Cuttlebug challenge #11: criss-cross card...

This week's challenge is to make a criss-cross card.
You can find the directions here

I made mine with DCWV patterned papers, cardstock from The Paper Co. and the "textile" embossing folder. The stamped images are $1 Studio G stamps. Ribbon and bling from stash.

I hadn't made one of these cards before, but it was very easy to do! And, I really like the way it looks! I have actually made 4 other criss-cross cards using blues and browns for wedding invitation samples.

I also have some good news! Well, good for me, anyway! LOL

I FINALLY have a computer to myself again! At my own desk! Next to my scrap table! I am so happy to not be sharing DH's old laptop anymore! His newer laptop came back from Acer last week, and it seems to be working... so I am using that as my computer. DH is still using the old laptop, but we'll be getting him a new one after the holidays. I hate using laptops though, so I actually have a separate keyboard and mouse that I'm using! LOL :)

TFL!

Christmas Paper Bag Album for Cuttlebug Challenge #10

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to create a holiday project other than a card. I made a paper bag album.

Here's the front cover:

It's kinda hard to tell in this pic, but the "Merry Christmas" is embossed with D'vine Swirl

first set of pages:

second set of pages (embossed with D'vine Swirl):

third set (heat embossed the edges with gold):

fourth set (embossed with Diamond in the Rough):last set:
back cover:
side view with pull out tags (embossed with D'vine Swirl and Diamond in the Rough):

I took 3 standard brown paper bags and folded them in half. I cut my papers about 1/8" smaller than an album page. I inked all bag edges and paper edges with black Staz-On ink. All paper is from Close to my Heart's "Evensong" level 2 pack. I've done distressing, inking, heat embossing and dry embossing with the Cuttlebug. There are 3 side pockets to add journaling or photos. I've made 2 tags, which I embossed with the Cuttlebug, then inked with metallic gold ink, and black Staz-On ink. I've also put a tab so they are easy to pull out and added a Prima flower embelllished with gold Stickles. The front cover has 2 silk-like flowers and 3 holly leaves, all embellished with gold Stickles. The "Merry Christmas" saying is also embossed. The album is bound by 3 pairs of red and green metallic ribbons.

TFL!

A couple LO's...

While I'm at it, I might as well upload a few other pics too! I did both of these for Creative Scrappers' "Sketchfest" as well as Scrapbook Bingo's November Virtual Crop.

Day One

Creative Scrappers Sketchfest: "Stamp a Title"

Scrapbook Bingo VC challenge: use rub-ons

All paper is Basic Grey Urban Prairie

white pigment ink, black dye ink, Staz-On black ink

white gel pen

rub-ons: MAMBI

Untitled:

Creative Scrappers Sketchfest: "Lacy Lucy"

Scrapbook Bingo: this doesn't actually count as a challenge, just as a completed page

I left this one untitled because I couldn't think of one that I liked.... so I asked my DD (the one in the pic) and she said she liked it without one :)

all papers are Basic Grey Urban Prairie

Colorbox Cat's Eye ink (chestnut roan)

flowers: Joann's brand

misc: lace

zig writer (pure brown)

Stickles (hard to see in the pic)

TFL!

Cuttlebug Challenge #9

Well, after over a month, I'm finally uploading a pic of something! LOL


It is just such a pain in the butt to upload the way I have to, that I have been putting it off. But, I will put it off no longer! LOL


Here's my latest project for Cuttlebug Challenge:

The challenge is to make your own embossing folder. I chose this holly image from Stretch Your Imagination and cut it at 2.5" on the Cricut Expression. I cut 3 images from some cardstock scraps, stacked them (like a sandwich), and glued them together. You need to make sure the positive and negative of your image lines up, and you have made your own embossing design! More details are on Betty's blog here:

http://bettybrett.blogspot.com/2008/11/make-your-own-cuttlebug-folder-2.html

I lightly sanded the embossed edges, then trimmed around the image leaving a border, and added Stickles... mounted on foam tape to make it pop.

white card base: the paper company

patterned paper: moxxie

bling: stickles "holly" and rhinestones from stash

black dye ink

Offray ribbon

embossing done using "holly" image from Stretch Your Imagination cut with Cricut Expression at 2.5"

TFL!

Another update...

Well, I'm still sharing the old laptop :( We were hoping we wouldn't have to buy a new computer if DH's other laptop came back working (he sent it to Acer for repair). But it's STILL not working! I can't tell you how pissed off we are with Acer, and Geek Squad (the people Acer recommended taking it to first). Geek Squad at Best Buy* is just a group of idiots who don't know anything about fixing laptops. They said they were sending it to Acer 3 or 4 times (of the 6 or 7 times we took it to them), but Acer only has record of it being sent in once... and that was the time we sent it directly to them!
A bunch of stuff has been replaced on it, but the blueray player still won't play DVDs, only CDs. DH didn't choose the laptop because of the blueray, but he can't play any DVDs or burn to DVD. And, it won't connect to the internet. It's not our router because this laptop still connects (obviously). It can see our internet, and a few others, but it won't connect to any of them.
And of coarse, the warranty expires on the 28th, so we have just a couple of days to get it back to them for one last repair attempt.
Anyway, enough about that! I still have limited internet time, and I can't easily upload photos (this laptop doesn't have a slot for SD cards), so I still won't be able to update much. I have been scrapping here and there... I finished a chipboard mini-album, a few cards, and some layouts that I can't wait to share with you!

*Note: I'm not saying all Geek Squad employees are idiots. Just the ones who work at our local Best Buy that helped us.

Quick update...

Well, I am still without a computer (still sharing DH's old laptop) but the good news is all my photos are safe! The hard drive seems completely unaffected, so it looks like the motherboard and/or processor is what gave out. I am just so relieved that all my photos are still there. :)
I don't have access to them at this point... I can't wait to get my new computer so I can upload my pics online and burn the last few months' photos. I think the plan is to go computer shopping this weekend. I can't wait!

Offline for a while...

My computer DIED last night! I was checking my email, everything was fine, I got up to get a snack and when I came back, the computer was frozen on the screen saver (a frequent occurrence, unfortunately). Well, normally when it was frozen on the screen saver, just pushing any key or moving the mouse usually fixed it. Not this time. It was frozen for good :(
Ctl Alt Del didn't work... the power button didn't work... so I turned off the power strip. When I turned it back on, it just beeped. An annoying, never-ending beeeeeeeeeeep! So I turned off the power strip again, waiting about 30 secs and turned it back on.... still beeping, but this time it was a beep..... beep..... beep.... DH opened it up to take out the video card (I've been having a ton of problems since we upgraded my video card a year ago) but that didn't help.

All my photos are on the computer! I do download them to Snapfish, but I have some older digi pics that I never put on Snapfish... and of coarse I hadn't done October's photos yet, so I am worried about those! I have most of my pics burned to disk. I think I'm just a few months behind. But I really don't want to lose even just a few months! DH thinks he can retrieve them.... we'll find out tomorrow!

So, I have limited access on hubby's old laptop, which is unreliable at best. I won't be able to upload this week's Cuttlebug challenge, or any Creative Scrappers sketch LO's. :(
The good news is I'm getting a new CPU out of it! LOL

Hopefully I'll be up and running by the end of the week, or early next week depending on if we order the new computer online, or get one from a local store. Please keep your fingers crossed that I'll be able to save every photo!!

Christmas Layout using the Cuttlebug

Well Cuttlebug Camp was great! There were some great tutorials posted throughout the weekend. I can't wait to try some of them! My contribution to Cuttlebug Camp was a 1 page LO

Specific directions and a materials list is here:

http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2008/10/christmas-layout-using-cuttlebug.html

TFL!

A layout to share...

I finished this LO around 2 am this morning. I was following this sketch: http://www.creative-scrappers.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=497&pos=15

I just flipped the sketch so my LO is a mirror image of it.

I heat embossed the lower left corner of the photo with 3 layers of UTEE and 2 layers of Iridescent Sparkle on top.

**********

The title is white Thickers that I covered with Crushed Velvet Flock.

TFL!