Halloween is Around the Corner

Autumn is in the air, which means Halloween fun for many folks.  Since all my little goblins are far away, I send them cards.  Here is the assortment that went in the mail to them this year:

The little white things are fabric weights - I used them to get the flaps to lay down flat so the decorations would show!  Sometimes cards just don't "model" cooperatively.

All supplies used are from Close To My Heart:

6x6" Die cut Cards (retired)
Backdrop - Charmed Stamp (D 1490)
Scaredy Cat Paper (retired - Use Nevermore - X7198B and Complements X7198C)
Scaredy Cat Complements (X7185C) On Clearance!
Scaredy Cat Assortment (Z3011) On Clearance! (may also use Nevermore Assortment Z3083)
Thistle (Z2640) and Smokey Plum (retired) Inks

Close up of flap detail and ink distressing on scalloped edge

Interior sentiment

The Complements packet provides a variety of  options for sentiments and embellies!

Close up of one exterior

A second version using same stamp, different paper

It's amazing how many different "looks" can be created using the different sides of paper, inking all the edges of papers and cards.  The stick on paper and metal complements that match the B&T papers, using some scraps to bring out the sentiment inside the card all add interest and fun to these cards, making each of them a one of a kind creation.

Thanks for your interest in this project.  Enjoy the season of haints and saints!

Blessings,

James 5:13-15

A New Toy

It's all thanks to Cocoa's Mom and Sassy Lady.  Well, maybe thanks isn't exactly the right word.  Last week Sheila posted a card she made using the "We R Memory Keepers" Fuse tool.  THEN, Christine (Cocoa's Mom) piped up and offered the information that a TV station (which shall remain nameless) offered a WHOLE bundle of goodies with the tool.  I was a goner.  Did I ever really stand a chance?

Clearly the packaging was overkill.  My shiny new toy must be VERY valuable to warrant all that bubble wrap and extra space.

Since I'm a bit obsessed with demonstrating stuff - here is the actual size of the container compared to the outside package.  I was underwhelmed *sigh*. 

Ah, then I looked inside!!  My eyes began to dance - 

Look at all those cards and sparkles and, and, STUFF!

Also included are straight edges, rulers, and other tools to help crafting.

You use this tool to make your own photo protector waterfall pages for your project.  You can also make greeting cards with sealed windows that hold "goodies".

The basic kit comes with a photo sleeve fuse tool, fusing tip, cutting tip, ruler stencil, and tool stand.  This expanded "but wait, there's more" version includes cards, envelopes, sparkles, a 12"x12" cutting mat (that's what I REALLY wanted), 12" square photo sleeves, and instructions.

At this writing, I'm getting ready for another road trip, this time with my sister to Chicago.  So I apologize for this more "techy" post.  I hope to have a project done with this new toy next month.

Enjoying Autumn and looking toward the holidays!

Blessings,

Phillippians 4:4-7

 

Balloon Wishes Birthdays

September brings lots of birthdays.  So I made two different cards using a new Close To My Heart Stamp called "Balloon Wishes".

The first one uses retired papers and accents from the Tommy collection.

Additional supplies for this card include:

Joyful Birthday Stamp (B1419)
Desert Sand Ink (Z2118)
Shin Han Markers

The second card is for my sister.  She LOVES bling, so I really outdid myself on this one!

In addition to the Balloon Wishes Stamp (D1667), supplies include:

White Daisy Cards (X254)
White Daisy Cardstock (1385) - one sheet
CTMH Artiste Cartridge (Z3167)
Thistle (Z2640) and Sweet Leaf Inks (Z2153)
Joyful Birthday Stamp (B1419)
Junebug Puffies (Z3038)
Pink Glitter Gems (Z1807)
Confetti Wishes Paper and Complements are retired.  Replace with Zoe Papers (X7197B) and Complements (X7197C)
Pink Glitter Gel (retired) 

I used a Copic marker - Honey (Y38) to outline the "Celebrate" emblem.

Since so many of the stamps in the "Balloon Wishes" collection use the Artiste cartridge, I went ahead and cut up a whole sheet of banners and "Celebrate" emblems.

Forgot to take a picture before I started peeling them off the sheet - oops!

These two cards show how completely different "looks" can be using various papers, complements and ink colors.

Thanks for following along.  Happy autumn!

Hebrews 13:1-6

The "Artfully Sent" Cartridge in Action

It's been a busy summer and I must confess I haven't done as much in the paper crafting department as I would like to have done.  We decided to clean out a few things to give to the church yard sale, and I discovered a treasure of Christmas supplies that needed to be turned into some fun stuff - centerpieces and wreaths.  Here is a picture of the centerpieces:

Sitting on my Great Aunt's dresser in one of our guest rooms!  Hope they all find a happy home.

SO, I've been a bit preoccupied.  In July, though, I attended a terrific workshop given by Gina Brandstetter using the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge (Z3168).

Other CTMH Supplies Needed:
Cashmere Cardstock (X5932)
Olive Cardstock(1245)
Yuletide and Jackson Papers (retired - use substitutes)

Desert Sand Ink (Z2118) 

Bling Gems Gold Assortment (Z2023)

Stamp - Paper Bird - C1613 (retired) 

NOTE- Pathfinding Paper packet (X7186B), may substitute for Yuletide and Jackson, which are no longer available..  Also contains Olive cardstock and Champagne cardstock (use instead of Cashmere cardstock)

For full directions for Cricut cuts and assembly of cards, download the file here.  Substitute papers will be needed for the tree trunk (Nevermore X7198B would work) and card backgrounds (light patterns as in Pathfinding X7186B).  Here are the finished cards:

Pocket Card

"So Sorry" Sentiment Card

These cards were lots of fun to make with the Artfully Sent Cartridge.  Gina's workshops are always informative and fast-paced, with lots of laughter.  I hope you'll explore some of the great cards on this cartridge.  Until next time!

Matthew 6: 24-34

Saving an "Epic Fail"

Every once in a while, things get messed up and aproject has to be "re-thunk" as my mum used to say.  That's what happened on the grand children's Birthday card project.

Cricut cartridges used:

Pooh Font
Everyday Paperdolls (for the butterfly)

Art Philosophy (for failed rectangles)

CTMH Supplies used:

Dotty for You Papers (retired)

Jubilee  Papers (retired)

Jubilee Compliments (X7181C)(this item is "while supplies last")

Bronz Glitter Gel (Z1483)(this item is "while supplies last")

Colonial White Cards (X1410)

Topiary Ink (Z2155)

I wanted to revisit the "Gap Card" idea ever since Cocoa's Mom demonstrated one a couple of months ago using Design Space.  Since I'm still chewing on switching to that method, I pulled out my trusty Gypsy.  Everything looked terrific on the Gypsy after I got it all designed.  The "back" of the card can be seen at the top of the Gypsy window, with the bottom "gap" containing the Birthday child's name.

THEN, here is what happened when the Cricut machine got 'hold of the design.  It's little noggin and the Gypsy demonstrated "Epic Fail" in communication.  This has only happened one other time to a project I worked on.  I have no clue WHY it happened either time.

The name letters and the butterfly cutout all turned out fine.

SO, it was on to "Plan B".  Since the top part of the card, originally to be the back, was still intact, I cut 2 of those off the yellow cardstock, inked the edges and used them to cover the front of 2 plain cards.  Then I added the names, embellished with some Glitter Gel and a Jubilee Compliments strip.  Lily has a butterfly, so Ethan has fireworks!

Whew!  Epic Fail saved!  Thanks for biting your nails along with me  - better than a mystery book, eh?  Well, maybe not that good, but certainly a challenge.

Blessings,

Deut. 3:21-28

Anniversary Card Box

Last time I shared a card I made for an anniversary and said it would take a box to hold it because of the flowers, which were too big to fit in an envelope.  So this time, I made a box for the card.

The box was made with the CTMH Artiste Cartridge (Z1790) using.Cricut 12" x 24" Antiquity cardstock and Dotty for You papers (retired).

Other CTMH Supplies used:

Stella Complements (retired)
Green Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)
Flowers made with Art Philosophy Cartridge
Teal Shimmer Trim (Z1918)

The two pieces were "scored" for easier folding.  These score marks can be removed if one is using a Gypsy (yes, I'm still "old school" - don't know if the same holds true for the new design center software).  I chose to use them for this project, just to make sure I got everything folded correctly.

Using the scoreboard and bone folder also was very helpful on this project.  there were a lot of lines to draw.  Making them straight ensured the box came together well.

It took a little guesswork to make the box to fit the card.  Dimensions aren't always perfect as specified on the cartridges, particularly when the measurements include flaps.  Using a height of 5 1/2 inches (the card is 4 1/2 inches in height) gave me a comfortable margin of error and still made both pieces of the box small enough to fit on the Cricut mat.

 The top of the box required the larger paper and 12" x 24" mat.

The bottom of the box fit nicely on 12" x 12" paper.

Here is the card with the finished box top shown in the back.  This was a fun project with a little bit of guesswork on the size.  I do wish there was a sure-fire way of eliminating that.  I haven't found one, though.  Thanks for walking along with me on this.  If you have any questions or comments, let me know.

Blessings,

Psalm 46: 1-11

Happy Anniversary!

This little card just came together from some odds and ends I had lying around after finishing other projects.  Sometimes my penchant for hanging on to things comes in handy.

The fan and card were made with the Cricut Pagoda cartridge.  The flowers were made with the Art Philosophy (Z1686) cartridge.

Additional CTMH supplies:

Inks - Sweet Leaf (Z2153), Lagoon (Z2195)
Bitty Sparkles - (Z1263)
"The Happy Couple" Stamp (D1539)
The other 2 little flowers are retired. 

Sentiment

Now my only other challenge is making a gift box to put this fabulous little card into for the lucky couple!  There's always another project!

Blessings,

1 John 1:5 - 2:2

Happy Father's Day!

Guys are tough.  Not like, "tough", but tough to make cards for tough.  So I was pleased to see some "outdoorsy" themed papers and accessories to use for this year's Father's Day cards.  Something different than the plaid and pipe theme.

Close To My Heart Supplies Needed:

Timberline Papers (retired - use Jackson - X7195B)
Timberline Stickease (retired - use Jackson - X7195C) 
Timberline Assortment (retired - use Jackson - Z3071)
"You're The Best" Holiday Stamp (retired)
Inks - Chocolate - (Z2111), Goldrush - (Z2123), Juniper - (Z2165)
Sanding Kit (Z1294)
Durable Triangle Studs (retired)

Distressing is GOOD therapy!!

Zip strips tell us the color palette of the papers!!  Who knew?

Each of these cards uses the same basic background paper, distressed and placed on a card, then embellished with some different accents to highlight the man's personal interests and excellence.

For my husband - we like to camp.

Sentiment for my husband's card

Our son-in-law is an avid fisherman and outdoors man.

Our nephew, the veteran Marine, lives by the sea.

Our brother-in-law goes with the flow, camping and showing hospitality to everyone he meets.

Sentiment for our three guys

All of these men have brought a kaleidoscope of life to my world and it wouldn't be the same without them.  They are full of fun, devoted fathers and loving people.  Happy Father's Day to them all.

Hope you enjoy this post and have a wonderful day with your special men and families.  

Blessings,

Micah 6:8

Welcome Baby!

A baby's arrival is always special.  Here's a card for some friends of ours who are expecting.

Close To My Heart Supplies needed:


Blossom Papers (X7196B)
B is for Baby Stamp (D1561)
4 My Friend Stamp (retired)
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)
Sweet Leaf (Z2153), Sunset (Z2191), and Sunflower (retired) inks

The stamp collection provides the cutting size (height) information to use on the "Welcome Baby" stamp.  It also tells where to look in the book for the shape, which is helpful.  I raised the cut out up using 3D squares.  Edges of sections were distressed with Sweet Leaf ink.

Inside, a cute rocking horse and sentiment.  This was a quick project even using the Cricut machine (I used my Gypsy, too!) to cut the front stamp frame.  Hope you enjoyed it!

Blessings, 

Psalm 57:1 - 11

Mother's Day Cards

Mother's Day is special.  This card brought together a couple of designs I've been wanting to use, as well as another opportunity to show off the beautiful CTMH Blossom Paper (X7196B), which I just love.  Other Close To My Heart supplies used include:

"Fabulous You" Stamp (Seasons and Nature - C1533)
"Mother's Day" Stamp (retired - suggest B1474)
Shimmer Trim (Z1918)
Inks - Crystal Blue (Z2117), Olive (Z2137), Sunset (Z2191)
White Cards, Value Pak (X254)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Bouquet Assortment (retired - suggest Z1857)
Shin Han Markers - Turquoise Blue (Z2465), Clay (Z2451), Golden Yellow (Z2452), Marigold (Z2457), Pastel Peach (Z2460)

In addition, I used my trusty Creative Memories circle templates - 3" and 3 1/4".  Sometimes hauling out the Cricut machine for a few piddly circles just seems like more trouble than it's worth!

Inside, a simple sentiment with plenty of room for personal touches.  I hope you enjoyed this project.  May you all experience a day you enjoy on Mother's Day.  Blessings,

Proverbs 31:10-30