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

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.

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

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!

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!

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards ~ Sketch 7 & 8

Challenge 8, created by Janina, used elements I'd never combined before. At first I thought how could I use 4 brads and 4 eyelets on one card? And how could I make photo corners work with everything and a textured base? I love being stretched creatively in this way and am very pleased with my result. This stamp is adorable. It is silly and so true! This is a perfect card for a man this time of year... Darn Lights!

Be sure to stop by JCBC and post your take on this challenge. We've got some fun prize giveaways this month so be sure to check in on us often! Have a wonderful holiday~

Cuttlebug folder used: A2: Snowdots (inked with Sky Blue pigment ink)

Border punch: EK Success snowflake, then cut to fit corners

Stamps: Uptown Rubber Stamps (Darn Lights), Inkadinkadoo snowflakes

Inks: Colorbox pigment inks: Chestnut Roan and Sky Blue and Chalk: Ice Blue

Misc: Brads, Eyelets

Challenge 7, created by Mada, was a really fun sketch. I love the simplicity of the sketch. You can dress it up or keep it simple and it will still look great! Here is my take for a Birthday card using my favorite Mary Engelbreit papers and a sticker. I feel like this is totally cheating but it worked too perfectly!

All papers are generic cardstock or Mary Engelbreit

Cuttlebug A2 folder: Bloom Dots

Other: Mary Engelbreit stickers

Cuttlebug Spot ~ Challenge 8 & 9

This week at The Cuttlebug Spot we all made pop up cards with a little embossing for the 9th challenge. I love these. They are so fun to look at when you're done. You can find a tutorial at Splitcoaststampers. I am sure once you try it you'll be hooked. Be sure to stop by The Cuttlebug Spot and leave us a comment with a link to your creation. We'd love to see what you come up with!

Cuttlebug embossing folders used: Borders: Frills
Stamps: Inkadinkadoo with Brown Staz On ink
Paper: Bazzil cardstock and Me And My Big Ideas
Flowers and leaves are Primas with rhinestone brad.

Last week, Challenge 8 was to alter something using anything cuttlebug. I chose to alter a paint can for the holidays. I'm not sure if this is finished yet. I plan to add a cut from the Cricut Christmas Solutions cartridge (Santa with reindeer flying over the town.) I will have to post a final results after I toy with it a bit more. Christmas Ornaments folder was inked with Versamark pad, then heat embossed with Blue Tinsel powder. Winter House was 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. This was totally an accident but I love how it looks now (thankfully)! Thanks for looking!

Cuttlebug embossing folders used: A2: Winter House and Christmas Ornaments.

Martha Stewart Leaf Branch punch

Misc Ribbon

Sketch #6 ~ Just Christmas and Birthday Cards

Sketch 6, created by the tallented Simone, was a ton of fun this week at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards. It was my turn for a Christmas card this week which worked delightfully with my little House Mouse stamp! I haven't come up with a Birthday card quite yet but will add it within the next few days! Thanks for taking a look... be sure to check out the other DT creations~

Paper is all DCVW Christmas Stack

Stamp: House Mouse~ Jolly Sailing

Colored with Prisma Colors and gamisol technique.

Ink: Paper Box: Chestnut Brown

Misc: Buttons and floss.

Happy Thanksgiving - The Cuttlebug Spot #7

I am so happy to join the design team over at The Cuttlebug Spot! I have been excited about there challenges since they started. This weeks is Challenge 7: Emboss the Cut! You can use any diecut from cricut, cuttlebug or other... just be sure to add depth and texture by embossing your cut! I had a lot of fun thinking of our beautiful fall season we're having. This is my favorite time of year. I love the colors. I love the crisp air. I love the feeling of togetherness it brings to my family with only one wish that the days lasted longer! My card is the result. Be sure to stop by and check out other DT cards! Leave us a note with your creations too for a chance to win a fun prize!

Paper used is all DCVW Fall and Glitter Fall stacks.
Turkey cut from Cricut~ Stretch Your Imagination.
Cut embossed with Cuttlebug~ Tiny Bubbles.
Turkey has color added with prisma color pencils.
Border punch: Fiskers~ Treading Water
Ink: Color Box~ Chestnut Roan
Misc buttons and Pen-Touch pen~ white for the eye.

Scrap Everything Blog Candy

This little backpack has got to be THE MOST adorable paper craft project I've ever seen. I cannot wait to try making one myself. Karin has graciously offered this up with little treasures inside as a blog candy giveaway. Check our her beautiful work at Scrap Everything and be sure to add a note to some of her projects... maybe even enter this candy give away!

Sketch #5 ~ Just Christmas and Birthday Cards

Sketch #5 over at Just Christmas and Birthday Cards was designed by DT member Tanja. This week it was my turn for birthday greetings. Stop by and check out all of the other design team creations! I love how we all use the same sketch but all finished products stand alone.

Enfys 100,000 Hits Blog Candy

Stop over to Going Buggy and see what Enfys has made today. Here creations are lovely. To celebrate reaching 100,000 hits she has posted some fab candy. Winner to be drawn Nov 9th. Stop by :)

Halloween / Fall Swap Creations

I have just completed the biggest challenge swap I've taken part in thus far in my time as a crafter over on the Cricut MB. It was a lot of fun, really stretched me creatively, drove me bonkers at times, but ultimately I am pleased with what I created. Here are the goodies I made for my swap partner, with details about the challenge and such. All are Halloween or Fall related crafts.

Challenge 1 ~ We were to create 3 recipe cards of foods we enjoy. These were a huge stretch for me but I finally settled on recipes and the rest just flowed to the paper. I found clip art that worked with my recipes to create each backround paper.

Challenge 2 ~ 6 Halloween or Fall decorated gift bags. This was by far my favorite part of the swap. Challenge 3 ~ We had the choice to create an album or 6 cards. I chose the cards (all previously shown on my blog) and sent them in this Card Box. I love these things. A fun way to keep the cards together and finish off a gift.
Challenge 4 ~ Create 10 embellishments using any technique you wanted.

Challenge 5 ~ We had the choice to make four items from the following list: Mats, tags, journal blocks, titles, inchies or word tags. Here's what I came up with...
And finally, an altered item. This is a wood purse I purchased from Michaels, covered in paper and such. Fun fall decoration.
Thanks for looking~