Thursday, December 31, 2009

You Hold The Key To My Heart

Good Morning everyone. We are preparing for yet another snowstorm. This time they are predicting over 1 foot of snow!!! I guess I know what I will be doing on Friday.
Today I decided to begin working on Valentine's Day projects. I can't believe that Christmas is over and I am now thinking about Valentine's Day. That means that warmer temperatures are coming **yeah**
I used my Cricut Expression and the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge to cut out my heart box. I used the "fit to page" option which makes the box measure 6" tall by 4 1/2" wide by 1 1/2" deep.


Next I used the Spellbinders Classic Hearts & Scallop Hearts to create several layers, each with popdots in between which makes the sentiment pop right off the box. For the handle, I used the Celebrations Demi Phrases by JustRite Stampers to stamp "I love you because...".
My key was cut from gold cardstock using my Quickutz Key Die. I have not used my Quickutz for so long. This is the very first die system that I purchased. So when I needed a key for my projects, I dusted off the Quickutz and found the perfect key. The key is hung from the handle using fishing line (don't tell my husband that I "borrowed" some of his line).
My main sentiment is from the Romantic Sentiments set by JustRite Stampers. This stamp set has some wonderful phrases, perfect for Valentine's Day.



That's it for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. And if you are on the East Coast, STAY WARM & SAFE.
Supplies:
Paper: DCWV
Ink: Memories Cherry Red
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Hearts & Scallop Hearts Nestabilities, Quickutz Key, Cricut Expression, Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge, ribbon, popdots


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Daffodils

Good Morning everyone. Today I am making a "sunny" card because here in Maine it has been snowing **again**. I needed a project to brighten my day.



I began by stamping daffodils from a new set being released by JustRite Stampers on February 7, 2010. It is called "Breath Of Spring" which is what I need right now as I look outside at the snow that needs to be shoveled. I colored the flowers using my Copics.

I diecut each layer using Spellbinders Classic Ovals & Scallop Oval Nestabilities. Each layer has popdots between to give lots of dimension. It almost looks like you are seeing the daffodils through a window. I used the Martha Stewart Loops border punch to create a "frame" for my image.

The photo below shows how much dimension my card has.


That's it for today. Thanks for stopping in for a visit. I hope everyone enjoys your day.

Supplies:

Stamps: JustRite Stampers - Breath Of Spring Centers & Borders, 2 1/4" x 3 1/16" wood stamper

Paper: Worldwin

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa, Copic Markers (Y17, YR04, Y19, Y08, G05, G29, E29, E99)

Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Oval & Scallop Oval nestabilities, Martha Stewart Loops border punch, ribbon, popdots, Cuttlebug Swirls embossing folder

Monday, December 28, 2009

Photo clock

Happy Monday morning everyone!!! I hope everyone survived your Christmas holiday. Our Christmas was very nice. Christmas Day is spent with my family at my parents and then on Saturday we had Christmas with my husband's family at our house. I really enjoyed getting together with family but I also was glad to have it over. All of the Christmas decorations are down and my house is back to normal.

I made this clock for my oldest daughter for Christmas. I wasn't able to post it before now because I didn't want her to see it. She actually reads my blog (Hi Heather :-D )

I just purchased a plain white clock, printed a photo of my 2 girls with Oreo (Heather's pet guinnea pig) and cut it to fit inside the clock. To make my clock numbers, I used the Curlz font ensemble by JustRite Stampers, stamped them onto acetate and punched them out using a SU circle punch. Then all I had to do was put the clock back together.

Heather really seemed to like the clock. This photo is so cute.

That's it for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday. Thanks for stopping in for a visit.

Supplies:

Stamps: JustRite Stampers - Curlz Font Ensemble

Paper: photo paper

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: SU circle punch, acetate

Friday, December 25, 2009

Thank You notecard

Merry Christmas everyone!!!! The big day is finally here. We are enjoying the day with my family. It is so nice to have everyone together in one place. Tomorrow we will be celebrating Christmas with my husband's family. It is nice to be able to do this in 2 seperate days instead of craming everything into 1 day.

Once the presents are opened and everyone has gone home, it is time to send Thank You notes to family & friends for their thoughtfulness. Sharon Johnson is challenging us to create "simple" Thank You notes today. Regardless of if the note is simple or not, it is nice to show people that you appreciate their gifts.

My notecard measures 5" x 5" and is embossed using the Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes embossing folder with a cute loopy border using the Martha Stewart loops border punch.



My sentiment comes from the "Just A Note" designer center set by JustRite Stampers. The border is from the Square Decorative Frame Borders set also by JustRite Stampers. It is so nice to be able to mix and match centers and borders even if they are not the same shapes. Then I diecut it using the Spellbinders Classic Square & Inverted Square Nestabilities.

Thanks for stopping in for a visit today. I hope you enjoy your Christmas with family and friends. These times are very precious!!!
Supplies:
Paper: DCWV Christmas Stack, Worldwin cardstock
Ink: Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Squares, Spellbinders Classic Inverted Scallop Square, Martha Stewart Loops Border Punch, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes embossing folder

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Santa Bag

It is the day before Christmas!!! Are you ready??? I am. I am ready to get together with family and friends and celebrate. Then I am ready to get rid of the Christmas tree in my livingroom.



Today's project is a gift bag that I made for my daughter's teacher. They had their classroom party on Tuesday. I volunteered for the day in the classroom. Luckily there are only 14 kids in the class so it wasn't too bad. I helped the kids make a snowman box. They had a lot of fun.




This Santa bag is done in a similar way to the snowman box. I saw one made like this one day while I was surfing blogland so when I needed a teacher gift bag I decided to make one. It is filled with Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls - a favorite treat at Christmas time.


This is made using the Spellbinders Labels Eight, adhered onto a white lunch bag that I cut down to size. The belt buckle is made using my Cricut Expression and the Fabulous Finds cartridge.




This shows the side view of the lunch bag. This was a very easy bag to make and it is really adorable.


I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for stopping in for a visit.

Supplies:

Paper: DCWV

Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 8, Cricut Expression with Fabulous Finds cartridge, black brads, white lunch bag

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas To My Hubby


This card was made especially for my husband. It will be 13 years this Christmas Eve since he asked me to marry him. So the Christmas season is a very special time of the year for me. I can't believe that it has been 13 YEARS!!! Wow, does time fly by.

My inspiration for this card is from the sketch challenge at Taylored Expression. Sketch challenges are such a lifesaver for me when I don't know where to begin with a card.

The background brown cardstock was embossed using the Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder. The rope border was made using the Fiskars Rope Border punch.

My sentiment is from the Romantic Sentiments set by JustRite Stampers which will be released in January. These centers have some really nice sayings. The border is from the Decorative Frame Borders set also from JustRite Stampers. Be sure to stop over at the JustRite blog and check out some other projects using these stamps. I diecut the sentiment and border using Spellbinders Classic circle nestabilities and then matted it onto green cardstock diecut using the Spellbinders Labels Six.




On the inside of my card, I stamped this saying using the Times Roman 15 point font set by JustRite Stampers. I loaded my small rectangular wood stamper with the letters and then stamped it onto white cardstock using Memento Bamboo Leaves ink.


Also, the JustRite Stampers blog has a new home. It is now located at justritestampers.typepad.com. Be sure to check it out.

I love the way this card came out and I am sure that my husband will love it also.

Thanks for stopping in for a visit today. Enjoy this wonderful time of the year.


Supplies:


Paper: A2Z Playful Plaid, Worldwin

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Memento Bamboo Leaves

Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 6, Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder, Fiskars Rope Border punch

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas Gift Bag



Happy Wednesday everyone. I hope everyone is ready for Christmas. I am finally DONE!!! This bag that I made completes my Christmas wrapping. I needed a package for some handmade cards that I made for my sister-in law. All of the bags that I had were either too small or too large. So I decided to make my own.



I used my Cricut Expression along with the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge. I chose the bag that I wanted and cut it using the "Fit To Page" option and the 12" x 24" Cricut mat. My finished bag size is 6 3/4" tall x 8" wide x 2" deep.




For the front of the bag, I added a 2" wide band embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. Then I stamped this image from the Old Fashioned Christmas borders & centers set by JustRite Stampers, colored with Copic Markers. I diecut the stamped image as well as the mats using the Spellbinders Classic Circle & Scallop Circle Nestabilities.


Along the top of the bag, I added a border using the Martha Stewart Lattice Border punch.


I'm sure that my sister-in-law will love the bag as much as the notecards which are inside the bag.


I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping in for a visit.

Supplies:






Paper: American Crafts, DCWV



Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (R59, R27, R05, G07, YG09, Y06)



Accessories: Cricut Expression, Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge, Martha Stewart Lattice Border punch, Spellbinders Classic Circle & Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, chalk, pop dots

Monday, December 21, 2009

Santa Gift Card Holder

Happy Monday Morning everyone. Christmas is just days away and I am still working on gift card holders. This one was inspired by one that I saw on Splitcoaststampers. It is suppose to resemble Santa. I think it is really cute.

I cut the circle and scallop circle using my Cricut Expression along with the Mini Monograms cartridge. The ornament holder is made using the SU Rounded Tab.


This particular gift card is for our niece Tasha. I personalized this using the Curlz Font Ensemble and rectangular wood stamper by JustRite Stampers. I love to personalize gifts using these font ensembles. It lets the receiver know that I took that extra step especially for them.


This view shows the inside of the gift holder. The gift card just slips right under Santa's black belt, Isn't that cute!!!!

Thanks for stopping in for a visit today. I realize this week is very hectic for many people (including myself). I will have posting this entire week so be sure to check back each day if you have a few extra minutes.

Supplies:

Stamps: JustRite Stampers - Curlz Font Ensemble, small rectangular wood stamper

Paper: Worldwin

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Cricut Expression, Mini Monograms cartridge, SU Rounded Tab punch, SU 3/4" circle punch, gold cording

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Gift Card Bag

Good Morning. I am in the midst of the Christmas crunch time. I still have several gift cards that I need to make "holders" for.

Today I made this cute little gift bag using my Cricut Expression and the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge. I used the "fit to page" option so that I could get the bag as large as possible. It measures 4" tall x 3 3/4" wide x 1 3/4" deep. The perfect size for a gift card.
I chose the bonus Pansy center from this set by JustRite Stampers. Since the person that I am giving this bag to loves the color pink, I decided to color the pansy pink even though it probably should be purple. Oh well, that is what makes it more personal - doing colors that the recipient likes.
I colored the center with my copic markers and diecut each layer using the Spellbinders Classic Oval & Scallop Oval Nestabilities. I applied pop dots between each layer for more dimension.

Around the top of the bag, I added a border using the Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch. To bling it up, I also added Magenta Stickles.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping in for a visit.

Supplies:

Stamps: JustRite Stampers - Bonus Pansy Center

Paper: Best Creations, Inc, DCWV

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Pink Petunia, Copic Markers (C3, RV32, R85, RV34, R08, BV13, Y19, G05)

Accessories: Spellbinders Oval & Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch, Magenta Stickles, ribbon, pop dots

Friday, December 18, 2009

Stamp Simply Challenge 118

Good Morning!!! It is finally Friday. Only one week until Christmas. I think I am done shopping - I have everything wrapped and ready to go. I still have chocolates to make but that shouldn't take too long.

Today I am playing along with Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply challenge. The challenge is to incorporate snow into a project. I have about a foot of snow in my yard right now with temperatures at about 3 degrees. I am wishing for Summer from Santa but I don't think that is going to be in my stocking.



Isn't this card adorable!!! And the only thing stamped is the sentiment. Even better. This paper is called Amongst Friends by Murdock Country Creations. Kellie has some amazing scenic paper. If anyone is interested, you can check out her blog Polished to Perfection and send her an email to get information on how to get some of this amazing paper.

My sentiment is from the Big Occasions Centers & Borders set by JustRite Stampers. Then I diecut the center & border separately using Spellbinders Classic Circles & Scallop Circle Nestabilities.

I added Polymark Dimensional Fabric Paint along some branches and sprinkled some glitter to give some "snow" effect.



That's it for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and stay warm.

Supplies:

Stamps: JustRite Stampers - Big Occasions Centers & Borders

Paper: Murdock Country Creations - Amongst Friends

Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves, Versamagic Turquoise Gem

Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circle & Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Polymark Dimensional Fabric Paint, Kaiser rhinestones, misc ribbon, glitter, pop dots

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Just Because

Good Morning everyone. The weekend is almost here!!! It is really, really cold here in Maine. It is about 13 degrees at my house right now. I also have a sick child home from school today. I told her she had to get better before Christmas so she is home laying on the couch for the day.

I did get a few minutes to play along with the sketch challenge on Splitcoast today. I have all of my Christmas cards done so I decided to make a Valentine's Day card instead. Maybe it will make me feel like Spring is just around the corner (one can always wish).



My paper is DCWV cardstock and Basic Grey Bittersweet mousse designer paper. I used the Martha Stewart lace heart border punch for the wide mat. Then I used a designer center from the "Just A Note" set by JustRite Stampers. This was then dicut using the Spellbinders Classic Hearts & Scallop Hearts nestabilities.

That's it for today. I am off to take care my sick daughter. Hopefully she will be well enough to go to school tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping in for a visit today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Supplies:

Stamps: JustRite Stampers - Just A Note Borders & Centers

Paper: DCWV, Basic Grey

Ink: Memories Cherry Red

Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Hearts & Scallop Hearts nestabilities, Martha Stewart Lace heart border punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Ornament Gift Card Holder

Good Morning everyone. My inspiration today comes from my need of gift card holders. I tend to give several gift cards at Christmas simply because I don't have any idea what to buy certain people (or in this case - animals). Gift cards are not very "personal" but if they are given in a handmade gift card holder, then they become very personal. I have seen these ornament holders on Splitcoast so I decided to try one.

This particular gift card is going to "Oreo" who happens to be my oldest daughter's guinea pig. He is so adorable. He is black and white which is why Heather named him Oreo. I wasn't sure what food he likes (he is very picky) so that is why I decided to get him a gift card to Petco.

For the front of the ornament, I chose the new Decorative Frames Borders - square set from JustRite Stampers. I thought the border design matched my paper perfect. To spell Oreo's name, I chose the Brayton Font Ensemble, also from JustRite Stampers. I added Copper Stickles to bling it up a bit.



On the back of the ornament, I cut the circle from the patterned paper and then cut a slit just wide enough to get the gift card in. Then I adhered the patterned paper to my cardstock. To dress up the back, I used the EK Success Fleur de lis border punch.

I think Oreo will be excited to see his gift card and to be able to go shopping at his favorite store.

Thanks for stopping in for a visit today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Supplies:

Stamps: JustRite Stampers - Decorative Frames Borders Square, 2" square wood stamper, Brayton Font Ensemble

Paper: DCWV Christmas Stack

Ink: Memories Cherry Red

Accessories: Cricut Expression, Mini Monograms cartridge, SU Rounded Tab punch, Copper Stickles, EK Success Fleur de lis border punch, cording, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Gift Card Beanie

Happy Tuesday everyone. Yesterday on Splitcoaststampers, they had a tutorial for this adorable Beanie gift card holder. As soon as I saw it, I knew that I had to make some. They were so easy to make. I know that I will be making more of these for several different occasions.


Closed view of Beanie

Opened view of Beanie

My border was made using the Martha Stewart Lattice border punch. Isn't that so cute!!!! I added Stickles along the top rounded portion of my Beanie. I also added Stickles to the pompom and the snowflake brads.
Be sure to head over to Splitcoaststampers and give this a try. They are really cute and very easy to make.
Thanks for stopping in for a visit today.
Supplies:
Paper: DCWV Christmas Stack
Accessories: Stickles (red, Waterfall, Crystal), Martha Stewart Lattice border punch, snowflake brads

Monday, December 14, 2009

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!!!

Just a quick follow up on the post that I had a few days ago about our cat Snowflake missing. I just looked out my back door and she was staring in at me!!! We are all so very happy. Thank God for miracles!!!

Santa Candy Wrapper

Happy Monday Morning!! Christmas is approaching fast. We put our Christmas tree up this past weekend. Now I know Christmas is coming soon. Shopping is almost done and gifts have been wrapped.

Today I decided to play along with the challenge at JustBuggin' and make this cute Santa candy wrapper. Now who wouldn't love to find this in their Christmas stocking. I know that I would!!!


I made my Santa using my Cricut Expression. He is cut at 6" using the Paper Doll Dressup cartridge. It is the perfect size for this huge Hershey's Chocolate bar. The "santa list" is cut using the Christmas Cheer cartridge.

I wrapped my candy bar with a sheet of paper from the DCWV Christmas Stack.


That's it for today. Thanks for stopping in for a visit. Please come back again tomorrow for more projects.

Supplies:

Stamps: Peachy Keen face stamps

Paper: DCWV Christmas Stack

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, red Sharpie

Accessories: Cricut Expression, Paper Doll Dressup cartridge, Christmas Cheer cartridge. Large chocolate bar, pompom

Friday, December 11, 2009

Stamp Simply Challenge

Happy Friday to everyone. Sorry I have been MIA for the last few days. Lots going on around here. Winter has finally arrived here in Maine. We got about 10" of snow on Wednesday. That means lots and lots of shoveling & snow blowing for me!!!! I think I might enjoy winter more if I didn't have to shovel it. I have always said that I live in the wrong state. I need to move south!!! But my husband prefers Alaska - which doesn't work either. So I guess we will stay in Maine.







I have also been worrying about my poor little cat. She went outside the day before the snow came and has not been back in. I'm hoping that she is just on a little "vacation" and will be back soon. She was not meant to be an outside cat but we started letting her out this past summer and she enjoyed it so much. When she decides to come home, she will be in for the rest of the winter. I can't take the worrying.



Today I am playing along in Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply challenge. Her challenge was to alter a store-bought card. This year I actually made most of my Christmas cards. I guess having this blog has been good for me because I have made several cards to post on here.

The above photo shows my before and after card. Isn't this mouse the cutest thing ever!!!

To personalize my card, I pulled out my JustRite Stamps. For the top portion of the stamp, I used the Holiday Demi Phrases. Then I used the 15 point Times Roman font to spell out "From the Barkhouse Family". These stamp sets make it so easy to personalize cards and to let the receiver know that you took that extra step to make them feel special.


The center snowflake is from the Merry Little Christmas set. I added lime green stickles to make the snowflake pop. To add more sparkle, I also added silver stickles to the tree branches and the ornament.




Supplies:


Paper - store bought Christmas card

Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves, Memories Cherry Red

Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities, Stickles (Silver, Lime Green), Polymark White dimensional fabric paint

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Christmas Ornament

Good morning everyone. Today I made an ornament for our Christmas tree. I think we are going to decorate our tree this coming weekend. I used to put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving but I don't like to have things "out of place" so I would complain about it and want to take it down. So now my husband says we can't put it up until a few weeks before Christmas. I usually take it down either Christmas Day or the day after. I like to get my house back in order as soon as possible.


My ornament is made using a tin favor from Wilton. My snowman is from the Something Sweet Borders & Centers set by JustRite Stampers. I stamped it onto Neenah white cardstock and colored it using Copic Markers. I applied 4 layers of popdots to the back so that the snowman was closer to the opening. Next I added fake snow and a silver cord for hanging the ornament. Once I put the cover on the tin, I applied blue striped paper to cover up the silver tin.

For the top, I stamped the border from the Something Sweet Borders & Centers set, diecut it using Spellbinders Classic Circle & Scallop Circle Nestabilities. Then I applied turquoise stickles around the inside edge.



Back view of ornament

On the back of the ornament, I added the year using the JustRite Stampers Curlz Font Ensemble. I think it is important to have special ornaments every year. I have purchased an ornament for both of my girls every year since they were born. Now when they have their own families, they will have these ornaments to cherish.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping in for a visit. Have a great day!!

Supplies:


Paper: DCWV

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Aegean Blue, Copic Markers (YR07, YG09, black, B69, B04, R27)

Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Circle & Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Favor tin, pop dots, silver cording, Pebbles Inc pearlescent chalk, fake snow, Turquoise Stickles

Monday, December 7, 2009

Golfing with Dad


Happy Monday morning everyone. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We had our first measurable snow. It is pretty as it is falling but when I am shoveling it, it is not so pretty. Oh well, life in Maine includes snow.

Today I am playing along with the weekly challenge on Just Buggin'. These challenges are so much fun. It makes me get out my Cricut Expression and use it. I decided to do a scrapbook page for this challenge. I haven't done a scrapbook page for soooo long. I am way behind in my pages. Hopefully after the holidays I will get back in the swing of it.

This photo was taken this past summer when my husband, his brother, and their dad went golfing. They really enjoy playing and don't get to play together very often.

To make my page, I used the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge. It was perfect because it has the golf cart, golfer, & golf greens.

For my page title, I used the JustRite Stampers Brayton Font Ensemble. These stamp sets are so perfect to personalize scrapbook pages. I think it looks much better than just printing something from the computer.

That's it for today. If you get a chance, stop on over to Just Buggin' and give their challenges a try. You will be amazed at what you can create with a fun starting point.

Supplies:


Paper: DCWV

Ink: Versamagic Night Sky

Accessories: Cricut Expression with Everyday Paper Dolls Cartridge, Quickutz golf club

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Notecard Ensemble

Good morning everyone. Christmas is creeping up on us. I am still working on last minute Christmas gifts. Today I have a notecard set to show you.

I decided to make this notecard set for my sister-in-law. She sends out a lot of notes & thank you notes throughout the year so what better notecard to send than one with your own monogram on it.

I got the instructions for this A-2 notecard box on Splitcoaststampers. The instructions were very easy to follow. I adjusted mine and did the Arch lattice along the bottom edge of the cover.

This is a look at the opened box with the monogrammed notecards inside. When I think of Monogrammed Notecards, I automatically pull out my JustRite Stamps. These stamps make personalizing gifts so, so easy. And now with this square stamper set it is even better. I think the "square" shape shouts elegance. Very nice presentation.

I made a set of 8 notecards. There are 2 notecards of each version but are all done with the same parts. I used the Martha Stewart Arch lattice border punch to seperate the cardstock with the printed paper.







That's it for today. Thanks for stopping in for a visit.
Supplies:
Paper: A2Z Playful Plaid, store bought notecards
Ink: Versamagic Jumbo Java
Accessories: Spellbinders Square Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch, misc ribbon