Trick or Treat(s)!

When one of our Busy Bee members, Hilda, became an independent consultant for Stampin' Up, we were so excited to test out her Big Shot at our last crop. Sandra also happened to purchase one at the convention along with some incredible dies. She is making some awesome centerpiece decorations for her mother with them!  Needless to say, I was in love with it! You can do sooooo many things with it that the possibilities are endless! I hope to purchase one later on.....much later. =( The good thing is that we will be sharing dies with each other. I've already purchased some dies from Stampin' Up which happen to be compatible with my Cuttlebug. For now, that will have to do. And it works just as good! In the meantime, here are some treats I made for my co-workers at school using the Petal Cone and Pillow Box dies that Sandra purchased. I filled them up with some candy and voila! Aren't they amazing?!

It's been a while...

 I can't believe how long it's been since my last post....the truth is that I have been pretty busy creating and designing projects since I came back from my native country of Honduras. Immediately upon my return I made three scrapbook frames for my relatives in Honduras as a memento in loving memory of my father. I mailed it to them and they were elated and touched by the gesture. I know it will be a present reminder of the love they shared together. It also served (me) as self therapy as I started the healing process of his loss. I will cherish our short time together forever.

To show my appreciation during this difficult time, I also gave my Malakoff Family at school a big "Thank you" with this card. I hope they know how grateful I was to have received a downpour of support. I was truly blessed to have their support and prayers miles and miles away.



...and when one life parts this world, another one is born. This has been the gift I have been surrounded by recently. Starting with the birth of my niece, Karina on Christmas Day (how blessed is that?!). Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her (yet), but I'm hoping to do so during the summer. Before I left however, I did make some cute little boxes for her big sisters, Elena and Marisa. I had to send them with Charlie during a trip to Austin recently since I ran out of time to mail them in time for Christmas. I selected colors to coordinate with their adorable bedrooms and personalized them using charms with the letters of their first name. 

I also made one for my niece, Yvette





 The second was that of my sister's baby shower invitations. I was able to make her invitations just in time for a shower her husband gave in her honor. Considering we were tight on time, I think they came out cute. I also made her a money holder card to place the deposit inside. Yvette loved her invitations and the baby shower was a hit.

Shortly after her baby shower, my cousin Laurita asked me to design Susie's (her daughter-in-law) baby shower invitations. I was honored by her request! Susie will be a first time mom in the summer and we are so happy for her and Johnny on the forthcoming of their little girl. Seems only yesterday that I made their wedding gift card....click here to see it.

And most recently, the surprising announcement of my colleague and good friend, Norma-who is also expecting and due this summer!!! I am so happy for her! Her son Joshua and Charlie have been friends since the first grade and as they finish their elementary school years together this May, her new baby boy will certainly be the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Next month we will be honoring her with a baby shower. I was sooo happy when she gave the news that I was inspired to make her invitations for this joyous event.

As you can see....I have been PRETTY busy with all kinds of projects. I have other projects lined up and some that I have already completed so stay tuned for more pictures!!

Take note

Little gifts here and there I've given. I made this one for Carolina's 1st Grade teacher as a birthday gift. I took the picture before I placed her name on it. It made the stand look better with the personalization.

I am on a roll...literally!!!

This was my second project using toilet paper rolls. I have to admit, I can't even recognize that roll!!

Embellished tag. Gift Card placed on the back

Complete set

Teacher Treat Boxes

It's that time of the year again when mother's (including me) are getting ready for another school year. By now, most-if you are an early bird like me-have already purchased the kids' school supplies, uniforms and backpacks. If not, well- you are cutting it short, but still have time. If after all the chaos and expenses you still feel unaccomplished and like taking on a challenge? Well, ...here is your answer!

I made these for my colleague, Marisa. She wanted me to create some "welcome back" gifts for her friends, who also happen to be teachers. I hadn't worked on paper mache products before so this was a new challenge for me. I was excited to see the end result. I hope you like them as much as I loved and enjoyed making them.

Hope everyone has a great school year!!

Post-it Note Stands

I can't take credit for this nifty idea. I found it in one of the blogs I follow.....I LOVE this site! Click here to see their version of this project. I was so impressed with how simple they are to make. Since I couldn't get enough with one...I got carried away and made a lot more!!! These are perfect gifts to give to anyone!!

Good Luck Notes

I made these for my two colleagues, Adriana and Rocio, who will sadly be moving back to their hometown with their family. I thought it was a nice "good luck" gift and something to start them off at their new campus! We'll miss you ladies!

Post-it Note Holders with Mini Pens

These are the best!!! I loved making them!! Thanks to Kerry's Paper Crafts, a blog I've been following, I was able to recreate my own!! My only problem has been finding the mini pens. I've tried EVERY possible  store that could carry them and I have had no luck. As a crafter and educator you learn to improvise-so that's what I did. Well, tried anyway. I purchased some mini pens but quickly found out they were to thick to fit through the pen holder (I already had the one  shown on the picture). I still used the ones I purchased but since they referenced Staples in the site, I'll be buying them from them when I go to San Antonio in two weeks! That will save me shipping fees! =)

Aside from that little glitch, they are so cute, simple, and best of all- fun to make!! Thanks for the ideas!

Bows, Bows, Bows!

Every year I always purchase news hair bows for the girls and every year they always end up costing me a pretty penny (especially for their uniforms at the beginning of the year). Sometimes I also have a hard time finding bows that match their shirts, outfits, or dresses. To try to solve that dilemma and to help myself keep those costs down, I am going to start making them myself! After all, they are not that difficult to make as I thought they would be and inexpensive to make! So here are the first set of bows I made!!

For Cristina's Brownie Girl Scout Uniform

For Carolina's Daisy GS Uniform

Colorful spring/summer colors

Uniform bow

Baby Album Brag Book

Every time I create any projects or albums about babies I get very nostalgic about my own. So when I found out one of my friends was expecting her second child I was drawn to create this simple and economical baby album.

Here is what I did:

-Choose three to four white(or brown) lunch paper bags
-Fold them in half and hole punch on the edge of the fold
-Choose theme papers and cut to size
-Determine where holes go before punching and cover
-Embellish with stickers, brads, ribbon, buttons
-Finally tie ribbons through holes to bind

Religious Keepsake

Created with Cricut Machine
Cartridges Used:
- Tags, Bags, Boxes and More

Instructions: -Cut purse from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More
Cut one time at 3 1/2 inches out of heavy card stock.
-Fold along scoring marks and glue at sides to make the purse.
-Attach desired ribbon to the inside of the flap to create handle.

Decorate the purse with flower and desired ribbon. Since this is for a religious event, I added a small cross and tied it through one of the slots inside the flap to secure it. I also wrapped the rosary with tulle and placed it inside the purse for an added touch.