Getting Back to Paper!

It's been so long since I've created a card or participated in a design challenge - not because I haven't been creative lately, just most of my crafts have been crocheted or otherwise. And not to mention the holidays, sick kids, taking care of this and that, etc. But this week at 2Sketches4You (http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/) Kazan issued her sketch #43 which I thought would be simple enough for someone like me - you know, I am the person who wishes she could have even half the talent of these super talented and creative ladies! I remembered I had bought some My Mind's Eye paper a while back and knew that this would be the week for me to get back in the groove of papercrafts. Therefore, I present to you Kazan's sketch #43 and my corresponding card. I used all My Mind's Eye paper, some bobble ribbon from Hobby Lobby, some brads, Stickles glitter, diamond accents, and DCWV mat stack in glitter. The crown and corner accent are cut from Cricut cartridges Home Decor and Storybook. The unique thing that I love about my card is the circles swing out so I can write underneath what it is that I love about my daughter, Carly. This will be her Valentine's card from me. Thanks for visiting!

Laura's Sketch #35 and Tomi Ann's Mushroom files

Hi! It's been quite a while since I have posted any cards...I just haven't been making many lately. But I am getting behind on my "thank you" cards so I took the time to make these two cards over the last couple of days in my spare time. I requested recently from Tomi Ann at her Etsy.com shop "Little Things" some mushroom cuts. I couldn't find any on Cricut cartridges and I really wanted some after seeing them in a magazine. In one day, she whipped these cuties up for me: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30296477. I wasn't really sure what I would do with them exactly...but recently we visited some new friends and played Mario Kart and I thought these mushrooms would fit in well with a "thank you" for having us over to their place for a good time. Following Laura's sketch #35 found here: http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/2009/09/lauras-sketch-35.html, I have created the mushroom card. The other "thank you" card was really easy and basically just slicing up some patterned paper, inking it, and machine stitching along the edges. Thanks for looking! (And a quick thanks to my wonderful husband who recently helped me create a better craft space with more organization because now I can go up there and whip up something in basically no time!)

Use It #15 and Kazan's Sketch #29

I finally found some time to do some playing around in my craft room. I haven't done anything like this in a while. I love these sites, 2sketches4you and Use It! challenges, because they inspire me. Really they do. I wish I had more time to keep up with them...forgive me, ladies. I am raising a family, you know. ;) So here is what I made this evening,...a baby card using the requirements for this week's Use It http://useitchallenges.blogspot.com/2009/06/use-it-challenge-no15.html (which were 1+ year old patterned paper; chipboard - the elephant; paint - on the circle behind the elephant; rub-on -- the parentheses around "bundle of joy"; and foam dots - under the scalloped circle and the elephant). I sort of followed Kazan's sketch for 2sketches this week, but nevertheless, check it out! http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/2009/06/kazans-sketch-29-ultimate-showdown-top.html Thanks for looking!

"Little One"

This card is based off Kazan's sketch for the Top 30 Finalists in the Ultimate Card Showdown at 2Sketches4You. I did not submit a card to qualify, but I loved this sketch, and had to try it for myself. Thanks for looking!

Kazan Sketch #26 and Bonus Sketch by Lori

At http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/ this week, there were two amazing sketches...once again! Here are my interpretations! The ladybug ribbon is something I found at HL this week and couldn't resist buying at 50% off. I love it! Then I made a ladybug to match from Doodlecharms Cricut cartridge and the "smile" sentiment is from the Mini Monograms cartridge. I added black diamond stickles to the ladybug dots and word. I used black cardstock embossed by Swiss Dots on the Cuttlebug, and the black scallop is from Plantin Schoolbook cartridge. The other green and red paper patterned papers are by K&Co.

The blue patterned paper on the next card is Basic Grey, I think. Then I embossed the yellow with the dots and distressed the edges of it. The ric rac is paper and cut with the Plantin Schoolbook. The daisies are from Walk In My Garden. The scallop circle is from Mini Mono and the sentiment is from Stampin Up. Thanks for looking!

Laura's Sketch #24

Following the sketch this week at ://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/2009/04/lauras-sketch-24-design-team-call.html, I made this card using K&Co patterned paper; lace from Hobby Lobby; a button from the scrapbooking section at Cord Camera; and Basic Grey letters along with Chestnut Roan inking and machine stitching. I really like how it turned out, and I am glad there are such sites as 2Sketches4You where I can get an idea on how to get started on my cards. Thanks so much for the inspiration to Laura, Kazan, and the Design Team there!

Laura's Sketch 22 and Use It #3

Following the sketch at this week at http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/2009/03/lauras-sketch-22.html, and combined with the challenge at http://useitchallenges.blogspot.com/, I styled this card using the said supplies: American Crafts patterned papers (bought almost two years ago to make a "star book" which obviously I never did); brown eyelets (given to me by my SIL); a polka-dotted chipboard elephant (recently purchased at a scrap store nearby); brown ribbon from Hobby Lobby in the scrapbook section; Fiskars punch "Threading Water"; a paper arrow cut from the Accent Essentials Cricut cartridge (I've had this cart for a while and use it very little); and the "baby" chipboard wordplate (I guess that's what you'd call it!) from My Mind's Eye 2006 (also over 1 year stash item and also given to me by my SIL who is starting her own scrap store). I had fun with both the sketch and the challenge, and I am pleased with how the card turned out. Thanks for looking!

Vintage Dress Forms by TomiAnn (& Kazan's Sketch 21)

Please go here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=88622 and check out the latest cut files by Tomi. These are awesome files! I love mine, and found a little time tonight after the kids fell asleep to play. Keep in mind that I do not have SCAL which would make them easier to use, so I had to cut (by hand) each piece and put the dress form together. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I used Wild Asparagus and My Mind's Eye patterned papers, plain colored cardstock, primas, Martha Stewart pearl embellishments, and my Cricut Expression with the Beyond Birthdays cartridge to cut "Mom" at 3/4". I also did all the stitching on my sewing machine. I am impressed with my self-taught ability to (somewhat) sew. Thanks for looking! ;)

I Love Basic Grey Patterned Papers!

I went to Hobby Lobby today (paper and ribbon are 50% off this week), and I bought some new Basic Grey lines I didn't already have. Then I visited http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/ and used last week's sketch (Kazan's #19) and came up with this card for a friend's upcoming birthday. I used my Cricut Expression and the following cartridges: Christmas Cheer and Mini Monograms. Thanks for looking!

Laura's Sketch 18 and Rae's Bonus Sketch

This week at 2Sketches4You (here:http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/), I followed Laura's Sketch #18 (the "love you" card), and also tried out Rae's Bonus Sketch (my "Hugs" card). While neither of my cards do the "justice" to these skethces that they deserve, I definitely had fun trying! I will miss seeing Rae on the Design Team, and hope she will continue to post every week for the challenges. She is soooo very talented! Thanks, ladies!

2S4Y - Kazan's Sketch #18

For this week's 2S4Y (see here: http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/), I came up with this "Miss You" card. I used my Cricut Expression to cut the scalloped square and matching inset. I also used MME patterned paper (I think!), pearl stickers, "Miss You" sticker, white stitching along the base of the card by sewing machine, and Fiskars Threading Water punch for the scalloped straight piece. I used my Cuttlebug for the raised dots on the base piece. The ribbon is from Stampin Up. It's hard to tell in the picture but the paisley patterned paper has the matching green cardstock I used. Thanks for looking!

YAY! I made it in the Fab 5!

On 2Sketches4You (see right side for link), I made it into the top five this week for my card creation posted on Jan. 15. I am sooo excited! Woohoo! Just had to post about it. See here: http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/2009/01/card-of-week-fab5_18.html Thanks to Laura and Kazan and the other DT members for picking me as one of the top five out of many fabulous entries!

Laura's Sketch 17 - My card designed to fit!

At http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/ this week, Laura presented her sketch #17, and here is my card to mimick the sketch. I used the Bazzill In Stitchz templates again, Cricut Expression, sewing machine, Cat's Eye Chalk in Chestnut Roan, and various patterned paper with cardstock. Thanks for looking!

It's Great to be Eight!

I used Kazan's Sketch 17 (found here: http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/) and made this card up for my niece who will be baptized this month on her 8th birthday! I think she will like it as she has always been a real "girly" girl. I used Cat's eye chalk ink in Chestnut Roan, American Crafts dotted pink paper, other pink and white cardstock, my Cricut Expression with the George, Plantin Schoolbook, and MiniMono cartridges, as well as chipboard and my Xyron and glitter for the sparkly "8." I also used some pink rhinestones cut apart for the dot centers, and stitched the edge. I think that's all! Thanks for looking!

"Thanks" Stitched with Love

My good friend, Lisa, bought me Bazzill "In Stitchz" templates for Christmas. I followed the bonus sketch at http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/ for this week, and here is what I made. The card will be to Lisa as a way of thanking her for such a wonderful and useful gift! Thanks for looking!

2 Sketches 4 You challenges

This week at http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/, there were two sketches that I completely love, especially the bonus sketch! So I had to try it out, and this morning I found some time. I used my Cricut Expression; Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge; Stampin Up stamps; Stampin Up ribbons; Fiskars threading water punch; Wild Asparagus and My Mind's Eye papers; Cat's Eye Chalk ink in "Chestnut," and Basic Grey sticker letters. The "smile" card turned out exactly as I wanted which never happens for me so I'm really happy with it! Thanks for looking!

More fun with card challenges!

I have been visiting 2 Sketches 4 You http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/, and Bitten by the Bug http://regina-bittenbythebug.blogspot.com/, and this is my card for this week to fit both challenges. I made the card in about a 1/2 hour which isn't too long for me...usually things take a lot longer. But I had this Wild Asparagus paper that I love and wanted to use, thanks to my sister-in-law, Jessica G. This card will be given to my son next month for his fourth birthday! I can't believe how time flies! Thanks for looking!

Baby card I made today

I have been visiting a website called "2 Sketches 4 You" which helps give ideas for sketches on cards, and they have contests for what you can create with the sketch. This is what I made this week, and I am really loving the colors pink and green together for a baby girl. Thanks for looking!