Spring is in the air...........

It has been a beautiful last couple of days....Finally!!!  The weather here is so unpredictable.  On Thursday is suppose to get back down in the low 30's.  I've got everything planted so I hope it doesn't freeze or I will loose it all.  With spring comes gardens, plants and lots of flowers (and weeds....hopefully not too many~lol)

This week at The Cutting Cafe we were able to choose anything we wanted to work with!  I bet you can't guess what I chose! ....Why, yes, the flower!!!

FLOWER SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE... This flower shaped card is approx. 5.5 by 5.5 inches....It comes with an extra top piece for layer and a circle word that will punch out with a 2 inch circle punch...circle word reads: if friends were like flowers, i'd pick you.

I still can't pick the one I like the most. 

 

I used my silhouette cameo to cut the file.

 

Make sure you stop by The Cutting Cafe Blog to see all the Design Team's creations.  Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win not 1, not 2, but 3 free sets.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Thought I'd share....

Have you ever wanted to make a solid "lined" cirle or a dotted circle?  Well I figured it out, by accident.   I can't believe it!!!  While was working on my next project for The Cutting Cafe, it happened, a dotted circle!   It took me a few minutes to figure out what I did and how I did it.  I have been wanting to do this in photoshop elements and never really figured it out.    I can't believe how easy it is to do in silhouette studio.  I'm sure everyone but me knew this, but I thought I'd share anyway (just in case I'm not the only slow one out there). 

(click on picture to make larger)

I'm not the best at explaining this, but I will give it a shot.  So here it goes..........

1.  Select the Draw an ellipse (circle) shape.  It's the second section down on the left. 

2.  Select Line style window.  When you open the window you will have several choices that you can do with the line (right side of screen)

3. When you choose the solid line, you will get a solid outlined circle.  If you choose the dashed line (only the one right below the solid line) you will get the dots.  Depending on the dashed line you pick will determine how close together your dots will be.  (Examples shown)

4.  Also in the line style, you can pick thickness.  For the solid line,  you can slide the thickness bar to make your circle thin or thick. (different thicknesses shown above) For the Dotted line, you will chose the dashed line directly below the solid line.  So far I have found that this is the only one that will do the dotted line.  For the dashed lines you can choose one of the evenly placed dashes.  Moving the thickness bar will make the dashes small or big depending on the thickness you choose.  I have also found that you can pick one of the lines that has different size dashes and it will give you the look pictured on the last row above.   



You will see quickly the more you play with the different dashed lines and the thickness bar, the different looks you will get.  EASY PEASY!!!!

Well I hope this will help you.  I only wish I would have figured this out days ago.  I searched google for hours trying to figure out how to do this in PSE. 

Finally, spring weather today...........

Yes, we finally got some spring weather today!   We are not out of the woods yet though, it is suppose to freeze next week.  Of course it is, this is Oklahoma.  We will probably skip spring all together and go straight to 100 degree summer!!! 

With spring here (I hope it stays) I really wanted to work on a milk can my friend and I got last  summer.  We like to go "junking" together.   That's what we call it anyway.  She has several of these cans.  I got one, not really know what I would do with it.  I had to do something with it, It just took me a while to figure it out.  Here is a sneak peek.  Keep reading to see what the final project turned out like.

I started first by spray painting it black.  After that I used my favorite craft tool, (I'm sure you haven't heard that before) my silhouette cameo to cut out a commercial vector from Peppermint Creative.  It's called Elegant Welcome word art. 

 

I couldn't decide on what to do after.  I didn't know if I wanted to put a dry flower arrangement or a live plant in it.  My friend, Teresa, does beautiful arrangements and did one in hers.  I just couldn't make up my mind (that's nothing new) so I decided to go the cheap way with the ivy.  Oh and the ribbon, yeah that took me forever to decide too!!!!  I hope you like the finished product.  It's sitting on my front porch.  My husband even said he liked it.

 



Prom 2013

I don't post very much about personnel things (I try not to ~ when I do, I try to make sure it's positive) but I just have to about this.  Yesterday was my son, Chance's junior prom.  Oh man, has time changed, along with costs.  The tux alone was $200.00, actually it was over 200.00. I'm not kidding!  We hired a professional photographer, double decker bus, food, plus other expenses.  Thanks to one of the mothers, Chel, this all went off without a hitch.  I can't thank her enough for single handedly putting this all together.

I was so happy to be able to join some of the kids before prom festivities. Yes, I can't believe he went for that.  Wow, did these kids look so awesome all dressed up.  Didn't know these boys could clean up so nicely.  And the girls, they looked so beautiful in their dresses.  I have to say, even with all the expense, I am quickly reminded that memories = PRICELESS!!  So without further adieu, here are pictures of my handsome son, Chance and his beautiful girlfriend, Schyler. (and a few extras :o)

20, 30, 40..........

The hardest birthday for me, by far, was 30.  I cried for three days straight.  I didn't like 40 either, but I still think I had the hardest time for my 30th.  Now that I'm over the 40th birthday, I've decided I'm not going to celebrate any more  (Yes, I know that doesn't make them go away). 

Also the older you get, the more jokes you get.   Guess that is suppose to help ease the pain.  It's all in fun, right?!?   So when I was thinking of what to do for my project, I thought of this idea I saw on pinterest where they put blow pops in an arrangement in a cute flower pot with the saying "40 blows".   At first I was offended (yes, I don't have a big since of humor~working on that) and then I remembered about those jokes you get when you get older.   So here it is, remember it's all in fun!

This week for The Cutting Cafe we had to use:

The Tall Box Cutting template - cutting file

This TALL BOX template - cutting file is approx. 8 by 2.5 inches (all around).

The set comes with the following:

1 solid tall box

1 tall box with one window cut out

1 tall box with 4 window cut outs

8 sentiments

1 window frame

The file comes in the following formats: PDF, WPC, SVG and MTC

  

 I changed it up alittle, used gum instead of blow pops.

   

 

Used the Silhouette Cameo's print and cut feature.  I also trimmed the acetate sheet alittle shorter to make a shorter box.  This set is soooo easy to work with. 

 

 

 

Additional supplies: 

Acetate sheet ~ Staples

Double Bubble gum balls ~ found them from the Dollar Store

Whisper White Cardstock from Stampin' UP!

Digital paper set, Birthday Boogie, from Peppermint Creative

End of School means special gifts for your teachers.

Next weekend is Prom for my son.  We are excited and are running behind on getting flowers and tux.  My sons girlfriend is soooo sweet and soooo pretty.  I will post pics as soon as I get some. 

After prom, I think there is only a month or so of school left.  OMG!!!  That is just crazy.  Okay, so I made a cute gift that you could give to your teacher to let her know that you appreciated everything she has done throughout the year.  I used the Commerical Vector- Teachers Scribble BlockArt from Peppermint Creative.  There are many more that you could use for this project and others.

I found this cute chalkboard at Hobby Lobby.  I think they have different sizes.  I had my husband drill small holes on the ends.  I first painted it a lime green, but didn't really have any ribbon to match so I repainted it red. 

To start off with, I imported the cutting file from Peppermint Creative into Silhouette Studio.  (Tutorial to come.~  Still trying to figure out how to get it posted.)  I used my Cameo and vinyl to cut the word art.  I hope to show you how to transfer the vinyl to the board shortly. 

Here is the project finished.

I love using the Vector art for projects.  I have several others to come.  Just waiting on the weather and the wind to cooperate. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Don't forget to go by and check out everything that Peppermint Creative has to offer.  While you are there, check out the galleries.



Vacation is all we ever wanted, Vacation is..........

Okay, so I can't sing.  (At all!)  My family always turns the radio up when I'm in the car so I don't even bother anymore.  Every now and then at work, I will sing along (if that is what you call it) to the music that is playing.  There again, I'm quickly reminded that I can't sing.  Oh well, I try!

Can you believe there is less than two months left of school?!?  That means VACATION time.!!! It also means my baby will be a SENIOR!!!  Where has the time gone?  I'm so not ready for him to be a Senior.  I can't be any more proud of him, but I am just not ready to let go. 




For this weeks project for The Cutting Cafe, we had the choice of the SUITCASE BOX SET, SUITCASE MINI BOOK, SUITCASE TREAT BOX or THE POSTCARD.  I chose the suitcase treat box.  What fun sets, just in time for vacations.  With vacations comes alot of packing......in suitcases, of course.   I thought this would be cute to give to friends who are traveling.  Fill with their favorite candy, nuts or mini cookies.

SUITCASE TREAT BOX TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE

Made by Regina Easter~Owner of The Cutting Cafe!

 This SUITCASE TREAT BOX template - cutting file is approx. 4 inches in width by 2 1/2 inches high with a depth of 1 1/5 inches. The file comes with 5 sentiments and other accessories to decorate the front of your suitcase.

The file comes in the following formats: PDF, WPC, SVG and MTC

These are the sentiments in the set:

So everyone that knows me, knows that I love polka dots.  (I can't wear them though...UGH!)

For the "leather" look on the handles and corners, I used a brown paint chip that I had gotten either at Lowes or Wal-Mart.  I'm always painting something, so I pick a few up here and there.  They have a little glossier look than just printing it on paper. 

I used Photoshop Elements to bring in some stitching for the red straps.  I don't think I turned the color quite dark enough.  I also used my FAVORITE tool in my craft room.....my Silhouette Cameo with the Silhouette Studio software.  I'm in love with the print and cut feature. 

Don't forget to stop by and look at all the other creations the team has come up with.  I can't wait until Wednesdays to see them.  Everyone is sooooo talented. 

Thanks for Stopping by!



 

I know Easter is over...........

I know Easter is over, but I wanted to post a project that I made.  My intentions were to get it done and posted for my project for Peppermint Creative before Easter, not after.  UGH!!!! 

For this craft, I sprayed the top of a parmesan cheese container in a tan color to match the paper that I used.  The paper is from Easter Blossom kit.  I also used one of the ovals from the Gingerbread Frames.  Oh and the bunny from Speckled Egg kit~brights.

I used Silhouette Studio and imported the paper, frame and bunny.  The bunny I cut out of a brown paint chip that I picked up from Wal-Mart some time ago. I did this by importing the bunny from the Easter Blossom kit, select the "trace outer edge" feature and then I cut it out.  I printed a whole page of the paper from the Easter Blossom kit.  For the oval scalloped frame (Gingerbread frames), I used the Select Trace Area feature, click the high pass filter (so that it is unchecked) and then move the threshold slide bar until the area is all highlighted.  Once you do this, select "trace outer edge" button.  You can then move the frame off to the side and fill the "traced" frame with whatever color you like.  I also used the oval to cut an oval in the printed paper that I printed earlier.  For finishing touches, I used two way glue and prisma glitter on the oval.  Hope this helps.

I filled the container with these cute little milk chocolate bunnies. (pictured above)

Don't forget to stop by and check out all of the awesome products that Peppermint Creative has to offer.

Like I said, I know it's after Easter, but maybe you could do this for another holiday or for a gift for a friend.  Fill it with their favorite candy and of course use a birthday theme, or whatever fits the occasion.

April showers bring May flowers..........

......I sure hope so.  I am so ready for spring weather and to see green and colors.  Everything around here is dead.  It's kinda depressing.  We did get some well needed rain today and it suppose to rain for two more days.  This will make the farmers very happy.

Okay so on to the fun stuff.  I have just finished the project for this weeks challenge.  Mrs. Regina at The Cutting Cafe' has been adding to the collection a couple of times a week.  So if you haven't stopped by lately, you really need to stop by.  This week we got to choose from one of the following sets:

 

TALL PRESENT SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE 

TALL FLOWERS SHAPED CARD SET...TEMPLATES - CUTTING FILE 

TALL CAKE SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE 

TALL ICE CREAM SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE

 

All the files above will fit nicely in the STRING AND BUTTON ENVELOPE.

 

I chose the Tall flower shaped card set.  Hope you enjoy it.

 

I used my Silhouette Cameo and imported the files into SS.  From there I did a print and cut.  Very easy to assemble!!!  Also the smaller picture above is a punched flower and a brad.  There are many ways that you can do this. Mrs. Regina has a quick tutorial here on how to do the envelope.

 

 Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow.  It's a new day and new beginnings. 

Stop by The Cutting cafe's Blog tomorrow to see all the other fun projects the design team has made.

 

 

Half Asleep or half awake?..........

Wow!!!  I  just went back and read a post that I did last night.  Man, I must have been half asleep.  It didn't make a word of sense.  Sorry for that!  Hopefully that won't happen again. 

What I really want to share with you today is a really sweet deal at Peppermint Creative's blog.  Miss Mint has posted a couple of freebies.  Subway art freebies to be exact.  Go here to grab them.  I can't wait to frame them myself. 

 

One other thing I would like to share with you...............

is some new cutting files that Regina made at The Cutting Cafe!  One of my favorite new files is the tall box template/cutting file that she made out of acetate sheets.  You don't have to use acetate, but I do really like the look.  I bought some sheets at Staples the other day.  Now I have to find some extra time to make it.  Go here to check it out. 

 

Also leave a comment on the latest project at The Cutting Cafe's blog for a chance to win, not 1, not 2, but 3 sets from the store. 

 

           

 

Both images were taken and belong to Regina Easter at The Cutting Cafe





Another candy holder for Easter....

Here is another design project that I did for Peppermint Creative.  I forgot to include it in my last post.  I used the Hoppy Easter Paper pack.  Now 30% off.

I used the paper from the Hoppy Easter paper pack.  I also used a template from the Silhouette store called pillow box w pop out flower.    

Oh Snap!..........

This weeks project for The Cutting Cafe is the POLAROID AND CAMERA FUN TEMPLATE AND PRINTABLE SET.   

This set includes:

1 Polaroid frame shaped card - approx. 3.5 by 4 inches. (also comes with a matching envelope), 1 smaller polaroid frame - approx. a little bigger then 1.5 by 2 inches.

Left and right speech bubble,1 arrow, 1 film strip, 1 polaroid camera with all the accessories to decorate it - approx. 2.5 by 2 inches, 1 camera with all the accessories to decorate it - approx. a little bigger then 2.5 by 1.5 inches, 1 polaroid camera shaped card - approx.5 by 4 inches. 1 camera shaped card - approx. 5.5 by 4 inches.  All of the cutting files come in the following formats: WPC, PDF, SVG AND MTC.

PLUS the set includes 55 other assorted printable images.

I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with this set.  I really love my camera strap, so I thought I would incorporate a cute "strap" to the card.

 

Imported into Silhouette Studio.  I used the print and cut feature.   Check out some really good silhouette tutorials here.  Added a small punched flower with brad from Stampin' UP!

 

Camera Strap detail below 

 

Hope you enjoy the card. 

 

Thanks for Stopping by and don't forget to stop by The Cutting Cafe!  Regina has some really cute new files including this one!

 

 



Hippity Hoppity..........

Can you be you believe Easter is this weekend?  I don't think we have even made any plans yet.  Time is flying by waaaaay too fast.  This past weekend I worked on some projects for Peppermint Creative.  For these projects I used Hoppy Easter Elements, Hoppy Easter papers and paper from the Easter Bloom kit.



I used the print and cut on my Silhouette Cameo.  It took me a while to get the circle around the bunny just right.  Silhouette studio is having a couple glitches since the last update.  I hope that you enjoy the following Hybrid projects that I made.  I also use the "Jelly Bean Goodie bag holder/cutting file" from The Cutting Cafe.

 

Take a minute and stop by Peppermint Creative, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for Stopping by!!

Well Finally....

I finally did it!  I posted the blinkie for Peppermint Creative.  Gosh, I'm not sure quite why that took me soooo stinkin' long to figure out.  Sometimes I wonder.  I think it's true, the older you get, the more you forget!!

Okay, so now onto the fun part!  My very first Design Team Project.  I used the Miso Lucky kit designed by Miss Mint at Peppermint Creative. 

 

I used the Silhouette Cameo to cut the images and applied them to a gift box that I made out of a recycled box (a Wal-Mart stock lady gave them to me)

Want to get this amazing kit for FREE?  Make a $10.00 purchase at Peppermint Creative!!!  Check it out now.

Offer ends Tues. Mar. 26th (midnight EST)

I've got some exciting news........

I have some very exciting news for you.  I can hardly believe it!!!  I am proud to announce that I am officially on the Creative Team for Peppermint Creative as an Hybrid Artist.  How exciting is this.  I've been reading guide lines, contracts, etc. to try to make since of it.   My brain is overloaded at the moment.

I will be posting my very first project for Peppermint Creative in the very near future.  (Have it done, just working on all the details).

In the meantime, go and check out all the digital kits, elements, vector art, ect. that Peppermint creative  has to offer.   While you are there check all the design teams projects.  Gosh, I hope I can keep up with these ladies.

An Apple a day...........

An apple a day keeps the doctors away, or so they say.   I don't know if this actually works, because I haven't done it.  Maybe I should test this well known rhyme.  It would be alot healthier than all the junk I like.  Is it too late for another New Year's Resolution?

This week at The Cutting Cafe the design team were given the choice of using Birthday Fun, Fun With Dress Forms or the Apple Box set.  I chose the Apple Box set.  To celebrate the Holiday, "St. Patricks Day" the project was done in green colors. 

 (Sentiments in the set)

 

 

For this project I used digital paper that I got free at kevinandamanda.com.  I also used craft cardstock that I purchased at Hobby Lobby.  To cut out the apple, I used the print and cut feature on my handy dandy Silhoutte Cameo.  Did I ever tell you how much I love this machine?  For the light green square I used the color picker in the Silhouette Studio program.