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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Phil's Birthday Card!

***Don't forget to check out and enter into the Clip It Up Ribbon Organizer giveaway! You can read about it here! I'll choose a winner on Friday! :) ***

I made this for my best friend's (Kourtni's) husband's birthday. It's not for a little while yet,but I hope he likes it! :) 

I've been missing doing shaped cards... You might see some more coming out of me in the next few weeks. :) 

Everything here is from Shop Pumpkin Spice except for the "28" stickers. LOVE SPS!! The links are in the recipe below to the specific products. 



Recipe:


I am linking this up to the Cricut Circle Magazine Challenge: to use a sketch in the magazine or off the blog. I used the one in the intro to the magazine. As I don't know what we are allowed to share from it and what we aren't, I am not posting it here. :( sorry! 

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Glass Etching Tutorial

Hello! Happy Saturday! 

If you haven't entered my Clip It Up Ribbon Storage Solution giveaway, click HERE for the post and make sure you enter! :) 

I am going to run you through the etching portion of a glass etching tutorial. I hope you like it! This was my finished project:

I left out the very beginning which is to line up your words: I used Cricut Craft Room (this was my first project with it and I must say I was impressed!). I wanted mine all cut on the same piece of vinyl. I used EAD Designs Vinyl. LOVE it! It's my favorite vinyl AND the transfer tape comes right on the back of the sheet - no need to buy anything extra - LOVE that! 

While it was still on the mat, I weeded out (picked out the letters) so that only the negative was showing.

Then I cut the vinyl into the words (they were all connected to save vinyl). 

Now here is the picture portion: 

Step 1: Start with a clean glass. It CANNOT have finger prints OR any oil from your hands on the glass if you want the etching to work. So make sure it's clean and then don't touch it. :) I use a dry paper towel to wipe down the service just before I put the vinyl on as well.


Step 2: Use transfer tape (or masking or painter's tape) and lay it smoothly over the word. 


Step 3: Use the transfer tape and your nail to start the sticking process of the vinyl (it should be the smooth, not the sticky side) to the STICKY side of the masking tape or transfer tape.


Step 4: Once you have it started, because you smoothed out the tape over the vinyl in step 3, the rest of the vinyl should just stick to the tape as you pull it back. BE CAREFUL to make sure the negative pieces (like the center of this P) are stuck to the transfer tape. This is VERY important so that you don't just have a big hole in the middle of your "P". 


Step 5: Using the transfer tape, apply the vinyl to the glass stretching it just a tad to try to keep any bubbles from getting under the vinyl. 


Step 6: You can see the bubbles below. These ones are totally fine because they are not touching the negative. If any bubbles are running into the negative, use the masking tape, put it on top of the small area, and use your nail and a lot of pressure to make the bubbles go away. If you do not, the etching cream will get under the vinyl and create little bubble ends to your letters. 


Step 7: Apply masking or painters tape around the negative so that if the etching cream drips you don't get funny lines. :) 


Step 8: I use Armour Etch. I bought this little bottle a while ago and it has been awesome! I couldn't find my paint brushes so I just used a q-tip. Works for me! 


Step 9: Apply it on THICK and let it sit there for at least 60 seconds. I let them sit for probably about 10 minutes or however long it took me to prepare the next glass. 



Step 10: (Not Pictured) Rince off the Armour Etch in the sink with water and a gloved finger (apparently this stuff is pretty toxic... I mean, it EATs through glass. Pretty rad stuff!)

Step 11: Dry off glasses. It will become more opaque when it is dry than when it is wet. Enjoy your project! These were a gift for my co-mom (mother-in-law) for her birthday. When we come over we will all have our own personalized wine glasses! :) 

I am entering this into the Cricut Circle challenge of making a gift for someone using your Cricut and at least 2 cuts. :) 

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! We will be doing a lot of household chores/errands/clean up, but we always have fun doing it together! 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Clip It Up Review and a ***GIVEAWAY***

Good Friday morning to you!!! 

I had the EXTREME pleasure of receiving a very special deal on Clip It Up Products from Simply Renee Inc™! I ordered the 36" Clip It Up Ribbon Organizer and the 18.5" tall Clip It Up. This is my sincere review...

I LOVE THEM!!!!

Now, as you all know I have only been crafting for about two years and have slowly built my supplies up. However, you also know I have a SERIOUS crinkled ribbon addiction and I didn't want to roll it onto a spool in case it de-crinkled it... SO this was absolutely perfect! 

The spools go in the top and it keeps them straight because of the slider in the middle which I have pushed all the way to the left against the ribbons.

ALL of my crinkled ribbon is now clipped up! I love it! I added some My Mind's Eye twine, Twinery twine, and Stampin' Up ribbon on the end. Perfect! 

There are two scissor holes on each side of the ribbon organizer. How clever!!! You can just grab your scissors and cut the ribbon you want! I need to get a new pair of sharp scissors and then that is exactly where they are going! Too cool! 

It was easy to put up with the help of my handsome husband and every ounce of the design was so well thought out! 

Here it is in my craft room.


The 36" Ribbon Organizer <--- It's on sale!!!



The Clip It Up <--- IT'S ON SALE!!! Check it out!!!

Well, how many good things can I say about this..?...
1. Assembly = easy peasy.
2. Holds all of my My Pink Stamper stamps? = impressively yes! AND there is room for my Cuttlebug folders (I have many more I will be adding in the next few days)
3. Even holds my Biggie Stamps by My Pink Stamper? = YES! (see pic below)
4. Looks neat and tidy = YES!
5. Spins for easy access = YES! 
6. Clips are solid and will hold up my stamps forever = YES!
7. Good construction = YES! 

All in all, I can't say enough good things about the Clip it Up!!!! I LOVE MINE!



Now for the super duper fun part... Simply Renee Inc™ has VERY generously offered to give away one of the 36" Ribbon Organizers to one of YOU!!! 

Please leave a message on this post AND leave a message on the Clip It Up blog thanking them for their generous giveaway on my blog and telling them what you think!!  

So sorry, but you need to be in the U.S. to win this giveaway. 

I will pick a winner in a week. Check back here to see if you won!!! 

Don't forget to leave a comment over on the Clip It Up Blog too! 

Tomorrow I will be back with a photo tutorial on glass etching! 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Happy birthday Dad!


Hi! Today I am here to show you another card made with the Shop Pumpkin Spice February Kit

This kit is really so much more than a Valentine's kit. :)

No, it's not my dad's birthday. I made this for my co-dad whose birthday is in July! Thinking ahead... haha. But I wanted to case this card HERE

Recipe:
Black pen



HERE ARE THE AWESOME KITS!!! THERE ARE STILL A FEW LEFT!


February Card Kit
1 - Crate Paper “Paper Hearts” 6 x 6 Paper Pad
8 - Sheets of Bazzill Cardstock in 4 different colors
1 – Set of Tim Holtz Trims
2 – Cat’s Eye Chalk Ink pads
3 – Red Heart Doilies
6 – Embellished Stick pins
1 – 3 yard length of dual color crinkle ribbon
3 – mini clothes pins
3 – Tim Holtz mini paper clips
3 – Tim Holtz Hanger paper clips
3 – Jenni Bowlin wood buttons
6 – Prima Avon Rose Flowers
1 – MME Stella & Rose Journal Card
$15.95


February Scrapbook Kit
18 – Crate Paper “Paper Hearts” 12 x 12 double sided cardstock (2 of each design)
3 – My Mind’s Eye 12 x 12 double sided cardstock
2 – Bo Bunny Double Dot 12 x 12 double sided cardstock
1 – Tattered Angels “Glimmer Mist”
1 – Crate Paper “Paper Hearts” 12 x 12 chipboard elements sheet
1 – Set My Mind’s Eye Stella & Rose trims
1 – Set Tim Holts Keyholes
1 – Set My Mind’s Eye Lush buttons
1 – My Mind’s Eye die cut frame
1 – My Mind’s Eye transparency frame
1 – Echo Park 12 x 12 Alpha Sheet
$29.95

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

My Pink Designer Showcase - a layout???

Welp, I am continuing down my road of attempting to scrapbook... I chose to do a layout for this My Pink Designer Showcase - use more than one stamp! Here it is! 

This is from when my husband and I went to Paris. Before we went into Notre Dame, we just sat outside of it and marveled at all of the detail and the people and the gorgeous day. Then we went inside and took a lot more pictures, lit a camera for a few people and prayed for them (even though I'm just plain Christian and not Catholic but I think it is still okay!)


I based this layout on this month's sketch from Artful Delight


I used four My Pink Stamper Stamps for the journaling from three different sets.





Recipe:


Now hop on over to My Pink Stamper's blog to see what the rest of the girls created for your viewing pleasure! 

Don't forget I have a big giveaway later this week! Tomorrow I will be back with a clean and simple card for my Shop Pumpkin Spice post! 

Monday, February 20, 2012

WINNER and a SUPER SALE!!

First of all, Shop Pumpkin Spice is having an AMAZING sale but it ends tonight! I'm sorry I haven't posted about it earlier, I've been sick! Hurry and grab the paper you want before it's gone!


WEEKEND SALE
TODAY (02/17) THROUGH MONDAY (02/20)
15% OFF
ALL MY MIND'S EYE PRODUCTS
AND
ALL 12 x 12 PAPERS
Coupon Code to use at Checkout:
15OFF12X12



Now, the WINNER of the 6x6 pad of the Kraft Funday Collection is.....





WOOT WOOT! Jennifer, please email me your address to CourtsCraftsBlog@gmail.com and I will get your prize right out to you! Congratulations!!! 

Stay tuned because I have been going through my stash and I have found a LOT more to giveaway! Hugs to all and I'll be back tomorrow with a layout (yes! a layout!) for my My Pink Designer showcase post! I hope you like it! :) 

I also have a BIG giveaway coming up later in the week! You won't want to miss it!!!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A best friend is always there...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I made this with the January kit from Pumpkin Spice (now sold out, but you can check out the other kits!)

This was actually my favorite of the cards I have made recently and it photographed the worst! :( Oh well. I cut the doily and turned it into a pinwheel. The hearts are stamps. :) I hope you like it! :) 





Recipe:

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Happy Birthday Sweetie

Thank you all for the sweet comments on the MPS blog hop and giveaway! If you haven't entered in the giveaway click HERE. :) You still have time!

I am off to watch the ATT Pebble Beach PGA tournament today! It's overcast, but should still be a very fun day!

So... This is kind of going to be a review on the 6x6 Authentique paper pads... At least the Free Bird collection ones... I can't even tell you how IMPRESSED I am with them!! 

Not only did they tastefully downsize the patterns, but the 6x6 pad advertises "double sided" card stock..... the back side is a MATCHING SOLID!!! HOW COOL IS THAT?!? LOVE it!!!! It's WAY better than it looks on the cover too (the patterns). 

ALSO, the paper is super heavy weight - you know like My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose? It's textured AND heavy weight! It really is fabulous! CHECK it out!!! 

Anywho I made this for Robyn's (My Pink Stamper) birthday. I hope she likes it!


Recipe:




Friday, February 10, 2012

My Pink-alicious Blog Hop and **Giveaway Alert!**

HELLO and welcome to the My Pink-alicious Blog Hop!!! 

You should have gotten here from Chelle's blog. If not, start at the beginning at My Pink Stamper's blog

I used three stamp sets on this card to write this message to my best friend. I hope she likes it! I sent along a pez dispenser that looks like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. She loves Disney. 




Recipe:






Here is the blog hop order in case you get lost:
Maria


What should I give away today??? Hmm... How about a 6x6 pad of My Mind's Eye Kraft Funday!?! If you would like to win just eave a comment. I NEVER require you to follow to win! If you are international and still want to win, then I would just request that you pay the shipping above what it would be here in the states. :) Check back in about a week to see if you won! :)



Now, head on over to my sweet friend Cristi's blog. I had the pleasure of spending some time with her at CHA over a year ago and she is just a kindred spirit. I love her work! :)

Remember to hop on over to My Pink Stamper's blog at the end to participate in the challenge! 

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Bundle of Joy!

Hello and happy Wednesday! I am going to share with you another card I made using the Shop Pumpkin Spice February Kit! 

I wanted to show how diverse the kit can be so I made this baby card. My mom thought it was a swimsuit! I laughed thinking to myself that I sometimes still feel like a 3 year old showing her my crayon drawings... "That's a beautiful bird." - "Mom, that's a TREE!" haha. 



I got the design idea from this card HERE. In two weeks I'll show you how I totally cased that card. :)


Recipe:

Monday, February 6, 2012

Winner!!!!

Thank you for the great response for my giveaway!!!

Drumroll please......

The winner of the Yours Truly pack by Echo Park Paper is.....



April is one of my old DT'mates from Artful Delight! :) I am delighted that she won! :) April, send me your mailing address to CourtsCraftsBlog@gmail.com and I will get this out to you ASAP so you can play before Valentine's Day! :)

Thanks everyone! I will be having another giveaway VERY soon... like THIS FRIDAY for the My Pink-alicious Blog Hop! So make sure to come back then! :)

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Pumpkin Spice February Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Shop Pumpkin Spice Blog Hop for February!!! :)

You should have gotten here from Alyssa's blog. If not, start HERE at the Shop Pumpkin Spice blog! :) 

I am the featured designer for February which means that I get to play with and show off this month's kit!!! I LOVED the Crate Paper Paper Heart collection from the first time the sneaks were showed on their blog so I am SO happy to be playing with it now! :) 

I wanted to show the diversity in the papers so you will see a baby card and a masculine birthday card thrown in there as well as some valentines! I hope you enjoy! :)

Today I am just going to show you three projects, but you will see the other ones in the Wednesdays to come (my posting day) on the SPS blog. Or you can cheat and go to where the kit is being sold HERE to see all the pictures! :) 


\


 I LOVE this little charm!!!


I decided to make a little banner for the front door or for my craft room.  





Nothing like sending candy to your girlfriends! :) I had to use the little glassine bags that came in the kit to fill with red hot hearts! :)



Recipe:
Other:
White Gel Pen
Black Pen
D-stress tool by Imaginisce (also found at SPS)
ATG tape (found at SPS)
Foam dimensional tape
Cricut Cartridges: Sweethearts™, Birthday Bash™, Cake Basics™



HERE ARE THE AWESOME KITS!!!


February Card Kit
1 - Crate Paper “Paper Hearts” 6 x 6 Paper Pad
8 - Sheets of Bazzill Cardstock in 4 different colors
1 – Set of Tim Holtz Trims
2 – Cat’s Eye Chalk Ink pads
3 – Red Heart Doilies
6 – Embellished Stick pins
1 – 3 yard length of dual color crinkle ribbon
3 – mini clothes pins
3 – Tim Holtz mini paper clips
3 – Tim Holtz Hanger paper clips
3 – Jenni Bowlin wood buttons
6 – Prima Avon Rose Flowers
1 – MME Stella & Rose Journal Card
$15.95


February Scrapbook Kit
18 – Crate Paper “Paper Hearts” 12 x 12 double sided cardstock (2 of each design)
3 – My Mind’s Eye 12 x 12 double sided cardstock
2 – Bo Bunny Double Dot 12 x 12 double sided cardstock
1 – Tattered Angels “Glimmer Mist”
1 – Crate Paper “Paper Hearts” 12 x 12 chipboard elements sheet
1 – Set My Mind’s Eye Stella & Rose trims
1 – Set Tim Holts Keyholes
1 – Set My Mind’s Eye Lush buttons
1 – My Mind’s Eye die cut frame
1 – My Mind’s Eye transparency frame
1 – Echo Park 12 x 12 Alpha Sheet
$29.95



Here is the list in case you get lost!
SPS Blog  - pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com  
Carissa -happilyeverpapercrafter.blogspot.com  
Lenae -sugargemscrafts.blogspot.com  
Diana -dianamlarson.blogspot.com  
Saundra -luvscrappingtogether.blogspot.com  
Ann -raindropechodesigns.blogspot.com  
Lezlye -lezlyes.blogspot.com  
Dorcas -dorcasdesigns.blogspot.com 
June -simplyelegantpapercrafts.blogspot.com 
Alyssa -mythoughtsexactly.co (yes .co - not .com)  
Courtney -courtscrafts.blogspot.com 
SPS Blog -pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com










Usually the kits sell out fast to make sure to go and grab yours!




Now I was the last stop on your hop so you are all done!!!! :)

 Head on back to the Shop Pumpkin Spice Blog to see what

 you can WIN!!!