Maddy's 1st Birthday Invitations

As I mentioned yesterday, I decided to Make Madeline's first birthday invitations. I was originally going to do monkeys, but ended up going with ladybugs. Here is the invite:

I used my Coluzzle to cut a approx. 4" circle in black and red and a smaller black circle for the head. I also used the Coluzzle to cut out around the invitation I typed up in Microsoft Word. I then cut the red circle and ran it through my Cuttlebug machine using the polka-dot embossing folder. Now looking back, I wish I would have embossed it then cut it. I then inked the edges and started the process of assembling them. Oh, and I didn't have any black brads, so I had to paint some silver ones black!

The wings open up to reveal the invitation. I lifted the ladybug off of a image I found of a ladybug on Google Images. I thought it would be cute to turn into an invitation. Did I mention I had to make 40+ invites? Yeah...it took a lot longer than I originally thought it would.

While at the Dollar Tree and browsing the party section, I came across this:

I thought it would be a fun party decor. Here is how I changed it:

I have three of them to hang above the table where the cake and presents will be.

Over the summer I started frequently visiting Paper Popsicles. They have gone through some major changes! I'm excited about what they have up their sleeves. Check out there blog: Paper Popsicles. They have a fun RAK up for grabs, so make sure to check it out!

I have lots more to share! I have some fun Cosmo Cricket layouts as well as a challenge I did for Citrus Tree Studio! I hope you'll check back soon!

Simple Stories by Memory Works

Memory Works is launching their very own line called Simple Stories! I am SO excited about it! They become available to purchase tomorrow morning (Friday the 15th). You may be asking why this is such a great line. Well the answer is easy. Its because it makes scrapbooking simple. Here is the low-down on it. It has 3 components. The kit, the page protectors and the album.

This is the kit. 180 pieces. The pieces go perfectly with the page protectors below. The kit is only $16.99!

The page protectors range from $5.50 to $11.50 depending on which assortment you want. The pages are divided into different sizes to create different layouts/pages. So all you have to do is insert your pictures into the slots on the page protector (for some layouts you will need to cut down your photo) cut a coordinating piece or two, journal and your done! How quick and easy!

Memory Works also offers these We R Memory Keepers 3 ring binder albums for $30.00.

You can bet that I will be ordering one (possibly more) first thing tomorrow morning. I plan on giving one to my mom for her birthday. She is SUPER busy and wants to scrapbook, just doesn't have the time. This will be perfect. I also want to create an album about my Grandpa who recently passed away. His life story is pretty cool and so full of history. I'd like to document his life and this would be a great way to do it simply. I'll copy some of my moms older photos, get her help with the journaling and stories and I will have one FABULOUS album to pass along for many generations to come! I think these would make great gifts too! Both for beginners and expert scrappers. If you would like to see more info about the new Simple Stories line check out their blog at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/.

The Simple Stories line is only available through Memory Works. I recently had to end my website and ability for people to visit it and order. BUT, it is still VERY simple to order them through me. Simply visit the Memory Works website (http://www.memory-works.com/) website and then shoot me an e-mail (mustangkayla at hotmail dot com). I can then submit your order and have it shipped directly to you!

Shipping costs:

$0-$87.99 purchase.......$8.45

$88.00-$118.99 Purchase..........$9.45

$119.00 and up Purchase...........8%

Now check back tomorrow, I'll be posting Maddy's birthday invites and I hope to get a better picture of the decorations I made for it too! And because I have so many pictures to share, here are a few pictures of the kiddos.

I arranged to have Santa come visit the kiddos as I hadn't gotten them to see Santa this year. I recruited a friend of a friend. He did such a good job and I appreciate his willingness to go it so much.

Now the kids...they didn't doo so well. Peyton WAS NOT getting close to him, I had to force him to get near Santa.

Maddy on the other hand, was okay and somewhat intrigued by Santa....

That is, til we sat her in Santas lap!

More Layouts and More Pictures

Have I mentioned how much I'm loving these large Scallop Circles from Creative Cuts and More? Well I do, they are a ton of fun!

Have I mentioned how much I'm loving to sew on layouts? Haha! I think it adds so much to a layout. Oh, and this for this layout I used one of Helen Crofts fabulous sketches.

I had planned using this Slash Folder with Tag Set from Creative Cuts & More on the above layout, but I ended up going down another path. I'm not overly fond of this layout. I tried using a cute sketch, but my layout didn't come out quite as cute. Has that ever happened to you? Anywho...I thought the tag would be fun as it would add extra space for pictures and/or journaling.

Now for some pictures of the kiddos. Its been quite nasty outside these last couple of months. I've been trying to come up with inexpensive activities to entertain the munchkins. I went to the garage and grabbed some of the empty formula cans. We stack them up and throw balls at them, trying to knock them over. We also line them up and try to toss balls into them. It has been an EXCELLENT entertainer.

Miss Madeline...Love those blue eyes...

Mr. Peyton, I'm having quite the hard time getting him to cooperate in taking his picture. This is usually what happens.

Yep, once again pantsless. Not sure why he thought it okay to sit on the table to do his puzzle.

Yep, she tries SO SO SO hard to pull herself up but can't quite do it yet.

I hope you check back soon. I made Madeline's 1st Birthday invites and love how they came out. I'll be sharing those in the next day or two.

Creative Cuts & More Valentine Blog Hop

I'm so glad you stopped by today! If you came here from Sandi's blog that is great! If not, you don't want to miss out on this fabulous blog hop, so head on over to Die Cut Diva Blog to see what our Fabulous Design Team Members have made. If for some reason one of the links is broken along the Hop do not worry, HOP back over to Die Cut Diva where the complete list will be.

A CHANCE TO WIN! This month we will be doing something a bit differently! Post a comment to each of the DESIGN TEAM'S BLOG projects AND by creating a project using a valentine themed die cut. More info can be found on the Die Cut Diva Blog.

I decided to make a couple Valentines! I used the Heart #02 - Large with Layer for both of them.

This one I used Killer Red Tacky Tape to adhere the black heart sides in a tad bit to create a pocket to put goodies in. You could hang it on a door, a poster board or wherever you want! Wouldn't that be cute to hang on your childs door as a special valentine day surprise for them to wake up to in the morning? (The tags, flowers and ribbon came from my stash)

Next is one I made for my son. I adhered the black heart to the red heart then made a slit using my craft knife. I then slid some suckers in and glued the little red heart to cover the slit and put a sticker on top (sticker from my stash). How easy is that? I think they would make fun valentines for school aged children.

Thanks for hopping by! Now hop on over to Steph's Blog to see what wonderful project she has in store for you!

Die Cut Diva - http://die-cut-diva.blogspot.com/
Carla Mayfield - http://paperpastorale.blogspot.com/
Noelle Reese - http://noellescrapsalot.blogspot.com/
Sandi Peiffer - http://www.scrappinsandi.blogspot.com/ - GUEST DESIGNER
Kayla Dupont - http://dream-bielieve-imagine-mustangkayla.blogspot.com/ <-------YOU ARE HERE

Steph Zerbe - <-------GO HERE Holly Brown - http://glitterstampsandink.blogspot.com/
Lisa Somerville - http://www.lisasomerville.com/
Jenny Erichson - http://pinchofpaisley.blogspot.com/ - GUEST DESIGN

Lindsay Weirich - http://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com/

Chris Dickinson - http://www.chrissyd723.blogspot.com/

Make sure to check out another Creative Cuts & More Project in the next post down. I had so much fun with it! Thanks for visiting! I hope you will stop back by soon!

Purse Card

My moms birthday is coming up at the end of the month. I wanted to make her a special card. I had this cute Purse Card with Gift Card Layer from Creative Cuts & More. Here is what I did:

A close up of the fun chipboard and ribbon.

This is what the card looks like when you open it up.

The picture pulls out into a little accordion with more pictures.

Of course, I used one of my favorite lines EVER, Cosmo Cricket Early Bird. The chipboard is from both the Cosmo Cricket Early Bird line as well as the Girl Friday line. The ribbon is from the Cosmo Cricket Earth Love line.

This was so much fun and super quick and easy.

New layouts and comparing pictures

Citrus Tree Studio had a New Years crop. I was able to get a few layouts done for it.

I used a sketch from Scrap A Little for this layout. I just LOVE Helen's sketches.

Here is another layout using a Scrap A Little Sketch. I've used this sketch a handful of times now. Its kinda fun to flip and move elements around. I think this Imaginisce line is so darn cute. (Thanks Nicole, for sharing some of your scrappy supplies with me!)

I pleated the ribbon using Fabritac glue. It worked pretty good.

I am a big fan of My Minds Eye. I used a sketch for this one too, but don't remember where at the moment. Mostly likely Julie Bonner, I love her sketches too.

As you can tell I am on a big sketch kick at the moment. My mojo has run out and I just sit and stare at my pictures and/or products. The sketches help give me a jump start.

I love comparing pictures. Here is a picture of Maddy and one of Peyton at about the same age.

I'm so excited to share my first DT project for Scrap A Little blog! The challenge was to use blue, pink and brown. The twist is to use word 'new' in your title.

I grew up with the tradition of getting a new special outfit every Easter. I have carried that tradition on with my kiddos. Check out the other fantastic layouts created by other design team members at Scrap A Little Blog. I'd love it if you played along!

I'm in trouble....Miss Madeline is crawling pretty darn fast and is into everything. Last week she started climbing....

(sidenote...she needs a haircut bad....her darn bang keep getting in her eyes).

Yep, I'm scared, very very VERY scared! ;-)