Flowers and Rain Drops

For my first card, I wanted to play along with the Lawnscaping Challenge since it was being sponsored by Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooking, because I love Lawn Fawn stamps and I love to use sketches. Do I need anymore reasons!!!

Here is the sketch.

Oh yes, it also let me use my 903 Kreaxions 4-in-1 punch that I love, my new Cricut and my brand new Cindy Loo cartridge!!!

Notice this close up of the punched border on the glitter, green cardstock.  I love these punches because of the different kinds of punched looks you can get out of one punch just by using different plates. 

This view gives you a close up of my flower and stem that was cut with the Cricut Expression and the Cindy Loo cartridge. I cut it three times so I could create the different layers. 

Now for my project using the Unscripted sketch for this week.  I just knew I needed to create a layout with this great sketch.

I took advantage of the space and used three photos. Notice how cute this It's Raining, It's Pouring collection of papers by Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker is with these rain related photos.

This big flourish design is cut with the Cricut Expression (Storybook 5"). I find it amazing at how easy it is to cut any of the designs about any size you want. 

The title letters were also cut with the Cricut Expression  (Stamping 2") and after I had them glued to my page, I coated them with Aleene's Paper Glaze.  

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

 

FRIENDS…FLOWERS card
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned papers – Max and Mollie collection/Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker
Punch – Kreaxions/Just Imagine Crafts Sentiment stamp set – Lawn Fawn
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder – Stampendous
Cricut cartridge – Cindy Loo (2”, cut three times)
Self adhesive rhinestones – Queen & Co.
Foam tape – 3M
Machine sewing

SKETCH 112 – GOOD TIMES layout
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned papers – It’s Raining/Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker
Cut sentiment – Cricut cartridge/Stamping (2”) and Storybook (5”)
Corner punch – Fiskars
Clear Paper Glaze – Aleene’s®

Foam tape – 3M

I didn't know!!!!

None of my scrapping friends told me how happy my crafting life would be if I had a Cricut Expression!!!! I knew I loved what I saw others create with one of these tools but I tend to shy away from tools that are pricey until I am totally convinced that I NEED one.  WELLLLLL....I now have one and I cannot imagine NOT having one. I want to just cut stuff and play with it for no reason at all! Really, I am sure I have never had a tool that is more versatile and I am so excited to see what it adds to my cards and other projects.  At this point I have 6 cartridges and the images on just these six seem endless. One reason for that is that each can be cut in just about any size I want - how does it get better???  Plus I have already taken a class at one of my LSS's to get a handle on what all of the buttons do, etc. Very helpful.

So, you guessed it, I had to use it on my Card Positioning Systems card for this week!

This leaf label is in the Storybook cartridge.  I used a piece of cardstock that has an embossed design in it already so with a little sanding you can see the contrast of the embossing. I did cut this label at 3". 

Is that stamped sentiment cute! I used stamps from Paper Smooches.  I love this set of words because they mix and match. Here I used two different stamps from the set to create the whole sentiment.

And, yes, I need to share some pics...

We attended one of the most brilliant events for kids, especially little boys, this last weekend.  It is called Touch-A-Truck and it is put on in a big park.  Whoever thought of doing such a think is genious. Check out this web site for an idea of what it is about because it would be something fun to bring to your area if you needed ideas. 

You can tell this part of the event was a big hit. Even the little guy in the background who was waiting his turn was excited!

He just loved every part of every truck or vehicle. 

This was truly a day put together for him!
Thanks for visiting Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 223 – MISS YOU FRIEND card

Materials:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
X-Press Blending Card – Copic Markers
Patterned paper – Gertie/“Delightful”/Stella and Rose/My Mind’s Eye (both sides)
Sentiment stamp – Paper Smooches
Cricut cartridge – Storybook (3”)
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder - Stampendous
Corner rounder punch – Fiskars

Loving color

I found myself playing along with a couple "color" challenges this week. 

The first one is with The Play Date Cafe.  Does this say SUMMER???

 This card is made up of some of the scraps on my table. I am not ever good at cleaning up and one reason is because of the inspiration I find in my mess!!!  Plus you can see my newest border punch!!! That cute sentiment is from a set of rub-ons by EAD Designs and Paper Smooches. 

The flower is cut from a piece of patterned paper by 3 Bugs in a Rug.   I love to cut elements out of patterned papers.  I accented the little white dots with Bead paint by Tulip. 

 Next comes the Unscripted sketch for this week that includes a piggyback color challenge. 

Again, I relied on some of my scraps.  I picked up what was leftover from this piece of paper and saw that the colors in the challenge were in it.  I'm not sure I got the colors correct exactly but I see a challenge as just that, a challenge and it does not have to be perfect.

AND, do you see how I used my brand new Cricut Expression!!! LOVE this thing.  The cartridge is Stamping and I cut the phrase at 2". 

                                

 And you know that tomorrow is Father's Day.  We have already had two celebrations just trying to catch up with all of the families schedules!  I have actually already shared this card in the past but it needed to be shared again since it fits for Dad.  It fits along with the Little Red Wagon challenge for something for Dad.

Notice all of that texture? I love texture for a masculine card.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

NEVER TOO OLD… card

Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned papers – Sun Kissed Summer/BoBunny, (Flower)Chloe/3 Bugs in a Rug and Little Boy/Echo Park
Border punch – Martha Stewart
Rub-on sentiment – EAD Designs/Paper Smooches
Corner rounder punch – Fiskars
Bead paint- Tulip
Self adhesive rhinestone – Recollections
Foam tape – 3M
Machine sewing



SKETCH 111 – MISSING YOU card

Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned papers – Sun Kissed Stripe/BoBunny
Cut sentiment – Cricut cartridge/Stamping (2”)
Corner punch – Fiskars
Scallop scissors
Buttons – Dress It Up

Cupcake Kind of Day

Now that little sentiment is right down my alley, especially as I sit here with the cute cupcakes I picked up yesterday at Bake You Happy in Valencia, CA!!!!

 This card uses the Card Positioning Systems sketch for this week and the most wonderful part of this weeks post and sketch is that My Favorite Things stamps is our sponsor. If you haven't checked out what the offer, you must. 

 The little girl holding the cupcake and the sentiment are from a stamp set at MFT's and that flower is created with one of the dies that they offer. As I created the flower, I could see that I also need the smaller flower dies that they have.  The little cherry on top has a glossy finish because of the Aleene's Paper Glaze.  Just takes a second to apply it and it adds to much to the finished look.  LOVE all of this with this paper by My Mind's Eye, I used both sides.  The diamond shape is a die from Spellbinders.  I often want to cut that shape and it is so hard to figure out on my own, now I have a set of diamond dies!

And, drum roll please!!!

 One of the newest collections from Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker. I love school related papers so I am really gonig to love this set. 

This set includes collection kits, punch-outs, 6 different alpha stickers on one sheet of stickers as well as a sheet of stickers that are all just elements that coordinate with the collection.  Check out Nikki's blog to see some other glimpses of this collection.

And for a couple photos...

 Our zoo has a new baby! This is the first time that we were abe to see him. Talk about darling!!!

I loved this easy way to see the difference in their sizes.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 222 – IT’S A CUPCAKE KIND OF DAY card

Materials:
Stamp courtesy of My Favorite Things – Hello Cupcake
Flower die – My Favorite Things
Cardstock – Core’dinations
X-Press Blending Card – Copic Markers
Patterned paper – Stella and Rose/My Mind’s Eye (both sides) and We R Memory Keepers
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder - Stampendous
Clear Paper Glaze – Aleene’s®
Copic markers
Pearl brad – American Crafts
Corner rounder punch – Fiskars
Foam tape- 3M

Flower Soft and Really Reasonable Ribbon BLOG HOP

Come join us in a special blog hop with The Flower Soft and Really Reasonable Ribbon Design Teams!

As you make your way through the hop make sure you comment on each and every post. There will be 4 prize winners chosen randomly among the blogs.

Flower Soft and Really Reasonable Ribbon will each be selecting two winners (one person randomly from the entire blog hop and one each from someone who comments on their teams blogs) to win prize packages!

The blog hop ends on June 19th. The prize winners will be announced on The Flower Soft blog and Really Reasonable Ribbon Ramblings blogs on Monday June 20th.

The blog hop starts at the Flower Soft blog so if you get lost along the way, just go back there.

 I already loved the color combination of red, white and blue but let me tell you, when I received this package of ribbons in the mail, I was even more in love.   It was so exciting to get to play with these.  I wanted to use all of the pieces in the package, so I took a piece of white cardstock and covered it with tape runner and then placed strips of each ribbon on it. I let the pieces hang off of the edge of the cardstock and cut them like you can see in the photo.  The white, lacey piece was also in the package so I used it to finish off my card. 

 I used a dandelion shape from the Cricut, Storybook cartridge and cut it on white cardstock.  In order to have the white stand out a little better against the ribbons, I placed blue circles of cardstock under the flower portions.  I cut this at 2 1/2".  The middles of each flower is accented with red Ultra Fine Flower Soft.  I kind of thought the finished die cut looked a bit like fireworks.

Here is a side view of the bottom edge of my card so you can see the ribbons and how I cut them. 

From my blog, hop on over to Andrea's blog. 

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

CELEBRATE card

Materials list:
Ribbon – Really Reasonable Ribbon
Ultra Fine Flower Soft
Tacky Glue – Aleene’s
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Cricut flower – Dandelion/Storybook (2 ½”)
Border punch – EK Success
Rub-on sentiment – Making Memories

Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions Punches Blog Hop

Welcome to the Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions Punches BLOG HOP!

This hop will be held Saturday June 11th 12:01am EST through Sunday June 12th 10pm EST
***all day Saturday and Sunday, the winner to be chosen by Monday PM

You have all weekend to join us, blog hop and play along with the Just Imagine Crafts Design Team.  Our theme: SUMMERTIME!!!  Anything with a summertime theme goes!

The PRIZES:  The Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions Punches Site is offering 2 Kreaxions Punches of your choice as the Grand Prize. Each DT member will also offer a random draw for a Kreaxions Punch prize. Lots of ways to win!!!

****Be sure to have a scrap of paper while you hop to write down the number of your favorite Punch(es). When you finish the hop and return to Just Imagine Crafts. You'll get an additional ballot when you list your favorite punch number(s) in the comments section. We would love to hear what you think!!! ****

Welcome to my post for the Just Imagine/Kreaxions Blog Hop!  You might have come here from Jess's blog.  Here is my card for the hop.  I also used the Unscripted sketch for this week as my inspiration.

I used Kreaxions 4-in-1 Punch #903.  I used that punch to punch the four corners on the square accent and I also punched a black border that is just peeking out from behind the band of patterned paper.  The patterned papers are Vintage Linen from the For The Record collection by Echo Park. 

Here is a close-up of the punched areas and that adorable little butterfly is also a punch by Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions. 

To help you understand better what I mean by a 4-in-1 punch, I used the included, removable plates to show you the four different looks you get from one punch.  Each of the other 4-in-1 punches work this same way. 

Comment on my blog for a chance at a random draw to win this same 4 in 1 Kreaxion punch from my blog.  It will be donated by Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions Punches.

Also if you play along and follow our rules for the June Challenge and post your project this weekend during the blog hop time allotted, you get an extra ballot to the main draw.

If you didn't start at the beginning of the blog hop be sure to go back there if you get lost along the way. Some members are playing on Saturday, some won't be playing until Sunday.

From here, hop on over to Lisa's blog to see what she has created and for another chance to win a prize.

Hope you had fun ... we sure enjoyed having all of you visit us. Thanks everyone and have a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Elmer's Show and Tell project

Elmer’s Show and Tell project

The Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Diva's are going to share with you today(Friday) and tomorrow(Saturday) projects that feature some great Elmer's and X-acto products.  Just visit EACH of the Diva's projects on their blogs and leave a comment.  All of the blog links for Fridays post are listed at the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog and at the end of my post.  After you have visited all of the blogs,  go back to Nikki's blog and let her know you completed the hop. You will have until June 12th at midnight CST to leave comments (this applies to Julie's post and her team also that will be posting on Saturday). Come back on this post for a chance to win the prize that I am giving out and then you will need to post on Julie's for a chance to win hers! We will announce both winners on the evening of June 13th.

Here are the great Elmer’s and X-acto projects that I was able to work with for my project.

 I found a metal frame at the thrift shop and I knew that would be the foundation for my project. I cut a piece of patterned paper from the It’s Raining, It’s Pouring collection by Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker to fit the front of the frame.

The Elmer’s Fabric and Paper Glue was perfect for attaching that cut paper to the frame front.

I wanted to accent the frame with some 3-D flowers and I knew the Elmer’s Foam Board would work perfectly for some of the layers. The large flower is a circle cut from the Elmer’s Foam Board and that was covered with a piece of patterned paper, a smaller cut flower and a circle middle.

Here is a close-up of my cut flower layers. I cut a circle from the red patterned paper and then made cuts into the circle to form petals. Next I folded each petal down the middle, with the fold backwards. The circle middles to the flowers are more circles cut from the Elmer’s Foam Board and these are also covered with patterned paper circles. I used the X-acto Craft knife to cut the Elmer’s Foam Board and I used the Elmer’s Fabric and Craft Glue to attach the paper pieces to the Foam Board pieces.

The layers of the flowers were put together with the Elmer’s Glue Spots.

I used my Cricut Expressions machine to create my design in the frame. The frame with the word “Welcome” cut in the middle of it was cut from the Home Accents cartridge. I cut it at 3 ¾” with the yellow cardstock. The letters are cut out and so I backed it with a strip of red cardstock. The leaves are also cut with the Cricut Expressions. I used the DoodleCharms cartridge and cut the leaves 1 ½” to 2 1/2” so I had different sizes.

Here is my finished project

I wanted to show you a close-up of the flowers and leaves, especially so you can see the different dimensions with the Elmer’s Foam Board parts. Plus, that wonderful, pink, Self-Healing cutting mat was great to work on!!!

Plus a close-up of the cut “Welcome” label

Here is Friday's blog list - be sure to stop at each blog

Delaina Burns

 Linda Beeson - you are here

 Jennifer Yates

 Sarah Eclavea


 Katrina Hunt - her post will be up on Saturday along with the other Nikki Sivils team
 
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Summer and Vintage together

First up is my Card Positioning Systems card for this week. 

 I am the proud owner of a brand new Cricut Expressions machine and so I get to show off one of my first projects using it.  I picked the Watermelon charm from the DoodleCharm cartridge.  Plus, I pulled out some Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker papers to go with it and to further my summer theme.

 I cut this Watermelon at 3 1/2" and cut it three times with three different colored papers.  That way I could paper piece it together to look just like a watermelon slice.  The seeds are coated with Aleene's Paper Glaze to give them a shiny look and I added some accents with a fine line black pen. 

 Next comes my Vintage card.  This fits the Getting Cricky Sunday challenge of "Vintage Appeal" for this week.  These great BasicGrey papers really fit the vintage look. 

 I wanted to show off some Kreaxions products, a 4-in-1 punch (#922) and the Kreaxions circle cutter. It also uses one of the sketches for the challenge in June on the Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions blog.  Be sure to check out the challenge because you have the chance to win goodies!  I love the 4-in-1 punches because each one has more then one look depending on which inserts you use with it.

Gotta share some photos...

 We recently needed to make a trip into Arizona. We drove from the Southern California desert into Arizona. The wonder of the trip was starting to see that various cactus along the sides of the road and the beauty of driving is that we could stop to take closer looks and to take photos.  I just had to share some of the pics with you.

 These "sticks" were everywhere. On closer look they are really so neat.

 This is the "flower" part of that plant, notice those HUGE thorns!

 This is a close-up of the flowers on that cactus on the first photo and the cactus in the last photo has the same flower.

Each of these things have a mind of their own when it comes to growing. Fun to see.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 221 – SUMMER MEMORIES card

Materials:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper – Summer and We Are Family/Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker
Watermelon Slice – Doodle Charms/Cricut cartridge (3 ½”)
Clear Paper Glaze – Aleene’s®
Copic marker – Fine Black
Corner rounder punch – PaperShapers
Foam tape- 3M



DISCOVER card
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper – BasicGrey
Self adhesive Pearls – Recollections
4-in-1 punch No. 922 – Kreaxions
Circle cutter - Kreaxions
Epoxy word – Heidi Grace