Sunday, August 28, 2011

"Inspiring Words" for a Whimsical Wednesday Challenge

Here is a little wall decor I made for my craft room using the inspiring words in the Whimsical Wednesday Challenge. Hope you enjoy.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Breast Cancer Survivor Benefit

Robyn at My Pink Stamper received the following letter and has asked for cards to be donated. I was more than willing to donate as this type of cancer hits close to home for me. It was a year ago this month that my mother had a very painful lump appear, which followed by a very painful mammogram which showed nothing. Shortly afterwards, with a second, third, and fourth opinion, she  was diagnosed with breast cancer and since then has been through many surgeries to correct that. She is a survivor!




"I really need your help along with the your followers. Long story short. I am a nurse at the Medical of WI in Plastic and Reconstruction dept. We specialize in the forefront in reconstruction for breast cancer. Women from all over the country come to us. This year I/we decided to sponsor the breakfast for breast cancer survivors. 1500 women who have had breast cancer or who are actively dealing with it now will attend this breakfast before the run/walk.
Every year prior to this year I have made something for the women and handed it out at the end of the race/walk. To my astonishment people would be grabbing-pushing aside other women and men to get what I was handing out. Ex: white and pink chocolate covered Oreos, wrapped pink and white M&M's mini bags. TO my astonishment again the cancer survivors really didn't receive what I made.

Well this year, the breakfast will be catered by one of the best chefs in Milwaukee. I feel it is an honor to sponsor this. Where you come in - Please if one person could make a card to support uplift make someone smile. It would make their day. The card would be placed at their seat. Please Please help!
I would be happy to give my address if you could ask people to help me with this. Just 1 card - 1500 Pink Stamper followers. The Breakfast is on September 28th.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Mortl RN,CPSN

Kathy Mortl
10261 N Sunnycrest Drive
Mequon, WI 53092"
Here is the card that I am gladly sending for this wonderful cause.

And here we go.........

Yep, it's that time of year when mom's surburban becomes the shuttle. I decided to make a September calendar because my girls are about to get busy, which means mom becomes the chauffeur. Volleyball practices have already begun for my oldest, and my youngest will start her vocal classes soon. I pulled out my Designer's Calendar cartridge and will put it to good use during this school year.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Less is More Challenge: Things that Move.

I am so proud of my oldest daughter, Kaitlynn. She tried out for volleball and made the team. She is in 7th grade, so this is the first year that she is eligible to play school sports. All her hard work and practice has paid off. I made her a card congratulating her and I also made a little VB insert to go in her binder. Once she is issued a number, we will add them to the card. I am also entering the card in the Less is More: Things that Move Challenge. Hope you enjoy.

Simply Less is More
Her congratulations card.

Her binder insert. Number to be added later.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Scrapmasters Paradise color combo #114

I have never entered this challenge, but I quite like it. It makes it more fun when you don't have to try to figure out what matches. Hope you enjoy.

In honor of my sister

My sister called me this morning and told me that while she was outside last night, barefoot, a snake crossed the top of her feet. In fear, she jumped up, freaked out, and on the way down stepped on a brick and broke her foot :-(  I made her a little get well card in honor of her act of clumsiness.
Hopefully this will put a smile on her face.

It's been awhile

It has been quite some time since I posted anything. We have started back to school and running full force. I hope to spend time with my poor neglected Cricut this week and get some cards made. As a birthday gift to myself, I have ordered 3 cartridges and I am dying to give them a try. Waiting for them to come in will be a huge test of my patience.

I would like to wish my twin sister a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY. We weren't able to spend our birthday together but she will be coming for a visit for Labor Day. I can't wait to see her and give to her the wonderful gift I got. She knows already so I can post this...A brand new Personal Cricut of her own. I hope that she will fall in love with it as I have.


I would also like to wish my oldest daughter, Kaitlynn, good luck today as she tries out for her school's volleyball team. First time ever in a try out. I think I am more nervous.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Less is More

My entry for the Less is More one layer card is a set of stationary I made for myself. I simply took a craft paint and made a quick pass over the card to add a little color, stamped a fleur de lis and added silver Twinkles for a little sparkle. Hope you enjoy.

Time to enter another Back to School Challenge

Whimsical Wednesday is offering a Back to School Challenge (not using cards), so I decided to make binder covers for my daughter. It's not really a cover, more like inserts because they are required to have the type of binder with the clear cover. I used the school colors: red, black, and white. She absolutely loves them and I already have other friends asking me to make some for them. Hope you enjoy.


The binder inserts for the front, back, and spine of the cover.
Below is the finished product.


One of her friends was not able to keep hers in her binder (teacher's rules), but she hung them in her locker and is the "talk" of her locker section.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

The Queen of my Craftroom Back to School Challenge

I think I will take chances in using this card again since I made it for another back to school challenge. It's a simple card with bright happy colors. Hope you enjoy.

Grab My Button

I finally created a button but I am unsure if I have applied it correctly. If anyone wants to help me out, would you test the link for me and see if it works? And then let me know? I would greatly appreciate it.

Friday, August 12, 2011

My Pink Stamper Blog Hop

I just participated in my first blog hop and really enjoyed myself. All the designers are so talented that I am almost embarrased to post a card. I just don't have the skills yet.  Oh well, you never get anywhere unless you try. Hope you enjoy.
As you can see, I don't have a big selection of stamps. I actually only have one set of letters, so I decided to hand write this one instead.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

It's been a while

With school starting this week, and me finding out about my new school assignment, I haven't had time to walk into my art room. I am missing it. I am hoping to make a few things this weekend if time allows. My oldest daughter will be going ice skating on Saturday with the youth group at church. It's hard to believe that she is in the youth department now. I am hoping that my youngest daughter decides to lay low on Saturday so I can spend some time making cards, but if not maybe I will have some time next week. We will see......

Saturday, August 6, 2011

My Children are a Hoot

I am having the best time finding little art treasures all around the house. I will not allow my girls into my artroom with me  and it is driving them crazy. They want so bad to have their own place to craft, and I remind them that they each have their own bedroom. That's more than I have. Anyway, I have found little drawings everywhere and wanted to share them with you.
Mallory has also written me a poem:
Dear Mom,
I love you and you love me,
We can see a new movie.
Love Mallory

I guess, since it's Saturday and all, that I will close the art room for the day and hang out with them. 3 days until school starts, so it's really our last summer weekend.
Have a great day, Kathie

Mallory (age 9) has drawn me a Platapus. Go Figure!


Kaitlynn (age 11) has drawn me a birdhouse with a bird family.








Friday, August 5, 2011

Using the Doodlecharms cartridge

I really love this cartridge. So simple, yet so many possibilities. As I have been watching instructional videos on the different blogs, I have been trying different techniques on the cricut. These are so elementary compared to the many fantastic crafters out there, but I am still learning. I hope you enjoy.
Again with the upside pictures! UGH! I think it is because I took the pictures with my iPhone. I guess I won't do that anymore. I don't want to be known as the blogger with all the upside down pics. HeHe





Let's Be Friends - Fantabulous Cricut Card Challenge

I am submitting another card in a card challenge. This card was easy to make. I used the Lyrical Letters Cartridge, a beautiful paper from Ooh La La: "Shabby Chic" paper, along with ribbon and embellishments. Don't think I will be putting this one in an envelope. It's a thick one! It turned out so cute. I hope you enjoy.

Cricut Cardz Challenge

Well...this is my first entry (ever) to a blog challenge. This week's challenge is "Tuitti Fruitti"! Make a card using fruit, and you may use any cartridges, colors or occasion you'd like.
My card is a little plain, but bright and colorful. I used the Doodlecharms Cartridge. In honor of all the wonderful teachers I am blessed to work with on a daily basis and to those who are helping shape my daughters into beautiful young women, I have made a Teacher Appreciation Card with a little humor. Hope you enjoy. Kathie

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Hello Crafters.



Welcome to The Crafting Cajun. Please bear with with me as I am new to the whole blogging concept. I wanted to start this just so I would have a place to share my creations with others who appreciate hand-made, imperfect products of my imagination. I have recently fallen in love with my Cricut Expression. I have had it for 2 years now, but it wasn't until I started searching other blogs and found wonderful how-to videos that I learned all the special things this machine can do. Now I can't seem to stop. I am only limited by my small collection of cartridges and lack of know how. I guess that will come with time. Still, I am enjoying "playing".  I will post some pictures of the cards I have made recently. Please tell me what you think. I am always looking for ways to better my product, so feel free to be honest. Thanks in advance. I hope you enjoy.

These are cards I made using the Forever Young Cartridge. I just love all the sassy options.

















For some reason I am having trouble finding a way to turn these pictures. If you know how to do that, please let me know.