New Baby

I've been so busy with various projects that I'm afraid I have neglected my blog a bit.

My sister's only son (and my only nephew) and his wife who live in Richmond, Virginia recently had a baby girl. I wanted to make a very special baby gift. We haven't had a baby in our family for over 18 years so we need to embrace this event. I made this birth announcement which I machine embroidered which looks lovelier than the photo. I was extremely pleased with how it turned out and anyone who has seen it, absolutely loves it. When I took the photo I didn't include the details of the frame. Too bad 'cause it would have shown two tones of wood which added to it's charm. The dark wood matches the nursery crib and dresser perfectly.

It doesn't matter what you do whether it is making cards, scrapbooking or embroidery so long as you enjoy yourself. I love what I do no matter what craft I choose.

Bow Wow Greetings

Here is a general card that can be used for anything. I made this card in response to the Cricut Cardz Challenge this week that asked us to make a card using any cartridge and any theme.

I started out with some medium brown embossed specialty paper from K&Company. I rubbed a sanding block over the surface of the paper which exposed the lighter coloured paper underneath. The dog was cut using my cartridge - Four Legged Friends. Cream embroidery thread is the same colour as the background paper and was strung underneath the words, Bow wow. The card was really fun to make. You can really have fun using various patterned paper and colours for the dog's body. Anyway, here it is - the card for this week's challenge. Come one over and join us at Cricut Cardz Challenge and show us your cards. Thanks.

Special Birthday for a Special Lady

My mother-in-law celebrated her 80th birthday last week. My husband, being her eldest child, and his father got together and planned a lovely dinner for immediate family and close friends. It turned out to be a lovely evening and we had cocktails, snacks and shared great conversation with relatives and friends. A house had been converted to an intimate little restaurant with front patio and large principal rooms on both floors. We had the entire upstairs to ourselves. Entreees ranged from osso bucco and sea bass to risotto and a lovely home made pasta. Everyone had a great time. It was a lovely event for a fabulous person. I couldn't ask for a better mother-in-law.

The card I made was inspired by the chocolate and pink polka dot gross grain ribbon. The "80" sparkle stickers were added to organza ribbon. I cut the black and white label from nestabilities dies. The Happy Birthday stamp is from PaperTrey Ink. Everyone loved the card and I had great fun making it.

Masculine Birthday Card

Making cards for guys whether they are men or just small boys can be challenging. One way to get your ideas moving in the right direction is to give yourself a challenge...just like the one that Cricut Cardz Challenge is posting this week as their Challenge #75.

We were asked to make a card using something with wheels. I looked through all my cartridges and to my surprise there were several that would work. However, I chose my Just Because cartridge. The main image is a pick up truck but one of the options is the ability to cut a sticker which can be made up of a circle with some of the pick up truck displayed. You can cut a circle backing for the sticker but I chose instead to display the blue truck on an embossed background. The sentiment of Happy Wishes was added to replace the tire.

I think this card successfully answered the Cricut Cardz Challenge. Why not drive over to their website and see what other crafters have come up with. It might give you some ideas for future cards. Happy crafting!

To the Beach We Go

I know what you're thinking...that's it's a little early for beach talk but the themed challenge this week at Cricut Cardz Challenge is to make a card relating the beach.

I knew immediately that I wanted to make a card that showed water. I chose a light blue cardstock that I embossed using a swirl folder which I passed it through my Cuttlebug. I took a blue Momento petal ink cartridge and rubbed it over the swirls to add dimension. I also applied some Martha Stewart ice blue glitter to some of the "waves". The whale was cut using my Create a Critter cartridge out of a darker blue card stock. White gel pen was added to create a bit of dimension. Of course I added a bit of glitter to his water spout. The word "splash" was also cut from the Create a Critter cartridge. Blue organza ribbon completes the card.

I think the card really turned out to be a cute one. We can go to the beach and see our own water creatures but I would recommend that we wait until the weather is a bit warmer. Keep on crafting 'til then!

Mother's Day Card Challenge

It's been a while I know since my last blog. That's because I've been leading a very busy life. That's what Mother's do, don't they. They put their own things aside until everyone else is looked after...then do something for themselves. I'm not saying that this is the right way to carry on, but it happens. Right now I'm helping my grandson with his college courses and trying to get him into the program that he wants. I also work part time 3 days a week at a local quilt shop (love it), volunteering at a large hospital Emergency Department once a week (absolutely love it). trying to finish a quilt, as well as caring for my husband, cat and tropical fish. That doesn't include cleaning, getting ready for Easter, readying myself for a trip to San Fransisco next month...the list goes on.

I did take time out of my week to make a card in celebration of Mother's Day. I had some lovely patterned paper that I cut out as the background. I used my Martha Stewart scoring mat on some lovely raspberry tinted paper and made the large accordion flower. I took the same designer paper and using my Create A Critter cartridge, cut out several flowers . The lovely blush organza bow adds softness to the card. A simple script Happy Mother's Day stamp from Papertrey Ink finishes the card.

Please join us at Cricut Cardz Challenge for their Challenge #71 and make a Mother's Day card using any cartridge you'd like. We'd love to see your project posted on their blog. You even have a chance to win a prize. Thanks and enjoy your week!

Is it Spring Yet?

Well for those at Cricut Cardz Challenge it is. With Spring being right around the corner, I think, the challenge this week is to make a card for Spring using only pink, green and white ONLY but you can use any cartridge you'd like.

I checked out my Create a Critter cartridge and found a sweet little chick and egg which I thought was cute. I have a lovely piece of light green paper with pink and green flowers and leaves on it. Wasn't that lucky! I cut the cracked egg in pink and the little chick out of white. Green beak and tummy complete the image. Then I thought about the caption. The words "ta da" add a cute factor. I hope you like it.

Why not go over to Cricut Cardz Challenge and see what other members of my team came up with.