Happy New Year

To all my family, friends and cyber-friends.....have a safe, well, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Handmade cutting block

My son made this wonderful cutting block for me/us for Christmas.  He loves woodcrafting as a hobby and enjoys even more restoring vintage tools and machines.  I thought I had better take a pic since I'm already marking and scratching it up.  He used walnut, cherries and maples to do all the different designs on it.  The wood is turned a certain way so it doesn't dull my expensive knives.  I'm so proud of him....perhaps a little of my craftiness DID manage to get into his genes....haha

about 18x12 and 1 inch thick

Ewe warm my heart

or....
ewe are such a good friend
ewe have such a big heart

Yup, I used my window and wavy crimper again.   I'm going out on a limb and saying this was a free svg from Treasure Box Designs from about a year ago.  There was no watermark on it. It was quick and easy to cut. The grass, ivy and windows were leftovers from other projects...I love it when I can grab a "leftover" and use.

A2 size, stitching, flower punch, ivy tendrils die by Poppystamps with little hearts covering the ivy

card opened, glitter deep pink heart, pop-ups, wavy crimper and IO grass die

Glass Block

First, I hope our friends from Charleston don't see this post.  Anyhow, my plan was to something beachy but I wasn't "feelin' it", so I saw something similar on Splitcoasterstamps and put my own twist to this. They can use this throughout the year and change lights and ribbon when they want a change.

Super easy but it's always the "first" one to design and size that takes so long.  I can crank them out if I decide to do more.  The background swirl cut file came from the Silhouette store.  I changed the ribbon, but use this green for a quick picture.  Sorry about background choice.  I Armored Etched the front so the lights in the block wouldn't be so bright... another very easy 5 minute process.

7x7 block from AC Moore's, apologizes for background..overhead light one

overhead lights off in the kitchen, swirl and name cut using Silhouette Cameo

another angle with lights off in my kitchen

Snowmen have a heart

I'm getting in the wintery mode.  There will be no snow here on Christmas, but the blustery days of January and February are not far away.  Gosh, I can use this for winter and Valentines. Green struck me as the color to use. Snow burst corner die, embossing folder, copics, stickles, string and tattered edges completed this card.  I'm making 4 more as "go to" cards. The image is from Designed2Delight Digital Stamps called "Snow Angel".

5x5, also pop-ups for dimensions of die, snowflake embellishment

Blue shadowing of copics hard to see but it's deeper than what you see here.

Challenges:

QKR Stampede - snowmen, snowballs, snow angels, snow fun

Tool Box Gift Card Holder

This is a "one step" side card.  I got my inspiration from a side-step card I saw at Splitcoaster Stamps.  However, I don't remember where the carpenter man came from.  I know, I know, the second time this week.  PLEASE let me know.  The second problem was with the photography.  The red washed out and the brushed nickel on the tools can't be seen and it's really cool looking with fantastic texture!  The peg board and tools came from SVGCUTS.com called "Cliff's Clubhouse".

I'm using this card to hold my son's gift card and money...stuck to the back of the peg board....haha

A2 size, silver mirror cardstock embossed with SU folder, pop-ups for dimension of tools and drawers

screw brads, copics, doggie brad (Jackson the dog likes to watch his daddy)

Snow Angel (2nd posting today)

This little snow fairy has the happiest little smile.  I made several of these little cards since they were quick and easy and can be another "go-to" during the winter months...even Valentines where I used a little heart Silhouette file die I made. The rest...copics, glitter, punches, embossing folders and stitching!

She's from Bugaboo Stamps called Winter Fairy - Snowflakes.  Bugaboo has a great 50% off sale going on now!

A2, size, ribbon too

Challenges:

QKR Stampede: snowmen, snowballs, snow angels, snow

Explosion Box for Shannon

I hope it is true that great things come in "small packages"...haha  I needed a way that would be fun to present my DIL with a Groupon and money....her Christmas present.  I just didn't want to present them in a card.  You can see the Groupon folded on one side and the money will be on the opposite side.

I did Santa's sleigh and then placed flying reindeer at different heights.  When the box is opened everything seems as if they are flying (movement). I created a sleigh and reindeer svg last year and the other reindeer is a MS punch.  The poinsettia is from SVGCUTS.com from the Wintergreen Collection.

I'm entering this in Joan's Gardens challenge: decorate a box to use at Christmas

Cheery Lynn Holly Vine die

Baby it's cold outside

My third winter card theme...I bet you still thought I was going to do a window...haha

Ok...not freezing cold yet, but when it arrives, this little birdie would like to head to Seminole, Florida for a few weeks!

Folks, I tried to find out who gave this "winterbirdies freebie svg"....not Kadoodle, Scrap Chick, or Treasure Box.  It did not come with a credit page.  I'm sure someone out there will recognize it and let me know so I can update.  This is a great, fast, quick, cute, shaped card that I will use as my "go to" card through March.

I did a little inking on edges, swiss dot folder on feet, wavy crimper on hat, and made a white shadow base for a clean finished shaped card.

A2 size, also used pop-ups under green ball pom pom

Some of my stash of "go to" birdies

Doodle Pantry's Ski Sheep

I try to make 3 different snow themes for my January cards that I send to family and friends.  Here is my second card project.  I bet you thought it was going to be a window card...haha  Fooled you!!!

I used Doodle Pantry "Ski Sheep" (pre-colored).  I also made this a "zig sag spinner/slider card.  I got the wonderful idea from one of Birds Cards in her February 2012 post.  I made my own template using your basic 8.5x11 paper size. The little trees were a file from Silhouette.  Any little tree will do.   It's been a while since I have done a video, but it would had been nice to show you how the skiing sheep skied down the hill and tumbled...haha

A2, wavy crimper, diamond stickles, pop-ups

Another view, another angle, another background...haha

Snow Deer

My goodness...it is sooo hard to capture white and sparkle in a photograph AND display the 3-D effect.  I like sending "snow" cards out in January.  The card was very easy.  The hardest part was patience ...waiting for the stickles to dry.  I just used Memory Box Deer Trio and Birch Tree dies.  However, I made a shadow cut file for the birch trees. (Can you find all 3 deer?) Wish you can see the sparkle snow.

A2, trying different backgrounds

A2 size, wavy crimper,glitter paper behind Father Goose poem

A2, different background shot and lighting

PLEASE remember that I'm always happy to answer questions.  However, many people are leaving questions in the comment box and I have no way of responding since the blog does not leave me with your email.  Sooo, if I don't respond to you questions, it's because you left me with no email address. If you "click" under profile, it will display my email address and there is also a box on top where my email is located "Ask me a questions".  I hope this helps...haha

Challenges:
Paper Pretties:  white on white

Valentine Card

OK....second card using the Doodle Pantry "Heart Sheep".  Yup, I'm still using that "window B" die by Cheery Lynn.  A great investment.  I found the best prices and ALWAYS "free shipping" on dies (no minimum purchase) at Chic and Savvy and throught Dec.25, free shipping on EVERYTHING!

I made the heart trellis cut file using the Silhouette studio.  If you have any type of Silhouette cutting machine, I'll be happy to send to you.  However, email me, don't leave a comment asking for it since it will not give me your email address.

A2 size, acetate sheet, MS heart, swiss dot embossing folder,

Poppystamps grass die, Impression Obsession grass die, wavy crimper

Ewe Make Me Happy

I guess I'm getting a little ahead of myself making a Valentine's card, but I've always like the feeling of being ahead rather than behind..lol

I made two different versions using the darling Doodle Pantry "heart sheep".  I'll post the other tomorrow.    I like step cards for dimension.  I used the tree die from Memory Box and a Silhouette Store file for the hearts.  I cut out the sheep scene using the "print/cut" feature on my Silhouette Cameo.  Since I made 7 of these cards, the "print/cut" feature made it quick and painless...lol

A2, side view

used wavy crimper and Memory Box grass also

My camera is giving me a lot of trouble lately.  I may have to ask Santa to fix it or give me a new one!

Another little winter scene

Another winter scene with the same darling image "Caroling Friends" from Doodle Pantry.  I used an svg window file I made last year, along with snow drippings and is in my set of windows for sale.  Left the image CAS on the front.

A2 vertical

stickles, wavy crimper, pop-ups and rhinestone snowman (looks better in person)

I'll be there with bells on

I did a card like this last year and loved it so much I revamped a little this year to send to some friends.  This little Paper Pretties "Emalina Elf" image always makes me smile.  I can't remember where I got these brass bell brads (that really jingle), but I sure wish I could find some more.  I also used a Stampin' Up window punch and a Memory Box Christmas ornament die.

A2, string, stitching, copics, stickles, ribbon and used Silhouette machine to cut all the layers

It's Not Feeling Like Snow....but....

This creepy crud had me out!!! I finally feel like making a card and the strength to post...haha   My son away at college even had to be taken to the emergency room for all the sickness and coughing he had developed....road trip for me to take care of him.  He's back in dorm studying for exams and I'm home starting to feel human.  Anyhow.....

I bought this Cheery Lynn window b die a while back and started playing with it.  You know me and window files...lol  I added clear acetate sheet in the window area.  The first card (you are looking out) I used the adorable Doodle Pantry colored image called Caroling Friends.  The second card appears someone looking "in the window" at a Christmas scene....free image from TLC or free vintage blog.

A2 size, MS punch, Cheery Lynn holly vine die

stickles, pop-ups, stitching, wavy crimper

SVGCUTS.com poinsettia file, Tim Holtz brick embossing folder

Merry Christmas and Good Health

Guess what!!!  The flu shot doesn't cover all the flu viruses this year.  Our family has been sick since Thanksgiving night.  I rarely get sick...think I built up immunities teaching in a high school setting for 33 years.  Even though I still sub some, I guess it wasn't enough to keep my immunities in tact.  My DH and I dragged our bodies to the doctor this past Tuesday.  He confirmed that the flu had hit and the vaccine didn't cover all the influenza out there this year.  Oh well, at least we were all sick together, but it was "each man for himself"....haha  Therefore, I confirm this is the longest I've ever worked on a card...I call it finished but only after I felt like I was free of germs to continue with it knowing I would be sending it to one of YOU...haha  Trust me...it's germ free!

I married two Doodle Pantry images, made my own cut file similar to the Cottage Cutz window die, made a window for the inside of the card to look more attractive, and finished it with flower, branch and holly punches, along with gold microbeads for flower center and some stitching.

A2 vertical, pop-ups for dimension, cut window for added dimension

Nativity Scene

I love doing side step cards.  I think they are easy, but makes it look like you spent "forever" on it.  I got this nativity scene svg last year from Cheryl at Cafexpressions, but I never had a chance to play with it.  This year, this easy, pretty card will be one of my two Christmas cards I'll be sending to family and friends.  Splitcoasters Stamps is where I followed a video tutorial for my step-card.  The only thing different I did was to made sure I had 3.5 inches on the step part rather than what the lady said.  Cheryl has the step card svg to go with her scene.  I think there is a pdf file to tell you where to cut and crease.

I made a gold shadow for each layer. I added an angel with trumpet instead of a star. I embossed with a Stampin' Up folder.  I will add a sentiment at the bottom before I send the card.

A2, side-step card...will add sentiment at bottom before mailing

Side-view....I used pop-ups behind each layer, including angel

Christmas house shaped card

I CASED KittyKraft Christmas card.  I made a solid template and an outer frame for the door using Silhouette Studio.  The window/door and fence die sets are from Impression Obsession. I used 2 different MS border punches for curtains and eave of roof.  All other elements are from punches too. I sewed, added pop-ups for window, fence and roof dimensions, 2 ribbon bows and it's finished for me...haha

A2 size, straight crimper for roof

side view

Peace on Earth

It could also be a silent night. After the snow has fallen, do you notice how quiet, almost silent, the air is around you?   It's a wonderful, blissful feeling that comes over me each time.  Of course, the next day comes the children screaming and playing and the sound of snow shovels and snow blowers.  But for those first few hours after the snow has fallen, well, it's a wonderful quietness.

My brother and SIL live in Little Compton, RI...little beach community with woods and deer.  You can sit quietly, look out their window and see the deer.  A beautiful winter scene.

I made the window and the dimensional tree in Silhouette Studio.  I do not plan to change the tree into an svg, but it you have any type of Silhouette machine, just email me (don't ask in the comment box below because it does NOT give me your email) and I will be happy to send.

A2 size, wavvy crimper, stickles, pop-ups for dimension, Memory Box deer

side view to help see dimension

Inside of card

My Mixer is SMOKIN' !

For Christmas, we get together with our friends from Charleston and try to exchange "homemade" gifts.  Doesn't always happen, but we try..haha !

This year my friend Harry asked for some "flames" to put on his Kitchen Aid mixer.  I have the exact same mixer so I used mine as the prototype.  I will change the writing for his mixer to "Stirring Things Up" or "Always Stirring Things Up" because he does get me "stirred up"...on purpose...haha  I will use black vinyl...little more "manly".

I used a flame file from Silhouette.  I adjusted to compensate for the 1.5" circle the flames had to go around.   Working around curves in two different directions was a little tricky, but I am happy with the final project.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving

One of my favorite Fall/Thanksgiving images from Bugaboo Stamps is AKV Fall Wheelbarrow Kids.  It's a CAS card, but to jazz it up, I made it an easel card. Some ribbon, Spellbinder scallop die, acrylic button, copics and I'm happy with the look.  All my inspiration came from Deloris at Stampin at the Lake. (Going "out on a limb" here with the theme for Catch the Bug..the birdie has tail feathers...haha)

Will fit in an A2 envelop

Photos of easel cards is hard for me...haha

Challenges:

Sentimental Sunday: dimension and sentiment
Catch the Bug:  Things with tails