Large Size IT'S A BOY Word Book

Earlier today, I attended a baby shower for my niece Kristen. She and her husband Ed drove in from Colorado for a visit. Her sister in law Jen and her cousin Katie planned a shower for them during their short visit. I wanted to make her something special and even though it took me nearly two weeks to finish this baby book, it was well worth the time. I was very pleased with the results, and so were the new parents.

The supplies I used to create this book were:

Cricut Expression

Winnie the Pooh Font, New Arrival Cartridge, Don Juan

Bind It All, 1 1/4" O ring for binding

Border punches - EK Success, Martha Stewart and Fiskars brands

11 x 17" Chipboard for base of pages

Cricut 12 x 24 white cardstock to cover pages

Core'dinations Vintage Cardstock

DCWV Nana's Nursery for Boys Stack

The book is 10" tall and 17" wide. It has 9 pages.

I have trouble creating books without the actual photos. Many of the pages, I left without photo mats, so my niece can add as many different photos as she would like.

Thanks for looking. Have a great Monday!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Another Floral Card

Here is another card I created with original artwork created by my mom, and I colored with Copics. I love the yellows, feels so Spring-ish and Fresh. Infact, the colors I used on this artwork were inspired by some of the flowers I have growing on my balcony.

I used the following supplies:

White cardstock

Diamonds Cuttlebug Embossing folder

Peach Core'dinations cardstock

GP white cardstock for card base

artwork printed on Neenah Crescent White cardstock

Copic markers to color the artwork

EK Success Mini scallop Border Punch

I have many new and interesting projects in the near future and I am looking forward to sharing them all with you. I appreciate the comments left and for all those that visit my blog.

Have a great Sunday!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

More New Cuttlebug Embossing

I'm loving the new CB folders. Some of them have designs that can be repeated! The one used for this card is Morrocan and I was able to repeat the design to cover a 5 x 7 piece of cardstock, in this case, Core'dinations.

I used a sketch from Mojo Monday for this card, the flowers are more artwork created by my very talented Mom. I used my Copics to color the flowers. I also used Martha Stewart Doily border punch, a little ribbon, and the greeting is a clear stamp.

The artwork created by my Mom has really added a new dimension to my cards. I look forward to showing off more of her artistry!

Thanks for stopping by.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Lots of New Stuff Card

I know, the title is very vague, but there are several new items that were used in the making of this card. Last week, I received my brand new Cuttlebug embossing folders from HSN. Eleven new folders and they won't be available to the public for some time, so I feel lucky to have them. Also, I used Whitewash Core'dinations paper and a greetings stamp that I've been eyeing at Hobby Lobby for over a year (it was on clearance). The final new thing, and the best is the flower sketch, done by my mom.

I colored the daisy using my Copic markers. I layered on Core'dinations Whitewash paper, embossed with the Fleur de lis folder, and sanded it to show the design. I layered it with the color side of the Whitewash paper on top of white paper embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder, with purple cardstock behind that. The greeting was stamped on white cardstock, matted with purple cardstock.

I can't wait to use more of the drawings my mom has created.

Our copic class is this Thursday and we are both excited about it! I will make a full report!

Thanks for stopping by!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Its A Girl card - Copics and Cricut

Using another one of my teddy bear sketches colored with Copics, I incorporated it into a new baby girl card. The scalloped squares and larger scalloped circles were cut using the Cricut and Accent Essentials . Its a Girl cut using Beyond Birthdays cartridge. The background paper is from DCWV Nana's Kids stack. Ribbon from Michael's Crafts.

The past week, there are so many different projects I want to work on, I can't do them fast enough. I want to use the Copics on nearly every project. I'm really looking forward to the class next week YEA! I am creating a word book for my niece's baby shower coming up in less than 2 weeks, I've got projects to create for craft fairs in the fall, and with CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) convention coming up at the end of the month, there will be TONS of new products to drool over (and want to buy!). Its a busy but fun time here at the old ranch (well, more like apartment)

Hope you'll come by again, and enjoy seeing my new creative endeavors!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Another Original Art Card

Here is another card I created using my own artwork (and a little help from my Cricut) The teddy bear is my own creation, colored with Copic Markers. The balloons were cut using the Celebrations cartridge cut with my Cricut out of Bristol paper and also colored with Copic markers. The background paper, which I thought was perfect for this, is from the DCWV Nana's Kids stack.

I am enjoying using my Copic markers and stretching my creative muscles! I now find myself looking for projects to use my markers!

Thanks for stopping by...and for your kind words!

Have a great Sunday!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

New Contest at the Cuttlebug Spot! Journey to 1000!!!

WOWZERS! The Cuttlebug Spot is having a contest - "The Journey to 1,000"! They are trying to reach 1,000 followers by the end of July and need your help. To enter all you have to do is go to their site, sign up as follower and complete a few easy steps and you could win a $1,000 gift certificate to Custom Crops (www.CustomCrops.com)! GO NOW and check it out at www.TheCuttlebugSpot.com

A New Creative Adventure....

Since I became interested in the Copic Markers, I've been wanting to incorporate their use into my cards. I've used several different cut outs from my Cricut cartridges, but wanted to try something different. I'm not a stamper (well, I will use the occasional verse) I wanted to use original art work. I've commissioned my mom (the true artist!) to do some simple line drawings. I've even tried my hand at some sketches.

This is the first of hopefully, many cards using my own artwork. I created a baby card using this teddy bear. In the late 90's I started designing and making collectible teddy bears. This is a sketch of one of those bears.

I used copics to color the bear. Teal cardstock for the background and the scalloped squares, which were cut with the Cricut and the Accent Essentials cartridge. The print background paper is from DCWV Nana's Nursery for Boys. Added ribbon and buttons. Verse is an acrylic stamp.

I'm excited about this new phase of my creativity. Mom has already given me a good supply of sketches, I can't wait to print them on art paper and color them with the Copics! I feel pretty good using these markers, but can't wait until we take the class in two weeks!

Thanks for stopping by! Please, leave a comment if you are so inclined!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

BLOG CANDY....and the Winner Is.....

Valerie Hoyle! Congratulations! You've won the EK Success Swiss Cheese Border Punch! I will be in contact with you to get your address!

Thank you all for posting comments and all the support for my challenge!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Wildcard, Whitewash and Copics!

I am enjoying combining some of my favorite crafting items. I used my Cricut and the Wildcards cartridge to cut the base of the card. I also used Wildcards to cut the scalloped circle using Core'dinations Whitewash paper, sanded it to bring out the color. I used Pooh and Friends cartridge to cut out the flowers out of Bristol art paper and colored them with Copics.

I'm on a roll making cards! I have several more to post and more in the works on my table. I look forward to posting them for all to see!

Don't forget, Thursday is the last day for you to post a comment on my blog (entry on July 2) to be entered into the drawing for the Swiss Cheese EK Success border punch. I will take all names posted by 11:59PM and will post a winner on Friday!

THanks for stopping by....

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Make a Wish - More Core'dinations Whitewash!

I love when I find a new product and truly enjoy incorporating it into my creations. I am so glad I was "enabled" by the Cricut message board members to get over to my local Joann's and get this paper on sale! I have enjoyed the other versions of Core'dinations paper, and I'm enjoying the Whitewash paper too!

I created this card using Wild Card cartridge and the Cricut. Its a tri fold card that I cut out of Navy cardstock. I created a front panel with scallops in Design Studio, cut from Whitewash Core'dinations paper and embossed it with Dots and Spots Cuttlebug embossing folder. The greeting "Make a Wish" was created with the font on Wild Card. On the other flap is a cupcake cut from Doodlecharms and the frosting part was embossed using D'vine swirls embossing folder and colored with Copics.

I'm very happy with the way this card came out...I plan to make it in other colors!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Drive for 500 Contest at The Cuttlebug Spot!

The Cuttlebug Spot is approaching their goal of 500 followers! If you'd like to be entered into their contest, follow this link and follow the instructions to be entered. Custom Crops is sponsoring the contest with a really cool prize!

http://www.thecuttlebugspot.blogspot.com/

And there are some great projects to view too! Check 'em out!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Creating Cards Again!

After a visit to Joann's last week and purchasing some paper (I was conservative, only bought 16 sheets) I was anxious to create some cards with the new paper. Once I started with one, the ideas kept coming.

This first card was created using the Wild Cards Cricut Cartridge and Core'dinations Chocolate box paper. I embossed the Core'dinations with the Argyle Cuttlebug embossing folder and sanded it. The greeting and the corner were cut from Bristol paper and colored in using Tim Holtz Alcohol ink markers.

The card didn't photograph so well, as the letters seem to blend in with the background paper, but it looks better in person.

I wanted to keep the card "unfrilly" so it could be a masculine card. I also inked the edge of the front of the card. Its one of those unusually shaped cards which are nice change from the A2 size.

This card was created using Wild Cards Cricut Cartridge and Design Studio. I wanted to make this style card but wanted to make it unique. I welded the letters HAPPY to the front of the card. I put two layers of "swoops" on the front, both cut from Core'dinations White Wash paper (my NEW FAVORITE!) The front layer is unique, as I created the scalloped edge in Design Studio. I then embossed it with D'Vine swirls in the Cuttlebug, and sanded it to bring out the color. SO COOL! The second layer is a plain edge "swoop" and I sanded it to bring out the color. The word "Birthday" is cut using the Jasmine cartridge and the cupcake is cut using Doodlecharms.

I've got several more cards to show...and will post them in the coming days.

Don't forget to post on the post dated July 2, regarding the Blog Candy! I will draw the name for the Swiss Cheese EK Success Border Punch on Friday

Thanks for stopping by....have a great day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Blog Candy!

In celebration of my reaching my goal, I have a little blog candy to give away! My plan was to post this yesterday, but my Daughter and 2 Granddaughers were visiting yesterday and we spent nearly the entire day together. WIth the girls being 4 years old and 19 months old respectively, they are high energy and I always need a day to recuperate! =~D

For the blog candy, I am having a give away of the EK Success Border Punch in the Swiss Cheese pattern.

Post a comment to this post, and in one week, I will put all the names in a hat and pick a winner. I've come to really enjoy using border punches, and EK has quite a nice selection of their new "slimline" punches!

Thanks for all of your support in the last month to complete my Use All My Cricut Cartridges Challenge! I've enjoyed reading all the comments and compliments...they really brightened my day!

Make sure to post your comment to enter, and will take all names with comments until 11:59 Thursday night. I'll draw the name on Friday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy