New Beginnings

Don't faint, I'm actually posting.  Sorry about the void, I usually love the week between Christmas and New Year's because I can finally relax and play with crafty goodies and look forward to hubbie's birthday on New Year's Eve.  Not this year.  My mother-in-law died, totally unexpectedly on Christmas Day.  She would have been 92 on December 29th, but aside from some osteoporosis, she was perfectly healthy with no medical conditions or need for prescription medication.  She still mowed the lawn and planted a garden, drove a car, and lived alone (although her youngest son and family lived next door).   She had recently gotten a new computer and my hubby had been on the phone with her daily for about a week, trying to iron out a few glitches. She had fallen in the night, thinking perhaps she had passed out, and woke up with back pain, presumably from the fall.  The took some OTC medication but it persisted and she called next door to see if they thought it was too soon to take some more.  That was 11:00 am.  Jonathon went out to shovel his driveway and hers a bit later and went to check on her about 1:00pm.  She had passed away peacefully in her chair.  The ME said it was probably a heart attack and that back pain is a symptom in women.  The whole family was, and still is, in shock.  We assumed she would live to be 100.  She was a missionary and minister's wife, a loving mother of 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren, a strong, determined, hard working Christian woman of passionate faith and will be missed by family, friends and the church she served her entire life.

We're still recovering here at home from the trip to Michigan.  David has been sick and I've not been able to craft.  I finally looked at a few of the challenges and decided that the Outlawz CAS New Beginnings challenge would be one I could handle.  I chose the adorable Sleepy Bunny Elf from Aurora Wings.  Mitzi's fabulous fantasy art is beyond gorgeous and this little guy was an easy one to color with my Copics.  I'm also taking baby steps on shoveling out my craft room and was organizing my Spellbinders dies when I found this ancient baby border.  I trimmed it to fit this A2 card and added a Cuttlebug sentiment and embossed background.

I'm also adding this to the Creative Romance Something New Challenge, Suzy B's Bloomin' Cute and Sweet Challenge, Scrapping4fun Baby Challenge, Corrosive Challenge New Beginnings and Moving Along With The Times New Beginnings.

Stephen King Knightmare

It's the second week of the Stephen King Knightmare at Haunted Design House.  I'm a hug fan and have done a number of cards in this theme, Carrie, Pet Semetary...and had planned to do IT this time but it was already well covered by several of the Minions.  What to do?  Draw on an oldie but goodie...CHRISTINE!   Found this groovy pic on the net.  Came up with the sentiment, myself (she's a 1957 Plymouth Fury, in case you were wondering).  Cropped a book cover image and set it in a frame for the license plate. 

Both sentiment and plate were printed right on the car pic, then I printed the car again and cut out the words and plate to add a little dimension.

The car pic was an odd size so I added an extra panel and tire (embossed with the Cuttlebug Herringbone folder) to make it fit nicely into a business size envie.  The cool skully car key was a serendipidous find at my LSS.  If you know the story, the tag on the key is pretty chilling.  Again, computer generated and laminated with my Xyron.  Might be a nice "congrats on your new car" card for some young man, eh?  Okay King fans, we're waiting on you.  I know you're out there, but please do mention your inspiration in your post.  For example, check out the Minion's takes HERE.  There's still a week to play. 

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center (LOC theme because I can't believe I actually didn't use a digi stamp although the image Is digital), Simon Says Stamp and Show Inspired by (Stephen King) Challenge, Paper Creator's Crafts For the Boys Challenge, and Moving Along with the Times One for the Guys Challenge.

Outlawz Sunday CAS Challenge

I've joined The Outlawz online group and have been having fun participating in their challenges.  There's a new one for every day of the week.  Woohoo!  The Sunday challenge is always CAS but this week it's You Have Us in Stitches, a real struggle for me on both counts. I decided to take the plunge anyway, because that's what challenges are for, aren't they? 

I cut the honeycomb mat with my Cricut and used an adorable Jellypark image, Cute Bee Girl and flipped her in my Printmaster Program.  The sentiment is computer generated.  I hand drew a little bee and punched holes in the mat for the his flight and connected them with a Micron pen for the (faux) stitching.  then I popped the mat and called it done.  I have to say I kinda love it.

I'm also entering this in Penny's Paper-Crafty Stitching Challenge, the Nutcrafters Something Beginning with "B" Challenge, and the Artistic Inspirations Things with Wings Challenge, Moving Along With The Times Birds and Bees, and the Paper Players "In Stitches" Challenge.

(Warning!) A Kinda Naughty Valentine

Okay, I'm warning you again that this may not be appropriate for all viewers so you might as well stop here if NC 17 is beyond your rating preference.  I think it's pretty cute though, and I'm hoping my man does too.  (Pretty dang sure he will) LOL  Naturally I've waited 'til the last day to enter Sparkle and Glitter Challenge with Rick St. Dennis but I wasn't quite sure what images to use until I bought some Junkyard Findings from Prima (you'll be seeing those later).  The challenge is Hearts and Hugs and I've colored up the cute Robotics 2//Out of this World and Robotics 101.  A match made in heaven, don'tcha think?  They're colored with Copics, fussy cut and he's popped and she's on an Action Wobble.  Tried hard to gt a pic of her shakin' her booty but it just didn't work out.  The hearts are Spellbinders.

This ended up being one fat card.  Here you can see a bit of the dimension.  She's been flipped to face him and her sentiment is computer generated.  Now the nex pic involves what he's hiding under his Valentine so you might wish to stop here or send the kiddiess out of the room, unless you feel like having "THAT" discussion right here and now. 

 

Umm...what can I say?  The devil made me do it.  HeeHee!  This lightbulb was one of those Junkyard Findings.  I just couldn't resist.  The sentiment is a new one at ADFD.  Thought it was pretty perfect.

 

Both inside and out the embossing is from the Cricut Companion Robotz folders.  The sentiment (an understatement) again computer generated with some XOX stickers from Stidio 112.  Besides the Sparkle and Glitter Challenge, I'd also like to enter this in the AUD Sentiments Show us Your Inner Sentiments Challenge (bummer I missed the "adult themed" one, HA!), the Art Impressions Stamps Show Me the Love (hearts required) Challenge, Moving Along with the Times Love is in the Air Challenge, and the brand new Sincerely Yours Creations Valentine/Love Challenge.

Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day filled with all the love (and chocolate) you can handle. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hey Sweetie, Wanna?

Chapter 24 Romance in Wonderland

...next [came] the ten courtiers; these were ornamented all over with diamonds, and walked two and two, as the soldiers did. After these came the royal children; there were ten of them, and the little dears came jumping merrily along hand in hand, in couples: they were all ornamented with hearts. Next came the guests, mostly Kings and Queens...

The theme of this quote is couples, and that's what we celebrate in February with Valentine's Day. For the month of February, we are celebrating Romance in Wonderland! As always, you may enter any project that fits the challenge theme, but those that feature Wonderland will have two chances at the prize instead of one. Multiple entries are encouraged but each must be on a separate post; enter by Feb. 23.  One lucky winner will receive a $15 store credit to Simply Betty Stamps.

We are using the fabulous Steampunk Romance images by Simply Betty Stamps [ Store | Blog,  Challenge Blog, and new Steampunk Challenge Blog ]. The people pictured in this stamp line resemble grown-up characters in Wonderland, don't you think?

You should also check out the whimsical Alice in Wonderland collection. Here is what the oh, so talented Betty has to say:

Simply Betty Stamps started in 2010, when I was forced to close my little scrapbook store due to my last baby coming early. I was home, with a preemie couldn't do much but draw, craft, and had just discovered blogging! I started to nose around about digis, how could I do this, how could I do that? Slowly but surely Simply Betty Stamps was born! I have a quirky sense of humor and I believe it shows in my images. I have immortalized my kids in my images as it is what I love creating with, their everyday shenanigans and goofy ways. I love sharing my creativity, I can't tell you how awesome it is to see others creating with SBS images! I look forward to continuing to bring in the quirkiness to crafters across the globe and look forward to many years of fun images.

Today's project for The Altered Alice features the gorgeous Romance Emma.  Doesn't she just make the perfect Alice?  Alice has just found a love letter in her Wonderland mailbox.  I wonder who it's from.  A secret admirer?

I love the expression on her face, so touched by the loving words. The man who can truly express his feelings in writing is a rare one.  He obviously holds the key to her heart (and mine).  I've colored her with Copics in the traditional Alice blue and added a key ring charm.  The heart doily behind her is a Cottage Cutz Die.

The mailbox is a $1 one from Target.  Alice's name is done with the Cuttlebug Embossing Plus Postage Alphabet.

 

The heart border is an MS punch to which I've added tea party charms and pearls.  A blue and white gingham bow and trim seemed fitting.

Finally, on the back is the addy.  14 Love Lane, Wonderland.  Please visit The Altered Alice to see more Romance in Wonderland projects (a bit later since we all run a bit late in Wonderland) and check out the winner of last month's challenge (up NOW!) The new linky will be up with the Romance post so hurry and get started for a chance to win the $15 voucher and choose some gorgeous Simply Betty Stamps of your own.  Remember, Wonderland related projects are not a requirement, but we love to see them and they're counted TWICE!

I'm also adding this to  the Simply Challenged Anything Goes Challenge, The Simply Steampunk Anything Goes Challenge  first ever!  WooHoo!, A Gem of a Challenge Gingham or Checks, Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes, Moving Along With the Times Punch it Out Challenge, The Inky Chicks Bingo Challenge (using Ribbon, Image and Pearls), the Desert Islands Crafter's Challenge #47 using #1,2,3 and 5 (thinkin' the die cut doily is lacy) and the Outlawz Paper a la Mode Love Challenge (a new group for me, go check them out)

Dilly Beans Metal Accents Challenge

It's Friday, and you know that means another fab challenge at Dilly Beans Designers and Challenge Blog.  This week we're featuring metal accents.  My original plan was to make an ATC to enter in the Wicked Wednesday ATC Add a Charm challenge and that I did, using #339 Frida's Flower Headband (flipped).  I colored the metal charm with a Bic marker and strung it on a wine charm for a necklace.  Her hair is paper pieced and I've added tiny metal roses to her hair.  But it'a a card you say.  Well yes, it is.  I wanted to include the "inspire" sentiment because it is also metal and because I find Frida Kahlo such an inspiring artist.  Kinda love the bow strings embossing folder by Sizzix, too.

But I've made the ATC removeable by using 2 layers of card stock and cutting a flap in on of the layers so it can slide over the pink strip on the card.  The 2 layers makes the ATC much sturdier too.

So TA DAA!  The ATC on it's own, ready to be entered in The Wicked Wednesday Challenge, the Simon Says Stamp Paper Piecing Challenge, and the Moving along with the Times Bling it On challenge.

And don't forget to pop by the Dilly Beans Shop to Check out the fab sale going on.  Get the deets HERE.

For a Bunch of Challenges

Here's a fun one (at least I think so) for a bunch of challenges.  Ever wonder why your kitties are sooo interested in your Christmas balls?  Pehaps they know something you don't.  I'm thinkin' they can hear the little creatures that live inside and can't wait to break them out.  A crash sends them scurrying to parts unknown, but not before they've grabbed their shades.  They're not used to the bright lights of Christmas.  My first inspiration was the Stampotique Designer's Non-Traditional Christmas Challenge  where you use a non Christmas stamp to make a Christmas card.  I've used the Stampotique 3 in a Round, one of my faves!  They're peeking out of a shaped card I've made with Spellinders 2011 Heirloom Ornaments Die (sorry, still no Cricut).  Making shaped cards is my all time favorite things and it's even easier using Nesties dies to do so I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Favorites Challenge.

I used another Nestie and embossed the circle on my ornament and then cut it with a craft knife after taping the back with foil tape to look like it was broken.  The pieces are all triangles so I'm entering this in the Octopode Factory Shape Challenge (Use Triangles).  (Hope it counts.  I really would love to do another with the new Octopode Factory stamps I just got but I don't even have my tree up yet.)  YIKES!  How do you spell proscrastinate?  D O N N A!  (However, I've always been told I work best under pressure)

I've used #'s 1, 2, 3, and 10 in the Desert Islands Crafter's Itinerary.  Winter holiday (Christmas, silver (the foil tape) and gold (the ornament hanger), magical creatures (they look pretty magical to me living in an ornament and all) and a non craft item (the foil tape which really isn't meant for crafting and the ornament hanger).

The sentiment is computer generated the I've colored acetate with my Bic Markers and glued them to an eyeglass brad to make the shades.  Personally, the whole thing makes me giggle so I'm also entering this in the Christmas Crackers Challenge at Moving Along with the Times. Phew! that oughtta do it.

BBTB2 Halloween Witch Challenge

Oh my!  Halloween is almost here.  Are you ready?  We gals at BBTB2 sure are.  My dear and talented friend, fellow MSU Spartan and DT Sister Susan, has chosen any witch from any cartridge as our challenge this week at BBTB2 and there are lots of them from "witch" to choose.  LOL  Since Goliath has been terrorizing the backyard, the critters are up in arms and have called upon the powers of this cutie from Happy Hauntings.  They've asked her (him?) to conjure up a spell to make them all invisible to cats.  Best of luck!  I'm sorta sick of scooping up body parts from the back porch.

It's a shaped front card, welded in DS.  The "EEK!" is also from Happy Hauntings and the big ol' moon, just a circle from George.  Not sure why, but I also seem to always favor a rounded rectangle for the back.  Softer look maybe, or just a creature of habit. And I can't tell you how thrilled I was to find BLACK Alpha Beads.  BE STILL MY HEART!  There a a few little details, like wire whiskers, a bit of doodling and a fuzzy nose.  The teeny bats are from K&Co.

Yup, she's layered up, alright.  If I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it right, which brings me to an apology for not participating last week.  I'm really not a "work ahead" kinda gal.  (wish I were but...)  Of all of my DT's, BBTB2 is the most difficult and time consuming for me (but also one of the most rewarding).  I've been on the team for a long time and have been asked to do some of the same challenges over and over.  Since I really put my heart into them, sometimes I just can't come up with a new idea.  I just can't get past a favorite project from before, or like last week, I wrack my brain and come up with something, and it just doesn't pass muster.  I've been having a bit of a crafting crisis lately and rather than post something I'm ashamed of, I just can't post at all.  Sorry, it's a matter of personal pride in my work, especially if it's for a DT.  I really appreciate the fact that probably the majority of my followers come here for Cricut inspiration, so that's a bit of an added pressure.  Sometimes though, I want to try new things, explore different mediums.  I hope I don't let you down.

I'm also entering this in the Moving Along With the Times Too Cute to Spook Challenge, the Scrapilicious USA Halloweenie Challenge, and Crafty Creations Halloween Spooks.

Dilly Beans Spooky Girls

I'm having major issues with my computer that is screwing with everything imaginable.  It especially doesn't want to upload pix so I'm pulling my hair out.  WooHoo!  Looks like this one took.  Our challlenge this week at Dilly Beans is Spooky Girls.  I've used #379 Ophelia's Heart but instead of having her heart on the string, she's walking her pet spider in front of the cemetary.  She's such a girly ghoul, colored with Copics and popped.  The punches are MS and the tombstone is a Cuttlebug die.  The DT has a bevy of beauties that are too cute to sppok so go have a look and come and join along.  We had 50 participants last week.  WooHoo!

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Dies or Punches Challenge, Moving Along with the Times Tag it Challenge, and the Scrapalicious USA Tag! You're It! challenge.

Dilly Beans TAGS!

TGIF!!!!  Couldn't have come sooner.  LOL  We're playing TAG at the Dilly Beans Challenge blog this week and I guess I'm still in a patriotic frame of mind.  I've used one of Megan's newest images, #427 Happy Birthday Framed (check the rest of them out HERE) and changed the coloring of the sentiment with my Printmaster Pro Program and then copied and pasted the "happys" to make the background paper as well.  Fun, fun!  Great for a July birthday, or just celebrating the 4th, don'tcha think?  She's colored with Copics and I've added tiny adhesive stars to her dress and a metallic one to her party hat.  The star behind her is a Nestie.  I've been hoarding that red, white and blue ribbon for the perfect project and this was it!  I kinda love how this turned out.  Tags are soo much fun to make.  For more inspiration visit the Challenge Blog.  Hope you join us this week.

I'm also adding this to CCEE Stampers Tags Challenge, Cute Card Thursday Patriotic Challenge, Moving Along with the Times Birthday Challenge, Shelly's Images Stars Stripes and Sparkle (the tiny stars on her dress are sparkly),and the AUD Sentiments Bingo Challenge (I've used "Happy", Ribbon, Die Cut).

And Another!

Just couldn't couldn't contain myself and made another ATC for Wicked Wednesday Easter or Bunnies/Chicks Challenge using a fab FREEBIE form DT member Mary Kwok's new blog Cakewalk by KWOK. Isn't this sweet little Bunny Family the cutest? They're colored wth Copics and not much more was needed. The Easter eggs are Queen and Co brads, a tiny ribbon and Voila! If you haven't already seen my chicks ATC, please scroll down. Too bad I can only enter Wicked Wednesday twice because there's more unbelievable cute images available HERE. If you're like me and been sort of hard pressed to enter additional challenges lately, why not try Wicked Wednesday? Working on a canvas that's only 2 1/2 x 3 1/2" goes pretty darn fast and is so much FUN!

I'm also entering this in the following challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks Easter and Crazy Egg
Moving along with the Times Cute and Cuddly
Paper Play Challenges Easter
Ruby's Rainbow Easter

BBTB2 Cindy Lou Flourish Challenge

Happy Monday! I think we're finally getting some sunshine today. Hasn't been too great a Spring here in CA, although we need rain badly. This week our sweet and talented DT sister Julie H, from across the pond, has chosen any flourish from Cindy Lou for our BBTB2 Challenge and WOW are there PLENTY! Of course, as always, you may use any flourish from any cartridge to join in, just make sure the chosen cut (flourish) is a Cricut cut. I decided to make another Easter card and chose Fourish 2 on page 30 because it made a great base for the shaped card I had in mind. I welded the shadow of the flourish to an Egg from Easter 2010 and a rounded rectangle from George.

It's a shaped front card and the egg on the front hides a large portion of the back so there's lots of room for a sentiment. The hopping bunny is also from Easter 2010. I cut him in light brown and flocked him, then added a pompom tail, beaded nose and eye and a sweet ribbon around his neck.

Originally, I'd chosen another rabbit (one with a shadow) but the flourish has so much movement, I thought the hopping bunny would be fun, especially after I decided to put him on on an Action Wobble. I ran into a teeny bit of technical difficulty though, because one layer of dimension with the adhesive foam wasn't enough to allow the bunny freedom of movement so I cut portions of the fourish away where the hind foot and tummy got caught and added another full flourish on top.

He's slightly off set from another bunny cut underneath him which shows when he wobbles. I chose the colors from the egg DP and looking at it now, it kind of has a 50's vibe.

So here's the dimension shot. Inside it'll say "Hoppy Easter" but of course I was running too late to have that done for you. LOL A flourish is such a great cut because there's no limit to the type of card you can make as you'll see by the fabulous examples from my BBTB2 teamies HERE. Can't wait to see what you come up with, but please follow the rules and we'd so appreciate it if you'd turn word verification OFF to make it easier for us to comment on your lovely creations.And don't forget you atill have a week to enter or Welcome Challenge and be entered in the drawing to win a class of your choice at My Creative Classroom.

I'm also entering this in the Getting Cricky Easter Blessings Challenge and Moving Along With the Times Easter Wishes.