Blog Contest Tracker Form

Here's another form I thought I'd share. There are so many contests out there on blogs that I get confused as to which I entered. I made this simple list in 2 versions for Microsoft Works Spreadsheet or Excel. There is no preview for the Works version but it's the same as Excel. You can print off as many sheets as you need, each fits 15 entries. Once again I'd appreciate you referring anyone back here instead of just giving them the file. Thanks and good luck in those contests! Here's the link for the Works version

52 Weeks of Mail

52 Weeks of Mail, brought to you by Etsy Greetings Team, is designed to encourage people to be more intentional about relationships and keeping in touch with friends and family by sending out a card or letter each week, for the next year. I don't know about you, but I LOVE getting a personal, hand-written card or letter in the mail.

Throughout 52 Weeks of Mail, we are asking everyone to commit ...to sending just ONE card or letter each week. You can send more than one, of course! 52 Weeks of Mail BEGINS on October 9th, 2011, and ends on October 7th, 2012. Please feel free to blog about this event, or share it on your Facebook page. Share it on Twitter, or any other social networking site too!

We are hoping to get 1000 LIKES by the end of September. Please help out by sharing this with all of your Facebook friends! Let's make this viral!

If you are looking for some GREAT handmade cards to send out to your friends and family, please visit http://www.etsy.com/search/handmade?search_submit&q=etsygreetingsteam&view_type=list&ship_to=US

Here's a great idea: When you send your card to Grandma (or whomever), send a brand new card with an envelope that already has a stamp on it, so that she can send a card to someone else! Be sure to explain in your card what you are doing, so she will know why you sent her a brand new card. :-)
 

Found this I think through another blog, very cool.

Halloween Mobile

If you remember I had a couple of styrofoam circles that were just waiting for me to make something with them. I have been trying to add on a couple of Halloween decorations to the house and thought a cute mobile would be a fun addition. It is hanging from our chandelier over our dining table. The simple instructions are:
1. Paint circle (I used orange)
2. cover with black tulle (I liked the messier look)
3. hot glue gun strips of ribbon so that they hang over the side
4. glue various shapes onto ribbon, make sure you do 2 sides that will fit together with the ribbon in the middle like a sandwich and make sure they will be spread evenly around
5. use long piece of black tulle as the hanger and tie onto wherever you'd like

Carts used: Gypsy wanderings, Chic and Scary
Embossing folders: straight lines, tiny dots, typewriter
Orange and Green cardstock from stash
Distress Ink: Peeled Paint, Walnut Stain, Ripe Persimmon (limited fall collection)
various ribbon from stash
styrofoam circle
Martha Stewart orange paint
black tulle
glossy accents
crystals

Purple Halloween Banner

Here is another project for the Cricut Circle contest, this time a monochromatic color scheme had to be used in the project. I have loved doing all these banners so thought I would make another one but this time in ALL purple!
Carts used: Birthday Bash, Scary and Chic
Cuttlebug folder used: Swirly one (not sure of the name, sorry)
Papers used: purple cardstock in various tones, purple glitter paper
Purple glitter rick rack ribbon
Close to my Heart Halloween stamp set (it came with the kit)

Winter Journaling Card

Here is my interpretation of a sketch posted in the Cricut Circle blog for a contest they are having. I was going to make a card but then as I started thinking of ideas I cut the paper a little larger than I wanted but since it had lines on both sides I figured it would be perfect as a journaling card, I can slip it into a pocket on one of my winter pages. I also loved that I was able to use this snowman from last years Christmas cards I mailed out.
Carts used:Jolly Holidays, Forever Young
Paper: Cricut Pad, cardstock, vellum (accordian folded)
Stamp: Christmas set from Stamps of Life
Brads from stash
Red stickles Ivory
Crinkled ribbon

Unity Stamp Special- Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Unity Stamp Co. One Time October Kit of the Month I have been looking for just the right stamp set for a while to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness. I have made cards in the past for this cause and always wish I had something "special" to create with. All of the stamp sets I've seen are nice but today I saw this and knew I had to buy it. It is part of their stamp of the month kit but they are making it available to purchase for everyone and donating $5 for each set purchased. I realize it is a bit pricey for stamps but I really love it.

I won a contest!

Check out her blog for fantastic and adorable ideas!

She recently had a 2nd chance contest for people who entered the HSN Cricut banner contest and I won!http://icameisawicreated.blogspot.com/2011/10/second-chance-banner-contest-winner.html Here's a reminder about the "winning" banner:

Halloween/Autumn Pin Swap

So I went on a wonderful weekend of crafting with some of my Cricut Circle friends last week and we did a pin swap. I did mine entirely from paper but it was pretty stable since it's about 4 layers thick plus I coated it with Tattered Angels glimmer glaze which is like a sealer. I used the chandelier glaze color which is a fabulous clear coat with rainbow glittery goodness. I highly reccommend it!
I gave people the choice of either Halloween or Autumn themes since not everyone celebrates Hallween. The pumpkins are from the digital cart Smiley Cards I got from buying my Gypsy last year. I also used the leaf from Gypsy Wanderings and flower and scalloped circle from Forever Young.
The main difference between the 2 are the colors and I added on some teeth and stickles to the Halloween one. I also used a cuttlebug striped folder to emboss the pumpkins and of course inked everything.
Oh and I also had to share the hotel I stayed at, the SouthPoint Hotel in Las Vegas. It was great, just south of the strip, and with plenty to do for all ages. They had a theater, bowling alley, spa and multiple places to grab some food. The best part of the place was that everything was super easy to find and layed out in a central pattern around the casino area. My room was also great with plenty of space, although I was facing a wall!