Thank you Henry Ford

Assembly line card making!  It makes mass-producing SO EASY!  These baby shower invites were so simple to create using a Cutting Cafe's file with my Cricut.  I used The Cutting Cafe's Umbrella shaped card cutting file to make the card.  As you can see, my whole card is not umbrella shaped but I did use the file to make the umbrella and flower on the front. 

Stamps: PTI Just the ticket
Cardstock: kraft, SU very vanilla
Pattern Paper: K& Co
Ink: Memento rich cocoa
Misc: Cutting Cafe Umbrella shaped card, button, needle, floss, American crafts ribbon
 
 
Quick tip:  Make sure your Cricut cutting mats are STICKY - this makes things go smoothly.  I learned the hard way.  I used an old, non-sticky mat and the paper moved while the Cricut was cutting; messing up the design - very frustating!

GUESS WHAT?!

I've been keeping a secret (which can be difficult for me when I'm excited!)  I am on a design team!  THE CUTTING CAFE's design team.  Here is a link to the announcement.  I am absolutely thrilled to have this opportunity. 

I have been busy.  First, I dusted off the my ole' baby bug aka Cricut.  

Then I decided to invest in SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot).  I am not sure why I waited so long to do this; it is definitely worth the $59.  I purchased the software here.  I am learning the software and how to use digital stamps.  I've wanted to do this for a while (the idea of not having to store stamps sounds like a dream come true).  I have been searching You Tube (as I am a visual learner) and have found some great videos.  It is surprisingly easy, once you've practiced a few times.  Next, I went to my local antique mall and scored a cart to hold my Cricut next to my computer desk.

The blue Cricut cover is something I bought a LONG time ago on Ebay.  EWW, the cords look ugly, will have to do something about that! 

 

OK, so are you ready for a card? 

I fell in love with this little ducky and had to make a card with him.  Wouldn't this be perfect for a baby shower or attaching to a gift when visiting a newborn?!  I also used the Cutting Cafe Set called All About Babies.  I've been having fun searching the site and found this set (she has a set for girls too), YOU CAN PERSONALIZE it to have your baby's name!

Stamps: Cutting Cafe All About Babies

Cardstock: PTI kraft and SU yellow 

Pattern Paper: PTI Pretty Pastels

Ink: ink from printer! and PTI tea dye duo

Misc: Duck from Cutting Cafe, buttons, Fiskars wave punch SU punches, ribbon and twine

Quick Tip:  Cutting Cafe files are in either PDF or WPC format.  SCAL "reads" SVG files.  To convert PDF's to SVG's simply download Inkscape (for free) and it will convert the files in a matter of seconds for you.  Here is a great video explaining the process. 

Swinging by to say hi

I saw this sketch on Mercy's blog and knew I had to make a card. 

And then I saw the colors Embellish magazine had on their blog and this is what I came up with...

I love this little girl swinging!  It reminds me of my childhood.  I spent hours swinging on my pink and white metal swingset (actually I think it started out red and white but faded to pink over time).

I paper pieced the girl's dress and the "trees".  I used chalk to create the sky behind her and used copics for coloring the rest of the little girl. 

Side note: I can't believe it's been 9 years since the attack on the United States by four airplanes.  I will never forget hearing of a plane crash in NYC then hearing it hit the world trade center (I was thinking it was a commuter plane) then hearing it was a jetliner full of passengers then a second crash then the pentagon then the crash in Pennsylvania.  We were glued to the TV at work wondering how many more attacks there would be.  My oldest was just 5 months old and I remember just wanting to leave and get to him.  I also remember thinking about all the people in NYC wanting to get to their babies in all that chaos.  I will never forget that horrible day.  Today, I am thinking and praying for all the victims and their families - may God bless you!

Stamps: MFT Start the day with whee, tree swing
Cardstock: PTI kraft, spring moss, lemon tart, SU old olive
Pattern Paper: PTI dotty biscotti
Ink: Memento brown, Copics
Misc: Spellbinder, sewing, paper piecing, chalk

WMS sketch - Halloween style!

I don't normally make square shaped cards but that is what the challenge called for and I am so glad I participated.  It turns out I really like square cards.  Here is the sketch...

You can read all about the sketch challenge here.  I got to ink up some WMS stamps - I really love this company - adorable, quality clear stamps.

Stamps: WMS midnight feast and faux fun circles

Cardstock: SU vanilla

Pattern Paper: graphic 45 and heidi grace

Ink: Versamagic pumpkin pie, SU black (craft ink)

Misc: button, embroidery floss, twill ribbon, Spellbinders

Donut birthday

I am using a sketch for the card today.  You can read all about it here.  I think this set from Skipping Stones is hilarious.   The card sketch...

And my card:

Have a great Wednesday!

Stamps: Skipping stones designs
Cardstock: SU choc chip, white and cameo coral
Pattern Paper: American crafts
Ink: Versamagic jumbo java, aloe vera, sea breeze, copic markers
Misc: button, embroidery floss, PTI die

Building up my Thank You's stash

So I was surfing my favorite blogs and found this post from MISH.  I loved the simple layout of her cards and decided to give it a whirl.  I made a couple of thank you cards but for some reason I only took a picture of one. 

I wish I had placed the flower a little more to the left as it covers some of the sentiment but oh well!  This is the new me; working on not being so picky! 

Stamps: PTI fillable frames 1 & 5

Cardstock: kraft, white

Pattern Paper: PTI pastels
Ink: Versamagic aspen mist, spanish olive, jumbo java
Misc: PTI die, flower, ribbon

September is a big birthday month

My hubby and I both have September birthdays.  Plus several of our family and friends.  So, you will be seeing several birthday cards this month. 

There are some crooked sentiments on this one.  I started to redo it but thought, no, that is what makes it handmade. 

I did some sewing on this card and just love the way it adds to the overall look.  I also did some inking around the edges with PTI's tea ink and love that too!  And buttons, LOTS of buttons!

Hope you have had a wonderful holiday weekend with your family and friends!

Stamps: Unity tree, PTI fillable frames, PTI get to the point seniments

Cardstock: SU vanilla
Pattern Paper: PTI pastels
Ink: Versamagic pumpkin, aegan blue, sahara sand, thatched straw, hint of pesto, PTI tea dye duo
Misc: PTI die, sewing, buttons
 

It's September!

Where has the time gone? 

I've been dealing with a kindergartner that didn't want to leave his Momma.  Do you know how hard it is to walk away when your child is sobbing and calling for you?  This was my life for five mornings.  Finally, I think we are on the other side.  I have had to be consistent plus he got to take some family photos to school to have at his desk.  It seems to be working (keep your fingers crossed).  He has had two great mornings/days at school.  And if he does good tomorrow, I am going to eat lunch with him as a treat. 

Our school has the specials teachers (p.e., computers, art and music) stand outside and welcome the kids to school.  They have been so great with helping my son.  So I made them little treat bags.

These were inspired by MISH.  Most of the stamps I used were from Inkadinkado - a set I got on clearance at Target for $2.24! 

I hope to be back tomorrow with more crafty goodness!