Thursday, December 22, 2011

'Merry Christmoose' Lever card

Just a very quick post.  Here is the card I made on for my husband during my 'snow day crafting session'.


This style of card is called a lever card.  I got the file from SVG Cuts.  It is super simple to make (Mary at SVG Cuts gives great video tutorials with very clear instructions.)



Sorry about the shadow on this photo - couldn't figure out the best way to take this photo without one.
This is what the inside looks like.



This paper is called 'Yuletide' - double-sided cardstock from K & Co.  The image and sentiment are stamps I bought from a scrap booking show several years ago, and are by Eureka Rubber Stamps.

Hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas.  Thanks for stopping by.

How to spend a snow day...

...playing in your craft room of course.  At least 15 inches of the cold white stuff.  What else can a girl do but craft?  This really was an excellent excuse for me to finish a few cards for family members.

These are for my daughters.


They are not actually cards, but rather gift card holders - all ready to hold a special surprise (can't say what, just in case they are looking!)

Here is a look at the inside.



As you pull up the flap of the handbag the inside slides up to reveal a gift card.  This is a file that I got from the Silhouette online store, and cut with my Cameo machine (I love this machine.) The  double-sided paper is called 'Yuletide' by K & Co, the glitter paper is by Colorbok, the snowflakes are a MS punch, the flower punch is from Marvy, the bling and "Naughty or Nice?" stamp I picked up at M's in the dollar bin.  Here is a close up.


Fingers crossed that I might be able to squeeze another post in before Christmas.  Thanks for visiting.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Outhouse Christmas Card

Well, I didn't get time to finish the Christmas cards I made for my neighbors yesterday - just finished them today.  This is a very simple card, which appeals to my rather 'lavatorial' sense of humour - not an original idea, my inspiration came from here.  I actually completely copied the original card from the website (with the creators permission, of course) and made it for my husband last year.

As I said the card is very simple and has only two images from the Camp Out (outhouse) and Jolly Holidays (wreath) cartridges.  The 'outhouse' is cut at 4 1/2", the wreath is cut at 1", the snow on the ground are strips of torn text weight paper layered over each other, the wreath is embellished with red Beads in a Bottle and the snow on the roof is 3D paint (both from Tulip.)


The sentiment inside reads "Wishing you a Merry Christmas from 'outhouse' to yours."

Thanks for taking a peek at my blog.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Limoncello Time!

Just a quick post today - my Limoncello is all bottled up and ready to go, YIPPEE!  I started making this back in September, bottled it up yesterday and made the labels for it today.

The recipe for limoncello can be found here.  I found this recipe and made it last year, and as it was a big hit with everyone I gave it to I decided to make more this year.


The label is the lemon cut at 4" from the Just Because Cards cartridge, and attached to the bottle with some twine.

Well, that's it...told you it would be a quick post.  Cheers!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Have a Divalicious Christmas

A second blog post in as many days - I'm on a roll here.  More Christmas cards to go out today to a bunch of lovely ladies I know.  I have been working on them for quite some time.


The reason it has taken me so long to complete these cards, was because of all the colouring with Pro Markers (and don't even get me started on choosing the various papers for backgrounds.)  The stamp is called Keisha by Loralie Art Stamps, and I knew as soon as I saw her in a the wonderful Artsy Store I had to have her :)


Here is a close up of some of the detail - stickles and beads in a bottle used for the bling.  The "Diva" cut comes from the cartridge Rock Princess, and is cut at 1".  I am embarrassed to admit here that I took these photos before I had actually finished them, there is now a crown with a little more bling on the Diva cut.  I really should have taken more pictures, but I was already covered in stickles/glitter and didn't want to risk getting in on the camera as well.

As I mentioned yesterday I love my Pro Markers (hope Santa brings me some more) - the colours blend so beautifully, and even though I'm a complete beginner I didn't think they turned out too bad.  I have to say a big thank you to Enfys from Going Buggy - she was the one that introduced me (via her website) to Pro Markers and she has done some great tutorials with them.  I got my Pro Markers from Carpe Diem Store, they are an amazing price when you compare them to Copics.

These cards also involved another favourite thing of mine to do - paper-piecing.  I know since having die-cutting machines I am quite lazy when it comes to scissors, but I really love the look of changing these stamps with different papers.  Another close-up for you.


Well, that is all for today.  Who knows if I keep all this crafting energy up I may post tomorrow as well ...

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Hoppy Christmas

Wow, I have neglected my poor little blog for almost two weeks (shame on me.)  In my defense I have been busy shopping, decorating, cleaning the house and getting ready for my mum to come and visit from the UK.  Well, no more excuses, and no more putting off making some Christmas cards.

Here are some cards that I have made for some crafting pals here in Colorado, our CCC group (affectionately nicknamed by my husband as the "Colorado Crafting Coven".)


This style of card is called a Petal Card.  There is a great tutorial for it over on Splitcoast Stampers - there are step-by-step instructions as well as a video tutorial.  The video shows the base of the card being cut with nestabilities, but I used scalloped circles cut on my Expression at 3 1/2".  The patterned paper, and glitter card stock is from J's (all from the dollar bin!)  The frog is from a Lettering Delights file, and cut with my new Silhouette Cameo (which I love) using the print and cut option.

The scallop circle that the frog is on is 2", the frog itself measures about 1 3/4" and the Cameo cuts it with ease.  Here is a close-up.



This is what the card looks like when you remove the belly band and take a peek inside.




This was such a fun card to make, and goes together so quickly.  I really hope that my friends like it.


Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog.  I hope you'll come back soon to see my next cards, which I used ProMarkers for (another product I have fallen in love with.)  I'm using this for the holiday challenge that Allison has set over at Paper Craft Weekend Challenge.  Until next time....

Friday, December 2, 2011

Christmas Movie Boxes

Just after Thanksgiving is an exceptionally busy time for me - that's when I realise that I don't have many days left to pack up Christmas gifts to ship to the UK.  This year for some reason I'm a little more behind than usual, but thankfully my husband was at least on top of somethings.  Every year he makes a holiday movie to send to family and friends back in the UK, showing photos and video clips of what we have been up to during the year - this year I decided those Cd's needed prettier packaging.  This was the result.


As soon as I saw the Summer Blockbuster SVG Kit from SVGCuts.com, I knew this was just what I needed for our movies.  The boxes are so simply to make, they are in 2 parts, and this kit also includes a box without a window (as well as countless other goodies.)



This box is cut from 'Magic of the Season' paper pack (Hobby Lobby), and embellished with a snowflake from the Winter Lace cartridge (cut at 2 1/2").


The paper for this box is from an old DCWV Christmas stack I bought on clearance about 3 years ago, as was the 'Deck the Halls' embellishment.


I also used 'Magic of the Season' paper for this box and  embellished it with one of the poinsettias from the 3D Wintergreens SVG kit ( also available at SVGCuts.com.)  Here is a close-up of the poinsettia.


Wish me luck as I head out into the snow for the post office and get these to their final destinations.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

3D Altered Wire Dress Form

Now that Thanksgiving is over, my girls have gone back to university and my husband back to work - perhaps I can get a bit of crafting done.

I have actually been working on several projects, Christmas cards and ornaments, and most especially 'something' for my secret elf (a gift exchange I'm doing with a bunch of lovely ladies.)  One of the requirements of the gift exchange is to make 'something' for you partner - this is my 'something'.



DCWV had a booth at CHA this year and displayed their paper on full sized dress forms, you can see them here on youtube.  As soon as I saw them I knew I had to make one (only much smaller.)  When I was in the Cricut Circle, a lovely lady named Tanya Kostynuk from Stamper Inks (in Shawnee, KS) shared her instructions for these smaller dress forms.

The dress form,, which I got from Hobby Lobby stands about 14" tall, the paper is from DCWV (of course) Blackcurrant Stack, the leaves are cut from Disney Princess - Dream Come True (2", 1.5" and 1" - about 40 of each) and lots, and lots, and lots of double sided tape.


For the bottom part of the dress I used an 8" square of copy paper (when you hold it around the bottom of the dress form it form the split in the front of the dress.)  I attached the leaves largest to smallest to the paper, the attached the paper 'skirt' to the form using double sided tape.  Next I covered the top top with a lot (really quite a lot) of tape and stuck the remainder of the leaves on.  I just finished it off with some sheer ribbon at the waist.


I just hope this 'travels' well though the mail, and that my secret elf likes it.  I can't wait to try another one of these, but I may just have to keep it for myself.

Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Letter Wall Decor (Part 2)

With my letters ready to decorate, my mind was racing with ideas, but bearing in mind that I needed 8 of these babies I didn't want to go over the top.  One element I knew that I wanted to included was a 'crown'.  For some reason (which totally eludes me) some of my these crafty friends of mine have nicknamed me  'smut queen' - obviously if the letter is suppose to be a representation of me a crown was in order.

I happened to find a crown stamp in the $1 bin at M's sometime ago and I knew I had to have it.  At the time I wasn't sure what I'd use it for, but now I'm glad I got it (which just proves you need to 'go with your gut' for those little craft urges.)  I stamped the crown on a 1 3/4" circle with versamark and then embossed with copper embossing powder.  I wanted to put this crown on top of a rosette, and found this great tutorial for it on The Paper Boutique.  I already had the perfect paper to make these, the reverse side of what I had used to cover my letter.  Here is a close up.



I took some Tim Holtz Distress ink in Vintage Photo, and the same Perfect Pearls Mist in 'Cappuccino' and 'Perfect Copper' just to finish it off.

You will also see in the photo a couple of stick pins.  Beads and stick pins have been quite the topic of conversation amongst my friends of late - someone in particular is trying to do a lot of enabling (you know who you are Caroline!)  Well, I have a stash of beads and some corsage pins, so I had to try.  The corsage pins actually have a white 'pearl drop' on the ends, as this didn't go with my colour scheme I decided to cover that in versamark and heat emboss with copper embossing powder.  Then I added a few beads which are held in place with Beadalon Bead Fix - take care with that stuff if you use it, it's like super glue (don't ask how I know!)  I'm pretty pleased with the way they turned out.



Finally I wanted to add a meaningful quote - found this and thought it was perfect.



Here they are, all 8 ready and waiting for a trip to Florida in February.



This project, although not inspired by, fits perfectly on this weeks theme challenge 'Being Thankful' over on Paper Craft Weekend Challenge.  I am truly thankful for these ladies and their friendship (even the ones that enable.)

Thanks for looking, and happy crafting.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Letter Wall Decor (so I can 'hang' with some crafting buddies.)

Yikes!  Over a week since I last posted.  In my defense I have been working on a project that has taken me quite a lot of time.  Before I show the project however, I have some other news.  Last week I was given an award by Angie from Crazy "Scrap" Lady.  Thank you so much Angie I feel so honoured.  Here is the award


With this award come a few rules.

1. Thank the person that awarded you.
2. Tell 7 things about yourself that people may not know about you.
3. Pass on the award to 7 other blogs.

Well, where to begin?

1.  I'm not much of a 'rule-follower'.
2.  My favourite colour is purple.
3.  I am 5ft 12 inches tall :)
4.  I think 'pasta' should be its own food group.
5.  I recently started a 'love affair' with ProMarkers (one day I'll be brave and post a project with them.)
6.  I am petrified of birds (to the point of hyperventilating.)
7.  I am a huge 'Criminal Minds' fan.  (Many actually already know about my FBI 'connections')

Now this is where I become a bit of a rule-breaker, I'm giving the award to some people who have either just started blogging, or who haven't posted for a while - I know these ladies and they are all very talented so please go and check out their blogs and give them some words of encouragement.

1. Paper Grandma
2. Landlocked Island Girl
3. Paper Luving Mom

I know there are only 3 blogs, but I am still really new to this and want to give encouragement to other newbies too - hope I can be forgiven for the short list.

Now on with my project.  There are a group of ladies who I 'get together' with over facebook, and some of us are meeting in Florida next February.  We decided to have a letter swap - we each decorate our own initial to give out and take back the other initials to hang on our craft room wall.  I think it will be great to have these decorated letter hanging up, it will be just like we are crafting together.  Here is my finished project.


These letters I got from Hobby Lobby (50% off of course.)  This is what they look like 'naked'.


My next step was to spray each one with Elmers Craftbond adhesive, lay them face down on my chosen paper and trim around the shape with an Xacto blade.  The paper I chose is 'Lost & Found' (MME) - it is double-sided and so beautiful I had a hard time deciding which side to use.


After the paper is trimmed I sanded the edges and then inked them using Basic Brown from Stampin' Up.



Well, I couldn't just leave it there, so I decided to add a bit of shimmer with some Perfect Pearls Mist in 'Cappuccino' and 'Perfect Copper'.


Then the fun began.....decorating.

I'll post the details of that tomorrow.  Thanks for taking a peek.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

2nd 3D Advent Calendar (Lemon Flower Stack)

Back in September I posted the 3D advent calendar that I made for my daughter, the details are here.  I promised then that I would share the second one I made for my youngest daughter, so here it is.


I made this one with the DCWV Lemon Flower Stack.  The colours look a bit washed out in the picture, but IRL it looks much better (note to self - work on your photography skills!)  Here are a couple of close-ups of the doors.



I really hope that they will like them, they are filled with little goodies which I know they will enjoy.  they are both coming home from university for Thanksgiving, and that is when I will give them one each.  All we have to sort out then is how to transport the calendars back to university.


Thanks for taking a peek.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Baby Onesies - Heat Transfer Vinyl

Feels like I've been away from my blog for ages - no apologies, as I was having too much fun with my friend visiting from the UK.  Lots of shopping, Starbucks and Christmas Craft Fairs.  Sadly her visit was over all too soon and now I'm back to reality.

So on with my project.  My husband had asked me to make some onesies for a co-worker who's wife just had a baby boy.  Of course he wants them 'yesterday', so I had to make do with the colours of heat transfer vinyl I had on hand.  Here they are.




I used two cartridges to make the first one.  Creative Memories Stork's Delivery - Sugar and Spice Font cut at 2", and Easter 2010 for the chicks cut at 1.5".


For the second one I also used the Sugar and Spice font from Stork's Delivery cut at 1.25".  This is supposed to be the 'girl' font on the cartridge, but I think it is adorable and wanted to use it even though these onsies are for a boy.


And a close up.


The third one I made I will admit up front is not an original idea.  My friend Allison over at Goody Bag Diva, made an adorable onesie with a ketchup bottle and 'little squirt' on the front, take a look at it here.  So this is my version.


The ketchup bottle is from the Block Party lite cartridge and is cut at 6".  I love working with heat transfer vinyl, the results can be so gratifying - but I will admit I was a little nervous as I had never layered different coloured vinyl.  The vinyl I used for this project is from H & H Sign Supply, and is Siser Easyweed.  There is a video on the website showing how to apply this product, but basically I used my iron set on 'cotton', used my Teflon craft sheet to iron over the vinyl, and peeled it off while it was still warm.  The settings I used on my Cricut Expression were Blade Depth 3, Speed 3 and Pressure 3.  Probably the most important thing to remember with the heat transfer vinyl is that the images need to be CUT IN REVERSE (obviously particularly important for lettering.)

Here is a picture of the back of the 'ketchup onesie'.


Once again the font is Sugar and Spice cut at 1.5', and the 'squirt of ketchup' is actually a 'splash'  from Disney Princesses Dreams Come True, also cut at 1.5".  Thanks so much Allison for the inspiration, and allowing me to 'steal' your idea.

I really had a lot of fun making these, and I'm looking forward to my next heat transfer vinyl project.  Thanks for looking.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

3D Halloween House - Elmhurst Hollow

As I said before - Halloween is not my favourite holiday, but with  a good friend coming out from the UK to spend this week with me, I decided to make the effort.  So Cheryl, this one is for you.


I made this house from the Elmhurst Hollow Kit from SVG Cuts, the details of which (including a great step-by-step video) can be found here.  It really was a lot of fun to put together and decorate.  The paper I used is the Martha Stewart 'Designer Witch', a little vellum for the windows and some wire to hold the bats.  I just love all the little details of this kit.  Here are some close-ups.






And a view of the back with some battery-operated tea lights inside.


Finally a picture of what it looks like when the tea lights are on.



I can't wait to see what my friend thinks when she gets here (OK maybe I like Halloween a little bit!)