With Our Sympathy

Happy Friday everyone.  Although I hate that I needed to make a sympathy card for a friend at church who recently lost his father, I am excited to share this card with you, simply because I was happy with how it turned out!  As part of the current challenge over at Stuck On U Sketches, we were to use a fence on our project.  While trying to think of how to use a fence, it came to me that I could use one on a sympathy card.  Yep, that works!  Then I noticed that the cut I had decided to use really was a fence with a gate, so I did a little research and found a Bible verse that worked great for a sympathy card!  Don't you love it when it all comes together?!?   


Here are the details of the card:


Size:  A2
Patterned paper:  Unknown (I've had this paper forever!)
Card stock:  American Crafts; Wausau (center of sun), Bazzill Bling (grass)
Fence:  Bloom Cricut Lite cartridge cut at 2 3/4"  I added Stickles to the flowers for a touch of bling and green pearls to the centers.
Clouds:  Zooballoo Cricut cartridge cut at 1 3/4" and embossed using my Cuttlebug
Sun:  Create-a-Critter cut at 1 3/4"
Butterflies:  Martha Stewart punch
Grass:  Fiskars border punch
Sentiment:  Computer generated and punched with a McGill punch
Inside I used the following Bible verse:  “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14)  
I also added the following personal message:  May you be comforted to know that your Dad has passed through the gate and is resting in the arms of our Savior.


Hope you like it.  As always, thanks for taking the time to leave a nice comment.  They really do make me want to make something else and share it with you!


Are you on the "fence" about trying this challenge?  LOL.  Come on over and join us.  Details and inspiration can be found here.  Be inspired!

Click on the photo for a better look!

You're The Best (for my Boss)

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  We just got back from a mini vacation to Florida.  What fun.  It was so nice to get away.  We had to cancel two trips previously this year, one to the Outer Banks of North Carolina when my son-in-law's Dad passed away, and a trip to Southport, North Carolina for our anniversary when my husband fell and broke his heel and had surgery the day before our anniversary.  So, seeing the ocean and putting my toes in the water was a huge blessing for me.  And to top it off, we got to spend four days with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren who were there spending the week.

I am sharing with you today a card for my boss.  Today is officially Boss' Day.  And I have a great boss, so I want to let him know that I appreciate him.  I've worked for him for 23 years, so I suppose he plans to keep me.  LOL.

Here are the details of the card:

Size: A2
Card stock:  The case base was purchased in a package of kraft cards made by The Paper Studio.  The metallic paper used for the background is Recollections.
Patterned paper:  DCWV
You're The Best:  Cuttin' Up Cricut cartridge cut at 3"
Scalloped rectangle:  Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge cut at 4"
Leaves:  Martha Stewart punch, using Recollections metallic paper.  I used a stylus to add the veins
I also used my Stampin' Up ticket punch on most of the corners and added some criss-crossed ribbon.
I also added a touch of black Stickles around the edge of the black paper.

Hope you like it.  Click on the picture for a better look.  The picture was taken with my phone because my camera is at my daughter's house in the suitcase she brought back for us (so we wouldn't have to check luggage).  So, I don't think the quality is that great, but it will do!

Thanks for any comments you leave.  Be inspired!

May You Be Strong

I hope everyone has had a great week!  I am sharing with you today a card I made a few weeks ago for my son-in-law's father.  He had to have surgery suddenly because of an internal hernia, so I wanted to make a card for him to let him know that we were praying for him.  Here are the details of the card:

Size:  A2
Card stock:  Bazzill Bling, American Crafts
Patterned paper:  DCWV
Title:  Computer generated
Stars:  McGill punches
Embossing:  Stars embossing is a Paper Studios embossing folder
The yellow paper was embossed with lines when I purchased it.  The manufacturer is unknown.
Border punch:  Fiskars border punch
Frame:  Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge
Strong boy:  A Child's Year Cricut cartridge
Inside sentiment:  "and well again soon is our prayer."
Pearls:  Queen and Company

Thanks so much for looking, and for your comments.  Have a great weekend!  Be inspired!

 

Woo hoo! Top 5!

I was so happy to see that I made Top 5 at Fantabulous Cricut as part of their pumpkin challenge!  What an honor!  It sure made my day.

Give Thanks Banner

TGIF again!  I wonder if anyone is as excited as I am about it being Friday.  LOL.  And to top it off, I can share with you my banner I made last weekend.  I've been thinking about making one of these for a while, and since the die cut challenge this week over at Stuck On U Sketches was to use a tree on your project, it was time to make a banner!  I put quite a bit of time into this banner, but I was very happy with the result.  I think it looks great hanging on my mantle!  I hope you will join us and make something with a die cut tree on it for this week's challenge!  And be sure to check out the other designers' creations by clicking here.

Here are the details for the banner:

I used the Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge (my all time favorite) and stretched the swirl1 design on page 25 of the handbook using Cricut Craft Room.  I was even able to make a layer with a decent shadow -- woo hoo!  Each background piece for the banner is 5" wide x approx. 6 1/2" long.
Scalloped ovals:  Elegant Edges cut at 5 1/4"
Letters:  Storybook Cricut cartridge cut at 4 1/2" and then embossed using my Cuttlebug
Top borders:  Various border punches and Bazzill Just the Edge strips
Tree:  Stretch Your Imagination Cricut cartridge cut at 5 1/4" (I added some Stickles to the leaves.)
Pumpkins:  Create-a-Critter Cricut cartridge cut at 1 1/2" and 1" (embossed with my Cuttlebug)
Flowers:  Recollections (most of them anyway, two were made with my Cricut - see below)
Butterflies:  Martha Stewart punch
Leaves:  Spellbinders die
Grass:  Fiskars border punch
Bible verse:  Computer generated and punched using a McGill punch
Rolled flower:  Flower Shoppe Cricut cartridge cut at 5" and one cut at 6 1/2".  I decided the 5" rose was a better size cut.  It was easier to work with.  I have a closeup of this flower below.

I also submitted this for the current "pumpkin" challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut!

I think that's about it!  I hope you like it as much as I do.  Click on the pictures for a better look.  Thanks in advance for any comments you leave.  Be inspired!

My die cut tree!

Here is a closeup of my rolled flower.  I added a little Stickles.

40 or 50?

Happy Monday!  Hope you had a great weekend.  Today I am sharing with you a birthday card made for a co-worker. There's a funny story behind this card.  I was told that this co-worker was turning 40.  So, I made her card with a "40" on the front.  When I gave it to her, she said she loved it and then she said, "But, you do know that I am not 40."  Of course I didn't.  She was turning 50!  I believe it made her day.  She told everyone about it and said it was the best gift she had received.  And I really didn't think she was 50!  What a way to give a gift, huh?!?  Here are the details of the card:

Size 4" x 5 1/4"
Patterned papers: K and Company and Unknown (pink polka dots)
Card stock:  Bazzill and Core'dinations
40:  Storybook cartridge cut at 1 1/2"
Scalloped oval frame:  Elegant Edges cut at 3 1/4"
Roses:  I am Roses
Leaves:  Martha Stewart punch
Butterflies:  Martha Stewart punch
Sentiment:  Sticker from my stash
Border punch:  Martha Stewart
Bow:  Thanks to Joy over at the Cricut message board for posting about these bows.  She found the link to this video and gave me the inspiration to try to design my own using my Cricut.  I welded two ovals and three rectangles from the George cartridge to make my own bow template.  I love, love, love this bow! As you can see, I embossed it with a hearts Cuttlebug folder after cutting it.
Pearl strand:  Unknown

Thanks for your comments.  Be inspired!

You're a Lucky Duck

Today I am sharing with you another guy card, this one for my son-in-law's birthday.  He is an avid duck hunter, so when I saw the ducks on Campin' Critters, I was happy!  And I wanted to make him laugh, and that is the reason for the silly sentiment.  Here are the details:

Card size:  5 1/4" x 5 1/4"
Card stock:  Recollections, Wausau, Bazzill, DCWV
Patterned paper:  Unknown
Duck:  Campin' Critters Cricut cartridge cut at 3"
Clouds and Sun:  Pooh and Friends Cricut cartridge
Green scalloped border:  EKSuccess border punch
Sentiment:  Computer generated and punched with a Stampin' Up Paper Savers punch
Embossing on sun, clouds and water:  Cuttlebug
Inside sentiment:  Not only do you have the best mother-in-law in the world, but you share a birthday with some pretty famous people.  (This is a reference to the fact that he shares a birthday with my Mom.)  LOL.

Thanks for your comments.  Be inspired!

Guy Birthday Card

I am sharing with you today the birthday card I made recently for my husband.  It can definitely be classified as clean and simple.  It is not one of my favorites for sure, but I like the shape.  Here are details:

Size:  5 x 5"
Card shape:  Campin' Critters Cricut cartridge using the sign feature cut at 5" - very cool feature for cards.
Card stock:  Bazzill
Patterned paper:  Unknown (mayber DCWV?)
Stars:  George Cricut cartridge cut at 1 3/4" and 3" (I think)
I also used a Fiskars border punch.
Sentiment was computer generated and then punched with a 1" circle punch and layered on a 1 1/2" scalloped circle.  I then just tied a ribbon into a knot and glued it on.

Very simple!  Thanks for your comments and be inspired!

The Tie That Binds Is Love

I am excited to share with you another layout that I found time to create.  I didn't realize how much I missed doing layouts.  This layout is part of the current die cut challenge over at Stuck On U Sketches.  We were to make something using a heart.  I used a Nestabilities heart, which I love.  And I love the pictures on this layout.  They were taken in 2008 at the local fair.  My husband and our granddaughter have a special bond, and I wanted this layout to emphasize that bond.  Here are details about the layout:

Card stock:  Bazzill and American Crafts
Patterned papers:  My Mind's Eye
Black scalloped edge:  Bazzill Just the Edge
Background label: Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge cut using the Fit to Page feature.  I think it ended up cutting at 10 1/2".  I also cut a shadow for this cut.
Frame:  Elegant Edges
Hearts:  Martha Stewart punch and Nestabilities heart dies
The:  Computer generated and punched with a heart punch
Tie & Binds:  Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge -- welded and cut using Cricut Craft Room
That & Is:  Cuttlebug Olivia font
Love:  Sweethearts Cricut cartridge cut at 1 1/4"
Green scalloped circle border:  Bazzill Just the Edge
Flowers:  I Am Roses, and Recollections
Also, I hid my journaling behind the framed picture, attaching ribbon to the top so it could be pulled out and viewed.

Hope you can join us for this awesome challenge!

Thanks for looking, and for your kind words.  Be inspired!

A Felt Flower Wreath

I have fallen in love with felt for making flowers -- they are so easy!  Thank you to Lauren at Lauren's Creative for making an absolutely beautiful wreath that inspired me to make one as well.  Here is a link to Lauren's gorgeous fall wreath, along with tutorials.  I went to Hobby Lobby on Saturday with my daughter and bought everything I needed to make this wreath.  I used a Styrofoam wreath and covered it with ribbon instead of a straw wreath covered with yarn.  It only took me two hours or so to make it!  Hope you like it.  Thanks in advance for your kind words.  Be inspired!

And a closeup --

A Few More Thank You Cards

I am sharing with you today two more simple thank you cards I made for friends and family that were wonderful to us when my husband had surgery last month.  The first is for a dear friend who gave him a two month subscription to Netflix (perfect for someone who is in a cast and needs to be sitting in a chair with his foot propped up), and the other is for our daughter who brought a week's worth of food so that I didn't have to come home from work and cook (as well as take care of him).  I am blessed!

The cards are A2 size.  I used DCWV and Bazzill papers, my Cuttlebug (embossing and "thanks"), K and Co. flowers, a Martha Stewart punch (under the mini roses), a border punch, and lace.  If you would like any specific details, just let me know!

Thanks for looking.  Be inspired!

A Few Thank You Cards

After my hubby had surgery last month, lots of people did nice things for us.  I needed to make several thank you cards, so instead of making several different ones, I made several that were similar and simple.  I am sharing a set with you today.

I absolutely love, love, love my Cuttlebug.  I love how you can take a piece of white card stock and make it into a nice card.  It doesn't have to be really fancy to be pretty (in my humble opinion).

Here are the details:

Size:  A2
Card Stock:  American Crafts and Bazzill
I used different Cuttlebug embossing folders for each of these cards.  I also used a Cuttlebug thank you set of dies.  I also love my Cuttlebug alphabets and dies.  They are great when you're in a pinch!  And of course I used my handy dandy punches, which as you know if you visit here often, I use all of the time.  They can't be beat!

Hope you like them.  Click on the photo for a better look.  Thanks for your comments.  Be inspired!

Birthday Wishes

I am sharing with you today the birthday card I made for my mother's birthday.  I was pleased with the way the card turned out.  It really was more elegant than it photographed.  I made it with today's die cut challenge over at Stuck On U Sketches in mind.  We were challenged to use a flower on our creations.  And flowers are my very favorite things ever to put on a card or layout!  So, I was a happy design team member.  LOL.  Click here to go directly to the challenge.  Come play along with us!

Here are the details:

Size:  5" x 5"
Card stock:  Bazzill
Patterned papers:  DCWV
Flower:  Paisley Cricut cartridge cut at sizes from 2 1/2" down to 1 1/4".  To get the dimension on the flower, I curled the leaves around a embossing tool.  I learned this several months ago on the Cricut message board, but I can't remember to whom I should give credit.  I added a large glass bead to the center from my stash.
Scalloped squares:  I used the Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge for the scalloped squares cut at 3" and 3 1/2" and also added shadows for the cuts.
Bow:  Unknown satin ribbon -- bow made with my Bow Easy.
Sentiment:  Computer generated and punched with a 1" circle punch and a 1 1/2" scalloped circle punch.
Pearls:  Queen and Company

Here are a few pictures.   Click on the pictures for a better look.  I hope you like it, and thanks for your comments.  Be inspired!

Fair Fun

I suppose it doesn't take much to excite me, since I was so excited to find the time this weekend to make a layout.  It's been almost 3 months since I've done a page, so this was a treat for me.  Of course the thrill was taken away a little when I went to pick the layout up from my coffee table yesterday, and obviously glue had been on the back of the layout, which made it stick to my coffee table!  AARRGGHH!!  I don't know how that happened!  Now I have three spots on the table with red card stock and Fabri-Tac glue!  I've tried UnDu, rubbing alcohol, and an oily furniture polish, but so far, it's only removed about 1/2 of the mess, and I can see that it is hurting the finish on the table.  If you know of a magical formula to remove the glue, please let me know!

I used a sketch from Sketch Support.  I just love their two page sketches!  Here are the details of the layout:

Card stock:  Bazzill, Bazzill Bling, DCWV Glitter
Patterned paper:  My Mind's Eye
Scalloped edging:  Doodlebug Designs Paper Frills
Carousel horse, ticket, and title:  Carousel Cricut Lite cartridge
Butterfly:  K and Co.
Flower-like punch outs (for lack of a better description):  EK Success punch
Stars:  McGill punch
Label for journaling:  Nestabilities
Laugh:  DCWV Chipboard piece

Click on the photo to get a better look!

Thanks for your comments.  Be inspired!

Best Wishes Bridal Shower Card

I am sharing with you today a bridal shower card I made for one of my daughter's best friends.  I made this card quickly because I didn't realize the shower was coming up until the day before it occurred!  Yikes.  The bride loves vintage stuff and wouldn't be caught wearing the color pink.  Ha.  So, I tried to make the card in the colors she likes -- tans and greens.  Here are the details:

Size:  A2
Card Stock:  DCWV and Recollections
Patterned Papers:  DCWV
Yarn flower:  Recollections
Hearts:  Martha Stewart punch
Best Wishes:  Cuttlebug folder
Ribbon:  Unknown - from my stash
Lacey scalloped circle and circle:  Nestabilities

Thanks for looking.  Be inspired!