Our Creative Corner Challenge 'Your Style' and Design Team Call

The folks over at Our Creative Corner are challenging us to make a project showing our own personal card making style this week.  They are also using this challenge as a Design Team call, which is kind of fun!

As for my style, it would definitely be vintage, with a goodly portion of shabby, and usually a touch of whimsy!  I love searching out vintage images and using them on my card.  I love the brighter colors of the 'retro' era, around the 1940's and 50's, but I love pastels and tend to use them a lot, too.  I am not much of a stamper.  I am working on that, but it's just not in the budget to spend a lot on stamps, etc., and that is how I got my start with vintage images!  There are so many out there, and I rarely use one more than a couple of times.  Here is my card for this week's challenge; I hope that it gives you an idea of my style . . .

 Here are the details . . .

Supply List:

• Base card stock (kraft) - The Paper Store (JoAnn)
• Patterned paper (includes red polka dots and yellow circle on sentiment) - Webster's Pages, Spring Market 'sweet jam'
• Die cut cardstock - Core'dinations 'Whitewash Collection' Jenni Bowlin
• Image - from collage sheet purchased from Phenomenon 1859 Etsy Shop
• Seam Binding - Bluebird Lane Etsy Shop
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers #51006 Thinking of You
• Ink - Anna Griffin
• Vintage buttons and ric-rack from my stash
• Glue - Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue
• Foam Dots - Recollections (Michaels)

 Tools Used:

• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Computer and ink jet printer
• Scissors, Ruler, craft knife and rotary trimmer 

Cricut Cuts:

• Card base cut using Walk In My Garden cartridge, card2 set at 5"
• Red paper cut using WIMG cartridge, card1 set at 5"
• Core'dinations paper cut using Elegant Edges cartridge, 'Stamp-S' using Oblong feature set at 4 1/2"
• Yellow circle for sentiment cut using E. Edges cartridge, 'Crcle2-s' set at 1 1/4"

Other Tips:

• Core'dinations cardstock sanded with emery board and inked with mustard colored ink for distressing
• Image printed on ink jet printer using Picasa 3 software (free) and trimmed with scissors, bumped up with foam dots for dimension

And there you have it!  I really love this card, and believe it shows my favorite style.  I can do other styles when the need arises, but this is the style that I love and enjoy doing most.  

To OCC:  I would love being on your Design Team.  Feel free to cruise through my blog and check out my other projects.  Thank you for considering me!

Thanks y'all, and hope you have a blessed and happy and SAFE July 4th weekend!!!  Becky

Little Red Wagon Challenge #87 - Patriotic Card

This is indeed a patriotic weekend for North America!  Canada is celebrating 'Canada Day' on July 1st, and the US is celebrating 'Independence Day' on July 4th.  And since most of the ladies over at the Little Red Wagon challenge are from Canada, it was no surprise that their challenge for this week is to make a 'patriotic' card!  Here is my card based on their challenge . . .

And here are the details . . .

Supply List:

• Base card stock - The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)
• Kraft card stock - The Paper Store (JoAnn's)
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers #51003 Happy Birthday
• Quilters Pins - Singer (dipped in Stickles, below)
• Stickles 'gold', 'xmas red', and 'crystal'
• Fiber - 'ecru' Peaches and Cream yarn from Pisgah Yarn and Dyeing Co.
• Ribbon - stash, coffee stained for aged appearance
• Brown Ink - Anna Griffin
• Image - Flickr
• Vintage navy pea coat button - stash
• Adhesive - Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue
• Foam dots - Recollections (Michaels)
• Paper doily - estate sale

Tools Used:

• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Computer, ink jet printer
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife and rotary cutter

Cricut Cuts:

• Card base cut using Walk In My Garden cartridge, card2 set at 5"
• Kraft 'doily' cut using Elegant Edges cartridge, eyelet2 set at 4"

Other Tips:

• For the glittery heart and star pins:  The pins are from Singer and can be found at fabric stores.  They have different shaped heads:  heart, star, crescent moon, sun or sunflower, and butterfly.  First I coat each side with Stickles and allow to dry completely.  Next, I remove the tip (pull out) from the Stickles bottle and dip the pin head in the Stickles, then allow to dry completely.  If necessary, you can touch up spots that weren't covered.

I love this image that I found on Flickr, and they are so easy to save to your computer and resize and print using Picasa3!  Thanks for visiting, and I hope to see you again soon!  Blessings, Becky

Daring Cardmakers and The Kraft Journal - Something Old, Something New Challenge

Once again, here I am with one card for two challenges!  Both Daring Cardmakers and The Kraft Journal challenged us to interpret the verse "Something Old, Something New (Something Borrowed, Something Blue)", and since using vintage images and vintage embellishments is my 'thing', this was a fun challenge for me!  Here is my card based on the challenges . . .

And here are the details . . .

Supply List:

• Kraft card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - Webster's Pages, Spring Market 'Sweet Jam'
• Sentiment - SRM Press #51013 "Congratulations"
• Image from The Graphics Fairy
• Black card stock -  Bazzill Basics
• Chipboard, ivory ribbon and black velvet ric-rack from my stash
• Pearl - Prima
• Vintage lace purchased at an estate sale
• Vintage black button from 1930's or 40's from my stash
• Stamp (gold key) - Prima

Tools Used:

• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden cartridge (card2 set at 5" and card1 set at 4 1/2")
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife and rotary cutter
• Computer and ink jet printer

How I met the challenges:

• Vintage lace, button and image for the old
• The polka dot paper, velvet ric-rack and chipboard add a more modern touch for the new

And there you have it!  I have had this image for a while, just waiting for a chance to use it, and I think it is perfect for this challenge.  It even comes in different colors, so I will probably use it over and over!  Thanks for visiting, and Blessings, Becky

CPS #224 and Little Red Wagon 'Anniversary' Card

Hello!  Here I am back with another card that fits the bill for two challenges!  I loved the sketch over at CPS (Card Positioning Systems) this week, and as I was planning the card, I realized the sketch would work perfectly for Little Red Wagon's challenge this week to make an anniversary card!   Here is the sketch from CPS . . .

And here is my take on the challenges . . .

And here are the details . . .

The Supplies:

• Card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - Fancy Pants, Wishful Thinking 'Adorable'
• Sentiment - SRM Press # 51004 Love
• Stickles 'diamond'
• Seam binding - Bluebird Lane Etsy Shop
• Vintage image found on Flickr

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circles Small die set
• EK Success Corner Rounding Punch - medium
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler and rotary cutter
• Computer and ink jet printer

Cricut Info:

• For the card base I used Walk In My Garden cartridge, card2 set at 5"
• For the patterned paper I used the WIMG cartridge, card1 set at 4 1/2"
• For the bottom (pink) layer of the frame I used snwflk-s set at 2 3/4" using the Frame feature
• For the top (green) layer of the frame I used snowflke set at 2 3/4" using the Frame feature

And there you have it!  A really sweet card for a very sweet couple!  Please leave me a comment and let me know how you like my card!  I love hearing from people who visit!  Thanks for coming, and I hope to see you again soon.  Blessings, Becky

Moxie Fab World - Beautiful Borders Challenge #2

Back again with my second project for the Moxie Fab World 'Beautiful Borders' challenge.   This time I chose to alter a tiny composition notebook that you could use for an address book, diary, prayer journal or just about anything!  Even a card-making journal so you can remember what products you used in your projects!  Here it is . . .

I used a small composition notebook that measures 'about' 4 1/2" X 3 1/4" and comes in a package of three. books.  Here is what they looked like before I started altering them . . .

Here are the details:

The Supplies:

• Composition notebook - Family Dollar
• Patterned papers - Prima Marketing 'Madeline' line, various patterns
• Button - Jenni Bowlin 
• Stickers - SRM Press
• Seam Binding - Bluebird Lane Etsy Shop
• Brown Ink - Stampabilities
• Felt and twill tape - my stash

Rosette Detail

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Elegant Edges cartridge
• EK Success 'Arch Scallop' border punch
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife and rotary cutter

Back of book

The Process:

• Cut strip of felt to fit binding plus about 1/4 inch wide.  The extra width will allow for opening an closing of book more easily.  Glue felt to black binding of book, leaving center loose (unglued) for easy opening and closing.
• Cut two pieces of patterned paper to fit back and front of book.  Ink edges with brown ink and adhere to book.
• Glue twill tape into inside back cover of book.  Cut two pieces of patterned paper to fit inside covers of book, ink with brown ink and adhere to inside covers.  Cover the twill tape bookmark in back with patterned paper.
• If desired, make small pockets for inside of book covers.
• Cut two borders using Cricut and Elegant Edges cartridge, 'Scallop2' using border feature, set at 3/4".  Trim ends off of each border, ink with brown ink and adhere to book front.
• Adhere stickers to borders on front of book.
• Glue pieces of seam binding to front and back of book, allow to dry before proceeding.
• Cut butterfly from patterned paper and glue over end of seam binding on back cover.  Apply stickers.
• Make rosette, more detail found HERE.
• Glue rosette onto book front, covering end of seam binding.
• Thread seam binding through button and tie a bow.  Glue to rosette.

And that is it!  I hope to do a tutorial soon on how to make the pockets for the inside of books, cards, etc., so keep on the lookout for that!

I love this little book, and think it would make a special gift!  Thanks for visiting, and I hope to see you back soon!  Blessings, Becky

Moxie Fab World - Beautiful Borders Challenge

Hi there!  If you are a fan of Moxie Fab World, then you will already know how great it is!  If you haven't visited  there, then what are you waiting for???  It is a wonderful place where Cath Edvalson keeps up with the trends in paper crafting, as well as anything else going on in the world around us, and keeps us up to date and challenged! Right now they are having a 'Beautiful Borders' challenge, where we are challenged to use borders . . . either from punches, die cuts, stickers, etc. in a project.  I was so inspired that I have created two, and this is the first project that I made . . .

And here are the details . . .

The Supplies:

• Card stock - DCWV
• Patterned paper - My Mind's Eye "Shine" Whirlybird Paper
• Sentiment - SRM Press # 53002 Hello
• Vintage Buttons from my stash
• Fibers - Prism Craft Thread (perle cotton)  

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• EK Success 'Arch Scallop' border punch
• Scissors, ruler, scoring tool, kraft knife and rotary cutter

Creative Notes:

• For the card base I used my Cricut Expression with the Walk In My Garden cartridge 'card2' set at 5"
• For the patterned paper I used the same cartridge but 'card1' set at 5"
• For the borders, I used my Cricut Expression with the Elegant Edges cartridge, 'bird4' and bird4-s' using the border feature set at 1 1/2".  Notes:  1) I cut two of the bird4-s borders, one from blue and one from pink cardstock, and glued the pink one underneat the 'bird4' border to show through the bird cutouts.  2)Once I adhered the borders to the card, I trimmed the corners from the card so they did not show.
• For the rosette, I cut a strip of the patterned paper (using reverse side) about 1 1/2" wide by 12" long. Next I punched along one side using the EK Success border punch.  Next, using my ruler and scoring tool, I scored a line at the center of each arch, and between each arch, then accordion folded on the scored lines.  Next you glue the two ends together, holding until it is dry.  Then you turn the straight edge to the center, leaving the scalloped edge outside.  Using a scrap of cardstock, glue it to the back of the rosette, holding until the glue is dry.  Thread the two buttons together, tie a bow and glue to the rosette.

I think this is such a cute card, and love that My Mind's Eye paper!  I hope you have enjoyed your visit . . . please come back soon, Becky

Unscripted Sketches #112 - Get Well Soon

Happy Saturday!!!  Are you ready for Christmas???  Next week Unscripted Sketches will start our month long festivities and fun for Christmas In July!!!  Please don't miss a day, because we will have Designer Spotlight Days, special projects and tutorials, info about how you can donate cards for our troops, and a few RAKS and giveaways!  It's going to be a blast!  

Now on to this week's challenge!   Here is this week's sketch . . . 

And here is my project for this sketch . . . 

The Supplies:

• Card stock - DCWV
• Patterned paper - My Mind's Eye, Stella and Rose, Mabel "Play" Silly Stripe Paper
• Gems - Prima
• Sentiment - SRM Press
• Stickles 'platinum' - Ranger Industries
• Image is from clipart software
• Brown ink - Stampabilities 

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• Computer and ink jet printer
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife and rotary cutter

Helpful Tips:

• Print two copies of the image and 'fussy cut', or cut out the whole image.  Adhere first copy to the brown card stock, put foam dots (squares, etc.) onto back of 2nd image and place over top of first image.  This gives you a sense of depth and the top image pops out at you a bit.  Stickles around the image makes it shine!
• If you are using a border, try to echo some kind of design in your patterned paper!  The Stella and Rose paper has a loopy 'doodled' design in the stripes, and I was so happy when I found this border on the Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge that echoes that loopy design.  Inking the edges helps soften the white cardstock, and Stickles around the edges gives it a bit of sparkle.
• When looking at Cricut cartridges to purchase, go to Cricut.com and look at the 'digital handbook'.  This way you can get an in-depth look at all of the features on each cartridge that you just can't get from looking at the back of the box.

Thanks for joining me today!  Make sure to go to the Unscripted Sketches website and then visit all the other designers  to see their projects for this week!  Blessings, Becky

Alphabet Challenge Blog "G is for Get Well"

When you find an image that you just love, you want to use it as soon as possible; or at least that is the case for me!  I just found this cute little image (I'm thinking it's a hedgehog?) on Flickr and thought the sweet, caring look on it's face would be perfect for a get well card.  How lucky that this week's challenge over at the Alphabet Challenge Blog is 'G for Get Well'!  Here is my card . . .

The Supplies:

• Card stock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - Bo Bunny
• Image - found on flickr, printed using computer, Picasa 3 software and my ink jet printer
• Sentiment - SRM Press

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• EK Success Scalloped Lace Punch
• Scissors, rotary trimmer, craft knife and ruler
• Computer, Picasa 3 software and ink jet printer

Don't you love that sweet critter!  And the straw hat with flowers and the sunglasses . . . so sweet!  Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope you will come for another visit soon!  Blessings, Becky

The Kraft Journal "Welcome Summer" Challenge

Happy Summer Everyone!!!  Yes, yesterday (6/21) was the first day of summer, and over at The Kraft Journal Challenge Blog, the designers have challenged us to make a project that welcomes summer!  When I was looking for an image for this card, I saw this sweet image of a ferris wheel from The Graphics Fairy, and just knew it was perfect for this challenge.  After all, what says summertime more than blue skies and a ferris wheel!  Here is my project . . .

The Supplies:

• Cardstock - DCWV
• Kraft cardstock - The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper - October Afternoon
• Image - The Graphics Fairy
• Stamp - Anna Griffin
• Gems - Prima
• Stickles 'platinum' and 'diamond'
• Paper Doily - Wilton
• Seam binding - Bluebird Lane Etsy shop

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression with Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• EK Success medium corner rounding punch
• Scissors, ruler, rotary trimmer, craft knife
• Computer and ink jet printer
• Anna Griffin stamp for border of sentiment ~ sentiment printed on printer

I really love the color scheme, given to me by the image, you don't often see an orangey yellow with pink and blue, but it does look like summertime!  Thanks so much for visiting, and I hope you will come back very soon!  Blessings, Becky

Unscripted Sketches # 111 - Sketch Plus Piggyback Challenge

Good morning!  So sorry I'm late, but I way overslept this morning!  I went to a great class last night at my LSS and then slept almost eleven (yes 11) hours, so I apologize for my lateness!  This week at Unscripted Sketches we have our usual sketch . . . PLUS . . . a piggyback challenge that threw all the Design Team members for a loop!  So if it does you the same, don't feel bad, and most certainly don't let it keep you from giving it a shot!

Here is my project based on this week's challenge . . .

And here are the details . . .

The Challenge:  Create a crafty project based on the following sketch . . .

and using this (optional) color challenge . . .

The Supply List:

• Base is made from kraft card stock from The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper and ticket are from K & Company 'cut n paste' paper stack
• Buttons, twill tape and red twine are from my stash
• Brown ink from Stampabilities
• Sentiment printed on ink jet printer

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Elegant Edges cartridge
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife
• Rotary Trimmer

The Tips:

• To get the tag thick enough to stand alone without bending or folding, cut two or three (depending of thickness) copies of the tag from kraft paper, and layer them, adhering with glue.  This tag has 2 copies from kraft card stock and 1 from the patterned paper.
• Even though the colors of this tag are muted, the colors from the color challenge ARE there!  You don't have to do the colors exactly the same as in the picture.  

Thanks so much for joining me today . . . and I'm really sorry I'm late!  Please come back next week and join us for Sketch it Saturday, and remember, beginning July 1st Unscripted Sketches will begin Christmas in July with all kinds of great challenges, designer spotlights, tutorials, and maybe even a RAK or two!  Until next time, Blessings Folks!  Becky

The Kraft Journal "Father's Day" Challenge

It is time once again for The Kraft Journal's Make It Monday!  This week's challenge is to make a project with a Father's Day theme.  Here is my card for this week's challenge . . .

And here are the details:

The Supply List:

• Kraft card stock from The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety
• Red card stock is DCWV
• Stickles 'platinum' and 'diamond'
• SRM Stickers sentiments
• Image found on Flickr
• Feather from Hobby Lobby
• Ranger Glossy Accent

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden and Elegant Edges cartridges
• EK Success medium corner rounding punch
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler
• Computer and ink jet printer

And that was how it came about!  I actually made the card on Monday but it was today before I could get to Hobby Lobby to get the feathers!  You could tell the original card the image was scanned from had a red feather on it, and I wanted to add that dimension, and whimsy!  When I look at this card I think of the song by Rodney Atkins called "Watching You".  It's a very cute song, and the words of the chorus fit this card perfectly.  If you want to see all the words, you can click on the 'Watching You' above, but  here are the words to the chorus . . .

He said, "I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that cool?

I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you.

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.

We got cowboy boots and camo pants

Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad?

I want to do everything you do.

So I’ve been watching you."

Thanks for visiting today, and please come back soon!  Blessings, Becky

Papercraft Star Challenge # 50

This week is Papercraft Star's fiftieth challenge . . . and I think that is pretty cool!  And this is my fourth time participating, and fifth time making a project based on their challenges.  And yes, I made a project for last week, but didn't get a picture of it so I could post it . . . time just got away from me!  But I finally made a picture and will share it with you soon, because I really love it and I think it's worth sharing!  Anyway, here is my card based on this week's challenge . . .

And here are all of the details . . .

The Challenge:

• Create a card or other project using the following criteria:   Use the letters "S", "T", "A", "R" as inspiration for your project (i. e. "S" for sentiment, "R" for ribbon, etc.)

The Supplies:

• Base card stock from The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers from Echo Park 'For The Record' line
• Sticker sentiment from SRM Stickers
• Gems from Prima
• Ribbon from my stash, I think it came from Hobby Lobby, but I've had it for ages!
• Image found on Flickr

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• Fiskars 'Apron Lace' border punch
• Rotary Cutter, Scissors, Craft Knife and Ruler
• Computer and ink jet printer

How I Met The Criteria:

• "S" is for Sticker sentiment
• "T" is for Two (2) patterned papers
• "A" is for Apron Lace punched borders, and
• "R" is for Ribbon

As I've told you before, I am really loving the For the Record line from Echo Park!  And I pretty much only have scraps left, but I think you will probably see more projects using those scraps!  

Thanks for visiting today!  Come back soon, and Blessings!  Becky

Mojo Monday Week 195

A lot of times I'll look at a sketch and think "There's No Way!!!", and then there are other challenges that just speak to me and I immediately know what I want to do, and that is what happened when I looked at the sketch from Mojo Monday for this week.  I just knew what I wanted to do for this card!  And I love it!   Here is my card based on this week's sketch . . . 

And here are all of the details . . . 

The Sketch:

The Supplies:

• Cardstock from The Paper Studio
• Patterned paper from The Paper Studio
• Flowers and Gems from Prima
• Sticker sentiment from SRM Stickers
• Vintage lace from my stash
• Image found on Flickr

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden Cartridge
• Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Nestabilities
• Rotary Cutter, Scissors, Craft Knife and Ruler
• EK Success Scalloped Border Punch
• Computer and Ink Jet Printer 

Don't you think this is the cutest image!  You can find so many images on Flickr that are free to use for your crafts.  I organize and edit my images using Picasa 3 free downloadable software from Google, and it is very easy to use. 

Thanks for coming, and please come back soon!  I've got another challenge card ready to post, and a couple of projects that I didn't get posted in time for challenges, but wanted to share anyway.  See you soon!  Becky

Unscripted Sketches #110 - Believe in Miracles

Welcome back for Sketch It Saturday at Unscripted Sketches!!!  This is a BIG week, and I have a couple of announcements before I share my project!  First, we have a brand new design team member joining us, and it's someone who has been making incredible cards for our sketches for a while now, so we can't wait to see her creations for the months to come!  Welcome, Billie!

Second, I am excited to announce  .  .  .

Christmas In July at Unscripted Sketches!!!

That's right!  Now is the time for you to start thinking Christmas cards and decorations!!!  Every day in the month of July we will be sharing our own Christmas cards, decorations and more, including special Design Team spotlight days, tutorials, and even an opportunity to help our amazing  American troops!  Please be sure to check in with us every day in the month of July for lots of fun and great holiday ideas!!!

Now, back to regularly scheduled programming!  :o)  Here is my card for this week's sketch . . .

And here are the details . . .

The Sketch:

The Supplies:

• Card stock from DCWV
• Patterned paper is Basic Grey ~ Sweet Threads 'the new plaid'
• Flowers and gems are Prima
• Sticker Sentiment is from  SRM Stickers #51015 'Faith'

The Tools:

• Cricut Expression and Walk In My Garden cartridge
• Scissors, craft knife, ruler
• rotary trimmer

And that's my card for this week!  I really love this paper from Basic Grey, and love that the plaid is the primary pattern and those gorgeous flowers are the reverse side!  Please come back soon!  Becky