BBTB2-Celebrations - Cupcake

BBTB2 is Blog hopping today, it is always so much fun to do this event, so please visit all our blogs this week and be sure to leave comments and sign up as a follower of the blog to be
eligible for that fantastic give away from "Cricut Holiday" what a great way to get the fantastic
"Sweethearts" cartridge and a wonderful SEI paper pack. There are some great cuts on "Sweehearts".
This was one of those cards that just would not come together til the very end. I would work on it, changed the orientation several times and then put it aside. I do not work that well under a deadline, I like to have an item finished before it is due, some people thrive on deadlines but not me, so I was really getting frustrated. I had the card on my table and above it was a flourish from another project and the rest they say is history, it just fit so I went with it. If I had had more time, I would have done it with design studio but I was under the gun. My point being sometimes you just have to let go of the image in your head and just let the design go in its own direction.

The overall measurements for this card are 5 1/4" x 5 1/2", the shape card was created with Design Studio and the Celebrations cupcakes, then additional single cupcakes were cut. The flourish is from QK as well as the "Celebration" Banner. The cupcakes were frosted with my homemade glaze and then micro beads were added. All coloring was done with the Copic Markers and the Copic Airbrush System, by the way if you are a Copic user you might want to try the Copic Opaque White, it is not in a marker, you can use with a brush or other tools and it is fantastic (white dots were done with the product). Misc. ribbon

View showing the dimension of the individual cupcakes.

I am offering up one of my "Safety Pin Calendars"
as blog candy today, if you are not familiar with them scroll down a little way on my blog. If you are picked from Random.org as the winner you will get to choose from 1 of 3 themes and will also be able to choose the 2 colors you want, so be sure to leave a comment, if you do not follow my blog, it would be great also to have you as a follower. I will choose a winner on Friday-3/5.

Now please hop on to the fantastically talented
Jennifer Wuthrich, thanks so much for stopping by and have a fantastic week. Hugs

A Torn frame Shadow Box Card

Good Morning, hope all is well where you are. Remember those sugar eggs with the scene inside, oh my goodness, I could stare at those for hours as a child. It was the dimension that fascinated me and continues to this day. This is a 6"X6" card, the background paper BoBunny Press "Flutter Butter", the inside background was stamped with the Tim Holtz branches and a Delta Butterfly. The rabbit is cut from Cricut Cartridge "Everyday Paperdolls". The oval frame was created with the large Nestie, I then torn the edges and did a light dusting of glitter. I off centered the oval to the right because the pattern is so heavy on the right side and then off set the bow to the left, a little charm butterfly dangles from the bow. The butterflies on the outside of the shadow box are the same Delta Stamp. All colors were done with Copic Markers and the Copic Airbrush System.

this is a side view so you can see the depth of the shadowbox. Have a great Thursday, Hugs

Haiku Tuesday-Fairy Showers

Haiku Tuesday returns, with a week of rain in the forecast. This Haiku has a little bit of my Celtic Whimsy inserted. The card is 6"X6", the background is a simple watercolor wash, I scanned it in and then printed it out. I have run out of fairy charms, I had a bazzillion, so I cut out a fairy shape, embossed her and painted with the Copic Airbrush System and attached to the ribbon. Happy Tuesday, Hugs

BBTB2 Challenge-Everyday Paper Dolls

What do elephants, children, puppies, chocolate milk and balloons have in common? They evoke excitement, complete fun, abandon and delight. These are all things that live in the moment or are to be experienced in the moment.

Welcome to the BBTB2 Challenge, I am hostess this week and chose this darling elephant. If you have not seen the wonderful creations from the other BBTB2 Designers please visit their blogs, so much fun!

This is a 6"X6" card, the background paper is from a Costco stack, I have been saving for a very special occasion and this on arose. The photo corners are sizzix and I used them because they remind me of elephant toes. The elephants were cut from an old book page provided by my friend Diane - 1cardcreator, thanks Diane. The balloons were handcut from a 1 3/8" circle. Misc. jewelry wire complete the design.

Here are some great Elephant facts and myths:

The peoples of India and China share a belief that Elephants are lucky creatures. Placed on shelves or by doorways they endure luck and longevity. Some people believe that stroking the trunk of a household elephant statue ensures success in business or on a journey. In China elephant statues are often made of jade, thought to have its own luck providing powers.

Elephants may have garnered their reputation for magic powers from a number of sources. They are large and powerful, intelligent, useful, and long-lived and so have become a symbols of strength, wisdom, happiness, and longevity.

Have a great week, Hugs

A Birthday Card with Stand and Saltue

I love it when I get the opportunity to use the Cricut cartridge "Stand and Salute", it gives such dynamic die cuts. This is a special birthday card for a very patriotic young man, I wanted the patriotism implied not direct. All of the die cuts are from this one cartridge. The background paper for the flares is from "The Cutting Cafe" blue polka dots on white and then I sprayed it with the Copics Airbrush System. All colors are the Copic Markers and Airbrush. A little glitter on the flares. Overall size is 6"X6". For the sentiment block I sprayed with a journaling stencil to get the lines.




The inside has 18 stars in red white and blue and a sentiment. Hope everyone is ready for a great weekend. Happy Friday, Hugs

Button and Bows - Safety Pin Calendar

Well life happened and Haiku Tuesday did not, it will return next week.

This is another Safety Pin Calendar, if you are interested in the instructions please scroll down.
Brick red and Country Blue, Buttons and Bows. Ticking scraps and a double heart charm. All colors were done with Copic Markers and Copic Airbrush System. The stamped images are from a HeroArts set.







Here is the back view





And a close up of the calendar. Hugs, Sandi

BBTB2-Wedding Cartridge-Double Hearts

BBTB2 Challenge this week are the double hearts from the Wedding Solutions Cartridge. It is also the last Valentine of the season. Our wonderfully talented Regina Easter is our sponsor this
this week. Thanks so much Regina. I have actually used two items from the rich supply of "The Cutting Cafe". I used the calendar and I used the red polka dots on white paper, which I airbrushed with Copic Markers and the Copic Airbrush System. The heart charm dangling from the ribbon is from the Wedding Section at Walmart, they come in silver it was sprayed also with the Airbrush. Misc. ribbon and an arrow that was in my stash, I have no identification for it. The partial heart on the right was glittered. A metal photocorner embellishes the tip of the first heart. Happy Monday and Have a great week. Hugs

Now and Later Treat Box

Happy Valentine's Day!
I have a stash of boxes by my cutting table from products I have purchased and saved the boxes to make templates, well it is now time to do it or toss them. This is one of those boxes, it is from a package of Orbit Gum, over all size of the completed box is 2 1/4" X 3 3/4". I have a friend with two boys and when I visit her I always take them a treat, cookies, candy, etc. It is a challenge cause Mom doesn't want them to have too much sugar, sweets, so this fits the bill perfectly. It is a Now and Later Treat, one now and save one for later. I cut two vellum enclosure envelopes which holds 10 skittles or M&M's each. Each envelope has a label "now", "later" on the front. They tuck right inside the box. The paper on this one is a scrap of BasicGrey. The ducky was cut from Cricut cartridge "A Child's Year". Coloring was done with Copic Markers and Copic Airbrush System.

Here is the box open to show the vellum treat envies. Happy Valentine's Day, Hugs, Sandi

Safety Pin Calendar-2010

And here is the Safety Pin Calendar, there are 6 - 2" circles, 4 deep, two months per 2" Circle one on the front and one on the back. I print out the 1 3/8" calendar from "The Cutting Cafe" and then cut it out with a 2" punch. These are great to use those little stamps on, I used the "Tapestry " Sea Shell set. I stamped first and then Airbrushed with the Copic Airbrush System and Copic Markers. Sea Blues and Greens on the front and Sand colors on the back. Set eyelets and added jump rings. I use the large Safety Pins, I close it and then I attach the disks to the upper portion of the safety pin not the pin portion (that way they will not fall off and you have plenty of room to fasten where ever it is you are putting it). I then made a charm out of a sea shell and between each disk on the back is small circular abalone charm. Added some ribbon and it is done.

This is the back side of the disks and you can see the shell charms.

This is how it looks fastened to the handle of my bag, but it will fasten inside if that is preferable, I just like it outside where I can find it.
The above is all you need to turn those small shells into a charm. The glue is found at Michael's in the jewelry center, a pair of wire snips, a head pin make sure you get the one with the loop and your shell. Position the head pin into the shell at the bottom so that you can determine where it needs to be cut, you want the loop just sticking outside the bottom, cut. Then position the head pin inside the shell and liberally apply glue, it will need to set up for a good 1 to 1 1/2 depending on the humidity. Then add your jump rings.


close up of calendar and shell charm. Hugs, Sandi

A Purse Calendar for 2010

This is going to be a long post, so those of you who trek it out, thanks and I hope you take some inspiration and tips along with you. There is a saying in the "Art World" ....."An artist is only as good as his/her tools". Some tongue in cheek but some truth also. If you are a watercolor artist you want a "Windsor Newton" sable for those oh so important washes. So, if you have Regina Easter from "The Cutting Cafe" in your bag of tricks it is like having a "Windsor Newton" Sable. So don't hesitate to check her out. Thanks Regina for all your awesome inspiration. I was working on another project when this came to me, I could not finish fast enough so that I could get started on this one. I had already done a Safety Pin Calendar using "The Cutting Cafe" templates but this one was from the Muse, it just went together like I had directions in front of me. I am going to post a rough how to here of the calendar and accessories, if you have any questions please feel free to email me. Last year I did the pocket calendars and I did love them, however, they were not perfect, I had to find it first in my purse and it was a tricky little thing, and then I lost a couple. So I have been calendarless for the first 2 months of 2010. I think this is going to work. Although this is a little more elaborate than my Safety Pin Calendars ( I will post them tomorrow). It is not as difficult as it looks. You will need "The Cutting Cafe" 2010 Calendar. Fifteen 2" circles and12 - 1 3/8" circles, thank goodness for George Cricut Cartridge. Although I do use the EKSuccess 1 3/8" punch and will explain in a minute. You will need 8 - 7mm oring findings and 8 -10mm (I use Metal Madness from Michaels throughout this project). One packet of large Spaces and one packet of large lobster clasps. You are going to adhere 2-2" circles for your calendar, and 2 1/38" circles, you are then going to punch out the computer generated calendar and punch it out with the 1 3/8" hole punch and adhere that to the top of the 2 - 1 3/8" circles, you will have 2 mos per 2" circle - front and back - Jan/Feb, etc. You will then need 6 - 3/16 eyelets and a setting tool, (I use the Crop A Dile), set eyelets at the top add the 7mmoring then the 10mm and secure it to the large large oring at the bottom of the lobster clasp. I did a cover for my calendar which is optional, I used 3 -2" circles adhered them together and then added a charm from "Blue Moon" and embedded a crystal in the opening at the top (also from Michaels). Your calendar is done.

The gift box is easy, easy, easy, get one of the 12packs of instant coffee from Starbucks, if you don't drink coffee give them to your best coffee drinking friend, but keep the box, take it apart and lay it face down on a 12"X12" sheet of decorative patterned paper and trace around it, cut it out, score the folds and adhere one flap and it is done. Add a little ribbon for excitement.












Here is a close up of the calendar.














Here is a closeup of the cover page for the calendar.














Now for one of the fun parts of this set. I will definitely agree that the lettering is a little small, however, I can read the numbers fine if I have good light and my glasses on, but just in case, the calendar comes with its own magnifying glass and it really works. So here we go, cause this one is really fun.
From the Cricut Cartridge "Sentimentals" cut the magnifying glass out in black-out-4 times (shadow) at 3.33 width and 3.302 heighth, (DO NOT CUT IT OUT WITH THE HOLE). Adhere two together twice, so you will have 2 pieces that are 2 deep. Now take your 1 3/8 hole punch and punch out a circle on white card stock, position it on the magnifying glass as a template (use repositionable adhesive on the back) and punch out the hole on both pieces. If you use the template on Cricut with the hole already there you will never get it the right measurement (trust me). Now using UltraPtix Bookmark Magnifier *lightweight approx. 2" X 7", they are around $2.25 and you can cut about 4 - 1 3/8" circles from one sheet with the EKSuccess 1 3/8" hole punch, I buy them at Barnes and Nobel. Around the edge of your opening on the back magnifier piece put a very thin line of adhesive lay your magnifying glass on top and now adhere the second piece on top and let it dry for 35mins or so under a stack of books, it is done, now create a little jacket for it and embellish to your taste. I have just put a couple of scrap rub-ons on mine.
I told you it was long, but it really goes together quickly, hope you enjoyed, Happy Friday, Hugs

Arugula

This flower is from the Arugula plant, Arugula is part of the Mustard Greens Family, it has a spicy peppery taste and is one of my favorite salad greens. It only flowers in the winter after a very cold period. I love these delicate, whimsical flowers. I use it also with pork, chicken and fish dishes, it is wonderful wilted with a sauce. The flowers smell like honey, oh yummmm. I cut them today because guess what? We have sunny skies and 60 degrees plus weather comin right around the corner, Whoooopeeeeee!!!!! Happy Wednesday. Hugs

Haiku Tuesday-Trees Seeking Sky

Tall trees seek sky
Gentle rains kiss and caress their branches
The forest exhales life

Wow, days running into night, gloomy, raining, still raining, where in the heck is spring? It is Haiku Tuesday and as I am getting into the habit of thinking of it ahead of time, I find myself pulling things out during the week and it also guarantees that in a busy week I will at least write one Haiku. As I tend to over do things, Haiku makes me pare down and keep it simple. I unearthed my very favorite stencil last week as I was working on a commission, if I could have only one stencil this would be it. I used it this week as a mask, I first airbrushed a tan over white card stock and then laid the stencil and sprayed with different colors, leaving the trees almost bare as they still are here. I used two background blocks (Bazzill), I embossed the top lavendar block with the Cuttlebug branches folder and because they were similar in color and because the right side was heavy I chose to use rounded photo corners on just the left side of each block. This gives it some balance and also gives it a bit of an Art Deco feel. My Haiku was computer generated onto 90lb. cold pressed watercolor paper and then airbrushed. All colors are Copic markers and the Copic Airbrush System. Happy Tuesday, Hugs

A Valentine-Cup of Love

This is another version of one of the previous Valentines, instead of the children, a teacup was cut from Cricut cartridge, "A Child's Year", then I used tiny vellum hearts as the steam rising.
Hope everyone stays dry (it is raining here STILL) and warm. Happy Sunday, Hugs

Two More Valentines

Good Morning, two more Valentines this morning, they are both A-2 cards. The first is cut from Cricut cartridge "Sweethearts". Background paper is BasicGrey Tuxedo. The photo corners are QK. Misc. ribbon, tag computer generated was cut from an Ellison Die. All colors are Copic Markers and Copic Airbrush System. I needed the lady a little bit more sophisticated so I did away with her ponytail and I also made her shoes flats instead of heels.

The second one is cut from Cricut cartridge "Home Decor". I love that cupcake. Background paper is Paper Salon "Choco Dots". The large heart is a Nesties (glittered). The word bar is from a QK Die and is computer generated. All color is Copic Markers and the Copic Airbrush System. Happy Saturday, Hope everyone has a great weekend. Hugs

2 Valentine Cards and Blog Candy Winner

First Valentine card is a standard A-2 card. The background block was created and printed on the computer. The large heart is a Nesties embossed with the daisy Cuttlebug folder. The wonderful children were cut from Cricut cartridge "A Child's Year". The photo corners are QK and Sizzix and surprisingly not one drop of Copic, lol.

The Second card is also an A-2 card. There is a honey colored background block atop the red card stock. There are then 2 blocks one white that was embossed with the Cuttlebug hearts folder and a red block with sentiment which was computer generated. The photo corners are QK, misc. ribbon. The hearts are from my artwork and were scanned and printed in 2 sizes and then cut with the Nesties heart. Colors with Copic Markers and the Copic Airbrush System. Happy Friday, Hugs, Sandi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the Winner of My Blog Candy from Monday - are you ready?

Random.org chose #2 - Crystal aka Caitlynsmommy said...Sweet card, I like the eye the best! Great job!February 1, 2010 3:22 AM. Crystal congrats and please get your addy to me so that I can mail this out to you. Happy Friday.

4"X4" Post it Note Holder

I have 2 dear friends to thank for the inspiration on this Post It Note Holder. First, my friend Diane "No. 1. Card Creator", Diane is one of my friends that will leave me a morning email filled with giggles and smiles. And every once in a while I will get a wonderful inspiration package from her, bits and pieces of paper, fun things that you did not even know until you received them that they were a must have on your table and glorious cut outs. One of those packages was received this week and enclosed was a blank Anna Griffin Card, normally used as a Wedding invite, it just fascinated me and I started playing with it and then went to design studio and starting playing, the Post It Note Holder is the outcome, it was created with Design Studio and Sentimentals. It's over all size is 4 1/4" X 4".

This is the holder laid out flat, so you are seeing the two cover panels and the back panel.






Second, my friend Regina, oh you know her, she is the founder of Bitten By the Bug and The Cutting Cafe. What glorious creations she comes up with. I was roaming on her site and found the calendars, now I had seen them previously but it was during one of my insane periods and I did not really explore the set, but I did this week and just could not resist. So I took sheets from the 4X4 PINs and printed out the small circle calendar on different colors (if you are going to do this be sure that you position the post it note so that the calendar prints at the top where the sticky is, then punch it out with a 1 3/8" circle punch. Line them up 6 on each side, after the
month is finished you can throw it away or leave it there for reference.

These mini calendars are great to use as reference when you are making lists for birthdays, next holidays (heaven forbid in Feb, lol) you get the idea. The front fasteners were created using a pony tail tie and a brad (added a gem to the brad).

Background papers on this piece are from BasicGrey and My Mind's Eye. The swirls on the front are from Cricut Cartridge Sentimentals. All coloring was done with the Copic Markers and Copic Airbrush System. Happy Thursday, Hugs, Sandi

Haiku Tuesday-Magic

Good Morning and welcome to Haiku Tuesday - I got so involved with the magic on the outside of the card, my Haiku would not work for the outside, so it is on the inside of this card.

A soft purple moon

A flute whispers on the mist

Is it real or Magic

The card is 6"X6" 2 shades of Bazzill are my backgronud paper. The block was cut from Cricut Cartridge "Sentimentals" as well as the photo corners. The embossing was done with the journaling block file. The stones are antique sea glass from an estate bracelet that was damaged, but how could anyone let those stones go? LOL. The side of the block was punched with a Martha Stewart Border punch, misc. ribbon. The stamped fairy image is from Rubber Stampede. Happy Tuesday.