Need a little Christmas?

I am involved with a ladies' organization at my church and I am in charge of our monthly meetings.  The theme for last night's meeting was "A Meaningful Christmas".  It's so easy for this time of year to be stressful and hectic, instead of time of joy and hope.  I wanted to create an atmosphere that was warm and cozy, and I invited people to share ideas for activities and traditions that would help them have a Christ-centered, low-stress Christmas.  At the front of the room I set up a rocking chair, a lamp, and my pretend fireplace/heater.  I had LED pillar candles and lights all over the room, and I brought my Wallflowers (plug-ins) that were Christmasy scented.  This would mean so much more if I had taken a picture!  Christmas music was playing softly in the background as people arrived, and we had a table full of everyone's favorite Christmas treats and recipes to share.

By the glow of the (fake) fire, we started the evening with an inspirational story which was a heart warming reminder of the joy of giving - there wasn't a dry eye in the place!  The rest of the evening was full of wonderful traditions and activities that we can share with our families.  It was a good night, and I came away with some new ideas for inexpensive, meaningful Christmas gifts for my family.

I didn't take a picture of my set-up at the church, but I do have a picture of the wreath that was part of the decorations.

I've been wanting to make this wreath for a while now, but I had a little extra incentive a couple of weeks ago when DCWV put out a call for Utah-based designers.  I live about half an hour from their corporate offices, so I thought why not?  This was one of the projects that I submitted.  The base is a foam wreath that I picked up at Joann, and the rest is paper from DCWV:  from the Recollections Warm Wishes stack, and the DCWV Holiday Collection stack.  Oh, and two cuts with my Silhouette:  the gingerbread man, and the bow.  The rest of the wreath is made of paper accordion flowers, or pinwheels, or whatever you want to call them.

Oh, and I made the team.  Yay!

Applicious!

The beginning of autumn arrived with a bang at my house - with 80 degree weather and my oldest daughter and I having a cold.  Isn't that just so wrong!?  No matter, I celebrated the start of my favorite time of the year by creating a card that incorporates some of my favorites things - apples, and the color red.

 

 

 

This is also the time of year that I start to think about which cards I would like to give in the assortment that I give as Christmas gifts.  I think this one's a keeper!  ;-) 

Stamp:  My Pink Stamper Everyday Life (also a favorite)
Cricut Cartridge:  Preserves
Paper:  AC Cardstock, Craft Brown cardstock from Roberts Crafts, American Crafts Apple Cider line
Embellishments:  Lace ribbon from Hobby Lobby, assorted buttons tied with linen thread, Close to Cocoa stamp pad for stamping and sponging

Happy Fall Y'all!

No Cricut (GASP!) Creations

I know, this is very shocking!  It has been a LONG time since I've made a project that didn't involve the Cricut.  Well, I teach primarily Cricut classes at my local Joann, and I have been asked to start teaching basic card classes that don't use the Cricut.  After much pondering, I decided for my first class I would teach the accordion flower technique.  I also thought I would challenge myself and make all the cards from the same DCWV stack, which in this case is the Nana's Kids Stack.  If you have been to my blog before you'll notice these are a lot simpler than what I usually make, but that's because I'm gearing them towards beginner to intermediate crafters.  That said, I'm really happy with how they turned out!  I guess I should also confess that I didn't exactly stick to the stack (as it were).  I did have to use white cardstock, one sheet of violet cardstock, and one sheet of red.  I was pretty close though!  ;-)

Paper:  DCWV Nana's Kids Stack, Core-dinations (violet), AC Cardstock
Embossing:  Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl
Embellishments:  DCWV (buttons), Offray (ribbon), Fiskars (edge punch)

Happy Mother's Day!

**Giveaway info here **

I'm so glad that one of the NSD challenges over at My Pink Stamper was to make a Mother's Day project!  I have two wonderful mothers in my life - my mother, and my mother-in-law.  So I was glad to have the opportunity to make them something special and take the time to recognize them today.

OK, OK, I know - they're pretty much the same card, just different colors.  It was a blast preparing the samples for Robyn's new stamp release and for National Scrapbook Day, but it was exhausting!  I needed to simplify a little, but that's where having great paper and a great cut comes in so handy!

Stamp:  My Pink Stamper Love-a-licious
Cricut Cartridge:  Florals Embellished
Paper:  AC Cardstock, DCWV (The Blossom Song Stack), American Traditional Design (yellow floral paper), Paper Pizazz (green gingham)
Decorated Edge:  Martha Stewart
Embellishments:  Offray (pink satin ribbon), American Crafts (white ruffle ribbon), DCWV (buttons), Stickles, linen thread

More My Pink Stamper New Releases!

And the fun continues with another new set from My Pink Stamper called Biggie Punnies!  I love all of Robyn's "punny" sets - they're just so fun and work so well with Cricut cartridges.  This set is one of her larger 6 x 8 sets.

Biggie Punnies

Don't you just love the expression on my son's face?  What can I say?  He's four...

Stamps:  My Pink Stamper Biggie Punnies

Cricut Cartridges:  Country Life (carrots), Winter Frolic (tag - enlarged and elements removed with the Gypsy)

Paper:  American Crafts (City Park line), AC Cardstock, Provo Craft

Edge Punch:  Martha Stewart Apron Lace

Embellishments:  DCWV (buttons), American Crafts (ribbon), linen thread

One of the many really great things you can do with these stamps is bend them a little as you are mounting them on your acrylic block.

Stamp:  My Pink Stamper Biggie Punnies

Cricut Cartridge:  Create a Critter

Embossing:  Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl, Sizzix Zebra

Paper:  AC Cardstock, Stampin Up

Accessories:  Eyelet Outlet (frog eyelets), Stickles

FCCB Bunny Hop Challenge!

I did a little experiment, and low and behold, it turned into a challenge - a bunny hop challenge to be exact.  I wanted to try making a carrot shaped box to put some Easter treats in.  I used the tree box from the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge, cut some green grass with Plantin Schoolbook for the leaves, put a bunny on it and there you have it.  Very simple, but very cute.  Well, I think so anyway!  ;-)  And of coarse Robyn at My Pink Stamper has a perfect stamp to go along!

Cricut Cartridges:  Tags Bags Boxes & More, Create a Critter, Plantin Schoolbook
Stamps:  My Pink Stamper Even More Punnylicious
Paper:  AC Cardstock, Roberts Crafts, Bazzill
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

DCWV Warehouse sale!

At the risk of making those of you who do not live in Utah cry...

Tomorrow the Die Cuts With a View warehouse sale begins!  If you are in the area, this is definitely a sale that you can't miss.  Last year they had the 12 x 12 stacks for $5!  They had their wall vinyl for $3!  Just be prepared because you know what happens when you put a bunch of scrappers in a warehouse with prices like that - it gets a little crazy!  For the best selection you need to get there early, but be prepared to wait in line for a long time.

Corner of East Bay Blvd and 350 East

Building #1422

Provo, Utah

Thursday, April 14th- 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday,     April 15th - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 16th-   9:00  AM - 1:00 PM

Scrapbook USA Expo

There are some definite advantages to living in Utah when you're a papercrafter.  One of those is the Scrapbook USA Expo.  I have been trying to decide all week whether I was going to go or not, but finally decided I would today.  Am I glad I went?  Well, I brought my three children with me - one of which is my very active, and at the moment very over tired (from all the partying with my sister being in town) son.  It was a bit of a challenge to say the least.  But I did find what I wanted while I was there:

• I was able to see both the Cricut Imagine, and the limited edition Cricut Expression 2 in action.  Very cool!  I also learned from the product development rep that the Cricut Craft Room is supposed to be ready to launch in 2-3 weeks.  You can see a video clip of the Cricut Expression 2 and Cricut Craft room here.
• Doodlebug Design Co had a booth!  I love their products - such bright, happy colors and the cutest images and accessories.
• I finally found the cartridge Quarter Note for a price that I was willing to pay.  CreativeXpress was there (aka ProvoCraft), and they had some smokin' prices on their cartridges towards the end of the day.
• I also saw Erin Madsen of DCWV at their booth and the infamous DCWV paper dresses.

and last but not least

• I was able to add a little to my Copic collection (I bet you didn't know I even owned Copics!  I am kind of a Cricut girl, but I do love my Copics).  The booth that I purchased them from was Scrap-mart.com.  Now, I have never ordered through their online store before, so I can't speak for that aspect of the company, but I can report that they have a good price for Copic Sketch and Ciao, PLUS they offer free shipping.  That's huge for me because there are a few online stores that have great prices for the markers but have horrible shipping costs.  And if you use the code First10 at Checkout, you can get 10% off of your first order over $50.00.

Now it is time to relax and spend some precious time with my sister and her family before they leave on Monday.  Have a great weekend!

Piece of cake!

I made this a month or so ago for a contest that I entered, and I can finally show it to you because I didn't win.  Waaahhh!!!

Seriously though, I loved making this cake!  This is probably the most satisfying project I have ever made.  It sat on my kitchen counter on a cake stand for weeks!  I almost shed a tear as I glued it all together because it is going to be on display at my local Joann for an upcoming class.

For those of you who haven't seen these before, the cake is made using the triangle box from the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge.  Put a bunch of triangles together, and what do you get?  A cake!  The very top layer was made from an embellished paper mache box.  Some of the rosettes were made from an Imaginisce Roly Rosies pack, but then I figured out how to do them freehand - even better! 

The best part of this project is you can actually use the pieces of the cake to hold party favors.  What little girl wouldn't love this at their party, and then be able to take a little piece of "cake" home with them?

Cricut Cartridge:  Tags, Bags, Boxes & More, Gypsy
Paper:  DCWV, Doodlebug Design, AC Cardstock
Paper Punch:  Martha Stewart Scallop Dot
Embellishments:  Offray ribbon, Imaginisce Roly Rosies

A Charming Blingey Challenge!

In my search for some inspiration this week I thought I'd participate in a couple of challenges:

Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge #47 - Think Bling
The Cuttlebug Spot - Oh So Charming

This was a really fun challenge for me, first of all because this is a great sketch (as usual) but also because I was able to try a new technique.  This is the first time that I have used Polyshrink (Shrinky Dinks) in my Cricut.  It was pretty easy!  I just used a regular blade, and I used the "Multi-Cut" feature set on 2 - although I'm not sure that was even necessary.  I used Sharpies to color the bunny and then pulled out my heat embosser.  Of coarse it didn't take long before my children were in there with me making requests!  It's actually a great project for tweens - they can make earrings, charms for necklaces and bracelets.  But that will be a topic for another post...

Cricut Cartridge:  Create a Critter
Stamps:  My Pink Stamper - Even More Punny-licious
Paper:  Doodlebug Design, AC Cardstock
Embossing:  Quickutz Flowers
Embellishments:  Stickles, Offray (ribbon), Polyshrink, Sharpies

Something with "purse"onality

The challenge this past week at The Cuttlebug Spot was called, "Ouch!  Pins...pins...pins."  The challenge was to make a project using, you guessed it, pins.  So here's a very simple little something that I made that I think turned out pretty cute!

I have two very girly girls at home that absolutely loved this.  I think I can see some birthday party favors in my future!

Cricut Cartridge:  Forever Young (purse), A Walk In My Garden (flower)
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Paper:  AC Cardstock, Stampin Up
Embellishments:  corsage pins, DCWV (button), American Crafts (ribbon)

RRR Challenge #19 - Green

I have purchased ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon in the past, so imagine my excitement when I saw that they now have a blog and have weekly challenges!  The challenge for this week is to make a project using the color green, and of coarse, using some beautiful ribbon as well.

I think it's safe to say that I never thought I would make a card that had peas on it!  But I'm really happy with how this turned out!

Cricut Cartridge:  Country Life
Stamps:  My Pink Stamper Fruit & Veggie Puns
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Victoria
Paper:  AC Cardstock, Stampin Up, Georgia Pacific, Colorbok (stripes)
Edge Punch:  Fiskars Apron Lace
Embellishments:  Recollections pearls, DCWV (buttons), American Crafts (ribbon), Stickles

My Pink Stamper - Birdie Challenge

Robyn is still having a blast on the Cricut Cruise, so yesterday she posted a fun challenge for us!  The challenge is to make a project using a feathered friend.  Her stamp set Tweetie Hoo Puns would have been perfect for this challenge, but since I don't have it I decided to feature one of her new stamp sets called Music Speaks - one of my favorites from this recent release.

 

As you can see, I'm still having fun experimenting with making the ruffly ribbon!

Cricut Cartridges:  Simply Charmed (bird), Winter Frolic (branch, nest, and music notes), A Walk In My Garden (leaves), Gypsy

Stamps:  My Pink Stamper Music Speaks

Paper:  American Crafts, AC Cardstock, Georgia Pacific, Stampin Up
Embellishments:  Stickles, Crystal Effects, Offray ribbon

FCCB Challenge #49 - Shaped Card

The challenge this week at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog is to make a shaped card - any shape other than a square or rectangle.  This was a tough choice to make!  I started pulling out my cartridges and looking at the carts that had shaped cards on them already, but none of them really appealed to me.  So I finally settled on making my own - enter Gypsy!  I chose a bee from the cartridge A Walk In My Garden.  I welded together the "shift-blackout" version of the bee.  You need to use the "hide" function to get rid of the stripes, and remember you have to flip one of the images before you weld:

Then cut the "blackout" version of the bee in yellow to get the wings, and glue to the card base:

Then you're going to cut another "shift-blackout" version of the bee, with the stripes hidden:

which you will glue to the yellow "wing" portion.  For mine I chose to cut the stripes in a different paper, a yellow gingham - so back to the Gypsy to cut just the stripes this time.  Add the stripes, embellish, and voila!

And for the inside, what could be more perfect than one of My Pink Stamper's "punny" stamps?  This comes from Even More Punny-licious.

Cricut Cartridge:  A Walk In My Garden, Gypsy
Stamps:  My Pink Stamper Even More Punny-licious
Paper:  Paper Pizazz, AC Cardstock, Roberts
Embellishments:  copper wire, misc. gems

Now it's your turn to go and create!  Have fun thinking outside of the usual "box".  And don't forget to post your creation at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog for your chance to win some fun prizes!

When life hands you lemons...

Make a lemon card!

It's been a bit of a lemon of a week.  There has been a cold passing between members of my family for weeks, and this week I finally succumbed.  It's not so bad though, as far as colds go it has been pretty mild and I am already starting to feel better.

I have been wanting to make a card of a "citrusy" theme ever since I saw an episode of the Martha Stewart Show this week that was all things citrus.  They taste good, they're bright and happy colors, they're full of vitamin C (especially attractive right now) - what's not to like?  Then I found this adorable ribbon, which matched perfectly with this cute paper I had...

Have you been noticing that this cute ruffly ribbon is appearing everywhere?  I have been wanting to get some ever since I watched Robyn's (a.k.a. My Pink Stamper) DVD, "Cricut Layouts - Throughout the Year", and she used some adorable pink ruffly ribbon.  Not the easiest stuff to find, but as it happens, totally easy to make.  I don't know why I didn't think of it before!  You just have to run a straight stitch (set at the longest setting) down the middle of your ribbon, then pull one of the threads to gather it.  Don't be surprised if you see a lot of this from me in the coming weeks - it's really fun!

Cricut Cartridge - Simply Charmed
Stamps:  My Pink Stamper Fruit & Veggie Puns
Paper:  Me & My Big Ideas (stripes), AC Cardstock, Archivers
Border Punch:  Fiskars
Embellishments:  Offray (ribbon), Doodlebug Design (flower brad), Stickles, misc. gems and buttons

My Pink Design Team - February!

I have had so much fun working with Robyn's newly released stamp sets.  Today I have chosen to feature a set called More Faithful Sayings.

I have a niece who just turned 8 and was baptized recently, but I wasn't able to be there so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to send her a card saying how proud we are of her.

 

I am seeing now that I have a little work to do as far as keeping a steady hand when using my Copics!  I'm just glad that I had them since I didn't have any flesh-toned cardstock.

Cricut Cartridges:  Playtime, Winter Frolic (for the swirls), George & Basic Shapes

Stamps:  My Pink Stamper More Faithful Sayings

Paper:  Stampin Up, Georgia Pacific, Colorbok

Embossing:  Cuttlebug Victoria , Quickutz Flowers

Embellishments:  DCWV (buttons), Stickles, Recollections (pearls)

And here's another card featuring her new stamp set called Sport-tastic:

 

I have a confession to make:  we're not the biggest sports fans at my house.  We're more the artsy type, although I think this is going to have to change because my son needs an outlet for his oodles of energy!  But because of this I don't have any Cricut cartridges with a sports theme.  So I had to get creative.  I "built" this gold medal from the tabs feature on the Simply Sweet cartridge.  I just used the Gypsy (yes, I'm loving it more and more!) to remove the cut from the center.  Then I embossed the medal with an embossing folder from the Preserves Cricut Companion set.

Thanks for stopping by today, and if you haven't already be sure to stop by My Pink Stamper to check out all the wonderful My Pink Designer projects!

FCCB Challenge #48 - Emboss It!

I had so much fun with this week's challenge at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog!  The challenge is to make a project using some form of embossing, whether it be wet, dry, using a stencil, or with embossing folders.  How fun is that?  I think embossing is one of the best techniques for adding interest to your project.  And so easy - especially if you have a Cuttlebug or a comparable product.

One of my favorite things about paper crafts is combining different colors, patterns, and textures and finding a way to make them all work together.  My sister on the other hand, is a master quilter, so she works the same magic in fabric.  If anyone in the Akron/Canton area in Ohio needs a long-arm quilter to do some work for them, I can hook you up!  When I was given this challenge I wanted to find a way of incorporating a number of different embossed textures into my project.  What better way to do that than with a quilt!  Take some super adorable paper from Doodlebug Design, embossing folders, and the Country Life cartridge, put them together and voila!

You will find embossing in a number of places on this card.  I used a Quickutz embossing folder called Stripes Label to create the look of thread on the spool.  I used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder for some of the "patches" on the quilt.  And I used one of the Cricut Companion Preserves folders with all the berries for the background, and for my strawberries in the center of the quilt.

Cricut Cartridge:  Country Life
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots & Preserves Cricut Companion, Quickutz Stripes Label
Stamps:  My Pink Stamper Fruit and Veggie Puns
Paper:  Paper Pizazz (gingham), Doodlebug Design (Berry Blue & Ladybug Picnic), Stampin Up and AC Cardstock
Edge Punch:  Martha Stewart Scallop Dot
Embellishments: Doodlebug Design Tutti Fruitti Boutique Brads, DCWV (button), Michaels (ribbon)