P I N K A L I C I O U S

New Blog Address!

2011-05-20T21:47:00.007+01:00

I'm moving.......

One year later and still learning about blogging!!!!

Today I decided to match my url to my blog title.....still not quite sure what it all means or does but I have done it.

It has worked out fine but I have lost my lovely followers on my new blog and don't know how to move them.

Please click on the link below and move to my new home to follow me!

ilove2cutpaper.blogspot.com

Flip Flop Shaped Card

2011-05-18T21:07:00.002+01:00

Summer is here and I couldn't resist making this FLIP FLOP shaped card from The Cutting Cafe. It is my all time favourite shaped card and super quick to cut out on my Pazzles Inspiration.

This FLIP FLOP shaped card is approx. a little bigger then 2 by 5 inches....it comes with 3 embellishments to put on the flip flop and a matching envelope. The file comes in the following formats: wpc, pdf and svg.

I have used October Afternoon double sided paper which comes in 12 x 12 called Patio Umbrella available here.

Last year I made a pink FLIP FLOP shaped card from the same template for my daughter which you can take a peek at here.

Have a PURR-FECT Day

2011-05-18T17:36:00.000+01:00

Here is my brightest card to-date which I have cut out using my Pazzles Inspiration. I have used this image from a graphics set which is so easy to use and makes a great quick card.

A few rhinestones for the collar, a heart cut out of glitter card and I am done!

Lampshade card

2011-05-11T14:21:00.004+01:00

Just a quick card here designed on my Pazzles Inspiration. Although I love sending cards to my friends and family sometimes I am a bit late getting my act together to actually get them in the letter box!!!! I think I might make a few of these which I am sure will come in handy.

I have cut the base card on my Pazzles Inspiration to match the scallops on the shade. I have used a graphics file from Lettering Delights as I am now getting to grips with my Print and Cut, which I am loving.

Finally, I added a bow and some glitter on the lampshade. I have used fonts for the text that are on my computer and matched the colours with my lampshade.

Pazzles Fabulous Find Winner!

2011-05-10T17:19:00.001+01:00

This morning I received a lovely e-mail from Amanda at Pazzles.....

Congratulations! Your project has been selected as this week's fabulous find. Your project will be featured front and center on our website and featured in our newsletter that is sent out to all of our craft room members! Thank you so much for sharing you beautiful work with us!

They have offered me a gift as a thank you for sharing my project so, now the decision is what accessory shall I choose for my Pazzles machine. I'm thinking a Needle Piercing Tool!

Here is the link to the Pazzles website:-

http://www.pazzles.net/wordpress/2011/05/09/royally-beautiful

and here is the link for details of my project and more photos on my blog if you missed it!

http://jlwcards.blogspot.com/2011/05/royal-wedding-shaped-card.html

What a GREAT start to the day!

Shaped Strawberry Card

2011-05-06T21:20:00.002+01:00

I have had heaps of trouble mastering the PRINT & CUT on my Pazzles Inspiration BUT earlier this week I raised an issue about the difficulties I was having on the Pazzles forum. Richard from Cut and Creativity has replied to my P&C misalignment problems and in response has put an amazing tutorial on his blog.

So, I have made this card especially for him to say 'Thank you BERRY much'. Prior to his response I had been pulling my hair out, my waste paper bin had been overflowing and I had lost faith in my Pazzles. You will be pleased to know that as a result of his help I can now use graphics images with the PRINT & CUT technique, yeah.....

Look a perfect cut around the image (faith in my Pazzles Inspiration is restored again).

Hope you like the card Richard and many thanks.

The Royal Wedding Shaped Card

2011-05-04T20:05:00.001+01:00

Oh dear, I know I am late posting this Royal Wedding Shaped Card but we went away for a few days to Cornwall and I totally forgot to put it on my blog!! You know what it's like packing the kitchen sink, bikes, 3 kids and 1 husband.......frantic!!! BUT we had a lovely time.

Well, I so enjoyed making this card with my Pazzles Inspiration using the Lettering Delights SVG and graphics set of The Royal Wedding. I am slowly getting to grips with using the SVG's but need lots more practice using the graphics sets.

I cut out the crown and layered it onto glitter card using some foam pads. I put some pearls at the base of the card as it was crying out for some simple bling!

I was very proud that I managed to print the text and then cut it out on my Pazzles for the background. I am finding the Print & Cut technique rather tricky.

Although I watched The Royal Wedding on TV, I insisted my hubby video it all, so I have at least six hours to watch by myself in piece and quiet whilst the kids are in bed!

Frog Shaped Card

2011-04-28T11:27:00.010+01:00

Each time I use my Pazzles Inspiration I face a new challenge! I don't know how many videos I have watched trying to master the Print and Cut technique BUT it's my biggest challenge yet! I am still not there but taking lots of little steps.

I am quite pleased with this Shaped Frog Card using my Pazzles Inspiration but I did waste lots and lots of paper trying to get the cut accurate. For a perfectionist like me, it worked this time but it's very hit and miss, but I will keep trying. Any tips greatly appreciated.

I made this for my hubbies birthday this week using a graphics file from Lettering Delights. I wanted to keep an element of the Shaped Card by welding the frog to the base card.

I am ashamed to say that this card did take me several hours and by the time I came to the greeting I lost the plot! So, I searched for my Safmat transfer to make my own run-on and it worked a treat on this patterned card.

...hope hubbie likes it and doesn't stick the card in the draw like he usually does!!!!!!

Hot Air Balloon Shaped Card

2011-04-17T18:22:00.000+01:00

This Hot Air Balloon Shaped Card is available from The Cutting Cafe and is so adorable. As soon as Regina Easter brings out a new template I can't wait to cut it out on my Pazzles Inspiration and play!!

The card template - cutting file comes with 15 sentiments and 3 different tops which come in pdf, wpc and svg format.

You know me, I can't resist a bow and a girlie embellishment to add to my project. I have used digi papers from Pink Petticoat and Kraft card from my stash.

I have used one of the sentiments and here are some of the others in the set.......

Today in England we have had blue skies and sunshine, I only wish that one day I will get the chance to fly in a hot air balloon ( of course it would have to be pink and girlie!).

Here is a photo, to show you how the shaped card looks when stood open and upright. My creative juices went into overdrive when I made this quick card, and I was finished in no time.

Thanks Regina, for giving us such inspiring templates and printable stamps to work.

Egg Shaped Goodie Holder

2011-04-10T21:15:00.010+01:00

Well what a weekend! The weather is glorious in England at the moment and great for gardening. Yesterday, Hubby suggested that he would cut the grass but I said no, lets start cutting back the shrubs and clean the patio (famous last words).

Please do not continue to read if you are squeamish.....

So, my job was to de-weed the patio and hubby to cut back the shubs. It was all going well when I heard a scream for help from my husband round the corner. There he was on the floor clutching a very bent arm!!!

I called the kids off the trampoline, grabbed my phone, bottle of water and piled everyone off to hospital. I am getting used to limbs being broken in my family (4 so far!), so we get to hospital quite swiftly. However, hubby has lots of metal pins in his arm due to a previous break a couple of years ago. The pins did the job but the breakage was just beyond the pins!!! He is now awaiting surgery for a rather complicated re-build. Poor him, dosed on painkillers waiting for 'the phone call'.

I now regret putting him off cutting the grass (it would have less dangerous with hindsight), and yes, he jokingly says "it's all my fault".

Anyway, this morning at the supermarket the kids couldn't resist buying Easter Eggs and I couldn't wait to get back home to make this Egg Shaped Goodie Holder from The Cutting Cafe.

I cut the Egg Shaped Goodie Holder on my Pazzles Inspiration (easy peasy) then then adhered the oval shape in the centre.

I used the EASTER MINI WORDS......PRINTABLE STAMP S which are perfect for tags of which there are a total of 37 mini words!

I placed all the eggs in a cello bag and tied a bow with one of my favourite ribbons. I promised the kids they could eat them when photographed!!

Right off to give the hubby some TLC!!

Nesting Frame Shaped Easter Card

2011-04-03T16:56:00.003+01:00

It's been a bit quiet on my blog as I have had a chest infection for the last 2 weeks and have not had the energy to craft at all! I am now almost on the mend, but just have one of those frustrating coughs to get rid of!

I have used the NESTING FRAME SHAPED CARD SET from THE CUTTING CAFE using my Pazzles.

I had one of those happy accidents and had cut the full front edge shaped card. My youngest was going to sleep so I couldn't continue to cut the base card with the noise of my Pazzles Inspiration next to his room so, I decided to fold the front piece in half. I was happy with this so, adhered my chick onto a smaller nesting frame and I was nearly done.

I quickly added a few pearls and my 1st Easter card was done!

I am loving this nesting shape from THE CUTTING CAFE which features a shaped card and 2 assorted nesting frames that comes in pdf, wpc and svg formats.

Scalloped shaped card

2011-03-22T20:56:00.001Z

Yeah, I used my new distressing tool that I bought several months ago and have had fun with it on this card.

I printed the image on my computer via my Pazzles Inspiration and hand coloured the roses. Then I just added a button and the card just needed to be layered onto some digi papers that I had on my computer.

I am SEW pleased with the result (sorry for the pun) because I need to make about 24 of these cards (smaller in size) to make as gifts where I work in the next 2 weeks!

SEW, I better get on with them!

Shaped Shirt and Tie cards

2011-03-12T21:42:00.000Z

For this months Design Team inspiration at The Cutting Cafe, Regina Easter, has asked us to use printable backgrounds. I love the monthly inspirations because I get to try out cutting files and printable stamps that I may have overlooked.

I tried to challenge myself to make a card for a man and came up with three!

I have used the SHIRT AND TIE SHAPED CARD which I have cut out on my Pazzles Inspiration.

I then looked through all The Cutting Cafe's background stamps and found the BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS....COLORED PRINTABLE STAMP SET which gave me the fun look I wanted for these cards for men.

Regina will be offering one lucky person on the 16th March the chance to win 3 sets so don't forget to head to THE CUTTING CAFE for heaps of inspiration by the Design Team using background printable stamps.

Flower Scalloped Shaped Card

2011-03-06T18:28:00.009Z

This adorable stamp is from the It's about that time.....printable stamp set from The Cutting Cafe. I have played with the digi flower clock file and imported some digi background stamps I already had on my computer......I love a challenge and the chance to learn something new!

I was so pleased with the result. Everything was printed out on my colour printer. I then cut out the scalloped pink frame with my Pazzles Inspiration using the Colorful Clocks....printable stamp set.

Using this technique uses up a lot of computer memory but I like the result......printing all in one go!

Happy 50th Birthday

2011-02-22T20:10:00.000Z

It's half term and the kids are at home!!!! I just finished this card over the weekend for my friend Judith who is celebrating her 50th birthday. Unfortunately, she lives up North and I don't get to see her these days but we do catch up on the phone.

I cut everything out on my Pazzles including my base card, frame and numbers for this shaped card!

Normally, I would go to my Cricut to cut the numbers out but I found just the look I wanted with this font....it was so easy to cut them out.

I finally added the greeting and these new flowers that I bought at the weekend.

I really would like to use more flowers on my cards but would like to know how to arrange a bunch and how to adhere them onto a card. So, if anyone has seen a good video on flower arrangements on cards.......please would you let me know.

I doubt if I will be able to make any cards this week with the kids on half term, so it may be quiet here on my blog for the rest of the week!

Cutting Cafe Set Winner

2011-02-21T09:13:00.004Z

The winner of the The Cutting Cafe Shaped Clover Leaf file is:-

Becky : she said...

"what an elegant card, beautiful"

If you email me within 3 days I will send you this adorable file to you.

Also, a BIG thank you to all of you who stopped by and left such lovely comments.

Clover Leaf Shaped Card

2011-02-14T07:20:00.011Z

Hooray, it's time for a Giveaway at The Cutting Cafe where there is a Monthly Inspiration by the Design Team. This month Regina has asked us to make a project using one of her files using the colour green. Now, this is not my favourite colour, but I have just made one of my quickest card to date!

For the challenge 'Go Green' I used the Clover Leaf.cut file to make this Shaped Card. Super easy, I cut it out of Kraft card stock and cut a smaller piece in patterned paper.

Yesterday, I was at my local craft shop and bought the flower for the centre and adhered it to this lovely suede effect ribbon. I finally added some dimensions with one of my gel pens and I was done in 10 minutes! I wish I could get all of my cards made this quickly!

Anyhow, back to the GIVEAWAY.......

On the 18th February, all you have to do is pop over to The Cutting Cafe where there will be prizes up for grabs.

However, if you leave a comment here on this post, you will also have a chance to win this Clover Leaf shaped card template which comes in WPC, PDF and SVG formats. Comments will be open until February 20th when I will draw a WINNER!

So, please don't forget to leave me a lovely COMMENT!

Happy Mother's Day Card

2011-01-30T21:18:00.001Z

I have made this card using the Beautiful Flowers.....Colored Printable Stamp Set from The Cutting Cafe by Regina Easter.

To assemble the card I printed out the backing sheet designs, of which all 3 are included in this lovely set and cut out the frame.

I then printed the Happy Mother’s Day greeting For That Wonderful Mom.....Printable Stamp Set also from The Cutting Cafe onto the delicate flowered paper.

I am getting lots of exercise today as my computer is upstairs and my printer downstairs so I have been running to and from between computer and printer. However, it’s no bad thing because my husband and son made some very yummy brownies, and I just can’t stop eating them!

Finally, I finished the card with some ribbon from my stash and these new rhinestone and pearl embellishments that are available from Flutterby Crafts or on-line here.

Frame shaped card - you worm my heart!

2011-01-19T19:48:00.009Z

The other day I made a valentine card for my husband, but now I think I will send him this one, oh dear I don't know which one to send, maybe he will be lucky this year and I will send him both!!!

I love this Animal and Bug coloured set of printable stamps from The Cutting Cafe. This image is super cute, I just couldn't resist making this Frame Shaped card.

Now I have my new Pazzles software, it is so easy to import .pdf images and again I used the print and cut technique. I printed the image, drew a frame around it and then hit cut!

I have also used the Animal and Bug Love printable stamp set which includes 45 images and some frames with sentiments suitable for an A2 size card. I then cut out 2 shaped frames, added a bow and heart shaped pearl to finish it off.

Win any 3 sets at The Cutting Cafe!

2011-01-17T14:46:00.003Z

Regina Easter at The Cutting Cafe is showcasing some of the Design Team projects.......did I tell you that I am on the Design Team at the moment?

If you would like some inspiration for your VALENTINE & LOVE PROJECTS why not visit THE CUTTING CAFE today. If you leave a comment at The Cutting Cafe on how much you like the design team projects, Regina Easter will randomly select 1 person to win ANY 3 sets.

Here is the LINK.

Shaped Valentine Card....always!

2011-01-15T20:56:00.001Z

During the New Year my printer suddenly stopped working and as with most things today you just can't get things fixed in this throw away society. What a disaster, I had spent out lots on the kids presents at Christmas and it looked like a while before I would get a new printer!

Well, last Friday I had just arrived back from work and a City Link delivery man knocked on the door....."I have a delivery for you madam". I wasn't expecting anything and back he returned from his van to the front door carrying a big box marked Canon!!!!

My darling husband had gone on line the day before, unbetold to me and ordered a Wi Fi printer. He is soooo in my good books at the moment and I love him to bits.

The printer is FAB as it allows me to be upstairs and send something to print downstairs without booting the kids off the downstairs computer. I am loving it and also getting some exercise running up and downstairs!

Well, this card is for my darling hubby, who doesn't like PINK! I wanted to make a more masculine shaped card, so cut my base card out of Kraft card. I then used my crimper again (told you I would be using it a lot) on some Coredinations red card. I then tried out the print and cut feature on my Pazzles. I drew a frame in red and coloured the hearts. It took me several attempts but I eventually succeeded and learnt so much on this project.

The hearts are from the Fun with Hearts.....printable stamp set from The Cutting Cafe which features 48 images, 23 different hearts in different sizes. I then punched out the greeting "always" from the Valentine's Day Mini Words....printable stamp set. I adore these digi mini words as I don't have to buy tons of stamps and I can save on my craft storage!

Happy Valentine Sweetheart

2011-01-12T16:01:00.010Z

Here is the 2nd of my Valentine cards, this time a shaped card of sorts. I cut my base card (downloaded from Pazzles) on my Pazzles machine in Kraft card and then layered it with some heart paper.

I printed my circle Happy Valentine Day, Sweetheart on my printer from the Words of Love colored printable stamp set from The Cutting Cafe. After printing out the circle words I used my nesties to cut a plain circle shape and then a scalloped nestie shape using Kraft card again. I layered the whole lot with foam pads to the centre of the card, added some doodling and a pearl heart.

This digi set is so versatile with there being 8 circle words for your loved ones and heaps of other printable stamps, also I love the fact that they are coloured!

I have entered this card into the following challenges:-

One Stitch at a Time - Love and Valentine #44
Gingerloft - celebrations (Valentines Day)
Stamp Something -use a digi
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Love is in the air!

Be my valentine!

2011-01-11T20:35:00.000Z

Well, I have put away all my Christmas papers and now I have a tiny bit of room for some Valentine papers. Regina Easter at The Cutting Cafe has released a gorgeous Words of Love Printable Stamp set featuring 69 images which are just perfect for Valentine projects.

For this card I have used one of the background words love sheets and punched the hearts out using a heart shaped punch. I have adhered them onto some Kraft card and some white linen cardstock. My new favorite tool is my Friskars Paper Crimper which is just perfect to use when you need to add dimension to a card and are stuck what to use.....I love it. I also cut the scallop border on my Pazzles using the Assorted Scallop Set 1 and fed it through my paper crimper too!

Finally, I added a heart pearl/rhinestone gem and a pink checked bow. At this point, I thought my card was finished when my 10 year old daughter came to look at my card. She promptly opened my craft draw and placed another pearl in the middle of the bow. Perfect I thought, my card is complete, a card maker in the making!

Shaped Cake Card

2011-01-01T22:04:00.012Z

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our festivities went well considering since Christmas Day, 4 out of 5 of my family, one by one have suffered with a 48 hour sickness bug. I am the last one and just waiting for the symptoms to come to fruition having played nursemaid to 3 kids and hubby.

Anyhow looking on the bright side, I am back on the design team for The Cutting Cafe which I am so looking forward to. My 1st project for 2011 is this Shaped Cake Card using the coloured printable stamp set designed by Regina Easter.

The printable stamps features 15 sentiments, 2 cake shaped card templates (wpc cutting files) and heaps more.

I was just printing out the gorgeous coloured cake and my printer suddenly died on me! Ahhhhhh!! So, unfortunately I could not add one of the sentiments from the set. Perfect timing after Christmas and the printer was only 13 months old. Now I will have to quickly do some research for a new printer as the kids will also need one for their homework and I MUST have one for my crafting!

Back to my card.......I printed out the digi cake and cut out my shaped card template on my Pazzles Inspiration. I then adhered some pink ribbon, pink buttons from my stash, heaps of pearls and glitter for the candles.

I am not very good at Adobe Photoshop so Regina's new coloured stamp sets made this card super easy to put together.

I have entered this card into the following challenges:-

Digital Tuesday - anything goes
Top Tip Tuesday - get embellishing

Happy New Year

2010-12-24T09:36:00.004Z

Here I have used one of the Happy New Year printable stamps from The Cutting Cafe on a bottle of Bollinger!. We are visiting my brother's over the holidays and I thought this tag would be a perfect for a lovely bottle of champagne for the New Year!

This is the 1st bottle tag that I have ever made and I am quite pleased on how it turned out.

It was ever so easy to make and you can embellish them as much as you like. I can't seem to deviate from my projects being girlie, so on this one I resisted to use a bow but I thought with the harlequin paper it would be a suitable gift for my brother and sister in-law. That is, the booze for my brother and the tag for my sister in-law!

I am hoping there is not too much snow over the next few days as we have a long journey to Kent and it will be so lovely for the cousins to meet up and all their news.

Back at The Cutting Cafe!

2010-12-23T21:15:00.002Z

I am sooooo happy that I am back again as a design team member for Regina Easter at The Cutting Cafe, starting in January, 2011. Last term I was so busy with family commitments that I decided to take a break. In a way it was fortunate I had a break, because my Pazzles was poorly and had to go away to be fixed, but now it's back, and I'm a happy crafter!

I can't tell you how I missed designing projects for Regina using The Cutting Cafe's printable stamps and templates. I particularly love the .wpc files that Regina designs as I can easily cut them on my Pazzles machine. The files also come in .pdf format so no one misses out.

I hope your will be able to pop back and take a look at my projects but also take a look now at The Cutting Café printable stamps and templates, they are gorgeous!

Shaped Santa Hat

2010-12-12T14:35:00.013Z

I love this fun shaped santa hat template from The Cutting Cafe. I have also used the Merry Christmas background printable stamp for the main part of the hat.

This Santa Hat Shaped template is really fun and quick to use. For the bobble and rim I have used my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder to give some dimension.

I found these flower buttons and pearls in my stash.

I finally added this gingham bow with a bit of outlining using my pen tool in my Pazzles machine.

I have entered this card into the following challenges:-

2 sisters challenge blog #17 - Twas the night before Christmas
A spoonful of sugar challenge #133 - Christmas Card
Bildmalarna - Anything goes
Craft your passion - Anything goes

Fabulous Find Winner at Pazzles!

2010-12-11T19:56:00.005Z

Yesterday I received a lovely e-mail from Pazzles.....

Congratulations! Your project has been selected as this week's fabulous find. Your project will be featured front and center on our website and featured in our newsletter that is sent out to all of our craft room members! Thank you so much for sharing you beautiful work with us!

They even offered me a gift as a thank you for sharing my project! I was super surprised and on cloud nine for the whole day!

Here is the link to the Pazzles website:-
http://www.pazzles.net/wordpress/2010/12/09/homemade-gifts

and here is the link for details of my project and more photos on my blog if you missed it!
http://jlwcards.blogspot.com/2010/12/shaped-ornament-and-box.html

Shaped Christmas Card

2010-12-08T14:29:00.017Z

This was a super quick card (told you I was making up for lost crafting time!). I cut out the Shaped Frame base card and made a smaller frame for the main focus of the card.

I used the Christmas Mini Coloured set.....printable stamps from The Cutting Cafe. I printed the December 25th background wording on my colour printer and then cut out the frame shape on my Pazzles. I then cut and layered a smaller frame and used my Cuttlebug to add some dimension to the Kraft card.

Here, I have punched out a snowflake from the same set and layered it onto a scalloped circle. I finally added this gorgeous rhinestone and pearl heart embellishment to the centre.

I have entered this card into several challenges:-

2 Sisters Challenge Blog #16 - Sparkly Christmas
There She Goes #84 - Bring on the Bling!
A Spoonful of Sugar #133 - Christmas Card
Sew Many Cards #34 - Snowflakes
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #112 - Christmas

Shaped Ornament and Box

2010-12-07T15:00:00.018Z

Well, my Pazzles is back home (hoorah!!!) and last night I started making up for lost time!

Here, I have used the Shaped Christmas Ornament as a topper and the box template from The Cutting Cafe.

As soon as I saw this ornament I thought......I must have it! It comes as a .pdf and .cut file as does the box, so they are super easy to use.

I used the rhinestone and pearl flower embellishment to add the bling factor to the snowflake and Pink Petticoat papers.

I have entered this card into several challenges:-

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #112 - Christmas
Sew Many Cards #34 - Snowflakes
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Let it snow
Dutch Dare - Christmas card/tag or ornament
Ways and Whiskers #42 - Snowflakes
Polka Doodles #49 - Project To Hold a Gift

Number Shaped Card

2010-11-14T21:30:00.006Z

I am feeling very lost at the moment, my Pazzles machine is sick and gone back to the supplier to be looked at. Hopefully, very soon I will have some news of it's return as I have heaps of Christmas cards waiting to be cut!!

In the meantime I have tided my crafting desk, done some blog hopping, and left some comments. Tonight I have looked through some recent photos of projects that I previously have not had time to upload on my blog.

So here is one I made before my Pazzles went to the Doctors!

One of the teachers at school was turning 50 years old a few weeks ago and my colleagues wanted me to make a card for her with the number 50 on the front. I had my reservations because I new the teacher concerned was not happy about the BIG FIVE ZERO!!!

Anyhow I tried, but I am not completely happy with it.

Pumpkin Shaped Goodie Bag

2010-10-20T14:32:00.020+01:00

I made this Pumpkin Shaped Goodie Bag a few weeks ago when I was on The Cutting Cafe design team but wanted to enter it into a few challenges, so now here it is.....

I have cut out the Pumpkin Template on my Pazzles Inspiration using some Pink Petticoat download papers. I am just getting into using these papers as there are some gorgeous designs just at your finger tips.

I then put the sweets in a clear plastic bag, the sort you use for displaying your handmade cards and added a ribbon with a little greeting which was also from Halloween Printable Stamp Set at The Cutting Cafe.

I absolutely adore Jelly Beans so now I have taken the photo I am off to chew through the bag!!!

I have entered this project into various challenges:-

Polka Doodles - Something Spooky
Moving along with the times - Halloween
Pear Tree Designs - Free for all
Creative Inspirations Challenge - Halloween
A spoonful of sugar - Boo
One stop crafts - Halloween

Pumpkin Shaped Card

2010-10-12T14:02:00.009+01:00

I love this Pumpkin Shaped Card that I made a few weeks ago with my Pazzles Inspiration using the Pumpkin Shaped card Template from The Cutting Cafe. I used some gorgeous printable papers from Pink Petticoat which were perfect for this project. The ribbon, button and flat backed pearl are all from my local paper craft shop.

The greeting is from Halloween time....Printable Stamp Set which is also from The Cutting Cafe.

I have entered this card into several challenges:-

Totally Gorjuss - Not a square #51
CRAFT Challenge - Shaped Cards #71
Easy Craft Projects - Halloween #23
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Halloween
Digi Doodle - Orange Me Glad

Halloween Pillow Boxes

2010-09-14T19:43:00.018+01:00

Oh gosh, I have had a ball with these Pillow Boxes from The Cutting Cafe. I liked them soooo much that I had to make two and I thought these would be perfect to fill with treats for Halloween parties.

They were so easy to use. I chose the card, cut them out on my Pazzles and added a bit of ribbon. Of course you don't need to have a Pazzles die cutting machine as the pillow box shape comes in .pdf format to print out onto your card stock and then you just cut around the shape!

For the sentiments I used the Halloween Time....printable stamp set which has 55 assorted images!

I thought the spider was so cute that I made it into one of those dangler sentiments type things!

Sadly, from October I will no longer be on the Design Team of The Cutting Cafe as I have heaps of commitments up until December but, Regina Easter has a Design Team call, so if you are interested here is the link.

I am entering the pillow boxes into the following challenges:-

Scrap-Creations - Gotta Go Digi

Sew Many Challenges - Happy Halloween Themed

Simon Says Stamp - Holiday Fun

Scalloped Shaped Card

2010-09-05T19:00:00.020+01:00

Here I have made a Scalloped Shaped card from The Cutting Cafe using the Circle Scallop Set...templates - cutting files using my Pazzles Inspiration die cutting machine.

I took one of the scalloped circles and scored it in half then cut a plain circle from the set adhering it to the folded scallop.

I then cut out on my Pazzles Inspiration a smaller scallop using Coredinations card. I printed "that's what little girls are made of" ....adorable printable stamp also from The Cutting Cafe and cut it out using my nestability die.

I couldn't finish the card without adding a touch of bling, which every little girl needs!

I have entered this card into the following challenges :

Creative Craft - Circle card
Polka Doodles - Shaped card
Treehouse Thursday - Circle card
Dare U 2 Digi - Shaped Card
Bee Crafty - Anything goes

Pencil Box Template

2010-08-29T20:55:00.016+01:00

I can't believe that the summer holidays are nearly over and the kids will be at school in a few days!!!

So, with this in mind I made this Pencil Box Template - Cutting File from The Cutting Cafe. The template comes in .pdf for hand cutting and wpc file extension for use with cutting machines such as in my case the Pazzles Inspiration.

I had one of those wonderful moments combining several files to make this project. I decided to use the Coloured Letters Background...Printable Stamp set and then to print it onto Kraft card. I was soooo excited when it came out of the printer, then hastily placed it on my cutting mat to cut out the Pencil Box Template. Wow, it was just the look I wanted!

I then added the ribbon, bow and scalloped edging to the lid. Finally, I used a 3rd file which was the All about School....printable stamp set to make the little sentiment.

Three files in one project!!!

House Shaped Card

2010-08-23T09:15:00.009+01:00

I couldn't resist this House Shaped Card - template from The Cutting Cafe which I cut on my Pazzles Inspiration and I am really pleased how it turned out! I have used some new papers from my local paper craft shop which I am loving.

I cut out the Welcome Home sentiment, a Printable Stamp Set which is a huge set from The Cutting Cafe. I printed the sentiment on my printer and then used my heart shaped die cut to cut it out....sooooo easy.

I couldn't resist a bit of doodling and bling so, I raided my daughter's jewellery bits and added some glass beads on some wire and added this gorgeous heart pearl.

I am saving this card for a friend who is moving house soon if everything goes according to plan!

Rain Boots Shaped Card

2010-08-15T20:48:00.010+01:00

Well, we are about to embark on our 1st camping trip with 3 kids.....think of me won't you!!! Today, I went on a last minute shopping trip to by wellie boots for the kids. I was amazed at the wonderful colours and designs that are now available but ended up with plain green wellies for the kids....boring!

I am hopeful for sunny weather but as our past holidays in the UK have been wet and cold I am now prepared for all weathers (especially rain)!!

Anyhow, I saw this amazing Rain Boots Shaped Card Template - Cutting File Set at The Cutting Cafe. Regina has made a lovely pair so go and take a peek. I am a sucker for shaped cards so I couldn't resist this one. The greeting I used is from the Rain Rain Go Away set which features 33 images.

I printed out the greeting and then used my heart shaped nestabilities to cut it out, so quick and easy.

The Cutting Cafe Winner

2010-08-13T22:56:00.009+01:00

Drum roll please........and the winner of The Cutting Cafe Shaped Card Christmas Set with Box Template is:-

Lillian Child
"Oh how I love the Christmas season - and these cards are just delish!"

Congratulations Lillian

Could you please e-mail me so I can send you the

Shaped Christmas Card Set with Box Templates.

The winner was generated by Random Org
(sorry couldn't get it to display result!)

Just a little word to say to everyone is that I am overwhelmed by the response, not only the lovely comments but also to the new followers on my blog. This is the 1st time I have ever been on a Design Team and I only started blogging last year so, a massive thank you to each of you for the lovely comments and support!

Joanna xxx

Shaped Christmas Card Set - give-away!

2010-08-07T18:33:00.053+01:00

Oh dear, I have heard that my local papercraft shop has stock of Christmas goodies! I daren't go into the shop.......but there again I can wait to see what delicious Christmas crafting delights have arrived, I have NO will power!

Shaped Christmas Card Set

Nevertheless, I needed to make this Shaped Christmas Card set and couldn't bear to drag my 3 children to my local shop in the school holidays. You know what it's like "Mum, I'm bored, can we go now"! So, I have used up some of last years papers and thankfully had enough to make this lovely set.

Regina at The Cutting Cafe is having a give-away.....how exciting. I have made these 4 Shaped Christmas cards which were so easy to cut out on my Pazzles. So, the deal is, if you would like a chance of winning this Cutting Cafe give-away please leave me a lovely comment on this post, and become a follower too!

I'll randomly draw a name for someone to receive this Shaped Christmas Card set with Box Templates and Cutting Files. Just remember to check back when I will post the winner on Saturday, 14th and be sure to leave a way for me to contact you!

Regina Easter will announce the give-away at The Cutting Cafe on Wednesday, 11th August when you can go and check out the links for all the Design Team members that are participating in this give-away.

Good luck and please make sure your comments are in by Friday, 13 August.

Owl Shaped Card

2010-08-07T13:12:00.015+01:00

Well, it seems ages since I have had a chance to load anything on here. Summer holidays with 3 kids and hubbie on a business trip in China for 2 weeks.......that's my excuse!

Last night my friend telephoned me to tell me that she had just passed some exams with distinction "Whoo's a clever girl"! So I was crafting till the wee hours of the morning with this card.

I thought I would try using a DoodleBat from scrapNfonts to cut an Owl Shaped Card on my Pazzles. Earlier in the year I won some scrapNfonts downloads from a contest that was held by Regina Easter who ran Bitten By The Bug. This is the 1st time I have tried to cut from a DoodleBat and I am sure to do it again as it was so easy. It was great fun to make and somehow I think the owl is rather cute!

I saw this lovely paper at my local papercraft shop and thought it would be ideal for the owl. I am very much into googlie eyes at the moment, it must be the influence of having the kids around me whilst I craft during the summer holidays.

I also used my pen tool to write the greeting and then cut out the oval........how wonderful is that!

So here it is a quick card that I now need to pop into the post to congratulate my friend on her exam success.

Note Pad Set

2010-07-25T21:05:00.014+01:00

I have had the best day yesterday. I travelled all the way to Rochester in Kent for a Pazzles gathering. I met some lovely crafty people all of who own a Pazzles Inspiration die cutting machine. We learnt some fantastic new features from our demonstrators Tracy and Anne who have inspired us all to get crafting with our Pazzles!

I met some wonderful people, we swapped e-mail and blog addresses so the family of Pazzle owners in the UK is growing.

Well, a few weeks ago my 6 year old son came out of plaster when he broke his leg landing badly on our trampoline. Now, my 10 year old daughter has a broken arm and is in plaster up to her shoulder having had an accident at a local sporting event. She is very proud of her fluorescent pink plaster cast which is a fashion item! All I can say is that all the swimming, tennis and other activities planned for the summer holidays are on hold till mid summer!

So, to stop Alice getting bored we crafted together today which was great fun. You should have seen the mess in my craft room, papers everywhere!!! We each made a lined paper note pad set which comes as a template and cutting file from The Cutting Cafe. It is so easy to put together even a 10 year old can make it!

The lined paper comes as a .pdf which is printable on your printer and comes in 5 different colours to coordinate with your projects. The envelopes are super cute and can be dressed up how you like.

Great project for the girlies (large and small) and I can see that we shall be making more of these super note pad sets.

Teapot Shaped Card

2010-07-10T13:30:00.003+01:00

I visited my best friend in Bristol a few weeks ago and we had a FABULOUS day together basically chatting over a cuppa. She asked me if I had any teapot shaped cards because she wanted to send one to her sister. Well, what perfect timing because Regina Easter from The Cutting Cafe has brought out the most adorable Teapot Shaped Card set which features two different teapots with matching envelopes. I used some lovely paper from my local papercraft shop that I have been saving for a special girlie card!

For the greeting I have used one of the printable stamps from the Tea Time printable stamp set which features 31 images! All I did was to print the greeting on my laser jet printer in .pdf format and then used my heart shaped nestabilities to layer it onto the card.

I used an abundance of pearls to give that extra bling.

I am sending this card to my best friend Nina.

I have entered this card into the following challenge:-

Creative Card Crew Challenge - Die Cuts

Pool Party Invitation Shaped Card

2010-07-06T21:08:00.005+01:00

My 10yr old daughter gave me inspiration for this Pool Party Invitation Shaped Card. Last weekend she attended her school fete and she made a wonderful poster for her stall which was shooting water at several bottles. Enjoyed by lots of children due to the fact that they were able to use super soakers (water pistols) with lots of water!!!!!!

Anyhow, the poster that she made had a background with bubbles and water image that she found in Microsoft Powerpoint. Alice is a real whizz on the computer, so she showed me where to find it (in fill and textures) which I thought would be perfect as the background for my invitation.

I then printed the printable Pool Party Invite from the Cutting Cafe using my laser jet. I printed a second invitation on plain white paper, coloured my flip flops, cut them out and adhered them onto the bubbles/water background with foam pads.

I then took a scalloped card from the Assorted Scallop Set 1 and cut it out on my Pazzles Inspiration. I ran it through my Cuttlebug to give a bubbles background finishing off with a ribbon.

Then reading the invitation it said "Don't forget your towel" so I thought it would be fun to roll up some pink felt and tie it with coordinated ribbon.

I showed it to Alice (my biggest critic) and she laughed saying she liked the towel!!!!

I am entering this card into several challenges this week:-

The Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge - Water
My Sheri Crafts Challenge - Summer
Speedy the Cat's Friends' Challenge - Die Cuts
Wee Memories - Free for All (WMC13)

Lollipop Shaped Card

2010-06-27T14:19:00.051+01:00

Lollipop Shaped Card

I am soooooooooo excited today and have been running around the house singing "I been picked, oh yeh" the children think I am mad (poor old mum she has really lost it today!) but YES I have been chosen to join Regina Easter at The Cutting Cafe as a Design Team member. Unfortunately, I then came back to earth with a bump when I saw the list of talented design team members and gulped! So, bear with me on my journey as this is the 1st time I have ever done this type of thing and hope you will enjoy my creations.

For those of you that haven't heard of The Cutting Cafe why not take a look here. Some of you may recognise the name Regina Easter as a very talented lady who ran BBTB (Bitten By The Bug) a challenge site for many years for Cricut owners. I sought my inspiration from following her design team and challenges. Regina stepped down at the end of 2009 from BBTB to concentrate on her own site, The Cutting Cafe.

Since I now own a Pazzles Inspiration die cutting machine I have contributed a few projects to the Customer Gallery and now I am so honoured that Regina has asked me to be a Design Team member.

As an announcement of all the NEW Design Team ladies Regina has decided to celebrate ... so from today until midnight Monday (June 28th, 2010) for every set you purchase, you can get another for free of equal or lessor value...there is no limit on this special...Wow!

So, those of you who would like to know more about The Cutting Cafe why not click here and see the wonderful printable stamps (digi stamps) and templates that you could use on your projects.

Here is my 1st project as a Design Team member using the Lollipop Shaped Card template from The Cutting Cafe. To make this project I have used Coredinations cardstock which has been embossed, sanded then glittered for a bit of bling! The base card uses Kraft card and Crafty Bitz paper from my local papercraft shop. The template has been cut on my Pazzles Inspiration Die Cutting machine and I love it!

The sun is shining in the UK and I couldn't help making this Lollipop Shaped Card while the rest of the family are watching the World Cup!

Challenges entered with this card:-

Crafty Creations Challenge - Ice cream and cakes

My Sheri Crafts Challenge - Summer

Digital Tuesday Challenge - Summertime

Speedy the Cat's Friends' Challenge - Die Cuts

Wee Memories - Free for All (WMC13)

England Themed Cake Shaped Card

2010-06-24T17:55:00.021+01:00

I keep hesitating to whether I should put this Cake Shaped Card on my blog but England won their match yesterday so the card is still relevant (till Sunday!) I am not a great follower of football but my 6 yr old son is football mad. In fact he is playing with his football and friends in the driveway as I type!

I thought I would use this cake shaped template from The Cutting Cafe, add a few England colours and there I have a birthday card for an England Football Fan!

Unfortunately, there are not many challenges to enter this card into but I hope you like anyhow.

Polka Doodles Challenge - Father's Day/Male Theme
AiFactory - Shape it up!
Charisma Cardz - One for the boys!

Sun Shaped Card

2010-06-16T09:50:00.010+01:00

Hooray, the sun is shining today in the UK!!!!!!

I love this unusual Sun Shaped Card which I have made using the Sun Shaped template from The Cutting Cafe. I have used my Three Bugs in a Rug summer themed papers from my local papercraft shop, which cuts beautifully on my Pazzles Inspiration.

I have entered this Sun Shaped Card into the following challenges:-

Cute Card Thursday - Anything But Square
ABC - challenge - Weather

Dietrich Dare - Summer inspiration piece

Fab'n Funky - Summer in colour

Must dash as I have to go and watch my youngest son's sport day!

American Football Shaped Card

2010-06-09T10:37:00.033+01:00

The kids are now back at school so I can get crafting again......such joy! I am loving this shaped card template that I have just made from The Cutting Cafe which has some great files....just hop over and take a look.

It was such fun assembling this Shaped Football card as I could add soooo much dimension to it, and for a change it was great to make a card for a man!

I cut the template on my Pazzles Inspiration which I am having a love hate relationship with but I am enjoying the challenge!

This card is dedicated to DAD's who are followers of American Football!

I have entered this shaped card into several challenges:-

The Shabby Tea Room - Just for Dad

Cards For Men - Fathers' Day

Double Dutch - Dad's Treat

Simple Doodles - Just 4 You Dad

One Stitch At A Time - Boys To Men

Creative Craft Challenge - For The Man In Your Life

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Father's Day/Men' Cards

Banners!

2010-04-29T21:01:00.014+01:00

This morning was quite hectic after the school run with a visit to the Hospital. My 6yr old son had his plaster removed from his ankle which he damaged in the Easter Holidays, very bad timing! Well today a very handsome, young Doctor removed the plaster and we had to return his little crutches. Then Matthew was given strict instructions not to play football or go on a trampoline for at least a week! Glad he didn't see Matthew running around the playground after school being chased by his class mates....there is no hope!

Well later today, I had a window of opportunity to play at my crafting desk, oh, if only I had more time. Anyhow, I made this little box with the All Occasion Banner printable stamp set and Large Box template from The Cutting Cafe by Regina Easter.

I had no particular reason for making it but sometimes it's nice just to play. I am slowly getting to know my Pazzles Inspiration and saving a fortune from not buying cartridges for my other machine.

I would love to hear from some other crafters who have the Pazzles Inspiration and hear what they think.

Challenges entered this week :-

Digidoodles - Anything goes
AiFactory #34 - Use Buttons
Crafty Catz - Spots
Stamps R Us challenge #6 - Anything other that a card!
One Stop Craft Challenge #78 - Anything but a card!
The Crafty Pad Challenge #69 - Let us see some Ribbons

I won the Polkadoodles challenge!

2010-04-28T13:48:00.013+01:00

Oh, I am so excited I won the Polkadoodles challenge - Week 14 Challenge - Wedding Celebration. I was just looking through all the challenges this week and just noticed my name on the Polkadoodles blog and to my surprise I won with this Wedding Bell shaped card.

For a prize Nikky has given me some downloads for backing papers which I shall have fun trying out and this blinkie to put on my blog.......thanks Nikky.

I can't take all the credit as the adorable Wedding Bell shaped template is from The Cutting Cafe and the gorgeous paper is from my local papercraft shop Flutterby Crafts.

Strawberry Shaped Card

2010-04-22T18:36:00.034+01:00

I think this is one of my all time favourite cards, a combination of the lovely shaped template and papers make me want to shout "hurry up summer so we can go strawberry picking."

I have used the Strawberry Shaped template from The Cutting Cafe with my Pazzles Inspiration. The Strawberry paper is from Nana's Nursery - for Girls. When I bought the paper last year I loved this particular print and new it could be used one day.......today is that day. The green gingham check is from Craft Creations Ltd (UK company) but also available from Flutterby Crafts.

The greeting is also from The Cutting Cafe and I am now getting the hang of downloading the .pdf images. The greeting has come out a bit fuzzy but that's down to my photography not the image, I assure you.

The ribbon and gorgeous strawberry button are from my local fabric shop in Newbury, UK.

I am entering this Strawberry Shaped card into the following challenges :

Creative Belli Blog - #89 Die cut shapes
Daring Cardmakers - Die Cut Crazy
C.R.A.F.T #48 - Shaped Card

G is for Girl!

2010-04-16T21:46:00.030+01:00

The kids are on holiday at the moment so I have not had much time to craft!! Thought I would make this quick card for a friends little girl birthday.

I have made it using my Pazzles Inspiration machine. The little tag and template are both from the Cutting Cafe. It was so quick and easy to make. I used basic linen cardstock and my favourite Craft Creations paper from my local papercraft shop, Flutterby Crafts.

After I printed out the little tag I coloured it with my ProMarkers. My 10 year old daughter watched over me and then started raiding my punches and pens. It was a lovely moment crafting together!

I have entered this card into the following challenges:-

One Stop Craft Challenge #76 - Things with Wings
Our Creative Corner - Beautiful Butterflies
Totally Papercrafts Challenge #12 - Spring
My time to Craft #87 - Pretty Pearls

Thanks for looking.

Wedding Bell Shaped Card

2010-04-10T17:38:00.020+01:00

Last week I bought this gorgeous cardstock from Flutterby Crafts and thought it would be lovely for a wedding card. Teamed up with the Bell shaped template from The Cutting Cafe and all systems go with my Pazzles Die Cut machine. I looked through my stash for some flowers and found these which made the perfect match with my dotty ribbon.

I have entered this Wedding Bell Shaped card into the Polkadoodles card challenge - Wedding Celebrations.

I only wish I had a wedding to go to!

It's a girl!

2010-04-04T09:24:00.018+01:00

I have been itching to put this card on here waiting for the arrival of Freyja Elsie to Catherine, Rob and Max. Catherine works at my favourite local papercraft shop Flutterby Crafts and we can't wait for her to bring Freyja into the shop for cuddle. As you know I love all things pink especially when they come with 10 little toes!

I have used my Cricut to make this card with the New Arrivals and Storybook cartridge. The paper is one of my favourites from Craft Creations (pink gingham) and I am addicted to the Kraft card at the moment.

I am entering this Shaped Baby card into this weeks :-

Caardvarks challenge - New Baby card

Bitten By The Bug2 - New Arrival/Delivery challenge

Thanks for looking.

Flip Flop Shaped Card

2010-03-27T23:52:00.019Z

It's my daughter's 10th Birthday tomorrow and I have left it till the last minute to make her this Flip Flop Shaped card.

I have had to make this card secretly tonight as Alice likes to cast her eye and give her opinion on every card I make, fortunately usually complimentary!

She is having a birthday party as I write. We have been to the cinema, eaten pizza, had the ceremonial birthday cake to be followed by an all girls sleepover!!! Please think of me, they are all in their sleeping bags and haven't stopped chatting. There is rumour of more snacks......I think it's going to be a late night. I didn't organise it well as I have realised the clocks change tonight for British Summer time, bad planning on my behalf. But they are having such girlie fun!!

I have made this card using the Shaped Flip Flop cutting file from The Cutting Cafe, embellishments and paper from Flutterby Crafts. I'm so pleased with myself for getting my sewing machine out and using it on a card for the 1st time. I thought it would be fun to stitch around the computer generated shoe label .....what do you think?

Easter Basket Shaped Card

2010-03-24T16:26:00.021Z

Last night my 10 year old daughter helped me put together this gorgeous Easter Basket Shaped Card. We had great fun together working out the papers and how to decorate the eggs. She enjoyed loading the paper into my new Pazzles which I am having great fun with at the moment.

However, I can't take all the credit because the cut file for the Easter Basket came from The Cutting Cafe by Regina Easter. All the papers and the embellishments used were from my local papercrafting shop Flutterby Crafts. Rumour has it that Lynn is getting a delivery very soon of lots of yummy papers......can't wait!

And, here is a close up of the eggs that I have embossed and stickled.

I have entered this card in the Colour Create Challenge#41 - Your choice of pastels with an Easter or Spring theme.

Thanks for looking.

Coffee Cup Shaped Card

2010-03-22T13:31:00.010Z

I am so excited!! For Christmas my dear husband bought me a Pazzles die cutting machine as the Cricut cartridges were getting a bit expensive. I have been learning the software for the Pazzles machine, some bits are easy like the Cricut Design Studio but some is quite challenging. I have been looking at loads of video's and I can see there will be a huge learning curve mastering the software!!!!

I was getting a bit frustrated as I just wanted to create so I went to the Cutting Cafe and purchased some cutting files to get me started. I just love them and can't wait to try some more. I made the Coffee Cup Shaped Card which was really easy to use and perfect for my first project. I then used some of my lovely papers and embellishments purchased from my local papercraft shop Flutterby Crafts. Did I say I was so excited?

I hope you like my first project created using my Pazzles machine and stay tuned for more projects.

This week I have entered my card in the Creative Card Crew Challenge "Going Dotty".

I've been playing with my Blog

2010-03-20T11:25:00.001Z

Thought I would have a play around with my blog. Do you like the new background colours and layout? Hope so, still needs a bit of tweaking with the signature. If anyone knows how to make the background of my signature the same colour as the blog background I would appreciate some help.

Flower Shaped Cards

2010-03-13T18:24:00.016Z

Tomorrow is Mother's Day in the UK and sadly my dear mother died when I was young. I think about her lots and even more as I now have a family she has never seen. So, this year I decided to make a card in her memory.

I don't know which card I like best but the best thing was the sun shining down on them as I took the photo!

I have just entered these cards into the Cricut Cardz Challenge, C.R.A.F.T. challenge, Cupcake Craft Challenges.

LOVE

2010-02-06T14:03:00.008Z

Here is a card that I have entered into various challenges this week with a love theme:

Charisma Cardz Challenges - I Love You
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Valentines or Love
The Corrosive Challenge Blog - Love
SophistiCat Challenges - Love
Creative Card Crew - Valentine's

I have used the lovely Craft Creations Paper with the Cricut Design Studio. The Craft Creations Paper used are:- Hearts - white on red, Hearts - red on white and Gingham - red.

In fact you don't need the Design Studio to make this card as I only used it to make the base scalloped card. If you have scalloped Nestabilities this card could be simply made with the same effect and then die cut your letters!

Hope you LOVE it!

Birthday Present Shaped Card - Male

2010-02-02T11:55:00.014Z

Do you may remember a few weeks ago I posted a GIRLIE Happy Birthday Present shaped card? I thought I would make a similar one for those "oh so difficult men"!

It was very hard not to dress it up with ribbon but I am pleased how it came out. As I have designed it in my CDS all I need to do is change the paper which I have in my papercraft supply.

The cartridges I used were Joys of the Season for the present and George for the star. The paper I have used is by Three Bugs in a Rug - Snips and Snails and Brown Kraft card by Woodware. All supplies are available from my local papercraft shop, Flutterby Crafts.

I have not entered this card for any ongoing challenges but just thought it would be fun to make.....it was!

Birthday Present Shaped Card - Girl

2010-01-20T22:14:00.016Z

I made this card for Pauline who is a fellow crafting friend whom I met up with last night. We had a great evening together celebrating her birthday with the girlies!

I made the base of this card with Brown Kraft card by Woodware. I am in LOVE with this card but rather disappointed that it only comes in A4 size and not 12" by 12". I cut the present shape in my Cricut Design Studio and layered it with Three Bugs in a Rug paper called Home Grown. I computer generated the greeting using Microsoft Word for the personal touch. The cartridges used were Joys of the Season and Plantin Schoolbook. I decorated the present with this gorgeous pink ribbon which I am also in LOVE with and need more! I added a pink button on top of the flower cut out on my Cricut, a slither of the Brown Kraft card though the button hole, some pearls and detail with my white pen.

This was so fun to make and can easily be repeated in different coloured paper for a masculine card.

I have entered this card in the following challenges:-

craftycatzweeklychallenge - A Birthday Card

papertake weekly - Pretty Pink

SSDSchallenge - Girly

Shaped Handbag Card

2010-01-14T20:57:00.012Z

I had a request from a friend last week to make a handbag shaped card for a birthday girl celebrating her 21st birthday. I was told her favourite colour was purple and something girly but not too fussy. She didn't want me to make the 21 a feature of the card so I computer generated the wording instead. I used my Cricut Design Studio to play around with some cuts to try and make a trendier bag.

I was so itching to put a ribbon on it but I hope she likes it as it is.

I have entered this card in the Cupcake Craft challenge this week.

Snow family have been down the pub!

2010-01-14T20:56:00.005Z

You may remember I posted an entry of our snow family made by my children during the last snowfall. As the thaw is beginning to set in we all had a giggle as they opened their bedroom curtains this morning.......

......Thomas exclaimed "Mum, they look drunk"!

Get Well Card

2010-01-10T12:22:00.007Z

Over the Christmas holidays my neighbour was taken quite poorly and after miss-diagnosing Swine Flu it turned out she had developed pneumonia! She has been in and out of hospital and is still recovering. I quickly made a card to let her know we were thinking of her.

I love this Bella stamp and thankfully don't often get to use it.

Get well soon Clare.

Our snow family!

2010-01-09T13:45:00.003Z

I know the novelty of the snow may be wearing thin for some of you but the kids just love it.

My children have relished every day they have checked on-line to see if their schools were closed. So, this week they have had the best week ever. My three children aged 5yrs, 9yrs and 11yrs made our family out of snow!

They range from Daddy who is 6ft 6ins.....it took four kids and a teenager to put the head on the body to make him tall! Then me, whoops I didn't check, there was talk of them putting boobies on me! Then Thomas, Alice and the smallest snowman is Matthew. We were running out of carrots and had to substitute them for parsnips! It certainly kept them amused and quiet for several hours.

Hopefully it has made you smile before our next snowfall!

Christmas bauble!

2009-12-24T14:13:00.009Z

It's fantastic here in the UK.....we have snow! It hasn't snowed so close to Christmas for years and my three children are loving it. Luckily, a few weeks ago I had the forethought of buying a sledge for each of them. So they have had an early Christmas present which has been well used over the last couple of days.

I thought I would make a special card for Lynn the owner of my local papercraft shop Flutterby Crafts in Newbury, Berkshire, in the UK. A few years ago she made a comment that not many people make her cards as they are scared what she might think of them! How sad for the owner of a papercraft shop not to receive hand made cards!!!! Nevertheless, it is intimidating to say the least.

I set about making my shaped bauble card from the Joys of the Season cartridge which has been welded together. I used the Craft Creations paper which I am loving and have already put an order in for next year as I have bought the last piece in the shop! I used my circle nestabilities and computer generated the wording on the card for the personal touch. I have blinged it up with the glitter snowflake from the same cartridge and used the silver ribbon to make the bow.

This morning I wrapped up, and took a photograph of the card out in the garden as the snow began to melt, shame!

I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken time to look at my blog (seeing as I am a newbie) and special thanks to those of you who have left such lovely comments.

Merry Christmas.

Joanna xx

I won a contest at BBTB!

2009-12-10T21:41:00.007Z

Wow, I am sooooo excited click here.

I entered my card last week for the SCRAPNFONTS contest at Bitten By The Bug and I won!

They asked us to design a Birthday card using a cut from any Cricut cartridge and to use the colours GREEN and RED. Go and check the site out if you have a passion for making cards with your Cricut as they have an amazing design team.

''B' is for Beth and 'B' is for Birthday

2009-12-02T13:26:00.011Z

My daughter Alice has been poorly for the last few days and it's so difficult to concentrate on all of the million of jobs that need doing even though she is sleeping most of the time! Any how I made this card at the weekend but the weather has been so awful in the UK that today I managed to just take a photo of this card before the heavens opened again.

This card is for a special little girl who lives next door who I also look after a couple of days a week. She loves recognising her name and sounds out her letters all the time when she comes to play. So, I thought I would make her birthday card for next week when she is going to be four years old.....the letter 'B' for Beth or 'B' for Birthday.

I used a similar design a few weeks ago but whilst sickness is filtering around the house I have not too much time for inspiration. I used my CDS using the Storybook cartridge to weld the letter 'B' to a rectangle, stamped and coloured my Hero Art cake stamps, added a few stickles and pearls then layered all onto some 3 Bugs in a Rug paper.

I have entered this card into several challenges namely Bitten by the Bug for a birthday card. We had to use the colours Red and Green as the primary colours of the card with at least one cut from any cricut cartridge.

I have also entered this card onto the following challenges:-

Colour Create, 365 cards, Rosiedee, Corrosive Challenge and Cupcake Craft Challenge. I hope my card fits in with the challenges but sometimes it was not clear if it had to be on a Christmas theme or not!! Hey, ho it's the most challenges I have ever entered......must be catching up on lost time!

Happy Engagement

2009-11-28T21:43:00.007Z

I was asked this week to make an engagement card for a friend. It's so long since I have made a card with my Cricut that I was thankful for the Design Studio. I used this lovely pale blue Tapestry Broderie cardstock which gives a luxurious feel to any card. I love this design which is found on the Wedding cartridge.

'D' for Doreen

2009-11-09T12:53:00.019Z

This is a special card for my friend Doreen, it's her birthday tomorrow! She was the first person to get me into card making!! She came to my house a few years ago to show my children how to do Iris folding, which they loved.

We both love using our Cricut machines and always exchange cards whenever there is an excuse! She very kindly lets me borrow her many cartridges for me to play with which I am so grateful for.

For this card I used my CDS to weld the letter 'D' to a rectangle, stamped and coloured my Hero Art cake stamps, added a few pearls and layered all onto some 3 Bugs in a Rug paper.

I haven't made a card for ages as life is fairly busy but I hope you like it and thanks for looking.

Happy Birthday Doreen.....may your birthday be sprinkled with fun! (stamped words inside).

Out in the garden

2009-08-29T16:55:00.020+01:00

As you will have guessed by now my favourite craft tool is my Cricut so I have been looking a the BBTB challenges. This week we were asked to create a project using the Owl cut from the Wild Card cartridge. This is the first time I have used this cartridge and is was quick and easy to do. I used my left over Tapestry Broderie cardstock, some paper flowers which were perfect for the eyes of the owl. I added a bit of girliness by using the ribbon, button and tie to finish her off.

My gorgeous husband bought me a digital camera for my birthday because he was sick and tired of me borrowing his. You know what men are like when us women want to use their tools.....they don't like it one bit!!!! So, today I thought why not take my owl into the garden and try to take a photograph. The sun shone down in Newbury and click.....it worked. Hope you like her!

I have also entered this card in the Secret Crafter challange and they want to see anything with wings on our projects.

It's a boy!

2009-08-28T22:32:00.007+01:00

I have entered this card into the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #14 which want us to use any type of embossing on a card. I have also just realised that I can enter it in to Cute Card Thursday challenge #75 New Beginnings, such as ...new baby, new home, new car, new job...whatever new beginning.

I have made this baby boy card with it's cute feet cut out on my Cricut to enter into both challenges. The lovely checked blue paper is by Craft Creations and is available where I buy all of my papers and card at Flutterby Crafts. I used my all time favourite Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder for the background and used Stickles on each of the dots...phew! It does not show up well in the photo but it gives the background a stardust bling effect. I have used my circle nestabilities and computer generated the words.

Now I am in the process of making a pink one!

Apple for the teacher!

2009-08-23T16:25:00.015+01:00

I have entered this card for the BBTB challenge this week and the ABC challenge. For the BBTB challenge we needed to create a project with a school theme using at least 1 cut from ANY of the cricut cartridges. I cut out a shaped card using the apple from Plantin Schoolbook. I must admit I love this cut and have used the words on the card before for another school project. With the children on school holidays I am spending very little time crafting but having great fun entertaining them through their summer break.

I used the 3 Bugs in a Rug paper called Home Grown and some ribbon from my stash. I coloured the pearls with my Copics and the card behind the greeting which was computer generated to match the ribbon!

The ABC challenge this week is the letter B is for Buttons so for the 1st time I have combined 2 challenges........I am a slow learner!

Sketch Saturday

2009-08-16T15:54:00.007+01:00

I am trying a new challenge today called Sketch Saturday which has a lovely sketch that I am sure to use again. I am doubling this card up for my friends birthday which is on Wednesday so I am off to pop it in the post now!

Love!

2009-08-15T22:43:00.013+01:00

I have made this card for the BBTB challenge which wanted us to use the square scalloped tag from the Cricut Celebrations cartridge. I thought I would give it ago because I just so enjoy using my Cricut for my cards. I used Tapestry White Broderie card for the base of my scallop which has a gorgeous luxurious texture to it. The card is available from Flutterby Crafts and comes in White, Blue, Cream and Black and is so scrumptious I just love it!! I then cut out a smaller square scallop in gold card. The letters and heart were cut again with the Tapestry Broderie card which may not show too well on the photograph. However, if you click on the photograph you can see the details of the Tapestry Broderie. I finally added some bling, flowers and some leaves. I hope it is worthy of the challenge.

Pink and green - Yummy!

2009-08-02T19:27:00.016+01:00

Well I am really happy today. My 11 yr old boy who is not at all interested in my card making said this morning "Mummy that is the best card you have ever made, I even like it!!!" Well, I nearly fainted. Perhaps, it is the fact that the card is food orientated and yummy that caught his attention.....who knows, but it was one of those lovely moments.

I have entered this card into the CRAFT challenge #10 this week and they wanted something pink and green. Also, I have been very brave and entered my card into the Bitten by the Bug challenge which wanted the word yummy somewhere on the card. So I thought why not, go for it and enter 2 challenges in one go. I cut the melon on my Cricut with my CDS to weld the melon together to make the shaped card out of the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. Those of you who know me know that I love my Cricut to make shaped cards and anything pink (hence my blog name). The pink and white spotted card stock is from my favourite shop Flutterby Crafts and is by 3 Bugs in a Rug. I used some glitter card and ribbon from my stash. I then took a punch to take the nibble out of the melon and added the Kaiser pearls. Finally I computer generated the greeting. Hope you like it as much as my 11yr old son!

Teacher Notelets

2009-07-26T12:17:00.029+01:00

At the 11th hour I decided to give 4 teachers at my children's school a box of notelets to say THANK YOU for a great school year. It seemed a good idea at the time but as usual it took a lot longer than I thought it would. I made 4 boxes which included six notelets in each (2 of each design). I am now well into my gorgeous Tilda Paper Stack cardstock which I bought from the lovely Lynn at Flutterby Crafts. I tried out my colouring on my stamped images. Please don't look too closely as I need lots of colouring practise but these stamps do make it very easy. After a couple of days colouring till 1.00 a.m. I was finished a day early before the end of term. I asked my 11 yr old boy "What did your teacher say when you gave her the present". His response was "I dunno I just left it on her desk" that's boys for you!!!!!!!

Wedding Card

2009-07-22T11:27:00.031+01:00

A friend asked me to make a Wedding Card last weekend and this is what I came up with. I used my Cuttlebug for the background, die cut a scalloped square and cut the heart with my Cricut. The heart is from my Wedding Solutions cartridge and is my favorite so you will see it popping up on several of my cards! This was layered on Bazzill Bling cardstock and the wording was computer generated. Oh yes a bit of ribbon and pearl dots for the girlie factor!!!

Quack, quack!!

2009-07-16T20:56:00.014+01:00

Here is my entry for the CRAFT Challenge #9 this week. They want to see unusual shaped cards, no squares or rectangles allowed. I love this duck which I cut with my Cricut and CDS. I used the Craft Creations gingham paper and added a few embellishments to finish Ducky off! All I need is an excuse to send it to a young baby!!

Thank you

2009-07-16T20:35:00.000+01:00

I would just like to say thank you to those of you that have put such lovely comments on my blog. I am so excited as I am so new to all this blogging experience!! Thanks also for the helpful comments about any little problems logging on, I hope I have now rectified the problem. Any other blogging tips very welcome to a newbie!

Birthday card

2009-07-15T21:12:00.009+01:00

I have entered this card into this weeks CRAFT Challenge #8 which is to create an age related card. I made this earlier in the week for a friends 60th birthday. I used my Cricut and Cricut Design Studio to cut out the numbers, then my Cuttlebug for the butterflies. She said that she really liked it and that it was so different from her shop bought cards of which several were duplicates!! The paper used was from the Tilda Paper Stack which has gorgeous double-sided papers. I have been so scared to use the papers as they are so delicious but now I am on a roll!

Teacher Gift

2009-07-14T21:11:00.003+01:00

I enjoyed making this little book which I will give to my youngest child's teacher as a small gift.....hope she likes. Not sure who created the saying, just googled teacher sayings!!! Hope it's not too corny! Although the photo does not show it I used the reverse of this 3 Bugs in a Rug paper which has butterflies on it for backing the inside front and back cover.

Teacher Gift

2009-07-14T21:07:00.001+01:00

I enjoyed making this little book which I will give to my youngest childs teacher as a small gift.....hope she likes. Not sure who created the saying, just googled teacher sayings!!! Hope it's not too corny! Although the photo does not show it I used the reverse of this 3 Bugs in a Rug paper which has butterflies on it for backing the inside front and back cover.

I've done it.....started my blog

2009-07-14T21:00:00.000+01:00

Hello, I've finally started a blog. Even my 9 year old daughter has one at school. I have come to realise that to enter more challenges I need a blog, so here goes. Please leave a comment otherwise I may lose all inspiration!!!