FBTSOMP Birthday Banner

Yesterday afternoon we had a surprise birthday party for my daughter's fiance.
And of course I was flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants when I decided to make a birthday banner and layouts before the guests arrived.
This has to be some of the fastest work I have EVER done. The cricut and Art Philosophy cartridge helped A LOT!  I didn't take pictures in my craft room, so the photos aren't so great. Here's the banner:

This layout I created as a sort of supersized birthday card from our church where Caleb is the worship leader, and asked guests to sign the back:

I used the front of the CTMH Idea Book for my inspiration so I didn't have to take a lot of time designing the page.  Have I mentioned lately that I love the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge for the Cricut? ( All products used were Close To My Heart)

Thanks for stopping by,
Marie with a :)

More Art Philosophy: French Fry Box

Here's the pieces I cut out with the cricut. Isn't that mini tag card adorable?

• Just doing some size comparisons here...the small french fry box is the size of a thumb nail!

Thanks for stopping by,

Marie with a :)

Wedding Guest Book

These photos are sideways...I can't get them to flip!

Wall Hanging/Lasting Memories Challenge

Lasting Memories' chalenge # 12 was to use flip flaps on your project. Easy enough since I love the CTMH flip flaps - they are great for adding extra photos or hidden journaling to a project.
I made a wall hanging for my daughter by flipping the CTMH My Creations Memory Showcase album. The album is typically a stand alone accordion but I had the HH drill holes in the top so that I could hang it length wise, using coordinating ribbon. She loves it! ( It is 36" in length and was pretty hard to photograph!)

Still can't figure out why some of my photos flip themselves : (

Details:

Here's the flip flaps, with extra photos!

Some of the items used for this project:

My Creations Memory Showcase Album 9 x 9 (Z1198, $5.95)

Sparkles (Z1327 and Z1326 $2.95 per package)

Flip Flaps (Z4114, $3.95 per package of 15)

Hemp (Z280, $2.25 per 8 yards)

Cherry-O Level 2 Paper ( X7132B $12.95 for 12 double sided papers and 10 card stock)

Cherry-O Level 1 Kit (X 7123A, $9.95 for 4 preprinted pages, 2 card stock, 2 double sided papers and 2 sheets of stickers)

Tulip Mini Medleys (Z1320, $4.95 for 8 buttons, 6 photo clips w/brads, 10 bigger brads, 20 regular brads and 1 yard ribbon)

Thanks for stopping by!

Marie with a : )

Nifty Fifty Blog Hop For Christi!

This uses one of my favorite CTMH paper packs!

I want to be just like Pat when I grow up.

Let me explain. I've met some wonderful people in the blogging world, one of them is Christi, a very talented Christian blogger.  Her works are amazing.  But I think even more amazing is her mom, Pat,  and I cried when I received an e-mail from her (Pat) explaining that although she was out of state, she wanted to do something special for Christi's 50th birthday.  So she asked some of her daughter's blogging friends to create a card and to send Christi 50 of "anything" (sticks of gum, buttons, whatever) wrapped in black.  Then she set up a blog hop to surprise Christi.  What an awesome mom.
I don't know if it was because I wanted to make something extra special, or if it was because I knew of the very talented ladies participating....whatever the reason I seemed to "lose the muse" and this is what I came up with.  While humble in creation, it is filled with lotsa love, Christi, and prayers for a wonderful day and year, filled with the blessings of the Lord.  Happy, Happy birthday to you!
Marie with a :-)
PS Christi, the other day you expressed surprise to find me still blogging after I said I was going to give up this blog.  LOL - I got your mom's e-mail right after that and that is why I kept it open - to participate in this hop! If you've been following my other blog at all, It's a Wonderful Life!" you won't be overly surprised to learn that my gift and card will arrive late...

PS You should have arrived here from Cammie's blog and should next go to Mary Ellen's blog

Here's a complete list of the participants:

BLOG HOP
1.  June Houck http://simplyelegantpapercrafts.blogspot.com/
2.  Jeanne Tomshack http://tomshack.blogspot.com/
3.  Barb Walker http://thebuzzfromqueenb.blogspot.com/
4.  Stacy L  http://impressionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com/
5.  Christi Thorsen http://cici510.blogspot.com/
6.  Cammie (Carolyn King) http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/
7.  Marie Isom  http://isomcre8tions.blogspot.com/

8.  Mary Ellen Harrison  http://abeautifulscrapbook.blogspot.com/
9.  Sarah Masteller http://sarahspapertray.blogspot.com/10.  Susan Roberts
http://rainy.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/11.  Jeanette Fincher http://2redbananas.blogspot.com/
12.  Elise Durenberger http://mamacowcreations.blogspot.com/

For a Special Friend

After completing this project for a precious friend, I checked to see what challenges it might meet the criteria for.  I found three: Tuesday Morning Sketches (buttons and ribbon), Tuesday Throwdown #11 (stitching - faux or actual) and Kitchen Sink (stitching)  You can click on the photos for details.

                                       Outside of card

                                                   Inside of card

Tin, which will be filled with 18" pieces of ribbon

Top of tin

 I used the SU For All You Do stamp set and my current favorite CTMH paper (Veranda) to create a card and gift for a special friend who has done a lot for me and my family in recent months.

Thanks for taking a peek!
Marie with a :-)

PS Need an encouraging word on faith?  Check out my other blog: http://maries-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/abiding-faith.html or click on the link on the left hand side of my blog that says Link To My Rambling Thoughts Blog

Wedding Gift...LOTS of photos...

My last post showed the wedding keepsake box that I made for Joel and Jaclyn's wedding...which is tonight. (I am such a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl...) Inside of the box, is this accordian album that I JUST completed. (insert hand wiped across brow and sigh of relief here...) The top photo is the front of the album.

page one

page two

page three

Page four

Page five (back of album when closed)

page six

Page seven
.Note: The plastic sleeves are an incredible new product from CTMH. They are called Flip Flap Memory Protectors and a pack of 15 is only $3.95. I LOVE them. They can be lifted up to reveal another photo or hidden journaling.

open album, front pages showing
open album, back pages showing

And the very front.

I tend to be pretty nervous when giving a handmade gift because everyone has different tastes. I'm praying that they will like it.

And another note ... I will be offering custom made accordian albums and/or keepsake boxes on my website - which will be up and running in the very near future (I hope...) The box will sell for $25 and the album for $30. You provide the photos and give me an idea of theme/colors/patterns etc. and I do the rest. I can usually have it completed within 48 hours...if I have a box on hand. Otherwise it will take an additonal week for me to order and receive the box.

Have a fabulous weekend,

Marie with a :-)

Another Memory Box

Take 1: I once again tried to post last night but my internet went out after I uploaded photos. I will try again...

Take 2: Okay, I'm glad my favorite geek is coming over on Saturday. Hopefully Kyle will be able to explain to me why my internet keeps giving me fits. I tried again this morning to post and halfway through I lost my service :-(

(And finally success!) I thought I would finish this project today, but there were too many distactions: a trip to the library...text messages and fb messages, helping with school work, and mint chocolate chip ice cream, and MacGyver...not to mention dinner with my sweetie...I know - excuses. I really need to have this project done by Friday, though, since it is a wedding gift. I'm not happy with the way the pictures turned out but I'm too tired to go back and retake. (I used pictures of Alyssa and Jay so I could see how it looks with photos but obviously I will remove them before giving to Jaclyn and Joel!)

Top of box:

Inside of box:

side view of box:

Cover of accordian album to go inside:

And a graduation card:

A little note: when I make my memory boxes, I prefer to use spray adhesive (such as Elmer's) which are acid free. It takes a little work getting used to using it, but worth the time spent because it gives a much smoother finish than other glues or decoupage.

Marie with a :-)