Fishing Fathers Day Card

Fathers Day is approaching, so I've started getting busy with cards for the dads in my life.  This card is for my father-in-law and is based on CPS Sketch #221:

The inside sentiment reads, "...to a reel good dad."

Card Details:

• Card Base - Studio G (5"x5")
• Paper - patterned paper from My Mind's Eye: Bohemia; cardstock by The Paper Studio
• Cricut Cuts - fishing cuts from Boys Will Be Boys, page 71
• Cuttlebug Embossing - circle background embossed with Swiss Dots
• Other - doodling with white Gelly Roll pen and sky blue and emerald Le Plume II markers; light inking with brown Stampabilities stamp pad on background patterned papers; sentiment printed from my computer

I'm entering this project into the following challenges:

Amber's Crafts & Such - Challenge #13: Special Man
Card Positioning Systems - Sketch #221
Fantabulous Cricut - Challenge #63: #1 Dad

Jessica Gets Stamps

So I broke down and bought a pack of stamps.  Just some cheap ones from Hobby Lobby to see how I would like them.  And...

I think I like them!

Bookworm Birthday Card

I have another special card to show you today -- and this one had to be kept hidden, too!  It's my hubby's birthday card, and since he reads my blog, it had to be top secret until he received it yesterday.

This card is also my first try at a sidestep card.  Its two recessed rows were perfect for making a bookshelf.  Hubby is an avid reader, so I decided to make it a bookworm-themed card.  Here's the result:

Card Details:

• Card Base - Sidestep Card (A2)
• Papers - patterned brown paper from My Mind's Eye: Simply Delightful; patterned blue paper from Recollections: All Seasons; all cardstock by The Paper Studio
• Cricut Cuts - worm from Create a Critter, page 65; books (one set flipped) from Wrap It Up, page 57; presents from Stretch Your Imagination, page 59; banner from Birthday Bash, page 69 (font, both layers); "Happy Birthday" sentiment from Birthday Bash, page 68 (card/tag)
• Cuttlebug Embossing - Kassie's Brocade on presents; Dots & Spots on light green layer of bookworm
• Other - ribbon by American Crafts (double-sided -- how cool!); lots of inking with brown ink pad by Stampabilities 

Hubby loved his card!  He's so supportive of my papercrafting addiction, and I was glad to try a new card fold especially for him.

Snappy Birthday Gator Card

I've been impatiently waiting to share this card with you -- and I finally can! 

My dad reads my blog, so I couldn't post his birthday card until he'd received it.  With the theme of Swamp People (a show on History Channel we both enjoy), it would be too obvious it was his.  He received the card today, so now you can check it out:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights Collection (A2)
• Papers - patterned brown paper from My Mind's Eye: Simply Delightful; textured dark green cardstock by The Paper Studio; all other cardstock from scraps
• Cricut Cuts -Create a Critter, page 45, gator (all layers) and grass (accessory, both cuts)
• Cuttlebug Embossing - Distressed Stripes on grass
• Other - lots of inking with brown ink pad by Stampabilities; cream yarn from scraps; outside and inside sentiments printed from my computer.

One of my dad's favorite characters on the show, Troy, is constantly yelling "shoot 'em" when they find a gator on the line.   So hubby and I collaborated on including this quote with the inside sentiment.

My favorite thing about this card is how the gator is "caught" on the line.  I also like the dark, masculine colors and overall representation of Swamp People.  I grew up in Louisiana, and it's really neat seeing my home on TV -- even if I didn't live in the swamp

For a kids' spin on the Swamp People theme, check out the gator party favors Glenda made for her grandson.  They're totally cute -- and snappy, too!

You can watch Swamp People on Thursdays, 9/8c, on the History Channel.

Lemonade Pitcher Tag

The ladies of "Team Chillin'" at BugBites' Grillin' & Chillin' Blog Hop are showcasing super-cute summertime projects today.  Their theme is anything you do to chill out in the summer.  My family has been chillin' by drinking lemonade this week, so I was inspired to "pretty up" our lemonade pitcher with a cute tag:

Project Details:

• Pitcher - purchased from Wal-Mart approximately three years ago -- I loved the colors!
• Lemonade - made earlier this week and "chillin'" in my fridge!
• Papers - cardstock from scraps
• Cricut Cuts - tag from "princess" cut on Playtime; lemon from Simply Charmed, page 48; ladybug from Doodlecharms, page 94 (blackout); letters from Opposites Attract (opposite feature)
• Cuttlebug Embossing - Spots & Dots on pink tag layer
• Other - doodling with white Gelly Roll pen and black pen; the ladybug was too tiny to cut circle details

I think this tag would be perfect for a party to identify types of drinks in similar containers.  But since it's back in my fridge now, I'll wait for my toddler son's reaction when he goes in for a snack.  He just recently learned how to open the fridge door, and he has many interesting reactions to the things he finds in there!

This project is being submitted to the following challenge:

BugBites' Grillin' & Chillin' Blog Hop Challenge: "Chillin'" Project with a Hidden Bug

I Hit the Paper Motherload!

I'm a bargain shopper at heart.  And look what set my heart aflutter tonight at Ross and Marshalls:

I bought *all* this paper -- a $101 value -- for $43!!!

I was especially pleased to pick up two more My Mind's Eye paperpacks; I really like their patterned designs.  I'm excited about DCWV's Mod-Retro Stack too; there's a sheet that is absolutely perfect for a Fathers Day card for my dad.  I also scored some cool paper for my son's scrapbook.

I feel like I'm on an episode of TLC's Extreme Couponing -- just without coupons and with craft supplies instead of groceries!  I'd watch a show like that. :)

Check your local Ross and Marshalls and let me know if you find some good deals, too!

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