CHA Summer Peeks and YourStory by PC

Over on Scrapbook Update, they have a listing of who is releasing some things at CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) this summer. Go check it out! If you are a scrapbooker or card maker, you will find lots of different things.

So far, though, we haven't heard anything big for ProvoCraft... maybe the Design Studio Pro? Hmmm... what will it be this time. So far, they've only got new Cuttlebug folders, which are already on pre-order from some suppliers.

As for a previous release, I finally got a YourStory about a month ago. Today I FINALLY used it. I created 26 8x8 layouts for my book (without embellishments to make the binding smoother). Then I bound the book! It is super-uber fantastic, and I'm SO glad I have it. I will be doing much more and may even do some 8 1/2 x 11 pages, as I have one more album cover for the YourStory. I will definitely be on Creative Xpress when I get some $$$. Now I'm working on embellishing it.

The only bad thing about it is the books have to be so slim. I barely got the 13 pages in there.

Oh! And about that de-cluttering. I'm done and organized. Yay me!

Anyway... Toodles for now! lisa

Father's Day Card

I know it's a little late, but here is my Father's Day Card. I love this card!

This card is super simple and a breeze to make with the Medallion technique I learned at SplitCoast Stampers! On the SCS tutorial, they used a scalloped edge. (Check out the tutorial here.) I decided to take it to a more "manly" level and do the rope border by Fiskars.I also added distressed stripes with the Cuttlebug and further distressed them with Tim Holtz's Walnut Stain. The stamp is Studio G. The rest is my stash (finally using it up). I bought nothing, only used what I had. Yeah me!

Some Teaser Swap Items

I've been on vacation, but prior to that and now... I've been working on swap items. Here are just a few. (I still have to take pics of the others, which is quite a bit.) I hope to blog more often really soon...

This is using ZooBalloo (of course!). It is a topper/border for a general zoo swap.

Notice the detes in the tiny little zebra (love him!)...

This is embossing a transparency with the Cuttlebug. The tag is from Tags, Bags, Boxes & More set on a double window setting.

The wizards caps belong with Paper Doll Dress-Up.

And yes, I used my ATG and STILL love it! Toodles for now! lisa

Cuttlebug Spot Challenge #17: Love Word

Here's my take on the Challenge over at The Cuttlebug Spot. The challenge was to use the word "Love" on a card. I used the Cuttlebug (Divine Swirls) to emboss the foil cutout.
The hearts embossing folder adorns the background, as well as Sakura's Jelly Roll (glitter red) to emphasize the hearts. Then the embossed "with love" border sits underneath a Threading Water cut border.

I liked it, and I hope my hubby will, too... next Saturday. It's coming soon! Toodles for now! lisa

CuttleBug Spot Challenge #16: Sweet Child / Cuttlebug Challenge Blog #17: Love-Themed

This challenge was posted Monday (yesterday) on the Cuttlebug Spot. It was to make a Valentine's for a child. It was also posted 02/04 on Cuttlebug Challenge Blog, so I am putting it for both! Yeah. I've never done that, so I hope people don't mind.


Here is my take on it:
"I'll Hiss for a Kiss" I just popped with it when I saw the snake from Animal Kingdom. I saw so many things I had ideas for, but this one just clicked a little more. And I used scraps I already had. Woohoo!
The hiss and the snake were made from Animal Kingdom; the snake's pink diamond back was embossed using the Cuttlebug Textile folder. ("HISS" is actually two sizes [1" and 1-1/4"], since there is no shadow feature on the "sounds" of the animals.) The other letters are Opposites Attract and dusted/inked with bright pink daubers from Direct Memories.
Of course I had to add Stickles somewhere... so I put it on the skin of the snake (in Cinnamon), emphasizing the diamond back. And I used the "Heart" embossing folder for the background of the card, then sanded the red cardstock to bring out the white core of the cardstock and make the hearts "pop" a little more.
Since it was for a child, I felt only google eyes were appropriate to add a little humor and character to my otherwise fearless friend.


Hope you like it, and check out the links above for more fun and challenges on their blog! Thanks Nilda! And thanks to everyone at Cuttlebug Challenge Blog, as well.

Cuttlebug Challenge Blog - Be Inspired Challenge #16

We were supposed to take Marissa to Disneyland today, but she got sick, so we are home, so... I decided to take a few minutes and do this (made a card)!
This week's challenge was to use distressing. I chose to sand and use Tim Holtz Walnut Stain ink.


First, I sanded my cardstock. (This would allow the ink I am going to use to absorb into different areas, giving it an old feel.) Then I applied the walnut stain ink to the Cuttlebug embossing folder, on the non-raised side, and sent it through, dry-embossing it. The edges are then torn and re-inked to add the "old-paper" feel and look to it. *I was trying to find a more versatile way of using a Halloween-type folder. I *think* I succeeded, don't you?
Then I added the sentiments and embellishments. The purple words "Dust Off the Cobweb" and "is here!" are embossed with Ranger's Puffy in purple, and "Spring!!!" is embossed in hot pink glaze. I left a flower floating on the web for effect.


Hope you like it. You can see more takes on the challenge and check out a challenge of your own on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog. Good luck! Toodles for now! lisa

New Cards from the Weekend

Ok, sorry late in posting these, but I have been busy with my weight loss blog (see link in sidebar). I've also been blog surfing, trying to come up with ideas and inspiration. But... I'm ready to post these cards I made over the weekend.

This card was made (quickly) on Saturday for a Quincenera (Girls 15th [Coming Out] Birthday Party) that I didn't know I was going to until that morning. For the scalloped circles, I used Mini Monograms and my Cricut. The sentiment is George and Basic Shapes. I inked a Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, then ran one of the scallops through, the other scallop went through without the ink, then I layered them. I love the Fiskars "Threading Water" border punch, so I used that too. Underneath it all are two ribbons, a purple and white striped organza over a wide silky satin white ribbon. I sponged the card and the envelope and added some bling to the center of my scallops, as well as Stickles on the sentiment to make the card sparkle.

It may look a little off center, as it was initially meant to go horizontal, but I had printed the inside poem to read portrait-style, so I had to quickly change it. But, I think my "Birthday Blessings" came out okay, don't you?

And Sunday, while I waited for my brakes to be done (yes... I waited AT HOME!), I made 6 cards to catch up with the 2008 card club. I still have 6 more to make, then I can finally sign up for the January 2009 Card Club. I should be finishing those tomorrow. So... there are six of these:

The card club cards are supposed to be blank on the inside, so I just wanted to add a little sparkle to the starry night and Stickled (with a sponge) around the "Way to Go!" (done with the George Cartridge and my Cricut). The chipboard button is from the $1 bin at Michaels. The snowflake border at the bottom is Martha Stewart (on clearance at Michaels). I lined the inside with plain white paper for ease in writing and also to accentuate the border on both sides.

I will be entering both of these cards in the Cricut Christmas Noel Challenge #1 on Scrapbook Bingo... Watch Out Girls! I'm comin' to win it!!! LOL! Just kidding, but sorta serious. Toodles for now! lisa

Cuttlebug Be Inspired Challenge #14

Hey you guy-eyes! I finally did a Cuttlebug Challenge! Woohoo! Yay me! It was to create a card using "your favorite embossing folder." Whelp folks... I don't have a favorite folder, perse... But, I did need to make a "Thank You" card for a friend.

Here's a closeup. I was trying to go off the brown and pink of the ribbon. I brushed a pink ink pad over the embossing to make it pop a little more. Also added is the "Thank You" done in a text box in Word. And of course... Cotton Candy Stickles. This is the "Friend" embossing folder. I gently added the "my" above the word friend. There is a cute little saying inside as well.

Hope you like it and get a little creative on your own! Let me know how you did and what you did. Please leave a link, so we can all explore your creations. Toodles for now!