Happy Sunday!

Hello Disney and Crafty Friends!! Where has the month of April gone?  I cannot believe that the last week of the month is here!  It has been a busy month!  We had out of town company earlier this month.  Such a great visit!  Friends from NY, FL, and family from CA.  My hubby and I hosted Easter dinner for family and friends.  My daughter made this for dessert:

Cupcakes loaded with toppings!  It made for a pretty centerpiece on the dessert table.

Our desert tortoises are out of hibernation.  Here is one of them:

I have been participating in several Cricut cut swaps.  Some of you may be asking what a swap is.  Well, how a swap usually works is a group decides on a theme, number of participants and what is to be exchanged.  Everyone participating sends their assigned cut to the coordinator of the swap and he or she sends everyone a variety of cuts back to each participant.  So if ten people participate you will end up with 10 different cuts (one of which is your own). It is a great way to get a variety of different cuts. In the swaps that I have recently participated in they have been Disney themed Cricut cuts.  For the first one I was assigned the "mystery" cut.  I LOVE doing the mystery cut.  I decided to make Mickey's pants, glove and small title.  You can see all three below. 

This next photo is not the best.  It is a work in progress. I was busy getting my "lounge chairs" ready to mail out to the swap coordinator.  Usually the coordinator asks that we put each cut in an individual bag with our name on it.  I like to make little labels with a message to put on my swap baggies.  I also put one of my blog cards in with it.  The "lounge chair" is for a Disney Cruise swap that I am in.  These chairs took HOURS of my time. LOL  Hours because I was trying to "slice" in Design Space when I should of "attached".  A call to Provo Craft solved my problem.  I wished I would of placed that call sooner. LOL!!  

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April is Deal of the Day month at Close To My Heart.  There are still a few days left this month for you to take advantage of the special. Head on over here to read all about it.

 I took advantage of one of the higher priced deals and here is my box of goodies:

There are a lot more goodies underneath that first layer.

So there you have it......my month of April.  At the moment I am working on another "mystery" cut for another Disney Themed swap.  This one will be all "Toy Story" cuts.  I cannot wait to see what everyone makes.  Once my cut is complete I will share with you what I did. 

I hope that you have had a great month!! Don't forget that you still have this week to participate in the monthly challenge over at Scrapbook Blessings Club.  Head on over here to do so.  I would love to see what you create!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a magical day!

Let's Hop!

Hello Disney and Crafty Friends! Today is all about hopping.....a blog hop that is. As a Design Team member over at Scrapbook Blessings Club I thought that I would join in on a hop that they are part of.  The hop is "Create A Card Blog Hop".  I recently found a "new" favorite card to make. It is called a pop-up diorama.  I got my directions from Julie Davison on SplitCoast Stampers.  Head on over here to read all about how to create a pop-up diorama card.  It is much easier than it looks!

 This is the card that you saw over at Scrapbook Blessings Club and it was my first attempt.

 Inside

 This is my second card that I made using this technique. 

 Inside.....I left the message area blank.  I am not sure what I will put in this one.....maybe an image instead of a greeting.

This is my favorite!  It is the size of a gift enclosure card.  I just thought at a smaller size this card was extra fun!!  Plus out of an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of card stock you can make the above card and this one out of the one piece of card stock!

 Inside

Recipe:

• Easter Wishes stamp set by Close To My Heart
• Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge by Close To My Heart
• Paper, stickers and ribbon from my stash
• Stickles
• Liquid Glass by Close To My Heart
• Embossing Folders
• Kaleidacolor Birthstone ink pad
• Kaleidacolor Blue Breeze ink pad
• Impress Pansy ink pad
• Punches (circle and flower)
• Chalk Ink

For these cards I really felt like I was "shopping" in my craft room!  I used a stamp set (Easter Wishes) and an embossing folder that I had never used before. SO fun!!  Also, I just love that the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge coordinates with the Easter Wishes stamp set.  I cut the eggs out on the Cricut and then stamped them.  I also used some ink pads that haven't been out in years! I used them on the eggs.

Thank you so much for stopping by and hopping along.  Should you get lost during the hop just head on over to the Scrapbook Blessings Club and the line up of blogs is listed.  Have a magical day!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

One week until Easter & it definitely feels like springtime in the desert.  My house is decorated for the holiday and I am ready for the Bunny to come calling!  Here are two cute Easter baskets that have a special story behind them.

The story is...............My Grandpa (YES! Grandpa not Grandma) made my brother & I these baskets  over 35 years ago.  He crocheted them.  As a young man my Grandpa was diagnosed with kidney problems and he had to quit working.  While he was home he became quite the crafter.  He made all kinds of things including these baskets.  It was important that he kept his hands & mind busy.  Because of that I am the lucky granddaughter who got lots of homemade gifts.  (The eggs are ceramic.  These were made by my mom a VERY long time ago).  Here is another picture of the basket before it was filled.  The white area is a butter container.

 

 I am not sure if there is a pattern out there for this basket or not.  I am just learning how to crochet.  Years ago my Grandpa taught me the chain stitch.  With the help and encouragement of my sister-in-laws I am attempting to crochet a throw for my family room.  I will let you know when I finish it.  Hopefully by the end of this year. LOL  I hope that all of you have a wonderful and magical evening!  Thanks so much for stopping by!