Thank You!!

First of all, I'd like to give a big "thank you" to everyone who has left positive comments or sent me emails on my projects. Tomorrow will be one week since I officially posted my first design and I have been very humbled by all the talented women who have given of their time to stop and leave me a comment. To have people from literally all over the world see my items and like them is unbelievably satisfying and exciting.

I have been extremely busy today with other things so I have not had a chance to design anything new for the blog. I volunteered to do a bulletin board for my daughter's Reading teacher. She was a teacher of mine, and I must say one of my favorites. So, today I put MTC to work for me doing a hinge technique to cut out some rainbows and I also made some of my "little pots of gold", in flat form, to use. I will be assembling the bulletin board tomorrow and I hope to get some pictures to post on here. I also got an order for some items that I did at a holiday craft show last year that I needed to complete for delilvery tomorrow.

I hope to be back at my crafting table sometime late tomorrow and with any luck my creative juices will flow and I will have another free MTC / SVG file for you shortly.  Again, thank you to all who have stopped in my little part of cyberspace and left me a compliment and/or decided to follow me on my crafting adventure.

Until next time,
Happy Crafting!
Sabra

Birds on a Fence

I belong to a great Yahoo Group located at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MTCHints-Tips/ It's a great bunch of gals and we share ideas and conversation. The group is less than two weeks old but we're growing at a nice pace. Anyways, each week a challenge is posted for us so that we can try something new or improve on something we already know how to do. We then share it with the group and pat each other on the back. Like everybody else, crafters love a compliment and they are plentiful in the group.

This weeks challenge was to create a box with a lid using our Cricut and if possible our Make the Cut program. I have thought and thought all week about what I wanted to do. I did quite a few boxes for my craft shows this past holiday season so I wanted to do something a little more challenging and unique. I did need to use Inkscape, which I am very clumsy with, to do the fence and bird. This was the most difficult item I've made but I am oh so happy with it.

I'm not posting a link directly on the blog as it is 2 files. I will be happy to share it with you if you would like it though. Since I did put so much work into I'm only going to ask a few small favors in return for me sending the files to you. 1. Leave a comment with your email so I know where to send it  2. Become a follower of my blog.  If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email on the blog you can send it to me in a private email at phonemommy@yahoo.com.

Easter grass would look best inside the box but seeing as it is 1:00 am here and I have no grass on hand, I had to use tissue paper. But, I was so excited to share it with you all that tissue paper had to do for tonight. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Until next time,

Happy Crafting!

Sabra

I've just received a "Beautiful Blogger Award"

I want to say thank you to Lee Ann from http://craftysideofme.blogspot.com/  She just sent me my very first award!! I was completely shocked by this when I read over my comments this morning. As you all may know, I am a total newbie to the papercraft world and this has just motivated me to continue to work hard and  be creative for all of you. I truly do enjoy it and am becoming addicted at alarmingly fast rate. Thank you again, Lee Ann, and if any of you haven't checked out her blog you need to!

Part of the award is to share 7 things about myself... so here we go:

1. I am married to a federal police officer who works countless hours so I can be at home for our kids.
2. I have a 15 year old son who is handsome, artistic, musically gifted and just an all around great boy!
3. I have a 13 year old daughter who is beautiful inside and out, academically gifted and witty as can be!
4. I love, love, love to talk and have been known to be on the phone through the entire night.
5. I have a standard poodle,  Chanel, who is constantly by my side.
6. I love to read and have become a fan of young adult fiction, as I read most everything first that my daughter wants to read.
7. I love God, Family and Country. (God Bless our troops!)

The 2nd part of the award is to give this to 15 others. Here are my 15:
1. Robin at http://www.mypinkstamper.com/
2. Trina at http://idreamofpapers.net/default.aspx
3. Angie at www.mychicnscratch.com/
4. Kay at http://cleversomeday.wordpress.com/
5. Jennifer at http://jennifermcguireink.typepad.com/my_weblog/
6. Joy at http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/
7. Megan at http://www.aboverubiesstudio.com/
8.    http://www.tuesdaytreats.com/
9. Amy http://scrappinstyle.blogspot.com/
10. Penny at http://pennyduncancreations.blogspot.com/ an amazing talent!!
11. Mel at http://melstampz.blogspot.com/
12. Laurie at http://lauriefurnell.blogspot.com/
13. Amy at http://aimitup.blogspot.com/
14. Stephanie at http://scrapncreations.com/blog/
15. Lynne at http://paperyoga.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to all. I will be sending an email or posting to their blogs in very short order. All we ask is that upon receiving this award you give thanks and link the person who sent you this award; also list seven things about yourself (we want to get to know you better) and pass the award on to 15 other bloggers and/or followers. Again, thank you to Lee Ann!

Until next time,
Happy Crafty!
Sabra

A Little Pot of Gold!!

Saint Patrick's Day is just around the corner.  My Mom's birthday is on that day also.  Even though I have some Irish in me from my Dad's heritage, St. Patrick's Day plays second fiddle to my Mom.  But, for all you celebrating the traditional holiday, I decided to do a little goody just for you. These would be great to give to your child's teacher, guests (if you're having a Patty Day party), or even your favorite bartender that's serving you that green beer. The only candy I had around the house was some Hershey Nuggets but these would be great with a bag of chocolate coins.

I will have a link below for you to download the free SVG or MTC file. I hope you enjoy it!! If you download one or both of the files, I would really appreciate it if you would leave me a comment.  Even if you don't download it, I would love to hear your feekback on my little pot of gold.

Here's how I did mine but feel free to get creative with yours!

When you open your file you will notice several dotted lines on the box portion of the design. These are the score lines. Place a strong adhesive on the tabs that fold in. I used my ATG gun. You will attach these adhesive covered tabs to the back of the pot in just a bit.
The pot was cut out with grey cardstock and then slightly sponged with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.
The coins were cut out of mustard yellow cardstock. I used an ochre Marvy marker to edge all the coins. I attached the coins to the black triangle, starting at the top and overlapping as I went down the triangle (1 coin at top, 2 coins on the next row down, 3 on next down and 4 on bottom row). You will have quite a bit of the triangle left over. I placed ATG adhesive on that area and attached it to the backside of the pot with the coins going up through the opening of the pot.
I then attached the pot to the box. 
I used gold glitter glue to embellish the coins.
The shamrock was cut out of green cardstock and embellished with green stickles.
I used Black Diamond Stickles to outline the pot.

I hope you like it and have a safe and festive St. Patrick's Day.
Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you!!

Pot of Gold - SVG File
http://www.mediafire.com/?ymzoyjuyhmq

Pot of Gold - MTC File
http://www.mediafire.com/?wjokutz3ykz

Until next time,
Happy Crafting!!
Sabra

Free SVG and MTC File!!!

I am trying to figure out how to share my files on here. I want people who are visiting to be able to download original files that I create. The first one I am planning on sharing is the Bunny Nugget Holder below. I will have it available in SVG and MTC form. Hoping to get it figure out soon!

Ok, I have a link to my files for the bunny on the actual bunny post. It's near the bottom of the post. If you would like the SVG or MTC file for this try the link below. If the link is not clickable, try to copy and paste it. If you try to download these files will you please let me know if it works. I am trying to figure out how to make it just a link but I don't think I've succeeded in that part of it yet.

Until next time,
Happy Crafting!
Sabra

Hopefully this wintry card will make us see winter in a different light!

Good evening all from cold, wintry Ohio. The weather outside is frightful and I am sick of being snowed on. Let's all think Spring and maybe, just maybe, it will get here soon. Not soon enough for me at this point though. I guess it could be worse, I could be living in NY where they are getting hammered way worse than we are.

I thought this evening I would share with you a card that is wintry looking but it does have a sign of spring in it with the birdy that is sitting on the branch. I originally got the idea for the card from a lady's great blog site that I have been following for some time. Her name is Michelle Zindorf and she is one talented woman. Her cards are gorgeous and she uses a great brayer technique for most of her cards. I am trying to learn how to use a brayer but definitely still in the learning process. Here is a link to Michelle's site, if you have a moment, or hour or two, check it out. www.zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/ She does do brayer workshops but it is a little out of my price range but would love someday to be able to go.

The layers are as follows:

Top layer: white cardstock

Next layer: white cardstock

Next layer: black cardstock

Bottom layer is a dark blue card base

To do the card, I used a stamp with sawgrass image loaded with Versamark Watermark. Stamped the image on the bottom of the card. Re-inked and stamped it across until I was satisfied with it. I then applied clear embossing powder and heated it with a heat gun. I then used a sponge with Versamark and added that to the very bottom edge to give the illusion of snow. Added embossing powder, and heated with heat gun. Next, I used a light blue ink and my brayer. I started at the top of the card and brayered all the way to the bottom. Use an old cloth to wipe off the ink from the image at the bottom. Then I used a medium blue ink and brayered from the top but did not cover all the light blue. Wipe off the image again, if needed. Dark blue ink and brayer were used at just the very top of the card. The bird and the branch were cut out using the Cricut and the Make the Cut program. A friend of mine, Trina Macko, was kind enough to share her original file but I was able to change it up, thanks to MTC, to make it into a wintry branch instead of a summer branch. I used tan chalk to color the bottom half of the bird, then a grey chalk to do the top half. I left an area in the middle without any chalk. I did the wing with grey chalk. Finally, I used a black Tombow marker along the the edges of the branches, the top of the bird and wing, the leg, beak and the eye. I then used a white gel pen to put a small dot in the eyeball. I stamped the sentiment "Thinking of You" with Versafine black ink, put clear embossing powder on that and heated with my heat gun.

I layered my stamped image on top of the plain white cardstock. Then layered that on top of the black cardstock. I used a square bracketed shape cut from Cricut, again with MTC, to wrap around the edges of those layers. There is a nestability die cut that is the same as the shapes wrapped around the sides. I used two dark blue brads on each of these little square brackety shapes. I then added those layers to the dark blue card base.

Hope you all like it and can understand my directions. If you have questions, email me or leave a comment. If I could make the directions better please let me know what I need to do.

Until next time,

Happy Crafting!

Sabra

My first Project Published on my Blog

I own a Cricut and the program Make the Cut that allows me to design files, save them and cut them out with the Cricut without the need for those costly cartridges. I also belong to a great Yahoo group called MTC Hints - Tips. If you need help, want ideas, want to share projects or just learn about what Make The Cut is, join us at the Yahoo Group. Here is the link to the group http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/MTCHints-Tips/

The group gave us a challenge this week to make a Hershey Nugget basket type item. I decided to do mine for Easter. I'm really excited how it turned out. The whole project was cut out using the Cricut. Now to figure out how to post the pictures of it on here. That will be my task for this evening. A new learning process. Keep your fingers crossed that I will figure it out.

This is going to be my first attempt at sharing my files so not sure how this will work out but here goes. If you would like my SVG or MTC file for the nugget holder please try the appropriate link below. Please, if you download the file will you please let me know if it works so that I know that I'm doing it right. Thank you so much. If it's not possible to just click on the link, try the copy and paste method. Please, please let me know if you are able to do it. Thank you.

Bunny Nugget Holder - SVG File:
http://www.mediafire.com/?kttixnyyjtg

Bunny Nugget Holder - MTC File:
http://www.mediafire.com/?zy1mtczmzkt


Until next time,
Happy Crafting!

Sabra