Apple-Shaped Teacher Appreciation Cards

Wow!  I was feeling a bit lost without Blogger today!!  Glad it's back up!  Here's my post for the day....apple-shaped cards for my kids to give to their teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.  I had fun making these...that worm (or is it a caterpillar because he has antennae??) from Create A Critter is really just too cute...especially with his Peachy Keen face!  His glasses just make me smile.  :-)  I also cut the word blurb from CAC and sized it to fit the "thank you" stamp with my Gypsy.  The apple is from Doodlecharms...it's embossed with the Cuttlebug swiss dots folder.  I thought the red and blue color combo was very "elementary"...LOL!  I left the inside of the card blank and my kids all wrote a little something special to their teachers.  Awww!

Recipe
Apple cut from Cricut Doodlecharms cartridge
Worm and word blurb cut from Create a Critter
Cardstock - Bazzill, Recollections
Peachy Keen "Critter Faces" stamp on worm
K & Co. Amy Butler Lotus Greeting stamp
Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder
Black Creative Memories marker for stitching/doodling
Cat's Eye chalk ink in chestnut roan
EK Success dimensionals 

Anyway, the PTO at our elementary school really goes all out during Teacher Appreciation week.  They host a teacher luncheon one day (potluck style with parents contributing), leave scented soaps and breath mints in the rest rooms, hand out bagged homemade breakfast goodies to the bus drivers, place flowers in common areas and keep the teachers' lounge well-stocked with food.  Because my oldest son is in his last year at the school (sniff, sniff), he was asked to help out at the luncheon yesterday.  He carried food from cars to the lunch room, helped serve the teachers, kept their glasses full of sparkling lemonade and chose and announced raffle winners.  And, from what I understand, he snuck a few brownies and chocolate-chip cookies for himself when the lunch had ended!  A well-deserved snack, I'm sure!  We're very pleased with our elementary school and our children have been blessed with some exceptional teachers.  I'm so glad that our school does such a nice job recognizing the terrific job our teachers do every day.


I'm entering this card into five challenges:
Cardz TV: NSD Challenge - In honor of National Scrapbooking Day, make a card or scrapbook layout using fruit...any theme, any colors.
FCCB: Challenge Me Monday #59 - Teacher Feature - Make a card or project for a special teacher using the color red on it.
More Than Favors: Wacky Wednesday #38 - Anything Goes!
My Creative Time's Throwback Thursday - Use the Doodlecharms cartridge and incorporate the color blue on your project.
Whimsical Wednesday #6: Take Shape - Make a shaped card.  (I actually can't stop making them!!)

Enjoy the weekend!  I have something fun to post...an award or two!...watch for it!  :-)
~Sharon C.

Mother's Day Card #2...More Flowers!

It's Wednesday and it sure does feel like hump day, doesn't it?  It was warm and humid (yes, really!!) here in southeastern Massachusetts today.  And by warm I mean mid-70's!!  Yea!  My kids were all excited to wear shorts to school...just last week they wore their winter coats to a baseball game!  Love weather in New England!  But today I saw a sign that spring is here to stay...a hummingbird flew past me and sat up in our beech tree.  I immediately made some nectar for it and put up our feeders.  Hope it doesn't get too cool for the little guy tonight!

Tonight I'm posting a card I made for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day.  The card shape is from A Child's Year and the tag for the sentiment is from Birthday Bash...that cartridge is really wonderful...I find something new each time I look at the handbook.  :-)  The flowers cut in yellow, the stems and the grass are from Create A Critter, but the pink tulip is from a different Create A Critter cut.  I just trimmed the head off of the middle flower and replaced it with the pink tulip for a bit of variety.  The 3 flower heads were actually cut twice with the top layer popped up for a bit of dimension.  Don't they look cute with their Peachy Keen faces??  The yellow oval layer is popped up too.  The patterned paper is from a 6x6 BasicGrey stack called LilyKate...it's another of my favorites...the mini prints are just perfect for cards.  I'm pleased with the way the card turned out....I think my mom-in-law will be too.  :-)

Recipe
Shaped card from Cricut A Child's Year cartridge

Tag for sentiment from Birthday Bash

Flowers from Create A Critter (2 separate flower images...see above)

Ovals from George & Basic Shapes

Peachy Keen Wide-Eyed Kids stamps

Patterned paper - BasicGrey LilyKate

Cardstock - Bazzill, Recollections

Computer generated sentiment

Chestnut roan Cat's Eye chalk ink

Brown Creative Memories marker/White Gelly Roll pen for stitching

Ribbon from Jo-Ann's

I'm entering this card into eight challenges:
Celebrate the Occasion Challenge #11: Mother's Day - Create a project for Mother's Day.
Cooking With Cricut: Spring Flowers - Create a project with a spring flowers theme.

Creative Cutter Room: Design Time Thursday - Mother's Day Gift Ideas - Create a Mother's Day project using the following elements:  the color pink, ribbon, stitching and 2 different flowers.
Cricut Cardz Challenge #72 - Use the card feature from a Cricut cartridge to create a Mother's Day card...and include a flower.
Die Cuttin Divas Challenge #12: Mother's Day is on the Way! - Create a project for Mother's Day.
FCCB Challenge Me Monday #57: Mom's the Word - Create a project for a mother and include the word 'mom' (or mother, mommy, mum, etc.) on it.
Peachy Keen Stamps LFIF #13: Mother's Day - Create a project for Mother's Day using Peachy Keen stamp faces.

Scrapbookaholic by Abby: Challenge #4 - Anything Mother's Day and Use Faux Stitching - Create a Mother's Day themed project and include faux stitching.

Enjoy the week!
~Sharon C.



Gardening Birthday Card for my Mom...see the flowers!!

Hi everyone!  I hope you're all enjoying the weekend!!  This week was a blur....I can't believe that I haven't posted a thing since last Sunday.  But don't think I've been sitting around eating bon bons...well, maybe I've snuck a piece or two of my kids Easter candy!!  :-)  I had a very busy week at my kids' elementary school this week....a science fair, distribution of the school's literary magazine, coordinating an egg hunt and a spring breakfast in pajamas, helping sell pajama day tickets and stuffing lots of Easter goodie bags.  It's funny how everything seems to come at once, isn't it?  :-)

Speaking of many things happening at the same time, we are celebrating 4 family birthdays this month.  So I took some time this week to make a birthday card for my mom.  And I'm SO EXCITED about it because I used some paper flowers that Stephanie from Always Crafting and Whimsical Wednesday made for me!!  I won an i-Rock in a giveaway on Stephanie's blog a few months ago and she was SO kind to also send a package of her beautiful handmade paper flowers and stick pins....aren't the flowers pretty??  I've been saving them for a special project and none could be more perfect than a card for my mom.  She LOVES flowers and gardening and she'll appreciate Stephanie's paper ones more than anyone I know!  :-)  I can't wait to give her this card!!

The card base is from Birthday Bash and the girl pushing the wheelbarrow is from A Child's Year.  I cut 3 circles and popped up the top 2 circle layers for some depth.  The patterned paper is from the DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies stack, which I've haven't used in quite a while, but the colors were just right for coordinating with the paper flowers.  A bit of glitter on the girl's hair ribbon and a glittery green ribbon for the top of the card...and that just about does it!  :-)  Oops, almost forgot, I stamped Happy Birthday on a tag I made from an image on A Child's Year and attached it to the inside of the card.  What do you think?

Recipe

Girl with wheelbarrow; tag for sentiment (inside card) - Cricut A Child's Year

Scalloped circle card base - Cricut Birthday Bash

Circles - Cricut George & Basic Shapes

Glittered floral patterned paper - DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies stack

Pink, green textured cardstock - Bazzill

All other cardstock - Recollections

Paper flowers with pearls - a gift from a friend   :-)

Green Stickles on girl's hair ribbon

Green ribbon from JoAnn's

"Happy Birthday" clear stamp from Clearly Wordsworth

EK Success dimensionals

Chestnut roan Cat's Eye chalk ink for inking/doodling

I'm entering this card into seven challenges:
Cooking With Cricut: Challenge #25 - Cash in Your Stash - Create a project using something that's been in your stash for at least a year.  I've had the DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies stack for 2 years and I think I may have used it once. 
Creative Cutter Room: Design Time Thursday - Hippity Hop - Create a project using 4 elements - glitter, a circle, the color yellow and some ribbon.
Die Cuttin' Divas: Challenge #10 - Time to Mix It Up! - Make a card using 2 different cuts from 2 different cartridges/dies.
FCCB: Spring Fling Cricut Crawl - Make a Cricut project that is springy and uses the colors pink, green and yellow.
My Craft Spot: Monday Challenge #3 - Happy Birthday with a Twist - Make a birthday project and include a tag.
The Paper Variety: Flowers - Add a flower or a bunch to your paper project.
Whimsical Wednesday: Challenge #2 - April Showers Bring May Flowers - Create a spring project which includes an umbrella, rain boots, flowers and/or rain drops.

Enjoy the weekend!
~Sharon C.

Splash Time - Spring Puddle Stomping layout

Hello!  Where did the weekend go?  I hope yours was more productive than mine!  Soccer season started for 3 of our kids yesterday and the weather actually cooperated.  This was the first soccer season in 2 years that started without cancellations!  I'm hoping it's a sign of good things to come!  :-)

I was able to finish a scrapbook layout today.  Whoo hoo!  There are quite a few challenges I've seen recently with April showers and Spring time themes and they reminded me of these pictures of my 2 oldest boys when they were not quite 3 and 5 years old.  This was the first time I let them get as wet as they wanted out in the rain.  I'll never forget them splashing and stomping around in the puddles.  They were so happy because mom had NEVER let them stomp around like that before!!  The smaller picture actually captures their expressions as they're looking at me...I'm sure they're wondering, "Is she REALLY okay with this?"  LOL

I'm enjoying the images on the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge...like this happy little guy holding the umbrella.  I covered his boots with Glossy Accents to give them a good shine.  I inked the edges of the cloud and added blue Stickles to parts of its swirls and to the falling raindrops.  The caterpillar nicely filled the spot on top of the bottom photo and he's smiling because no rain has fallen on him (yet!).  And I thought the herringbone pattern would look cool on the umbrella...what do you think?

Recipe

Title 'Splash Time', bird with umbrella and raindrops from Cricut 3 Birds on Parade; cut all layers

Cloud from Cricut Create A Critter

Caterpillar from Cricut Pooh and Friends

Circle from Cricut George & Basic Shapes

Patterned papers - My Mind's Eye everyday tango and Bloom & Grow stacks

Textured cardstock - Bazzill

All other cardstock - Recollections

Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls & Herringbone embossing folders

Peachy Keen Critter Faces stamp

Stickles on cloud, raindrops

Glossy Accents on rainboots, title

Cat's Eye chalk ink

Black Creative Memories marker for stitching/doodling

I'm entering this scrapbook page into six challenges:

Cooking With Cricut: April Showers - Create a project with a shower, rain or water theme.  Include at least one die cut.

Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #54 - April Showers - Create a project using an umbrella or hat.

Get Inspired With ChatterScene: April Showers Challenge - Create any project that fits an April showers theme.

Get Your Sketch On #14: Use this sketch for your layout:

            

The Paper Variety: Photo Inspiration - Use some inspiration from the photo HERE to create a paper project. 

Whimsical Wednesday #1 - Create a scrapbook page with a Spring or Easter theme; include a bug or critter.

Have a good night!
~Sharon C.

Bunny Shaped Card - Happy Easter!

Happy Saturday!  It's such a beautiful day here...the sun is shining and the temperatures are in the 50's.  My little ones are at a neighbor's birthday party and my older two are out 'shooting hoops'.  So I snuck down to my craft area to make a quick Easter card.  This one is for my sister-in-law and niece who gave me a wonderful assortment of scrapbooking and card-making items for Christmas.  :-)  I was surprised and thrilled with all the goodies they gave me.  My favorite was the Cricut spatula...who knew that little gem was so useful?  They'll be happy to see that I've put the gifts to good use!

The bunny is from the Birthday Bash cartridge.  I welded her into a simple shaped card (yup, I'm still hooked on these!!) with my Gypsy.  I added a cute Peachy Keen face, a bit of pink sorbet twine for the bow on her ear and a felt flower and rhinestone for her tail.  The sentiment is from the Holiday Cakes cartridge...I'm finding some fun things on this cart!  The sentiment's shadow is brown, but the picture makes it look green...not sure why!  I think she looks pretty festive...you?

Recipe

Bunny from Birthday Bash, cut 2x, flipped and welded with my Gypsy; cut a second time in pp for top layer

'Happy Easter' from Holiday Cakes, base and shadow layers

Patterned paper from ki Memories 'Enchanting' line

Cardstock from Recollections

Peachy Keen 'Critter Faces' stamp

Felt flower from Target's dollar bin

Rhinestone from Joanne's

Pink sorbet twine from The Twinery

Chestnut roan chalk ink for inking edges and stamping face

EK Success dimensionals for popping up sentiment

I'm entering this card into five challenges:
Die Cuttin' Diva's Challenge #8: Hippity Hoppity - Create an Easter card.
FCCB #53: Looks Like Spring - Create a project using a springtime theme.
My Craft Spot Monday Challenge #1: Tie A Bow! - Make any crafty project with a bow tied on it.
Scrapaholic by Abby Challenge #2: Anything Spring - Create any project with a springtime element.
The Paper Variety: 1-2-3 Recipe Challenge - Create a project using a 1-2-3 recipe of your choice.  I chose 1 patterned paper, 2 die cuts (the bunny and the sentiment) and 3 colors (pink, brown and white).

Enjoy the weekend!
~Sharon C.

Little Lamb Birthday Card

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had a good weekend!  It went by quickly, didn't it?  I'm posting a card I made for my sweet little niece who will turn 3 years old in about a week.  It feels like we just celebrated her 2nd birthday!!  Time flies...

My daughter wanted to use the little lamb from Create A Critter and we stamped her face with a cute Peachy Keen stamp from the Critter Faces set.  I just love those faces!  We embossed the fur, added green Stickles to her bows and stitched a bit with a white gel pen.  Then we added a jingle bell to her collar - a bit of green trim I found in my stash.  I think my niece will love to hear the bell when she shakes the card!  :-)

Recipe

Lamb cut from Create A Critter

Scalloped card cut from A Child's Year

Patterned paper from BasicGrey

Green textured cardstock from Bazzill

All other cardstock from Recollections

Peachy Keen Critter Faces stamp

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Making Memories green trim

Jingle bell

Green Stickles

White Gelly Roll pen for stitching/doodling

Recollections dimensionals for popping up lamb

Inkadinkadoo birthday stamp

I'm entering this card into seven challenges:
Birthday Sundaes #2 - Create a spring-themed birthday card.

Chloe and Her Clip On Koalas - Create anything with a smile on it or anything that has made someone else smile.   :-)

Cooking with Cricut: Lions and Lambs - Create a project with a lion or lamb using your Cricut in some way.

Cricut Cardz Challenge #67 - Create a card for Spring, using the colors pink, green and white only, and any Cricut cartridges you'd like.  My card is for a spring birthday...I hope that's okay.

FCCB: Challenge Me Monday #52 - Happy Birthday - Since Fantabulous Cricut is one year old this week, the challenge is to create a birthday card or project.
Serenity Scrappers: Pastels - Create anything with pastels - bright, cheerful and springlike.  Thanks for the heads up, Laurie!!

The Paper Variety: Tic Tac Toe - Create a project using 3 elements in a row on their grid.  I chose Make a card/Use scallops/Stamped image or sentiment.

Enjoy the day!

~Sharon C.