50th Anniversary Party Invitations

I made this invitation for a surprise 50th Anniversary party for my parents. I bought gold foil paper for the layers and letters and the "You're Invited" stamp from Hobby Lobby.  I embossed the white layer on the front of the card using the D'vine Swirl Cuttlebug embossing folder. I used Cricut American Alphabet (one of the pre-loaded cartridges that came with my Cricut Expression 2 Anniversary Edition) for the numbers and letters.  I found gold ink at Michaels and used that to stamp the inside of the invitation.  I also found the gold ribbon at Michaels and thought it was the perfect touch to make the invitation more elegant.

My parents should be really surprised since I'm having the party about a month and a half before their actual anniversary.

Cardz TV Christmas in July Challenge #1

Cardz TV is having a Christmas in July Challenge to make a Christmas card using a hand stamped, digital stamped or Cricut cut animal.  Shown above is the front of the card I made.  Here is the inside of my card:

I used my Gypsy to make the cuts, and here is a picture of the screen:

I used the Cricut Lite Hoot 'n' Holler cartridge to cut the owl (owl12 in the brochure) and the hat (hat2 in the brochure).  I cut the owl and hat at 2 inches.  The cut behind the owl is from the Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge using the oblong shape and shadow on page 47. This cut was at 3 1/2 inches.  I put the own on a CTMH action spring, so it's interactive.

I used Recollections (Michael's brand) smooth cardstock as the base of the card (4 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches), all cardstock used on the owl and Santa's hat, the shadow of the shape behind the owl and the white on this inside.  The patterned paper on the front and inside is from a Christmas kit I bought from QVC.  The red ribbon on the front is American Craft glitter ribbon is Rouge. The banner and sentiment is CTMH (sentiment is from the Christmas Cheer stamp set) and I used the CTMH Archival Black Exclusive ink pad to stamp the sentiment.  The rhinestones on the hat and banner are Queen & Co. Classic Red rhinestones.

I hope you like my card.

Birthday Cards

Today was my Mom's and son's birthday, and I waited to the last minute to make their cards.  I have to remind myself to not wait in the future.

Here is the card I made my Mom:

Outside of card

Inside of card

I used my Gypsy and EA2 to make the cuts.  Here is the Gypsy screen shot:

The cartridge used for this card is Close To My Heart's (CTMH) Art Philosophy.  The dragonfly (page 24 in the handbook) was cut at a height of 2 1/2 inches and the banner (page 26 in the handbook) was cut at a height of 2 inches.  I used a card base that I bought at Hobby Lobby.  The background paper and banner trim is from CTMH's Lucy paper pack (item X7149B), the background of the dragonfly is from CTMH's Dotty For You paper pack (which was the May special), the layer of the dragonfly is CTMH's Sweet Leaf cardstock (item X5639) and the background cardstock for the banner is Bazzill.  I used CTMH's Card Chatter - Birthday stamp set (item D1475) to stamp the sentiment, using CTMH's Olive stamp pad (item Z2137), on the outside and inside.

I added Queen & Co.'s Irridescent Rhinestones on the dragonfly's body, bent up the wings on the layer to add dimension and attached with pop dots.  I then added a bow made from American Crafts Grass glitter ribbon.

Here is the card I made my son:

Outside of card

Inside of card

I also used my Gypsy and EA2 to make the cuts.  Here is the Gypsy screen shot:

I used two cartridges for this card.  The Celebrations cartridge was used to cut the dog (page 112 in the handbook) at a height of 3 1/2 inches, and CTMH's Art Philosophy was used to cut the banner (page 56 in the handbook) at a height of 1 1/4 inches.  I used a card base that I bought at Hobby Lobby.  The background paper and banner trim is from CTMH's Pemberley paper pack (item X7148B), the white cardstock used for the dog and banner is CTMH's White Daisy (item 1385), and all other cardstock is Bazzill.  I used CTMH's Card Chatter - Birthday stamp set (item D1475) to stamp the sentiment, using CTMH's Outdoor Denim stamp pad (item Z2140), on the outside and inside.

I hope you enjoyed my cards.

I usually to advertise in my blog post, but I'm making an exception at this time.  Close To My Heart (CTMH) is having a great special for the month of June.  For every two stamp sets you buy, you get a third set of equal or less value free - no limit.  The only thing is, CTMH will automatically give the lowest price stamp set for free.  I wanted you to be aware of this.  If you like the CTMH products you see and would like to order them, please visit my website at brendahalstead.ctmh.com

Welcome to SweetSassyDiva's Birthday Blog Hop - Day 2

We are celebrating Bobbi Jo's (SweetSassyDiva) birthday this weekend March 10th and 11th. Each day will be a new project and be sure to check out the yummy blog candy giveaways!

I am so happy that you could join us for this super fun Blog Hop showcasing Birthday Themed fun!

You will find an array of ideas along the hop and be sure to become a follower and leave some love aka comments along the way.

This is a TWO-Day hop so, be sure to catch both days for maximum celebration and ideas.

As we spring forward with the time change as well as with Spring coming so soon...let's get this party started! Hop on over to all the blogs along the way!

If you've hopped over from Anita at http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/ then you are in the right place. If you've just popped in to visit my blog or are reading this via email and would like to join our SweetSassyDiva Birthday Blog hop and FUN then, please start at the beginning with Bobbi Jo's blog at http://sweetsassydiva.com/  because...starting at the start is always SMART! :)

We have a WONDERFUL Grand Prize for one lucky hopper that is donated by Bobbi Jo!  It is a cricut cartridge called Sophie.

To be eligible, please visit each blog hop stop leaving a comment also, become a follower at http://sweetsassydiva.com/ and be sure to leave a comment!

One random winner will be chosen on Wednesday, March 14th, giving you plenty of time to finish the hop.

My projects for the second day of this blog hop wall decorations for my grandson's birthday party.  The first project is a banner for which I used the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the banner and banner layer at 5 inches, and I also used Art Philosophy to cut the letter at 2 inches.  I used B is for Boy to cut the sock monkey at 4 inches.  I used the My Minds Eye Party Time stack for the patterned paper of the banner, Bazzill cardstock for everything else and Martha Stewart ribbon.  For the sock monkey wall decoration, I used B is for Boy to cut the sock monkey at 9 inches, I used Art Philosophy to cut the happy birthday sign at 6 inches wide and I used Birthday Bash to cut "happy birthday" at 4.25 inches wide. Here are my projects:

What would a blog hop be without blog candy?  I'm giving away a Happy Birthday Cuttlebug embossing folder.  All you have to do to be eligible to win is leave a comment on yesterday's and today's posts (I'd also love it if you become a follower), along with a way to contact you.  I will draw a winner, using random.org, on Wednesday, March 14th.

Thank you for checking out my project. I hope that you will become a follower of http://sweetsassydiva.com/ and my blog and leave us a comment.

The fun doesn't end here though so be sure to hop on over to Dana at http://papermemories4u.blogspot.com/.


Here is the complete list in case you get of track:

Bobbi Jo http://sweetsassydiva.com/

Lucy http://love2createitall.blogspot.com/

Michele  http://www.michelegreen.com/

Gaby http://www.gabycreates.com/

Mindy http://grammiescraftroom.blogspot.com/

Lori  http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

Missie http://createdbymissie.blogspot.com/

Jennifer  http://scrapaholicjen.blogspot.com/

Paulette http://scrapalette.blogspot.com/

Anita http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

Brenda http://happyscrapper64.blogspot.com/   YOU ARE HERE!

Dana http://papermemories4u.blogspot.com/

Maria http://stampcutcreate.blogspot.com/

Cori http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcreatedbycori.blogspot.com%2F&h=MAQGyLzao

Michele http://chelescrafts.blogspot.com/

Sandy http://thecraftycreationspot.blogspot.com/

Jenny  http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/

Suzanne http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/

Brenda http://www.friendscraftinwithfriends.blogspot.com/

Shawnee http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

Sylvia www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com/