Stretch Your Comfort Zone

The new theme at Paper Issues is all about stretching your comfort zone,
using non traditional scrapbooking elements on your project.
It is sponsored by Gauche Alchemy.
They have such fun supplies!
Some of my MOST favorite things to scrap with come from Gauche.
That ouchless cardboard...already stripped so the corrugation shows through.
Punchinella...I la la la LOVE pinchinella.
Sequins...um, hello!  My layout isn't finished until the sequins are scattered about.
They are offering a discount too!  You can get your own punchinella! Woot!
Use the code PAPERISSUES2012 and you will receive 30% off everything except kit subscriptions.
How awesome is that!
I am first up in our celebratory Blog Hop!
You should definitely go check out the other ladies...they are totes amazeballs.
You can also win a kit over on the Paper Issues blog.  Yep.
Hop, Shop and come link up!

Cassie  <--------this is me!
Lori
Melissa
Leah
Patricia
Chrissy
Paper Issues

I did not alter my photo.  That is her real eye color.  Both of my children have beautiful blue eyes.
For this layout, I also used Teal High Heal Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels, Inky Black Mister Huey from Studio Calico, Houndstooth washi tape from Pink Paislee(I have hoarded this for years!), Tiny Attacher from Tim Holtz, punchinella, ouchless cardboard, lace and sequins from Gauche Alchemy, Thickers from American Crafts and black tape from the Smash label maker.

I am also linking to ScrapFit's Misting Mania

Road Trip!

When we went on our last Family Vacation/Road Trip I made these books for everyone.
Each book contained tons of games.
We are an incredibly competitive group.
Incredibly.
I am gearing up for this year's Family Vacay and I thought I should make some more!

The books included dot games, scavenger hunt lists and tic tac toe.
It also included full contact License Plate Bingo.
Seriously.
Only one person can use a license plate to score.
You must choose carefully as your points come from the first number listed on the plate.
If you pass a Utah plate with a 2 first, you may want to skip it and wait for an 8.
It's lots of fun and kinda loud.

All of our books together...we are an eclectic group, no doubt about that!
I can't wait to crush the rest of my family this summer in Full Contact License Plate Bingo!
Mall of America...Here we come!
Woot!

Linking to: Abroad theme at Paper Issues, Be Different, Act Normal,

Rockabilly Baby Shower

This party was SO much fun to make!
I busted out my Cricut...once again I found myself saying "Why don't I use this more often?"
Why?  I don't know.  I just bought a Superman cartridge so...be prepared.
This was a big order.
I made the banner and 8 mini diaper cakes!

I also made 60 cupcake wrappers, pinwheels, flags, and many other "things on sticks".
Because things on sticks are awesome.
It's a fact.

p.s. I totally love that grenade.  Love.
I used the Happy Days line from Echo Park.
Ya know how I love me some Echo Park goodness.
It was perfect, the papers, the colors, the embellies.
I used the Indie Cricut cart for the swallows and dice and grenade.

The alphas are Thickers from the Chap line.
The skull die is Cuttlebug.  The cherries are from QuicKutz.
The large star is a Sizzix die that I scored then shaded to look like a nautical star.
The small stars, gears, and circles are Fiskars punches.
I think this looks like a party where I would totally want to be on the guest list.
Thanks for hanging in there...I know that's more pictures than I usually include.
=)

Instagram Awesomeness

My newest obsession is Instagram.
I love it.
La la la LOVE it.
Here is my week in pictures.
It started with Bailey's birthday party.
I picked up products from Pink Paislee's Brick and Mortar store.
Then it was time for Opening Day at Kaufman stadium.
Go Royals!
I am linking this up to Kellie's Instagram Monday.
Yes, I'm late.
...or early, depending.
Also to InstaFriday at Life Rearranged

Houndstooth Cupcake Tower

It was party time at my house over the weekend.
My daughter and nephew both turned 13.
My brother and I had babies 2 days apart...in different states.
Cray-cray.
Anyhoo...I wanted to make sure that the party wasn't too boy-y or too girly so I went with the awesomeness that is Houndstooth.
It's also my favorite and that is all that matters.
I have been wanting to make a cupcake stand for a while now but I always eat the cupcakes before they can be placed on a stand of any sort.
This seemed like the perfect opportunity since I bought 3 dozen and the likelihood that I would eat 3 dozen faster than people could get here to see them is pretty slim. (ish)
I took 3 boxes in graduated sizes and wrapped them in paper.
That is it. Bam!  It's a pretty big bang for your buck.
Since Hug Snug is my newest obsession, I tied it around each tier.
The cupcake toppers are also glitter houndstooth cardstock from American Crafts.
I used all the Bs in all of my alpha packs...I used all the Qs too(upside down).
The cupcakes are from Cupcake A La Mode on the Plaza.
Best cupcake evah.  Evah.  Don't argue.  It's futile.
The paper is from Nashville Wraps.  Love them.
Go do this next time you have a par-tay.  Do it.

I am linking here: Paper Issues, Alderberry Hill, Shaken Together, Sugar Bee, Toys in the Dryer, Lolly Jane,
                             Oopsey Daisy, 

Easter Banner

I absolutely LOVE the bold colors of the Canvas Corp Easter papers.
That black just makes everything pop.
I started this banner by cutting the Green Chevron paper down to a 4x6 piece.
Then I notched the bottom to make the pendant shape.
Who doesn't LOVE Chevron?  It makes everything better.
I fussy cut the letters from a sheet of Canvas Corp paper, it also included the carrot graphics.
The black and white polka dot paper is die cut with a Shapeabilities die.
I wanted it to look like a doily folded over the top.
One of my favorite things about this banner is those tissue flowers.
Oh.My.Heck.  That is so fabulous to work with.
It comes in a pack too, so you get plenty to play with.
I cut out circles in various sizes, layered them, fastened them and then scrunched them up.
That gave some nice texture.
I added Glimmer Mist to the flowers and attached them to the banner.
I used pop dots to adhere the letters to the tissue flowers so it didn't look smooshed.
I strung it all up on black Jute and added those fabulous green mini clothespins.
Happy Easter!

This is also perfect for the Show Me Your Chevron theme at Paper Issues.
Come link up...All the cool kids are doing it.

Rainbow Wedding

I had a request in my Etsy shop asking if I would be interested in making a banner for a Rainbow Wedding.
Are you kidding me?
Heck yes!  I will make anything rainbow related.
I have decided that I will force my daughter to have a rainbow wedding.
That's a great idea, right?
That is why we have kids, right...to make them do what we want.
Exactly.
She wanted the pennants to be the same as the bridesmaid dresses.
How cute is that!
The Dear Lizzy Neapolitan line was perfect for this.
I also snuck some MME and Glitz in for the blue and purple pennants.
I love it.  I really do.
p.s. I used Hug Snug to tie between the pennants...Oh.My.Heck.
It's my new obsession.  I lurve it.

Neapolitan Banner

The new theme is up at Paper Issues!
Woot!
We are giving away a kit full of Dear Lizzy Neapolitan goodness!
Go getcha some!

Ironically, I made this banner with said Dear Lizzy papers.
The orange polka dot paper is my fave.
I also added some punched butterflies because they make everything more festive.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

These were so much fun to make!
I first saw this project on Pinterest.
I used brads to connect the circles so that the caterpillar folds down to make one circle.
These are the invitations.
This book is so adorable and it was a nice break from Piratepalooza.
I'm not complaining...Pirate parties pay the bills, yo.
I also made some food tents and thank you tags.

The party was a brunch so all of the food tents had a different food for each day of the week.
I added some green leaves with tiny holes punched.
I also made a banner, natch.
I lurve me some banner action!

This banner also has some leaves with tiny holes.
I added some twine from The Twinery to give it a little more color and movement.
I didn't want to go too themey so that it could hang in the birthday boy's room after the par-tay was over.
Speaking of parties...I need some birthday cake.
Mmmm...cake.
Linking this to the new party at Paper Issues!  Go green or go home!
Also linking to: Sew Chatty, It's a Blog Party, 

A Different View of Kansas City

Sometimes it's fun to see your city from a different point of view.
This was my view over the weekend from the top of the Westin-Crown Center.
Amazing.
I love this city.
You don't often stay in a hotel where you live so it was a real treat.

p.s. I live in Kansas City, Missouri.  Not Kansas...those are fightin' words.
Our Sprint Center is one of the top venues in the world!
If you are ever here, make sure you try Oklahoma Joe's BBQ.
It is the Best BBQ you will ever eat.  Ever...and the fries...O.Em.G
I personally like the Z Man sandwich.  They sold almost 200,000 of that ONE sandwich last year.
That's a lotta beef.
Also, Cupcakes A La Mode on the plaza has the most amazing cupcakes evah.
Evah.  I have tried them all...my favorite is the Ooh La La.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts just opened up.
Google it.  It is breathtaking.
This summer, LEGOland and a super massive Aquarium will open.
You want to be here, just sayin'.

Who Loves You, Baby

Cake!!!!
Yes, this is a diaper cake...but it's cake!
I ordered that owl punch from Stampin' Up and I could not wait to use it.
This is brand new paper from MME...isn't it fabulous?!
The banner is also a punch from Stampin' Up.
It makes me seriously happy.
Let me now tell you a cautionary tale about Dymo tape.
I love it. I really, really love it.
I didn't want it to pop off of the word bubble so I decided to use hot glue to adhere it.
Nope.  Don't do that.  It just melts the letters right off the front.
I am a smart girl.  I graduated in the top 10% of my class.
I am 2 semesters away from being a psychologist.
Somehow that thought did not cross my mind.

Materials used: MME Be Amazing paper, Stampin' Up Owl and Banner punch, Twine from The Twinery, Martha Stewart score board, Fiskars cloud, circle, heart and star punch, October Afternoon alphas


Linking to: Paper Issues, 36th Avenue, Gluesticks, Our Delightful Home, Lolly Jane, Be Different, Act Normal, 

All We Need Is Love

When I first received this Snow Day paper I wanted to make something for Valentine's Day.
Seriously though, doesn't kraft make everything better?
I added pink twine from the Twinery in little bows at the bottom.
Pumpin' up the cute quotient!
I love LOVE.
That is all.

Materials used: Sizzix banner die, Fiskars heart punch, Fiskars scallop punch, EK Success tag punch, Pink Paislee Snow Day paper, Pink Paislee alphas, Twinery twine in blossom, bazzill kraft, ribbons from Maya Road, Jute from Canvas Corp.


Linking to: Paper Issues

Wordless Wednesday

Linking to:

Weight Loss Jars

It is no secret that I have struggled with my weight all my life.
I lost 120 pounds after I had my first child and put 60 back on with my second.
It's still here.
I am not unhappy with my body but my body is not happy with me.
When I cut out sugar and flour and wheat, my headaches go away,
I don't need allergy medicine to get through the day and I feel like I can run a marathon.
I joke and say "The only weight problem I have is that everyone else has a problem with my weight".
Which is mostly true.
I saw this project here first.  She took jars and filled them with marbles.
It immediately spoke to me and now these babies set next to my scale.
Everything is better in a jar...even diamonds!
I liberated these diamonds from the last wedding I attended.
I am sure the bride and groom don't miss them.
I added twine and some woodgrain label tape to a tag I made with punches.
It's inspired me to keep on working to get all the diamonds into the "LOST" jar.
Hopefully they are all over there before July!
*fingers crossed*

Linking to: Paper Issues,  Flamingo Toes,  Be Different, Act Normal, Tatertots & Jello,  Sweet Little Gals, Crafty, Scrappy, Happy, Gluesticks, Artsy Girl Connection, Allie Makes, Whipperberry, Lolly Jane, Marriage from Scratch, 

My Issues Can Be Your Issues

When I started Paper Issues a little over a year ago, I didn't really know what it was going to be.
I intended it to look like the sites that we all know with a message board, store and gallery.
It turned into something different...and then something a little different after that.
Now it is bigger than I ever could have imagined.
It isn't gigantic by any means. I am not looking to be 2Peas.
That's been done and they are successful.
As much as I hate to see members of our team leave, I guess that is part of the process.
It is time to say goodbye to some favorites and hello to some newbies.
That is where you come in!
We are having a Creative Team Call!
Woot!

Let's Spoon

 I know you've met Let's Spoon above...but have you met her little sister Let's Eat?
These are flying out of my Etsy store!
I think that people are like me and they LOVE Valentine's Day!
I changed up my bathroom so that it is red and aqua too!
I should make a spoon for that room.
...or maybe a I will use a bath brush thingy.
Oooh!  Good Idea!  Glad we had this talk.

Products used: October Afternoon paper, Thickers from American Crafts, maraschino twine from The Twinery, Martha Stewart Butterfly punches

Snowman Love

Here in the square states, normally in January and February we have snow.
Lots and lots of snow.
That means snowmen and snowmen love Valentine's Day too!
Valentine's Day is one of my favorite times of year.
I love pink and red and hearts and LOVE!
I also love the Snow Day line from Pink Paislee.  There is so much pink!
It is perfect for Valentine's Day!
This is an ever ubiquitous paper cone wreath.
They are addictive to make...and they make your door pretty.
The new theme is up at Paper Issues!
We are having a full month of Valentine's Day!
You know you have a TON of projects...come link up so I can show the world!
It's like a giant show and tell party...just like Kindergarten.
Next we'll have a snack and a nap.
Good times.
Supplies used: Everything is Pink Paislee Snow Day line except the white cardstock(American Crafts), the alphas(Jillibean Soup) and the doily.
Linking to:Paper Issues, Clean and Scentsible, Ladybird Ln., Toys in the Dryer, Tatertots and Jello, Lolly Jane, Sweet Little Gals, The Paper Variety, 

I Make Stuff

In an effort to spare you from my top 10 posts of 2011,
I thought I would make one layout and shove it all in at once.
Ya know when Walgreens has the "get 25 free prints" promotion?
Since I already had enough photos printed, I thought I would order prints of projects.
I just put 2 projects on each collage, saved it in Picasa and uploaded it to their site.
Free!  Woot!
My scrappy crush, Mandy Kay, made this layout and I LOVED the title so I stole it.
Kidding...I asked her if I could politely lift it.
This is the hot mess I came up with.
I feel like I have really grown over the past year.
There is only 1 cow sequin. One. Only one.
There is a whole lotta Crate Random!  I love that line.  Fo sho.

I also used: Bazzill Swiss Dot cardstock, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Strawberry Thickers from American Crafts, Crate Random Patterned Paper, Baker's Twine from The Twinery, Punches from Fiskars and Martha Stewart, Chipboard and Pink Tulle from Maya Road

Linking to: Paper Issues, Clean and Scentsible, ScrapFit,

More Pirates! More Pirates! More Pirates!

 This is the last week for the "We've got your number" Theme at Paper Issues!
Go link up!  I wanna feature you!
I am still cranking out Pirate orders!
I'm not tired of them yet.  Are you?
LOL!!  Don't answer that.
I promise a layout is in my future.

 This week I also "discovered" solid color double sided paper from Echo Park.
I don't know why I didn't have any until now, but I didn't.
The Little Boy line is my favorite ever.
Cardstock is way too heavy, it bends instead of curves.
This paper is perfect!
I can make pinwheels all day with no problem and it coordinates! Score!

red, black and kraft cardstock: Bazzill,  white cardstock and alphas: American Crafts, patterned paper: Echo Park, Burlap star, polka dot paper on hat and jute for banners: Canvas Corp., banner die: Sizzix, Skull die: Cuttlebug,  Cloud and star punches: Fiskars

Cloud Love

It's banner time!
This one is for a baby shower...yay babies!
This cloud paper from American Crafts is so awesome.
I love it!  It's the perfect shade of blue.
I popped some cloud punchies on there as well because you can never have too many clouds.
The plane is from Echo Park's Little Boy line.
It is my favorite EP line.  Evah.  evahhhhhh.
I thought that putting the plane on the right hand side would make it look like it was pulling the banner.

I added some amazing Marachino twine from the Twinery!
L.O.V.E. that stuff and it makes nice action swirlies.
Yay for action swirlies!

Quick tip for sticker back die cuts like the plane.
I keep a small container of baby powder at my work station with a paintbrush in it.
I pop dot the back of the sticker, leaving one backing on the pop dot, then "paint" the exposed sticker part with powder.  That will make sure it doesn't stick to anything.
Go do it.

Products used: Bazzill Kraft and Red Swiss Dot, Subway Thickers from American Crafts, Jute from Canvas Corp., White textured cardstock and Amy Tangerine paper from American Crafts,  Fiskars Cloud punches, Echo Park Die Cut, Maraschino baker's twine from the Twinery.
Linking to: Paper Issues, Tip Junkie, Clean and Scentsible, 

Pirates! Arrrgh!

 It's a pirate's life for me!
This has been the theme du jour lately.
I love it!
Can't have enough Pirate Parties!

 I love these little bags!
I looked everywhere for some small enough to hold popcorn for little people.
I am wearing out my Skull die.
My Sizzix plates are all skulled up!
I drew some dashed lines and X's for an authentic treasure map look. =)

 That polka dot paper from Canvas Corp. seemed perfect on these invites!
That Stampin' Up Top Note die is my go-to, for sure!

Pinwheels, pirate flags, stripey banner...what is not to love!?
I think I need a Pirate party for myself.
I used to use a die for those pinwheels but honestly, cutting a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square then cutting into the middle from all four corners is SO much less fussy.
Glue them to a stick and Viola!  Instant fun!
Echo Park's Little Boy line is perfect.
I have stock piled those papers...I will be covered until I am 110.
Linking to: Paper Issues, Junk in their Trunk, Gluesticks, Ladybird Ln., Bird's Party!,

Naughty and Nice Gifts

After seeing all the amazing inspiration over at Paper Issues,
I decided I should spruce up my packages a bit.
The wrapping paper is from Hallmark, they are right here in Kansas City, ya know.
I {heart} it.
I am sure I will hear about wrapping Miss Bailey's gift in "naughty" paper,
You haven't truly experienced joy until you have lived with a teenage daughter. Oy.
I can hear it now..."OMG, You are so mean!" "What did I do?" *cry, stomp, slam the door*
I made a rosette from Kraft paper.  I use the Martha Stewart scoreboard.
Then I punched a circle from American Crafts HollyDay Sinter Klaas paper.
Layered that with a Star punched from the reverse side of that paper.
I added a little red banner and a name.
You know it's a special occasion when I bust out the woodgrain Dymo tape.
Finished it with some baker's twine from the Twinery and BAM!
It's a prezie!
Woot!

Linking to: Paper Issues, Be Different, Act Normal,