A Very Special Card For A Very Special Friend

Hi friends and fellow crafters! A very special friend was celebrating her 70th Birthday. I needed to make a card for her and I wanted it to be as unique as she is. I have been enjoying using my Art Deco Cartridge lately for cards, so I grabbed my Gypsy and went to work. Here is what I came up with.

It is really hard to see in the pictures, but the DCWV Glitzy Glitter Papers really make this card pop. I kept the design simple and let the papers and glamour girl take center stage. Everything is from my stash! I cut the glamour girl at 2.10 x 3.47. The mat is also from Art Deco and is cut at 3.50 x 4.99. I used black cardstock for the base of the card and I used black metallic cardstock for the layer. I used the glitzy glitter paper for the 1st 2 layers of the sentiment and printed the birthday sentiment on gold metallic paper. The metallic papers are from Paper Temptress and are just beautiful in person. Pictures do this card no justice, It is very sparkly!

I added some Jolee's Crystals on the card and used a Martha Stewart punch for the border underneath the glamour girl.

The card was part of a card shower that was presented to her on her birthday. What a wonderful idea for a birthday surprise.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. If you would like to learn how to create an Easel card like the one here, stop by next week during National Scrapbooking Day when I'll have a tutorial posted.

 

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Designed by: Colleen McCauley
Designed and Cut Using: Cricut Gypsy and Cricut Anniversary Expression 2
Cartridges Used: Art Deco
Other Materials: DCWV Glitzy Glitter Paper, Black Cardstock, Metallic Black and Gold Cardstock, Martha Stewart Punch, Jolee's Crystals and Adhesives

Sharp Dressed Baby

Hi friends and fellow crafters! Today I am sharing a layout that I created for an online crop at the Cricut Circle Message Boards. Over the weekend, many Circle members attended a meet up in Georgia called Circle Mania. A board member who couldn't attend, Di, started an online crop for those of us who were home and wishing we were there. I started the page on Sunday, but unfortunately due to life, I didn't finish it until today. I say, better late, than never!

I used pictures from Danny's first New Year's Eve. He was dressed in his finest party wear. The cutest tuxedo onesie ever! His Auntie Elaine gave it to him. The penguin in the pictures with him was a present from my brother in law. I made sure to take some pictures of him with it because he loved it so much. The penguin and his tuxedo are the inspiration for the layout.



The penguins are from Animal Kingdom. I got this cartridge years ago on clearance at AC Moore and I am almost embarrassed to say that this is the 1st time I used it. I cut them at 5.5 inches using American Crafts White Cardstock and my favorite DCWV Glitzy Glitter Paper. I colored their beaks and feet with a copic marker and used a Viva Décor Pearl Pen in Graphite for their eyes. I had a spare heart boarder laying on my table that I cut 4 hearts from and used them to make a bow tie for the penguins. I added a little crystal in the center of the bow tie. They are really sweet.

Every time I look at these pictures, I think of ZZ Top's Sharp Dressed Man, so I used that as my title, changing the word man, to baby. I cut "Every Girl Crazy About" from Billionaire at 1.25 inches using plain black cardstock. The border between the red and gray paper is from Echo Park, as is the journaling spot. It doesn't show very well, but the red paper is from my stash and has a design sewn on it using red embroidery floss. I have had this paper forever waiting for the perfect layout. LOL!

 

 

 

I used Art Deco for "A Sharp Dressed Baby" and cut the letters at 1.25 inches using the Glitzy Glitter Paper. I had some stars and arrows left over from a banner I made and used them for embellishments. I ran a piece of my new favorite Washi Tape across the bottom. It is by Webster Pages. Love those cameras!

 

I can't believe how fast time has gone by. One day he was a sweet little baby and now he is a young man.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

 

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

 

Designed By: Colleen McCauley

Machines Used: Cricut Expression 2 Anniversary Edition, Gypsy

Carts Used: Animal Kingdom, Art Deco, Billionaire

Other Materials: American Crafts White Cardstock, Red designer paper from my stash, Grey cardstock by Pink Paislee, DCWV Glitzy Glitter Paper, Copic marker, Viva Décor Pearl Pen, Webster Pages Washi Tape, Echo Park

Wedding Card With Matching Gift Box

 

Hi friends and fellow crafters! Today I am sharing my post for the Cricut FANatics Blog with you. There are so many talented crafters over there, so if you haven't visited the blog yet, stop on by and have a look around. Wedding season is fast upon us and I have already gotten my first request to make a card. This set is for my Mom's best friend, Rosalie. Her Granddaughter is getting married and she asked if I could make her a special card. I decided to incorporate the bridal colors into the card's design.

 

I was very excited because this gave me the chance to use my new Anna Griffin Embossing folders. I chose the Rosa folder for the background design. It embossed the papers beautifully and there was no tearing. Here is a close up of the embossing.

 

Card Embossing

Box and Tag Embossing

I created the set using my Gypsy. I am so sad to hear that PC will no longer be making the Gypsy. I think it's one of the most unique crafting devices out there. I love being able to create on the go. The card was designed while I was waiting to pick up a prescription!

 

 

I used white American Crafts cardstock for the base. I have already given the set to my Mom's friend, so I can't remember the exact size of the card. I think it is around 5 x 5.5  inches. I layered a piece of Red Cricut Candy Shop Cardstock and then another layer of embossed white American Crafts cardstock.  I cut the doves and heart from the Wedding Solutions cartridge at 4.5 wide by 2.10 high. Again. I used the red cardstock from the Cricut Candy Shop cardstock. I stamped Happily Ever After in Gold Ink and cut it into a rectangle. I cut 4 corners from Picturesque at 1.00 by .85 inches. I wanted to add some sparkle to the card since I was only using two colors, so I used Ranger Glossy Accents and Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter on the heart and corners. After I stamped the sentiment, I used the Glossy Accents and ran a very thin line of it across the edges, then dipped it into the MS coarse Glitter. It added just the right amount of sparkle to the card.

 

I followed the same pattern for the inside of the card with the embossing and colors. Then I cut a red rectangle and matted a computer sentiment on it. I wanted to leave a space for Rosalie to write a note for her Granddaughter on the inside so I printed the sentiment over both sides of the card. I also glittered the edges of the sentiment layer and added more glittered corners.

 

 

Once the card was finished, I attempted to create an envelope and it was a dismal failure. LOL! I decided that I would make a presentation box to go along with the card. I used the square box on page 63 from Sweet Tooth Boxes and sized the cuts at 10.75 x 10.75 inches. I used the scalloped lid and hid the circle window on the top.

 

I decorated the box with more corners from Picturesque, a monogram letter "L" and a tag from Tie The Knot. I embossed the red layers and the tag with the Anna Griffin Rosa folder. I added some red embossed panels to the sides for interest.

I finished the box with a red satin bow and some pearl accents. With some red tissue paper added, the card fit nicely in the box.

Here is one more look at the set.

I truly enjoyed creating this card set! I hope the bride and groom have a beautiful wedding and live happily ever after! Thank you for stopping by our blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

 

Designed by: Colleen McCauley

Created Using: Cricut Expression Anniversary E2,  Gypsy and Cuttlebug

Cartridges Used: Wedding Solutions, Tie The Knot, Sweet Tooth Boxes and Picturesque

Other Materials: Anna Griffin Embossing Folder, American Crafts White Cardstock, Cricut Candy Shop Red Cardstock, Happily Ever After Stamp by 7 Gypsies, Gold Pigment Ink by Color Box, Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter, Ranger Glossy Accents, Pearl Embellishments and Satin Ribbon.



 

 

 

Just Keep Swimming

Hi friends and fellow crafters! Today I am sharing another layout that I created with the new Cricut Circle Cartridge, Animal Antics. This is my 2nd project for a challenge at the message boards to create a project a month using a Circle Cartridge.

This layout features my nephews, Matt and Dave swimming with my Dad in our pool. We spent many a hot summer day in the yard having fun by the pool. My Dad adored all 5 of his grandsons and it shows in this picture!

I cut the fish at almost 3 inches. They are really cute. I used Ranger Glossy Accents to give the snorkeling mask a wet look. I also added a skittle at the top of each fish for the air bubble. I doodled on the snorkel. I popped them all up with Pop Dots.

 

The phrase is 3.5 x 5 inches.  I also used the Ranger Glossy Accents on the mask in the phrase, too.

I used some rub ons that I have had sitting around forever. I used one that said, "No Matter What Happens" to start my title. I cut the paper to look like a pennant. I added 4 skittles to it and used pop dots to raise the center of it.

I had some fun with my Washi Tape. It is everywhere! I ran a piece across the bottom and above the fish. I made pennants across the top of my page with it too. I saw the technique before, but can't remember where. You might notice a little dot on the title pennant, that is my son's contribution to my layout. He picked up a small piece of Washi Tape and stuck it on the pennant. I just left it be.

 

The circles were welded in the Cricut Craft Room. I used them for interest and added a rub-on that says "You Color My World" on the last circle.

 

The cardstock is the new Cricut Paper Collection, with the exception of the paper that I cut the circle from and the turquoise strip that runs down the layout. The orange polka dot paper is from Close To My Heart Dotty For You Collection. The turquoise paper is from Recollections. I have to say, the Cricut cardstock cuts really smooth. I give it 2 thumbs up!

 

Thank you stopping by my blog today!

 

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

 

Designed by: Colleen McCauley

Machine used: Cricut Mini

Created in the Cricut Craft Room

Cartridge used: Animal Antics and Craft Room Basics

Other Materials: Cricut Cardstock, CTMH Dotty For You Paper, Recollections Cardstock, Ranger Glossy Accents, Washi Tape, Rub-ons, Skittles, Pop Dots

We've Got Chemistry Layout

Hi friends and fellow crafters! I have a scrapbook layout to share today.

Around Christmas, PC announced that they were going to be sending out a cartridge to Circle members that would never be sold to the public. It was in response to their releasing French Manor in a Cricut Expression 2 package and would be given to members who joined before July 2012. French Manor was the first Circle exclusive cartridge for anyone who might not be familiar with the title. While the physical cartridge has not arrived yet, it was a nice surprise to see it available in my Cricut Craft Room Account. The cartridge is called Animal Antics and it is a real delight. Here are a couple of previews, and this is the link to the digital handbook for the more curious.

At first, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this cartridge, but there was a challenge on the message board to make a project a month with one of the Circle carts and I decided to go ahead and join. My cartridge is Animal Antics. Each month I will be hosting a thread for anyone who wants to use the Animal Antics Cartridge. I will make a project and post it, then hopefully, others will join the thread and share something they have created with the cartridge too. Originally, I was going to make a card, then I decided to go with a layout instead. I think the phrases layer will work nicely for scrapbook pages or even Project Life pages. Of course it will also create sweet, sweet cards too!  

Here is my layout.

I used the font from the cartridge for the title and the E=MC 2 cut on page 18 for an embellishment. The letters are cut at 1 inch and the E=MC 2 is cut at 5.5 width by 2.5 height. I have never done one of those grouping layouts like so many talented layout artists create, so I decided to try my hand at one with this layout.  

I really like this particular cut and I have a few more idea for it on a card. I used copics to color the chemistry beaker and added some little crystals as bubbles. I for the top layer of the beaker, I added some Lemon Ice Stickles, 

I stamped Josephine from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and colored it with copics. I've owned this stamp for ages and this was the 1st time I used her. I believe she may retired now. LOL! 

I have never done one of those grouping layouts like so many talented layout artists create, so I decided to try my hand at one with this layout. I found some Cricut cuts on my table, the arrow, stars and hearts so I used them. I added some embellishments and twine to the heart and stars. The ticket is from Tim Holtz. The card with the alphabet is trimmed from a piece of Lori Whitlock paper from the Note To Self Collection, by Echo Park. I inked the edges on it. The glass butterfly is from Recollections and the 1+1 cards are trimmed from a piece of Graphic 45 paper from the ABC Primer collection. All the papers are from my stash. The cork paper is from Canvas Home Basics Corkstock Tiles from AC Moore. The background paper is from Echo Park, and the title paper is from October Afternoon. 

When I scanned my Polaroid picture, I didn't crop it. I wanted it to look like it was attached to a cork board, so I added a brad to the picture. 

You might have noticed that the word chemistry is just a tiny bit uneven. I used a magnetic ruler instead of just eyeballing the letters when I was gluing them down. Naturally, the ruler was crooked! Lesson learned.....
The photo is from 1987, so I kindly request that there is no laughing at my 80's big hair!   

I really enjoyed this challenge and creating this layout. I am looking forward to next month's project. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen