CTO Challenge #28

Hello Lovelies,

It's another CTO Challenge! I want to encourage all of you to play along.  This week the theme is "birthday" and there is also a sketch. I do have to apologize for the picture quality...I am at a conference, yes, another one and I am having all kinds of issues, from technology to curriculum. What a way to start the year, right?! Anyways, no complaining here. This is what I came up with...I am not happy with it but this is it.  Thanks for the visit.

Hugs,

~Shen

Missing In Action

Hello Lovelies,

Unfortunately, I don't have a card to share today...boo, I know, I know...so very sorry.  My life has been so hectic the pass few weeks, it's unbelievable really. I don' t complain because it is all for some reason and always according to his perfect plan.  Anyways, I just got a free moment and wanted to say "Hi" and that I really, really, miss you all terribly. I am  scheduled for so very many STEM conferences until I am dreaming mathematical equations and Trig and Calculus and whatever else I can't remember anymore now. I hope this nonsense ends soon you all. Pray for me! Thanks for the visit and I hope like crazy to see you all very soon.

Crafty hugs,

~Shen

Card R.A.K. Week of 7/25/11-8/1/11

Hello Lovelies,

I wanted to share with you all the name of the recipient of the Card R.A.K. for the above referenced week. That person is Candace

Candace, please send me your mailing address and the card information for the card you would like to receive.

I also told you that I had added a twist to the R.A.K. - we all create cards and you don't need mine of course, I just thought it was a kind gesture and wanted to do something nice for you all as a "Thank You" for your loyalty. So, I put the (2) names for the month of July into a jar and Candace also won the monthly prize. I will do this monthly.

I absolutely love to see people happy and offering "Blog Candy" seems to do the trick here in blog land, however, I want to offer some goodies to those of you who are here supporting and encouraging all of the time. Thanks a million times over all of you that fit into that category and please know that I appreciate you very much.

Many thanks everyone.

Hugs,

~Shen

Blog Awards

Hello Lovelies,

I have received several FABULOUS awards over the couple of weeks and I haven't posted them because it is so very hard to just pick a few people to gift these awards to...I see so much talent in all of my Special Friends and I truly think that each and everyone of you are awesome.  I want everyone to be happy and I must thank the awesome people that are so thoughtful and kind for thinking of me in the first place. So, let's do that, let me thanks these amazing lovelies for believing in me and thinking that I am somewhat crafty - lol.

ThankYou Jenni! Thank You Amy! Thank You Karen! Thank You Lisa! Thank You Sherrie! Thank You Amy! Thank You Pam! Thank You Diana! Thank You Melissa!

This is the award that I am passing along to these FABULOUS bloggers!

This listing is in no particular order just as random as all outdoors...lol.  I am giving this award to the FABULOUS NINE listed above as well as the following lovelies.

1.  Karen @ Little Scrap Pieces

2.  Diane @

3.  Judie @

4.  Karen @

5.  Sandy @

6.  Jayne @

7.  Angi @

8.  Melissa @

9.  Nita @

10. Audrey @

11. Carri @

12. Candace @

13. Amanda @

I don't know what the requirements for the award are but I'm sure that I have met it a few times already, so I won't bore you with the details.  I do want to say that all of these AWESOME bloggers are so amazing, they visit and encourage me rain, shine, sleet or snow, no matter the weather...they stand fast and are always here to support and encourage. That means something to me because I use to often wonder what it took to have loyalty in Blog Land and I don't have to wonder anymore because I have experienced it first hand. You all ROCK!  Now, the other awards that I received are below and again, thanks to those awesome lovelies above for gifting me with them.

Hugs,

~Shen

~ ~ SUNDAY PRAISE ~ ~

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used Pressed Petals patterned paper on this one. I hope you like it. As always, thanks for the visit and have an amazing Sunday.

Hugs,
~Shen

PSALMS 13:5-6

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. (NIV)

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. (HJV)

Monkey Business

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you all today. I used the B is for Boy Cricut Lite cart and Pressed Petals patterned paper for this one. The students return on Monday and things will calm down a lot as far as meetings are concerned and I can return to creating on a regular basis again. I hope you like my card. Thanks for the visit and have an amazing rest of your day my friends.

Hugs,

~Shen

CTO - Challenge #26

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the B is for Boy cart along with Pressed Petals patterned paper for this one. This week at CTO the challenge is to create a Birthday Easel card.  I hope that you all will be able to play along this week and have lots of fun doing so.  Please go visit the CTO blog and see all of the FABULOUS DT inspiration. I apologize for the picture quality...hopefully, my transfer cable will be here within the next couple of days, something about ugly pics just zaps my mojo. Have an amazing day and thanks for the visit.

Hugs,

~Shen

~ ~ SUNDAY PRAISE ~ ~

Hello Ladies,

Happy Sunday! I have a card to share with you today. I used the Boho Chic paper pack for this one. I hope you like. I'm super happy to be back in my craftroom...I was truly miserable last week during in-service training. Although, I am very grateful for the scheduled post option, my not so smart phone unfortunately doesn't compare to the luxury of being able to see what you all create from a nice size monitor in the comfort of my home. I missed everyone so much and I will be stopping by to visit all of you that I didn't get an opportunity to last week.  I must apologize for the picture quality, it seems that I have misplaced my data transfer cable but not to worry, I have ordered another. Have an amazing rest of your day.

Hugs,

~Shen

Dee's Bugaboo Digi

JEREMIAH 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (KJV)

Wednesday Madness

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used a digital image that I had in my stash and KI Memories patterned paper for this one. I hope you like and are inspired to create today. Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful rest of your day.

Hugs,

~Shen

Back To School With CTO

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the Learning Curve cart and DCWV patterned paper for this card. Today, my CTO family has a new challenge for you to enter and the theme is "BACK 2 SCHOOL" - aren't we all just so ready for that...no! Anyways, I am not designing this week but we always support our family, right?! So, in support of my CTO family, here is my card. I hope you like. Go check out what the DT has come up with to inspire you to join in on all the fun. I hope you will play along this week and have lots of fun! Thanks for the visit and have an amazing rest of your day.

Hugs,

~Shen

Have A Grasshopper On Me

Hello Lovelies,

I hava a card to share with you today. I used the Stretch Your Imagination cart and Pressed Petals patterned paper on this one. I hope you like. Thanks for the visit as always and have an amazing rest of your day.

Hugs,

~Shen

~ ~ SUNDAY PRAISE ~ ~

Hello Lovelies,

Happy Sunday! I have a card to share with you today. I used DCWV patterned paper for this one. I hope to see everyone soon. Remember to do something nice for someone else, just because. Thanks for the visit.

Hugs,

~Shen

Dee's Bugaboo Digi

PROVERBS 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (NIV)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (KJV)

The Sky Is No Limit For Our Love

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the Live Simply and Doodlecharms cart along with KI Memories patterned paper. Today is my sister's birthday and I will be traveling to Dallas for her celebration.  I'll be back soon and can't wait to visit you all to see what FABULOUS masterpieces you have created that I have missed.  Now, of course if I get a moment...I will be grabbing my netbook to sneak a peek at you lovelies. I hope you like my card and have an awesome rest of your day.

Hugs,

~Shen

Stinkin' Cute - Too Punny

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the Live Simply cart and Pressed Petals (a division of DCWV) pattern paper for this card. I hope you like. Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful day today, remember to do something nice for someone else...just because.

Hugs,

~Shen

Halloween In August

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used my Mini Monsters cart and some cheapy patterned paper by the fictious "Anyone Save My Budget" paper company. I know that I was blog surfing and happened upon someone's blog and they had a Halloween card posted with a challenge. I totally missed the challenge part but I obviously got the Halloween theme...lol. I have a notebook and I do write this stuff down but I really haven't been feeling my challenge mojo lately so, I haven't been entering any but hopefully all of that will change very soon. I love challenges, they help me think outside of my box but I have been deep in my box lately.  Anyhoo, I am rambling now...so, thanks for stopping by and supporting me today, I really appreciate it. Have a FABULOUS rest of your day.

Hugs,

~Shen

200 Special Friends Blog Candy Recipient

Hello Lovelies,

It is time to select the recipient of the "200 Special Friends Blog Candy," best of luck to everyone. Thank you to each and every special friend that supports and encourages...I really appreciate you. I have a very, very exciting announcement coming later this week and I am super excited about it and can't wait to share with you lovelies. Again, WELCOME to all of our new "Special Friends."

Hugs,

~Shen

CONGRATS SHERRIE K!

SHERRIESCRAPS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Please send me your mailing address so I can get to the post office and have your package in route to you my friend. Thanks everyone.

P.S. Get those projects completed and linked up to CTO so we can celebrate at 250 Special Friends also.

Strawberries...Yummy To My Tummy

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the Preserves cart and Pressed Petals - Baby Girl patterned paper for this one.  I absolutely love strawberries, so this card was a lot of fun to make. I hope you like. Remember, today we will be using Random.org to pick the recipient of the 200 Special Friends Blog Candy. Don't worry, I have more rewards forthcoming just for my loyal friends. I want to say "thank you" to those of you who support me continuously with your kind words and inspiring projects...I take absolutely nothing for granted and truly appreciate each of you, individually and collectively. You ROCK!  I have some exciting and amazing news coming up, I just don't know when I am able to share it with you but I believe it will be within the next few days. Thanks for the visit and have an awesome day!

Hugs,

~Shen

Linking this one up to the Cricut Cardz Challenge #86!

CTO Challenge # 24 Kid's Birthday

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. The new challenge at CTO is to design a kid's themed birthday card. How fun is this? I love cute and cuddly and that is exactly what I think of when I think of designing anything for children.  Dylan, my youngest son helped me with this one a little bit, he critiqued it...he said "beautiful scrapbook." He knows that this is definitely my passion and he loves sitting in my room with me. Let me get back on track here...I am designing this week and I would absolutely love it and be so honored if all of you that are my "Special Friends" would participate this week and follow the CTO blog as well.  Please, please, please and I'll be looking for you and who knows I might have an incentive for you...I'm thinking about a giveaway at 250 Special Friends instead of waiting until 300...how does that sound? This is what I came up with and I hope you like. Thanks for the visit and have a super awesome day.

Hugs,

~Shen

Juggling Easel Plus Tutorial

Hello Lovelies.

I have another card to share with you today.  I used the Birthday Bash cart and KI Memories patterned paper on this one. I am sharing the tutorial with you also because I was asked to do so by a very good friend. Let me warn you ahead of time, this post is super duper long and picture heavy. Thanks for the visit and have a FABULOUS day!

Hugs,

~Shen

Step 1: Start with a sheet of 4 1/4 by 11 sheet of cardstock

Step 2: Score at 2 3/4 and 5 1/2

Step 3:  Decide how you want to mat your card, you will need (2) identical mats. My card has a white mat cut at 2 1/2 by 4 and the turquoise mat is cut at 2 1/4 by 3 3/4.

Step 4: Adhere your mats to your card base.

Step 5: Cut your inside mats. My white mat is 4 by 5 1/4. and the black mat is 2 3/4 by 3 3/4, the turquoise mat is 2 1/2 by 3 1/2.

Step 6: Optional, but not for me...I add my doodling to my card base. This is the best time to do this part because your card will begin to bulk up and your lines might get off and not look as nice if you wait.

Step 7: You are going to want to set your card up like the picture and if you haven't already, cut out your Cricut cuts or whatever elements you will be using on your card. This step allows you to lay your card out and find out where you want your images to be placed on your card and where to place your pop dots on your images. 

Step 8: This is where you begin to embellish your card and add the easel part of the elements you desire.

Step 9: Lay your card out flat into the A2 orientation and continue to embellish and add the elements you desire.

Step 10: Set your card up and admire your awesome hard work.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end. This is my first blog tutorial and I wanted to make sure that everyone understood. Teaching Secondary Math is a lot easier than this but we got it done. I hope everything was clear. Again, this is not my original easel card technique...I was blog surfing as usual and for the life of me, I can't remember the name of the blog where I saw this but here is how I did the Apple Easel card a week or so ago and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thanks again for hanging around.

Hugs,

~Shen

Birthday Bash Turned Upside Down

200 SPECIAL FRIENDS BLOG CANDY

Hello Lovelies,

Happy August 1st to you and I have a card to share with you today. I used the Birthday Bash cart and KI Memories patterned paper along with Recollections cardstock.  I hope you like. WELCOME to our new "Special Friends." Everyone have an awesome day and as always, thanks for the visit.

Hugs,
~Shen

A Huge Thanks To You

Hello Lovelies,

I have some additional "Thank You" cards to share with you today. Once again, these cards were created to send to those awesome individuals that have gifted me with prizes and R.A.K.'s over the past few weeks/days. Thanks again for the visit and have an awesome day.

Hugs,
~Shen

~ ~ SUNDAY PRAISE ~ ~

200 SPECIAL FRIENDS BLOG CANDY

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today.  I managed to use my cricut a little on this one but the message is the focal point today. Thanks for the visit and may you and your family always be abundantly blessed.

Hugs,

~Shen

PSALMS 37:4

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  (NIV)

Delight yourself also in the LORD, And he shall give you the desires of your heart. (KJV)

Card R.A.K Week of 7/17-7/24

200 SPECIAL FRIENDS BLOG CANDY

Hello Lovelies,

I wanted to share with you today the name of the recipient for the Weekly Card R.A.K. that I recently started here on my blog. As you know, this week has been crazy because of Chace's testing and then I had a few ill feeling days also but, GOD is super awesome and we are moving right along.

Last Saturday we didn't announcethe recipient...I had no idea that I receive so many FABULOUS comments in a weeks time, You all ROCK! I was overwhelmed and needed to come up with a better system as well. So, from now on, we will announce the recipient a week later. I believe this will help me streamline the process and better facilitate the R.A.K.

I am so excited about this project because I think that it will put a smile of someone's face and well, I do have a suprise to two in store as well. I know I can't change the world but I can do my part to help brighten the day for some of those that I come into contact with. 

So, now that I have rambled on for years...the recipient of last weeks Card R.A.K. is the one and only...Kelly of Kelly's Cratfy Life.

Kelly, please send me your mailing address and the card information for the card you would like to receive. I will need the link to the post so that you get the card of your choice from the week of 7/17-7/24.

Many thanks everyone.

Hugs,

~Shen

 

Thank You So Much

200 SPECIAL FRIENDS BLOG CANDY

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. Over the last few weeks, I have been the recipient of various giveaways and prizes.  I wanted to show my appreciation for the FABULOUS goodies that I have been given.  I made a few "Thank You" cards to mail to the awesome people that have sent me goodies.  I appreciate the goodies and you will be seeing them on some of my projects. The patterned paper I chose comes from DCWV, my favorite paper company just in case you couldn't tell by now - lol.  I absolutely love this paper and have bought several stacks because of the beauty plus amazing value in both the quality and quantity. Thanks for the visit and have an awesome day.

Hugs,

~Shen

Magic With Once Upon A Princess

200 SPECIAL FRIENDS BLOG CANDY

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the Once Upon A Princess cart and KI Memories patterned paper. I hope you like. WELCOME to our new Special Friends. Thanks for the visit and remember to do something nice for someone "Just Because" today.

Hugs,

~Shen

Blog Candy

Hello Lovelies,

I want to share some "Blog Candy" with you today. As you know, we reached 200 Special Friends a week or so ago and now, we need to celebrate. I'd like to thank each and every one of you for your unconditional support and encouragement...it means a lot to me.  You lovelies are amazing. Thanks for the visit as always and have a super rest of your day.

Hugs,

~Shen

The criteria is super simple as always:

1. Be a follower.

2. Leave a comment on this post.

3. For an extra entry, post on your blog. (This is absolutely not required but if you do so, let me know.)

I will select a recipient on August 3, 2011.

I can only pay postage for U.S. and Canadian residents.  C.O.D. for all others.

Best of luck everyone.

Stars and the Hedgehog

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used CAC and DCWV Stack 7 for this card. I hope you lovelies like and have a blessed day.  Thanks for the visit.

Hugs,

~Shen

Create A Critter

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the CAC cart and the DCWV Stack 7 patterned paper. I want to say "Thank You" to all of my friends for all of your encouragement and support. I did let Chace know that you all wished him well during his testing and he too says, "thanks." I hope you like my creation today and thanks so much for the visit.

Hugs,

~Shen

CTO Play Along

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. The new challenge at CTO is to use the colors blue and white. I am not designing this week but in support of my CTO family, I am playing along. So, please join me.

I haven't been creating as much this week because Chace,(my first born) is testing this week to enter college much sooner and with more college credits.  We have been hard at work over here, which doesn't leave me with much time to create. I have committed to at least one post per day. 

I appreciate all the thoughtfulness and support that you all give me daily, it is so amazing you lovelies are always here for me and I so appreciate you, thanks a million times over my friends.

Hugs,

~Shen

Blog Awards

Hello Lovelies,

I had the awesome honor of receiving some awards from some super talented ladies...Norma, Maribel, Sabrina, Amy, Pam, Karen, Judy Ann and Kellie. If you haven't visited these ladies, what are you waiting for? I feel so blessed to be amongst such talent. I am not going to bore you with things about me, I've probably told you more than you ever care to know anyways. Thanks for the visit and have an awesome day!

Hugs,

~Shen

Thanks Sabrina! Thanks Maribel! Thanks Amy! Thanks Pam! Thanks Karen!

Thanks Norma! Thanks Karen!

Thanks Norma!

Thanks Norma!

Thanks Norma! Thanks Karen!

Thanks Judy Ann!

I have been waiting to post these awards, mainly, in part because I was devising my list of recipients and this post. Well, I am going to invite (10) lovelies over and they can pick up whichever award they want (Judy Ann's idea). I want to send an extra, extra special thanks to Judy Ann, she gave me an award back in June and I can not find a post ever thanking her and I so appreciate her for thinking of me.

I want you all to know that I am extremely grateful for all of your awesome and consistent support. I love visiting your blogs and leaving comments about your FABULOUS work. If I ever forget to say "thanks," it is an oversight only...I take absolutely nothing for granted, especially your kindness.

My list is in no particular order.

1. Lisa

2. Melissa

3. Norma

4. Pam 

5. Maribel

6. Amy

7. Sabrina

8. Karen

9. Kellie

10. Judy Ann

I think I should be able to name at least (10) more lovelies because I've received the award more than once, right. Let me know what you think in your comment.  Thanks again.

~Shen

Enjoying The Woodlands

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I am super behind schedule but I'll catch up soon, I hope. I used the Cindy Loo cart and DCWV patterned paper for this one. I hope you like my card and have an enjoyable rest of your day.

Hugs,

~Shen

Anything Goes Swap Entry

Hello Lovelies,

I have another project to share with you today. This is my submission for an "Anything Goes" swap that I entered. I had a hard time figuring out what exactly I was going to submit but finally settled on this project and (20) of these later...here you go. Thanks again for the visit and enjoy the rest of your day.

Hugs,
~Shen

~ ~ SUNDAY PRAISE ~ ~

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. This is a Cricut-less card, these make me nervous because I never know what the outcome will be but here it is. Thanks for the visit and may you always be abundantly blessed.

Hugs,

~Shen

Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. " (NIV)

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (KJV)

Howdy Partner Challenge Card

Hello Lovelies,

I have another card to share with you today. I used the Create A Critter cart for this one and the patterned paper is from DCWV.  The M.A.G. challenge for this week is to use what...not my favorite cart in the whole wide world. OMGoodness. I was super duper excited when I saw that and kicked all my other card plans to the side for this one. I thought I was on a challenge hiatus until this one came along. Can you tell I was extremely happy? I love, love, love this cart, seriously. So, I am totally done rambling and just want to say thanks for the visit and all of your awesome comments, you all ROCK!

Hugs,

~Shen

Cindy Loo Owl

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the Cindy Loo and Once Upon A Princess carts on this one. No patterned paper, only Recollections cardstock. I'm not too thrilled about this one but I don't thrash projects anymore so here it is. I normally do not glue until the last step but I glued things as I went with this one and to me, HUGE mistake. Anyhoo, WELCOME to our new "Special Friends" and a gigantic THANK YOU to you awesome faithfuls. Thanks so very much for the visit and do something nice for someone today, "Just Because" you can.

BTW, we are now 200 strong, thanks a million times over everyone. We will be celebrating with Blog Candy very soon. Also, I am having an extremely hard time finding some of you. Please leave me your contact information so that I can come visit you.

Let's be honest, everyone likes to have their hard work appreciated and I promise, I will come visit you every time your post hits my dashboard and sometimes just because you entered my thought process.

Smiling Faces

Hello Lovelies,
I have yet another card to share with you today. I used the Once Upon A princess cart for all the cuts and Recollections cardstock for this one as well. This card makes me smile...it is so cheerful to me. Anyhoo, thanks for your valuable time and sweet comments, you are the BEST! Have a wonderful night.
Hugs,
~Shen

Beautiful Matryoshka Doll

Hello Lovelies,

I have another card to share with you today. I used the Cindy Loo and Once Upon A Princess carts with Recollections cardstock for this one. I wanted to use this ribbon that I bought but had never used. I am challenging myself to use my on hand materials and not buy anything new for the rest of the year except for cardstock of course. Thanks so much for all of the wonderful comments - they really are motivation for me to continue to post what I create. Thanks for the visit and enjoy the rest of your day my friends.

Hugs,

~Shen

Chickie Opens The Gate

Hello Lovelies,

I have a card to share with you today. I used the oh so famous Create A Critter and of course the DCWV Stack 7. This type of fold is known as the "Gate Fold" so inside you have a 4.25 by 5.5 area to play with just like an A2 size card. I really like these different types of folds for my cards so, expect to see a lot more of these coming from me. Well, enjoy your day and do something nice for someone, "Just Because." Thanks for the visit.

Hugs,

~Shen