CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #19

This week at Cricut Cardz Challenge is "Anything Goes"!  I have a friend whose birthday is this month so I decided to create a special card for her.  I used my CDS and my new Straight From The Nest cartridge (which I love!!!). I cut the Bday Bird on Page 58 including the Shift Key, Layer Key and Shift Shadow Key. I used design paper from DCWV The Green Stack; The Holiday Collection Glitter Mat Stack and Holiday Collection Adhesive Stack. I adhered all the Bday Bird layers together; added white dots with my Signo pen and Stickles to the beak and party hat; then set it aside to dry. The card is a standard A2 made from white cs. I cut the red glitter mat at 4 inches high by 5 1/4 inches wide and adhered to the front of the card. The next layer is from the Green Stack and is cut at 3 3/4 inches high by 5 inches wide and adhered to the red glitter mat. I stamped "Happy Birthday" with a SU stamp and SU chocolate chip dye ink to a small piece of dp and then added red Stickles on either side of the sentiment. When dry I adhered the sentiment and the Bday Bird to the front of the card using SU dimensionals.  The inside was finished as shown in the picture. Come join me and the very talented ladies on the DT at CCC and remember.....'anything goes'!!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #34

For this week's challenge at Paper Cutz Challenge we are to make a card, layout or craft project for Easter using any colors, but no bunnies or chicks.  I chose to make a gatefold card (love this style).  I used green cs from the DCWV Flower Shower Spring Stacks; the white and orange cs are from my stash.  I used my Cricut and the Forever Young and Mini Monograms cartridges to create the Easter bonnet and scallop squares.  To get the dimension for the hat, I ran the cuts through my Cuttlebug with the Oriental Weave embossing folder. Before attaching them to the hat I inked the edges with SU dye ink in Only Orange and attached a piece of orange dot ribbon for the hat band.  For the flower on the hat I cut the flower once with the leaves, one small flower and two larger flowers. I once again inked around the edges with the same SU dye ink and used my Green Copic marker for the leaves. I attached them together with a small white brad and using a large pop dot adhered it to the hat. Once the scalloped squares were cut using MM I inked around the edges and attached together with Scor-tape. For the inside of the card I printed "Happy Easter" vertically using my Microsoft Word program and the Segoe Script font at 12pt in Dark Greeen. I cut layers in white and orange for the sentiment area and the sides (I used my SU scallop punch for the side panels and inked all the edges of the cuts with the SU Only Orange ink). I added some matching ribbon on the right side of the gatefold and added my favorite Ranger Stickles for some bling.  I hope you'll leave me a comment and then come join in the fun at PCC and show us your Easter creation!

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #18

This week over at Cricut Cardz Challenge you are to make an Easter card using any cart(s) and colors.  I made a 6 x 6 card from dp in the Seasonal Paper stack from K&Company. The sentiment came to mind first and when I saw the dp with the chick and eggs I knew I found a winner.  I used CDS and Doodle Charms for the basket...only it is the baby bag on Page 104 that I modified for this card.  I cut the Shadow shape twice and cut off the handles before I ran both through my Cuttlebug using the Oriental Weave embossing folder. I used 1/8" Scor-tape on the sides and bottom of one and adhered the second one so it would form a 'pocket'..I wanted to be able to tuck the 'grass' I cut from EDPD and two of the eggs I cut from the dp into it before I reattached the handles and fussy cut the dp so the chick would look like it was in the basket. All the 'eggs' were handcut from the dp and inked with Memento chalk ink before attaching in place with dimensionals. I used a piece of rope twine from SU at the top of the basket and inked that, too. The sentiment was done using Microsoft Word. The little flower on the bottom is from Jolees Boutique. I lined the inside with solid cs. I used a MS punch at the top and added 'dots' there and on the eggs and basket with my Uni-ball Signo pen. I then attached some of the eggs I cut out along with  a butterfly (also cut from the dp). The final touch was a bit of Stickles in Crystal. Come join me and the talented ladies on the DT at CCC and show us your Easter card!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #33

This week Paper Cutz Challenge #33 is to make a card, layout or craft project using 3 buttons, 1 ribbon and any colors or theme.  For most who visit my blog they know I love to use my Cricut or Gypsy, Design Studio and my Cuttlebug to design most of (or at least a part of) my projects; however, no 'bug' was used for this...I know....Shock!!!! To create this birthday card I chose cardstock, design paper and glitter paper from DCWV Flower Shower Spring Stacks and DCWV Holiday Collection Glitter Matstack.  I cut the blue cs 4 1/4" by 11" and scored it down the middle to create a standard A2 card.  The ribbon, flowers, buttons and metal tag were from a large gift set my oldest son and daughter-in-law gave me for my last birthday. They matched the colors from the DCWV stacks perfectly! Other items I used were SU dimensionals, SU sentiment punch for the inside from the Whimsical Words set; SU Tempting Turquoise dye ink; ATG 700 gun; my new bracket punch from EK Success; craft thread for the buttons and, of course, Ranger Stickles. Come join me and the rest of the talented ladies on the DT at PCC and join in this fun challenge!

SLIDE IN POCKET CARDS FOR CUSTOM CROPS

Did you ever want to have a set of handmade cards at the ready so that all you need to do is add a touch or two; or just fill in, sign and mail? That is what I have done using CDS and just two cartridges; New Arrival and George and Basic Shapes. The cards I created have a small ‘pocket’ behind the front opening so that a stamped image, sentiment, photo, etc. can just slide in and be seen ‘peeking’ through the front ‘window’. These will be great for school pictures to send to grandparents; a thank you note for gifts; get well; etc. What is especially nice about these cards is that you can create a number of different looks just by changing the image, cardstock and embellishments as you can see by the picture attached.

For all the directions, more pictures and free .cut files just click here to go to my article at Custom Crops. Please leave a comment here and also at Custom Crops...I really do appreciate your kind words.

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #17

The challenge Mary gave us this week was to make a card for a child's (boy or girl) birthday using any cart(s) and colors.  I decided to make a large card (7 inches high by 6 inches wide) which is not a problem if you are hand delivering it to the recipient. I used PDDU and the doll body is on Page 29 and I used the Blackout key because I wanted to stamp the face with my Peachy Keen Stamps. The superboy can be found on Page 56 of the handbook along with his accessories. The only thing I changed was his hair (didn't care for the one on that page so I used the hair on Page 46 Headwear). I ran his cape and 'symbol' through the Cuttlebug using the Stars embossing folder (I fussy cut the 'symbol' so the star would be centered). His belt was run through with the Swiss Dots folder. I inked around the cuts before assembling with Memento chalk ink. To give him some dimension I used Scotch foam tape to attach the cape and the 'symbol' and then popped him up onto the front of the card.  The circle sentiment was created using Adobe Photoshop Elements; after printing I inked around the edges and attached to the card with foam tape. I used my corner rounder and then for some boy 'bling' I used my Ranger Mixatives in Gold to color some plastic discs that I added in two of the corners. Come join me and the talented DT at CCC and show us your child's birthday card creation!

VINTAGE CARD FOR TWO CHALLENGES

Mary has made it very easy for this week's Paper Cutz Challenge...anything goes! Since I saw that The Cuttlebug Spot was having a vintage challenge this week I decided to combine both.  I created a standard A2 size card using pink cardstock from my stash. I used my Cricut to cut the card; distressed it with the Tim Holtz distress tool and inked it with Ranger Distress inks in Tea Dye and Tattered Rose. For the layers on the front and on the inside of the card I used design paper from the K&Company Classic K McKenna stack. I used my Fiskars corner rounder for the ends and ran the layer for the front of the card through my Cuttlebug using the Plum Blossoms embossing folder. I used the distress tool again and inked it with the same Distress inks to bring out the design and help with the vintage look.  The tag, vintage lace, page from an old book, mini thread spool and 'cameo' were gifts from my daughter (who collects vintage items and creates beautiful jewelry and art with them and, best of all, shares with her Mom...lucky me!!!). The 'cameo' was an inexpensive reproduction in gaudy gold so I took a silver Sharpie and an Adirondack pen and "antiqued" it!. The tag had been colored by my daughter with Twinkling H2Os and I used the Distress tool and inks to age it along with the piece of paper from the old book. The vellum behind and on the tag is actually an insert from the EK Success Rebecca Sower Nostalgiques collection which I ran through the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots embossing folder and then inked (I used one of the circle tags to attach the cameo to; one of the corners and a floral stick pin from the same collection). The flowers under the stick pin are from my stash; the silver tinsel is from Vintage Attic Treasures. The mini thread spool was unfinished so I used my Adirondack pens with a water brush to 'age' it. I then shredded a small piece of hemp twine from SU; placed a tiny piece of Scor-tape on the back of the spool and wrapped the twine around to give it the look of old thread; tied a small piece of chiffon ribbon to the stick pin and then added the spool.  The tag was attached to the front of the card with SU dimensionals and the stick pin with a larger pop dot; and, for the final touch, I used a small hole punch to give the scallop edge an eyelet look. Come join me and all the talented ladies on the DT at PCC for this week's 'anything goes' challenge!

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #16

This week, for challenge #16, we are to make a card for Spring using flowers, birds or butterflies and any cart(s) and colors.  With my CDS and the Lyrical Letters cartridge I made my Spring card.  I used the bird on Page 73 Thinking of You Shift Key and the word Spring on Page 72. First I flipped the bird (LOL) in CDS so it would look like the letter 'S'. After cutting each one twice, I cut off the letter "S" from Spring and adhered the rest of the word to make it easier to work with (this is a very fine cut and can tear easily). After layering the two birds together I used my Copic marker to color the beak and feet; added some Black Diamond Stickles for the eye and used my black Zig pen for the 'eye lashes'. I used dp from Colorbok Dena's Closet stack for the pink gingham A2 size card; cut a small slit in the side and ran the ribbon (from my stash) through; tied a bow and added rhinestones to the knot and also in the upper opposite corner. I used SU dimensionals to attach the bird and my Zig two way pen for the rest of the word. Instead of dotting the letter 'i' I added a small flower with a rhinestone center. Come join me and the talented DT ladies at CCC and show us your Spring card.

A BEAUTIFUL BLOGGER AWARD FROM PINK E!!!

When I checked my blog I got such a nice surprise...this Beautiful Blogger Award from Pink E!! She is a very talented designer that I am honored to be on the same DT with at Cricut Cardz Challenge. To see all her great designs just click here! And a big "Thank You!" to Pink E!!!  The rule of this blog award is to list seven things about yourself and then pass it along to 15 other bloggers:

1.  I love my family!!
2.  I love to craft!
3.  I love to travel!
4.  I love to shop for craft stuff!
5.  I love shopping for craft stuff while I'm traveling!! LOL
6.  I love that my daughter shares these passions (yes, crafting, traveling and shopping!)
7.  I love that I took the plunge and started a blog, got invited to join three awesome DTs and made some wonderful bloggie (is that a word?!) friends!!!

Now I'm supposed to pass this wonderful blog award on to 15 bloggers (this is a tough one since there are so many talented folks whose blogs are such a pleasure to visit) I chose the following 15 because I do enjoy visiting their blogs, seeing what awesome creations they have come up with, hearing about how their day or week is going and I'm honored when they leave comments on my blog:

Mary         http://www.cardztv.blogspot.com/
Margie C   http://ohbumbleismemargie.blogspot.com/
Jacque       http://jacquesmagnolias.blogspot.com/
Lyn          http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/
Cabio        http://cabioscraftcorner.blogspot.com/
Margie       http://bellabugcreations.blogspot.com/
Donna       http://donnamundinger-popsicletoes.blogspot.com/
Lynn         http://www.millers-ink.net/
Okie         http://okieladybugsscrapnmore.blogspot.com/
Jeri           http://bugnme.blogspot.com/
Angie       http://angiecortesdesigns.blogspot.com/
Bryan       http://scrapguy.blogspot.com/
Kath         http://kath-allthatglitter.blogspot.com/
Shelly       http://cardsbyshelly.blogspot.com/
Barbara    http://spotofsanity.blogspot.com/

  

GOT GAS?

Know someone who is feeling a bit 'under the weather' and needs a little get well card to help cheer them up?  I'm hoping this will do the trick!!  When I first saw this gas pump on the Going Places cartridge I didn't think...cars or trucks, oh no.. the first thought that came to mind was 'got gas?' and so I set out to make a funny card; anyway, I hope you all think it's funny!!!  If you'd like directions and free .cut files they are available at Custom Crops...just click here and it will take you right to my article.  Please leave a comment at CC and also here on my blog...I'd love to know what you think!!!

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #31

For this week's challenge we are making either a card, layout or craft project for St. Patrick's Day using any colors.  I found this pretty dp in my K&Company Citronella stack that has a green pattern on the front and a yellow, white and green pattern on the back.  This fun card shape is on A Child's Year cartridge, Page 31 Card. I cut it out at 11 inches wide by 4 1/4 inches tall to make a standard A2 card. To cut the sentiment I used the Alphalicious cartridge Page 129 Lucky Shadow Shift and the 'u' from the matching font. I used my square scallop punch on white cs; sprayed it with Glimmer Mist in Lily Pad; inked around the edges with Memento chalk ink in Tea Leaves; added the sentiment and one clover that had been cut out of the card and adhered this to the card with pop dots. I tied some ribbon from my stash and added a vintage button to the knot. To make the clover cut outs 'pop' I lined them with a piece of Prismatic Paper from Best Occasions. I cut a second card shape and attached it to the inside to cover up the ribbon and Prismatic Paper strip (I like my cards to have a finished look). The final touch is with one of my favorite products...Ranger Stickles in Lime Green. Come join the DT at PCC and show us your St. Patrick's Day card!

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #15

Our challenge this week at Cricut Cardz is to make a gate fold card using any cart(s), colors or theme you'd like. This is a standard A2 size card made using dark pink cs and scored on my Scor-Pal. I love making this type of card and have been wanting to use this old fashioned telephone from the Sentimentals cartridge. It can be found on Page 59. Since I wanted to make the telephone stand out (and have the look of chipboard) I did all the following cuts three times each from black cs: the telephone; the shadow and the dial layer. Before adhering it together I used my Perfect Pearls in Pearl on the top shadow layer so that the telephone layer would stand out and also on the dial. Once all the layers were attached I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist in Pink Taffy for a bit of shine. To make the background for the telephone I cut two pieces of yellow dp with my Nestabilities Labels One. The one that the telephone would be directly attached to was run through the Cuttlebug using the Japanese Scales embossing folder and then layered on top of the other cut; then inked around the edges with Memento dye ink in Rose Bud . I cut four yellow cs panels and used the same JS embossing folder on them and the dp for the inside center of the card. The black cs was embossed with the Swiss Dots folder and the corners punched with the MS ATP loopy corner punch. Once attached to the bright pink card I added tiny yellow rhinestones on all the loops (both on the inside and outside of the card) and under each of the holes on the dial. Please come join us at CCC and show us your gate fold card creation.