BBTB Challenge - Frames

Hi all!

This week's Bitten By the Bug Challenge is to use a frame on your project.  Since we are officially in October I thought I better get started on some Halloween cards!

There are TONS of frames in the Cricut library and ALOT of options for Halloween ones.

This Spiderweb frame came from Photo Fun - Holiday Memories.  You could put ANY of the Halloween images in it - I have two more already cut and ready for me to finish.  The Boo is from Phrases.

This framed ghosty came from Happy Hauntings and there is a whole bunch of different ones to pick from.

With all the frame options Cricut has this is an easy challenge!  I hope you can join in.  Be sure to head over to the BBTB Blog and check out the other great projects by the Design Team!

BBTB - Retro Challenge

Hi all!

This post is going to be super quick!  I am packing up to leave early in the morning to go to my oldest son's house for my grandbaby's first birthday!

The challenge on Bitten By the Bug this week is retro.  I went way retro on this anniversary card for my in-laws:

I used the Art Nouveau cartridge for the fancy flowers - I just love the images on that cartridge - so elegant!

The font is Cricut Alphabet - I like my fonts to have a shadow.  i also prefer them welded so they are easier to place!

Join us on the challenge or just head over to BBTB to check out the other fun projects the rest of the DT girls made!

Just A Note...

Hi all!

Ahhh...

I got back in the studio again on my little cardmaking mission for my mom.  Nothing quite like a cookie dough latte and some Twinkling H2Os!

I have 2 more cards for you today using the following challenges:

• Splitcoast Stampers - Ways to use it: Maps
• Crafty Creations - Just for fun
• 4 Crafty Chicks - Anything Goes

I have this great 5 x 7 book of map pages I found at Hobby Lobby to use on a desk I am refinishing (that project should appear here soon...)  It was perfect for this challenge since I have so many pages left.

For my main images I decided to stamp with my Twinkling H2Os - it produces a gorgeous shimmering watercolor type image.

Can you believe that shimmer!??!

It can be a bit tricky to get it right and took me several tries.  I wanted to share a few tips with you:

1. Wake up the Twinks with 3-4 sprays of water from a mister.  Let them sit 10 - 15 minutes, go make your latte, throw in some laundry - at least that's what I did.
2. Once the Twinks are close to the consistency of honey they are ready.  Dip your brush in and then be sure to brush it against the edge of the jar several times so the brush is not very loaded with paint.  You just want a little.
3. Brush the Twinks onto your stamp - you want the paint thin so it doesn't pool or puddle.  Don't worry about hurrying or the paint drying.
4. Once your stamp is covered hold a mister of water about 12" or so away and mist it lightly and then stamp onto your paper.  Mist again and stamp again, sometimes the second image is better than the first one!

Cards, yes cards

Hi all!

Well my mom finally ran out of cards and has asked for 25 more (she has been asking for awhile actually) so I am back to doing some card making!  Today I scouted around for some challenges to get me going and I am submitting this duo for the following:

• SCS - card sketch Wed.
• Loves Rubber Stamps - buttons and bows
• Chocolate, coffee and cards - polka dots

I must admit I am a little rusty at this and despite the sketch giving ample room for a focal point I had a hard time with the tiny size!

I probably haven't bought a 6 x 6 paper pad in over 3 years.  So I have a drawer half full of paper, none of which I like anymore - at least most of it I am over.  However I did find a couple pieces I liked!  I wanted to do a semi-mixed media type focal layer - the idea in my head looked much different than it turned out but I decided they are keepers.  The first one has Distress Inks for the background.  I pounced them on my craft sheet, misted with water and then swiped the white cardstock through it.

 For the second card I wanted to do something similar but with Shimmering mists for the background.  I mixed them up myself using ColourArte Primary Elements Pigment Powder, gum arabic and water.  This gives me subtle color AND shimmer.  I added some green polka dots by sponging ColourArte Silks Acrylic Glaze through sequin waste.  Finally I stamped a floral image from Crafter's Companion on each one using Archival Ink.  I added sentiments from my much loved and much used massive collection of Studio G $1 stamps - does anyone remember those?  Ahhh those were the days....

FaveCrafts Product Review - Fiskars AdvantEdge punch

hi everyone!

quick post for ya on a Product Review I did for FaveCrafts.com on the Fiskars AdvantEdge Punch System.  if you are OBSESSED with punches, especially border or ribbon punches, like i am then you will want to check this out!  i started by making a couple of cards:

just look at those intricate ribbons across the middles!  to see the full review and a how to on these cards head over to favecrafts and check out my review as well - AdvantEdge Punch System.  In addition you can check out my video demo and tutorial from the Favecrafts you tube channel!

i will be sharing more projects with this tool in the coming weeks.  i have to add that after doing all of my projects with this tool i went back to some regular border punches for something else and wow did i really miss the advantedge method!

a peaceful tree today

yay monday!

ok so maybe not!  but hey i tried!  we headed to the petsmart in reston - further away - with the kitties yesterday but it was very slow so no luck on adoptions.  :(  it is really starting to worry me and stress me out!  poor little sweet babies! w e had a temporary visitor too - johnny stayed behind at the reston petsmart until they can find him a foster home - we have enough here!

on to some crafting!  i have another card for ya - yep another card.  i decided to play with some of the splitcoast dare to get dirty challenges from last week and this is what i came up with:

i dug around in my massive collection of 6x6 paper pads and came across an old basic grey one - cappello - gorgeous!  the colors and the patterns! 

i stamped the tree from the M's Place stamp set at SCACD onto a book page and several different papers and cut it all out so i could piece them back together.  turned out super i think!  i used more papers from the same paper pad for the card layers and then in keeping my buddy suzanne's dirty girl challenge

i added a pop of salmon with paper and skittles. w hat do y'all think???