Rockin' Guitar

Hi ya friends!
I am back from the crypts of life to share this card with ya today.
Here it is:

 Last week, we had a Day of the Dead celebration at school. (In case you don't know, Day of the Dead is a tradition whereby Latinos honor and remember our loved ones who have passed away by welcoming their spirits back to celebrate with us again.) It may sound a bit scary, but it's actually a very happy & fun celebration. One of the performers was a mariachi group made up of all women who ROCKED IT! They were amazing! So my friend asked if I would make a Thank you card for the mariachi group- so I did *Ü*

 The deets: For the acoustic guitar, I used an SVG file from svgcuts.com (Vintage Valentine file). This is actually a really cool 3D guitar box but I just used the flat files included in the "extras" folder. I die cut the main panel out of wood paper for a more realistic look *Ü* I cut the sentiment and little stars from the scrap wood paper- can't let that go to waste, ya know! To finish it off, I coated it with Glossy Accents for that slick lacquer finish.

I have taken on additional responsibilities at work and have found myself stretched out thin. My life is out of balance & I really need to take some things off my plate (where I can) and get more crafty time in---> it is my therapy after all... and what's the point of working yourself to exhaustion and stress, right? 

Well, thanks so much for peeking today & have a wonderful week! *Ü*

Kleenex Box Cover

Hi friends,
I have a crafty project for ya today. I've been wanting to make a cover for the Kleenex box in my classroom for a loooong time! I finally made one, quick & easy & with the help of my fave svgcuts.com.
Here it is:

 I thought this school subject paper (from Mike's) was perfect for the box cover.

Here's a peek of it from the top:

Can you see how the "Spanish" is popped up? *Ü*

 This was one of the awesome projects from the Back to the Books svg collection. It covers a standard size rectangular tissue box.

We always need tissues in the classroom. What a nice gift this would be to send along to your child's teacher along with a few refills *Ü* That will definitely get you closer to that A+!

That's it for now.
Tootles!

back (pack) to school

Hi friends,
I have a new version of that infamous back pack to share today.
Here it is:

 From the side:

 open:

 It's so super quick & easy to whip together! It's another file from the Back to the Books collection from svgcuts.com.

Here's how it compares to the one I designed on my GYPSY.

 The svg back pack can be made with 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock. It's not as tall as mine but it's almost as wide so it can hold quite a bit of treats for the teacher. Did I mention how easy-peasy it was to assemble? Yup, it's one you can easily create multiples of.

That's it for today!
Thanks so much for popping in *Ü*
Tootles!

Let's Converse

Hi friends,
Today, I'm sharing a little something I made for my T.A. He was my student for 2 years, and now he's graduated to being my TA! *Ü* He is very athletic & an awesome kiddo all around. Not to mention, he's a great T.A! Since we're hitting one month into the new school year, I wanted to make a little something to show him how much I appreciate all he does to help me in the classroom.
Here it is:

 This little Converse high-top shoe is all made out of paper. It's another great svg project from my fave svgcuts.com. It is from the Back to the Books kit. I used the MFT all-star stamp set to add the details.

Here's an aerial shot:

 I will fill it with some of his favorite treats *Ü*

I even added some embossing detail to the sole:

 Hope he likes it! This would also be cute for a PE teacher, or a coach, don't ya think?

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Tootles!

Thank You, Teacher

Hi ya friends,
Long time no see!  I'm back today to share a few things I had a chance to work on recently.
It's back to school time for lots of peeps, including my little one. I think there's something right about starting school after Labor Day, maybe I'm a creature of habit. Anyhoo, I thought this week I would share some school-inspired projects to get you in the school spirit!

Today, I have a teacher card to share:

 I used one of my fave teacher images: MFT's A la Modes~ An Apple for Teacher. I decided I would use some honeycomb paper to pop-up the apple & make it fun *Ü*

I think any apple teacher card should be accompanied by an apple treat box you can fill with loads of goodies!

 The apple box is an svg file from my FAVE svg site~ svgcuts.com. It's from Miss Baker's Classroom.
I was going to put some Caramel Apple Sugar Babies I bought, but I don't think the teacher wants only three Sugar Babies :( ooops! They were pretty yummy though!

Here's a peek of the simple innies:

 I used this week's MFT sketch:

I have one more card I made last week, but didn't get a chance to post it:

 I used MFT's At the Movies stamp & DIenamics set. I think I've used this one more than any other MFT set I own (and I have lots!) I luv, luv, luv it!

Here's a peek of the innies:

 It's going to a friend who loves going to the movies. I think she'll like it *Ü*

and here's last week's sketch:

Thanks so much for peeking today!
I'll be back with more school goodies...
Tootles!

Craft Dash for a Cause

Hi friends,
Today I have a card I created for: the 10 Minute Craft Dash at Pretty Pink Posh

  and for the JULY Cards for a Cause at SCS.
The challenge at PPP is to use stars on your card & add a sun for the cards for a cause.
Here's the finished card:

It took me this long to complete the card:

I learned a few things since the last time I filmed so I think this video is a bit better than the last one. This time around:
1) I had a clear card concept so i took out the supplies i was most likely to use & "KISSed"- Keep It Simple Sweetie!
2) I figured out how to better record myself *Ü*
3) I did a voice over so I could focus on just creating the card during the video & not on what I was going to say too. I really think that was a time saver & it freed up some brain cells too *Ü*

So, was everything perfect? Umm, no. It wouldn't be me if it was all perfect! Hee Hee! I goofed a couple of times, but it was fun! I really appreciate everyone who also take the time to create a video of the process because I enjoy watching other people stress out too! *Ü* ...and I say that with love ;)
If you have any tips, tricks, suggestions for videos, I'd love to hear them! I'm not a tech person & honestly, I just play around with stuff until I get lucky figure it out. And if I get really stuck I look on You Tube for help! I think because I'm on a mac & using imovie, it helps a lot ---> user-friendly.

As I mentioned in the video, I created the sun rays card front on my SCAL 2 and if you'd like it, you can find it---> HERE.
SVG file format---> HERE
PDF file format ---> HERE
I based it on a free cut file from CKS- by Laina Lamb--->HERE.

July's cards for the Cards for a Cause are going to the Sunshine Mail Foundation. Here's a description: 
"They are a 501c3 nonprofit, provides children in need comfort, support and joy through free Sunshine Mail Care Packages. Sunshine Mail is filled with handmade cards, care essentials and other age appropriate items and delivered to children in hospitals, homeless shelters and in foster care."
You can find all the info ---> HERE. Once I finish all of the cards,  I'll be sure to post them. Here are the finished cards: 1 dozen ready to ship!

Here's the video:

or watch it on you Tube---> HERE 

EDITED TO ADD: Regarding the cut file... It will work if you have the Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) software program (or something that will cut svg files like a Silhouette, or e-clips) unfortunately because Provo Craft (the makers of Cricut) sued the makers of SCAL, the current version of SCAL (SCAL 3) will NOT work with your Cricut.  :(  Those of us who were fortunate enough to purchase SCAL 2 BEFORE the lawsuit are able to use the software to cut on the Cricut. I'm sorry if this disappoints those who are Cricut owners who wanted to use the cut file, but don't have SCAL 2.  I know I would be disappointed too.  I will make a PDF of the file available to you. Sorry if there was any confusion.
 Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for peeking!
Tootles!

Striiiiiike!

Hi friends,
Before I get to today's card, a couple of housekeeping items a few of you have asked for:
1) I've added a bloglovin' & Feedly button to my blog's sidebar.
2) I've added the "Pin to Pinterest" button to make it easier to pin the pics on my posts. I'm not sure how I feel about this one... but you ask & I give *Ü* but if it annoys more of you than not, I can remove it. It's a hover button so just meander your cursor away from the pic & the button will disappear.

Ok, so it's hubby's birthday and I have his card to share with ya.
Here it is:

 Hubby loves to bowl and is pretty good according to him. *Ü* The card comes from The Green Room SVG file from svgcuts.com. I customized it for his bowling shirt colors (black & red).  I coated the bowling ball with Glossy Accents to give it that high polish look. I luuuuv this file! It has lots of cool guy cards & boxes. I made the pool table box for him last year and I kept it for myself (cuz I luuuv it so much *Ü*). 

Here's another peek:

 It was really fun to make! My blog pal, Patti Lee, also made one of these cards recently so you can take a peek at her awesome creation---> HERE.

I think hubby's game would improve if he played with this bowling ball:

But for some reason he just doesn't think so :(

There are still cards from this kit I haven't made so it will take care of his cards for some time to come! Yaaay!

I'll be playing along with the Peeps at:
Cards for Men: Let's Get Sporty
Cupcake Crafts: Anything but a Square
Make it Monday: Anything Goes

Happy 4th of July, USA!

Thanks so much for peeking!
Tootles!

Give 'em the boot

Hi ya friends,
Today, I've got a little somethin' for Father's Day I'm giving the hubby.
Here it is:

No, I didn't become a tanner boot maker during my summer vacation! Hehehe- that boot is all paper! *Ü* Next to it, is the card that's going for the ride.

Here are the deets and a closer peek.
First is the cowboy boot:

 This really does look like leather IRL! It is an SVG file from svgcuts.com called Happy Trails. The boot measures almost 8 inches tall & has room for a few treats or a gift card. I embossed the cardstock with T!m's London Icons embossing folder and inked the surface with the ink pad to define the image. The front (toe part) is also embossed with the Anna Griffin Acanthus folder. I really wanted a bold flourish & that was perfect! I added a little spur to the back. That was made with one of the country charms from MFT.

 Here's the other side:

 I decided to emboss this side with a different folder. I used another T!m folder called Compass Set. When I think cowboy, I think of taking an adventure wherever the wind takes you, so I thought the compass rose would be fitting.

Here's a peek of the front:

 Here's the card:

 The image comes from the IB: Wild Wild West stamp set from MFT. I used Distress markers to color it. I used lots of MFT goodies: the instaframe dienamics, fishtail flags, country charms, and the barbed wire fence dienamics. "Dad" came from the Masculine Graphic T-shirt stamp set. The papers are from the Sasparilla collection from October Afternoon.

I used this week's MFT sketch:

 I had so much fun making that boot I have to make me one in pink!

I'd like to play along in the following challenges:
ABC Challenges: O is for open
Challenges 4 Everybody: Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenge: #175 I've been Framed
That Craft Place: Dies & punches
Cut it up: Father's Day
Totally Papercrafts: Anything Goes
Delightful Challenges: For Dad
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Tootles!

Got Pie?

Hi friends!
I hope you're not hungry, cuz I've got something yummy to show ya!
Here it is:

 It's a lattice top apple pie! Yes, I'm a baker :) ---> a paper baker! This yummy pie is all cardstock.
Here's a little peek at it:

 This is baked right out of the SVG ovens at svgcuts.com. This file is called Fall Harvest & just like everything else they make, it's brimming with awesome projects! Luuuuv them :) The large rose also comes in the file. I added a few of my favorite things. The other flowers are the Royal Rose die-namics from MFT, and the swirls are from Cheery Lynn. The "Give Thanks" is a Sizzix die. I inked all the edges to give them that golden baked goodness :)

Here's a closer peek at that:

 Here's a side peek:

 So the top of the lid comes off to reveal the sweet treats inside.

 Nothing in mine yet, but I've got loads of ideas of what I'm going to put in it :) This would make a cuuute teacher gift, me thinks!

 I hope I have a prize winning pie at the following challenges:
Inspire me Fridays: Anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp: Thanksgiving
Papertake Weekly: Flower Power

Thanks for popping in today.
Hope you have a couple lovely crafternoons this weekend!
Gotta Go!

Teacher's Lunchbox

Hi friends,
Today I have another idea for Teacher appreciation. I absolutely luuuv this one :)
Here it is:
A Teacher's Lunchbox

It is modeled after a kid's lunchbox. It's decorated with a globe, pencil (where you could add the teacher's name for personalization), and a 3D paper airplane.

Here's a peek from the side:

Now for what's inside :)

coke, chips ahoy, & kettle corn popcorn... yes, please :)

 or for a more health conscious choice: water, granola bar, & very berry hibiscus drink mix (yum!)

 Fill it with anything you'd like: treats for the tummy or treats for the classroom- like school supplies. We're always in need of those.

And if you think that schools provide supplies we need for the classroom... think again. In my department, for example, we got ZERO supplies this year. Not even a box of staples. I even had to purchase my own LCD projector & doc camera because they didn't have one for me this year (it was given to another teacher in a more "important" department.) And so that expense came out of my own pocket :(  and no, it isn't entirely tax-deductable and with my tax situation that doesn't really help. grrrrr

So if you want to make one of these lunchboxes:

feel free to send it to me! ;)

The lunchbox is another cuuuute svg file from svgcuts called Miss Baker's Classroom found---> HERE.

Thanks for peeking & for letting me vent a bit ;)
Gotta go!