Christmas In July

So I decided to revamp a Christmas card idea I have had for quite awhile.  I started with a snowflake border on my computer for a 5x5 card and cut it out using my Cricut.

After I cut the image, I ran the paper through my Big Shot with the Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder and again with my Lace Tree folder to soften the snowflake impressions slightly.

I used some red glitter from my stash to bring out the snowflake design.  I wouldn't recommend glitter for an area this large as it gets messy!  For future cards, I will use the American Crafts glitter card-stock.  It cuts cleanly and there is no glitter residue to be found weeks later on another project :o)

After the glitter was added I glued my embossed/cut image to the card.  It was still missing something, so I sprayed some Lily Pad glimmer mist on a tissue and ran the tissue over the raised image of my tree.  Once it was dry, I sprayed the front of the card with Dazzling Diamonds glimmer mist to add overall shimmer.  Doesn't it look pretty?

For the next step, make sure your card is completely dry!  I didn't check and noticed after the fact and had some ink running.  I used 3 different Perfect Pearls to accent "ornaments" on the tree.  What do you think??  Definitely a lot of work for a Christmas card, but you are waiting for the card to dry so much in between that it is actually pretty easy to reproduce like a production line.

thanks for looking!

Image: n/a 

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth 
Ink: Glimmer Mist: Lily Pad, Dazzling Diamonds
Embellishments: Perfect Pearls: Emerald Green, Ruby Red, White Opal
Other: ATG, Big Shot, Cuttlebug -Lace Tree (retired), Snowflakes, Cricut
Stash: red glitter

CuttersCreek Blog Hop

Welcome to the Cutters Creek Red and Green Blog Hop!

Our wonderful design team members have all created some fun Christmas projects to inspire you! The only requirement for the projects were that they must contain Red and Green. You just saw a fabulous project on Laura's blog. Your next stop along the hop will be Sandi's blog. If you are just finding our hop please head over to the Cutter's Creek Design Team Blog to start from the beginning; I also have it listed below. There are 8 inspiring projects for you to check out as well as 8 chances to win a great prize from Cutters Creek!

Blog Order:
Chris
Mandie
Laura
Melissa- you are here
Sandi
Kim
Vicki
Lori

Please leave me a comment about your favorite Christmas Tradition. Comments left up until 11:59pm on Sunday December 12th will be eligible to win. Unfortunately, only 1 entry per person. All winners will be selected Monday and posted on each blog so make sure you check back to see if you have won! I will have mine posted no later than 5 pm AZ time. You will have 48 hours to respond before we choose another winner. Random.org will be used.

Blog Candy up for grabs is the CuttleBug Emboss Plus Monogram Seals - -aren't they adorable!!

Here is the project that I have created for today's hop.

So I made a trio of cards for my red and green "card".  Don't you just LOVE how the thin red square gives an illusion of a third and fourth layer?!?!  I LOVE how these cards turned out! 

I started with a 5 x 5 card base using Dotted Swiss Multi-Pack, a layer of Simply Smooth White Cardstock with alphabet stamps from my stash to stamp "Merry" multiple times; a thin 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 square of Dotted Swiss Multi-Pack.  The "Christmas Blessings" is also from my stash stamped on Simply Smooth White Cardstock.  The trees are cut with my Cricut via Make-The-Cut from the library.  The papers used for this were from Fairy Flora Paper Pad, and Dotted Swiss Multi-Pack.  Also, I used the WONDERFUL 1/8" Scor Tape to assemble it all.    

Here are the insides of the card . . . I just love how the trees turned out perfectly for this!

My Inspiration for my card came from the Clear and Simple Ipod App. 

If interested, here is a cut file with all the shapes I used.  The oval and square are mine but the tree (Pine Trees) I snagged from the MTC library.

So what do you think?  Next, head on over to Sandi's blog for more great ideas!!

thanks for looking!!!

Once Upon A Princess Project

Hi!  You might remember my post a few months back at the Cutters Creek DT blog of the Once Upon a Princess Cartridge.  I was showing the finished paper doll for my niece Zoe.  Well here is the birthday card I made for her to go along with it.  She LOVES Tinkerbell and actually had a Tinkerbell themed party so I tried to color this Swiss Pixies image from C.C. Designs to be similar or at least a Zoe version of Tinkerbell.  Also, this fatastic glitter paper is from American Crafts and you can get it here.

And here is the cover of her paperdoll so she can easily take it anywhere! 

You can read more about her birthday here.

I also made another set for my niece Lexi as her 7th birthday was in May.  I had some problems with this set.  I decided to laminate the doll and items rather than use Mod Podge.  Much faster, but the magnets don't work NEARLY as well.  I had to triple the layer of magnets in order for them to work right, but I might make this one over again. 

Well hope you enjoy!!

Paper Make Up Submission

Hello!  So today I am sharing some cards I made to submit for the call at Paper Make Up Stamps!  Hurry if you are interested as today is the last day to enter!!!

My first two cards I was experimenting on some sketches I found and with colors.  Now, I tend towards simple when I make cards but it also depends on who I am giving them to as I try and give something that fits individual personalities.  For these, I don't know who is getting them yet - -might send them in to OWH as they are always looking for cards! 

For this card, I LOVED the sketch!  The bottom right is the sentiment that is stamped in Hawaiian Shores so is a little light in the picture.  It reads, "You Inspire Me."  I cut it out with Nesties Label 3 and embossed the edge.  I ran my copic C0 along the edges so that it does not detract from the words themselves.  I used pop dots (which you can see on the cards under the vellum  - -may be awhile before I use vellum again!) 

Recipe: 
Paper: PTI- Hawaiian Shores, Kraft, Stamper's Select White, Green Boutique.  Vellum from my stash. 
Seeing Spots Embossing Folder
SU! Scallop Border, Nesties Label 3
Stamps: MTME: Sensational Sentiments, Argyle Amazement
Ink: Memento Chocolate Ink, Hawaiian Shores
Copics: Y35, R12, RV14, BG72, B02, YG13, YG17

 My 2nd card is a 5 1/4" square card.  I used a new technique in this one - -I took some refill ink and diluted it to color in the flowers. I kind of like the way it looks, a softer version than coloring with my copics.  I stamped the Dahlia twice, first with Ocean tides and again with Versamark Dazzle so there is a slight glimmer.  I also added glaze tot he centers to make them pop a little more.
Recipe: 
Paper: PTI- Ocean Tides, Kraft, Stamper's Select White, Enchanted Evening, Aqua Mist.  Vellum from my stash. 
Polka Dots Embossing Folder
SU! Scallop Border, Sentiment shape cut with Cricut, Corner Rounder
Prima Flowers -French White, pearls from stash
Stamps: MTME: So Sentimental, PTI Delightful Dahlia
Ink: PTI Ocean Tides, Versamark Dazzle Champagne, CTMH -Breeze, Colonial White

My third card is by far my favorite!!  I wanted to try something a little different so I turned the background label.  I really like how it makes the image pop even more (plus so the pop up dots!)  If you can't tell yet, these shades of bluish -green are my FAVORITE colors.  So hopefully they don't bore you too much!

Recipe:
Paper: PTI- Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado, Stamper's Select White, Green Boutique. 
SU! Scallop Border, Nesties Label 3, eyelets from TAC, PTI Hawaiian Shores button
Stamps: MTME: Sensational Sentiments, TGF Miss Anya Collection
Ink: PTI Ripe Avocado, Memento Tuxedo Black

Copics: I have them grouped in areas colored: (E37, E99, E97), (E21, E11, E00, E50), (C0, C00, BG49, BG13, BG34, BG23, BG11), (RC14, R32, R12), (E25, E33, E31), (YG13, YG17), (C2, C1, C0, C00)

Here is a close up of Anya as I LOVE how the coloring turned out for her!  Bytheway, the copics listed above are show from top to bottom so if you like the combo there ya go!
 

My final card is the Father's Day card I posted last week as I believe these last two cards truly show "Me."  I truly love this card as well especially how the suits ended up as coloring them was so much fun!!

Recipe:

Paper: From my stash -Bazzill, PTI Stamper's Select White.

Card cut with Cricut 4x4 easel card.
Stamps: Lady Bug and Friends Dad, Dude or Darling?, CTMH You are my Hero, SU! Well Scripted. MTME Sensational Sentiments (Inside), Puckered Up Patterns

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Enchanted Evening.

Copics: again in order from top to bottom.
(E33, E31, YR00), (E21, E11, E00, E50), (110, C7, C5, C4, C3, C2, C1, C0, C00, Spica Silver), (B00, C1, C00, BG72), (B97, B34, B23, B21, Spica Gold), (N6, N4, N1).

Here is a close-up of Dad!  Isn't he gorgeous!  

I am so proud of how these cards turned out and I truly hope you enjoy looking at them! I just love coloring with copics and how they make me feel like a real artist! I hope you enjoyed these cards as I thouroughly enjoyed making them!!   Thank you for looking!