Happy Tutu Birthday!

A friend of mine has a cute little girl who just had her 2nd birthday.  I wanted to try making a tutu skirt for the occasion.  I know that all little girls love to dress up.

There are a lot of tutorials on YouTube on how to make no-sew tutu skirts so help yourself to that resource and decide which one you want to try.  I made the one with a ribbon waist band so that the skirt can be tied on and removed for those frequent bathroom visits.  The skirt really turned out well.  I used light pink and cream tulle to match the really cute hot pink and cream polka dot gross grain ribbon that I found at my local fabric store.  I also added hot pink satin skinny ribbons throughout the skirt to add more interest.  It turned out to be a very full skirt.  She loved it!

The octopus birthday card card was cut from the Create a Critter Cricut cartridge.  I had a scrap piece of pastel tartan paper which really made a very cute sea creature.  I added goolie eyes to the body and Stickles to the pirate hat and voila - a very cute pink themed birthday card was born.

Gift Card Holders

My daughter asked me to make some gift card holders for a charity event.  I recently bought a gift holder die from My Creative Time.  I have been eyeing this die for a very long time and finally bought it.  What took me so long!

I used a pastel pink card stock and cut out the gift card holder.  Over the years, I have tried to make my own gift card holder but with varying success.  Sometimes the slots for the card don't line up and I have to start all over again.  Using my new die, the holders turn out perfectly every time.  I can then focus on decorating them.  For this card holder, I chose to just add a simple candy cane twine closure and adorn it with a small tag.  I used the Tiny Tags stamp set from My Crafting Spot that comes with the stamp for the tag and various sentiments.  I use this stamp set quite often as it is very versatile.

Everyone loved the holders and they were a big hit for the charity.

See you soon and remember to keep crafting!

Breast Cancer Run for the Cure

I made this card for two women I know who have survived breast cancer.  One is my sister-in-law who was diagnosed when she was 38 years old and her youngest child was just 3 years old.  She survived having a mastectomy and chemotherapy.  That was 24 years ago!  I am amazed at how well she carried on in spite of her cancer diagnosis.  The former 3 year old is now a father of his own child and now going to pre-kindergarten.  What joy this little grandchild has given to my sister-in-law.  She never thought she'd live this long but she has inspired me with her positive outlook.

The other woman is my nephew's mother-in-law. This woman is a retired primary school teacher who along with her husband successfully raised 3 of the loveliest and accomplished girls I have ever met.  The oldest has 2 Master's degrees and teaches high school.  The middle girl is a very successful engineer who is now involved in the environmental field with an international non-profit corporation and teaching companies how to manufacture their products in an environmentally conscientious way.  The baby of the group is now a veterinarian who has worked in several countries helping out with the care of elephants and horses.  When two of the girls were still in university, she was diagnosed with her breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy as well as chemo.  After her treatment, she lost over 100 pounds and is now a very fit and physically active lady who walks about 5 miles a day, year round.  She now babysits her two granddaughters full time and absolutely loves it.   There are some days where she makes me tired just watching her.  She always has a smile on her face and she is very thankful for all her blessings.

I made this card for each of these women and added a "shoe lace" pin for them to wear to remember that they are successful survivors of breast cancer.  I also want to encourage everyone to run or walk in their local campaigns to raise not only money for research but also to spread awareness about breast cancer.    

Diaper Cake for Precious Little Baby

 

A friend of mine was due to have a baby but the problem was I didn't know whether it was going to be a boy or a girl.  Being that there are only a few true surprises in life, she and her husband chose not to learn what the gender.  Well, I'm here to say that you can still give a fabulous baby gift and something that is gender-neutral.

I started off by finding a soft blanket frog in soft green.  I decided to make a diaper cake and made the frog the "cake" topper.  I added other small gifts such as green and white onesies, yellow and green socks that I turned inside one another to create small flower buds, a rubber duckie that measures the water temperature and a few other items that I tucked into the diaper layers.  I also bought a sun shade for the baby carrier and used this boxed item as the base for the "cake".

There are lots of tutorials to view on YouTube that will show you how to make this type of gift.  I chose to make a fairly modest size as it was not going to form a table decoration piece.  I started mine was to take a 10" spring form pan and fan out some of the diapers inside the cake pan.  Insert an empty paper towel roll in the middle of the pan surrounded by diapers.  Have long elastic bands ready and being careful, remove the diaper layer from the pan and apply the elastic bands.  For the second layer, roll diapers as you go and apply another elastic band or two over the paper towel roll and add two rows of diapers.  Then take  more rolled diapers and add to the owner edge of bottom layer until you are satisfied with the shape.  I used 2 packages of 18 natural disposable newborn diapers to make this project.

Then the fun part begins.  You can add small items such as rolled up socks and facecloths, small toys, baby wash, etc. to fit between the diapers - as many or as few as will fit and look balanced.  You could also have a theme like bath time or home safety items like cupboard locks and socket covers.   The diaper cake can be mounted on a piece of cardboard covered with pretty paper or a cake board.  Cover the elastic bands with pretty ribbons in a neutral tone.  Use a large piece of gift basket plastic wrap and there you go.  A wonderful and unique gift that probably didn't take you 10 minutes to assemble.  It actually took me longer to shop for the gifts that went on the cake than it did to make it.  Most importantly, my friend loved the gift I made especially for her.

The gift was accompanied with a light green card in the shape of a onesie that I cut from my Cricut New Arrivals cartridge.  I outlined the seams with white gel pen.  The stamp on the front, Precious Little Baby is from the Tiny Tags stamp set from The Stamping Spot.

Sending you hugs & kisses

I've been very busy and haven't had time to craft very many cards in the past few weeks. With celebrating my sister's BIG birthday, travelling out of town to visit my husband's family and spending time with my nephew, his wife and one year old all visiting from Washington DC have kept me out of my craft room.  But I'm back!

This card was made for my niece who is leaving her job in Toronto and moving to Vancouver to go to University for some post graduate work.  She received her undergrad degree in Toronto in international business.  I wanted to wish her well with her new focus so I made this card.

I took inspiration from all the flowers in my garden.  I have a large flower stamp that I haven't used very much and I just love it.  I used Tsukiniko tuxedo black ink and stamped it onto watercolour paper and then used my heat gun to set the ink.  I very lightly coloured the flower using watercolour pencil crayons.  I cut the flower out very carefully and then used a pencil to gently curl the petals.

I have a background stamp with words about love and encouragement and I thought this was very appropriate for my card.  I added a lovely light mint green designer paper with gold stars from K&Company to the top of the card which formed the backdrop to the flower.  I added a cream coloured organza ribbon and a stamped sentiment.  Inside I added a few words of encouragement.  She is a lovely young lady and I wish her great success.

I loved the way this card turned out and I will make this again.

Birthday Blossom

My daughter's birthday was last week and I wanted to make her a modern card.

I started by selecting paper from Poppy Seeds designer paper by K&Company that had patterns and then opposite co-ordinating papers.  I cut two strips of paper 2" x 11" and scored them each 1/4 inch using my Martha Stewart score board and folded them one way and then the other like an accordion.  Next I used a Fiskars edge punch along one side and glued the two sections together to make one long strip.  I took the ends of this long strip and glued them together to make a big circle.  I cut a 2" circle, applied some quick dry glue to the back and had it ready for the next step.  After the glued ends set up, you hold the circle on the desktop while pushing down on the top round edge which will form a large starburst.  With some agility, you must get your small flat circle that you already glued and while holding the starburst down, apply and hole the glued circle to the centre.  Keep holding until the starburst is really set up or else you will have an explosion and you will have to start again.  This happens from time to time so don't worry too much.  Just repeat the steps until it works.

I just received some stamps from My Crafting Spot and one of the sets was called Tiny Tags.  I love the fact that you can use a variety of sentiments either with the tag stamp or not.  Great value for so much versatility.  I had a lovely blue periwinkle organza ribbon which matched the patterned paper nicely.

I really like the way the card turned out.  I will definitely use this technique again.  In the meantime, I'll keep on crafting and posting some of my best items.

Fabulous Fifties

Have you ever wanted a birthday card that was youthful yet traditional? Well I've got a hint for you. Try making a card like this one.

I started off by selecting a fabulous designer paper from The Best of Brenda Walton paper collection by K&Company. The paper had a variety of beige, tan and white with words like 'happiness', 'memories', 'believe' and other inspirational words. I thought it would look nice when paired with plain mid and chocolate brown textured cardstock from the DCWV Cardstock Neutrals Stack.

Before starting, I decided that since the card would have a circle, I needed a square base card and cut one that was 5" x 5". I then cut a circle with the phrase, Oh Happy Day, on an inside circle from the Wild Card Cricut cartridge. After adhering the patterned paper on the front, I placed the circle and the phrase, Oh Happy Day, slightly off centre. I framed the inside circle and phrase with chocolate brown so it wound stand out. After that, I added "50" cut from the Gypsy Font cartridge. I chose a lovely chocolate satin ribbon for the front of the card but I thought a bow would be too much so I just slipped the ribbons though it's own loop and notched the ends.

Sometimes a typical and occasionally fussy card does not suit the upcoming event. In this case, my friend is a vibrant career woman who suited this type of card and not one with unnecessary frills. Simple said it all.

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

Here's an example of two similar cards, one made for a little girl and one made for an adult. Just by changing the bunny on the front of the card it completely changed the feel of the card from a fun card to something a little more sophisticated. I added a cute carrot to the inside along with the sentiment, "Some bunny loves you".

First of all, I planned the card using my Gypsy. I made myself templates for all card sizes so I can try out images on different layers to see how they fit and so I can maximize my paper by cutting several images at the same time. You can now do similar things on the new Cricut Craftroom website. Although I am a member of the site, I haven't used it other than to play with different images. My iMac computer is in my office on the main floor but my Cricut Expression is in my craft room which is a converted bedroom on the second floor.

I started with a pastel tartan background paper and cut Happy Easter from the Phrases Cricut cartridge in dark purple and light mauve. The child's bunny was cut using the Create a Critter Cricut cartridge and the stylized bunny was cut from the Gypsy Wanderings Cricut cartridge. I added a green peppermint twine as a collar. The carrot that I added to the inside of the card was cut from the Just Because Cards Cricut cartridge.

I sent out a bunch of these cards to friends and relatives. It was a real production line. I wish you all a very Happy Easter!

You Take The Cake

Birthday cards are fun to make especially when you can use any Cricut cartridge. This week's challenge at Cricut Cardz Challenge #103 is to make a birthday card with a cake or cupcake using any cartridge or colour. I did just that with this fun card.

I started with a fabulous background paper from the Best of Brenda Walton from K&Company. Then I cut the plate and layer cake using the From My Kitchen Cricut cartidge. The pink icing was created from pink cardstock and one of Martha Stewart's edge punches. The party hat and Make a Wish phrase all came from the Birthday Bash Cricut cartridge. I used a bright pink Martha Stewart glitter pen on the phrase to add a bit more dimension. I know that any little person in your life would love to receive such a fun birthday card.

Come on over to CCC for this week's challenge (#103) and let us see what you can come up with...and have some fun doing it!

Be My Valentine

It's that time of year again when love is in the air! No it's not yet Spring but it's a prelude to it.

The Cricut Cardz Challenge this week is to make a card for Valentine's Day using any cartridge or colours you like. I bought a Valentine's paper pack from Michael's and used four of the designer paper. I cut a filigree heart in bright pink and layered it on red and white paper before using dimensionals and mounting it on the patterned paper. From another pattern paper in the pack, I cut two small hearts with different messages and added them to the heart. I love the red gross grain ribbon too. Inside I used a simple sentiment stamp with red Tsukeniko ink.

I thought this Valentine's Day card was a bit more exciting and jazzed up than what you normally see in the stores. I hope my hubby enjoys it too. Please join us for this challenge as we'd love to see your projects. See you there!

Just Chillin'

It's January and baby it's cold outside! Making an igloo with penguins brings the message home loud and clear.

I cut the igloo and phrase using my Create A Critter Cricut cartridge and applied Stickles for that touch of sparkle. The penguins were cut using the Christmas Cheer Cricut cartridge and don't they look very trendy in their lime green hats. Googly eyes add a bit of fun to these cold loving creatures.

I made these images for a friend of mine who teaches grade school. She will put them up on the bulletin board for her January display. I made lots more penguins which the children can 'earn' when they do something nice for someone else. They get to print there name on the penguin's tummy and add it to the bulletin board display. In December I made mittins for the winter display which can be added to this display for added fun and colour. I know the kids will love these characters and it will make the classroom a fun place to be even though it's cold outside!

Remember When...

It's June in January! That's the challenge this week at Cricutz Card Challenge. You can use any cartridge or colour but it has to have summer as your theme.

My first thought was ice cream. Of all the images of ice cream cones, the one on the Doodlecharms Cricut Cartridge is by far my favourite. Then I went to my newest Cricut cartridge, Phrases, and cut "Remember when" from a bright turquoise paper backed in brown cardstock. Everything was then placed on some polka dot designer paper from the Granny's Kitchen paper collection made by SEI. I just love polka dots! Pink gross grain ribbon finishes the card nicely.

I think this card has a retro and even nostalgic feel but maybe I'm biased. Want to get a warm feeling right now??? Then go to your craft room and make a card that feels like summer and join us in this challenge.

Can you help me? Everyday Pop Up Cards Cartridge

When I bought the Everyday Pop Up Cards Cricut cartridge, I envisioned making fabulous 3-D cards that would light up children's eyes and put a smile on adult's faces. Little did I know how difficult they are to make.

I wanted to make a 3-D cupcake card for my niece-in-law. I started by reviewing the cartridge booklet and then going on YouTube and looking at some of the videos posted. It was funny, one of the crafters on that post had an awful time trying to figure out how to place the 3-D image and never did finish the card. It looked pretty straight forward so I tried making my own card.

The 3-D cupcake has 4 pieces. I understand how three of them work but not the fourth one. I tried and tried and tried some more before I threw up my hands and gave up. I changed my mind and cut the 3-D phrase. I couldn't even figure out how that went. The problem is, the cartridge booklet doesn't give you any hints as to what direction the card should open up. Why would you start with a tall A2 card and when you open it up having to turn the card the other way to view the pop up? It doesn't make sense to me but what do I know. Maybe that's the way the card is supposed to open.

I devoted a while to making this card so I could pop it in the mail. I totally gave up, made the cupcake and the phrase and pasted both on the front of the card! Gosh - it didn't turn out as I had envisioned. No children will light up their eyes and no adults will smile when looking at this card - for sure!

Can you help me? What an I missing? I know that the tabs are for gluing on the card and the image collapses on the fold but what do you do with that fourth piece? It's the piece that has 4 tabs and one fold. Can't figure it out. Any assistance would be appreciated. Otherwise, I am destined to making 2-D cards forever!

Thanks.

I've Been Busy!

Here it is ... finally! My latest quilt that I have been working on for an embarrassingly long time. I made it for a friend's baby intending it for her first birthday. Now she is one and a half. Oh well, at least she is still young enough to enjoy it!

This quilt is called The Cat's Meow. I chose colourful fabrics because it is not just a quilt for a baby but I wanted it to grow with her. I hope this quilt is something that she will enjoy for many, many years to come. Both sides of the quilt are fun particularly if you like cats as I know all little girls do. The fabric, manufactured by South Seas Imports, is sold in a panel where you cut the framed pictures of various cats. Each cat is cut out and sewn in long panels separated by blocks of other fun fabrics. These panels are assembled with long sashes between them and sewn together. A border of small squares is added to the whole quilt. The back of the quilt is a bright lime green fabric with the cats on it bound by a lovely sea blue border. I added a striped binding and I really thing it adds another bit of fun to the quilt. I finally chose to sew a lovely quilting design made up of daisies that were chained together. I think this adds a bit of whimsy to the overall project. I loved the look of both sides of the quilt.

I enjoyed making this quilt and I know that the little girl who receives it will have loads of fun using it. I'm glad that it's going to a forever loving home!

Welcome to 2012!

I made this card to celebrate the New Year and also for Cricut Cardz Challenge#99.

I started with the idea of a snowglobe. I just love them, don't you? You can just imagine turning it upside down and watching the snow float softly down to the bottom. After all snow is what we expect in January.

The snowglobe itself was cut using the Dooblecharms Cricut cartridge with a mid blue cardstock. I then added some shading with Copic markers. The Happy Hew Year 2012 greeting was computer generated using just Microsoft Word and a shiney snowflake brad anchors it in mid air inside the globe. White embossing powder was used to imitate snow inside the globe. To finish it off, I made another globe from an old plastic page protector and this gives the look of glass and adds realism to the globe itself. A simple organza bow in the same mid blue gives the card its final touch.

I'm sure a lot of you made cards for the new year. Why not go over to the Cricut Cardz Challengesite and join us in this week's activities.