ZOO!

You know I love surprises!  Yesterday morning, Tom said, "Get ready to go!"  Yeah!  I wonder where we are off too?  Hmmm.... we went to Chic fil' a drive through for breakfast - that's rare.  We usually eat sausage and eggs at home on the weekends.  Hmmmm.... we stopped at the ATM.  We hardly ever carry cash.  Where in the world are we going?  Then we hit the interstate.  So we are going somewhere out of town.  I just love an adventure!

Well, we went to Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens in Columbia, SC.  What a fun time!  Our daughter, Kati, whose 20th birthday is this week met us there - another surprise for me.

We had a blast!  I was disappointed though that all the gorillas were hiding.  I was so looking forward to seeing a gorilla - I've never seen one in person.

Here are tons of pics.  Yes, I'll be ordering some photos from Shutterfly this week and making a ZOO mini album.  How fun!!!

OH, and I don't think I've told you guys yet..... we are moving.... AGAIN.  We really want to get back to Alaska as soon as possible.  We miss being there so much.  The company Tom works for in Alaska has a contract job in Texas for about 6-7 months.  So we are moving to Texas in a few weeks for a 6-7 month stop-over before heading back to Alaska.  It's so fun to be married to a man with a great sense of adventure!

Enjoy the ZOO pics!!

IT'S ALIVE!

How fun is this!  Watch the video above to see how you can move the monsters around with the hanging ribbon.  I LOVE MY MINI MONSTERS CART!!!!

Tent style card - Kraft paper
MINI MONSTERS
Frankie p.44 cut @ 4 1/4"
It's Alive p. 44 cut @ 3 1/2"

Janis

CCC# 44 - HALLOWEEN Z-FOLD CARD

Thanks for stopping by!  Today over at Cricut Cardz Challenge - we have begun our Challenge #44 which is to make a Z-Fold or some call it S-Fold Halloween card using any colors and Cricut cartridges we wanted.

• Card base:  Orange Value Pack card (pre-scored for easy folding!)  The front cover is folded back onto itself to make the Z-Fold.
• Background starry night paper from Karen Foster Designs, Biggie Bundle, Throughout the Year #3
• The front panel background paper is cut @ 5 1/4" x 1 7/8"
• The inside background paper is cut @ 5 1/4" x 4"
• The pumpkin man (doesn't he look so happy?!) is from a Cricut Cut swap I did with a couple of ladies.  My ruler says he's 4".  I added a black button and some orange jute to him.
• The grass came from my extra cut file.  I think it's from Mickey & Friends.  It was much longer than this, I just cut it long enough for him to sit behind.
• Ribbon from Michael's.  I let the lighter flame barely touch the ends.  This hardens the ends and keeps them from fraying.  Just a second.  Don't go crazy and burn your ribbon up.
• I used some Rub-Ons from Target's $1 bin to rub on "All Hallow's Eve" on the front panel.  

Hop over and join in the fun!  We'd love to see a Z-Fold Cricut Halloween card you make!

Janis

52Q WEEK 9

52Q Week 9 Question:

"Your Honey is throwing you a surprise Birthday Bash.  What do you hope the theme is?"

Maybe you would love a Luau, or a throwback to the 50's with poodle skirts and leather jackets, or maybe you love to bowl and want a bowling party... Whatever it is - that's your question for this week!  Thanks, Sheree, at CravinScrappin for suppling this question!!

I used MINI MONSTERS to create a Birthday Princes for my page.  She's on page 47 and cut @ 4 1/2 with Shadow also.  The phrase is cut @ 1 1/2" and again with the Shadow.  (I'm loving this cart!)

Make sure and leave your link below when you finish your project!  To see a list of ALL the questions we've had so far, click here.

Have a fun day!  :) Janis


CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE QUESTIONS SO FAR AND MY PAGES.

SUNDAY'S CAMERA ADVENTURE

LOL!  According to the email inquiries I've gotten, I got you ladies curious as to our Sunday adventure! Here's the scoop:

Augusta, GA was the host of the 2010 IRONMAN competition on Sunday.  IRONMAN is a triathlon.  They start swimming, transition to biking, then finish with running.

We walked about 3 miles of the course to watch the swimming and then transition to the biking.  Did I mention it was raining the whole time?  We were soaked when we got home.  Sloshy shoes, drenched hair and clothes.  hahaha  But it was really neat to watch these amazing athletes.

Here are just a few of the pics we took.

I chose not to capture the blonde wearing a sign on her butt that said, 

"IRONMAN you've got STAMINA... call me"

I was surprised they actually swam in that alligator river.  Are they crazy?  I just took pictures last weekend of an alligator in that very river.  Not me.  Uh-uh. No way. No how.

Our beautiful daughter, Bonnie.  Her sister, Kati, is a photographer with mad skills.  I took this picture of Bonnie and Kati worked her magic and got the people in the background all removed.  I don't know how in the world she does stuff like that.  I just love this picture.  Wet hair and everything!

PAPER PLAYTIME CH#18 - ANY TYPE OF WATER ON YOUR CARD

Don't you just love Hello Kitty?!  She's so precious!  This is my submission for Paper Playtime's Ch# 18 this week.  The theme is "LISTEN TO THE RHYTHM OF THE FALLING RAIN."  But actually you can make any paper project using any type of water, snow, dew, frost, icicles, bubble bath, puddles, waves, etc.

Cricut Cartridge:  HELLO KITTY GREETINGS
Kitty page 54 cut @ 6" using Card Feature and silhouette.
All papers are from Recollections.
Have a rockin' Monday!

Janis

CREATE A CRITTER REMINDER BOARD

Hello all my bloggy friends!!  Here is a Reminder Board I made with Create A Critter.  I will hang it on our frig with post-it notes to scribble down things to remember.


Create A Critter p.37
Cheese cut @ 3 1/2"
Mouse cut @ 4 1/2" and used Shadow feature
Camera cut @ 3 1/2" and used Shadow feature
Phrase cut @ 3"
Papers from Debbie Mumm stack
Background paper 12"x12" attached to sturdy cardboard (from the back of a paper pack)
Orange paper cut @ 10 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Black strips cut and attached behind orange sheet.  I didn't have anything bigger than 8 1/2" x 11", so I just cut strips and laid them around the outside edges of the orange.  It worked out perfectly.
The post it notes can hang from the bottom strip.
I'll probably punch holes in the top with my Crop-a-dile and hang this on my frig with suction cups.
I was pretty tickled with out it turned out!
Hugs!


Janis

HALLOWEEN DANCE CARD WITH HAPPY HAUNTINGS

My friend, Sharon, from MeeMees Creations, sent me some Happy Hauntings Cuts!  Yeah!  I love getting mail!  So I used the Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstien to make this card.  I felt like with that huge green ribbon it almost looked like they were at a dance. LOL

Kraft cardstock cut A2 size Tent Style

Background papers from $1 pack at Target

Skull and Spider in ribbon from confetti pack from Target for $2

Pop up Squares from Therm O Web to pop up Mr & Mrs Frankie

Enjoy!

I'll probably be doing some Halloween Minis this week.  

My friend, Sheree, over at Cravin Scrappin' has been emailing me great YouTube mini album finds.  I'm psyched now to make some minis!

Janis

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP

I think this image by Robyn's Fetish Digi Stamps is so precious!

Card base is Muted Orange from Value Pack 

(pre-scored for easy folding!)

Background paper is from DCWV The Stack 6 cut @ 5  1/4" X 4"

Ribbon from Michael's

Button from Joann's

Image colored with Crayola markers and crayons

Image edges inked with Colorbox inks

Janis

CREATE A CRITTER JOY CARD

Good morning, Sunshine!

I wanted to switch gears this morning and make a bright and cheery Thank You card.

I chose papers from Karen Foster Designs, Biggie Bundle, Throughout the Year #3.

I thought this LadyBug paper was adorable and loved the soft blue with it.

My card base is Kraft cardstock cut in half longways in the trimmer to give 2 "tent" style cards.  This card folds at the top.

Blue paper cut @ 5 1/4" x 4"

Green paper cut @ 5" x 3 3/4"

Blue satin ribbon from Michael's

Purple rhinestone in blue flower center from Joann's

Blue flower rhinestone in JOY from my Mama's stash (thanks, Mama!)

Cricut cartridge:  CREATE A CRITTER

Ladybug page 66 cut @ 2 1/2" with shadow feature too (I love the Shadow feature)

JOY page 73 cut @ 1 1/2" and inked around edges with Colorbox black ink

Don't forget you have until next Tuesday, September 28th, to submit a MINI MONSTERS project on my blog. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THAT POST. It's not for a prize, just for fun.  Submit as many projects as you'd like to show all your creative awesomeness on what you've created with MINI MONSTERS.  A place and time to brag about YOU.  Plus, I'm anxiously awaiting that cart in the mail, and I want you to inspire me!

Janis

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #43

Isn't Little One here so sweet?!  This week over at Cricut Cardz Challenge we are to make a card for a new baby using any cartridges we'd like and the colors green, orange, yellow and white ONLY.

I made a card a little larger than the A2 size cards I usually make.  This card size is A6, and I followed the instructions the Martha Stewart Scoring Board provides.  Just start out with a piece of cardstock 9" x 6 1/4" and score @ 4 1/2".  This will make your finished card size 4 1/2" x 6 1/4".

The papers for this card came from several different stacks.  Here's all the info:

• Orange background paper from DCWV Indian Summer cut at full size for front of card which is 4 1/2" x 6 1/4"
• Dark green mat (textured) from DCWV Ultimate Year Stack cut @ 4 1/4" x 6"
• Green & white polka dotted mat from DCWV Nana's Kids (embossed) cut @ 4" x 5 3/4"
• Orange ribbon from Joann's
• Prima Flowers - Multi Bright from Michael's with added green rhinestone in center from Joann's
• Cricut Cartridge:  NEW ARRIVAL
• "Little One" cut @ 2" page 110 in yellow and again in white with Shadow Feature
• Baby page 97 cut @ 3" and face drawn on with Ultra Fine Tip Black Sharpie
• Diaper cut in white and colored with Orange Stampin' Up chalk
• The little baby is popped up with foam squares

I hope you hop over and join in the fun at Cricut Cardz Challenge this week!  Happy Hump Day!

:) Janis

MINI MONSTERS CRICUT CREATIONS!

Okay, guys, I want to see all your Cricut Mini Monsters Creations!  I was so excited today to learn that I won that cartridge over on Cravin Scrappin's blog!!!  You have NO IDEA what a BIG DEAL this is to me!  So....  


I want to see all the projects you've created with Mini Monsters!  I need a plan.  I need a goal.  Or else I'm going to be cutting everything on every page out of pure excitement.  LOL


This is just for fun.  A chance for you to brag on your work.  You can post as many items as you like - the more the better!  There is no prize, just a place to share your ideas, projects, and inspiration.


So please go do a search and find all the MINI MONSTERS creations you've made and start adding them below.  I'll leave the button active for one week.  


I can't wait to see all your MINI MONSTER creations!  Yeah!  I'm so excited!  You guys are so talented out there!


Big Hugs,

Janis

FABULOUS FIND IN BLOGLAND!

Please go visit my sweet friend, Melissa, at her blog A PAPER JOURNEY.  She has given me permission to share a project she made recently with Mini Monsters.  Now here's a short, funny story.....


I have been drooling over wanting MINI MONSTERS and HAPPY HAUNTINGS for a while now.  I was trying to catch up on the blogs I follow this morning when I popped over to Melissa's blog.  I saw this most darling house that I can't wait to make with MINI MONSTERS when I get it.  But instead of a Haunted House, she actually made it as a "Welcome Baby" or rather "Welcome Little Monster!"  How CUTE is that?!  So creative!  Makes me giggle.  I love it!!


Here is one of the photos of this card, but hop over to her blog to see how it opens and everything.  It's awesome!  Make sure and leave her some comment love.  We all like comment love.  :)

WEEK 8 MINI ME BOOK 52Q

Welcome to Week 8 of 52Q MINI ME BOOK!  How are you guys doing with this?  I get lots of emails saying you are enjoying it.  I know most of you don't post your projects on my page, so it is nice to hear from you in email so I know I'm not alone in doing this. LOL  If you have any trouble posting your picks, just let me know, and I'll try to help you get it up if I can.

This week's question is:

WHO OR WHAT HAS LEFT FOOTPRINTS ON YOUR SOUL?

Can't wait to see what you create for your page!

:)  Hugs   Janis

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE QUESTIONS SO FAR AND MY PAGES.

GOODIES IN THE MAIL, NEW HALLOWEEN CARD, & BLOG HOP THANKS!

FALL BLOG HOP WINNER!!

Good morning everyone!  WOW!  The FALL BLOG HOP around here on Saturday was so much fun!  I hope you guys didn't miss it.  If you did, just hang on because we are going to do a HOLIDAY HOP in November!!  I'll keep you updated on that.

Now... what you've all been waiting for...who won one of these Halloween Mini Albums?
Album One:

Side One:

Side Two:

Album Two:

Side One:

Side Two:

Thank you all so much for hopping along with us, leaving such encouraging and sweet comments, and if you became a FOLLOWER of mine (and it wasn't even required), thank you so much!  

THE WINNER OF ONE OF THE HALLOWEEN MINI ALBUMS ABOVE IS....

PHYLLIS over at cutecricutcorner.blogspot.com!!  Congratulations, Phyllis!!  Let me know if you would prefer Album 1 or 2.  If you can't decide I'll pick for you and surprise you.  :) Please email me your address and I'll get your prize out to you right away!  You can contact me, Janis, at northrose@slowar.com.

As soon as I get an email from Ruthie with the list of all the winners from all the stops along the Blog Hop, I'll be adding that list to this post.  So feel free to check back here later on today to see if you won on another stop.  I wish I had about 200 of these Halloween Mini Albums to send to everyone of you who left me a comment.  But alas, I don't.  So I think I'll be doing another giveaway here on my blog soon.  I'm having just as much fun giving a handmade prize away as you guys are entering for a chance to win!

Thank you all again!  Every one of us on the HOP sure did enjoy all of your enthusiasm and comment love!  Crafting Buddies are the Best kinds of FREINDS!  :)  Big Hugs!!

Janis

AUTUMN BLESSINGS

This week over at PAPER PLAYTIME

Challenge #17's theme is:

AUTUMN

We would love for you to hop over and play along with us this week!

We are sponsored by

ROBYN'S FETISH DIGI STAMPS

The above card is using one of Robyn's Fetish Digi Stamps - 

POPPY FAIRY.

I wrote a poem for the inside sentiment.

(You didn't know I was a writer, did you? 

And I mean writer as in journal, 

I write poetry, sometimes songs,

but no, not a published writer - 

then I'd call myself an Author. LOL)

The inside says:

May Autumn bring you

cool breezes

laughter at sunset

hayrides

apples to bob for

masks, candy, and giggles

smiling scarecrows

owl songs in the evening

quilts on the porch swing

a hand to hold

family feasts

memories to last a lifetime

Thanks for stopping by!  

I appreciate your comments and for following

Pause Dream Enjoy.

Blessings to you and your's!

Janis