A little girl's gift

One of my co-workers has a daughter in third grade. I promised her a present if she did something for her mom.

Well, she did!  I thought and thought and thought some more to figure out what to give her.  Aha!  I decided to make a do-it-yourself card kit!  I cut double-sided papers (giving her more options) and backgrounds to match the card I made for her. 

Then I went "shopping" in my personal stash to gather some flowers and ribbons and other decorative pieces.

 

I put everything together in a little bag that I had decorated a few months ago.

 

 

I wrote some directions and other information in a card, including telling her that she could use the card as inspiration for her projects.

Holiday Style Online Card Class - Day 1

This morning I woke up after a night filled with tossing and turning and, as usual, flicked on the coffee machine and opened up my email.  I did one of those double-take motions that you see on the cartoons when I discovered that I won a spot in the Online Card Classes Holiday Style card class.  (Thank you to Debby Hughes of Lime Doodle Design, card maker extraordinaire!).

Darn!  I had to go to work, but it was with a spring in my step and some excitement in my voice.  I had lesson plans to create and interims to enter, so my day ended not at 3:00 like my contract states, but rather at 5:30.  Good thing I live a mile from school because I was determined to get into the class.  Dinner, though, was first on the agenda.  I didn't even try to check out the class because I just knew that dinner wouldn't happen.

So, dinner was done.  Dishes were done.  I was done for the day with my obligations.  So, I logged onto the class and was overwhelmed with the cards for the day.  I didn't think I would be able to make a card until tomorrow, but the card by Laurie Willison of Soapbox Creations was the epitome of a Clean and Simple (CAS) card.  I was certain that I could do it, and do it I did.  Here's my take on her card using some Distress Ink, some tape, a Stampin' Up! die and a little bling tree topper.  I hope you enjoy this!

 

(Oh, and did you know that you can take this class any time?  Of course, participating in an Online Card Classes class while it's in session is still the best!)

Candy Bag

I've been trying to figure out how to make a candy bag holder using my Cricut Explore.  Well, today I found a file on a Facebook group.  I really liked the file that Virginia Polson created, but I decided to take it a few steps further.  She used some elements that required a purchase, and I didn't want to do that.  In addition, I wanted to add some holes to make it easier to tie a ribbon to hold everything in place.  So, this is what I came up with:

I am home today under the weather, so I didn't have an opportunity to go out to purchase candy and bags for the creation.

Everything for this is free in Design Space, so if you are a Cricut Explore user, I invite you to check it out at this link:  https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/32492144

Happy birthday ... Wonder who will receive this?

I received the mini blueprint stamp set for my birthday. I am enjoying using colored pencils to color my stamped designs.

The Journey is a State of Mind

Now that school is back in session, I find myself just spending some time looking at blogs.  The hours that I spent this summer playing in my craft space are a faint memory.  Today is my day to play (okay, and to do some housework before the house is condemned!).  I used my Cricut Explore Air to set up the cuts for this card ... super easy!  My inspiration is from Mojo Monday's #414 Contest.

I think that I will send it to my friend for his birthday since he loves to travel.  Speaking of birthdays, wouldn't it be so cool if I win this contest?  Why? you ask.  Well, Monday is MY birthday.