Naughty Gnomes

Today is our 43rd (YIKES!) Wedding Anniversary and I was a bit stumped for a card for hubby.  Thought I'd do something cutsie and funny in conjunction with the Oddball Art Stamps September "Naughty Gnomes" theme and this is what I came up with using img #463 Ol' Gnome Love.  (Fitting, eh?)  I used  the Heart Puzzle die by Elizabeth's Craft for the first time and assembled it in pieces so I could separate it and put the Gnomes in the center.  They're colored with Copics and attached to the center puzzle pieces and popped. Nice fit!  (Any symbolism was purely unintentional, LOL)  The sentiment on the front was computer generated.

Inside I used the sentiment that came with Ol' Gnome Love, although I changed the "we" to "I" and added some epoxy hearts and xoxox's.  Papers are from the old DCWV Madly in Love Stack.  He got a kick out of it.





I'm also adding this to the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Festive Friday Anniversary theme, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #249 AG (3/3), Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #89 (2/3), Crafting by Design AG (1/3 sponsor image), A Gem of a Challenge #226 Wedding Anniversary, Wedding Day, Engagement...

My 40th Anniversary Card

Yup, do you believe it?  Today David and I are celebrating 40 years of marriage. WOW time sure does fly.  I've had this card in my head for awhile and just couldn't resist.  The fab image is Lucy Loo 'Love Me' from The East Wind.  

And inside.  There's a lot of things that contribute to a lasting marriage and one of them for sure is a sense of humor.  Actually, he tells me this all the time, so I'm sure he'll smile.  That's all for now.  We've got some celebrating to do.

Macabre Monday Who Are You Calling a Succubus?

It's another Macabre Monday and this week's challenge is "Who Are You Calling a Succubus?", sponsored by the fabulous Kenny K Downloads.  What's a Succubus?  Well, I'm telling you, she be NAUGHTY! (NFD)  In modern fictional representations, a succubus may or may not appear in dreams and is often depicted as a highly attractive seductress or enchantress; whereas, in the past, succubi were generally depicted as frightening and demonic.   For the full definition, check out HDH.  I've used the fab image Cabaret.  The background is done digitally from images from the net.

The image is colored with Copics and I printed her a second time and fussy cut her head and legs and popped them for dimension.  (Doubt that's the only thing gettin' popped here.)  I considered adding horns, but then thought the flames blowing out her a** were hot enough.  LOL  I'm thinkin' this makes a good Anniversary card.  Ya think you can handle it, Sweetie?  OK Hot Stuff, I'm all YOURS!  Be sure to check out HDH to see the rest of our bevy of beauties and don't forget Wretched Wednesday for the mid week inspiration and GT reveal.

BBTB2 Window to my World Challenge

Happy Monday everyone.  It's time for another BBTB2 challenge, this time hosted by our fabulous Brenda.  Brenda has chosen the theme "Window to my World".  Isn't that fun?  You may use any Cricut cart to create your window, so let's peek inside.  Following my new theme of using neglected carts, I chose the beautiful window from French Manor that I tweaked in DS to get the proportions I wanted.  There were not as many layering feature to the cut as I'd hoped either, so I ended up cutting it several times and then cutting it apart to emboss different parts and add additional features.  When you change the shape of a cut like that, you also have to manipulate the layers to fit, which can sometimes be challenging.  There was no trim for the semi circular to window so I used the border feature and played around with it until one of the shapes fit and then cut it apart as well.

Obviously love is in the air.  The cute couple is from the Sweethearts cart.  I love how they can't take there eyes off each other.  Do you have someone you feel that way about?  I surely do and he's my whole world.  To further jazz up the window, I added some trim from several MS punches and lightly inked my embossing.  So how come this card isn't standing up?  Well...

I really wanted to do something a bit different this week.  Actually, I had some technical difficulties with my first design which involved a pull up shade and sort of had to switch gears mid stream (wow, how's that for some mixed metaphors?  Bear with me, it's early yet) so I turned it into a "matchbook" card.  The front sort of tucks into the fence portion to keep it closed.  I say "sort of" because with the thickness of the front and the short fence it only sort of works. The roses help, a little.  And it doesn't stand up which bugs me MORE than sort of.  But it was late in the game so it is what it is, but I'll probably rip it apart and make a proper shaped card instead.  So are you excited to see more window projects?  Stop by BBTB2 and have a look at the fabulous creations from the rest of the team.  And come join us with a Cricut cut window project of your own, but please follow the rules to be fair to all. 

BBTB2 Kitchen Challenge

We're continuing this week with our "theme challenges" at BBTB2 and our fabulous Julia has chosen "things found in the kitchen".  I'm really enjoying the freedom of creativity and variety of inspiration the team is coming up with for these themed challenges.  How about you?  I've actually done a toaster card before using From My Kitchen (click HERE ) but this time I used the toaster on Nifty Fifties along with the hot mit from From my Kitchen to create a pocket card.

I had to do a little messing around in DS to make a shadow for my toaster and also to extend the toast into a whole slice so I manipulated and welded shapes from George to do just that.  You lift out the toast to reveal the computer generated sentiment.

I cut the mit twice (once flipped) and glued them together but seem to have forgotten to do that for the toast.  Guess this was the heel of the loaf.  LOL  You can still write a personalized greeting here though, don'tcha think?

In some cases I did some trimming to get a little more dimension to the card, like the legs and knob as well as the toast from the top base cut.  My foam is placed strategically to capture the toast without much "play" and I made sure the foam on the other layers didn't allow for it to slip in the wrong place.  The retro paper is from DCWV Nana's Kitchen and I couldn't resist blinging it up a bit with adhesive beads.  I think this would be cute for a bridal shower, or even an anniversary.  However, it doesn't stand up, so I might add an easel back before sending it to someone.  If you're interested in free .cut files and directions for some of my other "kitchen themed" cards click HERE for the Mixer, HERE for the Pot, and HERE for the Coffee Pot.  And wait 
'til you see the fab offerings by the BBTB2 team!  Loads of inspiration and lots of fun going on at BBTB2.  Can't wait to see what you come up with. 

BBTB2 Freshly Picked Gnomes Challenge

Happy Monday! It's time for another BBTB2 challenge and this week our dear and fabuously talented DT sister Theresa chose any gnome from the Freshly Picked cartridge. I fortunately do have Freshly Picked, but if you don't, you must drop by BBTB2 to see the creative ways my sisters came up with gnomes from other carts. Super fun! I made a gatefold card by welding the flipped shadows of the gnomes to the shadow of the gazebo. Amazingly, the whole card is made using Freshly Picked! WooHoo!

There are quite a few layers to these gnomes, and I find that one of the easiest ways to deal with that is to cut some of the layers in plain white card stock and color them with my Copics. Besides the areas that will show, I also color around the edges of where the layers will be placed (especially if I'm gonna pop them) so you don't have glaring white edges when you view the card from the side. It doesn't have to be neat or anything, or solid. Color just a quarter inch or so in. I considered trying to draw a mouth on the Juliet (I've got Gnomeo and Juliet on the brain, here) but decided against it. Heck, Tilda gets along fine with no mouth. Just think how popular she is. And anyway, Juliet doesn't look like she's missed too many meals...so...

I didn't do a whole lot of popping on this one, quite frankly because I was still working on it this morning. Nothing like waking up at 4:30 AM on Monday knowing you have a DT project to finish! But yesterday was gorgeous (for the first time in weeks), and when DH asked if I wanted to go out for a late lunch at one of the wineries I just couldn't refuse. And after...well...

I only cut the gazebo in one layer because popping the inside makes it difficult to close and at some point I'll add a sentiment. I did emboss it with the Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug folder, though and did a bit of doodling. The vines and flowers wiere also cut in shite and colored with Copics and I added yellow adhesive pearl centers. so what do you think? Maybe cute for an anniversary card? Inside it could say "Just like Gnomeo and Juliet". They don't die in that movie, do they? Well, it's another gorgeous day and I'm off to walk. Don't want to end up looking like Juliet... Catch ya later.

The Cuttlebug Spot Opens the Gates

Our challenges all month at The Cuttlebug Spot are highlighting unique card folds and this week we're opening the gates with gate fold cards. I wanted to try something a bit different by making my gate fold card look like a gate so I used my Spellbinders lattice border (the one that cuts on only one side) to cut and emboss the top of the gate as well as the front pieces that open. I started with a piece of white card stock that was 6x11" and scored it to make a gatefold. Then I cut down the scores to where I wanted the top of the front of the card to end and then cut it across. Then I used the border along the top back and turned the card over and aligned the die at the fold of each side and ran it through the Cuttlebug again. (Again, hope this makes sense. I haven't really had time to do a tutorial, sorry) Then I cut blue mats and white mats which I embossed. The front panels are embossed with Swiss Dots, and the inner panels with Formal Squares.

The top of the inside mat is embossed with the Cuttlebug border folder from the Organic Flourish set. I scored a line and then embossed the remainder with Swiss Dots. The ribbon which is woven through the lattice on the front and holds the card closed is captured by the inside mats. Of course I added a few adhesive pearls and some butterflies punched with MS punches for embellishement. I haven't finished the inside because I'm not sure of the occasion. Wedding or anniversary, perhaps? Well, there are lots more fabulous gate fold cards at The Cuttlebug Spot so why not check them out and have a go yourself?

Tiddly Inks Monochromatic Challenge

It's another Tiddly Tuesday and this week our challenge is Monochromatic at the Tiddly Inks Challenge Blog. I'm obviously still in the mood for love, using As You Wish behind my Nestie Heart window. This is one of Christy's most romantic images which always brings to mind the quote, from a poem by Anne (Dudley) Bradstreet. It says, (in case you can't read it through the yummy paper) "If ever two were one, then surely we". I'm pretty sure I first heard this in the early 70's when I was learning about life and true love and it has stayed with me all these years. MMMMmmm....perfect love. It truly warms my heart.

The couple and roses on the front are colored with Copics and the lovely corner flourish is a Spellbinder's die from Heartfelt Creations. There are gorgeous example of monochromatic designs by the Tiddly Inkers so be sure to check out their lovely work HERE and pop by Christy's blog for a peek at what's new and a fab freebie sentiment. Remember, we welcome all images in our challenges, but you are only eligible to win a prize if you use a Tiddly Inks image. You can find some each Tuesday on Christy's blog, The Tiddly Inks PCP Group (just ask to join if you're not already a member), and some permanent ones in the Shop. Hope to see you soon!

Cutie Couples from Peggy Loves Vintage

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Peggy has release 3 new sets of Cuties Couples Cut Outs available on the Peggy Loves Vintage Website, Etsy, and Ebay stores. The cut outs are an easy fast way to enjoy Peggy's adorable images and I immediately fell in love with this cute couple from Cutie Couples 3. You remember my dinner party last week? Well, I pulled out all the stops with my best china, crystal and silver, but the bad news was it all required hand washing. We had spent 2 days cleaning and cooking and enjoyed it all immensely, but at 1:00am I was hardly in the the mood to begin washing the mounds of dishes (although waking up to them is infinitely worse). As I was wrapping up leftovers, there was DH washing away. Got to love him! The retro DP is DCWV Nana's kichen stack and the sentiment was computer generated using my Greeting Card Factory Deluxe program.

I used Scalloped Rectangles and Petite Circle Nesties on the front and Mega Classic Ovals and Mega Scalloped Oval Nesties inside. The hearts are a MS punch. I thought it would make a cute Valentine or Anniversary card, or in this case, a Thank You.

Peggy Loves Vintage and a Freebie

I was craving vintage so where better to find it than Peggy Loves Vintage printable images. I pulled out the Scottish CD Volume 1 and besides all of the adorable little Scottie dogs I fell in love with this romantic couple (and the little doggie's pretty darn cute, too). I'm low on anniversary cards in my stash and thought this would make a lovely one, or perhaps for a wedding so I chose a Best Wishes peel-off sentiment. WooHoo, double duty! The coordinating papers are from Making Memories. I trimmed the image with some more peelie borders, added some adhesive beads and some gorgeous tassel trim (thanks Kellie) and had a beautiful card in minutes.

But I couldn't stop there. Peggy has acquired her very first "official" vintage Halloween card and she's sharing it with ALL of us! Isn't She a Sweetheart? This little ghostie is up for grabs at the Peggy Loves Vintage Blog. I saved it to my computer, printed him out, cut a mat with my Labels Nine Nesties and some cool goo from the border of a Creative Imaginations page. The little tag letters Rebecca Sower Nostalgiques for Sticko (from M's). A few beads and some Halloween ribbon and I was two for two. So be sure to browse around the Peggy Loves Vintage Blog for more fun freebies and be sure to visit the STORE to preview the new CD's. She also has some deals going on just in time for the holidays. Remember, those CD's are available in FTP format as well if you just can't wait for the mail and there are downloadable Greeting Card Cut-Outs for a quick vintage fix. Enjoy!

Macabre Monday Monochrome Monstrosities

Well it's another Macabre Monday and we at Haunted Design House are challenging you to do a Monochrome Monstrosity but... you must use black/grey, orange, green, or purple. Do you sense a Halloween thing going on here? LOL Well, I've gone with the black/grey and the Dia de los Muertos theme because I LOVE prolonging the Halloween experience and like the thought of my loved ones enjoying their life after death. My dining room is all set up (during the season) with ofrendas to my dearly departed with pictures and memorabilia in my hutch and on my sideboard. I even have made sugar skulls for my Mom and Dad and have a skully wedding couple next to their wedding picture along with the actual top to their wedding cake. Sorry, does that creep you out?

Anyway, I've done a bit of masking with some of my Stampotique stamps. I've masked the faces of Moth Fab and Bowtie (tell me they don't make a cute couple) and added skeletal faces from my new Halloween Cube 1 and 2. I think I may like this better than the originals. LOL They're shaded with Copics and cut with Nesties Mega Curved Rectangles.

Paper is the 6x6 Basic Grey Eerie pad and fiber and flowers are from my stash. The tombstone is a Cuttlebug cut and emboss set, inked with Distress Pumice Stone and a computer generated sentiment. Might make a nice anniversary card, eh? So now go have a looky at the rest of the Minions handiwork and don't forget to play along. We LOVE seeing your dark side.

Anniversary Card and BBTB2 Blog Hop Winner

Monday is our 35th Anniversary, but before I say anything else, I want to thank Queen B. Without the inspiration from her adorable Tiddly Inks Back to School card, I would still be scrambling for the perfect idea. Now perhaps I have some 'splaining to do. My DH (that's dear husband, Andrea) always gives me the sweetest, most romantic cards on the planet. I've learned however, over the past 35 years, that he prefers...something...else. LOL When I saw the KennyK's Gothik Angelz digis (this one's Allura Von D, isn't she cheeky? ahhh...literally!) I KNEW that one of those babes FOR sure was gonna end up on the card, but NerdyBot from Tiddly Inks? Oh yeah, perfect!

When we were in college my sorority sisters teased the crap out of me for dating a PhD candidate in PHYSICS. They went so far as to buy the poster "Are you a NERD?" (with the guy in the flood pants, white short sleeved shirt and tie with the pocket protector, taped together glasses and slide rule on his belt) and hung it in my room. Trust me, David NEVER looked like that. (I picked him out at the MSU swimming pool...enough said! ;D ) He, however, frequently refers to himself as a nerd so I'm reasonably sure no offense will be taken. I'm positive he'll get a kick out of the sentiment (and little Allura there) and I guarantee he'll LOLwhen he opens it up. That however, is private, but let's just say there may be some reference to a slide rule. HeeHee! (Sorry, haven't cleaned the gutter yet.)

Now on to what you've TRULY been waiting for; the winner of the $30.00 gift certificate to Custom Crops. DRUMROLL PLEASE.....................................

WooHoo! Congratulations # 81, Penniannie who wrote

Please email me at dlmundinger (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange for your prize.

Oh and I apologize if I haven't made it around to your blog this week. I'm scrambling to get my DT stuff done so we can truly enjoy the weekend. (I promised no crafting)

The Cuttlebug Spot 2x2 Challenge

Where's my BBTB2 card? Well, I haven't done it yet due to all of the party preparations but perhaps will have one tomorrow. In the meantime, I DID complete my Cuttlebug Spot card which this week is to use 2x2 folders or dies. I have LOADS of them yet I rarely think to use them so I enjoyed this challenge immensely. My card is very simple using the 4 folders from the Cuttlebug Formal Squares set. I cut them with my Nesties and backed them with Nestie Scalloped Squares. They are arranged on a mat embossed with Swiss Dots and the sentiment is from a Sizzix wedding set cut with my Nesties Petite Regular and Scalloped Ovals and popped. Went together really quick but I thought this would make a great wedding or anniversary card. Now go and take a look at the fab cards created by my DT sisters and why not have a go at it yourself? There's a $20 gift certificate to Custom Crops up for grabs.

Stampotique Color Challenge - "Made for Each Other"

Well I missed the first Stampotique Designer's challenge and was determined NOT to miss this one. It's a color challenge using rose, yellow and mossy green and you MUST use a Stampotique stamp this time. I've been dying to use these 2 stamps by Daniel Torente together. Don't Moth Fab and Bowtie make a cute couple? IMOO they're MFEO! I added a rub on flower in his hand and a couple of hearts and there you go. True love! WooHoo! Wouldn't this make a cute anniversary card?

BBTB2 Sweetheart Love Stamp Challenge and Wow What a Party at CHA

Holy moley, I've lost track of the days! Day 1 of CHA was AMAZING but I'll get to that later (if I manage to stay awake). This week on BTTB2 the lovely and talented Marina has chosen the Love Stamp from Sweethearts. Fortunately I was inspired in time to complete the challenge before my trip. This traditional card was layered with the heart window cut through all of the front layers to reveal a sneak peak of the couple inside. The colors were inspired by our first BBTB2 contest of using purple on your Valentine. The stamp layer was embossed with one of the new HSN Cuttlebug folders and the"sweetheart" was cut from, oh oh, I'm having a senior moment. Was it Sweethearts too? I don't think so but I'm WAY too tired to look it up...sorry!

Inside reveals the full couple and the computer generated sentiment"You swept me off my feet" printed on a heart cut with my Nestabilities. I thought this would also be cute for an anniversary.

Here's the dimensional view. It's WAy past my bed time (for the third night in a row) and honestly I'd LOVE to amputate my feet at this point! BUT...

The ProvoCraft party tonight was sooo amazing! I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the "cake walk" participants along with Nilda (WooHoo Cuttlebug Spot!) and unlucky enough to be the first one out but to my surprise, because of that, I received an extra gift besides the gorgeous Williams Sonoma cake gift basket in honor of the launch of Cricut Cake; a 2 cartridge gift of the Christmas/Noel and Designers Calendar. AND as if that wasn't enough, EVERYBODY was a winner. WE ALL received the Sweet Treats cartridge (which I did NOT have yet) and yes, you guessed it A CRICUT CAKE MACHINE!!!!!!!!! OMG! Thank you Provo Craft, and DOUBLE, TRIPLE, QUADRUPLE thanks to Custom Crops for inviting me to come along to CHA! You guys are THE BEST (and WAY too much FUN)! Tomorrow we'll be visiting even MORE exciting new products at CHA. Pinch me, I must be dreaming! Night night.

A Toast 2U-.Cut File Available, BBTB Blog Hop Winner, and a Crop Stop Hop.

Happy World Card Making Day! Guess what I'll be doing? You too? Let's all celebrate together. WooHoo! (As if I'm not making cards EVERY day. LOL) Here's yet ANOTHER card for Custom Crops from the new From My Kitchen. I told you I LOVE that cart! I'm also lovin' the Nana's Kitchen stack from DCWV. So perfectly retro for these cuts. The only other cart I used was a bit of Plantin Schoolbook. I love the font From My Kitchen uses for their welded words. The free .cut file and full instructions are available HERE.

I'm running out of things to say about these cards but I can't stop making them. Hope you get a kick out of the play on words. Could be cute for an anniversary, congrats, or even a birthday. BTW, if you're up for some world Card Making Day Festivities, my dear friend Margie is on the DT at CropStop and they're having a blog hop. Lots of fun so if you'd like to hop click HERE. And speaking of Blog Hops, the winner of my BBTB Blog Hop Candy is Brandy, comment #65 chosen randomly by my DH. Well how about that, she's a buddy from the Cricut mb. Congrats Brandy!

Sweethearts "Love" Card -.cut file available

Here's another simple one I did for Custom Crops using the new Sweethearts cartridge. I thought it would be nice to do something quick and really versatile when you're in a pinch but still want something special. Because it was so quick, I was even able to trick it out 3 ways. Full instructions and the free .cut file are available HERE. This first bold version I could see as a Valentine or Anniversary card for your special guy. No sissy stuff for the He Man. LOL But there is some embossing (even on the black) which I'm not sure you can see in the pic.

Next I decorated it for a baby using sweet gingham, some Alpha Beads and a little pacifier tied to the "L". Totally different look.

And finally an elegant wedding or anniversary card using metallic and irridescent card stock and "wedding confetti" and LOADS of gold adhesive beads. I suppose if you were really in a hurry you might want to doodle those. I hope you find this helpful next time you're in a pinch. P.S. If you haven't already commented on the BBTB Blog Hop post theres still time. I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning. Click HERE.

I Still Get Butterflies-Thank You Cutting Cafe! (and a chance to WIN!)

Today is our 34th Anniversary (I of course was married at age 5)! I don't know about you guys, but often I spend days on a challenge card only to completely neglect my poor DH on special occasions and I RUN to Long's to pick up a card at the last minute because I just couldn't seem to get it together enough to make one myself. I vowed that today would be different (but I had a back-up just in case). Thank heaven Regina came up with this downloadable printable Anniversary set from The Cutting Cafe! As you can see I'm still in love with that black and cream K&Co. paper and when I saw the perfect sentiment "I Still Get Butterflies!" ('cause I really do!) I knew EXACTLY what to make.

I used my Nesties scalloped hearts to cut my top mat and popped it on the black. I printed my sentiment on cream and used a smaller heart and popped that as well. The butterflies are a mixture of MS punches and my CB butterfly cut and emboss duo. Then just a few adhesive beads and a heart charm and the front was DONE!

Now I debated about revealing the inside for obvious reasons but I decided that although David asked if I was gonna post it I think he actually was kinda hoping I would. LOL Consider it a public service to those think the sparks die for old geezers like us ('cause they certainly don't have to). The inside sentiment was personally generated and cut with my petite scallop Nesties and the little bustier is a Cuttlebug die. (Ooh la la!) AND if you'd like to WIN this Anniversary set from The Cutting Cafe please leave me a comment on this post. There are some other lovely sentiments and a large circle word included in this set as well so pop over HERE and check it out. I will announce the winner Wednesday morning. A list of projects from my Design Team sisters will be posted on Monday with additional chances to win a variety of downloads so be sure and stop back to The Cutting Cafe to see all of the possiblities for FREE sets. Now I must go pack for a romantic dinner and overnight stay in Sausalito at Cavello Point. WooHoo! Hope your weekend is as great as mine!

BBTB Mickey Ring Challenge

This week at BBTB Regina chose the ring from Mickey and Friends. I can't believe I don't have this cart, but fortunately my dear friend Leah does so it gave me an excuse to bop over there and peek on her little new bundle Cody as well. He's 3 weeks old already and growing so fast!

I thought this would make a lovely engagement, wedding, or possibly anniversary card so I did some welding in DS to make the shaped front adding the heart from the Wedding Solutions cartridge and the beautiful "forever" sentiment from Home Decor. The card was a bit difficult to photograph because of the mirror card stock I used for the ring, and the holographic paper for the stone. The inside mat and that for the inside of the heart was from the DCWV Luxury Stack and the card itself and heart filigree is iridescent card stock.

Of course there are multiple layers and lots of popping going on and I embellished with lots of adhesive pearls, beads, and rhinestones. I particularly like how the diamond came to life by creating facets with the rhinestones. It looks like the gorgeous platinum ring my DH gave me for our 25th anniversary. Maybe I'll save this one for our anniversary.