Free SVG Cutting Files

Please click HERE for my giveaway!  There's only a few more days to enter.

TGIF!!!  I haven't run this feature in a month or so, so I thought I would get you caught up on all the freebies floating around the web!

Little Scraps of Heaven is offering the cutest teddy bear in a pool...perfect for those summer layouts!  Happy downloading!

FREE SVG FILES:

New file DAILY - 

Paper Piecings By Nikki offers a free file each day, and I must say, I'm surprised that the quality of them is so high.  A lot of companies that offer free files give you ones that are very simplistic, but Nikki's are not.  They're really great!  Once the day is over, the freebie file gets moved into a folder where you can purchase it for 50 cents.  All of her other cutting files are only 99 cents.  What a deal!  Today's free file the letter Y and a yo-yo.  (She's just finishing up an alphabet series.)

Miss Kate Cuttables actually has a DAILY freebie too!  Today's file is a set of two cute little marshmallows on a stick.

New file every MONDAY - 

Little Scraps Of Heaven  You can access their freebies through their blog or their Facebook fan page.  This week's freebie is an adorable bear in a swimming pool...perfect for those summer layouts!

KaDoodle Bug Designs publishes new free files on Mondays and corresponding digi files on Tuesdays.  Now it seems they've really been outdoing themselves lately by also giving an assortment of free phrases each week!  KaDoodle Bug has lots of freebies to choose from this week!  There's a little bee girl that you can put your own face on (I bet Peachy Keen faces would be perfect!) and TWO different cut files (and matching digis) that would be perfect for the grad in your life.  She's also been rotating surprise freebies that change at random times. There's lots to look at!

New file every TUESDAY - 

For those of you that own a Silhouette machine, don't forget that the Silhouette store has a free cutting file each Tuesday.  You need to download the free program to your computer (even if you don't own a Silhouette machine yet) to access the store.  Please keep in mind that the files aren't SVGs...they will only cut on a Silhouette brand machine, (SD, Cameo, or Portrait) so this will be a great option ONLY if you're planning to purchase (or already own) a Silhouette. You can download the free program HERE.   This week's freebie is a set of vacation phrases.

New file every FRIDAY - 

Designs on Cloud 9 They have adorable Teddy bears and other characters.  Lots of cuteness on this site!  This week we're being offered a beautiful flower background.  It kind of looks like roses to me.

Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons offers a new free SVG file each Friday.  She even offers a newsletter subscription to remind you.    This week's freebie is a gift card holder that looks like a tool box, and says, "Mr. Fix-It" on it. Time to start thinking about Father's Day!

My Scrap Chick offers a new file each Friday to her newsletter subscribers.  Click the link to subscribe.  This week's file is star party glasses.

RANDOM days, but new files regularly - 

Birds Cards - is an awesome blog with all sorts of amazing freebies!  On the blog this week is an awesome set of cut out place cards and an amazing Father's Day Card.

SVG Cuts offers TONS of free files!  I believe they have said that there are over 200 of them available right now.  Make sure to sign up for their newsletter too. Every time they send a newsletter, they include a new free file!  The latest free files include a Fireman's hat, a pear, a fancy photo corner and a frame.

Happy downloading and cutting!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

This Week's Scrapbook Challenge...Anything Goes!

Please click HERE for my giveaway!

Hello to you and happy Thursday!  Today is the beginning of a new Scrapbook Challenge at the Mark's Finest Paper ning site!  This week is a popular challenge...Anything Goes!!  Yep, you can do any kind of scrapbook page you would like.  The only restriction is that there must be a stamp used somewhere on the layout.  It doesn't even have to be an MFP stamp, but you get double entries if it is.

So...what are you earning entries for?  Why, this adorable flower stamp!  I wish I could win it!!

On my layout this week, I wanted to do a special page for one of my favorite photographs ever.  The pic I used is a silhouette of my daughter staring up at a sculpture.  When she was going to college, her and her friends used to love to walk all over the gorgeous campus looking for photo ops, and they really found one this time.  I love the way the sunset looks in the background.  I decided to mimic the colors of the sky in the photo with horizontal strips of cardstock.

I added a few vertical strips of paper for some visual interest.  On the light orange piece, I used a leaf stamp from MFP's new stamp set called Marsh Silhouettes.  I used VersaMark ink to give the cardstock a watermarked look.  It's very subtle, but adds a lot of visual interest.

I also used a sentiment from the same set down in the very bottom corner of the page.  I plan to use the white strip right above it for journaling.

Right beside the photo, I used the PEACE sentiment from another new MFP set, Marsh Birds.  I thought the word went perfectly with the gorgeous picture!

Don't forget to join us the week over at Mark's Finest Paper.  You have until next Wednesday May 22nd at 8 pm EST to link up!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

A New Column for Mark's Finest Paper!

YAY!!  I have been asked to write a new column each week for MFP Speedy TV!  When choosing a theme to write about, I asked if I could just simply choose purple, and they said yes!!  I totally love the color purple and am attracted to it in almost any circumstance!  In case you haven't noticed (or if you're new here!)  I use purple in almost all my projects...even when I try not to!

So...HERE is where you can find my new column each and every Wednesday.  You can expect cards, projects and layouts using Mark's Finest Papers stamps, and you can always expect to find some purple inspiration!

For my inaugural project I decided to make a card using the MFP Be A Showoff stamp set.  I LOVE the peacocks in the set, and the sentiments are useful and all-purpose too!  I just used a variety of them right down the side of the card!

To get the sparkle on the peacock, I used Elizabeth Crafts Glitter Ritz and then colored it with Bic Mark Its.  The glitter goes on white (although you can get it in many different colors) and accepts the color from alcohol markers.  Since peacock feathers always seem to have a gorgeous sheen to them, I thought the glitter would be perfect!  I have a Glitter Ritz tutorial on how to use this awesome stuff, if you're interested in learning more.

There are lots of talented ladies over on the MFP ning site that are starting columns this week on all sorts of cool and interesting subjects.

On Mondays, be sure to check out...

and

On Tuesdays, we have...

Wednesdays are my column...

Thursdays continue a long-running series...

On Fridays, we'll have...

Saturdays will be all about being inspired...

And the week will wrap up on Sundays with...

I'm so excited to see all the work and info these talented women will be providing each week.  please, come and join us!!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

Super Hot Used Cricut Deal!

Please click HERE for my giveaway!

If any of you are in the market for a Cricut and cartridges, Becky from Buzzy Bee Designs is selling off all her Cricut stuff.  She has an Expression (that hasn't been updated, so it will still work with the old SCAL or MTC software if you happen to have it!) 36 cartridges, and tons of accessories priced at $300 plus shipping.    I know some of her cartridges are still new in the box and some of them are Cricut Circle cartridges!

You can take a peek HERE if you're interested!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

Mark's Finest Paper Scrapbook Challenge

Please click HERE for my blogaversary giveaway!

Happy Thursday!  Welcome to the Mark's Finest Paper Scrapbook Challenge #14.  This week, we're doing a 1-2-3 challenge.  That means everything on your layout needs to be in increments of 1, 2, or 3.  Don't worry...you can mix or match.  For instance, on the page that's on the right side of my double layout, I used 1 picture, 3 borders, 3 embellishments, and 1 frame.  On the opposite page, I used 2 borders, 3 concert tickets, 1 embellishment, and 3 photos.

Here's the lovely stamp that's up for grabs this month!

So...a little more about my layout.  Last September we went to see a Dave Matthews Band concert at a GORGEOUS place in Central Washington called the Gorge.  Since Dave Matthews lives in the Seattle area, he always saves his best concerts for last every year, and performs on Labor Day weekend for three days in a row at the Gorge.  It's affectionately known as Labor DAVE weekend!

On my layout, I wanted to feature some photos from the day we were there, plus our concert tickets and parking pass. The pics are of my sweet hubby and daughter, and daughter's boyfriend   He and his mom are DMB FANATICS!  They go to all three shows every year, and stay and camp out for the long weekend!

I used a few different cuts from my Silhouette files for the notebook edge borders, the "tickets" and the music notes frame.  I used Quick Quotes papers and a few of their die cuts (the Miss Morgan collection) and solid color cardstock from my collection.

I used MFP stamps from the All Postal stamp set (the "wish you were here" sentiment) and the Be a Showoff stamp set (the "shake your tail feathers" sentiment and the feather image.)

I decided to start with plain cardstock for the base of my pages and then took the peacock feather stamp and ink in a coordinating color, and stamped the page over and over to create a patterned paper background.  I really like the way it turned out, and I'm sure I'll be doing this a lot more in the future!

Don't forget to come link your scrapbook pages up with us for a chance to win that gorgeous flower image stamp.  You must use a stamp somewhere on your layout to qualify, but it doesn't have to be an MFP stamp (although if you choose to use them, you'll get double entries towards the prize!)  You have until next Wednesday at 8 pm EST to link up.  See you there!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

Pretty Blue Card And A Giveaway Reminder!

Please click HERE for my Blogaversary Giveaway!

Happy Wednesday evening to you!!  I'm so far behind on my Christmas Card Catch-Up, and since this is Wednesday, I should be posting one, but oops!  You get a regular card instead!

The card shown above is a birthday card I made for a sweet friend a few weeks ago.  I had lots of fun playing with Tim Holtz Distress Inks and some awesome stamps from Crafter's Companion.  I love the way the different shades of blue blend together and give an impression of a full moon.

Have a wonderful night, and I'll see you in the morning with a scrapbook layout of a Dave Matthews Band concert we went to last year.  LOVE DMB!

Don't forget to enter my blogaversary giveaway! And if you already have, don't forget there are several ways you can continue to earn extra entries DAILY!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Happy Monday!!  And I'm happy to say it's also my 2nd Blogaversary so it's time to celebrate!!  On this day, two years ago, I wrote my first blog post.  And just like a lot of you have mentioned before, I didn't know who I was writing it to or who would ever read it.  I'm just glad you're here and reading now!  Actually, part of the reason I started on this date, is because, two years ago, National Scrapbooking Day was on May 6th and I wanted to enter some challenges!  So it was a good day to start!

So in honor of two years of having fun and making friends and being crafty, I wanted to do a giveaway.  Here's what's up for grabs to ONE lucky winner:

A 7-piece Spellbinders Shapeabilities Die set
A hard to find Cricut Pack Your Bags cartridge
A Cricut Wild Card cartridge

Please use the rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Some of the entry options are set up that you can come back and earn more entries every day, so be sure to stop back by often!  I'll leave the giveaway open for two full weeks so you'll have lots of time to earn lots of chances!  NOTE:  due to the post office charging and arm, a leg, and your firstborn to mail a package overseas, the giveaway will be limited to the US and Canada only.  I hope my overseas crafty friends will forgive me.

Thank you so much for hanging out with me and inspiring me for the past two years.  Here's to many more!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

What A Cute Tote!

Please click HERE to enter my 2nd Blogaversary Giveaway!

I was just checking out the new deals today on Blitsy and came across this cute tote!!  I've never seen this on sale there before!  I've been looking for a tote I can take to crops that will not only hold tons of stuff, but also one that spins, so I have easy access to my supplies on the go!  It's a Cropper Hopper brand and it was just $24.95!

They also have TONS of other good deals going this week on spray mists, embossing powders, dies, adhesives, books, stamps and so much more!

If you don't already have a free Blitsy account, you can go HERE to sign up for one!  Happy shopping!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

Mark's Finest Paper Scrapbook Challenge #13

Happy Thursday morning to you!  Welcome to scrapbook challenge # 13 from Mark's Finest Paper.  This week, our challenge is to use spring colors.

Remember, each week, with the challenge, you just need to follow the theme and make a scrapbook page.  You must use a stamp somewhere on the page.  It doesn't have to be a Mark's Finest Papers stamp, but if it is, you'll get double entries towards a drawing for a fabulous MFP stamp set!  Since this is a new challenge, the entries have been low, so you have an excellent chance of winning!

For my layout, I decided to go for polka dots!  I started with solid blue cardstock, and just randomly threw different colored circles on the page and then glued them down!  Then I cut an ice cream cone with my Silhouette, from their store.  The file is called "twist ice cream cone."  I purposely made it large so that I can use it for my journaling area.

I finished off the layout with a cute little stamp from MFP's newest set called Birds and Trees.  The sentiment is from an older MFP set that is no longer being sold.

Don't forget to join us this week.  You have until next Wednesday May 8th at 5 pm PST to link up.  See ya there!!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

AWESOME Silhouette Sale!

Woohoo!!  For those of you who are Silhouette owners, there's an incredible sale going on right now through May 2nd in the Silhouette store!  All of their designs are 50% off, which make the majority of them only 50 cents each!  The only other time of the year I've known them to do this, is around Black Friday in November, so now is a great time to stock up, or use all your Silhouette subscription credit if you have any!

I also noticed today, that they're giving a free file away EACH DAY this week!  Yay!

Happy shopping and

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

Mark's Finest Paper Scrapbook Challenge

Wow...I haven't posted in a week *gasp*  I promise vacation is almost over and I will be back to posting and answering emails and visiting in the next day or two.

Okay, on to the reason we're here.  It's time for another Mark's Finest Papers Scrapbook Challenge!  This week, the challenge is to use flowers somewhere on your layout.

I decided to do a double page layout of the day my daughter graduated from her department with her B.A. in Women Studies from the University of Washington.  Was I a proud Mommy?  Oh yeah!!  She was only 20 years old, which made it even more special for us!

I used some old MAMBI papers from my stash along with some solid cardstock for matting the photos and stamped imaged and sentiments.

The papers were part of a kit that also included some chipboard flourishes, so I so I chose one to cover with coordinating cardstock and then trimmed it with an Exacto knife.  NOT as easy as I envisioned!  After a lot of eye-rolling, cussing, and sanding, I finally got it where I was happy with it.  I'm not gonna lie though...NOT one of my favorite techniques to do!!

I used four different sentiments and an image from the Be A Showoff set from mark's Finest Papers.  This set has some beautiful peacock images on it like the one I used in last week's project.

Please consider linking up with us this week at the Mark's Finest Paper ning site.  Make a scrapbook page using flowers and stamps anywhere on the layout.  You can use any stamps you want, but if you use MFP stamps, you get double entries for the prize!  You have until next Wednesday, May 1st at 5 pm (PST) to join in.  See you there!!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

It's Another Scrapbook Challenge!

Happy Thursday  Wow, where did the week go?  Sorry for the crickets around the blog this week.  We've had some company in from out-of-state, and sometimes you just have to set your routine aside and party and play a little instead!

So now that we're at Thursday already, it's time for another Scrapbook Challenge at Mark's Finest Papers!!

This week's challenge is a recipe challenge. Here's the recipe...

Main Ingredients – use all 3

Stamps

Cardstock

Patterned Paper

Optional Add ins – Use at least 2

Photos

Ribbon

Brads

Buttons

Gems

Stickers

Stickles

Directions: Create a layout using your selected ingredients. Add a title and/or journaling.

Here's my offering this week and here's my recipe:

Stamps - MFP Be A Showoff stamp set

Cardstock - from my stash

Patterned Paper - Kay & Co

Optional Add ins: 

Photos - my babies!

Ribbon - from my stash

Gems - from my stash

Stickles - silver

My kid's big sister is here visiting from Texas this week, and although she's not a papercrafter, she came into the craftroom with me while I was working on this project and we had a blast together.  Her crafting theory: everything is WAY better with more bling!  So she played around with Stickles, outlining the flower on the page with it, and then had to bling up the centers of the other flowers too!  Now I have a sparkly page!

I also went off-recipe a little to add some additional glitz by using Elizabeth Craft's Glitter Ritz glitter on some coordinating cardstock and then stamping the cute little peacock on it with Memento ink.  I love the Glitter Ritz glitter because it actually accepts different kinds of inks and markers, so you can make some spectacular stuff!  You can see some other examples of it here, here and here, 

Please join is this week at the Mark's Finest Papers ning site for the challenge!  The challenge is to make a scrapbook layout and use stamps somewhere in it.  They don''t have to be MFP stamps, but if you use them, you'll get double chances at the prize!

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E

Save Some $$$ on Tax Day!

Happy tax day...for those of you receiving refunds at least!  I just wanted to write out a quick blurb to let you know that Joann's is giving us all a break today with 15 cent flat-rate shipping on any order!  Just use the code TAX105.  This shipping code is good through 11:59 pm EST tonight.  So if you're on the west coast, plan early, because it goes away at 9 pm our time.

Also, though it has nothing to do with papercrafting, here's some links where you can find lots of tax day deals and freebies, today only.  Want free Cinnabon?  How about a smoking deal on pizza tonight?  Check out:

Frugal Living NW
and
Happy Money Saver

Happy Scrapping! ~Amy E