In love with my Cuttlebug!

More and more I am amazed at what the scrapbooking industry is coming up with these days that it's hard to keep up with so many neat devices and machines out there for us paper crafters and devoted scrapbookers! But when I finally got my hands on my very own Cuttlebug, I couldn't wait to see what I could come up with!

Before I had purchased my own Cuttlebug, I had been taking turns using my friends' Sandra & Gloria's Cuttlebug. Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to add this special touch to make my friend's baby shower invitations.

Another opportunity came knocking when my cousin's sister-in law asked me to make her father's Christmas theme birthday invitations. She shared her vision of what she wanted them to look like and went from there! I'm happy to say that she was pleased with the design-I hope you are too. Can't wait to see what else I come up with and what this little powerful thing can do! Plus, I've been taking advantage of every Cuttlebug sale at both Hobby Lobby and Michael's since I got it and have a pretty good inventory of embossing folders already....for now (hee, hee)!

What was I thinking?!

While browsing through some of the blogs I follow I found this unique creation for cards. Since I hadn't done our Christmas cards I decided to work on them immediately after the Thanksgiving holidays. I had very little time to complete this mail-out and for a minute I thought: "What was I thinking?!" (You'll understand why as you read on). I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish them on time since I was leaving the country during the Winter break. When I began working on them I realized that I needed  more time to work on them (which was not the case). Fortunately, I did. I was able to mail them right before I left and in time for my friends and family to receive them. Upon my return I found out that ALL the cards were returned due to insufficient postage!! Since I was not here, my kind and gracious Mother-in Law did me the favor of adding more postage and re-sent the cards. I found out later that not everybody received them as I had originally. To this day I still don't know what happened to some of them. Oh well, lesson learned. I'll be more cautious next time...which gives me only six months to prepare for this year's cards!!

 Close up of one of the cards

I know we are in the middle of May here, but I couldn't go without posting this. After all- it's never too late to start thinking about Christmas cards for this year!!

Then there was the situation about my daughter's birthday party....her birthday (on the 13th) was the week we would let out for the Winter Break and I had to talk to her about not being able to celebrate her birthday until I returned since I was scheduled to leave that weekend. As it turns out, I ended up leaving the 15th instead due to my father's change in condition.  As a result I planned her party almost a month BEFORE. I purchased everything I would need for her sleep over and somehow also manged to finish her invitations and hand delivered them. When I returned I was not going to have time to do anything but the party itself.  It was both a challenge and a test of time. I don't know how I did it but I was able to defy time for the completion of these projects. Oh, and the party was a total success-my daughter had a lot of fun with her friends. =)

Sleeping bag invitation

 Vellum = blanket

Nice and tucked

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!!

Bathroom Tissue Rolls revamped!!

Who knew these bathroom tissue holders would end up making some cool stuff?!!

I made some game system (PSP) invitations with the roll. I then made the invitations out of tags and placed them inside the pocket. They were so fun to make.....better yet, they were inexpensive to make and I am definitely being resourceful!

Flower Power

During my spring break I took advantage of the week and visited my sister in Austin. One evening we had an awesome family get-to-gether with relatives that reside in Austin too. One of my cousins brought a cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes. It was beautiful, delicious and yet so simple. That is where my sister got her inspiration for the theme of her best friend, Ana's Baby Shower. So she asked me to make her some invitations. Upon my return to Laredo I purchased a sunflower to mimic the cake's eye-catching centerpiece. I thought it was a good idea and was inspired to run with it!
This is a picture of the original cake

Here is the finished invitation!