Hello Sunshine

  Happy Friday!!!  It's time for a new challenge from the Cut It Up Challenge Blog.  This week, the challenge is: Rainbow

And our fabulous sponsors are:

Pink And Main

And

Our very own Designer, Leslie, who is offering a lovely lot of crafty goodies.

Here is my card for your inspiration:

Pink and Main sent me this fabulous die set to work with!!  It includes this rainbow/sun piece and a sentiment: "friend" with a layering element.  At first I wasn't too excited about using this die, but once I actually cut with it and saw how fun it really is, I think I fell in love!  Here's what I did: the die cuts out everything all at once like a puzzle.  I ran it through my die cutting machine with white cardstock and had the idea that I would do it again with card stock each color of the rainbow so I could piece it together.  But I quickly realized that would waste a good amount of card stock and decided to color the white pieces with markers to get the colors I wanted.  So, I did that with the rainbow and sun pieces and sponged a bit of light blue ink around the edges of the clouds to make them stand out a little bit and to give them a rainy feel.  I also ran the die through my cutting machine with black glitter paper to get that black ring.  It really helps everything pop and the glitter adds a bit more fun.  I wanted to make this a shaker card, so I die cut a circle from the plaid layer, adhered some acetate behind it and then, starting with the outside cloud border, glued the pieces into place,  Since I wanted to be able to see "inside" the image, I left out the sky pieces, allowing the shaker elements to be seen.  After the die cuts were in place, I stamped my sentiment and then created the well for my shaker bits and added dimension to the rest of the back of the card, filled it with seed beads in rainy colors, adhered acetate to the back of the shaker element, placed the left over circle from the plaid piece onto the back of the card to show through the window as well, and finally adhered the whole panel to my white card base.  Partly for fun and partly to cover up a little tear where some washi tape stuck to the main panel, I added some clear droplets to mimic more raindrops.  You can see the shaker in action below.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you will hop over to the Cut It Up blog for the full details of the challenge and to see what the rest of the Design Team has created. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Verve "Celebrating you"

Dies: Pink and Main "Rainbow Friend"; Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"; MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle

Challenges:

Cards Galore Challenge #103--anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper

Love To Craft Challenge Blog #70--anything goes

Crafty Calendar--anything goes

Paper Funday Challenge #45--anything goes with optional twist: thinking of you

Love To Scrap Challenge Blog #157--anything goes

NBUS #42--never before used schtuff (first time I have pulled this die set out of the package.  And the first time I have used paper from this paper pad even though I have had it for at least a year if not two!)

Sweet Stampers #72--add a sentiment

As You Like it--which is your favorite: metallic or glitter card? (while I do love a good metallic card, I LOVE glitter!!  And if I can use it without all the mess than that is even better!  Glitter card stock still leaves glitter around, but not as much as the loose stuff, so it's glitter card for me.)

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #190--anything goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday--sparkle & shine

Double Trouble #121--punch it out (Thing #1: use a punched or die cut element)

Penny's Challenge #530--anything goes

Stay Craft (with Hero Arts)--die-lightful

Congrats

  Happy Friday!!!  It's time for a new challenge from the Cut It Up Challenge Blog.  This week, the challenge is: So Proud

And our fabulous sponsor is:

The Cutting Cafe

Here is my card for your inspiration:

We were given these fabulous cut-files to use.  I chose to use the foldable base and the layers.  Since I don't have an electronic cutting device, I had to hand-cut ALL of these pieces.  About half way through the card base (which I did first), I was really starting to rethink my life choices!  But I powered through and I am glad I did, because it really did turn out fabulous!  I cut the card base and the top layer out of black card stock.  I cut the middle layer with a gold glitter cardstock.  I used the base layer and then trimmed just inside the lines to make it slightly smaller than the base.  I stamped the graduation cap and diploma, colored them and fussy cut them out.  Soooooo much fussy cutting on this one!  I stamped the sentiment and die cut it with a banner.  I also added some black glitter die cut stars which you can see much better in real life.  You can see them better in the photo below:

I had to use the stars to cover up some adhesive mishaps, but no one will ever know, except you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you will hop over to the Cut It Up blog for the full details of the challenge and to see what the rest of the Design Team has created. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Verve "Take Note" sentiment; Repeat Impressions  cap and diploma

Dies: Lawn Fawn "Double Slider Surprise" banner die

The Cutting Cafe "Congrats Shaped Card" cutting file

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday--stamp it

Crafting Happiness #181--add a sentiment

Word Art Wednesday #560--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

Penny's Challenge #529--anything goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--stamp it

Cards Galore #103--anything goes

Love To Craft Challenge Blog #70--anything goes

Unicorn Challenge #80--go for gold

Crafty Calendar--anything goes

Paper Funday #45--anything goes with the optional twist: thinking of you

Grandpa

  Happy Friday!!!  It's time for a new challenge from the Cut It Up Challenge Blog.  This week, the challenge is: Grandparents' Day (this is a good time to create something to celebrate a favorite Grandma or Grandpa)

And our fabulous sponsor is:

Lawn Fawn

Here is my card for your inspiration:

I got this adorable stamp set from Lawn Fawn a while ago (read: a couple years) and had yet to pull it out and ink it up.  So, this was the perfect opportunity to give it some love.  I started out by die cutting my frame out of a light gray card stock and then figuring out how I wanted to orient it to best create a scene.  I kind of made it backwards and created from the top most layer back to the base layer, but, hey, it worked.  I created my "cliff" with a Lawn Fawn stitched hillside die and a dark gray card stock and added the lighthouse on top of the cliff.  (Side note, I live in Rhode Island so we have a lot of lighthouses along the coastline).  I created my "sandy beach" layer with some kraft card stock , then stamped the "GRANDPA" part of the sentiment and added a few stamped hearts with a kraft colored ink and added some grains of "sand" with two different markers.  I created my "ocean" with some Aqua Mist card stock die cut with a wave die.  I used some matching ink to define the edges a little and stamped some waves with the same ink and some white ink.  For the sky, I used a cloud stencil to add some interest and stamped my birds directly onto the background before adding the puffy clouds.  I finished it all off by stamping the rest of the sentiment on navy card stock (to go with the nautical theme) and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you will hop over to the Cut It Up blog for the full details of the challenge and to see what the rest of the Design Team has created. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn "Smooth Sailing"; Papertrey Ink "World's Greatest" the word grandpa

Dies: Lawn Fawn "Peekaboo Backdrop" frame, "Stitched Hillside Borders"; MFT "Ocean Motion"

Taylored Expressions "Set the Scene: Clouds" stencil

Challenges:

Cards Galore #102--anything goes

Dies R Us #199--summer

Pattie's Creations #197--anything goes

Unicorn #79--summer time

Crafty Calendar--anything goes

Sheepski Designs #65--anything goes

Creative Inspirations--anything goes

Moving Along with the Times #145--anything goes

613 Avenue Create--anything goes

NBUS--never before used stuff (never used the stamp set before)

Penny's Challenge #528--anything goes

Creative Fingers #237--anything goes

Cupcake Inspiration #551--hobbies (for some people, sailing is a hobby)

Cardz 4 Guyz #303--use a stencil

The Paper Shelter #502--frame it

Little Red Wagon #688--a day at the beach

All about me!

  Happy Friday!!!  It's time for a new challenge from the Cut It Up Challenge Blog.  This week, the challenge is: All About Me (create something for you, or something that represents you, or both!)

And our fabulous sponsor is:

STAMPlorations

Here is my project for your inspiration:

I LOVE to read!!  After a bit of a hiatus because I have three children, and lots of other interests, I've kind of gotten sucked back in.  It has mostly been fueled by my middle daughter who keeps feeding me the next book in a series she loves.  I just HAVE to keep reading them, you know?!  Anyway, I used a STAMPlorations tag die to create my bookmark base.  The tag wasn't as long as I wanted it to be, so I die cut the top only (hanging the bottom part outside the edge of the cutting plates so it wouldn't cut the bottom.  Then I slid the tag die down and did the same, but this time hanging the top off the edge of the cutting plate.  (I die cut a second piece to go underneath to strengthen the base)  I used a stencil to create a background.  I stamped my images (they are separate: head, shoulders with arms, dress, legs) on scrap card stock, colored them and cut them out.  Then I stamped the dress on a patterned paper and placed all the pieces together on the bookmark.  I actually have a blue dress with white polka dots (just wore it this past Sunday to church).  I added red shoes, for a pop of color and fun.  I also have red shoes but wouldn't be able to wear them with the dress because mine have polka dots and that would be a little too much with the dots on the dress!  I stamped a stack of books and a sentiment, added an eyelet and some fabric twine for the tassel.  Oh, and did I mention my favorite color is blue?  Yep, so this book mark is all about me!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you will hop over to the Cut It Up blog for the full details of the challenge and to see what the rest of the Design Team has created. 

Supplies:

Stamps: STAMPlorations "Party Girl"; MFT "Our Story" stack of books and sentiment

Dies: STAMPlorations "Coffee Tags"

Stencil: STAMPlorations "Floral Burst Mini"

Challenges:

Penny's Challenge #527--anything goes

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #187--anything goes

Snippets Playground #434--anything goes with snippets (all the pieces of my woman image were stamped on scraps--paper piecing is a great way to use up patterned paper scraps!)

Love To Craft Challenge Blog #195--anything goes

Crafty Calendar--anything goes

Sheepski Designs #65--anything goes

NBUS--never before used shtuff (this is the first time I have used the woman stamp set)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--summertime blues

613 Avenue Create--anything goes

Pumpkin spice and everything nice

  Happy Friday!!!  It's time for a new challenge from the Cut It Up Challenge Blog.  This week, the challenge is: Treat Boxes or Bags

And our fabulous sponsor is:

Newton's Nook

Here is my project for your inspiration:

I created this adorable little treat box all dressed up as a pumpkin for a nice fall themed treat.  I had this really cute set "Love Bites" from Newton's Nook and I thought the little donut could be a pumpkin spice donut to go with my pumpkin theme.  Super cute, right?!  I took some pics of each side so you can see what it looks like from all the angles.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you will hop over to the Cut It Up blog for the full details of the challenge and to see what the rest of the Design Team has created. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Newton's Nook "Love Bites"

Dies: Elizabeth Craft Designs treat box; MFT small leaves and "Tag Builder Blueprints 5" tag and heart; Poppy Stamps "Pumpkin Leaves"

Challenges:

Love to Craft Challenge Blog #69--anything goes

Crafter's Cafe #287--spring or autumn colors (I chose autumn)

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #186--anything goes

Fab n Funky #566--anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #554--anything goes with uplifting sentiment

The Paper Shelter--anything goes

Penny's Challenge #526--anything goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes

Monster-ous Birthday Wishes

 My oldest nephew turns 8 on Saturday.  This is the card I created for him; isn't it sooooo cute!!  I love these adorable Silly Monsters from YNS--they are perfect for masculine cards.

The center panel is popped up on foam tape to create a little hole for the monster to pop out of.  See him tucked in there?  I think he just took a bite of that ice cream bar on the right--see that look on his face?

Supplies:

Stamps: Your Next Stamp "Silly Monsters" and "Sweet and Cool"

Dies: Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"

Challenges:

Cards Galore #101--anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper

Pattie's Creations #196--anything goes

Cutie Pie #173--little cuties (for a child)

Creative Moments #236--cute

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #170--inspiration photo (inspired by the ice cream)

Aud Sentiments #295--anything goes with a sentiment

Crafting Happiness #125--anything goes

Fab n Funky #556--anything goes

The Paper Shelter--anything goes

Penny's Challenges #526--anything goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--for a child

Little Red Wagon #663--time for ice cream

Try Stampin' On Tuesday #565--sketch with the optional twist: sweet treats

A Gem of a Challenge--anything goes

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #186--anything goes

You're so cool!

  Happy Friday!!!  It's time for a new challenge from the Cut It Up Challenge Blog.  This week, the challenge is: Summer Lovin'.

And our fabulous sponsor is:

Your Next Stamp

Here is my card for your inspiration:

I was watching videos from MFT Stamps and came across this really fun slider card tutorial.  Alas, the dies and images I wanted to use were too big for the technique and I went through several (and I do mean several) panels before I finally ended up with something that was somewhat similar to what I wanted.  This panel still didn't end up exactly how I wanted it, but I just couldn't bear the thought of die cutting everything again!! So, I used the heart border die and a couple of the sequins to cover up some oopsies and the recipient will probably never even notice.  In the tutorial, the original image gets hidden as you pull the slider tab and the new image just pulls into place.  But I did NOT have enough room to do that, and I think it's ok to end up seeing both images.

I finished off the inside with a birthday greeting and stamped one of the ice cream bars with a caramel ink.

I will definitely give this a try again, but pick much smaller speech bubble dies and smaller images.  Live and learn!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you will hop over to the Cut It Up blog for the full details of the challenge and to see what the rest of the Design Team has created. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Your Next Stamp "Sweet & Cool" (which seems to be retired) ice cream bars and front sentiment; Lawn Fawn "Push Here"; Mama Elephant inside sentiment

Dies: Spellbinders "Say What" large speech bubble and "Classic Circles, large"; MFT "Smartphone" small speech bubble; PaperTrey Ink heart border

Challenges:

Cards Galore #101--anything goes

Love To Craft Challenge Blog #69--anything goes

Pattie's Creations #196--anything goes

Craft Rockets #94--summertime

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #170--inspiration photo ( I used ice cream bars instead of cones, but inspired by cool tasty treats!)

Love To Scrap Challenge Blog #156--anything goes

Aud Sentiments #295--anything goes

Crafting Happiness #125--anything goes

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #185--anything goes

Creative Fingers #235--anything goes