Winding Down

Just a quick post, after work.  I decided to make a quick card to wind down after doing the bar (a card and a cup of tea, what more could I ask?).  I've left my wonderful son to finish seeing the last of the pool team out.  Pool was played tonight, last game of the season, we only needed 3 wins (out of a possible 11) to win, not just this game but also to finish the season top of the league.  Did we do it? I say 'we' but it is not I, who played the winning shot, or any shot for that matter (they don't let me play, I think they fear for the blaize on the pool table!), I merely serve the beer and cook the chips.  Yes, they did indeed win... which means there will be even more dust collectors trophies to polish, well done boys!

 

Back to my card...

quick card  ~  quick post  ~  quick description

 

I took an A6 card blank (embossed it and rubbed an ink pad over it) then adhered two 3" x 3" squares to it, one in the top corner one in the bottom, the papers used were 'oldies but goodies' 'MY MIND'S EYE' 'Wild Asparagus' .  The images is from 'WHOOPSI DAISY' 'Sheet 389', its been mounted onto two different blue mats, pop over to the website and have a look at the lovely digi stamps (and lots of other stuff).  The sentiment is from a stamp set from 'POLKA DOODLES', all edges and the stamps have been inked using 'TIM HOLTZ' 'Victorian Velvet'. 

 

I will be entering this into the current March challenge at  'WHOOPSI DAISY'  - 2 patterned papers.

 

I'll be off to bed soon, after my cuppa, nightie night...

 

 

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The Road To Recovery...

... one challenge at a time!

I made this for a challenge, yes a, as in ONE.  This post is dedicated to - StuckOnUSketches - die cut challenge (Feb 22), and the theme is... 'WRITE'.

 

 

 

 

Nice and simple... I like simple!

 

CARD BASE - A6 card blank - from stash

1ST MAT - 'ECHO PARK' 'Country drive' - 'Flutterby' (4" x 5 3/4") - edges inked with 'TIM HOLTZ' (Victorian Velvet), I then added two lengths of pink ribbon and a bow

NOTE PAPER - From an old notebook (3" x 3 1/4") - I added extra coloured lines to give it some more colour, rounded one bottom corner and added a pink button from my stash

DIE CUT IMAGE - 'CRICUT' 'My Community' cartridge p. 13 - I used the blackout feature, and the layers.  I cut the layers 5 times and used my 'GYPSY' to delete any cuts I didn't want (thereby saving on cardstock)

STAMP - 'PEACHY KEEN' 'PK - Everyday Character Face Assortment'  (3/4")

SENTIMENT - Computer generated

 

I hope you like my little project, thanks for stopping by...

 

 

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No Cold Turkey For Me!

 

I am becoming positively obsessed with craft challenges, it seems to me that once you start it is VERY hard to stop!  Why would you wish to stop? Because they start to take over your life!  Its not that I'm dreaming of them or anything (although I might be about to), or that I haven't showered in a fortnight with my obsession taking over ALL aspects of my life (now that I think about it, as soon as I've posted this, I'm going for a long soak in the tub!). 

 

But you know its beginning to get out of hand, when you are putting post-it notes (virtual ones) on your desktop to remind you when a challenge starts, when it finishes, what the requirements are and/or what 'linky' number you are.  AND your desktop now looks like its been wallpapered with lots of little square, you know its time to give it up!  Do I sound obsessed... yes I think I do.

 

But worse... it has now got to the point where, not only am I 'piling it on' (that's more than one challenge for only one card/project) but I am tailoring my cards to fit half a dozen challenges!  The other day I made a card that a.) followed a sketch; b.) followed a colour combo; c.) Incorporated a digi stamp; d.) incorporated punches x 2; e.) matched a 'bingo' or 'tic tac toe' and f.) was masculine! What is going on... obsessed much? 

 

I think the challenges are beginning to 'suck' the joy out of crafting.  Although it is nice to follow, say? A sketch or a colour combo, (the operative word here is OR), I'm beginning to confuse myself (what goes with what, when, how, why, why, why!).  So this self-confessed challenge-aholic is going to cut-back on the challenges (or at least the combining of said same), and concentrate on simply 'making', for making's sake...

 

MY NAME IS KAREN... AND I AM A CHALLENGE -AHOLIC

 

I draw the line at 'cold turkey', I'm not that good!  And I DO so like to hear comments from other experts and crafters, and let's be honest here... you (or is it only me?) get 'loads' of comments when you've entered a challenge.  That, in itself, has reduced me to a challenge freak of epic proportions!  And if you should win? WOW don't get me started on that one... Oh, the joy of having your name randomly picked as the best (huh?, how can it be the best if its random? It doesn't matter does it, oh no, 'cause you're the best!).  Or being chosen as a 'top pick' and getting a blinky... is it any wonder that I'm becoming obsessed, when they (the challenge sites) prey so disgracefully upon my poor weak soul! 

 

"If Music Be the Food of Love, Play On"

From Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, 1602

 

My current list of challenges (remember all those post-it notes), requires... a 'manly' card; which follows a sketch; that has a tag and features a cut from my 'CRICUT', so...

(great sketch)

 

 

 

(... those are not little aliens you can see, but headphones! You most certainly could be forgiven for thinking otherwise!)

 

 

The card base is a piece of dk. brown cardstock, scored and folded in half.  To this I have added a patterned paper mat,  where the paper came from, is anybody's guess!  I followed a sketch and cut pieces of 'KANBAN' cardstock ('Retro Sounds' and 'Retro Music' from the 'So Feminine/So Macho kit) and mounted these onto more dk. brown cardstock.  Everything has had its edges inked with 'TIM HOTZ' distressed ink ('Tea Dye') and layered with foam pads. 

 

The tag was very simply cut 'free-hand' and been layered with both the patterned paper and more 'Retro Sounds' cardstock.  With a piece of ribbon and a 'Dad' peel-off for added effect. Oh and some faux stitching around the sentiment (just so you know its there!).

 

The 'CRICUT' cut was achieved with the 'CRICUT AMERICAN ALPHABET' cartridge.  All four cuts were used - 'shadow', 'shadow+shift', '<radio>' (p.45) and '<radio-s>' all cut at 2 1/4".  I love the simplicity of the cuts on this cartridge.

 

Its a shame my camera (or rather my phone) cannot pick up the beauty of this 'KANBAN' cardstock, it is foiled, and really is quite lovely.

 

No Cold Turkey For Me, challenges...

 

DIE CUTTIN DIVA - Ch. #105 - 'Try A Sketch'

 

CRAFTS AND ME CHALLENGES - Ch. #123 - 'Tag It'

 

CARDS GALORE CHALLENGE BLOG - March Ch. - 'Music'

 

CRAFTY CARDMAKERS - Ch. #86 - 'Masculine Birthday featuring Technology or a gadget'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Wednesday'

 

... and repeat -   MY NAME IS KAREN

... AND I'M A CHALLENGE-AHOLIC

 



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

 

 

 

 



Better Over the Hill...

... than under it !

 

When I can, I like to give as much info. about the cards I have made, as possible, but sometimes that's just not gonna happen.  When the stuff I'm using is rather old (sometimes, dare I say... ancient), I can't always remember where it came from (memory's going!  Along with my hearing and my teeth!).  Very often I've found a bargain somewhere (usually a 'pound' shop) and the product has no known producer/manufacturer (possible some poor child in a sweat shop in Bangladesh!).  I know its not right (to support these cheap imports) but I really, really am not made of money and I really, really, have no intention of not crafting!  So I, for one, continue to pick up cheapies whenever I can (although my conscience does sometimes prick!).  But having said that, when you get to work with quality products, I have to say the difference is not only noticeable but also highly addictive.

 

Anyway...

 

I've entered a couple of challenges (unusually... I know!) and just to mix things up a bit (I'm a rebel at heart), I'm telling you about them before I show you my card (daring, huh?), so...

 

PILE IT ON - #9 - 'Happy Birthday'

 

CATCH THE BUG CHALLENGE BLOG - 'Anything Goes Saturday Challenge'

 

CARDS FOR MEN - Ch. #5 - 'Monochrome'

 

ANYTHING GOES CHALLENGE BLOG - Ch. #87 - 'Make it Manly'

 

PAPER CRAFTING JOURNEY - 'Bingo' - Brads/Embossing/Sentiment

 

PAPER PLAYTIME - Ch. #5 - 'Anything Goes'

 

... and here it is

 

 

Most of the materials used for this card are from my stash,  but I can tell you about the digi stamp... it is, of course, 'Gus' from 'BUGABOO STAMPS', he's great, isn't he? 

 

'Gus' has been coloured in using 'Promarkers' and mounted onto a piece of 'KANBAN' cardstock 'Distressed Stripe', which has also been used for the first mat.  The patterned papers were bought from E-Bay (along time ago), as were the brads.

 

I printed the sentiment out and then embossed it and highlighted it with a promarker pen.  This is my first attempt at a 'Bugaboo' stamp... and I'm really quite pleased with it!

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Green and Yellow...

So my colour combo today is 'green' and 'yellow', nice huh?  Lovely and spring-like not to mention 'Irish'. 

 

I'm finding it so nice to follow along with colour and/or sketch combos... it makes creative life so much easier, if only everyday life was so simple!

 

My offering for today...

 

 

CARD BASE - Pearlescent gold (12" x 6 1/4") - scored and folding in half

1ST MAT - 'MY MIND'S EYE' (MME) 'Blink of an Eye' (5 3/4" x 6")

2ND MAT - 'DUFEX' Christmas Green - found in my stash (years old!)

3RD/6TH MATS - 'CRICUT' paper (2 5/8" x 3 1/8")

4TH MAT - 'ECHO PARK' 'This & That - Charming' 'Dots & Plaid' (2 1/2" x 3")

5TH MAT - 'ECHO PARK' 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe' 'Lemon Drop Large Dot' (6" x 1 3/4") - 'X-cut' border punch 'Sparkler', and threaded with very thin yellow ribbon (also ancient!) 

STAMPED IMAGE - 'SUGAR NELLIE' 'Tiffany' (2 1/2" x 3")

1ST SENTIMENT MAT - 'CRICUT' paper (2 1/2" x 1")

2ND SENTIMENT MAT - 'DUFEX' Christmas Green - 2 1/8" x 7/8")

PEEL OFF AND GEMS - from stash

All edges inked using Tim Holtz (Tea Dye)

 

Challenges...

 

DYNAMIC DUOS - Ch. #42 - 'Dark Green and yellow'

 

CREATED WITH LOVE CHALLENGES - CWLC 31 - 'Anything Goes

 

SUNDAY SKETCH & STAMP - Ch. #146 - 'Berit's Sketch' 

 

CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGES 2 - Ch. #5 - 'Mother's Day'

 

CRAFTS AND ME CHALLENGES - Ch. #122 - 'Dies or punches'

 

THE SUGAR BOWL - Ch. #100 - 'Use a Sugar Nellie Stamp'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Tuesday'

 

 

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

 

 

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What's Cooking?

I hope you're having a good day, I know its Monday and it seems a long way until the weekend, or perhaps you're like me and do most of your work at the weekends, meaning that the dreaded Monday, is in fact, a good day!

 

I've just cooked (and cleared away) our 'Sunday Lunch' so I thought I would post a cooking related card...

 

 

 

CARD BASE - Dk. brown cardstock (11 1/2" x 5 3/4") - scored and folded in half, corners rounded with a corner punch

1ST TRIANGLE - 'BASICGREY' Life of the Party 'How You've Grown' (5 1/4" x 5 1/4", cut in half diagonally) - 'X-cut' border punch 'Sparkler' and a corner rounder punch

2ND TRIANGLE -  'BASICGREY' Life of the Party ' 'Paper Straws' (5 1/4" x 5 1/4", cut in half diagonally) - 'X-cut' border punch 'Sparkler' and a corner rounder punch

IMAGE MAT - Dk. brown cardstock cut using Cricut Expression 'CRICUT CRAFT ROOM BASICS' - 'shadow' 'shalloped circle' real dial size ON (4 1/4")

STAMPED IMAGE - 'STAMP N DOODLE' 'Madison's Kitchen' (4" circle) - coloured with promarkers

GEMS AND SENTIMENT - from stash

All edges inked with Tim Holtz (tea dye)

 

Challenges...

 

 FRIDAY SKETCH CHALLENGE - Sketch #38 Made by By Carol

 

STAMP N DOODLE CHALLENGE - Use 2 different punches or dies

 

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

 

 

 

So Happy For You

Morning Peeps...

Made a little card for a friend this morning, I'd made the die-cut image ("So Happy For You") awhile ago and had it in my stash, so when a friend found out she'd just got a promotion at work, I decided to use it.

 

Again, today I've been very frugel (or crafty), by using up lots of things in my stash.  As I said the die-cut image had been made awhile ago, cut out using my Cricut Expression from the 'SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE' cartridge.  The papers are 'BASICGREY' patterned papers (off-cuts from previous creativity), they are from the 'Life of the Party' stack, I used 'Block Party' and 'Ice cream Headache'.  All of the die-cutting has been mounted on to foam pads to make it 'pop'.  With a little faux stitching and some contrasting coloured gems my creation has come to life!

 

Challenges...

 

DIE CUTTIN DIVA - Ch. #104 - 'Tic Tac Toe'

 

MY CRAFT SPOT - Ch. #88 - 'Pop it Up'

 

BASICGREY CHALLENGES - Ch. #88 - 'Anything Goes'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Monday'

 

 

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

 

 

Not an Anniversay

If I had managed to stay married, today would of been my 23rd wedding anniversary, but since I've been divorce for ten years... it's not!  I suppose the fact that I still remember the date (along with the date of his infidelity and the arrival of my decree absolute) is a testament to the devastation of a broken marriage.  Such a shame when things go wrong!  I suppose this is why I so admire anyone who has remained happily and faithfully married for any number of years!  So Happy (NOT) Anniversary...

 

I made this today...

 

 

All of the materials used are from my stash, promarkers (of course) to colour this digi stamp from 'SATURATED CANARY' she's called 'Nevaeh', all the papers and embellishments (including the promarker touched-up flowers) have been gathering dust in my share room... I've been VERY good today, using up lots of bits!

 

I followed a sketch from 'SWEET SKETCH WEDNESDAY' #195 (turned around)...

 

 

... and a colour combo from 'DARING CARDMAKERS' Challenge for March 

Even though I've combined a lot of different challenge requirements, I think it turned out pretty well!

 

Challenges...

 

SWEET SKETCH WEDNESDAY - Ch. #195

 

FAB 'N' FUNKY CHALLENGES - Ch. #160 - 'Pastel Colours'

 

DARING CARDMAKERS - 'March Colour Combo'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Sunday'

 

 

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

 

 

 

Bilious?

My promarkers have been working overtime...

 

I liked this image, (Saturated Canary 'Walker Girl') but wasn't sure what would be the better occasion to use it.  I decided to put it on a 'Get Well Soon' card today (since she's looking decidedly 'green around the gills'!).  I think she'd make a great Halloween image!

 

CARD BASE - Pearlescent white cardstock (9 3/4" x 6 7/8") - scored and folded in half

1ST MAT - 'ECHO PARK' 'The Apothecary Emporium' 'Alchemy Press' (4 1/2" x 6 1/2")

2ND/4TH/6TH MAT - 'MY MIND'S EYE' (MME) 'Blink of an Eye' (2 3/4" x 4 5/8")

3RD MAT - 'MME' 'Blink of an Eye' (2 5/8" x 4 1/2")

5TH MAT - Green cardstock (from stash) (2 5/8" x 4 1/2") -  embossed

STAMPED IMAGE - 'SATURATED CANARY' 'Walker Girl' (2 5/8" x 4 1/2")

SENTIMENT MAT - 'MME' 'Blink of an Eye' (1 1/8" x 1 1/8")

SENTIMENT - 'PERSONAL IMPRESSION' 'Mixed Sentiment Set' - on 1" punched circle

BUTTONS/GEM - From stash

All edges inked using Tim Holtz (Tea Dye)

 

Challenges...

 

~CRAFT US CRAZY~  - Ch. #38 - 'Anything Goes'

 

SATURATED CANARY CHALLENGE BLOG - Ch. # 38 - 'Good vs Evil'

 

 

 

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Sunshine and Summer

Hi, thanks for stopping by.

 

The sun is out here (makes a change, it seems forever since the sun showed it's face!).  With this in mind, I decided to use lots of bright, happy, sunny colours today.  So we're all about oranges, reds and yellows.

 

 

CARD BASE - white cardstock (8 1/2" x 5 3/4") -  scored and folded in half
1ST MAT - Orange 'Cricut' paper (4" x 5 1/2")
2ND MAT - 'My Mind's Eye' (MME) 6x6 stack 'Blink of an Eye' (3 5/8" x 5 1/8")
3RD MAT - Lt. blue 'Cricut' paper (1 1/2" x 5 1/8")
4TH MAT - MME 'Blink of an Eye' (1 1/2" x 5 1/8") - 'X-cut' border punch 'Sparkler'
5TH MAT - Lt. blue 'Cricut' paper (3 5/8" x 1")
6TH MAT - MME 'Blink of an Eye' (3 5/8" x 1") - 'X-cut' border punch 'Looped Fringe'
STAMPED IMAGE - 'Hippie' by 'StitchyBear' - coloured with promarkers and pop-up using foam pads
SENTIMENT -  Rubber stamp by 'Keepsake Card Craft' - "From One Babe To Another"
All edges inked using Tim Holtz (Tea Dye)
GEMS - copper
STICKLES - icicle
STITCHING - 'Pentel' permanent marker

INSIDE MATS...
1ST MAT - MME 'Blink of an Eye' (7/8" x 5 1/2")
2ND MAT - Orange 'Cricut' paper (2 7/8" x 5 1/4")
3RD MAT - Lt. blue 'Cricut' paper (2 5/8" x 5") - left-overs from the 'Sparkler' punch in MME 'Blink of an Eye adhered to top and bottom
CIRCLES - MME ' Blink of an Eye' (1" circle punch)

I'm pleased with the way this turned out and I'm really liking this FREE didi stamp... thanks 'StitchyBear'.

Challenges...

PILE IT ON - #8 - 'Sunshine'

USE YOUR STUFF - # 73 - 'Summer'

DIE CUTTIN DIVAS - #104 - 'Tic, Tac, Toe' - middle row - gems, 3 patterned papper, stitching(faux)

 ONE STITCH AT A TIME - #152 - 'Use a Digi'

LADY ANNE'S CHALLENGES - Nana Vic's 4th Ch. - 'Anything Goes'

LADY ANNE'S CHALLENGES - 6th Stamp Ch. - 'Use A Stamp'

PAPER PLAYTIME - Ch. #4 - 'Sentiment Stamp'

MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES - 'Lovely Ladies'

BROWN SUGAR CHALLENGE BLOG - CH. #31 - 'Greeting'

A CARD A DAY Blogging -Saturday

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

 

Stampin with the Dragon

WOW, I heard yesterday, I won a challenge!  Thank you 'STAMPIN WITH THE DRAGON' not only have I won a digi stamp vochure... but, I also get to help design and name a stamp!!!

 

I am 'made-up'...

 

What would you design?  I'm thinking Welsh dragon... well it was St. David's Day and I do live in Wales,  we'll see what Janette thinks... watch this space!

 

I'm away from home for a couple of days at the moment, I've just got back from a five course Welsh Celebration Dinner (in honour of St. David's Day... well the Welsh were honouring it, I was eating!).  So, no cards for a day or two, but I'll be back to it soon xxx

 

 

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Boys Will Be Boys IV

'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'... Number Four

 

Released in September 2010, BWBB is one of those cartridges you return to again and again.  It has lots of boy-themed images (naturally), but also two great fonts. 

       

 

 

The Creative Features are:- 'layer', 'arrow font', 'block font', 'phrase', 'phrase layer' and 'shadow'.  The images are everything little boys could wish for, bugs, worms, snails and sports, although many of the images can be made girl-friendly with the simple use of girly colours and papers.  I love the 'shift layer' feature (circle or square block background), I think it makes the image one that can 'stand alone', particularly good for cards, but I think this cartridge really comes into its own when its used for scrapbooking, especially the fonts.  The cuts are very simple, which makes this a great cartridge for beginners.   There are also some embossing folders available out there for this cartridge (and the Robotz cartridge) called 'Cuttlebug Companion'.

 

My View... one of the best out there, both for scrapbooking and card-making, the images are bold and very versitile.  You will never be without an idea with this cartridge in your collection, especially if you make anything for children.  Your biggest problem will be... deciding what to cut first.

 

My Verdict... just go and get it.  It is definately in my top five!  Love it, love it, love it!!!

And just to prove that, it may be called 'Boys Will Be Boys' but that doesn't mean the girls can't get a look in!

 

I managed to use up aload of scraps doing this (pat on the back, please). The aeroplane is cut at 2 3/4" and the sentiment says.. "You're Just PLANE Cute", the edges are inked with Tim Holtz (victorian Velvet), I think my ribbon is a little skew-wiff, but what can you do? I'm not perfect! Another one for my niece's birthday, at this rate she'll have a box full!

 

Challenges:-

 

FANTABULOUS CRICUT - #150 - 'FCCB's Fun With Puns'

 

PAPER CRAFTING INSPIRATION - CWC #123 - 'Things With Wings'

 

CELEBRATE THE OCCASION - Ch. #101 - 'Girl's Birthday' ~ must use pink

 

CRAFTY CARDZ CHALLENGE - Ch #126 - 'Make a Wish' ~ make a child's birthday card

 

 

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

 

 

 

 



Animal Kingdom III

Number three in 'MY Cricut Cartridge Series'

Release April 2006 now discontinued, designed by Marie Cole, 'ANIMAL KINGDOM'.

 

The creative features are:- 'head', 'sound', 'bookmark', 'border', 'shadow' and 'blackout'.  The images are great and very detailed without being overwhelming.  I love the bookmark feature.  This cartridge allows you to cut out the head of the individual animals or the sounds that they make, included are also various phrases, such as "wild thing", "monkey business", "splish splash"etc. The border feature means you can create a veritably 'herd' of animals should you wish. Cricut have also produced a paper pad (6x12) to go with this cartridge, it contains various animal prints and co-ordinating papers.

 

My View... at some point during your crafting you ARE going to need this cartridge (or at least animal images), whether you could get away with one of the other cartridges? I'm not sure.  I think this cartridge would be especially good for scrapbooking and for producing teaching aids for children.  The whole animal kingdom is covered in one go here, but since this cartridge is now discontinued perhaps it is a moot point anyway!  It may be available 'digitally' to use with the 'Cricut Craft Room' however.

 

My Verdict... lets just say, I'm glad I've got this cartridge!
 

 

 Here's what I decided to do... the bookmark feature is really nice, but I only gives you the block image (as in the first picture), in order to get some detailing in there I consulted my 'Gypsy'.

 

On the Gypsy, firstly I loaded in the image of the lion bookmark at 6 1/2" (p.112), then I added another 'page' and loaded the image of the lion and it's layers.  With the first page (lion bookmark) silhouetted in the background I adjusted the size of the lion (and the layers) to fit correctly over the bookmark, in this case the size turned out to be 1.9".  I then used my Cricut Expression to cut the lion with the bookmark feature key pressed (to make the bookmark) at 6 1/5", next I used the gyspy (connected to the Cricut Expression) to cut the lion and its layers. 'A bit fiddley, I know, but worth it if you want more than the standard bookmark.  I used 'Echo Park' 'This & That - Charming' paper pad 'Vintage fans' and 'border strips'.  I didn't have an appropriate stamp to make the face so I just free-handed it with a 'black' promarker (though I did need to use a fine nib - available in packs of three from Letraset), I also added some shading to the body of the lion with a 'sandstone' promarker.  I hope you like it, next time I'm gonna give him a royal crown!

 

Challenges:-

 

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE BLOG - #195 - 'Animals'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - Wednesday

 

 

MAY ALL YOUR BLADES BE SHARP!

 

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

 

 

 

 

Alphalicious II

The Cricut 'Font' Cartridges come in orange boxes, 'Image' Cartridges come in blue boxes and 'Classmates' Cartridges come in green boxes. There are some exceptions to these colors, when the cartridge is exclusive to certain companies. Recently new cartridges have been released that have a variety of coloured covers. You'll need to check the front to see if they are marked "Art" cartridge. That means they are mainly "image" cartridges.  'Solutions' Cartridges only have about 50 images on them. 'Seasonal' Cartridges only have about 25 images on them. Neither Solutions, nor Seasonal Cartridges have handbooks with them.  Cricut 'Cake' Cartridges can be used with any Cricut machine, not just the Cricut Cake.

So here's the second of 'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet' -  'ALPHALICIOUS', this is a font cartridge and is designed by rob and bob studio.

 

     

 

The creative features are:- 'short stack', 'crown tag', 'matchbook', 'crest card', 'shadow' and 'short stack shadow'.  The font styles are great, very modern in design and the different creative features make this a pretty versilite cartridge.  The 'matchbook' feature is really good for something different, particularly if you like to put small gifts and/or sachets into your cards.  I also like that there is both a 'card' and a 'tag' feature.  As well as this, there are some phrases towards the back of the booklet, although I think it would have been nice to include some kind of 'love' phrase.

 

My View... as font cartridges go, this is a good one (it can be difficult to make a card using ONLY a font cartridge unless you are making something very simple), but I come back to this cartridge time and time again when I need an alphabet. 

 

My Verdict... if you get it, I have NO DOUBT that you'll use it!

 

 

 

 

This is cut using the 'card' feature button (p.121) with 'ALPHALICIOUS', I love the shape of it.  Here I have used it for a 'love' card but I think it would work particularly well for a 'halloween' card.  The dogs are cut using 'BOYS WILL BE BOYS' and the hearts are from 'ACCENT ESSENTIALS', the flowers are from my stash., with added sparkle (stickles) of course!

 

Challenges...

 

PAPER CRAFTING INSPIRATION - #122 - 'Love Your Pet'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - Tuesday

 

CRAFTY CATZ - 'Dies and Punches'

 

PIN AND TACK - #6 - 'Anything Goes' - "Spark Your Creativity Now!"

 

CARDS TV - #125 - 'Critter Cuties'

 

FAB 'N' FUNKY - #159 - 'Flower Power'

 

HECK OF A CHALLENGE - ' Love Is All Around Us...'

 

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE BLOG - #195 - 'Animals'

 

THE PINK ELEPHANT - TPE 188 - 'Anything Goes'

 

 

 

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Winner!

What can I say... Thank you Doodle Pantry for, not only giving us such great digital stamp images, but for giving me a $15 voucher for winning their #31 challenge!

I just love their 'birdie' images, so here's another one courtesy of Doodle Pantry!

 

Very simple - downloaded; copied and pasted into MS Word; printed out onto white cardstock; coloured with promarkers; trimmed down to the desired size; edges inked; adhered onto a glittery leaf mat (from scrap pile) and "I Thank You"!

 



A CARD A DAY Blogging - Monday

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LOL

There are so few occasions when we actually 'Laugh Out Loud', that we should celebrate those times.

What makes you LOL?

I found a great blog the other day Kircut Krazy, what made me LOL...

This...

My fear is that I will die, and my husband will sell all my stuff for the price I told him I paid...

"If she dies, I have to sell her stuff for 3x the amount she claims she paid so I can get HALF the amount she did."

 

 

 

...I'm still chuckling!

 

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'My Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'

ACCENT ESSENTIALS I

So today (after work, although I haven't got too much to do today), I feel the need to go through my Cricut cartridges and try to make a card with each one - sound good?  I would like to do this in some sense of order... but which order?  Do I do it alphabetically? Or chronologically? Or some other way?

 

Alphabetically... then it will not be alphabetical when I buy a new cartridge (which I KNOW I will)

 

Chronologically... when they came out? Or when I bought them? Decisions, decisions!

Answers on a postcard, please!

Anyway my first cartridge will be 'ACCENT ESSENTIAL' (because it starts with an 'a'), so what can I tell you about this cartridge?

According to the Cricut Gods this cartridge is available only when you buy a Cricut Expression machine (yeah right, ebay?) and is designed by  rob and bob studio.

   





I suppose nowadays we'd call this cartridge a 'lite' or 'solutions' cartridge as it only has one creative feature - 'shadow'.  But it does have some great cuts, although it is easily overlooked for some of the more complicated cartridges.  It is a testiment to how easy it is to ignore that my booklet has not even been opened! And yet, the snowflake on p.44 and the swirl on p.47 are two very versitile images, as is the hexagon on p.76 this shape is very 'IN' at the moment.

My view... the accent essential is probably not very 'essential' but most people who have a cricut (or at least who have bought it new, unlike me) have got this cartridge as it was part of the Cricut Expression bundle, so why not give it a bit of a study, you WILL find some great cuts to use. 

My verdict... you COULD do without it, but if you've got it USE IT!!!

So the first in 'My Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'...

Accent Essential Cartridge

CARD BASE - white cardstock (5 7/8" x 8 1/4") - scored and folded in half
1ST MAT - pink 'Cricut' paper (5 3/4" x 4")
2ND MAT - 'Helz Cuppleditch' 'Bazoo', sparkly leaf design (5 1/2" x 3 3/4")
3RD MAT - 'Echo Park' 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe', Mango Small Dot (2" x 3 3/34")
BORDER - pink 'Cricut' paper (1" x 3 3/4") - 'X-Cut' border punch 'sparkler', faux stitching

CRICUT CUT - 'ACCENT ESSENTIALS'
1ST CUT - 'Echo Park' 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe', Mango Small Dot - p.34 <accent3s>  (3")
2ND CUT - pink 'Cricut' paper - p.34 <accent3s> (2 3/4")
3RD CUT - pale green cardstock (from stash) - p.34 <accent3s> (2 1/2")
4TH CUT - 'Echo Park' 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe' Lemon Drop Small Dot - p.66 <accenr35s> (2 1/4")
1" circle punch for the centre circle with a Peachy Keen 3/4" face stamp

SENTIMENT - 'A Loving hello' from stash
RIBBON -'American Craft'
All edges inked with Time Holtz 'Wild Honey'

CREATED WITH LOVE CHALLENGE - #30 - 'Mid Winter Break... Bright and Cheerful'

MAY ALL YOUR ESSENTIALS BE ACCENTED!

 

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