FINALLY!!! Winners announced!

We have a winner!!

You all didn't know this because I didn't want to "rig" the competition whatsoever ...

.... but this was the first time I decided ahead of time that I wouldn't be using www.Random.Org for the winner of my blog candy during the Disney Pixar Blog Hop. 

The reason I asked for your favorite Disney movie in your comment is that I decided that the first person who matched my favorite Disney movie would win my blog candy.

I didn't want to give it away or let you know of this twist, because some of you may know what my favorite Disney movie is ... I think I've told a few of the hoppers here. Also, if some know my age, you might be able to guess.

So it took until tonight to finally get a match, at comment (total) number 185! 

My favorite Disney movie is POLLYANNA. 
And so it is too for Bea Lincoln!! 

BEA, if you'll send me your mailing address by private e-mail to cardmonkey@comcast.net ASAP, I'll get your EK Success Disney Scrapbook Kit out to you pronto. 

Congratulations!!  And now, like Pollyanna, go out and see the good in everyone.

                                                   ♥  -  ♥  -  ♥  -  ♥

.....Also, by random drawing via Random.Org, the winner of the Cricut Mother's Day Bouquet cartridge -- the prize during the Royal Tea Bridal Shower Blog Hop -- is Brynn Thornburgh at Flairs & Frills.

The winner of the Tea Mug Hugger donated by Nicolette of Beyond Scrapin is Tanya at Scrappy Scavenger.

Ladies, please also send me your mailing addresses within a week. 

                            ♥  -  ♥  -  ♥  -  ♥

Finally, the winner of the half-dozen EmbEllies will be selected by Random.Org after the Mom's Day Blog Hop closes this evening. Y'all have about 3 more hours to post a comment and follow to be eligible.  Hurry, hurry!!

Thank you all for hopping with me.

Diecut Designer - Daisy in a Pot

Today begins my four-month term as a member of The Creative Pointe's Premier Design Team.  In celebration and as a part of the Mom's Day Blog Hop (thank you, Nicolette!), I posted the first card I made using the fun files at Diecut Designer.  Scroll down to see that post, if you missed it.

Here's my second card made.  Am I loving these SVG files, or what?!

The file features an intricately pieced daisy in a pot. Because it's all separated, I find it's easy to drag the elements around to place on your mat grid, using the cutting program of your choice.  (I cut this project with SCAL.) 

I backed the daisy pot using paper from The Daily Grind stack from Fancy Pants Design.  The clouds were cut from a Nikki Sivils paper, matted in white and lifted with mounting tape.

The butterfly and daisy center button are from Recollections embellishment packages I found for half-price at Michaels.  I also used a Fiskars (Treading Water) and a Martha Stewart (Eyelet Lace) punches, white gel pen for faux stitching, and an Action Wobble under the butterfly.

FAQs:

Last evening, my dear friend Star stopped by for a pizza dinner and a little fun time in the Paper Jungle, and to pick up the Cutterbee Scissors that she won from one of my recent hops.  (Yes, I swear, it was a random pick by Random.Org!) 

Star asked a couple of questions that I thought deserved answers here for those who haven't yet ventured into the world of SVG, SCAL, etc.

Q.  What does SVG stand for?

A. SVG stands for "Scalable Vector Graphics."  An SVG is a bridge between design (such as a JPEG file) and programming, so that XML code can drive the cutter like a hand would drive a pen.  An SVG can be modified by the crafter doing the cutting (like me!) by scaling -- or dragging points to enlarge or stretch the image to the desired size, without having to know XML code.

Q.  What is SCAL?

A. SCAL is the user's abbreviation for the proprietary electronic cutting program known as Sure Cuts A Lot.  SCAL has been developed by The Craft Edge.  It is sold to end-users like myself to use as a program that takes the millions of SVG files available and cut them on your electronic cutting machine.

Q.  Does SCAL still work on a Cricut?

A.  Yes, SCAL works with Cricut. Many of us bought a Cricut because it is an affordable option that allows us to cut SVG files. At this time, there is a lawsuit pending against SCAL, filed by ProvoCraft, in which PC alleges copyright infringement among other charges.  A similar suit was launched and settled earlier this year, against another cutting program, Make The Cut (MTC). Under terms of that settlement, MTC may not sell their program to cut using a Cricut, and had to disable their most recently upgraded program that allows Cricut users to download and save files from a Cricut cartridge. 

Q.  If you use an earlier version of MTC, will it still work on your Cricut?

Yes!  Only the upgraded version of the program needed to be disabled under terms of the settlement. For those (like me!) who never upgraded their original program, it still works fine and is supported by MTC.  Do not upgrade your version in the future if you plan to continue to use your Cricut.

Q.  Whoa! Are there other electronic cutting machines other than Cricut?

Yes!  Cricut captured the home-based crafter because it offers an affordable option, using cartridges that do not require a computer or computer knowledge.  But graphic artists or those who want to use SVG files often use a more powerful, deeper-cutting, and yes, more expensive cutter like Pazzles Inspiration, Silhouette, Black Cougar, Lynx, and more.  Because many crafters are disappointed with Cricut's lawsuits, some are refusing to purchase new cartridges, and are saving their money to buy SCAL, MTC or Fairy Cut, and a new electronic cutting machine.

Q.  Do the electronic cutting programs run on MAC? 

A.  I use an IBM-compatible PC, so I haven't had to try this directly. However, I have seen in an MTC Forum that MTC will work on a MAC if you run it through a parallel or VMWare Fusion.  (Please don't ask me what that means -- I'm no computer geek!)  SCAL does sell a version for MAC.  Fairy Cut is not yet available for MAC. 

Q.  I'm not a computer geek, either. How easy or hard is it to use SCAL?

A.  If I can do it, you can do it!  There are a significant number of tutorials at The Craft Edge, as well as online.  I took a short course at my LSS; it was well worth the money!

Q.  Oh come on!  I need a glossary!!  What's an LSS?

A.  Oops!  LSS is "Local Scrapbook Store." 

Do you have more questions I can answer for you?  I'm happy to keep the Q&A going, on any cardmaking or scrapbooking question, technique, product, etc.  If I don't know the answer, I can research it for you and get back to you. 

Do you have other abbreviations that puzzle you, too?

One that troubled me for a long time was CAS. Finally, just this weekend, I learned it means "Clean and Simple." 

SASE?  Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope. 

Do you have others?  Share in a comment, please!


 

I ♥Love♥ How This Project Turned Out! Disney Pixar Blog Hop

If you are here for the Mom's Day Blog Hop, please click here to go directly. Feel free to stop back to visit the Disney Pixar Blog Hop BELOW to be eligible to win more blog candy!

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

It is my great pleasure to participate in the reprised Disney Pixar Blog Hop. 

We all had such fun and a very positive reaction to the first hop ... more comments than I've ever seen! ... that a reprise is most welcome.

Like the first version, this hop is co-hosted by my "pixie Sistah" Shawn at www.craftychicsblog.blogspot.com and Melissa at www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com.  If you'd like to start at the beginning, go to Shawn's site by clicking HERE. You should have come from Madison's Funky Cards fun(ky) site. Hop along the Happy Trail... And DO make sure you stop back tomorrow, as there is different line-up altogether for Day #2.

I'm very excited to show you my project.  I had the idea to do this after my last hop, and I just love how this turned out:

POOH'S 100-ACRE WOOD TREEHOUSE

To make this "treehouse," I used an SVG Cuts birdhouse box as the base, cut in brown with a green roof.  This cutting file shows the birdhouse with birds and flowers decorating it ... I like to use it as a base, and come up with my own designs for the embellishment.  The birdhouse opens (which I'll show later), so I could stuff this with gift items, tickets to the movies or DisneyWorld, candy, etc. 

I used Cricut's Pooh and Friends cartridge to cut Pooh, the Hundred Acre Wood sign, the sun and the tree branch. Everything was cut at 4". For the tree with the striped pattern, the kite and a window on the left side (hidden), I cut pieces from one of my favorite Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker LLC papers called "We Are Family".  Below are a few of the fun details of this project.

Here is how the box opens up -- the roof comes off, with its embellishments firmly attached.

Here are a few of the little details that make this special, I think.

Pooh's kite string is wound around a paper "stick".

Glimmered flowers, sprayed with Creative Juices CardMonkey Glimmer Mist (homemade) and Stickles.

Now how about a little BLOG CANDY:  I've bought a sweet EK Success Disney 12x12" scrapbooking kit for the winner of my blog candy. It contains 121 pieces including 6 sheets of patterned Disney papers, a sheet of glitter alphabets, 2 sheets of dimensional stickers, and pages of decorative borders and elements. ADORABLE!! 

To win:

1. Be or become a follower of the CardMonkey blog!  This is mandatory, and I do check. I put a lot of work into my projects and $$ into my blog candy and its shipping ... it's really the least you can do!  
2.  Leave a comment here, and answer this question:  What is your favorite Disney movie?  Please include a way for me to contact you in the event you win the blog candy.
3.  Continue on your hippity-hoppity Disney Trail ... your next stop is LORI

Don't forget to the look for the hidden Mickey in the blog button of one of today's hop stops. You'll need this info to qualify for the Hop's grand prize of a Cricut GYPSY!

I ♥ Mom. Mom's Day Blog Hop

If you are here for the DISNEY PIXAR Blog Hop, please click HERE to be connected directly to that post. Feel free to stay here, too, or revisit us to see this project and be eligible to win this BLOG CANDY.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

I'm so pleased to participate in this Mom's Day Blog Hop (April 30 and May 1), for many reasons. First of all, I ♥ My Mother ... I ♥ Being A Mother ... and I Over-the-Moon ♥ Being a Grandmother. 

And I have an exciting announcement to share with my blog followers. Well, it's exciting for me!  It leads right into my project....

OK here is my news:  I've been selected to be one of the members of Creative Pointe's Premier Design Team! It's a 4-month term beginning May 1, and it's my first DT. We'll be using great SVG cuts from Diecut Designers to make projects. DD's site is now open so be sure to check out their new and rapidly growing stock of SVG files for cutting on your electronic cutter.

I created my Mom's Day Blog Hop project using a Diecut Designers' file.  Here is my card:

To make this card, I used the Flowerpot Trio file from Diecut Designers.  This bright and cheery (and very easy to use!) SVG file includes the flower pots, leaves, flowers, and letters.  While this is designed to spell M-O-M, you could easily use this file without the cut letters as a pick-me-up/cheer card or birthday card.

To make this card, I backed the paper-pieced trio on an image of a sun, clouds and grassy hill.  I purchased this image from ClickArt Online ($39/year -- a real bargain!) and modified it to pixelate and soften,  using PhotoShop. 

Inside, the printed sentiment says: "Thank you for giving me all I'll ever need to blossom. Happy Mother's Day".

BLOG CANDY:  You can pretty-up your Mom's Day card using EmbEllies' card pins like those shown here.  These are handmade and luscious!  The winner of this blog candy, picked at random by http://www.random.org/, will win 3 pairs of these cute babies! 

To win:

1.   Be or become a follower of cardmonkey-business's blog.
2.   Leave a comment here. Specify what colors you'd like to see in your EmbEllies if you're chosen to win. 

Continue on your hop:

YOUR NEXT STOP IS JESSICA at ThatzUneek.

If you get lost along the way, go back to the beginning of the Hop to Nicolette's fun site at Beyond Scrappin, where the full list of blog stops is listed. 

I hope you enjoyed my project! Thank you for stopping by!

The Long-Awaited Marriage of Blogging with Royalty: The Royal Tea Wedding Blog Hop!

Bells of joy ... wedded bliss.  William, the Prince of Wales, has married his Kate, and upon her is conferred the title of Duchess of Cambridge.



Disclaimer: Parody






They're now off for a spot of tea, and I'm sure quite more. But after yesterday's rehearsal, they dashed off this quick note to encourage your participation in today's Royal Tea Bridal Shower

Wedding Blog Hop. 

Here you will see some of the finest tea-time projects made in honor of Great Britain's most romantic day since 1981, when Prince Charles married Lady Diana.

I am so pleased to host the Royal Tea Bridal Shower Blog Hop.  Thank you to the fantastic crafters who have joined with me to celebrate the historical romance and wedding of Prince William to his lovely Kate Middleton.

The theme of this Hop is anything tea, tea party, royal, bridal or wedding. Judging from what I have seen, there are some lovely creations to get you in the mood to be Royal Watchers. Below you will find the complete list of Blog Stops; please stop by and send some love and wedding rice or bubbles for each of them. 

The bells at Westminster Abbey have pealed. So without further ado, here is my project:

A Royal Tea Set:



I created this lovely dimensional teapot-shaped box from an SVG file (and Sure Cuts A Lot, with my Cricut Expression) that I purchased from Creations by AR. The pattern is called "Tea Time Tea Pot Box."   I modified the design slightly to give a cylindrical spout and wider handle.  I used a soft pastel paper to decorate the box (the box/pot is cut and folded from cardstock, to be sturdy).  I embellished it with gold metallic trimmed paper, flowers and a fleur-de-lis trinket. 

I used the "Tea Time Tea Cup Card" file from Creations by AR to cut what I am using as the party invitation.  I cut the file (again, using SCAL/Cricut Expressions) from ivory cardstock and topped it with the floral paper and gold metallic accents. 

The pattern comes with a slit for a paper teabag and tag; however, I used a real teabag in the slit.  I embellished the teabag tag with a handmade rose and a gold metallic leaf.  The card opens (cup from the saucer) for the invitation text.

Next, I also wanted to decorate fancy tea bags for this beautiful event. Have you seen these pyramid-shaped silk tea bags from Tea Forte before?  One year, when they were an "Oprah Favorite," I grew a new addiction to these fabulous and lovely tea bags. While they have their own wrapper and stem with a leaf, I created a cut file to make these covers that match my tea set.

I show it here with a little individual glass teapot/tea infuser that can be purchased from Tea Forte.

The Cathedral has emptied ... it's on to the lavish reception!  It's time for you to move on to visit the other Hop Stops.

But WAIT!  Before you go ... what's a blog hop without BLOG CANDY!?

The Queen Mother Monkey (all dressed in banana yellow, did you notice?) has authorised me to offer as BLOG CANDY her favorite tiara ... no, the next best thing: A new-in-package CRICUT CARTRIDGE "Mothers Day Bouquet", new for 2011!  Here, you'll find so many beautiful flowers that you'll be able to use this cartridge year-round. 

To be eligible to win my Blog Candy:  (Update: WINNER ANNOUNCED!  Try again another hop, sorry!!)

1.  Be or become a follower.


2.  Leave a comment to this post. Be sure to include in your post a way for me to reach you when you win the cartridge, so I can mail it out to you promptly. International bloggers who win will be awarded an Amazon.com gift certificate of equal value to the cartridge.

BLOG CANDY BREAKING NEWS: Nicolette, of Beyond Scrappin', has generously donated a tea-time Mug Hugger for a randomly chosen commenter on all the blog stops on this Blog Hop! That means, the more Blog Stops you visit and the more you comment -- one per blog, please -- the more chances you have to win one of these very handy scrap room organizers. I use mine to hold my flash (thumb) drives for my computer.

Okay..... Elton John is singing, and you're missing it. Time to move on!

Sorry, can't resist sharing this:  What's up with the Brits and their hats?  This one is on Princess Beatrice. I dare say, it looks like someone used an out-of-proportion SVG file and Pop-Dotted for dimension on this one.  Perhaps our next hop should be PAPER HATS!?

Kept you long enough.....

Please be sure to leave comments, as we all ♥ love, especially on romantic days like this one! 

And the Cutterbee Scissors Go To .....

... selected by "Randy" at http://www.random.org/ ...


STAR who said "Card #3 put a smile on my face as soon as I saw it.  Thank you for sharing."

Now, Ladies and the occasional Gentleman, I happen to know Star, she's a BFF. She doesn't have a blog but I've seen (and received!) her cards and they are SO special!!  She's been making cards like FOREVER -- way before I have been making them. 

Anywho... Star, call or write ... come over for paper playtime and/or a barbecue.  I'll give you your scissors then and you'll love 'em. But not nearly as much as I ♥ you!  Congratulations!!

Three announcements: 

1.  Loyal friends and followers, you'll want to tune in here for SURE on Thursday 4/28 and Friday 4/29 for the Royal Tea Bridal Shower Hop.  Come celebrate with us the Royal Marriage of Prince William to his lovely Kate.

2.  I'm excited to say I've been selected for a Premier Creative Team Member for The Creative Pointe, the creative genius behind Diecut Designer, the newest site for all your SVG cutting files.  I've made my first project using them -- super easy to use! -- and will be posting it on May 1 when my 4-month term officially begins.  Diecut Designer is now open ... go to www.diecutdesigner.com and see what YOU can cut without relying on the restrictions of a Cricut cartridge.

3. To those who loved the pic of my granddaughter Charlotte in her bunny ears, posted yesterday, you're probably like me. Can't get enough of that cutie pie!  So here's to let you know that Cheezer had a fabulous Easter, surrounded by family and sweet potatoes.

All God's Blessings to You this Easter







Wishing you and your family unbridled joy, good health and laughter ...every day, but especially on this beautiful Easter day!