You Know What They Say About Curiosity...

Well, thank goodness I'm not a cat or even better that it hasn't killed me yet! 

Here's the deal, my curiosity was killing me about the new Cricut Explore, I held out as long as I could and finally broke down and bought one a week or so ago.  There are a ton of mixed reviews, but so far I think it's pretty nice. I'm impressed with it's precise cuts and ease of use. I do feel that Silhouette Studio Designer Edition has the edge, as far as creative freedom. The main reason, I choose to upgrade, is because I own sooooo many cartridges. So far so good. 

Below are the 1st few things I cut with the Explore

I love both machines :):):)

Hugs,

Happy Holidays ~ Christmas Tree!

Just a little fun with Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Nastabillities, fancy stitching and such.

Hope all is well!

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Anniversary Card....

Nesties, Cuttlebug, Vintage Seam Binding Ribbon, Metal Heart Charms, Designer and Metallic Paper, Bazzill Card-stock!

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Quick Little Birthday Balloon Cards....

Here's my version of some sweet little cards I made, after seeing this great video at JenniferMcGuireink.com.  Thanks Jennifer :):):)  

My balloon body's are part Nestabilities circles & part hand cut. The ends of the balloons are also hand cut, with some bakers twine tied to them.  Then I just added some hand-stamped, embossed tags. It took less than 20 mins to make all four cards. Quick and easy! 

Hugs,

NASCAR Experience B-Day Card...

Addicted to NASCAR or perhaps there's a wonderful man in your life who is?
Well we are and for my DH's 50th, I bought him a NASCAR experience at Auto Club Speedway, where he'll learn to drive a real NASCAR all on his own.  Naturally I needed a super fun Birthday card to go with his gift.  I instantly remembered this cute little monster digi, I colored in a Copic class given by Michelle Houghton and thought he'd be an excellent place to begin. I added the checkered flags, to make the little cutie race ready ;) 

Here's my DH's 50th Birthday card...  I hope you like it!

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The Joy of Christmas....

Here's a quick little card full of Joy :):):)

The cuts are... Tim Holtz ornaments & Nestabilities scalloped circles. 

Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!

Inside

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Lots of Fussy Cutting & Ric a Rac...

Happy Tuesday... Peace Everyone!

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Surprise Birthday...

Here I used one of Penny Blacks wonderful stamps... I LOVE kitties ;)  

I've added lots of 3D effects, glittery bling and lovely stitching too!!!

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Sorry You Caught A Bug...

Here's a simple card... It turned out pretty cute, but looking back, I should have added a lot more flowers to the bottom of the jar :):):)

Front

Inside

Doodlecharms = 2 Jars (welded together) & the Ladybug

Jar = Black card stock, White vellum

Lid = Silver metallic card stock

Prima = Flowers

Stamp your inside sentiment

Hugs,

Sweet Little Blue Jean Birthday...

Here's a fun little Birthday card I made a while back.  This fun little Magnolia stamp is color, cut & layered for a nice 3 dimensional effect. I used Prisma pencils & mineral spirits for blending. Simple and fun :):):)

Happy Sunday!

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Summer Bliss...

Hey there! 

Here's a sweet little card I put together...

The cabin was cut using my Cricut Expression and the cartridge is "Summer Bliss Seasonal".

The clouds, sunshine, roof, chimney are doodled and colored by me. 

I added random stitching and pretty little red roses.

I also propped the door open & you can see wallpaper inside. I used a brass colored brad for the door knob. 

Front of card

Back of card

Hope everyone had a beautiful weekend!

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Hope your Birthday is a Blast...

Hi! Happy Saturday!!!

This is a continuation of my original post "Awesome Free Copic Marker Tutorials"

Thanks again to... Debbie Hodge's "Get It Scrapped" & Michelle Houghton, for the fabulous tutorials & adorable doodles, to help learn to use Copic markers. 

How to use copic markers tutorial 5 | rocket printable + shading how-to

Hugs,

Just For You....

Hi there... Happy 2013! 

Have you made any resolutions this year? It's always nice to hear other peoples resolutions, so please feel free to share yours, just comment below, I'd love to hear from you! 

A couple of mine include: spending more time being creative and creating an artful blog. I've been blogging for a while and would like to get more people inspired to join.  Any constructive criticism would be very much appreciated.  

For those who have joined my blog or do... Thank you VERY much for supporting me on my journey and for sharing your creative journey as well!

To start the new year right, I've created this digital greeting for all my crafty cyber friends. Please click on it to see all the detail up close ... I hope you like it :):):)  

Mustache Tree Card... Merry Christmas!

So, here's my husbands Christmas card... It suites him quite well, since he's never without his real mustache :):):)

I used Mustaches & Glasses for the tree and its trunk & Art Philosophy for the star.

A Little Touch Of Raspberry!

Hey there!  I hope your day is going well.  I can't complain, the sun is finally out and I love the sunshine. So, today I just wanted to share a little something I came up over the weekend. 

The stamp used on the tree is by Rubber Stampede & it's called Holiday Pear collage. The  tag  is stamped w/ a 1992 Stampin' Up stamp.

Cartridges used...

Cricut Craft Room Basics:  Trees & Card base (2"x3" rectangle, not the edging)

Elegant Edges:  Snowflake Boarder (card base edging)

Art Philosophy:  Tag

Ribbons & Rosettes:  Scallop 1 & Tree Boarder 1x3 (envelope decor)

The tree is wrapped from front to back.  Oh and I can never resist using bells, which I've tied to the tag on the front of the card!

Some details...

The white tree is stamped with Versa Mark Watermark (clear) and then embossed with Stamp-n Stuff black embossing powder, for a rich black patent look. Edges inked with TH Black Soot.  I created the card base in CCR, using Elegant Edges and CCR Basics (pieces mentioned above, welded together)  The papers I used: Bazzill card stock (black), Making Memories (raspberry double stripe), GP 110 pound card stock (white)  

Hope you like it :):):)

Hugs,

Let it Snow!

Hi! 

It would be awesome if there were more time for creating and blogging but,  responsibilities just keep getting in the way, ha-ha!  Is that a problem for anyone else or is it just me?  

Anyway, here's a fun little 5x5 card I started last week and finely got a chance to finish it up this weekend.  Here are some pics.... details below.

Tons of fussy cutting (click images to see them larger).

Coordinating envelope, too.

Bazzill Card stock: Card base & Scallop Squares

Nestabilities:  Scallop Squares

Hug Snug Seam Binding:  Ribbons & bow

Diamond Rubber Stamps:  Ski couple

Machine stitching 

Let is Snow & background paper... Sorry, but I'm not sure.

Memory Makers:  Silver tag around the "Let it Snow!"
Copic's, Stickles,Glaze

  

I hope you had a really nice weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,