Even a paper figure skater....

...is beautiful!  I have two projects to share with you today, and they both feature cuts from the Winter Woodland cartridge.  I have wanted to use the figure skater cut since the first time I saw it....but never had a good idea for it until now.  And even paper figure skaters are beautiful...I just love this cut!!

Both cards fit the current challenge at The Pink Elephant....except for one small detail.  When I read the challenge this afternoon, I looked at part of it wrong.  The challenge is to use two patterned papers, 3 buttons and snowflakes....for some reason I read it as "a" button...not 3.  So, my cards only have a button on each one...hopefully I won't get thrown to the sharks. ;)  Tee hee! It is also based on Taylored Expression Sketch #96...which is a FAB sketch.  Check it out if you haven't already!

"Baby It's Cold Outside" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Imaginisce

Stickers: Making Memories

Pearls: Kaiser Craft

Button: Doodlebug Designs

Ribbon: Michael's brand

Twine: Darice Inc.

Stamp: Renaissance By Design (Tis The Season set)

Ink: Clearsnap (Pigment: Ruby)

Hole Punch: We R Memory Keepers (Cropodile)

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridge: Winter Woodland by Provo Craft

Instructions: Fold white cardstock in half to make card base and round the bottom corners.  Punch holes in the shape of an arc to a block of kraft cardstock and round the bottom corners.  Adhere to the front.  Round the bottom corners of a block of snowflake paper and adhere to the front.  Round the top corners of a block of white cardstock and adhere to the front.  Add ribbon around the seam, and tie a button to the middle of the bow with twine.  Cut the figure skater and layers at 4.5" using the Cricut Expression and Winter Woodland cartridge.  Adhere together and attach to the front of the card.  Accent with white puff balls and pearls.  Stamp "Baby It's Cold Outside" inside the arc using ruby pigment ink.  Finish the sentiment with letter stickers on the white cardstock block. 

This next card uses the sketch for Just Us Girls Challenge 14.  I actually did this card twice.  I did it last night with different papers....and it was a hot mess.  It was awful...I hated it.  So, this afternoon I sat down with it to figure out what I didn't like about it.  For this version, I used completely different papers, I didn't use the background layer for the text, and a different accent cut....and it is SO much better.  I think the biggest difference is the papers though....sometimes colors and papers just don't work out!!  So remember that....if you hate a card you make, try to rework with different product.  Now I love this card!!

"Warm Winter Wishes" supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Paper: Imaginisce

Ribbon: Michael's brand

Button: Doodlebug Designs

Pins: Making Memories & Maya Road

Pearls/Jewels: Zva Creative

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Stampin Up

Diecut Machine: Cricut Expression by Provo Craft

Diecut Cartridge: Winter Woodland by Provo Craft

Instructions: Fold kraft cardstock in half to make card base.  Round the corners of a patterned paper block and adhere to the front.  Punch a scallop border to brown cardstock, and cut a thin strip.  Adhere to the bottom of a strip of snowflake paper, and adhere to the front.  Round the top corners of a block of kraft cardstock, and adhere to the front.  Cut the lettering and shadows at 3.5" using the Cricut Expression and Winter Woodlands cartridge.  Layer together and adhere to the kraft block.  Add a ribbon and bow to the right side of the card, and accent with a button & pins.  Cut the ice skate accent and layers at 2" using the Cricut Exression and Winter Woodlands cartridge.  Layer together, accent with pearls, and adhere to the front.  Finish accenting the card with jewels.

I bought something at Target tonight that was just meant to be.  I have wanted one of these for three years, but wasn't willing to cough up $250 for one:

Well, Josh and I went to Target tonight to pick up some household items.  We were casually meandering through the Christmas stuff after we picked up our necessary items...not committing to anything even though it was all 75% off.  Then my eyes fixed on this box....one lonely little tree box sitting on a shelf beckoning me....calling my name....whispering "you know you want to buy me".  And it happened to be the EXACT white tree I have wanted for three years...and I got it for 62 bucks.  YIPPEE!  I was (and still am) a giddy little thing right now...it does kind-of suck that it has to go in the crawl space for now.  But, it gives me something to look forward to!!

Well, I better get going for now.  I hope that your Monday after New Year's has been a fabulous one!!  Talk to you soon! ♥

Until later,
~Lea