Heart of My Heart

I requested February as my month to host Bunco (my first time, since I was a sub last year and this year I'm in as a permanent).  So, since SVG Cuts always has fun things available for each holiday, I decided to make the Bunco group girls a little candy box.  The pattern is from SVG Cuts in their Love Me Do SVG Kit.  I made the boxes 85% of their original size so the portion of M&Ms seemed more suitable.  The dice were a fluke.  I had ordered some brads from Oriental Trading Co. and instead they sent me 12 sets of these little dominoes.  They didn't want me to send them back so I gave a few to my sis-in-law and had no clue what to do with the rest of them. It came to me that dice would be cute, so I had my husband use the scroll saw to cut a few of the dominoes in half.  I realized afterwards that they were made of plastic and I could cut them with my scissors.  I made the small heart in Photoshop, and used the cut outs from the boxes for the little heart garland in the background.  The boxes were cut and scored with my Sizzix Eclips.

Sweets to the Sweet

A Little Birthday Card

I made this card for my daughter's birthday (today!).  It was made with SVG Cuts Everyday Cards SVG Kit.  The pattern for this one originally said PARTY where HAPPY is, but I changed it to Happy and then added birthday underneath.  I cut this with a Sizzix Eclips using ECAL software, and I can't believe how easily it cut the word birthday.  It is about 2" from the beginning of the word Birthday to the end, and the cutter cut it meticulously.  The insides just came out so easily.  I didn't think it would work, but it was no problem with this great cutter. The card is a box without the sides.  It folds flat to fit into an A2 card, and then the box opens in order to set it up.  I used a couple of small brads on the back for decoration where the salutation is located.  The envelope comes with the kit, and I embossed the flap to match the embossing on the front frame of the card.  I really love the way it turned out, and I love Mary's patterns at SVG Cuts.  And, most importantly, Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter.

Enjoy your craft today!

Bridal Shower Decor

So, as you who know me are aware, I am NOT a gardener. I hate getting dirty (I know, all of you people who love to get dirty and into the soil to garden are cringing). Anyway, when I had the pleasure of co-hosting a wedding shower it became necessary to clean out a large, overgrown bush in my front yard.  As I was cutting it down, I noticed the branches and how perfect they might be to use to make a lattice.  I picked out the ones I wanted to use, and proceeded to use them to make three lattice wall hangings, one of the bride, one of the groom and one of them as a couple.  I laid them out on my kitchen table and used a glue gun for placement and then added wire thread to reinforce the joints.  My daughter loved them so much, I had to make one for her as well.  So, here are the lattices that I came up with.  It was a fun conversation piece.  The bride loved them so much she had them displayed at her wedding.

Happy crafting!

Celebrating with keepsake cards

I've been making these cards with my own twist for a while now.  They're fun to make, and very personal. They do not open; they are just the front and back of heavy chipboard. I design the front and back (5x7 with 1/8" bleed) in Photoshop.  For the back, I make an extra overlay of the lower edge element and duplicate it to make a pocket.  After I print the cards, I laminate the printouts (front, back and overlay) on one side only.  I then glue it down onto the heavy chipboard.  On the back 5x7, I leave a bit of the lower edges where the overlay will be unlaminated so that it will glue on more securely.  I then have a pocket where I can put a gift card. I've done these for weddings and birthdays.  It's a fun way to give a gift card while giving a small keepsake also.

Happy crafty side to you!

Books (and boxes) are our friends

I made this little matchbox book a couple of weeks ago.  I thinks it's adorable.  It's from SVG Cuts from their set called Spirits of Christmas Past.  I used three different embossing folders and basic colors.  I love the feeling that the embossing gives paper.  I designed the oval insert on the front cover in Photoshop.  The pattern from SVG Cuts comes with a very cute insert that you might also like. 

Until next time!

Valentine crafting

I'll start with my most current project, a Valentine's heart box designed by SVG Cuts in their Love Me Do SVG Kit.  I was a bit hesitant working with all of the tabs at first, but after the top was done, the bottom was so easy and fast.  I'll definitely make this one again.  I printed the paper myself from a digital download (Circa 1934) from Jessica Sprague.  The rose is a free svg file (rolling rose) from Paper, Scissors, Ink.  While I was making the rosebud I was thinking, "well this is a loss", but once I put the glue in the bottom and turned it over I was shocked at how pretty it looked.  All cuts done with a Sizzix Eclips and ECAL software.

Happy day!

My First Post - My First Blog!

Hello friends,
I've recently been exposed to so many talented friends who so generously share their art and ideas and, as a result, I've been wanting to share some of my projects.  I'm a newby when it comes to paper crafts, but I'm having a blast.  My favorite place to find amazing projects to create is SVG Cuts.  Mary and Leo, the owners, are the most talented and helpful people I could ever imagine meeting on-line, and they have a fan base that is huge and growing daily.  None of this could have been done without them and all of the friends I have met on the svg cuts Facebook.  And, another thank you to my sister and brother-in-law, Terry & Bob, for getting me started in the first place.

Well, it's very, very late and it's taken me quite a while to get this set up, so I'll leave this at this point, and start posting some photos and fun stuff tomorrow!