Spring Cleaning!

Spring is finally here! Time to put away all the winter clothes, open the windows for some fresh air and wash the windows to get rid of the grime and dust. With spring cleaning on my mind I thought it was a good time to update my blog. I used another free template,this time from The Cutest Blog on the Block.   I will want to personalize it some more but this is a good start.  I might even entice my son to help me customize it as he is good with Photoshop.

I haven't had much time to create and I'm really missing the creative energy that comes from spending a few hours in my craftroom.  Luckily, last night I put everything aside and made a few cards. 

I bought the Graphic 45 Place in Time and French Country paper pads online.  I love the crispness of the paper and the beautiful patterns.  I always hesitate to make the first cut but I will let this simple card speak for itself. 

Recipe: 

Cricut Fabulous Finds for the black frame

Cricut Storybook for the red checkered swirl flower

Cuttlebug Chicken Wire Embossing folder

Twine and button from my stash

 

The next card was made with a number of scraps from DCWV.  I had been wanting to try box pleating paper and it worked perfectly using my scoreboard.

 

Recipe:

Cricut Damask Decor for the 4 layer flower

Pearls, gem and ribbon for embellishment

 

 

Hope you're having some nice weather too and happy spring cleaning!

Happy Birthday Dad!

It's my dear father's birthday on March 11th - he turns 77 years old.  Wishing him a wonderful day!

This card was part of the weekly challenge on the Cricut forum.  It is intended to be a sort of collage card.

Papers - Graphic 45, K&Company and DCWV

Images cut with the Cricut:  Banner, Party Hat, DAD

Stamped using Ranger Archival - black and sepia

Buttons from my stash - over 30 years old

Twine and brads

Thanks for dropping by!

Winter Woodland

We have been experiencing a deep freeze for the past few days with the temperature below -25 degrees Celsius and then add the windchill and it is just unbearable to be walking any distance outdoors. 

Given the cold temperatures, I was certainly inspired to make a Christmas card.  I am still playing along on the Cricut forum in RAQ's Challenges.  The particular sketch for my card was a Viva sketch.  I have also decided to submit this card in the Merry Monday Challenge.  A great challenge but unfortunately I have not played along in a while.  The theme this week is "For the Birds".

Card recipe

Papers Graphic 45 and Bazzil

Cricut Winter Woodland

Snowflake embossing folder

Miscellaneous stamp and brads

Ink - Distressed Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Sepia archival, Versa white chalk

 

Over the holidays, I watched a few videos and was reminded how inking edges can add depth and layering also helps to give dimension.  For the cardinal, I used the Winter Woodland Cricut cartridge but altered it as the bird did not have a wing nor feathery tail.  I inked the bird's chest and tail in distressed Black Soot ink.  The blue, cream and green frames are also from the Winter Woodland cart. The pine branches were made with the Martha Stewart punch and inked lightly with white chalk ink.  The sentiment is a stamp that I purchased at Michaels a few years ago and it is just hand cut.  I embossed the bottom layer using the Snowflake folder and inked with distress Vintage Photo ink. 

I am really happy with this creation!

I plan on being back soon and thanks for dropping by!