Cricut Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #19 - Whatevah!

Have I mentioned how much I love my Cricut Expression?  Well, as if I didn't already love it, I was recently clued in to their membership based blog that has weekly and monthly challenges!!!!!

So I decided to take a gander and enter this week's weekly challenge...it's theme is Whatevah!

Basically, I had to cut a shape from one of the cricut cartridges three times and use it in whatevah way I wanted, so I decided to take advantage of some extra photos I had from an album I just finished.  I used three images from three different cartridges and made sure to use triple versions of each.

Welcome the cuteness of Aasha!

What I used to make this adorable page:

• Karen Foster paper - Sugar Sweet
• Bo Bunny paper - Archivers limited edition pack (included pages from Flutter Butter, Delilah & Alissa)\
• Flower cutouts - Stamping cartridge
• Butterfly cutouts - Storybook cartridge
• Leaf cutouts - Ashlyn's Alphabet cartridge
• Tim Holtz distress inks - Dusty Concord, Tattered Rose, Peeled Paint, Pumice Stone
• Tsukineko Shimmer - Copper Sheer
• Alphabet stickers (no longer had the brand for either the green or purple letters)

I also took a stab at doodling on this layout a bit more than my last attempt.  I added some contrast to the butterflies, a flight path, and highlighting on the polka dots.  I also made sure to journal on the page which is a habit I'm trying to ingrain in my scrapbooking (you should always try to add some journalling to your pages).

A Kitchen Makeover

I'll spare you all from my silly Chicago blizzard nicknames...I think I've used all the ones I like by now. Ha!

We were once again "banned" from coming to work due to the parking situation (3 days now) so I had to work remotely.  Totally cool, of course.  I'm blessed to have the ability to access all my files and emails from home.  So it was a normally productive day

with a twist!

While I worked, I also had the chance to access all my art supplies and start on a project I've been meaning to start forever.  It's kind of fun to have both items at my full disposal - work and fun.

Awhile ago, I update the rug, hand towels and oven mitts in my kitchen which are more of a mod feel.

But my wall art was more French Art Nouveau (which I mistakenly called art deco). I'd like to publicly apologize to all my true artist friends - I will never mix the two up again as they are so clearly different.  This is one of the posters currently in my kitchen.

Obviously, there was a major mismatch of styles in my kitchen, and it was driving me crazy!  So I told myself that I needed to take advantage of my time at home and do something about it.

So I took out all my cricut cartridges and frantically looked through them for items that might work.  Thankfully, I had SEVERAL options to choose from, but in the end used flowers, leaves and birds from the following cartridges:

• Storybook
• Ashlyn's Alphabet
• Winter Wonderland
• Serenade
• Graphically Speaking

I layered all the cutouts over freehanded branches and then distressed the whole thing with Tim Holtz inks (Pumice Stone and Vintage Photo colors).

Lastly, I crudely painted the frame with old acrylic paint.  It was a bit clumpy, but it didn't matter too much as I knew that I would be sanding some off to give it a distressed look.  I tried to paint as evenly as possible.

Final result?

Crafting for a Cause

Since volunteering to be one of the newest blog authors for Scrapbook Royalty, I've spent a significant amount of time looking at old posts and marvelling at all the money raised for a number of charities.

So I'm announcing today...

I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED!!!!

I've literally just sent an email to a few of my friends to discuss what we want to do, when, and what cause we want to focus on.

I hope to one day soon send out details for a Charity Wings affiliated event in Chicago!  

Click here to learn how you can host your own Charity Wings affiliated event.

Latin Webzine

As if I wasn't busy enough, I've also been lucky enough to be invited to host a column in the web-based magazine, Latin Webzine.

My first post (with accompanying blog) will be up soon, and I'll be sure to share a link to it once it's posted.  Here's a little teaser on the step-by-step project that will be showcased this month - paper tamales!

I'm really excited to take on the challenge of showcasing Latino-centered scrapbooking projects.  As a Latina scrapbooker, I often have to create my own embellishments to add that special touch to a culturally/ethnically specific page or project.

So sign up to subscribe to the magazine - it's free!

Scrapbook Royalty Blog

I'm super excited to share some news!!!

I have happily joined the Scrapbook Royalty/Charity Wings family by volunteering to become one of their blog authors.

This California-based non-profit organizes crops for charity across the United States. Scrapbook Royalty is supported by generous individual donations, corporate sponsors, and a 100% volunteer staff and committee of devoted scrapbookers.

Those who know me personally know that my 9-to-5 job is based in the field of public service.  Outside of my direct scrapbooking for clients, I spend most of my time rallying volunteers for various events that I may or may not coordinate.  So, clearly, this is a perfect match for me!

As a Chicago-based blog author, I hope to eventually coordinate some events and/or giveaways so join the blog to get the latest updates.  I'll do my best to double post here.

Check out my first posting!

Kid-friendly Halloween card

It's been awhile since I posted any new projects, and I do apologize for that!  One of my favorite holidays is coming - Halloween.  Now that everyone's kids are back in school, I know that you are just itching for some off-school fun, right?

I'm surrounded by many adorable little people amongst my family and friends, and I'm proud to say that I have more godkids than most people will have.  Six and counting :)

So I started to think about how many of my godkids are busy doing homework and praying for some fun time.  For many of them, that means the TV or computer.  Though that is great in moderation, I know that as the weather gets colder, their parents are going to start going crazy for new indoor activities.

That's why I decided to think through some easy card-making options that kids of almost any age can do!

Another camping delight

To my extreme pleasure, the mini scrapbook I made for Emma at camp was a huge hit.  I recently got to see what she did with it and was beyond impressed.  I was not only happy that she actually received it, but I also loved to see how we now both had a piece in the look of the book.  It's now something we both helped make.

I loved her reaction so much....that I knew I had to do a similar book for another friend's daughter who had recently gone to her first sleep away camp.  Knowing she would eventually get home sick, I wanted to help occupy her little mind.  This book is very similar to Emma's book, but it's a little different of course.

Here are some quick pics...I promise to crop them later!

Hope she likes it!