Invitations

These are the invitations that I am working on for my daughters shower. We are doing this through the Internet since she and her future mother in law live in a different state. It is difficult to interpret the colors through the colors on the screen.

This is the first card that I made using the flower as the theme that is closest to the tropical type of theme that I have in my cartridge library. A simple card with a border. The next day, I created this card using a tag feature with the word Celebrate from Martha Stewart Elegant Cake with all the layers. The scalloped pocket is from Tie the Knot as well as the flowers. The purple color is what I thought was the color. The border is cut @ 1.5" and then punched on both sides with a Martha Stewart punch. A strip of purple paper is added to the center. All layers were embossed using Cuttlebug folders (D'vine swirls and Swiss dots). Details for the invitations will be printed and put on the bottom of the tag.

So the colors were not quite right on the first card so the two cards are next to each other with a shadow effect on the newer card. The one on the right will be the choice.

A brighter, lighter purple, 1.25" punched border. Will be looking for the ribbon to match instead of the purple strip.

At least with the blank samples, I will be able to use these cards for other occasions.

Family Love

This is the layout that I created for the Spotted Canary challenge. It is my first layout for a scrapbook page that I have created on my own.
I did one one other time when I went to Achievers but that was something they planned and I
still didn't add any pictures to that one.

I used Double sided paper from K & Company which I love.

I cut a 9.25" scalloped circle from Winter Woodland and cut it at 5" and used the pink side for the main layout and the rose color was about 4" for the other page.

I took a 12" strip of green paper and punched both sides with a Martha Stewart border punch and applied the lace trim to the center.

The flowers were cut from Elegant Cake on page 42 and using the Gypsy, I used the hide feature for the leaves and cut @ 2.5", 2", and 1.5" with the center circles cut @ 1.25", 1", and 5/8" and attached with a pop dot to add dimension.

The wording came from the paper that I fussy cut and applied after I inked the edges. The words on the bottom were attached using a pop dot to stand out from the flowers.

On the second page, I used the same flowers on the pink border that I used the same punch as the first page and also the green strip on the bottom.
Using a heart card that I made and am using to journal on the inside of the card. The bottom rectangles are for wallet size pictures to be added.

This is a photo of the planning stage as you can see I changed things a little bit from the finished page.

Gypsy Test

So the reason that I cut this card was as a test.

On Tuesday, I downloaded the new update for the Gypsy and fixing is what I have been doing since then. Checking with the message boards on the Cricut website to try to fix the newest update. None of the suggestions worked!
I should have known better by now but the new E2 was on HSN and I wanted to see the exclusive cartridges to that new machine(Just A Note).

After several attempt and many hours, I gave up. Then I panicked because I was afraid that the Gypsy would not work with the Cricut. so when I hooked it up today, I did a design that I put together when I got the new cartridge update in Nov. Thankfully it did cut!

I JUST WISH THE PEOPLE OF PROVO CRAFT WOULD GET IT RIGHT FOR ONCE. THEY HAVE TOO ANY THINGS THAT THEY ARE DOING AND THEY DON'T FINISH ONE THING BEFORE THEY START ANOTHER AND THE CUSTOMER PAYS FOR IT.

Working On

Sick, Taxes, Computer Problems and Easter is the reason that I haven't posted.

I am working on a layout for the Spotted Canary April Challenge. Using the same line of paper from my Easel card.


Also this wool felt project that I bought as a kit last year. I can't decide whether I want to do the stitching by hand (which I have trouble with) or with the machine.

Bunny treat box

First of all, I want to say this is not my original idea and here is the link to the post where I first saw this project: http://community.provocraft.com/Cricut-Community_postst63716_Little-Bunny-Purse-Treat-Holder.aspx She has posted the directions on this blog and want to Thank, SandraCoe. In my Gypsy, I was able to cut two @ 5.5" on the mat. I wanted the box a little bigger but then thought I'd have to add too much candy so that is why I then did the 5.5" size. I did a test cut on a scrap of paper and cut all the lines, then went back and got rid of all the fold cut lines so that it left a cleaner finish. The ears were cut at real size and also hid the outside cut lines to cut the inner pink part of the ears on another page. Still need to add a Velcro dot to hold the flap down.

Easel card

I created this card for a favorite Aunt of mine. She turns 86 on Monday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Using papers that were double sided and all coordinated which is one of the easier cards to design because everything went together. The card is 4 1/5" by 5.5". It started when I found these flowers in a scrapbook store in Pa. They are stitched on a netting fabric and are all strung together but can be cut apart and used separately. They are soft so they add dimension but are not bulky. Added the leaves from a stash of odds and ends. Added burgundy inking around the edges of all the papers. The 0val shape was added with foam squares on a scalloped oval from I think Storybook. I did cut several samples first on scrap computer paper so that is why I am not 100% sure of which one that I used.

The lace on the inside layer helps to keep the card open with a few other layers of paper and using a scallop punch on the lighter layer. The instructions for making this type of card were from Splitcoaststampers

Waterfall card

I do love the effect of the waterfall card so this is the second one that I created but this time I used stickers that I had from a kit instead of the embossed squares. To hold the strip better that holds the carrot strips, I did use 4 flower brads on each corner.

The Happy Easter was cut @3/4" and each letter had the blackout feature with two shades of orange so they would fit going along the sides of the waterfall.

As an afterthought, I found this bunny stamp so he did not stamp correctly because I already used the Swiss dots folder to emboss so then I added Stickles.

And now the inside of the card: I used the green paper to hide the back side of the brads, then thought it looked a little plain so had another sticker with seeds on it and then added the grass and bunny that was cut from Kate's ABCs.

Wool felt bunny

I have got to finish this project this weekend and that is my goal. The bunny is a kit that I bought on one of my quilt shop hops. The pieces are wool felt and is hand embroidered. Very simple and quick so far. It is a project that still has 19 circles that surround the bunny and they still have to be embroidered and attached. .

I could actually pass this off as finished because the back is already attached with the hand blanket stitch.

Felted Bunny Candle mat

While this is a candle mat, I do use this on my table to protect it. This project is quick and easy as in the other mats that I have made using wool felt which doesn't ravel. The pattern was cut from my Cricut cartridges and sized on the Gypsy and then traced onto the back of the felt and cut out with scissors. Felt is more difficult to cut on the Cricut without the paper backing and then it leaves too much lint which then can clog up your blade.

It was then needle felted by hand and machine but I still chose to stitch around the design just to add interest to the design using a embroidery thread.

After that part was finished, I fused the white layer to the backing and then using a variegated thread and a blanket stitch to add interest. I then trimmed the tan layer 1/4" away.

The tail was just a small amount of roving and then stitched and a glue based stone added for the eyes.

Marking the center, I did stitch using the same variegated thread and 1/2" away just to add more interest.

*When creating you have to remember that it is your project and you can interpret it your own way but if time is a problem the stitching is not necessary to stitch as the fabric does not ravel.

Thank You Andi.

She has awarded my blog this award and here is her blog:

http://sparkymom76.blogspot.com/

There are rules attached to receiving this award:

Rule#1: Link back to the person who gave you the award.

Rule#2: Share seven random things about yourself.

Some things about me:

1) I have lived in the same house for over 35 years.

2) I started sewing when my 1st child was a baby which is 45 years ago. 3) I have been active in many groups sewing for charity.

4) In the summer, I love to read outside.

5) I have worked for Minnesota Fabrics back in the 80's and brought more fabric home than my salary.

6) I started this blog so I could show that I really do use most of what I buy.

7) I worked in a sewing machine dealer and taught classes, sold sewing machines

Rule#3: Award seven recently discovered blogger with this award:

Please check them out:

http://www.ncscrapaddict.blogspot.com/

http://deannescreativejuice.blogspot.com/

http://craftysil.blogspot.com/

http://thestampingtree.blogspot.com/

http://owlbeescrappin.blogspot.com/

http://scrapbooknut2002.blogspot.com/

http://slschario.blogspot.com/

I thought this would be something fun to do and it is nice to visit other peoples blogs to see what they are doing.

Easter bunny

Here is another cut from Kate's ABCs cut at 3.75". I placed him on this scalloped rectangle that I cut awhile ago so I am not sure what cartridge it is from. Trying to use my stash of cuts for cards and this worked perfectly. then it was too large to put an A2 card so I made the next size to fit in the envelope that I had which was 4.5 x 6.25". I decided there was too much white space and I couldn't find a ribbon to fit the space so the next thing I grabbed was a MS punch. That worked so then I punched a 1.5" pink paper and put that on the inside and also used the same punch in which you can't see. Martha Steward Glitter was added to match the center stones of the flowers. Added a little Stickles and the butterfly to finish.

Easter Card

Another card made with my new favorite cartridge Kate's ABCs. The card base is the Scallop card on page 52 in the Wild Card cartridge cut at 5.5". The base is the blackout feature cut in pink, cut in half using the other half for the the Baby Steps card. There is a circle cut from George and embossed with the Swiss Dots folder. Kate was cut at 3.75" with the dress embossed with a flower folder from Sizzix and chalked and a dot of pink added to the center. Thought it needed something else so I cut 2 bunnies from page 52 and layered it with a pop dot. "Easter" was cut from Designers Calender and the "Happy"was cut from Christmas at .75" to fit the area. A few extra bling was added.

1st Birthday Card

For this card, I used my Gypsy to get the sizes that wanted starting with the card cut @ 5.5" with the scallop card on page 52 in the Wild Card book. Next came the circle to cover the middle section of the card front which was cut @4.75" from George and used the Swiss Dots folder to emboss. The next step was to open another page on the Gypsy to get my sizing for the cupcake on the Baby Steps cartridge which I found that 4" was a good size. I cut all the layer mostly by the suggestions in the book except that I didn't like the green. I ran the light pink through the Cuttlebug with the D'vine Swirls folder and the dark pink with the Distressed Stripes folder. I also cut the blackout feature of the card and cut it in half so that it would cover the ribbon on the backside of the card because the ribbon was not reversible. Added the Stickles to finish the look and a stone for the center of the flower. Ever so slightly, on the white of the candle I did add 1st and outline with a gel pen.

The Happy Birthday was from Gypsy Wanderings and just cut to almost two inches because the words are stacked, it worked out to about an inch for the words.

More A Childs Year cards

The cuts from A Child's Year are so cute that I just cut several at once and just use them as is. I call them my quick cards. I plan on making scrapbook pages using these images but until then I have made cards. All are A2 cards that I pre cut several at a time to be ready for a quick card. Just adding a few background mats make them pop out a little more. Left without greetings they are good for a quick note cards.

Just a little accent either ribbon, ric rac or embossed with the Cuttlebug add a little extra but are quick to do.

I love this heart and girl for a Valentines day gift for my granddaughter with just the embossing of two different folders.

these two cards had a felt trim in the burgundy color that was added as an after thought. One image is the negative of the other and if you leave enough room around the cut or a shape around the image so that you can use it as a positive, negative cut.

A Child's Year cards

This has been a very busy week so I only had time to create a few quick cards. All the images were cut from A Child's Year and were cut to fit an A2 card.

The Cuttlebug folders were to add a little more interest to the cards using D"vine Swirls and Swiss Dots. I am looking for trim in my stash that matches the colors but this was the only small piece of ribbon that I had. I will be adding a sentiment but wait til the need arises for the occasion and print on the computer or stamp one. Sometimes it is best just leave a few blank so that I could just use as a note card.

Easter Egg cards

The cards that I am featuring were made for this years Easter cards. Love the shape cards but there was not a cut file for this egg shape from Cricut. Last year I did the same egg shape card with other details but I guess I didn't save it on my gypsy.

I had gotten the new cartridge Kates's ABCs a week ago and they had this cute bunny with grass on it and had made several cuts but didn't want to put it on the same rectangle card as I always seem to do so back to creating the egg.

On Designers Calendar, there was an egg shape that was a little different than last years cards. There was not a shadow feature for this egg, so for all the swirls and dots, I had to go on the Gypsy and remove the them in the hide menu. Just highlight all that you want to remove which will be red and press hide, continue for all parts. After doing this, what you have it just the shape of the egg. Copy the egg shape and paste. Mirror one shape. Line up so they are touching in the center and group together, go to weld and see if they have a gray area in which that part will not cut. The top of both designs should line up at the same number. Cut a stripe paper at 1" smaller. Egg shape card @ 6.5" Stripe @ 5.5" Bunny was cut at 3 3/4" Added a small stone for the eye.
Cut this egg at 5 1/2" at real dial size on. The egg stripe shape on top was cut @ 5". That is how the swirls were cut out and are the gold is showing through to the top layer. I also embossed this with the D'vine swirls folder. This bunny is cut at real size at I think 2 1/2" sized to fit the egg. Found the oval shape from my "stash" and thought it brought the lettering feature stand out a little more. Had to cut the word Easter at 1" from Designers calendar and Happy from "Christmas"

Embroidered St Pat's Day

Today, I pulled out two projects for their yearly wearing on St. Patrick's Day. the first is a button on panel that was sized for a white blouse that I have. In between the buttonholes are shamrocks from a Viking embroidery card that had small designs on them. just a nice touch without going too far out because I really don't have any other green clothes.

The next was a design I created in my Pfaff sewing machine before it had hooped designs. It has a clip on the back for either hair or add a safety pin to pin on your coat. Just decorative stitches along both edges of the design and the straight stitches between the shamrocks were cut and removed.

Happy Spring

Spring is almost here and this card was created after such a long winter. Maybe I should have put "Welcome Spring".

The robin and egg was a cut from the new cartridge Kate's ABC's that I finally found at Joann's. One of the hardest cartridges to find since I still have it on my notify from the online store since January but found it in the store.

Using the gypsy, I put the rectangle on the screen from George at 4.25" x 5.5" which is the finished size of the card. I do this so that I could size the robin cut size to fit in the space. Then I delete the rectangle after designing.

I did run the background blue card stock with the d'vine swirls folder and then the green through the distressed stripes folder.

The "happy" was cut from gypsy Wanderings with the hide feature to hide birthday and then the "Spring was also cut from the same cartridge.

Waterfall card

I have been fascinated with this type of card that I saw on "The Spotted Canary" show this past Friday. I went to their website and found the directions on making this card as well as other wonderful projects.

Using my Cuttlebug folders, (instead of stamping or stickers) I cut the squares with the white layer @ 1 7/8" and then the background at 2". Using the stamp die from the Cuttlebug, I cut out 4 different colors and then embossed with 2 folders from the original kit and then 2 others that fit in space and attached to the white squares.

The "Happy Birthday" was a cut file that I created on the Gypsy so that it would go on the sides of the front card. I need to do something to the letters to make them pop more so this will be done either with a pen stitch or chalking.

The top layer square is from the original Cuttlebug folders that came with the stamp die done in a bright green.
As the card is pulled from the bottom ribbon, this is the 2 ND layer which is lavender. The flower is from a set of four smaller folders which are called flowers.

Pull a little more and the third layer shown which is from blue paper and is the cupcake from the original stamp and die.

One more pull and the last layer is exposed which is embossed three times from the birthday folders. I only put it partially through and then position again until I had three celebrates on the square with only the one showing through when the card is closed.

Fun to do but some concentration on folding and putting together but is not difficult and I am planning to do more.

Needle felting for St. Patricks Day

Today instead of cards, I made this candle mat using the Cricut to cut all the shapes out of card stock to use as patterns. I used wool felt for the shamrocks in 3 colors and they cannot be cut out successfully with the Cricut.

On page 30 of the Designer"s Calendar booklet, the larger 4 leaf clover is cut at 3" shadow and then cut the clover so it would layer over the shadow. Alternating clovers were cut at 2 1/2" in shadow and clover. I did not use any fusible web but just layered them and started stitching.

The machine I use is special because it does not use any thread but has 5 special barbed needles to mesh the fibers together so no other stitching is needed to keep the fabrics together. To hold the backing on, I used fusible web and then used a stitch from my regular sewing machine to go around the edge and trimmed the green felt 1/8" from the stitching.
I did have trouble using the regular white felt because it was slightly thinner and did distort the original shape but I had run out of the white wool felt large enough for the project which is about 12". A closeup of the shamrocks that is very quick to make.