End of School Teacher's Gift (that's not an apple - LOL!)

Hi everyone!  Our kids get out of school this week and I wanted to share the project I created for Spencer's Kindergarten Teacher to say "thank you".  I know that teachers get lots of "teacher things" and I wanted to make something that wasn't so "school or teacher" related....I hope that makes sense.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE making school and teacher gifts/crafts but after getting Spencer's opinion he wanted to make a card with a butterfly on it.  So here we go.  

  I created the card using the butterly from Create a Critter 2 by Cricut and thought it would be fun to use as the "bag topper" holding it in place with a gold paperclip.  This way she can take off the clip, read the card and see the yummy cookies inside the bag.  So fun!    To decorate the outside of the bag I took a piece of burlap ribbon and hot glued on a handmade felt flower.  I think it turned out pretty cute....what do you think?    @@@@@@@@@@@   Here are my boys on the last day of school.  Happy Summer!  

 

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{Burlap} Valentine Banner

Hi everyone and Happy Wednesday!  I hope you're having a great day so far.   As I promised in Monday's blog post of my Valentine Mantel decor  …..I'm here to share how I made my Burlap Valentine Banner.  It was pretty simple to make ~ which is (love).  :) 

I made a simple template from cardboard and used my corner rounder to round the corners -- it really didn't matter because I had a hard time rounding the corners of my burlap -- so a straight rectangle or square will work just as well.

  I think the pictures are pretty clear but if you have any additional questions please leave me a comment or email me and I'll be happy to answer.  
Hugs to all!


Sharing with some of these linking parties this week! The Gunny Sack ~ Strut Your Stuff ~ Craft-O-Maniac ~  ~ That's What Che Said ~ Keeping It Simple ~ Young & Crafty ~  ~ Somewhat Simple ~ Tater Tots & Jello ~ Home Stories AtoZ ~  ~ A Diamond in the Stuff ~ Lil' Luna ~ Create & Inspire ~ Purple Pumpkin Blog ~ Create.Craft.Love Pin It

BOO Banner Tutorial!

When I created my Coffee Filter wreath here awhile back I left it plain and chose not to add a bunch of embellishments because I knew I wanted to cutesy it up for the seasons and attach seasonal decor just like this "BOO Banner" I created for Halloween.  I love how it turned out and it was fairly easy to create.  

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Clean or Dirty Dishwasher Signs

I was totally inspired to create some of these little signs for my dishwasher the moment I spotted them over at Somewhat Simple.  Once upon a time I had a clean/dirty sign for my dishwasher but not sure what ever happened to it?!!  I think one of my boys "played" with it when he was little and stuck it somewhere (probably in the trash) -- lol.  

It was time for something new because I would hear "mom, are the dishes clean or dirty?" -- Well, hopefully this will solve that problem around our house.

I cut the letters using my Cricut.  

The font I used is Sunny Day found on the Sesame Street Font cartridge.

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{Still Rocking at... 70} Man Card

We were recently invited to my sister-in-law's dad's 70th birthday celebration and when planning my card I immediately knew I wanted to have a guitar on it.  He's played in a band with friends his whole life traveling to little local communities entertaining folks from all around.  He plays guitar in the band so this is the focus of my card.  When creating a card for a specific person I really like to personalize it to suit their likes, taste, or what they are in to.  I'm so happy how this card turned out.

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8" Personalized Letters using Cricut's Chip Decor

When I found out that my good friend was looking to decorate her sweet little boy's nursery with stand alone letters I knew I wanted to do this for her.  She wanted a simple "block" font and Hobby Lobby has the perfect chip decor letters to spell out his adorable name. She wanted a Nautical theme design so I looked for inspiration on Etsy and by surfing the web.  

For the embellishments I found these little painted cut-outs at Hobby Lobby ready to go for my project.  

The color pattern is pulled out of his bedding and other room decor.  So…when planning for a job like this…take all of those designs into consideration to create the perfect project!  To assist me in designing these letters I pulled out my Chip Decor Cricut cartridge and cut my paper at 8". 

 Easy Peasy….

I painted the sides and backs of each letter in coordinating paper color and once dry I used Mod Podge to adhere the letters in place.  

For the C I used one sheet of golden yellow stitching lines with navy sharpie marker.

For the A I cut a navy blue and blue striped pattern paper - cut both in half and mod podged each side down. I used my navy blue sharpie and white Galaxy marker for stitch lines.

For the R I cut one in golden yellow and another in the damask pattern paper.
I hand cut/trimmed  the R about 1/4 inch smaller so the yellow would show around edges.

For the T -- I cut out of white and used my navy blue sharpie for stitch lines. 

For the E -- I cut blue striped paper and golden yellow -- just trimming to adhere the parts I wanted.
Navy blue sharpie for stitch lines.

For the R -- I cut navy blue -- stitching with white Galaxy marker.  

 The Chip Decor cartridge is sold exclusively at Hobby Lobby along with the chip board letters in a variety of sizes.  Also, you can find phrases and a few designs on this cartridge. 

Sold Exclusively at Hobby Lobby

To hang these letters on the wall I'm going to recommend the Command Strips.  They are fantastic for these types of jobs and no holes in the wall.  YAY!  

Thanks for stopping by today!  

♥Tracy

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Collin's Fight and Cancer Sucks Card

~ Hi everyone ~ 

Today, I share a heartbreaking story of Collin who is 13 years old and recently diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma.  This special guy is very near and dear to me because we've known his family his whole life, my son is friends with his twin sisters and we belong to the same church.  Instead of shopping for school supplies, school clothes and a backpack Collin is taking chemo-therapy and cooped up in a hospital where he will most likely be when the school bells ring for his 8th grade year.  I wanted to share a card I made for Collin to send to him along with a care package.   I thought he would get a kick out of the card with lollipops.  

My Pink Stamper's HOPE AND COURAGE stamp collection has the PERFECT sentiment on it….because Cancer Sucks big time! 

Shop Pumpkin Spice | Hope & Courage Gallery

Lollipops are found on
Disney's Mickey & Friends Cricut cartridge 

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You can visit Collin's facebook page here -- and follow his journey.  

Please keep this special guy and his amazing family in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.  

Go Team Collin!

You're prayers are greatly appreciated.  

If you'd like to send sweet Collin a card you may do so at the address below or if you feel so inclined please contact me here to help more. 

Collin Capps

Room 1057

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas

 77230-0206

Collin's Facebook Page | CaringBridge Page

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{Birthday Card} using Cricut Essentials

I created this card for my cousin's birthday and wanted to share it with you.  I {love} how it turned out……and I hope you do too.  I used the Cricut Essentials cartridge that is pre-loaded on my Cricut Expression 2. 

- Card measures 6" x 6" - 

Supplies:

• brown cardstock
• ivory cardstock
• olive green cardstock
• pattern paper - The Paper Studio
• Cricut Essentials cartridge & E2
• brown ink
• yellow flower primas
• off-white tulle
• brown flower brad
• "Have a Happy Birthday" - "Everyday Life" by My Pink Stamper
• Inside sentiment - "Everyday Sentiments" by My Pink Stamper
• "Texas Chocolate "Hybrid Brown Ink by My Pink Stamper
• fine tip brown marker for doodling

Directions:

• Cut 6" x 12" in brown cardstock and fold in half to make a folded card.  Cut pattern paper at 5.75 x 5.75 and attach to front of card. 
• <Doily l> page 24 Cricut Essentials - cut on brown cardstock at 5 inches.  
• <Doily l-s> page 24 (shift) Cricut Essentials - cut on olive green cardstock at 5 inches.
• Attach top olive green doily cut to brown cut; tie tulle around doily cuts and make a knot trimming ends to desired length.  Attach flowers with flower brad and attach to doily cuts.  Attach entire doily/flower combo to front of card.
• Stamp "Have a Happy Birthday" sentiment onto ivory cardstock. Cut with scissors into shape (refer to photo). Ink edges with brown ink and doodle with brown marker.  Affix under flowers bending to create a flag/banner affect.

• For inside of card, trim pattern paper to desired shape and adhere to inside of card.  
• Stamp "May your day be filled with love and laughter." using Texas Chocolate Hybrid ink pad onto ivory cardstock.  Sentiment is from Everyday Sentiments by My Pink Stamper.
• Trim sentiment, ink edges and layer onto brown cardstock.  The green olive green circle is left over from the inside of the doily cut.  I thought is added a great color combo inside. 
• Doodle outside and inside of card with brown fine tip marker.

…………………..

Wishing you all a terrific day! 

♥Tracy

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{Good Luck} Card using Cricut's New Testament Cartridge

 

This card is 5.50 x 4.25

Hi everyone -- today I'm sharing a card I created for a very special person in our church that is leaving our parish to go to China :(  His time with us is up and he's been assigned a new mission. This card is just a way to say Good Luck and Thank you for your Service.  I wanted a design that was simple yet elegant and I'm so happy with the results.  I'd love to hear your feedback too.  

In case you'd like to know how I created it…read on.

If you are a Cricut owner and like crosses -- the New Testament cartridge is a.w.e.s.o.m.e!!  This cart has a whole button dedicated to crosses of all kinds of design - simple and intracite. I totally fell in love with this whole cartridge the moment I laid eyes on it sometime ago and as soon as I could I added it to my cartridge library.  I'm pretty selective about the cartridges I purchase now and only buy the ones that I really like instead of being a cartridge "collector" I'm a cartridge "user".  I hope that makes sense.  I only buy the ones I know I'll use.  Okey dokey enough on that.

Supplies:

New Testament cartridge by Cricut - cross page 35 (size about 3 inches)

cardstock - black, ivory

pattern paper - black & ivory stripe 

Sentiments ~ My Pink Stamper

*  “Good Luck” = Fancy Phrases

*  “Thank You for your Service” = Fabulous Phrases

Edger Punch on sides is "Scroll & Dots" by EK Success

To add a variation of ivory color to the corners of the layer -- I just bent the 4 corners and added a black brad to hold it down-- this is a great way to add color without adding another layer.

I also tied black twine around the front layer before I adhered it to the card.

I added pop dots to the cross and Good Luck sentiment for dimension. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! 

♥Tracy

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Decorated {Cookie} Box for Man Gift - Recycle and Re-Use

Recently, while we were on vacation my father-in-law stopped by every morning and night to ensure our critters were fed and taken good care of.  {We have 2 dogs and 2 fair show pigs so that’s why you’ll see these animals on the box below.}  As a little token of appreciation we baked him up some yummy cookies.  Once the cookies were baked.....I had to decide how to give them to him.  Such fun decisions! ☺

I thought about many different ways we could dress them up .... like put them in a bag, on a plate or platter and then I came up with this idea of decorating a box and put the baked cookies inside.  The cookies are a variety of Ready to Bake frozen cookie dough that I purchased from my son as a fundraiser through school.  The athletic department was selling cookie dough to raise money for their athletic program.  

Simple and easy -- definitely my way of baking cookies, just take them out of the freezer and put them on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 mins.  :)

This project is more about how I decorated the box top (that I put the baked cookies in).  The box is actually one from the frozen cookie dough.  These cardboard boxes are sturdy and such a shame to waste.  They already have the brown striped design on the sides so I played along with what was already there and just had to cover the top and front side with scrapbook paper.  

Yummy goodies inside!

Supplies to make top of box:

• Scrapbook paper - “DCWV Guy Stack”
• cardstock (white, black, gray, ivory)
• corner punch - “String Lace” by Martha Stewart
• die cuts - “Animal Kingdom” by Cricut (pigs page 83 & 84  and dog page 128)
• embossing folder on dogs - “Herringbone” by Cuttlebug
• distress Ink - “Tea Dye” Distress Ink (background and inking on sides)
• red ink - “Riding Hood Red” by Stampin’ Up
• brown Ink - “Texas Chocolate” by My Pink Stamper (font)
• font stamps - “Font-abulous” by My Pink Stamper 
• background stamp - “Splatter” by Hampton Art
• “Fringe scissors “- Martha Stewart (for grass)
• white gel pen (for doodling animals) and brown marker for doodling (around edges of white cardstock), black 0.3 Copic multi-liner (for doodling around dogs)
• brown ric rack
• Sisal Twine (looks similar to hay bale twine)
• red buttons

Since the edges of the box had these adorable brown stripes I just measured the scrapbook paper for the top and front side.  I used the brown ink to ink around edges of box {this helps hide any missed spots or to distress the entire box blending all of the colors together.}

Here is a closer look….

Have a great day everyone!  

♥ Tracy


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