Layout of Nate

I am quite pleased with this layout of Nate. I am quite behind on my scrapbooking, but I knew as soon as we had this picture that it had to go in Nate's book. He is such a sweetie when it comes to his "Bear Bear". I've told this story before, but he has adopted his brother's "Bear Bear" too and now has to have both of them. He's my little thumb sucker (Will has never sucked his thumb) and teddy bear lover.

Everything is Close to my Heart. I used my cricut to cut out my title. I used Printing Press with the Design Studio which allowed me to weld all the letters together before they were cut. Its a great tool. I also added some sewing to the printed paper. Journaling was done on the computer.

Now, its almost time to wake up the twins and get the oldest from school. Where did my time go??

~Katie

Friend Card

Hello all. Not much happening in my little world. Here is a card that I made for my friend to send with her birthday goodies. I already sent her birthday card so this is just because I'm late with her birthday present. I know she won't mind.

I used Close to my Heart paper (love it) and ink. I can't get enough of the blues and browns together. I used a paper piercer to make the holes - you could use a small hole punch too. The flower stamp is also Close to my Heart as well as the cute little button. The sentiment is from Stampin Up. I love all these circular stamps - they are quite the rage with all the manufacturers.

~Katie

Another card...

This is one of those projects that grew many heads along the way. I started out wanting to use a particular cut from my new Cricut Cartridge - Stretch your Imagination. The cut was the grasshopper on the blade of grass and then from there it just went crazy. I guess I'm still ambivalent about this one.

So here goes: All the paper is Close to my Heart, Inks from Close to my Heart, die cut made from my Cricut machine, scalloped and plain rectangle cut and embossed using the nestabilities, background stamped using Papertrey ink stamp set, sentiment from Papertrey ink, ribbon is miscellaneous from stash, and lots of pop dots for lots of dimension.

~K

New Toys - Notecards

I went to bed late and got up early. What is up with that? Well, it finally did snow and the twins loved it. We ran out to Costco and they literally squealed each time a big fluffy snowflake hit them in the face. Unfortunately, the snow isn't going to stick around, although my oldest isn't complaining about going to school 2 hours late!

This first set is a set of 3x3 notecards. I used a mishmash of supplies again, but most importantly, I received my Spellbinder's Nestabilities yesterday. They are so cool and I can't get enough of them. These dies cut, emboss, and you can place them where ever you want to make a cut (as long as your piece fits in whatever machine you are using. I got them at a great price from Marcie at Cut at Home.


This next set is again a set of notecards, but these are sized at 4x4. I love the simplicity of these cards. I again used my nestabilities to emboss the frame (its hard to see I know - sorry). I stamped with a clear stamp that was given to me as a gift so I don't know who made it. I then colored in with my twinkling H2O's using my water brush and added the sentiment which is wood mounted stamp that I had in my stash.

Better Late than Never - True Friend

Its late, but it is so quiet and peaceful down in my "dungeon" - the place where I love to be. Anyway, this is a card that I am sending to a long distance friend of mine. I threw in some stamped images which I hope she enjoys.

Isn't this paper divine? It is from the Close to my Heart purchase with purchase promotion this Winter. It is beautiful!

The flower on top is Bazzill bling and the ribbon is Sheer Creations from Michael's. The sentiments are Close to my Heart stamps.

Now its time for bed!

Valentine Trio

Good morning! At least where I am it is morning. We have no snow, but I wish we would get some if we are going to. The sense of "maybe", "likely chance", "could happen" just kills us all. I say just get it over with!!!

So, last night I finished my "trio" of Valentine projects. I love the fact that I actually used up an entire sheet of printed paper and of course all three items are "matchy matchy".

What is cool about the box and the candy holder is that they are the exact same thing except put together differently. I was visiting blogs and I saw this one. Just follow the link in Cambria's info. She has a great blog with great work.

I added a handle to mine just because, but it is such a cute box. I stamped on tissue and used that to finish it off. Now when I was first folding it up, I folded up the folds in the opposite way and ended up with the treat box instead. Who knew? Obviously not me :) I've seen patterns for the treat box before but it just didn't click when I was originally making the box.

So, I used Close to my Heart Cranberry Cardstock for the base of the box and treat holder. All I remember about the paper is that I bought it at Joann's a while back. Just liked the look of it and it goes perfectly with red. I was also in an embossing mood so I used a variation of clear and white embossing powder on both white and cranberry cardstock. The stamps are from Close to my Heart.

The card base is Bazzill black scalloped cardstock and the ribbon is Michael's Sheer Creations. I love the sheer ribbon because you don't necessarily have to have the perfect shade since it tends to pick the shade of whatever you are working on.

My oldest really wanted the treat box so I'll probably set aside for Valentines. Although I think it was really the kisses in the treat box that he was eye-balling.

-Enjoy the day.

You take the Cupcake!

Oh my! I really love this set from CTMH
It is really very cute and I feel very versatile. Everything is CTMH except for the black cardstock (bazzill) and "celebrate today" sentiment(PAPERTREYink).Its their very newest Mixed Messages set. I did use versamark to stamp the sentiment and then embossed it with white powder so it would really stand out from the black. Oh, I forgot the glitter and the liquid appliqué for the cupcakes.

For all my Boys Fans

And here is another picture of the twins down in the basement eating what else but goldfish. What would we moms do without goldfish crackers!

I don't have a picture of my oldest up so at this point this is the only one I have access to. It was at Christmas time and he LOVES legos.

Flowahbella

This is a card that I made to cheer up a friend who is down in the dumps - you know how that is. I hope she likes it.

This bella was colored in with Prisma watercolor pencils and all the paper is DCWV textured cardstock. Ribbon is from Michaels (I love their sheer line) and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink. I'm posting 2 pictures because in person the plain was (I thought) very pretty, but then I took a picture of it and in the picture it looked so plain, so I added a silk flower. Sometimes that little something is so hard to find. I had really wanted to use some sort of tab for the sentiment but I couldn't find just the right size...

Bellas

I just got my Bellas last week and think they are too cute. One card is for my very bestest friend in the world. We have been fast friends since the 3rd (approx)grade. My only wish is that she lived closer as in the same state would be nice. Even though our lives have been very different, in the end we have ended up in very similar situations. I can post this without her finding it since she is always uber busy.

I posted a card with this same paper yesterday. I found it very versatile and it is so pretty. I used Prisma Watercolor pencils and a blender pen. This is my second version too. The 1st colored image - not too pretty. Anyway, cardstock and flower bling is CTMH, sentiment is Stampin Up, circle were all cut using my Cricut Expression. This Bella is called Prezzibella.

Quick Card

Here is a card that I made quickly for my someone special. Paper is Creative Keepsakes from Joanns. Who can pass up 16 cent paper. The stamped image and ink is CTMH, sentiment is Papertrey and the ribbon is from Michaels.

Yeah, I figured out how to do the link. Of course, simple!

Milk Carton

Here is a milk carton that I made from the tutorial that can be found at SplitcoastStampers.

This is a fabulous site for ideas. I used Close to my Heart paper, paper flower and bling. The stamp is ? (I think Hero Arts) and I used Versa Magic Ink. These are really very cute and easy to make.

A favorite Stamp Set

I have to say that this has been one of my newest fav stamp sets from Close to my Heart. It is just tooo cute. I really feel like this set is pretty versatile. All the following cards come from this set.

I am waiting for some copic markers to come but for these I used watercolor pencils and I think they are just as pretty with the pencils.

Happy Spring

Here is a card that I made to showcase CTMH's January's stamp of the month called Easter. Trust me it is so versatile (as seen with this card). I love how this turned out and I have to say that I am in love with their new pearl paint.

The other great thing about CTMH's idea books are the color combination suggestions that are throughout the book. Here is one that I might not necessarily do on my own but is just gorgeous together.

So, here are the details: The card is 5x5 and I used Grey Wool, Smokey Plum, Lilac Mist, Sweet Leaf and White Daisy Cardstock. I used my Scor-Pal to emboss the Grey Wool and then sanded my lines for some textuture. I also sanded the Smokey Plum cardstock. The flowers (Lilac Mist Ink) and leaves (Sweet Leaf Ink) were stamped on White Daisy Cardstock and then painted over with the Pearl Create a Shade Paint, dried and then cut. I then stamped the flower image again and cut out the centers and used pop dots to attach them. This card turned out so subtle but the glimmer of the flowers just added the perfect touch.

For the Love of Coffee

Well, I just had to share what greets me every morning and whenever I need a pick me up (when my husband is home). I have an incredibly talented husband that makes me a vanilla latte every single morning. I just had to brag just a little bit. The great thing is that not only does he make a mean tasting latte, but he makes them soooo pretty too!!! If you can come by for a visit, he'll make you one too.

I also have those adorable boys who greet me in the morning, not with those Starbucks aprons though. My very cute sister who works for Starbucks got the boys the little barista aprons. Aren't those cute.

Altoid Tin

Alright, you have to understand that I'm not a huge alterer, so I'm pretty pleased as to how this turned out. I made a few business cards for myself and thought the altoid tin would be perfect to house them in, but of course it needed to look pretty. Everything on the tin is from CTMH. I did emboss the paper that is on the inside lid and the bottom of the tray using guess what? the cuttlebug. I LOVE, LOVE this machine. Unfortunately, I did have to use the corner rounder on all my cards so they would fit in the tin though. I don't really like the gold showing, but for now this will work.

Get Well Card

I've been making "get well" cards for Kevin's mom and here is one that I particularly like. This new paper packet is just gorgeous! It is called Paper Garden and the stamp is called Playful Flourishes from CTMH. I used my cricut to cut the big flower and topped it off with a CTMH paper bloom and a Bigger Brad. Oh, and I did use my cuttlebug to emboss the green paper. And, the sentiment was printed using my computer. Ok, I think I got it all.

Plastic, Paper, and Chocolate - Oh my!

Today, I've been working on a variety of things for a variety of reasons, but I wouldn't be able to do it in so much comfort if it weren't for my very dear and perfect (remember, no one is perfect), for right now he is... husband. He has been working on our basement for many months and it is in my opinion just right for us. I get to come down here either by myself or I can bring the kids down and we can all be together and I can still get my "crafty" things done. Until now, the basement was a place for adults only - no children allowed and now it is a great family area.

So... here is one project I've been working on. These are little goodies that are going to be prizes at my open house this Saturday. They are tubes that CTMH Ribbon Rounds come in. I just added some paper, a stamp, and of course some yummy goodies inside and you have the perfect combination!

Gift Set

I've been slowly plugging away making cards and "stuff" to send to my MIL. A while back, I purchased the Glitter Stack from DCWV and still have lots of it left. Anyway, I wanted to make a set and I decided on this very cute little box with lid which I found at Andrea Walford's blog and made a nugget box and some notecards to go with.

Products used are: DCWV Glitter Stack, Close to my Heart Cardstock, Inks, and Stamps, Papertrey stamps, Sizzlets die cut and embossing all in one, Cuttlebug machine and embossing folder, Ribbon sheer creations from Michaels.

Once I figure out all the ins and outs I will start putting links into my postings. For right now, if you want to find these great people and fab places my solution to everything is -just google!

Why???

Its so cute... Nate has recently (within the last couple of days) started to ask "why?". Not only does he look at me and randomly say why, but he has the shrug of the shoulder as well as the hand gestures down too.

Will on the other hand isn't asking why, but he has become attached to Hunter's old Pooh bear (sitting or standing one). Now you have to understand that both Nate and Will have each had "Bear Bear" since they were born. My husband's wonderful mother had those sent to us/them the night they were born at the hospital. Both of them used "Bear Bear" as a lovey, but then slowly, Will didn't want his anymore and hasn't used it in months, and in turn, Nate took the poor orphan Bear Bear in, so Nate not only needs/wants one but has to have both all the time. It has been interesting to watch Will transition into wanting a toy when it is nap and bed time. I did forget to mention that Will did go through a phase where he had to sleep with a toy car of one sort or another - known as "car car".

What are little boys made of

My focus for this card was this great saying - "What are little boys made of" This is a sentiment stamp from a set called Little Boys from Close to my Heart. As a mother of 3 boys, boys have a special place in my heart. The paper is also from Close to my Heart and is called Free Spirit. I love all these colors and thought it was perfect for the look that I wanted - a boy theme, but not too bright. The embossed dinosaur and the words on the bottom of the card are the from Provo Crafts Cuttlebug line. All I can say is I love the embossing. I sanded the images to show the white core underneath and for a little bit of pop.

Altered Calendar

Ok, I am continuing to get my toes wet with this whole blogging "thing". I can't say that I will be able to keep it up regularly, but I am sure going to try. This is a calendar that I purchased at the Dollar Store and I chose a black one because I had the perfect Close to my Heart paper to make it pretty. I wanted a very simple look with no embellishments because I knew that this planner would be handled frequently (fingers crossed).

Card Holder

There are so many card holder patterns out there and they are all fun to make. This is one that I cased from a holder that my photos came in. I took it apart, did some measuring and here it is. I used my new Scor-Pal to make all the scores and used Close to my Heart paper to cover it. It is a large holder (71/2" x 5") It will probably hold 4 cards with envelopes.

The Beginning

I have been browsing other people's blogs for the past year now and I've decided that I am going to take the plunge! This is a good time of year to start - a beginning to...

Clear Dollar Stamps Design Team Members

Design Team Members

Lori McCroskey (owner)
Tori Wild
Linsey Rickett
Alysabeth Johnston
Shawne Arnold
Erin Bigler
Cassie Trask
Angela Thomas
Sarah Taylor
Lisa Lara
Joan Ervin
Cathy B - Mutnik
Gloria D - GloriousGreetings

Senior Design Team Members

Candy Fosta
Kim Teasdale
Nancy Grant
Katie Renz
Linda Borneman
Stacy Morgan

Guest Design Team Members

Grace Wynening - May 2009
Lisa Lara - GUEST DESIGNER April 2009
Tricia Traxler - GUEST DESIGNER April 2009
Sarah Taylor - March 2009

Past Design Team Members

Vicki Crawford - July 2008
Diane Noble - July 2008
Erin Bigler - March thru July 2008
Kendra Giles - July 2008
Jennifer Ofiana - July 2008 thru November 2008
Amy Gwinn - March thru August 2008
Jane Simeone - March thru August 2008
America Kuhn - July thru September 2008
Monique Hawrelluk - July thru September 2008
Kate Hughes - July thru September 2008
Tina Wilson - August thru September 2008
Kelly Hampton - October thru December 2008
Jan Hunnicutt - October thru December 2008
Linda Anderson - October thru December 2008
Nancy French - October thru December 2008
Suzanne Dean - October thru December 2008
Lorelie Kim - September thru December 2008
Alexandra Maldonado - September 2008 thru February 2009
Monique Hawrelluk - January 2009 thru March 2009