It's The New Year!!!

 Here is another New Year's card that I put together for the Exploring Cricut challenge this week.  I also followed the Mojo Monday sketch for the week.  Now maybe I'm the only one who gets this card, when I showed my husband my idea for this card, he didn't really think it would make a good New Year's card because no one would understand it.  Well, that made me want to do the card even more - maybe just to spite him :) Anyway, all growing up and even now, the tradition in my family was to ring in the New Year by banging pots and pans outside at midnight.  And I know that we weren't the only family doing it because I could hear other pots and pans being clanged in the neighborhood.  So when I started thinking about this tradition, I pulled out From My Kitchen and cut the pot and pan and a couple spoons to put on my card.  I even used some Washi Tape!  I think it turned out super fun, but am I crazy or does this card make sense to you too?  I would love to hear your family traditions to ring in the New Year.

HIMCR Challenge #130 - Anything But Holiday

 

 

 

Over at HIMCR this week, we want to see any of your projects that aren't holiday!  Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays, but it's refreshing to see fun ideas for other occasions!  I decided to do a wedding card because my cousin got married yesterday and I needed to put something together for her.  I used the Sweethearts cartridge for the bells image and my pattern paper is from Teresa Collins 6x6 Memories pack. I also "followed" the sketch from Mojo Monday for the week, it's not exactly the sketch, but I did draw inspiration from it.  I will also be linking this up over at Little Scrap Pieces for the Fun Friday Linky Party.  Thanks for checkin' in!!!

Cut It Up Challenge #35 - New Year's Celebration

Cut It Up Challenge #35

New Year's Celebration

Must Use a Die Cut

 

Sponsor:

Your Next Stamp

Prize: Celebration Die Set

 

My Project:

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

I hope everyone had a marvelous Christmas this last week and as we look to the start of a new year, I hope that you will find excitement in what's to come.  Do any of you make New Year's Resolutions? I haven't for a few years, but I think I will for 2014.  I am finding that I have so much room for personal improvement that I want to set some realistic goals to try and be better! 

 

Anyway, the card that I created for this Cut It Up challenge was made using the Celebrate with Flourish cartridge and papers from ColorBok (Wal-Mart).  I used some bling from Recollections and I do have some shimmery cardstock for the red hat and gray swirls, you just can't tell in the pic.  My sentiment stamp comes from a Fiskars holiday set.  I hope that you will join us for our challenge and link up your New Year's Celebrations cards or projects!

 

Thanks for checkin' in!!!

BBTB2 - Tag Your It! 2 - For A Bit More Inspiration

 

How quick and easy can tags be? Well, I whipped out 27 of these puppies in about 30 minutes!!!  SO EASY!!!  I used the Winter Woodland cartridge, found this tag under the 3rd to last page in the handbook, cut the tag and the shadow at 3".  Freehanded the sentiment mat to match the tag, stamped my Hero Art's Christmas Set sentiment using ColorBox Chestnut Ink, ran some sheer ribbon through the top and tied some We R Memory Keeper's baker's twine around it.  Done and DONE!!!  So simple and so festive!  This week over at BBTB2 we have an inspiration only week going on - no linky party.  I hope that you will find some sort of inspiration from the various tags my DT sisters created so that you can get any last minute crafting done before Wednesday!

Have A Merry Christmas!!!

FCCB Holiday Project

 

 

For the next two weeks over at FCCB we will be posting a new Holiday Project for you to get ideas, be inspired, or what have you!  The project I decided on was another Christmas card because I frankly don't have near enough :)  I decided to use the wreath from the Christmas Cheer cartridge - LOVE!!!  My pattern paper comes from Doodlebug Designs "Home for the Holidays", my green mat is embossed with the Paper Studios "Holly" folder, and my bling comes from Michael's Recollections.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts Christmas stamp set and I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp it.  I hope you have found a bit of inspiration from this simple little card.  And be sure to check out FCCB every day for new projects from my DT sisters to look at!

Thanks for checkin' in!

HIMCR Challenge #129 - CASE Yourself!

Challenge #129

CASE Yourself!

Prize is a CTMH Stamp Set



So I don't know about you, but I have PLENTY of cards that I could CASE (and make some major improvements with).  When I first started card making, I really didn't know what I was doing, I still don't, but I have a better idea of what I am doing, and a better inventory of supplies, paper, cartridges, stamps, etc, etc, etc.  It's amazing what you accumulate over the course of the years...

 

Anyway, here is a card I made when I first started out:

My original post was January 25, 2011 - Cricut Cardz Snowman Challenge "So the challenge was to make a project using a snowman image. Well, as you can see there is no snowman on my card. Because I am so new to the cricut and crafting, I have not yet acquired a cartridge with a snowman. But I did find on my Home Accents cart an image that I think can pass off as a snowflake. So even though I technically don't qualify for this challenge, I still wanted to participate. I don't have any winter type stamps either, but if I did have a winter saying, I would stamp it next to the snowflake on the pink stripe."

Here is the CASE (new and improved):

This time I do have a Christmas/Winter cart (several actually) that I had an actual snowflake - Winter Woodland (Snowflake #4).  I cut it out at 2 3/4" in some light blue and at 3" in a darker blue/turquoise and layered them together with some foam tape.  I also cut down the patterned paper so I could show off the embossed mat - D'vine Swirls - also acquired since the original card :) I even have some Christmas/Winter stamp sets (surprise surprise) that I was able to include.  Amazing what some experience - and supplies - can do!!!

 

Side By Side:

 

I hope you are able to join us this week over at HIMCR for our fun challenge! Pick a card that you would like to copy (or re-invent) and share it with us!!!

 

Thanks for checkin' in!!!

A Reindeer's Merry Christmas



 

It seems like forever since I have actually made a card specifically for a challenge/challenges that I'm not on a DT for!  So I was excited to put this card together today - and for 4 challenges, no less!  CardzTV, Paper Playtime, An Inky Situation, and Mojo Monday (I'm also going to enter this over at Craftin' Desert Divas, but that's one of the DT's I'm on).  I am also entering this into 2 Creative Chicks and Die Cuttin' Divas challenges. Anyway, my card was pretty easy to put together - I made a video so you can see just how easy :) I used Create-A-Critter 2 for the reindeer and snowflakes on the banner.  My paper all comes from Doodlebug Designs "Home for the Holidays".  I hope you'll check out the video to see the details of the card. 

Thanks so much for checkin' in!!!

 

BBTB2 - Gift Tags

Welcome to another AWESOME challenge for BBTB2!!!  This week it's all about the TAGS!!!  How much more fun can presents get? Well, just add that special tag and you will see!  I am so excited about the tags that I made for this week's challenge.  I was able to put my Art Philosophy cart to GREAT use for these tags!  I love the tag feature on this card, it allows for so much creativity with how you put your papers together and create an amazing tag!

 

The back of my tags were super simple to just cut and adhere to the front.  I used some cream cardstock from Hobby Lobby, used my Hero Arts Christmas stamp set for the "merry christmas" and a Fiskars stamp set for the "to: from:"  CAS!!!

 

I cut each of the tags out at 3". The front of the tag I made by cutting the tag out of pattern paper and cream cardstock, adhered those together. I cut just a small piece of pattern paper to cover the "cut outs", then adhered the back of the tag to cover that up. Honestly the hardest part of these tags was choosing which paper I wanted to use :) I did ink around the edges of each of them and ran some hemp cord through the top.

 

SO FUN!!! I can't wait to attach these to my presents this year!!!

 

 

I hope that you will join us this week for our Tag, You're It! Challenge at BBTB2! I can't wait to see what you come up with!  Thanks for checkin' in!

 



Craftin' Desert Divas - Holiday Hop

Welcome to Craftin Desert Diva's Holly Jolly Christmas Blog Hop!!

I'm so happy that you could join us today! If this is the first time that you have hopped with us, you will not be disappointed. This is the Craftin' Desert Divas design team's first hop and I have to say my fellow design team sisters are all AMAZINGLY talented.

This is Day 1 and the start of the Holly Jolly Christmas Blog Hop! You will not only get some inspiration, but you could win GREAT prizes, too!! You must FOLLOW and COMMENT on all of the stops, both days, to have the chance to win.

Here are the wonderful sponsors for this hop...

For this two day hop each blog will be offering a prize from one of the sponsors listed above!!! You must visit each stop both days to be eligible to win. Winners will be announced on Dec 18. The entire winning list will be posted on Craftin Desert Diva's website.

My sponsor for today is..

Here is my project that I've created.... 

 

I decided to create a Home Decor piece using a 6x6 tile from Home Depot.  I used Mod Podge to adhere the pretty green background paper.  My present comes from the Celebrations cartridge and I have to say it is my MOST FAVORITE present cut that I have!!!!  My pattern paper is from Hobby Lobby open stock 12x12.  I cut it at 5" along with the shadow, which was cut out of some cream cardstock.  I inked around the edges of both my green b/g paper and cream shadow using Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress ink.  My tag was created by printing the saying "The Magic of Christmas is not in the Presents but in His Presence" on some cream cardstock just from my computer.  I cut it to the size I wanted, then just rounded the corners on one end with my large corner rounder from Hobby Lobby.  I also inked around my tag with the same ink.  My sheer cream ribbon is also from Hobby Lobby and I premade then attached the bow with a glue dot.  I used foam tape to pop up the present off of the tile for some added dimension.  My two red flat back pearls are from Michael's.  I really love the simplicity of this decor piece, and I LOVE the message!!!  I hope you become a follower and continue (or start) the hop!!!

Thanks so much for hopping with us this weekend!!!

Saturday Dec. 14 Line Up

(in case you want to start at the beginning or get lost along the way!)

1. Tara http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/

Sponsor: KaDoodle Bug Designs
 

2. Kathy http://3spoileddogs.blogspot.com/

Sponsor: Jaded Blossom
 

3. Karen http://craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com/

Sponsor: CardzTV
 

4.Tracy http://tracyscricutcorner.blogspot.com

Sponsor: Designs on Cloud 9
 

5. Migdalia http://craftingwithcreativem.blogspot.com/

Sponsor: Fleurette Bloom
 

                                                   

7. Shelly http://mypaperlove.blogspot.com/

Sponsor: Lawn Fawn

 

8. Emily http://molliemugsblog.blogspot.com/
(YOU ARE HERE)

Sponsor: My Scrap Chick
 

9. Michelle.B http://www.michellescricutfun.blogspot.com

Sponsor: Sparkly Sweet Craft Notions
 

10. Lisa http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

Sponsor: Tombow

HIMCR #128 - Super Scraps Saturday

Challenge #128

Super Scraps Saturday!!!

 

Our Sponsor

 

My Project

I was so happy to be able to practice my coloring again, and with some SUPER CUTE digital stamps!  Sweet 'n Sassy's adorable snowman is what I was able to work with and I think he turned out super cute! I was also happy to be able to pull from my scraps!  I actually chose my scraps and then chose the colors I wanted for my snowman.  I used Bic Mark-It's and kept it super simple - no shading this go around :)  I used my Fiskars Sea Pearls corner rounder for the design around my snowman mat.  I used We R Memory Keepers baker's twine and my sentiment comes from a stamp set by TPC.  I did use some foam tape to pop up the snowman mat for some extra dimension.  Super simple card, but super fun too! I hope that you will be able to join us this week for our Super Scraps Saturday challenge over at HIMCR! I have also linked this up over at Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards.  Thanks for checkin' in!!!

Cut It Up Challenge #34 - Christmas

Cut It Up Challenges 

Challenge #34

 

Challenge starts Dec 13 and ends MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 at noon EST

Must use a die cut!

 

 Our Sponsor

As Cute As A Button

Prize: $20.00 Coupon Code

 

My Project

I was excited to use the oldie but goodie Christmas Cheer cartridge for this card!  I picked it up this summer at a warehouse clearance sale and am just happy to start using it for my Christmas cards!  I used the scalloped card cut at the back of the handbook and cut it at 7 1/2" so it would fit in an A2 sized envelope.  It has a matching envelope option, but I didn't use it :)  Anyway, the ornament is cut at 3" and I used some silver sparkle paper from DCWV Twinkle Glints stack.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts Holiday stamp set and the embellishments are from Pez-A-Doodle (my DT sister Marti).  My mat papers are from Hobby Lobby open stock 12x12 paper and I rounded the corners with my Hobby Lobby large corner rounder.  I copied the mats for the inside, but cut a white scalloped mat from Elegant Edges at 4" in order to write a message.  Super simple to put together!!!  I have a video to show you how it all came together so I hope you'll watch!  I am also linking this up over at Craftin' Desert Divas and Little Scrap Pieces.  Thanks for checkin' in!!!

 

 

Craftin' Desert Divas and FCCB Challenges!!!

Craftin' Desert Divas

 

This linky party theme is Christmas!!!

The sponsors for this linky party are:

 

 

KaDoodle Bug Designs - $15 giftcard

 

Cardz TV - Set of CTV stamps

 

ALSO

 OVER AT FCCB:

Challenge #190 Holiday Cards

Show us your holiday cards!

~This Weeks Sponsor~

Winner of this week's challenge will win a $25.00 Gift Certificate!

Be sure to visit Fantabulous Cricut and join the challenge.
Be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project! 

 

My Project: 

 

 What a week! My family got home from a FABULOUS vacation on Friday, but the entire way home we took turns (sorry for the TMI) throwing up!  I am convinced that we got food poisoning and it was BRUTAL!!!  So trying to recover from that horrific end to our wonderful trip, I needed to get my project done for Craftin' Desert Divas and FCCB!  I decided to combine the challenges because they are both related, and given my state of exhaustion I figured I'd be okay doing this.  I always try to have one project per DT I'm on, but I just couldn't do it this week - forgive me!  I even put together a video for you to see how it all came together, but you might be able to tell in my voice that I wasn't all there :) Anyway, I used Create-A-Critter 2, Elegant Edges, and Mini Monograms for this card.  All my papers come from Doodlebug Designs "Home for the Holidays" 6x6 paper pack.  Please check out my video for all the other details of how I put this together.  I hope that you will join us over at CDD and FCCB for the challenges going on and for your chance for some fabulous prizes!  I am going to link this up over at Little Scrap Pieces and An Inky Situation.

 Thanks for checkin' in!!!

 

 

BBTB2 - Winter Project

 

 

We have another wonderful challenge over at BBTB2 this week - we want to see all your Winter Projects!  I decided to create a decorative tile using the Winter Woodland cartridge.  I picked up a 6x6 white tile from Home Depot, Mod Podged the pattern paper, and used foam tape to adhere the snowflakes and sentiment.  I like the dimension the foam tape gives this decor piece.  I cut the sentiment at 3 1/2" (pg 68 in the handbook).  I cut the pink snowflakes at 4 1/2" on the layer cut.  The scalloped pieces were cut at 1 1/2" on blackout and shadow under the 4th snowflake cut in the handbook (pg 35).  I did use silver glitter paper for the smaller snowflakes and shadow behind the pink ones - you just can't really tell in the pic.  But it is so pretty and festive in real life!

FCCB Challenge #189 "Beyond Red and Green"

Challenge #189 Beyond Red and Green

Create a holiday project that does NOT use red or green

~This Weeks Sponsor~

Winner will receive the Polka Dot Sentiments stamp set

Be sure to visit the FCCB blog and enter our challenge. You need to use 1 Cricut cut to be eligible for the prize. Also, please visit our wonderful sponsor!

 

 My Project:

It's another fabulous challenge over at FCCB and I was super excited to be able to use my new Winter Woodland cart again!  I cut the snowman out at 4" and embossed the body with Divine Swirls.  I also freehanded a little nose for him - thought he needed it :) I used Elegant Edges for my scallop mat.  My pattern papers comes from an All Seasons Pack from Recollections. The sentiment comes from a CTMH stamp set.  I did pop up my snowman using some foam tape.  I hope that you will be able to join us over at FCCB for our challenge this week of creating a Holiday card using any colors EXCEPT Red and Green.  Can't wait to see what you come up with!  Thanks for checkin' in!!!

BBTB2 - Holiday Gift Containers

 

Okay, so maybe I am having too much fun with the Art Philosophy Cartridge, but I am loving it!  These pillow boxes come from that fabulous cart and I was able to cut 4 of them at different sizes with one 12x12 sheet of cardstock.  And I KICK myself for not making it a point to write down the sizes that I ended up cutting :( I'm always doing that, but I can at least give you what the boxes measure once put together...The biggest box measures 4 3/4" from longest points, the second size measures 4 1/4", the third measures 3 1/2", and the smallest measures 3 1/4", but those sizes are not necessarily what they were cut at on the Cricut - I am SO sorry that I don't have that information.  I love these boxes and being able to dress them up differently with ribbons and twine - SO FUN!!! I hope that you are able to join us over at BBTB2 this week for this awesome challenge and I can't wait to see what you come up with for Holiday Gift Containers...LOVE getting ideas from you all!

HIMCR Challenge #126 "Freestyle"

Challenge #126

Freestyle!

 

 My Project:

 

This week at HIMCR we have, I think, one of the hardest challenges "Freestyle".  Don't get me wrong, I love being able to do whatever I want, but it's so hard to decide what I want to do!  That's why I think other challenges are easier, because they give you a direction of what to create :)  So for my card, I wanted to use another new cartridge I bid and won on Ebay - Straight From the Nest.  I got a screamin' deal for this cartridge, so I was super excited to add it to my library!  I just decided to use the very first cut - this adorable little bird.  I also wanted to use the corner feature on this cartridge, so I used the scalloped corners.  My yellow base mat I embossed with the Birds and Swirls embossing folder and the scalloped mat that my bird is on is from Elegant Edges.  Both the scallop mat and bird are popped up with some foam tape for added dimension.  I also embossed the wing of the bird with Swiss Dots.  I basically used scraps for my pattern papers and my sentiment stamp is from a Fiskars mini stamp set.  The flat back hearts I am pretty sure are from Recollections from Michael's.