Sending Christmas Wishes...With a Big Beautiful Poinsettia Card

I am so happy and excited to share today's card with you, here at my blog!

Every so often, 

I create a card that really makes me happy.
Happy with the process of creating it
and Happy with the finished card.
If I create a card and feel like I want to save it...forever...
Then I know that I am REALLY loving it...

a lot!
For me...THIS is one of those cards!

I've always loved very large oversized stamped images 

for a card front.
I've got lots of stamps with mondo-sized images

and now...with using my Cricut(s) for card making...

I've been  using Design Space to customize die cut images  

to give me the big giant sized images that I love to create cards with!

I chose a deep red  along with green and Kraft card stock 

to create the poinsettia.
For matting I chose ivory metallic card stock 

and matted it with chocolate brown.
The sentiment is by The Ton Stamps

and was stamped with a Kraft/tan colored ink.
I finished each of the cards with a few crystal sequins

to add a little bit of Holiday sparkle.

Lighting in the studio kept changing while I took today's photos

and the sun kept hiding behind the clouds.
So...(Yikes) ...some of the photos are brighter than others...

I love the size...dimension of the poinsettia...
It's so big and luscious

I created a short stack of 3 of this card

and am thinking that I'm going to create a few more this week

because I am loving this big gorgeous poinsettia

So pretty...

Looking at this gorgeous poinsettia makes me feel so happy

 that I've FINALLY started using both my Cricut Explore and Cricut Maker.
I am still wondering why....for so many years....

and with owning so many different Cricuts...

I never took the time...or interest in sitting down to enjoy using them!
Because now...after just a few weeks...
I am totally and completely hooked on the Maker and Explore!

I've got a few Cricut projects lined up for the coming weeks...

all for the Christmas Holiday...
Some tags...some vinyl projects...and a few more cards.

Somewhere...along the way...
I hope to do some stamping and water coloring as well.

I'll be sharing my cards and projects here at my blog...

and look forward to you visiting again!

Wishing you a wonderful day!
Michelle  

A CAS Holiday Card with a Beautiful Layered Ornament

Just when I thought that I couldn't be happier with my Cricut card making escapades...

 This card happened..

and my love for my Cricut machines went off of the charts!

Moving forward over this past week from being brand new to the Cricut
and feeling hesitant about experimenting with it to see what the possibilities are

has been nothing but fun!
I'm particularly enjoying customizing the sizing of the images

and choosing images that have lots of scrumptious layers.
Today's cards has both!
A mondo sized image...and lots and lots of layers!

I chose lighter muted traditional holiday colors

and added some Kraft and black card stock colors as well.
The green mat layer was inked.. and matted with some bold bright red glitter paper.
The larger Kraft mat layer was matted with black 

to pick up the largest shadow layer of the ornament.

When I look at this big beautiful uber layered image I think...

Yep...it can stand on its own...

It needs nothing else.

CAS cards are truly my "thing"...

and this card fits the bill.

Everything about this card feels "right " to me...

(The me who shies away from a busy cluttered look on a card.)

The little bit of glitter paper matting peeking out form behind the ornament

is "just enough", I think.

Here's a closer look at the details...

I'm going to put my Cricut to wok later today...

to create a short stack oft this card...

They'll ll be a nice addition to to my Christmas and Holiday card stash!

Thanks for visiting today my  friends!
Wishing you a wonderful day!
Michelle.

A Golden Jingle Bell

Hello my crafty and creative friends!

My adventures with the Cricut Maker and Explore continue...
I took the plunge and FINALLY unboxed my Cricut machines and USED them

and it's been been lots of fun!
My hesitancy to get involved with "electronic" die cutting 

is now part of my card making past

an I find myself wondering why I resisted for so long.

One of the things that I'm enjoying is resizing images to make them mondo-sized...

(Big enough to fill up a card front.)
Yesterday's cards...the snowman and sleigh filled with gifts

were super large and wonderful, I think!
Today's card features another large image

(not quite as large as the snowman and sleigh...

but still...this jingle bell is definitely card front sized!)

My true style of card making is very CAS

(Clean And Simple)
and so today's card...is very CAS.

I chose a print and color palette 

that lean towards traditional Christmas colors....
Green...ivory...metallic red.... a little bit of metallic gold..

and I added Kraft colored card stock for the largest shadow layer.
The little bit of shimmer and shine in the metallics 

adds just little bit of zing to the card...

in a good way!

In the end...I has a very clean..crisp..holiday card...

with this wonderful layered die cut image.
I started out trying two layer images...then gave 3 a try...
Today...this die cut has 4 layers..which, I think...

make it so beautiful an add so much great dimension.

I love the details in the swirled ribbon and the jungle bell itself.

And...

Just when you think you're on a roll...

you realize that somehow...

in your joy and happiness of creating a few cards with this great image

you forgot to add a layer!
(*I kept looking at this card after it was made....
and I kept thinking..."Something is missing"
But...I couldn't figure out what that "Something" was)

The next day...when I was placing each card into a cellophane bag...
I realized that one layer was missing...

A "Duh" moment for me

Still a keeper... I think.

Positioning the die cut image with dimensionals 

creates a black shadow which, I guess...

is a good thing!

So...there we have it...

another day of Cricut-created Christmas/Holiday cards!
And another day when I say...
I had FUN creating a short stack of this card.

I've still got a few more Cricut inspired cards lined up to create

and I'm looking forward to sharing them with you here..at my blog.

Thanks for visiting today...

Have a spectacular Saturday!
Michelle.

Holiday Card Making: A CAS Die Cut Christmas Tree

I'm moving ahead with my Cricut skills...

and am now creating cards with more than 2 layers!
Truthfully...the Cricut Explore and maker...

with the ability to edit and create right on my computer screen

make it all so simple...

I really could have been making cards with more than 2 layers 

on Day #1 of taking the Cricut out of the box.

But...

I wanted to take my time...

and work my way through different levels of Cricut-using

and build my Cricut-skills as I went along.

Today's card is one created with 3 (image) layers...

and it was fun to create!
I knew, right away...

that I wanted to use gold metallic card stock for the layer that creates

the ornaments and the star.
So I got out the print and solid colored card stock that I wanted to use...

and got busy cutting the pieces to create a few of this sweet card.

I'm happy with how this card came together...
The gold metallic adds just that little bit of something that this tree needed.

After the tree was assembled..
I gave it a brushing of Clear Wink of Stella

for a little bit of shimmery sparkle.
I matted the plaid print with the same dark green 

that was used to create the shadow layer of the tree.
I chose the gold metallic card stock for the largest mat layer

to add a bit more festive shine.

In the end...I had a short stack of this card

CAS Christmas tree card

that has me wanting to make a few more!

In each of my blog posts this week..

I find myself using the word FUN...

when I mention creating cards with the Cricut Explore..and The Maker.
FUN kinda sums it up best

because I am really...REALLY enjoying all aspects 

of using the Cricut for card making.

I've got a few more projects lined up...

for a few more Cricut inspired cards

and I look forward to sharing them with you here over the next few days.

Thanks for visiting...

Wishing you a fabulous Friday!
Michelle.

Creating Christmas and Holiday Cards with the Cricut

It's been a fun week of creating cards with the Cricut

and...

it's been a week of expanding my Cricut skills.

(Which make Cricut-shy me...very very happy!)

I'm sharing a card, today, created with a two layer image...

and a die cut edge that I created by giving the Cricut "Slice" option a try.
(This is where I want to shout...I DID IT!....I SLICED SOMETHING!)

I wanted to create a card that would be guy-friendly

and thought that this beautiful buck was ideal.
I chose sand...chocolate brown ...green...and ivory card stock

for this card.
The tree edge was "sliced" from another project on Design Space
(I was so excited to master Slicing !)
Learning how to slice opens up so many 

card making options for the future!
(Some of which I already have in mind)

After the card was assembled...i finished it with a few crystal sequins...

and brushed the die cut image with Clear Wink of Stella.

It's always great to expand our skills...

and creating this card offered me that opportunity.
I'm sure that "using the "Slice" feature on the Cricut 

isn't the most challenging thing to master..

but for me...who has never really been great at using a Cricut...

this is a happy accomplishment.

I've enjoyed all of the Christmas and Holiday card making projects 

that I've shared here at my blog this week 

and I'm looking forward to the projects that I have lined up 

and hope to work on in the next few days.

Thanks for visiting today...

Have a terrific Thursday!
Michelle.

A Few CAS Cards with Mondo-Sized Images

I'm still at it...

Creating Christmas and Holiday cards 

with the Cricut maker and Cricut Explore..

and I am really enjoying it!

When stamping...I've always like huge mondo-sized images

that fill...or almost fill a card front.

So I thought that I'd use the Cricut(s) 

to create some nice extra large layered pieces.

Because the layered images for today's cards

are super large...

I kept the rest of the card very CAS 

and took the route of using the image..some simple basic layering and matting

and the addition of just a few sequins to finish each card.

I created a few of each of the cards that I'm sharing today

and am happy to add them to my card stash.

There are so many snowman image options in Design Space

and lots more on some of the cartridges that I've linked to DS.
But...

this guy stole my heart.

I think that I fell in love with him because he has a bit of vintage look.

(He looks like the snowmen that were on cards and trees and decoration

during my childhood.)
I guess that makes ME vintage!

Yikes!
This adorable snowman was created with two layers.
I chose a vanilla  and Kraft card stock colors for the snowman

and a deep red metallic for the background layer..
I matted the deep red with black card stock.

I kept it simple...and finished the card with a few crystal sequins

The second card that I'm sharing today 

was also created with a mondo-sized image

and I kept this card very CAS as well.

I chose deep charcoal and vanilla card stock to create the layered image

and a great green glitter paper for the primary mat.
I double matted the glitter layer with vanilla and charcoal grey card stock.
I finished this card with a few crystal sequins

I'm enjoying trying different things with the Cricut(s)
I've mostly been using the Explore...because it's closer to my desk 

in the new little studio that we've set up in the house.
(I still have my big studio...but have moved all of the electronic die cutting 

and vinyl related tool and supplies into the house.
The large studio is now just for card making...

and everything related to card making.

While stamping..painting and coloring 

will always be my #1 card making love(s)

I can see, already...that the Cricut is going to be a close 2nd

and will get lots of use.
(This makes me wonder why over the last decade+....
I've never used any of the prior Cricut machines that I've owned.)
Actually..I think that I know the answer...
I just never liked using the overlay keypads and the tiny screen on the machine.
Now..I am loving the fact that everything is displayed right on my computer screen

which makes editing and creating SO much easier...and FUN!

If you've got a Cricut...or multiple Cricuts...(like me)
Unboxed..and unused...(like mine were)
Get them out...(like I did)
and have fun! (like I am!)

Thanks for visiting today!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Michelle.

Holly Christmas Cards

Hello my crafty and creative friends!
I think that I'm finally getting the hang of the Cricut 

and some of the "things" that it can do!
I'm no longer fantasizing about throwing both the Maker
and the Explore out of the studio window!
Instead..I am enjoying trying things out.

One of the things that I've been doing...and enjoying...

is sizing images to be large...

 almost card front size. 

Today I've got two cards to share...
They're similar...but different
(I used two different prints...but otherwise...the cards are identical)

The silhouette cards I've shared the last few days were created with 2 layers...
Very basic..very simple...very easy.
Today's cards were created with images that have 3 layers.
And, again.....with the Cricut(s)...very simple...very easy.

While the card making itself turned out exactly as I had planned...
Image size...sentiment (by The Ton Stamps)

Some nice prints...and matting colors that I am happy with

I did have a challenge in the very last moments of finishing both cards
THE NUVO DROPS!!
OMGosh...

I was ready to scream!
The Nuvo Drops (used for the red berries) just weren't cooperating...
and...
wound up making a mess of my lovely cards 

by spitting and plopping blobs and specks of Drops 

where there should have been nice round dome topped berries.

(UGH)
Still..I wanted to share the cards with you...

because...

other than the messy berries...
I was pleased with everything else about the cards
(Please ignore the berries!)

I love the layers of the 3 greens coming together

to create the holly sprig.

(I DO NOT LIKE THE BERRIES!)

The holly print was ideal, I think, for the background.

Red and green matting were the way to go with this card, I think

The second holly card has the same sketch as the first...

(and the same imperfect Nuvo Drop berries...UGH)
But I switched up the print.

This print makes the card seem a bit more formal, I think.
I love The Ton Stamps...

and chose to use a large Ton sentiment that has 2 different fonts.
If not for the berries escapade

I'd be 100% happy with both cards.

The good news here is...

I am enjoying using both the Cricut Explore...and the Maker.
And..

I have found myself thinking...
WHY did I wait for so long to give my Cricut(s) a fair chance(?)

The more I use both machines...

and browse around design Space
The more I am taking a liking to both the Maker an the explore

What does this all mean?
It means that I will  have more Cricut-cut cards to share 

over the next few days!

Thanks for visiting today...

Wishing you a terrific Tuesday!
Michelle.

A Silhouette Image Christmas Card in Blue

Hello my crafty and creative friends!

I'm continuing on with my determination to become familiar

with both the Cricut Maker...and the Cricut Explore.

I'm both interested...and looking forward to diving into making cards 

that are a bit more detailed....with more layers...

But for now...I'm sticking to the basics...
A silhouette....that is two layers.

So...
I've got this sweet card to share today...

with this wonderful Christmas silhouette image

and a soft blue color palette.
I had a few pretty prints that I wanted to use..

One of them was this baroque motif print...
I chose to mat all of the layers 

in the same black that was used for the shadow layer of the die cut image.
I created two of this card...both identical to one another.

I have a stamp that is very similar to this die cut image...
and was happy to see a similar image in Cricut Design Space.
I have always loved creating Christmas cards that stray 

from the traditional red and green color combo.

The color palette for this card was inspired by the prints
that I wanted to use for today's cards.
I like the black matting against the light blue.
I also chose to ink the edges of the white layer behind the silhouette

and add a few crystal sequins for a little bit of sparkle.

The second print that I wanted to use was in the same color family...
The sketch..matting ...inking and embellishments used for this card

are the same as those used when creating the first card

but more specifically...a Christmas print.

After creating today's cards...with customizing...sizing and 2 layers...
I felt very ready to move on to customizing & cutting
images with more than 2 basic layers.

I am enjoying creating cards with both Cricuts
(the Maker and the Explore)

I'm glad that I've taken the plunge and set my mind to just diving in...

and playing with the machines.
Eventually, I'd like to work on a few vinyl projects...

But for now...I'm creating cards...

and I'm enjoying learning about the terrific things that a Cricut can do!

Most of all...
Today's cards were fun to create...

and I'm happy to add a new style of card making to my repertoire!

Thanks for visiting today...

Wishing you a marvelous Monday!
Michelle.

It's a Very Cricut-y Christmas in My Studio

Hello my crafty and creative friends!
It's been a while since I've shared cards here at my blog...
BUT..with good reason...(I think)

I've been spending time with my new Cricut Maker..and my Cricut Explore.
 (also new...because It was sitting in the studio...brand new...and never used...)

I have to confess...I have owned every Cricut model since they first came out
(many years ago)

but..I've never quite taken to using any of them.

Most remained in their unopened boxes...

never used...

And then..I'd buy the next new and improved model/version

and would never use that one either.

After using the Maker once to create the car and palm tree card 

that I shared here a few weeks ago...

I found myself being a little bit interested

in exploring the card making possibilities.
and...

it's been lots of fun!

I am by no mean a pro with using the Cricut...

But I've learned enough to find it enjoyable...

and I am making an effort to expand my knowledge ...by trial and error...

to learn how to use the Cricut for the many wonderful things that it can do.

Will I give up stamping.painting..coloring...using dies?
No.
But I am thinking that I'll be using the Cricut to expand 

my card making possibilities.

and style.

So brace yourself...

because this week I'll be sharing some Cricut-y Christmas cards

here at my blog

Today...

I've got a few silhouette style cards to share... 

Both created in my usual CAS style...

very Clean And Simple

The first...a Santa and little girl silhouette
A great card to start out with... for someone like me
because the image is a simple 2 layer silhouette.

My thinking was...

Start out simple...basic...

So that I won't get frustrated...

and throw the Cricut out of the window.
In making this card...I experimented with sizing the image

so that it would be A2 size friendly.
I went with non-traditional Christmas colors...

and was happy with the  cards, color palette and the overall look.

The second card is a Santa and little boy silhouette
I went with traditional red..and used a holly print.

I inked the edges of the print with green ink

and use black card stock for matting.

To finish the cards....
I added few sequins for a little bit of sparkle.
I felt happy with the basic Cricut tasks I was able to navigate and complete...

to create this card.

I was also happy to finally...F I N A L L Y....use my Cricut machine(s)

and..

I can already see why so many people who own a Cricut

profess their love for it openly.

Thanks for visiting today...
Wishing you a wonderful day!
Michelle.

Fun stuff!....Creating a Card with My New Cricut Maker.

I can't believe how many weeks have passed since my last blog post.
It's been a very long time since I've sat down in my studio 

to enjoy some card making time.

When the Cricut Maker came out a few months ago...
I ordered one.
and finally... this weekend...I had some time to sit down

and enjoy giving it a test drive!
And...guess what?
I LOVE IT!

Perfect timing...because...
A friend asked if I could create a card for him 

to send to a a friends teen age daughter..who just passed her road test

and got her driver's license.
He asked if the card cold have the image of a car....and maybe a palm tree
being that the new driver lives in Florida.

Generally, I'd have stamped the card....

and colored or painted it...
But...

with my new found love of The Cricut Maker..

I thought that I'd create a die cut card, for a change.

I browsed through Cricut Design Space to find elements 

that I thought would be ideal for this card.
I designed/sized and cut all of the image pieces...
the car...sun...and palm tree
I inked and shaded them.
After they were inked...

I put them together...and set them aside.

Next...I cut the card..and matting layers..
I used Ken Oliver Stencil Brushes ...a light blue ink pad...
and the Heidi Pettie Cloud Stencil from Blue Knight Rubber Stamps

to create the cloudy sky.
I free-hand cut the two landscape (hill) pieces

and inked them a bit to add dimension.
I put the card together...sent a photo to my friend via a text message...
and this is the response that I got...

After I completed this card...I thought...

It was fun to create...

and...

I like the finished cards...

so....

"Why didn't I make more than one?"

Isn't the car great?
I love the flourish-y overlay!
I also liked the sunglasses on the sun...so cute!
I offset the palm leaves over the first cut layer (tree trunk and top of the tree)

to create a shadow.
The palm leaves were inked..and then topped with Clear Wink of Stella
I created 2 simple little landscape pieces..(cut freehand)
and layered them for added dimension.
The  car was positioned with foam dimensionals.

The Heidi Pettie Cloud Stencil is one of my favorite things!

I always had a difficult time creating cloudy skies...

I tried store bought stencils...

I crated some of my own...

I've tried using the negative space after cutting out a cloud die...

I've tried it all.

But never liked the finished result.

BUT...

Now..with this stencil...

perfect cloudy skies area a cinch...every time!

I'm thinking that I'll create a few more of this card sometime soon...

It was fun to create...got me using my new Cricut Create...

and...

it made my friend very happy!

Thanks for visiting today, my crafty and creative friends!
Have a wonderful Monday!
Michelle.

Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Giveaway Winners

What a GREAT week it's been!

I've had a great time creating all of this week's cards

with so many fantastic stamps by Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

I hope that you've enjoyed visiting this week

If you were already familiar with Blue Knight Rubber Stamps...

I hope that you enjoyed seeing some of their fabulous new release stamps....

and...

if Blue Knight is new to you...

I hope that you found a bit of inspiration here at my blog

and have had fun browsing the Blue Knight web site 

Today...
we're wrapping up this great week 

with announcing 2 giveaway winners!

PAM

and...ADRIANNE E

PAM....

Please choose one of the silhouette stamp sets below....

then email your choice, along with your mailing address to me at

tobellissimacards@gmail.com 

No later than Monday evening
       
  Birthday Fun             Zach & Marley

        

                   I'll Never Stop Believing   For Those Who Served                               

ADRIANNE E

Please choose either Mark & Salem...or Tracie and Bailey.

then email your choice, along with your mailing address

to me at

tobellissimacards@gmail.com
No later than Monday evening

              

           Mark & Salem               Tracie & Bailey   

****In the event that the winner(s) do not respond by Monday evening

(October 22nd)...alternate winner(s) will be chosen and announced here at the blog 

on Tuesday, October 23rd 

Thanks a bunch for following along here at my blog

during Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Week!
and

thank you for all of your kind comments as well!
Have a wonderful weekend my crafty and creative friends!
Michelle.

Day 6: A Re-Cap of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Week and Giveaway

Hello my crafty and creative friends!

I can't believe how quickly this week has passed!
It's already time for a re-cap of all of the cards

that I created and shared during Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Week...

here at my blog.

I'm so glad that I don't have to choose a favorite stamp set...or card

because the truth is...

I enjoyed creating each of this week's cards!

There's lots to share today...
Lots of photos to go along with a re-cap of cards.

I'll be sharing a photo of each card...all 12 of them!

and will note the name of the stamp sets tat were used for the focal image.
*If you click on the name of the stamp set(s)....

you'll be linked to the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web site 

where you can view all of the info for that particular stamp (set).

So...Let's get started!

(GIVEAWAY info will follow the re-cap...at the end of the blog post.

so be sure to follow along to the very end of the re-cap)

DAY #1 CARDS

BIRTHDAY FUN

I'LL NEVER STOP BELIEVING

I'LL NEVER STOP BELIEVING

AND

BIRTHDAY FUN

ZACH AND MARLEY

~~~~~~

DAY #2 CARD

FOR THOSE WHO SERVED

DAY #3

I'LL NEVER STOP BELIEVING

YOU & ME

The card...

and the YOU & ME card making video tutorial

DAY#4

MARK & SALEM

TRACIE & BAILEY

DAY #5

PEACEFUL  LAKE

SAILBOATS

SAILBOATS

WOW!
What a week it has been!
Looking back at all of the cards that I've created during 

Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Week 

reminds me of the creative joy that each stamp set brought me!

I hope that you've found a bit of inspiration here at my blog...

and enjoyed seeing each stamp set in action!

Now it's time for me to do a re-cap about the giveaway
Blue Knight Rubber Stamps is offering this wonderful GIVEAWAY!

* If you have a USA mailing address....leave  comment below

*2 winners will be chosen and announced here at the blog tomorrow...
so don't forget to check in here tomorrow to see who the winners are!

Winner #1 will choose one of the silhouette stamp sets below:

Winner #2 will have the opportunity to choose either 

Mark & Salem OR Tracie & Bailey

Before you head off to post a comment to be "in" on the giveaway...

I'd like to say thank you ...

I'm so glad that you've joined me here at my blog

for Blue Knight  Rubber Stamps Week!
I've appreciated all of the comments you've share here at the blog

as well as via Facebook.
Wishing each of you a wonderful day!
Michelle.