Happy Friday!

Wow.... where has the time gone?
It seems just yesterday that there were 130 days until our Family Vacation and now there are just 7 days left. I am really excited about this vacation. It will be my niece Katie's first vacation. She is really moving around now! I miss my little Katie!! We will also be taking my 2 nieces from my side of the family as well. (It's their first time with all of us too. but they are in there teens!) I plan on taking tons of pictures.

Just a little story:
Matthew and I were talking a while back and I mentioned to him that Big & Rich were going to be in town. (the local country station does a free concert every year and they are going to be headlining) He didn't express that he wanted to go or anything. Well, just yesterday we were in the car and he asked if I got tickets to go. (it is tomorrow) I told him that we couldn't go because we are celebrating his poppy's Birthday and that we are going to be going over the details and menu for our Vacation next week. His face just sunk, and it broke my heart!! I think it broke my heart even more knowing that I could have gotten the tickets and we could have went. After a little sulking he said that he was OK. If I could only split myself in 2, I would do it for him in a heartbeat!! I know that he will forget all about the concert that he missed once we are on our way to Virginia Beach!!

Have a fantastic weekend!!!

3x3 card Holder Tutorial!

I have worked on this "box/pocket book" for a teacher's gift and I thought that I would share it with you! If you have any questions about my directions, please feel free to email me.
(all materials used are from Close To My Heart)

Have fun!!

CUTTING
Step 1.
☺Cut a strip 3 ¼ “ x 9 ½” strip of cardstock. (Piece A)
☺Cut out two, 3” x 1 ½” strips from cardstock. (Piece B)
☺Cut out one, 8 1/4” x ¾” strip for Band (Piece H)
Step 2.
☺Score piece A at 3”, 3 ½”, 6 ¾”, and 7 ¼”.
☺Score Piece B at ½” and 1” along the 3” length.
☺Score Piece B again at ½” along the 1 ½” line (Blue score line)
☺Fold at score lines.

Piece B

Step 3.
☺Using the Coluzzle Oval, cut a “dip” in section “C” of Piece A. ( I cut at the 4th ring from the outside of the Coluzzle)

☺Using the Coluzzle Oval, cut another “hill” in Section “G”.
( I cut at the 2nd ring from the outside of the coluzzle)

Step 4.
☺On Piece B, Cut on the Red score line up to the Blue score line.
Creating 3 “flaps”

ASEMBELING

Step 1. ☺Using a strong adhesive, tape “flaps” together creating a “three sided column” .

Step 2.

☺Place tape on the bottom of the “column” and place the middle section facing the outside, (open end to the inside) along the outside edge of Section D. Press firmly to make sure it sticks. Do the same with the other column to the other side of Section D.

Step 3.
☺Place tape along the edge of the “columns” on the side facing Section C.
☺Carefully fold Section C onto the “columns”. Press firmly.

You will notice that the columns are larger than the) cut of section C. using your siccors, trim the column to conform to the opening.

Step 4.
☺Place tape along the other edge of the “columns” and carefully fold up Section E. You now have the sides to your Box/Pocketbook.


Step 5.
☺To hold the “flap” closed. You will use Piece H. Gently fold it around the box and adhere the ends together to form the band. (I recommend decorating the box first then decorate the band to match before folding it around the box)

● You can use eyelets at the top of the box and thread a 7” piece of ribbon and tape to the inside of the lid and cover it with a strip of paper to match the lid color to hide the ribbon ends.
● If you decide to do this. I suggest that you do it after Piece A has been scored.

Decorate however you wish!
Enjoy!!

Emporium

What does Emporium mean? It's a term used for a store selling a wide variety of goods. I couldn't think of a better way to describe this wonderful Paper Collection From Close To My Heart. As said by Jeanette Laynton on her blog, "our Emporium is a marketplace of great ideas and inspiration. Every time I visit it, I find something new and different!" I couldn't agree more.

Here is some artwork using Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet. Enjoy!

Featured Colors:

Buttercup, Cocoa, Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf

what you get in a Level 2 Packet:

12- 12x12 B&T Duos (2 of each 6 patterns)

10- 12x12 Cardstock sheets (2 each of 3 colors, 4 neutral)

Emporium Level 2 Paper Pack

The summer months are finally here!!

Can
You
believe
that
today
is
June
1st?

It seems like yesterday that I was making hot chocolate for the kids and warming up after sledding in the snow. Where does the time go? This past weekend the hubs and I started shopping and for our family vacation. I have to give a shout out to the container store, (one of my favorite places to shop!!) . We picked up some pack-it Folders by Eagle Creek. I have to say that they really do work! We came home and I eagerly ran up stairs and emptied Mikes shirt drawer and put it to the test! I can't wait to try these puppys out when I pack everything. I'll let you know how it all goes! I also picked up 2 pairs of sunglasses. Both for $10.00 each. The one pair is for driving and originally cost $60.00.

I did manage to get some cards made and I finished my nieces summer dress. Here are some pictures.

Products that were used to make these little cards are from Close to my Heart.

The "frosting" has been popped up using 3-D Foam Squares

Liquid glass and Prisma Glitter was used on the "wrapper".

Each cupcake was stamped more than once with one kept whole as a base to "build" on.

I then cut each piece of the wrapper and the frosting.

Applied the liquid glass and glitter.

The stamp sets used are:

Good Times and Celebration Bouquet

I believe that these would make great invitations too!

Cupcake Delight

Chocolate frosted cupcake card

Pink Frosting Inspired by Dana!

(she loves white cupcakes with pink frosting)

Katie's Dress

This is the back of her dress with Purple ladybugs for buttons.
Her mommy loves ladybugs.

Matthew went to an Ice Skating Birthday Party on Friday evening and had a great time but unfortunately he now has a beautiful shiner on his right eye. I don't have a picture yet but will have it tonight to post. he does really well on the ice considering that it was his second time. I have tried to talk him into taking lessons (to ease my mind as a worried mother when he is out there) so that he will be able to "keep up" with his friends, but he just doesn't want to. He feels as though he knows how to skate. lol

Make today a great day!!!!