365 Cards - Day 59

The title of the challenge over at 365 Cards today is "A Certain Sentiment." The goal is to make a card with the sentiment "I Miss You" or something similar. Here is my take:

I have been using a lot of frames lately, but I like how they kind of set the card up like a picture. I used Design Studio to weld the sentiment to this frame - the letters are from Opposites Attract. I made the wishing well out of various cuts from the George cartridge and Design Studio.
Here are a couple of close up pictures:

Of course, I had to add some gems to the frame because... well - because I love bling! This was a fun one for me, and I am really pleased with how this card turned out.

365 Cards - Day 58

The challenge today at 365 Cards is "Something's Fishy" - use at least one image of a fish on your card.

I was really excited about this one because I got to use the Life's a Beach Cricut cartridge, and I absolutely LOVE that cartridge!

Here is my submission:

I had some trouble with the outer frame - originally I made it out of a lighter blue which I really liked. However, my daughter and I tried to add some stickles to it, and it warped. So, we gently took that frame off of the card, and cut another one - unfortunately I didn't have any more of the lighter blue paper. I still may take this darker frame off and cut one from chipboard, but I just don't have any more time tonight for that.

Here is a closer picture of the raised fish and the inside of the card:

All of the fish and seaweed came from Lifes a Beach. The "Schools Out" sign is from Locker Talk.

Kelsie is going to give this card to her teacher to thank her for a great school year.

365 Cards - Day 57

It's Super Sketchy Sunday over at 365 Cards. This is the sketch for today:

I have wasted loads of time today, and I have made three birthday cards with this sketch. Ok - the first two were made from the same scraps to use those up. And while I was looking for something, I happened across another scrap of paper that I decided to use on the third one.

For the first 2 cards, I used the same Happy Birthday stamp as last week. Kristie asked what brand that stamp was... Actually I got that at a local craft store in the $1 bin - the brand is Anita's.

For the 3rd card, I used stamps from Clear Dollar Stamps.

Here they are:

Though it is still early, I really need to stop making cards and get some other things done around here! Thanks for looking!

Cuttlebug Challenges - Be Inspired #28

This week, the Be Inspired challenge over at Cuttlebug Challenges is being sponsored by Marks Paper Company, and the challenge is to create a "Home Sweet Home" project.

Earlier this week, I had made a birthday card that I really liked. So I decided to make a picture with the same layout as I used for the card. This frame is 8x10.



The tree and the leaves, which came from the Cricut Stretch Your Imagination cartridge are embossed with the Cuttlebug Dots folder. The raised frame and the words are from Home Accents, and the grass is from Plantin Schoolbook.





This is a side picture to show the dimension.



I cut 2 trees. I adhered the first one directly to the green cardstock. I used the Cuttlebug Dots folder on the second tree as well as on the colored leaves. Then I adhered this tree to the first tree using foam stickers

I wanted the wavy frame to be slightly higher than the tree, so I doubled up the foam stickers on the frame.

These last 2 pictures show closeups of the top and bottom of the picture.

I added a few gems to the tree and the frame for some bling. I am so happy with how this turned out. We are going to hang it up at our summer cottage.

Makes My Heart Smile Award

I received this award from Fi at My Craft Spot and BettyBee at BettyBees Buzz.

Thank you Fi and BettyBee!

The rules for the award:
The winner may put the logo onto their blog.
Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
Nominate 10 blogs.
Put links to their blogs.
Leave a message for the nominees.

I have a lot of blogs that I visit, where I have never commented to the blog owner - I just kind of lurk. So this award is going to come as a surprise to some of the recipients. Also, I know that some of these folks have gotten these awards from others, but I just wanted to let you know how much I like your blogs and your beautiful creations!

Maz - Nature's Workshop
Linda - Just a Scrappin
Nancy - Simply Sweet Sentiments by Nancy
Donna - Popsicle Toes
Tammy - Tammy's Place
Susan - Busy with my Cricky
Jeannie -A Place for my Cards
Shelly - Cards By Shelly

Thanks Ladies for all of the inspiration you have given me!

CaardVarks Challenge - Trees a Crowd

This week at Caardvarks is the "Trees a Crowd" challenge sponsored by Taylored Expressions. The challenge is to create a tree themed card. This is my submission:

I used the Cricut Stretch Your Imagination for the tree and the leaves. The frame is from the Storybook cartridge and the grass is from Plantin Schoolbook. I decided to make this a birthday card because I am still trying to build up a stock of those.

365 Cards - Day 53

Today is Fun with Fruit day at 365 Cards, and so the challenge is to use some kind of fruit on your card. This is my submission:

Ok - so I know this is not very original, but it gave me a chance to use the Cricut Home Accents cartridge as well as Design Studio to weld the apples to make a card. Thanks for Looking!

And the Karma Award goes to...

I was so happy today when I was reading Kristie's blog and she passed me this wonderful Karma Award!

The Karma Award: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I would like to pass this award onto:

1. Shannon
2. Nancy
3. Cassie
4. Susanna
5. Fi
6. Deanna
7. BettyBee
8. Julia

All of these ladies have been so kind and encouraging to me! Thank you all!

365 Cards - Day 52

It is Tuesday's Trio at 365 Cards. The challenge today is to incorporate 3 items into your card: brad, blossom, circle. Here is my take on this challenge:



This was a simple little birthday card, but I really like all of the colors. And I just had to take this opportunity to use that interesting ribbon in the center.

Lemonade Stand Award

I am so excited! Maz over at Natures Workshop passed on the Lemonade Stand Award to me!

Thank You Maz!

The Lemonade Stand Award is for being a blogger who shows great attitude and gratitude.

To pick up the Lemonade Stand Award:

- Comment on this blog.

- Cut and paste the award logo and use it in your own blog.

- Nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude.

- Link to your nominees within your blog post.

- Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.

- Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

I am going to nominate the following very gracious bloggers:

Kristie

Jana

Nancy

Deb

Gloria

I love all of your blogs and each of you have all been so kind and encouraging with your comments - Thank you!

Acrylic Tag Book

Yesterday I worked on a little acrylic tag book for my Mom for Mother's Day. Since I knew I would be using numbers, I also took this opportunity to make another submission for the CuttleBug Challenges Numbers Challenge by Elle's Studios. You can click on the link to head over there and see more details about that.

These little tag books are great - they are the perfect size for wallet size or smaller pictures. Plus, they are quick to make, and they look beautiful! Here is the front cover:

For this first page, I used the Graphically Speaking cartridge for the 24/7, the heart, and "U" box. Incidentally, the Graphically Speaking cartridge is fantastic! It has some really unique images on it!

"Oma", which is what my kids call my Mom, comes from Opposites Attract. I embossed the background using Cuttlebug folder, and I slightly inked the raised areas and the edges of the paper. For the edges of the acrylic, I used a similar technique on all of the pages - I ink the edges with whatever kind of ink I have in the preferred color; then once that base ink was dry, I added clear embossing ink; then dipped the edges in Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE). This creates a really cool effect on the edges. This effect also softens the edges literally! These little acrylic books have sharp edges, and by embossing with the UTEE is takes those sharp edges away while adding a nice color or just shiny effect. This is a closer picture of the embossed edges.


Here are the subsequent pages:

All of these little cuts came from Graphically Speaking - I used Design Studio on the pointed oval "doilie" under the pictures on the left (it started out as a circle doilie).

When I make these little acrylic books, I like to make sure that anything that shows through on both sides of the acrylic is pleasant on both sides. For instance, I typically don't have words that show through on the other side of any acrylic page because it will be backwards on the other side, and I don't care for that. But on the "D&K" page on the right, I put a scalloped border, and I put stickles in the little holes, and all of that will show on the back of the page too.

I also use double sided paper so that it looks nice on both sides of each acrylic sheet. On the family picture on the left, you can see the patterned paper and the scalloped edge showing through from the previous page. I cut the scalloped oval using Nestabilities.

I used the Soccer Solutions cartridge for the soccer cuts. On the right side, the little hearts came from All Mixed Up

I added some ribbon to the binder clip to finish off the project. I really like how this turned out! And I think Oma will love it!

365 Cards - Day 50

It's Super Sketchy Sunday over at 365 cards. I worked all afternoon on a little acrylic tag book which I will post tomorrow, but I had some time this evening. So my son and I made a card for the challenge at 365 Cards. This is the sketch for the challenge today:

We really need some birthday cards, so we decided to use this as an opportunity to make one. Here is our submission:

Daren picked out the base paper - can you tell that brown is his favorite color? We used the Cricut to cut out the large ovals and Nestabilities for the center ovals. I stamped a background on the center oval and stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment. We embossed the tan bands with a Cuttlebug folder. We finished off the card with some amber colored gems.

Please check back tomorrow for the acrylic tag album - it turned out great!

Baby Shower Gift Bag and Card Holder

I have a baby shower this weekend, and was struggling with what to get the parents-to-be. Finally I decided to go with a gift card - Then the new Mommy and Daddy can buy diapers or whatever else they need. But I wanted to spruce this idea up a bit. So I decided to make another gift card holder, and decorate a fancy small gift bag.

Dawn McVey was my inspiration the other day with her April 12 post. She decorated the most beautiful bag, and I thought I would try to do something similar. Whaddya think?

I stamped flowers on the white cardstock and the brown cardstock using paint, which gave a really neat effect.

I embossed the blue center cardstock with a sizzix embossing plate.

The flower is from Cricut Walk in My Garden - The edges are sponged lightly with paint.

My son told me that the flower paper looked like I bought it that way - he was really surprised that I had stamped it.

I really like how this bag turned out!

Well, now that I had the bag done, I needed to make a gift card holder. I decided to make the little book style holder, similar to the one I made earlier this week.




All of the baby images came from the New Arrival Cricut cartridge. I added some brown twine at the "binding" so I could add the little pacifier charms.

I sponged all of the edges white - it added a nice soft effect. The outside of the book is stitched with cream thread. I also stitched under the paper on the inner pocket page, so the card holder / book is very very sturdy.

Here is a picture of the gift bag and the card holder together:

This project took some time, but it was so worth it! I can't wait to see the new Mommy's face tomorrow when I give it to her!

Numbers...

Ironically, Bitten by the Bug and Cuttlebug Challenges are both having "number challenges" this week.

For Bitten by the Bug, the challenge is to use the 24/7 cut from the Graphically Speaking cartridge. The challenge over at Cuttlebug Challenges is to incorporate numbers into your project.

This is my take:

The large scalloped circle came from Mini Monograms. The circle frame is from Printing Press and the the letters for Miss You are from Hello Kitty font. I welded the words to the frame with Design Studio. 24/7 is from Graphically Speaking and embossed using the Cuttlebug Dots folder.

I inked the edges of the card, circle frame, and scalloped circle. The 24/7 is mounted using foam stickers to add some dimension. Finally I added some gems and ribbon.

Gift Card Holders

Well I am going to attempt to participate in 2 different challenges with these little gift cards holders - Day 43 over at 365 Cards and the Sweetarts Paperie challenge over at Bitten by the Bug.

For 365 Cards, the challenge today is to create a gift card holder. I know I said I may not be able to participate today. However, ironically I needed to make some gift card holders and I really wasn't sure how. Pam gave a great tutorial on her blog, Mackenzie Mae Designs. The challenge at Bitten by the Bug is to use ribbon - I don't think that is really a challenge for me, so I am kind of cheating!

First I made a more traditional gift card holder:

I am not quite sure how I ended up with this color pallet, but I like it. I especially like the fringed ribbon! The flowers under the bow cam from Walk in My Garden. I used a glossy product on the round embellishment - it made it look really shiny like glass.

Then I decided that I needed to make the inside a little fancier to match the outside. I added a little tag with the paper tagger.

I just may have found a new addiction - gift card holders!

For the second card holder, I followed a tutorial from Amy at Tsuruta Designs. Her gift card holder is almost like a little book. This is my take:

I used Graphically Speaking for the images on the front. I also sewed and inked the edges. Here are some photos of the inside:




The palm trees and the little lizard cuts came from Fun at the beach. The bow is wrapped around the entire book underneath the paper - so it is very strong, and it ties up the book nicely! I really like this little book design! It just makes the gift card so much more special!

Card of the Week - 10Apr09

I am soooo excited! Susanna Boyd listed me in her "Cards of the Week" this week! Yippee! I am so honored to be listed on her site. Here is a link to her posting this week: Paper Crafting Best of the Blogosphere: April 4 - 10, 2009

The Easter card that I made the other day for a Cuttlebug challenge is listed in the Easter section of the posting! (Did I mention how excited I am??) This is the card:

Thank you Susanna!

Stampin' Saturday

It is Day 42 - Stampin' Saturday over at 365 Cards! I made it the whole week! Yippee! Our lives are about to get crazy next week with soccer, so I suspect I won't be able to participate daily after today.

The challenge today is to stamp the background on your card - no patterned paper for the background. This is my submission:

The other day, one of my friends was going out for a girls night out, so I thought that would be a great card. I stamped some purses and butterflies, then I added some martini glasses and sunglasses to fill in some of the spaces. I used the Nestabilities to cut out the sentiment. This is a girly card, so it needed some bling - I added some fancy ribbon and gems. I also put some stickles in the scallops around the sentiment.

Cuttlebug Challenges - Be Inspired 26

The latest Be Inspired challenge at Cuttlebug Challenges is to incorporate vellum into an Easter card. This is my take:

I decided to make this card very simple. I layered a white card with white vellum - I printed the Happy Easter sentiment on the vellum. I cut eggs out of gingham patterned paper using the Doodlecharms cartridge. Then I cut a slightly larger egg out of white paper and embossed it using the Cuttlebug dots folder. I used foam mounting squares to add some dimension to the eggs.