Just Because Tree

I made this for the 'Die Cutting Diva weekly challenge, the theme being 'Just Because', which was rather appropriate as I needed to send a 'just because' card out to a friend who is going through some nasty medical treatment.

 

So here it is...

 

I love how this turned out...

CARD BASE - white card blank (5 3/4" x 4 1/8")

1ST MAT - 'SIZZIX' paper pad (green leaves) 'EARTH TONES' (5 5/8" x 4")

2ND MAT - 'FIRST EDITION' paper pad 'DREAMCATCHER' (3" x 4")

CRICUT CUT - green mirri cardstock - 'ELEGANT EDGES' p. 29 shadow <leaves -s> (2 1/2")

CRICUT CUT - black cardstock - 'ELEGANT EDGES' p.29 oblong <Leaves -s> (2 1/2")

CRICUT CUT - green scrap - 'CINDY LOO' p.65 <Tree1> (3")

SENTIMENT - from stash

EMBELLISHMENTS - gems (from local pound shop)

 

Inside decorated using up any scraps, as usual.

 

 

 

 

Challenges...

 

DIE CUTTING DIVAS  - #130 - 'Just Because'

 

PILE IT ON  - #34 - 'Designer Papers'

 

 

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Bar Closed!

I've just finished doing the bar, tidying up and locking up... now I'm unwinding with a cup of tea and a chocolate cupcake with marshmallow filling and chocolate fudge frosting, that my daughter made earlier (yummy).

 

I've been running the caravan park single-handed yesterday and today (everyone else has gone to a 40th birthday party!) so I haven't managed to post until now!

 

I seem to be a little 'stuck' in the Cricut 'CINDY LOO' cartridge at the moment...

 

 

The background  paper  is  from 'FIRST EDITION'  'Dreamcatcher',  I used the filigree cut on  p.29 at 3 1/2".  The pink paper is glittered and from 'CREATA'.  I used gems, ribbon and peel-offs for the embellishments

 

 

Challenges...

 

CRAFTING FOR ALL SEASONS -Ch. #50 - 'No Stamps Allowed'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Sunday'

 

 

Thanks of stopping by... I hope you like today's creativity.

 

 

 

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CINDY LOO VII

'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'... number 7

'CINDY LOO' cartridge release June 2010 was originally aimed at providing a whole host of images and borders to finish your projects based on other cartridges.

     

 

The creative features are:- 'layer', 'border', 'frame', 'font', 'font layer' and 'shadow'.  I think this cartridge is a GREAT one.  I love the whimsical images that are not too complicated but have a big impact.  There are some lovely floral designs and some art deco styled borders that would look lovely on any project.  The font is great and the frame feature is very, very versatile. There are Cuttlebug Companion embossing folders available for this cartridge and you can even purchase individual images from Cricut.com using the 'Cricut Craft Room'.

 

My View... this is a great cartridge for both beginners and more advanced crafters, the frame feature alone will be used again and again!  I'd wanted this cartridge for a long time, when I finally got it... I was not disappointed.  There is a nice variety of words available from p. 65 onwards, making this a good all-rounder.  It also has some lovely doily shapes which are very 'IN' at the moment.  The cartridge has an envelope cut and a gift card cut, both of which are very handy.

 

My Verdict... Get it, you wouldn't regret it.  This is one of my top 5.

 

Here's what I'd like to share with you today, a very simple but stunning card...

 

 

CARD BASE - A6 green scalloped edged card blank - from stash

1ST MAT - cream textured CS (3 5/8" x 5 1/2")

CRICUT CUT - green CS 'CINDY LOO' cartridge p.65 <Tree1> (3"); pink CS <Tree1-s> (3") - the pink cut has been embossed using 'TIM HOLTZ' 'Woodgrain' embossing folder

EMBELLISHMENTS - pink 'heart' ribbon and gems - from stash

SENTIMENT - 'Mixed Sentiment' set by PERSONAL IMPRESSION

As always the inside is decorated using up any off-cuts, here I have also added a row of pink gems, I just love this colour combination.

 

Challenges...

 

SISTER ACT CARD CHALLENGE - Ch. #2 - 'Anything Goes

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Thursday'

 

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

 

Ding Dong...

I watched Margaret Thatcher’s funeral today, not that I’m usually an avid viewer of the morbid or macabre, but this was an occasion to be remembered.  Whatever your view of this woman (and everyone has one), she did effect SERIOUS change in Britain.  Some will say for the good, some will say for the bad.  Me? I too, have a very strong opinion on this subject, which I will not share on my blog (this is my ‘happy place’).  I, will be passionate about my crafting here, not about politics (unless it is to occasionally take the mick!).
 

Baroness Thatcher, even in death is STILL causing major dissent throughout this country. Normal, upstanding citizens, who would not normally behave this way, seem to have lost all signs of moral decency and are actually booing as someone is wheeled passed during their funeral, it's not like she can hear them! Our country, it would seem is very strongly divided in its thinking concerning this once powerful leader (in some places the extreme of this is called ‘civil war’). Some believe she should be in line for sainthood, whereas others believe she is Satan’s handmaiden and is in all likelihood being reacquainted with HIM as we speak!

Whether you are crying buckets or singing ‘Ding Dong, the Witch Is Dead’ please leave the serious politics somewhere else - not on craft websites (if only I had followed my own advise!). It is understandable to have objections to some of the Thatcher Policies especially if you were adversely effected by them (and lots were), and I personally would rather see the “ONLY” 10 million pounds that has been spent on a state funeral, spent elsewhere (my replacement hip, for instance or allowing me to have physio immediately rather then having to wait three months) but, strongly though I feel... HERE is not the place for my voice to be heard.  I noticed on a crafting Facebook page, that people are actually falling out over the Baroness... and she’s dead!  It all got very... “well, she said, so I said... and then I deleted her from my page (whatever)”. Seriously leave the politics in the real world and let’s all craft in peace [man] (I sound like I’ve just come from Woodstock, ha ha ha).  Usually craft sites are celebrating each others talent and creativity, Maggie, is putting a spanner in the works... yet again! I try hard to respect everyone’s opinion (as I would expect mine to be respected) but time and place people!  Perhaps I should start a campaign...

“NO POLITICS... IN CRAFTING”     or    “HOBBY DON’T LOBBY”     or     

“LEAVE YOUR SOAP BOX AT THE CRAFTROOM DOOR”

So... even though I DID get a little political in the middle there (government spending/heath policy), I DO think we all should concentrate on crafting - on crafting sites.  Perhaps a little - "live and let live" wouldn't go a miss... that's more than the Baroness is doing now!

So I've had my say, let's craft...

 

CARD BASE - A6 white card blank - with scalloped edges from stash

MATS - 2 squares using 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'  (3" x 3")- corners rounded using a punch, adhered using foam pads

CRICUT CUT - 'CINDY LOO' cartridge p.50 <Flower2> (3 1/4") plus all relevent layering cuts

EMBELLISHMENTS - gems - from stash (pound shop purchase!)

SENTIMENT - "sorry" peel-off - from stash

ENVELOPE - lined using 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'

 

INSIDE - cream CS (3 1/4" x 3 1/4") and 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'  (1" x 1") - corners rounded plus a gem

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Wednesday'

 

PIN AND TACK - Ch. #8 - 'Anything Goes' - SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY NOW!

 

LET'S CRAFT AND CREATE - Ch. #68 - 'Flowers'

 

ROCK ON!

 

 

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Cool Cat

I've got a little bit hooked on this Cricut image from the 'CINDY LOO'  cartridge... its just so cute that I can't seem to do anything BUT this at the moment!  Funny how we sometimes get obsessed with certain things... isn't it? 

 

I used a kraft card blank (obsessed much?) and matted a piece of paper from the  'HOT OFF THE PRESS' 'Red Velvet Artful Card Kit' collection.  With my delightful kitty cat and some embellishments, card complete... how cute is that?  The arrow paperclips were purchased from my local 'pound' shop!

 

 This sentiment is from a set I've got by 'SCRAPPY MOMS' called 'Raining Cats and Dogs', there are some great puns on this.

 As always the inside is decorated using any left-over scraps!

 

Thanks for looking, I think I'll enter this into the 'Heavy Metal and Hels Sheridan' Challenge #90 at 'ANYTHING GOES CHALLENGE BLOG'


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ORGANISED PANIC!

Red alert, panic stations...

 

Can someone tell me why it is that although my daughter is a TOTAL organise freak when it comes to all the things SHE does, that she insists on constantly only giving me one day when she wants me to make her something!

 

Her organising freakiness is such that plastic boxes cause her to *sigh* almost as much as patterned paper causes me to open my handbag and get out my credit card!  The best present she has ever received was a book about being organised!  Everything, and I mean everything, has a proper place - with attached labels!  I caught her boyfriend coming out of her room the other day, with his name taped to his forehead (just kidding... but even that wouldn't surprise me!).  I tease her sometimes and pull out my label printer and when I see her drooling and casting furtive glances towards it, I put it away again.  She takes the bait EVERY TIME, and when she asks if she can borrow it, I tell her the label cartridge has just run out - the look of disappointment on her face is priceless! Ha ha ha.

 

Where does this come from?  I don't mean my meanness, I mean this need to be organised?  Well...

 

I DON'T KNOW - I'm messy, perhaps whilst growing up she decided she really didn't want to be like her mum!  Now the only time she makes a mess is when she is with me, so I can clean it up!  I can't help but love all the quirkiness kids show as they grow and develop whilst they are growing up and learning who they are.

 

Anyway back to the panic... "I need a thank you card for someone who likes cats... like yesterday, that ok Mum?" my reply, like all accommodating mums... "yes, of course, when do you need it?".  "By tomorrow".  It is ten o'clock at night! Cheers, daughter mine!  Not too organised today, are you, love?

 

 

So my cute little cat is from the 'CINDY LOO' Cricut cartridge, I also used the 'ELEGANT EDGES' cartridge to cut out the shape behind the cat.  I used three different design papers as well as Cricut CS.

They were...

BASICGREY - 'Recess' 'Answers' - for the cat's base layer, which includes the tail and  feet

MY MIND'S EYE - 'Blink of an Eye' - for the shape behind the cat, p.56 'book' creative feature

ECHO PARK - 'Country Drive' 'Daisy Fields' - fabulous papers ALMOST unbeatable! for the 2nd mat

DOCRAFTS PAPERMANIA - Kraft Card Blank - square 5 1/4" x 5 1/4"

 

 

 

Challenges...

 

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE BLOG - Wk 202 ' 'Letter of Your Name' - K for Karen and KRAFT

 

 MY CRAFT SPOT - Ch. #95 - 'Anything Goes'

 

PIN AND TACK - Ch. #8 - 'Anything Goes' - SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY NOW!

 

FAB 'N' FUNKY CHALLENGES - Ch #166 - 'Spring Colours'

 

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch. #18 - 'Anything Goes'

 

TOTALLY PAPER CRAFTS - Ch. #162 - 'Get Krafty'

 

BEARLY-MINE CHALLENGES - Ch. #82 - 'Spring Flowers'

 

CARDZ TV - Ch. #27 - 'Mix It Up'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Tuesday'

 

 

 

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90... WOW!

I recently purchased the 'CINDY LOO' Cricut cartridge, so I thought I'd make my Grandmother a birthday card using some of the cuts from this lovely collection.  She will be 90!  I used a couple of patterned papers, one for the florish and frame and one for the background mat. 

 

CARD BASE - blue scalloped card blank (6" x 6")

1ST MAT - 'MY MIND'S EYE' 'Pretty Please' (5 5/8" x 5 5/8") - free with a craft magazine

CRICUT CUT FRAME- using 'TERESA COLLINS' 'Fabrication' 'floral garden' and 'CINDY LOO' cartridge, 'frame' creative feature p. 40 <Flrish3> (3") and <Flrish3-s> (3")

CRICUT CUT BIRD - using Cricut CS p.64 <Bird> (3") - cut and adhered all layers, adhered to card using foam pads

CRICUT CUT '90' - using black CS and the 'font' creative feature p.36 cut <Frame1> (1 1/4") and p.37 cut <Frame2> (1 1/4"), then using blue CS and the 'font layer' creative feature p.36 cut <Frame1> (1 1/4") and p.37 cut <Frame2> (1 1/4") - adhere the layers together, then adhered to card using foam pads

SENTIMENT - 'happy birthday' rub-on - from stash

EMBELLISHMENTS - pearls, butterfly and flower - from stash

 

I'm really pleased with the way this turned out and I'm LOVING this cartridge!

 

Challenges...

 

CREATED WITH LOVE CHALLENGES - Ch# 36 - 'Recipe Challenge'

 

DIE CUTTIN DIVAS - Ch. #110 - 'Pastels'

 

MY CRAFT SPOT - Monday Challenge #94 - 'Cute Critters 

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Friday'

 

 

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY

 

 

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