Surname Signs

 Before I ever owned a Cricut I ordered the vinyl and stained my own board. To make  this sign.
 I had originally seen the Wall Art in my Sister In Laws home. If you want you can also order the whole sign pre-made from them. The company is Its ASign...I do highly recommend them. 

Since getting married my daughters have asked for one for their home.  They have each been waiting awhile. The main reason I have postponed it is lack of planning.  I always think of making them when there isn't enough time to actually get it made and in the mail in time for a birthday or holiday.  Another reason is I haven't wanted to layout the wording for the Scripture and do the welding, etc. on my Cricut.    I told myself if I finished the album in time I would tackle the long awaited signs.   I guess this  is a season of getting the long awaitied projects done. I have many.

Walla, They are finished, well actually only  two are finished. I still need to make another two, hopefully before their birthdays or Christmas.  It will be easier now because the layouts are done....it should be a piece of cake...I just need to buy or cut two more wood boards.
I used my Gypsy to layout the design using the 12x 24" mat option. 
I used a two page set up so I could layout the smaller font to a correct size over teh larger font when you use a 2 page option you can see the other page through each other so you can make adjustments to size visually seeing the comparison.
I cut the Surname  using Plantin SchoolBook, Shadow Option
I cut the scripture using Calligraphy Collection...
I own Opposites Attract which would be great for making this sign but I like the script look when welding better from CC...and the Block lettering of PSB better for the surname.
The letters will appear red on the Gypsy if you have chose the weld option for cutting...be sure to preview your design before cutting the script font.

I did have to re-cut the vinyl for the "erve" in Serve on the white script.  A piece of vinyl had managed to get loose and stick to the bladeand  some of the vinyl lettering.  To do this I just hide the cuts for the rest of the phrase and then cut only the partial cut I always save before I first cut so I can adjust and cut separate parts but I never re-save the design so I always retain the original cut design.  I will be able to open this cut and change the surnames. and cut one or two signs. as I wish.

I get my vinyl at SignWarehouse.com This link will take you to the hobby vinyl I use most. They do sell sheets pre-cut for a Cricut Mat, but when I cut my own vinyl I tend to use white or Black, and use these rolls.  The rolls I have purchased will last for ever, and I have used them for decorating tile, votives, and other glass at my daughters wedding. I have also made lots of glass gift jars and awards with candy etc.  It is well worth the cost if you plan on making lots of things from vinyl.
  I also have done vinyl shares in the past with other people so we could get several primary colors for the cost of one roll. In addition I have found assorted small vinyl pieces for a good price at Amazon. I did this so I could get  Gold and Silver for Cub scout career arrows, but have used the other colors on gifts.   If you are using it outdoors I suggest buying a more expensive outdoor option at sign warehouse.   I also will occasionally buy a Cricut Vinyl  tube if it is on clearance and a good price.

 For the signs I used a 24" by 6" pre-routed board I picked up at Micheal's for 7.99$.  I stained the boards using some old stain and then sealed the board after it dried with 3-5 coats Krylon Clear Matte Finish Spray paint. I like the look better if I do several light coatings of spray sanding after the first coating slightly and wiping with a damp cloth. After it dries well I affix the lettering and then resealed the vinyl and board with 3 or more coats of the same finish.  The letters on their sign are about 5", while my sign is at about 6".  I designed my letters to fit the board.
Until later... Happy Stamping!

Scrapbook and Gifts Update

Just wanted to update and let everyone know my taxes I mean the Scrapbook is done...

What a relief.
I have taken a ton of Pictures, but I hesitate to show them all.  I want my Daughter to enjoy them first.
When I get back from delivering it I will post more pictures. For now though I will just upload a few, of the less exciting pages...
The first is the Layout from buying the dress.... I forgot my camera this day but luckily I had my iPod in my purse and captured these images. It surprised me how nice they looked when I printed them up as photos....

These albums always turn into a first year of marriage thing in order to fill them up. The second layout is really boring, but I have about 6 pages that either have a place name, or "memories", "sites" and "Adventures" on it.  I do not have images from the study abroad that her and her husband did together last fall.  She will have to finish these pages herself...hopefully she will.

The last layout page is for their anniversary...
again they will have to take pictures for this and add them after it occurs. I am doing my best to remember to bring the anniversary cake to  them when I bring the album.  The last wedding we had I for got the cake top and had to mail it.   It made for a great blog post and a funny memory for my other daughter and her husband, at least I hope it is funny to them.

I also finished up some Birthday Gift items for  two of my other daughters that I will be delivering. I scheduled a post so they will appear after I deliver them...
Until later ....Happy Stamping!

Supplies:  DCWV, Cricut, Gypsy
 SU the only new items used not mentioned on the previous post  is the  5 point Flower punch.  I used the same ones I used to make their wedding announcements....

Hi...Gift Jars

yes its been a month. I have been working on Projects ..I finally have one I can post with out to much difficulty. I made decorative jars for gift...and filled them with a fancy rice recipe. I think they turned out cute loving the vinyl on glass this year..thank you Cricut.

I used the Lyrical Letters Cartridge and vinyl from Signwarehouse.com , sorry but...Yes I am too lazy to get the link right now..Just happy to have something to post I will work on the link later..tomorrow

Until later...Happy Stamping!

Wahoo Memories

I always have loved the Line fromt he movie IQ, when tim Robbins ask Meg Ryan..."He Said.." Wahoo"" and later asked "When was the last time you said "Wahoo"."

I used to say "Wahoo" as I rode my pretend Pony around my front yard shooting my very acurate finger six or should I say five shooters all over the countryside. What fun memories. I started to create a card on Monday, but it just wouldn't make itself appear on the paper. All I could manage was cutting out the sillohuette using A Childs Year, and heat embossing it with Ranger Clear Embossing powder.

by Tuesday I managed to comeup with a design I really liked and I chose some objects from the Old West Cartridge and cut them out using my Cricut & Gypsy.

I am so loving the Gypsy and how I can layout the design all at one time and use several cartridges. It has enabled me to use alot of my scraps, because I can place the pieces right where I need them on the mat. I actually love looking through the scrapbox for just the right size and color of paper. I can honestly say on my last few cards all the smaller than 1/4 of piece paper have been scraps from the box. I used the Paisley Backgrounder and Basic Gray Ink to stamp the image on Ridinghood Red( I think) cardstock. I used some scrap Paper Co. Blue from the Basics assortment, and Swiss Dots Embossing folder to make the Bottom of the card base. I loved using the Basic Gray scrap to cut the barb wire pieces and Shadow for the "Wahoo"; More Mustard was chosen for the main Sentiment. After putting the Gray and Mustasrd pieces through my "X" Xyron, I rub it really well and then used a sponge to age the edges and add some depth to all the pieces. After aging I used my piercing tool and traced all the edges and openings to get all the excess adhesive off, and then I applied them to the card.

The Sillohuette I made on Monday was then added to the card using dimensionals. Lastly I added a little piece of tied linen thread to look like a halter. I hope you like it.

Until Later... Happy Stamping!

Loving my Gypsy

Whenever I have been going Shopping for crafts lately I always go look a the new cricut carts, seeing if they are on sale or discounted a great deal...looking for a bargain so I can have more options to create more neat stuff with my cricut.

I have had a Cricut for several years and for a while there I had 2 the original and the Expression. I recently sold my old original Cricut because I haven't had to haul one upstairs to use with my computer.

The reason my Gypsy...I love it. I have been talking about how I do a LO (layout) and cut with my Gypsy and the last few days I have been working on a project I cant really show you for about 4 weeks.

Because of this ,I thought I would show you the process, or at least parts of it.

I have been working on a Recipe swap for a 6x6 cookbook. Here is a picture of a LO I did a few years ago. I am using the same recipe for this swap but I am changing it up a bit so it will look different. I am also doing 2 other recipies and a Biography page.

One great thing about using the Gypsy or Design Studio to create a project is that you can Lay it all out and move stuff around to make the best use of paper. For this project I used alot of scraps from the scrap box and you know how I love using the stash. Because you can know where each object is to be cut you can place the paper on the correct spot on the mat. Can you believe when I origianly set up this cut I had the blank spot except 2 squares filled with a light green color..I choose not to use it onthe final project so I deleted it from the cut before I cut the other 5 pages out.

I use several mats at a time and for this 5 copy project I used three mats...and after connecting the Gypsy to the Cricut Expression I loaded and cut 5 mats. for each of the 4 pages.

Because I use the Gypsy. I dont need to worry about changing cartridges and it just cuts until its finished.

Why the Cricut is cutting I can remove the pieces and prep them for using on my project. I love the pointed hook form the tool kit and the Spatula for removing pieces with out tearing the paper.

I often use a glue pen like EK fine tip or Quikie because they work well with fine lines and small pieces.

I also reload the mat if neccessary to keep the rotation going.

All my projects created using the Gypsy(or Design Studio) can be saved on it or on my computer for easy access and can be reused in the futire if neccessary. You can even share files with a friends so they can use it. I hope you enjoy the pictures...I am hoping they are worth a thousand words! I am also hoping you find this helpful. Soon I hope to have a card to share..you may look for these Cookbook pages the first weekend of April.

Unitl Later... Happy Stamping!

Sunflower in Winter

Today I used my Gypsy to LO and cut some Sunflower pieces from Disney-"Tinkerbell and Friends" and Leaves from "Stretch your imagination". This is the card I created. I intended to clear emboss sunflowers on some Crushed Curry paper to use for the card idea I had in my head but can you believe it with all the stuff I own I have no Sunflower stamp...funny thing is that in my head I owned this particular Autumn Leaves set I have eyed at the store for ages...

The card went together quickly, I am happy about that. I used SU Basic Gray, Crushed Curry and Alwasy Artichoke to go with this weeks Color Combo on SCS. I hope you like it also. other than putting the pieces together ..I used Black and Basic Gray Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an H2O fine tip pen to dab the colors over the Basic Gray center piece, and Brilliance Moonlight White teardrop ink pad to sponge over the Basic Gray embossed with D'vine Swirls... The sentiment Inkadoo: "Personal Impressions"was stamped in Basic gray ink, and mated with Always Artichoke and mounted on Dimensionals. For a little extra detail on the sunflower I embossed using my Cuttlebug the Petal Flower piece and then sponged with Basic Gray Ink .

Until Later ...Happy Stamping!

Gift for Baby

I needed to decorate this bag for a baby gift.

I often buy these gift bags in bulk in a variety of colors to have on hand for gifts. They are inexpensive and handy, but need to be cuter. I often cut out something to decorate them, for this baby bag I went fairly simple.

I used my Gypsy to layout and design the cut. I used the "Gypsy Wanderings" images and cut the shadow and image for the Baby in GP white Cardstock and light Pink from GP Pastel cardstock pack.

I did have one problem when enlarging. This might be my fault...I will let you know later. When I went to match up the images the white was a bit longer between the "Y" and the "Bottle" on the pink piece..I fixed this by cutting the shadow piece and then adhering the white with a slight over lap. This may have been user error I will check that out tomorrow. I didnt select and enlarge the pieces at the same time and have them locked when I increased the size. Usually I do this together, but I decided on using a white shadow after laying out the rest of the cut.

You can see the over lap in the cut out picture if you look closely.

I cut 2 baby bottles one in Green and one in Yellow, from the stash scrap. I cut 2 so I could get a yellow nipple. It just didnt seem right for it to be green. I then trimmed the nipple and base of the bottle following the line the cricut cut.

Until Later....Happy Stamping!

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Valentine Giftbags

I needed to make some quick gift bags so I can get them ready for my kids today. When I went Blog hopping I found this cute Idea by Dawn. Lucky for me she has a tutorial with pictures!

I decided to give it a try. The bags were very easy and went together quickly. I decided to use my Cricut again. Seems to be the thing for me lately. I used my Gypsy to layout 3 mats. one withthe hearts and the grass and one with Lady bugs and one withthe animals. The images came from differnet carts. Grass and animals from Everyday Paperdolls and the Heart and Ladybugs from Doodle Charms.

Until Later ...Happy Styamping! & maybe I should add "Cricut"ing

Teddybear Gypsy Card

I used my Gypsy to lay out a Teddybear card for the LSC at Splitcoast today.



Love how quick and easy the card came together.



I used my Gypsy and Christmas, life's a Beach, George and Wild Card cartridges to make it.



I welded a rectangle from George and the shadow from the Bear and the Beach ball to the oposite edges of the rectangle. Since the bear shape was being folded over I flipped the image, so it would be facing the correct direction. I used GP White for the card base.



After removing from the mat I scored the beach ball edge a folded them measured 5 1/4" then scored again. After I lined up the argyle EF on the fold line and embossed the Bear fold part of the Card base. Then I used a So Saffron Inkdot to rub the ink over the Argyle embossing.



I used Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, and Embassy Black for assembling the bear. I put the small paw ear and nose pieces through the Xyron "X" and while still attached to the strip of paper sponged it with Close to Cocoa. After assembling the bear I cut along the leg line and under the nose with scissors to allow for the closure and the ribbon. For the beach ball I used Night of Navy for the layers..not wanting to recut the layers for the white end dot I glued the night of navy one to a piece of scrap white and then trimmed close to the edge and then adhered to the ball after assembling.


Cuttlebug struck again and scraps of Old Olive was embossed with D'vine swirl, and So Saffron used Swiss Dots for the inside back of the card.

Last of all I cut the "Hi" from the wildCard Cart and used my "X" to add adhesive and adhere to the card.
I really like how it turned out...Loving my Gypsy and Cricut!
Until Later ...Happy Stamping!