Top Dog ~ Father's Day Card

Friday, May 28, 2010
(Warning:  If you are my husband, stop reading this post NOW.  You can come back after June 20.)

I rediscovered this great paper with ties in a stack I purchased a few years back.  As soon as I found it, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.  This card came out just as I wanted. 

The dog is cut from Everyday Paper Dolls and the top hat from Paper Doll Dress Up.  I used Opposites Attract for the letters.  I made the frame using George and Basic Shapes.  The silhouette rectangle was a bit wider than I wanted so I simply inserted one rectangle inside another using Design Studio and adjusted them until I was content with the width.  I cut the images for this card twice.  I inked everything and used a Cuttlebug embossing folder around the frame.  I had hidden the contours of the dog's eyes before cutting, and then used two black gems to create eyes for the top layer.  I used a marker to draw around the partial cuts in the dog, and used the same colour to fill in his nose.  I used a border punch on the polka-dot paper.  The tie paper and polka-dot paper are flush against the card, but everything else was attached with PopDots.  Those letters were tricky, but I'm glad I popped them!

I made this card for my husband.  I don't have a father myself, but always make Father's Day cards for my children to give my husband.  I like to make him a card from me as well.  He's a Super Dad and I love to let him know that!

I'm submitting this card for the challenge at My Pink Stamper.  One lucky crafter will be chosen to win an Expression!
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Cards for Strangers

Thursday, May 27, 2010
In the past two days, I've learned of two situations calling for cards.  Lisa Cook of Stamped Art by Lisa issued a random act of kindess request for her sister, Jayme.  Jayme has terminal lung cancer.  Apparently, she loves frogs and Lisa has asked that we make funny cards with frogs.  I decided to make another easel card (I'm quickly getting addicted!!) for Jayme.  I started designing with a frog from Paisley, but actually had a dream about this card using the frog from Paper Doll Dress Up.  I couldn't remember where he was from, but eventually found him. 
I learned of a second call for cards from Dustin Pike.  The young friend of his daughter was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  For this card, I cut a fancy frame from Home Decor and used my favourite stamp from Stampin' Up.  The little butterfly and parts of the frame are glittered with a gel pen, although its hard to tell from the photo.  It's a very simple card, but with the paper I felt it needed no more.

(I will enter the frog card for this week's challenge at the CAS-tastic Wednesday Challenge Blog.  This week, the challenge was to use a bit of green.  As green is my absolute favourite colour, I couldn't resist this one!)
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Spring Praise ~ Card

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
This card took the entire day to make - but that's because I had to create it in snippets of time.  It's been quite a day!  This card is unusual for me in that it does not have a recipient in mind.  I generally have an idea where my cards are going when I create them.  I'm sure I'll find somebody who needs it!
I found the verse on a digi-stamp at Crafting With Deedee's Digis.  As soon as I read it, I thought of Spring - with little flowers and butterflies - probably due to the "marvelous works" portion.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
With the exception of the grass, which was cut with Zooballoo, the images on this card were made with Walk in My Garden.  Papers were all from my scrap stash.
I am submitting this card for the weekly challenge at Crafting with Deedee's Digis.  I am also submitting it for Fantabulous Cricut's Challenge Me Monday, where we were encouraged to create an item using at least three flowers.   At Easy Craft Projects, we were challenged to use buttons, so I will submit there as well.
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Easel Birthday Cards

Monday, May 24, 2010
This weekend, I learned to make an easel card.  They're so much fun to make, and not the least bit difficult.  It's a great way to add a bit of variety to the usual.  Knowing a few children with birthdays coming up, I decided to make cards to tuck aside for them.
This first card was made using George and Basic Shapes for the stars.  I cut both the star and a shadow, and embossed the star-printed paper with my stars folder from Cuttlebug.  I also cut a slightly smaller silhouette of a star, and embossed it with Swiss Dots and popped it with little PopDots.  The number 8 and shadows (there are two) were cut with Alphalicious, and these were popped with larger PopDots.  I also used a border folder for the inside of the card and stamped a sentiment.  I am entering this card in the Cuttlebug Challenge.  This week at Cuttlebug Challenge, we were encouraged to create something for a child.
My second card was cut entirely with Alphalcious.  I had never noticed this frame/crest before.  It's perfect for a little girl!  The paper used for the crest actually has a fair bit of shine to it, but it's difficult to tell that in the photo.   Again, I used a border punch and sentiment for the inside of the card.
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Dragon thank you card

Saturday, May 22, 2010
I made this card for our associate psychologist at work.  He was helping me with "Dragon Naturally Speaking" (a voice-to-text program).  I just had to use the Paper Doll Dress Up dragon on his card and this is what I came up with.
The dragon and bush were cut from Paper Doll Dress Up and the castle is an image from Doodlecharms.  I embossed the dragon and castle.  I hand-wrote "thanks" and added some white pen dots around the card, dragon, and flag.  It was my first time trying dots all around.  I'll keep practicing!
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conCATulations

Thursday, May 20, 2010
I made this card for a young couple I know who are graduating from college in a couple of weeks.  Years ago, I found a stack of cat paper and knew I had to have it.  I think I've only ever used three sheets before today!
I cut the cat from Paisley and the graduation cap from Everyday Paper Dolls.  The frames around both the cat and sentiment are from Ashlyn's Alphabet.  (I've really been enjoying Ashlyn's Alphabet lately.)  I embossed the top layer of the frame under the cat.  I used two border punches.  I believe that one is from EK Success, and the mouse border was created with a Martha Stewart punch.  I added some ribbon and a few gems, drew the cat's face, and I assembled.
This week, Practical Scrappers has a challenge to use patterned paper.  As well, Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge posted a sketch which I followed.  I will enter this card at both of those blogs.
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Celebrate Life card

Last weekend, I was at Costco when I found a huge case of patterned cardstock for sale.  Of course, I snapped one up and couldn't wait to get home...  Most of the papers are not my style, unfortunately.  However, I did find some that I quite liked, including the choices I used for this card.
The tree is from Paper Pups, and the little bird and nest are from Zooballoo.  I used Mini Monograms for the scalloped circle.  I also did a bit of embossing and inked a sentiment with a stamp from SU.  Everything else was done with a punch.  There's lots of popping on here too.
I am entering this card in the Easy Craft Projects challenge as well.  This week, the theme is spring.  Spring is my favourite time of year - a time to celebrate new life!
I'd also like to give a bit of credit to Jeannie Phillips here.  Her Be My Tweetheart card was featured in the Cricut Chirp a few months ago and has been in the back of my mind since then.  I just loved that card!  I used her idea of the window into the tree to create my own card.  Thanks Jeannie!
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Mother of the Bride Gift Set

Tuesday, May 18, 2010


I decided to create for another project, this time for Challenge Me Monday #10 at Fantabulous Cricut.  This week, we were challenged to made a 3-dimensional project with the colour black.  As the daughter of my son's EA is getting married, I decided to make a little something for her.
This 3-piece gift set contains a bag, a gift card holder, and a card with co-ordinating envelope.  I made the gift bag out of cardstock, which I cut to size and scored.  The bag is somewhat similar to a Christmas bag I learned to make at an SU class in the fall.  I computer generated the sentiment, and then cut a scallop circle with shadow using Mini Monograms.  I also added a butterfly from Walk in my Garden.  I embossed her wings and added a few spots with my silver Gelly Roll pen.  I realized that I did not have the black ribbon I wanted, so headed out to Michaels.  I got back, opened the ribbon and realized.... It was navy!  Anyway, instead I used little silver eyelets and a thin black ribbon, but I think I prefer this over my original idea anyway.  (Now to think of a craft using navy ribbon...)

I next made the gift card holder using the same papers.  The cardstock was cut to 10.25 by 3.5 and scored at 3 inches and 7 inches.  I used double sided tape around the sides at the bottom, and added a bit of velcro for the flap at the top.  I also used my SU corner rounder for the cardstock and paper.  The inside paper was punched with an SU border punch.  I used a small circle punch inside the holder for ease of access to the card (another tip from my SU demonstator).
I cut the card to 4 inches by 9 inches.  After using a border punch, I took off just a bit from the other end so that the cardstock was 8x4.  I then scored at 4 inches to have a 4x4 card.  I also decorated this to co-ordinate with the other items.  I sealed an A2 envelope and then cut it down to size.  I added a flap of co-ordinating paper and a butterfly to carry the theme.  As well, I used white cardstock cut to shape for the inside of the card, and added a tiny butterfly inside as well.
I tucked a Timmy's card inside the gift card holder and wrote a little note of congratulations - with a message encouraging the EA to take a break on us during the busyness of the weekend - whether it be to grab a quick cup of coffee to keep her going, or to put her feet up and relax a moment with a cup of tea.  The card and gift card holder fit inside the little gift bag.
8

I'm a winner!

I learned that I won a Cricut Cartridge Caddy from Nana at Younique Reflections this evening.  Nana is part of the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog and she was part of the inspiration for the Fantabulous Cricut Crawl.  I had so much fun making my Lady Lenore layout - and the crawl was just the "kick" I needed to put everything together.  Thank you so much, Nana!  I am so excited and feel so blessed to be receiving this prize.
I'm sending out a huge thank you to Penny from Light Whimsy.  My Lady Lenore layout was chosen through her blog to win a $25 gift certificate from Custom Crops.  I can't wait to go shopping!  I found Fantabulous Cricut through Penny in the first place - so a double thank you goes out!

(August 16, 2010: Despite a number of emails from Nana with her promising to send the caddy, it's now been over three months and nothing... I'm disappointed, but still have my layout to cherish!! Plus, I did receive my gift certificate from Penny.  Thanks so much Penny, for your honesty and quick shipment.  I used the gift certificate to purchase a new cartridge:  Winter Frolic.)
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Digi-Stamp Card

Saturday, May 15, 2010
This certainly has been a week of firsts!  Yesterday, I discovered "Digi Stamps" at 2 Cute Rubber Stamps.  This week, there is a challenge to use a FREE Hula Hamster Digi-Stamp.  He's so cute that I just could not resist.  Plus, it was free so I had nothing to lose!
I used the digi-stamp to make a set of cards.  Each Monday is "Lunchbox Loveletter Lundi" around here.  I make a little cards and tuck them inside each of the lunchboxes (including my husband's).  I had to shrink the image in order to have it small enough for the little cards, but Heidi gives permission for her digi-stamps to be resized as required.  This means that stamps can be just the right size each time!  I punched out each image with a 2-inch circle punch.  I next cut shadowed scallop circles at 2.5 inches using Mini Monograms.  I computer generated my sentiment and did some paper cutting for the other bits.  I felt a bit more was needed, so I used a border punch for the blue shadow runner.  I had to go and buy some markers in order to colour the hamster.  What a great excuse to go to the scrapbooking store!
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Lady Lenore Layout ~ Fantabulous Cricut Crawl

Friday, May 14, 2010

I discovered Fantabulous Cricut yesterday. This week, they are hosting a Fantabulous Cricut Crawl. You can read all the details here.  Basically, the challenge is to follow links to different blogs, each one having a different element to incorporate into your project. There were eleven elements total, and I was able to use 10 of them. It was quite a challenge!


I decided to do a layout. I am much more of a card maker than a scrapbooker, and was quite out of my comfort zone on this one, but for over a year now I’ve really wanted to make a page for my daughter, using photos taken as she performed in her school play, “The Worst High School Play in the World”. In a nutshell, the play is about a prince that gets kidnapped as a baby and left in the forest. He is raised by a family of squirrels (that’s why I have squirrels on the page), but is eventually discovered by a monk. When returned to civilization, he meets “one with small feet” (aka a woman) and falls in love. In the end, the crown is returned to him and everybody (except the villain) lives happily ever after. It was a great play and the kids all did a super job. It was a far cry from the worst high school play in the world.

The first stop in the crawl was Angi's blog. Angi gave detailed instructions on how to make an accordion flower, and challenged us to use one in our project. Oh boy! I’d never made an accordion flower. I was able to understand the directions, but my first attempt ended up to be much larger than I liked and looked ridiculous on my layout. I ended up cutting my strip at ¾ inches and was much happier with the results. I even used my new Itty Bitty Bits punch for the tiny scallop circle in the middle.

Next, it was off to Brenda's blog.  Brenda challenged us to create a journal box with our Cricut. I used Stretch Your Imagination for this one. I’ve had this cartridge in my craft closet for well over a year – still in its plastic packaging!! I welded together two boxes with ticket corners and added a swirl to match the one in the title for my page. I computer generated my journaling as I am far too hard on myself with respect to my penmanship. As I don’t scrapbook much at all, this was new for me as well.  (Ugh - I just noticed an error!)

I was then taken to Candace's blog.  Well, there we were encouraged to do some embossing on a Cricut cut. Everybody knows how much I love my Cuttlebug, so this was a pleasure for me to do! I embossed my tree trunks and “leaves”, the squirrels’ tails, the acorn tops and the lettering for my title.

On Lori's blog, we were challenged to use a die cut negative. I did this for the swirl next to the title as well as the swirl in my journal box. I used the swirl from the title in the corner of the photo, under my accordion flower.

Nana challenged us to use a Gypsy. I don’t have Gypsy, but I do have Design Studio. I used it for my entire project! I welded the title shadow, adjusted image sizes, and simply lay things out to cut. However, Nana did note that if we didn’t have a Gypsy we could incorporate a swirl into our project. As previously mentioned, I have a swirl by my title, one in my journal box and another in the corner of the photo.

It was then on to Penny's blog. (I found Fantabulous through Penny. She’s got some great creations with plays on words. I love that!) Penny challenged us to use a shadow. I’ve got quite a few on my layout! Most elements contain a shadow. I always like to add shadows to my work, so this was a challenge with my name written all over it!

Robin encouraged us to use Cricut markers – or another sort of pen. I never knew that gel pens could be used with the Cricut until I read her blog! I need to look for the special mini gel pen holder in order to use them. Thanks for the information, Robin! I have had my markers for ages, and this was only the second time I’ve ever pulled them out. I used a Cricut marker to add another frame inside my journal box. I also outlined the swirl of the journal box before cutting. It’s difficult to see in the photo (see the journal box photo above), but it adds an extra bit of contrast.

Next, it was off to Sammye Jo's blog. Sammye Jo challenged us to use inking or drawing on our die cuts. I inked the title, the squirrels, acorns, trees, apples, and grass. I also drew the squirrels noses and whiskers and added some gel pen to the apples.

I am afraid to say that I drew a blank at Sharon's blog. Sharon gave a wonderful tutorial on glass etching. I just didn’t know how to fit it into this project. I’ve never tried glass etching before, but Sharon makes it sound so easy. Perhaps I will give it a go another time. I know where to find the instructions now! I’m sorry, Sharon, that yours was the only element I did not use....

Next, it was off to Tammy's blog. Tammy challenged us to do some paper piecing. This is an easy task with the Cricut! I did paper piecing for the trees, the squirrels, the acorns and the apples. Those apples were a challenge with their tiny little stems!!

Finally, I was at the last blog – Valerie’s Crafty Go Lucky blog. Valerie challenged us to incorporate a food element on our project. Initially, I just had the acorns (food for squirrels at least!), but the trees needed more than just the embossing I had done. I added some apples and it seemed to be just the right touch!

Thanks, ladies, for your encouragement and challenges. This was just what I needed to make a layout. I was far out of my comfort zone, but ended up thoroughly enjoying the process. My daughter is delighted with the end result too! This was a “fantabulous” way to spend my day off.
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Shape Cards with Cricut

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I learned some tips on making shape cards from Donna, this month's guest designer at Everyday Cricut.  She made a simple shape card using Hello Kitty.  You can find her card (with instructions) here.  I was so inspired to create a shape card myself and am pleased with how quick and easy it is.  I used Design Studio to weld image shadows together to create the card base.

My first card is the cute little elephant from Zooballoo.  I didn't plan for the flower to be right above her trunk, but think it turned out just perfectly there!  I added some glitter to the ears and trunk, and popped the trunk just a bit.  I added some eyes and a ribbon and cut a shape for the inside (on which to write), and voilà!

For my next card, I chose to use the little plane from New Arrival.  I cut the wings, tail, and propeller with different paper, and did some faux stitching with a white Gelly Roll pen.  I've never tried any faux stitching before, and think that this ink is perhaps not the best choice.  I'll have to do some research!  I popped the tail and bottom wing a bit, and added buttons where the windows should be.  (I had hidden those contours prior to cutting.)  I also cut an additional shape for the inside of the card.
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Praying For You Card

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
I made this card for a lady from our church.  A friend has made a number of cards with one of the birds from Home Decor, and I've been wanting to use this bird myself.  The frame was cut with Ashlyn's Alphabet.  Papers, ink, and sentiment are Stampin' Up.
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Stampin' Up Card Class Projects

Approximately every other Monday, my SU demonstrator, Mandy Reedyk (you can find her blog here), hosts a Stampin' Up workshop.  We always have such a fantastic time and come away with fantastic projects and ideas.  Last night, Mandy hosted a non-standard card class, and these are the cards we made.  Thanks Mandy!

The first card is a pocket note:
And with the note out:


This is an accordian-style card:



A cheery birthday card which opens from the middle:



A thank you card with a perforated section inside which can be removed and used as a bookmark.



A simple notelet with a custom-sized envelope:


And finally, a criss cross envelope with a fancy note page tucked inside:

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Itty Bitty Bits Birthday Card

I just got my Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Bits stamps and punches last night.  I was so excited but wasn't sure how to use them.  They really are itty bitty!!  My search through Google images introduced me to Sheryl Dreyer, a Stampin' Up demonstrator with a blog full of creative ideas.  I used one of her cards as inspiration for this birthday card I made for a friend.  You can find the card that inspired me here.
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Maganda Memories

Saturday, May 8, 2010
When I checked my email this morning, I was delighted to receive a message from Myra at Maganda Memories.  She's been doing some spring cleaning and had a number of items to give away.  I was selected as Lucky Winner #3.  Thanks, Myra!
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Vacation Theme ATCs

Friday, May 7, 2010
I joined another ATC swap on the Cricut message board.  This time, we had a vacation theme.

For the first group, I chose to do Egypt.  I had great fun riding a camel when I was at the Great Pyramids of Giza, so decided to use idea for my ATC.  I used sandpaper as a background. 

I had Paris for the second group.  I purchased the Destinations cartridge for this card, and cut the Eiffel Tower from Recollections Precious Metal cardstock.  I then embossed the tower with my Cuttlebug.  I found some wonderful French paper for the background.  I printed off a Paris stamp onto vellum, tore it, and embossed part of it.  I finished off the ATC with three red gems.

Then it was off to London!  I had originally planned an ATC with a map of the London underground as my theme.  I was not at all pleased with the results, so it was back to the drawing board.  I have to admit that I got the idea for Big Ben's hands somewhere else.  (I'd love to give credit, but I can no longer find the site.)  I designed the hands with Design Studio. 

For my final set, I went to Hollywood.  I remember a trip to Hollywood in my teens, and the most exciting part of my holiday was looking out for the stars. 
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Vintage ATCs

Sunday, May 2, 2010
I recently participated in a Vintage ATC swap on the Cricut message board. We were required to use vintage pictures/cards in our creations. I decided to use my father as a common theme for all my cards.

I created my first card with the Joy Fold technique. I created it to look like a mini birth announcement for my father, who was born in 1939.
When my father was 6 months old, he moved to Africa with his parents. This photo was taken there in either late 1939 or early 1940.While at school, my father competed internationally, running for Britain. An injury kept him from competing in the 1960 Olympic Summer Games. This photo was taken before a race in about 1959. My parents married in 1962. This photo was taken on their wedding day. The final card used a photo of my father's graduation from medical school at the University of London in 1965. I also scanned a copy of the program and used it on the ATC.






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Former Design Team Member at My Craft Spot (2011-2015)
My Craft Spot


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