Beautiful You

I was playing with some tags leftover from a project I did last week and created this card.

Materials:

Paper: Paper Cut

My Mind's Eye "BellaBella: French Flea Market" Accessories sheet

SIZZIX: "Dots" A2 folder

CUTTLEBUG: Decorative Squares

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Inks "Vintage Photo"

Stamp: Basic Grey "Different Strokes"

Ribbon: Offray and May Arts

I inked the dots after embossing with my Cut & Dry sponges.  It was an easy and quick card.

More playing

I decided it would be fun to see if my plastic butterfly stencil would work as an embosser.  The color in the top photo isn't as good as the ones below...it really is a bright pink....so much for natural lighting making things look better.
It isn't very thick, but I put it through with my rubber embossing mat from Dreamweavers and I think it worked pretty well....gives me ideas for more things to put through the little green machine. Using the CORE'dinations paper worked great to because I could sand off the raised areas and reveal more of the embossing.


Materials:
Paper: WorldWin and CORE'dinations
CUTTLEBUG: Tiny Tags
Ribbon: May Arts
STICKLES: Fruit Punch and Star Dust

Stamp: Daisy Bucket

Ink

Hunter's Safety

I completed a page finally.  My youngest is now old enough to be in the woods with a gun...scary!  He passed his Hunters Safety class with no problem.  

Materials:

Paper: Karen Foster "Target"

WorldWin cardstock

Tag: My Mind's Eye

Stamp: Inque Boutique "Time Flies" set

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Vintage Photo

Marker: American Crafts Slick Write "Black"

Stickers: Chatter Box (these were new a few weeks ago)

Pretty simple, but I don't want to take away from the target in the background by covering it up...afterall, that was the whole point of the paper and the theme.

If you thought I did a whole page without using my CUTTLEBUG...wrong!  I cut the circle for the clock with my NESTIES.  You know I can't go a day without using the little green machine!

Remember when...

...I mentioned that we were going to write to CUTTLEBUG about how much we love the machine, dies and folders and how disappointed we were by the lack of new things released at the Winter CHA show.  Well, click here for the CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE blog and you can do a survey that lets you share your opinion it!! Read through the post and find the link to the survey and then DO IT!!  We want our voices heard.  As an incentive they are giving away prizes...CUTTLEBUG prizes.....and there is even a sneak peek to a folder they are releasing at the July CHA show.

I did the survey and it was easy.  Make sure you have your folder and die ideas ready to type up, that takes the longest (at least for me it did!!) lol

Just a FYI...we did send our store petition with the names signed and ideas on it out to the company a while ago....so it just goes to show how much the CUTTLEBUG means to people outside of Eau Claire.

I like to play

So, I gathered up a bunch of leftover bits....sorry, you won't see these in the Doggie Bags.....and started cutting, embossing and layering things.  It looks pretty Springy, but I didn't have an Easter stamp to work.  I did find my Heidi Swapp  "birthday" stamp though and that works too.  Plus, we have this stamp available in the store...some things are just classics.  I like that it is nice and big for a sentiment stamp. It's one of my favorites so that's why we keep ordering it in (basically so I can keep creating with it).  I haven't dug it out in a while...with all the cool Cuttlebug things to play with, it's hard to remember other stuff sometimes.

Materials:

Paper:

WorldWin cardstock

Scenic Route (pink and floral..it's double sided)

WeR: White Out:  Nonsense "Fiddle Faddle" (leaves cut out from the sheet)

Ribbon: May Arts

Stamp: Heidi Swapp

Ink: Judith "Black"

NESTABILITIES: Ric Rac Border, Sunflower Two, Long Rectangle and Long Rectangle Scallop

This card is 5 1/2" X 5 1/2" when finished.  I prefer to make the standard size for sending through the mail (plus it is cheaper postage) but I also like to have room to play on my creative canvas.  Every once in a while you just have to try a different size...plus, if I am personally handing a card over to the recipient then it's all good!

There is nothing you can't figure out from the photo here except the hand cut leaves from the patterned paper.  I tried embossing the leaf set from the Sunflower Two, but they seemed too large for the finished card, so I went with the hand cutting.

Take note that the weather is making it impossible to get an eye-popping color photo in natural light, so it looks much brighter in person.  When the sun comes out again I will try and retake a photo.

Nestabilities fun

I just can't resist playing with my Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Nestabilities.  

Materials: 

Paper: 

WorldWin cardstock

Paper Loft; Grandma's House "Keys"

My Mind's Eye; Wild Asparagus "All Boy" Diamond/Green paper

NESTABILITIES: Birdie, Doodle Parts, Inverted Circles and Labels Two

CUTTLEBUG: "Vintage" Die set, "Feel Better" emboss set, "Fall Leaves" die set and "Script Texture" A2 folder

Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress ink; Vintage Photo and Antique Linen

Paper Flowers: Prima jars

Pop-Dots

Lots of fun layers in this one.

with love card

The real effect of this card is a little hard to see, hopefully with the close-up below you can see the embossing and sanding using the CORE'dinations.

CORE'dinations is awesome for sanding and creating great cards.  

Materials:

PAPER: CORE'dinations and Paper Cut White Felt

CUTTLEBUG: "With Lover Border"

SIZZIX: "Dots & Flowers" large embossing set (the new one I mentioned yesterday...this is the DOTS folder)

NESTABILITIES: Pierceabilities 5 1/2" Ric Rac Scalloped Border s4-166

BLING: Queen & Co

My new toys came out on my day off!!  I love the edge on this embosser/die cut from NESTABILITIES.  You can't see the piercing design in the pink parts of the card...unless you click on the photo to see it closer....not sure if that will work or not, but give it a try.  I need to buy a nice big piercer for this cool tool.

Thank You card

Holding the card shut so you can see the whole thing.
Here is a photo showing the "window".  Now, I didn't need to put in acetate (or my leftover plastics)for my window, but I did.  After I glued it all together I realized I should have embossed it or something but, I didn't.  
Now we have a photo of the inside of the card.  

Materials:

PAPER: WorldWin and Paper Cut cardstocks

RIBBON: May Arts

CUTTLEBUG: "Border Frills" 

SIZZIX: "Dots and Flowers" large embossing set 

NESTABILITIES: Inverted Squares

INK: Ranger Tim Holtz Distressed Ink "Fired Brick" and Encore (those little cubes by the checkout) "Gold"

STAMP: Inque Boutique (can't remember the name of this one, but we have them in stock at the store!!....there is even a bird on this set....cool stuff)

and my BRAYER again...

OK, so I did  little more of the inking of my CUTTLEBUG folders.  I do like just highlighting the tops of the designs before embossing it.  Cool stuff. I rubbed the gold along the edge of the inside of the card just to highlight the embossing on the edge too.

You may notice a new embossing design there...and it's from SIZZIX, not CUTTLEBUG....but you'll have to wait for the restocks on this one...timing is everything when shopping at Picture This.  We did get several other folder designs from SIZZIX which are sitting with the CUTTLEBUG goodies.  Check them out.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY

Just kidding....I was planning on putting up a St Patty's Day card, but time got away from me.

Better late than never right?

Materials:
Cardstock: WorldWin
CUTTLEBUG A2 "Spots & Dots" Embossing folder and "Best Friends" embossing set
Ink
Ribbon: May Arts

Making Memories Flower brads....cute!!
and my BRAYER!!

More brayer inking. I like this techinique. I still am working on my double color Cuttle yet, but when I have a minute, I will get one posted (oh wait, I have to actually finish it too...)

Channeling my inner Tim Holtz

Have you ever wanted to just pile some stuff on the front of a card, just to see if you could...well, I did... it's a little front heavy...WORKS FOR ME!

I added a bit to the inside to help with the weight and I think it looks pretty nice.

Materials:

Paper: Bazzill and WorldWin

CUTTLEBUG: "Diamonds In The Rough" A2 embossing folder and "Happy Birthday" embossing set

Ink: Tim Holtz Antique Linen and Vintage Photo

Stamps: Inque Boutique "Time Flies" and HERO ARTS

BRADS: not sure where I got these, but they work with my theme.

Bling: Queen & Co

Metal Embellies: Tim Holtz  "Sprocket Gears", "Philosophy Tags" and "Fasteners"

Cut & Dry foam (for applying the ink to the edges)

BRAYER

POP-DOTS

So, the trick here is inking the inside of your embossing folder with the brayer before sending your sheet of paper though the CUTTLEBUG.  I am so glad I have that brayer.  I have been doing the inking with other methods.....that's what we have tools for right??  The other fun tool is the Cut & Dry foam for applying the ink to the edges, it gives it a different look than what I usually do.  I got my first piece of Cut & Dry foam at the Tim Holtz Class we took at Summer CHA.  He even held that piece of foam when I made a boo-boo on my project (he fixed it for me with my little square!!...I covet that little square)

Birthday card

I was checking out this website (after a nice commenter mentioned it's existence to me) and saw this great tutorial about double embossing with your CUTTLEBUG. Now, I have done this technique before, so this is nothing new to me....but.....she had gotten her brayer out and used it to ink the folder before running it through (again, inking my folders is something I have done before).....and that's all I needed to remind myself of the existence of a brayer in my own home. Sometimes it takes seeing someone else using tools to remind yourself of your own toys....mine was still in the BOX!!. So, get your brayer out and start playing!! I have to say, this was pretty cool to try. I will have to do the double color Cuttle next (and don't you think I won't!!)
Sorry for the bad photo, but light at 9:20pm isn't the best...lol
Up close and personal with the card

Materials:

Paper: Paper Cut and WorldWin

Stickles: Yellow

Brads: Making Memories

NESTABILITES: Label Two

CUTTLEBUG: "Just My Type"

Ink" Kaleidacolor Ink "Riviera" (but many color palettes would work with this technique)

Stamp: Inkadinkadoo Mini Clears (the set with the little turtle)

So, as you can tell, I applied the ink with the brayer to the opposite side.....this is actually "debossed" and not embossed.  All I wanted to color was the candle images.  After applying the color I carefully put the paper down and ran it through.  I stickled the candle flames for added effect....and because I love STICKLES.  I also ended up double Cuttleing the paper strip...I embossed the wrong side and just went with it...hey, it's art...nothing wrong with that!!

Have a crafty day :)

Gingerbread House

Here is my PAZZLE project from November.  I had to create something from a file they sent me.  This was my choice.  I went with a 3-D scene.  Hey, I like to play, what can I say??
There are some awesome things you can do with paper and a computerized die cutting system.  I have been working with the PAZZLES Creative Cutter for over 4 years and I love making new paper cutting files.  I just thought I would share with you some of the things I do for the PAZZLES company in my capacity as a Design Team member.

More birthday...

I was trying to use up all the dot paper that I started cutting up this weekend and I am almost done!!  lol  I am still playing with my circle sets too.  Boy, when you start something, you just can't quit!  So, I cut up a BUNCH of different circle designs from my patterned paper and I had lots of things to create with.  I love this birdie stamp from Autumn Leaves.

Materials:

Paper: WorldWin cardstock

Bo-Bunny (double sided)

Stamp: Autumn Leaves clear singles

Ribbon: May Arts

NESTABiLITES: Square set and Standard Circles set

Stickles

Birthday Time...

I have this great set of Inque Boutique stamps with clocks as a theme.  I stamped the various clocks in different shades of brown on the light brown paper.  After all my stamping was done I rolled the whole sheet through my beloved Cuttlebug to emboss the leafy background.

Materials: 

Paper: WorldWin cardstock

Stamps: Inque Boutique "Time Flies"

Ink

CUTTLEBUG: "Leafy Branch" A2 embossing set

Brads: Making Memories "stars"

Picture This has all these items available for purchase at the store.

Turtle circles

So, with playing with my circles Saturday I made several different cuts in SEVERAL pieces of paper.  This cardstock version was fun to play with.  With a little patterned paper and some stamping I have a fun little birthday card.  Oh, and you can't have fun without some Stickles and Cuttlebug....

Materials:

Paper:

Paper Cut Felt paper

Daisy Bucket patterned/textured paper

NESTABILITES: Standard Circles

CUTTLEBUG: "With Love Border" embossing set

Ink

Stamp: Inkadinkadoo mini clears

Stickles: Distressed Stickles "Peeled Paint" and "Orange Marmalade"  

Happy Birthday...to me!

Today.....it's my Birthday and I have been busy creating Birthday cards.

My CUTTLEBUG was cranking all weekend....lucky you.....you get a new post each day this week!

Materials:

Paper: WorldWin cardstock

Fancy Pants "WISH" patterned paper

CUTTLEBUG: "Swiss Dots" A2 embosser, "Spots and Dots" A2 embosser, and "Birthday" embosser set.

Punch: FISKARS

Ribbon: Offray ?

Staples: old old old Making Memories

Gems: HERO ARTS

Circles, circles, circles

I am seeing spots today.   So, I lined up my circle NESTIES sets into a pattern on my "C" plate and set the paper on top.  After I ran it through I put the "B" plate down and moved the paper and NESTIE plates to the "B" plate, put the embossing mat on top and topped that off with the other "B" plate.  I took the middle sized circle and embossed that with the Happy Birthday and pop-dotted it in the middle of the largest circle opening.

Materials:

Paper: 

WorldWin Cardstock

Bo-Bunny "Sweet" patterned paper (double sided)

NESTABILITIES: Standard Circle

CUTTLEBUG: "Happy Birthday" embossing set

You're going to see this design again because I tried several different circle set ups and I just can't waste paper.

Embossing, pop dots and stickles....

I have been playing with my pastels lately I guess.  With Easter zooming up on the calendar and with it ACTUALLY starting to look like Spring outside (for the moment anyway) I guess it was just inevitable.

Materials:

Paper: WorldWin cardstock (the two shades of pink)

My Minds Eye (blue)...this is the backside of a polkadot print

CUTTLEBUG: "Friends Forever" emboss and cut set

"Swiss Dots" A2 embosser (love this one!!!)

Stamp: Inkadinkadoo clear mini's set (those stamps we have right next to the counter that everyone laughs at...they are so funny!)

Stickles

Ink

Pop-dots!

Punch: Martha Stewart Lace Doily punch (not many of these left on our rack...just an FYI)

Sharp tip scissors

Ok, this one started out as a swiss dotted card and then I covered up all but the bottom row of dots...lol....that's the way art is....you have to keep evolving.  So, anyway, I liked the idea of the pink on pink with the scallop edge and the cool blue of this cardstock print.  What I didn't realize was the the pinks were two different shades...but really really close.  I like it.

To create the "banner" for the sentiment I just cut a piece of the pink paper to the width and depth I needed for my stamp, stamped the words (which just happen to have the word "happy" above the word "birthday" so I inked the "happy" and stamped it and then inked the "birthday" and stamped it next to it. If your stamp isn't quite what you need...make it work for you!  After that was finished I used the sharp point scissors and cut the ends and then folded the excess under and back so it looked like a banner.  A pop-dot under the main part gave it enough lift to look raised and then I taped down the ends to keep them in place.  Below is a close-up of the 3-D effect of the banner.

Easter Lace

I saw these papers and thought they would be perfect for an Easter card. The Judith EGG stubby is perfect in the center of these scallop squares from the Vintage die set (which has cute corners).

Materials:

Paper: WorldWin cardstock

Daisy D's "Sleepy Time" double sided paper (I used both sides)

Ribbon

CUTTLEBUG: Vintage die

Stamp: Judith Egg stubby

Ink

Rubber Stamp Tapestry

I was playing with the Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamps again (sooooo outside my comfort zone creatively) and came up with a simple card.

Oops, I just noticed I didn't make sure the bow was in the right spot before I photographed it...you'll have to stop in and see it.

Materials:

Paper: WorldWin

Stamps: Stamp Tapestry "Pinecone Wreath" ? (not exactly sure, I was playing afterall)

Judith "Happy Birthday"

Ribbon

NESTABILITIES: Long Rectangle and Long Rectangle Scallop

CUTLEBUG: Textile embossing folder

Bird Call embossing folder

I love working with CUTTLEBUG (no...really?...haha)

I also love working with plastic (or even acetate)

I put together this little card with some "trash" plastic (you know...those plastic containers that the CUTTLEBUG and NESTABILITIES goodies come in) and created a see-through card.  

Materials:

Paper: WorldWin (green)

Chatterbox (yellow)

Stamp: Stamps Anonymous "Nature's Discovery" set from Tim Holtz

(We have this set in the store along with several other TIM stamps and several other set that have a similar twigs and weeds image)

Judith stamp "thinking of you"

and a random swirl from some set I lost track of...

NESTABILITIES: Long Rectangle and Long Rectangle Scallop

CUTTLEBUG: "Bird Call"

Ink

Eyelets: Making Memories

You can cut your plastics down to fit your card front (or just fold some acetate) and send it though the CUTTLEBUG with your favorite design and then attach to a card front.  I folded the front part so that the tape to attach it was covered on both sides.  I used the eyelets for additional reinforcement.  The thick plastic is harder to keep "adhered".  I could have used a darker ink shade for the stamped image, but I wanted to keep it a subtle shadow.

lemme' drive

 Look at me!  I got a page done.  My oldest got his TEMPS on Tuesday and I had a page created by Friday...how good is that?  I knew when I saw this line come in that I had the perfect page idea for it (and the event hadn't even happened yet!!!)  The colors in the paper line match my car perfectly.  It helps that my sons coat is also blue.

Materials:

Paper: Bo-Bunny "Grease Monkey" line

CUTTLEBUG: Concentric Circle die and "Red Tag Sale" alphabet set

DoodleBug "Loopy" alpha stickers

There is so much going on on this line of paper you don't need a lot to make a great page.  I cut the "DRIVE" letters out of the black grid paper and the "Loopy" letters from DoodleBug are perfect for the "lemme' "