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

Come Unto Me

Have you ever ordered something, waited patiently for it to arrive and then wonder how you will use it? Well, one of the stamps I used for today's project just about never saw the light of day! It's a beautiful stamp but boy it made me nervous! I was afraid I couldn't live up to it's beauty! Since I love peonies this image seemed perfect. I guess I didn't read the dimensions. When I received it I was unsure what to do with it! I thought... how in the world will I use this big of a stamp???

So I stashed it on my stamp shelf and promptly forgot about it... until last night. I stamped the image on plain white card stock (twice)... spritzed it with some Smooch Spritz and then waited. I thought inspiration would hit! lol... Well, let me tell ya... I still wasn't feeling inspired... So then I decided to cut one up and EUREKA the light bulb went off! The second image is actually layered on the first. I carefully glued each section of petals on (with strong glue dots) and then popped the upper portion up with dimensional foam. It kinda makes it look like real petals. See it wasn't so scary after all! Blessings to you and yours!

Lori
Saintsrule!



Card Stock - Bazzill
Stamps - Image - Stampendous - Cling Jumbo Peony Set; Sentiment - Close to My Heart -Everlasting Life
Ink - Close to My Heart - Hollyhock
Smooch Spritz - Pink Sprinkles, Silver Foil
Embellies - Pearls - Jolee - Silver
Die Cuts - Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Ovals Small, Classic Scalloped Ovals Small

Coming Home

I'm blessed! There are many blessings that I can count on any given day. However, there is always one that comes immediately to mind. I'm home. Let me clarify for a moment. I have lived several places in my life but at this moment I live 15 minutes from where I grew up and spent my formative years. Many people long to get away from those roots and early in life I too decided I had to spread my wings. But after a few wing clippings (some deserved and some not so deserved) I managed to come home. As hard as I tried to deny my roots, I am a country girl! I love being able to walk out my door any given day and hear the bleating of sheep. I love being able to turn my Saint Bernards loose on our 10 acres of fenced in land and watch them play. I love being able to go to work and drive by the cemetery where my dad was laid to rest. I love working across the street from the high school I attended so long ago. It warms my heart to take an afternoon stroll and hear the laughter of teens coming out of those school doors. Kentucky is a beautiful place and my home is just a small part of that beauty. This image from Stampendous reminds me of my home county. You see, they are considered the covered bridge capital of Kentucky. There is a great deal of history there. The cemetery my father was laid in contains the remains of one of the Iwo Jima flag raisers immortalized in Rosenberg's famous photo. It's a beautiful place and if you are ever in this part of the world, take it in. I promise you won't be disappointed! I have included a few links at the end so you can check it out yourself! Blessings!

Lori
Saintsrule!

Card Stock - Bazzill
Designer Paper - The Paper Loft - Back Country - Fly Fishing; Daisy D's - Deb Strain - Rooster
Stamp - Image - Stampendous - Covered Bridge
Stamp - Sentiment - Hero Arts
Ink - Image - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Ink - Sentiment - Close to My Heart - Outdoor Denim
Distressing Ink - Tim Holtz - Antique Linen - Applied to Image after coloring with Copics
Spellbinders - Standard Circles Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Pendant Lattice
Fibers - Offray Verano Tan 1 1/2", Offray Satin Leaf 5/8"
Pinking Shears
3D Crystal Lacquer - Sakura Hobby Craft - (applied to water)



Copics -

Greenery - YG03, YG13, YG17
Sky - B0000
Water - B21, B23, B26
Bridge - C2, C3, C5, E55
Wood - E13, E18, E37, E57

Check out these links for more information about our area!

Fleming County Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Blue Licks State Park
Maysville Kentucky Tourism

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!

Welcome Baby!

I have exciting news! Before my friends who read this blog (all two of them) get excited... I'm not expecting! Whew! But we did find out yesterday that son and daughter-in-law are having a girl! This makes number five in their family. A few years ago they adopted number 4 and had given up on having more. Well... as God often works... SURPRISE!!!! We are really excited to have a new little girl. This will shift the balance of power though. Now there will be 3 girls and 2 boys... Ben and John are not liking this AT ALL! LOL... I've told the kids don't expect to see the bathroom at all during the teenage years... They will just have to take a number!

And for more exciting news... this makes my 63rd post this year. Why is that so special? Because last year I only had 62 posts. I have now officially surpassed last years total! Thanks so much for watching, reading and posting. I appreciate your love, prayers and feedback! Until next time...

Lori



Card Design

Finished Project
5 X 6 inches

Cardstock - Bazzill - Chestnut, Clay, Aqua
Cardstock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Pattern Paper - Karen Foster - Stuffed With Love
Stamp - Image - Stampendous Peek - A - Boo Baby Set
Stamp - Sentiment - Close to My Heart - My Acrylix - Welcome Baby
Ink - Image & Sentiment - Rich Cocoa
Ink - Image (sponged on) Memento - Desert Sand
Spellbinders - Nestabilities - Labels 10
Markers - Copic
Punch - Fiskars
Ribbon - Offray - 7/8 in Navaho Turquoise Grosgrain
Buttons - Unknown
Floss - DMC - 3828
Adhesive - Scotch Brand Foam Tape, Herma Dotto Tape Runner



Copic Colors

Hat - E11, E33
Onsie - BG000, BG10
Flesh/Blush - E00, R20

Sunflowers

It seems like the last few posts have involved flowers. This time of year is wonderful if you like to get your hands dirty and garden. The purple coneflower and hollyhocks are in fine form at my house! But the sunflowers are standing tall and ready to bloom. I hope to get back in time to see them spread their beautiful petals. There is something so cheery and bright about them. It is almost like they are smiling back at me!

I hope you enjoy this card. I will be taking a business trip during the coming days and will be unable to craft. (insert very sad face here)... But the upside is I will be in Florida and will have some time at the beach to enjoy the sun. Fortunately the area I will be in has not been affected by the oil spill. My prayers go out to all those who are suffering right now. We need to lift them up in our prayers each and every day! See you in a few days!



Card Recipe

Cardstock - Bazzill
Pattern Paper - Bo Bunny - Lil" Prince Stripe, Sunflower Fun
Punch - Martha Stewart
Image & Sentiment - Stampendous - Sunflower Bouquet
Ink - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Spellbinders - Nestabilities - Labels One
Markers - Copic
JudiKins - Diamond Glaze - (Vase)
Ribbon - Stampin Up

I took one of the threads and pulled it to gather the ribbon. I then adhered it to the die cut back. The images is popped up with several pop dots to accommodate the ribbon. I used 3 popdots stacked on top of each other to attach the die to the card!