Hoot n' Holler

Wow!  What a busy couple weeks (or months!)  It's back to school time, so I've been busy with teaching and trying to keep myself organized and of course card making.  Unfortunately, there hasn't been enough time for the latter.  I do have some samples that I have been playing around with.  I have had my cricut out and I made some owl cards. I made these using the cartridge Hoot n' Holler Lite.  The background paper is out of my stash that I had laying around.  More samples coming soon!

Authentique Carefree Paper

I absolutely love this paper!  I found this 6x6 paper pack at my local scrapbook store and loved it so much, I went back and got another pack!  The flowers are made with the Stampin' Up die Fun Flowers.  I brads I used for these flowers are from Stampin' Up.  Aren't they gorgeous?  As a matter of fact, I used them all up and now need to get more!  We did use this die last weekend for my flower class.  This die is so versatile.  I end up using it all the time to make quick flowers.  I will have some more samples using this die with different materials.  Thanks for stopping by.

Felt Flowers

These flowers were another part of my flower class.  These flowers were cut from the die Tattered Flowers by Tim Holtz.  The brown is just regular felt from Hobby Lobby, the gold is a wool felt, which is more expensive, but cuts a little better.

The felt from these flowers is from PaperTrey Ink and so far is the best I have found!  It is also wool felt and cuts beautifully.  It has a much cleaner cut than the polyester felt.  Be sure to check back soon for some more flower samples from my flower class.

Glassine Kraft Paper

Finally!  I'm back!  Actually, I never left, but my blog seemed to.  I was able to view my blog, but could not figure out how to post new information.  I am not quite sure how I figured it out now, but I will worry about that later.  I have been creating and have tons of samples to show, so let's get started.  I just got back from a fabulous scrapbook weekend with my friends.  They has asked me to teach a few "make n' takes" over the weekend.  One of the classes I decided to do was a technique flower class.  I wanted to show different ways to used different media to create fun flowers.  Over the next few days, I will show you what I did.  The first sample today is made from kraft glassine paper by Tim Holtz.  The paper comes in 5x7 sheets (small stack of 36).  For this sample, I die cut flowers from the Stampin' Up Fun flowers die.  I then embossed them with a cuddlebug folder to get the swiss dots (or further below, the swirls).  Last I used a cute Stampin' Up brad to attach the flower together.  You can use a Stazon ink to ink the edges for a little more of a distressed look.

The background for this cards was also embossed with a cuddlebug folder.  It adds an elegant look.  To see more ways to use this paper, check out Tim Holtz's website for some video tutorials.  Look for me in a few days to see the next flower we created at the Fun Flowers Class.

Yellow Polka Dots

Polka dots are always my favorite, but this yellow and gray has now been added to my favorites list!  I used the set Apothecary Art and the framelits from Stampin' Up.  The cute polka dot paper is from Close To My Heart.  A very simple, but elegant card, plus it is easy to change the sentiment on the front, so it is also versatile.  Thanks for stopping by, I hope to have more samples to show very soon!

Paperbag Album Baby Girl

Here are some sample pages from a Paperbag scrapbook album I made.  I have listed a kit with all the pieces needed to complete a whole 10 page album (plus front cover and back) just like this one on ebay.  The completed album shown here is for a friend at work that is having a baby girl in July.

Shimmering Butterflies

I haven't been spending much time posting, but I have been creating.  Here is a card I made last April (and finished up a few more today).  The  butterfly on this card was cut from the Stampin' Up die Beautiful Butterflies.  After I cut the butterflies, I embossed them for added dimension.  I then sprayed them with Glimmer Mist.  The antennae is made with wire.  I added two little pink gems on the butterfly body.  The background was stamped with "Inspired by Nature" on some pattern paper, and the sentiment is from "Upsy Daisy" (both sets are retired Stampin' Up).  This card has a soft elegant look to it.  Thanks for stopping by.  Hoping to have more time to post more ideas!

Happy Father's Day!

I found these cards offered for free on the Cricut Craft Room.  This site is free although you will need to download it on your computer when you are ready to cut.  There are 5 free father's day cards this week.  I am just learning how to use it, but so far, it is very handy.  I am thinking this is a cross between the Gypsy and the Design Studio.  I was told there would be a way to  download (or upload) your cartridges which would incorporate both of the previous tools into one very convenient one.  They have cartridges you can purchase and download as well as individual images.  I will check back often with more information as I figure it out.  As for now, these cards are fun and easy.  The top tool card was cut several times on different colors of paper.   I then mixed and matched different tool shapes (like a puzzle) and then matted the card.  The second card was cut on double sided cardstock.  Just fold the card after the cutting.  I added a few embellishments, so quick and easy!  If you have a Cricut, take some time to check out the Cricut Craft room.

Lazy Days of Summer

I am finally on summer vacation and I am loving it.  I can craft and create to my hearts content!  And not only am I creating, but I have time to get caught up on my "blog surfing".  As I was checking out blogs today, I was directed to a blog that had a great video showing a cute summer tag and also a huge give-a-way.  Go over to Joe's to check out the fun!  I will be back shortly with some cards I have been working on!  TTFN!

End of the School Year

Well, I don't know where the time has gone, but another school year has flown by.  I have been busy with end of the year projects which include a ton of "thank you" cards.  Here is one I made with this fun stamp set I found at the Novi convention this year from Stamp On It...Scrabble Alphabet Letters stamp set.  The whole set was only $8!  How could you pass that up??  You can use these for anything.  Great for scrapbooking and card making.  They are so easy to use,  just attach the letters you want to use on an acrylic block.  The back ground paper was just something "school" related I had in my stash.  I stamped and cut out the letters to spell "thank you".  I added a prima flower with a fun center brad.  Quick and easy (and cute!).  Thanks for stopping by, check back often, I have tons of projects to post!

Super Powers

Here are a few projects I recently made using the Super Hero set from Close To My Heart.  The first project is a book I made for a friend and her son.  My friend's three year old son was in need of a new kidney and his mom donated one of hers.  Her son had been sick for quick a while and had gone through so much before the surgery.  He was such a "super hero" (and so was she).  This friend is also another teacher at our school.  Our whole school dedicated today as "Super Hero" day for her and her son.  This is the gift I put together for her and her son.  Below are the pages of the chipboard book I put together for her.  You can also see in the basket I made a set of Super Hero cards using the stamp set "Super Powers" from CTMH.

Wooden Shapes

 I got these wooden shapes from Close to my Heart.  I wasn't sure what to do with them exactly, but they state "ready to color".  So I tried a few different ways to see what I liked best.  I  used some white crackle paint from Ranger.  After I painted the piece, I used some ink (also from CTMH) to add the color.  That is how I colored the bird and large blue flower.  I then tried sponging on ink (that is the orange flower and green leaves).  The red flower was painted with Glimmer Glam (from Tattered Angels) and the yellow flower was painted with yellow smooch paint.   They all seemed to take the color well, but I think the truest color came from the painted sample.  Below is a picture of the photo album I made using the pieces I colored.  The sentiment is from CTMH.

Sending Smiles Across the Miles

These cards are made using papers and supplies from "the girls paperie".  I found several scrapbooking sets at an outlet store (of course, I bought all the varieties they had!)  I love the maps and papers in pink.  The kits came with papers, buttons, brads, die cut tags and embellishments and stamps.  The sentiment I used for these cards is from "Lawn Fawn Stamps".  The black flower and diamond brad are both from Paper Studios.  The black frame was cut from Cricut (Art Philosophy cartridge from Close to my Heart).  Thanks for stopping by!

Hello Friend

 These two hippo cards are finally finishing off the "bizzillion" hippos I had left over when someone ordered baby invitations and decided on a different color!  I had about 50+ of these little guys. I have been using them for about 2 years now!!  All the pieces for these two cards are from the Cricut cartridge "Create a Critter" (except the clouds and sentiment). Clouds are from Papertrey Ink and sentiment "Hello Friend" is from Lawn Fawn stamps.  Really, not much more to explain on this card.  Thanks for looking!

Always time for you, Friend

This card just sparkles all over!  I used the Cricut cartridge "Sophisticated" to make the clock.  The glitter paper along the bottom is from Stampin' Up as well as the two different sentiments.  The flower is actually from the dollar bin at Michaels. It was a bit too bright, so I spritzed it with silver Glimmer Mist  (same with the clock and the doilie).  I added a silver/gray pearl to the flower and pink gems to the clock.  Even the background printed cardstock is glittered.  If you like this kit, it is being offered on ebay.  Check out madebyme26.  Thanks for stopping by!

Acrylic Embellished Baby Card

This cute baby card was inspired by these acrylic rectangles seen below.  I first embossed the acrylic piece with a Cuddlebug embossing folder.  I then dyed it with Adirondack Alcohol Ink (Stream) by Tim Holtz.  After mounting it on white and then a light teal color, I added a yellow Cricut duck (from New Arrival).  I added yellow glitter around the duck. A few yellow flowers at the bottom and a larger white Prima flower (with glitter added and a teal brad) embellishments add some needed touches. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up.

This is how the acrylic pieces come.

The first one shows the clear embossed piece, the second shows the piece after it was dyed.

Black and Tan Flowers

Here are a few cards I made with some darling paper from Close To My Heart (retired).  The colors are so rich and elegant.  Lace and satin ribbon just add an extra touch. The first card flower is made using the die "Fun Flowers" from Stampin' Up.  Glitter was added to the edges for a little sparkle. The second card flower is "Prima" with a classic black button. The stamp is from "Four Frames" (Stampin' Up), stamped on tan and punched with the Stampin' Up lable punch.  The sentiment is from PaperTrey, Inc.  Cards are both quick and easy to assemble.  Thanks for stopping by.

Jenni Bowlin Paper

 These two cards are made from the cute paper pack "Classic Red/Black Paper Pad from Jenni Bowlin.  Both cards have black lace on them.  The flower on left is from Prima with a black and silver brad.  The card on bottom is made using the butterfly stamp from My Sentiments Exactly.  The butterfly was stamped, cut out and sponged.  Black glitter was added to the edges and pearls to the center.  Classic cards for any occassion.

Sweet Cupcakes

These super simple cupcake cards have a cute, clean look. I have had these brads for awhile.  I thought they were so cute, but wasn't sure how to use them.  Sometimes I get too wrapped up in adding so much to my cards, I thought I would go with a very clean look for these. The cupcakes are metal brads from Paper Studio.  The argyle paper is also from Paper Studio.  The card base and ribbon are both chocolate chip color from Stampin' Up.  The sentiment is from Gina K Designs "How Sweet It Is".  If you like these cards and are interested in a kit to make these, check out my ebay auctions (madebyme26).  These will be posted there tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by.

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

Here was another way to use those old bingo cards.  The saying is from the stamp set "Hello Friend" from Lawn Fawn stamps.  I used Glimmer Mist to give it a touch of green sparkle.  Certainly Celery ribbon is from Stampin' Up.  The green flowers are from Michaels dollar spot.  This is a quick and easy card, perfect for your friends this week!

Vintage Bingo Baby Card

I found these bingo cards at an antique store and I loved the mint green color. I thought they would be great for spring, St. Patrick's or Easter cards.  Here is a baby card I made using the  bingo card and a baby duck cut from the Cricut cartridge "New Arrival".  I added a few hearts (punched from Stampin' Up heart punch) and a few small sentiments (from a clear stamps set).  The small gems at the bottom have a slight plaid design to them.  I used "Barely Banana" card stock for the base.

Pirate Chick

When I saw this paper, I just had to get some.  My classroom theme is"Pirates". I was going to make some bookmarks, but then I remembered my Pirate chick and used some of the paper for these cards.  (I am going to add the sentiment "ahoy, matey", but can't remember where I put that stamp!)  Oh well, when I find it, I will finish these cards, otherwise, they look cute the way they are.  Thanks for stopping by!

Princess Birthday Cards

 I bought set "Pretty Princess" (retired Stampin' Up) off of ebay because I thought it was so cute and I always need "kid" birthday cards.  I made one in purple and one in pink (and I think they are both equally adorable!)  Of course, they are all glittered up.  I added a lacey flower with a Stampin' up button and a birthday sentiment to finish off the card.  Thanks for stopping by!

Love Birds

This card was made using the Stampin' Up set "The more, the merrier" (retired hostess).  I haven't used this stamp before and now I am wondering why!  I love the way this card turned out. Just a little holiday pattern paper, copics to color the birds, a small piece of red ribbon and a little heart shape gem for the middle!  Thanks for stopping by!