Birthday Banner -- Celebrations, Mickey Font -- And BIG NEWS!! :)

Woot-woot!!  There's a BRAND NEW Challenge Blog on the block and GUESS WHAT?!?!?!  I was recently selected for their Design Team!!  I couldn't be more thrilled than to join the ranks of some very talented folks!!  And ooooooohhhhhh, it was soooooo hard to keep it a secret until right now!!  So let's get to it...

If you haven't visited Celebrate The Occasion yet, what are ya waitin' for???  A personal invitation?  Okie-doke, then, here it is!!  I am personally inviting you to CLICK HERE and check it out!!  And while you're there, why don't you maybe think about adding a project of your own?  This week, to CELEBRATE and welcome the new Design Team members, CTO is having a 'Birthday -- Anything Goes' Challenge!!  So create a card, layout, or project to celebrate a Birthday...

This is my submission for the Design Team Call...  My two-page 12x12 layout is quick, easy, and FUN to create!!  I used the Cricut Celebrations Cartridge (how perfect is that?) for the banner and the Cricut Mickey Font Cartridge for the banner title (yep, those letters are shadowed)...  To create the flowers, I used my Creative Memories Scallop Circle Maker punch and a 3/4" circle punch...  A few quick scissor snips turns the scallop into petals...  My Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Textiles embossing folders add texture to the banner and flowers...  Brown chalking inks for distress...  And, finally, my very favorite paper -- The Nancy O'Dell Paper Pack from Creative Memories -- I just love the soft colors of this set -- Every page is as beautiful as the next!!  Three simple cardstock colors (grape, mediterranean, and sea glass) add just the right touch...

As always, there is plenty of inspiration behind this layout...  TODAY is The-Girl-Child's Birthday!!  Funny how we were JUST talking about how we got a BLIZZARD on the eve of her birth...  And, once again, we are in the middle of another Winter Storm!!  I am VERY glad I don't have to leave to get to the hospital though...  I had kept this layout hidden from her, as my plan was to add some pictures from her Birthday Dinner (Will we have to take snowmobiles to get to downtown Pittsburgh for dinner??  Find out here later!!)...  BUT alas, she is sneaky, and she caught me with it...  {sigh}  I am comforted by the fact that she saw and it and said, "Oh...  Pretty!  Is that for me???"  LOL...  She's a pickle.  :)  Anyway, Happy Birthday, Princess!!  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by to see my layout up-close...  Please be sure to visit all of the other amazing members of the CTO Design Team and show 'em some love!!

If you simply LOVE the paper that I've used in this layout, please click on the above links to see more...  If you do not have a Creative Memories Consultant and would like to purchase any of these items, you can order one online and have it direct shipped (anywhere in the U.S.) by clicking and shopping HERE...  This includes the NEW exclusive Cricut Cartridge Stork's Delivery (read more about it HERE), scheduled to be released on March 1st!!  If you are interested in seeing the Creative Memories Cricut Cartridges that are currently available, please click HERE...

Remember to leave me a comment with your blog address so I can come and visit you too!!  Oh yeah...  One more thing!!  Be sure to stop back on FRIDAY when I announce my GREAT GIVEAWAY for followers!!  It's a surprise, and it sure is GOOD!!  :)  Until next time...