Garden Thank You

I made this card for a lady at work who always buys her Thank You Cards from me.  She asked me a while back to make her a few more once my life settled down a bit, so here goes.  I used George cartridge for the larger flowers with brads holding them together, a flower hole punch for the smaller flowers and Everyday Paper Dolls for the grass x2.  I also inked the grass to give it more depth.  I also inked the blue sky.  The stems of the flowers were freehanded.  And the sentiment was computer generated.  Created 01/02/10

Thank You

 2010 #3 Sketch
Ok, I am not loving this card.  I don't know what is wrong with it.  It could maybe be the colors, I did use the same 3-4 pieces of paper for all 3 sketches.  Anyways I first cut out the weird shape from the Calligraphy cartridge  it is a type of tag (? I think).  Anyways then I cut out the middle of it and added the floral print and cut 2 strips of hunter green paper one to hide the seem on the lower part of the floral print and the other one just to even out the design.  I then cut the flowers using George 2 different sizes and then finished it off with a red button center.  I glued it down along with 3 clear dew drop on the other flower centers.  (They are really hard to see in the photo) I then started on the top I inked the edges of both the rounded pieces.  Then I uesd a Martha Stewart border punch for the circle cut out.  I then stamped the sentiment and assembled the card on the light green cardstock and then pasted it to the white card.  Created 01/02/10

Thank You Flower

2010 #2 Sketch

I used George to cut out the flower 3 times in differnt sizes.  Then I pasted each flower on top of the next one and the n on the top one I used a red marker to jazz it up a bit.  I used a small circle for the center.  Once the flower was complete I cut it in half and pop dotted it to the card.  Then I stamped the senitment and attached it to the card as well.  Created 01/02/10

Thank You Bird

2010 #1 Sketch

I received several new cartridges and suplies for Christmas and here is the out come.  The bird is cut from the Home Decor cartridge and the letters are from the Calligraphy cartridge.  Once again I cut the front shorter and pasted the sentiment to the inside of the card.  I used 2 different paper for the background and the I cut the bird from dark red cardstock.  Then I used a piece of the stripe paper turned sideways for his wing.  I pop dotted the bird.  And also to hide the paper seem I used a white ribbon on the left side.  Created 01/02/10

My Scrap Space

This is my scrap area.  It isn't much but I wanted to share my scape with you.  This table is extendable/collapsible so it makes it great when I am having company and need more space.  Also when I was younger we use to have all of our holiday dinners on it.  When my husband and I purchased our home back in 2004 my mom handed this down to me.  She received it from my great grandma.  Because of all the family memories that came with this table I feel it helps me be inspired.

I have 3 rolling carts without the wheels that I store my supplies in and the currently 2 12 x 12 paper holders.  I modeled my ribbon holder after other that I have seen in other blogs.(I used 2 medium size dowel rods, ribbon, cup hooks, and binder clips)   I then have 3 baskets for my markers and a larger basket of my regular use items.  Plus I also have my lamps (table & floor), TV and of course my cricut.

Dad's Birthday Card

I had to make this card in a hurry so there isn't much detail.  However I still love the way it turned out.  One of my newer things in cutting the front of the cards shorter and actually putting the sentiment on the inside.  I used George to cut out the letters and then just glued them on the a coordinating piece of light blue cardstock and the angleing the rectangle onto the striped background using pop dots.  I then used a white gel pen to add some jazz.  Created in December 2009

Thinking Of You

I also created this card for another lady at work, who's mom was also hospitalized due to an illness.  I love poka dots so when I came across these craps I decided to put them to use.  I glued the 2 rectangles down one going vertical and the other one hortizontal and the cut out a smaller rectangle and inked the edges and pasted it on top of the 2 poka dotted ones to semi hide the seems.  Then I cut out 2 circle one a little smaller anf inked both of them and added a glittered Thinking of you sentiment and pop dotted it to the card.  Finished the card off with a ribon embellishment and a inked daisy with a button center.  I loved this one so much almost didn't want to give it away. 

Created in November 2009

Thinking of You

I created this card for a lady at work, who's mother was very ill and ended up being hospitalized.  I used 2 different color background papers with the same pattern and then covered the cut with a large purple ribbon and a smaller blue ribbon directly on top of the purple one.  Then I added a small blue bow on the right side.  Then I picked a coordinating printed paper to accent the ribbons and then stamped on the sentiment.  Created in November 2009

With Sympathy

Another extra sympathy card.  I used left over scraps to creat this card.  The sentiment was cut using Jasmine and the 3 flowers were cut from George.  Each flower has a coordinating button center.  Created in October 2009

Pink Sympathy

This is one of my exrta sympathy cards that I had.  Which I used to sent to my BFF in October when her uncle died.  I thought that this card being bright and cherry could make anyone smile.  I used 4 silk flowers and added button centers and glued to the background of the card and then added the stamped and inked sentiment.  Created in October 2009

Sympathy

Another sympathy card, not sure who this one went to the past few months have been sympathy crazy.  And I feel that these cards are always the toughest one to make.  I usually try to have a few extra on hand just in case.  I loved this paper it seems very calming.  I just paired it with some olive and cream cardstock and used my wavy ruler and cut into 3 sections and then  assembled and pasted to the card.  The sentiment is computer generated and attched with brads.  Created in November 2009

Daisy Sympathy

This card was also created for another guy and his wife that my husband works with.  Her mother passed away in the fall as well.  I used 3 silk daisy flowers together with a large button and the mounted it onto a circle and pasted it to the card and then accents with a few flower shaped brads.  Created in October 2009

Butterfly Sympathy

I created this card for a guy that my husband works with.  He lost his mother back in the fall.  I used Indie Art Cartridge for the butterfly.  I actually cut the same butterfly out twice and then glued one down and then glued only the center of other one on top.  That way it gives the illusion that the butterfly is actually flying.                                        Created in October 2009

Lilly

I made this card for Lilly.  Lilly and her mommy Cassie were at the local dog park and Lilly was in a horrible accident.  Lilly is a beagle puppy and was playing at the dog park when 2 full grown dogs (not sure of there breeds) came up to her a started playing with her like she was their rag doll.  The owners quickly called their dogs and left.  Cassie was left there devistated with little Lilly hardly moving.  Lilly was rushed to the ER Vet and they did all they could to save her little life.  It has now been 3 months since this accident and Lilly is doing great.  However since they other dog owners can not be identified no charges have ever been brought against them.
This card was pretty quick.  It took me longer to cut out the bone.  I don't have any cartridges that will cut out a bone so I had to find a bone, trace it and cut it out.  I then inked it up on the edges and pop dotted it to the background paper.  Then I just simply added a pink ribbon to the bottom and both the pink and brown and bone ribbon to the top.  Pretty, Cute and Simple. 3 things I love in a card.
Created in September 2009

Sympathy

I created this card for one of the Dr.s that I work for, she lost her grandma back in September.  The saying I found on a scrapbooking website. (I am not creative when it comes to words)It reads:

In Deepest Sympathy 

Like a flower which,

when the time is right,

scatter its seeds upon the wind...

This card was pretty basic made mostly with scraps that I had left over from my sister's wedding picture.  The base of the card was just cream cardstock folded and cut to fit in a regular size envelope.  I then cut the floral paper a little smaller and glued it to the center of the card.  I then cut a large red accent square and another piece of floral and then I printed the verse on clear velum, and attached it using green brads on the corners.  I then used pop dots to raise the square from the card.  I finished the card off with 3 ribbons and a button embellishment at the top and a gold flower at the bottom cut from George attached with another brad.
Created in September 2009

Dog Sympathy

I created this card for a lady that I work with. Back in the fall she lost her long friend, her 4 legged little girl.  I used a couple different cartridges for this card.  I cut the dog from Sweethearts and the little hearts from George.  Then I just attached the dog to the srtipe square and then to the background and tied 2 different ribbons together on the right side one has bones nad the other one says woof woof.  Then on the left side I added character to the edge by cutting a wave out and shading it with a stamp.  Then I just attached all of the hearts together with bone brads and added 2 extra round brags that are dog related. (sorry I can't remeber what they were, but I got them in a large pack from Michael's)  And finally I used a Thinking of you stamp for the sentiment. Created in September 2009

Leigh Ann & Mike's Picture Frame

I altered this very plain picture frame and made it into a beautiful handcrafted wedding gift for my sister and her husband.  I got this idea from a craft magazine.  I was really happy with the out come.  And she to seemed to love it.   I used a couple sheets of 12 x 12 scrapbooking paper to make the mat background and then outlined all of the photo openings with this cute yellow lacey ribbon. Then on the corners of the photo openings I attached  little yellow paper flowers cut from the George cartridge. I then accented the center of the picture  with an olive green ribbon.  Finally I printed off of the computer the center saying: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD  and mounted it using pop dots (so it is raised)  Then finished off the bottom with the saying: FROM THIS DAY FORWARD cut from the Calligraphy cartridge.

Created in September 2009

Mr. & Mrs. Petersen's Card

This card we created for my sister and her new husband for their October wedding.  I choose the orange background because that was their wedding color.  I used Sweethearts cartridge, and then just embellished the Mr with a bow tie and the Mrs with a veil and pearl necklace.

Created in September 2009

Happy 2010!!

I just finished my challange cards for this week. First time on a couple months. I have several things to post from the past I hope you enjoy it all.

I'm Still Here

Sorry, guys you probley thought I fell off the face of the earth. I have just been super busy. I thought that after my last wedding things would calm down. No such luck. The week after the wedding, I was just so worn out that all I did was veg on the couch. Then the next week was my birthday, and I was sick for a whole week (possible H1N1). Then Halloween. Then my softball meetings started back up. I was elected to manage sponosrs, I dabbled a little bit last year, because the other guy wasn't very successfull. So I have been working on getting sponsors in order for the mailing at the end of this month, I hope I do a better job. And in 2 weeks it will be Thanksgiving, and then Christmas before you know it. I have been crafting a little bit here and there, I just don't have anything to post. Then last night I had an emergancy. I cut my finger pointer with a craft knife while I was working on a scrapbook layout. Oh I was very angary at myself, I can't beleive that I cut my own finger. It's pretty deep. The doctor said, to keep it covered 24/7 for the next week and that I am out of commision on crafts for until I see him again. That's a bummer to because I have several project that I need to get done before Christmas. 2 Scrapbooks, a calander, several thank you note card sets, a photo dvd, and my christmas cards. I think I can, I think I can, ...

Leigh Ann's Wedding Pictures

Another Busy Week Ahead

My sister is getting married on Saturday in Iowa. So you can just imagine all of the last minute things that need to have finishing touches. My family is leaving on Thursday morning, that way they can be there to help out on Friday. However my husband and I can't leave until Friday. My husband has his class on Thursday night. So we will be headed that direction on Friday morning. I have never been all the way to my sister's house, we usually just meet in Iowa City. I am told it is about a 7 hour drive from here. I don't really like to ride in the car much either. Illinois & Iowa don't really have much scenery, so it is pretty boring. Well I got to go get some of my projects completed.

Personal Shower

Well the shower was great. The bride was just thrilled with all of the crafty projects that I had made for her. There wasn't to many guests, which was nice it made it more of an intimate affair. She got several nighty's and gift certificates to use for the wedding day. All in all it was very enjoyable and relaxing.

Do Not Disturb

How sweet is this sign. Way better than the plastic one they give you at the hotel. Just because the wedding and reception is over doesn't mean the celebration stops. I used the Sweethearts cartridge for the image cut in several different layers. And then Jasmine for the letters. I am also going to make one of these for my sister who is getting married in two weeks. I wish I was having a honeymoon again just to make a sign like this for myself.

Tonight/Not Tonight

This is a reversible sign. Sometimes I don't know where I come up with these ideas. But this one I had stored in the back of my memory. I remember once reading in a magazine (most likely Cosmo) that giving your partner a heads up as to when your in the mood helps with that awkward "Not to night I have a headache" syndrome. This way if one partner put it out and the other is "Not Tonight" then they will just put the sign away. Another perfect item for the newlyweds love nest. I am pretty certain that this sign will always be on "Tonight"

Love Coupons

This is also another project that took me a little while. I haven't ever met the groom but we have emailed back and forth some, plus what I have heard from the bride over the last couple years. This groom is going to love these. There is enough coupons for 365 days. This will be one way to spice up the first year of marriage. My only prayer is that next year once all coupons are gone that they don't ask for more. I work on this project every night for close to two weeks. Creating the coupon ideas, printing them, cutting them, cutting the card stock, glueing them all together. Then I had to punch them all (only 2 at a time)and make the covers and tie on the ribbons. Also finding the rings was really hard. Most scrapbook stores only carry the smaller ones. I finally found larger ones at the office store. I used my cricut India Art cartridge for the covers. And the George cartridge for the heart with Calligraphy cartridge for the "his & her"

Altered Wooden Signs

I posted all of these together, because all that I did to them was add the ribbons. I have always thought these signs were cute. Then when Michael's had them on sale one night for a quarter a piece I couldn't pass them up. They will be great shower give aways. My only thought was that I wish they were in different colors. Her wedding colors would have been perfect. I thought about painting them myself but I am running out of time. I still have several things left on my to do list and only 5 days to do them. It will be a busy week. That is also the reason I am trying to get all of this posted tonight.

Alltered Photo Album

Picture #1 ~ Front of album

Picture #2 ~ Back of album

I bought a cheap mini photo album brag book at Walmart (less than $1.00) and altered the cover to make it more personalized. People unable to attend the wedding always want to see your wedding photos. I was it the wedding business for several years and still love to see wedding pictures. The wedding colors are Burgundy, Navy & Hunter. Great fall colors. Red is my favorite color so I always tend to lean towards the red family when I do my crafts. That is why I choose Burgundy. You have seen me use this bride & groom stamp on other items. This is the same stamp that I used for my sisters wedding invitations. Only here I used Burgundy ink. I also inked the flower embellishments and added a sentiment to the bottom. "Once in a lifetime you meet someone who changes Everyday" On the back I wanted to keep it simple I just ran a strip of printed ribbon across the bottom "Live Love Laugh" and then added the stamp over the top. "100% in love" I love it and can't wait to give it to her.

The How Well Game

I bought this foam poster board for another project, but it didn't work out so well. It was to thick. So I recycled it and used it for my game board. Originally I was just going to ask the bride questions regarding the groom. However then the idea of making this more of an interactive game came in to my creative little head. So each little card is numbered and the under the numbered flap is a question. And under that flap is the groom's answer. For each question that the bride gets correct she will get a prize. If she gets one wrong then a guests name is drawn out of a basket and they get the prize. Hence all of my many projects I have been working on. This game board look me several hours yesterday to complete. But now that it is finished, It was totally worth it. I can't actually imagine the game any other way now. I hope she gets all 38 questions right. Or if not the other guests give her back there prizes in the end. Because after all the shower is all about the bride. (Hint: Shower Etiquette ~ all prizes won during games need to be given back to the guest of honor, unless it is a small party favor or treat bag)

Reversible Mini Note

For these two mini note pads I used the same paper just, the revers side for each. The first one I made the flap come to a point and accented it with a button. And the last one I just cut straight across and accented with a white stain ribbon. I hope you try out this idea for yourself or as a gift.

Flower Mini Notes

This is my favorite mini note pad. I love the print on the front and of coarse the flower embellishment. I also used a Velcro closure. I used the yellow note pads for all because they were cheaper. But you could use the color ones or even the non sticky bond at the top pads. Just cut your paper to fit your pad. Pretty simple project.

Red Mini Notes

I used the same concept for these small ones as I did for the larger ones. Except I used the 3x3 post it notes. For this design I used black mini ric rack. The inside of this note pad is printed like to mock a grade school writing tablet. Velcro closure.

Hearts & Stripes Note Pad

Another Pattern. For this one I used the Martha Stewart punch to make the stars on the front flap. And then I just added coordinating fuchsia paper over the stars on the inside so that they would pop more on the outside. I used Velcro as my fastener for this note pad.

Stripe Note Pad

Another pattern. As you can tell I love this paper. I just embellished this one with white ric rack.

The closure on this one is Velcro.

Large Bumble Bee Note Pad

I am planning on using theses note pads as prizes for games. This one has white flowers and tiny bumble bees on the outside and then tiny white flowers on the inside and buzz lines showing where the bee has been. I finished it off with some bumble bee ribbon and two yellow buttons as a wrap around closure. I used a 3 x 5 post it note pad and then just wrapped double sided printed paper around the note pad. Then I glued down the back and attached a closure. They are all so cute. And the perfect size for your purse.

Projects

As I have mentioned I have a couple weddings coming up in October. And my BFF's Bridal shower next weekend. So I have been putting my creativity to good use. I know that she prefers homemade gifts and items that show thoughtfulness. So I am going to post several projects tonight. I hope you enjoy my creativity. In case you have noticed the date is wrong on my camera. All of these pictures have been taken in the last week.

I am really sorry that I haven't posted new cards in a while. My BFF and my sister are both getting married in Early October, so I just have been very busy with several projects. Some of which I want to be a surprise for them. And that is why I haven't been able to post some of my projects. Please bear with me once these weddings get over and things settle down I will get back to cards and scrapping.