Sunday, January 27, 2013

365 Cards Challenges

I had a goal to try and make all the weekly card "assignments" from the 365 Cards Blog.  I finally completed a week....

Day 20 - Super Sketchy Sunday Challenge - see my post HERE!

Day 21  -  Theme was Floral, Clean and Simple.  I may try this again, but next time by creating and using stamped masks.  Since I did not do this, the project was super easy and super quick.  I used 2 floral stamps, a sentiment stamp and a simple sprig stamp in 3 colors.  I also used plain cream and  textured red card stock.  The only thing that took a little bit of extra effort was cutting the stamped image and corresponding red card stock mat.


Day 22 - Bling Bling!  All that glitters is the theme!  You can see my post HERE.

Day 23 - The theme is Word Wednesdaythis week's word was "Sweet".  You can see my post HERE.
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Day 24 - Lovely liquids - Spray, stain, splatter and paint your card!  On my card I sprayed white card stock using a masque and metallic charcoal and yellow mists.  Once dry, I cut pieces using an oval punch.  I carefully arranged and then attached the pieces from the oval punch with brads.  I put this over red, yellow and black printed paper from a Basic Grey Stack, Obscure.  To finish the card I added thick glitter letters and a stamped "Happy Birthday" sentiment.





Day 25 - Color Combo.  For this I made a VERY quick and easy card.  My godmother's daughter had another baby boy and I need to send out a present.  I made a quick card to accompany the gift.  In order to enter I had to follow a specific color scheme (see below, next to my finished card).  I think I hit all the colors perfectly!





For Day 26 the Theme is A Button and A Bow.  The hemp cord I used was too thick to make a standard bow with 2 loops so my version has one loop. This card is a quirky take on "party time".  This would be suitable as a birthday card or as an invitation




And that is it!  I have not entered any challenges in a while so it was fun to catch up and get creative.  I love looking over everyone else's works, be it the design teams or other challenge entrants.

Friday, January 25, 2013

The Blue Bird card





THE BLUE BIRD (French Fairy Tale)
This is my FAVORITE CARD using my favorite stamp. I cannot wait to try making similar versions in other colors

This card was made with the following materials:

A vintage Indian rubber fabric block stamp
Spectrum Noir markers
Grosgrain Ribbon and ribbon making tool
Blue Glitter Cardstock
Aqua Stickles glitter
4 black buttons and 4 clear rhinestones.
Memento ink (Tuxedo Black) and clear embossing powder

Entering at 365 Cards "All That Glitters" challenge

Entering at The Paper Shelter for the "Anything Goes" challenge

Entering at the "Make it Monday" challenge blog

Entering at Moving Along "Bling it on" challenge

Divas by Design "Fairytale" challenge

Craft Door Magazine "Anything Goes" challenge

Top Tip Tuesday "Layers" Challenge
Tip!  Glitter cardstock is very expensive.  If using as a border, measure out the actual border leaving extra for placement and gluing, then cut out the middle to use on another project.

Lili of the Valley "Thursday Challenge"


Oh Snap! Belated Birthday Card


BELATED BIRTHDAY

This card was made with the following materials:
Unity Itty Bitty Stamp in "Oh Snap!"
"Sorry I missed your birthday" and "mini flower" stamp
Zig Zag paper from Michael's Recollections
Spellbinders die
Blue Bazzil cardstock
Used Tsukineko Memento Ink pad in Bahama Blue
Sequin and rhinestone for flash
Clear embossing powder
Blue Stickles glitter glue
Spectrum Noir Markers

Entering at Card Making Connextions (Facebook) Pick a Peck of Patterns




Triple Threat Birthday Card





TRIPLE THREAT BIRTHDAY

This card was made with the following materials:
Green Bazzil Card Stock 
Cupcake Stamps from the Paper Companya
Michael's Studio G Glitter Glue in a red/pink hue
Recollections Matte pen in white
Ribbon, button and light lime green rhinestone accent
Plain black and pink cardstock
Square punch used on black card stock to make the "windows"

Entering at 365 Cards on the "Word Wednesday" Challenge
The word of the week is "Sweet"!

Entering at "ABC Cards Birthday" Challenge (1)




Love Birds Anniversary Card


LOVE BIRDS

This card was made with the following materials:
Red Cardstock (DCWV or Recollections - cannot remember which)
Everyday Sayings Clear Stamp Set by Hero Arts (sentiment) on handmade ecru paper by Provocraft
Crafty Secrets Fairyland Stamp (birds) on circle punched handmade ecru paper by Provocraft 
Inkadoodle  Lace Doily Stamp on Kraft paper
Used Tsukineko Memento Ink pad in Tuxedo Black
Vintage floral ribbon
Black buttons and yellow embroidery thread
Gen Pen in gold and red (used on Doily)

Note: some of the colorations on the natural cream card stock are variations within the paper
Entering into the "Crafty Ribbons" Challenge

Entering into the 365 Cards "Super Sketchy Sunday" Challenge

Entering at Trimmies Craft Challenge "Valentines Day / Love"




Saturday, January 19, 2013

Voots Giveaway - win a fun prize pack!



Thanks to Voots I have a fun giveaway!  One lucky reader will win a Voots Prize Pack.  The prize pack, valued at more than $30 and right in time for back-to-school, includes: 

  • An adorable t-shirt featuring the Voots brand fruit and veggie characters 
  • A reusable lunch bag to help pack up those healthy meals for your kids as they head back to class 
  • A pencil sharpener to keep writing utensils in tip-top shape 
  • A magnet and picture frame that can be posted around your favorite photo on the fridge
  •  A temporary tattoo that your child can wear in pride 
  • And… a 45-day supply of Voots Veggie-Fruit Tarts! 


 To enter visit my original post HERE.  Post something that you learned from my review post or from visiting Voots website, facebook or twitter page AND how you follow me.  For an extra entry follow Voots via Twitter or on Facebook and leave a separate comment

Open to US residents 18 and older.   Entrants must follow me on twitter, facebook or Google Friend connect to be eligible to win.   Also, moving forward followers must follow me at the time when a winner is selected - not just at the time of entry.  This will be verified.  Giveaway ends next Sunday, January 27th.  

Good luck to all!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

2013 - A New You! Review feature

It is a new year and a great time to push for a healthier lifestyle.   That may mean different things to different people.  For me a healthire lifestyle means eating a balanced diet and using supplements and personal care items that are made from natural ingredients.  Part of my goals this year are to reduce meat and poultry consumption, eat more veggies and become more active.  I also will continue to use more natural and green products for bath, beauty and home.

Want to be victorious in achieving your 2013 New Years's lifestyle resolution?  Please see my reviews below on Voots and Vitacost - both may be able to help :)





If part of your goals are to include a better diet for you and your children, you may have some fear that with your hectic lifesytle that it will be difficult to successfully achieve a balanced diet.  It is true that most of us eat on the go much more so than generations prior but it is not unattainable to meet this goal.

Voots is a fun supplement s a fun supplement that enables you to get the Vitamin C antioxidant power of three servings of fruits and vegetables in two chewable berry-flavored tarts.  There is a slight vitamin aftertaste but not so strong that I would avoid eating.  Since it is a chewable kids will find it easy to ingest as well as tasty!

See the information below provided by Voots!
Voots Veggie-Fruit Tarts are a children’s supplement made from 11 real fruits and vegetables, which are dehydrated, crushed, blended with Vitamin C and other ingredients, and made into delicious chewable berry-flavored tarts that kids love. The product even contains the Vitamin C antioxidant power of three full servings of fruits and veggies! Voots® supplements contain real apples, cranberries, oranges, prunes, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchinis and green beans, which are blended with Vitamin C and other ingredients.  

It is important to note that these are NOT supposed to replace the intake of Fruits and Veggies as part of a balanced diet.  Voots are great as a supplement to a balanced diet or to use on the go.   For us this is great for Soccer and Scouts nights - we often grab fast food so Voots will be great to add to the menu.

Voots is available at Amazon.com and select Target stores.  The reviews posted online are very positive so make sure that you check it out!   You can also follow Voots on Twitter or on Facebook.  Their Facebook page is really fun with positive mantras and great trivia posted every week for kids and parents to enjoy together :)




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Vitacost is a wonderful company that offers natural and organic health and beauty items at discounted prices.  I have shopped with them for years.  I regularly order my favorite tea, vitamins, supplements and facial wash through Vitacost.  Some of my favorites include Yogi Tea, Kind Bars and Avalon Organics.

If you are a NEW customer, click this link for $10 off your first purchase of $30 or more!

I recently participated in a blogger review program and was able to try the following products:



Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash

One of the products I regularly buy from Vitacost is a facial wash so it is ironic that I was able to review another brand.  I really loved this product.  My skin is noticeably clearer since using this facial wash.  It is light, quickly foaming and quickly removes makeup and cleanses the skin without over-stripping the skin's natural oils.  It works perfectly with my electric skin brush - just a little dab is all it takes.  I actually prefer this to my normal brand for evening use and will purchase when I run out.

This facial wash is soap free, oil free, fragrance free PH balanced and is designed for all skin types.





Alpha Hydrox Spot Light Skin Lightener
I have not yet used this product so cannot provide a full review.  (I am waiting to use up the treatment lotion I have before opening this product).  Again, this product is designed for all skin types and is designed to help lighten skin discolorations.  It is also anti-wrinkle.  Three of the key ingredients are Vitamin E (moistuirzes) and Glycolic Alpha Hydroxy Acid (helps refine texture of the skin)  and  hydroquinone (lightens skin color).  Because I loved the facial wash so much, I am really looking forward to using this product as it is by the same manufacturer.




Alaffia African Black Soap For All Skin and Hair Types Tangerine Citrus
I had no idea what to expect and I have to say that this soap was a very unexpected surprise.  I loved it as did my husband and the girls.   What is so different about this soap is that it is very mild due to the production process and thus can be used as an all in one soap - facial wash, shaving foam, body wash and shampoo!  It is highly fragrant - I received the Tangerine Citrus variety but to me it smelled like a wonderful lemongrass scent.   I will definitely be purchasing this one when I run out.

Want to learn more about African Black Soap?  Please see the information below from the Vitacost website:
What is African Black Soap? In West Africa, authentic black soap is known by its Yoruba name, Osse Dudu. "Dudu" means the color black, which comes from the extensive "cooking" of soap to the point of charcoal. Many cultures in West Africa use charcoal to detoxify and purify the skin, and this is an integral aspect of the true African black soap.



Vitacare Toothpaste Whitening Plus Mint and Key Lime
I am used to regular mint toothpaste and was not sure how I would like this.  No worries!  There was still a fresh, minty taste with a hint of lime for some added zing.

Also boasts Vitamins A, C, D and E Calcium.  Made with Aloe Vera, Cranberry Extract.  Vitacare is designed to help whiten teeth and promote healthy gumes with none of the following:

  • Fluoride
  • Alcohol 
  • Parabens,
  • Phthalates 
  • Petrochemicals
  • SLS
  • Sulfates 
  • artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners 




Vitacare Whitening Gum Cool Mint plus Key Lime
This is the same flavor as the toothpaste - I love that it is minty but has the lime twist for a unique taste.  I shared this gum with one of my co-workers who also enjoyed the flavor/



Garlic Gold Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
A vinaigrette that is not made with Vinegar!  This is a zingy Italian dressing with a bit of lemon zing.  Yum! I did notice that the fat content is a little bit high but that is fairly par for the course in regards to Salad Dressings.

What I love most about Vitacost are 1) the discounted prices, 2) the wide variety of quality items available.  There are literally thousands of items to choose from so choose wisely!

Follow Vitacost on Twitter and Facebook.  While you are there make sure to enter the January 2013 sweepstakes (while available).





DISCLOSURE:  I received products for review purposes from both Voots and Vitacost.  I am a long time customer of Vitacost and have recently enrolled in their affiliate program as part of the blogging partnership.  All opinions expressed are my own and I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  For more information on the posting practices at this website, please refer to the disclosure policy at the bottom of this page.

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Wedding album



Recently my cousin was married in a beautiful ceremony.  I re-purposed items from their wedding - from the ribbon on the favors and invitations to the actual wedding invitations and program.   I wish I had better photos but still wanted to share.....


Inside cover (this is a little frou-frou - I went a little overboard with the embellishments) :



First Page - wedding picture on white embossed irridencent paper centered on sky blue glitter paper.



Pages using magnet from wedding announcement and the actual wedding invitation - you cannot tell from the picture but the background is a very light sage with a darker sage, glittered but muted wildflower print. 





On the left (not shown) is a list of the wedding party - on the right is a page that the wedding couple can add their own pictures and mementos to.  This page is a lovely blue with a colorful rose motif.  A different print paper is centered on a bright pink decorative oval frame spellbinders die cut :




Two pages highlighting the engagement and a picture from the wedding day:




Just for fun:



Another page for the couple to add their own pictures to:




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