Tuesday, February 22, 2011

"Official Teenager" birthday card - Mojo & CTO

Our second daughter will be a teenager next month.  Since her older sister became the dreaded 'teenager' a couple of years ago, she has teased her mercilessly!!  So now that it is her turn, we cannot just celebrate her birthday when it comes, we will have to really remind her that she is a teenager, too!!
This card will be submitted to:
~Mojo Monday 179 ~ follow the sketch
~Celebrate the Occasion ~ anything goes birthday 



What I used:
~Bazzill Bling cardstock
~Colorbok blue flowered paper
~DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies paper
~Waterfalls font -'teenager' was cut out in MTC and 'Happy 13th' was printed
~American Crafts ribbon
~tiny flowers cut off some ribbon that I've had forever!

Thanks for looking!!!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

"Classic" masculine birthday card

Another card for a challenge.  I discovered a great blog... Celebrate the Occasion.   It has challenges to celebrate the occasions throughout the year.  This week, challenge #2 it to make a masculine birthday card.  This is my submission. 
I have not put any sentiment on the inside yet.  With this front, I will probably write something about the recipient being 'old enough to be a classic'! :D


What I used:
~Basic Grey Granola paper (colors are perfect for 'manly' stuff!)
~distressed the edge
~crimped the GBS shape behind the car
~car from Heritage cart 'decorated' with silver gel pen
~stamp -I have no idea where I got it
~ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!!

More January LO's - skating fun

One of our favorite things to do in winter is skating!  Whether in a rink indoors or in the great outdoors, it is fun!!   some friends have a pond that they care for and turn into a rink when it's cold enough.  This winter sure has been cold enough but we got so much snow that it was only usable for a couple of weeks, so we went when we could!



Woohoo!  Two more LO's done for the year!  :D

I used DCWV paper and Make the Cut for the words and skate

Thanks for looking!!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Christmas cards in Feb??? Yep!

Sketchy Thursdays has a Second Chance challenge with Jingle Belles.  The idea is to make one card each week, so when Christmas comes, we're ready!!  Sounded fun to me!!

This first one is for the challenge....


It includes MS cardstock, DCWV Christmas premium paper, a border cut made in MTC, scallop and circles cut in MTC, a little stamp I found in a Crafts 2000 discount bin, and some ribbon.
 ~~~~~~~~~

 Then I just kept messing around and tried some other paper.  The colors of this really do match, but my lighting obviously was not the best! 

Thanks for looking!!!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A scrapbook LO for a change! :D

I have not scrapped for several months but am determined to scrap this year as it happens.  I'm a little behind since it is Feb and I only have 3 pgs done, but that's better than nothing, isn't it?!? :D

This LO was inspired by Sketchy Thursday.




What I used:
*Basic Grey granola paper
*DCWV cardstock
*Shape and photo corners cut in MTC
*Musicals font cut in MTC
*pre-made label and ribbon from my stash

Thanks for looking!!!

"Get Well Soon" -Cricut Cardz challenge #62

This week's Cricut Cardz challenge #62 is to make a card using a cup image from any cartridge.  To check it out click here.
Mine came from A Child's Year.  I'm happy with this because it could be used for a man as well.  Most 'get well' cards tend to be frilly. 


What I used:
~Me & My Big Ideas patterned paper
~Bazzill cardstock 
~cup from ACY cut at 3 3/4 and 4 since there is no shadow feature
~'get well soon' from Beyond Birthdays cut at 1 1/2" and blackout shadowed
~grossgrain ribbon

Thanks for looking!!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

'Sweet Baby' card

I've been trying to get some cards done ahead to have when I need, so I'm having fun finding inspiration in challenges.  This is for BBTB2... use MS Season Art Cake cart or any with a heart border and a decorative heart.  I don't have the MS cart, so I used the hearts from Doodlecharms.




What I used:
  • DCWV patterned paper --swiss dots Cuttlebug folder
  • 'baby girl' pink paper --shape from Sentimentals
  • Bazzill and DCWV cardstock
  • "Sweet baby" from New Arrival - cut 2x and shadowed for dimension
  • Heart border and heart (does some bling on it count as decorative??) from Doodlecharms  on pop dots
  • Ribbon
Thanks for looking!!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Sympathy card

It's easy to make birthday cards, valentine cards, Christmas cards, note cards, etc... all the fun cards.  I find it more difficult to pull together designs for sympathy cards, but when I saw the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch 190, I knew it would work for that.  



What I used:
~Basic Grey Granola paper
~Perfect Paisley Cuttlebug folder  (just got it... I LOVE it!!)
~black chalking on edges
~little flower stamp under the sentiment
~Fiskars Cameo Ovations clear stamp
~grossgrain ribbon**

** to make a bow like this:  cut a short length of ribbon, cut a long length that will go across your card.  Tie the long piece in a very loose knot, slip the short length through the knot, tighten the knot and you have this nice, flat, simple bow.  I saw this on Youtube awhile back but cannot find it now to give credit... sorry!

Summer card!

I'm not tired of winter yet... in fact, I still want more snow so we can ski!  But many are tired of it, so when I saw Fantabulous Cricut's Challenge Me Monday #47 to make a seasonal project, I decided to put some warmth in it.  (And because I don't have the pics printed yet for the winter LO I'd really rather do!)  The sketch is from Mojo Monday 178, so this card will go for both of those challenges.



What I used:
  • Bazzill Bling cardstock in yellow and orange  (I cleaned my M's out of these - 40 8x8 sheets for $2.99!!!)
  • PP from DCWV Summer Stack
  • George for rectangles and circles
  • Old West for sun
  • Stamp from ??? 
  • corner rounder
  • grossgrain ribbon
  • pop dots
  • CM metallic pen

Thanks for looking!!!

OT for crafts - free music arrangement

This has absolutely nothing to do with crafts, but it has to do with one of my other loves... the piano.  Greg Howlett is a Christian pianist with great CD's and he also makes instructional DVD's.  He sometimes offers free downloads of CD's and/or piano arrangements.  If you like hymns and and play the piano, you might want to check this out...

http://www.greghowlett.com/blog/news/021511.aspx

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Cowgirl birthday invitations

My daughter LOVES horses so everything for her birthday party later this month has to be about horse.  We're planning a horse themed tea party.  We'll see how that goes!  Horses and tea parties are not usually in the same sentence! :D

We started with a cowgirl invitation.  The info is written on another body shape underneath.

What I used:
  • PDDU body cut at 5"
  • clothes from PDDU cowgirl... skirt, shirt, vest
  • clothes from PDDU cowboy... boots and hat (like it better than the girl's!)
  • hair from PDDU Indian boy... all her friends have long hair!
  • Bazzill cardstock for clothes
  • scraps for the rest
  • white gel pen
  • faces made after seeing this on YouTube (I need lots more practice!!)

A couple of weeks ago, I saw this tip on a blog and I can't remember where...
For avoiding that flat spot where you fold a shaped card, make a second shape, score the second shape then glue together at the top...  For my girl, the hair would have hidden it, but this is really great for rounded shapes!!


'Envelope' card - birthday

Tri-fold cards, S fold cards, stair-step cards, gate-fold cards... I like all kinds!  I'm probably not the first to make an envelope card though I don't remember seeing one like this before.  It was designed in Make-the-Cut to make a finished A2 size card.  The paper, sentiment, and embellishments can be changed to make it suitable for any occasion, but birthdays are on my mind right now.

What I used:
  • g.c.d Studios "Spring All Over" 2 sided paper
  • coordinating Bazzill cardstock
  • Dyspepsia font
  • White gel pen

 How to make one like this even without a cutting machine....
~Cut cardstock 5.5" x 10.5".... two-sided is nice but not necessary 
~Cut one end to look like an envelope flap anyway you'd like... using decorative scissors, corner rounders, etc.  
~Score it at 3 1/2" and 7 1/4" measuring from the non-flap end 
~Stamp, embellish, and decorate to your hearts delight!

~the inside~


The file is available in 'Debbie's Designs' in the Shared MTC Files at the MTC-Tuts Yahoo group.  I need to sign up for a file sharing site soon!
Thanks for stopping by!!

2-4-6-8 treat boxes

These are so fun and easy!  I saw a couple of youtube videos on them and really you can make one in less time than it takes to watch the video!  I made 12 for my Jr church kids and 4 for my kids.  I forgot to take a pic of the 12 all done! :(  I put small scalloped circles and just a heart on them. 

These were for our kids:

How to: 
Cut a piece of paper 6" x 8 1/2" 
(You can make it 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 if you are using 8 1/2x11 paper
-it will just be 1/2" shorter)


Score at 2", 4", 6", 8", and 8"
 (I'm not a lefty... I just have to use the camera with my right hand!)

Turn and score at 2" (on the bottom if your paper has a pattern that matters)


 On the 2", 4", 6', 8" score lines, cut from the bottom up to the 2" score line


Cut off the  2" x 1/2" bit


Fold on all score lines



Put adhesive on the 1/2" strip and 3 of the 4 bottom flaps


I find it easier to put the side together so that the top and bottom line up well, then fold in the bottom flaps one at a time to make a box like this.   I kept forgetting to put the adhesive on the bottom until after I had put the sides together... no worries... just do them one at a time and finish the bottom.


Press 2 sides in like this



 Fill about to half with goodies! :D



Make 2 holes near the top for your ribbon


Bring your ribbon through the holes and tie a bow

 Embellish as desired

Thanks for looking and I hope this gives you an idea for a fun and easy favor
 for your next special occasion. 





Thursday, February 10, 2011

"Love at first sight!" valentine

My last valentine for this year!  When our oldest daughter was born, it truly was love at first sight!    This idea came to mind when I saw the Fantabulous Cricut challenge from this week... "Share the Love"!    They are having a blog crawl.  Go check it out!  The creations are awesome and some are offering blog candy if you are interested in that. 

What I did:
  • Welded heart from Lyrical Letters to rectangle for the card -Cloud 9 paper
  • cut just the heart in contrast - boysenberry linen textured CS from J's
  • mother and baby from A Child's Year shadowed -I think it is really a girl and her doll, but it worked! :D
  • LOVE from Jubilee welded
  • white gel pen for trim and "It was...at first sight"
  • the inside says... "and we've loved you ever since!!"

Happy Valentine's Day to you! 

Blue, green, and white valentine - CricutCardz #61

Don't you think of red and/or pink for valentine cards?  I know I do!   Cricut Cardz challenge #61 is for a valentine made only with blue, green and white.  Who'd have thought!  But I like how it turned out!!  This is for my almost teenage daughter.  She is not a girly girl, but is past cutesy 'kid' stuff.  I hope she likes it!

What I used:
white cardstock cut for an A2 card
blue Bazzill CS
green paper from my stash
hearts are from New Arrival
words are Street Sign
Cuttlebug 'distress stripes' folder
inked with SU Old Olive
gingham ribbon
white gel pen

Thanks for looking!!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Happy Birthday card

This card is for my daughter's 11th birthday later this month.  It is also my submission to Mojo Monday 177.
What I used:
Colorbok paper
MS ribbon & pink grossgrain ribbon
all cuts done in MTC 
letter stamps

I found this stamp at J's awhile back and now put it on the back of all my cards and add my initials and the year.  Not sure if any recipients ever notice, but I like it. :D

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

"Pink tie" birthday card

Today was the birthday of our youth leader who HATES pink!  We have threatened to buy him a pink tie, but don't want to waste money on something we know he wouldn't wear, so we gave him this kind of pink tie.  



What I used:
card designed in MTC (tie and collar clipart found online)
words welded in MTC
stamped the words and little 'button'
cardstock from my stash

Thanks for looking!!

Blog Award!




I received the "Stylish Blog Award" from Jega over at http://jegaspassion.blogspot.com/   and before I could follow through with that, I got one from Donna at  http://donnasdreamworks.blogspot.com  Thank you to both of you!!  So now I get to pass it on!   I am to tell you 8 things about myself and then award 8 blogs I recently found and enjoy...
About me...

1. I am a Christian trying to serve my Lord daily

2. I am happily married (for over 22 yrs) and have 4 children ages 9-14

3. I was born and raised in Moncton, NB, and since have lived in FL, IA, VA, ON, and NY

4. I love cats

5. I love chocolate

6. I love snow

7. I play the piano and sing

8. I'm going on a trip Scotland in April!!  :D


These are 8 of the blogs I enjoy.  Check them out!!









For you winners, here are the instructions I was given for receiving this reward...

Save the image to your desktop (to put on your blog and to use when you award your picks)
and then pass this award to 8 other people. On your blog you are to also tell 8 things about yourself. 

Everyone of you deserves this!!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

My hubby's Valentine card

Cricut Cardz challenge #60 is to make a valentine for a man.  The most important man in my world is my husband, so this one is for him.  I wanted it to mean something for us and this does.  He often teases and asks, "Will you marry me?" or says, "I'd marry you quick if you weren't already taken."  I thank the Lord for him every day!!!  (but I hope he doesn't check my blog again 'til after the 14th!!)  I know it is quite pink for a guy, but he's a romantic and man enough to handle it.  LOL!

What I used:
  • cardstock base made to fit in some nice envies I found in my craft room that I did not know I had!  :D
  • background shapes are shapelies from Penny Duncan Creations
  • kneeling couple from SWH cut at 3 1/2" and shadowed
  • sentiment inside and out was printed on vellum
  • ribbon, brads from my stash
  • tiny hearts are from a Fiskars corner punch

 pop-dots for some dimension
 

Here's the inside...

Can you figure out our wedding date? :D
Thanks for looking!!!

Pretty flowers!

This post has nothing to do with crafts, but I had to share our beautiful Amaryllis.  A friend usually give us one in November.  This year we were away for 2 1/2 wks after we got it (and my niece never watered it), so it was a bit slow in blooming, but once it got started... Wow!  (And I must admit that my thumbs are not very green!!)

It had 3 stalks.  The first one had 2 blooms.  This was Jan 15 (I missed them at their peak!)

The second stalk had 3 blooms on Jan 27...

Today, the third stalk bloomed... 6 blooms!!!  It is beautiful!!

I am going to try to keep this one to bloom again next year.  Efforts have been less than successful in that previously.  (Remember... no green thumbs!)

Have a good day!!