Life is a Journey...

A few days ago, my son-in-law celebrated his birthday. As I thought about what kind of card to make for him, I really struggled to come up with a design. Then I came across this Silhouette Design #53272, called Mountain Bike Wheel.

Isn't that an amazing cut? The spokes on each wheel are so thin, it's a wonder that they didn't get completely messed up during the cutting process. As I look at this photo, I see that I didn't get one little negative cut shape pulled out (look at the lower right section of the panel). I'll fix that as soon as I'm done with this post.

Since the wheels designate a journey, I decided to use a sentiment that reflected that, as well.

I created the banner in the Silhouette software, adding the starburst cutout. I also used my Silhouette to print the front and inside sentiments before cutting out the banner and the inside panel. It's so easy to center everything when it's all done on one machine.

The main font that I used for this card is called "Simply Gorgeous." It has a fun flow to it, and it doesn't look too "girly."

We will soon be home from our trip, and then I will be able to share some pictures and stories with you. Not too many, though. I don't want to bore you!!

Thank you so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.
Cheryl

The years have been kind to you...

The good-looking guy in the bunny slippers is a Bugaboo digital image that I won a few months ago. Isn't he a hoot?

I've colored him with my ProMarkers, and I added a little yellow chalk to the background so that it didn't look quite so stark. You may not be able to tell, but I've also added some Glossy Accents to his glasses.

My balloons were made with a Stampin' Up punch and tied with real thread. The thread is held taught by securing it behind my sentiment oval.

The sentiments on both the front and inside of my card are computer-generated. I love this punch line. This card is for my brother-in-law (Happy Birthday, Bill!), and I hope he loves it, too

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.
Cheryl

Spiders! Eek!

More fun Halloween cards involving smiling spiders...

Aren't those spiders cute? They look almost cuddly, don't they?

I've made them with two different sizes of CS circles, some googly eyes and some hand-drawn legs and smiles.  EASY PEASY!!

Here's a close-up of one of the little guys. You can just barely see that I rubbed a little Perfect Pearls around the edge of each circle. It adds a very subtle sparkle.

The smiles were made--of course--with a white gel pen. I only wish now that I hadn't made them all smile. At least one of them could have had a little round mouth that gave it a surprised look.

I picked up these gem border shapes at a BIG discount...and then I had to figure out how to use them. I measured them and then used my Cricut to cut the same shape (a little larger) and its shadow from the Elegant Edges cartridge. After using my computer to print my sentiment onto the white shape, I adhered it to the black shadow and then applied the gem border. Pretty!

The inside of my card is another Silhouette pop-out (Design #66067). Isn't it awesome? I love it so much. The spider web border was made with a Martha Stewart punch.

I couldn't stop at just one circle spider card, so I made a second one - with the same pop-out on the inside, of course.

Well that's it for me today. Halloween continues to inch closer and closer. Have you purchased candy for the trick-or-treaters yet? I love handing it out to the little ones who come to the door. They're all so cute in their little costumes.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.
Cheryl

Today is our wedding anniversary...

Today is our 17th wedding anniversary. We have had an amazing life together, and the adventure continues. In fact, we're on a wonderful trip to the northeast quadrant of the U.S. right now, so this is a scheduled post.

Even though we're traveling, I wanted to show you the card I made for my husband before we left. Please excuse how parts of it are out of focus (I was in a big hurry to get these photos taken).

To start my card-making process, I used my Silhouette to print my sentiments and cut two blue panels--one for my card front and one for the inside.

For the first time, I tried my hand at texture paste. I took a checkered stencil, laid it across my cardstock, and applied the paste with a spatula. It was actually really easy, and I love the dimension it adds to my card. It truly didn't take long to dry, so I was able to finish my card in an afternoon.

The inside is super simple, with only my sentiment and a little heart. I think the simple design is just right, though, for a masculine card.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.
Cheryl

Today's your day to shine...

Today is my grandson Sebastian's 12th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Sebastian!

Here's the card I made for him with my Silhouette Cameo:

I used various star dies to cut out some glittery stars for the front of my card. My sentiment is computer-generated, and I added some sparkle to the word "shine" with a clear Wink of Stella pen.

Here you can see the glitter a little better, and you can also see how I have popped up the star for some added dimension.

The inside of my card is the real "star." This is Design #65331 in the Silhouette Design Store. To make the pop-out just a little different, I added some tape behind each letter cut-out and then burnished some clear glitter onto the front.

Here you can see the glittery letters a little better. The light is still able to shine through them, but they looked nicely finished using this technique. Love how this turned out!

I know that I will use this pop-out many times. It takes a little patience to get it all folded correctly, but it's so worth it. I sure hope Sebastian likes it.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.
Cheryl

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #118: Halloween/Autumn/Fall...

Today we're jumping into a new challenge over at Let's Craft and Create, and it's on my favorite card-making subject: Halloween! I just love making Halloween cards. I'm not sure why that is, but I think it may be because of all the fun imagery, intense colors and fun sentiments.

Here's my card for our October challenge:

Isn't this a fun card? It will be going to one of my grandkids, and I think they'll enjoy receiving it.

First, I used a Sizzix side-step card die to cut my card base and my decorative panels. Then, I began to search through my Halloween stickers to see what I could find to embellish my scene.

The glittery bats were originally eyeless, so I gave them each a couple of spooky white eyes with a white pen.

The "Trick-or-Treat" is a dimensional sticker left over from a couple of years ago. I thought it fit in perfectly.

My black picket fence was cut with a Darice die. It was just the right size for this card.

The tree is a Spellbinders die. Do you see the bronze and orange sequins at the base of the tree? I thought they looked a bit like fallen leaves, while adding a little bling.

My cat was made with a Hampton Art stamp and die set. It's been heat embossed onto yellow CS and then die cut. I think the yellow shadow around it highlights it nicely.

My glittery pumpkin stickers were picked up at Michael's. They did not have brown stems, nor did they have any backing (you could see through the holes for the eyes and mouth), so I colored the stems with a marker and backed each of them with some yellow CS before adhering them in place.

I kept my inside pretty simple--just another dimensional sticker and a few punched bats.

Now you need to head over to Let's Craft and Create to see what the rest of the design team have come up with. You're going to love their Halloween projects!!! Then post your own creation onto the LCC site for a chance to win a fun prize. I can't wait to see how you use our inspiration for your own creation.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.
Cheryl

Skull and Crossbones...

Here's another card where I used that awesome Silhouette pop-out on the inside. But first, my card front...

For this card I used an old Cuttlebug skull and crossbones die for my focal point. I also added some Hampton Art stamped images--both heat embossed--and a brief sentiment.

In this photo you can see the green glitter in the nose and eyeholes.  I simply backed my die-cut with some redline tape and then burnished in the glitter on the front.

The word "Gruesome" was cut with my Cricut from the Happy Hauntings cartridge. Love that spooky font!

Once again, here's that fabulous Halloween pop-out (Silhouette Design #66067) for the inside. I trimmed it with some skull and crossbones Washi tape. Isn't it a great complement to the front of my card? Also, can you see how I've given the bats some spooky white eyes?

I have SO MUCH FUN making these cards. Hmmmm...wonder if I am descended from any witches or warlocks...

Hope you are having an amazing week! Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.
Cheryl