Bravo!

Hi all, as you read this, I hope to be relaxing in the CA sunshine, watching my baby sister get married! Ack!! I am so SO excited and happy for her. :) I am also so sooooo grateful to my husband's wonderful parents for taking over for us, watching our house, and our 3 kids (and 3 pets) while we are away, Now that's love, I tell you! "Being us" is no small feat, I realized as I was typing out the schedule for them! LOL. ;)

The Monologue Showcase that I teach to kids was a week ago, and it went really well! I am always SO proud of my students for getting up on stage, completely alone, and performing in front of 75+ people. Those kids are amazing! Every one steals my heart, I just love them, and acting coaching is a real joy for me. To be able to share that with kids is a gift. I'm so grateful to be using my degree in such a way that helps Fine Arts outreach in the public school system. I have always been passionate about keeping the arts in school. I'm so glad that, even though it's a small way, I can be a part of doing that. Next year I will be offering a variety of classes and after-school theater opportunities for kids. I can't wait to get started. :)

Anyway, I like to give the actors a card, and a little giftie to commemorate their performance. Click here to see the things I made for the last group, so you can see. I had 5 of the same kids from the last time, so I wanted to make things a little different, different gifts and cards.

I had ordered cupcakes for the little backstage "cast party" we had after the performance, and the lady told me that the only cupcake toppers they had that would work were stars colored blue and green, and would that be ok, since it wasn't very "theater-ish." I said yes, I knew drama mask cupcakes were going to be impossible to come by at such a late date, and from that point just decided to skip the drama masks for this round and do stars as the theme. I kept the colors in mind, too, and focused in on teal and green.

I started out by making the "gifts," I had some plastic snap together buttons/pins in my stash. I formatted some text in a circle that said "Best Actress" and then "RXI Monologue Showcase 2013." I only had one boy in the class, so one "Best Actor" was also made. After I printed them out, I used a Spellbinders die to cut them out, and I added a die cut star, some teeny stamps, and a gem to each one before snapping them securely inside the button.

These cards were so great for several reasons; they used up a lot of old things, many elements were pre made and they were super-quick, they also used up some unopened things, and finally they were really simple. I used the outer stars that were left from making the buttons, I'd used the TCP 3x3 Stars CutUp, if you click you can see how there's both an outer and inner star on each die. I was in Michael's last week, and found these Jolee's Star cabochons on clearance for only 99 cents a package! I bought one gold and and one silver pack. Quick and cute! Plus, since they weren't being mailed I didn't mind that they were very 3D in nature.

I found the stamp in a set I'd never opened. It was one of the many sets I'd won from the Spotted Canary prize packages I got a few years back. Seemed to work well for this! The banners are cut with a Paper Smooches die from white scraps. Those glittery photo corners I bought years ago. I've used up all the gold and silver ones, but still had plenty of the teal ones. The paper is downright ancient, from a DCWV pad that I've had for half of forever called "Mod Retro."

Well that's all I have for today, after I get back to CO, I'll have some more fun things to show you and I'll be catching up with comments and blogland then too!

xo, Noelle

CraftStorageIdeas.com: Reversible Craft Table Cover/Daring DIY

Hi all! I've got a new post up over at Craft Storage Ideas today! It's a feature on the reversible crafty table cover that my friend Annie showed how to make on her blog! Check it out if you get a chance.

Hugs! Noelle

Vintage Window Decor

Hi all, I am just swamped, but here's a fun project I made a few months ago and I thought you might want to see. I'd bought this cool vintage window at a Salvage place, it was only 8$ + the hardware cost made it around 20$ total. I knew I wanted to do something with the Cricut and vinyl. I'd pinned this great sign, and decided to make that my jumping off point, and I knew I wanted to add photos. I used several different cartridges to make this, and it would have been impossible without the Cricut Craft Room. That is such a great FREE resource. I highly recommend it if you have a Cricut. Anyway, I have this in my family room right now. Still not sure if I'll keep it here or move it to a wall somewhere. either way, I'm thrilled with a good-sized customized to our family piece of art for such a great price. :)

Have a great day! Noelle

Fleurs (TCPTUESApr13)

Hi all, here's my second go at this month's TCP Tuesday Challenge. I turned the kissing booth in Gimme Some Sugar into a flower booth. I covered up the lollipops with flowers die cut from the Lacy Floral Doily CutUp, and as you can see, I used the Cloud Border CutUp, too. 

Here's the deets from the Top Cat's mouth, this is from Alma! :)

This month it's all about flowers. They say that April Showers bring May Flowers, but, we want to see those flowers, NOW. So, your challenge, if you decide to accept it, is to use flowers. And, not just as an embellishment, but as the main focal point of your card.

and here's the rules:  

1. The First Tuesday of the Month Alma will post a challenge on her blog. 
   The challenge will also be posted on our Facebook Page and on our Splitcoaststampers thread.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to Alma's blog using the InLinkz button. (The challenge button will be posted on the right hand column)
   If you want to display your pretties on Splitcoaststampers using keyword TCPTUESApr13.
3. The Challenge will be a month-long challenge and you can play as many times as you like during that month.
4. Cards and projects must have at least one Cat's Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die in the project.
5. On the First Monday of the Month a winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and crowned Swanky Stamper.
6. The Swanky Stamper will not only be acknowledged as the Swankiest Stamper for that month, but will also receive some of the stamps from our next release and get to play along with us at our Pajamas Party and Blog Hop. AND... They'll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won them the gig AND as snazzy badge to display on their blog.
7. The winner will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and on Alma's blog.

Trust me when I say, you DO want to be crowned Swanky Stamper, it is so fun to get all those free goodies and come play the next release with the Cat Pack! :) 

So, did you notice that Ms. Sprinkle has two different prices listed for her flowers? She has a 5 cent tag on her hat, and I used the 7 cent teeny stamp from Commemorating You to accent the banner with. I guess she will take whatever she can get! Or maybe she's using the 5 cent sign to draw them in, and then uses the 7 cent price after all! LOL, I don't know that I'd put it past Sprinkle, haha. 

The  banner at the top was paper pieced and the letters for "fleurs" are the Coolvetica Alphabet. The sentiment at the top is from Simply Said. I decided to go with "fleurs" instead of "flowers" because the banner wasn't long enough, and I figured Sprinkle would be fancy enough to use French on her banner! ;)

"Gimme Some Sugar" is such a fun builder set, and you really could turn the booth into any myriad of booth type. It could be a kissing booth, a candy booth, a bake sale, or even a Peanuts/Lucy type "psychiatry" booth! ;) This set would also pair well with some of the circus sets we have at TCP. 

The final touches on this card were some gems and pearls, plus a little Diamond Stickles on the band of Sprinkle's hat. I sure hope you like it and that you can come play with us at TCP this month! :)

Hugs, Noelle

Product Review of the C Gull Cricut Expression Rolling Tote @ Craft Storage Ideas

Hi all! I have a new article up at CraftStorageIdeas.com today! It's a product review of a product that I own (and love!)... the C Gull Cricut Expression Rolling Tote. I hope you'll be able to pop over there and check it out! :)

hugs, Noelle

Just a Note (Paper Smooches SPARKS Designer Draft)

Hi all, Back again today with another challenge card I made on Tuesday! I was very productive on Tuesday, I got 5 cards made, my whole house picked up, some laundry done, made cookies with the boys, and in general just dealt with a lot of little things that had been piling up! At first, when they called the snow day (before it had even started snowing-a rarity for CO!) I was a little irritated because the boys had just gone back to school after a two week Spring Break. They have not been getting along so great lately, and the thought of another day at home with them arguing didn't seem so appealing. Also, I had to cancel the Acting Workshop that I teach, and also my Tuesday lap swim (I miss my lap swim, I love it! Next Tuesday for sure.... unfortunately there isn't time before then...) But, the snow day actually ended up working out for the best. I had so much to get done around the house, and my hubby stayed home too, and was great about playing with the kids.

This is one of the cards I made. it's for this week's Paper Smooches SPARKS: Designer Drafts Challenge, a sketch challenge, and here is the sketch:

I decided to go with an office type theme, I used some office supply washi tape that I'd ordered a while ago from Freckled Fawn. I used the binder clip stamp and die from PS, and die cut a wood veneer sheet for a little interest instead of paper. Also, used the "Just a Note" stamp from Sentiment Sampler and some stars from Space Cadet to stamp my die cut musical note with (that note die is from The Cat's Pajamas...)

This was a pretty simple card, and I decided it needed just a smidge more interest, so I added half a hexagon sticker from Jillibean Soup, and some old star brads from my stash.

That is all for me today! "See" you soon!

xo, Noelle

Merry Monday #57

Hi there! Thrilled I was able to crank out a couple more challenge cards when the boys had their snow day on Tuesday. This one is for this weeks Merry Monday Challenge. It's a sketch challenge and here is the sketch:

I was really in a "bits and pieces" mood when I was working Tuesday. kept diving into all my old things; extras, leftovers, scraps. I love to use up old things, and I was really happy with the way the cards I made then turned out.

I had a bunch of scraps still on my desk from the last few weeks, including that glittery silver one. there was just enough left for  part of a snowflake topper die cut and a scalloped circle punch. A bit hard to see here, but I added Diamond Stickles to the centers of aaalllll those little red flowers on the banner and some to the bow on the wreath. All the papers are scraps, except the candy cane stripe. 

I used a fave Chistmas set of mine J*lly H*liday, and the snowflake topper die is also TCP. 

Thanks so much for popping by, and I'll be back soon with a new card for Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge! :) 

hugs, Noelle

More Cards for church...

Hi all, the boys are home on a snow day. I have fallen behind with the church ministry to make cards for church members who are hurting, sick, grieving or lonely. I used new papers (Dear Lizzy Neapolitan by American Crafts) and a whole lot of random, older bits and pieces from my desktop organizer. Got a few more to make today, not sure if I'll go with challenges first or more submissions. I sent 9 cards to Stamping Royalty Contest, and I've got 3 more submission cards in for an upcoming Paper Crafts issue. I'm happy because doing a lot more submissions, and that was a big goal for me this year. :) Hope you are having a lovely day & it's not too snowy where you live :) hugs, Noelle

Bloom (TCPTUESApr13)

Hi all! We are having an AWESOME challenge over at Dancing In Pajamas this month! It's waaaaay easier than last month's challenge, too :) (I say, with a sigh of relief! LOL) You have all month to come play with us, so I hope you will.

This month it's all about flowers. They say that April Showers bring May Flowers, but, we want to see those flowers, NOW. So, your challenge, if you decide to accept it, is to use flowers. And, not just as an embellishment, but as the main focal point of your card.

and here's the rules:  

1. The First Tuesday of the Month Alma will post a challenge on her blog. 
   The challenge will also be posted on our Facebook Page and on our Splitcoaststampers thread.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to Alma's blog using the InLinkz button. (The challenge button will be posted on the right hand column)
   If you want to display your pretties on Splitcoaststampers using keyword TCPTUESApr13.
3. The Challenge will be a month-long challenge and you can play as many times as you like during that month.
4. Cards and projects must have at least one Cat's Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die in the project.
5. On the First Monday of the Month a winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and crowned Swanky Stamper.
6. The Swanky Stamper will not only be acknowledged as the Swankiest Stamper for that month, but will also receive some of the stamps from our next release and get to play along with us at our Pajamas Party and Blog Hop. AND... They'll even get a special spot in the Gallery highlighting the project that won them the gig AND as snazzy badge to display on their blog.
7. The winner will be announced the First Monday of the month on Splitcoaststampers, Facebook page and this Blog  
   

and here's my card, you likey? I decided to go as feminine as possible with this card, and that meant using lots of (shocking, I know!) PINK! You know I struggle with pink, but I'm really pleased with this card. The pink + yellow + green really works, and I really like the sweet pattern on this DP.

I started out by making an A2 card in an olive color. Then I die cut my Lacy Floral Doily CutUp using pink card stock. I love the little dots that are on that die, it just adds so much! I accented the banner that I'd stamped the "bloom" sentiment on with Sunflower Rosette CutUp, and a pretty flowered button. 

The Mr. Flower Bun image from Bloom was stamped on a white scrap, colored with Copics and fussy cut out. I don't mind telling you that fussy cutting this image takes patience! I remembered what a pain it was from this project, but ultimately that was the look I wanted, very delicate to go with the whole feel of the card. You can see I added some tiny gems to the flower centers.

and that is all for me today! Hope you are having a lovely week :) 

Noelle

Blessings in Blue

I am writing today to share with you some wonderful news.... my crazy, blended, mixed-up, and wonderful family is growing. My step-cousin & his wife are adopting a precious little boy. He has been in his Mom's heart from well before she knew his name. He is a precious, adorable, sweet 2 year old with happy laughter. The whole family fell right in love with him the first time we saw him (last November for me, my hubby, and our boys). My brother and his wife are also expecting a new baby boy in June. Two blessings in blue. :) I'm interspersing a hanging tag/sign I made for little Jacobi's new room, and the card I made for them, too. On both I used my new fave TCP set: Sock It To Me.

It brings up an interesting point about family. Technically, I have a huge, blended, extended, adopted, by marriage, by adoption, by blood family. But when we get together, it's just family. You know what I mean? All these kids/nieces/nephews/step-nieces/nephews/little stepcousins, etc. just play and have fun together, even though they range in ages 14 years-newborn. We hosted Easter here, and it was awesome to see everyone. I love having a big family. I don't think about the technicalities of whether or not we are related by birth to someone or not. The kids (even baby J, who will technically be my adopted step-cousin somehow removed, I never understood the whole removed thing....) are all cousins. It's just fun, crazy, loud, and really messy. But it's amazing. There is a place for everyone here. Family is not only those who are related to you by blood, they are those in your heart, the ones that matter the most to you.

When I was 9 and my parents got divorced, it was heartbreaking for me. But now I'm hugely grateful for all the blessings that have come my way from that door in my life being closed. I now believe this is the lesson that life is trying to teach to me. I've learned that whenever God asks you to put something down, He will give you something better in return. I am so blessed. Blessed in family, blessed in friendship, blessed in joy, blessed in love. I'm grateful every day for my life. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Much Love, Noelle

Neutral Noelle Jingle Belles wrap up

Hi there folks! No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, just deep into the abyss of Spring Break and  we hosted Easter here yesterday for the fam, only 18 peeps this year, not too shabby, but I had to get my house ready you know :) Anyhow, in all my Easter preparations I completely SPACED the winter merriment that was wrapping up at Jingle Belles. You can check it out here. Amazing winners! Thanks so much for playing my prompt. :) hugs, Noelle