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

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

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

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

June ATC card for Swap

For last month's ATC Swap hosted by Tracy Clemente from Eat, Sleep, Stamp blog, I decided I wanted to do a FUN summer card. I am really enjoying being part of this talented group and find myself looking forward to their creations every month!  I was inspired to use Cat's Pajamas Nightie Alphabet set by a TCP Tuesday challenge last month.  Unfortunately I was out of town so I didn't get to post it until now.

Poochie looks just AWESOME with his surf board and he looks like he is having a FUN time.  Poochie is from Cat's Pajamas Fun in the Sun, love this set. I used Cricut Life is a Beach cartridge to create a palm tree frame for Poochie to chill under.  In my stash, I found this DCWV Summer Stack pattern paper that matched perfectly!

Hope the ladies liked it as much as I had FUN making it! :)

Supplies:
"FUN" - The Cat's Pajamas Nightie Alphabet S-8636
Poochie w/surfboard - The Cat's Pajamas Fun in the Sun N-9670
palm tree frame - cut using Cricut Life is a Beach cartridge and Cricut Design studio to weld
DCWV Texture paper, DCWV Summer Stack paper 2009, DCWV yellow glitter paper
Momento Onyx ink

Mr & Mrs Wedding Card

Earlier this month, we attended my husband's sister's wedding and we had a nice time! I wanted to make the lovely bride and the handsome grooom a fun yet elegant card. This is what I came up with.

The base of the card is this copper color shimmer paper from DCWV Shimmer Stack. I used the gold leafy glitter paper from DCWV Linen Closet stack along with my Cricut Sweetheart cartridge to cut the "Mr & Mrs" scallop piece. I then cut the wedding cake and the rings using Cricut Tie the Knot cartridge and added matching gold pearls to the cake. Really like how the cake came out!

This is the inside:

Had such a great time making this card and playing with the two different cartridges.

Supplies:
"Mr & Mrs" scallop piece - cut using Cricut Tie the Knot cartridge
rings - cut using Cricut Sweeheart cartridge
envelope w/ rings - cut using Cricut Tie the Knot cartridge and Cricut Design studio to weld the rings
branch - cut using Cricut Sweetheart cartridge
sentiment - from Cloud 9 Wedding set
DCWV Shimmer Stack, DCWV Linen Closet Stack, Paper Company Shimmer paper
Hero Arts pearl gems
M's $ ribbon
Momento Rich Cocoa ink

July Month Scrapbook Calendar Page

Realized I had not posted my calendar scrapbook page for the month of July.  Really like the fun bubbly colors of this layout. 

The "splashin'" is pink chipboard letters included in this calendar kit.  The picture is of my sister-in-law and my nieces enjoying a cool dip in the pool.  I added some flip-flops cut using my Cricut Life is a Beach cartridge.  I used an EK bubble edge punch on the photo frame to continue the bubble theme.

A FUN layout that came together nicely :)!

Supplies:
BasicGrey - 2010 Calendar Kit
flip-flops- cut using Cricut Life is a Beach
EK bubble edge punch
EK photo corner
DCWV texture paper

Father's Day Card

I was able to finish a Father's Day card for my father-in-law.  I kept it simple, because that is very much his style.  He loves nature and spending time in his mountain cabin, a home away from home.  So this is what I came up with:

It is always hard for me to do masculine cards but I think this card works, the pattern paper does reminds me of a man's dress shirt :) .  I used foam tape to pop out the tree and red brads to add color.  The sentiment is from a J's $ studioG stamp set, came in very handy - it was the right size I needed!  I curved one corner to add a bit of interest.  Overall, this simple card came out exactly how I wanted and really happy with the results.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
tree - cut at 4 1/4'' using Cricut Give a Hoot
"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY" - studio G series 42
DCWV texture paper, DCWV  The Cafe Mediterranean Stack, DCWV Indian Summer Stack
EK edge punch
J's red brads
Versafine Red Satin ink

Happy Anniversary, lovebirds!

We are fortunate to know this couple who just celebrated MANY years of marriage... and we wanted to congratulate them.  I was going for a elegant, fanciful look but I think it came out a bit whimsical :) just like them!

Here is what I came up with:

I used DCWV Once Upon A Time pattern paper for the card that I cut using Cricut Sentimentals cartridge.  That cartridge has a few different shape cards and some with decorative edges, I love it!   I then embossed it using a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I place the branch and popped out the birdies within the frame.  I added some gems to the frame and a clear gem heart for the lovebirds.  The sentiment is from a studio G $ stamp picked up at M's; just right for this card.

Making this card was quick and easy; well after I spent time thinking of what it would look like :)... and I'm pretty happy with the outcome!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Supplies:

birdies on branch - cut using Cricut Tie The Knot cartridge

card with bottom leafy edge - cut using Cricut Sentimentals cartridge and Cricut Design Studio

"Happy Anniversary" - studio G $ stamp

Cuttlebug flourished farm embossing folder

DCWV Once Upon A Time stack, Paper Company shimmer paper, DCWV Shimmer Stack

Darice orange gems and clear heart gem

Dew Drop Brilliance pearlescent chocolate ink

Miscellaneous $ ribbon

April ATC card for Swap

ATC have always fascinated me; really like to browse blogs that contain them and see how someone can fit so much detail into 3 1/2'' by 2 1/2'' rectangle.  When I was asked by Tracy Clemente to participate in her ATC Monthly Swap, I jumped on the idea - it sounded FUN and I was ready to try it. 

For April this is what I came up with:

Really thought this Hero Arts image and the coordinating sentiment works so nicely.  I wanted to use bright colors so this DCWV Citrus strip of pattern paper helped balance a little the yellow that I used.  Hope the ladies enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed receiving the 9 ATC cards that came my way.  These ladies are so talented, really liked each of the different layouts and designs they used.

As you can see, I had FUN with the details on this card, it was a challenge to make it fit but in the end, I was happy in the end with the results.

Supplies:
birdie on birdie house - Hero Arts Sparkle Clear From Our House
"from our home to yours" - Hero Arts Sparkle Clear From Our House
frame - Cricut Storybook Cartridge
DCWV Texture paper, DCWV Citrus matstack
EK leaf punch
EK edge punch
Prima yellow flowers
Ranger liquid pearl baby blue
Momento Rich Cocoa

Congrats on your new baby boy!!!

A co-worker is having a baby, a precious baby boy! Exciting news, and I wanted to maker her a card to congratulate her :)!!! So this is what I came up with:

The image is from studio G for a $ at M's, really liked this how stylish it looks.  Had FUN coloring it too.  Adding the bracket worked both to emphasize and frame the image.  The background paper is from DCWV Nana Nursery It's a Boy stack and I combined that with the new DCWV Linen Closet stack; the color combination really worked for me.  I added a matching blue heart pin for FUN and the sentiment, "Congrats" is on a Making Memories curl tag on a the beige ribbon.
 
Gave it to her a few weeks ago, and she loved it! Thanks for stopping by! Have a good week!

Supplies:
pregnant woman - studio G image
brackets - cut using Cricut Plantin Schoolbook cartridge
Making Memory metal curling tag
DCWV Texture Paper, DCWV Nana Nursery It's a Boy Stack, DCWV Linen Closet Stack
Bo Bunny blue heart pin
M's beige $ ribbon
Momento Tuxedo Black ink

it's Time to CELEBRATE / Birthday Card

Someone very special to me is having a birthday next week and I wanted to make her a card that would bring her a smile and celebrated her.

Here is what I came up with:

The background reminds me of kitchen wallpaper, perfectly suited for this FUN cuckoo clock!  The front of the card holds a FUN secret, it holds a gift card to her favorite place in a sleeve.  I really like this new Hero Arts Cuckoo set, definetely something different but totally works.  The Martha Stewart birdie edge punch coordinated perfectly witht the theme of this card and a FUN touch.

Had a fun time trying to color brightly on craft paper :).  But when done, I really like how it came out.  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
cuckoo clock - Hero Arts Cuckoo clear set CL388
"it's time to CELEBRATE" - Hero Arts Cuckoo clear set CL388
Martha Stewart birdies edge punch
EK photo corner punch
DCWV Texture paper, DCWV the Cafe Mediterranean Stack, Paper Company Kraft paper
Momento Rich Cocoa ink
Prismacolor pencil
DecoColor Opaque Paint Marker light blue, orange and light yellow
atyouSpica
Prisma flowers
leaf - cut using Cricut Speaking of Fall Cartridge and Cricut Design Studio

May Month Scrapbook Calendar Page

This weekend I was able to work on scrapbook page for the month of May.  It came together pretty quickly, this predesign layout just worked for me, really love the colors!  I quickly found this picture that I really like of my husband and his mother. I admire their relationship, based on mutual respect, they are pretty close. 

Not just because she is my mother-in-law, but I have come to admire her as a person, she showers her kids with love and those who are lucky to know her.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
BasicGrey - 2010 Calendar Kit
"Love" - cut at 5'' using Cricut Tie the Knot Cartridge
Darice gems
Cuttlebug embossing folder

Mother's Day Cards / Pink Stamper NSD Challenge #1

Today is National Scrapbooking Day, and I did a little bit of online shopping and blogging. I also decided that it was time to make the Mother's Day dinner invites for next weekend :). I got started pretty early today, and I found my motivation in today's Pink Stamper post! The Pink Stamper is one blog I follow and find a great source of motivation and information on upcoming Provo Craft cartridges. In honor of NSD, The Pink Stamper hosted a various NSD challenges throughout the day. Since I had to make four of these cards, I was only able to participate on NSD Challenge #1 - "Mother Dear, I Love You So", where we were to do a project with either your mother or someone dear to you in mind.

Here is what I came up with:

I used leftover scraps from my previous daffodil thank you card which was inspired by another of The Pink Stamper challenges for today, NSD Challenge #2, "Getting Scrappy" which encouraged us to incorporate our scraps in our project. So actually I managed to do 2 of The Pink Stamper challenges:) out of the 12 posted today :)! This (one) card came together in a little over an hour, I had an idea of what shape I wanted to use from a sketch featured on the new Paper Crafts Go To Sketches magazine, great source of inspiration as well. For the invitation information, I printed in velum after using a my Cricut to cut out the circles, pasting onto printing paper and running it through the printer. This of course took me a bit longer but i manage. I used DS to replicate my cuts and before I knew it, I had all the pieces needed to assemble the remaining cards. Assembling them took a bit longer, but I did it while catching up on my TV shows :).

Hope this makes it to the recipients mid week, I gave each of them a call just to make sure they are coming :) since I am a bit late in mailing them. Glad to know they will be :).

Thanks for stopping by, hope you are having a relaxing weekend as well. Happy Scrapping!

Supplies:
Happy Mother's Day - cut at 2'' using Cricut Mother's Day Cartridge
scallop circle - cut at 4 7/8'' using Cricut Mother's Day Cartridge
circle - cut at 3 7/8'' using Cricut George Cartridge
leaf corner - 3'' cut using Cricut Storybook Cartridge
Making Memories hole punch kit
Martha Stewart butterfly punch
EK Sucess leafy punch
Prima flowers layered
DCWV Texture paper, DCWV Garden Stack Paper (green pattern paper), DCWV Spring Stack 2009
Rangers Stickles baby blue
M's $ ribbon
Miscellaneous button and yellow thread
Target $ gem brads

Thank you for the bright yellow Daffodils!

My facination with daffodils continues, they are after all one of the first flowers of spring! :) Earliear this month, one of my co-workers had the very thoughtful idea - he surprised us with gorgeous, bright yellow Daffodils in this beautiful blue vase.  He did this in support of the American Cancer Society, where daffodils are the symbol of hope.  My mother had cancer.  And for about a week, this gesture brighten up my home, so I wanted to really thank him. 

This is the card I made for him, tried to keep it masculine while at the same time bright!

For the daffodils I used the border feature from Walk in My Garden Cricut cartridge and for the sentiment, I used a Cuttebug die.  Added some leafy element with an EK punch.  Inside, I included a set of AMC movie tickets so he can enjoy a bright moment of FUN. 

Really glad how it turned out.  Thanks for stopping by and happy spring!

Supplies:
daffodils - cut at 3'' using Walk In My Garden Cricut cartridge
"thank you" - Cuttlebug die cut
EK wave edge punch
EK leafy punch
DCWV Texture Paper, DCWV Garden Party Stack for the green pattern paper and The Spring Glitter Stack 2009 for the paisly pattern paper

Happy Anniversary! / Happy Earth Day!

Today is my anniversary and of course, as usual, I did my husband's card at the very last minute :)!  But such is life!   Our life at that!   I wanted something CUTE and fast.  So of course I turned to the Cricut and the Cricut Sweetheart Cartridge, and these cute little birdies in their nest to say it all. 

And because it is Earth Day, I was inspired to use this DCWV Green Stack pattern paper that has a leafy criss-cross pattern that matches perfectly!  I then coordinated with the birdie pattern paper from the same stack that goes well with the birdies die cut.  Had a bit of a fight trying to glue the sentiment but I liked the end result.  Finished it off with some embossing using a Cuttlebug folder and a leafy edge punch.

I hope to give him this along with the Avatar movie and fruit (apple) that is traditional for this year anniversary :).  I haven't been crafting as much as I would like but this was a very FUN card to make and shows me how much I missed it!  Hope to find more time for it soon. 

Supplies:
birds and nest - cut 3 1/4' using Cricut Sweetheart Cartridge
"Happy Anniversary" - cut at 1 3/4'' using Cricut Sweetheart Cartridge
DCWV The Green Stack, DCWV Texture paper
EK leafy punch
Cuttlebug branch folder

April Month Scrapbook Calendar Page

I got a few moments yesterday to work on April calendar page.  Really like this picture and thought it would work great with this month layout.  Per the previous post, I used Cricut Walk in My Garden cartridge to cut a daffodil in representation of the ones we are so proud of growing...with help! :) LOL!

This was a fun layout, had a great time making this page.  Now we are trying to patientely wait for our tullips to grow... we are hopeful! :)

Supplies:

BasicGrey 2010 Calendar Kit
Dafodil - cut at 4 1/2'' using Walk In My Garden