BEWARE ~ This is a cute card!

I love Halloween, always have.  So when Mary, over at Card TV, challenged us to make a Halloween card, I was super excited!   I recently bought bothe the October 31 and the Happy Hauntings cartridges and used cuts from both on this card!

This 5.75 x 5.75 card fits perfectly in a 6 inch square envelope.  The house is made with strips of grey Bazzil card stock, cut at .75" , inked and layered.  The "brick"is just a piece of terra cotta card stock that I used a white gel pen to draw in the mortar and then dabbed ink on to age.  The window was cut at 2.75 and the sign bracket at .75 from the Oct. 31 cartridge. The other cuts are Happy Hauntings. The ghost in the window is cut from vellum at 2.25", the fence is at 3" and the pumpkin at 2.5".   The moon was cut at 2.75" with my MS Circle  cutter and the "beware" is a sticker from MS Halloween line from 2007.

Thanks for the challenge Mary - this was super fun to do!

A Quick, Cute Easel Card

My sister in law sent my youngest son the cutest card that she had stamped and I thought the sentiment would go perfectly with the crab from Create a Critter.  When I finished this quick easel card, I had to giggle.  It just turned out so stinkin' cute!

The base is Bo Bunny Double Dot cut at 11 x 4.25 inches.  I scored it with my Martha Stewart Scoreboard at 2.5" and 5.5 inches.  The salutation is printed (from my computer) and trimed to 2 x 4, layered on navy & sandpaper, then  pop dotted  to the inside of the folded card.   I glued on some seashell shaped buttons just for fun.  The "sand" is a strip of sandpaper! The crab is cut at 3 " and the presents and hat are cut at 1.5" from the Sweet Treats cartridge, then popdotted off the sand! A touch of Ranger Stickles glitter glue adds that perfect touch of sparkle.

Here is what the card looks like closed.  The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. The A4 card fits in a standard invitation envelope.

Graphically Speaking ~ This is a great Challenge!

Robin at Fantabulous Cricut challenged us to create a card or project incorporating a vacation or travel.  Now I personally love to travel, but one of my favorite things about traveling is how incredibly good it feels to come home.  So here is my offering for this challenge.

This 12 x12 layout is done with Stampin Up!Night of Navy card stock.  The patterened paper is something I won at a crop so I am not sure who it is by. Thearrow and compass are from the Graphically Speaking cartridge and the title is the Gypsy font welded on my Gypsy.  How did I ever scrap before I owned my gypsy?  I did pull out my distressing tool and inks dor this layout and am very pleased with the over all results.

Winter Challenge from My Pink Stamper

Robyn over at My Pink Stamper issued a cool challenge on a hot summer day!  "Make a winter project" she said and that is exactly what I did. 

I love cards with dimension and this card is full of it.  Embossing, pop dots, stickles, even a card with in a card!.  I used the card function on the Hello Kitty Greetings cartridge to cut the snowman (5 inches).  The base is white card stock cut at 11 x 4.25, scored at 2.5 then again at 5.5.  I cut the patterned SU paper 4.25 x 3 and the white at 4.25 x 2.75.  I embossed both with the Cuttlebug snowflakes folder and punched one edge of the white piece with a fiscars border punch. The greeting is cut at 2.25 inches, layered and stamped with the Flakey Friends (retired).  The whole greeting is pop dotted up so when the card is folded, it tucks right behind and stands up. 

This A4 card fits in a standard invitation envelope when folded flat.

Halloween In Wonderland ~ Spellbinding!

Graphic 45 has cast a spell on me with this amazing line of magial papers! Tammy from Lil' Lamb's Boutique has bound the spell even further by putting together the Halloween in Wonderland~ Deluxe Scrapbook Kit! I actually had to call my daughter in to make me cut into the first sheet of paper. Seriously - I just wanted to save it all! But how could I, Right? So for my first projects from this enchanting kit I had to go with the Mad Hatter theme.

I used the Cricut Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge and my Gypsy to weld two "top hats" together to cut out the base of this card.  I also used an oval from George & Basic Shapes for the top of the hat.  The sheet of playing cards in this kit are so much fun and I used one to tuck in the ribbon (isn't it amazing ribbon?) hat band .

Here is a view from the side so you can see how it opens and all the dimension this fun card has.

Here's another one but on a 5.75 by 5.75 card. I love how the rabbit is looking at his watch on this playing card. It goes perfectly with the sentiment on the inside...

See what I mean. I have a stamp set that says this but the greeting looked so small on this big card. Instead, I made a rubon with my inkjet printer and a transparency sheet. Stay tuned for more projects with this amazing paper!

Tropical Challenge at Fantabulous Cricut

They're having a challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut and I couldn't resist.  I just got the Life's a Beach cartridge and haven't really had a chance to use it yet. I think this card is sa-weet!

I used Core'dinations paper for the leaf.  After I cut it, I turned it over and used my embossing tool to make the veins.  I flipped it over and lightly sanded the surface to expose the lighter core.  Cool, huh?  The pinapple is embossed in my Cuttlebug.  Because I wanted the fruit, straw and umbrella in different colors, I  used my Gypsy to hide some of the cuts.

RECIPE

Life's a Beach - Pineapple cut @4.5", Leaf cut @5.25" x 4"

Bo Bunny - A4 card

Corner Chomper

Core'dinations Paper

Clear Dollar Fruity Fun Stamp

Brown Twine

New Arrival - well almost!

I just found out that my niece is expecting her first child, the first grand niece or nephew on our side of the family.  So I made this cute little card to let her know how happy we are for her.

Recipe:

SU! Cardstock cut at 8.5 x 5.5 (A4)

New Arrival Expectant mom cut at 3 inches

White base is also from New Arrival at 5" x  3.5"

Cuttlebug border  folder

Ribbon - Hobby Lobby

Jewels - Walmart

MPS Critter Challenge

Robyn and her new designers over at My Pink Stamper challenged us make a project with a critter in it and my first instinct was to grab Create a Critter.  This is what I came up with.

Recipe:

SU! White card Stock cut at 8.5 x 5.5 (A4)

Cuttlebug Border embossing folders

Owl cut at 3" from scraps

Hero Arts Clear Stamp Set

Paper Scraps

SU! Ink - Regal Rose

So I finished that one and thought "everyone is going to use Create a Critter, how about using a different cartridge"? So here is one with the Cricut Lite B is for Boy.

Recipe:

SU! Crealy Caramel cardstock cut at 8.5 x 5.5 (A4)

Lion Cut at 3.5" from scraps

Rubber Soul Stamp set - Day at the Zoo

Printed paper open stock from Hobby Lobby

Black Ribbon

Basic Grey Origins ~ So Earthy!

When I opened up this Basic Grey~Origins~ 11pc Scrapbook Paper Kit from Lil' Lamb's Boutique, all I could think of was earth & vegetables. Anyone that knows me, knows that I don't garden, but I know someone that does! My favorite thing to come out of my mother-in-laws garden is her pickles. Everyone who eats them loves them, so cold and crunchy and delicious. My children are no exception and their addiction to grandma's pickles started early.

This is a pretty simple layout, but this beautiful paper carrries it perfectly! I think the thing that I adores about Basic Grey is the slightly distressed look of alll of their papers. It makes you want to grab your ink pads and go a little nuts!

As you you all know, I love my Cricut, but I am in love with my Gypsy!  I did not have a pickle on any of the cartridges that I own, so I created one of my own using George and Basic shapes. This pickle is made with a series of circles and ovals all welded together and cut twice. I clipped the stem off one and ran it through the Cuttlebug for texture. It is pop dotted for more texture. I used the Lyrical Letters cartridge for the title.

My husband loved to give the children rides on the garden tractor. ( I've got pictures of each ones first ride). How perfect is this paper for these pictures?

The tractor is cut from the Everyday Paper Dolls Cartridge cut three times and trimmed and layered to resemble the tractor in the picures. The accents under the cream colored journaling tag are just punched circles from bits left over from the first layout. I think the thing that ties everything together with Basic Grey paper is taking the extra step of inking all cut edges with a little Time Holtz Walnut Ink!

Basic Grey Capella - A bright Star!

I am a a huge fan of Wikipedia and it says that "Capella is the sixth brightest star in the night sky." Well I think that Capella is one of the brightest stars in the Basic Grey line. The Cappella~ Deluxe Scrapbook Kit~ KOTM from Lil' Lamb's Boutique is simply lovely. I love the muted and diverse colors in this kit and the embellishments? Forgetaboutit! Tammy sure puts together some beautiful kits!

To see more detail of this layout and creations by my fellow designers, visit the Blog at Lil' Lamb's Boutique.

A Quick Thank You Card!

My inlaws will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in December and instead of a big party, they just wanted all their children and grandbabies in one place.  So we rented a beautiful house in the Black Hills of South Dakota and stayed for four days.  Here is is the family!

My father in law wouldn't hear of us paying for a thing, I know, this is what they wanted for their anniversary and wouldn't let us pay.  So I created this fun little card to say thanks.

This A4 card was created using scraps and the Cricut Create a Critter (whale cut at 3 inches) and Lifes a Beach (salutation cut at 3 inches with the whale trimmed off). 

Chicken Pops!

When my oldest got Chicken Pox, she got them pretty bad!  Whenever she saw this picture in the photo album she would say, "Baby got the Chicken Pops".  So there you go, the perfect title.

I used the Basic Grey ~ Capella Deluxe KOTM from Lil' Lambs Boutique.  I love the muted and diverse colors in this kit.  The title is cut from the Cricut Storybook Cartridge.

 

Don't you just love this adorable chicken cut at 6 inches from the Cricut Animal Kingdom cartridge?  I added a big distressed bow to dress her up a bit!

The photo mat is pop dotted on three sides so this journaling tag can slide right in.  Don't tell anyone, but it is actually some leftover packaging from some prima flowers I got at Lil' Lambs.  I finished off the other side with some matching bazzil and added the tab cut from the Cricut Fabulous Finds cartridge.  I am a frugal scrapper and if I think I might be able to use packaging on a page, I keep it!

Basic Grey ~ Green at Heart

Have you ever opened a pack of paper and an image immediately pops in to your head? This is exactly what happened when I received BasicGrey~ Green at Heart~ Deluxe Scrapbook Kit~ KOTM from Lil Lambs Boutique. The sherberty orange color just screamed popsicle to me! So this was my very first creation.

As my fellow designer Cheryl said, Basic Grey and JustRight stamps are a match made in heaven. I love the ability to mix and match the frames and verses with different color inks. Because the acrylic blocks are clear, they are also incredibly easy to line up. I used the just right stamps on all of my projects today. On this 5.75" x 5.75" card I used the Cricut Doodlecharms Cartridge to cut the popsicle at 3". Some checked ribbon, three crystals and a bit of stickles make this card pop!

The large sentiments in the JustRite ~ Cherish the Memories Nested Sentiments  make the perfect scrapbook titles. This page uses the beautiful ribbon and flowers included with this great kit. I am a fan of quick and easy scrapbook pages so I used my favorite EK punch "Threading Water" and a few buttons from my stash to finish off this page.

This A4 card is probably one of my favorites I've ever made. I cut the flower pot twice from the Cricut Walk In My Garden at two inches. Then I cut the "rim" of the pot off one, inked both pieces and pop dotted the rim to give it the illusion of a real pot. I cut three strips of card stock about 2 inches by 1/2 inches, and glued them all together to creat a "stiff stem" to hold the Prima Rose upright so when you open the card ...

and tuck it behind the pop dotted strip and sentiment, it sits up like a perfectly blooming rose!

For this last card I cut five flower shapes, starting at 3.5 inches and getting smaller by 1/2 inch, out of white cardstock. I saturated each one with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Chalk Board Banana Pudding. This stuff has a beautiful chalky finish with the finest glitter I have ever seen. The look is amazing. After I soaking them good, I crumpled them up and let them sit for about 10 minutes. I un-rumpled them, layered them and hit them with a heat gun to "set" the shape. A large brad holds it together.

Don't you just love the the beautiful colors in this kit.

Variation on a theme ~ B is for Boy

I have two boys, both as different as night and day.  When I make a super cute layout for one,  I always feel guilty relpicating it for the other. So I tried something different this time. I love the theme of  these layouts and just look how very different they look even though I used the same titles and cuts!

For this layout, I used K&Company’s, Donna Ingemanson - Rough and Tumble Stack. The title is cut from the Life is a Beach Cartridge. The snail and dog are from B is for Boy (I flipped both images for this one). I also ran the snail’s body through my Cuttlebug for some texture.

This layout uses Basic Greys Max & Whiskers line from Lil' Lamb’s Boutique. Same cuts as the previous layout (not flipped). I inked them to match the paper. I welded the title (love that Gypsy) using the All Mixed Up cartridge.

MPS Color Challenge! B is for Boy Monkey

Here's my submission for the color challenge at My Pink Stamper.  We were to use pink, orange, green & brown on a project.  I have been wanting to use this adorable monkey cut (from the Cricut Lite ~ B is for Boy Cartridge) on a project !   I know, I know B is for BOY but I think this monkey looks too cute in her little pink hat!   Lovin' the way this turned out!  Thanks Robyn!

RECIPE:

Stampin Up! Certainly Celery 11.25 x 5.75

Striped Prima Paper 5 x 5

Bo Bunny Tutu Dot 5.75 x 1.5

EK Border Punch (mini scallop?)

Cricut Lite B is for Boy

Hero Arts Birthday Mess

Ribbon from Hobby Lobby

Basic Grey ~ My very first time!

I've been working with Basic Grey Kits from Lil' Lamb's Boutique for the very first time and am having a blast.  The first layout is from the Max & Whiskers line.  I was a bit stumped at first as to what I was going to do with the dog papers, as we don't have a dog!  Then I remembered my son's first Halloween and voila - a layout is born!

I use the left over bits and made a couple of adorable cards.  The dog is cut from my favorite cartridge "Create a Critter".  So Cute.

The next layout if from the Nook & Pantry line.  I love this line because of its food/kitchen theme and it is so easy to be "punny" with food. 

I used the Preserves cartridge to cut the pears and Plantin School Book for the title.  To see this layout in closer detail visit the Blog at Lil' Lamb's Boutique.

ReStick Your Cricut Mats - Super Easy!

I jsut found these two remarkable products at Custom Crops.com and I jsut gotta share them with you all.  Stick Away and Stick & Spray are so simple to use! You can use your mats over and over and over again.  Watch this quick video to see how super simple it is!

The Hub's Birthday Gift - With the Cuttlebug!

A couple of month's back I posted a Harley Davidson card I made for friends birthday!   I used silver metalic paper and the Cuttlebug Diamond Plate embossing folder.  When my husband saw it he thought it was actually metal!  He said it would be really cool to have a wall hanging like that so that is what he is getting for his birthday!  Here is how it turned out!

I just know he is going to love it!  Happy Birthday Honey!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Take me out...

It is high baseball season at out house.  I've got two boys, who are each on two teams (league and an all stars traveling teams).  Because they are a year  apart, they are on different teams.  It's pretty much baseball 24/7!  So when my office bought a chair for an auction benifiting a local Retirement Home Foundation - I knew it had to be baseball themed!  The chairs are clear pine when we get them and we have free reign to decorate them however we want.  Here is what I came up with!

After I painted it,  I used the Gypsy font & Pooh font for the "lil' Slugger in white vinyl. 

I used brown and white vinyl for the diamond which I cut from the Baseball cartridge. I did alter the diamond a bit on my gypsy.  I used the new "hide contours" feature, because the original cut had base lines and I didn't want them to show. I had to cut the vinyl (in between the slats) after I put it on the chair.  A bit tricky but it worked perfectly.

The decals on the back are actually images I found on the internet, which I printed (mirror image) on to tranparencies.  I then just "rubbed" them on to the wood and clear coated the to make them stay put. 

I am quite pleased with how this turned out. I am going to hang a little tiny glove on the arm of the chair and a tiny little baseball cap on the top. I hope it gets lots of bids and makes lots of money for the foundation! 

Oh and I also cut out vinyl base balls with my boys names and numbers for the back of my van.  Gotta be representin', right?  My daughter is in choir and band, so I gotta show her  some love too!  I did all of these with my gypsy.  The balls are from the Sports Mania cartridge and the font is the Pooh font. Sarahs is from the Hannah Montana cartridge.  Man, I love my cricut!

Cricut Episode 1 ~ Create a Critter Layout

Wow ~ my very first video!  Please forgive my mistakes and stumbling narrative, I promise to get better!

Here's a super quick and easy layout using SEI's Zoo Pals paper and my new fav cartridge Create a Critter.  The video was getting too long so I did not show the title cut which I welded on my Gypsy using the Hannah Montana cartridge.  I gotta get a better editing program so I can speed through the tedious parts!

Here is the finished layout ~ I did add some prima leaves!