Two Layouts- One for CC Weekly Challenge

The first  layout is for the weekly CC challenge. The Challenge: Include a Fairytale or Folklore figure in your project (princesses, gnomes, etc. I knew right away I wanted to get out My Community and do a layout of the Three Bears.  The bears were cut from My Community at ", 4 1'2" and 4 ".  The bowls were cut at 2 1'2, 2", and1 1'2".  Goldilocks was cut at 5 ".  I used the Gingerbread house on the same cart but turned the snow parts into straw by embossing.  The forest trees came form Campout and were also cut at 5 ".  The greenery was from Plantin Schoolbook.  I used a lot of different embossing folders  for texture and chalked the edges. Also used a bear paw stamp to frame pictures and Silver Sharpie for accents.  

This was a layout I had cut out before CHA for the CC crop.  Finally got around to gluing it together.  I also added the side strips which were done with my new 12 inch Cuttlebug folder  I used light blue glitter cordinations paper and then ran Tim Holtz purple distressed ink over the top. 

 

Create a Book Blog Hope (My first Blog Hop) and an owl card

I am so excited that I will be doing my first Blog Hop on Wednesday organized my Joy of http://www.joyslife.com/.  Joy had a great idea to do a blog hop for Read Across America Day  which is March 2nd.  This celebrated across the nation at schools to encourage reading and in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday.  Being a retired first grade teacher I used to always plan special activities on this day and even dressed in my Dr. Seuss costume. All the crafters participating in the blog hop will be making a book of some kind.  I hope you will all join us on Wednesday and celebrate reading.  Thanks Joy for a great idea and for allowing me to participate in my first Blog Hop.

Made this quick card for DD the other night. It was her friend's daughter's first birthday. The friend likes owls and girly girl so this is what I came up with .  Used gold rhinestones so the eyes glowed like a real owl.  Owl is from Paisley.  DD was really happy.

More recipe pages for One hour recipe challenge

I used Country Life for the first and third layouts.  The second one was done with Everyday Paper Dolls and Designer's Calendar.  I also used MS punch on the third one.  Chalked edges.

Christmas cards for 2011

My goal is to make 2-4 Christmas cards per month so I will actually have cards ready next year.  The first  card I made with a Sizzix embossing folder which actually has little deer on it similar to this Cindy Lou deer.  The frame and Peace is f rom Cindy Lou.  The snowflakes are glittered foam I bought on clearance.  The second card was done with the Cuttlebug tree embossing folder.  I got this one after Christmas last year and finally tried it.  Used foil paper pad from Recollections.  Frame from Cindy Lou and then used I rock to add gems.  The Merry Christmas was a see through sticker.

Mini book Tutorial

Last weekend I went to a Valentine mini book contest at my LSS.  I always try to find classes that I can later use with my Cricut.  The book was fun, simple and adaptable to many uses.  Some of my friends from the One hour thread asked for directions so here they are.  I decided to make my sample for photos with some really cute zoo paper so  I could also enter it into the CC weekly challenge. Please feel free to email me with any questions or problems .  I would love to help. So here goes-

Directions  for Mini book: 

1.       Step 1 is to cut chipboard.  You need 3 pieces 6 x 6 inches and 4 pieces 5 1/4 x 6 inches.   Take 2 of the 6 x 6 pieces and cut in ½ so you will have 4 pieces 3 x 6 inches. 

2.       Step 2 is to cut paper.  You will need 14 pieces of 6 x6 inch paper.  Keep all scraps to use as you decorate.   I lay out the paper to make sure I like the way they will look together.   I do not cut paper  down to fit 5 ¼ pieces  until I am sure I have paper order the way I want it.    Glue edges of cardboard and across middle with ATG gun, Zip Dry or similar glue.  I then check edges and trim  excess if needed. 

The order of the book is front cover 2- 3 x 6 pieces, then 2- 5 ¼, then 2- 3 x 6 pieces, then the back is the 6 x 6 piece.  Save all scraps for decorating pages and tags later.  

3.        Step 3 ink all edges rubbing pad along sides at an angle on both sides.  This will cover cardboard edges.   I used black but you can also use brown.  Set aside to dry. 

4.        Step 4  use an extra piece of chipboard to make a guide to punch holes with Cropadile or punch.  Punch holes at 1 “ in from top and bottom. 

5.        Step 5  Punch front cover punch on both sides,  next page 5 ¼ punch on right, next page 5 ¼ punch on left,  3 x 6 pieces, punch one on left and one on right,  5 1/4 page punch on right, next page 5 ¼ punch on left.  Last page is 6 x 6 punch on both sides.

6.        Step 6 Put pages in order and string ribbon through holes.  Be careful to catch all pages on left and then on right.  I do top holes first and then if I am sure I have caught them correctly do the bottom.  Tie ribbons loosely so you have room for pages to turn.  Check if pages turn  and when you are sure they are fine pull knots  tightly. 

7.        Step 7- Next make 3 pockets 2 ¼ inch by 4.  Glue three sides and leave top open to one to back  page, and the other two to 5 ¼ pages of your choice. 

8.       Step 8 Cut  9 tags at 2 x 4 inches.  I used Tags, Bags and more p. 91 cut at 4 inches.  You can use any tag or hand cut by snipping top corners.  Decorate one side with scrap strips.  Other side is for pictures. Add ribbon to top and either tie or staple. 

9.        Step 9 You are then ready to decorate with your Cricut.  I used cuts from Create Critters and Animal Kingdom.  On the front page I cut a monkey and glued to a rectangle.  I then pop-dotted 1/2 of it and placed it across front cover.    I used chalk on edges and added googly eyes. 

These are the cut sizes I used: 

Create a Critters:  monkey page 46 3 ½ inch, zebra page 47 3 inches,  giraffe p. 48 5 ½ inch, phrase 1 ½ inch, Koala p. 49 2 ½ inch, phrase 1 ½ inch, zebra page 45  ½ inch,  phrase ¾ inch, leaf p. 51 1 ½ inch and 2 inches, Hippo page 49  2 ½  inches and phrase 1 ½ inch. 

Animal Kingdom: Monkey Business 2 inches, Don’t Feed Animals page 113-Don’t 3 inches and feed the animals 2

This what the Valentine Mini book looked like:

Recipe book with the One hour challenge

               I have been participating in the One hour challenge thread for over a year now on the Cricut Messageboard.  We have the thread on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.  We start at 4:00 Pacific time.  I have learned so much from these ladies and love posting my projects there. All our welcome to join.  The projects do not have to be done in one hour.  The goal is to just keep crafting and encouraging each other.
              Right now one of our challenges is to do recipe books. We are sharing recipes and then we choose ones we want to scrap.   I am having a lot of fun doing this.  I got behind when I was sick, but finally got some pages done. I am altering a recipe book I got at Michaels awhile back on clearance.  I finally got the From My Kitchen cart and Kitchen stack at Joann's to use.  First is the cover then the pages I have completed so far:

Welcome Baby card with Life's a Party

I made this card for the CC Monthly challenge to make something using a banner.  This is a baby card I made from Life's a Party. There are a lot of really cool things to make on this cart.   I loved the baby  clothes hanging on the line so made that first.    Oops I just noticed one of the little buttons fell off.  Glad  I noticed before I sent it out.    LOL   Tomorrow I will share a really cute simple mini book I made at  my local scrapbook store over the weekend.  Also a big thanks to my SIL who helped me get my slideshow bigger this weekend.  Now you might actually be able to see the pictures.

Butterfly card with Wall Decor

Please excuse all the posts in one day but trying to catch up.  This card I made a week ago but was waiting for my dear MB friend Brenda to get it so I could post.  I wanted to make her a special card for her anniversary.  I had been waiting for Wall Decor to return to rewards but finally gave up and bought it when I found it at Cricut Machine for 17.95.  I loved the butterfly cut but looked a little dull so blinged it out with MS glitter.  Added a little beaded stick pin  for more bling.  This was from Lorraine at Card Creations by Lorraine- Beaded stick pin directions.  Lorraine has many wonderful ideas and has inspired me many times.   So Happy Anniversary to you Brenda my dear friend and many more to come.

More Valentine Cards this time with Robotz cart.  I had to make these up quickly today for two neighbor boys 6 and 10.  I will be honest this is first time I used Robotz and loved it.  I had the Robotz paper left from last year.  I made the little fold over cuts on fronts.  Sorry I forgot to take a pic but underneath I stamped Be Mine.  Then on front I used a little mini stamp set to stamp "DO NOT OPEN".  Of course the minute they saw this they had to open it.  On one the wheel held the flap shut but on the other I had to add a little clip.
Quick, simple and they loved them.   Sorry the pics are so blurry but cards are gone so can't retake them.

Immortal Love Trifold Cards

After a week of being sick along with everyone else in my family with stomach flu I am starting to feel a little like myself again.  I wanted to post the rest of my cards for Valentines Day.  Hope you all had a sweet and fun day with your loved ones.
First are the two trifold cards I made with the DCWV stack Immortal Love I got at Joanns.  The roses were cut from Rock Princess and glittered with MS glitter.  The small hearts were embossed with Cuttlebug tiny hearts folder and pop dotted.   The words were cut with shiny red paper and a Cuttlebug folder.  Love the Twilight look.

Stylish Blogger Award-Thanks Savahanna

So excited that Savahanna at http://svioratomora.blogspot.com/ has bestowed upon my humble blog the

I have been so sick all week so  I just now got a chance to thank Savahanna.  She has a wonderful blog and loves to scrapbook her children.  These give me some great ideas for grandchildren layouts.  Thanks Savahanna.  


So, here's how this works.  When you accept the award, you must:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share 8 things about yourself.
3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award.

So 8 things about myself:

1.  I retired in July of 2010 after teaching school for 33 years. 

2.  I have two daughters who have blessed me with two precious granddaughters this past year (and another grandbaby  will arrive  this July.)

3.  I am the wedding coordinator at my church.   

4.  I have two  Ragdoll cats named Chai Latte and Mocha Latte, as well as an Australian Shepherd named Maya. 

5.   Besides scrapbooking and cardmaking I love to decorate cakes and read.  

6.  I don't really like to cook.  Luckily my husband is a great cook!!!!!! (He is Sicilian and a retired fireman so of course he cooks)

7.  My dream is to redecorate my house someday in shabby chic.  

8.  I have been in all but 2 states- North and South Dakota.

Now for my 8 that I nominate:
1.http://pinkpolkadotscrapper.blogspot.com/
2.http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/
3,http://lindas-nothinfancy.blogspot.com/
4..http://binkyblossoms.blogspot.com/
5..http://gooberstown.blogspot.com
6..http://thepaperfarm.blogspot.com/
7. http://myplacetoblog1952.blogspot.com/
8,.http://sparkymom76.blogspot.com/

New Craft Toy-EC Shape Studio

My new toy hot of the press from CHA.  I was lucky enough to be at my LSS when this came into the store so I grabbed it right away. This is EC Shape Studio from Epiphany Crafts.  With this tool you can design your own circles to put on projects.  It cuts, and then seals circle with plastic topper.  I am thinking letters and words would be great too.  Your own custom embellies to match your project.  Wouldn't this be cute to put in the center of flowers we all love to make? I understand their are also other shapes you can buy.

Valentines Day

On Friday I took a class on using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist and other products like Chalkboard, Glam and Glaze.  I decided to make some vintage valentines using the pictures I got at LSS.  I used Glimmer Mist on the paper doily and lace.  The flowers were made using Mother's Day Bouquet.  I cut various cuts at 21/2", 2", 11/2", and 1".  I used various scraps of valentine paper I had in my stash.  I then made about 40 flowers to have on hand.  The card is  5 x 7.  I also used MS corner punch and butterfly punch.  I then inked everything with Tim Holtz Distressed Ink and added Stickles and some bling.  :

Also made these cute Valentine bear easel cards. Here are the links for the easel card directions-http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/easelcard/   and for the bear patterns-

http://www.littlescrapsofheavendesigns.com/category_16/Patterns.htm

You have to have SCAL or a similar program to cut these bears.  This comes from the monthly set.  

I also used 4 different MS heart punches and my stash of Valentine flowers I made from Mother's Day Bouquet cart.  

LSS Class

Lance from Rusty Pickle was teaching classes at the LSS I go to in Newbury Park- Scrapbook Blessings.  Lovely helpful ladies and great classes.   I also like how uncluttered the store is.  Anyway Lance  taught 3 awesome classes of which I took one.  We made an accordian tag book.  So much fun and I learned a lot. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Lance  he is a great teacher.   I love how it came out and can't wait to make another one on my own.   I can cut the chipboard, paper, mini folders, and tags with my Cricut.    I am going back tomorrow evening for another class on Glimmer Mist.  

Target Valentine Mailboxes

Found the $1 mailboxes in Target dollar section so am making them for my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Group.  Made all the flowers from the new Mothers Day Bloom cartridge.  Cut variety of flower shapes at 2 1/2, 2, 1 1/2, and 1 inches.  Then I glued in an assembly line.  Butterfllies are a MS punch  and added a little ribbon.  I used a DS cutfile from last year to cover the mailboxes. Of  course they are filled with candy.

CC Weekly Challenge card

This is the card I made for the Weekly CC challenge.  We were to make something using a cart you got with your machine.  I used Plantin Schoolbook and designed my project on the Gypsy.  The card is 5 x 7.  The blue piece I cut at 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 and embossed with Divine Swirls or Coredinations paper which I then sanded.  The first cut on the Cricut was the green which is 4 x 6 and the circle in the center is 3.5.  Then  I went to page 69 for the scenery cuts.  I cut the flowers (1) and the grass (2 x) at .75.  The houses, trees and mountains were cut at 1.50.  all the cuts are 4.25 long to fill the circle.  I also did one more mountain cut same size flipped.  The letters for title also PS are 1 inch.  The tag is from page 71  italic tag which has two holes.  I made my own shadow.  I chalked all the cuts and then glued the pieces together to form the scene.  I added a few MS punch stars from white glitter paper,  I added brads on tag, and stickles for flowers.