*crickets chirping*

*whack.. whack.. whack.. *

No.. I’m not whacking at you.. I’m whacking at all the crickets that are hanging around in here! Get on outta here you crickets with your big heads and weird skinny legs!

Holy moley.. seriously, Tamara?! You haven’t blogged since October 19th?..  *hands head* Major blogger fail.

If anyone is still around here, I am SO sorry to have neglected my blog. I got a few “Are you alive” comments/emails and I’m here to say.. yes, I AM alive. (Well, as alive I can be without any coffee in me yet)… So I guess that would be more like, I am here.. but I’m totally a zombie. Braaaaaaains.

So, what HAVE I been doing if I haven’t been hanging around my blog entertaining you all?.. Well, let’s just say I have been busy and just ‘mentally’ tied up. I had a rough mid/end of October and early November but I brushed the crafty funk away and have projects in the works and it feels goooood! Life sometimes gets in the way, ya know? It can’t always been crafting, fun times, wearing underware on your head, and coffee.. lol.

Anyhow, I have a few things to share! Just some cute cards I have created for Echo Park.. my paper lover. Most of you might have seen these on EP’s blog.. but I love ‘em, so they need to be on my blog, too!

First up is a 3D ‘tree’ card created with This & That ‘Christmas’ collection. This collection is just SO beautiful! I think this card came out really cute. That woodgrain paper is so lovely!

If you want to give this ‘cone’ tree technique a try, I made up a little (and perfectly pin-able) tutorial!

1). Cut 3-4 circles. My largest circle was about 3 – 3.25″. Make each additional circle slightly smaller than the previous one. Fold circles in half to create a ‘guide’ line.

2). Open up circle and using the guidelines you folded, add a very thin line of glue. Adhere together on opposite ends along the folded line.

3). Pinch and fold into a cone shape (photo does not show my circle adhered, so you could do it without step #2, but it does help it fold nicer and more evenly)

4). Repeat with all your circles and then adhere/layer them into each other like shown. Then adhere to your card, layout, etc.! Super easy and a great way to add dimension!

If you give this a go, I’d love for you to share it on my FACEBOOK WALL! I always love to see your projects inspired by my work.

Now here’s a very sweet little shaker card using Echo Park’s mini theme, ‘Happy Holidays’ I LOVE the colors and stickers in this theme and wish it was a full collection. I can’t get enough! I created this card by creating a scalloped oval die cut window with a sheet of acetate and glitter behind it. Creates a fun wintery scene with the tree stickers. I added a cluster of embellishments with buttons, stickers, and twine! My favorite! I love to jumble things together and didn’t realize I did that until Mary (From SVG Cuts) pointed it out.. then I was like, oh yeah! I am a total cluster-er. lol!

I just love those little candy stickers! I topped them with a round Epiphany Crafts epoxy sticker.

Since I am on the topic of Echo Park, did you SEE the new collection? Are you feeling the ‘love’?… I know I am! Can’t wait to get my hands on this pretty collection. This collection will also have embellishments! Such a treat! Click HERE to view the full collection!

And let’s not forget PHOTO FREEDOM! I just got done with my assignment using the ‘Dear Santa’ kit. I gotta admit, I was a little ‘worried’ because this is something I’ve never done before. Did I mention layouts and the like scare me? lol. Buuuut, I DID it! I even enjoyed it! I can see how this kind of ‘scrapbooking’ is becoming so popular now. It’s EASY! Slide some pre-made images in the sleeves, add in some photos and a bit of embellishing and ta-da! Awesomeness! If you follow me on my INSTAGRAM you might have seen a few peeks of my work.  I can’t wait to share them with you all! There’s a NEW free idea book out to show you ways to use the Photo Freedom kits! Check it out!

Alrighty, peeps! Time to head off of here! Thanks so much for stopping by and I am happy to be ‘back in action’.

Now.. time for that coffee.. at.. oh.. 3:30pm. GAH!