Artfully Sent Halloween Card

When I sewed clothes for myself and the DDs, I did not ever think twice about changing the fabric, adding extra embellishments or changing the neckline so WHY do I feel so guilty about messing with the designs from Mary at SVG Cuts, or Ashley at 3DCuts, the Make-It-Now projects or even the layouts and designs from the CTMH carts?  I am, after all, just buying the pattern like I did when I bought a Butterick, or Style or Vogue dress pattern, right? 

This question was nagging at me as I made S's card and gift card holder from the Artfully Sent cart.  I love pop up cards and felt this Halloween scene was a great start but needed a little extra something like stars, a bat and an orange liner behind the windows. 

I used my Technique Tuesday zipper die to make the pocket that conceals the Target gift card.

 

Here's the front: - 

And a picture of Master J's fabulous dinosaur socks!     He's going to be sorry he ever insisted on being in the blog when I show these posts to his girlfriends in 20 years time!  LOL!

Thanks for visiting with me today.   Time to get ready to Trick or Treat!   : )  Christine

Hello Kitty Halloween Card

I was 'enabled' into buying some gilding flakes by a very nice lady I met at the GNPE in Harrogate.  She told me how easy they were to use and that I didn't need any special glue, etc. and indeed they looked gorgeous on all her projects.

They were the first thing I wanted to try but when I opened the box, it was like a mini explosion of foil flakes EVERYWHERE!  Jamming the lid back on, I googled 'gilding flakes' and found a tutorial here for a mosaic card background.   Love it!   She recommends decanting the flakes immediately to a larger container. Great tip!

 What a cool technique and one I will use again with my scraps.

Here's the front of G's card.   Kitty comes from the Hello Kitty Greetings cart and the font I used for the sentiment is from Cherry Limeade.

I used my Technique Tuesday zip die on the inside so that G can access the gift card from one of her favorite stores, Target.  I usually have a ton of little gifts for them but it wasn't happening this year!  Hope she likes it.

The challenge over at FCCB is Halloween projects.  There's tons of inspiration from the DT and the challenge entries.  Check it out!     

Thanks for visiting with me!   Happy Halloween!   Christine  : )

Craft Fair Haul!

We had a wonderful trip to the UK visiting friends and family and researching our ancestors.   Just wonderful!  So many 'moments' like visiting the church where DH's grandparents got married, finding a four poster bed in our room in Annan, Scotland, and standing on the Giant's Causeway and hearing the tale of Finn McCoul from a real Irish storyteller.

On our way up to Yorkshire, we spent a couple of hours at the Great Northern Papercrafting Exposition in Harrogate.  While I cruised the hall talking to everyone and trying to limit my purchases from Craftwork Cards, DH stocked up on some favorite food in the Yorkshire Cafe. I think I'll take him with me again as it was very convenient having someone to take care of my goodies while I went back for more!

Here's a couple of 'haul' pictures I took in the hotel.  I could not post them earlier since our internet connections were sporadic and I returned home to a computer that was well and truly dead!  

Thanks for visiting with me today!  I'll be back later with a card I made using the gilding flakes.  : ) Christine

A Print Then Cut Card

We are off on our travels tomorrow and I needed to make a quick card to encourage someone who has just had surgery. Thank you ProvoCraft for Print Then Cut!

The background comes from the Animal Antics cart and the cars come from the Disney Cars cart.  The cars are pop-dotted for dimension.

  I think it turned out cute!

 Right, back to the packing!  Thanks for visiting with me.  : ) Christine

Print Then Cut is Here!

Provo Craft released the much-anticipated Print Then Cut upgrade for the Explore last night, when the East Coast was fast asleep!  All I can say is that every crafter needs this machine.  The accuracy of the cuts is amazing! 

So here is my first project, waiting on the 'fridge, for Master J when he comes on Friday.  Sorry about the pictures.  :(  It's not easy taking photos of a stainless steel 'fridge!

Thanks for visiting with me today.   I'm off to 'play' again.  This time - Hello Kitty!   : ) Christine

Sam and Joe

In September 2001, we came home with two of the most wonderful border collie pups ever!  We named them Sam and Joe because traditionally, in Yorkshire, working dogs are given short names.  They quickly settled into their new home and into our hearts.

Sadly, we lost Joe five years ago and last week, we had to say goodbye to Sam.  Cocoa is as devastated as we are and won't let us move without coming along!

Joey and Sammy were excellent travelers and whenever the SUV slowed down their heads would pop up over the back seat to see if there was a walk in the offing.   Here's how I remember them.

They loved running and playing 'fetch' on the beach and were spectacular frisbee players.

Their job was to patrol the yard and this they did with passion even in the snow.

Run and play boys!  We love you and miss you.   Christine

Happy 40th Birthday!

My nephew turns 40 in October and since we will be in the UK at the time and hopefully, able to celebrate / commiserate with him, I browsed through Design Space looking for a suitable card to make. 

I found this one in 'Simple Cards' and cut it in black for an 'over the hill' feel.  It reminds me of a wrought iron graveyard gate.   LOL!  Just to emphasize his great age, I used this wonderful paper that resembles newsprint from the '50s, as a liner.

I added the '40' and the inside sentiments (from 'Life's a Party' and 'Smiley Cards') in bright orange.   O.K!  I'll admit that I had way too much fun making this card!  Hope he likes it.  : )

This week, the BBTB2 challenge is "Celebrating Cricut" and this week we Explore owners have a lot to celebrate with the announcement of the Print Then Cut feature going live on September 22nd.  And, since I have a registered Imagine machine, all the images from the I carts will be available for PTC.   Woo Hoo!  Thank you Provo Craft.

Thanks for visiting with me today.  Christine : )