New Challenge Blog & Blog Hop Info

My friend, Sandra and I have started a brand new challenge blog!  It's all about Cricut all the time.  The blog is called Flaunt It Fridays.  Each Friday there will be a specific Cricut Cartridge cut (with the page number so you can find it on your cart) Flaunted in all sorts of different ways in all sorts of different projects by our Design Team.  Your challenge will be to use the SAME cut from the SAME cartridge and show us how you can flaunt it!  Of course if you don't the cartridge, just pick a similar cut from another Cricut cart.

This Friday, December 3rd, is our first challenge, and we are starting it off with a BLOG HOP so that you can go visit all of our Design Team.  Leave a comment on Flaunt it Fridays, then leave comment love on each Designer's post, and hop back to leave a 2nd comment on Flaunt it Fridays again telling us you've visited everyone and left them comment love.  This will give you 2 chances to win our Grand Prize from our sponsor Peachy Keen Stamps!

Here is a list of the Design Team in case you want to go ahead and check them out:
Flaunt It Fridays - http://flauntitfridays.blogspot.com/
Sandra - http://365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/
Janis - http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/
Theresa - http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/
Amanda - http://www.myscrappinobsession.com/
Christina - http://cardcreationsbyc.blogspot.com/
Stephanie - http://www.alwayscrafting.com/
Jess - http://myscrapdiary-jess.blogspot.com/
Ruthie - http://septemberninth.blogspot.com/
Dorcas - http://4craftyangels.blogspot.com/
Laurel - http://www.blog.littlepeaceofmyheart.com/
Raven - http://www.love4stamps.blogspot.com/

Our blog hop will start @ 12:01 a.m. PST on Friday, December 3rd.  I'm so excited and can't wait to Flaunt & Hop with you on Friday!!

Jingle Bells!
:) Janis

52Q WEEK 18

It's Tuesday!  That means it's time for this week's 52Q!  Want to know more about 52Q?  CLICK HERE.  You'll get all the info on what it is, why you should play along, and all the links to the previous week's questions including a glimpse at my pages.

We are on Week 18 today!  This week's question is:

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR?

Me?  You want to know what I enjoy most about this time of year?  So glad you asked!  I enjoy looking at all the decorations and Christmas trees.  I could sit and stare at a Christmas tree and it's lights all evening - it's mesmerizing like watching a fire in the fireplace.

When we were growing up, my Mama decorated every room in our house for Christmas.  The den's mantel was covered in Angel Hair - which they don't even sell anymore (it was string glass) and Christmas figures, and Mama usually had a snow village set on the bathroom counter with decorations draped along the mirror and lights.  Mmmmmm..... memories.....

Here is the card / pocket holder for my page this week.  I took the ornament that I would normally use as the tag for my answer and tuck it inside the card..... instead this time, I punched a hole in the ornament and put it behind the page .

Page base is beige.

Background tree paper from RAK.

Papers for Christmas tree and ornament from Stampin' Up.

Cricut Cartridge:  WINTER FROLIC

Christmas Tree page 48 cut @ 4 1/2"

Ornament page 64 cut @ 4 1/2"

Phrase page 64 cut @ 3"

JINGLE, JINGLE!

:) Janis

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER... PAPER PLAYTIME CH#27

It's Paper Playtime Challenge day!  This week is Challenge #27 - Christmas Carol Inspired - so I made a treat bag inspired by "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

Red lunch bag from Target.
Cricut Cartridge WINTER FROLIC
Reindeer page 36 cut @ 4 1/2"
Tag page 38 cut @ 4 1/2"

Come play along with us!
Ho, Ho, Ho
:) Janis

SMILE!

Good morning!  I just LOVE my We R Memory Keepers Retro Glam collection!!! It's GORGEOUS!

Here is a card I made using the Retro Glam collection.  Actually, it's a postcard.  It will still fit in an A2 size envelope.  I just took a ValuePack card (pre-scored for easy folding) and cut down the score line to make it a postcard.

Pattern paper from Retro Glam collection.  Solid papers from ValuePack and Stampin' Up.

Brad from Retro Glam collection.

Ribbon from Michael's.

Cricut Cartridge:  POTPOURRI BASKET

SMILE phrase page 60 cut @ 2 1/2" and 2 3/4" then layered on top of each other.

I hope this makes you SMILE!!

:) Janis

CCC #52 - Christmas Theme - Words Only

You know what day it is?  It's Wednesday and that means a brand new challenge begins over at Cricut Card Challenge!    This week our challenge is #52-Christmas theme-Just Words from your Cricut-No image-any colors and cartridge.


Doesn't that sound fun?  I kept thinking of all these images I could add, then remembered, nope - no images. LOL

I used Kraft cardstock to make a "tall" card.  This type of card will fit into a #10 Size Envelope which is also called "Business Size".

The card measures 9"x4" and is scored @ 3 1/2" to leave a little overhang on the inside to show when closed.

• Cricut Cartridge:  WINTER FROLIC
• Joy To The World phrase cut from page 70 @ 3" and with shadow feature
• Papers from DCWV The Christmas Combo 180 Stack, Cloud 9 Designs, and KF Biggie Bundle #3
• Squares cut at 2 1/4" and 2"
• Ribbon and Twine from Joann's
• Jingle Bells from Michael's

Hop over to CCC and play along with us this week!  

Hugs! :) Janis

52Q WEEK 17

Are you ready for the 52Q for this week?  I made a video Monday for it, but didn't get it edited.  I'll try to add that to this post today.

The question for Week 17 is:  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TOY?  Can you guess what mine is by the picture?  It's my CRICUT EXPRESSION!!

Page base is an A2 size card (pink) from a Value Pack (pre-scored for easy folding!)  I just added adhesive  to the bottom and right side leaving the top open to easily put in a tag with my answer.  I'll use my Crop-a-Dile to punch holes in the left side and add it to my mini book with binding rings.

• Cricut Cartridge:  POTPOURRI BASKET
• Cricut image page 70 cut @ 4" using green and white solid papers from Stampin' Up.
• All the pattern papers used for the background and vase tage are from "We R Memory Keepers" the "Retro Glam" collection.  These papers are AMA-ZA-ZING!  (See pictures of what all was in this kit below.)
• Chipboard Journaling Tag from Retro Glam kit
• Inside vase cut from POTPOURRI BASKET page 47 cut @ 3 1/2" using Retro Glam papers
• Chipboard Flower on top of vase from Retro Glam

This was such a fun page to make today all about my favorite toy.  I can't wait to see your page and find out what YOUR favorite toy is.  Submit your project by clicking the blue button below.

Have a safe and fun Thanksgiving!  Meet me here again next Tuesday for your next 52Q!

Hugs!  :) Janis

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE 52Q WEEK'S QUESTIONS SO FAR AND MY PERSONAL PAGES FOR THE MINI ME ALBUM!

BEAVER SINGING THANK YOU CARD? SURE - WHY NOT?!

Good morning all my bloggy friends! We moved out of the hotel and into an apartment in Houston.  I'm without internet until early this week.  {withdrawals!}  Also, we will be traveling back to Georgia and South Carolina for the Thanksgiving holiday, so I'll be out of touch.... again..... I sure do miss going to all your blogs and catching up with all my crafty friends on Facebook.  Give me some time though, and I'll get all caught up again – promise!

So today is Monday and that means a brand new challenge over at PAPER PLAYTIME!!  The theme this week is THANK YOU.  Here is a Christmas Thank You card I made using Winter Frolic.  You didn't know beavers could sing, did you? LOL  This beaver does.  He's singing, “Thank You!”

Card base: Kraft card stock

Cricut Cartridge:  WINTER FROLIC

Beaver cut @ 3 1/2” page 35

Music notes page 45 cut @ 1 1/2”

Background mat from DCWV The Christmas Combo 180 Stack

All solid papers from Recollections

Back Rhinestones used for eyes

Candy Cane Ribbon from Michael's

Hugs!  :) Janis

52Q WEEK 16

Happy Tuesday!  It's 52Q Time!  52Q is a weekly challenge every Tuesday for one whole year!  Each Tuesday I ask you a question about yourself.  Not about your family or hubby or kids, but just about YOU!  Your mission is to create a page centered around this question and include the answer.  At the end of the 52nd Question (1 question a week for 52 weeks = 1 year), You will have made an entire MINI ALBUM all about YOU!!!  As crafters so often we scrap about everyone and everything else except ourselves, so this is your opportunity to leave YOUR legacy for generations that come after you.

This week Question #16 is:  "Are You Good At Keeping Secrets?"

For my page, I used a beige base and paper from DCWV The Christmas Combo Stack.

I put a black rhinestone for the little birdie's eye, and a few scattered red rhinestones for the holly berries.  There is a little inking around the edges and that's it!  Your page does not have to be complicated or use every product or crafting tool you have.  Of course, you can make it as elaborate or simple as fits your style or mood, but the whole idea is to GET IT DONE.

I hope you enjoyed this week's question.  We can't wait to see your page!  Link it below with the blue button.

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

SMMA BLOG HOP WINNER AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR A DEC. HOP!

Hello all my crafty friends in blogland!  WOW!  What a tremendous response to the So Many Mini Albums Blog Hop last weekend!  Wasn't it a blast!?!  I so appreciate all the comments and new followers.  Becoming a follower was not required to be eligible to win a prize, so I really appreciate it if you hit the FOLLOW button anyway.

If you would like an email when I upload a new post, you can fill in your email address in the form on the sidebar that says "GET EMAIL UPDATES".  At the most, it will send you an email once a day.  If I post more than once in a day, you will still only get ONE email.  And on days I may not post, you will not receive any email.

Now, what you really want to know.... who is the winner of the LET IT SNOW Mini Album?

The winner is GINA who said:

Gina said...

I am so enjoying this hop and getting to see peoples creations that I may have missed otherwise and your minis are so stinkin cute! I love the "beautiful" pb mini alot and the let is snow would be such an awesome prize to win!! I love homemade items so much more than store bought!

Thanks for sharing

gina

Thank you, Gina, for your sweet comment.  Please email me at [email protected].  If you have a U.S.A. mailing address, I will get your mini album out to you right away!

And thanks to all of you who left me such encouraging and sweet comments.  They make me smile!!!

Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, December 11th, for another fun-filled BLOG HOP with LOTS and LOTS of CANDY to be WON!!

The HOP will start HERE!  Here is the line-up for it:

1. Janis - http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/
2. Sheree -  http://cravinscrappin.blogspot.com/
3. Carley -  http://www.the-real-icarley.blogspot.com/
4. Pam -  http://simply-pam.blogspot.com/
5. Mary -  http://cardztv.blogspot.com/
6. Maria -  http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/
7. Sharon -   http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com/
8. Michelle -  http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com/
9. Corri -  http://www.buglvr.blogspot.com/
10. Lisa -  http://www.crop-and-create.blogspot.com/
11. Kathi -  http://www.blogbykathi.blogspot.com/
12. Alex -  http://www.youhadmeatcraft.com/
13. Sandra -  http://www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/
14. Melissa -  http://www.apaperjourney.blogspot.com/
15. Abby -  http://www.scrapbookaholicbyabby.com/
16.  Theresa - http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/

We will have several BLOG CANDY items right here with lots more chances of even more BLOG CANDY along the way.  Sounds fun!!!  We are all so excited and working on our projects for the hop!

Have a blessed day!
:) Janis

PAPER PLAYTIME CH#25 - P.S. I LOVE YOU

Hello all my bloggy friends!  Today is a brand new week which means there's a brand new challenge over at Paper Playtime.  This week our challenge theme is P.S. I LOVE YOU.  We are to make any paper project about something we love, or for someone we love, or using a technique we love... you get the picture.

I chose to make a winter card with hearts and a snowman.  I love my family.  I love our home life.  I love snow.  So the sentiment for my card this week is "There's SNOW place like Home."

This adorable Snowman digi image is from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More.  I used background paper from DCWV The Winter Combo, green ink from Colorbox, Crayola Crayons, Crayola Markers, and the hearts are from CREATE A CRITTER page 49 cut @ 2 3/4".

I hope you'll come over to Paper Playtime and play in paper with us this week!

:)  Janis

Several Types of Handmade Mini Albums

TOILET PAPER ROLL MINI ALBUMS:

For the 2 Toilet Paper Roll Albums above, I took 4 empty toilet paper rolls and flattened them.  I used pattern paper to wrap around the rolls.  On one end I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes and then insert eyelets.  Two binding rings were then inserted through the eyelets to hold the mini album together.  The other end of the roll was left open so you could insert a tag.  I used Cricut cartridge PLANTIN SCHOOLBOOK to cut the tags and added some ribbon to the top of each one.  These tags can be used for photos or journaling.  My sister picked these up when she came over the other day and "ooooo-ed" and "ahhhhh-ed" over them.  She couldn't believe it when I told her they were made from empty toilet paper rolls. LOL

POCKET PAGES LET IT SNOW MINI ALBUM:

This Mini Album was so fun to make!  Each page is actually one sheet of 12"x12" pattern paper folded creatively to create 3 pockets per page - 1 on front, 1 on back, and 1 at the top.  No, this is NOT my idea.  

PAPER BAG MINI ALBUM:

This is my FAVORITE Paper Bag Mini Album I've ever made!!!   All the papers and embellishments in the mini album are from K & Company.  Awesomeness!  We plan on using this one to hold all our memorabilia from our Texas life while we are here for the next several months.

Whew!  That was a lot of pictures!  

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm having fun!  Aren't you?!!??

THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS!

When we moved here to Texas a couple weeks ago, my husband surprised me with a new laptop!  (Yes, ladies, he's my best friend and my sugar daddy! LOL)  All of my Family Heritage pictures are still on my old computer back in Georgia.  I'm wishing so hard right now I had access to those photos to show you some great pictures of our military family through the years.  Maybe I'll update a new post with those when we go back at Thanksgiving to get the rest of our things.

Until then, please enjoy these photos of family and friends who have previously or who are currently serving our country.

Say THANK YOU every chance you get to them.  It means a lot.

And enjoy the video at the end of this post.

Our son, James, Army

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SERVE, WHO HAVE SERVED, AND WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND AT HOME AWAY FROM YOUR LOVED ONES THAT SERVE!  WE APPRECIATE YOU!!

My husband's brother, Bill, Navy

My husband's granddaddy, Gerald, I think Navy

My husband's Daddy, Charles, Navy

My future brother-in-law, Chris, Marines

My Daddy, Don, Navy (his blog here)

My Daddy's Daddy, Erby, Navy, I think

My Daddy's brother, Mike, Marines, I think

Our son, James, Army

My friend, Patricia's son, TJ, Army (her blog here)

My friend, Sheree's son, Matt, Army (her blog here)

After watching this video, you may want to read the article on The Gratitude Campaign blog HERE.

Ways you can get involved:

• Visit the Gratitude Campaign HERE
• Visit Operation Write Home HERE

May God bless you and yours and bring you together again soon in health and love.

:) Janis