Curtain Fold Christmas Card

I love Christmas in July!  It's so hot here in Arizona that being outside for more than a few minutes makes my eyeballs feel like they are melting out of their sockets, so what could be better than staying cool indoors and getting a head start on my Christmas crafting?  Perfect timing!

Today I am sharing a simple but really effective card that I made after watching a video from the very talented MayMay over at MayMay Made It Crafts Click here to watch on MayMay's You Tube channel.

I used some Christmas papers that I had in my stash which were from Stampin' Up, a couple of years ago now I think.  I love the black, gold and white color scheme which I think gives it a very classy and elegant look.  I used a piece of gold glitter card for the tree pot and the star on top.  The sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

Hope you like it.

Aye Chihuahua!

Hi Crafters!

Today's project is a card made with the super cute Aye Chihuahua cut file from Kadoodle Bug Designs.  The file contains three different cuties and is currently on sale too for $2.25 ... bargain!

I decided to use the sweet chihuahua in the margarita glass on a card for a new friend and fellow Brit who has just moved to Arizona from Brighton in the UK.  She also has a sweet new chihuahua/westie cross puppy, so I thought it was the perfect image!

This was my first attempt at a Kadoodle Bug Designs svg file, which I imported into Cricut Design space and cut on my Cricut Explore.  I must admit I did find it a little challenging to put together as I am used to having a silhouette layer to use as a base and as this is one of Kadoodle Bug's earlier designs it didn't have one (all the newer patterns do), but after I had completed it, I realized that I could have just imported the .jpeg image included in the file and used that!  Doh!  Never mind, a learn for next time as I will definitely be making this one again.

I inked the edges of each piece of the chihuahua before assembling, which did take a bit of time, but I think gives a better finish.  You could of course skip this bit if you wanted to which would make it quicker.  For the margarita and limes I went around the edges with the broad tip of a corresponding alcohol marker as I didn't have a suitable green ink pad!  I also added a little pink color to his cheeks. Finally,  I added the additional highlights to his face with an opaque white marker pen and a fine black Sharpie, and some dazzling diamonds fine glitter to the top of the margarita glass to give the look of a salt rim.

I made a 'S' fold card by simply folding back the front of an A6 white card base (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and cut plain black mats for the front (2" x 5 3/8") and the inside (4 1/8" x 5 3/8").  I then repeated this for the patterned paper layer reducing the size by 1/8" (1 7/8" x 5 1/4" on the front and 4" x 5 1/4" on the inside).   I used papers from the Hello Sunshine 6x6 paper pad from doodlebug designs, which I thin I bought from JoAnn's.

I cut two more mats in white from a shape on the Cricut Elegant Edges cartridge (approx 4" high) and then just used the shadow layer for the same shape, cut in black.  Once assembled, I used one on the front secured on just one side to site my cute image on and then lined up the other mat directly underneath it and stuck to the inside of the card to write my message on.  I cut a few extra small limes from the Chihuahua pattern and used those to decorate the inside of my card.  The New Home sentiment was from a Craftwork Cards message pack which I had in my stash.

I was really pleased with how it turned out and will definitely be making the other two cuties in the set, plus a whole heap of other Kadoodle Bug Designs which I have also now purchased ... oops!

Thank for stopping by!
Bev x

Pansies for Mother's Day!

So sorry I have not posted anything in a while (didn't realise it was quite that long though *coughs*!).  We have had a steady stream of visitors here in Arizona every month since last October and whilst I have made time for a bit of crafting In between, I couldn't seem to get back into Crafting blog mode.  I promise to try harder from now on! 

Anyway, thought I would share with you the lovely 3D pansy box card from SVGcuts.com that I made recently for my Mum and my mother-in-law for Mother's Day which back in the UK is today.  Sadly though my dear Mum passed away earlier this week and so she never got to see hers :(

This post is dedicated to her, may she rest in peace. 

I cut all the pieces on my Cricut Explore and then used a couple of marker pens to colour the centres of the pansies before assembling and securing with brads.  The paper around the top of the box is from Craftwork Cards Potting shed paper collection.  I completely forgot to take a picture of the back, sorry, but this is stamped with a 'Happy Mother's Day' sentiment from my Stampin Up collection. 

Thanks for stopping by and wish all my readers in the UK a very Happy Mother's Day!

Hugs x