Craft Critique

I subscribe to a bunch of different blogs so that I can receive updates in my inbox whenever something new is posted. One of those blogs is Craft Critique. I love reading the reviews of different products so that I am better informed before I buy. I especially love the pros and cons summary that is included with most posts. I've even discovered products I didn't even know existed through the Craft Critique blog. The reporters really try out the products so that you are getting their real opinions, not just something they read on a company website. The other great thing about it is that they review products for a variety of crafts, so if you aren't into scrapbooking or cardmaking you still might find products relevant to your craft. Head on over and check it out. I know I've learned a lot by reading Craft Critique.

I Made A Card

I'm having a little trouble finding my Mojo this week. It seems to be eluding me, but I did manage to create this card for the Spring Bling IceCROPade challenge at The Scrapping Nook. I found this little bag of seed beads while organizing my scrap room and thought I'd give them a go with this card. I actually think it turned out pretty good. Now if I can just find the motivation to get the other six challenges done by Thursday I'm good to go :)

"Oldies" But Goodies

While going through some images on my computer I discovered some photos of some projects I completed for a design team call last fall. I realized that I never actually posted these projects even though I had intended to do it. I didn't make the team, but I had a lot of fun with these layouts, cards and altered canvas. I hope you enjoy seeing them.

Names

I have the urge to share something fun and silly so here goes. I got this off of a friend's Facebook page and thought it was entertaining enough to share. Perhaps I am just in a strange frame of mind LOL.

Silly Names

1. REAL Name:

Heather Lori Ann-Marie Haggett

2. WITNESS PROTECTION Name (mother and father's middle names):

Gloria George

3. NASCAR Name (first name of mother's dad, first name of father's dad):

Russell Clarence

4. STAR WARS Name (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name):

Haghe

5. DETECTIVE Name (favourite colour, favourite animal):

Purple Hedgehog

6. SOAP OPERA name (middle name, town where you were born):

Lori Ann-Marie Woodstock

7. SUPERHERO Name (second favourite colour, favourite drink, add "The" to the beginning):

The Pink Margarita

8. FLY Name (first 2 letters of first name, last 2 letters of last name):

Hett (could be a good fly name)

9. STREET Name (favourite ice cream flavor, favourite cookie):

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chocolate Chip (mmmmm sounds yummy!!!)

10. PORN Name (first pet's name, street you grew up on):

Punky Bee (hmmm ... might work)

11. GOTH Name (Black and the name of one of your pets):

Black Noughat

12. STRIPPER Name (name of favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy):

Strawberry Peanut Butter Cups

Hmmmmm ... after all that, I think I'll stick with Heather.

This Week's IceCROPades Challenges

I managed to finish this week's challenges from The Scrapping Nook. A couple of them really made me think and I wasn't sure for awhile whether I'd come up with an idea for them. But I did eventually and now they are done.

Hedgey is for the Tell Me About The Birds & Bees challenge. We had to use at least two types of bugs or birds (I used bees and butterflies) and one nature item (leaves). Hedgey was a gift from a very special lady named Lori. I love him!!!!!! He sits on a shelf where he can watch over all of us and keep us all safe. Thanks Lori!!!!!

Labour of Love is my creation for the "Ad" dictive challenge. We were given an image of paint cans on the wall of a building, with one of the cans on it's side "spilling" the paint onto the parking lot below. I took my inspiration from the paint cans and the spilled paint. I decided to doodle my journaling and title, and I'm actually happy with the results. I also finally was able to use my pain can Quickutz die --- LOVE IT!!!!!

For Sara resulted from the It's February challenge. We were required to use the colour purple, two hearts, one flower, a flag and a photo from February. I kept this one simple, but it still looks nice.

My Doctor Who layout was completed for the Pbstttt You've Got a Secret challenge. I struggled with this one. I had no idea what I was going to use. Then I thought of my Doctor Who obsession and this layout is what I ended up with.

Finally

I finally finished two layouts that I started back in January. Both were waiting for pictures, and one was waiting for the bling as well. 

Butterfly Kisses was designed by Lori at The Scrapping Turtle for our January Quickutz Anonymous  class. Isn't it beautiful??? I love Lori's work and enjoyed putting this one together. The photos were taken February 16th, 2009 and were our attempts to capture some sweet kisses on camera.

Winter Magic was a class kit from Two Scrapbook Friends. I've been waiting to take just the right photos, but it didn't seem to be happening. All the photos we've taken of winter this year either have the children in them or are of icicles. So I finally went back to last year and found these photos taken on January 1st, 2008. I love the look of fresh fallen snow on trees and bushes.

Two Scrapbook Friends Online Crop February 27th

Two Scrapbook Friends held another wonderful online crop this weekend. There were six great challenges as well as an I Spy game. Sadly I am not that great at solving Karan's riddles for the game, but I did very well on the challenges. I actually had a lot of fun doing them (of course!!!).

Joanne gave us a wonderful colour challenge using my favourite coloure -- purple!!!!! We were allowed to use the colours in a very pretty container of flowers that she posted. I made a card, using some paper from my stash. I cut out some of the flowers and pop dotted them for dimension. My grandma would have really loved this card I think.

Carolyn's challenge was a circle challenge so we had to use circles in some way on our creations. I created a card using a tutorial from the internet that Debi from Kentucky posted on my Cricutlovers group. I love this little card - it was so fun to make and I got to use my brand new Kaiser owl paper!!!!

Karan posted two sketch challenges - a single page and a double page. Both were awesome sketches. I was quite pleased with how these layouts turned out. Bloom uses the My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow line -- beautiful papers. A Dab'll Do uses the new Bo Bunny Mechanic line, as well as a die cut paper from Colorbok and some Scenic Route arrows.

Patti gave us an ad challenge. I used the colour scheme as well as the general layout of the ad in my layout. These papers were from my stash.

Patti also gave us a lyrics challenge. We had to use the title of a song as well as some of the lyrics in the actual layout. I've been wanting to create this layout ever since I first heard the Rascal Flatts song. I think of Gary every time I hear it. I used some more of my new Kaiser papers on this one too.