Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Winter Ice Storm Fun

We've had several big storms hit our area which is really not normal for us here in Oregon! They're calling it the Arctic Blast which seems a bit silly to us as we moved here from Idaho that always have snowy winters. But honestly it is causing a lot of issues for us here! We've had about 18 inches of snow in the past week, and one freezing rain storm that left us with an inch of ice over everything. Ice makes for the most beautiful photos. We've been loving it, going for walks, taking great picturs and having fun, even without power at times :) The kiddo's all had an extra week of holiday for winter break, many shops and businesses are closed or closing early, our airport has had many delays with frustrated passengers, public transport stopping in the middle of routes... crazy. A lot of accidents too! Here's a few photos to share.

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards ~ Sketch 12

Whoohoo ~ It was my turn to create a sketch for you all to play with at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards. I'm a simple girl when it comes to elements. I love seeing what everyone comes up with. Stop by and check out the other design team cards. They're all great!


I was soooo excited to use a barrowed 'toy' for this card. Cricut's Hello Kitty cartridge is super cute. Thank you Kathrin for letting me play :) The backing was tricky for me because I didn't want it to distract from the image, but still add to the whole cards look. I came up with a dark blue paper with light grey flourishes and snowflakes, then covered with a snowflake printed vellum.

Cricut cartridges: Hello Kitty cut at 5" Green pieces are colored/blended prisma pencils. Bow and buttons are stickled in Christmas Red and Patina green, antlers and nose have diamond glaze over top of prisma pencils to add a little dimension.

Scallop edge cut using photo corner side by side, 2 colors layered, with fun flower lace strip over top.

Misc: Prima, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, heart brad

Monday, December 15, 2008

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards ~ Sketch 11

This weeks sketch at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards was designed by the very tallented Gry-Heidi. I thought it would challenge me with all the different elements she packed on one tiny card but as it turns out I had tons of fun and adore the sketch and my creation! There is an extra competition coming up. Be sure to stop by and check out the other designers work as well as the fun challenges this month!

Stamps: Inkadinkado: Beautiful Fairies, Stamps Away: Happy Birthday, Heidi Grace
Stamp is colored with Prismacolor pencils, blended with odorless paint thinner.
Paper is DCVW and bazzil
Yellow fuzzy ribbon is fun stuff Kathrin sent me :) Thank you.

The Cuttlebug Spot ~ Challenge 11

The Cuttlebug Spot has a fun challenge this week... White on White on White cardstock with a black sentiment. Clearly, I didn't read the challenge all the way or at least did comprehend the words as they were written! I think the whole white with black only part was a bit overwhelming for me... so that is all I remembered! White and black! Well, my card has more black then just a touch, and no sentiment, but I love it all the same. The other designers really outdid themselves! Stop by and check out their creations~

Cuttlebug folders: A2: D'Vine Swirls
Cricut: Joys of the Season
Other: Score-It and misc ribbon

Christmas Paint Can

This little paint can came about a few weeks ago for a challenge on The Cuttlebug Spot. I was waiting for the Cricut Solutions Christmas cartridge to arrive thinking it would finish off my work. I am happy to say I believe it did indeed, and is not completely done. I am really happy with the outcome so I thought I'd share it again, now in it's complete stage! This can was made for a swap partner on the Cricut MB. Christmas Paint can filled to the brim with goodies. I hope she likes it :)



Cricut cartridges used: Solutions: Christmas Noel, Joys of the Season, Mini Monograms, Opposites Attract

Cuttlebug folders used: A2: Christmas Ornaments, Winter House, Swiss Dots. Border: Just My Type

Misc: Ribbon, Martha Stewart Leaf punch, yarn crochet to cover handle.

Repeat from previous post with a bit of new information: Christmas Ornaments and Border: Just My Type Cuttlebug folder inked with Versamark pad, then heat embossed with Blue Tinsel powder. Winter House also inked with Versamark pad, then heat embossed with Kaleidoscope powder. The town is colored using prismacolor pencils and blended gently with odorless paint thinner. Snowy bottom was flocked in white, then applied a layer of white pigment ink over top and clear embossing powder. The snowy texture is the result. Snowflake on top of can is cut from Cricut Noel, heat embossed with Silver and Kaleidoscope powder. Joy over top of snowflake is cut from Cricut Opposites Attract, all centered in a scalloped ring cut from Mini Monograms.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The Cuttlebug Spot ~ Challenge 10

This week at The Cuttlebug Spot, we were challenged to use a star in some way. I had fun with this idea once the pieces came together for me. I wanted my star to stand alone... to be the focal point of my card, but I also wanted it to fit in an envelope I could make with a cricut cartridge. This limits the sizing, which at first limited my ideas but as it came together I have to say I really love it! The card is 4 1/2 by 9 inches, scored at 4 1/2 and again at 7. Fold card in half, then fold 2 inch end up and adhere to card front. Emboss same colored cardstock with cuttlebug and heat tool, then attach over fold of card front. Star is cut using cricut cartridge at 4 inches in both white cardstock and white vellum. The vellum is embossed. Star is attached with adhesive and button sewn on. I like how the star is the front of the card. Thanks for looking~ Stop by The Cuttlebug Spot and join in the challenge for a chance to win some star goodies :)

Cricut: Plantin Schoolbook cartridge for star cut, 4 inches.
Cuttlebug: A2~ Holly, A2~ Joy & Cheer
Paper: K&Co
Top of card heat embossed.
Misc button and floss is sewn to card to help keep it together and add some texture.

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards ~ Sketch 10

This is such a fun sketch designed by Kristin over at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards. This week my DT card was for Christmas. It was so excited for me for 4 reasons: Fantastic paper I hadn't used yet by K&Co (I love their stuff), I sewed my card with my new machine that didn't jam, break or bunch thread on me (LOL), I loved the simplicity of the sketch that really allows the image to do all the work for you, and I received my first Magnolia order from Stempel-Phantasien... how super cute is this little lady?! Kathrin's shop is based in Germany. If you're interested in Magnolia's browse her shop and send her an email. She has excellent customer support and is quick to ship. All items in her shop are on hand so no waiting (whoohooo)!
Card is made with a transperancy for card base, paper is sewn on top of outside and inside layer.
Paper: K&Co
Stamp: Magnolia~ Tilda with Candy Cane
Colored with prisma color pencils, blended with odorless paint thinner
Stickles used for some blink on the candy cane and right side detail.

Paper: DCVW and Bazzil cardstock
Stamp: from Michaels craft. Will post detail later.
Colored with prisma color pencils, blended with odorless paint thinner.
Butterfly punch

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Megastamper Blog Candy

Megastamper creator, Beatrix, has nearly reached 120,000 hits! She is offering some lovely blog candy. Stop by to up her counter, enter her giveaway and oh my goodness look at her fantastic creations!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards ~ Sketch 9

Sketch 9 at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards was created by Amanda. It is a simply fun sketch that I finally got to use my owl stamps for! You know the "I just have to have it just because" purchase that you never end up using? I was thrilled when it all came together for my birthday card this week.

Besides this sketch there is a ton of fun stuff going on at JCBC! Karin has some great blog candy available on her blog. You've got to stop by and take a look at what she's got cookin! There are also fun challenges happening all month! This week, through the 7th, you have the oppertunity to reuse / recycle things you'd otherwise not craft with! All the details are listed. Take a look and have fun!

Thank you for stopping by. Here is my birthday card for this weeks challenge~


Stamps: Inkadinkadoo, colored with prismacolors and blended with odorless paint thinner
Paper: K&Co
Cricut: Zoobaloo for envelope cut
Ink: Brown Staz-on

The Cuttlebug Spot ~ Challenge 10

This week at The Cuttlebug Spot we were challenged by Aymee, a previous challenge winner, to emboss a prima flower or mulberry paper and use it in some way... card, layout, altered item... something fun and flowery. At first I didn't think this would be so easy or work. Then I tried it, LOL! These primas were textured before I put them through the cuttlebug. I was amazed how they flattened out and took all the texture my folders had to offer! Stop by The Cuttlebug Spot to see other great ideas and enter your project for a chance to win this weeks prize!

This little tree goes great with the challenge this week over at Bitten By the Bug too! I love their blog and get so much inspiration from all the DT ladies. Check out their creations.





Cuttlebug folders: A2: D'vine Swirls & Swiss Dots, Borders: zig zag, raised part covered with Copper and Christmas Red Stickles

Cricut: Tags, Bags, Boxes and More: treebox cut with fit to page feature, 12x12 setting

Stamps: Hero Arts

Paper: Bazzil and clear transperancy stamped with black staz-on ink

Misc: Primas, jewel brad, Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, angel button and lace made by my Great Grandmother in 1940!