It has been awhile since I have posted but I have been busy with lots of projects.

I am participating in 3 different swaps on the Cricut MB and have been making cards also for Cards for Soldiers.
Here is a picture of my 6 Christmas Vintage ATC's for GrammaP's Swap. You had to pick something from a song and make it into an ATC. Sounded simple at first but then it got a bit more challenging.



The first one is from White Christmas. "WHERE TREETOPS GLISTEN". I used Pine Needle Distress embossing powder on the trees and a little brown on the church. After heating it all, I went over it with a little bit of Pine Needle Distress ink. I then added some white Texture Magic along the bottom. To finish it off and make it glisten, I used a paint brush and lightly went over the trees and snow with white stickles. Background is green on brown.


The 2nd one is a "STOCKING" which I took the word from Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I saw a McCalls pattern
for stockings and this one looked Chrismasy so I thought I'd try to duplicate it!! I used the ice skate from the Noel cartridge. I cut one in black and 1 in plaid and then cut off the skate part. I used some vivelle for the stocking top and added some little gift and holly embellishments. Some Black Diamond stickles finished it off. I used a green print paper for the background.

Number 3 is for SLEIGH RIDE. Here I used a stamp image that I found online. I inked some plain mesh with black and adhered it to red print vintage pape.rI inked the stamp with black and popped it on the mesh. I distressed the edges of the red before glueing it to the black background Added some black brads and some holly and that was it.

Picture number 4 is "SANTA"! I had a hard time trying to do something for group 6 so I ended up with Santa.
I found the picture online. LOVE IT!!! I found some old pages of a book, inked them up, glued them to a brownish/tan background paper. I then added some jute ribbon at a angle, glued Santa  off center and added some pearls.

Picture #5 ANGEL is for It Came Upon a Midnight's Clear. Not very creative but I love how it came out. I took a stamp that I bought at M's and used Gold embossing powder and heat set it. Rubbed a little ink across the top of it and glued it down to some gold colored cardstock. That's all I did!!!

Last one was another tough one so I decided on "PRESENT". I searched for Vintage wrapping paper online and printed it out. I "wrapped" the present, used jute twine for the ribbon. I added a to & from tag along with a wooden star in place of the bow.

Mini Swap

I am participating in a mini swap on the Cricut MB and have just finished my 4 items. A couple of the things I made were new to me and I hope my SS will like them.
Unfortunately, I can't post them yet as the swap is not over!!!!
So I will post a few of the things I have altered in the past. This is all new to me but I try my best and have learned so much from doing these types of swaps. This is the 1st thing I ever altered. I filled an "angel spot" in a swap and was so proud of how it came out. I filled it with Hershey kisses. Well, needless to say, neither I nor the hostess ever heard from the person I sent it to.

Now this was my 1st attempt at a paint can that I did a couple years ago and again I was so happy with how it turned out. I really listened to what my partner said and tried to make it like her home. I included her cat, stockings for her kids(names included) firelace and nutcrackers by the door. I even used one of my New Hampshire pictures framed on the wall. I spent alot of time on the paint can and still am amazed at how well it came out. Here are some pictures.

More cards

I also finished up some cards. They really aren't due for a couple months but I have some Christmas swaps coming up that I will need to concentrate on.
The first one had a theme of Buttons so I made some flowers and added buttons.
The second theme was "Bling". All I could think of was glitter, so I found this saying and shadow on Lacy Labels and thought it would make a cute Christmas Card. I used glitter paper on the "warm wishes", added a red bow and used super pop dots for deminsion. With the red cardstock, it came out better than I thought it would.

Busy Busy Busy

I have been super busy  trying to get caught up with all the swaps I am in. Like everyone else, if I stayed off the computer, I might get something done!!!
I finished up my 4 words for my By the NumberATC swap. A couple were pretty easy to come up with an idea for but the other 2 were a bit harder. My words were Collage, Coffee, Teamwork and Seeing Red.

I used some of my daylily pictures to make the collage.

The coffee cup and saying are both heat embossed and I also sewed around the polkadot square. I must not have taken a pic after I did the sewing!!!!
I Googled the word "teamwork" and found the image of the 2 rock climbers. I thought it was perfect and the colors are spectacular.

I tried to figure out something for Seeing Red and finally decided to just use the color Red. So I looked thru all my scrapbooking stuff and formed this ATC.
I hope everyone that recieves them will enjoy.

Home Sweet Home ATC Swap

I am participating in yet another ATC swap on the Cricut message board!!! This one is hosted by Kay (kopperhead) She does some AMAZING Atc's

The theme for this swap is "Home Sweet Home" and we could interpret it any way we wanted to make our ATCs. These are my 3 for the groups I am in. I am sure I will be sorry that I didn't get into the 4th one!!!!

Back from my road trip

Well I just got back from spending a week in PEI with my sister.
It is a long ride(14 hours) but worth it once you get there.
The weather was great most of the week. We spent time with friends, had a lobster fest, went to a yearly church picnic and took some young girls to Avonlea Village. I did have a good time but was happy to be back home. Here are a couple pictures.

cards

Are you sick of Christmas cards yet??  I just finished the last couple groups and wanted to share.
The Non- traditional color is purple but it didn't come out very well !! I printed the image from  an online vintage clip art page. I used nesties on the image and it's mat. I used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder on the beige background paper and attached it to a purple mat.  Don't you just LOVE the puppy.

My last Vintage card is with an image of a pair of cardinals. I went around the edge with red marker, mounted the image on gold and then on green. I attached this to some vellum which I pierced  and also marked the edges with red. I do need to get some new piercing patterns as I like the look. The background mat is green with a matching print on top. I got this idea from my friend CraftyRCC. Thanks Rachel!!

cards, cards, cards!!!!

Here are a few more Christmas cards to share. I used George(circles) and Snow Friends(arms) on the  snowman. I torn the white and added stickles for some sparkle on the snow. I stickled his nose also!!! For the falling snow, I dabbed with a grey marker. I almost added a scarf (yarn) but decided to wait and see what color card I will put this on and then match the scarf color. I think red will be perfect!!!
The angel just happened. I was looking thru my cars and found this frame and welded the angel inside. It cut very nice from Crayola sparkle paper. I guess the sentiment will have to go inside as I love it the way it is.

Christmas in July

I don't know about any of you but it has been HOT here on the east coast.
I joined a card front swap and it is Christmas themed. Although I have made 3 sets of cards so far, it certainly hasn't cooled me off!!!!!

The Tree card was stamped and embossed in gold. I used a SU stamp set called Lovely as a Tree.
The other 2 cards are Vintage Christmas. I used images from the internet and inked them up. I used some Jute Ribbon and a snowflake brad on the Santa card.
If anyone wants particulars, just let me know. I have started keeping all my card ideas along with paper sizes, etc.

These 2 layouts were for this week's LID Challeng on the MB. I really like how the Beach Bum one came out. I knew what I wanted to do but needed the perfect picture. This is my DH swimming at Orient Beach when we vacationed in St Martin.

I took the picture of this owl right in my back yard. I spent an hour or more following him around until he finally landed on a branch that was in the sun.

I used the Pooh Font Cartridge for the "Whoo Me?" and popped up the letters for some dimension. I inked a little around the green edge, used fall colors and added some string and a button to try and keep it all natural.

On the beach layout, I tore some Coordinations paper and used it across the middle and for the title. I used glittered chipboard letters and cut the beach chair from Life's A Beach Cartridge. I also added a partically hidden journaling tag.

Still Learning this Blog stuff!!!!!

Well, I figured out how to post my awards!!!

I also figured out how to add Pam's blinkie!!!!! Click on it and it will take you to TheBugBytes. Thanks Pam for the great Gypsy videos.

I have also added a couple others to my blog list. They include Cuttin-up and AboveRubiestudio.
A big thanks to Cammi(and Gwen)for all their copic help. Now if I can just do it half as well as they do, I'll be happy.

4th Of July

Wishing everyone a "Happy 4th of July"

I have been looking thru my blog and have decided that from now on, I will add the particulars for the projects that I have posted. If anyone wants to scraplift, they will know what cartridges I used, sizes etc. I don't always know what name brand of cardstock I may be using as some of it is from my scrap file. If I know what papers I used, I will certainly let you know.
The Owl card is a regular A2 size.
The Owl is cut from the Disney Happily Ever After Cartridge. The tree branch is from Camp Out. They were cut at either or 2.5 or 3 inches. I used the regular & shadow cuts for both. The dark brown for the card, owl shadow and the saying mat was just cardstock I had. The branch shadow waas in a light brown. The card front, owl and saying papers were from Song Bird DCWV paper stack. I used my ticket corner punch on the corners of the saying. I used an Inkadinkadoo(sp) stamp. .

The Fall card is made with 2 different shades of orange cardstock and the patterned paper was bought at ACM last fall. I don't know the name of it, sorry.
I made an A2 size card using dark orange. I cut a lighter orange piece 4 X 5.25 and cut the patterned paper 3.75 X 5. I then cut the patterned paper into 3 strips 1.25 X 5 and glued then onto the lighter orange card front. I used green ribbon to match the green in the pattern and folded it over the metal clips(I have no idea what you call these)and adhered the ends to the back of the light orange card front. (I just use scotch tape as it will never show anyway.) LOL I attached a metal label holder with a couple brads and adhered the front to the dark orange card.

Here are a couple cards I finished for a swap. The themes were Birds or Animals and Fall Colors. The owl is from Happilly Ever After Disney Cartridge. I think he is so cute!!!

I finally broke down and got a Gypsy. I won it on ebay for a great price(less than $100) but I haven't received it yet!!!!!!!!!!!  I just received notice that it has been shipped. I am really looking forward to trying it out.
I received a couple awards from friends but have no idea how to get them on this blog. I am so sorry to those that have given them to me. If and when I can figure it out, I will certainly let you know.I have been working on some layouts for myself and my daughter.
The Cricut board has a weekly sketch to follow and I have been trying to do them each week. Here area couple from different vacations we have been on.

Animal ATC Swap

This are the other 4 ATCs that I made for the same Animal ATC Swap.

I try and do something different for all my ATCs but I eventually run out of ideas. You will see that all of these are certainly "outside the box".They certainly are unique and I am not sure where my mind was at the time. I like them and hopefully you will also.

1---Zoo Animal--Meercat It was aTV series on Animal Planet for 4 years and DH & I loved it!!!! (Looks like the Soprano's ad)

2- Bird--What can I say???? I used flocking and added google eyes

3--Wildlife--What is more wild than Wild Horses? I love the saying.
4-Farm Animal--Patchwork Pig. I glued a bunch of scraps together and then cut the pig as an overlay.\Sorry he posted sideways!!!!!!

Another butterfly ATC

Here is my Butterfly for Group 1 of the Animal ATC Swap on the Cricut MB.

I went for the Vintage look and used 4 layers starting with the background in brown, then a mini doily, then yellow cardstock, then mesh and finally the image with another butterfly popped. I ink all the layers and added some pearls as the final touch.

Butterfly ATC

Here is a sneek peek of my Butterfly ATCs for group 2 in the Animal ATC Swap on the Cricut MB. All the flowers a double layers(store bought) and the butterflies are metal with jewels. I bent them up a bit and adhered them to one of the flowers. The edges of the patterened paper is also inked.
The butterflies and the flowers are different but the design and papers are the same.

This is her apartment in Manila.

Layouts for Rebecca

I have been trying to get some layouts done for my daughter's album before she gets home. I have done quite a few and here is one of my favorites.


I love this photo of my her sitting on the wall in Narragansett RI. I wanted to do a simple layout using the photo and the quote that I found. I think they go perfect together. If you can't read it, it says "The voice of the sea, speaks to the soul".

Vacation ATCs

I filled in for a friend who is having a hard time right now and made a couple more sets of ATCs for Tammy's Vacation Swap. I used some photos that my daughter had taken on her many travels. The first one was taken in Tuscany Italy and I just love the photo. The 2nd one was taken at the Albuquerque NM Balloon Fest. I made the picture black & white and just left 1 balloon on color to do something different.

Vacation ATCs

Here are my last 2 ATCs for Texas Tam's swap on the Cricut MB.
I was determined to do a shaker box for my New Hampshire one!!!! After a few attempts,I finally got it to work!!!
For Mexico, I used a picture I had taken of the ruins at Tulum along with a bottle of Tequila!!!

Vacation ATC

I have joined another ATC swap and this time we have to make vacation ATCs. Of course I have to do Aruba (which by now everyone probably knows is my favorite vacation spot).
I took a few different pictures that I have taken over the years and combined them using a photo program. I added the title in black and might use Black Diamond stickles on it. Still debating that part!!!
The other one is a Grand Canyon picture I took last December. I added a hiker just for fun!!! If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, you cannot imagine how awesome it really is!!!!

More vintage cards

Here are the other 3 vintage cards for the KOA silent auction. I will do them up as a set of 12. Hopefully they get a nice amount of money for them.

Vintage cards

I made another set of cards for the KOA silent auction. Here are some of them. I am still in Vintage mode so I made some vintage cards. I still have to add some sentiments on the inside but I think they came out pretty good. Simple as usual, but hey I think that is my style!!!