November ATC Card for Swap

One of my favorite things about fall is to see how the leaves change colors to these rich orange, maroon/brown and golden shades.  Mother nature in all its glory!

Inspired, this is what I came up with!

I cut the leaves using my Straight from the Nest Cricut cartridge.  Really like the shapes of the leaves.  I found this great sentiment from Inkandinkado and added glitter on the leave and sentiment.  I also stamp one of the leaves with another Inkandinkado stamp; really like how that came out.  Hope the ladies enjoy them as much I had FUN making them.

Fall is wrapping up and winter is upon us.  Now if only I can get moving on xmas cards!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Keep warm!

Supplies:
"So THANKFUL for YOU" - Inkandinkado Harvest Expressions stamp set
handwritten letter - Inkandinkado French Letter stamp
fall leaves - Cricut Straight From the Nest cartridge
DCWV Texture paper, DCWV Autumn Stack, DCWV Indian Summer Stack
Martha Stewart glitter glues
Darice green gem

BBTB2 Give Thanks Challenge Inspired

I often find myself enjoying the creative postings found in Bitten By the Bug 2 blog; gives me inspirations on how to use the many many many Cricut cuts available.  I decided to participate in last week Give Thanks Challenge to make a few cards.

This is what I came up with for the challenge:

We were encourage to use the "Give Thanks" from the Thanksgiving Cricut cartridge or.any "Give Thanks" sentiment.  Really like this Thanksgiving cartridge.  I hand cut the banner shape card and used an EK success border punch for the scallop edge.  I then used leftover scraps to cut these cute leaves from Straight from the Nest Cricut cartridge for the really cool leaves.

I really like how this came out, so I did another one that I needed.

Added some brads for the banner and buttons to the leaves, FUN!!!  I can't believe Thanksgiving is in a few days! So much to do and so very little time to do it all! 

Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving week!

Supplies:
leaves - cut using Straight from the Nest Cricut Cartridge
"Give Thanks" - cut using Thanksgiving Cartridge Winter collection
DCWV texture paper, DCWV Autumn Stack 2010
J's assorted buttons
EK Success scallop edge punch

Thanksgiving Invites / You're Invited

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year again, and we are so looking forward to it! We really enjoy Thanksgiving and are really inspired by the spirit of the day, with all its trimmings!  We got the 9lb turkey breast tucked in the freezer and a list of all the items that we will be needing.  I got a slightly early start on this year's invites and pretty happy with how they turned out!

Here is a look at the inside where I printed out the deets :)

This year I made three invites; and I couldn't have done it without Cricut Design studio.  Totally had FUN layering and using the different pattern papers with those rich fall colors. 

I got my hands on a Thanksgiving winter collection Cricut cartridge and what a buy!  it had all that I needed!  Really enjoyed using the different cuts.  From the maple leave with swirls to the turkey to even the sentiment; it all worked nicely together.  I also used Design Studio to weld the elements together to this shape card from Christmas Cards winter collection Cricut cartridge. 

This weekend we will hustle to get the rest of the items and come Thanksgiving Day we will be up and going early with a our game face on! Good times!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Cricut Design Studio

turkey, maple leaf w/swirl and "You're invited" - Thanksgiving Winter Collection

frame shape card - Christmas Cards Winter Collection

"Happy Thanksgiving" - Inkandinkdo Harvest Expressions

DCWV texture paper, DCWV Autumn Stack, DCWV Indian Summer Stack, DCWV Shimmer Stack

Oct Month Scrapbook Calendar Page

A bit late in posting the calendar layout created for the month of October.  This is my hubby and I celebrating and doing the fancy dinner thing ;)... a very special moment shared.



Like the vibrant colors here along with the butterfly motifs and rub-ons.  I added some grey gems to add  a bit of fanciness to it.  I also used one of my cuttlebug edge folders for an added sentiment. 

Supplies:
BasicGrey - 2010 Calendar Kit
Cuttlebug "with love" edge embossing folder
M's $ grey gems

Happy Halloween! / Sept ATC Card for Swap

One of my favorite Halloween poem growing up was Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven"!  I can appreciate it more as I grow older, and it is still one of my favorites.  I love to hear it recited dramatically; props light affects and all!

That is why when I saw this raven like (probably crows) image from Inkandinkado, I just had to have it!  And I thought it fitting to use in the September ATC Swap hosted Tracy Clemente from Eat, Sleep, Stamp blog so that the ladies would enjoy it just in time for Halloween :)...

Here is some of my favorite quotes from the poem: 

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
" 'Tis some visiter," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door —
Only this, and nothing more."

Then into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon I heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before.

"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;

Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore —

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—

'Tis the wind, and nothing more!"

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;

Not the least obeisance made he; not an instant stopped or stayed he;

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door —

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door —

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted — nevermore!  

-Edgard Allen Poe

Have a GHOULISHLY FUN Halloween!  

Supplies:

spooky crows - Inkandinkado Scary Night clear set
"Boo!" - cut using Cricut Happy Hauntings Cartridge
bat - cut using Cricut Happy Hauntings Cartridge

bloddy tombstone - cut using Cricut Happy Hauntings Cartridge
DWCV Texture paper, DCWV Halloweeen 2010 stack
Versafine Onxy Black ink

Cat's Pajamas ATC Swap hosted by LSN

Last month I was lucky enough to participate in a Cat's Pajamas ATC Swap hosted by LSN at SplitCoastStampers.  Actually it was all thanks to a fellow ESS Sketch lover (waiving hello Tinla) who quickly emailed us Cat's Pajamas fans to hurry up and sign up for available slots!  I jumped at it, and I am so glad I did.  I got some beautiful, inspiring ATCs.  I do gotta give it to LSN for hosting this swap and for all the work that entailed!

Here is what came up with:

I had some fun with this one.  I used bright colors to contrast spooky, Ghostly Poochie; and to match the pumpkin basket he is holding, I used this EK pumpkin punch that I really like.  The beat up fence finished this ATC off nicely. 

It took be a while to finish them off, and get the right layout I wanted, but once I figure that out, I was really happy with the results.

Hope the ladies who received them found them as FUN as I did! :)

Thanks for stopping by, have a freaky rest of the week!

Supplies:
"Boo!" - Cat's Pajamas Boo C-8569
Ghostly Poochie - Cat's Pajamas Ghostly Poochie E-6327
Martha Stewart scary fence punch
EK carved pumpkins punch
DCWV texture paper, DCWV Halloweek stack
Versafine Black Onyx ink

August ATC Card for Swap

Among the many things I have forgotten to do, I forgot to post the ATC card I made for the month of August ATC Swap hosted Tracy Clemente from Eat, Sleep, Stamp blog.

August being the last month of summer, I was inspired to use this cute little guy holding a very tempting tequila shot!  That month was filled with all kinds of deliverables at work, and family/friends activity over the weekend, that a tequila shot reflected the right mood I was in! :)

I found this ribbon first in my stash and that was the inspiration for the rest of the color combinations.  I then went searching among all my DCWV stacks to find this yellow pattern paper that fit perfectly with the theme of this card!  And then I got luck and found this orange pattern paper with small yellow dots on it.  The yellow allowed the coloring of the image to still stand out.

Really like how this ATC came together and I hoped the ladies got a kick out of it; because I did have FUN making it!

Supplies:
all images from Cat's Pajamas Hola Tequila N-9680 clear set
M's $ ribbon
EK edge punch
DCWV texture paper, DCWV Spring Stack, DWCV Sorbet Stack
Versafine Black Onyx in
atYouSpica yellow, green and lime glitter pen

IO Favorite FUN Quote / ESS Sketch #105

Had a chance this week to participate in IO Stamp Favorite Poem, Quote, and/or Saying Challenge.  I wanted to do a card for a friend to cheer her up; and I found this Smell the Coffee set from Impression Obsession that will do the trick.  And the quote is just too perfect! :)

I also played along with this week ESS Sketch #105 created by Tracy Clemente.  My eye is totally drawn to the pane or window look of the sketch. I turned it on its side and decided to have a little fun with the shape of the frame.  I so like this image!  And it just so happens that I had the right pattern paper to go with it.  I used stickles on the cups of coffees to match the glitter on the DCWV Belle Cafe Stack pattern paper.

I needed to place the sentiment somewhere and a bookmark shape frame would do the trick.  Added the ribbon on the image's frame to add a bit of interest. 

Really like how this card turned out and look forward to using the rest of these IO stamps!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great Friday!

Supplies:
coffees - sentiment - Impression Obsession Smell the Coffee clear set
sentiment - Impression Obsession Smell the Coffee clear set
Ranger Stickles crystal
DCWV texture paper, DCWV Belle Cafe Stack

Halloween Pumpkin Carving

I decided to scrap this picture my sister-in-law sent us; with her kids posing with their big carved witchy pumpkin. She sent it via her iPhone so it was the perfect chance to play with my Coolibah app and make a layout. I then sent it to her and she printed a 6x4 picture to display on her desk at work. 

Decided just to have fun with it; and in no time, I had a FUN layout!  Really like this app, especially when I'm waiting in line or just want to play with my iPhone.  The kits they offer have a little something for everybody and at .99 cents, not too bad when you want to do a quick layout.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies:
Coolibah iPhone App 
Digital Elements from the Coolibah Hocus Pocus Quick Pages Kit as well as Stop in For a Spell Kit 2

Sept Month Scrapbook Calendar Page

I forgot to post this calendar layout created for the month of September. This is a picture of my bff who courageously went back to school for a 360 career change. We are routing for her!

  

Really like the bright colors and the chipboard apple accent that came with this BasicGrey calendar kit.  The retro patterns and those bright colors are so much like her personality that I new which picture I wanted to use as soon as I saw the predesign layout.  I will need to decide whether or not to buy the same line calendar kit for 2011.  So far, it looks like I will because there are less choices out there than last year.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Supplies:

BasicGrey - 2010 Calendar Kit

Girly Bday Card

My little niece had her 5th bday and this was the card I made for her to fit her very bright personality! :)  With the help of Cricut Design studio, I was able to put the number 5 on the balloon.

Found thiscolorful DCWV The Glitter Stack pattern paper that had these bright colors with glitter - perfect for this FUN little girl.  The sentiment and crown are from the Once Upon a Princess cartridge, and let me tell you she is a princess! :)  I used some inexpensive gems from J's to decorate this princess' crown and the Martha Stewart cupcake border punch. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
"Celebrate" w/balloon - cut using Cricut Design Studio and Cricut Once Upon a Princess cartridge
crown - cut using Cricut Once Upon a Princess cartridge
DCWV Texture paper, DCWV The Glitter Stack, DCWV Nana's Stack
gems from J's

Thank You / Cricut Imagine

Needed a quick thank you card for a friend who sent us some really yummy chocolates from her travels.  I decided to use the Cricut Imagine that I'm still getting use to know.  This time I wanted to experiment with using some of my Cricut cartridges with the Imagine art cartridges to "fill" the image.  I have way too much invested in Cricut cartridges, I want to make sure I can adequately use them :)....
I also wanted to participate again in this week challenge over My Pink Stamper.  We were to use our Cricut Imagine and our regular tools and bling to create something.

I used DCWV Mi Casa pattern paper with lots of glitter that coordinated nicely after I had all the pieces cut out; this way I could make sure it did coordinate and I could use up some of the many DCWV paper stacks I've collected! :)  For fun, I used an edge punch on the paper die cut and added gems for more bling.  I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out... next task will be to try to shadow and/or layer things using my existing cartridges...

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
frames red, blue, and white notebook paper - cut at 4'' using Cricut Imagine More
"Thank You" - cut at 1.2'' using Cricut Storybook and Cricut Imagine More
Butterfly - cut at 2'' using Cricut Storybook and Cricut Imagine More
EK paper edge punch
Darice gems
Circle punch
DCWV Mi Casa Stack, Bazzill white paper

Happy Bday / Cricut Imagine

I am playing with my Cricut Imagine; trying to figure out the features and I have to say I'm learning.  I needed a quick bday card and I was able to put this card together rather quickly.  I also wanted to participate in this week challenge over My Pink Stamper.  We were to use our Cricut Imagine and our regular tools and bling to create something. 

This is what I came up with:

Took some DCWV pink texture paper and and this reddish pattern shimmer paper for contrast.  I then used the Cricut Imagine Best Friends cartridge the yellow pattern scallop rectangle, the balloons, the birdie, the blue sky with clouds --- all in one sheet of paper and in one pass.  I have to admit that was impressive.  I cut the red balloon using the cut only function to use the shimmer red paper; then I used foam to pop out the red balloon, the clouds and the birdie.  The sentiment is from a cuttlebug die and I finished it off with some red/white twine.  Really like how this card turned out.  Still need to play some more, but so far it has been FUN.

Thanks for stopping by, happy crafting!

Supplies:
 birdie, balloons, clouds, yellow scallop rectangle - cut & printed using Cricut Imagine Best Friends art cartridge
"HAPPY BDAY" - Cuttlebug metal die
EK scallop edge
TCP Buttons die
Twine red/white
DCWV texture paper, DCWV Sweet Stack

Owly Bday / ESS Sketch #100

Had a chance this weekend to make a special birthday card.  I received this really cute Hero Arts Party Owls stamp as a birthday gift from my crafty pal (wink) and had yet to see ink.  I decided I just had to use it when I saw this week's ESS Sketch #100; what a hoot! :) One hundred wonderful, fun sketches!

Here is what I came up with:

And here is that 100th sketch created by Tracy Clemente from Eat, Sleep, Stamp!  Very typical of Tracy to give us a FUN clean canvas to put our own spin to.  I decided that it provided a great chance to use some Cuttlebug embossing folders that I had lying around.  The pattern paper provided the inspiration to use the Cuttlebug candle embossing folder to emboss this  DCWV orange glitter paper.  This matched the dimensional pattern paper that was full of gifts and candles and glitter! 

I used the same orange glitter paper to paper piece the balloon.  Wanting to add more glitter, I used a light blue glitter paper and a Cuttlebug metal die to cut out "HAPPY BDAY" and stars all from the same die... have to use this die more often, it cut the glitter paper nicely!

I then wanted to decorate the inside.  I dug out this Cuttlebug owl embossing folder that matched the image so nicely while giving me a place to write my good wishes.  I then continued to use the Cuttlebug metal embossing die to cut out the candle and the sentiment inside.

Will be mailing this as soon as I can; and hope that she likes it! :).....

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
owls - Hero Arts Party Owls
"HAPPY BDAY" - Cuttlebug metal die
"make A Wish" - Cuttlebug metal die
stars - Cuttlebug metal die
candle - Cuttlebug metal die
DCWV Texture paper, DCWV Summer Stack, DCWV Glitter Stack (orange/light blue)
Cuttlebug candle embossing folder
Cuttelbug owl embossing folder
Momento Black Onyx ink

July ATC card for Swap

Had meant to post this sooner, but I simply forgot!  For the month of July's ATC Swap hosted Tracy Clemente from Eat, Sleep, Stamp blog, I decided to use this really fun IO Flip Out stamp set that I couldn't pass up on.  Really enjoyed stamping these!

I used this EK beach punch that totally goes well with this image and added flower soft to add the "sand".  This made for a FUN look; and it gave it texture and dimension.  I finished it off with some really tiny star shape gems.  The pattern paper was a great find; really like the colors and the wavy lines.

Hope the lady found the summer look FUN! :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week!

Supplies:
flip-flops - Impression Obsession Flip Out CL94
"I'd Flip Out Without You" - Impression Obsession Flip Out CL94
EK sandcastle punch
Flower Soft sand color
DCWV Texture Paper, DCWV Summer Stack
AMUSE star gems
Momento Inks (various colors)

TCP Tuesday #122 / ESS Sketch #96

My friend's birthday is coming up.  She is a kitty lover and currently in medical school.  As a second year, she is doing all kinds of things from drawing blood to medicating patients via IVs.  So for her birthday card, I thought nurse Sprinkles from TCP You Sick Thing set would work just right!

This also gave me a perfect chance to play along with two of my favorite challenges.  First off is the TCP Tuesday #122 challenge co-hosted by  Joanne and Carole who came up with these yummy FUN looking colors.  Really like how these colors look together!  I just had to use them!  The red played in nicely with the red nurse hat.

I needed a little help with a layout idea and I was able to find inspiration from this week's ESS Sketch #96 created by Tracy Clemente.  Really like the simple layering of the sketch and  I smiled when I saw I could use a flower accent!  This gave me the perfect chance to create a FUN flower accent that I have been seeing others used; using the TCP flower die along with the TCP button die to cuts various button that layer oh so nicely.  Really like how the flower adds dimension to the card.  For the frame around nurse Sprinkle, I used my Cricut Cindy Loo (that I bought just for the many frame cuts).  The daisy in the sketch reminded me of the MS daisy edge punch I have been meaning to use and reminded me of this Cuttlebug edge embossing folder that coordinates nicely while adding dimension to a blank space. 

I am really looking forward to her getting this card.  It celebrates her caring nature and makes the perfect bday card for her.  

Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting!

  

Supplies:
nurse Sprinkle - The Cat's Pajama's You Sick Thing N-9672 clear set
SAY "AHHH!" - The Cat's Pajama's You Sick Thing N-9672 clear set
frame - cut with Cricut Cindy Loo
TCP Flower Button die
TCP Buttons die

Martha Stewart daisy edge punch
Cuttlebug flower edge embossing folder
DCWV At Home Stack, DCWV Summer Dream Stock
Versafine black onyx ink

August Month Scrapbook Calendar Page

This is my scrapbook calendar page for the month of August.  I took this picture from a trip we did a few years ago.  It was special and it was FUN, but most importantly, it was an experience the hubby and I got to share together.  

When I saw the patterns and colors of this month's predesign BasicGrey calendar kit layout, I immediately knew it would work with this picture. I used Cricut My World cartridge to cut out the pyramids; and then added the moon and star to make the desert scene on top.  The chipboard stars and sentiment were included with the calendar kit; and worked in so perfectly with the theme I of the page.  Then I cut out the  word "jOURney" using Cricut Graphically Speaking cartridge; which could also be read OUR journey.  In my opinion, this cartridge is perfect for scrapbooking because of all its fun words and sayings :)...

This page came together pretty quickly and I'm thrilled with how it came out!

Thanks for stopping by and have a good Monday!

Supplies:
BasicGrey - 2010 Calendar Kit
pyramids - cut using Cricut My World learning cartridge
"jOURney"- cut using Cricut Graphically Speaking cartridge

DCWV Texture Paper

You're My Cup of Tea! / TCP Tuesday #120

This week I wanted to play along with the TCP Tuesday Challenge #120, where Toni from Moved to the Mountains blog, had an inspiration challenge for us. Love those! But yes, I'm always a bit too literal when it comes to those types of challenges so I took a few of the elements from the inspiration picture, like the pillowcase and white sheets, and ran with it.

Here is the inspiration picture, a quilted funky rectangular pattern set with rich red and burgundy colors toned down with light pink and white and nice fresh set of white sheet. I decided to take a few of those funky shapes on the pillowcase and use my Cricut to cut that frame for my image. Can you see it? It's a bird's eye view of the bed in the inspiration picture :) ... LOL!

And in honor of our fabulous talented hostess, Toni, I decided to use these newly release (and I believe named after her) TCP Toni's Tea Set stamps :). I have been really itching to ink this set, with this cute looking tea cup and FUN sentiment, I can see myself inking these for other occasions!

I used a combination of coordinating DCWV papers from different stacks, trying to imitate the bed set :). I had fun paper piecing my image. I used this EK edge punch with my interpretation of white sheets. I had also been itching to use this wool felt from a collection I got from the TCP website. They come in a variety of coordinating colors and I couldn't help myself to them! :) I used the TCP Flower Button die on the felt to make this flowery frame for my cute little tea bag. I then used a bit of red/white twine for some added fun and was done.

This card came together nicely and I like how the layout is a bit different than I normal go for. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
teacup - The Cat's Pajama's Toni's Tea Set K-0691
little tea bag - The Cat's Pajama's Toni's Tea Set K-0691
"You're My Cup Of Tea" - The Cat's Pajama's Toni's Tea Set K-0691
TCP Flower Button die
Wool felt available at TCP website
Red/White twine available at TCP website
EK edge punch
Cricut to cut the irregular rectangles
DCWV Texture paper, DCWV Sweet Stack, , DCWV Summer Dream Stack