Sledding All The Way Card

It's very rare we get snow in Houston, but we actually saw some last night!  No, not from the sky, but from a machine for a neighborhood Christmas tree lighting.  My toddler son had no clue what the white stuff was and would not go near it!

The snow and fake sledding hill from the event inspired me to make this winter holiday card tonight:

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - Recollections cardstock
• Cricut Cuts - sledding boy from Winter Frolic, page 42; holly from Winter Frolic, page 58 (Layers); tag from Playtime; snowflakes from Winter Woodland, page 35 (Layers)
• Embossing - background with Cuttlebug's Snowflakes; red shirt and hat with The Paper Studio's Mesh Texture; sled with The Paper Studio's Wood Grain
• Other - jingle bell from Hobby Lobby; doodling with white Gelly Roll pen; sled and snowflakes on pop dots; inking on sled with brown Stampabilities ink pad

I really got to dig deep in my scrap bin and found some leftover cardstock from Christmas in July projects - three cheers for leftovers!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

CardzTV: Cricut Cardz Challenge #96 - Christmas...Say It With "S"
Exploring Cricut: Challenge #5 - Sled or Sleigh
Paper Cutz Challenge: Challenge #118 - Jingle All The Way
The Cuttlebug Spot: Challenge - Leftovers

Celebrate the Occasion: Challenge #39 - Thanksgiving

If you're looking for my Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl entry, please click HERE.

Happy Tuesday -- it's time for another Celebrate the Occasion challenge!  This week's theme is Thanksgiving with the requirement to use a punch.  I've made so many turkeys lately that I wanted to take a departure for this challenge.  So I used another animal we see quite often in November -- squirrels!

Card Details:

• Card Base - squirrel card from Winter Woodland, page 57, cut at 5 inches
• Papers - stripes from Me & My Big Ideas - Autumn; cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - squirrel and card base from Winter Woodland, page 57; leaves from B is for Boy
• Embossing - squirrel body with Cuttlebug's Herringbone; squirrel tail with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirls; acorn top with The Paper Studio's Mesh Texture
• Other - sentiment stamp by Hampton Ink; EKSuccess 1-inch scalloped punch; inking with brown Stampabilities ink pad; leaves and sentiment on pop dots

Head over to Celebrate the Occasion to see the other design team members' creations link up your Thanksgiving project with punches!

I'm also submitting this project to the following challenges:

Cooking with Cricut - Challenge #59 - Fruits, Cornucopia & Harvest Time
Cricut Cardz Challenge #95 - We're So Thankful (Use Card Feature)
Paper Playtime:  Challenge #60 - Thank You Projects
Stuck On U Sketches:  Die Cut Leaf Challenge

Chillin' Patriotic Watermelon Card

I have a confession -- I don't like watermelon.  (I know, I know...)  But my son sure does!  He's had it occasionally and liked it well enough, but he went absolutely bonkers for it while my parents were here.  Then again, if Papaw and GG are enjoying something, Jonathan probably will too.  He loves them so much and shows it by emulating them.

So watermelon is the theme today.  I saw challenges for both watermelon and flags, and those things are the classic symbols of a fun Fourth of July weekend to me.  While I never liked eating watermelon, I do enjoy the smell.  And who can resist a watermelon with a smile?

 

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - textured cardstock by The Paper Studio; all others from scraps
• Cricut Cuts - watermelon from Simply Charmed, page 46; stars from Simply Charmed, page 68; "chillin'" sentiment from Paisley, page 24
• Other - faux stitching with white Gelly Roll pen and scarlet Le Plume II marker; inking with green and red Colorbox ink pads; watermelon on pop dots

I didn't have an American flag in my cartridge collection, so I made my own representation of one by cutting square stripes with my trimmer and affixing stars cut from Simply Charmed.  I like the faux stitching -- really gives it a homemade, all-American look.

And have I mentioned lately how much I'm *loving* these Colorbox ink pads?  Yep, thought so. :)

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Amber's Crafts and Stuff:  Challenge #15 - Dog Days of Summer
Cooking with Cricut:  Challenge #39 - Watermelon
Creative Cutter Room:  Challenge - God Bless America!
Cricut Cardz Challenge:  Challenge #80 - Flag

Father & Son Tiger Card

My son and I had so much fun creating this tiger-themed Fathers Day card for my hubby.  Hubby loves tigers, so we chose to modify a cat from Create a Critter with orange and black stripes -- and it looks very tiger-like!

Of course, mommy did most of the designing, but my two-year old son is getting quite proficient at loading the cutting mat for me!  He wants to pretend "JonJon's cricut" while I'm working, so I now have to be sure the power cord is unplugged when not in use.

Here's our resulting easel card:

Card Details:

• Card Base - Easel Card (5x5")
• Papers - striped paper from My Mind's Eye: Magnolia; textured cardstock by The Paper Studio; all others from scrap
• Cricut Cuts - all cuts from Create a Critter; tigers are <cat1> on page 29; flag from page 28 without Layer 1; sentiment from page 49 (phrase); letters for "GRRREAT" from Opposites Attract using both Opposite and Opposite Shadow functions.
• Cuttlebug Embossing - Dots & Spots on green background layer
• Other - doodling and faux stitching with white Gelly Roll pen; inside sentiment printed with my computer; pop dots elevate tigers, flag, and "GRRREAT" sentiment.

My son created artwork with his crayons to insert into the envelope, too.  (Just like Mommy, he does his best work in PJs and with a snack.  See the rogue animal cracker?)

 

I also wanted to do a handprint with him, but it just wasn't happening this morning.  He's usually super eager to get into my ink pads, but I guess the Terrible Twos were rearing their ugly head.

Hubby will be away on his mission trip on Fathers Day, so I'm packing this card in his luggage for him to open Sunday.  I hope it makes him feel loved even when away from us on dads' day.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Cooking with Cricut:  Challenge #38 - Fathers Day
Cricut Cardz Challenge #79 - Fathers Day
My Sheri Crafts:  Challenge #61 - Fathers Day

Adore Wedding/Anniversary Card

My blog may be quiet, but my Cricut hasn't been!  It's been frantically chirping with Fathers Day and birthday cards.  By this weekend -- hopefully -- I should be able to share a few "shh-shh" projects with you.

In the meantime, I can post a wedding/anniversary card I made this morning.  I've been dying to use this Heidi Grace patterned bird paper, and a card for two nature lovers was a good reason.  It's also two firsts for me -- my first Z-fold card and my first time to stamp a sentiment on the front!  Here's the entire card stretched:

And folded to view just the front:

Card Details:

• Card Base - black cardstock (A6)
• Papers - patterned and cream cardstock by Heidi Grace; blue textured cardstock by The Paper Studio
• Cricut Cuts - scalloped background from Elegant Edges, page 51 (<btfly2_s>/Shadow); bird from Create a Critter, page 45, legs snipped and one image flipped; bell from Stretch Your Imagination, page 72 (Blackout), handle and heart snipped.
• Cuttlebug Embossing - D'vine Swirls on bell
• Other - ribbon by American Crafts; "adore" sentiment by The Paper Studio; gem from Michaels dollar bin; inking around edges of bird with sky blue Le Plume II marker

I'm entering this project into the following challenges:

Cricut Cardz Challenge #78 - Wedding Card
Die Cuttin' Divas: Challenge #19 - Wedding Bliss (without hearts)
Fantabulous Cricut:  Challenge #64 - Wedding Wishes (use white and a bell)
Paper Playtime:  Challenge #48 - Z-Fold Card

Blue & Silver Wedding Card

My cousin has commissioned me to create a few cards for her -- which means I now have a paying customer!  (Or at least an excuse to buy more goodies with the proceeds.)

The first card is a wedding congratulations card for her friends, requested with the colors blue and silver.  Here's my resulting design:

Card Details:

• Card Base - Studio G (5"x5")
• Papers - blue damask from Recollections: All Seasons; all cardstock from The Paper Studio except cardstock with luster, which is Bazzil Bling
• Cricut Cuts -  wedding bells from Wrap It Up, page 36; scalloped background from Elegant Edges, page 56 ("bird3_s")
• Cuttlebug Embossing - scalloped background with Kassie's Brocade
• Other - ribbon by American Crafts; doodling with white Gelly Roll pen

I really like how parts of the wedding bell and ribbon cut with Bazzil Bling cardstock shimmer when they catch the light.  It adds a lot of dimension in addition to the background and cuts being elevated with pop dots.

I'm entering this project into the following challenge:

Cricut Cardz Challenge #78 - Wedding Card

Elegant Cake Birthday Card

I combined several challenge requirements today and came up with a shaped birthday cake card featuring the colors tangerine and yellow.  Wouldn't you know -- after creating this card, I have a sudden craving for orange cake!

Card Details:

• Card Base - shaped (8 inch) card from Birthday Bash, page 25, on orange cardstock from scraps
• Papers - patterns from Recollections All Seasons paperpack; orange paper for cake from Simply Delightful: My Mind's Eye; solids from Bazzil Bling Textured Cardstock
• Cricut Cuts - birthday cake from Birthday Bash, page 25; sentiment from Birthday Bash, page 67 (card/tag); tag created from "swirl1_s" on Elegant Edges, page 25
• Cuttlebug Embossing - Kassie's Brocade on cake layers
• Other - doodling with white Gelly Roll pen; tag elevated with pop dot

I think the result is really elegant and perfect for a summer birthday.  All that bright pink, tangerine, and yellow makes me of how hot it will be in August.  (Or even now, since we're hovering around 95ºF these days!)

I'm submitting this project in the following challenges:

BBTB2: Challenge - Celebrations/Birthday Cake
Cooking with Cricut: Challenge #32 - Color Challenge
Cricut Cardz Challenge: Challenge #77 - Use Card Feature

Mothers Day Card for Gran

Mothers Day is fast approaching, so I needed to make progress on cards for the mothers in my life.  I made the card below for my husband's grandmother:

Cartridges Used:
Cricut Classic Font
Lovely Floral
Wrap It Up

The body of the card is from Wrap It Up, and I like the result of putting cardstock with a little glitter behind the cut.  When I tried to cut the tag on glitter cardstock, I discovered the thickly-glittered areas don't play well with the regular Cricut blade.  I had to snip a bit with scissors by hand, but it's not terribly noticeable.  Oh well...lesson learned.  Inking makes the "Gran" title tag stand out nicely.

I'm entering this card in Cricut Cardz Challenge #72 - Mothers Day Card using a Card Feature.

Purple Butterfly Mothers Day Card

I had to try out my newest cartridge -- Cricut Lite Lovely Floral -- last night, and the result is a rich-colored Mothers Day Card.

Cartridges Used:
Lovely Floral

Yep, everything on this card is from Lovely Floral -- the doily, the butterfly, and the font.

I took Mary of CardzTV's challenge and made a Mothers Day card with the colors purple, green, blue, and white.  When I saw this paper pack, I knew it was perfect for her challenge.  Can you believe this pack is from the Dollar Spot at Target?!

I'm submitting this card into the following challenges:

CardzTV - Mother's Day Color Challenge
Cricut Cardz Challenge #71 - Mothers Day Card

And another word on Mothers Day...

My mom actually reads my blog, so I was apprehensive about letting her see a card that she might receive -- but she assured me seeing the card in person is different than seeing a photo of it.  Then again, I'm sure I'll make several Mothers Day cards, so she'll have the surprise of which card is hers.  Of course, she gets whichever card turns out the best, because she is that special!

Easter Bunny and Egg Treat Holder

I made my first 3D, non-card creation tonight!  It's a treat holder -- big enough for a cupcake -- but holding plastic eggs for the photo.  It turned out so cute, I just might give it to my co-teacher with chocolates in the eggs.

Cartridges Used:
Birthday Bash
Doodlecharms
Stretch Your Imagination
Wrap It Up

I really like the flourishes from Stretch Your Imagination used as running vines on the fence.  I repeated the look on all four sides, with eggs where the corners meet.

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:

BBTB2 - Easter Solutions 2010 or Any Egg
Cricut Cardz Challenge #70 - Easter Cupcake Holder or Wrapper
Fantabulous Cricut - Spring Fling Project (using pink, yellow, and green)
My Sheri Crafts Challenge #53 - Bunnies

Bunny Fun

Am I the only one who finds the Cricut to be a great source of relaxation?  I've had an exhausting week (and an exhausting Saturday), but I still like finding time to do something creative.  Even if it's only 30 minutes here and there...

Cartridges Used:
Create a Critter
Doodlecharms

I've been eager to make another Easter card, and two recent challenges were great inspiration.

Sherri at Jitterbuggin' Designs provided a fun sketch for Jitterbuggin' Challenge: Spring Fling Fun.  I loosely followed her design by including a bunny and three flowers, but the card is on the smaller side (5"x5") and didn't lend itself well to multiple background layers.  I like the result -- especially since I got to play with the Create a Critter cartridge.  I see why everyone loves this fun collection!

I'm also submitting this card to Cricut Cardz Challenge #69 - Easter. 

Good night, everyone.  This bunny's going to bed.