Time to start posting again

After a delay of more than 2 years, I'm posting again. Life has a way of interrupting your plans.   I guess ;you shouldn't plan too far ahead.

Here's a picture of a rosette background I made for  our 11th Annual Red Hat PJ Party last Saturday.

I used the Cricut Design Space to make the center doilies and the Print & Cut feature to import a digital image of the hats. The center doilies and the hats were cut on the Cricut Explore.

Time for more cards

Happy Friday:

I've been on a card making frenzy lately so I have several more cards to post.  The first card was originally made for my son's birthday.  I liked it so well, I made 2 more.  This is the old car card from the Art Deco Cricut cartridge.

Art Deco, cardstock, DCWV glitter cardstock

The next card is made with a stamp set I received with my last month's edition of Cardmaking and Papercrafting.  This set has such cute sewing type stamps.  This is the first time I've actually sewn on paper.  I have a cute little papercrafting sewing machine but had never used it.  This was kind of fun!

Sew Pretty Stamp set, Cricut Basics Scalloped Circle, Copics, Viva Decor Pearl Pen, paper, ribbon, 

Staz-on ink

The next two cards are "Triple Play" or "Triple Stamping" cards,  I had never made this type card  before but I needed one for a card swap.  I really liked making them and will probably make more.  It's not near as hard as it looks.

CTMH stamp, Copics, K &Company butterfly,

Hero Arts Stamp, Copics,

If you've never tried to make them, Splitcoast Stampers has a good tutorial for this.  Give it a try!

I've been in a beach vacation mood lately and here are the results!

Art Impressions stamp, Copics, Cricut Imagine-Word of Mouth, K&Company Designer paper,

 Don't you just love the Art Impressions series of stamps?

Art Impressions Stamps, Copics

Have a safe and happy week-end.

A quick post today

Someone asked me about the wires I use for my tags in the "Use every stamp" challenge.  Here's a picture of the bag and the wire bracelet.  Hope this helps!

Catching up on my "Use Every Stamp" Challenge

There were 7 challenges that I posted back in the beginning of February that I wanted to complete this year and I've made some progress but in the process of getting organized, I seem to have added and organized a few items that weren't on my original list.  So out of the original 7 + 3 unexpected additions, I've completed 6.
1) Cricut die cuts are organized.  After doing this, I'm now determined to use them or toss them.  (These are cuts left over after I've completed something - usually a wrong size or color.)
2) I organized my ribbon again.  I put the smaller spools on the paper spools that someone recommended with the intention of putting them in boxes but found that that took up more room than my original method of keeping ribbon so as I use up the ribbon on the spools, I will go back to keeping them on dowels on the wall.  It's easier to see what I have.

3) I keep my embossing folders in a notebook.  However, I made a 4 inch tag and embossed each tag with the folder.  I've numbered each tag and corresponding folder so now I can pull out the tags, see an embossed image and then find the corresponding embossing folder in the notebook.

4)  Because this is working so well for me, I did the same with all my punches.  On each punch tag I have a punched image, the name of the punch and the manufacturer.  I have a basket for all Fisker, Stamping Up, Martha Stewart punches.  The EK Success and all other miscellaneous punches are in the same basket.  (This is one of the added projects)

5) I have a Cricut Imagine and a lot of the cartridges for the Imagine.  On each cartridge, there are 20 patterned papers.  I decided to make a tag of each of the patterned papers to that I would know what I had.  300+ tags later ( and 3 days!) I now have a cute little tag of each patterned paper in each cartridge.  I was surprised at the number of cute papers I have.  (This is number 2 in the added projects.)  At some point in time I may have to do the same with the digital papers I have.

6) A couple of days ago, I saw this really cute project from damasklove.com on organizing paper scraps.  I liked it so well, that I've organized all my scraps using her technique. I consider anything smaller than a 6x6 a scrap.  My 6x6 papers are in a small 6inch bin.  I will cut any used paper in to a 6x6 square which is a good size to use either on my machines or for card fronts.

So left is organizing my ink and stamps.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the ink.  I have it both in a Stampin' Up ink holder and in a drawer.

I've been avoiding the stamps so I've decided to unmount the wood stamps that aren't Stampin' Up sets and put them into CD cases.  I'll do the same with the acrylic stamps that aren't in cases or envelopes (CTMH).  I've actually ordered the CD cases from Amazon and will get this done!

As for #1 on my list, use every stamp, I'm using both stamps and cartridges that I haven't used on cards.  This one will be an ongoing, forever and ever goal.

Finally - some creative Mojo!

After a long, dry spell, I've finally been making more cards.  And, I've been organizing my craft room.  It amazes me how one room can get so disorganized so quickly.

I've joined the "Use Every Stamp" Challenge and some of my goals include organizing stamps, ink, embossing folders, Spellbinder dies, Cricut cartridges and ribbons.  I added punches to my goals, too, only because I thought that was a goal and I organized them this weekend.  So, embossing folders, ribbons, cartridges and punches are organized and off the list.  Organizing the stamps is going to be the killer goal.  I've started twice and quit so I'm going to have to get going on that one.

In addition to the cards, I also made a card holder - something I've been thinking about for awhile.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.  And I used my Bind-it-all for the very first time!

Art Philosophy, Lyrical Letters, Bind it All, K&Company Paper

But back to the cards - This first card is a CTMH stamp set called "Fashionista". 

CTMH stamp

 While I'm not so sure I like the paper I used for this card, I do really like the cut.  This is a flower border cut but hte paper is too buxy to show it well.  This is a free SVG cut from Krewella Kreations.  Check her out - she does amazing stuff and is very generous with her SVG's.  You can reach her at www.krewellakreations.co.uk.  I used my Sizzix eClips to cut the SVG.

Krewella Kreations, K&Company paper, stickles

 I needed an "anything goes" card for a swap and I used my Cricut E along with the Damask Decor cartridge for this card.  Again, I'm not sure where the sentiment stamp came from.

Damask Decor

Unknown, stamp, Fiskars punch

Unknown stamp

Stampin' Up stamps

I'm not sure of the supplies and or stamp companies used on the last three  other than the Stampin' Up card.  The disadvantage of mounting acrylic stamps on pages and using unmounted stamps is that I never know the manufacturers so I can't give them credit for the wonderful stamps.  Sorry!

Thanks for looking.  Please leave me a comment!

Happy 2013 Everyone!

Happy 2013 everyone!  Here it is February 2 and I'm wa-a-a-a-y behind on posting cards - a little slow on my 2012 goals, I am!  October, November and December flew by - I must have been sleeping because they went by way too fast.  So, I'm playing catch up on posting cards today.  I'm going to try to get back on track and post at least weekly.

The first batch of three cards were made for a swap I participated in back in October which, I believe, is the last time I actually sat down to make cards - other than Christmas and last week.  It was a dry creative time!

Stampin' Up

Birthday Bash

Flowersoft, Sampin' Up, Inkadinkado

 

 

Next are the 2012 Christmas Cards - the first is the card send to family and friends; the door card was sent to my Red Hat friends.

Christmas Noel, Wild Card

Christmas Noel,  Spring Cottage, Flowersoft, Stampin'Up

 

 

And last, here are three cards I just made for a card swap:

Cuttlebut, CTMH, sticker

Art Philosophy, SVG bow - this one is not an original idea - I saw it somewhere and used it as a birthday card for a friend's 90th birthday.  I had to make another for this swap.

I have no idea who made the stamps!  I love this stamp!

So that's it and now we're all caught up!  I promise to be better this year at using all my cartridges and stamps.  If you set any goals for yourself, I wish you luck in attaining them.

We're 4 Days from Fall . . .

Wow!  We're 4 days from Fall and I'm behind in my card making.  My goal in January was to work my way through all my Cricut cartridges and make at least one card from each cartridge.  Unfortunately, life interfered with my great plan - as it has a way of doing.  I did get a few cards made for a swap this month that I'd like to share with you.

I love this shoe from SVGCuts.com.  This is from Amelie's Accessories - Sabine's Shoe Card.  I almost wish I could wear it!

SVGCuts, Sabine's Shoe Card, Viva Pearl Pen

This card was make for a "Use Your Scraps" swap.  Everything - including the "Way to Go"(from the George cartridge) - were scraps that have been hanging around my craft room for a long time.  The Red Hat lady is  left over from Christmas cards I sent to my Red Hat group several years ago and is an old Stampin' Up stamp.

Stampin' Up, Viva Red Pearl Pen, red gems, George

 This card was made for a "Blue & Orange" swap.  The big surprise was that I didn't make a Denver Bronco card nor did I receive one.  No Cricut or Eclips on this card - stamping only.

Copics, stamp, Stickles, ribbon, twine, button

 The last card was for a Christmas swap.  Again, Santa is a stamp and  you can't tell in the picture but the white card  is dry embossed with a Cuttlebug.  Santa is embossed in silver.

Embossing powder, Copics, Stamp, Cuttlebug

I'd love to see your comments so please leave one.  Thanks for looking.

I've been busy making cards!

I've been busy making cards again  - and it's so much fun!  I don't know about you, but it's therapeutic for me.  I seem to get into my own little world when I'm playing with paper.

I have some new cards for you, starting with this one -I needed to make a red, white & blue card for Labor Day but I didn't want a serious theme.  I found this digital stamp and  paper and I think it was just so appropriate for my card,  How much more patriotic can you get than Mickey & Minnie?

Digital Stamp, Digital Paper, ribbon, ribbon stars

The other card I needed to make was for a swap with a "cool" theme.  This was my entry.  The cuts are from Lettering Delights "Banner Day" and I used my Sizzix Eclips to do the cutting.  I love the way it cuts!  With all the different cuts and colors, I really appreciated the laser functin to be sure that I had all the small scraps of paper position correctly. It's a great little machine.  I really like making cards that aren't the traditional shape so I  had a great time with this step card.  By the way, the popsicle opens up lake a mini-card so there is room for a note or sentiment.  The paper is from the American Crafts Heat Wave collection.

Lettering Delights Banner Day, Stickles, American Crafts Heat Wave paper

I'm going to try to get in some serious card making this week.  With the Labor Day weekend coming up, I should be able to get a few cards in.  I have a couple of new Cricut cartridges I want to try out, too.  And I need to make some kind of a Mexico themed card for my hubby - we have a trip to Mexico coming up soon.  Wish me luck with the card making!




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It's August Already - How Did That Happen?

I can't believe that it's almost the middle of August - where has the year gone?  Since it is August already, I'm wa-a-a-a-y behind my schedule for making at least one card a week with a new Cricut cartridge.  Oh well - maybe I"ll catch up by the end of the year.

I have been making some cards and I have five to show you. The first one is a Cricut cut.  The cut is from the Campin' Critters cartridge.  I just love the cute little animals on this cartridge - but I'm not a camper, so I don't use it much.

Campin' Critters, Cuttlebug, Ranger Distress Ink

I'm a big Charlie Brown fan - and I have a lot of the character stamps.  Since baseball is a summer sport (well - spring, summer and fall) - I used the Charlie Brown and Lucy stamps for this card.  The baseball is an Epithany bubble cap over a small circle cut.  I used a Xyron Design Runner to stamp the sentiment on the ribbon but I think the Chevron design on the ribbon wasn't a good match for the Design Runner.  Oh well - now I know.

Stampabilities stamps, Epithany Craft, Copics, ribbon

I used clip art from my Microsoft Word program for the wheelbarrow full of roses.  I added some glitter with the Sakura Stardust glitter pen, a border, some ribbon and it was done.  I was amazed at how quickly this one went together!

Clip art, ribbon, glitter pen, ek border punch

Do you ever have an accident with a card when it's almost done and you have to scrap it?  That's the story behind this next card.  I stamped this on a white pearl paper because I thought that it would give the finished stamp a bit of a glimmer - and it did.  However, while coloring the poppies with my Copics, I must have gotten a bit of the orange on my hand and then transferred the orange to the white background!  Since I hate to throw anything away  that might be useful later, I cut the flowers and mounted them on the background paper.  The sentiment is stamped directly on the paper and embossed with white embossing powder.  It didn't turn out to badly - what do you think?

Copics, white embossing, Stickles

And  last is a birthday card with a House Mouse stamp.  The candle border is an ek punch and the ribbon border is a Stampin' Up punch.  This one is colored with Copics also.

House Mouse stamp, ek border punch, Stampin' Up border punch, Copics

I hope you enjoyed my new cards.  Thanks for looking.

Summer scene card

Happy Sunday!

I love the water - preferably an ocean and this vivid turquoise color reminds me of playing in/on the ocean. 

Spectrum Noir alcohol pens, CTMH "Summer" stamps, K & Company "Sea Grass" paper

I'm entering this in the " Caribbean Blue" Challenge at Creating the Crafty Life and Challenge 12 - DT #2 at Just A Scrappin'.

Time Flies when you go back to work

I'm not sure how the year has gotten away from me but I think going back to work part-time has something to do with it.  I had such great plans to make a minimum of 3 cards a week and use all of my Cricut cartridges but somehow I seem to be very, very behind.  How can a loss of 5 daylight hours 4 days a week make such an impact on my spare time?

I did get busy this week and made 3 card - plus one last week - so I  have 4 new cards to show you.

The first is a birthday card for a friend who just celebrated his 90th birthday.  The cut is from Art Philosophy but the bow is a freebie from SVGCuts.com.  (Who says Cricut and Eclips can't get along!)

Art Philosophy, Cricut, SVG Cuts-bow, Eclips

Friday's email from The Paper Boutique mentioned a tutorial  by Linda Kaiser (of The Paper Boutique) on the Iris Fold Technique that was spotlighted on the Fantabulous Cricut blog.  It looked like fun so it inspired me to make this card.  Check out both blogs if you haven't seen them before.  Both are great.  The cupcake is from the Cricut cartridge, Sweet Treats.  The embossing is a Cuttlebug folder.  The "Happy Birthday"  is an embellishment I had for sometime - I have no idea where it came from.

Yummy, Cuttlebug,

I really like  SVGCuts and I bought the Breezy Backyard Lever Cards collection a while back but never used it.  I decided to make their "Cool Fan" card from this collection.  For this card, I used my new Eclips (have I mentioned that I love the way it cuts?).  Also, if you've never used any of SVGCuts svg's, you're missing out on some great designs.  Not only are they reasonable in price, they cut beautifully.  And several times a week, they have a free cut on their website.  While this card looks like it was time consuming, it went together in a breeze! (no pun intended)

Breezy Backyard Lever Cards, Cool Fan, SVGCuts

And since I started with a birthday card, I'm going to end with a birthday card.  This card is for a friend of mine in Colorado Springs who will be celebrating her birthday next week.  We have been friends since first grade - which is just a few years ago - or so it seems.  The label is from Art Philosophy and the stamp is from the Girlfriends collection by Art Impressions.  The coloring was done with Copics.

Art Philosophy, Art Impressions stamp, Copics

Tomorrow starts a new week so everyone have a good week and stay safe.

A Cricut card for a challenge

I saw this fold on Pintrest and I thought it would be a fun card to make and it would also work for the Weekly Cricut Card Challenge.So now  it's all done and I'm entering it in Cricut's Challenge. 

Life is  a Beach, Pack Your Bags

Wish me luck!  The cut is a Double Tri-fold Cascade card and it's a lot easier to make than it looks.  Cricut cartridges used are Life is a Beach and Pack Your Bags.  The sign is a printed sentiment from my computer. The sun's face is a Peachy Keen stamp.

So where has the year gone?

I can't believe that it's the second week of June already.  Where has the year gone? If I were on schedule, I'd be almost half way through my Cricut cartridges already.  Needless to say, I'm not.  In fact, both my Gypsy and Imagine have been at Provo Craft getting repaired.  I had an email from Matt @ Provo Craft yesterday saying that they had been shipped and are on their way back to me.   I have nothing but good things to say about Provo Craft and their customer service.  Matt has been wonderful to work with!


 In the meantime, I have a brand new Eclips that I've been playing with.  I will say it really cuts beautifully!  And while I never thought I'd use the laser light, I have been and it's a great feature.  It's wonderful for those little scraps - you can actually see whether a cut will fit before you do the final cut.

So between the Eclips and my original baby bug, I actually got a few cards made.

This first card is from the Edisto Island Cards collection by SVGCuts.  I love their selections and my Eclips does a fantastic job cutting their cuts.  This was much easier to assemble than I thought it was going to be.

Edisto Island Cards, Swallowtail Butterfly Lever Card, SVGcuts, Eclips

Open Swallowtail Butterfly Lever Card

Did you ever start out with a definite idea for a card and then ended up with something entirely different? That's what happened with this one.  This was going to have a stamped image of a cute cow, lamb, pig and duck but when I finished coloring the strip and matting it, it was lost in this paper.  So after staring at it a bit, I thought a frog would be perfect!  The frog is a Lettering Delights cut from their Frog & Kisses collection. Needless to say, this was cut on my Eclips.

Frogs and Kisses, Lettering Delights

I actually made the tri-shutter card base about a year ago.   I had the paper on it but could never figure out how to finish it.  When I was staring at the half finished card last weekend, decided I would have to finish it or it would haunt me forever!  I rummaged through some of my old embellishments and ended up with this card.  Not too many cuts on this card except for the gears.  These are from a free SVG from freesvgs.blogspot.com.  I love these gears!  I think they made my card.

Gears, Embellishments,Tri-shutter card

 This was another card front that I had made for another project but never could figure out how to finish it.  I finally decided to bite the bullet and just get it done.  The flower and vase are both from Walk in My Garden and I used my original Cricut to make this.  Wow!  I forgot how had it is to layout designs on a 6 inch mat!  It was a little hard to photograph because of the very light yellow and blue paper.  It just didn't take a good picture.

Walk in My Garden

That was my very nice, relaxing card making weekend.  Hopefully, Fed Ex will deliver my Imagine and Gypsy by Saturday and I'll be able to try out some more Cricut cartridges, too.