Caroling in May

I do realize that Mother's Day will soon be upon us but the weather is cool so I'm continuing to make Christmas cards.  This one is for Jingle Belles and Repeat Impressions challenges. 

The sketch from Repeat Impressions is as follows

For Jingle Belles, we were encouraged to add embossing..."dry embossing, heat embossing, or even textured or embossed papers ... whatever you can do to add a little texture to your holiday project."

Here's what I created

Card recipe:

The black stamped images - Versafine with clear embossing powder then heated

Cuddlebug Snowflake embossing folder for the large white frame, added Glimmer mist

Cuddlebug Polka Dot folder for the blue caroler's coat

Cricut - Winter Frolic for carolers, Ornamental Iron 2 for red and white frames

Embellishments Skittles and pearls, chalk for cheeks, Peachy Keen for faces

Thanks for stopping by!  I love to hear your comments.



Challenges:
Jingle Belles JB10-12 - Embossing around the Tree
Repeat Impressions M212

Mojo Monday - 25th Anniversary card

It feels like I've been away for such a long time from my craft table but really it was only about four days.  I'm grateful that Jingle Belles' Peace on Earth - re-use/recycle challenge featured my Christmas card.  It was my first time joining in and I had fun using scraps and parts of old Christmas cards.

Today I took time to play along with Mojo Monday and created a 25th anniversary card.  This week's challenge is the monthly Mojo Madness sketch and the winner could receive a set of Verve stamps.  I'm just slowly buying and getting into stamping so unfortunately I don't have any Verve stamps yet.  I've added them to my Mother's Day wish list so we'll see what happens on Sunday.

Here is this week's sketch - Mojo Monday 240

And here is my interpretation - lots of silver, white and some bling!

Card recipe

Paper - Making Memories Wedding and aluminium foil glued on scrap cardstock

Cricut cuts: silver circle is Ornamental Iron 2 (two half circles welded) and Blackletter for "25"

White circle is Spellbinders die

All other shapes were cut by hand

Pearl embellishment, small silk flower and silver/white ribbon

I strive to have at least one Cricut image on my cards as I've invested in this tool and there are so many wonderful images to explore on each cartridge.  I don't have a favourite yet but I do like the intricate cuts on Ornamental Iron.

Thanks for dropping by and of course I always appreciate your comments!

Enjoy your week!

Mojo Monday - A first for me!

I decided to join in on the Mojo Monday sketch after a great read of NanaDonna's blog.  She's a regular participant on the RAQ challenge on the Cricut forum that I have been following.

Here is the sketch for this week Mojo Monday # 238

I always find it a challenge to align the squares perfectly so I decided to take an image from Cricut Ornamental Iron 2 cartridge and weld the 12 squares together using my Gypsy.  It was so easy and within a few minutes, I was cutting out the design.  

For the first card, I made more of a mosaic/stained glass effect with the base paper that I chose.  The rosette was created from the Ribbons and Rosettes cartridge and the leaves are Accent essentials (inked with Peeled Paint distress in).  I added pearls and a few layers of ribbon.

For this second card, I decided on a black and white palette and flipped the image.

The frame was inked with Versamark and embossed with clear powder to give it a shiny look.  I made a few pearl stick pins, added a feather and created the small tag.  The "thanks" flower was from the Cricut Sweet Treats cartridge.

I always need "thank you" cards on hand to show my appreciation to my dear friends for their wonderful hospitality and generosity. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Another handmade flower tutorial

This week at RAQ's Challenge on the Cricut forum, we were challenged to make our own embellishments.  I always enjoy making flowers and trying new techniques.  So this week I combined a Tim Holtz tissue tape flower with a fabric flower that I cut using my Cricut.

Here is the finished product

I started with the tissue tape flower.  Tim Holtz has a great (and simple) video that you can follow Tim Holtz Tissue Tape Flower.  For my flower, I cut a one inch circle from scraps and started the process of pinching the tape around the circle. 

Once that was completed, I created the flower base.  I used Cindy Loo cartridge for cutting the fabric (which I ironed on heat bond interfacing).  I cut six sets of the loops, which I then stamped with Ranger Sepia permanent ink, using a stamp that looks like old writing. It's okay if the edges are frayed, it is supposed to have a vintage feel.

I then proceeded to hand baste the fabric loops to create the flower.  It is really easy and quick to do. And you simply continue from one set of loops to the next.  For this flower, since I was combining the tissue tape, I only used 3 sets of loops.



 I then did the same hand basting with old lace that I had and create a circle for the base.

And voilà, here is the thank you card for my DD to give her manager.

Paper: K&Company TC Blossomwood

Card base Recollections

Top portion of card - embossed with Tim Holtz, stained with Vintage photo distress ink

Punch - Martha Stewart

Base of the "merci" frame inked with Antique Linen distress ink

Cricut cuts: Ornamental Iron 2 for "merci" frame" and Cindy Loo for the flower base

Embellishments - ribbon, button, pearls and gems



Hope you try making your own flowers too!