Random.org

I have the amazing opportunity to be the guest designer for FUSSY & FANCY FRIDAY CHALLENGE... amazing, I KNOW!

 

But as amazing as this is... I have to be honest (I just can't help it), it is a RandomDotOrg thing.  As much as I'd like to take the credit and 'blow my own trumpet', it is not through my talent as a cardmaking crafter that this opportunity has presented itself.  Nope, the opportunity came through a random selector... not that I don't appreciate my fifteen minutes of fame - because I do, really, thank you Fussy & Fancy.  BUT... its not like I was chosen because I was good, but merely because lady luck ~ came calling, and picked me - of course the fact that I also have this unstoppable urge to enter crafting challenges, might, just might, also have something to do with it.  Having said this, I do think its a lovely idea to showcase different people's work and if you pop over to Fussy & Fancy, you can get a lovely eclectic mix of much more talented people than I... I don't doubt that you will be as inspired as I have been.  The latest challenge is HEARTS, oohh the possibilities... go on, have a go, I did!

 

So my guess designer spot is all about 'HEARTS' (nice one innit).

 

 

 

I used CRICUT cartridges 'Artiste' and 'Jubilee' to cut out multiple hearts in varying sizes, and after making an envelope using my ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD (great little gadget, by the way), everything was adhered to a scalloped card blank.  The sentiment is computer generated.

 

 

This little number is from the CRICUT 'Artiste' cartridge (again!), another 'S' fold (or swing card), I have again used my free 'candi' stamp and 'candis'.  The papers are from MY MIND'S EYE - 'Wild Asgaragus' (a very old stack, but really quite beautiful).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh and today is...

Officially the day I started to feel OLD!  I woke up this morning (feelin' fine) and I caught myself contemplating buying a VEST because I felt cold, I was actually thinking "I must visit Marks and Spencers"!!!  What???  When did I start to feel the cold? When did I start to think buying a vest was necessary?  Oh my, I'm now officially on that long (I hope its long... really long), slippery slope to the land of walking sticks (I already have one of those - my hips, don't you know) and incontinence pants (don't have those, but the ladies keep telling me about the wonder of 'Tenalady').  I have already caught myself talking to the kids and beginning my sentence with "When I was young...."  So perhaps I'm already there!

 

So in honour of getting old I am also posting this...

 

 

 

'Stella' from BUBABOO stamps... she's always hilarious!

 

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING - I love this facebook group (even though it seems to have drifted into a two-person craft-fest!).  It encouranges me to 'Blog-A-Day'.

 

... and don't forget to challenge yourselves at FUSSY AND FANCY - 'Hearts', come on and show the love!  Get your design heads on, and get creative... if I can do it... anyone can!!!

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 

Late Cards...

I suddenly realised this morning that... Christmas is approaching rather rapidly.  It seems that one minute you have FOREVER and the next its panic stations.  All of a sudden you realise that you've got to find out when the last posting day is for second class stamps; you've not sent a card to that really annoying person who just had to be the first person to send to you; you'd better get on with the wrapping (which reminds me I must buy some wrapping paper);  you still don't know where to get a certain present (in my case, its 'mesh bottom sheep hurdles'); you've got to visit an even bigger supermarket, because your local one REFUSES to get in the cherry filling Christmas pudding you want... and, it seems, a million other things to do, which if you were more organised you'd already would have done!

 

My mother, bless her, has finished her present shopping (and wrapped it) and has already started on next years (I kid you not!).

 

So in my last post I showed you my Christmas cards, but guess what, yep... I'd missed out the darts team and their families and a few others!  So into my craft room I go... in full panic mode, because I really do have lots to do today.  So out came the trusty HUNKYDORY supplies so I could whip up a few last minute cards!  Busy, busy... so I forgot to photo them.  'Super Efficiency' here, had them made, signed, encased in a envelope, addressed and stamped before I'd even thought to get out my camera!  I remembered as I was waiting for glitter to dry and so took a quick pic of the last two I made!

 

 

Sorry about the camera glare, but to be quite frank, you were lucky to get a photo at all!  Silly me!

 

 

The one on the left is going to my ex-husband and his new family (I don't hold grudges... or rather 'time is a great healer'), the one on the right is going to my god-daughter, I'd show you the others if I could... but I can't, sorry.

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

 

Have a super-doper evening :-)

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

Christmas is Coming...

... the Goose is Getting Fat; Please Put a Penny In The Old Man's Hat;

If You Haven't Got A Penny; A Ha'penny Will Do;

If You Haven't Got a Ha'penny; Then God Bless You.

This for me is how we should celebrate Christmas... excited and happy,

whilst sparing a thought for others!

 

 

 

Now on with the crafting... I have finished my Christmas cards, yes I have!  Each year I make cards (all the same) for friends with the aim of sending them out by 1st December - sometimes it works ~ sometimes it doesn't (last year it didn't,).

 

So this years card... I decided to make a one layer card (the post is SO expensive now), BUT (yes there's always a but) I didn't want it to be boring.  So, since it was to be a one layer card I would make it duel purpose.  My card also turns into a bookmark, clever huh?

 

I used a different blade on my paper trimmer to make the ------------ lines (sorry, minds gone blank), oh yeah, 'perforating' blade. Really cool little gadget, but remember to put your ordinary blade back in!  (NOTE TO SELF: follow ones own advise!)

 

The white base cards were cut with the CRICUT and the 'Elegant Edges' cartridge, I used HUNKYDORY Christmas CS because it is such a good weight.  The patterned side would be the back.  The trees are also cut using the CRICUT, this time with my GYPSY and the 'Cricut Craft Room Basics'.  The card was perforated, to make the middle section into a bookmark (I hope my friends appreciate my thoughtfulness LOL).   My computer generated the sentiment (such a clever little laptop) and put arrows and "tear" at the bottom (I didn't want them missing my bookmark, after all!). I decorated the front of the card, making sure things were stuck only to their own sections, thereby not ruining or interfering with the 'tear off' middle section.  I had a little mass production going on for a while. 1. do all CRICUT cutting, 2. ink all edges, 3. perforate all card bases, 4. cut all other embellishments, 5. emboss using CUTTLEBUG and a CRAFTS-TOO folder called 'dots' and CUTTLEBUG folder 'D'vine Swirls', 6. generate sentiment, 7. get sticking...

Most of the papers used are from the PAPERMANIA 'Festive Frolics' stack, it is rather old, so I'm glad I've used nearly all of it up now.  I could of done more embellishing to the back, but decided not to... the idea was to reduce postage, if I made it any thicker it would defeat the object of a one layer card!

 

 I made a bit of a boob, I realise I wanted to add a 'snowy curtain' along the top, but I had already done the perforating, if I then put anything over the top it wouldn't pull apart (oh, woe is me!).  I got around this by cutting my strips of white to size, stamped the sentiment from a set by Mary at CARDZ.TV, I then punched a border with my MARTHA STEWART 'drippy goo' punch (this formed the 'curtain', with some glitter forming the 'snow').  I then perforated these strips BEFORE adding them to the card (yeap, I had to do it the long way 'round... but hey ho, that's what crafting's all about... no mistakes, just opportunities to get creative!).  After adhereing all my little Christmas trees to the front and adding some red organza ribbon and some more glitter, oh and a load of gems for added bling... finally, they are ready to post.  Now all I have to do is find my ancient address book and hope no-on has moved!  Take a look...

 

Challenges:-

 

FANTABULOUS CRICUT CHALLENGE BLOG - FCCB #188 - 'Sparkle and Bling'

 

CHNC - Challenge Extra for November

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

S Card

I'm sorry folks, I haven't been around lately, I have actually been busy!

 

Busy crafting, that is!  I've started 'Project Life' but more on that another time.  Today I wanted to share an 'S' card with you. 

 

As the Americans say... I had some 'happy mail'.  That is my CRICUT Artiste cartridge arrived (so expensive! But SO worth it) and I immediately started to explore this lovely, lovely cartridge.

 

My happy mail...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my first 'Artiste' card...

 

The card is cut at 5 1/2", and I used 'TERESA COLLINS' 'Fabrication' papers, I don't what I'm going to do when these run out, I use them all the time!  I used them for this project because they are a really good weight and are double sided.  I cut out the matching 'accent' shape (p. 33) in varying sizes and adhered these to the front and inside.  The stamp is from the CLOSE TO MY HEART stamp set 'D1529', which comes as part of the 'Artiste' bundle.  The button and flowers are from my stash.

 

The nice thing about this cut is that at, 5 1/2 inches you can get two cards from one sheet of 12" x 12".  Love these colours!

Challenges, yeah... why not!

CRAFTY GIRLS CHALLENGES - Ch #6 - 'Anything Goes'

BROWN SUGAR CHALLENGE BLOG - Ch #69 - 'Anything Goes'

CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGES 2 - Ch #23 - 'A Recipe For You'

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch #33 - 'Anything Goes'

ONE STITCH AT A TIME - Ch #190 - 'Anything Goes'

THROUGH THE CRAFT ROOM DOOR CHALLENGE BLOG - Nov 19th - 25th - Anything Goes'

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING


Have a great evening, be thankful, stay safe and be good (feel free to ignore that last one LOL)!

Blah... blah... blah...

 

Artbooking

I've been a VERY naughty crafter!

My mother always tells me (around October time), "Now, remember Christmas is coming, so don't buy yourself anything.  Just put it on your Christmas List."  She's said this to me for the past thirty years, and usually I'm a very good little (size is relative) girl (as is age).  This year?  Oops.

 

I think I can be forgiven, however, because...

 

My lovely family just don't understand crafting!  They don't see the need; they don't understand my paper fetish; they are not sympathetic to my creative wants AND they do not understand the terminology.   What I mean is...

 

"CRICUT", my son thinks he'll need an insect net!

"FISKARS", my mum thinks I'm swearing!

"ATG" ... "What's wrong with your tyres?"  ~  "No, mum not ATS... my sticky stuff"  ~  "Karen, behave yourself!"  "WHAT?"

 

You get the drift, if I was to ask them for some of the crafting supplies I purchase, they'd either get it wrong or ask me to order it anyway,  ("What do you want for Christmas" "I want... oh forget it").  With this philosophy in the back of my mind, I've been on a spending spree (I'll be paying my overdraft back for the next six months but, oh what a buzz!).

 

For a start I found the CRICUT 'Artbooking' cartridge on eBay (such a rarity to find any CLOSE TO MY HEART cartridges outside of the US, that I couldn't resist).  Once I started, I just couldn't seem to stop!  Next I ordered the CRICUT 'Artiste' cartridge (from US, at great expense, but I'm on a roll), I hit the internet next, I got some more supplies, a couple of digi's and more paper (yes, more!  There is no such thing as 'too much paper'), then I did the ultimate in crafting financial stupidity... I watched the shopping channel!  Silly, silly me... oops indeed.

 

So now I'm skint... and owe the bank part of my soul, but you know what?  I'm very, very happy!

 

Back to the artbooking... WOW! I am now seriously addicted to mini albums...

 

 

My first attempt using the CRICUT 'Artbooking' cartridge...  LOVE IT.  I do believe the book rings are a little too big, so I'll be changing those and then putting more ribbons and fibres on the smaller ones.  This mini album is destined to be a Christmas present for my mum, I think its good enough (this little cutie is my niece, her granddaughter), the envelope page (page three) is also perfect for housing the gift card that I'm also planning on giving my mother for Christmas.

 

 

All the little embellishment, like the flowers, hearts and wording are also from the 'Artbooking' cartridge, as is the heart overlay.

 

 

The papers I've used are all from the 'TERESA COLLINS' 'Fabrication' papers along with the matching brads and word stickers.

 

 

Love that envelope page!  Great for holding lots more photos and/or gift cards, oohh my mum's a lucky lady!

 

 

 

The back of the envelope page was a little bit plain, so after I'd put another heart overlay onto it, I decided to stamp it.  I've had this pack of 'Candi' stamps for a VERY long time (they were free), and had long since disappeared into my jungle of goodies (even after a good clear out!).  But for some reason I'd kept the mini 'Candi's' on my desk (probably in the hope of using them up).  Since I liked the colours I decided to use them on this page (now, where have I put the stamps?).  After I'd found the matching stamp set, I used my 'quickie' glue pen (another seldom used item) to adhere them down. 

arhh... there you are!

 

 

A little pocket with tags.

 

 

Very pleased how this turned out, so pleased, in fact that I think its good enough to be a Christmas present (after I change those book rings)!

 

 

 Challenges:-

 

COME AND GET IT CHALLENGES - 'Gift Card Holder'

 

THROUGH THE CRAFT ROOM DOOR - TTCRD November 12 - 18 - 'Anything Goes'

 

THE CUTIE PIE CHALLENGE - Ch #57 - 'Little Cuties'

 

SHOPPING OUT STASH - SOS #127 - 'Use Something Already Out On Your Desk' - 'Candi'

 

USE IT TUESDAY - ch #67 - 'Stick It!' - Quickie Glue Pen

 

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch #33 - 'Anything Goes'

 

JELLYPARK FRIENDS FRIDAY CHALLENGE - New Challenge - 'ABC - Anything But A Card'    (I missed the 2pm deadline[twit]! GO VISIT THE BLOG THOUGH, it's worth it for the inspiration!)

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

 

 

 Blah... blah... blah...

  

 

 

Feeling Blue?

I seem to have a blue theme going on!  I wonder why?  I'm not blue, I don't feel blue, blue is not my favourite colour.  Oh well, my crafting vibe is obviously in charge and dictating all the shots... so I'll just go with the flow...

 

Base card is made from an A4 patterned holographic card cut to 8 1/4" x 8" and scored at 4" then folded in half.  To this... I followed a sketch (see below) to create a dark blue layer, that had been embossed and then a smaller light blue layer, that has some glitter dotted on it.

 

 

 

The "Get Well Soon" is cut from the 'Phrases' CRICUT cartridge (at 3") and adhered using foam pads.

 

 

 The sentiment is computer generated and mounted onto some black CS, then adhered with... yes, you've guessed it - foam pads.

 

I found this cute little button in my stash, and managed to thread some of the same ribbon through it (I don't know how!) as I used on the blue mats.

 

 

Challenges:-

 

SKETCH SATURDAY - wk #284

 

NATALIE AND AMY'S CHALLENGE - Ch #14 - 'For The Boys'

 

FANTABULOUS CRICUT CHALLENGE BLOG - Ch #186 - 'Ribbons and Buttons'

 

DARING CARDMAKERS - 'The Other Occasions and Reasons'

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 

 

Bruised Winston?

...that is he's black and blue (ha ha ha)!

FUSSY AND FANCY Challenge - Ch # 101 - 'Black and Blue'

I had such fun thinking of something black and blue with 'Yes Master', that I decided to have another go!  This time with non-traditional Christmas colours...

 

I used a blue scalloped card blank and layered a black sparkly mat on to it.  The mat is from a stack by DCWV (Die Cuts With a View) called 'All Dressed Up', some lovely, lovely CS in this stack.  I used my CRICUT Expression to cut out the frame and it's shadow in black and blue (the black frame has been embossed using my CUTTLEBUG and a SIZZIX folder called 'woodgrain') the cartridge I used was -  'Elegant Edges'.  The sentiment stamp is from Mary at CARDZ TV, and the coloured image (I used my PROMARKERS) is from Digi Stamp Boutique called 'WINSTON'.

 

 

 

 

The banner is just some left-over white CS, the ends were squeezed together and cut at an angle to create the points, after doing this to both ends and stamping it, it was mounted using foam pads and adhered to the bottom of the card.  I added some glitter to the baubles and...

 

all done!

 

 

Also entering into the following challenges:-

 

 

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch #33 - 'Anything Goes'

 

ONE STITCH AT A TIME - Ch #189 - 'Holidays'

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 



Christmas Recipe

I'm busy getting my Christmas cards done... I've done the prototype; tested the template; discarded numerous pieces of paper and even vacuumed my craft room, good eh?  Last year I made cards with bars of chocolate inside, this year I will NOT.  The postage is far too high!  I will be sharing, in the very near future... but not today! 

 

Today, I would like to share a little traditional number I quickly put together for a couple of challenges.  The nice thing about HUNKYDORY kits is that they make it SO easy to get a lovely result.

 

Here's my latest Christmas easel card...

 

 

I managed to re-use a green card blank that had been scheduled for disposal (it had previously been covered with patterned paper... which I then decided against... as you do!  But it had left behind rather a lot of unsightly white fibres).  With some left-over oddments from my scrap pile and some mirri card... I must say I'm rather pleased with the result of my bit of recycling!

 

Challenges:-

 

A GEM OF A CHALLENGE - Ch. #104 - 'Christmas Is Coming'

 

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE BLOG - Wk. 231 - 'Christmas Cheer'

 

POLKA DOODLES - Wk.44 - 'Anything Goes Christmas'

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 

Deer'est

Good Afternoon all...

I'm having a bit of a challenge day... can I combine a few challenges into one card?  That would be a yes!  So I have a sketch challenge, a colour challenge, a couple of 'anything goes' challenges and a specific element challenge (Christmas and Reindeer), here we go...

 

A white scalloped card base with a couple of patterned mats, the blue (x2 on the bottom) is from a stack by MY MIND'S EYE called 'Blink Of An Eye', the brown patterned mat (top) is from CRATE PAPER called 'Portrait Collection'.  I have used my CRICUT Expression to cut the shaped mat using the 'Elegant Edges' cartridge p.39 'oblong' feature key <Swirl2> in cream and the brown layer is cut using the 'shadow' feature key <Swirl2-s> all cut at 3 1/4". 

 

 

The CRICUT was also used to cut out the reindeer, it is from the 'Paper Doll Dress Up' cartridge  p. 74 ('accessories 3' feature key <elf-s>) and is cut at 3 1/4".  I have used a white gel pen to colour in his hooves and to make some highlights.

 

 

 

This sentiment was computer generated and mounted onto some brown CS to match the first base mat.  With a few red gems and some  ribbon et voila!

 

 

 

This is the sketch I used (DIE CUTTIN DIVAS)

 

 

 

 

The colour requirement (DARING CARDMAKERS)

 

 

Challenges:-

 

FANTABULOUS CRICUT CHALLENGE BLOG - Ch #185 - 'FCCB Anything Goes Cricut Crawl'

 

DARING CARDMAKERS - November Colour Combination - 'Blue/Brown'

 

DIE CUTTIN DIVAS - Ch #140 - 'Sketch'

 

ABC CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE - V For Vixen - 'Use a Reindeer'

 

CRAFTIN DESERT DIVAS - Craft it up, Link it up , Linky Party #18 - 'Anything Goes'

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING

 

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...