Craft Show wasn't much of a show!

I was expecting something more than what I saw. There was people selling Tupperware, make-up, fried pies, dip mixes, several photography booths but not much for crafts. There were some booths with braided embroidery thread bracelets, some crocheted top towels, gift baskets and that is about all. Luckily the redeeming thing about the craft show was the reason my friend Linda and I went in the first place....STAMPS!

I got these sets of Stampin Up stamps and didn't pay more than $5 a set but most were $3 a set. I was able to get them unmounted and put in DVD cases last night. I also got some A6 size envelopes, 25 for 80 cents, so that wasn't bad. 

I also splurged and got a few fried pies and they are delicious!! I also picked up two packs of Salsa mix but haven't made any yet. That will require me going to the grocery store...*okie cringes at the thought of going to the grocery store*.

We did go to lunch at Applebee's and I tried the Asiago Peppercorn Steak and it was pretty darn good! After that I came home to take a little nap that somehow lasted like 2 hours! Now I need to get busy on some card designs for these fabulous new stamp sets I got!

Craft Show today!

My friend Linda, aka LGuild, and her sister are coming to town today for a craft show. We aren't selling or showing anything *okie figures she and Linda have enough stuff to open a store if so desired* but are going to see what is there. The lady who runs stamp club is going to have a bunch of stamps for sale and that is really the main reason we are going. I know she had a lot of unmounted rubber stamps before and I never looked at them because I didn't know how to mount them, but now...well, let's just say I can do it in my sleep! HA HA HA

I haven't gotten anything new made in the last few days but have been working on a DT project that I am hoping to get done this weekend *okie figures she better cross her fingers and legs*. Once done I will have to hide it because it is going to be a Christmas gift for my daughter *okie knows it's a good thing her daughter doesn't read her blog*. I am kinda excited about this project because it is something I have never tried before and I am hoping it will turn out okay.

I will be sure to post some pictures if I get anything at the craft show! Oh who am I kiddin! I doubt there is anyway I will come out of there empty handed!

I got a surprise!

After a very long day at work yesterday I got home to find a package in my mail box. On the front of the envelope it said RAK! and in the "from" space it said "CRICUT CIRCLE FRIEND". I knew by the feel of the envelope that it was a cartridge *okie thinks that shows she has gotten way too many carts through the US Postal service if she can put one finger on an envelope and know it is a cartridge*! I came in and opened the envelope and in there was the....

CREATIVE MEMORIES CHEERFUL SEASONS!!

I have been eyeing this cartridge for over  a year now and POOF there it was laying right in front of me! Now how someone knew I wanted this I have no idea and all I can say is...

I'M NOT WORTHY!!

and THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY VERY MUCH CIRCLE FRIEND!!

I can't wait to play with this cartridge and I am hoping it rains all weekend so I can hole up in my craft room and get busy!!

I was spotlighted on Crafts Unleashed!

Consumer Crafts is the website I order my Coredinations cardstock from and of course rave about because they have such fantastic prices and then on top of that they have great shipping offers pretty often. With that who wouldn't like them?

I received an email from them a few weeks a back asking if they could post some of the cards I had made using the Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection. I told them they could use anything they wanted! Well today I got another email and they spotlighted all 4 of the cards I made using that collection on their blog Crafts Unleashed in the Fan Spotlight!

Most of you guys know I am usually not happy with much of anything I make *okie knows she is her own worst critic* but for a company to be so pleased with what I have done just really does make me think "Gee, maybe I can do some good work every now and then!". I think something like this happening does give us some validation that our crafting is worthy of our time and efforts.

swim like a FISH layout - DT project

As I announced recently, Joy of Obsessed with Scrapbooking, asked me to be on her Design Team. This is my first project for her DT and we were asked to use the Creative Memories Traveler cartridge. When I received this cartridge I immediately fell in love with it and knew what my first project would be! My friend Chelle had brought her two nieces and her baby girl over to swim this summer. Makaylah had never been in the pool so I was a bit concerned about how she would like it. I did not need to worry! That baby girl got in that floatie and immediately started kicking her legs like she was an ol pro at being in the water!


Supplies Used:
- Cricut Expression
- Creative Memories Cricut Traveler Cartridge
- Patterned paper - Bo Bunny
- Various cardstock
- Heat set gems and pearls
-Decorative Accents aka Skittles
-Viva Decor Pearl Pen
- Glistening Snow Writer
- Mounting foam
- Cat Eye Chalk Ink







Design Studio was used to weld the shadow layer together for the title. I cut it in green and then cut the top layer in yellow "bling" cardstock. I added a few 3mm heat set gems to a few of the letters to make the title stand out a little more.

I so love the font on the Traveler cartridge! It reminds me a bit of magic marker and is a good chunky font, which is hard to find sometimes.

For the sun I cut the shadow layer twice, the middle orange layer once and then the top yellow layer once. I then pop dotted between then shadow layers and then again with the middle orange and top yellow layers. The gems are 3mm heat set gems.

You might need to click the picture and make it bigger to see more detail. Nothing ever looks as good in a picture as it does in person!




The curl wave was cut out of 3 different shades of cardstock, using the darkest blue for the shadow layer, light blue for the base layer and medium blue for the top swirly layer. I did ink along the light blue layer a little for added dimension. I added some Glistening Snow Writer thinking I could make it look a little like seafoam. That didn't work out quite like I wanted it to but I still like the look it gave the wave. I also liked the wave popped up and over part of the picture. It really made the wave stand out more. I think as crafters were are sometimes afraid to cover up part of a picture but we really need to get over that since it can really make an element stand out!

I did double shadow layer cuts on the two fish and pop dotted in between them. I added some 2mm heat set gems to the yellow and pink fish along the top and bottom fins and then dotted with the Viva Decor Pearl Pen for the eye. For the larger Purple and Orange fish I added a heat set pearl for the eye and then dotted along the fins with the Viva Decor Pearl Pen. My daughter actually suggested using the Decorative Accents, aka Skittles, as bubbles coming out of the fishes mouths.

If you would like to order the Creative Memories Traveler Cartridge you can order it from Joy at her CREATIVE MEMORIES WEBSITE.

For A Special - Card

This is yet another card using the Art Philosophy bundle! I know you guys are sssoooo surprised! This is another sentiment stamp that can have several purposes, or maybe recipients is a better word. I am really liking this option because it allows me to make multiples of a card but have it for different reasons. I actually designed this card with a friend in mind. His mother has not been feeling well and I thought he should give her a card *okie can be so bossy with her friends sometimes*. He was actually much appreciative and plans on giving it to her today.
 

Supplies Used:
-Cricut Expression
-Cricut CTMH Art Philosophy cart
-CTMH Frames, Tags, Borders stamp set
-Daisy D's patterned paper
-Various Cardstock
-Stampin Up Ink; marker; Crackle background stamp
-Brads
-Cat Eye Chalk Ink

*okie looks at her list and still wonders if it is a sin to use Stampin Up products with Close To My Heart products but thinks God will understand*
 

For the vase I used a crackle background stamp in a darker shade of blue than the cardstock. I really like the effect it gave to the vase and made it have a realistic look. If you click the picture you can see more detail.

For a little extra dimension I shaded one side of the vase a little heavier than the other. 

I know you can't really tell in the picture but, I had cut two and layered one on top of the other using some mounting foam.

The flowers and stems were cut as one piece and I couldn't find a layer for the flowers to cut separately. I didn't like the idea of the flowers and stems being the same color so I used some of the Bridal Confetti flowers from Michaels. I double layered them and added a brad for the center. I think it made a really nice looking daisy and it was just the right size for the cuts I had made.

If you will look at the green brad for just a moment *okie waits for her readers to focus on the green brad*, it was not quite the color I needed it to be. It was just a little too bright and my other green brads were a little too, well GREEN! I tamped the brad an my Olive Pastel Cat Eye Ink pad and then waited a bit and then wiped it across a paper towel. It toned down the brightness and made it just the right color I was wanting *okie thinks probably not just the right but it is pretty darn close*.

Not sure I will get any crafting done today so I might not have anything crafty to post tomorrow. I am feeling a lot better today than I have in quite sometime. I think my bronchitis is gone and my eye infection is doing so much better. I am not having to wear the eye patch at this time but still have not graduated back to my glasses. What eye patch you ask?? HHmmm, maybe that will be a post for tomorrow!

Happy World Card Making Day!

This is one holiday that upsets me! I think it is always on a Saturday so we will never get the day off with pay for this fantastic holiday. I began to wonder where this all started and I was able to find the following information on the World Card Making Day website *okie thinks...who knew there was a website*...

World Card Making Day began in 2006 as National Card Making Day. Founded by Paper Crafts magazine to bring card makers together at the beginning of the busiest card-making season of the year, it was first held on October 7, 2006. The initial celebration involved the Paper Crafts magazine audience only; however, due to the positive response it received and the worldwide popularity of card making, the holiday became known as World Card Making Day from then on.

Celebrating its sixth year in 2011, World Card Making Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in October. It's a day for the card-making community -- hobbyists, retailers, and manufacturers -- to unite and celebrate the connection and creativity that is the heart of card making. Join us in the fun on October 1, for World Card Making Day 2011!

 

 And by the way, they are having a contest and giving away a chit load of awesome prizes!! If would like to see how to enter just go to World Card Making Day Contest.

I know a lot of folks think I started making cards after I got my Cricut and after some time of making layouts. However this is not true. I first remember making cards years ago.  I had returned to college to finish my bachelors degree when my daughter was a baby. During this time I was on state assistance and had no money for such luxuries as Christmas cards. I had, however, saved my favorite Christmas cards over the last few years and would use them to decorate a shelf in my house. Since I had those cards I bought some cardstock and cut those up and made new cards out of them so I could hand out some Christmas cards. After that I would make a card every now and then for someone special or a very special occasion. Years later, but before my Cricut, I had a few "Card Party" events at my house with my girlfriends. Generally this was at Valentine's day and I would have supplies for them to make Valentine cards for those they loved, or sometimes just liked and I think in one or two cases just tolerated. Now, as you guys know, I am an avid card maker *okie thinks...but not a card sender*.

 

This card was one of my first ever I posted to my blog, back from March of 2008. I remember thinking that I had done a nice job on it but now as I look at it I think it just doesn't look "finished" LOL.

I had gotten a set of My Favorite Things stamps at my LSS and was trying the "magic colored pencil" technique. I remember thinking how cool it was to use that method to color images but thought it took way too long! I most definitely prefer my ProMarkers these days and can color an image in about 1/20th of the time!

 

To be honest I am not really even sure of the purpose of this post *okie thinks her little homemade cough remedy still might be effecting her brain this morning* but you do now have the history of World Card Making Day and the history of how I got started making cards. So with that my dear friends....

GO GET YOUR CRAFT ON AND MAKE SOME CARDS!!

Celebrate with a present CARD

Yep today is another day of Close to My Heart Art Philosophy bundle project! *okie thinks she should just become a rep as much as she has talked about CTMH lately*. My card stash has some how gone down over the last few months. Probably because I didn't make anything for 3 months and quite a few of my cards were taken by my friend Carmen aka ScrapperDelighted when she stopped by to pick up her dog I was dog sitting. Then some found their way as gift sets to other people, and then there were the ones I donated to Monique Griffith to auction off at her Crop for the Cure. Needless to say this bundle is coming in handy for me to replenish my stash of cards I never send out anyway! *okie cracks up laughing*.
 
Supplies Used:
Cricut Expression
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
CTMH Celebration stamp set
Karen Foster patterned paper
Various Cardstock
Stampin Up Ink and marker
Gold Ink pad
Brads
Cat Eye Chalk Ink



I liked the swirly of the stamp for the present and thought the gold would go with the paper nicely, which it does but is hard to see in the picture. I cut the bow twice and then pop dotted the top layer to the layer that was adhered to the present. Oh on the mat that says "Celebrate" I used DS to size the same image slightly larger for the shadow since this feature was not available *okie so loves her Design Studio and still swears it does a lot that the Gypsy can't do*.

If you are wanting to order the Art Philosphy bundle you can contact Melanie at her CLOSE TO MY HEART WEBSITE.

Thank You with a star Card

I really love the little ticket stamps that are in the Frames, Tags, Borders Close to My Heart stamp set! I was trying to think of a nice man thank you card when I looked at this particular stamp. Since the stamp had stars in the corners I decided to go with that theme.

Supplies Used:
Cricut Expression
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
CTMH Frames, Tags, Borders stamp set
Bo Bunny Printed paper
Various Cardstock
Cuttlebug
Cuttlebug Stars embossing folder
Tin pan for embossing
Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks
Janome Sew Mini
Brads
Cat Eye Chalk Ink

The school where I work gets the lunch in large tin pans and they tell us to throw them away. Well after we get quite a few I bring a stack home, wash them up and cut them apart! It makes an interesting element for cards and layouts when put through the Cuttlebug. For this project I decided to hit it with some Alcohol Inks and I think I should have left the red color out since it came out more like a pink, I think it was actually Cranberry. But overall I still like the looks of it.

When I showed my daughter this card she said "OH I like that!" and then asked "what do you know about nautical stars?" and I asked her "what do you know about them?". She looked and me and replied "Oh I was thinking of getting a tramp stamp of them across my lower back" of course at this point I said rather loudly "YOU ARE GETTING ANOTHER TATTOO??". She assured me that she wasn't getting another one, it was just one she thought about getting before *okie sighs deeply and shakes her head*. I swear that girl is gonna be the death of me yet!

If you are wanting to order the Art Philosphy bundle you can contact Melanie at her CLOSE TO MY HEART WEBSITE.

Wishing You a Wonderful... CARD

I am really diggin the Art Philosophy bundle from Close to My Heart! I am not sure whether to thank Melanie or to choke her at this point because she is going to have me addicted to CTMH products! *okie thinks she will probably just say thank you and then buy Mel a drink on the next cruise*.

I really like the sentiment on this card because you can have a few of these made and then choose what you want to use it for later on. With the colors on this particular card I think I could use it for birthday, wedding or anniversary. There is even a little line and check mark for "other" so even a "thinking of you" could be written in there if so desired *okie thinks she sounded so smart by saying "if so desired"*

Supplies used:
Cricut Expression
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
CTMH Frames, Tags, Borders stamp set
Various printed papers and cardstock
Viva Decor Pearl Pen - Ice White
Liquid Pearls - Pastel Raspberry
3/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Brads
Cat Eye Chalk Ink
Signo UM 153 white gel pen
Stickles - cinnamon


I wasn't sure I liked the color of the flowers for the card when I got them all cut out but I wasn't going to waste paper and do them over. I did decide I liked them a little more after adding some embellishment to them. I did pop dot the large yellow flower.

I cut the sentiment at the recommended size and then cut a base layer set at about 1/4" larger so i could have a shadow base.

If you are wanting to order the Art Philosphy bundle you can contact Melanie at her CLOSE TO MY HEART WEBSITE.

Oh and for those that know I have been sick for the past week I am finally starting to feel like I am going to live!! Thank goodness because I sure was tired of peeing my pants during all those dang coughing fits! *okie knows some folks are saying "OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE SAID THAT" while others are thinking "dang it I hate it when that happens to me too!"*

I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT

Well okay that made it sound like it's a really big deal didn't it! LOL But I do have some news to tell you guys! Joy from Obsessed With Scrapbooking, you might also know her as one of the "Hello Thursday Girls" that show projects with the new Cricut cartridges, contacted me not long ago asking if I wanted to be on a Design Team for her website. To be honest I had swore I would never be on another design team after the last fiasco of a design team I participated in *okie shakes her head and still fumes at the way the designers were treated* but since I do like Joy and know her personally I was more than glad to do some DT work for her, and besides her husband is a TOTAL HOTTIE!! And he really does have a fantastic personality!

I may later regret agreeing to doing this whole thing because after I found out who else is on the team I am thinking "WTH REALLY??" I mean did Joy have to really ask the top most talented papercrafters and then ask me? *okie sighs deeply and shakes her head slowly* I am afraid my projects won't even begin to compete!

Anywho...Here are the other designers on the Design Team with me...

Susan Edwards from Busy With The Cricky

Nadia Herbst-McConnell from With Glittering Eyes


Christina Thomas from Creations With Christina

Maybe I will get lucky and the other gals will be having a bad crafting day when they do their projects and mine won't look so bad! 

On a little side note, one of my favorite web shopping places, Happy N Scrappin, has a great sale on some Basic Grey items right now so if you are a Basic Grey lover like me you might want to check them out!

All-Things-Halloween Projects

I was recently asked if I would like to share some Halloween projects with my readers and of course I said "YES!". All three projects look pretty simple to make and look like they could be modified for other images as well.

Bat Mobile:

 Instructions

1. Find a smooth stick 16" long and spray paint it silver. Let dry completely.

2. Cut a length of wire or cord 22" long and bend or tie each end to the ends of the stick to create a hanger.

3. Cut 5 double sided bats from black, patterned, double sided cardstock 2" tall.

4. Punch a small hole in the top of the bats and secure with a black eyelet.

5. Tie varying lengths of string to the bats and hang them by tying along the stick.

6. Tie a ribbon at the top if desired.

What you will need.

Provo Craft Supplies

•   craft paper

•   E-Z Set Eyelets - black 1/8" short

•   ribbon

Other Supplies

•   black metal wire

•   thread

•   stick

 Scary Halloween Layout:

Instructions:

 1.  Layer 11-3/4” x 11-3/4” striped patterned paper onto 12” x 12” black cardstock. Layer 4”x 10-3/4” green patterned paper onto 4-1/4” x 11” black cardstock. Layer 6” x 10” purple spider paper onto 6-1/4” x 10-1/4” black cardstock. Cut striped paper into 1-1/2” x 12”

2. Layer papers together as shown.

3. Cut spider web paper into a 4” x 6” and 4” x 3” rectangles. Layer these onto black cardstock cut at 4-1/4” x 6-1/4” and 4-1/4” x 3-1/4” to create photo mats.

4. Layer “Scary” word art with black on bottom, orange in middle and green on top. Layer bat with orange behind the black. Layer crow the same way. Adhere rhinestones to bat, crow and spider.

5. Adhere large spider web to layout as shown. Adhere small spider web to 3-1/4” x 2-1/2” orange glitter paper, keeping web flush with bottom of paper. Punch out a white oval and a scalloped oval with the web paper. Layer together. Adhere to small web. Add this onto bottom of larger photo mat as shown. Add rhinestones.

6. Adhere crow, bat using pop dots to layout. Adhere large photo mat to layout as shown. Adhere smaller photo mat.

7. Adhere “spooky” and spider to web. Adhere rhinestones to web and layout.

What you will need.

Provo Craft Supplies

•   Cricut V1/Create/Expression/E2 Machine

•   Cricut Teresa Collins Chic N Scary Cartridge

•   Cartridge Cuts: Cricut Teresa Collins Chic N Scary Cartridge: Scary - 2” (cut 3x) Web - 6” and 3-1/2” Crow with Crown - 2-1/2” (cut 2x) Bat - 2” (cut 2x) Spider - 2”

Other Supplies

•   Cardstock - black, white Glittered Cardstock - orange, green Patterned Paper - diagonal stripe, stripe, purple spider, spider web, green

•   Rhinestones Scallop oval punch Oval punch

•   Adhesive - wet and dry Pop Dots

•   Paper Trimmer

Scallywag T-shirt:

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry t-shirt and white cotton fabric. Iron items and allow time to cool.

2. Iron backing onto white cotton fabric as packaging directs.

3. Using the Cricut E2 machine and the Cricut Teresa Collins cartridge cut out the skull using the white fabric at 9 1/2".

4. Iron onto shirt.

What you will need.

Provo Craft Supplies

•   Cricut E2 machine

•   Cricut Teresa Collins Chic and Scary

Other Supplies

•   Black t-shirt

•   White cotton fabric

•    iron on backing

Naughty Girls Surprise - WINNER

I had planned on doing this not long after I finished up posting the Naughty Girls series of cards but then I got busy with work and then I got bronchitis and hadn't had the time nor energy to post the surprise.

If you are one of my regular readers you know that occasionally I will do a giveaway on my blog but rarely do I post it on the Cricut MB or Facebook as I like for my  regular readers to win instead of someone just coming to post so they can win things. I personally don't get into doing giveways to attract readers. I prefer that people read my blog and look at my projects because they want to, not so they can have a chance at something free. Don't get me wrong, I love FREE and enter sweepstakes and such but I just feel for my own personal site I rather a regular reader have a better shot at winning something.

*okie steps off her soapbox* So anywho, I finally got around to doing a drawing for a set of the Naughty Girls card series and the winner is...

Julieta aka Flamenco92627 who posted:
 That's hilarious! Love the punny sentiment. LMAO~September 12, 2011 10:55 AM 

Julieta please email me your information so I can get the card set in the mail to you!

ain't easy being Beautiful - Layout

My daughter often laughs at me because I take picture of EVERYTHING, this situation is one of those that my daughter will laugh at I am sure! I keep telling her that one day she will appreciate even the silliest of my layouts. I love doing face masks and usually try to do one once a week. Sometimes I do the peel mask and others I use a clay mask. I was playing around one night and took pictures of me with a clay mask on my face and posted it on Facebook *okie shakes her head at herself and wonders why she post such stupid chit on Facebook*. I then decided I should print the pictures and do a layout.

Supplies Used:
Cricut Expression
Cricut Carts -  Songbird, Elegant Edges, Lovely Floral
Patterned Paper - Crate Paper
Prima Flowers
Large Brad
LetraTac Repositionable Adhesive
Cat Eye Chalk Ink








Letraset, the makers of the ProMarkers I so love, sent me some of their LetraTac to try out and I have to say I REALLY LIKE IT! It says it is for mounting photos and such but I decided to live on the edge *okie knows her readers think okie is so daring* and see if I could use it to add glitter to a large brad. It worked great!! I just followed the simple instructions that were provided and POOF I had a glittery brad. I like the base color coming through. I am not sure if the product is available in stores but I did find it on Dick Blick website.

The "ain't easy being" is done with Songbird and welded together. The "Beautiful" is from Lovely Floral. I double cut both of them and then did an offset so I could have a shadow *okie does love her shadows*. I then covered the words with Diamond Stickles to get the glittery effect. *okie knows people are wondering why she didn't try the LetraTac for that* I didn't try the LetraTac for that because I was only sent one sheet to try and I didn't want to waste it by using it and then some Doodlebug Glitter.

I guess maybe the purpose of me posting such a silly layout is also to let people know not to be afraid to scrap even the silliest or normal moments because one day it will help explain our lives, and isn't that what scrapbooking is all about?

Captured in Time - card

This is the last of the clock stamp, Tim Holtz papers cards that I did. I think I like this one the best because of the elements and colors.

Supplies Used:
~ Cricut Expression
~ Cricut Cartridges - George, Art Philosophy
~ Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack
~ Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection 

~ Cuttlebug
~ Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder
~ Kelly Pannaci stamps
~ Memento Ink
~ 3/8" Grosgrain ribbon
~ Brads
~ Scrapper Floss
~ Cat Eye Ink

The inside sentiment was done with MS word and it was just something that popped in my head. I hope you can read it because as I am sitting here typing this post I really can't remember what it says *okie wonders if that cough syrup with codeine might be part of the problem as well*.






I think the larger pattern of this embossing folder really shows off the kraft core! I am so loving this cardstock and think I might have to order some soon since I will be afraid of running out *okie so hates to run out of things she likes*.

As much as I would like to write more I think I am about to pass out from my cough syrup and no telling what I might type if I keep on typing so guess I should end this post. When it finally posts I will probably not even remember typing this dang thang up as it is!

A Moment in Time - Manly card

I think this card would be great to give to some of the male species. I still think it is hard to make cards for men because it is so much easier to make beautiful cards for the female species. Let's face it, flowers, bling, lacy and gorgeous colors are a lot more fun to work with and have a lot more that can be done with them. Men are just difficult to make cards for, at least for me *okie thinks...and their socks stink too*.

Supplies Used:
~ Cricut Expression
~ Cricut Cartridges - George, Art Philosophy, Home Decor
~ Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack
~ Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection 
~ Mica Cardstock
~ Cuttlebug
~ Tim Holtz Brick embossing folder
~ Kelly Pannaci stamps
~ Memento Ink
~ Brads
~ Cat Eye Ink

Since I wanted this to be a card for the male species I tried to think of a decent sentiment for the inside of the card. I used MS word to print off the sentiment and it is just something I came up with on my own. It's not great but it gets the point across.

Look at the brick pattern on the red cardstock, you can see the kraft core a lot better in this picture and I love the way it turned out. For those who don't know I will state how I do this. I put my paper in the embossing folder, run it through the Cuttlebug and then leave the paper on the folder while I sand it. This keeps me from pushing down the embossed area while sanding.

Where has the time gone? Card

This is the second card I chose to do featuring the Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core Paper Pack that Consumer Crafts sent me. I really am loving the use of the Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack with this stamp set. They just seem to go so well together.

Supplies Used:
~Cricut Expression
~Cricut Cartridges - George, Art Philosophy
~Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack
~Tim Holtz Coredinations Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection
~Kelly Pannaci stamps
~Memento Ink
~Cat Eye Chalk Ink
~Brad
~Janome Sew MiniBrads
~Cat Eye Ink

I think I should have left off the "but" on the inside sentiment and I know I can go back and edit and reprint if I want later on but for now it will just have to do. 

I used my Janome Sew Mini to add the stitching around the edge of the card. Before sewing I stamped the sentiment on the strip and then used removable adhesive to place the sentiment strip on the front of the card before sewing.

In the close up you can see a little bit of how the Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core distresses so well. I like the kraft color and think it adds a little more distressed look than the regular Coredinations cardstock.

I have to point out what I thought was pretty ingenious of me with this card...the large mat of the card is done with calendar patterned paper and then the inset mat is done with map printed paper. I thought these went well with the sentiment *okie waits for the applause and then bows graciously*. Yes I know, I do have a good idea every now and then!! *okie starts laughing and starts having a coughing fit* Guess that will teach me to toot my own horn!

Time Flies card

I was able to get around enough to get pictures taken of the cards I made over the weekend and figured I might as well try to get them scheduled to post. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon. I just want to make sure I am not contagious since I work in close proximity with my clients and don't want to make anyone else sick.

Consumer Crafts was nice enough to send me the new pack of Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection to try out. When I saw the cardstock I knew I wanted to try out the clock themed stamps I got at CKC in Houston. My friend Linda, aka LGuild, and I have looked at clock stamps and we were too cheap to buy any that we had seen. When I saw these and they were only $3 for the set I had to get them, and of course get a set for Linda as well! The stamps are Kelly Panacci clear stamps and I am not sure where you might be able to find them now as they are copyrighted in 2008.

This is the first card I made from the set.

Supplies Used:
~Cricut Expression
~Cricut Cartridges - George, Art Philosophy
~Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack
~Coredinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgia Collection
~Kelly Pannaci stamps
~Memento Ink
~Stampin Up background stamp
~Stampin Up border Punch
~Brads
~Cat Eye Ink

While the colors are more feminine I thought it could be used as a card for a man as well. While making this card I actually was thinking of how fast time passed while I was in Houston visiting with my friend Carmen and was thinking this would be a great little card to send someone after staying at their house. I did the sentiment on MS word.






I took the close up shot so you could see the clock a little better. I used a background stamp before stamping on the clock and hands. I think it added a little more interest to the clock. On the sentiment tag I taped down one end and then used a pop dot on the other to give it a little dimension.

ON HOLD

My posting will be on hold for a bit. I do have some new cards, nothing like the naughty girls, but some nice cards that could have different uses to post. Right now I am fighting a cold and I don't have the energy to take pictures, edit and write up posts about them. It's all I can do right now to make it to work without falling over. Will be back when I am feeling better.

Naughty Girls - I want my man

As a coffee lover and a lover of the Love You A Latte Cricut cartridge I knew I had to incorporate something from that cartridge in the Naughty Girls series!! This is the last of the Naughty Girls series and I will be starting another project, I just don't know what yet! Actually I am thinking of doing a few layouts but guess I will wait and see what mood I am in.

Supplies Used:
Cricut Expressions
Cricut carts - Forever Young, Love You A Latte, Reminisce Accents
Patterned Paper - Jennie Bowlin, Flair Designs
Various cardstock
Cateye Chalk Ink
Stampin Up marker
Cri-Kits
Brads
MS Word






I did the sentiment for the inside of the card with MS Word. I couldn't find a good color to match in my stash of Cri-Kits but I think it still came out okay. I am not sure I like the figure holding the cup *okie thinks she looks a little constipated* but I wasn't going to cut another one since I already had all these cut. Sometimes it is hard to tell what it will look like until you get it cut. 

Not sure you can tell, you might need to click the picture to see it better, but I used a Versmark pad to stamp the cream colored cardstock with a swirly design. I think it would have looked better if I had used some embossing powder and heat embossed it...oh well, live and learn!

For the "latte" on the cup I used the Cri-Kits because I knew I wouldn't be able to get a clean cut that small. I think it turned out pretty good this way.





I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful response on this series. It has taught me that there are a lot more warped minds out there than I though *okie cracks up laughing* and it also teaches me that maybe I need to make more of the odd sense of humor cards that I have floating around in my head!! Oh and for you faithful readers of mine stay tuned for a little surprise!!

Naughty Girls - I NEED YOUR

Okay this is for all you naughty nurses out there!! I just couldn't resist but think of my BFF Karen while making this card...and I will spare you guys what she said when I told her about this card when I was putting it together and on the phone with her! *okie thinks about blushing a little but then decides she probably doesn't even know how to blush anymore*

Supplies Used:Cricut Expressions
Cricut carts - Forever Young, Everyday Paperdolls, Feeling Groovy
Patterned Paper - Scenic Route
Various cardstock
Cateye Chalk Ink
Stampin Up marker
Signo UM 153 gel pen
Brads
Stickles
Cri-Kits







I had to send a picture of this one to my friend Amy, aka Scraparazzi and ask her what else it needed. We decided the lighter color strip along the back and the faux stitching was exactly what the card needed to break up the plaid and make it look more finished!

The medical equipment is all from Everyday Paperdolls. I used Design Studio to adjust the items to the sizes I needed. It is hard to tell that the nurse hat has a little red cross on it since it looks like a diamond but I guess it will have to work. At least the cross on the medical bag cut a little better.

The gal did have a dress on and I started to cut out the dress and put it on her but then I thought it went against the whole design of the other cards so I just cut that sucker off of her.




I will be at a conference for work all day today so I might not have time to approve comments throughout the day but I will be reading them when I get back home.

The end of the series posts tomorrow and while I don't have the card completed at the time of writing this post I do think it is going to turn out good *at least okie hopes it does* and I might actually give one of those to someone! HA HA HA

Naughty Girls - It Is My Nature

Since I am a bit of a nature girl I really thought this one was a good one. I like the papers I choose for this card and actually pretty happy with the overall appearance *okie stops for a minute and thinks that she doesn't say that often about things she makes*.

Supplies Used:
Cricut Expressions
Cricut carts - Forever Young, Botanicals, Everyday Paperdolls, George
Patterned Paper - Fancy Pants "All Fall"
Various cardstock
Cateye Chalk Ink
Stampin Up marker
Cri-Kits








I like the triangles on the front of the card criss crossing and I altered the triangle in George using Design Studio to how I wanted it. I so love the fact that shapes can be easily manipulated in Design Studio!! The font for the sentiment is with Botanicals...LOVE IT! I pop dotted the girl on the matte, actually they are all pop dotted for this series because ya'll know how I love my mounting foam!!

I sanded the Coredinations cardstock before cutting out the leaves. I cut a enough so I could layer them and then give them some dimension by folding parts of the leaves up.  

I always feel that adding extra dimension, along with a little doodling really makes a card much more interesting. I will admit that I get tired of doing all the doodling and inking but I just can't seem to NOT do it! I have tried, believe me I have tried *okie cringes at the sight of one of her cards not having inking or doodling* but I just can't do it!!

I would like to say thank you for all of you folks that have left comments. I have enjoyed reading them all and knowing you have enjoyed this series. And for that...well...I will let it be a surprise!

Tomorrow I will be posting ONE of my favorite cards and then on Saturday I will post the last of the series, it is also one of my favorites!! Ya know, the whole "save the best for last" type thing! *okie cracks up laughing*

Naughty Girls - Wanna be my

I am not so crazy about the papers I used on this card but I do like the theme. I was thinking I had some paper that had candy on it but when I looked...well I didn't! *okie figures that is what she gets for not crafting all summer and reorganizing her paper 12 times in the last 3 months like she usually does*
 

Supplies Used:Cricut Expressions
Cricut carts - Forever Young, Paisley, Alphalicious
Patterned Paper - Scenic Route
Various cardstock
Cateye Chalk Ink
Stampin Up marker
Janome Sew-Mini
Sheer ribbon
Brads
Stickles
Cri-Kits

In case you are new to this gig, you can click on the pictures and they will open up bigger if you would like to see more detail.



I think I was looking for an easy finish card when I did this one and it is a bit drab but I think the stragetically placed lollipop does redeem my laziness just a tad. I tried to position the ribbon on the lollipop stick in just the right place to cover...uhh...welll...ya know!!







The words need a little something so I covered them with Stickles to make them POP just a little bit. It really looks better in person.

I love the font Alphalicious and I guess it is an oldie but a goodie since it was one of the first cartridges I got almost 4 years ago.



Come on back tomorrow to see card number 4 of the series!!! I will be finishing out the series on Friday and Saturday *okie thinks she might take a vacation, or at least need one at that point*.

Naughty Girls - Hey Birdbrain

So today is the second day in the series of 6 Naughty Girl cards and how could I not make a card with a gal holding a feather fan covering her nakedness? Well of course I couldn't NOT do it!! I have seen strippers on tv shows and someone always seems to have a big feathery fan covering them and since birds like to flock...well....yeahhhhhhh.....*okie tries to remember what it's like to be flocked and then realizes her memory doesn't go back that far*.

Supplies Used:Cricut Expressions
Cricut carts - Forever Young, 3 Birds on Parade, Songbird, Opposites Attract
Patterned Paper - Scenic Route
Various cardstock
Cateye Chalk Ink
Stampin Up marker
Brads
Cri-Kits

I am diggin using the Cri-Kits for the inside sentiments. It takes a little longer than if I would do it in Microsoft Word and print from the computer but then again it probably saves time since I don't have to keep searching for a matching font. I am also liking the inside of the card decorated a little more. I figure if I am going to go to all the trouble to make this set I might as well make it look good!! *okie cracks up laughin*

I sanded the pink paper before cutting out the feather fan and then after cutting I added a little ink to the edges and then after putting the two cuts together I curled the feathers up a little for some dimension. 

I do have the cards done for Wednesday and Thursday. I still have to finish up the ones for Friday and Saturday and I certainly hope I have time to get them completed and posted on time!!

I would like to thank everyone for the fabulous response I got on the first card in the series! I hope the rest do not disappoint!!

Naughty Girl - I've got...

So this is the first of the Naughty Girl card series! For the girls in the series I used the Forever Young cartridge and I did have to do a little snipping on the silhouettes to make them look naked. YES I SAID NAKED!! Remember if you are easily offended, don't like sexual suggestions, find my humor sinful then please leave now!! I told you not to come this week if ya didn't want to be offended!! *okie watches as a few readers head to the door* Guess they won't be wanting coffee either huh?

Supplies Used:
Cricut Expressions
Cricut carts - Forever Young, Art Philosophy, Billionaire,
Patterned Paper - Basic Grey, Luxe
Various cardstock
Cateye Chalk Ink
Stampin Up marker
Brads
Viva Pearl Pen
Cricut Markers
Cri-Kits


For the sentiment on the inside of the card I used the Cri-Kits because I wanted the font to match the front of the card. In case you don't understand the sentiment just read it outloud and see how it sounds. NOW YA GET IT??? *okie cracks up laughin*

I took this close up so you could see how I have NOT perfected the use of the Viva Pearl Pen! HA HA Also I wanted to show where I actually used the Cricut Markers *okie hears the gasps*...yeah yeah I am just as surprised as you are!

I think I could have made the heart a little smaller but I was trying to make it look like she was holding it to cover up her nakedness. I really don't like my paper choices too well for this card but it's too late to change it now since I already made 6 of them.

Anywho tomorrow will be another Naughty girl!!

Naughty Girl Card Series Coming Soon!

I guess with it getting cooler and Melanie giving me an kick start to crafting again by asking me to review the Art Philosophy bundle it was just what I needed to get back to crafting! I have been working this weekend on designing a new series of cards. I have had the idea in my head for awhile and planned on doing them at the beginning of the summer but when it got hot...well ya'll know what happened *okie leans over and whispers "I'm so sorry" to her Cricuts"*.

I have the cards all designed in DS and working on them. I am trying to save them as Gypsy files as well but I am having problems with some of them not wanting to save. Not sure what that is all about but I will keep trying.

Here is a little sneak peek of the card that will be posting tomorrow. It's amazing what a few little snips of some scissors will do to a Cricut cut! For instance this gal went from looking like a school teacher to looking like a stripper! HA HA HA

Oh the series will be Naughty Girls so you are forewarned that if you are the type to get offended by risque things then ya probably should duck out next week and not come by! *okie cracks up laughing*. Okay I am laughing, but I am VERY SERIOUS! I would like to avoid some of the hate mail and messages I received during the Naughty Princess series because some folks felt like I desecrated the Disney Princess's.


I will be working today on trying to finish all the cards, wish me luck since I cut 6 of each of the 6 designs! Ya know I don't believe in making just one of a card! Even if I don't get them all done I will be posting the first one tomorrow.