Cricut Bridal Shower Invitation

I'm still having the most wonderful time with my Cricut! For a bridal shower I'm giving in February, I made this invitation using the 2" branch image with the letter "K" key in the Storybook cartridge. The heart punch is by Martha Stewart --- oh, how I love her punches! Small adhesive pearls were also used for the center of each flower image. Using the negative formed from this image, I was able to sponge a flower design on the envelopes! Such fun!

Branch Out Valentine

Here's another Valentine's Day card I designed last week. I used Stampin' Up's BRANCH OUT tree and the small heart from SU's SMALL SAYINGS set....but any tree stamp and small heart stamp will work. Using a Zip chisel tip glue pen, I added SU's Crystal Effects glitter. The saying is from a wonderful clear stamp set from VERVE called HEARTS ON FIRE - Click here to view the entire set. (The quality of VERVE'S STAMPS are impressive! I also ordered this set for a friend's birthday and it arrived in 3 days!) The little pink 3-D hearts are from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts store (in their scrapbook dollar section). The ink is a multi-colored ink pad from SU called CELEBRATION. The silver cording is discontinued, but most craft stores sell thin metallic cording in their jewelry making department. I'm trying to work on Valentine's Day cards now so I can get them out before February 14th. It looks like I may get them sent in time --- YAHOO!

Valentines!

Oh, what fun I had over the weekend! I made some valentines with my sister, mom and some very talented friends. The first picture shows a quick and easy card I designed with Martha Stewart's heart border punch and a heart ribbon with a silver heart charm (both from Michael's in their wedding section --- for $5.49 you get a zillion heart charms --- use your coupon for even more savings). The final rectangle is raised with foam tape for an added professional touch.

The second picture shows a card my crafty friend Katie had us make using SU's Sweet Treat Cups --- so clever! My son is giving this card to his girlfriend for Valentine's Day ;-)

Fashion Designers and Paper Crafters!

I LOVE Papyrus cards....and these cards remind me of one of those striking yet quick and simple cards!

Here are two samples of the Perfect Dress/Perfect Friend card project from my February Card & Craft Club (now on display at Memories Live On in Cupertino). Club Members will receive the outside hanger graphic and "Perfect Dress" saying along with the inside "Perfect Friend" saying for FOUR cards PLUS the little black dress template. Be your own dress designer and create your own unique dress design using embellishments for the belt and the neckline of the dress --- then try using your border punches on the hemline! Stickles glitter glue on the hanger also adds a nice designer touch.

These cards are suitable for a friend's birthday, a thank you note or for Valentine's Day. To see the February penguin project, view the blog entry below.

February CARD CLUB Projects

I'm getting ready to send out the February supply list and project photos today for my Card & Craft Club, so I thought I'd post some pics of the penguin project this month. Along with this candy kiss penguin, there's a "Perfect Friend" card that I'll post as well very soon. These two projects can be used for Valentine's Day or a friend's birthday.

I have to credit my son as a member of my Design Team this month! He saw my first rendition of the penguin and said it looked like a rapper penguin!...and once he pointed out some characteristics of that first penguin, I had to laugh because my penguin did actually look like a rapper! (It had to do with how I placed a different type of bow on top of the head AND a head that was out proportion to the body.) He gave me some more input and those comments caused me to take my penguin to a whole new level.....so MANY thanks to my son Kristopher. I'm so thankful that my family encourages my paper craft endeavors!

For more info. about joining my club, click HERE...and to get the Happy Valentine's Day saying below the penguin in the photo above, see the info. on the FREE downloads below.

BLOG CANDY FOR EVERYONE!!!!

I've just added TWO new FREE downloads to my MLO website!! (See the second picture above.) One pdf has small red and pink hearts behind the saying and the other file has large pink hearts behind the saying. The top picture shows a card sample using the pdf with the large pink hearts. Download the FREE files, print them on white or cream cardstock and use your imagination to find ways to use these two FREE sheets of sayings. Email me a picture showing me your creations --- I'd love to see them! Enjoy and thank you to all of my loyal blog readers! CLICK HERE for the free files. BTW - the Sizzix embossing folders (used on the card above) worked very nicely in my Cuttlebug!

Embossing folder:

Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Floral Flourishes & Vines Set

Heart Lace Punch:

Martha Stewart Heart Lace Border Punch

Card Made with Scraps

The card on the right shows how I used the scrap paper from the Nesties card on the left to make one more card. (You know how hard it is for me to throw away perfectly good scraps!) The picture doesn't show it, but the outer frame on the right is raised with foam tape. (See blog entry below for the how to directions for these quilt cards.) The stamp set used was Stampin' Up's Bird on a Branch and diamond gems were added to some of the flowers.....and speaking of SU...I am elated to learn that SU has AT LAST offered a clear stamp mount option on their stamp sets AND sends them in a DVD case-type holder. YIPPEE YAHOO!!! I'm doing my HAPPY DANCE over that news!!

Quilt Cards

I finally had a chance to try some quilt cards! They are so easy to make: Take a 5 x 3 3/4" piece of lightweight cardstock for the base (I trim a 4 x 6" index card down to this size), cut twelve - 1 1/4" squares from scraps and adhere them to the base with adhesive. (I like to lay the squares out in a 4 x 3 square pattern first before adhering.) Then cut out in any shape you desire using Nestibilities. I used the Labels Four Nesties for these two cards. I used rub ons for the sayings or you could use sentiment stamps on the card base. Adding 3-D embellishments adds a nice touch. I think I'll have to try adding some small buttons on my next versions! Complete the cards by using a coordinated marker to make faux stitches around the edge of the final shape.