"Bee" my Valentine... Bookmark

Been busy finishing up a project for my daughter's class to give out on Valentine's Day.  Here it is...  I decided to go a non-traditional route and make bookmarks; along with some candy (not shown), which we'll attached to the back.  I forgot to snap a picture of the backside.  But, I stamped a "To:" and a "From:", so that Abby can hand write her name and her classmate's name.  How sweet are they???

They were super easy to make!  It took two Diet Mt Dew cartons (24 pack) to cut out 22 bookmarks with my Cricut.  The bookmarks were actually the "Rounded 1" tags, under basic shapes in the MTC software.   Since I'd planned to use my crop-a-dial to make the holes, I made sure to remove the hole before I cut.  I've listed the supplies I used down below, but here are just a few other details...  The actual tag measures 2" x 5 1/2".  The bumblebee was cut from the "Create-A-Critter" cart, pg. 68 at 2 1/2".  I covered just the front with K&Company "Smitten" Designer Valentine paper and used plain white Recollection's card stock for the back.

Supplies Used:

2 Diet Mt Dew cartons (24 pack)

Cricut Expression

Create-A-Critter Cartridge

Make The Cut Software

K&Company - "Smitten" Designer Valentine's paper

Recollection's white cardstock

Bee:  Recollection's cardstock - yellow, brown, pink - Neenah Translucent Printing paper for wings

Recollection's Heart and Flower large Eyelets

Natural polished fine hemp - from Wal-Mart

Cloud 9 Design - pink prismatic heart rain dots

Stamps:  "my" - Hero Arts Alpha's CL141, "Valentine" - The Paper Company (I think), "stitch" - Paper Studio Stitches

Scotch quick-dry

Crystal Stickles

Crop-A-Dial
Nail file to buff the edges

White Gelly Roll pen

Hope you enjoyed!  Thanks for stopping by!

The Greeting Farm - Birthday Cards

January seems to be the month with the most family and friends, celebrating their birthdays; at least for me.  So, I have been busy creating several birthday cards this past weekend.

This is one of my new Greeting Farm Stamps, Birthday Anya, colored with Copics.  I really need to start writing down the colors I use, when coloring.  Anyway, most of the papers used were from DCWV Glitter Mat Stack, except for the purplish color; and that was just a piece of scrap cardstock (purchased in a bundle at Joann's).  The front mat was wrapped with pre-adhesive Martha Stewart ribbon and anchored with two pearl brads.  I added a Prima flower (sprayed with Frost Glimmer Spritz), which was actually my inspiration for the colors on this card.  A little faux stitching and a simple sentiment, distressed with Tim Holtz Antique Linen...

This next card... I used The Greeting Farm Stamp, Lolli Anya, also colored with Copic markers.  Is she not the cutest thing???  The card is a standard A2 size card.  The polka dot mat is from the Paper Studio Birthday Extravaganza mat stack.  Attached with brass brads, I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock and distressed the edges with Tim Holtz Antique Linen.  Then I added a Prima flower sprayed with Frost Glimmer Spritz and attached with glue dots.

The Greeting Farm Stamp, Flirty Anya, colored with Copics, is just so sweet.  I really struggled with coloring her black hair, but I think it turned out okay.  The card is a standard size, A2 card in Kraft.  Both the red cardstocks were embossed using the Cuttlebug and Tim Holtz, Damask embossing folder.  I also rubbed some Tim Holtz Antique Linen to make the design pop.  The two scalloped circles were cut using the Cricut.  The black polka dot mat is from DCWV Adhesive Mat Stack Prints.  Attached with black glittered brads, the sentiment was stamped on white cardstock and distressed with Tim Holtz Worn Lipstick.

Last but not least...  TGF, from the Creepy Crew Collection, CC Tuesday was also colored with Copic markers.  All the images from the Creepy Crew Collection are so stinkin cute!  This particular stamp reminded me of my sister; so I had to have it...  I used a standard size, A2 card base in black cardstock.  The polka dot mat was from The Adhesive Mat Stack Print from DCWV.  The top blue mat was embossed using my Cuttlebug with the Argyle embossing folder.  I also rubbed Tim Holtz Broken China, to make the Argyle design stand out a bit.  Added another Prima flower, spritz with Frost Glimmer Spritz.  The ribbon is from American Crafts, Greeting Collection.  Also attached with copper brads, the sentiment was stamped and distressed with Tim Holtz Broken China.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hoped you enjoyed all the cards.  Let me know if you have any questions or comments...

Team Shirts - Termin-8-tors

I totally forgot to post the t-shirts I made for my teammates as a Christmas surprise.

So, every Wednesday night, I play on an 8 man/women pool league (APA).  I wanted to make something special for them and I thought, t-shirts...  Anyway, they were very easy to make; the hardest part was figuring out what the design would look-like.

I used my Cricut with MTC software to cut the design out onto freezer paper; remembering to "flip" the design before cutting.  I actually forgot to use the flip feature before cutting the number 8, but you really can't tell...  ;)  Then I used the freezer paper as an iron on stencil.  I used Tulip Soft fabric paint, which tends to "puff up" once you heat set it.  Not realizing this, I went to iron down the words on top of the "8ball" and the "8ball" puffs up, which made my stencil lift just enough to allow the fabric paint to seep through...  ;o  Didn't realize this until I had already finished half the shirts, but a little touch up paint and problem solved.  Shirts need to be heat set after allowing the paint to dry for 72 hours and you're done...  I also added a gift tag made with the Winter Frolic cartridge using the second snowman and the tag feature at 3 inches (not positive on size).  All in all, it took about 24 total hours (in 3 days) to complete all 10 shirts.

Couple of tips...  If you plan to layer your designs, make sure you iron really well; even allowing the first layer to heat set, before you start painting the second layer.  Also, I found that using a dabbing motion with a sponge brush, worked best for me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Cards

Since I've started crafting, I've had a chance to make a few birthday cards.  I hope the recipients likes them...  The first one is for my boss.  He's an animal lover and he especially has a soft spot for dogs.

These next two were made for little girls who were also sisters, one was turning 5 and the other 7.  So, I had to make sure both the cards were some what similar.

The last birthday card was also for a little girl.  I realize most recipients don't really care about what the cards looks like and only want to open gifts...  but I can't help to make it as special and girly as I can...

I hoped you enjoyed these birthday cards as much as I enjoyed making them.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by!

Congrats Owl!

My first official card; made with my brand new Cricut Expression! Yay!  One of my oldest friends just had a sweet baby girl.  So, I decided to make her a few things.  I used the Create-A-Critter cartridge for the owl; love me some cute owls...

Also made her some wood letters spelling "LIN".  Since I wasn't sure what the color scheme was to be for the new arrival, I went with a neutral palette.

My Lil' Piece of Heaven...

Okay, doesn't look like much, but it's my lil' piece of heaven!

I'm not sure how it happened...  One day I found myself at Michaels and just went crazy.  I started accumulating everything from adhesives to yarn.  In the beginning I didn't have anywhere specifically to craft; I would find myself on the floor in the living room or bedroom.  Eventually, I talked my husband into converting our spare bedroom into a spare bedroom/craft space.  I love my craft space but I am quickly out growing it.  Since this picture was taken, I have purchased two more Jetmax cubes and I still need more.  I think it's time to move... ;)