~SWEET PACKAGING AT THE CUTTING CAFE~

What a week it's been. It's been long and short, all at the same time. On April 8, 2013, we had to say goodbye to our sweet babygirl Bama. She wasn't just our family pet, but personally my best friend. With a husband in the military and teenage boys too 'cool' to hang with their moms, and now with both of them off to the Army, it was always just me and her. I feel like a piece of my heart is missing, even still a week later. I will never forget my sweet Bamagirl and all the love she gave me! Goodbye my sweet girl, thank you for picking us out to love for so many years!

So now lets get to happy thoughts!! One thing that brings a smile to my face, is files from The Cutting Cafe!! This week we were asked to work with the Tall Box Template - Cutting File. What better way to dress up a gift for someone, or in my case, some sweets! 

I also chose to work with the Candy Sentiment Sets - Printable Stamps for the polka dotted paper. I cut my box using my Silhouette Cameo and printed my paper from my printer. Very easy and quick project to put together!! So much fun to work with!

I finished it off with a bit of lace around the lid and added some bling around the window I made with a piece of acrylic from old packaging I held on to. The window portion of the box is included with this set, as well as the little tags. 

Ok ok I won't keep ya any longer. Head on over to The Cutting Cafe and check out this cute files and all the others in the store!!!!
Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe blog and leave a comment so that you may win a set from the store and check back on Thursday to check out all the other great inspiration our team will have for you, with yet another chance to win!  

~A SWEET DAY...WITH THE CUTTING CAFE~

HAPPY EASTER!!!! Definitely a sweet day for those of you that celebrate Easter, and those that don't, I wish you a beautiful and sweet day also!!! I think it's going to be a quiet day at home this year. With my youngest son away at Basic Training and my oldest busy spending time with his girlfriend before he leaves for Basic Training, it'll just leave me and my hubby here. It's odd not having to get Easter goodies ready and preparing to fix a big dinner today for everyone. I guess when they get older, especially in the military, it's something we've gotten used to, and now with the boys going away, something I'LL have to get used to.
So instead of doing all the regular Easter stuff, I spent my evening crafting! Our upcoming inspiration at The Cutting Cafe was to work with one of the below files...
STRING AND BUTTON ENVELOPE
TALL FLOWERS SHAPED CARD SET...TEMPLATES - CUTTING FILES 
TALL PRESENT SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE 
TALL CAKE SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE 
TALL ICE CREAM SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE

I chose to work with the STRING AND BUTTON ENVELOPE and TALL ICE CREAM SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE. My mind is racing though with projects using the other shaped cards lol I hate when my mind works faster than my hands but the clock works faster than my mind and I can't squeeze everything I want to do in a day. 
As always, these files were so much fun to work with, and the possibilities are endless!!

When I seen this ice cream cone, my youngest son Christopher came to mind. He LOVES Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream!! I wish I could give him a big ol gallon tub right now, and I'm sure he wishes the same...lol So for now, this will have to do. I hope it brings a smile to his face when he gets it next week.

 For this project, I printed out the PDF files that come in the set and then cut out by hand and with my cutter when straight lines were available. I like showing the PDF files in some of my projects instead of my Cameo or Pazzles, to show that you don't need a fancy cutter to use these awesome files! Regina makes sure that all crafters are tended to :)

 Once I had my pieces cut out, I ran my ice cream scoops and cone through my Vagabond to give some texture and then added glossy accents for a more icy look. Then I put my envelope together! I LOVE this envelope and it was so fun to put together! It made me pull out my eyelets and crop-a-diles that seems to get ignored lately.

I then used a bit of twine to attach my little sentiment, that ALSO comes in this set. There's so many pieces you'll receive with each of these file sets! So worth the small price!! I also used the same twine on my envelope.
Ok ok I won't keep ya any longer. Head on over to The Cutting Cafe and check out these cute files and all the others in the store!!!!
Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe blog and leave a comment so that you may win a set from the store and check back on Thursday to check out all the other great inspiration our team will have for you, with yet another chance to win!  

~SUPPLIES USED~

STRING AND BUTTON ENVELOPE and TALL ICE CREAM SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE - THE CUTTING CAFE

Mint Green Cardstock - From Stash (I want to say Ga Pacific)

Brown Cardstock - From Stash (Again I believe Ga Pacific)

White Cardstock - Recollections

Vagabond

Woodgrain Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz Alterations Textured Impressions (Ice Cream)

Gridlock Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz Alterations Textured Impressions (Cone)

1/2inch 3D Foam Dots

Lime Green/Black Twine - From Stash

Glossy Accents - Ink Essentials

Cinnamon Stickles - Ranger

Brown Ink - Colorbox Cat's Eyes

Wasabi & Leaf Bud Ink - Martha Stewart

Eyelets

Crop-a-dile

~SAY CHEESE!!! WITH THE CUTTING CAFE~

 It's Inspiration Time at the Cafe, and we were asked to work with one of the cute files below....
POLAROID AND CAMERA FUN TEMPLATE AND PRINTABLE SET or CAMERA PHOTO SHAPED HOLDER TEMPLATE & CUTTING FILE

It feels so good to be amongst the living once again. This cold that's going around really knocked me off my feet. Blah! I hate feeling sick!! And in the middle of that, my husband had a Dining Out with his company...on a yacht no less!! I was excited to go, since I had never been on a boat of any kind before, but I tell ya, I sure didn't feel like going! It turned out to be a half way enjoyable evening. I got to see a few dolphins swimming in the ocean and of course it's always fun to play dress up for an evening. 

So when I seen these files from Regina, I knew it would work perfectly with the picture we had taken that night. I figured my husband could take it up to his office and put it on his desk. I chose to work with the
POLAROID AND CAMERA FUN TEMPLATE AND PRINTABLE SET

 I printed the colored camera found in the set four times, so that I could use it for paper piecing to give the camera a 3D feel. And then used my Glossy Accents in some areas for the glass appearance. Then I painted my wood frame and attached the camera, along with a piece of ribbon to look like the neck strap. I think that's all I was doing all night anyways, was taking pictures. So this worked perfectly to remind us of the evening!!! And then I topped it off with one of the sentiments included..."ISN'T HE CUTE!!!!" because afterall I think my husband is the cutest and was honored to be on his arm!! 

   Ok ok I won't keep ya any longer. Head on over to The Cutting Cafe and check out these cute files and all the others in the store!!!!
 Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe blog and leave a comment so that you may win a set from the store!    

~HAPPY MAIL AT THE CUTTING CAFE~

 It's Inspiration Time at the Cafe, and we were asked to work with this adorable file that can be found at The Cutting Cafe store... LITTLE RED WAGON

I had so much fun with this file!! The possibilities with this file is endless. I do believe that you could use this for any occassion or holiday out there. I know the file says Little RED Wagon but hey, who says the wagon couldn't be blue??? lol 
So with this project, I was sit working on a swap I'm in, when it hit me, Thanks to Regina Easter lol why send it in some boring sandwich bags? Why not fancy it up a bit, where the ultimate of surprise carries a small token a little further?? So that's what I did!! 
Below you'll see my little boxes packed with different buttons. I love this paper. I have no clue where I got this paper from lol but its just like cardboard but the thickness of cardstock. I really need to go through my paper drawers and see what other lovely goodies hides from me lol 

 Aren't these just the cutest! All wrapped up ready to be received by their new owner. I love the little Fragile, Priority Mail label and Stamp. All of which are included in this Cutting File Set. What?? Don't have a cutter?? That's alright, I do but I still done this entire project by hand, with my ever so trusty scissors lol

 Awww and look at the wagon!! Isn't this just the cutest?? Those who know me, knows I'm not normally that 'cute' kinda gal, but I just love this file. I have so many ideas for future projects. One is my sister's stepdaughters wedding. It would be so cute holding little goodies in it. Most everything you see is included in this file set with the exception of the stamps laying around it, those are from my personal collection. Don't believe it could be true?? Go check LITTLE RED WAGON BOX TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE SET out! 

$2.99 no less! Can't beat that!!

    Ok ok I won't keep ya any longer. Head on over to The Cutting Cafe and check out this cute file and all the others in the store!!!!
 Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe blog and leave a comment so that you may win a set from the store!    

Supplies Used

The Cutting Cafe - LITTLE RED WAGON BOX TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE SET
Recollections - White Cardstock
Tim Holtz - Vintage Shabby
Brown Cardstock from Stash

 Dew Drop Versamagic - Night Sky
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Weathered Wood
Glitz Stickles - Champagne
Jolee's All That Bling - Silver Pearl Borders
Lace - Stash
Buttons - Stash
Ribbon - Stash
Twine - Flax, Shore, Orchid

~VERY SPECIAL DELIVERY at THE CUTTING CAFE~

 It's Inspiration Time at the Cafe, and we were asked to work with a brand new ADORABLE file at The Cutting Cafe store...
POSTAGE STAMP SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE


This is the cutest shaped card file!! As soon as I seen it, I knew this little gem would sooner or later be on its way to see Christopher lol As you can see, it was SOONER than later! 
This adorable set comes with 1 Postage Stamp Shaped Card with Top Layer, 2 Mini Postage Stamps, and 7 Mini Postage Stamp Images ... all for...wait for it... are you sitting down??...$1.50!!!!!!!!!! You can not beat that! WAIT!!! Don't run over there yet. Check out the rest of my pictures and then run over and snag it. Instant Download after payment might I add! 

So for this card, I knew it was going to go to my son, so I wanted it to have a masculine but fun look to it. So I tried to work with my greens and browns again. I do want to say before I go any further, that the solid you see beneath the top layer, is the inside of the card. I was going to punch and make it match the shaped card, but I really liked the look of it when it was closed lol but be assured when you cut your file, it'll be a postage stamp. 

Ok so back to my card so you can get over to the store and snag this file! I used a piece of green cardstock to do my top layer and the square layer (that comes in this file) that I affixed to my shaped card. I got out my distress inks and went to town. How much fun it was!! I think I needed that lol

    I then thought Saluting Marci from LaLa Land Crafts would be the perfect image for this card, along with her own little sentiment.

Ok ok so ON YOUR MARK...GET SET....GO TO The Cutting Cafe!!!!
 Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe blog and leave a comment so that you may win a set from the store!    

Supplies Used

The Cutting Cafe - POSTAGE STAMP SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE
La La Land Crafts - Saluting Marci Digi Stamp
Papertrey Ink - White Cardstock
Stampin' Up - In Color - Green Cardstock(didn't say what the actual color was on pack)

 Dew Drop Brilliance Ink - Rocket Red

Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Pine Needles, Peeled Paint, Crushed Olive
Foam Tab scraps
Copics - 
Hair - E31, E35, E25, E29
Skin - E11, E50, E00
Blush - R02, R00
Lips - R17
TShirt - E30, E31
Shorts - YG91, YG95, YG99
Boots - E33, E31, E30
Dog Tags - C1, C3
Flag - B21, B23, R12, R17, E29, E33

~MISSING MY BABY BOY~

As many of you know, my baby boy left for basic training 9 days ago. :( My husband's been in the US Army for the past 17yrs, and through 3 deployments, this is an entirely different feeling for me, I guess because now I'm mom going through it. I know I have to put my selfish pity aside and be happy that he's following his dreams and making a future for himself and his future family. 

 I just wanted to share a card I made for him. His 19th birthday is tomorrow, and I know this won't arrive in time, but wanted him to know how much I was thinking about him and missing him and MOST of all how PROUD I am of him and the young man he's becoming!!
Love you Christopher!!

 ~Supplies Used~

Bazzill Basics Paper - Martha's Vineyard Collection I

Cryogen White Cardstock

Stampin Up - GodSpeed 

Service & Sacrifice

Tim Holtz Distess Ink Pads - Antique Linen, Old Paper

Colorbox Cat's Eyes Ink - Brown

Copics - E33, E34, E35

G99, G94

E25, E23

~SHOW US YOUR......~

 FAVORITES of course!!! lol What did you think I meant??? tsk tsk tsk!

This week over at Craft Us Crazy, we want you to share with us your favorites! It could be techniques, products, colors, whatever FAVORITE means to YOU!!!

One of my favorite things, is trying new things!! And this was definitely something new for me! I made my first Pin Cushion with Altered Stick Pins. It was quite intimidating at first, but now I love it!! I have a few more that I want to make. May become a new addiction for me! lol

 This one was made with, well what I call an Ice Cream glass that I picked up at the Dollar Tree for $1. I love when you can buy something extremely cheap and make it look really nice :) And I hope you think so also!!! 

So what are you waiting for? Show us your favorites!! We also have a new sponsor for this challenge so hurry over to Craft Us Crazy for all the details!!

~Quick Love at The Cutting Cafe~

  It's Inspiration Time at the Cafe, and we were asked to work with any of the Valentine Files from The Cutting Cafe store...
You can find all of Regina's Valentine files starting here


I chose to work with the Valentine Window Card Tops...Templates...Cutting Files because I wanted to show how quickly you could put together a card for those last second Valentine's you may need to show some love to!! There are 17 A2 Card tops in this set, and for ONLY $3.25!! You will receive the PDF, SVG and WPC formats also!! You can't beat such a great deal!!! And not to speak how quickly you could cut out multiple card tops at once and have an assembly line in no time at all!! 

I used my Silhouette Cameo for this card. I love this little image, and had one already colored and left over from a previous project I had done. So I'm sure we've all got a stock pile of images that we may have changed our minds on or colored up a few for those quick cards that may come up. 
I chose to work with two of the card tops on this card. One for the front and then another for the inside. I'm going to write my message on the inside of the heart..plenty of room!

Added some Glitz stickles to the heart cutouts so they would pop a bit more and then distressed the edges. I added stickles also to the little hearts on the image. 
I love this little card and it took no time at all to put together and move on to the next one in line. So quick and easy, and adorable if I might say so myself!!! 

So you've got plenty of time to rush over to The Cutting Cafe and grab your card tops and get those last second goodies whipped up in no time!! Don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe blog and leave a comment so that you may win a set from the store!    

Supplies Used

The Cutting Cafe - Valentine Window Card Tops...Templates...Cutting Files
Papertrey Ink - White Cardstock
Stampin' Up - Black Cardstock
Recollections - Black Cardstock
DCWV - Red Patterned Paper
Silhouette Cameo Cutting Machine
La La Land Digi Stamp - Sweetheart Marci
La La Land Digi Stamp Sentiment - Be Mine from Cupid Marci
Glitz Stickles -Ruby Slippers
 Dew Drop Brilliance Ink - Platinum Planet
Foam Tab scraps
Copics - 
Hair - E31, E35, E25
Skin - E11, E50, E01
Blush - R02, R00
Eyes - Colorless Blender
Overalls & Shoes - B95, B93, B91
Hearts - R24, R22, R20
Shirt & Socks - R22, R21, R20