My Thoughts Exactly Design Team Thursday and a Winner!

Hello and happy Thursday to everyone! Are you all ready for the Holiday festivities? I am so not ready! I looked at my calendar yesterday and realized it was still on November...as were all the calendars in our home! I think I am in a subconscious denial it's almost Christmas. Well if you are a procrastinator, like me, and need to make holiday cards yet I a have a few last minute card ideas for you today. It is of course Design Team Thursday at My Thoughts Exactly so each card will feature the fabulous Holiday stamp sets :) To be exact each card will be showing sentiments from the Holly Jolly Phrases set.

First up I have the Christmas cards we handed out to our family at the annual family gathering, yes handed out because I didn't get them mailed in time.

I didn't want to make a million and one folded cards, so they are just flat cards. The message is hidden by the little penguin that is a magnet! Aren't the sentiments fun? I just love "May your stocking be filled with smiles and love!" See the little stocking up? Yup that's on the Holly Jolly Phrases set too. I also made a second version of the card with a different penguin.

Now I have a card that was just for fun...well I really wanted to use a certain stamp so the card was designed around that. The idea came to me while I was wrapping our Christmas gifts and the dog would not leave me alone! She was walking all over the wrapping paper, throwing toys on the paper, chasing the ribbon and bows...it just didn't stop and by the time I got her to leave me alone the paper was ruined. So the Naughty Darja card was created.

The idea on the front being the mess left over from a very naughty little puppy playing in the craft room. On a side note the paw prints are the size of Darja's paws so it's very fitting, it's also how she usually 'signs' all our cards. Now back to your regularly schedule program...

Isn't that cute? As soon as I saw the "Dear Santa" phrases I knew I had to use them. I always remember as a little kid trying to write my letter to Santa but never knowing exactly what to say. Well Darja had the same problem. "I was very very good"...well maybe not. "Please define good?" No that doesn't sound right. "I can explain..." I imagine her explanation would be, "I was just trying to help mama finish her card." Of course it would be said with a cocked head and those puppy dog eyes so you can't yell at her.

So I have one last thing for you today. I never heard back from the winner of the Stamp Release so I have a new one! The new winner is...#9 - StampGram! Please send me an email (CraftyRktSci [at] gmail [dot] com) to claim your prize StampGram.

Be sure to stop by the My Thoughts Exactly store to pick up all your favorite stamps and don't forget to stop by Jen's blog too to see her Design Team Thursday project.

Happy crafting and happy holidays!

Just a note...

Hi everyone! This is just a quick post to let anyone that grabbed my blinkie for their blogs know the file it was linked to got deleted. Long story short I linked my blogger account to my Google+ account (trying to consolidate online profiles) and all my pictures got deleted in the process. I think I've got most of them back up and in the right places. There is also new code for the blinkie over in the left hand side bar...don't ask me why the text area won't limit to a few lines (the html code is right if checked it a million times)...blogger is driving me crazy this week! I'll get it fixed at some point in time but for now at least the code is up and had the correct link.

If you see anything that looks out of place or missing please leave me a quick comment if you don't mind. I appreciate any quirks you can point out.

And since you are here I can't leave you without a project right?!? This is a fun little card I made for my hunny's birthday. He had a funny look on his face when he opened the card...

When I asked why he said, "nothing I just didn't get it at first...a birthday ninja?" Well I thought it was cute, oh well.

All the files are from the Lettering Delights Ninja Kicks set. Of course I changed a few things. I added the heart to the birthday ninja, the Trendy Twine sash, and that mustache! So I have to admit this card is a little old, his birthday was in November and he does the whole no shave November. So, I added a little facial hair to the ninja from the Mustache Mania set at Lettering Delights. Oh yea, can you believe the tiny cuts on this card? Thanks to my amaZING Zing that he bought me for my birthday I can cut things I never dreamed of cutting before! The circles on the lamps are completely perfect circles...am I dreaming?

Well that's all for today, happy crafting!

Merry Tree

Hello everyone! If you are looking for the Gifts From the Heart Blog Hop please scroll down or go here. Today is another SVG Attic Sunday for me. I have just a simple little project that could be a center piece for a holiday dinner or just a decoration for the holiday season.

I used the tree from O Christmas Tree and decorated it with my favorite Trendy Twine! Here are a few close ups of the details. The topper is a stamp I picked up at Michael's and hand cut around. It's stuck in the top with a red toothpick.
And a close up of the tiny bows all over the tree. Yes I tied them all and it took forever! I cut the tree out at a size of 8" so the tree isn't very big.

I know this is a simple project but time has been limited this week. Don't forget to hop along with the Gifts From the Heart Blog Hop for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Also be sure to stop by the SVG Attic store to pick up some files at a speacial discout through out the hop.

Happy crafting!

Gifts From the Heart Blog Hop!

Hello and happy weekend to you! Today was the last day of classes for us so it will be a joyous weekend for me. I'm also headed to a cookie exchange party at my mom's house so that will be a lot of fun. Enough of my babbling and on to what you came for!

Today is the start of the Gifts From the Heart Blog Hop! The ladies at SVG Attic are putting on a blog hop full of cute little gift ideas for all the people you see on a daily basis but just need a small gift for. If you just came from Kasi's blog you are on the right track! If you are just popping by my little corner of the world and you missed the beginning of the hop you can start at the SVG Attic blog. Trust me you won't want to miss any of the projects. In case you get lost along the way here is the line up of talent:

SVG Attic

Jessica B

Ruthie

Kasi <-- You were just here.

Jessica L <-- That's me!

Laura <-- You're next stop.

Lisa

Jearise

Corri

Katie

Sandra

So are you ready to see what I made? Well I'm going to tell you a little story about my project first, I know I'm a tease :) As you may have seen earlier my great-grandmother passed away last week and we had her funeral earlier this week. Well at lunch after the service we were all sitting around sharing stories and memories. One of the things that all the kids remembered was great-grandma's candy and marshmallows. She made sure to have them at all times cause you never know when one of those grand-kids was going to stop by. Now these were not any old candies or marshmallows, it was always Nips (the chocolate filled ones) and the pastel fruit flavored marshmallows. So I decided to make a snowman for someone special with all the special things great-grandma always gave us. Now a snowman has three sections so I needed one more treat to complete the goodies...kisses! There was always a kiss ready and waiting for you when you got to great-grandma's. So without further ado here is my little snowman full of great-grandma's goodies.

Isn't he just too cute?!? I used the gift favor box from the Holiday Cheer Boxes set and cut them at 3 different sizes to create the snowman. The snowman's eyes, nose, buttons, and arms are from the Build A Snowman set. I just made the snowman's hat with out any SVGs (it didn't come out that great either) but you could use the rosette from the gift card box in the Holiday Cheer Boxes set for the brim if you wanted and the hat in the Mad Tea Party set for the hat shape, just cut it really small :)

Here is a close up of the snowman's face and hat. Of course I wrapped the hat with a little twine to create the band.

Here is a close up of the snowman's banner and his mid section. The banner says "wishing you the happiest holidays." Of course I used some more twine to attach the banner to the snowman's arms.

Last picture is a side view of the snowman so you can see how I attached all the boxes together...more twine! I think I have an obsession with twine :) It just goes so well with all the SVG Attic files.

I hope you have enjoyed my project today. Stop by SVG Attic to pick up all your favorite files and for the rest of the hop they will all be 50% off with code GIFT at checkout. Also be sure to get your free file set, O Christmas Tree, with every purchase of $9.98 or more with code FREE at checkout. Now what's a blog hop without candy? Jessica will be giving away two $50 gift cards to lucky readers! The rules are you have to follow the SVG Attic blog, become a follower of all the hop blogs, and leave a comment on each of the blogs.There are also a two opportunities for extra bonus entries: 1. become a fan of SVG Attic on Facebook 2. share the blog hop on Facebook and tag SVG Attic in the post (1 entry per share). Now on to your next stop, the lovely Laura!

Happy crafting,

MTE Stamp Release Winner!

Hello everybody! I know it's been a little quiet around here this week. I kind of disappeared last week on you all. My great-grandmother passed away so I traveled back to Ohio for the first time in six years! It was nice to see family I hadn't seen in years, just wish it were for a more joyous occasion.

Today I finally picked the winner from the My Thoughts Exactly Stamp Release! The lucky winner is...#6
Lynda! Lynda please send me an email at craftyrktsci [at] gmail [dot] com to claim your $5 gift card to My Thoughts Exactly!

Be on the look out for a cute little project later tonight for the Gifts From the Heart Blog Hop!

Happy crafting!

My Thoughts Exactly December Release!!!!

Happy Monday everyone! I know it's a Monday right after a long weekend for most of you, but there is one thing to be super excited about...it's the December stamp release at My Thoughts Exactly! Also there may be a little something for you at the very end of this post so make sure you read all the way to the end :)

There is not one but two new sets today! Are you ready to see them? Before I show you what they look like there are a few details to go over, hee hee I know I'm a tease.

As always the stamps are made right here in the USA out of 100% clear photo-polymer. Each set will be $15 or you can buy both sets together for $25! Both prices include tax and shipping to the USA. If you are a customer that is outside of the USA we have some big news for you...MTE is now shipping worldwide! There will be a option for you at check out to pick the proper destination to calculate shipping. Isn't that awesome?!? There is also a new cart feature in the store so you can order multiple sets all at one time instead of placing individual orders for each set. Ok are you ready to see them?

Drum roll please...

Introducing Holly Jolly Phrases:

And Holly Jolly Tags:

Well, what do you think? I think they rock, but I may be a little biased :) I do want to mention there are some SVGs in the works for the tag set so that all of you with electronic cutters can cut out tags and stamp them! The SVGs are not quite ready but as soon as they are anyone that purchases the tag set will get the SVGs for free by email! Also the Holly Jolly Phrases sets will be pre-order for right now and should be shipping within the next 3-4 days, don't worry you can still order the bundle today!

Ok so are you ready to see what I made? Nothing came out as I planned today, but oh well I just have ideas for later right? :) I made two fairly simple cards for the release, but each card showcases both sets!

The front of the first shows one of the tags and one of the sentiments on the tag set. Then when you open it...

A fun little sentiment from the sentiment set! Here's a little closer look.

The fonts on both of the sets are just perfect! The patterned paper on the front is from October Afternoon and the ribbon is from Stampin' Up.

Now the second card is a little fancier :P

There is again a tag and sentiment from the tag set on the front. Here I used some Martha Stewart paint pens that I picked up at Michael's on Black Friday to color in the spots on the tag (I know, I know, I actually went out on Black Friday, what was I thinking?!? I did get a few good crafty things though!). Twine from the Twinery and paper from Echo Park were perfect matches for the tag. Now I know they are kind of hard to see but all the little snowflakes on the red background...can you see them? Well, those are also on the tag set and I stamped them in Dazzle Versa Mark, it's a sparkly version of Versa Mark ink.

There is another sentiment on the inside form the sentiment set! Here is closer look.

This is by far my favorite sentiment of the set!

Ok here is one last look at the cards and just a few extra tags :)

I hope you like the cards I made. Be sure to stop by the MTE blog to check out all the other design team inspiration then make one last stop at the stamp store and pick up the new sets for yourself. Now I have one last thing for you before you go...Alyssa has given each of the ladies on the design team $5 gift cards to give away! Here is how you can enter:

Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite holiday tradition is. Mine is mom's homemade cinnamon rolls hot out of the oven on Christmas morning with a nice mug full of dad's french press coffee (sugar-free peppermint mocha creamer included), with a fire in the fireplace sitting in front of the tree.

That's it, pretty simple huh? You have until Friday at 11:59 pm to enter. Now be on the look out for other posts featuring the new sets this week, if you see one of the stamps pop up leave me a comment on that post telling be you spotted another MTE Holly Jolly Tag or Sentiment for extra chances to win.

One last thing before you go! If you thoroughly enjoy the MTE stamps and you think you'd like to join our fun little group of crafty ladies, gentlemen to not be excluded :), then check out the GLOBAL design team call MTE has open until November 30. All the details can be found here.

Happy Crafting!

Birthday Wishes...

Happy Sunday everyone! It has been a very busy weekend for me. Today is SVG Attic Design Team day! I know everyone is in the Christmas spirit now that Thanksgiving is over, but today I have a birthday gift for you :) oddly enough it uses one of the newer Christmas sets over at SVG Attic. Can you guess what set I used?


Holiday Cheer Gift Boxes! So if you are looking for alternative ways to use your Christmas files here is one idea. We are celebrating a few birthdays while we are all home for Thanksgiving and I needed a little something to put a gift card in.

Isn't it fun? All the paper is from October Afternoon and the twine is from the Twinery.

It's funny how just changing the papers can change the whole feel of a project. I hope you've enjoyed my project today. Happy crafting!

Many Thanks on Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the US! I hope you have a wonderful day full of good food, laughter, and love. Today is Design Team Thursday at My Thoughts Exactly. I am in need of some thank you cards, so today I have just a few that I made with the Many Thanks stamp set. How fitting for Thanksgiving huh? There are a few pictures so I'll get right to them.

The first one shows a fun technique. Instead of stamping the entire words Thank You, the T and Y have been replaced with little embellishments. I used my shape studio to make the T and Y.

Here is a close up of the stamps and embellishments.

All the patterned paper is from October Afternoon as is the blue ribbon. The T and Y embellishments were made from the 12x12 version of the background paper.

The second card is very simple. I got the 'Wild Card' from my October afternoon loot and just had to use it on a card. I thought it went perfectly with the very simple sentiment.

The twine is from the Twinery.

The last card is again pretty simple and very girly :) As you may know I got my new baby Zing this past week and have been learning to use it. So I just had to have at least one cut in my post this week. I have been seeing a lot of negative cuts recently so I thought I'd give it a try.

Twine is from the Twinery and the paper is again from my October Afternoon loot. The little metal plate I think is from Michael's. Here is a close up of the sentiment.

I hate to waste paper so, I couldn't bring myself to throw away the cut out from the front. Yup, I put it on the inside and wrapped a little twine around the top. I was going for the tape measure draped around the mannequin look...

Well that's all I have for you today. Be sure to stop by Jen's blog to see what she made using the My Thoughts Exactly stamps. Also be sure to come back next Monday, the 28th, for the December release of My Thoughts Exactly stamps!! They are so awesome you don't want to miss it. I may have a sneak peak or two this weekend for you as well :)

Happy Turkey Day!

SVG Attic Design Team Sunday!

Happy Sunday everyone! It's another SVG Attic design team Sunday. Today I have a fun little snowman card for you using the Build a Snowman set.

It's a snowman in a box! Isn't it cute?!?

The Holiday Cheer stamps are from the Holly Jolly Christmas line at Echo Park. All the paper is from the Good Cheer collection at October Afternoon.

I know this is a short post but it's just been one of those weeks. My nerdy snowman is approximately 3 inches tall. I got the idea from the Make The Cut Nutcrackers in November challenges currently going on. I hope you have enjoyed it. Happy crafting!

My Thoughts Exactly November Release!

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. It was a nice quiet night at home for us. I crafted and tried not to think about my new Zing making it's way here, too much. In case you missed my post on Facebook, my boyfriend bought me a brand new KNK Zing for my birthday! I so can not wait for it to get here!!!! Today is a very special day...it's release day for My Thoughts Exactly stamps! Are you ready for the new set? Did you figure out the theme from last Thursday's sneak peak? Well here they are

It's thank you phrases! This set is called Many Thanks and like the others there are so many options it is a must have. There are multiple fonts, sizes, and languages! Are you ready to see what I made? Well here it is

Remember when I told you my mom and aunt went shopping at the October Afternoon warehouse sale for me? Well the designer paper and the rubber charms are all from my loot! Mom and grandma came up for my birthday this weekend and brought me all my new goodies. I'll have to get some pictures of it all, you would not believe how much there is. I used the new Rocket Age line here. This card is made using a cool new folding technique called the side spring card I learned from Split Coast Stampers, it can be found here. The square on the right side of my card 'springs' open to reveal the inside of the card.

Once it's fully open you can see the sentiment!

Aren't the new stamps just to die for?!? I love the fonts. Alyssa and Brian even brought back my favorite font, the one form the Birds and the Bees set <3 See that little epoxy circle embellishment? I made it with my new EC Shape Studio tool! The paper I used to make is the same paper I used on the front of the card and of course the nerd that I am just had to use the escape velocity equation printed on the paper :) I am so in love with this paper line, it's perfect for manly cards and projects. Or good for the nerds like me :)

Hope you all have a great rest of your day. Be sure to stop by My Thoughts Exactly to check out all the design team inspiration and to pick up you Many Thanks stamp set!

Happy crafting,

A heartfelt thank you :)

Hello and happy Thursday everyone! So I had planned a really fun little card set for you today with sneak peaks of the soon to be released My Thoughts Exactly stamps...well life has been a little crazy as of late. I spent a few days last week at a conference presenting my research. Normally that wouldn't be an issue, I'd just miss a few days of class nothing too terrible. Well now that I am an instructor, serve on the graduate and research committee for the college of engineering and architecture, and am a student doing research...it felt like I was gone for a whole week. I have trying to catch up and it just isn't working. In fact I am putting off lecture notes for tomorrow to write this post, sigh. Ok so enough about my boring explanation about why I only have one VERY simple card for you today and on to what you came here to see. I am still giving you a sneak peak of the November release over at My Thoughts Exactly, can you guess the theme? It's not hard I promise :)

Can you tell what the knot is suppose to be? I hope you can cause I really like it and was super excited when I figured out how to tie it. In fact I learned on an old piece of rope we had lying around from making the dog's tie out and when I finally got it tied right I ran into our bedroom to show the boyfriend...he said cool and went back to his computer game. I hope you are more excited about it than he was :) Here is a close up of the front sentiment.

The phrase is two stamps; 'a heartfelt' and 'Thank You'. The heart is one stamp that I stamped three times on the card and the little brackets are also in the set, two of them too! I think this is becoming my favorite set, the phrase are just perfect. There are a few other things that I love about this set but I'll let you be surprised when it is released on TUESDAY!!! Ok here is the inside and the last sneak peak for today.

Two stamps again, 'Thank You' and 'for being you.' I intended this card to be for my mom cause she's the best but I think she'll see it here before it ever gets mailed to her. Maybe I'll just make her a new one :) My mom and aunt both live near the October Afternoon warehouse, which I do not, so when they had their warehouse sale last week my mom went and shopped for me!!! Not only did she go one day, or two days, but I'm pretty sure she was there everyday of the sale! I can not wait to show you all my new loot!! Oh and did I mention that my wonderful aunt worked the sale and got each of us about a foot and half tall stack of free rub-ons! I am set for life! My mom and grandma are coming up this weekend to see me for my birthday on Saturday. So I'll have some pictures of the loot to show you soon. I may have a few pictures of how I am going to spend my birthday too...it may not be what you would expect :) One last look at today's card before I hit the books again.

If you'd like to learn how to tie the Celtic Heart knot on the front of the card it can be found here on my Pin Interest board. Head over to the wonderful Jennifer's blog too and see what she had in store for you today (I've seen it and it's really cute!). Don't forget to stop back on Tuesday for the November stamp release!

Until then happy crafting,