Back in the Saddle

 Well I am trying to get back into Crafting.  I have moved back to the Wichita area.  I have had a rough 10 years getting back on my feet from my wonderful Scott passing away.  But I'm ok and so are my girls.

So I have a brand new new toy, an Xtool M1 laser engraving, cutter.  I am totally addicted.  I had a few months to play and get used to it.  I am hoping to get enough "product" finished by late September to be in the Valley Center fall festival.  

I'll show you some of the things I have been working on.

First try at using the Cricut and Iron on Medium

The more I play the more I fall in love.  

Ok here's my first try at using iron on to make a T-Shirt.  The hardest part was deciding what font to use in the Design Studio.  Cricut cut it perfect.  

Wooden Name Plate Using Cricut Air and CTMH Products

I am absolutely in LOVE with this new Cricut and Design Space..

Here's a project for my Granddaughter

I started with a simple wooden sign from Michael's..they had an ART Sale...yay !

I used CTMH Veranda Paper Pack and cut 2x2 squares and used Mod Podge

Using the Design Space and my Cricut I designed and cut these layers.  It was so easy

Here it is all layered down.  Next I covered with Mod Podge, multiple layers with a light sanding in between layers.

I used CTMH Ribbon and different jewels to spice it up.  I drilled a hole at the top to run the ribbon through and put an old retired conchs to clean up the hole.

Close up.


I would love to hear comments, good or bad.  Its been a really long time since I have crafted and creative juices are not flowing very good yet.

Canvas Scrap booking

Ok so I see since I've been so out of the craft loop, Canvas is "in".  So Michaels has this big Art blowout so I stocked up on Canvas.  I believe its time and much needed for me to do some projects with my husband.  If anything it will be good therapy.
SOOO, my granddaughter has been asking for photos of Grandpa to hang in her room.
Here's what I came up with:

• I used a sponge and painted the sides and front edges with a very light yellow gold craft paint. 

Using the CTMH Cricut Cartridge, Artfully Scrapping I found all the borders, choose my size and paper, ( Reflections Collections ), cut them out using the Cricut Air.

              

I then used Mod Podge and covered the picture and borders.

The writing on the tag, that I used Tags, Bags, Boxed and More Cricut cartridge to cut the tags and write the sayings.  Cool huh

 After all was dry I decided to use some of my old CTMH Bling. 



Buttons with Waxy Flax ran through them.

If you can tell from the photo, I got out liquid glass and put a dot on all the white dots on the background paper...fun...I love Liquid Glass from CTMH.

 Here the border cut with the Letters MY, I used brown ink to make them stand out. then of course a good thick layer of liquid glass to give the letters an epoxy look.
I also dug out my CTMH photo corner with brands, using a craft hammer after spreading the brad out, tapping it from the back to flatten the brad arms so it lays flat on the surface, glued them down.  Made another tag using Cricut to cut and to write the saying.

This one I use waxy flax run around the corners of brads and buttons and liquid glass.



Ok so I am very impressed with my new toy.  Just need more play time and my creativity to join back up with me.

Wish me luck.

Cricut Explore Air!!!!

YES!  I ordered it and it's here.  whoohooo. 
I haven't wanted to scrapbook or card make or any other crafting since my husband passed away.  I  boxed it all up and stored it away.  After nearly 2 years after his death and finally accepting I needed grief therapy, I have finally got the "craft bug" again.  So I spent 3 days cleaning up and getting my house all cleaned up and organized, then began the process of unpacking everything and setting it up in a much smaller place.  But I got it all done.  Yay me!



I got the Cricut Air, bear in mind I was still back on original Cricut (6x12).  I know hilaurious huh?
So I am learning to use this new one and the awesome things it can do.  Its really unbelievable.
I got a starter bundle, full of stuff to get started...on SALE!

Here's my first project.  It was a make it now card in the free stuff. 

I used CTMH colored cardstock, Breeze  Ocean and Colonial White.

I just picked out the Make It Now project, put the paper on the mat, it cut it, scored the fold line and also wrote the greeting using the Cooper Cricut Marker. 

Cool HUH?

I know I am behind times!  LOL

New Cards

Its been a really really long time since I've created anything.  But got my craft stuff back out of storage and am starting up again.  I've lost my creative juices so starting slow until my brain kicks back in.   Here's my first two cards.  let me know what ya think.

Getting Started again...

Well I did it...completed a scrapbook layout.  I know doesn't sound like much but I have not scrapbooked since moving and well haven't really wanted to.  My stress level has been too high.  I also feel guilty to go craft and leave Scott alone.  I know he's ok its just I don't want to miss any time I can spend with him.  Cancer really changes how you feel about every day and the time we have.    But that small part of me inside that loves it has been whispering to me.  I have to say I am having a hard time with creative juices which has upset me  and I would walk away and give up.  So yesterday I was determined not to walk away.  I had to realize i needed to start simple again. So my layout is simple but complete!!! yeah!  I would post a photo but I think its to simple and not really "post" worthy...but I got it done and will move on to the next layout and hopefully that one is better.

Teacher Gifts

Here's a craft I did with my friend Dana...it was her idea she got from a friend. These are keychains to give out to teachers as thank you's for the end of the year. What a cool and easy idea. Keychains were fairly cheap at Michaels...I used cricut to cut out the letters, the paper is retired CTMH set Veranda, the stamp set on the back is retired set Coffee Stain..the saying is " you leave an impression on me". 

Chantilly Workshop On The Go

 

Here's my take on the Chantilly Workshop.  I don't have summer photos right now...I'll em later.  Since I'm just getting started again with CTMH I don't have all the new colors.  I substituted Sweet Leaf  and Garden Green in this layout. I did use the Cotton Candy.  Lovin it!  You can see all the Workshops on the Go and order any of them from my website.

Help the Oklahoma tornado victums

Here's a chance to help out the people impacted by the tornado last week in Oklahoma.  An adorable "Thank You" stamp set!

Set of 1

This stamp set in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book is available for early purchase. One hundred percent of profits from sales of this stamp set from May 23 to June 30 will be donated to the American Red Cross to aid tornado victims in Oklahoma. Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
2" × 2" (Y1003)

 

You can purchase this set from my website right now!  Thank you for helping out and my prayers and thoughts go out to all those affected by this horrible storm.