Scrapbooks and Paper Crafts

My entry for Die Cuttin’ Divas Challenge #48 - Squirrels

2012-01-22T19:18:00.002-05:00

This is my first time doing the DieCuttin'Diva's blog weekly challenge. The challenge this week is to use a squirrel on a project. I have had the idea for this card in my head for a while, but didn’t really have a reason to make it – until now! My squirrel was cut from the Animal Kingdom Cricut cartridge, and mounted on an Action Wobble, (causing a shadow in the photo) so he can “rock” those acorns! Other cartridges used were Doodlecharms for the acorns and Superman for the font. The “missed your birthday” was printed with my computer. I think making it an easel card turned out to be perfect for the message on this one.

Valentine's Day Gift Bag for Cocoa

2012-01-07T19:46:00.003-05:00

I created this little bag to enter into a couple of challenges. At Fantabulous Cricut the challenge is named "Warming Up with Hot Cocoa", and you are to use a cup or chocolate or the color brown on your project. I combined the cocoa idea with a Valentine's Day theme, since it is still cocoa weather in February. Four packets of instant cocoa fit just right.

I also entered it in the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog challenge #39. The challenge is "Sparkle and Ribbon" - create a card, layout, multi media piece, tag, ATC, hair bow, you name it, and use ribbon/lace or trim somewhere on your project.
The polka dot paper is Coordinations Whitewash paper embossed with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, and used the back, or dark, side of the paper for the matching shadow cuts. Cricut cartridges used were Wrap It Up, Winter Frolic, New Arrival and Gypsy Wanderings.

My HelmarUSA Blog Dec Challenge Entry

2011-12-31T20:17:00.003-05:00

I recently discovered Helmar adhesives, thanks to a recommendation by fellow blogger Sandee ( check out her new blog HERE) Helmar has a monthly challenge on their blog, so I made this card to enter the Dec. challenge, which ends at midnight tonight. The challenge was to create a project using this sketch.

I used their 3-dimensional Scrap Dots to pop the trees up a little, and added small red rhinestones to each snowflake. Cricut cartridges used were Celebrate with Florish for the trees and Winter Lace for snowflakes.

Yummy Christmas breakfast

2011-12-18T01:25:00.000-05:00

Looking for a yummy breakfast for Christmas morning? This recipe is prepared the night before, and baked in the morning. It is SO yummy!

BAKED FRENCH TOAST (aka Oven French Toast)
Prepare this French toast the night before serving!
Makes 4 - 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 C butter (1 stick)
1 C packed brown sugar
2 T maple syrup
2 T pecans, chopped*
12 - 1" slices of French bread (Or, more.)
5 eggs
12 oz. can evaporated milk
1 t vanilla (Watkins is great. Can buy online!)
1/2 t rum extract or 1 T dark rum*
1/4 t salt
MICROWAVE butter until melted. Add brown sugar and maple syrup to melted butter. Microwave mixture for 1 minute. Stir every 30 seconds until smooth. Add pecans.

SPREAD brown sugar mixture into a greased 13 X 9 cake pan. A Teflon cake pan with a lid works best!.

ARRANGE bread slices all in one layer on brown sugar mixture. If necessary, squeeze bread to fit the pan. It's OK to cut the bread into pieces.
WHISK, in the 4 C Pyrex measuring cup or small bowl, the eggs and remaining ingredient.
POUR over bread to cover bread completely. Refrigerate, covered, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Remove pan from refrigerator while oven is preheating.
BAKE, uncovered, for 45 minutes in convection and 50 in a regular oven or until bread edges are golden.Convection oven is best for this.
If baked too long, the bottom syrup mixture will get too hard.

SERVE with the best looking side "up"! Then, add a dusting of powdered sugar, warm maple syrup, whipped Amaretto butter and/or a dollop of whip cream. The next day, the French Toast heats up well in the microwave.

VARIATIONS: Any bread will work - just so it is enough to snuggly cover the bottom of the pan! Try adding walnuts to the brown sugar mixture. Or, substitute honey or corn syrup for maple syrup and eggnog for evaporated milk. Also, one can add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to egg mixture.

Instructions for Treat Boxes using Cricut Imagine

2011-12-11T20:52:00.002-05:00

I have had some requests to post the instructions for how I made the treat boxes, so here is my version, that worked for me using the Cricut Imagine. Cricut Circle members can also see instructions for a larger size using other Cricut machines, posted by one of the blog designers, Cindy Royal, in the July 30 blog post. Thanks, Cindy, for this awesome project!

Using Sweet Tooth Boxes cartridge:

Cut:

1 at 5.6” for the box bottom (see diagram 10, page 60 in the handbook). Score and assemble

1 at 5.7” for the box top. Score and assemble.

2 at 5.6” (see diagram 13, page 64 in the handbook)

1 9 ¾” by 4 5/8” piece of transparency. Score at 3 ¼” from each end. Score and fold tabs as shown in diagram 11a.

1 4 ½” by 4 5/8” piece of transparency. Score at ½” from each end.

Assembling the box:

Attach the transparency pieces together to form a square shape (I used Terrifically Tacky Tape)

Insert a square insert into one end of the transparency form, matching the edges of the folded tabs on the insert evenly with the edge of the transparency, and secure with double sided tape. Place into box bottom (the 5.6” box). (After placing the assembled piece in to make sure it fit, I took it out, added glue along the inside bottom edges of the box bottom, and then put it back in.) Make sure it is seated all the way down so it touches the glue.

Insert a square insert into the top of the transparency box, following the same directions as above, insert plastic tubes through the holes, and put the lid on.

Treat Boxes

2011-12-11T15:02:00.003-05:00

This is my entry for the December Monthly Challenge on the Circut Circle Blog. The challenge is to create a holiday gift wrapping project.
I saw treat boxes similar to these on the blog several months ago,and couldn't wait to try making some. I decided to use my Cricut Imagine so I could print / cut paper and embellishments to match. After pulling a few hairs out and wasting a lot of paper, (which is normal when using the Imagine), I finally came up with measurements that worked. For the top and bottom of the boxes, I used the square box on the Sweet Tooth Boxes cartridge, and the square box insert with 4 cut-outs to hold the 4 1/2" plastic tubes with lids, which I plan to fill with candy. The "walls" of the boxes are made with transparency film.

Iron on Vinyl Project

2011-11-22T21:10:00.000-05:00

I'm lovin' this Siser Easy Weed iron on vinyl! This is another project for my Disney fanatic friend Jane. I still have not done anything for myself with this awesome vinyl, but I need to! I used the Cricut Mickey and Friends cartridge to cut the design.

My entry for Nov Cricut Circle Monthly Challenge

2011-11-15T18:10:00.003-05:00

So, it's been 2 1/2 months since I posted - what's up with that?? I thought jumping on board with a challenge would get me out of my creative slump, so here is what I made for the cricut Circle monthly challenge.
The challenge is to create a project using your "sign/symbol" of fall, and add texture to your project using a Cuttlebug, distressing, ink, stickles, etc. The project must include at least 2 different Cricut cuts also. For my card, I embossed the burlap looking paper using my Cuttlebug and the Tim Holtz "Plaid" embossing folder, and fringed the edges of it with MS fringe scissors. The branch of leaves and acorns was printed and cut with my Cricut Imagine and the Enjoy the Seasons Imagine cartridge, using the layers feature. The leaves are double layers, and the acorns are mounted with 3-D Dots. Happy Thanksgiving is from the Simply Charmed cartridge, and was also printed and cut with the Imagine. I edged all of the cuts with Copic markers.
I have a ton of ideas in my head of things I want to make, so as soon as I find my crafting table, (and I know it is under that mess somewhere!) maybe I will stay in crafting mode and get some things made.

Cricut Circle Blog August Monthly Challenge entry

2011-08-29T19:44:00.004-04:00

This month's challenge on the Cricut Circle Blog was to use Cricut cuts to creat a scene. I used the Life's a Beach cartridge to create this underwater layout. I highlighted some of the cuts with Stickles, and used Diamond Glaze on the bubbles, diver's mask, and shells.

Back to School layout

2011-08-21T18:36:00.000-04:00

This page should have gone together quickly, but oh no, I think I manged to have to make everything on it at least twice! Everything I put adhesive on ended up going together wrong and would not come apart to adjust (says something for my adhesive, doesn't it) but I just kept redoing, and finally finished it. Cartridges used are Hello Kitty Greetings and Simply Charmed. The page border was done with a Martha Stewart punch set.

I've been creating, just not posting

2011-08-07T17:42:00.001-04:00

I've made a few new scrapbook pages lately, but didn't realize I have not been posting. Oops. Oh well, I won't bore you with everything, but here are three of them. The first 2 are rather simple, and similar in design, but I really like them. The frog is my favorite.

And here is a 2 page birthday layout I did.

Card using Honeycomb paper

2011-07-16T18:50:00.001-04:00

I'm loving this Honeycomb paper! I purchased it at a Stamp show in Orlando from a company called Inky Antics. This is my first project using it.

I printed the black words with my computer before assembling the card, and then cut "SWEET" and "CHERRY" using the Cricut Storybook cartridge. I cut the pattern for the honeycomb cupcake using a cupcake on the From My Kitchen cartridge, then cut the layers in half, traced onto the honeycomb paper, and cut out with scissors.

I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the front, and highlighted some of the cupcakes with Stickles. This font is also from the Cricut Storybook cartridge.

Birthday Card and Gift Card box

2011-07-13T19:59:00.001-04:00

I used my Cricut Imagine and the Imagine Buccaneer cartridge to make this birthday card set for my boss. I cut the pirate using the layers feature so his hat, shirt cuffs, pants cuffs and hand with bottle would have some dimension and mounted "Shiver Me Timbers" with pop dots.The bottle and silver bands on the barrel are coated with Diamond Glaze, and the X's and flame on the barrel's wick are highlighted with Stickles. the font is from the Happy Hauntings cartridge. My favorite part is the barrel mounted with an Action Wobble, and boy does it wobble!
I put some party beads in the chest, and will add more once I add a gift card.

July 4 Layout

2011-07-04T17:54:00.002-04:00

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

This is my entry for the Cricut Circle Blog weekly challenge. This week's challenge is to create any type of project showing your patriotic spirit, and include at least 2 Cricut image cuts on the project. Easy - peasy! I used the Stand and Salute cartridge for the banner/border and the fireworks, and A Child's Year for the boy on rocket. The fireworks are covered with glitter glue to add sparkle, and the silver stars are iron-ons from Walmart.

A challenge to myself

2011-07-02T17:38:00.002-04:00

I challenged myself to make a scrapbook layout without using any of my Cricut machines, and this is what I made. I think it turned out cute.

All of the paper is from the DCWV Nana's Kids stack. The animal cut-outs attached to the rosettes are cut from a patterned paper in the stack also. I enhanced the monkey and the lion with flocking, and covered the elephant with Diamond Glaze. The used a Martha Stewart PATP border punch set for the decorative edge, and included a space for a little journaling.

My very first blogger award!

2011-06-22T19:37:00.003-04:00

One of my fellow Circlets, Colleen of Col's Creative Corner blog, has tagged me with the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award, my very first blog award! I'm so excited! Thank you so much Colleen!

Be sure to visit Colleen's blog at http://scrappycol.blogspot.com to see her beautiful creations and her amazing work using Copics.
So now, as a recipient of the award, I have to reveal 7 random things about me, and pass the award on to 8 bloggers, so, about me:

1. I love coffee - especially from Panera Bread.
2. I hate mornings ( except for the coffee!)
3. I don't read a lot, but bought a NookColor mostly so I could download my Cricut handbooks on it!
4. I can't wait to retire so I can play in my craft room all day.
5. I listen to Queen, Tears for Fears and Culture Club CD's when I am cleaning house.
6. I like to watch professional baseball and football.
7. I'm so boring I can't think of a 7th thing!

I am passing the award on to these talented bloggers:
Miranda at http://nanasscrapspot.blogspot.com
Katie at http://www.craftingwithkatie.com/
Tanya at http://nonnascraftcorner.blogspot.com/
Sharon at http://designsbysharon.blogspot.com/
Cindy at http://www.scrap-obsessed.blogspot.com/
Nadia at http://withglitteringeyes.blogspot.com/
Paulette at http://scrapalette.blogspot.com/
Robin at http://scrappindeltadiva.blogspot.com/

Father's Day Card - Cricut Circle blog Weekly Challenge

2011-06-12T14:55:00.002-04:00

This is my entry to the Weekly Challenge on the Cricut Circle Blog. The challenge is to create a Father's Day Card based on the sketch below, and use at least 2 Cricut image cuts. The car and the stars were all printed and cut on my Cricut Imagine, using the Wrap It Up cartridge for the images, the Country Carnival cartridge for paper patterns.
Sketch:

Another Disney Princess Graduation Card

2011-06-05T19:33:00.000-04:00

A co-worker who saw the first one I made asked if I could do it with some pink on it. It took a few tries to get the tassel made, but I got it done.

Disney Princess Graduation Card

2011-06-04T10:58:00.003-04:00

I was asked to make a Disney Princess graduation card,and this is what I came up with. The Congratulations at the top with the recipient name, which I have distorted for posting purposes, was printed on my computer. Of course the princess was cut from the Disney & Friends cartridge, using my Cricut Imagine except for the lips and eyes, and the layered diploma is from the Wrap It Up cartridge. I embossed the sleeves with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and highlighted with Stickles. The cap was copied from a 3-D sticker.

May Cricut Circle Blog Monthly Challenge entry

2011-05-29T12:53:00.000-04:00

This is my entry for the May monthly challenge on the Cricut Circle Blog.

The challenge is to create a project of your choice using the Tic Tac Toe board (pictured below) to choose 3 challenge prompts in a row. The project must aslo include at least 2 different Cricut image cuts. I chose the bottom row:

The flower is made from graduated sizes of a flower image cut from George and Basic Shapes
The ribbon-like streamers protruding from the flower were cut from Blackletter
The top plain colored section is Embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder
All paper used on the card was printed from the Ancestry Cricut Imagine Cartridge, including the plain ivory color piece that is embossed.
The "ruffle" was made with strips of the printed paper using a Martha Stewart border punch

Baseball Layout

2011-05-09T23:26:00.004-04:00

Click on image for larger view

I designed this baseball layout on my Gypsy a while back, and finally got busy and cut it out. The baseballs, bats and glove are mounted with pop dots to give it some dimension, which seems to be my favorite thing to do lately. All of the cuts are from the Cricut cartridge Sports Mania.

Butterfly Kisses Card

2011-05-04T23:12:00.002-04:00

Everything on this card, including the background paper, was printed and cut with my Cricut Imagine. I received a replacement machine because mine would not "cut only", so I am giving it a work out. This one works great so far and I am really happy with it.
I layered the butterflies and used pop dots under the wings and the top of the mushroom for dimension. It was quick and easy to make.

Nurse Cap Card

2011-04-22T22:37:00.000-04:00

I made this card for an LPN grad using the Paper Dolls for Everyday cartridge for the cap shape, added an oval cut from George and Basic Shapes to form the top of the card, and then trimmed the sides of the oval to square it off a little. The red circle is the grads full name around the letters LPN, I just distorted the last name for posting. I'm so happy with how it turned out!

Lori's Garden Card

2011-04-15T10:14:00.001-04:00

I bought the Lori's Garden cartridge for my Cricut Imagine, and just had to make something with it. The images on it are all so pretty! Everything on this card was printed and cut with the Imagine, including the printed background paper, and mounted on pink cardstock. I layered some of the images to give a little dimension, and added Stickles glitter glue. (It seems like I can't make anything lately without adding Stickles!) I was happy with how well it cut the images with the border thickness set at "0", and am pleased with how the card turned out. Hope you like it too.

Cricut Circle Blog Weekly Challenge #25 - Butterfly Card

2011-03-21T20:38:00.000-04:00

This week's challenge is to "Use Your Imagine-ation Challenge". Everything except the 4 white metal dot stickers was printed and cut using my Cricut Imagination. I could not decide what I wanted to make, so I used a sample shown in the Imagine More cartridge handbook as a guide, and changed it up a little. I am probably going to add Happy Birthday to it and give to a friend.

Another Retirement Card

2011-03-18T19:28:00.001-04:00

Here is the second retirement card I made. I used my Cricut Imagine to print and cut the shamrocks from the Simply Charmed cartridge and the black and white circles. The Good Luck and rhinestones are all stickers.

Retirement Card & Cricut Circle Blog Challenge #24

2011-03-13T15:30:00.002-04:00

Wow- 5 months since my last post! I have some catching up to do. Actually, I have not crafted that much, but am finally getting the bug to get busy and create. Maybe posting a few projects will get me inspired again.

So, I was asked to make a couple of retirement cards, and the party is on St. Patrick's Day, hence the theme of the card, and I am entering it in the Circut Circle Challenge for this week too. The challenge is to use rainbow colors OR a monochromatic green color scheme on your project. and add a touch of gold somewhere the project.
I used my Imagine to print and color all of the cuts on this card except the grass. I use the MS Icicle border punch and printed paper for that. The cartridges I used were Simply Charmed and Winter Woodland. I added orange flocking for the leprechaun's hair, and used Snow Writer on the gold to give it dimension, and then added gold Stickles after it dried. The words on the pot were printed on my computer using a clear address label. I love how this turned out.

My entry for the Cricut Circle Weekly Challenge #3

2010-10-17T12:27:00.000-04:00

This is my entry for the Weekly Challenge #3: AUTUMN SPLENDOR! Color Challenge on the Circut Circle blog. The project is to include gray, orange, tan and burgundy, and add lots of texture. I managed to use all of the colors, embossed the tree trunk, and layered the leaves to make them stand out a little.

Cricut Circle Blog Weekly Challenge

2010-10-03T20:57:00.002-04:00

Here is my entry for the weekly challenge on the new Cricut Circle Blog. The challenge is to make a project using the French Manor cartridge, using at least 2 different cuts, and add some jewels or pearls. The card and all of the cuts on it are from that cartridge.. Since there is no shadow feature available, I offset the layers to give it a little contrast. I was going to add more jewels, but I like it just as it is.

Flamingo and Hibiscus Birthday Card

2010-10-03T10:27:00.000-04:00

This birthday card for my daughter took way longer than it should have, but that is because I could not decide exactly what the design was going to be, I just knew it was going to have hibiscus flowers and a flamingo. I'm happy with how it turned out. I used the Cricut Life is a Beach cartridge and the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, and Diamond Stickles.

Wedding Card

2010-10-02T19:16:00.001-04:00

I had 2 weddings to make cards for in the last couple of weeks, so made them the same. I embossed and used Stickles. I love the pocket inside this card pattern for enclosing gift cards.

Today I have been busy making my daughter's birthday card, so will post that tomorrow.

Playing with my Cricut

2010-09-06T17:30:00.002-04:00

I have spent part of this long Labor Day weekend playing with my Cricut, and of course my Gypsy. I made this little scarecrow using the Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge for the body and clothes, and the Peachy Keen Build a Scarecrow stamp set for the head and cuffs / hands. The stamped pieces were done on white paper, colored with Copic Markers, and cut out. I think it turned our really cute! I don't know if I am going to use him on a card or a layout, but whatever I do with him, I will post when it's done.

I also made a Halloween card. Everything on the card front is from Paper Doll Dress Up except the moon, which is a circle cut from George and Basic Shapes. The ghosts, bats, vulture, cat and witch are all covered with Stickles. . The border on the mat inside was done with the MS Drippy Goo punch. Love that punch! I'm (im)patiently waiting for my Happy Hauntings cartridge to arrive in the mail so I can add the sentiment on the inside with one of the really cool fonts on it.

Card Front

Card Inside

Going Cricut Crazy

2010-06-13T18:11:00.000-04:00

I bought a Gypsy to use with my Cricut a few months ago, and boy is it costing me money! The more I play with it, the more cartridges I think I have to have! And all the enablers on the Cricut message board have done their share to help me think that too! I have actually bought a couple that I thought I would like, but am not so sure I really like them now. Thank goodness I have not linked them to my Cricut! One of them is Paisley. I made this layout using an owl from that one. The branches are from Home Decor and the letters are from Storybook.

I used my new CindyLoo cartridge (love it!) to make a Father's Day card that someone at work asked me to make. This is the first easel card I have made. I thought white/black/grey would be good for a guy. Her dad likes landscaping / gardening, but thought flowers would be too feminine so I went with a tree. The font is from Cursive 101, my favorite font cartridge.

Okay, I'm off to try to find my craft table (I know it's under there somewhere!) so I can play some more!

Getting back to business

2010-04-18T20:33:00.008-04:00

Gosh, I haven't posted since January! The creative juices have not exactly been flowing here. All I have done is make a few cards, so thought I would post them and try to get back into this blog thing.
In February I made this birthday card. The glossy gold paper really made it, but, the picture doesn't show how shiny it really is.

Here are a couple of Easter cards I made:

Inside:

Oh yeah, I made a birthday gift too. This idea was posted on the Cricut message board by greenbean, who is sooo creative. Check out her blog HERE. It is a pair of fuzzy socks rolled up in a cupcake wrapper made on the Cricut. Too cute, isn't it!

PKS Challenge 20 - Valentine's Day Bag

2010-01-24T12:01:00.002-05:00

I'm entering my first challenge! Peachy Keen Stamps, which has become a favorite of mine, posts a new challenge every two weeks, and I have finally completed a project in time to enter!

This week's challenge was to make a purse or tote bag of any size, include at least one stamped image,and must be a winter theme of snowflakes, snowmen, Valentine’s Day, or outdoor snow activities. My entry is this Valentine's Day bag, with a smiling Valentine made using a Peachy Keen face stamp from the Everyday Character Face assortment.

Mini Squash Book Album

2009-09-15T20:10:00.008-04:00

Front

This is what it looks like opened :)

This is my first squash book album. I made it for a gift, and just crossed my fingers that it would come out alright. I thought they looked really hard to make, but aren't at all.
I didn't want to embellish the outside too much, because she may want to carry it in her purse, so decided to just add "Mommy's Brag Book" on the front. I took it to work to show a few friends, and came home with 3 orders to make more!

My first Tri-Shutter card

2009-09-05T16:57:00.014-04:00

So, I saw these tri-shutter cards on the Cricut site message board, and didn't really like them at first. But, I've seen so many really pretty ones that I have changed my mind. The ladies on there are sooo creative!
Anyways, I decided to try one last night. I used paper I am not real crazy about so I wouldn't feel bad when I gave up and threw it away, but, it turned out to be fairly easy to make, and I like the way it turned out.
If you are interested in trying one, there is a good how-to video on the Split Coast Stampers website - click here.

Mommy & Me, Daddy & Me Scrapbook Layout

2009-08-22T12:11:00.009-04:00

I just finished this baby girl layout titled Mommy & Me, Daddy & Me. I love scalloped edges.

Mission Mommy Blog Spot

2009-08-08T11:05:00.003-04:00

For all the mom's out there - if you are looking for ways to save money, check out Mission Mommy's blog. You will find tons of links to coupons, contests, giveaways, freebies, sales and so much more. Kimberly has done an outstanding job in putting together this awesome site! Be sure to check it out.

Mini Scrapbook Album

2009-05-15T15:09:00.010-04:00

I made my first mini scrapbook album and am pleased with the way it turned out. It is for my daughter-in-law's birthday, and is all about their new kittens. I used 6x6 chipboard for the front and back of the book, and the paper I used to cover it made a really nice cover. Then, I used my Bind-It-All for the first time to bind it. Here is a picture of the front of the album.

It was really fun to make. I think I want to make some to sell on my website, but that will have to go on my to do list for a while as I finish a few other things.

Chocolate Eclair cake recipe

2009-04-12T10:26:00.002-04:00

I dug out an old recipe today to make a dessert to take to a friend's house for Easter dinner, and it is so yummy I thought I'd share it here. Give it a try.

Chocolate Eclair Cake
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding (or 2 small pkgs)
3 cups milk
1 large container of Cool Whip
1 pkg Graham Crackers
1 can chocolate icing

Mix pudding mix and milk together in a large bowl.
Add Cool Whip to pudding and mix well. Set aside.
Line bottom of 13x9 cake pan with graham crackers.
Spread half the pudding / Cool Whip mixture evenly over the graham crackers.
Add another layer of graham crackers.
Spread remaining pudding / Cool Whip mixture evenly over the graham crackers.
Add another layer of graham crackers.
Cover with Chocolate icing.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T10:12:00.001-04:00

To all of my friends who celebrate Easter - Happy Easter to you. Have a wonderful day.

Easter Premade Scrapbook Pages

2009-04-04T15:27:00.007-04:00

I finally finished the Easter layout with the bunny I was working on. I am really happy with how it turned out.

I sold it to someone at work, so maybe I will make another one.

Spring has Sprung

2009-03-27T18:44:00.003-04:00

This beautiful, breezy spring weather we are having is awesome! I love having my windows open and am taking full advantage of it, because I know that the heat and humidity of summer in Florida is right around the corner, so the A/C will be on and my electric bill skyrocketing soon enough!
I've been in a bit of a creative slump again - seems to happen way too often - but have started to work on an Easter layout. Well, I've cut out a rabbit and picked out the paper, so I guess that counts as starting. I also have a couple of other layout ideas in mind so am going to try to get motivated this weekend. What do you do to get inspired when you are in a slump? Let me know by leaving a comment. I need all the help I can get!

Handmade St. Patricks Day Cards

2009-03-08T19:59:00.009-04:00

I usually make my Christmas cards, and birthday or other special occasion cards when I need to give one, but or some reason, I've really been in the mood to just make cards lately. I guess seeing so many cute ideas in magazines and on the internet has inspired me.
I bought some cute rhinestone shamrocks at JoAnn's a while back, and wanted to make something with them. With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I decided to make a couple of cards. Here they are, showing the front and the inside.

St. Patrick's Day greeting card:

St. Patrick's Day notecard, for writing your own message:

Both cards are made from green cardstock, white cardstock and printed shamrock paper from the Season's Ultimate Scrapbook Stack from DCWV that I bought a couple of years ago. The greeting card front has the rhinestone shamrock and a strip of micro beads, mounted with double sided tape. The notecard has 3 small green rhinestones attached to the green scalloped frame. Happy St. Patrick's Day and the shamrocks inside both cards were computer printed.

Different Types of Stamp Pads

2009-02-05T23:17:00.003-05:00

Let me start by admitting that I am really bad at rubber stamping. I just can’t get the hang of it. So, after attending the techniques class I wrote about, I decided to learn more about the different types of ink pads, hoping it will help. Time will tell. Here is a very brief summary of what I have learned about the most commonly used ink types for paper crafts:

Dye Inks

Dye Inks are fast drying, so won’t smear or smudge your project, but dry too fast to use for embossing. Unless you are using waterproof dye inks, it will run if used with wet coloring techniques, like markers, watercolor paints and pencils, etc.

Pigment Inks

Pigment Inks take a while to dry so will smear or smudge if you aren’t careful, but are good to use as a base for heat embossing. This type of ink is popular for scrapbooking and other projects that will be kept for a long time because it is fade resistant.

Solvent Inks

Solvent Inks are permanent inks that can be used on almost any surface, including paper, of course, as well as plastic, glass, metal, transparencies, and more. It will not bleed so can be used with wet coloring techniques, like markers, watercolor paints and pencils, etc.

Chalk Inks

Chalk Inks produce a softer look than other inks. They are available in both dye and pigment inks. (ColorBox and Stampa Rosa's Fresco are dye inks, Ranger Antiquities are pigment) Usually small sized stamp pads, they are easy to use for inking any size stamp, as well as for inking edges of paper.

Versa-Mark

Versa Mark is not really an ink, but a watermark, or resist ink. A few of the techniques to use it for are:

Stamp on colored cardstock, creating an image in a slightly darker tone than the paper color for an interesting look, color a stamped image with chalks, or use as a base for heat embossing.

Like I said, this is just a brief summary of what I have found. I think it is pretty helpful information. I hope someone else gets something out of it too.

Paper Craft Techniques Class

2009-01-24T18:51:00.004-05:00

Today I went to a local scrapbook store and took a class on Techniques. It covered stamping and the different types of stamp pads, distressing with inkpads direct to paper or with sponge, using Versa-Mark with chalks and for heat embossing, watercolor with Twinkling H2O's (wasn't crazy about that), using Stickles with acrylic glaze on surfaces it won't adhere to well, masking (we used stick-on letters for the mask - pretty cool), using double sided "red" tape with glitter, and using different adhesives.
Most of these things I have done, but I learned a few new tricks. I especially liked distressing with ink using a sponge. It makes a much softer look than using the ink pad directly to the paper.
Using acrylic glaze, like Aleene's Paper Glaze or any of the other brands, under Stickles to make it adhere to glossy surfaces was new to me, and I use Stickles a lot, so that is good to know. The glaze also makes a good adhesive for adding things with glossy surfaces to your project, like buttons. It just takes a while to dry.
We took notes and applied each technique to little 5"x6" sheets of cardstock, then bound them into a book with chipboard covers using the Bind-It-All.
I have gone to classes in the past that I felt were a total waste of time and money, but, I think I got enough out of this one to say I'm glad I went.

I Love To Scrapbook

2009-01-16T17:39:00.008-05:00

I love scrapbooking, and enjoy seeing other people's work and reading their tips and ideas, so decided to start my own blog to share some of my work and scrappy thoughts.
I also like making cards, so will start off by sharing the handmade cards I did for Christmas this year. I got the idea of using the MS branch punch to make the wreathes and trees from the Cricut message board, and came up with these 2 designs.