Brighter Days Ahead!

I recently purchased the Hello Kitty Greetings Cartridge for my Cricut.  I so wanted this for a few months now.  Then, once I got it, I wasn't so sure.  I made a few cut outs and came up with a few cards that I liked.  My granddaughter saw the cartridge and loves it, so I guess I'll be keeping it!

Maybe its the bright colors, but there is something so whimsical about this cartridge.  For the following card, I cut the card t 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 (folded).  I cut the Hello Kitty HK11 shape on page 54 at 5".  I embossed a square of transparancy with the Swiss dots folder in the Cuttlebug.

Hope this Kitty brightens your day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Kid Rocker

This was done from a page layout presented by OkieLadybug for her Motivational Challenges.  The paper is DCWV Rock Star (this is one stack I didn't buy, but they had individual sheets that I liked)  The photos are of my great-nephew and my Granddaughter, Kayla, at her 3rd birthday party.  Title was cut using the Gazelle, and the journalling was also done on the Gazelle, using a pen in the blade housing holder.  (no special stylus was needed)

Thanks for looking...

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Combining my Favorites

This project combines my favorite paper - Core'dinations Nostalgic Super Assortment and Wild Card cartridge for the Cricut.  I used two coordinating colors (teal is also one of my favorite colors).  The overlay on this card was embossed using Swiss Dots and the Cuttlebug, sanded the embossed image and the edges.  I created the diamond border pattern using Design Studio.  Happy Birthday was also cut using Wild Card and highlighted it using  clear Glaze Pen.

I love this card because the verse is attached inside the card, yet shows through the window on the front of the card.  I made a matching envelope too.

This card sold within a day of making it!  AND she ordered another just like it.

This card was cut at 5 1/2".

Thanks for looking.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Make Your Own Acrylic Stamps

Ever since seeing these materials available, I've always been curious about them.  I wondered how and if it would work. The information I had read was I could use acrylic sheets, cut shapes or words with my cricut and make my own stamps!  I'm not into stamping in a big way, but thought it was cool that I could make my own designs.  

I recently found the supplies made by ProvoCraft at my local Joann Fabrics and thought I'd give it a try.  I bought the package that contains 2 - 6 x 6 sheets of acrylic material.  The other kit had only one sheet plus acrylic blocks for stamping.  Since I have a good supply of clear blocks, I bought the package with the 2 sheets.  It was also less expensive.

The only instructions or should I say guidelines, that were included on the packaging was to use a very sticky mat.  I bought out a brand new cutting mat, loaded a brand new blade and was ready to cut.  But, then I had to come up with a design.  I went to one of my favorite cartridges, Storybook.  I love their corners and borders and chose one of the shapes to make my own border using Design Studio.  Now came the moment of truth!  I loaded the mat into the Cricut, checking and double checking that the acrylic was stuck down to the mat.  I clicked the cut button and it started to cut.  About half way through, the acrylic pulled away from the mat and I had to cancel the cut.  I tried again....and the same thing happened.  ARRGGGGG.  Apparently, the mat was not sticky enough.  Even though it was an unused mat, It was an older one (I knew by the color of it.  The newer ones are white with the green around the edge).  So, I got out a different mat, checked the stickyness, and put the rest of the acrylic I had.  It seemed to be REALLY stuck on the mat.  This time, I did adjust the blade depth to 4 (I had it on 6) I tried my cut again.  I watched as it cut out the design and  it was complete.  It didn't pull up from the mat and cut well.  I did have to pull at the scraps a bit (I think I'll have the blade depth at 5 next time) but the edges were clean and sharp.

Here is a picture of the acrylic on a clear block.  Looks pretty good, eh?  

I inked the stamp and tried it out on paper.  Except for me not putting enough pressure on it (one of the reasons I'm not a BIG fan of stamping) but I was very happy with the results.  I can't wait to use this on acrylic books, using Staz-On ink.  If you look in the lower right hand corner of the below picture, you can see another stamping of KAYLA (upside down).  I cut one out for my granddaughter, as she loves to stamp.  I thought she would get a kick out of having her name on a stamp. 

Thanks for looking.  I  hope this helped you decide if this kit is for you.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

My Favorite Paper

I love all sorts of paper, but one of my current favorites is the Core'dinations Line.  Its one color and when sanded or embossed or distressed, another color comes through.  These cards were made with different types of Core'dinations paper. 

The first one was made with the Vintage collection.  Embossed with Cuttlebug border folders, score lines made with the Score Pal, and verse is a Studio G clear stamp.

This one is made with Black Magic Core'dinations paper.  Its black on the top and a pinky coral comes through with the embossing and sanding.  Verse cut with Cricut,

This card is made with Chocolate Box Core'dinations paper.  Embossed with the Cuttlebug, sanded to make the pink show through the medium brown color and layered on rose bud print paper.  Verse is Studio G acrylic stamp.

This paper adds a new dimension to embossing.  I can't wait to get their new line called Whitewash that was previewed at CHA!

Thanks for looking.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Wild About You

Today's feature is another selection from the Wild Cards cartridge.  This cute little monster has a heart and wears it well!  This card is perfect for a Valentine for a boy.  THe flower and heart were outlined in Stickles.  I used Glaze pen for 'stitching' around the body, arms and face of this little character.  The envelope was made to match.

I hope to make more cards from this cartridge...its been so much fun to use!

Thanks for looking.  

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Bright Eyes

Today's feature is a layout of my granddaughter Kerri.  Since she started to walk, she has been very difficult to photograph as she rarely sits still.  In this photo, I was lucky to get her still for a moment!  This LO was made using the Oops A Daisy stack from Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby's brand).  Corner flourishes and title were cut using the Gazelle.  Flowers were cut from the paper.

Thanks for looking.  Spring has made a brief appearance in the Midwest...so I'm going out to enjoy the day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

I've been AWARDED!

I was surprised to discover I have been awarded the Kreativ Blogger award!  How cool is that?   Thank you Bridget L for the honor! 

To follow the requirements of this award, here are 7 blog sites I have chosen to receive this award

http://craftysister-craftysister.blogspot.com

http://whimsicalscrapsandbugs.blogspot.com

http://serindipitysisters.blogspot.com

http://loopylousloopythoughts.blogspot.com

http://daniellescorneroffice.blogspot.com

http://createdbyleanne.blogspot.com

http://happyscrapperdiane.blogspot.com

Thanks for noticing by blog!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

More WILD CARDS!

Here are more cards made with the WIld Cards Cricut cartridge.  The first one was originally a Hanukkah card on the cartridge, but I used the candles for a birthday card. If made at 5", you can get the envelope to fit on a 12x12 piece of paper.

Another birthday card, made at 5". I cut the "frosting" from DCWV glitter paper and embossed it with D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder.  I added another layer to the back part of the card to give it more body.  This I cut by hand, making it slightly smaller than the shape of the card, and inked the edges for it to stand out.  I LOVE the envelope that goes with this card!  I used markers to color in the candles to make them stand out.  Really makes for a fun birthday greeting!

This card was a bit more tricky.  It has 3 layers on the front.  The first layer is the card itself, second layer (light blue) is a diamond pattern, and the third layer (yellow) is an open diamond pattern.  All layered together makes this argyle look.  I am not a big fan of argyle, but I love the way it turned out.  Card and envelope cut at 5", verse on front of card is a Studio G stamp
I have more to share on another day.  Thanks for looking...hope you are enjoying your day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Wild about WILD CARDS

The new cartridge for my Cricut arrived on Friday and I played all day!  This cartridge is jam packed with all sorts of shapes and icons, cards and even a font. I HIGHLY recommend Wild Cards to any Cricut owner!  

A friend asked me to make some Valentines, so I started with those.

The first one is a 5" scalloped circle card and envelope.  All were cut using my Cricut Expression, even the verse.  I love that  you can create envelopes for the cards.  I am now in search of printed paper larger than 12 x 12 to make these cards larger than 5" high.

This is the heart shaped card on this cartridge, cut at 5". Narrow ribbon was laced to frame the verse.

This heart card was also cut at 5", and the front stitched with embroidery floss.  
I had lots of fun creating these cards...I'm sure I'll be using this cartridge often.

I'll post more of my creations tomorrow!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

"Cookie Monster" Kayla

I love the photos in this Layout.  It reminds me of the fun I had when my Granddaughter, Kayla stayed with me while baby sister was born.  This was also the first time Kayla and I made cookies together.  

I used DCWV Nana's kids paper, Coredinations paper, Hobby Lobby stock paper.  Title was cut using the Gazelle, and the middle photo was made into a pocket, for a tag with journalling.

Thanks for looking.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy