Happy Birthday Helen

I made this for one of the house leaders at Habitat for Humanity. Her birthday is over Memorial Day weekend this year and we do not work that day so I will give it to her early. She really loves to see the cards I make so I'm sure she will enjoy receiving one. I used a card as a sample from Pinterest that was actually published in Paper Crafts magazine. I popped the front pieces to give it more dimension. I will be making cupcakes or some sort of cake for tomorrow as well. I just have to decide The what to make. The words seem to still be crooked in the arrow. I have redone it several times and this is the best I can get. I guess everything can't be perfect and it is a hand made card afterall but still...I dislike giving things that look imperfect.

Supplies: Bazzill, The Paper Studio, Recollections, Making Memories, Cricut, Essentials cartridge, Inkadinkadoo stamp, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, SU words, SU clear embossing powder, Sharpie, bling.

Only a biker knows...

I Made this card (and five others just like it) for my dad and his motorcycle buddies. I used the Mojo Monday #293 sketch. I was very literal on the sketch with the exception of adding 7 pennants on the right side. I think this card is just the cutest and they will all get a kick out of it. I only have a few copic markers so went with what I have that can match and blend...who knew these colors would be so happy and great together? I'm sure you can expect some more cards with this color scheme now. I also didn't want to make the scooter (none of them ride scooters really) or the dog like anyones. I found the saying on Birds Cards so went looking for coloring book pages of dogs on motorcycles and this is the closest I could find. I added googlie eyes in the goggles. I added bling even on the cards for the guys. I can't wait to send these off and hear the comments.

Supplies: Recollections, Bazzill, Birds cards sentiments, Mojo Monday sketch, SU punch, Cricut, Elegant edges cartridge, Copic markers, Ribbons, Bling, Sharpies (to color bling), SU chevron embossing folder and Cuttlebug.

Happy Monter's Day

I finally got in my craft room to create again. Here are three Mother's Day cards I made. They are all pretty similar. The first one is for my mom, second is for my grandma, and the third is for my great aunt. This is the first card for the year for them. : (

My mom sent me the Cricut Giant Flowers cartridge and I used it for her card. Because they are intended to be large, they are a little harder to work with when made for a smaller canvas such as a card. I will be trying more and of course will be making them smaller like this one is. The center of the flower was cut a little larger just so I could get the cut edge wrapped around. It was way too small to work with before when cut the same size. This is a cartridge that if you do not use the real dial size, it will make the layers and items proportional and will make your flower layers different sizes. I hope mom likes it and that she enjoys seeing me use my Cricut. The colors make me happy and scream my name. I think the cards with the yellow in the background stand out better. I sewed the blocks with the sewing machine. I printed the sentiment from the computer since I do not have any Mother's Day word stamps. I added the bling after to jazz the cards up a little more.

Supplies: SU mellon mambo, SU daffodil, The Paper Studio, DCWV, MME, Recollections. Cricut, Giant Flowers cartridge, Prima bling, Silk flowers, flower punch, Ribbon, Brads, Font.

Congratulations Tara and Ali

My dad needed two graduation cards while he was here so I made these for him. I used a card from Pinterest as my sample (I will add the link later). The cards were going to be the same but when I cut the second digital sentiment out, I didn't center it right on the Cricut center point setting. That's a pretty nifty setting if you get the items lined up appropriately. I acutally like the alternative a little better. It's more bold and eye catching in my opinion. I used the digi sentiment from Birds Cards. The cards are both pretty clean and simple but I kind of like them. I always like the look, but it's hard for me to not keep adding.

Supplies: The Paper Studio, Recolletions, Bazzill, Studio G, Digi sentiment, SU grad cap stamp, The Paper Studio embossing folder, Cuttlebug, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge

Monkey card for Ryker

This is the card I made for baby Ryker. I kept with the monkey theme. I used a card from Pinterest as my sketch inspiration. Update: Kristin loved the card. She said "it is frame worthy" and she will post it in the baby's room. Nice compliment.

Supplies: Sonborn, SU kraft, SU chocolate chip, The Paper Studio, Cricut, Martha Stewart Elegant cakes cartridge, Cuttlebug, SU chocolate chip ink, SU clear embossing powder, The Paper Studio woodgrain ef, studio g stamps.

Name plate for baby Ryker

I made this name plate for a friend in my Bunco group that is having a baby in June. Her first baby shower is coming up and I wanted to make her something as well as get something on her wish list. She is doing the baby's room in a Safari/Monkey theme. I hope she likes it. I thought of this idea and had it all drawn out, however my original idea wouldn't work because of the space in the frame. I also had to change the font as the one I had was way too big once it was cut. I printed the animals off (except the monkey, branch, and elephant) coloring book pages and colored them in with either copic markers, sharpies, or SU inks and an aqua blender. My printer was giving me fits and printed in either green or yellow so I used the yellow and traced the outlines in black. When I photographed it in the frame with the glass in it, it had a bad glare so I took the glass out to take the final picture. I cut the big leaves out using my cricut and accent essentials cartridge. I cut the little parts out of it with scissors to make it look more like the rain forest. For the tree and leaves the giraffe is eating, I used my SU scallop punch and turned it to get a different look. I added the three leaves to give it more of a real look. All the leaves except the branch were folded and inked. I keep thinking I need to add legs for the giraffe and possibly some greenery under the lion to anchor it. I will repost if I do change it. I think the facial expressions on the animals are so cute. The toucan is my favorite.

Supplies: Bazzill (background and monkey face, and light blue flower), white cardstock, SU gumball green, SU chocolate chip (letters and monkey), SU more mustard ink, SU really rust ink, SU garden green ink, Cricut, Don Juan cartridge (letters), Accent Essentials cartridge (leaves), SU scallop punch, leave punch, flower punches, Studio G stamps (elephant, monkey and branch), Sharpie markers, bling.

Congratulations Lael and Chase!

My friend Lael and her boyfriend, now fiance' were engaged last week. I made this card and then looked at the picture again to see how the proposal happened. I noticed the hot air balloon in the background so added it to the card. The balloon they went up in was in primary colors but I wanted the balloon to match my colors I used on the card. I did have a funny story for this. I colored clear rhinestones in aqua. I kept thinking how the color wasn't really showing up well. Then when I tried to pull the rhinestones off the plastic to put on the card, I ripped the outside packaging. I decided I must have been tired. Once I took them out of the packaging, the color went on and stayed on and was vibrant. I also added the bling on her fin as the engagement ring. I hope they like the card.

I used this digital image from Taylored Expressions before on another card. Here is the link to the free digis I used. 

If you would like to view my gallery at SplitCoast Stampers, you may do so here.

Supplies: Neenah white cardstock, SU Pool Party cardstock, SU Mellon Mambo cardstock, Recollections. Cricut, Lacey Lables cartridge, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders, SU Love Matters, G Studio stamp, Taylored Expressions free digi, rhinestones, copic markers.

With sympathy for Missie

A wonderful woman I knew from Habitat for Humanity passed away earlier in March. She was so bright and cheerful, never let the world get her down. She survived cancer twice, and during that time, she still remained positive, happy, and very up beat. I always looked forward to Missie coming to the various sites or seeing her at the different Habitat functions. She had this smile that would light up a room and a laugh that would make you want to laugh right along with her. Missie D'Aunoy will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

I made this card for her family. Even though it is a relatively simple layout, it took me two hours. I couldn't get my patterns to come together. I used a sample from Pinterest and will add the link to the card soon.

 

Card used for inspiration from Pinterest

 

Supplies: White Neenah cardstock, SU tempting turquoise cardstock, SU Lucky Limeade cardstock, SU Pixie Pink cardstock, SU Mellon Mambo cardstock, Recollections, DCWV, Studio G stamp, black ink, SU clear embossing powder.

Kiss me I'm Irish!

I'm a little bit Irish...can't you tell with a name like Shannon? I made this card for a friend. I was so tired of red glitter getting everywhere, I put a thin coat of glue over the top. Now, it's just there, the glitter doesn't flake off. I thought I was following a design from a card I saw on Pinterest, however, it's not really the same at all. The red glitter paper seems to be thicker than the purple I used on prior projects. I'm not sure why. I got them all the same day.

 

Pinterest card used for inspiration

Supplies: Imaginesence, Bazzill black, Glitter paper, Paper Studio, Studio G, Cricut, Elegant Edges cartridge, Don Juan cartridge, SU gumball green, SU scalloped border punch.

Happy Retirement Sam!

My friend Sam retired from the Air Force yesterday after 25 years of service. I have known Sam for several of those 25 years. What an accomplishment. Many tours, two being in Iraq, and many trips that were not in harms way. Congrats Sam. You did it!!! Thanks for all your many years of service to our country.

This card did not turn out how my thoughts of it were in my head. I have many of those like that. Even though this is not what I envisioned, Sam will appreciate/like it.

Supplies: SU night of navy, Recollections red, White card stock, various patterned papers, brads, Cuttlebug, PTI die, black ink.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I made two cookie bouquets for Valentine's Day. Wow. That really was a blast from my past. I used to make them all the time and stopped when we sold our other house. The townhouse we rented was horrible and the oven did not have regulated heat control so I couldn't make the cookies from there. Once I moved into the house I am in now, I had the best intentions of making more bouquets. I did make a few orders (several large ones) but then realized I wasn't enjoying it like I should and that my kitchen was always a mess - even though the counter space and island space is more than terrific in this kitchen for cookie making. Last week, my ex-niece's husband asked me if I would make her a bouquet for Valentine's Day so I said yes. You would think, it would be just like riding a bike. It wasn't. WOW. I couldn't remember how to make the dough, how long cook them, or how to do the frosting. I ended up going to bed at 2am because of how long it took me to reteach myself. Shortly after I said yes, Bella, the little daughter said she wanted a special valentine from her daddy as well so I made two bouquets instead of one. Bernedette's bouquet is the large one and Bella's is the small one. The best part of the bouquets was how much Mike, Bernedette and Bella loved them.

Yummy dinner for Gwen!

Last Sunday, my cousin Gwen was in from Iowa for work. Instead of going out to eat, I told her I would make dinner for her. She was more than happy to have me cook instead. She loved this meal and I think she liked that I spoiled her a little. I do have to admit...the meal was fantastic. I did have to post to Facebook and tag all my Iowa family because I made noodles as the surprise for Gwen. I made roast beef, mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, creamed peas, and pink fluffy jello salad. The noodles were just like grandma Leona's and the creamed peas were pretty close to my mom's. The butter on the bread, is awesome. I got a tub of the butter at Sam's club. It is garlic, basil, and parmesan cheese flavor. Oh is it delicious. The only problem was that I wanted to keep eating and eating and couldn't.

Happy Birthday Kim

I made this for my friend Kim's birthday on Feb 4th. She loves purple so I made this purple card. I did use some of the same papers last year but the card looks totally different. I used the SFYTT from last year (see Laurel's pink birthday card from last year). I could not get a good shot of the actual color on this card no matter where I took the picture. I even went outside and it still didn't even photograph the correct color.

Supplies: Bazzill, Recollections, The Paper Studio, SU stamp, Inkadinkadoo stamp, bling, Martha Stewart scoring pad, SU clear embossing ink, flower punch.

Happy 21st Birthday Courtney

I made this for my friend Kim's daughter. She is turning 21 on Feb 3. I hope she likes the card. I purchased the pink and black zebra print so wanted to use that. It's kind of fun and whimsical. I used a Pinterest layout (but changed the entire color scheme of course). Will post that later.

Update: Courtney loved this card. She posted it on Facebook and tagged me in the post. She said, "This lady makes the most amazing cards". That really made my day.

Supplies: DCWV, Bazzill, The Paper Studio, Cricut, Martha Stewart Sesonal cartridge, Elegant Edges cardridge, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders, circle punches, bling, SU scallop circle and circle punches, Inkadinkadoo stamp, ribbon, and Stickles for the sparkle.

My big fat cat

Independence was laying on the couch last night...well, almost laying on the couch. He is so big, he can't really fit on one cushion when he sprawls out completely. I'm sure...the vet would have a hay day with the lectures to me about his weight.