Let's Get Buggy!

At Fantabulous Cricut this week, the challenge was "Let's Get Buggy!" (Use a bug on your project). I decided to make a Get Well Card. Here it is:

and the inside:

Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Dark Blue, Black, Green Patterned Paper and Blue Striped Patterned Paper.
Cricut Cartridge Cricut Everyday Cricut page 22, (Phrase Base and Shift) and page 23, (Base Shift and Layer 1 Base)
Cricut Cartridge George and Basic Shapes "?" page 89, (Base Shift and Shadow Shift
Cricut Design Studio
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Swiss Dots
Queen and Co Pearls, 2 Small Nightfall and 1 Small and 2 Medium Grass Green
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamp Set (feel better soon)
Black Pigment Ink
Mounting Tape

A few months ago, I won a 3 month membership to the Cricut Circle and as one of the perks, I received the Cricut Cartridge Cricut Everyday. (I'll be honest, I am completely lost how to use Cricut Circle. My membership is almost up, but if anyone could give me a hint, I would appreciate it...I feel so stupid!) Anyway, all of the cuts on the cartridge are somehow related to crafting. I wasn't sure how I was going to use this cartridge when I received it; however, when this challenge came about, I thought of the Cricuit "Bug" and a play on words. (I thought it was cute/funny anyway...lol).

Wanted to share this picture of my son and my granddaughter (his daughter) in the pool this past week. She is such a ray of sunshine in our lives.

Hope that you have a wonderful week.

imagine what you could do...

P.S. This month is a year since I started my blog. I can't believe it's been that long already! Also my birthday is coming up at the end of the month, so keep checking back as I am planning on a give-away.
And as always, leave me a comment, I love hearing from you! Thanks!!

Graduation Card

Well, I'm back...finally! Feels like I have been gone for a long time! If you read one of my earlier posts, you know that my monitor died and that I could not use my Design Studio. (I was SO lost without it!) Anyway, I wasn't sure what I was going to do...well, you won't believe this but it just started working again. WOO HOO! I am not questioning what happened, just happy that it's back.

We have a graduation next month for our niece. So, I also thought this would be perfect for two challenges...Die Cuttin' Diva's (sketch) and Celebrate the Occasion (Graduation).

Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Black, Yellow and Two Patterned Papers
Cricut Cartridge Accent Essentials Accent 50, page 81 (Base)
Cricut Cartridge Everyday Paper Dolls Grad, page 46 (Shift Base)
Cricut Design Studio
Cuttlebug Embossing folder Swiss dots
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamp Set, Congradulations
Yellow Embroidery Floss
Mounting Tape
White Gel Pen
Black Pen

The big tassel on the side is not attached except by the embroidery floss at the top, so it swings freely. I really like the way it turned out.

Hope you like the card. I would love for you to become a follower and/or leave a comment....thanks for stopping by....

Going to go work on another card or two, maybe even a layout (and finish the wash...lol)...

...imagine what you could do......

It's A Boy Card

At Scrappy Moms Stamps, the challenge this week was to use the Cricut Cartridge New Arrival. I came up with this card:

The inside is stamped with "Congratulations".

Finished Card: 4" x 9 1/4" (Fits in a business size envelope).

Materials:
Cardstock: Two Shades of Blue, White, Red, Green Yellow and Patterned Paper.
Cricut Cartridge New Arrival Plane page 118, (Base and Shift Base), "It's A Boy" page 90, (Base)
Cricut Design Studio
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder D'Vine Swirls
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamps "Congratulations"
Red, Green and Black Pigment Ink
Studio G Clear Stamps
Mounting Tape

Where I work, one of my Assistant Managers is pregnant and she is having a boy in June. I think I may give her this card. It's her first child. Hopefully, she'll like this card.

I used Design Studio to lay out three airplanes and the accessories, so I could cut them in different colors. Clockwise, the colors were: Blue, Red, Green and Yellow. I then played around and changed the colors so I would end up with three different airplanes. This is how I laid out the 12"x 12" mat:

I didn't glue the "extra" "It's a Boy" sentiments on the banner yet, because I thought that I could change it to "Happy Birthday" or "Congratulations" just in case I needed a different type of card. I also glued a piece of scrap cardstock behind the windows.

Hope you have a wonderful rest of the day. I have a friend coming over. I'm not sure what we'll be doing, but it doesn't matter since it's always nice spending time with a friend.

Don't forget about the give-away (click here). I'll be picking a winner on Tuesday the 19th. Good luck!

I would love to hear from you here also. Your comments are always appreciated. Thanks.

Until the next post....imagine what you could do.....

Feel Better Soon

Just a quick post today. I was in AC Moore the other day and I saw these Sticko face stickers. I immediately thought that I wanted to make this card.

Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:

Cardstock: Cream, Green and K & Company Patterned Cardstock Cards (Amy Butler)

Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Florals (3rd largest flower)

Sticko Classic Stickers Birthday Faces

Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamp Set (Feel Better Soon)

Blue Pigment Ink

Mounting Tape

I cut out two flowers in cream and then shaded them with the blue pigment ink. I made one darker than the other, then I layered them with a piece of mounting tape. I cut a small dot (trying to make it about the same size as the sticker) and put it on the back of the face sticker, then again using mounting tape, I layered that on the top of the flower. The green and cream strip is two pieces of cardstock. I inked the sides of the sentiment and used mounting tape to place on the card. 

Isn't it funny where you can find inspiration? Well, I don't think it matters where you find it, just run with it and start creating, cause imagine what you could do..... 

Three Birthday Cards...and Another Sign of Spring

I have several birthdays coming up that I need to send cards for. The first one is for a friend of mine that I haven't seen in, well, too many years. We do talk on the phone and on facebook. Ah, the wonders of technology...lol.

We use to bowl together. I think he'll like this card.

Finished Card: 4 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Red, Black, Gray and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Everyday Paper Dolls Clown (Club/Bowling Pin) page 58, (Accessories 2 Shift)
EK Success 1 3/8" Circle Punch
Hole Punch
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Clear Stamp "It's your birthday!"
Gray Chalk
Mounting Tape

The next card is for my best friend's husband.

(I covered his name.) I hope he appreciates the computer as he works on them all day.

Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Black, Gray and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Locker Talk Laptop page 52 (Base shift, Layers Shift)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Diamond Plate
Charcoal Chalk
Studio G Clear Stamp "happy birthday"
Mounting Tape

The next card is for my neighbor and friend.

She is partial to butterflies as they are a nice reminder of her mother.

Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Four Shades of Orange, Black and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Florals Embellished Butterfly 2 page 64 (Shift Base, Layer 1 Base and Layer 1 Shift Base)
Doodlebug Crushed Velvet Flock Black
Mounting Tape

This was the fun part...making the cards. Now for the hard part...remembering to send them...lol. I am so bad with that. At least I feel as though I'm ahead of the game right now.....

Here's a little glimmer that Spring is on it's way...

I saw my first robin a couple of days ago. This one was sitting out back this morning. Actually, he was out front first, on a pole (picture perfect), but I didn't have my camera handy. I ran upstairs to get it, but he was gone by the time I got back. I looked out back (just in case) and there he was. (Yes, I do realize that it COULD be a different robin, but I really don't think so...he was a fat bugger...lol)

Hoping that your day goes well...until the next posting....enjoy...imagine what you could do....

Valentine's Box

It's been a week since I was able to make anything. So, what have I been doing? Well, actually I have been going crazy trying to find kitchen appliances...what an stressful experience. Then I was a "Creative Consultant" designing a menu and business card for a friend.



Anyway, to my project. I am going to submit this to Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #2 Love is in the Air.

 Finished Project: 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Materials:
Red Cardstock, Clear Vellum and Clear Plastic
Cricut Cartridge Life's A Party Window Box page 66 (Base)
Cricut Cartridge George and Basic Shapes Heart 1 page 119 (Base)
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamp Set "For You"
White Pigment Ink
White Pen
Red Ribbon

I cut the box from a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of vellum...fit to page. On the bottom of the box, I placed a small piece of clear plastic. I thought this would make the box sturdier. I also glued a piece of clear plastic in the window section of the box. I stamped the heart, made some swirl marks and glued it to the one flap of the box, so it would show through the window when closed. I added a bow and put in some Hershey Kisses.

This was a fairly quick project. I hope you enjoy it...imagine what you could do.....

Two Different Challenges...One Basic Card...Two Different Looks

The first challenge is Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #44 Neglected Cartridges (click here) ...Make a project using a cartridge that you haven't used in 6 months. The other challenge is for Robyn at The Pink Stamper. Today is her birthday, (Happy Birthday Robyn), and she challenged everyone to make a birthday project. (Click here). Here is my card:

I also made the same basic card, just changed the paper a little bit.

I like both of them. What do you think?

Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials: (first card)
Cardstock: White, Red, Yellow, Brown, Black, Green and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge 50 States Oklahoma State Bird page 48 (Base Bird and Shift Bird)
Cricut Cartridge Create-A-Critter Owl (Branch) page 25 (Base Accessory and Shift Accessory)
Cricut Cartridge George and Basic Shapes Square1 page 109 (Shift Silhouette)
Cricut Design Studio
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamps "Happy Birthday"
Black Pigment Ink
Mounting Tape
Chalk (to show the lines on the bird)

Materials: (second card)
Cardstock: White, Blue, Yellow, Brown, Green and Black
Cricut Cartridge 50 States Oklahoma State Bird page 48 (Base Bird and Shift Bird)
Cricut Cartridge Create-A-Critter Owl (Branch) page 25 (Base Accessory and Shift Accessory)
Cricut Design Studio
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Happy Birthday
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamps "Happy Birthday"
Black Pigment Ink
Mounting Tape
Chalk

My neglected cartridge is 50 States. I used it probably a year ago, or more, when I was making a scrapbook for my son, but haven't touched it since. It really has some beautiful images of different birds, as well as different flowers. If you have this cartridge, I would take another look at it.

The bird image is a little more realistic rather than a "cutesy" one, and works well for an adult's birthday card. I like both styles...just depends on what your needs are at the time.

Thanks for taking the time to look...I appreciate it...If you are not a follower yet, please think about becoming one...I'd like to have a give-away once I reach 50 followers. If you are one already, thanks! Leave a comment and let me know what you think.....imagine what you could do

Crop Stop Challenge # 1 Sketch

Second post for today.and I'm cutting this really close. Deadline for this challenge is tonight at midnight. I happen to run across this blog, Crop Stop, (click here to check it out), late last night. I worked extra hours today, so I didn't get a chance to even start this until tonight after dinner. It's based on a sketch.

Here is what I came up with:

The sentiment (Happy Valentine's Day) is in silver pigment ink (it may be hard to see). The silver is so hard to phototgraph for you to see.

There are silver stamped hearts on the side panel (again it may be hard to see). I guess this would be considered a version of a "Joy Fold Card". 

Finished Card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:

Cardstock: White, Pink, Three Different Patterned Papers

Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 5PK - Wedding Set #2  Scrollmark

Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamps Happy Valentine's Day

Making Memories Stickers 7/16" Dot Silver "i" and "u"

Colorbok Metal Accents Hearts

EK Success Sticko Dimensional Stickers Lovely Hearts

Silver Pigment Ink

Three Red Rhinstones

Hope you like the card. It was fun to make. Just hoping I make the deadline. Thanks. Leave a comment. 

Push yourself to the limit...just imagine what you could do

It Screamed Birthday to Me

This is my second post for today.

I was looking through my paper (Confession...I just love paper...the prints, the textures, the colors...everything) and I saw this one print and it just screamed Birthday to me. So that's what I had to make...

It's a Gate-fold Card. Finished size: (A2) 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Pink, Purple and Patterned Paper
Sizzix Die Present
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Candy Cane Stripe
White Pigment Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamp, "Happy Birthday"
Glitter

Here's the inside:

 

After I finished this card, I thought that it would make a great Christmas card also..just changing up a few things.
Here is my other version:

Same finished size.

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Red, Green and Patterned Paper
Sizzix Die, Present
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Spots and Dots
White Pigment Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Recollections Clear Stamps, North Pole "Merry Christmas"
Glitter

And the inside:

I really like both versions of this card. What do you think? Actually, I think this makes a great base for many different cards...just use your imagination...and imagine what you could do...

Very First Challenge Card

Mary at Cardz TV ( http://www.cardztv.blogspot.com/ ) made a challenge to make a card without using any Cricut cartridges. I thought this sounded like fun. So, this is my first challenge. Wish me luck...lol.

Finished card: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Materials:
Sizzix Flower, Sunflower
Fiskers Rope Border
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Stamp Set
Cardstock: Brown, Yellow, Green and Patterned Paper
American Crafts Elements Large Brads Black
Birdseed
Ribbon

Directions:
1. Take one (1) black brad and dip in glue. Dip into birdseed and make sure top is completely covered. Let dry. When dry, brush a thin coat of glue over top to seal birdseed in.
2.Cut 8 1/2" x 11" from brown cardstock. I used AC Cardstock. Fold in half to make an A2 card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").
3. Punch the long edge of the base with the rope border punch.
4. Cut four (4) flowers in yellow cardstock and three (3) in green using the Sizzix Die. Cut the stems off all four (4) yellow flowers. Cut the flowers off of two (2) of the green ones. One for the green flowers/stem will be used as the base. Ink the edges of the flowers in tan and the stems in green. Crinkle the edges of the flowers and leaves on the stems. Layer the flowers onto the green stem and use the birdseed brad to keep together. Make sure that the petals do not line-up. Glue the green stems together on the base, squeezing up the end of the top stem to make it stick up a little.
5. Cut the patterned paper 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" to fit the inside of the card. Glue down. Cut another piece of patterned paper 5" x 3 1/4" and use the border punch again on a long edge.
6. Cut the green cardstock 3 3/8" x 5 1/4".
7. Glue the patterned paper on the green. Glue a piece of ribbon around the cardstock. Cut another piece of ribbon and tie a knot. Angle the ends. Glue down the green cardstock to the brown base.
8. Stamp the sentiment on front in brown ink.

9. Cut a small piece of scrap brown cardstock, punch it with the border punch and glue down.


Hope you like this card as much as I had fun making it. Now if I can do this, imagine what you could do...

Thank You Card

I went out yesterday and bought a new Sizzix Die at AC Moore with a 51% coupon...(woo hoo), don't you just love using a coupon?  I know I do. I bought Tim Holtz Alterations BigZ Die Tattered Florals. When I got home, I just had to play.

First, I decided to make another tri-fold card (See my Halloween Ghost Card, September 9, 2010). The base card is white cardstock 8 1/2" x 5/1/2". Score at 2 1/8", turn card around and score again at 2 1/8". Fold. Next. I cut two (2) pieces of patterned cardstock at 1 3/4" x 5 1/4" and glued them to each side of the front of the base card. Next, I took two (2) colors of purple cardstock and using my Sizzix Big Kick, I cut out the flowers from my new Tim Holtz die. I separated the colors, and then tried several different combinations...all one light purple, all one dark purple, then every other color layer. The last combo is the one I liked the best. I also end up with another flower to use on another project. (Yeah!) I then inked the dark purple flowers with white pigment ink on the edges and swiped each petal from the center out. With the lighter purple flowers, I did the same thing only using a teal pigment ink. Next, I cut out a 3 1/2" square in gold cardstock. Punching a hole in the center of each flower and the center of the gold square, I assembled the flower using an American Crafts Elements Large Brad  Dandelion. I then rounded the two (2) opposite corners with my EK Success corner Rounder Punch. I curled the flower petals so they would stand up. I cut another square at 3 3/4" in white cardstock. I rounded two (2) corners on this square also. I then glued the gold square/flower to the white cardstock, making sure to put the two (2) rounded corners together. I then glued the big white square to only one half of the front of the tri-fold card. Do not glue both sides, as then you will not be able to open the card. I stamped Thank You using purple pigment ink to gold cardstock. I cut it out (1 5/8" x 5/8") and bordered it with white cardstock (1 3/4" x 3/4"). Finally, I glued a strip of the striped cardstock to the inside. I think that it turned out pretty nice.

 Remember that I said I had another flower to use for a project. Well, here is what I came up with:

(Flower Brad, Purple Ribbon, Martha Stewart Double Loop Border Punch, EK Success  Dotted Scallop Border Punch and Fiskars All Year Greetings Stamps) If you would like the details, leave me a comment, a way to get in touch with you and I will send you the directions.

These were really fun to create. I can't wait to try using different paper with these flowers and see how it turns out...now you go try and imagine what you could do.....

Happy Birthday Margie

Happy Labor Day to everyone. I hope you have had a safe and happy holiday. My husband's Aunt's birthday is tomorrow (although, we celebrated it yesterday) and this is a birthday card that I made for her.

The base of the card is cream cardstock (as opposed to the white that I usually use) (8 1/2" x 5 1/2"  folded in half). I cut a piece of patterned paper from DCWV The Natural Stack at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", then I used my EK Success Border Punch Scallop Diamond and punched one of the long edges. I cut 3 different colors of brown ribbon (1/4" wide)  and taped one end to the back of the patterned cardstock (closest to the straight edge, not the punched side). Keeping one ribbon straight, I taped it to the back. I then changed the angle of the other two (2) ribbons and taped them to the back. Glue this to the base card, leaving some of the cream cardstock showing on each side. Next, I used my Sizzix and cut three (3) leaves (Leaf #2, Tiny), inked the edges in brown, drew a line for a stem (also in brown) and then used 3D-Dots and adhered them to the card. I stamped "Happy Birthday" in black on a scrap piece a brown cardstock and cut a random shape. I inked the edges in brown. I then shadowed it in a dark brown cardstock, also in a random shape, and used 3D-Dot to adhere. Finally, I inked the long two (2) edges of the card in brown.

We had a really nice time yesterday. It's always great to spend time with family (even if I lost at Scrabble...lol). Enjoy the special times, get inspired and...imagine what you could do......