My daughter's Birthday Invites

As usual, my card is fairly simple. No Cricut machine was used. Just white card stock, red card stock, black lettered packing tape I found in the clearance aisle at Michael's ($0.30/roll), and black curling ribbon.  Oh, and my ATG714 gun.

Before I start on the card, I have to say, my daughter L O V E S black! Ugh! I wanted to make her happy by using black, but I had to add color to it so it wouldn't seem so morbid. Also, notice, NO BLING! That was her major request, "Mom please don't make it all sparkly." :( Sad little me, but I obliged.  On to the card.

The white card stock is cut at 4.25"x5.5" each. The red card stock is cut at 3"x5.5". First, I hand wrote the "You're Invited" to get an idea of where the papers would sit on the card. Then I adhered the red cardstock just underneath, Afterwards, I aligned the black packing tape to the bottom of the invite, overlapping on the red.  Lastly, I cut about 12" of black curling ribbon and made a bow. The bow is adhered with permanent roll tape (the red kind), tiny pieces are placed behind each loop and the center knot to ensure no slipping.  I added the invite info to the backside, but you don't care about that. ;)

That's it!

Happy Crafting!

Happy Halloween Card

Happy Halloween!

In a previous post, "My Joann's Haul", I showed you a few stamps I bought in the $1 bins. On this standard sized A2 card I used 2 of them.

Ingredients:
Ivory cardstock from The Paper Company, cut at 4.2" x11", folded in half
Happy Halloween and the Spooky House stamps and Memento brand ink in Tuxedo Black
Markers, I had old Crayola markers on hand so I used those
The black glitter paper is "Black Tie" found at Michael's that was left over from a frame I cut out on the paper/sheet. (The project will be shown on October 16, 2011 as part of a Halloween blog hop so stay tuned.)
SU's Going Grey inkpad and Fiskars School Days Clear stamps- Argyle strip on left

Place your stamps where you want on the page, centering as best as possible. Then add the Art Philosophy frame (Cricut cart from Close to My Heart, using the Butterfly 2/shift buttons) remnant just below the spooky house stamp. Color in your stamps using your markers. Using the Going Grey ink, stamp your Argyle strip along the top of the cardstock. Then, turn your stamp upside down, reink, and line up the argyles so that you have the little "x" marks on the top and bottom of your strip.

That's it. Easy easy!

Happy Crafting.

Through Thick & Thin

I found myself scanning my FB page and found a link to participate in the "Color Inspiration Challenge #8". I decided I would play along and give it a little try.  The colors are based off of the Bazzil cardstock collections: "Beetle Black, Lily White, Breaker Bay and Shamrock". I don't have Bazzil (that I know of, so I worked with the supplies I have and came up with this little card.

Card size is standard A2 in white. I used "My World" Cricut cartridge and cut the ship at 2.25" on my Expression out of black cardstock.  I then used the left over white cardstock and a wavy ruler/edger to cut out the waves, 2 white layers and did the same with blue cardstock I had on hand. I just made sure to let each level peak out above the previous.  I also used my "Plantin Schoolbook" cartridge and cut the grass layer at 1.25" on my Expression.  I used the ATG714 glue gun to apply the larger pieces onto the card and Zig 2-way glue "squeeze & roll" fine ball point pen to adhere the grass.  Using a "g studio" stamp and green chalk ink, I stamped "through thick & thin" to the upper left corner area.

After looking at the card, once I took the last picture, I realized something was missing.  If you've noticed from my last cards, I like BLING!  I love my STICKLES! So I added Green on the grass, Black Diamond onto the ship, StarDust onto the white waves, and True Blue onto the blue waves.  This may not be an extravagant card, but it follows the color theme.  I also like that it sends a message, no matter how rough our life may seem, we can make it through...Together!

Happy Crafting.

CTMH-Believe to Achieve

Here is a card I just finished making a few minutes ago.

Supplies:

• white cardstock, 11.5" x4.25", folded in half
• yellow cards stock 4.25" x 5.25"
• EK Success "Diamond Lace" punch
• Gelly Roll brand pens in "Stardust Clear" and "XPGB-M#554" a metallic orange
• colored pencils, baby oil, cotton swab (all for coloring blending butterflies)
• adhesive runner, liquid glue, pop dots
• Hero Arts large "Cling Dots" stamp, SU's "Groovy Guava" ink pad
• CTMH "Sentiments" stamp set, Stampology "Onyx" clear stamp ink pad

First, I border punched the yellow cardstock and then cut it to about 2" wide. The white card base front was shortened to 4.5". The yellow card front is at 4.25", just to allow a little white to peak through.  I attached the border punch, making sure it lined up with the outside edge of the back of the base. Stamp the dots on using the Groovy Guava ink pad. Using the Onyx ink pad, stamp the "Believe to Achieve" stamp from CTMH in lower left area. Using quality white cardstock, stamp your butterflies from the same stamp set and color in with pencils or markers and blend with baby oil or other medium. Hand cut out your butterflies. Arrange as desired.  My large purple/blue butterfly didn't stamp too well, but I still wanted to use it, so I applied it directly to the card, while the rest of the butterflies were attached using pop dots behind the bodies of the butterflies.  I wanted some dimension, so I made sure to bend the wings up a bit to make them look like they are in flight.  Then, I applied the Stardust Clear GellyRoll pen to the butterflies to give them a bit for flair. Use the metallic orange pen to add faux stitching to the border punch and white "peakaboo" edge.

Enjoy. Happy Crafting.

My Close To My Heart Haul 09/01/11

Here is the Close to My Heart purchase I just received via FedEx yesterday. (I just had the opportunity to open it up a few minutes ago.) Anyway, for $104.00 you get a bunch of stuff!

Here is what I received:

1. "Art Philosophy" Cricut cartridge- the main item/ what I REALLY wanted.
2. "Autumn" stamp set. Cool Halloween stamps!
3. "Celebration" stamps. I'm picturing the triangle on the bottom right as a Christmas tree. And the large cupcake, ADORABLE!
4. "Alphabets" stamp set, good for a small watermark background.
5. "Frames, Tags, and Borders" stamps. Really cute!
6. "Sentiments" stamps. Loving the bicycle and the snowman.
7. "Celebration" (one might be mispackaged) The large Christmas tree and the frame on the upper left are too cool!
8. "Mixed Shapes" dimensional elements chipboard pieces.
9. "Banners" dimensional elements.
10. "Tags"dimensional elements.

I have to say, money well spent on items I truly see myself using.  Hopefully you had the opportunity to purchase this kit too, if not, you have another day and that might be it to get this great deal.

Happy Crafting!

My Son's Book box

This week in our parent packets from school, we were informed that the Kindergarten kids would need to decorate a box that they can store all the little paper booklets they create and decorate throughout the year.  It was suggested to use a shoebox or even a little plastic tote, but alas, I just threw out our last shoebox out on Monday, oops.  Luckily, I had a premade box sitting on my floor so I grabbed it, tape runner, cardstock, and letter die cuts.  I added some ribbon to the box flaps prior to covering them using 1/8" sticky tape so that they will last the usage.  I also reinforced the corners and bottom seams with packing tape so they won't tear off too quickly with being taken in/out of their storage spots.  I had an old package of die cut letters lying around, so I used those to label the box just for my son.  He knows how to spell his name, so he'll be able to find his box quickly.