Christmas Photo Album

Every year over Christmas we take a family picture. This is a 'tradition' we started when our first son was born and we're still doing it, even if we are not able to all be together over the holidays. I thought it would be nice to have a pretty album to house all those pictures. Something can can be a keepsake and also be 'decorative' over the holidays.
I really really liked the look of the Graphic 45 '12 Days Of Christmas' Collection. The papers are beautiful and the little extras charming. Plus - it is not overly cute nor too frilly (for a house with more guys than girls!) I like the traditional colours and the touch of dramatic black is perfect.
I settled on using that for my album and decided to make my own album from scratch. I have some ideas of pages I want to make. I have a line up of idea I found on You Tube and then I found a very nice 'foundational' cut set to get the ball rolling.  The December Album files from Designs on Cloud 9 (these are still available here until the end of February 2015, after that date it will still be available at Michelle Currie's Silhouette Cameo store HERE)

I set out cutting a few pages and a bunch of words , borders and shapes 

I've only just started decorating some of these. It is a long term project, but I'll be updating this as I get stages done. I want to take my time to enjoy the process of making it and being pleased with the end result.

I'll be posting updates to this as I get pieces done.

Valentines Card

I'm relying on the clean and simple design to pave the way for the sentiment, that I think says it all.

I used a cut file by Designs on Cloud 9 for the front panel on the card. This I sprayed lightly with alcohol inks to set it off just a little from the background.

I cut a same size heart shape as the panel, through the front of the card, and stuck a felt heart inside the card so it will show through the opening. 

The sentiment is from AA Milne's 'Winnie The Pooh' Milne had a way of saying things so very well using his characters from these stories. This quote is no exception. I got the Silhouette Cameo to write it for me.

I love you my hubby of 30 years and counting. My life is so much richer because of you.

Hope you have a fun filled Valentines!

Cards - Valentine, Friendship, Birthday....

Really I think these little cards will do well for just about any occasion. Which is why I have not added any sentiments to them yet.

I added a bit of stamping to the background (card front) and sprayed it lightly with alcohol inks. Next I layered a paper doily, before sticking the 'library' pocket down. I had trimmed the pocket with a piece of ribbon beforehand. The stamped kitty image is from Penny Black's, "Every Which Way"

The other card has a background of ink sprays (I really like the soft colour these inks give me!), again with a paper doily on top, under the pocket. This time I also sprayed the pocket.The stamped kitty images were coloured with coloured pencils.

I used the 'Library Pocket' Cut file from Designs on Cloud 9 to cut the pocket and matching (red) tag. I could also include another tag or item into the roomy little pocket.

It's A Boy Birthday!

It is always fun (and sometimes a bit of a challenge) to either buy or make a nice birthday card for a boy.
I hope I got it right with this one!

The truck is loaded with a -removable- number 6, just to make it a little bit interactive. I sure hope our young friend likes it!

I used a sentiment from the 'Happy Messages'  set by Stampendous again.

The cut file is no longer available

Early Bird?

Well winter has been so mild here...and as a result quite wet and very overcast, grey and foggy that I thought a little spring bird might not be totally out of place!

The cut files are from Heart Birdhouse by Designs on Cloud 9

Another little card for saying 'hello' Here is a little peek into the inside. The sentiment is from the 'Happy Messages'  set by Stampendous.

I added some punched leaves and flowers to the branch as well as punched music notes. 

The front of the card is cut just a little bit shorter so that the stamped polka dot border peeks out.

And now to enjoy the last couple months of cold weather,before spring really comes!

Owl Family!

Well a paper owl family anyway! I quickly whipped up this set of cards to have handy for a quick note. I find I am far more likely to write a note if I have a card and nice stationery ready to go. I know it isn't necessary but that is just what I prefer. I've been known to write on toilet tissue/paper when nothing else was on hand (you have to be careful not to tear it, I might add), but I do prefer 'nicer stuff'

I made the set in matching colours. After all they are likely to go to different homes and that way it is much quicker to make a set.

I used a cut file set by Designs on Cloud 9 called  "Owl Cards"
The cut files can be found here (back to front, left to right)
Owl 1
Owl 2
Owl 3
Owl 4

These come with a card base of 4"x 4" I kept the size of the owls as they were, but added them to a standard size card to allow room for the sentiments. I used the 'Happy Messages' stamp set by Stampendous that I picked up at my local Michaels store.

These work so well for both inside and outside the cards and I really like the fonts/script used for these.

I decided to make green envelopes for these although kraft would be a great choice too. I used the WeRMemory Keepers Envelope Punchboard to make the envelopes.

I guess they were intended to fly the nest, but I think they should stick around here a little longer while I enjoy looking at them! They make me smile!

Birthday Card

It’s a new year and that means another round of birthday cards are needed! That is quite fine by me as I get to experiment more and try more techniques and products while (hopefully) bringing a smile and a hug to the recipients!
First for this year : this birthday card.



I started with a white card base which I sprayed lightly with 2 shades of green alcohol inks to provide a fitting backdrop for the roses. I added a border to the card set with a file from Betsy’s Borders. All the cut files are by Designs on Cloud 9
The roses I found in this cut set called Tattoo Art
The sentiment is from Card Sentiments also by Designs on Cloud 9

Thanks for stopping by and happy card making for this year!

Wintry Penguin Greetings!

I like to send a friendly card with a note or letter. Somehow it seems to that it makes mail just that little 'happier' Like this cute little penguin. Won't your day be just a little warmer were you to pull this from an envelope?
Let's spread the warmth around, with the quick to cut files from Designs on Cloud 9 this card came together in no time at all. The waiting time was all for the glitter glue to dry!

The dimension shows up a little more on this picture. I attached the snowflakes with sticky dots and the snowflakes and sentiment stamps are by Stampendous, which I picked up from my local Michaels store.

It would be fun to whip up a gift set of these adorable little penguins.