Happy Halloween

Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. Our hours for Trick or Treating are from 3 - 8 pm. We'll see how many kids we get this year. Every year it tends to be less and less. Then come Monday, I take down all the Halloween decorations, spider webs, mice, and potions, but leave all the pumpkins, (just turn them around so you can't see the scary faces), and put out all my turkeys for Thanksgiving.

Although they are not Halloween cards, I would like to share a couple of birthday cards that I thought were still appropriate for the occasion. The first one is:

It says, "Don't lose your head" on the front and " It's only your birthday" on the inside.

The second one is:

 

and the inside:

Hope you enjoy.

Again, have a safe but fun Halloween and don't eat too much candy. Imagine what you could do....

Papercraft Star Challenge #19 Photo Inspiration

This is the photo that we had to use for inspiration for the Papercraft Star challenge...

 

Here is the card that I came up with...

and a little closer...

What I saw when I looked at the photo was the colors of tan, cream, green, burgundy, silver and a touch of yellow.

Finished card: 5" x 5"

Materials:
Cardstock: Light tan, Dark tan, Burgundy, and Patterned Paper in Green, Cream and Ivory
Chalk Ink, Pear Green
Inkadinkado Happy Everything Clear Stamps, Just Because
Pigment Ink: Burgundy, Silver
Sizzix Die, Leaf #1
Pale Yelow Ribbon
Pale Yellow Buttons, 3
3D-Dots

It was a fun challenge...and it was a challenge. I started out with something completely different, but it turned into what you see here. Hope you like it. Just think about the picture and imagine what you could do...

A Christmas Jar Candle For You

Sometimes inspiration comes in the strangest places. I was posting a card (Oct 23  http://iwycd.blogspot.com/2010/10/3-pspapercraft-star-challenge-18-purse.html) and as I looked at the photograph, I was inspired by the shape of the card. I thought "Jar candle. That reminds me of a jar candle". So, that is where this card came from...

I cut the bottom off so it would "stand" flat to look more like a jar. This is the only difference between the shapes.

Finished card: 5" x 5"

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Red, Yellow, and Silver
Vellum
Cricut Cartridge Christmas Cards, Base Card, 3rd Button Bottom Row
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Swiss Dots (The "candle" part is embossed)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, D'Vine Swirls (The white is embossed )
Sizzix Die, Candles (Only used the flame part)
Crayola Glitter Glue, Gold
Black Sharpie (Color the wick on the flame)
Merry Christmas Rubber Stamp
Gold Embossing Powder

Here's the inside...

I found the saying on the internet. It was the only one I could find about Christmas candles and I thought it would work.

If you could see the card in person, you would be able to see the embossing better. The vellum hides it in the picture. If I made this card again, I would try my paper crimper on the silver bottom part, instead of just drawing the lines.  Let me know how it turns out, if you try this.

I'm not sure how you are feeling right now, but my mind is all over the place with ideas for cards, but also for the holidays coming up and everything that needs to be done. Just hope I can get focused. In the meantime, take this as an early gift and find some inspiration, cause imagine what you could do....

Gobble...Gobble...Gobble

Silly Thanksgiving card...

and the inside...

Finished card: 5" x 5"

Materials:
Cardstock: Tan/Cream, Rust, Brown, Gold/Orange and Patterned Paper
Cricut Cartridge Christmas Cards (Base 3rd Button Bottom Row, Layers 3rd Button Top Row)
Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed, Turkey1 page 61 (Base, Layer 1, Layer 2)
Sizzix Embossing Folder, Plaid
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, D'Vine Swirls
Brown Pigment Ink
Googly Eyes
3D-Dots
Studio G Clear Stamps

Thanksgiving is just around the corner...wow, and then Christmas. Where did this year go? I feel like it just turned 2010.  I know, I know, we haven't even had Halloween yet..let's not get ahead of ourselves! I guess since I am hosting Thanksgiving this year, it's on my mind. What are your plans this year? Are you going to a relatives? A friend's? Or are you having it? What goodies are you making? We will have the traditional turkey, of course, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, corn, broccoli, maybe cauliflower, cole slaw, rolls and a bunch of desserts, including pumpkin pie. Boy, I just made myself hungry thinking about it. Yummy! Would love to hear what you are making. Just leave a comment.

Guess I'll get back to my crafting space and see what I can come up with...you do the same and just imagine what you could do....

To My Best Friend...Happy Birthday Trish.

This card is dedicated to my friend, since it is her birthday today. Hope you have a great one!

It's a gate-fold card and the tag hanging from the gift is free swinging and says "Happy Birthday".

Here is the inside:

Finished card: 5" x 5"

Materials:
Cardstock: Green, White, and Three Different Patterned Papers (Background, Shadow Present, Base Present)
Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed, Present1, page 67 (Base, Layer 2, Layer 3, Shadow)
Cricut Design Studio (Just to lay it out all on one 12 x 12 mat)
Sizzix Tag, Crescent Combo (Small Tag Only)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Swiss Dots
EK Success Border Punch Swiss Cheese
Green Ribbon
Gold Embroidery Floss (To hang tag off present)
Olive Green Pigment Ink
3D-Dots

Trish and I have been friends, well, what seems like forever. And honestly, I don't know what I would do without her. We have been through different stages of our lives and I am always so glad to know that she is there. So, to you, my best friend, Happy Birthday today and may you have many, many more.

And to my crafting friends, I hope you are inspired by my cards...just imagine what you could do!

The 3 P's...Papercraft Star Challenge #18, A Purse and Placecards

Papercraft Star is having another challenge...Here are the rules:

Thank You Themed Project

Use Dry Embossing on your project.

Use Cricut Cartridge Cut or Other Die Cut.

Use Metal on your project.

Add anything else you desire

So this is what I came up with:

Finished card: 5" x 5"

Materials:
Cardstock: Brown, Rust, Yellow/Gold, and Patterned Paper
QuicKutz Embossing Folder, Thank You 2" x 2"
Sizzix Embossing Folders, Plaid
Cricut Cartridge Christmas Cards, (Base Card 3rd Button Bottom Row, Layer 3rd Button Top Row)
Brown ribbon
Two Gold Brads
Brown Pigment Ink
3D-Dots

When I used the "Thank you so much" embossing folder, I wanted the words to "pop", so I inked the folder with the brown pigment ink first, then I used my Sizzix machine to emboss.

I picked up the other embossing folder, "Plaid", from AC Moore last night. It's from Sizzix and comes in a 2 folder set. The other folder is "Snowflakes". I really like them as they give a deep embossed look. I also picked up 2 other sets. (Powdered Sugar & Snow Globe Set and Phrases, Merry Christmas #2 & Thin Ice Set). I can't wait to try them...lol.

Here's a picture of two other projects that I just finished...A purse from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More Cricut Cartridge with a small card...(the purse is perfect for holding a gift card), and some Placecards for Thanksgiving. I used the turkey from Cricut Cartridge Simply Charmed.

Sorry, I couldn't get a good picture of the placecards...they all came out washed out looking. They look much nicer in person.

Hope you enjoyed all the projects and you forgive me for not posting anything for a week. As you can see, I have been busy.

Now you get busy, and imagine what you could do....

Where are you?

 Cobi wants to know what I have been up to....since I haven't posted anything in a week...geez, where does the time go?

I've been working on several different projects...placecards for Thanksgiving..a birthday gift...invitations for a cookie exchange...and Christmas gifts...just to name a few...hahaha. Hopefully, I'll have something to post soon.

In the meantime, keep crafting and imagine what you could do...

Papercraft Star Challenge...BOO

Papercraft Star is having a challenge. You can check it here: http://papercraftstar.blogspot.com/ . Basically, you needed to look at a photograph and use it to inspire you to make a project. From the picture, I wanted to use circles, stripes, "Boo", a spider, white, black, and orange.

Finished card: 5" x 5".

Materials
Cricuit Cartridge Create A Critter, Pumpkin (Base Shift page 70)
Cricut Cartridge Pumpkin Carving Spider and "BOO"
Cricut Design Studio
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Spots and Dots
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Candy Cane Stripe
EK Success Border Punch Swiss Cheese
Cardstock: Black, White, Orange and Orange/Gold
Martha Stewart Flocking Powder Ebony
Ribbon
Embroidery Floss

This is a close up so you can see the embossing on the background and pumpkin.

I think that I accomplished what I set out to do. Hope you like the card. It was fun to challenge myself again and see what I could do..now you should join in and just imagine what you could do....

Haybale Arrangement in the meantime...

I haven't been crafting the past few days as as I have been taking a few day trips with my husband. First we went to New Hope and was very disappointed...not what we expected.  I used to go there as a kid with my family but it certainly has changed. Smithville was nice as we walked through all the shops. I even picked up a Christmas gift or two. Cape May was relaxing, aside from me freaking out in the lighthouse about halfway up (I am afraid of heights), but I regrouped and made it to the top and walked around the outside (hugging the wall, but I did it!)

So, I thought that I would share this haybale arrangement that I had made in the meantime. Hope that you like it. I always decorate Fall and Halloween together (if you look carefully, you can see my spiderweb tablecloth and the mice on the table and pumpkin). Then, when Halloween is over, I take down all the scary stuff, turn the jack-o-lanterns around, (so they just look like pumpkins) and decorate with Thanksgiving. How do you decorate?

Enjoy the day and imagine what you could do....

Trick or Treat...

Cute little card...
Here's another picture of the front of the card (might be easier to see)...

Finished card: 5" x 3 1/4"

Materials:
Cricut Cartridge Christmas Cards (Base - Bottom Row 6th button, Layer - Top Row 6th button)
K & Company Spook*tacular Chipbox
Cuttlebug  Embossing Folder Swiss Dots
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Traffic Jam
Googly Eyes
Inkadinkado All Hallow's Eve Clear Stamps "Happy Halloween"
Brown Pigment Ink

Inside:

I had borrowed the Christmas Cards Cartridge from a friend, (thanks Patti), because I wasn't sure if I really wanted it or not. At first, I didn't really think I would want to buy it. However, after playing with it, I think I will pick one up...but not for the images (at least not yet anyway), but for the shaped cards. I really liked the way they look. I'm sure that if I played with Design Studio a little bit more, I would maybe come up with something close. We'll have to see.

Have you ever felt that you didn't want to get something whether it be a cartridge, an embellishment, or something else and then change your mind? I seem to be doing it a lot lately...lol.

Well, back to playing before I have to give it back...have fun...imagine what you could do...

Card From DCWV La Creme Matstack

Good morning. This is just a quick post.

I made this card from La Creme matstack. The cardstock was so nice that I felt it only needed a sentiment and a black mat around it.

Finished card (A2) 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Materials:
Cardstock: DCWV La Creme Matstack, White and Black
Fiskars All Year Greeting Stamp Set, "Thinking of you"
White pigment ink
Clear Embossing Powder

This is the inside. That's it. Quite simple but elegant I thought.

As I have said before, I love paper. Sometimes, the paper says it all. Don't you agree? Leave me a comment. I always love hearing from you and appreciate the feedback...thanks.

Take a second look at your paper...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...

Challenge at Papercraft Star

I came across a challenge at Papercraft Star, and after this weekend having so much fun with the challenges from Creations With Christina, I decided to try this one as well.

It's a sketch (you can see it here...http://papercraftstar.blogspot.com/2010/10/challenge-16-opens.html). This is the card I came up with:

Finished card is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (A2)

Materials:
Cardstock: White, Pink and Patterned Paper (I used some scraps)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder D'Vine Swirls
Ribbon
I printed "Think Pink" off the computer
3D-Dots (I popped the center image and also the sentiment)

I usually don't use pink as a main color (although two of my challenge cards this weekend had it ...lol), however, I went into my scrap drawer and found six (6) different papers that coordinated and they happened to be pink. Also, since it is Breast Awareness Month, I thought this would make a nice card.

Some days I find it easier to use a challenge to make a card...it gives me a direction. Do you feel like that also? Leave me a comment (I would love to hear from you) and tell me what gives you inspiration.

Challenge yourself...find something to inspire you and just imagine what you could do...

Creations With Christina Challenge #8 Final One

Can't believe we're at #8 The Final Challenge...Create a card using any pumpkin image from any Cricut Cartridge.

 

I used two pumpkins from the same cartridge...Pumpkin Carving. Since it doesn't have a layer feature I cut it twice, once in orange and once in green, then I cut off the stem to make my own layer.

I can't believe it...I made a card for ALL eight challenges! I am ecstatic that I was able to complete them. Guess you never what you can do, until you try! So, if I can do it, then imagine what you could do....

Creations With Christina Challenge #7

This is my card for Challenge #7...make a birthday card, but you CANNOT use "Happy Birthday" sentiment. This card definitely looks better in person...the picture really doesn't do it justice. The background is embossed and both the cake and "party time" are raised up.

The last few cards have not been the typical A2 cards (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")...in fact this one is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2". The "Happy Fall" is actually  4" x 9" and fits in a business size envelope. (I forgot to include the size in the post).

Well, onto the next challenge...imagine what you could do...

Creations With Christina Challenge #6

Ok...challenge #6...Make a card using a fall image or a fall stamp.

What do you think? As much as I love summer, I love the colors of fall.

I know I'm probably repeating myself...but I'm having SO much fun...you should try...imagine what you could do...

Creations With Christina Challenge #5

Here we are at Challenge #5...Create a Christmas Gift Card or Gift Tag.  I thought these would go nicely on  a gift:

They measure 2 1/4" x 2 1/4".  I also made the envelopes (in back).

Have a couple extra minutes before the next challenge...better straighten up my space so I can find what I need...I have stuff all over the place. Do you craft like that too? In the meantime, imagine what you could do...

Creations With Christina Challenge #4

For Challenge #4, we were asked to create a card with orange, green and purple. Here is what I came up with:

Look out cause #5 is coming up....(hopefully...lol) Oh yea, by now my husband thinks I'm alittle crazy!... he's right!

Have you decided to join in? Well, just imagine what you could do.....

Creations With Christina Challenge #3

The third challenge is to make a Christmas card...(my first card could have gone for this one too....lol)

Ok...this is actually harder than you think..trying to keep up. Of course, Niki (our dog) lost her chain and I had to stop and go find that and well, I got hungry...so there you go. On to the next one...imagine what you could do

Creations with Christina Challenge #2

This is my card for the second challenge (primary color needs to be pink)...

So what do you think...so far so good....

Third Challenge is already posted...imagine what you could do....

Creations With Christina Challenge #1

Today is World Card Making Day (1st Sat in Oct) and Creations with Christina (http://www.creationswithchristina.com/) is having a challenge. There is a new challenge every hour. Let's see how many I can complete (I know real life is going to get in the way at some point!)

Here is my card for Challenge #1:

Wish me luck....imagine what you could do

Two Cards...Scarecrow and a Pumpkin

Made a couple of Fall cards, just for the fun of it.

This is the first one...a scarecrow. No directions today, just material list.

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

Materials:
Cricut Cartridge Celebrate With Flourish  Scarecrow (Base, Base Shift, Layer, and Shift Layer)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder D'Vine Swirls
Martha Stewart Flocking Powder Ebony
Cardstock: White, Rust-Orange, Brown, Tan and Patterned Paper

This is the inside of the card.

Here's the second card...

...a Pumpkin.

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

Materials:
Cricut Cartridge Happy Hauntings Pumpkin2 (page 61) Base and Base Shift
Cuttlebug Embossing Borders Organic Flourish
Martha Stewart Flocking Powder Orange Poppy
Clear Glitter
Cardstock: Orange, White, Green, and Patterned Paper
Brown LePlume II Pen
Ribbon

Close-up of the embossing on the front...

...and the inside of the card.

I didn't put any sentiments in or on the cards...thought I could use them for a variety of reasons. So, I'll wait until I need one...

Unfortunately, my craft space is a wreck...sometimes, I am not the neatest person when I'm working! (I think I have read that on a few other blogs...lol) It is at the point that I can't find anything...so, it is time that I have to start straightening (ugh). Hopefully, it won't take too long and I'll be making a mess again. In the meantime, get crafting and imagine what you could do....