Getting Fit

I've been in a bit of a creative slump lately.  And this morning I couldn't sleep so I decided to try creating a card and this is what I came up with.  It's an encouragement card using the Bubbles the Bear Getting Fit file from Marjorie Ann Designs.  I opted to use the print 'n cut feature using clip art rather than piecing together. 

 

The stamped sentiment on my card is from the Pretty Cute Stamps set titled The New You.

 

And then I added a red skittle from DoubleClick Connections to finish it off.  There was so much brown that I felt the need to break it up a bit and since Bubble's is in red sweatpants what better color to use.

Brighter Day

I have an encouragement card I'd like to share with you today.  It's been really rainy here in the Panhandle of FL - just like it's been in a great many places throughout the U.S.  Personally, I don't care much for the rain.  It always gets me down in the dumps a bit.  Kinda like winter and all this cold air.  My guess is because that means I'm cooped up inside rather than being able to be outdoors, running around barefoot, being active and basking in all that glorious sunshine.  And so.....

 

....I thought I'd take that rainy weather and turn it around.

 

I found this cute teddy bear in his rain coat, playing with his sailboat in a puddle and thought that's perfect.  This little cutie is called Bobby and His Boat, and he's a Marjorie Ann Designs creation. 

 

My sentiment is from the Rain or Shine stamp set from Craftin Desert Divas.  I have another one from this set that I used inside that says " when life gives you a rainy day, play in the puddles"  Isn't that perfect?

 

On the outside of my card I decided to be a little adventurous and I tried this new product I purchased called Goosebumps by Tsukineko.  It's a clear texture spray and mimics that wet look.  Of course I need a bit more practice as I was nervous the first time using it but I still think it turned out pretty good.

 

I also added a couple of Stream colored skittles from DoubleClick Connections to shake things up even more.

Need a Hug?

I love squirrels.  My yard is full of various feeders that I constantly fill so that I can watch the squirrels come eat and play in my yard.  I'll stand at the kitchen window or sit on the porch waiting and watching.  They're such funny critters and I enjoy the entertainment they provide.  My squirrels have their homes built up in the tops of old oak trees surrounding my house and they'll run from their homes down and through the trees whenever they see me coming with food.

 

And so it should be no surprise that today I have a fun squirrel card to share with you.  This shaped card is from Marjorie Ann Designs and is titled Nuts About You.  Now I admit I changed my card up a bit.  I left out the flower and the little black bird and then added in some "grass".  But that's the beauty of our crafting, the designer sees it one was and we have the ability to create it another.

 

The stamped sentiment on my card is from the Cardz TV Stamps set titled Just Saying.

Get Your Happy On

Today I'm taking a brief break from my Christmas cards and instead creating one for Fall.  Using gingerbread men for something other than Christmas was ingenious.  Making them this cute is even better yet.

 

And so for today's card I used the Flavors of Fall file from Marjorie Ann Designs.  Fortunately I still have some Fall themed paper in my stash and it was perfect for using as coordinates for my card.  Now that it's almost gone I'm on a mad hunt for more.

 

Instead of using the buttons in the file on the gingerbread man's overalls I opted to use sequins.  I thought this would add a bit of texture and something different to the card.  The ones I used are from the Shine Bright set by Crafting Desert Divas.

 

My stamped sentiment is from the Cardz TV Stamps set titled Mixed Messages.

 

And now I'm off to enter my card into the following challenges:

 

Freestyle - Hiding in My Craft Room - Ends September 4th

 

Anything Goes - Jo's Scrap Shack - Ends September 4th

 

September Linky Party - DL Art - Ends September 30th

Ain't no thing

I have a quick and easy project to share with you today.  I have this stamp set that I purchased months ago from Peachy Keen Stamps called Sunny Side Up.  It has these cute "chicken" related sentiments but I just never found the right cuts to pair the sentiments with.

 

Until this Cutie KaToodle Rooster from Kadoodle Bug Designs.  I recently used this same rooster on a recipe page so when I cut him out I cut two so I could use him on a card.  It doesn't show up that well in my picture but I used glossy accents on the black part of his eyes to help give them that bit of shine.

 

But there you have it.  My quick and easy encouragement card.....

TLC From Me to You

It's another fine Monday and in our area it's starting out to be a rainy day.  So what could be more fitting than this cute card I have to share with you this morning.

 

My card was created using one of the cute little Poopez files from SVG Cutting Files.  This little fella is Sleep Pee.  His poor little face looks like one that could be tired, sad or just plain not feeling it.  And with this dreary weather that's how I'm kinda feeling this morning.  But that makes this perfect to use for either a get well card, encouragement or Just Because...

 

The sentiment that I used for my card is from the recently released stamp set titled Tissue Time by Craftin Desert Divas.

You Can Count On Me

Today I have a quick card to share that I made using last week's freebie file from Treasure Box Designs.  This one is titled Lollipop Bear. 

 

As soon as I saw this cutie I knew he'd be a perfect match to use with one of the sentiments from the Jaded Blossom stamp set Lollipops Galore.  And since I didn't necessarily want this to be a Valentine's Day card I chose one that would work for several different occasions like celebrating a friendship or for encouragement when someone is down.  Or it could be used for Valentine's Day. 

 

So, there you have it.  Quick and easy, but still looks great.


Doubleclick Skittles - Heart Challenge - Ends February 17th

Bear Hugs

 

Thank goodness for weekends.  I really needed some time to just sit down and play in my craft room.  It's been a busy, crazy, stressful work week so it was great to sleep in an extra hour and then wake up to having my oldest son home for a bit. 

 

The card I'd like to share with you today was not created for Valentine's Day but for an anytime someone needs a pick me up.  However, it could be used for Valentine's as well - it just wasn't where my brain was going.  LOL

 

I found this wonderful Pooh Bear svg in one of my groups so it's not my own creation and that means I can't share it - sorry.

 

My stamped sentiment is from the Cardz TV Stamps stamp set Beary Sweet.  The skittles are from a set that I found at Michael's.

 

I based the layout of my card on the sketch below that is this week's challenge over at Die Cuttin' Divas so I'm going to enter this card in to their challenge. 

 

 

 

There's still a little bit of time to play along but the challenge does end tomorrow.

That's When I'm Carrying You

Hello fellow bloggers.  Today is the beginning of another fun PDE Linky Party and this time we are going to the beach!  Of course it's not hard for me to imagine anything about  beaches. After all I live along the Gulf of Mexico in the World's Luckiest Fishing Village where our own beaches were named the best family beach in 2013 by the Travel Channel.  And I guess that's why I decided to do something a little different for my beach project.

When I saw this wonderful SVG file called You Carry Me over at Little Scraps of Heaven Designs I fell in love with it.  And so I decided to use this file and create a card of encouragement.

For this card I used sand paper for my beach sand.  Of course I would have loved to have had white sand paper so my beach would look more like ours here along the Gulf of Mexico, but beggars cannot be choosers.  I will say that using sand paper does create a bit more of a challenge when you have other papers to adhere to it.  At least for me it does since I use a liquid adhesive.  I did however use glue dots for the bottom portion of Jesus and those worked better than the liquid.

Now that you've seen my project be sure that you head on over to the party (if you haven't been there already) and look at the other designs our amazing team has put together for you.  Then after you've been amply inspired, create your own project, link up and play along with us.

I can't wait to see what you create.

Hang in There

Happy Tuesday everyone.  I hope that you've had a good start to your week and are ready for a bit of fun. Today over at Pause Dream Enjoy Linky Party it's all about the food.  That's right, we're showcasing projects that involve food.

For my project, I chose to showcase lemons.  Now I know you're probably thinking why in the world would I choose something so sour.  Truth is I love lemons and this little monkey with his lemon and lemonade were just too cute to resist.  I found these little gems in the file set called Lemonade Monkeys over at Kadoodle Bug Designs.  The stamped sentiment is from the Simply Said set over at Cardz TV Stamps.

So now that you've seen my project hop on over to the Pause Dream Enjoy Linky Party and check out party #11.  We've recently changed our web address so be sure that you click to join so you stay updated on all the upcoming projects and fun.  Then after you've done that check out the projects the rest of our team has created for you today.  Once you're done oohing and aahing, create your own project showcasing food, link up and play along with us.

Be Yourself

I am proud to announce that I have been accepted to rejoin the Pause Dream Enjoy creative design team.  Needless to say I am very excited to be back with the family.  And just in time for a new linky party!  

The challenge for this party is all about flowers.  That's it - create a project that uses flowers, link up and play along.  You have two weeks to create your project and join in on the fun.

As for my project, I used the VW Luv Bug file from Little Scraps of Heaven Designs and swapped out the hearts for some daisies that I found on the Sweet Treats Cricut cartridge.  My sentiment is from the Cardz TV stamp set Simply Said.

Now before you go off and create your project be sure to hop on over to Pause, Dream, Enjoy and check out the rest of the great projects our team has created this week.  You're sure to find a lot more inspiration to really get those creative juices flowing........


Dates to remember :


Link up begins today, April 29th
Link-up Ends: May 10 @ midnight EST
Voting Begins: May 11 @ 12:01 am EST
Voting Ends: May 11 @ Noon EST

U R Amazing - Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge

Happy Friday everyone.  As I begin this post we are keeping a close eye on the weather as our area is currently under a Hurricane Watch AND I just noticed this morning that Jim Cantori is in Pensacola.  Guess there will be at least a little bit of excitement to the weekend after all.

Speaking of excitement we have another installment of Cardz TV Stamps challenges today.  Today our Go to Galz created cards and projects for Breast Cancer Awareness.  With that said if you have not yet had your mammogram this year it's time to get one scheduled.  I know they're no fun but we have to do what we have to do to protect ourselves and I'll be doing mine next week.

Now on to my project,  as you can see I created a card for mine.  For this card I used the following cartridges:

George -  to design the bust from a collection of circles, ovals and some other shape all welded together. 

Life's A Beach - I cut out the bikini top, removed the straps and used ribbon for them instead. I then embossed the cut and viola it's a pretty bra. 

Stand and Salute - for the ribbon.

My sentiment is from the Cardz TV Stamps set titled "This N That".

My printed papers are all from the Me and My Big Ideas Breast Cancer Awareness mat stack. 

And now that you've seen my project for this week - let's see what you create.  After you make your project be sure to link up and play along with us so we can all ooh and aah over your creations too.

Seriously

Happy Wednesday everyone and welcome to another Cricut Cardz Challenge.  Can you believe this is our 118th challenge?  My how the time flies.....

This week's challenge is Anything Goes.  You can make a card, project, layout - ANYTHING - so long as you use your Cricut. 

As you can tell I chose to make a card......I had to since I just received the new Suburbia cartridge in the mail a couple days prior.  I've been looking at this cartridge and salivating and on World Card Making Day I just HAD to dig in.  And just like the Child's Year cartridge, Surburbia is going to be a fun one.

Both my silhouette and the word seriously were cut from Suburbia.  At first I was going to use the question mark with the word and try to come up with some smart alek sentiment but I changed my mind.  Instead, I chose to make this an enouraging card and used the following sentiment:

Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end.  (Author Unknown)

Now that you've seen my take on this week's challenge hop on over to Cardz TV and check out all of the other fun and exciting projects our design team created for you this week.  Then after you've been amply inspired, create your own, link up and play along with us.

I can't wait to see what you make this week.

Team....

Today I have another DT challenge for Just A Scrappin' to share with you, and I have to admit that when I saw the directive for this one I was like "are you kidding me?". I had no idea what I was going to do for this one, but in the end it all came together and did so beautifully.

So what was the directive you ask. Well, we had to create a project with Volleyball as the theme. But it didn't stop there - we had to use the colors maroon, white and gold. Now this part wasn't too problematic for me because those are the school colors for our local highschool (from which I graduated). But wait, it didn't stop there either. We also had to use brads on our project.

Think, think, and think some more. Whatever in the world could I do? As I looked through the pages of my Sports Mania booklet I saw this cut with the hands up over the volleyball net and I heard the word "TEAM" yell out in my head. So off to the internet I went in search of a quote for teamwork and from there everything fell in to place.

As I mentioned earlier, the cut with the volleyball net and hands were cut from Sports Mania as was the volleyball. To make the card a little more interesting I placed my volleyball on an action wobble. See?

And that quote I mentioned earlier - it goes like this......

"Team means Together Everyone Achieves More!"

And now that you've seen my card hope on over to Just A Scrappin' and check out the other designs our team put together for your viewing pleasure this week. Then after you've been amply inspired create your own, link up and play along with us. I'd love to see what you create.

God's Promise

Happy April 18th - or International Juggler's Day.  Now how's that for a bizarre 'holiday'?  Hmmmmm, I think I smell a challenge idea coming on.......

Anyhow, back to the here and now.  It's time for another installment in Cricut Cardz Challenges.  Today's challenge is brought to you by April Showers, where our directive was to make a card using an umbrella, rain boots, clouds, raindrops, puddles, etc. from any cartridge/s we choose.  As you can see I chose to use a couple of the different cuts listed. 

On to the 'recipe'.  For my card I used the following cartridges and cuts:

A Child's Year for the girl silhouette cut at 4 1/4".  I cut away the umbrella from the silhouette so I could replace it with another one in color.

Graphically Speaking for the puddles cut at 1" and 1 1/2" hiding the contour for the flowers.

Everyday Pop-up Cards was used for several cuts including:

• The clouds.  To do this I cut the pop up mechanism at 5 3/4"and 4".  I hid the contours for all the pop up pieces and the slider holes in the clouds.  After cutting and printing the verbiage on the clouds I embossed and lightly inked over them.
• The umbrella on the outside of the card cut at 2 3/4"
• The pop up on the inside of the card cut at 6 1/4"

April Showers for the worm cut at 1" and the butterfly cut at 3/4".

And now that you have seen my card, why don't you hop on over and check the other awesome designs our team came up with for this week's challenge.  Then after you've soaked in all that inspiration create your own card and play along with us.

UPDATE:  I'm excited to have found out that this card made the April 27, 2012 edition of the Cricut Chirp.

God Thinks You're Wonderful

I was inspired to create this card after I received an email from DaySpring that was advertising Max Lucado's book God Thinks You're Wonderful. 

For this card I finally broke down and used my E2 just so I could use this cut from the Just a Note cartridge.  Being spoiled with Design Studio like I am I will be thrilled when Cricut is either able to get CCR up and going or updates Gypsy to be able to use the pre-loaded carts.  But I digress.....

The hand on the inside of the card was cut from A Child's Year.

You're a Cut Above

I've had this quote running around my head for days and finally got it put into a card today.  I had fun making this card - like I do all of them of course....

For this card I used:

April Showers for the squirrel, butterflies and tree
PPDU for the frog
Plantin Schoolbook for the grass
Chore Chart for the lawnmower

I don't remember which one I used for the clouds as they were leftovers from a previous project.

Prayer of Encouragement

Just picked up the Chore Chart lite cartridge the other day and I admit I wanted it specifically for this cut.  However, I waited for Walmart to mark it down because I just couldn't justify paying that much for one cut.

The dove is from Joys of the Season.

Inside Sentiment says:   In those times when I can't seem to find God, I rest in the assurance that He knows where to find me.  - Neva Coyle

Happiness is

I love this quote and had to use it on a card.  Not too difficult to do either given that I had a choice of car cuts available.  However, I chose this one from Graphically Speaking.

Prayer Bugs - Inspired by.....

First of all I must give credit where credit is due as the original idea for these little cuties came from Jean's Crafty Corner.  Last month she had created these and I thought it was such a great way to spread encouragement that I scraplifted her idea and ran with it.

For my bugs I used Simply Charmed and cut the lady bugs at 2 1/2".  The little heart buttons I found at Michael's for a package of 20 for $1.99. 

Thank you so much Jean for this wonderful idea.  The ladies have really enjoyed receiving these.