Exploring Cricut ~ Baby It's Cold Outside!

Welcome to another fun challenge at Exploring Cricut! I am so excited to be back to crafting after a yucky bought with the flu!

The weather here has been downright mild, but some snow might just be on the horizon. So it's the perfect time to pull out your Cricut and do some crafting.  The theme this time is...

Baby It's Cold Outside

Snowmen, Snow, anything showcasing Winter

Here's my project using the Doodlecharms cartridge...

And the deets...

Cricut Cart - Doodlecharms

Cuts

Snowman Border & Carrots - pg 82 - white card stock - 2 1/4 inches

Snowflakes - pg 83 - white card stock - 1 1/4 inches

Misc.

Paper - Georgia Pacific, Bazzill

Bakers Twine (three pieces braided for scarf)

Jet Bead Flourish (cut out stones for eyes and buttons)

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings....

ODBDSLC126 ~ A Sketch!

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

This time we have a sketch! 

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, October 21st at 8 p.m. EST. If you upload your creations to Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC126. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to our challenge.

And my creation for the week...

and the set I used, Warm Wishes...

 

Make sure to stop by and visit my sister sticks! They have some wonderful creations to share! And don't forget to leave them some love!

Chris Olsen *** Jan Keen *** Jan Marie Ennenga *** Kathy Roney *** Rosemary Dennis ***
and welcome this month's fabulous guest Bridget Finlay!

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

Thanks for stopping by! Blessings...

Lori

Card Recipe

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - Warm Wishes
Papers - Kraft by Paper Studio; Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage
Ink - Versamark Dazzle - Frost; Ranger Distress Ink - Pumice Stone (distressing)
Embossing Powder - Ranger Queen's Gold
Dies - Spellbinders Create A Flake One & Two
Misc. - Fringe Trim
 

Snowfall - Card Patterns Sketch 146

Hard to believe Christmas is just a few days away! Usually in this part of the country that means a dusting of snow. Fortunately this year will be the exception! So in celebration of the wonder of snow (and the wonder of NO snow) I used Bo Bunny's Snowfall Collection on this card. I created it for a sketch challenge at Card Patterns.

Don't forget to stop by each day this week as I will have some new projects. Thursday will see the return of the Stamping in Time Challenge with Betty Wright at Our Daily Bread Designs and Friday I will have the daily post for Exploring Cricut. And don't forget to stop back by on Christmas Eve as another ODBD Shining the Light Challenge rolls around!

You saw the card... So here's the sketch...



Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings...

Lori

Card Ingredients

Paper - Bazzill, Bo Bunny Snowfall; Stamps - ODBD Scrolly Borders, Little Things; Ink - Close to My Heart Moonstruck; Dies - Spellbinders Standard Circles Large, Picot Edges Circles; Pearls Recollection

Extraordinary

This sentiment just says it all! It is the simple things that make life so extraordinary. Snowflakes for example... Each one is unique and beautiful. Of course, if you are looking at several inches of those unique creations... you might feel differently! lol... Think back to your childhood. Do you remember how we looked forward to snow? I remember wishing for just one more snow day! Back then it was all about living in the moment. Tests and other school chores could wait but enjoying the joys of winter could not. Maybe this year when we get some of the "white stuff" I won't be so grumpy about it. I might just strap on some boots and go out and play! It doesn't hurt to be a kid once in awhile! Blessings...

Today's card features some new 12 x 12 paper from Bo Bunny's Snowfall collection plus a brand new release from Our Daily Bread Designs' Blessings Collection, Little Things...



A closer view... the ribbon is already printed on the paper... and the snowflake... punched out with a circle punch and added with dimensional foam... easy peazy... And look at how pretty that sentiment looks stamped on the panel! I love coordinating papers. They do all the work for me!



Ingredients

Paper - Bazzill, Bo Bunny Snowfall Collection; Stamps - ODBD - Little Things; Ink - Versafine Onyx Black; Embossing Folder - Snowflakes; Lace; Pearls

Got Snow?

Doesn't this card just say it all? I'm not sure there is any part of these great United States that hasn't seen a bit of the white stuff this year. This stamp set was the very first stamp set from Gina K. Designs I purchased. And somehow it seems very timely this week! Here's hoping you have a wonderful and snow free week... That's if you want one! Blessings!

Lori
Saintsrule!

Card Stock - Bazzill
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - TPC Studio - Christmas Village Winter Wonderland
Stamps - Image & Sentiment - Gina K. Designs - Got Snow?
Ink - Image - Memento & Copic
Ink - Sentiment - Close to My Heart - Indian Corn Blue
Die Cuts - Spellbinders Nestabilities - Fancy Tags, Ovals Large, Petite Scalloped Ovals Large
Fiber - Offray 5/8 Satin - Leaf
Ranger Stickles - Star Dust

Copics

Carrot - YR02, YR68
Snowsuits - B21, B23
Flesh/Blush - E00, R20
Snowman's Scarf - YG95, YG99
Snowshoes, Snowman's Hat - C3, C5, C7
Snowman - C1, 0 Colorless Blender (to soften C1)

Paper Cutz Challenge #75

I started out with the best of intentions. I thought I would dig my hands into some of my old crafting products and get my hands dirty... lol... That went really well!!! Before I knew it I had paint and glitter from head to toe! I think I single handedly used every product I haven't touched in 3 months. tee hee....

But I like the results. It was terribly messy but well worth it...

Supplies

Card Stock - Bazzill
Designer Paper - Karen Foster - Winter Flakes (background and paper piecing for fabric on jar lid)
Snowflake - 4 inch chipboard cut from Cricut Christmas Noel
Paint - Mixture of Making Memories Dusk and Lagoon painted on the snowflake
Glitter - Martha Stewart Blue Topaz sprinkled on wet paint....

Handy Tip - I use a show box lid for my spritzing, painting, etc... you can see how well worn it is below... lol

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black - Image
Ink - Coloring Image - Copics C1, C2, C3, C5, BG0000, BG000, BG10, Y11
Stamps - Friendship Jar and Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers by Papertrey Ink
Stickles - Ranger Star Dust - applied to band of jar, snowflakes and string
Fiber - Unknown

A Special Thank You Card

Thank you cards are so fun to do! I love trying to pick the perfect image and sentiment to personalize the card. This card will go to a dear friend who loves animals and specifically cats! I think this image from Susana's Custom Art and Card Design will do just nicely! Hope you are having a wonderful day! I'm looking forward to doing some serious crafting in 2011!

Blessings

Lori

Card Design

5 x 7

Card Stock - Bazzill
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - Bo Bunny - Olivia Stripe (reversible)
Stamps - Image - Susana's Custom Art and Card Design - Elisabeth Bell - Winter Emma
Stamps - Sentiment - Papertrey Ink - Mixed Media
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Sentiment - Memento Rich Cocoa
Ink - Background around image - Memento Desert Sand
Ink - Coloring - Copics

Die Cuts - Spellbinders - Eyelet Circles & Standard Circles Large
Ribbon - Offray - 5/8 Brown Satin

Boots - E35, E37, E39
Pants - E33, E35, E37
Hair - E33, Y11, Y15
Flesh - E00
Blush - R20
Sweater - G24, G28, G29
Collar and Trim - C1
Cat - C1
Bow - G24, G28

Snow Friends

Picture this... somewhere in Kentucky under several inches of snow... it is cold and windy... perfect St. Bernard weather... or so we think! LOL... My big guys are not happy with this sudden blast of winter. Normally they play and frolic in it but this time they tap dance lightly on it... conduct business and get back in... QUICKLY.... I suspect they know something we don't... (this will be one LONG winter) and want to avoid the reality at all costs!

This image from Stampendous made me chuckle when I pulled it out. It kinda reminds me of my fluffs all trying frantically to avoid touching the "cold" stuff... Somehow I just can't imagine Big Ike carrying the 3 girls on his back, though...

I'm so glad that there is someone there to pick me up when I'm down. My hubby does a fine job and when all else fails my dogs always bring a smile to my face. Here's hoping your week is full of sunshine and smiles! (and hopefully little snow...)

Lori

Card Recipe

Card Stock - White - Georgia Pacific, Blue - Bazzill
Designer Paper - American Crafts - Merrymint - Marshmallow
Image - Stampendous - Polar Ride
Sentiment - Stampendous
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Sentiment - Studio G - VP0012
Ink - Coloring - Copic
Hats - Y08, Y11, R81, R85, BG10
Polar Bears - C0, C1, C3, 0 Colorless Blender
Ranger Liquid Pearls - White Opal - Cuffs of Hats
Ranger Stickles - Star Dust - applied lightly to Liquid Pearls after drying.

I have stamped, colored and then cut out the image. It is adhered with dimensional foam to make the bears "stand" out. The snow is also cut out in layers and stacked with foam to make it appear dimensional as well!

Warm Winter Wishes

I'm trying to clean out my scraps. You know... that huge pile of paper left from other projects. I hate throwing anything away and it seems I have little time these days to use my scraps in my scrapbook. So if see a familiar color scheme and designer paper today... that was my intention.

My thoughts are turning to snow. We received our first major snowfall of the season this week. To some of you 6 inches is no big deal but for us... let's just say I am very glad to have a 4 wheel drive or I wouldn't have made it out of my lane.... lol

Snowy days are the perfect times to bake, craft and just snuggle up on the couch and watch a good movie. I may even be looking forward to a few more snows this year... (Did I really say that?) Just not TOO many! Have a blessed day!

Card Recipe

5 x 7

Card Stock - Brown, Red - Bazzill, Ivory - Gina K. Designs

Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye - Holly Jolly - Winter Branches

Paper Punch - Branch and Snowflake - Martha Stewart

Die Cuts - Nestabilities - Beaded Ovals, Classic Ovals Small

Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black

Ink - Sentiment - Memento Rich Cocoa

Ink - Coloring - Copic

Fur - E00, E37, O Colorless Blender

(Stickles - Ranger - Star Dust) lightly coated on fur & snowflakes

Mittens - E33, E35

Berries - R29

Ink - Memento Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa (lightly sponged on image before removing from die)

Stamps - Image & Sentiment - Flourishes - Warm Winter Wishes

Pearls - Crystal Stickers by Mark Richards 3mm (Nestie & Snowflakes)

Greens - G28

So Very Grateful

And I am very grateful for all of the blessing the good Lord has bestowed on me this year. I have my health and my family.... what more could I need? What a blessing to know that he gives us all good things in time. Sometimes that means we have to wait and recognize that we receive blessings on his time schedule and not ours.

For those of you who read my posts regularly... you know how frugal I am. I love card making but hate to pay full price for anything and particularly my supplies! A week back when hubby and I were traveling I took a couple of opportunities to check out a couple of large craft stores in those cities. Well I had to take a look at the dollar bins and the sale racks... and what did I find? I found a wonderful image (marked down to $3.00)! Woo hoo! Well, I feel in love.... hard... and knew I could put this beautiful little bird to good use! And here it is with a lovely sentiment I cabbaged from another set! Enjoy and have a wonderful day!

Card Recipe

5 X 7 Designs

Card Stock - Black - Georgia Pacific
Card Stock - Image - Gina K Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - Little Yellow Bicycle - Frosty Flurries
Stamp - Image - Stampendous - Chickadee
Stamp - Sentiment - Clear Dollar Stamps - Heartfelt Sentiments
Ink - Image & Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Coloring - Copic
Ribbon - Offray - 7/8 Simply Sheer Black
Rhinestones - Kaisercraft Basics - Black
Punch - Martha Stewart

Copic Colors - Chickadee - Co, C2, C3, C5, 0 Colorless Blender, E00 (bottom of body)
Background - C0, C2, C3, 0 Colorless Blender
Beak - YR02
Berries - R24, R27, R59

Friends Warm the Heart

And boy can I use some warming right now? The weather is frigid here (4 degrees this morning) and we are expecting a major snowstorm tonight. I am home nursing a terrible respiratory infection but will have to be on the road in the morning no matter what. In my line of work, bad weather means all hands on deck! So with the looming snow what better subject to color than a snowman? And I have to say, he is one handsome dude! lol I recently purchased this stamp from the Flourishes website. I was a little "afraid" of coloring snow but after a little experimentation got the hang of it. Let me know if a photo tutorial would be of use! If you like the looks of my snow dude I can share the secret! lol... Have a wonderful and warm day! And stay safe out there!

Blessings

Lori

Card Recipe

5 x 7 finished size

Card Stock - White - Georgia Pacific
Designer Paper - Bo Bunny Tis the Season Snow Flakes (reversible)
Stamp - Image & Sentiment - Flourishes - Warm Winter Wishes
Ink - Copic
Ink - Image & Sentiment - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Edging - Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass by Ranger Inks
Stickles - Star Dust by Ranger - Snow on hat and stick arms
Die Cuts - Nestabilities - Standard Circles Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Beaded Circles
Pearls 3mm - Crystal Stickers Pearls by Mark Richards
Ribbon - Offray Satin - 7/8 Red

Copics

Snowman - C0, E21, E25, E50, 0 Colorless Blender

Shadow - C0, C3, C5, 0 Colorless Blender

Carrot - YR04, YR68

Sticks - E57

Buttons - C3, C5, C7

Bird - C3, C5

Hat and Scarf - R24, R29, R59

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa -

Forgive me for not posting since Thanksgiving... I found myself overcome by turkey, dressing and rolls... Then my hubby surprised me with a trip to Colonial Williamsburg (I posted a pic of the Governor's Palace above... cool huh?). Santa, he (my dear hubby) has been VERY good this year! So please bring him something nice. Would you believe I came home and caught a nasty respiratory bug.... YUCK! So Santa, please forgive me for slacking on my duties... and if you bring me a big lump of coal I will understand!

Lori

Forgive me for the long post but there is a project posted below. I thought you might enjoy some photos of my trip!

Some of the beautiful decorations at Colonial Williamsburg... Who would have thought hedge apples could look so good?



Day 2 we traveled to Jamestown. I visited there in 2002. In 2004, archaeologists discovered the actual fort and the Park Service has made some wonderful investments in this historic site. If you get the chance please check it out! This is what's left of the original church. It was built in the middle of the fort! It's been there for 400 hundred years!



And here's my Santa card. Doesn't she look mischieveous?

Card Design

5 x 7 inches

Card Stock - Navy and White (Bazzill)
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury Designs
Designer Paper - Pressed Petals - Winter Theme
Stamp - Image - Susana's Custom Art and Card Design - Elisabeth Bell - First Snowball of Winter
Sentiment - Craft Smart (Dollar bin at Michael's) :-)
Embossing - Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots - White background
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ink - Image - Coloring Copic

Skin and Blush - E00, R20
Hair - E35, E37
Jeans, Jacket, Scarf and Hat - B24, B41, B45
Shoes - C5, C7
Snowball and Mittens - C0

Ink - Sentiment - Close to My Heart - Moonstruck
Ink - Memento - Summer Sky - Sponged around image before removing from die
Die Cut - Labels 14 - Nestabilties
Flocking - Stampendous - White - Fur Trim on Coat and Ball of Hat
Ribbon - Offray - Satin - 5/8 Navy
Glaze - Diamond Glaze - Judikins - Boots and Eyes
Paint - Making Memories - Navy Scrapbook Colors - applied to edge of white background
Stickles - Frosted Lace - Two layers on Snowball



A close up of the flock and stickles....

Sticklepalooza

Stickles have taken over my life! I find myself plastering them on everything as of late. Can you use too much? HUMMMM...... NAH! There is something about bling that just rocks! I don't know that you can have too much of a good thing. So on today's image, I took time to cover the ground with Stickles and everywhere that snow might have fallen. I also highlighted the icicle edging and the snowflake cutout. The result are so cute! I can't wait to send it. I can definitely wait for snow (big goofy grin) however! It looks so much better on paper! Blessings to you and yours.

Lori

Card Recipe

6 X 6 inches
Card Stock - Bazzill - Pale Lavender
Card Stock - Bazzill - White Swiss Dot
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - Bo Bunny - Winter Joy Snow Fall - Reversible
Image - Stampavie - Rose Cuddling the Winter Bunny by Sarah Kay
Sentiment - Clear Dollar Stamps, LLC - Heartfelt Sentiments
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Ink - Sentiment - Memento - Grape Jelly
Ink - Sponging - image and sentiment backgrounds - Memento - Lulu Lavender
Paper Edger - Icicles - Martha Stewart
Paper Punch - Snowflake - Martha Stewart
Stickles - Ranger - Diamond
Ribbon - Offray Satin Fringe (adhered with Scor-Tape_
Ribbon - Stampin Up - Lavender Grosgrain
Embellishments - Pebbles by SMH - Egg Hunt



Copic Colors

Hair - E29, E25, E35
Hat and Sweater - V01, V12, V15, V17
Jeans - B000, B41
Skin - E00
Blush - R20
Leaf - YG25
Boots - C1, C2, C5, C7
Bunny - C1, C2, C5
Gloves - C0, C1
Wood - E39, E37, E99

Challenge SNTODBD16

One of the challenges this week at Our Daily Bread Designs was to incorporate a bird into a card design. Specifically they asked those playing along to do something seasonal that ties in with the bird stamps. Easy right? Except I am a dumb cluck... (pun intended) and couldn't decided whether Mr. Chickadee was a spring, summer, fall or winter creature. That took me back to the Color Me Beautiful days... I think I dated myself with that comment! :-P After search the internet to find a final answer I settled on a winter theme. Most of the photos I saw were taken in the winter months when the little guy was snacking on berries. So hopefully this card does our little black crested chickadee his just dues!




Today's creation was inspired by a recent tent card highlighted on Splitcoaststampers. Check out
this for details!

Materials List

Cardstock - White - Georgia Pacific, Red - Bazzill
Cardstock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Pattern Paper - Bo Bunny - Tis the Season Snowflakes
Stamps - Image and Sentiment - Our Daily Bread Designs - You Will Find Refuge
Ink - Image - Memento
Ink - Sentiment - Tim Holtz by Ranger Distress Ink - Barn Red
Markers - Copic
Nestabilities - Standard Circles Large
Punch - Snowflake - Martha Stewart
Embossing Folder - Provocraft Cuttlebug - Flurry (torn Snowflake background for bird)
Adhesive - Scor Tape, Herma Dotto, Pop Dots (behind image for dimension)
Stickles - Ranger - Star Dust - Snowflake and designs on embossed areas
Scor Buddy
Scissors - Fiskars - (for cutting detail around image)



Copic Colors

Bird - YR00, Co, C1, C5, C7
Branch - E25, E35, C5, C7
Berries - R46, R59
Uniball Signo Gel Pen - White - Highlights

Good to the last drop!

I must confess I LOVE coffee! I am truly addicted. I have to have a cup before I leave for work in the morning and by noon I have usually consumed an additional 2 cups! By afternoon I need that little pick me up to make it through the remainder of the day. Needless to say, I just don't understand people who never develop the taste for java. My best friend of eleven years just revealed she has joined the club... coffee drinking club that is! I am so excited that we can share this experience. Starbucks here we come! Enjoy!

Materials List

Cardstock
Pattern Paper - unknown
Ink - Memento Blue Sky - sponged on background, Black Tuxedo for image
Stamp - Willow from Whiff of Joy
Markers - Copic
Glaze - Judikins - coffee cup
Ribbon - unknown
Ticket Punch - Ionic
Sentiment - Gina K Designs
Pop dots

A snowy afternoon...

Today is my first Friday off at my new job. And it is very snowy and cold... so the perfect day to scrap, right? True scrappers really never need an excuse... wink, wink...

Below are a couple of cards I worked on today. Have a wonderful day!




Pattern Paper - Provocraft - Rob & Bob Studios - Sweetheart
Stamps Sentiment and Image - Hero Arts
Memento Ink - Tuxedo Black
Markers - Copic
Cuttlebug - Floral Fantasy Folder
Liquid Pearls - White Opal - Dots on Chocolates
Ribbon - Offray 7/8 inch Brown Grosgrain
Popdots




Diecuts - Cricut
Snowman - George
Hat - George - images welded with Gypsy
Cardinal - Winter Wonderland
Carrot - From My Kitchen
Scarf - Snowfriends
Cuttlebug Folder - Snowflakes
Stickles - Ranger - Diamond
Popdots

The perfect gift...

Our creator gives us wonderful gifts each and every day. When I woke up this morning I was given another day of life. I looked out my window and saw the most amazing sunrise! Another wonderful gift... Yesterday morning I awoke to traces of snow on my deck. It was just a dusting but what a wonderful thing to see. By now you must think I am totally off my rocker waxing eloquent about snowflakes. Think about this. Each and every snowflake is individual. No two are alike. They are created with special characteristics that make them different from other snowflakes. Does this sound familiar? What else was made by the creator with such loving and individual care? Hope you and yours have a blessed Sabbath!

Card Recipe

Cardstock - Bazzill - White
Unknown - Gold
Pattern Paper - Graphic 45 - Christmas Past Collection - Let it Snow
Cuttlebug Folder - Snowflake
Spellbinders Nestibilities - Create a Flake One
Create a Flake Two
Stamps - Image and Sentiment - Our Daily Bread Designs - Peace & Joy
Embossing Powder - Stampendous - Opaque White
Versamark Watermark Stamp Pad
Dew Drops - Scrappers Must Haves - Pearl
Ribbon - Offray - 5/8 inch White Satin
Adhesive - Zots and Pop Dots

Winter Wishes Card

Yes, I am pushing the seasons! We are having such lovely fall like weather in Kentucky that my thoughts have turned to winter...

Materials List

Bazzill Cardstock - red and white
Adornit Carolee's Creations - snowflake paper
Memento Dew Drops - Lady Bug
Stamps snowflake and sentiment - Unknown
Martha Stewart Edger Punch - Icicles
Martha Stewart Limited Edition 2008 Snowflake Punch
Stickles - Diamond
Cricut Cartridge - A Child's Year
Versamark
Stamp N Stuff Embossing Powder - Winter Wonderland

1. Use Memento ink to randomly stamp snowflake images on red cardstock.
2. Cut various snowflake images from A Child's Year cartridge using patterned paper
(vary sizes)
3. Punch snowflake images from MS punch. Apply stickles.
4. Ink edges of snowflakes from Cricut cuts.
5. Cut white strip of cardstock and edge with icicle punch. Apply to card.
6. Adhere patterned paper snowflakes to white cardstock with pop dots. Add
smaller punched snowflakes to top.
7. Emboss sentiment on card. Decorate icicles with stickles and let dry!