Exploring Cricut ~ Autumn

Could it really be that time again? Well, I have witnessed some fog in the morning with a bit of briskness in the air... So that means Autumn will be sure to arrive with it's kaleidoscope of colors and aromas.

So today for my Exploring Cricut

challenge, I embraced the season to come and pulled out two themed carts, Simply Scarecrow and Autumn Celebrations...

The designer paper is by Bo Bunny but I added a little more... I pulled out a new Stampendous stamp I picked up at Michaels and added some Autumn Words to the mix. I then used a Cuttlebug folder (Wicker Weave) to emboss and distressed the edges. And the cuts are as follows...

Carts

Autumn Celebrations - Acorn - 3 inches - Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Beige, Rust, Orange, Kraft

Simply Scarecrow - Crow - 6.75 inches - black

I hand cut the banner but masked off the words I did not wish to stamp on the banner and then inked up the word Autumn before removing the tape. Place the stamp where desired and voila!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I have a few more items coming up this week including some new releases from Our Daily Bread Designs so stay tuned! Blessings...

Lori

 

Card Recipe

 

Stamp - Stampendous - Autumn Words

Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa (sentiment & background); Ranger Distress Ink Tarnished Brass & Memento Desert Sand Reinker (custom dyed seam binding)

Misc. - Seam Binding, Cuttlebug Folder - Wicker Weave

ODBDSLC121 ~ You Leave Me In Stitches!

It is time for another Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge!  (And this one will last 2 weeks!) 

This time we want to see stitches!
Faux or real...

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on nor will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them! As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing 1 to 2 creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, September 9th at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC121. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to our challenge.

And now for my take...

For my stitching I cheated and used an embossing folder. After embossing the DP, I lightly sanded it with a distressing tool to make the stitching pop. I chose Our Daily Bread Designs' With Heartfelt Sympathy set for this card. This set is so elegant! I know this one will be my go to set for all of my sympathy cards.

I used a DP resembling an old map for the die cut Spellbinders Moroccan Motif and placed a black scalloped die beneath the sentiment panel. For this card I opted to stamp my image and sentiment with coordinating ink. A few blossoms and die punched leaves add a bit of whimsy. I also cut up a pearl flourish and added it the floral spray and the upper corner. I thought it might be a little bland! Thanks so much for stopping by and until next time... blessings...

Please stop by and visit my "sister sticks" to see their lovely creations! And don't forget to leave them some love!

Chris Olsen  *** Jan Keen *** Jan Marie Ennenga *** Kathy Roney *** Rosemary Dennis *** and our very special guest designer this month Linda Lucas!

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, click HERE.

Card Recipe

Stamps - ODBD - With Heartfelt Sympathy
Papers - Bazzill; My Mind's Eye - Traveler; Bo Bunny - Little Miss Collection
Ink - Close To My Heart - Olive
Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug - Pinking Stitch
Dies - Spellbinders - Moroccan Motifs, Petite Scalloped Circles Large & Standard Circles Large
Misc. - Blossoms, Pearl Flourish - Recollections; Paper Punches - Martha Stewart Crafts

Exploring Cricut - Back to School!

Welcome to another fun challenge at Exploring Cricut! This time we are creating for

Back To School

(Primary & Secondary Colors, ex. red, blue, yellow, green...)

And here's my take for the week.  I created a tissue cover for one of my fellow DT member who happens to be a teacher. 

 

another view...

and we can't forget the glue...

Surprise Emily! I hope you like it!

Cricut Carts

Plantin' Schoolbook

Makin' the Grade

Locker Talk
Simply Charmed

 

You can find the tutorial (including cuts and instructions) to create the base cover HERE at Splitcoast Stampers. 

For my base I used red card stock and cut the cover panels with black.  I wanted to mimic a chalkboard. 

Now for the Cricut cuts...

Makin' The Grade - 1.25 inches white CS - ABC & 123
Plantin' Schoolbook - 2.5 inches red, brown & green CS - Apple; 1.5 inches white CS - Miss Evertz
Simply Charmed - 4.25 inches red, blue, yellow, green & black- Crayons
Locker Talk - 3 inches - white & blue CS - Glue

Misc.

White Gel Pen (line letters on glue)
Dimensional Adhesive
Spellbinder Dies - Ovals Large (top base cut) & Labels Twenty (final decorative cut)
 

MOJO225 & SSIC154 ~ With Heartfelt Sympathy

Blessings to you dear friends.  I must say this is the type of card I do not like to do.  Sympathy cards seem to be so hard for me.  I know that death is a going home celebration for those who die in Christ and the expressions of sympathy are simply for those left behind. 

 

With my Mother's accident and subsequent surgery, the fragility of life has become very clear.  We are not promised tomorrow.  We must live as if it were our last moment on earth.  So today, I plan to hug my loved ones and tell them how much I care.  What a blessing that we awoke to celebrate another day of life!  Who can  you share God's love with today?  Hugs and blessings...

 

Lori

 

Created for this week's Mojo sketch and die cut challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ...

and the Mojo sketch...

 

Card Recipe

 

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - With Heartfelt Sympathy

Papers - Glitz - French Kiss; Bo Bunny - Apple Cider; Simple Stories - Documented

Ink - Versafine - Onyx Black; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Frayed Burlap (edges)

Dies - Spellbinders - Labels Eleven

Misc. - Seam Binding (custom dyed with Tuxedo Black - Memento Reinker); Pearl Flourish - Zva; Blossom; Lace; Distressing Tool

 

Challenges

 

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge - MOJO255

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - SSIC154 - Dies, Punches or Shapes of Any Kind

ODBDSLC120 ~ Sketch It!

For the special Birthday Blog Hop celebrating Randi Barrett's 60th click HERE...

It is time for another Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge!

This week we have a sketch to stir up your creative juices!

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on nor will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them! As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing 1 to 2 creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, August 26th at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC120. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to our challenge.

And now for my take...

For this challenge I opted with 2 different designer papers.  For my sentiment panel I stamped ODBD's Daisy image with a light distress ink and then a favorite scripture that may be found in the Scripture Series 1 set.  I love combining images and DP to make my own custom design!  My options are limitless!  Behind the die cut panel I placed a bit of fringe trim!  A bit of whimsy in my day! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and until next time...

Blessings...

Please stop by and visit my "sister sticks" to see their lovely creations! And don't forget to leave them some love!

Chris Olsen  *** Jan Keen *** Jan Marie Ennenga *** Kathy Roney *** Rosemary Dennis *** and our very special guest designer this month Linda Lucas!

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, click HERE.

Card Recipe

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Daisy, Scripture Series 1
Papers - Bazzill; Bo Bunny - Weekend Market Collection; Prima - Almanac Collection
Ink - Ranger Distress Ink - Frayed Burlap; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies - Spellbinders Standard Circles Large; Lacey Circles
Misc. - Dew Drops, Fringe Trim

A Very Special Birthday Blog Hop!

Thanks for stopping in today!  If you arrived here via Julie's blog, you are in the right spot! Thanks for helping us celebrate our beloved Randi Barrett's birthday! I hope she is surprised!

When I first joined the challenge team a year or so back, Randi was one of the first to welcome me on board. If you haven't been blessed to get to know Randi, she is a true gem. She is the whole package... humor, grace, style and talent... She's got it all! Her encouragement and prayers have helped many of us over some rough patches! And to honor her on her special day, well what else could I use but the ODBD set, Randi's Song!

So Happy Birthday Randi!

  I love ya!

The card winging it's way to Randi...

And because Randi is such a jewel I had to add some pearls and bling...

So here's a big cyber hug to ya Randi!

Pray it is the best one yet!!!!

Now don't forget readers to hop over to the ODBD blog to complete the hop and leave Randi some birthday love! Thanks so much!

Blessings...

Lori

Card Recipe

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Randi's Song

Paper - Carta Bella - Beautiful Moments, Bazzill

Ink - Versafine - Onyx Black

Dies - Spellbinders - Foliage; Cheery Lynn Designs - Fanciful Flourish

Misc. - Rhinestone Flourish - Recollections; Pearl Stick Pins - Maya Road; Blossom

Challenges

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - SSIC153 - Sentiment Only

Word Art Wednesday - WAW41

Exploring Cricut ~ Merci!

Welcome! What a wild few weeks it has been. With my mother's accident and subsequent surgery there has been little time for crafting. But so many people have been so very kind to pitch in and help me. So there is definitely no shortage of people this lovely thank you card can go to!

 For today's project I pulled out a new cart for me, French Manor, to capture a bit of elegance for Exploring Cricut.

Cricut Carts

French Manor

George

Cricut Cuts

Heart - George (4.5 inches) - My Mind's Eye Traveler Paper Pad

Eiffel Tower - French Manor (5.25 inches) - Bazzill Black CS

Merci - French Manor (1.75 inches) - Bazzill Red CS

Flourish (cut with Eiffel Tower) - French Manor (5.25 inches)- Bazzill Red CS

Frame - French Manor (5.25 inches) - Bazzill Black CS

Instructions

1. Cut Black CS base 6 x 12 inches. Score at 6 inches and fold.

2. Cut slightly smaller red panel and adhere with dimensional foam.

3. Cut DP (MME) distress edges and ink with distress ink before placing.

4. Cut all Cricut Cuts. Distress heart with black distress ink.

5. Place Cricut cuts as shown with dimensional foam.

6. Paper punch 7 fern fronds.

7. Garnish with blossoms and glue down greenery.

Merci! Blessings to you and yours this week.

Lori

Materials

Cricut Carts - French Manor; George

Papers - Bazzill, My Mind's Eye - Traveler

Inks - Ranger Distress Ink - Black Soot

Dimensional Foam

Misc. - Blossoms; Paper Punch - Martha Stewart Crafts

ODBD Alumni For the Love Of Single Images Hop

Welcome to Our Daily Bread Designs' Alumni Team bi-monthly For the Love Blog Hop. This week the Alumni team along with some of the ODBD designers are featuring a hop For the Love of ODBD Single Image Stamps! Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, check the ODBD blog for full list of links. One of the posts is a hop hot spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to win a $15 ODBD store gift certificate. So, all you have to do is hop along and see all the lovely creations and leave a little love! You have until Wednesday, August 29th at 6 pm. Enjoy all the awesome inspiration using For the Love of ODBD Single Image Stamps!

If you arrived here from Grace's DELIGHTFUL blog you are in the right spot! If not, head over to ODBD's Blog for a full link list.

This week I am working with a few lovely images including the Butterfly Corner

and Butterfly Single Image

to create this...

Now I will send you on your way to Our Daily Bread Designs' WONDERFUL blog. Make sure to leave some love at this final stop! Blessings and thanks so much for stopping by!

Card Recipe
Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Butterfly Corner, Butterfly Single, Bookmark Verses
Papers - Bazzill, Neenah
Ink - Memento - Summer Sky, Bamboo Leaves, Tuxedo Black; Copics; Versafine Onyx Black
Dies - Our Daily Bread Designs - Single Butterfly Die
Misc. - Ribbon; Stickles - Diamond

ODBDSLC120 ~ Technique Challenge

It is time for another Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge! 

This week we want to see projects that feature the sponging technique!   

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on nor will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them! As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing 1 to 2 creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Sunday, August 19th at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC119. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to our challenge.

And my project for the week...

The card measures 4.5 x 4.5 inches. I placed a Spellbinder die on my DP base and sponged the around the edges lightly with distress ink. I then stamped the butterfly image from Our Daily Bread Designs' Faith set. A bit of coordinating striped paper at the bottom along with a festive checked die flourish add a bit of fun to the blossoms and lace.   A lovely tag with the lovely quote was added at the top.  You may find this also in the Faith set...  So soothing....

Thanks so much for stopping by and until next time...

Blessings...

Please stop by and visit my "sister sticks" to see their lovely creations! And don't forget to leave them some love!

Chris Olsen  *** Jan Keen *** Jan Marie Ennenga *** Kathy Roney *** Rosemary Dennis *** and our very special guest designer this month Linda Lucas!

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, click HERE.

Exploring Cricut ~ Cricut Choice

Welcome to another fun challenge at Exploring Cricut! This time we are

Cricut Choice

2 Cricut Cuts + 1 Monogram = Fun!

So show us your projects that Feature 2 Cuts and 1 Monogram!

I opted to create a lock tag, perfect for a little lady who is going back to school this week.  I used 2 cuts from Wrap it Up and 1 Monogram from Varsity.  How's it look?

Cricut Cuts

Wrap It Up - Tag (chipboard) - 5.5 inches; Apple (green, brown, red card stock) - 4.75 inches

Varsity - Letter B (black and gold card stock) - 2.25 inches

Misc.

Inks - Ranger Distress Inks by Tim Holtz - Pumice Stone & Frayed Burlap (edges of tag)

Ribbons - Red/White Gingham; Black/White Gingham; Yellow Seam Binding

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Don't forget to pop over to Exploring Cricut to see what the other Design Team Members have come up with!  Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Lori

IBSIC21 ~ What a Thrill!

What a thrill!  Recently, Joanna Munster with Inspired by Stamping asked me to fill a guest design spot for a week.  After I pulled my jaw up off the floor, I happily accepted.  If you haven't had a chance to check out the fab lines of stamps and embellies she has please do.  They are so much fun to create with! 

So what is the challenge this week? Joanna wants to see pinks yellows and greens as shown is this week's inspiration photo....

And here's my interpretation also incorporating the weekly Mojo sketch...

And the sketch that inspired it...

What fun! Thanks Joanna for letting me have a chance to play along! Please visit Joanna's Inspired by Stamping Inspiration Challenge blog for all the fun details! And thanks for stopping by!

Blessings...

Lori

Card Recipe

Stamps - Inspired by Stamping - Amazing Inspirations

Paper - Bazzill; Paper Studio; Echo Park - This and That - Charming; Echo Park - This and That - Graceful; Pink Paislee - London Market; Lilybeedesign - Double Dutch

Ink - Versafine - Onyx Black; Ranger Distress Ink - Tattered Rose

Misc. - Blossoms - Inspired by Stamping; Crochet Sticker - Colorbok; Pearl Flourish - Recollections; Seam Binding - Stampin' Up; Paper Punch - Martha Stewart Crafts; Crochet Lace - Stash

Dies - Spellbinders Foliage

Embossing Folder - Sizzix - Tim Holtz Alterations - Postcard

Challenges -

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge - MOJO253

MOJO252 & WAW39 ~ Angry Waves

I am always amazed by the Biblical account of Jesus calling to Peter to join him while he walked on the angry waves. At first all went well, but then Peter began to sink in his own doubt. Jesus, realizing the frailty of Peter, reached out to grab him and rescued him from the sea.

This week, there were some angry waves at the Ulrich household. Sunday my fellows took off to Lynchburg, Virginia to move our youngest into his apartment at school. Monday evening my Mother decided to come stay with me. Her home is literally a few steps from mine. After arriving at my door she began to worry about her dog and we hopped on the golf cart to let Sara out. Sara was excited and refused to let my Mother get on the golf cart without her. Mom insisted on walking to my house. I began to turn the golf cart around and heard my Mother scream. Somehow Sara and one of my dogs had managed to knock my poor 75 year old Mother to the ground. And the worst part, I saw a grotesque and misshapen mess where her foot had been. I quickly restored all animals to their pens and assessed the situation.  Mom was unable to put any weight on her foot.  It was obviously badly broken.   

God sent many angels to us that night. Within a few moments of calling 911, local first responders were there. A few in fact are members of my church family. They made my Mom comfortable until the ambulance arrived. Then the ambulance arrived with people I knew. It was like God sent every person he could think of to give us both peace of mind that night! It was truly awesome!

After several hours in the ER Mom was transferred to Lexington. The break was bad enough that nothing could be done locally. We left that night at 9:45PM and did not return until Tuesday at noon. She will return this week to determine if surgery will be necessary. It was a terrible night, watching my Mother scream in pain, driving to Lexington at 3AM in the morning and signing papers turning my Mother's care over to strangers. But I wasn't alone. Jesus was right there with me. Praise God he was there to throw me that lifeline.  

Thanks as always... 

Today's card for the weekly MOJO sketch...

and the sketch...

Card Recipe

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Surging Sea

Paper - Bazzill; Echo Park This and That

Ink - Versafine - Onyx Black; Ranger Distress Ink - Pumice Stone

Dies - Spellbinders - Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Picot Edge Circles & Standard Circles Large

Misc. - Recollections - Pearl Flourish; Blossoms - Prima & Stash; Paper Punch - Martha Stewart Crafts

Challenges

Mojo Monday  - MOJO252
Word Art Wednesday - WAW39

Dreaming in White

Can you believe it is already August? In our area many schools will begin classes next week! YIKES! And our youngest will be heading back to Lynchburg in a few weeks to resume work on his Masters. Where did the summer go?

Even though Labor Day is bearing down on us, I still have a few weddings to attend.  I created the card shown above for a wedding in early September.

The base is 5 x 7 inches. I layered an embossed wicker panel (wrong side up). I liked the negative  better than the original... :-) I cut a slightly smaller white panel and used a Spellbinder die to cut/emboss a frame. I added this layer on top of the wicker embossed piece with dimensional foam. I added a pearl flourish and a Cheery Lynn Designs die cut slathered in coarse glitter. The blossom (Prima) was coated with coarse glitter as well before placement. A few Spellbinder foliage dies were strategically placed to add interest along with a CLD die cut butterfly. I chose Our Daily Bread Designs' Dreams set for my sentiment, stamping it with black ink and trimming a paper banner. Definitely a whole lotta' bling gonna on...

Thanks for looking and until next time... Blessings...

Lori

Card Recipe

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Dreams

Paper - Colorbok

Ink - Versafine - Onyx Black

Dies - Spellbinders - Foliage & Labels Twenty-Five; Cheery Lynn Designs - Fanciful Flourish & Exotic Butterflies Small

Misc. - Blossom - Prima; Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts - Crystal Coarse Glitter; Flourish - Kaisercraft

Exploring Cricut ~ Lori Had a Little Lamb

Welcome to another fun Exploring Cricut post!  Today I am sharing a quick and easy Christmas card using one of Cricut's recent releases, A Quilted Christmas.  And everyone knows I am a sucker for a sheep image...

I cut my image at 4.5 inches and ran my white layer through my Xyron. I then slathered the sticky side with white flocking. Poor little sheep must be losing her wool since I can see a few "bald spots" on her rump. **snort**

I then cut two layers of holly, shaping the top layer with a stylus before adding with dimensional foam. A bit of holly berries are glued on top. I eliminated the bell cut from this image and glued on a gold jingle bell of my own. I decided my little sheep was a girl so she received a festive red hair bow!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check out the Exploring Cricut site daily for fun projects. And be sure to check out our Disney Dreaming challenge! Blessings...

Lori

Card Recipe

Dimensions - 6 x 6 inches

Cartridge - A Quilted Christmas - cuts 4.5 inches

Paper - Bazzill; Paper Studio - Old World Winter

Misc. - Ribbon & Jingle Bell

Our Daily Bread Designs' August Blog Hop ~ Book It!

Welcome to the Our Daily Bread designs August Release Blog Hop!

I’m so excited about this month’s release! If you are a bibliophile like me, this release is just for you!  I am always in need of a frilly bookmark and this release allows me to create some beautiful gifts.  My entire family loves reading!  I see myself making these to place in those special gift requests.  :-)

If you arrived here from DEBI'S blog you are in the right spot! If not, head over to ODBD's Blog for a full link list.

The hop will run 8:00am Aug. 1 to 8:00pm EDT Aug. 2 . Winners will be announced Aug 3 . There will be SIX prizes of your choice of one set!!!   Hop to each link and leave a comment, then return to the ODBD Blog to tell us you completed the hop and answer the question there.  Check back at the ODBD Blog on Aug. 3 to see if YOU are one of the winners!

Now on to my creation…

This is actually a postcard format measuring 4.5 x 5.5 inches. My base is a rich orange with coordinating designer paper from Bo Bunny's Ambrosia Collection. To one side I placed a coordinating DP with a slightly smaller card stock piece. This area is perfect for a personalized sentiment. I used Our Daily Bread Designs' Prayer Bookmark set in a warm terracotta ink on DP. I then used the coordinating Spellbinder Custom Die to cut/emboss my bookmark. I tied a seam binding ribbon on top and adhered it to the base with a teal brad. I just love the idea of having a removable bookmark you can keep! So fun! Thanks for stopping to take a peek!

Now I will send you on your way to DAWN'S blog. Blessings and thanks so much for stopping by!