Card Wrap Celebrate card with Silhouette

I made this card with the Samantha Walker Leafy Card Wrap File and my Silhouette.  The file also comes with the insert which is the peach colored part on the left.  I added the white cardstock behind and on top.  The belly band is made out of a wide strip of white grograin and a strip of seam binding which I spritz with Tattered Angels.

Hi There Card

A very simple card with some left over stash from my scrap drawer.

It's Freebie Friday and another Free Photoshop Template for you!

I made this sweet layout with my Freebie Friday Template (you can download it below).  I used The Queen of Quick "Sitting Pretty" Papers and Elements available at Jessica Sprague.  The star of the layout is my "grand-kitty" Charlie.  Isn't he a cutie?!!?

Click here to download this Freebie Friday Template.  As always, I'd love to see your layout using this template!

Best Wishes Card

I made this with an old DCWV paper pad I have in my stash and some cute green baker's twine.

Thank You Card with the Silhouette

I made this card with my Silhouette Cameo and the Design Studio.  Using Doublesided card stock I made the card base from an 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock scored in two places (it folds into a z-fold).  The sentiment was cut out from the Silhouette using a font from my computer.

DIY Ipad cover with Silhouette, Fabric & Felt

I got a new Ipad yesterday and I've ordered a cover for it, but in the mean time I didn't want it to get scuffed up, so I used some materials I had on hand and made this.  I cut the Bird out using the Silhouette and a piece of scrap fabric I had on hand.  The wings, beak and legs I cut freehand using felt.  I blanket stitched the edges (I am NOT a person who sews, but I kind of like the fact that it's perfectly not perfect!).

Freebie Friday = Another Free Photoshop Template

 

I used the Jenni Bowlin Studio Varsity Collection available at JessicaSprague.com

This is the template I made to make the above layout.  It's yours free!

Click Here to get your Free Photoshop Template for today.  I hope you enjoy it and would love it if you'd post a link to your layout if you use this template.

Jenni Bowlin Studio - Varsity Collection

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Thank You Card with Cosmo Cricket Papers

I made this card with punches and Cosmo Cricket Papers left over from the previous card.  Thanks for looking!

Everyday, Friendship, Lift Spirits Card with Silhouette Cameo

I made this cute card with Silhouette's free shape of the week.  I layered the kite and added twine in place of the string cutout.  I wish I would have embossed the white middle layer, but it was too late by the time I thought of it. 

Silhouette Cameo vs. Cricut Expression Review

** Since the review below, the Cricut Explore has been released.  Refer to this post to see my opinion of the New Cricut Explore and the New Cricut Customer Service experience.

As a few of you know, I sold the Cricut and bought the new Silhouette Cameo.  I haven't regretted my decision one bit.  I love the Silhouette and everything about it.   I've been asked a few times now why I made the switch to the Cameo so I thought I'd write my own personal review and observations.

1.  I rarely used my Cricut.  I had over 70 cartridges and yet never felt inspired to use it.  I don't know if it was just overwhelming knowing what image is on what cartridge, then thumbing through the books and finding the image I wanted and so on, or if it was because, in my opinion, the Cricut cartridges are extremely "cutesey" and juvenile (which is great if you have little ones - but I don't), and I also thought the cartridges had so many of the same images... how many butterflies, flowers, owls, birds do we need?  

2.  Cricut cartridges are expensive and they release cartridge after cartridge.  I found myself buying a $45+ cartridge because I saw a card with a cute snowman that happened to be on that one certain cartridge... and that would be the ONLY image I used (if I even made it that far).

3.  Silhouette offers so many options for images.  A) you can buy them from the Silhouette Store - you can buy JUST that ONE image you want and if you are a subscriber (more or that later) they are very cheap, sometimes 50 cents each); B) you can use any .png image, .jpg, .svg, etc... any image you have on your computer you can print and cut on the Silhouette.  C) There are a lot of great Silhouette people who create and share awesome cut files

4.  Silhouette subscriptions:  Silhouette offers subscriptions meaning that for about $13 a month I get $50 worth of images from the Silhouette store.  That's a lot of amazing images by super incredible designers like Hero Arts, Samantha Walker, SEI, Lori Whitlock, Echo park (just to name a few).  They offer other subscriptions packages (I chose the middle of the road package).  They also give away one free shape every week and there is always a clearance section where you can find great deals.  If you don't use your allowance one month, it rolls over to the next and to top it off, each week there are dozens of new images.

5.  Silhouette images can be cut in one dimension or you can cut them in layers and paper piece them together.  I love that option and have used the Silhouette with both methods.

6.  The Silhouette has a print and cut feature, which is not to be confused with say the Cricut Imagine which cuts and prints from the same machine - with the Silhouette you print it with your printer, load it on your Silhouette mat and cut it with the Silhouette.  The image from your printer prints "registration marks" and that tells the Silhouette where the image is on your mat so that it can cut it.

7.  Making layers, shadows, mats, etc is super simple on the Silhouette.  You can cut ANY FONT on your computer with the Silhouette.  EASY PEASY!  Love that feature.

8.  The Silhouette cuts so intricately compared to the Cricut.  Just look at this card wrap I cut out.  My Cricut would have torn the paper up cutting that detailing.

9.  Silhouette Customer Service is unbelievable.  I got my Silhouette on the weekend and had a few newbie questions and guess what... they responded OVER THE WEEKEND!  They know their product and even followed up to make sure I was taken care of.  AMAZING!  By the way, I had no trouble setting it up nor did I have any trouble with the machine, I only called because I was loading the mat with the wrong button (Operator error).  ** (See above revision)

10.  In favor of the cricut is the fact that it can cut chipboard.  I have read the Silhouette will cut thin chipboard, but I have not tried it.

12.  I have an extensive collection of digital images, digital papers, etc due to my position on the design team at at Jessica Sprague, I also am well versed in Photoshop, both of these items make the Silhouette a perfect fit for me.

12.  Space wise they are close the same size. in length.  The Silhouette is lighter and there are no cartridges to store.  I keep my Silhouette on my computer desk.

If you're on the fence and trying to decide, I hope this review helped you see why I love the Silhouette and Why it works for me.  I think the Cricut is a great machine as well.  I owned two Expressions, the Gypsy and plenty of cartridges.  I am inspired by my Silhouette, it's just a better fit for me.

By the way... Jessica Sprague just announced yesterday that she is now offering a Silhouette Class for beginners.  I highly suggest any class Jessica offers as they are #1 quality.  Everything I know about Digital Scrapbooking, Photoshop, Photography, etc, I learned from one of her classes.  If you're interested, go check it out: Silhouette: Getting to know you

 

Birthday Card with Silhouette Cameo

An Owl Birthday card.  I used some old Stampin'Up Papers and this cute Owl and balloon from the Silhouette Store. 

St Patricks Day Milk Carton Gift box with Silhouette Cameo

I made this fun milk carton with my Silhouette.  This will be my entry for the Cameo Challenge over at Monica's Creative Madness.  The Challenge was to make a St. Patrick's Day project with your Silhouette.  I used this easy milk carton cut file from the Silhouette Store, added a window and some transparency paper to cover it and there you have it.  My St Patty's Day Challenge Project.  LOVING my Cameo!

Thank You Card

This card was made with Pink Paislee's Daily Junque line of papers.  I've said it before... "It's one of my all time favorite collections", I will be so sad when I run out.   I really liked the way this card turned out.

Happy Birthday Card with Silhouette

I made this simple card with the Silhouette and some random papers from my stash. 

Cricut Cartridges for Sale... :)

I have been selling my Cricut Cartridges.  I started with over 70 and now I’m down to just over 20 left.  If anyone is interested, I’m selling them at $25 each (plus shipping).  Here is what I have left:

George & the Basic Shapes

Preserves

Mini Monograms

Winter Woodland

Savory (New in clamshell)

Block Party (New in clamshell)

Nursery Rhymes

From my Kitchen

Sentimentals

Pooh & Friends

Graphically Speaking

Cricut Sampler

Wildcard

Everyday Paper Dolls

Accent Essentials

Jasmine

Straight from the Nest

Opposites Attract

Fabulous Finds

Plantin Schoolbook

Going Places

Sweet Treats

A Child’s Year

Baseball

Indie Art

Home Accents

Paypal payment. 

Please email me if interested.  (Use the link on my sidebar). 

Thanks for looking!

Freebie Friday and a new Free Photoshop Template

This is my Katie Bird.  Isn't she the cutest???  I used the new papers and elements from Echo Park called This & That Graceful.   I LOVE LOVE LOVE this kit!  So many papers and elements and there's an Alphabet, it's a lot of fun!  Click on the link and check it out.

It's Freebie Friday and I've got another Photoshop Template for you.  It's the base that I used for the layout above.  It's all yours!

Click HERE to download the template.

Thank you card

This card was inspired by a card out of the current Cards Magazine.  I love looking at all the cards and the photography in that magazine.  I used a monthly kit that I received quite a long time ago from Taylored Expressions for the papers, the butterfly and ribbons.  The flower was a fiskars punch and the sentiment is Papertrey Ink.

My Craftroom

 A bit more than a year ago I moved my craftroom from very small office area downstairs to what used to be my daughter's bedroom upstairs.

 

I really love it.  It's my happy place.  This is how it was when I first set it up.  I have since moved the L-shaped desk a quarter of a turn and added this drafting board as my main work station. Also my black cricut back there on the right is gone.  My Silhouette lives there some times.

This was an old drafting table that my honey had in storage.  The edges were beat up and the top had seen better days, so I removed the edging and put this cute zebra print duct-tape around the edges.  It turned out so fun!  My honey also made a drawer for me under the table, I love it.  I keep my most used tools there.  I also covered the drawer with the duct tape.

The wall that you can't see is two double door closets.  One is full of shelving which is jam packed  and the other one I actually put an old dresser in and utilize the drawers to hold more supplies.  If I get the courage to show you my mess, I will add those photos from the other side of the room.

Anyway... I posted this a long time ago on my Project 365 blog, but thought maybe you fellow crafters would enjoy seeing my crafty space.  I love looking at other people's craftrooms.

Ok don't judge me, I literally just ran upstairs and snapped the rest of these photos without any cleanup.  Here's the rest of the room.  

Here's another picture of my table. I still have the pink mat underneath which I use when I'm misting or painting. I wanted you to see my cute drawer.

You Make Me Smile, Friendship Card Made with Silhouette

This is another card made with the Silhouette and Silhouette Cut Files from their website.  I just love the crisp edges and cuts you get with the Silhouette.  Look at the bird legs... my Cricut would have never cut those.   The papers I used are designer papers from Stampin Up.

Baby Shower, Baby Arrival Card with Silhouette Cameo

Remember when I said I made some cute little socks to go with the baby overall card a few days ago... well here they are.  I left them on my table so that I would remember to put something together to utilize them.  I love the way it turned out.  I cut the socks from the Silhouette, the scallop is a Nestability and the border is a Stampin Up punch.  I have been on a baby making card kick lately and the funny thing is there are no babies in my world.  No one I know is expecting.  I suppose when it happens I will be stocked and ready!

Wedding Shower or Anniversary Card with Silhouette Cameo & Pink Paislee Papers

I made this card using a Silhouette Cutfile for the birds and branches.  The shape is from the Stampin Up Top Note Die.  The papers are by Pink Paislee from the Daily Junque Collection (one of my all time favorites).  You could easily use this as a Wedding Card, Love or Valentine card with a simple change of sentiment.

Silhouette Birdhouse Gift Box

This was so fun!   Samatha Walker is getting ready to release her cut files over at JessicaSprague.com.  They are so adorable.  I made this birdhouse using her .png file and my Silhouette Cameo.  I filled it up with some treats and voila, you've got a really cute thank you gift, easter treat or whatever the occasion.  She's got files for a 3-story birdhouse as well as a 2-story in the same file.  I can't wait to try another one!

Freebie Friday!!!! Free Photoshop Template

I have decided to try and offer a freebie every Friday.  It may be a Photoshop Template, it may be a printable, or something different.   Today's Freebie is this Photoshop Template.  Click here to download the Template 3.1.12.

I made my layout using the template and the Queen of Quirk Bare Branches Kit.  It's a great full kit full of papers, elements and even an alphabet.  Go check it out at JessicaSprague.com or click on the link to be taken directly to the kit.

I hope you enjoy the template and I'd love it if you leave a link in the comments to your layout using this template.

Wedding or Wedding Shower Card

First of all, I totally cased This Card by Amanda Corbet.  I just think it's the sweetest card ever.  I thought I would try and use some tule and make a veil on my owl bride, but I just couldn't get it to lay right, I know it could be done, but I didn't have any more time.  I've got a bridal shower to go to this weekend.  Her wedding colors are grey and black, so this was perfect.  I think I like Amanda's card better. I might have to sneak in a few minutes and try again. 

Thank You Card

I made this card with the scraps left over from the card before last.  The papers are Pink Paislee and the bird punch is Stampin Up

Baby shower or birthday card with Silhouette

I made this cute card with the Silhouette Cameo. I LOVE this. The template isn't actually a card, but I copied the base layer then flipped it and added a little bit so I could weld them together an voila, a baby bibb overall card. I made some cute little matching socks to go with it, but really had no where to put them. You'll probably see them on a card soon! :) The paper used on this card was some DCWV from my stash. The Sihouette had no problem cutting it perfectly. I can think of a few ways to take it up a notch. You could add some additional dimension by embossing the shirt, adding some trim to the bibbs/shirt and many other ways.

Birthday Card

I had this beautiful red star on my craft table left over from another project.  I had to find it a home.  I came up with this simple Birthday Card.   The background papers are by Pink Paislee, the Red Polka Dot paper is from a digital kit.

Baby Shower Card with Silhouette Cameo - Pink & Brown

This card is a remix of a card I designed a long time ago.  As I mentioned in a prior post I had a request to recreate this card in a pink and brown theme.  I really love how it turned out.  When I created the prior card I had the Cricut.  This card was made with the Silhouette.  I love how intricate the Silhouette can cut as opposed to the Cricut.  With the Cricut I would have never been able to cut those very small scallops on the legs, neck and sleeves.  The sentiment shape was cut with Nestabilities as was the large circle scallop.

Pink Paislee - Layout

Today is full of possibilities.  I need to remember that everyday.  Say it with me.  Today is full of possibilities. 

I made this layout using the Pink Paislee Bohemian Bluss digital papers and elements.  This is an absolutely fabulous kit.  It can be used for so many different occasions.  I just really love this "BoHo" style.

You're too Kind Card

I made this card a couple of weeks ago, but I don't think I ever posted it.  It's just some random paper and ribbon from my stash.  The leaf is a punch and the sentiment is cut from Nestabilities.

Baby Shower Card with Silhouette

I had a request to make a brown and pink baby shower card, so I was playing around.  The request was for a duplicate card that I had already made, but until I can get to the store to get the supplies to see if I can make something similar, I wanted to see if I could make something with that color scheme.  Here's what I came up with using what I had on hand.  I made this with the Silhouette and Pink Paislee Sweetness digital papers for the onesies.  The lighting isn't very good this morning, so I will try and take a better picture later.

Recipe Cards

I made these recipe card templates using Pink Paislee's new Bohemian Bliss digital kit. I thought they were fun!

Spicy Turkey Burgers.... YUM!!!!

As Doug and I continue on our new healthy eating journey, we keep trying to find new and exciting recipes to try to keep things from getting boring.  These were a hit!  I think tonight is our third time making them. Doug wasn't too keen on trying "turkey burgers", but never one to not try something, he played along and guess what?  He loved them.  Give it a try.  I found the recipe on the net, but tweaked it.  The original recipe called for Cilantro, if you like it go for it.  It called for 1/2 CUP!  ick! I added a bit of parley instead.  I also used red jalepeno peppers in a jar for some added zing and a dash of hot sauce.  You can't go wrong.

Mini Album using Pink Paislee, Silhouette and Magnetic Closure Album

This album was so much fun!  I used the magnetic closure method designed by Heidi Swapp (you can find instructions on her blog.  The papers and elements are by Pink Paislee called "Bohemian Bliss".  The digital version will be avaialable soon at JessicaSprague.com.

I cut ALL of the Elements out with the Silhouette Cameo.  AMAZING!

I made this album for Ashlea, my sweet daughter.  It really is fun.  I will probably "bling" it out a bit more, but I was so excited I couldn't wait to get it posted.