Free File Friday

Summertime! I know it's summertime when my mom starts getting tomatoes fresh off of the plant. There's a certain wonderful smell to tomatoes that I relate to summer, even though I don't actually LIKE to eat them.

Recently, my mom needed a tomato cut for a thank you card she was making. So ... today, you get the cute little tomato file that I made. It has the tomato and the layer for the green stem part.
















I used this file tonight on SCS to do the first challenge of the night. Here's the card I came up with ....

Stamps: Cute as a Bug (SU)

Paper: Billowing Clouds (Clear Dollar Stamps), Real Red, Garden Green, Basic Black, and GP white

Ink: Memento Black, basic brown (sponging on tomatoes)

Accessories: SCAL, Cricut, Tag punches, pop dots, glitter pen for dragonfly wings, ribbon (SU), sponge

Have a fantabulous Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!!

Don't forget to check those stamp set previews over at Lori's Blog!! All of the sets previewed will be available for YOU to buy on Sunday, August 1!!


~*Shell*~

Use Those Thingies Thursday

I think we all do it from time to time. Some people do it less than others, though - and I'm SO jealous of them!!

What is 'it?' "It" is to create a card or project that we hate, and therefore, feel the need to trash - literally. I did that this week. I've not trashed it ... YET. I'm still trying to salvage, but it's not looking good at this point.

So, what's the point of this little tantrum? Well, the challenge, of course. I want you to find a project or project element (stamped image, colored image, background, embossed piece) that you put aside at some point in the past and use it for inspiration OR just make it into a complete project. Improve it, use it, fix it, whatever! Try to make that 'trashable' piece into a smashing project.

I will ... ummm ... let you know how mine turns out. Hey! I know ... You show me yours, and I will show you mine. :) :)

Have a trashfree Thursday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.

~*Shell*~

Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peeks Day 1

Woohoo!! Today marks my first preview day on the Clear Dollar Summer Design Team ... and I have got some GREAT sets to show you!

Each month, Clear Dollar Stamps previews their new sets during the last few days of the month. Each member of the design team will showcase one or two sets for you to see before the big release on the 1st.

Today, I have the privilege of showing you samples made from "Autumn Critters" and "Spider Greetings."



This card was made using the squirrel, sentiments, and acorns from Autumn Critters. The Rustic Fall Clearly Coordinating paper and ribbon works so perfectly with this set.










STAMPS: Autumn Critters
PAPER: Mossy Woods, Melon Spice, Hot Cocoa
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMark, Copics (E31, E37, G21, G24, B00, E11, E15)
ACCESSORIES: Melon Spice ribbon, corner rounder, pop dots, oval punch, slot punch, gold adhesive dots, flowers - colored to match
TECHNIQUE: Copic coloring, watermark stamping


The second one from that set is an explosion box which holds a gift card in the center.


The outside of the box.

















The open box.













STAMPS: Autumn Critters
PAPER: Deep Sea, Night Eclipse, Cottonball White, Melon Spice
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (Y17, YG67, B00, C1, C3, C7, YR04, YR07, G85, B97)
ACCESSORIES: Cricut, SCAL, stash flowers - colored to match, handmade crochet flower - orange, Worn Parchment ribbon, Toasted Almond ribbon, buttons, linen thread, small circle punch, pop dots
TECHNIQUE: explosion box, Copic coloring, gift card holder



The second set I have to show you is Spider Greetings. Ooooh, these little spiders are just SO cute!!! (did I just say that spiders are cute?!)


This set just *begged* me to make a shaped card using SCAL and a spider web found ... on the web. :) :)
















This shows the card open so that you can get an idea of the shape of the front. The web blackout is welded to a rectangle to make the card. Then, the white web was adhered on top of that.















STAMPS: Spider Greetings
PAPER: Cottonball White, Night Eclipse
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, White pigment, Copics (E11, E15, W3, C1)
ACCESSORIES: silver cord, pop dots, circle punch, slot punch, Cricut, SCAL
TECHNIQUE: Copic coloring, shaped card



Another fun card with the Spider Greetings set. The little guy sneaking a peek out of the hole was just TOO cute to me.








STAMPS: Spider Greetings
PAPER: Worn Parchment, Cottonball White, A Day at the Beach (Paper Studio), Night Eclipse
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, White Pigment, Brown, Copics (C1, C3, C7, E11, E47, E43
ACCESSORIES: Handmade crochet flower (red), Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug folder, brads, 1/16" punch, sponge, pop dots, scissors
TECHNIQUE: Sponge on paper, cut out, Copic coloring


Make sure you head over to Lori's blog and Katie's blog to get the rest of the sneak peeks today through the 31st.


This is so much fun!!! :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!



~*Shell*~

Tooty Fruity Tuesday - Shaped Cards

Everyone enjoys the novelty of getting or giving a card or beautifully shaped card from time. So, how do you do that in SCAL? It’s really quite simple.

We’ll start this week with a card with a shaped front panel. It’s a bit more complicated to make the whole card a shaped card, so we will tackle that another day.

1 – Pick a shape, any shape! Ok … maybe not ANY shape, but most shapes will work. If the shape is an ‘open’ shape (with a lot of cut-out and open areas), you may want to consider using a blackout of that shape for the card base and a regular cut of it for an additional layer.

I selected a shape from the SCAL shapes library.

2 – Get the shape into SCAL. Use a shape in a font, one of the shapes included in the SCAL library, or import the shape you want.

A gingerbread man on the mat for my card.

3 – Insure that ‘weld’ is clicked for your desired shape.

4 – Size the shape to the size you’d like your finish card to be. You will want to click ‘keep proportions’ for your shape before you size it. Most cards, for example, are 4.25” x 5.5”. The shape may size exactly to that size, but you can make it as close as possible.

The size selection for the card front.

5 – Add a rectangle to your mat. Again, make sure that ‘weld’ is clicked for this shape.

6 – Size the rectangle to your card size – DO NOT click ‘keep proportions’ for this. Move the rectangle to touch your card front (the shape). You may need to adjust the size a bit to make sure the welded edge works for your card.

The welded card.

7 – Cut your card, score it at your weld point, and fold. Decorate, embellish, and send your card. If you used a blackout shape for your card front, you may want to make a normal layer - of the same size or just a little smaller - to go on top to embellish. Don’t forget to send that card!! We often make cards and keep them on hand, but we need to send a smile, a thought, a blessing to someone else.

Let me know what you think about this tutorial, and please let me see what you create!

Don’t forget to check in here tomorrow!! Clear Dollar Stamps August Sneak Peek Preview Day 1!!

Have a terrific Tuesday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!!

~*Shell*~

Mojo Monday Inspiration

Sorry this is out late in the day. I've not had internet or phone for the last few days. THAT is so frustrating!!


So, want some inspiration?! Wow, have I got it for you today! As a (new) member of a design team, I’ve been introduced to many new designers and styles. This has challenged me and inspired me. Fellow design team member, Lisa Lara, is a fantastic paper crafter. I love her work!! You simply must take some time to check it out.

Lisa's work inspired me to complete this card.

A Gelly Rollz glitter pen was used on the eyes to make them shine. :)

The ribbon and embossing on the bottom of the card. I used the Cuttlebug on just part of the card instead of the entire panel.

This card was sent to an elderly friend of ours in an assisted living home. She is about 2 hours from her home church, and we miss her!!

Stamps :What a Hoot (CDS)

Paper : SU red, yellow, green, basic gray, GP white

Ink : Memento Black, Copics, Garden Green

Accessories/Tools : Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug folder, glitter pen

Tomorrow, I’ll have a tutorial for you on how to create a shaped card.

On Wednesday, I’ll have a special blog post – Sneak Peek Day One for Clear Dollar Stamps. I will share samples of sets that will be available on August 1. I can’t wait to share them with you!! J

Have a marvelous Monday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.

~*Shell*~

Free File Friday

The other day, I wanted a 'shadow' layer for the cute flowers that I buy at Hobby Lobby (by Flora Doodles). So, I took a picture, tweaked it a bit, and imported it into SCAL. Would you like to play with it, too??


Here ya go -














This cut makes the perfect layer to go under those flowers. Of course, it doesn't even need the Flora Doodles to go with them.


So, what can you do with this file?? Please show me! I'd love to see what you come up with.

Have a fantastic Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!


~*Shell*~

Use Those Thingies Thursday

Recently, I completed a challenge on SCS. The challenger instructed us to go to a site filled with handmade things and to use the site, items, or colors to inspire us. I chose a tote bag for my inspiration. From that tote bag came the challenge for today. It's a sketch challenge. Use this sketch to create a project of your own.



Some images of my challenge card ....

I used self-adhesive pearls, designer paper from MM, and some ribbon that I had on hand.














The tag punches worked great for this one! The stamp set was one that I bought at Hobby Lobby some time ago. It's an unmounted, rubber set, but it doesn't have a name on it. I think it has something to do with Fairy Tales.















The finished card. An edge embossing folder was used for the blush blossom piece at the bottom. The chocolate chip, creamy caramel and billowing cloud strips are 'distressed.' They were crumpled by hand









Stamps - u/m set from Hobby Lobby
Paper - Billowing Clouds (Clear Dollar Stamps), Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom, dp(MM)
Ink - Bashful Blue, Memento Black
Accessories - Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug edge folder, self-adhesive pearls, pop dots, tag punches, linen tape, hemp twine, small circle punch




Let's see what you can do with the sketch!!


Have a tremendous Thursday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!


~*Shell*~

Tooty Fruity Tuesday

Ready to tie dye ... the non-messy way?? :)

Today, you'll need a white piece of cardstock - I prefer, and used, GP white with my Copics - and Copics in your choice of colors. I chose rainbow colors for my background. I wanted the 'groovy' look. My Copic colors were BV08, R46, YR16, Y15, G05, and B29.













Beginning in the center of the paper, color in a circle for your starting color. I started with BV08 ... purple. Feather the color out from the center to make your tie dye 'lines'. Don't make this perfect. I've never seen 'perfect' tie dye.

For this background, I used the 'brush' nib on the Copics.









Add your next color - Red for me. Feather this color out from the first color. Again ... don't try to be perfect, and don't try to cover every little bit of white.
















Continue with your next color. Rainbow colors should be done in order .... purple, red, orange, yellow, green, blue. You can start at any point of these colors, but do keep them in order - for example, if your center is orange, the order is orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, red.

Feather each color in, overlapping the previous color to make the tie dye effect. Go all the way to the edge of your background paper.








This is after doing all 6 colors.














I, then, go back and blend the colors a bit to make them flow a little better and to make the color change a little less drastic without using more colors in my tie dye.









What will you do with this fun background?? Here's my card ....















I added some groovy flowers, brads, and shapes to my background to make a fun, happy card.








The flowers are from the Feeling Groovy cartridge for the Cricut. I also used the Cricut, SCAL, and the stamp set Happy Thoughts from SU. Paper - GP white and all other is SU. Along with the Copics, I used Memento Black ink. Pop dots were used to adhere the flowers and shapes to the card. Basic gray cardstock was used behind the tie dye layer.



Come on!! Show me your tie dye!! Change it up a little - use the chisel nib on the Copics for a different effect. Change your color selection or starting point. Do it in pastels. Whatever! Just give it a shot, and let me know how it turned out.


Have a terrific Tuesday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!


~*Shell*~

Mojo Monday

Where did I find my inspiration this weekend? Well, the first place I looked was ... on myself. :) I found a shirt. I love tie dye, and I happened to have on one of my favorites - a tie dye from Rainforest Cafe in Orlando. What could I do with that?

Here's the shirt....



Well, that's where I got the inspiration for the card I made Lori yesterday, as well as the tutorial that I will do tomorrow. What can YOU do with the tie dye look?

If you're wondering how to make your own tie dye background, come back tomorrow!


Have a great Monday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!



*~Shell*~

Blog Hopping! Happy Birthday, Lori!!

Surprise, Lori!!! Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

Today is Lori McCroskey's birthday. The DT for Clear Dollar Stamps is having a Surprise Blog Hop just to celebrate Lori's day. Hopefully, you came here from Barb's blog, and when you're done here (or if you just happened by here and haven't been to the other blogs), head back over to beginning at Lori's blog and send her big wishes for a great birthday!!


The card that I made for Lori is just groovy!



Even the "Happy Birthday" got in on the retro, groovy feel of the card.








I used the Copics to scribble (for lack of a better word) the tie dye effect, to color the car, and to color the flowers. The ribbon was some that was in my stash, and I feel like it really fits in with the groovy look.

Stamps: Volkswagon, Christian Birthdays (both CDS)
Paper: Cottonball White, Paper Studio dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (R46, YR16, B29, G21, G24, C1, C3, C5, C7
Accessories/Tools: flowers (colored to match), pop dots, ribbon (stash)
Technique: Copic coloring

The tie dye effect was fun to work on. It came out pretty much like I wanted it to. :)

I hope that Lori has a most wonderful birthday and that she is surprised and pleased with the blog hop presented just for her. Don't forget to head back over to Lori's blog to wish her a happy birthday.



Hope you have a wonderful day, Lori!!



~*Shell*~

Free File Friday

Wanna a new file to play with? Okie doke.


Here's a lily pad for you today.











What can you do with this great little lily pad? Here's my card.

This adorable frog was from a stamp of the month set at CDS a while back. The lily pad was welded together to make a shaped card and layers of the lily pad were added for dimension.










The flowers were from Flora Doodles (purchased at Hobby Lobby). They come in many colors, but I love the white because I can custom color them to match using my Copics. There are 80 of them in a pack for only $3.99. The card base, layers, and scalloped circle were all cut using SCAL and the Cricut. The image circle was punched using a 1.5" circle punch.




Stamps - Frogs (CDS)
Paper - GP- white, SU - green, gray
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (YR15, C1, G94, G99, B00), Basic Brown (SU)
Accessories/Tools - SCAL, Cricut, lily pad file, ribbon (SU), flowers (Flora Doodles), pop dots, sponge



Special update on Sunday. Don't miss it!!


Have a fantastic Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.

~*Shell*~

Use Those Thingies Thursday and an Update

Hi there!! Miss me? I missed all of you. :) Our visit in Washington, DC was *wonderful*, though. We toured a lot of the city, but more importantly, we saw our Marine.


When the accumulated mail was delivered, the July challenge envelope was in there. Woohoo! Love getting my challenge mail. So ... what was in there? And, what am I challenging you with today?

Here ya go. This is a picture of all of the goodies in the swap envelope this time. I didn't use them all on my first card - who could?! - but I did use a good sampling.

















The ribbon was in my stash, and it has some beautiful red and blue stars on it. The silver paper is SU and was in my stash. The stamped image is from the challenge kit, along with the embossed, red background.

















The star was also in the kit, but I used white pigment ink on it to set it off a little bit. The black layer behind the stamped image was from my stash (Night Eclipse - CDS).

















Here's the finished card. It's pretty simple, but I like the way it turned out. The eyelets were some that I had on hand. I did have a few issues with setting them. It's been a while since I've used eyelets, and the eyelet setter didn't want to cooperate with me!










For those of you who use Cricut Design Studio, there is an update with support for all the new cartridges. You can find that here.

Support is added for ....

• French Manor
• Country Life
• Happy Hauntings
• Rock Princess
• Simply Charmed
• Winter Frolic

So, if you have CDS, run on over there and update your software. There are some great new cartridges coming out that you won't want to miss!


I hope you have an awesome Thursday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!


Tomorrow, Free File Friday! :)


~*Shell*~

Mojo Monday

Inspiration for this week comes from the great Clearly Inspired Challenges #15. Today, I created a 'Thank You' card for the challenge.


I LOVE this Old Time Church image. It's a beautiful picture of a church that reminds me of the old song "Church in the Wildwood."














The image was colored with Copics, of course. I just love how the markers make it so easy to do shading.












Stamps - Old Time Church (CDS), Three Little Words (SU)
Paper - GP white, Billowing Clouds (CDS), dp by MM
Ink - Memento Black, Copics
Accessories/Tools - Cuttlebug, corner rounder, ribbon (SU), oval punch, pop dots



Join the challenge!! You still have almost a month.



I hope you had a wonderful July 5th and that you have a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.



****** There will be NO blog updates again until Thursday July 15. I will be visiting my Marine. :)******




~*Shell*~

Cricut Design Studio Font Pack Update

New update for Design Studio here. This one includes

• B is for Boy
• Billionaire
• Block Party
• Bloom
• Botanicals
• Carousel
• Cherry Limeade
• Chore Chart
• Cupcake Wrapper
• Dude!
• Feeling Groovy
• Handy Man
• Hoot N Holler
• Lacy Labels
• Live Simply
• Lovely Floral
• Meow
• Savory
• Splish Splash
• Slumber Party
• Sugar and Spice
• Varsity Letter
• Wildlife
• 3 Birds on Parade
• H2O
• Pumpkin Carvings
• October 31st

Have an awesome Saturday and a great, big, beautiful 4th of July!! :)


~*Shell*~

Free File Friday

Two weeks ago, I taught 3 year olds in Vacation Bible School One of our stories this year was about Zacchaeus - the small man that climbed a tree to see Jesus as Jesus came through his town. This project was to illustrate the story for the kids. They were able to stick the tree on the paper, add Zacchaeus to the branches, and add a couple of leaves. The files I'm offering today are of the tree and the 'little' man made to sit perfectly on the branches of the tree.



The tree. I cut it at about 5.5 inches to fit on the construction paper that the kids used to make the picture.











Zacchaeus. You can flip him whichever way you'd like to fit in your tree.











I hope you can use these files to create a fun project!




One more to celebrate the weekend.

In honor and memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since 10 November 1775
Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue

Happy Independence Day!!!!! Thank a serviceman, veteran, or the memory of one who served for the amazing freedoms we enjoy today.



Have a fantastic day and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.



~*Shell*~

Use Those Thingies Thursday

As all paper crafters, I love paper. :) Recently, I ordered the various Clearly Coordinated Collections from Clear Dollar Stamps, as well as the ribbon sampler packs for each collection. Because it's important to keep track of the supplies I use, so that I can tell all of you about them, I wanted a way to keep up with each color paper, as well as the ribbon and Copic that matches it. I made a 'swatch' card.

This 'card' has a sample of each paper color and the ribbon to match. On the back of each of the paper samples, I've written the Copic marker that matches the paper and ribbon.















This 'card' will be very useful to me as I create with the Clearly Coordinated paper, ribbon, and markers.












If you have coordinating paper, ribbons, markers, etc, today would be a great day to make a 'swatch' card for those papers.


I hope that you can 'use those thingies' and make something you can use today!



Free File Friday is up next!

Have a wonderful Thursday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.


~*Shell*~