PPC Grand Creations Runner Up!

I entered the book I made for my daughter for Christmas at Picture Perfect Creations - Crafty Challenges Blog in their Specialty Challenge #2.  The call was for anything Christmas-related and "Gabriel's Tale" fits the bill!  I just clicked over a few minutes ago and was totally shocked to see that I was a Grand Creations Runner Up!!  Now there is no prize or cash or anything else related to this challenge.  But to be recognized by your peers as creating something "unique and inspiring" is the greatest reward. 

Thanks . . . I just had to share my excitement with folks who would understand!

Card Class #3

It has been awhile since our card making group met.  With our move and the holidays we went on hiatus until after the first of the year.  I totally forgot to upload the pictures and share the creations from our third class that was held in late September with you.  The ladies decided they wanted to create two feminine birthday cards and they wanted to learn to rubber stamp and emboss.  Both birthday cards ideas came from the Splitcoast Stamper's website.  If you've never checked out their galleries or tutorials, click over and do so -- they are amazing!

Unfortunately, I do not have any cut dimensions or paper resources for you -- somehow my notes on this class got lost in the shuffle of moving.  Sorry!

This is our rubber stamped and embossed card.  The dove stamp is by DeNami Designs and is embossed with a gold ultra-thick embossing enamel and a "Winter Wonderland" embossing powder.  The pine cone is stamped in brown and clear embossed -- the tip was hit with a bit of detail gold powder.  The pine branch is embossed with a Topiary embossing powder and tipped with detail gold.   "Peace" was also embossed with detail gold.  The dove was stamped on a separate piece of paper, cut out and pop-dotted over the pine cone and branches.  It was matted on ivory and then on a hunter green folded card.  The inside is lined with an ivory parchment-like paper and has a Christmas sentiment stamped and embossed in gold.

 

The text circle and inside text were computer generated and then cut out.  I created the terra cotta pot in Cricut Design Studio and then trimmed the sides on an angle to look like a pot.  The flowers and leaves are from "Walk in My Garden" and were cut using papers from my scrap "stash."  The ribbon is not only decorative but helps hold the card inside the "pot."

This cutie of a cupcake is from Create-A-Critter.  The scalloped border is from either the Easter 2010 or Mother's Day 2010 cartridges -- can't remember which!  The inside was lined to give the pop up some stability and stamped.  The coil was hand cut and the cupcake and other embellishment is from a K & Co. "Cupcake" dimensional sticker set I purchased at Wal-Mart.

Sorry I am so sketchy on the details of these cards.  If I find my notes, I'll update this blog post with the details. 

Thanks for taking the time to look at our creations -- leave me a comment and let me know you were here!

"The Real Meaning of Christmas" Challenge

The challenge that Melin at Cooking With Cricut set before us this week was to create something that represents the real meaning of Christmas.  It needed to feature a manger, nativity, angels, Christ's birth or some other Christian theme.  

I decided to create a board book for my daughter.  Using her Children's Bible, I retold the story of Christ's birth -- but from the angel Gabriel's viewpoint.  Believe it or not, I only used two Cricut cartridges for this entire project --Paper Doll Dress Up and Plantin SchoolBook. 



Front Cover



The board book measures 6" x 6" square and I don't remember where I purchased it from (I've had it for a number of years). 

All of the card stock used was from my scrap paper "stash."  The patterned papers are as follows:  Covers - Colorbok, Blue Celebrations; Pages 1, 2, 11 and 12 - Paper Pizazz, Clouds; Pages 3, 4, 5 and 6 - Scrap-Ease, Granite Blue; and Pages 7, 8, 9 and 10 - Paper Pizazz, Blue Sponged.  These papers have been hanging around my paper cabinet for years (since the late 90's at least)!  The stamp on the front cover is another oldie but goodie by PSX.

(Remember, you can make the pictures larger by clicking on them.)



Pages 1 and 2



Pages 3 and 4



Pages 5 and 6



Pages 7 and 8



Pages 9 and 10



Pages 11 and 12



Back Cover

I tried to keep the story simple enough for a beginning reader, without being too "babyish."  At 6 years old, Demi has a real aversion to anything she considers to be "babyish"  -- "I'm a big girl now, Mom, not a baby!"  is a constant comment at our house these days. 

Please pop on over to Cooking With Cricut and see what my fellow "Chefs" have cooked up!  And don't forget to check back there every day until Christmas for Melin's 25 Days of Cricut ideas and free cut files.

I hope you enjoyed my little story and whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, something else or nothing at all . . . my wish for you and yours all year long is that you may have hope, find peace, and experience the love of family and friends.

Merry Christmas!