Sorry for Neglecting My Blog

I know it happens to the best of us, but I feel bad neglecting my blog. Once school started for my son, I was pressed for time. Then once school started for me...I didn't know whether I was coming or going. I am sorry to just go M.I.A. on you like that. I will try my best not to let months go by without at least posting something.

We are currently on Winter Break. It has been so nice to have time to relax. I hope to find some time to really create. I made a few things for Christmas and for Halloween. Sadly I took pictures with my phone...sorry I know the quality is marginal.

I have been working on a project that I wanted to do this summer, but time and another obligation kept me from making it a reality. I am excited to get a chance to work on it, and hope to share it with you soon.

Best Regards,

Samantha

Nothing Can Top Meeting Robyn, Karlee, and Emma, BUT

the second day of CHA did not disappoint. Saturday I was more focused, and had plan in mind when I arrived. First, I hit the PaperTrey Ink booth for their amazing make-and-takes. Below are pictures of the projects I made on both Friday and Saturday.

The Best Wishes Card was one of PaperTrey Ink's (PTI) make-and-take on Friday. Very simple card that is elegant and fun. The stamp set was a CHA exclusive set. It was a free gift if you spent a certain amount in their store.

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This flower pin was another one of their make-takes on Friday. It was made using the their flower die, their perfect match felt, and the Cuttlebug. It took only a few minutes to make, and was a lot of fun. I do not currently own any of their dies but I would highly recommend them. They sold out of a lot of their dies and paper by Saturday afternoon.

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Is this card so neat? I made this one on Saturday at the PTI Make-and-Take. This cheery card with the coordination envelope had me sold on their dies. The die cut two pieces of patterned paper using the Cuttlebug like butter. Sadly this die was also sold out. I spoke with their very helpful staff, and they told me they should have the dies in and ready to buy on their site by Wednesday.

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This is the quickest and easiest Christmas Card...and of course this stamp set was sold out too. It just shows how great their product really is, because it sold out on Friday before this make-and-take on Saturday. Thanks for stopping by, and visiting me.

I met Robyn & Karlee and Emma!!!!

Wow! You would think I met the President of the United States as excited as I was to meet Robyn (The Pink Stamper), Karlee (Karlee Krafts) , and Emma (My Creative Time). It is so weird, but I feel like I've known them forever like the were old friends. All three were so down to Earth, and so excited to see everyone.



Robyn was at the Custom Crops Booth promoting her new video Cricut Volume 3 and her lovely line of stamps. Karlee was there too. There was this young girl who made Robyn a very cute card, Robyn was so touched. I thought she was going to cry...she spent some time talking to the girl and her family. She also gave the girl one of her stamp sets. I was extremely impressed by how genuine Robyn was, and how she took the time out to make that young girl's day.


The Custom Crops Booth has some WONDERFUL products at a great price. Plus they had a raffle for some of Robyn's products, Cricut Cartridges, and some new products being released soon. I didn't win anything, but it was fun just to hang out at the booth. I finally got my George Basic Shapes Cartridge, the Crafter's Companion adhesive and remover for the mats, and My Pink Stamper's Fruits & Veggie Puns Stamps. I also made this cute card.



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Emma was at the Peachy Keen Stamps Booth promoting her new Gypsy Magic Video, and showcasing her amazing work as a Peachy Keen Stamp Designer. I have to say the pictures on her blog and videos do not do her work justice. Her work in person is breathtaking. The little details she adds to make it special...you just cannot see it in a picture. Emma was so sweet giving everyone hugs, and taking pictures. I was overwhelmed that I go to meet Emma too! It is so nice to meet the people who inspire you. Thank you!


I went a little overboard at the Peachy Keen Stamps Booth. I got the penguin and the kitty Cottage Cuts, along with some of their stamp sets that Emma uses on her projects. I cannot wait to use the stamp set for the Zooballoo cartridge. Peachy Keen Stamps had some of there stamps on clearance too...so I hit the clearance bin a little hard too. You only live once.

I am going back today. I still have more to post from yesterday, and hope to have more today! Thanks for visiting me!

To CHA or Not to CHA....

That was the question this morning. I have been emotionally exhausted these past few days, hence the reason I haven't posted. I forgot CHA was even today. I thought it was Saturday and Sunday. Well that was until my best crafting buddy, Quiana, called me this morning, and was surprised I wasn't in my car on my way to Rosemont. While we were talking, I was debating on whether I should go or not. It is not that I didn't want to go. CHA was going to be the highlight of my summer (besides hanging out with my favorite person in the whole wide world, my son). It is just I feel a little overwhelmed. School starts back for me in less than a month, and my son starts Kindergarten in a few short weeks too. There is so much to do to get ready for this upcoming school year. Plus I had kind-of dropped the ball on the whole thing...I didn't sign up for workshops or find anyone who could go with me. Quiana is out of town at her cousin's wedding...she didn't feel right ditching the wedding for CHA---I see where her priorities are--LOL!!

However after my son so sweetly offered to go with me to keep me company and Quiana reminded me that I need to go and do it for myself, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and got ready and headed out to Rosemont. And I am so glad I did. I had an amazing time. I cannot believe how much fun I had without doing any of the workshops. So here are some pictures of a few things that I made at the JoAnn's Booth. I hope you enjoy.

This was the make and take from JoAnn's booth using Core'dinations cardstock. I was amazed at how easy it was to make this adorable layout using this cardstock. I even got a sample of their cardstock. I cannot wait to play with it.

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I also made this at the JoAnn's booth. I thought this card was so cute. The background is made by using one of EK Success's new punches....I forgot the name of it...Starburts?? and a these adorable alien 3-D stickers that are new to JoAnn's.

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This paper gift bag was made using Fiskars new self-inking roller stamps, and Fiskars rotary scalloped paper cutter. This was a quick and easy project using some really awesome new products from Fiskars.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me. I will most more tomorrow. I have a ton more to share with you!

Three Cards I Made Before I Left

Here are 3 cards I made before I left for Virginia for the weekend. One of them was inspired by my BFF. She made a very simullar card for a friend of hers. I loved it so much I had to make one myself.

Our trip was an adventure...Of course our flight was delayed. We were stuck on the runway for over 2 hours. Then we had to turn around and refuel. Plus they had to let us off the plan in order to avoid a fine. Thanks be to God we arrived safely and had an amazing trip. The flight home was good...no delays. I am happy to be home, and I able to post these for you. I hope you enjoy.

Cool Air and a Cool Card

Here is a card I designed on my Gypsy, and cut out on Stampin' Up paper. Added some stickles for sparkle.


Plus, I finished adding mats to the word book. I hope you enjoy!

It's Getting Hot in Here...

Our air conditioning went out this afternoon, and it is HOT in here. It is cooling off outside, so I hope my craftroom will too. I have several cards saved on my Gypsy that I would like to cut out. However I did get good news today, I won something on Ana's blog. I am so excited.

Thanks for stopping by!

My Attempt at Vintage...Using Bright Colors

My card style is far from vintage. I tend to like contemporary design. However, I have this paper stack from October Afternoon called The Thrift Shop and some 3-d Marcella by K stickers that were screaming vintage at me. Here is my attempt. I hope you like. Don't forget to check my post for the winner of my giveaway. Thanks!

The Lucky Winner....

This was my first time filming at my desk, so it filmed upside down. I will have to work on that. Congratulations to the winner.

Here is a Little Something I am Working On

My Sister-in-Law asked me to make a card for her niece who is going off to college. Since I wanted to try to make a word book using my Gypsy/Cricut and Bind-it-All, I thought I would make one for her. Here is what I have so far. I hope you like it.

I used the Hello Kitty Font, but I will post the recipe when I complete it. And if I can figure out how to load gypsy files to my blog I will post the design for you too. I am thinking that once it is complete, I am going to give myself credit for the scrapbook pages on my challenge...if my BFF (AKA the moderator of the challenge) agrees.

Two Quick and Cute Cards

This card was super simple, and I love how it turned out.

Recipe:
Jubilee Cartridge "You Rock" cut at 2 1/4
Black Card Stock from Papertrey Ink for the base of the A2 card
DCWV Pink from their Glitter Stack for the layer
DCWV Guitar patterned paper from their Rock Star Stack for the second layer
KI Memories Black Striped Ribbon from JoAnn's





This card kind of evolved. I bought Inkadinkado floral stamp set from JoAnn's and I thought it would cut out nicely with my square punch from EK Success. Which it does, but it didn't look right with the layer. So I had to cut another layer using my paper trimmer. But eitherway, I like the look.

Recipe:
Yellow cardstock for the base of the A2 card, either Papertrey Ink or Stampin' Up
DCWV yellow floral paper for the layer from their Pocket Full of Posie Stack
Inkadinkado Florish stamp
Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant Paper and Ink
Core'dinations Pearly White Card Stock
Marcella by K Victoria Butterfly Demensional Stickers
Stampin' Up God's Blessing Stamp

Challenge Count Down
19 Cards
4 Layouts
1 Article

Another Throwback Thursday Challenge

I couldn't wait until today, so that I could enter into Emma's Throwback Thursday Challenge for the second week in a row. Last week was the first challenge I had ever done, and I am so glad that I did it. It was a wonderful experience. Emma is so kind. She personally looks at every one's creation, and leaves a super sweet comment on your post. I am truly touched that she takes the time to look and comment on every entry. Plus, there were a few great ladies that came over to my blog and left really nice comments too. A big "THANK YOU" to Emma and the other participants that make this challenge so much fun.

For today's challenge you had to create a card using the Wild Card Cartridge for your favorite holiday. Click here to see the challenge and Emma's video on how to make the cutest pumpkin card.

I bought the Wild Card cartridge when it first came out and only used it a couple times. I had a hard time working with it. But after watching Emma's video and using some of her tips on the Gypsy, I now know why so many people rave about this cartridge. I am going to make a few more cards using this cartridge.

Christmas is my favorite holiday for numerous reasons. The number one reason is because it is the birth of Jesus Christ. My second reason is because it is the one time our whole family does there best to get together. I love my family, and I love it when we are all together. With that being said, I wanted to make a Christmas card. I used the ornament card on page 74.



For this card I used:

Stampin' Up Designer's Series Paper Rockabilly Paper
Stampin' UP 12 x 12 Card Stock Ruby Red and Old Olive
DCWV Glitter Stack Paper
Core'dinations Starlight Pearl
Stickles Cotton Candy and Eucalyptus

WOW! I have 18 followers!

Well, technically I have 18 if you count me. Either way I really want to thank everyone who has supported me with their sweet comments and encouragement. Thank you everyone!

I have decided to give away some blog candy. I am excited to give one of you lucky followers some Stampin' Up goodies.

Stampin' Up Clear Mount Stamp Set Sweethearts
Stampin' Up Classic Pad Real Red
Stampin' Up Stamp and Write Marker Real Red


The way to qualify to win is:

1. You have to be a follower of my blog. AND
2. You have to leave a comment on this post.

Good Luck! You have until Saturday, July 17th @ Midnight CST to qualify. I will post the winner on Sunday.

Card # 3- Isn't it Sweet?

I made another card using the sweet treat cup from Stampin Up. This time I used the same stamp Heather did but switched the car up a little. I hope you like.

Click here if you would like to see Heather's video.

Challenge Count Down
22 Cards
4 Layouts
1 Article

Oh I Almost Forgot...

My mom asked me to make a card for my Great Uncle Truman. I have to say this is one of my best cards in a long time. I didn't use the cricut, but I think it turned out amazing. I saw the idea on YouTube with Stampwithheather. Click here to see her video tutorial. I think you will like her channel. Thanks for looking.

Challenge Count Down
23 Cards
4 Layouts
1 Article

Today Was a Great Day!

First, today was my brother's graduation party. He had one on his mom's side in June, so today he had one with our side of the family. It is always so nice to see my family. My aunts are so sweet and funny. My cousin Erica and her husband Pete gave my brother this box with 100 singles taped together. When he pulled the tag out of the box they all came rolling out. It was such a cute idea. We all are laughing because it is going to take him a long time to take the tape off all of them.




Second, my BFF Quiana sent me the cutest Thank You card in the mail. I am in love with it. Her daughter, my Goddaughter, turned two at the end of June. They had a Minnie Mouse Luau theme. The invitations were adorable, so of course she had to outdo herself with the thank you cards. I hope you guys enjoy!