Cardz TV Card Challenge #1

After a lengthy hiatus I'm back with the first challenge of the year for the Cardz TV Stamps Card Challenge Team. During my off time I got a brand new computer/tablet, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2.  I am trying to figure out all the nuances and get proficient in using it and Windows 8.  Believe me, it is a very slow process as I'm basically technically challenged. I'm happy to be back and look forward to creating and blogging again.

Today the Design Team is showcasing birthday cards.  I used the Cardz TV stamp set Good Times for my sentiments on my pop up card.  I was going for a pretty, feminine looking card for a friend.  My pretty pastel green papers came from the Echo Park Everyday Eclectic paper pad. I loved the music printed on it. The paper had a pretty little pre-printed banner on it that allowed me to stamp the "Young at Heart" sentiment.  I added a kraft cardstock banner and a few balloons to the front of the card and placed a fabulous sentiment from Good Times in the center oval of the pop out part of the card.

When the card is opened up and the center panel pops to the back side I added a pocket for a gift card. On the pocket I used another Good Times sentiment along with another balloon. I hope that you will join us for this "Birthday" challenge for your chance to win a set of Cardz TV Stamps. You can link your card on the Cardz TV blog.  You will have until Thursday, February 27th at noon to enter this challenge. Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by.

Last Cutting Cafe Post

All good things must come to an end.  Today I'm posting my final Design Team creation for The Cutting Cafe:(  Since this is the last posting for some of the current DT members we were able to create our choice of projects.  Perfect time to get a head start on all the birthday cards I'll need in the next few months.  For my card I used Miss Regina's Candle Shaped Card cutting file/template.  This is a quick and easy card to put together.  I chose to cut my pieces by hand after printing them.  This file comes in PDF, SVG and MCT options so you can use a cutting machine, also.  I had a scrap of this glittery star patterned paper so used it for the candle stripes.  Going with the star theme I added a layered star and stamped the word celebrate on it.  A small tag tied on with red jute and some yellow Stickles on the candle flame finished the shaped card off.

I have truly enjoyed my term designing for Regina.  I'm going to miss my weekly Cutting Cafe projects, but know that you will continue to see projects using Cutting Cafe files on my blog.  They're addictive and I love using them. Thank you, Regina, for allowing me the opportunity to be on your Design Team.  My admiration for you and your talent will never dim.

The Cutting Cafe Wine Bottle Shaped Card

It's almost time to ring in the new year so at The Cutting Cafe Blog this week the DT is featuring cards using the Wine Bottle Shaped Card and the Wine Glass Shaped Card.  Obviously, I used the wine bottle shaped card.  This cutting file/template comes with a matching envelope, five circle sentiments, 2 regular sentiments, and some cute wine stopper tops.  Sometimes I just get tired of pulling out my cutting machine.  I don't have a craft room so every time I need to use my Silhouette or Cricut I have to haul them out and set them up on the dining table.  When I'm finished I have to put everything away or else we wouldn't be able to sit down and have our dinner.  LOL  So for my card this week I just printed out the bottle onto cardstock and hand cut it.  It didn't take any time at all, in fact, less time than it would have taken to get my Silhouette out and set up with my computer, get the card laid out onto the mat screen, get the mat out, load the paper onto it, etc. I cut the base card from a beige cardstock then topped it with a pretty green patterned paper from K&Company.  A couple years ago, when cork first started coming on the papercrafting scene, I found this set of cork flower stickers.  I had completely forgotten about them and came across them when I was pulling out the patterned paper for the wine bottle.  I was going to use a piece of cork for the stopper in the bottle and thought it would be a nice touch to add the cork flower to the bottle.  With the cork flowers there were some scalloped circles and I've been wondering if I could stamp on cork.  Sure enough it worked.  After stamping Happy New Year on the cork I put it onto a tag.  I tied a pretty polka dot wired ribbon around the neck of the bottle and attached the tag around the ribbon.  For a little more embellishment I added some pretty sequins and a little bit of Stickles.  I was disappointed that they didn't show up better in the picture. I know this is a busy week for everyone, but on Wednesday after the presents are all unwrapped and your ready for a little relaxing check in at The Cutting Cafe Blog to see the rest of the DT projects.  Merry Christmas, everyone!

Annual Christmas Card

Finally, I've gained control of the Christmas preparations and I'm feeling good about it.  My cards are made and in the mail, the presents are bought and in the mail (because we are not with our family for the holiday), the cookies are baked, and the food is ready to be prepared for Christmas dinner. Today I thought I would share my simple but elegant Christmas card I made to give to friends and family this year.  My Christmas card list has grown in the last few years as we've made so many new friends in our retirement lifestyle. Yes, we've become snowbirds and it appears that we've made the perfect decision judging by the weather reports we are seeing from upper Michigan.  As I write this there is another Winter Storm Advisory, while we are enjoying the most glorious weather with sun and warmth down in Florida.

Anyway, because I needed so many cards the last couple of years I have decided to come up with a design and mass produce.  It made life so much easier last year so I stuck with the same plan this year.  I've always loved the white on white look and always think it looks elegant.  I made my base card with white cardstock then matted a shiny gold mat onto the top of it.  Then I took another piece of white and embossed it with a beautiful Cuttlebug winter embossing folder featuring a cardinal on a branch.  I used a sentiment from My Creative Time and heat embossed it in gold.  That was it, easy peasy.

The Cutting Cafe 3-D Christmas Ornament Set

 

We're continuing with a Christmas theme this week at The Cutting Café and the focus for our Design Team projects is ornaments.  I'm showcasing a set of 3-Dimensional Christmas Ornaments.  This set comes with two different ornaments, one divider box and lids (one with a window and one without window).   You can make your ornaments as full as you'd like.  For mine, I used six of the ornament sections per ornament.  I used the SVG file and my Silhouette to cut all my pieces.

 



Before attaching all the pieces I cut a piece of red glitter ribbon to sandwich between layers to serve as the ornament hanger.  I embellished the ornaments with a green die cut bow and a die cut silver jingle bell.  Here is a photo of the box all done up to give as a gift to a friend.  I simply added a tulle bow and a tag.

You'll want to make sure you stop by The Cutting Café Blog on Wednesday to see the rest of the Design Team's ornament projects.  Thanks for coming by.

The Cutting Cafe 3-D Christmas Trees

The holiday season is in full swing now.  I'm sure most of you have decked the halls by now.  I must confess, not much decking has gone on in my house for several reasons.  We just returned from a trip to N. Carolina to visit our son and his family and I'm a bit behind.  We've also had a hectic schedule since returning.  How I ever managed to get anything done before I retired is a mystery to me.  I must apologize for the quality of my photo.  I really had a difficult time getting a picture of this project.  This week's Cutting Café project is made with the 3-D Christmas Tree Set Template/Cutting File.  This set comes with two different types of tree cuts in SMALL, MEDIUM and LARGE sizes, two different size boxes to make into presents and a tree window card.  My Silhouette machine came in handy for cutting all the pieces of this file.  Each of my trees has four sections that are glued together to make it three dimensional.  After assembling the trees I blinged them up adding gems and stickles.  A few presents scattered around and my little scene was complete.  I'm so glad that I have this little grouping of Christmas trees on my dining table.  In our tiny 500 sq. ft. place we don't have room for a Christmas tree so I have to look for other ways to bring the holiday spirit into my little space.  To give the trees a little weight to make them stand up I've placed them on small flower "frogs".  I hope you'll have time to stop by The Cutting Café Blog this week to see the rest of the DTs projects. 

The Cutting Cafe Christmas Bag Topper

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Now that you've had a weekend of Christmas shopping (or even if you didn't) you're going to need some good ideas for gift presentation.  I've got just what you need.  This week at The Cutting Café the Design Team is featuring projects with Christmas Bag Toppers, Stocking Boxes, Christmas Shaped Milk Cartons and Candy Cane Boxes.  You're sure to find just the container you need.  I used the Christmas tree bag topper and small gift bag for my featured design.  The Christmas Bag Topper Template and Cutting File comes with 17 different bag toppers, a small and large bag with and without windows and frames to put around the windows in the bags.  There are also 19 sentiments included with the set.  I cut the bag from a plaid patterned paper, the bag topper base from kraft cardstock and the Christmas tree from a green polka dot.  I added a few die cut presents around the base of the tree and a die cut star to the top of the tree.  A little twine and a tiny tag completed the bag.  The tag sentiment is from The Cutting Café Christmas Mini Words.  Now make sure you check out the rest of the DT projects on The Cutting Café Blog on Wednesday.