Zoe's Cardboard Cow @ Evergreen State Fair

Today, we spent almost the whole day at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. I got to do some judging on herdsmanship for the 4H Cattle Clubs and Man, it was tough! All those kids are good. They did an amazing job of cleaning up after their animals, taking great care of them and keeping the beef barn clean for their guests. Great looking bovine.

Now, onto the cardboard bovine show. For insurance and safety reasons, kids under 9 years old, and not in the third grade cannot show live bovine (and I doubt they want to show dead ones) so they have a little show for the younger crowd of cardboard cows, that the kids decorate and then show. Zoe got to do this.

This is her with her cow on display, before the show. You may notice some Cricut 'tattoos' that she insisted we add.

Here she is in the show ring, walking her cow around to show the judges.

And, there it is: here 1st ribbon!

Growing up, I was the little girl who always wanted a pony, and once I was old enough bought one with my mom. We still have her to this day (7 years later) and although my mom does majority of the care, it is nice to know that as Zoe gets older she will have the chance to do 4-H with Latte. I'm not sure we have much of a cow future, since we don't have the space in our little suburban rental; but it's always possible.

We had a great day; ate wayyyyy too much fair food (like a bloomin' onion for lunch; funnel cake for dinner) and did lots of walking so we're all exhausted tonight... I'm still waiting for Zoe to crash (and it's 8:30pm, with no nap!) but I think she's still running on sugar.

Be sure you hop over to Papercraft Star and vote for your favorite project. Voting ends tonight at midnight EST.

Enjoy!

Dawn

Papercraft Star, challenge 11 Teaser

The challenge at Papercraft Star this week is back to school using a die cut system of some sort.

Here is your teaser! :-)

Make sure you stop by Papercraft Star Thursday, Sept 2nd when my project will be featured so you can see it as well as lots of other inspiration. I will also have my directions posted of this project on Thursday here.

I hope you'll join us in the challenge!

Enjoy!

Dawn

Fred, She Said Free Download

Hi Everyone!

I'm out and about, working at an estate sale for a friend today; but didn't want to leave anyone bored!

I noticed yesterday, while surfing around, that over at Fred, She Said there is a download for these flowers in a PDF. They are already patterned, I did a little distressing also with my Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye. I'm not usually a fan of downloads and printables, but this definetly gave me a good taste for them, and makes me want more!

I made the outside pretty simple, with the flowers as the focal point, and on the inside stamped the sentiment below.

I think this will make a great encouragement card for someone going through a tough time. I think the sentiment is supposed to be for Christmas time, but I like it better for encouragement throughout the year.

Did you see all the more recent promo type deals I have going on right now? Or, how about the brand new Gypsy's for $153.00?

Today, Adam is heading to Sumner, WA with Zoe to go to an RC Helicopter Fun Fly with Zoe. I think they'll have lots of fun! They are dropping me off in an upscale city called Newcastle, WA for the estate sale. All week Zoe's been telling people that 'On Saturday, we are building mommy a new sand castle' I just think it's adorable! :-)

Also, in Newcastle there are some spectacular viewpoints of Seattle and the Surrounding areas so you can bet your bottoms that I will have photos to show off!

Can't wait to get them up! I hope you all have a great day!

Also, head over to Papercraft Star today, and vote for your favorite card this past week!

A few special deals....

Hi Everyone!

I know there are many of you who are here for the Cricut Cartridge Deals or maybe the Brand New Gypsys I have for $153.00, and I have all those that are listed still!

I wanted to let you guys know... that I have a few really special prices on cartridges also for those of you who are thinking about it, I hope this helps put you over the edge!

These are only 1 cartridge at the price... so once it's gone, it's gone and I'm offering these first to people who are purchasing other cartridges as well.

So... if you buy ANY cartridge at the price listed on this page, or a Brand New Gypsy I am going to offer you these special deals to 'add on' to your purchase:

With any purchase you make of Cartridges or a Gypsy... for $22 Dollars more you can get Graphically Speaking or Stretch Your Imagination. For $25 Dollars more you can get Hello Kitty or Christmas Cheer.

Gypsy & Accessories SALES!

Only 4 Available!

Brand new, sealed in original box w/ all stock accessories

Gypsy Handheld Design Studio

(does not include carrying case or Destinations Cartridge)

Included:

Gypsy Itself

Pink & Black Neoprene holder

Silver Stylus

2 Preloaded Cartridges (Gypsy Font & Gypsy Wanderings)

Gypsy to Cricut Cord

Gypsy to USB Cord

Gypsy to Cartridge Linking Cord

Gypsy Wall Charger
When you register it online, you will recieve your Cricut Reward Points

$153.00

I do recommend insurance & delivery confirmation on Gypsy Shipping, for both our safety!

Gypsy Accessories:

Gypsy Silicone Starter Sleeve Sets:

Black $12.00

Gold/Black $12.00

Green $12.00

Pink Bling $13.00

Cherry Blossom $13.00

Stylus Set 3pk - $10

Car Charger $8

Wall Charger $8 (exactly the same as it comes with!)

Let me know if you are interested and ready to purchase any of these!

Papercraft Star Challenge #10- Always Drink Upstream From the Herd Card

I know you've all been waiting for this one, I've been anxious to show you!

My Papercraft Star Challenge 10 inspiration entry went live today

Over at Papercraft Star, the challenge is a clean and simple sketch for a card (see lower). The prize for this challenge is a blog button, letting everyonek now you were voted the people's choice winner and sometimes even an extra special surprise gift (last week was a $10 Paper Trey Ink Gift Card!). Laugh away! I thought it was the perfect opportunity to use my Rusty Pickle Stickers, and this horse print paper I had laying around. :-)

Head over to Papercraft Star and see what all the designers have come up with.


The name of the challenge this week is 'Clean and Simple Card'.
Here is the Sketch: I hope you can come over and play along! Entries can be linked until Friday @ Midnight EST.

And voting starts bright and early Saturday Morning, and goes through Monday. Winners will be announced Tuesday.

Enjoy,

Dawn

Supplies List:

Kraft Cardstock, cut to 11X4.25, and scored at 5.5

Medium Brown Paper, cut to 5X3.75.

Horse Bottom is from 'Horse Words' by Flair Design Inc roughly 1X2

Saying is a sticker from Rusty Pickle

Brown Cardstock for matting

Jute Twine for under the horse w/matting & Rusty Pickle Sticker w/matting

Pop Dots for lifting

white Sakura Jelly Pen for white dots

Walnut Stain, Tim Holtz Distress Ink for edges

Zebra Print 'Life is a Journey' Packaged Card Set

This evening, I quickly whipped up some cards.

I had no real reason, other than to gain some sanity in my quiet scraproom (which didn't happen anyways, since wee one followed me in, and whined the wholllleeeeee time) so I ended up making them r-e-a-l quick, to be done and get her out of my hair.

I knew I wanted to use Zebra Print, Black & White and the life is a journey stamps, so it wasn't real hard to throw together.

This is them, packaged up, ready for sale or to giveaway.

Supplies (for four cards)

2 sheets of 8.5X11 Vellum, cut to 8.5"X5.5, and scored at 4.25"

2 sheets of Paper Trey Ink Card stock, in True Black cut to 8.5"X5.5" and scored at 4.25"

Zebra Patterned Paper 4 pieces 5"X4"

White Card stock 5.25"X just between 4" & 4.25"

Black & Silver Kaisercraft Rhinestones

Studio G Stamps

Staz On Ink

On Black Base Card, adhere white card stock. Layer with Zebra Paper. Using Vellum Adhesive, or Glue Dots; adhere vellum card OVER front and back cover of card. On the front, stamp 'life is good' with Staz On Ink--- LET DRY, or it will smear. Add Rhinestones as you see fit.

I hope you have a great evening! Enjoy!

Dawn

Zoe photos and Clothespins

I can say, the title doesn't sound ALL that exciting, but it is a 'cute' day in my house.

This morning, it was perfect to go outside and do a mini shoot with my daughter, Zoe. Of course, since her and the dog (Sophie) are inseparable, the dog joined us in the front yard. This is a little teaser of the quick (literally 15 minutes) shoot!

On a crafty note; I made these little goodies today.

Not the tin holder itself... but the clothes pins.

This is a closer look at them, also remember that you can click the photo and see them larger as well. I made a gypsy cut, to do twenty cuts (for the sides) at a time, and then adhered them with liquid glue, pressing the extra out the sides and ends. After that, I was thinking about Modge Podging them, to make them glossy, but decided to save the time, and add little prima flowers instead.

Supplies:

10 Wooden Clothes Pins

Patterned Paper of your choice

(mine is from the DCWV Summer Dream Stack)

Tacky Glue

(I used Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive because it was closest)

Prima Flowers

Mini Brads

Glue Dots

Directions

1. With your Gypsy, or design studio- make a rectangle that is 9mm wide, and 72mm long.

2. Cut twenty of these

3. Adhere by lightly gluing to the wooden clothespins

4. If you'd like, now would be the time to Modge Podge these.

5. Stick the brads into the prima flowers, and with scissors, cut off any of the brad 'neck' that is sticking out of the sides, so it doesn't show.

5. Using a small glue dot, adhere these to the clothespin as desired

Viola! Done.

Have a great evening!

Dawn

Maui Memories Embellished Box :: Box cut w/ Gypsy

Before I get going here... I want to say that I rarely require anything from readers.

This is my one request before you continue reading any further about my project for the day.

Go to whatever music program you use; be it playlist.com (which is great for streaming music of your choice, free) or some search engine... I need you to turn on the song called 'Toes' by The Zac Brown Band. I hope that this will help you all to get into the mood I'm trying to set here.

Done? Alright, you may read on.

One day last week, I was blog hopping (in my own fashion, not on anything formal) and found Cross My Heart Papercrafts by Giselle Varela. She makes boxes. She does this with her Gypsy. Generally she is inspired by something, and then creates cuttable boxes, which then can be assembled and embellished.

I found her Shrek Box and the pure simplicity of it; requesting the file, getting the file, uploading it to my Gypsy, cutting, then embellishing, made me so happy, I knew I must try at least one.



I've always LOVED little bags, but don't make them because basically; they're useless. I can't make a small paper bag and embellish it to give to my daughter. Come on, she's two (two and a half if you ask her) but regardless, two or three- she'd rip it to shreds in minutes. Therefore washing all my little box and bag hopes and dreams down the chute. I don't make them for myself either, because it's just another 'thing' to store for a purpose down the road, that won't come. So, if I make it for something right now- it will be used, and given away. Maybe then it will be trashed and garbaged; but at least I won't see it happen. :-)

The file I used was her Shrek Nuggets Box- you can see it on her blog here and then request the file from Giselle. She will send it when she can, and voila! you can make your own.

I made my little box here for storing trinkets and papers from our Maui Honeymoon in July.

Since I'm like 2 years behind on scrapbooking, and haven't had a scrappin' bone in my body lately (just cardmaking) I figured I may as well store these cutely (is that a word?)

In the box is a mix of boarding passes, luggage tags, parking passes, rental car stuff, postcards I mailed home to Zoe while we were there, and just other crap I want to keep (I'm like a minor hoarder, since things can always be used for something....).

SUPPLIES:

Shrek Box File from Cross My Heart Papercrafts
DCWV Textured Yellow Cardstock

DCWV Summer Dream Paperstack for the blue floral print paper

Life's A Beach Cricut Cartridge

Rhinestones by Kaisercrafts

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Spiced Marmalade

Notes about Cricut Cuts:

1. The Phrase 'Maui Memories' I made, and welded with my Gypsy.

2. With the Flamingo Cut, I wanted to not show the blue patterned paper through the black beak, so I used my Gypsy to hide the contours of the beak, and made a 'blackout' Flamingo cut in light pink.

3. The waves border is stretched to 6.5" long, and 1" in height (again, on my Gypsy)

Enjoy!

Dawn

Papercraft Star, Challenge #10 Sneak Peek!

It's time for another sneak peek for challenge #10 over at Papercraft Star! That's right... you ARE looking at a horses rear. :-) I can't wait to show this card, I absolutely think it is a kick in the pants! :-)

Enjoy!

Dawn

ROCK PRINCESS!

Hey Everyone! I just got in 1 Rock Princess Cartridge for $38 if anyone would like it! I'm going to add it to the sale list as well, and the first person I heard from gets it! :-)

Dawn

Published Writing of Mine

Many of you know, this month is a hard one for me. It is the first anniversary of Knox's death, and I have been struggling with the anxiety of how I am going to feel about it. I know, a weird thing to be anxious about, but I'm doing okay- and I know I'll be okay now. I can say, up to this point, second from those first two days, of find and losing him- August 18th was definetely the most difficult.

NW Sids Alliance & Infant Survival asked me to write a small bit for their newsletter about this first year. I was happy to do so, even if it makes me cry just to read it (still).

I wanted to share the link.

Go ahead, and click here- it will open a PDF of the August Newsletter.

Thanks so much to everyone who reads my posts about Knox. I know it's a really difficult topic for most people, and a lot of people don't know how to react or what to say. My little story for NW SIDS should help you all to know how SIDS parents feel in regards to their lost children.

:-) Enjoy and Thank You to NWSIDS for allowing me to do this. I think it's really helping me heal and grow as a person!

Dawn

The list is out!

I've teamed up with a good friend of mine, who is a master at getting amazing prices. I am doing her sales now, and we are offering amazing prices on Cricut Cartridges. Check out my Cricut Cartridges for Sale page!

There is no funny business here: really just two woman who want to help other crafters out. Being a stay at home mom, I know exactly how expensive it can be to keep up with the growing library of Cricut Cartridges and what it's like to want one so bad it hurts! Deb has let me, offer to all my bloggie friends the prices she sells them for to her friends. (Lucky you!)

If you have questions, or need some info, or want to see a project done with any of the listed cartridges, let me know and I'll see if I can't create something to highlight the cartridge for you.

Thanks for stopping by, and make sure you scroll alllllll the way to the bottom to see other great deals and stuff we are selling.

The photo is just a TINY piece (probably not a 10th) of what is stored and not photographable at the moment!

As you can see from the photo, there are also Blue CuttleBug Packages, Cricut Stamping (creation) Sets, A Slice Cartridge and Jukeboxes.

Enjoy!

Dawn

Lila's Scrapbooking, Designer Project #2

As you can see on the left sidebar, I am also a designer for a local scrapstore here in Washington State, Lila's Scrapbooking. I've been a big fan of Lila's since she opened for business in 2008, and almost always has exactly what I want or need, and if she doesn't- she gets it! I have been lucky enough to get to know some of the other ladies who frequent the store- one of them being an original Lila's Designer, Elisa. I love her shabby chic stying with lots of vintage flair. When they held a designer call a few weeks ago, I jumped on the chance! Then, I was chosen!

Anywhoo, this is the second batch of things I've gotten to do for them. the first was with the new Little Yellow Bicycle Boardwalk Line. I'll see if I can find my photos for those as well.

I hope you like them! I invite you to stop in the store, and check them out in person as well.

(inside of upper card)

Enjoy!

Dawn

Papercraft Star Challenge #9

Here it is, Ladies and Gents-- my card for challenge #9 over at Papercraft Star! Hurry over and enter your projects! You have until Friday at Midnight (EST) to get your entries in, and voting will begin Saturday Morning.

Supplies I used are:
The paper is from My Little Yellow Bicycle.
All lace is Rusty Pickle
Letter stickers are flexible and adhesive plastic purchased from Joannes, but I'm not sure the brand.
The vintage image, is from a sticker set I picked up at Lila's Scrapbooking.

Enjoy!!!

Dawn

It's been one year now, since I held my baby.

Knox,

If I could talk to you, and tell you how I feel I would tell you all the things I miss seeing you do. Laughing, feeding you, laying on the floor with you taking pictures of you, feeling you snuggle up to me and being content not knowing what it's like it miss a child.

Today, you've been gone for one year. It's been 365 days since I smelled your skin, kissed your nose and rubbed your feet. It's been 12 months since I got to see your smile. It's been a long road buddy, and I wish that SIDS never stole you. I wish I would have walked into that room 5 minutes earlier and woken you up from your nap instead of getting your sister down for her nap before checking on you. I wish we'd chosen to head to grandma's for the day to cool off and hang out there. Maybe you'd still be alive. I know I can't change anything, and I know that dwelling on things will only make my missing you hurt more.

I know I'm going to make it, since I'm not bawling while I type away. Your sister is still sleeping, and we're going to pick blueberries today with friends. I know I'll be thinking about you all day long; and missing you never stops hurting. I know you are watching over all of us, I feel like I've seen you around me, and I've surely felt you around me, especially in the past few weeks. If you were still around, you wouldn't be so little anymore. You'd be walking, talking and running along with your sister, you would probably still sleeping and mommy would too. I don't think I'd be up yet, if I wasn't thinking so much about you today.

Last week, at Michaels (thats that craft store you went to a million times) I saw a woman with a baby who looked identical to you when you were itsy bitsy. It took every ounce of strength I had not to start crying when I saw him. She was such a good mom, so loving with him and talking to him through each step she made of shopping. He was beautiful. The same blue eyes, and I swear to you- the same nose exactly. For just a minute, I saw myself talking to you when we got to take a rare lone trip anywhere, just Mommy and Knox. I really miss those trips.

Homemade Laundry Soap... and Etsy Info

Most of my Local friends know, and those of you who have been to my house know that I like to try and do things that are not harmful to the environment. I've been eyeing the recipes for homemade laundry soap, and decided that before I made it, I wanted to see if I would even like it! So, after purchasing a premade trial batch of it from a vendor at the Marysville Homegrown Festival for $1.50, I've used it up already! I like like like, no LOVE it! So, this morning, I ran out, and for under $10.00, got all the things I needed to make it at home! I made up a batch this morning but made a few changes to the original recipe.

Original Recipe:
12 C. Borax
8 C. Baking Soda
8 C. Washing Soda
8 C. Bar Soap (Fels Naptha, Ivory or Safeguard)

For my version of this, I decided to first, cut the recipe in half. Being that there are only 3 people, 1 dog, and one roommate in our house we didn't need 38 Cups of anything, let alone laundry detergent that only takes 1 tbsp per load! Then, I decided to add OxyClean also since I use it for stains and it always works wonders. I wanted to do a mixture of the soaps it says to use. Fels Naptha is specifically for laundry, so I wanted to keep this and Safeguard is antibacterial... so I knew I wanted that in it also. I did a 50/50 split of the soaps.

Dawn's NEW Recipe
6 C. Borax (I used 12 Mules Borax from Walmart for $3.36 and had some left over)
4 C. Baking Soda (I had this, but you can get it for around $.70/lb bulk)
4 C Washing Soda (Walmart did not have this, but ACE Hardware did)
2 C (1- 5.5oz bar) Fels Naptha Laundry Soap (also, found at ACE Hardware)
2 C (1 1/2 (4 oz.) bars) Safeguard Soap (had it too!)
2 C. Oxygen Cleaner (OxyClean or otherwise, I used Sun Oxygen Cleaner from Walmart at 1.96 for 16 ouches)

This made me more than I planned on, but now I have some little cute things of it packaged up to give to a friend for her daughters cloth diapers and whoever else I feel like giving it too!!

It doesn't bubble, and really does only take 1tbsp on regular loads, and up to 2 or 3 on really dirty loads. From all I've read it's amazing for sensitive or rash prone skin, since there is no fragrance and it doesn't leave any residue on your clothes like commercial laundry soap. It also rinses so clean you don't need fabric softner. I feel so 'vintage' on this one, it makes me laugh. But, in all honesty- I used my hands for most of the mixing, without gloves (since it shouldn't hurt my skin if I'm washing my clothes with it) and after that, just rinsed them well, and they are super soft and have no residue at all on them.

Yesterday, my husband came home from work with what I would guess is called rust water (you know, when rust gets wet?) stains all over his shirt and pants (he made the choice to wear nice clothes to work...) and was begging me to at least TRY and get this stuff out. So, with the Fels Naptha, a Clorox Bleach Pen and soaking with the new homemade laundry soap... it's almost all out now. :-) I can't wait to see how it does on mud and grass stains, since those are more common in our house.

Anywhoo! Onto what I was really going to post about today!

www.dddcort.etsy.com is my store site and I've finally gotten around to posting up some more of my cards, and knitted items will be going up this afternoon. I hope you'll pop over to check them out!

If you chose to make some laundry soap, let me know how you like it and if you would be interested in trying it before making a million loads worth, I am totally willing to mail some to you (since I have LOTS now) and help you try it out and be a little greener as well! I just ask you paypal shipping back to me once I mail it and know the cost. :-)

Enjoy!

Dawn

Tinkerbell Cricut Cartridge Giveaway

I wanted to give my followers a little heads up...

September 3rd through 5th, myself and some of the other Cricut Card Fairies are hosting a blog hop.

I know that there are quite a few of the other ladies who are offering blog candy, and I will as well... but I've decided that instead of paper or embellishments; I'd giveaway a Cricut Cartridge!

Keeping the 'fairy' mentality, I've decided I'm going to giveaway one, Tinkerbell & Friends Cricut Cartridge!

Be sure to head over here on the 3rd, and run through the lineup!

Enjoy!

Dawn

Cricut Reward Points

I am horrible about saving things.

Regardless of if it's clothes that are stained.

Something that tastes good (that one last bite!).

A favorite paper.

Or, my Cricut Reward points.

I loved the Cricut Cake Brown and Pink Aprons from when I first saw them, but since I don't have a Cricut Cake, nor intend on getting one (since I rarely bake)... I wasn't too worried about finding one. Well, hunting around on the Cricut Rewards site I saw that I could get one! And for only 200 points!

So, I placed my order today, and now have this pretty little thing headed my way....

Oh, and these....

My thought here is that if I'm going to get stuck paying $13.00 shipping and handling for an apron, that supposed to be a 'free' and special item, I may as well get some other stuff too, right? :-)

Gypsy Cords

Hey guys!

I've been doing some hunting, because the cord I was selling to someone for their Gypsy to Cricut was snatched up by someone else... I have found a way... for even less!

With THIS piece on the Gypsy End, and THIS piece on the cricut end, it will work again!

You can now cut away with your Gypsy, even if you've lost the connection cord!

I really hope this helps someone! :-)

Papercraft Star- Challenge #9 Sneak Peek

The challenge this week for Papercraft Star, is a vintage carnival type photo:

Of course, I chose to make a card for this challenge. I LOVE making vintage looking things. Call my bad habit, but almost everything needs to either be distressed, have lace or a vintage 'image' of some sort on it.

After your wait.... here is your sneak peek!Enjoy!

Dawn

Just Because Cards Cartridge

Yesterday, I picked up 'Just Because Cards' Cartridge, and 'Life is a Beach'.

I haven't spent much time playing with life is a beach, but it will be perfect for when I start scrapping the Maui trip! :-)

I made these four cards today, and love them all! I love that it is sooo simple to be witty, without any thought.

Saving the favorite... for last! :-)

Because, really... everyperson who takes the time to read my little blog... is RAD!

Enjoy! Have a good night!

Dawn