Welcome CC&M Blog Hoppers!

Boy it has been a while since I participated in a blog hop, so I was thrilled when Creative Cuts and More asked me to be a part of their Baby & Bridal hop this month. So many fabulous ideas all in one day, plus a chance at a  terrific PRIZE ( A two tiered cake in sooth or textured cardstock) & HELLO a coupon code for 20% everything in the store!! (code is: babybridalhop20 )

  If you happened to stop here first today, please head on over to the Die Cut Diva blog  so you can start the hop from the beginning! If you are hopping right along and came over from Melisa's gorgeous blog and creations then you are on the right track. 

 I have designed wedding favors using Creative Cuts and More's wonderful dies in the past. I must say that I am partial to their baby collection though. The baby shoes are my absolute favorite die...so far! 

Since I am now in the party business I decided to create some fun decorations and favors with a twin baby shower in mind. The "Sweet Pea" theme works well, because it can be gender neutral, all boy or all girl. 

Creative Cuts and More has a fabulous Penant die for creating fun personalized buntings. 

This is Creative Cuts and More's A2 Gate Fold Cresent card with band, & Baby Shoe

 

 Here is CC&M's small Take Out box decorated with a mini tissue pom pom

The vellum lamp shade die fits right on top of a wine glass to make a votive lamp. These lamps make a wonderful hostess gift or prize for shower games. 

We recommend using a battery operated votive candle. You can never be too safe.

A2 Gate Fold Cresent card used for an invitaion

 Here again is the Vellum Lamp Shade, Baby Shoes & a Oval A2 window frame with an A2 card

Great for making thank you notes. 

I hope you found some inspiration while visiting my blog. Please keep on hopping you are almost finished with only 3 more stops. Next up is Becky's great designs.  Don't forget to leave your comments for a chance at that yummy prize!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Pam

Die Cut Diva 

Noelle Reese 

Lisa Somerville 

Darsie Bruno 

Holly Brown 

Kayla Dupont 

Melisa Waldorf 

Pamela Smerker  <--------YOU ARE HERE

http://paperaskew.blogspot.com/

Becky Voth 

Steph Zerbe  

Chris Dickinson 

*If for some reason one of the links is broken along the Hop do not worry, HOP back over to Die Cut Diva com/> where the complete list will be. 

Ingredients: The shoes, cards, and bunting came in either White or Apple Crush smooth cardstock. "Sweet Pea" stamp is from unknown. "Thanks So Much" stamp is from SU. Shoes were dry embossed with a Cuddlebug folder.

Yes, I have been MIA...I blame this...

So this is what I have been up to for the past couple of weeks and I loved every single minute of it...tee hee! For more details check out my post HERE.



Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Pam

A great giveaway for my local friends

Here is a wonderful giveaway for my Denver area friends...
Bonnie, of Sadie Days Photography is offering a FREE photo session to one lucky person!

Here's what you'll get:

1-2 hour Photo Session

CD with all final edited images from session

Full personal rights to all images on CD

Online gallery for three weeks

The giveaway is available for sessions in Denver, CO and the surrounding areas.  Specific location and date for session will be decided upon booking with giveaway winner.  The giveaway is valued at $320.

Here is some of Bonnie's work...gorgeous! I am such a photo freak!!

 I SO want to win this myself...here's how you can get your chance...

Just hop on over to Bonnie's blog, http://www.sadiedaysphotographyblog.com/, and you'll have four ways to enter.  Wanna be quick about it?  Simply leave a comment on her giveaway post.  Want more chances? You can also"like" her facebook page, post the giveaway on your blog, and post a link to the giveaway on your facebook page.  Remember to leave a comment for each entry on her giveaway post!

The giveaway ends this Sunday, June 13th at midnight.

Duff you have done it again!

Sorry for my lack of posting here...gosh its been a crazy busy week.
So I am going through my emails this morning and come across the Michaels coupon/ad. So I am looking through it and HELLO...Duff Goldman has his own line of cake supplies....I KNOW! Even though I only make cakes or cupcakes (shhh, don't tell Duff) for birthdays, I thought to myself...what could I use on my paper cakes??? Check these wires out...I WANT!!! I have attempted to curl my own wire to use on cakes and obviously since I have no cakes with such wires you can tell how well I succeeded! So once again, Duff has inspired me and I have a bunch of fun and funky Paper Cake ideas floating around in my head!!

Since we are talking about cakes, here is the latest that is leaving today to its new home. Bye bye little Alice and speaking of bye bye...I gotta fly! Thanks for stopping by and reading my blah blah blah!

Hugs,
Pam

Busy Busy Me...

When it rains it pours...same thing goes for orders. I am either working on a couple of orders at one time or slammed with 8 orders. Never a happy medium, but I must admit I do love the challenge.
Today I thought I would show you a couple of the projects I am working on. First up is a Lady Bug mini gable box. Second is a Mini Favor Bag...well its technically more like a box only in the shape of a bag. Lots of Summer birthdays and baby showers coming up I guess.
Alrighty, gotta fly...duty calls! Thanks for stopping by.

The Party Is Over....I'm tired!

Saturday was the big day, I had an open house/ ladies night for my friends and family to show off some Party Starters' displays and really to just have some fun! Here is a photo from my "Hazardous Teen Birthday" display, which you can read more about HERE. This display was a hit and everyone was so sweet with all of their comments about it. I can't wait to create more items to go along with this set for Tyler's party, which is in a month.
Sorry this post is short,  I have to run and oh how I wish it was to bed...but duty calls and I have orders to fill. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Hugs,
Pam

What I did and what I should have been doing...

Well I did work on some orders yesterday, then I got side tracked.... I can't help it, when an idea pops into my head sometimes I just have to run with it. This is where my mind ran off to....a slimy green toxic sludge shaped invitation.
I posted earlier that my son Tyler wanted to have a toxic waste themed party this year.  I am so excited that I was able to create the shape of the invite in Illustrator, a program that is completely new to me. The size of this invite is  5"x7", so it will fit perfect into an A7 envelope. OH and I did get the 13 year old stamp of approval, so that means these puppies will be going out in the mail in a few weeks! Now to make the rest of the decorations to match!
I am thinking these invites would be great for a "Mad Scientist" themed party as well. Do you think if it was cut out of blue cardstock it would look like water dripping??? What else could this shaped invite work for??? Hmmmm....Chocolate??? I know I know...always with the chocolate. LOL

Thanks for stopping in.
Hugs,
Pam

Keep Calm

OK, I will admit it... I am beginning to panic a wee bit. I am hosting a ladies night this weekend and I am NO WHERE NEAR READY!!! I had big plans of getting a whole lotta stuff done this week and of course good ol' Murphy showed up. I got 5 orders today, which all have a rush on them. GO figure! I mean I don't want to complain, because I DO love my work and of course I love all of the orders...its just the timing. Well, I shall carry on and keep my fingers crossed that my bionic powers kick into full gear. Who needs sleep right?! Carry On!

BTW I totally want this poster! There is a space on a wall in my studio just waiting for it. 

Hugs,
Pam

A thank you to Teachers

It feels a bit strange to walk through the halls of my son's middle school. Why, well because it was my Junior High when I was his age. I walk through the halls and have flash backs of the good times I had with so many friends.  I am happy to say I am still in contact (mostly because of Facebook) with the majority of that group of people. Now we are all in our 30 somethings and every now and then as I am in the school I think,  geesh...I never in a million years would have thought I would be where I am today. Its funny how life and all of its experiences change you. While a lot of me is still the same 7th grade girl I was then, there are parts of me that are still changing and have changed a lot just in the last 5 years. I guess life is funny that way. I am glad I can go to my "son's school" and reminisce and realize how far I have come and how extremely fortunate I am.

Anyway, as many of you have read here in the past year I am the PTO President at my son's school, so I was helping take care of Teacher Appreciation week this year with my good friend, Debbie, who I know from my Stampin UP! days. On Monday Debbie put together a brunch for the staff and during the week we had drawing prizes, which of course was a hit.  To finish the week up Debbie put together a sandwich buffet, while I create a dessert table with goodies that Debbie and I created. There were cupcakes, cookies, oranges and apples. Debbie made these adorable Daisy cups that were filled with M&Ms and each person received a Starbucks card from the PTO. I made a small banner, decorated the large glass jars that held wrapped Hershey bars and the framed sign saying thank you. Everyone who came into the room oooh'd and aaahhh'd and complimented on how bright and cheery everything looked.  Debbie, thanks for all of your help!  I think we should go into business together ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek.
Have a great day!!!
Pam

Happy Mother's Day

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by Beth from Sparks PR & Events about the Woodland Fairy banner I created and had listed in my Etsy store. Beth liked the style of the banner and asked if I would create one for a Mother's Day event she was working on.  I was thrilled to see Beth's final display and what was even more exciting...this display was featured on The Party Dress, one of my favorite inspirational sites this past Wednesday.

For the table scape Beth used  bright yellow branches and attached photos of Mom's and Daughters with ribbons and made an arrangement in a bright pink container. A cute addition to this table, besides the scrumptious cupcakes and Mimosa's are the bottles of fingernail polish with adorable little tags. Brilliant! This whole table theme makes me want to take my Mom and my daughter out for Mother's Day manicures!

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  I hope all you fabulous Mother's out there have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Hugs,
Pam

oh little lilly how i love you

I love Lilly of the Valley, they smell so nice and they are so sweet and dainty. This card is from Martha Stewart and if you check out her link HERE there is a template to create this card. I may just have to try this one out myself as my MIL's birthday is this weekend, actually on Mother's Day. I know she likes Lilly of the Valley, because her front porch is covered in them.

Update on my daughter, she has a sinus infection, poor little thing. She is being a real trouper, unlike her older brothers who just have seasonal allergies and are making more of of a fuss then Aly is. What can I say...typical men in training...ROTFL!

So I hope this flower cut out will inspire you to make something beautiful. If you create something come back and leave me the link I would love to see it.
Now off to play catch up...I have 60 hershey bar wrappers to make today for Teacher Appreciation lunch tomorrow...eeek!

Hugs,
Pam

Happy Cinco De Mayo

While I won't personally be celebrating Cinco De Mayo, many of you might be, so I thought I would share a freebie! TomKat who is an incredibly talented lady down in Arizona created these cute tags as a Cinco De Mayo gift. I adore Kim's design style and her always beautiful photos that she shares daily on her blog. You can check out here post and download these tags for free to use as you please as long as it is for your personal use of course.

I am off to take care of a sick little girl, this cough is getting the best of her.
Hugs,
Pam





*photo from The TomKat Studio

Thank You Citrus Style

So I have a sick kiddo, well a couple...OK all three are sick. Nothing major, just really nasty coughs and all the fun that goes with that.  That being said, here is a quick post for a card that I made yesterday while playing with Illustrator. This is a great card for anyone, especially Teachers right now as it is Teacher Appreciation Week.
I am determined to master this program whether it takes me a month or ten years. I WANT to learn it and hello...those words don't come easily out of my mouth. If I can make cool new projects using this tool then so be it, I will!

Check out my post over at Party Starters today to see what else I created with Illustrator. One word...Freebie!

Hugs,
Pam

Pretty Packaging

I was blogging about packaging over at Party Starters today and decided to show off a package that I decorated geesh a year ago already. I looked through my blog posts here and didn't see that I had shared this photo, so here it is, my pretty baby shower package.

Typically when we are off to a party I am in a hurry and find myself shoving whatever the gift is into a gift bag and hoping that the three pieces of tissue I have left on hand are enough to cover what is trying to peak out of the bag. If I had all the time in the world to decorate all of the presents that I give out I would. I mean how much fun is it to get a gift that the recipient almost hates to tear into, because it is so pretty.

This package was one that I made sure I had time to wrap up all kinds of pretty. This was a baby shower gift for a good friend and one that appreciates handmade gifts.  I went with a red and cream color scheme, because when go to a baby shower and you know the baby is a girl, EVERYTHING is pink...right?! I wanted my friends gift to be crisp and elegant looking and I think I pulled it off. Everyone one at the party adored the little baby shoe and matching card that I created.

Now you have seen these sweet Mary Jane baby shoes here on Paper Askew in the past and the majority of those were  ones (which I call the regular size) that I get from Creative Cuts and More.  Party Starters has a similar Mary Jane version, but its about 1/3 the size of the regular, which I call the Mini MJ and are available in the Strawberry & Chocolate Party Pack.  These shoes make great baby shower favors, keepsakes, or decorations.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!
Hugs,
Pam

Way 2 Go Monkey

The reason I bought these two stamp sets, "Fox & Friends" & "Picture This", because of the Monkey and the sentiment Way 2 Go. I think this monkey is adorable and the number "2" in the sentiment is in my favorite font, "Rosewood".

First I adhered the pattern paper to my 2 1/2" square of paper. Next I stamped both the sentiment and the monkey.  I then stamped the monkey again on another piece of white paper as well as pink paper. I cut out the tummy and face from the "pink monkey", paper piecing them to the second monkey that I stamped on white. Once those pieces were dry I cut out the monkey from the white cardstock leaving the tail out. So you are actually stamping the monkey a total of 3 times. Once on the card front, once on a sheet of white paper and again on pink paper. (I guess you could just leave out the second white piece, but I thought the extra pink step gave more depth) Using a foam dot I places the cut out body of the monkey to the card front overlapped where I had stamped, so that he has some dimension. Since I left the tail out you can still see it "behind" on the card front. Last, I added some twine and put all the pieces onto the pink 3 x 3 card. Voila!

These are fun to put in kids lunch boxes. Small note cards are also a great idea in a set as a gift. Teacher appreciation is next week, why not make some little notes for your favorite Teacher or Principal.

Hope you all have a wonderful day AND weekend!

Hugs,
Pam

I feel the need, the need for stamping!

I have the itch to stamp and have pulled out some stamp sets that haven't gotten dirty yet, I know...for shame! Hopefully sometime today or tomorrow...most likely Friday...I will get these babies inked up! What kinds of notes do you need? Thank you's, birthday cards, invitations??? Leav a comment and let me know,  I just might pull from some of your ideas.

Thanks for stopping in!
Hugs,
Pam

A Frost Me Give Away!

I am very honored to be a part of one of Frost Me's great giveaways. Want a chance to win my latest cake, the "Woodland Fairy" themed creation or a custom design gift certificate? Well hop on over to Kim's blog, Frost Me and see how you can win!!

This "Woodland Fairy" Paper Cake Favor set goes well with the "Woodland Fairy" Banner & Door Sign. Do you think I should create cupcake picks & candy bar wrappers to match?

 Have yourself a wonderful day!
~Pam

Happy Earth Day 2010! {Upcycled Felted Wool Spotlight}

While volunteering at school I had the great pleasure of meeting a very talented woman who also has an Etsy store. Hello...instant connection! I of course "hearted" her store as soon as I found it and adore everything she has listed in it.

Right now I am absolutely in love with this "Upcycled Cream Felted Wool Rose Pin" that she has made. These would make fabulous party favors, bouteniers for a wedding, or simply a sweet gift for someone special.

Woodland Fairy Sneak Peak

Yesterday I was able to finish up a couple of images for my daughter, Aly's "Woodland Fairy" party.  I  created this Fairy silhouette which I will be using along with butterflies and maybe some other little creatures as well as this mushroom. Still trying to decide on a color scheme, but as of now Aly wants Purple for sure, so maybe purples and greens with splashes of color from the mushrooms and butterflies. We have a whole 3 months to plan, so it will be fun to come back and read how it started and where we finally ended up at.

Of course while I am playing with these images I will be making things with them to go into the Party Starters Shop. I will give you the heads up when they make their debut!

Thanks so stopping.
Hugs,
Pam

A Toxic Waste Birthday Theme

 At the end of June we celebrate our son, Tyler's half birthday. Ty's birthday is actually December 28th, so celebrating with my husbands side of the family and friends in June helps to spread things out a bit. It really isn't easy to invite friends to a birthday party just 3 days after Christmas.
So this year we will be celebrating 13 years with a Biohazard/ Toxic Waste themed party. Why...I have no clue why Ty chose this theme, but I will run with it. I am always up for a challenge and I am sure this party will be just that!
 I will make a bunch of caution signs and use the toxic waste symbols on the banner, invitations, and cake. Tyler found this candy, that will be fun favors. Maybe we can find some of that caution tape to put around the house instead of streamers.  I want to find a way to put some green slime around the house as well, most likely cut out of butcher paper.
As I start creating things I will share some photos with all of you. If you have any fun ideas or see any cool photos please, do share!

Tomorrow I will be sharing some ideas on our daughter Aly's birthday theme. Her birthday is January 6th, so she also celebrates a half birthday. We push hers out until the middle of July, but Aly and I are already having way too much fun planning her party. Aly has chosen a Woodland Fairy theme and I have already started creating some fun cut outs for it! Can't wait to show you a sneak peak!!

Hugs,
Pam

My favorite new font..."Rosewood"

I created this cake slice favor for our  Party Starters "Inspiration Friday" contest this week. I have been dying to create something with my new favorite font called Rosewood. Not sure why this font is so attractive to me, but I know it will be perfect for the circus theme that is stuck in my head. I also have a new favorite girls color scheme...Pink and Orange! This favor slice would work to number tables for a big event where there is assigned seating or in this case it is my daughter's age. Cute little favor for birthday parties.

Speaking of themes, I am trying to create a list of girl themes that aren't commercial. No Barbie or Disney Princesses....something different, original! Any suggestions would be fantastic! Boys seem to be a little easier for some reason and I have a long list of themes for them.

Anyway, hop on over to Party Starters and enter our "Inspiration Friday" contest and check out the other photo I have up of this cake slice as a place card holder.

Have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Pam

My take on "Alice In Wonderland"

A couple of months ago I had a request for a  new "Alice In Wonderland" themed Party Starters cake.  I had the vision in my head and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. After a couple of style changes to the name in the tea cup I got it! Since I received that request I have sold an additional 6 cakes in this Alice theme. It is so rewarding to have one of my creations become so popular. One of my customers asked for me to create a cake topper pick to match, so that she could stick it in their edible cake. This cake pick is double sided, one side with the name and the other side with the age. A wonderful way to tie everything together!

Unfortunately the tea cups that I used on this style of cake have been discontinued. So I am currently on the hunt for another maybe more whimsical style of tea cup. As soon as I have a version 2 I will make sure to share it with all of you.

Thanks so much for stopping in today!
Hugs,
Pam

Things I want to try...

Well I had big plans of sharing some things I have been working on yesterday,  but my printer ran out of ink AGAIN (time for a new printer) so my orders have been put on hold until I can get to the store today.  So, I thought I would share my to do list...some things that I would love to try.

I have been drooling over this chocolate cake recipe since Martha introduced it back in 2006....some day I will make it! I love moist dense chocolate cakes with thick fudgy frosting...*sigh* I think I'm in love!

Second, this cute idea to make candy necklace garland. This idea was sent to me by my friend, Chantelle (she is my official hunter and gatherer of all things fabulous). I can just see my kids eating away at the decorations like a flock of crows! So colorful and I am sure, very tasty! I bet you could string colored cereal as well and have the same look and probably less expensive.


 Third, I want to get some really cool Apothocary jars so that I can make a dessert table that is inspired by Amy Atlas. OH how I love Amy's work.  Wouldn't you love to be at a party where there was a set up like this! Almost too pretty to touch. 








 Well I guess there is something I can share with you all. Our candy bar envelopes/wrappers. Oh how I love these favors! This is my latest design to go along with my lady bug themed cake. Hershey bars make a wonderful party favor or thank you for any age. Whether its for a shower or a kids birthday. Inexpensive and a great personal touch to your event.

 Well hopefully today there won't be anymore glitches and I will be able to finish up my orders that I need to get out. Two Alice cakes and 120 wedding favors!  In case I haven't mentioned it before... I LOVE my job!

Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Pam

Holy Strawberries Batman!

Well I couldn't take it anymore...I had to make the cheesecake filled strawberries last night, that I posted about last week. OH MY GOSH...they are SO good!! I am pretty sure that between the 5 of us, we ate 2 lbs of them. I used Martha's recipe for the cheesecake filling and with half of the strawberries that were filled I dipped in chocolate. Now I am a huge chocoholic, but in this case I actually preferred the strawberries without. Crazy I know!! With strawberry season ahead of us, I know I will be making these a lot more often. These are perfect for a light dessert for the family OR a fabulous addition to a dessert buffet for a bunch of friends. Go ahead and make some...I dare ya!


Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Pam

Anchor Hocking Feature!

Check it out! Two of the party packages that I created for Party Starters have been featured on the Anchor Hocking blog. 

I was thrilled to get an email from them asking if they could feature my pictures and tell a little about our company! Why did they feature us...well its because I used their glass canisters and cake plates.  I have been dying to get their Apothocary jars, but they don't carry them at the Target I shop at. Those would be fabulous filled with candy for my party favor displays.

Anyhow, just wanted to share that bit of exciting news. Thanks for stopping in, have a great weekend!

Hugs,
Pam

Strawberry Goodness!

OH I had to share these here too. I can't wait to try them. Cheesecake Stuffed Chocoalte Strawberries....YUMMERS!
The recipe for these can be found at Family Corner. I have also shared Martha Stewart's version of this idea on our Party Starters blog today.

Another fun idea speaking of strawberries is this free "Kiss Box" template from Belle's Printables I knew it could work as a strawberry. So I printed out the template on a piece of red cardstock. Cut out the shape, scored the black lines & embossed with a polka dot embossing folder. I then folded the box fold which side I wanted to be the top and punched a 1/4" hole in the center. Next I strung a piece of green curling ribbon through the hole as well as through a green paper flower. I tied the ribbon into a knot to secure it to the top of the box and curled the ribbon. Last, I put a Hershey kiss into the box added adhesive and put the box together. Now its a Strawberry covered chocolate! Super easy to make and oh so cute for favors!

Have a great day!!!
Hugs,
Pam