Time to Bloom

I have had a great week. With the start of new school year at a new school I was unsure of how things would go. I should have known that God would have it all in control and had placed me in a wonderful place. I am no longer getting lost as I go from my classroom to the office and I have enjoyed getting to know so many new people.

This morning I decided to drop in at some of my favorite blogs. (You can check them out on the toolbar to the right.) Of course I was challenged again by 2S4Y. Laura provided the sketch for this week.

While Shea and Fisher were off to the store and before the Sunday School picnic I had some time to relax and make a card.

As I was going through my scrap pile I found this fabulous green polka dot paper. I paired it with some green lace on brown card stock.

I used the Home Decor cartridge to cut out the filigree piece and backed it with a shadow. I also cut out the dragonfly from the same cart.

The circle chipboard piece was just the right size but the colors didn't match. That is when I spotted the metallic BLOOM sticker and it was just made to fit. I was then inspired to use soda can for the metal strip which I embossed with my cuttlebug. I used some flowers and a square jeweled brad to accent the bottom corner. I love the way the colors came together. Enjoy and thanks for looking!

Kazan's Sketch 33

There are some beautiful cards on the 2 Sketches 4 You site inspired by Kazan's sketch. I decided to try my hand at creating a card based on her design.

I used my cuttlebug to emboss the background card and then highlighted the raised images by dabbing my ink pad straight onto the paper. Next, I used my 'victorian' decorative scissors to cut the border on the gorgeous rose paper I found in my stash.

The butterfly has become one of my favorites acrylic stamps. I cut a circle and then trimmed the bottom. I stamped the butterfly on it and distressed the edges. Finally, I added ribbon and buttons. It was a great way to spend some time this morning before Fisher wakes up. Have a blessed day!

A Teacher's Gift

What a day!! Fisher and I got up early to go to the Teacher Appreciation Days at several of the office supply stores. We definitely enjoyed the free sausage biscuit and chocolate milk along with the giveaways. I got things for the start of the school year like pencils and paper. I also got the supplies for the fantasy football draft next Saturday. For those of you who know my husband and I, you know how serious we are about our FF.

In timely fashion, Bitten by the Bug, is hosting a contest to create something for Back to School. Since Fisher will be starting preschool this year I thought it would be a great time to create a nice little gift for his teacher. The 'boys' went to the creek today with some friends so I had a couple of hours to play and create. I started with a plain cardboard box I had kept from some packaging of something. (I knew it would come in handy one day). I also wanted to use my Locker Talk cricut cartridge along with a new technique I saw online while at the beach.

The technique is to use gel pens in the cricut to draw instead of the cricut markers. While shopping today I found these small gel pens and pencil grips which hold the pens in place in the cricut. The paper on the gift box was first drawn with a gel pen by the cricut and then I cut it out using the shadow. I also did this on the Back to School circle for the side and the ruler. I am so excited that it worked so well.

After creating the box, I had to decide what to put in it. The gel pens fit nicely into the side compartment and a set of post it notes on the other side. I placed a small chocolate treat (m&ms) in there and topped the box off with a tag saying "A Special Note for You".

Now off to my next project. I have three bulletin boards in my new classroom that desperately needs some cricut attention. Have a great Back to School everyone.

Tri-Shutter Card

As I was lounging the days away at the beach last week I spent time on some great website. I was inspired by many and couldn't wait to get home to try some of the new techniques I had seen. One of them was a Tri-Shutter Card by Bonnie Szwalkiewicz. A tutorial for this card can be found at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/trishuttercard.

My grandmother has not been feeling well and I want to send her a little pick me up. This card is for her. I used a variety of techniques. On the long pieces I did some paper piercing. (I can see why a template for that would be useful.) I punched the tag with a CM punch and then distressed the edges before stamping and attaching the paper flower. The three flowers on the inside are from an inchie swap. I also used some of my new acrylic stamps from Imaginisce. I plan on writing a brief note on the center piece above the ribbon. I hope you enjoy the card. I know I enjoyed getting back to making it.

MIA in July

I have been amiss this past month. July turned out to be a very busy month. I spent three weeks in staff development workshops and a week seeking a new job. For the past 11 years I have been teaching math at an alternative high school for students at risk of dropping out of school. I enjoyed my work there and the students are very special to me; however, the time has come for me face new challenges. This next school year I will be at a comprehensive high school teaching math. I am excited and just a little anxious about the new school year. I am headed to the beach for a week to rest and relax with my family. I hope to return with a renewed energy and time to endulge myself a little with some cardmaking and blogging.

To all who have prayed for me and encouraged me - thank you!

God Bless All!
Karen