I Am a Mother!

KSL (our local tv station for you non-local people) is doing a really cool thing called "Motherhood Matters," with the goal of elevating motherhood.  There is a 10-day challenge, and there are also lots of cool giveaways and free printables and such.  For instance, I can't wait to download and print this beauty:

And it's not just about the stereotypical "mom" role, either -- I believe all women have a mother heart and have the capacity to influence the world around them with that love.  So check it out!


You can read more about the whole thing by clicking here.

Bits and Pieces

I realized I never did show the fun projects I made as Christmas presents. This first one is my favorite -- The quote slips into photo corners, and there's an envelope on the back of the frame with a bunch more quotes so my SIL can change them out from time to time. I love how it turned out! I started with a $1 frame from Michaels, then used Basic Grey paper -- LOVE this Ambrosia line -- Fancy Pants chipboard, and a Making Memories Pin. The butterfly is cut from some of the PP. I designed the quote on my computer.


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My second project was something special for my mom and dad. This is to hang by a pretty tile portrait of my sister Carissa, who passed away last spring. I took an MDF plaque, spray painted the bottom layer with gold, then added crackle finish before applying the cream layer. I love the effect of the gold peeking through the cream. I cut the vinyl with my Cricut and Sure Cuts a Lot.

It's no secret that I love a challenge blog -- it seems like the only time I get projects done is if I have a deadline! And thanks to my new scrappin' friend Brooke Stockman (whose blog is very much worth checking out on its own), I've discovered two new blogs I'll definitely be participating in:

Mojo Monday -- a new card challenge every Monday, with prizes the first Monday of each month

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge -- weekly challenges using great movies as inspiration. I think this one will really get my creative juices flowing!

It's never too early for a little more Christmas!

I had SO much fun with this week's Bitten By The Bug challenge! Regina asked us to use the nutcup from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More for a Christmas project, which is really a great cut. It's cute as is, or it's a great blank canvas for all sorts of decoration! I cut the box at 5 1/2", which made a very good size nutcup. The finished project is about 3" tall, plus the ribbon. I added these adorable Hero Arts stamps, which I colored with Prismas and Gamsol and added some stickles just for fun. The round journaling spot above is from 7Gypsies, and I used a Stampin Up scallop punch for the circle behind it. PP is all from Pebbles, Inc. Check out all the other BBTB creations this week -- you'll definitely feel the Christmas spirit begin to flow! (And if you're still not in the mood for Christmas, there is a really cute Halloween take on it, too.) TFL!

Entries for the Rummage Challenge!

And the winner is... Sarah S., for the adorable Father's Day card!
In second place, I just loved Tonya's "Pretty as a Flower" layout -- very creative use of the acrylic frame, and I really liked the patchwork paper scraps.

Great job, everyone! And thank you so much to Aubrey, my bug-lovin' friend who helped me pick the winners!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this challenge! It was great fun to see the different and beautiful projects people created with long forgotten supplies. I also loved hearing how you all stepped out of your comfort zone. Here are the entries -- I'll post the winner soon!

And here is the card I created! I spun my Clip-it-up with my eyes closed, and my finger landed on a pack of Making Memories "believe" rub-ons in the Christmas section. I wasn't much in the mood for Christmas, but I thought it would work great on a grad card for my little sis! I used paper and ribbon that I've had in my stash for ages as well, just to keep in the spirit of the challenge! The only new thing is the adorable owl stamp, which I just bought at Archiver's. So cute! "class of 2008" is cut with Base Camp at 1".

Card for Kazan's sketch challenge

I made this birthday card for my little sister using the sketch for the challenge over at Kazan Clark's awesome blog. I was really trying to capture my sister's style, and I was so happy because she loved it! Once again I used my pen tablet to draw the birdie, then converted it to an SVG filea and cut it out with my bug using the SCAL software. I am so glad I bought this software -- it's opened up a whole new world to me! PP here is My Mind's Eye, Magnolia line. The flowers and rub-on are from Fancy Pants. TFL!

Here's a link to the sketch challenge -- a really great set of Souffle pens is the prize, so it's worth giving it a try!

http://nunutoolies.blogspot.com/2008/05/sketch-challenge.html

And don't forget our very own "Rummage Challenge" -- you still have plenty of time to enter! All the details are in the next post down!

The Rummage Challenge! Fun Prizes, too!

Last week I finally bought a Clip It Up, which allowed me to clean out my giant bin of embellishments and get them organized. I was amazed at all the things I have that I hadn't seen or thought about since I bought them! And I was thinking, I bet everyone has a bin or a scrap drawer or a closet where things just disappear. So here's the challenge:

With your eyes closed, rummage through that black hole stash and pick one thing, then make a project with it! It can be some kind of embellishment, a long-forgotten scrap of paper you've been saving for some reason you can't remember, or anything you've had for a long time and just never used. And remember, you can't pick it on purpose -- you have to have your eyes closed! I can't wait to see everyone's creations! Post a comment with a link to where you've posted your project -- the deadline for entry will be Sunday, May 25th. Then I'll announce the winner on May 26th!

And here are the prizes you can win! Depending on how many entries I receive, I'll probably divide this up into a grand prize and a smaller runner-up prize.



I'm going to have to take some better pictures, but here's what's in the pot:
- Fancy Pants borders rub-ons
- Fancy Pants "Mulberry Road" flowers
- Making Memories cloth flowers - Blue and White mix
- Making Memories cloth pockets
- DCWV 6x6 accordian album
- Scrapworks "Color Rubz" summer-themed rub-ons
- Scrapworks "Hugz&Dotz" accent and alpha stickers (2 sets)
- Scenic Route chipboard alpha in tan
- Making Memories copper sheets
- Sizzix manila envelope die (can be used with Sizzix or Cuttlebug machines)
- Making Memories "desination" rub-on alpha
- We R Memory Keepers "Garden Path" chipboard tags
- Making Memories "Eclectic Brads"
- Pioneer photo corners
- Elmer's adhesive runner


I'm going to be taking on this challenge as well. What got me started on this whole kick was actually trying to use up some of the scraps from my scrap drawers, which were offically overflowing. Here are some of the fun cards I made: