First Communion Cake

     I thought you might be curious as to how the First Communion for Matteo went. Well, it was awesome. It was wonderful to see the children so beautifully dressed up. The boys in their suit and ties and of course, the girls looking like little ladies. The children did a fantastic job and each had their own special part in the ceremony.

      Here is Matteo doing the first reading with Father Bill. He did a great job but I wouldn't have expected any less since he really is a great reader. (He wants to be an Author and Illustrator when he grows up).
     After Church we went back to the house to celebrate.
     I know that all children like cake but, Mattie LOVES cakes. He told me he wanted a stacked cake so I did 2 layers of yellow cake and 2 of chocolate. His little sister Cecilia has an extreme allergy to milk, butter, casein and whey so it makes it hard to make a dessert that is frosted and uses no butter. Thank God for the internet since I came across a recipe for wedding frosting that uses imitation butter extract and, rather than use clear vanilla, I used Almond extract. It was fantastic!
     I decided to try my Cricut cake machine again but this time I read all kinds to tips on line.The main tip was to freeze the fondant on your mat for a few minutes before cutting. Then after cutting, if you have trouble removing the pieces, to pop it back in the freezer for a few minutes before removing them. Success!!!! I also learned to roll the fondant really thin. I think when I tried it before my pressure was too high and the fondant was just a little too thick.You want the pressure at medium and a faster speed also helps.

     I used the Martha Stewart Elegant Cakes cart for the border. I think the cut resembles a little cross in the center of the scalloped circle. I even decided to use the little "crosses" to add to the layers. This was cut all out of fondant.

     Wow, I had a lot of little crosses, lol. In order to transport the cake I had to put a dowel down the center so I made a "Host" out of gumpaste to cover the hole. I had wanted to try making a cross for the topper but I just ran out of time.
     Of course, being a Floral designer, no party is complete without centerpieces, right? this is what I came up with:

     I used a 4" cube and cut a cross out of white vinyl to add to the front. I believe it was Indie Art and cut @ 2'. Then I used some blue water beads and a waterproof light. Everything was topped off with a white gerber daisy. This was so simple yet elegant. Not too girlie but just right to set the atmosphere for this big day.
     The crosses are now available for purchase here:
 https://www.etsy.com/listing/274689156/first-communionbaptism-vinyl-crosses-for?ref=shop_home_active_1
     I don't think there is a project that wouldn't benefit from using my Cricut, lol. Blessings to you all!!!

A Doll Of a Pocketbook

     Good Monday morning all you crazy crafters! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We had my grandson's First Communion. What a special week end for all of us. I'll be posting pics of all my projects for this special occasion in a few days. (Hint: I am gradually conquering the Cricut Cake Machine, yeah me!!!) Enough about me I can't wait to show you today's project. My youngest grand daughter is almost 2 1/2 and she is so crazy! Although she tends to be a little independent tom boy, she loves (some) girlie things. One thing she loves is to carry a "pockagook". Most of us call it a pocketbook, lol. I decided to make one just her size.

     Isn't this cute? I had purchased a package of these cute little canvas bags @ Michaels' and thought they were the perfect size of little girls. First thing I did was to pull out All Wrapped Up and decided to use the doll from page 12. I sized it at 3.5". Next I used Jacquard Injet fabric which I also got at Michaels. I used the best quality print setting and cut @ 2x, blade 5, speed5 and pressure 5.
     After it had dried for a few minutes I used an iron fusible web for the back of the image and heat set the front by placing paper on top of the image. I hand sewed a cross stitch around the outer edge with some embroidery thread. Since I know the ink is not waterproof I used some Liquid Laminate by Beacon to really saturate the image and cross stitching. This way it SHOULD be able to be hand washed.

     The laminate coating really helped to brighten these colors. Since I love dimension, I had to add some bling with my i-rock. If you haven't used this yet then I strongly suggest you do. A year ago I made t-shirts for the grandkids and used the i-rock to add bling and they have been washed repeatedly and these things will not come off! Now would be a good time to stock up since Erica has a great sale going on in her store. You can find all the details Here. I also used some liquid pearls for her cherry red lips!

     I needed to add a little something more so I decided to rummage through my stash and came across some fabric flowers I had left over from another project. You can use any flower pattern from a number of your carts but I wanted to tell you how I stiffened my flowers. After I cut them on my Imagine, then sprayed them with a product called Stiffen Stuff which is also by Beacon. You spray it on til it is really saturated and then scrunch it up just like you do with Glimmer Mist flowers. Then unwrap them and let dry. To finish them off I just added some stickles and a bow.
     That's my project for today. Now it's time to head back over to My Cricut Craft Room to see what other projects the Design Team has to share with you.

It's May!

Erica's Craft Room 100 Cricut Cartridge Blog Hop Day ONE

Welcome to Erica's Craft Room

100 Cricut Cartridge Blog Hop

You should have started at http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/  if not please start at the beginning

     Wow, it's May already. Can you believe it? May means flowers, Mothers' day and, of course, since it is the first week of May that means it's time for Erica's Craft Room Blog Hop! Just wait 'til I show you what I made for this Hop! If you came from  Sarah's  then you are in the right place. If not you will want to start @ the beginning with the lovely Erica. 

     This Hop was so much fun to create for. I used the following cartridges for my projects: Luau, Art Nouveau and Damask Decor. First I'll show you what I used the Luau cart for.

     A few weeks ago I showed you my "Hang Ten" layout using this same cart. I made several of these Hibiscus flowers to play around with. These leftovers were the right size for a card. I cut these at 2.0" and 1.75". I sprayed these with Candy Apple Red Glimmer Mist. I wanted the centers to really sparkle so I pulled out my Xyron sticker maker and ran the shadow layer through it with the right side facing down on my machine. This made a perfect base for my glitter.

     I put the 2 layers together (flower and Blackout) and I then sprinkled some Martha Stewart glitter on the sticky side and pressed it down with my finger to make sure all the glitter was adhered. This is a super easy way to apply your glitter. I added some Liquid Pearls in Gold Pearl to the stamen of the flower and a few dots around the center. I cut the leaves @ .75" and inked with Rangers Peeled Paint. All that was left was to add some pop dots to the flowers for some dimension. BTW the card base was from a pack of ready made cards by DCWV. If you are looking for any of the products I used here you can find them in Erica's Store. This is a great time to stock up since she is having a great sale for the whole month of May. You can get 33% off everything except for Provocraft items. Happy Mothers' Day to all of us!!

     I wanted to make this card interactive so I added a hidden tag. I cut the tag at 2.5". I can't remember which cart I used but you could use any cart with a tag feature. The Greeting is a rub on and, with a little ribbon and a brad, you are done. I even added a rhinestone to one of the flowers on the background paper.

     This next card is one of my favorites. Erica has Swaps over on her blog and this die cut was one of the Swaps I participated in. We had to make a die that was 4" and use the colors: blue, purple and green. I cut the tulips from the Art Nouveau cartridge on page 30. + shift @ 4". I also used Layer 1 for the Tulip heads.

     The center petal was cut out of glitter paper however I used some Stickles on the outer petals. The leaves were misted with white Glimmer Mist and, once dry, I embossed them with my Cuttlebug and a folder from the Oriental Bundle. I was so fortunate to find this wonderful background paper in DCWV Tres Chic. It was perfect for the braid I used on the outer edge of this card. If you would like to take part in one of Erica's challenges,  you can find them here Swaps.  She also has challenges with sketches that are provided on a regular basis. I can't wait to see what die cuts I get in return from this swap but I thought you might like to see what I created with mine.

     My last project is this beautiful tag from Damask Decor. I used the image on page 51 and cut it @ 4". The top layer is from the Luxury Stack by DCWV. This has a wonderful pearlized print and went so beautiful with  this particular cut. I used a pearl ivory cardstock for the blackout piece and added a little silver ink to the edge. I had this silver leaf and baubles hanging around on my craft table so, with a little tulle, this became a great way to finish off this tag. I have already stamped the "to" and "from" on the back so I just have to find the perfect gift to attach this too, lol.
     Well I hope you have enjoyed my projects and that you feel inspired to try some of them. Now it's time to head over to the amazing  Heather E and she what surprises she has in store for you.
     In order to have a chance to win some prizes, you must comment on on the blogs. Should you get lost along the way, here is the line up:

Line up

Saturday

Host- http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/

Liz - http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com/

Jenny R - http://myimagitivity.blogspot.com/

Kathy- http://3spoileddogs.blogspot.com/

Dana- http://danascraftycorner.blogspot.com/

Doris - http://mybugandmecreate.blogspot.com/

Janet - http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

Patti- http://sweetpsscrapbooks.blogspot.com/

Erica- http://ericasprojects.blogspot.com/

Miranda - http://www.nanasscrapspot.com/

Tonya - http://ittybittyladybugs.blogspot.com/ -

Sarah W. - http://www.craftingwithsarah.blogspot.com/<---- You came from here

Mary - http://mary-fortheloveofart.blogspot.com/ < You are here

Heather E. - http://pinkpunkcosmo.blogspot.com/   <----Next stop

Tracy - http://scrappininthewoods.blogspot.com/

Marji - http://fstampaholic.blogspot.com/

Blog Candy http://ericasblogcandy.blogspot.com/

Fathers' Day Cards

       Happy Tuesday and welcome to Erica's Card Creating Tuesday! Today the Design Team is happy to show you some Fathers day cards so you have no excuse not to get a jump start on making some of these for dear old dad. I am going to show you 2 different cards that I have created, so here we go......

     My first card actually was designed around this card stock with the rich brown grasses from the DCWV "Safari Chic" stack. I just love the papers in this pad and this one just begged to be used for a Fathers' Day card. I cut this great frame from Wild Card on page 66 @ 6.5". Don't you just love these cattails?
     I cut the frame from core'dinations Distress collection and inked the edges with walnut stain and tea dye inks from Ranger.I love to add texture to my dies so this time I used brown fun flock on the cattails. This is a great product and adds dimension especially a realistic look to this cut. I decided to add some Tarnished Brass crackle paint to the frame edges to add a little definition from the background paper.
     By the way, if you would like to purchase some of the products like the ones I have used here, you should check out Ericas' Store. She has all the latest products AND, this month she is giving a 33% discount in her store for everything but Provocraft. All you have to do is add the code 33 at checkout. How sweet of her is this!!! Just another reason why you should shop early and get those cards made, lol.

     I added some gold Atou spica markers to the stem of the cattails. (You didn't think I could make a card without a little bling did you?). The greeting is a rub on.

     I also added a rub on sentiment to the inside of the card. I couldn't bear to throw out this scrap of card stock with the touch of grass peeking out so I added that to the inside as well.

     I had bought a pack of Kraft pre made cards and envelopes so these came in so handy for both Fathers' Day cards. I found this tie and collar cut from of all places, Designer Calendar! You can find this on page 44 Events>shift and cut it @ 2.5". This cut is great but now I needed a shirt! I really loved this one that I found on Paper Doll Dress Up on page 32. You will find it on the top row 3rd from the left>shift. In order to get the right size, I made a test cut using computer paper first. I had to cut the shirt @ 8" in order for it to fit the shirt.

     I wanted the tie to stand out a little from the collar so I inked it with Antique Linen ink. The shirt was from another card stock in the Safari Chic pack. I had gotten a surprise from Erica in one of my orders (she loves to do that to all of us, lol). She had sent me some adhesive foam strips by Darice and they came in very useful to pop my tie and collar up.
     I used some Imaginisce silver brad tops for the buttons and a brad for the top "button". The square tags on the sentiment was cut from the Imagine More cart in 1.75" and also 2". I just popped them in my Xyron 2.5 create a sticker and now the tags were done. Once again I used a rub-on for the sentiment and the faux stitching. The cream card stock mat was embossed with a herringbone pattern and my cuttlebug. Does that brown strip look familiar? It should, it is the last piece from the cattail background paper from the other card.
     I hope you all have a wonderful week. Now that your Mothers' day cards are done start those Fathers' Day cards NOW. Be sure to pop back over to Ericas Room and see what the rest of the designers have to share with you today.They are so talented  and their projects are always fabulous!
   

A Whale Of A Time!!!

    
     Welcome to Theme Day Thursday! I'm so glad you decided to stop by. Yes, I have a new look to my blog and hope you feel more at home here. Hey it's spring so it was time to freshen things up a bit!!
     Today at Erica's Craft room we were to create a project with a Beach theme. I am always amazed when I go through my library of cartridges ( yes I have enough to call it a library!). You would be astounded at the images that you can find on the least likely places. For example I used Life's for  A Beach for some of my images but, I also found some really neat die cuts on Stretch Your Imagination and (believe it or not: Sponge Bob Square Pants and Pack Your Bags). I have a lot to share with you so let's get started.

   
After almost two weeks of rain (can I just say torrential!!) in Hawaii we finally had 2 beautiful days so my daughter wanted to show me the famous spot on Oahu where the whales winter over. There is a lookout spot where the tide rushes into the rocks and sprays up like the blow hole on the whales. Thus the name Blowhole Lookout.

   
 I found the whale border on Life's A beach cartridge on page70. It was cut @ 1.5" for the height out of a gray shimmer pack from recollections.For a shadow I cut it again in black card stock and off set it from the gray. I added some black pearl embellishments for the eyes.
     I found the whale stamp on Pack Your Bags on page 56 and used the stamp feature.I believe I cut this @ 2.5". I cut all the layers and then added stickles to the water spout using Star Dust and Waterfall colors and again, a pearl for the eye. When I cut this out I loved the separate whale and the negative part of the stamp so I decided to use these to my advantage and turn them in a journal tag. The only thing I had to do was cut another layer of the water spout!
     I bet you are wondering where I got the wave die cut from.: Sponge Bob Square Pants!!! That's right. After looking at all my carts this was the most realistic looking waves. You can find the image on page 47 under Icon. I cut 4 sets then inked them with distress inks Evergreen Boughs and Tumbled Glass. I used liquid Glass as an adhesive and Donna Salasar's Sugar Sparkle for the glitter. Now let's follow the turtle as we head on over to the next page!

     It was so nice here in the sun so I had to add this phrase.I found this on Pack Your Bags on page 44. I used a cream card stock but inked the sun with Dried Marigold and Antique Linen distress inks and also used Perfect Pearls Lemon Sparkle on the sun. I also cut it again in black and offset it on the page.
     This spot is near the Blowhole and is sort of an inlet where the turtles get swept in with the tide. There is a beach area where people sunbathe and swim with the turtles. Unfortunately it was too windy and cool for us to venture in.

     Most of the turtles die cuts are from Stretch Your Imagination on page 41. These were so much fun to make!!! First I cut them at different sizes out of brown cardstock. I had left these on the mat until I inked them with both Frayed Burlap and Forest Moss distress inks. I wanted a realistic look and something that would bring out the sand and rocks in the photos. I cut the layers as well and ran them through my cuttlebug with the "Tiny Mosiacs" embossing folder.
     Now for my absolute favorite cut on this whole layout. this would be the "shelled turtle. You can find this imagine on Stretch Your Imagination on page 73-S. I love this turtle! I used the CCR tomake sure the layer fit and hide the outline of the shell. I cut this out of black shiny card stock. I will share a tip with you. Rather than try to glue all these tiny pieces on the shell leave them on the mat and remove the cuts you don't want and leave the tiny pieces on the mat. I use a piece of transfer tape (the kind you use for vinyl transfer) and apply to your cuts. I then trim the edge of the tape and run it through my Xyron machine. After you remove the Xyron backing I place it on my die and gently put into place. I can then use the Cricut "hook" to jockey it into position and then smooth it down! Easy Peasy!!!! I had just gotten some new liquid pearls in with the most fantastic colors and this was a project just begging for it.I used the Avocado to outline the areas between the shells and the  outer edge.
     Sorry this is so long but I just had to share. Although a lot of the Cricut cuts are cute, with some ink and the right cut you are able to achieve a very realistic look.
     If you are looking for products like the ones I used here, please visit Ericas Shop as she has a fabulous sale going on . Believe it or not she is giving 33% off your order! Here are the details:

      The 33% off code is 33 and it will take 33% off your total purchase, except ProvoCraft items (Cricut cartridges, they are only $15-$32 EVERYDAY :)

     Erica is also giving away 3 free action Wobbles. You heard that right FREE! Just head back over to http://www.mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/ and on the right side bar you will see where you can  follow the instructions on where to send a self addressed stamped envelope for your 3 FREE Action Wobbles from The Scrapbooking Queen.

     You will also want to download the most up to date Cricut cartridge list directly from Erica's blog on the top left. She has also posted the Excel and Word formats for you all!

     Lastly our design team is having a garage sale!!! Whoo-Hoo! What fun! Next Thursday our sale will kick off. Right now the group is "closed" please request to be added to the group and once we have all of our items listed I will APPROVE you into the group....

The crafty garage sale is Thursday April 26- Saturday April 28

EVERYONE will get approved into the group on Thursday the 26th.

This is the crafty one

http://www.facebook.com/groups/135244386606507/

     Our anything but Crafty Garage Sale will be Sunday April 29- May 2

and this is the non-crafty sale

EVERYONE will get approved into the group on Sunday April 29

http://www.facebook.com/groups/226289120806147/

    

     At this time it is only open for Design Team members to sell their items. This is a temporary group and will be deleted after the event.... I know there are other crafty sales and crafty auctions. This is not to replace any of those. This is a one weekend only event.

     Wow that's a mouthful but I just didn't want you to miss anything that is going on with our FABULOUS Design Team!!!

     Also, I would love if you would head back over to Erica's Craft Room to see what the rest of the Design Team has to show you! I hope you have a wonderful week with the week end coming up.