Finished! Done! Completed! (Picture Heavy)

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my rendition of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas! I actually fnished! I know, I know, leave it to me to wait until the very last minute to finish. I didn't follow his directions directly on every tag, but I am pleased with every one of them :)

This post is very picture heavy. Enjoy, and please please please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

My Mom's (cricut) Lingerie

My mom and I spent all day shopping at our favorite craft stores in our area, and ended up with some pretty cool things (like the Sweethearts Cricut cartridge for $40!), but one of the coolest things she found was some awesome fabric and lace for a Cricut cover. I decided that this one reminded me of lingerie. How often do you get to make lingerie for your mom?

Sewing, as I said before, is not my forte, so I was a little nervous about adding the lace on the edge of this cover, but it was surprisingly easy! I cut the pattern out of two additional fabrics so that, should I have some spare time, I can throw together a few more :) I'm thinking of altering the pattern a little...maybe make it a little more interesting. We'll see.

Other than the Sweethearts Cricut cartridge, I didn't get too much today. I did get The Glitter Cardstock Matstack from Die Cuts With a View. I'm excited about using that with my Cricut :) I still can't get over how cool this thing is! Shame on me for giving all of you cricuteers a hard time when I bought my Silhouette...accept my apology?

Before I forget, only two more days to finish my Tim Holtz tags. AAAHHH! (I better get busy!)

Dust is nasty - Do you have protection?

After pulling my Cricut out for the very first time last night, I was shocked when waking up to it being covered in a think layer of dust already! So, I whipped out my sewing machine, jumped on my computer ready to print out the free dust cover pattern on Custom Crops, and then...it happened. Our printer wouldn't work. Out. Of. Ink. What was I to do? I mustered up the courage, and sketched out a rough pattern on paper, doing my best to replicate the orginal pattern. The actual sewing part went...semi-smoothly. Lets just say that I haven't actually finished a sewing project since making a pillow with my husband's little cousin last summer. I embellished the front, since it was a little plain, with a few Prima Flowers and a Pink Paisley brad from the Fetching Brads collection. I used my point-and-shoot to take the photos, so I apologize that the brad is washed out. It's a white corduroy brad that gives the flower a little extra texture.

It isn't perfect, but I'm sure that it'll protect my new toy from the perils in the air :)

My First Cricut Cut

It only took me three days to finish cleaning and organizing my craft area in order to break out my new Black Beauty! My first cut was using the Pooh Font cart that my mom gave to me as my Christmas gift :) This font is stinkin' cute! The second cut I made was using Everyday Paper Dolls. I made a cheerleader because my husband's 11 year old cousin is visiting, and she looooves cheerleading. I thought she'd get a kick out of it, and she did. As soon as I'm finished posting, I'm going to show her how the Cricut works.

I know that these are very basic, which isn't my style. I plan on embellishing my future dolls a bit more. Oh, and as you may notice...I will be purchasing the Peachy Keen stamps for my doll's faces. Apparently drawing their faces is not my forte.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Wonderful Life

This Christmas was mine and my husband's first Christmas together as a married couple. It was fabulous. We spent the morning together making breakfast and exchanging gifts. I made out like a bandit!

My husband's favorite gift (I think) was his Vulcan Nerf Gun, and mine, of course, was my black Cricut Expression!!! I am so excited! I can't wait to try it out! I was seriously spoiled today!

I ended up with 8 cartridges: Serenade, Plantin School Book, Wild Card, Paper Doll Dress Up, Everyday Paper Dolls, Winter Woodland, Pooh Font Set, and Tags Bags Boxes and More!

He also spoiled me with a TON of Tim Holtz stamp sets! He chose them himself, and did an excellent job :) I can't wait to use those on a few projects...I wonder what I can come up with....

I hope that Christmas was as wonderful for you as it was for me. I am so blessed to have the people in my life that I do.

Oops! Sorry!

Wow, did I drop the ball or what! I knew it was tiem to update again when my husband starting bringing it up on a daily basis :)

First off, I apologize for not updating my blog for the rest of Tim's tags. Secondly, don't worry, I am still in the process of finishing mine. They'll be finished before the 31st of this  month :) Wouldn't want to miss out on Tim's grand prize drawing!!!

In case any of you haven't seen, here is the photo Tim posted on his blog of all 12 completed tags:

Aren't they beautiful!!! I have tags 9, 11, and 12 to finish :)

Well, ladies and gentlemen...tonight is Christmas Eve. The presents are wrapped, the house is semi-cleaned, and our Mr and Mrs stockings are hung from the mantle on our fire place. Doesn't get much better. I want to wish everyone out there a very Merry Christmas, and I promise, promise, promise that after Christmas, I'll start doing some entries on some of my work :)

Happy Holidays!

Tim's Tags - Day 7

I love this technique! Tim's tag today features his masking technique. I've been using it on my personal Christmas cards that I've been working on, and highly reccomend that you check it out on Tim's blog.

Tim recognizes that many of you are waiting for internet orders to arrive before starting your tags, so he has postponed the grand prize deadline until 12-31-09. Read his blog for more information.

Tim's Tags - Day 6

Check. This. OUT! I think this is my favorite so far! Grungeboard, Sparkling Flock, Dictionary Paper...LOVE IT! What are you doing here reading my post? Head over to Tim's blog, and see his awesome explaination of this tag, and information about the grand prize at the end of the 12 Tags!

One quick note...thanks to those of you who've started following me on Twitter.

The First 5 Tags - Courtney Style

I know, I know, I know...you just haven't been able to wait patiently to see what I've made with Tim Holtz's inspiration. Well, I've kept you waiting long enough. Here are my tags so far...

The photos aren't the greatest, but they're good enough for 11:30 at night :) Once I have all 12 tags finished, I'll pull out the big guns to take the real photos that will be sent to Tim. Oh yes...I had to include a photo oh my hands afterwards. That's how they looked even after handling baby wipes all night! Comments are appreciated!

**Side note: The 1st tag (blue) doesn't have ribbon because the Stickles on the top were still wet.

Tim's Tags - Day 5

I had a feeling that Tim would use Fragments soon. I've been looking at the collection of his Idea-ology line at my local scrapbooking store, Lonestar Scrapbooking, and imagining what all he might come up with. I haven't been disappointed yet! As each day passes, and I start another tag, I've found myself straying more and more from his exact instruction, and being more creative :)

Check out his instructions for today's tag, and don't forget to leave him a comment!

Tim's Tags - Day 4

Sorry everyone! I was so excited about yesterday's post, that I forgot to add it to my blog! I came straight home from work, and got this one finished! I loved it! The background colors really have a feeling of Chrsitmas, and the hint of blue reminds me of winter. I had to substitute very little on this tag, seeing as how I have a large Distress Ink collection and the Mini Holidays stamp set.

Tim's ideas are out of this world. I can't wait to see what he shares with us tomorrow!

Tim's Tags - Day 3

Check this out! Tim's tags today incorporate his alcohol inks! I am so excited to try this technique. I don't have any experience with them, but I plan on grabbing some after work today. I am so impressed with Tim's versatility each day, and look forward to the next 9 days!

So far, I've completed the second tag, and half finished the first tag. Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint is no where to be found in my area, so I had to use Crackle Accents by Ranger instead. It took a while to apply, and to dry, so I went ahead and moved on to the second tag. I think I'll post photos when I have a few more done. For now, check out Tim's blog!

Tim's Tags - Day 2

Tim Holtz's second tag hit his blog early this morning, and once again offers so much inspiration! It's only 4 pm here in Texas, and he already has over 2,600 comments! He'll be giving away prizes each day depending on how many comments he recieves. So, take a few minutes today, and stop by his blog to comment on his work!

I was under the impression that my personal collection of Tim Holtz products needed a boost, however, I have everything needed to make a similar tag! I'm hoping to find time this evening to work on the last two tags. I don't want to fall too far behind!

Tim Holtz Tags- Day 1

Tim Holtz is the Education Director for Ranger Industries, which is one of the leading manufacturers of innovative inks, paints, and embossing products that are widely used by scrapbookers and crafters around the world. Tim is continuing his now three year tradition of explaining, in detail, 12 original Christmas themed tags. Above is his first tag of the year! For complete instructions and inspiration, visit his blog at http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/

As soon as I gather the supplies I'll need and mimic this tag, I'll post photos!