The Simple Joys in Life: A Swap

My friend Brenda and I decided to have a card swap once a month and to make it a little more fun, we're making each swap a challenge. This month's challenge was to use the Cricut cartridge Kate's ABCs, incorporate embossing and we had to use a stamp somewhere on the card. We thought it would be fun to put more than one or two restrictions/challenges and it was fun!
I love mushrooms and this cut on Kate's ABCs is one of my favorite mushroom cuts. The sentiment is from PTI's Green Thumb. I don't remember the name of this embossing folder. I think it's called Daisies. I sponged some Island Indigo ink from SU! over the top to give it some depth, which I think comes across better in the second pic.  I added some Stickles to the mushrooms and butterfly and this card was ready to be mailed! I can't wait to get Brenda's card. Yay!!

My Craft Spot Design Team Submission: Mini Book

Kimberly at My Craft Spot is having a Design Team call. I was so inspired I couldn't wait to get started. For my project, I made a mini book. I had so much fun creating this project. I just purchased a new Martha Stewart punch, Doily Lace, because I had this tri-fold card design in mind. A confession? This project started off as a card, but then I decided to use a new technique I just learned on creating a mini book with glue as the binding; no binding machine necessary. I couldn't wait to try it and this was a perfect opportunity.

I popped up the title on the book to give it extra dimension.

For the pages, you start by scoring the patterned paper the same spot as your book, in this case, at 4.25". You adhere the first page down and then adhere each additional page to the previous. That is how the binding is made. You can view an awesome video on this technique by Heidi Swapp here on My Craft Channel. That bright circle on the top right is actually a flower cut from glittered patterned paper with an epoxy sticker over it.

You can see the epoxy sticker effect better in this picture. I created a pocket on the bottom and stuck a tag in there that can be used for journaling or a small photo.


I left the middle page kind of plain because the paper is so graphic and I wanted to have it vacant for a larger photo.
I had so much fun creating this mini book, I will definitely be making more of these! Thanks for looking and come back soon.

Recipe:

• Base at 5.5" x 10". Score at 4.25" and 8.5"
• All paper from My Mind's Eye Lovenest and Spring Feast from First Edition
  
• 1" circle punch and 3/4" square punch for the cover banner and base for facets and epoxy stickers
• My Creative Time Anyday Bingo & Crossword for the letters on the cover
• My Pink Stamper Stamps Family & Friends for the "memories" on the cover
  
• Tim Holtz Facets
  
• 1" Epoxy stickers
• Brad on outside from Basic Grey Sweet Threads collection
• Glossy Accents as adhesive for facets and epoxy stickers
• Cricut Cartridge Kate's ABCs for the flower
• Martha Stewart Doily Lace punch
  

MPS NSD Challenge #10

I had to skip a few challenges. LOL. This next challenge was to make a project with a pet in it. Kate's ABCs has the most adorable little girls with her kitties. I first thought they were dogs, but when I compare it to Nate's ABCs, I think they're kitties. Adorable nonetheless! The stamp is My Creative Time's Color Me Happy. Everytime I look at my little doggie, she makes me smile. So, this sentiment was perfect. The patterned paper is DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Girl. That stack is so girly and loaded with pinks and greens. I love it! Thanks for looking.

My Pink Stamper Challenge

Hi everyone. Welcome to my newest followers and thank you all for your lovely comments. I really appreciate all of the compliments. Robyn's challenge over at My Pink Stamper was to create any project using a feathered friend. It was a perfect opportunity to use my newest acquisition, Kate's ABCs! Boy, was this cartridge difficult to find. It was no where to be found in Joann's in upstate NY and was out of stock at Joann.com. My sister was kind enough to buy it at Joann's in Pennsylvania and I got it on sale for $35. This cartridge is so adorable. The polka dot paper is from DCWV All About Girls. I used my paper crimper to add texture to the yellow and the Seeing Spots embossing folder for the pink layer. The sentiment is from My Creative Time's Color Me Happy set.

This is the image sheet from Kate's ABCs. Isn't it adorable?
Nate's ABCs is on its way! I need an intervention...
Thanks for looking!