Some Cricut Creations!!! I had some playtime :)

Hi everybody, how is your week-end going.  Last week I spent a little time playing with some new cricut cartridges I have and making some Valentine projects.

First is a little gift box created with a free box MTC file available in the User Forum on MTC and the Wedding and Mother's Day Flower Bouquet cartridges.  I couple of hearts and a punk ribbon embossed with hearts and this quick project is ready to fill with candy and give to someone special:

Next I have two Hello Kitty Valentines using the Hello Kitty Greetings cartridge. I have made these for my 3 year old granddaughters who are both crazy about anything Hello Kitty right now.  Think they will like them?:

 

I really think they turned out cute, but it is a strange concept to me to not have colored anything on the card I didn't think the 3 year olds would appreciate that grandma has spent a lot of time coloring a special image for them, but I know they will carry these around for days.

I hope you all have a great rest of your week-end, mine is over, I work on Sunday nights and so will be going to work in a little bit.

If any of you guys guys reading this are followers of the Sassy Cheryl's Challenge. Cheryl's grandmother passed away this morning.  Cheryl was very close to Grandma Reba and will miss her terribly, but Grandma was ready to go, and Cheryl has all the Love and Memories to cherish, but it is still a very hard time for Cheryl and her family.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great end of your week-end.

Cathy

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge--A Color Challenge!!!

Hasn't our wonderful Challenge hostess this month, Elaine, had some really awesome challenges for the Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge?  This week is no exception!!!  A Color Challenge.  Use Orange, Yellow, Red and one neutral. Here is my little Teacup Fairy: 

 

Rather than go with bright vibrant colors I chose to try to make the tea cup look like a porcelain cup that is so wonderfully crafted you can almost see through it.  I went with a light orange tea cup and dp and the flowers are light orange centers with yellow towards the pedal center leaving the outside edge of each petal white.  The flower centers are red.  

My little Fairy baby has yellow hair and  the wings are orange with clear glitter pen outline.

The orange left panel was punched with a MS fancy border punch and tied with a white sheer organdy ribbon onto which a bow was attached.

I cut out the Teacup Fairy with a Fiskar circle cutter and mounted that onto a paper doile.  I finished the card off with an embossed border on the right hand side, a few pearls in the corners and a band of pearls along the top and bottom right side edges.

Be sure to check out the rest of the DT creations on the Mo's Digital Pencil Blog and play along with us. Any Mo's Digital Pencil image using the colors Orange, Yellow, Red and a neutral..easy peasy!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Cathy

A Thank you for Supporting the Katie Benefit

Jak Heath is sponsoring a Competition for everyone who has purchased the Katie Benefit images.  These images are only available through this benefit and you get to do two things, help Katie Renz and her family with medical expenses and you get a ton of awesome images to color!!! Everybody wins.

I have been showing you some of my cards created using some of the benefit images. but here they are again:

Rules....

1. The card must be made from the donated Help for Katie images.

2. No back links will be accepted this must be a post made after 24th January

3. you must provide a link to the Help For Katie fundraising

4. You may only enter 1 card or project per blog.

 

You have until Feb. 20, to enter.

 

Check out Jak's  Blog for complete details and to upload your card.  

Thanks to everyone who has supported this wonderful cause. And for everyone who hasn't purchased the package yet, there is still time.

Thanks for stopping by.,

Cathy

It's Tuesday, that means Sassy Cheryl's Challenge

Yeah, it is time for another wonderful Sassy Cheryl's Challenge.  It was nice to see so many participants last week.  We love to have you join us.  The theme this week was chosen by our wonderful Sassy Gal, Ann, who chose the theme Love....so many possibilities. I chose this fun Valentines image:

This darling image called Do Not Disturb while Kissing, was so fun to color. I chose some fun dp with lots of Love phrases on it in pinks and greens.  The paper flowers are handmade and the heart border at the top was created using the Cindy Lou  Cricut cartridge.  The little red hearts are what is left when you punch the MS heart border. I always save some to use on the cards.  They are perfect little accents.  Do you think he will have the nerve to give her the card in his pocket...?
Don't you know someone who would love to get a card made with this fun image?
I took a sneak peek into the store tonight and Sassy Cheryl has added even more fun Valentine images. I can't wait to get started on some.
Be sure to stop by the Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the DT has created to inspire you and send you LOVE!!!
Thanks for stopping by.  I'll have another post later in the day with a competition using Benefit for Katie images and there are some awesome prizes.  Details are available on Jak Heath's blog tonight.

Have a wonderful day,
Cathy

A Beautiful Rose card--Just Inklined A4 card

Today I want to show you the beautiful A4 Rose image available from Just Inklined .  It is really cool because you get the image and sentiment all in one.  Here is what I created :

If you have followed my blog for a while you know I love to color flowers.  Just Inklined has some of the most beautiful flowers you can find anywhere.  One of the nice things about this digital image is that is comes with the rose and 3 sentiments.  As you can see here I printed the image two times, and colored one of the Rose images using my copic markers. 
The colored image was set aside and I added my embellishments to the inside and sentiment of the card which would show with the card open or closed.  I cut a piece of pink cs the length of the inside panel plus border and the length of the outside colored image.
The colored image was cut outside the colored image and shadow free hand.  The inside panel was mounted  and then the pink cs was folder over the top of that from the right side.  The pink layer of the colored image (outside or front) was trimmed with an equal border of the rest of the card.
I like the look of this card and while it may not be exactly what I had envisioned I like the way it turned out. Plan B is not always a bad thing.
Hope your week-end is going well and you aren't getting the snow we are getting here in Omaha  I think we got another 6 or 7 inches of snow today and it is still snowing but they say the snow will end about 3 am.
Thanks for stopping by, always glad to have you visit.

Cathy

Another Super Cute Katie Benefit Image!!!

I thought I would bring you another wonderful image from the Katie Renz Benefit which is still going on.  This super cute image was donated by Just Inklined:

 

Isn't this just the perfect image for someone who is under the weather?    

The image was colored with copic markers and the sentiment tag was created with my Walk in My Garden cricut cartridge using the bread tag and sentiment.  The flower was cut using the Mother's Day Bouquet cartridge.  This cartridge has tons of flowers and leaves.  I love that I can make them any size I want, where with a punch I am limited to the punch size.  That's my justification and I'm sticking to it!!!

I sewed the images  and striped dp to the cs. thought it fit the image, and I added 3 I-rock Glam Rocks to the lower left corner of the main image.

Well, winter has hit Omaha this week and we have had 4 inches of snow on Wednesday and tomorrow we are supposed to get another 4-6 inches....so tomorrow I need to go to the grocery store so I don't have to go out after it starts snowing.  

Hope you are all having a wonderful week-end.  Thanks for stopping by and if you haven't checkout out the Benefit for Katie, drop by Jak Heath's blog for complete details.

Cathy

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge-- Around the World!!

Elaine is our hostess again this week at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge Blog and she has another wonderful challenge theme.....Around the World, Ethnic image.  Here is my Jingle Dancer:

I think this is a perfect image for Elaine's Ethnic challenge, although it is not worldwide it could be.  I think of it as a Native American dancer.  She was so fun to color.  Because my only experience in Indian country was our time spent in Arizona and the abundance of Turquoise there so I always think of the two together.
The image was colored with copic markers and sponged with distress ink.
The turquoise satin ribbon was tied on the right side extension of the image matte.  The ribbon knot was tied and 3 silver rhinestones were added with my I-Rock tool.  BTW don't touch satin ribbon with the I-rock tool, yeah, it melts. this is the second piece of ribbon LOL.
I added a Dream Catcher pendant I have had in my collection forever and I love to use it with Indian images.
I can't wait to stop by the Challenge blog and see what the other DT members have created for this fun challenge. 
Thanks for stopping by.

Cathy

The First Ever Design D.I.V.A'S Blog Hop--Oldie but Goodie

Welcome to the first ever Design D.I.V.A'S Blog Hop. If you are arriving here from Sharon Harnist blog you are in the right spot.  The theme of the Blog Hop was to use something you haven't used in at least 6 months.  I decided to go with a Target Valentines mail box I got a couple of years ago and had not decorated.  Here is the mailbox I created:

The little mail box is pink and both ends are completely removable.  I cut the dp for my mailbox using my cricut and a free SVG file from here.  I did modify the MTC file as I wanted to use this one direction paper and wanted both ends to be going the same direction.  The LOVE stamp was cut with the cricut and mounted on the flag.
I used my ATG gun to mount the dp and covered the edges with pearl covered lace ribbon.  The hearts were cut with my cricut. 
The pearl and rose designs on the sides were purchased at Archivers.
I think it really turned out pretty and it is time to head over to one of my bestest  friends, the Super Mega Talented, Theresa Momber.  I know Theresa will have something to knock your socks off.
Thanks so much for stopping by and be prepared to spend your morning enjoying the creations of this creative group of ladies. 

Hugs to you all,

Cathy

I just thought it would be fun to make something really pretty for Valentines Day.

Sassy Cheryl Challenge--Buttons and Bows

For the Sassy Cheryl's Challenge this week our wonderful Ann, has chosen the theme Buttons and Bows.  What a fun challenge.  I love to use buttons and ribbon...perfect.  Here is my card:

Isn't this just the cutest little Valentine girl image called A Big Heart just too fun!!!  I colored the image with copic markers and sponged the edge with distress ink.  The bow on the Big Heart was colored in with an Atyou pink glitter pen.
The image was cut out with my Top Note Die from SU and that was mounted on some K&Company Kelly Panacci paper pad.  I added a red rectangle which I used my corner rounder punch to soften the edge on the outside.  I used a pretty pink satin ribbon with embossed hearts and in the lower right corner I used 3 of my favorite heart and round buttons.
The Love sentiment was cut with my cricut using the Wedding cartridge.  That completes my Sassy Cheryl's Challenge card.  Can't see what you come up with for the Challenge.  Please stop by the Challenge Blog and check out the rest of the DT creations, I peeked and they are awesome!!!
While you are checking out the Challenge blog be sure to check out the new images at Sassy Cheryl's store and there is a Just Because Sale going on right now with 10% off everything.
Thanks for stopping.

Cathy

Another wonderful Katie Benefit image--Sprout, Mo's Digital Pencil

How can you not just fall in love with this darling little "Sprout".  This is just another of the wonderful image available when you purchase the benefit bundle for Katie.  I am so proud that all 3 Design Teams I am on have owners who have donated images for this wonderful benefit for a fellow crafter. Here is what I have created with Sprout which was donated by Mo's Digital Pencil:

 

I am so pleased to be moving on from red and green for a little while LOL.  I thought I would use one of my favorite color combinations, pink and brown for this little gardner image. The image was colored with copic markers and after punching the scalloped trellis MS punch at the bottom it was mounted on brown cs.  The pink and floral dp are a new paper pack I got at Archivers last week called Green at Heart.

I used my cricut to cut the flowers and stem for the doile flower.   I created the doile flower by cutting the center circle from a paper doile and gently folding it into a circle.  I mounted it onto a flower punch base and when it was dry I added a shiny pink button center which was tied with pink yarn.

In case you are wondering whicih cricut cart the flowers and stems were from it is the Pagoda cartridge.

The sentiment was computer generated and punched with the SU scalloped circle punch, sponged with distress ink and my Sprout card is complete.

Thanks for stopping and be sure to stop by this week as I have wonderful challenges from Sassy Cheryl's on Tuesday and Thursday I have the Thursday Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge Blog  challenge.  On Thursday there will also be the first ever Design D.I.V.A.'s Blog Hop which will begin at 7:00 am Pacific Time so be sure to stop by and leave the participants some love.  There are designers from many of your favorite online companies and I know it is going to be so much fun to see what the 35+ participants have to show you.  

If you haven't already checked out the Benefit for Katie please to to Jak Heath's blog for all the details and how to get this wonderful bundle.  It's a win win deal!!!

Have a great day.  I am off to work.

Cathy

Another image from the Katie Benefit bundle!!

There are so many companies which were so gracious as to donate images for the Katie Benefit going on this month.  I have always loved swings of all kinds so when I saw this image from Make it Crafty I knew it would be one of the first I colored.  What do you think:

 

I have to admit that I got the new I-rock tool today and had to use it, whether it really fit the image or not is still up for debate.  

This gorgeous swing image was donated by Make it Crafty and as always I colored it with copic markers.  I airbrushed the blue around the edges to soften the white a little.  I did add some flower soft to the flowers under and around the swing legs.

The dp is a new pack I got at Archivers today,  I needed some lighter more spring-like colors and this pack has lots of choices.  

If you have not read the reason for the Katie Benefit you can check out the details on Jak Heath's blog.  Katie was diagnosed just before Christmas with stage 4 stomach cancer and this is a way to help her and her family in whatever little way we can.  

I have 3 more images colored from the images available and as I get the cards made I will show them to you.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great week-end.

Cathy

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge--Playtime!! Kids and Toys

The Challenge at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge Blog this week was the brain child of our wonderful Elaine and she has chosen, Playtime, kids and toys.  I may have stretched the theme, just a tad, but I really wanted to use this little cutie for my card this week!!! So here is Natures Playground using Wonderful Day!!

Isn't this just the sweetest image.... I love the serenity it evokes of birds and flowers and peaceful quiet times I so enjoyed as a child!! 
The image was colored with copic markers nad I used two sheets of dp from my new DCWV Whimsey paper pack.  Love it.  I used my die-namic scalloped die for the flowered left border piece and the two tone flowered dp was used for the entire base.
The ribbon was some I dyed with SU reinkers using grosgrain ribbon.  Buttons were tied with peachy beige yarn and my Nature's Playground card is complete and ready to enjoy.
Be sure to check out the Challenge Blog Design Team members cards, I know they will be awesome as always.  Don't forgot to check out Mo's store as there are new images to be bought.
I am going to try to work on some more Katie Benefit images to show you this week-end.  It is a wonderful cause and the images are so wonderful I can't wait to color them.   Mo donated an image called Sprout that is just too cute and only available by purchasing the benefit package. 
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Cathy

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge--Snow!

What a perfect challenge for Omaha today. We have 8 inches of fresh snow...Yippee Skippy!!!! Ann could not have know this when she chose this fun Sassy Cheryl's Challenge theme for us, but it worked out perfectly for me.
I used the super cute Sassy Cheryl in the Winter image for my Snow Day! card:

As is my usual method I colored the image and then searched for just the perfect dp..This dp was absolutely a perfect match.  This is a new DCWV Whimsey paper pack I picked up last week at Hobby Lobby.  The coloring was done with copic markers and this time I did not sponge around the edges...what's up with that? LOL.
The snowflakes are MS fnowflakes which were spritzed with glimmer mist so they really sparkle in real life but not so much in the photo.
The Snow Day !!! tag was cut with my cricut after I created the tag in Make the Cut software.  I really like this for sentiments and tags as I can choose my font and create my sentiment just like I would on the computer but it is more like a punched sentiment.  I layered the white behind the Soft Sky dp to accentuate the letters and mounted it with photo mounting foam to add dimension.  The snowflakes were also mounted on mounting tape.
A christmas ribbon with snowflakes and rhinestone centers was tied under the main image and my Snow Day Card is ready to enjoy.
Be sure to stop by the Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and check out the rest of the awesome creations by the Design Team and also the Sassy Cheryl's Store to see what wonderful new images she has created for us this week. 
Just a reminder there is a Benefit going on this month for Katie, a fellow crafter, who can use our love and support as she begins her treatment for stomach cancer.  See my last post for details and links where you can purchase the images, one of which is a Sassy Cheryl's image.  I think it is wonderful that the artists(owners) on all of the Design Teams I am on, have donated images for this worthy cause.  That's why I love ya ladies!!!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!

Cathy

Benefit Fundraiser for Katie!!! Please help!

** Help for Katie Fundraiser **

A fellow member of our crafting community needs our help!! Her name is Katie Emmerson and she has just been diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. She is currently undergoing Chemotherapy which is her only treatment option. You can read her story on her blog HERE. She is a wife, mother of 3 boys and a very talented woman.

Jak Heath from Just Inklined Digital Stamps is holding a month long fundraiser for her dear friend Katie. With just a 15.00 Pound donation she has put together a package of AWESOME images by a variety of generous designers worth well over that amount.

There will also be a drawing for 2 great prizes.

Please stop by Jak's website and lend a helping hand!

http://www.jakheath.com/

I have been given 2 images to give you a peek at what you will receive with your donation to help Katie. You can see the rest by visiting Jak's site. 

My first image was donated by Sassy Cheryl:

 

My second image is a beautiful Magnolia flower which has been donated by Just Inklined:

There are many more wonderful images and the donation for all of them is 15 pounds.  Not sure what the currency conversion is but the cause is so worth it.  I am going to get over there myself right now because I have been very deeply touched by Katie's story.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by Jak Heath's blog to find the rest of the contributors and if you can please help this cause.

Cathy

Just Inklined Freebie!!!

I don't know how they keep doing it but the Artists at Just Inklined just keep coming up with the cutest images and I just love to color them.  This one is so fun for a Valentines Day Card:

Being from the Midwest (in America) black and white cows are common as they are milk cows.  The image was colored with copic markers and the only colors harder than red to color with copics are blacks.  I ended up using 4 shades of grey for the spots.
The dp is some of my new Valentines dp which I picked up at my local Scrapbook store.  It is The  Yellow Bicycle dp and it is double sided, added bonus, the reverse side is tiny red hearts on  a white background.
The heart border is a MS border punch which I topped with some narrow red checked ribbon and added a small bow.  See, I can tie bows,  but not usually with the ribbon band, I usually tie them and add them separately.  Hey ya gotta do what you gotta do!!! LOL.
I have had the tiny red heart brads forever but I love them for Valentines cards.  I added a SU photo corner punch outside the brads to accentuate them a little more.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my Mooooving Valentines Day Card.
If you want to grab this freebie, it is available on the side bar of the Just Inklined home page.
Be sure to stop by on Monday for a special Benefit Blog Hop to help a fellow crafter.  That's all I can say for now except many Stamp companies and Artists have contributed some awesome images for this benefit.  It's a win win situation.
Have a great day!

Cathy

Sassy Cheryl's Color Me Challenge

Okay, I have to say that I asked Sassy Boss Lady (Sassy Cheryl) to create a take off of the beautiful Candy Cane Christmas Girl and create a Valentine image..and she did!!!.Isn't she wonderful?(the image and Cheryl ):

I had so much fun coloring this beautiful image for the Color Me Challenge which Cheryl runs every Tuesday on her blog.  The image was colored with copic markers and the border sponged with distress ink.
The image was mounted on beige cs which had been run through the french script cuttlebug folder, love that folder for vintage pieces.  The main cs is from a glittery striped piece I had left from the holidays. 
The tiny scalloped edge bordering the two outside edges of the main image are strips of ribbon, isn't that pretty.  The hearts were cut with spellbinder dies and the antique buttons were added to the heart and flower in the upper left hand corner.
If you have time stop by the store and pick up this darling image called Lonely Valentine Girl  for 2.00 and play along.  You have until Monday.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week-end.  We are supposed to get a 48 hour snow storm that could dump up to 10 inches of snow on us before Tuesday...hope they are wrong !!!

Show me Thursday--Sassy Cheryl's

Okay, my desk has regressed to its more natural state LOL.  Here is my desk as of this morning and you can see a few things I am working on:

Well, not too much to show, a project i progress and a couple of colored images for a special Blog Hop this week-end. 
Just a  short post for you today.  Be sure to check out Sassy Cheryl's Blog Show Me#7  for the other desks and snoop at the projects that are being prepared for you viewing pleasure.

Thanks for stopping by,

Cathy

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge--Retro

Good Morning, Are you ready for another awesome  Mo's Digital Pencil challenge theme by the super talent, Elaine?  Elaine has chosen the theme Retro, 30's, 40's, 50's.....  I am not sure which one I chose but I would imagine 50's: 

 

Isn't this just an adorable little baby, almost looks like a porcelain doll.  I really wanted to keep the soft pastel colors for the baby image and tried not to over power the image with the dp.  I chose some retro looking lace, polka dot and newsprint dp from K & Company.  The image is colored with copic markers and sponged the edges with distress ink.

The baby carriage was cut with my cricut. and the Sentiment was hand written on a Vintage Label punched from the dp.  The butterfly was cut from the dp as well and the butterfly body was covered with tiny pearls.  A band of lace topped with tiny pearls finish this dainty baby girl card using the beautiful Baby Girl with Wispy Hair.

Be sure to stop by the Challenge Blog to the wonderful creations by the rest of the Design Team.  Be sure to check out the new really wonderful images by Mo. She has been busy.  

For any of you who hate when someone doesn't follow the angel policy rules and sells or otherwise abuse the policies of the super talented digital artists we have all grown to love. Support these artist by going to the following blog and add the Stop Theft Badge to your blog sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by, so glad to see you and glad to be back in the swing of things again. :)

Cathy

Color me Blue Challenge---Sassy Cheryl's Challenge!!

It seems like forever since we had a challenge, but it has only been 2 weeks.  I am excited to start the new year with a wonderful Challenge at Sassy Cheryl's with the chosen theme by none other than, Ms Ann the super talented, to use blues.   Here is my card: 

This is such a fun image called, Birdie Chit Chat, isn't it just the cutest image.  It would be perfect for a Just Because card, a Birthday, Thinking of you, just about anything.
The image was colored with copic markers and the sky was airbrushed.  The snowflakes and white detail were added with a Signo white gel pen. 
The fence is a MS picket fence punch I detailed with snow. A fancy border punch under the main image matted on white cs and my Friend card in Blue is complete.
Be sure to check out the rest of the DT projects on the Challenge blog and be sure to play along with us for a chance to win a free image, Cheryl always has new images on Challenge day!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful creative day!

Cathy

My Favorite Cards from 2010==Wanna See?!?

I thought it would be fun to pick my favorite cards I created this year.  I have chosen two of my favorite cards from each Design Team I am currently on.  Here is my first card:

This is Late, one of my favorite images from Mo this year.    

My two favorite Sassy Cheryl's Cards are:

My two favorite Just Inklined cards are:

Well, let me know if you like my choices.  I love to create using the awesome images created by these super talented designers and am so proud to be on their Design Teams.  I am so excited to be able to share their creations with you for another year. 

I promise that now that my Christmas is over and it was absolutely wonderful.  that I will be getting back in the swing of things and bringing you new creations almost every day.

Thanks for your support this past year, through the good, bad and ugly.... I love and appreciate each and every one of you. 

Cathy