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.

Cut It Up Challenges #33 "Giving Thanks"

 

CIU #33

Challenge starts November 29 2013 and ends December 11 at noon EST

Giving thanks - thank you card or gift.

Must use a die cut

 

Sponsors:

- Prize: 5.00 G.C.

- Sponsored by: Digital Delights

 

 

- Prize - assorted brads from Eyelet Outlet

- Sponsored by Eyelet Outlet

 

My Project:

 

I hope that everyone out there had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I know I did :)

Today we are twisting the Giving Thanks challenge into a Gift or Thank You card instead of a Thanksgiving card. LOVE IT!  The card I made is a thank you card I needed to make for a friend of mine who so graciously changed her schedule around to take my family photos.  We needed to get some done fairly quickly and she took care of us perfectly! So this card was made using the Art Philosophy cartridge - I am loving this cartridge, it is overwhelming - SO MANY CUTS!!! But every one that I have used I LOVE!  This shaped card is a jumbo scallop cut out at 5 1/4" so that it will fit in a 5x5 envelope.  My scallop mats were cut at 5".  My papers come from an American Crafts "Amy Tangerine" 6x6 paper pad that I picked up at Big Lots.  I inked around the edges with Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress ink and my sentiments come from a Fiskars and Hero Arts stamp set.  I followed the sketch from Mojo Monday and I will also be entering this into Die Cuttin' Divas.  I do have a video to show you how everything came together so I hope you'll check it out.  Please join us over at Cut It Up Challenges and link up your Thank You projects, we'd love to see them.  Thanks for checkin' in!!!

Craftin' Desert Divas Linky Party - Tag You're It!

Craftin' Desert Divas

Tag You're It!!!

 

 

Sponsors:

Too Cute by Jessica - $20 giftcard

 

Cardz TV - Set of CTV stamps

 

My Project:

 

Welcome to another Linky Party over at Craftin' Desert Divas!!!  I have been having so much fun on this Design Team and am amazed at all awesome projects my fellow DT sisters have put together for this party, please make sure and check out their blogs to see what they have come up with!  My tags were made using the Winter Woodland cartridge.  I recently picked up this cart from Ebay and am super excited to have it for this holiday season.  My pattern paper is from The Paper Studio's All Season II pack from Hobby Lobby.  I used just some scraps for the rest of my cuts, so I'm not sure where they come from specifically.  I used the first snowflake/tag in the handbook and I made two different sizes, one at 4", the other at 3 1/2".  Because there isn't a shadow feature on the card, if you just cut the shadow piece at 1/4" bigger, it works perfect!  I did do some inking with Tim Holtz Tea Dyed Distress Ink around my tags and sentiment strips.  My sheer ribbon is also from Hobby Lobby and my baker's twine is from We R Memory Keepers.  I hope that you will tag it up this week and link you projects at Craftin' Desert Divas, we would love to see what you come up with! Thanks for checkin' in!!!

Christmas & Sparkle

 

There are two very exciting challenges going on this week over at FCCB and BBTB2, and because I am a member of both of the DT's, I decided I wanted to combine them and create one card because they both relate to each other - in a way :)

FCCB's challenge is Sparkle and Bling while BBTB2's challenge is all about Christmas Cards.  I can't help but think of sparkle and Christmas at the same time!  So that is why I thought this card was so perfect for both challenges!

I also wanted to use the Art Philosophy Overlay feature and when I saw the snowflakes, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to encorporate on my card.  I have this awesome glitter/sparkle paper from DCWV Twinkle stack and it cut like butter!  I was actually shocked because the cut is so intricate, but I slowed the speed down on my Cricut, and it cut beautifully.  I also cut my green and pink glitter snowflakes from Art Philosophy, one at 2" and one at 1 1/2".  My sentiment is from a Hero Arts Christmas stamp set.  I used some foam tape to pop up the silver snowflake overlay and my sentiment strip is tacked down on my green ribbon with some tape runner and glue dots.  I used my Zig 2 way pen for the colored snowflakes.  I LOVE these colors together for Christmas and was very excited with how this card turned out!  So you don't have to combine a card like I did, but I hope that you will join both of the challenges going on this week at these two awesome challenge blogs!  I am going to link this card up over at Paper Playtime for their Anything Goes Challenge as well.

Thanks for checkin' in!!!

 

HIMCR Challenge #125 - Thanksgiving!

 

Welcome to another challenge over at HIMCR! We are in the final stretch before Thanksgiving and that's exactly what our challenge is all about!!! We want to see cards, layouts, decor projects, treat bags, whatever you have put together for this holiday! I have put together a card with the fun turkey from Create A Critter. Stuck him on an Action Wobble so he could "gobble til he wobbles". This was a fun card to put together, I followed the sketch from Mojo Monday and will be linking this up over there, as well as Little Scrap Pieces and The Scrapbooking Queen's Royal Challenge. I hope you will take the time to watch my video to see all the details of how this card came together and I hope you will link up your projects over at HIMCR! Thanks for checking in!!!

BBTB2 - Turkey Challenge

So here is my card that I put together for our BBTB2 Turkey Challenge going on this week.  I've done a few cards with a turkey, but not one with a "cooked" turkey, so that is what I decided to do.  I have a video to show how it all came together, but I did use the Simply Charmed cart for the image, and the Art Philosophy cart for the card shape and mats.  I have also linked this card up over at Die Cuttin' Divas challenge for the week and the Royal Challenge over at The Scrapbooking Queen.  Thanks for checkin' in!!!

FCCB Challenge #187 - Use An Animal

FCCB Challenge #187

Animal Crakers

Use an Animal and at least 1 Cricut Cut

 

Sponsor:

My Craft Spot

 

 

My Project:

Hello all you FCCB fans!!!  Here with another challenge for you this week - Use An Animal!!!  Any animal of your choice.  I decided on this hilarious little monkey from the Paisley cart.  There are three funny monkeys on this cart and I haven't used one of them - and I don't know why, because they are so much fun!  My paper comes from DCWV Animal Crackers stack and I just love how bright and fun this card turned out to be.  I did draw inspiration from a sketch in the Mojo Monday archives, but made a few changes.  I embossed the monkey with Swiss Dots and popped him up on two thicknesses of foam tape to help him stand out a bit more.  My square mat behind the monkey is popped up on one thickness - so the dimension of this card is great!  My sentiment comes from a Fiskars mini stamp set, which I LOVE!!!  I hope that you will share with us a project that features one of your favorite animals from your Cricut carts and link up over at FCCB this week!!! Thanks for checkin' in!!!

HIMCR Challenge #124 - Die Cuts!

HIMCR Challenge #124

Die Cuts!!

 

Prize:

Robot Party and Space Party

Cricut Cartridges

 

My Project: 

 

 

Here is another sympathy card that I needed to make for my husband's co-worker who lost his dad.  Such sad occasions, definitely not "fun" cards to make, but I do enjoy trying to create something that might bring some comfort.  I used Walk In My Garden for the flowers/vase and Elegant Edges for the mat.  My paper comes from a ColorBok (Wal-Mart) designer paper pack.  I used The Paper Studio's Curl Ribbon folder for the embossing on the vase and popped up the mat with some foam tape, as well as the flowers/vase for some extra dimension.  I hope that you will join our challenge this week at HIMCR, all you have to do is include a die cut on your project! Thanks for checkin' in!

Giving Thanks Home Decor

I have finished a Home Decor piece for Thanksgiving.  I free-handed a pumpkin shape on some wood, then had my DH cut it out for me.  I painted it with some acrylic paint (brown for the back & green for the stem).  I Mod Podged some pattern paper on the front, then cut the "Giving Thanks" phrase out of some vinyl.  The phrase comes from the Celebrate with Flourish cartridge and I cut it at 4 1/2".  I am happy with how it turned out and I will be linking this up over at Decorate to Celebrate for their Thanksgiving challenge, as well as Craftin' Desert Divas.  Thanks for checkin' in!!!

Cut It Up Challenge #32 - Countdown/Advent

 

CIU #32 Nov 15 - Due November 13, 2013

Challenge starts November 15, 2013 and ends November 27 at noon EST

Challenge: Count down! Advent calendar or

count down to any other event. Must use a die cut

 

Sponsors:

Prize:$10.00 G.C.

Sponsored by: Kadoodle Bug Designs

 

And

 

- Prize: $25.00 gift certificate

- Sponsored by: Pez-A-Doodle Designs

 

My Project:

So I have had this peg board sitting in my garage for I don't know how many years, thinking "I will use that for something someday".  Well, that day has come!!!

I first decided to Mod Podge some red and green papers onto it - SUPER EASY!!!

Put a coat of Mod Podge over the top - and YES!, there were bubbles, but after letting it sit overnight and completely dry, the paper flattened out perfectly for me!

Then it was time to get to work on the boxes!  Did you know that Tags, Bags, Boxes & More has a tree box cut?  Well, I didn't, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered it! It was going to be PERFECT for my Advent Calendar.  So I cut out these trees at 4 1/2", assembled them and then decorated them up with the pattern paper.  The tree and star cuts are from Designer's Calendar.  I cut them out at 2 1/2" and 3/4", respectively.  The tags/numbers were also from Designer's Calendar and I cut them out at 1 1/2".  The ribbon was the .50 cent type from Michael's (I'm super cheap like that).

I bought my wooden pegs at Hobby Lobby, decided not to paint them, although you easily could.  Then spaced the trees out evenly and poked the pegs through the paper.  I hot glued the pegs in the back, and they aren't going anywhere :) 

 

Here is another view of the board...

...and another

 

The boxes open from the side, and you can fit some fun small little treats or prizes for each day of the countdown.  I am super excited to put this to use in a few weeks (really, only a few weeks?) CRAZY!!!  It will be here before we know it, so I better get crackin' on filling these up!

 

I hope that after seeing all the AMAZING projects my DT Sisters have come up with at Cut It Up Challenges, you will be inspired to make a Countdown/Advent of your own AND link it up so we can see it!  This challenge will run for 12 days.  We have some awesome sponsors/gifts up for grabs too!

 

Thanks for checkin' in!!!

 

Sparkle and Shine - Thinking of You

 

Here is a Thinking of You card that I put together and followed a few challenges while I was at it. Mojo Monday's sketch, Paper Playtime's (Sparkle), Die Cuttin' Divas (Buttons), and My Craft Spot (Pinterest Inspired). I used paper from Prima's Almanac, DCWV Linen Closet companion packs and  DCWV Shimmer stack. I used Art Philosophy to cut out my circles and frames, and the two banners. I have a video to show you haw it all came together. Thanks for checking in!!!

Craftin' Desert Divas - Thanksgiving Linky Party

Craftin' Desert Divas

Thanksgiving Linky Party

 

 

Sponsors:

 

KaDoodle Bug Designs - $15 giftcard

 

 

The Scrapbooking Queen- Royal Surprise Pack



My Project:

I am truly loving all the turkey cuts from the different Cricut cartridges I have, and I especially love this turkey from Celebrate With Flourish!  I decided to make a 5x5 card so I could make the turkey the central focus of the card.  I cut the mat from Elegant Edges and my pattern paper comes from the All Season's packs from Michael's and Hobby Lobby.  I used Divine Swirls for the embossing on the turkey and I popped him up on some foam tape.  I really like how this turned out!  I hope that you will join us for our Linky Party going on over at Craftin' Desert Divas, there are some great sponsors too! Thanks for checking in!!!  I will also be entering this over at CardzTV and 2 Creative Chicks.

BBTB2 - White on White Christmas

 

I know, I know, we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet, but it will be here before we know it and then Christmas will be upon us, so why not get a head start with some of your cards by joining us this week for our White on White Christmas challenge over at BBTB2?  I have never done a white on white card, so I was excited to figure something out for this.  I bought the Holly embossing folder from The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby) a while ago and I really wanted to put it to use.  My base card is A2 standard white cardstock, then I have a silvery/gray base mat to set my embossed mat apart.  I cut the Holly cut from Christmas Cheer, but just used the leaves.  I embossed those with Swiss Dots and cut the shadow out of the same silver/gray paper as the base mat.  I popped the three leaves up on some foam tape.  My rhinestones are from Freckled Fawn, and I think they are perfect for this card - just adds that pop of color!  My sentiment is from a Hero Arts Christmas set and I stamped it using some Studio G Silver ink on white cardstock.  The shadow piece behind the sentiment is also the same paper as the mat and shadow pieces and I used The Paper Studio's Cloud scissors to cut around the edges.  It too is popped up on some foam tape.  Head on over to BBTB2 and see all the DT's amazing projects then link yours up so we can see what you created!

FCCB - Challenge #186 Ribbons and Buttons

Hello all you FCCB fans and all my followers!!!  We have another fun challenge starting today all about Ribbons and Buttons!  I have a friend whose birthday is coming up and I wanted to make her a fun card!  I pulled out my Sweet Treats Cartridge and created this bright and colorful 5x5 card.  I love the colors and patterns, I really hope that she will like it!  I cut the phrase at 2 1/2", but I didn't use the cake that comes with the phrase in the handbook, instead I used the individual cake image and cut it at 3 1/2".  I embossed my border with the Chevron embossing folder from The Paper Studio, and the cake with Swiss Dots.  I did do some stitching around the edge of my base card, but you can't really see it in the picture.  My cake is popped up on some foam tape and I topped it with a cute button for the cherry.  I used some We R Memory Keepers Baker's Twine for my ribbon.  Also, the word "cake" is cut out of some pink polka dotted paper I found in my scrap stash and popped it up on some foam tape too for some extra dimension.  I wish the picture captured just how fun this card is in person, but use your imagination :)  I hope that you will join us over at FCCB this week and use up some of your ribbons and buttons from your stash!!!

HIMCR - Super Scraps Saturday - My Pink Snow Bunny

HIMCR Challenge #123:

Super Scraps Saturday 

 

Sponsor:

Scrapbook Stamp Society 

 

 

 

My Project: 

Okay, so here is another go at coloring.  I used my Bic Mark-It's again and tried a bit of shading but mostly just did some basic filling in.  I am so grateful to The Scrapbook Stamp Society for providing me with this adorable image to work with.  All of the Design Team got to play around with a few of their digi stamps, so make sure you check out all their blogs to see what they came up with - all the projects are amazing!!!  As well as the digi stamps, it's also Super Scraps Saturday - and I love being "forced" to look through my scraps and use them because I have some great options! I first went through my scraps to decide which colors I wanted to use, and I love the non-traditional pink/green combo for Christmas, so I went with some fun glittery pink paper and green/white glitter dotted paper and some super cute pink/green polka dot.  Then I was able to figure out how I wanted to color my image - and that's how "My Pink Snow Bunny" was created.  I'm still trying to get the hang of coloring, but I think she turned out pretty cute considering I'm a work in progress.  Thanks for checking in and I hope you are able to dig deep in your scrap stash and join us this week for our Super Scraps Saturday over at HIMCR!!! I will also be linking this up over at Little Scrap Pieces for the Fun Friday Linky Party.

An Inky Situation - Let's Talk Turkey

 

I'm excited to be a Guest Designer over at An Inky Situation this week!!! I try and play along to these Thursday challenges every chance I get, so this is a great honor for me!!!  The challenge for the week is all about Turkey's.  Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, so take this opportunity to make a fun Thanksgiving card showcasing your favorite Turkey!  If you haven't guessed by now, I am a Cricut Crafter and it was hard to choose which turkey to use, but once I saw the Create A Critter 2 turkey, I was sold - LOVE LOVE LOVE - he's so cute!  Anyway, I cut him out and popped him up on an Action Wobble for some extra awesomeness!!!  I cut the mat from Elegant Edges.  I have a video to show you how this card all came together, so I hope you'll watch.  Just a side note, do you ever create a card and think, "Oh boy, this card has a multiple personality?" Well, I felt this way about my card because the front seems so much different than the inside, they belong on two different cards - I LOVE how they both look, but they didn't seem to "match", oh well, it is what it is, I guess. I just hope I'm not the only one :)  Please head on over to An Inky Situation and link up your turkey projects with us, we would love to see what you create!!!