25 Days of Christmas Crafting Fun Dec.1 - 25

HEY all my crafty friends!!

Just wanted to let you all know about the 2nd annual 25 Days of Christmas Crafting Fun over at Cooking WIth Cricut.  It starts tomorrow Thursday, Dec 1 and runs until Dec 25...Christmas day!!  Come check out EACH day for some wonderful ideas, free files, and blog candy!  Not all of the themed days are Christmas related so be sure to check out each day!  It is going to be fun!!

Hugs,
Michelle

Warm Holiday Wishes...

Hey all my crafty friends!!!

It has been a while since I posted anything.  With Thanksgiving and the crazy shopping and Christmas decorating...sheesh....I finally had time to escape to my craft room and create this cute Christmas card.

Over at Cooking with Cricut we were challenged to make a project with wreaths, pine cones, or candles.  This is to celebrate the start of Advent on Sunday, November 27th.  Advent is usually associated with Catholics.  We are Baptist and we take time each day to recall the true meaning of Christmas.  As Christians, this should be a daily thing.  We strive to do that.  However, during Christmas one can get caught up in the hoopla of busyness and forget the true meaning of Christmas.  If it were not for our Saviour, Jesus Christ, being born none of us would have the opportunity to go to Heaven.  His birth is just as miraculous as His death.  Jesus is the REAL reason for the season.  We want our kids to know this and hold onto this.  We want them to pass this on to their children as well.  I hope you all are able to stop and reflect on what we are celebrating and why.

I LOVE candles, so I wanted to make a candle card.  I enjoyed making this and am pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Edges were inked with Ranger distress ink

some stickled stars

glossy accent for "wax"

To make this card:

Cart: Christmas (that's what it says on my Gypsy) Gypsy to size the layers, and weld the shadow feature.

Paper: Colorbok and My Mind's Eye Christmas stack

Ink: Ranger distress ink tea dye and fired brick.  Tea dye was used around the candle and holder, and the stamped paper.  Fired brick was used around the card and for the sentiment.

Misc: Glossy accent for the "wax" look; diamond stickles for the stars around the sentiment; sentiment and ribbon from my stash; foam dots to give the candle dimension.

Now it's your turn!!  create a project with wreaths, pine cones, or candles.  Link up your project to the Cooking With Cricut challenge post.  There are some guidelines.

1.  Must follow the challenge topic.

2.  Must be a new project for this challenge

3.  No back dated posts please

4.  Must have a link back to this post on your blog

5.  Must link your project post through Inlinkz and not just your blog

6.  Must use your Cricut in some capacity

7.  Gotta HAVE FUN!!!

8.  You may combine challenges...we like to!

Happy Crafting!!!

I am also entering this in the Peachy Keen Sketch Challenge  and FCCB Challenge me Monday #88 Holiday Cards.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow crafters!  I wanted to put a post up while I wait for some cooking to be done!! ;)

Before I announce the winner of the Cooking With Cricut "Giving Thanks" blog hop, I wanted to share some thankfulness of my own.

 I truly have much to be thankful for.  this past year has brought many trials and tragedies in my life.  Last October my husband was deployed to Iraq.  A few weeks after that, I got word that my dad was very ill and it didn't look good.  I am thankful I was able to be there before he died.  I am also thankful that God saw fit to take his life rather my brother having to make that decision.  A decision that was not his to make.  God truly got the glory in all of that, even when it seemed we were coming down to the wire...God's timing is always perfect!  In January, I went to see the doctor which would end up as the beginning of a journey I NEVER dreamed I would have to endure.  I am thankful how god moved in all of the appointments, doctors, friends who were there to offer support when I heard the word "cancer".  I am also thankful God brought my husband home to be there for me during my surgery.  Ia m thankful for my kids and husband who had to endure the waiting during surgery, recovery, treatment, and the horrible things that come along with all of that.  God's grace was most sufficient.  I am thankful for ALL He taught me during the darkest and loneliest moments.  I am even more thankful to be cancer free right now!  I am thankful I was able to be there for my first born son to graduate from high school then a few months later leave for college.  it was a very bittersweet time.  Ia m thankful he graduated high school with super grades, and is currently attending West Coast Baptist College and desiring to surrender his life and will to be used of God.  A month later my dear grandma died.  I am thankful that during the last year of her life, she was able to attend church and really see the truth of God's Word through loving Christians who desired to see her grow in God's grace.  I am thankful she is in heaven and I will see her again one day.  So much to be thankful for.  I am SO blessed.   Even during those hard times and trials, I see God's work in it all.  I pray that God is pleased with me and how I handled each trial that He allowed me to go through.  God is so good.

I hope you remember this last year and can look back with thanksgiving!

NOW.....onto the winner of the cartridge.  using Random.org.......the winner is.........

Comment #30

callyannc said...

Adorable banner! Super fun! I love to eat lots of pumpkin bread for thanksgiving! TFS CallyAnn(follow and fb) Said hi
callyannc@live.com

Congratulations callyann! I will be emailing you so I can get your mailing addy.

Thanks so much for leaving me lovely comments everyone!  I will be having some more blog candy next month so stay tuned!!

Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving! 

National Bible Week

Hello my crafty friends.  Welcome to Michelle's Crafty Creations.

This week over at Cooking With Cricut we are celebrating National Bible Week.  National Bible week is celebrated from November 20 - 26.  The design team was challenged to use a Biblical verse on our projects.

I was so excited to create a card.  There are so many verses that I love, but this card was special.  I immediately thought of my dear friend Anna who nearly lost her life this past weekend.  God's providence throughout her ordeal was remarkable.  I was and am still so thankful that even though at one point she was so close to going home to heaven, that God saw fit to keep her here for a while longer to be the best wife, mommy, Christian, and friend.  She is an amazing person and has a heart of gold.  So this card was made with her in mind.  I hope it encouraged her and makes her smile knowing just how much she is loved by me and my family.

"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows"

Matthew 10:31

This verse, in context, talks about how much God loves and cares for us.  That even if one sparrow were to fall to the ground, it would not go unnoticed by God.  If God cares so much for the sparrow, how much more does He care for us?  We are special to Him.  So much so that He knows the number hairs on our head.  Who knows this but God?  My God is amazing.  He loves us and cares for us, even if our most scariest moments in life, He is right there with us.

To make this card I used:

Cart: Simply Charmed used with the gypsy to size accordingly.

Misc:  Background paper I bought at Hobby Lobby ( can't remember the name) and Colorbok for the bird (gotta love my scraps); Cuttlebug Divine Swirls embossing for the wings and belly of the bird; Ranger distress ink tea dye for inking the bird; Black dimensional enamel for the eye of the bird; ribbon from my stash; and a beautiful fabric flower made by Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly.  

Now it's your turn.  Create a project using a Bible verse and enter your project in our challenge.  

Here are a few guidelines: 

1. Must follow the challenge topic

2. Must be a NEW project for this challenge

3. No back dated posts please

4.  Must have a link back to the challenge's post on your blog

5.  Must link your project through Inlinkz and not just your blog

6.  Must use your Cricut in some capacity

7.  MUST HAVE FUN!!

8.  You may combine challenges.....We love to Pile it on TOO!!

Look forward to seeing your challenge!

Happy crafting!

"Giving Thanks" Blog Hop with Cooking With Cricut

Welcome to Michelle's Crafty Creations and the Cooking With Cricut “Giving Thanks” Blog Hop! 

This is my first blog hop and I am super excited!!

If you came from the talented Debbie at Workin Scrappin Mom of 4, you're in the right place! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to hop along with us, you can go to Cooking With Cricut and start at the beginning. 

Today’s hop is all about Thanksgiving decorations – for your home and table.   And on that note I tried my hand on a banner.  I LOVE the way it came out.  I only wish my camera would do it some justice.  I tell ya, I will get those settings right one day!! LOL  

It is actually hanging up on the window in front of my curtains in the dining room...horrible lighting in there....SO I took a picture of it on the kitchen floor! HA!

I LOVE this cut!

I absolutely LOVE the colors.  I wish they made a paper stack for the papers I used.

To make this Banner, I used:

Gypsy to size all my cuts.  

Carts: Gypsy Wanderings for the banner and resized for the layering effect; A Child's Year for the font; Create a Critter for the turkey.  

Paper: Solid card stock is Colorbok; banner layer is TPC Studio's Rustic Garden Fall Phrases; letters are TPC Studio's Rustic Garden Sunflower Toss; turkey "feathers" are from DCWV Harvest Gathering.

Misc: Argoyle embossing folder, PKS Create a Critter face stamp ( I only used the eyes), white gelly roll pen, colorbox chalk ink chestnut, Ranger distress ink tea dye, and ribbon from my stash.

Now what is a blog hop without blog candy??  I am offering.......

Here's what you need to do to have your chance at winning this cartridge:

1. Leave a comment to include your favorite thing about Thanksgiving

2.   Become a follower and tell me you did for an extra chance at winning. (if you are already a follower you can post that you already are! :))

3.  If you created a project for the link up, then post back here telling me you did.

4. Like my Facebook page HERE and tell me you did.

I will use Random.org to pick the winner.  

You have until MIDNIGHT Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve ;))  That should give you enough time to get your projects in. Then I will choose the winners on Thanksgiving Day!!

Please leave your email addy on your comment so I can contact you if you win.

Now it's your turn! Link up your Thanksgiving project at CookingWithCricut.com. Here are a few guidelines: 

* Must follow the challenge topic and use one of the free files provided at CWC. 

* Must be a NEW project for this challenge. No back dated posts please. 

* Must have a link back to this post on your blog. 

* Must link your project post through Inlinkz and not just your blog. 

* Must use your Cricut in some capacity. 

* Must HAVE FUN! 

* You may gladly combine challenges . . . we love to pile it on TOO! 

The Design Team will pick their three favorites and one lucky person will be chosen randomly to win one of the prizes being offered in this hop. There is also a prize for just leaving us a comment on the CWC blog. One catch, those leaving comments MUST be a CWC follower. Each prize winner will receive a $10 gift voucher-download from PaperCraftingWorld.com. 

Now head on over to the ever so talented Jen at Gator 4 Life to see what she's cooked up for you!

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

 Cooking With Cricut

I am entering this in the Die Cuttin Diva's Challenge #41 Turkey Time and More than Favor's Wacky Wednesday Challenge #59 - Thanksgiving Theme  and Whimsical Design's Whimsical Wednesday's Challenge Happy Turkey Day

GOBBLE GOBBLE

Hey crafty friends!!!  I hope you're having a great midweek so far!! :D

Over at Cooking with Cricut we were challenged to include a turkey on our card, layout, etc.  So I decided to make a turkey card.  Nothing says "Happy Thanksgiving" like Gobble!! ;)  Here is my card I made for my mom.

(I tried my hand at making rosettes...how FUN!  I cut them at 8 inches to do half the rosettes.  the size of the width is 1.5 and 2 inches)

To make this card:

I used my gypsy to size the turkey.  

Cart: Simply Charmed

Paper:  SCRAPS!!  I used all of my scraps to make this card.  Most of the scraps came from the DCWV Harvest blessing and Colorbok.  The rosette paper came from scraps of paper I bought individually from ACMoore. (I don't remember the name)

Misc: Embossed with argyle, computer generated sentiment, ribbon from my stash, and PKS for my turkey face.  Gelly roll pens for coloring and ranger distress ink tea dye and colorbox chalk ink chestnut for inking.

Now it's your turn.  Create a project following the guidelines and link it up over at Cooking With Cricut!  Can't wait to see what you make!!

Happy Crafting! =)

I am also entering this into the Fantabulous Cricut's Challenge Me Monday harvest blessing crawl and Crafty Sprouts Anything Goes Challenge

Simply Charmed

Hello all and welcome to Michelles Crafty Creations!  

The Design Team at Cooking With Cricut is doing a cartridge showcase and today is my turn.  :)  YAY!!

I chose the Simply Charmed  cartridge because it is well.....charming!!  This is the cutest cartridge I own!!  I know it is a little older however there are SO many projects you can create!  I have created a few.  Some I have posted already and will just showcase the pictures again with a link to the blog post with more details.

For my first project I made some goodie bags for the children that come on the bus at our church.  I wanted to give them a little bit of God's Word to let them know He loves them as well as our church.
I used the pumpkin and created it my gypsy with the hide feature.  I embossed it and glitzed the vine and leaves with some green stickles.  Find out more about this project  Here.

For my next "showcase" (I feel like the announcer for the Price is Right LOL) I made a Christmas card.  I used the santa and chimney.  I welded them together on my Gypsy. (I don't know how I survived without this before...definitely better than DS)  You can find all of the details about santa HERE

This cart has GREAT layering features!!

Now for my next project it is a little dear to my heart...literally!  This Saturday is my husband's and mine 19th anniversary!  I created this heart shape book using cereal boxes and layering it with some sturdy card stock.  I can't remember the name of the paper used for all, but most of them are DCWV Penny Lane.  this project was designed using my gypsy.

I covered the Key with some glittery goldish paper to look "used".  The heart it is attached to is actually a heart lock.  I just cut off the lock part and popped it up on my book cover.  The key is pop up to with foam dots.  I used some flowers from valentines and connected it to the front with a brad.  the ribbon is from my stash..

Stamp sentiment is from a stamp set I got from Hobby Lobby or something like that.  Not only do I collect paper, but I collect ribbon and stamps!! LOL

The flourish is the ONLY thing I did not cut from Simply Charmed.  I honestly had this on my table and this page looked like it needed some detail...voila!

This tag is removable.  i stamped it and cut it out.

The sentiment comes from a SU set

This cartridge is SO versatile!!!

Last but certainly not least, I made a Christmas decoration.  I know, I know, it is not even Thanksgiving...BUT I LOVE this time of year and get so excited.  If my husband would let me I would SO decorate for Christmas NOW!! LOL

I took this glass block, some blue tissue paper, Glossy Mod Podge, and some cute cuts from Simply Charmed and here is the end result......

This penguin, like many other cuts, is SUPER adorable.  I used all the layer features for the penguin minus the eyes.  I used a Peachy Keen Stamp Critter face.  I only used the eyes and eyebrows of the stamp.  Not only does this cartridge have many images, but it also has phrases!  I used the phrase that went with some cute mittens and hats and put this as my sentiment.  I then used diamond stickles to accent the phrase.   

To cover the glass block, I painted it with Mod Podge and laid the tissue paper over it.  I then painted over it again. (be very careful.  the tissue is DELICATE and tears easily!)  I then placed all my cut once it was dry and painted over it to "set" it.

As you can see, this cartridge has an unlimited use as far as your imagination will take you.  I hope you have enjoyed the projects as much as I enjoyed making them.

Happy Crafting,

Michelle