorite "me-time" shopping stores.

So... why am I telling you all this on my "crafting" blog... well, because I picked up some things to craft with, of course! At Hobby Lobby, I found some bags that I thought would make great trick or treat bags for my son and my nephew. When I got home, I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with them. I have never done anything vinyl and I had heard I could use vinyl directly on fabric... so I pulled out my new October 31st cartridge and DS (Dear Son, not Design Studio) picked a design for his bag. He helped me cut out the vinyl and get it on the bag.

All I can say is, I need to find that video for using contact paper to transfer vinyl from mat to product. It was very tricky working with this image... it kept folding over itself. But finally, between the two of us, we were able to get the image on the green back. Then I noticed the remaining cuts could also be used... so I added them to the other little bag for my nephew. I'm going to dress these up more but I was just so proud of finally doing a vinyl cut, that I just had to share!

Enjoy!

Tanya

Simple is sometimes AMAZING!

I love the process of putting together really decorative scrapbook pages. I enjoy choosing a theme, deciding on the colors and cuts, putting together all the pieces. Something about being creative is therapy for me. But sometimes, creating a simple page layout can result in a wonderful page. That was the case with these pages.

All supplies are from Creative Memories. I love the Green Apple Cardstock. It worked perfectly with the paisley print and striped paper from retired Everyday Power Palette. I also used Royal Blue cardstock and the Limited Edition Chalk Inks. The ribbon is from the Cheerful Paper Ribbons. The only Cricut cut on this page is the word "generations" from the Cheerful Season cartridge.

I was inpired by a page sketch on one of the blogs I follow, Glue Meets Paper... here. I also get layout ideas from www.pagemaps.com. And of course, Creative Memories new Page Planning Templates make simple pages like these very quick and easy. I plan to use pictures of my son with his grandparents and great-grandparents on this page.

Enjoy!
Tanya

Laughter and Smiles Layout

I was determined to use only the Cheerful Season's Cartridge. But there wasn't a cloud on this cartridge, so I welded some shapes together to make it. I also welded the flowers together and used the "hide contour" feature of the GYPSY software to hide some of the flowers. I am very pleased with the results... but in the future, I think I will just use the cloud on another cartridge I have. I was able to use retired Creative Memories papers from my "stash". Most of these are from the Everyday Palette.

Enjoy!

Thankful Layout

I have really enjoyed playing with my Cricut this weekend and using the new Exclusive Creative Memories Cricut Cartridges. This page was made using Cheerful Seasons Cartridge but I used the papers from the Reminisce Power Palette and coordinating Additions. I made a few modifications using my Gypsy. I made a second border using a different background sheet and changed the color of the vine and shadow piece. I love the Creative Memories Precision Point adhesive for gluing those very small pieces like the vines. This adhesive goes on like ink in a pen and doesn't ooze out the edges...Best glue pen I've seen!!





For those of you, who are new to using a Cricut, I will be demonstrating at my next crop, on August 21st.

Happy Scrappin!
Tanya

Exclusive Creative Memories Cricut Carts Available August 1st

I just ordered my exclusive Cricut Cartridges! I can't wait to get them!! At retreat in July, I showed a number of people the fun you can have with the Cricut! Now I have a cartridge I can offer as well! These cartridges match the new Power Palettes that also became available today!

I will post pictures as soon as I get them... but you can go to both my CM site or the Cricut Site to see the cartridge images.

Creative Memories Exclusive Cricut Cartridges

Creative Memories just announced at Showcase yesterday, they have partnered with ProvoCraft to release two excluse cartridges for Creative Memories. These cartridges are designed to match Creative Memories new Power Palettes also announced yesterday at Showcase! I love the images on these cartridges! But if you look closer, you will see they both also include fonts! I can't wait to get my hands on these cartridges!! I believe they will be available August 1st and retail for $55.

Creative Memories Cheerful Seasons Cartridge
Creative Memories Reminisce Accents Cartridge

Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!

I'm so excited to be going on a retreat this weekend with some friends from church and community. My friend, Pat Lobbes, is a Stampin' Up demonstrator and she started this shin-dig a few years ago at Hobby House Hill in Bowie, TX. Some of us make cards, some stamp, some scrapbook... some just come and swim and eat! Cindy, our host, is just wonderful and has created a true oasis for the scrapbooker! I can't wait to spend time with my friends and to just relax and have fun! I will be preparing for my summer retreat as a Creative Memories Consultant with my friends, family and customers in July. We will be in Canton, TX at the Windsock Inn... another great facility for relaxation!

One of the things I plan on doing this weekend is some digital scrapbooking. I am hoping to put to use some of the information I've been learning from the Pixies at P2P. Haven't heard of P2P... that stands for Pixels to Pages. This site was formed by a group of Creative Memories Consultants sharing their wealth of knowledge on using the Storybook Creator Plus 3.0 Software. These ladies are INCREDIBLE! I have learned so much from their videos! Here is an example of one I can't wait to try this weekend! Hope you enjoy!

Inserting a Photo into Multiple Elements.
By flattening elements together, a photo can be spread across a grid page to create a fantastic tiled look.

http://goview.com/?id=4ee95f47-3c2d-48a8-9f2b-d52ee94edd1a

Thank you Memory Manager!

I was hoping to post regularly to the scrappin' blog... but my computer decided to check out! Yes, one day, I turned on the power button and all I got was a black screen. None of the usual whirling noises, none of the flashing lights... just a glowing power light and no picture! I took it in for service. It's never good when the techie says "yea, you got a problem" and "no way this is a virus".

So I am coming to you via my new wide screen laptop... love the wide screen by the way. This screen is almost as big as my monitor and using Storybook Creator Plus is a dream with this large screen! But what I'm really excited about is Memory Manager! I love that Memory Manager reminds me to backup my pictures! I love that it also keeps a shadow copy of my memory vault. All my photo editing and journalling ... saved and recoverable! Without those reminders, the procrastinator in me would have put off backing up to a day when "there was more time". Losing my computer was just a mere inconvience, rather than a true disaster thanks to having my photos backup!

So, Friends, BACKUP! Use Memory Manager and backup your Memory Vaults! Don't forget to keep backups of your Storybook Contents and projects. Remember to print hard copies of your activation codes! Thank you Creative Memories for such wonderful products that really helped "save the day!"

Happy National Scrapbook Day!

It seems May 1st was a busy day for most of my customers, so I am enjoying National Scrapbook Day solo! I locked myself in the craft room and told the family to leave food and beverage by the door. I have been enjoying the morning crafting! I'm not a speed crafter, so haven't accomplished much QUANTITY. Judge for yourself what I've managed on QUALITY though!


These pages were inspired by "Creative Memories Winner Traditional Layouts
By: Mandy Wolvert" I used the Simply Beautiful Spring Addition Kit, and the NSD Customer Gift - Borders, and the Limited Edition Simply Beautiful Epoxy Stickers. Embellishments are the Simply Beautiful Paper Ribbons and Simply Beautiful Paper Flowers. All products from Creative Memories.

Enjoy!
Tanya
www.mycmsite.com/tanyastone

Hey What's Scrappening?

Trying to start a scrapblog is something I have been wanting to do for a long time... to have a place to share creative inspiration, challenges, how-to's. But as most things in my life, I struggle finding the time to do all the things I want to do! So lets just take it one "byte" at a time!

So What's Scrappening? Well, National Scrapbook Day is quickly approaching and I am planning on having a crop day at my house on May 1st - 10am to 10pm! 12 full hours of crop time! Space is very limited since I'm having it at my home, so I really need those RSVP's as soon as possible! If you pre-register with your payment by April 16th you will receive a wonderful gift package valued at over $25! Your meals and snacks for the day will be provided and you will have 4 feet of cropping space!

In other scrappenings, I am working on becoming a Digitally Endorsed Consultant for Creative Memories. What does this mean? I am completing the training on the wonderful software packages offered by Creative Memories so I will be better able to help you! More to come on this!

Well, that is about all the scrappenings for now! Have a great week!!