Hi!

I am a Christ follower blessed with a faith-filled husband, 2 incredible sons and so much more. God is so faithful! Being the only girl, I am always surrounded by hockey, baseball, football, muscle cars, loud noises, and all the wonderful things that make men who they are. But, I was born a girly-girl and like everything pink, frilly, and with jewelry and makeup added! Often I’ve felt as if my disjointed, but blessed lifestyle is overrun by testosterone! But, I have found that God is perfect and He knew the balance I needed ~ the perfect men in my pink-colored world: pigs in champagne!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

CC Weekly Challenge #51: Valentine's Day Cards

This is Ralphie's Valentine's Day card and my submission into the CC Weekly Challenge.


The "balloon" is actually hearts from George that I printed on the Imagine using the Black & White cartridge on red paper. The basket is from Neighborhood Pop-Up and pop-dotted over the twine. In order to give the "balloon" more weight, I didn't print on both sides of the paper. Instead I printed five hearts and then glued them back-to-back. I used the hole puncher to create a little hole to run the baker's twine. The clouds (forgot the cartridge!!!) were cuttlebugged then stickled and one of them pop-dotted. The stamp is PaperTreyInk and the grass is a 12" border I had from K & Co. Ribbon from stash. Really need to learn photography. The colors are so much more vivid in real life and all my pics have washed-out colors. You can't even see the little gem bling I used as the dot on the "i" in kisses and which is part of the challenge or the shading on the grass.

Anyway, hope he likes it!!! Haven't decided on the inside sentiment yet but I'll probably go with something funny like, "Not really!" LOL

UPDATE: My card was selected as the Cricut Circle's "Project of the Day" on February 16 and 17. Woo hoo!!! Wish I could upload a screen shot here to show.

Anniversary Card: Mayito & Sandy

This Tuesday is Sandy and Mario's 31st wedding anniversary. YIKES. I still remember the day they were married. Holy moly we're getting old... LOL Well, thank God we have so many memories and with His grace and mercy we'll have many more. Here is the card I made them:
I used the Imagine Black & White cartridge to print out all the layers on plain blue cardstock. The hearts are from George and only the smallest is flood-filled. The two halves of the background are from the Imagine's built-in images and also flood-filled. I also cut out the largest heart on red paper for additional color effect. A few pearl swirls and a stamp on a pop-dotted banner and it was done! It's 5" x 5" and the stamp is from PaperTreyInk. 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

CC February Monthly Challenge: Share the Love

The challenge this month over at the Cricut Circle Blog is to create a hand-made gift for a loved one using the Cricut machine(s). I used both my Imagine and Expression.

UPDATE 3/1/12: I won the challenge!!!

I made a few things. First, an adorable little chocolate holder for Elaine.
The box is from Cindy Loo and I folded down the top to make it look like a little ruffle. The strip behind the stamped image "Chocolate: it's not just for breakfast" as well as the "Sending Love Your Way" sign are from the Imagine. The hearts, both negative and positive, are from George. I embossed and inked one before attaching it to the pencil. I am going to put this on her desk early on Valentine's to surprise her!

Second, I made ribbon holders for Jackie, Maria, and Sandy. I brushed the tops of the clothespins with glossy accents then dipped them in glitter and wrapped different Valentine's ribbon around the body. I tied them into a bunch with tulle. The heart tags are also from George and I embossed the top one before inking. The initials are stickers from my stash. I know they will love them because they are card makers and now they have new ribbons to use!

Here's a pic of everything together:

Sunday, January 22, 2012

CC Weekly Challenge #50: Under the Weather

It's been a while since I've been able to participate in a challenge over at the Circle. I really miss them! I am hoping to join in more this year and this is my first entry for 2012. I was inspired in my design by a card in the January edition of the Circle magazine (Bicycling by Michele Kovack).


The Challenge: Create a Get Well card or gift set for a friend, family member, or acquaintance. Be sure to incorporate a Cuttlebug embossing folder, kraft cardstock, and string somewhere on your project.
Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. Your project must be newly created for this challenge and include at least 2 Cricut Image Cuts.


Inside:

Goldfish: Splish Splash
Frame: Elegant Edges (I had to hide/contour a rectangle inside the shape) cut in three sizes
CB: not sure the name of the folder but it reminds me of fish scales!!
Blue rik-rak, red/white twine, and clear dew drops from stash
Sentiment: M's $1 bin
The background paper and red paper for the goldfish is from  DCWV's 4.5 x6.5 stack, "Taj Mahal". It has lots of glitter and shine. I used a copper DCWV paper for the goldfish's fins and I pop-dotted him.  Really is way cuter in person w/all that dimension.

Deli's Birthday Card

I wanted to show Deli how much fun the Imagine is, especially since hers is still in the box!!! For her 42nd birthday we had a Family Game Night and everyone got together to play board games. We all brought a dish to share and had a wonderful time. It was Kristy's idea and it really was a good one! I made the card using the Yummy cartridge. Love the papers and images on that cartridge! Lots of chunky glitter on the swirl and bon-bon. The sentiment is from SU.

Teri's Birthday Card

I've never met anyone who loves Starbucks more than Teri! So, it was only appropriate that I make her a "coffee" card for her birthday. I hope she likes it. I put a Starbucks GC inside (of course!) and wrapped it with one of the ceramic Starbucks coffee cups that Starbucks sells. Too cute!!!

The papers are from the 8.5 X 11 Michael's collection. The stamp is MFT. The sentiment is from Great Impressions. Really need to take a Copics class...



Loving my Imagine

When Ralph surprised me with the Imagine the day it made its world debut, I never "imagined" how much I'd love it and come to rely on it. Here are a few cards I made just to have fun using the papers and images.