PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #30

This week the challenge is to make a card, layout or craft project for a feminine birthday with a digital or hand stamped image of a fairy, pixie, butterfly or bird using pink, green, either lavender or blue and white only.  I have this pretty dp stack from Colorbok called Dena's Closet (that I was lucky enough to get for only $3.99!) and it also has tags, letters etc. and it just happens to have all the colors for this challenge...yeah!!  I chose a lavender dp for the card (A2 size) and a pink and white gingham print to line the inside of the card ( I punched along both the side edges with a MS punch to give it a lacey look before adhering to the front and back of the card); one of the tags that is pink, green, lavender and white (I gave a little distress look to using my Tim Holtz distress tool and then inked with Tea Leaves chalk ink) ; some lavender chiffon ribbon from my stash; a tiny butterfly stamp and bird stamp also from my stash. I used a MS punch for the lace look (it is actually punched from a leftover piece of the lavender cs that just happens to be white on the back). I stamped the bird using Memento chalk ink in Spring Pansy and then punched it out with a one inch circle punch and inked the edge with Angel Pink. The tiny butterfly and 'happy birthday' are stamped using Tea Leaves. To assemble I attached the 'lace trim' ; the tag and the ribbon. The bird was adhered with a pop dot. I used my Signo white pen to dot the h & p in happy birthday and to make a 'trail' for the butterfly. The final touch was with one of my favorite products..Ranger Stickles in lavender and lime green.  Come and join me and the talented ladies on the DT at PCC and play along with this challenge!!

BLOG AWARD FROM MARY!!!

What a wonderful surprise when I signed on this morning....I received this sunshine award from one of the sweetest ladies I have met (and am honored to call a friend) since I started my blog...Mary aka sophiesmama!!  Mary has four (yes, four!) blogs...Cardz For U, Cardztv (Mary has video tutorials that are fun to watch and so easy to follow on this site), Cricut Cardz Challenge and Paper Cutz Challenge these are weekly challenges...you should check them out and join in the fun!! Thank you Mary!!!

The rules in accepting this award are to pass it along to 6 others. These ladies all inspire me with their talent and kind comments. Please click on their names and check out their amazing creations:

1. Jeannie
2. True
3. Jeri
4. Beth
5. Shelly
6. Georgia

Thanks again Mary!!!

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #14

It's time to make a St. Patrick's Day card using any cart(s) or colors you'd like for Cricut Cardz Challenge #14.  I used ACY, Page 31 Icon to create a 'hat' card. I welded two hats together using black cs and used the Hide Selected Contour feature on the one for the back of the card. I then cut two hats in green cs to line my card. After adhering the green hats inside the card I filled the clover and hat band with Stickles in Green. Once it was dry I sprayed the front of the card with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Iridescent Gold to give it some shimmer.  The Happy St. Patrick's Day was printed using Microsoft Word Reservoir Grunge font. I used my EK Success label punch and punched out the wording and two additional plain pieces of green cs so it would give it a 'chipboard' effect. After inking around the edges with Memento dye ink in Tuxedo Black, I sprayed it with the Glimmer Mist and adhered it to the card with a double layer of Scotch foam tape. Instead of making a traditional envelope for this card, I decided it would be fun to create a 'pot of gold' for the card. I used PDDU, Page 40, Accessories 3 and cut it twice out of black. I cut off the top part of the front 'pot' and layered Scotch foam tape around the outside edges (except for the opening at the top) and across the middle so the card would not fall to the bottom. Using Prismatic Paper from Best Occasions I punched the 'coins' with my 1 1/16" punch. I used my ATG 700 to attach most of them and I added foam tape to raise some of them up. I brushed some Black Diamond Stickles onto the pot and then sprayed the 'pot' with Glimmer Mist (wanted it to look somewhat old and worn)...the card sits inside the 'pot' with just the top of the hat and the sentiment showing.  Come join me and the rest of the DT at CCC and show us your St. Patrick's Day Cricut card!

SEXY AT 60 BIRTHDAY CARD & GIFT SET

This is a birthday card, gift bag, box and matching tag for a 'special friend' who is having a 'special' birthday this year. I used TTK and TBBM along with CDS to create this matching set. The dp is from DCWV The Sweet Stack; ribbon, dye ink and punches from Stampin' Up. All the directions, free .cut files and pictures are on Custom Crops. Please leave a comment when you visit there and let me know what you think...your kind words are always appreciated.
(The earrings shown here are a pair that were handmade by my very talented daughter for me...check out her site by clicking here ...I didn't show the gift for my friend just in case she peeked here before we gave it to her)!!!

CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS - ART OPERA in Red Bank NJ is the place to be April 7-11, 2010

If you are on the East Coast (or planning to be April 7-11, 2010) you have got to check out Art Opera. There will be workshops with some fantastic instructors (Suze Weinberg is one!!! another is Lisa Kettell author of Altered Art Circus and that is just two of the amazingly talented artists who will be teaching!!!), there will be vendors, demos, swaps, make and takes; win Making Memories goodies, surprises and so much more. To find out all about it just click http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com/ to go to Lisa's site!!!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #29

The theme for Paper Cutz Challenge #29 is to make a card, layout or craft project with a get well theme using any colors you'd like.  My card is a standard A2 size from white cs and I ran the front through my Cuttlebug with the Floral Screen embossing folder. Some color was added to the embossing with some green and pink chalks. The shape for behind the sentiment is from the Sentimentals cartridge Page 65 Card1 and dp from K&Company Classic K McKenna stack. The sentiment was made with the Don Juan cartridge and CDS. I welded each of the words and cut them twice to give them a bit of dimension; adhered them together; inked them  and the background shape with Memento chalk ink in Gingerbread and using foam tape adhered this to the front of my card. I used my Signo white pen to add some dots and also a few rhinestones to the background shape. The final touch was some pink polka dot ribbon from my stash. Come join me and the talented DT ladies at PCC and show us your get well card.

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #13

Challenge #13 is to make a tall card (3 1/2"x 8 34") using any cart(s) and any color or theme.  I decided this would be the perfect chance to make a card for a friend's birthday coming up this month.  He is, obviously, a golfer and so I chose to use the golf bag from EDPD Page 54 Accessories 1 Shift Key and my CDS to adjust the size so I'd have a tall shaped card. I welded two of the shapes together by flipping one. I cut the card out twice..once for the outside of the card (with the strap opening cut on the front layer) and once for the inside layer (without having the strap opening cut). To do this I used the Hide Selected Contour feature in CDS. To get an extra set of 'clubs' I cut an extra golf bag, one part used to layer on the inside of the card and the 'clubs' cut off so I could color and layer them onto the front of the card. The silver was done using a Sharpie marker and the black is using a Copic marker. I adhered the inside layer with my ATG 700. I drew the lines on the front of the bag with a Zig Writer and inked around the edges with Memento Dew Drops chalk ink in Gingerbread. The 'golf towel' was from EDPD Page 45 Accessories 1 Shift Key. After cutting it out I ran it through my Cuttlebug with the Herringbone embossing folder; drew lines with a Zig Writer; punched a hole and set an eyelet with my Crop-a-Dile Big Bite; then attached it to the front of the golf bag with SU dimensionals. The inside sentiment was done using Microsoft Word, Tempus Sans ITC font printed in brown; also inked with Gingerbread. Come join me and the talented DT ladies at CCC for this fun challenge!

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT BOX AND MINI TAG ALBUM

I purchased a plastic pencil box at the Dollar Store and decided to remake it into a gift box to hold a mini tag album for Mother's Day.  Of course, this could be used for any occasion...birthday, thank you, anniversary, new baby, etc. and decorated to suit that occasion.  I used CDS and the Sentimentals cartridge to create a "faux MS punch look" to run my ribbon through and wrap around the box. For all the details, free .cut files and more pictures, just click here to go to Custom Crops to see my article. Please leave a comment at CC and here on my blog....I always appreciate your kind words.

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #28

This week we are to make a card, layout or project for a teen birthday using a digital or hand stamped image and any colors we like.  I chose to make a card for a teenage girl using my Cricut E and my new Forever Young cartridge. I cut Model 6 on page 29 twice (to layer because I wanted to pop her up for dimension) at 5 inches, along with her dress (shift key) and the flower in her hair (shift layer). I didn't cut the rest of the accessories because I wanted to use some bling. I cut Model 1 with her dress and blouse at approximately 4 inches for the inside of the card.  The dp is from DCWV with Glitter mat stack. To make the card base I cut a piece of green cs to make a standard A2 card. Using two clear stamps (the crown and 'queen for a day') from my stash I stamped the front to give it a patterned look. I then stamped 'Happy Birthday' and 'because Your Special' on white cs; punched them out with my label punch and inked around the edge with Versa Magic Dew Drop in Spring Pansy. I added Stickles in Purple to the crowns, the paper Models and Happy Birthday. For the inside I used a small piece of the design paper which I punched with my EK Success scalloped scallop punch. The rhinestones, pearls and ribbon on the front are from my stash. The DT at PCC invites you to come join us each week...we'd love to see your creations!

THE CUTTING CAFE CONTEST

Over the weekend Regina Easter, owner of the Cutting Cafe, was giving away two awesome files (the Colored Flower Set and the Colored Mini Polk A Dot Backgrounds). There is a contest that runs until February 13th and the details are to create ANY project using the sets ..(you can use both of the sets or just one of the sets). I chose to use the pink flowers for my gate fold card. I printed the flowers on white cs. One sheet I used for the card itself and the other to cut panels for the inside of the card. I inked around the edges with Memento Dew Drop dye ink in Rose Bud. The green cs is from my stash. I used the new SU scallop trim punch for the green cs trim I added to the front of the card and the matching corner punch for the inside of the card. The pink Bo Bunny ribbon was added by cutting small slits in the folds of the card and running it through before adding my panels to the inside. The flower stem was cut on my Cricut using the Tie The Knot cartridge on page 36. The chipboard flower is from K&Company Florals and Swooshes set that I got for $1.00 at Big Lots. I painted it with Raspberry and Pink Sherbet Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers. While still wet I dipped it into MS tinsel-cut glitter in Tourmaline; then I covered it with SU crystal effects for some extra bling. The center of the flower was colored with Adirondack alcohol ink in Lettuce along with some Stickles dots in Lime Green. I also used this Stickles to add bling to the center of the flowers on the front of the card and on the butterflies (which I made with the MS butterfly punch).

This set was used for a DT project that I will be posting soon and I know I will be using both of these great sets again.  A big 'thanks' to Regina for her generosity!!!

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE # 12

This week our challenge is to make a card using the card feature on any cart(s), using any color or theme.  Since I need a card for a male friend's birthday coming up in a couple of weeks I decided it would be the perfect time to make one.  The dp I used for this card came from DCWV Indian Summer Fall Stack. I chose to use Doodle Charms for the card and envelope and A Child's Year for the words 'Happy Birthday'. I used CDS to weld a blank card from DC on Page 131 at 4.25"x 5.5" to the hat card on Page 110 (also at 4.25"x 5.5" to make a standard A2 card). Then I used ACY Page 71 to cut 'happy birthday' and then used the Shift Key to cut the word 'happy' to layer on top. I cut a piece of green cs and punched along the top with my MS Cheers edge punch (which I was lucky enough to find in M's for only two dollars and change..woo!!) and then along the bottom with my MS ribbon punch. I inked all the edges with Memento Dew Drop chalk ink in Gingerbread; adhered a piece of the blue cs behind the 'cheers' punch outs and ran a piece of green ribbon through the holes on the bottom. I sprayed this with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Iridescent Gold to give it a little sparkle.This was adhered to the front of the card with SU dimensionals. I cut the same green cs for the inside of the card (one piece for each side because the green had to show through the front of the card for the hat cut out). I then punched some small circles, adhered them with mini Glue Dots. The final touch was some Stickles in Turquoise. I know most men are not wild about bling but I think the Glimmer Mist and little dots of Stickles was needed and our friend wouldn't mind it (that's my story and I'm sticking to it LOL!). I hope you'll join me and the talented ladies on the DT at CCC and show us your take on this fun challenge.

C.C Designs Sugarplum Spring *CANDY* Kit

Come check out the awesome Sugarplum Spring kit blog candy Kellie Winnell is offering from C.C. Designs. The kit contains 9 Sugarplum kids, 2 accessory stamps, and one set of Spring Sentiments. All the details to enter can be found here.

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #27

This challenge is to make a card, layout or project for Valentine's Day using the colors green, blue, black and white only.  I created this very easy-to-make card using black cs for the base and dp from EK Success called Lazy Daze Lounge Lizard (which just happened to have the other three colors for this challenge...yeah!). I used my new MS topiary punch-around- the-page set (purchased along with lots of other new goodies with a gift card from my youngest son and dil for Christmas...love those gift cards and coupons!!). I inked around the edges with Versa Magic Dew Drops in tea leaves; dots using Inkssentials white opaque pen. All the embellishments are from my stash...which I promised myself to use as much as possible this year. Come join the talented DT members at PCC and let's see what you create!!!

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE # 11

For Cricut Cardz Challenge #11 you are to make a Valentine card using any cart(s) or color you'd like but no hearts!!!  I used my CDS and the Sweet Treats cartridge to create a flower shaped card. On Page 51 I used Flower3 and in CDS flipped one so the sides could be welded together to make a card approximately 5 1/2 inches around. Then I cut two flower layers from the Flower3 Shift Key and one circle from the Flower3 Layers Key to be used on the inside of the card. My scalloped circle for the front was cut using my Nestabilities. The stamp sets I used are from sets that I won and want to again thank Sue from Particraft Ltd and True from True's Gifts From The Heart...love these stamps and please do check out their great blogs!! First I stamped the bees from the Creative Expressions Busy Bees 3 set from Particraft Ltd. I colored the bees with my Copics and Zig Color Brush Twins; added SU crystal effects to the eyes and wings and when dry I punched small holes on each scallop. The sentiment "You're The Bees Knees!" (so cute!) was included in the stamp set. I inked around all the layers with Memento dye ink in Gingerbread; popped the stamped scallop circle and sentiment with Scotch mounting tape; finished it off with some yellow rhinestones from my stash. The inside sentiment "you're so sweet" is from the Verve stamp set Thankful Accents from True .  Come join me and the rest of the talented design team at CCC and show us your Valentine card (remember...no hearts!).

A DOLLAR PICTURE FRAME MAKEOVER

While wandering around my local Michaels' I came across their dollar picture frames. I wasn't thrilled with the gaudy gold color (of course, what do you expect for a dollar!)  but I figured I could fix that and turn it into a cute little mini album.  Using CDS, my Expression, the Sentimentals cartridge, handmade ceramic charms from my daughter, vintage buttons from my mb friend, Joy Sikes, a Verve stamp set I won from my blog friend, True,  and a variety of goodies in my stash I just love how it turned out! All the directions, free .cut files and lots more pictures can be seen at Custom Crops by clicking here. I hope you'll check it out and leave a comment at CC and one here on my blog...all your kind comments are always appreciated!!