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,

Black Tie Sign Couple!

Hi, Happy Sunday!  I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.  I've graduated from reorganizing my craft space/supplies, to reorganizing the entire house, garage and potting shed.  My husband's reluctantly on board, but I'm sure he wishes I still had my day job :):):) I've ordered a small dumpster so we could purge, all the years of unnecessary collecting.  We've already made 2 donation trips to our local goodwill and I'm sure there will be more!

OK, so here's a simple little card idea I had before falling asleep one night and since I actually remembered it in the morning, I decided to bring it to life! 

The couple, their black bow ties and heart are all covered in super fine glitter. Sure wish I would've captured that a bit better, it really makes it look adorable. Everything was cut via CCR, with my Cricut Expression. The entire couple is popped up for a 3D effect.

Hope you like it!

Inside



Hugs,

New York Themed Cards!

A little unknown tidbit about me :)  I was raised in California, but I'm originally from New York. Although I don't recall much about living in N.Y., I still have some family there and affection for the state.  I would also love to visit some day. 

Anyway, a good friend  of my mothers, recently traveled there for a wedding and had asked me to create, a New York skyline, wedding card and here's what I came up with!

   

Oh and just for fun... Let's not forget a somewhat traditional I ♥ New York card!!!   

Happy Monday!

Hugs,

Graduation 2014

My awesome cousin graduated high school this month... Woohooo, David!!!  

I made him this simple little graduation card, used my Cricut Expression and the cartridges "Classroom - June & July" , "Plantin Schoolbook" & "CCR Basics". The 2014 is popped up with foam tape for a nice 3D effect.

He loved and it :):):)

Happy Friday!

Hugs,

My 1st Magazine Publication... Awesome Reusable Tags!

Hi Everyone!

Yes it's true, I've been published in Cricut Magazine® Cards Idea Book Dec 2013 and I'm so excited to finally be able to share the news with my crafty friends. 

It's a project I'd posted previously, some of you may remember.  I was asked to pull it from all websites for a certain amount of time and now I am able to share it again :):):)

Here's another 1st.... A video about my tags.

Awesome Reusable Tags:

Tags and flowers were created in CCR and cut using my Cricut Expression with Art Philosophy cartridge.

Inks, stickles & rock candy crackle paints by Tim Holtz. Tattered Angles (for shimmer)

Vintage seam binding ribbon.

Sewing, ball chain, eyelet, background rubber stamp.

For the reusable pocket, I cut up an Avery brand, protector sheet and sewed it on. 

You can also add rhinestones or brads in the center of your flowers, instead of stickles, for a different look.

Wishing you a super fun & artistic day!

Hugs,

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,

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!

Hugs,

Will you be...."MY PRECIOUS"

OK, I just love the character Gollum/Sméagol from The Lord of the Rings & couldn't resist making my DH a Valentine's related to the character. He loved it!!!

Happy Valentine's everyone :) 

Front of card

Inside of card

Hugs,

Awesome Reusable Tags...

Hey there! 

How's everyone's 1st week of the 2013 going?

I've been wanting to share an idea I came up with for some awesome, reusable tags and I finely found the time to get them on  here... I hope you like them and the idea. 

Fronts of Tags.
The base tags here are recycled from new clothing I had bought, the tags were so sturdy, I just had to re-purpose them.

Backs of Tags.

Front & Back of Tags.
The base of these, are old Levi  hang tags.

Front & Back of Tags.
Base cut using my Cricut & deep blade housing.  These are chipboard thick, so they are nice a sturdy.

Enjoy!

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.

Christmas Treat Boxes

Hi!

Is everyone ready for the holidays?  How about the wintry weather?  I like it for a change.
It's been crazy busy around here, I've been preparing as time provides. Creating, working, packing, working, shipping, working, baking, shopping, packing, working, shipping some more, etc., etc.!!!  We have family here from Arizona and that's always nice, especially because it's my mom :):):)  

Here are some sweet treats for a few of my clients.... Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and boxes I whipped up today.  The boxes are B-Day Girl cuts from the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge.

♥♥♥Our thoughts and prayers go out to all these families affected by the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut♥♥♥

Hugs,

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,

Peace & Frosty Kisses for Christmas ~ 2 Easel Cards

Cricut Cartridges used:

Art Philosophy for card bases and frames.

Winter Woodland for the cap, snowflakes and words.

Some details:

The picture doesn't show it, but I used white flocking on the Santa cap... It looks great in person.

The bells on the Peace card are hung with wire, therefore they actually swing freely and jingle :):):) 

Challenges entered:
365 Cards ~ Day 274 Thursday Challenge in Reverse

Crimbo Crackers ~ Challenge 29 - Anything Goes (Christmas or Festive)

Happy Thursday!

Hugs,

Fun with Glitter & Cricut Holiday Cards 8 & 14

These were a couple of free cuts offered in CCR last week. Initially, I wasn't sure if what to do with them, but then I decided to spray adhesive on the side of the liner that was to be exposed on the front of each card and then poured glitter to fill each design (white glitter for the reindeer & silver glitter for the Happy Holidays), then a bit of sewing, some ribbons, stars and vuala.... Hope you like them.

Cricut ~ Holiday Cards 14

Cricut ~ Holiday Cards 8