Gate Fold Mini Book

This is another project I created as Design Team Member of the Cricut Mini Albums blog.

I had seen a gatefold book and thought how cool it was, so I decided to create my own.

Using my Gypsy, George for the page shapes. I used Gypsy Wanderings for the title. I used binder rings for the bindings (instead of the Bind It All) because these type books get quite bulky when photos are added. The paper is DCWV Once Upon a Time Stack.

I used the entire of paper ( I used the 8 x 8 size so the design wouldn't be too big for the book) so the design would flow across the two pages.

On the individual pages, I used border punches for the tops of pockets to hold tags for photos and even journalling. I also used border punches to create narrow borders and to be used to hold photos in place. Tags were cut using Tags Bags, Boxes and More cartridge.

I also did the facing pages to match.
I also used border punches to create photo corners. I love photo corners - and I tried to create areas so the owner of the book can just add photos without any adhesives or glue.

Ribbon are also great to use to hold photos in the book.

The photo corner on this page was actually cut from one of the designs in this particular stack.

I took the liberty to post photos of my family to show how they fit nicely into the pockets. These lovelies are my granddaughters (that love to pose by the way!)
This is a photo from the day my son and wife's twins were born. Yep, that's me in the upper right corner of the photo.

Hope you liked today's project. I have many more ideas to create mini books and I've has so much fun being a member of the Design Team.

Now, back to the project I'm working on. Its for my sister's birthday, so I have lots of work to complete!

Thanks for stopping by, Have a great weekend.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Ice Cream - Perfect for a HOT Summer Day

I don't know if I'm a rare person for this, but I only like ice cream in the summer time. I rarely eat it in the winter (I hate being cold) but when its hot, I could eat ice cream every day!

This card reminds me of summer birthday parties (and in my family there are plenty. We have 7 family birthdays in June alone!

I started with Core'dinations Chocolate Box paper, embossed it with D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder. I cut a circle from the DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies Stack and using the Martha Stewart Border punch, I create a strip that I clipped and curved around the circle, giving it a doily look.

Ice cream cone is cut using the Sweet Treats Cricut Cartridge and a little Stickles for sprinkles.

Hope its not too hot where you are, but if it is, have some ice cream to celebrate Summer!

Thanks for stopping by!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Cupcakes for your Birthday!

I saw a card similar to this in an Archiver's ad and I thought I would try to duplicate it in my own way.

Green background cardstock is Core'dinations, embossed with Swiss Dots and D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug Embossing folders. Circle cut using Sweet Stack by DCWV. Edge around circle was cut using Martha Stewart Border punch and straight edge snipped to create border to curve around the circle. Cupcakes were cut using Sweet Treats and colored with Copic Markers. Pedestal was cut using Celebrations.

Blue strip was trimmed using EK Success mini scallop border punch. Scallop circle with stamped greeting.

Sometimes when I make a card, I have a difficult time sending it out right away...but how can anyone else enjoy it if I keep it for myself? Guess I'll have to make another variation so I have another on hand.

Its great to be getting back into creating again. Although I loved the time I spent with my kids and their families, especially my Grandchildren, its nice to be home and creating every day.

At the Cricut Message board, all the buzz lately has been about the new Cricut Lite Cartridges. Although they don't carry them at my local Walmart, I did find them at the Walmart near my daughter's and I was able to pick up two. I have been busy making cards with them and can't wait to show them off! So be sure to stop by again soon!

Have a great day...thanks for stopping by and have a great Wednesday!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

This is your Life...so far....

Hi All!

The past few weeks have been crazy! Birthdays, Graduation, dance recitals, making gifts and all this only to be complicated by my car undriveable! Its been hectic, but all is calming down now. Today's feature is a book I made for my niece for her graduation. She turned 18 in May and then Graduated high school two weeks later.

This was another BIG BOOK! I used 12 x 12 cardstock adhered to 12 x 12 sheets of chipboard. I used basic colors (Becca is not a "frilly" type person, and her mom told me Becca's favorite color is "Cubbie" blue!)

For the cover, I used clear acrylic sheets for the front and back, and the page beneath it was made with Whitewash Coredinations paper, embossed with Cuttlebug folders. Layer underneath was trimmed with Martha Steward border punch. Title was cut using the Gazelle.

Throughout the book, I used several different Martha Stewart or EK Success border punches.

Printed paper from these two pages is from the Birthday Stack from Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby) Cupcake and shapes were cut using Sweet Treats Cricut Cartridge.

The book was a big hit, my niece really loved it!

My next project is for another family member that will be celebrating a big birthday milestone!

Thanks for stopping by....now that things are settling down, I'll be able to post more often. Hope you can come back soon!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

CUPCAKE CARD - TAKE 2

Cupcakes seem to be the "BIG THING" lately and I'm having fun making a variety of cupcake cards (well, at least these cupcakes are FAT FREE!)

I came across a method to use a border punch on a curved edge. I wish I could remember where I found this, as I would like to give this very creative person credit. I decided to give it a try with this card.

The bottom layer of the card is red cardstock, embossed using my Cuttlebug and a Sizzix folder. I cut two ovals using my Cricut and George, two different sizes. I embossed the top (smaller) oval with the Happy Birthday Cuttlebug folder. I used this bright green cardstock (I'm getting braver in my color choices!) and used the Martha Stewart Border punch and clipped the straight edge between the two scallops to allow the paper to curve. I lined it up along the edge of the large oval and attached it to the back.

Cupcake was cut using Doodlecharms and I colored the flame and the bottom of the cupcake with Copic markers. The frosting was embossed using D'Vine swirls and the Cuttlebug.

Hope you enjoyed today's project. Wishing you a crafty weekend!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Latest Project for Cricut Mini Albums Design Team

Hi everyone! Today's feature is my latest project for teh Cricut Mini Albums Design Team. I had the idea for this book, but got stuck part of the way through it. It sat on my desk for awhile and I kept looking at it. It finally clicked as to how I should finish it.

I started out using the Teddy bear shape from Create A Critter Cricut cartridge and welded it to a rectangle from George to create a page. (I also used my Gypsy to create this book)

I used Pooh Font set for the title on the cover. Used Tags, Bags, Boxes and More for the tags.

Duck was cut using New Arrival

The title Precious was cut using Once Upon A Princess. The left sided page has a folder that opens up and holds two more photos inside.

Another tag pocket and the baby buggy was cut using Everyday Paper dolls.

The page on the left is another folder that opens up to hold 4 more photos (see last photo)

I made it to fit either a girl or boy. The paper is from Hobby Lobby's Paper Studio Line. Stack is called Jung-a-low, Bung-a-low Baby. It has great colors and prints neutral for either gender.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Monkey Birthday

Hi All! Here is another of the birthday cards I've created recently. I love this monkey from the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge. I cut it from white paper and colored him with Copics (there is no layering for this particular shape). The vine was cut from ZooBaloo. The verse is from Beyond Birthdays and the scalloped circle was cut using Gypsy Wanderings.

Here is the inside of the card, cut using Creative Critters Cartridge.

Thanks for visiting. I have 2 big projects to complete in the next few weeks and I can't wait to show them off. Have a great day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Happy Birthday Cupcake Card

One of my most recent cartridge purchases was Sweet Treats. Its has a great variety of cupcakes, ice cream cones, fancy cakes and can be used to make some very whimsical cards.

There are 7 family birthdays in the month of June, and since I make cards for my mom to give too, I have made quite a few cards in the past few weeks.

This is the cupcake card shape, cut at 5 1/2" tall. I used Stickles for the sprinkles, Copic marker for the edging of the flower and a mini stamp for the greeting.

Chocolate cupcakes are one of my favorites and this one is CALORIE FREE! =~D

Thanks for stopping by. Hope your June is off to a great start! YEA SUMMER! My favorite time of year.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy