Balloon Fiesta with Let's Scrap...

If you follow me on Instagram then you probably know that my husband I went to Albuquerque last weekend and went to the Balloon Fiesta with some friends of ours that own a Winery right outside of Albuquerque...good food, good WINE, good friends AND beautiful balloons!!!

I decided to use the Balloon Fiesta photos for this week's Let's Scrap Sketch...here's a look

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I usually try to hide my journalling for several reasons - one of them being I run out of room to actually include a space for it...lol. Here's what the journalling would look like pulled out from a secret pocket behind the far right picture.

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Here's a look at what the layout might look like without photos...LOVE the Balloon B&T from the CTMH retired paper packet, Balloon Ride...

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Here's a look at the Sketch...

Thanks for stopping by! We hope you'll play along with our sketch for a chance to win some goodies from our Sponsor...

Oh Snap - SOUS Die-Cut Challenge...

This week at Stuck on U Sketches (SOUS), the Die-Cut Team is challenging you with the phrase "Lights, Camera, Action..."

I can foresee a LOT of good layouts made but I decided to do a card with this CUTE little camera from Miss Kate Cuttables!!!  The "Oh Snap" is from CTMH's Artbooking Cricut Collection.

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LOTS of dimension going on but that's what I LOVE about svg files...so much layering...so much added dimension!  I used some Seaside B&T (NEW paper packet from CTMH) and layered a 4x6 (chopped down a little to fit a standard-size card) Skylark PML card on top.

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I added some NEW Gold Sequins and a chevron Cork Circle from the Pathfinding Assortment

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here's a peek at the inside and the dimension of the die-cuts on the front...

Now it's your turn to make a project using our theme AND using at least one die-cut.  You can link up your project HERE!!!  

Our sponsor this month is LimeCitron and here's what's up for grabs...

You can check out their products {{{here}}} and their blog {{{here}}}.  They are also on FB so head over there and LIKE THEIR PAGE!

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Products Used

X7192B - Seaside Paper Packet

Z1947 - Skylark PML

Z3012 - Pathfinding Assortment

Z2012 - Gold Sequin Assortment

SOUS Die-Cut Challenge - Animals...

I'm so excited that I finally get to show you guys what I've been working on for SOUS - Stuck on U Sketches...

This is my first post as a member of the Die-Cut Design Team...well, technically my second if you count this one {{{here}}}.

What this means is that all my SOUS projects will feature some form of die-cutting!  I am blown away by the talent on this DT as well as our other DTs...Project Life & Sketches!

This week's challenge is to use die-cut Animals...any animal!!!  I chose several, including an insect...lol

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Here's my trio of cards...you can click on any photo to view a larger version!

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***BEE happy***

I used CTMH's PML Cards from the Balloon Ride Collection...chopped it off at 4" and rounded the corners...what a SUPER SIMPLE way of adding some extra pizzazz without all the work!

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I used Brown & Tan Glitter Paper to cut the bee base and the "happy" from...it cuts like butta using my NEW Cricut Explore (I know at some time I'm gonna have to stop saying NEW...especially since I've had it since February...but it still makes me giddy because I'm amazed at how well it cuts!)  The cute little bee is from the many FREE cuts you get with Cricut's Design Space!!!

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Here's a peek at the finished off inside...I used the portion of the PML card I cut off and put it on the inside...never let anything go to waste!!!!

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**** SASSY FOX****

I used some of my FAVORITE paper packets from CTMH...it was a promotional thing a couple of years ago and is retired but I STOCKED UP!  This cute little fox one of the daily FREEBIES over at Miss Kate Cuttables!!!  I visit her site EVERY DAY and download all the freebies!  I've even purchased some...very reasonable!!!

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Again...I picked up my Brown Glitter Paper and cut away..love the shimmery effect it gives.

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Here's a side view so you can see the dimension of the fox...he has 4 layers so he was pretty thick to begin with then I pop-dotted him with some super thin pop-dots.  You can also get a peek at the inside from this view...

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This one is a true PML card...it'll go directly into an Album or I guess I could use it as a card-front...not sure which one I'll do yet.  I used Surf's Up PML Collection (love the little washi tape at the top!)  The duck came from Cricut's Design Space too!

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That cute little duck is layered and pop-dotted for dimension!

Our sponsor this month is Regina over at the Cutting Cafe...she is the NICEST person!  I purchased a few die-cuts from her and had to e-mail her to ask a question.  She held my hand the entire way and even when my questions turned out to be quite dumb, she took the time to walk me through and EVEN re-sent me the cut files so I could use them with Design Space!!!

She has 3 sets up for grabs this month so make sure you play along!  You do NOT want to miss out on this Blog Candy!

You can link up your Animal Die-Cut project here - all entries have to be submitted by the 27th.

Banners with H2H....

This week over at H2H Challenges, we want to see your BANNER projects!  Banners to me can mean several different things...I chose to showcase a banner made from a zip-strip from Balloon Ride.

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These are both Easel Cards using an svg file I purchased and cut using my Cricut Explore (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that thing!).  Cutting an easel card has never been EASIER!  The Crystal Blue pieces are from Balloon Ride and the flower is cut from Skylark.  I added Colonial White and Kraft Cardstocks.

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I also cut the word "Mother" from the Brown & Tan Glitter Paper...it adds a little sparkle to the card.  A few retired Heavenly Blue Sequins also give this card the pizazz that every Mother deserves!

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Here's a second card...no banner on this one...wanted to show that Sorbet-inked Canvas Badge Button (sadly retired but I stocked up!).  I also copied Amie Kiger's Glitter twisties...LOVE this little detail!   This one has the "Mother" on the inside and I still added sequins.

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Here's a close-up of the flower...LOVE layering all the cuts!

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Thanks for stopping by...don't forget to check out the other DT members and their Banner projects.  And...don't forget to link up your next Banner Project to the H2H Challenge before May 31st!

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CTMH products used:

X7180B - Balloon Ride Paper Packet

X7177B - Skylark Paper Packet

Z1830 - Brown & Tan Glitter Paper

1388 - Colonial White Cardstock

Z1375 - Kraft Cardstock

Happy Color Challenge with H2H...

Spring is in the air!  At least it is for my part of the United States!

This week's H2H challenge is to use CTMH's Pantone Spring 2014 Color Pallet.  (Colors for crafting come from the fashion world and Pantone is one of the fashion color reporting sites.)

You must use one (or more) of the Pantone Spring 2014 colors on your project; only neutrals such as white, cream, tan, gray, or black may also be used.

The recommended CTMH colors are Smoothie, Sunset, Honey, Juniper, Ponderosa Pine, Sky, Pacifica, Gypsy, and Champagne.

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I chose to use Sunset, Juniper, Honey & Sky Blue for my card.   I used Always' Playing with Paper's Challenge #2 for this card.

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I also broke out my NEW Cricut Explore!  Let me tell you that I didn't do anything fancy except cut out the "happy" from CTMH's Artbooking Cricut Collection but it cut like BUTTER!!! I cut the entire card-front 1st from White Daisy Cardstock then erased the stars and cut "happy" again with Sunset Cardstock. Then I just laid the Sunset happy into the space cut out of the White Daisy Carstock and voila!

I used Juniper B&T (from the LollyDoodle Paper Packet), Honey B&T (from the Jubilee Paper Packet) and Sky B&T (from the Balloon Ride Paper Packet and threw in some Sparkles for a little somethin-somethin!

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And...here's my inside...I used my NEW favorite Alphabet...Hopscotch!  It's so cute and funky...so FUN to play with!  I also threw in a washi dove-tail to the inside to bring the Juniper inside.  This Washi was from the Holiday Guide and didn't make the cut to the 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book.

Thanks for stopping by!

You have 'till the end of March to link up your Pantone projects!

If you have time, please go check out the rest of my Creme Brulee Team and see what they created for this week's H2H Challenge!

Simply Inspired by Embossing...

Welcome to the Simply Inspired Blog Hop featuring CTMH's NEW Embossing Folders which you can get for FREE with a qualifying purchase of 2 Cardstock Packs.

If you've come from the very talented Lisa Stenz's Blog, you're on the right track. If you get lost along the way, click here for a complete list of participating Consultants.

Here's a look at our 5 Embossing Folders...I chose to use the Chevrons!

The possibilities are endless with these folders...I chose to emboss then ink up the embossed chevrons with Lagoon Ink for a tone-on-tone look.  

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I used Balloon Ride Paper Packet, Ivy Lane Paper Packet and added Lagoon Cardstock...here are some detail shots and a peek at the inside...

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For the inside, I just cut some individual chevrons out and adhered them to the inside...the bottom Sorbet B&T is just cut into 1/2" strips then inked up with Sorbet Ink to create the look of vertical lines...

Keep on hopping along...you're next stop is Bren Yule's Blog...prepare to be AMAZED!!!!

Smartie Pants on a Balloon Ride...

When I saw this idea online and pinned it, I just KNEW it would be one of those things I would actually make instead of it just sitting on  my Pinterest Board.  I also knew that I would be making it with PAPER since it's my favorite...especially this paper!

I used CTMH's Balloon Ride Paper Packet for the pants and a strip of CTMH's Jubilee Paper Packet for the Honey waistband.

I free-handed the pants template on Cardstock then cut two pieces out of Balloon Ride B&T (if you stack the 2 pieces together and cut once, make sure you put the two-like patterns of B&T together when cutting out...just like a sewing pattern).

I stitched with Orange Thread (because that's what was already in my sewing machine...I'm lazy like that!) and added some Hemp Baker's Twine...it's tied to the Smartie Rolls and once you untie the bow, you can pull up and the Smarties will exit the pants!

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Here's a side view...I was hoping you could see the dimension of the pants with the Smarties bulging.  The heart is one cut from the Artbooking Cartridge...a heart border and I just cut a single heart from it...turned it over onto a Smoothie Ink Pad and worked it around 'till it was good and inked up.

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Here's a top view so you can see the little pockets created for the Smarties...

Thanks for stopping by...I hope you find some inspiration and create your own Smartie Pants for your Valentine!