Our Deepest Sympathy Card

I wanted to share a very easy card I made for a friend who recently lost her mother-in-law.  I was in the mood for a very simple design and since it is a sympathy card I wanted a special card…. I am so happy how this turned out.  
Let me tell you a little more of what I used.

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{Watermelon Crazy}

Click here to visit the T.G.I.F. Linky Party….

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Today's post is all about {WATERMELONS}  

Why?  I'm not sure….but I think they are fun, delicious and definitely {SCREAM} summertime to me!!  Here are a few fun things I found with a watermelon theme.

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T.G.I.F. Linky Party ~ #18

Hi everyone and welcome back to another T.G.I.F. Linky Party! 

This is the time during the week that you are able to link up your latest and greatest projects to share with us.  This linky party begins Thursday evening and goes through Tuesday of the next week so feel free to link up anything you want.  Crafts, handmade, recipes, give-aways, etsy shops -- the ONLY rule is that you link DIRECTLY to your project (not your blog) but the project so we can check it out.

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Let's review the TOP 3 projects from last week's party shall we?  

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CJToo Crafty Designers Design Team Day!

 Bright & Fun!

My design team has done it AGAIN!  What a wonderful and talented group of ladies! The Design Team assignment was Bright and Fun. 

To see more about their fabulous creations - you can visit their blogs by clicking on their names or on the photo of their project.Let's get the creativity rolling shall we??

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Kristy over at Craftin' on my Door has this wonderful Hello Kitty project to share.

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Cheryl over at CardsbyCG has this fun spinner card to share.  Best of all, she'll have a full tutorial ready for you too.

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Kadie ove at Kards by Kadie has this fantastic scene card to share.

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Shawn over at  Shawn's Fireside Crafting Room has made a wonderful summery frame. 

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Tanya is sharing this awesome beach themed shape book on her blog at Tanyaisis Creations.

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Amber at Staying Crafty has this project to share... she's one in a million too! :)

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Shelley at Carley's Closet made these super fun monogrammed birthday cards for some very lucky friends.

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Roberta from TX Scrapper Mom has this terrific and super fun 3-D box.

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Indira over at Crafty Homemade has the wonderful head band to share.  She crafted this bright accessory with her daughter too, so fun!

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Jessica at My World Made by Hand is sharing her room makeover... it's totally bright and fun and worth the trip to see her fabulous space.

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Thanks so much for visiting.  We hope you got some inspiration from my lovely designers today. Please head over and give my Crafty Designers some comment love!

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CJToo Digital Designs - School Days Scrapbook Page

With Back to School right around the corner (kids are bummed and mom's are cheering)….lol…. I was playing around with some different school designs and came up with this scrapbook page to share with you.  I have designed this to fit an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper (so you just need to play around with the image size).  Also…..I've included the link here for you to download it for yourself to enjoy -- I hope you enjoy it!!.  


I'd love to hear your feedback and let me know what you may be interested in seeing here and I'll see what I can do.  

Click here to download the file!

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25th Wedding Anniversary Card

I wanted to share with you a card I made to celebrate a couple's 25th Wedding Anniversary.  The person I made it for (to give to the couple) chose the colors white and silver.  I think it turned out beautiful (if I say so myself).  I hope you like it too.

• The card measures 5 x 7 and I rounded the top corners with my large Martha Stewart corner rounder.   
• The pattern paper is by Martha Stewart.
• I used glitter white for top layer of 25 and gray for shadow 25.
• The curly cue heart stamp is from my stash (I think I picked it up at Michael's a long time ago) - I inked it in gray ink. 
• The 25 is cut from Storybook cricut cartridge - regular and shadow
• The ribbon is from Wal-Mart's after Christmas sale last year.  I think it brings the entire card together.
• The corner punch is by Martha Stewart.
• I inked up the edges with gray ink and doodled up with my silver pen.
• I put a clear gem in the middle of the bow to hide the knot -- works great!

Thank you so much for leaving me your comments -- they REALLY mean a lot to me.

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Linking up at these fun parties this week!

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Cowboy Roller Skating Birthday Invitation

Now you probably read the title of this post and said "what?" cowboy + roller skates = huh??


Its Birthday time again coming up for my little guy Spencer and since he is getting pretty good at roller skating he requested a roller skating party this year…..how fun!  When we discussed his party "theme" -- he immediately said COWBOYs hmmm…..I reminded him that he had that for the last 2 years…. then he said HORSES!  Now….Spencer has had a cowboy themed birthday party for the last 2 years (click here and here) but he insists on having another one.  BIG SIGH….he is a cowboy through and through so….guess what?  We are having another cowboy themed birthday party!!. (I really love it too).    

I wanted to share his invitation for this year's party and 

I'll share more about the party details as it gets a little closer.  

Whatcha think about my little poem? I love "play on words".  

I'd love to hear your feedback.

Thanks for leaving me a comment.  

I ♥ comments!

cowboy and horse by Scrappin' Doodles

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Inspirational Words Card

Some days we need a little "pick me up" or an "inspirational word" that gets us out of a slump we may be in or feeling down about something.  My Pink Stamper's "More Faithful Sayings" stamp set has ity bity words of encouragement that can be used alone or combine them to create a perfect sentiment.  

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T.G.I.F. Linky Party #17 ~ 7/23/11

Welcome back to another linking party right here at CJToo's blog!  A linking party is a great way to "show off" your stuff.  Just link up below.

Before we get started lets review last weeks top projects that received the most clicks to check out.

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Here are our TOP 3 viewed last week…..

Ms. Scrapalette takes the number one spot for week 2 for her adorable Double Box Gift Box!  Viewers clicked on her picture to see her project the most.  

Congrats for the 2nd week in a row!  :)

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Everyone seemed to enjoy looking at Ms. Deb's Crafty Space -- what a wonderful crafty room!

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The Grunge Roses by Celeste are so beautiful and were definitely a big hit last week!  

Grab the Featured Me button --> in the side bar for your blog ladies….thanks for sharing!

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Now onto this week's party!

1.  Link directly to your project post.

2.  I'd appreciate it if you would grab the T.G.I.F. Linky button and share it on your blog somewhere or a link back here to the party.  

3.  Visit some of the other projects and leave a comment.  

4.  Have fun!!
5.  Please "like" your favorites -- they may be featured next week.  

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Monogrammed Birthday Friend Tags

If your child is like mine they get invited to many birthday parties.  You can create a personalized card to keep on hand and attach it to the outside (or inside) of the gift.  It is so stinkin' cute to see adorable cards attached to the gift.  Just have your child sign the bottom in their handwriting and it makes it even more special.  

For the monogram - find a font you like on your computer and print several (play around with the size) then use your round circle or scallop circle punch to punch them out.  Use coordinating paper to design the perfect theme for the entire card.  

I've included the sentiment below -- click on the sentiment, it will open in another window, right click on the sentiment (in the new window) and save it to your computer.  I've included 2 formats, .png (transparent so you will not see a border around the words) or .jpg (which will have a white box or border).  Enjoy!  :)

digital image by Scrappin' Doodles

 Click to open in a new window - right click on the words and "save as" on your computer. 

Click here to download

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Craft Room I found on Pinterest!

Again, tonight I was pinning away on Pinterest when I saw these fabric covered boxes.  Now -- what caught my attention was the black and white polka dotted design and then I read in the description that they were bottled water boxes that the crafter covered with fabric -- WHAT???? %$#!!(*!! Are you kiddin' me??  That's awesome!
recycle - repurpose and really crafty idea!  One of this things I like most about pinterest is if you like a picture you can click on it and it links you directly to the source and that is how I found the REST OF THIS ROOM….you've gotta see it to know what I am talking about.  wowzers - shazam and goodness gracious sakes alive - doesn't cover it ladies.  It's amazing. 
 'nuff said -- go check it out……click here….

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Digital Designs by CJToo! You are my Sunshine Page

One of my passions is clip art, digital images, digi stamps, whatever they are called -- I love it all!  I have a very large collection of clip art images that takes me way back to the 90's (yes, I'm serious).  I remember saving my first clip art images on floppy disks because my computer hard drive was so full.  This was a long time ago before cd's and dvds.  Back then….there were lots of clip art artists who loved to draw and offered their images free (with a request that if someone used the image they would give credit where due).  Sadly, so many people would take the image and claim as their own or worse, sell the image.  Boo Hoo!  That doesn't stop me from purchasing it!  loooove it….:)

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I wanted to share one of my first digital scrapbook pages….

 that I put together for your inspiration.  

You don't need to have these exact images to create a scrapbook page just like this -- no ma'am -- this is just for ideas, inspiration and your viewing pleasure.  

Create a F-U-N page with a photo of your kids at the park or on a fun outing somewhere special.  Got a Cricut -- pull out one of your cartridges that has these types of images on them and create one similar.  Paper Doll Dress Up or Everyday Paper Dolls has some adorable images that would be wonderful to create a page just like this!  

Have digital scrapbooking page elements, clip art, digital images, digi stamps?  Use them!  Substitute the boy or girl for your kids, pets or other fun images you may have.  

I'd love to hear your feedback and I thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment.  

p.s. I will continue to create projects using my cricut machines -- I am a true craft junkie and like to dibble dabble with lots of crafty avenues.  I like to move onto new things OR revisit some old friends.  I hope you like it too.

For this page I used: 

- page is 12 x 12

- yellow and white checkered patterned paper

- a sun

- a cloud

- "Zachary" font for journaling inside cloud.

- fonts for "you are my sunshine" (part of a digital set I have)

- one boy 

- one girl

- 4.50 x 6.50 rounded rectangle for photo mat

Big Hugs!

Tracy

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Recipe Blog to Share - {Jamie Cooks It Up!}

I'll admit it -- I'm addicted to Pinterest!!  There I said it!  LOL  Its so fun to find new and exciting stuff.  I love it.

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As I was browsing pinterest I spotted this yummy chicken plate and had to check it out.  This recipe led to a recipe site called Jamie Cooks It Up!  Okay - my mouth is litterally watering when I browsed through her recipes.  Another site to bookmark and check back for more yummy recipes!  Click on the button to check it out folks!

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My Summertime Sunflower Porch!

Sunflowers mean summer!

Sunflowers are bright and cheery!

Sunflowers make me smile!

I love decorating my home especially my porch with sunflowers in the summer time.  Ms. "Queen Bee" also graces my porch this year to show off her winning sash and prize honey hive.   



I like to buy the sunflowers in the bunch or bouquet and stick them everywhere.  Sometimes I will cut them apart and stick them here and there.  I don't really have a green thumb so I decorate with lots of floral or silk flowers.  

This is a tin bucket hanger I use for different seasons - this time I just put sunflowers and a few other odds and ends in it for decoration.  

Here I have a large crock that I filled with dirt (just for something to poke my flowers into).  I keep a fake asparagus fern (I need a new one) in it at all times and randomly stick seasonal flowers in it for decoration.  If the flowers fade or become too worn I just throw them away when I'm finished with them.  

I've had "Ms. Queen Bee" for many years -- a friend of mine made her for me and I just LOVE her.  She is a little tattered and worn from a few summers of gracing my porch -- but here she is again this year.  Her hair is spanish moss.  Love it!

Have a great Saturday everyone and I'll see ya back here soon!

♡Tracy

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Linking up at these fabulous parties this week - click here to visit their fabulous blogs!

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Emergency Contact Numbers

I am sharing this with you because I feel it is very important and may help you or your loved ones if the need every arises.  Things happen - life happens!  

Okay onto the point of my post….

The other day Spencer and I stopped by Little Caesar's to pick up some pizza for supper.  I carried in my wallet and phone (like I always do) but this day I didn't have a pocket on my pants to put my cell phone in so I had it in my hands instead.  I laid it down on the counter to pay, grab my pizza, drink and we left.  Now those who know me know that my cell phone is my right-hand BUT on this day Spencer was being a little toot - I had just picked him up from summer care - it was hot - he was whiney and thirsty and hungry and really getting on my last nerve (I love him to the moon and back but he is a tooty sometimes).  Anyhoo's - we came home, ate supper and went about our business.  About 1 1/2 hours later I received a call from the girl at Little Caesar's pizza (on my home phone) to let me know I left my cell phone there, a customer found it, turned it in and she went through my contacts to find out if she could find a contact phone number to call.  This is what you see in my Contacts and that is how she found out my home phone. (see below).

I have my Home number in my contacts.  If your cell is your home phone -- you can use I.C.E. In Case of Emergency.  Thank goodness H and I are in the alphabet together!  :))))

I also have ICE (in case of emergency) -- I have the top 3 contacts listed. 

Y E S…. I remembered taking it inside!!!!  My phone is always with me -- how could this have happened?  How could I have missed that I laid it down and didn't pick it back up?  

OMGOODNESS….  I am FOREVER grateful to the customer who found my phone - turned it in and for the young lady to be kind enough to search my contacts for an emergency, home or contact number.  Eventually I would have remembered but the store would have been closed!  When I went to pick it up the young girl apologized to ME for going through my contacts…..she just wanted to find its owner.  wow!

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Everyone has their own opinion about this and YES in this day and age you have to be careful - there are people out there who steal, lie and are just waiting to become you -- but I have FAITH that there are still good honest people in this world.  Those people who want to help others - those people who do not wish to steal - lie or cheat from others.  I am SO blessed to have so many of those people in my life - from my family - friends - my kids and others who I come in contact with.  If you are a good person -- good things will happen.  I strongly believe that.  Yes, bad things happen - but Faith is what gets us through.

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I have 2 other instances to share….

I was at a Cricut Swarm - a lady who joined us, first time attendee, by herself, no one knew her - she fell out with a seizure.  What now????? You can read the rest of the story here…..

Also, a friend at work found a cell phone on the ground while walking through the events at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo -- okay - thousands of people attend this event.  It goes on for about 3 weeks or more.  Anyhoo's -- the phone service was cut off (from the person who lost it of course) but she was able to find a charger, charge it enough to get into the contacts and find someone, anyone that might help her find out who it belongs to.  She finally found the person it belong to and of course this person thought this phone was history -- B  U  T  I am happy to say….it is now back in its owners hands.  

Yes, most people would have kept it, thrown it in the trash, in the drawer, pawned it, whatever -- but if  you take the time to help others -- it will come back around to you. 

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T.G.I.F. Linky Party #16 ~ 7/15/11

Welcome back to another T.G.I.F. Linky Party ~ this is the time here at CJToo's blog that you can link up any project to show us your latest and greatest - new or old -- doesn't matter.  Please do not link up something you've already linked up here with us.  

Before we get to this week lets see some of the most popular projects from last week's party…..

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Coming in as the most viewed projects as well as one of the most "liked" is Ms. Scrapalette's Picnic Basic.  

Congrats!

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How about this Recycled Soda Box -- so cute!

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Another favorite was this Stampin' Queen Card!  

Love the disco feel to it!!

If you were featured this week please feel free to grab the "Featured Me" button for your blog. The code is in the side bar :)

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Now its time to link up again this week.  Show us your latest and greatest.  

Please link up something you haven't linked up here yet.  

1.  Link directly to your project post.

2.  I'd appreciate it if you would grab the T.G.I.F. Linky button and share it on your blog somewhere or a link back here to the party.  

3.  Visit some of the other projects and leave a comment.  

4.  Have fun!!
5.  Please "like" your favorites -- they may be featured next week.  

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Best Buds Scrapbook Page

I was going through my computer photos and came across the "Best Buds" Scrapbook Page that Spencer and I did back in May to help Robyn (My Pink Stamper) celebrate National Scrapbooking Day (click here to view that)- but I never posted it here at CJToo.  ooopsey!

The photo's are new but the video has been on YouTube since May so some of you may have already seen the video.

Better late than never!  :)

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Here is my sweet Spencer showing off his masterpiece.  In the video you will hear and see all of the materials we used.  I let him basically design this page for his scrapbook.  Notice his "doodling" too. :)

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{Spotlight on} Touched by a Butterfly and Giveaway!

It's time again to spotlight another adorable shop that makes the most adorable handcrafted items.  She is also offering a fabulous give-away for one of my CJToo Friends….so scroll down and see how you can enter for a chance to win.  

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Pinterest?

Okay - okay -- I had to see what all the hoopla is all about regarding Pinterest -- it's the NEW thing.  Have you heard of it?????  I have a tiney tiny idea of what Pinterest is all about and I'm signed up for it (its free but you do have to request an invite).  If you are already on Pinterest -- find me at CraftJunkieToo or click on the red button below -- let me know who you are and I'll follow you too.





As taken from the website…….

What is Pinterest?

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Copic Markers Storage - Take 2 (pictures added)

When I posted my Copic Marker storage last night some of my viewers were unable to see the pictures in the post (sorry) -- so I am posting the pictures again so {hopefully} everyone can see.  

If you still can't see the pictures below let me know and I'll send them to you.  :)

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CJToo's Copic Marker Storage

As my Copic Marker collection grows I really needed to find a way different way to store them.  I prefer to lay them flat so I can visually see the color top and number - but I don't think storing them up or down is an issue (for marker life span).  Anyhoo's…. I've seen several bins that can be a little pricey and since I don't have a humungous selection (I have 39 and there are 345 colors) I was looking for something cheap.  Well, by golly I think I found it.  I was shopping at Office Depot the other day to pick up a few things and was browsing their clearance section (CJToo LOVES a bargain) -- anyhoo's I spotted these little boxes/pen holders on clearance for .97 and thought -- that would work for my Copic markers.  SCORE!  


Here are some pictures to share how I positioned the boxes and how I use them in my work area.  I hope it gives you some inspiration for your marker collection.

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Monogrammed Wedding Gift and Bride & Groom Card

When I found out a friend and co-worker was getting married I knew I had to make one of these monogrammed gifts for her new home -- I just couldn't decide between which one to make?? I've seen so many in the stores and on the web.  Tip:  If you Google what you're looking for click "search" and then select "images" in the left column -- Google will pull up pictures for you.  For example - I typed in Monogrammed Wedding Gifts and I got lots of ideas for inspiration on the image screen.  Oh my….now……decisions.decisions.decisions!!  I was totally inspired by this one that I spotted over at Dittle Dattle.   It was exactly what I was looking for.  Google search to the rescue again!

I started with a board that was a chalkboard - it measures about 11 x17.  All I needed to do was paint the rim black.  

I designed everything on my Gypsy and cut it out with my Cricut Expression using white vinyl.

M and date ~ Storybook Cricut Font cartridge

Chelsea & Brent ~ Cursive 101 Cricut Font cartridge

white flowers are from a spool of ribbon - I just tied the teal ribbon in between for a gathered look.

Teal and black are the colors of the wedding. 

To separate the letters on the M I used a very thin black sharpie maker to draw around the letter.  I also did a little doodling on the M to tie it all together.  Did you spot my "bling" on the M.  I love it!  

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Wedding Dress and Groom Tux ~ Sweehearts Cricut cartridge

For some of the layers I used glitter paper I get from Target like on the wedding dress, veil, and the grooms jacket (lapels part), I used black diamond stickles to make dots on cuffs and buttons on grooms jacket.

Border punch is from EK Success - Scroll & Dots

Sentiment is from Happiest Moments Stamp set by My Pink Stamper

For the inside of the card I took a regular envelope, sealed the back (flap) and cut off a 1/4 of it to make an opening and give a "pocket" look and feel.  I took my 1 1/2" circle punch and punched a 1/2 circle at the top of the opening so I could slip in a little "something something" for the bride and groom.  To decorate the pocket I inked up the edges with some gray ink, doodled with my black marker and cut a piece of the same pattern paper to attach to the middle of the pocket.  The "Love is a circle without an end" is from the  My Pink Stamper stamp set "Love a licious".  Click here to see more.   stamp sets. 

♥ Tracy

This project was featured here….:)  Thanks Sarah!!!

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Christmas in July 

Craft Show 

July 13th - 27th

Purchase Craft Junkie Too crafts as well as Personalized by Tracy items all from the comfort of your own computer chair.  More info coming!

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Linking up at these fun Parties this week….

Made It Myself Mondays :: Dittle Dattle :: Making the World Cuter :: The Girl Creative :: Keeping it Simple :: Tip Junkie :: Hope Studios :: Tuesday Time Out :: Tuesday Linky Party :: CraftoManiac :: Make Something Monday :: Show Me What Ya Got :: Marvelous Monday :: Me Making Do :: Too Cute Tuesday :: Topsy Turvy Tuesday :: Sisters Stuff :: Hoo's Got Talent :: Somewhat Simple :: Fireflies & Jelly Beans :: Paisley Passions :: Simply Designing :: Simple Home Life :: Nap Time Crafters :: Sassy Sites ffa Party :: Free for All at Young & Crafty :: What are Little Boys Made of? :: It's a Hodgepodge Life :: Chic on a Shoestring Decorating :: Frugal Friday  :: Feature Yourself Fridays :: Show and Tell Saturday :: The DIY Show Off

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