Cards...not my strong suit

So I know I had said I was going to post about "Love Day" today, but I realized that I haven't gotten a decent picture of the 2-page layout, so we're going with the 3 cards I've made recently. I try and be creative, but really, cards are not easy. I just haven't been able to figure out how to really jazz up a card, but not have it look like a complete mess. Here are the last few attempts I've had at card making:

First up is the card I made for my sister-in-law. I wanted to put her age on the front, but I think my mistake was making the numbers too big, and not leaving more room to embellish around it...it's a learning curve:

Numbers and balloons were cut using the Celebrations Cart

Next up is a Baby Shower card I made for my friend who's due a month before me. I like this one a little better, but I still think I could have done more...maybe a thicker ribbon perhaps?!?! If you look closely, the blue mat on the front is embossed with tiny hand & footprints:

B-A-B-Y was cut using the New Arrival Cart

Lastly, this is the card I made for my Gram's birthday. It says "Tutu," which is what my son calls her (it's Hawaiian for Grandma). Instead of creating layers for this card, I decided to cut out the frame in white and color it in, just to do something different...did it work???

"Tutu" was cut from George & Basic Shapes (welded together with Design Studio), the tulip frame was cut from the Stretch Your Imagination Cart (I think).

I've created a new birthday card, but it hasn't been given yet, so I'll wait to post that one...I have to say, the more I practice, the better it's getting. Still have a long way to go though! Happy Crafting all, and thanks for stopping by. You can always contact me at sandiegocoley@yahoo.com

Name that Baby

I've been waiting almost 2 weeks to post this project...I had so much fun creating this special keepsake! My old neighbors (and friends) are having their second baby, just weeks before my second is about to arrive, and I was able to go an celebrate the pending arrival with the beaming Mommy this past weekend! My friends already have an adorable little boy at home, so they have most of what they need for the newest member of the family, so I wanted to give them something unique to have for years to come! I decided on a mini-album, but instead of the word LOVE, or BABY, I went with the NAME :D Here's the final product...

E-T-H-A-N

"T" - New Arrival Page

"H" - the "Announcement" Page

"A" - Plane & Banner

"N" - Choo Choo

The nursery theme is planes, trains & cars, so I wanted to throw in a couple of elements to tie that together. The other pages are just all about baby! Pages & letters were cut from chipboard & covered with scrapbook paper from the stack "All About Boys," seems fitting doesn't it. The dimensions for the book itself are 5" tall, and starting with the first page out, it's 3", 5", 7", 9" & 11" wide. Letters were all cut at 3" x 5". All photo mats fit the standard wallet size photos. Embellishments were cut from the New Arrival & My Community Carts.

If you have any questions on how I created this album, or are interested in purchasing an album for yourself, please contact me at sandiegocoley@yahoo.com

Happy Monday!!! I'll have new posts all week...I'm so excited to share with you!

A book for Marley

When my sister & brother-in-law announced on my son's 1st birthday that they were expecting a child of their own, I was OVER THE MOON excited. I immediately started brainstorming on how I could document my nieces first year of life in the most creative way. The total book is just over 50 pages, but I've chosen just a few to share...

Baby Shower Layout:

Embellishments for this page were created using the New Arrivals Cricut Cartridge.

Announcement Layout:

"Announcement" was created using the New Arrivals Cricut Cartridge.

1st's Layout:

Embellishments for this layout was created using New Arrivals Cricut Cartridge

Halloween Layout:

Words cut using George & Basic Shapes Cartridge, Spider cut from Doodlecharms & Pumpkin from Speaking of Fall

Thanksgiving Layout:

Embellishments for this layout were created using the Speaking of Fall Cricut Cartridge Christmas Layout:

Embellishments for this layout were created using George & Basic Shapes & Doodlecharms.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Coley's Craft Corner. I hope you've enjoyed today's post. I am in the process of creating an entire "Year in Review" album that will include an Announcement Page, each holiday and a birthday layout. Perfect for a baby shower gift, or to create a special album for that little love in YOUR life! If you are interested in anything you have seen pictured on my blog, please contact me at sandiegocoley@yahoo.com and we can start creating right away!!!

Baby Girl Mini Album - Take 2

When I have an opportunity to create AND do something special for someone, I jump on it! For this project, my baby sister wanted to give a personal gift at a baby shower she attended this weekend, and didn't quite have the time to complete something herself. She is always willing to step in and help others when they need it, so this was my turn to do something for her. Here is my creation:

B(aby):

A:

B:

Y:

Materials/Directions:

Book - Hand cut at 3, 5, 7 & 9" x 5" out of chipboard

Base Layers - Hand cut at 3, 5, 7 & 9" x 5

Photo Matting - Hand cut to fit wallet & 4x6 photos

Embelishments - Cut using Cricut New Arrival Cartridge

If you are interested in creating a custom word book (it does NOT have to be a baby album), please let me know...I'd love to make you something just your own!!!

Baby Girl Mini Book

A longtime girlfriend (nearly 28 years) of mine is expecting her first baby...a little girl! I know that I just LOVE getting personal keepsakes as gifts, I wanted to do something special for her. I have seen a lot of different word books, and some just seemed more complicated than they needed to be. I came up with this simple & sweet version for my friend to include a few pictures to show off to her family and friends!!! B-A-B-Y:

A:

B:

Y:

Book - George & Basic Shapes Cricut Cartridge, cut using Design Studio at 3, 5, 7 & 9" x5" (black chipboard)

Top Layers - George & Basic Shapes Cricut Cartridge, Cut using Design Studio taking .25 inches off width & lenght to create a natural border

Letters - George & Basic Shapes Cricut Cartridge, cut using Design Studio all letters are 3"x5"

Matted Frames - All handcut to fit either a wallet size print, or 4x6 photo

Embelishments - New Arrival Cricut Cartridge (cut at different sizes depending on space required)