For The Stressed-Out Moms Out There! :)

I happen to have two of the cutest, sweetest and most well-behaved kiddos in the world (and the best husband in the world, too...boy am I lucky!)...but don't we all have these days???  :)

Ummmm, can I just tell you I just about DIED laughing at this? 

Rather than placing your kids in front of the above video :) here are some recommendations, both kid tested (by a three-year-old, and a 10-month-old) and mother-approved:

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Disney)

Oswald (Nick)

The Wiggles (Sprout)

Curious George (PBS)

Dora The Explorer (Nick Jr.)

Sid The Science Kid (PBS)

Super Why (PBS)

Sesame Street

CTMH "Love" Card Trio (Topstitch Workshop On The Go)

These cards are from the Close To My Heart "Topstitch" Workshop On The Go.  The basic kit includes a Level 2 Topstitch Paper Pack, an exclusive Stamp Set (Love Is In The Air), Mini Medley Assortment and the Workshop Guide, with the option to add on additional embellishments!

This WOTG kits are not available in the CTMH catalog.  If you're interested in attending a Workshop On The Go, please contact me today!  :)

Mojo Monday Sketch #124: Sympathy Card

This card is based on MojoMonday's sketch for challenge #124:

I wanted to do some embossing, so I used my Cuttlebug to emboss some heavy duty foil using the Textile folder.  Next, I embossed a piece of white cardstock using the same folder and matted it with black.  I cut a piece of patterned paper (Target) and matted it in black also.  I arranged my pieces on the front of a black card base.

I used a silver satin ribbon (Hobby Lobby) to tie a bow, and then layered two white flowers (Hobby Lobby) and a pre-made flower embellishment (Sandylion) on the top of the bow.

To finish, I stamped the dove from the "Beloved" CTMH stamp set in Grey Wool, cut it out and inked the edges in Grey Flannel.

Have a creative day!  :)

Black & White Transparency Layout

For this layout of the Mess Maker when she was about 6 months old, I printed the photo in black and white to keep with the theme. I matted it on a 12x12 piece of cardstock and then used a pre-printed 12x12 transparency (Luxe Designs).

For the accent flower in the upper corner, I used the Storybook cartridge to cut the Hibiscus, trimming off the berry stem. I used Sparkles (CTMH) to accent the center of the flower and adhered it to the transparency.

For the journaling frame, I again used Storybook and cut the Marquee and shadow from white and light gray. I stamped my sentiment/journaling (CTMH "My One & Only"), added two Sparkles on the sides, and layered it over a piece of light gray satin ribbon (craft supply).

To finish, I used a Marquee-shaped Rhinestone Frame (CTMH) to frame the title (CTMH "My One & Only") which was stamped onto white cs, and trimmed to fit.

The pre-printed transparency made this such a quick and easy layout!!!

Thanks for looking!  :)

Faux Leather Purse

This faux leather purse was cut at 7" with the Cricut using the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge ("purse2") and a sheet of dark brown cardstock. I scored the fold lines before doing the faux leather technique b/c it would have been difficult to see the guides once the embossing was done.

After scoring, I rubbed a VersaMark ink pad over the surface of the purse to completely cover the cardstock. Then I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the cardstock, tapping it to removed the excess powder.

Next, I used the edge of my Cricut spatula tool to make wavy, uneven lines both horizontally and vertically through the embossing powder. You could also use a ruler, bone folder, etc. I shook off the excess powder that was lifted when making the lines. Then I used my heat gun to heat emboss the powder until set. Once the faux leather techniqe was complete, I constructed the purse, added adhesive Velcro for the closure, a large silver brad and some leopard ribbon for the handle.

The result is this shiny, leather-looking brown purse! How fun would this be for a gift to hold candy, trinkets, jewelry or even a gift card???

Thanks for looking!  :)

Sesame Street Live!

We just got back from Sesame Street Live and I wanted to post some pictures of the Mess Maker, this being her first show and all! 

She had a BLAST!  She was clapping, dancing along with Cookie Monster, Elmo, Zoe and Abby...and of course eating popcorn.

We had some great mommy-daughter time!!! 

 (The CFO had to stay home with the Noise Maker so he could take a nap. :)

BLOG CANDY for YOU!!!!!

WOW!  I've reached 100+ followers (aka "friends")!!!  I honestly never expected this blog to go the direction it has...when I began "blogging", I just wanted to keep a journal of sorts on my family and life happenings.  And THEN I discovered crafty challenge blogs...and the rest is history.  :)

So, to thank all of YOU who check in with Organized Chaos to see what I've been up to, I want to offer up a little "blog candy"!!!!!!!  In honor of this milestone, I'm giving away an exclusive CTMH stamp set, which is no longer available!  The "True Friends" stamp set was the January Stamp of the Month and I want YOU to have the opportunity to win this fabulous set!

To win this set, you'll need to enter my contest, which I'm going to call "Inspire Me".  I need a little inspiration and I want you to link your favorite altered/3D/home decor project in Mr. Linky below.  I'll choose my favorite, most "inspiring" project and award this fab stamp set to the creator!

Here's what you need to do:

1.  If you aren't already a follower, sign up to follow Organized Chaos.

2.  Link your project to Mr. Linky (below) by Sunday, Feb. 14th (Valentine's Day!)

3.  Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite type of papercrafting project to make.

That's it!  The winner will be announced Monday, Feb. 15th...I look forward to seeing your entries!  :)

Just Buggin Challenge #23: "Love Ya" Card

This week's challenge #23 over at Just Buggin is called "Love Ya": make something for Valentine's Day using your Cricut.  Here is my Design Team project:

I used Accent Essentials for the die cut hearts on this card.  I ran them through the Cuttlebug using the "Script" folder to get the words on them.  Because I used white-core cardstock (CTMH), they came out looking "distressed", which I was actually planning to do anyway!  I further sanded them for just a little more distress and then inked the tops of them in Chocolate and Blush.  I think it gives them an "antique" look.

I used CTMH That's Amore patterned papers for the mat on this card, with Chocolate organdy ribbon tied around them.  I inked and distressed the edges of each element on this page, including the mats (Tulip), hearts (Chocolate, Blush) and sentiment (Tulip, Blush, Chocolate).

For the sentiment, I stamped "Love is all you need" (CTMH "My One & Only My Acrylix Stamp Set) in Tulip onto Blush cardstock and matted it with Chocolate.  I added a Chocolate mini flower and brad and then attached it with foam dots for dimension.

Thanks for looking!  :)

Yellow/Red "Kindness" Card

I was in the mood for card-making today and this is my result:

I used some red and yellow patterned paper from BoBunny and accented it with a strip of red eyelet, a red flower and some yellow fibers (craft supply).  I used the Storybook cartridge to cut the Marquee frame and then stamped the sentiment (CTMH "State Of Mind") in Tulip ink.  I accented the frame with a flourish from the "Playful Flourishes" set from CTMH as well (in Creme Brulee ink).  I popped the frame up with foam dots for dimension.

Thanks for looking!  :)

"Where's The Noise Maker": My Version Of 'Where's Waldo'

Can you find him?????

Let's just say the playroom hasn't been cleaned in a few days and it's sooooo messy, I can't find my kids in there.  :)

Pictures from today:

3-D Lotus Flower Pop-Up Card (Boom-Di-Ada)

I found a tutorial along with a template by "tekuila" to make this AWESOME pop-up lotus flower card and I just couldn't resist.  Now I would obviously prefer to use my Cricut and either Design Studio or Sure Cuts A Lot to do this, as it would save a LOT of time.  So if anyone out there knows how to go about doing this, PLEASE let me know!!!

For this one, I used CTMH's Boom-Di-Ada papers, focusing on the Hollyhock and Olive color combo.  I'm loving this project!

Thanks for looking!!!  :)

Perfect "Pear" Card (CTMH Veranda Collection)

I've been wanting to make one of these for FOREVER and today, after seeing one of my fellow Just Buggin DT Member's project for this week's challenge, I decided to do it!  :)  Thanks for the motivation, Robin!  You can see her super-cute card here.

Mine is made with CTMH's new Veranda papers.  I used Home Accents to cut the pears, then inked each piece with Cocoa ink (CTMH).  I adhered them to a coordinating piece of Veranda paper and added mini flowers and a brad (craft supply).

To finish, I added a scallop-edge strip to the right side of the mat and added "faux stitching" to the strip and the pear details.  Then I added a length of eyelet and a printed sentiment, matted with a coordinating Veranda patterned paper.  Thanks for looking!  :)

Just Buggin Challenge #22: "Berry Sweet" Card

This week's challenge (#22) over at Just Buggin is called "All About Food": make a food-themed project.  Here is my Design Team card:

I used 3 Bugs In A Rug patterned paper (green polka dot) for the mat on this one and added random dots of green glitter glue for sparkle.  Using Winter Wonderland, I cut the scallop circle out of hot pink and the shadow out of white cardstock.  I added pink glitter glue for sparkle.  I ran a striped ribbon (American Crafts) around the card base, attached the scallop circle and then adhered the mat to the green card base.

I wanted a strawberry die cut and didn't have one on the cartridges I own, so I made my own!  I used Street Sign to cut the "body" of the strawberry from red cs using the "interstate sign" cut.  Then I used Doodlecharms to cut the "palm tree top" from green cs and placed it on top...looks like a strawberry to me!  :)  I added glitter glue to make the "seeds" and for the lines on the leafy top.

To finish, I printed the sentiment onto white cs, matted it with red cs and adhered with foam dots.

Thanks for looking!  :)

February CTMH Workshops!!!

Here is a look at the projects for the workshops I'll be teaching in February!  I'm sooooo excited about these super-fun crafts...

It's back!  I'm teaching another cupcake class...I'm calling this one my "Red Velvet" cupcake, in honor of Valentine's Day!  We're using CTMH's That's Amore papers for this yummy treat!

I'm super-excited about my new monthly workshop, "Word Book Wednesday"!  One Wednesday a month, we'll be making a different word book.  This month's theme is "LOVE" for Valentine's Day!  Using CTMH's Silhouette papers and coordinating embellishments and stamps, create an album about the "LOVE" of your life!

This is a super-fun refillable notebook!  Covered in CTMH's Emporium papers, this bound notepad can be refilled once the original notepad (included) is gone.  This is great to keep in your purse or by the phone to take down messages!

This accordion baby album is made from a CTMH True Fit Folio!  It's been altered to include 12 pages and comes complete with tags.  Using the new Topstitch collection, this album can be customized for a boy or a girl...here I've used primarily blues and browns for a boy.  The options on this one are endless!

I'm doing my monthly Home Decor Club differently now...rather than having a financial commitment each month, I will allow anyone interested in the project to pay just the project fee...no commitment required!  It's new name???  "Hot Home Decor"...a monthly workshop in creating beautiful projects for your home!  This month we'll be making this birdie wall hanging, inspired by a similar one by "An Altered Obsession" I saw here. Mine is made with a mosaic of CTMH's Grace papers, Hemp and a twig...Spring is just around the corner!

I will be holding a monthly card workshop using the Workshop On The Go kits...this month's kit is Topstitch!  Create these beautiful cards using one of three workshop options:  basic card workshop, WOTG kit or WOTG kit + embellishments.

Also available this month is a Super-Saturday crop from 10-5!  You'll create your own 9x9 album using a CTMH album, one Level 2 paper pack and coordinating My Stickease Assortment.  You'll also have full use of my stamps, inks and tools, including my Cricut and 26 cartridges!

For the beginners out there, I'm hosting a "Scrapbooking 101" and Open House, to introduce you to art of scrapbooking, stamping and papercrafting.  I'll teach you the basics and let you know what you need to get started with this awesome hobby!  We'll have a FREE Make-n-Take, too!

I'm looking forward to crafting with you!!!  :)