Talk Time Tuesday

My Talk Time Tuesday is about surviving the Holidays! 

Most of us are Moms, Aunts, Grandmas. and Sisters... so in this busy time of year we are pulled in a million directions. Holiday concerts, family parties, class parties, work dinners, and much much more. For the next 2 months we will be rushing to get everything done. Here are a few ideas to help you make it to January with your sanity!! :)

The number one thing is to remember the REASON for the SEASON

Take time to enjoy the actives you are at, time flies! Embrace the time with your friends and family. It doesn't have to be perfect for everyone to have a good time. 

Take a few moments for yourself, even if it is only a few minutes enjoy it! Sometime I will get to the school where I pick up my kids about 15min before they get out. I take that time to relax, I listen to the music I WANT to hear, read a magazine and just relax.

It is ok to say "No!" I have a really hard time doing this, but during this time of year I try to not overload myself. We are only human and can only do so much. If it is something you just can't or do not want to do. It is perfectly ok to say "No!", you are not being mean you are just trying to keep yourself sane. 

Make sure you take care of yourself!! If momma doesn't feel good it effects everyone :) ( I know this from my little family) Make sure you drink plenty of water, take vitamins or vitamin C to keep away winter bugs, dress warm when you are out and about, and make sure you get plenty of sleep.

If you start to feel down or overloaded, call a friend or family member and get together for some non-holiday time. When I start to stress out, my BFF and I get together to scrapbook, make a run to the craft store, or make a lunch date. 

And last but not least, the unexpected gift giver... Sometimes we get neighbors or friends that stop by with unexpected gifts. I always keep a few quick gifts on hand. I get a cookie mix, or muffin mix and make extra Christmas cards and tie them on with ribbon and have them pre-signed. That way when those unexpected gifts show up you have something right on hand. I call them my no-stress gifts :)

I hope all of you have a yummy, wonderful and memory filled Thanksgiving

and a fabulous holiday season!
<3 Mollie

Last Minute Challege!

Welcome to our first ever Anything Goes challenge with at the CCR! But there is a Catch!

Theme:  Last Minute Challenge!!

 Anything Goes... but you can only enter your project at the CCR! 
Cannot link your entry into any other challenge or link party! 
That is what the last minute challenge is all about!  

You need a project now: Forgotten Birthday, last minute Thank you, Just a quick note! No time to search for other challenges, no time to add extra links!  
(I bet this will be a real challenge!) 


My daughter has a birthday party to go to on Friday, a pajama party. So I made this cute, sparkly and frilly birthday card!

Paper from scraps
Martha Stweart boarder punch
Pebbles inc stickers
doodlebug sugar coating
ribbon scraps

Submit your new project for a chance to win a prize!

THE PRIZE

Challenge Starts today Nov 17 and runs until November 30.

Follow the rules then submit your new  project here at the 

Creative Cutter Room!

Looking forward to seeing your creations! 

Only entries that fit the challenge guidelines will be entered to win the prize!

 

Some Rules to keep in mind while playing along:

Project submissions must be new, no back linking

CCR must be mentioned in the description with a link back to here

Entry must fit theme to be qualified for the prize

Prize must be claimed within 2 weeks

Please link your project posting not just your blog

You have until November 30, 2011 to enter your project.

Here is the Line Up You for some great inspiration:

Carri

Gaby

Mollie 

Christel 

Jenny

Interested in joining our CCR Team? Click HERE for details!

DT Thursday Sketch Challenge

 Welcome to our first ever sketch challenge over at the CCR!

Isn't this a Great sketch! Courtesy of Let's scrap!

Theme:  Follow the Sketch with a Christmas Holiday Theme

Here is my project:

Submit your new project for a chance to win a prize!

THE PRIZE

Challenge Starts today Nov 3 and runs until November 16.

Follow the sketch and theme then submit your new  project over at the Creative Cutter Room!

Looking forward to seeing your creations! 

Only entries that fit the challenge guidelines will be entered to win the prize!

 

Some Rules to keep in mind while playing along:

Project submissions must be new, no back linking

CCR must be mentioned in the description with a link back to here

Entry must fit theme to be qualified for the prize

Prize must be claimed within 2 weeks

Please link your project posting not just your blog

You have until November 16, 2011 to enter your project.

Here is the Line Up You for some great inspiration:

  

Gaby

Mollie  (That's me)

Christel 

Jenny

Cathie

Welcome to the Holiday Tradition Blog Hop and Challenge with the Creative Cutter Room!

How about a fun hop and challenge?

Theme: Holiday; Christmas, or Kwanzaa or Hanukkah and must include 3 elements! 

Visit each of the following 3 Design team members, find the required element from each DT and submit your new project at the Creative Cutter Room for a chance to win a prize!

And what is the prize? 

A Bo Bunny Page Kit with enough supplies to make a 2 page layout like this one or a similar layout.

Challenge Starts today Oct 20 and runs until Nov 2!

You will need to collect  3 elements total and include each element on your project and then submit your project at the Creative Cutter Room!

My Required Element: Must include a button

Here is the project I made using all 3 elements!!

Looking forward to seeing your creations!

Some Rules to keep in mind while playing along:

Project submissions must be new, no back linking
CCR must be mentioned in the description with a link back to the CCR
Entry must fit theme to be qualified for the prize
Prize must be claimed within 2 weeks

Please link your project posting not just your blog
Please drop by the Design Team for inspiration!

The Line Up:

Carri

Mollie (that's me!)

Christel 

Blog Candy Winner!!

Since only 2 of you left a comment I decided to give you BOTH a grab bag!!

Jessica and Judy please send me your snail mail address at onehotcricket@aol.com

I will be mailing them asap :)

Thanks for participating!!
Mollie

Blog Candy!!

I have decided to give away some blog candy!!

Buttons, ribbon, stickers, rub-ons and more!! It will be a grab bag worth 10$+

All you have to do it leave a comment :)
(If for some reason you can not get a comment to appear email me at onehotcricket@aol.com subject BLOG CANDY. I have had a few followers tell me that they are unable to get a comment to appear or to leave a comment)

At the end of today 8:00pm MST(10-18-11) I will use Random.org and pick a winner!!
Check back tonight to see if you won!

Thanks so much!!
Mollie

Fight like a GIRL!!!

Fight like a GIRL!!

October is National Breast Cancer Month, 

In Honor of all the women who have fought the brave battle this is for you!!

I know that many of you have been touched by cancer in one way or another. It may have been you or a loved one or someone you know. It is amazing to me that such a ugly disease can do some amazing things. I have see it bring people together, families grow stronger and show people just how strong they really are. In the fall of 2004 my mom had a double mastectomy. At the time you hear the news I think the only word you hear is CANCER... but after multiple doc visits and letting her make the choice. You realize that you need to be HER support. Prayers and love is one of the best medicines. As of today she has been cancer free since then! 

This talk time Tuesday is to tell us your story, or to give those who are facing this love and support!

One of the ladies on our DT is part of LUFP, please check it out!

Link up for PINK!

Leave a comment and for every comment that is left I will DONATE a 1$ to breast cancer!

Happy Crafting and Thanks for your support!

DT Member Mollie

Ready for another super fun challenge at the Creative Cutter Room?

We have a Fun challenge for you today!

The Challenge: Create A new project with the theme Thank you, Thanksgiving or a Turkey! Super fun and easy!


I decided to make some Non-Traditional Thank you cards!
I made a thank you card that is fall themed

You have until October 19, 2011 to enter your project.

I am really looking forward to seeing your project! So be sure to:

Link your new Thank you, Thanksgiving, or Turkey themed project over at the Creative Cutter Room to be entered to win a prize!

And the prize is..

 

A Mystery Cricut Cartridge: I promise it's one you will want to have! 

Some Rules to keep in mind while playing along:

Project submissions must be new, no back linking
CCR must be mentioned in the description with a link back to here
Entry must fit theme to be qualified for the prize
Prize must be claimed within 2 weeks

Please link your project posting not just your blog
Please drop by the Design Team for inspiration!

The Line Up:

Carri

Mollie  (that's me)
Christel 

Winner of Blog Candy!

And the winner is...

DIANA L. said...

Great layout I love the haystacks, makes me want to take a hayride. The pumpkins with the curly ribbon came out real nice. DIANA L. http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

September 24, 2011 8:16 AM

 

 

Thanks so much for all who visited and left a comment! 

Diana please email me your snail mail so I can mail you your prize.

OneHotCricket@aol.com

Thanks so much!!

Fall Is Here!!

Welcome to the "Fall is Here" Blog Hop and Challenge with the Creative Cutter Room!

How about a fun hop and challenge?

Theme: Fall/Halloween themed project and must include 3 elements! 

Visit each of the following 3 Design team members, find the required element from each DT and submit your new project at the Creative Cutter Room for a chance to win a prize!

And what is the prize?

an i-rock from Imaginisce

Challenge Starts today Sept 22 and runs until October 5!

You will need to collect  3 elements total and include each element on your project and then submit your new project at the Creative Cutter Room!

My Required Element: Must include ribbon

Here is the project I made using all 3 elements!!

• I used coordination paper for the background and sanded it to give it depth with the 2 different colors.
• I used raffia and sewing to make the hay bales.
• I used doodlebug stickers and buttons as accents.
• I cut the pumpkins out with my silhouette.
• I curled the ribbon to make pumpkin vines.
• I used chalk ink around the edges of pages and frames.

Looking forward to seeing your creations!

Some Rules to keep in mind while playing along:

Project submissions must be new, no back linking

CCR must be mentioned in the description with a link back to here
Entry must fit theme to be qualified for the prize
Prize must be claimed within 2 weeks

Please link your project posting not just your blog

You have until October 5, 2011 to enter your project.

Here is the Line Up You will need to follow to collect all the elements:

Carri 1st Element

Jenny 2nd Element
Mollie  (that's me) 3rd Element
Christel 

And just a little extra, I am giving away some BLOG CANDY!! Leave a comment and I will draw a winner using Random.org in a week!! Good luck and Happy Fall!!

Curly Q!!

My Tip Time Tues is ...

CURLING RIBBON!!

I just learned this over the weekend and want to share with all!!

Items needed:

ribbon

scotch tape

all metal knitting needles (I used size 5)

cookie sheet

water

and last but not least an OVEN :)

Step one: Preheat your oven to 200o F

Step two: Tape the very end of your ribbon to the top of your knitting needle, then lightly wet the ribbon just unlit it is damp. Then wind your ribbon around the knitting needle. (the closer or tighter your wind the tighter the curl) Then tape off the other end.

Step three: Place knitting needle on cookie sheet and put in oven for 10-15min, depending on your oven and how damn your ribbon is. I suggest checking on the ribbon every 5 min just to make sure it doesn't burn.

Step four: Remove cookie sheet with knitting needle from oven... please use a hot pad :) and let cool for about 5 mins. 

Step five: Then when it has cooled, un-tape the end and unravel... and ta-da!! You have curled ribbon!! 

I love this new tip and trick and I hope you do to... here is a small project I made with it!!

Thanks for checking out the CreativeCutter.org Tip Time Tuesday!!

DT Member Mollie

Sports!! Sports!! Sports!!

Ready for another super fun challenge at the Creative Cutter Room?

We have a Fun challenge for you today!

The Challenge: Create A new project with a sports theme!

Soccer, football, cheer-leading season starting soon? Get some thank you cards ready and waiting for those coaches! Awards night for cheer? Get working on some lay-outs!

I did a cute Soccer lay-out for my son. He has really taken a shine with soccer and loves it!!

Recipe:

I used the sports mania cartidge for the soccer field and the soccer balls.
I used red/orange, yellow and green accent papers.
I used epoxy stickers as accents. 
I made sure there were enough jornaling and picture blocks for all the action!!
I inked around all the edges in black to give it a little bit of a dirty look, since boys can not seem to stay clean playing any sport :)

I am really looking forward to seeing your project! So be sure to:

Link your new sport themed project below or over at the Creative Cutter Room to be entered to win a prize!

And the prize is..

The Cricut Binder!!

Some Rules to keep in mind while playing along:

Project submissions must be new, no back linking

CCR must be mentioned in the description with a link back to here
Entry must fit theme to be qualified for the prize
Prize must be claimed within 2 weeks

You have until September 21, 2011 to enter your project.

Please drop by the Design Team for inspiration!
The Line Up:

Carri

Jenny
Christel
Mollie (that's me!)

A survery and cool info from my DT!!

I mentioned earlier that there would be an opportunity for some of our favorite Cricut Bloggers to be included in my upcoming book and here is that opportunity.

The book will have a section called Creative Cutting Resources.

In this section I will list other Cricut Blog sites that readers can go to for more 

Cricut Inspiration.

I want to include sites that are committed to Cricut projects and have frequent, innovative, and inspiring postings.

Help us find the BEST sites to include in this section of my book by completing the following survey.

Just use the CONTACT FORM above to send me your top site recommendations.

We will consider all sites for inclusion regardless of Follower Size.

Creative Cutter Resources Survey

Tell me the sites you believe we should share with others in our upcoming Cricut Book

Who are your favorite Cricut bloggers?  These crafters do not have to have a large following, but should have consistently professional-looking projects.

1.  Card makers:

a.)  your favorite CAS (clean and simple) blogger

b.)  your favorite detailed card blogger

c.)  advanced technique blogger (e.g. uses Gypsy, Yudu, My Story)

2.  Scrapbookers:

d.)  your favorite CAS scrapbooker

e.)  your favorite detailed scrapbooker

f.)  advanced technique scrapbooker

3.  Favorite Home Decor/ Cricut-related bloggers?

4.  Other favorite technique bloggers:  machine stitching, Tim Holtz-style, Victorian/vintage, Steampunk

For sites that conduct sales &amp; product promotion there will be a separate opportunity to be included in the book as well.  There will be different criteria as the goal for some of these companies is product sales &amp; marketing.  If your company wishes to be included then please be sure you meet the following criteria and contact me with your company information no later than September 30th.

The Cricut book will be called The Cricut Expression:how to make the most of your machine. retails $19.99 and is published by the same company that publishes The Close to my Heart books. Gibbs-Smith. http://www.gibbs-smith.com/

It will be out to the public in January 2012 PC will be handling promotion-we will include companies that have the following criteria

1-At least 65% of their projects have Cricut Images or use PC products

2-Postings are 4-5 times a week

3-Followers over 1000-and if you have Design Team members the combined number is fine

4-Must be willing to mention/promote Cricut book when released

5-Websites included in the book will be allowed to purchase books at 50% retail plus s/h for resale through their sites. 

This is only if you are set up for sales on your site and want to carry the product-sales are not required

Splish Splash

Ready for another super fun challenge at the Creative Cutter Room?

We have a Fun challenge for you today!

The Challenge: Create A new project with the theme Splish Splash!

Time to catch up on those summer lay-outs and Thank You notes for letting us splash in your pool!



We took an AMAZING summer vacation this year! Georgia, Alabama, and Florida! This is one trip I do not want to forget so I decided to make a scrap book of our trip! EEEK my first one!


We spent the day at the beach so I plan on making a page for that fun beach day!

So to start I made this library pocket card using my Gypsy, shells from stretch your imagination, wave from Sizzix and liquid pearls.
I made a tag and added a colored index card to use for my journaling. I already have the page planned in my head so this is a perfect start!

I am really looking forward to seeing your project! So be sure to:

Link your new water themed project below or over at the Creative Cutter Room to be entered to win a prize!

And the prize is..

The Freshly Picked Cricut Cartridge!!

You have until September 7, 2011 to enter your project.

Please drop by the Design Team for inspiration!
The Line Up:

Carri

Jenny
Christel

Ready for another super fun challenge at the Creative Cutter Room?


We have a Fun challenge for you today!


The Challenge: Create A new project with the theme Back to School!

This is the perfect challenge to get some cards ready to have on hand when needed!


Here are some examples of notes you may need to send to the teacher:


The dog really did eat the homework.

My Son/Daughter told me, that her friend told her, that her sister heard....

Please excuse my Son/Daughter from last night's homework we were really busy last night.

What project?

Why is this is the first I am hearing of this?

Sorry we are late! We thought it was Saturday!

Are you sure it was my child that started it?


A beautiful handmade card can really come in handy in any of the above situations!


Have a funny story?? Please leave it in my comments!



Here is the project I made...

I made an accordion mini~album

I am really looking forward to seeing your project! So be sure to:


Link your new project below or over at the Creative Cutter Room to be entered to win a prize!

And the prize is..

A cartridge binder holds 12 Cricut carts,books, and keypads!


You have until August 24, 2011 to enter your project.


Please drop by the Design Team for inspiration!

The Line Up:


Carri

Mollie (that's me)

Jenny

Christel

Also if you become a follower and leave a comment on this post I will draw a winner for my project in 1 week!

Thanks so much,
Mollie

Tip Time Tuesday

Tip Time Tuesday!

My tip is on how to save $$...

I know a lot of people have started tightening the budgets and looking for ways to save money. 

One way I have seen people saving money is using coupons. I have thought to myself that it looks like it takes a lot of time and energy, but after taking a quick class I found out it can be much eaiser.

I am not a super couponer... yet, but I am trying to learn and I am passing what knowledge I do have on to you :) 

I started using coupons less than a month ago and I put everything I have saved into a "savings" so far I have saved 55.50$. To me that was quite something. This is money I would have spent if I did not have a coupon. So that opened my eyes to looking at using coupons a little closer... here is what I have learned.

1. It is suggested that you get a paper for every person that is in your home (I get 4)
2. Only clip the coupons you know you will use. If you don't have pets don't clip those coupons.
3. Also if you have 4 sets of the same coupons, line the papers up and cut them all at once. 
4. Go to manufacturers websites to see if they have coupons.
5. Also look online for coupons such as coupons.com or smartsource.com. 
6. Look at the ads on Sunday and see who has the best deal on what is on your "grocery list" and shop there. 
7. Organize coupons in categories so you can find them quickly. (baby, bread & cereal, cleaner, dairy, dessert, meat, medicine, paper goods, personal hygiene, and misc)

I am just learning, but it is something I hope can help save me more money and I can start having food storage as well. 

Thanks so much for stopping by for Tip Time Tuesday!

DT Member Mollie

Welcome to the Thank You Blog Hop and Challenge with the Creative Cutter Room!

Welcome to the Thank You Blog Hop and Challenge with the Creative Cutter Room!

How about a fun hop and challenge?

Theme: Thank you and must include 3 elements!

Visit each of the following 3 Design team members, find the required element from each DT and submit your new project at the Creative Cutter Room for a chance to win a prize!

And what is the prize?

A Clear Block, Stamp Set and Ink!

Challenge Starts today July 28 and runs until August 10!


You will need to collect 3 elements total and include each element on your project and then submit your project at the Creative Cutter Room!


My Required Element: Must include a stamp
Here is what I made with all three requirements...

"Thanks a Bunch!!"

Sorry about this picture, for some reason  I couldn't get it to turn up right

 

I found this idea in a scrapbook magaizine and decided to put my own twist on it.

I used Close to My Heart for the stamps

Martha Stewart Punch for the top of the pot

I used scraps of coordinating colors to make the flowers, I also used vellum

to accent the flowers I used a white a brown marker

I think it turned out super cute!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Looking forward to seeing your creations!


The Line Up:

Carri

Mollie (That's Me)

Jenny

Winner!!

Blog Candy Winner from the "Summer" theme challenge... is #3

Adrian said...

wow, this is so cute!

July 19, 2011 7:17 AM 

 Please send me your snail mail address to OneHotCricket@aol.com,

and I will get your goodies to you asap!

Thanks so much for all you gals that follow my blog and support me!

Please check out my DT's Blog CreativeCutter.org

Have a great one! 

Mollie 

Tip Time Tuesday

Tip Time Tueday...

Things I use in my scrap~room, that some people may think don't belong

#1 Baby Wipes~ I use them to clean up my desk after using stamps, or

glitter. I also use them to clean off my self-healing mat. I have used

them to clean off my stamps. And also to clean up my hands

after inking or using glue so I don't get it on my project where it does not belong.

#2 Lighter~ I use this for my ribbon and to distress paper. The way I use it 

on my ribbon is to keep it from fraying. I will light it and gently get it close just

enough so that my ribbon will not fray. Also I sometimes will burn the edges of a paper

to make it look distressed.

#3 Rectangle Nail File~ I use this mostly to distress my paper edges, but there 

has been time when I am working with wood that it will sand down rough edges.

#4 Plastic Putty Scraper~ I use it to gently remove large items off my cricut mat. 

When I have a large item I have cut out and it has lost of little pieces out of

it I notice it comes up better all at once. So I use the scrapper and it 

comes right up.

#5 Zip~Lock Bags~ I use these for putting in scraps, I found the really large

bags at the dollar store. It will fit 12x12 pages with room to spare. I sometimes will be

working on a project and get stuck and so I will put everything that goes with that project in it 

and store it for when I get inspired again.

and last but not least.... my dogs!

All of my dogs have thier own spots in my room, I love to be scrappin'

and be able to feel them with my toes under my desk. 

It is just not the same scrappin' with out them :)

I hope this gave you some ideas and tips on things you can use!

Please leave a comment either about something I suggested or leave a comment

about something you use, and we will be doing a random drawing

for a cricut cartridge.
Please leave your comment at CreativeCutter.org

Thanks, 

Mollie

Summer Time Challenge!

It is time for another CreativeCutter.org challenge!!

The theme for this one is 

Summer!!

I hope all of you are having a fun, relaxing and amazing summer!

Summer time is a time for lots of things...

family reunions

vacations

swimming

camping

and spending time outside!!

With all these things that happen all summer long I was trying to think of the one thing that is best about summer... and what I came up with isn't the best thing about summer, but it is one of my favorites.

At night after the kids are in bed, I take my kindle or a good book and make a drink and sit on the deck and enjoy the breeze and smells of summer. 

So my project was a "margaritaville" sign.

I used a wooden craft I found at the dollar store as the back, then I used an fun and bright animal print for the back ground. I used vellum for the glass and glitter paper for the drink. I used diamond dust on the rim of the glass to give it the salt look. I used my crop-a-dile punched 2 holes thru it and cut the letters out in vinyl. I used ink around the edges to make it look all black.

I hope you enjoyed my little sign and I hope the rest of your summer is great!

Blog candy for my site... leave a comment and the winner will receive a grab bag, I will pick the winner in one week!