Cricut Wild Card Christmas Card

I know this is a bit late...since it's a "Christmas" themed post...but I was so darn busy during the Holidays, I found it almost impossible to get the photo editing and post ready to go before now...so here it is...a little bit of Christmas in January!

Recently a bloggie friend, Rhonda Greene ( mrsgreene.info ) posted a very heartfelt plea for cards that really touched my heart.

Her Grandmother has cancer and is not expected to see another Christmas, so she asked for cards to be sent to her this Christmas.

If you would like to read her story, click here.

I really wanted to make a "homemade" card for her, but wasn't sure if I could get it done in time to get it mailed off and to her by Christmas, so I said I would most certainly send a card, but wasn't sure if it would be homemade or not.

I pulled out my Cricut Expression, (which I haven't used in quite a long time) and went to work!

I knew that I had tons of Christmas stuff on various cartridges, so I figured that would be a great place to start.

Here is the card that I came up with...in somewhat of a hurry I might add:

It is not as neat as I would have liked it to be, but overall, I was pleased with how it turned out.

I liked that it was a "shape" card and the patterned paper added a nice touch to set-off the ornament!

The ornament shape and sentiment were cut from the Cricut "Wild Card" Cartridge using my Cricut Expression.

The ornament and "Merry Christmas" sentiment are found on page 74 of the Wild Card booklet.

I inked the edges of the ornament shape and the sentiment to make them stand out a bit.

I used a little sprite/sparkle stamp to make the decorations on the ornament, though they are very light and  a bit hard to see in the photo.

I also added a touch of glitter just to make the card "pop" a bit without being too gaudy.

For the inside of the card, I found a sentiment/poem from an old Christmas Card and typed it into Microsoft Word and then printed it out on light weight cardstock and trimmed it to fit inside the card.

For the finishing touch, I added my name to the back of the card using my customized Peel & Stick Stamp made by PSA Essentials.

I finished the card just in time to get it mailed off via Priority Mail to arrive in time for Christmas!

(UPDATE: I just checked Rhonda's blog and she has posted an update on the results of the Christmas Card Request...see it here.)

Here is a photo and a list of the tools and supplies used to create this card:

Supplies/Tools:

Cricut Expression
Cricut Wild Card Cartridge
Stampin' Up Patterns Pack II (#114325) 6x6
Red Cardstock
Green Cardstock
White Cardstock
Buff Cardstock (Lt. Wt.) - Best Occasions
Elmer's Classic Glitter Glue - Gold
Clear Acrylic Stamp - Sprite/Sparkle, (Purchased from Walmart, Unknown Brand)
Green Ink Pad - Memories Direct, Forest Green
Green Ink Pad - Oriental Trading
Gold Ink Pad - Oriental Trading
Black Ink Pad - Oriental Trading
Tsukineko Fantastix Coloring Tool
Scotch ATG Tape Gun
Xyron Mega Runner
Zig 2-way Glue Pen, Jumbo Tip
Zig 2-way Glue Pen, Squeeze & Roll, Fine Ball Pt.
Fiskars Mini Trimmer
Cricut Spatula & Pick Tool
PSA Essentials Peel & Stick Custom Stamp

Hope to be back soon with another post...my New Year's Resolution is...POST more to my blog this year!

Thank-you to all my loyal followers for sticking with me, even when I go awhile without posting.

You are AWESOME and I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This project/post is linked to the following sites/link-up parties:

Veteran’s Day Card

I've been away for awhile… summertime is so busy for me and hubby that it's hard to stay on track with my blog!

In between our summer trips and my latest sewing project I decided to make a card and even though Veterans Day is several months away I decided to go with that theme for this card.

This card can also be used as an Operation Write Home “Any Hero” card.

If you haven't heard of Operation Write Home you can learn more about it here. 

It is an awesome organization that supports our troops by sending blank handmade greeting cards to them in the field, where they often do not have access to these items.

I come from a military family and currently have a son who is in the Army guard and a son-in-law who is in the Air Force so these type organizations are near and dear to my heart!

In addition Veterans Day is an especially important holiday for our family as we have a long legacy of relatives who have served this country proudly and we are most grateful to them and all the troops past and present who have served this wonderful country!

For this card I wanted a special message of thanks, so I searched the Internet for famous military quotes and came up with one by John F. Kennedy one of the most famous ones no doubt!

I felt it was really appropriate for this card.

I typed the quote into a Microsoft Word document and then printed it out on my laser printer.

I decided that I wanted to give the quote a bit of an aged and distressed look, so I wrinkled up the paper and stained it using brown ink and then dyed it further using coffee.

After that, I used a wood burning tool to burn around the edges of the quote.

I used Mod Podge to glue down and seal the quote on the cardstock.

On the inside I stamped a sentiment from the Pink By Design Stamp Set: “Our Troops”.

I stamped the back of my card with an "OWH" stamp and my custom stamp from PSA Essentials.

Here is a photo showing all the tools and supplies I used to create this card:

List of Tools & Supplies Used For This Project:

Lexmark X4975 Ink Jet Printer

Fiskars Paper Trimmer

Xyron Mega Runner

DuraSharp Pointed Scissors

Scribe/Awl

Plaid Wood Burning Tool

3M Superfine Sanding Pad

Foam Paint Brush

White Ink Jet Paper

White Card Stock

DCWV The Mariposa Cardstock Matstack (6.5"x4.5")

Camo Print Paper (From Stock-on-Hand)

PSA Essentials Custom Stamp

OWH Clear Polymer Stamp

Pink By Design Clear Polymer Stamp from "Our Troops" Set

Clear Acrylic Block for Stamping

EK Success Brands,Inkadinkado Dye Ink Pad, Black

Studio G Pigment Ink Pad, Tan Brown

Studio G Pigment Ink Pad, Dark Brown

Eyelet Outlet, Pearl Brads, Lt. Olive Green, 8mm

Offray Grosgrain Ribbon, Brown with Green Stitch, 3/8"

Berwick Offray Spool O' Ribbon - Poly/Satin Ribbon, Olive Green, 1/4"

Mod Podge, Gloss-Lustre

Glue Dots Mini, 3/16"

Glue Dots, Glue Lines, 1"

Therm O Web SuperStik Glue Stick

Elmer's Craft Bond Precision Tip Glue Pen

Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac 

Thanks for stopping by!

This post/project is linked to the following sites/link parties:

Ikea Julen Cards

I recently won some blog candy from Scrappin' Delta Diva's blog and one of the items that was in the awesome bag of goodies I won were these cute little blank cards from Ikea:

I never even knew that Ikea had cards!

I was pleasantly surprised to find these little nuggets in my gift bag, as they are different and a bit unusual, which inspires some creativity in me.

I really liked the stitching on the envelopes, it adds an elegant touch without being distratcting.

I tried to find out some more info on these cards online, but couldn't find anything.

I was curious to know what they are made of, because they feel almost like they are part paper and part fabric!

I couldn't wait to try them out and see how the fibrous material reacted to different mediums.

I knew that I wanted to make "thank-you" cards as these are the perfect size for that, so here are the results:

The catepillar card was made using a digi design from my dear bloggie friend Nikki at Melonheadz Illustrating.

She is SO very talented, if you get a chance, check out her blog and see some of the awesome digital images she offers.

Incredibly, she does not charge for most of them, but she does accept donations on her blog site and I hope you will donate if you like and use her images.

I started out by experimenting with some stamp pads and a natural sponge on the background of this card.

I wanted to bring out the natural texture of the card material and see how it would look.

I was pretty pleased with how it turned out, it looks almost like it is lightly tie-dyed!

I sized down the digi from Melonheadz to fit my card and then printed it out on white cardstock and cut it out.

I colored it using copics sketch markers and then gave it dimension by coating it with glossy accents and adding pop dots to the back to adhere it to the card.

The word "Thanks" was cut from one of my cricut cartridges, but I'm not sure which one, as it was from my "extra" stash of cuts.

I embossed the word "thanks" to give it a bit of pop.

I added a strip of ribbon and small purple flower brads to finish the card with a bit of charm.

Here is a picture of the items used to make this card:

Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge - "Thanks"
Blank White Card, Ikea, Julen (2-3/4" x 6")
Digital Image, Catepillar - Melonheadz Illustrating
Ribbon, Berwick Offray, Sheer Petit Dot C5 Kiwi, 9.0mm x 4.5m
Flower Brad, Purple, Creative Impressions Bright Flower Asst. Item #90666
Glossy Accents, Ranger Inkssentials
Embossing Powder, Super Fine Detail, Clear, Ranger #SFJ06954
Embossing Ink Pad, Clear, Emboss-It Inkssentials, Ranger Ink
Stamp Pad, Pigment, Lime Green, Studio G
Stamp Pad, Pigment, Yellow, Studio G
Copic Sketch Marker, Y13, Lemon Yellow
Copic Sketch Marker, YG03, Yellow Green
Copic Sketch Marker, BV13, Hydrangea Blue
Copic Sketch Marker, R29, Lipstick Red
Zots Clear Adhesive Dots, 3D, 1/2", Therm-o-web
Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, Beacon Adhesives
Zig Squeeze & Roll, 2-way Glue Pen

Tools Used:
Cricut Expression Machine
Heat Tool, Marvy Uchida, Model #2500
Sponge, Watercolor, Large Coarse Sea Sponge, Royal Langnickel (From Set #R2098)
Awl/Scribe
Cutterbee Scissors
Flat Spatula Tool, Metal
PSA Essentials Custom Stamp

Now, for the second Thank-you card:

The bow on this card was made using a technique I found on a fellow-blogger's site Seongsook's Creations.
I am terrible at tying bows...especially tiny ones and this tip was a big help!
Here is a photo of the items I used to make this card:

Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge: Flower Shape & "Thank-you"
Blank White Card, Ikea, Julen (2-3/4" x 6")
Patterned Paper, Diamond/Argyle Lt. Purple/White (Unknown brand from stash on hand)
Satin Ribbon, 1/8"(3mm), Spool-o-Ribbon, Offray #RN1991 Orchid
Rhinestones, (2 ea.) Purple, Stick-on (Unknown brand from stash on hand)
Glossy Accents, Ranger Inkssentials
Copic Sketch Marker, #YR68 Orange
Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, Beacon Adhesives
Zig Squeeze & Roll, 2-way Glue Pen

Tools:
Cricut Expression
Cutter Bee Scissors
ATG Tape Gun, Scotch
PSA Essentials Custom Stamp

Of course I stamped the back of both of my cards with my custom stamp by PSA Essentials.

Thank-you for checking out my blog!

Hope you'll return soon...don't forget my follower giveaway posted on my sidebar and here.

I am almost at my goal of 100 followers!! Yay!

Card for Dylan

Today I want to tell you all about a very worthy cause I found out about a little while ago and hopefully some or all of my craft buddies out there will want to contribute.

I came across this through a blog I subscribe to called Free Digital Stamps.

One of the designer blogs that they regularly feature is Dustin Pike's Blog.

Dustin also has a store web site here.

Anyway...he recently posted about a young boy named Dylan who has an inoperable brain tumor and he is collecting hand-made cards for this precious boy and has sent out a call for cards.

He is also offering a free digi of his if you'd like to use it in the card you make and a free exclusive set of his digi's if you make and send a card.

You can go to this link to find out more.

You can also visit Dylan's site to learn more about his brave journey.

Dustin is accepting the cards until the end of the Month and will be hand carrying them to Dylan.

I am working on my card right now and will update this post when I have finished it.

In the meantime, here is the card/coloring page that my 3 year old Granddaughter B made for Dylan...using one of Dustin's Digi's:

Thanks to Dustin for bringing this to our attention, this little boy deserves all the love and support in the world!

Update: 05/25/11 - I have finished my card for Dylan and mailed it out yesterday along with B's cute coloring page. 

Here is the card I made:

I picked a basketball themed card that featured the Utah Jazz logo, as this is Dylan's favorite sport and team. 

I found the Jazz logo by doing a Google Image Search and printed it out in color on some white card stock.

I cut out the logo and then outlined it in Patina Stickles.

The cute bug is a digi stamp from Dustin Pike. 

I colored in the digi with Copic Markers and carefully cut it out with my Cutter Bee Scissors and another pair of small scissors.

I stamped "My Hero" on the banner card the bug is holding, using a stamp set from Pink By Design called "Our Troops".

I trimmed the middle section of the card with some bright orange ribbon to match the patterned paper and to go along with the Jazz Logo.

The small oval embelli on the left of the bug was made from a previous cricut cutout that I had leftover from another project.

I lined the oval in Orange Peel Stickles and wrote Dylan's name in the center with two stamped hearts.

I added a bit of Glossy Accents to make the name & hearts stand-out.

I stamped a sentiment on the inside using a Studio G i-Cling stamp and left plenty of room to write a personal note to Dylan.

I am showing the back of the card only because it is the first time I am using my new personalized stamp from PSA Essentials. I just love it! 

Here is a picture of the items I used in making this card:

Recipe:

Pre-Made Blank White Card, K&Company

Memories Forever patterned paper (Basketball)

Paper Reflections, One Pound Scrap Pack (Various Pieces)

Digi Image/Stamp by Dustin Pike 

Copic Sketch Marker, R29 Lipstick Red

Copic Sketch Marker, W5 Warm Gray

Copic Sketch Marker, YG07 Acid Green

Copic Sketch Marker, B39 Prussian Blue

Copic Sketch Marker, B34 Manganese Blue

Copic Sketch Marker, YG03 Yellow Green

Pink By Design Clear Polymer Stamp - "My Hero" from the "Our Troops" Set

Basic Grey, Bitsy Clear Stamps, Heartthrob

Studio G, i-Cling "Thinking of You" stamp, #V54911

PSA Essentials, Peel & Stick Custom Stamp

Inkadinkado, Dye Ink, Ink Pad, Black

Red Ink Pad, Small Square (Unknown Brand)

Woven Edge Ribbon, 3/8", Bright Neon Orange

Ranger Stickles, Orange Peel

Ranger Stickles, Patina

American Crafts, Slick Writer, Medium Point, Black

Ranger Inkssentials, Glossy Accents

Zig 2 Way Glue, Jumbo Tip

Glue Dots, Glue Lines, 1"

Therm O Web Zots, Clear Adhesive Dots, 3-D, 1/2"

Scotch ATG Tape Gun

Cutter Bee Scissors

Small Scissors, (Unknown Brand), 3-1/2"

(Please ignore the embossing powder, brush and tray in the picture...I had previously made an embellishment and embossed it, but did not like the way it turned out and didn't use it in the card. However, when gathering the items for the picture, I forgot to put these items away and they ended up in the photo...sorry about that!)

I hope Dylan will like my card and I hope you all liked it as well.

Please say a prayer for Dylan and his family or send good thoughts his way!

Thank-You!

XOXO

Lisa