Saturday, June 30, 2012

Enjoying a wonderful weekend.

Hope everyone have great plans to enjoy A great weekend and are gearing up for the holiday week ahead. Northern MN is having fabulous weather so I will be trying to enjoy as much of that as possible.

I was playing around with my new Cameo the other day by coloring and printing digi stamps. I was thrilled to come across this website for Pure Innocence digi stamps. I am really enjoying and discovering what the silhouette software can all do.

I imported this digi, colored it and then cut it out. I love paper piecing but enjoy this as an alternative option.
I popped the digi up on the mat with pop dots, paired it with a super cute sentiment from my newest stamp set in my collection from CardzTV and added some other embellishments to make this sweet card.

Here's how I did it...
A2 card basez
Pattern papers from Echo Paper
Pure Innocence Digi from Heather Ellis
Tag/layer cut from Once Upon a Princess
Twine from Twinery
Button from my stash
Sentiment from CardzTV More Encouraging Thoughts stamp set

Friday, June 29, 2012

Let's Blow Bubbles!

Today is my DT day over at Ginger Snap Scraps. The theme for today is to use Bo Bunny products. 
I recently received this Adorable Bo Bunny 6x6 paper pad from the Ginger Snap Scraps online store.


It has lots of bright colors and the paper with all these dots reminded me of my son blowing bubbles when he was little. 
The bubble bottle and wand is a a freebie file over at svgcuts.

Have a great day and enjoy the upcoming weekend.

Here's how I did it...
Pattern Papers from Bo Bunny Hello Sunshine paper pack
A2 Base card from Bazzill card stock cut using Elegant Edges cart
Mat/layers from Elegant Edges cart
Bubble/wand/bubbles from SVG file
Sentiment from SMS Kids Incorporated stamp set

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Subway Art DT Theme Day at Ginger Snap Scraps

Hey everyone- today is my DT day over at Ginger Snap Scrap

When I originally saw the theme of Subway art...I was not exactly sure what it was. But after some research I found out it was just another name for word collages. I have never done a word collage before even though I have the Cricut cart for some great designs. 

If you remember a few weeks ago I posted an anniversary card and had mentioned I was working on a project for that couple. Well, here it is....my subway art project for them. 
Sorry for the picture, hard to get a great picture when something is already in a frame with glass.
I took words that described things that impacted their lives over the last 50 years like milestones, important dates, hobbies, favorite things to do, etc. 

I used my SCAL software and started first typing in words and then formatting them with different fonts and sizes. Then the hard part, moving things around so each word fit like a puzzle. I found I would have a few gaps here and there but not enough room for words, so I cut some icons that fit with the words in the collage like the fishing pole, leaf, etc. 

I used 2 sheets of card stock for the background carefully piecing them together so you cannot see the seam. The overall size measure 10" x 20".

I used lots of different shades of Bazzill card stock and a few different Cricut carts all of which can be found over in the Ginger Snap Scrap store right now.

Hope this inspires you to try making a piece of subway art too.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

I'm Seeing Stars!

Yes, after all these star cuts I am definitely seeing stars!

I had admired this card long ago over at www.SVGcuts.com.
It is so super cute. I finally made the purchase of the file and got to work. Not only did I do 1 card, I did a total of 7. Figured while I was cutting might as well fill up the sheet of paper. 
I sized it in my SCAL program so it measures 5" square. I gotta say, those little red letters got kind tough to cut and glue. I just hate it when I lose a letter on the floor and can't find it.

I am going to link these cuties up over at Cardz TV Summer Fun challenge and The Sisterhood of Crafters seeing Starts challenge today. 

Check them both out- great stuff!

Here's how I did it...
Paper is Bazzill and misc papers from my stash
Star base and all layers sized to 5" from SVG file

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

SMS Patriotic Pride challenge card

Scrappy Moms Stamps challenge this week is Patriotic Pride. 
I was re-organizing some things in my craft room over the weekend and came across some supplies I forgot I had. You know what I mean...buy something really cool, bring it home meaning to use it asap and then before you know it, it is out of sight out of mind. 


So my little treasure I rediscovered this weekend was a packet of Making Memories jean pocket die cuts. Yes, they are covered with a denim type fabric and are dimensional.
I have had this little packet for well over a year because frankly at the time I got them, I thought what in the world will I do with these. Well, here we are a year later and I finally came up with a project for them.
So today, I decided to use one of these little pockets and fill it with stars for the 4th of July holiday. 
Remember to stop by Scrappy Moms Stamps and check out all the other Patriotic fun going on over there!


Here's how I did it...
A2 card base on Kraft paper
stripe and red paper from Authentique Glory paper pad, all others from my scrap box
Pocket die from Making Memories
Stars punched using CM star punches
Twine from Twinery
Crystal stickers from my stash
Sentiment typed and printed from my computer

Monday, June 25, 2012

4th of July card for a couple challenges

I have been practicing my copic marker coloring. Still not perfect, but it's come a long way. I really enjoy paper piecing the stamped images and then combining them with cuts from my Cricut. 

Once of my stamp lines is Pure Innocence...I recently picked up this cute stamp over at Ginger Snap Scraps.
I decided I wanted her to look festive for the 4th of July. I paper pieced her clothing and then did my best to color her face and hair. Not too bad I guess. 

I was craft shopping with my friend a week ago and came across this sticker lace I used in the border.
It looks and feels like real lace, but already has adhesive on the back. How cool is that. It lays really flat on the paper too.

So I am linking this cute little card up to:
My Sheri Crafts Red, White and Blue challenge,
The Kraft Journal Make it Monday Anything Goes Challenge,
Bitten By the Bug Patriotic Challenge
The DT's over at these blogs have some amazing projects for you to look at- be sure to stop by and take a look and link up a project too!


Here's How I did it...
A2 base card from Kraft card stock
Pattern papers from Authentique Glory 6x6 paper pad
Pure Innocence stamp "Being Cute is What I Do" paper pieced and fussy cut
Scallop Mat/layers cut from Elegant Edges at 4"
Stars punched from CM star punch
Lace border is Lace tape
Sentiment from BugBites All Year Round stamp set
Twine from my stash
Button from my stash

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Ginger Snap Scraps Summer Blog hop Day 2

Welcome back to day 2 of the Ginger Snap Scraps Summer Blog Hop. 
If you've just come from Connie's blog, then you are in the right spot.
If you just happened to stop by and want to start from the beginning, click here.

The Design Team has been working up some summer inspiration for you this weekend. If you missed day 1, there is still time to go back and check everthing out.

My card today is a carry over of yesterday's cape cod theme. This time a light house. This card will stay in my drawer til next year for a special birthday gal that loves lighthouses.
The card is a standard A2 size. All paper is from the Authentique Fresh 6x6 paper pad except the base paper. It is the weather wood look, I still cannot remember the brand name, sorry. 


All cuts are from the Life's A Beach cart. I tore and inked more paper for the rocks this time. The sentiment, Birthday Wishes, is from My Creative Time.


Now for some blog candy!  
Cori over at GSS is giving away 2 - $10 gift cards to Ginger Snap Scrap online store!
Just leave a comment here and let us know that you did the following:
-Head over to Ginger Snap Scraps and follow the blog here!
-Head over to Ginger Snap Scraps on Facebook and like them!
Please visit the store and enjoy 30% off ALL items in the store (excludes Provo Craft) all weekend long including pre-orders on new Lawn Fawn stamps!

Now it's time to sail over to Ashley's blog to see what she has created for you today. Come back tomorrow for my day 2 project!
Here is the entire line up in case you get lost.

Barb - http://bugbites411.blogspot.com--You are here!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Ginger Snap Scraps Summer Blog Hop - Day 1

Welcome to the Ginger Snap Scraps Summer Blog Hop. 
If you've just come from Connie's blog, then you are in the right spot.
If you just happened to stop by and want to start from the beginning, click here.

For this fun summer blog hop this weekend, the DT is featuring all things related to summer. You might think of swimming, going to the lake with friends, picnics, sun...well the list goes on forever. 

My projects were inspired by the Authentique Fresh paper pad which then made me think of my friends in Connecticut that resulted in a cape cod look and feel to my projects this weekend.
The card is a standard A2 size. All paper is from this little 6x6 paper pad except the base paper. It is the weather wood look, I cannot remember the brand name, sorry. 


I used the cuttlebug divine swirls embossing folder for the background and used the Tim Holtz weathered wood distressing ink to slide over the raised swirls to add some color to the sky. 
The waves are torn strips of paper from different shades of blue with the top two waves popped up with pop dots so the little boat could sit between the waves.


The sailboat is cut at 2" from the Life's A Beach cart.
The sentiment and ribbon is from Stampin Up. 


Now for my favorite thing about this card, the brad and Twine. The brad was something in my stash that I got ages ago, but had the perfect colors to match my card. But what is exciting is the looped twine from Twinery behind it. I found this technique on pinterest here. It was very simple to make. 


Here is the back side so you can see how it stays together without a brad. Give it a try.







Now for some blog candy!  
Cori over at GSS is giving away 2 - $10 gift cards to Ginger Snap Scrap online store!
Just leave a comment here and let us know that you did the following:

-Head over to Ginger Snap Scraps and follow the blog here!
-Head over to Ginger Snap Scraps on Facebook and like them!
Please visit the store and enjoy 30% off ALL items in the store (excludes Provo Craft) all weekend long including pre-orders on new Lawn Fawn stamps!

Now it's time to sail over to Ashley's blog to see what she has created for you today. Come back tomorrow for my day 2 project!
Here is the entire line up in case you get lost.

Barb - http://bugbites411.blogspot.com--You are here!

Ringing for Freedom

Hey everyone--it's Friday!!!

It looks like it is finally going to be a gorgeous weekend here in MN. Seems all the towns around us have something going on for summer fun so hopefully we can get out and enjoy some of it and the weather.

Speaking of summer- don't forget to stop by tomorrow for the Ginger Snap Scraps Summer Blog Hop. Cori over at Ginger Snap Scraps is offer 30% off all orders this weekend during the hop.

I have a quick little patriotic card for you today. I have been working on my 4th of July cards and should be able to finish them up tonight perhaps. Will share more of them next week with you. 

I was inspired to use a bell for this card by the FCCB Challenge Me Monday challenge. The challenge was to use a bell and the color blue.
I pulled out my Glory Authentique paper pad for my papers- just love this vintage look. 
The bell is cut from white card stock, and inked with gold and brown ink for a tarnished brass look. I was lucky enough to see the Liberty bell in person a few summers ago. Such an interesting  part of our country. 

I am also linking this up over at CardzTV for the anything goes challenge and the Good Ole Summertime challenge over at Kraft outlet.
Enjoy the weekend.

Here's how I did it...
Standard A2 base card
Kraft card stock for base card
Pattern papers from Authentique Glory paper pad
Brown and white card stock from my stash
Bell/layers cut at 3.25" from Independence day cart
Mat/layer cut at 3.5" and 3.15" from Stand and Salute Cartridge
Scallop border cut at .66" from Martha Stewart Elegant Cakes cart
Cuttlebug Distress Stripes embossing folder
Ribbon from Stampin' Up
Sentiment from MPS
Lots of Tim Holtz Vintage photo distress ink on edges and bell

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

A guy card for any occasion


I am so excited to share with you some  new stamps I came across last week while surfing the internet.

The company is WPlus9 Design Studio and oh my do they have some cute stamps and matching dies.

I just love this fishing stamp set. As soon as I got them I had to get to work making this card I also saw online here. Yes, a free download for the card base..oh my!!


I used my new Cameo to cut the front vest panels out of some textured sticker stock..I think it really adds to the overall look.
I can't wait to play some more with this set as well as another I ordered, Fresh Preserves.

Have  a Super Day!!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Father's Day Card

I know we are past the official day, but I couldn't post this card for my husband before now or he would have seen it. He is one of my biggest fans and followers. He is the one who suggested I start this blog in the first place. I am so lucky to have such a great supporter. 

So here it is. I really love the Echo paper pad, Charming. Some really cool papers to play with.

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The tie die cut and sentiment are from My Creative Time's Here's Lookin' at You stamp and die set. Hope all your Father's enjoyed their day.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Let's have a BBQ!

Here we are at another Monday. I love this time of year when  you can conveniently grill outside almost every night.


Today's theme for the Ginger Snap Scrap DT was to create a project with a picnic or BBQ theme. I did this Father's Day card using a Riley stamp.


I just love the Riley moose stamps. Simple, but so darn cute. I used my copic markers to color him in, but did paper piece the apron and part of his hat.


I used some paper from a couple mini paper pads, Cosmo Cricket Tea for Two and Authentic Fresh.You can get these paper pads, the twine, the copic markers and the adorable Riley stamp right now over at the Ginger Snap Scrap online store.


Here's how I did it...
Standard A2 size card
Pattern papers from Cosmo Cricket and Authentic
Image from Riley Stamps
Scallop cut with my cricut
Circle punched using CM 1.5" circle punch
Sentiment stamp from My Creative Time
Button from my stash
Twine from Twinery
Tim Holtz distress ink

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Exciting stuff and 4th of July card

Today, I am trying to work ahead and get my 4th of July cards done or at last a bunch of them done. I have a bunch of business travel coming up the month of July so I am trying to get ahead of things. 

But first, I have a few exciting things to shout out. 

First, I was selected as a FCCB - top 5 for the Don't Bug Me challenge. Yeah!!
I was also honored to be selected as a DT top 3 for the My Craft Spot What's Your Age challenge. Wow- what an exciting week of good news.

Now for what I think is the most exciting news of all today.....I just purchased a Silhouette Cameo.. it is out of the box, software installed and I am starting to play with it to see what it can all do. 

So, here was my very first project with this new machine-- I know it is very basic, but I had to do something with it right away before I get to more complicated stuff. This image and sentiment were purchased in the Silhouette online store. 


Card base is on kraft paper. Twine from Twinery and the paper was just leftover scraps from my stash--super simple. This cameo is gonna be fun!!!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Father's day card

It's Father's Day this weekend, time to get the cards done and mailed. 
Wow- I think almost every challenge blog I follow has a Father's Day challenge going on. 
You will see the long list below of where I am linking this little masterpiece. 
This also means lots and lots of inspiration for all of us. So, if you need a little nudge to get the creative juices flowing for that Dad's day project, check them out. 


I know you've probably seen this image used a bunch of times recently but I was so inspired by Leanne's and Cindy's cards, that I had to make one too. 
The cut is from Elmo's Party. I don't think I have used this cart since last year this time here
The paper is from a new to me 6x6 paper pad from Echo paper called Charming. It has some really great papers perfect for Masculine cards. 

So here is my list of challenge blogs I am linking up to and love to follow because they always has so many amazing ideas....Hope you will link up too.

Here's how I did it...
Base card is A2 size on black Bazzill card stock
All pattern papers from Echo Paper Charming 6x6 paper pad
Face/layers cut at 2" from Elmo's Party
Shaped mat from My Creative Time XL Label die and stamped with XL Label borders stamp set
Hat, tie and sentiment from My Creative Time Here's Looking at You stamp and die set
Buttons from my stash
Tim Holtz ink on all edges
lots of pop dots

Monday, June 11, 2012

Bling it on!!

Today is Monday and my DT day over at Ginger Snap Scraps. Today's theme is Bling it on! Now what girl would not love to do a project for this theme?

I have been working on a project for a family anniversary coming up the end of the month.
I will share more of that later in the month.

Today, I did a card for the happy couple.
My inspiration came from this project here. I felt it was a bit more wedding looking than I wanted for a 50th Anniversary. So, with my Gypsy, I went to work and modified it to meet my needs.
I used several Cricut carts to achieve what I wanted including an Imagine cartridge.

You can find all of these Cricut cartridges along with embellishments and stickles in the Ginger Snap Scrap store. Hope you stop over to see what other DT members have created today for you.

Oh, and if you love Ginger Snap Scraps as much as I do, check out their Design Team call going on now!

Here's how I did it...
Paper is all gold card stock from my stash
Floral pattern printed on med gold paper from Elise Imagine Cart
Download Cricut file here to modify
Numbers cut at 1.71" from Nursery Rhyme cart
Printed the gold floral background on inside heart with Elise Imagine cart- I know it is hard to see the floral design in the photo
Letters for the word years from Ashley's Alphabet sized to fit shape
Flowers cut at 1" and 1.25" from Home Decor
Sticker pearls from my stash
Frosted Lace Stickles on flower petals

Friday, June 8, 2012

Malt Shoppe Hop!

Welcome to the Malt Shoppe Hop, brought to you by the fabulous design teams of Made Especially For You and Ginger Snap Scraps!


Thank you for joining us for this sweet blog hop full of tasty, crafty projects! Along the way you'll see a variety of projects and have the chance to enter for a chance to win some delicious treats! If you just came across the hop and would like to start from the beginning, please visit Made Especially For You.

For my project, I created a sundae card. When I think of summer I think cool ice cream shakes and sundaes. My favorite is hot fudge for both.
The cherry paper fit perfectly with my sentiment from My Pink Stamper. 
the mat shape is from elegant edges and the sundae from Just Because Cards cart.
Now before you keep hopping to the next sweet blog I want to let you know about some delish prizes up for grabs. 

We have six generous and fabulous sponsors giving away prizes for our hop. Let's see what they're serving up :)
Adams Acres - $20 gift certificate


As Cute As A Button - $25 gift certificate

Ginger Snap Scraps - $10 gift certificate


Paper Piecings by Nikki - $25 gift certificate

Scraptastical Kreations - $20 gift certificate


The Stamping Boutique - 3 images of the winner's choice

YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT ON EVERY STOP OF THE HOP TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN A GRAND PRIZE - DON'T FORGET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION! :)

You have until Sunday June 10th at midnight to comment. Winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Tuesday June 12th at 
Made Especially For You.

Your next stop is Cyndy's blog. 

Here's the entire lineup in case you get lost along the way:
Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com
Cori - http://ginger-snap-scraps.blogspot.com
Eileen - http://scrappingactuary.blogspot.com
Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com
Susie - http://susiecrafthappy.com
Jessica - http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com
Robin - http://thecricutscrapper.blogspot.com
Kate - http://scrapperscreativecorner.blogspot.com
Karen - http://simplyfrenzied-karen.blogspot.com
Gabrielle - http://gabyspapery.blogspot.com
Laura - http://scrappinaroundtheclock.blogspot.ca
Ann - http://annsnovemberrose.blogspot.com
Kristy - http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com
Patty - http://creativediva98.blogspot.com
Pam - http://scrappinfabpam.blogspot.com
Barb - http://bugbites411.blogspot.com -- You are here
Cyndy - http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com-- your next stop
Sarah - http://sarahvaitstamps.blogspot.com
Janea - http://recollectionalley.blogspot.com
Connie - http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Maria - http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com
Missy - http://tangledwebsoftangwen.blogspot.com


Thanks for hopping along with us! :)