Memory Board

Hello.

A friend of mine at work inspired me to make memory boards for my girls' rooms. She was working on a zebra print with purple memory board for a teenager she knows. I decided to make my oldest daughter, Isabella, a "shabby chic" memory board to match her white bedroom furniture and shabby chic bedding from Target. I picked out the fabric and she picked out the bright pink ribbon, we picked out the buttons together. I used a canvas style bulletin board for the base and layered with craft batting then the fabric. I attached the batting/fabric and ribbon with a staple gun. All products were bought at Joann Fabric.

One down, two to go!!

Cricut Cardz Challenge #55

Hello! Today I have my Design Team Inspiration for CCC #55 to share with you. The challenge this week is to make a Christmas card with a mini banner on the front, using any cartridges or colors. Hop on over to the blog to check out all the great cards DT #2 has created. As always, we hope you decide to play along with us!!

Supplies:

Cricut Expression

Straight From The Nest & Storybook Cartridge

Patterned Paper - My Mind's Eye Wonderful Winter Glittered Pages

Blue & Green Cardstock - Bazzill Dotted Swiss

White & Red Cardstock - Recollections

Offray Grosgrain Red 1/8" Ribbon

Cuts:

Straight From The Nest

Banner cut at 2"

Banner-s cut at 2"

Storybook

Letters and Shadow cut at 1"

Cricut Cardz Cardz Challenge #53

Hello! This weeks challenge make a set (2 or more) of 3x3 Christmas gift cards, or a set (2 or more) of Christmas gift tags using any cartridges or colors. Head on over to the Cricut Cardz Challenge blog to check out all the great inspiration from DT #2.

I used the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge to make a couple of gift card holders. These were quick and simple!! I used the scallop tag cut with hole option and cut at 5". I cut this out twice then cut in half to make the pocket. For the envelope I cut the scallop tag pocket at 9 1/4". Patterned paper is My Mind's Eye and solids are Bazzil Dotted Swiss. Ribbon is American Crafts.

I hope to make many more of these for Christmas and Birthdays!!

Cricut Cardz Challenge #51

Hello!

Today I have my Cricut Cardz Challenge Design Team Inspiration Card to share with you. This weeks challenge is to make a card for Thanksgiving, using any cartridges you’d like and the colors Blue, Brown, Orange, Yellow and White ONLY. Hop on over to the CCC blog to check out all of the great cards DT #2 created. And as always, we hope you play along!!

I used the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge to make this card.

Cuts:
Card Base-Cut to Length 11"
Squares-Cut to Length 5 1/4"
Leaf Shadow & Leaf Silhouette-Cut to Length 4"
Shadow Blackout Leaf (inside)-Cut to Length 1 1/4"

Supplies:
Bazzill Basics Cardstock
BasicGrey Patterned Paper-Pyrus Collection
$1 Stamp from Michael's
Ranger Archival Ink Coffee

Cricut Cardz Challenge #49

Hello! Today I have my Cricut Cardz Challenge Design Team card to share with you. The challenge over at the CCC blog is make a card for Christmas with something that starts with the letter S (Santa, snowflake, sled, sleigh, squirrel, etc.) using  any cartridges you’d like, and any colors you’d like.

For my card I used the Doodlecharms cartridge to cut out this cute and simple snowman and some snowflakes. I used Bazzil cardstock for my base, My Mind's Eye patterned paper and Recollections cardstock for the snowman and snowflakes. The rub-on is K & Company.

Cuts:
Snowman and Shift Snowman cut at 3"
Snowflakes and Blackout Snowflakes cut at 2" and 2 1/2"

Hope this card inspires you to play along with this weeks challenge. Don't forget to head on over to the CCC blog to check out all of the great inspiration DT #2 provided for this challenge.

Have a great day!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month & CCC #47

This week over at the Cricut Cardz Challenge blog the challenge is to make a card for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Use any cartridge(s) you’d like, and any colors. For my Design Team Inspiration card I used the Storybook and Mini Monograms cartridges along with lots of pink and bling. Be sure to check out all of the great cards DT #2 created for this challenge!!

This year NBCAM is celebrating 25 years of awareness, education and empowerment. Be sure to head over to the website to check it out!!

For this card:
Cricut Expression
Mini Monograms & Storybook Cartridges
Recollections Card Stock
i-rock Tool
Tulip Bling
ki Memories Adhesive Ribbon

Cricut Cardz Challenge #45

Hello! I'm here today with my Design Team card for CCC #45. The challenge this week is to make a card for Thanksgiving using any cartridge(s) you'd like. I used Graphically Speaking and Straight from the Nest for my card. Be sure to head on over to the Cricut Cardz Challenge blog to check out all the great inspiration for this challenge from Design Team #2! You have until Tuesday at Midnight EST to link your creations.

Supplies:
Cricut Expression
Graphically Speaking & Straight from the Nest cartridges
Stampin' Up! Kraft Cardstock
Stampin' Up Textured Cardstock
Studio G Sentiment Stamp
KI Memories Adhesive Ribbon
i-rock
Tulip Bling
Fiskar Hole Punch
Creative Memories Corner Rounder

Graphically Speaking cuts:
100% Pure w/ Icon Blackout cut at 11" Fit to Length (Card Base)

Straight from the Nest cuts:
Square 5 1/4" Fit to Length x 2
Tree w/ Layers, Shadow 4"
Bird w/ Layers 1 1/4 "

Happy Birthday Jaime!

Hello!

Here is a super quick and simple card I made for my husband for his 35th birthday. For the card base, I cut an 5" x 8" piece of Bazzill cardstock and scored at 4". I used my Sizzix Big Shot and Top Note Stampin' Up! Bigz Die to make the striped piece, patterned paper is from the Basic Grey Pyrus 6 x 6 Paper Pad. I cut a 2 1/4" and 2 1/2" circle using my Cricut and Mini Monograms cartridge, then layered. I stamped the smaller circle with a $1 sentiment stamp from Michael's using Ranger Archival Ink in Coffee. For the inside of the card I cut a 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle to layer on the base of the card. The sentiment is also from Mini Monograms.

Hope he likes it!

Cricut Cardz Challenge #43

This week Cricut Cardz Challenge Design Team #2 is showcasing their cards over at the CCC blog. For challenge #43, make a card for a new baby using any cartridges you'd like, and the colors green, orange, yellow and white ONLY.  Be sure to head on over to the blog to check out all of the great inspiration for this challenge from the DT!

For my card I wanted to make something clean and simple. I used only white, yellow and green on my card. I used Graphically Speaking to cut my card base, Mini Monograms for the rounded squares inside and out, and Wall Décor and More for the lovely little duck. I love the simple yet elegant cuts on the Wall Décor and More cartridge. I stamped the sentiment on the inside of the card rather than the outside. I'm very happy with the final product.

Supplies:
Cricut and Cricut Cartridges Graphically Speaking, Mini Monograms and Wall Decor and More
Sizzix Big Shot & Multi-use Platform w/ Impression Pad with Sizzix Texturz Birthday Stripe

Bazzill Dotted Swiss and Textured Cardstock (Yellow and Green)
Recollections Cardstock (White)
Stampin' Up! Stamp from Fabulous Phrases
Ranger Archival Ink - Coffee

Cuts:
Graphically Speaking (Card base) - 100% Pure, Icon Blackout, cut to length 11"
Mini Monograms (Rounded Squares) - Square Foundation, various sizes cut to length 4" to 5"
Wall Decor and More (Duck) - Duck and Duck Shift, cut at 3 1/2"

Cricut Cardz Challenge #42

Hello!

Feels good to be back to blogging!! I have been super busy the past couple of weeks at work and with the girls school and sports. I managed to squeeze in some creative time yesterday to work on this card for CCC #42. The challenge is to make a card for Halloween using the card feature from any cartridge, and using any colors you'd like. Hop on over to the Cricut Cardz Challenge blog to check out all of the great inspirations from DT #1.

For my card I used the Hello Kitty cart which I rarely use. I have had my eye on this particular cut for awhile now and I thought it would be cute to use an animal print paper for the costume. I was looking for zebra stripes but decided to go with leopard spots instead. Isabella, my oldest daughter, loves animal print so I will be giving this card to her for Halloween. She'll love it!!

Supplies:
Cricut and Hello Kitty Cartridge
Recollections Cardstock
DCVW Patterned Paper

Cuts:
HK17 plus Card Feature and all Layers cut at 5 1/4"

Check back tomorrow for CCC #43!

The Paper Variety: Giveaway!

The Paper Variety: Giveaway! Help Us Advertise: Visit the blog to learn how you can win this SUPER CUTE Echo Park 'Life is Good' paper kit for helping us spread the word about The Paper Variety!!

Be Inspired #100 Happy Birthday, Cuttlebug Challenge!!

Today I created a card for the Be Inspired #100 Happy Birthday, Cuttlebug Challenge. It is the second birthday of the Cuttlebug Challenge and what a better way to celebrate than with a challenge! Create a Happy Birthday card with at least two layers (since it's their second birthday!!), and using the Cuttlebug! Hop on over to the blog to check out all the great DT inspirations.

Supplies:
DCWVTextured Card Base
K & Company Designer Mat Pad - Hopscotch (Lime Green w/ Polka Dots)
DCWV Fun in the Sun Summer Cardstock Matstack (Fuchsia Textured)
K & Company Adhesive Chipboard - Sweetie Birthday
Cricut Mini Monograms Cartridge (Circle and Scalloped Circle)
Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl Embossing Folder
Cuttlebug Happy Birthday Embossing Folder
Pop Dots

Cricut Cardz Challenge #41

So this is my first official post as a Cricut Cardz Challenge Design Team Member. YEAH!!! I have met so many wonderful people and have been using my Cricut all the time!! I have learned a few new things and am excited to learn more.

For CCC #41, you have to make a card for Fall using any cartridge you’d like, and any colors EXCEPT, NO brown, orange or yellow. Head on over to CCC blog to check out all of the wonderful inspiration from DT #2. If you'd like to enter the challenge, post your name and a link to your card in Mr Linky by midnight EST, Tuesday, September 14th.

I made a "Happy Thanksgiving" card using the Create A Critter and Storybook cartridges. Okay, so this is not your traditional turkey, but I like how he turned out.

Supplies:
Cricut, Create A Critter & Storybook Cartridges
Stampin' Up! Cardstock
Sizzix Big Shot & Multi-use Platform w/ Impression Pad
Sizzix Texturz Birthday Stripe
Stampin' Up! Stamp - Fabulous Phrases
Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black

Create A Critter Cuts:
Turkey w/ Layers & Shadow - 3"

Storybook Cuts:
Marquee 4 - Shorty/Holes - Cut to Length 5 1/2" (x2 for card base)
Branch 2 - Corner - 1 1/4"

Cuttlebug Challenge #99 & Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge...Your Layers!

Hello!

This is a card I created for the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge and Cuttlebug Challenge.

The Cuttlebug Challenge is to create a card, layout, home decor project, altered item, etc. with the primary color as PINK, in honor of My PINK Stamper (the sponsor this week), and it needs to have a sentiment stamped on the front.

The Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge for this week is Your Layers! Interpret the theme as you wish. I created a card that used several of the techniques I love to work with...dry embossing, die cutting, stamping, punches, embellishing, Tim Holtz.

Supplies:
Pre-cut A2 Card
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Pack Vintage Shabby
Sizzix Stampin' Up! Exclusive Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls Embossing Folder
Tim Holtz Sizzix Tattered Floral Bigz Die
Stampin' Up! Oval/Scallop Oval Punch
Stampin' Up! Scalloped Edge Border Punch
Flower Button from Joann Fabric
Stampin' Up! Linen Thread
Stampin' Up! Sentiment Stamp - Fabulous Phrases

Cardabilities Sketch #10

Here is a card I created based upon Cardabilities Sketch #10. Hop over to the blog to check out all the wonderful cards the DT created.

Supplies:
Bazzil Cardstockh
Stampin' Up! Textured Cardstock
Graphic 45 Paper Collection: Steampunk Debutante Patterned Paper
Cricut Die Cutting Machine & Storybook Cartridge (Scallop Rectangle, Marquee-Outside & Inside)
Thickers
Crochet Lace from Joann Fabric
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Black Soot
Graphic 45 Flower Staples (inside)
Basic Grey Bling (inside)

Cricut Cardz Challenge #40 & CPS #182

The Cricut Cardz Challenge this week is to make a card using scalloped circles, scalloped ovals, scalloped squares or scalloped rectangles, and any cartridges or colors you'd like. This week I'm playing along with the challenge. Check out DT #1's awesome cards for inspiration on CCC #40. Be looking for me and DT #2 as inspiration next week on CCC #41.

This card is also for Card Positioning Systems sketch #182. Be sure to head on over to their blog to check out all the great DT inspiration as well as the reader entries.

Cricut Carts used:
Graphically Speaking (card base)
Mini Monograms (square and scallop circle)
Storybook (marquees)

Supplies:
Stampin' Up! Kraft Cardstock
Stampin' Up! Textured Cardstock
American Craft Ribbon
Stampin' Up! Stamp from Fabulous Phrases
Ranger Pigment Ink - Terra Cotta
Ranger Clear Embossing Powder

A few "old" cards...

Well I say "old" because I made them over a year ago. But the truth is I haven't been able to part with them. Shameful, I know. They are the very first cards I made...EVER.  I made them with sentiments cut from my Cricut, a DCWV Summer Stack, adhesive ribbon, flowers and brads. Very simple.

Note to self: Work on making then giving rather than making then hoarding!

Anything Tim Holtz

I was really excited when I found out the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge for this week was Anything Tim Holtz. I had so many wonderful ideas and techniques that I wanted to try out. But...my girls started school last Tuesday and I was just too busy to try out anything over the top so I stuck to the basics.

I distressed this tag with Dusty Concord, Peeled Pain and Walnut Stain Tim Holtz Distress Ink. I used a Tim Holtz Mask and Stampers Anonymous Stamp. I finished off the tag by spritzing with a mini mister of Brushed Corduroy and gold Perfect Pearls.

I kept it very simple!

Cricut Cardz Challenge #39

Here is the card I created for the Cricut Cardz Challenge this week. For challenge #39 we had to make something for "Back to School". I did just that for this card! I used the cartridge Locker Talk for all cuts. I also used my Cricut DesignStudio for the first time ever. I made my card base by welding together the apple shape and a "flip" of the same apple shape.

I'm going to send this card to Sophia's Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Rufo, who moved to a different school this year. We miss her very much so we'd thought we'd send her this card to say "hello" and wish her a great year!

Cardabilities Sketch #8

This is a card I made based upon Cardabilities Sketch #8. The deadline for submission has passed...I just made this one for fun.

I cut my card base with my Cricut using the Wild Card cartridge. All other shapes from Storybook. Patterned Paper is Colorbok. Ribbon is American Crafts. Not sure where the flowers came from, bling is Prima. Stamp is a $1 wood stamp from Michael's. I picked up a few cheap sentiment stamps the other day and I'm loving them. I used Ranger Jet Black Archival to stamp.

Have a great weekend!!

CupCards {to go}

So the other day I was checking out all of my favorite blogs and I came across a blog hop on Lea's Cupcakes & Sunshine blog. CupCards {to go} was having their September Sneak Peek Blog Hop...I participated...and I won!! The best part is that I found a really cool blog on accident! CupCards {to go} has great monthly kits for a very reasonable price. In addition to the cool products you can purchase, you can find tons of inspirational designs and sketches in their Designer Gallery. And the Design Team ROCKS!! Check it out for yourself!

I'm a Cricut Cardz Challenge Design Team Member!!

Hello!

I am very happy to announce that I have been chosen to be part of the Cricut Cardz Challenge Design Team. Click here to head over to the blog. Click on the Design Team member's name to be directed to their blog to check out the awesome work they do. I'm so excited to start. My first official DT submission will be for week #41. Until then I'll be playing along with the challenges.

Bye!

School Days

Isabella had Mrs. Reilly for 2nd Grade

Sophia had Mrs. Rufo for Kindergarten

Since today is the first day of school, I thought I'd share these collages I made for the teachers last school year. We presented the teachers with these gifts on the last day of school. They loved them!

Keep in mind that picture quality is not great as I used the camera on my cell phone.

I used my Cricut, ZooBalloo and Locker Talk cartridges to cut the letters and images. Paper is DCWV Grade School 8 x 8 Paper Stack and regular primary colored cardstock. I collaged on a canvas panel and used Mod Podge as my sealer and finish. We had the kids in the class sign a mat and put the finished product in a black frame, no glass. 

Well I'm off to get my girls ready for their first day as a first and third grader!

CPS #181

This is the card I made for the Card Positioning System Challenge this week. Click here for the CPS #181 sketch.

I used Stampin' Up! Kraft Cardstock for my base. The textured cardstock is also SU. I rolled the edges of this piece to create a more distressed look. The white cardstock piece was cut using a Fiskar border punch then inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen, Tea Dye for the edges. The flowers were cut using my Sizzix and the Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Floral Bigz Die. I then cut the same small flower in My Mind's Eye Life Stories patterned. I used Ranger Glossy Accent to attach the paper to the cardstock, then applied a layer of Glossy Accent over the top of the flower to create my own epoxy embellishment. Sentiment is also from My Mind's Eye Life Stories collection.

Off to work...Have a great day!!

Cricut Cardz Challenge #38

Hello!

Here is a card I created for the Cricut Cardz Challenge this week. For challenge # 38...ANYTHING GOES! Make a card using any cartridges, colors or theme you'd like.

This card was made for a school friend of my daughter Sophia. Macy is celebrating her 6th birthday with a prince and princess party. I thought it was only fitting to make her a card using the Once Upon a Princess cartridge. Macy even looks like this little blonde princess! Hope she likes the card.

Visit the Cricut Cardz Challenge blog to see the Design Team inspiration and all of the other entries. It's not too late to create!!

THE Wendy Vecchi...Studio 490 Style

Hello!

This weeks Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge was THE Wendy Vecchi - Studio 490 Style.

I LOVE WENDY VECCHI!!! I am a new fan. I found her blog a couple of months back and would spend about an hour every night reading through old posts until I had read them all. I especially love her chipboard pieces and used this as my inspiration for my art piece. I used her Flower Art set for this challenge. I included all 6 of the stamps. I can definitely see myself making more Wendy Vecchi/Studio 490 style art in the future.

Supplies:
Chipboard
Ranger Pigment Ink-Snow Cap, Denim
Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Weathered Wood, Tea Dye, Black Shoot, Dusty Concord)
Ranger Archival Ink-Jet Black
Studio 490 Flower Art Stamp Set
Grungeboard
Tim Holtz Alterations Sizzix Tattered Floral Bigz Die
My Mind's Eye paper
Dictionary Page
Cloud 9 Design Fabric Brad
Stampin' Up! Button
Stampin' Up! Linen Thread
American Crafts Ribbon

Cricut Cardz Challenge #37

Good morning!


Here is a card I made for the Cricut Cardz Challenge #37. The challenge was to make a card using any cartridges or theme you'd like, using orange, yellow, blue, black and white only. This is my first time participating in this challenge. I don't use my Cricut nearly as much as I should/could. I'm hoping this weekly challenges helps me to use my 40+ carts a little more!


I cut my card base out of white cardstock and dry embossed it with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. The bee was cut from Paisley and attached to the card with foam dots for dimension. For the solid colored cardstock I used Stampin' Up! textured cardstock in yellow and orange and plain black cardstock. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mat Blue. Sentiment is cut from Straight from the Nest. I used a piece of bling on the flower, Ranger Stickles in Diamond for the sparkle and a piece of black grosgrain ribbon to finish off the card.


Head on over to the Cricut Cardz Blog to check out the other entries!

CPS #180

Hello!

I created this card for the Card Positioning Systems challenge. This is my first time participating in this challenge.

I started out with a card cut from Stampin' Up! Kraft Cardstock. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mat Pink (Pink and Teal) and K & Company Hopscotch Girl Photo Mat (Lime Green). Blossom chipboard piece is from K & Company Bright Flowers Adhesive Chipboard pack. Ribbon is from Michael's. I matted with a piece of old dictionary paper. Finished off with Ranger Acrylic Paint Dabbers in Pool and Lettuce for the edges.

This was a very simple card. I love this sketch (CPS #180) and I'm sure I will use it again.

Things with Wings!

This is my first ever blog challenge...very exciting! It also happens to be the first Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. The theme...Things with Wings!

I created a tag. I started by distressing the tag with Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Victorian Velvet, Weathered Wood and Pumice Stone. I used the Weathered Wood and Inkadinkado Letter stamp for the background. The "Love" and "Listen to your heart" stamps are Stampers Anonymous. I used Ranger Archival in Jet Black to stamp these. Wings and heart are Grungeboard. Wings were stamped with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink then covered in Diamond Stickles. I dry embossed the heart with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder then inked with Snow Cap Ranger Pigment Ink. I heat set the pigment ink and then applied Weathered Wood Distress Ink. I used Black Shoot Distress ink on the edges and dots. Key and lock charms are Blue Moon and ribbon is black grosgrain from Joann Fabric.

Hope you enjoy!

Fabulous Friend

I have to say that I am very happy with the Stampin' Up! products I have purchased. Not only are they pretty, but the quality is great too. Can't wait to buy more!!

Stamp (Oval All), ink, textured cardstock (flower), linen thread, oval and scallop oval punches are all SU. Flower was cut with my Sizzix and Flower Layers #3 die. Not sure were the button came from. Paper is Basic Grey Lemonade Paper Pad. I embossed the A2 card with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder (a must have!). I used Ranger Acrylic Paint Dangers on the envelope.

In dreams we catch glimpses of life larger than our own

I love this Stampers Anonymous stamp!

I started with a blank A2 card and envelope. On the card I used SU Textured Cardstock and Kraft Cardstock. I stamped the Kraft Cardstock with a script stamp using Versamark ink. I used Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black with the Stampers Anonymous stamp. The flower was cut with the Sizzix and Tim Holtz's Alterations Tattered Floral Bigz Die and transparency. I used alcohol inks for the color then added a piece of bling. I finished off the card with a Ranger Acrylic Paint Dabber. I sponged the envelope with Ranger Distress Ink in Antique Linen then used the script stamp on the right side of it. Finished of with the paint dabber.

Hope you like it!