Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month? There are numerous fund raising events, marathon races and get togethers to bring this important message to both men and women. Breast cancer is one of the more treatable cancers if detected and treated early. That is why you must discuss your risk factors with your doctor, participaate in sceening programs and make sure that breast self examination is done regularly.

Challenge #47 at Cricut Cardz Challenge that started on October 20th is to make a card with the theme of breast cancer awareness. My "Think Pink" card started off with these words being cut from the Plantin Schoolbook Cricut cartridge. As I didn't have any high heel shoe image on any of my cartridges, I found one in the Make the Cut software files. I cut the lady's shoe using soft pink cardstock then added pink gross grain ribbon and rhinestone. This was added to black cardstock layered onto a pink card.

We'd love to see your own cards for this theme. Come and join us at Cricut Cardz Challenge!

Thanksgiving Card Challenge

Cricut Cardz Challenge #45 that started on Wednesday, October 6th, is to make a card for Thanksgiving, using any cartridge or colour you like. This is just in time for Thanksgiving in Canada on October 11th and early for the U.S. celebration at the end of November.

For my card I scoured my Cricut cartridges for leaves and cut different ones from the Stretch Your Imagination, Designer's Calendar and Plantin Schoolbook cartridges. I used ivory cardstock and very lightly patterned designer paper and then used watercolor pencils to fill in the leaves. By using a blender pen on the leaves I was able to create very muted tones of green, orange and red. After curling the leaves, I glued them on to a cardstock circle and added a chocolate satin bow. It was my intention to use this as a placecard for Thanksgiving after adding the guest's name to the wreath but then I remembered that the Challenge was to make a card. I took the wreath and added it to the front of some kraft cardstock before adding the banner that says, "Happy Thanksgiving".

Hop on over to Cricuts Cardz Challenge and see that other crafters are up to. Bye for now.

Fall Cards

The weather is getting cooler at nights and the leaves are starting to turn. Pumpkins have been harvested and children are excited at getting ready for Halloween. To me, it looks and feels like fall. I found this fabulous paper with large pumpkins so I made this card which I then mounted on kraft card stock. This was a 5"x5" card so I could highlight several pumpkins. I applied gold Stickles to the stems but unfortunately the photo doesn't do justice to the final project. The card looked way more impressive.

The second card was one that I put together from paper scraps. I cut the tree from my Serenade Cricut cartridge from woodgrain pattern paper and added some seasonal stickers from a paper pack that I got from Michaels. Hemp string was used instead of ribbon.

I am currently making some Thanksgiving cards which I will showcase soon.

Baby Giraffe Card

Cricut Cardz Challenge #43 that started on Wednesday, September 22nd is to make a card for a new baby using any cartridge but using green, orange, yellow and white ONLY. Well, I wanted to put a small twist on the usual pastel cards and make something a little different. I started out by selecting the cardstock in olive green which complements the lemon yellow that I used as a plaque on the front and inside the card. I then cut a giraffe from the New Arrival Cricut cartridge in an orange patterned paper and added googly eyes to give the image a bit of whimsy. The adjacent tree is cut from the Serenade cartridge in a green tone on tone paper. I cut an oral shape on the front large enough to accommodate the giraffe's head which now peaks through the hole. The yellow rectangle on the front was stamped with a large "Baby dear" stamp and Momento Tuxedo Black ink. The card was edged with white gel pen as was the yellow sentiment box. A lovely orange/green satin bow really brought the whole card to life.

I hope you like this non-traditional baby card. It goes to show you that with a little thought, cards can be a little different from the usual. Why not join us at Cricut Cardz Challenge and get your Cricut in gear. I know you'll have fun doing it.

Baby on the Way

Good news from my nephew in Richmond, Virginia. He and his wife are expecting their first baby in April, 2011. What great news for my sister who will become a grandmother for the first time. She's going to love her new role.

I made this card using the New Arrivals Cricut cartridge. The background paper, from the K&Company "The Best of Brenda Walton", is absolutely perfect. I love this paper collection which I have used many times. In fact, I have used more from this paper collection than any others that I have bought in the past. Good for you K&Company! Inside the sentiment reads "Coming soon to your neighbourhood." Anyway, congratulations are on their way to their house with my very best wishes!

My Goofy Pumpkins

Cooler weather is right around the corner and so is Halloween. Cricut Cardz Challenge #42 which started on Wednesday, September 15th invites you to make a Halloween card using your choice of cartridge and any color.

I made this card and I call it My Goofy Pumpkins. I started with a linen textured orange Bazzill card stock to which I added some stripped paper from K & Company as well as the large Halloween stamp image in the top left corner. I then cut out different sized pumpkins using my Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. They all look so cute leaning up against each other. I topped the card off by adding a simple bow in polka dots. I hope you like it.

Why not head over to Cricut Cardz Challenge and see what everyone else is making. See you there!

Fall Apples

I always associate apples with Fall. Picking your own apples in an orchard is something that I used to do with my children when they were little and I started that tradition with my grandson. The weather is slowly changing and soon we will be grabbing a sweater or coat as we head out the door.

The Cricuts Cardz Challenge #41 that started September 8th is to make a card for Fall but with a twist - you can't use orange, yellow or brown. Despite that restriction, the design team made some great cards. I made my card using black, red and green. I started by cutting the basket and apples from the Doodlecharms cartridge. Next I cut the curled up leaves also from the Dooblecharms cartridge. The platform on which the basket sits was cut using the Walk in My Garden cartridge. The 'Fall Apples' sign was cut freehand, edged with white Jelly roll gel pen and added to the card with foam dots. I thought the sentiment 'celebrate' really worked well for this card as we enter the harvest season. To finish off, I added red gross grain ribbon with white stitching.

This challenge runs until midnight Tuesday, September 14th. Won't you join us?