LOVE FROGS - CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE #40

I've really got a thing for frogs at the moment! Don't know why they look so cute to me... I already kissed a lot of frogs and have my "Prince!" In any case, this is for my first entry for the "Cuttlebug Challenge". They provided a layout sketch to follow and this is what I did.

GOLDEN AUTUMN LEAF

Here's another card using the paper I did with the "shaving cream" technique. The colors go well with Fall themes.

PINK ROSE

Well, I've been really busy today. Here is a 4th card. I seem to be on a bit of a pink kick....

PINK DRAGONFLY

Another one for today. I love the soft pink colors on this one. The dragonfly is actually an "iron-on" I found in the Dollar Store. The frame is embossed with a CB design and open part was cut out with Nestablilities rectangle.

FROGS

I just got these adorable "froggie" stamps by Penny Black. They are called "Toadily", really cute and FUN! These are the first cards I made with them.

The first is simple with just a little ribbon and bling. On both cards I colored with Prisma pencils and used mineral spirits to blend.

For second one I used paper that I designed with the "shaving cream" method (look farther down this page...). I think they worked pretty good together. I used my Nestablilities to cut out the oval. I cheated and added the lily pad they are sitting on as there is not one with the stamp. Added a little bling and was good to go!

TILDA GOES HAWAIIAN

I adore the TILDA stamps. I think they are absollutely adorable! When I found one with her in a hula skirt, I couldn't believe my luck. Of course I HAD to have her and see what I could create with her. This one is pretty simple. I have some other tropical style papers that I want to experiment with. Should be fun to see where they lead.....

57 CHEVY

I had a lot of fun with making this one. It was for my sweetie's birthday. He's a big CAR guy! Sorry, it's not an Alfa Romero...

ALOHA ALL - PAPER DESIGNS

Well, it's hard to believe, but today I didn't design one card!!! Instead, I made some paper designs for making cards. I used a technique called the "shaving cream" technique. You put a pile of shaving cream on a plate, sprinkle drops of ink on top, take a knife and drag it through the ink in the shaving cream, then lay your paper on top and push it into the cream. Lift it out, squiggy off the cream and VOILA! Beautiful designs on the paper. I found the best results when using an every day photo paper - the semi gloss worked really well. Amazing and fun! Below the pictures is the link to where you can watch the video to the technique: http://stamptv.ning.com/video/shaving-cream

ASIAN TRIO

I'm getting a lot of enjoyment from my new Japanese themed stamps. I did these three today.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Another Asain theme... I'm really into them at the moment. I just got a new set of Japanese stamps and am really enjoying them. I love the simpicity - think I've said that before...

SAY IT WITH CHERRIES

This card was done for a sweet lady I contacted on the Cricut MB. She did a fantastic card and I loved the stamp she used (I can't say what it was cuz it's a surprise for someone who visits here a lot! I'll post it when it's been received...). I asked her who made it and where I could find it. She told me but said she would be happy to send me some of the stamped images. Of course I gladly accepted her offer, and in return offered to pay her for them. She said no, just send me one of your cards. So this is it, I sure hope she likes it. She is such a wonderful example of the great ladies on that web site. MAHALO DANITA!!!

VACATION

I designed this card for the "Ad Inspiration Challenge #23" on the Cricut MB. The colors were dark plum, dark blue and a sort of light blue-gray. I didn't have any paper the blue-gray color, so I went with this Hawaiian plumeria print. It was as close as I could get! I used my Life Is A beach cartridge for the card cut outs and the George cartridge for the thin frame. I stamped and embossed the "vacation", stuck on a few embellishments and that was it!

SUMMER!

Happy Sunday everyone. Here is a little inpiration to hit the local swimming hole! This stamp is just too adorable and screams summer! I had the lime green papers from my last trip to the mainland and really wanted to use them. I searched for something to go with it and this is what fell into place. I used Prisma colored pencils with mineral spirits for most of the coloring. But, I did use my Copic's for the shading on her inner tube. I really like how it all turned out.

CRAZY GET WELL

Well, this one is sure "outside the box" lol! I wanted to cheer someone up with something different, and I think this is about as different as you can get. It's kind of a hodgepodge of sorts, but I think it works.... At least I hope it does!

50's STYLE HULA GAL

One more card for today, LOL. I just keep on a going. This one I really had fun with. I am trying to do a lot of Hawaiian type cards for a gal who would like to sell them for me. So I hope you don't get tired of them! Aloha nui.

BEE WELL

2nd card for today: I have a friend who recently had back surgery. She is not allowed to sit up or get out of bed for 3 MONTHS!!! That's a LOOONNNNNGGGG time! I'm going to send her a card once a week to let her know that we are thinking of her and to try and bring a smile to her face. I have made this card several times before for friends that were under the weather. It's bright, simple and cheerful. I really enjoy making this one.

SMILE

Two cards so far today - here is the first one. I copied this design from a card I saw a long time ago. It just made me smile. For some reason it popped into my head today. I wanted something fun to make so I gave it a go! It still makes me smile.

WITH SYMPATHY

I just did this card for a challenge on my Cricut site. I had to use a specific layout and only use 2 colors. I know black & white are not really considered colors, but I went for it anyway. I really like the see through plastic type sheet that has the leaves on it. It adds a nice touch.

DRAGON

Another card for today. This one I used a stamp from All Night Media, colored it with gel writer pens that have a sparkle sheen to them and also a gold opaque paint marker. Then I cut him out and raised him with dots. The symbol on the bottom right reprents the dragon. I love the Asain designs for their simplicity.

EXPECTING!

We are so happy for friends of ours. They have found out they are "pregnant"! They are thrilled to be adding to their family. We wish them so much happiness.

COFFEE & FRIENDS

Yesterday I got together with three very lovely ladies for coffee and "girl" time. We don't do that often enough! It was such fun, and I just wanted them to know how much I enjoyed it. So of course what better way to let them know then to make a special card for each them?!! I used the George cartridge for the lettering, backed the cut out areas with gold paper, embossed the coffee cup in gold and used the gold stamp pad for some accent "dabs" all over. The inside reads, "coffee and friends are the perfect blend". And it sure was - even though one of the gals is a TEA drinker!

MEOW!

A VERY SPECIAL MAHALO

I want to send a very special thank you to all the great ladies who post on cricut.com on the Community Messageboard. They have been an inspiration and an important part of my creativity. They are so supportive and helpful. Always there to lend a hand, no matter the problem. They share, and they care. Without them I don't think I would have gotten up the nerve to try and do this blog! Bless you all!

LEMONADE LOVE

HI!

USING YOUR PAPER SCRAPS!

One of the ladies on the Cricut Messageboard issued a fun challenge! She asked us to make a card using only our card scraps. One lady said she weighed her box of "left over paper scraps" and it weighed 17 lbs! Mine is not nearly that bad, but I'm well on my way! Anyhow, I had made the wire & bead goodies over 4 months ago, but didn't know what to do with them. Then I saw a card with this layout and it just clicked! Used paper from my scrap bin, added some stamped swirls, and it turned out pretty good. What a great idea she had and it sure helps with recycling! Everyone had a lot of fun with the challenge.

PINEAPPLE VARIATIONS

BIRD HOUSE IN BLUE

HANG IN THERE

SANDBOX DINO

SWEET BEE!

AD CHALLENGE #22

The colors to be used in the challenge and my design.

PALM NOTE CARD

Playing with my stamps.....

SPECIAL MAHALO CARD

On the 4th of July we played golf with friends and then went to their home for a fun bar-b-q. Our hostess went all out on the food and decorations. I wanted to send her a special card to let her know what a great time we had and how much Paul and I appreciated their hospitality. I tried a new card layout for this one. It was really labor intensive! It's call a Tri-Fold Card. As you can see, there are a lot of places to put designs and embellishments. (The blank place in the middle of the second picture is where I wrote a personal message). Really FUN to do!

OAKIES CHALLENGE # 22

With this challenge we were given a choice of layouts and a set of colors. I really liked the colors and did sketch 1.

ORIENTAL THEME

I love the simplicity of the Asian type designs. I recently purchased a set of stamps that are Japanese in design and am having a wonderful time with them. I especially like the gold embossing on the black. I think it gives such a rich , elegant look. I will be doing a lot more of these!