Valentines Day is Almost Here!

Grab your crafty papers and tools and get inspired to make something special for those you love!

I've used my Cricut, Cricut Imagine, and some assorted cardstocks and embellishments to alter this box of valentines candy. This is so easy to do and so much more personal that just handing your recipient a regular box of candy.

For the full view and detail shots head over to the Cricut blog by clicking here.

A Fun Project for the Middle of Winter!!!

I love creating fun little projects with bright colors and flowers, especially in the winter months. It is always nice to have something bright to look at when all you see through your window is a blanket of white on the ground!

This is a candle tin for the kitchen. When not in use you have the darling floral cover to keep the sweet scent inside the tin.

This is perfect for your kitchen and would also serve nicely as a get well or birthday gift for a special friend!

Cricut Cartridge Giveaway!!!

It has been quite some time since I hosted a giveaway on my blog. It is about time again, wouldn't you say?

Up for grabs today is a Cricut Lite Dude cartridge. This is a great giveaway since it retails for $39.99 and you will get it for............FREE! Read on to find out what you have to do to win!  I will draw a random winner when the blog post total reaches 100 posts so send everyone you know to enter.

1.  Leave a post on this blog thread telling me what you would make if you won this cartridge.  The post must be left on the blog post itself.

2.  You can earn another entry every time you send a friend to enter who mentions your name.

3.  Become a follower of my Paper Fashions blog if you are not one, then post that you became a follower.  If you are already a follower please post that as well for another entry.

4.  Post a link to this blog post on your blog, on Facebook, Twitter, etc.  Each time you do that be sure to add a post to this string letting me know.

Again, once I see that the posts on this thread have reached 100 then I will draw a random winner!

Double Double Toil and Trouble...

Fire burn and caldron bubble....

What potions are you cooking up this Halloween?

I created these potion bottles about a year ago for the Cricut Circle which is an exclusive membership club for everything Cricut! I thought I would share them with you this year as we move closer to this fun and spooky holiday!  I have these set out along with the candy dish that I posted the other day.

I would love for you to post a message telling me what Halloween crafts you are working on!  If you are not working on any right now, if you had the time what you think you would like to be working on? 

Make sure to pop in later on in the week if you want a chance to win something Cricut!  You won't want to miss it....

New project on the Cricut Blog!

Halloween is right around the corner! Last year I picked up a halloween table runner on clearance and I have been trying to come up with something I like to place in the center of that runner on my table.

So I went to work creating a candy dish that will hold all the halloween sweet and sugary goodness I can handle. The above image is just a little teaser...if you want the full view along with instructions you can click on the link below to take you there!

Click Here to see the Halloween Candy Dish

Christmas Cards for our Troops!!!

Hello crafters!

Today I want to share with you a website I just stumbled upon. It is called Operation Christmas cards and it is all about sending a card at Christmas to let our troops know how much they are appreciated. They are overseas away from family and friends during the holiday season which has to be quite difficult.

I served in the United States Air Force many years ago and I lived in Germany for two year and I can tell you first hand how difficult it is to be away from family during Christmas. Had I gotten one of these cards I would have been completely overjoyed and touched that a complete stranger would take the time to brighten my day.

So I challenge each of you to follow the link below to find out how you can help. If you are going to jump in an lend a hand please post below.

Operation Christmas Cards

Supporting Education

I am breaking away from my normal crafting posts to blog about another topic near and dear to my heart....parent involvement.

As a past Head Start teacher and administrator I have worked side by side with parents in the field of education and have seen the dramatic results parents can make when they choose to be involved at school. No one can come up with all the ideas, all the strategies, all the initiatives and programs by themselves. We need a variety of perspectives to assist our youth in being successful in their education.

As a member of the 2011 Mom Congress (Parenting.com) I was asked this week to write a letter to my daughter talking about how I plan to work to work to make her school and the education she receives the best that it can be. I wanted to share my letter to my daughter with each of you in hopes it will inspire many of you to share you own stories or to get involved in your own children's schools and education.

Meliah,

I want you to have the best education possible! This is not limited just to academics either, I want you to grow up to be a well rounded person. From my own experience in the field of education for me this includes:


Academics
Health
Nutrition
Social/Emotional development

With the above in mind, I want you to know how hard I will continue to work not only to make sure that you have a well rounded education experience, but that all children in our country receive the same.

I believe in the ability we all have to choose...we can choose to complain about what we do not like or we can choose to roll up our sleeves and pitch in to make it better. I choose to roll up my sleeves and pitch in. I have no desire to rally troops for a cause. My desire is to work with the staff in your school to build a relationship of mutual trust and respect and then find out what the needs are and work to fill them. In order to create educational change we need to unite with teachers, administrators, custodians, cooks, aides, and all staff at the school and district level. We need to work hand in hand to bring about the change that is needed.

You are quite fortunate to be living in a state with a strong education system. Even more fortunate to live in community within our state that has strong schools. There is room for improvement of course just as there is anywhere, but you are very lucky. You have amazing teachers at your school and support staff as well. Parent Involvement is also strong at your school thanks to the leadership of your principal. I promise you that I will continue working hand in hand with everyone at school to provide a top notch education for you. This includes continuing to serve in a leadership role for character education, helping out each week in your classroom, serving on the governing board, volunteering for school events, and working to improve the school nutrition program. This year we are also working to get more parents and grandparents involved at school so there is even more help for students who need it.

I feel so fortunate to be able to contribute the time I do to making a difference at your school!

Love, Mom