Cricut Recipe Swap

I was willingly coerced into participating in a recipe swap on SCS
..Since I am trying to work on Scraping Techniques for the day when I eventually tackle hundred of photos I will be prepared... so I said yes...YES to making 25 pages... which means I will get 25 delicious recipes back..

I chose to do my Moms Plucket Bread recipe..I love it and the kids love it for snacks after school...

I might have to make some this week... For the swap I opted to call it "Monkey Bread", I have heard of similar breads called that before.... I guess I might have to get the recipe typed*** up for you later but for now here is a picture of the swap... I planned to use a canvas background in Close to Cocoa on the banana background but got a little ahead of myself adding the recipies once they were printed and trimmed. OOPS...
I used Barely Banana, a Chocolate card stock in 8x8 size from Paper Co(Michaels), Tan from a GP assortment at Wal-mart and an Olive from a Botanicals Assortment,Paper Co. (Michaels)...

I used 2 brown brads also which I got from my Cupid last month..so I included a picture of it also, becasue I've been meaning to do that so I can thank "Markies Mom" for the wonderful box of treats... Can you belive this project used all the brown brads...I always love the brown brads they were such a treat...

I cut the Vine and Monkeys with my Zoobaloo cartridge on my Cricut... the "OOH OOH" was from Animal Kingdom, sound for the gorilla, resized smaller using the Design Studio software.
I drew with a brown marker first and then cut with the blade, using the multi-cut feature of the software and a lower blade setting
and pressure since I was Cutting SU Ruby Red cardstock.

Until Later.... Happy Stamping!

***I will try to add the recipe tomorrow afternoon/evening when I have more time...I changed my mind, I checked and you can see the recipe just fine if you enlarge the picture by clicking on it...Enjoy....

Birthday Bonanza

Oh well not all that sure if the title fits...I made several Birthday cards using a similar theme on Sunday...

I've used the them before but for lack of having anything else ready to blog I thought I better get a post done... I mailed out 12 Birthday cards on Monday...many I have blogged before but 4 that I made new... Using a similar LO in the past... I am feeling so behind in my crafting too much going on with home and family...I am workingon a swap this week that is almost finished and I will post it later...Believe it or not I still have a few more Brithday Cards to make, as well as some sympathy ones that are getting way overdue...

I am showing these cards because I wanted to show how you can move and image and ribbon around for a different look and yet basically make multiple cards quickly and still keep them unique...I got the Embossing Folder from ALLTHATSCRAPS , and the sm Cupcake image Lockhart Stamp and is available at Helen Hutsons store, I picked it up at a local LSS and was disappointed that it would have cost me less to get it from Helen even adding shipping...

The gingham ribbons are micro spools of Jaffry from Walmart and the Satin Sage with Chocolate Dots I bought by the yard at a LSS with sewing. I colored with my Varios Sanford and PRisma Colored Pencils and stamped in Jet Black and Timber Brown StaZon, I will get a set of Prismas some day so I can have more color options it was hard to find a Sage(seafoam) Greenish Blue color...

My new Cuttlebug folders arrived yesterday..I am fighting the urge to use them until I finish my Recipe swap....but I am so excited to finally have them...new cards coming...

Until Later ... Happy Stamping!

2 Cards 2 More Challenges

Last night I made two more cards I am on a roll...LOL

Sometimes cards are a very painstaking thing for me..I think mostly because I dont have a style of my own yet..It's a work in progress...I was short on some colors since I am using up my old paper and so color shoices are getting limited. On the one card I wish I had a more grey pink...sponging didn'thelp too much..but they turned out well enough. Now I just need to get them all in the mail...

On the first card I used "Doodle This", Oh I am loving it..I just need to make my own thing with it...Using it here I was trying to conform to SC162 a challenge on SCS so I used the large flower int he background. I really am getting anxious to paint one of those large babies. I painted a set of three flowers for the middle but it was too long for the panel and I had to cut a flower off...I have decided I dont like these brads with it..I used to have these beautiful small flower rivets in a baby yellow. they would have worked beautifully on this card...I dont know if I used them up or if they are just so buried I cant find them...but I looked. I used. basic Gray, Old Olive like, Perfect Plum and Barely Banana... the small flowers are from the punch in the "three for you" punch box...which I always forget I have...I pierced the center with my paper piercer and then punched the flower centers with my 1/8" hand punch. I embossed the swirl and then used my Aqua painters to add the color and sponged with "going gray" on the white and "Basic Gray" on the next card. I made this for SC164...yes I know I skipped one...
The papers are an old SU rose, Perfect Plum , Sage Shadow and Basic Gray. Images are stamped in Basic Gray except the wish which is in Perfect Plum. The sentiments on both cards come from, " Warm Words"

I used Cross hatch and sponging ont he Sage Shadow Card stock, and Sage shadow Water color wonder to paint the stems and leaves. the flowers are a mixture of regal rose perfect plum and pretty in pink with a little outline of Stardust sakura gel pen, the water has Sakura Clear glaze pen over it. Heroart gemstone on the "i" to tie in the Perfect Plum coloring and D'vine Swirl Cuttlebugging to add detail to the Basic Gray panel.

Trying to Blog Quickly! so I am not spending too much time on the computer, and have more time to create ... I hope you still enjoy the cards if you need better explanations, please ask...

Until later... Happy Stamping!

Sketch Challenges Celebrate Birthdays

Tonight I made a few cards for Birthdays using SU "Celebrate Everything"


I had fun they are just simple cards but it was fun to create a little soemthing again...Still trying to get the house back into a routine. the first one was for SCS Sketch Challenge 161...I really like this layout I will probably use it again.

I used Lavendar Lace paper and another Purple very similar in color from an assorted purples Cardstock Package at Michaels, but very much lighter in weight, and Barely Banana, I am trying to force myself to use up the papers I purchased from other sources before I started using SU products, not an easy task when I really like the thickness, sturdiness and colors SU has to offer. For my Second card I used bashful Blue and barely Banana and Certainly Celery.. this Layout has been giving me grief for several weeks , you can blame my lack of posting on it because I have started at it for weeks and started several cards and left them in the trash or ont he table waiting for more inspiration. Tonight however I nsisited I finish the card even if it is mediocre because it has put me out of my creativity for several weeks. It is a relief to have it off the list of things to do.
I have been really trying to curb my spending this year. It is amazing how much you can save when you set your mind to it. I have learned alot crafting this last year also. I dont know what will all come of the experience I have gained but I know it is easy to get caught up in having all the latest trends, tools and Stamps and feeling a little compulsive in your endevors, so that is what I am trying to work on. Being more patient in my purchases. I have learned there is a lot of differences in quality and products out there...I try to use the old lighter weight cardstocks in with the SU that I have in order to have a nice heavy weight card but also get the most use of the products I bought before I got more into the craft. I guess there might be a few people that frown on the use of these other products but this is a very expensive hobby and people shouldnt be excluded just because they need to save money and cut corners. I find there are methods of mixing card stocks and DP's that can result in a very nice card and save money...I woul drecomend this for the beginner... but try to save in a way that isnt going to cost you money later, buying a differnt product becasue the one you got is inferior. One product I really like is the GP Cardstock in White from Walmart office supply area. It takes color very well and is quite nice for cards, and while I am aquiring nice markers and inks I have used it to soften the blow to my budget. Another white cs I like for a smoother surface is Royal Brights Matte Photo Paper, I buy it at sams Club, I use it for Computer cards but I find it to be a very smooth and Ink accepting surface for techniques that require the glossy paper, ie..the Shaving Cream and baby wipe technique. I have found both of these suitable for cards...I use lighter weight cardstock when I am adding multiple layers to a card because it helps keep the weight down and makes the card more manageable when you are doing several layers. I love SU cardstock and cant wait until I only have it in my collection, but while I am aquireing stamps, inks and markers and other things, I am going to continue to use up my old inexpensive cardstock to supplement my cards...So I am not wasteful...and to help my craft budget stretch further.

Until Later ...Happy Stamping!

Happy Valentines Cupidee Stuff

I made a Cupid Box for my Cupidee on SCS...She picked the favorite colors of Sky Blue and Purely Pomegranate, as mentioned in the last post. Mentioned some favorites and wish list items...Using my limited supplies I made a few things for her.

The first thing I made for her was this little Pillow Box. The first thing I did was roll the box with my Jumbo Vines Wheel in Mellow Moss. I used to stamp the flowers in Purely Pomegranate and Pretty in Pink. I didnt have sky blue in so I used bordering Blue to add the dots...I really like how it turned out...This had this cute dollar stamp and a mini acrylic block...the line says "chat*im*text"...Chat is what we do!

The pink flower I cut on my cricut I decided it needed more so I added the green freehand and cuttlebugged it..should have used sky blue..oh well live and learn.

Next I made this Candy bar cover. I used Mini Monograms to cut the scalloped circle and inner circle from Sky blue and GP white Cardstock. I punched a bunch of 3/4" circles of Sky Blue to dot the candy bar cover...I used some decorative and simple brads I had and punched a few flowers with SU Spring Flower Punch. I used a flower stamp from last years SAB set, to stamp the image and my Aqua painters and various Watercolor wonder Crayons to paint the flower, Pixie Pink Pretty In Pink and a little ink from the PP ink spot. I used Wild Wasabi to stamp the background anfter masking the flower... you pull the ribbon and the Candy Bar pops up...this is a huge Candy Bar I hope she likes it...

I got another snack also just because I had too!!! I found it at Wal-Mart. They Suggested we use favorite colors if possible with a snack so I found these Dark Chocolate covered Pomegranate Pieces... I dont know if they are any good but I really hope she likes them...I couldn't resist. I tied a light blue ribbon around them...

I covered this Pirouette tin with decorative Paper and used my Cricut to cut the heart and "M" and Monkey, It was simple enough and then I filled it with dimensionals, and glue pens and other fun card making neccessities..I can't remmeber anymore. I used SU Chocolate Chip Designer Paper and colored in the dots with Regal rose Pretty in Pink and Close to Caramel. The other DP is one I picked up last year after the holiday on clearance...cant remeber the manufacturer...I know no Sky Blue, but I hadnt picked any up yet I hope thats acceptable...But I think Melissa will like what is in it and she'll forgive me.

Lastly I made something more permanent I made this braided bracelet. What an ordeal that was...a simple task gone bad... It seems my DD had used my beads over the Holidays my one DD made over 20 bracelets alone... but alas they had a mess of my containers and wires. when I went to make the bracelet I had to spend the whole first night sorting beads and rew inding spools of stuff and sorting findings back into the right containers... Yep they got a little lecture.

I perservered and came back the next night and made this cute little bracelet...I really think the red and Blue beads make quite a nice look...I hope she likes it.

I also got a CB Folder of Bloom Dots to use this spring I need to get it in the mail...still it came a little late. I also stamped some of her favorite images and threw in one of my faavorite embellishment containers, for her to sort brads or other stuff in.. Well I hope she like her box and has a Happy Valentines...

I hope you have a Happy Valentines also....

Until Later ...Happy Stamping!

New Watermark & Cupidee Card

I have been working on a new watermark and some valentines.

I need to make a lot more but this is the valentine I made for my Cupidee.

Her color choices are, Purley Pomegranate, and Soft Sky...I had to buy some paper from my Demo; Luckily I had an inkspot of Purely Pomegranate. I used two cuttlebug folders(D'vine Swirls,Hearts) and my "love" SU Wonderful Word stamp. I just layered the pieces and added a few platnium heart brads...I think it turned out cute. I think the blue in the ribbon is a little bluer than soft sky but it matched the PP perfectly... I hope she likes the card. I paper pierced the basic Gray CS around the images. Just a simple card, but fun. I made many other things to go inside but since she cant open the box until Friday I will post them then...I need to get several more valentines and Bday cards made this week so I can get them in the mail. I hope to have more to post this week, but I will be very busy because my DD gets home from being gone on a mission for 18mos. on Friday...and I have to get ready for her also...you know sheets bed dresser etc.. her room is tore up remodeling it it wont be finished until closer to April hopefully sooner.

Until Later ...Happy Stamping!

IC Thank You

I did a nother sketch Challenge on SCS from a few weeks ago. The inspiration being a Jaguar football helmet. I find Inspiration Challenges to be the worst...Mostly because I always get a great idea, but I never can make the card look like what is in my head. I am always disappointed with the outcome. With that said, to really pull off this Challenge I think I need some SU Blue Bayou Ribbon...


I have avoided the In colors because I am still working on aquirering all the classic colors in things I want... I used Tempting Turquoise with a touch of Basic Grey color the water in the vase..

I borrowed the stamp set from a friend and I can't remember the name of it..I'll have to check my old catalog later... I used some darker turquoise paper from an old assortment, because I have Challenged myself to use up more of my old paper before buying more SU paper...



So any ways this is the card I created. It is simple but fun and I am still way behind on posting the cards I have made...Things will be a little slower the next few weeks I have been doing things to get ready for my DD to come home and she arrives Friday and I am sure the next two weeks will be full of getting ready for her to get home and settling her in...I should be getting into a better routine in May, but I am still working on big Household projects that have been eating into my blogging time, and creating time...SO I have jsut decided to do what I can and Blog when I can and create when I can...Hope fully when the dust settles I'll still be here plugging along...



until later ... Happy Stamping!

A Valentine & Cricut Vinyl Wall Decorations

This week I have my Bi Monthly swap with friends...
We each make 10 cards and then swap them, lately it been harder to get everyone together but I got my cards made over a week ago becasue I have been craft challenged since. For instance I cut Vinyl with my cricut and forgot to take a picture for my blog...and basically have been busy being a mom instead of blogging...

Here is the card I made for my swap on Thursday. I picked up some Decorative paper with cute words and little hearts last year after Valentines clearance...so I used the colors to help me decide what to do. I choose to use the red from my Michaels Valentines pkg to emboss in my cuttlebug. and I matted with Black to help pop the image and teh embossed piece. I used a red gingham I picked up at walmart. the embossed piec and the heart image are mounted on dimensionals. the Heart stamp is a Michaels dollar stamp from a few years ago. I colored it with my SUmarkers and I used my white gel pen to add a little high light. I think it turned out very cute. I really need to get on the ball and make more valentines. I hope I get over my funk and feel like stamping Cards soon.

My BIL and SIL moved in to their new home this last weekend and so I made their kids some wall vynil signs for their rooms. Now remember I forgot totake the one before I covered it with the transfer tape, so You'll have to use your xray vision to see it.

I used my Paper dolls cart and Opposites attract to cut the words for the princess one. the white will all be removed it is just the backing. For my Nephew I used my Mickey & Friends cart because I was told he liked airplanes. The airplane is red with a yellow propeller and the his name was cut with Mickey Font in blue and everything was shadowed in black.

I was pleased with how they turned out, but have been told my FIL never made the delivery after he picked up and dropped off my nephew. I might have to chase them down...

Thanks for looking Until Later ... Happy Stamping!