Paper Trail

Creating your own glitter backgrounds-tutorial

2012-02-17T08:18:00.000-08:00

I am sharing a fun background tutorial today, how to create your own glitter backgrounds, these are just as good as the ones you find in the stacks, maybe even better, once done and dry that glitter does not spread all over your project, honest! All supplies are photographed except for the last step which is the Cuttlebug "flower" embossing folder which comes with the V-2 Cuttlebug, I figured everyone knew what the folders were and this is pic heavy already. Choose your background cardstock, a nice higher weight works best 90#s or higher. Smooch Spitz, color of your choice, why am I using a glimmer as my undercoat? It gives the whole background piece depth. After I have smooched I did use brown distress ink on the edges. A spray box, just find an appropriate size for your table and cut sides. I always line mine, when it becomes glitter coated or completely paint spattered I change it. Golden Gel Medium "Regular Gel - Gloss", you can find this at Dick Blick and most of the time at Arron Bros. or check your stores artist area. A small dish for your gel medium It is a very thick paste and is intended for canvas so I water it down a bit, approx. 1 to 1 be sure to mix it well but try not to aggitate it as that will form bubbles. A mop brush, I use a mop brush instead of a foam brush to decrease brush strokes. Apply 2 coats letting the applications dry between coats, Some Art Institute Fine Glitter, I have tried every glitter out there and this is the only I have found that is really fine, I want the background to have a very light look and this gives it. I also put my glitter in a spice shaker bottle, it just distributes the glitter on your project better. You apply the glitter immedately after applying the 2nd coat. Be sure to let the project dry for 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. If it is not completely dry, the last stage of the project which is your embossing, the project will stick in places to the folder, so let that really dry.

project getting ready for spritz

background after smooch spray and distressed edges

getting ready to apply gel medium

ah the fun part, the coat of glitter

your basic supplies all together

side view of the spray box

the finished background, the top right flare is the flash off the glitter.

And that is it! I will try to share project with you tomorrow.

Got Yarn?

2012-02-15T03:40:00.000-08:00

Another Lilyboo I could not resist, especially being a cat mom, ribbon, yarn, string, they love it all. Background paper is by My Mind's Eye "Cherish". The ovals are from Spellbinders, the background yarn on the smaller oval, I scanned in to create my own background. Font on the tiny oval "Accent Dot Writer". Color for the cat and ball of yarn, Copics.

Inside

One of my favorite things about digis is that you can resize so that you can do fun things like using the character inside or as an envelope seal. Enjoy your Wednesday. Hugs

I have grown out of my house

2012-02-14T06:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday, what says Spring better than a baby bird? This is a standard A-2 card. The background paper is from "Bits of Ivory" Kitchen Garden Add-on 2. The tag is from Cricut, the string was colorized with copics to match card. The bird houses are "Tim Holtz" On the Edge die, I don't think he intended for them to be bird houses but....... The little bird is one of my line drawings and he is perched on a skewer all color by Copics. Inside the card says "May I use yours? Still dreary and rainy looking this morning. Hugs

I am ready for Spring

2012-02-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

I am so ready for spring, consistent temps, not too cold, not too hot, the greens you only get in the spring, pale butterflies making love to flowers and fat bees busy spreading pollen and making honey, yep that is what I am ready for. I am finished with Valentine's they are all mailed out mine and other peeps, YEAH! It is after 5-6 weeks of creating that I truly realize I do not breath at my table, well I take in little wisps but not life giving breathing, so I have gotten into the habit of turning on my favorite TV channel "Veria Living" when Yoga segments are one and every once in a while will step away and do a couple of the yoga positions, it has helped tremendously when I remember to do it, lol. So Friday night I have this red flag, my top of the list stress indicator, the dreaded cold sore on the top right corner of my mouth, hate, hate, hate that, stingy and pulsing to remind me I stress out! BUT, I watched a documentary last week on Mutant Bees, oh my goodness, I have shared with friends for years that local raw honey will help eliminate outside, pollen related allergies, 1-2 tablespoons in the morning are a remarkable help, what I did not know are the headways drs. and scientists are making in realizing the other healing properties of honey. They are using it for flesh eating viruses with unbelievable success, so Friday night I took some of the honey and rubbed it on the irratating cold sore, Saturday morning it was not there, so tuck that in your bonnet for future reference, who would have thought it? Enough of my rambling, the card, I finally did a lot of me time, just surfing the internet, enjoying blog land and creating. The card is a standard A-2, the scalloped oval is "Spellbinders. The line drawings are mine. I took the butterfly and daisey's and cut for a mask, masked them onto the oval with my Copics and airbrush, then cut another two butterflies adhered them together, used Copics again and when I was ready to attach to the card I slit the upper and back wing and adhered only the back wing to the card and pulled the front wing forward for dimension. The background papers, my new love "Bits of Ivory" the bees and frame from "Soups On". Did a small bow and added a pin with misc. beads. My own little of piece of spring until it really gets here. Happy Sunday, Hugs

lunch bag gift tote

2012-02-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

I really wanted a coordinated gift bag for my little card below and a candy bar for my friend. I keep these white lunch bags on hand and went to work on one. I cut 2 1/2" off the top and then folded the top in about 2". I then printed out some of my FAV "Bits of Ivory" Alonzo's Kitchen Chocolate paper and cut 2 panels one for the front and back and adhered. I then punched with the Martha Stewart "Confetti" punch, perfect size for these hearts from red card stock and adhered. I then threaded Martha Stewart Baking String through the top to create the handles and whaaaalaaa, I have a coordinated gift bag. Have a great weekend. Hugs

Who wouldn't adore a chocolate lovin, bow tie wearin Zebra?

2012-02-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

Okay I loved the bear but I ADORE this zebra, is he not just the cutest? This is a Liliboo Design, the background paper is Bits of Ivory "Alonzo's Kitchen Chocolate". EkSuccess photo corners and hand punched hearts on his little hooves. He was colored with Copic Markers and misc. ribbon for his bow tie. Yep, he is a fav! Hugs

A Tea Tote

2012-02-06T13:50:00.000-08:00

Hi All, this is kinda of late in the day for me to post but won't be able to do it tomorrow, so decided to do it this afternoon. Ever since the first release of BasicGrey, it has been my favorite. But, there is something out there that has stolen my heart and it wouldn't take much to push it up to my all time favorite. "Bits of Ivory"
and they are digi, I found them on http://www.cuddlybuddly.com/. This is for my hair dresser, she is wonderful and tomorrow she is cutting my hair into a bob, she has been working on getting it to the right length for a couple of months and tomorrow is the day, lol. So I wanted to have her Valentine done to take with me. I did not have a lot of time to spend and started out on a different path this AM, got frustrated and decided to look at what BBT2 was up to this week. I found this site on one of the design team members blog. The background paper is from "Alonzo'skitchen" and the tea cup is from "Get Well Soon", I printed the tea cup out three times, then ran string from the back through a small cut slot and then adhered it right to the top of the tea title, which hangs freely, they were both perfect.
My hair dresser is an avid tea drinker and I usually bring her my newest favorite, which right now is Zhen's Gypsy Tea "Coconut Chi" oh yuuuuuum. But I wanted it presented in a special way, so I made this little Tea Tote (easy to throw in purse or set on desk when working) The sleeves for the tea are the artist trading card sleeves, PERFECT. Misc. ribbon, the name plate "Spellbinders", photo corners EKSuccess and it is all ready for tomorrow. Hugs

Alphabet Series - "I"

2012-02-04T04:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday everyone, enjoy your weekend. This is one of my Alphabet Series cards, the letter "I". It is 5 1/2X51/2". EKSuccess photocorners, the font is QK "Blossom". Her wings are Spellbinder hearts, the butterfly and fairy queen are from my Cricut carts I used about 4 of them and at this moment I cannot remember which ones, I have too much going on, lol. The fairy was colorized with Copic Markers and the airbrush. Inside the card says, "I" is for Imagination, without it there would be no Fairy Queens. My goal for this weekend is to get all Valentine projects finished and ready for the post office Monday. It looks like cupid threw hearts all over my table, LOL. Have a great weekend and enjoy the game for those of you gamers. Hugs

Valentine Candy and Shower Favor

2012-02-03T03:49:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who posted to the wax paper rose yesterday, I always so appreciate the input. After I thought about it, played with the rose on the wrapper, it was much to ethereal and got lost, so I went back to my original design, but I will find something to use the wax paper rose on, it is just too wonderful. The candy wrappers were cut fit to page, it is the bonus cut on the Imagination "Santa's Village". After the wrappers are cut, I then run them through my printer for the words. You get 2 wrapapers from one 12X12 sheet, one with scalloped edges and one with pinking sheared edges. I used the cut only feature for these two hersey bars. The first one is for my shower favors and the second one is for a dear friend for Valentine's Day. Roses and chocolate in one bundle, LOL, the rose was pulled from an old book page. Both roses were sprayed with my Copic markers and airbrush. The letters are QK "Blossom" font. I think my favorite thing about the roses are that each one turns out different, just like in real life. Have a great weekend. Hugs

wax paper rose

2012-02-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to share. I am working on some shower favors for a friends, daughter. I am using the Spellbinders Flower Blossom plate 1. I use wax paper between the paper and the die because it sticks otherwise. Somehow some of the glitter got on the wax paper and when I removed it and threw it in the trash, it caught my eye and I wondered how it would look as one of the roses. Oh my goodness it looks like a porcelain rose. After I spray it with my Copic Markers and airbrush, I apply a little bit of glaze and then sprinkle it with Art Institute barley pink. I love trash retrieval. Happy Thursday, I am going back to work, I have not decided yet if I am going to redo all the roses out of wax paper, maybe another cup of java to think it over. What do you think? Redo? Hugs

2012-01-31T03:05:00.000-08:00

This was really a fun one to do, of course any time I can just sit and play with the Copics, I am a very happy girl. This is one cocky flower though, lol.

This is a 6X6 card. Remember those huge flowers, I think they were Heidi Grace but can't remember for sure, so I pulled them out for this card, I adhered two together but not exactly even one down a little so it was more like an oval. Paper is by BasicGrey, misc. gems, photo corners by EKSuccess. "F" is QK "Blossom". Face was done on a Spellbinder's Oval (sure am having fun with these) and face was done with Copic markers, I then embossed with the Cuttlebug "Swiss Dots".

Inside background w/out vellum

Inside vellum overlay

Inside it says "F" is for Flower Power, may you be filled with it all day! I can't remember if I have ever shared this fun trick with you. I have a 1950 copy of "Sunset Garden Book", it is much loved and I love to copy pages for flower cards but then you have a problem because where do you write? So what I do is cut a piece of vellum (make sure that is printer quality) cut to 5 1/2w X 6"h if I am doing a 6X6card, I then fold it tight to the background and secure it in back with 2 sided tape, then adhere the whole piece to the inside, then if the recipient wants he/she can just lift up the vellum and read or see the background.

Happy Tuesday, Hugs

"C" is for Cupid

2012-01-30T03:03:00.000-08:00

This is a 6X6 card. Spellbinder's large scalloped heart and cupid's face was done on one of the large fancy tags, with Copic Markers and airbrush. Photo corners are EKSuccess and Sizzix. Heart punch is marvey. "C" is QK "Blossom". The arrow is from Imagine cart "JT". Background paper is from an old "Memories" stack. Inside says "C is for Cupid" His arrow has captured a heart." Happy Monday, Hugs

A "Wild Thing" Valentine

2012-01-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

So I began early yesterday playing with the JT cart for the Imagine. My primary goal was to play with one of the Bonus cuts, the file folder. As I was playing away I took a break to do a little work on my blog and my good friend Donna had posted to some of my posts, so I emailed her and told her that she had been on my mind as I played with the JT cart and that I would post my work with JT today if I finished. I then went back to work and kept hearing the words to "Wild Thing" by Jordan Christopher, circa 1965-1966, omg! It woud not go away, so I just went with it and this is what happened, LOL. A Valentine for Donna, to tease her into bonding with her Imagine, the one sitting not being played with, the one sad lonely and wishing machine sitting there waiting that she would just push its buttons, can you hear it call, Donna play with me, play with me. I love Donna's dark side it so moves my inspiration, so here is how it all went down.

Truer color

The file folder is one sheet and since we only have a 12X12 piece of real estate, I instructed the I to fit it to page, however what happened was that the dimentions go almost to twelve on the height but only to about 8 1/2 on the width. So I cut it fit to page, then I scored it on the vertical and cut it at 5 1/2 so now we have a file folder that measures 5 1/2 X 4 1/4 and it opens top to bottom, with the index in the middle. I inked the edges and attached metal photo corners. The skull was cut at 1.5 with the layers on and is also from JT but I did change the background paper it was on. I mounted the skull with dimensional dots and put red rhinestones on the background to show through the skull, see next photo for that detail. The W is QK "Blossom" font. The hearts are a marvey punch. I saw that the index "You make everything Grooovy" was crooked and went to change it and then decided it added a little funk to the card and kept it the way it was.

I enhanced the contrast so you could

see the glowing eyes.

Inside

The font for the inside is ITC Juicy. And with that I wish you a very relaxing and happy Sunday. Hugs

Day Dreams

2012-01-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

I love to watch sea fog roll in, you almost feel like you are in another world. This card is 5X7, the background was done with Copics and airbrush. The chair is an OTC stamp. The backgrounds were pulled from one of the Spellbinders Large Sets. The "D" is from QK "Blossom" Inside it says, "Take time to have day dreams, then make them come true." Hugs

Valentine Bear

2012-01-27T04:26:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am really lovin this little Valentine Bear. It is really easy to come together, once you get it down.
So here we go!
I used the Spellbinder's Grand Ovals, #3 and 4 aprrox dimensions are #4-7" and #3-6", cut #4 on a heavier card stock, then on your score it board or ruler and stylus find the center, then score on each side 1/16th inch. fold scored areas with a bone folder and set aside. With #3 cut with your inside paper, it can be a thinner paper. Cut in half. Take your 1/16" ribbon and turn your #4 oval to the inside, lay a very small line of adhesive between your scored lines, lay your ribbon (about 20") you can trim according to your desires later, center inside the card and press down, let dry. Now for the inside panels, I ink the edges and then on the bottom piece I print my desired words and adhere, then ink the edges for the top and adhere.
The Bear is from my "Imagination" "Santa's Village", I cut it out in layers at 2", I only use the head and the left leg-pad. I do trim it further and then ink lavishly with jumbo java "Dew Drop". I have changed the neck ribbon, it is the Martha Stewart ribbon punch, colorized with the Copics. The heart is about 1" from a Marvy punch. Because I centered the ribbon, I put the bear a little to the right side of the card. Using a few adhesive lifters, I attach the head, right leg and heart. The font is Accent Dotwritter. When using the Imagine cuts don't forget to put a little white in eye, otherwise it looks rather dead. This fits easily into an A2 envelope. Hugs

A Valentine

2012-01-26T05:38:00.000-08:00

This was a real stinker to photograph. This is another in my "Alphabet Series" and will be given to my son and his wife for Valentines Day. Size is 5"X7", the background paper is "Bo Bunny" and looks much paler than it actually is. I had another background paper scheduled but this was sitting on my table and I really wanted that butterfly in the upper right to be part of the design. The font is "Blossom" by QK and was cut from heavy card stock and a book page and then colorized with Copic and the air brush as were the photo corners. The ovals are Spellbinders and the embossed top oval was embossed with a sizzix folder. "Cherish" was handwritten onto a "StampinUp" tab and is actually recessed but you cannot tell from the photo. The butterfly is "Martha Stewart" it hand painted with Copics, then stamped and a layer of glaze was then applied. Inside it says, "C" is for Cherish. And I do cherish both of you. Hugs

Believe

2012-01-25T04:40:00.000-08:00

INSIDE Card

I have been working on an Alphabet series. Using the first letter of a word to induce a thought or action. This is a 6"X6" card. The embossing folder is by Sizzix (I am loving the deep impression they are giving) I pull the emboss on a white oval and then color in with the Copic Markers and my air brush. Font used is QK "Blossom", then misc. ribbon and a couple of blings on the side. The inside says, "B" is for Believe. Believe you are a beautiful and essential part of the Cosmos. The inside paper is from Pink Paislee "Butterfly Garden" The ovals are from Spellbinders, and the photo corners are EKSuccess. Hugs

A Brag Book

2012-01-24T04:08:00.000-08:00

A wedding brag book. I did this for a friends daughter who is getting married this spring. The charms are two rings and charm that says "Joy". The paper is "Graphic45". The back is a "V" stnnd alone so the top can be flipped for viewing. The ribbon ties in front. Love is in the air. Hugs

Happy New Year

2012-01-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

If one deserts their blog for a year, probably they should have something to show for it. So I begin my new chapter with a new organizational tool, my life quest, organizational tools. I saw a "7Gypsies" box using the index cards and thought it was a way cool idea and that it might help me to throw out my sticky notes, I am slowly but surely reinputting the info on index cards and getting rid of the sticky notes, they are a hindrance to ones train of thought. Have you seen these cubes and boxes at "The Dollar Tree"? Well they have become my obsession, I am using them everywhere. I used one for the index cards instead of the Library Box as shown by 7 Gypsies. I then cut index cards "From My Kitchen" cart, I did 12, one for each month and 26 one for each letter of the alphabet. I then printed out a calendar for each month. During the reigning month the calendar sits infront of the index, when the month has passed the calendar goes in back of the index and the whole month is moved to the back behind December. When the year is through I will then bind them. Jan-Dec deals with day to day issues, things I want to remember, important dates, etc. A-Z are ideas, things I want to record as in recipes, instructions for projects, they too will be bound at the end of the year. When I begin a card I either put the date indicating where it will be filed or the Letter under which it will be filed, along with the date in the upper left front corner.

Now that is it for my first few weeks of 2012. 2011? Part of me says I would just like to kick it out of the living experience, on the other hand, it was a tremendous growing year for me. The best parts, I came together with myself and think I have a whole new understanding of me and what I am supposed to be doing. My ex-husband died in January 2011 of complications from Type 2 Diabetes, losing a buddy is tough but I walked through it all with not only our son but also my ex-husbands wife, we are all stronger and healthier from the process but owwwie geeze it was hard. My husband Michael has Type 2 Diabetes and one of my missions last year was to find out the whys and how do we fix this. What a journey, as a result I have thrown out 95% of all processed food and turned my kitchen into a whole food kitchen. There are no boxed cereals, not store bread, switched over to quinola pastas and embraced a product called Wild Tree, it is void of toxic fillers and colorants and will be completely organic by summer. I have lost 30lbs, Michael has lost almost 40 and his glucose numbers have gone down. As all of this was happening I made the decision to rep the product, wow! If you would like any info on the product you can check it out on my web-site by clicking on my link: Wild Tree.

I have linked my Gypsy to The Imagination, now that was a brain teaser but I have to admit, I love love it. No more looking for a cart. I hope all of you had a good 2011 and that 2012 is on its way to be an inspirational and fun packed year. Hugs

A Scrap Wedding Card

2011-05-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is another wedding card using left over embellies and paper from a commission. The background paper by Paper Pizazz, the corners are by Sizzix, the "Love Honor Cherish" is from Me and My Big Ideas. Misc. ribbon. This is a 4.25 X 5.5 card. I have almost talked myself to committ only to using scraps for an entire year and see if I can do it. The only deviation will be a commission card. I will let you know when I decide. Have a great weekend. Hugs

Happy

2011-05-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is a card using scraps and some stickers, and misc. ribbon, it just came out so happy thought I would share. Happy Friday, Hugs

Black and White Wedding

2011-05-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

This is short and sweet. I wanted to use some of the embellishments left over from my other Wedding Card. Yesterday while looking for some baby paper I saw this Heidi Grace paper on sale WOW .59cents a sheet. The butterflies are MS and the paper and butterfly centers have glitter but photo did not pick it up. The photo corners only visible on the bottom are EK Success. MS butterflies were stamped with my tiny flower background stamp. Hugs

Grad Eagle

2011-05-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well this little darlin was a pill from the get go, but it is done. The eagle is from "Stand n Salute", the bling is by Recollections. Photo corners are EKSuccess. Grad Hat is from "A Child's Day" and "2011" is a QK font. And there you have it! The recipient is a cheerleader and loves bling and leopard prints. Hope all is well in blog land. Hugs

The Frog

2011-05-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

So this gave me serious giggles yesterday. First I would like to say that who ever is marketing director for JoAnn's is part genius. Check out is set up as a long line of bins with lower priced items and candy, so as you are waiting you are looking and then you look again and then before you get to checkout you are $5.00 lighter cause you found several things that peeked your interest. That is the way of this frog, I wish I had taken a before picture but to be perfect honest I did not think it would work. The frog is balsam wood and the eyes, etc. were pre-drawn to him. So I took my Copic markers (beware it is a little rough on the tips) and went to work. I thought it would bleed horribly but it did not. It comes in 2 pieces, the frog and the bottom stabilizer. Who would have thunk? Now for the rest of the story. This is for my sister, she is under a lot of stress right now and I have been teaching her a tip I perfected in my 40/40 which is being the observer and not getting involved in all the stuff around you. So I wanted to send her something that would remind her frequently of it. Speaking of giggles did you know that Jesus and Holy Spirit have a sense of humor? They do, I asked them to help me with a verse that would make her smile, yet remind her. So the card says, "If you get down in the trenches with them - you are going to get dirty."

This is the back of the frog and the card says, "But if you observe, you stay clean and are Blessed with Peace. The clouds and coloring on the card were also done with the Copic markers. Hope everyone has a great week. Hugs

A Wedding Card

2011-05-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is a 5.5 X 5.5 card. I fell in love with the Recollections adhesive strip jewels and then the rest just kinda rolled into place. Paper is by "Paper Pizazz". The Mr.&Mrs. from "Me and My Big Ideas" as well as the flower. Added the misc. bow with corsage pin. Photo corners by EKSuccess and background lavender is Bazzill. We are having a rip roaring rainy day and there is snow in the Sierras, hope your day is filled with Blessings. Hugs

Another Grad Card

2011-05-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, what in the world do you do with orange and green, lol. This is a fun sassy grad card. Carts used "Shall we Dance". Font is from QK and the confetti is from a Sizzix Die. Gold accents. I touched the color up some it is more orange than yellow, but then you could not really see the gold accents. Have a great weekend. Hugs

Grad

2011-05-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

Well I did get this uploaded without too much stress, I truly figured I had forgotten how, lol. How can it possibly be May? This is a commission card. The grad and cap was cut from "A Child's Year", year font is "Blossom" from QK. All colors were done with Copic Markers. I did it Carole, I got on puter and posted, ROFL. Hope everyone is Blessed today. Hugs

I am back, sort of, lol

2011-04-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

To you who have sent emails and good thoughts over the last 6 weeks or so that I have been MIA, I thank you. I have been on a journey and it has been glorious. I am still transitioning back to daily functions, although TV has not been turned back on yet and there is a possibility that it will not be reconnect. But my phone is back on and my computer is back to communicating. I have posted a new blog that will explain what I have been doing and you are more than welcome to view. I will be trying next week to see what all of you have been up to in my absence and so look forward to that. Hugs to everyone.

Here is the link to my new blog:

Thanks Bunches

2011-03-10T04:53:00.000-08:00

This is a thank you card I did for friend Carole. Background paper by K&Co. Watering can from StampinUp, frog from Sizzix. Coloring was done with Copics. Happy Thursday, Hugs

Walk on the wild side

2011-03-09T05:25:00.000-08:00

This is another Copic background card. After I stamped the PSX - Zebra Image, I took my Tim Holtz branch stamp and loaded it with Copic Blender Fluid (if you are going to try this technique I highly suggest you wash your stamp immediately afterwards with warm soapy water), I then stamped it across the background, then went in with green Copic marker and did smaller under growth grass and shadow lined with a black liner pen. The flower was hand drawn, cut out and adhered with a pop dot. I left it without words or verse on the front intentionally because when I looked at it, I thought I would expect to see something like take time to smell the flowers and wanted something totally unexpected, so inside it says, "When is the last time you walked on the wild side." Happy Wednesday, hugs

I walked in your shoes

2011-03-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

This simple card is more on the masculine side but could really be used either way. The background was done with Copics. Stamped image is by "Post Modern Design". Photo corners EKSuccess. Inside the card says, "Hurry up and come back, we miss you." Hugs

You cannot dent my spirit

2011-03-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

This is a card I did for a friend's sister. Inside it says "You can mess with my stuff but You CANNOT dent my spirit. Background paper is Graphic 45, the image is one of my drawings, the colors are by Copic. Happy Wednesday. Hugs

Erin Go Bragh

2011-02-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

I have been playing with the cup cake holders again, these are the small ones, you can pick them up 100 for $2.99, they are so much fun to create with. A little hint - dip the holder in water and then smooth it out on a flat surface when you have it all smooth then iron it. I used hot set webbing on this holder and then ironed it to the candle, if you get the candle at the 99cent store you have a great holiday decoration for half the output.

And here is a card done with the same cup cake holders, the shamrocks were cut out with 3/4" and 1" circles, the stamp set is from Hero Arts.
Happy Monday, Hugs

Some Luck of the Irish

2011-02-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

Sending out some luck to all of you. The dark green shamrocks were printed on the cardstock using "Everday Paperdolls" with the cart and "I". Then cut out the larger ones and glittered them up. The tag is computer generated.
I will be posting infrequently until after April 15th but I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and in my heart. Hugs

Oh my goodness I am back

2011-02-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

on my own computer, tech put new virus protection and it even made this fab computer even faster. I am ready for a sterling rest of 2011.

Another I card. Background paper by K&Co., bird cage and bird are from "Lori's Garden", tag is from Ellison die, corners by EKSuccess. Coloring by Copic. Misc. fiber and a jewel embellishment at the top. Inside it says, "Hope you are singing a new happy song soon." Happy Wednesday. Hugs

Happy Birthday Bookmarks

2011-02-22T05:39:00.000-08:00

Cut at 2.0 the "bee-utiful" banner from "Imagine More" cart makes a great bookmark. After getting the hang of it, it is easier than it looks. I changed the colors (but not in layers), I did the bee in a pattern and then cut out a bee just a little bit smaller for a little dimension. I love the "Happy Birthday" from Lori's Garden, it is printed at 4.0 and added some musical notes from a QK die.

This is the back ( it is blank so it can be personalized.)
Then I printed out the bookmark using the standard bee and flipped the image and adhered them. I have mentioned this before but it is worth restating, when customizing with the Imagine be sure to write down your numbers so if you want to recreate the project you do not have to re-invent the wheel. The composition books at the Dollar Tree are perfect for this process.

This is another one. Happy Tuesday, Hugs

Celebrate

2011-02-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

The Imagine is the most used tool in my studio, but each time I use it I realize I am not using it to its full potential and this is now my goal, to start beefing up and expanding my use of the fantastic "I". The background papers are this are scraps, the caked plate cut using the gypsy and "I" from velum, "Celebrate" is a stamped image from DenamiDesign. The candle is from QK. The cupcake was cut using the "SweetTreats" cart gypsy and "I", I then used a Fiskars Clear Stamp Set "Cupcakes and More/Petits, coloring done with the Copics.

This is the inside, the lined paper was cut using the "Imagine More" cart, I then took the "Happy Birthday" from "Lori's Garden" and printed it onto the lined paper. The candles again are QK. Happy Monday, Hugs, Sandi

You Bring out the Song in Me

2011-02-19T03:25:00.000-08:00

Background paper by Tim Holtz, Bird from "Lori's Garden" and music bar from "Imagine More", both Imagination carts. Photo corners by Sizzix. Happy Saturday, Hugs

Birds from Lori's Garden

2011-02-18T09:10:00.000-08:00

If you have the Imagination and Lori's Garden, these birds make the cutest display. The large bird 8" the smaller bird 2.5", cut once, then flip and cut again. Adhere two images together and you are done. Hugs

Happy Birthday

2011-02-17T16:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday card, using the I "Lori's Garden" cart and S.E.I. Chocolate Cherie papers. Misc. ribbon for embellishment. Happy Thursday, Hugs

Whaoooo winner chosen

2011-02-17T06:55:00.000-08:00

The winner for the Feb Blog Hop has been chosen, sorry it is late in posting as I have encountered some puter problems, a friend has let me use their puter so I could post.

And the winner issssssss:

kristyscraps said...I love the heart within the hearts and space for writing! Great card!

January 31, 2011 7:20 PM

Memory Keepers

2011-02-06T16:31:00.000-08:00

Hi there, hope your having a wonderful Super Bowl Sunday. Tomorrow is the viewing for Beau and then Tuesday is the funeral. I did this as a special gift for Lois (Beau's widow), although she is surrounded by a devoted family and friends there is still a big void there. Hope it helps just a tiny bit.
This is a paper bag album/memory keeper. Its overall size is 5 1/2"X 5 1/2" , it was bound with the Cinch and the background papers are "Graphic 45" for the cover and inside pockets are "Pixie Press". The tags were stamped using StampinUp and Yes, my sentiments. The photo corners are EKSuccess and the Flourish is from QK. Misc. angel charm, gems, silver thread, ribbon and silver squares at the corners of the cover.

There are 10 pockets, each pocket has a journal card and the back is blank for a picture or more journaling, stamps used StampinUp and Hero Arts.

I used one of the tags as a book mark and had to add one of my signature dragonflies. Have a safe and Happy week. Hugs

Beau's Memory Board

2011-02-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

I was asked to do Beau's Memory Board, I spent all day yesterday and about 4 hours this morning and here it is. It did it in a French Message Board format, the guitar is from "Indie Art". The funeral is Tuesday, Hugs to everyone, thank you so much for all your kind words. Hugs

Adios Amigo

2011-02-01T04:28:00.000-08:00

My son's Father and my friend passed on Sunday, we were divorced but we were still family. He was very much a part of my life and my heart.

BIG

A Tribute to Beau Michael Boyer

1945-2011

Beau was BIG in stature

He was BIG in Heart

Soul

Voice

and

Self

If you wanted it done, ask Beau

If you wanted a hug, ask Beau

If you needed a song to lift your spirits, ask Beau

He would buy you a beer or help mend your fence.

He could tell stories that would make you laugh or bring you to tears.

He could carry you to Heaven or drive you to Hell.

He was human

May his train stop in Heaven, may the angels welcome him

with song, May he rest in Peace.

We Love You BIG Guy!

BBTB2 Challenge-Seasonal Love Struck 2010

2011-01-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

Good Morning and Welcome to our BBTB2 January Blog Hop, if you arrived here from our fabulous Carole you are on the right track. Maria is our host today and she chose the "Seasonal Love Struck 2010" cart using several of the hearts. This cart is not in my stash so I used "Wall Decor, Sweethearts and From My Kitchen. This is a pedestal shape card. I used K&Co papers.

The white heart and pedestal were created using Design Studio and then an shape card was cut using "Sweethearts" from the K&Co. paper. The swirl is from "Wall Decor" and the smaller heart is a Nesties. Then I used hearts from a hand punch all around the the white heart.

The inside I used a polka dot from "My Mind's Eye" and hand stitched (with a marker) the journaling lines. The background paper is the other side of the K&Co paper. I embellished with some gems and ribbon. Overall size is approximately 6 1/4" X 6 1/4".

I am giving a slightly used "Cricut Juke Box" in honor of this January Hop, so please leave a comment below to enter and I will be picking a winner on Friday, February 14, 6AM. Have a wonderful week. Hugs

Please click here to visit our next design team member Theresa.

Accordian gift box

2011-01-26T04:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday everyone. I normally keep some gift boxes done up for small sharings but the holidays wiped me out and I just haven't gotten around to refilling my stash. I had a birthday pressie I needed to get out and I wanted a sweet box for it. Usually TBB&More is my go to cart for these but I wanted something different. I was playing around a few weeks ago with the "From My Kitchen" cart and had an idea for the indexes so I started there. This is 8"X5 1/2", I cut on of the indexes filled to page on a 12X12 mat. After it was cut I scored the bottom twice to make a 1/2" gusset, folded and then cut side without the tab to 8". I scored the tab with a 1/2" gusset and put eyelets on the tab and the outside, so that I could run ribbon through for the closure. I then cut side panels for the accordian at 3"X4" and scored every 1/2" and accordian folded. I adhered them to the side. and it was done.

Here is a view with the tab open

Here is a side view. Hugs

Keep your eyes on the Apple

2011-01-25T07:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday. My ex-husband has been in the hospital since the first of January. We were kidding around about apples the other day, he loves apples. So this card is to remind him to keep the giggles, laughs and joy at the top.
This is a 6"X6" card, the apple is from "A Child's Year" and the worm is from "Pooh n Friends". The sentiment tag was computer generated and the stars are from an EKSuccess punch. Back gound paper is from Me and My Big Ideas. Stay safe, happy and warm my friends. Hugs

BBTB2 Challenge-Once Upon A Princess

2011-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to BBTB2 Challenge, Lori is our host this week. This is really a busy card but, they are butterflies and oh how I love them. Lori asked us to use the "Once Upon A Princess" cart, I do not have that one, so I used 3 different carts, "Indi Art, Gypsy Wandering and Wall Decor", one thing our Cricut carts have in abundance of is butterflies.
For the background paper I took a piece of white card stock and stamped 5 large butterfllies using stamps from, Clear Stamps, Tim Holtz and PSX, using black Memento ink, I then airbrushed in the color using Copics. I then cut out my butterflies at approx. 2" and colored with the markers. The black beauties are from the Martha Stewart punch, I accented their wings with gold dots. The photo corners are EKSuccess. I used an MS boarder punch on the bottom of the tag, and the tag says, "Just a flutterby of hellos and good wishes, may they brush your cheeks with warm kisses." I added a small ribbon with metal flakes to the top of the tag. Please visit our challenge site and have a Blessed week. Hugs

Balloon Float

2011-01-23T04:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday, hope everyone watching the game has a great day. Oh my goodness look what my "I" did, it printed on a rose petal, this is a thank you card for a friend that fed me Friday, the rose petal is from a beautiiful bouquet from her sister's visit and has a sentimental value to her. I love it when I can incorporated something like that into one of my cards. The balloons are from "Best Friends" cart. The journal circles are "Making Memories" Various hearts, the photo corners are QK. Hugs

I would stick my neck out

2011-01-22T06:33:00.000-08:00

Is it Saturday yet? Yep I checked and it is, wow, all my days are one right now. This morning I woke up with this little ditty rolling around and had to put it to paper. The giraffe is from "Everyday Paper Dolls". The sentiment heart is a Nestie and was computer generated. The background paper is from Paper Salon and more paper flowers were added, they are the ones with the red heart centers, the hearts are from a QK die. All coloring was done with Copics and speaking of - OH YIPPPPEEEE - I was accepted into the Copic Certification Class which will be May 6th, (lol, apparently my months are all running together also because it should have said March) really looking forward to that one. Hope everyone has a Divine weekend. Hugs

Armadillo Heaven-BBTB2 Challenge-Birthday Bash

2011-01-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

Hey all, what a fun BBTB2 challenge this week, can you really believe an Armadillo? Our team mate Krista gave us this challenge we could use the bird or armadillo from "Birthday Bash". I do not have Birthday Bash and so I chose to do an Armadillo and used "Four Legged Friends and Animal Kingdom" to create him. I used "Paisley" for the boot and a Cuttlebug folder to do the embossed leather down the middle. The background papers - the clouds were printed from the I and the map is scan from a travel book. The sentiment block is a StampinUp punch and it says, "If there is an Armadillo Heaven, it must be off Route 66". Inside the card says "and did you have any epiphanies this week?" So that is it, hope everyone has a glorious Monday and equally great week. Hugs

WOW!

2011-01-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the "Special K" ad in the Feb. "Martha Stewart Living", it was just begging to be a card. I scanned it in and then printed it out on white card stock. Added some colorful hearts and it is now vibrating to be put in its' envelope and sent out. Happy Tuesday, Hugs

Welcome Back - BBTB2-Lyrical Letters Challenge

2011-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the BBTB2 Challenge, our hostess today is the talented Karen Pinsonat and she picked one of my favorite cuts, the hummingbird from "Lyrical Letters" cart. There is nothing like a break to get that mojo rolling. Please check out the designs from my team members at BBTB2 you will be inspired.
For my background paper I chose to cut a square 5 1/2" X 5 1/2" from the patterned paper (Bonus) on the Imagine "Nursery Tails", I used two card stocks for my backing. The flower and the hummingbird were cut with Lyrical Letters and the coloring was done with Copics. I then cut the bee charm from a Sizzix die onto "Shrinky Dinks" material and colored with Prisma Color markers and shrunk in my toaster oven. I hung it from my polka dotted ribbon. I also added a little glitter to the sun. Happy Monday and hope you all have a fantastic week. Hugs, Sandi

Love leaves a fingerprint

2011-01-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

Good Friday Morning Everyone. So glad to have all back to normal, I have been busy de-cluttering 5months of non-stop projects. Taking breaks occasionally to create. The heart is from a Nesties. This is a Valentine, the heart says, "Love leaves a fingerprint on the heart that can never be erased". Inside in says, "and your my perp!" Over all size is 5"X7". Photo corners and misc. ribbon help to embellish. The LCI log and heart were computer generated. Hope everyone is adjusting well to the new 2011. Hugs

So what's new in your world?

2011-01-05T05:55:00.000-08:00

I was exhausted last night and was just sitting with Kizzie (the 3 legged cat) watching TV and hear a thud at the front door. So I get up to see what the heck is going on and sitting on the front door mat is a parakeet, I reach down to pick it up and the darn outside cat springs 30 ft. into the air and the chase is on. The parakeet appears to have its wings partially clipped so it is not reaching altitude and flies into the neighbors yard, I rip off my socks so I don't get them wet and off I run to the neighbors, Cass now has the parakeet in his mouth, I grab him by the scruff of the neck and yell at him to let the bird go, he spits the bird out and hisses at me. I have the bird in my hand and it then attaches its self via beak to my hand, so I open hand to get him off. The bird flies to the corner of our gable, I am in pursuit as is the cat. Then up and across the street the little one flies, so across the street I go, thinking maybe it belongs to our neighbor, knock on her door, nope no parakeet but she gives me a towel and I move to the corner of her house where cat is crouched and ready to pounce, parakeet is in a clump of dead branches about 6 1/2ft up. I reach for it and it falls to the ground, I swoop it up in the towel. It's little heart beating 210beats a min. So I am standing there with parakeet and go oh great now what do I do? 3 cats in our house is probably not the welcoming committee it is hoping for. I took an old wicker cat kennel we have and placed it inside with the towel. There it is this morning and that damn bird seems to be fine. Of course after it is all said and done, I have adrenaline coursing through my body and sleep is not something that is going to come quickly, LOL. Kizzie is standing guard and gives me a strange look every time it moves in the kennel "like did you really bring me a bird?" So I will get some fliers out today and see if I can find out who it belongs to. This morning at 5AM my friend Linda brought a small cage she had over so I could get PocoUno out of the wicker kennel, she also brought some seeds, bless her heart. So I will get fliers out and go door to door later when the sun comes up. Have a great Wednesday. Hugs

Oh it is New Year!

2011-01-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

Oh Horray! I am truly glad to see ole' 2010 fly out the window and welcome 2011 with renewed hope and enthusiasm. I have shared some of my "Jeweled Calendars" and I have so enjoyed working with them and wanted one just for me. But the idea that I had in mind required more real estate than my garden rocks were delivering, so I have done some searching for bigger flatter rocks, to no avail. Then I thought I wonder if a plate or pot shard would work? I had some broken pieces from my pizza stone that broke so I rummaged until it was unearthed. My adventure was on its way! I love "Alice in Wonderland" and that love was only intensified with the release last year of Johnny Depps portrayal "The Madd Hatter". I wanted a quick glance calendar for my studio, one that would make me smile and had layers and dimension, sparkle and glitz. I finished it this morning and now am searching everywhere for a chipped plate, pot, etc, LOL. Hope you enjoy, hope you are having a wonderful New Year's Day! Hugs.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T06:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's Eve everyone. I found some place cards at "Big Lots" for a ridiculously low price (why?) because my Big Lots has lost their lease and closing their doors. We have shopping malls (small ones) every where that are completely empty, it is sooooo sad. Anyway, I thought these would make very elegant enclosure cards and they did not disappoint. The envelope was created using "Wild Card". Be safe this New Year and most of all be HAPPY. Hugs

Happy New Year

2010-12-29T04:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday everyone and here we go on our way to the New Year. Hope everyone has a safe and fun one. This is a 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" card. 2011 in the Chinese Zodiac is the year of the "Rabbit". Background papers are K&Co. The rabbit was cut from "Winter Woodland" and the stars were punched with an EKSuccess punch. The 2011 block was computer generated and embossed with Cuttlebug. Hugs

Another Jeweled Calendar

2010-12-27T08:48:00.000-08:00

A jeweled calendar with a seashell theme.

side view. Happy Monday, Hugs

The jeweled calendar

2010-12-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

These started out as a totally different sharing and they were so much fun they became the jeweled calendar. It is a rock, metal, assorted beads and charm. Hope every one had a fantastic Christmas and you are recovering from food comas, lol. Happy Sunday, Hugs

BBTB2 Challenge-Gingerbread

2010-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog and our BBTB2 Challenge for this week. Our hostess this week is Julie Huxter, please visit this wonderfully talented Brit and also our other fabulous designers for our challenge of the "Gingerbread" man. I do not have any of the carts that have the gingerbread men, so this was a challenge, lol. Thank goodness I had some extra moments. During this time of the year I forget how much fun a good challenge is, thanks Julie.
I used BasicGrey for my background papers "Dasher", I love this series. The card is 6"X6". The gingerbread man was created using "My Community", the boy, I cut then trimmed him into the gingerbread man. The candycane is from a sizzix die as well as the photo corners which are a snowflake cut in half. The tag is from a QK set. All coloring was done with Copic markers. He is all set for some winter games. This is our last challenge of the year and so with that I would like to take this time to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year. Thanks so much for visiting my blog, for leaving comments and for sharing all of your fantastic inspiration. Hugs

For the food table

2010-12-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

I am going to a small Christmas party tonight, there will be a table with food, treats and wine (oh boy), I have done these for the table. The pails are from the Dollar Tree and are 3 for $1.00, they are filled with Cherry Cordial by Hersey Kisses and oh they are divine. The candy stick in the middle is from Sizzix, the others are real. Happy Thursday. Hugs

Down by the Seashore

2010-12-15T03:17:00.000-08:00

Another shell creation, this is a small wall hanging, it will also sit nicely on an easel. I love the seahorse charm.

A closer view, Happy Thursday, Hugs

Shell n Beads

2010-12-14T03:41:00.000-08:00

I have been playing with some hemp and beads, matched them up with a shell and decorative clasp for a friend who loves the ocean. I reamed the middle of the shell and attached a small earring post, a fun accessory. Happy Tuesday, Hugs

BBTB2-Challenge/Joys of the Season

2010-12-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Good Morning and welcome to the BBTB2 Challenge. Our challenge was offered up this morning by the very talented Julia and she requested we create with the wreath on Joys of the Season cart.
I often equate warmth with a big colorful, warm, cozy quilt and so for the base of my card pulled out some of the scraps to do a patchwork background. Hero arts and StampinUp stamped images and some misc. snowflakes in black. A misc ribbon trims it off. Hope everyone is up to speed and in the Season. Hugs

tags using a pre-electronic cutter technique

2010-12-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday, I have finally finished my commissions and can now get on with my stuff. Some of you may not remember the days before electronic cutters, I remember when the first manual Sizzix came out and I thought surely I had died and gone to heaven. One of the techniques quickly learned was how to make insert cards and doubled tags with the dies, these are great now using the Nesties and other precious dies out there. Take a piece of cardstock and fold it in half. Place the folded edge inside one of the cut lines and cut. You can achieve some great tags and insert cards using this technique. The bee is hinged to the rectangle at the heart.

The candy cane is a full open/close tag.

The oval is a Nesties. The embellishment on the oval was done with a Memories embellishment metal square, I took card stock and completely saturated it with water, then laid it over the metal square and rubbed until I had a good image, then place it somewhere to dry overnight is the best drying time, then cut out and colored with Copic markers. I added some beads to the tie.

Have a great weekend. Hugs

Gift Card Holder

2010-12-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

Do you remember my Starbuck's giftcard holders from a few years ago? Well they still have not lost their shine for me, I just love 'em. This one is so super easy it is scary! I used 1 1/2" wired ribbon, in the center I put a line of hot glue and let it dry, then adhered it with the "Your Story". The ribbon prohibits the card from falling out. I inserted my gift card tied it up and embellished it with snowflakes. 5mins, done.

You could also use your ATG or redline tape, this just looks professionally done and I wanted to see if it would work. Happy Wednesday, Sandi

BBTB 2Challenge-Winter Frolic "Santa"

2010-12-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

It is Monday, 19 days til Christmas, BBTB2 brings you a great challenge, to use the Santa from "Winter Frolic", I do not have that cart so I used the Santa from "Joys of the Season". It started out as a red blank canvas and I went to look for my favorite Holly paper for the background and could not find it, I know there is another piece somewhere. So I started playing with the Holly Sizzix die and just scattered them about the red card stock blank. I was going to use a real bell on Santa's cap but it just was too bulky (will explain more about that in a minute) so I cut the bells also from "Joys of the Season" one for Santa's cap and one for the card with "Merry Christmas" on it. The photo corners are QKs enbossed with Cuttlebug. All coloring was done with Copic markers. As I was getting ready to place Santa on the card I remembered Linda K from "The Paper Boutique" had done a tutorial on an item called the "Action Wobble Spring" and thought it would be fun to have Santa wobble and jiggle on the card. So I did one, (if I had a web cam I would show you how jolly he is but I don't so you will have to take my word for it). I challenge everyone to make at least one, this card is a riot, I cannot walk past it without making Santa wobble, you can almost hear him calling out "HoHoHo". I will be making more of these. Have a great week as we head smack dab into the seasons. Hugs

You're the best

2010-12-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday everyone, are you all busy putting up those decorations? A dear friends birthday is just around the corner and this card is sort of a spoof on her last name which is Best. It is a 6"x6" card, EKSuccess dot boarder punch did the boarder and the other dots on the card. A bee from "Home Decor" cart cut with Imagine and Gypsy. The font is "Calligraphy Collection". I used Bazzill card stock for my card blank. Misc. ribbon and pearls. Stay warm and dry and safe. Hugs

Reindeer with Ribbon Wreath

2010-12-01T03:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Julie of "Huxter's House" featured some ribbon wreaths and I fell head over teacups for them, so many of you know that I am directionally challenged and I dismissed even trying this technique but decided to watch the tutorial she linked on her blog. I watched it several times, went and got a length of ribbon and sat in front of my computer, I did one, these are easy and if I can do it you surely can! They are just beautiful, how blessed we all are to have each other from one ocean to another to share and teach and inspire, thanks so much Julie for sharing this great project. Please click on her blog to see some of her amazing projects.
This is a 6"X6" card, the background paper is from my scraps and I cut the deer from "Christmas" cart and my gypsy and I. Photo corners are QK. Martha Stewart punch for the branches and just circles for the berries. Happy Wednesday. Hugs

A Cass Thank You

2010-11-30T04:24:00.000-08:00

I have been missing but not lost, just working away here in COLD Northern CA. The other day I heard a small knock at my door and when I opened it, there was standing a neighbor with a wonderful cat bed. She explained that she had bought it for her inside cat but cat did not like it and she thought maybe Cass would. Cass is our outside cat, he showed up at the front porch one day, jumped in my arms put his paws around my neck and purrrred until I pulled him off, he has been here ever since. He is a mature cat and even has a little gray coming through, so we feed him but he has to stay outside as he is very territorial and does not approve of our indoor cats at all. He has made his mark on the neighborhood too, he is definitely a character, he will prance to the side walk to greet a jogger, he has claimed every drive way within a 10 house range, meandering back and forth across the street for the warmest concrete, he will lounge belly up or belly down depending on his mood or he will sit for hours grooming, I think he a vain cat. He loves to pose for the camera but most of all he loves to sit in my lap and tuck his head under my arm while I stroke him. He also has a magical hearing because he can hear a wet can of cat food being opened and will sit at the front door and wail like a banshee until he is given some, what a cat! A few facts on the card and by the way I think sometimes I spend more time trying to get a card photographed than I do actually putting it together, which is the case with this one and it is still a little blurrry, I apologize (I did finally manage to get a better pic and replaced the blurry one, you can even see his wiskers now). It is a 6"X6" card, the background paper "purrrfect meow" was computer generated. The cat and bed (actually a food dish) were cut with the Gypsy, Imagine and "Four Legged Friends" cart. The butterflies are MS. The polka dot boarder is tissue tape. I used Sizzix and QK photo corners. All coloring was done with Copic markers. Hope everyone is well and looking forward to Santa. Happy Tuesday. Hugs

Celebrate

2010-11-21T13:15:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has had a great weekend. I usually post earlier but just getting my energy back, I over did myself, lol and I wanted to do a card with my new "Lori's Garden" Imagine cart. The leaves were cut using the Gypsy and the Imagine, after cutting I then used my airbrush and Copic markers for coloring, they have also been embossed with my Cuttlebug leaf folder. The plaque for "celebrate" was cut with the Imagine from Lori's Garden and also airbrushed and embossed. The background paper is from "Lori's Garden" also and was printed onto craft paper. Photo corners are by EKSuccess. Hugs

Once Upon A Shelf-Happy Anniversary-1 Year

2010-11-20T03:40:00.000-08:00

Today I wish my friend Traci a Happy One Year Anniversary, she has been in business 1 entire year today, wow, it has been a swift year. We spent yesterday installing vinyl to her back windows. As we stepped down from the ladder after installing the last panel, the rain began from the huge storm we are expecting to make us very wet this weekend and to powder the Sierras to our East with 3-4 feet of snow.

What is really exciting is that I did the vinyl on the Expression, the letters are 11" high, I cut with Cricut cart "Plantin SchoolBook", and all I can say is WOW. The first couple of sets I cut per instructions and then began questioning myself on how I was going to be able to install. I changed my cut pressure to 5 so that it would cut completely around the welded letters. Then I took the word with back still attached and mounted it to a sticky (new mat) face down. At this time I removed the protective backing to reveal the adhesive and I then adhered them to the outside using the mat as my installer, pressed the mat to the window and vigorously rubbed the back with a large bone folder, then very slowly pulled the mat from the window leaving the word.
It took 3 of us to install, one inside to insure the placement was correct, one to hold the back of the ladder and then myself.

This is one of the words on the mat as I am removing the excess areas and before I flipped it face down for installation. Hope you have a great weekend. Happy Saturday, Hugs

A Tailored Happy Birthday

2010-11-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

I did a birthday card for a friends birthday which is fast approaching. She is a no-nonsense - beautiful woman, I wanted something very tailored yet with a fem fingerprint. This is a 6"X6" card, 3 layers, the ribbon from "Sweethearts" is one of my favorite ribbons, I printed it first on the patterned paper then cut it three times using the Imagine and layered it on the card, added a few highlights and shadows and used some pop dots to mount it to the paper. Printing the ribbon first on the pp gives it a very subtle addition of dimension. The tag was colored with Copics and then run through the computer. We are getting ready for a huge Winter storm to roll through - dumping feet of snow into the Sierras and leaving us wet wet wet here in the valley through the entire weekend, brrrrrr, where is that rain coat, lol. Have a great Friday, Hugs

Reindeer

2010-11-18T07:04:00.000-08:00

I spent most of yesterday watching and experimenting with Linda K's tutorial at "The Paper Boutique", if you have the Imagine it is well worth taking the time to watch, it allows you to position any of the "I" images exactly where you want them, WOW! This is an A-2 card. The poinsettia's are from the Imagine "Snow Angels" cart and were printed directly to my paper, the deer is cut from "Joys of the Season". A little tip, if you come up with a formula you really like I suggest you write down the numbers (because you cannot save it, yet) down, it will save you hours of trying to replicate it later. Happy Thursday, Sandi

Oh Alice-A Tea Party Challenge

2010-11-16T04:59:00.000-08:00

It is time for a Tea Party over at the "Oh Alice Challenge", I took time to play, just cause it makes me happy!
This is a 6"X6" card, Bazzill card stock and bits and pieces from Graphic45. The tea party invitation was printed and cut with the Imagination. The tree is from "October31st" Cricut cart. The watch was cut with a Nesties. The black block and heart on the Mad Hatter's Hat covers up 10/31. The sentiments are a StampinUp punch and then Is it time yet? and curiouser & curiouser were computer generated. The moon is a 2" circle. And every thing is a little lopsided because that is how it is in Wonderland. Happy Tuesday, Hugs

BBTB2 Challenge-Thanksgiving Cart

2010-11-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

Good Morning our BBTB2 Challenge today was to use the word "Thank" from the Thanksgiving cart, I chose to use the "Thankful Heart". Our Challenge is hosted by the marvelous Donna M today. This is a 6"x6" card. So much of my work lately has been experimental as I acclimate myself to the "Imagine", it adds an edge of excitement because to be perfectly honest sometimes I have no idea what will come of a project. When I printed and cut the focal piece (the "Meow" girl) from "Best Friends" Imagine cart the only thing I was sure of was that I did not like the lighter highlighting around her and I did not want "Meow" on her T-shirt. I was hoping with fingers crossed that the Copic markers would take care of those two issues and they DID. Here are the colors I used: B18;B97;E07;E53;R20 and 110. I gave her wonderful puffy cheeks a bit of blush and highlighted with some white and added a gem to her hair bow. She has been cut twice and used a pop up to give some dimension. The background papers were printed from "Best Friends" and "Imagine More". EKSuccess for the photo corners, the leaves were punched from a Martha Stewart punch and then distressed, some were embossed and all were stamped with a leaf stamp to give veining. The small heart on her T-shirt is a QK die.
Lastly I would like to share some of the things I am Thankful for this year, I am thankful for friends near and far, I am thankful for my health and health of my loved ones. I am thankful to be an American, God Bless our Home. I am so thankful for my blog and the opportunity to share and to be inspired by so many talented men and women. Bless each of you and thanks for visiting here, leaving comments and being you. Hugs and Happy Monday, Sandi

Joy

2010-11-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

I created this card specifically to show the "joy" cut with the "Joys of the Season" cart my Expression and the Imagine housing, it is amazing to me for some reason. First I printed from the Imagine a block onto the cardstock at 5", I then print and from "Snow Angel" and the internal icon onto card stock. I added a snowflake from "snow angel" and photocorners are EKSuccess.

this is the joy I cut with the Expression and the metal cut housing that came with the Expression and the reason before this I have not cut small 1 1/8th inch and/or cursive fonts with my Expression, so I am going to see if I can find an Imagine housing for my Expression. Just thought I would share. Hugs

A Christmas Village

2010-11-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

I saw an advertisement from "Avery" last week in the new Martha Stewart Living and it captured my attention, so I decided to see what I could do with the Cricut markers and Cricut carts "Winter Wonderland" and "Joys of the Season". I placed the church and 2 houses on my mat and the tree without welding, then cut with my "red" Cricut marker. The stamped "Season's Greetings" is a StampinUp stamp. Misc. ribbon and a little snow on the bottom. The primitive feeling appeals to me.

Here is the card from the "Avery" ad. Have a happy Sunday, Hugs

Banner Birthday

2010-11-13T04:10:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday everyone. I hope you all are loving "Ornamental Iron" as much as I am, what a fab cart. I can see this as being a staple in my collection. This card is 5"X7", I printed out the banner from Imagine "Imagine More" cart onto a linen block and then fringed it. I then used my Spellbinder's font for HAPPY and then cut "Happy Birthday" from Cricut cart "Birthday Celebrations". The side swirls are from "Ornamental Iron". EK Success photo corners and misc. polka dots and squares finish it off. This would be more of a masculine birthday card, always need more of those in my stash. Hope you have a great weekend. Hugs

Believe

2010-11-12T05:57:00.000-08:00

Good Morning, Friday? LOL, yes it is, hope everyone has a great weekend. It is a brisk 36 degrees in N CA this morning, brrrrr! But beautiful crystal clear skies as we begin to get light, I love the twinklies in the morning sky they look like they are waving good bye.
This is a standard A-2 card, I love the ability with the Imagine to print directly to my card stock, it gives the illusion that there is more depth than there really is when you can print on your cs. I used triple photo corners QK and EKSuccess and some of my favorite "Bee" ribbon. Stay warm, stay happy, Hugs

creating envelope seals for your Christmas envelopes/Imagine

2010-11-11T10:18:00.000-08:00

I love the way envelope seals look, especially during the holidays, so I pulled out my linen bookbinding tape to see if it would take the Imagine Ink, oh boy, did it ever. You can see a strip of the tape at the top of the envelope printed out. I then punched this snowflake out with the Martha Stewart Seal punch, then you just moisten the back like you would any regular envelope and apply. I used the Imagine "Snow Angel" cart for the seals and "Imagine More" for the envelope - fill to page for a standard A-2 envelope.

And here is a matching card - oh my goodness with almost no embellishment, I printed the snowflakes out with the Imagine "Snow Angel" and the Merry Christmas was "WordArt" computer generated, I did add a ribbon, ROFL. Hugs, Happy Thursday, Hugs

Good For One-"Oh Alice" Challenge

2010-11-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I have been a little off the last couple of months, just down in the dumps some and totally frustrated, things breaking, not working, late, grrrrrrrrrrr! Yesterday I woke up and said to myself, the Imagine and Gypsy are going to get synced and work together or else. So I spent the day with them both and OH MY GOODNESS, I did it! They are communicating and what a difference it has made, I really like it when stuff works and when it exceeds my expectations - well - I just love it. I can truly say that the "Imagine" has exceeded my expectations, not only is the precision of the cuts right on but it cut my .22mm chipboard like butter without the deep cut blade. To have everything right there - no flipping carts - it is just pure pleasure. I have not participated in "Oh Alice" in a while, just have not had the time and oh how I love that Challenge, but I did it for this week. So I will roll the credits:
My patterned papers are BasicGrey, my corners are actually the 4 of hearts playing card cut with a heart punch and then distressed. My cake ad and the Cheshire are from Graphic45. The frame was cut from "Black Letter" cart. The cake and "Piece of Cake" are from the Imagine "Imagine More" cart. My ticket is from an Ellison die and was computer generated, then sprayed with my airbrush and Copics. Misc. ribbon and crystals. I hope everyone is having a greate week. Happy Wednesday, Hugs

BBTB2 Challenge-Create a Critter

2010-11-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

Monday and time for a BBTB2 challenge, again I do not have "Create a Critter" cart, oh my. I loaded my 12X12 mat and went to keyword and typed in "dog" and just started putting dogs on my mat, when I saw the dog from "Pooh n Friends" I did not remember ever seeing him and my first thought was he was the ugliest dog I had ever seen, I had about 8 dogs on my mat and I kept going back to this one, he began to grow on me. This twist (a little pun intended) on an advent calendar has been on my mind since the first of the year. One of the top negative feedback I get back on my yearly advent calendar is that "I've lost a piece, why don't you make one without pieces?" This has been going on for several years and each January I always say okay I am going to design an advent calendar without pieces. The design idea came to me while watching "Alice" and I wrote it down but did not do anything with the idea til last week.
I cut the clock face and hands from the "French Manor" cart at 5.5", the font for the numbers is 1/2" and is a spellbinder's font. The small hand is permanently affixed and the large hand is raised up so that it rotates around and over the dog and his wreath. The hands are secured to the cardstock with a Tim Holtz large brad. The holly under the hands is a Sizzix die. The pups wreath is QK and embellished with the MS branch punch. Photo corners are QK. The card sits on one of "Fleur d Lis" card displays, "ticking down the days" is a spellbinder's font. Coloring was done with Copic markers and background paper for the clock was printed with the Imagine.

I even did a little ditty for the inside earlier this year. If you have any questions please ask away. Have a great week. Hugs

Distressed Embossing-Simple Joys

2010-11-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

I am still playing with the embossing element. This card was embossed on the light side of a "Core Color" card stock, I embossed it 3 times with the Cricut Expression and "Straight From the Nest" cart. It has a geometric shappy chic feel to it. I then sanded it and embellished with polka dots punched from an EK Success punch (I love this punch as it gives about 4 or 5 different sizes of polka dots), Spellbinder's Nesties and the little word blocks were printed and cut with the Imagine (I used RGB codes to match the color perfectly to the red cardstock). Photo corners are also by EK Success. The color inspiration came from a card Donna M. did a week or so ago, these colors have such a wonderful punch. I have some navy blue I am thinking of doing a snowflake. Happy Sunday, Hugs. Sandi

Tweets

2010-11-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday, we are dry here in N CA for now but it is moving in, I can feel it in my bones, lol. I received two new toys this week, one is the wonderful embossing element from Amy Chomas and the other is the Imagine "Bloom" cart. The background paper for this card was printed using the "Bloom" cart, I then embossed on a piece of velum and layered it on top of the background paper, it gives this fantastic paper a little bit of a misty feel. I then took a 3"x3" square cut it on the diagonal and positioned it in the upper right hand corners. On the left side I used a 1"X6" panel. I punch butterflies from the MS butterfly punch and then added rose gold metal photo corners. I really like the contrast of the misty velum and the card stock on top. I punched the word block with a StampinUp punch and "Tweets" was computer generated.
I am submitting this for the Cricut Circle Blog Challenge this week, "All about Feathers". Hope everyone has a great weekend. Hugs

Card Display-Sweethearts cart

2010-11-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday, oh how the days are flying. I display a lot of my cards and am always looking for a new card display, so I put my noggin to it and came up with this - this is my prototype so it is not fussied up, but I will have one soon as I am working on a very special Christmas card. This is the Fleur D Lis cut at 11.649wide and 10.989high or you can just fill a 12"X12" mat. I do a lot of 6"X6" cards, if you do basically an A-2 card which is 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" you could make it smaller. I cut it twice once with my deep blade from chipboard and once with my regular blade from white card stock. Adhered the two together. I then scored at the base and folded it up, scored the 2 of the 3 flowers both flaps fold up. The two arms fold behind and then up to create the stand in the back. I will try to do a step by step soon.

Here it is holding the card. Have a great day as we again head into another wet weekend here in Northern CA. Hugs

Nothing quite like an Old Bat

2010-11-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

I haven't dressed up for Halloween in a lot of years but this year I received a wonderful pair of bat socks from my friend Carole, I found a T-shirt at Wal-Mart with bats all over it so I decided to dress up all day as an "Old Bat" it did need a little clarification so I did this pin for the T-shirt, LOL. The bat was cut 4 times form "Oct31st" and the word block is from a MS punch, it says "There is no Bat quite Like an Old Bat". I then used different findings and o-rings and put a closure pin on the back of the bat. Happy Wednesday. Hugs

Blessings Gobble Gobble

2010-11-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday All - yesterday Lori at "Elvie Studio" posted a great tutorial on how to do this card, the smaller top section opens out and then you lift up the under section for the inside and message, it is soooo easy to do, I just love them, so thought I would share. The card over all measures out as an A-2 card. I used scraps for my backgrounds, some imaginesce, bazzill and I think crate paper and not sure about the inside. The turkey was cut with Cricut cart "Stretch Your Imagination", I first fill colored in with a the lighter yellow on "Best Friends" and then cut, I then shadowed and colored with the Copic markers. "Blessings is a "Spellbinder's" font, misc. ribbon, that does it for the front.

This is the inside portion, there is a white panel you cannot see on the left which is the outside yellow cover, you will understand more if you watch the video. "to you and yours" was computer generated and "gobble gobble" was cut with "Animal Kingdom" The backside head of the turkey was also colored with Copic markers. Have a great week, hugs

BBTB2 Challenge - Flourished Christmas Tree

2010-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Monday and the BBTB2 Challenge this week was to use the Flourish from the "Cindy Lou" cart, I did not have that cart (geeze how can one not have that cart? LOL) so I used the flourish from Cricut cart "Calligraphy Collection". And where is my flourish? It is wrapped around the Christmas tree as its garland. I used brown textured card stock by Bazzill and the panel on the left is from scraps. The tree was cut with the Imagine from pp on "Snow Angel" and the little bird is also from Snow Angel, I just gave him a little bigger beak and eye. The bazillion stars were punched from a MS punch, the snow flakes were a Marvey punch and an MS punch. The infamous branch punch by MS was also used. "Merry Christmas" is a StampinUp stamp.
We won't even go into the time it took to triple layer those snowflakes or put stars on the flourish (LOL) but it was all worth it in the end. Hope every one is coming off their sugar high from yesterday, well maybe it is a little soon, have a great week and Happy Monday. Hugs

Things that go bump in the night - snippettes from a Witches Journal

2010-10-31T03:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween all my friends old and new and those I have yet to met. Hope everyone has a fun, safe Halloween filled with treats and some tricks. This is a 6"X6" card. The moon was cut from Cricut cart "Oct 31st", The bats are MS and the photo corners are QK. The socks are from a Spellbinder's die. The background paper is from one of my favorite shirts I scanned in. Colors by Copic markers. From here we slide into the Holiday seasons. Hugs

Star Gift Hang Tag - Smiley Cards

2010-10-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

I was one of the very lucky people chosen t receive the first download of the Gypsy Cart Promotion (wow what a sharing 6 fonts) yesterday. This morning I printed double sided from the Imagine and then cut out six of these cuties on 3" from my Gypsy on the Expression, to use as gift hang tags. The punched snowflakes are from a MS punch. "merry Christmas" is a "Hero Arts" stamp.

This is the inside, there is repositionable adhesive on the black ribbon at the top of the star, it really works and you cannot see it. I use the "Repositonable Craft Stick" by Scotch.

Chistmas Cards

2010-10-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

These are my favorite Christmas cards so far. I printed out 3 panels on my 6"X6" card stock, then placed the tree from Cricut cart "Stretch Your Imagination" on my Imagine board, flooded with the pattern. The photo corners are QK, The black snowflakes are from a Marvey punch and the blue ones are from an MS punch, the blue circles and middle embellie are from a MS punch also.

This one was done the same way just a little different configuaration and colors. The "merry Christmas" stamp is from a "Hero Arts" stamp set. Happy Friday, Hugs

3 ReinDeer

2010-10-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday, I am so so so in love with this Imagine, it expands and enhances my studio more and more each day. I literally dreamed this card all night, yesterday I pulled out some embellishments from last year that I wanted to finish up and use this year. The reindeer were from an after Christmas sale, I kept looking at them yesterday and realized they needed a very specialized paper, I had a few 2 toned sheets in my stash but nothing worked. In my dream I kept printing out these two tone sheets but of course there was no memory of specifics in my brain from the dream, just the memory of doing them. So I have been playing with sizes, carts etc. since 3AM and here is what I came up with, I am kind of excited about the process. I used the George Basic Shapes cart and placed it on the board, resized it to 7 (there is a bit of bleed over the top to the back) which kinda looks cool but may play around with the sizing a bit, definitely want it to go all the way to the top, then placed another one, then flooded one with dark green and the other with this pattern from "snow angel". Embossed the side with a boarder Cuttlebug folder and placed the reindeer. Size is 6"X6" Happy Creating, Hugs

Merry Christmas

2010-10-27T03:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday - "Snow Angel" and "Imagine More" carts were used for this card. The craft paper envelope was cut from "Imagine More" and the fawn and bird are from "Snow Angel". The back ground paper was embossed with the "Joy" Sizzix folder, Merry Christmas was stamped with a Memories stamp set. Photo corners are by QK. Have a great day as you start sliding into Halloween weekend. Hugs

Enclosure cards and envelopes/Imagine

2010-10-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

For those of you that have the Imagine, have you seen this envelope on the "Imagine More" cart? I printed and cut it out at 5.5" the final measurements are approx. 3"X2 1/4", I then designed a card for the envie. Putting 6 or 12 of these in a sweet see through bag - what a fantastic stocking stuffer for your favorite gift giver. Hugs

Blessings - A Thanksgiving Card

2010-10-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

Tuesday greetings everyone. A standard a-2 card today. The background was done printing from the Imagine onto pastel yellow cardstock with "Imagine More" cart. The background block also the Imagine and is stamped with a background stamp by JudiKins. The sentiment block was embossing with a Cuttlebug boarder folder, and embellished with a gem. "Blessings to you" was computer generated. Photo corners are also Imagine. Have a great day. Hugs

Happy Birthday Card

2010-10-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, a 6"X6" card this morning with great big juicy photo corners by Sizzix, the were cut on turquoise card stock and then stamped with a background stamp and I added a gem to each. Background paper was printed from "Imagine and More" cart onto pastel yellow cardstock. "Happy Birthday" is a stamped image. The two sentiment blocks and butterfly are also from the "Imagine More" cart. Misc. ribbon.
We got rain yesterday, boy did we get rain but all is quiet this morning. Hope you have a great week. Hugs

changing the color of patterned papers

2010-10-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

I know two posts this morning, but this was worth posting for. I know one of the updates I am waiting for PC to do for the Imagine is giving us the option to change the colors on patterned papers, but until that happens here is a fun way to alter those colors, it is best done with 2 color patterns. I used the barn red checks on "Imagine More" cart and printed full page using yellow pastel 12"X12" paper from a Wal-Mart stack, so if you use blue you will get a violet/gray with orange and if you use green you will get a taupy/green with organe color, etc. etc. There is so much fun with this machine - hope you have some today. Hugs

Imagine Note Cards

2010-10-24T04:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday Morning, it is cool and wet here in NCA and we are expecting a whooper of a storm to move through bringing winds and more rain, a great stay in and stay warm day. Yesterday I played with the butterfly on the "Imagine More" cart, experimenting with different elements. One of the slickest parts of the Imagine images is the ability to print and resize the parts for printing and cutting in different sizes. The first card was punched with the MS lattice boarder punch, the photo corners are QK. The label sentiment was computer generated, the butterflies are layered to give the card a little dimension.

The second card also used the MS lattice boarder punch and a Cuttlebug embossing folder. "Merci" is a stamped image and I added some tiny red berries to the branches. Both of these done on white cardstock to give it a crisp look. I am doing 6 total for a gift box note set. Hugs