Well it is almost all hallows eve, the pumpkins will be carved the haunted houses dark and scary and soon we will have all the candy we ever needed or wanted.  The streets will be filled with witches and ghosts and things that go bump in the night.  We will take in the fresh autumn air one last time before all the trees become bare and the snow falls all around us.  Halloween is a favorite time of year at our house and I hope you take the evening to enjoy all the festivities whether it is with your children, the neighbors or possibly enjoying your grandchildren.

Tonight I am bringing you a couple of cards that I have made in the last few days.  They are both "cased" cards from the CARDS magazine from Northridge Publishing.  The first is made from a lady by the name of Paige Evans at paigeandchris.com.  I cannot show you her card as my subscription to CARDS magazine is a digital and I cant share the link.  Below is my case of the card.  I cut 1" square pieces of paper from a punch and turned it on point and folded two corners to the middle.  They were then sewed with my singer over the top.  The rest is obvious, the sentiment "YOU ROCK"  is from StampinUp!.  The papers were scraps from October Afternoon.

These are my my daughters Thank You cards for her birthday party.  Next are my Halloween goodies yes never fear there are halloween goodies in this post.  The first is a card I made with svg cut files from Lettering Delights the file is called Best Witches.  I sent this card to a neighbors little girl who was feeling under the weather. 

 

 

Last but not least this next card is also a case from CARDS magazines October issue 2012 made by  Christine Meyer at ScrappingwithChristine.blogspot.com.  Go visit these girls site and send them some love.  My card was made with the new Witch Hazel line from October Afternoon.  My favorite scrapbooking buddy and I hit the sale today and quite enjoyed ourselves!  The layers on the bottom as you can tell from the pictures are diamond shapes and the lower half of the diamonds are left unattached to give dimension and a look of layers.  The word strip is from the Witch Hazel miscellany kit and the black cat from their alpha stickers from the same line.  The buttons are also from the same line the twine is trendy twine that I had laying around.  The music note paper was cut from a svg file I found by googling lace svg and cut from the music note paper from the 8x8 paper pad.  That about sums it up.  Off to the Haunted Hallway I am running tomorrow at the High School, very excited to do some living dead makeup and evil creatures of all kind.  It will be a good time.  Have a great Halloween and until next time be blessed in everything you do.

 

 

 

 

The Gate Fold Card

       Okay everyone this is my last post.  I sincerely hope you took some time for yourselves today and enjoyed the tutorials I had for you.  My last one is a easy card not quite as much folding or cutting as the others but still a nice interesting card


Heres the supplies................

• Scor-Pal or other scoring board
• 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock
• adhesive
• additional cardstock
• designer paper
• embellishments

Heres the instructions.....................................



1.  Score your 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of paper at 2 1/8" .  Without moving the cardstock score again at 6 3/8".

2. Cut patterened paper to adhere to card front panels.

3.  Cut basic white cardstock for inside of card for sentiment.

4.  Last but not least embellish front of card with qoute or flower or other image.

The image below is an old gate fold card I first made when I was new to this thing.  As you can see I added another panel on the front and an anchor.  The
anchor is fastened with a brad and actually serves the purpose of holding the card shut.  When you move the anchor it opens the card.   The card was done with watercolor pencil.





I have five classes next week so if you are interested in joining us for them I still have spots open.  Cricut Test Drive @ 10am on Tuesday, Cricut Card Tricks @ 10am on the 12th,  Vintage Holiday Cards @10 am on the 13th, Cricut off the page @ 10 am on the 16th,  and Flower Wow @ 10 am on the 11th.  I should mention that all these classes except the Cricut test drive class are also offered at 6 pm that day if you cant make the daytime classes.


Have a marvelous week and be blessed,
Melissa



 

Crimped Envelope Pocket Card World Card Making Day Post #2

The Crimped Envelope Card

    Another card that I have not made in a while but it is a really nice affect with the crimping of the case or holder made from a envelope. 

Here are the supplies you will need:

• A2 size Envelope
• Paper Trimmer
• Crimper
• Tape runner
• Stamps, stickers or diecuts 
• Cardstock for inside of card

The four easy steps.................

   *  First seal the envelope just like you would if you already had the card in there and you were going to mail it. 

 

   * Second cut a 1 1/4" of the short side of the envelope.  Keep the piece you cut off it will become your topper for the card cover.  The rest of the envelope will make a pocket that holds the card and will become crimped with our paper crimper. 

 

   *  Third I ran an ink pad over the sides and edges of mine and stamped it with a canvas background stamp.  Next run the large part of the envelope through your paper crimper making sure the cut edge is off to the side.

 

    * Fourth  you have made the outside or holder for the card now you will cut the insert portion of the card out of your neutral colored cardstock the dimensions for this should be 4" by 4 1/4".  You can get creative here and add layers and so forth to this insert.  

 

     Keep in mind that you can make this card a million different ways with any size envelope.  It could be a gift card holder, you could make a vintage style one with a manilla envelope or you could make a clear vellum one and put confetti in it.  I could go on and on here the possibilites are endless.

 

 

Happy card making,

Melissa 

 

Criss Cross Card

    
     Well have you made any cards yet?  Me neither I better get on it huh.  Actually my post I am typing up on friday night because I have Robotics meetings all morning and afternoon tomorrow.  I am helping the students organize a Haunted Hallway event as a fundraiser this year to make money for the Robotics team, just incase we go to nationals or something.  I will be sure to keep you updated on all the fun artsy stuff we do.  We are making bake goods, decorating, mechanics, costumes, sound effects and lots of chemistry tricks.  I will however get to play tomorrow night as the hubby is going to a friends house for an Octoberfest.  I will be staying home with the girl.  So on to another fun card

     This is the Criss Cross Card and here is what you will need.........

Two 4 1/4" x 11" pieces of cardstock for your card base

One 4" x 5" piece of patterned paper

One 3 3/4" x 5 1/4" piece of cardstock for insert

One 3 1/2" x 4 3/4" piece of neutral cardstock for insert

One 1 1/2" x 12" piece of colored cardstock for card band

Ink if you are using stamps

Stamps ,stickers or diecuts

Adhesive

More paper for accents

Corner rounder or you can round with scissors

Putting it all together......


      1.  Score both 4 1/4" x 11" pieces of cardstock at 5 1/2".

 

       2. Take one scored piece and cut it diagonally from center top to the bottom left.
           Take the other piece of scored cardstock and cut it diagonally from the center top to
           the bottom right.

 

      3.    Add adhesive to the rectangle back of one of the cardstock pieces.  Adhere it to     
             the other rectangle back of the other piece.  Making sure both long edges of the
             diagonals are on the bottom of the card after the two pieces are glued together. 

 

        4.  Cut your patterened paper in half on the diagonal and cover the diagonals on the
              cardstock base with them.  You can use two different coordinating patterns here or
              they can be the  same pattern its up to you.

 

        5.  Add sticky strip on the bottom of the middle panel, as well as on the bottom
             of the triangle flap that will be on top of the card and going up the side of the triangle
             from  the  bottom about 2".  I usually put the left side over the right side.

         6.  Next use a corner rounder on the top two corners of both of your cardstock pieces
               for the insert.  If you dont have a corner rounder you can use scissors and eyeball a
               round corner. Tape two pieces together.

          7.  Stamp image or sentiment on insert or use stickers or rub ons or something to that
               effect. Top off with a ribbon attached to the top of the insert for a pull tab or you can
               make a paper tab and attach that.

 

        8.   Take the 1 1/2" x 12" piece of colored cardstock and score at 5 5/8" and 11 1/4".

 

        9.     Add Sticky Strip™ to the end of the strip with the small 3/4" scored section. Tape

                band  together.  Decorate band with die cuts, flowers jewels or other embellies.

                 Slide your band over your card. Your card is finished!

 

  This one has a few more steps but its not hard give it a try it will be worth it!!!!!!  Hope I am inspiring you out there.

 

 

Melissa

 

Make Your Own Cricut Cutting Mats

     Yes that title is read correctly, and yes I am sharing a little secret with you that I just found out over at the 2011 get organized challenge facebook group.  The Dollar Tree Dollar store has these veggie chopping mats that they sell that are the exact thickness of a cricut mat and the same size!  I use Krylon Easy-Tack Repositionable Spray #7020 when making my current mats resticky.  I almost always use mine until they crack in half and then I repurpose them for putting under projects that are messy.  Yes call me cheap but this is an expensive hobby and I like to think it allows me to buy the next have to have product on the market (Wink,Wink).

     Heres a picture of what you are looking for.........



and here is what the spray looks like.........


Tape off the edges with blue painters tape spray on the adhesive and let set.  I then took the packaging the mats came in to use for "covers" for the mats.  You could also use your old cricut mat covers if you have them.


So there you go hows this for a happy World Card Making Day gift.

Back Soon,
Melissa

Happy World Card Making Day Post #1

Waterfall Card Tutorial

     I hope you all are taking some time to enjoy this day and learn some new card folding techniques!  My first tutorial for you that I have today is the waterfall card this is a favorite fold for me and one that I go to when I need that extra special card for a birthday or a student who has made my day. 
 I hope you enjoy it here is also a video of a waterfall card in action

 

 

 

Heres a list of the supplies you will need for this card. 

Neutral-colored cardstock

Colored cardstock or designer paper

Assorted stamps,inks or stickers

Paper Trimmer with a scoring blade (or a ruler and a stylus for making scored lines.)

Ribbon or cord (for the pull tab) ***Optional **** Mine dont have this

Adhesive

Scissors

Go here for instructions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC2Gv_sQsHU&feature=plcp

Have fun!  I would love to know if you have tried this card or not

See ya in a bit,

Melissa

 

 

The Mailbox and World Card Making Day

     October 6th is World Card Making Day, I know right.  There is a day for everything.  But hey at least this one is fun its not like Pop goes the weasel day or February 3  Cordova Ice Worm Day?, whatever that is.  For a list of more humorous days to give you and the kids a chuckle follow this link http://all-funny.info/real-list-of-national-days#sthash.SGagfOP5.dpbs.  It also might be a fun way to make a card for a friend or coworker for no reason at all other than just to say hi did you know its Cordova Ice Worm Day how are you celebrating? If you want to post your cards on the world card making day site or join others who are celebrating this day check here http://www.worldcardmakingday.com/index.html.  I should mention also that there is a chance to win a prize pack for posting a card you have made. I will be posting tutorials on here for a few new card folds for you to add to your repertoire on saturday, yes tomorrow.


     On to the box for Operation Christmas Card.  A few of you have been wondering what the dimensions are for the box, I am sorry to say that I do not have the dimensions but if you really need them I will measure for you.  I used a long rectangular box from shipping at the store and cut the end off for the arch.  I used camo duct tape for the taping and edges where I covered each side with brown paper from framing.  After the shape was made I cut a hole for the "drawer" for the cards to be dropped in.  The drawer was the hardest part and I should say dont be scared it really isnt that hard.  I just had to visualize how it was going to work.  My brain works in pictures if I dont see it, it's not real LOL!  You can tell from the pics its kind of a triangle with a front back and two sides that are kind of arched quarters of circles.  I just eyeballed everything I cut as I kinda held the cardboard up to opening for sizing.  The keeping the drawer in the hole puzzled me and I made it harder than it had to be.  I was gonna use string and a pulley system and then I thought I wonder what would happen if I just taped it to the front of the box?  What do you know I tried it and it makes a perfect hinge and opens and closes just like a mailbox.  Lesson learned here TRY IT its just tape and paper dont be afraid.....  If you have anymore questions just ask.  See ya tomorrow!


THE BOX                                                      THE BACK DOOR lid open

 

 

BACK DOOR lid folded up under flap

THE DRAWER

Keep Scrapping!
Melissa
 

Cricut Tidbits and Links

Hey everyone,

I have not finished the mailbox as I have been sick with bronchitis, a double ear infection and sinus infection, yuck!  Anyways I wanted to type up a few links on here for those who have been interested.  After doing a few demos this weekend of the new cricut E2 and the old Expression there were alot of questions about both machines.  I go into more detail in my class with a million tips with markers, gel pens, hinge  cutting methods, what all those little pictures are on a E2 and much more.  For now I had a few customers that wanted more information on a few things and here are the anwsers to those.

1.  Does Cricut still sell the Imagine cartridges?

Yes they have some for sale on the cricut.com website.





2.  How much are the mats and can you reuse them?
     The mats depending on the size and quantity vary anywhere from 10-20$.  Michael's does not let you use your 40% off coupon on them as they are cricut product (SAD).  There are websites and tutorials on resticking your mats and making them new again.  I have done this with mine and used them till they crack in half.  There is a rumor I saw on a thread on another site I just joined that there are veggie cutting mats at the dollar store that people are using.  I will test this and let you know this could be amazing!
   



3.  What are the differences in all the machines.
    This website joyslife.com I will add to my sidebar.  It list all the advantages and disadvantages of all the cricut machines and the abilities of all the machines.  If you are interested in a comprehensive review of all the non Cricut cutting Machines on the market look at Under A Cherry Tree this site is also added to my sidebar.  She gives a very honest look at all the other cutters and thier abilities.



4. Are the cartridges interchangeable from machine to machine?
For the anwser to that question look here for a more comprehensive  link ://joyslife.com/cricut-personal-create-expression-compared.  Basically they are all interchangeable except for the Imagine carts cannot be used on other machines.



5.  Do I have to connect my cricut to a computer?
    No but you can and the possibilites are increased when you do.  If you just want to cut simple lettering and some shapes and dont want the headache of learning a new program then dont bother.  On the other hand it is a easy learning curve to learn Cricuts Craft Room and they have freebies once in a while.  If you have the cricut mini this will be a must as it is the only way to cut and see what you are cutting as there is no screen or gel overlays on this machine.


I hope this helps if you have any other questions about any of the other cutting machines or the cricut, please ask.  If you are interested in taking a cricut E2 class or an expression class look under my PaperEd schedule at the top of my blog to check out the next class time.


Get scrapping,
Melissa