JoAnn's Haul And Some AWESOME DEALS and COUPONS !!

Hey there everybody,

I wanted to make a post to show off my crafty haul from JoAnn's tonight !! I am SOO excited because I haven't been able to purchase any crafty items for a while now!! I was literally down to my last few pieces of cardstock, and of course all that was left were the colors I didn't like!! 

So I got a few really good coupons in the mail from JoAnn's because I'm on their mailing list, and have been forever !! Then I called the store and spoke to the manager and she told me about their Smart Phone App, it's called "Jo-Ann" by 5th International US, Inc, and she said that there were 3 more coupons on there that were good until tomorrow, May 3rd, 2014. 2 for 50% off one regular priced item, and 1 for 40% off one regular priced item. THEN, I did a search on the internet and found 2 more coupons for Jo-Ann's, a 50% off  and a 40% off one regular priced item, so in total, I had 7 coupons, 5- 50% off coupons, 2- 40% off coupons!! Here they all are: 

A PILE a coupons for the whole month of May. (Not all coupons pictured, just the ones I used!  lol)

So when I went in, I double checked with the cashier that I could use them all on one purchase/transaction and they said yes. So off I went !! 

Let me tell you, not only did I get to use every coupon I had, but they also had some incredible sales going on! It is Paper Crafting Month after all !! (did you know that?(-; )

 So here is my haul: 

11 Packs or Stacks of Cardstock
1 Stack of 180 sheets of Scrapbook paper
3 Anna Griffin Cuttlebug Folders WITH borders
1 Regular Cuttlebug Folder with border
and
1 roll of double stick scotch scrapbooking tape !!!

Now for some pictures !!!! 

Everything but the tape !!

In the next picture you can really see how much I managed to get !!

Look at all that paper !!! EEEEEE !!!

And last, but certainly not least,  my Cuttlebug folders: 

Anna Griffin Folders: Aviary, Matelasse, and Rosa, And regular Cuttlebug Folder: Cross My Heart ALL with Borders!!

I am SOO excited about the folders because I only had 5 of them and NO borders !! So I'm super excited about those !! 
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Now, I've already gotten a lot of questions about how I managed to get so many coupons, so I will tell you.

* First- I am on JoAnn's Mailing list- Go here to Join the Mailing List , then create an account, and do the following: 

Select your preferred contact option, as you can see, I chose both e-mail and Mail. 

THEN, and this part is important, because they cater their coupons to your preferences as much as possible, you need to select your interests, see here: 

Choose as many as you want, but try to be as specific as possible!! 

So that is how to join the mailing list.
* Second - You can get coupons on their website (click here to go straight to the coupon page).
* Third - Scour the internet, search for JoAnn's coupons, a good site that I've personally had a lot of success with, including today is this Coupons.com, here is the link to the JoAnn's Coupons I used tonight: JoAnn's Coupons from coupons.com. 

You can use as many coupons as you have items in your cart at JoAnn's, but they do have some limitations, so read the fine print on the coupon or go up and ask an employee what the limitations are to the coupons. I do know that you cannot combine the coupons. In other words, if you have a 50% off coupon and a 40% off coupon, you can not combine them to make it 90% off. 
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So, all in all, my purchase tonight should have cost me $168.45, but between my 7 coupons and hitting up the sale items, I saved $73.30, for a total cost of $95.15 !!! AMAZING !!! My best haul yet !!!


Well, I just wanted to share all of this with you guys !! I am going to try to get it all sorted out now !! 

Leave me some blog love with your questions or comments, and also, PLEASE click the Join This Site button in the top right of my page to become a follower !! I would greatly appreciate it !! 

Thanks for reading and Happy Crafting !!!
-------------
Corinne 

I Won !! Woo Hoo !!!

Hey there all,

Hope everyone is doing well !! 

So, this morning I got a neat little email: 

I won !! 

A little while back, I entered this contest on Crafty Saver's FB Page :

 Now, this may seem like some little thing to you, I mean, it's just a small bottle of craft glue, but I've NEVER won anything I've entered. Not one contest, drawing, raffle, anything! They say "Luck of the Irish"? Well, this little Irish gal does not have that luck !! LOL, so yes, I'm excited!! Besides, I'm on an unbelievably TIGHT budget, so anything crafty that I can get for FREE, well that just sends me over the moon !! :-) :-) :-)

So, yesterday, I spent most of the day sending out e-mails with my file for the panels that go with my new friend Narelle's Box Card file (click on the link to go to her page and follow the instructions to get the file if you haven't yet !! She makes it super easy!!) for Cricut Design Space. 

(If you have not yet gotten your own personal copy of the Box Card File, click HERE to go to Narelle's blog and request it there, then go to my previous blog post by clicking HERE and follow the instructions on both our pages to receive both the Box Card File from Narelle, and the Panels for it from me !!)


While I was sending out those files, I managed to make this card: 

I am OBSESSED with owls !!

and I got the front of my mom's Mother's Day card finished: 

Now, I just need to finish the inside, if she would quit walking into the room every time I pull it out to work on it !!

Well, that is all I have for now, I will look this over later and edit the errors, because I am sure there are some. LOL

And I have fixed my "Followers" button now (Didn't realize it wasn't working until yesterday.) so if you haven't done so, please click the "Join This Site" Button at the  top right of this page, ESPECIALLY if you have already received my file for the panels for the box card. I would greatly appreciate it!! Thank you!

Talk atcha later, 

Corinne 

*** CDS File For Panels for Narelle's (The Non-Crafty Crafter) Free Box Card Cut File ***

Hello to my fellow Cricut Explore owners!! 

***When Commenting, Please Leave Where You Heard Of My Blog/Files From!! Thank You!! :)***


I hope everyone is having as much fun as I am with their machines. 

As many of you know, Narelle, from the Non-Crafty Crafter Blog has made available to us a Cricut Design Space Cut File for the ever-popular Box Card! (If you have not had a chance to receive this file, go HERE and follow her instructions, and she will E-MAIL you the file, for FREE !! How nice is that?!) 

Well, I have gone and made a Cricut Design File for the Panels and Squares that go ON the Box card. 


Please do not share my file, please instead direct people to my blog @ www.corinnecreate.blogspot.com  !! Thank you !! :)

The exact dimensions are: 3- 2.25" Squares, and 2- 2.25"x 5.25" Panels.

Now I am going to do this the same way she has done it, so listen(or read) closely: 

You need to be a follower of my blog, and then leave me a comment on this post stating that you have done this and make sure to leave your E-MAIL ADDRESS in your post !! Once I have confirmed that you are a follower, I will e-mail you the CDS File for the panels that you can then cut out on your Cricut Explore. Now, please keep reading: 

I have made sure to use a font on the actual file that everyone should have, especially if you have the subscription. But before Pressing GO to cut the file, make sure READ THE INSTRUCTIONS on the actual file itself, then you will need to click on the eye next to the FONT to hide it:

Click ON the eye.

It should then look like this: 

NOW, you are ready to CUT your panels !!

I used Narelle's exact measurements, but where she cut her's out by hand, I just knew I could get my machine to cut them out, because I don't know about you, but I don't always cut straight! (Plus, with this file, it's SOO much EASIER to have the machine do it!!) 


So, after getting the Box Card Cut File from Narelle, and after you have become a follower of my blog by clicking the JOIN THIS SITE link at the top right of the page, leave me a comment on this post stating that you have done this, and PLEASE don't forget to leave me your E-MAIL ADDRESS or I will not be able to send you the file!! Hope you all enjoy this and that it makes your foray into Box Card Making easier. 

*** ALSO, Please Note, when loading file, it will take a minute or two to load, that is normal and I believe due to the amount of text used for the instructions.

Look forward to hearing from you !!    
___________________
Corinne Klinetop

P.S. If you are not comfortable leaving your e-mail address, please contact me via e-mail at sirensong25 AT gmail DOT com

***Please Leave Where You Heard Of My Blog/Files From!! Thank You!! :)***

***If Choosing To Comment As Anonymous, Please Leave At Least Your First Name ***  

Mother's Day Is Approaching

Hello there friends !! 

I'm going to start off with a post I made in one of my Card-Making Groups on FB and see if any of my readers can help me out with this question, this is exactly what I posted on FB and I am going to directly quote it here in hopes that I can get some good answers!! Here it is: 

Ok friends, I need some hand holding and direct guidance/Links. I prefer to buy my paper in either packs, stacks, or books. I like to get packs with all the different colors in them, packs that have tons of patterns, etc. but also some really good cream, white and black. but I want them in weights from between 65lb - 110 lb. Can you PLEASE help me find these by providing me with direct links to these things, exact names- brand, collection name, etc. I just need to be hand held for a minute so I can find these things because I am getting SOOO frustrated. Thank you in advance !!

Do any of you have any suggestions, links, products you use? I would really appreciate direct links to any of the products you suggest if at all possible !! Just copy and paste it into the comments section at the bottom. (You do not have to create an account to leave a comment, but if you would, please do leave me your name so I may find you on Facebook and properly thank you, and if you are from one of my groups, please tell me which one!)

I have a couple of cards I am just DYING to share with you because I am so proud of them, but on one of them, I'm not sure if the recipient reads my blog or not, so I am going to err on the side of caution and wait til I give it to the recipient before posting the picture and the story with it. The other one is the front of the Mother's Day card I am making for my mom for my dad and sister and myself to sign. I am pretty sure she doesn't read this blog so I am going to post it. I hope you all like it. I've had very limited time frames to work on it, when she is not around. Mostly LATE at night when she finally goes to bed, or EARLY in the morning before she wakes up. So here it is, the front of the Mother's Day card: 

I have not completed the inside yet, but I plan to before she wakes up today!! 

So, what do you all think?

I think my mom is really going to like it. 

I've been told, yet again, that I should be selling my cards, and this time I was told by a very reliable source who tells the truth whether or not you want to hear it. So I've decided that I a going to. I am going to Start a Facebook Page for it and an Etsy store. Wish me luck !! I'm very excited at the potential income, because we all know it's just going to be spent on more crafting supplies and goodies !!

I only wish I had that money NOW, it would REALLY help me out. Oh well, thus is life !! 

Don't forget to check back after the first of May to see the really awesome card I mentioned earlier, because as soon as she has it in her hands, I will be posting a picture on here !!! 

Keep coming back, 

Corinne

P.S. PLEASE leave me some blog love by way of comments, I really want to hear from you !!

Should I start thinking about selling my cards? If so... how? Where do I even begin?

Hey there !! I hope you all are well !! Everybody around my house, including me, has been battling some sort of a flu bug, but luckily I've managed to avoid the worst of it!! 

So, I want to get right down to showing off my latest card that I made this morning, Sunday 04.27.14, because I am really quite proud of it. I really don't post work I am not proud to claim, but this one is really special to me, as it is the first card that looks (at least to me) like a "professional" could have made it. I honestly just threw it together, cut it out, and glued it together in about an hour or 2, so it was really quick, but I really love how it turned out !! I forgot to fix my magnification on my Design Space screen from 72% to 102% (I try to make it as close to 100% as possible) so it turned out a lot larger than I had anticipated, but it was definitely a happy accident!
So here it is, tell me what you think:

What do you think?? Please leave me a comment at the bottom of the page!!

Once again, I will give you the names of the images, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT copy my card exactly, make it your own. I just provide this information in case you see an image you like, you will have the information needed to find it and use it. 

Card Info:

Layer 1: Card Base - Name: Card; Cartridge: Ashlyn's Alphabet  (turned 90* before use.)

Layer 2:  Base - Name: Rectangle Lace Edge Label; Cartridge: Elegant Edges 

Layer 3:  Overlay- Name: Pattern Rectangle Overlay; Cartridge: Edge to Edge

Layer 4: Sentiment- Name: Best Wishes; Cartridge: Paper Lace.

Inside Card--

Layer 1 & 2: Base- Name: Inverted Rectangle Label; Cartridge: Phrases. 



So I've been told a million times that I should sell my cards, and I really would like to, but I have no idea how to go about doing that. Where do I sell them? How much do I charge? etc, etc. Anyone who could help me out, please leave a message below !! 


Thats all for now, Thanks,
-------
Corinne

My Newest Cricut Explore Card !!

Hey there !! I hope everybody is doing well!! 

I wanted to make a post regarding my latest card. I am  going to start keeping track of the names of the Cartridges the images are from and how I found them, also how I put them together and the products I used. That way you can get some ideas from me, OR you can leave me comments with YOUR favorite products to use that may be better than what I'm using !! I love learning from each other and that is a big part of what I want my blog to be about -- Learning from each other !!

Now, back to my card! Here is the picture of my card: 

Card made on 04.24.14 -- My Bird/Panel/Lace Card !! Aren't the little birdies just SOO cute!?

So here is the exact info, including Image Names, Cartridge Names, etc for how I made this card, but PLEASE, do not make the exact card I made, make it your own, I am just providing this information in case you want to use any of these images or a couple of them for yourself. Again, PLEASE do not duplicate my card, that is akin to Painting an exact replica of someone else's painting and claiming it as your own. Thank you. 

So here we go, ready for all the info? Layer by layer:

Card Base:
I searched "Anna Griffin" and used the card named "Lace Folded Card" from her "Splendid Soiree" cartridge. 
Panels:
Searched "Rounded Rectangle", used "Rectangle" from "Just Because Cards" Cartridge, x 3 (for 3 panels).
2 Overlays On Outside Panels: I had purchased this images a few weeks ago and decided I wanted to use it and that it would be PERFECT, it is not included in the subscription, but you can find it by searching "Rectangle Branch" from "Storybook" Cartridge. 
Middle Panel Frame: I don't remember what I searched to find this frame, but if you search by it's name "33" you will find it. Flower Frame, "33" from "Small Talk Frames & Tags" Cartridge. 
Bird on Branch on Middle Panel: Searched "Bird" and selected "Bird On a Branch" from the "Songbird" Cartridge. 
Pennant (For Sentiment Stamp): I don't remember what I searched, but the one I used was called "Pennant Rectangle", but I couldn't find the exact one I used when I searched again. However, I found a very similar one called "Pennant" from the "Pretty Pennants" cartridge. All you need to do is turn it 90* and VOILA !!
Inside Bird: I searched "Bird" but changed the FILTER settings to "Single Layer" and this is the first one that popped up. It is called "Big Bird" from the "Tablescapes Spring & Summer" Cartridge. 

Supplies Used:
*  Elmer's Craft Bond Dot Tape Runner (LOVE this stuff!! Just wish they came in larger dispensers and refills, which is why I will be getting an ATG or something similar this month !!)
*  Unkown Brand Medium Size Glue Dots (LOVE these too !! They are especially great when you want to add SOME dimension to a project, but not a lot of dimension.)

Assembly:
I used the Elmer's Craft Bond Dot Tape Runner to adhere everything together with the exception of the pennant. I used the Elmer's to glue the 2 layers of the pennant together, but I used the Medium Size Glue Dots to adhere the 2 layered pennant with sentiment to the card itself. 

Well, there you have it, a detailed synopsis of my card. I hope you guys get some knowledge and inspiration from my card and the information I provided above. Go get on Design Space, or Cricut Craft Room, and get designing!!! I've given you all the information you need to use some of the same images I used, but make it your OWN !! I would love to see what you all come up with!! I don't know if you can post pic's in the comments here or not, but give it a try, or leave the link to the picture of your card !! 

I hope to hear from you !! 
Until next time, 
________
Corinne

Just A Short Post On My Crafty Projects And Storage Ideas!

Hey there everybody!!

How is everybody doing? I hope everyone is well. I am starting to do better as well. (I just realized I haven't updated the story that comment refers to yet. I will try to do that tomorrow. For right now, I will just tell you that last Monday, 04.14.14, I was assaulted and my ear drum was ruptured, and my glasses broken. I am doing ok now, and promise I will post the WHOLE story soon. Tonight, I am just too tired to do it!!)

But for now, let's keep it LIGHT and FUN !! I just wanted to post a couple of photos of cards I made in the last couple of days, and also some storage solutions I am currently using in my Craft Area. (I don't have a "Craft Room" per se, more like a Craft "Area" in our living room. But I'm lucky to even have that! So you won't hear me complaining about it, except to say that I can't wait until we can move to a better place and my bedroom will then become my "Craft Room", which is just fine with me !!) 

So here we go, Here are the 2 cards I wanted to show you: 

This one is a Birthday card for a relative who shall remain nameless until they have actually received the card. Could be a couple of months, or sooner. I won't say!! ;P 

This is my Tri-Fold "Iron Work"Card, I've made the picture Extra Large so you can see all the little details!

So this is my first Tri-Fold Card, but it didn't start out that way. I didn't follow any kind of template, which is the norm for me, I like to make it up as I go along. It started out as a Bi-Fold card with the iron work and layers are on the front, and the Fleur De Lis Pennent on the inside. But then I found this image of the iron gates and I just knew it HAD to be added to the card, if you look closely at the top right picture, you can see the iron gate, and at the bottom I made a score line so that just barely 1/8" would bend over to the back of the card on both the back and the purple layer. 

Next Card !!

This is something I just whipped up in about an hour or 2, nothing too fancy, but I still love it. I'm starting to discover that even the simplest cards can still be beautiful.

This is my "Houndstooth" Card.

So, this is my Houndstooth Card, and I like how simple it is. Only took me about 1-2 hours to make, and that is because I kept getting interrupted. On the front of the card, I cut out a Houndstooth Overlay for that bottom layer and glued that directly to the base of the card, then I just added the double layered Label with "Just a note to say..." written on it using my Cricut Explore and my Metallic Blue Cricut Marker. After gluing the labels together, I ran them through my Cuttlebug using my Houndstooth Embossing Folder.  On the inside, I kept it super simple, maybe TOO super simple, but oh well. I cut out the brown layer and wrote the rest of the message, "Hello !!" using my Cricut Explore and my Metallic Copper Cricut marker. I really like how the Copper Marker looks against the brown background. 

You cant see it, but I also embossed the back of the actual card (the dark blue card base) using my Houndstooth folder as well. 

So, what do you all think of my cards posted here? Please leave me some blog love in the form of comments on my blog post !!! 

I also wanted to ask for your feedback on what you all think of my new Watermark for my photos? I'm using 2 new programs for my pictures and my watermark. I'm loving the ability to combine the different pictures into 1 photo collage, but I'm not sure about the watermark. I love the font, but is it too opaque? Does it get in the way of the card? Can you still see the details of my cards? Any feedback or "Blog Love" you can leave would be greatly appreciated !!  (Remember, I have changed my settings so that anyone can leave a comment, you do not need to make an account if you don't have one already, but if you are from one of my Facebook groups, I would love it if you left your name, and what group I know you from!! That way I can make sure I thank you properly!!)

Now onto those storage solutions I promised at the beginning of the post !!

Just a FEW of my Storage Solutions, I will get more pictures as soon as I get them photographed and re-arranged!

Sooo, anyone that really knows me knows that not only am I obsessed with crafts, craft products, embellishments, paper, etc, etc, I am also absolutely OBSESSED with storage solutions !!! In the photo collage above, the pictures are as follows: 
TOP LEFT: Marker Storage- I store my Artists Loft Dual Tip Markers in a snap-tight plastic tupperware. 

(Just FYI- As far as marker storage goes, the following rules apply- For Dual Tip Markers, they should be stored FLAT or Horizontal so that the ink flow stays at both ends, if you store them vertically, it's likely that the ink will flow to the end pointing down, and the end pointing up will dry out. For Single tip markers, for the most part, they should be stored Tip DOWN, so the ink flow stays at the tip of the marker.) 

TOP MIDDLE: EMBOSSING FOLDER STORAGE- I've tried several different options for storing my embossing folders and have not been happy with any of them. Then, the other day my Grandpa brought over this plastic red square bucket with a handle on it, (it had some goodies for my dad inside of it.) and a light bulb went off in my head! It's the perfect size and shape for all my folders!! (as you can see, I don't have very many yet, as I just got my Cuttlebug, but soon I will have LOTS (my birthday IS coming up in June, and all I want are scrapbooking, embossing and cardmaking stuff! From EVERYONE!!). You can see a close up in the TOP RIGHT picture. I used my Cricut Explore to make the dividers, they measure at:  4 1/2" Wide x (half way between) 7 3/8"-7 1/2" Tall. Then I wrote the Brand of of Folder, the Name of the folder, and the number that corresponds with my little tags that show what folders I have available. I have a picture of the tags below: 

TOP: This show's how I have my Catalog numbered. I number them in order that I get them. BOTTOM: This shows how I title them, I just write the title of the folder across the top. 

After I have numbered them and titled them, I run them through their corresponding folder so I know what it looks like when embossed, and I can always just grab this, hold it up to my project and see which folders might look good, and which one's don't look good. PLUS, I keep it in sight because I believe that if you see it, you will use it !!

Next up, my ribbon storage. I've gotten a lot of compliments on my ribbon storage even though it is super easy, and not even my original idea, most of the ideas listed here, I've gotten off Pinterest! Including this one: 

This is just a regular wire clothing hanger!!

I left this one up to my dad to do for me, (thanks dad!) simply because my hands weren't strong enough to bend the metal into a hook to close it back up. How he made this is, he took one side and snipped it where the side piece meets the bottom piece, and then using pliers he took and bent the bottom piece into a small hook, and the side piece bent just so, so that the hook had somewhere to latch onto. It was really simple and took less than five minutes to do. I keep it hanging on my lamp right next to my machine on my craft table (since I don't have my own craft room, I have to make every square inch of table space count, which include going Vertical when I can!!!).  


BOTTOM - DUST COVERS AND A,B, & C PLATE STORAGE- From Chevron and Pink w/ Pink Logo Dust Covers. LEFT - RIGHT: Cuttlebug Dust Cover, MIDDLE: Explore Dust Cover, RIGHT: Velcro Closure Embroidered Pouch (custom made) For my A, 2 B, and C plates for the Cuttlebug. 
***If you are interested in getting one of these dust covers, please check my previous post regarding these covers and many other products, or just click HERE and it will take you to the post.***

MORE Storage Solutions!! And Cheap On the Go Storage !!

FAR LEFT: This is a wine rack that I have decided to use for my Vinyl Storage! I bought it at a yard sale for about $1. It's perfect, keeps my Vinyl within reach, but rolled up so there are no wrinkles, I just LOVE it.
TOP RIGHT: These are 2 purses I bought to take my cardstock and scrapbook paper with me to a crop that fell through, but they work great for taking card's that I've cut out and need to put together and embellish on the road with me!! Especially the one on the far right. I take it with me everywhere and that way I don't have to be stuck at an appointment, waiting, without anything crafty to do!!
BOTTOM RIGHT: This is a Large "Cooler Bag" that is insulated, I guess so you can carry your beer and ice in a bag instead of a regular cooler?? I'm not really sure, all I know is that it's cylindrical shape and deep depth (proper grammar?) make it IDEAL for carrying around all my embellishments to crops!! It really holds a TON!! 

BUT... and it's a big one! In the very near future, I am hoping I will not need to use these bags as much for crops, because I am hoping to get this (from JoAnn's with one of my 2 50% off coupons, and then buy some other necessities their as well, because I also have a 40% off coupon! I hit the Coupon Jackpot !!):

Originally $129.99, with my 50% off coupon, it will only be $65.00!!

So that is exactly what I am hoping to get on Pay Day!! I can't even wait !! It will even come in handy when we move, because I will still have my scrapbooking and card-making supplies and paper with me, and won't have to wait until I find the box I packed it in!! As you can tell, I'm pretty excited about this little Rolling Tote here. I've been looking for one and researching them for months, but when I found out I had these coupons, I just knew, NOW was the time to purchase this particular item !! 

So that's about all I have for now, If you have any good storage solutions for your crafty items, please leave me a comment, and pictures of them if you can !! I would really love it !! 

Well, that's all I have for now, thank you for stopping by, and I really hope to hear back from you !! 

Thanks for reading, Lots of Love,
________
Corinne