Fun Birthday Tag for Exploring Cricut!

Hello and happy Friday after Thanksgiving!

Did you have a wonderful day? Ours was spent with family and  friends and we really enjoyed the day! Are you shopping today? If so, I hope you get some great goodies....

I am so happy to be posting for Exploring Cricut's daily post. I have been so inspired with all of the crafty holiday projects lately.
Today's project is a quick birthday tag I added to a bottle of bubbly for a girlfriend's birthday party.

I decided to use the Forever Young cartridge. It's one of the first cartridges I purchased after getting my Expression. I loved the girly images and the purses are adorable.  Each image also has a purse feature which make great little favor or goodie bag. So of course with 3 daughters it was a must-have:)

I chose the image on page 26 and cut her at 5.0" including the layers. My paper is from an older K & Company stack.

The tag itself is a PTI die and the sentiment is from  Pink by Design's Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun Stamp set. Since the party was an 80's theme (yes we had to dress up...the things we do for girlfriends...) of course the sentiment fit perfectly. Anyone remember that song??

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful weekend!

"Count Your Blessings" Thanksgiving Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Good morning everyone and welcome to this week's challenge at Exploring Cricut

The challenge:"Count Your Blessings" make a card, layout, or paper craft celebrating Thanksgiving using your Cricut Machines. This is a wonderful challenge as I know we all have much to be thankful for. I know I have many blessings in my life!
 
For my project I decided on some table decor for Thanksgiving Day. This is the one holiday where everyone has an assigned seat with a place card, and a favor of some sort. We usually have anywhere from 10-15+ for dinner so I usually like to keep the projects  fairly simple so they can be easily produced.

I used the Tablescapes Fall & Winter Cartridge. 
I cut the box at 2.0" and the leaf that is on top also at 2.0". I ended up cutting two leaves so that I could glue them back to back since my paper was not double-sided.

The napkin ring was cut at 3.0". No gluing, a snap to cut and put together.

Next came the place card cut at 2.25". Simple to score and fold. Again cutting a couple of extra leaves for a little embellishment.

The little leaf  on the glass was cut 2.0" also gluing two together for some added dimension. I ended up using a mini glue dot to add it to the glass. I got the idea to add it to the glass from the cartridge handbook.

The only thing extra I did was to ink the edges. I may go back and add a few more embellishments or perhaps make some of the boxes out of a patterned paper. That's the fun part about using my Cricut....the possibilities are endless!

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I do hope you will visit the DT's blogs and check out their wonderful "Count Your Blessings" projects and be sure to enter your project in our challenge!

Christmas Treat Box for Exploring Cricut

Hello and happy Friday.
Today is my day to post as a Design Team member for Exploring Cricut
Exploring Cricut is a wonderful blog dedicated to all things Cricut!
For inspiration, project ideas and images from cartridges old and new be sure to check out the daily creations.

For today's project I decided to start my Christmas treat boxes. I make lots and lots of homemade treats each year and part of the fun is making them festive to give away. Of course we have to keep in mind the quantity, time involved and cost.

I used my Sweet Tooth Boxes Cartridge for the base of the box and chose the scallop lid. (there are a couple of others to choose from as well) I cut this at 10.5". I have to say this went together quickly and easily. This box is a good candidate for mass production.

Next I chose the From My Kitchen Cartridge to cut the little gingerbread man tag at 3.75". I used the shadow and blackout feature to layer the image so I could use Peachy Keen Everyday Character Faces Stamp set for the face. I added a little white gel pen and white buttons for simple details.

I added some striped ribbon and a little twine to finish it off.

Fall Banner and a Challenge for Exploring Cricut!

Good morning and happy Monday!
Today is the start of a new challenge over at Exploring Cricut!
Here are the details for this week's challenge:  "Cricut Choice" make a card, layout, or paper craft using 1 pattern paper, 2 cricut cuts, and 3 colors.  It can be any theme.

My project was a quick and easy fall banner. Well by quick and easy I mean I kept the details to a minimum...I may go back and add some embellishments :)
I started with the Tablescapes: Fall and Winter cartridge. I cut the rosettes at 2.5" and each rosette took 4 pieces. The image cuts wonderfully and the score marks make them so easy to assemble. There is a nice decorative scallop on one edge for a little extra detail.
The acorns were cut at 2.5". I am using a thinner paper from an old DCWV fall stack and so I cut two and glued them together for some added stability. 
The font is from Plantin Schoolbook cartridge cut at 3.5" using the shadow feature as well. I ran them through the Cuttlebug and used some foam tape to adhere them to the rosettes. 
The banner pieces are some coasters from PTI covered with the patterned paper.. I used my Scotch Quick Dry to glue everything together. 

This weeks challenge is a great one! You can use any theme you would like. So... get out your Cricut and a favorite cartridge and start creating!!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Pirate Party Invitation for Exploring Cricut!

 Hello and happy Friday.
I am excited to be posting for Exploring Cricut today. Have you checked out this week's projects over on the blog? The Design Team has come with some wonderful creations using their Cricut machines!

Seth and Cory have a birthday coming up and this year's theme is Pirates.
I thought I would start with posting the invitation I sent out.

All of the images were cut using the Life's a Party Cartridge.

I started with the the treasure chest image, using the card feature and cut it at 4.5" Only one layer with this so it was pretty easy. I found some Tim Holtz paper from Jo-Anns that looked perfect for a treasure chest.  I sized this to fit in an A7 sized envelope.
For the front of the invitation I stamped the "you're invited"  sentiment (from Pink by Design) on a  banner made with a PTI die and attached it using mini glue dots.
The little lock and key brads were from Hobby Lobby and added the perfect touch.

I chose the pirate party image using the phrase feature cut at 2.0" I need to slow the speed down and adjust the pressure for this intricate cut.

Next came the treasure map image cut at 4.25". I chose not to use any layers with this so I could run the image back through my printer for the party details. I did ink the edges for a distressed look.

I thought it needed one more image so I chose the skull and crossbones including the layers cut at 1.75 inches and ran the little red "bandana" layer through the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder. I cut extra images so that I could embellish the envelope too.

There will be more pirate projects to come!
Thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy your weekend and I'll see you back on Monday for another terrific challenge at Exploring Cricut

Halloween Challenge for Exploring Cricut!

Happy Monday to you all!
Today is the start of a new challenge at Exploring Cricut
This week's challenge is to create a Halloween themed card, layout, or project using at least two images from your Cricut machines and cartridges. I know this is going to be a fun one for everyone!

For my project, I started with some altered wine bottles a friend made for me last year for my birthday.  She painted them in chalkboard paint. It has been fun to write different sentiments for holidays, seasons and special occasions.

My Happy Hauntings Cartridge was the perfect choice for this project. I started with some white vinyl and cut "spooky" at 3.5" using the font feature. Remember when cutting vinyl to change your blade depth to 3 or 4 and pressure to med. It cuts like a dream.

Next I chose a few little images and cut the layers too.
bat: 2.5"
boot:3.0"
hat:3.0"
cauldron: 4.0"
owl: 3.5"

I added a few stickles and hung them from the wine candelabra (another birthday gift from a girlfriend this year:) using some baker's twine.
I love decorating for fall, but don't do much for Halloween, so this was  a fun little project.

That's it for my little project, but the fun has just begun. Be sure to head on over to Exploring Cricut
to check out the wonderful Halloween themed projects the design team has come up with. And of course.....make sure you enter the challenge!!!!
Thank you so much for stopping by today.

Soccer Goodies for Exploring Cricut

Hello and happy Friday.
I am posting today for Exploring Cricut.
 A wonderful blog dedicated to inspiring the crafty world using their Cricut Machines. Daily inspiration comes in the form of cards, projects, layouts and more!

Today's projects are end of the season soccer goodie bags and Coach's thank you cards. I have several cartridges with soccer images and chose to use the Life's A Party Cartridge. Seth and Cory are still in U6, so I didn't want anything to detailed. Just a simple soccer ball!
I cut the soccer balls at 5.0"

The coach's cards were cut using the card feature and I used the fit-to-page feature. This made them 5.75"
I wanted them big enough for the team to sign their names and wasn't planning on putting them in envelopes.
The "thanks" images came from Beyond Birthday Cartridge and Just Because Cartridge
.
For the player names I chose the Cuttin' Up Cartridge and cut the letters including the shadow feature at 1.0"

The banner and mattes are cut from the Formal Occasion Cartridge. I wanted to add some more details, but had to remind myself these are for 5 year-olds....They are fine with simple. I did add a bit of inking and embossing though.

They were fairly quick and  easy to put together and thankful Sara was able to help.

Have a wonderful weekend. Please check back on Monday for our new challenge at Exploring Cricut!

Winner!!!

Today's the day....
And the winner of the blog candy for Exploring Cricut's Birthday Blog Hop is....


 


   Mary Ann said...
Love your card!Very pretty!Love the butterflies,great colors!!!

October 7, 2013 at 6:07 AM

Congratulations Mary Ann! Please email your address and I will get your goodies in the mail ASAP

Thank you for the wonderful comments and for participating in our Birthday Blog Hop!.

Have a wonderful day

Exploring Cricut Birthday Blog Hop!

Hello and what a fabulous Monday this is going to be!

Thank you for stopping by my little blog today and I am sure you will be inspired by all of the DT birthday projects using our Cricut Machines!

Our fearless leader  Happy Scrapper Diane has been doing such a wonderful job with the Exploring Cricut Blog with daily posts and challenges for three years now!! Thank you Diane!

For my Birthday Themed project I used my Cricut Imagine and All Wrapped Up Cartridge

I know many of you have Imagine Machines and I hope this inspires you to keep on using it! For quick projects with such polished and finished results, you just can't help wanting to continue to use it. Best of all, you can create all of your projects with plain white cardstock.

I created some package embellishments using the word art and bright colors found on this cartridge. I cut this image at 4.5" using all of the layers. I inked the edges and used foam adhesive for added dimension.

The sweet little butterfly card is also found on that cartridge and I cut several at 4.0" I folded them over and used one of the images as a card, and the rest I folded over, glued together, "bent" up the wings and glued them to the package. I added a few gems to add little bit of bling.

Now remember, this is a Blog Hop and what would a hop be without a little Blog Candy?

So please leave a comment, and become a follower and I will use Random.org to pick the winner next Monday. So check back to see who the lucky winner will be.

I debated on whether to go with a Halloween themed blog candy, but this DCWV 6x6 paper pad just called to me:) I also thought a couple of Halloween ribbons couldn't hurt:)

I will have this ready to mail as soon as Monday comes around, so don't forget to check back and see if you are the winner!

Have a great time hopping along and please remember to enter your fabulous birthday project!!!

Blog Hop Schedule

Starting at Exploring Cricut

Sharon http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com
Donna  http://wwwkindredkreations.blogspot.com
Lori  http://scrappinsaints.blogspot.com
Rae Ann   http://joyinart.blogspot.com
Emily  http://emilyqueenofallthingscrafty.blogspot.com
Annette  http://mymindsdustbunnies.blogspot.com
Michelle N  http://justanutterpapercrafter.blogspot.com
Michelle S  http://cricutcrazyscrapper.blogspot.com
Liz  http://unikbyyes.blogspot.com
Diane  http://happyscrapperdiane.blogspot.com

What a fabulous way to start your week right?

Simple Recipe Book for Exploring Cricut!

Happy Friday,

Today's project is for my DT post at Exploring Cricut.
I wanted to make something special for my mom who is having a birthday soon. She is not much of a cook, but I know she has a few recipes that are her favorite and a couple of my grandmother's too.

I used my Cricut Imagine and the Kate's Kitchen Cartridge. The patterns and colors are from Cosmo Cricket and I just love the vintage feel to them. I bound it altogether using Your Story Photo.

I used the recipe card for each page and several of the images cut at 2.0" including the layer feature.
I printed several sheets of patterned paper for the background, cover and back of book.

I used some foam tape, Stickles,Glossy Accents, a few buttons and some twine to finish it off.

front: I pieced several patterns together to create the cover.

 back: my mom always says to eat dessert first:) So that image was a must to include.

This is the back of the book and a little image that says "this belongs too"

Have a wonderful weekend. And don't forget
we have a new challenge on Monday!! Stop by Exploring Cricut
for your Daily Cricut Inspiration!