BLOGIVERSARY CHALLENGE: Imagine Layer & Print Challenge!

This was probably my favorite challenge for the Circle's Blogiversary because I just LOVE my Imagine and it required that we print a background from it and also an image to layer. This is my entry and I tell you it is probably one of the prettiest cards I've ever made. And, it came together in no time! Wish you could see it in person - so much prettier and with so much more depth. It is going to the Truth Shop and I know the right person will get it.

A2 card:

Cartridges: Lori's Garden (the background prints: script words and shadow base (which I stickled), birdcage, and bird (layered and top layer stickled)

Storybook: the two bases for the birdcage (which I flood-filled with Lori's Garden)

The sentiment is from The Paper Angel and the bling swirl is Prima.

BLOGIVERSARY CHALLENGE: Recipe Challenge!

The Challenge: Use your Cricut machines to create a project using the following “recipe.” It must contain 1) A Title; 2) At least 2 Cricut Cuts, and 3) At least 3 buttons. 


Here is my entry:

It is a baby card that I will take to the Truth Shop. All cuts and papers are from the Imagine. The only cartridge I used was Nursery Tails (for the paper patterns). The other three cuts (duck, bases) are stock images from the Imagine. Incredible what you can do with that machine! I cuttlebugged and inked the top base to add a little color and I "stitched" around everything with a marker. I love stitching on baby things, including cards. The sentiment is from my Fiskars Baby set and the buttons from my stash. I pray the person who receives it is blessed with a healthy baby.

BLOGIVERSARY CHALLENGE: Sketch Challenge!

This blogiversary challenge requires that we follow this sketch:

This is my interpretation:

I used the Imagine for all the cuts.

Images: 

     small butterflies, flower, and pink scallop edge - Lori's Garden

     large butterfly - Imagine More

     scalloped border under large butterfly: Paper Lace

I also embossed above the border and added some ribbon in matching colors.

It is going to the Truth Shop.

BLOGIVERSARY CHALLENGE: Cuttlebug Challenge!

This is my entry for the Cuttlebug Challenge. I used the Swirls folder.

A2 card: the black paper is Cor'dinations and is black on one side and orange on the other. I sanded to get the swirls to turn orange. I love how it looks like the night sky with the wind swirling. The images are from Celebrate with Flourish and the "Trick" is a brad.

BLOGIVERSARY: Circle Cartridge Challenge

This is my entry for the Circle's Blogiversary challenge. I used French Manor for the dress form and stock images from the Imagine for the bases. The background green/white paper is from my stash but the beautiful coral base is from Imagine's Heirloom cartridge. The sentiment is layered on circles from George and Paper Lace. It will also be at the Truth Shop. Sentiment from Fiskars.

Weekly Challenge #42: World Card-Making Day Challenge

World Card-Making Day! WOO HOO!!! I have spent the day making cards for the Truth Shop and for friends and family. Here is a baby card I am donating to the Truth Shop and entering into the Circle Challenge.


All papers, patterned and solid, were printed and cut on the Imagine using Nursery Tails. I the stock images for all three bases. I also cuttlebugged the soft coral base for texture. The ribbon is from my stash. Finished size is 6x6. I also used MS crystal mini beads (glued down with glass accents) as the "'pea" porridge! I pray someone will find it to be the perfect card.

The Truth Shop Cards

After much prayer, I am making cards for the Truth Shop. It is my prayer that someone who needs encouragement or peace or to hear a word form the Lord is given one of my cards. If you read this, please take a moment to pray for those that will be receiving my cards that they hear God's message and also pray for the Truth Shop to stay open and serve those in our area. Today I delivered 16 cards. I hope to make as many as the Lord calls me to make and then just take them there. Here are a few of the ones I dropped off today:

CC SEPTEMBER MONTHLY CHALLENGE: Window Dressing Challenge

This is my entry into the Circle's Monthly Challenge as well as Erica's Halloween card. This is her favorite holiday and she loves anything with witches. So, I couldn't resist this cute witch (Wrap It Up) framed behind this window (October 31st). Of course, I had to add glitter! Hope she likes it.

Weekly Challenge #41: Interactive Elements Challenge

I am loving these spinner cards and so in the spirit of equality for my sons I made Jon Michael a spinner card also! He is such a baseball nut that he is driving down to see the last Marlin's game in the current stadium  then driving right back up! Well, while he's here I am giving him his birthday gift a few days early. I am also entering his card in the Cricut Circle challenge.

I used my gypsy to create the base for the spinner (George and Basic Shapes) and the pennants are from Everyday Pop-Up. Of course, the baseball is from the Solutions Baseball cartridge. I mixed the papers up - some from my stash and the banners printed on the Imagine.

Chair-ished Card

I wanted to give Jackie a little card just to let her know how much she means to me. It's simple but I know she'll really like it. I need to take a photography class. My pictures are always either washed out or dark! The colors are vibrant, yet elegant in this card. They certainly didn't photograph that way.

A2 card
Chair: French Manor
The base of the chair is embossed on shiny cardstock. The sentiment is computer generated. The seat of the chair is covered in flocking then glitter. All patterned papers from my stash.

Little Squirt Card

This card is to welcome Giselle's new little squirt, Travis! That baby is sooooo cute that I just had to make a cute card to match his little personality.

Squirt gun and sentiment: B is for Boy Lite cartridge
All papers: Kate's Kitchen (Imagine cartridge)
I scored around the edges with  my handy, dandy new We R Memory Keepers perforation wheel and I hand-stitched with some yellow floss. I enhanced the squirt gun with stickles (top piece) and glass accents (trigger and front/back). I also added stickles to dot the "i" in the sentiment. Last, I stamped "welcome" directly on the background paper. Of course, being able to make it all on the Imagine made this card easy-peasy lemon squeezy!

CC August Monthly Challenge: Create a Scene

I've been wanting to create little 6x6 frames for my office. Well, this challenge got me started!!! I decided to make all the scenes using dotted paper, changing only the colors to keep consistency. My first one is a little boy reading under an apple tree. Perfect for my office! The next one will be a little girl reading by the ocean. I want to make at least 6 frames and every single little child in "A Child's Year" is precious.  I haven't framed my entry yet because I want to make a few before getting all the frames. I think I will end up framing them all in white to pick up the dots. Each frame will have a different "educational" word. Of course, I had to start with READING! Details below the pic.

Cartridges: A Child's Year (boy reading); My Community (tree); Birthday Bash (words @ 1"); and Better Together (color for flood-filling words)
The patterned papers are all from Papertrey ink ~ love those little swiss dots. The white paper (READ) is Bazzill.
The apples are buttons from my stash.
I tore some brown paper for the ground, inked the images a bit for depth, and then used my new piercing wheel along the edge. I "stitched" in baby blue using a gel pen and covered READ in glass accents to set it apart.

Weekly Challenge #39 : A-B-C, 1-2-3

This week's challenge is a recipe for: A pop of Bright Color and 1 of something, 2 of something, and 3 of something. Of course, a minimum of 2 Cricut cuts. I decided to make Elaine's birthday card following these guidelines. Here is her card:

ABC: The bright pink yarn bow
1:  one cartridge ~ Imagine Yummy
2:  two sentiments
3: three cupcakes
Other supplies: Recollections Chunky Glitter in Glitz; red buttons from stash; Fiskars Edge Punch

Everything on this, including the patterned paper, is from Yummy. That cartridge really has luscious prints, colors, and images! Love it!!! The two outer cupcakes, as well as the "celebrate" sentiment, are pop-dotted. And, I used the edge punch on the bottom patterned paper so when the papers overlap it's a more feminine feel.

Stephen's 18th Bday Card: Spinner

After learning how to make the spinner cards, I decided to modify a bit and make one for Stephen for his 18th birthday. I really wanted it to be special and fell in love with this little karate boy from MFT. The minute I saw him I knew he'd be perfect as the spinner! Well, this is my first official "video" and even though it's only a few seconds long, it's still a mess since I don't know how to edit yet LOL! No haters!

Hope you like it. I know Stephen will love it. The cloud paper is from the Imagine and the bottom patterned paper is from my stash. The banners are from Birthday Bash and flood-filled with Imagine Hopscotch. "Happy Birthday" form Imagine More Cards. Stickers for the "18" and "Stephen".
Front:

Inside:

Spinner:

Maria's Birthday Card

Maria's birthday was on Friday, August 12th. I was finally able to upload the pic of her card today since I didn't want to spoil the surprise in case she logged on. This is a step card and the stamp is from the Girlfriends line. I took the picture inside and somehow with the flash it is overexposed. The colors are vibrant and beautiful, from both the papers and the copics, although you can't really see that here. The last step has a MS chipboard piece that's a two-tiered cake with a banner saying "Happy Birthday". If you pull the glitter clothespins, a gift card comes out. That is what is hiding behind the circle. I think she liked it and hope she enjoys spending the gift card.

CC Weekly Challenge #38: Vacation Memories

This week's challenge was to preserve a vacation memory from this summer or any previous summer. Well, since vacations haven't really been in our budget lately, I decided to scrapbook a picture of Zachary in the pool with Ralph. I like to think that our staycations can be just as much fun!

Background paper is an old "water-like" paper and I placed a Hambly overlay (with the white swirls) over it. Makes it look like water even more. All the cuts are from Life's a Beach, including the gecko border and sentiment. I cut the big gecko out of glitter paper and the little ones from Bazzill. I did trace around the little geckos with a black pen since they seemed to get lost. A few googly eyes, some ink on the feet, and a few glitter brads finished it off. This was a fast layout that packed some punch. I really liked how it turned out.

CC July Monthly Challenge: Let's Eat!

This month's challenge is adorable! Create anything with a BBQ, picnic, or patio theme and also incorporate a gingham or check pattern. I decided to use my Imagine because in Kate's Kitchen there are so many yummy images that are perfect for this. I chose the window then printed/cut the pieces out separately so I could pop-dot the pie and also substitute a check pattern paper I had (curtains). I really love how it came out and am going to give it as a get-well card. The doily and tulle finish the look.

I love these challenges because they really challenge me to think beyond my comfort zone while not feeling inadequate ~ the winner is randomly chosen ~ so I participate and know that even though my project may not be publishing material, I still did something different and I learned. Nevertheless, I sure do hope I win this one. The prize is $150 in your Cricut.com account. What I could do with that... LOL

CC Weekly Challenge #37: Technique

I was inspired by Jennifer's bead  technique for my entry. Instead of going with the traditional "gumballs", I chose to fill the gumball machine with letter beads. Of course, I spelled "HAPPY" above birthday so it looks like that's what the gumball machine dispensed! The little coin turner is on a brad so that it really turns. I know the challenge requires a minimum of two cuts and since it looks like I only have one on the outside, I put a sentiment on the inside. However, there are actually two cuts outside, the gumball machine and the A2 front base with the hole inside. I used my Gypsy to center a circle exactly where I wanted it and the size I wanted it. It was perfect! TFL. Hope you like it. I will be giving it to my nephew who turns 12 in a few weeks. Materials/cartridges are below.

Inside:

A2 card

Cartridges: George (A2 rectagular front and circle); Storybook (inside frame); Cake Basics (happy birthday); and Wrap it Up (gumball machine).

Striped paper is from my cousin's stash! LOL The solid papers are all AC cardstock.

Ribbon, letter stickers (birthday), and brads from my stash.

Basket of Blessings (Strawberries)

I think this will be my sister's birthday card. The pink patterned strawberry paper was a gift from Maria (she got it at Michael's) and I fell in love with it. I remembered this MFT stamp set and right away decided to pair them up. I colored with copics and added ribbon and a strawberry phone charm from Martha Stewart that I got on clearance. Oh, also embossed the solid pink and used the background paper to fill the basket. This was a fun card to make.

Kristy & Trevor's Wedding Card

Such a beautiful card and I can't get the stupid graphic to get bigger. It is an easel and the detail is precise. I even added a veil to the girl and used colored vellum over embossing for the base.

Tia Delia's 90th

Made this with lots of detail, lace, ribbons, buttons, etc. for Tia Delia. Gave it to her on her 90th. She loved it.

Lori's Garden 1st Attempt

My first card with LG. This cartridge is stunning. The papers are to drool for! I gave it to Jackie when she needed a pick-me-up.

Valentine Easel Card

Entered this in the HSN contest. Didn't win :( It's an easel card.

CAC Hippo

Playing with CAC - made a birthday card for JoAnna.

Sheila's Shoes

Had to make sure Sheila got a shoe card for her birthday. She's a rival to Imelda LOL

Payo/Kat's Anniversary

Simple but it came out great. Some times it's the little things that work.

Deli's 41st Bday

Didn't realize these cards would be so tiny. Yikes. Can't even see the details and I worked so hard.

Christmas 2010

In an effort to archive as many cards as I can, I went into PhotoBucket to retrieve some of the ones I want to recall. I will be posting a few now just for my reference. These are not new, I already gave them out but some I wanted to keep on file.

Our Christmas 2010 card. Can't even remember the cartridges or paper but I do recall it is an easel card. I glittered the antlers (won't be doing that again - took forever) and I pop-dotted all the reindeer. It was very elegant and the colors non-traditional. Very happy with this one.

CC Weekly Challenge #36: Fabric

This is my entry for the Circle's weekly challenge this week. Fabric had to be used somewhere in your project. I decided to do the layout of mom and me at my 50th birthday party. I cut 1/4" - 1/2" strips of quilting fabric in coordinating colors then began gluing and overlapping under the title until I achieved the look I was going for. I covered the fraying tops with buttons to finish it off. The background paper is from DCWV Mariposa stack (LOVE that stack) and the cartridges are listed below.

Fabric detail:

Cartridges:

     * Paper Lace: teal round background under the picture

     * Ornamental Iron: photo corners - I don't think they're really photo corners but that's what they are today!

     * Florals Embellished (could I love this cartridge more??? LOL): "Prettiest Mom Ever" title

You Brighten My Day Lamp Card

Maria and I saw this stamp at Cherry Blossom and I fell in love with it. Right away I knew I wanted to make her a card telling her how precious her friendship is to me using the pretty lamp. I also had a great sentiment I wanted to use and so I got to work! The patterned paper is from DCWV Mariposa stack. Love it! I colored the image with Copics to match the paper. The inside sentiment is from a set of Darcie's that has chandeliers. The FRIEND on the outside from the $1 bin. I am posting way after I gave it to her because I didn't want to spoil the surprise. She said she loved it!

Inside:

Our 29th Anniversary

The card I made Ralphie for our 29th wedding anniversary. Wow! Did I say 29? Yes, 29. Yikes. LOL The base of the front of the card is luscious flocked navy damask. The heart is embossed then pop-dotted. I also ran some brown fibers for extra texture. The couple is from the Sweethearts cartridge and I can't believe how easy it was to layer. I pop-dotted them also! The inside is the surprise: it's a pop-up!!! I embossed the pop-up heart with the   candy hearts folder. I didn't like how the tabs showed so I covered them with a strip of the matching paper. I stamped a very appropriate quote and will now finish it for him. I hope he likes it!

Weekly Challenge #34: Father’s Day Card Sketch Challenge

I chose to make Ralphie's Father's Day card using the sketch from the CC weekly challenge. Of course, like all sketches I follow it ended up looking completely different! LOL I don't mind, I believe sketches are created and interpreted differently by different people. Some can follow the sketches to the last detail and others, like myself,  use them as inspiration. I really think he'll like his card. In his perfect world, remote controls are at his every turn!

The remote control and inside sentiment are from the fabulous new Father's Day cartridge. What a fantastic cartridge for guys!

My First Pop-Up Card

I am in LOVE with the Pop-Up cartridges. Wow!!! Easy-peasy. Here is my first attempt:

This is the birthday card for Mrs. Flowers. I think she is going to love it! She likes handmade cards and anything with a "wow" factor. When she opens it and those shoes pop up she will be delighted! I can't wait to make my next one. Cricut is the bomb-diggity!

Florals Embellished

I am loving the Florals Embellished cartridge. This bird was so easy to layer!!! The background is from Hopscotch and I completed the entire thing on my Imagine. The black base is from Paper Lace. The sentiment is a stamp and the little pearl swirl from the $1 bin at convention. Thanks, Maria, true friends give cartridges as gifts :) Oh, I posted the pic twice b/c I am playing with my camera to see what settings give me the best results.

Card Class

Maria and I took a card class on Saturday morning at Cherry Blossom. The stamps are adorable! Here are a few of the cards we made: