PIXIE DUST CHALLENGE #1

It's time for the first Pixie Dust Challenge. They wanted you to create a project using this fab free Santa digi, designed by Kathy, and to add Texture to your creation.  I chose to make(for my first digi challenge ever) this Christmas card. I printed the digi on watercolor paper and used my watercolor pencils and an Aqua-flo brush to color it in. I then carefully cut it out and I  added Stickles for his beard, mustache, gloves and for his belt. I also used Stickles for his toy sack and the little bird. For more texture I then used some sparkly fluff from Our Craft Lounge for the trim on his hat, button and bottom of his jacket. I stamped Merry Christmas and then I used one of the new Cuttlebug embossing folders from HSN. Used a corner rounder on the top edges, attached the digi with pop dots, added some ribbon and rhinestones and I have to say thank you to Kathy...I love this digi!!!

MERRY CRICUT-MAS TO ALL!!!

Just want to wish all who love their Cricut machines and cartridges a Merry Cricut-mas!!! I was making a snowman card and this idea popped into my head!! The inside of the card lets Santa know what to bring this year!!! I hope everyone gets all the 'Cricut Gear' they are wishing for!!!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #19

Paper Cutz Challenge #19 is "Anything Goes", so make a card, layout or project of your choice. Since Christmas is coming I figured I'd make a simple card. I used my Cricut Expression and CDS along with the Lyrical Letters cartridge. The cut I used is on page 66. I covered the cut in  Ranger Stickles in Diamond with little dots of Xmas Red to look like berries. Please join me and the rest of the very talented DT at PCC this week by clicking here . Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #3

This week's challenge is to make a Christmas card using any cartridge you'd like but using only the colors pink, green and white. I chose to make an accordian card (my first!) and I used the shadow tree3 on page 105 of the Christmas Cheer cartridge. I cut it out of green glitter paper and the trunk from some brown Bazzill paper. You cannot see the actual cut tree because I then covered it with branches made using the MS branch punch (I punched the same tree paper I used to make the card because I thought it looks like snow on the tree) and used Zip Dry Paper Glue to adhere them; I then added rhinestones and Basic Grey opaline pink half pearls. It's attached to the card with pop dots. I also put rhinestones in the corners of the pink paper. The paper I used came from Joann's Peppermint Forest Christmas stack and I love it!!! The stamped sentiment inside is from a set from Hero Arts Clear Design stamps that I had in my stash. To see all the cards that my very talented, fellow DT members created just click here. Thanks for visiting and please leave a comment, they are always much appreciated!!!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #18

Paper Cutz Challenge #18 was to make a card, layout or project with a Thanksgiving theme. I made a card using one of my Sizzix embossing folders, Pinecone with Leaves. After embossing using my Cuttlebug, I applied Zip Dry Paper Glue carefully onto the embossing and then sprinkled on MS glitter from the meadow glitter set. I used my Cuttlebug and Sizzix three dots embossing folder on the handmade paper, added a decorative leaf, some ribbon and rhinestones. The sentiment was stamped with some letters from one of my alphabet stamp sets.  Please check out all the great designs our terrific DT members created by clicking here and please do join in the fun!!!

CUSTOM CROPS MYSTERY BOX CHALLENGE REVEALED!!

I can finally reveal what was contained in the Mystery Challenge Box from Custom Crops!! All the designers received 7 items that we had to use to create a project. They included a small box of cereal, Grafix Shrink Film, Sizzix embossing folders (there were 3 but we got to choose which we wanted to use), a mini gel pen holder, a set of gel pens, German glitter glass, a sheet of Jillibean Soup Kraft paper and a plastic knife, fork and spoon.  Perhaps I was hungry when I saw the cereal and plastic utensils because the first thing that came to mind was a Christmas recipe album!!!  I had used all these items, or something similar over the years, except for the mini gel pen holder and so I couldn't wait to try it. I have to say it was easy to use and I love it!! I did one test run and only had to make a small adjustment (the pen definitely needs to be all the way up in the holder). My next try is what you see on page one of my album. 

To see how I used all the items, just click here and it will take you to my complete project at Custom Crops where there are lots more pictures, detailed directions and free .cut files so you can make this album if you'd like.   I have to say this was soooo much work, yet it was soooo much fun to do and I hope you'll leave comments both here and at Custom Crops...they are very much appreciated by all the designers! And please check out all the other designer's projects...they are amazing!!!

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #2

Cricut Cardz Challenge #2 was to make a card with a Thanksgiving theme using any cartridge or colors you'd like.  I made a card to give to our friends who have invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them.  I used three Cricut cartridges to make my first easel card. They are Don Juan (leaf), Doodle Charms(small leaf and acorns..cut twice with different papers) and Stretch Your Imagination (leaf). I ran the light color acorns through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder along with the small leaf. I then ran the dark color acorns through with my Houndstooth folder and the larger leaves with my Persia folder. I drew lines on the tops of the light acorns and cut them off so I could attach them to the dark acorns.  The papers and vellum I used came from Textured Memories by Daisy D's that I purchased some time ago. I adhered the vellum leaf design to the top of the easel card and used a matching light color cs for the bottom when opened. My sentiment was typed and printed from my computer, cut with my Purple Cow Trimmer, inked with an Adirondack marker and attached with Scor-Tape. I adhered the two large leaves and then with pop-dots attached the small leaf and one acorn. I wrapped the card with a piece of ribbon from my stash. The other two acorns were attached using pop-dots and they keep the easel card open. I really enjoyed creating this type of card and I'm sure you'll see different variations in the future. Please let me know what you think...your comments are always appreciated.  Now please click here to visit CCC to see what my talented, fellow DT members created and join in the fun!!!

CHRISTMAS CARD & GIFT BOXES

These are my latest projects available now at Custom Crops. I designed the Christmas card and one of the gift boxes using my favorite filigree tree cut (can you guess which cartridge I used?). The boxes can be filled with candy or small gifts and used as place cards at the dinner table or hung on the tree. More pictures, instructions and free .cut files are available by clicking here.(So is the answer to which cartridge I used!) Please leave a comment here and also at Custom Crops....they are appreciated very much!!! Thanks!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE # 17

It's time for Paper Cutz Challenge #17 which is to use a digital or hand stamped image on your card, layout or project. For my card I stamped the rubber stamp image of the pear with StazOn ink onto watercolor paper and colored it with Adirondack markers and an AquaFlo brush. (This was the first time I ever attempted to do this and I'm pleased with the results). I then cut and embossed the image with my Nestabilities Labels Three and used the next size up for the background using my Cuttlebug. I adhered the background to the front of my card. I sprayed the image with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (not sure if it shows up in photo) and then using pop dots adhered the stamped image. I cut a small slit on the slide of my card and ran some Basic Grey ribbon through. To see all the projects that the talented DT ladies created just click here and please be sure to join us!!

THERE'S A NEW KID IN TOWN - CRICUT CUTZ CHALLENGE & I'M THRILLED TO BE ON THE DT!!!

Starting today there is a new Cricut Cardz Challenge blog for Cricut owners and lovers and I am so thrilled to have been selected to be on the Design Team by the owner and creator of this blog, the extremely talented and sweet Mary!!! Along with the rest of the design team we invite all to join us each week for all the exciting challenges Mary has planned!!! The first Challenge is anything goes! Make a card using any Cricut cartridge(s), any colors and any theme!! Due Midnight EST, November 17, 2009. You can get all the details; post your entry and check out all the amazing cards the DT has created for Week #1 by clicking here

I challenged myself and created a tri-shutter card (my first!) and used the Christmas Cheer cartridge for the presents and trees. I appreciate your comments and hope you'll visit all the DT members blogs and let them know what you think of their cards too....hope to see you each week!!!

I HAVE TWO NEW PROJECTS ON CUSTOM CROPS - HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK!

I have two more of my DT projects on the Custom Crops website with pictures, instructions and .cut files to make it easy for you to create your own mini album and card. The pictures show a sneak peek at what you will find...there is more to see inside the Puppy Love Mini Album so just click here to see what it is and more. Please do leave comments at Custom Crops and here at my blog....it is very much appreciated!!!

MYSTERY BOX CHALLENGE FROM CUSTOM CROPS!!

How exciting....this Mystery Box from Custom Crops appeared outside my front door late yesterday!!!! I can't say what it contains, but we must use some part of each of the 7 items, both craft and non-craft, that it contains on our project. The wheels are spinning...now I must decide what to create...hmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

Until I can reveal my completed Mystery Box Challenge project, please feel free to go to the Custom Crops website to view all the projects I, and the rest of the very talented DT, have created. There are pictures, instructions and free .cut files for your Cricut. And don't forget to leave comments both there and here....they are very much appreciated!!! Just click here to go!!

EXCITING CRICUT NEWS!!!

Wednesday, November 11th is the beginning of the new Cricut Cardz Challenge blog and I am honored to be one of the DT members. If you click here you can see a sneak peek at what is to come! Be sure to join all the talented ladies each week for a new and fun challenge!!!

Paper Cutz Challenge #16

This week's Paper Cutz Challenge #16 is to use blue, green, black and white only on your card, layout or project. I created this card with my sister in mind (I'll be mailing it to her this week... shhhhhhhh!!). To see what all the talented DT ladies created just click here. Join in the fun and play along with us this week, we'd love to see what you create!!!

Can You Guess What These Used To Be?

You are looking at my two latest projects on Custom Crops. To find out what they started out as and how they ended up like this, please click here to go to my DT page for all the directions, .cut files and pictures. Please leave a comment there and then, if you would be so kind, please come back here and leave me a comment. Your input is always appreciated. Thanks!!

Vintage Blue Studio Holiday Blog Candy-Winner Chosen!

The holiday season is upon us and so my sweet daughter is giving away this pair of her handmade ceramic and sterling silver earrings. For details and a chance to win click here to go to her site, Vintage Blue Studio. The lucky winner will be drawn on Monday, November 9th. Good luck to all!!!

Congrats to Jeannette for winning!!