Sweet Cupcakes

Mmmmm...this cupcake I cut out looks good enough to eat! Chocolate cardstock for the card, pink patterned paper, robin's blue cardstock border punched and rubber stamped with cupcake images that I used pink chalk on for the frosting, various ribbons, rhinestones and Stickles. I embossed the bottom of the cupcake to make it look more like cupcake paper, and embossed the top pink frosting part with swirls. Rhinestone "sprinkles" and candle flame. I also rubber stamped the sentiment. It took me a while to design this cuz I couldn't figure out what colors and papers to use, what size I wanted it etc... It was for my sista Daphne's birthday (better late than never!) Love ya girl!

Miles of Smiles,

Back Again...and BBTB Challenge

It's been a while, but I'm back...again. C'est la vie. Here is a card I made for the Bitten By The Bug Challenge. We had to use the cornucopia cut, which the more I looked at it, the more it looked like an elf hat to me. I drew the face by hand, accented with pink chalk. Rhinestones in the corners, embossed oval, paper & silk flowers, "peppermint" candy buttons, rubber stamped greeting, ribbon, and scrunched up torn vellum pieces for his beard. He is kinda sweet lookin'. I had fun making this one and am very grateful to be on the BBTB team. It helps to stir my creativity and to think outside the box. Please check out the other designers creations which are sooo cute at BBTB.

Miles of Smiles,

Card and Matching Envelope

This is my latest design for Bitten By The Bug. We used the card and envelope from Walk in My Garden. I cut the card from DCWV striped cardstock, added some ribbon, a chipboard scallop frame that I covered with paper that matches the envelope and some ribbons. I sprayed the yellow paper with Glimmer Mist. I cut out the flower from another piece of patterned cardstock and added a rhinestone to the center. I attached the flower and phrase with foam dots for dimension. And finally various colors of Stickles glitter glue to the frame and flower. The envelope is K & Co. paper. Check out the other designer's ideas at BBTB. You'll love 'em!

Miles of Smiles,

Scallop Tag Box

Here is my latest design for Bitten By The Bug. The challenge was to use the scalloped square tag. I cut out each square at 4 inches from cardstock, and then from patterned paper and adhered them together. I stamped purple ink on the backside of each panel. I then assembled them to make a hinged gift box by tying the corners together with ribbon. I used 3D stickers on each side and the lid, and pearl brads in each corner. I used purple craft wire to make the hinge for the lid. Inside the box I added some white mesh fabric as filler. Now it's all ready to put a cute little gift in for a friend! Go see what the other designer's created at BBTB!

Miles of Smiles,

BBTB Challenge: Snowflake

My latest design for Bitten By The Bug was to use the snowflake in our creation. I had such a different idea of what I was originally going to make....but it just wasn't turning out as I imagined soooo here is what it ended up as. I guess it's just a wall hanging/home decor piece. The snowflakes are cut out in 3 different sizes. They are two layers with rhinestones in their centers. The letters are two layers also. I added a few skittles (the clear dew drops) too. The photo didn't turn out that well either. Just not a great project for me all around! Oh well! On to the next!

Miles of Smiles,

Better Late than Never

I made this piece a while back for the BBTB but my laptop crashed and I wasn't able to post here. So better late than never, I've been uploading pics from weeks ago. This ended up being a home decor piece by the time I was done with it. It looks cute sitting on a little easel. The flowers and the stems are from a set from The Cutting Cafe, which is also run by Regina from Bitten By The Bug. The background shape is cut from forest green cardstock, topped with a green flowered patterned paper. The sunflower tag is from Graphic 45 (a company which I am in love with). I added some pearl brads, rhinestones and ribbons to the pastel flowers around the edges, and my stardust pen to accent the printed flowers that were colored with chalks.

Miles of Smiles,

"Very Bradley" Handbag Card

This card is a large card that I made for a friend's birthday who likes Vera Bradley. I call it "Very Bradley" because it's very much like Vera Bradley style handbags. I created the template for the bag, pockets and handle. I used this wonderful paisley paper which I stiched to give it that quilted look. The pockets are 3 dimensional and I left enough space to put a gift card in the pockets. My business card is actually sticking out of the pocket here. I also added the cute little silver star charm in the upper left. You can see the stitching better on the close up. If anybody knows a Vera Bradley fan, I'd be happy to create a card for them.

Miles of Smiles,

Crikey! A Koala Card

I made this card for a friend of ours from Australia. I'm getting better at drawing features on animals and people. He's just a cute little koala. Inside the card says "Crikey! It's your birthday."

Miles of Smiles,

Thanks

I made this card a while back to send to some family members as a thank you for a house warming gift. I border punched the yellow paper, embossed it and inked the edges. I used a journaling tag, chipboard letters, paper ribbon, and flower stickers that I popped up with foam dots.

Miles of Smiles,

BBTB Ice Cream Cone

Here is my latest design for Bitten By The Bug. We had to use the ice cream cone from the Indie Art cartridge. This was a fun challenge cuz the ice cream cone cuts out so stinkin' cute! I knew I would just have to use the adorable treats paper with the ice cream, cupcakes and popsicles on it too. Yummy! Go check out the other designers projects at BBTB...they are so COOL! Pun intended! lol

Miles of Smiles,

Yay I'm Back!

Yay! I FINALLY have a loaner laptop to get e-mail and update my blog. Woohoo! Here is my latest design for Bitten By The Bug. We had to use the ring from the Mickey and Friends cartridge. I cut it out and stickled it. It is a gate fold card. I addd pearly stickles to the white dots on the right. Hope you all enjoy. And check out the other designs at BBTB. They rock.

Miles of Smiles,

BBTB Challenge: Inchbag & Vintage Images

The latest Bitten By The Bug challenge was a fun one! We had to use the bag from TBBM cartridge AND one of four vintage images from Peggy Loves Vintage. I cut out two bags as large as possible and glued them together then traced the size to cut out a piece for the bottom of the bag. The bag is cut from cream cardstock embossed with flowers. I used a border punch on blue pearlescent paper and adhered to the top and bottom of the bag. I matched the red polka dot ribbon to the dress on the elephant and used it to cinch the bag closed. I printed out two of the the elephant and made the top part of her body three dimensional using foam dots. I adhered her to the bag with foam dots as well. I stickled her dress and bow, added layered flowers adhered with blue pearl brads, and stickled the edges of the red flowers too. She was so cute when I was cutting her out, I dubbed her "Elliephant." She looks like an "Ellie," doesn't she? Go check out the other designers creations and other vintage images used at Bitten By The Bug!

Miles of Smiles,

Peeps Be With You...and also with you!

Here are my Easter cards. If you go to church you know how the priest/misister says "Peace be with you," welllll..... I sort of changed that to "Peeps be with you" to get a chuckle with my Peeps images. It's pretty funny because the feedback I've gotten from the cards is that most people love marshmallow peeps so they loved the cards and the play on words. I colored the peeps with watercolor pencils and a few with colored pencils.

Miles of Smiles,

Flowery Birthday

I created this card for a friend of ours. We went out to Red Lobster for her birthday and then to a comedy club. We had such a good time! She is so sweet, I wanted to make her a sweet little card. I used pink cardstock for the card itself, border punched green patterned paper, and topped that with a patterned paper that has all sorts of flowers, names of flowers and swirlies on it (lovvvved this paper!). I backed the happy birthday sticker with rasberry cardstock and attached it with foam dots for dimension. I added the silk and velvet flowers backed with vellum leaf punches which are bent up for dimension as well. The center of the flowers are clear pebbles.

Miles of Smiles,

Butterfly Thanks

This is the thank you card I sent to the recruiter at the employment agency who got me the interview for the job that I now have. The card itself is textured cardstock in shades of green. Different vintage patterned papers in shades of tan, cream, and pink. Paper leaves for the frame. "Thanks" is a white sticker that I stickled. I rubber stamped the butterflies, colored them with pencils and cut them out. They are adhered with foam dots and their wings bent up for dimension. She already told me that she loved the card. Yay! I love when my cards make people happy!

Miles of Smiles,

Vintage Note of Thanks

So to get you all up to speed, I recently got a job. Yay! I am liking it very much so far too. Here is the thank you card I sent to the people who interviewed me. The card is made from bronze metallic cardstock. The image is from Studio 45? I think. They have awesome sheets of vintage images that I am loving! I used clear stickers for the sentiment, and some corner punches and a swirly stamp on the parchment paper. I thought it looked pretty classy when it was done. I hope they liked it.

Miles of Smiles,

Superhero in Disguise

Here is the birthday card I created for my older brother. He is always there to help me if I ever need him, so in some ways he's like my own personal "Superhero In Disguise", waiting in the wings. I cut out the window card and added acetate behind the window. I then cut out the boy and the superhero gear on my Cricut using the Paper Dolls cartridge. I attached the superhero disguise to the outside of the acetate as you can see in the second pic. The last pic is the inside of the card with my "brother." haha. So when you look at the card it first looks like a superhero, and then when you open it you see it's a guy. Kinda cute, huh?

Miles of Smiles,

Bunnies & Butterflies, oh my!

And another good Monday to you! Had an interesting weekend. Went to meet with a recruiter for a job on Friday and ended up working all day Saturday. That was quite a whirl wind! lol But it was actually kind of fun and I met some very nice people. Hopefully this will lead to a full time position. I have been very busy creating my Easter cards for family and friends. Oh I'm so excited about them because they are turning out really really cute. They are all different designs but use the same image. Maybe I'll give you all a sneak peek.... In the mean time here is my latest design for the Bitten By The Bug team. We had to use the bunny. I used my cricut cutter for almost everything on it. The box is from TBBM; Butterflies from New Arrival; Bunnies from Doodlecharms; words from Plantin Schoolbook. I also used some border punches, fibers, & Stickles. It is like tic-tac-toe in a box but using bunnies and butterflies. Please go and check out my fellow designers creations at BBTB. Enjoy!

Miles of Smiles,

Flowers are the Bling of Spring

Good morning! Had a very busy weekend with our friends visiting and going to see the race in Sebring. We had a really great time together. I love having house guests and spending time with the people we care about. Now onto my latest Bitten By The Bug challenge: use the word "spring" from the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. I made the bag from the Tags Bags Boxes cartridge, cut the word "flowers" from the Jasmine cartridge, rubber stamped the words "are the bling of", and then cut out the word "spring". Flowers, Bling & Spring are all stickled with pink. I added some Prima flowers and used cut glass pieces in the centers with some glitter around them. Also added some layered flowers to the sides. Go see the other designs at BBTB!

Miles of Smiles,

Sweet Sixty

Here is a card I made a while back. Finally getting some photos off my camera. I used Old World cardstock for the card, a pretty blue shimmery paper, & I can't remember who makes the patterned paper. It says "celebrate sweet sixty". A little play on words there, instead of sweet sixteen it's sweet sixty. Chipboard letters, red silk flower, blue brad and heart charm. And of course ink on the edges. I don't quite feel like a card is complete unless I ink the edges of the papers!

Miles of Smiles,

BBTB Challenge: Pillow Box

Here is my latest project for Bitten By The Bug (BBTB). We were to use the pillow box cut from the Wedding Solutions cartridge. I used K&Co double sided cardstock for the box, acetate behind the window, Martha Stewart flowers layered, some fiber, and bronze Stickles around the window and in the center of the flowers, bronze clippies on the swirls, and I rubber stamped the tag and cut it out with decorative scissors. Go check out the other designs at BBTB!

Miles of Smiles,

Some More Cards

Hello again!
Here are some cards I've made that I haven't posted yet. I've been "into" birds lately. My mom likes birds and especially birdhouses so the first two were made for her. The pink card was made for my husbands great aunt who turned 80 and the last card was made for my husband's brother. That one just annoyed me. I'm not great at making "guy" cards (as I've said before) but this card turned out nothing like I imagined it. hmmph! oh well. The idea originated because he drives a cute blue Honda prelude, but in the end it just looked like a card for a little kid. The blue bird and the pink flowers were rubber stamped. Oh and just to let you all know, I'm finally getting back into the swing of things at the Bitten By The Bug site (BBTB). Yay! I'm excited to be participating again. I really enjoy those girls and all their wonderfully clever, charming, awe inspiring creations! Go check 'em out!!

Don't Give Up On Me Just Yet

Yeah, it's been a loooong while since I posted to this or any of my blogs. We finally moved in December. It's been a struggle. I feel like every day has a new hurdle or some new issue. But enough of that. Here are the Christmas cards I made in 2008. Unfortunately my camera makes them a little grainy. I guess I'll have to play around with that. Anyhoo, here they are.... I also just want to say "Thanks" to those of you who still come around and take a peek here at my blog. Even though there hasn't been anything new in quite some time, I still appreciate you checking back. I gotta get my life, my head, my heart and soul back on track and it helps to know somebody out there cares. I've had enough of letting people hurt me and get me down. I just wish I could find a great big bucket of strength that I could pick up and pour all over me. Actually I wish I had found that months ago.... Maybe moving has given me the opportunity to start fresh... nah. ok, well then maybe in the least I have the opportunity to get to know myself a little bit better...perhaps even become a better me. I hope so. Can you hope for me too? I need all the hopes and prayers I can get. Thanks.

Latest BBTB Design

Here is my latest design for Bitten By The Bug. I didn't have the cartridge to make the cut (Pooh & Friends), but DeeDee was kind enough to cut it and send it to me. Thanks girl! The flower frame was cut out of white cardstock, but I used inks to color them. I layered them and embossed the top flowers with Swiss Dots. I backed the frame with a patterned paper that I also embossed with Leaves. I used stickers to spell SWEET. The background is a piece of thick chipboard that I inked with sage, lilac, yellow and pink then spritzed with Amethyst Ritzy Ditzy Glitz. It gives it a nice sheen. I used rubber stamps for the corners and all the swirlies. Chipboard flowers and "home" letters that I inked and embossed with copper penny embossing powder. Some white flower rub-ons and border rub-ons. I used Stickles on the frame flowers and rhinestones on the chipboard flowers. Go see the other girls designs at BBTB!

Miles of Smiles,

Card for Friend

I guess I can post this now. I made it while on vacation and sent it to my friend for her birthday. I liked the colors. The flowers are rub ons and I used a border punch for the bottom. I stamped the phrase as well. I used my new Stickle Pearls for the centers of the flowers. The paper flowers are from paint cans at Michaels sold as confetti for weddings. While on vacation, each of us bought a can and we all swapped so we ended up with all the colors. They are very cool. They are made of pearlescent cardstock and even embossed! I put rhinestones in the center of these.

Miles of Smiles,

New BBTB Design

Here's my latest design for Bitten By The Bug. We had to use the basket cut. I also cut out the adorable snowman. He's so funny lookin'. Like I said, I've been working on Christmas cards, so this just helps me meet my quota! lol I finally got my new Cuttlebug embossing folders. I got one set of the border embossing ones and I used that here on the background paper...see the scallops? Those are embossed and then I inked over them to make them stand out. I also Stickled the button snowballs, and drew on the melting snow on the basket then Stickled that too. I love all the patterned papers used....the snowflakes for the snowman, the pink snowflake background and the red/green/blue stripe background. Yummy!


Miles of Smiles,

Poodles Poodles Everywhere

I'm sure you all think I haven't been card making lately, but you are wrong. I started working on Christmas cards, and figured it was a little too early to post them! But I do have a few things to share. This card I made for my niece's 7th birthday. I used my Stardust pen over all the poodles on the patterned paper. I loved the pink and aqua colors together.
Miles of Smiles,

Scary Moment This Morning

So I'm getting into my car this morning on my way to work, and I realize that there is a spider web on my car. No biggie. As I get closer, I see that the web goes from the back door all the way to my rear view mirror. Wow. Kind of impressive. (tried to get a pic but the sun was working against me). I open my door....and I see movement. On the rear view mirror is a spider the size of Texas! Of course I involuntarily scream and slam the door. I remember repeating the phrase "holy shit" a few times as well. I mean this thing is a monster. It's ginormous when it's all scrunched up, but when it moves and stretches out, (again) holy shit! I have to remain calm....but I have to get a pic because no one is going to believe me. I very carefully take a pic with my phone (you can see my reflection with my look of terror). Then I got get the broom. This is not good. I feel the need for reinforcements but of course I am all alone and my knight in shining armor (Ben) is thousands of miles away. First I sweep the web away. This only infuriates the beast. Oh God...it turned around...it's LOOKING at me. ieeeeewwwww....it's got red something on it's face; I don't know if it's fangs or eyes or blood from its latest victim or what but it now sees me and is not happy. I swat the broom at it again. I have sandals on so there's no way I'm going to attempt to step on it. This time he flies off the mirror but is still attached to the spider web so I have to wait like 5 seconds for him to gently float to the driveway. Then I smash him with the broom! once....twice....three times. He's curled up, but I think he's only feigning death. Fine....feign all you want, I'm just gonna sweep you into the lawn and if a bird happens to swoop down and eat you up I'm not going to lose sleep over it. So I sweep, but then....where did he go? Seriously...where the hell is he? I NEED to see spider carcass somewhere to set my mind at ease. Oh God...did he fly up on me or in my hair? Oh noooo.....heebie jeebies! I have no idea where he went. He may still be in the broom......which I guess I will have to burn now. And for the rest of the day I will have the heebie jeebies thinking I feel it walking on me awaiting it's revenge. I know you'll probably look at the picture and think, oh that's not so big. But look at it in relation to my rear view mirror! When he's all stretched out walking he's like a quarter of the size of the mirror. oh so creepy! I think I was very brave considering I HATE spiders. Oh and then I get to work as as I'm walking to my desk, some weirdo bug starts trotting across the carpet too. I suppose he had some email to check....so I stomp him to death as well. He was a piece of cake compared to spidey. Not a good day for insects (OK, or technically arachnids)....What next?....Come on....Bring It On!!!

Melissa's Shopbooking Adventure!

Yes, you read that right...it's not misspelled....a SHOPBOOKING Adventure! I had scheduled a vacation for myself since the spring. Originally it was supposed to be to go to the SDV (Scrapper's Dream Vacation) at Disney in Orlando, as I had done last year. But us girls got to talking about it, and how super expensive it is to do that....and, well, before we knew it, D. asked if we wanted to save some money and use her timeshare for a condo in Tampa (Indian Shores, actually) and have our own little scrapbooking getaway. We knew there were several stores in the surrounding areas that we wanted to visit, a few rather well-known ones. The idea was we'd save money from going to the SDV and use it to go shopping instead! Ok, well this was a no brainer. We all said YES! duh And this was for a whole week, not just 4 days like the Disney one would be. So I (strategically) packed my paper and scissors, glue, inks and embellishments for my trip to Tampa. I was so organized and proud of myself....I had all my paper, buttons, stickers etc in my carry on (basically anything that wouldn't set off a red flag) and the rest of my glues, inks, scissors etc in half of my suitcase. The other half I did have to pack some clothes and swimsuits (yes, I know, unfortunately!) It was CRAZY. There were always 4 of us. It was Me, D, V, and L, and then V left midweek and R arrived. Yes, we were silly and called each other by our first initial most of the time too. The mini van was loaded to the brink of explosion! Aside from XL bags, luggage, food etc we also had a few folding tables to use at the condo. We had a Cricut Expression, Cuttlebug, stamps, inks, rub-ons, and paper galore! And that doen't even count the ginormous piles of scrap stuff we purchased. There were "seat gifts" and prezzies flying all over the place. One of our gifts D made us was adorable pink T's with an iron-on of our adventure: Shopbooking Adventure 2008 with all our names listed. Too cute! We have many pics of us in those shirts. So in case you need explanation of that, we SHOPPED during the day and SCRAPBOOKED at night - hence shopbooking! Great, huh? Since Tropical Storm Fay was heading right for us, all we watched on TV was either the Weather Channel or the Olympics, and an occasional DVD movie. We didn't get hit too bad from the storm. It headed inland and stalled. We had one day of rain and wind, but nothing like what the east coast ended up getting. Even Deltona got a ton of rain. We had soooo much fun, laughin' and scrappin' and shoppin' and drivin'. And boy, did we do some driving! Like I said we were on the gulf, and we drove to Tampa, Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg, just to name a few. We hit a shop on the way in, called Violette's and it was my favorite out of all the shops we visited. It was super cute, very large, good selection (slightly higher prices), and a wonderful staff. We ended up stopping there again on our way home. With all the shopping I did, I couldn't bring too much of it back with me, so I left it at D's for now. I figure I will only be without it for about a month, and then we'll be living down there. Poor D has a bunch of my stuff (thanks, sis) probably getting in her way and I'm sure she'll be glad when I can retrieve it! When I do, it will be like Christmas, because I'm sure I won't even remember what I left. That'll be fun! Throughout the trip, there were 2 things in particular that I was on a mission to find: a Basic Grey stamp set called Grow A Garden and a corner punch that makes a notch (think backwards corner rounder). Did I find either? Nope. So bummed about that. But we got some good deals with clearance items and sales, so I can't complain. We drove back up to Deltona on Saturday and I got to see my hub and our house until I left on Monday to fly back home. It was such a great trip! Met some fab new gals, and I hope we can do it again next year.

Miles of Smiles,

Train Challenge, BBTB

This week's BBTB challenge was to use the train. I created the caboose myself. Mine doesn't even compare to all the great designs done by my fellow designers. Go check them out at BBTB and see for yourself. These girls ROCK! They are so clever!

Miles of Smiles,

Purple Hippo

Such a happy little hippo! Tiptoeing thru the tulips! Buttery yellow cardstock, embossed metallic purple cardstock. Green torn edge with border punch. The yellow shiny brad-looking things are those metal bangle bling things that just get glued on. I love the purple metallic cardstock. The pic doesn't do it justice. Of course I used my Stardust pen for her freckles as well!

Miles of Smiles,

Froggy # 2

Here is another froggy card. I guess I'm into the froggy images lately! I used a bubble corner punch to frame the image. Two corner I slid under the bubbles and the two other corners I slid over the bubbles but still under the corner. Light green and dark green cardstock. DCWV glittered flower paper. Ribbons. I printed out the words and chalked over them. I used my Stardust pen on his freckles, which you can see more clearly in the close up.
Miles of Smiles,

Feel Better Card

Here is a card I made last night for my aunt / godmother who recently had surgery. I really love the colors, muted green and purple. I used the Cricut to cut out the layered frames. I inked all the edges with brown. Used brown polka-dot ribbon and a brown cardstock sticker behind the flowers. The flowers are just some silk ones I had lying around still on the stem. They are attached to the card beneath the ribbon. I added the felt flower border over the ribbon. Those are my faux brads again in the corners. I hand wrote "feel better" and Stickled the flowers. I hope it will cheer up my aunt.

Miles of Smiles,

Hang On Frog

I made this card last night for someone who recently had surgery. That frog is such a cute little guy! I used Heidi Grace papers. The metal that looks like brads really isn't. I love these accents. I found them on clearance and they are supposed to be used in jewelry. They just get glued on. Fabulous! I used my Stardust pen again for his freckles, over the words, and in the flower centers. Can't ya just tell I am loving my Stardust pen? It's great cuz it's not as "heavy" as Stickles, but you still get a nice glitziness. You KNOW I am all about the bling! This card is a little bigger than my usual. It's 6.5 x 4.5. I distressed the edge of the flower paper too. I like doing that cuz it gives the edge a "rough thickness." I added the close-up so you can see the sparkly parts. We all have sparkly parts, don't we? Have a great weekend!

Miles of Smiles,

Number Signs, Anyone?

Here is my design for the latest Bitten By The Bug challenge. We had to use the # sign (number sign). I had NO idea what to do with it, aside from the obvious. I ended up cutting it out in silhouette, which is basically an outline. I layered a few of them on top of each other, rotating each layer slightly until it created a frame in the center. I added the photo, beads, and fibers. It turned into a photo frame ornament. Who knew? I liked that with the # signs layered, it gave an Asian flair to it, or so I thought.

Miles of Smiles,

Another Girlie Card

This image was just too cute. I backed it with green, then on black that I border cut the bottom of. The card is black. The background is bright pink embossed circles. Polka dot green brads, polka dot ribbon. Paper flowers with black brads that I made white polka dots on with my white Sharpie. Inked the edges of the papers in black too. Stickled her scarf, car, and hubcaps.

Miles of Smiles,

Girlie Card

Here is a Girlie Card I made last night. I just loved the image of the girl in the mirror, and the phrase was perfecto! I punched and layered the flowers. The phrase is attached with foam dots. And of course, I stickled her sweater and hat, and used my stardust pen for her lips, over "princess" and around the swirls on the mirror. The second pic is so you can see all the "glitziness" going on. Oh la la.

Miles of Smiles,

Cowboy Hat Challenge

The latest Bitten By The Bug Challenge was to use the cowboy hat. I really didn't know what I wanted to do with it. I cut it out in the brown distressed paper, inked the edges, and walked around with it in my hand. I held it at different angles, higher, lower, this way, that way.... I could put it on a person, or put it on an animal. "Nah. Too predictable", I thought. How about upside down? Could something be coming up out of the hat? An animal maybe? A puppy would look cute. How about flowers? And that's when I really got going. The card it pale yellow. I cut out the scalloped frame and inked the edges there too. It's hard to see, but there is a piece of embossed vellum (birds & swirls) within the frame. The "vine" is some sort of wired garland. I attached that with a brad beneath the hat. The hat is attached with foam squares. I punched out the flowers with 4 layers. The centers are yellow rhinestones that match the ones on the hat. The flowers are attached with foam too. I added the chipboard "grow" as if it were a plant pick. Go see the other designer's work at BBTB. Very cute!

Miles of Smiles,

Happy Independence Day!

Graduation Card

This card was made especially for our neighbor's son who graduated high school. I really liked the colors when I finished it. I don't think it's too "girlie", which is always my problem when making cards for guys. The image is from Crafty Secrets, and the aqua paper lace ribbon is from K&Co. I punched/embossed the edges of the red cardstock with a Martha Stewart punch. No stickles here! lol

Miles of Smiles,

Father's Day FIL

This is the Father's Day card I made for my FIL. He just recently got back from travelling The Great Loop on his boat. He is Chesapeake Bay born and bred, so to speak, so I thought the blue crab would be appropriate! I stickled the large crab and attached with pop dots.

Miles of Smiles,

Bebe' Card

This card I made to send to my hub's business partner, who is from Spain but working in China right now! (yeah, follow that!) It's a blue card with periwinkle cardstock that I punched a border edge on. Topped that with a striped paper that I embossed with Swiss Dots, and chalked the edge. The onesie I cut out from Cricut's New Arrival with shadow. Stickled the stars on it and added tiny star buttons. I cut out the scalloped squares and the rounded squares from Cricut, chalked the edges, and added white rub-on letters and more tiny star buttons. I attached these with pop-dots. I then finished it off by adding larger star buttons and accenting the edges and letters with my white Sharpie and some more Stickles.

Miles of Smiles,

Wings Swap

I made this card for a swap. The theme was "Anything With Wings." I stamped the border with my fabulous peg stamps from Rubber Stamp Tapestry. I also faintly stamped a butterfly background. I added the Prima flowers with rhinestones and leaves. Then finished it off with 3D stickers with glitter and rhinestones. I do love the bling!

Miles of Smiles,

Father's Day

I made this card for my dad for father's day. He likes to fish (obviously). It is actually a 3D image, but can't really tell from the pic. I stickled the letters too.

Miles of Smiles,