TOMORROW STARTS "IT'S MY PARTY BLOG HOP"!

(FOR FLAUNT IT FRIDAYS POST, SCROLL DOWN OR CLICK HERE)

Tomorrow is the day!  IT'S MY PARTY BLOG HOP and LIVE USTREAM start tomorrow on Alex's blog: http://www.youhadmeatcraft.com/. 

 I will be on the hop tomorrow, 

but for a special BLOG CANDY GIVE-AWAY 

for comments left 

TODAY ONLY 

just  do ANY of these things 

(you do not have to do them all):

1. Go to the Facebook EVENT and click ATTENDING http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=182998451710243 then comment JANIS TOLD ME ABOUT THIS!
2. Post the above IT'S MY PARTY BLOG HOP button on your sidebar on your blog OR on your Facebook page with this link http://www.youhadmeatcraft.com/

Then leave me a comment here telling me how you helped spread the word!  You must have a USA shipping address to win.

Here's the Candy you could win:

FRONT

BACK

What are you waiting for?

:) Smiles!

Janis

Flaunt It Fridays Ch# 7 - Mini Monsters

Hello all my bloggy friends!

This week over at FLAUNT IT FRIDAYS

we are asked to FLAUNT the SKULL & CROSSBONES on page 65.

I had a very hard time trying to figure out how to use this cut. Which is why they call this a “Challenge”, right? LOL

When I looked at the cut, it kept reminding me of Pirates and Treasures and Treasure Maps. So I went with the Treasure idea and made a Custom Binder Cover for my 3-ring Pink Binder. This binder has all my important TREASURES in it. A 2011 calendar with my schedule; a list of team members and contact info for both my challenge blogs (Paper Playtime and Flaunt It Fridays), ideas of Paper Project Types, and instructions I find in blogland of items I want to make.

• Pink cardstock background from stash (it's actually from a Christmas bundle of cardstock a friend sent me)
• Green paper at bottom from Recollections ALL GIRL
• Ribbon from Michaels
• Purple paper from stash
• All other papers for cuts from Recollections Colored Core
• MINI MONSTERS Skull p. 65 cut @ 2 1/2”
• FOREVER YOUNG Model 1 page 24 cut @ 6”
• FOREVER YOUNG “details” p. 26 cut @ 1”
• A CHILD'S YEAR font used for “My Treasures”. “M” and “T” cut @ 3” all other letters cut @ 1 1/2”

We hope you pop over to FLUANT IT FRIDAYS and play along with us!

Hugs, :) Janis

HAPPY HAUNTINGS GIVE-AWAY!!

My friend, Elsa, over at CricutLvr is having a 

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY! 

 She is going to be giving away the 

Cricut cartridge, HAPPY HAUNTINGS ! 

 How fun is that?! 

 Hop over and read her post 

to see how you could enter to win.

Smiles, :) Janis

52Q WEEK 24

Hello, all my bloggy friends!!

It's TUESDAY so that means it's time for our weekly 52Q.

The question for today is:

“Do you play a musical instrument?”

To find out more about what 52Q is and ways you can play along, CLICK HERE.

• Card base CREAM from Value pack (pre-scored for easy folding)
• Background paper from DCWV The Christmas Combo Stack
• Ribbon from stash
• A CHILD'S YEAR girl playing flute and piano both on page 50 and both cut @ 4”
• A CHILD'S YEAR tag on page 61 cut @ 4”

Easy peasy!

  

Hello Kitty Blog Hop WINNER & Paper Playtime - Black, White, and Silver ONLY

Before I get to today's project, let me announce the WINNER of last weekend's FLAUNT IT FRIDAYS HELLO KITTY GREETINGS BLOG HOP!  Yeah!  I used random.org to pick a winner, and the winner for my blog candy is.... drum roll please......  MARY @ KRAFTING MAMA!  Congratulations, Mary! 

Mary said:

Please email me your USA address, and I'll get your prize right out to you.

Now onto today's project...

Card #2

This week at Paper Playtime our challenge is to make any project using 

BLACK, WHITE, & SILVER ONLY.  

This was a real challenge for me.  I kept finding fun paper with black and white and one other color.   

Then I found this paper in the DCWV The Vintage Collage Stack - so pretty!

I added lace on top of the lace paper; a black, white, and silver button; a white bow; some silver beads; and a tag with the sentiment LOVE.  

The tag was cut from TAGS, BAGS, BOXES, & MORE 

Cricut Cartridge found on page 93 and cut @ 3 1/4" 

using the MIRROR / WINDOW feature with black cardstock

and again in white using the BLACKOUT feature.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Hugs!  :) Janis

Flaunt It Fridays Ch#6 & Blog Hop!

Welcome to Flaunt it Fridays Challenge #6 and Blog Hop!

You should have arrived here from my friend

and co-conspirator (aka co-founder of FIF...)

 SANDRA http://365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/

But before we get to the HOP project - let's see the CHALLENGE project for this week at FIF:

This week our challenge (and your's too because we want you to play along with us) is to use the Kitty in the Airplane on the Cricut Cartridge HELLO KITTY GREETINGS on page 65.  

If you don't have Hello Kitty Greetings, don't despair!  You can use any white kitty cut from any cartridge and any plane cut from any cartridge!

For my project, I made the Kitty in the Plane as a refrigerator magnet.  We love magnets on our frig!

Kitty was cut @ 7 1/2" using Bazzill textured papers from the Dotted Swiss stack.

And now onto the BLOG HOP!

Now for my second project we got to choose any cut from the Hello Kitty Greetings, 

and I chose the Hello Kitty face on page 29 cut @ 3 1/2".  

I used TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE

to cut the bookmark on page 94 cut @ 6 1/2" using papers from DCWV The Vintage Collage Stack. I used a PINK Heart Rhinestone for the Kitty's nose - so sweet.  The sentiment for the bookmark was printed from the computer using Minya Nouvelle @ 20 pt.

(Currently Reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol)

I will be giving away a cute, cute, cute 

clear stamp border set shown below:

All you have to do for a chance to win my blog candy is have a USA shipping address and leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite book is.  You do not have to be a FOLLOWER to win, but if you are or become a NEW FOLLOWER, leave a second comment letting me know for a second chance to win!

For a chance to win the GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY which is the LOVE ALWAYS stamp set sponsored by PINK BY DESIGN, you must leave a comment on everyone's blog in the hop.  The Grand Prize winner will be announced on SANDRA's blog on Monday or Tuesday.

Our hop will run all weekend long, and I will post the winner for my blog candy on Monday Jan. 10th. Thank You so much for taking the time to hop with us for the Flaunt It Fridays Hello Kitty Blog hop!  We can't wait to see how you "Flaunt" your Hello Kitty this week. 

Your NEXT STOP is

 DORCAS (You'll love her - she's pretty amazing!)

http://4craftyangels.blogspot.com/

If you get lost, here's a complete list of the HOP ORDER:

1. SANDRA http://365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/

2. JANIS http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/  (YOU ARE HERE)

3. DORCAS http://4craftyangels.blogspot.com/  (NEXT STOP)

4. MELISSA http://apaperjourney.blogspot.com/

5. CHRISTINA http://cardcreationsbyc.blogspot.com/

6. JESS http://myscrapdiary-jess.blogspot.com/

7. DENISE http://lalasworldblog.blogspot.com/

8. CORRI http://www.buglvr.blogspot.com/

9. ROSE http://roseohio-myblog.blogspot.com/

10. ERIKA http://cricutlove1.blogspot.com/

11. AMANDA http://www.myscrappinobsession.com/

12. JEN http://huffinatorshangout.blogspot.com/

13. CELESTE http://ccscards.blogspot.com/

14. CARLEY http://www.the-real-icarley.blogspot.com/
15. STACEY http://staceyscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
16. ABBY http://www.scrapbookaholicbyabby.com/
17.CHERYL http://www.pinkandpaper.blogspot.com/
18. LAUREL http://www.blog.littlepeaceofmyheart.com/
19. ELSA http://cricutlvr.blogspot.com/
20. SAUNDRA http://www.luvscrappingtogether.blogspot.com/
21. PAM http://simply-pam.blogspot.com/
22. SHARON http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com/
23. SHEANDRA http://www.lawyersscraptoo.blogspot.com/
24. AMY http://perfectlyunperfectcards.blogspot.com/
25. Jenny Johnson http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
26. GLENDA http://glendascards.blogspot.com/
27. VIVIANA http://vivienpapel.blogspot.com/
28. PAULA http://craftwithbee.blogspot.com/
29. STEPHANIE http://www.alwayscrafting.com/
30. MICHELLE http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com/
31. JD http://jdscricuteering.blogspot.com/
32. JENNY K. http://kozfam5.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to leave a comment!  And don't forget to FLAUNT the Hello Kitty in Airplane for our Flaunt It Fridays challenge this week!  CLICK HERE to enter our challenge.

HUGS!

:) Janis

CCC #56 - New Year with Clock Image

This week over at CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE we are asked to make any New Year project using a Cricut CLOCK cut.  I made a mini album.  I may fill it with my 2011 New Year Resolutions, or maybe just notes about what I'm up to, or pictures of our family adventures.... don't know yet.....

I covered coasters from Michael's ($1 bin - but cashier rang them up as one cent and then refunded the penny - go figure) with papers from DCWV Grade School.  Coasters are 4" so I cut circles using BIRTHDAY BASH at 4" and adhered them to both sides of the coasters.

Clock cut was sent from a fellow crafter - can you believe I didn't have a Cricut clock cut? THANKS, PAM, FOR SENDING ME THIS ADORABLE CLOCK!!  The clock is cut at 3" and is from the Cricut cart NIFTY FIFTIES.

Come on over to CCC and play along with out challenge this week!  We are having lots of fun!!

:) Janis

52Q Week 23

Welcome to Week 23 of 52Q - a Mini Me Book All About You!

1 Question a week for 52 weeks = 1 fantabulous Mini Me Book!

This week's question is:

"ARE YOU AFRAID OF CHANGE?"

I used a card base from Value Pack (pre-scored for easy folding)

The card was adhered on side and bottom so that a tag with the answer can slip in the top.

Paper from DCWV The Vintage Collage Stack - oh I love this stack!  

I'm not sure you can read the tag on the front, but it says,

"100% Original"

Tag was cut @ 5 1/4" using TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE p. 88

Ribbon from stash

Question printed from computer using MINYA NOUVELLE @ 20pt

Back of tag is paper from the Recollections Stack "ALL GIRL"

You can enter you page below for all of us to check out!

:) Janis

PPT #32

Card #1

Look at this cute little birdie! I love it!

I absolutely LOVE my new BIRTHDAY BASH Cricut cartridge.

(Christmas present!)

I also LOVE my new PEACHY KEEN LAUGHY TAFFY Face Stamps!!

(another great Christmas present!)

See the little birdie waving, “HI!”

• Card base is textured Green from Value pack (pre-scored for easy folding)
• Background paper is from Colorbox ($5 from Walmart)
• Corners are punches from the same Colorbox pack
• “HI” are stickers from the same Colorbox pack
• Googlie eyes!
• LAUGHY TAFFY face stamp from Peachy Keen
• Flower on envelope from K & Company
• Lacey hair (or hat) from RAK
• Cricut Cartridge: BIRTHDAY BASH
• Birdie on page 34 cut @ 4” using purple textured paper from RAK
• All other papers used to piece Birdie together from the same Colorbox pack

This is the card I provided for my challenge blog, PAPER PLAYTIME, challenge #32.

CLICK HERE to visit Paper Playtime and to play in paper with us!

Happy New Year!

:) Janis

MY FRIEND IS HAVING A GIVE-AWAY - GO CHECK IT OUT!

My friend is having a GREAT give-away on her site, CARSON'S CRICUT CREATIONS!!

Go check it out!

She is giving away:  Indie Art cartridge and embellishments (ribbon, stickers, gems, etc. which are not pictured). 

To enter, you must leave a comment on her post (CLICK HERE) and tell her the best vacation you ever had or wish to have and a way for her to get in touch with you in case you win.

How fun!  Don't you just LOVE give-aways?!

Good luck everyone!

Hugs,

:) Janis

2011 READ A BOOK

January 2011

1. Without A Trace by Colleen Coble
   
   Back cover synopsis:
   When a plane carrying Bree Nicholls' husband and son disappears, her life changes forever. Her relentless determination to find them starts an investigation that links their disappearance to a violent crime threatening to tear the peaceful town of Rock Harbor apart.
   
   
   Mystery fans will love this romantic suspense novel from best-selling author Colleen Coble.  Set in the untamed beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Rock Harbor novels draw readers into the life and adventures of a canine search-and-rescue team as it unravels the secrets of an enchanting wilderness.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   =====================================

Books Read in 2010:

1. January – The Prayer of Jabez
2. January – Ghosts From the Past by Glen Ebisch
3. January – How Not to Make A Wish by Mindy Klasky
4. January – There's Something About St. Tropez by Elizabeth Adler
5. January – A princess of Landover by Terry Brooks
6. January – Ghost A La Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian
7. January – Death of the Party of Carolyn Hart
8. February – Mighty Old Bones by Mary Saums
9. February – A Slice of Murder by Chris Cavender
10. February – Vi Agra Falls by mary Daheim
11. February – Too Rich and Too Dead by Cynthia Baxter
12. February – Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux
13. March – The Beach House by Jane Green
14. March – Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti
15. March – Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux
16. March – Murder in the Raw by C. S. Challinor
17. March – When Autumn Leaves by Amy S. Foster
18. April – Night Rising, Vampire Babylon Book 1 by Chris Marie Green
19. April – Sailing to Capri by Elizabeth Adler
20. April – Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
21. April – Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
22. April – Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
23. May – Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
24. June – Haunting Jordan by P. J. Alderman
25. June – Cemetery Dance by Preston & Child
26. June – Happiness Key by Emille Richards
27. June – The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
28. June – A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans
29. July – Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie
30. July – Poppy Done to Death by Charlaine Harris
31. July – Hope in A Jar by Beth Harbison
32. July – Plum Spooky by janet Evanovich
33. July – Bikini Car Wash by Pamela Morsi
34. July – The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
35. July – Home in Carolina by Sherryl Woods (A Sweet Magnolia Novel)
36. August – Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen (Audiobooks)
37. August – The Magicians by Lev Grossman (Audiobooks)
38. August – The Cat Who Came To Breakfast by Lillian Jackson Braun (Audiobooks)
39. August – The Angel by Carla Neggers
40. August – The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz
41. August – The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
42. August – Lust, Loathing, & a Little Lip Gloass by Kyra Davis
43. September / October – The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton
44. September / October – Living Deeply
45. November – Into the Wild by Beth Ciotta
46. November – Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham
47. December – The Last Noel by Heather Graham
48. December – The Missing Ink by Karen E. Olson
49. December – Rebel Island by Rick Riordan

CHEERS

I hope you have a very fun New Years!
Today over at my other blog, Flaunt It Fridays, the challenge is to use the martini cut from the Cricut cartridge From My Kitchen on page 60.

Card base red from Value Pack (pre-scored for easy folding)
Background papers from DCWV The Christmas Combo 180 Stack
Ribbon from Michael's
Solid papers from Stampin' Up and Recollections
Sentiments hand-written
Martini cut @ 4"

Here's an altered notebook I made with the martini cut.  This could be used for a PARTY PLANNER, etc.

CHEERS!
:) Janis

100+ Book Club in 2010

My goal for 2010 was to read 100+ books.  I've never kept up with what I'm reading, so I didn't know how close I'd come to this goal.

Well...... I missed it by just a tad....  I read at least 49 books in 2010.  I lost count in May, but the ones I documented for this year come to 49.  

I must say, I think I read pretty fast.  If I were to read any faster, I would just be reading for the sake of the goal and not enjoying or remembering what I was actually reading about.  So now I know 100+ is way too many for me in one year.

I started a Facebook Group called LOVE TO READ BOOK CLUB.  It's an open group - anyone can search for it and join.  We are currently reading WITHOUT A TRACE BY COLLEEN COBLE.  Our next book is THE LOST SYMBOL BY DAN BROWN.  

Feel free to join the group - even if you don't want to read what we are currently reading.  You can talk about your fav books or authors or ask for book suggestions.  It's just for those of us who love to read and chat about it.

My goal for reading in 2011 is a little different.  I don't want to count the number as much as expand my shelves to cover a wider variety.

In 2011, I want to read a book whose title or author represents every letter of the alphabet.  That sounds pretty reasonable, obtainable, and fun to me!

I also want to read books in these categories...

• Play
• Poetry
• Biography
• Mystery
• Romance
• Suspense
• Science Fiction
• Today's Woman
• Something with Pets
• Beach
• Inspirational
• Best Seller
• Book to Movie
• Comedy
• Exotic Location
• Best Selling Author

And probably a few more thrown in there just for fun.  

Here is what's on my self right now:

1. Wihtout A Trace by Colleen Coble
2. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
3. One of Those Malibu Nights by Elizabeth Adler
4. Summer House by Nancy Thayer
5. Light On Snow by Anita Shreve
6. The Cat Who Brought Down the House by Lilian Jackson Braun
7. The Cat Who Talked Turkey by Lilian Jackson Braun
8. The Cat who Dropped a Bombshell by Lilian Jackson Braun
9. The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers by Lilian Jackson Braun
10. Original Sin - The Seven Deadly Sins by Allison Brennan

Happy New Year!  

:) Janis

52Q WEEK 22

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

It's time to roll up your sleeves and start thinking about the year that is passing by in just a few days.

Did you accomplish your goals?

Meet new friends?

Start a new adventure?

Live outside the box a little?

Anything you hoped to do that didn't quite work out?

Thinking about what you want to accomplish in 2011?

This week, your page for your 52Q Mini Album is all about your New Year Resolutions.

What are your goals for 2011?

What do you hope to accomplish?

Where do you hope to visit?

Who do you hope to meet?

Can't wait to see what you come up with!

HAPPY NEW YEAR CHALLENGE AT PAPER PLAYTIME

Here is a project I made to hang on the frig or wall... It's to put new year resolutions on.

Cricut Cart BIRTHDAY BASH
Phrase with Owl p.47 cut @ 3"
Elephant p. 38 cut @ 3"
Smile p. 28 cut @ 1 1/2" Real Dial Size
All papers from Bazzill Basics dotted Swiss
Googlie Eyes!
Top and Bottom strips are cut 6 1/2" x 3 1/4"
Strips between the top and bottom are cut at 6 1/2" x 1 1/2"

This is for the PAPER PLAYTIME challenge #30.  Come play with us!

SANTA TURTLE GOODIE BAG

I just love my Santa Turtle!  Today on one of my other blogs, Flaunt It Fridays, the challenge is to Flaunt the turtle cut on page 64 of the Create A Critter cartridge.

My Turtle was cut @ 4" using Christmas papers from My Mind's Eye
The purple background paper is from DCWV The Christmas Combo 180 Stack
Eyelashes were drawn on with an Ultra Fine Tip Black Sharpie
Googlie eyes!!
Beard was cut @ 4" from Paper Doll Dress Up page 72
Ribbon from Michael's
Regular lunch sack paper bag was trimmed down to my preference

Time to fill it with homemade Christmas Cookies and give it away!

Jingle Bells,
:) Janis

52Q Week 21

Week 21 of 52Q

"What is your favorite December memory?"

My favorite December memory is one particular Christmas when I was growing up.  I don't remember how old I was, but I remember getting up with my brother and sister and seeing 3 presents under the tree.

The presents said go look here for your next gift.

That present said go look here for your next gift.

We each got 3 gifts that year and had so much for searching the house for the next one.  I'll never forget that. It is also the year I got a fuzzy marionette puppet. (He was hiding in the oven in a brown paper grocery bag - that was before grocery stores used plastic bags.)

 I LOVED making that puppet bird walk and sit, etc. 

Here is my page for this week:

Card base Red textured from Value pack

Santa paper cut 5 1/4" x 4" from We R Memory Keepers, Merry & Bright Collection

Cricut Cartridge: BIRTHDAY BASH

Present page 59 cut @ 3" using Recollections & Stampin' Up papers

Tag page 58 cut @ 4" using Recollections and Merry & Bright papers

Merry Christmas!

:) JANIS

Submit your page here...

Winner of Kathy's Super Secret Birthday Card Blog Hop & Paper Playtime Challenge - ANYTHING CHRISTMAS!

Now onto my project for the Paper Playtime Challenge:

It's almost CHRISTMAS!  Who's excited!!?
This week at Paper Playtime our challenge is to make ANYTHING CHRISTMAS!  I made this cutie Santa card.  He's so festive.  I just love him!  And look!!  His sack is bulging it's so full.  Wonder what's in there?

Card base white from Value Pack (pre-scored for easy folding)
Background papers from DCWV The Christmas Combo 180 Stack
Paper Doll Dress Up Santa & Bag page 72 cut @ 4"
Enhanced with white gel pen and black ultra fine tip Sharpie
Googlie eyes!

HO, HO, HO,
:) Janis

HAPPY TOGETHER

Using Kraft cardstock for a card base looks so cool, I think.

• Papers from Colorbox ($5 pack from Walmart)
• Ribbon from "Laundry Line"
• "Happy Together" 3-D sticker from Studio 13

 Have a fun weekend!!
Jingle Bells!
:) Janis

LEMONADE ANYONE?

Don't you just love Fridays? Today over at Flaunt It Fridays the challenge is to use the cup with lemon cut from Simply Charmed on page 148.  However, I don't have that cartridge, so I used the Lemonade pitcher from Block Party instead.  Doesn't it look refreshing?

Card base yellow from Value Pack (pre-scored for easy folding)
Background papers from DCWV The Christmas Combo 180 Stack
Solid papers from Recollections
Pitcher cut @ 4"
Flower from Prima Flowers
Rhinestone from Joann's
Lemons in pitcher spruced up with some yummy stickles!

Jingle Bells,
Janis