Puppy Love

My card today is using Whatzup Dog digi image from MelJens Designs.  That face gets me every time I look at him!  Don't you just want to take him out to the park and play?!

I used a lot of new things on this card.....

• New MelJens image (new to me that is)
• New Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Squares die
• New paper from my local scrapbook store (Scrapbook Central) - Making Memories, Paper Reverie Brun Antique

The Copics I used to color the image were: E33, E35, E37, E47 and E59.

This little cutie is suitable for a number of challenges this week (thanks to Both Sides of the Paper for introducing me to most of these challenge sites - they are all new to me!):

• Creative Inspirations - use a digi image
• Little Claire's Designs - animal *** I won this challenge!!***
• Corrosive Challenge - animals
• Top Tip Tuesday - square
• Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central - anything goes
• Make it Monday #34 - anything goes
• Delicious Doodles Challenge - anything goes
• Sparkles Forum Challenge - anything goes
• KB Cute Monday - anything goes

I am planning to be part of the Virtual Stamping Night at Split Coast Stampers on Friday night - can't wait!  Check it out - it's going to be FUN!  I will post all my creations on Saturday.

Nancy

Baby Carriage - With Thank You Cards

I have a new tutorial for you on the baby carriage and this time the pram holds thank you cards for the new mom.  This makes a great gift topper that provides an extra added something.

The Carriage follows the same basic pattern as my previous tutorial with a twist (the lid moves!).  To see more detailed instructions check out the previous post.

Cutting Instructions:

1. Start by cutting two large circles (Spellbinders large circle) in your base card stock.  I used SU Vanilla for this project. 
2. Cut two circles in your dp using the next Spellbinder circle size down.  I used the print from an older SU paper pack that include stickers.  I lost the wrapper so I can't tell you the name, sorry.
3. Cut four base and dp circles using the smallest two sizes of die for the wheels. 
4. I also punched out 6 little flowers using my EK Success Retro Flower punch, but you will use whatever you want to embellish the pram.  As you can see I kept it pretty simple.
5. You will need two backing strips; 5 7/8 x 2 1/4 and 3 x 2 1/2 inches.  I made the carriage moving lid a little bigger than the base so that it would move freely.
6. Cut your corresponding dp 1/4 inch smaller - 5 6/8 x 1 6/8 and 2 3/4 x 2 1/4 inches.

Assembly Instructions:

1. Cut the two base circles in half and cut the dp circles in half.
2. Cut one of the half circles in half again so that you have two quarter pieces.
3. Adhere the dp to the base pieces.
4. Adhere the backing pieces using strong tape. A glue runner type does not hold strong enough. I like to firmly press the ends together and then ease the circle into place. This part reminds me of easing a sleeve into a blouse when sewing.
5. Insert a brad into the center of the wheels and place on your carriage - you need four, of course!

6. Attach the carriage lid with a brad.  The brad connection does not attach to the center of the half circle - it needs to be slightly off to one side of the center to be able to move freely along the edge.

 

Thank You Cards:

Cut 5 pieces of card stock 7 x 4 inches. 

Again, I used the Spellbinder Circle die to cut the shape of the cards, but you need to use a smaller circle so they will fit into the carriage. 

Fold the card stock in half and place the die about 1/4 inch above the fold when running it through your machine.

Decorate according to your theme.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Please try your own and let me know how it turned out.  Use the comments section to link to your blog when your ready.

Thanks for stopping by!

Nancy

Blog Awards are Wonderful!

Earlier this week I recieved a comment from Sheree over at Vancouver Island Craft Junkie telling me about an award she was sending my way.  I recently met Sheree in person!  We both make cards and blog and we live only 30 minutes apart.  I couldn't do anything about my blog until now because I was traveling, so here is my post - finally - and I am sending huge hugs to you Sheree!!!

Well, now I have the pleasure of passing along this award to other wonderful crafters/commenters. The rules for the BFB award are two-fold:

1. Post about the award on your blog with a link back to the sender.
2. Pass onto those who visit your blog and leave comments regularly.

So my list of BFB award winners includes:

• Sara from Sugar and Spice - love the layout of your blog and your cards are great!
• Lisa from A Mermaid's Crafts - very creative work. This lovely lady offered to lend me a video to help learn my Cricut.
• Trish from Trish and Treasure - wonderful variety of cards.

Ok, so when it rains it pours, right?  The really cool thing is that I came home to a second award from Cheryl at See it, Snap it, Scrap it.  I am stunned!  I have always loved making cards and I am certainly enjoying blogging.  To add cream to my cup of hot chocolate are these awards letting me know that I am appreciated.  I think we all deserve to be appreciated and I wish I could pass these awards on to the person behind every blog that I have poured over wishing I had more time so that I could make cards using their creative ideas.

The rules for this award are a little more challenging.  I have to:

1. Choose FIVE (5) worthy recipients and list them. Next to their blog name, give one reason why you think their blog is special. What catches your eye about them? What do you love?
2. On your blog page, list 5 things about yourself. Include at least one thing you enjoy about your craft.

5 things about me:

1. I have been married for 34 years to the same great guy!
2. I have four grown children, two are married and I have five grandchildren.
3. Here is something that not many of my friends know - I like to play Command and Conquer computer games.
4. In my really spare time I like reading Science Fiction/Fantasy on my new Amazon Kindle.
5. As far as my craft goes, I love learning new things and trying new techniques. I love the blogs with tutorials and some day I would like to try my hand at making a video.

My Beautiful blog suggestions include:

• Lori at Reflections from a Granny - We both have a love of Grandchildren, she is the sweetest person you could ever meet AND she makes amazing cards.
• Elizabeth from Nutty's News - Elizabeth started blogging her cards at the same time that I did - January 2011.  Very stylish and creative cards!
• Dana at Dana's Inspirations - Dana's blog is truly inspirational!  She is very experienced and I have learned a lot from reading her posts especially on Copics.  Her creativity and variety is amazing!!
• Johann at It's My Creative World - I recently found Jo's blog and immediately became a follower. Her cards are so, so cute!!  She and I both love reading on our Kindle's.
• Danni from Danni's Dreams - The thing I like most about Danni's cards is that she follows more of the Clean and Simple (CAS) technique.  A good CAS card is usually based on true art technique.  Well placed blank space is important and Danni is really good at it.

Well, this has been a really long post.  Please take the time to hop over to the crafters listed above so that you can see how amazing they really are.

Thanks again Sheree and Cheryl! 
Happy Stamping!

Happy Easter Tilda

Hello Everyone!

It is beautiful and sunny outside today.  I can see the snow capped mountains contrasted by my 100 daffodil flowers in the front yard and I am incredibly inspired by Spring time.

Today I have a cute little Tilda image sitting with a lamb from the new Magnolia collection.  I just love her bouncy hair and the daffodils in her hat.

I colored Tilda with Copics - RV21, RV23, and RV25 for the blouse and hat.  I used YG21, YG23, and YG25 for the pants.  I like to lay down a little Y02 on the hair and then add E25 and E27.  Then I use the colorless maker to remove a little of the brown and let a bit of the yellow shine through.  The shoes are done with the warm greys and I used RV00 for the cheeks.

The dp is from Basic Grey - hello luscious, raspberry syrup. The flowers are made with paper and embellished with brads and one with Prima Say It With Studs.  The ribbon is Ofray and the bling from the dollar store.  I used Spellbinders to cut the label shape for the image and a MS punch for the lacy edge on the paper.  I used a regular doily and air brushed it with a bit of color.  The background paper is from SU.

This card will be entered into the following challenges:

• Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Easter
• Flourishes - flowers
• Frosted Designs - handmade embellishments
• Paper Romance - paper flowers
• Basic Grey - Easter
• Totaly Papercraft Challenge - Spring
• Crafty Callendar Challenge - May flowers
• Scrappy Frogs Challenge - Easter

Thanks for stopping by.
Nancy

Sail on to a great birthday!

My new card was inspired by this cute Echo Park - Sailboats paper and a new digi image from Meljens Designs (sail away).  I have been planning to make some boy oriented cards and thought this image was perfect. 

I used Spellbinders Fancy Tags, Small Circle and Scalloped Circles to cut my shapes.  The main card stock is from SU - Very Vanilla and the rest is from my stash.  Happy Birthday stamp is a SU set Think Happy Thoughts and the bling is Prima - Say it with Studs.

I used Copics to color the image - G12, G21, BG15, BG18, C5, R32, Y02 and Y06. 

This card is entered in the Color Throw Down - #37 , Papertake Weekly Challenge, Simon Says and Card Ideas Challenges.

Until next time - Happy Stamping!

May Your Day Be Filled With Happiness!

Today's card is for my eldest son's wedding aniversary coming up later this month.  I had a chance to use some of my new toys and special paper from Cosmo Cricket - Pixie-Licious Fairy Rings.

I just love Spellbinders dies and I used several for this card - Small Circle, Scolloped Circle, Lacy Circle, Fancy Tags, and Labels Eighteen.   The sentiment is from an older 2 3/8 circle JustRite Stampers set. The ribbon is from Bo-Bunny and sparkle from the dollar store.

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cupcake Craft Room - Fresh and New
Crafty Pad Designs - Spring
Stampin Sisters in Christ - Purple

Thanks for looking!  I love all your comments!
Nancy

Friendship Card

Well, it has been over week since I have been able to make a card.  I have been over my head with year-end work and I am happy to report that my overtime is done!  Work should return to normal next week allowing me my evenings and weekends for family and craftng.

While I was doing all my extra work I received my order from Our Daily bread Designs.  I won, by random counter, one of the challenges recently and decided to stock up on a few things like the Thinking of You, Get Well and Friendship sets as well as Scripture Collection #4.  I also received my order from JustRite Stampers.  Finally I have the Spellbinders custom dies for cutting out the Nested Frames I purchased earlier this year.  I also indulged in the new Fancy Tags set.

Yesterday, I stopped by my local scrapbook store after work and found that they got their order of all the new Spellbinders dies.  I picked up a the two new Fancy Tags and Labels 18.  Yeah!!  I have new toys to play with - better get cracken!

My card today uses two images from the ODBD Friendship set.  I love the verses, thoughts and especially the dragonfly flourish!  I added a little Stickles to the scrolls and Chrystal Effects to the dragonfly wings.

The design for this card follows this weeks Mojo sketch.  I used a new Fancy Tag for the sentiment and my Label 4 for the dragonfly image.  The Dp is from Stampin Up and Friendship metal from Michaels.  I used the other side of the pink paper in the center inside - it's little polka dots. The flowers are handmade using my tutorial and the leaves are a MS punch.

This card will be entered in the following challenges:

Mojo Monday #185 - sketch

Craft Your Passion - anything goes

Frosted Designs - Brads

Paper Romance - paper, sentiment, image, embelishments

SCS Devine Design challenge - April verse

Now that I have my time back I plan to make a few cards over the weekend.  I am also working on an alternative to the baby carriage posted a couple of weeks ago.  Thanks for checking in.

Nancy