Family Day Weekend

Well, it's Family Day weekend, and before we get outside and enjoy the 0 degree temps (since it is supposed to go downhill from here for the week) I thought I'd post a couple cards.

I needed a thank you card for Amie's little friends for the birthday gifts they gave to her and Amie picked out some orange shimmery ribbon from Michaels, so we went with an orange theme.

I also wanted to try out the faux pressed flower technique by Split Coast Stampers again.  I stamped a flourish and bird, then glued on my paper flowers and then embossed with the bubble embossing folder and Cuttlebug.  I used a Close to My Heart "Treasures" stamp for the sentiment and applied Stickles over the flourish to enhance it.

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 104

I don't know how Karen continues to come up with an amazing sketch week after week, but I'm glad she does! I was making a masculine birthday card and thought this sketch would work well with it. I used my gold Krylon pen, which I have had for 7 years! and I gold embossed a Close to My Heart border stamp and then attached a King piece I cut from a Tim Holtz embossing folder.

Inside

Die Cuttin' Divas - Seeing Stars Challenge

I needed a Thank You card and also wanted to try out the Die Cuttin' Divas Star Challenge.  I used my Cricut and the Paisley and Everyday Paper Doll cartridges.  I made the center star into a shaker with beads inside and stamped "thanks" behind it.  I used the Coordinations paper for the die cuts and lightly sanded the edges, and I used a Close to My Heart stamp for the "You're Sweet".

 Thanks for the inspiration, Die Cuttin' Divas!

Pirate Love.... Arr

I just had to share the beautiful valentine my sis made.  She put an amazing amount of work into these and they turned out beautifully!  Thanks Jann, xo

This was the valentine I made for her.  It was along the lines of the previous ones I made, but layed out a bit differently.  Also, I used the Tim Holtz Bingo embossing folders by Sizzix and highlighted the #14 and covered with Glossy Accents

XOXO

All the hearts and pink glitter! I just love it :) I used my Cricut for the Valentines Die Cuttin' Divas Challenge #2.

Paisley Cartridge

Valentines - Be Mine & Forgotten Friday Challenge

Well, we are definitely getting closer to Valentines! It is such a pretty 'holiday', but goes by before you know it! I spent the afternoon at my sister's and we made Valentine cards :) Hers are amazing and I'm crossing my fingers that I get one! I'll definitely be showing it off here.

I wanted to do a vintage postcard type of card.  I distressed the edges with ink, of course, and I found some ticket stamps that I bought this summer and hadn't used yet.  The postage stamp Love is a Cuttlebug embossing folder and I used Close To My Heart stamps for the hearts, 'sweet', lace, and Postcard/postage.  The 'Postcard" stamp is actually a Christmas stamp, but I masked the holly and Dec 24th, and am pleased with how it turned out.

This was the one I attached to a card.

On this one I actually made a postcard and this is the front.  On the back I stamped Postcard on top and Happy Valentines on one side with a message to the recipient on the other.

I also used this card to enter the Forgotten Stamp Friday challenge. I had never used this stamp before, but as I mentioned had picked it up over the summer and slightly forgotten about it! Thanks Jesse :)

My Sweetie-Pie

I just love these pics of Amie with her blanket and her barrette in her curly hair.  She looked a little sleepy and so sweet.  I thought of these pics when I saw the Heart 2 Heart challenge, and decided to use the Close To My Heart "Cherry-O" paper pack and stickers.

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/p/h2h-scrapbooking.html

I added some bling and rickrack and embossed some paper flowers onto a piece of cardstock, which turned out sooo cool! Check out the Faux Flower Tutorial from Splitcoaststampers.

I also added some pink Distress Ink around the edges and a Close To My Heart stamp.

Post from Facebook Cricut Page

 I thought this was an interesting post for anyone who has a Cricut, taken from Cricut Facebook Page.

Cricut - The Official Page!

We'll continue to post questions and answers in this discussion topic as they become available. Thank you for taking the time to post questions.

Q: What is Cricut Craft Room?
A: Cricut Craft Room is a free online design tool

Q: How is it different from Cricut Design Studio and Gypsy?
A: While offering similar features to both CDS and Gypsy, Cricut Craft Room requires an internet connection (CDS does not) and requires you to be on a computer (not mobile like Gypsy)

Q: How much is Cricut Craft Room?
A: FREE

Q: When will Cricut Craft Room be available?
A: We are planning to launch this software in April, 2011

Q: Does Cricut Craft Room work with PC and MAC?
A: Yes, upon launch Cricut Craft Room will work on both a PC and a MAC.

Q: How do I access Cricut Craft Room?
A: When it is released, you'll be able to access Cricut Craft Room through your cricut.com account.

Q: How do I link my cartridges to Cricut Craft Room?
A: You can either link your Gypsy to CCR to update your account, or if you do not have a Gypsy you can connect your Cricut machine to your computer (using the same cable you use to perform firmware updates) and link your cartridges to your account through your Cricut.

Q: Can CCR cut with multiple cartridges at one time like Gypsy?
A: Yes, you will not have to connect each individual cartridge when cutting unless you are using a cartridge that has not been synced to your account.

Q: Can I use CCR offline? Do I need an internet connection?
A: Yes, CCR required that you have an internet connection in order to access your account.

Q: What does Beta mean?
A: When we say CCR is in Beta we just mean it's in a testing phase where we have selected individuals testing the software for us.

Q: Can I be a part of the beta test?
A: We have already selected those who will participate in our beta program.

Q: Do I have to use cartridges with CCR or can I make my own images and cut true type fonts?
A: You must use cartridges with CCR. CCR does not allow you to access true type fonts on your computer and cut them using Cricut.

Q: How will you manage the site so it doesn't get bogged down with so many people using it at one time?
A: That is what we are testing with our beta program. Will will continue to test our software and the capacities we anticipate it will need to provide a good user experience.

Q: Are my CCR files available to anyone but me through my account?
A: No, the only way anyone can access your files is if they are logged into your account.

Shabby Tea Room - Get Creative Challenge

This was a fun challenge - to not use any patterned paper and make embellisments to decorate my card.  I used stamps, ink, ribbon, a Cuttlebug embossed image and glitter.  I followed the instructions for making the ribbon rose with the Scrapbooker's Paradise tutorial by Hanna. I colored the bird with markers and colored pencils and of course added some Stickles and Glossy Accents. This could be a cute Valentines card too.

You can visit the Shabby Tea Room and read about this challenge at: http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2011/01/week-47-get-creative.html