I have been meaning to do this for a week now… go around my yard and take pictures of what’s in bloom. In that week, a whole new set of flowers has sprung up! Maybe that’s why they call it spring? I am attempting to create a project with these photos but PhotoShop and I were not getting along last night. So much to learn! But here’s a peek at what’s come up this week.

Mother’s Day is tomorrow! Check out the Craft Critique Blog Carnival for lots of great projects to make. HURRY!

Hope you can join us for the next blog hop right here on Wednesday. We are making cake!

Also tune in to Cool2Craft for some great new crafting techniques and ideas on Monday, May 10 at noon EST. Here’s the lineup:
Ann Butler Updating Card Stock
Tiffany Windsor  Aleene’s Forged Foil
Heidi Borchers  Button, Button Bracelets
Lorine Mason  Lorine Mason Re-Purposing Dog Food Bags
Linda Peterson  Linda Peterson Play in Polymer Clay

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Here’s my latest project posted on the Sizzix blog. I am trying to be organized and get my Mother’s Day present done and in the mail ON TIME this year! Instructions to create this using the ScoreBoards Checkbook Cover die- who says you have to make a checkbook with it? My mom is a diehard list maker. She also does a lot of traveling so now she can carry her list supplies in style when she’s on the road.

“The List” was sometimes a sore subject among us six kids when we were ready to go out and play on Saturday mornings. We knew we were not going anywhere until the work was done, but always tried to get out of it/slip outside/have an asthma attack, etc, usually to no avail. Here were some of the predictable jobs that might appear on the list: dust and straighten, vacuum, clean bathrooms or mop the floors. Even when the job was done, it had to be checked to make sure it was done PROPERLY. After having children, I came to the conclusion that list making was a great idea and incorporated the jobs into my mothering style. I found a list I made a while ago called “Summer Rules” which is hysterical now but I was quite irritated when I wrote it and there is a definite edgy tone to the manifesto. I think I had found stacks of clean folded laundry in the dirty clothes hamper and snapped.

Anyway, getting back to the project, I hope you will look beyond the product name and craft outside the box. Imagine what else it could be with a little creative thought.

Our next blog hop is coming up on Wednesday and I can’t wait to see what everyone has done. These designers never cease to amaze me!

I am in need of 2 more people to follow this blog- I have 98 and would love to have 100+. All it means to follow me is that you might check back every once in a while and see what’s new- no pressure. 🙂 I also love to hear comments so don’t be shy- take a second and say hi!

I just returned from a beautiful week in Aruba and here is the view from our room. Unbelievable! The place we stayed at had a lazy river winding through the pool area where we spent many hours. We also snorkeled over a huge wrecked ship. When I put my mask in the water and saw thousands of fish right below me, I could barely catch my breath. So clear, deep, colorful and alive!

Speaking of nature, we have a fox family of eight living next door under our neighbor’s shed. I am able to see them from my garage door and run up and watch them whenever I need entertainment. The six kits are quite a handful. Each day the kits are venturing further away from home. Poor tired Mama just rolls her eyes and herds them back. They have been spotted throughout the yard, running around with chipmunk carcasses clamped between their teeth, having a great old time.

If you would like to check out some very cool recycling Earth Day type projects, visit the Craft Critique Earth Day Carnival. See if you can pick mine out… hint- it involves my favorite beverage 🙂 It makes me happy to see more people jumping on the recycling bandwagon and using their creativity to recreate new projects from old stuff. Hope you did something special to celebrate our beautiful planet today. I went to my favorite thrift store and found some cool materials to create with. Will post when I have figured out what I am doing with them.

Welcome all and thanks for stopping by to check out our second Sizzix ScoreBoard blog hop! ScoreBoard dies are designed to cut and score thicker materials such as matboard and chipboard into boxes, folders and totes. These dies have a special scoring blade which allows for crisp cuts and a perfect fold every time. Every other Wednesday for the next few months, one of my five dies in the Celebrations collection will be featured. This blog hop is all about inspiration and you will definitely get a plenty here!

Each designer on the hop today has been working with the Scalloped Box die and as you click on each link, you will be amazed at both the creativity of the designer and the versatility of the die. The challenge for this hop was to incorporate office supplies into the project.

CAST YOUR VOTE by leaving a comment with the name of your favorite project or designer here at end of this post. The designer who made the project that gets the most votes will win the die that they made the project with. Leave a comment on any of the participating blogs and you will be eligible to win a ScoreBoard die from the first collection- this will be a random drawing so make sure you comment somewhere! Voting will close on Monday, April 5 at 6 PM and the winner will be announced on the interactive live web TV show, Cool2Craft on April 19. And now, let the hopping begin…

Ann Butler
Brenda Pinnick
Bonnie Bruns
Candice Windham Designs
Carla Schauer
Cindi Bisson- Fat Cat Creations
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Designs by Roxi
Jenn Ellefson
Just a Thought or Two
Jen Goode
Julie McGuffee
Karen Burniston
Laura Bray
Lisa Rojas
Marisa Pawelko- Modern Surrealist
Melony Bradley
Michelle Cummings
Niki Meiners
Pink Lemonade
Sandy Laipply
Sparkle Studio
Veronica Goff

Office supplies… I’m smiling. I love them! The challenge was to incorporate office supplies into the Sizzix Scalloped Box project we are featuring today.

You will need:
Sizzix Big Shot die cut machine
Sizzix ScoreBoard Scalloped Box die
Little Sizzles Matboard piece 6″ x 13″
Sizzix Textured Impressions embossing folder
spray adhesive
paper clips
brads
index card file dividers
ribbon
adhesive backed velcro closure
1/2″ elastic
staples

Instructions:
Adhere graph paper to matboard piece with spray adhesive and then run it through the Big Shot with Scalloped Box die. Next, center design as desired on a Textured Impression folder covering the flap and roll through. Repeat on other half of the box. I created small accordian style file folders using recycled alphabet index card dividers. I used the index dividers to create an expanding file divider to hold business cards, coupons, receipts or tickets. After scoring the bottoms of the mini folders and trimming the pieces to size to fit in the box, I adhered the cards together at the bottom fold and then taped the group to the inside of the box. Next I stapled an elastic band around the box for secure closure. On the front I cut three flowers (also included with the die!), inserted brads in the centers and glued to the front of the flap. For the handle I punched a hole on either side of the top of the flap and added a chain of paper clips. I added a bow from coordinating ribbon for fun. When the box is opened you can adjust the elastic strap to keep it either open or closed.

Here’s a photo of a project created by the talented Mary Beers. I met her at CHA several years ago and it has been fun catching up every time since. She used used gift wrap and Tim Holtz paperclips & brads to create her project. Thanks, Mary!

But WAIT! There’s more- I am delighted to add a project done by my attorney, Tammy Browning-Smith! Is that above and beyond or what? As you can see Tammy is a designer herself. She has created this adorable (and functional) sewing kit.

Joanne’s Sewing Kit
I am always asking my Mother In Law to help me sew something. Miraculously, she always has that perfect notion. Traditional miniature sewing kits come in boring plastic boxes that can crack or break while being stored in a bag or drawer. This project solves two problems at once – it keeps your notions handy and it stores them in a fun, durable case! This project is perfect for all levels of paper crafters and all ages. What a great way to say “I Love You” for Mom on Mother’s Day!

Supplies
Sizzix Scoreboards Scalloped Edge Box Die by Eileen Hull
White Mat Board
Graphic 45 Papers
Fashionista Collection – Buttons a La Mode
Times Nouveau – Die Cut Alphabet
Miniature Sewing Kit (Found at Any Office Supply or Craft Store)
Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Fire Brick
Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Tea Dye
Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint – Rock Candy
Tim Holtz Idealogy – Paper Ribbon – Measuring Tape
Crystallized by Swarovski – Clear Chaton – 32pp
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium – Matte
Crafters Pick – The Ultimate – Glue
Tim Holtz Tonic Scissors
We R Memories Crop-A-Dile
Assorted Eyelets
Velcro
½ inch elasticInstructions

Create one box and two flowers die cut with mat board and cut two die cut boxes out of the Buttons a La Mode paper.

Remove the small, oblong side wings on all die cuts leaving only the main body of the box.

Cover the inside of the mat board box using the dark red/stripe side of one paper die cut. Cover the outside of the mat board box using the button side of the Button a La Mode paper. Make sure to match up the paper die cut starting at the scalloped edge.

Cover the small portion of white that is left from between the end of the paper and the straight v-edge of the mat board forming a nice, finished edge with the Tape Measure Paper Tape.

Using the Tape Measure Paper Tape, adhere a stripe down the outside middle.

Gently rub the Tea Dye Ink across the fronts of both mat board flowers then edge with the Fire Brick Ink. Glue the small flower on top of the big flower and stagger the petals. Place the Crystal in the hole of the flower and glue in place. Then lightly brush the flower with the Rock Candy Distress Paint. Secure in place with glue.

Using the Velcro, elastic, and eyelets, organize the contents of the sewing kit on the inside main panel. The Crop-A-Dile will punch throw the mat board and Velcro together. Keep any bulky item toward the top with the scallop edge.

Cut a small square of Velcro and place on the top inside of the scalloped edge and the outside straight v-edge to form a closure for the kit.

Please remember to comment on one or more of the blogs so you have a chance to win a die and also leave your vote below in the comments area. Thanks for coming by and hope to see you on April 14th when we unveil the next die, the teacup!

I’m not sure what a tisket or tasket is but I always liked that little rhyme, and definitely LOVE what comes in Easter baskets. This is a two part blog. Instructions for the basket may be found at the Sizzix blog. And here is where you find out how to make the ribbon rose and egg.

To make the egg, you will need a STYROFOAM brand egg, some variegated chenille yarn in bright Easter colors, a small embossing tool, crochet hook or pointed bamboo skewer and Zip-Dry Paper Glue. Cut a piece of yarn about a foot long. Cover about a square inch of the egg with glue and working quickly, start making circles of yarn. Use the pointy object to push the yarn into place. When the yarn ends, push the end into the egg. Start another circle nearby and repeat until the egg is full of circles. Then take the yarn and start filling in the empty space with yarn. That’s it! So easy and looks so pretty!

On to the ribbon rose… For this you will need about 12″- 15″ of wired ribbon. I like the ombre ribbon that fades from one color to another. Holding the ribbon piece in the middle, start gathering the ribbon from each side into the middle, leaving the wires exposed at either end. I went to a cool ribbon outlet last week and my ribbon rose instructor gave this tip. Take one end of the wire, grab a little section of the ribbon and just start twirling it around. The rest of the piece will follow. Adjust the ribbon as you go, making it looser if you would like an open rose and tighter for a closed flower. If you’d like a rosebud, just use a small piece of ribbon and make the same way, keeping the ribbon tight. When you get to the end, twist the remaining wire around the piece you have been twirling, and there you have a beautiful ribbon rose! I took my scalloped Fiskars and cut some free form leaves and glued them behind the rose. Felt would work well too, but the fleece was out for another project.

Hope you will join me for the Sizzix ScoreBoard Blog Hop which starts this Wednesday. I have been getting sneak peeks from some of the designers and oh MY! They are fantastic! Please stop by and prepare to be blown away. The designer whose project gets the most comments will win a new Sizzix ScoreBoard die and some lucky person who comments on one of the participating blogs will win a die from the first collection of ScoreBoards, so make sure you leave a comment and vote on your favorite project! Thanks for stopping by…

I hope you will be able to stop by and see my 10 minute segment on the show tomorrow. I’ll be demoing some of my newest ScoreBoard dies and showing tips and techniques for working with them. Also more information on the upcoming blog hop featuring the dies.

Next, a shout out to Sarah Moore at Craft Critique. The site offers daily product reviews on craft products and tools. Right now there is a Blog Carnival going on where you can see tons of fun spring projects listed on the different designers’ blogs. One of the projects is mine.

Also thanks to Stephanie Girard who writes a great column on Recycled CraftGossip. Go there to find lots of great inspiring ideas using recycled materials.

I am so excited that Stefanie will be one of our guest designers on the upcoming Sizzix ScoreBoards Blog Hop starting March 31! Check back- lots of surprises in store…including prizes! Be ready to pick your favorite project…

Last, the trip to the Offray Ribbon Outlet was great. The nice lady there taught me how to make a ribbon rose with wired ribbon- now I am a rose-making fiend- so much fun! Will post photos of purchases (and maybe some roses) later this week…