Paper Flowers

Yesterday I decided to try and design a flower layout using the Gypsy, Gypsy Wanderings cartridge and the Cricut Expression. Though simple here are my results.

I used the 12X12 mat format and Gypsy Wanderings cartridge (key 3, Tag Shadow) to layout one Scalloped circle set at 4.17 inch width, two set at 3 inch width and 3 set at 2 inch width. As you can see I repeated this design, because I wanted to use two different colors of paper. I use a business card holder that I bought at Staples as a stand for the Gypsy.

I placed the two cardstock colors side by side on the 12X12 mat.  Because I did not decide to write a blog about this until this morning I can't show you the cutout pieces on the mat, but I can show you the negative.

My pretty blue Expression settings were as follows: Speed at 4, Pressure at 4 and Blade at 4. After it had finished cutting the first time, I told the Gypsy to repeat the design to make sure it had thoroughly cut the cardstock I used.

I inked both sides of each cut out piece than I crumpled them a bit. To assemble I laid the pieces on top of each other and using a piercing tool made a hole through the layers. Than I finished the flower by fastening the layers with a flower brad.

Supplies used are as follows: AC Cardstock Christmas; AC Cardstock Neutrals; Ranger Distress Ink Tea Dye and Fired Brick. I'm not sure of the brand name for the flower brads used.

How I Started Scrapbooking

Seven years ago I was flying down to Virginia for my granddaughter's eighth birthday. Her mother had been scrapbooking for years using Creative Memories products and I admired what she had done. She told me there was a store near them that was totally a scrap book store. And she was signing us up for a crop. Now I had no idea what a crop was. Clueless!  She told me to bring some pictures, but I forgot them. That evening we went to the store. My daughter opened the trunk of her car and started pulling out several black bags. There were other women doing the same thing. Now I was curious as to what was in all these bags. Once we were in the store there were a group of happy and cheery women in a workroom with all their paraphanalia. WOW!

At this point my daughter asks me where are my pictures. I say they are back in Connecticut. So while she went about scrapping during the evening, she told me I could help her select some paper. Walking around the store and seeing all the different things I became interested in some printed paper that had a travel theme and thought they would be perfect for the pictures I had taken in Paris, France. I thought it would be best to start out small, so I bought an 8X8 album, cardstock, printed paper, glue, pens and stickers. My daughter bought me a Fiskars paper trimmmer that I still use today. She later bought me the Xyron 900 Adhesive machine, which is my favorite form of adhesive.

That was the beginning of something I love doing. Sometimes, I think I love buying all the tools even more than using them. My first diecut machine was the big red Sizzix and shape dies to go with it, than the Sizzix Sidekick and sizzlet alphabets and shapes, also Sizzix embossing folders. I followed that with the original Cricut four years ago; got the Design studio about nine months ago; the Gypsy when it launched at the end of September and just bought the Cricut Expression in February. My cartridge collection has now increased to thirty-six plus two coming in the mail anytime now. And like many people I am waiting patiently for Picturesque to be released to everyone. Needless to say I have lots of cardstock, printed paper and embellishments.

I still do more shopping than scrapping. But, I have fun and very much enjoy attending weekend scrap retreat a couple of times a year. Later I will write about the one I will be attending in May.