Strawberry waterfall

Since I'm on waterfall mode, I made this card for my niece, using again SVGCuts' files.
Instead of the flowers cut-out from the original file, I used a strawberry (from Strawberry Lane) to match my paper.

For the following panels I stamped my sentiments and little strawberries...

I'm sorry about the color of my last pics, they came out really weird and my editor just wouldn't let me fix them the right way! >:-( (It might be time to invest in Photoshop elements...)

Birthday Dino

I made this Dino waterfall card for my nephew, using Mary's cool files (Waterfall Cards from SVGCuts. com). These files are a breeze to work with!... :-)

This is the inside of the mouth, where I stamped my birthday wishes... :-)
I hope at 7 he isn't too old for dinosaurs!... ;-)

(speaking of which, you can barely see in the pic but a big lizard was sunbathing on my window ledge when I was taking the pic, I thought it was funny so I included him... It's the tiny little black thing at the bottom right corner. LOL)

Got SVGs?

Just a little reminder that Dollar Days are still on at Lettering Delights! SVGs are $2, graphics and papers are $1... New collections have been released and they are included in the sale...
If you haven't fallen head over heels for their designs already, now is the time! :-D

Oh and also, don't forget that LD has a contest going on right now, all you have to do is create something with their svg files and you could win a Silhouette. Check it out!... :-)

Because my friends are awesome... (Paper heart and leaves card)

Can I just say this card makes me happy?... I think it's the colors...
In my previous post I was talking about Bargello, this card uses a tiny bit of the leftover strips from the Bargello background (love those patterns and colors so much, I couldn't throw them away! ;-)) and then I added some of my favorite patterns of the moments (scripture, gingham...), and more of my "Que Sera Sera" paper (for the heart and leaves)... Nope, I am never gonna get sick of it... you might soon though... ;-)

This card is for my evil twin Bee from California, just because she is made of awesome and has a heart of gold and cracks me up. :-D She is my "evil twin" because we have the same nickname and same initials (B.B), and we have a lot in common in the way we see things, but she is the naughty one and I am the sweet one... LOL ;-D (She is so getting back at me for that one...;-))
We often chat on google chat too, even if just for a few minutes here and there, and she always makes me laugh... :-) Plus she is really good at explaining technical things to me (like how to open the LD layers in SCAL) and believe me this is a task that requires lots of patience (and hair...)... ;-)  So there, she gets a card just because she totally deserves one!... :-D

Leafy "Bargello"

After seeing this technique, called "Bargello", posted on one of Splitcoast Stampers' tutorial (you can find it here! :-)) I had to try it for my background on this card. I really love the colorful result of mixing up patterns... (yes, I used some of my beloved "Que Sera Sera" papers...;-))
(You can click on the pic if you want a better view of the detail of the pattern).

Oh and thanks to Wikipedia for enlightening me! :-)  :"Bargello is a type of needlepoint embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs. The name originates from a series of chairs found in the Bargello palace in Florence, which have a "flame stitch" pattern."

I made this card for my great friend Thienly. Not only does she wow me with all her crafty creations, but she is also the sweetest person ever. <3 She has a great outlook on life and is always so cheery and nice... Just the kind of people we all need in our life, the ones that always put a smile on your face. :-D I feel lucky to "know" her and really hope to meet her (and all her awesome little family) for real one day! :-D In the meantime, thanks to google chat and the time difference between Canada and Florida, we often chat a little bit at night! Isn't internet incredible?!... I would never have thought growing up that one day I could be in touch with people all over the world thanks to a computer... :-)
But I miss getting cards and letters in the mail... so I am trying to send more cards too, just because... Now if only there were 36 hours in a day!... :-D *sigh*

Birthday Party Favors

I made those little party favors for my son's class, to bring tomorrow along with some brownies, since his birthday will be Saturday.

I kept my design ultra simple since those are 7 or 8 years old autistic kids we are talking about, and this will likely be ripped open before you can say "happy birthday Noah"!... ;-)

I used the "Treat boxes" file from Lettering Delights, and combined it with a little present cut-out on the sides from "3-D Birthday Cards" file from SVGCuts... (What can I say, I love combining LD and SVGCuts together... :-))

I filled those with stickers, a bouncy ball, a gross stretchy lizard and candy... :-)

Birthday Polar Bear

I made this card for my son's 8th birthday (coming up next Saturday), using SVGCuts files. I know it looks more like a card for a 4 years old kid, but my son is autistic so I need to adapt...  :-S He loves polar bears and we are going to Seaworld this week-end to celebrate, so I thought this would be appropriate... I have made cards in the past that he barely looked at, so I am trying to grab his attention with this one... ;-)

I can't believe he'll be 8 already, it is so hard for me to grasp because his bevahior is so not the behavior of a 8 years old, but he is so tall that he looks almost like a 10 years old and his handicap is only getting more noticeable as he gets older... :-( When he was diagnosed (the day after his 2nd birthday) I thought things would get better over time... Some things have gotten better, and I still have high hopes for the future, but at the time I didn't realized (or refused to see) that new challenges would arise as he got older. This past year has been difficult. He managed to escape the house, without us noticing it, to go play by the lake behind our house... He has absolutely no notion of danger and is a constant worry for us. He is also a beautiful and sweet little 8 years old boy that I love to pieces. I wish I could tell you that he is happy and that it's all that counts, unfortunately life is full of frustrations for him and it is heartbreaking to watch him struggle for everything. :-(
I'm sure he will have a good time this week-end with the dolphins, killer whales and polar bears and penguins, and in the hotel pool (I swear he must have been a dolphin in a previous life!! :-)) and in the meantime I hope he enjoys my happy little polar bear card... :-)

Lace rainbow

Since I was on a rainbow and lace kick I decided to try another style with somewhat the same concept...
I think it's a little overkill, but maybe that's why I like it... ;-) I used one of my felt butterfly (remember that post?...) for a bit of texture and a little pop of color, and I had fun inking the edges of my medallion in a rainbow pattern. One of those little details that you can't really see on pics unless you enlarge the pic by clicking on it, LOL). I tried to keep the design as simple as possible since the lace was so overpowering.
I think the end result is fun, I hope my sister-in-law will like it, it's her birthday tomorrow, and as usual my card is late... LOL

OK I promise the next card will not have lace or rainbow on it... I have to make one for my son Noah's birthday, and he already had a rainbow last year... ;-)

A rainbow of thanks

A simple rainbow card made with the strips that come at the base of the colorbok paperpads before your tear up the page. (I love this kind of recycling!... I think Myrna will approve! ;-))... :-)
The punch is Martha stewart and I LOVE it! <3 I added tiny rhinestones in the middle of the "flowers"...
This card just makes me happy, but then again (in case you didn't know) I am obsessed with rainbows and clouds... ;-)

Our family Birdhouse

I finally finished my project for SVGCuts Spring challenge. It took me forever, between spring break and sick kids, but I'm finally done!... Phew! :-)
I started with a wooden frame found at Michael's for $1, the minute I saw it I knew what my project would be... So the frame became my little birhouse... I "mod-podged" some Que Sera Sera paper on the frame.

I then decorated it using files from Spring Birdhouses for the birds and greenery, and Robin's return for the gorgeous lace border. I added Prima flowers, and a little felt to keep my birdies warm and cozy... :-)

 
The stamp I used is from PaperTrey Ink.

Of course it was only when I was finished sewing the button on the bow that I noticed it was off center... LOL I decided to leave it like that and argue that it looks more homemade this way... ;-)

For now, this hangs above my desk, I like to look at it and think about my crazy little family of 5!... :-D

ETA: My entry got 4th place in the challenge! :-D

Papillon birthday card

So I made this card for a friend of mine yesterday, and it might not show at first sight, but it was an "out-of-MY-box" adventure. ;-)
I think sometimes I tend to stick to the same kind of cards' layouts, because that's what I'm comfortable with. I really really like this paper so I decided to approach that card like a scrapbooking page instead, namely putting on embellishments and scraps and whatnots all over it and moving them around and figuring out what I like and what I don't... I used the sewing machine to make a little border around, but it barely shows, and I added some Stickles to the butterfly's wings because who doesn't like sparkle??... :-)
It was fun and the result was a little unexpected for me, busier than usual I think. Although when I look at it now I like it and it doesn't seem so "weird" anymore, LOL. :-)
I do still feel like straightening that mat a little bit though.... ;-)

P.S: I felt like the name should be a little different too... Papillon means butterfly in french... ;-)

Sympathy greenery card

It's a shame to have to make a sympathy card on such a beautiful sunny day. :-(
But it is the way life is, right?... Sometimes the passing of others reminds us of how lucky we are to just be alive and to appreciate our imperfect life and not take anything for granted...

For this card, I actually got my inspiration from the ribbon, and created a background paper to kind of match.

Chocolate!...

Well, Valentine's day wouldn't be Valentine's day without a little chocolate for the teachers right?... ;-) (Yes, in case you are wondering, there is no white chocolate truffle in the props because I ate the leftovers ones... ;-))
I LOVE the milk carton svg from Lettering Delight! It's a simple shape that's easy to jazz up, and it still looks great all by itself if you use patterned cardstock... :-)
I had a hard time with the 1st one, figuring out where/how to fold everything (even though score lines are perforated) but afterwards I was good to go and those came together in a cinch.
I used the version that has a window, and glued a piece of acetate on the opening.

On the back I attached little tags from the "Love Labels" collection.
Who wouldn't like a little chocolate fix packaged in a little fun milk carton?... ;-)

{A side note about Lettering Delights: If you haven't checked it out yet, what are you waiting for? The milk carton file is only $3 and you get 5 different versions! There are special offers for new customers, and every time you make a purchase you get a coupon for discount on your next purchase... They come out with new collections all the time, and have a lot of cool freebies...What's not to love?... ;-) Check it out by clicking on the button in my right margin. :-)}

ETA: To answer someone's question, I resized those  to 90% of their original size with SCAL.

Matryoshka's house

My autistic son has been really into Matryoshkas lately. He found an old Sesame Street video on youtube called "Russian dolls" and he keeps requesting it.
So for Valentine's day I got him... russian dolls! :-)
I wanted to package them in a fun way, so I made a little house...

Now let me tell you, I never make anything this elaborate for Noah because I don't know how long it will last in his hands!! ;-) But I thought for once I would try, and I'm entering it in the February Lettering Delights "Red" challenge. For details about the challenge, check here.

I used the milk carton svg as the body of my house (love this file!) and then the house facade of the Matryoshka dolls' set. I removed some elements and moved the little window so that it would open right in front of the dolls face. The window from the milk carton became a little door...

I added a second house shape in the back. I embossed both of them to make it look like bricks. I cut some grass by hand (yes too lazy to look through my cartridges!!) and added little flowers with brads as centers. Same thing for the front, where I also added a white felt heart and little red felt heart on the window shutters.

On the side of the house I put a little Matryoshka Doll (from the same collection). I used a little felt heart and cut some greenery with a corner punch to make for easy decorations.

One of the smaller sizes of the doll fits right through the little side door... ;-)

I made a little pull-out to carry the box around and keep the top closed by threading a ribbon through a button, and slid it into a hole made with my crop-adile.

Valentine's Day

Being french, Valentine's Day has never been a big deal for me... That is until I lived in the US and had kids! ;-) In France Valentine's Day is all about couples (really annoying when you are not in a relationship!), and I was happy to shift the focus back on family. See I don't like being commanded to do something, so to me it is a bit of an oxymoron to HAVE to be all lovey dovey on the 14th and who cares about the rest of the year!... ;-) My poor hubby knows better than to come home with chocolate and/or flowers on the 14th!... LOL (any other day of the year is welcome! ;-)) Actually he did bring an extra bag of Lindor truffles yesterday with the ones I asked him to buy for the teachers... He thought I might eat some while giftwrapping them and then run short!!... Who would do something like that?? LOL...

But anyway... The kids have had to bring Valentine's Day cards to school, and this is what I made this year. Naomi colored hers and I colored the ones for Noah... I found out afterwards that nobody in Noah's class made/brought valentines this year! How weird!?...  :-(
I used the Valentines Tiny Treats stamp set from PTI. I love acrylic stamps, it is so cool to be able to bend and shape them. The base cards are made with the lunch box note die. Love that die... :-)

For Naomi's class

For Noah's class

Isn't that little guy cute? :-)

On a felt kick...

I have been on a felt kick lately! (yes, of course I plan on pairing it with the twine!... ;-))
Today I tried some of my dies with felt and am happy to report I got great results!

I recently ordered some PaperTrey Ink wool felt and, let me tell you, it's nothing like the acrylic stuff you find at Michaels!... I tried both with the dies and, needless to say, the wool felt performed way better. The acrylic was ok for basic shapes like the heart or a scalloped circle but anything slightly intricate, even buttons, didn't work at all. The wool felt is pricey, but in that instance you get what you paid for... ;-)

A lot of companies are now selling thin steel dies that you can use in your Cuttlebug, and they cut cardstock but also felt and fabric. Before I got my Cricut a year ago, I was using dies with my Cuttlebug, and even now they are still a staple for me. I like their convenience, and the fact that I can use them to make a dent in my stash of scraps, (something my Cricut doesn't help with!). :-)
Today I used dies from The cat's pajama, PaperTrey Ink, CuttleBug, and some shapeabilities...

I apologize for the yucky pics but it was night time, and I wanted to take pics quickly before putting those away since, as you know from yesterday's post, I cannot leave anything on my desk! ;-)

Shapeabilities




 How cool are those butterflies?!...

The Cat's Pajama

 Now, won't that look lovely with twine?!...

Cuttlebug

PaperTrey Ink

Cuttlebug

 Aren't those Paisleys awesome?!... Can't wait to put them on a card or something!...

Cuttlebug

Now all I need is time to try and use my little stash of felt embellies!!...
So next time your mojo took a vacation, grab your dies and your Cuttlebug (or your big Shot, or your Sizzix, or your Wizard.... ;-)) , get some (good) felt and start making some embellishments! While you're at it, also use some of your scraps of designer paper!... ;-)
 

Why I need my own craftroom...

...or to use the lock on my bedroom door!... ;-)

This is the scene I walked upon this afternoon, when I went to my room to investigate some strange noise!...
My little craft corner is in my bedroom and a little someone has been very interested in it lately.... :-S
I had such a laugh when I saw him that I just had to snap pics, my camera being on my desk I was able to get all the action before the tower collapsed after the 5th jar!... :-S Luckily nothing broke....


I guess it's time to use the toddler locks...

(PS: Yes my bedroom has p... -ahem-, I mean brown colored walls, and it's from the previous owners and I hate it but haven't gotten a chance to paint over it.... Watching this little guy is a full time job! ;-))



 

Valentine's Take-out box

This is my entry for the Valentine's challenge on SVGCuts forum. I used the take-out box from the "Crush on you" file, but put my little spin on it by folding the flaps the opposite way to reveal the underside of that gorgeous paper! (yes, still the "Que sera sera" pack from K&Company ;-))

I used die cut felt hearts (PTI dies), (Martha Stewart) punches (heart and butterfly) and Prima flowers to decorate it.

I know what you are thinking though... "No sign of the beloved new twine?" LOL Well I did this project before getting the twine!... ;-)  And I'm afraid you'll soon suffer from twine overload anyway!... ;-)

I believe love is in the little details... so I added little hearts at the end of my ribbon... <3
My daughter is getting this little box for Valentine's day with Matryoshka dolls in it (more about those in another post...;-))



In the spotlight:TheTwinery

I swear I did try to resist. I was good and managed for a while....

I even tried the kitchen stores in hopes of finding just the red one and be reasonable...

But I finally jumped on the multicolor twine bandwagon! :-P

How could I resist those gorgeous colors?... I swear, sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with me for being more excited about paper and ribbons than say jewelry or shoes!... ;-)

In case you have been living under a rock (what with this rough winter and all...) twine is all the rage right now in papercrafting projects everywhere!... Yeah, like we really needed another product to get addicted to!... *sigh*

This sampler set can be found at The Twinery. Since I got mine they added even more colors in another sampler's set!.. :-)

Butterfly Thanks

I'm happily taking a break from the Cricut!... ;-) I made this card for my grandmother using just Nestabilities and a punch...
The papers are from my beloved K&Company "Que sera sera" pack, (-> simply stunning papers!). I added some music notes in brown ink with the "music sheet" stamp from PTI, then distressed my butterflies with gold and chianti inks, and finished it off with tiny pearls on the butterflies' bodies and at the ends of my sentiment tag.
It's a very simple card but I love it.  (as usual, bigger pic by clicking on it)