Monday, February 28, 2011

Elegant Monogram

Merry Monday, Everyone!  This Sunday I will be hosting a soup and sandwich luncheon for a few friends at my home.  When we all get together, we have a grand time catching up, so I thought it would be nice to send each one home with a keepsake to remember our special day.  In honor of that, I thought a personal monogram would be a nice fit.......so this is what I have created.


This is my first attempt at a recessed window card, but I am pleased with the way it turned out.  The card itself is 4 3/4 x 4 3/4.  I used double-sided paper from K&Cs Life's Journey, so all the card cuts can be made from one 12 x 12 sheet.  The initial is from the SB cart and is cut in shadow, regular, and accent, while being popped for dimension.  The fancy corners are cut at 1 3/4 and 1 1/2 (not using real dial size), and the swirl is from HD and is cut at 1 1/2.  The outside frame is embossed using the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder.



Each will bear the first initial of their first name, and the inside sentiment will simply state - Thank you.
Good times, good food, good friends, good conversation.  That's what it's all about.  TFL!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Swirls and Twirls

This is my entry for the Cooking with Cricut challenge "Swirls and Twirls."  I had started this card quite a while ago and just didn't know how to finish it...until this week.  I love the look of the tri-shutter card and its compact size when folded for mailing.
I used several carts on this design: SH for the red/white heart, DC for the black heart, HD for the black swirls, and Heritage for the leaves and the word MOTHER. The white flourish on the front is an SVG cut, the small ones on the inside are just left-over cutouts from a previous project, and of course, I had to use the MS branch punch for decoration depth.
The leaves and hearts are popped for effect, the gems were added for bling, and the sentiment was computer generated.
This will be my Mother's Day card for this year....I think Mom will love it! TFL!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

It's the Wearin' of the Green!

Here is my entry for CCC this week - A St. Pat's Card using anything but a shamrock."  Since I am really not Irish, this was hard for me to come up with a design.  I have tackled a few "firsts" for me.  This is my first Joy Fold card and the first time that I have used my new Disney Classics cart.

The "Irish Hat" is the Mad Hatter cut on pg. 33 and is cut @ 31/2" using the shadow, icon, and layer features.  The small heart is from the Queen of Hearts cut on pg. 39 and is cut @ 2 1/2 and 2 1/4" without using Real Dial Size.  I used the MS branch punch to add depth to the small heart in the lower left corner and added a gel gem for sparkle.  The hat was popped for dimension.
The inside is using the same heart cut @ 4 1/2 and 4".  The Scroll is from Home Decor and the sentiment
is computer generated and printed in green.  The corners have punched using the Fiskars punch and the edges have been inked to give more "pop" to the words.
When folded, this card is 4 1/2 x 5 1/2.  I followed the tutorial that was provided by Splitcoaststampers.

TFL!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I Do!


This is my entry for FCCC's weekly challenge - "use a form of embossing."  I chose to use my Cuttlebug embosser and made this cute wedding card.   The black background was embossed using a Fiskars confetti plate, the cake and sentiment mat were embossed using CB swirls and the hearts using CB swiss dots.  The cake and I Do were cut from the SH cart, the medalion background is an SVG cut, the sentiment is computer generated, and all corners are edged using a Fiskars corner punch. The cake and "I Do" are popped for dimensional effect.  I just love to make easel cards because they are so easy to display.  TFL!

Monday, February 21, 2011

My Stylish Blogger Award

Thanks Pat and Martha!

In keeping with the passing on of the Stylish Blogger Award, here are 8 things about myself that I have not shared so far:
1.  I have a new puppy named Marley and he is quite a handful!
2.  I have one son who is a successful business manager for a prominent soft-drink company.
3.  I am expecting my first grandchild....it's a boy!
4.  I am an amateur photographer and have been published once.
5.  I am a fan of Gray's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters.
6.  I have one brother and one sister.
7.  I love to laugh and am a practical joker.
8.  There is nothing better than sitting in front of a campfire, listening to the sounds of nature, and clearing one's mind.  I love to camp.


Here are a some wonderful creative blogs.  Take a look and become a follower!

1.  http://mintascreations.blogspot.com/
2.  http://extremecards.blogspot.com/
3.  http://azlina-lin.blogspot.com/
4.  http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com/
5.  http://traceyhanshaw.blogspot.com/
6.  http://lovethatexpressions.blogspot.com/
7.  http://craftygolucky.blogspot.com/
8.  http://alittlebitofdetail.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 18, 2011

Perk Up!

This is my entry for the FCC challenge - "make a shape card."  This cute design came from the FMK cart.  The images were welded in DS using the shadow feature to form the card base.  The mat was then cut using the regular image for the front and the cup and saucer were "popped" to give it dimension.  The font shadow was welded in DS using the PS cart and then cut again regular.  A small red ribbon for accent and you're finished.  A nice get-well or thinking of you card.  TFL!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Retro Birthday...

I have finally finished the birthday card for my son.  I wanted to use the Nifty Fifties cart for this card while incorporating the new events that are occuring in his life.  I wanted to use the "star of the show" idea, hence the retro TV for the front.  I used a piece of acetate on the front of the picture to give it the TV screen effect (hence the reflection.)  I added the baby and mom from New Arrival, the bone from Mickey Font, and the dog from ACY to the inside to include all present and future family members...a heartfelt personal message will go above the Happy Birthday sentiment.  The white mat on the front of the card was embossed using the Cuttlebug birthday folder - the TV and sentiment on the front were POPPED for dimension along with the baby, mom, and Happy Birthday sentiment on the inside.


Happy Birthday, Son!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

At a standstill....

I am at a loss for an idea for my son's birthday card.  Although he is a married adult with his first child on the way.....he and his wife are young at heart.  I started an idea I had forming in my head today, but just couldn't seem to make it all come together.  As Scarlett would say...."Fiddle dee dee, I can't think about that today.  I'll just have to think about that tomorrow!"

Pet Thank You


My poor pup had surgery two days ago.  I have received so many "well-wishes" that I wanted to send out a thank you, so I whipped up this simple card.  All cuts are from ACY - including the cute "bones" card base.  The large bone on the front was first outlined and printed with Thank You (PS) with a black Cricut marker before cutting. The outside edges were inked, the inside was matted, and I will add a nice sentiment before sending.  TFL!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Come and Get It!

I have been wanting to try my new Block Party cart for some time now, and finally got the chance today. I have been in "warm weather state of mind" ever since Punxsy Phil said there would be an early Spring.  Nothing says Spring more than the aroma of the first BBQ floating through the air.


This started out as a birthday card for my son (who thinks he is the King of the Grill), but as I kept going, I think it would be more suited for a small table decoration.  All the cuts are from the BP cart except the picket fence on the front, and that is an SVG file that I found on-line.  I love this type of sidestep card - it's just a little bit different than what I am used to making.  I had so much fun making this, but now need to come up with another idea for my dear son's birthday card.  TFL!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Up...Up...and Away!

I will enter this in the Cricut Cardz challenge for this week, which is to make a valentine for a man.



I made this Valentine for my dear hubby.  I wanted to try a circle easel card to try to match my theme.  I used my new Summer in Paris cart for the balloon, StoryBook for the accents behind the balloon, Home Decor for love,  and the small flourish on the left is actually a left-over cut-out that is highlighted by a red gemstone.  The inside circle was enhanced with "swirls" from my Cuttlebug and the edges were inked in a mauve/pink.  The ballon was "popped" to add dimension.  A smaller 1/2 circle was used to mat the computer generated sentiment which says -My heart has wings when I'm with you - and if you look closely, you will see that I have used the MS Christmas branch punch to accent the inside.  I will add a personal greeting to the inside for my "Valentine."  Here's to love!  TFL!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Merci

Here is a thank you card I made for our dear friends that took us out to dinner at the LeMont Restaurant in Pittsburgh this past weekend.  We always have a grand time...good friends, good food, nice wine, and a spectacular view of The Point. 

This is my first stab at making a tri-shutter card.  I am pleased with the way it turned out.  I used warm tones from K&C Company designer paper, the wine bottle and glass were cut using my new Summer in Paris cart, the scroll is from Home Decor,and the sentiments were computer generated. I used the MS Christmas branch punch and a gemstone to add  a little flair to the front of the card.  Merci!

Punxsutawney Phil!

Punxsutawney Phil climbed out of his burrow. He looked to his left; he looked to his right; he heaved a great sigh and with all of his might....Phil said,"No shadow of mine do I see, an early spring it will be"! Gotta love that rodent!

Can you believe that I have lived in this area all my life and have NEVER been to Gobbler's Knob!  It's just sooooo much easier (and warmer) to watch it on TV.

Hope....Faith

Here is my entry for the Fantabulous Cricut challenge for this week.  It is to make a card to support your cause.  I chose this design because I thought it could be used not only for "cause awareness," but also for sympathy or encouragement.  Sometimes when you need a card for those less than happy times, it is hard to come up with an idea.

I used Home Decor (one of my favorites) for the dragonfly and the word HOPE.  FAITH was made using Plantin Schoolbook.  I welded the letters on "shadow" in Design Studio for the first cut, then again regularly, and adhered together.  The background paper was outlined and the front card edge was cut using a Fiskars punch.  TFL!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Mother's Day Card


I made this card last year for my Mom for Mother's Day.  I used A Child's Year for the cover cut, the butterfly and scroll were Home Decor, and the sentiment was an original composition and computer generated.  The bottom edge was cut using a Fiskars punch.  It really is much prettier than the photo shows.

Valentine Bouquet


I made this for my Mom for her Valentine Day gift.  All of the cuts of from the Sweetheats cartridge.  I used red sparkly heart picks, red shredded paper, and celophane burst bows for accents.  I think she'll be pleased!  She is all for the "hand-made" touch!