This is my centerpiece for the Cricut MB swap. It's my first centerpiece and I might be addicted. It was dead simple. Just cut shapes and attach to skewers. I backed each object with the same shape, but the back isn't decorated. I used Doodlecharms (ice cream, present, hat, cupcake, and balloons), Doodletype (tags and happy birthday), and Stamped (Celebrate).

Simply arrange (and cut skewers if you'd like) and place into a vase, bucket, cup, etc.

ETA: I love chalk! I didn't think I would use it as much as I am, but it's so nice to add a bit more dimension to each cut.

So it's been a while. Thanks for point that out Karen and Royce - LOL. I was doing so well, and then Annual Conference at church happened and serving 300 people lunch a couple of times wears you out! Now VBS is taking over the craft time. Anywho, I have been making new things. Here are some, and I will try to be more consistent...

Some birthday cards I'm working on for a swap that I'm participating in. 1) cupcake in an oval aperature, 2) a card inspired by Susan of susanbluerobot.blogspot.com, 3) a card with letters cut out again inspired by Susan, 4) a waterfall card (you pull the tab at the bottom, and each square flips over to reveal a new image (okieladybugscrapnmore.blogspot.com), and 4/5) a simple card with birthday cut out at the bottom.

My new fave is an album/minibook made of paper lunch bags. Here are three that I made using 2 different configurations. Pictures 1 and 2: the inside isn't complete, but there are extra pages that you can make that will fit into the opening of the bags for extra journaling/photo space. Pictures 3-7: A small paper bag album and a picture of the inside pages. This album also has some tags inside for extra journaling space. The last couple of pics are another album I made that has a beachy, birthday theme for "I's" mermaid party.

A number mesh made with CDS. It didn't quite cut right. The "6" in the lower right quadrant is a bit off. I think I'll have to use a new mat next time. This took 7-10 minutes to cut out!

Well, almost a thing a day... Yesterday was pretty busy, so nothing crafty was accomplished. I did get a card done today. It's pretty neat-o if you ask me. Carol Duvall had this on her show years and years ago, but it seemed too complicated back then. Susan made one with the CDS (my new best friend) and Jenny has the tutorial for making one by hand. It can be pushed flat to mail, and because of the rubber band in the middle (very tricky to get in) it pops up when you pull it out into a cute little hexagonal cube (for lack of a better word).

I didn't cut it out, yet... I'm in a swap on the Cricut MB, and my partner's birthday is coming up. Here's what her card looks like in CDS (Cricut Design Software). I'll probably cut it out tomorrow. The Mole is on tonight and will get my full attention.

This is what Mario's overalls and hat look like in CDS (to the left). The right is what I pieced together to make the onsie card. It's loads of fun designing, but a bit tedious at times.

I love this! Although, it does mean that J will be entering Kindy shortly. Not so ready for that, but I am ready with my mini-album. It's about 6 inches tall and 10 inches long. There are pages for the highlights, and of course (well, hopefully) I'll be scrapbooking the other things about Kindy as well. Again, this was done using the Cricut Design Software. The letters are from Doodletype and the bus is from Doodlecharms. I'll also be adding some embellishments to the pages (apples, stars, etc.). This book was inspired by the Cricut Chirp.

This is my "thing" for today. Thanks to SusanBlueRobot for the inspiration! Again, I used my Cricut and the CDS. It's a bit hard to tell, but it's a square card.

This was inspired by "Mysonshines" on the Cricut MB. I made it last night, so technically it can't be my thing for today. Anywho, its a onesie card for a baby shower that I'm going to this afternoon. I don't have the New Arrivals Cartridge, so I had to make this by welding a bunch of shapes together in Cricut Design Software. It was fun! The hanger was made with three rectangles, two circles and a question mark ;o).

Here is the top of my exploding box with some embellishment and the inside of the box with frames just aching to have some pictures attached!

Someone on the Cricut MB wanted a Mario for her son's birthday party. Here was my attempt and my entry for today... Yes, I know Mario is too manly for polka dots, but it was all I had in my stash - LOL! I used the Cricut Design Software and only the George Cartridge to make him.

Well, I'm going to make a "thing-a-day". We'll see how long I last, but so far so good. Alas, I'm doing well making a thing a day, but I'm not doing so well posting about it. Here is what I've made so far...

This is a business card holder designed by Amy Butler. I didn't have her fun fabric to work with, but HL never lets me down. It is so cute! What do I need with a business card holder you ask... I've got cards in there for the knit shop where I teach and "mommy calling cards". The MCC have all of our info on them so we can hand them out at playdates without having to find a pen and paper under all the clutter that is in my purse.



Isn't she adorable?!? We had some friends over this afternoon for a super Mermaid making frenzy. I is having a birthday party soon with a mermaid theme. Cricut to the rescue. I just got Paper Dolls Dress Up, and the rest is history.


Below is a clock I made for the HUGE empty space above our mantle. I use my trusty Cricut Software and Just Hands from Target to make it. It's a bit off kilter, but it's nothing a compass and a protractor can't sort out. It has our last name at the top and "est 2000" at the bottom.




These are signs above our children's beds. We're going to embellish them with dinosaur as soon as they decide which dino to choose. I used the Cricut Software for this as well.




This is an exploding box. The lid comes off, and viola, it's a cute little photo album with 12 different surfaces to decorate.




Here is a fabric basket I found from the Craftzine Blog. It was super simple to make and oh so cute! It is on the small size, but I think it would be perfect for a small handmade gift or two.

Here is a needle case I also found on Craftize's Blog.


This was a much needed addition to the back yard. Oh, I'm taking about the tent covering, not the whole playset ;o). It was a snap to sew (just a big rectangle really), the toughest part was getting the dang grommits in.

That's a lot of crafting, and I'm loving it.

I am loving my new Cricut Software, and I just create and create and never seem to cut. I also discovered that you can get strips of vinyl that work with your Cricut at Lowe's for just about $10! With the Uppercase Living catalog at my side for inspiration, I made this for the space above my oven. Total cost? Sixty-five cents!!! A similar UL piece is priced at $20.00. I'm so proud.

I've also set up a new knitting class at The Knaughty Knitter. It's called illusion or shadow knitting. You can't see the design, and then you shift your point of view and there it is! It's a super simple technique, and easy enough to chart. I'll also be starting a new session of Knitting 101 at the end of June. It is 4 weeks long and will continue through part of July.

Recent FO's

Sorry for the crappy pics. This is what happens when you take pics in a hurry to avoid "help" from a 5 year old and a 2 year old.

The Mystery Stole

The Diamond Smocked Baby Blanket

Baby Chucks