60th Gate fold Card and updates...

This card is sooo late being mailed, (seriously are you surprised?), but it's finally in the mail. I made it the same night I made this card.
Stamps: A Year of Flowers (GinaK)
Paper: Scarlet's Letter (Basic Grey)
I also used color pencils and the Cricut for the numbers and ovals.

I've been holding back on this one because I want to do a tutorial on this gate fold card. I didn't take step by step pictures and I would have to make another one to do so. I don't have time right now, today, but I'll make another card with this fold soon and take pictures and post it then.

Thanks so my sweet friends who've expressed their concern. I don't want you to worry about me because I'm not blogging everyday, which is my usual pattern. Blogging and card making have taken a back seat to other things in my life right now. I work a few hours a week for Hero Arts. I'm also volunteering at the school. I do want to update you so that you won't worry when you don't hear anything from me.

I like bullets. They help me to organize my thoughts. So here goes...

• Physically, I'm doing great. Other than the allergic reactions I continue to have on and off, I feel better than I have in a long time. The medicine wasn't supposed to be working this fast, but something or Someone is. I have an appointment next week with a new dermatologist. This is the one I received a recommendation for in the first place-- let's call her Dr. One. When I first called this practice back in June, Dr. One was booked up until September. They scheduled me with Dr Two and I saw her all summer. When Dr. Two left in September, she handed me off to another colleague, Dr Three. I've only seen her once but she contradicted Dr. Two on a few things. So when I was there to have my blood drawn the other day I asked to be scheduled with the original one, Dr. One, and they found a spot for me. (yeah!) I'd like to see what her perspective is. Who knows, maybe this one will work out. Nevertheless, I'm feeling great. I'm starting to walk in my neighborhood again now that it's not so hot.
• Spiritually, I'm on the brink of a something new and exciting that I will disclose later. I believe God is going to use me in a new way. I've also started attending a Bible study at church. Actually, I'll be going tomorrow for the first time, but I've been studying the book for the last couple of days. The study is called Discerning the Voice of God. My teacher,or facilitator because this is a video series, is Micah. She's the one we helped that really cold night with her car. And one more thing, I volunteered to help organize some things in our Sunday school class. There was a need...
• Emotionally, I'm great. Still joyful, by choice. I am bothered by some things I've heard during this election season. I have LOTS of things on my mind, but I'm not sure I want to spill my mind in public (sounds dangerous, doesn't it?). Most of what is floating around in my thoughts is about how Americans are behaving. The passion behind this election is something I've never seen in my lifetime. Technology has brought us to a whole new level. There are so many opinions in blogs and things and so much opinionated "journalism" floating around, it's hard to discern the true facts. People on different sides of this election process are going to have to come to terms with the fact that just because others don't see things the way they do, doesn't mean the others are stupid. Yup, I've heard the intelligence of the other voters being called into question. If we vote our conscience as we are encouraged to do, that can be as different as we are different. Our experiences determine the interpretation and conclusions of what we see and hear. How we accept or reject what we hear is based on our experiences. Some people vote on one or two issues. Some are willing to overlook one thing in favor of lots of other things. The beauty in all this is that America was founded on the principal of freedom of choice. Coincidentally, we were created with that same privilege from God. So I'm done talking about it. God is in control. I'm praying for the healing of our nation now, in the aftermath of this election and for our next president.

And with all that said, I need to get on with my day. I'll be back in a few days, probably. I've recommended before, and I'll repeat that to keep you from clicking over and not finding anything new, you can sign up for the Feedbiltz ( in the right column) and read this blog in your email the next day or sign up with a reader like Google Reader. It updates pretty soon after I post, so it'll be there when you check it.

Be blessed and thanks for blessing me by reading this blog and leaving me encouraging comments.

P. S. I added a request to the prayer list located here.

Princess Jacki

This picture of me on what I think is my 5th birthday. Like my crown?(wink)

The Salt blog's latest challenge came at just the perfect time to give me that boost I needed to get this page done. I've chosen a lavender 6 x 12 album so the canvas size is a bit out of the ordinary for me. I'm used to working on 12 x 12.

I took pictures last night of my last class that I want to share with you. I won't say I'll be back later, because every time I do that, something comes up and I don't get to do it like I think. So you didn't hear me say that OK?

Have a blessed day!

Basketball 15

A birthday card for another teen nephew.

The cards are Beyond Postmarks Tennyson from K&CO
folded size is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

Stamps: Basketball net(SU), Basketball on the numbers ( River City Rubber Works)

Paper: Basketball texture (The Paper Company)found at Michaels.
The numbers were cut with the Cricut ( George)
Other: Magnetic Snaps(Basic Grey)

I stuck the green piece of paper in so that you can see where the gift card or cash will go.


On a personal note: I'm painting and stamping things today. I finishing up a little gift for those who participated in my Leap Year Challenge, but I can't show you that yet. After they all receive them in the mail I'll show you.
I've also finished the lap desk I spoke about the other day. Here's a sneak Peak.

This is done with ( Hero Arts) clear stamps! LOL.

I'm cleaning while I wait for the paint to dry, so it's going to be a busy day! You have a blessed day, too.

D is for Die Cut and E is for Eyelets.

I've been playing with the Cricut again (finally) AND eyelets. I meant to do the D challenge last week but that Leap Year challenge consumed all of my free time. This week, I decided to do a double.

This is a A2 Gatefold card made by K and Company. The game controller,basketball, and car key (Quickutz) done with the Big Shot.


This is also A2. The card is made from Prismatics Textured Cardstock.

I don't know why I made this one. I guess I did because I could. The boy* wants me to make one for his bedroom door. I think I need one for mine too!
Did I tell you that I often refer to my oldest son as "the boy". I know it's horrible, but after three girls and having grown up with 4 sisters and no brothers, I didn't know what to do with a boy ;). Anyway when the second boy came along we started calling him "the other boy". Nobody's feeling are hurt. My boys know that I love them, but that I'm odd and they love me for my 'oddness'
This is a Die Cuts with a View 5 inch square embossed card.


Strange isn't it? 4 cards with no stamps and no coloring? Must be the migraine I had this morning... Oh, my bad. The HB card has 'happy birthday'(stampola) stamped.

I have a coloring class tonight I need to go and make up the booklet.

Birthday Blessings II

I had been struggling all day with matching papers to another "Birthday Blessings" cutout I did on the Cricut the other day. It was orange and yellow. Nothing in this entire room matched. Just like that, I decided to toss it and it was like a burden was lifted. After all, it's just paper right? So I decided to finish the remaining brown cut out with purple Bazzill card stock and then I went to bed.

PS. I think that card I posted yesterday grew on me. I really like it now.

Birthday Blessings

I had a hard time making this card. I've not been in a creative mood lately. I'm still on cleanup mode, sooo I'm super busy, but I wish I was more super focused....
I almost forced myself to make cards because I need a couple of January birthday cards and I wanted to use those pieces I cut with my Cricut the other night. So here is my first Cricut card. I also used a Cuttlebug folder that I've had here for months-- unopened.
( I probably need a purple fix to get me out of this slump.)

I think I'm going to have a contest in a few days. Look around your stuff and see what you have "brand new" but unused. The longer you've had it the better...

Got to get back to work!

Cake and ice cream image by Stampola (retired).

Cricut, Cricut!!!

I didn't mean to keep you in suspense, but I want to have something to show when I talked about that box of rocks I got for Christmas! My husband bought me a Cricut (exactly as a bugged him to). And on his own, he also got me an extra cartridge, the spatula, extra mats, and extra blades. I was really impressed. He told me he watched the infomercial and liked it too.

ETA: My husband and oldest son added a few more gifts after that initial post. But we eventually moved the presents from under the tree to a closet. It was too much for my youngest son. His name was on one the packages and he kept getting it and shaking it and trying to figure it out.

They told me that the night he bought it and I was at work, the oldest boy (aka Basketball Jones) asked to wrap it. This same boy was given permission to use whatever he wanted in my Card Castle--after all it was for me... He used a really nice textured card stock with my Martha Stewart ribbon for the gift tag-- all purple!

Before I get into my first project, let me tell you about my initial struggle with this contraption. I couldn't find any instruction on how to put install the blade. I knew that I needed to install the blade, but not how. For everything else, there was help. I finally figured it out with the brilliant nine year old by my side. Who, I might add, had very wise words to say to me as I struggled with the first cut.

Gameboy: Mom, I don't understand why you wouldn't try to cut something simple to start?

Mom: Huh?

Gameboy: Why didn't you just try to cut a letter or something?

Mom: Huh?

Here is what I cut (smile).

and then I made this big mess.

I'm working on a card for my sister who had a birthday the other day. Remember one of my resolutions is to send cards on time to my family. At some point this year, I will accomplish that! I'll be back with that card later today.

Installing the Cricut Blade Assembly

I wish these pictures came in the instructions for the Cricut. This would have saved me many minutes of frustration. Just in case there are others who may have the same issue, I took pictures once I figured it out. I found these instructions for adjusting the blade depth which require you to remove the assembly. (but no instructions for initial installation)

Here are Cricut's instructions (page 14 of the manual) with my pictures:
To remove the cutting blade assembly, locate the thumbscrew and turn it counterclockwise until it loosens enough that you can swing the thumbscrew to the right. Be careful not to loosen the screw too much or it will fall out.

Once you get it open, insert the green blade assembly as shown. Close the arm and tighten the thumbscrew around it.



Now that you know how to do insert it, you are supposed to remove it when you need to adjust it. Page 15 of the manual has two charts for speed adjustment and pressure adjustment. It makes sense that you would need to adjust it based on the thickness of the paper or card stock. My Gingerwood friends also gave me tips on speed and pressure. Susan posted a chart that she keeps taped to the Cricut for easy access.

I would benefit for a "Cricut for Dummies" book. I'll add more tips as time permits and I figure things out.