I miss this.

It feels like it's been forever since I've posted anything.  Probably because it has been forever.  Well, I've had the twins, and I've moved to Alabama from Kentucky.  (yay military moves.)  I now have an entire room for my craftiness.  And for teaching school, but that's another story.  Yay, a craft room that's mine, all mine!!!

I have so many things planned.  I'll let you guys see them as they come up.

But, Just wanted to check in and let y'all know, I'm not dead.  I AM however, melting from this heat in South Alabam'!

Be blessed! :D

just stopping in to say hi!

Hi all my lovely fellow junkies!  I just wanted to let you know that I am still alive and well, and I've had my twins!  Eliana Sabella (in purple) and Abigail Elizabeth (in pink) were born on April 16th at 5:52 and 6:00 in the morning respectively.

We're moving to Alabama in 20 days, and I'm going to be obnoxiously crazy busy.  (I will hopefully get a few posts up.  If not, just know I'm working on it.)

So, just a quick recap, before the girls decide they want a diaper change and another feeding!

Be blessed!  (I know I am!)

Been SUPER sick.

Hello crazy crafters!

How many of you are under the weather this past month?  Hot, cold, hot, cold, hot, cold- no I'm not talking about menopause, I'm talking about this weather!  Well, add to that my 1 year old decided it was a wise decision to lick the walmart cart and then a few days after getting a cough- hack right in my face.  You guessed it, the asthmatic who has 2 babies shoved up in her lungs now has a respiratory infection.  This is why no videos in a while.

That's ok.  I'm working on my twins birth announcements though.  I fell in L-O-V-E with Jeannie Phillips Noah's Ark card HERE and I'm using her dimensions for most of it.  I don't have the giraffes from New Arrival, so I've used create a critter.

I'm also tweaking other stuff on the card to make it my own, BUT without her inspiration this wouldn't be done.  I am also using a SUPER fantastical mega-ultra-kick-your-booty stamp set by Miss Mary over at CardzTV.  The stamp set I'm using is called "Twice the Love" and seriously if you don't have her stamps, they are blow-your-mind amazing!  they are seriously high quality photopolymer, and last and last and last.  I don't have a mousepad (just a lap top and don't need one) so I use a foam sheet to do my stamping on to get a cleaner clearer impression.  I'm using the "Two by Two" stamp from it because my animals are coming 2 x 2! LOL.

I always said the only way I'd do a Noah's Ark theme is if I had twins.  the only way it would be "better" is if it were 1 boy and 1 girl.  now THAT would be funny!  (at least to me and my twisted sense of humor)  But anyhow, that's what I'm working on now that my two older kids are with their biofather for the next 9 days.  I will post a list of everything used and label it too so you can quickly find it!

much love and hugs,

Heather 

Paper Junkie Designs!

Thankful Thursday Design Team Bloghop: 100,000 welcomes!

Hello Everyone!!  Welcome to the Thankful Thursday Design Team Blog Hop!

I'm SUPER excited that you're here! If you have started by my blog on "accident" welcome, but check it out- start at the beginning at Jenny's blog here, here's the lineup in case you get lost:

Feb. 23 = St. Patrick's Day (Must have green or 4 leaf clover)

Jenny - http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/

Heather~  http://paper-junkie.blogspot.com/ <<<<<YOU ARE HERE!

Bobbi Hickman ~ http://rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com/

Leah Pagliaroli~ http://www.leahscarddesigns.com

Lola ~ http://purplepeepstechniques.blogspot.com/

Cheryl ~ http://cardsbycg.blogspot.com/

Sandra ~ http://sweetpeascards.blogspot.com/

So, our project this time honors my 2nd favorite holiday- St. Patty's day! Without going into the history of the day, my Aunt and I did all sorts of stuff for St. Patty's. We were always the ones in green, listening to Irish music, and all that happy jazz. :) I just LOVE it- after all, it's a HUGE part of my heritage!

We had to do something green or 4 leaf clover. This is what I did:

Cead Mile Failte means 100,000 welcomes in Gaelic. What I used:

Twinkle, twinkle, little boy paper pack by My Mind's Eye (got at hobby lobby)

random scrap piece of grayish tan (using my extras up)

SCAL and a machine to cut from

free font from dafont.com- CelticMD

8 1/2" x 11" kraft card stock.

dark brown card stock

5/8" ribbon

atg gun

Studio G glitter glue (or stickles) in dark green and iridescent clear/green

brown pen

white gel pen

Studio G dark brown chalk ink. 

Zig 2 way glue pen

I scored all around the edge of the kraft card stock at 3/4". With the paper laying long-ways on my Martha Stewart Score Board, score at 5" and 6". fold on all the score lines.

on the long sides, cut on the score lines, up to the other score lines. on one end, place ATG tape and seal to make 1" to match other side. Fold up all sides like a box and seal the same way. Cut out Cead Mile Failte (1 1/2") and 12 shamrocks out of paper from the paper pack and the green cardstock at 1". ink around all edges including front of box.

background paper cut at: 6 1/2" x 3 3/4"

inside paper cut 1/2" smaller than that. Ink around both.

attach both to paper, leaving more space down bottom for shamrocks.

ink around shamrocks, and glue individually to bottom like a garden, alternating paper.

embellish with pens.

ink around letters. use 2 way glue to adhere letters. Put iridescent glitter glue on letters. Attach ribbon around box and tie a bow to hang. Tada- fairly easy, took about an hour (after I figured out how to score and fold the box!) to do.  

Hope you try it to invite your guests with A Hundred Thousand Welcomes!

Challenge!!!

We ALL have scrap paper sitting around, right?  Well, I'm going to challenge everyone to make a card in 3 categories- you pick what you want to do, but the rule is you "HAVE" to use scraps.  (of course, I won't be there to double check that)

I literally have a USPS priority mail box FULL of scrap paper.  I'm going to be doing some tutorials in a little bit, but wanted to start to clear out my scrap box to do it.

Ok, the categories for cards with scraps are (insert cheesy drumroll like at the grammys or emmys or tonys or wherever they have that)
*birthday
*anniversary
*wedding
*Get Well
*thinking of you
*just because
*with Sympathy
*Thank You
*Holiday (your choice)

I will be showing some cards I make in the future, but The next 10 cards I made will be with nothing but scraps!

Have a blessed day!

Jesus' Love bloghop

Hello Friends!

You've hit the end of the hop, and how awesome were everyone's projects? TONS of talented ladies in this hop, and I can only hope that my project does it justice. If you're here from Kimberly's blog at http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com, then you're definitely in the right place. If you're here just to bask in the awesomeness that is my blog (ha, yeah right!) then check out Kari at the beginning at http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/ . She inspired and coordinated this bloghop! She is really an awesome lady with loads of talent!

Today we are sharing Jesus' Love for us to remind you all who loved us first in the world and gave his life for us to show how much.  Thanks for coming and have fun enjoying our stories and creations as we do our own interpretation of his love for us. John 3:16 states that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son... Praise our Lord for loving us that he shed his blood for us to live a holy and blessed life...

There is a prize for commenting on each blog with the prize to be announced; so don't forget to give bloggy love and be inspired and have fun along the way. Definitely leave us love- we thrive on it! :D Now on to my project:

I made a gatefold card today reminding me that God is always bigger than my problems. No greater way can I think of God's love than by knowing that no matter how hard my problem or prayer is, his answer is ALWAYS what is best for me. So I had a video tutorial for this, but with the camera angle I had, all you could see is my mat and hear me talk for 10 minutes. Who wants that?! So, I figure that I'll just take pictures and explain it. Call me old-fashioned. Call me I don't want to sit for another 10 minutes making another video hoping I have the right angle this time, and I keep everything in frame. What you will need for this card: 

• Cricut and Freshly Picked. (Gazebo on p. 47 cut at 4")
• Cardstock in: Dark yellow, goldenrod, green, red, and tan(ish) and cream for the base.
• 2 sheets coordinating color paper. I used The Paper Studio's Faith Stack from Hobby Lobby.
• 4 mini brads
• TPC studio "Faith Greetings" stamp set
• Studio G dark brown chalk ink
• Dew Drop ink in Sahara Sand (or creamy brown chalk ink)
• foam tape White gel pen
• EK success ticket punch.

• Zig 2 way glue pen  

Cut all pieces out for the gazebo at 4" and ink around edges using the Sahara Sand ink. Add foam tape to the underside of the top layer and each of the green stems with flowers on them. put flowers on and put 4 dots in the center of the flowers. Attach everything the way it's supposed to go according to the book. (good visual reference, albeit tiny!) Cut your 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock in half long-ways on the 5 1/2" line. this will give you an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" card. Score at 2 1/8" from both ends. (the Martha Stewart score board is very helpful in this, as the lines are drawn out for you, but you can use your paper trimmer) Ink around all the edges in the Sahara Sand Cut your front background pieces at 1 7/8 x 5 1/4" and next piece at 1 5/8 x 5". Layer them together and adhere with favorite adhesive. I use my ATG gun. Stamp on an extra piece of card stock the same color as your card (if you're going to make two, otherwise, just use the extra piece) the stamp from TPC Studio. Cut out with EK Success ticket punch. Layer on piece of extra background paper and put mini brads in the 4 corners. I used Tim Holtz's in gold. I stamped it with the dark brown ink to bring out the color better. I inked around the ticket punched edge in the Sahara Sand though. Attach that to the background sheets cut and layered 1/4" smaller on all sides than the inside of the card. Attach the gazebo using pop dots or foam squares to one half of the gazebo only! line it up in the center of the front of the card so you can still open it (for the record, yes I made that stupid mistake and face-palmed.)

Here is the line-up in case you got lost: (And don't forget to comment on everyone's blog to be eligible to win!)

1. Kari - http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/
2. Rachelle - http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/
3. Shawnee - http://www.blessedonthebrightside.com
4. Carolyn - http://messmuddleandfun.blogspot.com/
5. Carol - http://www.huffandpuffscrap.blogspot.com/
6. Kimberly ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com
7. Heather- http://paper-junkie.blogspot.com 

Thanks again for stopping by and please don't forget to comment on everyone's blog!

Be blessed in God's love and enjoy the rest of your day! :D

Thinking of You cow card.

Well, I am proud to announce that my editing skills are getting better!  You didn't have to sit through 2 minutes of cricut noises while starting at my hands; so that kind of rocks!

This is my Thinking of You card I made with my gypsy and the Create A Critter cartridge.  It is the cutest little cartridge, and oldie but a goodie!  The images are very fitting for most kids and kids at heart.

Anyway, here's what I used:

green paper I bought years ago. 5 x 2
light blue card stock 5 x 2
A2 sized card
red cardstock cut at 5 1/4" x 4"
cow ribbon (I think it was 5/8" wide)
cow on create a critter (brown, black white and peachy-pink) cut at 3".

Mini Notebook

I've kind of fallen in love with this tutorial thing.  My problem:  my editing sucks.  I'm still learning.  My other problem:  my video camera is crap, and my still-frame camera takes better video.  live and learn, huh?

Well, here's another tutorial for how to make a mini notebook.

The materials used:
1 12x12 sheet of American Crafts paper

1 recycled box for chipboard- 2 pieces cut at 4 1/4 x 5 1/2
Zutter Bind-It-All

1/2" wire rings- 6 pegs
ATG gun

15 sheets of computer/ copy paper cut into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" pieces.

HERE IS THE VIDEO- IT WON'T LET ME UPLOAD IT DIRECTLY TO THE PAGE AS OF RIGHT NOW!  And for the life of me, I can't figure out why!  So, click on that, and it'll take you to my youtube channel with my newest tutorial!  Enjoy! 

Thankful Thursday Design Team Bloghop

HELLO!

Welcome to the Thankful Thursday Design Team Bloghop for January 26th.  This is the Valentine blog hop and I hope you like it!  You should have just come from Sharon's blog.  I LOVE her designs!  She's so flipping talented!!  If you didn't, start from the beginning at Jenny's Blog.

I'm doing it a little differently today.  Here's my very first tutorial!  I'm so stinking excited.   Sorry for the shortcomings, I've learned for my next tute. :D

Ok, so what you will need to replicate this:
Kraft cardstock
Paper- Paper Studio's Ooh La la;  I used the pink houndstooth
cricut cartridges:  Create-a-Critter, Lyrical Letters
Ink It up pigment ink in watermelon
white gel pen
xyron
zig 2 way glue pen
red glitter embossing powder (hobby lobby had it; it's called Tinsel embossing powder)
TPC studio stamp in Faith Greetings
Dew Drop ink in coffee bean

Hope you enjoyed!  Now on to Bobbi!  She's got something awesome for you!

Changed my name and other things.

So I no longer go by my pin up name.  Yeah, I know, I still answer to Ruby (and LOVE the name!) but my given name is Heather.  I started going by that for a few reasons.  1- if I can figure out my tripod and how to set it up with my camera, I'll start doing tutorials!  (yay me!) and 2- I don't want to have to use any aliases if I ever get arrested.  No, I'm not planning on that.

So, I have 2 things coming up rather soon, on January 26th I'm going to be doing the Thankful Thursday blog hop!  It's a Valentine theme, and I'm really psyched about this! I have 2 projects that I'm doing, but since the thankful thursday is a family-friendly I will only show the one on there.  However (sneak peak) the second one is slightly "naughty".  I am doing something super fun that you can make TONS of in a very short time.  intrigued yet?  Let's just say you'll want your bedroom prepared for this ahead of time.  brown chicken, brown cow.


What else?  Oh yeah, I just got a bind-it-all!  I am IN LOVE!  HOW did I ever make books and things without this???  part of me wants to re-do my husband's military book because of it!  I am doing a few baby books soon, my friend Amber is having a baby in the next few days and of course, I want something set up for my twins, and I just made a journal, and oh yeah, I also have some smash books I want to do, etc- I'm going to have a ton of time on my hands for about 2 weeks in March.  Z and J go to Mississippi with their father.

The twins are doing well.  I'm sitting at 24 weeks this week, and the doctor put me on bed rest.  I. am. bored. out. of. my. skull!  But, it's an excellent excuse to craft, huh?!

I'll be posting SUPER soon!  love all of ya, and ttyl!

Holy Crap! and Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's been since October since I've posted anything.

Ok so one of my new year's resolutions is to create more and post on my blog(s) more.  So, in honor of that, I am posting today to wish everyone of my favorite stalkers a VERY Happy Crafty New Year!  I have a list of about 18 or 20 things I'm resolving to accomplish this year!  Blogging and crafting are definitely on top of my list.

Oh, guess what?!  I'm having twins!  Twin girls (Eliana Sabella- a derivative of Isabella but Eliana Isabella is a little too bouncy for me- and Abigail Elizabeth)   My "guess date" is around May 6th, I've already come up with a sort-of design based on my newest blog stalkee Jeannie Thompson Phillips from A Place For My Cards.  Here is her design and when I get mine done, I'll post it.  I want to find a stamp that says "...and they came two by two..." so if you find one, let me know! :)  Is her card not divine?!  I am so in love with her style!  Simple yet it doesn't look it.  :)

Hope everyone has a prosperous new year, and lets their creative juices flow and shares with me some awesome ideas!

30 days of Christmas teaser...

If you're anything like me, Christmas is your favorite holiday.  No?  No problem, you're welcome to come check me out anyway.

Yes, I know it's October 10th, and that Christmas is still 2 holidays away.  Well, I am the type who is actually  listening to Christmas music as I type this!  (Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters is on Pandora!)  It's actually my absolute favorite time of year.  I start planning for it in October.

In honor of Christmas and my blog (well, sort of an homage to my blog; I'll be doing more than paper crafting- I'm actually very multi-talented!) I will be doing 30 days of Christmas projects starting in November, on or around the 15th!  I will also be using a LOT of my scraps and things I have on hand.  Please don't write me telling me I put you in debt because you had to make "exactly" the thing I did with exactly the products I used.  I encourage you to scraplift what I do but as always, link back to me.

MAN, I'm so excited about this, I just can't tell you!  I will still be designing for Thankful Thursday and I'll still be in school FT, and still of course doing the mom/wife thing and the preggo thing, so please- send caffeine!

Want an idea of things I'll be doing?  oh just little things like:
advent calenders, candle holders, candles, banners, frosting glass, using vinyl, sewing, desserts, pillows, recipe books, layouts, ornaments, home decor, kitchen crafts, villages, and LOADS of other stuff.  Sounds awesome, doesn't it?!

Hope to see you here, and don't forget, much like candy and colds, you can always share me with your crafty friends!  I'm sure they'll want to see what I have in store for my 30 days of Christmas!  After all, who doesn't LOVE inspiration?

I have to go off here for a minute.

And I apologize in advance.  It's not craft-related but it's something that I feel I need to say because frankly there's a HUGE divide between military and civilian families.  This is due to both sides.  Civilians will NEVER know what it's like to have your husband gone for a year at a time, wondering if he's in danger, if he'll come home to you upright or in a flag-draped coffin.  Civilians will never understand why we military wives "put up" with it and that our husbands find it a great sacrifice and honor and have no intention of getting out.

Civilians get a glazed-over expression on their face as if our marriages don't matter.  While they many times politely appreciate our husband's sacrifice, they rarely understand what it means for the family back home.  Let me enlighten you a little.

I homeschool.  I have my children with me 24/7.  STOP!  Don't even go there with the "oh, I don't know how you do that".  Yes you do.  You choose not to for one reason or another, but that's another conversation for another day.  Do you have any idea what it's like to be both mom and dad for a year on end, without stop?  Birthdays, school plays, recitals, lessons, fights, sickness, ER trips, Holidays, grocery shopping, and maintenance of the house- just to name a few for months and months on end- by yourself.

Civilians smile politely and many will boredly nod when we're telling a story about how our husband missed our child's birth, first words, first steps, major life accomplishments and other things while giving us the "poor dear" look.  It's got to stop.  We don't want pity.  We want empathy.  We're not asking your husband to leave for a year at a time to a danger zone (and by the way, that 2 week trip to cleveland that your husband took?  Yeah, we don't feel closer to you.  He didn't need to wear 100 lbs of used kevlar to hopefully keep his butt alive from being shot at by someone who wipes their butt with their bare hands however your husband WAS able to dine out and slept in a hotel, and was able to call you nightly!).  I digress.

What we military wives are asking for is that  you actually listen when we speak.  You wonder why we keep cloistered and away from typical civilians- it's because "you" don't care enough to find out why our heart is broken.  1/2 of us is missing a million miles away and you will fight with your husband over not taking out the trash tonight.  Many of us would kill for the chance to take the trash out so our husbands can relax and not have to worry about it.

Many of you know that I made a scrapbook for my husband's military service, and most of you thanked us for that service.  Please know that this is NOT to attack any civilian.  This is to bring awareness that military wives are hardcore and for those of you who would say "I could never do that"- it's not really a compliment.  You have this idea that we're somehow stronger because our husbands leave everything to us.  We're not stronger, we lean on each other just as you would do.  Yes, you could do that.

I guess what I'm asking here is the next time you encounter a military wife (or husband even though they're much rarer); shut up, let her talk, be interested and don't speak unless you can bring solutions.  That sounds harsh.  I'm sorry, just try this:  "When do you need me to babysit?"  (free of charge is also good- our pay isn't what most civilians think it is.  in fact, it's many times below poverty level- an E6 currently makes around 42,000 a year- with 15 years of service in.  pathetic, huh?  What's that you say?  what about his benefits?  oh, yeah- the benefits that can be removed at any given time by our government and he is still under contractual obligation to serve?  those benefits?  yeah, he gets health care and an allowance for housing- which btw, is less than section 8 housing!)

Another good one is "I'm making an extra casserole.  Do you have room in your freezer for it?"

Ok, I'm off my pedestal.  I'm upset and while I didn't mean to assault your ears (or eyes in this case) I had to get it off of my chest and since I'm not on facebook anymore... this is my outlet.

Be blessed everyone and please don't take it as an attack on you personally; it really wasn't it was the ramblings of a military spouse madwoman who needed to get things off of her chest before she flipped out on the neighbor. :/

Thankful Thursday Design Team Fall Blog Hop!!!

Hello all you sassy divas and dudes!  Are you having fun yet?  You've been to some amazing blogs so far.  Wasn't Lola's the cutest?!  She's so flipping talented. If you didn't come from Lola HERE then go see Jenny HERE and start at the beginning.  Then come back and tell me how fabulous I am and how much you love this idea.  (Even if you don't think either is true!)

Okay, so here's my Thankful Thursday Design Team Fall Blog Hop Design.  Don't forget to leave a comment on everyone's blog to qualify for Crazyaboutcricut's grand prize!~ a Celebrate with Flourish  Cricut cartridge (and if you don't have it, you'll want it- believe me!)

Autumn Brag Book.
What I used:
cardstock (cut 2 for each page, glued together)
tons of orange paper I've had for almost 10 years!  (Don't judge me.  I'm finally cleaning out my stash, a little at a time...)
gypsy
cricut cartridges: Create-a-critter, Designer's Calendar (font), Elegant Edges (tags)
cuttlebug, paisley embossing folder
black ink
rhinestones (Michael's dollar bin)
buttons  (Mary from Cardztv would be so proud! LOL!)
coffee died bedspread weight crochet yarn because I'm the one crafting dork on the planet that does NOT have twine yet.
glue dots
binder ring, crop-a-dile
1/8" black ribbon
martha stewart ribbon bows that I got on clearance from Walmart

 You can sort of see it here, but I ran the front and back through the cuttlebug.  Of course, it's too big to go through once, so I had to flip it around and pray that no one saw the line.  Luckily, you can't here but you can on the back.  I inked up the raised up part so you could see it, not thinking.  So, I fudged it a little and covered that line with the ribbon, which I cut long enough to come around to the front and tie to hold the book closed (when it's going to have pictures and final embellishments in it.Using my gypsy I sized the pumpkins from Create-a-critter at 5.06 inches.  If you don't have the gypsy, you can do it at 5, or honestly any size you'd like.  I cut "brag book" at 2.45 inches tall.  I welded them together with the Gypsy.   (love that thing!)  I used the Designer's Calendar font in script.  Then I cut the tags and backgrounds at 3 inches on oblong from Elegant Edges.
 As you can see, each page is different.  I love it!  Oh, if you're wondering how I got the bottoms, I cut more pumpkins out of paper, and lined the bottoms up at 2" and trimmed off the tops.  Of course, I ATG'd everything together (my glue of choice)

See, I ended up gluing some ribbon to cover that line, but I like how the paisley folder helped immensely with the design.

Oh, before I forget, after I had all of the cuts together, (before I added any embellishment or tags) I lined them all up and in one swoop, punched a hole in the side with the crop-a-dile.  I LOVE that thing, just had to do it one time.  awesome little bugger.


Well, that's my show for today.  I hope that you liked it, and I know I'm missing explanation so if you'd like clarification, I'll edit it, just ask me your questions. :)

Don't forget go hop on over (ha!  get the pun?!) to Leah.  She's got an awesome project for you too!!!  All the ladies on this blog hop have some pretty awesome projects, honestly!  Leave comments and enjoy the rest of the hop!!!  (And in case a link gets broken by the internet gremlins, I've included everyone's blog down below for you!)

Sept. 29th Halloween/Fall Blog Hop Details

Here's the lineup:
Jenny @ http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
Cheryl @ http://cardsbycg.blogspot.com/
Christel @ http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
Sharon @ http://www.simplysweetbysharon.blogspot.com/
Lola @ http://purplepeepstechniques.blogspot.com/
Ruby @ http://paper-junkie.blogspot.com/
Leah@ http://www.leahscarddesigns.com
Tanya @ http://www.scrappinkymomma.blogspot.com/
Bobbi @ http://rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com/
Angie@ http://sitrestdownplay.blogspot.com
Paula @ http://www.owlbescrappin.com/
Jen   http://mccalleyhouse.blogspot.com/
Sandra @ http://sweetpeascards.blogspot.com/
Gaby @ http://www.gabycreates.com/
Amber @ http://my3escrapbooking.blogspot.com/

Reports of my death are GREATLY exaggerated.

I'm still here!!  I'm alive and kicking.  The "old bird" is still clucking.  Homeschooling and my school has taken up quite a bit of my time, so I apologize that it's been forever since I've posted. It's been forever since I've crafted anything.

I am making something for the Thankful Thursday Design Team blog hop on Thursday, and I hope that you guys like it! It's fall related, so you should be jazzed.  I know I am!!  It's so stinking cute...

Hope to see you all around my corner in a few days, and don't forget to come back and visit often.  I"ll be putting more stuff up in a little while, and you're gonna LOVE it!

Something's a-coming!

Inspired greatly by Dee's Bugaboo Boutique and Mary from CardzTV, AND the fact that I have design software (like ACTUAL design software, not just like design studio or anything) I am able to make up some designs!  I had an amazing thought as to what I can make and I have decided to come up with Scripture Sunday!

I will also post the picture of the design on my blog, as well as a project made with it!  (might even get up a design team to do this, haven't decided. or at minimum, guest designers!)

I LOVE Dee's designs, but some of them are a little too "cutesy" for my taste.  Don't get me wrong, she does amazing work, but my style is more elegant than cute, I feel.  I can do both, but I choose to lean more on the elegant side when it comes to scripture.  Don't know why, just my preference!

So, I'll announce when the first Scripture Sunday will be in a few weeks- I'm still coming up with designs for it.  I"m also taking special requests.  If there's something you'd like to see, let me know what it is, and which version you'd prefer (KJV, NASB, NIV, Amplified, Message, etc) and I'll see what I can make happen.

Blessings!

Gonna be another blog hop!!!

<a href="http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee395/LoveToCrop/Faith-Blog-Hop.png" alt="Faith Verse Blog Hop" width="170" border="0" height="170" /></a></a>


I'm designing for Faith Verse on occasion, and I'm SUPER excited to share the bloghop coming up on August 29th!  Come visit me, I'd LOVE to have you here.  I'll have the tea and cookies, if you come sit a spell (how's THAT for southern?!) and let's talk about our favorite verses! :)


Come visit me for the "Faith Verse" Blog hop!!! :D  I can't wait to see you there!

Homemade Action Wobbles- they're easier than you think!!!

There I was at my local scrapbook store staring desperately at the action wobbles like a kid with her face pressed up against the glass at the candy store.  I could not justify paying what she wanted for the action wobbles, though I want to give my cards the same pizaz that everyone else has... after all,' everyone else is doing it, why can't I' I whined in my head.

Hello Ruby, you are crafty, figure something out!

Hot dang!  (insert 100 watt light bulb here, and no, NOT the eco friendly kind!)  Make your own.  You have all the materials at home, and if you build it, they will come.   Still not quite sure who "they" are but hey, you're here reading this, so I guess you qualify as "they".

Here's what I used and what I did, and as soon as I can take a decent picture of them, you'll get that too.

You will need Zots large glue dots.  I only had the 3D ones and they worked fab!

20 gauge wire,

1" squares (can be trimmed down if you need it) or circles cut from your punch.

a glue stick

and wire cutters.

wrap the 20 gauge wire around your glue stick around about 20 times.  keep it taut, you'll know why when you release- it gives you more of a springy shake.  Nip the end.  now this is VERY important:  count 5 loops, NOT the tail on the bottom.  (or top however you hold it) and cut on the 5th loop.  You will have a coil of 5 solid loops and 2 tail ends.

While the glue dot is still on the paper, insert the end of the coil into it, getting as much coverage as you possibly can.  Don't get your coils stuck into it.  Now, with it still attached to the waxy paper, slide your 1" paper or circle over it and press the paper into the glue dot.  your paper should make a sandwich in this order from top to bottom:  paper, wire, glue dot which will fully envelop the spring's end.

repeat with the other side.

I make several of these at a time, and use the glue dot paper to keep the dots from sticking to anything by tearing off pieces big enough to cover.  you can test the "springy-ness" of the action wobbles by holding the bottom firmly against the table and flicking or taking your finger and "twanging" it.  oh come on, you know how to make it jiggle, stop laughing at me.

voila!  it cost me all of about.... 1/2 a penny to make!  In your face, expensive scrapbook store lady!  In. Your. Face!

disregard this, I'm trying something out.

this is a test.  I'm trying something out here! :)

breast cancer card- IT MAY BE OFFENSIVE!

Hi everyone!

I'm letting you know up front that this card may be offensive to you.  It's got... boobies.  Backstory:  My friend Mary just told me that she could possibly have breast cancer.  Felt a lump, found a mass on the ultrasound and mammogram.  I'm wigging out, but her attitude is "eh, they're just boobs, I can always buy more".  So, in honor of my Mary (seriously, she's my adopted mom with the same twisted sense of humor that I have)

Anyway, here's the card.
I used my Gypsy, and the card I made for Sarah's Birthday card (2 or so posts below) and I added the ribbon from stand and salute, and made the boobs, areolas and nips from the Create A Critter circle.  Betcha dimes to donuts that you'll look at that cart differently.

something tells me that this isn't exactly what Provo Craft had in mind for their cricut.

Anyhoo, here's what I used:
gypsy, tie the knot, stand and salute, and create a critter cartridges.
cardstock in black, light, med and dark purple, peach and pink.
creamy brown calk ink
cuttlebug folder swiss dots
atg
zig 2 way
glitter,
glitter glue from Studio G.

Okay, cut it out- all measurements given on teh blog below.
glitter up the inside of the darts after you put the front together.  add the ribbon and glitter glue that sucker.  Oh, I also hid the "buttons" from the corset on they gypsy.  here's a picture of the front of the card:

here's my tasteless inside!  it's SO FRIGGING FUNNY!

Thankful Thursday design- Summer Reading

Hello Dolls!

Today's Thankful Thursday design project is to make a bookmark for your summer reading.  Of course, I'm not at home, to upload my pictures, BUT I will do it as soon as I get there!  It's cute!

In the mean time, check out Jenny at crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com and she will link you to all the fun and cool stuff that she has going on- and don't forget to enter for her post-it giveaway!  It's AWESOME!!!

hugs!
Ruby.

Birthday card for my Sarah.

One of my besties' birthday was this past week, Sarah who turned... well, I've stopped aging at 29, so I"m assuming she did too... she turned (drumroll) 29!!!!!!!!  She absolutely ADORES pink.  I can't stand the color.  Since this card was about HER and not me, I made her this:

No, that is NOT glitter paper, I hand glued every stinking sparkle on there.  well, it wan't that bad.  I'll tell you how I did it!

What you'll need:
1 happy birthday stamp
gypsy
Tie the Knot cartridge
cardstock in black, light pink, med, pink and a pinky-purple color. (this color will get glitterfied)
glitter
zig 2 way glue pen
atg gun
3 rhinestones.

So I welded the shadow of the corset together, making it a height of just under 5 1/2 inches.  I then did two solid corset inserts (one for the liner!  I'm a smart thinker...) and then the other two layer pieces all at the size of the shadow.  **remember, you don't need to make the shadow bigger, because it's already an outline.

Arranging your paper on your mat, cut everything out.

for the very top piece, (the pinky-purplish one) cover the FRONT of that in glue.  I couldn't find the trusty old elmers for that so I used my Zig 2 way.  I then sprinkled a super fine glitter (that I got at Dollar Tree of all places!  came in a pack of like 10 per card, 4 different color cards- heck yeah, I'm in heaven!) all over it.  flipped it over, tapped it off and voila!  awesomeness.

I assembled the corset together and then glued it onto the front of my black card.  I also added the inside liner as shown to the side ----->

I stamped Happy Birthday and attached it to the front with some foam squares.  On the inside, I wrote "hope it's uplifting!"  After I wrote my sentiment, I added the rhinestone "buttons" on the front.  gave her a little bling.

Oh come on, I'm not the punniest chick in the world, but I thought it was funny.

anyhoo, I made an envelope out of pink printer paper (yay, getting like 500 sheets of paper for 3 bucks!  okay, it was a little more, but the white is like $3 where the color runs like $11.  it's a nice touch though. and for $11, you can make 500 standard A2 envelopes- yeah, worth it to me.) and she will get that in a few days when I see her again! :)

Happy birthday Sarah, hope you had a great day!   Oh, and this is what it looked like with the flash.  I was trying to get a little more sparkle in the picture.

scraplifting by Lain Ehmann

SO yes, I scraplifted this, but I gave Lain Ehmann all the credit.  She's a smart cookie, and while I give all the info for how to recreate my designs, I too would like to be respected and credit given where it's due.  Feel free to jack my design (by no means am I saying don't do it!) I'm just saying don't present it as your own. 


Hey, buddies!

Scraplifting is NOT the same as cheating -- at least, not unless you copy someone's layout piece by piece and then try to pass it off as your own in public!

Scraplifting, to me, is merely gathering ideas. Rare is the time when I sit down, leaf through an idea book or magazine, find a layout I like, and then copy it in the exact same products shown. Fuggedaboudit! Where's the fun in that? What I find fun is attempting to create a look someone else has pulled off, using the materials and supplies *I* have on-hand. It's much like seeing Kate Hudson on the pages of InStyle wearing an adorable boho-chic outfit, and then trying to recreate it at home with your Target budget and H&M heels

THE KEY IS TO MAKE IT YOURS! By using your products, your photos, your colors, your eye for design, your journaling (can't forget that!), you take one idea and make it into something new, something original.

Of course, there are those times when you just want to lift a layout as close to the original as possible. This is okay, too! Why else do you think all the magazines include product information for each layout they publish? Disclaimer: IT IS NEVER OKAY TO PASS SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK OFF AS YOUR OWN. If you lift a layout, don't submit it for publication. And if you put it on your blog or in an online gallery, a simple credit ("scraplift from Tia Bennett") is sufficient.

Scraplifting - it can help make your scrapbooking fun, fast and fabulous. Trust me. It works.

Thankful Thursday!

Hi Everyone!!

So, today is Thankful Thursday design.  We were challenged to make a movie themed project.  Well, I can't think of anything more fitting than the new Winnie the Pooh movie that just came out.  Here is my take on my thankful thursday movie inspired design.

This is a 6x6 tri-fold album I'm using to help my children remember their bedtime routines. 
you will need: 
3 sheets of 12x12 cardstock
12x12 sheet of K and I paper
1 pooh bear cut at 5".
atg gun
zig 2way glue pen
1brad

cut the 2 sheets of 12x12 cardstock in half.  score at 6" and 6 3/4"- all four sheets.  Glue a 5 1/4" x 6 side to the matching 6 x 6" side.  Repeat for the other card stock and glue together to make the book.  You can find a tutorial here to give you an idea of what I've done.
cut out and assemble pooh bear.

Cut your 3rd piece of card stock 5 1/2 x 4 1/2.  Score 1/2" in on the 4 1/2" side.  run your ATG along the little back flap of that to give you something that will stick like this:  You will have 4. (feel free to make more if you want more, you will just need more cardstock.)

On the front of the tri-fold, glue your pooh bear. (see my top photo for the one I did) punch a hold with your paper piercer and add your brad.

When the front is finished, cut your paper 1/4" shorter than the insides of the paper.  the left flap will be 5 3/4 x 5.  The right flap will be 5 3/4 x 5 3/4.    Putting the paper on the back AFTER you add your brad will hide the feet of the brad.

Mine is not complete yet but I will post a little more (and possibly a little more detailed) when I have the time. :)

Oh, before I forget, go check out Jenny!  She has prizes and you should go get in on that. :) The post-it prize is SO worth getting!

My Pink Stamper Designer Challenge!!!

Hey Everyone!  If you're interested in being a designer for Robyn at http://www.mypinkstamper.com/ she has a design team challenge going on now!  Check her site out and apply!  If you're familiar with her, you know that she's amazing!  If you're not, go bask in her awesomeness. :D

blessings!

I had a brilliant idea!

So, I have about a zillion cricut cartridges.  Well, not really a zillion, and certainly no where near how many have been made, BUT I wanted to make at least 4 projects from each cartridge that I DO have, (and of course, if I end up getting more carts, this will hold true for them!) and do 4 different designs from each of that.  I will of course still be on the design team, and if you have projects that you've done, or that I inspire you to do, I'd LOVE to see them!  Attach the appropriate link to your design (NOT the link to your blog, but the project itself)- I encourage it!

What does everyone think?  I'm rather excited!

Hello Stalkers!!!

I just wanted to say hi to my newest followers-  this is quite a responsibility, living up to your demands for awesomeness.  Wow.  No pressure, huh?  I am SO honored that you have all decided to follow me!  Thank you for that!

I am going to put out a challenge and I want to offer you guys this- if you put links to your own blogs when you post, you will get some exposure!   This is helpful for when you're just starting out in the blogging world.  Heck, I crafted for YEARS and blogged about it before Momo had a "if you have less than 50 people, put your link here" blog. (and when I figure out Mr. Linky I will do that for you guys too!) and that's how I got my first few stalkers, then I became a designer for the very talented and lovely Jenny over at CrazyAboutCricut.blogspot.com  Now, at the posting of this, I have 60 crafty people who enjoy creating things all looking to me on occasion for inspiration.  I hope I can live up to your expectations!

So, keep looking- on the 7th, there is going to be a Red, White, and Blue Thankful Thursday design team challenge. :)  Hope to see you there, and if you happen to make a RW&B project, throw your link in your comments.  I'd love to see them!

All-American Blog Hop

All American Blog Hop

Hi Everybody, Having fun in the All-American Blog Hop so far???
Hopefully you just came from visiting the VERY talented Lola at http://www.purplepeepstechniques.blogspot.com/.  If not, please head over to see Jenny at http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com to start from the beginning.
Thank you for joining us for the All American Blog hop!  We are sharing projects that celebrate anything American!  So anything like BBQ's, family picnics, 4th of July, or more.  Here's my contribution to the bloghop!

My Amazing husband:

This is my hubs with our youngest son, Nathan.  He's a great dad, a great man, an excellent husband, and my hero.  You see, Charlie is a soldier.  He has devoted 14 years of his life to Active Duty Army and has been on 2 tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.  The man doesn't call himself a hero, but he really is one.  He loves America.  No, really, he L-O-V-E-S America!  For Charlie, being a soldier is “just another day at the office”.  For me, it’s a swelling of pride as my husband dons his uniform.

 And Here's my project:

I can't think of anything more "All American" than my husband who serves our country, so I decided to make my bloghop blog all about him today!  I am so blessed to serve him as he serves y'all.  -that's southern for you guys.



Now, I made this scrapbook album for a few reasons. 

1-      This is the All-American bloghop!  What is more All American than a US Soldier?

2-      My husband is soon to be an Army Recruiter and he needs this scrapbook for his job.

3-      I want to document his military life, even though he just considers it “work”.

I am just posting pictures here, but I will go more into detail in a later blog to describe how I did this.  Feel free to leave a comment and ask any questions- I’ll answer every one of them, I promise.  Oh, wait- I will explain how I did the cover because it’s so stinking cool! 

I took one of his blouses (yes, that’s what they’re called!) that didn’t work anymore and cut it up to cover the inside cardboard which I doubled to give extra stability.  I cut the pocket out and used fabric glue to adhere it to the front.  The name tape is his actual name tape on his uniform and the army emblem on the front is a metal sticker that was from the CUTEST little scrapbook shop in Dover, TN.  (shout out to my girls a Precious Scraps!)  If you are ever in the Ft. Campbell, KY area, or Dover, TN, or Paris, TN or anywhere near us, you NEED to come see Beverly at Precious Scraps- she will hook you up!  (and no, I’m NOT getting paid for that, I just love her store, she’s always been good to me!)
Well, this is my scrapbook:  I will say I used paper from everywhere.  I don’t know specifically where I got each piece.  I just used colors that blended together, complimented each other and some that look like leather.  (Look at the giant Chinook, it has texture; don’t know if you can see it from the photos)  I mainly used my ATG gun for the adhesive.  And the stickers are from hobby lobby.  (for the most part)  I got the dog tags from Archivers in Gurnee, IL (when I lived in North Chicago; I miss that store!) and for the cuts, I used my Cricut and the Stand and Salute cartridge.





There are a couple of GREAT prizes to win today!  You can win a Scrap 'n Tote!!  You can also enter to win this AWESOME prize pack from Post-it! 

To enter to win the prizes:
1. You must leave a comment on all of the blogs in the hop.
2. Please be a follower of Crazy About Cricut.
That's it!  Winners will be announced July 7th!  Thank you, now please head over to see Leah at  http://www.leahscarddesigns.com


Here is the lineup in case you get lost or need to stop along the way:
Jenny @ http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com
Cheryl @ http://www.cardsbycg.blogspot.com
Sharon @ http://www.simplysweetbysharon.blogspot.com
Tanya @ http://www.scrappinkymomma.blogspot.com
Bobbi @ http://www.rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com
Angie@ http://www.sitrestdownplay.blogspot.com
Paula @ http://www.owlbescrappin.com
Jen  @ http://www.mccalleyhouse.blogspot.com/
Sandra @ http://www.sweetpeascards.blogspot.com/
Lola @ http://www.purplepeepstechniques.blogspot.com/
You are Here:http://www.paper-junkie.blogspot.com/
Leah@ http://www.leahscarddesigns.com
Amber@ http://my3escrapbooking.blogspot.com