ATU23 CHALLENGE

All Things Unity Challenge 23 is to create either a tri-fold  or an easel card using only Unity or Ippity Stamps.  I decided to have a little fun and continue from the last challenge of making a mini card; and, so, this is my 3"x3" mini easel card. I used the following products: kraft and white cardstock, dp from Basic  Grey Olivia paper pad, Unity Stamps from DeLovely Whimsy, Memento Rich Cocoa dye ink, Copic markers, atyou Spica pen, SU Dimensionals and ATG Gun. 

VALENTINE AND EASTER BANNER DUO

My latest project for Custom Crops was going to be a banner....a single-sided banner...until I decided that it would be more fun to make one that is dual purpose.  I wanted to use one of my favorite new cartridges from the Spring Collection...Mother's Day Bouquet, so I chose to make one side for Valentine's Day and the other for Easter to show how really versatile this cartridge is.  I think most people may take a quick look at this cartridge and think it is only about flowers.....not so. Of course there are lots of flower layers but there are also nine leaf shapes that can be used for the Fall too!  There are also scallops and other shapes that are great for stamping sentiments on.  As you can see in the two pictures above, I even used different design paper for each holiday and some other fun things that you can read about in my article at Custom Crops by clicking here.  You'll find all my directions, more photos and a free .cut file. I  hope you'll take a moment to stop by CC and leave me some feedback.  If you decide to make a two-sided banner (or even one-sided), I hope you'll leave me a comment so I can come visit your site.  

ATU22 CHALLENGE - SECOND MINI CARD

 

This is my second mini card for the All Things Unity Challenge 22. The cards are to be no bigger than 3"x3" and must use Unity or Ippity Stamps only.  I purchased On The Bright Side itty bitty some time ago and just didn't have a chance to use it. I know it is supposed to be a 'lamp' but I decided it would look great as a flower pot with 'stems' for flowers. It is stamped onto design paper from Basic Grey Manila Paper Pad. The sentiment is the one that came with this itty bitty set and is raised up with one layer of SU dimensionals. The 'flower' stamp is from DeLovely Whimsy and is stamped onto Basic Grey dp from the Olivia paper pad. After I stamped it twice with Memento Rich Cocoa dye ink, I punched it out with an EK Success flower punch that I have had 'forever'.  I adhered one directly onto the 'stem' and raised the other up with two layers of SU Dimensionals. For a 'mini' touch of bling, I added three pink rhinestones. I have to say that I love making these mini cards and will be making several sets to give as small gifts.

ATU22 CHALLENGE

All Things Unity is having a mini card challenge and I decided it would be fun to join in.  The mini cards are to be no bigger than 3"x3" and using only Unity or Ippity Stamps.  I used my Distressed Dots stamp for the front of the kraft cs mini card base and two stamps from the DeLovely Whimsy set. I think this little turtle is just too cute. I stamped her with Memento Rich Cocoa dye ink on the kraft cardstock layer first and again on plain white cardstock so I could color her in with Copic markers; and then cut her out and adhered her using SU dimensionals.  The sentiment "Hello" is from the same set. I rounded two corners with my Corner Chomper and added a matching button tied with baker's twine.  This little mini was so much fun to make that I plan on doing more to have on hand as gift cards.

A 'THANK YOU' TO MARY OF CARDZTV

I recently made the difficult decision to step down as a Design Team member at Cricut Cardz Challenge and Paper Cutz Challenge. My hubby and I will begin to do lots more traveling soon and I've taken up a few new hobbies (as you can see from a previous post about my first quilt) along with bowling (boy do I need practice LOL) and more. I'll continue to design for Custom Crops, so you will be seeing posts for my projects.  I love papercrafting way too much to ever give it up entirely!

When I started my blog, the first challenge I ever entered was for PCC.  Mary welcomed me so warmly, inspired and encouraged me.  She then gave me the opportunity to join her Design Team.  When she started up CCC she invited me to become a DT member there as well.  I have enjoyed every challenge and look forward to seeing what all my fellow Design Team members continue to create...they are a very talented group of ladies and I'm proud to have been on the same teams as them.

I want to thank you, Mary, for being such a great friend to me!!!!  We have never had the opportunity to meet in person, but perhaps that will change during our travels. Until then, I will visit Cardztv to see what adorable projects you make and to watch your fun video tutorials. Hugs, Terry

SHAPED FLOWER GIFT CARD SET

When I saw that one of the newest Cricut cartridge releases was the Mother's Day Bouquet I knew I had to have it because I could see myself creating so many different projects with it!  I've started with this set of shaped flower cards that I've decided to 'gift' myself with LOL!! The card bases are welded using CDS. I will be creating more sets since they are great for a Hostess Gift, Birthday, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Thank You, Thinking of You or whatever occasion you need a quick, and useful gift to give (or simply to keep on hand for those unexpected times you find yourself needing a card). I chose to make these without alot of 'bulk' so they can be mailed without extra postage and another great feature...they fit into standard size A2 envelopes. I do plan on making a couple with lots of bling and dimension for those times I hand deliver a gift.
All the directions, along with a .cut file and more photos can be found in my article at Custom Crops by clicking here. I hope you'll check it out and leave some feedback along with a comment here on my blog. I sure do appreciate hearing from you!!

"LOVE LAYOUT"

Who doesn't love Tim Holtz products?  I have accumulated so much over the years and just had to start using more of it (plus, I want to be sure to make room for his new products LOL!). Another new product I used for the first time is one of the Cuttlebug Quilled Flower Sets (Daisy)...can I say how much I love this?!?  I've done some quilling before, but, this takes it to a whole new level and is so much fun to do!!!  I created this 8x8 layout for Custom Crops (where you can see all the directions and more photos) by clicking here.  I plan on putting a photo of my hubby and myself on the photomat and displaying it in a shadowbox frame.  This would make a great gift for Valentine's Day! I hope you'll check out my article, leave some feedback at Custom Crops and let me know what you think by leaving me a comment here. Your comments are always appreciated!!!

Some of the products used for this 8x8 layout are: Tim Holtz Hanging Sign Die, Grungeboard, Lost & Found design paper stack; Basic Grey Curio design paper; Cuttlebug and Daisy Quilled Flower set, Shabby Wrinkled Ribbon and more.

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #74

For Paper Cutz Challenge #74 we are to make a card, layout or craft project using a tag or tags and any colors or theme we'd like.  Like most, I don't like making sympathy cards; however, one of our neighbors lost his Mom on the first of the year and so I made a card for him and his wife. The supplies used are:
Kraft Cardstock; Bazzill cs; Sizzix Big Kick and tag die; Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots and Kars Roses embossing folders; Memento dye ink in Rich Cocoa; PTI Vintage Cream Twill Tape that I colored with a Copic marker to match the rose; button  from Buttons Galore; SU top note die and dimensionals; sentiment stamp from Hampton Art, Corner Chomper
Come join all the talented DT ladies, invite your friends and show us your project using a tag or tags by clicking here.

I MADE MY VERY FIRST QUILT!!!

My sweet friend (and next door neighbor), Betty, is a quilter and has been 'threatening' (LOL) to turn me into a quilter, too!  I have done only a tiny bit of sewing and most of it was many, many years ago.....straight stitch only!! I have this little sewing machine, a Janome Sew Petite, that I purchased years ago with the intention of sewing on cards....it got used once to make sure it worked.....never used after that, just stored away.  After a shopping trip last week with Betty to a local quilt shop and many dollars spent on this amazing flannel, I began a journey that I never thought I would attempt.....making a quilt.  A couple of quick instructions by Betty and I was on my own with my baby Janome.  It is called a Rag Quilt, one of the easiest to make I was told, and it was sooooo much fun to make!! Today I completed the assembly on Betty's 'grown-up' Janome and my very first quilt was born!!! Tomorrow, Betty and I are on our way back to the quilt shop so I can purchase more material because I can't wait to start my next quilt....maybe it will be another Rag Quilt...or maybe I will try doing a Jellyroll Quilt...another style that I was told was easy. Now, as a disclaimer, this quilt shop will cut (for a reasonable fee) all your squares with the fringed ends so I didn't have to do all that extra work or else I would still be cutting out squares; and, cutting all those fringes would have been a killer on my 'crafting' hand that I need for my paper crafting...that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!! (LOL).  Would love to hear your comments and any quilting or basic sewing tips that you care to share. Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog!!

'COMPUTER GEEK' BIRTHDAY CARD

Our oldest son is having a birthday this month (and since he is a programmer...aka 'computer geek'... I wanted to create a card with a computer theme).  The 'laptop' is from the Locker Talk cartridge on Page 52. The only cuts are the laptop shape and the keyboard (which I flipped for this card). To get the cut for the 'screen' I used my Gypsy and resized a second laptop to fit in the space. After cutting it out with my Expression, I trimmed off the bottom section.  The metallic paper is from Best Occasions (Walmart). I drew some lines with a black Zig pen for a bit of dimension. The other cardstock and striped vellum used to make the card and laptop are from my stash (more stuff I've had for a very long time). I printed the sentiment onto the vellum and trimmed it to fit on the 'screen'. I used a 'phillip's head screw' brad with the twine to add a little extra 'guy' touch. The sentiment is continued on the inside for a bit of humor (and because that is what we are giving him for his gift LOL!)  along with our best wishes for a very happy birthday, of course!!!!  I had so much fun creating this card and can't wait to hear what he thinks.

PAPER CUTZ CHALLENGE #73

For the first challenge of 2011 at PCC we are to make a card, layout or craft project using metal (brads, eyelets, wire, etc) and any colors or theme we'd like.  I decided that in 2011 I have to start using products that are in my stash (some for a very, very long time!) before buying more.  For my project I created a travel mini album that I plan on using to record some of the adventures my hubby and I plan on taking this year. This mini album is from a set of three that I've had forever, as are the metal rivets (QVC purchase) used on the tags and the 'Adventure' fastener (Rebecca Sower for Nostalgiques The Attic Collection). The design paper used is from DCWV The Travel Stack that was sent to me by Jen. (thanks again Jen!). Other products used: Tim Holtz Distress inks in Vintage Photo and Tea Dye and Gold Mixatives alcohol ink; twine; numbers stamps and tiny eyelet from stash; SU punch; Scor-tape, Scotch ATG and Unity Stamp from a love Beyond Measure set that I used for the back of the journaling cards. Why not start off 2011 by joining all the DT ladies and show us your project by clicking here.

CRICUT CARDZ CHALLENGE #56

Happy New Year!!! The first challenge of 2011 at CCC is to create a card with a New Year's theme with a Clock image using any cartridge and color.  I used my Gypsy and the French Manor cartridge for the clock. The other supplies used were: kraft cs; clock stamp, rhinestones, mini brad from stash; SU hemp twine and dimensionals; Memento Rich Cocoa dye ink; Corner Chomper; sentiment printed using MS Word, Estrangelo Edessa 16pt font and punched out with a SU punch.   Come join all the talented ladies on the DT and welcome in the New Year with us by clicking here.

MY PINK STAMPER 2011 DESIGN TEAM CHALLENGE

Robyn (My Pink Stamper) is having a 2011 Design Team Challenge where she will be selecting two more designers that will be on her upcoming team.  A close friend asked me to cut out two castles that she can use to scrapbook pages for each of her little granddaughters after they take their first trip to Disneyland. I decided that she would also need a little 'princess' to go with each one and so here is a pic of one of the finished layouts and close-up of the princess for my entry.

The products used for this layout are:
Cricut Expression; Gypsy; cartridges: Disney Mickey Font; Jubilee; Paper Doll Dress Up; Cuttlebug; Swiss Dots Embossing folder; 12x12 Bazzill cardstock - brown; light green; light pink; dark pink.  DCWV the glitter cs matstack in yellow (my optional color choice), pink ribbon from Laundry Line; Pebbles Inc Pearlescent chalking ink; Peachy Keen Stamps for face; Scor-tape; SU dimensionals; rhinestones from stash; Signo Uni-ball white pigment ink pen; light pink sheer fabric.

Using my Gypsy and one of my favorite cartridges, PDDU, the castle was cut at 11 1/2 inches. I used my white pigment pen to draw stitch marks; layered the yellow glitter cs behind the windows; chalked the castle turrets in green and the little flags in pink and light brown. The castle doors are propped open with dimensionals so that a picture of the little 'princess' can be attached there.  

The paper 'princess' from PDDU (along with all her accessories) were cut at 3 inches. I used a PKS face stamp and added a little pink chalk on her cheeks.  Her dark pink dress was run through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder. After assembling all the cut parts, I made a little sheer fabric skirt to go over her dress and added a piece of ribbon at the waist. Every princess needs some bling and so I added some rhinestones to her crown and sceptor.

The banner is from Jubilee and the word 'princess' is from the Disney Mickey Font cart. I welded the letters on a slight curve using my Gypsy (love that welding feature) and added a dark pink rhinestone to dot the 'i'. All parts were adhered to the layout with Scor-tape. 

The requirements for this challenge are:
*You will need to have a blog

*You cannot already be serving on a DT that has product that is a conflict of interest (most DTs are just fine as long as they do not sell product that is similar to My Pink Stamper Original Cricut Stamps idea)

*Your project must be made just for this challenge

*Post a pic on your blog with a full recipe along with what the challenge is about

*This needs to be a new project that you make just for this challenge

*Only one entry per person, please

*You must have either a Cricut or Imagine to serve on the team

*No experience necessary but you must have a love for the craft! :)
Challenge: Make a card, scrapbook page, or other Cricut project with your favorite cartridge using Robyn's favorite colors.....Pink, Green, Brown, (other optional color of your choice)

Good Luck to everyone who enters this fun DT challenge and thanks to Robyn for giving everyone a chance to join her DT!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I recently ordered a set of mini banner dies from Paper Trey Ink and just had to use them to make a project. This set is really meant for cards but I didn't want to create a card. If you click on the pic it should make it larger.  I cut the largest die using black cs; the smaller one from white cs and the tiny toppers from a very pale blue glitter paper. I used a stamp from the matching PTI Banner Builder set and hand printed the letters (HAPPY NEW YEAR) on the white layers and then ran them through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder.  They are attached to black and white baker's twine. A very tiny jingle bell is tied between the words. It is so cute in person and I can't wait to start creating cards using this fun set of dies!