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!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

This is a card with coordinating envelope I made for my brother Andrew who turns 17 today. Hope he likes it!

I cut my card from SU Kraft Cardstock and used a SU Kraft Envelope. Also SU...linen thread, brads and oval plate. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mat - Blue. Not sure where the stamps came from but the ink is Ranger Pigment in Denim. SU Oval Punch and Fiskar Border Punch.

Creative kiddos...

Don't ya think? These are the cards Bella and Sophia made for Auntie Lourdes' birthday. They like to spend their allowance on stamps, inks and ribbon.

Sophia's card is shown in the first 3 photos. She even inked her envelope. Too cute! She loves to buy stamps and birthday stamps are her favorite.

Bella's card is the last 2 photos. She loves working with DCWV textured, colored cards and ribbon...she LOVES ribbon. She has her own Cuttlekids Die Cutter.

I'm so proud of them.

Happy Birthday Lourdes!

This is a card I made for my sister-in-law's birthday. She turned 39 on Sunday.

I used SU Kraft Cardstock, SU Textured Cardstock in Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo, SU Whimsical Wishes stamp with Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black, SU Linen Thread, SU Scallop Trim Border Punch, patterned paper from My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mats Blue and Sizzix Big Shot with Sizzix Originals Die - Flower Layers #3. I went a little crazy and decorated the SU Kraft envelope too! I tucked a piece of the patterned paper into the envelope and used my Ranger Acrylic Paint Dabbers on the edges.

My favorite part of this card is the flower. I rolled the edges of die
cut flowers in between my thumb and index finger until I reached the distress level I was pleased with. Because the SU textured cardstock is a good quality paper, the layers split leaving you with a beautiful flower that looks even better layered, I used 2 sizes on this card. I can't wait to make more!

Paper Flowers

I love these flowers!!

I learned how to make these from a YouTube tutorial I stumbled upon while checking out some Tim Holtz techniques. You can find the link below. The tutorial used Grungepaper and the Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Floral Bigz Die.

YouTube Grunge Flower Tutorial

This technique will work with any 6 petal flower. I cut my flowers using  Plantin Schoolbook and Sweet Treats Cricut cartridges. I inked the orange colored one with Ranger Distress Inks in Worn Lipstick and Spiced Marmalade. The blue one is inked with Distress Inks in Broken China and Dusty Concord, I stamped some of the petals with "love" to give it a more unique look.

With  ink, stamps, pattered paper...the possibilities are endless!


Head on over to my BFF's blog to check out her beauties!

http://cre8ted-by-juls.blogspot.com/

So excited about my new inks...

Ranger Pigment Inks in 5 luscious colors...Snow Cap, Red Pepper, Denim, Terra Cotta and Lettuce! I hear the Snow Cap is a must have and the 4 colors are absolutely gorgeous. I love Ranger inks! The owner of my local stamp store recommended these inks to me for use with clear stamps. Pigment ink is much stickier than dye-based ink and will not pool on the surface of the clear stamps. They do take a little longer to dry than a dye-based ink. If you're impatient you can use a heat tool to speed up the process. Can't wait to try these out this week.

Hope to be back soon with a Ranger Pigment Ink project!!

Set of 4 Cards #2

Hi!

Here is another set of 4 cards I made using the Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge to cut my base (see below). I used SU stamps from the set Whimsical Wishes along with SU Classic Ink and a SU rub-on. Also used the SU scallop and oval punches. All patterned paper was from K & Company mat pads (love these things!!). Bling is Basic Grey and adhesive pearls are Prima.

5 x 5 Scallop Card Base:
See page 37 of your Graphically Speaking cartridge, this shows 100% Pure along with it's creative features. You will want to use the Icon Blackout feature which will cut a scalloped rectangle. To set up your Cricut you'll need to select Icon Blackout, press 100% Pure button, select Fit to Length feature. Set your size dial to 10 inches. This will cut a 5x10 scalloped rectangle that you can fold in half to make a 5x5 card base. Remember to use the multi-cut feature if you are working with heavy cardstock.

Time saving tips:
-Cut extra card bases in neutral colors to have on hand for a quick card project

Set of 4 Cards

Hello!

Wanted to share with you a set of 4 A2 sized cards I made a few months back. These cards were super simple to make! My inspiration for these cards was actually the products rather than an occasion or person. I purchased some Stampin' Up! products from one of my co-workers and couldn't wait to try them out. I used stamps from the SU sets Oval All and Whimsical Words along with SU Classic Stampin' Spots in Close to Cocoa, Old Olive and Not Quite Navy. Stamped images were cut out using SU oval and scalloped oval punches. I also used the Sizzix Big Shot and Sizzix Bigz Top Note die which is a SU exclusive. Paper was chosen from My Mind's Eye Home- blue and pink photo mats, K & Company-Brennan Walton Small Wonder Girl, Hopscotch Girl and Classic K McKenna mat pads.

Time saving tips:
-Buy blank white cards/envelopes to have on hand
-Mat stacks are not just for matting photos, they are great for card making and lots of other small projects. Smaller paper = less cropping!
-Keep it simple!

Thank You Cards - Soccer

Since soccer season officially starts for us this week, I thought I'd share a few cards I made for the coaches and team sponsor last season (2009 Pink Angels). I used the Cricut for the diecuts, Sports Mania shape cartridge and Simply Sweet font cartridge. The cards are 5 x 7. All supplies used were things I had leftover from soccer scrapbook layouts. We presented the coaches with the personalized cards signed by the girls, gift cards and plaques. Another fun soccer season!